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New York Yearly Meeting Committee on Indian Concerns Scrapbook

NYYM_scrapbook_122

business are forbidden. Father In that Treaty we agreed that no compulsion should be used by either of the parties. But now I.J. Schermerhorn has already used as it were force in taking our men to the West clandestinely. Furthermore we believe that comm- unications have been dispatched to you purporting to be the voice of the Six Nations, but which in reality have not been acted upon in our Councils. Father-- We sincerely hope that all such (if any there may be) may not be considered or treated as the sentiments of the Six Nations. We will now acquaint you with our views res- pecting the removal of our people west of the Mississippi We have resolved to adhere to our present locations to remain and lay our bones by the side of our forefathers. We believe we can continue at home and be at peace with our neighbours. We have disposed of our lands again and again until our seats are reduced so that they are now but just sufficient for our children to live on. We are now surrounded on every side by the White People. We love them and suffer no inconvenience from them; but on the Contrary, we desire from them great and permanent assistance. They are kind and generous hearted people, they treat us kindly. We believe that we have fulfilled our obligations to each other and to the treaty of Peace and Friendship which we made. We have been born and educated in the same land, we have grown up together in brotherly love; We have acquired a knowledge of the arts of civilization and of agriculture in a great measure from them: We have now many amongst us who have built large barns, and who have good waggons and other useful implements of agriculture. We have also built school and Council houses and convenient Churches: We have several saw mills and a grain mill amongst us. Our people have made rapid advances already and are still progressing in wealth and industry. The moral condition of our people has been visibly improving beyond our expectation for the last forty years: True we have also immoral and imprincipled men amongst us: But this is common with all nations. There is therefore no sufficient reason for the whole nation to be removed on their account. Father--One more, We have heard your liberal offers in connection with your instructions to your agent read to us by Judge Stryker. We have understood them well. But with all the light thus thrown upon the subject we cannot see sufficient reasons for accepting them. We believe that our comforts here are better than the Western territory can offer us. We know that from the sincerity of their hearts our people do not wish to accept, and it would be heart rending for us and our people to be induced to do so con- trary to our voices and feelings. Father We have been repeatedly assured by all the Presidents and even by your predecessor, that the right of choice should be left entirely free. That we may go or stay as we choose. We believe our new father will follow the steps of the wide and good Presidents who have gone before: We suppose that the people have elected a good and philanthropic man for their chief magistrated We therefore hope sincerely, that you will suffer no improper means to be used for seducing our people to acquiesee in the proposition made by our agent. Father, Permit us now in closind this letter to commend your health and soundness of spirit to the care of the great Spirit of Heaven. Done in general Council of the Six Nations on Buffalo Creek reservation this 2nd day of October 1837. In presence of Jonathan Hoyt Judge of the county of Erie N.Y.Moses Bristol M.D. of the city of Buffalo