Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1764 August 25

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date25 August, 1764

ms number764475.4

abstractWheelock writes to Occom enclosing the commission from Scotland for his mission to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), and advises him to find a donor to supply him with money.

handwritingHandwriting is largely clear and legible, yet letter case is frequently difficult to decipher.

paperSingle sheet is in fair condition with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear. Some disintegration has resulted in a minor loss of text. Repair work has been done.

inkBrown-black.

noteworthyAddress is written in a different hand. At the top of one verso, above the address, is written in a third, likely 19th-century hand: “wheelock 1764” and “EW” is written in lighter ink at the bottom. Manuscript 764475.3 is a copy of this letter.

Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.

Persistent Identifier
Mr. Occom  Sir.
Your Time is So short, and your business so crowd­­ing, that I can't desire Such an addition to your Burden, as your coming hither again would be: I therefore take this way to write to you what I would Say more fully if you were here.
and in the first place, I suspect you will miss of seeing Mr. Kirtland on his Return from Mr. Whitefield. and also of Seeing Mr. Whitefield, who I hear preached Some weeks ago at Philadelphia, and consequently you will miss of receiving any supplies which he may have got for your Journey, and if So, I advise you to represent the case to Some able Friends at New York, and if you can get Supply no other way, hire the money of Some good Friend 'til you return.
I herewith Send you a Copy of our commission from Scotland, in order that you may show it, if you Shall have occasion, to Gen. Gage, Gen. Johnson, or others.
I would have you Obtain 15. or 20. youth, if you can procure those which are likely, of remote Tribes of Indians. and if you hear that which is encouraging of good Peter at Onaquaga, and those two Boys there who were offered to the Commissioners at Boston, Let them be of the number.
There was also an English lad with the Mohawks to learn their Tongue, before this war, who I hear is very likely; if you can Obtain Such an one, do it. I shall leave the Proportion of Girls, to you, and Gen. Johnson, whose advice I would have you take in every thing, when it may be had.
and desire, you let all the Children, whom you bring, know that they dont come here to be without Government, nor to live a lazy, Sordid Life. but to be fitted for business, and usefulness in the world. and I am not afraid that you Should boast of my Mohawk Boys' Proficiency in very strong Terms.
and dont fail to write to me of your progress, success, and any occurrence that may be entertaining, by every Opportunity, as you know Friends at Home will be glad to hear.
Send me an account of what Labour you have or Shall hire upon my Credit at Mohegan. and what you desire me to do for your Family while you are gone.
and may the God of all Grace be with you, and David in all the way whither you go, and inspire you with wisdom, Prudence, Zeal, Courage, and holy fortitude, and honour you to be the instrument to Spread the Savour of his Name, and the Knowledge of the great Salvation, far among the Pagans.
Remember me respectfully to Friends in y[gap: tear][guess: ou]r way, especially at N. York.— which with Love etc. is the n[gap: tear][guess: ee]dful from
Yours Affectionately Eleazar Wheelock.
August 27th P.S. Mr. Kirtland returned last Evening, has got no money. Mr. Whitefield is at New York. talks of going to Albany this week. if he can he will Serve you if he cant, acquaint Mr. Whitaker— do the best you can—
Rev. Mr. Occom.
 To The Rev. Mr. Samson Occom  at  Mohegan
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