Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Thomas Foxcroft, 1761 June 18

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date18 June, 1761

Call Number761368.1

abstractWheelock writes of the mission of Occom and Fowler, and mentions the danger from Separatists who are preaching among the Indians.

handwritingInformal handwriting is mostly clear and legible, though there are several deletions and additions. The trailer is in a different hand.

paperSmall single sheet is in good condition, with light creasing, staining and wear.

inkBrown-black ink is somewhat blotchy, and there is moderate bleed-through from front to back.

noteworthyThis document is likely a draft. For related documents, see manuscripts 761360.1 and 761360.2. An editor, likely 19th-century, has added the note "Ind. Mis. (Seperates) June 1761" to the trailer. This note has not been included in the transcription.

EventsOccom’s First Mission to the Oneidas

Persistent Identifier
Rev.d & Hon.d Sir,
You will See By mine to M.r
Oliver
that M.r Occom & David ſat out
on their Journey to the ſix Nations, on the
10.th ſep.t Gen.l Lyman very freely & fully
recommended the Deſign of Educating a
Number of Mohawke Youth for Interpreters
&c. to Sir W.m Johnſon.
As to the Petition of the Onohoquaghe Chiefs
to have the Bible tranſlated into their Languag[gap: worn_edge][guess: e]
which I have encloſed to M.r Oliver, I have
made all the Inquiry which I have had Oppor‐
‐tunity for, and fear it will be Difficult to find but can hear of None who is in any
Meaſureany man equal to theſuch a [illegible: [guess: job]]Taſk. If there be Such any
be any it is pritty likely that M.r Occom after his
Rambles among them will be able to inform give the
Hon.le Com̅iſs.rs Information of him.
By all acco.ts there is at preſent a very uncommon
Concern, & Deſire to be inſtructed in Several Parts
near Seſquaana River. And I am fully perſuaded
there are Endeavours used, (and I fear will be
effectual) to introduce a number of our wild
Separates & lay Exhorters among them, and I
fear they will introduce ſuch as are much
more dangrous than Sam.l Aſhpo. (of whom
I have wrote to M.r Hawley incloſed. unſeald to M.r
Oliver
.) ſeveral things have concurrd to to
perſuade me that there is ſuch a Deſign. M.r Aſhley [below]is

[left]Lett.r to M.r Foxcroft
Boston
is very buſie among them from one End of
the Government to the other [illegible]d I dont
underſtand that any but that party know
What his Buſineſs is, and many words have been
unguardedly drop'd by that Party which diſcover
that they are knowing to ſuch a Deſign, &c.
I proposed to M.r Williams Yesterday whether
it be not expedient to ſend forth a Number
of prudent Judicious zealous Miniſters ſpeedily
among them & let them make the best they
can of Such Interpreters as may be had. and
move for a Contribution through the Govern‐
ment for their Support. M.r Williams
well approved of the Motion, but what will
be done about it I can't tell. People in these
parts ſeem are Generally aſleep & unaffected about it The Leave of the
Gov.r And Council must be had. and when they
will be togather is uncertain. perhaps a Lettr
from You might be of ſpecial ſervice.—
M.r Whitaker lately inſtalled at Norwich Landing
I eſteem as well turnd for the Buſineſs of a Miſsion
among them as any of my Acquaintance.
Perhaps it will not be ſo well y.t it should be
known by the Separates that they are suspected
to be upon ſuch a Deſign, or that there are any
Proposals in Opposition to them. and with this
[illegible: Riſk]Caution you may make juſt [illegible]ſuch Improvement
of this Letter you please.
I am, Rev.d & Hon.d ſir,
with the ſincereſt Duty and Reſpect
Your Son in the Gospel
Eleazar Wheelock
Rev. Tho.s Foxcroft
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