SW_HJ1830_011

wards the bed which you have made for us, and to ask of you a bed for themselves and their children, that will not slide from under them. Father, we thank you for your presents to us, and rely on your pro-mise to instruct us in raising corn as the white people do. The sooner you do this the better for us, and we thank you for the care which you have taken to prevent bad people from coming to trade among us. If any come without your license, we will turn them back, and we hope our nation will determine to spill all the rum that shall hereafter be brought to our towns. Father, you have not asked of us any surety for peace on our part, but we have agreed to send nine Seneca boys to be under your care for education - tell us at what time you will receive them, and they shall be sent at that time. This will assure you that we are indeed at peace with you, and determined to continue so. If you can teach them to be wise and good men, we will take care that our nation shall be willing to be instructed by them. Signed in the presence of Joseph Nicholson, interpreter. Attest, Thomas Proctor, Timothy Matlack. Philadelphia,February 7th, 1791. The foregoing extracts may serve to show the strong point of view in which the faith of the United States was pledged to protect the In-dians in their rightful possessions. And this interview with the Presi-dent opened the way for the introduction of civilized habits among the Seneca nation of Indians, subsequently commenced and prosecuted by the society of Friends. Some account of their proceedings may here-after be given, in which the writer of this was for many years actively engaged. It is, in the first place, his design to give a sketch of their manners and customs, at the time these operations were commenced - being the result of observation, during his residence and frequent visits among the Seneca nation, as well as from the most authentic infor-mation collected from other well acquainted with their habits and manners. This sketch, written many years ago, will consist in a brief view of their persons, dress, houses, provisions - hardships imposed upon the fe-males, economy, intercourse with one another, treatment of their chil-dren, employment of the men - hunting, their belief in the Great Spirit, opinion of the evil spirit, place of happiness after death, place of punish-ment, religious ceremonies, sacrifices, mourning for the dead, supersti-tious notions, banquets, marriages, government, mode of appointing chiefs, punishments, hyeroglyphics, idea of the globe, &;c.