Samson Occom, letter, date and recipient unknown
Call Number003111
abstractIn a strongly worded letter to an unidentified correspondent, Occom declares that he and John Tantaquidgeon have been unjustly served with lawsuits.
handwritingOccom's hand is clear and legible.
paperLarge single sheet is in poor condition, with heavy creasing, staining and wear that results in some loss of text. Tape marks are visible on one verso. Although Occom's hand is clear, the condition of the paper greatly hinders legibility.
noteworthyThere is no dateline, nor any indication of the letter’s recipient.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
who brings these few [gap: stain][guess: lines] has had a law
suit against [gap: stain][guess: him] I [gap: stain]e upon suspicion of
Debt, and he knew [gap: stain][guess: noth]ing about it, 'til it
was over, it was John [gap: stain] [illegible]h'es doings, he em
ployed one Shoals to carry on the Suit, now
is agreeable to the Laws of this State or any
State [illegible][guess: ?] that a[illegible][guess: may] be sued, and the case tried. and
decided, and the man that sued knows nothing
from first to last, 'til the Execution Comes out
against him, if this will do and countenanced, by
by Law, then any man draw upon, account a
gainst his Neighbour without any Dealings with
him, — and Sue him, get judgement against
him, — Do You Serve one another So? if not, why
Should we be served [gap: hole]— is there no redress, [gap: worn_edge]
[illegible] for the Indians, by the Rulers, if there is
none, I do declare it, I had rather be amongst
the most Wild and uncultivated Indians, in the
Western Wilderness., — I was So served last Spring just
as we were setting off for Oneida and I could not Stop
to see further about it, I thought Sin would be at
their door, but I need Say more — Is there Such a
thing as delivering John from the Paw of Such
unreasonable and Cruel men? — I am Yet
Samson Occom