Author
Keen, Robert
Date20 August, 1766
ms number766470.4
abstractKeen warns Whitaker away from Mr. Richards, advises him against
appearing separately from Occom, explains why he hasn't received the Narratives,
describes
the men who might support him and Occom in their travels, and gives news about
their maid
in London.
handwritingFormal handwriting is clear and legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair
condition, with moderate-to-heavy staining, creasing and wear. There is
preservation work done on the heavy central crease.
inkDark-brown ink bleeds through the paper.
EventsFundraising Tour of Great Britain
Modernized Version
Deletions removed; additions added in;
modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
For these 2 Tuesdays past we have only had
Mr. Smith,
Mr. Savage, myself with
Mr. Whitefield: — — we all believe you
Endeavour to
Act for the best; but were fearful by Your Courting
the Favours of
Mr. Richards, etc.
etc. (who are in the esteem of those
we count Orthodox wretched Creatures (in
their Tenets)
and have even wrote against
Mr. Evans
etc.) that you might thereby damp all the others who
were
hearty; and as the saying is, between 2 stools you might fall to
the Ground — it seemed like leaving a Certainty for an Uncertainty
But we Hope and Pray You may have that Wisdom given You
which is proper to direct —
no hint of this sort was intended
by
Mr. Whitefield, nor any of us, to cast you down but as a
Friendly
Caution, agreeable to your desire and for the good of the
Cause you are engaged in — as to
Mr.
Occom
and you going to
separate places, it is judged he is not complete without you,
nor You without him; unless in places of small note and withal
he be accompanied with some person of Influence — to be
sure
dispatch in your Affairs is desirable, when it can be done without
Detriment — — Your Two selves who are upon the Spot are best
Judges
— The Lord direct you for the best! — will not
the
28th Instant be
too soon to leave
Bristol? it is a large place, and should but little
be done there, it will not have
a good look — on the other-hand if all is
done that is like to be done there in
that time, it will be a pity to
Loiter away your time, which all that knows your Active Disposition, knows
can't
but be disagreeable — in this Likewise I hope you'll be directed — it is
provoking to find you are disappointed by not receiving the Narratives.
in 5 minutes after receiving your Letter, I sent to
Mr. Olivers, they were sent
last Friday Sevennight
and directed for the Rev.
Mr. Whitaker at the
Tabernacle in the Old Orchard
Bristol
and his man delivered them to the Carrier himself, who said
his name was James, at the 3 Cups in
Bread street London—.
I have ordered
the same man to go directly to the Inn and see if by mistake they were neglected to be
put in the
wagon when loading — I would send more directly, only hope before now
they
are come to your hands — — The
Bristol people in general I believe
are not so Generous in Money
matters as the Londoners and others —
Mr. Phene acts a Noble part indeed made it appear like a Contrast
to us; your going from
a Man of his Sortment to
Richards
etc.
etc. —
Mr.
Thomas Cox thinks of setting
out for
Exeter on
Thursday the
28th
instant
he may pave the way for you and now I
think on it, if he can Conveniently he may take some Narratives with
him —
when You are About to Move and can let us know where you are like to be in a few
days, whoever of us are Acquainted with any leading men there, would send letters
to
them for Example at
Bradford I'm intimate with
Mr. Spencer the Clergyman —
with
Mr.
Richard Haynes
the Baptist minister — with
Mr. Shrapnell
the Clothier and many
others, to Each of the above you give my hearty Love and hope they'll be as Ser‐
-viceable in the Affair you are come about as
they possibly can — —
Mr. Whitefield has received a letter from
Mr. Stillingfleet, who was very
sorry he was not at home when you
was there — Seems very hearty and doubts
not but something Considerable will be done for you there; November
he reckons
the best time —
Dr. Franklin is abroad and is Expected home the
beginning of October
his Recommendation will be of real Service and will be got for and sent to you as
soon as he arrives — your maid Always desires I would
send her
Duty to you both —
Mr. Stafford wanted a Maid and would have had her, she
Consulted with me
[gap: tear][guess: t]old her
by no means, she must be your
Servant 'til you Quitted
London — she is one
that you can trust,
and knows your method and all that comes after You — she seemed very
well satisfied when I told her as above — what you have to say about her
(if you
have anything) let it be in my Letter— as I don't know whether
she'd
like I should say anything or no — — I don't know anything particular
more I have to say at present, only your Friends here are all hearty in wishing
well to your undertaking and none more than
Sir
P. S. Hearty Love to
Mr.
Occom, accept the same yourself —