[5]: 467 In the treaty the British surrendered to the Americans several territories East of the Mississippi River, however they did this without the knowledge or consent of their Six Nations allies who still considered themselves the rightful owners of this land.
[5]: 467 The treaty did not include any mention of the Nations the British had made alliances with[4]: 371 and left the responsibility of negotiating peace with them to the newly formed United States Government.
[5]: 467 This, coupled with previous instances of failed negotiations between the United States government and the Six Nations,[6]: 226–227 pressured the Americans[4]: 371 into action to avert more conflicts.
[5]: 468 The American statesman Timothy Pickering was appointed to position of commissioner for the Haudenosaunee by George Washington[6]: 228 with the purpose of establishing a lasting peace between both nations.
[5]: 480 He acted as both the translator and orator for this group, delivering an opening address on behalf of the Chiefs where he articulated their grievances, requests, and demands.
[7]: 38 The treaty did more than settle the tensions between the two Nations it also made the American government recognize the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Haudenosaunee as equally valid as their own.
Farmer's Brother delivered what is considered his most famous speech[10]: 413 [11]: 2 [12]: 545 on the 21st of November 1798 at Genesee River in the newly formed New York State.
[10]: 413 [11]: 2–3 In his speech, Farmer's Brother spoke on behalf of two American agents, Jasper Parrish and Horatio Jones, who had been captured by, and worked with, the Six Nations closely before eventually being adopted by them.
[10]: 413 [11]: 6–7 The speech was considered remarkable by onlookers for Farmer's Brother's eloquence[11]: 2–3 [10]: 413 and the use of the line "the Great spirit spoke to the whirlwind and it was still"[11]: 6 which had a resounding impact on many present.
Farmer's Brother has been described as A strong, stalwart warrior, of gigantic frame and magnificent proportions, straight as an arrow ... with eagle eye, frank, open countenance, commanding port, and dignified demeanor.
"[15]: p.186 In the negotiations preliminary to the Treaty of Big Tree Farmer's Brother supported Jemison's request that a section of land which had been promised to her be set aside as a reservation.