Part 9

“Father, from the fatherly care the presidents of the United States have exercised towards their red children, we speak to our father in confidence, believing he will not turn away his ears from his red children. We are alarmed lest we lose our seats. Those men who say they have a right to purchase our lands, have been distressing us for a number of years with their plans to possess our lands--offering us in exchange lands to the westward. We declare to you, we desire you to publish to all our white brothers, that it is our fixed and determined purpose to live and die on our present land. It is sealed to us by the bones of our fathers--they obtained it by their blood. Our bones shall lie beside theirs--it is the heritage of the Almighty--he gave it us--he it is must take it from us.”

“We mean no threat by this--we know we are in the hands of our white brethren--they can destroy us with ease--but they need not think to persuade us to part with our lands--as free men we claim the right to choose between being killed outright, or a lingering execution, by being driven a thousand miles into the wilderness.

“Where, father, where would our white brothers have us to go? The Indian claim to land is put out for more than a thousand miles to the west--except little spots for particular nations.

“We have confidence in you. You cannot see your red children, with their little ones, driven off by stealth and fraud--leaving the sepulchres of their fathers, their farms, their farming tools, and their cattle, and dying by families on the road, through hardships and privation--exchanging all their advances in civilization and its comforts, for the hardships of the chase--without house or friend.

“Father, we have confidence in you, that if you see any device formed against us, you will frustrate it, and succour your red children. We have deceived no man--we have wronged no man--our language has been one--we choose not to part with our land. If we have been needlessly alarmed, you will pity our ignorance, and forgive our childish fears.

“We trust that you will pardon the multitude of our words. Let none deceive you in saying that this is the voice of a few individuals, and not the voice of the Six Nations. It is the voice of the Six Nations in the state of New York. The chiefs of Buffalo, Cattaraugus, Genessee, and Onondago, are now in council. We have the message of Oneida and Alleghany with us, desiring we should speak to our father the president--intreating him to consider and help us. Speak, father--speak to your children, that their minds may be at rest. Speak to our council fire at this place, and let us hear your own words; send them by safe hands.

“May the Great Spirit preserve you many years a blessing to all your children.”

* * * * *

The Indians also sent a copy of the foregoing talk to the governor of New York, accompanied with a short address, from which we make the following extracts:

“Father, we thank you that you feel anxious to do all you can to the perishing ruins of your red children. We hope, Father, you will make a fence strong and high around us, that wicked white men may not devour us at once, but let us live as long as we can. We are persuaded you will do this for us, because our field is laid waste and trodden down by every beast--we are feeble and cannot resist them.”

“Father, we are persuaded you will do this for the sake of our white brothers, lest God, who has appeared so strong in building up white men and pulling down Indians, should turn his hand and visit our white brothers for their sins, and call them to an account for all the wrongs they have done them, and all the wrongs they have not prevented, that it was in their power to prevent, to their poor red brothers, who have no helper.

“Father, would you be the father of your people and make them good and blessed of God, let not the cries of his red children ascend into his ears against you.”

Without further comment on these impressive communications of the Indians, we shall leave the reader to his own reflections, after stating, that whatever impressions they might have made on the rulers to whom they were addressed, it did not prevent the renewed and persevering applications of the pre-emption holders, to obtain the Indians’ land, which, although they as often refused to sell, had the effect to keep them in a state of agitation and unsettlement; for although they had been repeatedly told that their lands were their own, and that they could not be compelled to dispose of them without their consent, and that President Washington had fully assured them that the United States would protect them in the remainder of their lands, which they had not legally conveyed away at public treaties, yet there appeared to be a degree of jealousy existing with some, as to the sincerity of these professions, and a fear lest they might, at some time, be compelled to relinquish their rightful possessions and be removed to another clime.

The Indians at Alleghany, therefore, sent a message to the committee, in which they expressed a wish that Friends would endeavour to obtain for them a written instrument from the President of the United States, to strengthen, as they said, their title to their land, so that they might be easy themselves, and their children after them. And as it had been concluded in the last fall, to divide the Alleghany reservation into lots, they also wished to know whether this plan was agreeable to the President.

In consequence of this request of the Alleghany chiefs, as also with a view of making the executive department of government more fully acquainted with their situation, various documents were prepared and committed to the charge of four of the committee, to present to the secretary of war, and such other officers of government as seemed to be requisite. These documents were calculated to explain the views of Friends in the interesting and benevolent design of ameliorating the condition, and promoting the civilization of the Indians, and also to impress the public mind with the peculiarly distressed situation of the aborigines of our country generally.

