The proceedings of the yearly meeting for Pennsylvania, &c. respecting the situation of the Indian natives in the year 1795. And the circular letter of the Committee then appointed to attend thereto, : to which are subjoined, extracts of speeches and letters from some of their chiefs earnestly requesting the assistance of their old friends.

The proceedings of the yearly meeting for Pennsylvania, &c. respecting the situation of the Indian natives in the year 1795. And the circular letter of the Committee then appointed to attend thereto, : to which are subjoined, extracts of speeches and letters from some of their chiefs earnestly requesting the assistance of their old friends.

Table of contents

Title page

At a Yearly Meeting for Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, Delaware and the Eastern parts of Maryland and Virginia held in Philadelphia in the 9th and 10th months, 1795.

§

To the Yearly Meeting now sitting.

§

At a meeting of the said Committee in Philadelphia, on the 3rd of the 11th Month 1795, the following Epistle was directed to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings belonging to the said Yearly Meeting.

The Speech of Nectwawtwillimon, a Chief of the Delawares, at Muskingum, on the borders of Virginia, to Zebulon Heston and John Parrish, in the Year 1773, delivered on a belt of seven rows.

The Speech of Gayashuta an ancient Chief of the Senneca nation on the borders of Pennsylvania as given in charge by him to one of the Sachems of that Nation, in the Year 1790, to be delivered to the Friends of Philadelphia.

An Extract of a Speech from Gayontwaghta, commonly called the Corn-planter, a Sachem of the Six Nations, to Friends, in the Year 1791.

An Extract of a letter from Hendrick Aupcumut a Chief of the Mohiconick Tribe now settled upon the Oneida reservation in the State of New-York to William Savery in the Year 1794.

From other letters from the same to the same in the Year 1795.

A Letter from Solomon Quauchmut a young man of the same Tribe written to a friend of Philadelphia in the Year 1795.

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE YEARLY MEETING FOR PENNSYLVANIA, &c. Respecting the situation of the Indian Natives in the year 1795. And the Circular Letter of the Committee then appointed to attend thereto, To which are subjoined, Extracts of Speeches and Letters from some of their Chiefs earnestly requesting the assistance of their old Friends.

PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED BY SAMUEL SANSOM, Jun. No. 27, MULBERRY STREET.

At a Yearly Meeting for Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, Delaware and the Eastern parts of Maryland and Virginia held in Philadelphia in the 9th and 10th months, 1795.

[Page]

30th of the 9th Month.

THE interesting concern under which this meeting from time to time in years past has been exercised, and wherewith the minds of many brethren have been so deeply affected, in relation to the former and present condition of the Indian Natives, and with reference to events and occurrences respecting them through a long course of years, being now in a solid manner revived, and spread with life over the meeting; to give the subject more fully that weight and deliberate consideration its importance calls for, the following friends are named, and also to report their sense, whether a fund might not be fitly appropriated for the desirable purpose of promoting the civilization and well-being of the Indians—viz.—

William Savery,

John Parrish,

Thomas Morris,

Thomas Lightfoot,

John Shoemaker,

Isaac Jacobs,

Hugh Foulke,

Samuel Gummere,

Robert Kirkbride,

William Blakey,

Oliver Paxson,

John Simpson,

James Emlen,

Josiah Bunting,

Stephen Mendenhall,

Samuel Canby,

Amos Harvey,

Humphrey Marshall,

Jacob Lindley,

William Wood,

Robert Holliday,

Nicholas Brown,

Samuel Troth,

Daniel Mifflin,

Benjamin Clark,

Samuel Woolman,

Peter Ellis,

John Smith,

William Rogers,

Abraham Warrington,

Samuel Townsend,

Joseph Whiteall,

Mark Miller,

Samuel Ogden,

Edward Bradway,

Edmund Williams,

Joseph Shotwell,

Henry Cliffton,

William Hartshorne,

John Hunt,

Abraham Gibbons,

Joseph Sansom,

John Wistar.

§

§

2nd of the 10th Month.

The friends on the concern of this meeting relative to the Indian Natives, produced their report thereon, which being read and considered is united with being as follows:

[Page]

To the Yearly Meeting now sitting.

