Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to William Johnson, 1767 August 19
Date19 August, 1767
Call Number767469.2
abstractWheelock writes on behalf of the Narragansett Indians, who are losing their lands, and requests to know whether the reports of missionaries arriving from Europe are true.
handwritingFormal handwriting is not Wheelock's. It is clear and legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair condition, with light-to-moderate staining, creasing and wear. There is preservation work along the heavy vertical crease.
noteworthy"HAVEMEYER COLLECTION" is typewritten across the top of one recto. As is marked on two recto, this document is a copy. A note in pencil has been added to the top left of two recto; this note has not been included in the transcription. There is some scratch writing in an unknown hand on two verso beneath the address.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
while I was on a journey; by which means it failed of an earlier convey‐
-ance. And with respect to the context of it, I would only beg leave, at the
desire of some concerned, to certify you, that the Rev. Mr. Fish is, so far as I
know, universally esteemed, a gentleman of Integrity and good Ability.
And accordingly the Representation he has made of the Case of the
poor suffering Indians at Narragansett, is to be relied upon, as being
faithfully and impartially done
Behalf of that poor people, that your Excellency would please take their
piteous Case into your Consideration, and if there be any way of relief
for them (which under God they expect chiefly, or only by your inter‐
position) that something effectual may be done to prevent that
total ruin which otherwise, according to all human probabilities,
is very speedily to be expected— They have bid the fairest to
be built up, and become a people, of any party of Indians
I know of in New England— and now just as they have got
well engaged in cultivating their Lands, and begin to know
the worth of them, by tasting the sweets of a civilized Life,
their best farms are slipping from under them, one after
another (as they express it) with much expense of Labour
and money also, which they have bestowed to subdue them.
And they have reason to expect in a very little Time, they
shall have none left, unless something effectual be speedily
done for their Help. The piteous complaints of this poor people
are truly such, as I make no doubt, sir, would greatly move
your Excellency's Compassions towards them, could you hear
them
them, but your well known Care, Fidelity, and
Resolution, prevent all occasion to enlarge on this Head—
winter and spring, from your Quarter, as well as diverse Hints in
the public News, that a Number of Missionaries and schoolmasters were daily
expected from Europe to supply the Vacancies in your Vicinity:
on which I wrote your Excellency desiring to be certified of the
truth of the report, and to know your pleasure relating thereto:
But I have received no written answer— and as I have always esteemed
your Countenance and Patronage to be of such Importance, in this
Affair, that I would by no means take one step without your Appro‐
-bation; I have neglected to send either Missionary or schoolmaster,
this Year, to those places near you, 'til you should please to signify
your pleasure in that matter: and I have now sent my son to
wait upon you with this, desiring you would please to advise
me fully, whether you desire the board of Correspondents in this
Colony to provide supply of preaching for the parties of
Indians of the six Nations who are willing to hear, and school‐
masters for their Children; and whether your Excellency will
encourage those we shall send, in their respective services,
so long, and so far, as their conduct and Behaviour shall be agreeable to
to their [illegible][guess: "]respective Characters and professions?
-tion under my care, is now, by the blessing of Heaven, much
increased, and become respectable at home and abroad; and is honoured
with the patronage of gentlemen of Character, and great worth
in England, who have accepted the Trust of, and become
Guarantees to the public, for the fund collected in Europe, for
the use and support of it; (of which Trust the Right honourable the Earl
of Dartmouth is appointed president) whose Characters, and
influence are such, that I would by no means, have a step
taken which may not have their Approbation. And I should
be very sorry, if, by any means, party names, and circum‐
-stantial differences in matters of Religion. should so operate,
as to retard or prevent the progress, and success of the general
Design in View—
please
please, sir, to let me know your Mind, and advise me, as
fully as shall be needful to determine my conduct
in this matter. and please, sir, to be assured that you
shall always be served with humility, and the greatest
cheerfulness, in anything that comes within the
Power of
A Copy
To Sir William Johnson Baronet
August 19th 1767
Copy
[illegible][guess: PL]
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