“The Quakers, and the good men they employ, will ask nothing from you, neither land, nor money, nor skins, nor furs, for all the good they will render to you. They will request only your consent, and the attention of the young men and boys to learn what will be so useful.
“Brothers, if this first attempt succeed, the way will be open in which your young people may learn other useful practices of the white people, so as to enable them to supply all their own wants; and such as choose it, may learn to read and write.
“Having thus explained to you the plan of your friends the Quakers, I conclude, with heartily recommending it to your adoption, as better calculated to procure lasting and essential benefits to your nation, than any plan ever before attempted.
“Wishing it great success, I remain your friend and brother,
“Timothy Pickering.
“Philadelphia, February 15, 1796.”
Timothy Pickering also wrote to the superintendent of the six nations, and to the interpreter for the United States, requesting them to prepare the minds of the Indians for the intended plan formed by the society of Friends, to introduce among them some of the necessary arts of civil life. Those letters were explained to various tribes of Indians, who generally expressed their approbation of the measures proposed.
The Oneidas, however, and those Indians settled on the Oneida reservation, comprehending the Stockbridges—and a part of the Tuscaroras, near the sources of the Mohawk river, in the state of New York, were most solicitous to co-operate with Friends in the intended experiment for a reform in the Indian mode of life.
In the spring of the year 1796, three young men, who offered their services to spend some time in the instruction of the natives, were accompanied by four of the committee into the Oneida country, and provided with implements of husbandry, carpenters’ and smiths’ tools, and other necessary accommodations. The Indians received them with joyful countenances, and gave them a hearty welcome to their villages. Their first council was held with the Stockbridges. These Indians are not of the six nations. They were said to consist of about sixty families, and three hundred individuals; and possessed upwards of twenty-three thousand acres of land, which had been given to them by the Oneida nation. They had a saw-mill, three carts, three pair of good working oxen, and some other things, which they enjoyed in common; but, in general, possessed their improvements and other fruits of their industry as private property; and little appeared to be wanting, but a spirit of industry, frugality, and sobriety, to make their situation comfortable. After giving them such advice as their situation required, Friends held a general council with the Oneidas, about four miles distant from the Stockbridge settlement. Here they fully explained the nature of their embassy, and endeavoured to impress the Indians with the necessity of a change in their manner of life, and the means whereby it might be accomplished, if they became industrious, cultivated their land, and raised cattle, sheep, and other domestic animals—also, that their women should learn to spin, knit, and manufacture their clothing.