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PAPERS RELATING TO THE SIX NATIONS.
opportunity of a more general offer of the Gospel to them. And for this end, that your Excellencywould be pleased to recommend, out of your clemency, and goodness, the above design of prope-gateing the Gospel among them, To the Heads & Chiefs of the Nations that may be present atthis Congress And finally, that we may have an oppertunity, by order of your Excellency, to laythe same before the Heads & chiefs that may be here. And in so doing, your Excellency will notonelygain further just esteem, and deserved thanks of all that wish well to this most Christian design;but the blessing of many ready to perish will come upon your Excellency in this present world,and in the world to come, thro’ y e Grace of God , life everlasting which is the unfeigned desire, &constant Prayer of your Excellencys most obliged
Hum bIe Servants
Dated Fort Stanwix October 17 tb 17C8. David Avery j missionaries
*»* Rev. David Avert, after his return from Fort Stanwix, graduated at Tale College and went in 1771 to preach to theIndians on Long Island . He was ordained at Hanover 29th August 1771 as assistant to the Revd Mr. Kirtland at Oneidawhither he immediately proceeded. After spending a year there he was obliged to abandon the Mission, in consequence ofthe Indians in that quarter being entirely disinclined to receive a second Missionary or school Master. This cause added tohis ill health, discouraged Mr. Avery so much that he returned to Dartmouth .
REVD MR JOHNSON TO SIR W. JOHNSON .
Sir May it please your Excellency To informe the Indian Chiefs here present that the Reasonswhy I was not present at the First opening of the Congress. Was partly oweing to my beingunwell that day and partly by misinformation of the Time when upon my hearing of the Condolence &c I much regretted my absence and especially since I have heard some ill improvement has beenalready made of it by Monsir Mountour which may possibly yea probably prejudice the minds ofthe Indians against me & even the Protestant Religion which Sir is very affecting & grievious to me& sundry others who have reminded me of it with concern—your Excellency will therefore pleaseto let my Fathers & Brethren of the Indians know I Heartily Sympathize with them & am greatlygrievd & concernd that there should be any impressions made on their minds of a contrary tendencyLet them know I am a most sure & fast Friend to them and especially their Souls Salvation whoam may it please your Excellency
Your excellencies Hum e Serv 1 .
POSITION OF REV. MR. JOHNSON DEFINED.
To Sir William Johnson , Governer Franklin, The Rev d Mr Peters, the Chief JusticeSmyth, Coll. Johnson and the other Respectable Gen tn of this Table. Health& prosperity to you all.
In as much as I am a minister of Christ, & my Work principally to preach the Gospel to the lowerrank of people: I have not used my self much to the company, & converse of Gent" of the Civil &Military order especially in the pleasure and practice of drinking Healths , Loyal Toasts &c