Thomas Jefferson recognizes the Intelligence of Native Americans

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Winston Churchill said, “History is written by the victors.” That statement held true to the last 500 years of history in the “New World.” We were taught that Europeans discovered America in 1492. Obviously, that infers the “Indigenous peoples” of America did not exist.

Someone else stated, “History is written by those skilled at documentation.”

Both these revelations illustrate why Native Americans have been underestimated and disrespected by the white invaders of North America.

Fort Jefferson was named after Thomas Jefferson because General St. Clair admired the then-distinguished Secretary of State, who would later be elected president of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson recognized the intelligence of Native Americans and praised Chief Logan’s speech as an example of one of the most eloquent ever made. Fortunately, John Gibson was present and available to record the speech.

Logan’s Lament

“I appeal to any white man to say if ever he entered Logan’s cabin hungry, and he gave them, not meat; if ever he came cold and naked and he clothed him not. During the course of the long last bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate of peace. Such was my love for the whites that my countryman pointed out as they passed and said, “Logan is a friend of the white man.” I had even thought to have lived with you but for the injuries of one man, Colonel Cressap, who last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered all relations of Logan, not even sparing 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 countrymen, 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.”

Unfortunately, Native Americans’ thoughts and speeches were rarely recorded. “Friends of Fort Jefferson” have researched and found several written accounts of Native Americans that tell the Red Man’s side of the conflict in the New World (as white men call it). We will share these stories in future articles.

“Friends of Fort Jefferson” purchased a 17-acre farm adjacent to Fort Jefferson Memorial Park, which was part of the fort’s grounds. St. Clair’s army camp overlapped on this farm, and several skirmishes occurred there. FOFJ hopes this farm might eventually be annexed to the six-acre park. This area could become a common ground where both sides of the conflict might tell their stories of this period of history. There would be space where an interpretive center could eventually be built. We could tell the correct version of the history of that time. It is the contention of FOFJ that the Revolutionary War was not over until the end of the War of 1812.