Chapter VI: Part 6

“At the treaty of Philadelphia with William Penn and the Six Nations, we considered William Penn as a friend to us, not wishing to cheat us out of our lands, but to pay us a full value for them. Since that time, the society of Friends have treated us very kindly--they have never shown a disposition to wrong us out of our lands, but seemed to wish to cultivate friendship with us, and to let us have our rights and privileges--and to enjoy our own religion. But there are certain persons residing among us, at present, who we believe have a different object. They say they have been sent by the Great Spirit, but we do not think the Great Spirit would send people among us, to cheat us out of our lands, and to cause disturbance to arise amongst us, which has made a division in our nation. No, we do not think the Great Spirit sent the blackcoat’s among us for any such purpose. There is at present five thousand of our people and upwards, who wish the society of Friends to send a suitable person among us, to teach our young men how to till the ground, and our young women the art of domestic manufactures, and our children to read and write. If our friends feel disposed to comply with our wishes, we shall be happy to receive them, and will cause all necessary buildings to be erected for their use--we think by having this plan carried into effect, the nation once more would be united, and become a happy people.”

Your friend,
his
Signed, Red X Jacket.
mark

* * * * *

Although the way has not yet opened to comply with the request in the foregoing communication, the committee were encouraged to persevere in their services the present year, in rendering such aid for the benefit of this poor afflicted people, as the limited means within their power would, under the direction of best wisdom enable them to do.

_Some account of the proceedings of Friends of Baltimore Yearly Meeting._

This concern for improving the condition of our red brethren, having been opened and spread in the Yearly Meeting of Baltimore, in the fall of 1795, and the minds of Friends being much united, and actuated by benevolent motives to promote this desirable object, referred the same to a special committee, to proceed therein as way might open, to render essential service to these aboriginal inhabitants. Accordingly their attention was turned to some of the Indian tribes north-west of the river Ohio, and a deputation was delegated to visit the Shawaneese, Delawares, Wyandots and such other natives in those parts as they might find practicable. They proceeded thereon, in the summer of 1796, after having first obtained the approbation of the general government.

When they arrived at the forks of the Muskingum river, where they had been informed a considerable number of Indians were collected, they found to their great disappointment, that the chiefs and hunters were dispersed: and it not appearing practicable to convene them at that time, to have a suitable conference with them, they returned without accomplishing the object of their visit. They, however, saw divers hunters and others, who appeared well disposed to receive the instruction and assistance which Friends proposed to furnish them.

In the spring of 1797, three Friends again proceeded to that country on an embassy, to inquire into the real situation of the Indian tribes; in the course of which visit, having passed by a number of their hunting camps and several of their towns, they had a large opportunity of discovering their destitute condition, often exposed to the inclemency of the weather, with a very precarious, and often a very scanty supply of food and clothing. They suffered all the miseries of extreme poverty, in a country which from its great fertility, would, with but little cultivation, supply them abundantly with all the necessaries of life.

These Friends had opportunities with some of the chiefs and hunters of the Wyandot and Delaware nations, in which they informed them of the views of the society of Friends, relative to their improvement; and endeavoured to impress on their minds the advantages they would derive, from permitting to be introduced among their people, a knowledge of agriculture, and some of the most useful mechanic arts.

The Indians were attentive to their communications, and promised to lay these matters before their grand council, and inform Friends of their conclusions on the subject.

As no way opened during the year 1798, for carrying the object of the Yearly Meeting into effect, but little was done, more than furnishing a few implements of husbandry, and some assistance to a few Indian families, situated upon the branches of the Tuskarawee’s river.

In the Second month 1799, the committee received a speech and belt of wampum, from Tarhie, the principal chief of the Wyandot nation, delivered at Detroit, in the Ninth month preceding, of which the following is an extract.

“Brethren Quakers--you remember we once met at a certain place. When we had there met, a great many good things were said, and much friendship was professed between us.

“Brothers, you told us at that time that you not only took us by the hand, but that you held us fast by the arm; that you then formed a chain of friendship. You said that it was not a chain of iron; but that it was a chain of precious metal, a chain of silver that would never get rusty; and that this chain would bind us in brotherly affection for ever.

“Brethren, listen. We have often heard that you were a good and a faithful people--ever ready to do justice, and good to all men without distinction of colour--therefore, we love you the more sincerely, because of the goodness of your hearts, which has been talked of among our nation long since.

