To construct such a fence, of imperishable material, as ought to surround
this memorial of State gratitude, to a public benefactor, will require
at least $100, judiciously expended. I think it is due to the credit
of the State, as it would be highly pleasing to the heirs and friends
of CORNPLANTER, that a small additional appropriation should be made
to consistently complete the work so generously begun. I am willing to
bestow my time and attention, gratuitously, to accomplish it. I append to
this report, the introductory remarks made at the dedication ceremonies,
and the excellent address delivered by Col. SNOWDEN, together with
brief sketches of the responses made by the native orators who graced
the occasion, that you may make such a disposition of them as, in your
judgment, may be creditable to the State and beneficial to posterity.
S. P. JOHNSON.
WARREN, _January 25, 1867_.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
OF
HON. S. P. JOHNSON.
_Friends of Cornplanter and fellow citizens:_
By a joint resolution of the Pennsylvania Legislature, approved by the
Governor the 25th of January, 1866, the State Treasurer was directed to
pay to me, the sum of five hundred dollars, "to be expended in erecting
and enclosing a suitable monument to CORNPLANTER, as a recognition of his
eminent services to the State during its early history."
This duty I have endeavored to perform, as well as the limited means at
my disposal would permit. You have before you to-day, the result of that
effort, which, for the price paid, is highly creditable to the State,
the Chieftain, whose virtues it is intended to commemorate, and the
architect who designed and executed it. It is befitting that the virtues
and services of public benefactors should receive public recognition and
be perpetuated by suitable memorials. There is much in the history of
CORNPLANTER, after his alliance with the American government, to elicit
admiration and secure the gratitude of this State and the nation.
Immediately upon the close of the Revolutionary war he became the fast
friend of the white man and the government. Satisfied that his nation had
been fraudulently decoyed into alliance with the British during the war,
and basely betrayed by then allies at its close, he hastened to repair
the wrong, by giving all his influence and energies to the inauguration
of a peace between the United States and the Six Nations, of which he was
then a distinguished Chief. Although resisted by all the craftiness of
BRANT, and the eloquence of RED JACKET, he persisted until his purpose
was consummated by the treaties of Fort Stanwix and Fort Harmar, both
of which were secured through and executed by himself. By them the
Indian claims to most of the land in Western New York, and North-Western
Pennsylvania, was surrendered, and a perpetual peace ordained.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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