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

Yours of February 24 before me replete with
expressions and 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. and 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 and
needy circumstances of this College, having no
dependence 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 seminary in the whole are very Ani=
=mating and encouraging. And if God can see
Your way To trade with Mr. 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