“Brethren, listen. You have informed us that you intended 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 would 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. I will then take you not only by the hand, but by the arm, and will conduct you safe to the _grand council fire_ of our great Sasteretsey, where all good things are transacted, and where nothing 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 took place between our good grandfathers, when they first met upon our lands--upon this great island.

“Brethren, may the Great Spirit, 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 happiness.”

* * * * *

On considering the foregoing communication, some Friends were deputed to make them a visit, and to afford such assistance as they might be enabled to render. They accordingly proceeded with an intention of being at their general council, and arrived on the third of the Sixth month at upper Sandusky, the principal village of the Wyandots, where they were received by Tarhie (the crane,) and others of that nation.

On their arrival there, it appeared a mistake had been made in the translation of the speech the Indians had sent to Friends, respecting the time of opening their great council, to which Friends had been invited. They were now informed that it began annually at the full moon in the Sixth month.

Finding it would be difficult to procure food for themselves and horses there, until that time, the committee concluded it best to have a conference with Tarhie and other chiefs who were then in the neighbourhood of Sandusky, which was accordingly agreed to. At the time appointed they met at Tarhie’s house, with several other chiefs, and a number of hunters, when they had a full opportunity with them, on the subject of their visit.

Their communication appeared to be received with great satisfaction by the Indians, and in their answer, delivered on some strings of wampum, they expressed the gratitude they felt for the care and friendship, which their beloved brethren the Quakers had always manifested for the Indians, and promised as soon as the grand council met, that they should communicate fully to it, respecting the concern which the society felt for their improvement, and inform Friends by a written speech of their conclusion thereon.

Whilst these Friends were at Sandusky and other villages, their minds were deeply affected under the sorrowful considerations of the baneful effects of spirituous liquors upon the Indians, who were at that time supplied with it in almost every village, by Canadian traders, residing amongst them--and they were confirmed in the opinion, that unless these traders could be restrained from furnishing them with this destructive article, in exchange for their skins and furs, they could not easily be persuaded to turn their minds towards agriculture and the mechanic arts. Notwithstanding which discouragement, the great affection they have for the society of Friends, manifested on all occasions whilst the committee were with them, induced them to hope that Friends would endeavour to keep under the weight of the concern, and be prepared to proceed in the benevolent work whenever way might open, for further service amongst them.

In the year 1800 and 1801, no personal interview was had by Friends with those Indians. In the year 1802, the Little Turtle, Five Medals, and several other principal chiefs of the Miami and Pottawatomie nations passed through Baltimore, on their way to visit the President of the United States, when the committee had a conference with them, in which the view’s of Friends were fully opened, and they were informed of the great discouragement Friends had met with, in carrying their benevolent designs into effect, from the intemperate and destructive use of spirituous liquor amongst the Indians, which was found to be the greatest obstacle in the way of their profiting by the aid which the society had been desirous of giving them.

The Little Turtle in reply, made a very pathetic and impressive speech upon this subject, from which the following is extracted.

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“Brothers and friends--When our forefathers first met on this island, your red brethren were very numerous. But since the introduction of what you call spirituous liquors amongst us, and what we think 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 ourselves; it is an evil placed amongst us 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 destroys our reason--that destroys our health--that destroys our lives. But all we can say on this subject is of no service--it gives no 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 removing 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 introduce into our country, is more to be feared than the gun and the tomahawk. There are more of us dead since the treaty of Grenville, than we lost by the six years war before. It is all owing to the introduction of this liquor amongst us.’

“Brothers, when our young men have been out hunting and are returning home loaded with skins and furs, on their way, if it happens that they come along where some of this liquor 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 a 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? ‘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 hunting. What must be their wants, when he himself is even without a shirt.”

These chiefs appeared to be much rejoiced at the assistance Friends proposed to render them, and in reply to that part of their communication, observed, ‘that it was their anxious wish to engage in the culture of their lands, for although the game was not so scarce but that they could get enough to eat, yet they were sensible it was daily diminishing, and that the time was not far distant, when they would be compelled to take hold of such tools, as they saw in the hands of the white people.’

The committee, from their former experience, being of the judgment, that no great progress could be made in the civilization of the Indians while they were so abundantly supplied with distilled spirits, concluded to address congress on the subject. Their memorial was favourably received, and a law passed, which in some measure provided a remedy for the evil.

