amongst the Indians generally, and that as several of the tribes had
requested of government to have a part of their annuities expended in
the employment of men to split rails and make fences for them, the
Delawares had twenty-three thousand rails put up into fences the last
winter; and that forty thousand more would be made into fences for the
Miami and Eel river Indians, by the first of the Sixth month--that
ten families of the Miamis had settled adjoining the place cultivated
by Philip Dennis, and that four men were employed in making rails to
fence in forty acres for them; also, that three persons more were at
work for the Eel river Indians, half a mile below Dennis’s station;
that they had twenty-five acres cleared and ready for the plough, and
expected to have fifty or sixty fenced in by the first of the Sixth
month. He expected at least twenty-five families would remove to reside
at that place the present season, and was confident the settlement
would increase very fast. The Indian who worked with Philip Dennis
during the last season, was about building himself a comfortable house,
had cleared two acres more of ground, and was ploughing the field
previously cleared by Philip Dennis. The hogs which were left there
with him had increased to one hundred in number.’
The agent further informed, 'that there would be one hundred acres of
land under good fence at the Little Turtle’s town, (eighteen miles
north of Dennis’s station,) by the first of the Sixth month, where they
had also obtained a large number of hogs and some cows, and he doubted
not, the Indians would soon see that it was easier to raise food, than
to procure it by hunting.' He also added, ‘that Friends may see from
the great progress they have made in civilization since Philip Dennis
was with them, that they only want good and suitable men to reside
among them, and teach them how to work.’
In the fall of the year 1805, the agent at Fort Wayne informed the
committee by letter, that agreeably to their directions, he had
employed a man to assist the Indians in cultivating the field on the
Wabash, which was cleared and cultivated by Philip Dennis, the last
year. The Indians with this man’s assistance, had raised, it was
supposed, at least six hundred bushels of good corn from this one
field, exclusive of what they had raised from ground of their own
clearing.
“Many of the oldest of the Eel River and Weas Indians had removed and
settled at that place, where they would be followed by the younger
branches of their tribes in the ensuing spring.”
He further adds, “Believing as I do that the society of Friends are
desirous of ameliorating the situation of their red brethren in the
country, I will take the liberty to observe, that the present is a
favourable time to put in execution their benevolent views towards
the distressed natives of the land; and that much good may be done on
the Wabash by sending one or two suitable men to reside amongst the
Indians, and teach them how to raise stock, and cultivate the earth.
Witness what Philip Dennis effected amongst them the last year, at
a station where he had every thing to begin. There are now at least
four hundred hogs, and twenty cows, and the Indians at no village
in this country live so comfortably as those at that place. If this
spirit of industry is kept alive for a few years, it will certainly
have a powerful influence upon the minds of the Indians in many of the
neighbouring villages.”
An account published by the committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting,
about this period, has enabled me to furnish so many interesting
particulars of their proceedings, that I have already exceeded the
bounds I had prescribed to myself, in this narrative. I shall,
therefore, only add, that the Yearly Meeting of Baltimore continued
for many years to extend aid and instruction, to the Indians in that
quarter, by personal visits, and by teachers frequently stationed among
them; and continued to have satisfactory proofs of the benefits derived
to this people, from their benevolent labours. Their progress, however,
in this laudable work was interrupted by the war of 1812, which much
agitated, not only those tribes of Indians, but the white people
generally, bordering on the Indian territory--this continued while the
war lasted. And many of the white inhabitants, it was said, went into
block houses, the better to secure themselves.
It may, however, be noted, that Friends on the frontiers, generally
remained in their habitations, at least with a few exceptions, and
the Indians seemed to repose an unlimited confidence in them, and
frequently visited them. The author having visited a settlement of
the Indians, (called Lewis’ settlement) in the year 1816, had some
opportunity of judging of the high estimation in which the Indians held
the society of Friends, on the frontiers of that country. He also had
an account from one of the Friends who first settled in those parts
(near Mad river,) about the year 1800. He said the Indians manifested
much kindness to them, when the country was all a wilderness, by
frequently visiting them, and administering to their wants, while they
were first opening a settlement and preparing something to subsist upon.
