Robert Keen, letter, to Nathaniel Whitaker, 1766 August 20

Author Keen, Robert

Date20 August, 1766

ms number766470.4

abstractKeen warns Whitaker away from Mr. Richards, advises him against appearing separately from Occom, explains why he hasn't received the Narratives, describes the men who might support him and Occom in their travels, and gives news about their maid in London.

handwritingFormal handwriting is clear and legible.

paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair condition, with moderate-to-heavy staining, creasing and wear. There is preservation work done on the heavy central crease.

inkDark-brown ink bleeds through the paper.

EventsFundraising Tour of Great Britain

Persistent Identifier
Mr Whitaker S.r
For these 2 Tuesdays ^past^ we have only had Mr Smith, Mr Savage, my Self with Mr Whitefield: — — we all believe you Endeavour to Act for the best; but were fearfull by Your Courting the Favours of Mr Richards, illegible&c &c (who are in ye esteem of those we count Orthodox wretched Creatures ^(in their Tenets)^ & have even wrote against Mr Evans &c) that ^you^ might thereby damp all the others who were hearty; & as the saying is, between 2 stools you might fall to ye Ground — it seem'd like leaveing a Certainty for an Uncertainty But we Hope & Pray You may have that Wisdom given You which is proper to direct — no hint of this sort was intended by Mr Whitefield, nor any of us, to cast you down but as a Friendly Caution, agreable to your desire & for ye good of ye Cause you are engag'd in — as to M.r Occum & you going to Seperate places, it is judg'd he is not compleat without you, nor You without him; unleſs in places of small note & withal he be accompanied with some person of Influence — to be sure dispatch in your Affairs is desirable, when it can be done without Detriment — — Your Two selves who are upon the Spot are best Judges — The Lord direct you for the best! — will not ye 28th Instant be too soon to leave Bristol? it is a large place, & should but little be done there, it will not ^have^ a good look — on the other-hand if all is done that is like to be done there in that time, 'twill be a pity to
Loiter away your time, which all that knows your Active Disposition, knows can't but be disagreable — in this Likewise I hope you'l be directed — 'tis provoking to find you are disappointed by not receiveing the Narratives. in 5 minutes after Recieveing your Letter, I sent to Mr Olivers, they were ^[right]sent^ last Friday Sen'night & directed for the Revd Mr Whitaker at ye Tabernacle in the Old Orchard Bristol & his man Deliver'd them to ye Carrier himself, who said his name was James, at ye 3 Cups in Bread street London—. I have order'd the same ^man^ to go directly to ye Inn & see if by mistake they were neglected to be put in ye waggon when loading — I would send more directly, only hope before now they are come to your hands — — The Bristol people in general I believe are not so Generous in Money matters as the Londoners & others — Mr Phene acts a Noble part indeed made it appear like a Contrast to us; your going from a Man of his Sortment to Richards &c &c — Mr Tho.s Cox thinks of setting out for Exeter on Thursday ye 28th Ins.t he may pave the way for you & now I think on it, if he can Conveniently he may take some Narratives with him — when You are About to Move & can let us know where ^you^ are like to be in a few days, whoever of us are Acquainted with any leading men there, would send letters to them for Example at Bradford I'm intimate with Mr Spencer the Clergyman — with Mr Richd Haynes ye Baptist minister — wth Mr Shrapnell ye Clothier & many others, to Each of ye above you give my hearty Love & hope they'll be as Ser‐ -viceable in the Affair you are come about as they poſsibly can — —
Mr Whitefield has recd a letter from Mr Stillingfleet, who was very sorry he was not at home when you was there — Seems very hearty & doubts not but something Considerable will be done for you there; November he reckons the best time — D..r Franklin is abroad & is Expected home ye begining of Oct..br his Recommendation will be of real Service & will be got for & sent to you as soon as he arrives — your maid Always desires I would send her Duty to you both — Mr Stafford wanted a Maid & would have had her, she
Consulted with me [gap: tear][guess: t]old her by no means, she must be your Servant till you Quitted London — she is one that you can trust, & knows your method & all that comes after You — she seem'd very well satisfy'd when I told her as above — what you have to say about her (if you have any thing) let it be in my Letter— as I don't know wether she^d^ like I should say any thing or no — — I don't know any thing particular more I have to say at present, only your Friends ^here^ are all hearty in wishing well to your undertaking & none more then S:r
yr Real Frd & Servt Robt Keen
P. S. Hearty Love to Mr Occum, accept ye same yrself —
[left]From mr Keen Aug. 20. 1766
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