As it now appeared to the committee, that the principal obstruction to agriculture amongst the Indians was removed, they were encouraged to proceed in their undertaking. They accordingly provided a number of implements of husbandry, such as ploughs, hoes, axes, &c. &c. which were forwarded and immediately distributed, as a present from the society of Friends. These things were thankfully received by the Indians.

A letter in the summer of 1803, from the agent for Indian affairs at Fort Wayne, informed, that ‘since there had been no spirituous liquor in the Indian country, they appeared very industrious, and turned their attention to raising stock.’ This agent also expressed as his opinion, “that the suppression of spirituous liquors in that country, was the most beneficial measure which had ever been adopted for them, by the United States--that there had not been one Indian killed in that neighbourhood for a year--and that in no preceding year since the treaty of Grenville, had there been less than ten killed, and in some years as many as thirty.” The agent further added, “that the Indians appeared very desirous of procuring for themselves, the necessaries of life, _in our way_, but say they do not know how to begin. Some of their old men say, “the white people want for nothing.” We wish them to show us how to provide the many good things we see amongst them, if it is their wish to instruct us in their way of living as they tell us it is, we wish them to make haste and do it, for we are old and must die soon; but we wish to see before we die, our women and children in that path, that will lead them to happiness.

At the same time, a letter was received from the Little Turtle, and Five Medals, in which they expressed a wish that some Friends would visit their country. The committee, therefore, deputed some of their number for that purpose. They were authorized to procure one or more suitable persons to reside amongst the Indians, for the purpose of teaching them agriculture and other useful knowledge, as far as it should appear practicable.

In Second month 1804, two of the deputation proceeded to Fort Wayne, accompanied by Philip Dennis, who had offered his services to go with them, and remain with the Indians during the summer, for the purpose of instructing them in husbandry. They took with them two horses to be employed in ploughing, &c.

They arrived at Fort Wayne in the latter end of the Third month, and soon after, convened several of their chiefs in a council with them; a future day was fixed upon for the committee to meet them, with as many of their old men, and their women and children as could be assembled. Their chiefs previously requested, that whatever matter Friends might have to communicate to the Indians, should be written down, in order that they might lay it before the grand council in the Sixth month following, to the attendance of which, they pressingly invited the committee.

On the day appointed, being met by a considerable number of the natives, the committee presented them with a written address, from which, though all excellent, and well calculated to impress the Indians’ minds with the importance of adhering to their counsel, we shall, for brevity, content ourselves with extracting some of the most material parts, as follows:

* * * * *

“Brothers, our hearts are filled with thankfulness to the Great Spirit, that he has brought us safely to the country of our red brethren, and protected us through our journey. We also rejoice, that he has given us this opportunity of seeing you and of taking you by the hand.

“Brothers, we had for some time entertained apprehensions that the many changes that were taking place in circumstances, must greatly change the situation of our red brethren, and that the time was fast approaching when it would be necessary for them to alter their mode of living.

“Brothers, after our talk with the chiefs, (alluding to the Little Turtle and others whom we have just mentioned,) we were fully convinced that the time was come, in which our red brethren ought to begin to cultivate their lands. That they ought to raise corn and other grain, also horses, cows, sheep, hogs, and other animals. We then proposed to afford them some assistance. They appeared to be glad of the proposal, and informed us, that many of their people were disposed to turn their attention to the cultivation of the earth--they also expressed a desire to be assisted by their brothers of Baltimore.

“Brothers, it is for this purpose that we have now come, and we again repeat, we rejoice that we have this opportunity of seeing you, and taking you by the hand.

“Brothers, in coming into the country of our red brethren, we have come with our _eyes open_. And although we are affected with sorrow, in believing that many of the red people suffer much for the want of food and clothing, yet our hearts have been made glad, in seeing that it has pleased the Great Spirit to give you a rich and valuable country. Because we know, that it is out of the earth that food and clothing come. We are sure, brothers, that with but little labour and attention, you may raise much more corn and other grain than will be necessary for yourselves, your women and children; and that you may also with great ease, raise many more horses, cows, sheep, hogs and other valuable animals, than will be necessary for your own use. We are also confident that if you will pursue our method in the cultivation of your land, you will live in much greater ease and plenty, and with much less fatigue and toil, than attend hunting for a subsistence.

