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Friends Religious Society
The Efforts of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
to Pro'Tiote the Civilization and Irapcovement of the Indians
Philadelphia, 1879.

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

1941

A BRIEF SKETCH

OF THE EPFOKTS OP

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING

lleltgioas ^0ciet| of ^xmh,

TO PROMOTE THE

CIVILIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT
OP THE
INDIANS; ALSO, op THE
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE TRIBES
IN THE
STATE OF NEW 'YORK.

PUBLISHED BY DIRECTION OP TBE INDIAN COMMITTEE OF
PHILADELPHIA YEARLT MBETIKG OF FBIENDS. — 1866.

PHILADELPHIA:
FRIENDS' BOOK STOEE, No. 304 AECH STREET.
EEPRINTED 1879.

A BRIEF SKETCH

OP THE EFPOHTS OP

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING

OP THE

TO PROMOTE THE

CIVILIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT

OP THE

INDIANS

ALSO, OP THE

PRESENT CONDITION OP THE TRIBES

STATE OF NEW YORK.

PUBLISHED BY DIRECTION OF THE INDIAN COMMITTEE OP
PHILADELPHIA TEAliLY MEETING OF FRIENDS. — 1866.

PHILADELPHIA:
FRIENDS' BOOK STORE, No. 304 AECH STREET.
EEPEINTED 1879.

At a meeting of the Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
for the improvement and civilization of the Indian Natives, held
Eighth month, 22nd, 1866 :
A brief sketch of the efforts of Friends of Philadelphia Yearly-
Meeting to improve the condition of the Indians ; and also of the
present situation of the tribes in the State of New York, having
been prepared and submitted to us, it was read, and being approved,
it is directed to be printed for general circulation.
Signed on behalf and by direction of the aforesaid Committee;
THOMAS WISTAR,
Clerk.

Note. — The following pages have been drawn up chiefly with a view of
conveying to the meinbers of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends, the
interesting information respecting the present condition of the Indians in the
State of New York, derived from the Report of a deputation appointed to visit
them by the Indian Committee of this Yearly Meeting. It is published in the
hope that it may increase the interest of Friends in the welfare of this people,
who have strong claims on our sympathy and kindness.
As it will be likely to come under the notice of persons not members of our
Society, it seemed necessary to give a short .sketch of the rise and progress of
the concern in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, for the welfare of this people.
It is proper, however, to state that this concern was by no means limited to
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. It pervaded the whole Society in England and
America. Friends in England contributed a large amount to aid it ; and we
believe almost all the Yearly Meetings of Friends on this continent have
Standing Committees engaged in the prosecution of this benevolent work,
among different tribes of Indians; and carrying on their labors upon the same
pacific and Christian principles.

At a meeting of the Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for the im
provement and civilization of the Indian Nations, held Twelfth month 20th,
1878. The pamphlet entitled, " A Brief Sketch of the efforts of Friends,'' &c.,
published by this Committee in 1866, having been out of print for some years
and some inquiry continuing to be made for it, it is thought it may now be
timely to reprint an edition of it.
Taken from the Minutes. (jeo. j. Scattergood, Cla-k.

CGS.^^b

A BRIEF SKETCH, &c.

From the earliest period at which the Religious
Society of Friends had intercourse with the Indians,
it has been their endeavor to treat them with kindness
and justice, to guard them against the imposition and
fraud to which their ignorance exposed them ; to me
liorate and improve their condition ; and to commend
the benign and heavenly principles of the Christian
religion to their approval and acceptance by an up
right example consistent therewith.
Such were the motives which actuated William
Penn in the settlement of Pennsylvania. In a letter
addressed to the Natives before his arrival in America,
dated, " London, the 18th of the Sixth month, 1861,"
he says;
" I am very sensible ofthe unkindnessand injustice that have
been exercised toward you by the people of these parts of the
world, who have sought themselves, and to make great advan
tages by you, rather than to be examples of goodness and pa
tience nnto you ; which I hear hath been 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 known in my own country.
I have great love and regard towards you, and desire to gain
your love and friendship by a kind, just and peaceable life. The
people I send are of the same mind, and shall in all things
behave themselves accordingly ; and' if, in anything, any shall
offend you or your people, you shall have full and speedy satis
faction for the same, by an equal number of just men on both
sides; that by no means you may have just occasion of being
offended against them."

The early emigrants to Pennsylvania were chiefly
members of the Religious Society of Friends, and
entertained the same pacific and benevolent feel
ings as their Oovernor. Though coming into a wil
derness country, inhabited only by Indians, they
brought no warlike weapons — they built no forts, had
no soldiers, or military defence of any kind, but relied
solely on the protecting care of that Almighty Being
who can control the hearts of all men, and stay the
hand of violence and outrage. Their humane and
Christian treatment won the hearts of the Aborigines,
and a friendship was established which has been
transmitted from generation to generation to the pre
sent day.
Laws were enacted to prevent defrauding them —
care was taken that they should be fairly compensated
for furs, game, &c., brought for sale, and that they
should be charged no more than the current market
price for what they bought ; that if " any man, by any
ways or means, in word or deed, should affront or
wrong an Indian, he should incur the same penalty
of the law, as if he had committed it against a fellow
planter;" that if a dispute arose between an Indian
and a white man, six men of each description should
constitute a jury to settle i1>— and that " the Indians
should have the same liberty to do all things relating
to the improvement of their grounds and providing
sustenance for their families, that any of the planters
enjoy." The effect of these wise and just enactments was
most favorable, and secured the confidence and good
will of the Indians, who treated the settlers with great
kindness and often ministered to their wants when
destitute of food.

On the 14th of 10th month, 1682, WiUiam Penn
made his celebrated Treaty with the Natives, under
the Elm tree at Shackamaxon. He and his friends,
without any instrument of war or defence, met the
vast assemblage of chiefs and warriors ; and in a few
brief sentences he unfolded to them his views and
feelings. " The great Spirit, said he, who made you and me, who rules
in heaven and earth, who knows the innermost thoughts of
man ; knows that I and my friends have a hearty desire to live
in peace and friendship with the Indians, and to serve them to
the utmost of our power. It is not the custom of me and my
friends to use weapons of war against our fellow-creatures, and
for this reason we have como to you without arms. Our desire
is not to do injury and thus provoke the great Spirit, but to do
good. Wo are now met on the broad pathway of good faith and
good will, and no advantage will be taken on either side, but
all is to be openness, brotherhood and love."
This was not a mere flourish of smooth words, —
The Governor and his friends meant what they said,
and proved it by their actions. Though he had bought
the province of King Charles, he paid the native pro
prietors a price for it which was entirely satisfactory
to them ; the terms of the compact which was to unite
them in mutual good offices were settled and ratified,
and the chiefs were so touched with the fairness and
benevolence of Friends that they solemnly declared
" they would live in love and peace with Onas and
his children so long as the sun and moon shall
endure." So faithfully did they keep this promise, that, in no
instance, amid all the wars and bloodsheds which fol
lowed the withdrawal of Friends from the government
of the Province, was the life of a single member of the
Society taken by them.

6
Nor did the Governor and his friends confine their
efforts to improving the temporal condition of the In
dians. In his petition to King Charles for the grant
of the Province, William Penn states that " he had in
view the glory of God by the civilization of the poor
Indians, and the conversion of these Gentiles, by just
and lenient measures, to Christ's kingdom." For this
end he and many of his brethren labored among them
in the ministry of the gospel, as they felt the Holy
Spirit to lead them into the service.
George Fox writing to Friends in Pennsylvania and
West Jersey, says,
"Let them, [the natives] know the principles of Truth, so
that they may know the way of salvation, and the nature of
true Christianity, and how Christ hath died for them."
Again, " All Friends everywhere who have Indians or Blacks
are to preach the gospel to them, and to other servants, if you
be true Christians." " And also you must instruct and teach
your Indians and Negroes and all others, that Christ by the
grace of God tasted death for every man, and gave himself a
ransom for all men, to be testified in due time, and is the pro
pitiation, not for the sins of Christians only, but for the sins of
the whole world."
In other of his Epistles he enjoins this care ; and in
1685 it engaged the attention of the Yearly Meeting of
Friends of Pennsylvania and New Jersey ; and about
the same time one of its constituent Quarterly Meet
ings appointed a number of Friends " to instruct the
natives in the principles of Christianity and the prac
tice of a true Christian life."
At different periods after this, the welfare and im
provement of various tribes and bands of these people
claimed the care of the meetings of Friends : Large
sums of money were contributed for their benefit ; at

their solicitation and with the approval of the govern
ment, members of the Society attended treaties held
with them, and endeavored t6 promote pacific and
kindly feelings ; and as the settlements of the whites
more and more circumscribed the hunting grounds of
the Indians, Friends labored to direct their attention
to farming as a source of supply, instead of the pre
carious results of the chase, furnishing them with
seeds, agricultural implements, saw-miU irons, nnd other
facilities for a more civilized mode of life.
These labors of love, proceeding from a spirit of true
Christian sympathy with the poor and declining class of
their fellow-men, increased and strengthened the in
terest felt in their welfare ; and in grateful recollection
of the kindness shown by them to our forefathers,
when few in number and pressed by want. Friends
believed it right to adopt and carry into • effect some
more systematic and permanent plan for meliorating
the condition of some of the bands of Indians whose
locations were most contiguous or accessible.
The celebrated Chief Corn Planter addressed a letter
to Friends of Philadelphia in the year 1791, of which
the following is an extract, viz : —
Brothers ; The Seneca Nation see that the Great Spirit in
tends they should not continue to live by hunting, and they
look round on every side and enquire, "Who it is that shall
teach them what is best for them to do ? Your fathers dealt
honestly by our fathers, and these have engaged us to remem
ber it. We wish our children to be taught the same principles
by which your fathers were guided.
"Brothers I We have too little wisdom among us, and we
cannot teach our children what we see their situation requires
them to know. We wish them to be taught to read and write,
and such other things as you teach your children; especially
the love of peace."

