approached, much less attained, without the adoption of such a course as this. . . . It is to these, that whatever advancement other tribes may have made, must be attributed. Although these Indians, so far as the mere possession of land is concerned, might be considered rich, yet in available wealth, they are really very poor. In fact, the amount they annually receive from the Government is not unfrequently reduced onehalf, by the payment of salaries and other sums set apart for various purposes."

The want of suitable clothing, medicine, and even proper food, was feelingly depicted in these letters, as well as the large amount of sickness generally prevailing, with the statement of numerous cases brought to notice, wherein patients have lingered long and suffered much for want of suitable food. "Indeed, many times (says the writer) have I seen women and frail children, during convalescence, or while tortured with fever, supplied with no other nourishment than perhaps roasted corn, or such almost indigestible bread as the Indians generally make!"

The minutes of the Executive Committee were read, by which the meeting was informed that they had the subject of the establishment of industrial schools under consideration-further action on which was referred to this Committee. They also made the following suggestion, viz.:

"Inasmuch as questions of interest to Friends and the Indians are liable to arise, that will render it important for Friends of our Yearly Meeting to be represented either jointly with committees of other Yearly Mettings or separately, in relation to the agencies under our care, either at the seat of Government or elsewhere, it is suggested for the consideration of the General Committee the propriety of appointing a Special Committee to act on our behalf whenever such necessity arises."

After a deliberate examination of the whole subject a committee was set apart to propose the names of four of each sex in accordance with the preceding suggestion.

Their nomination was approved, and the Committee accordingly appointed "to represent to the proper authorities at Washington the importance of the establishment of the proposed industrial schools, and to secure if possible, an appropriation for the purpose." It being understood they should also constitute a Standing Committee to attend to similar services, and to act as our representatives during the continuance of our appointment.

At the stated meeting held Third Month, 18th, 1870, there were present 30 members. For the absence of a number sickness and other reasons were assigned.

Several bills were presented, for the settlement of

which, the clerk was directed to draw orders No. 6, 7, and 8.

The Minutes of the Committee appointed to represent to the authorities at Washington the necessities of the Indians, and to co-operate with committees of other Yearly Meetings, were read.

The proposition contained in a communication from Superintendent Samuel M. Janney, dated Second Month, 11th, 1870, recommending the sale of a portion of the lands of the "Otoes," and "Sacs," and "Foxes" (with their consent); and for the latter to purchase of the "Iowas," and settle near them-and, that the proceeds of the lands be used to provide those tribes with comfortable dwellings, live stock, farming implements, and schools, was carefully considered and approved by this Committee.

The Sub-committee appointed to the service, reported having twice visited Washington, first, in company with two members of the Committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, and after conferring together, and carefully examining the estimates of Samuel M. Janney, interviews were had with Commissioner Parker, of the Indian Bureau, and Secretary Cox, of the Interior Department, but as they had no funds for the purpose of building houses, furnishing agricultural implements, seeds, &c., they recommended the prepa

ration of a memorial, asking for an immediate appropriation for that special purpose.

The Memorial issued, together with the services of the Committee as reported to this meeting, were all approved, a copy of the former, and a letter addressed to members of Congress being as follows:

TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES:

Your memorialists, representing the Committee on the Indian Concerns of the Society of Friends, to some of whose members has been assigned by the Government the care of the Indians in the Northern Superintendency, State of Nebraska, respectfully rep

resent:

That in the spring of last year, a Superintendent and six Agents, members of the Society, entered upon their respective duties in that Superintendency.

They found the Indians placed in their charge to be generally in a very depressed and degraded condition; but the Superintendent and Agents entered upon their arduous labors with cheerfulness and earnestness. The Friends in the East sent out a supply of medicines and clothing for those who needed them, and a marked improvement is already observable.

But, with the means at their disposal, the Superintendent and Agents can accomplish little for the PER

MANENT improvement of these people. The same causes, in their crowded and unhealthy lodges, operate to reproduce disease, and although allotments of land in severalty have been completed on some of the Reservations, yet unless they have houses on them, and means of cultivating the land, these allotments avail them nothing, and the Indians merely EXIST without the possibility of further improvement.

What is needed, and what our petition asks of Congress is, an IMMEDIATE appropriation to build houses, to work their lands, and raise the provisions necessary for their subsistence.

From the estimates that have been made, we believe that an appropriation of the following amounts will be required for wagons, teams, tools, agricultural implements, live stock, seeds, &c., and to erect suitable houses on some of the allotments, viz.:

The time to commence their agricultural labors is now near at hand, and unless these appropriations are