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UK/, Mil Ml 'VMI.IA.N .iil 50, ■t-2. 1 ^ \ .' t/' THE li SETTLE A CIVU.I noM T ri VWK o 1 ■0 1 ^ V I/' SOME ACCOUNT Ol rilK I «).S Dl I 1 iiK THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS 1 (IWARDS TIIF> INDIAN TRIBES IV Tiir. SETTLEMENT OF Till', COLONIES OF I'.AST AND WEST JERSEY AM) rENNSVLVANIA W 11 II A r.Rir.r nauraiivk ok tiikir LAnruiis FOR THE CIVILIZATION AM) CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION OF THE INDIANS, cfioM Tin; TiMi: 01 nii:iK simtlkv .;nt in amijuca, to tiii: ylau 18i;i. I'unLisiiKi) liY THE Am)ia(;iNES' committee Ol- CTfic i*lcctin0 for Sw^fJ^Jngo. LONDON : KDVVARD MAU8H. H4, HOUNDSDl TCH. 1!S44. [ ruhlioatious rolutivo to the Aborigines, No. 9.] nil': Foi.Lu\viN(; aui: the aijorkjines- ruiiMCATioNs oi TiiK Mi:r/ri\G von srn |.;Ri\(is. I n> No. 1. InIOILMATIOS IIKSI-KCTIN-O the AllOUU.lNKS IN THE Hui Co i.oxiEs.— !»:<». .Vn. ■_». -ErFECTS OF THE ISTnonUCTION OF AlinFNT fSl'lRITS A\n l.MPr.E- MKNTS of WaU AMON<i8T THi; NaTIVKS OF THK SoUTH-Sfa Islands and New Sotth Wai f^.- in:<:i. No ^. FlIlTHEH InFOUMATION UESPECTINO Tin: AuoilUilNES; CONTAiN- INO JlXTUACTS FIIOM THE l'll()(.Ki: 1)1 NOS OF THE MeETINO Fou SrFFEniNos IN London, and of the Cojmmittke on Indian Affaius of the Veahi.v Meetings of riiiLADEi.- iMiiA and IUltimoiie; tooether wnii some i'auticllahs RELATIVE to THE HeMINOLE \\' AR.— liC{!». No. 4.— 1'acts relative to the Canadian Indians. — UUiJ). No. 5. -JlEfORT of the AnoRioiNEs' Co.MMn TEE of the .Meetinc* for 8i:fferinus for the year llilO; with the Address to Lord .John Russell; that io I'hiends settling in New Colonies; and sobie i'articvlaiis HEspEtTiNo the State of Ahoriginal Trihes, — Ui40. .No. (J. -An Address of Christian Counsel and Caition to EiMiGRANT« — 1«41. No 7. -The Report of the Meeting for Sufferings respfci ing the Aborigines, presented to the Yearly :Meeting.— 1841. .No. }|. -Further Information respecting the Aiiorigines ; con- taining Reports of the Co.m.mittee on Indian Affairs AT Philadelphia; Extracts fro.m the Proceedings of THE Yearly Meetings of riiiLADF.i.piiiA, New York, New Fngland, Maryland, A'irginia, and Ohio. Together with SOME PARTICULARS RELATIVE TO I HE NATIVES OF NeW Zealand, New Holland, and A'an Dieman's Lanj).— 1H42. No. !>. -Some Account of the Conduct of the Religious Societv of Friends towards the Indian Triiies ly the Settlement of the Colonies of IOast and A\ est .Ieusey and Tenn- 9VLVANIA ; WITH A BRIEF NARRATIVE OF THEIR LaHOURS FOR THE Civilization and Christian Instruction of the In- dians from the time of their Seiti.ement in America to the year 1»43. — 1«44. \ I f LIST 01'^ THE ArTnOlUTlKS FOR THIS PUBLICATION, \ I History of the American Indians, by James Adair. History of the Five Indian Nations, by CadwaUador Coldeu. Account of the First Confederacy of the Six Nations, 1745. Indian Treaties witli tlie Province of Pennsylvania. Indian Treaties with the United States. Votes and Proceedings of the Assenil)ly of Pennsylvania. IJritish Empire in America, by Oldmixon. Historical and Clironological Deduction of the Origin of Commerce, by Adam Anderson. History of Pennsy\ania, by Robert Proud. History of New .1 reey, by William Smith. History of the Fiiited States, by George Ikncroft. History of New Jersey, by Tlionnis J'\ Gordon. History of Pennsylvania, by Thomas F. Gordon. Transactions of the Historical and Literary Committoe of the American Pliilosophical Society. Travels in North America, by Robert Sutcliffe. Rei)ort to the Secn^tary of War of the United States on Indian Affairs, comprising a Narrative of a Tour, by Jedidiah Morse. Report of the Committee of the House of Commons on the Aborigines in Ihitish Settlements, with the Minutes of Evidence, 1JW7. The American Friend, (a weekly periodical.) Rules of Discipline of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Publications of the Aborigines' Protection Society. Printed and Manuscript Indian Reports of the Yearly Meetings of Philadelpiiia, New York, Now England, Maryland, Ohio, and Indiana. The Sufferings of Friends, by Joseph liesse. History of Friends, by Sewel and Gough. Epistles of George Fox. Life of William Penn, by Thomas Clarkson. Life of William Penn, by Enoch Lewis. The Works of William Penn. LIST OF THE AUTHORITIES lOR THIS PITBLUATION. \M'c of George Fox. ,, John Taylor. John JJurnyeat. Uobort \Vi(liler.s John Richardson. John Fothergill. Tlionja« CJialkley. Jolm Churchman. William Edmunclson. Tljoniiis Story. John Woolman. Tliomas Eddy. William Savery. MS. correspondence of the Yearly .Meetin^js in America with Londuu Yearly Meeting, and of the Meeting for Sufferings of riiiliidelpliia and London. >fS. Letters and Papei-s, Ancient and Modern, Maps, et cetera, iSlC, iNcc. >7 7> >» J) >) )) ,) I \^^«i»«» TNTIlODrCTION. m :i M The AborigiiK's' C'oimnitlce of the Meeting for Sufrerings, in continuing to liave its attention directed to the important suhjecls relerred to its care, have ])re))ared the f(jllo\\ ing brief narrative of the con(hict pursued by tlie members of otn- re- ligious Society, in tiie settlement of the colonies of J'last and West Jersey and Pennsylvania, and of their Cliristian care over the North American Indians, from the i)eriod of the first seillement of Friends in America down to the ))resent lime; with a hoj)e that it may tend to ])romote the interest already felt by I'riends in the truly laudable work of en- deavouring to n)itigate the evils which have arisen, and still continue to arise, to a large portion of the liunian family, by the immigration of I'luropean settlers among then). In the publication of this narrative, we also entertain a trust, that 1)y bringing n)ore into view tlie great advantages which resulted to the early settlers in these coh =i^ !s, from j)ursuing an upright, jieaceable, and conciliatory cc- ;rse to- wards the native inhabitants, it may incite otlnn's to follow the same line of conduct ; and, that, l)y exhibiting the gra- dual progress which the Indian tribes, under the care of Friends, have made from a state of wandeiing barbarism to one of a settled and civilized cliaracter, and, in many in- stances, to the I'ull reception of Christianity, it may give encouragement to increased exertions on behalf of this in- teresting section of our fellow-n)en. Tlie subject of improving the condition of the Indian tribes in and bordering upon the United States, has, from a •ery early period of our Society, been one of correspondence B II luiwccn I'liciids in tlial country and tliis, and for nrarly a (•( iiliin past, prt'lly lV('(|n('nlly so ; by wliidi, iVom time to liiiic, mncli inlnnnatinn rcs](('crin«; llicsc Ahori^'incs lias been connnMiiicatcd to onr ^ rally Meeting, exeiling therein a li\(lv iiih list for the |>roniolioii ol" the various benevolent plans adojited by our Anitrican brethren i'or the spiritual and temporal };ood of this people. 'Jhe inl'orin.ition Inniished to onr ^'early Meeting during tli(> last lew years, respecting the concern of sonic of the ^ Carly Meetings in Aiiieriea, to engage in labours of this l<ind aui(»ng the Indians located west of the Mississip])i river, is calculated to produce a more than ordinary degree of interest in this important subject; and should it a))])ear to bo the duty of I'riends in this land, as it has been in former years, to take active measures for the ])romotion of this en- g.igement, wo desire that we may he found alive to its full discharge. The field for benevolent enter])rise among tlie native Indian tribes of North America is not only highly interesting but very extensive, embracing, acconling to information fiir- nislied to Congress a few years since, an Indian ])o])ulation of .'Vi.'). (»(»() under the jurisdiction of the Vnited Slates; be- sides llie large and numerous tribes scattered o\er the region extending \\«'st I'rom the Kocky Mountains to the shores of Colunibia and C'aliibrnia ; and those located within as well a-. ii'Utli and west of the Canadas. Much as our American brethren have in various ways been instrumental in ])romo{ing the \\elfare of this class of our fellow-men, it will, nevertheless, be seen by the following ac- count, tliatthe number of Indians who have been particii)ants of tlM'ir Christian labours to any great extent, forms but a comparatively small pro])orti(ni even of those situated in the I'nion. One of the obstacles which have be(>n thrown in the way of extending Christian instruction to them, and of ameliorating their condition for a considerable number of years past, has been the gradual removal of them from their i'i I •ft I f I P 'i%i u Ill M'fS of as well •s been ol our ing ac- .•i])aiUs s but a in the in the and of iber of n their -5 •if -;#■ native lands, by unjust and opijrossive trt-aties on the ]iart of the Ffderal (toverniuent, to the (hstant and uncultivated teriilorit's of the west, in (hrcct opposition to their own wishes. These removals, or rather l)anislunents, have been carrie<l on to siieh an extent, that that ])ortioii of ihe country l\in^ last of the .Mississipj)i, which had at one tiuu* a lar)j;e n.itive p<)|)ulalion, has not at the jjiesent time more than a few thousands of them scattered over its wiile extent ; and IVesh edbrts, we are concerned to see, arc now nial\in^ lor the removal even of these renniants of them. In ,»rder more luUy to illustrate the subject of the folhnv- in^ P'^i^fs? the C'ounnitlee have thought it advisable to accom- ])any them with two majis, one an aboriginal map of the country east of the river .Mississippi, exhibiting the tiriitory which the s(!\eral Indian nations oecupied previously to the settlement of the I'-nglish colonies in Auurica ; the other, a ma]) of North Anu'iiea, show ing the tenilorv no/r oecupied by the natives, and also denoting the boundaries of the several \ early .Meetings of I-'iiends in that laud. ^Vilh this view, also, the annexed short description of the locality of the various Indian nations cast of the Mississippi has been ])repared. A SltORT DF-SCIUITION of rilK Ti;i!RIT()HV OCdTIIir) BV Tin-; si;vKUAL Indian Nations Kasi of riii'; Mississipfi BKI'ORE ITS CoLONIZ.\TION 15V 1- rilOl'KANS. Skkinj the origin of the aboriginal iuliabitants of the North Auun'ican continent is wra])]ied in much ohscurity, having nothing hut modern conjecture on record res])i'cting it, we deem it most advisable to be silent upon a subject of so much uncertainty ; of their history, however, for the last two cen- turies, the accounts of Euro))ean travellers and s«?tllers among them furnish us with tolerably accurate information, more particularly with regard to those who dwelt on the land east u 2 I* <»(' the river Mississippi. I'rom tlieso hourccji we have heeii ul)lo to j,'alli('r, with loU'riihlc pn-cision, lh«! hicalily occupied hv liie siMcral nations ol ihcni about two crnliiries aj^o, as ihrv w rru (listiM;^\»i>ht(l Ity hnif;iia^r one Ironi another, w hich \v(! liave arran^'cd nnilcr llie loUow iu},' heads; tor a liniher ilhistration of which we rt ler our readers lo the nia]>s accom- panying,' this work. There (U)es not appear lo have been in this part ol" North Aujerica more than eight languaj^es of a deri(h'dly (Hstinct character, of which five, at the ])rcsent time, constitute the speech of hirge cou)niunities, and three arc know 11 only as nuMiiorials of nearly extinct trilxs. 1. TIk^ piimitiv e language, which was the most w idely ex- teii(h'd, and tin- most ])rolihc in dialects, was thatof the Adiron- dacks, to which the I'rencI) gave the name of Algoncpiin, and by which it was more generally known. The tongue was spoken Irom ("api* Canso and the Hay of (iasjie lo the banks of the Mississippi ; from the Cumberland IJiver in Kentucky and ('a])e I'car, and it is presumed from the Savannah, lo the country of llie l',s«piimaux. 'J he Micmacs, who ])robably never much exceeded three tliousand in number, held possession of Nova Scotia and tlie adjacent ishmds, and also tlie east of the continent, south of a small tribe, calUd by early geograj)hers (jasi)esians, that duelt round the Bay of (ias))e. The I'.lchemins, or Canoemen, dwelt on the rivers St. John and St. Croix, and extended con.Niderably lo the west. Next to these came the Abenakis, from whom descended the Penobscot, Passamacpiaddy, and An(h'oscoggin tribes ; another had its abode in Norridgevvock. 'j'lie tribes thai disai)peared from their ancient hunting- groinids in tlu; east, did not always become extinct, as some of them are know n to have migrated to the north and west. Many of the Sokokis, who a))pear to have dwelt near the river Saco, and to have had an alliance with the Mohawks, at an early period abandoned llie locality where they first became known to the Europeans, and placed themselves ^V.,:, t; been ,nr,), ilS w liich rmilicr Kconi- it'L'ii in L's of a present i\ ihiee lely ex- Adivon- oncjuin, tonj^nie e to the {her in oni the B(l tlirce ind llie. Knlllh of US, that H. John scended tribes ; lunting- \s some id west, lear the i)hii\vks, ~iey ^iist tmselves Under tlio sliellcr of the Krenclj in Canada. Rnt the Indians, j^eiicrally, instead of forming' friendly alliatiees with their more civilj/ed nei^dd>onrs, were imhiei'd, lliroii^di the mis- eonduel of (he hitler, to shun the vicinity of their selthiuents. I'o this we may ])»!rha|)s aserihe the migration of s(mie of the native ])()|)nla(ion. 'I'hns, among the tribes of 'I'exas, ihiTc are Imhans wlio are siiid to trace their |)e(hgreo to Algon- ijnins bordering on the Alhnilic, and it is known lliat de- sceinhuits from New Ijighmd Indians now inhabit some of the western |)rairies. The eonntry beyond the Saco, witli New llanipsliire as far as Salem, was occnpied by the IVnnaeook or Paw- tncket tribe. 'I'he Massachnselts Fmhans, even before the coh)nization of the eonntry, liad abnost (bsapjieared from llie huid of the bay that l)ears this name, and the native viUages of the interior resend)h'd insnhited and nearly independent bands. The most civilized of the northern Indians were the l\)ka- nokets, who dwelt in Nantneket, Martha's \ ineyard, and a part of ('a])e Cod ; and the Narragansetts, wlio ocenj)ied Rhode Island, a part (»f Long Islanil. nid the land between the bay that bears tlieir name and tiie ])resent limits of Con- neetieut ; tiiese, \s ilh the Peiinods, the branch of the Mojie- gans that held the eastern part of Conneelient and a part of Long Island, were the earliest victims of Muropean coloniza- tion in North America. In tht; territory between the banks of the Comieeticut and the Hudson, were independent vil- lages of the Mohegans, kindred \\ ith the Maidiallans, who once dwelt on New York Island. Of the Lenelen()p])es, or, as some modern writers have it, Lenni I.enape, there were two divisions, the Minsi and the Delawarcs; they possessed Kast and West .Jersey, the valley of the Delaware, far nj) towards its sources, and the entire basin of the Schuylkill. These were the Indians who formed the main bod}' of those with whom William Penu made his great and memorable treaty of l(i8*2, at Shackamaxon, the VI spot on which Kensington, in the suburbs of Pliiladelphia, now stands. lieyond the Delaware, on the eastern sliore, dwelt the Nanlieokes, who disai)])eared, or mingled imperceptibly with other tribes. The name of Tamlico denotes that Algontpiin tribi's extended along the sea-coast as far south as Ca])e llatteras. It is eonjeelured, also, that the Corees, who dwell to the southward of the Neuse Uiver, spoke a similar language, tlnis establishing Cape Fear as the southern boun- dary ol' the Algontpiins. In \'irginia the same language w as s])oken throughout the dominion of Powliatan, which included the tribes of the eastern shore and all the villages west of the Chesapeake, from tile southernmost branch of James River to the Pa- tuxent. The basin of the Cumberland river is marked by the earliest geographers as the locality of the Shawnese, who connected the south-eastern Algonquins with the western. A ])ortion of this people afterwards lived in the neighbourhood of Winchester. Their principal band re- moved from their hunting-grounds in Kentucky to the head- waters of one of the great rivers of South Carolina ; and at a later day four hundred and fiity of them, who had been wan- dering in the woods ibr four years, were found a little north of the head-waters of the Mobile river, on their way to the country of the Muskhogees. About the year 1098, nearly seventy of their fainilies, with the consent of the Govern- ment of Pennsylvania, removed from Carolina, and settled on the Susquehanna ; these were soon followed by others of the same tribe, and the number of Indian fighting men in Penn- sylvania in 173'2 was estimated to be seven hundred, one half of whom were Sliawnese from the south. Cadvvallader Colden, in 1745, said the Shawnese were the " most restless of all the Indians," and that " one tribe of them had quite gone down to Xew Sjiain." Of the ancient territory of the Miamis, their own traditions •■4* 'W. vu Iphia, ;lt the y witli )ii<l\un , \vh(i similar bouti- out the of the ipeake, he Pa- by the iwnese, Ih the i in the ind re- e head- lud at a ni waii- e north to the nearly Tovern- tled on Is of the Penn- d, one allader restless |d quite iditions y have preserved an account. " My forefather," said Little Turtle, tiie Miami Chief at Gieenvillc, " kindled llie tir>t fire at Detroit ; from thence he extended his lines to the head- waters of Scotia; from thence to its mouth ; from thence down the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash, and from tlu'iice to Chicago, on l^ake Michi<,Mn. These an; the boundaiies within which the ])rints of my ancestor's houses an* l,'\l-l^ - where to be seen." The Ottawas, from the basin of the rivt-r that bears their name, wandered to the bay ol" Sai^inam, and took ])ossession of the whole noiili of the ])eninsula. Tlie Illinois, who were kindred to the Miamis, had then- country between the Wabash, the ()hi(j, and the Mississippi. The Potawatomies, who were a branch of the great Chi))- pewayan nation, and came from the islands about the en- trance of Green Bay, in the early part of the eighteenth cen- tury, by encroaching upon the Miamis settled at Chicago. The Chiii])e vas inhabited the land from the mouth of GruL-n Bay to llie head-waters of Lake Su])erior. 'J'lie Menomonies, a distinct Algoncpiin tribe, were found ntar (ireen Bay, as early as 1()(J9. The Sacs and Foxes occupied the country south-west of the Menomonies, from Green Bay and Fox River to the Mis- sissipjji, and hunted over ihe land between the Wincon.sin and upper branches of the Illinois. The Shawnese are said to have an affinity with this nation, and also the Kickapoos, who established themselves by conquest in the north of Illinois. So nun)erous were the Algon([uin tribes, that it is supposed they constituted one half of the native population east of the Mississippi, and south of the St. Lawrence. IL Xorth-west of the Sacs and Foxes, west of the Chij)- pevvas, tribes of the Sioux or Dahcota Indians occupied the prairies east of the Mississippi, from the head-waters of Lake Superior to the falls of St. Anthony\ The Winnebagoes, a little community of the Dahcotas, had penetrated into the territory of the Algonquins, and dwelt between Green Bay and Winnebagoe Lake. Mil III. The Huron- Iroquois, or Wyandots, on the discovery of America, were populous, and occupied an extensive terri- tory. The peninsula hetween the Lakes Huron, Erie, and Ontario, was the dwelling-j^lace of five confederated tribes of the Ilin'ons, who afterwards, h\ some unaccountable influ- ence over other tribes, and by niakinj;- treaties, gradually acquired a claim to the whole country I'rom the St. Lawrence to the western limits of New York. I'he Huron tribes of the north were surrounded by Algon- quins. In the south, the rivers Chowan, Meherrin, and Nottoway derive their names from Wyandot villages; and in North Carolina the Tuscaroras were the largest tribe, num- bering, it is said, in 1708, no less than twelve hundred fighting-men. We find this tribe thus alluded to, in an epistle addressed by George Fox to some Friends in Virginia, in lt)73 : "■ If you go over again to Carolina, you may enquire of Captain Batts, the Governor, with whom I left a paper to be read to the ( inperor, and his thirty kings under him, of the Tuscaroras." IV. On the central lands of Carolina, south of the Tusca- roras, dwelt the Catawbas, with whom were included the Woccons. The Catawbas in their most po])ulous days were not reckoned to be moi'e than one thousand two hundred fighting-men, an enumeration made in the year 1743, gives but four hundred. This nation, therefore, on the arrival of European settlers, appears not to have numbered more than three thousand. V. The Cherokees, who were th(; mountaineers of Ame- rica, occupied the upper valley of the Tennessee River, as far west as Muscle Shoals, and the highlands of Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama — considered to be the most pictu- resque and salubrious country east of the Mississippi. Their towns were generally by the side of creeks and rivers. The Tugeloo, Flint, and branches of the Tennessee were rivers that ilowed through their country, to which they had an ardent attachment. XSlK IX ICO very 3 terri- ie, ar.d ibes of 3 iuHn- a (111 ally wroilce Algoii- n, and and in 3, nuin- lundred 1 epislle inia, in quire of a pur to him, of Tusca- led the ys were lundred gives arrival id more Arae- ver, as irolina, pictu- Tht'ir The rivers ad an m •m M VI. South-east of the Chcrokees were located the Uchees, who claiuied tiie land above and below Augusta, and jnide themselves on being the oldest occupants of thai country. I'hey now, however, form but a small section of the Creeks, and are known as a distinct liiniily by their singularly harsh and guttural language. V'll. The NiUchez, who also have mingled with the Cn-eks, arc described in history as having been a distinct nation, possessing not nu)re than (bur or five villages, the largest of which was near the banks of the Mississippi. VIII. The whole country south-east, south, and west of the Cherokecs to tiie Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, to the Mississij)pi and confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio, with the exception of the lichees and Natchez, was in the ])os- session of one great family of nations, the language of wiiich was called Mobilian. It included three large confederacies, each of which still exists, and, it is thought, even w ilh some increase of numbers. In the territory bounded by the Ohio on the north, the Mississippi at the west, and on the east by a line drawn from the bend in the Cumberland river to the Muscle Shoals of the Tennessee, and extending at the south into the state of Mississippi, dwelt the Chickasaws. Betv\een the Mississip])i and the Tombecbee, below the Chickasaws, wai the country of the Choctaws: they lived in com))act villages, on the eastern frontier, but through the interior of their territory were much scattered. I)\\ elling in plains, or among gentle hills, they excelled all oiher North American Indians in agricultural pursuits, subsisting chiefly on corn, and placing but little dependence on the chace. The number of their fighting-men is supposed to have ex- ceeded 4000. The ridge that divided the Tombecbee from the Alabama, was the line that separated the Choctaws from the tribes which formed the Muskhogees, or Creeks. Their territory included, all Florida, and extended on the north to the Cherokees; on the north-east and east to the Savannah, and to the Atlantic along the sea, their northern limit seems to have extended almost to Cape Fear. Their i)oi)nlation, althongh spread over a territory fourfold greater tiian that of the Ciioctavvs, did not exceed them in number. Tlieir towns were situated on the banks of the creeks, in which their country abounded ; they followed agricultural ])ursuits in- dustriousl}'. The A'amassees, on tlie Savannah, it is thought, formed one of tlieir bands; and the Seniinoles of l-'lorida are the " wild men" of tliis conlederacy, but separated liom them by choosing the wandering life of the hunter rather than the more settled one of agriculture. The whole number of the Aborigines of America dwelling east of the Mississippi two hundred years ago, is computed not to have exceeded one hundred and eighty thousand. Of these, the various tribes of the Algonquin family are reckoned at ninety thousand ; the Eastern Sioux, less than three thousand ; the lluron-Iroquois, including the Tuscaroras, about seventeen thousand; the Catabaws, three thousand; the Uchees, one thousand ; the Natchez, four thousand ; tiie Cherokees, twelve thousand ; and the Mobilian tribes, fifty thousand. The Cherokee and Mobilian families, it appears, are now more numerous than they were ever known to be. eenis to uliition, that of V towns •h tlu'iv iuits in- ilioiiglit, >ri(lii ave >m tliLin than the dwelling onipiUed and. Of reclsoned an three iscaroras, liousand ; and ; the bes, fifty appears, to be. fW" ^X:=P li*^ •"V* A MAI' in^ \\v hu;ttions i>f the viU'ioMS .-V i^< iif iht li nrUj- .ytt'UiitinfW I n ItSX/'.n iroi- if I /Iff , './,'// nyi'if/ ,,/'ii con, iiii .^^mni r iifi/if /^n//ii/ ■'!litf4f uri /ntO^iTi ni'Uiirf, v> t L> /.('.. -v^.- I :'.*»' u* . > • nu- f»', o, ■'''),. f'u .< »l >• I N l> I .\ V .s "/;,; ''^., ''•'•' /-. >,/>• ,'""*'» •i., /W "" ' .. .v.^;."'.ij;i rxJ-'v,.''- ''V -•v.. • ''»v /^'/.. '"•"'.V,,.', !'-^ ., ►>: \\. t-^^^H '^'••'■'A I. ■"'^"-^-.^^ ^f^ n -v^slaV* -'c :S/^'. ''•^~ ( K...:% /^- "'/, \A^ A'W" ' ■ >"^\ X --V, \ '*,. V t.. u. .01^ 'ni^%.ui-^--t"''- '/-r. ''"' "//)•( / HO :"-; XS H H ^>y ■% ''or 'r>n '^.f,. ^'^V^ ^ '"•II, f, '' '"■ / ^.C-^^-x Nf^'-./i,^'^ *<*T/H^\ . .ViV^''\i"^^'"', A t >A '/A. '<^« 'W *^. *>, ■^: ^n |o^. iBltll nu- \ ^ > v-> P "l(.« I ''/>-, -/,/, A A <■/. I'AV,, ■'"''"" / /i-r' ,1" '' i^:' •V,. "• ' r I . ( St ,v,//. 4'<'"-"^'"" •^"^.. .-^--l ..V.--W / \ ' / 'x ' '. ' 1 1 ( i sr "" '« -• „..."'-^' .// /''' ii^ . M i^ r<// A V >v >^" V'.Taw*^'" ^ V WKNV.^ <> IV AND ^ trim'' !■ V/, AfM'-' ♦>, J-lti.r>l. \ ^ ;...--^^ .;'■•,.."■ ,^, ■ ' .• ■C' fV./ /•"•'" ^ iP J o\V' \N<. o \ ^\ <> .AN> .\N .,^^^ A MAI' in^ / / / Miiti ilif lt>>;itinns til' ilif v;u'it<ns ..^■^ hh -"^o. DAIH OlA HIUON IKuorolS t ATAWUA > lll'.UoHKK l'< HKI'. N Al < 111'./. MoBll.LA.N ; YEARLY MEtTINCS OF FRIENDS. M.VV K.VV.KAND 7. NKVVYOUK - I'KNVSVIA'AMA T OHIO - I.MHANA •_ MAHYl.AND :I NOKTll I AlioLlXA L i 1 1 1 I ixv 1 U*' s rKJ^'i'^^'' .^. KIM <> n irfl I. 'A .yo-V "'^^^- /" \\ hy r K \\ *♦", „.'i-'> V / (i n X rj/fli "A >i>'i!: >/. A ■^+. L^"" y o^ T l^ M r s"^i >i i > s IK z":^' VllH- V. V /., // y 9^ y "> } . / lf,«nrl-<>ff \\v>'- ;> '^.v. '-*.S' T E B R ^ l\ V i/,' lo-iB-i '^< ->■:,«■ .. ."^.>V L^'-'.. '»l,KJ^S flVff/wii''* is ^o.Ji (IX I '<^,'^. 1 fi' ^y. n. ,>.f<^: , >'-:. f ''•«i^/-v{:)^ kR?^^!' « i'^iV^"'^' ^ y..v., //.," -\ ., n. > .„N <i* OTIKOKS i^in.ts n*t/,/>»rjVM ^'=;, 1 ^W ^^ e Lwi***??^ y V '1)K I. A K A N S \ /H'*..A ■. """^c,,, ■r^^..^ \^ '^' ./ .v»/' '': .r^' /■rA \. \.v. A 3' < ) --. /' ^ci - iPJN':.-» "fcA/; 4m E o \v^ ..^ A' X ^ -^_ :^«M.?j^S5 ,»'*•' -NHUc}^l'/^,i \*f s- r , „^ ~j^" l?t >'»\ / ^ V ( _ r ^ '»• , Vr^'i'^ H-: ,.* '• -J- ^ 1 1,. ■■>'; V VI A N It ni^, «v K !•• K S .\ K K \^V "^' T ». ,..T « ■-9- _^-l Ai^*» • a N 4* --; ■••'l.V ; V ^■••1 r" J> I .M" a\H^'- \. /<,- ^x V--. L\ i ./i' \ «■<' ' > \ . ■^, / »; fe ■ >; "^ r~ \_ 1; ^, H. /^ % % \ V- P r.-wik'^'' \^ >..i /*-> -A ,."■' '■ 3n\>'^' ^«' () ' V\V!,^'^ ^VK''" > .n.'^-'^' ■> 'S X, „,.tK.V""" <«,.« »v».> -1^^^ ^ 4s Sail.. II,. - ,_^.^L V, (. r t.Brvivr,. -Ifl N(.rt«- 1. I- I) K M **• t' o ..•v>-\-- v.v^y ,s ri"^" I O (.>^^ *> o*^* r. ir t*0^' <rY ^u^«; 'V"i 1 w &? .•,yii» v« ^ ..j\ ,&)'"*■' Sl.il I'llHMl I . r Mil' I uiiiIhm' i>r lMl^iil^^ .^WHiMiH'nl 1 -t' 1 hi- iiniiil>iM' c •( Iruii.-) II'*. i.;....i ,.r>ii.- M ISSI;*si|>[ii luUlVi' III il r\ \vi->t i>t' til / /(//■/'.■»>■,/> nllin-ii .■< ,1 I'ot. S I ( ■ Vli*-4issipjii iuul I'lisl .if I III" K'.'i'Uv #*»■.! / - •//( / *■,.!■ NK Ml I it. '1 1 118 ' /H /l/ll nil,- 1/14 11/1.'^ in I: InJi. .U'.r )nrk '■,('(' ifi.< Irniii .\''H' Ycr/i III, ■^n'li. rh/, ,'/ J r.h til I'l -, n ha (■ //, ih iiii cnu-.' I/a .if, Xtiiitinf ,/ i'h. fif: ()■//.• Micfi Cfi I <lii ri ' ,' ft nfis' !•, I hi ■<lnl ■i/'l ■IJ-I I n I / ii r, i '1 1 H'fi t t A tl II I'll! •: ( iDini I'sntfi : III /i. 4.'>, <'(( :■>(', I '( t //, /'('( /■'> (yy II CI ^' i.-^^ ,ru- i ..uvVv«^-" J ',1 ,\SII flilKJlt U 1 lllll'H Ull A/, nil, ■}■(> S,,,:-r ■t . srr Xi'. J.Oti ( 'm.' ■ 1 ,( 1 1 1 hii.'t f, II / ri ,s ■ ". I'i'i Stilt fItUMll Ol" \\v tuiinlier iii'liuli«nt>. .■Iriiiim.^ :;.''<■(• wholmw been n- loved t"r< •IMtlli- ("MSt ('/lilt T/l 11 1 Ji ;' rrr 111 the went ..ft] ifM i^siswififii . . Fiuri ,1 / mr ('n fMn •A.'i. />(H' (iflixn / .r.ir i'/uxfan'i ir< . , W Hnji .sfi .i /.47(' 1 'fn ri'h) 1 .'f /.'> . (>('(' Ortui /iiis 1 . '/-a' if 1 It J^ It .^il »»Vv /> , -^-/Jfi ti'n'ii r< /. Z/r hi H /Iflnl/)<IC,S 'i- , urc f\i 4/1/ I'l ji MT Si riu/ii'/i X :', , f{>o /'lui ,-a .♦ tiCO I'ctfnriiU'niii: • / /'-M.' Sii/K i.t' i/i, . l/i.-. mil ri M>0 • V/( fl H'H I'JIf / V />(} I^hiafiii .<, ,..W /U/ii tnirrx rv;-^ .■ImifKi/nifs /<, Il ll'/lfl. .It -11 III II ,:; It'rii rii/ii/s ivi:'' /(it ri 1 til I'f .i/i . Ki. .i/tm •II .1. /'fl 1 /I'llr/i /i-i- 1^5. m: /il t/fH/HIII,S ■/■7/> '■U.^.X-J-i' Scnfi't/s th>Tti Snrif/u, ^ky ;'.^/ 77ir iiiini/'er lit /iu///irif ri nK/infj WPil Si'rifiuis cin</ Shii H-Tkffi k'// nf' t/lf /I'orJt^- <//, uiitiiin.it in /iSZy nmir I'Uuwa.s wo fiiTifi , '' l.hf n ■/'" •1 III' a com III! $fi/iri 1 /' /ianJtfshowi 16Z itfihf /Initii/ ■'slnt*:f on /niii iiti It I'l'iiir.i. /'ronn.s iiiu/ /\'us /.Il .< /wis /."■.'i ajiioufi/iu/ fl /7/. 'U'/'. 7 7./, ^7 •lA^^ t^'O^' 7 O^' .X-Jb-^iV^ .A^^-^ ■dM»MirtAk»ahu<few«i«H«Ml K'^^ PART I. SoMK Acfoi NT OF Tin; CoNDtcr oi' Till', Hm.iciois SorihTY oi" I'kiknds lowAKus iiir, Indian 'J'i!II!i:s in tiiI': si;t- Ti,i;Mi;Nr ok iiik Coi.oniks or I-', \s r and W'i.st .Ii:i!si:v AND 1'|;NNSVI.\ ANIA, Will! A HHIIM \AI!l!\ri\l, OI iniiu LAiJoLits i-()K Tin-; Civil. iZATH)N and ('iiinsiiAN iNsntn- TioN OI' Tin; Indians, fhom tiif ti.mi; of tiiliu nki im;- MFNT in A.MKHKA TO TIIK Vi:\U 17!)4. TnK early sotlleniont of I'lieiuls on the North American coFilinent, having an intiinale connexion with tlie civilization anil Christian instrnction (>( tlu^ Indian races, \vc are in- duced, in the connnencenient of the present division of our suhject, to make some allusion to the rise and settlement of Friends in that land. Tlie earliest account which history lurnishes respectiufj; I'riends in Xorth America, is that which records the cruel sufferings endured by some of them at Boston in New England in the year KioG, for the testimony of a good conscience. We are not aware that any ])rofessed our ])rin- ciplcs on that continent })revious to this date. Many Friends, it appears, were sufferers in Maryland for their testimony against bearing arms, as early as JOoS; and in 1659 we find George Fox addressing epistles to Friends in New England, Maryland, and Virginia. In the account of the Life of John Uurnyeat written by himself, we find that, in the year 1669, meetings were settled in Maryland, Virginia, Rhode Island, New I^igland, and New York, where he says, " he s])ent some time amongst Friends in going through their meetings." John Burnyeat in 1671 again visited America, and in this year attended the Half-year's Meeting which was established at Oyster Bay on I'J liong Islanfl, and also llie Nearly .Mfctiiig on Illiodu Isliind, \\lii(Ii lie says, " foutiniics for nincli of a ueek, and is ti },'(!ii('ral nit'clin}^ oufi- a y( ar for all l-ricnds in New I'n^laiid." Il is evidcnl iVom this stalciiiunt, llial liic Yearly Mcclin}^ for New l-'ji^land rxisU-d jirior (o 1()71; and tluro is no donhl l)nl llial llic llalf-ycai's Mi-ctinjj; (»n liong Island was conlinned nnlil l(>J).'), wlicn the ^ early Meetings of London and New I'-nLdand established the Nearly Meclin'f lor New ^'ork to he held on lionjj; I -land. No ^ early Meeting, it a|)|)ears, was established in Mary- land nnlil abont the year KiHK, in winch year an l^pistle was sent from it to onr own. In 1(!H;3, an l'l))islle was addressed to Geoige I'ox from the Half-year's Meeting of Maryland, and we find that several years ])rior to this date meetings for discipline were set np in this province. .Fohn Unrn- yeat s])eal<s of being at a mteling in 1()7'2, whielj he ap- j)ointed to be held at West River in Maryland for all the Friends in the ])rovince, that he might sec them together before he left it; and which he says was very large, and continued for several days ; and " a men's and women's meeting for the settling of things, that men's and women's meetings might be established in the ])r()vincc, according to the blessed order of the (iospel of Christ .lesns, which Friends, by tlie ]iower thereof, were gathered into [in] most ])1accs." By this account it appears that meetings for discii)line were settled previous to 1672, and this is con- firmed by a notice of George Fox, who was jiresenl at this meeting, and wlio says in his Journal, " After this [meeting at West River] we went to the Clifls, where another general meeting was ap])ointed :" — " to this meeting came many who received the truth with reverence." It does not ap])eav that any meetings for disci])line existed within the compass of Virginia Yearly Meeting until the year 1()7'2, in whicli year William iMhnundson sa\s in iiis Journal, " I took boat and went to "S'irginia, where things were much out of order ; but the Lord's power and tesli- -^> \y J s^mm, 1^ U IsliUKl, '\ and is a i .n^liind." 1 Mcilini,' TO is no ^lan(l was liondon lor New in Muiy- |)isllc was * acUlressicd MarvlamU meetings )liu Unrn- 't. •h be ap- 1 oY all llie II to<^etlicr large, and 'X ■ ^ I women's women s according HIS, which into [in] meelings lis is con- >nt at this [meeting cr general many who no (existed until the aNS in his ere things and testi- m iiiony went over all. Wlien I gd several powerful meetings atnoiig them, an»l lluir minds a little settled, so that truth had got some h'ld, I appointed a jnen's m.'cting lor the set- tling of them 111 the way of Inilirs disripline" W iUiam I'.dmiindson alierwards proceeded to visit Iriends in N(trtli Carolina, and ( nciauilered ma»iy dilliculiies in his travels, he- fore he reached the house of llemy Pliilli|is, near Alhemarlo River, of whom he says, that " he and Ids wife had heen convinced of the truth in New llngland, and came to live liere, and not having seen a I'riend for seven years hefore, thev wept with jov to see us." That the numhcr of Friends was hut few in North Carolina at this dale, we may gather from an epistle addressed to tliem about this tiiiu; hy (Jeorge Fox, in which he says, " So you few. that are that way, keej) your n)eeliugs, and meet together in the name of Jesus, whose name is above every name, and gathering above every gathering." The Carolinas at this jjcriod had, it apjjcars, but few set- tlers in tliem, not having been formed into a c(dony more than a few years previous to these visits ofCieorge Fox and William Ednnuulson ; and so slowly did the tide ol" emigration set in towards this pari, lluil in KJKW it is staled, that there were not more than eight thousand settlers in the Carolinas and Georgia. in reference to the early slate of this colony, Bancroft says, " there seems not to have been a minister in the land ; there was no ])ublic worship but sue!) as burst from the hearts of the ])eople themselves, and w hen at last Wil- liam Fdnuuidson came to visit his Quaker brethren among the groves of Albemarle, he met with a lender people, delivered his doctrine in the authority of truth, and made converts to the Society ol" I'riends. A (iuarlerly xMeeliug of discipline was established, ami this seel was the first to organize a religious government in Carolina." The earliest selllenu-nl of Tiiends w ilhin the compass of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, of which we have any account was in the year 1607 ; at which time, Smith, in his History m^rmmimmmitKm M of New Jersey says, " tlial the selllers at Shrewsbury were all, or most of them, Friends, and that a meeting was settled there in l(i7(>." (ieorge Fox, in the Journal of his Travels in Atnerica in 1()72, s))eal<s of being at a meeting at Shrews- bury in East .Jersey, " to which Friends and other peo])le came," and that in " the same week we had a men's and women's meeting out of most parts of New Jersey." " 'Ihey are building," he continues, " a meeting-place in the midst of them, and there is a Monthly and General meeting set uj)." About the year 1G75, the territory of West Jersey came by purchase from Lord Berlieley into the hands of .John Fen- wicke, a Friend, in trust for Edward Byllinge and his assigns, in consequence of which, in this year, Jt)hn Fenwicke, with a number of other Friends from London, landed at a place on the Delaware, which he named Salem, and on their arri- val settled a meeting there. A dispute having arisen between .fohn Fenwicke and Fdward Byllinge, was at last composed, by the assistance of William l\'nn, to whom, with (iawen Lawrie of London, and Nicholas Lucas of Hertford, the management of the province was now committed as trustees for Edward Byllinge, and, from this circumstance, William Penu became one of the chief instruments in settling the colony of West Jersey. Although the land thus purchased gave Friends a legal right to the soil, in the commonly understood sense of that term, it nevertheless did not, in their estimation, fully entitle them to it, without a further purchase was made from its aboriginal inhabitants, whom they regarded as the alone rightful pro- prietors of the land. Recognizing then this principle, we find William Penu and his colleagues in their instructions for the government of the province in 1()7(), recommending "that the commissioners should immediately agree with the hidians ft)r lands." 'I'he first treaty of this kind with the Indians took place in the succeeding year, when the second ship arrived at the colony, bringing about two hundred and thirty % y y ■"** 15 sbiivy were w as se tiled liis Travels al Shrcws- lier peo})le men's and r " I'hey 1 the midst al meeting 3y came by John Fen- liis assigns, ivicke, with 1 at a place 1 their arri- ;en between . composed, ith Gawen rtford, the as trustees , William ittling the legal rii^ht that term, tie them to aboriginal rhtlul pro- nciple, we actions for (ling " that h e Indians e Indians cond ship and thirty persons ; most of whom were Friends from Yorkshire and London, who landed about Hackoon Creek on the J)elaware; soon after which eight jKrsons, connnissioned for tiu; ])ur]K)se, jiroceeded 1'urthcr u]) the river, to the place where Burlington now stands, and " treated with llie Indians, and entered on the retiulation of their settlements," and nuide several purchases of land from them, but not having, at the time of the negociation, goods suflieient to ])ay for all they bought, a further agreement was made with them, not to settle on any ]iart until it w as jiaid for. The number of I'rieiuls who emigrated to West Jersey, during the years lU7tJ, 1077, and 1U78, is stated to be about eight hundred, and those mostly ])ersons of property. Clarkson, in his liife of Williain Penn, says, that up to the year lt)8l, " he had sent to it about fourteen hundred peo])le." These early settlers in this province, coming, as they did, to a country for the nu)st part in an uncultivated state, un- derwent many har(lshi])s before they could bring the land into a state sufliciently ])roductive for their sup])ort; and many of them arriving in the latter eiul of the vear, ihev had only time to erect a kind of wigwam for their ac- counuodation during the a])])r()achiug winter. In this needful tiuu' the untutored Indians proved themselves real benefactors to Friends, and evi(U'nced that their hearts were imbued with generous and hnuume feelings, by liberally suj)- plying these new occupants of their native lands, in a time o? difhtulty and distress, with corn and venison, which w as their ])rincij)al food, and by freely bringing Indian corn, ])eas, beans, fish, and fowl for sale. The following extract from a paper, written by one of the passengers from Hull, in 1G78, relating to the early settlement of Friends in this ])ait, will, we think, he found interesting: — " The first settlers were n)ostly of the people called (Quakers, who were will belo\ed where they came irom, and had valuable estates ; and though while they lived in their native country they had plenty of all necessaries, yet their de- It' \ I-- I 10 i ' il S i 1 i 1 ; i \ sire to remove to America was so strong, that they could not be content without going tliither; and chose to venture them- selves, their wives, children, and all they had in the under- taking" " lint, notwithstanding the masters of families were men of good estates, yet, before they could get their land in order, and corn and stock about them, they endured great hard- ships, and went through many diflicullies and straits; never- theless, I never jjerceived any of them to rejiine or repent of their coming." — " As it is said in holy writ, the jnejiaration of the lieart in man is of the Lord, so it may well be be- lieved, that the liearts of" these people were ]jre]);ired lor this service, even to labour for the replenishing of the land, it being a wilderness indeed, and they unaccpiainted with the nature of the soil and also with the inhabitants; although pilgrinis and strangers at their first coming among them." " A providential hand was very visible and remarkable in many instances that n)iglit be mentioned ; and the Indians were even rendered our benefactors and protectors. Without any carnal weajjon we entered the land and inhabited therein, as sale as if there had been thousands of garrisons; for the Most High preserved us from harm both of man and beast." " The aforesaid people were zealous in performing their religious service; for having, at first, no meeting-house to keep public meetings in, they made a tent or covert of sail- cloth to meet under; and after they got some little houses to dwell in, then they kept their meetings in one of them, ^ till they could build a meeting-house. Thomas Olive and William Peachy were two of the first settlers who had a public ministry." Whilst West Jersey was thus under the control of Friends, East Jersey was, and had been for some years, the property of Sir George Carteret, in whose lime, it is said, it was con- siderably peopled, and in the compass of which, as we have already noticed, many Friends were located. By the last »'^ \'•*ii^ y could not nture iheui- 1 llie under- ■s were men md in order, great luird- aits; never- or repent of ! ])reparation well be be- lared for this ibe land, it led will) llie ts ; allliough ng tlieni." euiarkable in 1 the Indians iv.s. Without d inhabited f garrisons ; of man and )rniing their mg-house to lovert of sail- llle houses to ne of them, ,s Olive and who had a of Friends, |the i)roperty it was con- I, as we have iBy the last i i will of Carteret, who died in Hi7i), it was directed that East Jersey should be sold in order to i)ay his debts. This being done accordingly, the province was jiurehased by twelve })ersons, who soon after took in twelve others, making in all twenty-four jnoprietors, among whom we find the names of William Penn, Robert liarclay, David Barclay, Ambrose l{igge, Gawen I.awrie, Thomas Uudyard, and J-xlward l>yl- linge, all well known I'riends. Indecul there is reason to believe that, if we exce])t the I'iarl of IV'rth and J^ord Druumiond, most, if not all, the ))r()prielors were members of our Society. " Among the proinietaries," says OUhnixon, in alluding to this ])urchase, " are several extraordinary persons besides Lord Perth, as Robert ^^'est, Esq., ll:e lawyer; William Penn, the head of the (Quakers in ]<>ngland ; and Robert Barclay, the head of the (Quakers in Scotland and Ireland ; and, at the same time, John Archdale, the Quaker, who uas chosen member of parliament for Wycondje, was a proprietary of Carolina.*" The deed of conveyance bears date the first and second of the twelfth month, l()Hl-2, and in the following year, " Robert Barclay of Uric in Scotland," was, by the rest of the pro])rietors, made Governor for life of East Jersey. He a])poinle(l Thomas Rudyard, before mentioned, as his dej)uty, and after him Gawen Lawrie of London. That this purchase of East Jersey, nearly one half of whose frontier was niarked by the boundary line between it and West Jersey, and contiguous as it was to the province of Pennsylvania, the sole ])roprietorshij> of which had, but a few months previously devolved on William Penn, was a step likely to promote the carrying out of the comprehensive and philanthropic views of that great man, to which we shall We find, on referring to the proceedings of the House of Commons, that John Archdale was " voluntarily" returned as a member of parliament -^ for the Borough of "Chipping Wycombe," or High Wycombe, in 1698. He was not, however, allowed to sit, because he objected to take the oaths then imposed to qualify for a seat in the House. C K'* I ) I again advert, there can, we think, be but little doubt; there is, indeed, something remarkable in the fact, tiuit the only three provinces in the globe ever governed by the peaceful and benign principles of Christianity, and in all of which William Penn was the active agent in laying down the form of their respective governments, should thus, by a coincidence of circumstances, be brought in such close ap- proximation to each other. In connexion with the early settlement of Friends in America ; it is interesting to observe the early attention which was given to the establishment of meetings for dis- cii)line. One of the first steps of this kind in West Jersey, appears to have been the institution of a Monthly Meeting; as appears by the records of Burlington Monthly Meeting, which commence with the following minute, viz. " Since, by the good providence of God, many Friends with their families have transported themselves into this province of West Jersey, the said Friends in these upper parts have found it needful, according to the practice in the place we came from, to settle Monthly Meetings, for the well ordering of the affairs of the church, it was agreed, that accordingly it should be done, and accordingly it was done, the loth of the 5th month, 1678." The following minute of Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting further illustrates the subject, viz. " Friends belonging to the meeting in Philadelphia, in the Province of Pennsylvania, being met in the fear and power of the Lord, at the present meeting-place in the said city, the 9th day of the 11th month, being the third day of the week, in the year 1682, they did take into considera- tion the settlement of meetings therein, for the affairs and service of truth, according to that godly and comely practice and example which they had received and enjoyed with true satisfaction amongst their friends and brethren in the land of their nativity, and did then and there agree, that the first third day of the week in every month, shall hereafter 1 It-' y \ym 1!» bt; there the only I peaceiul of which down the uis, by a 1 close ap- "liends in ' attention }rs for (lis- est Jersey, y Meeting; y Meeting, ny Friends s into this hese upper cticc in the for the well •rreed, that t was done, [ly [Sleeting \delphia, in le fear and in the said ^ird day of considera- I the aflairs [nd comely Ind enjoyed Ibrethren in I agree, that 111 hereafter 'it I ■f i; it be llie Monthly Meeting day for the men's and women's meetings, for the afFairs and service of truth in this city and county, and every tliird meeting shall be the Quarterly Meet- ing of the same." Having thus cursorily glanced at the early settlement of Friends in Xorlli America, we shall now proceed to notice the course which they ])ursued towards the Indians with whom, by their removal to this land, they were now so nearly located. We ha\e already seen, by the treaty which Friends had with the Indians for the purchase of lands in West Jersey, in lt)77, that a jirinciple prevailed to recognise in them the undisputed right and disposal of the soil, which from time innnemorial tliey had occu))ied ; and that already there had grown up a feeling of trust and confidence in each other, and that a disposition to render kindly services, existed to no inconsiderable extent between them. Tliis excellent under- standing and good feeling, being, on the part of the Indians in West Jersey, mainly brought about by ihj treaties which led them into more intimate intercourse with Friends, than otherwise in all probability, would have been the case at this date ; it is no jasonable tosupjiose that the same feeling, to such an extent at least, should prevail with the Indians in other provinces, who hitherto had no transactions of this kind; be that, however, as it may, we find Friends almost as early as they came in contact with the native tribes of America, and many years previous to the settlement of West Jersey, much interested for the prouiotion of their good. As early as the year IGoO, we fnid that Friends were engaged in gospel labours among this interesting class of their fellow- men. John Taylor, a Friend of York, who, in this very early period of our Society, travelled extensively in America, in the journal of his travels in that land, thus records one of the interviews which he had with this people: viz. " I travelled twice through that island, and had very good service for the Lord there ; but as I was coming the first time to Shelter c '2 f/ so 11 sland, I came late into an Indian town, where my f^nide led me into a wigwam, or lionsc, such kind of huts tliat lliey live in, which are round, made like arbours with small ))()les, &c. Being received kindly, and directed to my lodging, u])on some mats and rushes, 1 laid down to sh ej). 'J'liis was eight or ten miles from any house that I knew of, or any iMiglish in the woods. When I travelled that way again, they [the Indians] were exceeding joyful, and very glad to see me. And then I had an opportunity to declare the truth to them, and to turn them I'rom darkness to the light of Christ Jesus, in their own hearts, which would teach them, and give them the knowledge of God that made them. And they heard me soberly, and did confess to the truth 1 spake, by an interpre- ter that was my guide : and they were loving and kind after- wards to Friends." In 1667, we find that indefatigable labourer for the good of mankind, George Fox, thus address- ing Friends in the station of ministers in Virginia, Maryland, New England, &c. viz. " And some of you should take some of the eminent, true, good, and upright Friends, and go and discourse with some of the heathen kings, desiring them to gather their council and people together, that you may de- clare God's everlasting truth, and his everlasting way of life and salvation to them." A few years subsequent to this date, the advice thus ex- tended by George Fox to his transatlantic brethren, he was enabled by example still further to impress. In the year 167*2 he paid a very general visit to the English settlements in North America, and in speaking of his visit to Maryland in this year, he says " As we came among the Indians we declared the day of the Lord to them." Soon after his landing in Maryland, he states, " it was upon me from the Lord, to send to the Indian emperor and his kings to come to a meeting ; the emperor came, and was at the meeting; but his kings, lying further off, could not I'each thither in time enough, yet they came after. I had in the evening two good opportunities with them : they heard the I 4 I ,1 If I 'M 3J ** IL y J \^W^ 91 uide led lliey live [)k's, &c. ,g, ui)()n vas eiglit English Lhcy [llie ) see mc, 1 to tliem, •ist Jesus, rive them heard me 1 intevpvc- dnd ailer- lelatigable IS address- Maryland, ,talie some id go and rr them to may de- ay of life thus ex- en, he was n the year settlements Maryland e Indians Soon after u me from his kings was at the not reach had in the heard the 3S "'A I if I lift 1 word of the liord willingly, and confessed to it. They carried themselves very courteously and lovingly, and inquired where the next meeting would he, and they would come to it." On unollier occ.ision, (jeorge Fox mentions having had a " good oppoilnnily" with ihem, and that " they heard the truth attentively, and were very loving." He also speaks of the Indians being at a " very glorious meeting' in 1673, a short time before he lelt America; of whou), " \\as one called their emperor, an Indian king, and their speaker, who all sat very attentive, and carried themselves very lovingly." George Fox, wishing to have a more full opportunity with the Indians, ac(puiinted this em])eror of it, and desired him to get their kings and councils t<»gelhcr ; and on the following day went ten miles to the Indian town, at wliieh the empe- ror dwelt, and where the Indians " were generally come to- gether, and had their speaker and other oflicers with them, and the old empress sat among them. They sat very grave and sober, and w ere all very attentive, beyond many called Christians. I had some with me that conld interpret to them, and we had a very good meeting with them, and of very great service it was; for it gave them a good esteem of I'riilh and Friends; blessed be the iiord." l^obert Widders, who was also travelling in the work of tlie ministry in America, at the time of (ieorge Fox's visit to that country, was similarly engaged with him among the Indians. In the testimony of George Fox, concerning llt)hert \Vi(hlers, tliese labours are thus alluded to. " He tra\t'lled with me into America, IJarbadoes, Jamaica, Virginia, and .Maryland, and thrt)ugh the wilderness to Iit)ng Island, and from thence to Rhode Island, and many other places, ami likewise back again from Rhode Island through the wil- derness to Maryland, lying in the woods, whether it was winter or sunnner, many times throjigh great jieiils and danger of wild beasts and men-eaters, but the Lord carried us by his arm and power over all, and out of the fear of aP. And many blessed and precious meetings we had, bcC .If' -I •22 among Friends and friendly people, and the Indian empe- rors, kings, and councils of their people." The kind and open manner with which the Indians re- ceived those Friends who went among them to proclaim the glad tidings of the Gospel of peace, is very observable. In a brief memoir of John Bo water, who, in 1667 and 1()78, was engaged in a religious visit in New York, Long Island, New luigland, Rhode Island, Maryland, New- Jersey, Delaware, and V'irginia, it is stated, in reference to this good disposition of the natives, " that he was more kindly used by the poor Indians in America, than by some pretended Christians here in F^ngland, after his return. The Indians entertained him in their wigwams, (the best of their habitations or lodgings,) but these Christians in their cold gaols, under confinement, as they did many others of his brethren and friends in those times." The following extracts from Epistles, addressed from time to time by George F'ox to his transatlantic brethren, show the abiding concern which attended his mind on behalf of the uncivilized tribes in that country, and his desire that Friends might be engaged in the good work of conveying Christian instruction to them, viz., 1673. " To Friends in Virginia. / " I received letters giving me an account of the service some of you had with and amongst the Indian king and his council, and if you go over again to Carolina, you may inquire of Captain Batts, the old Governor, with whom I left a paper to be read to the Emperor, and his thirty kings under him, of the Tuscaroras, who were come to treat for peace with the people of Carolina." % y y A'^IHI!^ 2:i n empe- lians re- laim the servable. C67 and rli, Long d, New erence to ras more by some 5 return. (the best stians in ny others from time ■en, show behalf of sue that onveying service and his ,'ou may whom I ity kings treat for 1675). " To Friends in Amkrica, concermng tiiktr Neouoes and Indians. " And also yon must preach the grace of God to all blacks and Indians, which grace brings salvation ; and also, you must teach and instruct blacks and Indians, and others, how that God doth pour out of his Spirit uj)on all flesh in these days of the New Covenant, and New Testa- ment; and that none of them must quench the motions of the Spirit, nor grieve it, nor vex it, nor rebel against it, nor err froui it, nor resist it ; but be led by his good Spirit to instruct them. And, also, you must instruct and teach your Indians and Negroes, and all others, how that Christ, by the grace of God, tasted deat!) for every man, and gave himself a ran- som for all men, to be testified in due time, and is the propi- tiation not for the sins of Christians only, hut for the sins of the whole world ; and how thai he doth enlighten every man that couieth into the world, with his true liglit, which is the Life of Christ, by whom the world was made." 1681. "To Friends in Carolina. " And if you had sometimes some meetings with the Indian kings and their people, to preach the Gospel of peace, of life, and of salvation to them; for the Gospel is to be preached to every creature ; and Christ hath tasted death for every man, and died for their sins, that they might come out of death and sin, and live to Christ that died for them ; who hath enlightened them with the Light, which is the life in himself, and God pours out of this spirit upon all flesh." 168*2. " An Epistle to all Planters, and such who are transporting themselves into foreign Plantations in America. " And in all places where you do outwardly live and settle, invite all the Indians and their kings, and have meetings with them, or they with you." I r m :> 'iu fff ll I 24 The dale of the last of the foregoing e])istles of Georgo Tox, biings us to a period ineniornble in the history of our o\in Society, and i" the annals of a large territory on the North American continent. William lY-nn, who, as we liavo before observed, was nnich conc(^rned in the provinces of East and West Jersey, a territory computed to occupy a space of about one hundred and fifty miles in length, by fifty in breadth, and a j)rineipal promoter of its coloniza- tion since 1()7G, had now, by an over-ruling Providence, become the sole ](roprietor of a tract of land of uuich greater extent ; cou)prelieiuling about forty-one thousand srpiare miles, an area nearly e(pial in extent to the whole of England. This tract of land was granted to him by the Crown of I'^ngland in 1()81, in lieu of a debt of sixteen th(<u- sand pounds, due to his father, Admiral Penu, for the arrears of his pay, and for large sums of money advanced by him from time to time, for nav d ))ur])oses, for the liquidation of which, William Penn petili(.)ned Charles the Second for the territory in (pu'slion. Tlial William Penn, in ])etitioning for the grant of this large tract of country, must have had some object of far greater iinjiortance than the mere acquisition of land, will, from his known characteiislic benevolence and exalted mind, be readily conceived. This being the case, several writers have allenqjted to explain the motives which led him thus to place himself in the very responsible position which he now occupied. Oldmixon, who was the contemporary of William Penn, in his account of the British Colonies, published in 1708, says, in reference vo this subject, that " finding his friends, the Quakers, were harassed over England by spiritual courts, he resolved to put himself at the head of as many as would go with him, and thus conduct them to a place where they would be no longer subjected to suffering on account of their religion." Anderson, who succeeded Old- mixon, makes an observation of a similar kind. In his His- torical and Chronological Deduction of theOrigin of Commerce, ■>a8SB5pr— - % y J \ymk )f Georgo 1 )vy of our w iry on the s s we liavo M [)r()vinces m occupy a 'm .nigtl), by f coloniza- rovidence, '■% of much ■.i-i • tliousanci '. " 3 whole of ;■. m by the leen th(<u- ,3.;. he arrears (1 by him ."'.;''■ lidation of ■'-:.' nd for the lit of this ■'■ x't of far J land, will, ted mind, al writers f m thus to 1 he now f William 'k dished in m 11 ding his Wf Y spiritual ,' as many 3 a place iiering on ■ded Old- i his His- orumerce, 2ft he thus speaks. — " The same year gave rise to the noble Knglish colony of Pennsylvania in North America. Mr. William Penn, an eminent (iuaker, and a gentleman of great knowledge and (rue ])hil()S()])hy, had it granted to him at this time. He designed it for a retreat or asylum for the ])eoplo of his own religious ])ersua^ion, then made uneasy at home through the bigotry of s)>irilual courts." It is by no means surprising to us, that the object which William IV ini had in view should be thus understood by (he casual observer of things relating to the setllcMnent ol" Pennsylvania ; —the large number of res])cctable families and persons of ])ro])erty, of known quiet and settled habits of life, who left their native land for a country in an almost wilderness state, and with every probability of meeting with hardshi])sand deprivation.-?, considered in connexion with the grievous persecution, which Friends of that day endured in this land, was very likely to give rise o the opinions advanced by Ohhnixon and An- derson. Great as we know the desires of ^\'illiam Penn were, for the liberalion of his friends from the galling yoke of op- pression, to which they were subjected in this country, for their adherence to what liiey ap])rehended were the rerpiire- menls of Truth, and which, we believe, ho was as much en- gaged to ]nomole as any other indivio'tal of his day; and however much, in the tenderness of his feelings for them, he might have been influenced in ])etilioning for this ter- ritory, with a view to provide them with a country, wher6 church domination, and the persecution of s])iritual courts should be unknown ; it is, nevertheless, clear to us, that this was far from the matji object which he had in view. In fact, we cannot bring our minds to believe that William Penn, seeing the noble testimony which was now so conspicuously raised, to the si)iriluality of the Christian religion, and the light which shone sc brightly forth in the lires of those with whom he was associated in religious fellowship, should, by m ill I . Kf i ■' w. f 'ii^ I, 'it « IH persuading these devoted prople to emigrate to a coni|)ara- iively obscure and tljinly jKipidated part of the globe, thus place this light as it were under a bushel, and reniove it far away from among the civili/ed nations of the earth, for the simple object only of ullording them a <piiet retreat from a ])er- secution, in and through which, an lie had amj)le opportuity of beholding, the Divine Arm so remarkably supjjorted them. Wliatever may be t'le conjectures of men regarding the object which VVilliam "enn had in view, in seeking to obtain the province of IV-nnsylvania, we are not lelt in doubt of what he himself ain)ed at in this great undertaking. In his petition to the Crown he slates, that in making the apjtlica- lion for the grant, " he had in view the glory of God by the civilization of the jioor Indians, and the conversion of the Gentiles, by just and lenient measures, to Christ's kingdon)." That this was a most prominent feature in his ])etilion, and ai)parently the ninin object which he had in view, the preamble to the charter granting the said province to him, fully confirms, and which runs thus, viz.* " Whereas our trusty and well-beloved subject, ^\'illiam Penn, esquire, son and heir of Sir William Penn, deceased, (out of a con)mcnd- able desire to enlarge our British empire, and promote such nseful connnodities as may be of benefit to us and our do- minions, as also to reduce the saraije natives, hy Just and gentle manners, to the lore of civil society and Christian re- ligion,) hath humbly besought leave of us to transport an ample colony unto a certain country, hereinafter described, in the parts of America not yet cultivated and planted ; and hath likewise so humbly besought our Royal Majesty to give, grant, and confirm all the said country, with certain pri- vileges and jurisdictions, requisite lor the good government and salety of the said country and colony to liim and his heirs for ever." In several of his letters, written during the time that lie was occupied in preparing for the settlement and govem- ■.■V % \ y y I a compara- gliilx!, thus niovo it far rtli, for the (Voui a |)('r- oppoituity orlcd tlioni. yarding tl>e ig to obtain in doubt of ig. In liis lie applica- jod by the sion ol' the > kingdom." otition, and view, the ice to him, hcroas our !.squire, son com mend- mote such d our do- y jiisl and istiiin re- msport an described, nled ; and Uajesty to ertain pri- overnment n and his iie that lie id govem- •27 nientof the province in question, he further expresses himself in relation to this subject, as may be seen by the following extracts. In a letter addressed to his friends generally, he says, " And because I have been somewhat exercised at times about the nati.re and end of government among men, it is reasonable to exj)ect that I should endeavour to establish a just and righteous one in thin protinco, that olhcrs mmj lake t'.vainpte by it — truly this my heart desirtis. I'or the nations want a precedent ; and till vice and corru])t maimers be im- partially rebuked and punished, and till virtue and sobriety be cherished, the wrath of God will hang over nations. I do, therefore, desire the Lord's wisdom to guide me, and those that may be concerned with me ; that we may do the thing that is truly wise and just." To a particular friend in England, he thus writes in 1(581 : " Tor iiy country," meaning Pennsylvania, " 1 eyed the Lord if ijbtainiug it, and more was I drawn inward to look to him, and to owe it to his hand and ])ower, than to any other way ; 1 have; so obtained it, and desire to keep it, that I may not be unworthy of his love ; but do that which may answer his kind Providence, and serve his truth and peo])le, that an example may be set up to the nations ; there may be room there, though not here, for such an holy experiment." In connexion with our present subject, it is pecul'^rly in- teresting to mark the course of William Penn's conduct towards the aborigines in his new position, as proprietary of Pennsylvania. Among " Certain Conditions, or Concessions, agreed upon by William Penn, Proprietary and Governor of the province of Pennsylvania, and those who are the adventurers and pur- chasers in the same province," we find the follow ing : — " No. 12. And forasmuch as it is usual with the planters to overreach the poor natives of the country in trade, by goods not being good of the kind, or debased with mixtures, ■_iiu^s W't J' I 'if I it 1 -"♦/. 28 i with \vl)ich they are sensibly aggrieved, it is agreed, what- ever is sold to the Indians, in consideration of their furs, shall be sold in the niarkct-place, and there snfl'er the test, whether good or bad; if good, to ])ass ; if not good, not to be sold for good, that the natives may not be abused nor provoked. " No. 1-3. That no man shall, by any ways or means, in word or deed, affront or wrong an Indian, but he shall 'ncur the same penalty of the law as if he had committed it against his fellow-planter ; and if any Indian shall abuse, in word or deed, any planter of this province, that he shall not be his own judge U])on the Indian, but he shall nuike his complaint to the Governor of the ])rovince, or his Lieutenant or deputy, or some inferior magistrate near him, who shall, to the utmost of his power, take care with the king of tiie said In- dian, that all reasonable satisfaction be made to the said in- jured planter. *'No. It. That all differences between the planters and the natives shall also be ended by twelve men, that is, by six planters and six natives ; that so we may live friendly to- gether as nuich as in us lieth, preventing all occasions of heart-burnings and mischief. " No. 1."). That the Indians shall have liberty to do all things relating to im]irovement of their ground, and pro- viding sustenance for their families, that any of the planters shall enjoy." In the autumn of the year 1681 three ships full of pas- sengers set sail for Pennsylvania. In one of these was William Markham, a relation of the Proprietary, and whom he had aj)pointed his Deputy Governor, intending him for his secretary when he himself should arrive in the colony. Several commissioners, ap))ointed for the pur])ose of confer- ring with the Indians respecting the sale of their lands, and to make with them a league of ])eace, accompanied William Markham. They were strongly enjoined to treat the natives with all possible humanity, justice, and candour ; and were entrusted by William Penn with the following letter to the 1 'A ^ -»»- % X y V^iiK. i9 igreed, what- eir furs, shall lest, wliether Lo be sold for :)vol\ed. or means, in e shall 'ncur led it against J, in word or dl not be his lis complaint nt or deputy, shall, to the f tiie said In- ) the said in- nters and the lat is, by six ) friendly to- occasions of rty to do all and pro- the ])lanlers full of pas- these was ■, and whom ing him for the colony. se of confer- ir lands, and ied William t the natives r ; and were etter to the ■jfc: m ■ .■■■«?.; Indians, which deserves the perusal of the reader, as it is remarkably adapted to the comju-ehension of \niculti\ ated minds, and is characterised by much })lainness, simplicity, and kindness. " London, the 18th of the 8th month, 1G81. " Mv rHi?:NDs, " There is a great God and power that hath made the world, and all things therein, to whom you and I, and all peo])le owe tiieir being and well-being, and to whom you and 1 unist one day give an account for all that we do in the world. This great Crod hath written his law in our hearts, bv which we are taught and couunanded to love, and help, and do good to one another. Now this great God hath been })leas(!d to make me concerned in your ])art of tht) world, and the king of the country, where I live, hath given me a great province therein ; but 1 desire to enjoy it wit/t your lore and consent, that we may always live together as neighbuurs and friends ; else what would the great God do to us, who hath made us, not to devour and destroy one another, but to live soberly and kindly together in the world } Now, I would have you u ell observe, that I am very sensible of the unkind- ness and injustice that have been too much exercised towards you by the people of these parts of the world, who have sought themselves, and to make great advantages by you, rather than to be examples of goodness and patience unto you, which I hear hath been a matter of trouble to you, and caused great grudgings and animosities, sometimes to the shedding of blood, which hath made the great God angry. But I am not such a man, as is well knovvn in my own country. I have great love and regard towards you, and desire to win and gain your love and friendship by a kind, just, and peaceable life ; and the people I send are of the same mind, and shall, in all things, behave themselves accordingly ; and, if in anything any shall oflend you or your people, you shall have a full and speedy satislaclion for the same, by an equal number of just men on both sides; that, by ill m rf 'J >i! 11 li. ••30 DO means you may have just occasion of being offended against them. " I sliall shortly come to you myself, at which time we may more largely and freely confer and discourse of these mat- ters, in the mean time I have sent my commissioners to treat with you about land, and a firm league of peace. Let me desire you to be land to them, and the people, and receive these }>reseuts and tokens, which 1 have sent you, as a testi- mony of my good ivill to you, and my resolution to live justly, peaceably, and friendly with you. " I am, your loving Friend, *' William Penn." For a considerable time William Penn had been making preparation for his voyage to America, which being at last acconiplished, he sailed with about one hundred of his friends from London on the 1st of the 7lh month (old style), 1682; and after a voyage of about seven weeks, landed at Newcastle, and legally took possession of the country. After this he visited New York, Long Island, and the Jerse}s; and then proceeded to Upland, now Chester, where he called an As- sembly which lasted three days, at which all the laws agreed upon in England, with the addition of nineteen others, were passed in due form; making in all fifty-nine, the fifteenth of which, provided " against selling or exchanging of rum, brandy, or other strong liquors to the Indians." After this he paid a visit to Lord Baltimore, the proprietary of Mary- land, in order to fix and settle the boundaries between that and his own province ; which, however, was not at that time accom])lished. J)uring this infant state of the colony, the duties which devolved on the Governor were very onerous. " I am," he says, in reference to the multiplicity of his engagements at this period, " day and night spending n^y life, my time, my money, and am not enriched by this greatness ; costs in get- ting, settling, transportation, and maintenance, now in a public manner, at my own charge, duly considered, to say -v. .?.' it. K , I, ' t \ y j 31 i'i ing offended time we may >f these niat- Diiers to treat ce. Let nie , and receive lu, as a testi- ition to live nd, vM Penn." been making being at last of his friends style), 1682 ; at Newcastle, \fter this he ; and then led an As- avvs agreed others, were fifteenth of mg of rum, After this y of IMary- )etvveen that at that time uties which " I am," he agements at ny time, my osts in get- now in a red, to say ;*!.