The committee appointed on the interesting concern for promoting the welfare of the Indian Natives—Report, that at several meetings in which we have had the company of divers concerned brethren not particularly named to the service; we have deliberately considered this important subject, which hath for a series of years deeply exercised the minds of many friends, and been latterly revived in the yearly meeting with increasing weight—Our minds have been measurably drawn into sympathy with these distressed inhabitants of the wilderness, and on comparing their situation with our own, and calling to grateful remembrance the kindness of their predecessors to ours in the early settlement of this country; considering also our professed principles of peace and goodwill to men, we were in-induced with much unanimity to believe, that there are loud calls for our benevolence and charitable exertions to promote amongst them the principles of the Christian religion, as well as to turn their attention to school learning, agriculture, and useful mechanic employments, especially as there appears in some of the tribes, a willingness to unite in the exercise of endeavours of this kind—We believe that this end may be much promoted under the Divine Blessing, by a recommendation from this meeting to the several quarterly meetings, that a liberal subscription be set on foot and a fund raised, to be under the direction of a special committee to be appointed by the yearly meeting, in order that these pious purposes may be carried into effect as early as practicable, and the apparent friendly disposition of government towards this desirable object improved.—And conceiving that this subject is of sufficient magnitude to claim the attention of our religious society in different parts of this continent, we think it may be useful to hint the substance of this concern in the Epistles to the respective yearly meetings.

§

3rd of the 10th Month.

The Report on the subject relative to the Indian Natives, being again read, the following friends are named to give solid attention to the concern at large, also receive and appropriate such monies as may be raised towards effecting the beneficial pious purposes, held up to view in said Report—viz.—

[Page]John Parrish,

John Elliott,

John Spencer, jun.

Anthony Johnson,

John Stapler,

Oliver Paxson,

Joseph Trimble,

James Emlen,

Isaac Coates,

Amos Harvey,

Warner Misllin,

Samuel Howell,

John Smith,

Benjamin Clark,

Benjamin Swett,

John Hunt (of Evesham)

James Cooper,

Mark Miller,

William Hartshorne,

Richard Hartshorne,

Thomas Wistar,

Joseph Sansom,

William Savery,

John Biddle,

Thomas Harrison,

Henry Drinker,

Joseph Sloan,

John Pierce,

John Hunt (of Darby)

At a meeting of the said Committee in Philadelphia, on the 3rd of the 11th Month 1795, the following Epistle was directed to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings belonging to the said Yearly Meeting.

The committee appointed by the yearly meeting to attend to the growing concern for the welfare of our Indian Brethren, have seriously considered the important trust devolved upon them, the prosecution of which will evidently require prudence, patience and perseverance, its ultimate object, under the Divine Blessing being no less than the temporal and spiritual welfare of some thousands of our fellow men, and their posterity.

Difficulties however should not discourage us from the exercise of our christian duty toward these people, when we call to mind that they were the original inhabitants of this land, and that they kindly received and made room for our forefathers, when they were strangers in it; especially as we are settled upon the sea coasts, and parts adjacent, enjoying, through the bounty of Providence, an abundance of temporal blessings, where they once lived in ease and plenty, but are now wandering from hill to hill, scarcely able to find subsistence in their former way of life—Circumstances which loudly call for our brotherly assistance▪ to put them in a way to support themselves by Agriculture and handicrafts.

[Page]It is hoped that some sober well qualified friends will be drawn to unite with the Concern so far as to go among them for the purpose of instructing them in husbandry, and useful trades; and teaching their children necessary learning, that they may be acquainted with the Scriptures of truth, improve in the principles of Christianity, and become qualified to manage temporal concerns— and it is expected that the committee will find it expedient to erect Grist and Saw Mills, Smith's shops and other necessary improvements in some of their villages. For the support of those who may be disposed to undertake the performance of these services, due provision is intended to be made; and any proposals from concerned friends will be received by Thomas Wistar of Philadelphia our clerk, and laid before the committee for consideration.

The present appears to us a favourable period for carrying on this good work—the boundaries of some of the tribes are fixed by treaty—their lands cannot now be so easily alienated as heretofore, and evil communication with traders and others is intended to be prevented by Government, whose consent and approbation of the measures proposed has been already expressed.

We have appointed John Elliott our treasurer, who is to receive the collections that may be made in the several monthly meetings for these benevolent purposes.

