Elijah Backus, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1769 July 25
Date25 July, 1769
Call Number769425
abstractBackus writes that, although he is willing to take on an Indian apprentice, it is not the right season for smith work.
handwritingInformal handwriting is loose yet mostly legible. However, letter case is frequently difficult to discern, and on some superscripts, the writer simply adds a looping figure, as if to indicate letters rather than actually writing them out.
paperSmall single sheet is in good condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear.
inkBrown.
noteworthyThere is a random calculation on one verso.
Norwich July 25 1769
Revrend Sir
Should be will
In that Laudabell Design you are ingaged in of not only
Christeniſing the Heathin natives b
in the [illegible] [guess: mak wrk] arts — but it is not the wright Season
of the year for the boy to be instructed here—from this time
till the latter End of September
at the Smiths trade as the weather is hot & the water low So
that I do not think it will be Profitabell for the boy to
Stay now If you Should think Proper to Send him afterword
will use my indevers to instruct him what I Can—
From Rev.d Si[illegible] your
Most Hum[illegible] Serv[illegible]
Elijah Backus