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Show desire to engage in agricultural pursuits, I took with me a number of farming implements. I presented them with a few spades, hoes and shovels, some clothing, a little tobacco and other presents with which they were much pleased; and I soon discovered that those articles would be a great inducement for them to prosecute their work to com-jJ »tion, as well as an evidence of friendship with part of the General Government towards them. On Wood Creek I found many of the Indians engaging in the same manner, assisted by some citizens of Fort Harmony which is also situated on this Creek; but like those on Shirts creek, being destitute of the necessary implements to prosecute their work with much success what few spades and other tools they had, belonged to the citizens of the fort. I also presented them, with some spades, shovels and hoes, and likewise some clothing, and other articles; and should their crops escape the ravage of the grasshoppers, which have again visited some portions of the Territory, and destroyed much grain and other produce, I doubt not, but at both places they will be able to raise considerable grain; which will add much to their comfort, and in some measure relieve the citizens of this county of a great burden with which they have heretofore been taxed. That of feeding those Indians I learned from the citizens of the fort, that the Indians in general in this section of countty, are very willing to be instructed in farming, and many of them are very industrious, and will perform as much labor on a farm as many of the whites. The Indians at those places |