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86 BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION DOCUMENTS THERE IS printed herewith a very interesting letter sent by Cornplanter, Chief of the Seneca tribe of Indians, to the Philadelphia Quakers in 1791. The letter has been published before ; * but the Association owns the original letter of Cornplanter, though not the answer, and a photographic reproduction of the document is given herewith. It is interesting that even in that day the Indians wanted their children to be taught to love peace, and that they sent them from their territory in the western part of the State of New York into the Quaker atmosphere of Philadelphia to learn this lesson. Letter of Chief Cornplanter to the Children of the Friends of Onas 1TO THE children of the Friends of Onas who first settled in Pennsylvania . The request of the Cornplanter a chief of the Seneca Nation. Brothers, The Seneca Nation see, that the Great-spirit intends that ,they shall not continue to live by hunting, and they look round on every side, and enquire who it is that shall teach them what is best for them to do. Your Fathers have dealt fairly and honestly with our Fathers, and they have charged us to remember it, and we think it right to .tell you, that we wish our children to be taught the same principles by which your fathers were guided in their councils. Brothers, We have too little wisdom among us : We cannot teach our children what we perceive their situation requires them to know, and we therefore ask you to instruct .some of them. We wish them to be instructed to read and to write, and such other things as you teach your own children ; and especially, to teach them to love peace. Brothers, We desire of you to take under your care two Seneca boys and teach them as your own ; and, in order that they may be satisfied to remain with you and be easy in their minds, that you will take with them the son of our Interpreter and teach him also according to his desire. 1 In Some account of the conduct of the Religious Society of Friends towards the Indian tribes in the Colonies of East and West Jersey and Pennsylvania . . . , published by the Aborigines Committee of the Meeting for Sufferings (London), London 1844, pp. 98-99. Rayner W. Kelsey, in his Friends and the Indians 1655-1917, Philadelphia 1917, p. 93, Note 8, refers to this letter, and to the MS records of the Philadelphia Meeting for Sufferings, 3 : 159, 161-163, 193. Reproduction of the Cornplanter Letter DOCUMENTS87 Brothers, You know that it is not in our power to pay you for the education of these three boys—and therefore you must, if you do this thing, look up to God for you reward. Brothers, You will consider of this request, and let us know what you determine to do. If your hearts are enclined toward us, and you will afford our nation this great advantage, I will send my son as one of the boys to receive your instruction, and at the time which you shall appoint. His CORN X PLANTER Mark Signed February 10, 1791 in presence of us Jos. Nicholason The Answer of the Quakers "CROM THE people called Quakers, the Children and Descendants of¦*¦ those peaceable people who first settled in Pennsylvania, being the Friends of Onas. To Corn-planter the Seneca-Cheif, or to Joseph Nicholson the Interpreter to be by him explain'd to the said Cheif. The written message of Corn-planter dated at Philad3. on the lOtb day of February last, was not received by us untili some weeks after. His request that we would take under our care two Seneca Boys, one of them his own son, accompanied with the son of Joseph Nicholson, we have considered, and do agree to receive them when they can be conveniently sent to us, intending they shall be treated with care and kindness, and instructed in reading, writing and Husbandry as the Children of our Friends are taught. The Governor of Pennsylvania, when inform'd of this proposal, having express'd his approbation thereof, as did General Knox...

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