David McClure, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1772 June 30
Date30 June, 1772
Call Number772380
abstractMcClure writes that he has asked Occom to join the mission, but that Occom states he is in ill health, has too many debts, and that he has been neglected since his return from Great Britain. McClure urges Wheelock to be generous with Occom.
handwritingFormal handwriting is small, but clear and legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate creasing, staining and wear.
inkBrown.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Rev. and Honored Sir/
and I had a comfortable journey to this place, where
we arrived last Evening and found Mr. Occom and family
in usual health; we immediately laid open the
business on which we came — It was all new to
Mr. Occom — neither of your Letters, Sir, have
reached him, they have somewhere unfortunately
stopped. The Doctor's Letter to him by us con
tained the first intimation he has had re=
specting this mission. After conversing on the
openings and encouragements of our intended mis
sion to the Southward, he manifested a desire
and willingness to join us, but urged his bodily
infirmities and involvements * against undertaking
it immediately — And indeed he has had so
short notice of it that it would be difficult if not im=
practicable for him to set out with us.
* he owes he says ₤50 or
₤60 —
had a pension of ₤30 sterling per annum from Esq. Thornton —
But he says he has had no pension or allowance from
him, or any other quarter since he came from England,
except two private donations from thence amounting to ₤60 —. That before he
went to England he was under the pay of the Boston board
and since his return has been rejected by them and by
the School too. And considering what Indian Genius and
temper are, has there not, Sir, been too much occasion for
him to complain of neglect? he has had to encounter
many and great difficulties since his return and would it
not, Sir, been good policy if no more and will it not now be
good policy, to make him some small allowance and let
him enjoy in some measure the benefit of the monies he
was instrumental in obtaining for the use and benefit of
the design? So that he might be cut off from any occa
sion to repeat what he says Mr. Whitefield told him
when he left England; "that they had made him a tool to
collect monies for them in England, but when he got to
America they would set him adrift." His Character, as
far as I can learn in these parts is now good, and the Crimes
of intemperance with which he has been charged, are
very much extenuated by the temptations he was under.
He appears calm and rational, more so than I expected to have
found him, respecting the Indian design. I am more and
more persuaded of the expediency and advantage of his un=
dertaking a mission and ardently hope that God in his
providence will so order and direct that he may
join us in the mission before us. It would very
much strengthen our hands and encourage us.
he said, many fair promises had been made him
but he found they would never fill his belly or
cover his back, and that as soon as he could see
a prospect and know for certain that he could be
in a way to discharge his Debts and support his
family he would under his infirmity, go.
In the Doctor's behalf, made an offer of ₤100
sterling Annually and to gave an order on Capt. Backus
for ₤50 lawful money of it to be paid now and the remainder
at the close of the Year, if he would undertake
he seemed to think it would not be sufficient to bear
his expenses and maintain his numerous family. I told
him should he undertake, I would engage the Doctor's
influence with Esq. Thornton and had not the least
doubt but his debts would by that Gentleman be
generously discharged. He intimates a design of
visiting the Doctor, which hope he will. I have
wrote Rev. Sir, with freedom which I have no
apprehension of your blaming me for. Mr. Frisbie
has had several poor turns since we set out
he joins in Duty and Affection to the Doctor
and family, with Rev. and Honored Patron
humble Servant
David McClure
P.S. I wrote the Dr. per.[illegible] Mrs. Payne about 6 Days past —
As Mr. Occom intends to write the Dr. in the proposed mission we must refer to
his Letter to know his mind more fully respecting it —
— have enclosed a number of the latest papers from different parts.