Robert Clelland, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1762 March 12
Date12 March, 1762
Call Number762212
abstractClelland writes that Ben Uncas is given over to drunkeness and wants undesirables to settle on Mohegan land. He suggests that Wheelock should encourage Occom to use his influence with the Sachem.
handwritingFormal handwriting is small and stylized, yet mostly clear and legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear that results in a minor loss of text.
inkBlack-brown.
noteworthyThere are several underlinings that appear to have been added at a later, likely 19th-century, date; these underlinings have not been included in the transcription. Clelland's intention with regard to the word "Guardines" is uncertain, and so it has been left unmodified in the modernized transcription.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Rev. Sir
could not be restrained from troubling you with a few lines, as to our present
Circumstances in Mohegan, Our truly good and worthy gentlemen Guardines to
this tribe is about leasing some of Lands, all of them is determined that none
shall be tenants here, but those that are men friendly to our ministry and willing
to Support the Gospel amongst us, men that will both by example and council
promote religion, virtue, Sobriety, and industry amongst our natives; —
Our sachem and 2 more of his council are for men that are enemies to our
worthy minister and would (in their power) starve all the Godly ministers in the
Land, men that Deny our Christian Sabbath; A standing Gospel ministry
and the Christian Sabbath, seems to be the mark and Butt many of our Neighbours
shoot at, I trust the Great King of his Church, will protect and Defend and constant
ly provide this Land with a Learned Converted and Converting ministry
much increases upon him, and thereby has got himself much out of credit, He
is told he is a free people, and none can restrain him from Drink etc. and
indeed he goes on contrary to the repeated reproofs of Mr. Jewett’ and others
and against warm and affecting Letters from 2 of his overseers, But despises
all admonition and regards neither the Laws of God or man. He is a Dead
weight against every thing that is good amongst us
Quakers etc. on the Land, I persuade myself Mr. Occom is a man of better
sense than to join in such an affair, so says Mr. Jewett, so says our good
overseers, if he interposes it will be very affecting to many of Mr. Jewetts Godly
parishioners who has given in a Memorial against such men to our guar=
:dines, as to further particulars, the Bearer can fully inform you —
and who both desired me to write also, and had not the Bearer been going
Directly to you should waited on you myself, I say it is their expectation
that you should write Mr. Occom to use his interest with Ben etc. not to
contradict the overseers, for their Heart is set for the Good of the tribe, these
men the sachem is for, has set him against Mr. Jewett and I and his over‐
seers also, I trust you will see it proper to write a Letter for Mr. Occom
and the [illegible: [guess: >rather]] that Mr. Jewett will be at Boston, when Mr. Occom comes to
Mohegan — as to our friend Ashpo though he differed as to church Government for=
=merly, yet I loved him, as a man of solid sense, and often conversed with him
and used to say he had so much reason and sound Judgement, that he would see
his mistake, and I believe he no sooner saw it but he acknowledged, in opposi
tion to all the clamour and reflections that has been unjustly cast on him, He —
with the greatest sedateness Answered all the calumny and accusations, his —
people or accusers laid against him, He with an undaunted, Christian, meek,
spirit, not only bears patiently, But even like a Hero despised and despises
their bitter and severe and unchristian reflections — turn over
head of a family for reading Gods word before them His Knowledge in Scripture is
considerable and I trust he will be of great Service amongst his Brethren Acc=
=ording to the flesh, may God be pleased to open a Door for his usefulness, He as
well as Mr. Jewett and I suffers the displeasure of the sachem, But he is imposed upon
dance, I am a poor imperfected Creature, But I can truly say to the utmost of my
abilities skill and prudence have I exerted myself amongst them, as doth the Rev.
Mr. Jewett, they are a people exalted to Heaven in point of privileges, but most
of them tread them under foot, They many of them [guess: essay] after the example of their
poor sachem think themselves Free to Serve their appetite and wont be controlled
I have only one word further to trouble you with leaving you to further Particu
=lars to the Bearer, and that is that our Gentlemen Guardines are determined to set
apart a Small lot for the School:master. which Ben and the forementioned 2 counse
llors opposes, But I suppose they will do it as they are all spirited for the thing
If you think it proper to mention it to Mr. Occom (if you write) I shall be thank
ful. It is melancholy to see the Life King Ben lives, God Change him
further of the good fruits of your indefatigable and unwearied Labours for
christianizing the savages in the Land, I Believe you will have a high Seat
in the house not made with hands, a great Degree of Glory, you are now acting
your part so well that at your exit and leaving this Stage of action the Spectator’s
will clap their hands, you will have a general, applause, a massy weight of
Glory is reserved for you, I Beg an interest in your prayers that I may be
faithful, and my desire is to be useful,
your most obliged humble servant
Robert Clelland
Ben Uncas’ poor drunken
Creature, would have me
write Mr. Occom not to
Suffer bad folks to settle
Mohegan March 1762