Part 3
Pursuant to this Vote I cloathed and furnished said _David_ with Horse and Money, for his long Tour into the Wilderness, which he set out on _June_ 10th, in Company with Mr. _Occom_, by the Way of _New-York_; in which Journey he rode above a thousand Miles, and by the Advice, Direction and Assistance of Sir WILLIAM JOHNSON, obtained three Boys of the _Mohawk_ Nation, who were willing to leave their Friends and Country and come among Strangers of another Language, and quite another Manner of Living, and where, perhaps, no one of their Nation then living had ever been; and among a People of whom their Nation have been of a long Time inclined to entertain Jealousies. Their Names were _Joseph_, _Negyes_, and _Center_. They arrived here _August_ 1st, 1761, but had so much Caution in the extraordinary Enterprize, that they brought each of them an Horse from their own Country. Two of them were but little better than naked, and could not speak a Word of _English_. The other being of a Family of Distinction among them, was considerably cloathed, _Indian_-fashion, and could speak a few Words of _English_. They let me know, as soon as I could understand them, that Sir WM. JOHNSON had told them they should return and visit their Friends in the Fall of the Year. I took speedy Care to _cleanse_ and cloath them. They many Ways discovered some Jealousies respecting the Design of their coming; but by Acquaintance and Freedom with other _Indians_ in the School, and by constant Care for them and Kindness to them, those Jealousies seemed in a little Time to wear away, and they appeared to feel and enjoy themselves as though they had been at home in a Father's House. Daily Care was exercised for them, and particular Caution that they might in no Instance appear to be, thro' Disrespect, distinguished from any in the School. Such Distinction, or any thing which they apprehend to be so, I find will at once occasion Jealousies and Disaffection. And this seems to be agreeable to a settled Principle among themselves, (according to which they are wont to treat their Captives) viz. that those who take the Patronage of Children, not their own, shall treat them in all respects as their own.
_Center_'s Countenance, as I thought when he came, discovered that he was not in Health. My Suspicions increased, and the Issue proved they were not groundless. He continued with me till the Fall, when the Physician I employed advised me, that his Disorders threatned his Life, and prevailed to such a Degree that he looked upon him to be incurable, and that he judged it best to send him back to his Friends, and that soon, or it would be too late to send him at all; and according to this Advice I sent him away with _Negyes_, having furnished them with Money for their Journey into the _Mohawk_ Country, on the 23d Day of _October_. _Joseph_ tarried longer to accompany young _Kirtland_, who was learning the _Mohawk_ Language of him, and whom I sent into that Country to obtain six Boys of those Nations, to partake of the Benefit of Sir PETER WARREN'S Legacy, according to the Instructions of the General Assembly of the Province of _Massachusetts-Bay_, before mentioned.
_Center_ reached home, but died soon after. _Negyes_, I hear, was captivated by a young Female and married. Mr. _Kirtland_ and _Joseph_ set out for the _Mohawk_ Country _November_ 4th, and returned _November_ 27th, and brought two _Mohawk_ Lads with them, viz. _Moses_ and _Johannes_, by whom Sir WM. JOHNSON informed me that he expected to be able to send the Rest when they came in from hunting. I informed the Hon. Commissioners of the State of the Case, and by a Letter from the Reverend Dr. CHAUNCY, Chairman of their Committee, in the Name of the rest, was desired to let them have in their Pay and under their Direction these two who came last with _Joseph_, which I consented to, provided they would remit the necessary Charges which I had been at in procuring and cloathing them, and give me as I afterwards charged them for their Support and Tuition, upon which Conditions they took them. I immediately sent to Sir WM. JOHNSON for other six to partake of Sir PETER WARREN'S Legacy. These three, viz. _Joseph_, _Moses_ and _Johannes_, continued with me in the Pay of the Commissioners till _May 27, 1762_, when I offered said Committee my Accompt, the whole Amount of which, that is, for cloathing and furnishing _David_ with Horse and Money for his Support in his long Journey of several Months, the Expence of the Boy's Journey home above 200 