NYYM_minutes_Page_103

To the Yearly Meeting The Committee on the concern relative to the civilization and welfare of the Indians report, that in endeavoring to carry into effect the design of their appointment they have been comforted in a belief, that the situation of many of the Indians has been made more comfortable by their improvements in agriculture &; by an increased care among them in avoiding the intemperate use of Spirituous Liquors At Oneida a number have made considerable advancement in farming. They generally had plenty of corn for their own use, and considerable wheat in the ground inclosed with good fence; a school has been kept up during the last six months by Absalom &; Ruth Hatfield; about thirty scholars attended, and many of them made tolerable good progress in learning: the Indians having expressed a desire to be taught spinning, knitting &; weaving, the Committee directed