■■ nothing of my hazard, and the distance I am from a consider- able estate, and, which is nu)re, my dear wife and poor children." Whilst these important concerns thus occupied his attention, he was not slothful in the exercise of his gift as a minister : in regard to labours of this kind he thus speaks : — " I have been also at New York, Long Island, East Jersey, andMar land, in which I have had good and eminent service for the l,ord." William Penn beinjir now returned from Maryland to Coa- quamioc, the Indian nan)e for the spot on which Philadel- phia now stands, the time had arrived when, by a mutual understanding between the Indians and himself, he was per- sonally to confirm a treaty of peace wilh them, and settle for the })urchase of lands. This treaty was that great and me- morable nne, in which a firm league of peace was recipro- cally LO»: '.. I between them ; and which has won the admi- ration ii ( ise, of all unprejudiced, sound-thinking, and reflective minds ; as being a transaction consonant with the feelings of humanity and an expansive benevolence, and in uni- son also with the principles of justice and a sound national policy, and alike worthy of the Christian and the statesman. The Indian tribes that met William Penn at this faujous treaty, are generally sup])oscd to be those called the River Indians, chiefly of the Lenni Lenape or Delaware stock. Besides these, there were the Mingoes and other Susquehanna tribes, who came to solicit his friendship. The number of Indians assembled was probably altogether considerable. Of the ceremonies which took place on this interesting oc- casion, a pretty full account will be found in the extract which we have made from William Penn's letter to *' The Free Society of Traders," but the authentic accounts which are known to exist of most of the other particulars respecting it, are, we regret to say, but of a very limited kind, of which the following extract from the speech of Governor Gordon to the Indians, at a treaty held at Conestogo in 1728, with m i Us , ' ;; ». 1 I I tl^ I? f mit \ 1 ^ i i t ' "i S-2 s everal nations of them, who then resided on the Susque- hanna, is the most important, viz. " My brethren ! — You have been faithful to your leagues with us ! "* * * * Your leagues with William Penn and his governors are in writing on record, that our children and our children's children may have them in everlasting remem- brance. And we know that you preserve the memory of those things, amongst you, by telling them to your children, and they again to the next generation ; so that they i^main stamped on your n)inds, never to be forgotten. The chief heads or strongest links of this chiMU Ifind are these nine, to wit, — 1st. " That all William Penn's people or Christians, and all the Indians should be brethren, as the children of one father, joined together as with one heart, one head, and one body. 2d. " That all paths should be open and free to both Chris- tians and Indians. 3d. " That the doors of the Christians' houses should be open to the Indians, and the houses of the Indians open to the Christians, and that they should make each other wel- come as their friends. 4th. " That the Christians should not believe any false rumours or reports of the Indians, nor the Indians believe any such rumours or reports of the Cliristians, but should first come as brethren to inquire of each other; and that both Christians and Indians, when they have any such false re- ports of their brethren, should bury them as in a bot- tomless pit. 5th. " That if the Christians hear any ill news that may be to the hurt of the Indians, or the Indians hear any such ill-news, that may be to the injury of the Christians, they should acquaint each other with it speedily, as true friends and brethren. 6th. " That the Indians should do no manner of harm to \ y J V^HS 33 le Susque- lur leagues Penn and lildien and ng remem- memory of ir cliildien, hey i^main The cluef ise nine, to Istians, and ren of one id, and one both Chris- should be ins open to other wel- ! any false ins believe at should that both false re- in a bot- s that may r any such tians, they rue friends )f harm to m ■% the Christians, nor to their creatures, nor the Christians do any hurt to the Indians, but each treat the other as brethren. 7th. " Rut as there are wicked peo])le in all nations, if either Indians or Christians should do any harm to each other, complaint should be made of it by the persons suffer- ing, that righi might be done, and when satisfaction is made, the injury or wrong should be forgot, and be buried as in a bottomless pit. 8th. " That the Indians should in all things assist the Christians, and the Christians assist the Indians against all wicked people that would disturb them. 9th. " And lastly, that both Christians and Indians should acquaint their children with this league and firm chain of friendship made between them, and that it should always be made stronger and stronger, and be kept bright and clean without rust or spot, between our children and our children's children, while the creeks and rivers run, and while the sun, moon, and stars endure." The nine articles tlnis recited by Governor Gordon, are, he observes, only the " chief heads" of this transaction; what the other ])articulars may be to which he has made no refer- ence, is now entirely a matter of conjecture, and it is much to be regretted that he did not give the whole. The " writ- ing on record" to which he alludes was, no djubt, the roll of parchment containing the great treaty of 1(582, which was shown by the Mingoes, 8havvnese, and other Indians to Governor Keith, at a conference in 1722. Notwithstanding these strong testimonies to the existence of a written agree- ment having been entered into on this occasion, some modem writers have, nevertheless, doubted the fact, but whether in ignorance of these testimonies or not, we cannot say. That a written agreement, however,' did about this time take place between William Penn and the Indians appears to be further confirmed by an allusion which an Indian chief made to it, at a treaty held at Philadelphia, in the year 1742, when, in addressing the Delawares, who were then present, he said, iM._ ri ft I 34 " we have seen with our eyes a deed signed by nine of your ancestors above fil'ty years ago for this very hind." At anotlier time, during this treaty of 1742, the same chief, on again referring to this circumstance, said, " their ancestors had sgld it by a deed under tlieir hands and seals to the pro- prietaries for a valuable consideration upwards of fiftv years ago." Governor Gordon, in his History of Pennsylvania, says, that " a co]iy of the conference held at the making of this treaty, was once in tlie office of the secretary of this com- monwealth, since Mr. K. Conynghani assures us, that he discovered an envelope in a bundle of pa])ers there, relating to the Shawnese Indians, with the following endorsement ; * Minutes of the Indian Conference, in relation to the great Treaty made with William Pcnn, at the Big Tree, Shack- amaxon, on the 14lh of the tenth month, 1682.' In order to obtain more particular information upon this subject, Conyngham was written to respecting it, who returned the following answer. " The endorsement on the envelope which you found in page 60-3, of Gordon's History of Pennsylvania, is a faithful copy of the original (I believe) at llarrisbnrgh. I made some inquiry as to the circumstances of its being thus found in the closet, and received the following information. Some years since, the Indian treaties were transcribed in a book for their better preservation, and this envelope of one of them was carefully folded up, and placed in the closet with the historical papers. The Indian treaty, said to have been contained in this envelope, is dated June 15, 1682, and was the result of a conference, held under the elm-tree at Shack- amaxon, between William Markham, the commissioners of William Penn (William Crispin, John Bezar, and Nathaniel Allen) and the Shackamaxine tribe of Indians. The treaty was in the open air, but signed in Captain Lassee Cocke's house, fronting the Delaware, in Shackamaxon. The land granted was to begin at a white oak, on the ground in the ; I t m ;J.') i.i c of your intl."' At chief, on ancestors o the pro- fifty years ania, says, ng of this this com- s, that he :e, relating lorsenient ; the great ee, Shack- r.i order to s subject, turned the u found in s a faithful I made thus found on. Some in a book of one of closet with have been 2, and was at Shack- lissioners of Nathaniel The treaty |ce Cocke's The land und in the I tenure of John W<jod, called by him Grey Stones. The minutes of the conference in .)une, and also those of the conference in December, 1()H2, are not to be fcnuul." Most of the other scattered ]>arliculars respecting this treaty, with which we are ac([uainled, having been col- lected by Thomas Clarkson, we shall give them as they stand recorded in his biograi)hy of William Penn. I'licy are as follows, viz. " Tlie time now arrived wlu'ii ho was to confirm iiis treaty witli tlio Indiiins. His religious principles, wliicli led him to the practico of tlio most scrupulous molality, did not permit liini to look upon the kings patent, or legal possession according to the laws of England, as sufHcient to establish his right to the country, without purchasing it by fair and open bargain of the natives, to whom only it properly belonged. He had, tliere- fore, instructed coinmmissioners, who had arrived in America l)efore him, to buy it of the latter, and to make with them at the same time a treaty of eternal friendship. This the commissioners had done; and this was the time when, by nmtual agreement between him and the Indian chiefs, it was to be publicly ratified. He proceeded, therefore, accompanied by his friends, consisting of men, women, and young persons of both sexes, to Coaquannoc, the Indian name tor the phn'O where Philadeli)]iia now stands. On his arrival there he found the sachems and their tribes assembling. They were seen mi the woods as far as the I'yc? could carry, and looked frightful, both on account of their numl)er and tlieir arms. The Quakers are reported to have been but a handful in comparison, and these without any weapon, so that dismay and terror had come ui)on them, had they not confided in the righteousness of their cause. " It is much to be regretted, when we have accounts of minor treaties between William Penn and the Indians, that in no historian I can find an account of this, though so many mention it, and though all concur in con- sidering it as the most glorious of any in the annals of the world. There are, however, relations in Indian speeches, and traditions in Quaker fami- lies descended from those who were present on the occasion, from which we may learn something concerning it. It appears that, though the par- ties were to assemble at Coaquannoc, the treaty was nuidc a little higher up, at Shackamaxon. Upon this Kensington now stands, the houses of which may be considered as the suburbs of riiiladelphia. There was at Shackamaxon an elm-tree of a prodigious size. To this the leaders on both sides repaired, approaching each other under its widely-spreading branches. William Penn appeared in his usual clothes. lie had no crown, sceptre, mace, sword, halberd, or any insignia of eminence. He was distingui'r^lied it 1 U ..I ■• '! :■ 1 1 P i I I 36 only by wearing a sky-blue sash * round his waist, which was made of silii net-work, and which was of no longer apparent dimensions than an oflicer's military sash, and much like it, except in colour. On his right was Colonel Markham, his relation and secretary, and on his left Friend Pearson, after whom followed a train of Quakers. Before him were carried various articles of merchandise, which, when they came near the sachems, were spread upon the ground. He held a roll of jjurch- ment, containing the confirnmtion of the treaty of purchase and amity in his hand. One of tlie sachems, who was the chief of them, then put upon his own head a kind of chaplet, in which appeared a small horn. Tiiis, as among the primitive Eastern nations, and iiccording to Scripture language, was an emblem of kingly power; and wiumever the chief, who had a right to wear it, put it on, it was understood that the place was made sacred, and the persons of all present inviolable. Upon putting on this horn the Indians threw down their bows and arrows, and seated themselves around their chiefs, in the fonn of a half-moon, upon the ground. The chief sachem then announced to Wilham Penn, by means of an intei'preter, that the nations were ready to hear him. " Having been thus called upon, he began. Tlie Great Spirit, he said, who made him and them, who ruled the heaven and the earth, and who knew the inncmost thoughts of man, knew that he and his friends had u hearty desire to live in peace and friendship with them, and to serve them to the utmost of their power. It was not their custom to use hostile wea- pons against their fellow-creatures, for which reason they had come unarmed. Their object was not to do injury, and thus provoke the Great Spirit, but to do good. They were then met on the broad pathway of good faith and good will, so that no advantage was to be taken on either side, but all was to be openness, brotherhood, and love. After these and other words, he unrolled the parchment, and by means of the same interpreter conveyed to them, article by article, the conditions of the purchase, and the words of the compact then made for their eternal union. Among other things, they were not to be molested in their lawful pursuits, even in the territory they had alienated, for it was to be common to them and the English. They were to have the same liberty to do all things therein, re- lating to the improvement of their grounds, and providing sustenance for their families, which the English had. If any disputes should arise be- > tween the two, they should be settled by twelve persons, half of whoni should be English and half Indians. He then paid them for the land, and made them many presents besides from the merchandise which had been * This sash, a few years since, was in the possession of Thomas Kett, of Seething Uall, near Norwich. i \^*lift, S7 nado of sill* I an oflicc'i's I right was left Friend ; liina were came near II of j)arch- lud amity in en put upon n. This, as ire language, had a right nade sacred, on this horn d themselves d. The chief si-preter, that pirit, he said, rtli, and who friends had a o serve them hostile wea^ ■y had come ike the Great hway of good ler side, but se and other le interpreter purchase, and ion. Among ■suits, even in lem and the ;s therein, re- ustenance for uld arise be- lalf of whom the land, and ich had been rhomas Kett, m: •til spread before them. Having done this, he Inid the roll of parchment on the ground, observing again that the ground should be common to both people. He then added, that h*^ would not do as the Marylanders did, that is, call the!n ciiildren or brothers only ; for often parents were apt to whip their children too severely, and bro hers sometimes would di(Ter; neither would he compare the friendship between him and tliem to a chain, for the rain might sometimes rust it, or a tree might fall an<l breai< it ; but he should consider them as the same flesh and blood with the Ciiristians, and the same as if one man's body were to be divided into two parts. Ho then took up tlu- parcliment, and presented it to the sachem who wore the horn in tiie c' aplet, and desired him and the other sachems to preserve it carefully for three generations, that their children might know what had passed between them, just as if he had remained himself with them to re- peat it. " Tiiat William Penn must h.ave done and said a great deal more on this interesting occasion than has now been represented, there can be no doubt. What I have advanced may be depended upon : but I am not warranted in going furtlier. It is also to be regretted that the speeches of the Indians on this memorable day have not come down to us. It is only known, that they solemnly pledged tliemselves, according to their country manner, to live in love witli William Penn and his children as long as the sun and moon should endure. Thus ended this famous treaty, of whicli more has been said in the way of praise tiian of any otiier ever transmitted to posteiity. ' Tliis,' says Voltaire, ' was the only treaty between those people and the Christians that was not ratified by an oath, and that was never broken.' ' William Penn tlujught it right,' says the Abbt^ Kaynal, ' to obtain an additional right by a fair and open purchase from the aborigines ; and thus he signalized his arrival by an act of equity which made his person and principles equally beloved. Here it is the mind rests with pleasure upon modern history, and feels ^ome kind of compensation for the disgust, melanclioly, and horror which the whole of it, but particularly that of tlie European settlements in America, inspires.' Noble, in his continuation of Granger, says, ' He occipied his domains by actual bargain and sale with the Indians. This fact does him infinite honour, as no blood was shed, and the Cln-istian and the barbarian met as brothers. Penn has thus taught us to respect the lives and properties of the most unenlightened nations » * Being now returned,' says Robert Proud, in his History of Pennsylvanir, ' from Maryland to Coaquannoc, he purchased lands of the Indians, who^ . he treated with great justice and sincere kindness. It was at tliis time when he first entered personally into that friendship with them, which ever afterwards continued between them, and which for the space of more than seventy years wasnever interrupted, or so long as the Quakers retained power . n ■ W k 'i '.'I I 3^', II \ 1 I If ■' 38 in the government. His conduct in {jenerul to tliese people was so enga^'in^, ills justice in particular so conspicuous, und the counsel nnd advice which lie |(iivo tiicui were so evidently for tlieir iidvantuge, tiiiif lie hecame I licrchy very much endeared to tliem ; und tlie sense thereof made such deep imi)ressi()ns on their understandinf,'H, that his name and memory will scarcely ever he etVaced while tiiey continue u people."* The inlant colony of Pennsylvania was now fast peoplinf?, and |)rin(;ii)ally by nieinberst of our own relij,'iou.s society from Great lirilain and Ireland. During tlie first year, after the proper arrangements for a regular settlement was made, from twenty to thirty vessels, having about three thousand passengers, arrived in the province ; and in this and the two next succeeding years, vessels to the number of fifty arrived with ])assengers or settlers, some of whom were from Hol- land and Germany ; so that it was computed, that in about two years from its commencement there had emigrated about six thousand ])ersons. In 1()84 Oldmixon states the number to be about seven thousand, of which two thousand five hun- dred were inhabitants of the new city of Philadel})hia, occu- ])ying therein nearly tlnee hundred houses. No less than * Tlie f^reat elm-tree under which this treaty was made hecame cele- lirated from tliis day. When, in tlie American war, the British general Siincoe was {|uarti'red at Kensington, ho so respected it, that when his S(jldiers were cutting down every tree for fire-wood, he placed a sentinel under it, that not a hranch of it migiit he touched. In the year 1811 it was i)lown down, when its trunlc was split into wood, and cups and other articles were made of it, to he kept as memorials of it, t The testimonies to the fact that most of the early settlers in Pennsyl- vania were Friends, are numerous ; and that they continued for a long period to form the main hody of tiie settlers we may gatlier from the fol- lowing relation of a writer in 17-11) viz., " The iuhahitants heing at first mostly Quakers, and so they continued, it was son.io time hefore there was a Churcli built after the manner of those in England. There are above one thousand two hundred of the inhabitants that are of tliis congre- gation, who Iiave for some years had the benefit of an organ ; and though it looked and sounded strange to the Quakers at first, yet they are now so far reconciled to it, as to bear with their neighbours having it without grumbling." ^^*l 3>.) 80 engaging, dvico which hi' Ijt'came niadt; such memory will peopling, us society year, after ,vas made, thousand id the two fty arrived from llol- t in about aled about he number } five hun- )hia, occu- less tlian )oc<imo ct'le- tish general lat when his .'(1 a sentinel year 1«11 it ps and other in Pennsyl- d for a long from the fol- joing at first before there There are f tliis congre- ; and though y are now so g it without twenty towi'ships, it a))j)ears, at this dale had aheady been estabhslifd lliroiijjihout the ])r()\inc('. Aujong the (iernian scUk-rs, were some I'riends from Cresheiin, a town near Worms, who had been ((invinccd of oiu" rehj^ious ])rineiples through the instrumentality of .^'il- 1 liam Ames. Most of these silth'd six mile s from Pliiladei- J| ])hia, at a ])lace wlueh they named (iermanlonn. During the early ])rogress of the settlement of this jiro- vince, as in the neighbouring oues of I'-ast and West .Jersey, the colonists underwent many privations, and much personal suffering; notwithstanding the precaution which many of them took, iu bringing ])rovisi')ns and other necessaries with them. Many, who liad property, carried out with them houses in frame, with tofds, implements, and furniture. These realized the benefit of their ])recaution ; w hilst others, who were not so well provided, frequently had no more tlian the shelter of a chosen tree, and uumy betijok theujselves to the high banks of the river Delaware, in which they dug caves for their habitations during the winter. As to food, they were ])ro- jH vided lor uiucli bevond what, might have been ex])ected, ^ considering lliat, with the excei)tion of a narrow strij) of land about two miles in breadth, extending along the C(>urse of the river, the country was an entire wilderness, producing nothing for the sup])ort of human life but wild fruits, birds, and ani- mals of the woods. Divine Providence seems, in a remark- able degree, to have watched over our early I'riends in their settlement in this land ; and often, we are inforu)ed, did many of them in their old age S})eak of this manifestation of the Lord's j)rotecting care, in jireserving them through the diffi- culties with which ihev were surrounded. The followintr extract from the testimony of one of them, in illustration of this, will be read with interest. " The testimony of Richard Townsend, showing the ]m-o- videnlial hand of God to him and others, from the first set- tlement of Pennsylvania to this day, (about the year 1727.) " Whereas, King Charles the Second, in the year 1G81, It: 1 1 , it 1^ m vf ; II I ii 40 was pleased to grant this province to William Penn and hi» heirs for ever; wliich act secuied to be an act of Providence to many religious, good jjcople ; and the ])ropriet()r, William Penn, beitig one of" the peojjle called (Quakers, and in good esteem among them and others, many were inclined to em- bark along with him for the settlement of this j)lace. " To that end, in the year 1682, several ships being pro- vided, I found a concem on my mind to embark with them, with my wife and child ; and about th«i latter end of the sixth month, having settled my affairs in London, where I dwelt, 1 went on hoard the ship Welcome, Robert Greenaway com- mander, in com])any with my worthy friend William Penn, whose good conversation was very advantageous to all the company. " At our arrival we found it a wilderness ; the chief inhabi- tants were Indians and some Swedes, who received us in a friendly manner ; and though there was a great number of us, the good hand of Providence was seen in a particular manner, in that, provisions were found for us by the Swedes and Indians, at very reasonable rates, as well as brought from divers other parts, that weie inhabited before. " Our first concern was to kecj) up and maintain our reli- gious worship ; and, in order thereunto, we had several meetings in the houses of the inhabitants, and one boarded meeting-house was set up where the city was to be, near Delaware ; and, as ue had nothing but love and goodwill in our hearts one to another, we had very comfortable meet- ings from time to time ; and, after our meeting was over, we assisted each other in building little houses for our shelter. " After some time I set up a mill on Chester Creek, which I brought, ready framed, from London, which served for grinding of corn and sawing of boards, and was of great use to us. Besides I, with Joshua Tittcry, made a net, and caught great quantities of fish, which supplied ourselves and many others; so that, notwithstanding it was thought near three \\ i Mi ■: t i^ ^i iky ^ \ym •11 thousand persons came in the first year, we were so ])rovi- (lentially provided for, that ue eonhl l)iiy a deer for about two shillings, and a large turkey for about one shilling, and Indian com for about two shillings and sixpence per bushel. " And as our worthy ])roprietor treated the Indians with extraordinary humanity, they became very civil and loving to us, and brought in abundance of venison. As, in other cotuilries, the Indians were exasperated by har'l treatment, which hath been the foundation of much l)loodvhed, so the contrary treatment here hath produced their lov i and aflec tion. " As people began to spread and improve their lands, ' e country became more fruitful, so that those who came after us were plentifully su])i)lied, and with what we abounded we began a small trade abroad. And as Philadelphia i;: creased, vessels were built and many eniployed. Botli coi ntry and trade have been increasing wonderfully to this day; so that froui a wilderness, the Lord by his good hand of jirovi- dence, hath made it a Iruitful lield ; on which to look back and observe all the ste})s, would exceed my present purpose ; 'vt, being now in the eighty-fourth year of niy age, and having been in this country near forty-six years, and my memory pretty clear concerning the rise and progress of the province, 1 can do no less than return praises to the Almighty, when 1 look back and consider his bountiful hand, not or' ■ in temporals, but in the great increase of our meetings, vi i ,iein he hath many limes manifested his great loving-kindness, in reaching to and convincing many persons of the principles of truth : and those that were already convinced i ad continued faith- ful, were not only blessed with plenty of the fruits of the earth, but also with the de^v of heaven. I am engaged in my spirit to supplicate the continuance thereof to the present rising generation ; that as God hath blessed their parents, the same blessing may remain on their offspring to the end i< ' ■t 11 , ! i :?f ^'i 4-2 l I i [ ! of time ; that it may be so is the hearty d their ancient and loving friend, esu'e and prayer o " Richard Tovvnsexd." f It is recorded, in a manuscript account of John Scar- borough, a Friend of London, wlio emigrated to this colony, that wild pigeons came in such numbers, that the air was sometimes darkened by them, and flying low, were knocked down in large numbers by the settlers who had no other means of taking them. The supply from this source was sometimes so abundant, that they could not use them all whilst fresh, and therefore salted considerable quantities of them. The Indians, says this account, " were remarkably kind and very assistant to them in divers respects, fre([uently sup]>lying them with such provisions as they could spare." John Scarborough left with his son a strict charge, that " when it should be in his power, to be kind to the j)oor Indians for the favours he had received from them." As the civilizing and Christianizing of the Indian tribes was a subject in which William Penn felt a deep and abiding interest, lie often went on journeys of discovery into the interior, principally in order to become more acquainted with their character, genius, customs, and language, and with a view also of promoting love and friendshi]) between them and the settlers. Before he left Pennsylvania for England in IG84, he had made treaties of friendship ;i id alliance with no less than nineteen distinct trii)es. He frequently held conferences with them, in which he sought to imbue their minds with a sense of the benefits of Christianity. He also laboured much to impress upon them the necessity of aban- doning the use of spirituous liquors. " Nothing," says Clark- son, " could exceed his love for these poor people, or his desire of instructirig them, so as to bring them by degrees to the knowledge of the Christian religion ; and in this great work he spared no expense, though whatever he bestowed in k y J jrayer of SEND." lin Scar- s colony, I air was knocked ev means jnietimes 1st IVesli, m. The and very u])])lying " John ■' wlien it ns lor the an tribes 1 abiding into the quainted and with en them England nee with itly held )ue their lie also of aban- ys Clark- 0, or his egrees to Ills great Lowed in 4.} this way came solely out of his own pocket." Oldmixon says, " that he laid out several thousand ])ounds to instruct, sujiport, and oblige them. The consequence was, on their ])art, an attachment to him and his successors, which was never broken." The aborigines have been often treated as though they were wild and irreclaimable savages. Tiiey have been often shamefully deceived, insulted, trauqded u])on, ])illaged, and massacred. Their resistance to op])ression, after long and ])alient endurance, has been again and again ap])ealed to as evidence of their cruel and revengeful spirit. liiit how seldom i)ave Christian dispositions been reconunended to them by example } How seldom has the attempt been made to win them over, not by force, but by love ? It is indeed melancholy to reflect that the superior knowledge and ac- quirements of their white brethren, instead of being employed in setting forth a noble example of mercy and truth, has seemed in too many instances only to give increased energy to the efforts of cruelty and avarice. Tile Christian and candid manner of William Penn to- wards the Indians apj)ears to have made a dee]) and lasting im])ression on their minds, and bis name and memory were held in grateful remembrance by succeeding generations of them, being carefully handed down by tradition from father to son. An instance of this was shown in a conference which Governor Keith had with the Five Nations in 17'il, wiien their chief speaker said, " Tiiey should never forget the counsel that William Penn gave them ; and that though they could not write as the English did, yet they could keep in the memory what was said in their councils." At a treaty renewed in the following year, they mention his name with much affection, calling him a " good man," and saying, " we are glad to hear tho former treaties which we have made with William Penn repeated to us again." At a treaty held with the Six Nations at Philadelphia, in 1742; Canassatego, chief of the Onondagoes, said, " We are all ji ^■\ u I !■ i! l'. r ! ! ^ ill i im I h ''I ; I 1 'l \i ' 111' 1 i s ■ f. ! 1 ¥ H .t I 44 very sensible of the l<iiKl regard which that good man, William Pcnn, had for all the Indians." Again, at a treaty held in \7b6, a Delaware chief thns expresses himself, " Brother Onas, and the people of Pennsylvania, we re- joice to hear from you that you are willing to renew the old good understanding, and that you call to mind the Jirst treaties of friendship made by Onas, our great friend, de- ceased, with our forefathers, when himself and his people first came over here. We take hold of these treaties with both our hands, and desire you will do the same, that a good understanding and true friendship may be re-established. Let us both lake hold of these treaties with all our strength, we beseech you ; we on our side will certainly do it." On concluding a peace in the same year, an Indian said, " I wish the same (lood Spirit that ]iossessed the good old man, William Penn, wiio was a friend to the Indians, may inspire the people of this province at this time," kc. These, with many more instances of a similar kind that have come to our knowledge, confirm us in tiie belief, that the exercise of a just and kind treatment towards the uncivilized classes of our fellow -beings, is sure to win their confidence and afl'ection, and be productive to both settler and native of incalculable advantages. William Penn, by his travels in the colony, having become well acquainted vvith its extent, climate, and resources ; together with the disposition of the natives, and other par- ticulars of moment to the settlers in it, drew up an account of the same for the use of " The Free Society of Traders of Pennsylvania." In this account he enters uiinutely into de- tails relating to the Indian tribes; and, as it contains a description of them still applicable to most of the aborigines of the North American continent, besides much information of an interesting character respecting them, we are induced to present the reader with a copy, omitting only one or two short passages of little importance. •W' ;>i!^ oorl man, it a treaty s himself, a, we re- vv the old the Jirst "rienci, de- ls people ities with lat a good >tablished. r strength, ) it." On said, " I 1 old man, ay inspire licse, with >me to our rcise of a ses of our affection, calculable g become esources ; 3ther par- n account >aders of / into de- )ntains a borigines formation iduced to le or two 45 " The natives I shall consMlni 'i their persons, lan^age, manners, reli- gion, and government, with my sense of their original. For their persons, they are generally tall, straight, wcll-huilt, and of singular proportion ; they tread strong and clever, and mostly walk with a lofty chin ; of com- plexion, black, but by design, as the gipsies in England, They grease tin inselves with bears' fat clariHod, and using no defence against sun or weather, their skins must needs be swarthy. Their eye is little and black, not unlike a straight-looked Jew. The thick lip and flat nose, so frequent with the East Indians and blacks, are not common to them ; for I have seen as comely Euroi>ean-like faces among them of both as on your side tiie sea ; and truly an Italian complexion hath not much more of the white, and the noses of s(neral of them iiave as much of the Roman. " Their language is lofty yet narrow ; but, like tlie Hebrew, in significa- tion full ; like short-hand in writing nne u-nrd serveth in the place of three, and the rest are supplied by the understanding of the hearer ; imperfect in their tenses, wanting in their moods, participles, adverbs, conjunctions, interjections. 1 have made it my business to understand it, that I might not want an interpreter on any occasion, and I must say, that I know not a language spoken in Europe that hatli words of more sweetness or greatness, in accent and emphasis, than theirs. For instance, Octocockon, Rancocas, Oriclon, Shah; Marian, Poquesien ; all which are names of places, and have grandeur in them. Of words of sweetness, anna is mother, issimus a bro- ther, netcap, friend ; usque orel, very good ; pane, bread ; metsa, eat ; mutta, no ; hatta, to have ; payo, to come. Sepassen, Passijon, the names of places. Tamane, Secane, Menause, Secatereus, are the names of persons. If one ask them for anything they have not, they will answer matla ne hatta, which to translate is not I have, instead of / have not." " Of their customs and manners, there is much to be said, I will begin with children; so soon as they are born t!iey wash them in water, and while very young and in cold weather to choose, they plunge them in the rivers to harden and embolden them. Having wrapt them in a clout, they lay them on a straight thin board, a little more than the length and breadth • The following being the Lord's Prayer in the language of the Six Nation Indians, will further illustrate the character of the Indian lan- guage. Soungwauncha, caurounkyauga, tehseetaroan, saulwoneyousta, es a, sawaneyou, okettauhsela, ehneauwoung, na, caurounkyauga, nugh, woushauga, neattewehnesalauga, taugwaunautoronoantoughsick, toantan- gwelceewheyoustaung, cheneeyeut, chaquatautaleywheyoustaunna, tough- sautaugwaussareneh, tawantottenaugaloughtoungga, nasawne, .sacheau- taugwass, contehvalohaunzaikau, esa, sawauueyou, esa, sashautzta, et-a, goungwasoung, chenneauhaungwa, auwen. w i Mi I ;! \\ 41 ' 1 1 ;>' \\ i !,' ti ' ■ !j| ll 3 it ■i 1 ■■ 1 J ' ^ ' f in > I \v * I, ! 4ti of thu child, and swaddle it first upon the board to make it straight ; where- fore all Indians have flat heads, and tI"-.3 thoy carry them at their backs. The children ^vill go very young, at nine months commonly; they wear only a small clout round their waist till they are big; if boys, they go a fishinj^ till ripe for the woods, which is about fifteen ; then they hunt, and after having given some proofs of their manhood, by a good return of skins, they may marry, else it is a shame to think of a wife. The girls stay with their mothers and help to hoe the ground, plant corn, and earry burthens ; and they do well to ute them to tiiat young, which they must do when they are old, for the wives are the true servants of the hus- bands ; otherwise the men are very aft'ectionate to them. "When the young women ar(> fit fur marriage they wear something upon their heads for an advertisement, but so as their faces arc hardly to be seen but when they please. The age they marry at, if women, is riout thiiteen and fourteen ; if men, seventeen and eighteen, they are rarely elder. " Their houses are mats or barks of trees, set on poles, in the fashion of an English barn, but out of the power of the winds, for they are hai-dly higher than a man ; they lie on reeds or grass. In travel, they lodge in the woods about a great fire, ^vith the mantle of duffils tliey wear by day wrapt about them, and a few boughs stuck round them. " Their diet is maize or Indian Corn, divers ways prepared ; sometimes roasted in the ashes, sometimes beaten and boiled with water, which they call homine ; they also make cakes, not unpleasant to eat ; they have like- wise several sorts of beans and pease that are good nourishment, and the woods and rivers are their Lirder. " If an European comes to see them, or calls for lodging at their house or wigwam, they give him the best place and first cut. If they come to visit us, they salute us with an itah, which is as much as to say , (jood be to i/ou ; and set them down, which is mostly on the ground, close to their heels, their legs upright: it may be they spea!v not a wcrd, but observe all that passes. If you give them anything to eat or drink, well, for they will rot ask; and be it little or much, if it be with kindness, they aie well pleased, else they go away sullen, but say nothing. " They are great concealeis of their own resentments, brought to it, I believe, by the revenge that hath been practised among them : in either of these they are not exceeded by the Italians. " But in liberality they excel ; nothing is too good for their friend ; give them a fine gun, coat, or other thing, it may pass twenty hands before it sticks: light of heart, strong affections, but soon spent. The most merry creatures that live ; they feast and dance perpetually ; they never have much, nor want much : wealth circulateth like the blood, all parts i)artake : and i! i-i' V'^WE^ 47 it ; wlierc- eir backs, tliey wear thoy go a liunt, and rpturn of The girls corn, and hich tli(>y f the liii«- liiiig upon irdly to 1)0 , is oout are rarely iliion of an •dly higher the woods rapt about sometimes vhich they have like- it, and the ir house or lie to visit he to yon ; leir heels, I'e all that they will y aie well though none shall want what another hath, yet exact observers of property. Some kings have sold, others presented me with several pcircels of land : the pay or ])rosents I made them wt-re not hoarded l)y the particuhir owners, but tiie neighbouring kings and their clans being present when the goods were brought out, the parties chieHy concerned consulted what and to whom they should give them. To every king tiien, by the hands of a person, for that work iippointed, is a proportion sent, so sorted and folded, and with that gravity whicJi is admirable. 'J'hen tiiat king subdividetii it in like manner among his dependents, they hardly leaving themselves an equal share witii one of tiieir subjects : and be it on such occasions as festivals, or iit tiu'ir common nie;ils, the kings distribute, and to themselves last. Tliey care for little, because tiiey want but little, and tlie reason is, a little contents them : in this they are sutticiently revenged on us, if tlii'y are ignorant of our pleasures, they are also free from our pains. Tliey are not disquieted with bills of lading and exchange, nor perplexed with chancery suits and e.xchequer reckonings. We sweat and toil to live ; their pleasure feeds them ; I mean their hunting, tishing, and fowling, and this table is spread everywhere : they eat twice a day, morning and evening ; their seats and table are the ground. Since the Europeans came into these parts, they are grown great lovers of strong liquoi-s, rum especially; and for it exchange the richest of their skins and furs. If they are heated with liquors, they are restless till they have enough to sleep : that is their cry Some more, and I n-ill j/o to sleep : but, when drunk, one of the most wretched spectacles in tiie world. " In sickness, impatient to be cured, and for it give anything, especially for their chihlren, to whom they are extremely natural. They drink at those times a teran, or decoction of some roots in spring-water; and if they eat any flesh, it must be of the fi'uiale of any creattire. If they die, they bury them with their apparel, be they man or woman, and the nearest of kin fling in something precious with them, as a token of their love ; their mourning is blacking of their faces, which they continue for a year; they are choice of the graves of their dead, for, lest they should be lost by time, and fall to common use, they pick oft' the grass that grows upon them, and heap up the fallen earth with great care and exactness. " These poor people are under a dark night in things relating to religi- n, to be sure the tradition of it ; yet they believe in a God and immortality, without the help of metaphysics ; for they say, ' there is a great king that made them, who dwells in a glorious country tothesouthward of them: and that the souls of the good shall go thither, where they shall live again.' Their worship consists of two parts, sacrifice and cantico : their sacrifice is their first fruits; the first and fattest buck they kill goeth to the fire, where he is all burnt, with a mournful ditty of iiim that performeth the ceremonv, but i ': f'i I :i £ I i i ! ,.: M ! I!: \ \i *^ l' t 48 with such marvellous fervency and labour of body, that he will even sweat to a foam. The other part is their cantico, performed by round dances, sometimes words, sometimes songs, then shouts, two being in the middle that begin, and by singing and drumming on a board, direct the chorus. Tlieir postures in the dunce are very antic and diftering, but all keep mea- sure. This is done with equal earnestness and labour, but great ap- pearance of joy. In the fall, when the corn cometh in, they begin to feast one another; there have been two great festivals already, to which all come that will ; I was at one myself. Tiieir entertainment was a great seat by a si)ring, under some shady trees, and twenty bucks, with hot cakes of new corn, both wheat and beans, which they make up in a sqxuire form, in the leaves of the stem, and bake them in the ashes; and after that they fall to dance. But they that go must carry a small pre..ent in their money, it may be sixpence, wliich is made of tlie bone of a fish ; the black is with them as gold, the white, silver ; they call it all wampum. " Their government is by kings, which they call sachama, and those by succession, but always of the mother's side : for instance, the children of him that is now king will not succeed, but his brother by the mother, or the children of his sister, whose sons (and after them the children of her daughters) will reign ; for no woman inherits : the reason they render for this way of descent, is that their issue may not be spurious. " Every king hath his council, and that consists of all the old and wise men of his nation, which perhaps is two hundred people: nothing of moment is undertaken, be it war, peace, selling of land, or traffic, without advising with them ; and which is more, with the young men too. It is admirablo to consider how powerful the kings are, and yet how they move by the breath of their people. I have had occasion to be in council with them upon treaties for land, and to adjust the terms of trade ; their order is thus : the king sits in the middle of an half-moon, and .ath his council, the old and wise on each hand ; behind them, or at a little distance, sit the younger part, in the same figure. Having consulted and resolved their business, the king ordered one of them to speak to me : he stood up, came to me, and in the name of his king saluted me, then took me by the hand and told me, ' He was ordered by his king to speak to me ; and that now it was not he, but the king that spoke, because what he should say, was the king's mind.' He first prayed me ' to excuse them that they had not complied with me the last time ; he feared there might be some fault in the interpreter, being neither Indian nor English ; besides, it was the Indian custom to deliberate, and take up much time in council before they resolve ; and that if the young people and owners of the land had been as ready as he, I had not met with so much delay.' Having thus introduced his matter, he fell to the bounds of the land they had agreed to dispose of, and the price; which k y y t!> iven sweat 1(1 dances, ho middle le chorus, keep mea- great ap- i;in to feast which all t great seat ot cukes of re form, in at they fall 1' money, it ack is with id those by children of ther, or the reu of her y render for Id and wise of moment )ut advising admirable ove by the with them er is thus : icil, the old he younger usiuess, the me, and in nd told me, was not be, ing's mind.' ed with me reter, being I deliberate, that if the 1 had not Ir, he fell to Irice; wbich now is little and dear, that which wouhl have bought twenty niilos, not buying now two. During tlie tinic tliat tliis pcison spoke, not a iniin of them was observed to wliisper or smile; the old grave, the young reverend in their deportnu'ut : tliey speak little, but fervently, and with elegance: 1 hav(! neviT seen more natural sagacity, considering them without the lieli) (I was going to say the spoil) of tradition ; and ho will deserve the nauie of wise that outwits ilieiii in any treaty about a thing tliey uiulerstaml. "When the j)urchast' was agreetl, great ])roniises jiussed betwi'en us of ' kindness and good neighbourhood, and that tiie Indians and Mnglisli must live in love, as long as the sun gave light.' Which iloiie, another niaile a speech to tlu' Indians, in the uanu; of ail the sdchiniutkn-s or l<ings; tiist to tell them what was doiu! : next, to charge and connuand tlieni, ' to love the C'linstiaus, and particularly live in peace with nie, and tiu' people under my government : tliat many governors had been in the river, l)ut that no governor had come himself to live and stay here before; and having ikjw such an one that had treated them wi-ll, they should never do him or his any wrong.' At every sentence of which they shouted, and said, Auien, in their way. " The justice tliey have is pecuniary ; in case of any wrong or evil fact, bo it murder itself, they atone liy feasts, and presents of theii' iniiii/tinii, which is proportioned to the (piality of the otfeuce or person injured, oi' ol' the sex they are of : for in case they kill a woman, tiiey pay douiile, and the reason they can render is, 'That she breedeth cluldren, which ' leu cannot do.' It is rare that they fall out, if sober ; ami if drunk they forgive it saying, ' It was the drink; and not the man, that aliased them.' " We have agreed that in all ditferences between us, six of each side shall end the matter. Do not ainise them, Ijut h;t them have Justici-, and vou win them : the worst is, that they are the worse for the ( hristians, who liave propagated their vices, and yielded them tradition for ill, and not for good things. But as low iin ebb as these people are at, and as inglorious as their own condition looks, the Christians have not outlived f/icir sight, with all their pretensions to an hiyher nnmifestation ; what good then might n(jt a good peoj)le graft, where there is so distinct a knowledge left between good and evil ? I beseech God to incline the hearts of all that come into these parts, to outlive the knowledge of the natives, by a fixed obe- dience to their greater knowledge of the will of God ; for it were miserable indeed for us to fall under the just censure of the poor Indian conscience, while we make profession of things so far transcending. "Tor their original I am ready to Itelievo them of the Jewish race, I mean of the stock of the ten tribes, and that for the following reasons; first, thev were to go to a ' land not ■oianted or known,' which to be sure, Asia and Africa were, if not Europe ; and he that intended that extraordinary judgo- !■; 1 < i i \l If I . ^- n li 1; i! i i M i ! I i i ; 60 inent upon tliem, mi^'lit make the passage not uneasy to them, as it is not iiiipossilik' ill itself, iVoni the eastoriiiiiost ]r.uts of Asia to tlie westeiiiniost of Amt'iica. In the lu'xt place, I find tiiein of like coimteiiance, and their children of so lively reseniblancc, that a man would think himself in Duke's- ])lace or Berry-street in London, when he seeth them. But this is not all ; they agree in ri^«*,they reckon by moons; tiiey offer their Jintfrui Is, they have a kind of /crtA/ of /n/^crnac/f* ; they are said to lay their allai upon twelve ilonex ; their mourning a year, customs of women, with many things that do not now occcur." The concein so deeply felt by George Fox for improving the condiliun of the liidiun ruees, and lor instructing them in the great and important truths of the Christian religion, was, as we have seen, one in which William Penn fully ])ar- ticipaled, and in which he bestowed no ordinary degree of labour. And it is satisfactory to find that it early engaged the attention and interest of the body of Friends in that land. In their Yearly Meeting, held at Burlington, in West Jersey, in IG80, the subject obtained much serious consideration ; and some active steps were taken upon it, an account of which we give in the words of Robert Proud. " In this year, 1G85," says he, in his History of Pennsylvania," the Qua- kers, in their Yeaily Meeting at Burlington, in West Jersey, took additional measures to prevent all persons, in their society, from selling strong liquors to the Indians. About the same time, by particular appointment, they also had a religious meeting with them, as they frequently had before ; to inform and instruct them in the principles of Christianity, and the practice of a true Christian life. " The Indians generally heard patiently what was said to them on this subject, and seemed affected with it for a time ; but, for the most part, it appeared to make no very durable impression, on their minds, for the proper regulation of their passions and appetites ; which, at last, too generally seemed to prevail over convictions of this nature, and their better knowledge. " Divers preachers of this religious society, from abroad, often had meetings, and serious discourse with them, for this 6J purpose ; as well as those who had settled in the countrj' ; paiiicularly, Samuel Jennings, Thomas Olive, William Penn, and others, (Vom time to time, laboured to inculcate into them a just sense of the benefit of a Christian life and con- duct." " Not long after the Yearly Meeting had thus, in its col- lective capacity, taken up the subject of the religious improve- ment of the aborigines of the country, we find George Fox, who seemed ever alive to circinnstances calculated to pro- mole and establish truth and righteousness in the earth, thus addressing Friends, in reference to the interesling engagement of Indian instruction in the principles of the Christian religion, viz. : — 1687. To Fkiknds in West JtusEY and Pennsylvania. " If sometimes you should have some meetings with the Indian kings and their councils, to let them know the principles of truth, so that they may know the way of salva- tion, and the nature of true Christianity, and how that Christ hath died for them, who tasted death for every man ; and so the Gospel of .salvaiion must be preached to every creature under heaven; and how tiiat Christ hath enlightened them, who enlightens all that come into the world ; and God hath poured out his Spirit upon all flesh ; and so the Indians must receive God's Spirit; lor the grace of God 'vhich brings sal- vation hath appeared to all men : and so let thciii know that they have a day of salvation, grace, and favour of God ofl'ered unto them ; if they will receive it, it will be their blessing." 1089. To TiiE Quarterly and Yearly Meetings of Friends in Pennsylvania, New England, Virginia, Maryland, the Jerseys, Carolina, and other Plan- tations in America. " Be valiant for God's holy pure truth, and spread it abroad, among both professors and profane, and the Indians. And you should write over once a year, from all your Yearly E 2 ij '! ^rf I fj' 1 1 1 1 62 Meetings to the Yearly Meeting here, concerning your dili- gence in the truth, and of its spreading, and of people's re- ceiving it, both professors and proiane, and tlie Indians." And a little before his death he thus writes : 1690. To FUILNUS IN TIIK MiNISTUY THAT WiiKE (U)M', INTO AmEUIC'A. " Dear Friends and Hrcthren, Ministers, I'^xhorters, and Adtnonishers, that are gone into America and the islands thereavvay. Stir up the gift of fJod in you, and the pure mind, and improve your talents, that ye may be the light of the world, a city set upon a hill, that cannot be hid. Let your light shine among the Indians, the blacks, and the whites, that ye may answer the truth in them, and bring them to the standard and ensign that Ciod hath set up, Christ Jesus, And Friends, be not negligent, but keep up your negro's meetings and your family meetings ; and have meetings with the Indian kings, and their councils and sub- jects everywhere, and with others. Bring them all to the baptizing and circumcising Spirit, by which they may know God, and serve and worship Ilim." In one of the minutes of the Yearly Meeting of London for the year 1()92, we find the following brief allusion to the gospel labours of Friends among the Indians, viz., " A letter from the Yearly Meeting at Burlington to this Meeting, dated the 10th of 7th month, 1690, that ministering Friends there have visited the neighbouring countries, and some have visited some of the nearest plantations of Indians." Another reference to the labours of our early Friends in preaching to these benighted sons of the forest the glad tidings of the gospel, is in an old American manuscript volume, in which, among several notices of ministers in our Society who visited Pennsylvania from the year 1698 to the year 1715, the visit of Thomas Turner, of Cogge shall, in Essex, is thus recorded. " Thomas Turner, an ancient Friend, whose testimony was that the enemies should be ' f 14^ l^m r,:i scallered, and the truth couie into donjinioii. He had meetings with the Indians in their phices of abode, and was very K)ving, and the Indians had great regard and kindness for him." In the year 1000, Tliomas Story, who was on terms of much intimacy witli William Penn, and who took much in- terest in his transatlantic concerns, vi.^ited America in the capacity of a minister of the gos])el, and rdtimately settled in Pennsylvania, where he remained until the year 1711. Soon after his arrival in he jirovince, he was elected one of the council, and in 1701 was appointed the first recorder of the city of Philadeli)hia. During his stay in Pennsylvania, his good abilities were, in many ways, eminently useful to the infant colony ; " he was," says an historian of the pro- vince, " of good and great service to the country for a num- ber of years, both in a religious and civil cai)acity ; dis- charging the (lid'erent and important oflices which he held, with great honour, skill, and integrity." Like his friend William Penu, Thomas Story " loved the Indians" and in unison with the advice of CJeorge L'ox, ))rea(hed " the way of salvation and the nature of true Chris- tianity" to them. In his journal he has occasionally made allusions to labours of this descri])tion, from ^hich, for the year 1000, whilst travelling in Virginia, the following is ex- tracted, *' We had a good ])assage over the river [Pamunkey] by the ferry, and on the other side went into a house, for it came on so much thunder and rain ; and there we heard of an Indian town, about a mile off, on the side of the river Matta- ])ony, and we went to see them. " They are the Chickahomine Indians ; and, as to their town, it consisted of about eleven wigwams, or houses, made of the bark of trees, and contained so many families : we were directed to their sagamor, or chief; and when we went to his door, he came out with a piece of cloth about his middle, but otherwise all naked, and invited us in ; and, we i !i| i, ;:f: (.. I /■ '; I I.' C4 being set down, several of his people cnine to look upon us, and, aMjon<j tlicni, one wlio could speak some Knglish. " .ACtcr a time of silence, and the ( onipany increased, we asked liim if lliey were all there, for we desired to see as many of then) to<,'elher as we could ; which, heing interpreted to the saganior, who was a grave, serious, and wary old man, he seemed to be under some suspicion of us, and what we might mean by desiring to see them all together; we being wholly strangers to them, " Then I, falling under some concern of mind, and observing a fear in them, informed them by the interpreter, *' that we did not come among them for any hurt lo then), or gain to ourselves; but, being lately arrived from England, had a de- sire to see them ; for we loved the Indians, and had some- thing to say to them concerning the great God, who made the heavens, the sun, moon, earth, and all that dwell therein, Englishmen, Indians, and all nations; that he loves all good English, and good Indians, and other good people every- where.' " And then they seemed a little more calm and settled in their countenances ; and my con)panion s])ake to them con- cerning the immortality of the soul ; and that God hath placed a witness in the heart of every man, which approves that which is good, and reproves that which is evil. " The sagamor then pointed to his head, and said, that was treacherous, or fallacious ; but, pointing to his breast, said, it was true and sweet there, And then he sent forth his breath, as if he had poured out his soul unto death; and signing up towards heaven with his hand, raised a bold, cheerful, and loud ' hey,' as if the soul ascended thither in a triumphant manner ; and then, pointing to his body, from thence put his hand towards the earth, to demonstrate his opinion, that the body renmins there, when the soul is de- parted and ascended." *' The next morning we set forward for Rhode Island, and in our way called at a little ordinary, where there was an 55 Iiulian woman spinning upon a wheel; and after a while, 1 found a concern for her in my mind, and if)ade her stop her wheel, and then spake to her of the witness of (iod in her, which discovered to her good and evil, that diclates the forn)er, and reproves the latter. To w hich she confessed, and said, with tears in her e^es, that she knew better than she ])ractised, and was very hundjle." In the year KJJJD, William Penn, after an absence of about five years, again visited the colony, in company with his wife and family; much to the satisfaction of his friends resident in it. Among the numerous engagements which occu])i»'d his attention soon after he landed, that of taking fresh means for promoting the good of the natives and Negroes was one ; accordingly we find him proposing, at the first Monthly Meeting which took jdace in Philadel- phia in 1700, that some steps should be adopted for for- warding this object. In bringing the subject thus before his friends, he staled that his mind had long been engaged, for the benefit and welfare of the Indians and N«'groes; and ex- pressed an earnest desire, that I'Viends might fully discharge their duty to this class of their fellow-beings ; more particu- larly that part of it which had a reference to their spiritual advancement. The result of the deliberations of the Meeting in the matter was, the appointment of a meeting, more jiarti- cularly for the Negroes, once in every month ; and also the adoption of a course for more frequent intercourse with the Indians, by means of interineters; which William Penn oH'ered to ])V()vi(le the Meeting with. The minute made on this occasion runs thus . — " Oar dear Friend and governor having laid before this meeting a concern that hath laid upon his mind for some time concerning the Negroes and Indians, that Friends ought to be very careful in discharging a good con- science towards them in all respects, but more especially for the good of their souls, and that they might, as frequent as may be, come to meetings upon first days ; upon considera- tion whereof, this meeting concludes to appoint a meeting i !;' II i: i:^ , r\ i \ 1 t , 5G for the Xcf^ioes to be kept once a nioiitli, &c., and that tlieir masters give notice thereof in their own families, and be ])resent witli them at the said meetings as frequent as may be." As early as the jiressing engagements of William Penn would ])i!rmit, he left Philadelphia, for his residence at Pcnusbury. One of the first objects whilst here was, to carry out the views of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, by seeking o])])ortunities lor a more frecjuent converse be- tween Friends and the Indians. For this purpose, he made excursions into the interior, and it is recorded " was soon after at an Indian feast," which took ])lace " near a beautiful s])ring of water, which was overhung by the branrdies of lofty trees. Several bucks were killed. Hot cakes were served u]) also of wheat and beans." With a view to cany out thoroughly the concern of the Monthly INIeeting, and to cultivate an intimacy with the Indians, he invited many of them to his residence ; to which Indian kings and (pieens with their followers came. When they came on ])ublic business or in state, it was his practice to receive them in his iiall of audience; which was a large room set apart lor occasions of this kind ; and in which stood an oaken arm-chair, which he usually occujned at such con- i'erences. In the early ])art of the year 1701, we find that William Penn, had again lel't Pennsbury for I-hiladel])hia ; where he met Con- noo-daghtoh, king of the Susquehanna Indians ; AN'opaththa, king of tlie Shawnese ; Weewhinjough, chief of the Gana- wese, inhabiting the head of Potomack river, and Aliookas- sough, brother of the euqieror of the Five Nations, with about forty Indians in their retinue; who came to renew, by one generid treaty for the whole, the good understanding which had subsisted between him and them. On this occasion he received the Indians in council, and many friendly sjieeches i)assed between them ; and it was then and there agreed, that there should be for ever after, a firm and lasting ])eace between William Penn and liis heirs, and the 'i \ 57 said kings and cliiefs, and llicir successors, in behalf of tlicir respective tribes ; and llic following articles of agreement were solemnly ratified, and the instrument for the same, duly executed by both parlies, viz.: "Articles of iifjreemeiit, indented, made, concluded, and iifjfreed upon at I'liiladelphia, the ilJrd day of tlie second month, called ApiiK I"**', lietwin-n AVilliani Penn, proprietary and i,'overnor of the province of Pennsylvania, and territories thereunto l)elon^rinjj[, on the one part, and Connoo-daj,ditoli, kiuir of the Indians, inhahitiug upon and ahout the river Su-^nuehanna, in the said province, and Widaagh, (alias Orettyaj^h,) Koqueash,and Andajjjgy, Junckqiuijih, cliiefs of the said nations of Indians, and Wopaththa, king, and Lemoytungh and Penioyajoaagh, chiefs of the nations of the Shawnese Tiulians, and Ahookassough, brother to the emperor, for and in hehalf of tile enij)eror, and Weewhinjough, Chequittayh, Takyewsan, and Woapra- sliou, chiefs of the nations of the Indians inhabiting in and about the northern part of the river Potonuick, in the said province, for and in behalf of tliems(.'lves and successors, and their several nations and j)eople on the other part, as followeth : "That as liitherto there hath always been a good understanding and neigiibourhood between the said William Penn and bis lieutenants, since his first arrival in tin; said province, and the several nations of Indians iuiiabiting in and about the sanu', so there shall be for ever hereafter a tirui and lasting ])eai'e continued between William Penn, his Ikmin and succes- sors, and all tiu' Jjiglish and other Christian inhabitants ot the said pro- vince, and the saiil kings and chiefs and their successors, and all tli'> several people of tlie nations of Indians aforesaid, and that thej- shall for ever hereafter be as one head and one heart, and live in true friendship and amity, as one peoi)lo. " Item. That the said kings and chiefs (-ach for himself and his j)eople engaging) shall at no time hurt, injure, or defraud, or suffer to be hurt, injured, or defrauded, by any of their Indians, any inhabitaiit or inhabitants of the said province, either tlu>ir persons or estates. And that the said "William Penn, his heirs and successors, shall not suffer to be done or com- mitted, by any of the subjects of England within the said pi-ovince, anv act of hostility or violence, wrong or injury to or against any of the said Indians; but shall on both sides, at all times, readily do justice, and perform all acts and offices of friendship and goodwill, to oblige each other to a lasting peace, as aforesaid. "Item. Tluit all and every of the said kings iuul chiefs, and all and every particular of the nations under them, shall at all times liehave them- silves regulr I) ;nd soberly, according to the laws of this government, i !' i i w 58 while they hve near or among the Christian inhabitants thereof; and that tlie said Indians shall have the full and free privileges and immunities of all (he said laws, as any other inhabitant, they duly owning and acknow- ledging the authority of the crown of England, and government of this province. "Item. That none of the said Indians shall, at any time, be aiding, assisting, or abetting any other nation, whether Indians or others, that sha'I not at such time be in amity with the crown of England and with this government. " Item. That if, at any time, any of the said Indians, by means of evil- minded jnusons and sowers of sedition, should hear any unkind or disad- vantageous n.'ports of the English, as if they had evil designs against any of the said Indians, in such cases such Indians shall send notice thereof to the said William Penn, his heirs or successors, or their lieutenants, and shall not give credence to the said reports, till by that means they shall be fully satisfied concerning the truth thereof; and that the said William Penn, his heirs and successors, or their lieutenants, shall at all times in such cases do the like by them. " Item. That the said kings and chiefs and their successors, shall not suffer any stiange nations of Indians to settle or plant on the further side of the Susquahanna, or about Potomack Uiver, but such as are there already seated, nor bring any otlier Indians into any part of this province without the special approbation and permission of the said William Penn, his heirs and successors. " Item. That for the prevention of abuses that are too frequently put upon the said Indians in trade, the said William Penn, his heirs and suc- cessors, sliall not sufter or permit any person to trade or converse with any of the said Indians, but such as shall be first allowed and approved by an instrument under the hand and seal of him, the said William Penn, or his heirs or successors, or their lieutenants; and that the said Indians shall sufter no person whatsoever to buy or sell, or liave commerce with any of them, the said Indians, but such as shall first be approved as aforesaid. " Item. That the said Indians shall not sell or dispose of any of their skins, peltry, or furs, or any other effects of their hunting, to any perton or persons whatsoever, out of the said province, nor to any other peison, but such as. shall be authorized to trade with th<.in, as aforesaid. And that, for their ''iicouragemer-t, the said William Penn, his lieirs and successors, shall take care to ii 've them, the said Indians, duly furnished with all sorts of necessary goods for their use, at reasonable rates. "Item. That the Potomack Indians aforesaid, witli their colony, shall have free leave of the paid W illiani Penu to settle upon any part of Poto- i \ ' \: x-^'mm * « i9 mack River, within the bounds of this i)rovince, tliey strictly observing and practisinf,' all and singular tlic articles aforesaid, to tlnni relating. " ItL»ni. The ludian.s of Cone.stoyo, upon and about the river Susque- hanna, and nion: espeeiiilly tiie said Counoo-daghtoii, their king, doth i'uUy a'Tee to, and l)y tlu'sc presents, absolutely I'atify the bargain and sale of lands, lyiny near and a'lout the said river, formerly made to the said AVilliam Penn, his heirs and successors, by a deed bearing date the 13th day of September last, under their hands and seals duly executed. And the said Connoo-daghtoh doth, for himself and his nation, covenant and agree that he will, at all times, be ready further to confirm and make good the said sale, according to the tenor of the same, and that the said Indians of Susquehanna shall answer the said William I'enn, his heirs and succes- sors, for the good behaviour and conduct of the said I'otonuick Indians, and for their performing the several articles herein expressed. "Item. The said William Penn doth liereby pioniise for himself, his heirs and successors, that he and they will, at all times, show themselves true friends and brothers to all and every of the said Indians, by assisting them with the best of their advice, directions, and counsels, and will in all things, just and reivsonable, befriend them ; they behaving themselves as aforesaid, and submitting to the laws of this province in all things, as the Ku'rlish and other Chi-istians therein do; to which thev, the said Indians, heieby agree, and oblige themselves and the r posterity for ever. "In witness whereof, the said i)arties have, as a confirnuition, made mutual presents to each other; the Indians in five parcels of skins, and the said William Penn in several English goods and merchandizes, as a binding pledge of the promises, never to he broken or violated; and as a further testimony thereof, have also to these presents set their hands and seals, the day and year above written."' Soon after the conclusion of this treaty, William Penn, laid before the comicil, the great impositions that were prac- tised upon the nnsiispecting Indians, in llie way of trade; and, in conformity with the articles of the foregoing treaty, deliberated with then) for the adoption of measures calculated to prevent these abi\ses. It was accordingly resolved, that the Indian trade should be conducted by a coinj)anv of indi- viduals, selected for their integrity, with a joint s«ock, under certain vegidalions and restrictions, nioie ))arlicidar]v in regard to sjjirituous liqiu)rs sold to the natives. 