I have noticed that many Quakers were involved with work among the western Indian tribes in the 1870s through 1890s. They included, in Iowa, members of the Beede and Hoag families, also Lawrie Tatum and Brinton Darlington; in Kansas, William Hiatt Coffin, in Nebraska, William P. Burgess and George F. Howell. Plus many others. I have always thought their efforts were benign, befitting their own character and principles. The Quakers worked diligently to get the Government to rescind its policy of Indian extermination. They espoused a program of "assimilation not annihilation." They founded schools for Indian children and taught skills and trades to the adults. In recent research, however, I was unsettled to find that what the Quakers did is being sharply criticized by modern historians: In their opinion, these programs forced Native Americans to adopt the ways of the white man and destroyed their traditional way of life. It appears that in many dimensions this was the result, but I believe the Quakers would have been shocked to be charged with doing something wrong. I believe it was the consensus of the Quakers that this was the best course to save the Indians and it could only be done by eradicating their traditional lifestyle. I would appreciate comments on this subject from those who had Quaker ancestors involved in Indian work during this period, or have done research on this subject. Thanks in advance, Gregory McReynolds Pasadena, California