PAPERS RELATING TO THE SIX NATIONS.
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wherfore I may easily offend in this respect, with no ill meaning—And in as much as in drinkingthe Kings health yesterday, I used such terms, as to offend Col Johnson Mr Chief Justice, & it maybe some others, In saying I drink the King of New Eng d Health, the Health of the King, that hearsour Prayers, &c I do hereby honestly, and before him that knoweth all things, protest, I had no othermeaning then, or now, but what is express’d or imply’d in these words—I drink the Health of KingGeorge iii. of Great Britain &c—comprehending New Eng d & all the British Colonies & provincesin North America . And I mean to drink such a Health to his British Majesty, when occasion servesso long as his Royal Majesty shall govern his British, & American subjects according to MagnaCharta, or the great charter of English Liberties, and hears the prayers of his American Subjects,when properly laid before Him—But in case his Bitish Majesty (which God in great mercy prevent)should superseed & proceed contrary to charter rights & privileges, & Govern us with a Rod ofIron, & the mouth of Canons and, make his Little Einger thicker than his Fathers loyns, and utterlyrefuse to hear or consider our Humble prayers; then, & in that case I should think it my indispen-sable Duty to seek a retreat else where: or joyn with my Countrymen in Forming a New Empire inAmeriea, distinct from, & independent of the British Empire: agreeable to a projected, & predictedPlan in a late essay* which in Substance agrees with my mind in these things & if I am not mistaken,with every true son of Liberty.
Your Excellencies most Obed' Humle servt
Fort Stanwix octob, 20 1768. Jacob Ws. Johnson.
* a late essay Inti tied the Power & Gendure of Great Britain , Founded on the Liberties of theColonies &c.
REV. MR. JOHNSON TO SIR WM. JOHNSON.
May it please Your Excelency
It is with some apprehension of Concern I write—I am sensible of the great propriety of YourExcellencys forbidding the Ind ns intoxicating Spirits (at this Time)—and besides the other Ind n ingen 11 , It may be observ’d the Seneca’s who have been a great while in coming—come arm’d—whilewe at the Fort & round about are naked—& defenceless—They have also (it is s d ) their RomishPriests among them: who hold it meritorious to kill Hereticks (as they call us) And our sins andprovocations may incense Heaven to let them lose at unawares upon us; if the utmost care, &precaution be not taken—which your Excellency in his superior Wisdom will doubtless Well consider—■& give orders accordingly. As the Scituation of affairs wear a most threatning aspect (at thisjuncture) so I can’t but think it a time to be serious, if there be any such Time: And in this SpiritI write to your Excellency. If my apprehensions are groundless, I shou’d be glad, & ask yourExcellencies forgiveness—who am with all due Respect your Excelly,
obed 1 Hum le Servt
Fort Stanwix octob r 22 1768. Jacob W s Johnson.
P. S. As I am aseer, I may be knowing to some things—Your Excellency possibly may not—whichoccasions me thus to write— *********