SIR,

INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

UNIV. OF

NEW-HAVEN, June 6, 1822.

In the last and preceding winters, I had the honor of presenting to the President of the United States, through your hands, a Report, in part, of the results of my several visits among the Indian Tribes of our country, and of my inquiries concerning their past history and present actual state. This Report, in compliance with a Resolution of Congress, has been submitted to that honorable body, and, at my request, returned for the purpose of completing, and publishing it, under my own inspection. After some unexpected, but unavoidable delays, I now, with much diffidence, and under a deep sense of responsibility, present it to the public, as complete in matter and form, as my means, my time, and my health, and the nature of the work itself will admit. If it shall, in any measure, meet the feelings and expectations of those who are interested and engaged in promoting the welfare of Indians, prove instrumental in awakening the attention of other to the state of this neglected and oppressed people, and of laying foundations for their future civil, social, and religious improvement and happiness, I shall not regret my arduous and long continued labors, nor the considerable sacrifices, I have made at my advanced age, of time, of property, and of domestic comforts, in obtaining and preparing for use, the facts and information comprised in this Report. These facts, with the remarks, and plans of improvement, which, on much reflection, they have suggested to my own mind, I now respectfully submit to the candor and consideration of the President and Congress; to the various benevolent Institutions, engaged in imparting

the blessings of civilization and Christianity, to these untutored heathen tribes, and to the people generally, in this favored country.

With high consideration and respect,

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Hon. JOHN C. CALHOUN,

Secretary of War.

JEDIDIAH MORSE.

REPORT

TO THE

HONOURABLE SECRETARY OF WAR.

COMMISSION.

SIR,

On the 7th February last, I had the honour of receiving from your hand a commission, of which the following is a copy.*

SIR,

Department of War, 7th February, 1820.

I have laid before the President your proposition, to make a visit of observation and inspection to the various Indian Tribes in our immediate neighbourhood, in order to acquire a more accurate knowledge of their actual condition, and to devise the most suitable plan to advance their civilization and happiness. The President approves of the proposed arrangement, and has directed me to allow you the sum of five hundred dollars towards the expense of your contemplated journey; and he further authorizes me to state to you, that should your actual expense exceed that sum, that the excess will be allowed you, provided the state of the appropriation for the Indian Department will, at the end of the year, justify the allowance.

It is desirable that you should make your visit to the Northern Tribes the next spring and summer, and to the Southern, the next autumn and winter, as it is the wish of the Department to have your report as early as practicable, in order to avail itself of it in the future application of the fund for the civilization of the Indians.

* It is proper here to note, that the author was, at this time, acting under commissions from the Hon. and Rev. Society in Scotland for propagating Christian Knowledge, and the Northern Missionary Society in the State of New-York, for the same purposes, as those expressed in this commission from the President. The prosecution of the objects of these two commissions, led to the reception of that under which he is now acting, in behalf of the Government.

I enclose a general letter of introduction to the superintendents and agents for Indian affairs, with a list of their names and residences, who will afford you all the information and facilities in their power.

Your attention will be directed to ascertain the actual condition of the various tribes, which you may visit, in a religious, moral, and political point of view, and your report to the Department, which you will make, at such times as will be convenient, will comprehend all such facts, with your reflections on them, as will go to illustrate this interesting subject. You will particularly ascertain, as far as practicable, the number of the various tribes which you may visit, and those adjacent; the extent of territory, with the nature of the soil, and climate of the country occupied by them; their mode of life, customs, laws and political institutions; and the character and disposition of their most influential men. You will also particularly report on the number of schools, their position, the number and character of the teachers, the number of scholars of each sex, the plan of education, with the degree of success which appears to attend the respective schools, and the disposition which appears to exist in the tribes, and with their chief men, to promote among them education and civilization. You will also report your opinion as to the improvements which may be made, and the new establishments, to promote the object of the government in civilizing the Indians, which can be advantageously formed.

The moral condition of the Indians will necessarily be very dependent on the character of the trade with them, and a subject so important will, of course, claim your attention. You will report such facts, as may come within your knowledge, as will go to show the state of the trade with them, and the character of the traders, and will suggest such improvements in the present system of Indian trade, as in your opinion will render it better calculated to secure peace between them and us, and will contribute more efficiently to advance their moral condition.

You are so fully apprized of the views of the President in your intended visit to the Indian Tribes, that a farther enumeration of the objects, which are thought interesting, is deemed unnecessary; satisfied, as I am, that your zeal and intelligence will permit nothing to escape your observation, which may be useful to be known to the government.