Author
Wheelock, Eleazar
Date24 July, 1766
ms number766424
abstractWheelock writes to update Whitefield on the missions of Kirkland and
others.
handwritingHandwriting is informal, with several deletions and
additions.
paperPaper is heavily damaged, with tearing and wear that results in a
significant loss of text. It is heavily reinforced.
inkBrown-black.
noteworthyThis letter follows up on one that Wheelock writes the
previous month (766314). On one verso, in the first paragraph, the name of
the
Indian settlement that is partially illegible but we guess to be “Willkeske,”
likely refers refers to modern-day Oriskany, NY. The contents of one recto
are in
a large bracket drawn on the left margin. Two recto bears several smaller
brackets. The document appears to be a draft or personal copy.
Modernized Version
Deletions removed; additions added in;
modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
I wrote you via.
Boston a few Days ago,
[gap: worn_edge]thing now to write but to the Same Purpose.
Mr. Kirtland
returned from his long Tour to the
Senecas,
may. 19th Accompanied by
Tekanande the chief
warrior of that Tribe, and one
Whose Influence in that Tribe is great. He appears
to be of pregnant
Genius, an Affable Temper, benevolent, Steady, judicious,
manly,
and has always been friendly to the English. a Protector and Steady
Friend to dear
Mr. Kirtland
amidst Perils, and Dangers too many and great
to relate and
describe in a Letter. They came to
Hartford,
While the
General
Assembly were sitting;
The Governor
and Company showed him great
respect, made a handsome Entertainment for him.
The Governor Delivered him a speech, and received his answer,
Mr. Kirtl[gap: worn_edge][guess: and] bein
[gap: worn_edge][guess: g] their Interpreter, much to the satisfaction and Admiration of the
Whole assembly. After this they made them a present of £20.
The black General was much affected with their kindness
and
respect,
and marveled much to find the Country So peopled. He was lame with
a
Gout or rheumatism, or he would have gone to
Boston.
He seemed much affected with My representation of the wretched
and
miserable Condition of his Nation etc. And gave in to it, (I believe
heartily) that we were the people Whom God Loves; and that they have
been cast off by him, of a long Time. He Said, he would go and tell
his
Nation What I had Said, and What he believed; but, Said he
[gap: worn_edge]
against me, When I
[gap: worn_edge]
So we clothed him
[gap: worn_edge]
[gap: worn_edge] on a
[gap: worn_edge][guess: Sprightly] H
[gap: worn_edge][guess: horse] (instead
[gap: worn_edge] one which he brought with him). He was
[gap: worn_edge][guess: greatly pleased]
[gap: worn_edge] my School; and was often So affected with the Igno
[gap: worn_edge][guess: rance]
[gap: worn_edge] of his own people that he would sometimes talk with
Mr. Kir[gap: worn_edge][guess: tland
and] weep a great part of the night; and Sometimes seemed
almost o
[gap: worn_edge][guess: ver]over
whelmed with Sorrow. Now, Said he, 'I find all the things Which
M[gap: worn_edge][guess: .r] Kirtland had told me,
and a great deal more, True. he often
spoke of the Corruption of Manners among the Indians, Since their
acquaintance
with our Traders and
soldiers. And indeed it Seems, these
have made them Sevenfold worse than the Devil could make them.
Mr. Kirtland was ordained
19th
ultimo and a Solomn assem
bly indeed we had on that occasion.
David Fowler, after being detained
about 3. Weeks by sick
ness, returned from
Oneida,
27th
ultimo in company
[gap: worn_edge][guess: with]
Moses one who kept a School among
the Mohawks
last
year, and
William one of his Own scholars. and would
have been also accompanied by one of the chief men of that
Tribe, had he not been detained
to condole the Death of his uncle
the
chief
warrior of That Nation,
David also gave account of Several Murders of Indians com
mitted by the English, which
Sir William Johnson
feared would
baffle all his Endeavours for peace, as he writes me by
David, This
[gap: worn_edge]
[gap: worn_edge][guess: accompa]nied by Messrs.
Chamberlain,
Kirtland,
[gap: worn_edge]
missionaries.
