The painting depicts Chief Logan giving his famous speech to Captain John Gibson in late fall 1774. With tears running down his face, he begins: "I appeal to any white man to say that if he ever entered Logan’s cabin hungry, and he gave him no meat; if he ever 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 I passed and said, “Logan is a friend of the white man.” I have even thought to live with you but for the injuries of one man, colonel Cresap, who last spring in cold blood and unprovoked murdered the relatives of Logan, not even sparing his wife and children.
There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This has called on me for revenge. I have sought it; I have killed many; I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country I rejoice in the beams of peace.
But do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will never turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one.
Years ago, Robert Griffing released a print titled "Logan's Revenge." Click HERE to be directed to that page for a bit more history on Logan. |