8
In 1793 a Chief of the Delaware Nation addressing
some Friends who visited them said ;
"Brothersl 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 for ourselves. We hope you will have pity on us and
instruct us how to gain a more comfortable living — And also
how we may come to obtain everlasting happiness. When we
think of our poor children our hearts are affected with sorrow.
We hope you will send us teachers."
Addresses of similar import were received from other
tribes or bands, some of them alluding in pathetic lan
guage to the long continued and unbroken friendship
between Friends and the Indians from the days of
William Penn, and showing their reliance upon the
Society to aid them in their increasing difficulties.
In the year 1794 a treaty with the Indians was held
at Canandaigua, in New York, by Timothy Pickering,
Commissioner of the United States, which was attended
by four Friends, whose company was requested by the
Natives and officers of Government. During their stay
there the Friends were visited by Sagareesa (the Sword
Carrier) a noted Chief of the Tuscarora Nation, who
expressed to them his desire that some young men of
the Society might come and live among the Indians to
instruct them. The suggestion took hold of the minds
of Friends, and in making Report of their embassy,
they feelingly alluded, to the increasing difficulties which
were pressing upon the Indians, and the desirableness
of adopting some mode by which the Society could
effectually benefit and relieve them.
Actuated by the universal love of the gospel, which
knows no distinction of nation or color, but seeks the

welfare and happiness of all, the Yearly Meeting of
Friends of Philadelphia, held in 1795, appointed a
Standing Committee to endeavor to promote the civili
zation and improvement of the Indians, which entered
at once upon the discharge of its philanthropic duties,
and has been continued by successive appointments to
the present day.* Large suins of money were con-
* The following extracts from the minutes of the Yearly Meeting will show
the feelings which prevailed in that body, viz ;
" Thirtieth of 9th month 1795 ;
" The interesting concern under which this meeting from time to time in
years past has been exercised, and wherewith the minds of many brethren
have been so deeply affected, in relation to the former and present condition
of the Indian Natives, and with reference to events and occurrences respecting
them through a long course of years, being now in a solid manner revived
and spread with life over the meeting; to give the subject more fully that
weighty and deliberate consideration its importance calls for, the following
Friends are named, and also to report their sense whether a fund might not
be fitly appropriated for the desirable purpose of promoting the civilization
and well-being of the Indians ; viz : (here follow the names of forty-three
Friends appointed upon the committee.)
" Second of 10th month. The Friends appointed on the concern of this
meeting relative to the Indian Natives, produced their report thereon, which
being read and considered, is united with ; being as follows ; viz : —
"To the Yearly Meeting now sitting; The Committee appointed on the
interesting concern for promoting the welfare of the Indian Natives, report,
that at several meetings, in which we have had the company of divers con
cerned brethren not particularly named to the service, we have deliberately
considered this important subject, which has for a series of years deeply
exercised the minds of many Friends, and been latterly revived in the Yearly
Meeting with increasing weight. Our minds have been measurably drawn
into sympa;thy with these distressed inhabitants of the wilderness, and on
comparing their situation with our own, and calling to grateful remembrance
the kindness of their predecessors to ours, in the early settlement of this
country; considering our professed principles of peace and goodwill to men ;
we are induced to believe with much unanimity, that there are loud calls for
our benevolence and charitable exertions, to promote among, them the princi
ples of the Christian Religion, as well as to turn their attention to school-
learning, agriculture and useful mechanic employments, especially as there
appears in some ofthe tribes a willingness to unite in endeavors of this kind.
We believe that this end may be much promoted, under the Divine blessing, by
a recommendation from this Meeting to the several Quarterly Meetings, that
a liberal subscription be set on foot, and a fund raised, to be under the direc
tion of a special committee to be appointed by the Yearly Meeting,, in order

10
tributed by Friends in America and England, measures
were taken to ascertain the condition of different tribes
and bands of the Aborigines, and how they could best
be aided ; and though frequent donations were made to
some at a distance, of farming implements, blacksmith's
and carpenter's tools, mill-irons, seeds and articles of
house use, yet it became evident that the benefit of
these was much lessened or soon lost for want of in
struction in their use from some skilled hands, who
should reside among them.
Efforts were promptly made to obtain such persons,
and the consent of the United States Government for
their residing among the Indians applied for and cheer
fully granted ; and Timothy Pickering, then Secretary
of State, addressed a letter of introduction to the
Natives in which he says ;
Brothers ! I have the great pleasure to inform you that your
good friends, the Quakers, have formed a wise plan to show
your young men and boys the most useful practices of the white
people. They will choose some prudent good men to instruct
them. These good men will do this, only from the love they
bear to you, their fellow-men and children of the Great Spirit,
whom they desire to please, and who will be pleased with the
good they do to you.
"The Quakers, and the good men they employ, will ask
nothing from you; neither land, nor money, nor skins, nor
furs, for all the good they will render you. They will request
only your consent and the attention of the young men and
boys, to learn what will be sb useful.
that these pious purposes may be carried into effect as early as practicable
and the apparent friendly disposition of our Government towards this desir
able object improved. And, conceiving that this subject is of sufiicient magni
tude to claim the attention of our Religious Society in different parts of this
Continent, we think it may be useful to embrace the substance of this concern
in the Epistles to the respective Yearly Meetings."
A committee of twenty-nine Friends was accordingly appointed, which met
on the following day, and took immediate measures for carrying into effect the
recommendations contained in the foregoing Report, as well as for promoting
in other ways the Christian concern ofthe Yearly Meeting.

11
"Brothers! If this first attempt succeed, the way will be
open in which your young people may learn other useful prac
tices of the white people, so as to enable them to supply all
their own wants, and such as choose it, may learn to read and
write. " Having thus explained to you the plan of your friends, the
Quakers, I conclude with heartily recommending it to your
adoption, as better calculated to procure lasting and essential
benefits to your nation, than any plan ever before attempted."
In the spring of 1796 three young men, members of
the Society of Friends, commenced their benevolent la
bors among the Stockbridge and Oneida Indians in New
York; and in two or three years had the satisfaction of
witnessing improvement in their condition. Instruc
tion and aid were also given to other bands in that State
and though their progress in civilization was very slow,
yet the favorable changes produced were an inducement
to persevere. Having so far improved as to be capable
in good measure of going on themselves. Friends of
Philadelphia thought it best to withdraw from the set
tlement; and these Indians, with others in that State,
were afterward kindly and very usefully cared for by
Friends of New York Yearly Meeting.
Early in the year 1798, three young men (Friends)
went to the settlement of Corn Planter, a Seneca Chief,
situated in the north-western part of Pennsylvania,
near the New York line, and being furnished with suit
able implements, began farming among the Indians.*
* The descendants of Corn Planter still own and reside upon this tract
which is about a mile square. It was granted to him by the State of Penn
sylvania, in consideration of his fidelity and services to the American cause,
during the war of the Revolution. Some years ago, a part of his heirs having
as was alleged contracted debts to the traders, gave a lien on their right in
the land, and the whole was likely to be sold from his descendants. In their
distress they applied to Friends for advice and aid, and after careful exami
nation of the circumstances, the alleged debt was paid, and the land continues
in the occupancy of the Indians.

12
Their example of patient industry and judicious man
agement gradually wrought upon the minds of the nar
tives, so that 'they listened to the counsel given them
to try living by cultivation of the land rather than
by the chase. Slowly they came into it — the men
sharing in the labors of the field, instead of leaving all
to the women — better houses were built, and provision
made in summer for the supply of food and fuel during
the rigors of winter.
Believing it best not to occupy the land of the In
dians, a tract was after some time bought by Friends,
adjoining the Allegheny reservation in New York, and
buildings erected on it, including a saw and grist-mill,
where the grinding and sawing for the natives were
done without any charge. The abundant supply of
food obtained from the farm and stock under the care
of Friends, had a stimulating effect upon the natives ;
cultivation of grains and potatoes, and the raising of
horses, cattle and hogs, increased, so that the industri
ous and managing ones were generally well supplied.
Having by patient, gentle and persevering labors wit
nessed the favorable commencement of agricultural im
provements, the attention of Friends was turned to bet
tering the condition, of things within doors, and en
deavoring to promote cleanliness,^ household economy,
and the orderly and methodical management of domes
tic affairs. To these ends, the presence, instructions
and example of women skilled in such matters were
necessary. Influenced by feelings of Christian benevo
lence, a nuniber of female Friends, at different periods
sacrificed the comforts and associations of home and
devoted their time and energies to instruct the Indian
women in the various domestic arts of civilized life the
beneficial effects of which have gradually become strik-

13
ingly apparent. One of these, whose valuable labors
have ex:tended at intervals over a period of many years,
and who lately closed a residence of several months at
the settlement, writes under date of 6th month 7th,
1866, in the following encouraging language, viz:
"I am comforted in visiting the Indians this time, and feel
there is cause of thankfulness that the Lord has opened the
hearts ofthe Indian women so generally to attend to what has
been told them in regard to keeping better houses, and not
taking offence. "When I first saw them there were only a few
clean houses, l^ow, the clean ones quite outnumber the untidy
ones. It was a very usual thing to find their houses not swept,
the dishes not washed and the beds not made. I think I have
not found more than two of this description during my being
here this time, and in both these cases the women were in poor
health." Much of the benefit derived from the labors of these
benevolent females was produced by their visits to the
houses. of the Indians, the kind interest manifested in
their welfare, the practical instruction given them in
domestic duties, and the gentle but persevering endeav
ors to induce the Indian women to follow the example
set before them.
The establishment of schools for the instruction of
the young, was an object of early attention, and they
have been continued for more than half a century, and
trained up many in a knowledge ofthe elementary and
some higher branches of a practical English education.
In these schools the Holy Scriptures were daily read,
and care taken to inculcate sound moral and religious
principles. Experience, however, disclosed the fact,
that day-schools, permitting the pupils to return at
evening to the habits and associations of home, where
there was little discipline, and sometimes injurious ex
amples, and to spend there the first day of the week,

14
and those days on which no school was held, were less
favorable to steady progress in moral improvement and
in civilization, than boarding schools.
This conviction led to the opening of such a School
on the farm belonging to the Society, adjoining the In
dian Reservation on the Allegheny River, where the
efforts of Friends had long been chiefly made. The
building accommodates about twenty native pupils,
chiefly females, who are under the care of a family of
Friends. Beside literary instruction, they are taught
habits of industry, order and cleanliness, the girls em
ployed in housewifery, the boys in gardening, cutting
wood, care of stock, &c. There is daily reading of the
Bible and other religious books, and a meeting for Di
vine worship is held every First and Fifth-day.
This method of educating the young people is found
to be more effective and satisfactory than any other that
has been tried. Although the attendance of day scho
lars is not encouraged, yet a few whose parents live
very near are admitted.
One of the great difficulties to be met in promoting
the improvement of the Indians is their fondness for
intoxicating liquors. Against this evil. Friends have
from their first intercourse with them earnestly con
tended, and with a degree of success which encourages
to perseverance in the good work.
The long continued kindness and care of Friends
toward them, the patient and persevering labors of
those who resided among them, to instruct and assist
them, and the large amount of money expended for
their benefit, raised in the minds of some of the In
dians a doubt whether all this could be done without
the expectation of receiving some equivalent. Thouo^h
Friends often assured them that they had no such

