David Fowler, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 August 26
Date26 August, 1766
Call Number766476.2
abstractFowler writes to Wheelock, bitterly protesting the treatment he has received for purchasing what Wheelock thinks are too costly items at Mr. Breed’s store.
handwritingLargely clear and legible, but with many deletions and overwrites.
paperWide sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-heavy creasing, staining and wear. Much of the wax seal remains.
inkBlack-brown.
noteworthyWheelock’s response, with echoes from this letter, is document number 766476.1.
I muſt be
from home, and all for taking up those things at
Mr Breeds, when I hard Orders from Mr Whee
lock to get them, for which I am now accounted
a Devil or Proude as the Devil. After you have re
peatedly and manifeſtly told me that I ſhould
have whalſoever I wanted; If you denied me when
I came to aſk for them; I ſhould not feel half ſo bad
as I do now, or if you told me in a mild Manner
when I got home: those things which you got
w
them, I ſhould not reſiſt you —. You know,
Sir, I have
viſ'd by you with all eaſe imaginable. —
—. This brings into my mind what Treat
ment I met ſince I came here. yea it is ſhame
ful, when I have been ſo faithful to you as if I was
your Negro, yea
in Labouring. — I have done hitherto all what
laid in my Power to kelp you; I think I can
ſay and beleive you too that I have done more
Service to you tha
Boys. and now I am too bad to live in the Houſe for
one of my miſſtepes, therefore I muſt leave you
and your School this very Day an
in the Road homeward
I am ſorry those things were not denied me at
fi
before now. — But aſure you, Sir, you
ſhall receive Payment from me yearly till
every Fathing be paid, it ſhall not be ſaid
all that Money and
for David Fowler an Indian was for Nought I can
get Payment as well as white Man. O Dear me!
I cant ſay no more, I am