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1. Notes, on a visit to
Several Tribes of Indians. 1796
[Page 1]
_____
Fifth month 30th about
ten in the morning left
my Habitation at Darby;
was accompanied by my
Friends John Humphreys
and John Hunt as far as
Casper Hains’ in German
-town, where our Company
had appointed to meet;
who accordingly attended,
being as follows, viz. Isaiah
Rowland, James Cooper,
Joseph Sansom, Henry
Symmons & Enoch Walker;
[Page 2] here we dined; and after Dinner,
taking Leave of our Friends,
we proceeded on to David Cum-
min’s this Evening; where
we lodged. _____
31st Proceeded on, dined at Oliver
Paxtons, near Curruls Ferry
on Dalaware, from Phila-
⟨34.⟩delphia about 34 Miles. -
Thence up the River, and
crossed at Michel’s Ferry,
⟨16.⟩and thence to Kingwood, 16
Miles, lodged at Henry
Clifton’s and Jon Allen’s.
Between the last mentioned
Stages crossed a commanding
Eminence, called Calvin’s Hill which,
[Page 3] which I supposed to rise more
than 200 Feet in perpendi-
cular Height, and what was
remarkable, on the Top, or
near it, was a nearly level
Meadow, which appeared to be
a cold sour[?] Swamp. _____
Sixth mo. 1st. This Day crossed
several considerable Moun-
tains; on some of which we had
a grand prospect of the ma-
jestic works of Nature, in an
extended view of a large Coun-
try, variegated with less, and
greater Hills, Valleys, and
Plains; producing Reflecti-
ons humbling to my
Mind _____ we
[Page 4] we stopped twice at Inns to
feed our Horses, at one of
which got some dry victuals
which served us for a Dinner,
and arrived in the Evening
at Jacob Lunday’s in Hard-
wick County, in the[?] Jersey;
⟨35.⟩from Kingwood about 35 Miles.
This Friend is seated in a
fertile Valey almost surround
-ed with Barren Mountains,
his Wife is public, and has
visited many of the Meetings
in this Continent; by which
means she was both known
and nearly esteemed by some
of us; that meeting with
[Page 5] her here under her own and
Husband’s hospitable Roof was
reviving._____
2nd. Continued up a kind of a
Valey, between two considerable
Mountains, stoped twice at
Inns to feed, at one of which
dined, and got to an Inn at
Chester in Orange County, in
⟨50.⟩ the Evening; where we lodged 50
Miles._____
3rd. This morning concluded
to turn a little out of our direct
Course, for the purpose of fall-
ing in with some of our Friends,
rode about 7 Miles to Breakfast[?],
and about 13 more to Daniel
Byrns’ on the North River,
[Page 6] where we dined, and rested
ourselves Several Hours; –– -
Thence up the River about
12 Miles, to Edward Halluck’s,
where we lodged, and were
kindly entertained, he being an
Ancient Friend of a very kind
and hospitable Disposition.
⟨32.⟩Travailed this Day but 32 miles.
Here we Stand two Days &
rested ourselves,wrote some Letters Home, and attended
their Meeting on first Day.
6th. Being Second Day, left our
agreeable Quarters, and pro-
ceeded on our Journey, our Gd.
Friend Edward Halluck, accom-
paning us Several Miles;
[Page 7] ⟨20.⟩dined at Eusopus, about 20 Miles;
This Town was entirely burnt
by the English in 1777; and
has now a Considerable Num-
ber of good Houses; then
rode to Cats.kill where we
⟨24.⟩ Lodged; 24 Miles. _____
Here we were entertained
at a private House; for com-
ing to the Creek after Night,
and finding no Inn on this
Side; the Creek not rideable,
and no Boat to be had, things
wore a disagreeable Appearance,
but a friendly Man, Jacob
Bogarder, being privy to
[Page 8] our Distress, very compli-
santly offered us Entertain-
ment, which we gratefully
accepted; and found him
to be a Man of Intelligence,
and some Consequence, andliving
in considerable State, for this
part of the Country._____
7th. Staid Breakfast this
Morning at our Lodgings,
and while it was preparing,
took a walk with our Land-
lord to view the following curious Phaeno-
menon, on his Farm, from
60 to 100 Perches from his
[Page 9] dwelling House; A Hill
which laid in the Northwest
Angle, formed by the Meeting of the North River &
Cats.Kill Creek which raised,
as I supposed from 100 to 150
feet of perpendicular Height,
from the Bed of said Waters, three
Days since, broke near the Extre-
mity of the Ellivation; and one
part of it sunk almost perpen-
dicularly down between 50 &
60 feet, next adjoining the great-
est Elevation, and gradually up
toward the Declivity of
the Hill, leaving the ground
almost level; the Quantity
moved was about two Acres; we
walked over the Ground, and
[Page 10] indeed it was an amazing and
Solemn Sight, the Stupendous
Cracks and broken Earth made
an awful appearance; The
Inhabitants of a small town over the Creek saw it going, and
were much alarmed, supposing
it to have been the Beginning
of an Earthquake, but they
heard no rumbling, nor discovered
any Shock: there was also on this
Hill when it sunk a flock of
Sheep grazing, which appeared
much frighted with the first
Motion of the Earth, and(as it
sunk gradually) and ran vio-
lently several Courses at first,
but quickly gathered all close
[Page 11] together, near the Center, and
went down with the Ground,
and received no hurt. _____
After Breakfast ferried over
this Creek, and proceeded on,
dined at Edward Halluck Junr.
at a small Town, on the
North River, called Baltimore,
from our Last Stage about 22 miles
⟨42.⟩thence to albany, about 20 miles,
here we put up our Horses
at an Inn, and lodged some
of us at a Friend’s House, and
others of us at a friendly Man’s
named Thomas Spencer, where
we were kindly entertained. __
This we are informed is
the oldest City in the Conti-
nent, but it appears a poor
[Page 12] place; they have no regular
Market; the Streets are ex-
tremely irregular, crooked and
dirty; the walks on each Side,
are paved with very indifferent
Stone, the middles generally
not paved at all: They Say
there are better than 1000
Houses in this place, and
some of them are three
Stories and otherways good
and handsome Buildings;
but the greater part appear
to be old & inconvenient, of one,
one and an half and two sto-
ries, mostly of brick on Wood.
[Page 13]
Here we received Informa-
tion from a Man who had
been in the Indian Coun-
try that the greater part
of the Oneida, Onondaga &
Cayuga Reservations had
been lately purchased by
the State of New York:
This Information a little
alarmed us, and we concluded
it expedient to wait on the
Surveyor General at his Office
in this Town; and two of us
being named for that Ser-
vice, we accordingly went to
his Office, and found him
a very obliging and inteligent
man,
[Page 14] Man, and he marked out on
our Map, what had been pur-
chased, and what was still
reserved; by which we were
fully satisfied with Regard
to the Quantity of Land still
in possession of the Indians:
This Interview was on the
Morning of the 8th Instant;
and in the Afternoon we
concluded to move forward;
and accordingly rode to Sche-
nectady a Town on the
⟨14.⟩ Mohawk River 14 Miles
from Albany._____
Here we lodged at a good Inn
kept by English people; our
[Page 15] Entertainment and Attendance
excited Admiration, being equal,
especially in the Womans de-
partment, to almost any thing
in that way, in the City of
Philadelphia: This is a
Smart Town containing, as they
say, about 600 Houses many
of them good Buildings: from
here the Mohawk is boatable
upwards of 100 Miles; but the
Navigation is so extremely
difficult, by reason of Shoal
Water and Rapids, that, if the
Roads were good, Land Carriage
would be preferable: Between
here and the North River
is a large falls, which occasions
a
[Page 16] a carrying place from Albany
here of 14 miles._____
9th. This Morning crossed the Mo-
hawk in a Boat, continued up
the River between two Moun-
tains; the flats on each Side
the River appeared fertile,
but narrow; in about 20 miles
came to old general Jonstons
Seat; it was a large Stone House,
for this part of the Country; and
had Some out Houses of a curious
Structure; dined at Cagnawago,
⟨25.⟩ from Schenectady 25 miles: This
is an Indian Name, the Etymology
of which is, Cag in the Wagon.
Here John Jonston, son of
old William Jonston, with about
[Page 17] 600 Indians and Regulars,
did much mischief, in the
Time of the American War;
they burnt the Country for
about 40 Miles up and down
the River, and many of the
Inhabitants lost their Lives,
amongst which was the parents,
and other Connections of our
Present Landlady, which has
tended [?]to embitter her
Mind against the Natives
to this Day._____
Thence up the River to
Jacob Spraker’s, who keeps a ferry
over the Mohawk, where we
lodged: He has a gracious
House
[Page 18] House on the Outside, but
within, in most respects, below
indifferent; from our last
⟨10.⟩ Stage 10 Miles._____
10th. Crossed the River in a
⟨9.⟩ Boat, and rode about 9 Miles
to Breakfast: here, and for
Some Miles back, the
fertile Flats are much
wider than they were for
Some Distance, where we
rode yesterday morning:_____
In the Course of this Stage,
riding up the River, and ob-
serving the fertility of the Land,
and particularly that of the
[Page 19] Flats on each Side of the River,
which a few years ago were
occupied by the Indians, my
Mind was tendered in reflecting
on their Situation; how they
are tossed from place to place,
and deprived of their Lands,
almost as soon as their
fertility becomes known to
the white people; and it
settled in my Mind, that
it could hardly be the Will
of the great Founder of the
Universe, that this valu-
able Country should remain
unimproved; and that therefore,
the only Means, whereby the
[Page 20] Natives can secure to them-
selves their possessions, is
to endeavor to improve
in Civilization, and in the
holy fear of the Lord; becoming
gradually a religiously organ-
ized Body._____
Thence up the River about
18 Miles further and dined
⟨18.⟩ at a place called the German
Flats; here we were informed,
that these Flats, for Several
Miles back of this place, have
been settled with white peo-
ple for near 80 years, and
we observed in the Course of
our last stage several old
[Page 21] Houses, and Orchards, the Ap-
pearance of Which accorded
with this Information:_____
We also saw many Sugar
Maples in this Day’s ride, one
of which was four feet over;
but generally from one to
two, and two and a half._____
We are also informed, that
notwithstanding the fertility
of the Land here, there is ve-
ry Little Grain of any kind
raised for Market: the Land
being generally in possession
of the [...] Dutch, and their De-
scendents; who have a Character
here directly opposed to that of their
[Page 22] Country People in Pennsyl-
vania._____
Thence up the River
to a little Village called Fort-
Schuyler 18 Miles from our
last Stage; here we crossed the
Riveron a Bridge, and pro-
ceeded on to White’s Town
4 Miles further, where we
⟨22.⟩ lodged._____
Twelve or fifteen Miles of
this last Stage was through a
new Settled Country; the Land
appears good, & the Settlements
rapid and thriving; the Set-
lers mostly from New England,
but some from New Jersey:
[Page 23] These people generally build
their Houses contiguous to
each other, and are content
with small Farms; many
of them not more than
100 Acres with the Allowance
that the Country for many
Miles together along the great Road resembles
a scattered Village._____
11th. This morning had
a Conference together at
our Lodgings and being
now near the Indian
Country, we felt our
Minds seriously impressed
with an increasing weight
of the Business we are
[Page 24] engaged in; and united in
the expediency of keeping
Minutes of our proceedings
therein; and one of our
Number was appointed
to that Service._____
After which we had
a satisfactory Conference
with Col. Floyd, one of the
Superintendants appointed
by the Government of
New York to the Special
Care and Oversight of the
Brothertown Indians; and
he informed us, that this
Tribe is sufficiently provided
for, in all necessary agricultural
Implements &c. and that they
[Page 25] Stand in no need of any Assis-
tance from us, except in Ad-
vice, Instruction &c. and also
that it would be very desirable
to him, and those connected
with him, that one of our
Friends should reside for
Some time with this tribe
in the Capacity of an In-
structor in Husbandry &c.
which proposition is re-
ferred for future Considera-
tion, when we may be more
fully acquainted with the
Situation of the neighbour-
ing Tribes._____
[Page 26]
This respectable Man also
informed us, that he believed
the general Disposition of
the people in those parts,
tho’ so near the frontiers, would
be very favorable to our Bu-
siness; which was to our En-
couragement; as we had met
with Evincements of a
contrary Disposition
about 40 Miles further
down the River._____
After Dinner agreed to go
forward into the Indian Country;
we were informed it was about
20 Miles to the Stockbridge
Settlement, where we wished
[Page 27] to go this Evening: We rode
about 9 miles through the
white Settlements, and stopping
at a House to enquire the
way, we found it to be the last
belonging to white people:~
Here we met with an In-
dian, who knowing, or at least
mistrusting us, by our Appear
ance, shewed great Friendship,
calling us Brothers & Quakers,
and offered to pilot us to the
Indian Settlement; but being
much in Liquor, and having a
Gun and Hatchet, it appeared
some Trial to accept his Of-
fer; more especially as the
Evening was approaching;
[Page 28] but understanding the Road
was difficult, and not a single
House to be found on it, we
at length concluded to Submit
to it: He was one of the Oneida’s,
and appeared very wild and sa-
vage, and would frequently make
a loud, and frightful shouting
as he went through the Woods;
but he brought us Safe to a
Small Indian Settlement of
the Oneidas, within about three
Miles of Captain Hendricks,
Chief of the Stockbridge, where
we had proposed going, but
Night being come upon us,
we concluded to take up our
Lodging here; which we
[Page 29] accordingly did, having rid-
den about 17 miles, of Such
⟨17.⟩ Roads, particularly the
last half of it, as none of
our company excepting
our Indian Guide, had
ever seen before._____
Here we began our Indian
Fare, took our Blankets for our
Beds, and Saddles for our pillows[?];
and supped on Milk, with a
little Indian Bread in it, having
wooden spoons, or Ladles to
sup it out of a large general
Reservoir:
But I believe we were all
favored with quiet and easy
Minds; though we were cold
in the Night, and Sore and
[Page 30] Stiff in the Morning. _____
The Name of our Host was
Hendrick Smith, who with his
Brother in law, a Stockbridge, could
talk a little English: He had
18 Head of horned Cattle, Several
of his Cows were excellent; he
had about three Acres of Indian
Corn planted, and enclosed, and
a grass Lot of nearly equal
Dimensions also enclosed; and
had made some preparations
for building a new House; but
he said he was afraid to build;
for by and by his Chiefs would
sell the Land to white people,
and then he should have to
leave it; he wished we would
make their Chiefs divide
[Page 31] the Land and let every one
have his own Share; and
then, he said, he would clear
a great deal: This he and
his Brother-in-law informed us,
was what the Indians wanted;
but their Chiefs would not
agree to it._____
This Sentiment appeared
to be accompanied with
Rationality, and some of
us were ready to adopt Se-
cret Conclusions, that it
would be our Duty to give
it our Interest; but upon
further acquaintance with
those people, and more minute-
ly investigating the Subject,
we found, that it
[Page 32] had its origin, perhaps with
the greater part who
approved it, in a Disposition
very contrary to what we would
wish to encourage amongst
them; viz. that of being indivi-
dually able to sell and lease
Lands to the white people; which
power had been heretofore suf-
ficiently proven prejudicial
to several of the Tribes, now
living in this reservation, by
tending finally to root them
out of their native possessions.
