NYYM_scrapbook_211

General Remarks. After having spent several months in travelling among the Indians located on our western frontier; and having used our ut- most endeavours to gather such facts and information as we apprehended might be useful or interesting to our Society and the Community at large; we deem it right for us to submit points; for the future con- sideration and action of the Society of Friends on behalf of the Aborigines of our land. During our visit among the Indians many circumstances were apparent, which in our opinion tended to prevent thier advancement in civilization and otherways. We are aware that much labour and prop- erty is expended yearly on thier behalf, and yet it is sad to relate that these poor benighted and almost friendless beings are daily diminishing in numbers, and sinking deeper and deeper in misery and woe. There are but few to look into thier wants, or to raise a voice against the mal-practices of the numerous unprincipaled white men who infest thier country in order to obtain the mon- ey annually paid to them; and at the same time are practising the most degra- ding and immoral conduct. If the hand of the destroyer is not spee- dily staid, in all human probability it will be but a few years before this once numerous race will be numbered with the nations are not. Nearly all the Tribes are decreasing yearly, and some of them at the rapid rate of from tw- elve to twenty per cent. The present condition of the elder part of the uncivilized Tribes is such (having long been a prey to the unprincipaled white men,) that we can not look for much change for the better in many of them--yet in beholding the younger men and women, and the little children, who all appeared endowed with talents for improvement equal to the whites, we were encouraged to look forward with a hope of better days, for this poor unfortunate and almost friendless people, if the christian community should without delay use thier influence to remove the prominent obstacles now in the way of thier civilization. First, we would remark that the Indians who have been removed from the east to the west side of the Mississippi River appear to be in an unsettled state, and entertain fears of being again removed. They say they have no guarantee from Government, that they shall remain on these lands any longer time than it may suit the convinience of the whites; and some of them are desirous that friends should use thier influence to have thier lands secured to them, in fee simple for ever; that thier fears on this account may be quieted, and they encouraged to lay up something for themselves and thier children. Secondly--Nearly all the Tribes have annuities paid them in goods or money, quite sufficient in most cases to make them comforable during the year, if rightly applied. Each Tribe recieves all thier money at one payment, and this money passes from them in the course of a few days; and in nearly every instance the poor ignorant Indian has nothing of value to show for it, but is in fact made more miserable on account of it We would suggest to the Committee that it may be proper for our Society to use thier influ- ence, in endeavouring to bring about a change in the manner in which these payments are made, so as to place thier money if possible, out of the reach of whiskey sellers, licensed traders and agents of the Fur companies. We are aware, that to effect such a change would be attended with much diffuculty; but the good that would arise to the Indians would warrant friends in making some sacrifice, to effect so desirable an object. The Indians in thier present state are very improvident; and in most cases incapable of managing thier affairs, and expending thier money to advantage. We would not hold out to the world, that they are recieving more than thier due, but in as much as the Government consider them as thier wards, they should extend thier guardianship a little further, and not leave them so much exposed to the avaricious unprincipled traders. The Indians in general are not governed by by moral or religious principles, and every means is used to place before them such things as will entice thier appetites and passions; and having but little to restrain them, they are immediately drawn into temptation; and the work of destruction goes on, while they are possessed of anything that is valuable, or have any credit left. We believe it may be proper for Friends to urge upon our Government the necessity of adopting more effectual measures to prevent this work of destruction against this deeply aggrieved and injured people; for however well disposed Government may be in paying them large annuities; it is in our view an undeniable fact, that the Indians are made more miserable by any dollar of annuity money paid them--and that if this money must con- tinue to be thus wasted, it would be far better to have it paid directly to the whiskey dealers and traders; and an incalculable amount of misery would be sa- ved to the Indians by such a change. Another source of immorality and misery is thier near location to the Military posts. While the ostensible object of these fortifica- tions is to guard the Indians on the frontier, from being harmed by the wild Tribes, and to prevent hostilities between them and the frontier settlers, the licentiousness practiced by the soldiery and the female Indians in every Tribe, is too gross to be mentioned; the effect of which is to destroy the morals of many of the whites, and to entail wretch- edness, misery and death upon thousands of the Indians. In regard to thier farming operations, we would remark; that the manner in which Government expends the Indian appropriations for agriculture is to prepare and carry on a farm at a suitable place on the land owned by the Tribe, as a pat- tern or sample farm--this manner of farming is attended with considerable expence, and in most cases, of little apparent adbantage to the Indians, they being more like children, who cannot set themselves to work, but might be assisted in carrying it on; if they had for a few years suitable instructors, not only to show, but also to help them do the work. Therefore we thought, to warrant success, it would be important to employ persons, to give daily attention, and assist each Indian in the management of his own particular lot. One man could assist twenty or more persons, and it would be desirable that some of these men should have wives with them, who should be employed to instruct the women in the various branches of housewifery, for we think much more may be expected, from the im- provement of the women than the men; the women being more associated with the chil- dren, and much better acquainted with habits of industry. This mode of instruction would not be attended with much more expense, than the pattern farm system, and would promise better success. Those Indians who live in wigwams are much inclined to rove, and it is not uncommon for them to remove several times during the summer--on this account it seemed very important that they should be encouraged to abandon the wigwam altogether, and to live in houses, and to have private lots attached well enclosed, so that an individual interest might be excited, instead of having things in common as they now do; for unless such an interest can be raise among them, it will be very difficult to make much improvement in many of the Tribes. We would also give a few hints upon education. The Indians being so prejudiced aga- inst the white people, are very much averse to thier children being educated by them, either in or out of thier own nation; and boys who