Joseph Johnson, letter to Eleazar Wheelock, 1768 April 20

Author Johnson, Joseph

Date20 April, 1768

Call Number768270

abstractJohnson writes about his progress among the Oneidas, and about the recent travels of Ralph Wheelock among tribes of the Six Nations.

handwritingJohnson's hand is small, but clear and legible.

paperLarge sheet folded in half is in fair condition, with heavy creasing and wear that nonetheless results in no loss of text. Large portions of the seal remain.

inkBlack-brown.

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

Persistent Identifier

Rev. and Honoured Dr.
My respects and Regards for you
for the many favours which I have Enjoyed
Since under your paternal Care excites in me
a kind of Gratitude which makes me desirous
to inquire little concerning your Valuble health
and to gather with all this I believe it is my—
indispensable Duty to Acquaint you the state
of the Indians up here and the school which
I keep. Honoured Sir. I have not as yet Opened the
School at Old Oneida Since I came up last.
my Employment has been an Imperfect
Interpreter little better then none. to your
Honoured Son
. the Indians treat him with great
deal of respect, and say that they do really
love him, and want that he should stay longer.
your Honoured Son has been at Onondaga and offered
the glad tiding of the Gospel of Christ to them likewise
to the Senecas, but has not yet an answer but
they did treat him with more respects than
they had any before him, and desired to have
Some time to consider such matter of Importance
and promised to give him an answer within
8 weeks. but has not received any answer at all.
what the reason is I cant tell. your son has
been under great disadvantage in this journey
and been through many sorrowful hour. no one to advise
him in Such Important Affair.
I Expect to Open the school next week.
I believe that if the Indians now refuse
the Offered Gospel it will be wonder if God
dont in his anger cut them of from his Earth.
I do feel bad the for sake of your son, he has
had two or three bad turns since he has been
up here. if had not the all supporting grace
from on high been his present aid he would
probably not be able to go through his business
but God be praised that he has carried him
thus far in safety.
Rev. Sir I hope that you have had your
health allowed to you since I saw you.
God be praised that he has kept me from
that distemper which I did so greatly fear.
I have Enjoyed my useless health as usual.
I desire humbly to Recommend myself
to your prayers daily that he would keep me
from all sin especially from pride.
I have no more to acquaint you at present
So I [illegible] Remain your Ignorant
Pupil. and good for nothing Black
Indian.

 Joseph Johnson.

 Dr. Wheelock.
Blank page.
Joseph Johnsons
April 20. 1768

To
the Rev. Dr. Eleazar Wheelock
 in.
 New England.
Per favour of)
Mr. Wheelock)
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