David Fowler, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 March 17

Author Fowler, David

Date17 March, 1767

Call Number767217.1

abstractFowler writes to apologize for his previous letter, which he wrote in anger at Kirtland’s condescending treatment, and to request that Kirtland no longer have or exercise authority over him.

handwritingHandwriting is bold and legible; the nib of the pen appears to change midway through one recto.

paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear.

inkBlack.

Persistent Identifier
Revd, and Hon.d Sir,
I suppose you have receiv'd my
preſumptuous Letter; Which I beleive has given
you much Sorrow and Trouble of Mind. — For I was in
a very bad frame of Mind; occ[illegible]aſion'd by Mr Kirtlands
reſuming too much of greatneſs before Company
he appeard to me, that he wanted to ſhow what
great man he was that he could order us about
where and how he pleasd; this ſoon ſtuck in
my Crop; and at this time Mr Kirtland had
[left]Letters come to hand and none for me; this encreased my
angryer, and [illegible]in the Midſt of my Paſſion I wrote
your Letter I indeed wrote whatſoever come
out firſt; I hardly know what. I was writing
about, nor can I now tell what I wrote, for
as ſoon as I finiſh'd writing I ſeal it up —
but I remember ſome haſh Word in it. —
—For which baſe and haughty expreſ­
ſions to you. I do now in ſincerity aſk forgiveneſs
for I acknowledge I ſpoke very ungratefully
and improperly to a Benefactor, yea more a Fa­
ther who has been [illegible][guess: ſ]at ſo much Trouble for me to
fit me to be uſeful in the Wordld. again I ſay,
I aſk your Forgiveneſs I hope you will not take
hard no longer. — I don't now think myſelf to
be worthy of your Notice, I wonder you did
not turn me out off the School — I now
beg a Favour of you which will Afford me
Comfort and Eaſe, which, is this, whenſoever
you write to Mr Kirtland charge him
not mention one Syllable of to me, for cuts
me very much: though I ſee myſelf a mean
and worthleſs Fellow an[illegible]d yet I am ſuch
fooliſh Creature or to give as to trouble
myſelf when others receive a Letter
I ſpeak calmy and ſincerely not in ruf­
f[illegible]ele — Another Favour for Mr Kirtlands
Comfort, which is this. Dont try to give him
ſo much Authority as that he would per­
ſuad or take upon himſelf to goven me or
order me about. as ſoon as he try to do that
he wont be ſo comfortable here; for he cant
order me, [illegible] nor no Miſſonary that ſhall come
into these Parts. [illegible] As I am an Inſtructor
I am able to act for myſelf. with-out having
a maſter over me .&c
I am well anyd contented, Han­
nah
alſo is well only ſhe has ſome ſmall
turns of illneſs which Women of her Condition
are apt to have — I ſuppose ſhe will like­
ly have a trial of pain in June, —
Give our Duty Madam and love to whole Family and
School.
I am in the main time your affect and
unworthy Sevant,
David Fowler
Blank page.
From David Fowler
March 17..th 1767
To— the Reverend.
M.r Eleazer Wheelock
Inn
New-England
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