3909. INDIANS, Civilizing.—[further continued].
The plan of civilizing the Indians is undoubtedly a great improvement
on the ancient and totally ineffectual one of beginning
with religious missionaries. Our experience
has shown that this must be the last
step of the process. The following is what
has been successful: 1st, to raise cattle, &c., and
thereby acquire a knowledge of the value of
property; 2d, arithmetic, to calculate that
value; 3d, writing, to keep accounts, and here
they begin to enclose farms, and the men to
labor, the women to spin and weave; 4th, to
read “Aesop's Fables” and “Robinson Crusoe”
are their first delight. The Creeks and Cherokees
are advanced thus far, and the Cherokees
are now instituting a regular government.—
To James Jay. Washington ed. v, 440.
(M.
April. 1809)
