Walcott with the Sachem at St. Francis, from whence they brought to this school the Sachem's son, and three other boys whose grand parents were captured from New England many years ago. And Mr. Kendall brought another boy from Cagnawaga. I have now six children of captives, and all appear promising. If God shall graciously fit them for missions among distant tribes, whose language they can speak, we may say, that this expensive mission, though in some respects unsuccessful, was well repaid.

I enclose a puerile performance of my second son, about twenty years old.

The temper and conduct of my students (about one hundred in number) are quite agreeable. It is quite a refreshment to me to meet them at prayers as soon as it is light in the morning, and read and expound a chapter to them before prayer, when there is nothing but silence, gravity, and attention: and again in the edge of the evening to sing a psalm, and ask them questions, and discourse with them about half an hour, on some important point in divinity, and withal, to see a laudable emulation in them to excel. And I can say I do not know, or suspect there is more than one trifling scholar in my whole number; nor is there any living for vicious youth here. This is the Lord's doing, and in him I hope for the continuance of it.

I pray you, my honored Sir, let me hear from you as soon as may be; as it gives me much pain, that my drafts have so much exceeded the fund. I shall be impatient till I know your pleasure respecting the matter.

Please, my honored patron, accept my warmest affection, and sincerest duty, and pray fervently for,

Your much and often obliged friend,

And most obedient humble servant,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

To Mr. Samuel Savage.

Dartmouth College, October 24, 1775.

My very Dear and Honored Friend,

Yours of March 1st, and one of the same inst. I received a few days before, were most thankfully received. But your care and kindness, therein expressed to me personally, seem to outbid any reply, or suitable return of gratitude, that I know how to make.

And, though the state of the kingdom, through the madness and distraction of men, is such, as nearly cuts off all hopes of my partaking of the benefit which you had in your heart to bestow; yet your purpose and reward are with him, whom you will soon find able and mindful to requite it. He is my sole executor for this purpose; and it is my last will he should be so. And I have much pleasure in the assurance, that he will not make the unworthiness of the object of your charity his rule of reward to you.

My sun is now declining apace, and I sometimes long to have my day's work done, and well done, that I might undress, and go to rest with you. Yet I am not at all weary—I love my Master, and love his service-but alas, how little have I done! And that little, how full of defects and hateful appendages! Insomuch, that I feel ashamed to die, because I have done no more, nor better for him. Thanks be to God, who has, at infinite expence, provided a cover for all defects, and supply of all the necessities of the most unworthy and ill deserving.

I give you joy, my dear friend, on your near approach to your Father's house. Your journey is near ended-you are just within sight of your happy, happy home; your rest with Christ forever."

I write you and dear Mr. Keen, jointly, of some particulars, which I supposed would be as well. And, I pray you, let it be as acceptable as though I had written you separately.

Please to accept most hearty thanks, and warmest love from, my dear Sir,

Your most cordial brother,

And much obliged humble servant,
ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

To Messrs. Savage and Keen.

My Dear and Hon. Sirs,

Dartmouth College, October 24, 1775.

I suppose that our public affairs have long apologized for my silence. Our seaports are blocked up, and seldom have an opportunity, by any ordinary channel, to transmit a line,

&c. &c.

I long to see you and my honored patrons; but especially my dear Lord Dartmouth, whom I most sincerely love and honor, and most ardently wish to be steady and firm for the Redeemer, in this day of temptation, when truth is continually so disguised, and every artifice is used by the old sower of discord among brethren, to accomplish his own devilish purposes.

We dwell in peace here in this wilderness; and through the unfailing goodness of God, hitherto enjoy a continued series of blessings, outward and spiritual, and this, my dear Sirs, beyond what I can easily describe to you. The progress of the great design under my hand has been as rapid, and the prospects as great, since resources from your side the water have been suspended, as ever. Every day turns out some new wonder of divine favor towards it. I have this day been out to see my labourers, who have near finished sowing 110 acres of wheat and rye, but mostly of wheat; and 100 acres of it on new land. No providences, however calamitous to others, not even our present public distresses, but seem as though they 'were calculated to favor this design. Yea, when I look back on the course of providence towards it, it appears to have been the charge and care of a guardian full of eyes. God gives me

all I ask for, and he is a prayer hearing God. And if I was not stupid, sluggish, and unbelieving, I doubt not I should have much more, and all I want; for he hath said, "open your mouth wide and I will fill it." But the greatest of all his blessings upon this institution, hath been of a spiritual kind. The last spring and summer was a very heaven here. The operation began with a few, and gradually increased till the lump seemed almost leavened by it. But there is now evidently an abatement of religious affairs. Yet we see and feel the happy effects of it. I never saw such a set of youth together (about 100 in number) in my life. Though perhaps this may not be so well said by me as by another. But I wish you could be here to see and judge for yourselves. I tremble for fear of such sad effects as the abuse of such a favor will entitle us to.

I send this by the Rev. Mr. Ripley, who is going on a mission to the tribes of Indians in Canada, and with orders to bring a number with him to this School. My dear Sirs, I thank you both for all your multiplied expressions of respect and kindness to me; I pray the Lord to reward you: and hope ere long to meet you in our Father's house.

I am, with most cordial affection, gratitude and esteem,

Yours in the dearest bonds,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK,

My Dear Sir,

To David McClure, Portsmouth.

Dartmouth College, March 9, 1774.

The success and conquests of the last war in America, spread universal joy through Europe as well as America; and especially as thereby a door appeared to be opened, not only to extirpate antichristianism, but for the spreading of the gos brutal pagans.

pel among

The steps of Providence were observed so to coincide, as to inspire great confidence that very great and happy events were even at the door.

This School has been the object through which the hopes of thousands have been much raised, and I hope their prayers as well as thanksgivings to God, have been excited. We have no reason to think the prospects will grow more encouraging, while they are neglected, and given over to the will of satan, and his instruments the traders, who are continually making them worse and worse.

A few unsuccessful missions should by no means discourage or dishearten us. Great and good purposes are answered by them. They manifest our care for perishing souls, and they are unto God a sweet-savor of Christ. There seems to be a door open for four or five to the northward; two to the eastward, and two to the westward, if we had them, the next season. It is true our prospects are gloomy, but I think they are not so much so as ought to discourage us.

I herewith transmit to your prudent care, a plan of a College. edifice to be erected here, if it suits. Take care that it be not marred by handling. I send it to you that the Governor and Council, and especially the Trustees, may see it. I should be glad also, that you would shew it to Capt. Holland,* and other friendly gentlemen, and hear and advise me of their censures, &c.

I think it will be best to submit the matter wholly to the Honorable Trust in England, whether to build with wood, stone, or brick, and also the bigness and form of the building, &c. And if Col. Boyd be the earliest and best conveyance, please seal it neatly and convey it by him, or if a quicker conveyance may be had at Boston, please embrace it.

I am, my dear man,

Yours most affectionately,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

Author of an elegant Map of New Hampshire, and Surveys of the

Sea-Coast of New England.