There nevertheless appears
great Room for prudent Exer-
tions to encourage and assist
these people, in falling up-
on some safe plan of securing
[Page 33] to Individuals, and their Offsp
Offspring, the Fruits of their
Industry: for whilst Improve-
ments remain in the present
precarious State, the reflecting
Mind must inevitably feel
a Strong blunt[?] to the Stimulus
of Action._____
12th. This Morning our Indian
Host, came in and told us his
Horse was dead, he had been
ailing about three weeks; and
that this was the eleventh Horse
which he had lost within five
years: this Accorded with an
Account we had before received
of the Mortality of Horses in
this Country._____
About eight o’clock clock Cap. Hendricks
[Page 34] Aupaumut, principle Chief
of the Stockbridge Nation, and to
whom we had sent a Runner
the Evening before, came, with
two others of his Tribe, to meet
us, and conduct us to his Town;
with whom we went, and ariving
at his Habitation, we were a
little surprised with the smalness[?]
and meanness of it; but having
no prospect of bettering ourselves,
we very deliberately lit, and after
some time ventured in, but our
surprise was soon turned into
astonishment, when we saw
the Table spread for our Break-
fast; the Tea Tackling was
brought out; good wheat Bread,
[Page 35] and Butter of a superlative Qua-
lity made their appearance; that,
in short, we had a first Rate
Pennsylvania Breakfast._____
This being first Day, we
felt our Minds engaged, to set
down together, to feel after inward
Stillness, and ability to perform
Spiritual Worship; and about
eleven OClock, having obtained
leave of our Host, who appears
a serious, sensible Man, we sat
down, in Company with him,
his Family, and Several of
his Indian Neighbors, who,
without any Invitation from us,
came in; they sat[?] in a good
Degree Solid[?], and appeared
thoughtful
[Page 36] thoughtful; but, as I conceived,
shewed some Uneasiness with
our Silence: A few Words were
Spoken, informing that none
of our Number were public
Ministers, and pointing out
the necessity of inward and
Spiritual Worship._____
In the Evening of this Day
had a Conference with several
several of the Chiefs and Coun-
selors of the Stockbridge nation,
at the House of our Host Cap.
Hendrick; in which he made
us a speech, expressive of their
Gladness to See us; and that we
were heartily welcome to their
Town; then proceeded to inform
[Page 37] us of their former and present
Situation, which he did with
great Clearness, and precision:
We then briefly informed them
of our motives for coming to
their Country; and adjourned
to meet their whole Nation,
in general Council tomorrow
Morning at 10 OClock._____
13th. Within about an hour of the
Time appointed, the Indians
generally met, made us a
Short Speech, expressing their
Gladness to see us, and apolo-
gising for their Deficiency
with regard to the Hour ap-
pointed; we then proceeded to
inform them of the Nature
of our Business, and read
our
[Page 38] our Certificate to them; after
which we were enabled, pretty
clearly to point out to them
many of the obvious Causes
of their present Inferiority,
in point of Living, to the White
people; together with the means
whereby this disparity might
be removed, greatly to the Advan-
tage of them and their posterity,
with which they appeared to
be satisfied; and after a short
Consultation amongst themselves,
they informed us, ‘that they had
Listened to us with Attention,
and had, as it were, swallowed
down our Words, and should
deeply consider them;’ after
[Page 39] which they would give us
their Mind on the different
Subjects recommended to them.
From several private Con-
ferences with some of their Chiefs
we learn, that the Stockbridge
Indians (who are not of the five
Nations) consist of about sixty
Families, and 300 Individuals;
The possess 23040 Acres of
excellent Land, which was given
to them by the Oneidas; about
the Close of the American War;
and was confirmed by deed,
containing a Clause baring
against their selling or leasing
to white people: They divide
their Land into 100 Acre Lots;
and every Family has one Lot;
[Page 40] and every Son is to have a Lot,
laid off by a certain Order un-
til the whole is Occupied: They
have a sawmill, three Carts, three
pair of good Oxen, and perhaps
some other Things which they
enjoy in common; but in gene-
ral they possess their Improve-
ments, and other Fruits of their
Industry as private property;
and even buy and sell, of and to
the white people and one an-
other; sometimes giving their
Notes and Obligations in like
Manner with them: and we
are informed our Host, Cap.
Hendrick, raised near 100 Bus.
of wheat last year, besides a
Quantity of Indian Corn._____
[Page 41]
They have also an Income
from general Government
of 350 Dollars a year: They
do not appear ignorant in
any considerable Degree, of
good Matters of tilling their
Ground: most Families have
one Cow, and some of them
have Several; that little appears
to be wanting here but a spi-
rit of Industry, Sobriety and fru-
gality, to make these people,
not only tolerable, but easy
in their Circumstances: and
to this End a skillful provision
for the Security of private In-
terest might much contribute.
Here it may be seasonable
to
[Page 42] to remark, that we have
found, since we came to this
Place, serious Occasion for
the Necessity of Friends, both
in a collective and private
Capacity, being scrupulously
guarded in the Letters they
send to these people; for we
find them very ingenious
in construing them to their
own advantage; and they
appear to hold them little
inferior, in point of Obligation
to the most absolute Contrasts.-
14th. Attended a general Coun-
cil of the Oneida’s, at their
[Page 43] Town, about four Miles from
the Stockbridge Settlement;
and in about two Hours after
the Time appointed they
collected; and the Business
was opened by a short
Speech on their part, ex-
pressing their Gladness
to see their old Friends
the Quakers, that we might
speak Face to face. We
then briefly informed them
of our Errand into their Coun-
try; and finding that we had
a very imperfect Interpre-
ter, we confided to adjourn
the
[Page 44] the Council ‘til 5th Day
the 16th. at ten OClock
in the morning, and re-
quested the Attendance of
their Women and young
people: then returned
to our Lodgings at Stockbridge.
15th. This morning three of
our Number attended with
several of the Stockbridge
Chiefs and principle men,
in consulting the best me-
thods of repairing their Saw-
mill Dam, whilst others of
our Company were employed
in a useful Improvement at
our Lodgings._____
[Page 45]
In the Afternoon attended
a general Council of a small
Body of the Tuscororas, who live
on sufferance upon theOneida
Lands; these people consist of
twelve Families, about 58 In-
dividuals, have 43 horned Cat-
tle, 2 Yoke of Oxen, and one plow;
and have the Offer of 200 Acres
of Land to a family by the
Oneidas; but only three of
their Number have yet taken
up with the Offer; they be-
ing generally too indolent to
enclose, clear and till Land
when given to them; although
the Land here is of an excel-
lent Quality, and easy of Culture.
[Page 46]
They also conceive themselves
under some Difficulties with
Regard to the Oneidas Offer
of Land; as they refuse to se-
cure any Quantity to them
in a National Capacity; but
merely admit them to indivi-
dually enjoy the aforesaid Quan-
tity in like Manner with
their own people; and sub-
ject to the future disposal
of the Oneida Chiefs._____
These people reminded us
of an Expectation given them
by Friends at a late Treaty,
of a Compensation for some
Lands settled by Friends
[Page 47] and others in a certain place
in Virginia; where they sup-
pose themselves to have some
Claim: this led us into a
particular Enquiry into the
Nature of their Claim; but
we found them very imperfect
in their Knowledge of the
Matter, so that we could get
no Light from them on the
Subject._____
16th. Again attended the ge-
neral Council of the Oneida’s;
they assembled as usual, more
than an hour after the time
appointed; and opened the
Council with a short welcome;
we
[Page 48] we now had Cap. Jacob Reed
for our Interpreter, who had
been educated in an English
School: We again opened the
Nature of our Business; and read
our Certificate from our friends
to them; after which we proceeded
to shew them the Advantage and
necessity of a Change in their
Manner of Life; that their young
Men ought to work, and be indus-
trious to plow and sow their Land,
to raise Grain to make Bread
for themselves; and for their
old People and Children who could
not work; and that they should
get many Cows to give them
Milk; and keep Sheep and
[Page 49] Such Things like the white
people do; and that their
Women should learn to spin
the wool that would come off
their Sheep, to make them
Blankets and Clothes, to keep
them and their Children
warm in cold Weather; and
that we were willing to shew
them how to do those things;
that some of our young men
would stay a while with them,
(if they were willing,) to instruct
them how the white people
tilled the land (for we had before
united in the Belief that this
was the most fruitable place
to make our Settlement) but
[Page 50] but informed them withal, that
they ought not depend too much
on their Brothers, the Quakers,
for help; but that they must try
to help themselves; that we were
willing to assist them a little
in the Beginning; but as we
wanted to help all their In-
dian Brothers a little, and
as there was a great many
of them, they could not expect
that we could do a great deal
for any one Nation; and more-
over, as we saw they had a great
deal of very good Land; an as we
were willing to shew them
how to work their good Land,
[Page 51] that they might live comfortably,
and have plenty of every thing, if
they would but take our Advice,
and learn to work, and to be in-
dustrious, sober, and saving; but
if they would not be persuaded
to help themselves, but would
still continue to live in their
old way, that their Brothers
the Quakers would soon grow
tired of helping them: after
we had thus fully opened our
Prospects, and relieved our
Minds to them, they gave
us a short answer expressing
their Willingness to comply
with our Advice: The Council
then braking up they mostly
[Page 52] withdrew; but the Chiefs, &
old Men soon returned, and
desired to speak a few more
words to us; which when we
had agreed to, and were seated
down, they proceeded to inform,
that their Women had heard
the good words that we had said
to them; and that they had
now exorted their Husbands &
all their Men, to mind all
the good Words that their Bro-
thers the Quakers, had said
to them; and that every thing
that they had said was good;
and that they ought to do it all._____
Here it may be proper
[Page 53] to remark, that truly the
women have great Cause
to be on our side in this Bu-
siness; for in proportion to
the Rudeness, and uncultiva-
tion of these people, are the
Hardships and Difficulties
of their Women greatly increas-
ed; for where the Men think
it a reproach for them to work,
all the Chopping, Howing &c.
necessarily fall upon their
Women: and as they increase
in Civilization, as is evident
in the Stockbridge and Bro-
thertown’s, the women are
gradually relieved from this
Drudgery, and their Labours
con [Page 54] confined more of their Houses, and
amongst their Children, where
they ought to be._____
And such has lately been the
Case, as we are creditably informed,
among the Oneida’s, that if a
Man was catched caught by his friend
cutting off a stick of wood, or how-
ing a Hill of Corn, he would
appear as much ashamed, as
if he had been caught in a dis-
honorable or wicked Action.___
At the Close of this Council
we had a Conference with the
Chiefs; from which, and our
own Observations, we learn,
that the Oneida’s possess a
large Tract of excellent Land,
[Page 55] supposed to be about 12 miles
by 20: They consist of about
620 Individuals, have an In-
come from general Govern-
ment of 700 Dollars a year;
out of which Government
has Liberty to furnish them
with a Smith and Materials;
which has been done at the
Expense of about 200 Dollars
a year; they have also Liberty
out of this Sum to furnish
them with a School, by employ-
ing a Schoolmaster, which is
not done, said to be from the
Difficulty of getting a suitable
Teacher; which we regret, as such
[Page 56] an Institution, if rightly under-
taken and prosecuted must cer-
tainly be much more advanta-
geous to these people than
the Money._____
They have also about
5000 Dollars annually
coming in from the State
of New York; they have also
a Sawmill built by Govern-
ment; and a Gristmill begun;
which Government are under
Obligations to complete.___
They have a considerable Num-
ber of horned Cattle, Horses,
and some good working Cattle.___
From the above Delineation
[Page 57] of the Circumstances and Si-
tuation of these people, it must
evidently appear; that their
Chance for a comfortable Sub-
stance far exceeds that of
the majority of the white
Inhabitants of Pennsylvania
and parts adjacent. - That
in short there appears but
little in the way of their
becoming good Livers but
their excessive Indolence,
want of Oeconomy, and Love
of Strong Drink; in the latter
of which Some Exertions have
been made by the old Men
and Chiefs here, as well as
[Page 58] amongst the Stockbridge’s, and
we understand no strong Drink
is allowed to be sold in their
Towns; and we have, at each
place, been concerned to Strength-
en these Exertions; yet it is
Sorrowfully evident, that they
too frequently find Means to
get this baneful Article by
applying to the frontier retail-
ers: _____
After obtaining the above,
we returned in the Evening
to our Lodgings at Stockbridge.
_____
[Page 59]
17th. The forepart of this Day
some of our Company were en
gaged in writing and digesting
our Concerns, whilst others
were usefully employed in
the completion of a domes-
tic Improvement, some
Days ago begun. _____
In the afternoon two of
us, at the request of the
Indians, attended a Council
of the Oneida's, Tuscorora's &
Stockbridge's together, which
we found to be on Business of
their own unconnected with
ours: The business was con-
ducted with great Decorum
&
[Page 60] and Formality and a clear and
decisive Judgment passed upon
some disorderly Walkers of unruly spirits who
were endeavoring to disturb and
lay waste the internal Govern-
ment of one of these nations.
The principle Leaders of
this Faction are Jacob Konka-
pot, John Konkapot, and Moses
Sonkankeheh: these Men had
complained to the Oneida
Chiefs against their own
chiefs, viz. the Stockbridge; and
had requested of them some
Seperate Lands, that they
might live independant of
their Chiefs; who they said
had required them to sign
[Page 61] some piece of writing, contrary
to the Custom of Indians; and
that they did not understand the
writing, and therefore would not
sign it; and because they had
refused to sign this writing,
their Chiefs had taken away
their Lots and had deprived
them of several national
priviledges; and divers other
Charges they had brought against
them. _____
The Oneida Speaker, Cap
Peter, opened the Council
with the customary Formality
of Thankfulness to the great
Spirit for being favoured to
meet Face to Face in that
[Page 62] Council; then proceeded, in
substance as follows: _____
2.
Brothers:
You remember your
former situation when you
were in Distress, having leased
all your Lands, at old Stock-
bridge in New England, one
piece after another, to the
white people, 'till at last
you had no Land left for
yourselves. You know; Brothers,
in this Distress, we your elder
Brother took pity upon you,
and gave you this Dish, that
you might put a spoon into
it and live; and in order
[Page 63] that our younger Brother should
never get such trouble again,
we made this Dish of steel,
that it might last foreverx,
and we thought, Brothers, that
you had put a steel spoon into
this good Dish; we admire
then, that our younger Bro-
thers should get to differing
about the spoon, but we are
astonished how you should
breake a steel spoon, so that
you cannot all get a Living
together out of this good Dish
that we have given you; but
x This steel Dish very aptly[?] alluded
to a clause in their Deed of Gifts,
barring against their selling or
leasing to white people._____
[Page 64]
that any of you should pretend
asto [?] A new Dish to themselves:
Brothers, we can’t agree to this;
for if we should give some of
you a new dish, it may be
that Dish may be made of
Wood, and then it will soon
get broke, and you will
have no Dish againt: No Brothers,
we will not do this, but we
will try to mend your spoon
for you, so that you may all
_____
This wooden Dish represented the
Disposition of the Complainants
to sell and lease Lands to the
white people, for which they
have been noted._____
[Page 65]
live happily together out of this
good steel Dish that we have
given you; and maybe the spoon
is not broke yet, but only bent
a little, and we will try to
straighten it for you: __ And now
Brothers, in order to straiten the
Spoon you must dig a Hole
in the Ground, and you must
dig it deep, and in it you must
bury all these old Contentions
and Complaints, and you
must cover them so deep, that
they can never get up again;
and then the Spoon will be
mended; and you will all eat
together comfortably out of this
Steel Dish again; Now Brother
[Page 66] we have done, think of these
Things; and the Chiefs, and
young Warriors who complain,
have liberty to speak for them-
selves. _____
3.
