789

(ONONDAGA INDIANS)

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:300.00 - 500.00 USD
(ONONDAGA INDIANS)
Good grouping of twelve letters all written to E. Merriam of Brooklyn, N.Y. dealing with appropriations for a school set up for children on the Onondaga reservation south of Syracuse, N.Y. Merriam was apparently a generous benefactor and supported a church and a school for the Onondagas. The most interesting letters are a group of eight from noted abolitionist and Unitarian minister SAMUEL J. MAY (1797 - 1871), who writes various reports to Merriam on the state of the reservation. In small part: "...[Nov. 26, 1855]...I am unable to give you a very flattering account of the condition of the Onendagas. Little progress is apparent. The Pagans generally are jealous of the influence of the school as well as the Church - and only a few of the so called Christians appreciate as highly as they should the advantages that are proffered to them...Only six of the twelve Onendaga children that I placed in farmers' families have remained where I left hem. For one reason or another the other six have returned to their Indian life...[Jan. 31, 1856]...The clothing and the confectionery that you sent them have produced a wonderful effect upon the school. The average attendance for the last four or five weeks has been a little over thirty...I am much inclined to favor your plan of institution on our Reservation a Farm school...". J. D. Torry, another minister to the Onendagas, writes an A.L.S. to Miriam, 4pp. 8vo., [n.p., n.d.], in part: "...We have purchased Boots, Shoes & Stockings together with cotton cloth to make undergarments & cloth form coats & pantaloons...The Box of candies did not arrive in time for New Years so we are using it as bait to keep them in school every day. These inducement bring more than our Teacher can attend to so I have been helping in the school myself for a few weeks...". With related correspondence from the State of New York and the Department of the Interior dealing with the appropriation of funds. Light soiling, usual folds, overall in very good condition. Twelve pieces.