With much humility, I undertake to Write to your
worthy Person. and I
would inform you that I ever have a grateful Sense of your favours in time
past. for which I desire at this time renewedly to express my thanks. if I was an Englishman, and
was thus respected by you. I should be very thankful. but much more doth it now, become me
being an Indian, to be humble. and very thankful in very
[illegible][guess: deed] Me thinks the more I am resp
ected the more humble it makes me. but to conclude this my Indian introduction let me
assure you. that a law of gratitude is wrote as it were upon the table of my Once
savage
heart. for all your Remarkable favours in times Past. and I
[illegible][guess: ever] think of your worthy
person with love, and Reverence in my heart. But what I would more particularly
inform
you of this time
is what may follow. Rev. Sir. by leave of kind Providence. I purpose to leave
this Place next monday
being the time appointed that I .and the rest of the chosen
men. should go into the wilderness. to visit our savage Brethren. and to con
verse with them Concerning our proposals. etc.: and as the time is drawing nigh.
I find I am Obliged to solicit your
favour this once more. for which I am very sorry.
I am Sorry to try your good Nature
so soon. But still I would humbly. and
earnestly solicit
your favour at this time. I was considerably
disappointed down Country, not seing
Mr. Occom whose note I have with me still.
[illegible][guess: also] 2 English friends added disappo
intments to me. not letting me have my reasonable due their Plea was this
that they Did not expect I should return 'til next Winter or in spring. so
they thought it best to lay out the money.
intending to allow for use.
but not to be further tedious. my earnest
desire is that you would help
me to some Money. I know not who else Can. I am a stranger. but as for
my Indian friends. if I lean upon them at present they are like a broken staff.
but I
have nothing again my Brethren. they have a will. had they but ability
and if you please to pity. and to help me at this time you have no reason to fear but that
you shall have your own. again in due time. if I return
well. perhaps. I shall
[illegible][guess: receive], money from down Country by last of October. then I will pay you your
reasonable due. but if any Accident happen. to me so as that I shall never return. still
you need not fear. as doubtless you know. that my reward from
Boston will
Come into your hands. so you then can take your Money
again. Please
To
[illegible] Enquiring friends, or to
Strangers.
would you know kind Sir, who the composer of this Discourse is.
Be pleased to read the following. I am an Indian of the
mohegan Tribe,
known by the Name of Joseph
Johnson. Educated by the
Rev.
Eleazar Wheel ock D. D. whose School I left when
I was 14 years of age. and in the
3rd month of my 15th year, I was sent amongst the
Six nations, and I spent
about 2 years in those Parts. keeping school. afterwards I left the school
Rev.
Eleazar Wheelock D. D. entirely. and from that time, I have been
wandering up, and down, in this delusive World. some of my time I
spent at
Providence Town. keeping a school. some of my time, I have
spent
upon the Ocean wide. I have been down Eastward, as far as to the
Western
Islands
twice.
[illegible][guess: Curvo], and
[illegible][guess: florus], I have seen. and to the southward I
have been as far,
to the
West Indies. Seen also the islands between
Antigua and
Grenadines. and again from
antigua
I have sailed down leward sailed by
the
virgin Islands, also by
Santa Cruz,
Puerto Rico. down as far as to
mo
[illegible][guess: ria].
and after so long time Even in my 21st year I safely arrived to my Native
place. their I spent one year in
working upon my farm.