Then the Oneidas and Tus-
cororas withdrew to smoke
a Pipe, and eat their Din-
ners; _____
During which Time Cap.
Hendrick repeated the substance
of the foregoing speech, in the
Stockbridge Language; to his
own people; it having been
delivered in the Oneida Language
and interpreted into English;
After which they consulted toge-
ther and not being able to recon-
cile
[Page 67] cile and restore the Compain-
ants; On the Return of the
Oneidas and Tuscororas; Cap.
Hendricks, on behalf of him-
self and his Brother Chiefs,
made the following Defence;
viz.
4.
Brothers, we are happy
that the great Spirit has al-
lowed us to smoke a pipe
together on this Occasion;
and we understand perfectly
well all what you have said
to us: now we will answer
as far as concerns us.__
Brothers, it is true we have
agreed to help one another
[Page 68] especially when one Brother
meets with any Difficulty
the other shall help him
out; Brothers, All what
you have said to us and to our
young Men, we like it well,
and you know, Brothers, it
is a common thing for the
Chiefs of all Nations to
endeavor to promote the
Good of their Nation; and
you also know that they al-
ways receive as a sallery
therefor the Reproaches
of some of their people;
because, that in every nation
[Page 69] there are some bad people, that
will not regard good and
wholesome Rules, but will
always be wanting to have
their own way; We have
such: _____ And now, Bro-
thers, we shall begin to
speak to the Accusations,
which those people bring
against us; and we are glad
you have had such Wisdom,
as not to judge in this Mat-
ter without a general Coun
cil, and giving us Leave to
speak for ourselves, that
so the Truth may come out;
The
[Page 70] The first thing we Shall ob-
serve; they have told you
Brothers, that we have done
them Injury; and they say
that we have let out Lands
to white people, and that
we have taken away their
Lots from them; now Bro-
thers, we deny this; we have
done no Such Thing: you
know very well, Brothers,
that we have maintained our
Covenant [?]which we
made with you at Schenec-
tady about this Land, this
Dish; you are our Witnesses
that we have never took trouble
[Page 71] to ourselves, by giving Lease
of any of this Land to white
people; and also the great men
of the State of New York are
our witnessest; and our writ-
ings testify the same thing;
By these Things, Brothers, we
are able to deny this part
of the Accusation: _____
Brothers, now we will speak
on the other Hand; these our
young Men have been trying
this two years to take away our
spoon and breake this Dish;
Some-
_____
This appeal to the Great Men of the
State of New York, had reference, to
a petition taken in by the Complain
ants for Liberty to sell and lease Lands
to white people; which was opposed by the Chiefs
[Page 72]
Sometime, the white people
will lay hold of the Spoon,
and try to bend it, and pull
it this way, and that way;
and these our young Men will
join with them, and take
hold with their Hands, and
try to bend it; now when
we saw that our spoon was
in danger, we the Chiefs
would take hold; and our
orderly young Men would take
hold, and try to bring it back
again, and to straiten our
Spoon; to this you are our
Witnesses, and the great Men
of
[Page 73] of the State of New York, are
our witnesses; And you know,
Brothers, that we have kept
our Dish and our Spoon, that
they are not broke yet, but
are kept bright; and we in-
tend to keep them bright for
the use of our Children. __
Brothers, The next thing we
shall observe, They say we
take in Strangers; to this
we acknowledge; because our
Covenant we made with you
was such, as to open a Door
to take in Strangers of our
own Colour; Because, Brothers,
you
[Page 74] you know, that it is natural
amongst all nations, to have
Compassion towards one another;
for Instance, Brothers, you your-
selves have done Such Thing
many Years ago; for these
Tuscororas, who are now at
this Council, were Strangers,
and ye took them in, and
gave them a Dish; and we
ourselves were also Strangers,
and ye took us in and gave
us a Dish; now Brothers, in
keeping the same Rules among
us, the Chiefs of our Nation,
who can find fault with
us, in that Respect._____
[Page 75]
Brothers, We will observe another
thing, our young Men have
told you, that we draw writings,
and these writings are signed
by many; and they could not
understand these writings;
and therefore would not sign
them: you also, Brothers, seem
to be astonished yourselves at these things;
you say, you do not know how
these writings should come,
and why they should be signed:
Now Brothers, we acknowledge
we have such writings, and
if you desire, you shall hear
these writings, that ye shall
rightly understand them; but
[Page 76] before I read you this wri-
ting, we shall let you know,
that our Chiefs always had
in their Hearts the welfare
of the Nation, and often con-
templated what would be
most for the welfare of the
whole nation; and about
twelve years ago, before we
come to your Country, we found
it would be for our Welfare, to
make a Strong Covenant, to
keep us together, and draw
writings to keep out Memory
bright; so long as we maintain
that agreement, we find it
[Page 77] do us good, and five years ago,
since we come to this town,
we renew that Covenant; and
since that, now lately, we be-
gin to see the same spirit
which had made Disturbance
amongst us before, and which
must inevitably bring ruin
both to the spirituals and tem-
porals; therefore the Chiefs
was alarmed, and believe it
their Duty to use their law-
ful Endeavour to frustrate
that Design; and they called
the Nation together in general
Council, to consult what shall
be done, and they agreed to enter
into
[Page 78] into Covenant, and draw writings,
and sign them: now Brothers,
I will read you the writings: viz.
Article 1st: The Union of the
Nation which was established
at old Stockbridge in the year
1784 and afterwards renewed
at different Times is hereby
again confirmed, that the
same shall remain inviolable.
2nd. As many as are thus unit-
ed shall abide firm in all the
good Agreements heretofore
made in our public Meetings;
which are recorded in the
Town Book; but more especially
in
[Page 79] in keeping our Lands; and that
we never should take trouble
to ourselves, in Endeavouring
to lease Land to white people.
_____
3rd. The Said united Inhabitants
of this town, shall equally par-
take of all the privileges confered
on us from abroad, and in like
manner shall equally bear all
the public Business incum-
bent on the nation._____
4th. All those who refuse to
join in this happy Union
shall be positively excluded
from all the aforesaid privileges,
except preaching and School;
these two shall remain free as
usual; yet if any of them should
see
[Page 80] see his folly, and disadvantage
by it, and be disposed to comply
with the Articles of this Agree-
ment, he or they shall be ad-
mitted, by signing the aforesaid
agreement to enjoy equal pri-
vileges with the others._____
5th. Public meetings shall
be free and open, the Sachems
and Chiefs of the Nation shall
be respected and obeyed in all
the good Counsels they give. __
6th. If any of the members
of the Union be in distress, his
Business is to inform his Situ-
ation to the principle men,
and he shall be afforded all pos-
sible Relief. _____
[Page 81]
7th. And if any man shall do
a public service he shall
be entitled to a Reward._____
8th. If anyone, whether a mem-
ber of this Union or not, should
brake either of the Articles of
this agreement, and persisting
to do contrary, or making direct
Opposition against it, as to excite
others to transgress with him,
he shall be under penalty
of the Law._____
Witness our Hands this
3rd Day of June 1796._____
Brothers, you see, and
understand clearly, what writ-
ings we have drawn, and why
we should sign these writings;
[Page 82] that we may know how many
of us are of one mind: By
this Agreement you see, that
we do not take any mans
property, or do any Injury
to any; the matter is free
to every one to act as he pleases;
if anyone is excluded any
privileges, he does it himself,
of his own Choice; but it
is not the Choice of the
Chiefs or of the orderly young
Men: _____ Brothers, we
have now informed you every
Thing, particular; now you
are able to judge who are
in the fault; whether the
[Page 83] Chiefs, or these our young men;
now you must be plain, if
you find fault with us, tell
us plainly; we are ready to
make up, if there is any
thing against us; but we think
we can say this, that in stead
of doing them hurt, we have
ever endeavoured to promote
their happiness:_____
Brothers, this is all what
we have to say at present; only
one of our young men will speak
a word to you; if you are willing. __
5.
Which being admitted, John
Quinney spoke on Behalf of him-
self, &
[Page 84] and the rest of the orderly young men, as
follows; viz.
Brother, Chiefs of the Oneida
and Tuscorora’s, _____
I would inform you, that I believe it is not
the will of the great Spirit,
that we the young warriors
should usurp Authority over
the ⟨our⟩ Chiefs; but that it is
our Duty to obey our Chiefs,
in all their good Counsels, be-
cause we know, and have ex-
perienced that our Chiefs have
more wisdom and Knowledge
than we have; and that they
have been faithful in promot-
ing our Happiness; so that we
[Page 85] think it is a great Shame
for any of us to rise up against
them; and indeed there are only
a few who have done such thing;
now Brothers, we also declare
that all what our Chiefs have
related to you, is true: _____
This is all I got to say ___
6.
After a short pause Cap. Peter,
the Oneida speaker, replied in
Substance, as follows. _____
7.
Brothers,
We are very glad
that you have opened your
Minds to us so fully, that we
understand clearly all these
Circumstances that you have
mentioned; we are glad to
find
[Page 86] find that you have maintained
all our agreements, so that the
Spoon is safe and bright; and
all what you have related
to us, is very agreeable to us;
and also the writing which you
have shewn us is good, we
like it very well; and we do
not find any fault on your
side; and we now understand
where the Blame lies; that
it lies upon your young men
there; Brothers, now we hear-
tily thank you Chiefs; and all
our Chiefs thank you, for the
Information you have given
us
[Page 87] us; and we will now speak
a word to your orderly young
Warrior, who spoke a few words
to us, we like all his words
well; we are glad to find such
Disposition in young warriors
to obey their Chiefs; and we
are very glad to hear him;
and we thank him for letting
us know that there are very
few young men warriors among you that disobey
their Chiefs; and we should
be glad all our young War-
riors would be so disposed; then
addressing himself to the
young Men who had com-
plained, he said,
Brothers
[Page 88] Brothers, We are sorry to find
that you yourselves have
created all these Difficul-
ties that you complain
of; and now we wish you
to make up, and Shake
Hands with your Chiefs
before our Face, that we
may see it done, and then
we will be very glad and
Satisfied: So Brothers that
is all we got to say to you:
_____
8.
The Complainants refused
to comply with this Advice,
so the Council broke up; all
satisfied to appearance, except-
ing these Disturbers of the
public Tranquility._____
[Page 89]
18th. This Day attended a
general Council of the Bro-
thertown Indians, at their
Town, about 9 miles from
the Stockbridge Settlement;
who, as usual, were a long
Time in getting together; we
opened our Business without
any Interpreter, these people
mostly understanding English,
and using no other Language
in their families; after which
and reading our Certificate
to them; we desired their pa-
tience, reminding them
that we had come a great
way to see them in Love,
without any prospect of
[Page 90] worldly Advantage to ourselves,
and that we were desirous
they should endeavour
to still and quiet their
Minds, as well as their
Bodies, that they might
be in a proper Situation
to hear and understand, if
we should have any thing
to say to them: this seems
to be too little understood
by these people generally
where we have been; they
appear hardly to know how
to compose themselves many
Minutes at a Time, unless we
[Page 91] are speaking to them: but
we were here favoured with
a Solid Opportunity; being
enabled with great planning,
and Love to labour with them;
pointing out with Clearness
the pernicious Effects of the
Use of Strong Drink; and the
necessity of avoiding every
Occasion of Temptation
thereto; as well as the Ad-
vantage of improving in In-
dustry and Application to their
Farming, in order to pro-
cure to themselves and their
families a comfortable Living;
and
[Page 92] and also shewing them
that by Industry and At-
tention to their Business,
they would be preserved from
the frequent Temptations,
which a more indolant and
wandering Life would expose
them to, with regard to this
Bane of their Happiness,
Strong Liquor. Some of these
people appear to be indus-
trious, and in general, their
Dress and manner of Life,
approaches nearer to that
of the white people, than
any of the other Tribes where
we have been; and notwithstan
[Page 93] notwithstanding the Gloo-
miness of some of our for-
mer, as well as present
prospects relative to the
Concern which we are en-
gaged in, we are in measure
encouraged to believe in the
Rectitude of our Undertak-
ing; both from the solid Co-
vering graciously vouchsafed
at several of our Conferen-
ces, and particularly so this
Day, to the stilling, if not
tendering many of the minds
of these people; and also
from the Observance of an
[Page 94] Advancement in Civiliza-
tion amongst these differ-
ent Tribes, in proportion
to the Serious Exertions
which have, from time to
time, been made by white
people towards some of them,
for we understand, that, even
the Oneida’s, who now appear
to us in a very Rude and
uncultivated State, were
still much more so, a few
year ago, before their Ac-
quaintance with the other
more civilized Tribes.__
[Page 95]
The Brothertown Indians
are under the particular
Care of the State of New York;
there are three men appointed
by Government as Commissioners,
or Superintendents of their Lands
&c. Two of whom are friends,
viz. Edward Prior and Thomas
Eddy, both of New York; the
third is Col. Floyd, a repu-
table Man, and friend to these
People: Four of these In-
dians, viz. David Fowler, John
Toohie, John Skesuck, and Isaac
Wauby, have received Com-
missions of the Peace from
[Page 96] Government; and they have
a Counsellor at Law, ap-
pointed for their Assistance
in difficult Cases; viz. Joseph
Herkland. __ They consist
of about 56 Families, have
9900 Acres of Land, which is
secured to them by Law, in
such a Manner, that no
Individual of them has power
to sell or lease any part of
it to white people; but it
is divided into Lots, some of an
hundred & some of fifty acres,
and they possess their Land
and other Things as distinct
and private property; They
[Page 97] received this Land, in the first
place, with considerable more,
by Gift from the Oneidas; who
afterwards sold the whole,
with other Lands, to the State
of New-York; but the State
discovering the prior Right
of the Brothertown’s, repurchased
the greater part of them, and
secure the above quantity,
in manner aforesaid: ____
They have one Saw mill
on their Land, which is private
property, and there is a grist-
mill belonging to white peo-
ple within about two miles
of
[Page 98] of the Center of their Build-
ings; they have some good
Cattle, Cows & working Oxen;
and they have £800 a year
coming in from the State
of New-York; as Interest
for the purchase Money of
their Lands: That they ap-
pear to be in a very promis-
ing way to do well as to world-
ly Affairs, if their Industry
& Sobriety keep Pace with
their Knowledge and Op-
portunity. _____
19th. Being first Day, and un-
derstanding these people
made
[Page 99] made a practice of meeting
together to worship, without
any Hireling, or set Minister,
we felt our Minds easy to attend
with them; which we accordingly
did; and altho’ they conformed
to our Manner, yet we had
reason to believe Silence was
not very acceptable to them; nor
their Minds sensible of true
inward Stillness and Quietude
in worship; their manner
being, for some or other of
them, either Man or woman,
to be almost Constantly em-
ployed in preaching, praying,
singing of Psalms or some
other outward and visible Acts
of
[Page 100] of Devotion. _____
20th. This morning we sepe-
rated; three of our number
going for fort Schuyler, to look
after our Goods, and to wait
on some man in that Neigh-
bourhood, to whom we had a
Letter of Credit, whilst the
Remainder of our Company
concluded to make themselves
better acquainted with the Situ-
ation and Circumstances of
these people, by paying
them a friendly Visit in
their Cottages; in which
Service the Remainder
of this Day was employed, to
[Page 101] the mutual Satisfaction
of the Indians & ourselves.
