Nathaniel Whitaker, letter, to Moses Peck, 1764 October 23

Author Whitaker, Nathaniel

Date23 October, 1764

ms number764573.2

abstractWhitaker writes about his disappointment in Occom’s return from his mission, and endorses the proposal to send Kirtland on a mission. Whitaker notes that those not involved in missionary efforts are too quick to judge when those efforts fail.

handwritingHandwriting is formal and clear.

paperLarge single sheet is in good condition, yet there is moderate wear around the edges, and some heavy creasing.

inkBrown-black.

noteworthyAlthough this letter is from Whitaker to Peck, the trailer is in Wheelock's hand.

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

Persistent Identifier
To Mr. Peck My very dear Brother
As there is Nothing of such Moment as promoting the Kindgom of our glorious Redeemer among Men so the Enlargement of it by sending his Knowledge among the poor benighted Savages demands our serious and critical Attention. This is what has engaged the Minds of some of the most worthy and useful Men our Nation hath produced, instance Dr. Colman, Sergeant, Brainerd, and others, and by their experience and labour in Indian Affairs, others, who have been desirous to spread the Savour of Christ's Knowledge among them have been lead to various projects for this purpose, all of which have had some suitableness to this happy End; and doubtless all of them in the plan, or in the Execution of it have had their Defects which have been more easily discovered by the Spectators than by the Actors, and especially when the Events have discovered their Impropriety; and when this has been the case those who have learned too little of the Difficulty and weight of such Under- takings have been too ready to condemn the Undertakers as rash or foolish etc. and the plan as being poorly executed, whence if they had been the Actors the Stage might have been much less entertaining, and much less been affected by them —
What Wonder then if the Rev. Mr. Wheelock be often blamed and censured as rash, conceited, presumptuous, imprudent and the like? especially if any of his Schemes (which in his Undertaking, you know, are very many) should miscarry, even though this should happen by the Influence, not to say the Fault, of others. You, dear Brother, must be very sensible that the Return of Mr. Occom without pursuing his mission has been, and is grievous to us; and we would have done any thing in reason to have forwarded it; But so it is; he is returned and the Season is too late for him now to go, as he has a numerous Family to provide for and little to do it with. Therefore it was thought by some of the Commissioners who happened to be together, and by some of the rest who have been consulted at other Times, that nothing could so well supply this Defect and answer the End in View (which was procuring some Indian Youth for the School from the Mohawks, Senecas, and some of the remote Tribes, and to conciliate their friendship, and especially to the design of sending missionaries among them etc.) as to send Mr. Kirtland with one of the Indian Youth with him now before the Winter sets in which circumstance forbid calling the Commissioners together on this occasion as they live remote some of them. This Advantage farther is proposed by Kirtland's and Joseph the Indian Youth's going, that they may learn the Seneca Language and by living with them may show their kindness to them, and procure their friendship.
As to Mr. Kirtland, his Attainments in Learning are such, and his industry so great, that there is not the least Scruple with me, but he will obtain a Degree at New Jersey College next fall, especially as he hath leave of the president to be at disposal other Ways if thought best, and
with the assurance of his Influence for a Degree; and besides all this his case is peculiar, and will require Abatements to be made if Needed, as he designs on a mission and is supported by Charity, and besides he will be much improved by this Tour as is likely from his active and industrious Turn, and as he will have an Indian Scholar with him. These considerations render it highly probable that there will be no Difficulty as to his Degree, and there- fore I hope his kind and generous Benefactors will not think hard, though he turns aside a little from his peculiar Studies, and that they will continue their Benefactions, and so lay up for themselves in Store a good Foundation against the Time to come. You know Dear Brother, that every thing that is done in this Affair must be done on the highest probability which the Actors can find in the case and not on Certainties, and if they judge well and God shows by the Events, that he favours the design, Men will be ready to applaud the Managers, but if otherwise they must expect Blame how well soever they have judged But I hope those who have been so generous in contributing to this good design have leaned to judge more according to Truth. I dare to say this for Mr. Wheelock, that uprightness, Integrity, Caution, and single­ness of Eye to the grand point, free of selfish Motives from worldly Gain has ever appeared to influence him in this great and weighty Undertak­ing, since I have been acquainted with him which has been ever since the School became the Object of public Attention, and I believe I have had as great an Intimacy, and as thorough an insight into his motives projects and Ends as any Man living, or as any could have, or wish to have; and I would add that of all the Schemes he hath prosecuted since my acquaintance (and they have been many in this new and difficult Affair) few, very few if any have miscarried which he has had the Direction of, or turned out to the disad­vantage of the cause. In a Word I verily believe the sending of Mr. Kirtland will be no disadvantage to him, and will be much to the furtherance of the cause of Religion. You may make such a use of this Letter as you shall think will add most to the Advantage of the design, only take Dear Mr. Smith's Opinion about it, and I need not tell you not to let it see the public —
I am your real Friend and Brother in Christ Nathaniel Whitaker
Mr. Whitaker to Mr. Peck. October 1764
Loading...