Jacob Johnson and David Avery, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1768 October 17
Date17 October, 1768
Call Number768567.1
abstractJohnson and Avery write from the congress at Fort Stanwix, and enclose a copy of their petition to Sir William Johnson. Jacob Johnson adds a postscript reporting on Avery’s activities, and inquiring about American rebels in Boston.
handwritingThe document is written in both Johnson's and Avery's hands: the petition is in Avery's hand, and the postscript is in Johnson's. Although informal, both hands are mostly clear and legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear.
inkBrown ink varies in tone; it is possible that the document is written in two different inks.
noteworthyThis document appears to be an addition to manuscript 768567.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
from the Rev. Dr. Eleazar Wheelock — as also, seen his in‐
structions for propagating the Gospel among the
Indians etc.— Pursuant whereto — These are humbly
to desire and importune your Excellency That, inasmuch
as your Excellency has been pleased more publicly and private
‐ly to manifest an approbation and good liking to
the Doctor's Plan, and laudable design of propagating the
glorious Gospel among the Indians under your
Excellency's Superintendency: So your Excellency would please
still to countenance and encourage the truly noble
design. And in order to prosecute the same to Effect
That your Excellency (as a Tender Father to these perishing Indians)
would be pleased, of your most generous and benevolent
disposition, so to befriend their cause, as to prevent their
Selling themselves off from their Lands, thereby to frus‐
trate the aforesaid design of propagating the Gospel
among them, which undoubtedly will be the sad consequence
of their so doing — That this Effect may not happen
Your Excellency is humbly desired to restrict the Bounds
of the respective Provinces, that they may not be
extended so far North and West, as to cut off the
Lands and Inheritances of the Natives: But that they
use; and that more sacred benefit of propagating
the Knowledge of the great Saviour of the world among
them; that so, by the Grace of God, they may have a fur‐
ther opportunity of a more general offer of the
Gospel to them. And for this End, that your Excellency would
be pleased to recommend, out of your clemency and
goodness, the above design of propagating the
Gospels among them, To the Heads and Chiefs of the Nations
that may be present at this Congress — And finally,
that we may have an opportunity, by order of
your Excellency to lay the same before the heads and chiefs that
may be here — and in so doing your Excellency
will not only gain further just esteem and
deserved Thanks of all that wish well to this
most Christian design; but the blessing of many
ready to perish will come upon your Excellency
in this present world — and in the world to come, through
the Grace of God Life everlasting — which is the unfeign‐
‐ed desire and constant Prayer of your Excellency's most
obliged, humble Servants
Mr. David Avery is gone up to Kana
walohale in order to take his farewell
of the Indians and get everything ready to come
off immediately at the close of the Congress
The Sabbath before last Mr. Peters preached
to the Indians and others in the forenoon
abroad but it was so cold and uncomfortable
in the afternoon that though I was desired
by Mr. Peters Sir William and others I declined but
the Indians gathering together at Mr. Bradax
they Sent for me and I went there the
house was full and after Some Time Sir William
Governor Franklin and the Chief men of the Fort
came But my Interpreter (that did very well
'til they came, whether dashed or what at
their coming was not able by all the
condescension I was master of to humor the
Indian tongue) could not go on the which
Sir William Johnson and others Seeing with‐
and mortification when they were gone He re
covered himself again and did pretty well —
yesterday at the desire of Sir William and others
Mr. Peters and I took our Turns He in the
church way and I in the dissenters to the Great
satisfaction as far as I could learn of all
present— But Sir we hear shocking
accounts from Boston which I am not
able to contradict only to say I do not
believe them — It is said [illegible] [guess: some say] 6 Re‐
giments are Landed — and the Town under Guard. That
Mr. Otis, Roe, and Hancock are sent Home
as Rebels and that 'tis not doubted but they
must suffer Death and that the 92 will likely
Have the same fate —Do let me know as soon
as you can about these things and How far
you have gone respecting a place for a College
etc.— Abraham the bearer has a great mind
to go into your school I took this opportunity
to send these and recommend Him to you sir if you think
proper —