New London
June 27. 1765.
To the Honourable
Andrew Oliver
Esq.,
Sir,
I'm blamed, extremely
blamed, for writing to you
against
Mr. Occom; And I blame myself for Saying anything
that was
needless for me to say about him. I thought, and do still think, that it was my proper business to inform you what part he Acted in the Differences, and
difficulties which have arisen at Mohegan, respecting both the School; and Lectures; nor am I conscious of knowingly mis‐ representing
anything to you in his Conduct; though I've reason to
suspect
myself in what is Matter of Judgement upon it; as I cant clear myself of having been prejudiced against him: And therefore hope that Nothing will be laid up against him merely from my Opinion of him. Besides, Sir, I must in faithfulness relate what has
occurred
since I wrote to you. At a meeting of the
Correspondents, in
Lebanon
last March, many things which had been publicly reported of Mr. Occom were discoursed of by the gentlemen of that Board; and some things which they apprehended he was to blame in were pointed out to
him. He submitted to their judgement, and promised a strict regard to their counsel. More particularly, those things which had been grievous to me in his
Con‐ duct at Mohegan,
were debated before them. He Acknowledged his Mis‐ conduct in the
Manner of rejecting their schoolmaster; declared his in‐ nocence as to any Intention of promoting the Separation at Mohegan; or elsewhere; That it was his desire, and should be his endeavour to pro‐ mote my usefulness among the Indians; That he never understood the
pleasure of the Honourable
Commissioners to be otherwise than that he should Settle his family upon his own Lands at Mohegan; Nor was it with any
view of making Overtures contrary the
appointment of the Com‐ missioners, that he came there. And as to his Saying "that he would turn churchman and be above the ministers around, or the like, as was reported, he declared it was spoke only in Jest, and in a way of Banter arising from the present
dissensions: had two who were pre‐ sent when he spoke it, testified that they understood him in no other Light Upon the whole Mr. Occom, and I renewed our friendship, and in the
presence of the Board, burnt the Papers of
Controversy. As I had laid before you what dashed my Hopes concerning him, I proposed to offer you what had now revived
them; and promised to write you as soon as I could. I Accordingly wrote the next Week, and went to
Norwich in hopes of Conveyance, but was
disappointed. I had no other Intention but to embrace
the first Opportunity to send it; but before any presented, (being loath to send by the Post) I took notice that Mr. Occom
still
forsook my Lectures, which I promised
myself he would Attend, for as I said, I had his promise "That to his best
discretion, he would endeavour to promote my Services [illegible] among
the Indians: and I had instanced
[illegible] that to him as a Proof I should look for; and what I was ready to think, would have the happiest In‐ fluence.
This has
occasioned the long delay; nor has he once attended my Lectures since, 'til
today, when I received the following Letter.
Mohegan
June 26 1765.
Rev. Sir,
You are very sensible of the difficult situation of
our Indians , Old Prejudices are not dead, but rather
revive of
late, and new bias have sprung up, And it is very difficult to deal with them.
with them. There needs a great deal of Christian
policy (If I may
so express myself) And this is one reason why I have not as yet
attended Your Lecture; And indeed I should before now, if you
did not delay writing to the
Honourable
Commissioners of Boston. And it is
my purpose to attend your Lecture, as business, and Peregrinations will
permit. And will by degrees, endeavour to conciliate
the Indians;
only let me not be drove, and
urged to it too hard, And I shall not
be wanting in your Service — only let me be assured of a Friend,
if not, I must defend myself as I can. This is from
Your
sincere
and very humble servant
Samson Occom
To the Rev.
David Jewett. PS. You may communicate
what you please of this to the Honourable
Commissioners of Boston —
I shall add but this, That I hope his future Conduct will witness for him to your Honourable Board, to this Government, and to the World. Pray forgive my tediousness, and still give me leave as occasion
shall call for, to spread my Complaints before you. I'm not only heartily wearied, but almost distracted, with Con‐ tentions; But when I am myself,
I'm
With dutiful
respect to the
Honourable Board
Your ready servant
David Jewett
Mr.
Jewett's Letter to the
Honourable
Andrew Oliver
Esq.
June 26th 1765 about occom
A Copy.