You will doubtless wonder at the Date
of this Letter when you find I am Still in
Boston But he that rules all things hath So ordered it. I have
been assured by
Capt.
and
owner too that next week,
and next week the Ship Should Sail but one thing and a
nother has prevented, and chiefly, I believe, because the
custom
house was not open for clearances, which
yesterday
was opened, but not on Stamps
We have had a pleasant
and odd farce here yesterday
Night before last, notes were Set up about town requiring
Mr. Oliver to appear at the tree of Liberty in order public
ly to renounce his commission of Stamp Master, which he
had received
Since the former mob; on this the Secretary
Sent to the magistrates
and principle merchants to wait on
him and protect him from insult; accordingly they went
yesterday in the rain to a certain house, where
Governor
MacIntosh appointed, and there
Mr. Oliver renounced
his commission before the magistrates
and
merchants to their
satisfaction, judging that his honour was Sufficient to
satisfy the world that he would not act — where on the writ
ing in which he renounced his commission was Sent into
another room to be approved by
Gov.
MacIntosh; and he Saw
fit to declare it would not do unless he would walk to the
tree of liberty and
swear to it under said tree before the people.
and his Sovereign Mandate was immediate obeyed, and the Se
cretary, magistrates
and
merchants walked in the Storm of
rain near half a mile in obedience to his Excellency's
command — So things Seem to be quiet —
Capt. Scot came
in 7 weeks from
London
last
sabbath brings no letters from
Mr. Smith who wrote and sent by
Capt. Bruce a few days before. He
tells me that it Seems to be the
general talk of gentle
men at home, that it will never do to put the Stamp act
From
Mr. Whitaker
December 18. 1765
Boston.
into execution — If the weather favours
we Shall Sail to
morrow or Saturday — One
Mr.
John Williams of this town goes
with us. He is going home to Seek the
Superintendency of In
dian affairs in
Canada, and tis likely he will obtain it; and if he
does he Says he will give 5 or 600 per. annum
to your design
He is a lover of good things and a generous gentleman, I wish we
may help him in this affair — I can't but think he may be a
great blessing —
his wife is a pious woman; and I hope he
is not void of religion —
What the design of providence is in detaining us here I
can't tell, but I believe and
trust that all is for the best —
Mr. Occom is well, and I am hitherto much pleased with his conduct
he behaves with great modesty
and caution — he is not in
vited to
preach by any minister in town except
Mr. Morehead but he does not resent it — I have preached 5. or 6 evenings
every week, or thereabouts,
Since I have been here, and never
Saw people more attentive and ready to crowd together, except
in times of awakening — I have not preached in public on a
week day except the Thursday lecture last week —
I hope you will endeavour to bear me on your heart
every day — The Eyes of all the continent almost are on me;
and if I should miscarry, what a wound would it give to religion
and to the cause I am on — o pray for me every day — and
for my family and people —
Mr. Peck
and
wife Send love to
their Son
and to you all, and
Mr. Occom too — and how much, I
can't tell you, is Sent you all from
N.B. Yesterday
Mr. Peck
received from
Mr. Little 17 Pair of Shoes and a bun
dle of Striped cloth etc. in a bag
which he will Send to
Mrs. Whitaker the first
opportunity
they were given last Spring by that people for your
School —
Mr. Wheelock