21st. The forepart of this
Day concluded our friendly
Visit to the families of the
Brothertown’s, having missed
but two or three in their
whole settlement: After
which, upon a Consultation
together, we united in Judgment
with that of Col. Floyd, here-
tofore noted in these minutes:
viz. That these people were
in a promising way to live
comfortably; and that they
stood in no absolute need of
any present assistance, in the
way of farming Utensils &c.-
[Page 102]
After Dinner took our Leave of
these people, who had generally
expressed their Satisfaction and
thankfulness, for the brotherly
freedom we had manifested
amongst them in visiting them
in their Houses; then proceeded
to our Lodgings at Stockbridge;
where we arrived in the evening.
22nd. This Day about noon met
at Oneida Town, at John Sho-
nandoah’s with our friends who
had left us two Days since to
go to fort Schuyler; they inform,
that they have done the Busi-
ness for which they went; but
have heard no Tidings of Jacob
Taylor: __ We now concluded it
[Page 103] necessary to make ourselves better
acquainted with the different
Situations of the Country belonging
to this Tribe, in order to form
some Idea where of the best
Place to make our Settlement;
and a place about four Miles
from this being recommended
to us, we proceeded to view it; and
after examining the nature
of the Soil, situation &c. we
United in Opinion that
it was not a suitable place
for our purpose: Here four
of us took up our Lodgings at
the House of a white Man,
who had settled on an hundred
Acres of the Indian Lands, under
a
[Page 104] a Licence from Government,
given to his Brother, who is
Black smith for that Nation:
This House being on the great
Road leading to the Genesee
Country, and keeping Liquor
and other things to sell, is be-
come a place of much Re-
sort; and we doubt not much
to the Advantage of the Indians,
who we understand are uneasy
with his Conduct: We had
a very uncomfortable Night;
and left there in the morning,
being, _____
23rd. Went to Shonandoah’s,
this being at the principal
Town, and particularly viewed
the
[Page 105] the adjoining Lands; after
which united in believing
somewhere near this place,
the most suitable, on divers
accounts, for our Stand: we then
proceeded to our Lodgings at
Stockbridge: and in the afternoon,
confered together, and entered
upon a plan the Digestion of
a plan for our Settlement.
24th. Resumed the Consideration
of our plan of a Settlement at
Oneida; and after several
Conferences, in which the
weight and Importance of our
Undertaking was very sensibly
felt; and much Harmony and
brotherly condescension experienced,
we
[Page 106] we were enabled to unitedly a-
gree on the following proposi-
tions to the Oneida Nation.__
viz.
9.
Brothers of the Oneida Nation,
You now know that we are sent
to you by your old Friends, the
people called Quakers, of Pennsylvania and
parts adjacent, not merely to
make you presents, which
would soon be spent; leaving you
poor and needy; but to shew
you how the white people
manage to raise a great deal
of Food and Clothing off of a
little Land, that you may
become able to support your-
selves, and your Children
[Page 107] comfortably without being
beholden to any body, and have
something to share for the old
and infirm, as well as to lay
by, against Times of Scarcity.__
Brothers, remember that we have
left all that was dear to us at
home, not to get your Lands
from you, or any thing that
is yours; but to visit you, and
to stay with you, if happily
we may put you in the way
to enjoy the manifested Blessings
of the all bountiful Creator;
now we have seen and reflected
upon your Situation, and consult-
ed one another for the future
prosperity of your whole Nation
and
[Page 108] and the three Tribes you have
kindly permitted to settle on
your Lands; and we have put
our Conclusions in writing,
that it may be known what
we are willing to undertake for
you, and what we desire you
to do towards it yourselves; for
we mean to set you a clear ex-
ample if you will agree to follow it._____
Brothers, We trust that we
possess your Confidence un-
mixed with any Jealousy and
fears; and we request you to
listen patiently and attentive-
ly to what we are a going to
propose
[Page 109] propose to you, for your own
Good; and if any part of it
displeases you, tell us so and
we will reconsider it. ____
Brothers, Three of our Friends
intend to stay with you for
these purposes, namely Ja-
cob Taylor, Henry Simmons,
and Enoch Walker; but they
are not bound to remain
by any thing but good Will;
Neither are they obliged to
work more than they think
necessary; nor to be altogether
amongst you, as they are to go
sometimes to Tuscorora, Stock-
bridge, and Brothertown: We
earnestly desire, that none
of you may discourage them
by
[Page 110] by Swearing, Idleness, Drunken-
ness, or misbehavior, for these
things are very disagreeable
to us; as you know they are
to the good Spirit._____
Brothers, We must have some
Land to work upon; and we should
like to begin upon that part
of the Common which lies
west of the Path from Shonan-
doah’s to Stockbridge, South
of the Road to Onondago,
East of the Boundaries of
the old Fort, and north of
Shanandoah Creek, excepting
any part thereof now occu-
pied by your Families.
_____
[Page 111]
Brothers, If we think there is
Encouragement to undertake
more another year, we shall
ask you for it seasonably, and
agree together where it shall
be. _____
Brothers, You know it is hard-
ly practicable for all to learn
at once together; we will begin
with a few, who much stick
to the work; the rest will see
how they get forward, and
be ready to take their turn
when it comes round; we want
to engage five or eight Sober
young Men as Apprentices
till next Spring. _____
[Page 112]
Brothers,
We suppose you will
be willing, that we should feed
our Horses, Cattle &c. upon
the Commons, and that
you will allow us some
Suitable grass Lots to provide
Hay for them in the winter;
to cut fire-wood, railing, and
Timber for building in your
Woods; have the use of the Saw-
mill, and Smith’s shop, when
we have occasion for them;
and sometimes work your
Horses and Oxen when
they are not wanted by you.
_____
[Page 113]
Brothers,
You are to under-
stand that our Friends are
to live plentifully, as their
own people do at home,
and their live stock are
also to be kept by the pro-
duce of their Labour in the
first place; then the eighth
part of the Remainder is
to reserved for the relief
of your old Men” and infirm
people; and the rest is to be
divided amongst the young
Indian Apprentices; that they
may enjoy the fruit of
their Labour; and have
some-
[Page 114] something to begin with
for themselves, when other
Apprentices are taken in
their Stead; provided they
behave well; but in case
of continued Idleness, Drun-
kenness, Swearing, or other
Misbehavior in any
of them, our friends must
not keep bad Company;
and we request you to appoint
three of your Chiefs to unite
with our Friends as Judges,
that if four of them agree,
the person offending may
be justly discharged.____
[Page 115]
Brothers,
Our stay amongst you
will depend upon several
Circumstances, and particu-
larly the Encouragement we
may have to hope that your
Nation will become, in time
Sober, industrious and frugal,
laying up something for
themselves against Sickness
and old Age: Whenever we
leave you, the improvements
we make on your Lands
will belong to you; but the
Cattle and other Things we
bring with us, we shall con-
sider as our own. ___ _____
Joseph Sansom
James Cooper
Henry Simmons
John O'eirn[?]
Enoch Walker
Isaiah Rowland
10.
[Page 116]
25th. After copying the above
propositions it was agreed that
three of our Number should
go to the Oneida Town, collect
as many of their Chiefs
together as they conveniently
could; read and explain the
above propositions to them;
and leave them under their
Consideration; informing
them that we should expect
to meet a general Council
of their Chiefs and principle
Men on Second Day the 27th.
in order to fully consider,
and agree upon the Several
particulars mentioned in Said
propositions._____
[Page 117]
The rest of our Company
were employed in writing, and
paying a friendly Visit to Some
of the Families of the Stock-
bridge’s: which was to mu-
tual Satisfaction._____
26th. Being first Day, we kept
together at our Lodgings, and
had a Time of private retire-
ment, which was somewhat
trying; and we hope excited
profitable self examination
into the Cause._____
27th. This morning as we
were preparing to go to the
Oneida Town, agreeable to
the Conclusions of seventh
Day
[Page 118] Day last, we received a Letter
from Nicholas Schuisick Chief
of the Tuscorora’s informing
that we need not go to Oneida
this Day, for their Chiefs in-
tended to come to us at Stockbridge,
we were at a loss to understand
the Motives for this Change in
the State of our Business; but
could readily perceive Patience
to be a very necessary Attainment
whilst we have any Concerns to
transact with these people;
We therefore concluded to wait
for their Reception at our Lodg-
ings; which we accordingly
did, but heard no more of them
[Page 119] this Day. _____
28th. This morning dispatched
a Runner to Oneida Town, to
bring us Word of the Reason of
our Disappointment yesterday;
and also to know when and
where we might soonest
meet them in Council: __
About Eleven OClock our
Messenger returned, brought
us word that the Oneida Chiefs
went yesterday to Fort Stan-
wick to meet the State Com-
missioners relative to some
Land which they had sold,
and they they intended to
come to us at Stockbridge,
after
[Page 120] after their Return; which
is expected this Evening: so
that it appears we can have
no Opportunity with them
before tomorrow Morning.____
29th. Notwithstanding the
Information of yesterday re-
specting the Oneida Chiefs
coming to us, we thought it
best to go to them; and accord-
ingly we went to Schonandoah
one of their Chiefs, where we
before met; but to our Surprise,
found no preparation making
either to receive us there, or
to come to us at Stockbridge:~
[Page 121] One of us went after Jacob
Reed, their Interpreter, who
when he was come, together
with the Chief Schonandoah,
concluded to try to collect
the most of their Chiefs to-
gether or at least pretended
so to us; and that they had
dispatched Runners for that
purpose: we waited ‘till about
two or three OClock; when we
were informed, they were out at
work, and could not be collected
this Day: but that they would
meet early tomorrow Morning:
this was somewhat trying;
and
[Page 122] and notwithstanding we have
met with various Instances,
in each of these Tribes, of un-
feigned Regard and Affection,
yet it appeared now Seasonable
to shew some marks of the
Discouragements naturally
consiquent on the [?]present
seeming Ingratitude; and
to hint to them our Sensibility
of such Treatment; which, it
is hoped, will have some effect
upon their minds:__ We
then agreed to meet them tomor-
row morning; and returned
to our Lodgings, at Captain Hendricks:
In the Evening resumed the [Page 123]
Consideration of some propositi-
ons to the Stockbridge Nation,
which at Intervals of Leisure,
for Several Days past had been
seriously before us: We now unit-
edly concluded upon the follow-
ing. Viz._____
11.
Brothers of the Stockbridge Nation,
we are very glad to find, that
through the Blessing of the
great Spirit, and your honest
Industry, and frugal Sobriety,
you may soon be in a way to
live comfortably, without being
beholden to anybody for help.
Brothers,
As you cannot but
thankfully acknowledge this
to
[Page 124] to be the Case with your
Nation in general; and as you
know we want to help many
of your Indian Brothers a
little, who stand in much
more need than you do; we
trust you will not think
hard of us, if we do not do
a great deal for you at this
time:__ But, Brothers, in
order to encourage you to be
Still more industrious and
Saving, and to set a good Exam-
ple to your indian Brothers
and neighbors, who are far
behind you in point of Civil-
ization, we have agreed to help
you a little, as follows; ____
[Page 125]
Brothers,
We agree to give you
our Smith’s Tools all complete;
and one of our Friends can instruct
you a little in using them; and
also a share of our Implements
of Husbandry, which we expect[?]
up by our Friend Jacob Taylor,
whom we left behind, in order to
bring them up by water. ____
Brothers,
We also are willing to en-
courage you in building a Grist
Mill, by agreeing to advance three
Dollars to your one, of all the mo
ney actually to be paid for materi-
als, mechanical Labour, and victu
aling the Workmen; you finding
the
[Page 126] the Timber, and delivering
it on the Spot, and doing such
other parts of the Business
as you may be capable of, with-
out bringing it into the gene-
ral Charge, of which we have
agreed to pay three fourths:
We also agree that the 100 Dol.
lent to Captain Hendrick by our
Committee, together with 40
Dollars, lent to John Serjant, by
us for the use of your Nations,
shall be considered as a part
of this Advance; and left
in your Hands for the aforesaid
purpose: provided always,
that
[Page 127] if the Government sh[?]
at any time pay the Expen
of said Mill, agreeable to an
Article which you say is con
tained in a late Treaty, then, in
that Case you are to refund to
our Committee all and every
part of the Advance made by
us towards said Mill. _____
And we propose our Friends
Jacob Taylor and Enoch Walker
to take the special Care and Su-
perintendence of building said
Mill, without making any
Change on you for their Trou-
ble: and we further propose,
[Page 128] that when said Mill is
erected, that you call a general
Council, and choose a Suitable
man amongst yourselves to
take the Care of this Mill,
and to grind all your Grain;
and to keep the Mill in Or-
der; and that you agree on
some certain and fixed pro-
portion for this man to [?]
have, out of every Grist that
shall be ground, sufficient
to pay him well for his Trouble
Time and Trouble, and to ena-
ble him to keep the Mill in
good repair; which he ought
to do at his own Expense, out
of his profits which you allow
[Page 129] him: and we further propose,
that you admit your Brother,
the Tuscarora’s, to enjoy a part
of the Advantages of this mill.
Brothers,
We also to propose to
encourage you, in keeping
up a School for the Education
of your Children, by agreeing to
pay a part of the Salary to your
former Master, John Quinney,
if he will agree again to teach
we are willing to pay 25 Dol-
lars a Quarter, for our year, at
least, if you will agree to make
up as much more as to encourage
him to keep steadily: Our Friends[?]
who stay amongst you, will
pay the Money punctually,
[Page 130] when a Certificate is produced
to them signed by two our your
Chiefs, certifying that the School
has been kept steadily for the
Length of Time above mentioned
for Payments; the Tuscorora’s
being admitted to partake e-
qually of the Advantages of
this School._____
Brothers,
We further propose,
for your Encouragement in
Agriculture, Industry &c. that,
for the Term of two years from
the third month next, we will
give the following Premiums
to any Individual Indian of
the Stockbridge or Tuscorora
Nations, living in this Reser-
vation, upon the Conditions
[Page 131] herein after mentioned_____
1st. For every 50 Bushels of
Wheat raised in any one year
within Said Term, by any
one Farmer, of either of these
two Nations, on his own Land,
not worked by white people,
the Sum of two Dollars._____
2nd. For every 100 Bushels of
Indian Corn, raised in like
Manner aforesaid, the Sum of
two Dollars. _____
3rd. For every 100 Bush. of Pota-
toes raised as aforesaid, the
Sum of one Dollar & an half._____
4th. For every three Tons of hay
raised as aforesaid, and put
into a Stack or Barn, the Sum
of two Dollars._____
[Page 132]
5th. For every 12 yards of linnen
Cloth made by and Indian Woman
out of Flax raised on her, or her
Husband’s Land, and spun in
her own House, the Sum of one
Dollar, to be paid to the woman.
6th. For every 12 yards, of
Wollen Cloth, made as aforesaid
out of the Wool of her own, or
her Husband’s Sheep, spun
in like Manner aforesaid
the Sum of one Dollar, to be
paid to the woman.* _____
__Now the Conditions of ob-
taining the above premiums are,
_____
*Note, The Stockbridges having an
Inclination to apply a part of their
Annual Income from Government,
to the Encouragement of Industry
[Page 133]
that the person applying,
shall produce a Certificate
signed, at least, by two of the Chiefs
of his or her particular Tribe,
certifying the particular Quan-
tity of Grain, Cloth &c. for which
Said premium shall be demand-
ed, and that it was raised or made
in the manner above particularly
specified; and also that the appli-
cant has not, to the best of their
knowledge, been intoxicated with
Strong Drink, at least, for the
Space of one full year before
such Application be made.
