Harvard University. Corporation. Records of Grants for Work among the Indians, 1720-1812. Letters from John Sergeant to Samuel Willard, February-April 1795. UAI 20.720 Box 1, Folder 28, Harvard University Archives.

Stockbridge, {February} 23, 1795

25

The Reverend Joseph Willard D D

Presedent Cambridge

Stockbridge {February} 23. 1795

{Reverend} Sir

I am under the necessaty of troubling you with this letter and enclosed petition. I was much surprised to hear that [Thonnut?] had by some unlawfull means attaind the Indian School Money but little of which he was intitled to. I have always paid him as fast as his money was due, many times to my disadvantage, he is a very deceiptfull flattering fellow. I have advancd money to the present Master who keeps a good and faithfull School and deserves his reward, and I have no way to pay, but out of my own pokit, or by the assistance of the Corporation. I had now no intimation of his going to Masters, or I should have prevented the deception. if he produced any order from me he forged it. my engagmints to the present Master is such that I must pay him which I can by no means do, without great damage. I now must earnestly beg you to imbrace the first opportunity to lay my petition before the Corporation, that if possible I may immediately be enabled to discharge my obligation which I considered myself impowered to make in behalf of the Corporation. your influence in this business will much oblige your most humble servant

John Sergeant

N B by the miscariage of a letter from [{Doctor}?] Storer, I had no certain information of his geting the mony till the last week on my return. he has frequently told me that he receivd money from the Corporation — but it was a present — not the school money — but he spent the whole before he got home. I am obliged to write in hast. shall forward my journals soon.

{Doctor} Willard

This page is blank

Stockbridge April 6th 1795

Reverend and kind Sir

Inclosed I send you my journal, hope it will meet the approbation of the {Honorable} and {Reverend} Corporation. I cant but acknowledge with thankfullness the late vote of the Corporation which has relieved me in the matter of the Indian School money.

The many instances of kindness I have often experienced from the Corporation has encouraged me to ask this further favour from you, to improve the first convenient opportunity to present the inclosed Petition; at the same time informing the Corporation that I have sent a Petition of the same tenner to the society. the realm of my applying to both was that I was a stranger to the state of their Funds; I thought it possible that one or the other might grant me something for my present relief. I might have mentioned further in my petition that I pay out considerable money in a year for assistence in help to translate my sermons into the Indian Language. remain with respect your most obliged servant

John Sergeant

{Doctor} Willard.

The {Reverend}

Joseph Willard D D

Cambrige