Special Instructions to General Israel Chapin Esquire Deputy Temporary Agent on civilizing the Five Nations and Stockbridge Indians

Following the visit of the Five Nations delegation to Philadelphia, Knox provides detailed instructions to Chapin on the appropriation of $1500 per year annuity to the Five Nations and Stockbridge Indians. Chapin is to select blacksmiths, carpenters and schoolmasters of unblemished integrity and who will set a good example. Would prefer school masters with livestock husbandry skills. Blacksmiths should be able to repair guns. Carpenters should be able to fix wheels. They should be equipped with the tools of their trade. They should be married men and should be provided with livestock such as oxen, cow, a bull. Knox provides a list of expenses. Wives should teach the Indian girls spinning, sewing and knitting. Farms of the schoolmaster, blacksmith and carpenter will be adjacent, and the school house will be nearby. The Indian children will go to school, work on the farms and some will work for the Blacksmith and Carpenter. Indian girls will learn how to milk cows. Indians will be instructed on works of creation on Sundays, but not the peculiar doctrines of revealed religion. Indians will be treated with gentleness and will not engage in work unless whites are doing the same. Keep regular accounts. Teach men to plow and give them chains, oxen and carts. Teach how to grow and cultivate hay. Encourage Indians to learn the art of blacksmithing and carpentry. Boys and girls who learn skills and read will receive a suit of clothes. Chiefs will be rewarded with livestock.

− 100% + Fit

⇣

Human transcription Machine transcription

No human transcription currently available for this document.