Was partly oweing to my being unwell that day and partly by misinformation of the Time when upon my hearing of the Condolence &c I much regretted my absence and especially since I have heard some ill improvement has been already made of it by Monsir Mountour which may possibly yea probably prejudice the minds of the Indians against me & even the Protestant Religion which Sir is very affecting & grievious to me & sundry others who have reminded me of it with concern--your Excellency will therefore please to let my Fathers & Brethren of the Indians know I Heartily Sympathize | with them & am greatly grievd & concernd that there should be , any impressions made on their minds of a contrary tendency | Let them, know I am a most sure & fast Friend to them and

392 PAPERS RELATING TO

especially their Souls Salvation who am may it please your Excellency Your excellencies Hume Seryt.

Jacos Ws. JoHnson (Endorsed) Parson Johnson's letter

POSITION OF REY. MR. JOHNSON DEFINED.

To Sir William Johnson, Governer Franklin, The Rev4 Mr Peters, the Chief Justice Smyth, Coll. Johnson and the other Respectable Gent» of this Table. Health & prosperity to you all.

Jn as much as I am a minister of Christ, & my Work principally to preach the Gospel to the lower rank of people: I have not used my self much to the company, & converse of Gent" of the Civil & Military order especially in the pleasure and practice of drinking Healths, Loyal Toasts &c wherfore I may easily offend in this respect, with no ill meaning--And in as much as in drinking the Kings health yesterday, I used such terms, as to offend Col Johnson Mr Chief Justice, & it may be some others, In saying I drink the King of New Engé Health, the Health of the King, that hears our Prayers, &c I do hereby honestly, and before him that knoweth all things, protest, I had no other meaning then, or now, but what is express'd or imply'd in these words--I drink the Health of King George iii. of Great Britain &e--comprehending New Eng4 & all the.