The Prudence of this Measure the Advantage it gives to the common cause of Christianety and its utility to the Nation so far as we consider the natinal Interest as connected with the scheme christinising the Heathen in these Parts must appear to every considerate Person upon the least Reflection but if the forementiond Report obtains we are obviously under a Necessity either to leave the Indians intirely or else to give a satisfactory Reason for such a Piece of unheard of Conduct. The first of these Sir you may readily suppose we shall not do before we see the VoL. ty. 24

370 PAPERS RELATING TO

Indians all suppli¢ with Ministers of some Prodistant Persuation who will reside amungst them to instruct currect and persuade them and to set them Examples of such christian conduct as J trust all christians would rejoice to see prevail amongst mankind and to expect this from the church clargey who are so scarce in these Parts is childish unless then you will amply refute the Report of your having rebaptisd Children we are necessatated to give a Reason for such Bisbaptisms and this we cannot do without entering into a Distinction which we desire never to mention here and which would to God there had never been occasion for. You may depend upon it Sir that Iam disposd to treat every man in a christian Manner who act like a Christian and to use them with all that Deference and Respect which either their Age or Carracter or any Distinction can claim from me and shall therefore be entirely silent about the above Report till I see whether an Answer to my Request is to be expected from you and after that shall endeaver to act ina Manner most consistant with the same Principals.