The Virginia Gazette

An Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Jonathan Edwards, Missionary among the Indians at Stockbridge in New-England, to his Correspondent in Virginia, dated August 26, 1751.

"Divine Providence seems to be opening a Door for extensive Usefulness here. Here are, I suppose, about 200 Indians, old and young, of the proper Stockbridge-Indians; and of late a considerable Number of the Mohawks have come hither from their own Country (about 80 Miles N. W. from hence) to be instructed. Here are two Schools for the Instruction of Indian Children: Mr. Woodbridge's School, which has been kept ever since the Beginning of the Mission here; and a Boarding School, where Indians are boarded, cloathed, and instructed in Reading, Writing, and the Christian Religion: and 'tis also designed they should have another Master, who at certain Hours should teach 'em to work. The Boarding School now consists wholly of Mohawks, excepting one of the Nation of the Oneydas, who came from far. The Country has done considerable towards the Support of the Mohawks here. The Province of the Massachusetts has ordered that Land should be given to such of them, or of the other Six Nations (as they are called) as shall incline to settle in these Parts; and have given considerable Sums of Money to make Provision for them in other Respects. The Prince of Wales before his Death, had promised 40 l. Sterling per Ann., for the Support of the Mission here; but this, I suppose, fails by his universally and justly lamented Death. Admiral Warren has lately given 700 Pounds Sterl. that the Interest of it may be improved for the Support and Instruction of the Mohawks at Stockbridge. The Rev. Mr. Isaac Hollis of High-Wycomb in Buckinghamshire in England, has lately, in Letters, which I have seen, engaged to pay Yearly 180 l. Sterl. towards the Support and Instruction of the Indian Boys in the Boarding School here; besides being at the Charge of a liberal Education of 2 or 3 of the most forward Abilities, to fit them for the Ministry. There is also a Prospect of a female Boarding School for the Indian Girls, to be erected and supplied here by Gentlemen and Ladies in England. The Rev. Mr. Chandlir of London has undertaken the Care of collecting Charities for this Purpose.

There has very lately been in this Place a very remarkable Treaty of a Committee of the General Assembly of this Province with the Mohawk Nation, concerning the Affair of Religion, and the Education of their Children in the Boarding School in this Town. The Week before last, on Tuesday, there came into the Town 13 of the Chiefs of the Mohawk Tribe, with a great Train; the Committee of Assembly having arrived the Saturday before. They had many Interviews with the Mohawks, and much Discourse on the important Subjects of the Treaty, from Day to Day, for more than a Week. The Indians appeared in a very good Temper; heartily desirous of a greater Degree of Light and Knowledge than they have hitherto enjoyed, very willing to send their Children here to be instructed, and to do what they could to induce the other Tribes that live more distant, to send theirs also; and have given a Belt of Wampum in Confirmation of these Things. These Chiefs went away well satisfied with what they had met with, last Saturday.

There is also Ground for pleasing Hopes concerning some of the Indians of another Tribe, that live at a Place called Orchguanga, towards the Head of Susquehannah River, between 2 and 300 Miles distant. One of their Chiefs, a very sober serious Man, has lately been to visit this Place, and is returned with Messages from us to his People at Home."