1"he com- pany was also to use all reasonable means, to bring them to a just sense of the value of the Christian religion; but more ■ i! ' I ! ' i; i m * u V l\ I i t '. i it I I ( ])arlicularly, by setting bcluro tliein an example of integrity and candoiu", in tlieir dealings and intercourse with llieni; and also to avail themselves ol' opportunities, for instructing them in the vital ])rinciplcs of it. These resolutions weve, we are given to understand, carried into execution, " so far as was judged re(iuisite or found ])racticable." " This," says a mo- dern writer, " was probably the first time that trade was expressly made subservient to morals and to the promotion of the Christian religion." Another tribe; of Indians, which had not gone down to Philadelphia, with those mentioned in the preceding treat}-, visited the ])r()])rietavy a short time afterwards, at his resi- dence at Pennsbury ; in order to renew the treaty which he had made with them in his fir^-l visit to this country. It hap])t ned tliat John Richardson, who was then engaged in a religious visit to America, was at Pennsbury, at Via time these Indians came; and witnessed what ])assed on the occa- sion, of this renewed treaty of alliance and friendship, between them and William IV'nn. lie gives some account of this interview in his .Journal, and though he stales that he has omitted nuuiy particulars res])ecling it, we consider his de- scri])lion sufRciently interesting for a ])]ace in tliese i)ages. We sidjjoin an accotnit wliicli he has written, of a religious opportunity that he himsell' had with some Indians in the j)rovince, a short time afterwards. IJis words are these : — " \\'lioii I was at William Ppiin's country house, called Pennsbury, in Pennsylvania, where I staid two or three days, on one of which I was at a meetinjj^ and a marriage, and much of the other part of tiie time I spent in seeing (to my satisfaction) \\'illiam Penn and many of the In<'"ans (not the least of them) in council and consultation conc(^rning their former cove- nants, now again revived upon William Penn's going away for England, all whicli was done in much cahnness of temper and in an amicable way. To pass by several particulars, I may mention the following: one was, they never first broke covenant witii any people; f^r, as one of them said, and Bmote his hand u])ou his head three times, that tliey did not make them there, in their heads, but, smiting his baud three times on his breast, said> they make them (i. e. their covenants) there, in their hearts. And again, 1(1 I (Jl wlien William Pcnn .ind tlioy hiul oiulcd tho most woii^hty parts for wliicli tlicy held tiicii' council, William I'uiin i^nxi' them iiiatfli-coats, and sonw other tiling's, with somo hramly or rum, or hoth, which was advised \>y tho speaker for the Indians to he put into the hand of one of their cassack;., or kings, for he knew tlu! best how to ordei- them ; which being done, the said king used no comi>liments, neitiier did the jx'ople nor tiie rest of their kings, hut as the aforesaid king poured out his drains, he oidy ma(U> a motion with his finger, or sometimes witli his eye, to the person winch he intended to give the dram to; so they came ipiietly, aiid in a solid manner, and took their drams, and ])assed awa} without either nod or how, any further than necessity icquired tiiem to stooj), who were on their feet, to him who sat on the ground or Hoor, as their choice and manner is; and witlial 1 observed (and als(j heard the like liy others) that they did not, nor I suppose never do sj)eak two ..t a time, nor interfere in the least one with another that way in all their councils, as has b(>en observ(Ml, Their eatiu"; and drinking was in much stillness and (]uietness. " I much desire that all ("lii'istians (whether they may 1)0 such in reality or i)rofession only) may endeavour to imitate these people in tliose thing i which arc so commendable, which may be a means to prevent loss of time and expedite business, as much as may be, endeavouring to prevent above one speaking at a time in meetings of conference and of ! siness, "When much of the matters were gone through, I ])ut Av'illium Penn in mind to iuc[uire of the interpreter if he could find some terms or words that might be intelligible to them, in a religious sense, by wli i h he might reach the understandings of tiie natives, and incidcate into their minds a sense of the principles of truth, such as Clirist's nianifestii'g himself to the inward senses of the soul by his light, grace,__or Holy Spirit, with the manner of the operations and working ihereof in the hearts of tlie children of men, and how it did reprove for evil, and minister peace and con. fort to tlu; soul in its obedience , I, '; well-doing, or as near as he c<inld conie to the sid)- stance of this in their own language. \\'illiam Penn niiich pressed the matter upon the interpreter to do his best, in any terms that niigiit reach their capacities, and answer tlie end intended ; but the interpr(!ter would not, either l)y reason, as he alleged, of want of terms, or liirj nnwillingnt-ss to meddle in religious matters, which T know not, but I ratlier think tho latter was the main reason whicli obstructed h.m; ^'-crefore wo found nothing was like to be done according to our desires in this matter, as tlie inteii>reter was but a daik man, and, as Yvdliam Penn said, a wrong man for our present purpose. " William Penn said, ho understood they owned a superior power, and asked the interpreter what their notion was of God in their own Avay. The interpreter showed, by making several circles on tlie ground with his siaff, M M I If // .•**y<' !■ ■ 62 till he reduced the last into a small circumference, and placed, as he said, by wiiy of rcpresontation, the Great Miin (as tiiey termed him) in the middle circle, so that he could see over all the other circles, which included all the earth. And we querying what they owned as to eternity or a future state, the interpreter said they believed when such died as were guilty of theft, swearing, l;ing, whoring, murder, &.c., they went into a very cold country, where they had neither good fat venison, nor match- coats, which is what they u.-e instead of clothes to cover them withal, being of one piece, in the form of a blaulict, or bed-covering; but those who died clear of tlie aforesaid sins go into a fine warm country, where they had good fat venison, and good nuitch-coats, things much valued by these nati^eK- I thought, inasmuch as these poor creatures had not the know- led;re '-['(/od by the scriptures as we have who are called Chri.sti'iiis, but Vila l,,;()wledge they had of the Supreme Being must be by an i'nvard eD.-anOii, or liy contemplating upon the works of (iod in the creation, or ^> ib;i;' from some tradition handed down from father to son, by which it .pi'iHvs tisey acknowledge a future state of rewards and pinishnients, the tOi;ni • . ■" vhich they express by warmth, good chtiiing, and food, and the Iart>-'r I' n'lkedness, pining hunger, and pierci-ig cold. "i havft often thought and said, when I w's amongst them, that gene- rally my sp rit was very easy, and I did not feel that power of darkness to oppreBS me as I had done in many places among the people called Chris- tians. " After William Ptmn and they hod expressed their satisfaction, both for themselves and their people, in keeping all tlieir former articles unviolated, and agreed that if any particular difi'erences did happen amongst any of their people, they should not be an occasion of fomenting or creating any war between William Peiwi's jjcople and the Indians, but justice should be done in all such cases, t'lat all animosities might b( prevented on all sides for ever, they went oiit of the house into an open place not far from it, to perform their cant'.co, or worship, which was done thus; first they make a email tire, and .'.e men, without the women, sat down about it in a ring, and whatsoev r object they severally fixed their eyes on I did not see them move them in all that part of thei worsir^,, while they sang a very melo- dious hymn, which affected and trndered the hi. its of many who were spectators; when they had tlui>: done they began (..^ I suppose in their usual manner) to Iwjat upon the ground with little sticks, or make some motion with something in their hands, and pause a little, till one of the elder sort sets forth his hymn, and that being followed by the company for a few minutes, and then a pause; and then the like was done by another, and so by a third, and followed by the company, as at the first, which seemed exceediugly to affect them and others. Having done, they rose up 1 i (5S and danced a little about the fire, and parted, with some shontinj^, like a triimipli or ^'J()i(■illJ,^ " I li'av(> Pi'iiiislnii-y, liiit iiitoiul, lict'Drc I loavc tlic Iiuliaiis, to .'■ay soino- tliiiif,' nioro (•ouccniin;,' tliat pcoplo wliicli I iiu't witli near Caleb I'lisv's house in reiinsylvania, viz., I hoiii'f wallvinj^ in tiio wood, esj)i(>d scvoia! uigwauKs, or iiou.ses of tlu! Indians, and drew towards thcni, Ijiit could not converse witli tiiL-ni ; hut looliinf,' over tiicni in tlic love of (iod, 1 i'ound it to lie my way, as I appreliended, to look for an interpreter and go to them again, whieii I did; and when I came to them, and signified that I was come from a f.ir conntiy, witii a message from the Great Man ai)ove, (as they call God,) and my message was to endeavour to persuade them tliat tiiey sliould not he drnnliards, nor steal, nor kill one another, nor fight, nor commit adultery, nor put away their wives, esjiecially for small faults, tvliich (as 1 understood) is usual with them to do; for if tiiey did those things the Great and Good Man above would he angry with them, and would not prosper them, hut bring troui)le on them; hut if tiiey were careful to refiain from these evils (before mentioned) then wonld God love them, and prosper them, and speak peace to them, or very near these words. And when the interpreter expressed these things to tlieni in their own language they wept, and tears ran down their naked bodies, and they smote their hands upon their breasts, and 1 perceived said something to the interpreter. I a,-ked wiiat they said: he told me they said all that 1 had delivered to them was good, and except the (Jreat Man had sent me, I could not have told them those things. I desired the interpreter to ask them how they knew what I had said to them was good; they replied, and smote their hands on their breasts, the (iood Man here (meaning in their hearts) told them what 1 had said was all good. They manifested much love to me in their way, and I believe the love of God is to them, and all people in the day of their visitation."' William Penn's return to England the second lime appears to have been hastened by proceedinos agitated in Parliament, with a view to deprive him of the government of the i)ro- vince : they were, however, happily frustrated; though not without having given him much trouble and anxiety. The time having arrived for liis departure, and iniormation of it liaving reached many of the Indians, several of them, among whom were the chiefs of the Susquehanna and Shaw- nese tribes, in the eighth month of 1701, came to Phila- deli)hia to take leave of him, as their great benefactor. These Indians came at a time when the assembly was I ! il:ii !,.!! I I vitlini^. llo leceived llicm in council. '^I'his farewell meet- ing is said to have been a liighly i)itercsling occasion, but few particulars, bowever, of tliis interview bave been trans- mitted to us, tbe following i)ri(;f account of it b(!ing all tbat lias come to our knowledge respecting it, viz, : — " William Fenn told tbem tbat tbe assembly was tben enacting a law, according to tbeir desire, to ])revcnt tbeir being abused by selling of rum among tbem ; tbat be requested of tbem to iniite all tbeir endeavours, and tbeir utmost exertion, in con- junction witli tbose of tlie government, to })ut tbe said law in execution." At tbe same time be informed tbem " tbat now tbis was like to be bis last interview w itb tbem, at least before bis return ; tbat be bad always loved and been kind to tbem, and ever sbould continue so to be, not tbrongb any ]K)liLic design, or on account of self-interest, but from a most real aflection ; and be desired tbem in bis absence to cultivate friendsbip witb tbose wbom be sbould leave bebind in autbority, as ibey would always, in some degree, continue to be sf) to tbem as bimself bad ever been ; lastly, tbat be bad cbarged tbe mend)ers of council, and be tben also renewed tbe same cbarge, tbat tbey sbould in all respects be kind to tbem, and entertain tbem witb all courtesy and demonstra- tions of good-will, as bimself bad ever done." Here tbe said members j^romised I'aitbfully to observe tiie cbarge. l*r(!sents were tben made to tbe Indians, wbo soon afterwards witb- drew. in tbe order of date we sball bere notice an interesting religious interview wbicb Tbomas Cbalkley, wbo travelled extensively in America in tbe work of tbe ministry, bad witb some Indians in tbe year 1700. Wben be svas travelling in Pennsvlvania and 'its vicinity be felt bis mind drawn to visit tbe Indians at C'onestogoe, near Susquebanna, wbicb con- cern, it a])pears, met tbe cordial approval of bis friends of Xottingbam, before wbom be laid it, tbirteen of wliom, for his encouragement, accompanied bim in tbe visit, altbougb at a considerable distance from the natives. " We got," .says 65 ! Thomas Chalkley. *' an interpreter, and travelled through the woods about (if'lv miles, earr} ing our provisions with us, and on the journey sat dow n hy a river, and s|)read our food on the grass, and refreshed ourselves and horses, and then went on cheerfully, and with goodwill, and n)ueh love to the poor Indians ; and w hen we came they received us kindly, treating us civilly in their way." On informing the iiidiuns of liie object of their visit, they called a council, in wjiicli "they were very grave, and spoke one after another, without any heat or jarring." In this council was a woman, who took a part in the deliberations of the tribe upon all important occasions. On the interpreter being questioned why they peruiitted a woman to take such a responsible ])art, he rei)lied, " That some women were wiser than some men," and that " they had not done any thing for many years without the counsel of the ancient, grave woman, who s))<)ke much in their council." This " ancient, grave wouian," who was the empress of the tribe, said, records Thomas Chalkley, that " she looked upon our coming to be more than natural, because we did not come to buy, or sell, or get gain, but came in love and respect to them, and desired their well- doing both here and hereafter; and further continued, that our meetings among them might be very beneficial to their young ])eople. And she advised them to hear us, and entertain us kindly, and accordingly they did. Here were two nations of them, the Senecas and the Shawnese. We had first a meeting with the Senecas, with which they were much affected; and they called the other nation (viz. the Shawnese) and interpreted to them what lie liad spoke in their meeting, and the poor Indians (particularly some of the young men and women) were under a solid exercise and ctniceni. We had also a meeting with the other nation, and they were all very kind to us, and desired more such oppor- tunities, the which I hoj)e Divine Providence will order them, if they are worthy thereof. The gospel of Jesus Christ was preached freely to them, and faith in Christ, who F I -1! 'II I : \t ft I 1 was put to death at Joriisjilom by the unbolieving .lews, anrl that this same .[esus came to save peo])le from their sins, antl by his grace and light in the soul sliows to man liis sins, and convinceth him thereof, dehvering him out of tlictn, and gives inward peace iiid comfort to the soul I'or well-doing, and sorrow and tronV)le for evil-doing, tf) all which, as their manner is, they gave ])ublic assents; and to that of the light in the soul they gave a double assent, and seemed much adected with the doctrine of truth ; also tlie benelit of the Holy Scriptures was largely opened to them. " After this we returned to our res])eclive habitations, thank- ful in our hearts to the God and Father of oiu- Lord Jesus Christ. Several of the Friends that went with me ex])ressed their satisfaction in this visit, and offered lliemselves freely to go again on the like service." Thomas Clialkley, both pr'.or and subsequently to this period, saw much of the aborigines of the provinces which he visited, and was anxious that his friends might keej) " a Iriendly correspondence with them, giving them no occasion of oii'eiice." Me was very desirous also, that the legitimate right of the natives to the land they occupied should be fully recognized ; in a leiAcr which he addressed to Opeckon Monthly Meeting in Virginia, he says in relation to this subject, that, " as nature hath given them (the Inilians) and their forefathers possession of this continent of America (or this wilderness), they have a natural right thereto in justice and equity ; and no people, according to the law of nature and justice, and our own principle, which is according to the glorious Gospel of our dear and lioiy Lord Jesus Christ, ought to take away or settle on other men's lands, or rights, without consent, or purchasing the same by agreement of the parties conceraed, which, 1 suppose in your case is not yet done." The upright and candid line of conduct pursued by Wil- liam Penn, and the government of Pennsylvania towards the Indians, and their care fully to recognize their rights, seems to n. L ,'•1 ■ I fl7 have tendi'd in no small degree to its snccoss and prosperity. Alth(m<;li the colony ol" Pennsylvania was eslnhlished eun- siiU'rahly alter most of the other |irovinces horderinj,' npon the Atlantic, and withont ])ossessinjj; the advantages which several of them had in the prodnce of stajtle articles of trade, yet it was estimated that in 17()0, it contained more while inhabitants than all \'irginia, Maryland, and holh of the Carolinas. The ])lan for Phihidclphia was laid ddwn in 108-2. In 17 IM, William Penn died, in which year it is stated, that l^hila(lel])hia contained l,l()(t li iisfs, and 10,000 inhabitants, and ihe province al her, about oO,000 pcoj)le. In 17()0 it is said, that there were in Phila- delphia 3,000 honses, containing 20,000 inhabitants, and throughont Pennsylvania 200,000 people. In an accoinit of the I'iUropean settlements in America, ])nblished by Dodsley, in 1757, the statistics of the while popnlation exhibits a still greater proportion in favour of Pennsylvania, bv which it appears that, excepting New I'^ngland and New ^'ork, it contained more settlers than all the other provinces united ; they are as under : — New England 3o-l,000 Pennsylvania, the youngest colony but Georgia and Nova Scotia 250,000 New York SO.OOO Virginia, the oldest 70,000 New Jersey 00,000 Maryland 40,000 North and South Carolina, and Georgia .... 00,000 The cause of this increase of populati(m in so short a time, is generally said to be the kind and just treatment wliich the Indians received from the settlers, wherebv the province was rendered entirely safe from any molestation or aggression from them. And thus, while the neighbouring states, by pursuing a different policy, were engaged in IVe- quent broils and wars with the natives, which were attended with grievous loss of life, and great expense, Pennsylvania V 2 .1- :li ^ I IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // // :/. :A V] <^ /^ oi ^/j // '/ -«^ 1.0 IP 28 IM 2.2 I.I - lis iliio IL25 i 1.4 Photographic Sciences Corporation 1.6 m # ^V <\^ \ \ % V ^ 6"^ ^ '%^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 :p C/j \ I ' 111 » !! 08 stood alone in tbo enjoyment of uninterru])tefl peace and quietness. When we come closely to examine facts, in regard to the settlement of the North American (rolonies, and observe how entirely different the plan pinsned in the settlement of Penn- sylvania was, from nearly all (tthers on that continent, it w ill, we think, be no matter of surprise that it should jiossess advantages tending to its jirosperily, beyond those enjoyed by other provinces where a different line of policy was fol- lowed. It was an observation of William Penn's with resjK'ct to the Indians, " Do not abuse them, but let them have but justice, and you win then)." That this observation was correct has been abundantly shown Tlie Indians were won — won by justice and kind treatment, and ever evinced a desire to show their grateful sense of it, by rendering kind services to the colonists. " We have done better," said one of the settlers in 1684, " than if, with the proud Spaniards, we had gained the mines of Potosi. We nmy make the am- bitious heroes, whom the world admires, blush for their shameful victories. To the poor dark souls round about us, we leach their rights as men." Again, the peaceful and even affectionate conduct of the Indians towards Friends, is another striking result of the benefit of the course adopted towards them, so that although unarmed, and in a defenceless condition as regarded their personal safety, they lived among them in entire security. " As in other countries" says Richard Townsend, "the Indians were exasperated by hard treatment, which hath been the foundation of much bloodshed, so the contrary treatment here, by our worthy proprietor, hath produced their love and affection." In a letter of one of the early settlers already noticed, it is stated that " the Indians were even rendered our benefactors and protectors : — without any carnal weapon we entered the land and inhabited therein as safe as if there had been thousands of garrisons." " This little state,"" says Oldniixon, " subsisted in the midst of six Indian nations. >i ({•) l:i wilhoiit so much as a militia for a tU'fence." As long as Frionds retained a ])o\vcr in ihc^ government, and vvliicli was for a j)eriod of about seventy years, nothing wliatsoover of a warlike character was ever countenanced, and their friendly and just conduct towards the natives was so effective, as to ])revent or redress misunderstandings and grievances which occasionally arose between them and the settlers. The advantages which, even in a temjioral point of view, thus resulted to the early settlers in Pennsylvania, by ado])!- ing a line of conduct in unison with the |)rincij)les of that religion which breathes " peace on earth and good will to jnan," forms a striking contrast to the melancholy evils which followed as a consequence of a mode of policy adverse to these princi})les. Proceeding, as the early settlers to other jirovinces of North America did, to a country inhabited by races of nun of apparently wild, ferocious, and savage habits of life, and whom they observed to be frequently engaged in san- guinary conflicts with each other ; they conceived them- selves, in being surrounded by men of this description, to be in innninent danger of their lives, and acting on the ])olicy of the world, in a spirit contrary to that which reposes in the protecting care of Divine Providence, they began, as soon as they set foot upon the soil, to exhibit a military aj)pearance, to build forts, to fortify their towns, and show themselves in arms, before they had received any kind of molestation or injury, but merely from the fear that such means of defence were needful. The exhibition of such a formidable ajijDearance produced, as a natural consequence, a feeling of distrust and suspicion in the minds of the natives. Dr. Trumbull, in his IJistory of Connecticut, has the following pertinent remarks in reference to this ]iart of the subject: " As these infant settlements," says he, "were filled and surrounded with numerous savages, tlw pe(<ple conceived themselves in danger when they lay down and when they rose up, when they went out and when thev :ll' J ■li i ! 1 1 i; It ■'A I' 1 il' 70 came in. Their cirtuiiistanccs were such, that it was judt^ed necessary lor every man to be a soldier. 'Jhe coiiscfjuence was, that, when they began to exhibit a inilitcuy ajjpearance, several of them were way-laid and killed by the Pecjiiods, lor so the Indians were named in this (jiiarter. Hence followed greater warlike ])re))arations on the one side, and greater sus])icion on the other, till at lengtli open war connnenced between them, during which great excesses were couniiitted by both parties." Wuv being thus connnenced between the Indians and the settlers, the former not unfreqnently, on being drawn into a conflict with one ]irovince, carried their ravages without discrimination into others, wliere the warlike demonstrations were similar. Thus it appears, that when the Indians had been provoked by tlie Virginians, during tlie time that Lord Baltimore was Governor of Maryland, and who, it is said, conducted himself in the most iniexce])tionable manner to- wards the natives, they, nevertheless, carried their devas- tations into Maryland as well as Virginia; whereas the adja- cent ))roviuce of Pennsylvania, where nothing of a warlike character existed, remained uninjured, being uniformly re- s]Kcted by the Indians, and as the territory of William Penn, being held as almost sacred by them. " New Kng- lund," remarks Bancroft in his history of the United States, " had just terminated a disastrous war of extermination : the Dutch were scarcely ever at peace with the Algonquins ; the laws of Maryland refer to Indian hostilities and mas- sacres, which extended as far as Kichmond. Penn came witliout arms ; he declared his purpose to abstain from violence ; he bad no message but ])eace, and not a drop of (iuaker blood was ever shed by an Indian." In unison with this stat<^ment, Okliiiixon, in 17 08, ren)arks, that " they (the Indians)have been very civil to the I^nglish, (I'ennsylvanians,) who never lost man, woman, or child by them, which neither the colony of Maryland nor that of Virginia can say, no more than the great colony of New England." A few years pre- II 71 vinus to this, viz. 170J, Thomas Chalkier, in his visit to New l".iijj;laii(l, remarks very much to the same purjjovt : " About this lime the liKlians were very barbarous, in the deslructiou ol llie l^nylish inhabitants, scalpiii}^ some, and knoeking out the brains of others, (uien, women, and ehildren,) by which the country was greatly alarmed both night and day ; but tiie great Lord ol' all was pleased wonderfully to i)reserve our Friends, especially those who kept faithful to their ])eaceable principles." In another ])lace, he savs, " A neigiibour of the aforesaid })eople told me that, as he was at work in his field, the Indians saw and called to him, and he went to them. 'Ihey told him, that they had no (juarrel with the (Quakers, for they were a ([uiet, peaceable people, and hurt nobody. and thai therelbre none should hurt the m. hose Ind lans began about this tinie to shoot ])eople down as they rode al th id to knock them on the head in their beds, ong iiie roau, aiu and very barbarously murdered many ; but we travelled the country, and had large meetings, and the good presence of God was with us abundantly; and we had great inward joy in the Holy (ihost in our outward jeopardy and travels. The ))eople generally rode and went to their worshi)) armed ; but rriemls went to their meetings without either sword or gun, liaving their trust and confidence in God." .lohn Tolhergill, who about two years after paid a religious visit to New England, s])eaks of the " bloody incursions that the Indians then fre(juently made upon the English." " But it was," he says, " a jirolitable, humbling time to many of our Friends, who generally stood in the faith, and kept at their usual places of abode, though at the daily hazard of their lives : and it was very remarkable, that scarce any, who thus kept their habitations in the faith, were suffered to fall by the Indians, though few days ])assed but we heard of some of their cruel murders, and di'stroying vengeance." Our object in tiius bringing these facts into view, is to show, that as on the one hand the Indians, like the generality of uncivilized and barbarous nations, are, when incensed by ' 5 1 7ti , I' U ill usage, instigated to acts of revenge and eriielty ; so, on the otI.(!r hand, when dealt kindly and jtistly with, prove faithful and kind lViendfc,and scru])ulously endeavour to maintain peace and friendship. y\tnidst all the devastating incursions of the Indians in North America, it is a remarkable fact, that no Friend who stood faithful to his principles in the disuse of all weapons of war, the cause of which was generally well understood hy the Indians, ever suffered personal molesta- tion from tliem. It is, however, recorded in history, that during these Indian wars, three Friends were murdered by the natives; and it is striking that these suffered the loss of their lives, entirely through the abandonment of their peace princi])les. In alluding to this fact, Thomas Chalkley thus writes: "Among the many hundreds that were slain, I heard but of three of our Friends being killed, whose destruction was very remarkable, as I was informed. The one was a woman, and the other two were men. The men used to go to their labour without any weapons, and trusted to the Almighty, and depended on his providence to protect them, (it being their principle not to use weapons of war to offend others, or to delend themselves) : but a spirit of distrust taking ]>lace, they took weapons of war to defend themselves ; and the Indians, who had seen them several times without them, let them alone, saying, they were peaceable men and hurt nobody, therefore they would not hurt them ; but now, seeing them have ginis, and supposing they designed to kill the Indians, they therefore shot them dead." The statement respecting the woman Friend is rather long ; the substance of it, however, is this : she resided near a garrison of the settlers, in a neighbourhood where the massacres had been many ; she let in a fear for her safety, and being informed by the men belonging to the garrison that the Indians were near, she entered with them into their fortifications for safety. Whilst there she became uneasy, and felt that by thus taking refuge with armed people she had compromised one of the great principles of her religion ; she therefore determined to 'I ' 1 -II' i I' 73 leave the fort, hut on returning hoinf, the IiKhans, \\\in had st.-en her eome out of it, and who eon.s('((ueiitly supposed her to heh)ug to it, or to hohl similar priucijjles with the jx'iple in it, waylaid, and killed her. Many have been the encomiums whicli liistorians have bestowed upon tlie benevolent and Cliristian treatment of the Indians by William Penn, and of the advantages alike to both parties which resulted ; a line t)f conduct uidieard of in the presentage of lOuropean colonizing enter])rise, the ])roeee(l- ings of which, we are concerned to observe, are diauu'trieally o])posite to those taken in the colonization of Pennsyl- vania ; and so far from being advantageous to the aborigines, brings upon them accumulated miseries, whilst at the same lime such a course is attended with evident loss and pre- judice to the settlements. So manifest, in fact, has tliis bein the case, that a Committee of the House of Connnons, ap])ointed " to consider what measures ought to be ado])ted with regard to the native inhabitants of countries where Ihitish settlements are made;" in making their report in 183G, thus alludes to it: *' It is not too nuich to say, tliat the intercourse of Europeans in general, without any ex- ception in favour of the subjects of Great Britain, has been, unless when attended by missionary exertions, a source of many calamities to uncivilized nations. Too often their territory has been usurped, their property seized, their num- bers diuiinished, their character debased, the spread of civi- lization impeded. European vices and diseases have been introduced amongst them, and they have been familiarized with the use of our most potent instruments for the subtle or violent destruction of human life, viz., brandy and gun- powder. It will be only too easy to make the proof of all these assertions, which may be established solely by the evidence above referred to. It will be easy also to show, that the result to ourselves has been as contrary to our in- terest as to our duty ; that our system has not only incurred I! :! 1 I: ^ t I l1 ■ t i: ■ i> i\ ^.,* i ^'-^ 'il !; n: h h ' 74 a vast load o( crime, but a vast expenditure of money and auiount of loss." Among tliu documents subu)ilti'(l to this Conunitlec of the House of C'ouimous, we liud one relating lo the conduct of William I'eu'. lo the Indians, drawn up by Thouuis llodg- kin, M.l)., '.vhich being in intimate connexion with our sub- ject we subjoin : it is as follows, viz. PaPEK (A.) RKFERREU TO IN THE EVIDENCE Of T. IIoOOKIN, EsU., -22(1 March, 1H;»7. " In reply to the qu(!8tion uddreased to mo, respecting the course adopted by William Penn in his dealings with the Indians, not being in possession of any original and unpuitlishcd documents relating to the subject, I have endeavoured to select from his life and writings, and from collateral testi- monies, such particulars as appear to me best calculated to furnish the in- formation desired. There is scarcely a fact in modern history more notorious, than that William Penn, in laying the foundation of the province of Pennsylvania, furnished a singular exception to the mode of colonization adopted by civilized and Christian states, inasnuich as he obtained the possession of his territory by ticaty and purchase of those who possessed a natural and here- ditary right to it, instead of resting satisfied with having obtained his rigiit and title by letters patent from the King of England; a title which, though perfectlv valid and umiuestionable, according to the views and i)rac- tices of tlie ci'. ilized world, must, when ilosely examined ami coolly con- sidered, be regaided as merely an assumed right, repugnant to reason and justice ; the case being simjdy this : A. of the first part, discovers a valu- able territory i)ossessed and o(!cupied by li., of the second \n\rt; calls it his own, because he has seen it, and gives it to C of the third part, with all the form and circumstance of the most legal transfer. JJ. in the meantime being so far from a party to the transaction, that he remains the whole time perfectly ignorant of what has taken place. That such a title could not satisfy the conscience of a virtuous man is less surprising than that hia adopting a different course, and obtaining a just as well as a legal title, should have been so singular a transaction as to have commanded the ad- miration of mankind. Were this the only remarkable feature in William Peun's colonization, it would scarcely have a claim to your attention in the present day. liut there are details connected with his treatment of the aborigines 7.') from whom he made his second piirchuso, the Mtatoment of which, if 1 mis- take not, is the ol)jt'ct for wiiith I have lna'ii cullfd liifoic you. It aiipi'uis that prior to tiic^^rcat and nifnioraldc treaty in whicli William I't'ini purchased iiis territory from the Indians, he had caused preliminary ( onferences to be held with them ; they were apprizi-d of his object, und came to the treaty in vast numbers, and occupied u very considerable time in deliberation; and there is no reason to doubt, that at the time and sub- sctpiently, they were satisfied with tlie terms which they had nuide. I am induced to dwell a little upon this point, because 1 have heard it insisted upon by gentlemen of the United iStutet, that William Pcnn's purchase was merely the semblance of a purchase ; that he {^ave no eiiuivalcnt for the land, that he must have known that he overreached them, and that such must always be the case when civilized men treat with the uncivilized to obtain their territory. In refutation of this statement, it should be observed, that it stands on record that one of the principal chiefK concerned, declared that their land was then so much reduci-d [in extent] that they could tlu'U [ll!82J sell but two miles for what they would have sold twenty before. William Penn appears to have given about 1 'id, (100 to the Indians, and it should be taken into consideiation, that at that pi-riod the Indians still possessed large territories, whilst European manufactures were more scarce and consequently of more value to them than they are at present. On the other hand, in the infancy of our colonies, the value of the hind was scarcely known to the settlers That it was set at a low j)rice is evident, from tlu' fact, that large tiacts, and even some of the most advantageous sites, were almost giien away by "William I'eun. 'J'lie two most inipoi-tant features in William Pcnn's conduct towards the aborigines appear to me to l)e very generally overlooked. The first is, that notwithstanding he imrchased the land from the In- dians, he did not desire their removal from it. Tliey were at libei ty to Kettle as his subjects in many parts of the province. The second point is, that he admitted them to full participation in the benefit and protection of the laws, enacting, that in cases in which whites and Indians were concerned, they should sit in equal numbers on the juries. He also made some special laws in their favour, lest, from infe- riority in knowledge, they should become the victims of injustice. Tlius he restricted the trade in skins to duly authorized persons, and still fur- ther to insure them against receiving an inadequate value, these transac- tions were to take place in the public market. From some of the quotations which I am prepared to lay before you, it is evident that these acts of kindness were not lost upon the Indians ; but that for many years they cherished his memory with gratitude and admira- ■ ■! • > 1 I )l ;'! if'.: I I 8 76 tion. It ajipr'ars tliat, for about Bcvpnty years, diirinfj which the (,'overn- mont of t)u} i)roviiicc was allowi-d to remain in the hands of that Hocioty of which William I'enn was a memlter, the treaty of peace between tiio In- dians and I'ennsylvanians remained unbroken, whicii is the more remark- able when we remembor the irregular character of the savaj^e warfare, which was frequently K^i'ilT forward between the other provinces, and the Indians, (>xasperated to tin? hij^hest pitch by encroachments and atrocities. It was not only by his respect for the inalienable rights of the Indians, and by attenfion to their temporal welfare, that William Penn's conduct towards that people is worthy of imitation. Hi; was anxious for their |)ar- ticijjation in tlie blessings of C'luistianity, and on this, as well as on other grounds, recommended thetn to the care of his followers; and I would be permitted to take this opportunity of stating, that I believe that tlie con- duct of the Society of Friends with respect to their care on this bead, baa by some been much underrated. It must be well known to most, that the Society of Friends has no theological schools for the j)reparation of preachers, and that there are none amongst us from whom the delivery of a sermon is required by the body. It is therefore not surprising that none should have been sjiecially aj)pointed to preach to the Indians. But it ia evident from the extant menmirs f)f different ministers in this society, from the time of William Penn dowards, that the gospel of our Saviour was by them preached to the Indians. Thomas Story, who was William Penn's companion when lie treated with the Indians, has left some very sound counsel on this subject; and it is stated in Proud's Pennsylvania, that there was a comjiany of Christian Indians whose practice appears to have adorned their profession. In most parts of Nortli America the Indians have been peculiarly averse to embrace the doctrines of Christianity. With some encouraging exceptions, they look with scepticism and prejudice at a religion, the pro- fessors of which have so generally proved themselves their merciless per- secutors, and their instructors in crime. If the conduct of William Penn and his brethren formed such a contrast with that of the generality of the whites, as to make an indelible impression upon the Indians, you will per- haps lask, where are the proofs of the advantage of this system, and what is the prosperity of the Indians in Pennsylvania, to encourage other govern- ments to follow Penn's examjjle ? It must be confessed, that there is little encouragement to be exhi- bited. Much of the good that was contemplated was never realized, and of that which was accomplished, nearly the whole has been abolished ; but the causes which have effected this are sufficiently obvious. The strong and rooted attachment of the Indians to a hunting life, is a great obstacle to all attempts to fix them to the soil. The increased demand for their ,it ! ^■M, 77 furs has had the douhlo cflort of rp<jnirinj? a lar^or portion of tiinc to bo dovotcil to hiiiititi^', ami has olili^'ol thiMii, like th<> ^aiiic which tliry piir- Hiic, to rirotlo furthiT and fiirtlicr l)»'for(' the advaiiros of civili/.ation, and to withdraw tlicmsolvcs from tlio instruction, counsel, and I'xaniph" of tlioso nio^t dtH'ply inturt'stod in their welfare ; whilst they have heen increuM- iufily exposed to the injustice and contamination of the |(roHij,'ate trader and hai'li-woodsmau, whose crimes an- xiiioliscrved, or if ohserved, are nn- puniNhi'd. Moreover, the example of William I'enn has i)roduced an in- fluence diametrically the reverse of that w liicli he would lia\e desired. The peace which h<! established with the Indiiins was a most important clement in the success of his cohuiy ; that suc<'ess encouraf,'ed emi^'ration, which cr)ntracted the huntin;,'-^'rounds of the Indians, 'the examjile of Willianj I'enn has been repeatedly followed, as far as the obtaining; of land by treaty with the Indians ; by means of which the Indians have rapidly lost larye and rich tnuts of land, which would not so soon have chanf,'ed their owners under a system of forcible spoliation. b^uch treaties unao- companit'd by the beiu'ficial measures which fornu'd a ])art of William Penn's j)lan, have been beneficial to the whites, but irrepaiably injurious to the Indians. The former have gained an easy possession of tlu,' re- sources ot the latter, whilst famine, and in some instances war, has been the portion of the Indians as they have retreated ujjon the territories of other tribes. The reserved portions of territory, the possession of which facilitated the concessions made by the Indians, have been successively alienated from them, when the whites have desired to possess them. The frequ(>nt removals which these transactions have occasioned, havo again and again been complained of by those members of the Society of Friends, who, following the exaniple and injiinctions of William Penn, have endeavoured to jjromote the welfare and improvement of the Indians. Similar complaints have also been nuide by missionaries of other religious societies. It appears from the .Journal of .John Churchman, that before the separation of the United States from this country, the interference of Friends in favour of the Indians was looked upon with jealousy, and that the Indians complained that they did not receive that protection from colo- nial justice which the treaty of W^illiam Penn had been designed to secure for them. These circumstances will probably bo admitted as sufficient to account for the smallness of the amount of good which has really been effected by the justly celebrated and applauded treaty of William Penn with the Indians. There have, doubtless, been wise and benevolent individuals, both amongst the officers of government and in religious societies of difl^erent li r ■n I \i If, AV i 7R donnininationfl, who hav»> stroniionNly nnd Hinroroly ••xnrtod tliemM-lvpH for t)it> liciK'ht of the Indians, Ixit tlirir clfnrtH have Imm'ii inadc(|iiat(> to nteiii the turrtMit of malign niiiNCN, wliicli threaten thitir oxtiTniiiiatiun. I Mhoiild not h«' doiiij; juNtico to thf nifiiiory of th«' Into Governor Sein- j)I«', * if I did not Ktatc, that I liad Hcen u U'tivr fioin tliat ottictT, which was dictated l*y th(> kindest fcolin^H and hcst intentions to\var<is the ahori- gines of the district phieecl uikUt the inthieiice of liis authority. 'I'hat h-tter WUH ad<lresHod to lienjainin llurrison, Kscj., wlio lia I expressly recom- mended tlu> interest of the Indians to tlie ^'overnor |irior to his h'uving lOngland. At the same time, amidst the conHietin;; statements wliich ])roceed from that region, I cannot but see reasons to appreliend that these cxeeUent intentions, and most hiuduhle exertions fail, like those of the great legislator, respecting whom yonr tpiestiuns have been directed to me, to realize the good which they were designed to effect. Neither the virtues an<l eminence of those by whom these benevolent designs have been commenced and Kupjiorted, nor the positive good which has absolutely been effected, should conceal from our observation that there, in common with every quarter in which civilized and uncivilized men are brought into contact with each other, the problem remains to bo solved, how the i)rosi)erity, and even the existence of the latter is to be maintained in romi)etition with the superior intelligence, mightier re- sources, and opposite interests of the former. Thomas IIodukik, M. 1). I I i; I' The advantages, tlien, which resulted to such of llie coU)- nists of America who, by a uiihl and ])acinc treatment of the natives had established a friendly alliance and intercourse with them, being fully demonstrated by the settlers of Penn- sylvania, they a])])ear also to have considered it im])ortant for the prosperity of their province to sustain this good understanding, and accordingly we find the governn)ent from time to time adopting measures calculated to secure a con- tinuance of it. Frequently they made presents to the Indians, which, with tiie cost attendant upon other transac- tions with them, amounted to considerable sums of money. !i- i. * lie was governor for the Hudson's Bay Company, upwards of twenty years ago, and lost his life in consequence of the strife existing between his own and a rival fur company. 7 J) !| ** TluH province," snys Proiul, " was cnnstnntly nt a ronsidcr- al)l(' i'X|nnsr for \hv jjn'srrMtlioti of tlu* lrirn(lslii|) of ilio Iiidiijtis, in such iiiiunitr tin was vi'iy iinpnitanl and inliifst- iiifj; to all lilt' nri^'ld)ourin^? govrnnnrnls, and llir ^eniTal ulility." In lln; voU-s ol" the Assi'nil)ly,it is sialcd, lliat hrsidcs till' expanses on Indian atlairs, ]iaid out of llic proxincial stock, frttni tlic y»'ar \7'i'i to 17')1, a time <d" ^^Mcat liiui- ((iiillily with tlicni, no less than I'm, :{(><> was cxjjfndcd on these p('o])le liy the j^overnnient. Tiie provisions of the act passed in l(>H*i aj^Minsl siijiplying spiiituons li(piois to ihu Indians not being lound in suhsecpient years sulliciently strin- ^'ent to ])revenl the sale of it to them, in 17'2'2 the goverinnent passed another law , entilleil " An Act to prohibit the selling of Kmn, and other strong Licpiors, to the IndiiUis, and to ))revent abuses that may hajipen tin reby." 'J'reaties, also, were not unfreipiently held with various tril)es, for the pur- ])ose of settling differenees which occasionally arose between tliem and some of the settlers, and for strengthening and re- new ing the general good feeling towards them. The follow ing ])arliculars w hich we have gathered of some of these treaties are interesting, and will illustrate the manner of proceeding on these occasions, viz. : " At a council at PliiliuU'lpliia, 14tli .funi', 17l''>, " rivsfiit, the li(iii()ural)k' Ciiahi.es Gookin-, IJciitonant Governor. " Joseph GnownoK, Huhaud Hill, Griffith Owen, Isaac: Noitnis, James I^ooak, Kohert Ashtok. " Tlio cliiel's of tliu Dflawaro anil Siliiiiykill Indians, in a visit to tlio governor, &c., met in the court-house, at Phihulelphia ; Sassoonan being their head, and Opcssuh, the late yiiawnese king, with his conijjanions attending him ; and then opening the calumet, with gr^at ceremony of their rattles and songs, was ottered by Sassonian, the king, to the governor and council, and to all otiiers of tiie Knglish tliere met ; and afterwards it was also offered by him to all his Indians, and then with the same ceremony was put up again. " Then Sassoonan rose, and spoke to the governor, and said, that the calumet, the bond of peace, which they had carried to all tiie nations round, they had now brought hither ; that it was a sure bond and seal of t : !i • i \ I I ,. 11 1 1 I » 80 peace amongst them, and botwccn thorn and iis; and thoy desired, by holding .up their liands, that the God of lieavcn might be witness to it, and that there might be a firm peace between them and us for ever. " To which the governor answered, " That lie was very glad to see them retain so strong a sense of that firm peace which was settled between William Penn, the founder and chief governor of this country, at his first coming into it, in behalf of himself and all his people, with them and all tiicirs: that tiiey were sensible we had always preserved itunviolated on our side ; and were glad we had reason to say they had done the same on theirs ; tiuit we desireil notiiing more, than that the great God, who made heaven and earth, and all living creatures, and who knew the thoughts, and saw all tlie actions of men, to whom they applied, should be witness of what now passed between us; and that this renewal of tiie same bond of peace might be recorded between them and us for ever.' " With which speech they expressed themselves greatly satisfied, " Sassoonan added, that hearing of some murmurs among some of them- selves, to prevent any misunderstanding, they came to renew the former bond of friendship : that William Penn had, at his first coming, made a clear and open road, all the way to th'' Indians; [by this meaning a friendly communication ;] that they desired the same might be kept open ; and that all obstructions should be removed ; of which, on tiieir side, they will take care. '* He then presented a belt of wampum, and added to the same eftect : " That they desired the peace, which had been made, should be so firm, that they and we should join hand in hand so firmly, that nothing, even the greatest tree, should be able to divide them asunder. " After this they, seeming to wait for an answer, were desired to pro- ceed, and to deliver what they had now further to say ; and that answers and returns for binding tlie friendship on our side would be made to them altogether. " Sassoonan accordingly proceeded, and said, that their late king Skalitohi desired of them that they would take care to keep a perfect [friendship] with the English, and that they should be joined as one ; that the Indians should be half English, and the English make themselves as half Indians, that they might the better be as the same. " He further added, laying down a second belt, that as the fathers have been in peace, they desired that tluMr cliildren and our children still, as tiiey should be born, and come into the world hereafter, might be brought uj) in the same union ; and that it should be continued between their and our posterity, from generation to generation, for ever. \ :^ t^ 81 " He added, tliat in the last council which they held with us. they spoke concerning the sun, by wliose influence they had lived in warmth and plenty, from the beginning ; tliat they now desired the same happiness niiglit be continued to tliem with us, in the firmest peace ; and that it niiglit last as long as tiie sun should endure ; tliat wlu>n any clouds inteipose between them and the sun, it brings coolness, and is unpleasant; the same will be, if any cloud should arise between tlu-ni and us; and, therefore, they desire, if any thing of that kind ajjpear, it may be dissipated without delay. " He laid down a third belt, and continued in tlie sanu; strain, desiring, as before, that tiu-y miglit still enjoy tlu^ warmth of the sun, and our friendship together; that tiien they slioidd want no necessaries of life, but enjoying all the comforts of it, with their wives, and might repose tliem- selves witii them in peace and safety, without any disturliance. " This he delivered in behalf of all our Indians, on this side Susqm'hanna, who are all concerned with him in this treaty ; and this was all he had to say on this subject. " He then began again, and laying down a bundle of deer-skins, said, that no.v they would discourse of matters of trade between them and us: that hitherto it had been like a house with two doors, one for them, the other for the English ; but the goods were placed in the dark, so that they were wholly ignorant how they had been dealt with, or how they should trade. " He repeated the same, laying down a second bundle of skins, and desired they might be informed of the terms they might trade upon, that if occasion were, they might, at any time, send their wives, and be out of danger of being cheated. " He added a third bundle of deer skins, complaining how hai'd it was upon them ; for that they knew not what they were to expect for their goods, and that th«y could scarce purchase ours. " Laying down a fourth bundle, being skins and fui's, ho desired that wo might be as people eating all of the same dish, and so they might be dealt with as if they were our own people. " Presenting a fifth bundle, he said, that formerly they exactly knew the jirices both of our goods and theirs ; but now they varied so much, there was no understanding them. " With a sixth bundle, he said, that through this uncertainty, he wore himself such ragged breeches, that ho was ashamed to show them, and desired this inconveniency might be remedied. " Offering a seventh, he complained that they were often imposed on by the weight of oui money, when they came to sell ; that wo certainly knew the value of theirs ; but they could not understand ours ; and thei-eforc desired that this great inconveniency might also be remedied. " He offered an eighth, informing that Opessah (formerly king of the G If i rl 11 ' ,1: • 1 1, ^h1 ■i '■ « Mil X i 1 ^ 1 'I • 3 ! i< ! £5 :i 6 18 7 2 6 6 (i 12 20 11 82 Shawncse, but now altdicated) lived at a great distance, and entertained tlicm with victuals and provisions, when tliey Avent tliat way, and there- fore they desired that wlien he sliouhl come among us, he miglit be received as one of themselves, with the same openness that lie received from them. " Having ended their discourse, they were told, that to-morrow they eliould receive answers to all they had said, and were, for the present dismissed. " Orders were given to the mayor of Phihidelphia, Issac Norris, and the secretary, to talie an account of the presents, now made and their value ; and that goods should be provided, to be reaiiy in the morning ; and the said presents were found to consist of, 45 Raw fall deer-skins, . wt. \'M\ lbs. at Ud. . . . , }J Summer ditto, . . . • Iti . . 13^ . . . , b'A Dressed 57 . . 2s. (W. . . . 84 Whole foxes IfW. . . . 12 Racoons \2(l. . . . 3 Ordinary fishers 'As. . . . " At a council held in Philadelphia, 15th June, 1715, " Present, the Honourable Charles Gookin, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor, " Griffith Owen, Isaac Norris, James Logan, Robert Asiiton. Richard Hill, " Presents having been prepared, according to order, and the Indians being met and seated, the governor ordered the interpreter to inform them, that their visit, on so friendly a design, as still further to strengthen the bond of peace between us, was very acci>ptable; that we doubted not but they would think themselves, and their children, from generation to generation, obliged to keep inviolable those ^irni treaties of peace, which had been made, and which we had kept, and were resolved ever to keep firm on our side ; and hope none of them have any cause to murmur ; if they knew of any, they are desired to mention it freely. "That the great Queen of England, who had for so many years reigned with great success, was now dead, and was succeeded by a king, who has been a great general in tlie wars, is a wise king, and has more dominions than any King of Great Britain ever had before him ; tliat under him, as well they (the Indians) as we, lus other subjects, may live in the same peace that we have enjoyed any time before ; that our projjrietary, their Friend William Penn, is still living, though but weak in health. " That as to the complaints they made concerning trade, the governor is 83 Borry he cannot give them a more entire satisfaction in it, and remove every hardsiiip wliich they licunili-r; hut tluit nil triide is iiiicertain ; our ownwiieat the last year yielded twice tiie price it does this ; all our i,aiods which they i)iiy arc hrought tVoni England, wiiiiiifr we also send tiieiis; that soinetiinis a habit, which is in fashion one year is laid aside th«' next ; and, accordingly, the skins of which tiiey are made willhc of a higlicr or lower value. It is the same witii all our other nu'rchaiuii/.e, as with those whicii they buy : their only security and safety will be to trade with the honestest men, and those of the best rc) utation, and prefer tliose wIid will give tiie most ; that tiiis is t)ur I'nle in all ou'' busini'ss, and they must do tlic siune. "That Uj)essah has long been under a league of friendsiiip witii us, and thoiitrh he has now left those Indians among whom he formei-lv lived, vet we shall show him the same fiiendship as ever, and shall depend upon tlic same from him : and that, iijK)n this further recommendation from them, he will thiidi himself as one of them, and under the same bond with them, and therefore we desire that, as he lives at a great distance, and may see many foreign Indians, he will, from time to time, inform us, if lie hears of anything which may concern us ; and this we desire, and shall exj)ect and depend on from him, aiul all his friends there; as also that, if they know anything now of any late motions to or from the southward, they would acquaint us. " Concerning which, being particularly asked, Opessah affirmed, he knew nothing. " The governor further ordered they should be told, that all the sober English very much lamented that they could not guard themselves better against liquor ; that they should send their young men abroad to hunt, and at their return, should sell their goods for such things as would be of real service to them, and not throw it all away for that destructive liquor, rum, which robbed them, not only of their goods, but of their lives also. " All which being delivered together w ith the presents which were provided, Pok hais, in the name of the rest, expressed their satisfaction and thanks, for the favours now showed them." The presents were IC Stroud match-coats at . I!).*. . . £1") 4 10 Duffil ditto . . . .10s. Crf. . 6 5 (i Blankets . . . . J3 4 . 4 r, Shirts 8 G . 2 11 501b. Powder 4 10 100 lb. Lead and 100 [obscure] at 3rf. each 2 10 l2doz. Pipes 046 134 4 a IP \ :t lAi • 1 i o 2 ! i: % 1! »■ j II I i< I 84 In the beginning of the year IT\9, a disagreement wiiidi happened about that time, between the southern Indians and those of Pennsylvania, and more northward, appeared to demand tiic attention of the government, to prevent further ill consequences; accordingly, in tlie year 1721, as the dispute still continued, and seemed to increase between them, further en- deavours and suitable means were used for that salutary purj)ose. Tlie governor, in the spring, made a journey into Virginia on tliis occa- sion ; and also held a treaty at Conestogoe in Pennsylvania, with the Indians of different nations, after his return, on which occasion he thus addressed them, viz. : "My friends and brothers, it is a great satisfaction to me, that I have this opportunity of speaking to the vali.ant and wise Five Nations of In- dians, whom you tell me you are fully empowered to represent. "I am also glad to find that you remember what William Penn formerly said to you. He was a great and a good man ; iiis own people loved him ; he loved the Indians, and they also loved him. He was as their father ; he would never suffer them to be wronged ; neither would he let his people enter upon any lands until he had first purchased them of the Indians. He was just, and therefore the Indians loved him. " Though he is now removed from us, yet his children and people, fol- lowing his example, will always take the same measures ; so that his and our posterity will be as a long chain, of which he was the first link ; and when one link ends, another succeeds, and then another ; being all firmly bound together in one strong chain, to endure for ever. " He formerly knit the chain of friendt-hip with you, as the chief of all the Indians in these parts ; and lest this chain should grow rusty, you now desire it may be scoured and made strong, to bind us, as one people, to- gether. We do assure you it is, and has always been, bright on our side, and so we will ever keep it. "Nevertheless, if any little disorders should at any time hereafter arise, we will endeavour that it shall not break or weaken the chain of friendship between us ; to which end, if any of your people take offence, you must in that case apply to me, or to our chiefs : and when we have any cause to complain, we shall, as you desire, apply to your chiefs by our friends, the Conestogoe Indians ; but, on both sides, we must labour to prevent everything of this kind as much as we can. " I am sensible rum is very hurtful to the Indians ; we have made laws that none should be carried amongst them, or, if any is, that it should be staved and thrown upon the ground ; and the Indians have been ordered to destroy all the rum that comes in their way, but tbey will not do it ; they will have rum ; and when we refuse it, they will travel to the neigh- bouring provinces and fetch it ; their own women go to purchase it, and ^l I 85 then sell ii. amongst their own people at excessive rates. I would gladly make any laws to prevent tliis that oould l)e cftectual ; but the country is so wide, the woods are so dark and private, and so far out of my sight, if the Indians themselves do not prohibit tlieir own people, there is no oilier way to prevent it ; for my jiart, I sliall readily join in any measures that can be proposed for so good a purpose. " I have now, my friends and brothers, said all that I think can be of ser- vice at this time, and I give you tiiese things here laid before you to confirm my words, viz. five coats, twenty pounds of powder, forty j)ounds of lead, for each of the Five Nations ; that is, twenty-five coats, onc^ hundred pounds of powder, and two hundred pounds of lead, in the whole, whicli I desire may be delivered to them, with these words in my name, and on behalf of this province : ' I shall be glad to sec often some of your chief men sent in tiie name of all tiie rest, and desire you will come to Philadelphia to visit our families and our children born there, where we can provide better for you, and make you more welcome ; for people always receive their friends best at their own houses.' I heartily wish you well on your jour- ney, and good success in it. And when you return home, I desire you will give my very kind love, and the love of all our people, to your kings and to all their people." " In the sj)ring of the year 17'-'-> an Indian was barbarously killed within the limits of tiie province, somewhere al)()ve Coiiestogoe. Tiiis iniwder was supposed to be perpetrated by one or two persons of the name of Cartlidge. Tlie governor having commissioned James Logan and Colonel Frencli, two of iiis council, to go to Conestogoe to iiuiuire into the ai^'air, after tlieir return, at the reijuest of the assembly, they laid tiieir report of it before them. The house, in their address to the governor thereon, ex- pressed their utmost concern on this affair ; they ; hatefully acknowledged, and highly commended the governor's prudent conduct and steady ad- ministration of justice; but more especially at that time, on an occasion of tlie greatest importance to the peace and safety of the government, by his empowering two gentlemen of his council, so able and prudent, on the present emergency ; ' Wiiose wise conduct,' said they, ' is very conspicuous from their report laid before the house by the governor ; — that at the relation of the dismal circumstances they were filled with horror and sur- prise, that, after so long continuance of the peace, first settled by the honourable proprietary, William Penn, with the Indians, any breach should be now made by those under tiie name of Christians, to the reproach of that name, and danger of the safety and peace both of this province and others.'" " They earnestly requested the governor to persist in his laudable en- deavour, to bring the aggressors to condign punishment with all possible t: ; ;;' ': 86 t ' speed, lost, by delay of justice, tlie Indiiins should be induced to withdraw tlieir iillegiancc to tiie erowii of (licat Itritain and atit-ction from this govcnnneiit, and be piovokctl to do themselves jiistiee, in a manner that might be of most dangerous consecjuenee : 'that he would advise with his council in maliing treaties with them ; foi',' (said they,) 'as they are some of the principal iniiaiiitants of tiiis government, we have no reason to doubt but they will be concerned lor tiie good of the same.' " They further pressed tiie maintaining tlie league of friendship first made by their worthy proprietary, as a tiling of tlie greatest importance that could possibly come before them ; and therefore they unanimously recommended the execution of strict Justice, as the best uiul most effectiul means for that end; the want of which, in tiie a])j>rehension of that vindictive people, had produced sad and fatal consecjuences to otiier provinces ; they likewise proposed to the governor's consideration some particulars to be imme- diately done in the affair, and mentioned the repeated reip, est of the In- dians, that strong licpiois siiould not be carried or sold among them, with the petition of sundry inhabitants of the province to the same import, whicii the laws hitherto made in that case had not been able to prevent ; they therefore re(piestod the advice and assistance of the governor and council therein, iVc. " Tlie governor thanked them for the great satisfaction which they ex- pressed witii his conduct and administration, and declared, that he had carefully endeavoured to follow the late honourable proprietary's steps in such affairs ; to keep the natives always in a lively and perfect remem- brance of his love to them, and to build all their treaties of peace with them upon the same principles and maxims of good policy which he used and maintained when he Mas here himself. lie likewise assured the house, that he had at that time all the probability which the nature of the case would admit of for settling matters again with the Indian nations, upon that just, firm, and friendly foundation, which the house so earnestly desired and recommended to him. lie acknowledged the insufficiency of the laws to restrain people from carrying too great quantities of rum and selling it among the Indians, thereby debauching and cheating them ; which, he said, he had complained of to former assemblies. " Great pains were taken in this affair ; an Indian messenger, Satcheecho, was dispatched to the I'^ive Nations ; the suspected persons were com- mitted to prison ; and the governor, with two of the council, met and treated with the Five Nations at Albany respecting it, besides the presents which were nuide to the Indians. The Five Nations desired that the Cartlidges should not suffer death ; and the affair was at length amicably settled." At a treaty, held with the Six Nations, at Philadelphia, in July, 1742, % m 1 Is $ 1 ! b7 in Ciovornor Thomas's ailininistration, Canassatogo, chief of the Onon- (higops, said :— " We are all very soiisiliie of tlie kind regard wliieh that good man, William IVnn, had for all the Indians,"' dvie. At this treaty these Indians tluis expressed themselves respecting James Logan, which further shows the sense and gratitude of that people when they are well treated, &c. " Canassatego then spok(» to the governor and counril. " Brethren, we callctl at our old friend, James Logan's, in our way to this city, and, to our grief, we found him hid in the bushes, and retired through infirmities from public business. We pressed him to leavt,' his retirement, and prevailed with him to assist once more, on our account, at your council. We hope, notwithstanding his age and the efi'ccts of a fit of sickness, which we understand has hurt his constitution, that ho may yet continue a long time to assist this province with his counsels. He is a wise man, and a fast friend to the Iiulians ; and we desire, when his soul goes to God, you nniy choose in his room just sucli another person, of the same prudence and ability in counselling, and of the saiiie tender dis- position and afl^ection for the Indians. In testimony of our gratitude for all his services, and because he was so good as to leave liis country-house and follow us to town, and be at the troulile, in tliis Ids atlvanced age, to attend the council, we jjresent him with this bundle of skins." After the governor had concluded, .lames Logan replied to that part of Canassatego's speech which related to him, and said, — "That not only iipon the account of his lameness, of which the Indians themselves were witnesses, but on account of another imlisposition, which, about three years since, had laid him under an incapacity of expressing himself with his former usual freedom, he had been obliged to live retired in the country. But that our first proprietor, the Honourable William l.'enn, who had ever been a father and a true f)'i(>nd of all the Indians, having, about forty years since, recommended them to his particular care, he had always, from his own inclination as well as from that strict charge, endeavoured to convince all the Indians that he was their true friend ; and was now well pleased, and after a tract of so many years, they were not insensible of it. He thanked them kindly for their present, and heartily joined with them in their desires, that the government may always be fur- nished with persons of equally good inclinations, and not only with such, but also with better abilities to serve them." About seven years subsequently, viz., 1/49, a Council was held during the administration of .lames Hamilton with the Seneca and other Indians in Philadelphia, on which occasion Ogaushtash, iu part of his speech, thus expresses himself: — "We recommend it to the governor, to tread in the steps of those wise 1 i ?