.MTA2MA.NzE3MDE

they have fed and sustained us when travelling among them. They are not stingy, but they do not wish to see business conducted in an underhanded and deceitful manner, and unless we can retain the character of honest men among them, all our labours will be vein: but retaining that character we shall doubtless find them hereafter, as heretofore, ever ready to assist, to comfort and strengthen us in doing good. Respectfully yours, etc.

                                                                                                                                                   D. S. B.

Note. It may be well for the Bud. Committee to know that mission improvements were ordered at nearly, or quite as much again as they were worth, so that the improvements, together with the land itself, would not sell, I presume, for as much as the improvements were valued at, and on this account, it seems some white people begin to suspect that we had the land as well as the improvements valued. And as to the improvements at Red Clay the unclear Com. are doubtless informed that the Cherokees cut and hewed the logs for, and put up the dwelling house, and built one chimney, yet the whole was valued to the mission to be paid for out of the $5,000,000 Whether the Indians think of this I know not, and is dangerous making enquiries, yet I presume they do, and will ever remember it.

                                                                                                             D.S.B.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           49