While this resolution, taken out of the historical context, seems to depict Congressional support for “civilizing the Indians and promoting Christianity,” it does not have that effect. The 1787 Congressional action points back to the 1785 Land Ordinance which simply provides the land for the “sole use of the Christian Indians, who were formerly settled there.” The Brethren had already promoted Christianity to the Indians. Now they were empowered to act as trustees for this land.