“Brothers, it will lead you to have fixed homes--you will build comfortable dwelling houses for yourselves, your women and children, where you may be sheltered from the rain, the frost and the snow, and where you may enjoy in plenty, the rewards of your labour.

“Brothers, we will here mention, that the time was, when the forefather of your brothers, the white people, lived beyond the great water, in the same manner that our red brethren now live. The winters can yet be counted when they went almost naked, when they procured their living by fishing, and by the bow and arrow in hunting--and when they lived in houses no better than yours. They were encouraged by some who came from towards the sun rising, and lived amongst them to change their mode of living. They did change--they cultivated the earth, and we are sure the change was a happy one.

“Brothers and friends, we are not ashamed to acknowledge that the time was, when our forefathers rejoiced at finding a wild plum tree, or at killing a little game, and that they wandered up and down, living on the uncertain supplies of fishing and hunting. But brothers, for your encouragement we now mention that by turning their attention to the cultivation of the earth instead of the plum tree, they soon had orchards of many kinds of fruit--instead of the wild game they soon had large numbers of cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, and other valuable animals--and in many places instead of their forests they had large fields of corn, and other grain--also many other valuable productions of the earth.

“Brothers, we have spoken plainly, we desire to speak plain--we will now tell you that we have not come merely to _talk_ with you. We have come prepared to render you a little assistance. Our beloved brother, Philip Dennis, who is now present, has come along with us. His desire is, to cultivate for you, a field of corn, and also to show you how to raise some of the other productions of the earth--he knows how to use the plough, the hoe, the axe, and other implements of husbandry.

“Brothers, he has left a farm--he has left a wife and five small children who are very dear to him--he has come, from a sincere desire to be useful to our red brethren. His motives are pure--he will ask no reward from you for his services--his greatest reward will be, in the satisfaction he will feel, in finding you inclined to take hold of the same tools he takes hold of--to receive from him instruction in the cultivation of your lands, and pursue the example he will set you.

“Brothers, we hope you will make the situation of our brother as comfortable as circumstances will admit. We hope, also, that many of your young men will be willing to be taught by him, to use the plough, the hoe, and other implements of husbandry--for we are sure, brothers, that as you take hold of such tools as are in the hands of the white people, you will find them to be to you, like having additional hands. You will also find that by using them they will enable you to do many things, which without them, cannot be performed.

“Brothers, the white people, in order to get their land cultivated, find it necessary that their young men should be employed in it--and not their women--women are smaller than men--they are not as strong as men. It is the business of our women to be employed in our houses--to keep them clean--to sow, knit, spin, and weave--to dress food for themselves and families--to make clothes for the men and the rest of their families, to keep the clothing of their families clean, and to take care of their children.

“Brothers, we are fully convinced that if you will turn your attention to the cultivation of the earth, to raising the different kinds of grain--to building comfortable dwelling houses for your families--to raising useful animals--amongst others, sheep for the advantage of the wool, in making clothing--to raising flax and hemp for your linen--and your women learn to spin and weave--your lives will be much easier and happier than at present--and your numbers will increase, and not continue to diminish. As we before observed, brothers, your land is good--it is far better than the land which the white people near the great waters, cultivate. We are persuaded that your land will produce double the quantity of any kind of grain, or flax, or hemp, with the same labour necessary near the great water.

“Brothers, we shall now end what we had to say, with informing you, that all the corn and other productions of the earth which Philip Dennis may raise, we wish our red brethren to accept as a token of our friendship. And it is our desire that the chiefs of the Pottawattamie and Miami nations who are now present, added to our brothers the Five Medals, Tuthinipee, and Philip Dennis, make such a distribution thereof as they may think proper.”

* * * * *

The Indians manifested great decorum, and were very attentive during the delivery of this address--in reply to which, the Little Turtle delivered a speech on behalf of the council, from which we extract the following:

“Brothers and friends--we rejoice that the Great Spirit has appointed, that we should meet this day, for we believe this meeting will be of the utmost consequence to your red brethren.

“Brothers, the things which you have said to us, require our greatest attention: it is really necessary that we should deliberate upon them. In order to do so, we must beg you to leave the paper, upon which they are written, that we may communicate them to our chiefs, when they assemble in grand council.

“Brothers, you have been very particular in pointing out to us the duties of our women, and you have told us that in adopting your mode of living, our numbers would increase and not continue to diminish. In all this I certainly agree with you, and I hope my brother chiefs will also agree with you.

