Description:

Revolutionary War -
Fantastic Pre-Revolutionary letter regarding funding for Harvard and Native Americans: "But as Harvard College will receive for the future ... in extending this good work of Civilizing and Gospellizing the Indians"




Letter Signed, "Jasper Maudit," as treasurer of the New England Company, 2 pages, 7.25" x 9.5", Hackney, April 29, 1771, to Andrew Oliver, agent for the company who had just been recently installed as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. Clean fold separations, small loss at bottom left corner affecting text, else very good condition.



Maudit, treasurer of The New England Company, a missionary organization charged with the Christian conversion and education of Native Americans, writes to Oliver concerning monies destined for a new missionary ("Mr. Kirkland"), funds directed toward Harvard for the same purpose as well as Oliver's resignation as secretary of the organization, thanking him for remaining in the post for an additional year to allow the company to seek a replacement.



Maudit writes, in large part: "... The Genl Court expressed their satisfaction at the way opening for the spreading the Gospel amongst the Indians and conciliating their minds to the English Interest. Mr. Kirkland's Character is very pleasing and we hope he will continue an useful Missionary. Dr. Wheelock's misapplication of the Money Collected here was resented in the Genl Court, and must have a very bad effect on any future Collections for America. The Company have ordered ‘£750 to be remitted for the Curr[en]t Service on Account of your advance to Mr. Kirkland tho' our Income doth not exceed ‘£700 pr Ann. _„î But as Harvard College will receive for the future, by the Increase of the Rent from Dr. Williams's Estate a clear ‘£150. p[e]r Ann[um]. Sterling, they will have sufficient to bear the whole Expence [sic] of Mr. Kirkland's Mission, (and we moreover hope That they and our Commissioners will prevail with the Scotch Society to join them in extending this good work of Civilizing and Gospellizing the Indians,) especially as the College have ‘£1000 in hand of the Doctor's donation unapplied. The latter part of your Letter intimating your intent to resign, was received with no small concern by the Genl. Court, we cannot part with the Services of one who has so zealously attended to, and forwarded the great business of our appointment with such general satisfaction, but with regrett [sic] _„î I am glad to find you have agreed to continue another Year, and I wish you would add one more; but if this cannot be complied with, I hope you will continue untill [sic] some others fit and willing to act in this important business, shall be recommended to the Company to make choice of one of them for their Treasurer ..."



Andrew Oliver had been appointed Lieutenant Governor in 1770 (his commission was dated October 19, 1770 and he was sworn in on March 14, 1771.) Thomas Hutchinson was sworn in as Governor the same day: "Harvard congratulated them, and the students gathered in Holden Chapel and sang appropriately: 'Thus saith the Lord: From henceforth, behold! All nations shall call thee blessed; for thy rulers shall be of they own kindred, your nobles shall be of yourselves, and thy governors shall proceed form the midst of thee.' Of all the rulers of Massachusetts whom Harvard has contributed there have been no better and more able, yet more unfortunate men than this pair." (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, vol. 7, p. 407)



Jasper Maudit (1696-1771) was a London merchant and religious "dissenter" who served as the agent for Massachusetts Bay from 1762 to 1765. He also served as treasurer of the New England Company. (See Jasper Maudit Agent in London for the Province of the Massachusetts Bay 1762-1765, 1918; Craig Yirush, Settlers, Liberty, and Empire: The Roots of Early American Political Theory... 2011, p. 1; Philip F. Gura, Jonathan Edwards: America's Evangelical, 2006, p. 175)



Oliver Cromwell commissioned the New England Company in 1649 and was granted a Royal Charter after the restoration of the monarchy by Charles II in 1662. The company's charter provided for the promotion and propagation of 'the Gospel of Christ unto and amongst the heathen natives in or near New England and parts adjacent in America." To this end the company sent missionaries not only to New England but to New York and Virginia as well. Until the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1775, the North American administration was run by the Governor of Massachusetts. Following American independence, the company refocused its activities on the remaining North American British colonies in Canada and the West Indies: a mission it continues to fulfil to the present day (see http:///www.newenglandcompany.org for more information).

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