Isaac Dakayenensere, letter, to the Connecticut Board of Correspondents
of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, 1765 September
30
Author
Dakayenensere, Isaac
Date30 September, 1765
ms number765530.5
abstractOn behalf of the Oneida and Tuscarora chiefs, Dakayenensere writes to
accept the Board's offer to build mills and instruct the Indians in husbandry.
handwritingHandwriting is somewhat uneven, yet mostly formal and
clear.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair
condition, with moderate staining, creasing and wear. Preservation work has
been
done on particularly heavy creases.
inkBlack-brown.
signatureSeven large signatures all appear to be in Dakayenensere's
hand.
layoutThe first page of the letter is on one recto, but the second
page is on two recto, not one verso.
noteworthyPersons whose names are illegible have not been
tagged.
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We thank you for the Care you take of us, and that you have taken pains to write to us; to let us know your . forwardness, and
willingness to assist
and
instruct us;
Many times when one or two determines up‐on anything, when others come to know it, it is over‐thrown; therefore
taking your proposal into consideration
and having a Mind that it should
stand
strong
and not be overthrown, we called a general council, in which we approved of your proposal of assisting
us in building Mills, and
instructing us in husbandry, and thank you, that you have taken such Care of us
Now concerning our Father
Mr. Smith who is here
present with us, we think we have nothing here that
will tempt him to Stay and live with us unless he sees
a Reformation among us; we hope that God in his
own Time will bring
about a Reformation so, that he may
[gap: tear] be willing to Stay with us
What we have now written is the general
voice of us all, both we of
Onaquaga, and our Brethren
the
Tuscaroras
assembled in council
God is above all, and if we are brought truly to love and fear him, we shall not only be of one Mind in
these Affairs, but shall be united also in all others —
We seem at present to be in greatest want of a [gap: stain][guess: [saw] Mill, we desire that that may be first built;
and if Stones can be found for the grist Mill, and it should then appear best to have one, that that may be built next
Now Brethren we have told you the sum of what we have to say, yet if the great Man, our Brother, who sits at the head of Affairs should not approve of what we have done as we fear he will not, though you have a Mind to assist us, and we desirous that you should, it will be, all overthrown, which will make both you and us very sorry
We
Blank page.
We send our Love to you and remain