Author
Whitaker, Nathaniel
Date29 May, 1766
ms number766329.1
abstractWhitaker writes that Occom is recovered from his dysentary, and
requests an account of all the money received from the London Commissioners.
He reports on
money already subscribed and on Mr. Penn’s gift, and hints at possible trouble
to come
from enemies of the design.
handwritingHandwriting is formal, clear and legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good
condition, with light staining, creasing and wear. A tear near the remnants
of the
seal results in a minor loss of text.
inkBrown.
noteworthyOn one recto, it is uncertain to which organization Whitaker
refers when he says "y.e Society" and so it has been
left untagged (it is possibly the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian
Knowledge). On two verso, it is uncertain to which Mr. Mosely Whitaker refers,
Samuel or Ebenezer (it is likely the former), and so he has been left untagged.
For more information on both, see the Person Index. Whitaker uses the Latin
phrase
“ubi est” (Where is s/he/it?).
layoutThe first page of the letter is on one recto, but the second
page is on two verso not one verso. The third page is on one verso.
EventsFundraising Tour of Great Britain
Modernized Version
Deletions removed; additions added in;
modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
London
May 29. 1766
Rev.
and very dear Brother
I am Still in good health.
through
the great goodness of God, and So is
Mr. Occom—
though he is but just recovered from an ill turn of
the dysentery without blood which confined three or
4 Days. I have,
my dear brother, Seen much of the goodness
of God Since I have been here, and
also of the working of
Satan. I now forbear Saying anything to you of Some
of his old tricks for a certain reason, concluding you
will hear Something from other hands. O that we may
go
on trusting
and hoping in God, and quietly waiting for
his Salvation. I verily believe that God will
appear
in his own time and way to confound all who rise up a
gainst this glorious design. O pray much for me, for
I expect Shortly to arm for battle, unless the Lord pre
vent, and I can assure you I am not afraid to fight in this
good cause
especially as enemies here begin, even before
hand, to lick the dust. I beg, my Good Sir, that you would
Send me with all Speed, an authentic
account of all the
monies you received of the
London Commissioners
and of all they did towards
Mr. Occoms Education. It may be Something will open
here which will give Some light —
Mr. Lane
one of the Society told me this day
that they remit very little below
£1000 sterling
per An. to
their C–––
ubi est !!!!!!! You can procure of
Mr. Shaw of
New London an account of all
Mr. Occom
has
received of the
Boston Commissioners
and let it be attested —These things may keep me here a
little longer, but they will turn out gloriously by and by
The wrath of man Shall praise thee, etc.
I can't Say how much Money is already subscribed, but
I believe about £1500 sterling The faithful ministers here
grow more and more bold in this cause. Dear
Mr. Romain on reading the narrative was So affected that he could not re
frain, and made a Collection in his Church of £ 107 2.
[illegible][guess: s]3 sterling
It is evident the cause gains ground by opposition, and all
will be got which the Redeemer Sees best. It may be it is best
it Should yet live on its providence, and that his glory will
this way be more conspicuous — his will be done — but should
I procure no more than what is in hand and
what I have assurance
of, it will pay for my Coming, but I can't think but
much more will be
done.
Mr. Penn
has given; how much
I can't Say — He Seems disposed to encourage
the
School's
removal
into the back Part of his Province toward
fort Duquesne.
or it may possibly be accommodated near
Coos; for
[gap: tear]
Wentworth, who hopes for
New Hampshire
Government Seems
[gap: tear][guess: desirous] of it. But where
would you choose it? I tell here
[gap: tear][guess: but] 5 or 6 townships would likely be settled at once if
land could be procured on good terms. But I wait
your answer to former letters on this head. Somehow
or other I have missed every opportunity of Sending the
Bibles which I have procured. I think it best not to Send
you any Goods just now —
Mr.
Whitefield will write you
by this Ship; he is poorly with his asthma —
Mrs. White field gives much love to you and
madam. I received yours
of February 12 last week — am grieved for
Mr. Smiths in
disposition. Pray get
Mr. Smith to declare what
Mr. Forbes offered him last
Summer to engage with the
Boston Commissioners
and write me well attested the conversation
which passed between you and
Mr.
Mosely about displacing
Mr. Smith, and the vote of
the board
respecting his going
to another place; and how long the Indians at
Onaquaga were neglected by the
Boston Commissioners
and the State of their application to us last year
(turn over.)
Perhaps you wonder why I ask for So many things and So well
attested — but you must
excuse my telling you just now, You may
know hereafter. There is no news here — it is a time of general
health. Give much
Love to all my dear friends — don't forget
to pray for me — And allow me, my dear Brother to sub
scribe
myself