is generally understood that your Uncle designed a Testimony of his Respect to you in that Donation, so that Assembly will likely lay great Weight upon what you shall write, and if your Honour will please to inclose it to me I can send it direct by the Post. And if it were not too great boldness I would ask the favour to know the substance of what you write, it may be of some advantage to me. I want also to know whether your Honour thinks it likely that this School may after a while be set up in some convenient place near you accommodated with three or four Towns of well chosen Inhabitants. I understand that some of our People are about to settle our new Purchase on Susquahannah River, if it does not disoblige and prejudice the Indians I shall be glad, and it may be if that settlement should go on a Door may open for my Design on that Purchase, but your Honour has full understanding of the affair, and interested therein, and I can rely with greater Safety on your Judgment and Counsel than any other mans. Joseph and the rest of the Boys are well, studious and diligent. I hope you have received a Line I sent you a few weeks ago, and that you will be able to send me the English Youth of whom I wrote if you esteem him likely and suitable for the Purpose. I pray your Honour to excuse the Trouble I so often give you, and believe that I am With Sincere Respect Your Honours P. S. Being yet weak after a fit of sickness I am obliged to write you by the hand Sir William Johnson Baronet. ELEAZER WHEELOCK. REVD. DR. POMROY TO SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. Hebron Septembr 8th 1762. Sir The Fame of your Humanity, & Benevolence in general; and especially, what, I have more, lately heard by Mr. Wheelock, of your forwardness to encourage the Indian School, under his care emboldens me to trouble your Hon" with a Line, or two, in Favor of that truly noble, & charitable Design-and as I am perswaded, you will rejoice at an opportunity to do good to your fellow-men, advance the Interest of Christs Kingdom among the Heathen Nations, and more firmly attach them to the Crown of great Brittain; and as I am somewhat concerned, in the Important affair of så school, so I wo'd now earnestly bespeak your Patronage of it; not Dou'ting but that you will be able in various ways to subserve the truely generous Design. Mr Wheelock, having acted hitherto very much alone, in the Important Business, and his true character not very universally known; It appears reasonable, those who encourage him in it, sho'd have some proper testimonials of his qualification for it, I therefore now take the freedom to transmit to you Inclosed in this; a Coppy of a Letter of Recommendation, sent to Mr. Debert, Merchant In London; The perusal, whereof may possibly give you all the satisfaction, at present necessary, and excuse from troubling you any further, Him, who is, with the utmost Respect Your Honour's most sincere, most obedient, and very Humle sernt To Sir William Johnson Baronet. BENJAMIN POMROY. *Rev. Dr. Pomroy, brother-in-law of the Rev.Eleazer Wheelock, graduated at Yale in 1733, and was ordained in 1735. He served as a Chaplain in the French and Revolutionary wars, and died at Hebron, Dec., 1784, aged 80 years, He is repre sented as one of the best preachers of his day.-ALLEN. [Enclosure In Dr Pomroy's letter.] Chilsea in Norwich July 10th 1762. Sir, We Ministers of the Gospel, and Pastors of Churches, hereafter mentioned with our Names, having for a number of years past heard of, or seen with pleasure the Zeal, Courage, and firm Resolution of the Reyd Eleazar Wheelock of Lebanon to prosecute to Effect, a Design of spreading the Gospel among the Natives in the Wilds of our America, and especially his Perseverance in it amidst the many peculiar Discouragements he had to encounter during the late years of the War here, and upon a Plan which appears to us to have the greatest probability of Success Viz, by the Mission of their own Sons; and as we are verily persuaded that the smiles of divine Providence upon his School, and the Success of his endeavours hitherto, justly may and ought to encourage him, and all, to believe it to be of God and that which he will own and succeed for the glory of his own great Name in the Enlargement of the Kingdom of our divine Redeemer, as well as for the great Benefit of the Crown of Great Britain, and especially of his Majestys Dominions in America, so we apprehend the present openings in Providence ought to invite Christians of every Denomination to Unite their Endeavours and lend a helping hand in carrying on the charitable design, and we are heartily sorry if Party Spirit and Party differences shall at all obstruct the Progress of it, or the old Leaven in this Land ferment upon this Occasion, and give a watchful adversary Opportunity so to turn the course of Endeavours into another Channel as to defeat the design of spreading the Gospel among the Heathen, to prevent which, and encourage Unanimity, and Zeal in prosecuting the design, we look upon it our