Miller informs Kirkland of the Hamilton Oneida Academy Directors meeting. The board decided that if he continues to work among the Oneidas until November he will be awarded 50 dollars.
The board has agreed with Samuel Kirkland to send a committee to visit him to observe the state of affairs among the Oneidas. They want Mr. Palmer to be more effective as a missionary. Miller talks about the state of the Indians and Palmer's role among them, emphasizing the need to break the communications gap between whites and Indians. The board resolved to employ Kirkland in translating certain things into the Oneida language. Upon completing this task he would receive $200.
Miller apologizes that Samuel Kirkland has not received the money from Joseph Kirkland. The board of directors is meeting on the 16th of January, and Miller will try and get as much money as possible from them for Samuel Kirkland. P.S. How much will it cost to have the Missionary's short catechism translated into the Oneida language?
Miller received Samuel Kirkland's letter of the 31. Unfortunately, the coffers have run dry, and Miller is unable to pay Kirkland's 100 dollars. However, Joseph Kirkland owes money, so Miller will have him send it to Samuel Kirkland. If Joseph doesn't have the money, Samuel should impress upon him the necessity. Miller is very grateful for Samuel Kirkland's journals which he just received.
The reason for Samuel Kirkland not receiving any money from the board is that Kirkland didn't teach Mr. Palmer the Indian Language or prepare him for missionary duties. The board is disappointed that Kirkland spent only half the time at Oneida during the summer. Miller suggests a list of important words be drafted up in English and Indian to help in communication.
Pleased with the account of Crosby's mission. Desires Samuel Kirkland to send more frequent journals. Wheelock has again written the Board. Samuel Kirkland is not to have anything to do with him without consulting the LBCB. The board is looking to send out an additional missionary.
Kirkland 53a Andrew Eliot to Samuel Kirkland Boston February 12, 1775. Dear Sir, I have long waited for an opportunity of answering Yours of October 24, but have not been able to convey a Letter to Stockbridge till Deacon Brown brought me Your second Favor of January 5 - I have heard nothing from Mr. Crosby since I have received Yours - so that I hope matters are accommodated with his people - A gentleman named Butler hath offered his service, to go to join him - and to fix with the Tuscaroras - Show moreKirkland 53a Andrew Eliot to Samuel Kirkland Boston February 12, 1775. Dear Sir, I have long waited for an opportunity of answering Yours of October 24, but have not been able to convey a Letter to Stockbridge till Deacon Brown brought me Your second Favor of January 5 - I have heard nothing from Mr. Crosby since I have received Yours - so that I hope matters are accommodated with his people - A gentleman named Butler hath offered his service, to go to join him - and to fix with the Tuscaroras - He bears an exceeding good character and seems to engage with a proper temper of mind - Though it could not certainly be determined where he would finally fix - yet the Commissioners were loath to part with so valuable a man - I wish I could have heard from you and had your sentiments - I sent him a copy of what you wrote me - He is now at Nantucket - a place with which we have very little correspondence - I expect him up in the Spring - and if we hear nothing discouraging I believe he will proceed to the Indian country - I am very glad your Indians will not meddle with the quarrel between the Virginians and Shawanese - I have had time as yet only just to run over your Journal - I rejoice that the Indians have an ear to hear - and humbly pray that you may have more and more success - I fear you are too long in your exercises - am not pleased with your holding your meetings till midnight - Prudence is to be used - May you have divine direction and support! I shall communicate your Journal to the Gentlemen here and then shall send it to Scotland - It will be pleasing to hear from you as often as may be - - - As to things with us I know not what to write - The Port is yet shut up - The troops are with us - We have more quiet in this place than might be expected - General Gage behaves with great prudence - and were it not for the errand he is come upon would be much beloved and esteemed - We know not what is designed on the other side of the water - Our people are making all preparations for a vigorous opposition if they are attacked - What God designs no one can tell - I wish a spirit of religion was more visible - But alas! we have not returned unto God - - however it is the only source of comfort that the government of the world is in so good hands - We wait with impatience to hear what the new Parliament will determine - May God overrule the dark aspects of providence to a happy issue - All things are possible with him who hath the hearts of all men in his hands - I have sometimes been ready to envy you your retirement and could wish myself at a distance from these scenes of noise and confusion - and yet I bless God as I pass the time agreeably in my own study - I mix very little with the Politicians of this world - and find more enjoyment in following the duties of my situation - I love my country and would do anything to serve it, but can do very little except by my poor prayers - Mrs. Eliot and the Family desire to be remembered to you - I am with the greatest affection and esteem - Your Brother and Servant Andrew Eliot You will be surprized to hear Mr. Bacon is dismissed - The Church was offended with his sentiments about Baptism - the atonement - imputed righteousness - But the truth is there was a general disaffection - and this being the case he was willing to go - He is a worthy man - - I sent your Letter to Major Small by my son - he promises to call upon me - when probably you will have an answer - To the Reverend Mr Kirkland at Oneida Favored by Deacon Browne From the Reverend Doctor Eliot February 12, 1775 Show less
Butler to serve as the Board's new missionary. Samuel Kirkland's journal received, will be sent to Scotland when the whole Board has read it. Advises Kirkland not to work so hard. Troops are in Boston and the Port is closed. General Gage "behaves with great prudence."
