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Finley Letters

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Letter from John McLean to James B. Finley

John McLean
August 06, 1826; Washington City

McLean expects to see Finley in Washington since he is within a day's ride. He is very sorry to hear of Finley's poor health, but reminds him that a life well lived in service to God is more important than the number of years we live. Abstract Number - 996
Letter from John Chalmers to James B. Finley

John Chalmers
August 07, 1826; Washington City

An acknowledgement of the news that Finley plans to visit Washington City. Chalmers assumes that Finley will come by stage and agrees to have accommodations available for him. Abstract Number - 62
Letter from John McLean to James B. Finley

John McLean
August 07, 1826; Washington City

McLean has learned that Finley and friends will be in Washington. McLean would like Finley and Brother Durbin to stay with him. Abstract Number - 997
Letter from Alexander McCaine to James B. Finley

Alexander McCaine
August 21, 1826; Baltimore

McCaine writes that he has not been favorably impressed by the missionary movement in the country heretofore. However, he has heard many good things about the Wyandot Mission and believes it to be a genuine missionary enterprise. He has therefore purchased about 100 yards of cotton shirtcloth for the Indian children and if Finley will write to tell him how to send it, he will send it at once. Abstract Number - 754
Letter from W. Lee to James B. Finley

W. Lee
September 13, 1826; Treasury Department

W. Lee, representative from the U.S.Treasury Department, requests that Finley forward a statement of his disbursements from the advance account for civilization of the Indians ($3,583 was advanced). The Treasury Department needs an itemized list of how this money was used during the Feb 1824-July 1826 time frame. Abstract Number - 755
Letter from Thomas Mason to James B. Finley

Thomas Mason
October 05, 1826; New York

Mason reports that the friends of missions in New York approve the plan for the chiefs to establish a mission store. He emphasizes the importance of accurate record keeping at the store. Finley's visit to Newburgh with the Wyandot chiefs has really excited folks about the missionary cause. As a result, Mason has been able to form a missionary society in the village. He encourages Finley to teach trades to the Indians at the Mission. Young men should be taught a trade as early as possible. Possible trades include blacksmith, carpenter, shoemaker, weaver, hatter, etc. Men should be hired to come into the nation to train for these trades, or some of the young men should be placed as apprentices with whites away from the mission. He asks Finley to send him a copy of the hymnal "Pilgrim's Songster." Abstract Number - 615
Letter from Thomas Mason to James B. Finley

Thomas Mason
October 06, 1826; New York

Mason has sent 100 copies of the hymnal "Zion's Songster" for Finley to sell on commission. Abstract Number - 616
Letter from Elnathan Raymond to James B. Finley

Elnathan Raymond
October 11, 1826; Brooklyn, NY

Rev. Elnathan Raymond, local preacher and class leader in Brooklyn, NY, has just perused the description of Finley's camp meeting (possibly the Baltimore camp meeting held in July 1826 on the way home from the New York trip with the two chiefs -- Mononcue and Between-the Logs, to the anniversary meeting of the Female Missionary Society). He praises the work Finley is doing to win the souls of the pagans at the Wyandot Mission. He asks Finley to give his greetings to the "two chiefs," which suggests that he met Mononcue and Between-the-Logs during Finley's visit to New York in June of 1826. Abstract Number - 756
Letter from Francis Hall to James B. Finley

Francis Hall
October 13, 1826; New York City

Francis Hall (clerk and founding member of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church) writes to let Finley know that the recent visit of Wyandot Indians to New York City will not be in vain. Hall has received a letter from William Reece of the British Conference, wishing to be remembered to the ministers he met while in America, and exulting in the prosperity of the Wyandot Indian Mission. At the end of the letter, Hall discusses The Christian Advocate, a new paper established by the Book Concern in New York City. "It promises to be of large circulation and it is under the patronage of the General Conference, and I have no doubt that it will be means of doing much good." Abstract Number - 538
Letter from John McLean to James B. Finley

John McLean
October 26, 1826; Washington City

McLean cannot promise that Bishop S. can occupy his house, since decisions are currently being made about the disposition of his parents - where they will live. The house is in disrepair. McLean hopes that whoever buys the house will restore it to good repair. Abstract Number - 998
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
January 10, 1827; Zanesville

Young has just returned from his first round on the District [Presiding Elder of Lancaster District]. He finds that the preachers are all well but the people "generally dull." He asks Finley what is going on at the Mission. He hopes that Finley's heart and affections have been "weaned from the attachments" he has formed there [Finley is in his last year of appointment as missionary to the Wyandots; appointed Presiding Elder of Lebanon District in September of 1827]. Young has grave doubts about the permanency of the Mission. He ends his letter with the statement "I am as ever Methodistically old fashioned." Abstract Number - 885
Letter from James McMahon to James B. Finley

James McMahon
February 13, 1827; Upper Sandusky

Rev. James McMahon, Presiding Elder of the Portland District, writes to let Finley know that he was truly missed at the recent quarterly meeting of the Wyandot Mission. (Finley and James Gilruth were assigned as missionaries to the Wyandot Mission for the year 1827, but Finley became too ill to do the work.) He understands that Finley is in very poor health, a sufficient excuse for his absence. They had a good meeting. Many joined the church and many were converted. McMahon is very much attached to the Indians. He is concerned about the size of the school and advises that an accomplished female teacher be hired to teach the girls. McMahon lets Finley know that his absence is keenly felt -- "You are much needed here." Abstract Number - 759
Letter from John Woods to James B. Finley