Duty as Christians, and especially as Ministers of the Gospel to give our Testimony, that as we verily believe, a disinterested Regard to the Advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom, and the Good of his Majesty's Dominions in America were the governing Motives which at first induced the Revd Mr Wheelock to enter upon the great affair, and to risk his own private Interest as he has done since in carrying it on, so we esteem his Plan to be good, his Measures prudently and well concerted, his Endowments peculiar, his Zeal fervent, his Endeavours indefatigable for the accomplishing this design, and we know no Man likeminded who will naturally care for the State. May God prolong his Life, and make him extensively useful in the Kingdom of Christ. We have also some of us at his desire examined his Accompts, and find that beside giving in all his own Labour and trouble in the Affair, he has charged for the Support, Schooling &ca of the Youth at the lowest rate it could be done for, as the price of things have been, and still is amongst us, and we apprehend the generous Donations already made, have been, and we are confident will be laid out in the most prudent manner, and with the best advice for the furthering of the important Design, and we pray God abundantly to reward the liberality of any upon this occasion, and we hope the Generosity, especially of Persons of distinction and Note will be a happy lead and inducement to still greater liberalities, and in Consequence thereof, the wide extended Wilderness of America will blossom as the Rose, habitations of Cruelty become dwelling places of Righteousness, and the blessings of Thousands ready to perish come upon all those, whose Love to Christ and Charity to them has been shown upon this Occasion, which is the hearty Prayer of Sir Your most sincere Friends and humble Servants Pastor of the first Chh in Stonington Pastor of the Second Chh in Stonington Pastor of the Church at Chilsea in Norwich Pastor of the first Church in Hebron Ebenezer Rossiter, Nathaniel Eells, Pastor of the Church at Gilead in Hebron Jonathan Barber, Jabez Wight, David Jewett, Benjamin Dunning, Pastor of a Chh in Groton Missionary at New London Pastor of the Church at Newent in Norwich Pastor of the fourth Chh in Norwich Pastor of a Church in Norwich Pastor of a Church in Windham Pastor of the 4th Chh of Christ in Middletown The above and foregoing is a True Copy of the Original examined by us. SAMUEL GRAY SIR WM, JOHNSON TO REV. DR. POMROY. Johnson Hall October 16th 1762. Sir The other day I was favoured with yours of the 8th ult° together with a Letter of Recommendation sent to Mr Debert in London. I shall be always ready to do any thing in my power for the public good and the promoting knowledge and instruction amongst the Indians, and am very glad to find a Gentleman of your pious sentiments and abilities is in some measure concerned in the School with Mr Wheelock concerning whom I have always entertained the most favourable Sentiments, and therefore have not the least doubt of his Qualifications for the discharge of that Trust. The testimonials in his behalf which you transmitted, deserve all due regard, and shall be considered by me as proofs of the Esteem which is paid to his Character. I shall at all times be glad to promote so useful a design and heartily wish you success in your undertakings. The Revd Mr Pomroy. I am Sir Your well wisher and Humble Servant WM. JOHNSON. SIR W. JOHNSON TO REV. MR. WHEELOCK. Johnson Hall Octr 16th 1762. Sir I have been favoured with yours of the 8th ulto, and agree with you in opinion that the Indian Children will not improve in their Studys near so much from the method proposed of Erecting Schools in their Nations, as they would do according to your plan of Education, whereby they are kept out of the way of & uninfluenced by bad Example, but notwithstanding these my sentiments on that head I should not chuse to interfere therein as those Gentlemen cannot but observe on due consideration the advantages which the one plan hath in preference to the other. Whilst the Indians remain in their present Sentiments it will be highly improper to attempt any Settlement in their Country as they are greatly disgusted at the great Thirst which we all seem to shew for their Lands, and therefore I must give it as my opinion that any Settlement on the Susquehanna River may prove fatal to those who should attempt to Establish themselves thereon, as the Indians have all declared not only their great aversion thereto, but have also threatned to prevent any such Settlement, so that I hope the dangers to which they may be Exposed, together with your Governor's proclamation against the same, will induce those concerned to drop their undertaking. When I can find out the English youth you mention, I shall endeavour to comply with your request if I find he will answer your purpose. I am glad to hear that the Boys prosecute their studies with diligence and hope you have perfectly recovered of your late indisposition, as