A Brief Account of the Proceedings of the Committee appointed in the year 1795 by the yearly meeting of Friends of Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, &c. for Promoting The Improvement and Gradual Civilization of The Indian Natives.

[THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS] & WISTAR (Thomas).

Publication Date: 1806

About this Item

First London edition. 8vo. Later half cloth with plain boards, manuscript title on front board. Bookplate to upper pastedown. 48pp. Philadelphia printed, London reprinted, and sold by Phillips and Fardon, A report by the Quakers of Pennsylvania concerning the benefits of educating the local Haudenosaunee tribes in agriculture, husbandry, blacksmithing and other trades to assimilate with settler society. This includes discussion of how women and girls might be instructed in domestic skills, as well as the teaching of English, literacy, and Christianization.    The report contains excerpted writings and speeches from several Native voices, including a long series of Chief Cornplanter's addresses to the Quakers. Appended is a letter from an anonymous General, dated Pittsburgh, Dec 24 1797. The letter is critical of colonial missionary efforts amongst Native Americans, and quotes Princeton educated George White-eyes "It is natural we should follow the footsteps of our forefathers, and when you white people undertake to direct us from this path, you learn us to eat, drink, dress and write like yourselves; and then you turn us loose to beg, starve, or seek our native forests without alternative: and outlawed your society, we curse you for the feelings you have taught us, and resort to excess that we may forget them."     Sabin, 7848.

Seller Inventory # 190880

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Brief Account of the Proceedings of the Committee appointed in the year 1795 by the yearly meeting of Friends of Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, &c. for Promoting The Improvement and Gradual Civilization of The Indian Natives.
• Publication Date: 1806
• Binding: Hardcover