Handsom Lake, a religious leader and prophet of the Seneca people came to the forefront of Iroquois culture when he defended the teachings he received from three visions or dreams. Handsome Lake nearly died of alcoholism and its related effects. In 1799, at death’s door, three visions appeared to him that saved his life and changed the lives of the Iroquois from despair to hope. These visions shared the idea that the Iroquois should return to their traditional roots, while still accepting the new realities of their current situation.

Native American tribes at the time were desperate for the circumstances they were in. The country and its lands had been invaded by European settlers fleeing Europe in search of a new home. As more and more people arrived, things unknown to the tribal peoples were presented to them; not all were good. As an example, the settlers introduced alcohol (white man’s fire water) to them.

The Native American way of life changed dramatically with migration from Europe. Lands were taken; land was sold. The Iroquois culture was getting lost in the “ways of the white man.” As a result, more Native Americans turned to “drinking” to ease their grief from the situation unfolding around them. Handsome Lake’s visions of hope and encouragement gradually began to turn his gloom into optimism and return his longing to prosper and succeed in his new environment.

Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States from 1801 to 1809, wrote a letter to Handsome Lake. Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence and many other important articles. He was highly admired for his stance on equal rights for all and yet he was sometimes criticized for his own practice of owning slaves, his actions seemingly contradicting his words.

President Thomas Jefferson learned of the progress Handsome Lake was making among tribal peoples and his proposal that they stay away from alcohol. President Jefferson admired Handsome Lake and thought he was a man worthy of negotiating peaceful settlements and agreements. A government agent, Captain Irvine, was assigned to Handsome Lake to work near him and carry his messages with the president back and forth. Handsome Lake and some Iroquois representatives were invited to dinner with Thomas Jefferson and he spoke with the president about the rights of Native Americans to conserve their land. President Jefferson gave Handsome Lake his word in a letter in 1802, reiterating their discussions at that dinner, saying that no land would be taken unless the tribes were willing to sell. Jefferson said the government was always willing to buy land, but did not ask if the owner did not want to sell.

President Thomas Jefferson also proclaimed that the United States would no longer sell liquor or spirits to Native Americans, as that was Handsome Lake’s desire to curb and control the influence of alcohol on tribal peoples. Jefferson also instituted a law to prohibit people from purchasing Native American land, and during any transaction, a government representative would have to be present to ensure fair process.

In the letter, Jefferson refers to Handsome Lake’s complaint that a land deal by New York State was unfair. Jefferson argues that a government representative was there and assured him that everything was fair and just and that the seller was selling freely.

President Jefferson also said that while he understood the hunting land needs of tribal people, he also believed that Handsome Lake should encourage his people to think about the great opportunity agriculture presents. The president tried to persuade Handsome Lake to promote the benefits of planting crops and for women to weave their own family’s clothing to make a better quality of life possible for Native Americans. President Jefferson expressed his wish and hope for the happiness of the Iroquois and all of their “red brothers.”

The letter was unusual for the time; it was an open admission of Jefferson’s willingness to work with Native Americans and count them as brothers. President Jefferson’s letter was also an important endorsement of the Handsome Lake religious movement. Whether or not your letter withstood the test of time in efforts to count Native Americans as equals is left for you to decide from the true story.