34^ NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



There were some religious troubles. The Oneidas com- 

 plained of the Congregational minister's refusal to baptize their 

 children, and the Oquagas had a similiar complaint. Their 

 minister excused his conduct and said most of the chiefs and all 

 the Tuscaroras wished him to remain. Colonel Johnson did not 

 want to interfere in religious matters, but said Old Isaac might 

 read the service, as he did it well, till they had another minister. 

 The Tuscaroras ought not to dictate, as they were newcomers. 



Chapter 23 



Protestant missions. Church of England. Congregationalist. Schools. Fail- 

 ures in education. Iroquois loyal to the king. Asked to act for him. Colonel 

 Johnson leaves home for Montreal. Council at Oswego. Americans confer 

 with Six Nations. Fire-keepers chosen. Brant in England. Indians divided. 

 Sir John Johnson leaves home. Iroquois at Philadelphia. Indian aid. Re- 

 turn of Brant. Efforts to take him. His personal appearance. Brant's 

 movements. Herkimer's interview. Indians hostile. St Leger's expedition. 

 Presents. Fort Stanwix besieged. Battle of Oriskany. St Leger's retreat. 

 Reported burning of Indian towns. The Susquehanna deserted. 



Before entering on the troubles of the Revolution, a brief I 

 sketch may be given of the early Protestant missions among 

 the Iroquois. 



Dominie Megapolensis began his work at Albany about 1642, 

 serving six years irregularly, preaching in the neighborhood and 

 making some converts. The Indians were pleased to hear he 

 intended going into " their own country and castles (about three ^ 

 days' journey farther inland) when acquainted with their lan- 

 guage." He befriended Jogues. 



Governor Dongan wished English priests among the Iroquois. 

 Dominie Dellius was among the Mohawks before 1691, bap- 

 tizing many. The Rev. Bernardus Freeman, of Schenectady, 

 reported 35 Mohawk Christians in 1701, and translated into Mo- 

 hawk the Athanasian creed, the Ten Commandments and part 

 of the prayer book, these being published in New York in 1715- 



The Church of England now tried to do something and a 

 clergyman was proposed for each of the Six Nations, with two 

 lay helpers for each one, but this was not fully carried out. 

 The Rev. Mr Smith and the Rev. Thoroughgood Moor were sent 



