Red Jacket

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

or, as he was termed by the Indians, SA-GO-YE-WAT-HA, a chief of the Senecas, of the Wolf tribe; born near the present site of Buffalo in 1752. His original name was O-TE-TI-ANI (Always Ready), his other name being conferred on him when he was elected to the dignity of a sachem, and means, "He keeps them awake." His name of Red Jacket was conferred on him for the embroidered scarlet coat which he constantly wore. He first became known through the part he took in the treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1784. A council had been called to negotiate between the United States and the Six Nations for the cession of lands, and on the occasion he spoke eloquently against the proposed treaty, but without avail . In all his dealings with the whites in regard to land, Red Jacket was a strenuous defender of the rights of the Indians. His paganism never yielded to the influences of Christianity and he proved an inveterate of the missionaries. Under his leadership the Senecas joined the Americans in the War of 1812 and in the battle of Chippewa behaved well as soldiers. In 1792 Washington , on the occasion of a treaty of peace having been signed between the United States and the Six Nations, gave Red Jacket a solid silver medal. On account of his intemperance he was deposed as chief of the tribe. He died Jan. 20, 1830. Red Jacket was on the warpath during both conflicts between the United States and Great Britain. He had great sagacity as a statesman, but lacked firmness of nerve.