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Volume IV.
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PAPERS RELATING TO THE SIX NATIONS

277

I have already wrote to Lord Hillsborough (to whom my Correspondence is now Confined) &have fully stated my opinion on the Relig 3 wants and desires ot the Ind s and I believe it would bedeemed out of my way to urge it farther by sending him a plan before he answers that part of myLetter tho’ rather than it sho d fail thro’ any neglect of mine I would do it.

I cannot think that the plan can be in better hands, or prepared so well by any other than a Gentle-man of your abilities and zeal, and therefore I hope you’ll frame it yourself:—as to the motives to beenlarged on that should Induce Gov 1 to Countenance it, I think (ams 1 others) That it will have ahappy Effect in removs many Circumstances of Jealousy & displayg his Majesty’s tender regard fortheir future happiness, and this I assure you even those Ind s are capable of seeing who have neverbeen Christianized :—In the next place It will make them Members of a Church which teaches anobedience to Supreme Authority & a reverence for Government, which are principles much Wantingamong them, and as it will finally prove the means of their becoming members of Civil Society , sotheir being of the National Church will strengthen the Tye & add Weight to that Religion which InJustice & policy ought here to be promoted. Besides which It would, soon prove a means ofalienating them from our Enemys, who constantly observe to them that we take no care of theirsalvation, & by the Proselytes they made to the Church of Rome were enabled to & yet- maydistress us greatly Add to this that it is perhaps the only opportunity for many reasons that evermay offer, which occurring in the Reign of a most virtuous & Pious Prince will reflect much Gloryon his administration

I am glad to hear that since we are to have a new Gov r so suddenly, his Character appears soamiable as I find it does accords to the acc‘ of sev 1 Correspond 13 .

I shall not fail to deliver y r message to Odeserundy which will make him happy and should you onsome future occasion Write him 3 or 4 lines It would yield great Satisfaction to all the village.

Between ourselves (for it shou d not be Comunicated to some people) I sho d tell you that theGerman Lutheran Minister at Stoneraby (a fine settlement near this) has Expresed a desire to me oftaking orders in our Church, & what is more Extraordinary his Whole Congregation desire tobecome members of the same This Shews what the clili might Expect with due Countenance I intendto mention this affair to D r Auchmuty to whom I beg my Complim ts & that you’ll acquaint him thatI shall Write him by next post.

The bad Weather came on so Suddenly after the Snow that S r John w T as disappointed of goingdown, he desires his kind Complem 13 as do Coll 3 Claus & Johnson, and I am allways with perfect Esteem

D r Sir.

SIR WM. JOHNSON TO RE YD. DR. AUCHMUTY.

Johnson hall April 4 th 1771.

Good Sir I am Sorry to have remained so long in your debt as now at this distance of time toacknowledge the rest of your favor of the 23 ,d Nov r last, soon after receiving your Letter both M rStewart & Andrews arrived at their respective Missions where they afford promising hopes ofadvancing the Cause of Religion. I see M r Stewart frequently he is learning the Indian languageand Seems pleased with a Study so necessary to a man in his Situation. And he is much esteemedby the neighbouring White people who frequent his church, and even some of them have sollicitedlum to perform the rites of baptism and burial, tho’ they have a Minister of their own Church .The Indians seem pleased & the School goes on very well.