I may also here relate another evidence of the Indians’ kindness and
hospitality to the whites. A surveyor who lived in Chilicothe informed
me, when at his house in 1816, that being employed by government the
summer previous, to survey some land in the Michigan territory, he
and his company composed of seven or eight persons, running scant of
provisions, were put to their allowance of a spoonful of meal a day,
for each person, on which, with some little meat they procured from
the forest, they had subsisted for twenty-three days together. But
setting out at length towards the settlements in search of provisions,
they met with an Indian going on a journey very smartly. They made him
understand they were very hungry and had nothing to eat. He looked on
them with compassion--pointed towards his cabin, and making signs to
them to follow him, struck off in a direction towards it. They pursued
his track, often having to stop him, to wait for them, and after about
eight miles travelling, arrived at his solitary abode, where he kindly
treated them to all the provision at his command, which, though coarse,
was to them a delicious dainty.
But to return from this digression, it may be proper to state, that
about the year 1813, a Yearly Meeting of Friends was established in the
state of Ohio, and being composed of part of the members previously
constituting the Yearly Meeting of Baltimore, they also become, as a
body, enlisted in the same concern, to improve the condition of the
Indian natives; and appointed a committee to carry their views into
execution. Friends of this Yearly Meeting living more contiguous to
the Indian settlements, unitedly agreed with the Yearly Meeting of
Baltimore, to make it a joint concern, as it regarded the requisite
pecuniary aid for promoting the object in view. Friends in Ohio,
however, became more actively engaged in personal visits, and sending
instructors among the Indians.
When peace took place, and the minds of the Indians became
somewhat settled, the settlement which had previously been made at
Waughpaughkannatta was again resumed, and another promoted at captain
Lewis’, and considerable advancement made by the Indians in some of the
arts of civilized life.
About the years 1817 and 1818, considerable sales of their lands were
made to the United States--and in the north-western parts of the
state of Ohio, which much unsettled the minds of the Indians, and in
consequence thereof, many of them removed further to the westward.
In the rapid settlement of the states of Ohio and Indiana, and the
emigration of Friends further to the westward, it became necessary to
establish a Yearly Meeting in Indiana, which event took place about
the year 1820 or 1821. This Yearly Meeting, also as a body, feeling
the same deep interest, in the welfare of the aboriginal inhabitants,
appointed a committee to unite with Ohio Yearly Meeting in promoting
their civilization and improvement.
Having but scanty means within my reach, of ascertaining the progress
made by those Yearly Meetings of latter years, I can only state, that
the concern still continues to engage their attention, and from a
report to the Yearly Meeting of Indiana, in 1826, it appears, that
the committee had continued their attention to the object of their
appointment. “Soon after our last Yearly Meeting,” say they, “the
school for the education of the Indian children was resumed, and
continued about two months, to the satisfaction both of the Indians
and the committee. The children conducted themselves orderly, and
made reasonable progress in learning. But towards the latter part of
winter the Indians became unsettled in their minds, and it was found
impracticable to continue the school to advantage. It was, therefore,
dismissed, and soon after Isaac Harvey and wife, in consequence of his
indisposition, returned to their former residence. They took with them
an Indian lad who remained about three months, during which time he was
at school.
“About two hundred of the Indians who resided on the Waughpaughkonnatta
reserve, have removed, and are now on their way to join those of their
nation settled west of the Mississippi; and it is yet uncertain,
whether those that remain will shortly be in a situation to receive
instruction. However that may be, we feel satisfied that the labour
heretofore bestowed on them will not all be lost. They have obtained
a sufficient knowledge of agriculture, to enable them to supply their
more pressing wants, and many of them have acquired habits of industry,
which we believe they will retain. And should they all eventually
remove to join their nation in the west, we apprehend the advantages
they are deriving from the change in their manner of life, will be
sufficient to prevent them from returning to their former habits.”
It appears also, that soon after the Yearly Meeting held in Indiana, in
the year 1827, “a deputation from the committee in company with a like
deputation of the committee of Ohio Yearly Meeting, visited Friends’
establishment, near Waughpaughkonnatta, who found the farm in good
order, and the school progressing to satisfaction.”
The minutes of the last Indiana Yearly Meeting of the society of
Friends, held at Miami, also show, that they continue a committee, to
act in conjunction with the Yearly Meetings of Ohio and Baltimore, and
to proceed in the further prosecution of this concern as way may open.
