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User-Contributed Transcription A translation of the speech made by Jimmy Johnson, at the Grand Council of the Confederacy of Iroquois, held at the Indian Village at Tonawanda, October 1845. This speech is an abridgement of his Annual Speech, or a repetition? , in brief, of their religious precepts pretended to have been Communicated to them from heaven. Translated by Ely S. Parker.The Mohawks, Onondagas, Seneeas, and our children, (the Oneidas Cayugas + Tuscaroras) have assembled here today, to listen to the Repetition of the will of the Great Spirit as communicated to us through his, Great Prhophet, handsome Lake, Gar,nyo, di yoh. We would therefore give you all a hearty welcome. The day is far advanced, and the sun is now going down. I will therefore proceed immediately to the performance of my duties, Bretheren, turn your minds to the Great Spirit, and listen with good + strict attention. First, I want all young + old to know how long ago it was since the Great Spirit communicated his religion to us, 46 years ago He spoke to the Indians through his Great Prophet, and since that time we have attempted to live faithful--Gar nyo di yoh, told us that he lay sick four years. He says I had resigned myself to the determination of the Great Spirit, thanked the Great Spirit for every ray of light which entered my cabin, proceeding from the daily Sun. In the morning, I thought on the future, I expected not to behold the dusk of evening. I was more faithful, therefore in the discharge of my daily duties. But Evening came, and I saw--struck out through the opening in the roof of my cabin I saw the stars which the Great Spirit had made to serve as ornaments in the heavens. Again I returned my grateful thanks to my Creator, and again resigned myself to Him, expecting not to behold the lights of another morning. In this manner his sickness was prolonged. At one time, however, very early in the morning he says he told his daughter to inform his friends and relatives to come and see him once more, as the sensations in him, predicted that something extraordinary was to befall him. But when the friends convened, he was dead. A small spot directly over the heart was discovered to be warm. At 9 o'clock he opened his eyes, + was asked if he saw aught. But he Could not Speak, and again closed his eyes. At noon he again opened his eyes, and was asked? by one near, if he could see

Open book A translation of the speech made by Jimmy Johnson at the Grand Council of the Confederacy of Iroquois held at the Indian village of Tonawanda ......

Title Translation of the speech made by jimmy johnson at the grand council of the confederacy of iroquois held at the indian village of tonawanda ... this...

Creator Johnson, Jimmy, 1774-1854

Date 1845

Place New York (State)

Language English

Subjects Indians of North America, Iroquois Indians, Prophets

Description Forms part of the Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library)
Noted at end: Tonawanda August 18th 1852. First come to my hand these papers. Stephen Silver Smith Indian Name Shaw-Wa-e-gah Chief of the Seneca Nation.
For more information, consult the Special Collections Info. File.

Summary October, 1845, speech by Jimmy Johnson, translated and abridged by Ely S. Parker (later U.S. commissioner of Indian affairs) which reiterates the religious and moral teachings of the Seneca prophet, Handsome Lake. Around 1800, Handsome Lake began to see visions and to preach the message of the Great Spirit who was displeased with the Indians' abandonment of old customs, dependence on alcohol, and lax moral conduct.

Extent 1 item (12 p.) ; 32 cm

Format Manuscripts, Speeches

Archival Collection Title Edward E. Ayer Collection

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number Ayer MS 451

BibID 141957

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

IIIF Resource Type Canvas

Size 2383px × 3771px 25.74 MB

Filename 991419578805867_Ayer_MS_451_00001.tif

Unique Identifier NL11IB89