SW_BYM1806_021

These chiefs appeared to be much rejoiced atthe assistance, Friends proposed to render them;and, in reply to that part of our communication,observed, That it was their anxious wish, toengage in the culture of their lands; for althoughthe game was not so scarce, but that they couldget enough to eat; yet they were sensible it wasdaily diminishing, and that the time was not fardistant, when they should be compelled to takehold of such tools, as they saw in the handsof the white people. The committee, on a weighty consideration ofthe subject, being from their former experienceunited in judgment, that no great progress couldbe made in the civilization of the Indians, whilethey were so abundantly supplied with distilledspirits, concluded to address Congress on thesubject. Their memorial was favourably re-ceived, and a law passed, which in some mea-sure provided a remedy for the evil. As it now appeared to the committee, that theprincipal obstruction to the introduction of agri-culture amongst the Indians was removed, theyfelt themselves encouraged to proceed in theirundertaking; and accordingly provided a con-siderable number of implements of husbandry;such as ploughs, hoes, axes &;c. which were for-