15
thought, yet some evilly disposed persons from time
to time persuaded them that by and by Friends would
present a claim against them, and take their land as
a compensation for the services rendered. For a time
this idea seemed to take possession of their minds;
but the reiterated declaration of Friends to the con
trary ; the absence of any such claim, after the lapse of
so many years, and an official document drawn up and
duly signed and delivered to the Nation, disavowing
any such design, and declaring that they would never
make such a claim, eventually overcame and removed
the suspicion.
The Indian is susceptible to the influence of kind
ness, is open to conviction and persuasion when en
forced by a constant Christian example ; but resents
coercion, harsh and unjust treatment and upbraiding
language. The want of a proper appreciation of these
facts will explain the little success which has attended
many well meant plans for meliorating their condition,
and most, if not all, the troubles which Government
has had in dealing with them.
After steadily persevering for more than 60 years
in their endeavors to benefit the natives, though
their progress has been slow, as it was only reason
able to expect it would be. Friends have the satisfac
tion to see a great change wrought in the comforts and
civilization of several Bands of "natives which, at dif
ferent periods, have partaken of their care. The im
perfect shelter of a cave or of a bark or pole wigwam
has given place to comfortable frame or log houses,
often two storied, with window shutters, and some of
them painted, with the yards neatly inclose4 ; suitable
furniture has been introduced where before there was
little or none — meals are regularly and decently cooked

16
and served up, and disgusting filth of person and
dwelling has disappeared, while food and clothing are
procured by their own industry. Many read and
write and understand other elementary branches of
learning, and some of both sexes have taught with
credit public schools in the neighborhoods where they
reside, at which white as well as Indian children are
educated. The Legislature of the State of New York has pur
sued a wise, humane and liberal course toward the In
dians, and extended over them its protecting care. The
laws provide that no purchase or contract for the sale
of Indian lands, shall be valid unless made under the
authority and with the consent of the Legislature.
They authorize the appointment every two years of
an Attorney to represent the Indians, whose salary
shall be paid by the State. Every person who sells
spirituous or intoxicating liquors to an Indian, is
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction is
liable to a fine of not less than $25, nor more than
$50, and to imprisonment. Every person receiving a
pawn or pledge for such liquor from an Indian forfeits
ten times the value of the article so received. Every
person trespassing on Indian lands is liable to a fine of
$25 for every tree cut therefrom.
Indians may lawfully purchase, hold and convey
land in the State, in the same manner as white persons.
The several tribes and bands of Indians may, by the
acts of their respective governments, divide the land
within their reservations, so as that it shall be held in
severalty and fee simple. No land thus partitioned
shall be alienable by the grantee or his heirs for 20
years ; but may be divided among the heirs of those
who die ; and shall not be subject to any Men or incum
brance by mortgage or otherwise.

17
The Superintendent of Public Instruction is charged
by law, with providing for the education of all Indian
children, an enumeration of whom is made annually,
and the cost of their schooling is defrayed out of the
funds of the State, as are also the cost of building and
repairing the school houses, and furnishing them with
all the appliances for teaching ; leaving to the Indians
only the expense of fuel. The schools are kept open
about 36 weeks in the year, and the best teachers are
sought for.

The interest felt in the welfare of the Indians, so
long the objects of attention and care to the Society,
induced the Committee appointed by the Yearly Meet
ing of Friends of Philadelphia to promote their civili
zation and improvement, to depute a part of their num
ber in the autumn of 1865 to visit the different tribes
and bands in the State of New York, and ascertain
their condition, &c. The following address, drawn up
and signed by the Committee to introduce their breth
ren to the Natives, will more fully explain the objects of
the visit — viz : —
From the Indian Committee of the Eeligious Society of
Friends in Philadelphia;
To the several Tribes and Bands of Indians in the State of
New York.
Brothers 1 It is known to some of you that many years ago
our fathers in Philadelphia, influenced by love to your people,
labored to promote their welfare, to encourage them in adopt
ing and improving in the various arts of civilized life ; and to
induce them to live moral and religious lives, agreeably to the
blessed precepts and principles of the Christian religion.
Brothers ! They committed to their children this religious
concern for the welfare and improvement of their Indian breth-
2

18
^•en ; and though it is long since we have visited some of your
settlements, we feel interested in your improvement both in
temporal comfort, and in the things which relate to your hap
piness in the life to come.
Brothers 1 The kind and Christian feelings we cherish toward
you, have induced us to choose some of our beloved Friends to
inquire how you are faring; and what progress you are
making in cultivating your lands, in improving your houses, in
giving your children a good education, both at home and at
school ; and in striving to lead moral and religious lives. [Here
follow the names of the deputation.]
Brothers ; Some of these will probably visit your settle
ments. We ask you to receive them with open hearts, as men
who desire to promote your welfare and happiness. They come
to you in love : receive them as your brothers ; listen to their
counsel, and gladden their and our hearts too, by earnestly
striving to follow it.
Brothers! We commend them to your kind attention and
bid you farewell.
Philadelphia, 9th Month 15th, 1865.
SAMUEL COPE, per order. JOSEPH SCATTBEGOOD,
JOSEPH BLKINTON, AAEON SHAEPLESS,
DAVID EOBEETS, SAMUEL MOEEIS,
THOMAS EVANS, THOMAS WISTAE,
BBENEZEE WOETH, SAMUEL BETTLB.
EICHAED B. BAILY,
From a very interesting report of their visit, made
by the deputation, the following is condensed :
Seneca Indians on the Allegheny Reservation.
The Indians residing on the Allegheny River, in the
State of New York, occupy a reservation which extends
about 35 miles along its course, of an average width of
a little more than half a mile on each side of it and
estimated to contain 42 square miles equal to 26 680
acres. The bottom land is of good quality, though lia
ble to floods, and is mostly under cultivation ; the hill

19
land lying further from the river, is mostly in timber,
and is inferior in fertility. Some of the farms are pretty
well fenced and cultivated.
According to a census report for 1865, the estimated
wealth of this Band is $60,000 ; they have 54 frame
houses, 30 log and 62 of plank, and 13 not described.
The land cultivated is put down at 2,436 acres, and the
products are stated to be 1741 bushels of Wheat, 6,260
bushels of Corn, 329 of Rye, 4,779 of Potatoes, 47 of
Turnips, 434i tons of Hay, and 635 lbs. Maple Sugar.
Their stock comprises 84 Horses, 377 Cattle, 289 Swine
and 55 Sheep.*
For a number of years the population has been gradu
ally increasing, and at the last census there were 898,
of whom 426 were children, and the Superintendent of
Public Schools reports that 356 of these are between 4
and 21 years of age. The number of families is about
180. There are six schools on the Reservation; beside
Friends' Boarding School on their farm adjoining it.
The six schools are organized under the care of the
State Superintendent of Public Schools, and are sup
ported from the State funds.
At a council held by the deputation with these In
dians, one of their leading men said :
"We are thankful that our Friends, the Quakers, are here.
We remember their feelings toward us, and believe they have
tbe greatest desire for our welfare. It is a long time back that
tbis interest in us began, and it still exists. Your forefathers
began it, and it is still felt."
* The Census taken in 1865 under the authority of the State of New York
differs in some respects from the one taken by the Indians, under the direc
tion of the United States Agent, for paying their annuities. This arises in,
part from the different modes pursued in the enumeration, and occasions
some discrepancy in the returns. In making up the statements for the present
purpose, both have been examined, and it is thought the numbers given are
nearly accurate.

20
The deputation made addresses to the natives, press
ing upon them the importance of industry, of clearing
and fencing their land, keeping their houses in good
repair, of sending their children regularly to school, and
and to avoid most scrupulously the use of intoxicating
drink, and resorting to places where they would be
tempted to take it. Their attention was also called to
the large number of white people who occupy their
lands, partly attracted thither by the two Rail Roads
which run through them, and the depots erected there;
and the danger of their ultimately losing the control or
being dispossessed of them. They were also reminded
of a written address which had been presented to them
in the previous year by a deputation from the same
committee, in which, beside treating on the subjects
above alluded to, the following remarks were made, viz :
Brothers : Your old friends, the Quakers, continue to meet
in council at Philadelphia, to confer together respecting the
welfare of their red brethren, for they still love the Indians, as
their fathers did your fathers. They have, therefore, sent us to
visit you. We have been up and down upon your reservation
and have seen many of your people in their own houses.
Brothers : When the Great Spirit first put it into the hearts
of our fathers, many years ago, to seek to do your fathers good ;
they found them living in wigwams ; they were clothed in blan
kets and skins; their chief food was what they got by hunting
and fishing, and there was often much want among them. They
had little or no land cleared; they owned no cattle, horses or
hogs. There were no schools for their children, who were o-i-ow-
ing up in idleness and ignorance. One of your old Chiefs once
said, he used to spend the winter in the woods huntino- sell his
skins in the spring, buy whiskey with the money and push it up
the river in a canoe to his home, where the Indians would con
gregate until it was drank up.
"Now many of you live in very comfortable frame houses,
which are furnished with beds, chairs, stoves, &c. You raise
various crops on which your families live through the year, be-

21
sides owning many cattle, horses, farm tools, &c. There are now
also good schools, at which your children may learn much that
is useful for them to know."
"Some of your people are living upon places that are well
cleared of timber and under-brush — they have put good fences
around them, planted orchards, and are raising good crops and
good stock. These are thrifty men ; and we find they mostly
send their children to school, and bring them up to help them
on their farms, and so they become industrious and useful when
they grow older."
After alluding to the less thrifty and careful class, and touch
ing on some of the vices often prevalent among Indians, the ad
dress-proceeds :
"Brothers: There is another thing which has given us sor
row. It is to see many marry when very young. We have
seen girls not more than fifteen or sixteen years old, the moth
ers of children. This is wrong. They ought to go to school,
and learn how to keep their homes clean and comfortable before
they think of having families. And young men should have a
house and some land cleared, and be in a way to make a living
before they marry, so that they may be able to support their
wives. If this care was taken on both sides, we believe there
would not be so many separations between husband and wife,
as we hear of, — for these should feel nothing but love toward
each other, and nothing but death should part them. We find
also that some marry who are nearly related. This is not good ;
because the children of near relatives are apt to be feeble, both
in body and mind.
Brothers: We believe that many ofthe evils we have men
tioned come from a want of care on the part of parents, who
ought to feel that if children are entrusted to us, it is displeas
ing to the Great Spirit when we do not train them up to do
what is right. In order for this, we must first set them a good
example ourselves. You should teach them to be obedient when
very little, and diligent in all they do. As they grow older,
most of the boys should learn to farm, and some to be wheel
wrights, carpenters, blacksmiths, &c. Let these settle on the
reservation, and let the Indians encourage those who have
learned trades by giving them employment." "We feel that
more concern for your children's best welfare is much wanting
among you."

