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Red Clay May 12th 1837 My Dear Sir,

                 Yours of March 13th was duly

recd. I thank you much for the contents of it, especially the information with regard to my dear sons. I hope they have ere this learned some wisdom, and sobriety. I know they will receive good advice from yourself and other friends and I hope they will have discretion enough to follow it.

   I write now to suggest to you what has occurred to 

me within a few days. Could not a Voluntary Association be organized in our country for the express purpose of inquiring into the past, present, and prospective condition, feelings &c. of our Western and Southern Indians Tribes? Could not an extensive Enquireing Association of this kind be organized, so as to embrace influential men of all political parties? Could it not have its seat in New York or Philadelphia, and have members or corresponding members through-out the Country? Its main object being to ascertain, no far as possible, the advances the several tribes have made in civilization and christianity and their encouraging and discouraging prospects; and the obstacles in the way to their civilization &c. &c. And let this society employ a periodical to circulate the information obtained through the country and the world. You know Sir, that voluntary associations