Author
Wheelock, Eleazar
Date19 August, 1767
ms number767469.2
abstractWheelock writes on behalf of the Narragansett Indians, who are losing
their lands, and requests to know whether the reports of missionaries arriving
from Europe
are true.
handwritingFormal handwriting is not Wheelock's. It is clear and
legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair
condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear. There is
preservation work along the heavy vertical crease.
noteworthy"HAVEMEYER COLLECTION" is typewritten across the top of one
recto. As is marked on two recto, this document is a copy. A note in pencil
has
been added to the top left of two recto; this note has not been included
in the
transcription. There is some scratch writing in an unknown hand on two verso
beneath the address.
Modernized Version
Deletions removed; additions added in;
modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Lebanon
August
19th 1767
Sir
May it please your Excellency.
The enclosed came directed to my care
while I was on a journey; by
which means it failed of an earlier convey‐
-ance. And with respect to the
context of it, I would only beg leave, at the
desire of some concerned, to certify you, that the Rev.
Mr. Fish is, so far as I
know, universally
esteemed, a gentleman of Integrity and good Ability.
And accordingly the Representation he has made of the Case of the
poor suffering
Indians at Narragansett, is to be relied upon, as being
faithfully and impartially done
And I would also at their
desire join my earnest Request in
Behalf of that poor people, that your Excellency
would please take their
piteous Case into your Consideration, and if there be any way of relief
for them (which under God they expect chiefly, or only
by your inter‐
position) that something effectual may be done to prevent that
total ruin which
otherwise, according to all human probabilities,
is very speedily to be
expected— They have bid the fairest to
be built up, and become a people, of any party of Indians
I know of
in
New England— and now just as they have
got
well engaged in cultivating their Lands, and begin to know
the worth of
them, by tasting the sweets of a civilized Life,
their best farms are slipping from under
them, one after
another (as they express it) with much expense of Labour
and money also, which they have bestowed to subdue them.
And they have reason to expect in a very little Time, they
shall have none left, unless something effectual be speedily
done for their Help. The piteous complaints of this poor people
are truly such, as I make no doubt, sir, would greatly move
your Excellency's Compassions towards them, could you hear
them
them, but
your well known Care, Fidelity, and
Resolution, prevent all occasion to enlarge on this Head—
May it please your Excellency. We had frequent Reports last
winter and spring, from your Quarter, as well as diverse Hints in
the public News, that a Number of Missionaries
and
schoolmasters were daily
expected from
Europe
to supply the Vacancies in your Vicinity:
on which I wrote your Excellency desiring to be certified of the
truth of the report, and to know your pleasure relating thereto:
But I have received no written answer— and as I have always esteemed
your Countenance and Patronage to be of such Importance, in this
Affair, that I would by no
means take one step without your Appro‐
-bation; I have neglected to
send either Missionary or schoolmaster,
this Year, to those places near you, 'til you should please to signify
your pleasure in that matter: and I have now sent
my
son to
wait upon you with this, desiring you would please to advise
me fully, whether you desire the
board of Correspondents in this Colony to provide supply of preaching for the parties
of
Indians of the
six Nations who are willing to
hear, and school‐
masters for their Children; and whether your Excellency will
encourage those we shall send, in their respective services,
so long, and so far, as their conduct and Behaviour shall be agreeable to
to their
[illegible][guess: "]respective Characters and
professions?
Your Excellency is not unsensible that
the infant Institu‐-tion under my care, is now, by the blessing of Heaven, much
increased, and become respectable at home and abroad; and is honoured
with the patronage of gentlemen of Character, and great worth
in
England, who have accepted the Trust of, and become
Guarantees to the public, for the fund collected in
Europe,
for
the use and support of it; (of
which Trust the Right honourable the
Earl of Dartmouth is appointed president) whose Characters, and
influence are such, that I would by no means, have a step
taken which
may not have their Approbation. And I should
be very sorry, if, by any means, party
names, and circum‐
-stantial differences in matters of Religion. should so operate,
as to retard or prevent the progress, and
success of the general
Design in View—
please
please, sir, to let me know your Mind, and advise me, as
fully as shall be needful to determine my conduct
in this
matter. and please, sir, to be assured that you
shall always be served with humility, and the greatest
cheerfulness, in anything that comes within the
Power of
May it please your Excellency Your most obedient, humble Servant
Eleazar Wheelock