Thus the society of Friends constituting the Yearly Meetings of
Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore, have, for more than thirty
years, and those of Ohio, and Indiana, since their first establishment,
been engaged in endeavouring to reclaim from savage life, and to
meliorate the condition of various tribes, of the interesting but
much injured aborigines of our country; and they have succeeded in
instructing many of them in agriculture, in school learning, in
many of the most useful mechanic arts, and the raising of domestic
animals, whereby their lives are rendered more comfortable, and their
domestic engagements increased, as well as their moral condition
improved--and, could the Indians have been permitted to remain quiet
in the possession of their land, and to enjoy the fruits of their
labours, without interruption from the whites, there is reason to
believe, that by a continuation and extension of this care towards
them, a radical change in their character would in a short time have
been effected; and instead of migrating by families and tribes, far
to the westward, and traversing the dreary regions of an unknown
wilderness, in quest of a home, and in search of food, they might have
become useful citizens of the community, contributing to the wealth,
the happiness, and national character of the United States. For truly
it must be acknowledged, that there are among these native sons of the
forest, men of deep reflection--men of extraordinary talents--men of
superior powers of mind, and men who, considering the means of their
menial improvement, might rank with the ancient orators of Greece and
Rome. Added to this, there is sufficient evidence, that they believe
in the principle operating within them, a measure of which, or the
grace of God, according to the apostle’s doctrine, is given to every
man to profit withal, whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free. And they
acknowledge in all important transactions, the overruling providence
and superintending care of one all-wise, omnipotent, and omnipresent
Being, who governs the universe; and they believe that they will be
rewarded in a future state, according as their actions have been in
this life, either good or evil. Why then should not the policy of the
government be directed to the protection and preservation of these
people, and not to their extermination from their native soil? Is it
not a doctrine sanctioned by the general consent of Christians, that
all nations are equally free? That one nation has no right to infringe
upon the freedom of another?
Let us then fulfil the golden rule--let us then, my fellow citizens,
exercise that kind of policy towards them, that we would they should
have done to us, if they had landed on our shores with a superiority
of strength. Why should not things be equal on both sides? Or is the
balance of power always to decide the balance of justice, and rob the
weak and defenceless of their lawful rights--shall a nation professing
_christianity_, and having pledged itself in the most solemn manner to
_protect the Indians in all their rights_, be guilty of such injustice?
Or what part of the gospel will they plead in extenuation of such a
crime? In what part of the earth did the apostles or first promulgators
of the gospel assume, to extirpate from their country, or to claim
a right over the freedom and the substance of the Gentiles? What a
strange method this would be, of propagating the gospel of peace. And
can it be expected the natives of America, those keen-eyed observers of
the actions of men, will be brought to embrace the christian religion
by such a policy as this! And, while injustice is practised towards
them instead of the government redressing their wrongs, will they not
be induced to say as an Indian chief once did, to a missionary, on a
certain occasion, “We find the christians much more depraved in their
morals than we are, and we judge of _their doctrine_ by the badness of
their lives.”
_Since the foregoing was prepared for the press, the following,
taken from a Pittsburg Gazette, has been forwarded by a friend,
and as it gives some recent account of the noted and ancient
chief, Cornplanter, as well as other of the Seneca Indians, it
may prove an interesting addition to this work._
It appears a trip was performed up the Alleghany river in the Fifth
month last, as high as Olean, in the state of New York, by a new
steamboat, and as it was the first that had ever ascended that river,
as far as the Indian towns, it excited some astonishment. The account
states, that “On the thirteenth of May, at nine o’clock, she arrived
opposite the village of Cornplanter. Here a deputation waited on
that ancient and well known Indian king or chief, and invited him on
board this new, and to him wonderful visiter, a steamboat. We found
him in all his native simplicity of dress and manner of living, lying
on his couch, made of rough pine boards, and covered with deer skins
and blankets. His habitation, a two story log house, is in a state
of decay, without furniture, except a few benches, and wooden bowls
and spoons to eat out of. This convinced us of his determination to
retain old habits and customs. This venerable old chief was a lad in
the first French war, in 1744, and is now nearly one hundred years of
age. He is a smart active man, seemingly possessed of all his strength
of mind, and in perfect health, and retains among his nation all that
uncontrolled influence he has ever done.
