Two Friends visited some of the Indians of the Delaware nation near Muskinghum, in the year 1793. The following is a speech of one of their chiefs named Neet-wot-willimon, on the occasion.
“Brothers, we are glad, and rejoice in our hearts to see our brothers, the Quakers, speaking before us--we feel the grace that is in your hearts conveyed to us, and we wish to be of the same religion, but we are poor, and weak, and not capable of judging for ourselves--we hope you will have pity upon us, and instruct us how to gain a more comfortable living--and, also, how we may come to obtain everlasting happiness: when we think of our poor children, our hearts are affected with sorrow--we hope you will send us teachers.”
These circumstances, together with the remembrance of the kindness of the natives to the early settlers in this country, continued to interest the feelings of the society of Friends in their behalf, and from motives of religious obligation, the Yearly Meeting, held in Philadelphia in the Ninth month, 1795, appointed a large committee for the special purpose of promoting the improvement and gradual civilization of the Indian natives, in such a way and manner, as would best tend to meliorate their condition; and to render an account annually to the Yearly Meeting of their progress therein. This committee promoted liberal subscriptions through the society--appointed a clerk and treasurer, and held stated meetings to deliberate on such measures, as, under the divine blessing, might best promote the real welfare of these inhabitants of the wilderness.
In order more fully to learn the disposition of the several tribes of Indians bordering on the state of Pennsylvania, it was an early object with the committee, to address to them a circular letter, informing them of the objects the society had in view for their benefit--and also therein communicating much salutary advice and counsel; which letter was also accompanied by one from Timothy Pickering, then secretary of state, in which he expresses a hearty co-operation with the views and plans of the committee, and the necessity of the Indians’ gradually declining their former modes of procuring sustenance, and betaking themselves to the cultivation of the soil, and raising domestic animals.