Ostenaco
A leading Cherokee war chief and Henry Timberlake's host. In 1762 Timberlake took him and two other Cherokee leaders to London.
Peace in the Town-House at Chota
Henry Timberlake, Memoirs (London, 1765): arrival among the Overhill Cherokee, December 1761 · events of December 1761; printed at London, 1765
We were received at Tommotly in a very kind manner by Ostenaco, the commander in chief, who told me, he had already given me up for lost, as the gang I parted with at the Great Island had returned about ten days before, and that my servant was then actually preparing for his return, with the news of my death.
We were received at Tommotly in a very kind manner by Ostenaco, the commander in chief. He told me he had already given me up for lost. The party I parted from at the Great Island had come back about ten days before. My servant was then actually preparing to go back with the news of my death.
After smoaking and talking some time, I delivered a letter from Colonel Stephen, and another from Captain M'Neil, with some presents from each, which were gratefully accepted by Ostenaco and his consort. He gave me a general invitation to his house, while I resided in the country; and my companions found no difficulty in getting the same entertainment, among an hospitable, tho' savage people, who always pay a great regard to any one taken notice of by their chiefs.
After smoking and talking for some time, I delivered a letter from Colonel Stephen, and another from Captain M'Neil, with some presents from each. They were gratefully accepted by Ostenaco and his wife. He gave me a general invitation to his house while I lived in the country. My companions found no difficulty in getting the same hospitality. These are a hospitable, though savage, people, who always pay great regard to anyone their chiefs take notice of.
Some days after, the headmen of each town were assembled in the town-house of Chote, the metropolis of the country, to hear the articles of peace read, whither the interpreter and I accompanied Ostenaco.
Some days later, the headmen of each town were assembled in the town-house of Chote, the chief town of the country, to hear the articles of peace read. The interpreter and I went there with Ostenaco.
They all seemed highly satisfied with the articles. The peace-pipe was smoaked, and Ostenaco made an harangue to the following effect:
They all seemed highly satisfied with the articles. The peace pipe was smoked, and Ostenaco made a speech to this effect: