The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-10-03

sldered very precarlous on account o. the
low stage OF the water, and the numerous
. snags and shoals IN tue river, which caus-
ed much anxiety 10 US as well as 10 the
: officers of the boat both by night and by
day yet through all, we were favored 10
reach our destined port unframed, and
then proceeded by land about nine miles
TO Friends School in the Shawnee Ma.
ton. We reached the school early in the
evening, whore we were cordially re-
ceived by all the Friends of the EStabish>
ment, and hospitable entertained.
The day following we made arrange
ments for council with the Indians,
viewed the premises &c and in the even
ing visited the school, heard the scholars
answer scripture questions, spell, &c.
The school consists OF twenty>lhree boys
and fourteen girls. We were pleased
with lis appearance at this, and subse-
quent visits that we made; the scholars
manifested good degree of activity and
appeared cheerful and happy. They had
made considerable proficiency in their
studies, as much as could reasonably be
expected under the circumstances in which
they were placed. They are taught in
the English language, and converse in
English with the whites but when con-
versing among themselves, they speak the
Shawnee. Attached to this school is
large farm, the income of which goes 10
the support OF the Institution. The boys
work on the farm and are instructed in
agriculture, the school being conducted
somewhat on the manual labor plan. We
| were we'll satisfied with the appearance of
the farm. The school is wholly support
ed by The Yearly Meetings of Friends OF
Baltimore, Ohio, and Indiana and was
instituted at its present location by them
at the request of the Indians. We made !
a visit TO the Methodist Mission School, |
distant about three miles from that Of
Friends. Their buildings are of brick |
and large, and an extensive farm is attach.
ed to the Establishment. This school
also, is conducted on the manual labor
plan. We were informed that they in.
struct upwards ofeigh,y children annual
~ at this Institution. Oar government
has done much towards its esta blishmenl
and support, and the deficiency is made up
by the Methodist Board. The children
were making ;olerable progress in the
various studies in which they were engag-
ed, as well as in agriculture and the me-
chanc arts. The Bapists have also
small school in the Shawnee nation, but
al the time Of our visit it was vacated.
After visiting the schools, we called on
several families o.! the Indians, many OF
whom appeared to be living loleraby well
in comfortable log houses some of them
have pretty good furniture, utensils for
cooking &C., and some have barns and
other out>bulIdngs. They raise supply
of Indian corn for themselves and cattle,
and keep oxen, cows, horses, hogs and
lew sheep. All OF them raise a large
number of fowls. Some of them have
peach orchards, and have sent some peach
es TO market the past season. Many of j
the men of this tribe are Industrious as ,
we'll as the women; few of the men
are mechanics and work by The day for ,
the white settlers, and give satisfaction 10 ,
Sheir employers. They appear 10 be adj ,
opting The dress and manners ofthe whites, /:
and to be advancing slowly in civilization .
1t is reported that some of them have ems !
braced Christianity, but most of them ad- !
here 10 their ancient views of religion. A !,
number are yet given to l.
dissipation ;.they all appear to have a con. =
inued regard for Friends, and received y
IS kindly, manlfesling much interest in !,
our visit. We held a number Of coup. )
Ills with them during our stay in the ma q
ion to pretty good satisfaction, and rem. "
Tered them such advice as seemed proper, 3
o which they listened with interest and
tten!ion. They were apt at making US
cquainted with their grievances AT c.
me OF the councils with The chiefs and Il
ead men of the nation, the following v
peech was made, our certificates and d
documents having been previously read L
nd we having rendered such counsel and "
dvlce as way opened for. h
SPEECH. "
Brothers :-Perhaps it is the will of !.
Tod that we should meet today 10 talk tc
yer things togiher; and if there was no /;
rouble in the way, we could get along -
'uch better in making you ply. You :: ::
now that when there is only little H.
'oube in the way, we cannot get along Of
0 well. Brothers, we are glad to hear al
Oh talk, and when We meet in this wav, fe
re think about God and talk about Him h;
" we believe it is his viii that we should nj
link about him and talk about him. We [.
rect you as brothers and send our love ~ -
nd best wishes 10 our friends the Qna- a.
ets, who sent you TO see US. their Indian w
rolhers Brothers, this is not the first III
me our friends the Quakers have come w
see us to instruct us in the things you or
ave been talking about to day A !ong be
me ago our friends, the Quakers, gave is
the same instruction, and orr voupr