David Crosby, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1767 November 4

Author Crosby, David

Date4 November, 1767

Call Number767604.1

abstractCrosby writes to Wheelock about a conversation among gentlemen who suspected Wheelock of insincerity, and criticized his plan for converting Indians before “civilizing" them by means other than force.

handwritingFormal, somewhat stylized handwriting is largely clear and legible.

paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear.

inkBlack.

noteworthyThe date at the top of one recto appears to have been added in a different hand and ink.

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

Persistent Identifier
Reverend, and dear Sir

The unmerited friendship you have shown to me, and the generous
regard you seem to have for mankind in general; especial‐
ly the poor Heathen of the Land, discovered in your indefatiga‐
ble endeavours after their salvation, has, I confess, brought
me under some obligations of love and friendship to yourself,
And I am constrained to own, (that while you seem disinterested
in your views, while exercising your kind offices to others) that
I feel myself, strongly attached to your interest in all its Branch
es: accompanied, with my constant Prayers. for the
blessing of Heaven on your person, and family, and that
your endeavours for the conversion of the Poor Heathen might meet
with success. I could willing, at this time give you
a narrative of some conversation which passed at a gentleman's
table, the other Day, at Middletown, concerning your person
and interest, as also some account, of the mortification, and
pain I endured at the discove‐
ry of that malevolent disposition, harboured in the breast's of
too too many gentlemen, pretenders to honour, and Christianity.
Did I not foresee how much my officiousness might be liable
to be misconstrued into a meanness, which rather becomes
a meddling Fool, than a hearty Friend. but the confidence
I place in your charitable disposition, joined with the testimo
nies of my grateful friendship as expressed above shall serve in
the room of any further apology at this time.
I dined the other Day with several gentlemen whose
conversation ran for some time on indifferent things, and
finding my place quite at the lower end of the Table, I thought
my wisest part to learn my distance and to use my Knife
and fork handsomely, than to let my Tongue run, especially, as
I heard nothing uttered worthy of my attention until the
Reverend Mr. Wheelock's Name was brought on the Board
neither can I persuade myself I should then have been so
saucy, had you been present to have spoken for yourself.
While the gentleman of the house was only pleased
to observe that Mr. Wheelock was a very cunning
Man, and one who took care to Look before he leaped
and that he did not commonly act without design
I dont know but I could have borne that well enough
but when he came to deride your Plan for Christianizing
the heathen, and to insinuate as though your love for the heathen was
a pretence only, and sprang from the mean Motives of
avarice, and a desire of worldly wealth principally, I must
confess I lost all patience. 'Twas well the several gentlemen
were so well pleased with the countenance of each other
as that they took no notice of mine: otherways they would
have discovered the emotion of my Heart by the Blood in my face
while I was chiding my Heart for having offered to have betrayed
an angry party— the aforesaid gentleman was giving it
as his humble Opinion; that the only way to Christian‐
ize the Heathens was first to civilize them. The other gentleman
replied, that he humbly conceived that Powder and Ball were
the best ingredients to affect either. Having banished as I
hoped, that officious thing could anger, who is apt sometimes
to intrude himself, when his company would do more hurt
than good, and summoned reason into her office, I boldly de‐
manded of them what they thought would have become of
us gentiles: if so be the Lord Jesus and his Apostles had said the
same of us and so have denied us the means of salvation.
Upon this bold question, the company seemed to start, and look
at each other, as much as to say, who have we got here? but
the gentleman who was just now, so free with his Powder and Ball,
having recollected himself, as boldly demanded of me if I were a
Married Man? upon my answer in the affirmative, he demand
ed again; that if in case I were single, could I consent to Marry
an Indian squaw? I am sure you will not blame me, if I own
I took time to deliberate what answer to give. My antagonist perceiving
me, first to pause, then about to reply; prevented me, with an air of
insult, Why (said he) your put to your Trumps, now, it seems?
Why, I thought by such a question, I should soon prove your
Love to the Indians? but let me inform you (continued he)
that the only way to civilize the Indians, is first to Marry and in‐
ter-marry with them: unless we have recourse to Powder and Ball
as I just now hinted. Ah rejoined the other gentleman. you per‐
fectly accord with my Judgment, 'twas ever my opinion they
must in this way, first be civilized, before Christianized: but
as I am so well acquainted with human nature, as to know
the irreconcilable aversion, that white people must ever have
to black, I think I am warranted to judge of Mr. Wheelock's attempts
as altogether absurd and fruitless. For continued he,— so long as the Indians
are despised by the English we may never expect success in Chris‐
tianizing of them. I replied that what he said last might
probably be true, but then I was at a loss to account for the
conclusion they seemed to draw from this premise, viz. That because
I could not Marry a squaw, I must therefore of necessity despise
the Indians. They both warmly replied, that this must be
the necessary, and unavoidable consequence of not Marrying and
inter-marrying with them, and that for their own parts
they could never respect an Indian, Christian or no Christian so as
to put him on a level with white people on any account especially
to eat at the same Table. no— not with Mr. Occom himself be
he ever so much a Christian or ever so Learned. I was not suffered
to make a reply neither can I say I much desired it, but was more
glad to make my Exit so soon as the Table was dismissed. I most desire giv‐
ing you my private reflections on this discourse 'til further opportunity

Meantime beg leave, dear Sir— to subscribe myself your affectionate
Friend and very Humble Servant
David Crosby
East Hartford 1767.
PS I've not forgotten the encouragement Mr. Wheelock gave me of an honourable
employment, nor the reasons for which I suspected he might alter his mind
From David Crosby
East Hartford. 1767.
Received November 4th 1767
To
To the Reverend
Eleazar Wheelock
at
Lebanon Crank
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