January 6th, 1816

Editor's Note: This letter was written by Oneida Chief Captain Abner Hendrick to Erastus Granger and Horatio Jones - Indian Interpreter. He asks for money owed to the Senecas. He also uses a word: "dependent", to describe the then-relationship of his tribe to the United States. With most of their lands now either sold or taken, the Indians now depend on the Federal Government to supplement a diminishing lifestyle.

Mr. Granger Newstockingbridge, Jan 6th, 1816
And Jones

My friends and Protectors,

Dear sirs, I think [it] proper to write [a] few lines to you and
To inform you that I arrived home safe and well
And further I will inform you that my warriors are
Dependent on you for our wages and I hope you will
Use your might [and] influence in order to get our pay
According [to] what the certificate wrote which I had
From general gaines, that is one Dollar per Day
For my wages and 15 warriors 50 cents per day each
From [the] 6th June until Discharge.

My friends, I wish you so good as [to] send me a
Letter immediately and please to mention what
You have for account of this business for me
And direct it [to] Newstockingbridge, State of New York
To be left [at] [the] Post Office, Vernon, Oneida County.
Fail not to send me a letter. I am respectfully,

Sir your most obedient and humble
Servant

E.Granger, Indian Agent
And Jones, Indian Interpreter
Both at Washington