hv_coatesi_account_1798_096

from Grand river. Our young men here informed us therewas some improvement among the Oneidassince they came, although not such as they wishedto have seen. 25th 2nd day. The Oneidas not having compliedwith the wishes of Friends, as expressed to them twoyears ago, a council was, this afternoon, held onthe subject. Tere are computed to be about 600 ofthese Indians, all told, and are scattered over 10or 12 miles, though the largest number is with-in two miles of this place, They have a largeinclosure here of perhaps two hundred acres,where they keep their horses, cows, and swine, (Theyhave more horses than are necessary,) and in the enclo-sure are many of their houses. They plant theircorn, sow their wheat and oats, and have their mead-ow lots without any fence. It looks likely they will have to change thismode of farming before long, for they have soldtheir land, and the white people are fast settelingon it. They have put up several houses thisspring, and we saw a number of cattle in the woodswithin two miles of the Indian's corn. There are several good houses among theIndians. One of the chiefs has his painted red, The main road from Albany to the western