[Page 1 of this document is a placeholder reading "Illegible Text — Some or all of the pages of this file are wholly or in part illegible. We have not been able either to locate a better copy of the document, or to enhance its legibility electronically."] [docket: McClure on] East Windsor, Octo 22 [79—] [undecipherable] numbers, I take [7—] My dear general & friend, I received your kind & obliging letter of the [undecipherable] inst, and return you mo[st] hearty thanks for that endearing pledge of a friendship which my heart ardently reciprocates, & which Strengthens with time, as good wine, grows better by age. I am under much obligation to you, particularly, for the favorable notice which you are pleased to shew to my intended publication on the [undecipherable] Law, and respect you more for the benevolent motive which excites you to encourage it. That a distribution of a number of them may be made among the [undecipherable], who have gone forth with a laudable zeal to Settle the new countries, I very [undecipherable] not fall short of your just expectations, & be acceptable & useful to those whose welfare your [undecipherable]. I thank you especially for your communications on the Subject of Indian Affairs. They contain much valuable information, & your thoughts appear to me to be extremely just & benevolent. To humanize the Savage dispositions of the Indians, to dispose them to a peaceable & friendly alliance, & to embrace our useful arts, & the Precepts of wisdom, is indeed, a glorious labour. Attempts have been heretofore made by Enlightened & liberal men, to accomplish this, & the [undecipherable] has fell far Short of their expectations. But a failure in past instances [undecipherable] right not to discourage further trial, when [undecipherable] any [undecipherable] there is rational ground to hope that any enable [undecipherable] purpose can be answered thereby. I judge the failure of attempts to civilize [undecipherable] had originated in the mode of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] savage State; concluding that, on their embracing the Christian System, they would necessarily be induced to practice the virtues of that System. Experience lately [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] on the labours necessary to build up & Support families & Society. But it has been found that tho they have been taught the principles of morality & religion; Several discouragements have appeared in the way of their receiving the arts of civilization; and no one has been their inability in their [undecipherable] of Society, to furnish themselves with the necessary Implements & means of [undecipherable], and also the want of [undecipherable] and faithful men who Should go before them & instruct them in husbandry and the arts. The plan which you have hinted at in your letter, in a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] removes this objection. I am [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] opinion, that our first Labours ought to be to Civilize, and I think, for you have hit upon the only plan that has yet been [undecipherable] by either the British or American people; which is, an incorporation of white persons with them by intermarriages. (If this be affected, we need entertain no reasonable doubt of their future attachment to us, & friendly alliance and of the extension of the blessings of civilization to them. If twenty or thirty young men of virtuous manners & industrious habits could be found, willing to engage, and none but [undecipherable] of this character would answer the design proposed, and from connections among their tribes, I am persuaded with you, that in the course of a few years, they would tame & civilize the Indians and render them valuable Members of Society. My thoughts Suggest but two impediments in the way,— first, the [undecipherable] hostile disposition of the Indians. Secondly, the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of Such a [undecipherable]. With regard to the first, the work must be [undecipherable] & within the Indians having a knowledge thereof [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. With regard to the Second [undecipherable] that Such intermarriages Should be [patronized?] by government, and the adventurers & their children [undecipherable] reputable in law, & equally entitled to the privileges of citizens with [their?] inhabitants of the States, it would go far towards doing away the [undecipherable] and the proposed pension to the adventurers, & provision for the education to their children would I conceive [serve?] as inviting motives. The experiment would perhaps most Successfuly commence among the people bordering on the frontiers or in the vicinity of the tribes who may now be in alliance with us. The habits of familiar acquaintance, may dispose the white people there, to feel less aversion to the colours and the Indian manners. They Should be furnished with Some of the most necessary Implements for husbandry and their respective Trades, and [perhaps?] be compensated for their labour, & the produce of their labour be distributed among the Indians, in the towns in which they reside. It has been remarked that the Indians, particularly the females are fond of associating with white men, and among the Canada Indians there have been many instances of intermarriage with the French. The marriages in contemplation, Should be [sanctioned?] by law and equally binding with those among ourselves, tho a licentious intercourse would prevail; & frustrate the good proposed. And every family of Indians in a tribe or town, that Should have a certain number of Such intermarriages, within the [undecipherable]; Should perhaps be entitled to a donation to a certain amount annually, for a certain number of years. And as fast as they inclined to till the ground, or learn mechanical Trade, furnished with necessary implements and Tools, for their respective occupations. To guard against an erroneous construction [undecipherable] patriots are [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Indians, the [undecipherable] Should I imagine, be managed