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Fascinating autograph letter signed by Thomas Jefferson, datelined Monticello on 23 January 1810, writing to Erastus Granger, whom Jefferson had appointed as agent to the Six Nations in 1804. Jefferson here responds to a letter from Granger (retained copy included) where Granger sends Jefferson ''two Indian speeches...the speech of Red Jacket was delivered in my presence - I wrote it down, sentence by sentence, and know it to be correct.'' Granger continues offering praise for Red Jacket's speech, ''These speeches go very far in confirming the opinion, [?] for by you, that Nature has been as bountiful, in bestowing rational faculties upon the human species in this part of the globe, as she has to those in any other part...''
Jefferson responds to Granger's sentiments in kind, expressing his admiration for Red Jacket's speech. He writes in the third person as was common at the time, ''Th. Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Granger with his thanks for the two specimens of Indian eloquence which he was pleased to send him, & are safely received. They are both of a very high order of merit & especially that of Red Jackett. He is very sensible of this mark of attention from Mr. Granger & of the kind sentiments expressed in his letter & prays him to accept the assurances of his great esteem & respect. / Monticello Jan. 23 1810 / Mr. Erastus Granger.''
Red Jacket's famous speech, ''Religion for the White Man and the Red'', was initially delivered in 1805, at which time Granger would have heard it in person as Jefferson's agent. It was then printed in 1809 within ''Indian Speeches Delivered by Farmer's Brother and Red Jacket, Two Seneca Chiefs'', a copy of which Granger sent to Jefferson. In the speech, Red Jacket responds to missionary Jacob Cram, who proselytized among the Seneca. Red Jacket minced no words, stating, ''There was a time when our forefathers owned this great island...The Great Spirit had made it for the use of Indians. He had created the buffalo, the deer, and other animals for food...If we had any disputes about hunting grounds, they were generally settled without the shedding of much blood. But an evil day came upon us; your forefathers crossed the great waters, and landed on this island. Their numbers were small; they found friends, and not enemies; they told us they had fled from their own country for fear of wicked men, and come here to enjoy their religion. They asked for a small seat; we took pity on them, granted their request, and they sat down amongst us; we gave them corn and meat; they gave us poison in return...At length, their numbers had greatly increased; they wanted more land; they wanted our country. Our eyes were opened, and our minds became uneasy. Wars took place; Indians were hired to fight against Indians, and many of our people were destroyed. They also brought strong liquor among us; it was strong and powerful, and has slain thousands...''
Red Jacket continues, ''...you have now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets; you have got our country, but are not satisfied; you want to force your religion upon us...How shall we know when to believe, being so often deceived by the white people?...if there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it?...Brother, we do not wish to destroy your religion, or take it from you; we only want to enjoy our own...''
While Red Jacket's speech is considered one of the greatest orations in American history, it was predictably incendiary at the time, with one of the missionaries even refusing to shake his hand. This letter proves however, that Jefferson had a rather different view, complimenting the eloquence and merit of Red Jacket's speech.
Jefferson's letter measures 7.75'' x 10''. Folds, and a few spots of discoloration, else near fine condition.
Thomas Jefferson's Signed Acknowledgement that He Admires One of the Most Famous Native-American Speeches, Where Red Jacket Blames the White Man for Country Confiscation and Hypocritical Proselytizing
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