■ I* '1, \ li * 'it II '! ■-■'■ ': '.I j. [! i *■ !' ■I ^n i > ? \^ y \ w 1 I I 88 people wlio Imvc held tlie reins of govemniont before him, in being good and kind to the Indians. Do, brother, nuike it your stndy to consult the interest of our nations; as you havt; so large an authority, yon can do us much good or harm ; wo would, therefore, engage your influence and affections for us, that the same harmony and mutual affections may subsist during your government, which so happil) subsisted in fornu*r times, nay, from the first setthiment of this province by our good friend, the great William Tenn," &c. Wc have already stated, that the Christian instruction and civilization of the Indian tribes early engaged the in- terest of Friends in Pennsylvania, and that in 1685, very shortly after the establishment of a Yearly Meeting there, the subject obtained the close attention of that body. From this ])eriod down to the ])rcsent time, the same subject has, more or less, occupied the attention of that Yearly Meeting. From the advices relating to the treatment of the Indians, which have from time to lime been issued by it, we select the following as lively memorials of its continued concern for the full recognition and maintenance of the just and inalienable rights of the natives. Yearly Meeting Advices relating to the Indians. " Wlien way was made for our worthy Friends, tlie proprietors and owners of lands in those provinces, to make their first settlement, it pleased Almighty God to intiuenco tlie native Indians so as to make them very helpful to those early settlers, before they could raise stocks or provisions for their sustenance. And it being soon observed, that those people, when they got rum or other strong liquors, set no bounds to themselves, but were apt to be abusive, and sometimes even destroyed one another, there came a reli- gious concern upon Friends to prevent those abuses ; nevertheless, some people, preferring their filthy lucre before the common-good, continued in this evil practice, so that our Yearly Meeting, in the year 1687, testified, that tlie practice of selling rum or other strong liquors to the Indians, or ex- changing the same for any goods or merchandize with them, is a thing dis- pleasing to the Lord and a dishonour to truth ; and, although this Testi- mony has been since renewed by several Yearly Meetings, it is yet notori- ous that the same hath not been duly observed by some persons ; it there- fore becomes the weighty concern of this meeting, earnestly to recommend that testimony to the strict observance of all Friends ; and where any un- \ :| { '; % \ 89 der our profession act contrary thereto, lot them be speedily dealt witli and censured for such their evil practice, 1722. " In tliese provinces we may say, the Lord hatli, as a pjraciousand tender parent, dealt bountifully witli us, even from the days of our fatliers; it was lie who strengtiiened tliem to labour through tiie difficulties attending the iniprov« ment of u wilderness, and made way for them in the hearts of tiie Indian natives, so tliat by them tliey were comforted in times of want and distress; it was liy tlu; gracious influence of His Holy Spirit that they were disposed to worii righteousness, and walk upriglitly one towards another and towards the natives, and in life and conversation to numifest the excellency of the principles and doctrines of the Christian religion, and thereby they retained tiieir esteem and friendship, wliich ought ever to be rcuu-mbered with grateful tlumkfulness iiy us. l?-')!). " It is tlie solid sense and judgment of this meeting, that Friends siiould not purchase, or remove to settle on such lands as iiave not been fairly and openly first purchased of the Indians, by tliose persons who are or may bo authorized by the government to make such purchases ; and tluit Monthly Meetings shonld be careful to excite their members to the strict observance of this advice ; and where any so remove contrary to the advice of their brethren, that they should not give certificates to such persons, but j)er- suade them to avoid tiie danger to wliich they expose tliemselves, and to convince them of the inconsistency of tiieir conduct with our Chrit^tian profession." l^(}3. 80 long as a kind and conciliatory treatment continued to be observed towards the Indians in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the friendship which existed between them and the settlers, was but little if at all inteiTupted. For more than seventy years we hear of no interruption of the cordial understand- ing between the two parties. But when a dillbrent line of policy was introduced into the government of these states, symptoms of discord and enmity quickly made their ap- pearance. James Logan, who held the office of secretary to the governor and principal agent, or commissioner for land affairs for nearly forty years, by his upright and judicious management, contributed powerfully to the preservation of the friendship and alliance of the Indians. Upon his death, in the year 1751, the management of Indian affairs passed into other hands, by whom a very different line of policy was pursued towards them. About this time, also, a strong " ■ 4 ■ i; t t I li ■ I . !: Ar i\ ! : n H I ! it; 1 I; 'I 00 current of ])ri'ju(licc set in against tlie peaceablo manner with wliicli tlie aH'airs of tlic ])rovince liad liillierto been con- <liicted by Friends, and endeavoiu's were made to prevent ihcni, as nuieli as possible, from being returned as re])re- sentalives to llie assi nd)ly. This was so far sueeessful, that in 17oC, not more than twelve out of the thirty-six who composed that body w ere members of our Soeiety. The effect of this altered stale of tilings was very soon to bring about an open rupture between the Indians and the government, whieh was attended with the most calamitous results, in whieh ravages of a Irightful deseri])lion were com- mitted by the irritated and incensed aborigines, with reprisals on the part of the whites scarcely less barbarous in their cha- racter. The causes alleged for this outbreak by the natives in the various conferences held with them between the years 175o and 17()'3, are thus desenbed : — " First, the abuses connnitted in the Indian trade, which had been, more or less, of long continuance, and very diflicult to be pro])erly regulated or redressed ; though doubtless a great ])art of them might have been better guarded against and prevented than they really were. *' Secondly, their being, as they insisted in later years, un- justly deprived, or dispossessed of part of their lands. " Thirdly, the death of Wekahelah, the Delaware chief, who was hanged in New Jersey, many years ago, which they could not forget, and say, it was only for accidentally killing a man. " Fourthly, the imprisonment of some Shawnese warriors in Carolina in time of peace, where the chief man of the party died. " Fifthly, the instigations of the French, who made an artful use of their complaints, or discontents, &c., to incite them against the English in the late war, &c." Although Friends were mostly excluded from places of trust and power in the government, yet from the commencement of hostilities with the Indians, they appear to have exerted them- tfl selves to bring about a reconciliation in a manner consis- Unl with their pacific |irincij)les. 'J'lnis we find, that in 17o(), soon after the first invasion of the frontiers of Virginia by the Indians in the French interest, Friends endeavoured to prevail with the government to enter into conciliatory mea- sures with them. I'liis ])r(>j)()sal was, however, for some time disregarded. The Friends who were most actively engaged in forwarding it brought the subject under the consideration of the ensiling Yearly Meeting, but as that meeting viewed it as one of a civil character, it did not think that it pro- ])eily came within its ])rovince, as representing a religious body, though the proceedings of Friends in their more in- dividual cajjacity in the matter, were cordially approved of. In the eleventh month of the same year an association was formed, chiefly among l''riends, " For gaining and pre- serving peace with the Indians by pacific measures." This association continued its exertions to the time of the definitive treaty in 17. '4, during which period committees were an- nually elected by itssubscribers,and many thousands of ])()uiids were raised to promote the object they had in view. The money thus raised was expended chiefly in ])resents to the Indians, in order to conciliate them, and sometimes with a view to prevail on them to seek out and release the settlers whom they had taken prisoners. These exertions seem to have had a most salutary effect, and, indeed, appear to have been mainly instrumental in restoring the peace of the pro- vince. During the time of this Indian war. Friends, with a view to watch over the interests of the poor natives, thought it right to attend the treaties, which, from time to time, were held between them and the settlers, although their attendance was far from being agreeable to the latter. In the year 17o7, John Churchman, who with some other Friends attended on one of these occasions, thus alludes to it. " On the 12th of the seventh month this year I left home, in order to attend a treaty to be held between the Indians ! '1 ■ i •:4 '.' Pi I I I- // -'if I ' H 02 and o«ir governmonl at Kastoii, in Nortlianipton county, and ])i()ce(Mlt!(l to IMiiladclpliiu, wIhmo I was pn'scnt at several conferences with I'lieiids ; tlu; f,'()vernor liaviii},' declared liis dislik(! to their attendance! at that treaty, or their distingiush- ing thcmsclvus hy giving the Indians any ])resents. The result was, that as nuitnal tokens of the revival of ancient friendshij) had ))assed between them and the Indians, with a view to i)roinote a general peace, it would be of bad conse- quence now to neglect or decline attending on this important occasion ; though it was judged necessary for Friends to act with great caution." The following extracts from ejiistles addressed by the Meeting for Sufferings in Philadelpiiia to our own, will more fully exhibit the concern of I'riends in this important mat- ter, and the success which, under the Divine blessing, attended their labours therein, viz : 1757- " It lii'tli jioldt'd fjreiit pleasure and satisfaction to Friends here in general that we had their company, [Christopher Wilson and John Hunt,*] at the treaty with thi; Indians, soon after their arrival, and that our friend, .John Hunt, had, hy his continuing among us, an opportunity of attending the two last treaties; and hath been particularly acceptable to those who are concerned in prosecuting the intention of Friends in pro- moting pat'ific measures witii thosi' pi'ople," 17">!). " Although tlic I'riends concerned in this affair ha\e had various difficulties and opposition to encounter, yet, by steadily proceeding, and the blessing of Divine i'rovidence having favoured their endeavours, they have now the satisfaction to observe sonu? of the good purposes at first intended are obtained." " Von may observe, that although our Yearly Meeting was timely informed of the union and proceedings of the Frieiuls concerned in the association, and showed an approbation thereof, yet divers consider- ations at that time, especially as some parts of the business appeared to be of a civil nature, concurred to prevent their taking it under their direction." " Our well esteemed friend, Samuel Spavold,* under whose care we intend to convey this to you, attended the last treaty between the Indians and these governments at Easton." I7CO. " It will be a great advantage to the public, and afford real satis- faction to us, to find at the general treaty, which is expected to be held * Then on a religious visit to America from England. tii I ■ .\\ i)l\ with the Indians next Hitnuuor, thut th«' Governor hiith (ttH power to twwi- nnte the controverHieH wliieh nro 8ul)sistinff roNpeotinfj tht'ir landH in the northern jtart of Pennsylvania. I'nlil this is done Mie rek'asi of Honio hinulrods of our felh)w-Nul)jf(ts wlio remain in eaptivitv, < mi hardly lie ex = ported to be olitained. The pacitie nieasureN wliieh tliroiigfi niiicli dith- eulty have been pursued, heinj,' hie.sscd with happy etfcetr, the I'riends iiinnediat<"ly conct'rned thrrciii arc ciicoiiragt'd to eontinui- tlieir endea- vours. And it appeariiif; to theni neeessary at this time to address the proprietaries of that jirovinee, we iioiie tiu' account tiiey are alile to j^ivo of their first motives to en^ni^e in that impoi tant liusiness, and their pro- ceedings tliercin to the present time, will tend to remove some of tliose prejudices which have lieretofore prevailed, and engage a favourable attention to the important subjects (»f re-estublishing peace on the prin- ciples of justice and equity." ■ i Notwilbstandinf^ that the distracting and deplorable con- sequences of the Indian wars in North America, appeared to demand so large a measure of the care and attention of Friends to promote their termination, we nevertheless find that they were not unmindful of the spiritual interest of the natives, and the good advice of George Fox, to " invite all the Indians and their kings, and have meetings with them," appears to have been acted upon to some considerable ex- tent. Our means of ascertaining the amount of labours of this description are but very imperfect, being principally confined to occasional notices contained in ei)istles received by our Meeting for Sufferings from that of Philadelphia, and in a few of the journals of Friends, engaged on religious service. We extract the following in relation to this subject from the journal of .John Woolman. During a visit which he paid to the Indians in the year 1703, he thus writes : " I was led to meditate on the manifold difliiculties of these Indians, who, by the permission of the Six Nations, dwell in these parts. A near sympathy with them was raised in me ; and my heart being enlarged in the love of Christ, I thought that the aflectionate care of a good man for his only brother in affliction, does not exceed what I then felt for that people." " This day, though I had the same dan- : :i:fi :, ti ' i I ::i 1/ i si I ' t .1 gerous wilderness between nie and home, I was inwardly joyful that llie Lord had strengthened me to come on this visit, and had manifested a fatherly care over me in my poor lowly condition, when in mine own eyes 1 appeared inferior to niany among the Indians." For further ])articulars re- lating to this interesting journty we refer our readers to the journal itself. In I77-3, in consequence of the very rai)id and extensive progress of the settlements towards the interior, most of the aborigines had retired considerably further to the westward, and were thereby deprived of receiving the attention and instruction of Friends to that extent which otherwise, no doubt, would have been the case. Hut although thus situated, and very much out of the way of meeting with Friends, they nevertheless a])})ear to have retained a high ap])reciati()n of the labours which from time to time they had bestowed upon them, and for several years had repeatedly solicited Friends of Philadelj^hia to send sonu; well qualified I)ersons to settle among them for their religious instruction, and which also they warudy urged upon the consideration of the Governor of Pennsylvania in their messages from their councils. In the following year Zebulon Ileston, an aged Friend in the station of a minister, who for several years had been under a religious concern for the Indians, proposed a visit to them, which met with the full unity of his friends ; and John Parish, a member of the Meeting for Sufferings of Philadelphia, having an engagement of mind to accompany him, was encouraged to do so. The most distant settlement of Indians which they visited was computed to be about 120 miles beyond the Ohio, or about 450 miles from Philadelphia. In this difficult journey they were preserved safe from injury, and were received by the natives with much openness and kindness; and having ])erformed the service witli satisluction, returned, after an absence of about ten weeks. The opportunity which this visit afforded, of conveying to the natives a testimony of the regard still entertained by 1^' !i ^t 1 1 li 95 Friends towards them, was eivd)raccd, and an e])istle was forwarded to tlieni, \\liicli, with the answer thereto, evidenc- ing a considerable degree of Christian laiowledge and feeling, wo subjoin ; viz. : — Epistlk to the Indians i uom Pmii.adki.imiia AFeeting for SirFFEItlXOS, 177'*- To Nc'tawattwal(Mnun and the rest of the llcail-nu'ii of tlie Delaware Indians at Kekailaniinaj)aikun<,', and to Jolm Tapunelianj:, and the rest of tlie Indian liretlirt'n at WcUiicIv, 'J'huppcclv, and all other Indians living heyond the Ohio, to whom tiiese may come, JhlETUHEN, Your friends, the people called Quakers, in Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey, often remeniher you with desires for your welfare and happiness, and that the old friendship, which was made hetween your fathers and ours, may still be maintained, and may ever continue Ijetween your and our children and grandchildren i'nnn one generation to anotlier, then it will always be pleasing to us to hear from and to see one another. Brethren, — The several messages received from you by our lirother Kilbuck and Joseph Peepy last year and the year before made deep im- pressions on the minds of such of us as were pi esent when they were delivered, and have often since excited our thoughts of them, we, in our answers, informed yon we were in hopes the love of (iod, througli our Lord and Saviour .l«sus Ciirist, would engage and c on.-train some of the ministers of the gospel to visit you, and until such should be thus sent among you, we desired you to attend dilgently to the instructions of the Spirit of Christ within yon, by which you m;iy come to know your duty to Ciod and one unto another. Brethren, — We are all of us unable rightly to obtain this saving knowledge by our own wisdom and strength, we should therefore humbly and diligently wait for the Spirit of Christ to enlighten our minds, and to give us the right understanding by which we may see that in a state of nature we are weak, blind, and miserable, and can never come to a state of true happiness with- out a Saviour, and if we receive this understanding with thankful hearts, and sincerely desire the lielp of Christ our Saviour, he will, by the renewed working of his good Spirit, instruct us more and more. Brethren, — The ministers of Christ, who are really led by his Spirit, and faithfully attend to his instructions, may be useful, and a great help to others, by informing them what they have tasted and felt of his love, and when they speak from the constraints of that love, are often instrumental to raise the feeling sense of it in those to whom they speak, but all they il! ,i ; ! vt., 9G •f I 1 can do, or sliould desire to do, is to bring men to Christ, that they may know and feel him for themselves, as he is graciously manifesting himself by his Spirit within tliem ; for that wliich is to be known of God is manifested within, and without tiiis knowledge, no outward performance of any kind will work out their salvation, and bring them from a state of nature to a state of grace, wherein they may witness salvation through the l)lood of Christ, which was shed for the redemj)tion of all men. We fervently desire you may come truly to know and experience this, every one of you in and for yourselves, for no man can do this work for his brother, nor for his nearest friend. Brethren, — AV'o write this to you by our beloved friend Zebulon Ilestou, whose mind being influenced with the love of Christ, and constrained thereby, engages him to go and visit you, being desirous, though an old man, to see you before he dies, and to express something of the goodness of God, which he hath known to preserve him from his youth to this day. He hath approved himself a faithful minister of Christ, both in word and doc- trine, and in life and conversation, and we hope you will receive him as onr true friend and brother. As the journey is long, he is accompanied by our friend and brother, John Parish, whose love to you is so great, that he is willing likewise to go and see you. We sincerely desire and pray that they may be instrumental to do you good, and that the blessing of God may attend you and them, and that you may show forth to them that first mark of the disciples of Christ, which is true love one unto another. Your desire of having some religious instructors for your children, we very heartily approve, and as you have been before informed, whenever we can find any rightly qualified and willing to undertake the service, we in- tend to assist and encourage them in it. The letter from John Papunehang, and his brethren at Welhick and Thuppeck, was lately sent to some of us by John Etivein, and it is very pleasing to us to hear of your prosperity and settlement there, the increase of which we sincerely desire. In much brotherly love we salute you, and are your friends and brethren. Signed at a Meeting of Friends appointed to'\ represent our Friends in Pennsylvania and M^rae^ Pemberton, New Jersey, held at Philadelphia, the 8th ^ ^""^ ™^°y «*^'^'' day of the 7th month, 1773. ) Friends. 97 Answer of the Indians to the Philadelphia Epistle delivered AT Kekailammapaikung, 28tli oftlio 7th MONTH, 1773. " After a ineoting held for Divine worship, Captain Whiteycs spoke as follows : — " Wo are glad, and rejoice in our heart*, to see our brotliers the Quakers standing speaking before us, and what you have said we believe to be right, and we heartily join in with it. " Since our Saviour came a Light into the word, there has been a great stir amongst the peojde about religion, some are for one way, and some for another; we liave had offers of religion many times, but would not accept of it, till wi- see our brothers tlio Quakers, and hear what they would say to us ; and now you have come and opened the road, we have heard what you have said, and we feel the grace that was in your hearts conveyed to us, " We think that as we two brothers, the Quakers and Delawares, were brought up together a;, the children of one inau, it is our Saviour's will we should be of one religion. " Now you have come and opened the road, we expect to see the way from town to town, quite over to the great king [meaning the King of Great Britain, &c.] over the v.ater, then our king will know that the Quakers and Delawares are as one man, and make one religion. " We are poor and weak, and not able to judge for ourselves, and wlien we think of our poor children it makes us sorry ; we hope you will in- struct us in the right way, both in things of this life as well as the world to cunie. " Now what we have said we hope to be strengthened to abide by." They then delivered the belt. Although tlie Indians were located at a consideral le dis- tance from Philadelphia, some of their chiefs nevertheless occasionally visited that city on business with the Govern- ment. On these occasions it was the practice of Friends to take much notice of them, and to treat them with a kind and friendly regard, in order to inculcate on their minds a peace- able disposition, and to maintain with them that cordiality of feeling which, from the settlement of the colony, had sub- sisted between the Indians and Friends. Two such occur- rences took place in 1791, one of which was with a Seneca chief, whose name signifies Corn Planter, with a few others u ."•I '\,.\\ iIm': ■I' ! «l ! P 'Vn ' , 98 t ! of the Six Nation Indians. At tlieir departure, Corn Planter left tlie following request, which was communicated to the Meeting for Sufferings there, which relumed him the answer subjoined. In 1792 a similar occun*ence took place with a deputation of six Indians from the southern nations of Cherokees, Creeks, Chickasaws, and Choctaws. During their stay at Philadelphia, the occasional interviews and discourse which they had with Friends, so iujpressed their minds, that the chief of them desired that what had been said to them might be connnitted to writing, the better to enable him to report it to the people of his country, which was complied with ; the substance of which we also annex. % The Request of the Seneca Chief, Corn Planter, and the Answer of Friends. " To tlie Cliildrt'ii of tlio Friends of Onas, who first settled in Pennsylvania. Tlie request of the Corn Planter, a Chief of the Seneca Nation. " Brothers, " The Seneca nation see that the Great Spirit intends that they shall not continue to live by hunting, and they look around on every side, and inquire who it is that shall teach them wiiat is best for them to do. Your fathers have dealt fairly and honestly with our fathers, and thoy have charged iis to remember it ; and we think it right to tell you, that we wish our children to bo taught the same principles by which your fathers were guided in their councils. " Brothers, — We have too little wisdom among us, we cannot teach our children what we perceive their situation requires them to kno\v, and we therefore ask you to instruct some of them ; we wish them to be instructed to read and to write, and such other things as you teach your own children ; and especially to teach them to love peace. " Brothers, — We desire of you to take under your care two Seneca boys, and teach them as your own ; and, in order that they may be satisfied to remain with you, and be easy in their minds, that you will take with them the son of our interpreter, and teach him also according to his desire. " Brothers, — You know that it is not in our power to pay you for the education of these three boys ; and therefore you must, if you do this thing, look up to God for your reward. '■I 90 '' Brothers, — You will consider of this request, and let us know wliat you dotcrniino to do. If your hearts are inclined towards us, and you will jitford our nation this gi'eat advantage, I will send my son as one of tlio boys to receive your instruction, and at the time which you shall appoint." Signed Fel). 10, 1791, in presence of Jos. Nicholson. his Corn Planter JxJ mark. From the People called Quakers, the Children and Descend- ants OF those peaceaule People who iirst settled in Penn- sylvania, BEING THE FllIENDS OF OnAS. " To Corn Planter, the Seneca Chief; or to Joseph Nicliolson, the Interpreter, to be by him explained to the said Cliief. " The written message of Corn Planter, dated at Philadelphia on tlie 10th day of February last, was not received by us until some weeks after. His request, that we would take under our care two Seneca boys, one of them his own son, accompanied with the son of Joseph Nicholson, we have con- sidered, and do agree to receive them when they can be convenii'iitly sent to us ; intending they shall be treated with care and kindness, and iiistructi.'d in reading, writing, and husbandry, as the children of our Friends are taught; the Governor of Pennsylvania, when informed of this proposal, having expressed his approbation thereof, as did General Knox. " Signed on behalf, and by appointment of, a Meeting of the representa- tives of the said people, the 2nd day of the 6th month, called June, 1791," By several Friends. Substance of the Conversation of Friends, at several Inter- views WITH THE Deputies from the Indian Southern Nations, Cherokees, Creeks, Chickasaws, and Choctaws, at Philadelphia, 2nd month, 1702. "Copy interpreted to them, and delivered to their Chief 19th of 2nd month, several Friends being present. " Brothers of the Cherokee Nation, or Red People, " We who have spoken with you are glad to see you here, and rejoice that you are come as messengers of peace. H 2 I I I n ,' ■ m Ill' I m if--' !i ill ■i ii J!! )■ I i 100 i I i 'i n: ' H :i " We wish you to know that there are many of our brethren, called Quakers, settled in most of the United States, who arc lovers of peace, and do not meddle with war; and we are very sorry that tliere hatli been wars and bh)odslied between you and the people of the United States ; for we believe tliat we are all children of the same Great Creator, who intended that w(, sliould live in love and peace with each other ; but when any of his cliildrcn get drimic, cheat, steal, or hurt and kill one another, he is dis- pleased with them ; and when they will not regard his good Spirit placed in their hearts, then they go into all kinds of wickedness, which brings misery upon them, and they are not afraid cveu to destroy the lives which came from the hands of the (ireat Creator. " But if we pray to him for the help of his good Spirit, and feel it in our hearts and attend to it, we learn to pity those that the evil spirit makes uniiaj)py, and we can do good even to our enemies. " We therefore much desire that our brothers of the Cherokee nation n ay be brought more and more to the knowledge of the Great Creator, an'' that as his children they niay liv(.' in love and peace with each other, and with all men ; and then we believe tiie Ked People would not live so much by hunting, but employ themselves in tilling the ground, learning useful trades, and get proper schoolmasters to teach their children, that they might be brought up to love and obey the great and good Spirit who made them. " These things we wish our brothers of the Cherokee nation to think of, and above all to pray in their hearts to the great and good Spirit, for his help in all their honest undertakings, that they may be happy in this life, and after death in an everlasting eternity. " We desire these words from us, your brothers, may take deep hold in your minds and warm your hearts, so that you may be strengthened to tell them to I he people of your nation. " We also pray that the great and good Spirit may conduct you home in safety, and make you the messengers of good tidings from the Government of the United States. " Farewell." Philadelphia, the 19th of the 2nd month, 1702. Signed by several Friends. '1 i; In 179-2 a fresh war, which broke out between the Indians and the United States, " devastating the frontier settlements and staining the land with blood," introduced the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia and its Meeting for Sufferings into much concern respecting it, and a strong sympathy was •i ! 101 felt for the poor injured Indian natives of the country, who, feeling themselves aggrieved by being in their ajiprehen- sion unjustly deprived of the land w hich by inheritance they claimed as their own, were in vain endeavouring, by ])]iy- sical force, to maintain the territory against these encroach- ments. Deeply aflected with the horrors attendant on this cruel contest, the Yearly Meeting in 170*2 nominated a large com- mittee to unite with the Meeting for Sufferings in endeavours to promote a termination of these hostilities. With this view, in the eleventh month of this year, a memorial was presented to the President and Congress of the United States, recom- mending the adoption of such pacific and just measures towards the natives as might arrest the further shedding of blood, and establish peace upon a firm basis. In the second month of the following year the Meeting for Sufferings being informed that a treaty for the settlement of these differences was intended to be held at Sandusky in the State of Ohio, and several Indian tribes having expressed to Friends, by Indian messengers and by a letter, a strong solici- tude for their attendance at this treaty, as having a s])ccial confidence in their integrity, it was concluded to embrace this opportunity for promoting the desired pacification. Several Friends about this time feeling a religious engage- ment of mind to visit the Indian country, they were deputed, after having obtained the approbation of the President, to attend the said treaty on its behalf, and to present to the natives an address signed by fortv-four members of this Meeting, expressive of their desire that the Indians might live in love and peace with each other, and with the whiles near them, and that the friendship which had so long existed between them and Friends might continue. Of this journey, which proved to be one of great exposure and personal suff'ering to those who undertook it, AVilliam Savery, who was one of them, has preserved some memoran- dums, from which it appears that they left Philadelphia in e hi '. ' ! :!! li ;i '* >l i •v- V li ''' !♦■ 'V i i , 1 '■ J I ■ I ; 1!' ! i I I : ,1 : \ 'I- :l i •! '% 1 102 the fifth month, 1793, for New York, and then proceeded by way of Albany, Mohawk River, Lakes Oneida and Ontario, to Niagara Fort ; from whence they sailed up the river Niagara and Lake Erie to Detroit. The few following ex- tracts arc taken from William Savery's account, viz. : — " Sixth month (>th. The wind pr(!tty fair: sailed ])lcasantly [on Lake Erie] and in much harmony ; the time spent agreeably and usel'ully. We conversed with the hidians, and made them some small presents, with which they were much ])leased. " Sixth-day, 2 1st. A number of Indians arrived from many hundred miles to the north-west. They were frightfully painted ; their dress more singular than any 1 have yet seen, and generally large muscular men. It is an)using to reflect on the vast distance they travel in their canoes along the continual chain of lakes and rivers in this part of America. " 29lh. Visited by a Wyandot chief, who said he remem- bered some long and broad belts that were given to Friends in former treaties, which were intended to bind us together by the hands and arms, so that no small accident in future should be able to make a separation : and notwithstanding all that had happened, the Wyandots felt some of the old afleciion to remain. We assured him we had the same love and friendship for them that our forefathers had, and that our principles had always restrained us from war ; but, be- lieving our Government was disposed to make peace with them on ])rinciplcs of justice, we were made willing to leave our families and take this long journey, to endeavour to pro- mote it, and to be present at the conclusion of so good a work. He replied he knew long ago that our Society did not fight ; that he was glad to see us here on so good a work ; and that as we had come a long journey, and were all preserved in health, as he saw us, it was evident the Great Spirit was pleased with our journey, and he hoped some good would be done, and that the Great Spirit would bring us home in health and safety. 103 " 10th. Visited by several Indians, some of whom under- stand a little iMij^lish, and ajipcared ]ileascd with our views in con)ing here. Tlie Shawnese, Wyandots, and Dchiwares all appear to have more or less knowledge of I'riends, and acknowledged that tliey have conlidence in the Society, be- cause we are peaceable and just. ^Ve have seen some of almost every nation which are collected at the council, and have been more or less conversant with them every day since we arrived. " l()th. About four o'clock in the afternoon, a canoe was discovered coming from a point a few miles distant, manned by two Indians, who proved to be deputies from the council ; they brought a definite message in writing, importing that the council had considered the answer of the conmiissioners to the former deputies, and objected to several ]Kuts of it, viz. : — " They did not acknowledge the right of pre-emption to their lands as vested in the United States : but that they, (the Indians) had a right to sell them to whom they pleased. " That all the lands west of the Ohio were theirs, and that as we had told them of a large sum of money which we would give them to confirm the sale of those lands to us, they advised the commissioners to give it to the poor people who occupied them, and remove them away, and that unless this was acceded to a meeting was unnecessary." Soon after their return from this arduous engagement, the Friends made the following report to the Meeting of Suf- ferings, viz. Report of the Friends appointft) to attend an Indian Treaty IN the year 1793. " To the Meeting for Sufferings, " Agreeable to the prospect we laid before tlie meeting in the 4th month last, of attending a treaty with the Indians, proposed to be lield at Sandusky, and if way siiouJd open to visit them at otlier places, an J also some of the frontier inhabitants — " There being three commissioners appointed by tlie United States to . t i ' 1' it m 'Ar ■ ! 104 hold the said treaty, it was thoiiffht most advisable that wo slionhl jro In company witli tliem ; atcordin^'Iy tlirec of us set out witli two of them by hiiid, and tliieo witli the other commissioner from \ew York, by water. On our way, each company met with some chiefs and principal men of the Five Nation Indians, and had satisfactory opportunities with them. We were all favoured to meet together at Niagara, and in the neighbourhood of tliat place found a number of families professing witli I'^riemls, who had removed from different parts of our Yearly Me<'ting, among whom we dis- tributed u few books, of which they were very destitute, and had -everal meetings with them and other inhabitants of those parts, and while there, were visited by several principal Indians, who were on their way to tho council ; some of us also made a visit to two Indian villages a few miles from the landing. After continuing a few days there, and finding the treaty T\as not likely to commence so soon as was expected, with the approbation of the (lovernor of Upper Canada, and the commissioners of the United States, (who remained at Navy Hall,) we embarked at Fort Erie with several interpreters, and about sixty Indians, on board a British vessel, bound for Detroit, three hundred miles westward, believing that to be the place where the object of our joiirney could lie more fully answered. During our passage we held a meeting on board the vessel, which several of the Indians attended, and expressed their satisfiiction therewith. We spent above six weeks at Detroit, in which time many Indians of different na- tions passed through the town, on their way to the great council at the rapids of Miama river, with whom we had frequent opportunities of con- versation, and informed tln'm of the concern of the body of Friends, and the nature of our profession and peaceable principles, to which several nations were not strangers, particularly the Wyaiidots, Shawnese, and Delawares ; some also, who had heard of us at the council, came from thence, about sixty or seventy mileS; to visit us. They mostly listened to lis with attention, and appeared glad to see us, approving of our intention to be at the treaty, and one of their chiefs said, he thought the Great Spirit was pleased with our coming. " While we remained at Detroit, we were also visited by a number of peaceable Moravian Indians, who are now settled at the river La-tranche, about seventy miles from thence, upon a tract of land granted them by the English Government. On conversing with them, we found that by being driven from place to place during the war, they were become very poor, and in immediate want of provisions, being about one hundred and forty in number ; we therefore, commiserating their circumstances, thought pro- per to afford them some relief, which we did to the amount of one hundred dollars, and wrote a letter to them, which they answered in very grateful terms. Mii 10.^ " We had a number of iml)lic meetings in Detroit and near it, among a people who were niiich iiiiinfornnil of onr principles; they were held to pood satisfaction, an<l we helieve tended to the information of the people, and hope truth did not suffer. The inhahitants, both civil and military, were resj)ectful and hospitable to us. "At length tlie commissionerH arriving at the mouth of the river, ami expecting to be soon invited to the treaty, we went and encamped with tliem, and were |)resent at several intcrvicnvs between them, and about tiiirty Indian chiefs, wiio were a deputation from the great council ; at the conclusion whereof, it appeared doubtful whcllicr we sliould have an op- portunity with the Indians collectively or not, and having before exchanged a letter with Alexander M'Kee, a British agent, and superintendent of Indian affairs, wlio was at the council, we thought best to send to his care, the address of Friends here to the Indians, with a letter written by us, which we requested him to lay before them in full council, and from his style of writing to us, we hoped he would readily comply therewitli. Dur- ing our stay here, which was above three weeks, we had some meetings among the poor frontier inhabitants. " The Indians' final reply from the grand council being at length received by the commissioners, the business closed without a general treaty, and our hopes of having a further opj)ortunity with the Indians, or seeing a peace accomplished at that time, being entirely frustrated, we all endtarked again for Fort Erie, on our way home, from whence some of us returned by land and others by Montreal, and fiom thence to New York, chiefly l>y water. " The Friends wlio came homo by land spent about a week among the professors with us about Niagara, and had several meetings with them; visited most of the families, and obtained a more perfect account of their numbers and circumstances, there being in the wlioli; lietween thirty and forty families, divers of whom are members, and we think their situntion claims the sympatliy and care of our Yearly Meeting. "Notwithstanding the desirable object of peace was not obtained, we have not a doubt of the rectitude of our submitting to go on the arduous and exercising journey ; we believe it tended to renew the ancient frindship with the Indian natives, and although we were not admitted to see them in full council, yet liave reason to believe they were all made acquainted with our motives and friendly sentiments towards them, through divers of their chiefs. " We were preserved together in much unity of prospect, and harmony of concern during the journey, and were favoured to return with a j)ortion of peace, having been generally preserved in good health, though most of :ii ■; '?«: v*.l' V, t \ :! i' h : 10(1 UB were for Homo time unwuli with a fover, niul our friend JoHoph Moore \n Hiiice llt'(■^'ll^»'(l . " Our miiidH weru much affected in ]iearin<; of many htmcntiihlo und di8« tresHin^ couHeciueneeN attending >var with theho Indians, and it aii])eur8 to UH, that tiicn' rcniaiiiM as f,'n'at a nt'crshity nn ever for Friends to iie«'i) the sorrowful sul)jc(;t in view, and emhraee, aH wiMiloin may direct, every op- ])ortunity to promote tlie wcif^hty concern of our ^' early Mei'ting. " I'hihidelphia, " John rAUisii, John Kllioyt, I'Jth nu)nth ind, 17!Ki." Jacok Lindlky, William IIautshobn." William Havlhv, Thu Delaware iialion of Iiiuians \\\i\\ whom I'liciuls in foniier years liad frequent intercourse, and who now resided near Muskingliani, were this year visited by two of our mem- bers. Tlie f()lh)wing s])eech of one of tlieir chiefs, named Neet-wot-willimon, on this occasion, evinces the strong de- sire that prevailed with these people to be instructed more perfectly concerning those things, to the excellency of which the eye of their minds was already open, viz. — " Jirothers, we are glad, and rejoice in our hearts to see our brothers, the Quakers, speaking before us — we feel the grace that is in your hearts conveyed to us, and we wish to be of the same religion ; but we are poor and weak, and not capable of judging fur ourselves ; we hope you will have pity upon us, and instruct us how to gain a more com- fortable living — and, also, how we may come to obtain everlasting hap])iness. When we think of ouv poor children, our hearts are affected with sorrow — we hope you will send us teachers." It was about this time that the benevolent attention of our late friend Thomas Kddy, of New York, was directed to the subject of the amelioration of the condition of the Indian races, more especially of that small remnant who still re- tained possession of a part of the state of New York. To- wards these people he cherished, during a long life, a kind and aflectionate regard, often relieving their bodily neces- sities, and ministering to their other various wants. " His tr If 107 hospitable mansion," says Kiiapp, his biographer, " was a wigwam to the travelling Indian, where he drank when thirsty, and ate when hungry, lie sometimes ha<l a do/en Indians, men, women, and ( 1 ildren, in the house at once." In tlie year IT^;}, iu eonipaiiy with another Friend, he visited the Hrolhertown, Slockbridge, Oneida, and ()nondag(» tribes, in order to make hiniself more thoroughly ae<|uainted with their situation, habits, and character, with a view to the ado))ti()n of some specific plan for in)proving them, and lor many years alter this he was actively engaged in promoting plans devised for this ])nrpose. In the year 17!)1 another <)j)portunity occurred for Friends of Pennsylvania to manifest their unabated inl<Mest in the \velfare of the Indians, and their deep symi)athy with them in the suflerings to which their own vices, and the deceits practised upon them by designing men, now more than ever exjiosed them. In the eighth month of this year it was understood, that a treaty was to be held at Canandaigna, in the state of New York, between connnissioners a])i)ointed on behalf of the United States and the chiefs of the Six Nations, and that the latter were particularly desirous of tlie assistance of Friends on the occasion, and that the Government did not object to Friends uniting in the service. In conse- quence of this intelligence, four Friends, under an a])prehen- sion of religious duly, offered themselves to the Meeting for Sufl'erings of Philadelphia, to attend this treaty on its belialf, which being apjjroved, they were furnished with a number of articles as presents for the Indians, accon)j)anied with an ad- dress suited to the occasion, signed by upwards of forty Friends. William Savery, whose benevolent and sympathising mind was deeply affected with the wrongs of his injured red bre- thren, was one of the four Friends who undertook to assist in adjusting their grievances. The following extracts from the narrative drawn uj) by him, which are contained in the instructive memoir of his life, will put the reader in ])os- iS. } '1 'i i %'. ■n 'I !: 4 ;'• l| ' I 111! 108 session of some interesting particulars connected with this visit. " 28th, First-day. Having appointed a meeting to begin at eleven o'clock, it was largely attended by the people and a considerable number of Indians, so that the house could not contain the whole. " Tentli month 2nd, fifth-day. Six of the Indians, each of them brought in a deer, and one of them made us a pre- sent of a piece, signifying that he gave it to us for Jesus Christ's sake, who had made us brethren. " First-day, 5th of the month. The weather not being very favourable, the meeting was not so large as last first- day, nor so satisfactory. The Indians were remarkably sober, making but little noise ; the Oneidas pay some regard to the first-day of the week. " 12th. In the afternoon we went at four o'clock to the Oneida camp, having previously informed the chiefs of our intention of a meeting there, the interpreter being with us. We found some collected in the woods, where many trees were felled which served as seats, and one of the chiefs went round the camp, vociferating a certain sound used as a signal for them to assemble, which they did in large numbers. The curiosity of the white people being raised, and some coming from other motives, we had a large and good meeting, which held till near sunset. " 13th. Ruminating on the state of the Oneida Indians, who are said to be more civilized and better instructed in re- ligion than any others, it is natural to inquire what influence it has had on their manners and morals, which, from an} - thing I can discover, has yet been very small. It is true, they generally cultivate a small portion of land, and for that reason are less exposed to absolute want than other Indians ; they have also heard of Jesus Christ through their mis- sionary, and have been taught to sing psalms and hymns in their own soft and engaging language ; but it appears to me that the great body of the nation have received the gospel in word only, and not in ])o\ver. It has therefore had but little influence on their conduct; and a few excepted, tliey appear to remain enslaved to all the vices common to the other Indians ; yet I think the way is gradually preparing when some more enlightened and sj)iritual men than have yet been their teachers, men who will unite example with prece])t, may be sent among them with a good effect. " 18th. This morning Corn Planter, Farmer's Brother, Red Jacket, Little Beard, and a number more of the Seneca chiefs, came to our lodgings to hold a conference, the interpreter being with them. Corn Planter congratulated us upon our safe arrival among them, and acknowledged the kindness of General Washington, in informing Friends of the request of the Indians, that they should attend the treaty. . Jle then opened the business which more particularly occasioned their present visit. This was to answer a recjuest made to them a year or two past by Friends at Philadelphia, that they might make inquiry after the Indians or their descend- ants, who formerly lived about Hopewell in \'irginia. He said that they had conferred together on the subject several times, and believed they had come to the knowledge of the original owners of that land, two of whom, ancient men, were now present, who said their ])eoi)le were once settled about Conestogo, and that they remembered well the state of mat- ters respecting the land in question : they had no doubt those two ancient men could clear uj) the matter to our satisfaction at a future opportunity, and would retire for tiie present. " 20th. This evening Friends being quietly together, our minds were seriously turned to consider the present state of these Six Nations ; and a lively prospect presented, that a mode could be adopted by which Friends and other humane people might be made useful to them in a greater degree than has ever yet been efiected ; at least for the cause of humanity and justice, and for the sake of this poor declining people, we are induced to hope so. The prospect and feel- \ 1 1 it i • t I ! I; • i ■I ■[ m Hi ' I ' I u 1 i f : . .1! =1- \V' ■ l.|t ! r' I 'J ■I, -I Wi\ no ings of our minds were such as will not be forgotten, if we are favoured to return home. " 29th. Sagareesa, or the Sword-carrier, visited us : he appears to be a thoughtful man, and mentioned a desire he had, that some of our young men might come among them as teacliers ; we supposed he meant as schoolmasters and arti- zans. Perhaps this intimation may be so made use of in a future day, that great good may accrue to the poor Indians, if some religious young men of our Society could, from a sense of duty, be induced to spend some time among them, either as schoolmasters or mechanics. " ^nd. Held a meeting for worship in the school-room : a number of Friends i-esiding in this part of the country came in, and a considerable body of Indians were in and about the house, several of whom, as well as the white people of other societies, beliaved well, and it was thought to be a good meeting. We went iunnediately after meeting to the council, which had just assembled, and was very numerously attended both by Indians and whites. " First day, the 9th. Several Friends in thii? part of the country came to the meeting ; one of them thirteen miles. A number of other white people attended, and a large number of Indians. It was a solid meeting ; several, both of whites and Indians, were tender and wept; and after it was over, one man in a particular manner confessed to the truth, and prayed that the Lord miglit bless it to all who were present. On my part it was an affectionate farewell to the people hereaway." The difficulty re.~|)ecting the land in the neighbourhood of Hopewell in Virginia, referred to in the foregoing extract, appears to have arisen from the circumstance of some of our members having purchased and settled upon lands in that district, the title to whicli was derived from Indians, who, there was reason to fear, had not obtained it in a just and upright manner from the original native possessors ; and not- Ill ^vithstanding most of the Indians were now removed far from the spot, Friends made eflforls to find the rightful owners of the land, in order that they might be fully compensated for the same. During the attendance of these Friends at the treaty, this subject was closely entered into : some of the Indians then present thought that the Conestogoes were the original pro- prietors, others that the Tuscaroras were. It was very clearly made out that the former were not entitled to it; of the latter, however, there seemed to be more uncertainty, and they were sanguine in their expectations concerning it. vSome time after this several of the Tuscaroras visited Philadelphia, for the purpose of entering more minutely into the circumstances of the case; but after a full investigation and examination of ancient maps and documents, both by Friends and by the Indians, the claim of the Tuscaroras to tiiis land could not satisfactorily be made out ; nevertheless, as their expectations had been much raised respecting it, Friends, in order to lessen their feelings of disajipointment in this issue of the (piestion, raised a considerable sum of money to be handed as a present to them, with which they were highly pleased, and expressed themselves satisfied. The following is an abstract of the report to the Meeting for Sufferings respecting the attendance of these Friends at the treaty, viz. : — As AUSTRACT OF THE HCPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO ATTEND AN INDIAN ThEATY IN THE YEAH 1794. " To the Meeting for Sufferings in Philadelphia. " Dear Friends, " Agreeahly to our prosjiect of attending the treaty to ho held with the Indians of the Six Nations at Canandaigua, in New York Government, we left this city the loth of the 9th month, and reached that place on the 20th of the same. On our arrival we found but abo it one hundred and sixty collected, and these chiefly of the Oneida tribe, with whom we had divers conferences before the others came in. We also found about thirty members of our religious society settled within the compass ol" fifteen A il... 1. 11-i • j M (i ) : "I : ' t; M'^ I I 11:1 I.-;* ■f i miles of the place of treaty, wlio had emigrated chiefly from the New England Govornniout. These Friends, in their distant and scattered situa- tion, ai)p('ared glad to see us, and engaged our attention and concern. We had meetings on the first days of the week during our continuance there, which were held to satisfaction, and attended by our fellow-professors and many others, both Indians and whites. Amongst these people we appre- liend a few books might be profitably distributed. " All the Indians who were expected being at length assembled, to the amount of sixteen hundred and upwards, the treaty commenced : we attended all the public councils, as well as some which were held by the commissioners more privately, and had frequent and satisfactory oppor- tunities of conference with the Hachems and other chiefs, in which we en- deavoured to impress their minds with a sinse of the advantages to be derived from living in peace one with anothei', and with all men, and of the expediency of leading a more sober and quiet life, that they might draw down the Divine blessing upon them. They heard us witli attention, and we hope it was not without some good effect. They still retain a lively remembrance of the just and friendly treatment their forefathers ex- perienced from the first founder of Pen' "ylvania, continue to distinguish him by the name of Onas, and consider Friends as his descendants, ex- pressing that if we deceive them they can no more place any confidence in mankind. " Early in the business we presented the address of Friends, which was read and interpreted ; they were attentive to its contents, and expressed their satisfaction. " During our stay with them they made several speeches to us, and some difficulties occurring in the course of the treaty, they requested our counsel and advice, Avhich M'o gave them, as well as we were qualified to do. " At the close of the treaty we assembled the chiefs of all the nations, and delivered them the presents of Friends, which they gratefully received. Jasper Parish, an interpreter for Government, distributed them, at their request, agreeable to the number contained in each nation. ' AVe continued with them about seven weeks, and had no cause to doubt our having been in our proper places ; yet with sorrow had to observe, that the pernicious effects of spirituous liquors being handed freely to them were highly injurious, and considerably retarded the issue of the business. " Many are the difficulties and sufferings to which the Indians are sub- ject, and their present situation appears loudly to claim the sympathy and attention of the members of our religious Society, and others, who have grown opulent on the former inheritance of these poor declining people. .k- ' 1 113 We cannot but believe some mode may be fallen upon of rendering them more essential service than has yet been adopted. " Our engagements were often very trying and straitening, yet, through the kindness of Providence, we were preserved in much harmony and unity through them all; and on the whole have reason to hope tlie object of the concern was in some degree answered, and are thankful in being permitted to return home with a portion of peace, after an exorcising and fatiguing journey." " John Parish, David Bacon, William Savkry, James Emlen." "Philadelphia, 20th of 12th month, 1794." 1 i J ii It •; 1 ■ 11' I:; i i r U 'tj. K ■I ii PART 11. SoMK Account of tiii-; Lahocrs of Fhiknds of tuk Vkahl\ MkETING of PlIILADKLl'lIIA, ON 15F.HALF OF 'lllK INDIANS, FROM THK YKAll 1795 TO 1843. In tlie year 1791 the grievous hostilities which lor many years had existed between the Indians and their white neighbours, was brought to a close. This happy result, which Friends had so much laboured to bring about, opened the way for the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia to take more decided and systematic steps than had hitherto been adopted, for promoting the Christian improvement and gradual civilization of the natives. In 1795 this subject rested weightily on the minds of Friends at their Yearly Meeting, and a committee was ap- pointed to take such steps to carry out the concern, as might appear most desirable. This committee before proceeding to take active measures in the prosecution of the object, thought it desirable first to ascertain the disposition of the various tribes in and about Pennsylvania. For this purpose they forwarded to the Indians circular letters, explanatory of the concern which Friends entertained for their welfare and improvement, accompanied with one from the Secretary of State, expressive of the approbation of the executive government of the union therein. The Oneidas, and some portion of the Stockbridge and Tuscarora tribes of Indians, who were settled on the Oneida reservation, were at that time the only ones who manifested a desire for improvement ; and in the summer of 1796 three Friends approved by the committee, proceeded to settle among them. A few mem- bers of the committee accompanied these Friends. A pro- 1 2 M ! i I i 116 h !,!; mincnt object which tlic committee had in view, was to endeavour to encourage the Indians to cultivate their lands. Th(!y found the Indians willing to listen to their ])ro])osals, but, as was natural to men who had been hitherto unaccus- tomed to steady and settled habits of labour, most of them were averse to engage in it, and those who did so, soon grew weary of it. With a view, therefore, to exhibit to them the benefits arising from a cultivation of the soil, and to stimu- late them by example. Friends proceeded to improve a ])iece of land without their assistance ; a saw-mill also, be- longing to the Oneidas, much out of repair, was ])ut into good working condition. In the succeeding winter, a school for the instruction of the children was opened, and an Indian, who was well (jua- lified by education in New England, was erigaged by the committee at a stated salary to teach the Stockbridge chil- dren. In consequence of sickness prevailing among the Oneidas, but little progress was made by them during 1797. More advancement, however, was apparent among the Stockbridge tribe, who were this year assisted in the erection of a grist- mill, and a consider.ible number of implements of husban- dry were distributed among the Cayuga and Onondago Indians. One of the Friends, in the early part of 17f 3, being by sick- ness unequal to much labour, an attempt was made to hire some of the Indians as farm labourers ; but from their irre- gular habits their assistance proved very inefficient. Some days nearly thiily of them would come to work, whilst on others not more than one could be procured. This difficulty was, however, met by engaging a number of the Indian youth and young men, who were boarded and fairly remune- rated for their labour. A commodious barn and other out- houses were erected, and a large quantity of grain, hay, &c., was raised from the land cultivated by the young men, thereby very fully illustrating to the Indians the advantages 117 > derived from the labour thus bestowed. Some difTiculty being cx])erienced from the want of a blacksmith lo make and re- pair the agricultural implements, a Friend, qualified for this department, offered his services to the committee. lie was encouraged to proceed, accompanied by his wife and another woman Friend, who had a concern to go. It was hoped that the two women Friends might be very usefully em- ployed in instructing the women and girls. Notwithstand- ing the difficulty of getting the Indians to settle steadily into agricultural pursuits, a decided im])rovement had already taken place among them. Many of the Indian men, it is stated, would assist their wives in the cultivation of their little allotments of land, several of them also acquired con- siderable knowledge of the business of a blacksmith, and many of the young women and girls were instructed in spin- ning, knitting, sewing, school-learning, &c. In 1799 the progress was more considerable. Several of the Indians had so far improved their parcels of land, as to raise wlieat upon them. The farms, with the assistance of the Indian youths, continued to be worked, and the smith's business was attended to. The exertions of the resident Friends were by no means limited to their immediate residence, but as suitable oppor- tunities presented, they extended their labours to various parts of the Oneidas settlement, and in many ways rendered them important services. The improvement thus made among these Indians, together with the various tools and farming implements distributed among them, had cost a large sura of money, but as they knew of no instance in which the whites had rendered them services without having some sinister view in doing so, a suspicion that Friends had similar intentions now became manifest in many of them, and fears were entertained by them that Friends would lay claim to a part of their land. In order to convince the natives that the only object which 1 i ! - '1 .1 I ,^ ,i.'- '4 if? f^ 1 ^ ■) ' ii I h I Jl\~h ■;! i.1 '' 4! •!' ' if ^ 1 IIB Friends had in this engagement was their good ; and as it was thought tliat the j)r()grcss they liad now made in civiliza- tion was sucli as to enable them to ])rocure a sufBcieut livelihood from their land, it was deemed best to withdraw from them, leaving all the improvements, tools, implements of husbandry, &c. behind for their use. Accordingly, after a friendly conference between four of the committee and the Indians, Friends took their leave, about the end of 1790. In an address .vhich the Indians made on this occasion, they expressed a grateful sense for the labour which had been bestowed upon them, and wished Friends " often to remember and visit them, to see whether they grew better or worse." Besides the aid rendered to this people at their own settle- ment, several of their young women and girls were placed in Friends' families at Philadelphia, where they were taught to read and write, and received such other instruction as was likely to be beneficial to them on their return home. To show a specimen of the advancement made by these in school-learning, we shall here give a copy of a letter written by one of them about six months after her arrival among Friends. "New Garden, Third mo. 10///, 1798. " My dear Mother, " I will try to let thee know how I do so far from thee. T have been well ever since I left thee. I would be glad to see thee mother. I want to see thee, and brothers and sisters, and all Stockbridge friends. I want to see father — I like to live in this country pretty well- -and dear friends clever — me live in clever house, very good man, make clocks, make porringers and spoons — me like to see him. I can knit stockings and spin. I have made sampler. I know how to mark my clothes, then I know my own. Three girls make bonnets, and do all work. I work a little, play a little, go to meeting a little ; sometimes walk, sometimes ride on iT'H 119 horseback, when roads are muddy. The girl's mother very good old woman ; 1 lo/e her, she learns me to work. " Mary Peters." " My dear Brother, " Me live well at very good house. I love thee, and sisters, and mother. I want to see you all. Friends say, may be we all go back to Stockbridge before next winter. I tbiiik i have told thee all I can now, so bid thee farewell. " Mary Peters. " N. B. This letter my own hand writing, so you may see I learn to write." i The care of Friends was not confined to the Indians under their own immediate superintendence. Opportunities for friendly intercourse with Indians of more distant nations were carefully taken advantage of. Several occurred about this date. In the ninth month, 1796, two Creek lads were placed with Friends of Philadelphia to be instructed in school leai'ning, where they remained several years. In the same year a number of mechanical tools were forwarded by Friends to this nation, accompanied with an address. Abouc, the beginning of the year 1 797, some satisfactory interviews were had with deputies from various nations, among whom were Creeks, Cherokees, Chickasa^■ s, and Choctaws, inhabiting the northern and western parts of Georgia ; and Shawnese, Chippewas, and Pottawattomies, living on the Wabash river, bordering upon Lakes Michi- gan and Superior, to whom presents were made to a con- siderable amount. On these occasions Friends took pains to inform them of the nature and effect of their peaceable principles, and their testimony against all wars and fightings —of the care of the Society, in first settling in the Jerseys and Pennsylvania, not to occupy lands that were not fairly purchased and paid for to the satisfaction of the natives, and of in^ - care to maintain a friendship and harmony with them. They endeavoured also to explain to them how much V : ; .i {i| '/ '• r In i! (■ 'i! i if M ! I 120 the attainment of this desirable and liapi)y end depended upon clieiisliiiij,' in ourselves that feeling; of love and charity which is inseparable from the true spirit and ])ractico of Christianity. Several of them appeared to be much im- pressed with what })assed on some of these occasions; one of lliem remarked jjarticularly on the counsel im|'arted, not to revenge injuries, and gave repeated assurances, " llmi although he had heard of two of his people being killed, he was deter- mined not to retaliate, but to adhere to peice;" another said, " A few days ago one of your women deliv«\red a talk, which I have hid deep in my heart. I never heard such an one before. 