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Life of Thomas Eddy

SW_WH1793_Page_259

In reply to the third proposition—If the Indians askfor advice, after they may have determined on a sale,the advice proper to be given them must dependupon circumstances that may then be unfolded. Ifthey ask for advice, whether they had best removeto the westward, or, if it would be best for them toremain on their reservations, the sentiments ofFriends might then be communicated to them, and,if they should be fixed in their intention to makesale, perhaps it might be well to propose to them tosell one of their reservations, or, if each reservationbelongs to a particular tribe, then each tribe to sell aportion of their respective reservation; for the remain-der, (not sold,) they might, perhaps, be persuaded toemploy a surveyor, and have it divided into lots of100 acres each—a lot to be the separate property ofeach Indian family—to go by descent to nearest kin,in the same manner as estates with us. We have thus far, in freedom, endeavoured to ex-hibit to your view, our sentiments, as they haveoccurred; and have been more particular, as the landsare in this state, and, therefore, thought, perhaps,you might not be acquainted with all the circum-stances connected with the subject; but as you have been longer conversant with Indian affairs than our-selves, we leave the subject to your farther investiga-tion, and, if at any time we can be useful, we willvery readily attend to any farther communicationsyou may think proper to make to us. As to the situation of the Brothertown Indians,we may inform you, that many years ago, (perhapsthirty,) the Oneidas, taking into consideration thesituation of the remains of several tribes of Indianson the east end of Long Island, Narraganset, andother parts near the sea shore, concluded to makethem a present of a piece of land, (now called Bro-thertown,) six miles square, without the power ofalienation. Some families of those Indians movedon to this tract, and the white people soon got in