The Metlakahtla case, A : brief on the law / prepared by and on behalf of Henry S. Wellcome, acting for the trustees of the William Duncan Estate and other friends of Father Duncan and the Metlakahtla Christian Mission ; attroneys and counsel, Walter S. Penfield, Frederick R. Shearer, Colorado Building, Washington, D.C., 1926.

  • Wellcome, Henry S. (Henry Solomon), Sir, 1853-1936
Date:
[1926?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The Metlakahtla case, A : brief on the law / prepared by and on behalf of Henry S. Wellcome, acting for the trustees of the William Duncan Estate and other friends of Father Duncan and the Metlakahtla Christian Mission ; attroneys and counsel, Walter S. Penfield, Frederick R. Shearer, Colorado Building, Washington, D.C., 1926. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    (COPY OF THE LAST WILL ANI) TESTAMENT OF WILLIAM DUNCAN.) Jn tlj£ Narnr nf (Snit, Anmt. I, William Duncan, of Metlakalitla, Alaska, of the age of eighty-four (84) years, being of sound mind and body, but remembering the uncertain nature of this transitory life, do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form as follows, to-wit: FIRST: It is my will and I do order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and settled as soon as can conveniently be done after my decease. SECOND: Whereas it has always been my intention and desire to, as far as practicable, perpetuate the mission work which our most gracious Lord has permitted me as his humble instrument to conduct for the betterment and uplifting of the people of certain native tribes of the North Pacific Coast, and in particular the Tshimsheans, whom upon my arrival in 1857 I found in a degraded state of heathenism; and Whereas our Heavenly Father has with tender mercy blessed our efforts and many have been rescued from their dark and evil ways to the light of the simple Gospel of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ; and Whereas a large number of these people have attained to a creditable degree of Christian civilization and their material condition has been con¬ siderably improved; and Whereas my experience and observation have convinced me that it is necessary in the case of our native races for them to have very careful guid¬ ance for some generations at least to secure the necessary self-restraint, self- respect and self-reliance and to create in them a spirit of manliness and pride so that they may make their own way and become entirely self-supporting and worthy of the rights of full citizenship; and Whereas I have certain just claims against the Government of the United States on account of the destruction of industries and business and the seizure of buildings and other property; and Whereas in the course of my said missionary work I have by my own labor and efforts acquired a certain amount of money and property which is my own property but which I propose and intend shall be expended for the maintenance and support of said mission or similar work along the lines upon which I have so long conducted it; Now, therefore, to carry such intent and purpose into execution, I hereby give and bequeath unto Thos. N. Strong of the City of Portland, Oregon, and Dr. Benjamin L. Myers and H. C. Strong of Ketchikan, Alaska, all my property, real, personal and mixed, and wheresoever situated; IN TRUST, however, for the carrying on and support of the religious, medical, and educational work in behalf of and for the use and benefit of the Mission of the Christian Church of Metlakahtla, Alaska, now being conducted at said Metlakahtla, and such other institutions or for such other native people as they may hereafter deem wise or proper; under condition, however, that said medical, religious, and educational work shall always be carried on in the same spirit and as free from all sectarian influence as it has been (Initialed) (Signed) William Duncan. HSW HJM CSB