“He, with his son Charles, sixty years of age, and his son-in-law, came
on board, and remained until she had passed six miles up, and then they
returned home in their own canoe, after expressing great pleasure.
His domain is a delightful bottom of rich land, two miles[3] square,
nearly adjoining the line between Pennsylvania and New York. On this,
his own family, about fifty in number, in eight or ten houses reside.
Cornplanter’s wife, and her mother, one hundred and fifteen years of
age, are in good health.
The lands of this tribe being forty miles long and half a mile wide
on each side of the river, lie just above, but all in the state of
New York. They have a number of villages, and are about seven hundred
in number, scattered all along this reserve. Many of them have good
dwellings, and, like the whites, some are intelligent, industrious, and
useful--while others are the reverse. On the whole they are becoming
civilized and christianized, as fast as can be expected. The natives
appeared in great numbers, (we counted four hundred) who were attracted
to view this unexpected sight on their waters. Their lands terminate
eight miles below Olean.”
* * * * *
_A vocabulary of some of the most familiar words and phrases in the
Seneca language, and the English, in alphabetical order._
All Cock _way_ go
All gone Ono, cock _way_ go
Any where, any thing, &c. Te caw a _noo_ we
A quiet mind _Ska_ no _sa_ na to nee
Axe At _too_ ga
Boy or child Uc _shaw_
Brother _Ho_gh _gee_
Blood Ot _quoon_ sah
Board Con _nish_ ta
Bear _U qui_
Black _Gis_ taa
Beaver Te _con_ ne a ga
Big lake Con nu _di_ go _wan_ nee
Birds Ge _daa_
Bread _Wagh_ qua
Beans Ci _daw_
Beyond _Shee qua_
Both De _jall_
Book Ki _au_ dau shaw
Blanket Ee _yuse_
Bed Con _noch_ ta
Barrel or tub Con _noch_ qua
Blacksmith Cow _wish_ to nee
Bad _Toos_ coss
Cold Hit _too_ a
Cow Tus _quan_
Cat Dac _coos_
Child Uc _shaw_
Cousin _Kaa_ say
Chief Shin e _wan_ nee
Cannon Ca _u_ da _go_ aw
Coat Ja dau _wis_ a
Chest _Count_ sah
Cup Cow _wish_ ta
Candle Ogish to _taugh_ qua
Canoe _Cau_ waugh
Chocolate Nig a _di_ u
Crane Jo _a_ sah
Deer Nea _yu_ ka
Duck Se _wack_
Dead A _way_ yu
Devil Nishe _o_ nee
Dog _Gee ah_
Dish _Cud gee_
Day U_daugh_
Drink _Nig_ ge ah
Dark U _dagh_ sin _di_ go
Do you want it _Ees_ no wees
Earth U en _jau_ dy
Elk Je _naun_ de
Eel Con _taa_ na
Eat _Sutte_ coo nee
Eye _Ka haa_
Ear _Woun_ tah
Evening, or sun down _Ono_ gagh qua
Father _Hau_ nee
Field K ion _to_
Farmer E _yeant_ has
Fox O nung _quat_ qua
Fish Kin _jugh_
Fire O _gish_ ta
Flour or meal Tee _sah_
Fruit O _yah_
Flea Te _was_ en _tas_
Fine day O _we see_ ah
Fire-fly Gish te _noch_ qua
God, or Great Spirit How _wau_ ne au
Grandmother Uc _sute_
Good Scoss
Grist-mill Cau _thish_ e _o_ ne
Gnat O gaw _whont_
Gun Ca _u_ da
Greedy _Dus_ ki hau sy
Gift _Ska_ no
House Con ne _sute_
Horse Con _don_ nah que
Hungry A _dus_ swa dau nee
High _Eait_ kah
Here in this place _Nich_ hooh
Him or her Au _whau_
Hear Gut _hoon_ dy
