It will be seen in the early part of this narrative, that Friends of the Yearly Meeting of Pennsylvania, first promoted a settlement among the Oneida nation living near the Mohawk river, in the state of New York. They also extended some aid to the Stockbridges, and some other tribes in that quarter. This attention was continued from the spring of 1796, till about the close of the year 1799, when Friends withdrew from them; and the Yearly Meeting of New York, being actuated by the same benevolent motives to improve the condition of the aboriginal inhabitants, appointed a committee for that special purpose, who sent instructors among them, and continued to aid and assist them in agricultural pursuits, in some of the mechanic arts, and in school learning, for many years. But as I have not at command the means of furnishing a particular account of the gradual advancement made in the civilized arts among those Indians, I can only say, that in the prosecution of the work, Friends have had many difficulties to encounter; and the Indians have frequently been disturbed and harassed, by the same covetous spirit, that so frequently annoyed the Seneca nation, in order to dispossess them of their land. In consequence of this many of the tribes have been induced to sell and remove far to the westward.
By the kindness of a Friend in New York, I have been furnished with an account of some of the more recent transactions of the society of Friends, towards the Indians. He states some of the difficulties to which the Indians are subjected, by the officious interference of a proselyting spirit, which has much agitated several of the tribes, and created parties and animosities among them. The ultimate object appears to be, to unsettle them in their present possessions, and eventually to induce them to abandon the rightful inheritance of their fathers.
It appears from the account, that the Onondaga tribe are the only Indians at present under the care of the Yearly Meeting of New York; and the only tribe in that state united among themselves, and exempt from a party under the influence of a blind missionary zeal—desirous to relinquish their present possessions and emigrate. But a few years ago the Onondaga’s were an indolent, drunken people, and desirous of moving to the westward, but as they have in a good degree embraced the counsel of Friends, become industrious, and availed themselves of their local advantages, and tasted the sweets of their labour from the produce of the soil, a radical change has been effected among them.
This tribe has for seven or eight years past been under the particular care and superintendence of Adin T. Corey, as agent for the committee of the Yearly Meeting; and being well qualified for the important trust, and feeling his mind devoted to it, the Indians have reposed great confidence in him, and distinguished him by the name of ‘Oatnus,’ and consider him as their benefactor, as will be seen in the following speech.
Onondaga, Fourth mo. 27, 1829.
“To the committee of the Yearly Meeting of New York, on Indian
concerns.
“Brothers—Oatnus, our brother, told us he was going to New York to attend the great council—and we thought good to send you a talk, to let you know our minds. First, we thank you for all your goodness in giving us the many useful things you have given us, for our benefit, and we thank the Great Spirit, who in his unspeakable mercy put it into your hearts to take us by the hand, and pity our condition; but most of all, that he put it into your hearts and the heart of our brother Oatnus, to come and live amongst us.
“Brothers, he has been a wall about us, that in a great measure has fenced out the encroachments of our white neighbours. When he speaks, the white people hear, and they do not cheat us as they used to do.
“Brothers, he has improved our condition much every way. When he came among us, we were hungry and almost naked, but now we are more comfortable. Our lands lay common, and were running up with bushes—now there are many of them fenced and well cultivated, yielding an abundant supply of food for our people. Our young men, women, and children were running about doing no good—now, most of them are diligently and profitably employed. One of our young men has learned to work pretty well at blacksmithing—three lads have learned to make good shoes—our young women, most of them, can spin, knit, and sew, and some of them can weave. Oatnus has also transacted most of our business—made many bargains, and handled much of our money, and done all well—not one shilling sticks in his pocket—he has fed our hungry children, clothed our naked, and helped us when we were sick—when he came we were divided, now we are united—when there is war he makes peace—when he speaks our young men hear and keep mostly out of bad company—our farming begins to flourish, and although we have made much improvement, we still want a head—we cannot go alone, and if you leave us now, it will be like making us a very valuable present, and taking it away again.
“Brothers, remember, when our brother Oatnus come, we were wild and ignorant respecting business, and it must necessarily take a good while to tame a whole nation.