Nathaniel Whitaker, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 February 12

Author Whitaker, Nathaniel

Date12 February, 1767

Call Number767162.1

abstractWhitaker writes regarding several matters, including the slanders of the New England Company, General Lyman's progress in obtaining land, the necessity of formalizing the Charity School accounts, and the disbursement of a shipment of books. He notes that Whitefield suggests sending Indian baskets to the wives of donors, and that Occom proposes Long Island as a suitable new location for an Indian school.

handwritingHandwriting is small and crowded, yet mostly clear and legible. On two verso, the date of receipt is in Wheelock's hand; the other trailer is in an unknown hand.

paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair condition, with moderate staining, creasing and wear. A tear on the outer edge of two recto/verso results in some loss of text.

noteworthyIn the last paragraph of one recto, the identity of "Young Johnson" is uncertain, and so he has been left untagged. However, he is likely John Johnson. If Whitaker's intention regarding a word or abbreviation is uncertain, the word or abbreviation has been left unmodified in the modernized transcription. The postscript is written on the crease between one verso and two recto.

signatureThe letter is signed twice, both times abbreviated.

EventsMason Land Case, Fundraising Tour of Great Britain

Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.

Persistent Identifier

Rev. and dear Brother
Yours of the I received last
night; and rejoice to find that there are Such prospects of
success among the heathen — Blessed be God who still reigns
and doth all things well: and who brings good out of evil, and call‐
eth the things that are not as though they were. What availeth the
rage of the enemies of our reigning, almighty Jesus! it will only
work for the accomplishment of his own most glorious purposes.
Why then should we be ever cast down, or be filled with anxious
fear, since we know the will of him, whose will is ours, if we are as
we should be, will be done — even so Amen, and Amen —
Come my brother hold out a little longer — Jesus is coming, leap‐
ing on the mountains and skipping on the hills, and will, I doubt
not, make the wilderness to echo with his praises. O that God
may give the Amen; and make you the father of many nations
that your crown of Glory may be great in yonder happy world;
and may I hope to come in for a humble share though the merit of
our glorious Emmanuel! — I am really glad you propose in‐
sisting on a copy of Olivers letter to Mauduit: You will then see
how near my memory retained the Ideas conveyed in it, which I
verily believe are according to the true intent of the letter, and as
near their own words as I can remember. I wrote you a long
heap of stuff a few days past, and some things of moment — I saw
Gen. Lyman this day; he told me that he hoped to be able in a few days
to say that something is his own — but say nothing lest the fail; for,
though I verily believe he will gain his point if the present ministry
stand, yet there seems Such a wavering in the ministry, and even now
talk of a change that he will have his affair to begin anew, as it were,
if this should be — He is strongly inclined to have the school with him.
Young Johnson is come — but I need not court his friendship, as
the cause is become so Strong by the formation of the trust. Mr. Keen
tells me he has wrote you a copy of the trust, and desired you to
draw a form well guarded, and confining it as much as possible to the
present plan, and to prevent any future corruptions, and get it executed
in a legal manner, and to send it over for their acceptance. I am
glad he hath done this — This day Dear Mr. Brewer of Stepny
told me he had wrote, and got a friend also to write
— and — and hopes he shall obtain. Does Mr. Pemberton say that there
was nothing in that letter to Mr. Occoms disadvantage? What will he
say to that expression — “And he (Mr. Occom) might still have continued
in our service had he been disposed, and continued faithful in the exercise
of the duties of his function”? Ask him if he ever was unfaithful. and,
couples like cases, moods and tenses — I suppose they are grammarians.
Alas! that those gentlemen should use such a scandalous method
to do what? why, to hurt a good cause without any advantage to them‐
selves. I am persuaded, God is greatly displeased with their conduct, and
will humble them, and make them weep bitterly for it, if ever he designs
to honour them as instruments of his glory in the World, and to bring
them to heaven at last — Why do not the ministers to the eastward
write, their silence will be construed into an assent to that letter, by
and by if they do not. Mr.Occom tells me that there is a large tract of
