It happened, during the Revolutionary
war, that a treaty was held with the Indians, at which
Lafayette was present. The object was to unite
the various tribes in amity with America. The
majority of the chiefs were friendly, but there was
much opposition made to it, more especially by a young
warrior, who declared that when an alliance was entered
into with America, he should consider the sun of his
country as set forever. In his travels through
the Indian country, when lately in America, it happened
at a large assemblage of chiefs that Lafayette referred
to the treaty in question, and turning to Red Jacket,
said, “Pray, tell me, if you can, what has become
of that daring youth, who so decidedly opposed all
our propositions for peace and amity? Does he
still live and what is his condition?”
“I myself am the man,” replied Red Jacket,
“the decided enemy of the Americans as long
as the hope of opposing them with success remained,
but now their true and faithful ally until death.”