Friends now had a free and open conference with the Indians, on the subject of relinquishing that settlement, and told them, as they had at the first, that they came not among them to make them presents that would soon slide away, but to teach them some of the useful practices of the white people; that they had now set before them a clear example, and showed them what a great deal of produce for the support of life, might be raised from a small piece of land; and expressed a hope they would take their advice, and follow the example they had set before them, informing them that there were a great many more of their Indian brethren that stood in need of assistance and instruction—and hoped they would be satisfied with what was already done for them.
To the communications of Friends on this occasion, an ancient chief, Skenandoah, made the following reply, on behalf of the nation:—
“Brother Onas attend. We know you told us you came not amongst us to make us presents that would soon wear away, but to stay some time—to instruct us how to gain a comfortable living, by tilling the ground, as the white people do. Now you have staid the time you proposed, and have fulfilled all your engagements to our nation, and we shall follow the good example you have set before us, which we know would be of lasting benefit to us; and we thankfully acknowledge your kindness, having never heard of any people who have done so much for Indians, without any view of advantage to themselves—which is a convincing proof to us that you are our real friends. And we are glad the good spirit has put it into your minds to assist others of our Indian brethren, in learning the same good way of living, for which we also thank you, as well as for the good advice you gave us about strong drink; and we will try all we can to persuade our young men to do better.
“And now Brothers, if we have done any thing that displeases you, we wish you would tell us, that our friendship may remain bright; for now we know you are a true people, and we will keep this writing and tell our young men and children every year, that they may always remember your friendship.”
Near the close of the year, the Friends at Oneida having made the necessary arrangements about the distribution of the property, which consisted of between two and three hundred bushels of grain, a quantity of hay, a cow, a number of hogs, a cart, ploughs, harrows, carpenter’s and smith’s tools, household and kitchen furniture, all for the benefit of the Indians, they had a parting conference with them, when they presented them with the following address in writing.
“Brothers of the Oneida nation. We are now about to leave you, and return to our respective homes. We desire to speak to you in a few words. You know it is more than three years since your friends, the people called Quakers, have been endeavouring to assist and instruct you how to gain a comfortable living, by cultivating your land, and some of us who are here, have left our near connexions and friends in order to be useful to your nation.
“Now, Brothers, we have set before you a clear example, how to till your land, so as to raise plenty of wheat, and other good things for your support. We wish you, therefore, to improve the opportunity, by which means you may come to live happy and plentifully by the fruits of your own industry and care. We have often told you that we want nothing from you for all our trouble and expense, but the improvement of your nation.
“Brothers, you have now the advantage of having most of your smith work done by your own people, which is not the case with any of your brethren to the westward. If you do not improve the advantages you have, you must blame yourselves for your poverty and distress. We entreat you, therefore, to be wise for your own interest, and leave off the practice of drinking strong drink, (for you know it has been the cause of most of your difficulties,) and try to pursue a sober, industrious course of life. Then we believe the good spirit will bless you with lasting benefits; and as we have endeavoured to live in peace among you, we wish you to live in peace one with another, that your good example may be a blessing to your children—always remembering, that your welfare and happiness as well as the improvement of your children will depend much on your sobriety and industry.
“Brothers, we now leave you, hoping your good understanding will incline you to pursue the way we have endeavoured to point out to you. We now bid you farewell.”
The Indians, both of the Oneida and Stockbridge tribes, made replies of considerable length to our friends on this parting opportunity, in which they expressed their sense of gratitude for the many services Friends had rendered them; and, among other things, stated, that “they would endeavour to pursue the path Friends had pointed out to them,” and further added:—