22
"Brothers: We desire you may daily look to the Great
Spirit for help to enable you to do those things that are well
pleasing in his sight, for He alone can give you strength to do
so. See that your young women are educated, and when they
marry, let them do it as in the sight of God ; for marriage is a
holy thing.
"It would rejoice our hearts and those of your brothers, the
Quakers of Philadelphia, to see you in earnest to iraprave your
condition, and this would also be pleasing to the Great Spirit,
who would bless and prosper you in the work."
In reply, an influential Indian remarked :
"We have paid close attention to what you have said. What
you have told us we will consider. In no other way but that
you have pointed out can troubles be avoided. Our venerable
Friend [one of the deputation who had addressed them] some
of us are well acquainted with. Forty years and more ago he
came' among us. [He lived among them many years, and la
bored for their improvement.] The advice he has given us to
day is known by some of our old men to be the same he gave
long ago. We think from that time we have been gradually
progressing. We have meetings among ourselves; and some of
our people endeavor to turn our attention to being industrious
and moral, and encourage us to do right. We have different de
nominations among us, but the good men who give advice speak
the same language and encourage us to be good. We believe
the older men who have families teach their young men to be
industrious, and work the little land we have left. We are de
sirous to follow your advice. We will endeavor to bring up our
children for their best welfare, and to educate them."
It is proper to observe here, that some years ago, the
Seneca Indians abandoned the old government by chiefs
adopted a Constitution by popular vote, and a new form
of government by officers duly chosen by the people, and
with laws made by representatives. The United States
Government and that of New York have recognized and
sanctioned this government, but some of the Indians
have always stood opposed to it. In reference to this

23
subject, the speaker, who was one of the dissentients,
went on to say:
"Many years our leading men were united in one mind to en
courage the people to do right ; and this continued until not
long since, whon our people became divided ; one party propos
ing a new government, thinking to promote their welfare. And
when they adopted it, we came to see that it was not sufficient
to make our people enlightened and happy. Our condition is
not such as to enable us to carry the heavy expenses of the new
Government; and it has become a necessity to lease out our
lands to raise the money, and we have accordingly leased them
from the Great Valley Creek this way. At Salamanca, [where
the Depot is] the lots have been let until it is quite a city.
After that they leased another piece of land, where there is to
be a Depot, and there arei now many houses upon it. Another
piece of land at Valley Creek was leased a few days ago by the
new Government. The officers allege that we are poor, and
that it is necessary to do it. It is my belief that we shall never
get those lands back again, for we have no money to pay for
the improvements put on them. These proceedings are ex
hausting our territory. There is a division in sentiment and
feeling among us about this new Government, one party hold
ing to it, and the other wishing to abolish it, and we do not
know what the result will be."
Another Indian said:
"I am grateful to see you, the Quakers, among us. You are
kind to us. I would like you to know that I oppose parting
with our land. It is the act of the educated men, at least in
many instances. I have been present when lands were leased,
but I never took any money for it. I will never do so. I will
use all my influence to prevent the disposing of our lands. I
will try to receive the benefit of your advice."
Other Indians expressed their thankfulness for the
advice given them, and at the close of the council much
cordial satisfaction with the interview was evinced.
The situation of these Indians along the border of
the river where much rafting of lumber is carried on,

24
in which they engage ; the Rail Road Station, located
upon their lands, as well as some manufactories ;
draw around them a large white population, many of
whom are of low moral character, and expose them to
corrupting examples and associations, and present
temptations which they have not firmness to resist.
The prospect of receiving high wages for rafting or
other labor induces them to neglect farming, places
them under great exposure to partake of intoxicating
liquors, in paying for which wages are soon squandered
and morals debased. These causes retard the progress
of improvement, and, in some cases, frustrate the efforts
for their benefit — yet, in view of their exposed and
unfavorable location, their weakness and ignorance,
they present strong claims upon the sympathy and
continued watchful care of Friends, which have pro
duced very beneficial results and should lead us to per
severe. Senecas on the Cattaraugus Reservation.
Next to those on the Allegheny River, this Band
partook most largely some years ago of the assistance
of the Society of Friends, and a number of the more
enterprisiiig and industrious removed from Allegheny
and are settled on this reservation. The land lies
along the Cattaraugus Creek, in Erie, Cattaraugus and
Chatauque Counties, New York; is fertile and well
adapted to farming, and a large part of it is cleared and
fenced, and some of the farms are well cultivated.
There are 21,680 acres with a population of 1650, of
whom 781 are children, and 577 of these are reported
of an age to go to school. They have 43 frame houses,
103 log, 103 plank and 15 shanties.
The estimated worth of the Band is put down in the
census at $85,000. There are represented to be 49621

25
acres of land under cultivation, and the crops to have
been in 1865, 3082 bushels of wheat, 12,363 of corn,
82 of barley, 11,104 of potatoes, and 759 tons of hay.
They made 972 pounds of sugar. They had 285 horses,
907 cattle, 424 swine and 24 sheep.
Many of the dwelling houses are good, commodious
buildings, comfortably furnished; and the grounds
around some of them are neatly laid out. The whole
appearance of the thickly settled portion indicates a
thriving, industrious community.
On this Reservation and at Allegheny, there are
places of worship comfortably furnished. Those at Cat
taraugus are quite expensive structures, capable of seat
ing some hundreds of persons. They are occupied by
Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist congregations. A
Council-house has recently been erected at Catta
raugus by Indian mechanics, at a cost to the Nation
of $2,500. — There is also an Orphan Asylum, with
accommodations for fifty or sixty pupils. It was es
tablished as a home for the protection, care, and educa
tion of orphans and destitute children from any of the
Indian tribes located in New York. It is conducted in
an economical, yet efficient manner ; the children being
required to assist in the work of both farm and family.
It is managed by trustees, six of whom are Indians and
six are whites. The cost of the building was mostly
defrayed by appropriations of the Legislature of New
York, although assistance was derived from private
sources. An appropriation is made annually for its
support by the State Legislature, also by the Indian
Department of the United States; the remainder ofthe
annual expenses are principally defrayed by individual
contributions. An Agricultural Society is sustained at
Cattaraugus, composed of members from various tribes.

26
Its annual fairs are represented as being well attended;
and its exhibitions of cattle, produce, &c., very cre
ditable. In the report of their visit to this settlement the
Deputation say : —
" We occupied the principal part ofa day in visiting at their
homes the Indians who do not profess Christianity. A.s a class
they are not so comfortable in their houses, nor as prosperous
farmers as those who have been educated and joined Eeligious
Societies. We saw numerous evidences on the Eeservation of
the improvement the Indians have made, and many of them
manifest a desire to adopt plans for their further progress.
" The Orphan Asylum was found in a prosperous condition.
The applicants are more numerous than can be accommodated,
and arrangements are being made to enlarge the establishment,
which will probably be completed in a few months. The
children appear clean, healthy and very contented. Their per
formances in school were quite as good as are generally found
among white children. The teacher seemed very much inter
ested in the welfare of her pupils, and to be performing her
duty conscientiously.
"The school taught among those who were formerly opposed
to education is also in a prosperous condition, and since our
visit the number of scholars has increased to 35 in regular
attendance, and 10 or 12 who come less steadily. The teacher
writes, ' Fathers and grand-parents come on stormy days, and
bring their little ones on their backs, and others come with
double teams and take home loads of children when the
weather is bad.' This teacher occupies an apartment adjoining
the school room, cooks for herself, and is quite alone at night,
though the school house is in a solitary situation a quarter of
a mile from the nearest dwelling. She manifests much disin
terested and self-sacrificing concern for the welfare of the chil
dren. There are eight schools on the Eeservation, supported
by funds from the State."
Two Councils were held with the Indians. The first
was at the Council House with those who have not
embraced Christianity. The deputation encouraged

27
them to clear up and cultivate their land, to be indus
trious, give their children education, to avoid intem
perance, &c.
One of the Indians replied : —
" Brothers ; You have informed us that many years ago your
ancestors made an alliance with ours. You have read to us a
communication from the Friends in Philadelphia, and we are
persuaded that those who signed it have the same love for us
that their forefathers had for our forefathers.
"The Great Spirit has made everything under the canopy of
Heaven ; all things that benefit us and all that we enjoy.
" Brothers ; We believe in this ; and we are aware that it
was tbe far-seeing of your ancestors that gave us the same ad
vice that you have given us this day.
"Brothers; The Great Spirit has left his thoughts on paper,
so that people may read them and know what has been done.
It is this which has brought about civilization, and it was this
that your forefathers saw, and because they saw it they wanted
us to adopt it. This has made this Nation so great as it is ; and
it is this which made you so wise in giving us counsel. Our
ancestors had not this great civilization. We refer back to the
time when your ancestors and ours made friendship. You know
how dark they were. We have been educated by those who
were dark. You were taught by your ancestors who were
civilized. The Great Spirit loves all alike, and you should
overlook these short-comings among us. It may appear to you
that civilization is making slow progress among us. But you
must know that our fathers left no civilization to us, — what
you see we have made ourselves. The Great Spirit has blessed
you — your peogje received civilization many years ago, and it
was easy for you to adopt it, for your forefathers were civilized.
We want you to have compassion on us. We hope that some
day your efforts will be crowned with success by our people
being civilized.
" Now in reference to the little Eeservations of land that
have not been taken from us. These came not from man. Our
young people are told they should love their land, and culti
vate it in order that they may get provision for their families.
We instruct our young people that they should not consent to