“Brothers, assure your people who sent you here--tell your old chiefs that we are obliged to them for their friendly offers to assist us in changing our present mode of living. Tell them it is a great work that cannot be done immediately; but that we are favourably disposed, and hope it will take place gradually.”

* * * * *

These Friends remained several weeks amongst the Indians, during which time they visited a number of their towns and villages, at all of which, they were received in the most friendly and hospitable manner.

In the course of their journey, they passed by a settlement of the Wyandots at Brownstown or the rock. They found that the Indians at this place, had, since the visit made by Friends to their nation in the year 1799, advanced considerably, in agriculture, many of them having built comfortable houses, and acquired a considerable number of cattle, hogs, and other domestic animals. The Wyandots residing at Sandusky and the Shawaneese, on the Auglaize river, had likewise, since that visit, turned their attention very much towards the cultivation of their lands; Friends had, therefore, the satisfaction to remark, that the communication from the committee to these nations, and the exertions which had been made to turn their attention to agriculture, although limited in their effect, had not been altogether unavailing.

They also visited the place fixed upon for the settlement of Philip Dennis, on the Wabash river, about forty miles south-west of Fort Wayne, and found its situation to be very advantageous for farming; the soil appeared to be equal in fertility to any land in the western country.

Soon after the return of the Friends, a letter was received by the committee, from the Indian agent at Fort Wayne, informing that the Indians had held their grand council in the Sixth month, agreeably to expectation, at which eight hundred and seventy-four of them attended, when the written address of Friends delivered at Fort Wayne in the previous spring, was produced--read and interpreted to all the different nations present. In reply to which, divers of their chiefs expressed great satisfaction, and amongst others Toethteboxie on behalf of the _Delawares_ said, ‘For many years before I came into the world, the white people have been offering to do for us what is now mentioned, and it appears that our eyes were never opened until this time; we will now take hold of it and receive it. I am an old man and want to see it before I die; if I once see it, I will die in peace, to think I have left my women and children in comfort.’

On the return of Philip Dennis, who remained in the Indian country during most of the year 1804, and spent his time agreeably with the natives--he informed that he had raised about four hundred bushels of corn, besides a quantity of turnips, potatoes, and a quantity of other garden vegetables, which he directed to be divided amongst the Indians on their return from their hunting camps. He left with the Indians, with whom he had resided, upon the farm he had cultivated, twenty-three hogs and pigs, seven of which were in good order to kill; and he engaged the agent to attend to killing and salting them. They were small when they were brought to the farm in the spring, and had no other food than what they gathered in the woods.

With some assistance which he obtained from Fort Wayne, he cleared and enclosed under a substantial fence twenty acres of ground, and built a house thirty-two feet long, and seventeen wide, a story and a half high, with floors and partitions.

The Indians who remained with him had been very industrious, and attended to his directions. The young women wished to work in preparing the ground and in tending the corn; from this he dissuaded them, and as some spinning wheels had just arrived at Fort Wayne, which had been sent on by government--he encouraged them to go there, and learn to spin and knit, of a white woman who was at that place;--this they did, and soon learned both to spin and knit; and when he came away, he left them knitting yarn of their spinning.

The Indians were very desirous of Friends continuing their care towards them, and that they should send a person to take the place of Philip Dennis, but as no suitable Friend offered for that purpose, it was believed best to request the agent of government residing at Fort Wayne, (and who appeared to be friendly disposed towards the views of Friends,) to procure and employ the most suitable person he could, in that country, to plough the land cultivated by Philip Dennis, the last season, and plant it in corn, and to endeavour to enlist the service of the Indians in the labour of tending it; also to prepare a garden of the most useful vegetables for the Indians’ use, which they might afterwards easily manage.

In reply to this request, Friends received an account from the agent, stating that he would lose no time in complying with their request, and that he was ready at all times, to put in execution the benevolent designs of Friends towards the Indians, as far as it was in his power.

