In 1795 a committee was appointed by the Yearly Meeting of Pennsylvania and New Jersey for the promotion and improvement of the Indian natives.[1330] Their first act was to attempt to learn the Indian’s attitude towards such an activity on the part of Friends.[1331] Accordingly a circular letter was sent out to the various neighboring tribes, and also accompanied by a letter from the secretary of state, signifying the government’s coöperation and sanction.[1332] From the responses it appeared that only the Oneidas and part of the Tuscaroras were willing to accept any assistance, so the following summer of 1796, three Friends, approved by the committee, were sent and settled among the Oneidas. In the winter of 1796 they established a school, continued for several years, and taught by an Indian who had been educated in New England.[1333] The Indians were found, at first, to be quite averse to any continuous labor, and it was necessary for the Friends to establish themselves, and to improve a piece of land, in the hope that the Indians would see the results and become interested in the process. This seems to have worked quite satisfactorily, for in 1799 they report that the Indians have improved some lands and “sowed them with wheat.”[1334] The various occupations mentioned as being taught the boys were: smith work, tilling soil, sewing, the preparation of lumber in sawmills, and the details included therein. The girls were frequently instructed in spinning, knitting, sewing, school learning, etc.[1335] [Sidenote: Indians distrustful] At this time (1799) the Oneidas became distrustful of the motives of those in charge of the settlement, thinking that such an investment in implements and the permanent nature of the farms laid out, indicated an intention to seek after a time to take their territory from them. The settlers became aware of this feeling and to prove their good faith, decided to leave the settlement with all implements and improvements in sole charge of the natives. The preparations to leave were accomplished in a friendly conference, held in September, 1799.[1336] The success of this work, for the Oneidas, had been watched by the Seneca tribes, and resulted in an interest in the same thing, culminating in the letters requesting the Friends’ assistance, which have already been presented.[1337] SUMMARY [Sidenote: Slavery in Pennsylvania] Though slavery had fixed itself, very early, as an institution in Pennsylvania, it was not destined to continue its growth unmolested. Some of the chief factors working against it were: (1) The scruples of Friends, and other sects, (2) the Germans and (3) the opposition of White labor. Restrictive legislation was passed in 1700, 1705 and 1712, placing an ever increasing duty upon those imported. Gradual abolition was provided for by statutes of 1780 and 1788. Socially and economically the condition of the Negro in Pennsylvania was more desirable than in states of her latitude and further south.