Board advancing Samuel Kirkland on his salary. Cautions Samuel Kirkland about drawing on the Boards funds, as their treasury is often empty. Have heard nothing from Crosby (as usual). SSPCK appears pleased with Samuel Kirkland's efforts. Hopes that the Six Nations will not oppose the colonies.
After reading the Articles of Agreement with Wheelock, the Board has decided "that it would have been as well if you had not seen him". The LCBC should be informed of future transactions with Wheelock. Dispute with Sir William Johnson should be straightened out. The Board is taking care to prevent the publishing of the portions of Kirkland's journals referring to Johnson. Crosby to be assisted.
Quotes from a letter from Dr. Erskine to Dr. Chauncey. Is favorable to Samuel Kirkland. Elliot warns Kirkland of being "used cruelly by those who pretend to be your friends." Wheelock has procured 3 Stockbridges for Dartmouth.
Kirkland 22b (Articles of agreement between Kirkland and Wheelock , 1771.) At a Personal Interview of the Reverend Doctor Wheelock with the Reverend Mr. Kirkland , in order in an amicable and Christian manner to Settle Differences and Misunderstandings which have of late Subsisted to the great Dishonor of God, and wounding to the Redeemer's Cause. Hanover 30th October 1771. After Supplicating the Throne of Grace for Success in the Attempt, and a free and deliberate Reviewing and discoursing Show moreKirkland 22b (Articles of agreement between Kirkland and Wheelock , 1771.) At a Personal Interview of the Reverend Doctor Wheelock with the Reverend Mr. Kirkland , in order in an amicable and Christian manner to Settle Differences and Misunderstandings which have of late Subsisted to the great Dishonor of God, and wounding to the Redeemer's Cause. Hanover 30th October 1771. After Supplicating the Throne of Grace for Success in the Attempt, and a free and deliberate Reviewing and discoursing upon past Occurrences, it soon very evidently appeared that the great Causer of Discord and his Instruments had been very Busy, it was agreed upon to bury many things in silence which had been occasions of widening and continuing the Breech, which was the more easily agreed to as they soon found many misrepresentations made of Facts, and evil surmisings, inspired by evil Instruments, they conceded to the things following, viz. 1. that they never understood one another in many things till this meeting; and During the time of their misunderstanding instruments suitable to inspire jealousies and confirm each other in hard Thoughts and evil surmisings were not wanting, till Satan had gained his point. But they have now both conceived raised hopes that his mischief will finally fall upon his own head, and that order and unity will be the happy consequence of such jangle and confusion. 2. That Mr. Kirkland seems very sensible that his obligations to this Seminary and to the Honorable Trust in England are prior and much greater than to any other men or body of men. He also, when he put himself under the Honorable London Board in Boston, reserved, and they cheerfully granted him the liberty of performing any such agency for Dr. Wheelock , or this School, as should be consistent with the Business of his Mission, and that Honorable Board appeared well pleased with him, and are disposed to be generous toward his support. 3. That Mr. Kirkland continue his correspondence with Dr. Wheelock , and furnish him with such accounts as may be useful to promote the general design. 4. It is acknowledged upon review of past facts that Mr. Kirkland has suffered much in the Business of his Mission and his Expenses augmented for want of necessary supplies, especially in the year 1769 - which also acknowledged not to have been owing to any willful neglect of Dr. Wheelock . 5. That it is farther conceded that upon examining Accounts variety of circumstances and occurrences that Mr. Kirkland has acted with great integrity and a sincere, unfeigned Regard to the Honor and interest of Religion among the Indians in all the extraordinary charges attending his mission, particularly in the years 1769 and 1770-- Though his natural tenderness and openness of heart may have betrayed him into some charities where mature consideration would not have judged so expedient and that he may be too easily overcome by Indian importunity. Nor did the Doctor know till this day but that the whole of Mr. Kirkland's accounts and disbursments to the Indians had been reimbursed to him, for which he has paid interest for above two years. That it appears from Mr. Kirkland's accounts, that he has endeavored faithfully to improve what he has from time to time received through the hands of Dr. Wheelock with the Beneficence of Friends, for the furtherance of the Cause of God among the Indians, for his own immediate support, and in charities to the Indians, where necessity and the Honor of Religion required. that he has not laid up for himself or hired out the value of one shilling, and has nothing which he may properly call his own after seven years service, but his household furniture, horse, etc. 6. Also conceded that Mr. Kirkland has been friendly to this School since the unhappy misunderstanding took place between him and the Doctor, and ready to sacrifice his little all for Christ's Indian Cause; specified and confirmed by the following among other instances of