Jacob Johnson, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1768 December 28
Date28 December, 1768
Call Number768678.1
abstractJohnson avows that his conduct at the Fort Stanwix Congress was unimpeachable, that he has been working alongside Kirkland, and that he hopes to see Wheelock and report in-person on the Congress.
handwritingHandwriting is informal, yet mostly clear and legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages has been reinforced, which makes it difficult to gauge condition; it appears to be in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear.
inkBlack ink is dimmed somewhat by the reinforcement.
noteworthy The trailer beneath the address on two verso is in Wheelock's hand; the other trailer is in an unknown hand. An unknown editor has added the note “Ind Mis” in pencil after the latter trailer. This note has not been included in transcription.
Rev & hon Sr
(Dated Lebn Nov.r 21—) I received — For which, & all o‐
ther Tokens of your Friendship, I return you my
Sincere & hearty thanks — And pray the Bleſsings of
Heaven, may long rest on your Perſon, Family, and
school: And deſird ſucceſs accompany all your under‐
takings, to promote The Cauſe, & kingdom of Chriſt on
Earth — I have, ſir, done all within my power, to
promote, & set forward, this great, & glorious deſign, ſince
I came this way — As to what paſs’d at the Con‐
greſs relative herunto (either as to my Character
or Conduct) I deſire nothing more, I ask for no‐
thing more, nor indeed wish for any thing
more than to exhibit that proceſs, with the Facts, &
doings theron attendent, in their own proper Lights;
which (thanks to God) I am well able to do (without
boaſting) And at our next Interview, I will (if it plea[below]ſe
[left]God) let you fully into that affair — and I doubt not
you will be satiſfied, I did every thing that was proper
to be done, or Indeed coud be done — As to any ill
Conſequences touching your selfe, ſir or, the Laboring
Cauſe, I am by no means whatsoever ſufficent to pro‐
vide againſt ‘em; but muſt humbly, & meekly ſubmit
them to Him, who brings about all things according
to the Councel of his own will, & finally for his own glo‐
ry, & Zio’ns weal, & proſperity: and
or controverſie to me, iſſue the preſent dependent cauſe
(as far as it reſpects my character, or Conduct) to the ſame
happy, & glorious purpoſes: “For He will (ſooner or later) bring
forth my Judgment as the Light, & my Righteouſneſs as
the noon day” As to the Preſent ſituation — I am
here with Mr Kirkland moſt of the Time; Preparing, and
ripening things for action: and waiting a favorable
opportunity for embodying, & building up a ch-h here:
Tho I have not been favord with an Interpreter (onely oc‐
caſionally, & Providentially) which in ſome respects has
been a great diſadvantage to me, in others perhaps an
advantage, for it has put me the more upon ſtudeing their
Language, cuſtoms &c and perhaps, I ſhall be able to
speak to them in their own Languge, before I leave
them; Tho’ I expect an Interpreter next week, and
hope to regain, & if poſsible, more than regain my
seemingly loſt Time —
letter, I felt much concernd, leſt you ſir ſhoud think
it might not (on the whole) be beſt to come
down to New Engd and ſatiſfie your mind, ſir in
theſe things; but conſulting, & adviſeing with Mr K–d,
He thinks it will by no means do at this Time.
Mr Kirtland will write to you alſo — and you ſir
will pleaſe to give me your mind farther upon
the return of Dn Thomas — I am ſir as Clay in
the hands of the great Potter — I have no cla
The Deity, But for chriſts ſake; & none upon you ſir
but in Chriſt, & for his ſake, & the cauſe of his Kingdom, &
glory: To which (Tho’ unworthy) I ſubmit myſelfe;
& am ſir, with great eſteem, & hearty affection
& brotherly Frindship,
Jacob Johnſon
state & proceſs of ye Congreſs in writeing but per‐
haps it may be better to do it by a perſonal
Repreſentation at a private Interview —
If it be the will of God I return to ſee you ſr
Dr Eleazer Wheelock
Preſident of the Indian Charity —
school at Lebanon Con.t N. Eng.d
From M.r Johnſon Miſsionary By Dn Thomas.