330 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



the Indians should be under stricter regulations. He had always 

 relied on a few approved chiefs of the several nations, whom he 

 had known for 20 years and who had never deceived him. These 

 were now alarmed at the state of his health and they were also 

 growing old. Some of these nations were increasing, having 

 been long at peace, and they were warriors, too, whereas the Eng- 

 lish were traders. Many of these traders pushed into the heart 

 of the country, and this might lead to trouble. They wanted 

 traders, but honest ones, and these they could not always have. 

 There was dissatisfaction among them ; and, unless he could do 

 them justice, evil might follow. The death of the principal 

 Seneca chief, who was attached to the English, might remove a 

 bar to "the discontent amongst these jealous and troublesome 

 people." To ascertain the exact condition of affairs, he would 

 at once visit the Onondaga country, under pretense of a tour 

 for health. I 



The best channel for religious instruction to the Indians, he 

 thought, was through the Six "Nations, but practically there was 

 no missionary in these. The one at Albany preached to the Mo- 

 hawks occasionally; but, if some had not been abje to read the 

 books given them by Johnson, in their language, they would have 

 been almost strangers to Christianity. The New England Society 

 had sent some young persons, some of them in orders, to Oneida 1 

 and Onoghquaga and one to the Senecas, but these had little suc- 

 cess. Distinctions in religion perplexed the Indians. They liked Ij 

 pomp and ceremony in worship, and mistakes had been made in i| 

 trying to abolish at once innocent dances, rejoicings at weddings, 

 etc. Both discretion and ability were necessary for successful ■.. 

 missionary work among them. 



Johnson returned from Onondaga in October. Things did not 

 look favorable there. At a council the Indians brought up their 

 many grievances, and the French were busy among them. The 

 Onondagas did not wish to be hostile, but would not answer for 

 any one, injured as they were. Bad belts and messages were 

 daily sent among them. The Senecas and Mississagas quarreled 

 at the Niagara portage, and Norman Mac Clod, commissary of 