with our public notoriety, and by judicious men, perhaps from Officers in the army, who may find a few either among the Soldiery, or frontier Settlers of [undecipherable] morals who would be willing to Engage. For if it Should be thought, best to Send those who have already formed Such a connection & who have Some knowledge of husbandry, I believe, Some Such may be found among the New England Indians. When this design Shall have Successfuly begun its operation, Schools for the instruction of their Children might easily be introduced, and being then far more inclined to think [undecipherable] of civilization, of the diffusion of the blessings among them, the way will be prepared for their conversion to Christianity by the labours of pious & judicious missionaries; & the [undecipherable] of cruelty [undecipherable] dwelling places of righteousness; a nation ready to receive, rise up & bless the generous promoters of the divine charity. In addition to the proposed design, and at the commencement of it, or perhaps previous to it, & to prepare the way for its introduction; Suppose a number of promising Indian boys, Should be invited from different tribes to come & reside among us, be placed in regular & exemplary families; under advantage to be taught our language,— the elements of husbandry and the mechanical arts; as well as the precepts of morality and religion, and when Sent back into their own country, furnished with implements of husbandry, and the Trades that have been taught them. I would further beg, to [suggest?], that leave being obtained from the Indians, that a number of Steady and [Skilful?] farmers, at the public expense, be immediately, or as Soon as may be, Sent into the Indian Country, [undecipherable] have on [undecipherable] men with a [undecipherable] team, ploughs & into [undecipherable] considerable towns of Indians, engaging that [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] never claim as their property, a [undecipherable] of Such land as they Should cultivate within the Indian [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] gratis among the Indian families of the towns that receive them. I [undecipherable] of Such white men Should go with these families, that they be furnished with Spinning Wheels & Looms for domestic manufactures. The regulations would have a happy effect on the Indian youth who [undecipherable] [undecipherable] from among [themselves?]. [They?] would find the arts of husbandry and civilization practiced & encouraged, among their Countrymen, their prejudices [undecipherable] & they would [soon?] to [undecipherable] the work of reformation. In years past, many Indian youths of [undecipherable] both [undecipherable] have lived among the [undecipherable] been instructed, [undecipherable] have adopted our language, and manners, but returning back to their own Country, they [undecipherable] nothing that they have learned among us. They have been taught out of their civil [manners?], and again embraced the Savage manners of their own people. The [undecipherable] has been too powerful; were they disposed to Struggle against it. The plan proposed, on the other hand, would furnish the principles of civilization into which they had been initiated. perhaps the plan now proposed would most Successfuly begin with the [undecipherable] Nations. As the Indians are more [undecipherable] to those who Supply their present wants, Suppose also, that donations of clothing, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] be annually made to all the tribes within the Territory who will receive them, and also that trading houses be established to Supply their wants the articles which they most need, and their custom invited by [undecipherable] Especially all foreigners, with whom they now traffic; the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable]. The Tribes to whom we have access, being thus fed and clothed, by the liberality of the [United?] States, their happier condition, we would hope, would Speedily open the eyes of those that are now hostile, and incline them upon every principle of interest to [undecipherable] to ask our friendship & alliance. It Seems that in Some [such?] way of [undecipherable] the wild nature of Indians may be civilized, if this thing is [possible?]. But this must be gradually and gently led along, invited and adjusted and [felt?] a [undecipherable] advantage; for they have little regard to futurity. Present wants are all the wants they [undecipherable] to feel or know, and this is the habit of the Savage State. The remnants of Narragansett, Mohegan & Stockbridge Indian Tribes, consisting each of about thirty families, do so considerable in the cultivation of the ground & Support themselves by husbandry, & [undecipherable]. I believe the chief assistance that they have had from the white people, has been an exemption from public taxes and also a Supply of Missionaries & those who live, by charitable [persons?] in Boston & elsewhere, in the congregation [undecipherable] of [Christians?]. The two latter tribes a few years ago removed into the Country of the Oneidas, where they now [undecipherable] chiefly by husbandry; as I am informed, by the [undecipherable] [Kirkland?] & Sargeant. The latter gentleman is Missionary to the Stockbridge Indians. Some years past, on an excursion into Rhode Island, I Stopt at the house of an Indian farmer in Narragansett. The house was comfortable; the family hospitable; living in the midst of white people. He owned a farm & Supported himself by husbandry. The greater part [perhaps?] of the [undecipherable] Indians are [undecipherable] farmers. But by what has been done by Slender assistance afforded them, we may hope that much more may be done, with greater assistance. The Indians have no legal claim to this attention, yet it Seems to be a debt we owe to humanity, & to the divine Author of universal Philanthropy, who [undecipherable] by the [undecipherable] of his example & the [undecipherable] precepts taught us to feed & clothe our enemies, to whom we may have access; to conquer them by kindness, & not be weary in well doing. Also