These will have an opportunity of preparing the Way for Missionaries among the remote Tribes ; and the latter may be introduced in a little Time, without giving any | Alarm to the Savages. It will therefore be necessary to increase the Number of Missionaries, as the Indians are in a proper Disposifion to receive them; and with them, Mechanies may be gradnally admitted. When Matters are thus far advanced, the Work may be looked on as good as accomplished ; for the remaining Difficulties and Obstructions with Respect to the Indians, will be easily surmounted. A Seminary at Oneida will

FIVE CONFEDERATE NATIONS OF INDIANS, 1107

then be of singular nse, and compleat the whole. In this Plan T have said Nothing of Interpreters, which will be necessary for the Missionaries and Schoolmasters when they first begin ; because I imagine they may be procured at a moderate Expence ; and even that may be laid aside in a little Time, when the Missionaries and Schoolmasters have attained some Knowledge of the Indian Language, which is by no means difficult for a Person of tolerable Capacity.

Having thus laid down the Plan which I conceive should be pursued in this Business, I proceed to point out some Circumstances which promise Success to the Attempt at this Time.

The general Peace now subsisting among the Indians is very favourable to this Design. In former Times, the Iroquois were almost continually engaged in War ; either with the French, or some of the neighbouring Indians. A State of War must necessarily obstruct their Conversion, as all their Men are on these Occasions called into the Field ; their Country also is in perpetual Alarms, often a Scene of Blood and Desolation. In Times of Peace, like the present, the Inconveniencies are removed ; and they are at Leisure to attend instruction.