About Manuscripts Profiles Maps Map Gallery Credits

Reports of the Indian Committee to New York Yearly Meeting, 1795-1806

SW_NYYM_reports_Page_020

New York The Committee on the concern of this Meeting relative to the Indian Natives, more particularly those situated on the Frontiers of this State now made the following Report vizs. To the Yearly Meeting - The Committee appointed on the concern of the Yearly Meeting relative to the Indians, have had divers opportunities of conference thereon during the course of last year, and given such attention to the subject as way open'd - Three of the Committee appointed to visit that People report - They spent about aWeek among the Brothertown, Stockbridge, and Oneida Tribes, and inform, That altho in some respects things among them look discouraging, their easy access to spirituous Liquors, from the Whites settled around them, induces too many to the excessive use thereof, which joined to their common habit of Indolence, greatly obstructs the cultivation of their Land, and improvement in other respects; yet they found in each Nation those that were sober and industrious, and making agreeable improvements - That notwithstanding the many difficulties and discouragements, they labour under, the Committee thought they were making advancement in Agriculture; and that there were among them, who are not only sober and industrious, but religiously disposed, particularly among the Females, and visits from friends appeared to be very acceptable, and particularly so to this Class, and that on the whole they believe, a continuation of care suitably extended towards that People, may probably be attended with salutary effects. A communication in Writing from the Brothertown Tribe, sign'd by a number of both Sexes, and addressed to this Committee hath been received, and we apprehend it proper to subjoin a copy of it to this Report, That the Yearly Meeting may have it read should friends incline to it. Being impressed with a desire to aid and encourage our brethern the Indians to pursue those Things which will be promotive of their present &; future welfare - the committee thought it right to communicate with several of the Tribes through the medium of Epistles, which being prepared, were accordingly transmitted to the Brothertown, Stockbridge, &; Oneida Nations - And altho we still feel the concer to be interesting, yet it must be acknowledged, the work of Civilization is a gradual one, and that a considerable time necessarily must elapse in much