Happy _Ska_ no _so_ ne _to_ nee
Hat or cap Kah _e quay_
Hand Kas _chuch_ tah
Half Sut te _wau so_ nee
How many _Ton_ ne yu
How many miles _Ton_ ne _yute_ cot ho
Hawk _Swin_ go _dau_ ge au
Have you any, &c. _Goih_ yah
Indians A _gue_ o we
Indian corn O ne _ah_
If Cow a _nee_
I myself Ee
I don’t know Te _quaw_
I think E _we_
Island _Cow_ we _naut_
Iron Con ne _u sah_
Ice O _we_ sa
I don’t understand Te _gunk_ hau
I want it _Ic_ no wees
I am going now _Ono_ se _gogh_ tan dee
Iron pot Te _quosh_ e naute
King _Co_ wa _co_ a
Kettle Can _naun_ jau
Knife Ka _gun_ ne au sau
Land _U_ aun _ja_
Louse _Gee_ no _e_
Lonesome A _goon_ date
Lake, or sea Con nu _di_
Lie Sun noo _aunt_
Large Go _wau_ nee
Long ago O _nuch_ chee
Little, or small Nee _wau_, or _wis_ too
Little while ago _Wau_ gee
Linen Con ne _ga_ un sah
Like this _Sau_ gat
Log Can _hagh_ tau
Man or male Can _gee_ nah
Mother _No_ yegh
Many Con _nong_ gee
Much We _sue_
Meat Au _wagh_
Mosquito Ge ne _au_ da sa
Mush _Gis_ qua
Mountain Non on _dau_ dee
Mile _Yute_ cot hoo
Money O _wish_ ta
Merry, or pleased _Oon dut_ ca dee
Milk _Nung_ qua
Moon Gagh qua
Mouth Kish e _gaen_
Morning Se _tugh_ ge au
Make it _Shish_ she _o_ ne
New town Can na da _say_
Noon Gick ne _gah_ quaw
No Tah
Now Nay _wau_
Not many _Tanty_ co _nong_ gee
Not much _Tanty_ we _sue_
Not Tanty
Nose Ka kan _dah_
Nonsense, trifling, &c. _Gish_ nit
One month _Swa_ no dock
Owl _E he_
Old Caw _cuch_ gee
Over the river Ska _hoon_ dee
On this side Caw _oo_
Philadelphia Ca ne _di_ an go au
Pittsburg Taun _too_ ga
Pig _Quees_ quees
Provisions A _den_ a sah
Potatoes _Non_ nun dau
Plenty Con _nong_ gee
Pipe Se _guah_ ta
Pretty We _u_
Pheasant _Chuc_ que _a_ ne
Pigeons _Jah_ go au
Presently A ge _quash_
People _Ung_ que
Rain Us _taun_ dee
River Ka _hone_ dee
Racoon Jo _ah_ qua
Rattlesnake So _quant_
Right, or proper Ty wi _ye_ a
Raining, or stormy Onish wy _ate_ kah
Sea, or ocean _Ska_ ne la te _co_ ne
Shoes, or sandals At _tagh_ qua
Sun _Gagh_ qua
Squashes, &c. O _nuch_ sha
Sheep _Te_ de ne _gen_ do
Stone Cos _quagh_
Spinning wheel See in _yeah_ ta
Saw mill Con _nish_ te o nee
Sick _Nonk_ ta nee
Strong Cau _haus_ tee
Star O _gish_ un da
Sit down Sut _tee_
Snow Cun ne _i_
Snow falling U _gaun_ dee
Spoon At te _quot_ sa
See, or look _Sut_ cot _hoo_
Silver O _wish_ ta _no_ e a
Shut the door Se ho _tong_ goo
Snipe Te _ith_ to we
Shoemaker At _taugh_ qua _nee_
Susquehanna _Cau_ wa ne _wy_ ne _i_ ne
Turkey Os soo _aunt_
Thief _Nus qus_
Turnips _Uc_ te au
Town _Con_ na da _go_
Tobacco _Yaun_ gwa
Turtle Cun ne _wau_
This _Nick_ hoo
Thou Eece
Tooth, or teeth Ca _noo_ jah
Tell it _Sat_ hu e
Talk _Gish_ nee
True, or truth _To gas_
To-morrow U _haut_
Uncle _Auh_ no ze
Ugly _Wy ate_ u
Verily, or very true _To_ gas _neh_ hue
Very large _Agos_ go _wan_ nee
Very far _Way_ uh
Winter Ka _unch_ neh
Water _Nick_ a _noos_
Woods Ca ha _da_ go
Wheat O _naun_ jah
Weeds We _aah_ ta
Wolf Ty _o_ nee
Wild geese Hung _gawk_
