Mr. Editor,

General John S. Eustace, with whom I was intimately acquainted for some time previous to his death, and who formerly held a major generals commission in the French armies, gave me the following as a genuine copy of the celebrated speech of Logan, the Mingo chief [James Logan, also known as Tahgahjute]. He informed me that he was acquainted with the Lord Dunmore in Virginia, and frequently an inmate of his house, and that the speech, as I now send it to you, was presented to him personally by Lord Dunmore.

I do not consider myself an accurate judge of Indian eloquence, yet it appears to me, that the speech, as published by Mr. Jefferson, is not worthy of those high encomiums which he bestows upon it. I leave with you to judge of the correctness of my opinion.

Yours & c

B. T. C.

Luzerne, September 11th, 1810

Speech of Logan, a Mingo chief, before Lord Dunmore, formerly governor of Virginia

My cabin, since first I had one of my own, has ever been open to any white man, who wanted shelter: my spoils of hunting, since first I began to range these woods, have I ever freely imparted to appease his hunger and clothe his nakedness, but, what have I seen? What! But that at my return at night, and laden with spoils, my numerous family lie bleeding on the ground, by the hands of those who had found my little hut a certain refuge from the inclement storms, who had eaten my food, and covered themselves with my skins: what have I seen? What! But that those dear little mouths, for which I had sweated the live-long day, when I returned at eve to fill them, had not one word to thank me for my toil.

What could I resolve upon? My blood boiled within me, and my heart leapt up to my mouth, nevertheless, I bid my tomahawk be quiet, and lie at rest for that war, because I thought the great men of your country sent them not to do it. Not long afterwards, some of your men invited our tribe to cross the river and bring their venison with them; they, unsuspicious of design, came as they had been invited; the white men then made them drunk, killed them, and turned their knives even against the women. Was not my sister among them? Was she not scalped by the hands of that man, whom she had taught how to escape his enemies when they were scenting out his track? What could I resolve upon? My blood now boiled thrice hotter than before, and thrice again my heart leapt up to my mouth, no longer did I bid my tomahawk be quiet, and lie at rest for that war because I no longer thought the great men of your country sent them not to do it. I sprang from my cabin to avenge their blood, which I have fully done this war, by shedding yours from your coldest to your hottest sun; thus revenged I am now for peace, and have advised most of my countrymen to be so too - - nay! What is more, I have offered, and still offer myself as a victim, being ready to die if their good require it.

Think not that I am afraid to die, for I have no relations left to mourn for me. Logan's blood runs in no veins but these - - I would not turn on my heel to escape death, for I have neither wife, nor child, nor sister to howl for me when I'm gone.