"I am, dear sir, Your most obedient And humble serv't, Jos. Brant.
"Sir John Johnson, Bar't.
"P. S. I know you will excuse my observing that we shall be glad to know what sum the society, and what government will severally think proper to allow our missionary; since, should their allowances be insufficient for his support, by other means it must be made adequate."
The Baronet lost no time in bringing the subject before the Bishop, but difficulties were interposed by his Lordship, and an occasional correspondence of two or three years ensued, before the wishes of the Indians, for the ordination of a spiritual teacher, were complied with. The first objection was that the candidate for orders had not been examined. In reply, Captain Brant apologized for their ignorance as to the prerequisites, and urged that an examination might be undergone before the Rev. Mr. Addison, "who, having gone through the forms himself, must be acquainted with the business." Both the Chief and his people were impatient of delay; and the Captain reminded the Bishop, through Sir John, of the pledge which the Archbishop of Canterbury had made to him in the presence of the King, that whenever the Indians, by the erection of a church, should be ready for religious instruction, he would do all in his power to supply their wants.
In the Spring of 1798, the Chief had an earnest correspondence with Mr. Russell, the provincial Governor, upon the subject, in the course of which, in one of his letters, he said:—"With respect to any uncertainty or difficulty there may be in obtaining a salary from government, we would wish that that should not entirely restrain his Lordship; for, should government not be willing to grant an allowance for a clergyman, sooner than want one we would strain every point ourselves to procure a salary, and would be joined by several respectable families of white people in the neighborhood."
In the Summer of the following year, on his return from a visit to the lower province, the Captain met with the Lord Bishop at Kingston, and again urged his attention to the subject; and, as he supposed, arranged matters for an examination of Mr. Phelps at Niagara, to which place his Lordship was preparing to extend his visit. But there was again disappointment, arising from a cause altogether unexpected. The following spirited letter will disclose the motive of the delay:
"Captain Brant to the Chief Justice.
"Grand River,—" [FN]
[FN] The date is wanting in the copy. It must have been, however, toward the close of 1799.