Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-03-25
Miscellaneous.


- J
on "Wednesday this city was visited by !.
fsvo delegations from the Oneida Indians
vnl remaining oa the seantv residue OF
their reservation at the old Castle. One
81 these Populations represented the hrst
Christian party, and the other the second
both exclusive Of the Orchard clan of
that sadly diminished nation. The form
er was beaded by chief whose English
name IS Moses Schuyler He is sixty
two years old, of unmingled Indian blood,
aud one Of the most interesting men in his !
appearance that Ishave ever seen. The
other delegation was likewise headed by !
Schuyler, but Of more common order
ofnen.
The object Of their commission was to
confer with the Secretary Of State, the
Comptroller, and the Attorney General,
upon whom certain duties respecting their
affairs were imposed by an act Of the last
Legislature on the subject of farther sale
Of their lands, with view of emigrating
TO the West, and planting themselves down
in the state Of Missouri. A conference
was held at the Secretary's office on
Wednesday, and the whole matter talked
over at considerable length. From the
speech Of the elder Schuyler, it seems that
the course pursued last year, OF dstribut-
ing the annuities due them from the state,
among the Indians per capita, instead of
paying over the monies to the chiefs for the
benefit Of the nation, to be disposed of as
they should think best, which was the
former practice, has been attended with
bad effects.
The improvidence of that people rem
ders it inexpedient 10 entrust them with
money all that was paid over to them
was presently squandered; in VERY short
time their money was entirely gone, and
they had nothing TO show for it. Their
condition had been rendered worse, and
Moses Schuyler, who has heretofore op-
posed emigration, having become discour-
aged in regard to the Improvement of his
people In their present locality, was now
disposed 10 emigrate, and remove to the
West. Itfarther appeared from his speech
that majority of the Oneidas, exclusive
OF the Orchards, were also in favor of EN-.
igration. On the other hand, the other
Schuyler, and some two hundred of his
ndheren.s. were opposed to any farther
sale Of their lands, and expressed strong
desire TO remain where they are. II the
other party sold, they were DESTROYS of re.
tanning their possessions, and remaining
under the protection of New York
gathered from their estimates, that both
Christian parties can number, all told, al
the present day. no more than about five
hundred souls, of whom about two hun
dred are opposed to the project of emgra
ton. The visit however, was rather 70
consultation than Tor positive treaty.
and at a second interview, in the evening
the Secretary OF State informed them that
for the present at least, il was thought ad
visable TO hold atreaty, but to allow thing
to remain as they are, until there can b
greater unanimity among themselves
Yesterday morning, therefore, the delega
tons returned to their homes
In The course Of the day, however, ar
interview with Governor Seward wa
sought and obtained by the principal chic
Of the Onondagas, whose English nam,
Is Abraham lie Fort, for the purpose O
communicating with his Excellenc,
against the project Of emigration, to which
it would seem that some Of his own peo
pie have been moved by white people VIII,
wish to obtain their beautiful lands in tn,
valley Of Onondaga. lie Fort IS YER,
elegantman, about thirty-fve or forty year!
old, who has been at school at Geneva
and who has exchanged the Indian for tn,
white mans costume. His father wa
the celebrated Apeu-ho-q uah, or lie Fort
who fell on the Niagara frontier, in lead
Ing the Indians into the battle of Chippe
we, in the bloody campaign of 1914. Tn,
soh then stripping, was also on tn,
frontier with bis father
On being introduced to the Governor
yesterday, by Mr.. Archibald Kane, tn,
Indian agent. the chief delivered the fol
lowing beautiful speech
GREAT FATHER: Your children. tn,
Onondagas, have sent me 10 you, and the,
ask you to open your ears to me, and hea
the talk which they have sent by me /,
you.
FATHER: Your red children, tn,
Onondagas, are in great trouble. The
Ieel that you can scatter the dark cloud
that are collecting and thickening arount
them. and can cause The bright sun O
peace again to shine upon them, and tbei
mlnas again 70 De possessed in peace
FATHER: Will you now listen to YOU
children the Onondagas2 Our white ia
theirs that were before you, were goo,
men. and gave good counsels 10 us. w
have lain down in their shade, and bav
been safe We have listened to their ad
vice, and have been happy. They toll
us no longer to drink strong water, =,
sell no more Of our lands,-to keep an
cultivate them. to raise food for ourselves
our wives. and our little ones,-to leav
hunting and fishing, Ito live as our whit