To spread before friends some information of the present opening for usefulness, the following speeches of some of their chiefs, and extracts of letters from others who have been taught to read and write, are selected from a considerable number which speak the same language, from different tribes.

Signed by direction, and on behalf of the committee, by THMAS WISTAR, Clk.

The Speech of Nectwawtwillimon, a Chief of the Delawares, at Muskingum, on the borders of Virginia, to Zebulon Heston and John Parrish, in the Year 1773, delivered on a belt of seven rows.

Brothers.

We are glad, and rejoice in our hearts, to see our brothers the Quakers speaking before us. We feel the grace that is in [Page] your hearts conveyed to us, and wish to be of the same religion; but we are poor, and weak, and not capable of judging for ourselves: we hope you will have pity upon us, and instruct us how to gain a comfortable livelihood, and also how we may come to obtain everlasting happiness. When we think of our poor children our hearts are affected with sorrow: we hope you will send us teachers.

The Speech of Gayashuta an ancient Chief of the Senneca nation on the borders of Pennsylvania as given in charge by him to one of the Sachems of that Nation, in the Year 1790, to be delivered to the Friends of Philadelphia.

Brothers, the sons of my beloved brother Onas,

Onas is the Inidian word for [...]quill, and by that name they speak of William Penn.

When I was young and strong our country was full of game, which the good Spirit sent for us to live upon; the lands which belonged to us were extended far beyond where we hunted; I and the people of my nation had enough to eat, and always something to give to our friends when they entered our cabbins; and we rejoiced when they received it from us: hunting was then not tiresome, it was diversion, it was a pleasure.

Brothers,

When your fathers asked land from my nation; we gave it to them, for we had more than enough: Gayashuta was amongst the first of the people to say, "Give land to our brother Onas, for he wants it," and he has always been a friend to Onas, and to his children.

Brothers,

Your fathers saw Gayashuta when he was young; when he had not even thought of old age or weakness: but you are too far off to see him, now he is grown old. He is very old and feeble and he wonders at his own shadow it is become so little. He has no children to take care of him, and the game is driven away by the white people, so that the young men must hunt all day long to find game for themselves to eat; they have nothing left for Gayashuta. And it is not Gayashuta only, who is become old and feeble, there yet remain about thirty men of your old friends, who, unable to [Page] provide for themselves, or to help one another, are become poor, and are hungry and naked.

Brothers,

Gayashuta sends you a belt which he received long ago from your fathers, and a writing which he received but as yesterday, from one of you. By these you will remember him and the old friends of your fathers in this nation: look on this belt and this writing, and if you remember the old friends of your fathers consider their former friendship and their present distress; and if the good Spirit shall put it into your hearts, to comfort them in their old age, do not disregard his counsel.—We are men, and therefore, need only tell you, that we are old and feeble and hungry and naked; and that we have no other friends but you, the children of our beloved brother Onas.

An Extract of a Speech from Gayontwaghta, commonly called the Corn-planter, a Sachem of the Six Nations, to Friends, in the Year 1791.

Brothers,

The Senneca nation see that the Great Spirit intends they should not continue to live by hunting, and they look round on every side and enquire who it is that shall teach them what is best for them to do.

Your fathers dealt honestly with our fathers, they have engaged us to remember it, and we wish our children to be taught the same principles by which your fathers were guided.

Brothers,

We have too little wisdom among us, we cannot teach our children what we perceive their situation requires them to know. We wish them to be instructed to read and write and such other things as you teach your children, especially the love of peace.

An Extract of a letter from Hendrick Aupcumut a Chief of the Mohiconick Tribe now settled upon the Oneida reservation in the State of New-York to William Savery in the Year 1794.

I and my nation are fully determined to become husband-men—are greatly encouraged to go on in the way of industry [Page] that instead of depending upon the using guns for our support we take hold the ax, hoe, plow, scythe and sickle, that our children after us may become good farmers, and above all, number of us both male and female are come to resolution to wait upon the great good Spirit who will lead us in the way of everlasting life—and I hope that number of my friends have experienced in measure the love of Christ who died for chief of sinners.—And we have sent our children to school every day to learn to read the word of God and other good books— and endeavour to impress the things in their minds which are profitable for body and soul.