this demand, gratitude to heaven, from [undecipherable] from the favoured people of these States, who now flourish on the Soil, that once Supported their tawny ancestors. [And?] this work, Some rays of that gratitude. [Our?] [undecipherable] blessings, will [lend] their cheering influence, in the remnant [undecipherable] [undecipherable], who witness [undecipherable] friendship, have only [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] in prospects before them; and who [undecipherable] [undecipherable] that the white people [undecipherable] the country which they can no longer call their own. This [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] & [dominions?] of the [undecipherable] in company with Rev. M[r]. [undecipherable], we went to [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of Missions among [the?] [undecipherable] Ohio Indians, under the direction of the honorable Board of Correspondents in [undecipherable]. After we are [undecipherable], it is easy to [undecipherable] plans of [undecipherable] towards the Indians, than [undecipherable] to execute them. [Therefore?], [undecipherable] difficulties have [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] plans that have been attempted. But what you mention, is new & has not yet been tried. I readily own it may be found invaluable. the additional circumstances, which I have taken the liberty to [suggest?] would aid the Operation. That the Spirit of the country is now against Indian barbarity, and rightly So, but if any plan can be devised to tame & civilize a dreadful a race, all wit, & thinking people of all denominations, I Should conceive, would rather use [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] beams of national wealth, than to [send?] the [undecipherable] of peace & [undecipherable] to this wilderness; than to attempt the extirpation of So [undecipherable] valiant. humanity would own it, especially [undecipherable] the attempt to [undecipherable] them, must be attended with a rage, and red [age?], and the nation. [undecipherable] in the tenderest, [undecipherable] most vulnerable parts of [undecipherable], the [undecipherable] [undecipherable], and by the [undecipherable] in their [undecipherable] [undecipherable] we must add the loss of [undecipherable] men, that must fall in the dreadful conflicts. This [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] beyond the humanity of [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] thoughts, in the [pursuit?] of mercy, I pray have bent to direct. I advise [undecipherable] to your efforts. [undecipherable] If by [undecipherable] [undecipherable] they cannot be reclaimed, a regard to our own preservation, must [undecipherable] repelling, by [stronger?] force, their cruel & [sanguinary?] purposes. There, my dear Sir, I have taken the liberty to [suggest?] as [undecipherable] [undecipherable], to you, my best thoughts, and they are but [Supplementary?] to your [own?]; they are however, the result of reflections of long Standing, on Indian affairs. But I feel a [undecipherable] in almost all plans for the civilization of Indians; [undecipherable] because Such a mode as would be effectual, has been concealed from us [undecipherable], also much pains have been taken, & the Indians, labours & lives of many worthy men have been devoted to their good. It [Seems?] [undecipherable] heaven has [promised?] there as [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] as to [teach?] us our dependence & [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] towards them; perhaps as may bear the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] that this rod will be [undecipherable] broken & destroyed. We have not futurity, and was [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and labours to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] So valuable an object, [undecipherable] is perhaps, as one [undecipherable] who has it in his [power?] [undecipherable], are immediately appointed to this [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] it in this way, as [yourself?]. & I am persuaded that your [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] will not be wanting in interpreting [undecipherable] that is [undecipherable] to be done, both to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] on the frontiers, & to [undecipherable] it [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to peace, & to civilize [undecipherable] have the remnants of nations, now perishing in darkness. Your labour, dear Sir, is immensely great. May you do it with dignity to yourself, & glory & our common Country. Regard not the feeble Shafts of malice thrown by the hand of faction or disappointed ambition. A consciousness of integrity is our best defence. Mankind are more prone to [judge?] of measures by their Successes, than by their justice or expediency. I beg leave to mention, that in this part of the country, our judicious men, express not uneasiness, that the western posts, are Still detained; especially because it is Said, that from them, the hostile Indians receive Supplies, [assistance?] & assistance to annoy & distress us; & by them, are countenanced & [undecipherable] in all their hostile designs. I hope, that the reasons, which Some time ago, were alleged to [justify?] the detention, are by this time done away, & that they will, in good time, be delivered up. perhaps fresh [undecipherable] work, would put a new & favorable complexion on Indian affairs. For my own part, I confide in the wisdom of those who are at the helm of government, and we have nothing to despair of, under Providence, while our [Illustrious?] [undecipherable] Chief is there. Whose life & usefulness may heaven long [preserve?]. The length of this letter need an apology. I have no other to offer, than that you was pleased to lend a large field for me to rove over. If any thoughts may be [presented?] that you [undecipherable] approve as [undecipherable], it will be a gratification, my dear General & friend, to you. Obliged & affectionate friend & very Obedient Servant Dav^d M^cClure The Hon^ble General Knox.