_____
by premiums, defined one of us to draw
them a plan for that purpose; which
gave rise to the above; this will ac-
count for the smallness of the Sums
annexed to each Article._____
[Page 134]
And we further propose,
that any man or woman of
these two nations, by producing
a Certificate from two of the
Chiefs as aforesaid, that he or
she is highest or foremost in
any one or more of the above
particulars, of any other person
in that nation, he or she shall
be entitled to a double premium
for the particular in which
he or she shall be so highest
or foremost._____
And our Friends Jacob
Taylor, and Henry Simmons,
and Enoch Walker are hereby
authorized, and desired to pay
the above mentioned premi-
ums, agreeable to what is herein
[Page 135] above particularly mentioned.
Sixth mo 29th. 1796._____
• John Peirce
• James Cooper
• Joseph Sansom
• Isaiah Rowland
• Henry Symmons
• Enoch Walker
_____
12.
[Page 136]
30th. Again attended the Oneida
Council, agreeable to the Conclusi-
on of yesterday; met at Schonan-
doah’s between 10 & 11 OClock, and
Jacob Taylor being arrived this morning attended
with us; we found the Chiefs &c.
Collected and waiting for us; so that
we soon got to Business: Which
was opened by their speaking
particularly to our propositions
of the 25th. Instant, and left
under their Confederation;
to the following Effect; viz.
13.
Brothers,
We find no Difficulty
in accepting your proposals,
in anything but the place
you choose. See 5th. Article.
[Page 137] many of us are against part-
ing with any of our Commons,
because we have hardly pasture
enough for our Cattle now, and
if we lessen it, they will be famish-
ed, and brake down our fences to
get at our Corn. Besides which
we are afraid our young men
will disturb you there, some-
times when they get in Liquor.
Brothers,
We think it right to
propose another place to you,
which we think will suit you
better: we will go and shew it
to you._____
Upon this the Spot was
viewed, and mutually agreed
to, bounded as follows; Beginning
[Page 138] at a Gut or Run South, South
east of Anthony Shononghleya’s
House, and running nearly South
by a couple of noted trees to Shan-
andoah Creek, extending eastward
into the woods without Limi-
tation; and one of their Chiefs
Anthony Shononghleya being
willing to rent his house, which
appeared in a good Degree suit-
able for our purpose; we agreed
to rent it at 20 Dollars a year
as long as we should stay in this
Country under the present Con-
cern, paying him one years Rent
down and covenanting to make
some Repairs: This House is
Frame, about 38 feet by 18, one
[Page 139] story high; and with a small
Expense will be pretty warm
and comfortable; and is well
situated, on an Eminence, com-
manding a view of nearly all
the aforesaid Trait._____
They next objected to a part
of the eighth Article relative
to the Oxen and Horses and
Oxen being worked, saying, “We
have but two pair of Oxen be-
longs to the Town, and some bo-
dy is always using them, but
therefore we can’t spare them;
but there is a pair of Steers,
you may have them to break
and work: and our Horses we
can’t spare them; because they
a'n't[?] good for anything to work.____
[Page 140]
And as to they Hay you asked
us about, say they, you may
have as much as you want
at such and such certain
Flats, about three miles off,
which they described to us, and
which several of our Company
had seen and believed to be good.
_____
The above being all the
Variations they wished to
make from our proposals;
we agreed to the Amendments;
and they appointed John Scho-
nandoah, Anthony Shononghleya,
and Nicholas Shagorakorongo to
unite with our Friends agree-
able to the 9th. Article._____
[Page 141]
We then desired the Copy
we had given them of our
proposals in order to insert
on them the foregoing Excep-
tions and amendments; to
the End that we might dearly
understand one another; and
that we might have it all
in writing to keep our Memo-
ries bright: we then broke
up, after informing them
that we should expect one
more general Meeting with
them before we went away,
which we wished their Women
and young people to generally
to attend._____
[Page 142]
We next executed a memo-
randum of agreement between
Anthony Shononghleya and our
Friends respecting the House,
paid him the 20 Dollars for
the first years Rent, took his
Reecit[?] therefor; and returned
to our Lodgings at Cap. Hendricks
_____
Seventh mo. 1st. Early this
Morning three of our Num-
ber set off for fort Schuyler, &
that Neighbourhood, in order
to buy a pair of Oxen, and make
some other necessary prepara-
tions for our new Settlement;
and to endeavor to get up some
of our Good; whilst others were
[Page 143] employed in writing, and arang-
ing different parts of our
Business; and a proposition
for the writing of a Letter of
general Information to our
Committee at Philadelphia
being made, the Expediency
thereof was agreed to, and our
Essay[?] made._____
2nd. Resumed our writing
and Arangements; and the
Essay[?] of a general Letter being
read and considered, was united
with, and transcribed; being
as follows: viz._____
14.
Stockbridge 7th. mo. 1st. 1796
Dear Friends,
We are all pretty well
[Page 144] at present, and through the
Blessing of Superintending Good-
ness, have been mostly preserved
in a good Degree so, since we
left home, tho’ not without some
Exceptions: We feel ourselves now
a little revived in our spirits, by
the arrival of our friend Jacob Taylor; of
whom we had heard nothing
since we left home, ‘till he came
to us yesterday, at Stockbridge:
It appears he has had a safe,
tho’ tedious passage; has safely
landed, at fort Schuyler about
22 Miles from this place, all
the Goods committed to his
Care: and notwithstanding
we have been between two
and
[Page 145] and three weeks amongst the
different Tribes in the Oneida
Reservation, we have not been
able, with the greatest Assiduity
and Address that we have been
capable of, to bring our Business
into any tolerable State of fix-
edness and arangement until
the present Time; for we have
indeed found it tedious, to a
trying Degree, in doing Busi-
ness with these people. ____
We have attended general
Councils of the Stockbridge,
Oneida, Tuscorora, and Brother-
town’s, as there are these four
distinct Tribes living on this
Reservation; and have spared
no reasonable pains to make
our-
[Page 146] ourselves thoroughly acquainted
with their individual and
relative Situations in various
respects; having visited many
of them in their private
Huts: And as we have kept
regular Minutes of our
proceedings since our Arival
in this Country, which was
on the 11th. of last month, we
hope, if favoured to get home,
to have the Satisfaction of
laying them before you:
In the mean time, trust it
will be acceptable to you
to receive the following Sum-
mary of our Sense of things here._____
[Page 147]
The Brothertown's are a mixed
people from various parts of
the eastern Governments, set-
tled here on a Tract of Land giv-
en to them by the Oneida’s, and
forming themselves into a kind
of national Compact under
the Appellation of Brothers,
and calling their Settlement
by the Name of Brothertown,
they are considered as a distinct
Tribe under that Name. ____
They consist of about 56 Fa-
milies, have 9900 Acres of
Land now, but their Original
Gift from the Oneida’s was
much more, which has been
reduced, much through their
own mismanagement, by
[Page 148] leasing &c. to the white peo-
ple, ‘till Government out
of friendship to them, took
notice of their Situation, pur-
chased the greater part of their
Tract, and secured the above
Quantity to them by Law, in
Such a manner that no Indi-
vidual of them has a right
to sell or lease any part of
it to white people;* but it
is divided into Lots of different
_____
*Note. The Information in minute, of the
18th of last mo. p. 97. respecting the Oneida’s
selling this Land to the State of New York,
was obtained after writing this Letter,
and added to that minute; yet does
not contradict the Reason here given
for the Loss of their Lands; the State
[Page 149]
Sizes, which they possess, as
they do other Things, as distinct
and private property: They
have one Sawmill on their Land,
which is private Property; and
there is a Grist Mill belonging
to white people about two or
three Miles from the Center
of their Buildings; they have
some good Cattle, Cows and working
Oxen, and about ₤800 a year com-
ing in from Government; so that
they seem to be in a promising
way to live comfortably, being
under
_____
having acknowledged the prior right
of the Brothertown’s, they might cer-
tainly have retained their whole
Land, had not their own Imprudence
rendered the above measure eligible.___
[Page 150]
under the particular Care
and Superintendence of three
Men reputable Men ap-
pointed by Government, two
of whom are friends of New-
York, T. Eddy and E. Prior, to-
gether with Col. Floyd, who
appears a true friend to them,
and with whom we have had
a very satisfactory Conference,
relative to our Business, par-
ticularly, as far as it concerned
this Tribe; and after visiting
them in general Council, &
in many of their private
private Habitations, we
united with the aforesaid Col.
Floyd, in believing this Tribe
[Page 151] not necessarily objects of Friends
Help at this Time, in the way
of Farming Utensils &c. they being
well provided for, by their Super-
intendants, out of their Annual
Sum aforesaid._____
The Stockbridge Indians con-
sist of about 60 Families, and
300 Individuals, these are not
of the Six Nations, but came
generally from a place called
Stockbridge in New England,
in the year 1784: They pos-
sess 23040 Acres of Land, of a
good Quality, given to them by
the Oneida’s, and which they
divide into 100 Acre Lots,
and every family has one
Lot, and every Son is to have
a
[Page 152] a Lot laid off by a Settled Order
‘till the whole is occupied;
they have a Sawmill, and
sundry other Things which
they enjoy in common; but
they possess their Land &
the fruits of it, as distinct
and private Property; but
no Individual can sell or
lease Land to the white people;
they have 350 Dollars a
year coming in from General
Government; but they are
yet in debt for their Saw-
mill: but, in general they
also appear in a promising
way
[Page 153] way to live comfortably in a
few years, having made con-
siderable Improvements in
farming &c. tho’ they have
great room still to improve,
especially in Industry: –
We united in believing this
not to be the place to make
our Settlement, tho’ the people
appear to us much more deserv-
ing than the Oneida’s, the
place we have made choise
of for that purpose: we
nevertheless thought it right
to give them Some Encourage-
ment to move forward, and
set a good Example to their
less
[Page 154] less civilized Neighbors;
we therefore agreed to give
them our Smiths Tools,
besides their Share of the
Implements of Husbandry;
and to encourage them in keep-
ing up their School, (as they
have a pretty suitable Master
amongst themselves) by agree
ing to pay 25 Dollars a quar-
ter as part of his Salary for
one year at least: and we have
also agreed to give them some
assistance in building a Grist
Mill upon certain stipulated
Conditions, too lengthy to be par-
ticularly mentioned in this
Letter
[Page 155] Letter, together with several
small conditional premiums
as Encouragement to Industry
and Sobriety. _____
The Tuscorora’s are an in-
considerable Remnant of that
Tribe, the main Body of them
being removed, as we are informed,
to grand River: They consist
of about 12 Families, appear
very poor and heartless, almost
without a Leader and without
Hope: we propose to consider
them largely in the Distribu-
tion of the property sent up;
and have considered them in
the aforesaid proposals to the
Stockbridge, they living on the
[Page 156] Oneida Lands within about
one mile and an half of Cap.
Hendricks._____
The Oneida’s are, by far the
most considerable nation, being
the Original proprietors of
all this part of the Country;
They consist of between six
and seven hundred Individuals,
have yet a large quanty of
Land of a good Quality, tho’ they
are frequently making it
less by Sales to Government,
one of which is now a surveying,
and has been some in our way,
by engaging their Attention.
They appear to be a declin-
ing People, not only in their
Land going one piece after
[Page 157] another; but we are informed
that they actually decrease in
Numbers; and there is reason
to believe they will continue
so to do, unless some reform
can be happily effected a-
mongst them: ___ They are
in a much less civilized
State than the Stockbridge
or Brothertown’s: they have
many horses and some Cattle;
a Sawmill, and Smith’s
Shop, with a smith hired
by the year, by Government;
and about 700 Dollars a
year from general Government,
and about 5000 from the
State of New-York. __ Here
we
[Page 158] we have unitedly agreed
to make our Settlement,
and have agreed with them
respecting the place, as well
as the Terms and Conditions;
which we hope is now pretty
clearly understood by them
and us; but we have had
divers Meetings with them
on the Occasion, and in seve-
ral Respects a trying Time,
before we could get our plan
fully established: We have
a considerable Tract of un-
cultivated Land now allotted
to us near the Center of
their Settlement, and
[Page 159] about four miles from Stock-
bridge, and ten or twelve from
Brothertown: We have also rent[?]
a House in a good Situation
commanding a view of nearly
all our Tract; it is a frame
Building about 22 by 18 one
story high, with two Rooms
down stairs, and a good Loft;
and with a small Expence
can be made a comfortable
Dwelling: It belonged to one
of their Chiefs, who to oblige
us, as well as in consideration
of a handsome Rent, has a-
greed to move out and give
us possession next Second
Day
[Page 160] Day: The Obtaining of this
House we considered as a
favorable Circumstance
to our Business._____
Dear Friends, neither the
Room nor Leisure allotted for
this Letter will admit the
Insertion of the various
propositions and conclu-
sions which have occured
relative to this Settlement,
we must ask your patience
for the particulars until
we are able to furnish you
with our Minutes._____
Three of our Friends are
this Day gone out for fort
[Page 161] Schuyler and that Neighbour-
hood in order to purchase Ox
en, and some other Necessaries,
for our new Settlement, and
to attend to getting some of
our Goods up; so that we have
a Hope to see our Friends
settled in their new Habi-
tation by secondthird Day next,
and that we shall be able
to satisfactorily leave them
in a couple of Days after.__
We have been kindly received
by the Indians in general, and
have received many marks
of unfeigned Regard and Af-
fection amongst them; and
have had the Satisfaction to
[Page 162] observe a very agreeable
Disposition amongst the
white Inhabitants on the
frontiers, relative to the In-
dians and our Concern; and
we may thankfully acknow-
ledge, that in several of our
public Counsels in particular,
we have been graciously favoured
with the overshadowing wrong
of holy Help to our humble
Encouragement; and to the
Strengthening of our minds in
the Belief of the rectitude of
this Concern; and that its
Origin is from the Univer-
sal Father of the great family
of
[Page 163] of mankind; who cannot but
be graciously mindful of what-
soever his Hand hath made;
yet we have had some pretty
close and Exercising Seasons
to pass through, more parti-
cularly amongst the Oneida’s;
who had suffered their Expec-
tations to be raised to an un-
reasonable Height before
our arrival; so that our pro-
posals, especially at the first,
instead of exciting Gratitude,
appeared rather to be received
with those Sensations attendant
on disappointed Expectations.
We expect to move towards
Conandarque, taking two small
[Page 164] Tribes on our way; viz.
Onondago, about 30 miles
from Oneida; and Cayuga,
about 30 further; by the
foregoing friends will be
able to form some Idea, when
we may be expected to reach
Conandarque; at which
place we should be very glad
to hear from our Friends,
not having received any In-
structions since we left home._____
With near Love and
affection to you and our
friends and Connections in
general we remain, &c.
• John Peirce
• Isaiah Rowland
• James Cooper
• Enoch Walker
• Joseph Sansom
15.
[Page 165]
In the afternoon of this Day
we attended a farewell Council
of the Tuscorora’s, which was
opened by informing them in
what Respects we had considered
them in our propositions to
the Stockbridge’s, and also that
we meant to give them a
large Share, in proportion
to their numbers, of the Goods
which we should have to divide,
after which we were favoured
renewedly to open before their
view the Serious necessity of
a Change in their Manner
of Life; together with the
probability that as they increas-
ed in Industry and Sobriety,
[Page 166] they would partake more
plentifully of the Blessings
of the great Spirit, both in
Temporals and Spirituals: __
They appeared in a good
Degree serious; and Nicholas
Schusick, their Chief, answered
on Behalf of the whole, in
Substance, as follows, viz.