[gap: worn_edge]
Samuel
Johnson, and
McClure. (English Youths)
Hezekiah Calvin,
Jacob Fowler,
and
Joseph Johnson (Indians) appointed to the respective
Services and Places following, unless
Gen.
Johnson
and
Mr.
Pomeroy Should
See occasion to make a Different disposal of them viz.
Mr. Kirtland to preach to the Indians at
Kanawalohale in
Oneida.
Mr.
Kinne at
Old Oneida about 6 miles distant.
McClure to
Continue with
Mr. Kirtland to learn the Language and
assist
Joseph
Johnson in keeping
Davids School, said
Johnson to take said
School under
Mr. Kirtlands Direction 'til
David returns,
and then to Officiate as Usher
under
David; as the School
will likely consist of 40 Children, and be employment
[gap: worn_edge][guess: enough] for them both
—
Mr. Chamberlain to preach at
Canajoharie and
Fort Hunter
—
Hezekiah to keep his Old School at
Fort Hunter —
Samuel
Johnson
and
Jacob Fowler to teach the two schools
which the
two Abrahams kept last year. and
little Abraham to go to
Will[illegible][guess: keske] a new Settlement of Indians about 8. or 10
miles below
Fort Stanwix, who have invited him to
teach
their Children.
Mr.
Pomeroy is appointed to inspect
and conduct
the Affair of Settling these Schools — and particularly lay a foun
dation for
Hezekiah's Settlement and
continuance with the
[gap: worn_edge] which
[gap: tear][guess: he
is]
destined.
[gap: worn_edge]
seem
[gap: worn_edge][guess: s] to think that
this disposal of them is much
[gap: worn_edge] to have Sent a number
[gap: worn_edge]
[gap: worn_edge] was proposed if the Way had not been Thus, as
[gap: worn_edge][guess: that] would
likely
[illegible][guess: having] been improved as an occasion to Strengthen their jealousies
that we have their Lands in View; whereas they have it not to
Say now, that Parties are Neglected who have no Lands. —
When I was at
Boston
last Spring I heard that Some had wrote
Home from thence against my Plan; but what they had wrote I
could not learn; I have Since been informed that it has been repre
sented that I am acting in Opposition to
the Commissioners there.
I Should be glad to be informed of the Truth of that Report if
you are able to do it, by Whom Such representation has
been made I am persuaded the Man, Whoever he be, will not
be able to gain credit for Such a Report
among any Who have
been Acquainted with my Conduct from first to last in this Affair.
nor do I fear what Such can do against a cause that is God's.
blessed be God, I have a hiding Place, a Safe, a sweet, a blessed
Retreat. in Which I can Sometimes bid Defiance to
all the Powers of darkness.
My dear Sir, pray that I may live upon him, who is my Rock
my
Strength, and my Salvation, every Day.— Blessed be his Name!
my Situation has been Such, as has constrained me to live upon him,
nor can I live any other Way. but I fear lest my Heart be unhinged
from Such Dependance, and myself of course deprived of the blessedness
of tr
[gap: worn_edge][guess: u]sting in God alone, When I See any other Fund Provided for the
[gap: worn_edge] My [illegible][guess: dear]
sir, [gap: worn_edge] been Some time [gap: worn_edge][guess: so]licitous What Return of Gratitude to Ma[gap: worn_edge]to,
and can think of none; illegible So that I have
nothing to Say [gap: worn_edge]
but only this, and that but
this — is Enough, that your Work, and Re[gap: worn_edge][guess: w]ard [gap: worn_edge] with the Lord; "who
is not unrighteous to forget your Works and Labo[gap: worn_edge][guess: urs] of
Love Which you have showed towards his Name" — + I know Who I am Writing to, and if Some expressions I have dropped above seem too free; and Savour of ostentation, I trust you have a
mantle large enough to cover, and Love and
faithfulness enough to point out, reprove or correct whatever may require it, in him Who is. with much Affection. + I
am
Rev.
and dear Sir,
+ P.S.
Samuel
Ashpo
set
out on his mission to
Chenango,
26th
instant
designing if
prospects are encouraging to
tarry there a Year.+