Petition of Brothertown Indians from Connecticut for Relief
To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut
The subscribers, in behalf of themselves and their brethren, poor Indians, formerly of the State of Connecticut but lately refugees from the vicinity of Oneida, ask leave most respectfully to express their grateful acknowledgments of the repeated kindness and favors conferred upon them by their best friends and brothers, the inhabitants of their native and beloved state, particularly, in the late instance of a brief granted by a former General Assembly for a contribution in several churches within the state aforesaid. In consequence of which, we have been informed, a considerable sum in paper money (Connecticut emission) hath been collected for our relief, a list of which money is here enclosed. As the said money is now out of circulation, your memorialists pray that Your Honors would, in your great goodness, pass such order relative thereto, that the same may be rendered subservient to the present relief of a number of poor distressed Indians, who, for their fidelity and attachment to the American cause, have suffered the loss of all things, been compelled to fly from their habitations, leaving those means of subsistence behind, with which God had blessed them, and to sojourn where they could find a place. We have now, after much sickness and distress, by the providence of God and the kindness of the good people in this neighborhood, little more than a bare existence, within the bounds of West Stockbridge in the State of Massachusetts, near the line of New York. We are very desirous of returning to our former settlement in the vicinity of Oneida, where, instead of being further burdensome, we hope to be of some advantage to the United States. But, by reason of our destitute circumstances, we are unable to accomplish this without the aid of our American friends. We are, therefore, by dire want and poverty compelled to look up to Your Honors as to our great and kind fathers and humbly to implore your assistance at this time. If, in your great wisdom and goodness, you may see meet to make some addition, though ever so small, to the money collected as aforesaid, it will, at this juncture, be a peculiar favor added to the many others which Indians in general, we in particular, have received from our brothers of Connecticut. And we can’t but hope that a favor of this kind, conferred on those who have inviolably adhered to you in times of the greatest danger, during the war, may have a happy influence on the other tribes of Indians upon the continent. It will, at least, so far as our influence may extend, furnish us with an additional argument to convince them that it will be for their interest, for the sure, to seek the friendship and rely on the goodness and protection of the United States.
Your petitioners, therefore, pray that Your Honors, taking their distressed circumstances into your wise consideration, would grant them such relief to your wisdom may seem fit.
And, as in duty bound, shall ever pray,
West Stockbridge, May 8, 1783
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Certification:
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That the memorialists, Elijah Wampey and others, about forty-four in number, are justly represented in the foregoing petition, as to their attachment to the American cause, losses, present distressed circumstances, etc. is certified by me, Samuel Kirkland,missionary, Stockbridge, May 16, 1783
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Legislative Action:
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In the Lower House, the prayer of this memorial is granted and that a bill, etc. Test, John Treadwell, Clerk
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Notation:
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Petition of poor Indians / May 1783 / Passed Upper House / Passed Lower House
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Cataloguing:
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227a, 227b
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