Reverend Sir,

From the Indian Council, Narragansett.

Narragansett, December 8, 1767.

As you are in some measure sensible, that we are in tribulation on account of our lands, being disposed of contrary to our minds, we would let you know, that our trouble is aggravated by the resolve of the last Assembly; that we must send home for redress, or suffer ourselves to be ruined.

We are truly sorry, we are obliged to take Toby and John from their study; but as we have none so capable of doing business as they are, we are obliged to. We hope it will not incur your displeasure; hope you will remember, that we let you know by a letter last spring, that if we wanted their assistance we must have it. We are thankful for the degree of learning you have given them already; also your notice of us in writing to Sir William, which was to our profit. We hope to receive yet, greater benefits by your school.

Rev. Sir, we heartily subscribe ourselves,

Your obedient humble servants,

SAMUEL NILES,

I have, as Dr. Whitaker will witness, exerted myself in favor of the errand, upon which he and his colleague visited our kingdom. I am glad that Providence has crowned their application with so much success, and shall be glad to hear that you are abundantly blessed in your great and good undertaking. O that the wilderness, and the solitary places may blossom and rejoice before your sacred endeavors, and that the

day may come, when Indian Savages shall bow to the septre of the great Emanuel, and be partakers of that salvation, which is in him, with eternal glory! Dr. Whitaker has met with difficulties, as he will undoubtedly inform you; but I have no reason to apprehend him other than a good and worthy man; and as I have shared him my friendship during his stay in our country, so I parted with him as my friend, and most heartily pray that God would own him and bless him, as his good and faithful servant, as I trust he is.

I remain, Sir, your affectionate friend and servant,

THOMAS GIFFORD.

SIR,

From the Rev. Doctor G. A. Franck,* of Hall in Saxony, to J. Thornton, Esq. Treasurer of the Trust in London.

July 8, 1768.

I feel a singular joy for the good work which God is bringing about among the heathen nations, by the Rev. Dr. Wheelock; I have also the joyful satisfaction to see that the Lord has excited a pious and charitable Lady, on reading these accounts, to assign one hundred crowns, or £17, 10s. sterling, for this excellent institution of the Rev. Dr. Wheelock's; and as she has put the money into my hands to transmit the same, it gives me double satisfaction, that even from Germany some benefaction is made for promoting the kingdom of Christ among the North American Indians, and that I am honored to be the channel of the gift. It is but small indeed, and unbelief might suggest, that such a trifle was not worth the sending twice over the sea: faith, however, is sure that all such benefactions do remain in the hand of the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, who by his blessing is able to make that very trifle conducive to promoting his honor and glory, and

*Son and successor of the eminently pious and benevolent Founder of the Orphan House in Saxony.

the salvation of souls; who besides has the treasures of the earth every where in his power, and overlooks the small gifts no more than the large ones.

May he further vouchsafe to crown the faith of his servant, Dr. Wheelock, with the most glorious fruit of a blessed breaking forth of his kingdom among the savages; and may he never suffer has confidence, with respect to the expence requisite for this institution, to be confounded, but be pleased always to provide the requisites.

To the Misses Warkmans, four sisters in Gloucester.

Kind Ladies,

Lebanon, Connecticut, Aug. 17, 1763,

Your characters, and your thoughts of kindness and labors of love towards the great Redeemer's cause and kingdom in the wilds of America, as the same has been given me by the Rev. Dr. W- r; not only embolden, but constrain me to address you with this letter of thanks, which is a small return indeed, though perhaps all you expect from me, besides the faithful improvement of whatever you or others have, or shall commit to my stewardship. The Lord requite your beneficence a thousand fold in better things than you can give. And as all the reward you had in view, was the salvation of souls, of some of the most miserable and wretched of the human race; so I now rejoice, that I am able to tell you, that through the blessing of God upon a preached gospel, among the savages at Oneida, &c. there has been for some months past, and still continues to be a glorious work of God's grace. In that dark corner, which a few months ago was a habitation of cruelty and gross paganism, there is now a blessed nest of Christians, and such as were not God's people, must now, in a judgment of christian charity, be called the children of God. There, in their little despicable bark huts, the true God is now

worshipped in spirit and truth: and the poor, greasy, lousy, half starved creatures are from day to day fed with the hidden manna, and a number of them rejoicing with joy unspeakable. One of them has lately been down three hundred miles to see me and my school; he continued with me for some weeks, and appeared indeed to have his conversation in heaven; and took an affectionate leave of me about a fortnight ago, assuring me, that his utmost endeavors shall unite with mine, to help forward the great design in view. A number of the same tribe were here with him, all of whom appeared very friendly.

Last evening Mr. Kinne, whom I sent thither about three months ago, to supply them while Mr. Kirkland should be using means for the recovery of his health, returned to me, and says, that he does not see a greater appearance of true religion any where, than in that Indian town. The Lord grant that the leaven may spread till the whole lump be leavened by it.

I rejoiced to hear the honor God has put upon you, in not only giving you hearts, but also abilities to do much to further this design; and I trust if I should appear as a beggar, and an importunate one too, upon such an occasion, you will not think I am acting out of character, since it is not my own; but the Redeemer's cause I am pleading; but I mean now, good Ladies, only to hint to you, that Providence has opened a door for you to bestow your liberalities for this glorious purpose, and thereby perpetuate your own names, and a name better than of sons and daughters; and especially if you should see fit to appoint of your substance, when it has served what it can your pilgrimage to heaven, such a sum as may be sufficient to support a President of this school or useful Professors in it-They shall bear your name in that capacity, or if you choose it, a youth or youths, who shall be supported by your charity, they shall bear your name while students of this Academy; or any other way, if any you shall think of more agreeable to you;

but, if you have thought of other ways by which you may glorify God, than by disposing of what he has committed to your stewardship to this purpose; I wish his blessing may attend it, and all your works and labors of love, for his name's sake-and believe me, I am with sincere respect and esteem, Your unknown, but assured Friend,

And very humble servant,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

To the Earl of Dartmouth.

May it please your Lordship,

use.

Lebanon, December 22, 1768.

I herewith present you a small specimen of the produce and manufacture of the American wilderness. I have been sometime waiting to be able to offer your Lordship that, which is perfectly simple, and without the least mixture of any foreign merchandize; but our traders have penetrated so far into their country, that I have hitherto found that to be impracticable, unless I had taken some articles, which were defaced by The pipe I here present you, is covered with porcupine quills, the bowl, is stone. The longer string or braid is that, which they bind their burdens with for their backs, the broad part of it in the middle goes over their heads, and is wrought with a moose's mane. The lesser string is such as they use to bind their captives with; and the substance of both is elm bark, which they manufacture something after the manner which we do flax. The tobacco pouch they hang upon the right shoulder, and under the left arm. The knife case hangs from their neck upon their breast. The brass, tin, and beads in the several articles, they now use instead of wampom, which they make of shells, horns, and houghs of animals; the coloring is with roots and barks—and all is manufactured with their fingers.