I am Sir Your well wisher and very humble Servant The Revd Mr Wheelock WM. JOHNSON. SIR WM. JOHNSON TO THE REV. DR. BARCLAY, RESPECTING A NEW EDITION OF THE INDIAN PRAYER BOOK. Johnson Hall Octr 16th 1762. Dear Sir When I was last at New York I acquainted you with my design of having a new Edition of the Indian Prayer Book printed of which you were pleased to undertake the inspection. I now therefore herewith transmit you the old Edition, which as it wanted the Singing Psalms, I therefore send you such of them in Manuscript as I have been able to procure, together with the Communion Service, & Public Baptism of Infants &c. which they would be desirous to have inserted, as also some Prayers of the propriety of which you are the most proper Judge, you will therefore please to do therein as you shall Judge best. You will please to direct that there be printed 400 Setts on a better type, and paper than that of the Former and as the Square Figure of that Edition rendered it somewhat inconvenient the present may make a handsome small Octavo. In order to bestow on principal People, I would chuse to have 20 Setts out of the beforementioned 400 printed on a fine Paper & type and neatly bound, Lettered on the back and gilt, of two Setts of which I must beg your acceptance, & that you will make any alterations or additions which you may think necessary thro'out the work ordering the same to be bound in such manner as you shall judge most fitting. I am convinced you will have particular pleasure in taking under your inspection a performance calculated for the instruction of the ignorant, & the promoting of Christianity which with my experience of your abilities are the principal inducemts to offer you this trouble by recommending the whole to your care. The Revd Dr Barclay I am, with Sincerity, Dear Sir, &c. REVD MR WHEELOCK TO SIR WM JOHNSON. Lebanon 20th Janry A D 1763. Sir The inclosed from Mr Charles Jeffery Smith' is not the Fruit of an Enthusiastic turn of Mind or any Freak of a heated Imagination, but the Result of much Deliberation & good Advice; and your Honr may depend upon it as such. He is a young Gentleman of about 22 years of age. He received the Honours of our College five years ago; and has obtained a good and unblemished Character. He had the offer of the Place and Office of a Tutor in our College last Fall but refused it for the sake of teaching this Indian School gratis. He is the only son of his Father, who lived at Brook Haven on Long Island, and there died about 15 years ago. And the estate left to this young Gentleman, he supposes to be sufficient to support himself and an Interpreter in the Business of a Missionary among the Indians, to which Purpose he seems inclined to devote it. I esteem him remarkably turn'd for that Business. And make no doubt your Hon" will have much satisfaction in him when you shall have opportunity to know his worth by personal acquaintance with him; for I think you will find the amiable Characters of a Gentleman, a Scholar, and a Christian very agreably meeting in him. And the poor Heathen will not have occasion to object against him as they have done against some "that he loves himself and his money more than the Indians." Joseph and the rest of the Boys from your Quarter are all well and make good Progress in Learning. I was much discouraged with the bigest Abraham for some Time, but he does very well of late. Joseph is indeed an excellent youth, he has much indeared himself to me, as well as to his Master, and every body else, by his good Behaviour. When Mr Smith first proposed to me his taking him for his Interpreter, I opposed it, fearing it would obstruct his Studies, and expose him to get into a roving unsettled State; but upon further Consideration I am of Opinion it will be best, as Mr Smith is apt and able to teach, and proposes to bed and board with him. If it should prove otherwise and be a mean to prevent his pursuing his Studies afterwards I shall be very sorry. I very Thankfully acknowledge the Receipt of yours by Mr Kingsley, but your Letter to Joseph which you mention in that to me, never arrived, nor can I guess what was the Fate of it. My School now consists of 25, who depend wholly upon the Charities of Gods people for their support, and if the Hearts of Gentlemen shall continue open to contribute supplies for it, we must in a little Time determine where to fix it in order to build conveniently for it. 1 Rev. C. J. SMITH was a descendant of Col. William Smith of St. George's Manor, L. I. It is surmised that his father was Henry S., who died in 1747. He was ordained at Lebanon in June, 1763, and was ordered to proceed to Onohoghquage as a missionary, but he had not time to effect much good in that quarter, as his labors were interrupted by the Pontiac war. He returned in consequence, and went to Brookhaven where he resided in 1766. He afterwards itinerated in the south and was very successful as a preacher among the colored population of Virginia. He devoted much of his means to charitable purposes. En. |