“Brothers,
We sha’nt say much,
only a few words, we thank
the great Spirit, that has put
it into your Hearts to come
so far to see us: We acknowledge
that we are poor, and weak &
ignorant, and don’t do as we
ought
[Page 167] ought to do; but we have some
Feelings; and we heartily thank
you for your good Advice, and
help to poor Indians, both for
our Bodies and for our Souls:
and we promise you, we will
try to follow your advice; and
we are glad you are going to
leave some of your friends
with us, that they may in-
struct us, and put us in
Mind of your words: for though
we desire to do what you have
told us , but we are weak and
should forget; but now they
will put us in mind, and
we hope we shall improve.
[Page 168]
In the Evening two of our
friends, who went yesterday to
the white Settlements, returned,
and informed, that they have
bought Oxen, a Cart and some
other necessaries, and that
the other Friend was gone
to Brothertown, in Company
with our friend Joshua Evans,
whom they met with at fort
Schuyler. _____
They also inform of the fol-
lowing melancholy Accident which
happened last Evening at the
aforesaid fort Schuyler: The
House of one Jonston an
Innkeeper, who had been
[Page 169] settled there about two years,
took fire about Eleven OClock
at Night, and in less than an
Hour was burnt to the Ground;
together with much of the pro-
perty in it; and what was still
abundantly more trying, one
of his Daughters a Child of
about twelve years of Age
also perished in the Flames:
This House was a great Re-
ceptacle for Travelers, many
of whom were now here; but
our Friend who lodged in this
Village, was fortunately at
the Adjoining Inn; but saw
the frightful Scene. ___
The poor Child who suffered,
had
[Page 170] had been imprudently left
up the last in the House; and
going to Bed in the Garret, where
they deposited their flax and
Tow, and carrying a Candle
with her, this Accident is
easily accounted for: ___ There
were two other Children in
the Garret, one of which
ran through the Flames &
got safely down, being only
a little singed about the
Head & face; the other had
the Composure to recollect
that the Garret Floor was
loose, and therefore lifted up
one of the Boards and sliped
[Page 171] down, and was saved; but the
poor Child who had been in-
strumental to the Scene was so
confused, as not to know how
to get down, altho’ her Brother
had opened the Way: and what
was more extraordinary the
poor Mother, reflecting on the
desperate Situation of her Child,
most earnestly endeavoured to
press the same on the Men, with the
possibility of relieving her, by
means of the floor being loose;
but the Confusion was so great,
that all were deaf to her most
moving Entreaties; even the
Child’s Father himself. _____
[Page 172]
3rd. This being first Day it
was considered whether we
should all go to Brothertown
to meet our aforesaid Friend
Joshua Evans, but resulted
in the negative, that as we
had made a practice of hold-
ing Meetings regularly amongst
ourselves, on this Day, it was
thought best not to decline
it on the present Occasion;
and therefore concluded, that
one of us only should go to
Brothertown, to give our Said
Friend a welcome, and if con-
venient, conduct him to our
Lodgings, which was accordingly
[Page 173] done, in Company with Cap.
Hendrick; returned in the
Evening, together with the afore-
said Friend, whom we were
all glad to see in this Country.
Besides the above acceptable
visit, we had also had the Com-
pany, a few Days time, of two
Commissioners departed by
the Board of Presbyterians
in Boston, and sent here
in order to inspect into the
Truth of some Charges exhibit-
ed by the Oneida Chiefs
against their Minister
Kirkland; These Men be-
sides attending to their own
Business, enquired particu-
larly
[Page 174] into the Nature and Design
of ours, with which they seemed
much pleased, and pased
some Encomiums on the
Benevolence of our Undertaking;
and expressing their hearty
Wishes for its Success: ____
One of our Company also,
felt his mind weightily im-
pressed with some serious
Considerations relative to
their Business, and took
a seasonable opportunity to
express it to them; reminding
them how deeply the Re-
putation of that most ho-
ly Religion which we and
[Page 175] they jointly profess, must be
effected, in the Eyes of the
Natives, by the professed
Promulgations thereof, living
answerable, or contrary
to the purity of its Dictates,
and also calling to their Re-
membrance, the many most
glaring and painful Abuses,
of this sacred function, which
had from time to time, by
Missionaries of different De-
nominations, been exhibited
towards the Natives of America,
to the great Scandal and
wounding of the common
Cause of Christianity: and
modestly suggesting to them, our
ap-
[Page 176] apprehensions of the
present Charges and Com-
plaints before them not
being wholly groundless; We
earnestly pressed upon them
the necessity of great serious-
ness and impartiality in
investigating and resulting
upon this Business: They
expressed their Satisfaction
with this Interview; and
parted with us very friendly;
desiring to be favoured with
a Line of Information in
some future State of our
Concern._____
Here it may be proper
[Page 177] to introduce the following anec-
dote, of an Indian Bible, now
in the Hands of John Serjent,
Minister to the Stockbridge
Nation; and which we had the
Sight of; it appears to have
been entire, containing all
the Books of the Old and
new Testaments, translated
into one of the Indian Lan-
guages; and they have a Tra-
dition amongst them; that
the Translator was so Econo-
mical as to use but two Quills
in the whole work._____
[Page 178]
4th. This morning about
Eleven OClock, again attended
a general Council of the
Stockbridge’s, in order to in-
form them what we had
agreed to do for them, and
also to take our leave of them;
Our Friend Joshua Evans ac-
companying us: Our Council
was opened by a short State-
ment of our proceedings amongst
them; and then reading the
propositions agreed to on the
29th. of last month; after which,
we had a solid Opportunity
with them; in which graci-
ous Goodness was experienc'd
[Page 178] to be near, to the tendering of
some minds, and furnishing
with Ability to labour in
much plainness and Love
on Several Subjects, but es-
pecially on the use of strong
Drink; pointing out the
Way, and the only way, where-
by a Victory might be obtain-
ed over this, and all other
Temptations of the grand
Enemy of our Soul’s Happi-
ness; which consisted in Watch-
fulness and inward prayer,
and faithful Obedience to the
voice of the good Spirit in our
Hearts, and a careful avoiding
of
[Page 180] of all Places and Occasions
of Temptation._____
After which Samuel, an
old Indian man, and a Mara-
vian, in an affecting Man-
ner spoke to us in substance
as follows, viz.
16.
Brothers,
I glad to see you
in my Heart, and to hear
your good words; you use us
just like a father; I am
old, have lost all my family,
and can’t live many Days;
but all this Spring I think
Jesus will send me some
Comfort in my trouble;
but nobody say any thing
[Page 181] to me ‘till now you are come:
I wish I was young, then I
would do what you say direct-
ly, and I will go and see how
your Friends work at Oneida,
every two or three Days, &
tell our young Men how you
do:_____ He afterwards made
a moving and weighty Speech
to the Indians in his own
Language; the weight of which
was sensibly felt, even, by us
who did not understand a
word of what he said; and we
afterwards understood was re-
markably so by them; they
having never heard the like
from him before. _____
17.
[Page 182]
After a short but solemn
Pause, Cap. Hendrick, in
Behalf of the Nation, made,
in substance, the following Reply._____
18.
Brothers,
We shall speak
but a few words: We are glad
of your Company amongst
us these three weeks, that
as you told us in the first
Council, you might know
what was best for all the
Indians here, and now you
tell us, what you think pro-
per to do for our Nation.__
Brothers,
We rejoice that the good
Spirit has put it into your
[Page 183] Hearts, and into the Hearts of your
Brothers at home to do us good,
we believe it is from the good
Spirit because your Words are weigh-
ty, and we feel them so on our
Minds.__ _____ _____
Brothers,
The Offers you make us
are great, we did not expect so
much from friends at this
time; we are thankful to the
great Spirit for putting it into
your Hearts, and also for giving
you the Ability to do it._____
Brothers,
You give us Smiths
Tools, for which we thank you,
we have suffered much for want
of them, having been obliged to
go many miles, and sometimes
loose
[Page 184] some Days to get one
Link of a Chain mended.___
Brothers,
Your assisting us
to build a Grist-mill, will be a
great Thing for us; we have suf-
fered many years for want of
one, as you are sensible of
it; and especially our women,
who are obliged to pound our
Corn; they join us to thank
you heartily._____
Brothers,
Your Offer to help
us in keeping up our School is
very acceptable to us, be assured
we will do our part towards
it._____
[Page 185]
Brothers,
What you propose re-
specting the money lent us, is
very agreeable to our minds &
also the Encouragement you
offer to our Industry by premi-
ums: we hope our young men
will have Courage to follow
those ways you point out to
us._____
Brothers,
We now freely pro
mise, that we the Chiefs, and
all our orderly young men,
will endeavour to follow your
Advice, and with the Blessing
of the good Spirit, we hope to
live more than ever as white
people do; foe we never received
such
[Page 186] such Encouragement before
from any people._____
Brothers,
We observe what you
tell us, that we must be an
Example to other Indians,
who are far behind us, and we
will try to be so, more and more.
Brothers, We shall remember
what you request for the young
men you leave behind you;
our minds are the same with
yours, we will maintain our
Friendship with them; and will
be always ready to assist them if
they get in trouble._____
Brothers,
We spoke to you several
Days ago about the Difficulties
[Page 187] We are under in not receiving
our annual Income from the
United States: We desire your
Friends would help us in this
Case, and appoint one to take
care to get our money sent to
us regularly; and we also desire
you to try to get Government to
fulfil their Agreement with
us about building a Mill.___
Brothers,
This is all we got
to Say._____
_____
19.
5th. The forepart of this Day,
we were employed in writing
Letters home, and making some
necessary Arangements;
In the Afternoon two of our
Number
[Page 188] Number went to Oneida to
give notice, and request a gene-
ral Council next Day:_____
This Evening received an
Account of the fourth Murder
committed amongst these peo-
ple within these few months
past; all of which are sup-
posed to have been occasioned
by the Use of Spirituous Li-
quors; One was of the Tuscoro-
ra’s in the 11th. mo. last, One of
the Stockbridge’s not long af-
ter, one of the Oneida’s in the
6th. mo last; and the lastother of
the Cayuga’s a few Days since;
Three of these Cases in the
very neighbourhood where
[Page 189] we now are; and the other
about 60 miles from this pla
place, on our way to Conandar-
que. _____
Some of the minds of these
people are sensibly affected by
the melancholy Havoc pro-
duced amongst them by this
cruel Tyrant: (for so they often
call it), as the following Me-
morial to the Assembly of
New-York will evince.____
To the great Sachem and
Chiefs of the State of New York,
now sitting around the great
Council Fire at New York.__
20.
Brothers,
Before you cover your
Council, we beg your
[Page 190] Attention to the voices of your
brother, the different Tribes living
Oneida Country; speaks to you in
the remembrance of the friendship
you have manifested towards them in
all their Treaties._____
We ourselves have held Councils at
different Times to contemplate the
welfare of our nations because we
cannot but groan to see our Situation:
It is also melancholy to reflect on
the ways of our forefathers.___ ___ __
Brothers
You are sometimes sorry
to see the deplorable Situation of your
Indian Brethren, for which
you have given us many good
Counsels; tho’ we feel ourselves
willing to follow your Coun-
sels, but it has made no Effect
as
[Page 191] as yet.___ Our Situation is
Still miserable: Our Ancesters
were conquered immediately
after you came over this Island
by the Strong Hero, who does
still reign among Indian
Tribes with Tyranny; who
has robbed us every Thing that
was precious in our Eyes:
But we not mention every
Thing particular how this
Tyrant has used us; for your
Eyes have been open to behold
our doleful Situation; By the
power of our Enemy our Eyes
have been blinded__ Our young
Men seem become willing
Slaves to this despotic Heroe
so
[Page 192] so that we displeased the
great good Spirit, and could
not become civilized people.__
In looking back we see no-
thing but Desolation of our
mighty men: In looking
forward we see the Desola-
tion of our Tribes.__ Our
Chiefs have used their Endea-
vours to reform their respective
people, but having seen
no Success they seem dis-
couraged, and hang down
their Heads._____
Brothers,
In remembrance
of your kind promises, we
unite our Cries to you for
[Page 193] help: __ perhaps some of
you are ready to say; what
man that must be that has
abused so much of our Bre-
thren: never was such Tyrant
Hero, or Tyrant heard of, that
ever meddled with Indians;
but in literally he is your
only begotten Son, and his
Name you call rum, and
the names of his Officers
are Brandy, Wine, and Gin.
And we know you have
power to control him, and
as we desire to live in peace,
and to become civilized Nati-
ons, we earnestly entreat
you
[Page 194] you to use your power and
wisdom to prevent all peo-
ple, whether white or black,
who may cause Rum and
other Spirituous Liquors
throughout your State, to come
into the Hands of our Tribes;
except when Sickness requir'd
our Chiefs may keep little
for that purpose: for your
Compliance with this our
Request, we will ever acknow-
ledge your friendship.___
Done at
Oneida
Village on
the 15th. Day
of March
1796
Is from your Brothers
Chiefs and Warriors of
Oneida Nation.____
John Schonandoah
Christian Thoningivensera[?]
Wm. Thadughgwesera
[Page 195]
Tuscorora
Nicholas Schuysick
David Tydeaseagurnel
Peter Dyongevet
Stockbridge
Hendrick Aupaumut
Joseph Quinney
Joseph Shanquithqueth
_____
21.
6th. This Day attended the
Oneida Council, agreeably
to our Conclusions of yesterday;
which was opened by the revival
of our Plan of a settlement,
acording to the variations agreed
to at our last; and having it
clearly drawn out, it was sign-
ed by all our number and six
of their Chiefs; we endeavoured
to explain the reason of our
[Page 196] present Offers falling short
of the Suggestions contained
in our general Letter of last
Spring; which we understood
they had observed, with Express-
ions of surprise; letting them
know, that every thing must
have a Beginning; and that
it could not reasonably be
expected, that we should go
into all that was mentioned
in that Letter at once: They
appeared to be pretty well
reconciled to our plan; and
expressed their Readiness
to adopt it; and recommend-
ed to their young Men, who
were present to engage with
[Page 197] willingness into the Business:
This Council was however not
quite so satisfactory as could
have been desired, none of their
women being present tho’ de-
sired by us, and some other Cir-
cumstances was not altogether
agreeable*: ___ In the Evening
returned to our Lodgings at
Captain Hendricks, where we
made out a List, for the Divi
sion of our Articles between
the Oneida, Stockbridge, and
Tuscorora’s, retaining a suf-
ficient part for the use of
our Friends who stay here.
_____
*The Interpreter being in Liquor
[Page 198]
7th. This morning had
a very solid and satisfactory
parting with the principal
men and women of the
Stockbridge Nation, at the
House of their Chief, Cap.
Hendrick, many of their
Hearts being tenderly affected
at parting with us: we then
set out for Oneida Town; and
after arriving at our own
rented House in that place,
we felt our Minds disposed
to sit down together to wait,
for the renewal of our Strength
in inward Retirement,
Joshua Evans being also
[Page 199] with us; and leaving the Door
and windows open, the Indians
came and looked at us in
with silent Admiration, behav[?]
behaving in a good Degree Solid,
and making no Disturbance.
