Dear Sir,

From the Rev. John, Erskine.

March 15th 1764.

with a

By Mr. De

I have before me your letter of the 21st of September. That which you mention as sent me by Mr. Bcopy of your narrative, has never come to hand. Berdt's order I paid Mr. D's donation for the Indian School to Mr. T. I heartily agree I heartily agree with you, that the present cloud over endeavours to christianize the Indians, should not moderately discourage. I think the most discouraging circumstance of all, is, that when God has so wonderfully enlarged the British Territory, Britain should do so little to enlarge the empire of Zion's king.

I hope you have long ago received the present of books from the Edinburgh society, for promoting religious knowledge, with the few that were added by Mr, D and myself. I enclose you our society's commission for a board of correspondents in Connecticut.

I am glad Mr. Whitefield intends visiting you. He has been your sincere and zealous friend, or rather the friend of the charitable cause in which you are engaged. But his testimony, after actually witnessing the state of your school, will have much additional force.

Wishing that the God of all grace may continue to prosper your labours, I am, Dear Sir,

Your affectionate brother and servant,

JOHN ERSKINE.

Dear Sir,

From the Hon. General Lyman.

Licesterfield, London, April 2, 1764.

I delivered your letter to Mr. Dennis De Berdt, who has shewn me great respect ever since I have been here. He has

moved nothing publicly about your School, the ministry being much crowded with business; but expect he will before long. And you may depend upon my giving all the assistance in my power to so good an intention.

Sir Jeffrey Amherst is clear it will be much to his majesty's interest to fix a strong settlement between the Allegany mountains and the Missippi, and will give me all the assistance in his power, as he tells me. Of the same opinion is the Earl and Mr. J- and many more. I hope I shall

of A

gain it, and shall tack your school to it; and God grant we may both be happy together. My proper compliments to your family and friends.

When we parted at Norwich, I found I had not half unbosomed myself to you; the discouraging apprehensions I found you to entertain respecting the Indians, made deep impressions on my mind. However that is removed.

I am not at all disquieted, my dear brother, my hope is in God alone. I believe it to be his own cause, and that he will not forsake it. I begin a little sometimes to believe his providence, and have just begun my A B C, and begin to spell a little in the great volumes of his goodness, before me.

which are ever open

I know the kindness of your heart, and your zeal to promote every good design, and I need say no more on this head. I

1

will only hint, as I understand you are designed for Rhode Island, that neither the town of Providence (where God once greatly blessed my poor labours) nor any part of that Government, has ever yer been desired to put a helping hand in this affair.

I find it difficult to put out the boys, who are designed for blacksmiths, to places suitable for them; and the greatest difficulty is, that their fellow apprentices, viz. English boys, will despise them, and treat them as slaves; which I apprehend will be of hurtful and ruinous consequences to them. I have been thinking lately, whether I had not better hire a blacksmith, and set him up near me, and let him have a number to instruct, where I may have the government, direction, and conduct of them. It may be done without any cost to the school; if it should be thought better, it may be at the schools' cost, and the school have all the profit of their labour.

I am of opinion, it will be best to introduce David Fowler, Jacob Wolley, and perhaps Hezekiah Calvin, into schools among the Indians, as soon as may be; perhaps among the Oneidas, Onandagas, or at Anchaguagee and Genings, I believe they will do very well in that business, and especially if Mr. Charles Jeffrey Smith or some other prudent missionary should visit them a few times in a summer. I am much pleased with their manly, dis

creet, prudent, christian conduct of late.

You doubtless have had or will soon have, a more particular account than I am able to give you, of the surprising progress of the work of God, at East Hampton, since you were there. Mr. B- writes, that it exceeds what he ever saw, read or heard of since the Apostles days. Scores converted in a few days, &c.

I have said nothing of A, supposing you have received my former. It appears probable that it is the will of God he

should go on his proposed mission this spring. Dear Sir, pray, pray, for

Yours' in the dearest bonds,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

P. S. Give most sincere respects to Mr. WI wish health, &c.

to whom

From the Hon. Sir William Johnson.

Johnson Hall, April 25th, 1764.

SIR,

I have received your favour of the 17th inst. by the hands of Mr. D- and do assure you that I did not get a letter from you for several months before, though I am informed you wrote to me several times. J is just returned from an expedition against the enemy, who have abandoned their towns, of which three were burned, with four villages, consisting in all of about two hundred houses, built with squared logs, and vast quantities of corn, &c. Parties are now in pursuit of the enemy.

I shall be very glad, whenever these troubles are over, to promote your pious and useful undertaking, by procuring you more scholars; but at present it is not in my power, as all those fit to travel, will accompany the rest upon service, nor could it be agreeable to the nations to divert them from it.

I am with esteem, Sir,

Your most humble servant,

Rev. Mr. Wheelock.

WILLIAM JOHNSON.

Rev. Sir,

From Mr. Garret Noell.

New York, May 27th, 1764.

I have several times wrote to you, but have never received any answer. This is the first opportunity I have had of sending you the books. I should be glad to hear from you, and to know how I may more frequently write and send to you.

I have sent the bell-should be glad of a list of what more books are wanting. I am, Sir,

Your most humble servant,

GARRET NOELL.

To the Rev. George Whitefield.

My dear and honored Friend,

you

Lebanon, June 29th, 1764.

I sat out immediately for Concord the same week on which left Boston, and hoped by some means we might have had an interview; but on the road I heard you were gone. The assembly at Concord readily granted my prayer, for the present year-met with dear Messieurs S and P, according to appointment--received our commission with letters, &c. Doctor G― informs us that £100, by one who desires to be nameless, waits my order, whether to be laid out in lands, or in books for the school.

I have written the commissioners to meet at my house, next Wednesday, in order to form themselves, and consider the expediency of sending Mr. Occum and Aon a mission this year. If Mr. Occum goes with you to England, he may have time to prepare for it after his tour.

I have received the globes and books from England and cot. land, which furnish a pretty library for this infant iustitution.