The Documentary history of the state of New-York; arranged under direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, secretary of State. By E. B. O'Callaghan ...

454 PAPERS RELATING TO
be more pleasing to the Indians and most likely To succeed, but
this last is a remark entre nous, as possibly it would befuriously
attacked-Tho' Indeed you must Expect that any thing you can
Write which will tend, to obstruct their Schemes, or to throw
this important business into other hands, will. meet with strong
oppostion, and he bitterly answered.
You propose, (and I think it will Illustrate your design) That
one of your heads shall be a short Historical and Topographical
account &c as most pieces that have appeared on this Subject
are very deffective, and as none of them could when. Written or
from, the then State of Information be Correct, It will greatly add
to the merit of your Work to place these points in their true
Light, but as this is a Work of difficulty, which Will require a
very particular Information I should think it the safest to give
a General Brief Sketch of it, which will sufficiently answer the
design-The Conversion of the Indians would greatly Contribute
to secure them to our Interest, and prove a means of Counteracting the future designs of the French who certainly are very
busy In sowing the seeds of discontent amongst the Inds and
will Continue to do Whilst they have any Intercourse with any
part of the Continent.-Under the Circumstances which promise
success to such an attempt at this time I am of opinion that our
possessions of Canada does in some measure secure us from the
Practices of popish Missionaries but not Effectually, which I
think ought to be a Spurr to our Industry, For their being at
present a Romish Bishop, and many Clergymen of that Church
there, who take uncommon pains to preserve the Indians in the
faith they were taught, and to gain proselytes, The Inds who
ha've any Intercourse therewith being like the rest naturally
Captivated with pomp & Ceremony will allways be in danger till
we have some Establishments that may Counterpoise the advantage they possess, and the assiduity of their endeavors The
Capacity of the Indians for receiving knowledge, & Comprehending Divine Truth is certainly not to be doubted, and as they
have an Excellent Genius for Imitation, after they have received
duoe Instruction in Christianity, they may be easily & insensibly
Led to become Enamoured of the Arts of peace.
They have been in some Measure & should allways be taught