large permanent buildings, which we contemplated and commenced the last year, we were obliged to relinquish, until our mills might be put in operation, because we could not obtain sawyers. The want of suitable help, together with a deficiency in good tools, has proved a great impediment to our business.

Since our last report, we have made considerable addition to our stock, having purchased ninety-five head of cattle, which makes our present number, deducting what we have killed, one hundred and fifty-seven. Considerable money has been vested in stock, because this constitutes, in this country, a permanent fund of the most productive kind. A large stock will be found to be indispensable for the support of the Mission.

In the months of May and June last, we received four Osage boys, all nearly the age of fourteen years. These have made rapid progress in writing and reading. They spell in words of two syllables, and are beginning to speak a little English. The oldest is the first son of Tally,

the second chief, and inherits his father's place in the nation. Another belongs to the family of one of the chiefs. The whole number of Indian children is seven, all of whom live at our table and are clothed from our store-house. The three children whom we reported last year are young, yet they have learned to speak the English language with ease. The oldest, who reads in words of two syllables, retains his native tongue, and though only eight years old, occasionally serves as an interpreter. The prejudices of this people, like those of most Indians, are much against the idea of labouring. They identify labour with slavery; yet we are encouraged to hope that these prejudices will soon wear away, from the fact that these children are not only contented, but are rapidly forming habits of industry.

In the course of a year and a half's war among this people, we have fully realized all the evils represented in our former report. And it is to the benevolent exertions of government, under Providence, that we ascribe the restoration of peace, at the important crisis which the state of

things had formed. With the restoration of peace, our prospect of success has become much greater, and there is every encouragement to proceed in our preparations for a large school.

The disbursements of this Mission, during the past year, amount to six thousand seven hundred dollars. Of this sum, one thousand has been expended for freight; one thousand five hundred for stock, including cattle and horses; the rest for labour on the farm and buildings, for supplies, and contingent expenses.

Our expenses, for the ensuing year, will probably equal, if not exceed, those of the past; nor can it be expected that they will be diminished, until we can furnish our own meat and flour. The coming year will be particularly expensive to the Mission, on account of the erection of mills; the cost of which cannot be estimated at less than two thousand dollars, in addition to what we have already expended. The commencement of a Missionary establishment, in this part of the Osage Nation, must necessarily be attended with great expense, on account of our distance from market. Perhaps there is no part of the United States, where the price of provision, stock, and labour is higher, than in the interior of the Western country.

The sum of seven hundred dollars, received from Government, in the year 1820, has, we believe, been faithfully applied; and though we have not been able, as yet, to collect a large school, yet we would submit the question to the President, whether our disbursements will not render it suitable for this Mission, to receive, at this time, further aid from the appropriation of Congress, for the good of the Indians.

In the statement submitted to the President, concerning the worth of this establishment, it will be seen, that a great proportion of the property consists in clothing, furnished for the use of the family and school. It ought also to be observed, that we have estimated the whole accord

ing to its supposed value in this country.

On the whole, sir, there is much to encourage the efforts which the government

of letters and papers. Brother Pixley has not been able to procure funds, and has thus failed in the principal object of his journey. In consequence of this failure, some member of the family will be obliged to proceed to St. Louis.

Departure of Mr. Dodge, and sickness

of Mr. Pixley.

Monday, Sept. 16.-Brother Dodge set out this morning for St. Louis, on business for the mission. Soon after his departure, brother Pixley was taken down with the fever. How strikingly manifest is the goodness and mercy of our God! More than usual health was given to this brother to endure a journey fraught with more than common fatigue and peril, and sickness not permitted to come upon him, until in a situation to be comfortably provided for! This has been constantly to be noticed in the faithful care of our heavenly Father.

Wednesday, Sept. 18.-We have been obliged to dig our crop of potatoes thus early, in consequence of their beginning to sprout anew in the hill. They have yielded indifferently. Either we have not yet obtained the best mode of cultivating them here, or they will not do as well in this as in a more northerly climate. A heavy shower arose this evening, which was rendered truly grand and sublime by the continued and dreadful roar of thunder.

Friday, Sept. 20.-Brothers Requa and Redfield returned from the Missouri in good health. They concur with brother Pixley in the representation, that a good work of the Lord is begun in the settlements along the Missouri. Through the ignorance of the people, much noise and confusion are mingled with their worship. A zealous Missionary, not so attentive to the manner as to the matter, plain, simple, and fervent in his addresses, might be the instrument of much good, in itinerating from Franklin to Fort Osage.

