Bertsch 1
A Neo-Aristotelian Analysis of Chief Sagoyewatha's ("Red Jacket") Oration to Christian Missionaries, 1805
By Kevin Bertsch
Prepared for Professor Mary Walch COM 3343; CRN 10617 in Rhetorical Criticism
Spring 2014 Semester
Bertsch 2
A Neo-Aristotelian Analysis of Chief Sagoyewatha's ("Red Jacket") Oration to Christian Missionaries, 1805
by Kevin Bertsch
Introduction
Sagoyewatha later dubbed "Red Jacket", because he frequently wore an embroidered coat given
to him by the British as a gift, was a Seneca Chief of the Iroquois Confederacy situated primarily in the
North Eastern part of what is now the United States of America. Founded in the 15th century or earlier
the confederacy was originally comprised of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca
nations. The Five Nations incorporated the Tuscarora tribe in the early 18th century and was thereafter
known as the Six Nations. Extending east to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie and as far north as Quebec,
Canada, the Iroquois Confederacy covered approximately 4/5ths of what is now New York State. At the
time that refugees fleeing religious persecution in Europe landed on the shores of North America, the
Iroquois Confederacy had existed as a socio-political entity for more than 300 years. This democratic
union derived its power from a constitution that bound the individual tribes together for mutual support
and protection. Known as the "Laws of the Great Peace", it was this concept of separate political
entities joined together in a democratic union that became the model for the founders of the fledgling
United States to develop the three-branch system of government comprised of the Legislature, Senate
and House of Representatives. (Murphy)
Description of the Artifact
Having sided with the British during the Revolutionary War, in the years after cessation of
hostilities, Red Jacket was instrumental in facilitating peace talks and establishing...