1 want to tell it to my nation after I get home ; and for fear I should forget some of it, 1 should like to have it in ])rint, that it might be fully exjdained to them." Several chiefs of the Miami, Ottawa, Pottawattomie, Chip- peway, and some other western Indians, in 1798 had similar interviews with Friends in Philadelphia, to wlioni also pre- sents were made. In the early ])art of 1802 other chiefs of the Miamis and I'oltawattomies visited Philadel])hia, when Friends had satis- factory conferences with ihem; at one of which a chief, called Little Turtle, a noted Miami orator, expressed, in a very pa- thetic manner, his desire for the improvement of his people. Suitable advice was handed to them upon this subject, ac- coni])anied with presents. In the same year a number of the Delaware and Shawnee Indians came to this city. These being immediately descended from those tribes who so hos- pitably treated Friends on their first landing in Pennsylvania, claimed special notice, and " they were furnished with a considerable amount in money and goods adapted to their wants." Turning from these interesting facts, we shall now resume our narrative of the proceedings of the Yearly Meeting's committee. In the year 1708, the Seneca nation, observing the advan- tages which resulted to the Oneidas by the labours of Friends 1-21 among them, cxpri'ssed a desire to be similarly instructed ; and accordingly, three Friends ollered themselves to go among them for this good purjjose, and in the filth month of this year ])roceeded to the Indian towns on the Alleghany river. The Indians gave them a warm reception, expressed their ihankl'nlness to the (ireat Sjjirit lor their safe arrival amongst then), and called a general council, in which the motives of the visit were set lorth. For the Indians to learn to plough, and do wliat was pro- posed, appeared at first to the Senecas as almost impossible, seeing, as they said, " they had no horses or oxen, and were l)oor, living in cabins covered with bark." They were told, that great things were not looked for at once, and were en- couraged to make a beginning. At one of their councils. Corn l*lanter, their chief, said in an address to Friends upon this subject, " Brothers, we can't say a word against you. It is the best way to call (Quakers brothers. \'uu never wished any part of our lands, therefore we are determined to try to learn your ways, and these young men may stay here two years to try ; and then, if they like it, and we like it, your young men may stay longer." They were then informed that it was necessary for those young Friends to have some place for an habitation, and a piece of land to cultivate, in order to raise bread for them- selves, and to set a good example to them ; care being taken also to inform them, that the land should still be their own, with all the improvements upon it, when it was left, besides a number of hoes, axes, scythes, plough-irons, and other implements of husbandry, with carpenters', masons"', and coopers' tools, which were on the way to the settlement. It was intended that, for the present, these should be lent to such Indians as wanted them for use, as if they were at once distributed as gifts, many who were addicted to inteni- perance would probably pawn or sell them to satisfy the cravings of a depraved appetite. The spot fixed upon for a residence for Friends was an I ; • ■ i 1 ■' i • I i ,11 ■ ■! ' ' 1 > i ' '. \ ■ r V 12-2 ancient Indian village, called Gencsanghota, where a few native families still resided. Its situation was near the boun- dary line of New York and Pennsylvania, and about the centre of the Indian settlements on the Alleghany river. The oppressive labour which the Senecas imposed upon their women, in getting and bringing home fire-wood, and similar employments, whilst the men and boys were amusing themselves with shooting arrows, and in other diversions, was seriously laid before them, and its impro- priety pointed out ; and they were recommended to take their boys out to hoe and work in the fields. They were also reminded, that it was from the Good Spirit that every good thing was received, and that they were, equally with the while people, the objects of his tender care and regard ; and that the great disparity between themselves and the white people, with regard to poverty and plenty, to which they so frequently alluded, was the natural result of the different modes adopted to procure the blessings of this life ; and as the land they possessed was equally as good as the white people's, so also it would be equally productive, ])ro- vided the same industry and means were pursued in its cul- tivation. In the ninth month of the following year, four of the committee visited this settlement, to whom the advancement which the natives had made in civilization was very manifest. Several of the Indians were then building good log-houses, their crop of corn was very much increased, and several lots of land were under good fence. A school also had been kept up during the preceding winter for the children. From this settlement Friends proceeded to Cattaraugus river, distant about forty-five miles, where a large number of the Senecas resided, who had requested to be supplied with a set of saw-mill irons, and other aid. Most of the chiefs being at the time from home, a letter was left, informing them, that as soon as they were prepared to build a mill, a set of saw-mill irons would be given them ; and that if they i $ \ I •It .! in IH IQ3 became more temperate in their habits, Friends would be encouraged to assist them still further. In a few months after, the Indians at Cattaraugus, in an answer to this letter, said, " The instructions that you gave, pleases us very much in general. You may rely upon it that we are going to follow your directions. We have fully determined to leave off drinking whiskey ; and if there comes traders on, wo have determined to order them off the ground." A school was kept up in this establishment during the winter of 1799, but the number of children that attended was but few. In the following year a small school was again opened ; but the Indians being indifferent to its advan- tages, it was soon dropped, and for long after no regular school was kept up ; occasional opportunities were, never- theless, embraced of instructing some of them in school learning. In the latter end of 1801 the settlement was again visited by some of the committee, accompanied by a young Friend, a blacksmith, who went for the purpose of instructing the natives in that occupation. At this period several of the Indians were possessed of cows for the use of their families, and they were giving increased attention to the rearing of cattle, hogs, &c., and it was hoped that before long they would have a sufficient number of useful animals. They had also good crops of corn ; several of them had mown grass, and made small stacks of hay ; a fence, about two miles in length, had been made, enclosing one of their towns, and a large piece of land in front of the river, besides several other fences to separate the corn-ground from the pasture, &c. Their bark cabins were mostly pulled down, and re- placed by good log-houses, with shingle roofs. Whilst at Genesanghota Friends requested an interview with the chief women of the town. This was readily granted, and we learn that " they were favoured to make some com- munications pertinent to their situation." The women ex- pressed thankfulness to the Great Spirit for affording them ; I I' ■ : m I '•j l!i;\' I '■ I': I f:i 124 this opportunity ; the words they said " had sunk deep into their hearts, and they hoped would never be forgotten by them." The Indians now mostly refrained from strong drink, and conducted themselves very soberly, both at home and when abroad among the whites. One of them observed to the committee, " No more bark cabin, but good houses ; no more get drunk here now this two year." Like their brethren the Oneidas, the Senecas began also to entertain a suspicion that, for the services Friends had ren- dered, and were rendering to them, a charge would be brought against them at some future time, and wished " to know very clear in writing about it." In order to set their minds at rest upon this matter, a document disclaiming any views of this kind was given to them, in reply to which they said, " We understand the writing which you gave us very well, and our minds are now quite easy." From Genesanghota Friends proceeded to Cattaraugus, at the invitation of the chiefs of that village, who were desirous to see them. They had just completed their saw-mill ; and after this proof of their perseverance, it was thoutrl't desirable that they should be well instructed in tiie working of it, and for this purpose a Friend from Genesanghota offered to remain with them awhile. Towards the close of 1803 four of the committee again visited the settlement, and were encouraged to perceive the advancement which had been made since their last visit, in the different settlements on the Alleghany river, in works of industry and usefulness. A considerable number of new lots of land had been enclosed, and several families had as many as six and seven head of cattle, besides other useful ani- mals; three of the Indians were working steadily at the blacksmith business ; a large extent of fencing had been put up ; and roads to afford them a better communication from ore village to another, were opened for about twenty- two miles in length. This last undertaking was, at that time, considered a 1-25 1 1 at great work for the Indians. Tlie use of ardent spirits among them had much declined ; indeed, the Indians were become so much alive to their dreadful effects, that they were not suffered to be brought into the settlement; and if an Indian was found to have been intoxicated, he was sharply repri- manded and exposed by the chiefs, which it is said, " had nearly the same effect amongst the Indians, as committing a a man to the workhouse* among the white people." " Bro- thers," said an Indian in his speech to Friends, " 3'our young men and we have now lived together several years as brothers. When your young men came, the Indians were very ignorant, but now we are just beginning to learn. Your young men do not talk much to us, but when they do, they speak what is good, and have been very helpful in keeping us from using spirituous liquors." The committee, besides inspecting the state of improve- ments, were authoriz.n" ^ <ake some steps for the removal of the Friends at this s=^ lent to another part of it, about two miles further up Utn river, on a creek called Tunesassah, as it was thought that such a step would be attended with many advantages. After some explanation with the Indians, this met with their approval, more especially so, as all the tools and farming implements at Genesanghota were to be left for their use. Having accomplished the purpose of their visit to this settlement, the committee next proceeded to Cattaraugus, where they were cordially welcomed by the chiefs, and had the satisfaction of noticing considerable improvement. Since the last visit of the committee to them, several had built good houses, and others were in the course of erection ; their crop of com was large, and their stock of cattle increased ; and, generally speaking, they had become a sober people, il .1 i ! * Tlii.s means, probably, an institution similar in character to tlie prisons of this country. i: . r; il' ' IH 12(> '.' Vi U ! ^ 1 1 most of them having, lor a long time, left ott' the use of spi- rituous liquors. The committee also visited the Senecas at Buffalo Creek, and found the saw-mill just finished for which they had supplied them with the irons. They also visited the Tonawandas. At both places, and particularly the latter, many had left off* the use of whiskey, and other strong drink, and were improving in habits of industry. The land on Tunesassah Creek before adverted to, was soon after this contracted for, and the Friends at Genesan- ghota constructed a temporary house, and removed there before the winter came on. In 1804, a grist and saw-mill wee erected there, also a house for the accommodation of the resident Friends. The Friend who had devoted himself in instruct- ing the Indians at Genesanghota in the blacksmith business, spent the summer and autumn of this year at Tunesassah for the same purpose. The following extract from a letter from Tunesassah, in 1805, will exhibit the progress of the concern at that place, viz . : — " It is pleasing to find a disposition for improvement con- tinues to prevail amongst the younger class of Indians. Divers have now a considerable quantity of com to sell ; they often express the satisfaction they feel in seeing the fruits of their own industry, and frequently observe, that when they followed drinking whiskey, they could hardly clothe themselves, but by industry they now find their sub- stance begins to increase. " The continued resolution of these Indians against the use of spirituous liquors conduces much to the introduction and increase of civilized habits; and it is obvious that it has an improving eff*ect on the other settlements of the Seneca nation." The satisfactory results of the labour thus bestowed were felt to be truly encouraging to those engaged in this benevo- lent enterprise ; and a hope was entertained that, by patient perseverance, William Penn's view of " reducing the savage f.l. 127 savage nations to gentle and just manners, to tlie love of civil society, and the Christian religion," would be realised. An individual, who was one of a deputation from the committee to the settlement in 1806, in speaking of this visit says, "I was astonished at the improvement made by the Indians within the last three years ; for, notwithstanding my very sanguine expectations, they had considerably exceeded in labour and attention any opinion I had formed. The as])ect of things was truly pleasing, indicating increasing industry and economy, and very encouraging to us, as proofs that our labours have not been in vain." He further observes, that "population is evidently increasing with them from this change in their way of life, and they appeared to enjoy good health." Information of these successful efforts of our American brethren in this good cause having been, from time to time, by epistolary correspondence, and more generally by the press, communicated to Friends of this country, a deep interest was excited in their minds respecting it. and in 1806 it became the concern of our Yearly Meeting to recommend to its subordinate meetings a liberal subscription for its pro- motion. The following is the minute which was made on the occasion, viz :— - Minute of the Yearly Meeting, 1806. " The Minutes from the Meeting for Suflferings were brought in and read, and as it appears thereby, that the said meeting has distributed to the several Quarterly Meetings sundry copies of " A brief Account of the Proceedings of a Committee appointed in the year 1795, by the Yearly Meet- ing of Friends of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, &c., for pro- moting the Improvement and gradual Civilization of the Indian Natives.' Also of a similar account of the proceed- ings of a Committee appointed for the like purpose, by the Yearly Meeting of Friends held in Baltimore. And as this meeting feels much interested therein, and is desirous of ! ! - i : i I ! Is l\ .,! ■ I' 1 ■ i\ ?:''Li 128 ■I ) •i \'. r.' ,1 promoting so useful and benevolent a work, it requests the several Quarterly Meetings to make a liberal subscription for the purpose, and remit the same as soon as convenient to their correspondents in London, and the Meeting for Suffer- ings is desired to remit the amount to the Meeting for Sufferings in Philadelphia." The amount subscribed by the various Quarterly Meet- ings upon this recommendation amounted to no less than i'7092 18.9. Gd., producing, in Pennsylvania currency, X*ll,770 16.9. ^d. The Yearly Meetings of New York and Maryland being at this time also actively engaged in this work, it was thought right that they should be sharers in the encouragement thus given to it, and, accordingly, of the sum thus raised, .£2250 was transmitted to Friends of New York, and £4760 8*. 4d. to Friends of Maryland, the remaining sum of £4760 8.9. 4d., being retained by our Pennsylvania Friends. The exertions of women Friends among the natives appear to have tended very considerably to their improvement. " Some of the Indian women and girls," says the report of 1807, " appear much disposed to be instructed by our women Friends ; many of them have already learned to make soap, and some can spin and knit a little, and are much more clean in their persons and clothes than before our women came." A letter from Tunesassah, in 1809, states that " a disposition for improvement among the women and girls seems rather advancing; we are now furnished with a loom and tack- lings, have had several pieces wove of their spinning, and there is some more on hand ready for the loom. The men have performed considerable labour this season, in improving and enlarging their fields ; their crops of corn and other spring grain look promising; and we have observed more attention paid to the proper treatment of cattle and other useful animals among them than heretofore." " It continues," says the report of 1 809, " to be cause of thankful acknowledgment that the minds of Friends remain "■ d l'-2!) i . ! so bound to the undertaking, as to furnish a succession of useful hvbourers in this interesting work. In the tenth month of last year, a Friend and his wife, who had, from a belief of duty, offered themselves lo reside at the settk'<nent at Tune- sassah, and whose services, as well as those of a femul-- Friend under a similar concern, were accepted, arrived in safety at that settlement, where, we trust, they are now use- fully engaged." The idea of distinct ])roperty ainouL>- the Indians, as they continued thus to advance in civilization, became more; and more prevalent among them, a circumstance calculated very much to promote their prosperity. Several of them, it appears, were in the way of acquiring a comfortable property by their indnstr}'. The Indians at Cattaraugus having repeatedly -applied for further assistance, and Friends apprehending that the object of the concern would be advanced by extending their opera- tions in this quarter, made a contract in 180!> for a tract of land contiguous to the Cattaraugus reservation, and about forty miles north of the settlement at Tunesassah. During this year some clearing of land at this place was made, and between four and five acres sowed with wheat ; progress also was made in the erection of a house, in order that a settle- ment might be formed there the ensuing season. A letter received from the resident Friends at this new establishment, dated 12th of l'2th month, 1810, conveys the following particulars relative thereto. " Divers of the natives continue to manifest a disposition to improve in useful in- dustry. Some spinning continues to be done by the women ; and a considerable quantity of yarn is now ready for the loom ; so that on the whole there appears encouragement for further perseverance." In another letter, dated 1.5th of 3rd month, 1811, they add, " Divers have been engaged in split- ting rails, and seem considerably animated with the prospect of farming, several of those who enclosed lots detached from the other villages have (from last sunnner's labour) lately K I Hi; I ! I h' i : i :' :i t 11 .' If i '1 ! i !) >'■ l\ I I i| r ! I' 1^ i' ■ I n \ i'l ' If' Hf f:] :fi i: iiiNi i\ 1^ 130 disposed of tlie produce of their farms to good advantage ; and as grain is much in demand in tliis country, some of them are about enlarging their fields for corn, &c., and say, they now begin to see the advantage of cultivating the soil, and rearing cattle, hogs, &c., above that of ranging the forest for support." In addition to agriculture, spinning, and weaving, in 1810 the tanning of leather, on a small scale, was introduced among the Indians at the Tunesassah establishment. A letter from this place, dated 2nd of 12th month, 1811, gives the following cheering account of the progress there, viz. : — " The manufacturing of woollen and linen cloth gradually improves. Our crops of flax are already spun, sufficient to make one hundred and sixty yards of linen, which was finished about the time that in former years they began, and we expect considerably more would have been done if we had had flax, which we have no opportunity of procuring until spring. We have yet on hand wool and cotton, which some are and have been spinning. Out of one hundred and ten women residing on this reserve, upwards of fifty have come forward to learn to spin, twenty-five of whom are capable of making good yarn." The following extract from a report made to the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia in the 4th month, 1815, by its committee having the charge of this interesting engagement, exhibits a continued improvement among the objects of their care. Extract fuom Indian Hevort of 1815. " In the latter pai-t of the last year, a few of the committee, deputed for the purpose, visited the natives, and the Friends stationed amongst them, at Cattaraugus and Tunesassah ; extracts from whose report, appearing well calculated to inform the meeting of the state of the concern at tliose places, are liere inserted, viz. : — " * It appears that the Indians of this settlement (Cattaraugus) have, within three or four years past, inclosed with good fence and cultivated several hundred acres of land, a considerable proportion of which was in corn, potatoes, oats, &c., and generally looked well. A number of families 131 have raised wheat, and are preparing to sow more this fall ; several liavo raised flax, and about twenty-five of tlieir women liave learned to spin. During the late summer a number of the girls attended to tiiis Itiisim-ss, under the care of the women Friends here, and spun yarn sutlicient to make near eighty yards of clotli, wiiicii was woven and divided amongst them : tlieir women also manifest an improvement in eleanliness, l)otli in their dress and houses. " ' But three or four families remain in tlieir old village, the rest having found it to their advantage to settle more detached from eacli otiu.T, and are now scattered along the rich Hats for several miles. Considerable improvement has also taken place in the mode of building; many liave good houses, some have barns, and scarcely any of the old cabins are seen standing. " ' They have five waggons and two carts, with which they draw much of their wood and produce, also several yoke of oxen and ploughs. Divers of them have planted fruit-trees ; some of tiie young men have manifested ingenuity in several branches of mechanical business.' " " On the state of the natives at Tunesassah, they observe — " ' The Indians generally on this reservation have increased their stock of cattle, horses, and swine, quite equal to their means of suj)porting tlieni through the winter : many of them have good crops of corn, oats, and pota- toes, and several were preparing to sow wheat. But altliougli tlieir im- provements in agriculture have not progressed much of latter time, owing in part to the interruption they have met with on account of tlie wai", and the circumstance of some having again introduced liquor; yet tiiere are, in other respects, visible marks of an advancement in civilizi'd habits : many of their women, especially in winter, have paid some attention to spii-ning; they appear more cleanly in their persons and houses than tliey formerly did, and their manners and deportment in general have become more assimilated to the modes and practices of white people.' "The residence of our Friends among the natives during tlie commotions occasioned by the war appears to have been especially xiseful, as is mani- fested by the speech of an old chief to the visiting connnittee in the ninth month last, who expressed the great satisfaction they had, that tiie Friends who lived beside them had remained so steady with them through their ditHculti.es ; that although the great guns had roared so lend as to shake the ground whereon they stood, yet they remained quiet : which convinc(;d them that our Friends must be under the protection of the Great Spirit. ' We feel thankful to them,' said he, * for staying by us ; if they go away, we shall be alarmed and fly also.' " The committee are encouraged to liope that as tnmquillity is restored K -2 J I V n 4' t I:i2 ' h li' i to our frontiers, tho present period may bo peculiarly fitted to tlie continued exertions of the Society, to attain tlie desirable end of this interesting concern." In consequence of some attempts liaving been made to influence the Indians residing on the Alleghany, Cattaraugus, and other reservations in the state of New York, to pait with the soil and remove to distant and uncultivated ])arts, the committee, dreading the evil consequences which would result from such a stc]), proceeded in 1817 to address the President of the United States on their behalf. In this address they briefly set forth the sympathy which Friends had long ft It for the distressed Indian inhabitants of the wilderness, and the benevolent and charitable exertions, in which more than 40,000 dollars had been expended for the purpose of pro- moting amongst them the principles of the Christian religion, as well as school learning, agriculture, and useful mechanic employments ; and, with a view to secure to the Indians the possession of the small portion of land they retained, the President was urged to discourage the alienation of it from them, and to suggest to them the advantage which would arise to their community by a division of the land amongst them, so as to take away the power of transferring it as a whole to the whites. In the eighth month of this year, several members of the committee visited the Alleghany and Cattaraugus settlements, and spent several weeks there in attending to the various services of their appointment ; the following extract from their report will show the stale of Indian concerns at those places at this date, viz. : — i' ■ if i .j m Extract from Indian Keport of I8I7. " The settlements of the Indians at Cattaraugus are scattered, about ten miles in length, many of which we have visited; and from the observa- tion we have been enabled to make, it appears that they are gi-adually progressing in agriculture. They have more grain growing this season than usual ; they have fenced in many fields, and laid out their farms more detached from each other than formerly. It is supposed that they have ! *l J 14 f!|5 I' 13.J more tlian two lumdrcJ acres of corn prowinp, which generally looks well, besides uii hundnvl aerus under cultivation in spriii;,' wheat, oats, potatoes, and various other vegetal)Ies. Their stocks of cuttle and horses are in»ich increased, and divers of the Indians have enclosed lots of grass, on whirli they gather hay for winter. " Many of their women have nnide consideral)le progress in spinning. Tho lust year several of tiieni joined in nniking ul)out seventy yards of linen cloth, which was divided among them in proportion to tlio quantity of yarn that each had spun. Several pieces were also made by individuals, amounting to upwards of one hundred yards. " Tho last winter, when the natives of this settlement were informed of the donation of provisions intended to bo made to them by the committee, they agreed that Friends should defer the distribution until tho time of putting in their spring crops ; and, accordingly, kept their families in the woods hunting until about that time, wlu-n the provisions, provided by Friends for this purpose, were divided amongst tlK-m, which enabled them to remain at home for a nionth or si.K weeks, and to atti-nd to the putting into the ground of their spiing crops. The potatoes tliey received were generally planted. 'J'liere were fifty-seven families of Senccas, and thir- teen of Muncics, consisting of three hundred and ninety individuals, wiio partook of the donation ; which, besides enabling them to increase their crops the present season, had otlierwise a salutary effect. "At the Tunesassah reservation there are seventy families, all except four of whom have horned cattle, amounting to upwarils of four hundred head. They have more horses than are of advantage to tiiem. Their corn, oats, and buck-wheat promise to atfurd tliem a i)lentiful sujjply the ensuing winter. Several of tiiem have raised spring wheat, and some of them are preparing to sow winter grain tiiis fall. But altlioiigli there seemed to be a disposition of improvement prevalent in various respects, yet it was evident that their attention latterly being much drawn to tho cutting and rafting of pine timber, it has retarded their progress in agri- culture. Many of their women continue spinning, and the manufacturing of clothing. " On visiting the school, taught by one of our Friends, it was found that eighteen lads attended, who generally had madt' satisfactory progress in learning. Several of them could read the English language. The cleanli- ness of their persons, the order observable in the school, and the attention they paid to their learning, afforded an encouraging prospect of the issue of the attempt making for their instruction. " It appears that the number of natives at this place who partook of the provisions furnished by the committee in the time of the scarcity last winter, amounted to five hundred and twelve." t !! ii i ! 131 V ' 'I'liu iin])(utanl siilijcct of a ])ro])cr division of the land nnionj^ tho Indians of these reservations, under provisions to ])rev(!nl its being alienated or leased to white people, obtained the elose attention of the sub-conunittee during this visit ; and witli a view to ))ron>ote this object, an arrange- ment was made to meet the chiefs of the Seneca nation in a general council to be held at Cattaraugus on the 23rd of the ninth month. 'J'he deliberation upon this subject occupied the attention of the council for several days, and it resulted in an agreement to try the plan on the Alleghany reservation, as many of the natives of that })lacc had, for a considerable time, been desirous of holding their property more distinct from eacii other than at that time was the case. The report of the committee in 1819, in addition to the interesting in- formation furnished respecting the schools then in operation, contains also some further particulars in reference to this subject: it is as follows, viz. : — Indian Uepout of 1819. ! ii I' 'i J 1 1 i '^ i Hi i- i-li " TliG committee appointed for tlio gradual civilization and improvement of till' Indian naiivcs, report, they liavi; continued tlieir attention to this interesting;^ concern during tlie j)ast year; and as tlie natives at Cattaraugus had expressed a desire to have their cliihlren instructed in tlio Englisli language, tlie committee encouraged a Friend who had offered his services as a teacher, to jjroceed tliither soon after our last Yearly Meeting. In a late letter wo fire informed, ' The school continues to he attended with pretty good satisfaction, and it is thought the Indians continue to progress in useful Isahits.' At tho Alleghany reservation the natives had agreed to occupy their land in severalty, and have it laid out in lots suitable for farms. A surveyor was engaged, who commenced the work last summer, hut some difficulties presenting, a council was held, at which they requested him to proceed no further ; and at ilie same time they directed a letter to the committee, requesting an application to the President of the United States for a letter signed by himself, and certified imder the seal of the United States, (which seal they say they know,) signifying his approbation of tlie proposed division of tlieir laud. Tliis was obtained in the first month last, on the application of four of the committee, who were then at the seat of government. Tiie school at this settlement is continued, and '! H .Il'M IS.') wo Iiopo good offoots will roHiilt fiom it, l)omg poranndod the best inodo of inHtnictiiig Indiuns is in tiioir own natioi.. "The prnnent is an iini)ortuiit period to tho poor natives, ami calls tor the Hympntliy and enooiiraf,'<>niont of tlieir friends." 4lh Month, \M\). The substantial benefit which tlioso ))()or Indians had de- rived, through the exertions of I'Viends for their iinj)rov'c- ment, is strikingly set forth in an account furnished by one of the Friends who resided atTunesassah. This account docs not include a notice of more than about one half of the number of Indians on the Alleghany settlement, and the number and kind of their buildings, which were " considerable, and generally commodious," arc almost entirely omitted. The statement is as follows, viz.; — "Ak Account of home Imimiovemevts made bv a part of the IkDIANS on the Al.I.ECiHANY KeSE It V A T ION, StTl>|'OHEI) TO IlK LESS THAN ONE HALF OF THE NUMHEII THAT HAVE MADi: A PllOOHESS IN UusHANnRY. ThE ACCOUNT WAS TAKEN AT DIEIEUENT TIMES, AS IS SHOWN MY THE DATES. " U{2(». 10th mo. 2,3rd. Big .Folm, (alias Goliath) an Onondago, has about twfiity acres of cleared land ; raised the present season, eight acres of corn, two and a half, or three acres of oats, and one of ])utatoes ; has about forty ajjple-trees planted, several of v.hich are be; .ring ; has three cows, four calves, one steer, one yoke of oxen, four horses, and eighteen hogs and pigs, lias a wife, with wliom he has lived orderly, and four children now living. States that ho is anxious to go on with improvements in agriculture, a. li encourages the school ; he has also a plough and waggon, and does consi- derable work. " William Piatt, a young man, perhaps thirty years of age : has a wife, with whom he has lived orderly, but no children, fifteen acre ■ of land, one yoke of oxen, and twenty pigs ; raised a considerable qua.iitity of corn ; has three acres of oats, and four of potatoes ; has no grass-land, but has preserved his corn-fodder. " Levi Ilalftown, (blacksmith,) nine and a half acres of cleared land, one yoke of steers, two cows, one calf, two horses, one plough and ox-cha'us, seven hogs, and eight pigs. " 10th mo. 25th. Long John, forty-eight or fifty years of age : has t \ i ' / 'f ' ,i il;h ! I f;IJ i ■ r i i i i i 'i I !ti. 'r !!' •-I 136 twelve children by one wife, and still lives with her ; twenty acres of cleared land ; had, the present season, seven acres of corn, four acres of oats; tlio quantity of potatoes, heans, &c., not accurately ascertained ; no grass-land; has two yoke of oxen, tliree cows, one heifer, three calves eleven or twelve hogs, and a number of pigs ; one waggon and a plough, or ploughs ; is fattening three hogs for winter. "Stephen, (blacksmitli,) has six acres of corn, four of oats, one of pota- toes, and four of hay ; has one yoke of oxen, five cows, six calves, fifteen hogs and pigs, and one plougli ; is fattening two or three hogs for pork. " Jolui Jamison, a young man about twenty-four years of age, has fifteen acres of cleared land ; had, the last season, four acres of oats, one of buck- wheat, and four of corn, potatoes, beans, &c. ; sixteen hogs, and several pigs ; two horsos, two cows, one heifer, one calf, one plough, one yoke of steers two years old, and one younger. Ploughed last spring about thirty acres of land, twenty-one of which were hired by other Indians at two dollars per acre ; has put up a log barn fifty feet long, and sixteen wide; is fattening four hogs, and has made new fence to six acres of land the present season. " Big Jacob, fifty years old ; has eight or ten acres of cleared land, five acres of corn, four of oats, and one of potatoes ; no grass-land ; lias one yoke of oxen, three yoke of steers, four cows, one calf, five hogs, and perhaps twenty pigs ; has sown one biisliel of wheat this fall. "Aloses Peirce, aged thirty-two; has twenty and a half acres of land, one yoke of oxen, two cows, three young steers, and one calf; has five hogs now fattening, and seven pigs raised the present year; two and a half acres of corn, three and ahalf of oats, one and a half of hay, and a quarter of an acre of potatoes ; makes ploughs and sleighs, and is pretty ready at common carpenter's work. " 11 til ino. .'ird. Jolin Peirce, aged fifty-six ; has twenty acres of cleared land, eight head of cattle, fifteen hogs and pigs, five of which are fiittening ; raised five acres of corn, one and a half of potatoes, four of oats ; has throe and a half, or four acres of grass-land. " Eli Jimerson, twenty-seven years of age ; has begun a new improve- ment in the woods ; has cleared about three acres ; parted with his old fields, wliicli contained six acres; has raised in the present season three acres of corn, half an acre of potatoes, and one of turnips ; has five hogs, one yoke of steei's, one cow, one heifer, a plough, and waggon. " Simeon Peirce, twenty-six years of age ; has fourteen acres of land ; has also cleared about one acre more, and sowed it with wheat ; raised five acres of corn, three of oats, two of wheat, half an acre of potatoes, three and a half acres of meadow ,- has two cows, two heifers, two steers, one ox, four hogs, and ten pigs, and is fattening four hogs. and 137 " Billy, fifty years of ago ; has three pigs, one cow, and a calf; raised fifty bushels of corn, and a quarter of an acre of potatoes. " 12th mo. 2nd. William Jolmson, a Tuscarora, about fifty years old ; has eleven acres of land, one yoke of oxen, two cows, two heifers, twelve hogs and pigs; raised six acres of corn, lialf an acre of potatoes, and a quantity of beans, but has no grass-land. "1821. 1st mo. 31st. Morris Ilalftown, twenty- six years old; raised last year three acres of corn, one and a half of potatoes, six of oats, two and a half of hay ; has eighteen acres of land, one yoke of oxen, two cows, three steers, one calf, one horse, four pigs, and one hog, and has killed two hogs for pork. "2nd mo. 10th. Israel Jimerson, thirty years of age; has fourteen acres of land, and four more chopped, but not cleared ; raised three acres of oats, three and a half of corn, two of buck-wheat, one of potatoes, one of wheat, and half an acre of pease ; has two and a half acres of meadow, two yoke of oxen, one yoke of steers, one heifer, six hogs, fourteen pigs, one plough, a small cart and log-chains, and killed, last fall, five hogs, "3rd mo. 29th. John Dicken, about sixty-five, or seventy years old; had last year two acres of spring wheat, and four acres of oats ; has three horses, and one hog. "Jimerson, the blacksmith, fifty-four years old : has ten and a half acres of land, three horses, two cows, three calves, throe hogs, four pigs, a plough, and harness for horses ; raised five acres of corn, one of potatoes, three of oats, half an acre of pease, and has killed three hogs for pork. " 5th mo. loth. Jacob Taylor, forty years of age ; has five and a half acres of land, one yoke of steers, one heifer, four hogs, and killed some pork last fall ; sowed one acre of oats ; has some corn and potatoes, but the quantity not known. " 7th mo. Jamc>, Robinson, forty-eight years of age ; has thirteen acres of land ; planted five acres of corn, and half an acre of potatoes ; sowed two acres of spring wheat, three and a half acres of oats, and has two and a half acres of meadow, nine head of cattle, seven hogs, one plough, a harrow, chains, and sled. "Blue Eyes ; has about twelve acres of land ; sowed in the present year half a bushel of flax-seed, one acre of wheat, three and a half of oats, three of corn, one acre of pease, one of potatoes ; has two and a half acres of meadow, one yoke of oxen, five cows, three calves, four hogs, twenty-two pigs, five horses, a plough, chains, &c. " John Watt, thirty-five years of age ; planted three acres of corn, and half an acre of potatoes ; has four hogs and twenty-six pigs. " .Tonathar Titus, about fifty -five years old ; has three acres of land, one cow, one yearling, and three pigs. I i ! -I i t !; l! 138 { 'i " J.ack Snow, fifty yeara of age ; five acres of land : planted throe acres of corn, one and a half of potatoes, and half an acre of beans, and has four hogs. " Jacob Thomas, twenty-eight, or thirty years old ; eight acres of land ; planted three acres of corn, two acres of oats, an acre of pease, and one hundred hills of potatoes : has one ox, two cows, four heifers, nine hogs, and seven pigs. " Big John, fifty- three years of age ; fourteen acres of land ; has sixteen head of cattle, four horses, thirteen hogs, five acres of corn, one of pota- toes, five of oats, and two or three of meadow. " William Ilalftown, twenty-six years old ; fourteen and a half acres of land, ten of which lie lately got cleared, for which clearing he paid fourteen dollars per acre; has one acre of corn, one or two of oats, two and a half of meadow, one yoke of oxen, one cow, one horse, a plough and sled, and some bearing apple-trees. "John Bone, tiiirty-three years of age ; planted three acres of corn, has two of oats, about two acres of meadow, one ox, one cow, one heifer, one calf, and a plough. " George Silverheels, forty- three years of age; ten and a half acres of land ; has three cows, one bull, one yoke of steers, one heifer, two calves, eleven hogs ; planted five acres of corn and one of potatoes, has one acre of oats, and one and a half of meadow, and has lately begun to clear for a farm at some distance from the village. " fith mo. .John Lewis, twenty-six years of age ; has a wife and two children, four or five acres of land, prctt}' much in corn, one yoke of steers, one heifer, and eigiit hogs. " Buck Tooth, fifty-five years old ; a1)out eleven acres of land enclosed ; I)lanted six acres of corn, which is the principal crop, except some vines, &c. ; has three horses, one heifer, eleven hogs, and harness for one horse. " Jacob Siiongo, aged thirty-two years ; eleven acres of land ; planted three acres of corn, and one and a half of potatoes ; has one and a half acre of oats, one and a half of meadow, one cow, two heifers, one calf, ten hogs, and one plough : has put up a good log-house, with stone chimney and a fire-place, both up and down stairs. "9th mo. Jacob Jimerson, about thirty years old; planted four acres of corn, and one of potatoes ; has one and a ha .1 acre of oats, three and a half of meadow, one yoke of oxen, one cow, five large hogs, ten or fifteen smaller ones, one piougii and chains. "David Ilelftown ; planted five acres of corn, one of potatoes, one of beans, and one of garden vegetables ; has one acre of buck-wheat, two acres of oats, one yoke of oxen, and one of steers, two cows, five hogs, and many domestic fowls ; also one plough and chains. I III' 130 " Fight Thoinpsou, about thirty -four years of ago ; lias a wife and tliroo children; has three acres of corn, half jii ai -e of potatoes, a patch of turnips, pumpkins, &c. ; has about six acres of land under fence, one yoke of oxL-n, one calf, five hogs, and one plough. " 10th mo. William Patterson, twenty-five years of ago; planted four acres of corn ! has about two acres of oats, a small piece of grass, two cows, also nine hogs, \* Inch he is fattening. '' The ages of some of these Indians are conjectural, but from circum- stances it is believed they are nearly correct. There are about forty families more in the settlement, of ^vhom an account is yet to be taken, and among these some of the greatest improvements are obvious." By the epistolary correspondence of Philadelphia Meeting for Sufferings with our own in 1821, we are informed that the school at Tunesassah was still in operation, under the care and tuition of a Friend, and that it was regularly attended by from twenty to twenty- six boys, who came mostly from a distance of several miles, and about eighteen of whom frequently remained with their teacher through the night, in order that they might have more time to devote to their school learning, which they seemed desirous of obtain- ing, and in which they were encouraged by many of the older Indians, who appeared to be sensible of the great advantage which would result to them by it. In the absence of any further notice of the school established at the Cat- taraugus settlement in 1818, we conclude that circumstances must have interfered to cause its cessation. The epistle from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in 1823 to our own, respecting the state of the Indians, informs us that a continued improvement was manifest among them, not only in agricultural advancement, but also in their deport- ment. The school at Tunesassah was attended by about twenty pupils, who were taught by a Friend in a house erected for that purpose. In learning they made satisfactory progress, and their general behaviour in school was orderly. A workshop for instructing the Indian youth in the use of tools, was also erected near the school-house, which afforded a prospect of being useful. II ■<! ; t ■t .' If i 'tr At^ ;tJ' 140 In 182G, the following inrornialion of the Indian labours of Friends of this Yearly Meeting, Mas furnished by their Meeting for Sufferings to our own, viz, : — Extract from an Epistle from Philadelphia Meetino for SuFFERiNos, 9tli Month, 1820. "Tlie committee of our Yearly Meeting, wlio have under care the civiliza- tion and improvemont of the Indian natives, have been much exerciseil in endeavouring to promote among them a just estimate of their real welfare, and tho necessity of using such means as would not only contribute to their present comfortable accommodation, but in great measure secure to their posterity a permanent enjoyment of the products of the spil ; and prepare the way for their becoming in time so incorporated with the govern- ment, as to bo invested with the several immunities and privileges of citi- zenship. A school has lately been established at Tunesassah for the in- struction of tho young females in literature, knitting, spinning, and other branches of domestic economy, which affords an encouraging prosi^ect of success. The school for boys has been regularly attended, and a satisfac- tory demeanour apparent : between school-hours they are employed on the farm or in the workshop ; and the evidence which is thus exhibited of tlieir application to business, gives reason to hope that it may have a beneficial influence on their future steps in life. The average number of both sexes who usually attend the school is about twenty-five. The agricultural en- gagements of the natives on the Alleghany reservation appear to be slowly and gradually advancing : tliere are eighty families, composed of four hun- dred and tliirty-nine individuals, who are pursuing this mode of acquiring a livelihood, and possess '< air hundred and seventy-nine head of cattle, fifty-eight horses, three luaulred and fifty hogs, six hundred and ninety- nine acres of improved land, in which seventy acres of meadow are in- cluded. Two hundred and thirty-nine acres were planted last season (1825) with corn, forty-two with potatoes, thirty-eight with wheat, and one liuudred and sixteen with oats, besides buckwheat and various kinds of vegetables. " Notwithstanding the pleasing aspect which is thus presented, and the evident presages of hope that these acquirements may incline in our minds, it is considerably alloyed with serious apprehensions that these greatly injured inhabitants of the wilderness, the original proprietors of the land on which we live, will ere long be dispossessed even of that rem- nant which has been assigned to them, and which they were once made to believe should for ever continue in their occupancy and peaceful fruition." 'J'he iear expressed in the foregoing extract, that these 141 ])Oor natives would be dej^rived even of the small scetion of land wliicli they occupied, ap])eais, to a certain extent, to have been realized. Alluring temptations to great jiecuniary emolument and other flattering statements which were made to them, tended to loosen their attachment to their native soil, and they were, in the end, jn-cvailed upon to ])art with several thousand acres of valuable territory, by which un- haj)py divisions were created in their councils. For several years succeeding this jieriofl. Friends of Pliila- deljjhia Yearly Meeting were much engaged in advocating the rights of other nations of the aboriginal inhabitants of the United States, against the unprincipled attempts which were made for obtaining their land, secured to them by treaties, which in the estimation of the Christian, at least, ought to have been solemnly binding. The case of the Cherokees in Georgia, in particular, occu- pied the close attention of the Yearly Meeting in 1830. These Indians possessed a rich and salubrious territory in that state, within the limits of which valuable gold mines were reputed to exist. They were far advanced in civiliza- tion and the knowledge of Christianity. One of them had reduced the native language to writing, and had established a printing-press, at which a native newspaper was regularly printed. Notwithstanding all this, the Georgians, coveting their possessions, insisted upon their removal. The Yearly Meeting was introduced into much sympathy with this deeply injured nation, and presented a memorial to Congress upon the subject. But the oppressor was permitted to triumph ; the love of gain prevailed Over the claims of justice and humanity, and these poor people were banished by an un- righteous mandate to a distant wilderness in the west. By the succeeding extract we may see that step by step those Indians under the care of Friends appeared to be steadily advancing to that state to which William Penn longed they should be brought, viz., " to the love of civil society and the Christian religion." Ii , i h ni li 1 4'i 142 m M i \\: i^ 4 n ..( ', till;!, Extract froh an Ei'istle from Philadelphia Meeting fob Sufferings, 3rd Month, 1835. " Those remnants of the Seneca nation of Indians wliicli are located in the western part of tlie state of New York, about tlirce hundred miles from this city, and to whom the committee of our Yearly Meeting have extended much care for their civilization and comfortable subsistence, still continue on the renuiining part of their reservations, which have not yet been sold to the state ; a few families of the Buffalo tril)e, not under care of Friends, and most of the Oneidas, a nation which the Yearly Meeting of New York hiul taken under its charge, have been prevailed upon to go and settle about (Jreen Bay, in the North Western Territory, on the west side of Lake Michigan, computed at nine hundred miles distant from our settlement at Tunesassah, and about one hundred and fifty miles south of Lake Superior. It is evident that the labour and expense wliich Friends have bestowed upon this people have had a very beneficial effect ; they used to live in villages of wigwams, which are a kind of hovel or hut, made of poles and covered with bark ; but of latter years, through the instruction received from the Friends who have resided among them, they have attained to such a knowledge of agriculture, and some of the most simple mechanic arts, that they have, at a considerable distance from each other, convenient frame or hewn log-houses, with stone or brick chimnies, shingled roofs, and several rooms ceiled. Many good and capacious barns are also erected, and their farms present a pleasant aspect, with hogs, cows, many yoke of oxen, and some sheep. Their women used to go into the woods, cut the firewood for their families, and carry it home on their backs: but latterly the men perform a great part of this labour, and the women are left more free to attend upon their peculiar domestic affairs, as spin- ning, sewing, &c. What little land they cultivated to procure a scanty sub- sistence was by the hoe ; but now the plough, having superseded that, they raise not only a plentiful supply of the necessaries of life, but, in jveral instiinces, such a surplus as to sell to those in their neighbourhoods ; and instead of a continual diminution of their numbers, there is now a very considerable increase. There are two neat frame-buildings upon the re- servation used as places of worship on First-days, in which two of the natives officiate as teachers ; on other days these houses are occupied for schools, taught by their own people, who have been educated for the pur- pose, which, being conducted to satisfaction, an increasing desire is mani- fest among them to have their children brought up in the knowledge of letters, and some seem interested in becoming acquainted with the Holy Scriptures. Their marriages have recently been accomplislied in public and in an orderly manner, and this covenant considered more serious and binding than formerly. During a visit paid to the settlement last autumn 143 1)y a deputation of Friends, a i)rogressive iniprovemont was evident in many respects, and miieii f,'ratitude api)eared for tlie continued coneern and care of Friends for tiieir welfare." Although the foregoing statement conveys much to animate Friends in this labour of love, there were, nevertheless, cir- cumstances which occasionally arose to cause more or less of discouragement. One of these was a division of senti- ment among the Indians respecting the final abandonment of their ancient customs and mode of living ; for notwithstand- ing the comforts which a more civilized life produced to them, there were several who still pleaded for a return to their former barbarous and wandering habits of life. This, for a time, caused much unsettlement among them, during which they desired that the school under the care of Friends might be discontinued, which accordingly took ]ilace. The advantages of school-learning for their children had, how- ever, become so manifest to a large number of the In- dians, that although Friends had withdrawn from them, schools, as we may see by the preceding extract, were kept up by themselves. This desire of returning to uncivilized habits began, how- ever, soon to wear away, and in 1835 the Indians " were unanimous in their desire to have their children instructed by Friends." In the tenth month of this year two mem- bers of the committee v/ere appointed to visit the Alleghany settlement, to see what progress the natives were making, and particularly with a view to encourage them in their en- deavours to promote among themselves the instruction of their children. In this visit the Friends observed, " that the conduct of some of the younger natives was very satisfactory ; a number of them being industriously employed in farming and clearing the land. Their dress was similar to that of the working men among white people, and a considerable number are partially acquainted with the English language. The Indians who resided on the Alleghany, derived their i-i I- 144 I ,! principal support from the cullivalion of the extensive low lands which lie along the river, and compose the greater part of the arable land included in their reservation, which ex- tends for about forty-two miles in length and one in breadth. At the time of the arrival of the two I^'riends, these lands were in many ])laces covered with crops of corn, buck wheat, oats, potatoes, &c., nearly ready for gathering, but before this was accomplished, a flood, greater than had been known there for thirty- two years before, carried off most of their crops, and obliged them to leave their houses and seek an asylum on higher ground. This unexpected event almost entirely deprived the Indians of the means of support, and there was reason to apprehend, that unless assistance was speedily rendered, many of them, and a great part of their cattle, must suffer and perish from want. It was there- fore concluded, on the return of these two Friends, that two of the committee should immediately proceed to Tunesassah to alleviate this distress by the distribution of food, for which purpose one thousand three hundred dollars were entrusted to them, the whole of which was expended for their relief, besides two hundred dollars more for seed, exclusive of travelling expenses. In order to ascertain in what manner this sum might be best applied to relieve the distressed, the two Friends visited nearl} all the Indian families on the Alleghany, inquired their number, what losses they had sustained, what stock they possessed, and vvhal means remained for their suppoi't. From this examination, it appeared that there were three hun- dred and thirty-seven adults, and three hundred and thirty-five children, including a few residing on Corn Planter's land in Pennsylvania, a few miles south of the New York boundary- line. The visit to the Indian families of this reservation, presented an opportunity of conveying advice and instruc- tion to them, and it was believed to be an occasion which tended to " more fully confirm in their minds the favourable K^J:i m If'M Hip 1 I I 14.> opinions they entertained of real Christianity," and to cherish the desire, as they expressed it, of attending '* to the directions of the Son of tlie Great Spirit, who came to the earth." In 1837, in consequence of a faiUire of the crops at the Alleghany reservation, the committee directed the expendi- ture of six hundred dollars for the purchase of corn and potatoes for the relief of such of the natives as had no other means of support. Notwithstanding the help thus afforded, their progress in agricultural improvement received a con- siderable check, " many of them," say the Friends at Tune- sassah, in their communication of the eighth month of this year, " having sold their oxen and horses to procure bread." In the same letter they also stated, that they " had frequent opportunities with them on religious subjects to good satisfaction," and that they stood open to hear them on those subjects, and " feelingly" approved of what was offered. At this time two schools were kept up under the management of the Indians themselves, one having from twenty-five to thirty children, the other from ten to sixteen ; in the latter, it is said, " the scholars made considerable progress in learning ; two studied arithmetic, four were learn- ing to write, and six read in the Testament." It was about this time that those unprincipled attempts, so reproachful to the name of Christianity, began to be made, in order to prevail upon the Indians in this part of the Union to abandon their valuable reservations in exchange for lands west of the Mississippi. The following communication received from three of the chiefs at Alleghany in the ninth month, 1837, will exhibit some of the means which were made use of to effect this, viz. : — " Brothers, the Quakers of Philadelphia, we, the chiefs of the Allegliany reservation, believe you to be our best friends, and want you to know how much trouble we have about our land. Schermerhorn came to Buffalo not long since, and left money with our agent to hire Indians to sign i . > t . 1 ■ •f i ' 1 1 ] / i- 1 i . i ■ • i'', M ■ ' ?! 116 their names in favour of selling their lands. The agent sent out runners to the several reservations in the stale for that purpose, and proeured sixty signers. Samuel (Jordon came to Alleghany and offered lilacksnako one thousand dollars for his name, which he refused, as he preferred keeping the land for his children. There are but two chiefs and two others on the Alleghany in favour of selling. Our agent also selected nine chiefs to be sent as delegates to the west, to see the land where they intend the Indians to move to, which made us very uneasy ; and we met together in council at Cold Spring, and got a petition drawn and signed by ninety- two Indians in favour of keeping our land, to send to Wash- ington ; and the Indians on the other reservations are doing the same. Our agent is holding back our annuity until the chiefs return from the west, which will be nearly three months hence. " We are determined not to sell our land, but to stay on it. We have good crops of corn and jjotatoes growing, and hope we will be strengthened to go forward and improve. We would be glad to have an answer, and know your opinion on the subject of selling our land." Before attempting to give any advice upon a matter of so much importance, the connuittee, who were fully aware of the strong desire which some of the whites had to pos- sess themselves of the land in question, were fearful that the strenuous efforts for this purpose might ultimately be successful, and thought it most advisable to pay a visit to the natives, in order to make themselves more ac- quainted with the case. Accordingly, in the eleventh month, 1837, two of its members arrived at Tunesassah for that purpose. As might be expected, they found the natives in a very unsettled state, in consequence of the attempts which were made to prevail on their chiefs, by the offer of bribes, to agree to the sale of the land. " The fact of bribes being offered for this purpose," say the committee, " was confirmed from several (piarters." All the Indians with whom '^\ l> ' ii i i wi mm I \' 147 ! I these Fiiends conversed, stated their anxiety to remain whire they were, " several of Iheni showing,' by tears, as well as words, the keenness of their sensihiiily to the dangers and sufferings that awaited them in case they should be deprived of their present ])ossessi(ms." At a council held a few days after the arrival of the I'riends, it was agreed resj)ecling the delegation who had gone west to inspect lands there, offered in lieu of their present reserves, not to pay any attention to the report they might make, as they were not sent by the nation ; and also " that they would not sell the land, but would adhere to thei old treaty, by virtue of which they were to retain their present possessions, and re- main at peace with the people of the United States, as long- as the sun rose and the waters flowed." The conclusion thus come to had scarcely taken ])lace, be- fore an agent from the President came to make further offers to them on behalf of the Government, on condition of their removing to the west. After deliberating on these pro])osal8, the chiefs agreed to reject them, and liiereupon sent an ad- dress to the President, setting forth their reasons for so doing, which was signed by seventy chiefs. In this address thoy say, " We have been born and educated on this land; we have grown up together [with the whiles] in brotherly love ; we have acquired knowledge of the arts of civilization and of agriculture in a great measure from them. We have now many amongst us who have built large barns, and have good waggons and other useful implements of agriculture ; we have also built school and council-houses, and convenient churches ; we have several saw-mills and a grain-mill amongst us. Our people have already made rapid advances, and are still progressing in wealth and industry ; the moral condition of our people has been visibly improving beyond our expectation for the last forty years. True, we have also immoral and unprincipled men amongst us, but this is com- mon with all nations; there is, therefore, no sufficient reason for the whole nation to be removed on their account." L '2 Ifi 'ii 148 ^!i • i-^ ■1 ! !'! The sub-conimiltee, in closinji; tlieir report of this visit, thus exj)ies.s themselves in reference to this painful sub- ject, viz. : — " From what wo have seen and heard during this visit, we are decidedly of the sentiment, that the preservation of these ])eo])le from total extinction depends on their retaining possession of the land they now have. The offers which are said to be made to tliem in the west, however flattering in ap])earance, present to our minds a very dreary prospect. They are probably less fitted for removal to the wilds of the west than they were when Friends commenced their labours amongst them. They have ac(iuired too many of the wants, and too i'ew of the habits of civilized life to be removed, without the most disastrous consequences, to an uncultivated wilderness. It appears to us that our duty is a plain one; that we ought to exercise such influence as we ])ossess to induce them to hold fast their present possessions ; to im- prove themselves and their land as rapidly as possible, and to become, not only a civilized, but a Christian community. If tliey should be induced to accede to the flattering offers which are so industriously presented to their view, a few more fleeting years will probably join their name and me- mory with those which are no longer known, except on the historian's ])age." Although the Indians on the reservations in question had repeatedly and very decidedly expressed themselves against an exchange of their lands for others on the western frontier, yet in the early part of 1838, another commissioner, vested with powers to negociate a treaty with them, came amongst them for that purpose, and through the artifices and bribery of some interested persons, a treaty was obtained under cir- cumstances that afforded strong reasons for suspecting its integrity. Far the larger number of chiefs remonstrated against this treaty, but the commissioner persisted in calling it a valid contract. Soon after this transaction the Indians, having great con- ii. 'i^l V In! I fidcncc ill tljc integrity of Friends, addressed tlie eonnnilteo C.I Indian aflairs, setting forth in detail the circutnstaiu'cs of the case, and entrcptinj.? I'riends to intercede on tlieir behalf with the Governnient against such an nnjust measure. " liro- thers," say these })oor ])e()|>(e to I'riends in tiwir trouble, " our hearts are pained, theiefore we remember you, and aim to let you know our distress. Our necessities induce us to ask assistance of (jur f'lends." Tlu! couunitti'o beinij satisfied that this ))relciide(l treaty had been ext(»rted from the majority of those who had signed it by fraudulent means, ami that by far the larger ])ortion of this i)eo))le were averse, upon any terms, to the dis]»osal of their lands, were induced to address a remonstrance to the [^resident and Congress respecting it ; and also aj)- poinled four of their number to proceed to Washington, in company with a deputation from the Indians, with a view of rendering them assistance in stating their case to tlu; fJovern- ment. In the prosecution of their labours, the Friends had several intervievN s with the President, Secretary of War, and other members of the Government, to whom they communi- cated information of the manner in which this treaty had been obtained, and declared their sense of the injustice ol" the measure, and the evil effects which must inevitably result to the Indians if carried into execution. The Senate in its deliberations on this treaty made many changes, and indeed so remodelled it, as virtually to annul many of its provisions. Several new articles were also intro- duced, and in this altered form it was to be again submitted to the Indians for their approval, which took ])lace in the eighth month, 1838. In this second attempt to get a treaty with the Indians, it was agreed that the}' should not be seen in general council as heretofore, but each tribe and band separately : this new course there is no doubt was taken with a view to its easier accomplishment. And by these and other unrighteous means, similar to those used on the former occasion, a document, I ■ 'i;. :-!:; 150 !!l, signed by some of the Indians, was procured, and called a duly ratified treaty. The President being made acquainted with the particulars of this case, pronounced the treaty, on the opening of the following session of Congress, to be an illegal contract, inasmuch as it had not received the assent of the Seneca nation in the manner directed by former reso- lutions of the Senate. After a long discussion, however, that body, acting, it is clear, under an influence adverse to the iust claims of these ])oor, ap])arontly proscribed natives, decided by the casting vote of it*-' presiding member, that it was a valid contract, and recommended its various pro- visions to be carried into execution. The effect of this decision of the Senate increased the alarm and heightened the distress of the Indians ; but never- theless they still clung to the hope that the; should be able to ward off the calamity which threatened them, either through the more favourable disposition of the new adminis- tration and Senate of 1840, or by an appeal to the supreme court of the United States. In their communications to the committee at various times, ihey thus speak in reference to their injuries, viz.: — " Biothers, we continue to feel relative to the treaty as we have ever felt. We cannot regard it as an act of our nation, or hold it to be binding on us. We still consider that in justice the land is at this time as much our own as ever it was. We have done nothing to forfeit our right to it ; and have come to a conclusion to remain upon it as long as we can enjoy it in peace. We trust in the Great Spirit: to Ilim we submit our cause. " Brothers, we are in trouble ; we have been told that the President has ratified a treaty by which these lands are sold from our possession. We look to you, and solicHj'our advice and your sympathy, under the accumulating difficulties that now surround us. We feel more than ever our need of the help of the Great and Good vSpirit to guide us aright. " Brothers, we want the President of the United States to lU.; M ■ I 151 know that we are for peace, that vve only ask the posscshiou of our just rights. Wc have kept in good faith all our agree- ments with the Government. In our innocence of any viola- tion, we ask its protection ; in our weakness we look to it for justice and mercy. We desire to live upon our lands in peace and harmony. We love Tonawanda. It is the residue left us of the land of our forefathers. We have no wish to leave it. Here are our cultivated lields, our houses, our wives and children, and our fin.'sidcs — and here we wish to lay our bones in peace." In the early part of 1841 two members of the committee visited Washington, and had interviews with several mem- bers of Congress upon the subject, and succeeded in obtain- ing an assurance from some members of the Government, that the treaty and the circumstances attending its procure- ment should be closely investigated, and just and humane measures pursued in relation to it. 1'hese assurances, in connexion with the fact that the instrument as amended by the Senate had not received the assent of two-thirds of the senators present, which the laws of their constitution require to authonze its ratification, but had only passed by the cast- ing vole of the Vice-president, and also that no appropriation had been made by the House of Representatives for carrying it into effect, gave Friends a hope that its ultimate execution would yet be averted. This, however, we regret to say, has not been realized. In 1842 the land-speculators, who had taken such unrighteous modes of endeavouring to enrich themselves at the expense of the weak and defenceless, seeing, as we suppose, that the probabilities were that the exertions of Friends would be instrumental in setting aside the pretended treaty of 1838. agreed to compromise the matter bv proposing a supplementary treaty, by which two out of the four valuable reservations of this people should bo ceded. The following extract from the last Indian report of the Philadelphia committee, in addition to some details re- lating to this circumstance, also coiUains some interesting i '• f!' 1*^ 4i 'ti ; i, f 'X ' ;i i: ^1 1 •.!1 11 v; ^■J hi ™ ■ I !!■ 152 particulars of the exertions of Friends of that Yearly Meeting for the good of this section of our fellow-men. Extract from Indian Report of 1843. " It is a subject of deep regret that the measures above detailed have been so far completed, as to preclude all prospect of advantage from any interference on our part. The valuable reservations at Buflf'alo and Tona- wanda must now lie alienated from their riglitful owners, and the Indians residing upon tlieni removed to new locuvtions. It has recently been stated by the natives, that a part of those on the Buffalo reservation are likely to emigrate west of the Mississippi, and others are expected to remove to the Alleghany reservation. Those on the Tonawanda lands, it is said, design going to Canada. " During tlie past year our friend Robert Scotton has continued atTune- sassah, endeavouring to promote the welfare and improvement of the natives ; and it is satisfactory to learn through him, that they have used very considerable efforts to promote temperate habits among themselves, and to prevent the use of spirituous liquors as a drink ; and that a number who, a few years ago, were common drunkards, have become sober men. A school, taught by a native, has been kept open a considerable part of the year at Cold Spring, and attended generally by about seventeen children, who appear to ])e making ca reasonable progress in their learning. A school, taught by a female, has been for some time kept at Old Town, and one taught by a native, near Jimmeson Town, both under the care of the missionaries. We have had frequent occasion to regret the disadvantages which the Indians sustained, by permitting the whites to settle on their land. This has been encouraged or coimived at by the natives, in the hope of obtaining a profit from the lands without having to labour for it. At a council held at Cold Spring in the 6th month last, the chiefs signed a notice to all the white people residing on their reservation, to remove before the 1st of the ensuing 11th month; with information, that in case of neglect or refusal, application would be made to the Secretary of War to enforce the law in the case. In the 9th month, the Indian agent visited the settlement by order of the Secretary of War, to procure the removal of the white inhabitants ; and in consequence of these measures, many of them accordingly left the Indian lands, and the sheriff of the county had orders to remove the rest. Since then we are informed that those people have all left, except such as hav;^ saw-mills. In the autumn of last year, tho bottom lands on the Alleghany river, which comprise the chief part of what the Indians there cultivate, were again overflowed, ond a large portion of their provisions, both for themselves and their stock, was either swept 153 away or otherwise destroyed. Tlie winter proved an unusually long and hard one, and the supplies of provender in that section of the country were generally small. Many of the Indian families were either totally destitute of food, or possessed of very inadequate supplies, and the Friend residing at Tunesassah was authorized to inspect and relieve their wants, lie accordingly purchased and distributed among them 12(>0 bushels of \wtii- toes, 647 bushels of oats, and COO bushels of corn ; and there is reason to believe that these timely supplies were in some instances the means of pre- serving both them and their cattle from perishing by want. Since then, he has been further directed to procure and hand to them such supplies of grain and potatoes as may l)e necessary to enable tliein to put in their usual spring crops. The aiil thus furnished to these poor destitute people was received with evident marks of gratitude, and their feelings are in part ex- pressed in a letter to the committee, dated ' April 3rd, 184;j,' written by an Indian, and signed by nine of the chiefs, from which the following is extracted : — " ' To the Friends, Quakers of Philadelphia, "'Our brother, Robert ycotton, is now about to return home, and we liave great cause to be in gratitude, and thankful to you, whom the Great Spirit has used as his instruments to relieve the needy, that they may become as a people in the community. It is now rising forty years since your benevolence has been extended over us, endeavouring every opportunity to assist us, as well as showing us the way to be happy in this life and in that to come.' After speaking of some other matters, they add — ' And likewise, as you have authorized him (Robert Scotton) to provide sustenance this winter for the poor Indians living upon this re- servation, it is very much the state of our minds to be very thankful both on the part of him (R. S.) and you, by whom lie was sent ; and above all, we offer our gratitude to God for his mercies, and ti.e kindness we have received from the hands of you, his people.' " The uncertain tenure by which these people hold their lands, and the persevering efforts which have been made to remove them west of the Mississippi, have for several years operated very unfavourably upon them, and greatly discouraged the improvement of their property. The arrange- ment recently made, though far from securing their just rights, may perhaps permit them to remain undisturbed for a few years ; and we apprehend this opportunity ought to be embraced, for renewed efforts to promote their improvement and further acquaintance with the arts and habits of civilized life. If they could be brought to practise more regular and persevering industry, to adopt improved modes of agriculture, to erect more comfortable buildings for themselves and cattle, than many of them now have, and to 1 f I:,l> 4 ii i. 1 7 151 I '''-\- ■■! K introduce more cleanliness and comfort into their habitations, we might reasonably hope that their attachment to home, and the fear of the priva- tions incident to a new and wilderness location, would secure them against future solicitations to part with their remaining pittance of land. They ha i'e strong claims upon our sympathy and commiseration, as an injured and oppressed people, struggling against a powerful opposition ; and we trust that the minds of Friends will continue to be tenderly interested on their behalf." II Ir PART III. Some Account of the Labours of Friends of New York Yearly Meeting, on liEiiALF of the Indians, from 17f)5 TO 1843. Although, from local circumstances, the Yearly Meeting of New York has not had the oi)]>ortunity which some of the Yearly Meetings in America have had, in extending among the Indian tribes the benefits of Christian instruction and civilization, yet it will be seen, by the following pages, that they have been engaged in this good work, althougii on a more limited scale. For many years prior to the period now under review, Friends in this part of the Union had, it appears, laboured in this interesting engagement, but we regret that our infor- mation respecting those earlier exertions in it is so very scanty. It is evident, however, that considerable pains were taken to imbue the minds of this interesting class of their fellow-beings with a sense of the value of tin; Christian religion, and that these exertions pjomoted tr.ie piety, and, in some instances; led to a full reception of Christian; ty. The following lines, wn'tr-n in much Christian Ojeling and simplicity, by some Indian women of the Stockbridge tribe to some Friends in New York, may be adduced in illustration. "A Letter from some Indian Women, where Friends HAVE endeavoured TO IMPROVE THEIR DISPOSITIONS TO- WARDS Christianity. " To Hannah Eddy, Martha Titus, Elizabeth Seaman, and our other sisters of the people called Quakers, of the State of New York, and elsewhere. '* Dear Sisters, "We lake this opportunity to inform you. we have been :<■ ! ; I :| ' ' i 156 very liappy to sec our worthy friencls, Thomas Kddy, Thomas Titus, and Gideon Seaman, who have given us good counsel, whicli do nuich good on our minds. Wc thankfully accept of their good words, for wc believe they are children of light, and the words they spoke from love. " Sisters, — We also inform you, that we and a number of our sisters of this nation, have this several years past been endeavouring to follow the good path, which leads to ever- lasting happiness, and that we experience, in degree, the love of Jesus Christ, who died lor such sinners as we are. "Sisters, — We find that these Friends, who gave us many good counsels, .nc irue men ; so we believe that you are also our true ' >'.