Author
Dakayenensere, Isaac
Date30 September, 1765
ms number765530.5
abstractOn behalf of the Oneida and Tuscarora chiefs, Dakayenensere writes to
accept the Board's offer to build mills and instruct the Indians in husbandry.
handwritingHandwriting is somewhat uneven, yet mostly formal and
clear.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair
condition, with moderate staining, creasing and wear. Preservation work has
been
done on particularly heavy creases.
inkBlack-brown.
signatureSeven large signatures all appear to be in Dakayenensere's
hand.
layoutThe first page of the letter is on one recto, but the second
page is on two recto, not one verso.
noteworthyPersons whose names are illegible have not been
tagged.
We thank you for the Care you take of us, & that you have taken pains to write to us; to let us know your . forwardneſs, &
willingneſs to aſsiſt
&
inſtruct us;
Many times when one or two determins up‐on any thing, when others come to know it, it is over‐thrown; therefore
taking your Propoſal into Conſideration
& having a Mind that it ſhould
ſtand
ſtrong
& not be overthrown, we called a general Counſel, in which we approved of your Propoſal of aſsiſting
of us in building Mills, &
inſtrusting us in Huſbandry, & thank you, that you have taken ſuch Care of us
Now concerning our Father
Mr Smith who is here
preſent with us, we think we have nothing here y
t will tempt him to Stay & live with us unleſs he ſees
a Reformation among us; we hope that God in his
own Time will bring
about a Reformation ſo, that he may
[gap: tear] be willing to Stay with us
What we have now written is the general
voice of us all, both we of
Onohoquage, & our Brethren
the
Tuſcaroras
aſsembled in counſel
illegible
God is above all, & if we are brought truely to love & fear him, we ſhall not only be of one Mind in
theſe Affairs, but ſhall be united alſo in all others —
We ſeem at preſent to be in greateſt want of a [gap: stain][guess: [ſaw] Mill, we deſire that that may be firſt built;
& if Stones can be found for the griſt Mill, & it ſhould then appear beſt to have one, that that may be built next
Now Brethren we have told you the ſum of what we have to ſay, yet if the great Man, our Brother, who ſits at the head of Affairs ſhould not approve of what we have done as we fear he will not, tho' you have a Mind to aſsiſt us, & we deſireous that you ſhould, it will be, all overthrown, which will make both you & us very ſorry
We We
Blank page.
We ſend our Love to you & remain