"If your noble State saw fit to appropriate money to fence the grave of the deceased CORNPLANTER, I shall be most happy to meet you there and assist you in surrounding the last resting place of our departed brother, with the respectful barricade furnished by a grateful people.
"I am sorry, that it is necessary, in speaking of our honored brother, JOHN LUKE, who was with us at the monument meeting last October, that he will be with us no more at our meetings this side of the setting sun. He took his departure for the great spiritual hunting ground last April.
"Yours truly, "STEPHEN S. SMITH, "_Chief of Six Nations_.
An appropriation having been made for that object, by the Legislature at its last session, a substantial and appropriate fence was placed around the grave and monument of CORNPLANTER on the 20th of September, 1867. It consists of marble posts with carved caps; iron rails with chains and tassels, and presents a very handsome appearance.
In honor of the completion of the monument, and to express their thanks to the Great Spirit, and their gratitude to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and her agents, the Senecas had a "green corn feast," on the 23d, 24th and 25th of September. It was a great occasion, and was largely attended. Their ceremonies had relation not only to the completion of the monument, but to express their thanks to the Great Spirit for the abundant crops which have this year rewarded their agricultural labors. The erection of the CORNPLANTER monument, and the proceedings relating to it, have had an excellent and benign influence upon these Indians. A friend writes to me: "The natives are greatly pleased with all that has been done; they have better crops than usual, and act more civilized. These proceedings have increased their self-respect, and made an enduring mark upon their grateful hearts."
JOINT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CORNPLANTER MONUMENT.
The Joint Resolution of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, authorizing the erection of the monument to CORNPLANTER, is in the following words:
WHEREAS, SOLOMON O'BAIL, a grandson of CORNPLANTER, an Indian, who rendered eminent services to the State and Nation, during the Revolutionary war and the early history of Pennsylvania, and MARK PIERCE, his interpreter, have just had a hearing before the Senate: