208

PAPERS RELATING TO THE SIX NATIONS.

Governour Wentworth has offered a Tract of Land in the western part of the Province of NewHampshire which he is now settling, for the use of it if we will fix it there. And there has beensome Talk of fixing it in one of the New Townships in the Province of the Massachusetts which lieupon New York Line near Albany . But whether either of those Places, or here where it now iswill be best for the Furtherance of the general Design, is not yet determined. I much want toconsult your Honour in the Affair, but must w r ait upon providence, and remain with sincereesteem and respect. Your Honours

Most obedient, and Most Humble Servant

Sir William Johnson Baronet. Eleazar Wheelock.

April. 10. 1763.

This Letter has lain by waiting for an opportunity till now, and what the fate of it will be I canttell. Your Two to Joseph came as he informs you. had the former came seasonably, he shouldlikely have gone with Kirtland to N. Jersey College, but I apprehend it is, all things considered,better as it is, I purpose to take him with me to Portsmouth about 160 miles this Spring and wouldnot have you expect him till June when M r . Smith Designs to take the journey with him.

I am Yours ut ante

E. Wheelock.

MR. SMITH TO SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON .

Lebanon January 18 th A. D. 1763.

Sir Though I have not the Honor of personal Acquaintance witli you, yet the important andrepeated services you have done Your Country, have long made me acquainted with Your Charecter,which shines with such distinguished Lustre in the Annals of Fame.

Yet I should not presume to give you this Trouble, was I not moved and emboldened hereto, byan Affair of some Importance, the Execution of which depends much on Your Honours Approbation.

This Necessity I hope your Candour will admit as a sufficient Excuse, for the Liberty a Strangertakes in writeing to you : and therefore without further Apology I beg Leave to lay the Affairbefore you.

I propose next Summer to take an excursion into the Mohawk Country as a Missionary; and beinga stranger to the Indian Dialect, I must of Consequence improve an Interpreter, having spent someTime here as a schoolmaster, (with that worthy Gentleman and eminent Friend of Indians TheRev d M 1 '. Wheelock) I have contracted an intimate Acquaintance with Joseph who I understand ishigh in your affection and esteem, and has the Wisdom and Prudence to resign himself to yourDirection and Conduct—as He is a promising Youth, of a sprightly Genius, singular Modesty, anda Serious Turn, I know r of none so well calculated to answer my End as He is—in which DesignHe woud very Willingly and cheerfully engage shoud Your Honour consent to and approve of it.

He has so much endeared Himself to me by his Amiable Deportment; his Laudable Thirst afterand Progress in Learning: that did I not apprehend this woud be as beneficial to Him, as advanta-geous to me, I shoud neither desire his Assistance nor solicit Your Approbation.

but I apprehend I can much sooner perfect Him in the English Language , and better instruct Himin whatever He shall have occasion to learn, when he is constantly with me, and I can devotemyself so much more to his Service, than when in the School where a large Number are to be taken