Land on Long Island on the north side not far west of Southold, which was
formerly offered to the Montauk Indians for Montauks, and which he
thinks may be procured for a small sum which is handy for fish
oysters Clams, etc. so that much of the youths living might be ob‐
tained therefrom — salt hay enough for a large stock, and all the barrens
of the island for their range in Summer — If nothing shall turn
up soon, and there should be any thought of fixing the School near
your parts, will it not be worthwhile to look after that land, and
send the advantages of it, if they are great, or worthy considering.
you know the good temper of Long Island folks — Your account of dear
Mr. Kirtland grieves me — May God preserve his life and restore his health.
Blessed be God, your endeavours are so succeeded — you don’t tell me
one word whether my family is alive or dead — When I shall return
I can't guess. O pray for me that I may be kept from all evil, but
especially from sin — and that he would go before me in this work —
Mr. Occom is well, and gives Duty to you and all yours — please to present
kindest Love to dear Madam, Rodolphus, Daughters, sons, scholars, people, etc.
and accept the Same from
your unworthy Brother
and fellow servant in the blessed Gospel
Nathaniel Whitaker
The proposals for printing a new translation of the new Testament which accom‐
panies this; will doubtless afford you some speculation. This work (which is
said to be now in the press) is performed by the Rev. Mr. Harwood of
Bristol, son-in-law to the late venerable Dr. Samuel Chandler of London. This
Gentleman is very friendly to the Indian cause!!! The proposats were
turned into verse by one Mr. Brown a Ch. minister in Bristol, and a very
pious good man and gospel preacher. In them you see what a state reli‐
gion is in through the greatest part of England — Yet there are a few names
in Sardis — May God revive his own work. Dr. Gibbons is a friend
indeed. He thinks it is best for you to write over to assure your friends here
that you have, and will leave behind you when you shall die, a will by
which all the moneys which may happen then to be in your hands
unexpended shall be devoted to the use of the school, and missions. This he
desires as a friend that he and others may have wherewith to answer objec‐
tors — You had as good write to him on this head, and take no notice of my
writing to you about it. I think it will be best to send him a copy of the
paragraph of the will wherein this is settled.
The best guess I can make of the number supported by
this Charity at present, both in your school and in the wilderness
between 40 and 50 and when I am asked how many, I answer that [gap: tear]
know exactly, but suppose between 40. and 50. I therefore beg the fa[gap: tear][guess: vour]
you to send me an account of your numbers, how many Indians, and [gap: tear]
many English — and how they are employed, and also send the Trust an account
what you have received from here, and in America, and what money is in your
hands, and under what improvement — I send 60 of Mathew Meads Almost
Christian, and a few other Books to Mrs. Whitaker, the 60 cost me 3 guineas When
you have taken what you choose of them you may dispose of the rest to Mr.
Breed
but not under 16 d. per book, or to anyone else you please, so that
you leave 2 or 3 for me; the other books are the gift of the Book society.
I hope you will not draw for any more money if you can possibly do
without it yet a while, and when you do please to give the trust an account of
the disposal of all you have received Mr. Keen is secretary.
Mr. Whitefield says, you should have all your accounts Audited and
certified under some public seal.
It will not be long before we go into the Country toward Scotland — The spirit of
giving seems somewhat over here, the thing has become old and stale; but God will do
all his pleasure — I have just revised a 2nd. time the appendix to the narra‐
tive which I send you — You may, God enabling me, depend on my utmost en‐
deavours to promote this cause — Mr. Occom does not meddle in Masons affair
I am your Brother Nathaniel Whitaker
NB. I sent you the first of these Bills the other Day — Mr. Whitefield says you should
send over a number of Indian rarities. you, and nobody else, must send them. get the Indians to make
a number of neat baskets for the ladies — Lady Dartmouth and others would be glad of such presents
and may procure many guineas, I wish you would think of any of their works which will
show their genius, and will be pleasing to the people here, as any such things will be.
Received April 20
1767.
To
The Rev. Mr. Eleazar Wheelock
in Lebanon
Connecticut.
From the Rev. Mr. Whitaker
February 12th 1767
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