Special Instructions to General Israel Chapin Esquire Deputy Temporary Agent on civilizing the Five Nations and Stockbridge Indians
Type
Copy of document
Title
Special Instructions to General Israel Chapin Esquire Deputy Temporary Agent on civilizing the Five Nations and Stockbridge Indians
Description
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.
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.
year created
1792
month created
04
day created
28
author
recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Israel Chapin
Henry Knox
blacksmith
carpenter
wheelwright
Indian children
Indian girls
Indian chiefs
Five Nations
President of United States General George Washington
War Office
schoolmasters
notable location
Five Nations
War Office
Philadelphia
Stockbridge
Massachusetts
New York
notable item/thing
bulls
cows
oxen
farm
livestock
husbandry
tools
expenses
spinning
sewing
knitting
chains
carts
suit of clothes
notable idea/issue
Knox plan for civilizing Indians of the Five Nations
document number
1792042800001
page start
1
