To the Honorable Trust, in England.

Dartmouth College, Nov. 10, 1773.

My very Dear and much honored Patrons,

The continual crowd of my affairs has necessitated me to neglect writing you much longer than otherwise I would. I have upwards of an hundred in family, and yet unable to provide such a steward, or overseer of my affairs, as on trial appears to be so skilful, careful, faithful and disinterested in his views, aś I find one must be, in order to inspire such entire confidence, as is necesssary to disburden me of the care of them. I am sometimes almost overwhelmed with the multiplicity, variety and weight of them; but God has been my helper hitherto. My friends are often repeating to me the prudent counsel of Jethro, to Moses; and glad should I be to take it, if I could; But the affair is very delicate, and my situation, so far in the wilderness, adds much to the difficulty of it.

I have sent to the press in Connecticut, a continuation of my narrative for the last year; to which I added an abstract of the unsuccessful mission of Messrs. M and F, and desired á friend to serve you with a copy of it as soon as it is out; and I hope it will not be long after this.

I am sorry that the account of my expense for stores, in my narrative, and also in that which was transmitted to you, stands just as it does, without explanation; as it appears to be swelled to a great disproportion with other parts of the account; and perhaps may occasion some to wonder at it. The reason of which is this; when I procured stores for the school, I bought, as was necessary, by the quantity; and it was convenient, and advantageous to the school, often to pay laborers out of those stores; which was not mentioned in the account; but only the cash that was paid out. If you shall think fit to publish it, please to add such a note upon it, if you sha!! think it to be necessary.

It so happens, that the store house, brew and bake house,

and also the mills which I have built, stand upon my own land. The mills, I supposed to have been on the school's land, till a surveyor lately run the lines, and finds them to be upon mine. All which I would secure to the college and school,' in a manner which shall be safest to the institution, and most effectually secure it from perversion in future times. And though there never has, as yet, a word passed upon it, at our board, I am well assured, that the trustees here would pay the highest respect to, and be fully satisfied with any method you shall direct to, as proper for the conveyance of it. And as these buildings were at the expence, and are the property of the school, and not at the disposal of the trustees of the College; and as there is yet no provision made nor like to be made, that I know of, for the support of the College, or any professors or officers in it, other than that which independent students make, by paying for their education here; and as the first object of both is the same, and as the resource from whence both expect support, is also the same, viz. the charity of pious people abroad; and the instruments, by which this is hoped to be effected, the same; I should be glad it might be as closely connected with you, and as much under your control, as may be reasonable; so long as you shall perpetuate your board, by a succession of gentlemen endowed with the same spirit with yourselves. And, I make no doubt, the trustees here will heartily concur with it.

If you shall think, my dear and honored patrons, that I mistake not, in my apprehensions of the importance of these things, you will esteem them worthy your attention, and will, likely, esteem the present the most favorable opportunity to effect what is proposed; while there is the most entire agreement and harmony between the trustees here, and your Hon board. And I trust will also judge it to be not safe or prudent to neglect it. End if, in your wisdom, you shall see fit (in addition to the numberless expressions of your parental, care for this seminary, which God has, and does still graciously own) to ad

vise me of the manner how to secure these lands and buildings to the School, and whether to do it by my will, or by some other instrument of conveyance, and will please to send me your plan of the same, and also your plan of a charter for a parish here, and will please to send it, or whatever you shall think fit, before the session of our general assembly next spring, I shall esteem it a great favor. I long to see it well effected. I am admonished, that the shadows of the evening are stretching over me, and I feel like one who has a great part of his day's work to do, and am desirous, if God pleases, to see it done before I go to rest.

I herewith enclose a copy of the doings of the trustees, at their meeting here last August. A copy of their doings last May at Portsmouth, I sent you some months ago.

I also enclose a letter I lately received from my worthy friend, the Hon. William Smith, Esq. of New-York, whose public character has doubtless reached your side the water, and may command respect to his thoughts on the affair of christianizing the Indians; which, I cannot but esteem, to be very just and weighty. I send it without his knowledge or licence; in confidence, that only good will accrue thereby. I wish my Lord Dartmouth may be honored of God to be instrumental to effect so necessary a step as is there proposed.

I also herewith enclose a Hebrew Grammar, compiled by one of my pupils,* at his leisure hours. The young man, as you may see by the votes of our board, was admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Arts last commencement. This performance has been critically examined by Mr. Sewell, professor of the Oriental Languages at Cambridge, and is now submitted to your censures. And if you shall think it worthy to be printed for the benefit of this School, please to encourage and forward it.

I have sent for an architect for a plan of the College which

* John Smith.

is proposed to be erected, and, as soon as I shall have it in my power, I shall forward it to you.

I have received nothing from you, since your very endearing favor of February 14th, nor from any of the Honorable Trust, since those which came with that; and, I fear, the reason is, that they have fallen into careless or unfriendly hands.

I want much to hear whether my petitions, last winter, to his Majesty, reached Lord Dartmouth's hands, and whether there is any prospect of success in my suit for the grant of lands for this College, and for the encouragement of missionaries.

Through the pure mercy of God, my students continue steady in their business, and sober minded, notwithstanding the continual crowd and bustle of my affairs, which are unavoidable, And we are yet favored with evident tokens of God's gracious presence and, I think, my affairs in general, : wear a very encouraging aspect. And I desire to wait upon God, who performeth all things for me.

I ask your pardon, if I have tired your patience with the tedious length of this letter. I need not repeat the desire of your prayers for me. I trust I daily feel the benefit of them. I shall only add, that I am with great affection and esteem, Right Honorable, Honorable, and very dear Sirs, Your most obedient and very humble servant,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

My Dear Mr. Oceum,

To the Rev. Mr. Occum.

Dartmouth College, February 6, 1774.

I lately received a refreshing letter from you, which contained some articles of intelligence which were truly reviving and animating to me, after a long scene of sorrows, trials, disappointments, labors and fatigues in my Indian affairs.

The prospect you give me of a foundation being laid, for much good to the savages of the wilderness, is the very one I have been long waiting and hoping for.

1

And is Joseph Johnson become a servant and preacher of Christ Jesus? The Lord mercifully endow him, and your. brother Jacob, and David too, with a double portion of the spirit of Elias; and make them strong and steadfast in the Redeemer's cause; I long much to see them; I have been waiting and expecting your coming till my eyes fail: I can not but think it might serve some good purposes, if you should take a journey hither, and get some ideas of my plans and prospects, You may preach your way quite here, and, I be lieve, be kindly received all along, and have opportunity to do much good; and I can assure you, you will be very kindly received here by the English, and make no doubt by the Indians. But if you should not think it to be expedient to come yourself, I wish you would encourage the coming of Joseph and Jacob.

I have just got to the end of my journey, and feel in haste to set my affairs in order to leave them, and go to rest. I wish you, and those young men, may be instruments to do much for the Redeemer, when I am no more.

Accept my love to you and Mrs. Occum, and all yours:

I am Yours very cordially,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

My Dear Sir,

From His Excellency Governor Wentworth.

Portsmouth, February 19, 1774.

Last night I received your favor of the 14th inst. by Mr. S, and note the contents.

Upon receipt of your letter, 24th January, I lost no time in enquiring into the reasons for conveying means of vice and disorder among the Indian and other indiscreet youth at the College; which is no less against my desire and positive resolution than it must, doubtless, he against yours.