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Book, page 21 / 199 CHAPTER III Name Red Jacket, how acquired--Indian name--Conferred name--Singular tradition--Red Jacket during the war of the Revolution--Neutrality of the Indians--Services sought by Great Britain--Sketch of Sir William Johnson-- Position of Red Jacket--Taunt of cowardice--Testimony of Little Beard-- Charge made by Brant--Red Jacket's indifference--Anecdote--Early love of eloquence--Interesting reminiscences. The name Red Jacket, so familiar to the whites, was acquired during the war of the Revolution. He was distinguished at this time as well as afterward, for his fleetness on foot, his intelligence and activity. Having attracted the attention of a British officer by the vivacity of his manners, and the speedy execution of those errands with which he was intrusted, he received either in token of admiration, or for services rendered, or both, a beautifully ornamented jacket of a scarlet color. This he took pride in wearing, and when worn out, he was presented with another, and continued to wear this peculiar dress until it became a mark of distinction, and gave him the name by which he was afterward best known. At a treaty held at Canandaigua in 1794, Captain Parrish, who was for many years agent of the United States for the Indians, presented him with another _red jacket_ to perpetuate a name of which he was particularly fond. [Footnote: McKenney's Indian Biography Politely favored by Alfred B. Street, Esq., and assistant Mr. J. H. Hickox, of the State Library, Albany, N. Y.] His original name was Oti-ti-ani, _always ready_. Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, the title conferred upon him at his election to the dignity of Sachem, has been rendered, "_The keeper awake, he keeps them awake, and the author, or cause of a wakeful spirit_." [Footnote: This latter translation was given to the author by the late Wm. Jones, a half-blood, son-in-law of Red Jacket and a chief of some note. This interpretation was given to some gentlemen from Buffalo who proposed to erect a monument at Red Jacket's grave. It was given in a full council of the chiefs of his tribe.]
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