Thomas Wistar (1798-1876) 1/2

Letters are primarily to family. Many express religious devotion. In 1869, the letters are greatly detailed with his mission as an Indian Commissioner, and the great burden of responsibility he feels it to be. Many references to Enoch Hoag and other commissioners. I. Letters, 1809-1875 Highlights include: to Father. Stanley (Philadelphia), 1834 12/9. [visited Henry Sheets, a director of the poor in the County who will help support an inmate in "the Asylum] to Samuel Garden. Abington, 1835 11/6. [asks to be remembered to Chief Black Snake [Tah-won-ne-ahs or Chainbreaker of the Seneca Nation], whom he loves; asks if they have thought more about the division of their lands; if the railroad passes through their lands, fears that white men will see the land and covet it] to Caspar Wistar. Stanley, 1838 3/7. [concern for the Seneca Nation; at last Indian Committee meeting, several Chiefs appointed to prepare a memorial to Congress] to James Henlon? Ft. Laramie, 1844 6/18. [several councils have been held with the Sioux; some members are "going further from us," which weakens hope of a satisfactory treaty; the situation is that land the Native Americans inhabit is unfit for agricultural purposes, game diminishing; alternative that they must be fed by the Government, resort to farming or disappear -- which is unlikely; reflects on bad situation] to Father. 1844 11/? [despite a wish to think otherwise, disagrees with views of Joseph John Gurney, as set out in pamphlet he read; not surprised by troubles in New England] to William Forster. Abington, 1848 2/12. [re African Americans in Ohio, and has been requested by Emlen Institution board to look for successor to Augustus Wattles, the present superintendent; people formerly enslaved by the late John Randolph; improvement of situation by extension of Miami Canal which connects Lake Erie to Ohio River] to Wife and family. Green Bay (Wis.), 1849 6/15. [at an assembly of 40-50 Native American Chiefs, wives, and children, how events proceeding; battle in which General Brown, a Quaker, was wounded] to Cousin. Washington, 1866 5/10. [has had satisfactory interviews with Secretary Harlan and Stanton, Gen. Townsend, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and others; there will be two parties, the Northwestern of which he is a part, they are to counsel with the Brule and Oglala Sioux, Arapaho and Cheyenne Tribes and try to include as many as possible in negotiations] to Wife. Elmira, [NY], 1868 12/2. [soon to reach Council House, though Taylor unlikely to be there] to Wife. Laramie, 1869 7/17. [many people want Indigenous land, Native Americans "who are by many looked on as nuisances and only tolerated for the sake of the money to be made from them;" reference to corruption] to Wife. Laramie, 1869 7/20. [business in which they are engaged, and travel between points] to Wife. Laramie, 186[9?] 7/23. [has been at the Shawnee mission] to Wife. Laramie, 1969 7/31. [at a Shawnee Council; someone brought a keg of whiskey and bad results were anticipated, so it was disposed of; mention of L(aurie) Tatum; will go on to Sac and Fox Nation] to Wife. Kiowa and Arapaho Agency, 1870 2/16. [the luxury of a bed and blankets after 400 miles of travel on the windswept plains; Council held at Agent Darlington's, but not well-attended; search for Bull Bear's [Mantau-Tathonca, Ogala Sioux chief] camp; food distribution to various Nations; mention of other Quakers involved; events that cannot be put to paper] to [Associated Executive Committee of Philadelphia on Indian Affairs?] Lawrence, KS, 1870 4/8. Report to "Dear Friends" mentioning Dr. James E. Rhoads, Enoch and Joseph Hoag and others; one of chief objects of journey was to attend a peace council of the different tribes who had recently been at war with U.S. or each other; present peaceful situation and "nothing amounting to hostilities will occur, if the Indians are justly treated by the fulfillment of their treaty"; Agency building being erected; new reservation for the Cheyenne and Arapaho; work of civilization about to begin] to P.R. Freas? Abington, 1870 5/12. [although government has a desire to deal generously with Native Americans, actual treatment has been unjust and iniquitous -- with a great deal of detail on same; men who incite wars for their own profit; description of new reservation; position of Jonathan Richards] to Enoch Hoag. Alleghany Reservation, NY 1871 1/? [working to assist Seneca at Cornplanter reservation to secure a remnant of their land in Pa. through legislative process] to Sister. 1872 2/22. [has met with the "Carr Indians" who are in danger; his health] to Wife. Laramie, n.d. [some differences arise between Friends, such as Enoch Hoag and others] II. Papers, 1819-1865 Prayer, 1848, 1 page. A.D. in Thomas Wistar's hand. Report of Thomas Wistar Jr., Commissioner to the Menomonee, 1849. Directed to "Thomas Ewing, Secretary of the Home Department of the United States." 10 pages. Signed by Thomas Wistar, but written in another hand. Fragment on St. Augustus and another fragment on government payment to some group. Petition to President Abraham Lincoln on the condition of living of Native Americans, n.d. 4 pages. A.D., not signed. Judge not by the Coat: a reflection, n.d. In Thomas Wistar's hand. Thomas Wistar's journal (diary) entries for 8/21/1849 and 9/26/1849. 11 poems, 1819-65 and undated