CIII.—SPEECH OF LOGAN, CHIEF OF THE MINGOES.JEFFERSON.
JEFFERSON.
1. I may challenge the whole of the orations of Demosthenes and Cicero, and, indeed, of any more eminent orators, if Europe, or the world, has furnished more eminent, to produce a single passage superior to the speech of Logan, a Mingo chief, delivered to Lord Dunmore, when governor of Virginia. As a testimony of Indian talents in this line, I beg leave to introduce it, by first stating the incidents necessary for understanding it.
2. In the spring of the year 1774, a robbery was committed, by some Indians, upon certain land adventurers[634]on the Ohio river. The whites in that quarter, according to their custom, undertook to punish this outrage in a summary[635]way. Captain Michael Cresap, and one Daniel Greathouse, leading on these parties, surprised, at different times, traveling and hunting parties of the Indians, who had their women and children with them, and murdered many. Among these, were unfortunately the family of Logan, a chief celebrated in peace and war, and long distinguished as the friend of the whites.
3. This unworthy return provoked his vengeance. He accordingly signalized[636]himself in the war which ensued. In the autumn of the same year a decisive battle was fought at the mouth of the Great Kanhawa, between the collected forces of the Shawnees, the Mingoes, and the Delawares, and a detachment[637]of the Virginia militia. The Indians were defeated, and sued for peace. Logan, however, disdained to be seen among the suppliants: but, lest the sincerity of a treatyfrom which so distinguished a chief absented himself, should be distrusted, he sent by a messenger, the following speech to be delivered to Lord Dunmore.
4. “I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan’s cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed as they passed, and said ‘Logan is the friend of the white men.’ I had even thought to live with you, but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, last spring in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered all the relatives of Logan, not sparing even my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it. I have killed many. I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace: but do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one.”
[634]Ad-ventˊ-ur-ers, those who attempt difficult enterprises.[635]Sumˊ-ma-ry, short; brief.[636]Sigˊ-nal-i-zed, made remarkable.[637]De-tachˊ-ment, a party sent off from the main body.
[634]Ad-ventˊ-ur-ers, those who attempt difficult enterprises.
[634]Ad-ventˊ-ur-ers, those who attempt difficult enterprises.
[635]Sumˊ-ma-ry, short; brief.
[635]Sumˊ-ma-ry, short; brief.
[636]Sigˊ-nal-i-zed, made remarkable.
[636]Sigˊ-nal-i-zed, made remarkable.
[637]De-tachˊ-ment, a party sent off from the main body.
[637]De-tachˊ-ment, a party sent off from the main body.