Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-11-15

First Annual Report of the Secre-
tary of the Wilmington Indian
AHsOCIaJtnu.

Tns IIdia.! Association in Wilmington
began it's infancy in the psrlors Of No
$50 Market street III tla winter of 1851.
Mrs Quintor, secretary OF the National
Indian Association of Philadelphia, made
q visit in February, 1881, with the wish
that something should be done il Della
wars for the cause of the Indian; accord
ingly she stated her ni4sion to the little
company assembled OF some Is or l6
ladies, who seemed to respond with some
Interest to her proposition which aas 10
take the petitions she had bruuS hit, pray
ing Congress to grant to the Inlial, lands
in severaity, with lee simple titles, in.
alenGble Tor term Of years; the same
law protection, legal personality and citi.
zenship that white aud back men enjoy;
adequate common school ard industrial
eduration up n their present reservation
These potitions were taken by the
ladies who we're present aud dilgeutl,
circulated over portions of the city aud
State untit hcndreds of names were
signed; they were then seut to Mrs,
Quinton who with delegation OF ladies',
February 2lst, 1881, presented the
petition Of the Indian Treaty Keeping
and Protection Association, TO President
Arthur.
The great roll represented more than
100 600 ct the citizsus OF the United
States, the names having been sent from
all parts OF the country, including the
South several Of the territories and
heipg so large as to need support was
wtspped in white bunting and tied with
the national colors, thus appearing what
it really was. patriotic appeal to the
| National Government
After til interview with the President
the delegrstion proceeded to the Senate
~hers they were reosived in the marble
room by Senator Dawes Of Massschusett
who made short speeeh in behalf of the
cause The petition and memorial letter
were referred to the Senate committee on
Indian affairs
At the first meeting of the ladies in
1881, gu effort was made to elect officers,
buI all seemed to feel that they had other
duties which would prevent their accept
ance, except one, who was made presi-
dent, though the interest in the subj act
did not abate as the literature On the
Indian question was widely eircu
lated. In November, 1882, Mrs.
Quipton, Mrs. Wistsr Morris and
Mrs Tuttle who Lad been with her hus-
band missionating among the Modoc
Indians, came to Wilmington, aud in the
lecture room of the Ceutrsl Presby yteriau
Church regularly organized "The Will
mingtop Indian Association" Mrs.
Foote was again eleoLsd president, Miss
Polk secretary, and Mrs. Dove treasurer,
and vice presidents from the different
churches. The association met regularly
once month, usually i'll the parlors OF
different members.
Three public meetings were held in the
churches and addresses made by Mrs.
Quinton, Mr.. Herbert Welsh and others
We now number 65 annual members, one
life member, one contributor and four
associate members, making in all H. The
aggregate sum of money sent to the
parent society for the circulation of liter
sture and the benefit of the Indian cause
to aid in oivilizing and Christianizing
them amounted to $l30.97 which was
sent July 1888. A. P. FooTE.
| OCT, %. 1883.