LETTERS FROM THE WHEELOCK FAMILY
The following letters have recently come into the possession of Harry Goldman '16, and through the courtesy of the owner have been made for publication here. The first one was written to Eleazar Wheelock while be was still in Connecticut, the second in the early days of the College, and the third by John Wheelock from a period midway in his administration.
(Outside of Letter) From Revd President Clap March 21st 1765 For the Revd Mr. Eleazer Wheelock of Lebanon Secretary to the Correspondent (Content of Letter) To the Revd and Worthy Correspondent in the Colony of Connecticut.
I have received yours of the 16th instant wherein you propose speedily to ordain Mr. Chamberlain, a member of this College, to be a missionary to the Indian; provided you have my Consent with the Concurrance of the Fellows; and a prospect of his having a Degree at the next Commencement.
The Case is, in all the Circumstances Extraordinary, and may set a bad precedent; But the Conversion of the Indians, being a matter of so great Importance, and there being so great a Probability that he may be Improved by the Divine Spirit, a happy Instrument to promote that grand Design, I readily give my Consent to your Proposal and presume and suppose there will be the Approbation of the Fellows. I am Rev Sir New Haven, Your Friend & Servant March 21, 1765.
Thomas Clap
(Outside of Letter) From Revd President Wheelock Sept 11th, 1777 To the Revd Mr David Macclure at North Hampton in New Hampshire (Content of Letter) Dart. College Sept. 11, 1777 My dear Sir,
I wrote you a few Days ago but the Affair is so important & Conveyance so uncertain that it seems proper you should be served with a Duplicate. The Subject & Substance of which in short is this, viz. we have been so often disappointed of Meeting of Trustees sufficient to make a Board pursuant to Appointment, and the Consequences have been & like to be such that a Remidy (sic) if possible was thought necessary—and after long deliberation it was unanimously agreed upon to excuse a member who never attends & chuse one whom they may place confidence in, and agreeably you were unanimously chosen to the place & Office of Trustee of this College, of which this line is to advise you, & notify you that the Board found it necessary to adjourn and accordingly did adjourn their meeting to the third Wednesday of October next, ie the ISth day to meet here, and to pray you not to fail your Attendance thereon, and for some Reason, which you may hear when you come it may perhaps be advisable that no mention be made of your Appointment till that Time. I am yet in a low State & (two words indistinct) Tryed but God is my Helper pray for me.
Your constant & cordial Friend & humble Servt Revd D. Macclure.
Eleazar Wheelock.
Dartmouth College Nov 19th 1800 Dear Sir,
I hope you have received my two last letters—yours, respecting Mr. Strong's son, came to 'hand & I should have acknowledged thte same before, but I have been obliged to be absent some of the time since its arrival; and I have found it difficult to find a good private conveyance to you. It will give us pleasure to promote the education of the son of that worthy gentleman, should he conclude to send him here— and, if he should pursue his studies, & be found qualified, be shall be admitted this season, or the next year, as Mr. Strong may incline, to the standing proposed—We have nothing of importance in this quarter. The college is in place, & the numbers regular, & studious—Happy should I, with Mrs. Wheelock, be to see you, & your lady, & family—Our kind respects & cordial remembrance, to you, & them; and also, particularly to my worthy aunt. I hope to have the pleasure of hearing from you, whenever you can find it convenient, and am very cordially. Dear Sir, Your most obedt & hum: Servt.
John Wheelock.
