Edwardsville Spectator

From the Venango Herald.
CORNPLANTER'S SPEECH.

By an act of the legislature, their honors, Jesse Moore and Joseph Hackney, were appointed commissioners to explain the law exonerating Cornplanter from certain taxes. After the explanation the following speech was delivered by Cornplanter at the court-house, at Warren on the 4th day of June, 1822:

"Yesterday was appointed for us all to meet here. The writing which the Governor sent here pleased us very much. I think that the Great Spirit is very much pleased that the white people have been so induced to assist the Indians as they have done, and that he is pleased also to see the great men of this state and of the United States so friendly to us. We are much pleased with what has been done.

"The great Spirit first made the world. and next the living animals, and found all things good and prosperous. He is immortal and everlasting. After finishing the living animals, he came down on earth and there stood. Then he made different kinds of trees, and weeds of all sorts, and people of every kind. He made the spring and other seasons, and the weather suitable for planting. These he did make; but still to make whiskey to be given to Indians, he did not make. The Great Spirit bids me tell the white people not to give Indians this kind of liquor. When the Great Spirit had made the earth and its animals, he went into the great lakes, where he breathed as easily as any where else, and then made all the different kinds of fish. The Great Spirit looked back on all that he had made. The different kinds he made to be separate, and not to mix with and disturb each other; but the white people have broken his command, by mixing their color with the Indians; the Indians have done better by not doing so.
So. The Great Spirit wishes that all wars and fighting should cease.

"He next told us that there were three things for people to attend to—First, we ought to take care of our wives and children—Secondly, the white people ought to attend to their farms and cattle—Thirdly, the Great Spirit has given the bears and deers to the Indians. He is the cause of all things that exist, and it is very wicked to go against his will.

The Great Spirit wishes me to inform the people that they should quit drinking intoxicating drink, as being the cause of diseases and death. He told us not to sell any more of our lands, for he never sold lands to any one. Some of us now keep the seventh day; but I wish to quit it, for the Great Spirit made it for others, but not for the Indians, who ought every day to attend to their business. He has ordered me not to drink any intoxicating drink, and not to lust after any woman but my own, and informed me by doing so I should live the longer.

He made known to me that it is very wicked to tell lies. Let no one suppose that this I have now said is not true.

"I have now to thank the Governor for what he has done, and have informed him what the Great Spirit has ordered me to cease from, and I wish the governor to inform others of what I have communicated. This is all I have at present to say."

CORNPLANTER.