282
TAPERS RELATING TO THE SIX NATIONS.
Albany June 25, 1771.
Hon ble Sir, Having so favourable an opportunity, by my good Friend M r Joseph Brent, I begLeave to present my best Respects to you & all the family, and to inform you, that the Rev d M rInglis of New York has wrote you by me ; The Letter has been Sent by your Post, & I hope, iscome safe to hand. You have heard, I understand, of some foolish people, that have been endeav-ouring to disturb the peace of my Congregation ; and am sorry to learn, that my Conduct in thataffair, has not been represented to you in the most favourable light. The whole affair was so silly& ridiculous, that I did not think it worth while to trouble you with an account thereof. I intendsoon however, to wait upon you Sir, at the Hall ; till then I trust to your Candour, that you willSuspend any Judgement of the matter, till you hear my Story—audi et alteram partem.—I shallonly mention at present, that my Congregation is in perfect peace, and Quietness ; notwithstandingany malicious Reports to the Contrary. I remain with great Esteem & Respect,
Honbie Sir, Your most Obedient Servant.
SIR WM. JOHNSON TO THE REVD. MR. INGLIS,
RELATIVE TO HIS PLAN FOR CHRISTIANISING THE INDIANS.
Good Sir, Your favor of the 25 th of May has been for some time in my hands, but I was pre-vented by business from answering it sooner, and Indeed I am as yet unable to do so as fully as Icould wish.
I very much approve of the plan you have laid down for your Design, as well as of the headsunder which it is to be digested, as they will Amuse and Instruct, at the same time that theyenforce the Arguments in favor of its particular object. The principal difficultys in the way ofChristianizing the Indians does not depend on them, but remain with ourselves, First, The Wanthitherto of a thorough knowledge of their Genius and Disposition, or of the proper means to bepursued, Secondly, the want of zeal and Perseverance, Sufficient for such an arduous undertakingwhich has often rendered many attempts abortive, and that where these Qualities have been foundunited (as amt some of the Dissenters) The possessors are not only deficient in knowledge andCapacity, but of a Gloomy Severity of manners totally disqualifying them from sucli a. Task.Thirdly, The Want of a Suitable fund that may enable the few otherwise fitting for the purposeto attempt it.
That some may be found equal to the business I have no doubt, and from the Effects which theReligion of our Church produces on the Dispositions ol its Members, It is most reasonable to thinkthat such would he found amongst us, who would insinuate the principles of Christianity in amanner that would be more pleasing to the Indians and most likely To succeed, but this last is aremark entre nous, as possibly it would be furiously attacked—Tho’ Indeed you must Expect thatany thing you can Write which will tend, to obstruct their Schemes, or to throw this importantbusiness into other hands, will meet with strong opposition, and he bitterly answered.