Page:Messages and Letters of William Henry Harrison Vol. 1.djvu/68

30  Delawares are now making an other attempt to become agriculturists—they are forming settlements upon the White river a branch of the Wabash under the conduct of two Missionaries of the Society of "The United Brethren for propogating the gospel amongst the Heathens" otherwise Meravians. To assist them in this plan the Chiefs desire that one half of their next annuity may be laid out in impliments of agriculture, and in the purchase of some domestic animals as Cows and Hogs. The Kaskaskeas & Peankashaws request the same thing and the Patawatimies wish a few corse hoes may be sent with their goods. The sun a great Chief of the last mentioned Nation requests that a Coat and Hat of the Uniform of the United States & to prevent Jealousy a few more may be aded for the other Chiefs, of his nation. Indeed I am convinced that nothing would please the Chiefs of all the Nations so much as a distinction of this kind. It was a method always persued by the British and nothing did more to preserve their Influance. I therefore take the liberty of recommending that about a half dozen Coats made in the uniform of the United States and ordinary Cocked Hats may be sent for each of the nations who have an annuity of one thousand dollars, and Half that number for the Nations who receive 500 dollars—the expence to be taken from the allowance of each nation. The Kickapoos who are a strong and warlike Nation have not a proper proportion of goods allowed them by the United States their annuity is 500 dollars only, which is the sum allowed to the remnant of the Kaskaskias which have only fifteen or twenty warriors. The Kickapoos of the Priaria a large branch of that nation never receive any part of the goods. They frequently steal Horses which are never returned because they do not fear the withholding of their annuity. The Socks a very large nation which Inhabit the Waters of the Illinois River are not bound by any treaty—and will not deliver up horses or prisones in their possession. I have reason to believe that there are several persons still with them which were taken during the late war. They say they are very willing to treat if they are put upon the same footing that the rest of the Indian Nations are.

The contractor to the army had untill lately an agent at