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A joint resolution of the Legislature of Pennsylvania was passed on the 7th day of March, 1867, inviting Hon. James Ross Snowden to deliver, in the Hall of the House of Representatives, his historical address on Cornplanter, and the Six Nations of Indians.

Pursuant to this resolution, on the 14th of March, the members of both Houses, and a number of citizens, being convened, Hon. John P. Glass, Speaker of the House of Representatives, was called to the chair; and Geo. W. Hamersly, Esq., Clerk of the Senate, A. W. Benedict, Esq., Clerk of the House of Representatives, and John A. Smull, Esq., Resident Clerk of the House of Representatives, were appointed Secretaries.

Mr. Snowden was introduced to the audience by Mr. Speaker Glass, with some appropriate remarks.

Previous to the delivery of the historical sketch, Mr. Snowden made the following introductory remarks:

At the last session of the Legislature a joint resolution was adopted, appropriating a sum of money for the erection of a monument to the memory of Cornplanter, the celebrated Chief of the Seneca Nation of Indians. The same resolution placed the subject in charge of the Hon. Samuel P. Johnson, President Judge of the Sixth Judicial District. Under his direction, an appropriate monument was prepared and placed in position over the grave of the Chief, at Jennesadaga, (Cornplanter's village,) in the county of Warren, on the Allegheny river, fifteen miles above the borough of Warren. I was selected, by Judge Johnson, to deliver an address upon the occasion. This duty I performed. The monument was dedicated with appropriate exercises, on the 18th of October last. There were present about four hundred Indians, and a large concourse of citizens of Pennsylvania and New York.

I have, at hand, the report of Judge Johnson, to the Legislature, showing the manner in which he has discharged the duties assigned him. His report embraces his introductory remarks and the historical sketch which I delivered. Also, the responses made by a Chief of the Six Nations, and a councillor of the Seneca Nation. The responses were made in the Indian language. They were reported, and taken down by me as they were translated by an interpreter at the time of delivery.

I have here, also, a photograph of the monument and the audience, taken during the delivery of the historical address. This report, with the accompanying papers, will be presented to the Legislature. I am here, this evening, at the request of the Senate and House of Representatives, to deliver the historical and biographical sketch which I pronounced at the grave of Cornplanter, when the monument, erected to his memory, was dedicated. For the honor of this invitation, I beg to present to the members of the Legislature my sincere thanks.

After Mr. Snowden had concluded his address, the following resolutions, offered by Senator M. B. Lowry, of Erie, and seconded by Senator Thomas J. Bigham, of Allegheny, were unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the members of the House of Representatives, jointly assembled, hereby tender our thanks to the Hon. James Ross Snowden, for his excellent and carefully prepared historical address, prepared for and delivered on the occasion of the dedication of the Cornplanter monument, and which we have heard repeated with lively interest and satisfaction.

Resolved further, That the thanks of the members of both Houses is also tendered to Hon. Samuel P. Johnson, for the judicious and admirable manner in which he has discharged the duty assigned him, by the last Legislature, in causing to be erected an appropriate and suitable monument over the grave of the Seneca Chief.

Resolved, That copies of these resolutions be furnished to Colonel Snowden and Judge Johnson: and that the same be prefixed to the publication of the Cornplanter memorial.

JOHN P. GLASS, President

Attest:
A. W. Benedict,
Geo. W. Hamersly,
John A. Smull,
} Secretaries.

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