like conduct. When the interest and credit of this School, about 2 years ago and since, were greatly exposed among the Indians, by false reports and unfriendly suggestions from evil minded Persons, of white people, Mr. Kirkland readily offered to stake his life against the sincerity of the Design, and the veracity and integrity of the Doctor and to remove the grand objection the Indians then made against embracing the Gospel, viz. "loosing their lands". - Mr. Kirkland often publicly declaring the true intent of the pious design and the founder of it, with all those he employed as Missionaries solemnly protested in the presence of nigh 200 Indians that he never would either purchase, accept of or any way own one foot of lands on the west side of Hudson's (or Albany) River, during his life which has given the Indians, in general and to some of them surprising, satisfaction and in a great measure removed that almost fatal embarrassment to propagating the Christian Faith among them. Many of the most sober and judicious have since observed to Mr. Kirkland that the Indians never would have conceived the least suspicion of his design nor of his generous and worthy employer had it not been for suggestions of that nature from the white people. And in consequence of this declaration and covenant with the Indians (which he deems sacred and holds inviolable) has refused to accept of several offers made him by gentlemen, in some late purchases of lands in that vicinity. That as the Doctor understands that representations have been made and transmitted home, as though Mr. Kirkland was extravagant in his expense among the Indians (particularly the two last years he was in the Doctor's immediate employ) if the honorable trust in England have received any such accounts the Doctor prays they may be burnt and of which desire he will give them the earliest intelligence. The Doctor never himself accused Mr. Kirkland with extravagance in his expenses, nor ever supposed he spent more than was useful and he (Mr. Kirkland ) thought to be necessary (considering the practice of the Jesuits who used to clothe the widow and fatherless and had large pensions for this same purpose) and if Mr. Kirkland had descried of the Doctor the double of what he did expend, he would have at any time been welcome to it, so long as he appeared engaged in the redeemer's cause, and that the Doctor has been always sorry Mr. Kirkland did not see cause to build a more reputable house and accept other accommodations for his comfort which the Doctor formerly desired him to lay out for. Nor does the Doctor conceive any suggestions of the nature have any justice in them, or that any judicious man will think they have, who only considers his situation, expense of transportation and the occasion he has taken to give to the poor among his people. That the reasons of Mr. Kirkland extraordinary expenses for the three years past, are, his building himself an house, procuring household furniture, moving his family and relieving the distresses of a number of his people. That Doctor Wheelock and Mr. Kirkland have agreed never to receive any reports of one another tending to discord, till they have opportunity by personal interview, or by writing to each other upon the head. If this had been done when they were so very far from suspicion of the evil that has happened, the Devil never would have had the door which he has found to disturb their Peace. That the Doctor has ever been much concerned for Mr. Kirkland's comfort and the success of his Mission, but through a multiplicity and variety of Business, with Mr. Kirkland's great distance etc. has been prevented the doing many things for Mr. Kirkland which lay much upon the Doctor's mind and which he took many endeavors for - particularly, the fixing a pension upon Mr. Kirkland , agreeable to the proposal of the Honorable Trust in England. [(On the back of the last page is the following memorandum in Kirkland's writing: That Mr. Kirkland be paid for those disbursements to the Indians, in the year 1770, viz. a pair of working cattle, plow, chain, etc. which were, in consequence of the Doctor's former advice and direction, given to the Indians in his name. Also œ27 L. M. that Mr. Kirkland have a Bill of Exchange given him on John Thomas Esquire for his arrearages N.B. Either, or neither of the above, as the Reverend Doctor pleases.) The paper is endorsed in Wheelock's hand in the margin of page 1: Articles of Agreement Between Mr. Kirkland and myself. The first sixteen and one-half lines, as far as the asterisk, are in Wheelock's writing; the rest in Kirkland's. Erasures are all as in the manuscript.] Show less
Attributes the late misunderstanding to the work of Satan. Recognizes that Samuel Kirkland's commitment to the London Board of Correspondents in Boston now more important than his other (earthly) commitments. Kirkland did suffer for supplies under Wheelock's patronage, although this was not because of willful neglect on Wheelock's part. Kirkland has not personally benefitted from any patronage, but has put it all into his mission work and the support of his family. Kirkland has also been supportive of Dartmouth. Wheelock "never himself accused Kirkland with extravagance". Wheelock and Kirkland agree not to believe reports injurious of the other until the injured party can be questioned on the issue.