David McClure, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 August 5

Author McClure, David

Date4 August, 1766

Call Number766454

abstractMcClure writes from his mission about his arrival, the work of the school, the condition of the pupils, and the kindness of people. He notes the difficulties in not knowing the language.

handwritingHandwriting is formal and clear.

paperLarge sheet folded to make four pages is in mostly good condition, with a significant tear around the seal, which is wholly preserved. This tear results in a slight loss of text.

inkDark brown.

Persistent Identifier
Rev.d & ever Hon.d Sir /
[top]David MacCluor's
Letter
Aug.t 4.th 1766
With much Duty & Reverence
I embrace this Oppertunity, to inform you, that by the
Indulgence of a kind Providence I reach'd this Place
the 23.d last Month, went immeadietly into David's
School, where the Scholers, the poor ignorant Creatures
chearfully Aſsembled. I was very agreeably ſirpriz'd
at the proficancy of the Scholers, their unwearied
Labour in Study, & the good Order, Sobriety &
Reverence which I think is natural to them. &
which they exerciſe eſpecially in School—
We have been treated ſince our
Arrivel with ſuch kindneſs as I never epxpected
to receive from Inhabitents of this part of the World.
ſcarce a Day has gone over our Heads, but we have
brought in to us freſh Meat of ſome kind or other.

Tho we live ſomthing dirty, for want of
Houſe neceſsaries, & alſo for want of knowledge to
uſe thoſe we have, yet I hope we ſhall live a
little cleaner, & that very ſoon by the help of David's
fifth Ribb
, M.r Kirtland ſett out to Day for S.r W.ms
he paſs'd by here yesterday, in his way home from Detroit Oſswego.
Yesterday, (Lords Day) M.r Kirtland preach'd two Sermons,
to the Indians, but the Interpreter, made out but po[gap: tear][guess: orly]
by reaſon of his Age, [illegible] and his unaquaintedneſs of Onoid[gap: tear][guess: a]
Languge, (he being a Tuſkarooroak. Who was ſuppoſ'd to [gap: tear][guess: be]
converted ſome Years agone)— But the Indians are
very deſirous to be taught— and expreſs hartly & numberleſs
thanks to M.r Wheelock and thoſe good Ministers, who are
hartely engaged for their good &c &c &c. I hope God
deſigns to make this People a happy, and florishing
People— they want nothing but the knowledge of our Lord
& Saviour Jeſus Christ to make them Christains—
I am put to a great deal of Difficulty in School in not
having their Language so that I might talk to the Scholers—

I long to be able to converſe with the poor Creatures
in their Language— to teach & inſtruct them what
little I know in the things of Religion— I hope
before I return, to git a little ſpatter of it—
The Indians are very deſirous of ſchooling
Their Children— one instance in particular, as I was
ſetting in School (held in the Church) I ſaw an Indian
Man bringing his little Son to School with a Rod of
Correction in one Hand and a Boy on the oth[gap: tear][guess: er] ſide
to lead him along, and he proves to a very ſtudious Lad
got his four & twenty Letters in four Days—
Having nothing meterial— I conclude
beging The your inceſsent Prayers— for
Rev.d S.r
Your most dutifull tho'
unworthy Pupel—
David M.cCluer
P.S. pleaſe to give much
Duty to Madam— Love to
famely & School— & accept
much Duty & renew'd Thanks
from yours most humbly— DM.
[left]Johnſon behaves extaraordinary well—

For, Rev.d M.r Eleazar Wheelock


To the
Revd Mr Eleazar Wheelock
Lebanon
p.r favour}
M.r Wheelock}
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