The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman, dated Stockbridge, Aug. 31, 1751.

GOD in his Providence seems now to be opening the Door for the introducing the Light of the Gospel among the Nations (i. e. the 6 Mohawk Nations) wider than ever before. And if we, the English, don't fail of doing our Part, there is a Prospect of great Things being done. And it looks as if this present Season were our Now or Never. Tis evident, the French are now exerting themselves in an extraordinary Manner to draw all these Nations over to them, and engage 'em in their Interest. The King of France has lately made extraordinary Provisions for them, that very large and liberal Presents may be made them in Canada. And they are indefatigable in the Endeavours they use, in the Labours of their Emissaries, and all Ways they can devise. They are building Forts in all the Parts of America to the West of us, in the carrying Places between the Lakes and Rivers, and in all the most important Places where they may have the greatest Advantage to bring the Indians into Dependence and to draw their Trade. Col. Johnson and Maj. Lydius, (who probably are the best acquainted with the State of these Indians, of all the Subjects of the British Crown) said in the Time of the Treaty at Albany, That "It was a gone Cause, and that it was a Thing beyond all Doubt or Dispute, that unless something very extraordinary were speedily done, and what was never like to be done, these Nations were lost to the British Interest."

By Accounts abundantly confirmed, about one Half of the Onondagas have actually left their old Habitations and are gone to live in Canada; the French having provided Lands for them: And many others of the Six Nations are resorting to settle there. An eminent Mohawk told me, that the Quinquahs, the Onondagas, and the Chonuntoowaunoes or Senecas, are generally in the French Interest. He says, They indeed come to Albany and treat with the English as Friends, but then go directly to the Governor of Canada, and tell him all that has passed: They speak (says he) smooth Words, pleasant Words to the English; but their Hearts are with the French: He said concerning the Senecas, who are vastly the biggest of the Six Nations, that the Governor of Canada was always there; meaning by his Emissaries. Four Indians have lately been here from among the Caughnawagas in Canada, who were related either in Blood or Marriage to some of the English. Two of these appeared to be uncommonly intelligent. They told me that the Indians that used formerly to be on our Side, are continually in great Multitudes flocking to Canada to dwell there. They said, that all the Nations about the Lakes that used to be our Friends, had lately left us, and had entered into Alliance with the French.

Thus abundant and indefatigable are that Nation, who understand their own Interest so well, in their Endeavours to gain all the Indian Nations North-America, and to establish them in their Interest, and to alienate them from the English. I was credibly informed, while at Albany, that the Indians gave that as one Reason why they left the English, and joined themselves to the French, That they could not live with the English, they gave 'em so much Rum, which they found by Experience wasted 'em exceedingly.

Now tis remarkable, that in this Situation of Things, the only remaining Means that Divine Providence has left in our Power to regain and secure the Indians in the British Interest, is this very Thing, viz. To use our utmost to prosecute the Design of thoroughly instructing them in the true Protestant Religion, and educating their Children in useful Knowledge. - Col. Johnson owns This; and says He knows it will be for the British Interest for them to prosecute what they have begun at Stockbridge. And now The Most High seems to be opening the Door in as unusual Manner.--- This Opportunity may easily be lost, through our Negligence, For some of the Mohawks themselves are watching for an Opportunity to possess the Minds of those Indians that are inclined to Religion, with an Opinion of the Treachery of the English, and to insult those that seem now disposed to try us, on our disappointing them. A principal Mohawk himself, in his Prudence and Zeal, is afraid of the Consequence of any Disappointment from the English, and seems deeply concerned about it.