28
part with the land, but that it should be retained among us for
ever for our children, and for our children's children. We are
all united in this, and we want to make improvements. We
have not forgotten that your fathers were kind to our fathers—
we thank you for your advice, and for your encouragement.
We will take care that word shall be furnished to our people,
and our children sent to school promptly, so that they may
learn to speak the English language. We trust our promises
will be fulfilled, and that when done with this world we shall
all meet in the world to come."
An aged Indian, and formerly a Chief, remarked : —
" I have thought over all the advice you have given us, and I
sincerely hope our people will take up with it. I have known
the Society of Friends for many years. Your advice is the
same as your ancestors long ago gave us. I thank the So
ciety for their love and disinterested kindness, and for sending
this Committee among us at this time. I know we are making
slow progress in improvement, but you must remember that it ¦
is slow work to change a people who have been so long in
ignorance. We thank you who have come among us for this
visit. " I have long been anxious that our people should adopt the
civilized life ; and it is my opinion the Indian can compete with
the white man, and do all that he can. It is my great desire
to convince our people that we must look to the land for sup
port, and keep domestic animals and attend to them properly ;
so that our families may be well fed. It has been my desire
that we should follow the example of the good white people ;
and though we have some bad men among us ; yet the greater
part of our people do as well as they can. I ag^in thank you."
Another Indian, said : —
" I am glad to be permitted once more to see the Quakers. I
have long been convinced that they are true friends to the In
dians. What you have said to-day is a repetition of what
the Society of Friends has always said to us. I fully appre
ciate and value it. You have ever advised us to be an agricul
tural people, and be industrious, and that the ground would
produce for us the comforts of life, and having these wo should

29
be happy, and thank the Great Spirit for all his blessings. It
IS true, that a person when employed in business is more likely
to be kept from evil influences. You have advised us in regard
to the welfare of our souls. You have told us of the great im
portance of this, and that we should eiirnestly look to it. I am
convinced by my own experience that this advice is of more
importance than any other; and I have reason to thank you
for the counsel you have given our people. I desire you may
be encouraged by viewing the improvements made among us.
I hope to be grateful for them. I am now residing on tbis
Eeservation, [he formerly lived at Allegheny] and enjoy here
the comforts of life, and it has been through the advice of
Friends that I enjoy them. I hope the Committee in Phila
delphia will be informed of this."
On the day following this Council another was held
with the President, Counsellors and other officers ofthe
Government, and many other Indians, in the Court
House, a building erected by Indian mechanics, for the
use of the Nation. The room is quite a large one, and
was nearly filled by the natives. The President of the
Nation, Henry Silverheels, opened the Council. Re
marks were made by all the members of the Deputation
embracing the subjects of education, farming, industry,
temperance, &c., as well as religious counsel. The
President and one of the Counsellors were recognized
as having been the scholars at Allegheny, of one of the
Friends on the deputation nearly 50 years ago, and it
was cheering to see them useful and worthy men, occu
pying positions of honor and trust.
Having an opportunity of witnessing the transaction
of some public business of the Nation, allusion was
afterward made by the Deputation to the orderly and
dignified manner in which it was conducted, and the
desire expressed that all the National affairs might
receive calm and judicious consideration, and be re
sulted under a feeling of their responsibility as legis
lators.

30
The President replied : —
" You have now all spoken and told us the object of your
visit. What you have said is very true. For a long course of
years your Society has rendered assistance to the Senecas. Our
fathers and your father's had intercourse with each other. They
are no longer with us. Those now present are comparatively
young men, but old enough to remember the friendly inter
course with your fathers ; they respect your Society. It is our
desire that we may continue to cherish feelings of love toward
each other. Your children and our children should love each
other. " One of your number now here was not only my teacher
but the teacher of others also. I rejoice, as no doubt others
do, that it was so, and it is right that we should feel a sense of
gratitude that it was so.
" In regard to the several points alluded to in your address,
I will remark : We think there is an improvement as respects
education. .Some time ago there was much opposition, but I
am not aware that any oppose schools now. We shall endeavor
to encourage the continuance of these schools, for we are satis
fied it is the proper course for us to take in order that our
children may obtain knowledge.
" We rejoice at your advice to our young men, to clear up
and till the land. In this x-espect too, we think we are im
proving rapidly. Formerly you know our women labored in
the field, but now this is superseded by the labor of the men.
As an evidence of our advancement, we have held a fair, and
to encourage our young men premiums were offered for the
largest crops — I saw the potatoes which were exhibited, and
for quality and size never saw them exceeded. We desire to
encourage our people to be industrious, and to become good
farmers. " As regards the white people residing on our Eeservation,
they are increasing so fast around us that they are as it were
crowding and crushing ua. They have business with us, and
there seems to be a necessity for it. Our people mix with
them, and like their ways, and for this reason we cannot con
trol the intercourse with them. It is our mind to try to edu
cate our children so that they shall not be cheated by the
whites. There remains nothing more for me to say except

31
that, as you are about to go to another Eeservation, we desire
you may be protected and preserved by Him who controls and
watches all our actions."
The aged Indian, once a Chief, who spoke at the
former Council, again addressed the deputation sub
stantially as follows : —
" Brothers ; It is not my wish to make you feel unpleasant,
neither do I wish to offend my countrymen. But my desire
is that you may understand our real condition. Doubtless you
have heard that our Government has been changed. It con
sists now of a President, Clerk and Counsellors, in the place of
Chiefs. The State of New York and the United States have
made treaties prescribing under what conditions it shall exist.
It ia stipulated by these treaties that the President of the
United States is to protect the New Government. The ex
penses of this government have increased. One year we found
the amount very great, the next it was more, and the year
following it was still greater. In consequence of this we be
came divided. Some of us thought if this state of things con
tinued we could not endure the New Government. Those who
felt so, asked where is the revenue to be obtained to defray
the expenses of this form of government ?
" It is for this purpose that we turn to the whites, and
say we will let you rent land. Thus the whites have been in
duced to come on our lands and pay rent. The money flowed
in, and the whites also flowed in. The Council has leased the
Eeservation to white people to bore for oil — the leases, old and
new, are to run for 30 years or more. They stipulate that the
white man may search for salt, iron, gold and silver ; and what
ever may be found is to belong to the lessee. Individual In
dians have also leased land and improvements for the same
reason, and according to my judgment the whites will over
run the Eeservation, for there is no end to these expenses.
Perhaps after awhile it will be said that the salary of the
President must be raised even to $1000 a year, and the sala
ries of other oflScers also. We may thus incur another debt,
and another batch of whites will be called in to pay it.
" Onr condition and yours, as regards revenue cannot be
compared. We have no trade with other nations. Your people

32
have, and you receive revenue from imports, &c. We have no
such thing, and our property is not sufficient to support the
present government by taxation, and we may come to the
point when we shall have to divide, and one party say to the
other you may enjoy your views, and we will enjoy ours. I
claim your sympathy, — I entertain these views, but it may be
because I am so ignorant.
" I believe in the doctrines of the Christian religion. The
good Book tells us that any nation that forgets God will be
destroyed ; and that whatever nation receives, adopts and prac
tices the Christian religion shall be supported. This is my view,
and I believe it will be the case with those who adopt the
Christian Eellgion. My desire is that we may remain the
Seneca Nation as heretofore. I am anxious that our children
should be educated in a knowledge of books, and that my
people may learn the improvements in the arts and sciences. I
will stop here.''
The President said : —
"I will state in reply to the remarks about the government,
that the question had been submitted to the United States
and State of New York Governments, and both parties among
the Indians have been fully heard by them, and both concluded
to acknowledge the present form. This settles the question,
for they will not admit of any other."
During the Council entire order prevailed, and much
attention was given to what was said.
It is proper to remark that while Friends who are
acquainted with the subject have not hesitated to ap
prove the new form of government as calculated, if
properly administered, to promote the best interests of
the natives, they have scrupulously avoided becoming
partisans in the controversy; endeavoring by gentle
and conciliatory demeanor and language to moderate
and harmonize the discordant parties ; and there is
cause to hope the dispute is gradually wearing away.
Since the visit of the Deputation to Cattaraugus, in-

33
formation has been received that the National Council
has appropriated $500, toward building more comfort
able school-houses in that vicinity, the Indians in the
several districts being expected to make up among
themselves the amounts required to finish the buildings.
77(6 Oneida Indians
Are located about four miles South of Oneida Sta
tion, on the New York Central Rail Road. There are
two settlements within a few miles of each other, one
in Madison, the other in Oneida County. There are
205 Indians in the two settlements, viz.: 96 males and
109 females. Of these 87 are children, 47 being of
an age to go' to school. There is a school-house on
each settlement, and the number of scholars is repre
sented to be 77, which would indicate that they are
not all the children of Indians. In 1846 the number
of Oneidas in New York, according to the census, was
225 ; and as there are 82 of them living among the
Onondagas, their present number is 287, which is an
increase of 62 in 20 years. They own a large tract of
land in Brown County, Wisconsin, where nearly 800
reside. Those in Oneida and Madison Counties have but
about 400 acres of land, which is held in severalty by
a portion of them, some not having any land. None
of their farms exceed fifty acres. The soil is good,
and so far as the deputation could judge, the people
generally were thriving and comfortable. Two of
them had each raised about 1000 pounds of hops during
the season of 1865, when the deputation was there.
These Indians have, according to the census, 225i
acres of land under cultivation. They raised in 1865,
268 bushels of wheat, 1680 of corn, 725 of barley,
3

34
1298 of potatoes, 13,850 pounds of hops, and made
5400 pounds of butter. They had 55 horses, 264 cattle,
65 swine and 101 sheep.
Nearly all those Indians residing on the two settle
ments are in connexion with the Methodist Society;
they have a comfortable meeting-house in good order,
and Thomas Cornelius, one of them, at whose house
the deputation was kindly entertained, regularly offi
ciates as their minister. He appeared to be highly and
deservedly esteemed, manifesting religious concern for
his own best welfare, and that of his people.
The deputation held a council at each settlement,
which were well attended, and satisfactory. In reply
to the address made, four of the principal Indians
spoke. Thomas Cornelius said : —
" He was very thankful to his Heavenly Father, and felt very
happy in seeing the Friends and hearing the good words spoken
by them. They have laid before us the importance of loving
God, so that we may be blessed by Him, and prepared to leave
this world. They are very kind to be thus interested for us,
and laboring for our good. There is one thing our forefathers
have left with us, which is that our Quaker Friends advise
us what is best for us, so that we love those who are now with
us. I wish we may all attend to what they have told us, and
that when we leave this world we shall always be in happiness
hereafter." Another Indian said : —
"We are glad and thankful you are here, and feel satisfied
with the good advice you have given us. You say you feel love
for us— may we continue to love each other. We are satisfied
you love us, for you give us good advice, both for this world
and for that which is hereafter.
"I have been looking back 30 years, and I find your people
were very kind to us, and gave us instruction how to work.
We have long been accustomed to look up to you, and shall be
glad to hear more of your voice. We desire that our children

