their money, that I should be afraid to attempt it, As to the Difficulty of supplying his people with a minister in his absence I think that might in a great measure be obviated, by Mr Stewart's visiting them as often as he possibly can. perhaps Mr Andrews may be induced to assist.

Since the Receipt of your last of May the 4th, I have informed myself as well as I have been able concerning the Gentleman you mentioned. His moral character formerly was very good; but since he has commenced Lawyer it is altered. Many dirty things are reported of him, which if true, must greatly hurt him. I have consulted with several of my Brethren on the Subject, some of them know him; they are unanimous in thinking it will not do for us to recommend him for many reasons, which we can inform you of, if desired. If the Gentleman is, from a motive of Conscience desirous of taking the Gown, I then would recommend it to him to get recommendations to my Lord Baltimore, who can provide for him at a distance from his old Friends the Dissenters, who will be watching every opportunity to prejudice him, and render abortive any usefulness he may attempt to be of. I am very certain it will never do for him to think of settling in these parts; neither would it do for the Clergy at present to take him by the hand not out of fear or regard for the Dissenters, but for fear of consequences which after a previous inquiry, naturally arise.

Thus Sir I have freely and candidly given you my sentiments on the main Subjects of the two last Letters you honoured me with; if they should appear satisfactory to you I shall be greatly pleased.

Before I conclude, I must just observe to you that his Lordship of London & Dr. Burton are both silent with regard to an American Bishop; and indeed, such are the confusions at Home and Religion so little adverted to, that I see no prospect as yet of succeeding; unless, the late applications of the Maryland clergy, backed by their Brethren of Virginia, which I have reason to think is now about taking place, should demand a little attention, and convince the ministry that the American clergy are determined to pursue such steps as Conscience and loyalty suggest, till they succeed in what they have as Christians and dutiful

Subjects, an undoubted right to petition for. The Bishop of London informs me, that his Grace of Canterbury & himself in a very particular manner recommended to my Lord Dunmore "the protection of the Church and Clergy in the province of New York." You will doubtless conclude that he has taken great notice of the recommendation.

I have the Honor to be (with great respect and sincere regard) Worthy Sir,

Your much Obliged and most obt servt
SAMUEL AUCHMUTY.

P. S. please to remember me to my little Brother, the Father of the Mohawks. It gives me great plear to find that he is much esteemed & likes his present situation.

Sir Wm Johnson.

REVD. H. MUNRO TO SIR WM. JOHNSON.

Honble Sir,

Albany June 25, 1771.

Having so favourable an opportunity, by my good Friend Mr Joseph Brent, I beg Leave to present my best Respects to you & all the family, and to inform you, that the Revd Mr Inglis of New York has wrote you by me; The Letter has been Sent by your Post, & I hope, is come safe to hand. You have heard, I understand, of some foolish people, that have been endeavouring to disturb the peace of my Congregation; and am sorry to learn, that my Conduct in that affair, 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 intend soon however, to wait upon you Sir, at the Hall; till then I trust to your Candour, that you will Suspend any Judgement of the matter, till you hear my Story-audi et alteram partem.-I shall only mention at present, that my Congregation is in perfect peace, and Quietness; not

withstanding any malicious Reports to the Contrary. I remain

with great Esteem & Respect,

Honble Sir,

Your most Obedient Servant.

To Sir William Johnson.

HARRY MUNRO.

SIR WM. JOHNSON TO THE REVD. MR. INGLIS,

RELATIVE TO HIS PLAN FOR CHRISTIANISING THE INDIANS.

Good Sir

Johnson hall July 4th 1771.

Your favor of the 25th of May has been for some time in my hands, but I was prevented by business from answering it sooner, and Indeed I am as yet unable to do so as fully as I could wish.

