CAGENQUARICHTEN (Kajnquiratiton, also probably Kanaharighton, Kanakarighton), also called Blawbek (Blewbeck), leading sachem, or hereditary chief, of the Senecas; fl. 1699–1726.

In September 1699, Cagenquarichten, called the chief sachem of the Senecas, visited the Onondagas to inform them that a number of Senecas had been killed and scalped by warriors of the Ojibwa (Dowaganhae) tribe, while hunting near their village. Although the Iroquois were at peace with the French at this time, they were still at odds with tribes to the north and west, who were allies of the French and competitors with the Iroquois in the fur trade. Until they suffered heavy losses in 1699, the Iroquois were unwilling to include these tribes in any peace treaty. Cagenquarichten proposed to the Onondagas that they should go to Canada to ask the French to put a stop to the raids of their western allies, but the pro-English party at Onondaga persuaded him to refer the Senecas’ complaint to the English officials in Albany, rather than to the French. This was done soon afterwards.

In 1714, Cagenquarichten visited Albany to ask the governor, Robert Hunter, to send a smith to settle midway between the Senecas and the Cayugas to repair their guns and hatchets.

In the 1720s Cagenquarichten was regarded as a good friend of the English. Prior to 1720 some unknown event had resulted in his being deposed as sachem; the English were anxious to have him reinstated in office. In May 1720, Peter Schuyler and Robert Livingston visited the Senecas and presented a belt of wampum to their council with the request that Cagenquarichten be reappointed sachem. This was done. In 1722, Cagenquarichten travelled to Albany with some Indians who had just returned from Canada. Cagenquarichten may have visited Canada with this delegation, although this is not certain.

A Seneca sachem by the name of Kanakarighton was among the Seneca, Cayuga, and Onondaga sachems who signed the treaty of 1726, by which the Iroquois placed their lands under the protection of the British crown. At this time Kanakarighton criticized the Onondagas for telling Charles Le Moyne de Longueuil that the French could construct a stone fort on Seneca land near Niagara, and stated that the Senecas had been to Niagara to protest the French action. There appears to be no reason to doubt that this man and Cagenquarichten were one and the same.

Bruce G. Trigger