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-
"
THE SIX NATIONS. 453
withstanding any malicious Reports to the Contrary. I remain with great Esteem & Respect, Honble Sir, Your most Obedient Servant. Harry Munro. To Sir William Johnson.
SIR WM. JOHNSON TO THE REVD. MR. INGLIS,
RELATIVE TO HIS PLAN FOR CHRISTIANISING THE INDIANS.
Johnson hall Jwy 4 1771. Good Sir,
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.