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A LETTER sent from New-Jersey in America to a Friend in London.
Dear Friend,
I Having this short opportunity, have nothing to present thee with but the Dying Words of an Indian King, who died in Burlington, and was Buried amongst Friends according to his desire; and at his Burial many Tears were shed both by the Indians and English; if thou art willing to Print it, I desire thee to send me some; So in Love and great hast, I rest thy friend,
A TRUE ACCOUNT Of the Dying Words of Ockanichon, Spoken to JAHKURSOE, WHOM He appointed KING after Him; Spoken in the Presence of several, who were Eye and Ear Witnesses to the Truth thereof.
IT was my desire that My Brother's Son, Jahkursoe should be sent for to come to me to hear my last Words, whom I have oppointed KING after me. My Brother's Son, This day I deliver my Heart into thy Bosom, and would have thee love that which is [Page 6]Good, and to keep good Company, and to refuse that which is Evil; and to avoid bad Company. Now inasmuch as I have delivered my Heart into thy Bosom, I also deliver my Bosom to keep my Heart therein; therefore alwaies be sure to walk in a good Path, and never depart out of it. And if any Indians should speak any evil of Indians or Christians, do not joyn with it, but to look to that which is Good, and to joyn with the same alwaies. Look at the Sun from the Rising of it to the Setting of the same. In Speeches that shall be made between the Indians and the Christians, if any thing be spoke that is evil, do not joyn with that, but joyn with that which is good; and when Speeches are made, do not thou speak first, but let all speak before thee, and take good notice what each man speaks, and when thou hast heard all, joyn to that which is good. Brother's Son, I would have thee to cleanse thy Ears, and tak [...] all Darkness and foulness out, that thou [...]ist take notice of that which is Good and Evil, and then to joyn with that which is Good, and refuse the Evil; and also to cleanse [Page 7]thy Eyes that thou maist see both Good and Evil: and if thou see any Evil do not joyn with it, but joyn to that which is Good Brother's Son, Thou hast heard all that is past: now I would have thee to stand up in time of Speeches, and to stand in my Steps, and follow my Speeches as I have said before thee, then what thou dost desire in Reason will be granted thee. Why should thou not follow my Example inasmuch as I have had a mind to do that which is Good, and therefore do thou also the same. Whereas Sehoppy and Swanpis were appointed Kings by me in my stead, and I understanding by my Doctor that Sehoppy secretly advised him not to Cure me, and they both being with me at John Hollingsheads House, there I my self see by them that they were given more to Drink than to take notice of my last Words, for I had a mind to make a Speech to them, and to my Brethren the English Commissioners, therefore I refused them to be Kings after me in my stead, and have chosen my Brother's Son Jahkursoe in their stead to succeed me.
[Page 8]Brother's Son, I desire thee to be plain and fair with all both Indians and Christians, as I have been. I am very weak, otherwise I would have spoken more; and in Testimony of the Truth of this, I have hereunto set my Hand in the presence of us,
Witnesses,
Thomas Budd,
Sarah Biddle,
Mary Cripps,
Anne Browne,
Jane Noble.
An imitation of the Indian Marks,
[figure]The Mark of Ockanickon, King, now deceased.
[figure] The Mark of Jahkursoe, the intended King.
[figure] The Mark of Matollionequay, Wife to Ockanickon the Old King.
[figure] The Mark of Nemooponent, a Prince.
[figure] The Mark of Tellinggrisee, the Indian Doctor