Of all the chiefs, Logan alone still held aloof. Major Gibson
undertook to fetch him, but Logan refused to come to the treaty
grounds. He sent by Gibson the short speech which has lived as an
example of the best Indian oratory:
"I appeal to any white man to say if ever he entered Logan's
cabin hungry and he gave him not meat: if ever he came cold and
naked and he clothed him not. During the course of the last long
and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for
peace. Such was my love for the whites that my countrymen pointed
as they passed and said, 'Logan is the friend of the white men.'
I had even thought to have lived with you but for the injuries of
one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood and
unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not even sparing
my women and children. There remains not a drop of my blood in
the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge.
I have sought it; I have killed many; I have fully glutted my
vengeance: for my country I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do
not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never
felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is
there to mourn for Logan? Not one."*
* Some writers have questioned the authenticity of Logan's
speech, inclining to think that Gibson himself composed it,
partly because of the biblical suggestion in the first few lines.
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