Brothertown 27th of 1st Mo. 1813 Esteemed Friend
Samuel Parsons

Understanding the Committy expect to meet the 8th of 2nd Mo.
we after consulting the subject, felt it our duty to com-
municate the situation of the poor Natives under Friends
care, as to the Onondagos

they appear to have Nearly a supply
of Grain for themselves, but their Cattle must (to all appearance)
one quarter of them die for want of hay and other foders unless they
are helped soon--one yoke of the oxen belonging to the Committy
strayed away soon after James Mott G Seamon & C Willitts was
the last we heard they had ben gone 2 Months or more then had not
ben heard of tho a great pains had ben taken,--supposed to be
off in some --as it respects Brothertown Stockbridge and
Oneida they will be in Great want of Bread, the Corn being cut off
which was their main Dependence many of the poor people will
suffer unless assisted, two yoke of old oxen belonging to the Com.
was sent to Joseph Frost from Oneida worn down very thin he rec.
them some time in 11th 18/11 they are sold on one years cred. to the
best Market could be obtained--as it Respects Absalom & Ruth
Hatfield he continues very ill unable to walk to the barn to
take care of his own flock this has ben his situation for nearly two years
past, and their situation is truly a trajec one we feel much for
them beleave they require the simpathy of Friends--but when we
take into view the concern of Friends for the instruction of the
poor Indians in Husbandry &c we become feelingly exercised
and it is no new thing with us we have ben looking for others to become
under a simaler exercise and it is no small releaf to our minds to find
some are taking a feeling part and looking into the real situation
of things. We desire Friends would suffer us to Communicate a fea-
while we humbly hope we are actuated by no other motive
then in union with the concern of Friends for the Good of the poor
Natives. The situation of Absalom is such that it appears to us
that they are unable to answer the expected views of the Committy
all tho we feel tenderly for them and wish them so treated as not to
hurt their tender tried minds, yet we have beleaved for some time
past that seting asyde their ability, some other measure might
be adapted which would be more advantage to the poor Natives,
now seeing it is attended with so many difficulties and such
Great expence for a Famely's living among them we have beleaved
that if these difficulties could be removed and the money layd out
to a better advantage for these Dear People the Committy would feel
it their Duty with us to adopt such a plan. Now we have thought
that if Akers Wrothbone (he living neerest) or some other person should
spend all the time he could aford for one hundred dollars in teaching
them in the art of Husbandry taking care of their tools &c and at suitable times to work with
them in the season of gitting in their seed of different kinds this sum
would inable him to spend at least 3 days in a Week through the
season which would be of Great use to these people this would
answer in part the place of a Famely and remove some of the
attendant Difficulties, and save to the Committy at least two-
hundred dollars which sum might the be lay'd out to a good advantage
in precuring implements of Husbandry and keeping them in repare
and in purchising wool flax and seed of various kind, this would
be another great advantage to thes poor People--besides they could
have the Farm Now ocupied by Friends which would be
another advantage to them in precuring the Comforts of life allso
they might have the and tools now made use of by Friends
to cultivate Sd. Farm, as it respects the spining school we would
Recommend the same plan adobted as at Newstockbridge--there
are several Oneida Women who are well acquainted with the art of
Spining and neting who we have no doubt would be pleased to have so
much Notice taken of them as to be imployed (for a small reward) in teaching
their Nation the same art, they would have this advantage of explain-
ing things to them in language they could understand; now it Seems
to us that if some such plan as above should be adobted it would more
then supply the place of a Famely--the views of the Committy better
answered by the poor people's receiving a greater advantage--besids
save Friends from this evil report which we have heard some say
the Friends are there to get their living out of the poor Indians
This alls (in our oppinion) would be the most effectual step to remove
the like suspitions of the Indians and gain their confidence and
remove all those attendant difficulties of a Famelys living among them
and save a Famely from that tried situation. All which we humbly
submit for consideration. Desiring above all Dear Friends
that we might all be ingaged for that Sperit which will unite
us together as in one Sperit and one mind this would be a good
prepariation for teaching others.

Respecting the Land which