“Brothers, our talk has been long. Circumstances seemed to require it; we hope you will consider it well. We love and desire the prosperity of you all; and although you may differ in opinion in some matters, yet we desire that the Good Spirit may unite your minds in love, and that you may all join in endeavours to promote education and improvement.”
The Indians took these matters into serious consideration, and promised to make a reply the day following—and when they assembled for that purpose, it was evident they were divided into two parties, and divers of them had become opposed to their children’s being instructed in school learning, giving this as a reason, “that they were more liable to be corrupted by bad white people.”
Much the greater part, however, continued to manifest an attachment to Friends, and, in their replies, gave hearty assurances of attending to their advice. They appeared to be fully sensible that remaining on their land, and pursuing the plan that Friends had pointed out to them, were the only means by which they could continue to be a nation. The chief sachem, named Blue-Eyes, in the course of his speech, remarked, “If we go from here we are a lost people. Look to the east, west, north, or south; all is filled up, and there is no place for us.”
On the subject of dividing their land, they appeared to be discouraged, owing to their divided state, and the opposition met with from some individuals, who no doubt were influenced by interested and designing men; as this great object would be the most likely means of settling the Indians in a permanent possession of the soil, and thereby frustrate the avaricious designs of speculators. The secret insinuations of this class of the white people added much to the difficulties of Friends in pursuing their plans of civilization; nor was it to be wondered at, that individuals, among a people who had long been a prey to designing white men, should become alienated from Friends, and cease to follow their counsel.
At the close of this council, they were, however, reminded of the dangers to which they were exposing themselves, and the advantages that might be taken by their enemies, of their divided state, and especially by those who wished to obtain their lands. They were told that, “we still considered them as brethren—that we were not divided in our good wishes for them—that we had always desired, and continued to desire, the welfare of all Indians, and that, on bidding them farewell, on the present occasion, we still hoped the Great Spirit might incline their minds to unite together in love as brethren, and that they would yet join in promoting the education of their children, and in advancing in all the improvements that were necessary for the comfort and real benefit of man.”
From Alleghany the committee proceeded to the Cattaraugus settlement, and spent some time in viewing the improvements of the Indians at that place. They found that considerable progress had been made within three years past, in building houses, and enclosing more land on the rich fiats, which was cultivated with corn, oats, potatoes, turnips, and other vegetables of various kinds, affording a prospect of a plentiful supply of provisions.
A council was held with the Indians, and after an introductory speech from the chief warrior, which is customary on all such occasions, the following address was delivered to them.
“Brothers, having been preserved through a long journey, we are now, by the favour of the Great Spirit, enabled once more to meet you in council.