Saturday, Sept. 21.—Received this day a packet of letters, among which was one, dated the 19th of July, from the domestic secretary of the board. We are highly gratified with such favours, and ought to be thankful that Providence has provided for us such a medium of communication.

Sabbath, Sept. 22.-Brother Pixley is so far recovered from his sickness, as to be able to preach this morning. Surely missionaries, as well as other christians, need the influences of the Spirit, in order to spiritual life and animation. May the Lord revive us again, and give us something more than a name to live. Sister Austin is taken violently ill this evening.

Tuesday, Sept. 24.—Brother Redfield, with three hired men, set out yesterday morning for the Arkansaw, leaving brother Requa here. This day two of the men, engaged by brother Requa, arrived from the Missouri, one of whom will remain here sometime to give the finishing stroke to our grist-mill. The stone work of the dam is this day completed, and we hope some of the wheels will soon be in motion. We have begun to plough a part of our corn field for wheat, having cut up, and stacked the corn for the purpose.

Wednesday, Sept. 25.-Brother George Requa arrived here from Union, on a journey principally for his health. Sister Austin yet continues quite low.

Sickness of the family.

Monday, Sept. 30.-Several new cases of indisposition have occurred within a few days. Four of our hired men are on sides a number of the children, are now the sick list; and seven of the family, belabouring under the influence of the intermittent. Sister Austin is, we hope, convalescent.

Marriage of Miss Comstock.

Tuesday, Oct. 2.—The expected translation of another of our sisters to become a member of the Union Mission, has this day taken place, in the marriage of sister Comstock to brother William C. Requa, The ceremony was performed by brother Pixley, in the absence of the superintendent. The table, spread on this occasion, might forcibly bring to our minds the faithless declaration of the Israelites; "Can the Lord spread a table for us in the wilderness ?"

Arrival, and indisposition of Colonel
Wool.

Thursday, Oct. 3.-Wa-na-push-she took away his son to-day on a visit. He promises to return him in thirty days.

Colonel Wool, Inspector General of the United States' army, arrived from Council Bluffs, on his way to Fort Smith on the Arkansaw. He is ill with the fever, and intends to continue with us several days.

Friday, Oct. 4.-Sister Austin is fast recovering, and brothers Newton and Bright are again able to repair to the fields. Thus, although for a little moment we are chastened, yet it is but a little, and in mercy. In sickness, nothing worse than the intermittent has yet befallen us. Sabbath, Oct. 6.-Brother Pixley preached both parts of the day, in consequence of the indisposition of brother Montgomery. We maintain the form of godliness, hoping, looking, and waiting, for a greater exhibition of its power.

Monday, Oct. 7.-This evening attended the concert of prayer. Have this goodness of God to record: that all of the family, who have been sick, are in a convalescent state. Our situation, when sick, is so much better than it was at this time last year, that we cannot but thank God, and take courage.

Tuesday, Oct. 8.-Another Indian boy, after using much entreaty with his poor blind mother to gain her consent, has entered the school. He appears much delighted with the change, in putting off his tattered undressed fawn skin for decent clothing, like the other boys.

Arrival of supplies.

Saturday, Oct. 12.-A wagon from the Missouri has brought us some corn meal, and about twenty bushels of seed wheat, that which we brought with us having in a great measure lost its germinating power. The boy, who came to us on Tuesday,

remained in school but a short time. In consequence of the crying and other efforts of his mother to draw him away, he again took his miserable clothing, and left us.

Monday, Oct. 14.-Colonel Wool, having remained with us until now, and being still out of health, and desirous to proceed to St. Louis, it was thought best that brother Sprague should accompany him to that place. They accordingly commenced their journey this morning.

Thursday, Oct. 17.-Brother Dodge returned yesterday from St. Louis in good health, after a fatiguing, but prosperous journey. And to-day brother Newton started for the Missouri, to purchase beef cattle, pork, &c. for the winter. Held a pleasant and animating conference this evening.

Departure of Mr. Pixley and others

for Union.

