to promote their prosperity. Doctor Wheelock viewed the friendship and patronage of his Excellency as a favorable providence in the advancement of his benevolent design. In his narrative of the College he notices him as one "whom God had raised up to serve the interest of religion, and to be unwearied in doing good."

He was not only a good man, but an excellent Governor. Had he continued in office, it is not easy to calculate what would have been the physical and moral improvements of the state. He attended the two first commencements at Dartmouth College, and did every thing in his power to encourage and assist the pious designs of President Wheelock. He was studious to promote every interest of the province, unwearied in his labors to open roads, to improve the cultivation of the lands, to establish seminaries, and to promote other useful objects. At the first commencement the royal Governors had become unpopular in the country, from a suspicion of their designs against the liberties of the people. A retinue of gentlemen from Portsmouth and the vicinity, attended Mr. Wentworth through the almost trackless forests on this occasion. Among these was Mr. Samuel Moody, from Byfield, long the celebrated Preceptor of Dummer Academy in that parish, which was the first established in New England, and now holds a respectable place among other seminaries of the same rank, Though Mr. Moody was often tormentingly oppressed with hypochondriac melancholy, he was generally remarkable for his cheerfulness, affability, and good humor. Never very ceremonious in his habits, and not a little elated with the satisfaction of having been the preceptor of many, who had then become the shining characters of the time, a great part of whom are now the hope

and honor of the country, Mr. Moody always felt himself perfectly at home in the most respectable and splendid circles. On this occasion his wit and fund of anecdotes, served much to enliven the company, during their continuance at Hanover, and on their journey. When they were ready to depart, the Governor being in conversation with Doctor Wheelock, Mr. Moody stepped to him, in his usual earnest manner, holding his whip erect, to inform him that the company were waiting. Some person pleasantly asked Mr. Moody whether he observed that he held his whip over the Governor's back; “I beg his Excellency's pardon," said he, "I believe he deserves the whip less than any Governor on the continent." Though Mr. Moody was often very free with his friends, yet he would not designedly have given pain to the least insect. His benevolence was uniform, extensive, and glowing. "His friend was man, his party human kind." The academy under his care, for a long time the most flourishing in the country, was a school of religion, and purity of manners. He' was a strict attendant on all the ordinances of christianity himself, and taught his pupils to reverence the word and worship of God. He loved them as his children, and they confided in him as a father. His name will long be dear in this part of the country; but to none more, than to the people of Byfield. Children unborn will doubtless be wiser, and better, and happier, for the useful instructions their fathers received from Precep→ tor Moody.

In the month of March succeeding Doctor Wheelock's removal, the General Assembly of Newhampshire, impressed with the importance of such a seminary to the State, and rightly considering the undertaking in which he was so

ardently engaged, and the personal sacrifices he was generously making for the accomplishment of his object, made him a grant of one hundred pounds. The town of Portsmouth, the capital of the province, being informed of this donation, immediately declared, in a very impressive manner, their cordial approbation of the measure, gratefully avowed their "cheerful readiness" to contribute their full proportion of that or a larger sum, had the honorable Assembly thought proper to grant it, and ordered a copy of their vote to be presented to Doctor Wheelock.

The first commencement was holden in August, 1771, when four young gentlemen* received the first honors of the University. The occasion was honored not only with the presence of the Governor and a number of the most respectable gentlemen from Portsmouth, but with many per-. sons of distinction from other places.

From 1771, to 1774, there were in the School and College about twelve English youths, dependant on the funds; and six Indian lads in the school. Bonds were required of the English scholars, who were upon charity, to refund the expence of their education, in case they should decline going as Missionaries among the Indians, unless providentially prevented. Within the above period, fifteen English youths, who had finished their collegiate education, and were either licenced preachers or ordained ministers of the gospel, were ready to go forth as missionaries, and six Indians were also qualified for schoolmasters. By means of the disputes between Great Britain and the colonies, which by this time assumed a threatening appearance, the prospect of success was greatly diminished. The Indian tribes had not only obtained information

* The late Rev. Levi Frisbie ; Samuel Gray, Esq.; the late Professor Ripley; and the Hon. Johm Wheelock, L. L. D. now President.

of our political affairs, but their warriors became restless, and in some parts apparently prejudiced against us. Missionaries were however sent among them to preach the gospel. Some went into the Mohawk and Oneida country, others to the Indians upon the Muskingum, and several to the tribes within the bounds of Canada. They found the Indians, the Oneidas excepted, universally opposed to them. The threatening storm, which soon after burst upon the colonies in a long and bloody war, was preceded by depredations committed by the Indians, with savage cruelty, on the defenceless frontiers, and the missionaries were driven back to the English settlements.

For more than ten years the missionaries, educated by Doctor Wheelock for the purpose, could have no access to the Indian country, Oneida excepted, but at the hazard of their lives. As the chief object of their pursuit seemed thus interdicted by providence, they generally settled in the ministry in various parts of the country, and considered themselves exonerated from their bonds. A small number, however, refunded the expence of their education.

Of all the tribes on the frontiers of the colonies, the Oneidas alone preserved neutrality. This favorable circumstance may, under divine providence, be attributed to the christian labors bestowed on them, to enlighten them with a knowledge of the gospel, beyond any others, especially by the Rev. Mr. Kirkland. To his influence over them, may be chiefly ascribed the prevention of barbarous murders and other horrid outrages of which they would probably have been guilty, had they united with the other tribes, who volunteered their services to our enemy.

The hostile disposition of the Indians was a source of disappointment and grief to Doctor Wheelock. He saw his kindest purposes towards them frustrated, and the benevolent projects he had formed with fairest hopes of success, at once completely blasted. What gave poignancy to his sorrow was, to view several of those who had received instruction at his hand, ranging them- · selves under the banner of desolation and murder.

After a series of attempts, continued, many years, to qualify Indian youths to become preachers of the gospel, the Doctor found the principal services they rendered to their savage brethren were in the capacity of school masters and interpreters. There were, however, some exceptions. Of one hundred and fifty Indians, who were members of the school, several were reputable and useful preachers of the gospel among their countrymen. They were proficients in learning and hopeful subjects of grace. All of them died in early life except Mr. Occum. Although, for various reasons, Doctor Wheelock was induced to turn his attention to the education of his own countrymen, for the purpose of their becoming missionary preachers, he did not relax his exertions to obtain as many Indian boys as he could, that he might give them such instruction, as might render them good and useful.

As Doctor Wheelock advanced towards old age, he appeared desirous to hasten his work. He wished to establish a permanent fund from the lands of the institution, for the support of the school and missionaries. Three thousand acres of land lay contiguous to the College. With great labor and expence he had enclosed nearly