Gideon Hawley, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1763 January 27

Author Hawley, Gideon

Date27 January, 1763

ms number763127

abstractHawley writes to tell of Occom's lack of tact in dealing with the Oneidas.

handwritingHandwriting is small, but mostly clear and legible, with some additions and deletions.

paperSingle large sheet is in good condition, with moderate creasing and staining.

inkBlack-brown.

signatureSignature is abbreviated.

EventsOccom’s First Mission to the Oneidas

Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.

Persistent Identifier
Rev. and Honoured Sir,
Your favours of 18th October and 21st November came safe and di­ rect, for which I humbly and heartily thank you. I should have been glad enough to have heard from you before, but did not take it illy that you did not write, supposing you had other business, and other correspondents, that it was of more impor tance for you to attend to: besides I live so much out of the way, that it is very Difficult to get a passage for a letter that is direct and safe. In regard to the visit I sincerely designed you before now, it has been unvoidably delayed by such overtures in providence, as at present it is needless for me to relate — although all my relatives, and many of my best friends are in Connecticut, I have not been able, without neglect of more important duties, which could not be dispensed with, to visit them since October 1758
In regard to Mr. Occom, it is with singular pleasure that I view him as an ornament to his nation and to christianity, and am very sorry I never had the happiness of being acquainted with him. We were in the country of the Six Na tions the fall before last at the same time, but such were the duties of our mission, being straitened for time and having a great deal to do, that we were separated by the distance of an hundred miles or near it. However, tarrying in the Coun try, as I went after he did, when he was come off and seeing many of the Oneidas in my peregrinations, it being the season of their going to their hunting places, I had an opportunity of being advised of his preaching, conduct and the reception he met with, among them; which were quite equal to what one could expect. and what I communicated, and desired my friend to write you, concern some what, in his preaching that was exceptionable, I thought it was best he should hear of; and that you, being his preceptor, spiritual Father etc. was the most suitable person to advise him of it. and the vindication of himself [illegible: for] the reasons Mr. Occom gives I doubt not are just and true, and I think are satisfactory. A poor man among such a people without a faithful and skillful interpreter is to be pitied. However I would use this opportunity to say, that the irregularities in dress and some other things in the customs of Indians as they not sinful in themselves, it will rather be commendable in a missionary to conform to them in some measure, than at his first going among them to say much
much very directly against them. The corruption of human Nature and the sinfulness of it a missionary should expose in all its deformity as much as possible which will prepare the way for the Gospel. St. Paul's epistles, especially that to the Romans is the best model and guide for a missionary.
In regard to your School is gives me very great satisfaction to hear of its prosperity and I wish that it may flourish and that it may answer even beyond your expecta - tions the great and good ends of its foundation. your second letter gives me great concern because you appear to be afraid of your schools being a party affair, which I pray God to prevent — you and I shall find, Sir, the more we have to do with the world, that by reason of the jealousy which is inseparable from corrupt nature it will be impossible for any considerable number to hold an ad- vantageous confederacy for any length of time in any affair. And we must be content with dragging along the most generous affairs not only without the assistance of many of whom we might justly expect it, but against the opposition of some, who are real friends to the true interest of religion, because they can’t agree with us as to the me- thods of promoting it. Indeed, Sir, we need much of that charity which believeth all things, Loveth all things and en- dureth all things.
In regard to my Indians my influence over them in-creases and I see some little fruit, although but little of my labour; — they increase in number since my settlement — We have one of our men, who has been as an Agent to the Court of Great Britain about our lands and we hope to have our affairs upon a better foot- ing. I have about Seventy Indian houses and Wigwams on this tract of Land besides a dozen or more that be- long to our meeting that live a little off from it —
I am, in very great haste Rev. Sir, your very Dutiful Son and Servant in Christ Gideon Hawley
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