John Woods
February 20, 1827; Washington, DC

U.S. Congressman John Woods writes to let Finley know that there is a "scheme" before Congress for removal of the Indians beyond the Mississippi. Woods is opposed to this idea, believing that "it is a plan not for the benefit of the Indians but for the benefit of those who wish to obtain their lands." Woods argues that the best mode of civilizing the Indians is a proper system of education, bringing them under U.S. laws, and giving them their land and property as individuals. He would like to meet with Finley to discuss this issue.. Abstract Number - 760
Letter from James Gilruth to James B. Finley

James Gilruth
March 02, 1827; Mission House, Upper Sandusky

Gilruth is sorry to hear about Finley's poor health. The work of the Lord is still going on among the Indians. After a bit of trouble two of the Indian boys are now gone ("Jacob Young" and "William McKendree"). Gilruth mentions that he has dug a good well and will need seeds for the gardens -- beets, lettuce, carrots, cabbage, cucumbers, enough to plant 2 acres, and pumpkin seeds, enough to plant 10 acres. If Finley comes out in time, he can bring the seed. If not, Gilruth will have to go himself in search of them. Gilruth wishes to know about the prospects of getting some sheep. He also mentions that Bishops McKendree and Soule have written a letter to Mononcue & Between-the-Logs. Abstract Number - 761
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
March 19, 1827; Logan

Young [Presiding Elder, Lancaster District] says he will not be home until April 3rd. He hopes to find Finley at his home when he arrives for they have much to discuss. Young has a list of potential Ohio Conference nominees for the 1828 General Conference -- James Quinn, Jacob Young, James B. Finley, John P. Durbin, John Janes, Russel Bigelow, Curtis Goddard, Leroy Swormstedt, and John F. Wright. He requests Finley's input on these candidates. He asks Finley to contact Conference Secretary Jones [G.R.]. Young would like Jones to send him the Local Deacon certificate for Jesse Roe [Rowe], elected Local Deacon at the last Ohio Annual Conference. Abstract Number - 886
Letter from C.L. Cass to James B. Finley

C.L. Cass
April 09, 1827; Upper Sandusky

Cass writes that the mission is doing well and comments on the good behavior of the Indians. He has not seen one intoxicated Indian all winter. The store is also doing very well. He plans to wait awhile before appointing a new manager for the store. Abstract Number - 762
Letter from W. Lee to James B. Finley

W. Lee
April 27, 1827; Treasury Department

A second request from the Treasury Department for an itemized list of disbursements from the civilization of the Indians account (Civilization Fund Act). Abstract Number - 763
Letter from James Gilruth to James B. Finley

James Gilruth
May 05, 1827; Mission House

Finley's illness has caused him to leave the Wyandot Mission and return to Ridgeville. Gilruth has replaced Finley at the Mission and writes to tell him about problems and progress. C.L. Cass does not come to see Gilruth, and his conduct has "not been pleasing." William Walker has signed Finley's name to an order for more goods, even though he knows Finley has resigned as director of the store. Cass and Walker do not consult with Gilruth. On a good note, Gov. Cass has sent ploughs for the Wyandots, and the farm is about to be surveyed. The two lower fields have been planted. Abstract Number - 791
Letter from William Scott to James B. Finley

William Scott
May 07, 1827; Yellow Creek

A recent quarterly meeting was held at Rutledges Meeting House. While there, Scott met a brother from Europe who expects to visit with Finley. Because the bearer of the letter, Bro.Thompson, will share information about the status of the church with Finley, Scott has decided not to discuss this in the letter. Scott is pleased that his wife and daughters are staunch members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is grateful to Finley for setting him on the right path. Abstract Number - 63
Letter from John McLean to James B. Finley

John McLean
July 28, 1827; Washington City

McLean encloses a certificate with reference to Finley's last letter. He is back in Washington after a trip and mentions a pleasant but tedious journey home by way of Niagara Falls. Abstract Number - 999
Letter from W. Lee to James B. Finley

W. Lee
September 18, 1827; Treasury Department

A third request from the Treasury Department for an itemized list of disbursements from the civilization of the Indians account (Civilization Fund Act). Abstract Number - 764
Letter from W. Lee to James B. Finley

W. Lee
October 11, 1827; Treasury Department

Regarding the record of disbursements from the account for civilization of the Indians -- Yes, we will accept a certificate from Bishop McKendree attesting that the money committed to your charge by the government was properly spent. Abstract Number - 765
Letter from W. Lee to James B. Finley

W. Lee
October 19, 1827; Treasury Department

Regarding the request from the Treasury Department for an itemized list of disbursements from the civilization of the Indians account (Civilization Fund Act) -- Your account has been closed. Abstract Number - 766
Letter from John McLean to James B. Finley

John McLean
October 19, 1827; Washington City

McLean forwards a letter and receipt from W. Lee of the War Department. The certificate Finley recently sent to Lee was satisfactory. Abstract Number - 1000
Letter from John Woods to James B. Finley

John Woods
November 10, 1827; Hamilton

U.S. Congressman John Woods writes to Finley once more expressing his feelings about the plight of the Indians. He believes that treaties made heretofore with Indian tribes have been a "disgrace to the nation" because the tribes are not independent nations. Negotiations with a dependent group are inherently unfair due to the disparity in power. Instead of negotiating for removal, the government ought to continue aiding missionary establishments. The only plan for civilizing the Indians is "by teaching them to plow & sow & reap & weave & spin at the same time that we enlighten their minds." Abstract Number - 767