The Trust in England, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1772 May 1

Author The Trust in England

Date1 May, 1772

ms number772301

abstractThe Trustees acknowledge their approval of the progress of the great design, the college, and the reconciliation with Kirkland. They remind Wheelock to keep the accounts for the college and the charity school separate, and note that they have granted Occom 50 pounds a year.

handwritingHandwriting is formal and clear.

paperTwo large sheets appear to have once been one large sheet folded in half to make four pages. The paper has been reinforced, which makes it difficult to gauge its condition; it appears to be in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear that results in a minor loss of text.

inkBrown ink is dimmed somewhat by the reinforcement.

noteworthyThere is, in addition to a trailer in Wheelock's hand (lower of the two on two recto), a trailer in an unknown hand that has itself been amended in yet another unknown hand.

signatureThere are multiple signatures; each appears to be in the hand of the signatory.

Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.

Persistent Identifier
Rev. Sir,
We have now before us your Letters of June 20th September 3rd and December 3rd 1771 and have deferred writing to this Time, — because we found nothing in them that seemed to require an immediate Answer.
We have great Satisfaction in hearing as well from Yourself as from other hands of the success with which the great and difficult Work of your Removal has been attended hitherto, and of the Suppo[gap: worn_edge][guess: rt] and Encouragement which your important Designs have met with in America and we flatter ourselves that it is not necessary for us to repeat to You the assurances of our entire confidence in the — disinterestedness and steadiness with which they will be conducted, as long as they remain in your hands. In regard to that particular part of them in the which We are immediately concerned, The Instruction of Indians in the Knowledge of Christ and his Gospel, we have nothing to suggest to You for the furtherance of that Object, in addition to what we have intimated in our former Letters; trusting entirely to your Care and Attention to go on as you have begun, in keeping a separate Account of everything that relates to that Design, that we may at all times be able to give a clear and explicit account of our Proceedings to those who have entrusted us with the management of their Contributions for that excellent Purpose. As to what concerns the Charter of Incorporation, we avoid saying anything on that Subject which is a matter of more general Concern, and does not relate to the business of this Trust.
We have been lately taking into our Consideration, the Account we have received of the present Condition of Mr. Occom, whose past eminent Services in the Prosecution of Our Purpose, as well as the peculiar Advantages which the Circumstances of his Birth and Situation give him for promoting the Design, entitle him to a very particular Regard and Consideration from us: We have therefore agreed to order
him immediately the Sum of Fifty Pounds, and to continue the same to him annually during our Pleasure. We lament with You the Offence that in two Instances of his Conduct Mr. Occom has unhappily given, but we cannot help imputing them in some Degree to the great — Difficulty of the Circumstances He was then in; and, depending upon the account you give us of his sincere Remorse, and the Shame he has taken to Himself, which is corroborated by a Certificate we have received signed by a considerable Number of respectable Persons at Norwich of the 19th of November last, of his good Behaviour since that time We flatter — ourselves that this Provision will greatly contribute to prevent any — Repetition of the same Misconduct.
Nothing can be more pleasing to us than to hear of the return of good Understanding between You and Mr. Kirkland we cannot but admire the indefatigable Zeal, and assiduity of that worthy Man, as well as the uncommon Instance that he has lately given of his disinterested Regard to the good of the Cause in which he is engaged: we promise ourselves the happiest Effect from your concurrent Labours to promote the same good Ends and we wish him the same Prosperity and — success under the Direction of the Boston Board, as we could do, if he was still employed by us. The Lord of the Harvest is the same, and we cannot but bear the same good will to all the Labourers, whom he shall think fit to honour with Employment in his Vineyard.
We shall depend upon your Promise of continuing to give us from time to time accounts of your farther Proceedings, and of any Occurrences that may happen that You may think material for the Information of
Received September 25 1772 Lord Dartmouth  and others of the Trust. —  May 1, 1772
Blank page.
Loading...