Miles. The Expence of _Kirtland_'s Journey (excepting his Horse) into that Country to bring down _Moses_ and _Johannes_. The pasturing the Horses of the first three the time they continued here, in a dry and difficult Season; the cloathing all five, and repairing their Cloathing the whole Time they tarried; the Boarding and Schooling them, finding Washing, Lodging, Firewood, Candles, Books, Paper, &c. I say, the Amount of the Expence for the Five and in the whole Affair for near twelve Months, Errors excepted, was but just 58l. 17s. 7d. 1-4th. Sterling. But in this Accompt I charged nothing for several expensive Journeys in this Government, taken by myself, and another preparatory and necessary to the Design of _David_'s Mission, nor for any Labour, Care or Pains of my own therein from first to last--For their Board, Washing and Lodging but 5s. per Week; the lowest common Price in these Parts was 6s. L. M. What Cloathing, &c. they had of me, I charged at the lowest Cash-price, and what I got for them of our Traders, Shoemakers, Taylors, &c. I charged just as they charged me, without any Advance in one Instance. I charged nothing for extraordinary Trouble and Care for _Center_, in his declining State; nor did the Physician charge for what he did for him. And there were other Provisions made to prevent Expence of Money in their Journeyings more than is common, for which there was nothing charged, by all which the Accompt was somewhat less than it would otherwise have been----But then on the other Hand it may be considered,
1. That Provisions of all Sorts were then, and still are, at an higher Price than ever before in these Parts, occasioned by the preceeding Wars and extreme Drought. When they are reduced to their usual Price, the Expence of educating _Indian_ Youth will be much less.
2. The Circumstances of this Undertaking were extraordinary, and the necessary Expences of it were consequently so, and such as there may never be such Occasion for again. This was the opening a Door which never had been opened for such a Purpose to these Nations; and it was thought by many who knew their great Fondness for their Children, that it could not be soon accomplished, i. e. to make either Parents or Children willing to comply with an Invitation to come such a vast Length, and under such Circumstances as have been mentioned. But the Report of _David_ confirmed by the Boys on their Return, has given such Conviction of the Sincerity and Kindness of our Intentions towards them, as has removed all Objections. And nothing more is now necessary to our obtaining as many well-chosen Boys and Girls as we please, but to employ some faithful Missionary among them for that Purpose.
I have been the more particular in this Account, because I would remove the unreasonable Prejudices raised against this Method, by partial and unfair Accounts, and a Cry of enormous Expences, &c. And to let the World know there is nothing in it worthy to be objected by one who is in earnest to accomplish this great and important Design.
What I have done for this School since its Beginning, in many expensive Journies; (for none of which have I ever charged any Thing at all); in constant Care for their Health, in Endeavours to cure their savage Disposition, and form their Minds and Manners to right Rules of Virtue and Religion, in extraordinary Care and Trouble for several of them in Sickness, in Expences by Company, not only of _English_ but _Indians_ at my House, occasioned thereby; and incidental Charges in many Instances, none are able justly to estimate, or likely so much as to think of many of them, but one who is intimately acquainted with the Business: In Consideration for which I have had the Assistance of several of them a few Times in an extraordinary Croud of Business; and of late some Advantage by the School to two of my own Children. Which Reward I suppose impartial Judges will not think to bear a very considerable Proportion to these Expences which are not charged, and which in my Judgment is not the one Tenth Part of them.
MR. MOOR'S Grant contains about two Acres of Pasturing, a small House and Shop; for the Use of which from the first I have received about _£_. 4 lawful Money, clear of the Charge of Repairing, which is not equal to the Money I have paid to Physicians which is not charged.
I have professed to have no View to making an Estate by this Affair: What the Singleness and Uprightness of my Heart has been before GOD, he knows; and also how greatly I stand in need of his Pardon.