A surveyor being furnished by Friends, some essay was made, in the course of this year, towards dividing the Alleghany reservation into lots, as had previously been concluded on in general council. But difficulties occurred among the Indians respecting it, which they were not at that time able to reconcile; as the division lines would in many instances interfere with their present improvements; and their local attachments having, in a considerable degree, been increased since they become more detached in their settlements and applied themselves to the pursuits of an agricultural life, the plan of division was abandoned for the present.

It may here be proper to state, that in their former practice of locating the land they wished to cultivate, they never interfered with each other’s boundaries. There was land sufficient for them all. Each family possessed the spot upon which they settled, without interruption from others; and if they wished to relinquish it, and remove to another, they might sell their improvements to other Indians. It is, therefore, not surprising, that in effecting so radical a change from their former customs, as the one contemplated, difficulties should occur--and it will require time for local prejudices, gradually to give way to the more enlightened views of civilization, and for more correct ideas of distinct property to be realized.

Notwithstanding the state of unsettlement, considerable improvement in divers respects, was apparent this year, especially at the Cattaraugus settlement. A school for the first time was opened at that place, by a young man who offered for that service, and was attended by a number of children, with as much regularity as could reasonably be expected.

In the year 1819, and for some time previous, the Indians on the Alleghany river had got much in the practice of cutting and rafting pine timber down the river, and selling to white people, which was rather an injury to them than otherwise, as it opened an intercourse with some of the most profligate of the whites, and exposed them more to the use of intoxicating liquors than when at home, engaged in their agricultural labours. It also had a tendency to frustrate the plan of dividing their land into lots, as they now had liberty to range at large in the woods and get timber where they pleased, while the land remained as common stock to the nation.

In the spring of this year, an Indian, who was a lad when Friends first settled amongst them, and who had since been instructed in the blacksmith business, dictated a letter to the author, in reply to one sent to him sometime before, from which, to show his own views of the improvement he had made, we make the following extracts.

* * * * *

“I received thy letter of the eighteenth of last month, much to my satisfaction. I was glad to hear that my old friend W---- was well, and thou may inform him that I have usual health also. I well remember the counsel of my friends, the Quakers. I see they want to do me good--I feel strong about it. They told me to work at my trade, and to plough, and sow, and raise grain and grass. All this is very good advice. I now have plenty of corn, and some other grain, and hay. I have worked at my trade so as to earn ninety dollars, and received my pay from our agent. Besides this, about thirty dollars for other smithing, done last year. I feel glad the Quakers live so near me. I do their smithing. They have ploughed several days for me. I have good corn in the land they ploughed, and some good wheat, potatoes, and other things, so that I have plenty. All this comes from my friends the Quakers’ advice.

“Thee mentions about running out our land into lots, and that an evil bird has sung us a bad song. We are in hopes that the good bird will begin to sing, and in hopes that by next spring, his song will be for our good. I want he should sing a good song for us. I myself cannot say much, but I want the land divided into lots. Some say they do not want it, and are putting it by. I am glad thee has wrote thy mind on paper to me on this subject, and sent it here--I think I can see more light by it. I wish thee to make thy mind easy. I will do what I can, and speak what I know is for our good. I am in hopes to see my friend H---- here, whom I remember when I was a boy. I intend to keep thy letter by me, that I may see what it says in time to come, that I may not forget thy advice. Farewell.”

* * * * *

Notwithstanding the repeated assurances, from time to time, given to the Indians, that Friends were acting towards them from disinterested motives, and would never bring any charge against them, yet there were still individuals among them, probably instigated by the enemies of Friends among white people, who continued to excite jealousies and surmises, that Friends would at some future day, bring a charge against them. In order, therefore, to make their minds entirely easy on this _subject_, a writing was drawn up on parchment, containing the same assurances heretofore given, that Friends _never would bring any charge against them for their services_. This, as also a communication obtained from the President of the United States, respecting the division of their land, and sanctioning the plan of Friends, was forwarded to them, and seemed for the present to have a conciliating effect.

During this summer, an increasing improvement was manifested by several of the Indians, clearing themselves new farms, distinct from their former fields, and preparing to put in their crops, which they accomplished in due season.

