BYM_Page_143

Brothers, We believe your intentions towards your red brethrenare good, for which we are thankful to you; we hope thatthe Great Spirit will continue it in your hearts, to relieveyour red brethren, who are at this time much in want of youraid. Brothers,We received with pleasure the implements of husbandry you sent us; we have endeavoured to use them but we have not been able to make right use of them, for want of some personto teach us how they are used. Brothers,You are come amongst us as it were this morning, the sun hasnot yet risen to 12 o’clock; you have not stayed all night with us.The families you have visited amongst us, are well pleased withyou, and confidently receive you as their brothers: we therefore,hope you will continue amongst us, as we believe our attachmentwill increase with the time you are with us. The committee have lately received another letter fromthe Indian agent, in which he says that the Indiansat Dennis’s Station, as well as those at the Little Turtle’s Town,eighteen miles north of Dennis’s Station, are advancing towardscivilization, exceeding all that could have been expected. We have examined the treasurer’s accompts, and find in his hands219 dollars and 41 cents.The committee, in concluding their report, are free to observe,that upon a review of the progress made towards the accomplish-ment of the object of their appointment, there appears to be greatcause of encouragement for Friends to persevere in this truly lauda-ble and interesting concern, which has prospered, beyond the expec-tations of Friends, at the time they first engaged in the undertak-ing: and clearly demonstrates to the discerning mind, that ithath indeed been divinely owned; and no discouragement or ob-straction now appearing, but the want of funds, the committeeaffectionately address themselves to the feelings of Friends. Theydeem it not improper to remind them that the soil, from which,through the mercy and goodness of Divine Providence, we deriveso many comforts and blessings, was once the inheritance of thispeople. A small part of the abundance with which we are blessedwould, if rightly applied at the present time, be the means of ad-ministering great comfort and advantage to them; and it is all-important, that the present favourable crisis should be improved:for if an opinion were to obtain amongst them, that Friends arewithdrawing their aid, they may become discouraged, and returnto their former mode of living for support, and thereby againbecome plunged into that poverty and wretchedness, from which,by the aid of the Friends, they are just emerging. The committee,therefore fell themselves warranted in saying, that they believe, thevery existence of nations may depend upon the part we now act inthis business; they also consider, that the reputation of society isdeeply interested in the active prosecution of the concern; andfeel an earnest desire, that if the meeting should see it right tocontinue them, Friends may be stimulated to more liberality, as itis altogether impracticable for the committee to continue their ex-ertions without the aid of additional funds. Signed on behalf of the Committee, Evan Thomas Jonathan Jessop Asa Moore David Greave It appears by a minute of the Yearly Meetingthat Philip Dennis Horton Howard are added to the committeeAdjourned The following minutes are loose, but appear to have been tipped in at one time. Balto. 1 mo 23 1807 At a special meeting of the sub committeeon Indian concerns present Evan Thomas ElishaTyson Gerard T. Hopkins &; Philip E. Thomasand The Treasurer, who informed that a draft was presented to him drawn by William Wells on thefunds of the committee for advancesto Wm &;Mahlon Kirk; and as it was for $more than they had stated in their account tohave received from Wells he waited the instructtions of the committee before he felt himselfauthorised to pay the draft The committee on considering the circumstances concluded that Mahlon had probablyreceived some supplies since Wm Kirk left thatcountry and directed the treasurer to pay the draft and charge the amount which appearsoverdrawn to the debit of Mahlon Kirkthen adjourned