“Brothers, it is now a long time since the white people have lived on this island. They have frequently told us they loved us—but none of them have ever tried to instruct us in cultivating our land before. We now see, brothers, that your society has manifested more regard for the welfare of the Indians, than any other people, for which we thank you. We also thank the Great Spirit that he has put it into your hearts to love and regard Indians.”
These Friends arrived in Philadelphia in the First month, 1801.—It was hoped that the labour bestowed upon those Indians would eventually prove a blessing to them, and that the spirit of industry that had been discovered in individuals, would gradually progress from family to family, and have a powerful and beneficial influence on many of the adjacent tribes-and, in time, also, on those more remote.
In the autumn of this year, the Stockbridge girls, who had been placed among Friends in the fall of 1797, were returned to their parents. They had acquired a considerable knowledge of school learning, and of spinning, knitting, sewing, and the different branches of housewifery.
To show a specimen of their improvement in school learning, I will here give a copy of a letter written by one of them, the following spring after their arrival among Friends, in which time she had acquired so much of the English language, as to enable her to convey her ideas by writing:
New Garden, Third mo. 10th, 1798.
“My dear mother: I will try to let thee know how I do so far from thee—I have been well ever since I left thee. I would be glad to see thee mother—I want to see thee, and brothers and sisters, and all Stockbridge friends—I want to see father—I like to live in this country pretty well—and dear friends clever—me live in clever house, very good man, make clocks—make porringers and spoons—me like to see him—I can knit stockings and spin—I have made sampler—I know how to mark my clothes, then I know my own—three girls make bonnets and do all work—I work a little, play a little—go to meeting a little—sometimes walk—sometimes ride on horseback, when roads are muddy—the girls’ mother very good old woman—I love her—she learns me to work.
Mary Peters.
My dear Brother—Me live well at very good house. I love thee, and sisters, and mother—I want see you all—Friends say, may be we all go back to Stockbridge before next winter—I think I have told thee all I can now, so bid thee farewell.