In the summer of 1820, circumstances again requiring a visit from the committee to the Indian settlements, two other Friends and the writer, were deputed for that service. They proceeded to Tunesassa in the Ninth month; and after inspecting into the situation of the Indians, and their state of improvement, they found, that, although many had made considerable advances in agriculture and the modes of civilized life, yet there were individuals who probably being instigated by designing white men, or from a perverse disposition in themselves, had become inimical to their abandoning their former habits, and pursuing the mode of life in which Friends had for many years been endeavouring to instruct them. This created jealousy and party spirit in some degree among them at this period.

To meet these circumstances, and to endeavour to reconcile the minds of the Indians, a council was called, which their chiefs generally, and many others of their people, attended, to the number of about seventy.

The following is extracted from the address of Friends, delivered to them on this occasion.

* * * * *

“Brothers, by the permission of the Great and Good Spirit who made the world, and is acquainted with all the actions of men, we are permitted to meet in council, and we desire that he may help us to come to right conclusions.

“Brothers, it is now a long time since the Seneca nation became sensible that if they continued to exist as a people, they must change their mode of living from the hunter state, and engage in agricultural pursuits. They were very desirous that their brothers, the Quakers, would assist them. They believed it pleasing to the Great Spirit, that men should assist and help each other, and that Friends came amongst them for that purpose.

“Brothers, when our Friends first came among you, you had no good houses--very few cattle--very little land cultivated--your numbers were decreasing, and it appears certain to us, and to yourselves, that unless a change were made, you would fast dwindle away, and the Seneca nation become as it were dead.

“Brothers, some of our friends have been engaged in instructing you for more than twenty years. You have been taught to build more comfortable houses--you have enclosed and cultivated fields--you have much increased your stock of cattle, and other useful animals. Some of your men have been instructed in useful trades. Many of your women have learned to spin, and some of your children have been taught to read and write.

“Brothers, we love you, and therefore we feel bound to speak plainly to you. We hope our words may sink deep into your minds. It is the voice of your old and true friends, who have never deceived you. You must endeavour to improve in the habits of civilized life, until you arrive at the state of some of the best of the white people, or you will gradually go back until you lose what you have gained--your friends with mournful hearts will give you up--your lands will go from you--and the very name of the Seneca nation, like many that have gone before you, will only be known in history.

“Brothers, a man in the habit of taking strong drink to excess sets a bad example to his neighbours, and his family, and brings his poor wife and innocent children to poverty and distress. This conduct is offensive to the Great Spirit; and unless he changes, he becomes one of the most wretched of men. We wish you, therefore, to endeavour to reclaim such of your people as have fallen into this evil practice, and to warn those who may be in danger of contracting the habit.

“Brothers, we desire to stimulate you to increased industry. The industrious man is always the most comfortable. Labour is good for health; it makes the mind cheerful; and by steadily attending to business, we have the satisfaction to see every thing improving around us. What appeared hard, by perseverance becomes easy.

“Brothers, the greatest kindness a man can do to his children, is to begin early, to learn them to be industrious, and to engage them in business suitable to their years. The boys ought to help their fathers in the fields--the mothers and daughters to be engaged in spinning--in making clothes, in cooking victuals, and in all the business that is suitable to their sex--their houses, their beds, their clothes, and every thing about them, should be kept clean and in good order.

“Brothers, it is consistent with the will of the Great Spirit, that men and women should be connected in marriage. It is an engagement of great importance, and we should not enter into it, until we are of sufficient age to think and judge for ourselves; and when marriage is contracted, the parties are bound to help and love each other--to care for, and instruct their children--and while families live in love and harmony together, it is very comfortable and very good;--but when division gets in, and differing, it is the work of the evil spirit--and if man and wife separate and marry others, it produces confusion, and must be displeasing in the Divine sight, and no people can prosper and grow strong who are in such practices.

“Brothers, it is the duty of parents to have their children educated. The Great Spirit has given us minds capable of improvement, and by education children become more capable of learning the various trades, which will add to their comfort and happiness; and we believe it is right that the girls should be taught as well as the boys.

“Brothers, we have been desirous that the lands belonging to you might remain firm in your hands, that your children and children’s children might possess them. For this end, we advised you to divide to every family a farm, so that they might say, “this is mine,” and improve it for their own benefit. And although changes are at first subject to some difficulties, yet we believe those difficulties may be overcome.