■ f •>; in the Lord. Therefore we think you wouh' l? villini; jd hcav from ns, who, though we are poor people, c '-iV.'io'Mv -ulled by many white people squaws,) we are rejoi e-^ l \ht<l that the Friends have such love which makes n< dislirc " >n. "Sisters, — We have leligious meetings t'vire in every week, to seek aftfjr the ways of the Good Spirit, and have, at times, been comforted by Him who searcheth all the liearts." " Although we never have seen any of you, yet let us join hand in hand to serve the Lord Almighty, who is able to put such weapons in our hands, and in our minds, to with- stand all the temptations of the evil one, and that we may be able to hold out to the end, wVieu we shall join to praise our Saviour to all eternity. Faiewell." " New Stockb.ldge, 6th mo. 24th, 1797." " Elizabeth Josy. Lydia Hendrick. Signed by CATHElr^E Ql AQUACHMLT. Esther Littleman. Catherine XAtKowisguoK. Mary Taqkonnomeen. Catherine Quinney. Mary Holmes. Catherine Kawhawsquok. Margaret Quinney. Jenny Andrew. Hannah Seei'nommow". Directed to Hannah Eddv." 'liSii':' 'fl * M\'i it; >-U sir =>"/|| •1 s 157 It was not until tlie year 1795 tliat the subject of pro- moting the religious welfare and civilization of the abori- gines within the borders of New York Yearly Meeting, was taken up by the meeting at large. In this year a committee was appointed 'o unite with the Meeting for Sufferings iti the further consideration of the matter ; and a few Friends were appointed to visit the Indians, in order to obtain such a knowledge of their situation and circumstances, as to enable Friends to take the necessary steps for carrying out the concern of the Yearly Meeting. From the report made to the Meeting for Sufferings, and afterwards presented to the Yearly Meeting, it appears that the committee visited most of the Indian settlements in the State of New York. The Indians settled at Brothertown, about one hundred miles north-west of Albany, are described as consisting of about thirty-five famiies, made up from several tribes ori- ginally settled at New liondon, Narraganset, and Long Island. Thoy were ])rofessors of Christianity ; and, besides having some knowledge of the iMiglish language, several of them could read and write. Tliey were |)()ssossed of about ten thousand acres of " very fine land," and v.ere in receipt of an annuity from the American CJovernment. Their land was laid out in farmri^ from fifty to one hundred and fifty acres being allotted to each family, and they a])pear, altogether, to have made considerable advances in civilization. " We found many of them," says the report, " weightily impressed with strong desires for an improvement in religious life. They often met together on the first day of the week, and one by one gave such advice as occurred to them, and at other times read." In an interview which the committee had with them, one of them remarked, " tliat he hoped the partition wall that divided nations would be broken down, bigotry and prejudice done away, and all mankind come to live more like brothers." The committee next proceeded to the settlement of the I « 158 ,• i: I I ^ 1 'i ! ^ ' i: Stockbriclge Indians, about fifteen miles to the west of lirotliertoun. These Indians had removed from Massachusetts about ten years before. Tliey consisted of about sixty fami- lies, and were settled on a tract of " very fine land," about six miles square. Like the former tribe, they received a small annuity from Governnient. Many of them had sepa- rate farms, which, " though poorly nianaged, enabled them to live in some degree of comfort." Others were very idle, " ])ar- ticularly the young men." They are described " as generally unacquainted with the English language, and in their dress and manners uncivilized." There are, says the report, " some sober, valuable characters among them, both men and women, who, when collected together, sensibly im})ressed us, by their grave and solid deportment, that the work of reli- gion had taken hold of their minds ;" and after stating that a Presbyterian minister from New England was in the habit of residing among them during eight months of the year, the Friends go on to say, " We found among this people some who discovered scruples in their minds about fixed ])rayers, and some outward ordinances. They also discovered a jealousy about the propriety of paying for preaching, saying, a man who would take money for his advice, could not give it from his heart." " We found them," continues the report, " engaged in building u saw-mill ; and as they laboured under some considerable difficulties for want of sufficient money to go on with their work, we gave them ten pounds, and lent them twenty more. In the interview we had with the men and women of this tribe collectively, we had much comfort and satisfaction. One of them, on behalf of the rest, lamented that the great evil of drinking spirituous liquors had so much prevailed among his nation and western brothers, which had blinded many, and prevented their following the advice of Friends as they had used to do ; for which he was very sorry, as the six nations had long expe- rienced the kindness of William Penn and his children, but 159 hoped we would not be too much discouraged with respect to them." The Oneida Indians next claimed the attention of the committee. They were settled upon a valuable reservation, about twenty-four miles square, distant about four or five miles from the Stockbridge Indians. Though the most numerous tribe in the State of New York, consisting, as was estimated, of about one hundred and fifty families, they seem to have made, at this time, very little, if any progress in improvement. They were generally idle and intemperate. Their land was but little cultivated, except here and there a few patches of corn, the labour being mostly performed by the women. " On viewing the uncivilized appearance of this nation," say the Friends in tlitir report, " we felt our minds much discouraged : we had, however, a considerable number of them collected together, both men and women, and explained to them the objects of our visit." Though they had the inconvenience of an insufficient interpreter, they found that their visit " was exceedingly pleasing to the Indians," many of them appeared grateful for the attention and for the good wishes expressed by Friends : and not- withstanding the general habit of riot and dissipation, there were some, " both young and old, whose minds appeared to be enlightened, and who lamented the sorrowful situation of too many of their nation." The committee state, that some of the Tuscarora tribe of Indians were then residing in part of the Oneida reservation. Their habits and manners were very similar to those of the Oneidas. From their settlement the committee were about to proceed to that of the Onondagoes ; but understanding that they had just received their annuities from Government, and were then mostly given up to riot and intoxication. Friends were satisfied with merely sending them an address through one of their chiefs, who bore a good character, stating the object of their visit and the desire of Friends for their im- provement. nil r I > I I I 1(30 ', \. I: 1 , ! i i :-: ' ll :i''i The cornmitlce state, that at Ikotheitowii, Stockbridge, and Oneida, there were schools establislied, wliich were not, however, well conducted, and which hence stood in need of advice and assistance. From Oneida the committee ]irocceded to Cayuga, where about four hundred Indians, of dilferent tribes, were assem- bled in treaty with commissioners appointed by the American Government. Way opened for Friends to have an interview with them, which a])i)cars to have been satisfactory. The committee, in concluding their report, say : " We have often had to lament the strong attachment of the Indians to spirituous liquors, which is the ])rincipal obstacle to their civilization and agricultural im])rovcment, and we consider it of the utmost imjjortunce to })revent, by every possible means, the introduction of this article amongst them. And it is our decided opinion that it would tend greally to their advantage, could they be prevailed on to have farms allotted to each family, in order that tlicy niiglit have some idea of se])arate ]no]K'rty ; which would be likely to produce habits of in- dustry, and induce them more generally to till the ground for their support." The information thus furnished to the Yearly Meeting having obtained its solid consideration, it was thought best to refer the subject to a committi^e a]i])ointed specially for 'he purpose, with instructions to take such measures as might ipear best adapted to promote the object in view. From this time the state of the Indians obtained the close and persevering attention of Friends of this Yearly Meeting. Some of the committee ap])ear to have paid iVequent visits to the settlements, and their report to the YearlyMecting exhibits a very satisfactory progressive improvement."* In the year * Tlohert Sutcliffo, whilst travelling in America, vi.sited in 1805 the Indians in the state of New York, upon whom Friends were bestowing their kind care, and thus speaks, in reference to the advancement which, at this time, tliey had made in civilization, viz. : 1111 nir 161 1800 the Indians were visited by two Friends under religious concern, an (nigu^^cnient wliich is described as having been " very satisfactory." In 180() we lind the connnittee sngf:;csting to the 'W'arly Meeting, " tliat a fund miglit be raised so as to encourage some snitabh) Friends to go and resick" among them." This suggestion ai)i)ears to have been acted upon, and a consi- derable subscription was in consecincnce raised for the object, winch v.as also essentially j)rom(jted by the subscrijjtion of Friends in J'higland, as stated in the preceding i)art of this narrative. The liberality and encouragement extended t(^ our friends of New York are thus alluded to in a lettc mi a friend of New '^drk to ^\"illianl Dillwyn, in IHI , . We are desirous our brethren in England ma\- be satisfied that their benevolent contributions are aj)propriated in the way which ai)pears the most likely to answer their views; for without their aid we should not ]uobably have been in funds, so as to liave gone on so broad a scale as we have done." Two years after the date of this letter, we find the committee having charge of Indian affairs, thus al- ludes to the same subject : " It is but justice to observe, that " From tlio Indian village of Brotiiortown 1 came to anotlier Kcttlcmont of theirs, culled The Orchard. Many of their liabitations are formed prin- cipally of the bark of trees, attached to posts, -.viiicli are fixed in tiic ground, the roofs being also of bark ; but as it is taken off the trees in broad pieces, they contrive to make a pretty warm (hvciliiiir. A few chiefs and others have good houses of wood, well furnished; and some of the Indians, being very good workmen, and having complete sets of tools, I have seen houses of their building superior to many in 1-ugland. " As the whole of this day's journey lay amongst the; Indians, whose habitations are pretty numerous in this quarter, I had a fair opportunity of forming s"me judgment of the progress they have made in the useful arts of civilized life; and I confess it is my opinion, that many in these villages are further advanced in ihis respect, and enjoy more of the comforts of life, than many of the inhabitants of the remote parts of Great Britain and Ireland." M ^> ^ ^^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1,0 Ifi^ IIIM I.I 1.25 2.2 1: 1^ 12.0 LA. mil 1.6 V] <^ /2 /a <?. Oi .^^ > 7 '/ /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 1i WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ) C/a m 1 m\ <i ., !i^ i ; 'I i 162 the liberality of our brethren in England has been sensibly felt, as thereby the committee has been enabled to extend its views, and enlarge the sphere of its usefulness to this peoi)le." In pursuance of the arrangement for the settlement of some Friends amongst the Indians, the committee in 1807 ap- pointed a Friend who expressed a willingness to engage in that service, who was accompanied by his family. In the rc])ort for that year, the committee slate, " Tliere are two schools at Stockbridge, taught by their own people. At lirothertown there arc also two, one of which is taught by a white man, and the other, for the females, by an Indian woman, and many of the children at both places have made considerable advances in school learning. At Oneida there is as yet no school, but the subject of establishing one is under consideration." In the minutes of the com- mittee we find a reference from time to time to the satisfactory results of the labours of the Friend residing at Brothertown. One of his sons became usefully engaged in leaching a school. In the year 1 809, a Friend and his wife, with the approba- tion of the committee, went to reside among the Oneidas, to instruct them in agricultural and do.nestic concerns ; and the necessary farming-stocks and implements of husbandry were forwarded for their use. In the report of the Friends, appointed to visit the Indians in the year 1809, we find the following interesting statement, concerning the Onondago tribe, who, it may be remembered, were described in the report of 1795, as being peculiarly de- praved and dissolute. " On reaching the settlement, which is about thirty-three miles from Oneida, we had an opportunity with them (the Indians) ; all of us sitting on the grass, which was thought more convenient than meeting in the house. " The natives appearbetter clothed than the Oneidas. They 1^«ir I '«! 163 received us very courteously, and we had a satisfactory time with them, which was greatly increased when wc were in- formed, not only by themselves, but the interpreter, that they had totally retrained from the use of ardent s])irits i'ur about nine years, and that none of the natives will touch it. 'J'liev spoke of the Great Spirit and its divine intluence, with as much perspicuity as perhaps could be conveyed in anv language." The tbllowing letter, signed by lour of their chiefs, ad- dressed to Friends in iHll, will, wc think, Ijc read with interest : " Friends and Brothehs, " We liavc lieard from your council-fire once more ; we liave lieard that you wanted to know whetlier the Onondagocs had left off the use of .strong drink or not. Brothers, we have left off some time ago. You told us to Note. — In connexion with this sketch of tlie labours of Friends of New York Yearly Meeting, the following extract from a letter written hy .Juscj)li Frost, soon after a visit which he paid to some of the Indians in tlie state of New York, dated the lOtli of 5tii month, 1812, is, we think, well worthy of a perusal. " The more I consider the subject the more important it appears to me. The concern of Friends, I reverently believe, sprung from tluit love which breathes peace and good will to all men. Some of us only hearing of this, it may have produced in us pitiful desires, and u willingness to do them good ; and while we endeavour to promote their happiness, we may make them more miserable. I think i know by experience, that by visiting them in their destitute situation (comparable to white people) it has produced in me a willingness to do that for them, which, I have since seen, would have been to their disadvantage at present. I find it requires tiie wisdom of the serpent to learn their dispositions, and know what they can l)ear ; and the harmlessness of the dove, to make a right application. I feel tlie need of more strength and wisdom to direct me when I go among them, tiu'reforo I desire Friends may not depend much upon me; great care is needful (it seems to me) lest things are crowded upon them faster than they can bear, and by doing much for them they depend on it, and so not help themselves." M 2 i . 164 ' i ! leave oflT: tho Great Spirit told us to leave off: we have listened to his voice. There are some tliat visit us t'roin tlie Oneidas that drink; we think they will leave oft' by our f;ood advice. " Brotliers. We are in want of cattle, chains, ploughs, and all kinds of fanning ukonsils: yon have told us that you would help us ; we were glad to hear you were willing to hi'lj) us. " IJrothers. We are in want of Idacksniiths, carpenters, and other mechanics ; we want to learn our childi'cn to woriv ; we have openi'd our eyes — we now see (iiat we must work. We aic willing to work ; we begin to raise wlieat, and will do moic if we can get iu-ip. " Hrothers. A part of our tribe lives at IJuffalo. They are of the same mind with us : we all agree. " We wish, if you will help us to oxen and farming utensils, that you ■would siMid them on as soon as you can, as we are much in want. You will find us of tlie same mind as we were when you were here : we hope to hear fiom yon soon. " Hrothers. W(! respect you, and wish you all well: rcnn nber us at your great council. We look to you as our friends." The following extract, from a short statement of the labours among the Indians, drawn up in 1813 by Friends of New York, will best exhibit the care and attention, which the committee bestowed upon the important object entrusted to them. " By the reports of the Friends ajjpointed from time to time to visit the different tribes, it appi'ars, that although considerable endeavours have been used to promote the improvement of the Stockbridge and Brother- town tribes, and a family of J'riends has resided several years at the latter place, and applied themselves with diligence to the service for %vhich they were selected, these tribes have not improved equally with the others, considering their previous progress, the care which has been extended to them, and the time that has elapsed since it was first exercised, principally owing to the vicinity of white inhabitants, and the consequent facility of procuring spirituous liquors; they have, however, made considerable I)rogress in agricidture, and the Stockbridge women have latterly taken much interest in a spinning-school established amongst them, and made rapid progress in that branch of industry so useful to them, and so im- portant to their advancement in civilized life; and hopes are cherished, that beneficial effects will result to the Indian youth, from the schools which have been for a long time kept up in these tribes. -Ml I ber us at I do " During the time tliat our utttMiliim was princ ipally cnufiiu'd to tlio Hro- thortowu aud Stt)C'liljri(l;;t' trilii's, I'licmls ot' tli'- Yearly Mrctiii;,' ut" IViiu- sylviiuia liad'^jiviMi cousidiTalilf aid to tlic Oneida trilie, and •icveral Friends iutorestcd in tlieir welfare liad resided aiiuiULjst tlioin, for tlio purpos*! of i)r()nu)tin!,' tiieir ai,M-iniltural and ;,n'neral improvement ; l)ut after cou.sideraiilc exertions tor tiieir jienetit, l-'riends of Pi^nnsyivania found it expedient to withdraw tiieir tare and attention; tiie Uin'idas afterwards expressed renewed de-ires for I'riends" a— istanee, and as tliey wei'e more iinnu-diately in our neiuidiourliood, ami the I'riends of Penn- sylvania had extended their caic to several more reiiune western trihes, it appeared proper tiiat we should inspect into llieir situation. Tin* Oneida tribe afterwards formed themselves into two parties, and nuub' a flivision of their land; one was called the Christian partv, in consequence of their having attached themselves to a missionary, who hail for a long time resided in the tribe, and the otlier was called the I'agan party, and as there appeared to be the greatest probability of oui- liein.,' useful to the latter, from their being particulai'ly desirous of our as^i>taiu'e, a t'amilv ot' I'j-iends was j)laced there, whose counsel and attention havt' been very usi'tui to the Indians. A school for the instruction of their ymith, was some time since opened, and latterly exteiK^ed to ])romotetlh' improvement of th 'ir feimiles in sninn in''. 'I'he Oneidas ,iave beconu' much interested in the cultivatit in of their laiul, and their improvements in husbandry, and increasingly sober habits, havi iven pecidiar satisfaction. "The committee hav," re 'ently fidt much interested for the Onondairoe tribe, who, having tor some vears jiast relinqnislieil the use of ardent h\ 1 s|)irits, aiul t)i'conu' sober and incbistrious, reipiested the assistance of Friends: they have accoi-dii.gly been siij)plied with oxen and t'arming utensils, and their agricultural inqirovemeut and advancement in civili- zation liave been the most rapid of any of the tribes." By a statistical account piiblislicd in 1^13, it ii])|Hars that the nnniber of individuals coinposinj^ the iour triht's luidcr the cave of New ^'ork Frii'uds, was one thousand lour hun- dred and sixty-seven, who possessed in their own territory, four thousand two hundred and fifty acres of improved land. The ])roduce of iheir land lor the year jirecedino- lliis datt', is slated to be live thousand and tucnly bushels of w heat, ten thousand nine hundred and ihirty bushels of Indian corn, seven hundred bushels of rye, one thousand eij^lit hun- dred and sixty bushels of oats, two hundred and ninety tons of hay, besides large quantities of potatoes, ])ease, beans, t J ..-I'-^J A ■ I • ir.( I 1 IT; 1i ,H ! ) ; ) '■ m I ' -I* ii.i f* ! iP 1.; P m I fit Si ^lii 1()0 and other vegetables ; a small portion however of this pro- duce, it is said, vvas " raised on shares by white people." Their stock consisted of one hundred and eiglity-seven milch-cows, eighty-one horses, one hundred and eight oxen, two hundred and fifty-live young cattle, one hundred and eighty-four sheep, and a great number of swine. They had thirty framed houses, thirty-one framed barns, three grist- mills, and four saw-mills ; the remainder of their buildings were made of logs and bark. In addition to this, they had a considerable stock of implements of liusbandry, sledges, carts, and waggons. In the Brothertown tribe, which con- sisted of three hundred and two persons, it appears they had twenty-one ploughs, seventeen sledges, three carts, and three waggons ; and their niechanics, four carpenters, two blacksmiths, four shoe-makers, two tailors, and five weavers. They had manufactured in one year about three hundred and twenty yards of woollen, and six hundred of linen cloth, 'i'hey ])ossessed five looms, and were generally sup- plied with wool and flax spinning-wheels, with axes, hoes, scythes, &c. The rejiort of the Indian committee in the year 1815, ma- nifested the continued care of Friends in this labour of love. It is as follows. Indian Report, 1815. " AVo liavo continued our attention to the trust confidocl to us ; and the tribes under our notice, excepting one, have been visited by some of our number, from whose report we are enabled to give a summary account of their condition. Xo material change appears to have taken place iu the Brothertown tribe, (except that improvements have been made by the erection of several barns,) but, as heretofore, some are sober and indus- trious, and otliers the reverse. " Tlie same remiiric is applicalile to the men of the Stockbridge tribe Tlie soutli settlement of tiie Oni'ida t.ibe affords encouragement by their improvement in agriculture; and it is hoped that the injury to their morals, produced by the jmrt which they and the other tribes took in the late war, will gradually be retrieved ; for it was a satisfaction to remark that their young men manifested less disposition to enter into the army than the elder chiefs, and their stay was not long. The school is continued at Bro- :ti 167 thertown, and one whh taught for some time in the summer at Oneida by a youn;^ Frioiid of tho nrighbourliood, but hi".s since l)t'»'n discontinut'U. '• Sutisfiictory ini[)rov(Miu'nt continues to be made by the 8tockbridge and Oneida women in spinning; in each of these tribes a school for tlieir instruction liius been kept, and tho committee have rendered tlieir assist- ance in making compensation to tho teachers, and in furnishing additional quantities of wool and tlax, and a number of spinning-wiieels. " The Onondagoe tribe was not visited, on account of tue al)sence of thoir interpreter, and in consequenct' of the small-pox having been introduced from the army, and being very prevalent amongst them, when the commit- tee were in that neighbouriiood. " There being reason to appreliend that it would spread in the Oneida and Stockbridge tribes, the committee judged it would comport with the bene- volent views of Friends to endeavour to preserve them from the ravages of tliis malady, and concluded to have them innoculated with the cow-pock ; which, after considerable difficulty, occa8ioned by their prejudice against it, was effected, and about a tlioussind individuals were vaccinatetl. The Onondagoes were by some other means innoculated with the small-pox." Two years later, in the epistle from New Yvirk to our Yearly Meeting in 1817, the subject is thus briefly and en- couragingly adverted to: "Our committee, appointed to aid and encourage the different tribes of Indians resident within this state, have given us a satisfactory acccoiuit of tlieir progress in agricultural pursuits and domestic economy." The following portion of an address delivered by an Oneida Indian chief, to some Friends who visited this tribe in 1819, with a view to counsel and instruct them, and en- courage them to still further advancement, is a proof of the grateful sense which this people entertained for the labours which had been bestowed upon them by our New York Friends, more particularly those which related to their spi- ritual good. The openness many of them evinced to hear and be taught of the doctrines of true religion, presents a pleasing feature in the work of Indian improvement. " Brothers, it is impossible for us to express the gratitude we feel for the friendship which you have manifested towards us, and for this we raise our hearts and hands by way of !•' i '. f I ! i ,. ■■ i II . ■! i. im 168 thanlisgiving to Him who dwells in the realms of light and glory. " We also feel ihaiiliful to the Great and Good Spiiit for the good cMJiinsel you have given us as relates to our tem- ])oral eoncerns, wliich we hope to ])Ut in practice. We feel more es])ecially thankful for the counsel you gave us, when you s])ol<e of the kingdom of (iod, a ])ure kingdom. Your words gladdened our hearts ; we believe with you, that there is such a kingdom, where all the good of all nati(ms will meet together, and where no wicked will come. W^e believe wiih you one God made all nations, and wants all to be happy. Brothers, the kindness you and your Society have long manifested to us ])oor Indians is remembered with warm hearts. We look up to yoji as our friends ; we want our warmest respects to be given to our brethren the com- mittee in New York, and tell them their kindness in leading us by the hand, and the good counsel we have received shall not stop here, but we shall convey it to the Seneca nation." The accounts from time to time received respecting these Indians were generally highly satisfactory, notwithstanding some discouraging circumstances whicii hindered the good work in view, llie most obstruclive of which was their relish for ardent s])irits, which were readily su])plied to them by the while traders. In 18'21, however, a fresh dif- ficulty arose, in the attempts which were then made for their removal to the distant and uncultivated wilds of the western frontier. These attempts produced much unsettlement in the minds of the Indians, which greatly retarded their im- provement. The subject is thus alluded to in the New York Epistle of 1821 to our Yearly Meeting: "Though still in- terested in the welfare of the aborigines of this country, we regret that we have it not in our power to furnish a more pleasing account of their improvement. The tribes under our immediate care have been lately much unsettled, in a if m 109 great measure by inducements which have been held out to iheni to leave their fertile lauds and remove far to the west. How far these inducements may prevail is vet to be known. We still cherish the concern for their improvement, and lind by the report of our connnitlee on this intt-'reslinfj; and be- nevolent object, that they are makiuf,' j)rof;ress in civilization and a knowledge of the useful arts, and that many of them abstain from the use of ardent spirits." A report of the ])r()C(!edings of their connuiltee was again forwarded to our \'early Meeting in lH->.'} ; by this report it will be seen, that the false rei)resenlations and other modes adopted by the whites lor their reuujval to the west, had so far prevailed in unsettling them, that some of them at this period entertained the prospect of speedily quitting their native soil. The report is as follows : Indian Rr.POUT, l«2ri. " In nttpiuling to the concern connnitted to our charge, the four tribes under the care of the Yearly Meeting liavc been visited by some of our number; and although some of the natives are in rather an unsettled state, and looking towards removing their habitations, yet it appears that others are industrious and attentive to agricultural improvements. "In tiie IJrothertown tribe considerable advances have l)een made herein, as also in domestic manufactures, aii<l there has been an increased attention to keeping sheej) and otiier stoclc, making their own doth, i iclosing their lands with better fences, erecting buildings, iVc. ; which ini] ■; • -ments have been promoted by small rewards for industry, paid out of t' 'ir annuity. This tribe consists of sixty men and seventy-five women, besides children. Two schools are taught in this tribe, which appear to be under good regu- lation, and one in the Stockbridgc tribe; in which tribe there is also a con- siderable number of framed houses and barns, and some farms well fenced and under good cultivation. " In families where the men are sober and industrious, they are in the plentiful enjoyment of the comforts of civilized life ; others less sober and industrious are consequently needy. " It was recommended to this tribe to persevere in manufacturing their own apparel, as at Brothertown ; which the sober and industrious amongst them are very desirous to adopt. And it appearing that the disposal of their annuity is, by a late act of the legislature, confided to the agents ! ♦ yTj .'l»' 170 uppuiuteil by (iuveriiiuuiit to rucuive uiid pay, it ih hupud that thiu cliuiige in tlu> appropriation of their i'linds will ciialili; each to ohtaiii liiH o([uitalile proportion, and tend to draw tlu'ni oil' from tla-ir wandering liahitH, wliicli Ifiid to poverty and vice. " The Ont'ida trilie, being tho lurgoHt, consists of about one thousand one hundred and fifty individualM, soinc of whom hav(> niado consid<>rablu ini- provenuMits iu agriculture, and a few of them havo inclusud hirge farms, and improved them, uo as to produce in great plenty. In this tribe there is a school taught on the Tianouiterian plan, and two Indian youths are learning the blacksmith business. " Tlie Committee has a Friend and liis wife residing with tlie Onoiubigoe tribe, and as h(> is a blacksmith, and his wife a weaver, it is hoped tlieir services will be useful. The principal nu-n appear to be disposed to pro- mote the views of Friends, and to dissuade their young men from liabits of intemi)erance; tliey were encouraged and advised to wait on the Great Spirit, to dwell in his fear, tiiat lu? might give them wisdom to bring up their cliildreii aright, to train them in habits of industry and the cultivation of their land. They having concluded to promote the cultivation of fiax, wen! also encouraged to procure sheep, aiul manufacture cloth; and it was satisfactory to oliserve that tliey appeared disposed to accpiiro tlie know- ledge of the most useful meciianit arts. " The care of l-'riends, and tiie continued interest they have manifested were, in the different tribes, gratefidly acknowledged ; and as they place an implicit confidence in the SoiMet y, there ain)ears to l»e still a prospect of usefulness in attending to this deeply injured j)eople." From this period the removal of most of the Indians in the state of New York began ra])idly to take ])lace, and the labours of Friends for promoting their Christian instruction and civilization were in consequence gradually reduced to a very limited sphere of action. In 1831 their Yearly Meeting thus adverts to the subject : " The concern of this Yearly Meeting for the improvement of the Indian natives within its limits, has, we regret to say, made no ])rogress during the last year. The vohmtary retnoval of nearly the whole of the remains of several of the tribes under our care, to remote situations in the west, and the retention of the funds appro- priated to Indian civilization, by those who have separated from Friends, prevented our committee from taking any active steps in the concern. Our sympathies for these injured iimi W.W 171 ah()rif,'inrs of our country liavo I)0(mi dccjily excited, in com- mon with (jtlu r (Mirisiian socii'lics, hy tin- measures of our govcMiiinrnl ; and allliou|;li llicse sympalliies seem to have been unavailing, \vu trust that uur society, as ability is aflbrded, will not cease to aid and instruct them ; and we unite wit!) you in the belief, that the incidcation of the truths of Christianity, is a primary and important step in the promotion of their civilization and welfare." From this time to the year 1H;}7, we do not find in tlie epistles received fronj New ^'ork ^ early Meeting any allu- si(m to the subject. It does not, however, a])])ear to have been lost sight of, and in 1887 it again engaged the attention of their ^'early Meeting ; and we are informed that at this period arrangements were in progress, to obtain a more inii- male and correct knowledge of the situation and circum- stances of the tribes who had removed to new settlements, west of the Mississi])pi. In order n)ore satisfactorily to eflect this, a correspondence was o])ened by the Indian com- mittee with several of the other Yearly Meetings, ])r()))osing, that they shoidd co-oi)erate with Friends of New ^'ork in this object. The following extract from the re])ort of the New York Committee, in 1S89, sulliciently explains their view. Indian Heport, KlUiJ. " Tlie connnittee on the concern of the society for the improvement and instruction of tlie Indian natives in their new locations west of tlie Missis- sippi, in order to carry into eflect the views of the Yearly Meetiiij,', has cor- responded with committees of the Yearly Meetipf,'s of New Kiifrjand, Haiti- more, North Carolina, Ohio, and Indian;», on this important and interesting subject, by which, and by the Kpi-tles from those Y'early Meeting's, there api)ears to be a disposition on their part to act in concert with the several Yearly Meetings of Friends on this contiiu'nt, in forminj,' some jilan foi' the Ixniefit of the Indians, comprising a population of about two hundred thousand of those originally resident there, and of eighty-eight thousand removed and about being removed west of the Mississijjpi. " When it is considered how great a body of Indians is collected on the frontier of the United States, suffering under long-continued and recent injury, and the keen sense of compulsory expatriation ; and how these •♦1 1 i ' 1 ■-■• 1 .J, » n I 'roi \ f| t I7-.» i'lM'liii^'snro likoly tu liu incrt'iiNtMl, Ity tlio iirtificfH of (Ifttif^tiin^r men ainiind tli«>tii to Ntiiinilati' till-Ill tn violi'iici', u <laii;ri>i- wliicli in iiituli lici^rlitciiiil liy tlicii- love of iiitiixiijitiii;; liiinors ; ami liow liy tln'Hi« means tlicy an- lialilo tu lie ilrawii into siiiMcn actn ot° liosiilitv, wliicli may ili'\astatc liiiiKlri'ds of niiloH of tlic tVoiitiiT coiiiitry, prodiici- tlic massacii' of u j,'rrat nimilH'r of wliit<!N, and lead tu tlif t'Xtcriniiiatioii of tin- Imliaii |io|)iilatioii. and that tllf Society of i''rieiids |ios.seN.ses tlie ('oliti<Ienee of llie Inilians, and the favoiirahh' ojiinion of llie president of tiie I'liiteil States, and tlie depart- ment of war, as was evinced diiriii>( the late lionevoleiit exertions of I'riends of I'hiladelpiiia Yearly Meeting;, on liejialf of the Seiiei'as and other Indians in this state, the eoniniittee coiisidi'rs it to he iiiciimheiit on the Society at lar^'e to exert that inlliienee in a ^^eneral and united action in advi<'e and assistance to the lixiian trihes. " It is proposed that the cominittees of the several Yearly Meetings a<loi)tiiif^ the measure, shall have an aj^ent, or a;,'ents, as their pecuniary means may admit, residin;^ at the central seat of Indian ;,roveriiment, who shall acijnirt; their coiitideiice, so as to hecoine advised of all their desij,'ns and movements, and use their exertitms to prevent their assuniiiij^ a hostile attitude, so much to he drca«led; to he present at the councils of the individual trihes, and at the meetiiiL,' of their federal ^n>\'ei niiient, and to endeavour to infuse a mild and ^'entle spirit into all their niovenients, hy incnlcatiiif^ the iieacealde doctrines of the (iosp«'|, and to aid in promoting their literary instruction, agricultural im]iroveiiient, and civilization ; to endeavour to eradicate their taste tor intoxicating lii[uors, and prevent their heing fuinished with them hy the whites, contrary to the wishes of the United States (lovernment. " 'I'lie design is of a geiieial character, to taUe, as far as may he expe- dient, the supervision of the trihes within the limits of the Unitt'd States, west of the Mississippi, hut not to interfere with the movements of individual Yearly Mi-etings, any farther than they may request a co- operation. Wo are of the opinion that great and durahle good may be eifected, without a heavy expenditure or great labour to Friends, and that it has become the solemn and responsible duty of the Society to take upon itself this charge." The ro]ioit, ihen, coucliulcd with a proposal to tlie Yearly INIeeliiif;. to raise one thoiisaiul dollars in liirlheraiice of the ohjeet, which the Nearly Meelin},' approved, and accor- dingly retpiesled the (Quarterly Meetings to open a sub- scription for this benevolent purpose. Hitherto we find that the efforts in furtherance of the con- i > 1. V 173 ccrn of \(Mv "S'ork ^■cnl•ly Mccliiif?, in rcroronor !o tho cx- tiMisi\t' (idd of Ial)<)iir which now seems oncniiif,' bcloic th'-ni, union^' the nunieious Indian |)o|>uhilion west of the Missis- sippi, have been eonlined to preparatory nieasines only, these ])reparatory tneusnres hein^? nevertheless of a very important character. It do<'s not appear that way has yel opened lor an\ other Nearly Meeting', e\ee|.( thai ol' N<'\v l',nn;l;ui(l, to eo-operate with that of N(;\v ^ (trk in this imporlanmio\emenl; arising ])rol)al»ly from the; circumstance that some of them are still cmployc'd in promotinjj; the welfare of the Indians yet remaining; within their l)ord(!rs ; and that the ^ early Meet- ings of ^Maryland, Ohio, and Indiana, have, for some years l)ast, been actively engaged in the cause of the Indians who Ijave emigrated to tiie western frontier. In ordir to determine tlu; coinse most advisabh; to be jnirsued for the advancement of this noble enterprise, a correct linowledge of the sitnation and condition of these lndian.s became necessary. Willi a view to obtain this informa- tion, two l-'riends in the station of ministers, .lolin I). Lang and Samuel Taylor, jun., both of New England, and l'"riends, under an a])])rehension of religious duty, oU'ered themselves for this work, and met with the full concurrence of their friends. Some interesting information, in relation .'tf) their visit wc gave in a recent Aborigines' publication and in the last epistle which our Nearly Meeting received from that of New York, dated 'i:Jrd of fifth mo. 1842, the subject of the im))ortant mission of these two Friends is thus s]K)kcn of: "Our solicitiule for the improvement of the Indian tribes that have been removed west of the Mis- sissippi river, is still warndy felt. IJy the re]>ort of our conunittee to whom this subject is confided, it ap])ears that, acting in conjunction with a committee of New lingland ^ early Meeting, the services of two suitable I'riends, who have felt concerned to go amongst them, have been ac- cepted ; and the time is drawing near when they arc '♦' J /V ' r'i. :';! ! I ::':r 174 expected to enter upon their labours. They will ])robably visit all the tribes that have been removed I'rorn their homes, and remain amongst them a sutficient length of time to ascertain their situation and their wants ; which will furnish an opportunity to offer such counsel as their circumstances may seem to require, and to collect such additional informa- tion as, it is hoped, will assist us in determining the mode of relief which their case demands." Our valued friends, ,Tohn D. Lang and Samuel Taylor, Jun., soon after this ])roceeded on their arduous engagement, and after an absence of about four months, were permiited to return to their friends in safety. A condensed statement of the result of this visit is contained in the following inter- esting report, which they made to the committees of the two Yearly Meetings in 1843. Report of the Visit of John D. Lang and Samuel Taylor, Jun., to some of the Indian Tribes located West of the Mississippi, 1843. " To the committees of New England and New York Yearly Meetings of Friends, on the concern for the Indians located west of the Mississippi River. " Dear Friends, " Having been permitted, through the goodness aiid merciful preservation of our great Care Taker, to accom- plish our journey among the Indians, we now inform you that we have visited about twenty tribes and remnants of tribes of those located on the western frontier of the United States, and have taken the following notes and observations respecting them. " At the close of New England Yearly Meeting of Friends in 1842, having consulted with several members of the com- mittee on Indian Affairs, both of New England and New York Yearly Meetings, and they having expressed their con- 175 currence in our prospect of visiting Washington at tliat time, in order to procure some documents IVoui the huhan (le])art- ment, we proceeded directly there, and had an introchiction to the Commissioner of Indian A flairs. Upon being made acquainted with our business, he received us kindly, and freely ofl'ered to furnish us with such letters and documents, signed by the Secretary of War and himself, as might be useful in facilitating our contemjdatcd visit. Whilst at Washington we jjrocured sonu; public documents and re])orts res]jecting the Indians, and returned ])vetty directly to New York. Tiiere we made some arrangements with the com- mittee preparatory to our journey, and then returned to our homes " Having made the needful prcjnirations, and having certifi- cates from the respective Meetings of which we are members, of their concurrence and unity in tiiis engagement, we took leave of our families and friends the latter part of the Kighth month, 1842. On our way we called on some of the Indian Committee of New England Yearly Meeting, and then pro- ceeded to New York ; where, having completed our arrange- ments lor the journey, we took leave of the conunittee and many other Friends, and pursued our way to Ohio Yearly Meeting. We there met with the committee on the concern for the Indians of that Yearly Meeting, heard their report respecting the Shawnese school, and made such inquiries as seemed proper respecting Yhe best mode of getting to the Mississippi River. Having a special desire to commence our journey as far north as the Winnebagoe tribe of Indians, and fearing that the boats would be impeded on account of the low state of the water in the Ohio River, it seemed most advisable to take the northern route. We accordingly tra- velled by land to Cleaveland, thence by steam-boat to Detroit, and by land across the State of Michigan to the mouth of (St.) Joseph's River. Here we look steam-boat over Lake Michigan, sixty miles to Chicago. Alter waiting one day in this place, we departed by stage for Galena and Dubuque, 176 K'ii-' crossing the Stale of Illinois, a distance of one hundred and eighty miles. We reached tiie latter place in safety, thougli much fatigued with our journey, the roads being very dry and dusty, and the weather exceedingly warm. We arrived at Dubuque early on First-day morning, the 2otli of Ninth month ; and the following evening procured a conveyance to the AViniK'bagoe Indians. On Second-day morning, we left in a waggon, travelling in a north-westerly direction about one hundred miles across a beauiiful ))rairie country to Turkey lliver. On Third-day afternoon, while sto])ping for some refreshment, about twenty-five miles distant from the Indian village, there came to the house five or six Indians in a state of intoxication, liaving procured their whiskey at a shop near by. They were very noisy, calling for whiskey, &c., and greatly annoying the peaceable settlers. The next morning, after leaving for tlie agency, we fell in with a number of companies, most of whom were intoxicated ; some of them carrying whiskey on their ponies to their villages. " On Fourth-day, the iiOth of the month, 1842, we reached the mission for the Winnebagoe tribe of Indians, and took lodgings with the sub-agent, David Lowry, where we were kindly entertained by him and his family, and every facility in their power afforded us for conferring with the Indians, as well as a readiness evinced to furnish such information as was desired. The Winnebagoe Indians. " This tribe is located north-west from Iowa territory, and west of Prairie du Chien, on land called the Neutral Ground. They are located in different parts of this land in settlements called villages. Tlicir principal one, called the Scliool Band, is near the suh-agenoy of David Lowry, on Turkey River, about one hundred miles north-west from Dubuque, and within four or five miles of Fort Atkinson. They number altogetiier about two thousand. These Indians live in rude lodges, or wigwams as they are sometimes called, built in the usual Indian style, by forcing forked sticks into the ground for posts, into the forks ot which they lay poles for plates and ribs, preparatory 177 to covering them witli oak bark. Tlio sides are either made of bnrk, mat* uiadc ofHaj,'s, or skins fastened to the phites and extending to the pround. These wigwams are from ten to twenty-five feet in length, and abo\it ten feet wide. The inside of tiie buiUling is fitted up with a sort of frame-w ork on eacii side, made of poles about two feet high and three feet wide, in- tended as a sort of bedstead, on whieli they fasten skins or mats, where they lounge and sleep, leaving a space througli the centre four feet wide. At each end there is an ajjerture or door. The fire is built in the centre, tlie smoke escaping tiuo-.tgh a hole in the tnji. " There are not unfrequently as many as tiiree or four families, amounting to twenty persons or more, occupying one of these miserable hovels. \\'hen about their homes, they live principally upon soups, nuule of wild fowl and venison, turnii)s and potatoes. They also eat an abundance of boiled corn. Some corn-bread and a very little wheat flour are used by them. " There is no regular order as to the time or manner of taking their meals. Some an; seen eating their soups outside of their wigwams, some are eating while sitting on thcur beds; while others are eng.nged in different pursuits ; and should any j)erson of another family hapiu-n to come into the lodge when hungry, he would as freely partake witl'.dut imitation as he would of his own. "The dress of the men consists nuiinly of blankets; all of them wear the waistcloth ; some use moccasins and leggins, and a few wear a calico frock or shirt. The head is generally uncovered ; a few, however, use a turban. Tlie dress of the women consists of a broad cloth skirt and blanket. Some of them wear moccasins and leggins ; the head is entirely uncovered, ex- cept tint the blanket is sometimes thrown over it for a covering, but they use no other. The dress of the large children is similar to that of the grown persons of the same sex. Most of the snuill children go naked during the warm season ; but those that attend school are clothed similarly to the white children on the frontier settlements. The greater part of the men and women wcai- ornaments, such as wampum, beads, bells, and jewellery. Most of the men paint their faces on special occasions ; sonie part of the face is painted red and some black. " The principal employment of the men consists in hunting at certain sea- fcons of the year ; and when not thus engaged, they do but very little labour of any kind, it being considered disgraceful, both by men and women, for the man to be seen at work. Much of their time is sj)ent in riding, of which they are exceedingly fond. 'Jiiey likewise spend a portion of it in ball-playing and other sports, and a considerable time is spent in loimging about in idleness. The women are generally industrious, performing the greater part of the manual labour both in the camp and on the land. They look dejected, and appear more like slaves than otherwise. Many of the N r i i * ' ' 1, I' I 178 women and children receive very severe treatment from the men in their drunken revels ; from which cause some of them are maimed. " The \\'iiiMobai,'oes have hut one school, and that is supported by the General Government, and is under the immediate superintendence of the sub-agent. There have been, during the past year, about ninety children at the scliool, some of whom have made pretty good proficiency in learning. Tlic school was vacated while we were there. We were informed that there was nnuh difficulty in getting a portion of the children to attend con- stantly, in consequence of an undue influence exercised over them by in- terested men. Tliis school may be considered as rather an interesting institution ; and, from what we could gather from the teachers, the children are as susceptible of instruction as the whites. They are taught in the English language altogether. " This tribe is governed by chiefs, who sometimes receive the office by hereditary descent ; and at others by a choice of the people ; and some- times they are appointed by the agents of the General Government. They liave some vague notions of the Deity, or Great Spirit, as He is more gene- rally called by them. They also believe in a state of future rewards and punishments, and talk about a bad Spirit. Very few, if any, have embraced Christianity. " The "Winnebagoes this year raised about 250() bushels of Indian com, besides a pretty large supply of potatoes and other vegetables, on grounds prepared by the agent of the Government near his location, by the band called tlie School Band. The annuity paid to this tribe amounts to nearly ninety tliousand dollars in money, goods, and appropriations for different purposes. Previously to their receiving it, the sub-agent collects the whole tribe, and pays over to the head of each family the amount due to them. Notwithstanding the large sum which they receive, they are still in a de- plorable and suffering condition, and fast wasting away. !Much of their misery may be traced to the treatment of some of the white people towards them. But leaving the past, and looking only to the present conduct of the white man, it is evident that unless something more effectual is done to break up the corrupt and iniquitous traffic in whiskey, as well as the fraudulent trade carried on among the Indians by some of those persons licensed by the Government, the Winnebagoes will in a few years be num- bered with the tribes that are not.* W^e were credibly informed, that in * We were inform(!d by the agent that he had registered the names of thirty-nine Indians, who had been butchered in their drunken revels among themselves, within the space of fourteen months ; and he did not doubt but that there were others who had been killed in this way, whose names had not come to his knowledge. ; i] m li 179 'f defiance of the present rigid laws, iinmediati'ly after the ii.iyinoiit of IttH, there was sold to this trihe two hundred barrels of wjiihkcy; and at the time of our being there in l)14-2, the whiskey sellers had incie;ihi'd in nuniluT one third. These whiskey dealeis and licensed traders find a strong inducement to follow up the poor Indian, from the fact that he receives so large a payment at one time. " The Indians are improvident to the last degree, and but poorly cal- culated to keep any amount of surplus property ; so that within four or five days the whiskey seller residing on the frontier, and the licensed trader who is jiermitted to vend his goo<ls among them, gt't nearly all the money. The licensed traders are numerous, and generally plant them- selves at the time the money is paid over, in the imtnediate vicinity of the place where the payment is made. They sell the Indians the most trifiing and worthless articles for an enormous profit; they are often temj)ted to buy these articles from their gaudy appearance. After the Indian has parted with his last dollar in money to the whiskey seller or licensed trader, in payment of old debts for whiskt^y, or for some of the above-men- tioned articles, (and he is always largely indebted to these dealers,) he then takes the articles he has purchased of the licensed trader to the whiskey shop, and sells them for a much less price than he gave, and takes liispay in whiskey, at ten or even twenty times the actual cost to the seller. It is no uncommon thing for an Indian, after he lias jiarted with all his money, and many other necessary articles, to barter away liis gun, ho'-se, and even his blanket, for a few bottles of whiskey. We were credil)ly informed that these whiskey shops not unfrequently hiivo large piles of blankets, and large stacks of guns, that have been taken from the poor natives for a little whiskey. " Thus we see that the poI>y of the Government, and the benevolent efforts of those who are honestly labouring among them for their good, are almost wholly defeated by the avarice of those lawless men. •' On the Sixth day of the week and the first of Tenth month, agreoaldy to a previous arrangement, we met about thirty of their chiefs and principal men in council at the agent's house. Our object in calling them together was explained by David Lowry, the sub-agent ; and tiien our certificates from our friends, and the letters, &c., from the Secretary of War addressed to the Indians, were severally read and explained to them. We then felt constrained to make a few remarks, and to extend such advice as seemed proper; after which. Little Hill, one of the chiefs, rej)lied, 'that what he had heard was veiy good, and that they had heard a ninnber of talks from their great father, the President ; and he had prumised to help them, and keep off the whiskey sellers, but he had not done it, and now it was too late. He supposed he had tried but could not ; that he N 2 (! -t 180 ii y.u„ \t\ liacl such jfit'iit iiiattcis to attend to that ho could not sec to thcii- small concerns; and now it was too hite to help thcni." " Wc then told them we did not believe it was too late for them to refrain from drinliing whiskey. \V(^ t(dd them that much tliat they com- plained of we believed to be true, and tliat the white man had wionj^ed them, but that we wished them to understand that they yet had fj;ood friends among the whites, who were grieved at the conduct of bad white men towards them ; we hoped that they would not lie discouraged, but try to do better themselves, and that wo and our broth(>rs at home were disposed to do all in our power to help them. And after making on our part some other renuirks relative to their condition, they expressed their satisfaction. Little Hill spoke to some of the elder chiefs, and, as we understood, rcfjuested them to reply to us as ho was young, and wanted some of his elder friends to make a speech. They severally said, they were well pleased with our talk but had nothing further to say. Little Hill then rose and siiook hands with us, and then commence<l speaking with us through the interpreter, young Lowry. Referring to their former condition, previous to their intercourse with the whites, he said, ' The Great Spirit had made us all, but he has made us different. Some men he made white, some he made red, and placed them at a distance one from the other. 'I'hey, the red men, lived luippy, and ho supposed the white man lived happy too. They then had no sickness nor deaths amongst them, except from old age; all their people lived to be old and white- headed. But when the white man came among them they then became sick, and died young. — The white man brought fire-water amongst them ; th(.-y supposed the white man got the wliiskoy from the bad Spirit, for surely they nev<>r got it from the good Spirit. They began to sell it to the Indians, and then their miseries commenced ; and they had become reduced and could not refrain from drinking, so long as the white man sold it to them, and now they despaired of ever being any better, and the only way for them to bo made bettor was to keep the whiskey away. The white man did not know what it was to go hungry and cold ; but the poor Indian did. lie believed that we pitied them and talked to them for their good, and he thanlxod us for it, and said he would tell it to his people, and hoped they would mind our talk,' to which they all assented. He then said, ' Brothers, I liav(> nothing more to say,' and shaking hands with us again, sat down. " After gathering the foregoing facts and observations respecting the Winnebagoes, we took leave of our friend Lowiy and family, as well as the other white inhabitants connected with them at the establishment, and returned to Dubuque, on the Missi^^sippi. We then took steam-boat down the river about two hundred miles, to Burlington ; thence we took 181 stagt' and private coiivcyancc, by way of .Mount IMeasant, Snleni, and Iowa, to tlip a<r(Mi(v of tlic SACS AM) I'()M:s, distant about <'if,'lity miles. We icuclifd this place the eijj^htli of 'I'enth month, about one oVioeU, 1'. M. 'I'be tnb<'S were, at tlie time, assembled for the purpose of ne:,'otiatin;^ a treaty witli tlie (leneial Cioveninient, througli (lovernor Jolin (liamliers, tlic nt>gotiator. 'I'iie w liole Sac and Fox nation were in the neiijbl)ouiliooil, but the men only attended thtf council. Just as we reached the council the cliiet's commenced speaking, and spoke with much animation. One of the i'o\ chiefs spoke first, and then a Sac, and so alternately, till four hail spok<'n ; the last being Keeokuk, their ])i'inci]>al chief, a celebrated orator. The purjjort of tlieir talk was about the same, and resulted in an agreement to sell all their lands to the United States, for the sum of one million and fifty-five thousand dollars. Eight hundred thousand of this sum was to be put at intei-t'st at five per cent , and tlie remainder to In- appropriated to the paymi-nt of their debts. They were also to be provided with lands to settle ujion, south-west ot the Missouri Kiver, where they were to remove within three years. " After the adjournment of the council at that tinn', we went to the agent's house, where the Governor put up during his stay at this i)lace. He received us kindly and entered into conversation veiy freely, respecting tlie condition of these tribes of Indians, He ir-marked, that unless some- thing was done to better their condition, and that soon, they must in a very few years be all wasted away, in conse<iuence of the wickedness and treachery of the whiskey sellers ami other traders, who are taking advantage of these poor ignorant natives, by obtaining their money and other valuable articles in exchange for whiskey and trifling commodities of no real value to the Indians. These articles he remarked are frequently sold to them for ten or twenty, and in some instanct's for a hundred times their real cost ; and in a veiy short time these unprincipled traders manage to obtain the last dollar the Indian has. And ho further said, that some of the accounts brought in against the fmlians stagger cre- dulity; in one instance one of these accounts was exhibited for settlenu'nt amounting to sixteen thousaiul dollars, which he had ascertained to have grown out of the remnants of an old stock of goods not worth five hundred dollars. He remarked that whiskey was no doubt in many instances sold to the Indians, and charged as corn, blankets, or other articles which the licensed traders have a right to sell to the Indians, while it is uidawful to sell them whiskey. He said also, that the advice of the whiskey sellers and other traders was unbounded in its influence upon the Indian, and that he had found mach difficulty in treating with them on that account, as these traders were constantly hanging about tliem and advising them ♦ ; ! ' i-j I J II i:, I 18-2 I i I i '( yi'mi i u-i\i f 1. ; ap^ainst adoptinf^ such a course as would ho for their good, and cautioning them not to leave tlie eluiHe, nor lay down tlie gun or tlie hlanket, to have no 8clio(>l.s estaiilishcd aniouLf them, and in tine against civilization in any way. What wo saw and iieard during our stay at the Council (Iround, fully confirmed the statements of tlie (Jovernor. While we were there, we met with men of influential character, somi> of whom it is known have heen long engaged in a trade witli the Indians, hy wliicli they have amassed jjreat wealth. 'J'hese nu'U used their iitiiH»t skill to midie us believe that the Indians were a happy jn'ople ; that there was no necessity for any henevolent exertions on their behalf, and that they were now living very coMif"ortal)le. ' An Indian,' say they, ' was made to hunt, not to work ; and tliey are so very happy in keeping to their old habits of life, that any attempts to induce a change only serve to nuike them unhappy.' They argued against educating the Indians at all, either witiiin or without tlieir borders; saying, they have as much knowledge as it is necessary for an Indian to ])ossess. " There \vere also other men associated with these traders, either by friendship or otherwise, of high standing in the community, who were forward in sustaining them in their selfish and erroneous statements. And what is most to i)e deplored is, that the Indians will more readily listen to the counsel of these men, than to those who arc disinterestedly engaged for their good. We can but hope, however, that when they shall be removed to their new homes, all intercourse with their old advisers may be broken off, and they be left to receive better counsel from men who are not so intently bent on their own aggrandizement, at the expense of the life and happiness of the Indian. " These trihes number in all about two thousand two hundred. They are a large, stately race, particularly the men. None of these Indians, to our knowledge, cultivate the soil ; but are, in general, hunters. They have, however, a large pattern farm carried on for their benefit, by a Government farmer. Their annuity at this time is about half the amount of that of the Winnebagoes. They live in wigwams or lodges similar to those of all the uncivilized Indians. They have no schools, nor any civil or religious institutions among them ; but in other respects, their manners and customs are about the same as those of the Winnebagoes. A few of their children have received some instruction at the Choctaw academy in Kentucky ; but for the want of a suitable opportunity to apply what little learning they may have obtained, and in consequence of the Jealousy and prejudice of their own nation against civilization, soon after their re- turn, they fall into the uncivilized habits of their tribe. There was little opportunity while there of conversing with them, owing to their engage- ments in making their treaty. We visited most of their tents, and took a view of them as they were encamped on the open prairie. 183 I Hit " After collecting what facts we could in relation to these tribes, wo returned to Salem, a di.stuncu of about fifty miles, wlicre we staid two or three days with Friends, and then returned to the Mississippi, wlicre we tool< stage at Fort Madison for Keeokuk, and from thenee by steam-boat went to (St.) Louis. While there, wo called on D. I). Mitchell, suju'rin- tendent of Indian aflPairs, who received us kindly. We presented him with our documents from the Government, as well as our oertiticatcs from our friends at home. He gave us a passport to travel through all the tribes within his superintendence. *' Here again the same lamentable tale was told respecting the devasta- tion that whiskey was making amongst all the ditVereut tiilK's witliin bis jurisdiction. He informed us, that they were annually diminishing in numbers; and that unless something more eftectual could be devised for their benefit by way of putting a stop to the iniquitous traffic in whiskey, they would soon be all wasted away. He gave us copies of reports received from the several schools within his sujierintendeuce, for our perusal." THE SIIAWNESE INDIANS. " We left (St.) Louis by stage for (St.) Charles, a distance of twenty miles ; thence took steam-boat for Westport, nearly five hundred miles up the Missouri River; the navigation of which, at this time, was considered very precarious, on account of the low state of the water, and the nun)e- rous snags and shoals in tlie river, which caused much anxiety to us, as well as to the officers of the boat, both by night and by day ; yet, through all, we were mercifully favoured to reach our destined port unharmed, and then proceeded by land about nine miles to Friends' School in the Shawnese Nation. We reached the school early in the evening, where we were cordially received by all the Friends of the establishment, and hospitably entertained. " The day following we made arrangements for a council with the In- dians, viewed the premises, &c., and in the evening visited the school, heard the scholars answer scripture questions, spell, &c. The school con- sists of twenty-three boys and fourteen girls. We were pleased w ith its appearance at this, and subsequent visits that we made ; the scholars manifested a good degree of activity and appeared cheerful and happy. They had made considerable proficiency in their studies ; as much as could reasonably be expected under the circumstances in which they were placed. They are taught in the English language, and converse in English with the whites; but when conversing among themselves, they speak the Shawnee. Attached to this school is a large farm, the income of which u y . 184 gops to the support ot" tlic Fiistitution, 'I'lio boys work on tlu> fnriii, and iirf instnicti'il in ii;,'i'i(iiltiHH', tin- sclio(»l lit-iii^ coiKluctccl sniiicwiiat on tlu» inaMiial lalioiir p!,in. We wcro well satisticd \v tli tlic iipprnrancc of" the farm. Tlic school is wliolly Hiipportcd \>y tlio Y(>arly Mct'tinj^h of I'licnds of Maryland, Oliio, and Indiana ; and was instituted at its prcsinit location by thcni at the rocpicst of tlic Indians. \Vc niaih- a visit to the Methodist Mission School, distant aliout tliree miles from tluU of Friends'. Their liuildinffs arc of brick, and lar{,'e, and an extensive farm is attached to the ('stal)lisiiinent. This school also is conducted on the manual labour plan. We were informed that they instruct upwards of ei;,dity children annually at thi.>j Institution. Our Government has done much towards its pstablish- Mient and support, and the deficiency is made up by the Methodist Hoard. The children were makinj^ tolerable progress in the various studies in which they were en{^a{,'ed, as well as in af,'riculture and tlu' mechanic arts. The IJaptists have also a small school in the Shawnese nation, but at the time of our visit it was vacated. " After visiting tlu! schools, we called on several families of the Indians, many of whom ajjpeared to bo living tolerably well in comfortable log houses ; some of them have i)rotty good furniture, utensils for cooking, iNlc, and some have barns and other out-buildings. They raise a suj)ply ol Indian corn for themselves and cattle, and keeji oxen, cows, horses, hogs, and a few sheep. All of them raise a large nundier of fowls. Some ol them have peach-orchards, and have sent some peaches to niaiket the past season. Many of the men of this tribe are industrious, as well as the women ; a few of the men are mechanics, and work by the day for the white settlers, and give satisfaction to their emjjloyiMS. They appear to be adoj)ting the dress and numners of the whites, and to be advancing slowly in civilization. It is reported that some of them have embraced Christi- anity, but most of them adhere to their ancient views of religion. A con- siderable number are yet given to dissipation ; they all appear to have a continued regard tor Friends, and received us kindly, manifesting much interest in our visit. We held a number of councils w ith them during oui stay in the nation, to pretty good satisfaction, and rendered them such advice as seemed proper, to which they listened with interest and atten- tion. They were apt at making us acquainted with their grievances. At one of the councils with the chiefs and head men of tlie nation the following speech was made, our certificates and documents having been previously read, and we having rendered such counsel and advice as waj opened for, viz. : — " ' Brothers '. — Perhaps it is the will of God that we should meet to-day to talk over things together ; and if there was no trouble in the way, we could get along much better in making you a reply. You know that when W\ l8/> there in only a little troiililf iti tlu' way, we cannot ;:.'i nionf,' so well. Hroth.