Memory-1830, November 22

   A white man by the name of Fish, who had lived with the Shawanoes from a small boy, and was in all respects identified with them, and become a principal of a clan which had lived many years in the State of Missouri, and which was in a good degree civilized. I took Fish to the house of Captain Anthony Shane, a half breed, and who was the United States’ interpreter; and on his informing me that he and his party desired a school for the instruction of their youth, I assured him that he should be furnished with one; and, whatever might be the answer of the rest of the nation to my proposals, he might rely upon the establishment of a school for his party. I would immediately begin to make preparations for it, and on my return his wishes should be met with as little delay as possible. Two others of the party at the same time urged me to establish the school.

   On the 22d of November I returned to this place, when Captain Cornstalk and Captain William Perry, chiefs, met me, to deliver the decision of the nation, which was favorable to the establishment of the school proposed. These chiefs, however, and most of the Shawanoes, consented to my propositions rather through courtesy, than on account of a desire really to enjoy the advantages of education. Like most Indians, not much advanced in civilization, they felt little desire for schools, and still less to hear preaching. With Fish and his party it was otherwise; they appreciated in a good degree the former, and were favourably inclined to the latter, and through them I had hoped that access could be successfully obtained to the main body of the nation. But unfortunately for my plan, while I had been absent in the wilderness, the Reverend. Mr. McAllister and the Reverend Thomas Johnson, of the Methodist denomination visited the Shawanoes, and made similar propositions. The main body of the Shawanoes objected, “because,” they said, ”they intended to accept the proposals I had made them.” The result, however, was an agreement that the Methodist should establish a school with Fish’s party. In this matter I felt a disappointment which I could not remedy; but I was still resolved to carry out the design of establishing a mission in the nation.

[McCoy, History of Baptist Missions, p. 405.] Read the book.