and mercy.  We desire to live upon our lands in peace and harmony.  We love Tonawanda.  It is the residue left us of the land of our forefathers.  We have no wish to leave it.  Here are our cultivated fields, our houses, our wives and children, and our firesides—­and here we wish to lay our bones in peace.

“’Brothers, in conclusion, we desire to express our sincere thanks to you for your friendly assistance in times past, and at the same time earnestly solicit your further attention and advice.  Brothers, may the Great Spirit befriend you all—­farewell.’

“Desirous of rendering such aid as might be in our power, a correspondence has been held with some members of Congress, on the subject of the treaty, and other matters connected with it; and recently, two of our number visited Washington, and were assured by the present Secretary of War, under whose immediate charge the Indian affairs are placed, that it was his determination, and that of the other officers of the government, to give to the treaty, and the circumstances attending its procurement, a thorough examination; and to adopt such a course respecting it, as justice and humanity to the Indians would dictate.

“The friends who have for several years resided at Tunesassah still continue to occupy the farm, and have charge of the saw and grist mills and other improvements.  The farm, during the past year, has yielded about thirty-five tons of hay, two hundred bushels of potatoes, one hundred bushels of oats, and one hundred bushels of apples.  Notwithstanding the unsettlement produced by the treaty during the past season, the Indians have raised an adequate supply of provisions to keep them comfortably during the year; and they manifest an increased desire to avoid the use of ardent spirits, and to have their children educated.  In their letter of the Twelfth Month last, the chiefs say, ’We are more engaged to have our children educated than we have heretofore been.  There are at this time three schools in operation on this reservation, for the instruction of our youth.’

“Our friend, Joseph Batty, in a letter dated 28th of Second Month last, says, ’The Indians have held several temperance councils this winter.  The chiefs—­with the exception of two, who were not present—­have all signed a pledge to abstain from the use of all intoxicating liquors, and appear engaged to bring about a reform among their people; but the influence of the whites among them is prejudicial to their improvement in this and other respects.’

    “By direction of the Committee,

    “THOMAS WISTAR, Clerk.

    “Philadelphia, 4th Month 15th, 1841.”

APPENDIX D. P. 44.

ELISHA TYSON.

The following particulars of this memorable person are chiefly taken from a work, now very scarce, entitled “The Life of Elisha Tyson, the Philanthropist, by a Citizen of Baltimore.”