“Brothers, on this subject you wished to have the mind of your father, the President of the United States, to strengthen you in the conclusion you had come to in general council, to divide the Alleghany reservation. You requested your friends in Philadelphia to go to the President, and obtain his opinion. One of us, who are now present, with some others, took a journey to Washington, for the purpose of complying with your request, and we found the President fully impressed with the necessity of such a measure, and he gave us a paper, in strong words, sealed with the great seal of the United States, and directed to the Alleghany chiefs, advising and urging that you might carry the business into effect, which paper was sent to you.

“Brothers, we hope you will keep your minds strong on this subject, for we shall hardly know how to go again to the President, and make requests on your behalf, if, when they are granted, they are not proceeded in.

“Brothers, our talk has been long. Circumstances seemed to require it; we hope you will consider it well. We love and desire the prosperity of you all; and although you may differ in opinion in some matters, yet we desire that the Good Spirit may unite your minds in love, and that you may all join in endeavours to promote education and improvement.”

* * * * *

The Indians took these matters into serious consideration, and promised to make a reply the day following--and when they assembled for that purpose, it was evident they were divided into two parties, and divers of them had become opposed to their children’s being instructed in school learning, giving this as a reason, “that they were more liable to be corrupted by bad white people.”

Much the greater part, however, continued to manifest an attachment to Friends, and, in their replies, gave hearty assurances of attending to their advice. They appeared to be fully sensible that remaining on their land, and pursuing the plan that Friends had pointed out to them, were the only means by which they could continue to be a nation. The chief sachem, named _Blue-Eyes_, in the course of his speech, remarked, “If we go from here we are a lost people. Look to the east, west, north, or south; all is filled up, and there is no place for us.”

On the subject of dividing their land, they appeared to be discouraged, owing to their divided state, and the opposition met with from some individuals, who no doubt were influenced by interested and _designing men_; as this great object would be the most likely means of settling the Indians in a permanent possession of the soil, and thereby frustrate _the avaricious designs_ of speculators. The secret insinuations of this class of the white people added much to the difficulties of Friends in pursuing their plans of civilization; nor was it to be wondered at, that individuals, among a people who had long been a prey to designing white men, should become alienated from Friends, and cease to follow their counsel.

At the close of this council, they were, however, reminded of the dangers to which they were exposing themselves, and the advantages that might be taken by their enemies, of their divided state, and especially by those who wished to obtain their lands. They were told that, “we still considered them as brethren--that we were not divided in our good wishes for them--that we had always desired, and continued to desire, the welfare of all Indians, and that, on bidding them farewell, on the present occasion, we still hoped the Great Spirit might incline their minds to unite together in love as brethren, and that they would yet join in promoting the education of their children, and in advancing in all the improvements that were necessary for the comfort and real benefit of man.”

From Alleghany the committee proceeded to the Cattaraugus settlement, and spent some time in viewing the improvements of the Indians at that place. They found that considerable progress had been made within three years past, in building houses, and enclosing more land on the rich fiats, which was cultivated with corn, oats, potatoes, turnips, and other vegetables of various kinds, affording a prospect of a plentiful supply of provisions.

A council was held with the Indians, and after an introductory speech from the chief warrior, which is customary on all such occasions, the following address was delivered to them.

* * * * *

“Brothers, having been preserved through a long journey, we are now, by the favour of the Great Spirit, enabled once more to meet you in council.

“Brothers, in passing through your land, we are glad to see that you are situated on a rich and fruitful soil, where, by reasonable care and industry, every thing necessary for a comfortable subsistence may be readily obtained.

“Brothers, it affords us satisfaction to observe the improvements you have already made--your well fenced fields, your corn, and other grain, and your cattle--and we feel, as your old and true friends, a strong desire that you may be stirred up to increased industry.

“Brothers, by perseverance and daily attention to business, the industrious man prospers, and is able to make a comfortable provision for his family; and it is not only our duty to labour for their support, but to train our children to assist in all the business they are capable of--to begin with them young, and thus, while they are useful to their parents, it adds greatly to their own real comfort.

“Brothers, by the united exertions of a family, much may be done. The house may be made more comfortable. Out houses may be erected to shelter the cattle. Barns may be built to store the grain and hay, to prevent injury from the weather. While the boys are engaged in assisting their fathers in these things, the girls ought to help their mothers in keeping the house clean, in spinning, in making clothes, in cooking victuals, and every business that is suitable for their sex.

“Brothers, by thus uniting in promoting improvements, you would soon make your farms to equal some of the best of your white neighbours; and if you would fully make the experiment, you would find that what we tell you is true.