I shall do the Duty at Albany on Sunday next ; but propose being at the Mohock Castle the Sunday following. shall therefore be obliged to you to acquaint the Indians of it. As for News we expect all from you; we are quit dull & stupid inthis Place. I see you laugh & say to y"self when was you otherwise. However the Weather being Dull & Heavy I think it add's to my dullness likewise, so shall conclude by subscribing myself

y® oblidged Hum Servt T : Brown.

Albany Jan 8th 1765

348 PAPERS RELATING TO

SIR WM. JOHNSON TO THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE ARTS.

Johnson hall Feby 27» 1765. Gentlemen .

I have received your favor of the 5th Inst and I am very glad to hear that the Society do not avow any articles affecting England, as such would have evidently apeared in the Mother Country to be the result of rancour and passion, which might be productive of Disagreeable effects to the province in General, & Iam Persuaded that a due attention to those Improvements, which can in no wise be construed to affect his Majestys dominions at home will answer many Salutary purposes.

The state of Agriculture in this country is very low, and in short likely to remain so to the great Detriment of the Province, which might otherwise draw many resources from so extensive and valuable a Country, but the turn of the old settlers here is not much calculated for improvement, content with the meer Necessaries of Life, they don't chuse to purchase its superfluities at the expence of Labour neither will they hazard the smallest matter for the most reasonable prospect of gain, and this principle will probably subsist as long as that of their equality, which is at present at such a pitch that the conduct of one neighbor can but little influence that of another.