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.
London
May 1st, 1772.
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