“Brothers, in passing through your land, we are glad to see that you are situated on a rich and fruitful soil, where, by reasonable care and industry, every thing necessary for a comfortable subsistence may be readily obtained.
“Brothers, it affords us satisfaction to observe the improvements you have already made—your well fenced fields, your corn, and other grain, and your cattle—and we feel, as your old and true friends, a strong desire that you may be stirred up to increased industry.
“Brothers, by perseverance and daily attention to business, the industrious man prospers, and is able to make a comfortable provision for his family; and it is not only our duty to labour for their support, but to train our children to assist in all the business they are capable of—to begin with them young, and thus, while they are useful to their parents, it adds greatly to their own real comfort.
“Brothers, by the united exertions of a family, much may be done. The house may be made more comfortable. Out houses may be erected to shelter the cattle. Barns may be built to store the grain and hay, to prevent injury from the weather. While the boys are engaged in assisting their fathers in these things, the girls ought to help their mothers in keeping the house clean, in spinning, in making clothes, in cooking victuals, and every business that is suitable for their sex.
“Brothers, by thus uniting in promoting improvements, you would soon make your farms to equal some of the best of your white neighbours; and if you would fully make the experiment, you would find that what we tell you is true.
“Brothers, it is good that parents tenderly love their children. It is also the duty of children to love and serve their parents. Families should live together in harmony; and when men and their wives differ and part, and marry to others, it is wrong—it is an injury to their children, and displeasing to the Great Spirit. We wish you seriously to think of these things, and to discourage so injurious a practice.
“Brothers, you have often been told by your friends, that the use of spirituous liquors is hurtful. We must again repeat it—we wish you to keep your minds strong on this subject, and often advise such of your people as are in the use of it to decline the practice.
“Brothers, we think it our duty to caution you not to listen to every voice that would divide you into parties. It will make you weak in your councils. Your enemies may take advantage of it, and by this means, the very land that you own may slide from you.”
To the foregoing communication, the chief warrior made a short reply, but intimated that they must confer together on the subject of Friends’ communication, and wished to meet them again in council, in two days, when they would reply more particularly.