194 FRIENDS’

REVIEW.

 

was found two hours after, when several physi-
cians were in readiness, but their efforts for her
recovery were in vain. The child was found
next day and brought home, and was buried on
the 20th. He was indeed a most promising
child; sweet tempered, obliging, uncommonly
active and attentive to what his parents or I
said to him. He had been my bed-fellow, and
very dear to me. I had losta darling son about
the same age, and the pangs I then felt were, in
some measure, renewed. It was a trying dis-
pensation, but the mercy which spared the father
raised a thankfulness which forbade much mourn-
ing for the child. Oh the depth of my desire, both
for the parents and for myself, that we may be
reverently bowed in thankfulness to him who
has given and who has aright to take away;
and that we may acceptably bless and praise his
holy Name, and it is at this time the fervent
‘breathing of my mind, that this dispensation
may thus be truly sanctified to us all.”

At Cropwell he was a frequent visiter, loving
to be there, though choosing to retain his old
home. On the 4th of Tenth month, having just
returned thence, he writes to his daughter:
“The time I spent at your house, dear: child,
was pleasant; I felt myself better than I have
been for some time; but to-day it is different

with me, and Iam glad I returned when I did, or
_I might not have been able to ride. I know not
_what is in store for me, but I earnestly labor and
breathe for a patient and resigned mind, and
have a hope that the gracious Creator, who
placed me here, and whom I have loved and
endeavored to serve, will not forsake me in my
enfeebled old age. I well know there’s none
but He, in heaven nor in all the earth, that can
deliver from afflictions or support under them.
May our dependence, dear Patty, be in Him, so
that we may, in truth, say: “Thy will and not
mine be done!”

[Diary.] ‘Eleventh month. My health hav-
ing been sensibly declining for several months
past, I have been unable to ride much, but felt

_a strong desire to attend the Quarterly Meeting
in Salem this month, expecting it would be the
last time I should see my friends in that place.
‘I accordingly went, with Samuel Allinson and
wife, in their wagon ; was at Select Meeting on
Seventh-day, and stayed to their Youth’s meet-
ing on Third-day. John Simpson and Daniel
Offley were in attendance. I returned home on
Fourth-day, glad that I had given up to go.”

Having spent some pleasant days at Cropwell,
at the opening of the year 1791, he wrote, de-
scribing his homeward journey, and various
items of family news, and mentioned some
serious indications of increasing disease ; “‘ but,”
he continued, “dear Patty, complaining gives
no relief to myself, and only serves to afflict my
friends; I therefore find that the more my mind
is fixed on that Arm which only can deliver,
without expecting other help, the better for me.

To conclude, I sometimes feel a degree of that
love which is sweeter than the honey-comb, and
is more to me than all this world can give. It
‘is the prayer of my heart that I may be favored
with it in my coneludingmoments.”
Samwel Allinson to David Cooper. _
Waterford, [Cropwell,] Second month 25th, 1791.
Dear Father :—It is a considerable time since
we have heard from thee, and we are solicitous
to know thy state of health. I had not time to
write thee from the Meeting for Sufferings, but
requested James Whitall to call and inform thee
of its engagements, which I suppose he has
done. We spent oné day upon the Discipline ;
the other was occupied in going over the min-
utes, Indian affairs, and the paying of a friendly
visit te the President, which was performed by
country Friends, with the exception of William
Savery and Thomas Scattergood. He received
us very kindly, offered us a glass of wine, and
we spent half an hour with him to general satis-
faction. The subject of the Indian war was ~
introduced, respecting which, we gave such
hints as might induce him to be lenient and
kind to them, and to endeavor to prevent their
suffering injustice from bad white people ;—also,
that Corn-PLANTER* might have time to inter-
pose his friendly endeavors to bring abouta peace,
which I hope may be effected without the spill-
ing of more blood. He was free in communi-
cating his mind, said that the olive branch
should (or could) be carried with the sword, and
that no person was more friendly disposed to
them than he was. It would be tedious to be
more minute in a letter. I intend seeing thee
as soon as my time will permit.
I am, thy affectionate son, a
SAMUEL ALLINSON.
The desire of President Washington, as above
expressed, for peace with the Indians, was con-
sistent with the policy which induced him,
among the first measures of his administration,
to appoint commissioners to effect this humane
and wise object. With some tribes, successful
negotiations were made. In 1791 serious diff-
culties existed in the Indian Territories, and in
the Ninth month of that year, General Harmer,
sent by Washington, with orders to destroy their
settlements on the waters of the Scioto and
Wabash, suffered defeat, as did also Major Gen.
St. Clair. Those tribes were finally conquered ,
in 1794; after which, peace was concluded be-
tween the Indians and the United States. How
far our nation has acted, since that day, with
good faith and humanity towards the aborigines
of our land, impartial History will record to our
discredit. The outrages perpetrated upon the
Indians of Florida and Georgia, by the authori-
ty of State and General Governments, will be

*Three months later Martha Allinson writes to her

 

father: ‘Corn Planter, the Indian, is now protecting
the white people.” Pest pia