NYYM_scrapbook_084

Brothers &; Friends at Different times when you Visited the Onondaga Nation you Recommened to them to Cultivate their Lands I Belong to the Onnondaga Nation &; I am happy to inform you that I am one who have followed your advice I have Cultivated and Improved as much as I was able, but in Consequence of my having nothing to begin with I have made but little progress, Brothers I am a young man but still I wish to act like an old man I Beleive that man is wise when he Endeavours to get his living by Cultivating the land which the Great Spirit has Given us Brothers Now hear, it is my wish to Cultivate more land but I must be assisted in order to do this by some friends who are Interested in the welfare and prosperity of the Indians it is more than five years I have struggled to Get along in improving my land but for want of a suitable team I have Laboured under Great Disadvantages Brothers Now Listen to the petition of David Hill the subscriber of this, and hear his prayer which is that some of the sosiety of friends which have Heretofore been very friendly to the Indians, will help him to a yoke of Oxen on a Credit of two years, he is willing to pay one half in one year unless some misfortune befall him and the whole at the Expiration of the time afore Mentioned her has no wish to have the Cattle Gratis but wishes by this assistance to show you what he can do in that time if Prosperd If the friend feel willing to supply him with Chains and Yoke they shall also be paid for them, this is the sincere Request of your Indian friend who has always had a Desire to follow you Good Advice David X his mark Hill Albany March 17th 1819. I here certify, that David Hill, is a young man of good habits and very industrious. I heartly wish his success to all his undertakings. Eleazer Williams Missionary to the Oneida Indians