I very much approve of the plan you have laid down for your Design, as well as of the heads under which it is to be digested, as they will Amuse and Instruct, at the same time that they enforce the Arguments in favor of its particular object. The principal difficultys in the way of Christianizing the Indians does not depend on them, but remain with ourselves, First, The Want hitherto of a thorough knowledge of their Genius and Disposition, or of the proper means to be pursued, Secondly, the want of zeal and Perseverance, Sufficient for such an arduous undertaking which has often rendered many attempts abortive, and that where these Qualities have been found united (as amt some of the Dissenters) The possessors are not only deficient in knowledge and Capacity, but of a Gloomy Severity of manners totally disqualifying them from such a Task. Thirdly, The Want of a Suitable fund that may enable the few otherwise fitting for the purpose to attempt it.

That some may be found equal to the business I have no doubt, and from the Effects which the Religion of our Church produces on the Dispositions of its Members, It is most reasonable to think that such would be found amongst us, who would insinuate the principles of Christianity in a manner that would

be more pleasing to the Indians and most likely To succeed, but this last is a remark entre nous, as possibly it would be furiously attacked-Tho' Indeed you must Expect that any thing you can Write which will tend, to obstruct their Schemes, or to throw this important business into other hands, will meet with strong oppostion, and he bitterly answered.

You propose, (and I think it will Illustrate your design) That one of your heads shall be a short Historical and Topographical account &c as most pieces that have appeared on this Subject are very deffective, and as none of them could when Written or from the then State of Information be Correct, It will greatly add to the merit of your Work to place these points in their true Light, but as this is a Work of difficulty, which Will require a very particular Information I should think it the safest to give a General Brief Sketch of it, which will sufficiently answer the design-The Conversion of the Indians would greatly Contribute to secure them to our Interest, and prove a means of Counteracting the future designs of the French who certainly are very busy In sowing the seeds of discontent amongst the Inds and will Continue to do Whilst they have any Intercourse with any part of the Continent.-Under the Circumstances which promise success to such an attempt at this time I am of opinion that our possessions of Canada does in some measure secure us from the Practices of popish Missionaries but not Effectually, which I think ought to be a Spurr to our Industry, For their being at present a Romish Bishop, and many Clergymen of that Church there, who take uncommon pains to preserve the Indians in the faith they were taught, and to gain proselytes, The Inds who have any Intercourse therewith being like the rest naturally Captivated with pomp & Ceremony will allways be in danger till we have some Establishments that may Counterpoise the advantage they possess, and the assiduity of their endeavors The Capacity of the Indians for receiving knowledge, & Comprehending Divine Truth is certainly not to be doubted, and as they have an Excellent Genius for Imitation, after they have received due Instruction in Christianity, they may be easily & insensibly Led to become Enamoured of the Arts of peace.

They have been in some Measure & should allways be taught

to place their Confidence in & Look up to his Majesty as their Common Father & Protector who is disposed to redress their grievances and to Contribute a portion of his Royal bounty and Authority to the making them happy; His patronage of a plan calculated for their prosperity here & hereafter as it will be the strongest proof he can give them of his regard, so it will be the best Security for their allegiance. It has been the opinion of Government, that all affairs with them shod pass thro' one Chanell, to the Crown as the fountain, & this plan on that Principle has a peculiar claim to the Royal Patronage from the ill Consequences which must attend the Leaving them Exposed, to the various Unsettled Tenets in Religion & Politicks with which an Extensive Country Abounds, which not only Lessens their Opinion of our Wisdom & principles, but must abate their affection for the Crown.

I delivered your Letter to Odeserundy who was made very happy by the rect of it, and Expressed his most Grateful Acknowledgments I am now in the utmost hurry, having sometime since sent to call a few Chiefs of each Nation, in order to enquire into some Informations I reed from the Southward, 300 Inds a much larger number than was required have accordingly come here,-Two days ago we entered upon business, In the midst of which I am now engaged, which will apologize for my not being able to add more at this time than that I am with the most perfect Esteem

The Revd Mr. Inglis.

Dr Sir &c

SIR WM. JOHNSON TO THE REV. DR. AUCHMUTY,

ON THE SUBJECT OF THE RECEPTION OF A LUTHERAN AND A PRESBYTE RIAN MINISTER INTO THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Johnson hall July 4th 1771.

Good Sir

I have been favored with your Letter of last month, which I am sorry to find does not contain any agreeable Intelligence from