After this Sitting Joshua
Evans expressed a Desire to
have an Oppertunity with
the Indians, many of whom,
both of men & women, were now collected together,
under an Expectation of the
Goods being divided, and some
of us also haveing a like Desire,
not being fully relieved by
the Opportunity of yesterday;
it was at length proposed
[Page 200] to the Indians, and agreed
to, the Interpreter Jacob Reed
being present, and in a better
agreeable Situation for such Bu-
siness, than at last Council:-
This proved a much more
Satisfactory Oppertunity than
that of yesterday; our Hearts being
enlarged with unfeigned Love
towards them, much Counsel
was communicated pertinent
to their Situations; which was
sensibly felt by some of them,
especially of the Women, who
are in general much more
Solid and reachable than
the men._____
After which they
[Page 201] made us a short Speech, ex-
pressive of their Satisfaction
with this opportunity; and
our Business in general; among
them; Observing that all the
Time we had been amongst
them we had spoken the same
Language, and made no Change
in our Words or Conduct.____
After which a venerable
old woman, on behalf of her-
self and Sisters, observed in
substance, That it was not
common for their women
to speak in Council; but
that they were very glad
to hear our good Words, and
heartily thanked us._____
[Page 202]
After this Opportunity we
agreed upon the following
Minute; a Copy of which was
left with our Friends who
stay here; viz._____
22.
At a Conference of the
Indian Committee held 7th.
mo. 7th. 1796, at our rented House
at Oneida Town, it was agreed
to appoint Jacob Taylor Trea-
surer, for this Concern at this
place, who is desired to keep
regular Entries of all the mo-
ney received, and paid away,
and to whom and for what.
And there is now left in
his Hands, after settling all
Expences up to this Day, One
Hundred Dollars._____
23.
[Page 203]
About four in the afternoon
took an affectionate leave of
our Friends Jacob Taylor, Hen-
ry Simmons, and Enoch
Walker; and set out towards
Onondago, lodging at an
Indian House Eleven Miles
on our way._____
Before we leave this Coun-
try it may be proper to note,
two singular Advantages,
peculiar to these parts
above many others; and
which the Indians, in Com-
mon with the white people,
may and do enjoy: viz. The
Sugar Maple & Salt Springs.
[Page 204]
From the Maple, they are
able, with a small Expence,
to furnish themselves with
a plentiful supply of Sugar,
Molasses, and Vinegar: And
from the Salt Spring they
are furnished plentifully
with that valuable Article,
equal in Quality, and perhaps
lower in price, than in any
Seaport Town in the United
States. _____
_____8th. Pursued our Jour-
ney, and in about a mile
and an half crossed the In-
dian Line; and a few miles
further came to a place
[Page 205] called deep Spring: This place
pertinently takes its Name from
the following curious Appear-
ance: There is a nearly round
Hole in the Earth, of about
50 or 60 Feet Diameter at
the Top, and tapering down
nearly to a point at the Depth
of about 50 feet: the Water
Springs out of the side near
midway from the Top, to the
Bottom and trickling down
in a small Stream, sinks into
a Cavity at the Bottom.____
Thence through a fertile and
well improved new Country;
more than one half of the cleared Land
[Page 206] within sight of the Road, being
either in Grain, or Timothy and
Clover; some of the latter es-
pecially exceeding any Grass
that I have ever seen in
the most fertile Marshes
of Pennsylvania; dined
at Asa Danfords, on Onanda-
go Creek; from where we lodged
⟨18.⟩ about 18 miles._____
In the Afternoon attend-
ed a small Council of the
Onandago’s, at their Settlement
about two miles up the Creek.
There are but a small Body
of them here, some of their
Tribe being removed to
[Page 207] Buffalo Creek, in the Seneca
Country; and many of those
who live here, having nothing
to eat, were gone a hunting
and fishing with their Wives
and families; The few who
were now here were very un-
willing to hold a Council with-
out having their Tribe all to-
gether; which, it appeared, could
not be effected without a great
Detension to us; we therefore
proposed, that if they would
give us an Opportunity to ex-
press our Minds to them
in Council, and give us such
Information as they could
[Page 208] respecting their Circumstan-
ces, that we would leave the
Substance of what we had
to say to them, relative to the
Business in writing; that
their Interpreter might read
and explain it to them when
they should get all together:
This being agreed to the Coun-
cil was opened, Abraham Ephraim Web-
ster a white man, and friend
to them, and who had lived ma-
ny years amongst them, being
our Interpreter: We let them
know the nature of our Bu-
siness, and endeavoured to press
on the necessity of a
[Page 209] Change in their manner of Liv-
ing; and the Advantage that
would arise to them from their
Improving in Industry and
Sobriety: After which obtained
the following Information, viz.
That they consist of about 20
families and 135 Individuals,
have 12800 Acres of very good
Land, secured to them by Law
so than no Individual of them
can either sell or lease to white
people; they have 1250 Dollars
a year coming in from the
State of new York, besides their
share of the Gratuity from
general Government to the
[Page 210] Six Nations: but they have
neither plow, Ox, Cow, now Horse;
and, we are informed, generally
spend their Money in a few
Days after they receive it, in
Rum, and some Trifles of small
Account to them; and even
the Blankets which they re-
ceive from general Government,
are often pawned for Liquor
before they get them home; __
They appear to have form-
ed great Expectations from
our Letter; and shewed evident
Marks of their Dissatisfac-
tion at their present Disap-
pointment: we let them
[Page 211] know, that our Design was more
to try to prevail with them to help
themselves, and to make the best
use of what they had, as well as
to help them a little in the
Beginning; rather than to
make them large presents, or
to hire men to come there to do
their work from them, whilst they
themselves lived in Idleness, &
spent their own Money foolishly,
[which seems to be much their Idea
of our Intention]._____
Upon proposing to them the
propriety of their buying Oxen &
Cows with their Annual Income,
instead of laying it out for Rum,
&c. they answered, that they had
concluded to buy a pair of Oxen
with
[Page 212] with the money which they
received in this month; but
when they received our Letter,
they thought it not necessary
to lay out their own money for
that purpose; intimating that
they supposed we would find
them Teams and such things:
We were deeply affected with
the unreasonableness of their
Expectations; as well as their
extreme Indolence; or rather
haughty Contempt of any
Thing that bore the name of
Labour; together with their
apparent utter Insensibility
of any thing that was said
to them, on the necessity of
[Page 213] a Reformation in their Life &
Manners._____
We parted from them under
serious Discouragments returning to the afores’d A. Danfords to lodge and left
the following in writing with
their Interpreter, viz._____
24.
Brothers,
We are sent out by the
people called Quakers, who
wrote to the Six Nations in the
Winter to enquire whether they
were desirous to learn how the
white people manage their
Lands; and to have your Children
taught to read and write, and
be instructed in useful Trades:
They have directed us to visit
you in your Towns, and acquaint
ourselves with your Circumstan-
ces, and so inform them that
[Page 214] they may judge what to do
for you: we have settled Three
of our Friends at Oneida; and
some Time hence, we could
with some of you to go and
see them: and perhaps also they
may come and see you: But,
Brothers, there are so few of
you here, and there are so ma-
ny larger Bodies of Indians,
that it is not likely we can
share any of our people to set-
tle here soon: But we expect,
however that next Spring we
can send you some Hoes, Axes,
Sythes, and other Tools to
work with: and if you have
[Page 215] a mind to send six or eight
of your Boys, from Eight to
Twelve years of Age to learn
reading, writing, farming &
Trades our Friends at Oneida
will tell you how to send them,
and we will take Care of them,
as our own Children; and if they
behave well ‘till they are twen-
ty one, we will give them some
thing to begin with: And
then they may return &
teach you what they have
learned._____
Brothers,
We find you have
good Land, and we see you
raise some Corn; we advise
you
[Page 216] you to plant twice as much
next year; and besides you
have 1250 Dollars a year, which
give enough for each family
to buy a Cow in one or two
years; we advise every Hous-
keeper to buy one with the
Money divided to him and
his Children: you could
keep your Cows easily; and
they would give you Milk; &
then you might make But-
ter and Cheese, for you to eat;
and besides your Cows would
make Beef when they
got old._____
[Page 217]
Brothers,
Take our Advice, and
we shall be encouraged to do
more for you; for we wish to
help you; if you will but be
willing to help yourselves.
_____
Onondago 7th. mo. 8th. 1796
• John Peirce
• Joseph Sansom
• Isaiah Rowland
• James Cooper
_____
25.
____9th. Pursued our Journey
towards Cayuga, rode 15 miles
to Breakfast, at Moses Car-
penters: most of this Stage
good Limestone Land; but
thinly
[Page 218] thinly settled; where there
are farms they appear
flourishing._____
Thence to Henry Moors
where we dined, 16 miles:
Thence leaving the Genesee
Road, and travailing mostly
through the woods for about
6 Miles to Frederick Gerard’s, within
about 2 ½ miles of the
Indian settlement, on the
Cayuga Lake: Thence in
Company with the [?]
⟨34.⟩ him to the Indian Town;
where we arrived in the
Evening; but finding se-
veral of their Number
were gone out a fishing and this
[Page 219] being seventh Day, we con-
cluded to put off the Coun-
cil ‘till Second Day morn-
ing; and returned with the
aforesaid Frederick Gerard
to lodge: This man, with
his family, had lived several
years amongst the Cayuga
Indians; but his place
is now, by a late purchase
made of these people, with-
out their Boundaries.____
__10th. This being first Day,
our Friend Joshua Evans had
notice given of a Meeting
to be held at the House of
our Host for the Benefit
of
[Page 220] of the white Inhabitants;
which we attended; as well
as about 20 of the Neighbour-
ing white people; who be-
haved in a good Degree solid.
_____
In the Afternoon Accom-
panied our aforesaid Friend
to the Cayuga Settlement
of Indians, where he had
also appointed to have a Meet-
ing with the Natives, to begin
at three OClock: we waited
‘till after four, and not one
them came to the place ap-
pointed, and even the In-
terpreter, John Jourdan,
at whose Cabbin we met,
[Page 221] had himself gone away just
before we got there, and returned
no more whilst we staid: On
our Return, some of our Com-
pany met him; and he ap-
peared totally insensible of
any impropriety in his own,
or people’s Conduct, relative
to this Matter; alledging
that some were gone one way,
and some another, and could
not well get together._____
___11th. This morning agreeably
to the Appointment of seventh
Day Evening, we again attended
at Cayuga; and after wasting
several Hours, a few of the prin
principal
[Page 222] principal Indians, of men
and women, came together:
They opened the Council by
producing our Letter of last
Spring, and informing that
they had answered it by Let-
ter to Cap. Chapin: After
which we opened the Nature
of our Concern in general,
having the Aforesaid John
Jourdan, for our Interpreter,
who was a very poor one, and
then informed them how
far we had proceeded in it;
particularly towards their
Brothers the Oneidas; and
that our Regard was equally
[Page 223] towards them all; but that
we could not begin with all
at once; and therefore our par-
ticular Business, at this Time,
with them, and all the other
Tribes westward of the Oneida’s,
was, to enquire into their par-
ticular Circumstances, and
take word to our Friends, in
Order that they might con-
sider how they might be most
useful to them against another
Season; but withal informed
them, that as their Number
was so small, it was not likely
that we could settle any of our
Friends amongst them; but
that we thought Friends would
be
[Page 224] be willing to take four or
five of their Boys, between
seven and twelve years old,
and learn them to work at
farming, and some Trades,
and give them so much school-
ing, as to learn them to read
and write English: And
also that we thought they
might expect some farm-
ing Utensils next spring.__
They expressed their Satis-
faction with our proposals,
and a willingness to send some
of their Children to us, but
said they must consult some
more of their women, their
[Page 225] being but few of them present,
we closed the Council, after having
obtained the following Information,
viz. That they consist of about
13 Families, between 50 and
60 Individuals, who live on this
Reservation; They have near
four Thousand Acres of Land; we
think not of quite so good a
Quality as where we have been
before; they have 2300 Dollars
a year coming in from the State
of New-York, besides their
Share of the Gratuity from
General Government to the
Six Nations; but that part
of this Tribe which has re-
moved westward, and which
is
[Page 226] Is about one half; they say
has a Right to their Share
of this Money if they call
for it._____ They have
six Cows, neither oxen nor Horses,
and raise very little of any
Thing, living principally by
Fishing and hunting; and par-
ticularly the former, the Lake
abounding with a large kind
of Eel which they catch in
great plenty.____ These peo-
ple, as well as the Onandago’s
appear totally averse to all La-
bour; and very insensible of
any thing that could be said
to them on the most interest-
ing Occasions._____
[Page 227]
After this Council we proceeded
on towards Conandarque; and
after riding along side of the
lake about 7 1/2 miles we
crossed in a good sail Boat;
and having a lively Breeze
we had a short and pleasant
passage, being about 20 mi-
nutes, in going a mile and
a half; we dined at the ferry
⟨9.⟩ House, James Bennet’s; and
while our Dinner was prepar-
ing one of our Company took
up a News paper, printed
a few Days since at Whites;
Town within about 18 or 20 miles
of Oneida ⟨Castle⟩ Town[?]; in which
was an Account of the various
Tosts
[Page 228] Tosts drunk at a Dinner
in that Town on the 4th. of
this month; amongst which
was the following: _____
26.
The Enterprising and Bene-
volent Quaker Missionaries;
may they succeed in civilizing
our Neighbours the Oneidas.
27.
However trifling and un-
worthy a place in these Notes
the above may appear to some;
it however speaks a Language
Consonant to what is herein
before noted, of the favour-
able Disposition of the Fron-
tier Inhabitants in these
parts, to our Business.___
After Dinner pursued
our Journey, and arived at
[Page 229] Geneva, a small Town on the
⟨14.⟩Seneca Lake, about 14 Miles;
where we lodged._____
This Lake and the Cayuga
are said to be nearly equal in
Dimensions; being about 42
miles in Length; and from
one and an half, to four in
Bredth: we rode several Miles
up its Banks, and the Wind
being high and setting towards
us, the Rolling of a large
and troubled water, the dash-
ing of the Billows, sometimes
within a yard of our Horses feet,
afforded as an agreeable Sensation
both to the Eye and Ear._____
At this place we had the
Com-
[Page 230] Company of a female follower
of the deluded Jemima Wilkin-
son, whose settlement is a few
Miles up this Lake; her de-
portment was Grave and Sober;
we observed a cautious Guard
in her Conversation, & answers
to our Interrogations, not to make
use of, or any way, directly or
indirectly acknowledge the
name Jemima Wilkinson,
but always termed her ‘the
friend’: We understand this
woman is losing her Reputa-
tion here; divers of her principal
followers having left her: and
the following curious Inter
view between her and Cap.
Brant, an Indian atfrom Grand
[Page 231] River, was related to me as a
fact, by Cap. Hendrick at
Stockbridge; viz. That the said
Brant being in those parts
Jemima sent him a message
that she had a Desire to see him,
upon which he paid her a
visit; and upon her asking
him a certain Question, he an-
swered her in his own Language
and she not understanding him,
repeated the Question, or asked
another; he again answered
in another Indian Language;
and so the third time: When
he observed to him that she
had heard of him, that he was
a Scholar and a man of Informa
tion, and that she had promised
[Page 232] herself some satisfaction from
his Company and Conversation;
and that she had now asked him
a civil Question; and that he
had answered her three Several
Times in a Language that she
did not understand; and as she
knew he could speak English, she
could not account for such treat-
ment: To which Brant re-
plied, with an Interrogation if
she did not understand what
he said to her; To which she
again answered, No; I do not
understand your Indian Lan-
guages: - To which Very well
Madam, replied Brant, then
you are not the person you
[Page 233] pretend to be, for Jesus Christ
understands Indian as well
as English._____
____12th. This morning rode
to Conandarque, about 14 miles.