He also mentioned, that at that time, ‘a spirit of industry existed amongst the Indians generally, and that as several of the tribes had requested of government to have a part of their annuities expended in the employment of men to split rails and make fences for them, the Delawares had twenty-three thousand rails put up into fences the last winter; and that forty thousand more would be made into fences for the Miami and Eel river Indians, by the first of the Sixth month--that ten families of the Miamis had settled adjoining the place cultivated by Philip Dennis, and that four men were employed in making rails to fence in forty acres for them; also, that three persons more were at work for the Eel river Indians, half a mile below Dennis’s station; that they had twenty-five acres cleared and ready for the plough, and expected to have fifty or sixty fenced in by the first of the Sixth month. He expected at least twenty-five families would remove to reside at that place the present season, and was confident the settlement would increase very fast. The Indian who worked with Philip Dennis during the last season, was about building himself a comfortable house, had cleared two acres more of ground, and was ploughing the field previously cleared by Philip Dennis. The hogs which were left there with him had increased to one hundred in number.’

The agent further informed, 'that there would be one hundred acres of land under good fence at the Little Turtle’s town, (eighteen miles north of Dennis’s station,) by the first of the Sixth month, where they had also obtained a large number of hogs and some cows, and he doubted not, the Indians would soon see that it was easier to raise food, than to procure it by hunting.' He also added, ‘that Friends may see from the great progress they have made in civilization since Philip Dennis was with them, that they only want good and suitable men to reside among them, and teach them how to work.’

In the fall of the year 1805, the agent at Fort Wayne informed the committee by letter, that agreeably to their directions, he had employed a man to assist the Indians in cultivating the field on the Wabash, which was cleared and cultivated by Philip Dennis, the last year. The Indians with this man’s assistance, had raised, it was supposed, at least six hundred bushels of good corn from this one field, exclusive of what they had raised from ground of their own clearing.

“Many of the oldest of the Eel River and Weas Indians had removed and settled at that place, where they would be followed by the younger branches of their tribes in the ensuing spring.”

He further adds, “Believing as I do that the society of Friends are desirous of ameliorating the situation of their red brethren in the country, I will take the liberty to observe, that the present is a favourable time to put in execution their benevolent views towards the distressed natives of the land; and that much good may be done on the Wabash by sending one or two suitable men to reside amongst the Indians, and teach them how to raise stock, and cultivate the earth. Witness what Philip Dennis effected amongst them the last year, at a station where he had every thing to begin. There are now at least four hundred hogs, and twenty cows, and the Indians at no village in this country live so comfortably as those at that place. If this spirit of industry is kept alive for a few years, it will certainly have a powerful influence upon the minds of the Indians in many of the neighbouring villages.”

An account published by the committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, about this period, has enabled me to furnish so many interesting particulars of their proceedings, that I have already exceeded the bounds I had prescribed to myself, in this narrative. I shall, therefore, only add, that the Yearly Meeting of Baltimore continued for many years to extend aid and instruction, to the Indians in that quarter, by personal visits, and by teachers frequently stationed among them; and continued to have satisfactory proofs of the benefits derived to this people, from their benevolent labours. Their progress, however, in this laudable work was interrupted by the war of 1812, which much agitated, not only those tribes of Indians, but the white people generally, bordering on the Indian territory--this continued while the war lasted. And many of the white inhabitants, it was said, went into block houses, the better to secure themselves.

It may, however, be noted, that Friends on the frontiers, generally remained in their habitations, at least with a few exceptions, and the Indians seemed to repose an unlimited confidence in them, and frequently visited them. The author having visited a settlement of the Indians, (called Lewis’ settlement) in the year 1816, had some opportunity of judging of the high estimation in which the Indians held the society of Friends, on the frontiers of that country. He also had an account from one of the Friends who first settled in those parts (near Mad river,) about the year 1800. He said the Indians manifested much kindness to them, when the country was all a wilderness, by frequently visiting them, and administering to their wants, while they were first opening a settlement and preparing something to subsist upon.

I may also here relate another evidence of the Indians’ kindness and hospitality to the whites. A surveyor who lived in Chilicothe informed me, when at his house in 1816, that being employed by government the summer previous, to survey some land in the Michigan territory, he and his company composed of seven or eight persons, running scant of provisions, were put to their allowance of a spoonful of meal a day, for each person, on which, with some little meat they procured from the forest, they had subsisted for twenty-three days together. But setting out at length towards the settlements in search of provisions, they met with an Indian going on a journey very smartly. They made him understand they were very hungry and had nothing to eat. He looked on them with compassion--pointed towards his cabin, and making signs to them to follow him, struck off in a direction towards it. They pursued his track, often having to stop him, to wait for them, and after about eight miles travelling, arrived at his solitary abode, where he kindly treated them to all the provision at his command, which, though coarse, was to them a delicious dainty.

