My object in visiting you is to inform you of the views and intentions of my nation which I hope when you understand them, that you will think well of them, and co-operate with us in our intentions. The object is as follows. We wish to send a party of our men, on an exploring tour to the Western part of the continent, or on some water course of the Western Ocean. Should any discovery country be discoverd suitable for agriculture and adapted to Indian life, it is the intention of the Oneida nation of which I am one to emigrate to it, together with other Northern Nations who are a party to these our intentions. Believing it to be a plan that will result in good [p. [18]]
The manuscript copy of the letter initially read, “to the western part of the Continent or some water course of the western ocean.” The word “or” was then revised to “on,” and “or” was inserted between “Continent” and “on.” (Lewis Dana, “Webbers Falls, Cherokee Nation,” to John Brown, “Cherokee Nation, Near Webbers Falls, Arkansas River,” 5 July 1845, Lewis Dana, Correspondence, CHL.)