Nathaniel Whitaker, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 June 17
Date17 June, 1766
Call Number766367.2
abstractWhitaker writes that the The Company for Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent in America has been attempting to discredit Wheelock and Occom in London. He suggests that Wheelock should make his will and appoint a successor to oversee the money raised.
handwritingFormal handwriting is clear and legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear.
inkBlack-brown.
layoutThe first page of the letter is on one recto, but the second page is on two verso, not one verso.
noteworthyIn the fifth line of the first paragraph of one recto, it is uncertain to which organization Whitaker refers when he mentions "the Society," and so it has been left untagged. However, it is likely the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge.
EventsFundraising Tour of Great Britain
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
via New York. long to hear from you which I have not
Since yours of February 12. to which I wrote an answer — The
Gentlemen in Boston have wrote a devilish letter to the
Society here — after giving a true account, in the main,
of Mr. Occom the Say, "How he hath been employed Since he
left us we know not, excepting that he has been preaching
in the principle towns in this and the neighbouring governments
And by Some means or other a report prevailed where‐
ever he came that Mr. Occom was a mohawk, very lately
brought out of gross paganism and in a very little time fit‐
ted by Mr. Wheelock to be what he is; The report of
an Indian So lately converted to Christianity, and in So very
Short a time fitted to fill a Christian pulpit, So affec‐
ted people wherever he came as to procure large
contributions for Mr. Wheelock — And as we understand Mr.
Occom is going to England, and least the Same accounts should be trans‐
mitted to you and have the Same effects, we think it our
duty to give you this true account of Mr. Occom " This is not a
copy, but what I remember of the letter; for as yet I am
refused a copy of it — and I don't yet force things, that
they on this Side, may have time to make up the matter
with me. This letter was dated October 2nd 1765. It is a
over all these men — though the poison had Spread far before
I found it out — Mr. Oliver Signed it in the name of the
Board — I have not wrote a word to Boston of the affair and
would have you Say nothing 'til you hear further from
me — God Succeeds the Cause — don't Spare money —
I know you will look on it as Christ's — O pray for
us — and the Cause. Give much love to madam and all
and believe that I am yours as ever
fix your Successor, and Give him the monies
in trust for the School — if you join any
with him, it must not be above 2 or 3 at
most; and he must have a Sovereignty over
them at least by a negative. don't delay
to do this — Nathaniel Whitaker