CHAPTER XIII, Conference year commencing 1824-The author and J. Hooper re-appointed to the mission-Division of the Indian lands considered-Proposal to remove west of the Mississippi-Letter from Mr. M'Kenney-Letter to the War Department, on the state of the school-Mr. M'Kenney's reply-Gov. Cass' letter-The author's letter to the War Department on the removal of the Indians-Annoyance of the whites, and the remedy-Gov. Cass' letter-Blackhoof's view on removing by the government-Mr. M'Kenney's letter-Removal of the Indians-Religious state of the missionLetter from the Female Missionary Society of New York, accompanying a donation of books-Mr. Dando's letter-Letter of the chiefs-Letter of Methodist Female Missionary Society of Philadelphia-The author's reply. CONFERENCE was held this year (1824) at Zanesville. Brother Hooper was returned, with me, to the mission. As soon as we could, we resumed our labors; and the work went on with the same success as formerly: although as soon as one difficulty was overcome, another presented itself. Great uneasiness was felt on account of the late project of removing the Indians west of the Mississippi. Our chiefs thought it was necessary for them to address the War Department on the subject, and remonstrate against any farther attempts to effect this end. In their communication they stated that it was not their wish to remove, and reminded the Secretary that at the last treaty (the treaty of Fort Meigs) they were told, and most sacredly promised, that if they would cede all their lands, except the present reservations, they would never be spoken to again on this subject; that Gov. Cass promised, in the most solemn manner, that the President would make a strong fence around them, and maintain them in the peaceable and quiet possession of that spot for ever; that now they were making progress in religion, and in the cultivation of their lands; their children were at school, and promised to make good citizens; that they were now happy, and well satisfied. To this letter the following answer was received: "Department of War, Office of Indian Affairs, "FRIENDS AND BROTHERS:-Your talk to your Great Father, the President of the United States, of the 7th of this month, has been received, and read by him. 66 Brothers, your Great Father takes his Wyandott children by the hand. He thanks them for their greeting of health and peace, and offers you, in return, his best wishes for your prosperity and happiness. "Brothers, your Great Father is very much pleased to hear of your improvement, and especially that you are learning to reverence the Great Spirit, and to read his word, and obey its directions. Follow what that word directs, and you will be a happy people. 66 'Brothers, your Great Father takes a deep interest, as you do yourselves, in the prosperity of your children. They will be certain to grow up in wisdom, if you continue to teach them how to serve the Great Spirit, and conduct themselves well in this world. In all this the word of the Great Spirit should be your guide. You must teach them to love peace; to love one another; to be sober. You must instruct them how to plow the ground, sow the seed, and reap the harvest; you must teach them how to make implements of husbandry, and for all the mechanic arts; your young women you must teach to spin and weave, and make your clothes, and to manage your household: your young men to labor in the shops, and in the fields; and to bring home all that you may need for the support of your families. Add to all this, the fear and love of the Great Spirit, and obedience to his word, and be at peace with one another, and you will be a happy people. 66 Brothers, your Great Father is glad that you have so good a man as the Rev. Mr. Finley, among you. Listen to his words. Follow his advice. He will instruct you in all these things. 66 drive Brothers, your Great Father will never use force to you from your lands. What Gov. Cass told you, your Great Father will see shall be made good. The strong fence which he promised you at the treaty of Fort Meigs, should be put around your lands, and never be broken down, never shall be, by force or violence. your Great Father will not compel you to remain where you are, if you think it better, at any time, to settle elsewhere. But "Brothers, on this part of your talk, your Great Father directs me to send you a small book, which Mr. Finley will read and explain to you. You will see from it what his views are on the subject of making the Indians a great and happy people. But he will never force you into the measure, but will leave it to your own discretion. As reasonable children, he thinks you will see a great deal of reason in this small book, and that your best interests are connected with a compliance with what it recommends. But be happy, and fear nothing from your Great Father. He is your friend, and will never permit you to be driven away from your lands. He never will fall upon a poor, helpless, red child, and kill it, because it is weak. His heart is not made of such cruelty. He would rather protect and defend it, and care the more for it, because of its helplessness. "Brothers, your Great Father greets you as his children, and bids me tell you, you will find him in all things kind and merciful to you. He sends you his best wishes for your improvement and happiness. "Your friend and brother, (Signed,) "TH. L. M'KENNEY." In February, 1825, I addressed a letter to the War Department, on the state of the school and mission; and to know how much the government would appropriate for the support of the school the present year: stating that the Wyandotts would soon be a civilized and happy people; and that, so far as they were concerned, the long disputed question about civilizing the savages, was settled. To this I received the following answer: "TO THE REV. JAMES B. FINLEY, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE INDIAN SCHOOL, UPPER SANDUSKY. "Department of War, Office Indian Affairs, "DEAR SIR:-I have been gratified by the receipt of your letter of the 1st inst. the result of your labors. There can be no doubt as to The intelligence and industry which you keep in such perpetual operation, cannot but produce a rich reward for your toils. "It has ceased to be a matter of doubt among intelligent people, that Indians can be civilized and christianized. The proofs have multiplied so of late, as to convince the most sceptical. The system of education now in operation among the Indians, is, I think, more effectual in qualifying them for practical usefulness, than those systems which have obtained among us. The Indians have (so far as they are embraced by it) all the practical parts of learning, with fine examples of morality; and, at the same time, they grow up practical farmers, mechanics, &c.; and these, after all, constitute the strength and the wealth of every country. "The allotment for the year 1825, for your school, will be the same as last year. "I wish you a continuation of your successful efforts to benefit the poor, and otherwise friendless unfortunates, who have been, or who may be placed under your care. "I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, "THO. L. M'KENNEY." The division of their lands, at this time, was much agitated. I wrote a letter to Gov. Cass, on the subject, and received the following answer: "Detroit, June 8, 1825. "DEAR SIR:-Your letter of May 11th, arrived here while I was absent at Waghpaghkonetta, in Ohio. I embrace the first moment in my power to answer it. "I think the contemplated measure of dividing a portion of the Wyandott reservation among the several families, is a very judicious and proper one. By securing to each the products of his labor, enterprise and industry will be stimulated and rewarded. A community of property, unless under very peculiar circumstances, is unfavorable to permanent and valuable improvements. "I shall spend the next winter in Washington, at which time I shall not fail to urge upon the government the strong claims of the Wyandotts. I shall be glad to have you write me, at that time, fully and freely. The state of the appropriation this year will not enable me to afford them any more aid. |