Samuel Johnson, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1766 December 1
Date1 December, 1766
ms number766651.1
abstractJohnson writes of his mission's progress and reports that the Mohawks at Fort Hunter don't want to have Moses for their teacher.
handwritingHandwriting is somewhat scrawling and occasionally difficult to decipher.
paperLarge single sheet is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear.
inkBlack-brown.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Persistent Identifier
I wrote with a trembling Hand when I gave
Mr.
Wheelock (or rather endeavoured to) some Information of Affairs here but was surprised when I had acquainted myself by what I hear and see of the Indians for I considered that I wrote wholly
from Hezekiah Information and
knowing the Trouble of Mind it would be to
Mr. Wheelock (and unnecessary Trouble too) I sought and as I thought found an opportunity to send some Letters that if possible I might be able to alleviate
those Pains which the late Informa tion has been the occasion of but alas I missed my opportunity
Honoured Sir I send the said Letters now in which you will see perhaps what has been the [illegible][guess: Diseas]
amongst
these Indians their Narrations on Hezekiahs
Conducts are too nume rous to mention here and I should think it was not to be minded did not I receive the same from every one who knew the Affairs I have lived one Week at a house
until I have gone round once I live well and am treated so my Number of scholars is not so many
as before because of late there is about half a dozen gone on the Hunt but I hope to have them soon.
After [illegible]ing my renewed Obligations to Mr. W for his favor by Moses I hope to be excused from delivering the [guess: message] to the Indians before I know further what will be thought of Mr. Wheelock
most proper for I think the Affairs here never were better than at present, the Indians here would not receive
Moses for they Said they wont acquainted with him and they were
afraid for one Namely Hezekiah had
used them badly and if I would leave them they would not venture to take another at present but they would keep me as long as I would stay. I asked
Mr.
Chamberlain (than whom I think none more zealous in the cause and desirous of being if possible a Guide to the blind heathen and without
whose Ad vice I dont pretend to act) what shall I do he said I will stay and run all ventures this Winter and said he if you wont this School is lost but act for yourself. said he Mr. W dont know how affairs are here therefore we must act as well as we can until we can set the [illegible][guess: matter] in its true light with hoping to hear further
as
soon
as can be I beg leave to subscribe
Rev.
and
Honoured Patron
Your dutiful
Samuel Johnson
John Crane is coming and if I dont hear with Mr.
Chamberlain advice I shall come with him
From Samuel
Johnson
December
1st 1766 –
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