Joseph Louis Cook - Later Life

Later Life

Louis Cook settled in the area of Sterling, New York following the war, and became an influential advisor to the Oneida tribe because he could speak both French and English. It was while living at Onondaga that Cook married Marguerite Thewanihattha. They had several children. Cook convinced the Oneida to lease their lands, using the example of the Mohawk tribe at Kahnawake. The Oneida leased nearly 5 million acres (20,000 km2) to Colonel John Livingston for 999 years. Conflicting claims were made on many of the Iroquois lands, and much of the land was lost to the state of New York. The Oneida named Colonel Louis and Peter Otsequette to negotiate with Governor George Clinton for a return of- or compensation for- their land. Governor Clinton made some minor concessions to the Oneida in the Treaty of Fort Schuyler, but generally outnegotiated the Oneida representatives. Today, Cook is sometimes criticized for negotiating bad land deals for the Oneida.

Despite his shortcomings in the Oneida land negotiations, between 1792 and 1796 the Seven Nations sent Colonel Louis six separate times to represent them in land negotiations with New York state. The negotiations were in response to lands sold by two villages, Grand River and Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario under the leadership of Joseph Brant. The Akwesasne and Kahnawake denied that the villages had the right to sell the land. Ultimately, New York prevailed, and the division between Cook and Brant was deepened.

By 1789, Cook had settled in the St. Regis area, where he became an influential chief. He argued that the St. Regis Indians and the Seven Nations should remain neutral in the War of 1812. His earlier service in the Continental Army was forgotten. He was detained at Fort Niagara until he produced his commission, as well as letters from George Washington. Although too elderly to participate, Cook followed the American army into Canada and was present at the Battle of Lundy's Lane.

Colonel Louis was involved in a skirmish when he fell from his horse. The injuries proved fatal; he died in the American camp in October 1814. Cook was given a military salute at his funeral, and was buried near Buffalo, New York.