(H.)
Letter from Rev. Gilbert Rockwood to Henry R. Schoolcraft.
_Tuscarora Mission, August 1_, 1845.
SIR:—In the following communication, you can make use of such
statements as you may deem proper. If all the statements should not be
necessary for your official objects, yet they may be interesting to you
as an individual.
This mission was commenced about fifty years since, under the care of
the “New-York Missionary Society.” It was transferred to the “United
Foreign Mission Society,” in 1821, and to the “American Board of Com.
for Foreign Missions,” in 1826.
The church was organized in 1805, with five persons. The whole number
of native members who have united since its organization is 123. The
present number of native members is 53; others 5, total 58.
Between July 1st, 1844, and July 1st, 1845, there were only three
admissions, two by profession and one by letter.
About one-third of the population attend meeting on the Sabbath. Their
meeting house was built by themselves, with a little assistance from
abroad.
They have also a school house, the expense of which was nearly all
defrayed by themselves. There is but one school among them, which is
kept the year through, with the exception of the vacations. The teacher
is appointed by the American Board. The number of scholars the past
year, is not far from 50.
I have been among these Indians now nearly eight years. I can see that
there has been an advance, both in their moral and physical condition.
It is within the memory of many now living among them, when drunkenness
was almost universal; now, comparatively, few are intemperate. A
majority of the chiefs, are decidedly temperance men, and exert a
salutary influence. They have a temperance society, and hold frequent
meetings. They utterly forbid the traffic in intoxicating drinks on
their own soil.
The marriage relation is being better understood by them, and more
appreciated. More of the young men and women, enter into the marriage
relation, in the regular Christian way, than a few years ago. Four
couple have been regularly married the past year. Number of deaths, 8;
an unusual number since I have been among them.
There is besides the church, above referred to, a Baptist church,
organized a few years since, the particulars of which, I am unable to
give. For any information you may wish respecting it, I would refer you
to James Cusick, their minister.
On the whole, there is much to encourage the philanthropist and the
Christian in labors for the good and well being of the Indians here,
although we meet with many obstacles and difficulties in the way.
They are becoming more and more industrious in their habits, as the
appearance of their farms, and the amount of produce, and their
personal appearance will testify.
With these brief statements, I subscribe myself,
Yours, truly,