Watch Gah que _shawk_ ta
White people Hit _teen_ yah
Warm _Di_ u
Warm day Con _naa_ no
Woman _Yee_ uh
Wife _Yeak_ nee
Wind _Ga haa_
Work Sutte ye _dott_
Want. I want it, &c. _Ick_ no _eece_
Where _Cong_ gwa
Yonder _Ho_ quaw
You _Eece_ de jal
Yes Naye
You want it _Eece_ no wees
Year _Tush shate_
Yesterday _Tay_ day
_Names of some of the Indians, and their signification._
Ki on _twa_ ky Cornplanter
Te _ki_ on da A wager, or money staked
Con ne _di_ u Hansom lake
Neh ta _go_ a A large pine tree
_Waun_ dung _guh_ ta Passed by
Sa go e _wah_ ta Keeper arise
O _gish_ quat ta Dried mush
_Tak_ e wau sah Go to war
_Twa_ de ac Broken gun
_Yeang_ gwa haunt Chew tobacco
_Ki_ an _gwah_ ta Smoke
_Numerical terms, &c._
One Scote
Two _Tick_ nee
Three Shaugh
Four Keah
Five Wush
Six Yeah
Seven Chaw tawk
Eight Tick _yugh_
Nine Tugh tah
Ten _Wush_ hau
Twenty Te _was_ hau
Thirty Sha ne _was_ hau
Forty Kea ne _was_ hau
Fifty _Wush_ ne was hau
Sixty Yea ne _was_ hau
Seventy Chaw tawk ne _was_ hau
Eighty Tick yaugh ne _was_ hau
Ninety Tugh ta ne _was_ hau
One hundred, that is, Wush haw ne _was_ haw, or scote
ten times ten de _wy_ ne _i_
Two hundred Te non de _wy_ ne _i_
Three hundred Sha non de _wy_ ne _i_
Four hundred Keah non de _wy_ ne _i_, &c. &c.
One dollar _Scow_ wish taut
Two dollars Te gaw _wish_ tau gay
Three dollars Sha ne gaw _wish_ tau gay
Four dollars Kea ne gaw _wish_ tau gay, &c.
One penny Quin nish
One shilling _Sco_ ti on _shate_
Two shillings Te _gash_ e on se gay
Three shillings Sha ne _gash_ e on se gay
One yard Tu we _naut_
Two yards _Tic_ ne ju we _non_ gay
Three yards _Sha_ ne ju we _non_ gay
One pound Cau _goon_ sate
Two pounds Tich ne cou _goon_ se ga
Three pounds Sha ne cou _goon_ se ga
One quart Cus _saa_ dee
Two quarts Tick ne cus _say_ dee
Three quarts Shane cus _say_ dee
One day Onish _shate_
Two days Te ne wa _nish_ a gay
Three days Sha ne wa _nish_ a gay
One month _Swa_ ne dock
Two months Te _wa_ ne da gay
Three months Sha ne wau ne da gay
One year Tush _shate_
Two years Te _ush_ a gay
Three years Sha ne _ush_ a gay, &c.
_The author not having an opportunity of examining the proof
sheets, some typographical errors have occurred, especially in
the Indian words--the following errata will be observed by the
reader._
Page 5, line 20 from top, before motives, insert the words _natives
the_.
Page 8, line 18 from bottom, for retaining read _retained_.
Page 9, line 18 from top, read the following _speech_ from.
Page 29, line 14 from top, read Je _nuch_ sha _da_ go.
Page 40, line 13 from top, for Memsies read _Munsies_.
Page 42, line 6 from top, for Connedin read Co ne _di_ u; and so
through the book.
Same page, line 4 from bottom, for government read _governor_.
Page 47, line 7 from bottom, for Junesassa read _Tunesassa_; and so
through the book.
Page 54, line 20 from bottom, for nation read _natives_.
Page 80, line 19 from bottom, read the chief warrior’s _son_.
Page 110, line 16 from top, for nations read _natives_.