Jonathan Murdock, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 February 26
Date26 February, 1767
Call Number767176.1
abstractMurdock lists the various reasons why he cannot undertake a mission.
handwritingFormal handwriting is somewhat uneven, yet clear and legible. The trailer is in an unknown hand.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear. There is a prominent watermark.
inkBrown ink is lightly faded.
layoutThe first page of the letter is on one recto, but the second page is on two recto, not one verso.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Letter dated the 17th ultimo. and now
improve the first Opportunity I have
had to return you my sincere Thanks
for the kind and honorable Proposal you
have made me and for the Love and
Regard you have expressed for me. —
But at Present Sir, there are several
Obstacles against my undertaking the
Office of a Missionary among the
Natives of America: though it is true I
once entertained Thoughts of it and
proposed it to my Friends but they
were utterly averse to it; and I have
no Doubt but they still remain so. —
But were my Friends willing I could
not at Present look on myself, who
Blank page. Am an inexperienced Youth, fit or
qualified to undertake such a great
and important Work, which, as I
must think, requires a Man of Years,
Knowledge and Experience. —
But if the Objections I have menti‐
oned were removed, my present ill State
of Health would by no Means allow
of my undertaking the Work of a Mis‐
sionary, which requires so much
Strength of Body as well as of Mind.
For these Reasons, Sir, I must at
pre‐
sent lay aside all Thoughts of under‐
taking the great Work you have pro‐
posed to me. — But that God may
bless and prosper your great and noble
Designs and Endeavours of gospelizing
the Indian Natives, is the hearty Desire and
Prayer of Rev. Sir,
Servant — Jonathan Murdock
New Haven February 26. AD 1767—