But to return from this digression, it may be proper to state, that about the year 1813, a Yearly Meeting of Friends was established in the state of Ohio, and being composed of part of the members previously constituting the Yearly Meeting of Baltimore, they also become, as a body, enlisted in the same concern, to improve the condition of the Indian natives; and appointed a committee to carry their views into execution. Friends of this Yearly Meeting living more contiguous to the Indian settlements, unitedly agreed with the Yearly Meeting of Baltimore, to make it a joint concern, as it regarded the requisite pecuniary aid for promoting the object in view. Friends in Ohio, however, became more actively engaged in personal visits, and sending instructors among the Indians.

When peace took place, and the minds of the Indians became somewhat settled, the settlement which had previously been made at Waughpaughkannatta was again resumed, and another promoted at captain Lewis’, and considerable advancement made by the Indians in some of the arts of civilized life.

About the years 1817 and 1818, considerable sales of their lands were made to the United States--and in the north-western parts of the state of Ohio, which much unsettled the minds of the Indians, and in consequence thereof, many of them removed further to the westward.

In the rapid settlement of the states of Ohio and Indiana, and the emigration of Friends further to the westward, it became necessary to establish a Yearly Meeting in Indiana, which event took place about the year 1820 or 1821. This Yearly Meeting, also as a body, feeling the same deep interest, in the welfare of the aboriginal inhabitants, appointed a committee to unite with Ohio Yearly Meeting in promoting their civilization and improvement.

Having but scanty means within my reach, of ascertaining the progress made by those Yearly Meetings of latter years, I can only state, that the concern still continues to engage their attention, and from a report to the Yearly Meeting of Indiana, in 1826, it appears, that the committee had continued their attention to the object of their appointment. “Soon after our last Yearly Meeting,” say they, “the school for the education of the Indian children was resumed, and continued about two months, to the satisfaction both of the Indians and the committee. The children conducted themselves orderly, and made reasonable progress in learning. But towards the latter part of winter the Indians became unsettled in their minds, and it was found impracticable to continue the school to advantage. It was, therefore, dismissed, and soon after Isaac Harvey and wife, in consequence of his indisposition, returned to their former residence. They took with them an Indian lad who remained about three months, during which time he was at school.

“About two hundred of the Indians who resided on the Waughpaughkonnatta reserve, have removed, and are now on their way to join those of their nation settled west of the Mississippi; and it is yet uncertain, whether those that remain will shortly be in a situation to receive instruction. However that may be, we feel satisfied that the labour heretofore bestowed on them will not all be lost. They have obtained a sufficient knowledge of agriculture, to enable them to supply their more pressing wants, and many of them have acquired habits of industry, which we believe they will retain. And should they all eventually remove to join their nation in the west, we apprehend the advantages they are deriving from the change in their manner of life, will be sufficient to prevent them from returning to their former habits.”

It appears also, that soon after the Yearly Meeting held in Indiana, in the year 1827, “a deputation from the committee in company with a like deputation of the committee of Ohio Yearly Meeting, visited Friends’ establishment, near Waughpaughkonnatta, who found the farm in good order, and the school progressing to satisfaction.”

The minutes of the last Indiana Yearly Meeting of the society of Friends, held at Miami, also show, that they continue a committee, to act in conjunction with the Yearly Meetings of Ohio and Baltimore, and to proceed in the further prosecution of this concern as way may open.

