Eleazar Wheelock, letter, to Asa Foot, 26 March 1776

Yours of Feb.y 24 before me replete with
expreſions & evidences of Friendſhip, Kindneſs, pru=
=dence and faithfulneſs, for all which I moſt
heartily thank you. As to the Negro of which you
write I much want his help. & it is difficult to
supply that want at this Day without him, and
I had fully concluded to have him, when I wrote
you laſt — but I have heard so much of their
setting all Negros free — also the preſent deſerted &
needy circumſtances of this College, having no
dependance upon supply, from beyond the seas.
And the wretched civil state of this Government
in which we have not at preſent Law or Honour
enough to collect Debts. Makes me afraid to run
such a venture as to Payment. And these are
the only things. If you can anſwer these object=
=ions my way will be clear — If you will take it out
in your sons education so far as that will go; and
send others to take the reſt in that way I will
take the Negro on the terms you mention viz
£65. Six months without Intereſt and Six more
on Intereſt. Our civil calamities here are diſtin-
guiſhingly great — And yet the smiles of heaven
on this simenary in the whole are very Ani=
=mating and incouraging. And if God can see
Your way To trade with M^r Lord for the Negroes I
do hereby become bound for the faithful performance — I
I am in a very poor state of health. pray
Mr