^iH, we are ^'la<l to hear yon talk ; iiml u hen sve meet in this unv, we think aixnit (ioiLunl talk aliont lliin; for vm> helieve it is IiIn w ill that we should think alioiit llini ami talk alunit liini. \\ <• jrreet yon as lin.therN, and send onr love and hest wishes to our friends, the Quakers, who sent yon to see us, their Indian Itrotliers. Mrothers, this is not the first tinn- our friends, the Quakers, have come to see us to instruct ns in the ihinf^H yon have been talkinj,' ahout to-day. A lon^j time a-^o our fiiemls, the Quakers, pave us the same instruction, and our youu;,' men who are seated around yon at this time, have heard their talk, and now live afjreealilv to their advice ; for we think tiiat your way of livin;,' is pmd. lirothers, all our younpr men who are here to-d.iv ..aderstand what yon say and liko your talk ; they do not drink » liiskey, hut work, raise corn, wheat, oats, have horses, cows, .sheejt, and le^'s, and live comfortahly, and are saving soinotliinfj for their children. As to my iniprovenient, it is arrowing less as I grow older. Urothers, wo that are seated around you. helieve that what you say is true. I have given nj) drinking wiiiskey a long time ago, and think ahout other things. I think ahout (iod and feel that I have religion in mu. We believe that your religion is a good one, and your talk and your feelings towards the Indians are good and right. A long tinu' a'-^o your old men talked to xis about your religion, and we told them about our religion ; and tln^y told us, that though your religion was different from our religion, yet if the heart was right we could travel together tiirough this world, and be saved at last. Brothers, you say that you havc^ come a long way to see your Indian brothers, and now you see we are in a bad condition, (alluding to their head chief, who was present in a state of intoxication,) like some of our Indian brothers whom you have been to see. W'c cannot heli» it, so long as the white men will sell whiskey to the Indians. Our great father (the President) can prevent it, hut no one else can. We want he should stop up the barrel, and not suffer any to run out to the Indian. "'Brothers, as to the school, we cannot do much; we can talk to our people about sending their children, but if parents will not send their chil- dren, we cannot help it. If you get iilong well with the children you now have, parents will see it, and become willing to send their children, as they wish them to learn to work and read and write like white jjcople. Bro- thers, we believe that all you have said to us is true, and we wish you to carry this talk of ours home with yon, and tell our friends, the Quakers all about what you have seen among your Shawnese friends; that many of them have good farms, raise stock, viz., horses, cows, sheep, and hogs, and many of them do not drink whiskey, but have gooii houses, good furniture and live comfortably. Brothers, that is all I have to say.' <. i:i It Ill ll i. -.1 I lM(i "Tho BhnwnoHn iiiition niiinlter Hbout twelv<< hundred. Tliey iiru situ- ated ou tin' east siilt' of the KanHiiH Iliver, iind wewt of the State of MiNNouri They lmv<' a lieiiutiful triirt of country, one hundred miles long, und twenty-Hvo liroiul." THE KICKAI'OO INDIANS. " Afterspondiiif,' some time with tlieShftwnese, we liired liorspsnnd ftn In- dian ffuide, and rode np the MisHoiiri Hivcr altont fifty mih'8 to the Ki(ka- poos, asnmll trihe of al)out four hundred, sittiated aiiove Fort Leavenworth, on tlie Missouri. Tiiey arc nearly all aj^riculturists, raising a sufiieieney of corn for theinselvcs, au«l some to soil. They also raise some wheat, potatoes, and other vegetaliles, anil keeji horses, cattle, and hogs; und some of them live pretty comfortably. Their cabins generally are filthy, and some of them exceedingly so. There is no school in this trihe. A numher of them belong to the society of Methodists; others are the followers of an Indian man whom they call the Prophet, a man of sonie talent, but said to be an areli deceiver. The greatest number still adhere to their old traditions. The general appearance of these Indians was filthy : many are much given to dissipation and other vices, especially those of them residing near the Fort. The Methodists have a missionary in this tribe. " We held a council with them, and endeavoured to lay before them what appeared proper, persuading them to leave their bad practices, and become sober and virtuous. There were present at this council about thirty of their chiefs and principal men. They heard what we said to them very attentively, but not being ready to reply, requested another interview. Accordingly, a number of them met us in the evening ; and after consult- ing a time among themselves, made the following reply, through one of their number who understood English. " ' Brothers, we understood what you had to say to-day to us, and this is what our chiefs say to you. We are glad you are come to see us ; we believe what you have said to us to-day is true. We were once bad, but now try to do better, and hope you will help us. We remember what you said about the Great Spirit, and we know what you said about the Great Spirit to be true. We are very glad you have come to talk with us about these things. We believe the Christian way is the best, and what you have told us about it is true. " * We are glad to hear what you have said to lis about building houses, and schooling our children. We cannot do much; we want you to tell our great father at Washington to help us. We heard his talk to us about whiskey and other matters. Wo don't make whiskey ourselves, and we 187 tell onr yoiinp nu'ii not to flritik i' '>ut wo cdnttot lielp it ho Umff rh wliifr mon «oll it to flioni. W'r 'lon't know liow to niak«< tlio white men take the whiskey away, hut tiie fjioat ii "ii at \N'u.shiii|<lf)n do W<' hojic they will lielp iiM.' "They then informed us how phid tlicy were we were conu to *ee them, and wished ns to tell tl\»' men at Washinfjtoii of their wants. They "aid they were poor, ami had no uajrf.'ons to pither their corn in and «'arry it to market; thev had no plon^rhs ; thfir mills were ont of npair, and tlici! yoiin^' mm had to ^'o tn mill near the whiskey shops, ami they would ^i t <liiink. I'liey saiti thesi- tliim,'s were due to tln-m hy treaty stipulation ; and their ^rent father liad | romis<-d to attend to thos*t things, hut had not. TlM>y wished us to ^o and see him. and let him know what they Haid. After this, they took us l>y the hand, and parted with us in a very friendly nuinner, "'I'heneKt nmrninp, the third of Kleventh montli, lfl42, we returned Imck as far as the Stoekl)ridf,'e tribe; a snnill remnant of a onoe numerouH trihe of Indians, hut at this time numherinj,' only seventy-seven. They were ori(,'iiuilly from New l'iif;land. We rea<'hed the hous(> of the i)rin- eipal ehi(>f, Thomas T. Kendriek, about eleven o'ehx'k, a m, havinfj pre- viously made an arrangement for meeting with them. 'J'he chief had a long tiumpet, wliieh he nuide use of to collect the tribe, which being sounded, they soon came together, men, women, and children, 'they all sat down in an orderly manner, and we hud a rcdigious opportunity with them, greatly to onr peace and comfort ; and as they nearly nil understood some I'nglish, we spoke to them without an interjireter, it being the first instance of our addressing a company of Indians in this manner. The greater part of the adults of this tribe are professors of Christianity. The principal chief is a sober, sensible num. After we had relieved our minds to them, he spake some time to his people in the Indian tongue, referring, as w(> understood, to what had been said. One of their number, a young man that had received an education at some of the schools in Connecticut, was requested by the chiefs to say to us, that they imderstood all we had said to them, and that it was all true ; and ho hoped they might often think of it and improve from it. " They said they considered it a great favour from (Jod that he had sent us to see them, and give them such good advice. The Quakers had always been friends to the Indians, and had never wronged them. They had h(>ard much about the Quakers, and considered them their friends. They said they noticed our advice to them to endeavour to forget the injuries done them by the whites, and he hoped they migiit practise it. They said they were a very little company, but they had long resolved to improve, and live like good white men ; they had given up hunting and drinking whiskey, and 188 i:'i I were trying to live by farming. Tliey wished us to tell our friends at the east tiiat they were going to buihl a school-house, and have a school for tlieir children. They ajipcared to he very sincere in tluir reuiari\s, and we wer(> encouraged to Iiojm! tliat tiu'v wouUl continue in tlieir improvements. They were fuitiior advanced in civilization tlian any of the tril)es we had previously visited. The chief, Thomas T. Kendrick, had quite a library of bo :)ks, and could write tolerably well. " They complained that they liad not received their portion of the money due to them for the lands at Green IJay, sold to the (lovernniont ; that they were jjromised this money at the time of their removal, but had not yet received it, and that they needed it in carrying on their farming operations, and were now suffering for want of it ; that they were poor, and not able to go to Washington, but desired that Friends would lend them some assistance in getting their just dues. We accidentally met with an aged fenmle Indian, residing not far from this settlement of Stockbridges, wiio appeared exceedingly brigiit, although she had lived to the advanced age of seventy-four years. She was living in a small log cabin ; her name is Cathe- rine Everett. She told us, that when a child she lived at Eavesham, in New Jersey, and that she was well acquainted with Friends; and said she kn^w that dear old Friend, .loshua Evans, the man who wore a long beard. She said, ' she thought him the best man in the woild, he was so very good to the poor Indians ; and she always loved the Quakers from her childhood, and thought a good deal about her good friends in the east, and she believed they prayed both for her and the Indians in the west, and that their prayers were heard and answered, and that she rejoiced that the Lord had remembered them, and sent the Quakers to see them and encourage them, for they needed it. She knew she was a poor ignorant old creature, but sometimes she hoped to be permitted to Tueet her Saviour in that mansion which Christ had gone to prepare for his followers ; whei e there is no dif- ference between the wliite man and the red man ; for she thought there would be but one place for the good white man and the good red man ; and one i)Iace for the bad white man and the bad Indian. She desired that we and our friends would remember the poor Indian in the west. Some- times when she awoke in the morriing, her soul was tilled with love to God and all mankind ; to a great many she never saw in this world. She knew she was a poor old woman, and had been very wicked, but hoped the Lord would forgive her ; and she was sometimes comforted in remembering that ("hrist said, ' he that cometh to him he will in no wise cast oft'.' She wanted we should give her love to our brethren in the east, and desired us and them to pray for her, for she was a poor creature. ' The fervent prayer of a righteous num,' said she, 'prevails much.' Sometinu's she was very sick, and thought she should die ; and at those times she thought .H 18U piids at the I school for •ks, and we roveiiu-nts. hes wu liad a library of the money iient ; that liad not yet operations, id not able hem some th an aged idges, who iced age of e is Cathe- m, in New she knpw ard. She ry good to ciiildhood, e believed that their Lord had •age them, atnre, but t mansion is no dif- ight tiiere nan ; and iirod that :. Sonie- ve to God She know the Lord ^ring that off." She Icsired us i fervent inu's site ? thought she should be happy, for her soul was filled witli l(iv(> to (.Jod and ever\ - body ; she wanted to tiiink of God all the time, it made her so well in her heart, (putting her hand to her breast.) When we were about parting with her, she apj)eared niueli affected, so that the tears rolled down lier furrowed clieek. She observed, we miglit never meet again in tliis world, for it was but a little time that we had to stay here, but we siiould meet again in another world, where there would bo no more trouble. ' I am,' said she, 'a poor old creature, and don't know much, but [ feel to love God, who has done so much for me, through Christ.'" THE DELAWARE INDIANS. "We next visited the Delawares. They are situated on the west side of the Kansas River, opposite the Shawnese, and number about one thousand souls. They have an excellent country, calculated to support a large po- pulation. About one half of this tribe are in an improving condition, cul- tivating corn and vegetables. They keep horses, cattle, and hogs, aiul an abundance of fowls ; most of them live in comfortable log or timber houses, and are advancing slowly in civilization. Some of them have cast oft' the blanket, and are adopting the dress and manners of the whites. 'I'hese have given up drinking whiskey, and send their children to scliool. A large portion of them, however, yet remain in an uncivilized state, wear the blanket, hunt, and manifest no disposition to improve in any thing good. They drink whiskey, fight, and are addicted to all the viees common to the Indians in their uncivilized state. Some of them an; celebrated hunters and warriors, and often fight their way through the wihl tribes quite to the Rocky Mountains. They kill the butt'alo and bring home the skins, and barter them away .vith the traders for whiskey and other articles, such as beads, waTnpuin, &c. Their near location to the statt? of Missouri and the whiskey sellers and other traders who settle on and near the frontier line, operates as a great hindrance to their im|)rove- nient, and will continue to be a bar in the way of their advancement, while these unprincipled traders are suffered to carry on the traffic with tli(>m. Every advantage appears to be taken of their ignorance as well as of tlu-ir natural thirst for strong drink. '•' We met with two of their i)rincipal chiefs and some of their head men at the Baptist Missionary's house, and rendered them such advice as ap- peared to us proper, upon subjects relating to their welfare; all of which they appeared to receive kindly, according to tlieir leplv. 'i'hey referred to the friendship that laid long existed between the Quakers and the Dela- wares, and said that this friendship had never been broken ; and, after lyo I '^'1 vm Kpeaking of tlie wrongs that had been practised upon them by some of tlie whites, they said, tliat ' tlie Quakers had never injured tliem, that they had never opened tlieir veins, nor so much as scratclied them.' Tliey were pleased tliat we liad thought so mucli about them, as to come so great a distance to see them ; they hoped they shouhl mind what we had said to them, and try to improve, 'i'he chief said tliat he was sorry tliat there were no more of his people present on this occasion, but hoped we should not be discouraged, for it was a pity for any one to begin to do good and then give it up. " There are quite a number of war chiefs belonging to this tribe, wlio refused to meet with their bretliren on this occasion, having at a previous time met, and heard some remarks intended for their improvement and preservation, with which they were not well pleased, and were decidedly opposed to meeting again on such an occasion. We did not, however, feel satisfied to leave without seeking another opportunity with them, and ac- cordingly appointed a time to meet them at one of their own houses. When the time came we met some ten or fifteen of them, and addressed them on subjects relating to their moral and religious welfare ; to all of which they expressed their satisfaction, saying, they were glad to hear us t.alk, and hoped they should mind what had been said to them. Altiiough these fierce-looking warriors had jjreviously made some severe threats against the first man that should name these subjects to them, they ottered no violence or unkind treatment to us, but aj)j)eared vei-y attentive and willing to hear us speak with freedom on all the subjects i-elating to their welfare ; and then addressed us in a kind manner; the head chief saying, he was glad to see his dear brothers and hear them talk, and hoped they should mind what was said to them. We then parted with them, feeling much relieved, the Indians manifesting much affectionate feeling towards us. " The Moravians, Methodists, and Haptists, have each separate missions amongst the Delawares. The Baptists have a small school, where some ten or fifteen children annually receive some instruction. The Mora- vians are educating a large number in that portion of the tribe called Munsees. The Baptist school was not in opeiation when we wore there. The Afethodists have a missionary among them, but no school. A few of the Delaware childrc-.i are receiving some education at the several schools in the Siiawnese nation. The Munsee Indians, consisting of about two hundred, are a brancli of the Delaware nation, and formerly resided on the Lehigh River, in Pennsylvania; and, as we understood, these Indians are the descendants of one of the tribes that made the treaty with William Penn under the great elm-tree. This memorable event has been handed down by tradition among the Indians from generation to generation ; and "«*. 191 tliore are now a number of tlieni who can give a pretty correct account of the transactions of that remote jjcrioil. " Tiie Moravian IJrotiiron have extcndod a cue towards a jiortion of this tribe for more than lialf a century. Teachcisand missionaries have, during that time, been employed amongst tlieni ; and at the time of our visit, there were two men and tiieir wives engaged in giving them some literary, moral, and religious instruction. They appeared to be i)ious persons, and honestly engaged in the discharge of their arduous duties. 'I'iiey received us cordially, and manifested a willingne-s to assist us in promoting the ob- ject of our visit. Owing to the unsettled state of these Iiulians, their wandering liabits and unwillingness to work on the land, and the small annuity paid to them by the Government, there has not been that impiove- ment that might be rciisonably looked for, when we take into account the great amount of labour bestowed upon them. Most of them have log or timber houses, and cultivate more or less land, and raise corn for their own supply during the year. Some few cultivate wheat, and potatoes. They keep horses, cattle, hogs, and fowls, and have some furniture in their houses, such as poor beds, tables, chairs, some cooking utensils, &c. They all wear the l>lanket, and in numy respects dress in a style about half way between the whites and Indians. They are great smokers, and some of them drink whiskey to excess It is said, they are a kind-lieaited peojde, and a nmnber of them have embraced Christianity, and joined with the Moravians, Methodists, or Episcopalians. The Moravians have a small meetin<r-house and school-house on tlu'ir land. " We met sixty or seventy of tliese Indians of both sexes at their meet- ing-house on First-day evening. They behaved with sobriety and Christian gravity, and after we had freed our minds, and our certificates had been read, one of the chiefs of the Delawares, after having spoken a few words to his associate chief, (both of whom were at a previous meeting of ours,) rose and delivered tl i. following remarks. " ' Brothers, we are glad you have come to see us, and have given us such good advice, and to talk with us, and tell us about living better and becoming better men and women. — Brothers, I hope I shall do better myself, and that my people will do better also. Brothers, our fathers and your fathers lived together as friends and brothers ; they never shed each other's blood ; no, they never scratched each other, I am glad that this friendship continues even to the present time, and that the blood now runs freely in our veins.' Afterwards, one of the principal men belonging to the Munsees made a few feeling remarks, expressive of his satisfaction with the meeting, and the interview closed. " Second-day morning, being informed by the Moravian missionary that they usually met every morning at nine o'clock for worship, and that theru 1 1»-2 ni'i r.'ir r: ■ was liberty for us to go in .-iiiil sit witii them if we chose; after we liad reflected upon it, we tiiou;,Hit it luiglit be best for us to attend tlie meeting; and accordingly we went in and sat witli tliein until their services were over; after which, we had some labour amongst them. One of their prin- cipal men then rose, and in a feeling and broken manner, even to tears, madi! the following very affectionate and pertinent remarks. " ' Brothers, I want to talk a little with you. I am glad to sec you this morning, and glad to hear you talk about Jesus, and was glad to see you and hear you yesterday. IJrothers, the jrunsees are spread all about, and have now no ciiiefs. Some few are settled round here; some are mixed with the Stockbridges, some with the Shawnese, and some are yet living at Green Bay. IJut the Munsees have all forsaken their heathen customs, and the practices of their forefathers, and now live in the customs and practices of the Christians. Some of tlujse that live round here are Mora- vians, and some that liv(! in other jilaces are Methodists, and some Episco- palians ; but they are Munsees, let them live where they will, and all live as the Christian people do, and do not follow the heathen practies of their fathers. "' Brothers, I do not live in heathen practices, but believe in the one true God and in Jesus Christ. Me a poor Indian, me feel very poor, but me feel religion in me though very poor. Poor Indian believe that God sent his Son into this world, and that he died for all poor Indians as well as white people; and I believe lie is now with God in heaven, and that lie comes into our hearts by his Spirit, even poor Indians, and will be there for ever. Now me think what Christ say to his followers, I am gcnng away to leave you, but I will come again in Spirit into your hearts, that I may be with you for ever, be where you will. And now me feel Him renewedly in my heart at this time. Bi-others, I speak these things not from the tongue, but I feel what I say in my heart, though Indian a very poor ci-eature, and like little child in these things; yet me feel the Spirit of Christ with me this morning, and feel glad to see you and to hear the good advice you have given us, and I feel my spiritual strength renewed. " ' Brothers, your fathers, William Penn and others of your old men, and our old men tin? Munsees, lived in peace like brothers, and made the trenty under the elra-troe, and the (Quakers and the Munsees have always been friends, and iny heart is glad you still think about your poor Indian bre- thren, and conu^and sc(> them ; for it makes poor Indian's heart glad when they see their Quaker brothers. Brothers, that is all I have to say now.' ' 198 TJIE KANSAS INDIANS. " This tribe nunibtTS al)()ut HlOO souls. 'I'lio country tlipy claiin as tlioir own is situated on l)oti\ side-^ ot'tiic Kansas River, coninieiiciiiLr ^-ixty miles west of its nioutli, in lat. 'M\ dei^Tcrs north, beiuL;- tliirty niili's widr. 'riie soil is fruitful and well watered, hut ^parinuly tiinhficd. Ji is well adapti'il to aj,'rieulturc, and tlif eliinate is hcailiiy. " The Kansas spend a ]iart of tlieir time in hunlin^-. a jiart in idleness, and a part in plantin;,'- and eultivatinjr snuiU erops at humc. 'I'hey are irre- gular in their niannrr of livin;,', and althouj,di not inciiued to cat uuulude- somo foo<l, yet from necessity they eat such as causes sickness aumnj^ them. They use ai'dei\t spirits less tlian numy other tribes, yet they are degraded and improvident to some extent by this poison; some few of them have reformed; they are more ready to receive instruction than they were formerly; but most of them are stronjifly in( lined to hold on to tlicii- wild habits and superstitious worship. The main ditHcultii's in teaehiui,' these Indians, are their wandei-ing habits, and tlieir fondness for war with other tribes. They are at home only about four months iiv the year. 'I'hey have a smith and a teacher of aLrriculturcfurnislicd to them bv treatv, who are to continue with them five years, and then all their stii)ulations with the Government will end. "At the time of our visit the greater part of the tribe had gone on their Fall hunt, and therefore we had an opportunity of seeing but few of them. "After we had completed our visit to the Delawares, Munsees, Stock- bridges, and Kickapoos, and had seen some of the l'';iusas tribe, and col- lected such information as we deemed useful, we returned again to I'riends' schoolin the Shawnese nation, to prepare for our visit to the more soutliein tribes. The Indians understanding that we were about leaving tiiis part of the country, numbers of them came to make known tlieir grievances, and others to take li'ave of us. They represented to us that iluri' was a prospect of the Wyandots, now living in Ohio, coming to settle on a part of their land, and that a very few of the Shawnese were favourable to such a move, but tiiat most of them wei'e decidedly opposed to it, and nnudi troubled on account of it. We were not without serious apprehensions that great dithculty might yet arise from this circumstance. Wv rendered them such counsel as we believed might be proper for them to follow ; advising them against discords, jealousies, and divisions; all of which ap- peared to be kindly received. An aged Shawnese chief came to us and said, he wished to have a talk with ns. He said when he lived in Ohio he had a good farm .and lived well, but by being removed tti this country he (» i!:i^ 194 had become poor ; that ho was now gaining!; a little, and w antod to live where he now did, and so did all his tribe want to remain where they now are. They did not want to he moved af,'aiii, l)ut he feared they slionid he soon. lie said ho was now old and lame, and could not f^o further ; he wanted to die and ho buried hero, and not go away oft" and die on the prairie. It made him feel very bad to think of being moved again, for it seemed like bcMng thrown over a bank away oft' west of the prairie, where they would all die. He appeared nnieh distressed on this account, and wished to know if we had heard the men at Washington talk about remov- ing them again, remarking that he had heard tliat they liad been talking about it. Jle wanted us and our friends to help them in getting the title to their lands fixed, so that his people might always live where they now are. He thought the white man ought to be satisfied, that the Indian had been removed far enough, and not move; him any further. He said he was an old man and could live but a little while, and wanted to know before he died that his people and children coidd never be removed again. All this was spoken in .a feeling and candid manner. " After this, a chief of the Chilocathe band remarked, ' that the Indians showed mercy to the white men when they first came across the great water, and were weak, and could but Just get nj) the bank. The Indian was then like the trees, erect and strong ; the white man like the grass, easily bent and waving with the wind. 'J'he white man came to the Indian four times with his hat under his arm, and asked the Indian to have mercy on him, for he was poor and needy. White man say, when Indian is poor and needy, he would have mercy on him as long as grass grows and water runs. Indian then let him come on the land and live; he now wanted white man to remember his promise, and liave mercy on the Indian, for he was poor and needy ; and not remove him any further.' " ; t ■,?!- :'*? THE WE AS, PIANKESIIAWS, KASK ASKIAS, PEORIAS, OTTOES, AND CHIPPEWAS. " Having completed our visit to the Indians in the Shawnese sect: on of the country, we took leave of our kind friends at the school on the tenth of Eleventh month, and proceeded on our way about forty miles in a south- west direction to the sub-agency of A. L. Davis, in order to visit the several tribes in that vicinity. We arrived there in the evening of the siv- tc 1 :y, and made known our business to the sub-agent. lie kindly entertained us, and offered to lend all the necessary aid in collecting the Indians, and also to furnish us with such information as he possessed respecting their state and condition. The day following there was an unusual fall of snow for li UK') I to live hey now lioiild be ther ; lip e on tlie in, for it io, where )unt, and it roinov- II tallying the title they now lulian liad id he was before he All this 10 Indians the great he Indian the grass, the Indian ave mere) lan is poor and wator )w wanted ian, for he the season, in consequence of whicli but few of the Indians came to the council; yet some of the principal men of nearly all these remnants of tribes were present. The names of tlie several tribes are Weas, Pian- keshaws, Kaskaskias, IVorias, Ottoes, and Chippewas, numl)ering in all about tive hundred and fifty. 'Jhcse Indians are making but littb.' im- provement in agriculture or otherwise ; yet most of them raise some corn and vegetables, and keep some horses, cattle, hogs, and fowls. 'I'liey are but poorly prei)ared for carrying on farming, liaving no ploughs, waggons, or tools of any kind, which is cause of much discouragement to them. With the exception of a few instances, they have made but little advance- ment in civilization. iSome of them live in poor log-houses, and some in wigwams. 'I'hey gi'uerally wear the blanket, and in most respects <lress like the wild Indians. They are much given to idleness, vice, und dissipa- tion : there is no school in any of these tribes. There is one missionary among tlie Peorias, but none in any of the others. Like many other tribes, they are fast wasting away. Some of them are professors of Christianity, but much the larger part of them still adhere to their old traditions. " They complain of having made a bad treaty with the General Govern- ment, and are solicitous of further assistance from that source, and say, that if their great father would send out some good white men to instruct and advise them, they would endeavour to improve from it. We encoti- )aged them to break off from their old habits of dissipation and indolence, and to become a sober and agricultural people ; holding out to them the advantages that would result from such a change. They manifested much interest in what was said to them, saying they believed it all to be true, and hoped they might follow our advice. They promised that they would tell their absent brothers what had been said to them, and advise them to mind it. They were pleased that we came so far to see them, and parted with us in a friendly manner," HAS, on of the e tenth of I south- he several Si:' 1^' '-» -y) tamed us> s, and also their state snow for THE POTAWATOMIES. '* After collecting the foregoing accounts respecting these small tribes, v.-e left for the Potawatomie nation, situated on Potawatomie Creek, about sixty miles from the Sliawnese school, and eighteen miles from A. L. Davis's agency. We arrived at the house of a man named Simmerwell, a smith employed by th*^ General Government to repair the guns of the In- diau'J, &c- The day being too far spent for a council with them that even- ing, we thought it most advisable to have notice given for a meeting with them in the morning. The smith has been for many years engaged among the Indians in repairing their guns, and otherwise assisting them ; wo o Q 196 ii I believed him sincerely devoted to their welfare. He hiinented their de- plorable condition ; and, from his own personal knowled^je of the facts, attrihutcd most of tiieir misery to the avarice and wickedness of the traders, and otiier corrupt white men, who, over since liis acquainlanco, had l)een prowlini; aI)out tliem, like tlio heast for his prey. A^reealily to our previous apj)ointnient, we met a iinmher of the chiefs and liead men ol tli(! nation at the liouse of the i)laclvsmith. N\'e eiidciivoiired to impress upon tlieir minds tlie iinpurtance of a cliauLre in all tlieir liahits anil modes of livinu:, and to a(h)jit tlic manners and lialiits of yoo 1 wliite men. 'i'hey listened attentively to wliat was comnuinicated to them, and i'Xi)resseil their gratitude to the Society of h'riends, tliat tliey liad thoiii^ht so mucli of tiiein as to send peisons so far to look into tiieir condition. One of tiieir ciiiefs remarked, tiiat tiieir great fatiier, the rresident, had promised to bend tliem many tilings, but, said he, tliey iiave not yet got along. ■'The person tiiat interpreted for us is a t"ull-bh)oded Indian, educated at Ilamiiton school, in tiio State of New York, and speaks and writes the English language well, lie also converses freely in the Totawatomie tongue, and may bo reckoned among the most intelligent Indians of the west, lie is married to a half-breed woman, and possesses very consider- able property. The rotawatomies are divided into three bands, viz., Potawatomies of (St.) Josei)hs, Potawatomies of the Wabash, and rota- watomies of the rrairie. The (St.) Josephs band formerly received some assistance from the Baptist missionaries while they were located on the (St.) .loseplis River. This band live principally by cultivating the soil, and what tliey receive from the government by way of annuities. They are poor, and making very little advancement in civilization. They have no school nor missionary, and some of them live in poor log-cabins, others in wigwams. Most of them keep cattle, horses, and hogs; nearly all of them drink whiskey, and pass much of their time in idleness and dissipa- tion. They sjiend tlieir annuities soon after receiving them, for whiskey, and articles of no real value to them. Tlu! manneis, ilress, and general appearance of these Indians, do not materially ditfor from the small tribes located near them. They wear the blanket as the principal article of dress. Some hunt on tiieir own lands, and in the adjacent State of Missouri, but do not go on the long hunt to the west. "Our next visit was to the Wabash band, located about twelve miles from the gunsmith's. Tiiere are about six hundred of this tribe, com- prising about one-third of the nation, who are principally settled in one neighbourhood. They are under the diieci.ion and control of the Roman Catholics, and have three Jesuit i)riests amongst them, who are educating forty or fifty Indian children. Their school is divided into two depart- ments, one for boys and the other for ".rfrls. The one for girls is said to -: r Ur7 be (loinjj some good, tin* other is in a laiiijiiiHliinfr state. This I. ,1 are buildiii;^ conit'ortahle h):,'-hniiscs, and ciiltiviitiiii,' tiic land, and iiaxr s^nie catth', hoi-M's, li<).i,'s. \c. ; hut liicir icx'atioii is suid to he iinin ahiiv . :ind they arc acUlicted to ail thcvici's and innnoialitifs cuninion to the Iniii.ins, and are t'.ist wa-tim,' away. Tlieir iuiinl)i'rs have i;reitly iliminislu'd within till' i.ist lew years. " 'I'lie Prairii' liaml are interspersed anion}; the other two haiels, and live mneli at'tcr the same iiiaiuii'r. The whiskey selh'rs, and other traders, jiractiee the same iinpositiens ui)ou these Indians that they do upon all the other trihes within their reach." TIIK OSAtiK INDIANS. " Understanding,' that these Indians were out on their I'all hunt, and that we should not have an opportunity of seeini: many of them, and their principal villauje heing distant ahout forty miles from the -I'otawatoniies, we did not visit tliem, hut had an opportunity of si-eiiif; a few of the trihe, and from {rood auth<jritv irathcrcd the i olhiwin},'' account respectm them. This trihe is located ahout oiu- hundred miles south of the Shawnese nation, bord erin;f on the State o f M ssouri. Tl lev were once verv numerous, but at this time numlier only about live thousand, and are fast diminishin},', in eonsecpience of their rovin<,f and intemperate habits. 'J'hcy are more liUe the wild Indians of the Uocky Mountains than any other tiilie on the frontiers: they are ijfreat hunters of buffaloes and furs, uikI the fur traders depend more upon tiiem for hutfalo i-obcs and furs, than upon any other trilje of tiie south-western frontier. This circiimstaiice opt'iates as one of tl le prineijjal causes )f th leir small advancement in civilization. " Much labour has been bestowed within twenty years, by the Presby- terian missionaries from New York and Boston, to impiove tlii'ir condition, out it was att' !.ded with little success, owiitfj, as it is said, to the i)rejudices tht th ds the Indi fi-( th iganist ■nfliience of the fur traders. This influence remains to the piesent day, ,'\nd there appears to be no j)i'ospect of improvenu'ut among them while this state of things exists. The traders discourage them from following igricultural iiu'.suits, telling them they do not want to buy corn or cattle, but buft'alo-skins and furs: thus jnompting them to keep uj) the chase. They also advise them not to have schools, or any reli^^ious iiistiuctiou among them ; hence there are no schools or missionaries among tliemat this time. W(; were informed, by apparently good authority, that the In- dian agents combine with the agents of the Fur Company, and control the manner of paying out the annuities to the Indians, by which the agents of the company are enabled to monopolize the whole trade with them. It ip ! 1 li ■aid, they first take nil their annuity money, and deduct their charges af,'ainst tlio Indians, iind for tlic l)alance, (,'ive to each num as many centn with a jiarticulai nnirk ujmmi tiicm hh thcic were dollars due to them, pro- misinf,' to pay liim as many dollars in ^uods as he had cents ; thus com- pelling the Indian to purchase all his goods of them at an exorhitant price. There was recently a larfje amount of appropriation paid to this tribe in cattle, swine, and agricultural iniplem»'nts. The Indians not being ac- quainted with the use of them, and having no one furnished to teach them, soon sold and gave away all their ploughs, killed the cattle and swine, and th(! whole plan was frustrated. "The Osages are a stately race ; the men are exceedingly large and tall, but the women are short, and, like the females of the Winnebagoe tribe, appear dejected. They dress altogether like the wild Indians." THE SENECA AND SIIAWNESE INDIANS. "After leaving the Osage nation, we travelled south towards the Cherokees, and visited on our way the united tribe of the Seneca and Shawnese Indians. We lodged with one .Tackson, a half-breed. In the morning after our arrival, he sent for some of the principal men to meet us at his house, witli whom wo held a council. We gave them such advice as, in our opinion, was needful. They appeared friei,ll_), and listened attentively to what we had to say to them. Wt spokt; lo them through Jackson, who interpreted for iis. 'J'liey made no reply to us, as he was not sufficiently accpiainted with our language to render theirs into it. We learned that the greater part of these Indians were raising some corn and domestic animals, and have pretty comfortable leg-cabins ; and some few of them are adopting the habits of the whites in various respects, such as laying aside the blanket as an article of dress, putting on pantaloons instead of leggins, &c. They have no schools among them, and none of their children are receiving an education out of the nation, excepting two of Jackson's. " After visiting the Senecas and Shawnese, we rode sixteen miles to the house of Daniel Adams, a Mohawk Indian, residing in the Seneca nation. The tribe located at this place is styled the Sandusky Senecas. Daniel Adams is a man of tolerable education, and speaks and writes both the English and the Indian language. He is married to a Stockbridge woman formerly from the State of New York. Slie informed us that when a girl she spent four years on Long Island, where she was educated at a Friends' school. She retains a grateful remembrance of the many kindnesses tlu.t were shown to her by Friends in those parts, the names of some of whom ' 't.i slie nientioiu'd. Ifcr njtiioarnnce wns grontly Mijifiior to any Indian woman wo saw wliilc on oir journey; luT wliolo conduct and convoisntion w*'r(> diffnitit'd. She \mis easy in lior niannors, and ('onvcrscd undcistand- in^'ly upon a variety of sulijcits, Init more ospccialiy upon wluit rclalod to lior friends, tlie Indians in tin' Staio of New York, ijlie nnmifested a deep interest in tlic treaty lately made with the Seneca Indians there. Tliis wonum and her hushand are hoth professors of the? Christian rcli^'ion, and from appearances, were honestly enj,'aged in the discharge of their social, moral, and relii,'ious duties. They had a family of three small children, who were t'lothcd in the stylo of the whites, and taught in the Knglisli languaf^e altni^rethcr. They reside in a good frame-house, newly huilt and well furnished. Their manner of living was supeiior to that of the generality of whites in tlu' west. 'Ihey spoke freely of the low states and condition of their jjcople, and the strong prejudices existing in their minds against the whites, and of the dithculty of overcoming these pre- judices, in conse(pience of the ill-troutment they had, in too nuiiiy in- stances, received from them. *' There is, at this time, no school nor religious institution in this tribe. A few of them profess the Christian religion and have joined themselves to some of the different religious sects ; but the greater part of them still adhere to thoir former views and superstitious worship. Nearly all of them are engaged in agricultural pursuits in a snuill way, and keep various kinds of domestic animals,, We did nr)t learn that any of this small tribe keep sheep, or manutacture cloth of any kind. Their principal food is pork and deer, wild fowl, corn-bread, potatoi's, and other vegetables. Some of them have laid aside the blanket as un article of dress, but the greater part attire themselves in the Indian style, and in no important particular difi'cr from the other tribes that have been removed from the east. They are said to be very immoral in their conduct among the neighbouring whites. They are very unwilling to receive white men among them as teachers, but would not object to having their children instructed in English by persons of their own cast, if those suitably qualified could be procured. They are located upon a small tract of land west of the State of Missouri, on the Niosho River, bordering on the Cheroiice nation, and numbered, at the time of their removal, two hundred and filty-one, but have since diminished. THE CHEROKEE INDIANS. " This large tribe is settled on lands lying west of the State of Arkansas and bordering on the Arkansas River, and number about twenty thousand 'J 00 Houls. It is tlioiifjlit tlioy Imvo diiniiiishod in nuinbor siiipo their loniovnl west. Till' liistiiry <it" this iiatidii is i,ffni'iully Itnown to tho piihiic ; thcrt'- toH' it in;iy not he cxiicctcd timt \\r sliould ho so iiaiticiihir in onr accuiint of tin'iM. W'l! iMitiTcd upon tho nortli-cast cornor o ' their laiulH, and travclli'd soiitii to their eoiincil-jiroiiiMl, near I'aiic Hill. Some of their lands hiirdeiin;,' on the west line of Arkansas are hilly and well watered nnd tinihered, hut not well adajtted to a;,'ri<ultMre ; in other parts it is lev(d and fertile. 'I"he ('heroUees live principally l>y fanning,'. 'J'hey raise neat cattle, horsi's. and other domestic animals, und keep un ahuii- dance of jioidtry. Some of tiic nation are extensive fanners and planters. Cotton is fjrown in the southern jjurt of the nation, where most, if not all, who are able, keep slaves to cultivate the land, and to do tlu' work in the Imusos, \c. The numners and customs of this portion of their community, do not differ materially fioni those of the white planters in the south and west. Their style (jf dress and mode of livini; are also very similar. A few of tiie Cherokees are iari^c slave-holders. 'I'heir laws for the },'overn- ment of tlieir slaves are similar to those in tlu; Slave States. The slaves frequently desert their masters and run away. Some cotton and woollen goods are mannfactnred hy the Cherokees for domestic use. We sawn numher of fj;ood dwellin<f-h()nses as wo passed through their country, hut most of them reside in small loL'-caliins. They have more generally adopted the manners of the whites than any other tribe we met with. While passing along, we frequently saw white men who were n»arried to Indian women, and in some instances an Indian man was connected hy marriage to a white woman. Tiu're is less similarity in the general ajJixMiance of the (.'licrokees than in that of any other tribe. They are divided into three distinct classes. first, those that are pretty well ci\ili/.ed and apjiear intelligent. Second, those who may b(( reckoned among the half-civilized or apprentices in civilization, 'i'hird. tliose that liave made but little imi)rovenient in their dress and manners : the last class is most numerous. They are cultivators of the soil, and have gene- rally given up hunting, but are dissipated. "The Clu'riikees liavc> a number of missionaries and native preachers among them, and about two hundred jjrot'ess the Christian religion, and have joined tliemselves either to the Presliyterian, Baptist or Methodist societies. They have thirteen schools in the nation, where all the children attending tiiem nvc taugiit in the Knglish language. These schools are represented to be in a donrishing condition, and in theii g 'neral features are similar to our district schools in New England. Many of this tribe manifest an interest for the Avelfare of theij children, and the rising generation, and have recently made very con- siderable appropriations, in order to extend more generally the benefits ot ■I I ll ^■:^ •201 «'(lu('ntion ami i iviliziitioij ainoiij,' tlioiii. They havo a printiiiif-prcNH in the nation, wlicri' tlicy have tlicir laws and j>ul)lic (lociinit'ntH printcil hotli in Kiij^lisli anil in the Clu'rokcc lani,'ua;,'i'. '■ Wcaniviil ;it the fount il-^iiound at a time wlii-n their National Council was in hfssion. I'licir i^'ovcrnnicnt is dividi'd into time dc|iaitnicnts, vi/.., the IvM'cutive, Le(,'i,slative, and Judirial. Tln'V style tile head of tho exi'entivo de|)artnient, i)rincii)al chief. Tlieii- le^rishitive (U'paitnu'nt is divided into u coniniittee and conncil. The Judiciary is composed of a SujH'rior Court and inferior or Circuit Court, .lolin Koss is now, and has lieon for numy yours, the head eliicf of tho nation. Tiu-ir committee and council consist of fifteen members, each elected by the people. All laws are enacted liy the leffjslature and sijrned by tho principal chief. 'J heir Supreme (.'ourt is composed of five jnd{,'es. At the head of tills court is Jesse Hushyhead, an interesting and intelligent man, u half-blood Indian and a IJaptist jjreacher. " We were introduced to all tho niend)ers of the several flepartments of governnunt, from whom we received numy kind attentions ; and had an opportunity of witnessing their manner of transacting business, which, although simi)leand jihiin, was nevertiu'less very much to the p(jint. The whole nation, or at least as many as wished to assemble, was one (l.\ while we wi're there, collected together, to hear the annual message ,.f the j)riucipal chief, and the report of the delegation liiat avus sent to Washington the last winter to transact some business with thedeneral Govornnient. 'I'he report eiubraccd all their eorrespdiHlcnee wilii tiio President and Secretary of War; and that and the niess^ige wen; drawn up with aliiiity. '•We witnessed nolliing like a spirit of hostility on the part ef iIkm' Indians towanls the ( iovernnient of the United States ; and yet tliev !,:i-, e not forgotten the wrongs that have been j)ractised upon them bv ;li whites. It atfbrds them some relief when they can meet with persons who are willing to sympathize with them in the sad tale of their siitfeiingb and miseries. Jjy accounts from persons of nnini])eachable veracity who were eye-witnesses of some of the horrid scenes which occurred before and at the time of their removal, we were led to tliink the half had never met tiie public eye. They treated us with kindness and much attention while we were in the nation ; and although they have not had much acfpniintanee with members of our own religious society until recently, yet they looked uj)on them as their friends, and spoke with grateful hearts of the bene- volent and Christian interposition of Friends in a great many instances on behalf of the red man. Much might be said respecting the advancement of this tribe in civilization, &c., but we will conclude by saying that our hearts were made to feel deeply for them, and to put up our feeble petitions to :1 r' I i I I if I., u i. !i V- } ( I !■ i !20-J the Father of all our sxivo nicrcii'S, that ho inif,'ht yot smilo upon thin sti-ii)])fd and pooled pooph?, and awakon tiiom undor a son.so of the niorcios extended to thoni, to a feoliny of their own obligation to deal justly and show mercy and kindness to those poor descendants of the African race who are held in liondage by them. " A band of the Seminole Indians, lately from Florida, were temporarily settlc<l upon the Cherokees' land, near the council-ground, at tiie head of whicii were two chiefs, by the names of Wild Cat and Alligator, who w(M-e noted men in tiie late Florida war. We held two councils with these chiefs, at one of M'hich came about twenty of their principal men. Wild Cat and Alligator made many bitter complaints of the ill-treatment of the white men, both before and since their removal. We feared there niiglit be an outbreak by Wild Cat and liis party in their present excited state. It was expected that tiio agents wotild soon remove them from the Che- rokee country to lands jirovided for them by the (ieneral Government, in the Creek nation ; at which Wild Cat and Alligator appeared much of- fended. We conversed with several of the agents and officers of the General Government, and desired tliem to consider their peculiar disposi- tions, and use all conciliatory means in their power in the removal of these unhappy beings. We also endeavoured to persuade these Indians to live peaceably with their neighbours, and to break oft' from their old habits and become farmers, like the Cherokees and other Indians around them. They are much given to drunkenness, stealing, and other vices, and live like wild Indians. They formerly belonged to the Creek nation, and now speak the Creek language. Some of them hold slaves, who serve for interpretei.s and servants to them." TIIE CREEK INDIANS. " We next visited the Creek nation. They are situated south of the Cherokees, on lands bordering on the A^'erdigris River, and number about fifteen thousand Indians, and three or four thousand slaves. We had an interview with Benjamin Marshall, a very intelligent man, and one of the most wealthy and influential men in the nation. He informed us that every family in the Creek nation would raise produce enough the present season to supply their wants throughout the year. They are fast improving in agriculture and domestic manufactures, and in their manner of living. They expect soon to manufacture all the material for their own clothing. Many of the a live in comfortable houses, and dress like the white people; but others still wear the blanket, and are much given to dissipation. They iuivo of late become anxious that their children should be educated, pro- vided it co'.dd be done in their own nation ; but are generally averse to osi^ 203 sen<liii<r them aboad for this purpose. They liave made application to our Govermiient for tiieir sciiool-fund to be appropriiited to education in their n.ition, instead of l)ein<,' spent at tlie Choctaw Academy, as Jieretofore. They iiave at tiiis time but one school, which is continued throiif^hout the year. " They liave lately pas.sid severe laws to prohibit tlie vendin<;^ of ardent spirits amonff them, wiiich took etlect about six montlis ago, and those who had been ojiposed to tlie laws have seen the good effects of tiiem and be- come satisfied. Many of the slaves and Indians appear sober and religious. Some of the slaves are approved preachers, and hold meetings regularly on first-days. We attended one of these meetiugs, which was conducted in a moderate and becoming manner. It was composed of Indians and their slaves; their minister was an uneducated slave. All seemed interested iu the meeting, and several much affected, even to tears. A slaveholder told us, that he was willing his slaves should go to these meetings, for it nuide them better men and women. The Creeks have long been >Iave-holders, and appear insensil)le on the subject of this great evil. Their laws resjject- ing their slaves and the government of their tribe, are similar to those of the Cherokees and Choctaws. Their country is good for agriculture, well watered and timbered, and we believe this nation would soon become a prosperous and flourishing people, were it not for the injustice and destruc- tive influence of slavery within and arouiul their borders. A few days previous to our arriving there, about two hundred slaves ran aMay from their masters. They belonged to the Creek and Cherokee nations. This caused much excitement, and a posse was sent after them from both na- tions. Both church and state seemed aroused on account of these deser- tions, and ready to make every possible eHort to recover them at all hazards, and in future to enact more rigid laws for the government of their slaves, and for -binding their chains more strongly upon them." THE CHOCTAW INDIANS. " Fifth day of the week, and first of Twelfth month, 1842. After hav- ing finished our visit to the Cherokees, Creeks, and Seminoles, we hired a private conveyance to Fort Smith, on the border of the Choctaw nation. We then took horses, and rode fifteen miles to the Choctaw agency, the greater part of the way through a dense cane-swamp, and put up at a tavern kept by an Indian woman. In the evening we had some conversa- tion with a young Indian who had been educated at the Choctaw Academy, in Kentucky. He was at this time engaged as a clerk iu a store, and ap- peared intelligent and bright. The account he gave of the academy was •iUJ if ■ !■ w •: M , 'I' not very flatterin;^. We learned wliile in tlie nation, tliat at the connfil lately lickl on Jii'd Jlivcr, tlic C'lioctaws resolved not to have anytiiiny more to do with tiiat scIkh)!. 'J'iieir annual eoiineil was in session near lied River, where the j,n-eater jiart nf tlie t'hoet:iws reside, ^lany of the Indians near Ked liiver are said to live well; tliey l<ee|i shives and raise cotton for tiieir own fonsuini>tion and for niai'liet. 'J'liey also raise corn, wheat, pcttatoes, and other ve<j;etal)les, and jieep larfje stocl<s of neat cattle, horses, and swine; and a few of them have sheep, and make soiuo cotton and woollen goods for tlieir slaves and for themselves. They iiave in general comfortaljle log-houses, and live like the new settlers in the west " Tiiey have six or eight schools in the nation, in w liich tlie primary branches of an English education are taught; but a small portion of tiie children, howevei-, are receiving any education at schools, eitliei- in or out of the nation. We were informed, that the council now in session have resolved to establish two manual-labour schools on an extensive plan. One of them is to be located on the Red River, and the other at Fort Coffee, on the Arkansas River. One important feature in tlie ])lan aliout to be adopted by them is, that the female childien of tli(> nation are to be edu- cated at a place several miles distant from the male children. They have appropriated eighteiMi thousand dollars towards the suppoit of these schools. It was reported that the Methodists were expecting to have tiio control of the one at Fort Coffee. W^e visited one of their ])rimary schools taugiit by a man from iSouth Carolina, which consisted of alxjut twenty scholars. Wo were ])leased with the a])i)earance of it, and tiiought the teacher Avas doing well for the sciiolars. He informed us that he liad bee!i euLcagecl in this seiioul since MVMi, and had a salary of eight hundied and tifty dollars ])(m- annum, paid by the Cxeneral (iovei'ument, according to treaty stipulation. "Tilt! country owned b.y the Choctaws e.\tendsfrom the Arkansas to ited River, and is generally fertile and well adapted to the growth of cotton, corn, wheat and potatoes. Some of these Indians have embraced Chris- tianity, but the greater part still adhere to theii- old traditions. Some have become temperate, but dissipation, idleness, and their kindred vices, are \e.j prevalent among most of them. The government and civil policy of this nation, are similar to those of the Cherokees, heretofore described. We saw a few of the Chickasaus, Init ascertaining that there Avas no ma- terial difference b(>tween thesi; Indians and the Choctaws, we did not con- sider it important for us to make a special visit to them. They are settled on the Choctaws' land, and speak the same language and intermarry with them." <•( I ■ ■ , ■ It; «^\ 50.') Gl'AERAL REMARKS. " After having spent several months in travelling among the Indians located on our western iVontier, and liaving used our utmost endeavours to gather such I'acts and inforuiation as we apprehended might be useful or interesting to our Society and the coniuuinity at large, we deem it right to subuut a lew general remarks touching the most prominent points, for the future consideration and action of Friends, on behalf of the aborigines of our land. " During our visit among the Indians, many circumstances were apparent, which, in our opinion, tended to prevent their advancement in civilization, and to retard their moral and religious improvement. We are aware tliat nnich labour and property are expended yearly on their account, and yet it is sad to relate, that these poor, benighted, and almost liicndless beings, are daily diminishing in numbers, and in many in- stances sinking deeper and dec])er in misery and woe. There are but few to look intc their wants, or lo raise a voice against the malpractices of the numerous unpriuciided white men who infest their country, in order to obtain the money annually paid to them, and at the same time are practising the most degrading and immoral conduct. " If the hand of the destroyer is not speedily arrested, in all human probability, it will be but a few years before this once numerous race will be numbered with the nations that are not. Nearly all the tribes are decreasing yearly, and some of them at the rapid rate of iiom twelve to twenty per cent. The present condition of the elder jjart of the uncivilized tribes is such (liaving long been a prey to uncivilized white men), that we cannot look for much change for the better in many of them : but in beholding the younger men and women and the little children, who appear to be endowed with talents lor improvement equal to the whites, we were encouraged to , is.n M m t 206 look forward with a hope of better days for this poor, de- graded, and almost friendless peojile, if the Christian com- munity should without delay use their influence to remove the prominent obstacles now in the way of their civilization. " We would remark in the first i)lace, that the Indians who have been removed from the east to the A\est side of the Mississip]n River, appear to be in an unsettled state, and to entertain fears of being again removed. They say they have as yet received no guarantee from Government that they shall remain on these lands any longer than it may suit the con- venience of the whites ; and some of them are desirous that Friends and others interested in their welfare, should use their influence to have their lands secured to them in fee-sim])le for ever, that their fears on that account may be quieted, and they encouraged to lay up something for themselves and their children. " In the next place, nearly all the tribes have annuities paid them in goods or money, quite sufficient in most cases to make them comfortable during the year, if rightly applied. Kach tribe receives all their money at one payment, and this money ])asses from them in a few days, and in most instances the poor ignorant Indian has nothing of value to show for it, but is, in fact, made more miserable on account of it, from its misapplication. " We would suggest the propriety of endeavouring to bring about a change in the manner in which these payments are made, so as to place their money, if possible, out of the reach of avaricious and unprincipled men. We are aware, that to effect such a change might be attended with difficulties, but the good that would arise to the Indians would warrant some sacrifice to effect so desirable an object. The Indians, in their present state, are very improvident, and in most cases in- capable of managing their affairs and expending their money to advantage. We would not hold out to the public that they are receiving more than their due, but inasmuch as the Go- vernment consider them as their wards, they should extend i^ 507 their guardianship still further, and not leave tliein as much exposed as they now are. " The Indians a))pear not in general to be governed by moral or religious i)rinciples, and every means is used to ])lace before them such things as will entice their ap])etites and ])assi<)ns, and having little to restrain them, they fall an easy ])rey to temptation, and the work of deslruclion goes on while they are possessed of any thing that is valuable, or have any credit left. We consider their annuities justly due to them, and would be far from pro])osing any thing that would divert them from being used for their benefit : but we believe it to be very desirable that more effectual measures be adopted to have them disbursed in a manner that will tend, as far as prac- ticable, to the real advantage of the poor Indians. Another great source of innnorality and misery is their near location to the military posts. While the ostensible object of these fortifications is to guard the Indians on the frontier from being harmed by the wild tribes, and to prevent hostilities between them and the frontier settlers, the licentiousness hence re- sulting in many of the tribes is too gross to be mentioned ; the effect of which is, to destroy the morals of many of the whites, and to entail wretchedness, misery, and death, on the Indians. " In regard to their farming operations, we would remark, that the manner in which Government in some instances expends the Indian appropriations for agricultnre, is to prepare and carry on a farm at a suitable place on the land owned by the tribe, as a pattern or sample farm. This manner of farming is attended with considerable expense, and with but little apparent advantage to the Indians, they being much like children that cannot set themselves to work, but might be directed therein, if they had for a few years suitable instruc- tors, not only to show them how, but also to help them to do the work. Therefore we believe that to ensure success, it would be important to employ persons to give general and constant assistance to each Indian in the management of his T n 7 T. ' i ? ani^ ! iV t j i vA,vj>^«»--j;iat^v.. ■I I I ,1 ' 1, ■I ■ 1 fl I r. fi: ^ mm ■ I 'I!; 208 particular lot. One man could assist twenty or more j)ersons, and it would be desirable ibat some of tliese should be married men, whose wives niif^ht be em])loyed to instruct the women in the various branches of housewifery ; lor we think nuich more may be expected IVoin the improvement of the wonien than from that of the men; the vidukii being more innnedi- ately associated witii the children, and much better ac- quainted with habits of industry. This mode of instruction woidd not be attended with much more expense than the pattern-larm sysleni. " Those Indians who live in wigwams are much inclined to rove; and it is not uncommon for them to remove several times during the sunnner. On this account, it seems very important that they should be encouraged to abandon the wigwam altogether, and to live in houses and have lots at- tached to them — well enclosed, so that an individual interest might be excited, instead of having things in common, as they now do; for unless such an interest can be raised among them, it will be difhcult to make much improvement in many of the tribes. " We would also give a few hints upon education. The Indians being so generally prejudiced against the white people, are very much averse to their children being educated b}' them, either in or out of their nation ; and boys who have been educated abroad, are treated with much neglect when they return home; and having no ojiportnnity to apply their education, either among their own people or the whiles, they soon become discouraged, and in order to initiate themselves again into favour with their tribe, return to the habits and practices of uncivilized life. We regretted that there were no educated Indians employed as teachers or assistants in any of the tribes, white peo])le supplying such places entirely. Much advantage, we believe, might arise in many respects both to parents and children, by encouraging native teachers and assistants ; and we would suggest that special care be taken to bring about so desirable an object. 209 " Having compiled the foregoing statement of facts from extended notes, taken during tlic course of our journey, wliicli occupied us from the latter part of the l-lighth month to tlie last of the year 184'2, during \viii(;h we were partakers of many mercies and ])reservations, we submit it to tlic con- sideration and disposal of our dear friends of the committees of Xew-England and New- York Yearly Meetings. Signed, " JOHN D.LANG, SAMUEL TAYLOR, Jun." " Fourth Monih, I9fh, 1843." The Meeting for Sufferings of the Yearly Meetings of New York and New P^ngland, subsequently to the publication of the foregoing report, prepared the following Memorial to Congress on behalf of the Indians west of ihe Mississippi, the presentation of which was committed to a joint conunit- tee of these meetings, who intended in the early part of the present year to proceed to Washington for this jiurpose. "To THE Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled. " The Memorial of tlio Representatives of the Yearly ^teetinfjs of the Society of Friends for New England and New York respect fiil'y slieweth, That the Society aforesaid, from a sincere desirp to promote the best interests of the aborigines of our country, believe it to be their duty to call the attention of the General Government to some of the circumstances attendant upon their present situation. " Your Memorialists have long been religiously engaged for the welfare of this interesting and suffering people ; and they think it right to inform you that they have, during the past year, received, through two of their friends who visited many of the tribes situate west of the Mississippi, a statement of facts, Avhich they have caused to be published, copies of which are herewith presented you, and by which you \\ ill perceive that there are several subjects of painful interest that, we apprehend, demand the serious deliberation and action of Couirress. " 1st. It is evident that ardent spirits are illegally and extensively in- troduced among them, and are producing the most demoralizing and destructive effects. ii 210 I i, f \ih "2nd. That thn anmiitios paid to them by Government, under the pre- Hont ariiingoiuents, are jirodiutivo of very littlo l)cnefit, from tlio impo- sitions ijractiscd by unpriiiciplfd and avaricious whito men, who soon obtain possession of most, or ail of the money tlius paid them, without rendering a just efjiiivalent tiierefor. " :<rd. That a;,'ricultiire and the arts generally are, at present, but little attended to, and tliat the Indians greatly need proper direction and assist- ance tiuMi'in from suitable persons to be located amongst them. "4th. That tiie system of education now pursued might be materially improved and extended, especiidly among the females; and the introduc- tion of native teachers, educated among themselves, when they can be obtained, against whom fewer prejudices might exist, would tend to pro- mote this result. "5th. We are also induced to call your attention to an apprehension that exists witli many of them, that they nuiy be again removed from the places where they are now located, producing a state of distrust, not only unfavourable to tiieir agricultural improvements, but evidently fruitful in many other evil consequences ; and your memorialists would respectfully suggest, that a renunly would be found in a more perfect assurance from the Government of permanency in iheir present homes, and by their receiving a full and adequate guarantee of the title to their lands, where this may not already iiave been given, and for which nuuiy of them are anxiously looking. " We take tiie liberty to refer you to the published statement before alluded to, and to the practical suggestions therein contained ; and while we are aware that uumy salutary laws have been enacted by Congress for tin' preservation of the riglits, and the promotion of the interests of the Indians, we would r(>spectfully soli"it you to ascertain how far those laws and treaty stipulations have been c tiried into effect, and also what further provisions may be instituted to remove existing abuses, and promote the welfare of these sons of the forest, many of whom place their hopes of redress with a degree of filial feeling on the President, and other consti- tuted authorities of the Government. " We are persuaded that He who ' hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth,' will regard propitiously the paternal care that may be extended to this much-injured and suffering class of our fellow-men, and will bless those measures that may be adopted and faithfully executed for their benefit." I ;ij III «sv '*> PART IV. Some Account of the Labours of Friends of NewEncland Yearly Meeting on behalf of the Indians, from thk Year 184:3. We are not ])ossessed of information relating to the labours of our brethren of this Yearly Meeting on behalf of the Indians prior to the year 1821, although we cannot doubt but that many of them had been previously individually engaged in promoting the good of the primitive races of their district. In that year the attention of the Yearly Meeting was seri- ously drawn to the subject, when it issued several minutes on the occasion, which we subjoin. " Yearly Meeting, 6th month 12, 1821. It appearing by the reading of the Minutes of the Meeting for Sufferings, that the Governor of the State of Maine* has manifested a desire for the amelioration and civilization of a tribe of Indian na- tives within that state, and has made application to a member of this meeting, with a view to the Society of Friends parti- cipating in that object, we appoint to take the subject into consideration, and report at a future sitting. " 13th. The committee appointed at our last sitting, on the subject of an extension of the care of Friends to a tribe of Indian natives in the State of Maine, made the fol- lowing report: " The committee respecting the Penobscot Indians have * Maine had then been recently erected into a state, having heretofore formed a part of Massachusetts, and the Governor had appointed two members of our society as agents for the Indians, in their transactions with the Government of the State, including the disbursements of certain annuities, &c. p2 % 21-2 ;1 1 ' attended to that appointment, and aro united in ])ropnsing to the Nearly Mectin}^ the appointment of a committee to make in{|uirv into their si.,::ition, in order more fully to ascertain whether, and in wliat manner, this meeting can be of service in exten(Hng to those natives the jneans of civilization and improvement." "Which having claimed the attention of Friends, led to an expression of feeling for them in their present situation, and are a])])ointed in accordance with the Ileport for the objects therein specified ; in which service they are requested to desire the aid of I'riends, who are agents for said natives, under appointment from the Government of Maine — and re])ort at our next Yearly Meeting." The Connnittee thus appointed, in order to carry out the views of the Yearly Meeting, ])roceeded early to visit the Indians referred to in the foregoing minute, and at the succeed- ing Yearly Meeting report d as follows. If; ^;-f m- Indian Rf.poiit, 1822. " The Coininittoc rcjiort, that in conjunction with S. F. PI. and J. U. (aj^onts of tiie State of Maine), in order to fulfil our appointment relative to the Pi'Dohscot trihc of Indians, in the ninth month last, they went on to the Pl'noll^(•(J^ liiviT ; conniuMiccd our vi.sit at Old Town Island, twelve miles above lianiror; thence visited all their settlements on their line of Islands: (the soil of vhich is of the best quality), to Passadunky, a distance of twenty-two miles; went into most of their cabins ; had conversation with their families: then returned to Old Town, and, by previous arrann;ement, had an interview with their Lieutenant-Governor (so styled by them), John Neptune, and a number of their chiefs, together with some of their principal women ; in all which we endeavoured to impress their minds with the object of (uir mission, by stating the advantages that would result to them, could they be induced to turn their attention more to fiirming and a ci^■i^/ed life ; jjointing out to them the means by which it might be cari'ied into eft'ect ; to which they listened with attention, and appeared fully to concur with us; as fioui the failure of their fisheries and hunting, they ai)pear(Hl to be convinced of the necessity of a change of their mode of acipiiring subsistence, and manifested a degree of thankfulness and grati- tude for the care they extended towards them. Yet there are many obstacles opposed to their being brought to a civilized state ; their at- ^l< mm\ 2 IS tachnu'nt to their orij^'iiial sava-fi^ liubits, from wlii(!li iUoy have hut very little departed; tlicir ^^rcat aviMsioii to af^ricidtiiral hihoiir; and tlu ir thirst forarch'iit spirits -all fontriimtc to render tlu; i)rosj)ect discoiira;,'iiiLr, ami the niatterot" civilizalioii almost hopeless, or at least a work ot' lime, l.iliour, and expense ; yet, every eircnmstance eonsiden^d. we are led to dmilit the propriety ot'reliiKpiishing the (d)jeet until further expeiiinenl h • made.' After some iiivt'slii>uti()n •)!" tin- shIhccI iu \\\v uii'elin;^ at large, it was relcnetl to a coimnitlee lor I'lirllier considera- tion.