Contemporary copy of a talk made by John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War under President Monroe, to three chiefs of the Seneca Nation who went to Washington in 1823 on a mission relating to Indian affairs.
Brothers,
I heard with an attentive ear the talks which you have made to me and have since carefully reflected upon the several points upon which you complain, and now makes you the following answer.
That with respect to a Blacksmith, the Treaty of the 11th of November 1794 with the six nations made ample provision, by an annuity of $4,500, for this object among others; and if no Blacksmith has been employed for the benefit of your nation, the Agent will be instructed to see that you are furnished with you due proportion of Blacksmith's work, to be paid for out of your annuity above mentioned.
That as regards the annuity usually paid to you in goods, which you state to be less in quantity latterly than formally, it is presumed the difference may have arisen from the goods having been purchased and forwarded by the Superintendent of Indian Trade, whose office was kept at this place, as the law then prescribed; but as the Indian Trading Department was abolished by Congress about a year ago the money will now always be remitted to your Agent, to be laid out in such goods as you may wish him to purchase, at New York or any other place where they can be had of a suitable quality and on the best terms.
Your request, to have the copies of the treaties with the six nations, with which you were formerly furnished, renewed, is granted. But as the Department is very busy, and it will take some time to prepare the copies, they  cannot be given to you now, but will be forwarded to you by mail as soon as there is sufficient leisure to attend to them.
You state that Captain Parrish, your Agent, is going contrary to orders, and wish him and Capt. Jones the Interpreter to be put aside. Captain Parrish has been for many years acting as your Agent, and some of the Chiefs of the six nations have recently expressed themselves well satisfied with his conduct and also with that of the Interpreter, and wish them continued. But as the government has no desire to protect the Agent when he acts wrong, the printed copy of the proceedings of the Great Indian Council held at Tonewanta in August last, which was transmitted to this Department and contained charges against Capt Parrish similar to those which you have now made, was enclosed to Genl. Peter B. Porter, a gentleman of great respectability, and who is well known to your nation, in order that he might investigate the charges, which he did; and it appears by the report which he has made to this Department that the charges were not well founded. The Government considers itself bound to sustain its officers while their conduct is correct; but if any charges are brought against the Agent or the Interpreter, and supported by proper evidence, they will be immediately displaced. But to remove all ground of complaint in future on the subject of the annuity the Agent will be directed to call on you for a list of such goods as you may want your annuity paid in, to purchase them in New York, or any other convenient place, on the best terms they can be had, and to distribute them among you in the presence of some respectable person in whom you have confidence.
As to the ministers who are among you, whom you state have caused a division in your Councils, they are not personally known to the Government, but they are usually some of or best men, whose object is of a very different character - it is to give you good advice, which if attended to, instead of dividing and making you enemies to each other, will unite you in the bonds of friendship and peace. You say that there are two pathes - one for the white man, and another for the Red man - This was the case and did well enough many years ago, when the Red people were numerous and roamed at large over this great Island and lived upon game, with which it then abounded; but now, that their numbers have become small, confined to narrow limits, and game scarce; if not voluntarily done, necessity will, eventually, compel the Red man to leave his path and travel in that of the white man - to abandon his accustomed habits and pursuits for those of civilized life.
As to your objections to remove to Green Bay, it is entirely at your optino to go or stay; the Government will never take any steps to compel you to do either; you are at perfect liberty to follow your inclination in this respect. But it is believed that your interest would be promoted by a removal to that country - The distance which it would place between you and the white settlements would prevent the collisions which now frequently happen between you; the various tribes composing the six nations, which are now scattered over several distinct and distant reservations, could then be united in one body on one tract of Country owned in common by all, where game is plenty, and where your settlements would be, for many years to come, unmolested by the too near approach of those of the white people. What I now say is not intended to urge you to move; it is only offered to your consideration in the way of advice, and you are free to adopt or reject it, according to your inclinations.
You complain of the white settlers cutting your timber without your consent and stealing your horses and Cows. This furnished evince of the truth of what I have just said to you. Surrounded as you are now by the white people, bad men will, in spite of the law and all of our efforts to prevent it, sometimes trespass upon you. The Department is, however, disposed to extend to you the justice which the law allows; and if you will exhibit a specific statement of the depredations which have been committed upon your property, with the necessary evidence to support it, it will be considered by the Department and such reparation ordered as may appear to be proper.
I take this opportunity to mention that the proprietors of the right to purchase your lands are as much interested as yourselves to prevent the timber from being cut down and destroyed, and for the better securing it against depredations they are desirous to have the lands surveyed. As this measure will not effect your rights in the smallest degree and will be advantageous to the proprietors, it is presumed you will have no objection to permitting them to proceed with it.
You have now finished your business, and I hope satisfactorily. I have allowed you $150, out of the Indian Fund to pay your expenses home; if you think that is not sufficient and wish an advance from your annuity, I will direct it to be made, to a reasonable amount.
Given under my hand and at the seal of the War Office of the United States, at the City of Washington this 14th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1823.
J. C. Calhoun.
Copy of a Talk made by the Secretary of War to -
Red Jacket
Major Berry &
Cornplanter,
Chiefs of the Seneca Nation residing in N. York
March 14, 1823