The little value Indians set on what we prize so
highly under the name of Learning appears from a pleasant passage
that happened some years since at a Treaty between one of our
Colonies and the Six Nations; when every thing had been settled to
the Satisfaction of both sides, and nothing remained but a mutual
exchange of civilities, the English Commissioners told the Indians,
they had in their Country a College for the instruction of Youth who
were there taught various languages, Arts, and Sciences; that there
was a particular foundation in favour of the Indians to defray the
expense of the Education of any of their sons who should desire to
take the Benefit of it. And now if the Indians would accept of the
Offer, the English would take half a dozen of their brightest lads
and bring them up in the Best manner; The Indians after consulting on
the proposal replied that it was remembered some of their Youths had
formerly been educated in that College, but it had been observed that
for a long time after they returned to their Friends, they were
absolutely good for nothing being neither acquainted with the true
methods of killing deer, catching Beaver or surprizing an enemy. The
Proposition however, they looked on as a mark of the kindness and
good will of the English to the Indian Nations which merited a
grateful return; and therefore if the English Gentlemen would send a
dozen or two of their Children to Onondago the great Council would
take care of their Education, bring them up in really what was the
best manner and make men of them.
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