My good friend, I have just inform you our situation; we have build a house above one year ago, about thirty feet square, to be use as school house and a house where we met on Lords day to wait upon God, and here is some inconvenience in the time of cold weather without fire to warm the house, and in considering this I come to conclude to querie with you as friend whether you would be so kind as to help us or speak or use your influence among your brethren and friends in your society, to help us to keep this house warm—That our poor children may be warmed in the time of school, and our poor people may not catch the cold in the time of waiting and worshipping God in this house. If you would then my petition is to you and your Friends, to put stove in this house and we will put fire on it, then the house will be warm without getting great deal of wood. And I believe it will be agreeable to the Father of all mercies.

From other letters from the same to the same in the Year 1795.

My friend, I feel happy to hear your kind and friendly words; that you had a concern for your poor Indian friends and that you would help them both in body and soul. And the token of which you have signified that you would send some books or implements of husbandry to such place as it would be best. My friend this is most acceptable offer, and I am requested by my people to desire you to send some implements of husbandry to fort Schuyler on Mohawk river to John Posts, who would take care of the same until we fetch them. The hoes are most wanting among us, also two or three plows, chain and scythes, and axes, and harrow tooth—these articles are very scarce here in wilderness—if we could get such we can then go on with our spring work. Respecting books—spelling books and primmers are necessary—for there are about forty small children [Page] who would use the small books—but the big children have got some books to read from other quarter.

My friend, I will acquaint you that we attempted to build saw-mill this summer and have got all the irons ready—we intended begin to work next month but money being so scarce we could not purchase some necessaries on that work.

My friends have thought that if we could hire fifty dollars from our friends we could make out—and they desire me to mention it to you—My friend I only mention this to you that you may know our situation—and if you find it you could lent us so much without harm to your minds, we will replaced next winter, there is annual sum come in to this nation out of which we can replace your money.—

My People and Friends does very well this spring in their attempts to learn to be Farmers.—

One of my Boys has been sick and died three weeks ago— he was eight years of age—one week before he expired I ask him several questions—Among other things I ask him whether he could trust our Saviour Jesus—he said "Yes I have often pray to him in my heart."

A Letter from Solomon Quauchmut a young man of the same Tribe written to a friend of Philadelphia in the Year 1795.

My Friend,

By the dispensation of Providence I and my family are well. And also I would inform you that by the help of good Spirit I have been under concern for my poor and never dying soul as to take a full resolution to forsake the service of the evil one. And by the help of God I endeavour to walk in newness of life in my remnant days. I was first convinced when I hear you preaching at Canadarquay, discoursing upon talents that however a small talent man may have, yet he is required to improve it, on these expressions I could not contain myself, being convicted that I am the one who bury my master's money. And just before your departure, one of your friends came to bid us farewell, he spake and advised me that I should always endeavour to follow soberness, by this I may obtain God's blessing, then I was encouraged to begin to do my duty as the Lord giveth me light.

THE END.

Information about this book

Title statement

The proceedings of the yearly meeting for Pennsylvania, &c. respecting the situation of the Indian natives in the year 1795. And the circular letter of the Committee then appointed to attend thereto, : to which are subjoined, extracts of speeches and letters from some of their chiefs earnestly requesting the assistance of their old friends.

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI :

Date

2009-04.

ID [DLPS]

N21813

ID [TCP]

N21813

ID [STC]

Evans 28715

ID [NOTIS]

APY0828

ID [IMAGE-SET]

28715

ID [EVANS-CITATION]

99027887

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 28715.

Notes

(Evans-TCP ; no. N21813)

Transcribed from: (Readex Archive of Americana ; Early American Imprints, series I ; image set 28715)

Images scanned from Readex microprint and microform: (Early American imprints. First series ; no. 28715)

Source

— The proceedings of the yearly meeting for Pennsylvania, &c. respecting the situation of the Indian natives in the year 1795. And the circular letter of the Committee then appointed to attend thereto, : to which are subjoined, extracts of speeches and letters from some of their chiefs earnestly requesting the assistance of their old friends., Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends..

Extent

10 p. ; 21 cm. (8vo)

Printed by Samuel Sansom, Jun. No. 27, Mulberry Street.,. Philadelphia: :: [1795]. (Error in paging: p. 10 misnumbered 01.)

Creation

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

Editorial practices

EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.