My Accompt with the School has been charged after the following Manner, viz. For the whole Expence of Cloathing, Boarding and Tutoring the Boys from _December_ 18th. 1754, to _November_ 26th. 1760. at the Rate of _£_. 16 lawful Money per Annum, for each; but when their Number was so increased I found it necessary to come nearer to the true Value of it, and have since used greater Exactness; but have never charged higher than at the lowest Money Price for what they have had of me, and for what I have bought for them of our Traders, Shoemakers, Taylors, &c. I have charged just what I have given, and no more. I have charged for their Tuition, as for _English_ Scholars, i. e. for Latin Scholars, and such as were savage and needed much Care and Instruction, at 2_s._ L.M. per Week, or _£_. 4 10_s._ per Annum; and for others proportionally. The whole School, one Year with another, has not quite cleared my Expence for the Master. Last Year it did a little more; and since the 27th of _May_ last, it has over-done my Expence for the Master 15_s._ 8_d._ besides the Tuition of the Girls. I have charged for the Girls but 4_d._ per Week, i. e. for one Day's Schooling and Dinner; and the whole Expence for their Education will be but little more than their Cloathing.
The total Amount of all my Disbursements in this whole Affair, for near Eight Years, that is, since _December_ 18. 1754, to _November_ 27. 1762, charged in the Manner, and after the Rate before-mentioned, is, (Errors excepted) _£_. 566 2_s._ 5_d._ Sterling.--And the total Amount of all the Donations before-mentioned, together with smaller ones, which I suppose needless to mention particularly, received within the said Term, is, (Errors excepted) _£_. 509 2_s._ 5_d._ Sterling.
And as this School was set up when there was no Scheme devised, or Plan laid, which this could be in Opposition to; so it is not continued in Opposition to any other Measures which are proposed or pursued by others.
And, blessed be GOD that he has put it into the Hearts of a Number of Gentlemen of Ability in and near BOSTON, to contribute so liberally towards the Furtherance of the general Design. And is it not a Pity that Christians of all Denominations should not unite their utmost Endeavours for the Accomplishment of it; and especially now while the Door is so widely opened for it? And what a Pity is it that any Time should be lost? And how exceeding mean, and infinitely beneath those noble Sentiments, and that generous Love to the Souls of Men, and to our KING and Country, which true Religion inspires, will it be to fall into Parties; and on Account of differing Opinions reflecting the most probable Methods for accomplishing the End, to obstruct and hinder one another therein? There is enough for all to do; and the Affair is of so great Importance, that it calls for the Trial of every Method that has the least Probability of Success; and different Methods may greatly subserve and assist one another.
We can none of us boast such Perfection of Understanding and Skill in the Affair as to set up safely for Infallibility. Many Attempts have been made by wise and good Men; and the Issue has taught them their Want of that Knowledge which is got by Experience; and that their pious Labour and Expence had been in a great Measure lost for want of it.
And I would take this Opportunity to express my Gratitude for those generous Benefactions whereby this Infant Institution has been hitherto supported; and I hope through the Blessing of GOD upon our our Endeavours, those pious Benefactors will have Occasion for the most easy and comfortable Reflections, as having made an Offering acceptable to GOD, and bestowed it well for the Advancement of the Kingdom, and Glory of the great REDEEMER: And that the Blessing of many of our _American_ Heathens, who shall in the present and succeeding Generations, reap the Benefit thereof, may come upon them: And that others understanding that this School stills lives, under GOD, upon the Charity of good Men, will be moved to open their Hands to minister further, and necessary Supplies for it.
HEBRON, December 31. 1762.
To the PRINTERS.