35
may feel love to you. We are thankful that you do not give us
up, but come and visit us, and encourage us to labor for ourselves.
We are indebted to you, for what we have gained has been incon
sequence of your good advice to our fathers. We do not now so
often see your kind people. We shall try to do what you say, for
there is nothing better for us. We think the Lord has sent you
to us, and we shall remember you in our prayers to Him. 1 hope
the Lord will bless us and you, and that we shall meet in the
kingdom of Heaven." Onondagas.
The reservation of these Indiaiffe is about six miles
south of Syracuse. It contains about 7600 acres, of
which 2063 are reported to be under cultivation, and
in 1855 two- thirds of this is stated to have been rented
to whites, a considerable part of which is still in their
tenure. There are 150 male and 168 female Indians
residing on the Reservation, who hold the land in com
mon. Their government is by Chiefs, of whom there
are 29. About one-third of the tribe are Methodists.
The others cling to the superstitions of their fore
fathers, and are said to hold that it was never designed
by the Great Spirit that they should be taught from
books. The Chiefs are nearly all of this class, and the
Christian part of the tribe charge them with not being
favorable to improvements. The income derived from
the lands and a valuable stone quarry, leased to white
people^ constitute • the National resources, being about
$600 per annum, all of which is disbursed by the
Chiefs. There are two good frame meeting-houses,
with cupolas, painted white, and in good repair, one
occupied by the Episcopal, and the other by the Wes
leyan Methodists. A white preacher officiates in the
former and an Indian in the latter. Three other natives
at times preach in their own language. There are
about 85 children of an age to go to school, and 30 of

36
them attend at the only school on the Reservation,
which is taught by the white minister.
These Indians are represented as having 40 frame
houses, 32 built of logs, .9 of plank, and 2 block houses;
some of these are convenient and well built ; in 3 of
them the deputation saw carpets on the sitting-rooms,
and the other usual articles of furniture. The owners
of these were prosperous farmers, having all the ap
pliances for comfortable living, and the deputation were
told that others of^hem were quite thrifty. Some, for
want of being industrious and provident, have few of
the comforts, knd others scarcely the necessaries of life.
The census returns for 1865 show that they had 59
horses, 137 cattle, 246 hogs, and raised last year 1107
bushels of wheat, 3219 bushels of corn, 1217 bushels
of potatoes and 9Qi tons of hay.
The Superintendent of the Public Schools states :
"Their number is decreasing. They are far more apt in ac.
quiring the vices of their white neighbors, than in learning their
virtues. Their proximity to a large city with its incentives to
dissipation and vice, has done them much harm, and these in
fluences would have been more disastrous but for the counter
vailing influences of schools and missions among them for the
last 19 years."
The Christian part of the tribe are desirous to make
improvements, and would be glad if the land was held
in severalty, but a large number are not prepared for
this measure.
The deputation held a council with them, at which
about 41 men and 10 women were present. After
listening with attention to the remarks of the visitors
the principal Chief made a lengthy reply, in the course
of' which he said : —
"Your forefathers and my forefathers joined in a bond of

37
brotherly love to assist each other. Your people acted with a
good will when they assisted our people."
After some consultation with the other Chiefs he
proceeded : —
" We have fully agreed to commence the education of our
children, and to encourage our people to be industrious, and to
work the land. These things we think very important and
worthy of our greatest attention. You are aware that it is
more than 40 years since your forefathers and ours consulted
together. Our forefathers then thought they were a large and
powerful nation, and they did not expect to require the aid of
their pale faced brethren. The person your people sent came
and lived among us, and taught our people how to work, and
they learned a little at that time. You see that things have
moved on since that time. We then had not one among our
people who could read and write in the English language. Now
we have many — ^you want us to school our children, and we
would desire you to assist us in doing this, as far |as may be
necessary. Friends and Brothers, the Council accept with grate
ful hearts the kind instruction you have imparted to us.
" When your people put forward their efforts for us they fur
nished ploughs and other farm implements — we hope you will
continue to assist us in that direction, and when you see the
effects of your care for us, you will be glad. Those who have
gone before us attended to your advice, and we have concluded
to do the same, that those who come after us may enjoy the
fruit of your labors. We have no intention to leave the graves
of our forefathers. I certainly do not intend to leave until death
removes me to the Spirit Land."
One of their principal men, a Methodist, remarked :
" We Christiains are very anxious that our children should be
educated. Those of the other party do not think it important
that their children should be educated in the English language.
I have noticed in other tribes, when they are educated, they
become industrious, and this is the reason why we want our
children educated in the English, language, so that they may
become as respectable as their white neighbors. We perceive
that when they are educated they keep their houses clean and

38

tidy, and this is another reason why we want our children edu
cated. There are many among us who regret that they were
not educated when young. I blame my father for not giving
me an opportunity to be educated, and so it will be with our
children if the old men do not consent to have them taught —
they will blame them for it. I theref >re approve of the remarks
which have been made, and feel that it is important we should
encourage the children to go to school. My children read the
Bible, and it is a great satisfaction to me that they are able to
do so. I would be glad if all our children were able to read it.
" I am very much in favor of dividing our land so thaO every
one should know and hold his own. The Chief has spoken of
always living here. If this is to be the case, it is important
that each one should have his land separate. I have long thought
it would be better to divide it among the people. We should
stop selling wood, and if the land was divided each one would
take care to preserve his own. There is a large number of brush
lots that might be cleared and tilled. But as it is now, if any
one attempts to clear up a brush lot some body comes forward
and lays claim to it, and the man cannot go on and improve it.''
Another Indian said : —
"I rejoice exceedingly to meet these kind Friends. They
have come a great way to speak to us, out of interest in this
people. Impressions have been made on our minds which are
for our welfare here and hereafter. My earnest desire is that
we may accept their advice, and that all our children may be
come acquainted with the English language. I am very thank
ful for your counsel. I perceive the letter you have read from
your Friends in Philadelphia, alludes to the Indians making
progress in civilization. It was through the kindness of your
Friends that we have been able to make tbe progress we have.
There are a great many children among us that speak the Eng
lish language, and we know when they get acquainted with it
they get more light, and it shows us too that they are suscepti
ble of learning."
Another observed : —
"I will say to you, brethren, that it is in the providence of
our oommon Father we meet to day. Your object in visiting

39
lis poor needy Indians is that you may impart something for our
welfare. I have heard a great many persons who have visited
us, but I never heard any that imparted the kind instructions
you have. My remarks I direct to the last speaker among you,
aa he said more that relates to our spiritual welfare. I am en
deavoring to steer my way through this world, hoping to arrive
safely in heaven. There has been a good deal said about edu
cation. I will put forth all the influence I have to push forward *
the improvement of our nation."
At the close of the conference the Indians took leave
of the Deputation in a cordial and affectionate manner.
The St. Regis Tribe.
These Indians appear to have come from Caughna
waga, near Montreal, and to be a part of the seven
nations of Canada. They settled on the south bank of
the St. Lawrence River about the year 1760, under the
direction of Anthony Gordon, a Jesuit priest. At differ
ent times between 1796 and 1845 they parted with
more than ten thousand acres of their land, and have
remaining 14,030 acres, lying partly in Canada and
partly in the State of New York, comprising several
Islands in the St. Lawrence ; one of which, Cornwall,
is said to be six miles long and upwards of a mile wide,
the soil being of excellent quality. Portions of the
lands belonging to the tribe are leased to white people
by virtue of an act of the State of New York passed
in 1841.
The village of St. Regis, called by the Indians Ak-
wis-ses-ne, consists of about 100 houses, a few of which
are of frame of quite respectable appearance ; the rest
are built of logs. The line dividing Canada from New
York runs through it : 785 Indians belong to the Can
ada, and 677 to the American side. The former receive
an annuity of $2 each, the latter $4 each. They hold

40
the land in common. There are 265 children, and only
two school houses. The American part of the tribe is
required by a law of New York to elect annually three
trustees to have the general charge of public nffairs.
These elections are often conducted with much spirit,
the Indians being divided chiefly on the propriety of
leasing their lands. By the consent of the chiefs and
trustees, a man may be transferred from one side of
the line to the other, or Indians from other places may
be admitted to the rights of either side, but this is not
often done. A woman loses her rights in one party by
marrying a member of the other, but acquires for her
self and children the usual rights of females in the
party to which her husband belongs. Families of either
the American or Canadian party may reside on the land
of the other, without losing their rights in their own
band. Although the law recognizes no individual rights in
the land, custom has sanctioned, in this as well as in
the other New York tribes, the holding of lands for the
exclusive benefit of families, and these rights are
bought and sold among themselves. Any Indian may
consequently appropriate for cultivation so much of the
wood-land as he chooses, provided he clears and occu
pies it, and the improvements on the land he thus takes
up, he may rent to others of the tribe. Indians may
pasture upon the uninclosed land as many cattle as
they please, there being no limitation as to number ;
and it is said white people frequently hire the privilefre
of pasturage on the common, paying the chiefs or trus
tees a small compensation for it. Every Indian of the
tribe may cut as much wood on the Reservation as he
wants for his own use, or desires to sell, and within a
few years large quantities have been disposed of. Sim-

41
liar regulations are in operation among all the New
York Indians who hold their land in common, though
of later years it is said the chiefs or other officers on
some Reservations, endeavor to control the cutting of
wood more than formerly.
In the American portion of the village there are 83
houses, viz : 13 frame, 68 log, 1 brick and 1 stone.
They are represented to have raised in 1865, 831
bushels of wheat, 1528 bushels of corn, 280 of barley,
3760 of potatoes, and 772 i tons of hay. They have
119 horses, 188 cattle and 181 hogg.
On the Canada part of the village of St. Regis there
is a house used as a Roman Catholic place of worship.
Many of the natives attend there, and are probably
more or less influenced by the teachings of the priest,
who is paid by them a salary of about $200 a year in
money, besides being furnished yearly with 25 cords
of wood and Bh tons of hay. There are a few of the
Indians who profess with the Methodists, and have a
comfortable meeting-house.
There are 2 taverns and 2 stores in the village, all
kept by white persons, and it is understood that in
toxicating liquors are sold to the Indians at all of
them, in defiance of the laws of New York and the
remonstrances of the Chiefs. The deputation saw sor
rowful evidences of the effects of intemperance, and
earnestly entreated the Chiefs to renew their efforts to
check it. They also advised them to live on their
farms, and not in the village. Some, however, who
live in the town, only cultivate enough land to raise
vegetables, and rely for a living on hunting, fishing,
rafting and piloting; which often yield a scanty and
precarious subsistence, and expose them to temptations,
to intemperance and other vices. The quality of their

