PAPERS RELATING TO THE SIX NATIONS.

255

CHURCHWARDENS OF SCHENECTADY TO SIR W M JOHNSON.

Schenectady 25 th Feb 1 '* 1769.

Sir On Thursday last we Rec d the inclosed Letter, by which you’ll understand, that all ourExpectations, as to M r Murray are at an End, you can’t immagine how the Disappointment affectsus, and will be attended with the Consequences of losing some part of our Congregation by theirJoining the Dissenters, as they have provided themselves with a Gentleman who is muchadmired, And as we are at a Loss how to proceed farther for the speedy provision of a Missionary,We make bold to Crave your Advice how to act. Last Fall when M r Brown was in New York The Rev d D r Auchmuthy told him in Case of a Disappointment with M r Murray, that he doubtednot but that (with your Approbation) he could procure us a Worthy Gentleman. We have thepleasure to inform you that we Waited on the Governour when last here and Received his subscrip-tion money, as also the sum of £3 5s from Coll 1 Morris. We are informed that M r Moffat will beup next Week to go on with the Church. We are with the Greatest Respect

Sir Your most Ob 1 & Humble Servants

Matthew Lyne.

John Shee.

Thomas Arnold.

Jw. Brown.

P. S.—Pray Excuse haste.

[Enclosure.]

Reading 31 January 1769

Sir I was favoured with a Joint Letter from you, Mess rs Shee, Brown & Curry dated 2 d Inst.But never Received the other you mention of Oct r last, or woud not have failed so far in Duty &Respect as not to have answered it immediately. In consequence of some Letters that passedbetwixt Sir William Johnson & the Rev d D r Smith of Philad a I w r rote the Society in January last forleave to Remove to Schenectady , & accordingly obtained their Consent Summer last: But hearingnothing in the Interim from the People as I expected from wiiat D r Smith wrote S r William whenI applied the Society, I was obliged to drop all farther thoughts of that Mission, & Signified tothe Society in September last, that, as matters thus stood, they slioud not postpone the Settlementof it on my account. And since then I have entered into a married State, which woud make aRemoval so far as to Schenectady very inconvenient, & the Salary there wou’d be very unequal to theExpence of supporting a Family : However I am much indebted you for your kind Invitation, &sincerely w r ish you may be soon provided in a Worthy Missionary, & am with all Gratitude & Esteem

Sir Your most obliged and very

Affectionate Friend & Serv 1

Alex b Murray.