Thus the society of Friends constituting the Yearly Meetings of Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore, have, for more than thirty years, and those of Ohio, and Indiana, since their first establishment, been engaged in endeavouring to reclaim from savage life, and to meliorate the condition of various tribes, of the interesting but much injured aborigines of our country; and they have succeeded in instructing many of them in agriculture, in school learning, in many of the most useful mechanic arts, and the raising of domestic animals, whereby their lives are rendered more comfortable, and their domestic engagements increased, as well as their moral condition improved--and, could the Indians have been permitted to remain quiet in the possession of their land, and to enjoy the fruits of their labours, without interruption from the whites, there is reason to believe, that by a continuation and extension of this care towards them, a radical change in their character would in a short time have been effected; and instead of migrating by families and tribes, far to the westward, and traversing the dreary regions of an unknown wilderness, in quest of a home, and in search of food, they might have become useful citizens of the community, contributing to the wealth, the happiness, and national character of the United States. For truly it must be acknowledged, that there are among these native sons of the forest, men of deep reflection--men of extraordinary talents--men of superior powers of mind, and men who, considering the means of their menial improvement, might rank with the ancient orators of Greece and Rome. Added to this, there is sufficient evidence, that they believe in the principle operating within them, a measure of which, or the grace of God, according to the apostle’s doctrine, is given to every man to profit withal, whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free. And they acknowledge in all important transactions, the overruling providence and superintending care of one all-wise, omnipotent, and omnipresent Being, who governs the universe; and they believe that they will be rewarded in a future state, according as their actions have been in this life, either good or evil. Why then should not the policy of the government be directed to the protection and preservation of these people, and not to their extermination from their native soil? Is it not a doctrine sanctioned by the general consent of Christians, that all nations are equally free? That one nation has no right to infringe upon the freedom of another?

Let us then fulfil the golden rule--let us then, my fellow citizens, exercise that kind of policy towards them, that we would they should have done to us, if they had landed on our shores with a superiority of strength. Why should not things be equal on both sides? Or is the balance of power always to decide the balance of justice, and rob the weak and defenceless of their lawful rights--shall a nation professing _christianity_, and having pledged itself in the most solemn manner to _protect the Indians in all their rights_, be guilty of such injustice? Or what part of the gospel will they plead in extenuation of such a crime? In what part of the earth did the apostles or first promulgators of the gospel assume, to extirpate from their country, or to claim a right over the freedom and the substance of the Gentiles? What a strange method this would be, of propagating the gospel of peace. And can it be expected the natives of America, those keen-eyed observers of the actions of men, will be brought to embrace the christian religion by such a policy as this! And, while injustice is practised towards them instead of the government redressing their wrongs, will they not be induced to say as an Indian chief once did, to a missionary, on a certain occasion, “We find the christians much more depraved in their morals than we are, and we judge of _their doctrine_ by the badness of their lives.”

_Since the foregoing was prepared for the press, the following,
taken from a Pittsburg Gazette, has been forwarded by a friend,
and as it gives some recent account of the noted and ancient
chief, Cornplanter, as well as other of the Seneca Indians, it
may prove an interesting addition to this work._

It appears a trip was performed up the Alleghany river in the Fifth month last, as high as Olean, in the state of New York, by a new steamboat, and as it was the first that had ever ascended that river, as far as the Indian towns, it excited some astonishment. The account states, that “On the thirteenth of May, at nine o’clock, she arrived opposite the village of Cornplanter. Here a deputation waited on that ancient and well known Indian king or chief, and invited him on board this new, and to him wonderful visiter, a steamboat. We found him in all his native simplicity of dress and manner of living, lying on his couch, made of rough pine boards, and covered with deer skins and blankets. His habitation, a two story log house, is in a state of decay, without furniture, except a few benches, and wooden bowls and spoons to eat out of. This convinced us of his determination to retain old habits and customs. This venerable old chief was a lad in the first French war, in 1744, and is now nearly one hundred years of age. He is a smart active man, seemingly possessed of all his strength of mind, and in perfect health, and retains among his nation all that uncontrolled influence he has ever done.

“He, with his son Charles, sixty years of age, and his son-in-law, came on board, and remained until she had passed six miles up, and then they returned home in their own canoe, after expressing great pleasure. His domain is a delightful bottom of rich land, two miles[3] square, nearly adjoining the line between Pennsylvania and New York. On this, his own family, about fifty in number, in eight or ten houses reside. Cornplanter’s wife, and her mother, one hundred and fifteen years of age, are in good health.

The lands of this tribe being forty miles long and half a mile wide on each side of the river, lie just above, but all in the state of New York. They have a number of villages, and are about seven hundred in number, scattered all along this reserve. Many of them have good dwellings, and, like the whites, some are intelligent, industrious, and useful--while others are the reverse. On the whole they are becoming civilized and christianized, as fast as can be expected. The natives appeared in great numbers, (we counted four hundred) who were attracted to view this unexpected sight on their waters. Their lands terminate eight miles below Olean.”

* * * * *

_A vocabulary of some of the most familiar words and phrases in the Seneca language, and the English, in alphabetical order._