42
land is good, and if they could be induced to cultivate
it there is no reason why it should not yield them an
ample supply of the necessaries, and also the comforts
of life.
The deputation held a council with them, which was
attended by about 50 men and women, and endeavored
to impress upon them the necessity of becoming more
interested in the improvement of their condition, by
tilling the soil, educating their children properly at
home, and sending them regularly to school, and by
avoiding and suppressing intemperance :
When the deputation closed their remarks, an aged
Indian said : —
"I am very thankful to you for your advice, and th&nkful to
God that you have come here to give us such advice, who know
so much less than you do. We will try with all our might to
do just as you say. We are verj' glad to see you. There are
not many come among us, to give us good advice."
The Chief, Tanankowa, said : —
¦ "Brothers: I am very thankful for your advice. What you
have said is true. Those who have children should train them
so that they will know how to behave themselves. Those young
people who have parents ought to be very happy that they talk
to them, and advise them to be good. What you have aaid about
the use of ardent spirits is correct. When a man becomes in
toxicated he abuses others — he has no sense to do good, but will
do all he can that is wrong. Though I have authority on the
Canada side, yet I have not power to stop them from drinking.
I have tried to prevent them ; and regret that some of them are
as they are. I thank you for your kindness, in coming to see
us : we are a great way off from where you live."
Another Indian remarked : —
"The advice you have given us is all good. We don't feel
any objection to any part of it. But we feel sorry that we are
as wc are. You speak about educating the children, so that they

43
may be benefited by it in future time. Quite a number of us
have thought, and talked a good deal about it; and have made
up our rainds that our children cannot be made ofood scholars
here, as there are not enough white people to assist us."
After further remarks on the difficulty of educating
the children, and the importance of the State of New
York appropriating money for educating a few of their
children to prepare them for teachers ; he concluded
with saying : —
" I am thankful for your kindness, but I do not think it would
be of any benefit to Indian children to have a school hero."
One of the deputation suggested that if some of the
older and influential men would go frequently to the
school, and encourage the teachers and children, and
manifest an interest in it, perhaps some of the difficul
ties spoken of would be removed.
To this the Indian replied that, " as they did not hire
the teachers, they had to take such as were sent to them,
and these had been very indifferent, which had discour
aged their people from sending their children to the
school, or feeling much interest in its support."
On the conclusion of the conference, the deputation
left St. Regis to visit the Tuscaroras.
Here they were kindly received and entertained by
an influential Indian.
The Reservation is situated about 7 miles N. E. of
Niagara Falls. The tribe was once numerous and
powerful, and came originally from North Carohna.
It was adopted by the Iroquois, and in the year 1712
became the sixth member of that confederacy. They
possessed no land in their own right, but in 1797 the
Senecas gave them a square mile of land, in Niagara

44
County, New York, to which the Holland Land Com
pany added two more. They afterwards established
their claim to the land they formerly occupied in North
Carolina, and the proceeds of its sale were placed in the
United States Treasury, in trust for their benefit. In
1804 they purchased of the Holland Company 4329
acres of land for $13,722, making the area of their
tract 6249 acres, which is still held by them.
The tribe numbers 326, viz.: 146 males and 180
females. They have 71 dwelling houses, viz : 27 frame,
42 log, 1 of stone and 1 plank house. Some of these are
very comfortable well built tenements, a few are well
painted, and the ground around them neatly enclosed.
They have 3372i acres of land under cultivation, and
in 1864 raised 3471 bushels of wheat, 4184 bushels of
corn, 1468 bushels of potatoes, and gathered 541 tons
of hay. Their stock consists of 122 horses, 308 cattle,
217 swine and 54 sheep.
They made also 1296 lbs. of sugar, all which indicates
industry and thrift. The soil generally is of good quality
and well farmed, and the fences are in good condition.
In proportion to the whole number there appeared to
be among them more prosperous energetic farmers than
on any other reservation.
The principal Chief, and the host of the deputation,
informed them that he cultivates 220 acres of land.
He has 1000 apple trees in his orchard, as many peach
trees, and 200 pear trees.
In 1865 he sold 100 barrels of apples and retained
50 more for his own use. He had 12 cows, 8 horses,
and a full supply of agricultural implements, including
wagons, carts, &c. He sold in 1864-5, between 400 and
500 bushels ofwheat, and hay amounting to about $1000.
Three German laborers are constantly employed to assist

45
him in the farm work. He lives in a neatly built
and commodious frame house, which is well furnished ;
and his barns and out buildings were generally capa
cious and in good order. He said, " When I commenced
business, I had nothing but my hands." He is now
about 56 years old.
Most of the Tuscaroras profess with the Methodists
and Baptists. There are two meeting-houses, two
school-houses, and a council-house, on the reservation,
also a large building formerly used for a Boarding School,
in which a white female resides, who teaches a day
school. There are 113 children reported of an age to
go to school, of whom 85 attended.
In the appendix to the census it is stated that meet
ings are held every two or three months, under the
direction of the chiefs, to promote temperance, purity
of morals, education and industry. At these meetings
there is always music from a band employed for the
purpose ; and speeches are made in support of the
objects in view. It is said in the same account that
all these Indians profess a belief in the Christian reli
gion. There is a Library belonging to the tribe, and
they have an association denominated " The Tuscarora
Mutual Improvement Society," which meets during the
winter season, receives reports from members on sub
jects of general interest, debates questions which are
brought before it, and listens to speeches made on differ
ent topics.
In 1841, a law was enacted prohibiting the introduc
tion of intoxicating liquors into the settlement on pain
of forfeiture, and in 1847 dancing was interdicted as
being injurious to the morals of the young.
The regular monthly meeting of the Society above
alluded to, occurred during the visit of the deputation.

46
and they were requested to attend it rather than to call
a special council ; with which they readily complied.
There were about 70 men and women present. The
proceedings commenced with singing a hymn, and
prayer by one of the Indians ; after which opportunity
was given the delegation to make remarks : These re
lated chiefly to the subjects of temperance, education
and industry ; and the many evidences of improvement
obvious among them were adverted to as encouraging
signs of progress in the right direction.
One of the principal Indians replied in an address in
English, welcoming the deputation, and expressing their
pleasure in the visit : the cordial and very friendly
manner in which they took leave at parting, evinced
the sincerity of their feelings.Tonaionridns.
By the amended Treaty of 1842, the Buffalo xind
Tonawanda Reservations were unjustly disposed of to
tlie Ogden Land Company. The Tonawanda Chiefs did
not sign either the original treaty or the amendment,
and they resisted the transfer of their land. Much
litigation ensued ; and in 1859 another treaty was made
with them, by which they parted with 5000 acres of
their New York Reservation, leaving them 7000 acres
which they now occupy. It is considered as some of
the most fertile in the State, and well adapted to the
growth of wheat.
According to the last census there are 656 Indians on
the reservation, of whom 311 are males and 345 females.
The children number 285, and of these only 84 are re
ported to be going to school. There are 2 school-houses,
119 dwelling-houses, viz: 18 frame, 38 log, 5 built of
plank and 58 shanties. It is represented that there

47
are 2006 acres of land under cultivation, that they
raised in 1.^65, 2004 bushels of wheat, 814 of corn,
3161 of potatoes and 261 tons of hay, and made 575
pounds of sugar. They have 95 horses, 223 cattle, 295
swine and 152 sheep.
There is one Meeting-House on the Reservation,
which is used by those who profess with the Methodists.
The Council held here was attended by a large num
ber of inen and women. After the deputation had
closed their addresses, in which the Indians were en
couraged to use greater efforts for the education of the
children, the improvement of the land, and of their
moral and religious condition, the principal Chief, re
plied : —
"We have not made as much progress as we ought to have
made. Other bands have done better than we. We admit that
we do not made as much progress as other Indians residing in
this State, and we think wo see the reason of it. The chiefs of
this band would not let our land go, and they spent a great deal
of money to save it. We were fighting for our land over 21
years. This has kept us down. It discouraged us from work
ing, fo;- we did not know whether we should live here a year or
not. We were constantly expecting to be removed from our
homes. Since we found that we are going to live here, our
people generally have improved considerably. The Chiefs, as
the teachers of this band, tell the young men to cultivate the
land, and for some time past we have worked. We have im
proved our roads, and wo have improved other things as much.
We understand you have been sent to see our improvements in
agriculture and other things. The great desire of the chiefs is
that our young men should cultivate the land, and our young
women should improve in the care of our houses. We know
this is the way to get on comfortably ; and some among us are
getting on and doing as the vrhites do in these respects.
" We understand that Friends in Philadelphia meet to consider
about the affairs of the Indians, and have done so a long time.
This day is the firct time we understood such things were going

48
on. The chiefs of this band did not know that our white
brethren even thought of us. We are very glad that our friends
have been sent to this reservation.
"Our schools are of the lowest class, and when our children
go to them they cannot learn much. We do not ask assistance
to school all our children. Other tribes have assistance, but We
have none. For this reason we are glad that our Friends from
Philadelphia have come to see us — wc believe you desire our
welfare. From the remarks we have made you will see we are
poor. We desire your help. We will do as other Indians do,
and ask our white friends to help us educate our children pro
perly. We shall be very glad and thankful if they will assist
us to educate a few of our children, so that they can get a really
good education. Our own schools as far as they go will prepare
them for going into higher schools.
" Our chiefs are trying to get a law passed by the Legislature
of New York, to establish a Boarding School on our reservation,
so that our children may get a better education. If the Legis
lature grants it, the chiefs will appropriate some money out of
the national fund to help support it. We state these things
because we desire you to help us to carry the bill through. We
have sent one petition to the Legislature, and we intend to send
another; and we want your help, for which we shall be very
thankful. " I will make a few remarks on another subject. You say you
want us to be good people. You desire us to look to eternity,
and be good. On this reservation there is a denomination of
Christians who want to go to Heaven, and there are a few here
who do not look to such things, and they are strong heads. We
understand that it will be our best policy to become a good peo
ple. I think our grand children will become Christians, and the
old thing will be done away with. This is all I have to say."
The above abstract of this interesting speech conveys
a good description of the present condition of this band
of Indians. The attention given by the audience to
the addresses of the deputation evinced a lively interest
in the different subjects spoken of, and the council closed
with kind and cordial feelings.
Since the First month of 1866, the tribe has appro-

49
priated $3000 out of its annuities and 100 acres of land,
for the purpose of erecting the proposed Boarding School,
and have again petitioned the Legislature of New York
tor aid in their laudable efforts. The white inhabitants
of the vicinity have seconded this application.
Shinecock Indians.
This Reservation is located on a neck of land in the
South East corner of Long Island, which is surrounded
on three sides by Shinecock Bay. They once held a
considerable tract of land, but the Chiefs parted with it
for a mere nominal compensation, and after the proceeds
were spent, the tribe being likely to suffer from want,
the purchasers leased it to them for 999 years, reserv
ing certain privileges as rent. From this arrangement
much litigation arose ; and though the land was of
little value for farming, both parties desired to have
the control of it. About 5 years ago an agreement was
entered into by which the Indians relinquished to the
whites all their claim to about 3000 acres, and retain
for their use about 640 acres, oiie hundred of which are
marshy land. Twenty-eight families reside on this
tract, comprising about 147 persons, of whom 20 were
absent at sea during the visit of the deputation ; there
are 58 males and 89 females. Many of the grand-pa
rents of the present generation married colored persons
of African blood, and most are descended from these,
yet but few have much darker complexions than Indians
generally. Owing to intemperance they are represented to have
been formerly in a deplorable condition, living in poor
wigwams and ob( lining a very scanty subsistence.
They were in the practice of binding out their children
to white people to serve until they were 21 years of
age.

