Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Sir William Johnson, 1767 April 23

Author Wheelock, Eleazar

Date23 April, 1767

Call Number767273

abstractWheelock discusses hostilities among the Naragansett tribe and asks for Johnson's assistance. He also discusses a possible location to build a school.

handwritingRelatively clear and formal for Wheelock. Trailer is in a different hand. "Kirtland” is added beneath the trailer in yet another hand, possibly that of Solomon Williams.

paperGood condition, with minimal wear.

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

Persistent Identifier
Sir
Tobias Shattock of the Naragansett
Tribe
of Indians, now a member of my School
desires me to inform your Excellency — That a
number of his Tribe, and Such as are of the worst
characters in it being instigated by their Sachem
continue to injure and abuse the religious
and Steady part of that Tribe greatly — They
have forcibly taken away the possessions of
many of their neighbours, and taken possession
of their Labours, and Seem designed to ruin
the Tribe as fast as they can — the Indians
there are in Such Difficulty that they know not
which way to turn — Their Eyes are to your
Excellency, under God, to relieve them — Those
English people who have bought Land of their
Sachem
are using every artifice to improve them
— they try to entice the Indians to refer their con
troversies to them for decision: and he fears that,
by delays they will Suffer greatly in their Interest
This Toby appears to be a very honest, Steady,
prudent man perhaps as much so as any of that
Tribe
, he is one of their Council, and I Suppose
has more Influence among them than any Other
of

of them — When your Excellency Shall do me the
Favour which I requested in my last; if you
would please to give Some Council and Direction
in their Case you would greatly oblige them.
I have done nothing towards providing missi
onaries and schoolmasters to Supply the vacancies
in your vicinity, nor Shall I do anything
about it, till I know your mind —
I herewith enclose a Narrative, which please
to accept and Mr. Kirkland can give you account
of late advices from Home respecting this
design, which are too long to write — And
also what measures have been taken to determine
the Place to fix this School. —
It is Strongly Recommended from Philadelphia
to fix it on the Ohio about 30 or 40 miles
below Pittsburgh — what does your Excellency think
of that place? I am with much esteem
and respect,
Your Excellency's
most obedient and most
Humble Servant
Eleazar Wheelock
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