Address from Stockbridge Indians

Organization Information

dated 12 Sept. 1817

To the Society of Friends at the city of New York.
Brothers,

We have thought it is our duty to address a few words unto
you in order to brighten that friendship which your forefathers
and ours have always maintained; and which we, their
children are still fondly cherishing under the auspi-
ces of the Great and Good Spirit.

We have this day received information, that our Western
Friends the Seneca Nation

have recently agreed to adopt the
good path, which leads to civilization & which has been very
often pointed out for them by friendly White People, but
particularly by friends, who have always manifested
a tender regard for the welfare of Indians &c.

The main body of the Senecas

have for years paste, repeat-
edly rejected the friendly offers, which you have made to them
that is, that they should endeavour to follow the path of civili-
zed life.

However we have now rejoiced to hear that they will
now endeavour to follow husbandry, and have now send
a messenger from one of their tribe to notify you of their
determinations, & to crave your advice & assistence.
Two other Indians we have understood will accompa-
ney him, one from the Onandaga tribe

& the other from
Oneida.

We sincerely hope that they will persevere in their
determinations to follow the good path, which will render
them happy and comfortable. We moreover hope that
friends will render them their assistence in this lauda-
ble work or beginning.

We would further inform you that our people have
lately found the good effects of husbandry, which they
have particularly practiced these many years since.

We believe there has never been so much english grain
raised by our people as it has been this season.
The corn in general very promising at present
and have reason to will turn out abundantly
if the frosts do not off again.

We