Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Samson Occom, 1772 February 24
Date24 February, 1772
Call Number772174.1
abstractIn response to Occom's query/admonition, Wheelock asserts that the first and most important purpose of the college is Indian education.
handwritingHandwriting is small and informal, yet mostly clear and legible.
paperSingle sheet is in fair condition, with moderate staining, creasing and wear that results in some loss of text.
inkBrown-black ink is heavily faded in spots.
noteworthyThis letter is written in answer to manuscript 771424. An editor, likely 19th-century, has added the note “Wheelock 1772” to one verso; this note has not been included in the transcription.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Rev. and dear Sir.
business to acknowledge the Receipt of Your kind favour of the 5th
instant and add in answer to your question, viz. "Whether
Dartmouth College is for the Indians or white people" or both
equally alike."
to be the Indians which has been invariably the Same from
the first. They are also the first object in the Charter. These
Lands are all given for that purpose, and will be so used
for them So long as there Shall be indians upon the
continent to partake of the Benefit — I have not taken
a Step nor Struck a Stroke Since I have been here but with
that view — In that cause I am worn out, and have now
risked all my estate — The Plan is such that all the Benefit
done or proposed to be done to the English is subservient in
the B[gap: tear][guess: es]t Manner to the Indian cause; and greatly adds to
and increases my Ability to help the Indians and that many
ways, insomuch that I hope in God to be able to Support
an Hundred Indians and Youths designed for Indian service
on Charity in a little Time — haven't you Seen my late
Narrative — You may have one at Hartford if you
will Send, and in that be informed what I have been
and now am about — My Heart is broken and Spirits Some
‐times almost overwhelmed with the Behavior of Some I have
taken unwearied pains for — perhaps God intends to waft
them away from this Land — but however that may be
my resolution yet continues to follow them with my Endea
‐vors for them as Long as I live, and I believe in so doing
I am unto God a Sweet Savor of Christ, though they
all perish after all that can be done to Save them.
writes me that I may expect 12. Indian Boys from
St.
Canada — I expect Some from other Quarters also in
the Spring — My Hope is in [illegible][guess: G]od alone and my work
is with him — I had this winter the very melancholy
account of your Son Aarons Death — I Sympathize
with you in it and pray God to Sanctify it to you
and Yours — Accept my Love to You and Mrs. Occom
Influence which is needful in all the pious Labors you
are or may be engaged in for the upbuilding the cause
of the Redeemer. And am with great Sincerity
Eleazar Wheelock