50
About 1828 or 30 the temperance reform was intro
duced among them, and the Legislature of New York
made an appropriation to educate the children. A great
and salutary change was soon produced. The Indians
are now generally sober, moral and industrious, cleanly
in their persons, and comfortably dressed. All their
houses are frame, some of them cost from $400 to $700,
and generally have several rooms, and are supplied with
the ordinary articles of furniture. They are more neatly
kept than is usual for Indians. Small patches of com,
oats, potatoes and other vegetables are raised, and a few
bushels of wheat, but not an adequate supply for all.
Each family has 2 or 3 pigs, and there are 6 horses and
10 cows in the settlement. Those who own horses have
vehicles also.
The principal support of these Indians is drawn from
the Bay where they procure large quantities of clams,
oysters and fish. Many of the young men engage in
the whale-fishery, and evince much skill and capacity,
for which they are promoted to lucrative stations on
board the vessels. It is said they often return from
these voyages with balances of from $500 to $1000 due
them, and sometimes even larger amounts. One young
man said he made $3000 in one of his voyages.
With part of this money he built himself a good two
storied house, at which the deputation were quartered.
The rooms were well furnished, and neatly kept — the
parlor was carpeted, and had in it a sofa, rocking-chair,
a clock, a table spread with a variety of books, &c.
A few of the tribe have laid up some money, but in
general they are not very economical or provident. The
land requires manure to make it produce well, and few
have the money wherewith to purchase it — hence they
do but little farming, for much would not be reinune-

51
rative. About 300 acres of it are enclosed for pas
turage, most of which is hired out, and the rent
applied to the general purposes of the tribe.
They elect two Trustees annually, whose duty it is
to allot the land for tillage, to those entitled to use it.
As the population changes frequently by the return of
those who have been at sea, the allotments are often
altered, and the liability to this makes it uncertain
whether the portions assigned can be held for more
than a year, which discourages fencing and fertilizing,
and is a disadvantage to the farming interest.
For about four months in the winter a school is
taught by a white man, and by a female for about the
same time in the summer.
The deputation were gratified to find these people
so orderly and moral in their habits, and so respectful
and courteous in their behavior to each other. Most
if not all the adults are professors of religion, and
have two places of worship for different denominations.
All speak the English language, and with the exception
of ten can read and write. They converse fluently and
sensibly on general subjects, and appear to be persons
of good understanding. Many of them evinced a
lively concern for their spiritual welfare, and appeared
to be quite familiar with the Holy Scriptures, but
some were endeavoring unprofitably to pry into mys
teries which it has not pleased Divine goodness to
reveal, and which it is unnecessary that man should
know. They appeared contented with their allotment and
grateful for the many privileges and blessings they
enjoy ; and the visit of the deputation was spoken of
as one of the favors to be thankful for. Although
divided in opinion on some religious subjects, they did

52
not seem to be shy of one another, or to entertain any
unkind feehng toward those who differed from them;
the memberw of one denomination attending the meet
ings of the other, and participating in the religious
exercises. They showed the deputation much kindness, and
expressed their satisfaction with their remarks on the
right domestic and school training of their children,
and other subjects.
One of the men rephed by saying : —
" It is a very important subject, and all ought to take heed to
the advice given them, for a great responsibility rests upon par
ents. I desire the prayers of those I address that I may be
found faithful in the performance of my duty. I am very sensi
ble of my deficiencies. Sometimes I correct my children too
little, and at other times too much. But I desire to do my duty
to them, and I hope my brethren and sisters will be concerned
to do theirs."
The whole number of Indians in the State of New
York according to the census of 1855, was 3934, and
by the census of 1865 it was 4972, showing an increase
of 1038 in ten years, which is 27 per cent.
The value of their improvements, stock, implements,
&c., in 1855, is put down at $240,604, and in 1865
they were valued at $348,000, being an increase of
$107,496, which is an advance of 47 per cent, on the
previous valuation, and exhibits an encouraging pro
gress. The speeches made by the Indians to the deputation
have been freely used in this account, in order to give
their own views both of their wants and their progress
as well as of the subjects on which they differ. Their
differences arise chiefly from the opposition which some
feel to a departure from their old superstitions and

53
habits. As these give way and are abandoned under
the influence of education, some of this class object to
sending the children to the schools. The adoption of
the principles of Christianity of course extinguishes
the old religious observances to whieh some cling with
great pertinacity. But it is obvious that these are be
coming weaker in their hostility to the new views, as
they style them, and the steady progress of improvement
will doubtless gradually wear it out.
The divided feeling among the Senecas at Alle
gheny and Cattaraugus respecting the new form of
government probably grows out of the same causes,
combined with some motives of interest, but we trust
the advantages that will arise from the new form, if
faithfully administered, will in time surmount these
prejudices. Leasing their lands to white people in almost all
cases operates injuriously upon the morals of the In
dians. Many of the whites who rent are of a rough
and low grade, and the unavoidable association with
them creates a' familiar intercourse which leads to the
adoption of their manners. The Rail Roads and Sta
tions on the Allegheny Reservation greatly increase
the evils which proceed from this cause ; and it must
continue to operate so long as the Indians are located
around and near the villages.
Notwithstanding the obstacles and discouragements
which attend the efforts for improving the condition of
these poor people, the facts disclosed by the foregoing
abstract of the report of the deputation show that it
has been much ameliorated since the commencement of
the labor.
Some may think there ought to be greater evidences
of progress, considering how much has been done for

54
them, but we should bear in mind, that the transition
from a barbarous to a civilized state is necessarily slow.
We are not aware that among the aboriginal inhabit
ants of any country, it has ever been otherwise. In
treating with such, the strong prejudices and super
stitions incident to ignorance, and the example and
teaching of their forefathers have to be overcome, the
hereditary disinclination to obtain their living by pa
tient toil is also to be surmounted, as well as their re
luctance to learn the English language. Never having
enjoyed the advantages which education confers, it
could not be expected they would immediately appre
ciate the benefit it would be to their children ; conse
quently, efforts for the instruction of the young are
thwarted by the indifference of the parents and their
unwillingness to send them, or to keep them at school.
Never having been restrained from the indulgence of
their natural propensities themselves, they do not feel
the necessity of restraining their children, and they
consequently grow up, with little if any right parental
control, and when obliged to provide for themselves,
their exertions are not steady, but influenced by the
necessities of the day, with very little concern for the
future. Yet, notwithstanding these obstructions and coun
teracting causes, we see that within a period of two
generations, through the adoption of the principles of
Christianity by many — the influence of the schools so
liberally established by the State of New York, the
efforts of benevolent individuals and other causes,
there has been a marked improvement in their social
habits, and much progress is apparent both in the
variety and amount of the comforts and conveniences
of civilized life which many of them enjoy.

55
In view of the change which has been made, may
we not hope that the most trying period in their tran
sition state has now passed, and that hereafter their
progress will be accelerated by the effect of the exam
ples among themselves of purity of life which vital
Christianity produces, as well as that temporal pros
perity which is induced by patient industry, guided by
virtue and intelligence.
We think the foregoing pages clearly show that al
though the Indian is jealous of his rights, and resents
any attempt to infringe upon them, or to deceive or
defraud him; he is not only susceptible ofthe influence
of kind, gentle and generous treatment, but long retains
and transmits to his posterity a lively and grateful
seftse of disinterested benevolence.
The strict justice, the large philanthropy, and the .
Christian example which our forefathers endeavored
to show forth in their intercourse with the natives
procured for them the confidence and control which
they used so advantageously for these down-trodden
and injured people; and we see from their own speeches
that this influence and control is not lost to the Society
of Friends.
If we turn to the history of much of the public and
more private dealings with the Indians, we shall find
them stained by fraud and bloodshed ; and as violence
and coercion have signally failed to accomplish the
desirable ends of civilizing and Christianizing them,
as well as in securing peace and harmony, would it
not be well for government and its officers to try the
effect of just and pacific measures; to substitute for the
sword the benign and winning persuasion which flows
from the spirit of the Gospel, and teaches us to do to
others as we would that they should do to us.

56
We cannot but earnestly desire that those who are
associated with the aboriginal inhabitants of our coun
try, whether in an official capacity or otherwise, may
show forth a consistent and upright example as Chris
tians, actuated by .a spirit of forbearing tenderness and
love; may pity them in their weakness and ignorance,
and labor to enlighten and assist them ; may patiently
bear with their superstitions and prejudices, and deal
kindly and gently with them, as persons suffering under
many and sore disadvantages from which we are hap
pily exempt, and who therefore have strong claims on
our charity and sympathy. We believe such a just,
merciful and considerate line of action would gradually
soften and meliorate the wild and untoward dispositions
of the Indians, strengthened by bad examples atd
manifold provocations ; would imbue their minds with
higher and better motives and aims, draw them into
closer and more enduring alliance with their white
brethren; and through the power of Divine grace pre
pare their hearts to receive and practise the holy reli
gion of our adorable Redeemer, which ever leads its
sincere and obedient followers to promote, and to carry
out in life and conversation, the purport of the heavenly
anthem which ushered in his blessed advent; Glory to
God in the highest, on earth peace, and good will to
men. THE END.

OCT 9, . *^

GAYLORD BROS. Inc.
Syracuse, N. Y.
Stockton, Calif.