NYYM_scrapbook_048

Newhartford 3 mo 16th 1816 Dear Friends John Murry jr. &; Sam. Parsons Alltho I have not writen for some time yet the subject of Indian affairs still rests on my mind, the Onondaga tribe have often Requested some assistance in building them a sawmill, which subject has occupied my mind and the minds of Friends here who feel a concern for them, but there being no way opening to us sufficiant to make a Propersition to the Committee untill of late therefore it has ben delayed. Ehraim Webster as well as Friends here have thought it might be of Great Use to them--and Ehraim Webster has had some encouragement to his proposel which was-- that if Friends should see it right to assist the Indians and do a part, he and the Indians would do the other part, that there was a Man who lived adjoining near where the Mill aught to be built who is a Millright and was friendly to the Indians and would do the Mill work and teach the Indians how to tend and keep the Mill in repare--it was proposed to E. Webster to assertain from the Millright the prabibel expense, and let us know and we would Communicate to some of the Committee at New York and as soon as we Rec. an answare we would let him know--E Webster is of opinion and so am I--that this Mill if it could be built would be of great utility to them perhaps as general a benifit as any thing Freinds could at present do for them--This bill we have not rec. but if Friends should feel it right to do something to encourage them in building sd. Mill I have thought to stipulate a particular sum would be well--and I have thought of two hundred dollars. This sum would pay for the Irons &; geering the Indians could more conveniantly do the rest