NYYM_scrapbook_036

Brothertown 27th of 1st Mo. 1813 Esteemed Friend Samuel Parsons Understanding the Committy expect to meet the 8th of 2nd Mo. we after consulting the subject, felt it our duty to com- municate the situation of the poor Natives under Friends care, as to the Onondagos they appear to have Nearly a supply of Grain for themselves, but their Cattle must (to all appearance) one quarter of them die for want of hay and other foders unless they are helped soon--one yoke of the oxen belonging to the Committy strayed away soon after James Mott G Seamon &; C Willitts was the last we heard they had ben gone 2 Months or more then had not ben heard of tho a great pains had ben taken,--supposed to be off in some --as it respects Brothertown Stockbridge and Oneida they will be in Great want of Bread, the Corn being cut off which was their main Dependence many of the poor people will suffer unless assisted, two yoke of old oxen belonging to the Com. was sent to Joseph Frost from Oneida worn down very thin he rec. them some time in 11th 18/11 they are sold on one years cred. to the best Market could be obtained--as it Respects Absalom &; Ruth Hatfield he continues very ill unable to walk to the barn to take care of his own flock this has ben his situation for nearly two years past, and their situation is truly a trajec one we feel much for them beleave they require the simpathy of Friends--but when we take into view the concern of Friends for the instruction of the poor Indians in Husbandry &;c we become feelingly exercised and it is no new thing with us we have ben looking for others to become under a simaler exercise and it is no small releaf to our minds to find some are taking a feeling part and looking into the real situation of things. We desire Friends would suffer us to Communicate a fea- while we humbly hope we are actuated by no other motive then in union with the concern of Friends for the Good of the poor Natives. The situation of Absalom is such that it appears to us that they are unable to answer the expected views of the Committy all tho we feel tenderly for them and wish them so treated as not to hurt their tender tried minds, yet we have beleaved for some time past that seting asyde their ability, some other measure might be adapted which would be more advantage to the poor Natives, now seeing it is attended with so many difficulties and such Great expence for a Famely's living among them we have beleaved that if these difficulties could be removed and the money layd out to a better advantage for these Dear People the Committy would feel it their Duty with us to adopt such a plan. Now we have thought that if Akers Wrothbone (he living neerest) or some other person should spend all the time he could aford for one hundred dollars in teaching them in the art of Husbandry taking care of their tools &;c and at suitable times to work with them in the season of gitting in their seed of different kinds this sum would inable him to spend at least 3 days in a Week through the season which would be of Great use to these people this would answer in part the place of a Famely and remove some of the attendant Difficulties, and save to the Committy at least two- hundred dollars which sum might the be lay'd out to a good advantage in precuring implements of Husbandry and keeping them in repare and in purchising wool flax and seed of various kind, this would be another great advantage to thes poor People--besides they could have the Farm Now ocupied by Friends which would be another advantage to them in precuring the Comforts of life allso they might have the and tools now made use of by Friends to cultivate Sd. Farm, as it respects the spining school we would Recommend the same plan adobted as at Newstockbridge--there are several Oneida Women who are well acquainted with the art of Spining and neting who we have no doubt would be pleased to have so much Notice taken of them as to be imployed (for a small reward) in teaching their Nation the same art, they would have this advantage of explain- ing things to them in language they could understand; now it Seems to us that if some such plan as above should be adobted it would more then supply the place of a Famely--the views of the Committy better answered by the poor people's receiving a greater advantage--besids save Friends from this evil report which we have heard some say the Friends are there to get their living out of the poor Indians This alls (in our oppinion) would be the most effectual step to remove the like suspitions of the Indians and gain their confidence and remove all those attendant difficulties of a Famelys living among them and save a Famely from that tried situation. All which we humbly submit for consideration. Desiring above all Dear Friends that we might all be ingaged for that Sperit which will unite us together as in one Sperit and one mind this would be a good prepariation for teaching others. Respecting the Land which