Civics Collection
Searching for Equality: Debating the Founding Principles

Jefferson's Speech to Indigenous Leaders

Read the excerpts from Jefferson’s speech to a delegation of Indian chiefs, given in January 1806. Then, read the excerpts from a speech given by the chief of the Senecas, Sagu-ua-what-hath, known as Red Jacket by the Anglo-Americans, in 1805 to a missionary from Massachusetts.
A painting of Thomas Jefferson with a serious but friendly expression. He has white hair and wears a dark overcoat that shows off a ruffled, white shirt collar.

Thomas Jefferson's official presidential portrait, 1801.

A colored portrait of an Indigenous man with white hair and a stern expression. He wears a colonial White man's clothing and a large medallion showing him in tribal clothing shaking hands with George Washington, dated 1792. Writing below the portrait read

An 1830 lithograph depicting Red Jacket, or Sagu-ua-what-hath.

Take Notes

After closely reading each speech, answer the questions. 
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Jefferson's Speech to an Indian Delegation (Excerpted)
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Excerpts of speech by Thomas Jefferson to a delegation of Indian chiefs.

My friends & children, Chiefs of the Osages, Missouris, Kanzas, Ottos, Panis, Ayowas, & Sioux.

I take you by the hand of friendship and give you a hearty welcome to the seat of the govmt. of the U.S.…

My friends & children. We are descended from the old nations which live beyond the great water: but we & our forefathers have been so long here that we seem like you to have grown out of this land: we consider ourselves no longer as of the old nations beyond the great water, but as united in one family with our red brethren here. . . .

My friends & children. I have now an important advice to give you. I have already told you that you are all my children, and I wish you to live in peace & friendship. . . .If you will cease to make war on one another, if you will live in friendship with all mankind, you can employ all of your time in providing food & clothing for yourselves and your families. . . .Your numbers will be increased, instead of diminishing, and you will live in plenty & in quiet. . . .

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Seneca Chief Sagu-ua-what-hath's 1805 Speech (Excerpted)
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Excerpts of a speech by Seneca Chief Sagu-ua-what-hath to a group of leaders from the Six Nations of Indians, primarily Seneca, and a missionary from Massachusetts, who wrote down this version. 

Your fore-fathers crossed the great water and landed upon this island. Their numbers were small. They found friends, not enemies. They told us they had fled from their own country for fear of wicked men, and had come here to enjoy their religion. They asked for a small seat. We took pity on them, we granted their request, and they sat down amongst us. We gave them corn and meat, they gave us poison [alluding, it is supposed to ardent spirits] in return.

The White people had now found our country. Tidings were carried back and more came amongst us. Yet we did not fear them. We took them to be friends. They called us brothers. We believed them, and gave them a larger seat. 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 liquors amongst us. It was strong and powerful and has slain thousands.

Brother. Our seats were once large and yours were small. 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. . . .

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