Ninninatioiis in Colonial A^cw York 269 still predominant. Philip Schuyler, one of the old members, owed his position, partially at least, to the interest of Johnson, whose sup- port he had asked at former elections,' and his re-election now de- pended not upon his attitude toward current political questions, but upon his personal relations with Sir William. " I assure you," writes Hugh Wallace," " this gentleman behaved very badly here, and I am told spoke of you at the Indian Congress with some disrespect. I got into his company and ntroduced a discourse about that affair, but his tone was different or, by God, his bones would have paid for it. I think you ought to exert your Interest that he should not be re- turned." The zealous partisan of Sir William goes on to suggest that Sir John be returned n Schuyler's stead, not because Sir John was a fitter man, but because " it would give great pleasure to many of your sincere friends ; " at any rate, " as you have it in your power to send who [sic) you please for Albany county, I wish you would stop Coll : Schuyler, and I think you might send a fitter man than poor Myndertse for Schenectady." Johnson replied to Wallace on January 25, stating that he had only recently heard of the "partic- ular you mention with regard to Philip Schuyler." Since then he had received a polite note from Schuyler and the other candidate " requesting my interest again, on which I immediately wrote him as I ought with regard to the report I had heard which he has denied or endeavored to explain away. However I think it necessary to take ing or continuing those fermentations. ... I cant question you, for your part, being a ready to promote any scheme that may have a tendency to unite this end of the county again and to restore that friendship that has so long subsisted between you and my father's family ; and I see but one way at present likely to bring this about ; and that is to think of a third person for candidate for this end of the county who was not mentioned in the last election, and consequently not of either party, and such a one there happens 10 be even within the county, — Mr. Peter Du Bois. Perhaps this will appear to be your son's forsaking his friends and the party he joined at the other end of the county. I cant think this objection of sufficient weight when it is considered that Mr. Du Bois (if of any) must be of the same party. Besides I should leave the people of this end of the county entirely to themselves with regard to the choice of the other member. As a lover of peace and concord I now offer these things to your consideration. I am sensible that it is as little for the private benefit of your son to be in the assembly as it would be for me, and therefore if the influence which one or two gentlemen in New Vork has over him is such as to put a reconciliation with me out of the question I shall then ever know what to depend upon and perhaps things may take a difierent turn from what he expects. ... A little reflection, I think, must induce you to use your influence with your son to comply with [these] proposals. The weight they have with you and him will ever after determine how much I shall be. Sir, Your Humble Serv't, Cad' Coi.den Jun"." George Clinton Papers, I. II. 'William Johnson to the Rev. Dr. ."^uchmuty, Jan. 25, 1769. Johnson MSS., XVII. 51. 'Hugh Wallace to William Johnson, Jan. 7, 1769. IbiJ., 32.
