Notwithstanding the repeated assurances, from time to time, given to the Indians, that Friends were acting towards them from disinterested motives, and would never bring any charge against them, yet there were still individuals among them, probably instigated by the enemies of Friends among white people, who continued to excite jealousies and surmises, that Friends would at some future day, bring a charge against them. In order, therefore, to make their minds entirely easy on this subject, a writing was drawn up on parchment, containing the same assurances heretofore given, that Friends never would bring any charge against them for their services. This, as also a communication obtained from the President of the United States, respecting the division of their land, and sanctioning the plan of Friends, was forwarded to them, and seemed for the present to have a conciliating effect.
During this summer, an increasing improvement was manifested by several of the Indians, clearing themselves new farms, distinct from their former fields, and preparing to put in their crops, which they accomplished in due season.
In the summer of 1820, circumstances again requiring a visit from the committee to the Indian settlements, two other Friends and the writer, were deputed for that service. They proceeded to Tunesassa in the Ninth month; and after inspecting into the situation of the Indians, and their state of improvement, they found, that, although many had made considerable advances in agriculture and the modes of civilized life, yet there were individuals who probably being instigated by designing white men, or from a perverse disposition in themselves, had become inimical to their abandoning their former habits, and pursuing the mode of life in which Friends had for many years been endeavouring to instruct them. This created jealousy and party spirit in some degree among them at this period.
To meet these circumstances, and to endeavour to reconcile the minds of the Indians, a council was called, which their chiefs generally, and many others of their people, attended, to the number of about seventy.
The following is extracted from the address of Friends, delivered to them on this occasion.
“Brothers, by the permission of the Great and Good Spirit who made the world, and is acquainted with all the actions of men, we are permitted to meet in council, and we desire that he may help us to come to right conclusions.
“Brothers, it is now a long time since the Seneca nation became sensible that if they continued to exist as a people, they must change their mode of living from the hunter state, and engage in agricultural pursuits. They were very desirous that their brothers, the Quakers, would assist them. They believed it pleasing to the Great Spirit, that men should assist and help each other, and that Friends came amongst them for that purpose.
“Brothers, when our Friends first came among you, you had no good houses—very few cattle—very little land cultivated—your numbers were decreasing, and it appears certain to us, and to yourselves, that unless a change were made, you would fast dwindle away, and the Seneca nation become as it were dead.