The roads extremely deep and
swampy: In the Afternoon
had a Conference with Israel
Chapin Superintendant for
Indian Affairs, from which we
learn that Captain Abeel, Alias,
Cornplanter, one of the Seneca
Chiefs, had sent him an an-
swer to our Letter of last spring,
that he was willing to receive
Friends, and that he would be glad
to have them come and settle
about him; because he believed
they
[Page 234] they were good people; but
Farmer’s Brother, on behalf of the
settlement at Buffalo Creek,
which is called the main Seneca
Settlement, answered that he
thought it best to wait, and see
our progress with their eastern
Brethren, before they received us.
After this Conference, hearing
of some people who were called
by our name a few miles back
of this place, we concluded to
go and see them; and if conve-
nient, rest ourselves a Day or
two &c. Accordingly we set out,
having a young man, son to
one of these people for our
Guide; we seperated on the
way
[Page 235] Way, some of us going to Jacob
Smiths, and others to Nathan
Cumstalks and Abraham Lap-
pums: amongst these people
we were kindly entertained; they
being friends by Education and
profession, tho' not one of the men
are actually in membership.
_____
____ 13th. Staid with our aforesaid
Friends, rested ourselves, got
our Linen washed, and wrote
some Letters home._____
___ 14th. Returned to Conandar-
que, had a further Conference
with Cap. Chapin; by which
we learn, that the Seneca's
have various settlements west
of the Genesee River, and con-
sist
[Page 236] sist of the following number
of Individuals; viz._____
Main Village at Buffolo Creek
381
White Chiefs Village ____
107
Catauraugurus _____
225
Allegany {Cornplanter’s
2 Villages}__
331
Tawniwandic _____
104
* Canawaugus _____
22
* Ghenesee Village _____
91
* Bigtree Village _____
80
* Squakee Hill _____
190
*Ka-oun-o-de-o _____
113
1644
* Note such as have this mark
are said to unite with Corn-
planter’s Answer._____
The Seneca’s have five
Hundred Dollars a year from
Oliver Phelps; besides their Share
[Page 237] of the 4500 Dollars from the gene-
ral Government, to the Six Nations.
_____
This Evening we wrote the follow-
ing Letter to our Friends at Oneida,
viz.
28.
Conandarque 7th. mo. 14th. 1796
Dear Friends,
Your Situation and
the important Concerns devolved
upon you, have often been the
Subjects of Serious Thoughtful-
ness to us since we left you, and
we are free to propose to you;
That as you may possibly find
some Difficulty in getting as many
of the young Indians to undertake,
and stick to the Business, on the
particular portion of Land alotted
us, as was expected; we wish you
not
[Page 238] not to suffer Discouragements
too much to take place in your
Minds on that Account; but
endeavour to get them to divide
off particular portions of Land
to particular persons, in some
convenient places, and bestow
the more of your Time in in-
structing and helping such;
and where any who have un-
dertaken with you, on your
Farm, shall be discouraged from
the Length of Time, which, agree-
able to our plan, they must
wait for their wages, we are
willing you should advance some
necessary Goods &c. to such, (which
we desire you to purchase for
[Page 239] that purpose) or actually hire
others in Case of necessity; keeping
a regular account thereof, and
letting them know, that the value
of all such Advance and hire is
to be deducted out of the product
of the place._____
With Love we remain your Friends._____
• John Peirce
• Joseph Sansom
• James Cooper
• Isaiah Rowland
29.
_____15th. This morning had a
Conference amongst ourselves
respecting the further prosecution
of the Business before us; but not
being able to come to a clear and
Satisfactory Judgment relative
to any further Movements; and
it
[Page 240] it being now near the End of
the week, we concluded to spend
a day or two more amongst our
Friends and to meet at William
E⟨I⟩ngles on First Day; where our
Friend Joshua Evans had appoint-
ed a meeting._____
___ 17th. and 18th. Being first and
second Day, We had several seri-
ous Conferences on the Nature of
our present Concern, and the
propriety of our going forward
into the Seneca Country at this
Time; and two of our number,
now approaching they felt
a releasment in their minds
from any further prosecution
of the Business at the present;
[Page 241] whilst the other two approached
the Business not completed
for which we were sent out, and
that this was the right time to
perform a visit to the Seneca's
in some of their different Set-
tlements; our Situation became
trying, and a spirit of Sympa-
thy and tender feeling for each
other was sensibly experienced,
to the tendering of our Hearts;
and after various Sittings to-
gether, and feeling after our
present Situation, and trying
our several Concerns and pros-
pects, and a Spirit of brotherly
Condiscension prevailing, it was
at length resulted, as most safe
to
[Page 242] to keep together, and return
homewards._____
After this Conclusion we
had another Conference with
Cap. Chapin; informed him
what we had done at Oneida,
and other places where we had
been; read to him most of our
material Entries on Business;
and informed him of our present
prospect of returning home-
wards; and, with his advice,
wrote the following Letter to
Cap. Abeel, alias Cornplan-
ter. viz._____
30.
Conandarque 7th. mo 18th. 1796
To Captain Abeel, and the differ-
ent Seneca Villages, who answer
[Page 243] with him to our Letter of
last Spring._____
Brothers,
You received a Letter
from your Brothers, the peo-
ple called Quakers, written
last winter, and directed to
the Six Nations of Indians; we
have now received your Answer
by Cap. Chapin, informing that
you are willing to receive our
proposals._____
Brothers,
We who now write
to you are a part of your friends
who wrote to you last winter,
and have been sent out by our
Friends to do something for your
Brothers the Oneida’s, whose answer[?]
answer
[Page 244] answer to our Letter we
had received before we left
home; we have accordingly
settled three of our Friends
there, and furnished them
with farming Utensils,
in order to instruct, and en-
courage your Brothers, the
Oneida’s in farming the
Land like the white people;
that so they may raise a
great deal of Grain and
Grass &c. off of a little Land.
Brothers, Our Regard is e-
qually towards you all our
Indian Brothers of the Six
Nations; but you know that
we cannot begin with all
[Page 245] at once, nor do every thing at a
Time; therefore our friends at
home desired us to call and see
some of our other Brothers of
the Six Nations, in order to en-
quire into their Circumstances,
and bring them word again, so
that they might consider who
to help next, and how to do it
best; accordingly we have been to
see your Brothers the Onandago’s
and Cayuga’s, and gave them
some advice, and enquired into
their Circumstances, and shall
carry a true Account home to our
Friends:___ Now Brothers, we
had thought of coming to see you
also, for the same purpose; but
it is now got late in the season
[Page 246] before we could get here, and
before we got your answer; and
as the Road is very long through
the wilderness, and the Hot
Weather coming on, we think
we can’t call to see you now;
but we have enquired very
particularly into your Circum-
stances, of your old Friend Cap.
Chapin, and shall carry a true
account to our friends at home;
and we desire you to enquire of
your Brothers the Oneida’s how
our Friends behave amongst
them, and how they like
our plan and Conduct; that
so you may be fully satisfied
against we are ready to help
[Page 247] you in the same way._____
Brothers,
We must desire you
to have patience with us, if we
don’t do every Thing you ex-
pect, all at once: for if we settle
any Body amongst you, we know
they must be good Men, or else
they may do you more hurt than
good; and we must wait ‘till such
offer of their own free Will, to come
and live amongst you, out of Love
to you, and by the Moving of the
good Spirit in their own Heart
for good Men, such as would do
you good are not to be bought with
Money, nor hired to come amongst
you, without they feel this good
Spirit enfluencing them there.
____
[Page 248]
Brothers,
In Love, we bid you farewell._____
• John Peirce
• James Cooper
• Isaiah Rowland
_____
31.
--- 19th. This Morning left
Conandarque, in order to go
directly homewards; break-
fasted at William Ingles
3 Miles on our Way; thence
up the side of the Conandar-
que Lake about 20 miles,
dined to Nathan Watkins, at the head
of it, where we dined: - This
Lake is nearly equal in Width to
the Seneca or Cayuga; but not
much more than half the Length:
[Page 249] After Dinner continued our Jour-
ney and lodged at one Huckers -; about 12 miles:
Here we lay on the floor, and
our Horses fared badly, having
neither pasture, hay, nor grain;
A little Grass cut with a
Sickle on the Edges of a
Wheat Lot, was all that could
be procured for them._____
__20th. This morning started early;
there being nothing here to in-
duce any unnecessary Stay, break-
fasted in the woods, on Bread and
Cheese, which we had with us, about
8 miles on our way; Our Horses
having no better repast after a
trying night, than what they
[Page 250] could collect for themselves about/along[?]
the Range where we stopped, & which
was very poor: thence to a small
Town, called Bath, in a very poor
Country, where we dined; and
got some indifferent Hay for our
Horses, but no Grain, about 20
Miles: Thence to one Pattison[?]
at Post Town, near the paint[?]
⟨47.⟩post, about 19 miles; here we
lodged: our horses faring better
having plenty of pretty good Hay
but no Grain._____
About a mile from Bath stopped
at the House of William Kersey
late of little York; On the Bank
of a water called little Lake:
This Lake is of a circular form,
[Page 251] about half a mile Diameter, has
no visible Inlet, nor outlet; the
water nevertheless being clear and fresh,
and wearing no appearance of
Stagnation; and we are informed
no bottom has ever been discovered
in some parts of it, though sound-
ed with a Line of 40 Fathoms.
21st. Pursued our Journey,
crossing the Cohocton, Conos-
teer, and Shomonga Creeks,
which are waters of the Susque-
hannah, breakfasted at the
Widow Lindsley’s about 14 miles;
here we got pasture, and also
Grain for our Horses; and got
a small supply of Grain to
carry with us; against tomorrow
Ride; when we are informed we
[Page 252] shall get no kind of Entertain-
ment, either for ourselves or
Horses, for upwards of 40 Miles.
Thence to William Carter’s about
15 miles, where we lodged out
⟨29.⟩of necessity; there being no other
House, of any kind, on this side
of the mountains:_____This last Stage crossing
the New-York and Pennsylvania Line.
____22nd. This morning started be-
fore two OClock, proposing, in pos-
sible to reach some Quarters on the
other Side of the Savage Mountains;
breakfasted on Bread & Cheese, which
we had previously provided; and fed
our Horses, some on the Ground, and
others in Holes cut cut for that
purpose in the Logs; about 15
Miles on our way. Thence proceed-
ing up the Mountain; our Roads
[Page 253] increased not only in Roughness,
but in most intolerable Bogs &
Mire, for about 10 Miles, to
a place called the Block House:
where we dined, and fed out Horses,
much in the same Manner
as we breakfasted; only that we
had better Troughs to feed in:
Here is a tolerable House, and
might be of great use to Travail-
ors, was there but a suitable per-
son living in it: but its present
Occupant is not only so unpro-
vided with Accommodation that
it is seldom anything can
be had either for man or Beast
excepting a little Liquor; but
is
[Page 254] also of so desperate a Charac-
ter, that most Travailers are
afraid to trust themselves under
his Roof all Night.____ Then
still over the Mountains for
about 12 Miles further; where
we again fed our Horses at the foot of this Mountain in
like manner aforesaid; then
to James Thomson’s on Lycoming
⟨46.⟩Creek about 9 Miles; where we
arrived before sun set: and tho
both ourselves and Horses were
much fatigued, the satisfaction
we felt from the Reflection
of being over the most dif-
ficult part of our Journey
and near a Settlement of
Friends
[Page 255] was reviving, and tended to
sweeten our present Situ-
ation._____
23rd. This morning found the
Effect of yesterday’s Ride, one
of our Horses being badly bruised,
and entirely unfit to ride, we
were under the Necessity of
leading, or at least letting it
follow, and one of us walking
⟨20.⟩ by turns for about 20 miles
to William Ellis’ in Munsey.
This being Seventh Day, we
concluded to rest ourselves
and Horses here until
Second Day._____
[Page 256]
24th. Being first Day at
tended Munsey Meeting.
_____
25th. After Dinner left our
agreeable Quarters at munsey
and pursued our Journey
homewards, lodged at Jesse
Haynes’ at fishing Creek;
⟨21.⟩ about 21 miles._____
26th. Proceeded on, crossed Sus
quehannah, at Cattawissy,
on Horseback, dined at John
Lloyds, at said place; about
15 miles: Thence to Frederick
Levenburg’s on the east side
⟨28.⟩ of the Little Mountain about
13 miles; where we lodged.__
[Page 257]
27th. This Morning rode
about 15 miles to breakfast,
to an Inn kept by one George
Reevers; thence to Richard
Stevens’ about 18 miles;
Thence to Francis Parvins
at Maiden Creek, to lodge,
⟨46.⟩ about 18 miles._____
28th. Left Francis Parvins
after Dinner, rode to Ben-
jamin Scarlet’s at Robinson,
⟨16.⟩ about 16 miles; where we
lodged._____
29th. This Day, at Several
Stages, reached my Habitation
⟨40.⟩ at Darby, about 40 Miles,
& found my family all well.____
Appendix A
[Page 258]
Subduplicate ratio, The ratio of
their square roots.
Duplicate ratio. The ratio of
their squares
Thus the duplicate ratio of 2 to 4
is the ratio of 4 to 16._____
and the subduplicate ratio of 4
to 16 is the ratio of 2 to 4._____
" f "
1 : 3 ::4
4/12 feet to vibrate in 2 seconds
4 : 2 : 1 1 : 2[?] : 4
4
/36/6[?]
Appendix B
[Page 259]
£ [?]
School to open this fall, say
beginning 11th. mo. _____
25 Boys admitted, and no more
this winter._____
No Girls admitted till Spring
say 3rd mo._____
Acting Commitly appointed.
their Instructions._____
Superintendant appointed._
Committee to settle the Books,
and make a [?]clear statement
of Auts.[?]_____
Consideration respecting Meeting.
Furniture, particularly bedding
to be provided, how many sets, whether
for 2 Children in a bed, or one.
Committee to provide it to
be ready by such a time.___
School Books necessary. a com.
[Page 260]
after Dinner pursued our Journey
lodged at one Hookers about 12
⟨36.⟩ Miles further: Here we layed[?]lay on
the floor, & our Horses fared badly,
having neither pasture, Hay,
nor Grain; A little Grass cut
with a Sickle in the Corners
of a wheat patch was all that
could be procured for them.__
authorized to set them to the present
and compilations._____
mmittee to examine some proposals.____
[Page 261]
James Hotton[?], living
No 14[?]North Market st[?]
_____
• Commissioner
• Cap. Brant, & Gimima
• Salt and Sugar.____
• Indian Bible
We then agreed upon the following
Minute, and entered it in the Acer[?]
Book of our Friends at who stay here
We then agreed upon the
following
Visit to Oneida and Other Tribes of Indians
John Peirce documented his 61-day journey through Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York in his journal titled "Notes, On a Visit to Several Tribes of Indians, 1796." Peirce and his fellow Friends James Cooper, Joseph Sansom, Isaiah Rowland, Enoch Walker, and Henry Simmons left on May 30, 1797 for the Oneida reservation. Their goal was to meet with various Native American groups and establish agricultural programs. After passing through New Jersey and up the Hudson River to Schenectady, they followed the Mohawk River to the Stockbridge, Brothertown, Tuscarora and Oneida Villages. After meeting with the members of the various groups at the Oneida reservation, the party made their way further west to the Onondagas and Cayuga settlements, and then up to modern day Farming, New York, to meet with friends living there. Their journey home took them through central New York and Pennsylvania through Bath and Painted Post, New York as well as Muncy, Catawissa, and Reading Pennsylvania. Peirce arrived home in Darby, Pennsylvania, on July 29, 1796.
Pierce, John
1796
262 pps.
reformatted digital
MSS003/111