Speech of Farmer's Brother. The following speech was delivered in a public council at Genesse River, November 21, 1798, by Ho-na-ya-wus, commonly called Farmer's brother; and, after being written as interpreted, it was signed by the principal chiefs present, and sent to the legislature of the state of New-York

This speech, made in 1798, was reprinted in Native Eloquence (3-5). The land gift to Horatio Jones and Jasper Parrish as proposed by Farmer’s Brother or Ho-na-ya-wus (1730?-1841) was made according to the wishes of the chiefs as expressed in this text (Buffalonian). The lots were laid out in 1803. They were part of the “Holland Purchase” in which land occupied by the city of Buffalo was sold to Robert Morris of Philadelphia, who then sold off smaller tracts. Morris had bought the land from the state of Massachusetts, but ownership was clouded by Indian claims. In 1797 Morris obtained clear title through the Treaty of Big Tree in which the Seneca Nation sold him most of the Indian lands in New York west of the Genesee River. Jones and Parrish were the interpreters during the three-week negotiation.

According to the speech, the two had been raised by Indian families from infancy and had lived with them “for many years.” When they left, the tribe promised them land for homes if they should return. They did return and functioned as interpreters for several years, their loyal service culminating in the big council of 1797, hence this special request for disposition of some of the land purchased by Morris.

See Verses for an accident that occurred during settlement of the “Holland Purchase” lands in 1807.