Robert Clelland, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1764 January 21
Date21 January, 1764
ms number764121
abstractClelland writes an indignant letter complaining that the Mohegan sachem has denigrated Clelland's teaching. Clelland believes certain parties are angling to replace him with Occom.
handwritingHandwriting is formal and clear.
paperLarge single sheet is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear.
inkBlack-brown
Persistent Identifier
Mohegan in
New London
January 21st 1764
Revd
Revd
&
Dr Sir
O our Drunken Sechem has gone to mr Jewett with a number of Complaints against me, too numerous to
mention, but as they are baſe and unjust., I am resolved to have the whole tribe —
call’d, and all taken under the concideration of mr Jewett
& Some other ministers, Esqr
Adam’s
&c: for I will not ly under his Calum==ny being conscious to my [illegible] Self, I am not only capable but faithfull, and the fault of the desired Succeeſs, shall ly at the right door; among other things he say’s you said you wonderd my Children did not profitt
liek yours. Sir can it be expected that Children can make such profitiancy, when they are moſtly from school, runing about under no Government, as Children that are keept under the masters care night and day, Sure I am you never would say so, as
you have mentioned in your Narrative the Contrary: God who is the Searcher of hearts, &c him I apeal, that with sincerity &
faithfullneſs (tho with much
weakneſs
& imperfection) I have discharged my Duty; I am capable to be of very great
Service to this people if I meet with proper incouragement, But we have a Sechem does much hurt, goes about beging
Cyder
& Rum, geting drunk and lying all night in Barn’s, enticeing
&
Seting bad example before other / young / Indian’s, Going on contrary to all
Councill, advice, & reproof, Bold in sin, & trampling on the Laws of God and man, as if he were above Law, minding
nothing that is good, all he is after, is the profits of Mohegan to consume upon his lusts; Some intimations are made that
they want me out, in order mr
Occum (who is coming here to live), may keep School; It was but last
spring mr
Occum told me that tho he came to live in Mohegan, he would
not take the School, but do all in his power to Support &
incourage it, if so I shall rejoice at his coming, I must observe that
the Sechem formerly commended my faithfullneſs beyond mr Lethem at Nahantik
& any children that comes from there — on a viſitt, I can’t find reads near so well as mine; tho Had I Children that would regularly attend, I would show what
I could doe, I Humbly Begg your answer and advice, May God preserve you, Bliſs
yr valuable consort, & make your Children ornaments &
uſefull
my Spouſe joins me in our regards to Madam Self & Children
I am Revd
ſir
yr most obedient Humle
ſervt
Robert Clelland
Aspow is not come home, I ly in Debt for near 50/ for work & pork to him before he went his miſsion
Robert Clelland
NB I must accquent you, that I have invited the youth to come and I would be as a Caticaist for them, I have a ſmal talent in that respect, & take pleasure in it, but meet with no encouragement in any good design,
they are a Stiff:neked rebellious people I reced yours by D
Fouler
^after I wrote this^ and ſhall
accquent
mr prince who shall wait your
conveniancy
&
Leiſure, as I said by march I intend to have Esqr
Adam’s
mr Byles
mr
Witteker to meet wt
mr Jewett
& to anſwer
[illegible]Ben’s imputations, & I wish you could attend, I shall inform you the time of meeting
Robert Clelland
Jan.y
21st
^1764.^
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