_We having been informed that the Rev'd_ Eleazar Wheelock _of_ Lebanon _has lately prepared and sent to your Press_, A Narrative of the INDIAN Charity School under his Care; _and being willing to contribute to the Furtherance of that truly noble and charitable Undertaking, which, though new and untried before he entered upon it, appears to us to have the greatest Probability of Success, and to afford the most encouraging Prospect of spreading the Gospel far and wide among our_ American _Pagans, of any Method that has yet been attempted: And we can't but hope that a recommendatory Letter, which was some Time since sent to a private Friend, signed by a Number of neighbouring Ministers, may serve to satisfy the World, That the charitable Design which that Gentleman is pursuing, is, in the Judgment of his Neighbours, who are well acquainted with him, and with the Affair of his School, neither selfish, nor enthusiastic; nor the Plan proposed so expensive, as may be any reasonable Objection against making a thorough Trial thereof: And we having consulted several of the Subscribers who join with us (as we believe all wou'd do if they had Opportunity for it) in desiring that said Letter might be published at the End of said Narrative; that so far as the Credit and Reputation of the Clergy in this Neighbourhood will influence thereto, all Prejudices may be removed from the Minds of Christians of every Denomination, and all be excited to unite their Endeavours according to their Ability to encourage and promote so noble and important an Undertaking: Wherefore please to give said Letter (a Copy whereof you will receive with this) a Place at the Close of said Narrative, and you will oblige_
_Your's to serve_,
Benjamin Pomroy,
Elijah Lothrop,
Nathaniel Whitaker.
_COPY of the LETTER._
CHELSEA, in _Norwich, July 10. 1762_.
SIR,
We Ministers of the Gospel, and Pastors of Churches hereafter mentioned with our Names, having for a Number of Years past heard of, or seen with Pleasure, the Zeal, Courage and firm Resolution of the Reverend ELEAZAR WHEELOCK of _Lebanon_, to prosecute to Effect a Design of spreading the Gospel among the Natives in the Wilds of our _America_, and especially his Perseverance in it, amidst the many peculiar Discouragements he had to encounter during the late Years of the War here, and upon a Plan which appears to us to have the greatest Probability of Success, _viz._ by the Mission of their own Sons. And as we are verily perswaded, that the Smiles of divine Providence upon his School, and the Success of his Endeavours hitherto, justly may and ought to encourage him and all, to believe it to be of GOD, and that which he will own and succeed for the Glory of his own great Name in the Enlargement of the Kingdom of our divine Redeemer, as well as for the great Benefit of the Crown of _Great-Britain_, and especially of his Majesty's Dominions in _America_; so we apprehend, that the present Openings in Providence ought to invite Christians of every Denomination to unite their Endeavours, and lend a helping Hand in carrying on the charitable Design; and we are heartily sorry if Party Spirit and Party Differences shall at all obstruct the Progress of it, or the old Leaven in this Land ferment upon this Occasion, and give a watchful Adversary Opportunity so to turn the Course of Endeavours into another Channel, as to defeat the Design of spreading the Gospel among the Heathen.
To prevent which, and encourage Unanimity and Zeal in prosecuting the Design, we look upon it our Duty as Christians, and especially as Ministers of the Gospel, to give our Testimony, That, as we verily believe, a disinterested Regard to the Advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom, and the Good of his Majesty's Dominions in _America_ were the governing Motives which at first induced the Reverend Mr. WHEELOCK to enter upon the great Affair, and to risque his own private Interest as he has done since in carrying it on; so we esteem his Plan to be good, his Measures prudently and well-concerted, his Endowments peculiar, his Zeal fervent, his Endeavours indefatigable for the accomplishing this Design; and we know no Man like-minded who will naturally care for their State. May God prolong his Life, and make him extensively useful in the Kingdom of CHRIST!