Friday, Oct. 18.-Brother William C. Requa and his wife, together with brothers Pixley and George Requa, set out for Union. Brother Pixley has two objects in view in taking this journey: to attend a meeting of the clergy of the three missionary families, (Dwight, Union, and Harmony,) and to ascertain what prospects there are for studying the language among the Osages of the Arkansaw. Our friends have a tedious journey before them. May the Lord go with them, and bless them.

Various notices.

Monday, Oct. 21.-Our mills are nearly finished; but, in consequence of the unusual dryness of the season, we have not water sufficient to put them in operation. This circumstance, it is presumed, will not often occur on this stream.

Friday, Oct. 25.-About twenty acres of our corn field have been ploughed and sowed with wheat and rye, principally the former. Held our usual weekly conference last evening, and a special conference to-day, preparatory to the administration of the Lord's supper.

Tuesday, Oct. 29.—The general health of the family is much improved. Sister Austin is so far recovered as to be able to meet with the family at table.

Thursday, Oct. 31.-Brother Newton arrived from the Missouri, having purchased twenty-two head of cattle, and two horses. The cattle cost, on an average, about ten dollars and a half a head.

SENECA MISSION. JOURNAL TO THE 8TH OF JANUARY, 1823. Christmas Visit.

Dec. 25, 1822.-The Christian party were pretty generally collected to-day,

with a few Pagans, to receive their Christmas presents. We should judge the number consisted of one hundred and fifty souls. They expressed much gratitude for this attention of the family to them, and listened with respectful attention to a discourse founded on these words: "Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will to men." The people were informed, that we should always be happy to receive from them, an annual visit on this day; but that on New Year, we should not expect a visit from them, as heretofore; but hoped to be permitted to enjoy that day, among our own friends. To this they very cheerfully consented. Unsuccessful attempt to reconcile difficulties.

Dec. 26. One of the native women came to the minister, in company with the interpreter, to state her grievances, and to get advice, in regard to her husband; stating that he had gone and left her, and without any provocation. She is the wife of the amiable young TwoGuns, brother to the Chief of that name, an interesting female, but of an unhappy disposition. I told her that it was proper she should state her grievances, and get advice; but that prudence dictated the propriety of doing it in the presence of her husband, that 1 might thus be able to give advice to both. As she had no objections to this, the husband was immediately sent for, who came forthwith. They were then both heard, in a very in teresting debate, in the presence of one of the principal Chiefs. We were much pleased to find them, in the whole of the discussion, perfectly respectful to each other. We were not, however, able to reconcile the parties. The young man remains inflexible. He says that he is convinced, from repeated trials, that the disposition of his wife is such as will for ever break his peace, if he is compelled to live with her, and that although she now desires to be married in the Christian way, yet her object is only to bind him fast, that she may lord it over him. He is a youth inoffensive in his disposition, moral in his habits, and, at least, respect ful in his views of religion; and from these circumstances, as well as our ac

quaintance with the character of the young woman, we have reason to believe that his representations are not destitute of truth. The custom of putting away wives, and of marrying others, is an evil prevalent among this people, deeply affecting their temporal comfort, and injurious to the Christian cause. The parties seldom, I believe, bind themselves for life; but the marriage contract is generally dissolved at the option of either. May it please God, who has begun a good work among them, to set aside every barrier to the diffusion of his truth, and the universal acceptation of his law,

Special Council.

Dec. 28.-I requested a council of the Chiefs this afternoon, with a view to ascertain what might be done to check, or remove, the practice of putting away their wives, for reasons not sanctioned by the word of God. They were reminded of the extent of the evil which had prevailed among them so long, and which had been attended with such unhappy consequences. It was then suggested, that if some of the younger Chiefs and men of the tribe would come forward in a public manner, and be married in the Christian mode, the example might, by the blessing of God, have a very salutary effect. To this they replied, that they could now rejoice in the full belief that God had prospered them in their feeble attempts to do their duty, as they had spent the whole of the day before in discussing the same subject; and, what appeared singular, and a matter of rejoicing to them, was, that we had both hit upon the same expedient to remedy the difficulty; and I might rest assured that they were more thankful for the proposal, now made to them, than for any thing (to use their own expression)" that had befallen them this many a day." As there were but few Chiefs present, it was thought best to defer the conversation to a fuller meeting.

Monthly Concert, and Adjourned Council.

Jan. 6, 1823.-Met for the monthly concert of prayer. An unusual number were present, of both sexes. The Chiefs and people listened with much attention,