Nathaniel Whitaker, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1765 December 18
Date18 December, 1765
Call Number765668
abstractWhitaker details the reasons for Occom's and his delay in sailing, and notes that Andrew Oliver was compelled to give up his position as Stamp Master.
handwritingWhitaker's hand is formal and clear. It is occasionally difficult to differentiate between the letters “e” and “i” — in these instances the transcriber has used the correct spelling.
paperLarge single sheet is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear. There is some light repair work on a particularly heavy crease.
inkBlack-brown.
signatureThe signature is abbreviated.
EventsFundraising Tour of Great Britain
My Revd & Dear Brother
of this Letter when you find I am Still in Boſton
But he that rules all things hath So ordered it. I have
been aſſured by Cap.t & owner too that next week,
& next week the Ship Should Sail but one thing & a
nother has prevented, & chiefly, I believe, becauſe the
Cuſtom houſe was not open for clearances, wch yeſterday
was opened, but not on Stamps
Night before laſt, notes were Set up about town requiring
mr Oliver to appear at ye tree of Liberty in order publick
ly to renounce his Commiſſion of Stamp Maſter, which he
had recd
Sent to the majeſtrates & principle merchants to waite on
him & protect him from inſult; accordingly they went
yeſterday in the rain to a certain houſe, where Governer
Mackentaſh appointed, & there mr Oliver renounced
his commiſſn before the Majeſtrates & Merchts. to their
Satiſfaction, judging that his honour was Sufficient to
Satiſfy the world that he would not act — where on the writ
ing in which he renounced his commiſſion was Sent into
another room to be approved by Gov.r Mackentaſh; & he Saw
fit to declare it would not do unleſs he would walk to the
tree of liberty & Sware to it under S.d tree before the people.
& his Sovereign Mandate
cretary, Majeſtrates & Merch.ts walked in the Storm of
rain near half a mile
Com.d — So things Seem to be quiet — Cap.t Scot came
in 7 weeks from London laſt Sab: brings no letters from mr Smith
who wrote & sent by Cap.t Bruce a few days before. He
tells me that it Seems to be the general talk of genlle
men at home, that it will never do to put the Stamp act
into execution — If the weather favours we Shall Sail to
morrow or Saturday — One mr John Williams of this town goes
withs us.
dian affairs in
does he Says he will give 5 or 600 per. An:
He is a lover of good things & a generous gentleman, I wiſh we
may help him in this affair — I can't but think he may be a
great bleſſing — his wife is a pious woman; & I hope he
is not void of religion —
can't tell, but I believe & truſt that all is for the beſt —
Mr Occom is well, & I am hitherto much pleaſed with his conduct
he behaves with great modeſty & caution — he is
vited to preach by any miniſter in town except mr Morehead
but he does not reſent it — I have preached 5. or 6 evenings
every week, or thereabouts, Since I have been here, & never
Saw people more attentive & ready to crowd to gather, except
in times of awakening — I have not preached in publick on a
week day except the thirſday lecture laſt week —
every day — The Eyes of all ye continent almoſt are on me;
& if I should miſcarry, what a wound would it give to religion
& to the cauſe I am on — o pray for me every day — &
for my family & people — mr Peck & wife Send love to
their Son & to you all, & mr Occom too — & how much, I
can't tell you, is Sent you all from
Nathl Whitaker
mr Little 17 Pair of Shoes & a bun
dle of Striped cloth &c in a bag
which he will Send to mrs Whitaker the firſt oppertunity
they were given laſt Spring by that people for your
School —
mr Wheelock