We have also some of us at his Desire examined his Accounts, and find that besides giving in all his own Labour and Trouble in the Affair, he has charged for the Support, Schooling, &c. of the Youth, at the lowest Rate it could be done for, as the Price has been and still is among us; and we apprehend the generous Donations already made, has been, and we are confident will be laid out in the most prudent Manner, and with the best Advice for the Furtherance of the important Design. And we pray God abundantly to reward the Liberality of any upon this Occasion; and we hope the Generosity, especially of Persons of Distinction and Note, will be a happy Lead and Inducement to still greater Liberalities, and that in Consequence thereof the wide extended Wilderness of _America, will blossom as the Rose, Habitations of Cruelty become Dwelling-Places of Righteousness, and the Blessing of Thousands ready to perish come upon all those_ whose Love to Christ, and Charity to them, has been shown upon this Occasion, which is the hearty Prayer of,
SIR,
_Your sincere Friends_ _and humble Servants_,
Ebenezer Rosseter, _Pastor of the 1st Church in_ Stonington. Joseph Fish, _Pastor of the 2nd Church in_ Stonington. Nathaniel Whitaker, _Pastor of the Church at_ Chelsea, _in_ Norwich. Benjamin Pomroy, _Pastor of the 1st Church in_ Hebron. Elijah Lothrop, _Pastor of the Church of_ Gilead, _in_ Hebron. Nathaniel Eells, _Pastor of a Church in_ Stonington. Mather Byles, _Pastor of the 1st Church in_ New-London. Jonathan Barber, _Pastor of a Church in_ Groton. Matt Graves, _Missionary at_ New-London. Peter Powers, _Pastor of the Church at_ Newent, _in_ Norwich. Daniel Kirtland, _former Pastor of the Ch. at_ Newent, _in_ Norwich. Asher Rosseter, _Pastor of the 1st Church in_ Preston. Jabez Wight, _Pastor of the 4th Church in_ Norwich. David Jewett, _Pastor of the 2nd Church in_ New-London. Benjamin Throop, _Pastor of a Church in_ Norwich. Samuel Mosely, _Pastor of a Church in_ Windham. Stephen White, _Pastor of a Church in_ Windham. Richard Salter, _Pastor of a Church in_ Mansfield. Timothy Allen, _Pastor of the Church in_ Ashford. Ephraim Little, _Pastor of the 1st Church in_ Colchester. Hobart Estabrook, _Pastor of a Church in_ East-Haddam. Joseph Fowler, _Pastor of a Church in_ East-Haddam. Benjamin Boardman, _Pastor of the 4th Ch. of_ Christ _in_ Middletown. John Norton, _Pastor of the 6th Ch. of_ Christ _in_ Middletown. Benjamin Dunning, _Pastor of a Ch. of_ Christ _in_ Marlborough.
N. B. The Names of the Subscribers stand in the same Order in which they subscribed, and not according to Seniority; and it is hoped any Inaccuracies observable in the Draught will be excused, at least not charged upon more than one of the Number, inasmuch as they signed separately, not having the Advantage of a Convention for that Purpose.
THE END.
FOOTNOTE
[1] This Part of my Plan seems to be abundantly justified by that which the Rev Dr _Colman_ of _Boston_, and the Rev Mr. _Sergeant_ of _Stockbridge_, have wrote upon this Head. See Mr. _Sergeant_'s Letter to the Doctor, printed at _Boston 1743_. Page 15. The Doctor writes thus:--"Another thing suggested by Mr. _Sergeant_, and a most wise and necessary one in the present Case is--his taking in Girls as well as Boys, if Providence succeed the Design, and a Fund sufficient to carry it on can be procured:----I must needs add on this Head, that this Proposal is a Matter of absolute Necessity, wherein we are not left at Liberty, either as Men or Christians; for there cannot be a Propagation of Religion among any People, without an equal Regard to both Sexes; not only because Females are alike precious Souls, form'd for God and Religion as much as the Males; but also because the Care for the Souls of Children in Families, and more especially in those of low Degree, lies chiefly upon the Mothers for the first 7 or 8 Years: Which is an Observation or Remark which I had the Honour to make unto my dear and honoured ancient Friend, _Henry Newman_, Esq; Secretary to the Hon. and Rev. Society for promoting Christian Knowledge; which when he had communicated to them they put into Print, and sent it to the Directors of the 1764 Schools; (if I have not miscounted) that so a greater Proportion of Girls might be taken into them to receive a religious Education for the sake of their Posterity, and therein for the more effectual answering the very End of their Charity Schools."----
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
-Obvious print and punctuation errors were corrected.
-Archaic spelling has been retained as printed.