As CORNPLANTER was the half-brother of the prophet, he was supposed to
be in some way connected with these revelations, more especially, as
the prophet strongly inculcated the principles of temperance, to which
the Chief had been, for many years, a devoted advocate. RED JACKET, and
others, used these transactions to the disadvantage of CORNPLANTER,
and from thenceforth he ceased to take any part in the affairs of the
Six Nations, and but little in that of the Seneca tribe generally,
but devoted himself chiefly to his own clan of that tribe. This clan,
or part of his tribe, had for many years been under his official and
personal direction. Reference, before this period, is often made to the
ABEEL Senecas, and in a map published in 1792, by READING HOWELL, a
considerable portion of the country on the upper waters of the Conewango,
and near Chatauque lake, is designated thus: "O'BEALS--Cayentona."[V]
[V] This map is in the possession of the Pennsylvania Historical Society;
it was recently presented by SAMUEL AGNEW, Esq.
In 1797, CORNPLANTER again visited Philadelphia, the seat of government
of the United States. His principal object appears to have been to pay
his respects to President WASHINGTON, and take an official leave of him
on his retirement from the public service. His address to WASHINGTON, on
this occasion, is marked with his usual good sense and eloquence. This
address was fortunately preserved among the papers of THOMAS MORRIS, son
of ROBERT MORRIS.[W]
[W] See _infra_, page 90.
General WASHINGTON'S answer was not preserved. As he entertained the
highest respect and esteem for CORNPLANTER, no doubt his words to the
Chief were expressive of his kind regards for his Indian friend, and his
best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the Seneca tribe.
From henceforth the career of CORNPLANTER was unconnected with the
general history of his country. He fixed his permanent residence upon the
tract of land on the Allegheny river, granted to him by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. The grant from the Commonwealth is dated March 16, 1796.
In the patent the tract is designated "Planter's Field," and his town is
called "Jennesadaga." It became his home in life, and is now his resting
place in death. Here he directed his efforts to the civilization and
moral improvement of his people, and as an efficient means to produce the
result inculcated the principles of temperance--to which he had himself
been long devoted.
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