* At a subsetiueiit silting, the coniinittcie to wiiiclj the subject liad been referred, recoujtnendedtbe appointment of astanding committee to extend care towards the Penobscot tribe of Indians, and give them advice and assistance in order to promote their civilization, and a due appropriation of their own resources to the comforts of domestic lil'e. — I'lie sug- gestion was united with — and a committee was a])pointed accordingly, to act on behalf of the meeting, and to report to the i.ext \'early Meeting their j)rogress and views of future usefulness in the continuance of the \\ ork. During the year 18'2-2, in ])ursuance of the object of their appointment, the committee paid another \isit to the Penob- scot Indians, and gave them " such advice as way opened for." "Although," say the committee, in their re])ort of 18*23, " there are difficulties to encounter in pronionng an improvement of the condition of this neglected, but interesting class ol' our lellow- creatures, we had the satisfaction to believe that the ])rejudice of which they were possessed, and which seemed to arise from a fear that our views were mercenary, had nnich subsided, and a friendly disposition had taken ])Uice ; in eonlirmation ol" which we have since received information from two of the chiefs, that the whole tribe (which consists of about three hundred persons) had been consulted, and that they agree to attend to our advice, turn their attention more to the cnltivalion of * The whole number of individuals in the tribe is stated at 284. Nuinher of children under ten years, 91. Number of persons over ten and under twenty years, 51. if I I!ll||i 1- I I i .» J ; ( 4 if If 1 i !. rt ; 1 I lk> 214 their lands, and endeavour to procure a living more from farming llian heretofore ; and, thanking Friends for what they have done, would he glad of future advice." The exertions of Friends in this ])art of the Union, for Indian inijjrovcnienl, were not, it a)>})ears, confined to the Penohscols; other tribes residi'ij^ in llitir vicinity having subsequently been ]iartpliers of their Christian care and benevohaice. Occasional notices of this interesting engage- ment occur in the episVolary corres])ondence of this Nearly Meeting with our own, from which wc extract the follow- ing: IS'27. " We are still concerned for the welfare of some of the Indian tribes, and the report of our committee, which has the special charge of this important subject, furnishes the satisfactory information that in one of the tribes under our care, an improvement in husbandry and in moral conduct, more especially in regard to tenii)erance, is very obvious." 1835. " Our concern to aid by our advice and assistance the Penobscot tribe of Indians, in their endeavours to procure for themselves the comforts and advantages of civilized life, is still continued, and by the report of our committee to promote these objects, it appears that some progress is making in this desirable work ; and that some new and interesting fea- tures in regard to the management of the concerns of the tribe have recently been adopted by the legislature of the State of Maine, within whose limits they are situated; particularly a provision, for the possession by them of individual property, in the improvement of their lands, and the establishment within the tribe of an asylum for the aged and infirm, and for orphan children. These features are in accordance with the views of Friends, and encourage us to continue our endeavours for their improvement." Although Friends were not unmindful of the spiritual in- terests of these people, yet from the circumstance of their being very much under the control of the Roman Catholics, whose peculiar tenets they had imbibed, there was not the flUiv 216 same freedom for conveying Christian counsel and instruction to them, as for jjromoting their civilization and for assisting them to niakt! a njore profitable use of their lands. The ter- ritory of the PcMohscots consists of a chain of om^ hundred and forty-six Islands, in the river which hears their name, uell adapted for af,'ricuUure, and containing altogether (our thousand four hundred and eighty-one acres. In addition to this they have annuities to the amount of nearly six thousand dollars, for lands ceded hy them to the State of Maine. With a view to encourage these Indians in the erection of comfortable dwellings, whenever they were about to build, Friends made them presents of glass, nails, and other materials necessary for their construction. In the report of 183(> the committee say, " that the Penobscot tribe possesses about thirty framed dwelling-houses, some of them well finished and painted." It is notorious that from the desolating iuHuence of vices, many of which have been introduced or fostered by Europeans, most of the tribes in North America, who have had intercourse with the whites, have gradually lessened in numbers; and that several once powerful tribes have become extinct. The Christian philanthropist must therefore dwell with i)eculiar pleasure on the few rare and interesting exce])tions to these woeful devastations of human life. Among these instances we may class the tribe of Penobscot Indians, whose numbers, since they first came under the notice of New England Yearly Meeting, have increased full fifty jier cent, xu this tribe, In 18'21 there were . . . families, comprising 284 individuals. 1837 „ 102 ditto ditto 391 ditto 1838 „ 105 ditto ditto 402 ditto 1839 „ 110 ditto ditto 441 ditto. The causes assigned for this increase of population are — " their comparatively temperate habits, their more com- fortable dwellings, and their progressive advanceu)ent in civilization." In addition to labours within their own limits, this Yearly Meeting in 1839 united in the proposal from New York 216 Yearly Met'ting, already noticed, to co-operate in ren- dering some assistance to the Indian tribes located west of llie Mississippi. Their epistle of" 1842 to our Nearly Meeting thus refers to these interesting topics. " A concern for the aborigines of our country has for many years been pre- valent with us, under whicli we have extended some care to the Penobscot tribe of Indians withiu our limits ; and the report of our cou)mittee at this time has been very en- couraging, indicating a gradual improvement among them, and some increase of their numbers. To the Passamaquaddy tribe we have also, during the past year, extended some attention, and we believe there is an opening to do them good. And with a view to inquire into the situation and habits of the various tribes located west of the Mississippi river, we have, in conjunction with our brethren of New York Yearly Meeting, encouraged two of our beloved friends, who, from an apyjrehension of religious duty, have been made \villiug to yield themselves to the service — to make them a visit — to render them such advice as way may open for, and to ascertain in what manner we may be instrumental in doing them good." As the information of a later date, respecting the joint concern of this and New York Yearly Meeting is in- cluded under the head of the last mentioned Yearly Meet- ing, it will be needless for us to repeat it in this division of the work. The Passamaquaddy tribe referred to, re- side on the south-eastern border of the state of Maine. They are represented as more roving in their habits than the Penobscots, and consequently as having made less improvement in their lands. Like them they are Roman Catholics. Their population, which is said to be slowly on the increase, is computed to be rather above four hundred persons. They are generally temperate; and it was stated by their chief to a Friend who was with them about two years since, that he knew of but three individuals of the tribe who used intoxicating drink. m •J 17 Of the imj)ortaiice of iiilrotlucing education among these Indians, " Friends," says our New I'^nghmd correspondent, *' have not been unmindful, and something has been t fleeted in this respect; but many obstacles have ]M-evented the in- struction of the children in the elementary branches of an English education, to the extent that would have been de- sirable. These Indians are strongly attached to the Koman Catholic religion, and the priest, who has resided among them the greater part of the time since Friends first com- menced their attempts to benefit the tribe, has Ijeen un- favourable to the establishment of schools taiight by Pro- testants; and when he has attempted to instruct the children himself, has not been very successful. The difficulty of se- curing their steady attendance at school, when way has opened for the establishment of one at their principal settlement, has also stood much in the way of their improvement. Another difficulty has been found in the circumstance that the children, when quite young, understand no other language than the native one of their ])arents. But notwithstanding all these obstructions, the children have evinced, when ])laced under favourable circumstances for its development, a good capacity for improvement in literary pursuits." ?! 1 t Si r- PART V. Some Account of the Labours of Maryland, Ohio, and Indiana Yearly Meetings on behalf of the Indians, FROM TFE Year 1795 to the Year J 843. In taking a survey of the proceedings of the Yearly Meet- ings of Maryland, Ohio, and Indiana, for ameliorating the condition of the Indian races within their borders, it will, perhaps, be best for us to state, in the commencement, the fact, that Ohio and Indiana Yearly Meetings, though now both large, are, nevertheless, of comparatively recent forma- tion, the former having been established in the year 1813, a.x: - latter in the.'year 1821, which will fully account for tht > ice of any notice of labours among the Indians on their part, prior to these periods. The war which had for years been carried on between the United States and the Indians, had long proved an obstruc- tion to the labours of Friends. By the treaty made at Greenville in 1795, the horrors and devastations of this unhappy conflict were brought to a close, and peace be- tween the Indians and the United States again restored. Way was thus opened for a friendly intercourse with the Indians ; and our Friends of Maryland seem to have lost no time in taking advantage of it, the date of the peace and the appointment of their committee on Indian affairs beino- in the same year. An account of the proceedings of Maryland Yearly Meet- ing in this work, published by its committee in 1805, in reference to the origin of the concern, says, " A weighty con- cern having been opened in ihe year 1795 in our Yearly Meeting, respecting the difficulties and distresses to which the Indian natives of this land were subject, it obtained the serious attention of Friends, and many observations were ^t •220 !i made relative to tlie kindness of their ancestors to ours in llie early settlement of this country, exciting to a deej) con- sideration and inquiry, whether, under the influence of that exalted benevolence and good-will to men, which our holy profession inculcates, there was not something for us, as a Society, to do for them towards ])ronu)ting their religious in- struction, knowledge of agriculture, and useful mechanic arts." The meeting being thus brought under an exercise of mind on account of the neglected situation of the Aborigines of that continent, proceeded to recommend to its subordinate meetings the opening of a subscription for their relief, and the appointment of a committee to give such attention to the concern as they might be enabled to render. This committee early proceeded to give close attention to the subject committed to them ; and in order to make them- selves acquainted with the situation and disposition of the Indians, in the following year appointed a deputation of their number to visit them, and to inform them of the benevolent views which Friends entertained towards them- The visit of these Friends did not, it appears, accomplish what was thus aimed at, on account of the great difficulty which they experienced in meeting with the Indians. They, however, " saw divers hunters and others," who appeared to be well disposed to receive the instruction and assistance which Friends proposed to furnish them." The locality of the Indian nations to which Friends of Maryland directed their attention^ lay furtl jr west than that of those under the care of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, being situated in the extensive region which is comprehended between the rivers Ohio and Mississippi, and bounded on the north by the lakes Superior, Huron, and Erie. The committee being still deficient in the information ne- cessary to enable them to proceed with safety in their impor- tant engagement, again visited the Indians in the year 1797. Respecting this visit, they say, that " having passed by a number of their hunting-camps, and several of their towns, '221 they had large opportunity of discovering their situation ; often exposed to the inclemency of tlie seasons, with a vcrv precarious, and often a very scanty su])])ly of food and clothing, they suflbred all the miseries of extreme poverty, in a country which, from its great fertility, would, with but little cultivation, abundantly supply tliem with all the neces- saries of life." The Friends who undertook this laborious visit, saw some of the chiefs of the Wyandot and Delaware nations, who apjjeared to give nnich attention to what was laid before them, and who promised to lay the same before their grand council. During the year 1798, no progress was made in the concern, except some partial assistance in tools and implements of husbandry, and other assistance to a few Indian families, were furnished to them. ' In the suc- ceeding year the committee received a speech from the prin- cipal chief of the Wyandot nation, of which the following is an extract, viz. : — " Brethren Quakers, " You reinomber that wo once met at a certain phico. When we had tiiere met, a great many good tilings were said, and mucii friend- sliip was professed between us. Brother. -, you told us at that time, that yon not only took us by the hand, hut that you held us fast by the arm ; that you there formed a chain of friendship. You said that it was not a chain of iron, but that it was a chain of silver, that would never get rusty; and that this chain would bind us in l)rotherly afft tion for ever. " Brethren, listen. We have often heard that you were a good and faithful people, ever ready to do justice and good to all men, without dis- tinction of colour; therefore we love you the more sincerely, because of the goodness of your hearts, which has been talked of amongst our nations long since. " Brethren, listen. You have informed us, that you intend to visit us ; yes, that even in our tents and cabins you will take us by the hand. You, brethren, cannot admit a doubt but that we should be very happy to see you. " Brethren, listen. It is but proper to inform you at this time, that when you do come forward to see us, you will, no doubt, pass by my place of residence at Sandusky. 1 will then take you, not only by the hand, but by the arm, and will conduct you safely to the grand council-fire of our great Sasteretsey, where all good things are transacted, and where nothing 222 I ii iU' bad is permitted to appear. When in the grand council of our Sasteretsey, we will then sit down together in peace and friendship, as brethren are accustomed to do after a long absence ; and remind each other, and talk of those things that were done between our good grandfathers, when they first met upon our lands — upon this great island ! " Brethren, may the Great rspirit, the master of light and life, so dispose the hearts and minds of all our nations and people, that the calamities of war may never more be felt, or known by any of them ! that our roads and paths may never more be stained with the blood of our young warriors ! and that our helpless women and children may live in peace and happi- ness ! " On the receipt of tliis request of tlie Wyandots to visit them, the committee concluded to appoint a few friends for that purjjose. On tlieir arrival among the Indians, the Friends were received with much satisfaction, and they ex- pressed the gratitude they felt for the care and friendsliip whicli Friends manifested towards them. During this visit, Friends were sorrowfully affected in observing the baneful effects produced upon the Indians by spirituous liquors, which at that time were ver}- freely su])plied to them by the Canadian traders, in exchange for skins and furs. Their almost universal intemperance presented a very serious diffi- culty in the way of the efforts of the committee for their civilization. No connnunicatiou between the Indians and the conimittee took ])lace from the date of this visit until 1802. In that year some of the princi])al chiefs of the tribes in question, passed through Baltimore, and the committee took the op- portunity of conferring with them, informing them that Friends had felt discouraged in attempting their improve- ment, in consequence of their intemperate use of ardent spirits. This opportunity, it appears, opened the way for a free communication on the subject ; and the following very pathetic speech, made by one of their chiefs on the occa- sion, may properly find a place in these pages, viz. " Brothers and Friends, " When our forefathers first met on this island, then your red brethren were very numorons. But since the introduction amongst us, of what yon cull spirituous liquors, and what we thiuk may justly be called poison, our numbers are greatly diminished. It has destroyed a great part of your red brethren. " My brothers and friends, we plainly perceive that you see the very evil which destroys your red brethren ; it is not an evil of our own making, we have not placed it amongst us ourselves ; it is an evil placed amongst ua by the white people ; we look to them to remove it out of our country. We tell them, brethren, fetch us useful things ; bring goods that will clothe us, our women, and our children, and not this evil liquor, that de- stroys our reason, that destroys our health, that destroys our lives. But all we can say on this subject is of no service, nor gives relief to your red brethren. " My brothers and friends, I rejoice to find that you agree in opinion with us, and express an anxiety to be, if possible, of service to us in re- moving this great evil out of our country, an evil which has. had so much room in it, and has destroyed so many of our lives, that it causes our young men to say, ' We had better be at war with the white people ; this liquor which they introduced into our country, is more to be feared than the gun and the tomahawk.' There are more of us dead since the treaty of Green- ville than we lost by six years' war before. It is all owing to the introduc- tion of this liquor amongst us. " Brothers, when our young men have been out hunting, and are return- ing home loaded with skins and furs, on their way, if it liappens that they come along where some of this whiskey is deposited, the white man who sells it, tells them to take a little drink ; some of them will say ' No, I do not want it ;' they go on till they come to another house, where they find more of the same kind of drink, it is there offered again, they refuse, and again the third time ; but, finally, the fourth or fifth time, one accepts of it and takes a drink, and getting one he wants another, and then a third and fourth, till his senses have left him. After his reason comes back again to him, when he gets up and finds where he is, he asks for his peltry, the answer is, ' You have drank them.' * Where is my gun 'i'' ' It is gone.' ' Where is my shirt ?' ' You have sold it for whiskey ! ! ' Now, brothers, figure to yourselves what condition this man must be in : he has a family at home, a wife and children who stand in need of the profits of his hunt- ing. What must bo their wants when he himself is even without a shirt ! " The comiiuttee being fully persuaded that inuch progress could not be made in forwarding the object of their ap- pointment whilst the Indians were so much exposed to the t' 1 ! i 11 ! I' III tl] i •" iir ll 024 temptations of spiritnons liquors, so abundantly supplied to thetn by the whiles, concluded to present a memorial to Con- gress upon the subject. This was lavourably received, and a law was soon after passed, which, to a great extent, reme- died the evil com])lained of. The main obstacle in proceeding in the interesting con- cern of the Yearly Meeting being now removed, active measures were taken by its committee, for the introduction of agriculture amongst the Indians ; and implements of husbandry, such as ploughs, hoes, axes, &c., &c., were plentifully supplied to them, A considerable amendment in their condition soon became apparent, as we learn from a letter received from the Government agent at Fort Wayne, viz.: "Since there have been no spirituous liquors in the Indian country, they appear very industrious, and are fond of raising stock," he also gave it as his opinion, " that the suppression of spirituous liquors in that country is the most beneficial thing which has ever been done for them by the United Slates." It doesnot appear that any permanent settlement amongst the Indians was attempted by Maryland Yearly Meeting, until the year 1804, during which a deputation from the com- niitlee had a full conference with those situated in the vicinity of Fort Wayne, and remained several weeks amongst them, in visiting a number of their towns and villages. The counnitlee having in view an establishment for instructing the natives in agriculture, a Friend who expressed a will ingness to reside amongst them to superintend it, accom- panied the deputation in this visit. The spot fixed upon for this establishment was on the Wabash river. A number of Indian families came, in order to receive instruction in agri- culture, and a considerable quantity of ground was cleared and put into cultivation, and to some extent stocked with useful domestic animals. Soon after the return of the committee from this important visit, they received a communication from the Indian agent uiil^. 2-2.'5 at Fort Wayne, informing them, tliat at a council of tl)e Indians to which eij^ht hun(hc(l and seventy-four of them came, the written adchess which I'riends had lell willi liiem was inter|)ret<;d and read amongst them, with wliieh great satisfaction was ex])rcssed by the chiefs, one of whom, onbehalf of the Delaware tribe, said: " For many years before I came into the world, the white j^eoplc have been offering to do for us what is now mentioned, and it a])])ears, that our eyes were never opened until this time : we will now tal<e hold of it, and receive it. I am an old man, and want to see it before 1 die; if I once see it, I will die in ])eace, to think I have left my women and children in comfort." The rapid jjrogress which the Indians now made in .civilization, in consequence of the (exertions of Friends, was beyond what the most sanguine of them could have expected, and seemed fully to compensate; for the little progress which for some years was made in the beginning of the work. The settlement on the river Wabash tor a considerable time went on prosperously, and became increasingly useful to the Indians ; but the labours of Friends at this establish- ment were, after some years, much interrupted by an ill- disposed individual who lived among the Indians, and who had acquired great influence over them ; in consequence of which, the committee, after fully explaining their reasons to the Indians, concluded for a time to withdraw from that place. On the withdrawal of the committee from the Wabash establishment, their attention was more closely directed towards the Shawnese tribe of Indians, who at that time resided partly on the river Scotia, a branch of the Muskin- gum, and whose hunting-grounds lay between the River Ohio and Lake Erie, and who had frequently applied to Friends for assistance. In a report made by the couuiiittee in 1812, it is stated that " a grist and saw mill had been erected in their country, and implements of husbandry furnished to them," and that the Indians manifested a disposition to Q Wl I ! '■» i i '22(i becoire industrious, and appeared v(!ry desirous of availin<i; themselves of the assistance and hclj) offered to theiu : " they have, now" continues the report aUudi'd to, "a con«ideraV)h! quantity of h\nd in cultivation, and many of them raise as much grain as is necessary for the consumption of their own fau)ilies. They have, besid(!S, a considerable nund)er of cattle, hogs, &c." Besides this assistance (o the Shawnese, it appears that the couuniltee had, a short tiuie previously to this date, extended some care to ])orlions of the Delaware tribe, upon tiie river Muskingiun, amongst whom a consi- derable improvement had taken ])lace. Iu)r a few years subserpient to this ])eri()d, the efforts of Friends were much retarded, in consequence ol" the unsettlement among the Indians, caused by warlike operations ; but in the year 1815, tranquillity being again restored on the frontiers, the com- mittee were enabled to resume their active labours, and in the following year^ we find that a sub-committee of the " general committees on Indian concerns, ap])ointed by the "Nearly Meeting of Maryland and Ohio," was a])pointed to visit the settlements heretofore under the care of Friends, " with a view of ascertaining the actual situation aiid present disposition of these Indians." This sub-conunitte visited the Indians at Waupaghkonnetta, where they met the chiefs of the village at a council, and explained to them the object of their visit, and that Friends were desirous to furnish them with implements of husbandry, and to place a Friend among them to instruct them in the use of them. The following extract from the report made by the sub- committee on this occasion, shows that, notwithstanding the interruption just adverted to, considerable advancement in civilization has been made : — " Whilst at this village, we visited a number of the families in iheir cabins, and were everywhere received with great kindness and affection. We also examined a good part of the land which they have in cultivation, and found that their corn was generally as good as any that we had 227 passed in tlie wliole of our journey. Almost every family has also a good ^Mrdcn. Si;veral ^'aniens were well s((»iKcd willi various vegelaMes, such as |)(>latoes, cabha^^-s, hfiiiis, l(!lluce, parsnips, carrots, squashes, and s>me oilier kinds of melons. *' The Indians of this village are nearly all Sha\v»;ese, and consist of about eight hundred persons. It is computv'd that they have two hundred and fifty acres of land i)lanle(l w ilh corn, which from its ])resent ap])earan;(! will, we think, yield between seven and eight thousand bushels. U'c found many of them at work in their fields, and from the best information we could collect, it appears that a considerable mnnber of them are becoming industrious. Many oi the families have also some jioultr}'." From Waupaghkonnelta the committee ])rocecded to a settlement of about four hundred Indians, near Sloney Creek, not far from the head-waters of tlie Miami, who had also made progress in civilization, and evinced a desire to avail themselves of such help as Friends might be disposed to render them for their further advancement. During the succeeding two years, considerable progress a))pears to have been made at tluj Waui)aghkonnetta esta- blishment. We find by a re])ort of the counnittee, made in the latter part of 1818, that the grist and saw-mill, which Friends had erected there, were at that time in full operation, and that Indian aflairs at this place were mider the imuie- diate superintendence of a sub-committee of four men and three women Friends, residing conligiuius to the s])()t. In consequence of the susjjension of a late treaty between the Government and the Indians, by which the ])osse.ssion of the reservations confirnujd to them by this treaty became endangered, many of the Indians became nnich discouraged. Friends, seeing the injurious tendency which a susi)ension of this treaty would have upon the objects of their care, laid the subject before the President, in a memorial, in the eighth month of this year. The result of these endeavours were for Q 2 •2-i« 1 1 M'lil; a time satisfactory ; as the treaty alluded to was again recoj^Miiseil, and the reservations of the Indians consi- derably enlarged, they felt a greater degree of security in the possession of their land. In the following year a visit was paid by the sub-connnittee to Lewistown, with a view of opening an establishment there, siu)ilar to that at WaupaghkoniM'tta, and for that ])urposo a Friend and his wile were stationed at Lewisloun. The comniittee about this lime began to tur.i its attention to the subject of education. The .settlement at Waupagh- konnella appeared to be a suitable ))lace for opening a school. Some exertions in the way of education had already been made, by the distribution of a nund)er of primers among the children at this establishment. The Lewistown Indians had for some time ))ast been very desirous to have their children educated, and three of their chiefs had placed their sons with a rriend, who kept a school at the settlement at Madriver, who conducted themselves very agreeably toward those with wliom they were thus associaliid. Subscriptions were raised lor this ])urpose, and we find in the rejjort of 1811), the acknowledgment of a sum of om hundred and lilty i)ounds from our friends in Ireland. In establishing a school among the Indians, it was consi- dered necessary to make arrangisments for boarding a id clothing the ])upils, so as to have them entirely under care. Two or three years ela])sed before the necessary steps were completed ; but a jmrchase was at length made ol'an eligible tract ol land ol" two hundred and Iburleen acres, about five n)ilesfrom the agricultural establishment alWaupaghkonnclta, the cou)mitlee considering that, by i)lacing it at such a dis- tance much inconvenience would be avoided, as the children would be more separated from their " idle associates, and be more under the control and attached to the company of their preceptors." The school-house and dwelling for the superintendent and lamily having been erected, and the pro- per arrangements made, the school was opened about the ^itim. UQi) latter end of the vear 1822. 'Vho. Iioartv lecention which the ostuhiishmt'iit of this school met willi in llic niiiids of the Indians, may be ^'ullicrcd iVom lla.' follow ini; speech of one of their ))rincii)al chiefs, made at a conl'eience with thein u|)on the subjeel, \iz. " My friends, we all heard your discourse, and after didy considering your words we find they are good, and we are all well pleased with them. We think the institution a good one, and perceive it will be very advanta (cous to our chil- dren. They will be greatly benefited b) t. 'i'he childi<u who have been to you heretofore will return to you i<gaiu ; there is a great number amongst us. We \\ill use all >ur in- fluence with the parents, ])articularly the molhers lo sen '> them. We consider that in educating our children, we ->«; qualifying them to ])ass through the world with satisfaction and ease, and fitting them, in part, for any sphere .1 iii'e. We are fully convinced the life we have lived will \n no wise suit them. We therefore desire you to exercise all diligence with them, and not give them up too easily ; but at tlie same time you will treat them, as you observed, with tenderness and resjiecl. " We consider the Society of Friends as otn- real friends. We know their manner of w()rshii)ping the (Jreat S])irit is to us more agreeable than any other pe()])lc; we are also very well pleased that our children are to be educated by our real friends. " Now when we retire home, we wili exert ourselves in bringing the children to you." The following report of the conniniltee on Indian concerns for the Yearly Meeting of Oiiso, dated 9th mo. 10, l^-2S, will show the encouraging early ])rogress of this establish- ment, as well as other pleasing features in their Indian con- cerns, viz. I! ni,:^ •i 230 Ohio Ivdiav Report, lfi23. " 'I'o tlio Yearly MoL'tiiijr now sitting, " TIio committee on Indian conceins report, tliat a<,'reoa1)ly to a request from the committee of Indiana Yearly Meetinj^, two of our Tnembers, de- puted to the service, attended with them at the time of their last Yearly Aleetinj,', and also visited the establisimient; and by their report it appears theie is an increasing interest felt by Friends there, and a considerable ad- dition made to their (;ominittee. " By a communication re<;eived from them, we are informed, that a de- putation of theirs have been lately at the tchool, and found the fiimily in good health. There were about twelve scholars, who were making consi- derable progress in learning, and it was expected the number would soon be increased to sixteen or eighteen. " The farm was in a middling state of cultivation, about eight acres were in corn and most of the remainder in grass ; about four acres more are nearly cleared, and will be ready to sow with wheat this season ; the wheat which was reaped the last liarvest turned out well, except a small part, which was on wet ground. " The deputation had a conference Avith most of the chiefs, many other Indians being also i)resent. They all appeared to be well satisfied with the manner in which the school had been conducted, and expressed a wish that their children might be taught to work as well as to read and write. They also promised to send them more steadily to school tlian heretofore. " It was proposed by the deputation, that several of the Indians who were best (pialified should attend the school once a month, to confer with the siipeiintendent and teacher respecting the order of the school, and to endeavour to impress on the ininds of the children the necessity of attend- ii;g thereto. The Indians were pleased with the proposal, and agreed to appoint four of their number for that purpose, some l' whom are to attend every month. " A very great scarcity of provisions has been experienced by the In- dians, in consequence of the former crop being short. At present their prospecits appear better. They have generally abstained from the use of spirituous liquors, and are more settled in their minds than heretofore, having entirely given np the idea of moving, and they are very desirous Friends should continue the sclu)ol establishment. " The committee have employed a young man (a Friend) as teacher at the school, for a short time on trial. And Jesse Baldwin and his wife, who were there last year, still remain as superintendents. " The purchase of the farm, and the improvements there«?n, together ^^\ 231 with other necessary expenses, have required large disbursements ; yet we hopi' when the farm is ouiarged the ('xpciidittirc^ will \to IchscikhI. " WliiMi we tiilic into consideration the uiainiitutlc oi' tlic woilv, tho in- terest wliicli onr friends of Indiana Yearly .Mcv-tin^ taUc; therein, and tho proi^'ress tiie children are nialvinjj in learnin;,', wi' liope there is tause of encoura;,'ement for Friends to persevere in the benevolent undertaking^." Although ihe prospect ves])ecting tlie school at this time was so encouraging, it was not long before it suffered a severe check, in conset[uence of the unsettlenient produced among the Indians by an intention which many of them began to entertain of removing to the west of the Mississippi. This step was so far concluded upon, at least by the larger num- ber of Indians, in the early part of 18-2(>, that they informed Friends that they did not wish the school to be continued. The school was in consequence dismissed. Though the removal of the Indians, and their frequently unsettled state ])revious to their doing so, were circutnslances highly ])reju(licial to their advancement in civilization ; yet we may reasonably hope that the knowledge which they had already obtained in agriculture and mechanical arts, throuoh the in- striunentalily of Friends, would be of great and, perha])s, lasting benefit to them in the western wilderness, to which they were now abou*. to ])roceed. A ^lerson, wlio was sta- tioned liv the (rovernment among the Indians, says, inaktter about this date, in reference to the subject just alluded to, " That there was a ])rospect of a considerable number of the Indians setting out on their way to the ])lace contem]dated for their new residence beyond the Mississip]n ; the chiefs still seem much o]iposed to leaving the place, but should they all go soon, I am very confident that the labours be- stowed on them by Friends will not be lost. The arts of civilized life have imperceptibly crept in among them, which they will not lose; such as breaking their oxen to the yoke, hauling their timber, and ])lougliing the ground. Wiien Friends first came among these Indians, the women had to perform nearly all the labour ; but the case is now altered, the men are not ashamed, but proud to be seen at work." ' If 111 ■ f ! I! ' I!; IM| 032 Soon after this dispersion, the Indians who remained be- hind in tlie vicinity of Wanpaghlvonnctla made application to P'riends to liave the school resumed; this was readily com- plied will), and in the latter end of 182G* we find it again in ojjeration. The following letter from a Friend residing at Mount Pleasant, in Ohio, and the report of the committee on Indian concerns for Indiana, convey some interesting in- telligence relative to this subject, viz. Ohio Indian Repoiit, 1826. " To the Yearly ^teeting now sitting, " The committee on Indian concerns report, that soon after our last Yearly Aloeting, we received a commuuication from the chiefs and prin- cij)al Indians of tlio part of the Shawnese nation which remained at Wau- paghkonnetta, lequesting that the school for tlie education of their chil- dren might he resumed. The committee accordingly made preparation, and the school was opened about the first of the 12th month, under the inspection of Isaac Harvey. Simon Harvey was engaged as teacher, and continued until tiie latter part of the 4th month last, since which time the school has been under the immediate care of Asa Pound and wife, o)ir SM])erintendents. Al)()ut fifteen or sixteen children have attended, and their conduct has been orderly, both in the school and in tlie family. The boys have willingly assisted on the farm when required, and the girls iu the business of tlie liouse. " llclieviug that the time has arrived when it will be useful to instruct the girls iu s])inning, we have ])rocured two wool-wheels, and some wool in lolls, which we exjiect to forward to tliesihooi ininiediately. Four Indian boys, at the request of their parents, have been brought into the neigh- bourhood of Springfield, Ohio, and placed at school, under the care of the committee. The committee of Ohio Yearly Meeting have forwarded a considerable quantity of clothing, and materials for making clothes for the children who are attendiiv- the school ; and similar collections have been made within the limits oi Miami and Centre Quarterly Meetings for the same purpose. " The committee have continued to take some care of the mills, and have made some repairs in order to keep them in useful operation. " The expenses of keeping up the establishment during the past year have been great, to defray which funds have been furnished, as heretofore, by the committee of Ohio Yearly Meeting," •Or 1825. 233 Mount Pleasant, 3rd month, 28tli, 1827. " By recent information from our friends of Indiana, it ajipcars tliat tlio school at \\'aui)a<j;hkonuc'tta was goinj^ on with Ix'ttor prospects of success than at any former j)criod. Since the renu)val of a number of dissatisfied Indians beyond the Mississippi, whidi took place last year, the others have been more settled, and manifest not onlv a desire for the education of their children, but a reformation ajuonj,' those more advanced in years. Councils were frequently held amonj^ themselvei), with their women and children present, to endeavour to prevent the use of sj)irituous licpiors amouf,' tliem. At the time of the last account, there were sixteen scholars of both sexes, and the number expected to be increased as soon as warmer weather came on. Friends of Miami seem warmly interested in the concern, and we think it should be prosecuted to the full extent of the means witliin our power. It has heen proposed to print a spelling-book for them in botli the English and Shawnee language, which will probably be done." Tn consequence of the delicate state of tlie lieallh of tlie wife of the superintendent, the school in 18'i8 was again obliged to be closed, ano remained so nntil the sixth month of the following year, the opening of it being delayed, " owing to the confusion into which the Indians were thrown by some of the measures of the General Government towar^'s them;" "since which time," Sciys the report of the Indiana committee, made in the tenth month following, " it has been attended by from ten to fourteen children, who have conducted them- selves in the school and iamily in an orderly maimer." In the same report it is remarked, in reference to the general progress of civilization at Waupaghkonnetta, that " the Indians are mostly settled on farms, and many of them raise grain and stock sufficient for their own consumption. They are very desirous that we should bring up their children as we do our own ; that is, to instruct them in all the arts of civilized life. The children show a capacity for acquiring science; some have n)ade a small progress in learning, and have a slight knowledge of our language. Several of the girls have made considerable advancement in spinning, sewing, and knitting." Although the labours of Friends appear to have been highly valued by the Indians who had remained behind, and that for a h I! U IV I' Vl ll ^1 I- i:i 1 ' : " . I' '234 time a good degree of settlement ])revailed ; yet as frequent attempts continued to be niadii by the wiiite jiopulcilion to induce tlicni to rcuiovt' westward, llicy were kepi in a slate of unselllenient, very ])!eiudi(ial to their im])roveuient. Tliey were at last prevaded u])on to ])art w ilh tlieir lands. The final treaty for this purpose was in the year 1^31, although their removal did not take place for a year or more after- wards. Almost from the commencement of the active endeavours of the Yearly Meeting of Maryland, in this philanlhro])ic engagement in 1795, to the time of the removal of the objects of their benevolence to the western J'ronticr, a ma'. Ked and gradual amelioration of their condilion appears to have been ett'ected, notwithstanding the interruptions wliitjii from time to time arose in the prosecution of the work. With such evidence of the success which, under the divine blessing, had attended their labours, it is no matter of surprise to find, that the interest and sympathy which had been awakened for this injured class of our lellow-beings, should continue to be strongly felt. Thus, we find the Yearly Meeting of Ohio, in 183-2 and 1833, addressing our own in regard to the subject in the Ibllcwing terms : — 18j'2. '' The Indians who have long been under our care in connexion with our brethren of Indiana and Maryland Yearly Meetings, are now about to emigrate to the west (jf the Mississip])i, having sold their lands to the Government, and the meeting being brought into feelings of tender sym- ])aihy with them in their present situation, has encouraged the committee charged with that concern, still to keep the object in view, and if way should open for it, continue to extend the oflices of kindness to them, when they shall have removed to their new habitation." 1833. " The renniants of Indian tribes, formerly esta- blished at Waupaglikonnelta and IjCW'stown, in this state, who have for many years received our care, have within the last year been removed by Government west of the Missis- 235 sippi, and although in their new situation they are nearly nine hundred miles iVoni Mount Pleasant, yet we have not lelt ourselves discharged from the concern. Our feelings of interest for these now partially civilized natives, induces a willingness to encounter the increased diflicullies in pro- secuting our labours for their welfare, which their change of location, and other circumstances, have thrown in our way. In pursuance of an agreement made by our com- nnltee and those of Indiana and Maryland, a deputation of three friends from the committee of Indiana have made a visit to those Indians at their new abode, west of the Mississippi." It is melancholy to think of the removal of the Indians to uncultivated wiMs, iu a distant and almost unknown region, without any suitable arrangements haviug been made to ensure them adequate means of subsistence \\ hen there, which, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, were so evidently needed. That this was likely to be attended with consequences the most disastrous and dis- tressing, none but those who are blind to the connuon wants of humanity could fail to have foreseen. Such, it a])pears, in couunon with most of the tribes who had gone west, was soon the painfid experience of the Sliawnese. Tlie following extract from an article in the " Missouri Republican," written about the tiuie of tiie removal of the Indians in question, although rather long, is yet so very descriptive «.f the suffering condition of the Indians in their new situation, that for the further information of our friends, we are dis- posed to give it a place in these pages : it is as follows : — From the "Missouri Republican," 1834. " For the last three or fovu- years we have endeavoured, but with very little success, to draw the public attention to the Indians upon our frontier. The Government has been crowding tribe after tribe upon our bord'-i^, without any ! i m^ > 'IH h\ Vh i ii: i 5 1 .1, f:: m f 236 prcparatorv arranp^enirnts. Half-civilized Indians are brought Irom ihuir I'aiins, and set down in the wilderness to starve or plnnder lor a livelihood. The game is exhausted, and the means and indueenients to an agricultural life are inadequate and unsafe. Considering the subject for the present with a sole view to the interest of the Indians, we feel constrained 1o say, tliat the system lierclofore pursued by the United States is cruel in the extreme. It is idle to talk about a voluntary removal of a tribe, from their fathers' graves to a distant position in the wilderness, surrounded by strange, jealous, perha))s hostile nations. It is a tale which may be believed in the Atlantic cities, or in the midland parts of the old states, but we of the frontier know better: we know that Indians are com])elled to remove by all the arts of cunning and of force. They are teased and harassed continually in their old locations, by the designed intrusions and trespasses of the whites, and by state regu- lations studiously vexatious, until they can find no peace nor comfort at their old homes. If these means fail, the threats of ]iower can bully them into submission, or their chiefs can be bribed to remove. It may be, that under jiresent circumstances, it is necessary to remove the Indians to the iVontier. Be it so ; still, to remove them without a humane system in actual ])ractice, •) sup])ort, jirotect, anci govern them, and to guard our while settlements, is cruel to the Indians and unjust to the frontier states. Our own legislature might perhaps have done something to operate favourably upon the measures of Congress, but whenever the subject was introduced, a foolish notion prevailed, that it involved a party question, and the majority were afraid to act, lest they might com])romisc their Jacksonism. " As regards the ])eace and safety of our own citizens, no prudent man can shut his eyes to tiie danger which threatens the whole line of our western frontier. The exiles that now inhabit that region are discontented and sullen. Thev hate us, because they feel that we have wronged them; they fear K'. f* 237 us, because Uiey see that ue are strong oiiuiigh to wroii}^ tliem with imininity, and believe that we will wrong them whenever interest prompts. Most ot" them are in squalid poverty ; some die with starvation every year," Friends ap])car to have been alive to the distresses of these poor injured peojjle in their ne\v abode ; and the Ibllowing report of the connnitlee of Indiana, Nearly JNFeeting on Indian concerns, in 1834, furnishes us with some interesting information res])ecling the exertions of Friends f(<r its allevi- ation. From this rejKirt also it is evident that no time ap- pears to have been lost on their part, in mal<iug arrangements for still prosecuting the work of Christian instruction and improvement among the Indians, although so distantly situated. Indiana Inpiak Rkpokt, 1834. " To the Yearly Mot-ting, now sitting : " Shortly after last Yearly Meeting we reeeived a comnumication from the chiefs of the ShaAvnese Indians, informing ua that they were in a suffering condition, for want of necessary provisions. A meeting of the committee was called immediately, and measures entered into, in order to afford them some relief; a committee was appointed to receive and forward such articles of provision as Friends, in their different neighbourhoods might be willing to contribute ; and, from tlie liberality of Friends on that occasion, tlicro was collected about three thousand pounds of bacon, and eleven and half barrels of flour, which was shipped from Cincinnati, to the care of Richard W. Cummins, Indian agent, residing near them, for his attention in distributing to their necessities ; he having informed us that he would attend to it. The freight of said provisions amounted to near one hundred dollars, and the greater part of that was freely contributed. " The committee last year united in a plan of operations, which wo propose to be governed by in future. It was offered for the approbation of the committees of Ohio and Maryland Yearly Meetings, but we have not as yet received any official reply. " The plan united in is as follows : viz.. We are willing to propose as a plan for the proceedings of the committees in future, that the concern of the civilization of the Shawnese Indians, who have heretofore been under our care, and who have removed, and are now living on the Arkansas river, ^ i i i: IH ■, i . > hi, I I ('- 238 bo carried on l)y the three Yearly Moetinj^s of Maryland, Ohio, and Indiana, and tiiat the active part of tlie business devolve on the Committees of Oliio and liidiiina jointly. " Tiiat tluTO he a suitable family placed among the Indians, as super- intciident, and a school kept up regularly with at least t\\enty-five scholars, who are to be taugiit the use of letters and the domestic arts. That the children of such f^riends as may reside among the Indians may be per- mitted to attend the school, wliich will doubtless be to the further ad- vancement of tiie Indian ciiildren ia a knowledge of our language, and that allowance be made by Friends, for the schooling of such children ; and that it be the duty of tiic superintendent to give such counsel and direction, at all times, to the Indians, as in his opinion may be beneficial to them, in their agricultural pursuits, &C. ; tiuit the care and management of the scliool be confided to them, with the assistance of a man Friend, a mechanic to bo employed for that and other purposes, as the superintendent may think best. " Tliat there be buildings erected suitable for such an establishment on the Indian land, if approved by them, and iis soon as practicable, to put a sufficient quantity of ground under cultivation, in order that the children may be employed a part of their time working or. the farm ; and that a woman Friend be employed to assist in the family. " As we are well aware that a knowledge of the principles of the Christian religion is necessaiy, and that it is almost useless to attempt such a work as that of civilization among the Indians without such a knowledge being introduced among them ; and in order to bring this into effect, we propose, if consistent with the views of Government, that inasmuch as a sub-ag(!nt and blacksmith are to be employed and paid by Government, that suitable Friends with families be recommended by the committees to the Secretary of VVar, and if approved of by him, appointed to such stations, that thus there might be a number of Friends sufficient to hold a religious meeting ; and that the Indians have an opportunity to attend and sit with Friends, which we apprehend would not only be beneficial to the Indians themselves, but a strength to our members, whose lot it may be thus to be separated from the society of their Friends with such an imporant charge and responsibility resting upon them. " We are willing further to propose that all communications, in case of emergency, either to the Indians or to Government, l)e made by the com- mittee having the immediate charge of the concern ; and that the funds designed for carrying on the concern be lodged with the Treasurer of the Committee of Indiana Yearly Meeting. " And further, we lay before the Yearly Meeting the following cora- '\ I k^\ 'il'i I' •230 inimication from our dear frionds in MiiLjIiuiil, on the siilijcct of fiuliiin civilization." • Pursuant to llie ])lan proposed in tlio prcccling rt'])()rt, we fnid that, in the following year, the building necessary lor the conteni))lated institution was in the eoinse o(':'veeli(Mi, and in the latter end of 1S.3() the counuiltee w as enabled to report that " the dwelling-house for the superintendent on their land is finished, and the intended school -house \\ as in pro- gress." I'iie number of the Shawnese tribe, at this time residing on their new district of land, which comprises about 2,o00 sfpiare miles, was about nine hundred, six hundred of whom were those who had been under the care of Friends at "\Vauj)aghl<onnetta. The situation chosen for the new esta- blishment among them is on the Arkansas river,. a branch of the Missouri, and west of the organized limits of the United States. The management of the establishment, as heretofore, was to l)c under the joint-committees of the three Yearly Meetings before mentioned. In the year 1837 the counnittees having engaged a Friend and his wife as su])erintendents, with a young woman Friend to assist them, and al.so a young man to act as teacher in the school, they all i)roceeded to the place of destination in the latter end of that year. They were soon followed by a de- * Tlie communication referred to, received from Friendu in England, contained the information that the Yearly Meeting, in reading their Report on Indian concerns, felt much interested in the design which Friends of America entertained, of persevering in their labours on behalf of the Shawnese who had so long been under their care ; and in order to encourage them, a subscription during the Yearly Meeting of 1834 was opened, the object of which was thus defined by the heading of the subscription paper: "Subscriptions for tlic Benefit of the Aborigines of North America ; and especially for the Christian Instruction and Civiliza- tion of the Shawnese Indians, who have lately removed from the State of Ohio to the west of the Mississippi, together with such other tribes as may be afterwards located in the same distri(!t : it being understood that their Christian instruction is the primary object which the subscribers have in view."' The ^.im subscribed amounted to nearly three hundred pounds. !■■ I :■. ■J i i i Y\ W *^»li t!- 3^* It: I:; r^ 240 putation from the CoiiiTnittee of Indiana Yearly Meeting, who had an interview with the Indians at their conncil. The ln(Uans a])])canul glad to meet with them. On confer- ring with tliem respecting the school, tiiey manifested mnch ])leasin-e at the prospect of having one among them, and said they would furnish as many children as the committee wanted, as soon as the teacher and liouse were ready for their re- ce])tion. In the re-organization of their Indian concerns, the atten- tion of Friends of these Yearly Meetings was closely directed to the Christian instruction and religious welfare ol the objects of their care. Tlie annexed extract from tiie Indian Report to Indiana Yearly Meeting in the tenth month, 1837, conveys very ])leasing intelligence on this important part of their transactions, viz. : IlxiKACT I'KOM Imhana Indian Ri;port, 1837. " In deliberating on this very interesting subject, it has seemed to the committee that the importance of our endea- vouiing to inculcate in the minds of the Indians of every class, a knowledge of the principles and doctrines of the Christian religion, as plainly set forth in the Holy Scriptures, is of the first iu)portance, as we are aware that it is in this way, and in this only, that we can expect that a blessing will attend our labours in so important an undertaking as that in which we are engaged, in regard to this people ; and in order to promote the primary object of the concern, it is the judgment of the committee that instruction be given to our superintendent on three ])oints. " 1st. That a meeting for worship be held regularly on first days, and one in the middle of the week, which the Indians are to be invited to attend. "2nd. That portions of the Holy Scripture be read daily in a solemn manner to all classes of the Indians who are willing to attend, and a silent pause to be carefully observed after the reading. ,, -' 941 Meeting, COUTK.il. 1 conftr- id imicli and said wanted, Iheir re- le atten- closely welfare from the 1 month, nportant t, it has r endea- jf every 5 of tlie rip tares, s in this blessing aking as ; and in it is the n to our on first Indians ad daily vho are )bserved " 3rd. That the school be put into operation as early as possible, under the care of a suitable teacher, for the literary education of their children, and more especially for their instructi(m in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures; these several provisions being a revival of the plan which had been acted on at W ." During the year 1838, the condition of the Aborigines of North America, having afresh claimed the serious considera- tion of Friends of Indiana Nearly Meeting, it was concluded to publish an address to the citizens of the United Slates, which had been prepared by the Meeting for Sufferings, and also to present a memorial to Congress, praying that the lands on which the Indians were then settled west of the Mississippi, should be granted to them in pcri)etuity, and that they might be allowed to send delegates to that branch of the legislature. The following extracts, from the re])orls of the committee on Indian affairs, will show the state of their concern for the years 1840 and 1841. Extract from Indiana Indian Report, lOtli Month, 1840. " Tlie school, wliich was reported to the last Yearly Meeting aa being in operation, was continued, witli from twelve to fifteen children, until in the third mouth last, at wliich time EUas Newl.y, wlio had ])een engaged as teaclier, returned home, his term of service iiaving expired ; in con- sequence of which the school was dismissed, and the children returned home, " Our acting committee employed Henry Harvey and Ann his wife, with their family, consisting of one son and two daughters^ who are grown, and three smaller children, and a teacher, for the sum of one thousand dollars per annum. " The following is an extract of the report submitted by them to this committee, as exhibiting tho state of tho concern at the present time. Friends' Establishment, Indian Territory, 9th Month 8th, 1840. " Dear Friends, " We arrived here on the thirteenth of Sixth Month last, and found that the school had been vacant from some time in the Third month ; l\ 242 !,i that David Jones, whom wi> had employed an teacher, had been here Hcvcriil wooks, l»iit tlu^ school had not been resumed in consequence of the weakly state of tiio health of the wife! of the former siiiierintendent. " Hooii after our arrival, we invited tlio chiefH an<l Homo of the jirincipal men of the Hhawnese, to meet us liero in council on the subject of the Nchool. " Accordingly, at the time appointed, fifty-tliree of the principal men, in- cludiiif,' all tlie (!hiefN, except one who was sick, met us, and after addressing them in rej^ard to the concern of I'riends on their account, the desire which the Society continues to feel for their jjresent and future welfare, &c., they were informed that wo were ready and willing to take twenty- five chililren, including those who had been at school here befor(>. " About the tirst of Seventii month, the school was filled to twenty- seven children, who were regular in their attendance, except two, who were taken home on account of their mother being sick ; she still being sick they have not icturned. " In a few weeks from tho commencement of the school wo luid thirty- two, and now for the last few days have thirty-six, who are with us and wish to continue, and who have been given up by their parents. " Tlie progress of the children in improving, with a few exceptions, is equal to what could be expected, and, considering the disadvantages under which they labour for want of understanding our language, or l)eing able to speak it, (though in this they are making considerable improvement,) we tliiiik their progress in learning is equal to what is common in schools of white children. A number of them have learned very fast in reading and writing; several who had not boon at school until wo commenced can now read in easy lessons, and write a pretty good large hand, and others who had not been at school before, together with some who had, are progressing very well. Of the thirty-six children in attendance, all Shawnese except two, who are connected with the tribe, twenty-two are males and fourteen females. Twelve of them liad been at school before our arrival. " It is but justice to say of the children, that they are obedient tons, are very attentive to directions given them, in doors and out, and as orderly and peaceable among themselves and in the family, as we appre- hend so large a number of children of any description, under like circum- stances, would be. " We have progressed to our satisfaction, and the Indians are well satisfied with the school thus far. " The meeting for worship has been kept up, and the daily reading of the Holy Scriptures in the family has been attended to as directed. " Tho children have been kept at their books five or six hours in each day, five days in each week ; they arc allowed an liour or more recess each 243 day, and the reinuindnr of tho day they are kejit iit work, and bid fair to bo vary hulpt'ul. Tho lioys liavn (^Miht-ri'd u conNidcnihlc <jiiaiitity of foddiT, wliih- wo wt'iv cii^fagcd at otlicr w(p||< ; thi-y Wdf hrlpt'iil in imr- vest and at numy other kinds of work. Tin- girls can all knit Htockings, except onu or two, who have not lonj^ been with iis; several of them can make their own droHsos : they are helpful in the kitchen, and Hecni intent to learn all they can. "Tilt! Indians have furnished uh with as inttdligent children as are in the nation, and of a very suitable age to commence at scliool ; several of tho chiefs have sent theirs, and all are desirous that their children should bo raised to habits of industry." ExTiiACT I'lioM .Maiiyland Indian Hepout, loth Month, 1841. "The committee charged with the oonci>rn of the Yearly Meeting for the civilization and Christian instruction of the Indians, rcjiort : ** That by a report received from the committee of Indiana Yearly Afeeting, who are charged with the active duties of the concern, ilated tho fourteenth of the Eighth month last, we are informed, that our school among the Indians has been regularly continued during the past year, consisting of thirty-two regular scholars, and four who are irregidar in their attendance. " About the time of attending and gathering their corn-crops, the school was reduced to twenty-five scholars, at other times it has been increased to thirty-six. There are six who read in the Bible and nine in tho Testament, the rest, except four, read in easy lessons and spell; fourteen wiite and learu the art of figures. " The meeting has been kept up, except wiien sickness in the family has prevented. On first days a few of the Indians frequently attend, whose deportment therein is orderly, and the children behave well. " At eigiit o'clock in the morning the school is opened, by the family being collected, and a portion of the Holy Scriptures read by the superin- tendent, after which the school-exercises commence. " By several letters received from our superintendents, we arc informed that the school appears to have the entire confidence of the Iiulians, and they express the belief, that were the buildings adequate and our means sufficient to defray the expenses, it might be increased to near one hundred children." Through one of our correspondents for this part of the Union, some further interesting intelligence respecting this establishment on the Arkansas river has been obtained, in which the behaviour of the children is spoken of as being '/- 1 .:.i •244 good, that they agree among themselves quite as well as white children, and that they conducted themselves in a very orderly and ])raiseworthy manner at meeting, so that " the outward appearance of the meetings were kept up to the credit of the Society, and," continues the writer, " I think I am safe in saying that they are owned by the good presence of the great Head of the church." The average number of Indians who attended these meetings was about five ; sometimes it ha])peus that com])anies of other Indian tribes visit the neighbourhood of this establishment in their hunting expeditions ; in one day, no less than forty-six men, besides women and children, passed the house, thirty-four of whom broke bread with its inmates, so that," says the superintendent, " if to feed the hungry and clothe the naked is any part of the Christian's duty, this establishment has a valid claim to it ; for in addition to these casual visitors, we have the Shawnese calling on us daily: this, in addition to our regular ianiily of lifty yiersons, makes a great deal of work, and consumes a great deal of ])rovisions. The United States agent, who visited the school at this place in 1811, after examining the chihhen in the various branches of their learning, and hearing them recite Scripture history, pronounced it the most interesting one in that district, and hoped Friends would be encouraged respecting it. The Indian report of 1812 states that the number of children in the school during the year, ranged irom thirty to thirty-five, and that in this period forty-six had received instruction; twenty of these read the Scriptures daily; fifteen read easy lessons and spelt, and three little ones were in their letters; seventeen wrote a ])lain legible hand, and six a round hand ; twenty- ihree uere learning the use of figures, some of whom were working the simj)le rules the second time, and others had learned several useful tables ; eighteen were acquainted with the geography of the United States and territories, sufficient to recite, without the atlas, Q45 their boundaries, capitals, and amount of population, with their principal rivers, &c. They had also some knowledge of the zones, latitude and longitude, and could answer many questions on the map of the world. They were considered by strangers who visited them, to be expert in answering questions on Scripture history, as well as geography. The following extract from the last annual report of this institution, will exhibit its state up to the latest period of our information. deal that Extract from Indiana Indian Report, Ninth Month, 1843. " Our school among the Indians has been regularly continued during the past year. " About the time of planting in the spring, and cultivating corn, several of the Indian boys left the school, and returned home to assist their parents. " Forty-five children, between the ages of five and eighteen years, have been taught more or less in the school since last report, namely, twenty- seven boys and eighteen girls. Ten of the above number have been re- ceived since the scliool year commenced, five of whom iuxd never been at school before ; the average number has been fbout thirty during the past year. Twenty-five of the scholars read, write, and cipher; nineteen of whom study geograpliy. " A First-day school has been regularly kept up, and several of the children have committed to memory a number of Scripture passages. " The family assembles in the morring, and a chapter is read by the Superintendent, with tlie observance of a suitable pause before and after reading ; and not unfrequently more than the usual family are present. " The meeting for worship has been regularly kept up, and frequently a few of the Indians are present. " By the accounts received from our Superintendents, we are infonr.cd that tl'.e suiplus produce rais.'d on the farm and sold was nearly sufficient to defray the e'..penses of the establishment the past year, except the com- pensation to the Superintendents and others in our employ. " Among the expenses incurred were those for materials used in erecting an additional uoartment to the dwelling-house, the lower room of which is to be used as a sitting-room, and the upper-room as a bud-c)iamber. " Some additions have been made to the farm the past year. ' Our Superintendent harvested three hundred and twenty dozens of . h- ; , nine hundred and sixty of oats, and about two tons of hay. There ifll I , i I -; I ! VI ■;!. .'!■ i;:i III 1: I' I' 24(> are forty-four acres iu corn, four and a half acres in buck-wlieat, and one in potatoes, all of which are promising. Also, on the farm, four horses, thirty-five head of cattle ; seventeen of them are milch cows, and upwards of forty hogs. " From the accounts received, there appears to be a sufficient supply of clotliing for the use of the establishment the ensuing year, or nearly so." The committee in this report proposed to the Yearly Mef^l- ing that the sum of six hundred dollars should be raised in aid of the objects of this institution, which was united with. It was also reported that Ohio Yearly Meeting had agreed to subscribe the sum of three hundred dollars for the same purpose. The committee, it appears, in the prose- cution of their engagement, had incurred a debt of about two thousand dollars, which during tlie past year had been but little increased, notwithstanding the expense incurred in the additions made to the farm and house, and a hope was entertained that, by economical arrangements, the debt would be annually reduced, without lessening the number of children receiving instruction. In concluding this interesting and cheering portion of our narrative, we cannot but express our concern for the en- couragement of our brethren engaged in this labour of love. The difficulties of the Indians in their new position in the western wilderness may well awaken our deep sympathy, and lead us again and again to inquire how far we are pay- ing ihe debt of love whicli we owe tiiem. The language of the apostle is strikingly descrij)live of the position of the Christian church in the midst of the world : " I am a debtor," says he, " both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise ;" and we bcLeve, that as we are enabled patiently and in the resignation of our own \kills to wait upon the FiOrd, for the renewed outpouring of the anointing oil for the service of the sanctuary, the more shall we be given to feel, both individually and in a collective capacity, the greatness of our responsibilities and the blessedness of the service. So shall we receive ability from season to season I; 247 to fulfil all that may be called for at our hands by our Lord and Master. Strong are our desires that whilst the Indians are advancing in the knowledge of the arts of civilized life which may conduce to their temporal welfare, they may also become instructed in that blessed knowledge which is life eternal ; that their hearts may be enlightened with the day- spring from on high ; that they m?y indeed come to walk in the light of the Lord ; and that in the rich experience of that redem])tion which is in Christ Jesus, they may become partakers of the blessings spoken of by the Most High, through his prophet : " From the rising of the sun, even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles ; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering : for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of Hosts." T.JE END. Joieuh Rickerby, 1'iinter, Sher^xjum Lane.