The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-27
Service for Morning and Evening Prayer


an; Episcopal National Convention were opened this
morning at nine o'clock, with the usual religious SER
vices conducted by the Rev. DIR. Petcrkn OF Virginia
ana the Rev. DIR. Hubbard, of New Hampshire. The
benedicton was pronounced by Bishop Talbot, ,of
Indiana.
The record Of Saturdays proceedings were read by
the Secretary and adopted by the Convention.
The attendance of delegates at the opening OF to-
days session very slim, the change Of time 20
nine A. M. not appearing to be very popular
The first business in order the calling for re-
ports OF committees, but none ready to report.
Memorials and petitions were then called for by the
President, but none in readiness.
The Rev Mr.. Clark, OF Georgia, offered the follow
ing:-
Resolrcd That the Committee on Canons be re-
9uesied to consider report to this Convention on
be known hereafter as the House OF Deputies.
Referred to the Committee on Canons.
Mr. William Welsh, Of Philadelphia, offered the fol-
lowing, which was referred to the Committee on
Canons:-
Resored That 1t he referred to the Committee on
CanOns to consider and report on the propriety of
making canon rendering it obligatory on all new
doccs& to form their standing committees of an equal
number of clergymen and laymen.
number of messages from the House of Bishops
were then read, non-concurrng in certain unmpor-
liant amendments to canons by the lower House.
Mr.. S. b. Ruggles of New York, stated that the
number of copies of the journal $4,000 ordered to be
printed, would not be sufficient; that 6l0O would
scarcely suffice, and he moved that $500 copies be
printed.
The Secretary stated that the cost of the stereotype
plates and the printing of 5000 copies would be about
$4,000 and the addition could be covered by extra
outlay of about $780,
The House ofsBshops sent, at this time, message
containing petition from the Oneida Indians, sub
mitted to them by Bishop Kemper, and draft Of
Joint letter to the Secretary of the INTERIOR that the
Oneidas may be protected in their present homes,
which they obtained through the aid of the Episcopal
Church. Some few of the tribe have proposed to
agents to sell portion of the Oneida land in Wscon-
ein to the government. The proposals listened
TO by the agents, but they possessed more land
than they need. They nearly all belong to the Eps-
copal Church. and desire the aid of the Church auho
rity Agents continually interfering with them,
and they need protection.
Judge Otis moved that the President and Secretary
of the House be directed to sign The letter of the
Bishop on behalf of the House OF Clerical and Lay
(The proceedings were here interrupted by the re-
ception OF number Of messages from the House OF
Bishops they continue the joint committee on pub
hcation; resolution OF non-concurrence in the
amendment to Canon 49, regarding assistant Bishops;
they concur in the resolution relating the assess
ment of expenses, and announce that they have
adopted resolution making verbal correction in
The resolution relating to the publication of Bishop
Mr. William Welsh, of Philadelphia, moved that the
matter relating to the Oneida Indians, be referred
the delegation from Wisconsin, for their advice and
opinion in matter that particularly applies to that
State. He did not think the House could under
standngly take any action in the matter without con-
ferring with the delegation from Wisconsin.
Mr., J. j. p. Smith, of South Carolina, went into
lengthy history of the condition of the Oneida In
dans. He adverted to the frauds praetced on these
The President of the Convention, Rev. DR.. Craik
of Kentucky, vacated the chair, and spoke on the
the subject lie advocated the cause of the poor lu
dian lie thought the influence of this Convention
on the government, II properly eXerted, could do
much to aid these lndans-who are our burden-in
getting and retaining their just rights.
At this time Mr. Welsh, of Philadelphia, moved his
motion, that the documents before the House in rea-
tion to these Indians, be referred To special COM
mittee of three cergymen and three aymen.
Hon. Hamilton Fish, of New York, said that he
Indians in the wrongs and injuries inflicted on them
by designing men, but he doubted whether il was the
policy Of a Convention of the Episcopal Church to
take any action in the matter He thought this H.
dian question was yet in its infancy and was one OF
the most difficult ones the government had TO deal
with He said that no matter how much we felt for
the Indians our sympathy should only be as indi-
viduals and not as conysntion; he hoped the entire
matter be left in the hands Of the government.
The Rev. DR.. Stubbs disagreed with Mr.. Fish. He
thought the matter was one that directly appealed TO
our hearts and was one that undoubtedly called for
the action of the Convention. We should protect
them in their religious rights. They (the Indians)
make earnest appeal to us for protection and au,
and it would be against the principles OF the Episco-
pal Church for u.s. National Episcopal body, to turn
q deaf ear to their appeal.
Mr.. Peterkn, of Virginia, thought this very grave
and important subject. The cry may be in many
they may be exterminated but forget
that their names are on most of great waters and
that they formerly owned all the land we occupy He
thought especially indebted to the Onedas,
the Six Nations during the Revolutionary struggle
sided with the enemies of our country with the ex-
ception of the Onedas, who fought for u.s.
(At this time message was received from the
House of Bishops stating that they did NOT concur
in the amendment to the fourth Article of the Const
tution in relation to the Board of Missions; and,
also, that they do not concur in the resolution to
finally adjourn Tuesday next, but suggest next
Thursday as the day of adjonrnmenD.
Mr.. Weshs motion to commit the Indian question
TO special committee was not agreed to. Yeas Al ;
nays, 49,
Hon. Hamilton Fish offered the following:-
ResolUed, That this House respectfully non-concurs
with the House of Bishops in the message respecting
fhe Oneida Indians, for the that while it feels
the deepest sympathy in the trials and the sufsrngs
of these Indians, it is OF opinion that 1T is inexpe
dien and against the policy of this Convention, and
the interests of the Church. that the Convention OF
the Church should in its Official representative capa
city interfere with questions OF policy conhded to
N the State.
DIR. Mahan, OF Maryland, then called for the reading
of the letter from the House of Bishops to the Sscre
tary of the Interior. This letter reads as follows:
HoUsB OF BIsHoPs PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL
fCHURoH, NEW York, Oct 23, 1s6S.-To the Hon.
Secretary of the Interior.-Dear Sr:-The incosed
petition from the civilized and Christian portion Of
the Oneluas OF Wisconsin was presented TO the
House of Bishops, and referred to u.s.
We know the deep interest which You have taken
this poor race, and how earnestly Won have tried
to protect them in their just rights. We believe that
fhe statements made are correct, and that nothing
is peTilous TO the Indians as their frequent re-
'movas.
We respectfully forward you their petition, with
far may be possible, protect the Onedas in their
peaceful possession of lands which have been guaran-
iced TO them by the United States.
(Sgned) JAoKsoE KEMPER,
SAMUEL A. MoCosKAY,
Bishop of Michigan.
ii. b. WHPPLE
Bishop OF Minnesota
a1r,Iia offap hxyt thoI Han Niol