Do friends cooperate with the Agents of the general
Government

for the civilization and instruction of the
Indians has the Government any objections to agents from
our Society residing among the Indians in the capacity
of instructors and overseers Could friends render the Indians more service
by a coopporation with you, than by acting apart or
by their own Agents What other Tribes than those west of the
Mississipi can Friends render assistance, and if any
where are they situated What good in thy opinion would result
from a combined effort of the Yearly Meetings, in
this concern, by appointing agents to reside among
the Indians, or otherwise as might be thought most
advisable We shall be obliged for any other information thee have
it in thy power to communicate Can thee send me a copy of the Map which thee
shewd me, when I was in Richmond, shewing the location
of the Indians, shewing also those under the care of
Friends, I presume thee can draw it on a part of
the Letter--should like to have the report of the
committee on Indian Affairs of your Yearly Meeting
I think it was publishd with the proceedings of
the Meeting

Correspondence with Indiana

Place Information

respecting Indians west of
the Mississippi--1837

Richmond, Ind. 10th Mo. 13th 1837. John R. Willis
Dear friend

Thy letter of 4 mo. 19 was received in due
time, and several Friends were consulted on the subjects
of it. Wishing however to have the matter more fully inves-
tigated previous to an answer being made, a delay until 6 mo.
1. was concluded on, about which time our meeting for
suffering met. I was sick at the time, and sent the letter
to the meeting; it was mislaid among the members; and
I was totally at a loss about it until the late meeting
(a few days past) when I found the letter again. I hope
this may explain to thee the cause of the vexatious delay.

The Indian concern is one of deep interest, and I look
upon it that much good can be done to this people, by
the right kind of labours from Friends. No people as
I think possess the confidence of the Indians to the
same extent as Friends; and so far as Friends have
kept themselves apart from the heat of party politics,
none, as I believe, could have greater influence with
the Govenment

in this matter. The Government has
been kind to our people, and has shown a decided dis-
position to countenance their efforts. Secretary ,
of the War Department, in particular. The Commissioners
and other agents of the Government are frequently
corrupt; and seem to feel themselves set up to get the
best bargain out to their people (the Indians) that they
can, too little regarding, in many cases, as I fear, that
some Christian principles of doing as they would be done