Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to John Wentworth, 1769 December 5
Date5 December, 1769
Call Number769655
abstractWheelock writes that part of the Narragansett Tribe would like to move to a new settlement; he suggests that they might be given a township on the Connecticut River.
handwritingThe clear, careful handwriting in the body of the letter is not Wheelock's, although the trailers are in Wheelock's hand.
paperSingle sheet is in good condition, with light staining and wear.
noteworthyThis document is likely a copy kept by Wheelock for his records. Wheelock also mentions the desire of some Charlestown Narragansetts to resettle in a letter to Occom -- manuscript number 769125. An editor, likely 19th-century, has added the note "respecting Indians" beneath the trailer. This note has not been transcribed.
signatureAbbreviated signature is not Wheelock's.
Rhodisland, who, after he had for some time been a member of my School
went with his Brother to England, as agent for yir Tribe, & is now one of
y.e Council of y.t Tribe, & I eſteem him to be a man of good Sence, &
Integrity, came to me, last week, at y.e Desire of y.e civilized & christani
=zed part of y.t Tribe, privately to enquire of me, whether I could by any means
direct them where ya might purchaſe a Township of good lands, on wh y.a
might settle by themselves, & live by Husbandry, & enjoy all y.e Liberties
& Priviliges of English Inhabitants — I mentioned to him y.e Lands
yet uncharted (as I supposed) in y.r Province, above y.e new Settle
=ments on Connecticut River, as being very good, & told him.
y.o had given y.e fullest demonstration of y.r friendship to y.e Indians
both in Europe & America; And y.t I doubted not y.r Excellency would
be ready to shew them any reasonable Favour within y.r Power, &
be glad of an opportunity for it — The Young man seem'd —
much animated wth y.e prospect; & immediately Advised his Constituents
of it by a line, & concluded to continue for a while wth me & persue
his Studies — On his mentioning their desire to me, so many circum
=stances appeared, at first view, so inviting y.t I could but think y.e Matter
worthy of consideration, viz, whether such a Town of Civilized Indians
in y.t
=ments, if Canada should ever be given back to y.e French, & y.e Savages,
again moved to invade our Frontiers. — And Whether y.e Example
of such a Town of christianized Indians, might not likely have a happy
Influence to credit our Design of Civilizing y.e Tribes back? — And whether
such a town may not be a most proper place for some of yir savage
Children to get Instruction in Husbandry, & y.e other Arts of civilized
Life, as well as of y.e first principles of christanity? — And as to
yir manner of living be a proper Medium between y.e Savages & y.e
English, & so obviate an Objection w.h y.a have
against comming into y.e English manner of living "y.t y.e first
step was too high for them." and whether, in a word, y.u might not
do much to Credit, incourage & facilitate, y.e general Design in view
& be well approved, & applauded Abroad? they dont mean nor desi
have y.e Township given them; but to have it upon the same terms &
hold it by y.e same Tenure, as if y.a were English Inhabitants; & perhaps
any
any proposal more favourable, would occasion Jealousies in some
who have been wont to be imposd upon. y.t yre was some secret snare laid
for them — I tho't proper to Advise y.r Excellency of y.e matter, &
if y.o should think favourably of it, & find y.t y.a may be Accomodated
agreable to yir mind, wth good Lands, near some fishing place, please
to let me know y.r Excellencys pleasure therein by a Line; & y.t w.thout
y.e publication of it, as y.a apprehend yir way will likely be embarraſs
=ed if it should be known before y.e ſeſsions of y.e General Aſsemb
=ly of y.t Coloney in Febry next; to which y.a design to petition
for Liberty to Sell yir Lands — I ſubmitt the whole to
y.r Excellencys superior wisdom, & will rely upon y.r —
pardon if I have been too officious, Since I can aſsure
y.r Excellency, with how much Affection and Esteem.