LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 DAVIS 
 
LIFE AND LETTERS 
 
 OF 
 
 SIMEON BALDWIN 
 
 BY 
 
 SIMEON E. BALDWIN, LL.D. 
 
 Formerly President of the 
 American Historical Association 
 
 THE TUTTLE, MOREHOUSE A TAYLOR CO. 
 NEW HAVEN 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 DAVIS 
 
TO MY BROTHER 
 GEORGE WILLIAM BALDWIN 
 
 LAWYER, 
 
 SOLDIER OF THE CIVIL WAR, 
 
 GENEALOGIST OF OUR FAMILY, 
 
 I DEDICATE THIS BOOK. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Foreword 
 
 CHAPTER I PAGE 
 
 Parentage, Boyhood, and 'Early Family Surroundings I 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 Life at Yale as an Undergraduate 18 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 Life at Yale as a Resident Graduate 76 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 Year as a School Teacher at Albany 86 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 Life at Yale as a Tutor 181 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 240 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 267 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 Political Activities 290 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 Public Activities, not Political 311 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 Term in Congress 328 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 Term on the Bench *. 353 
 
vi Contents 
 
 CHAPTER XII PAGE 
 
 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1818 to 1851 363 
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 Financial Means and Positions 371 
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 Selections from Correspondence from 1786 to 1846 384 
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 Home Life and Old Age 476 
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 Summation 495 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 FACING 
 
 Portrait of Simeon Baldwin at the age of 43, from an 
 
 engraving by St. Memin title page 
 
 Homestead of Capt. Ebenezer Baldwin at Bean Hill, 
 
 Norwich page 14 
 
 Sketch Map of Albany in 1782, by Simeon Baldwin . . page 177 
 
 Rear view of homestead of Simeon Baldwin on Church 
 
 Street, New Haven, from an amateur pencil sketch page 282 
 
 Portrait of Simeon Baldwin at the age of 83, from a 
 
 daguerreotype page 493 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 This book is written with the special view of introducing 
 an ancestor to his remote descendants, and the general view 
 of picturing the life and manners of a former generation. 
 
 Simeon Baldwin left material for a close study of educa 
 tional methods in New England and New York during the 
 latter part of the eighteenth century. He spent two years 
 at Washington as a member of Congress ; nearly twelve as 
 a member of the highest court in his State; and fifty as a 
 practicing lawyer. He was an active worker throughout his 
 long life in whatever seemed to him true lines of social 
 advancement. 
 
 The mass of papers of every sort which he preserved gives 
 an unusual opportunity to a biographer to reproduce this 
 figure of a man who shared the life of two centuries and, in 
 each, faithfully served the community around him, according 
 to his lights and his opportunities. 
 
CHAPTER I 
 PARENTAGE, BOYHOOD, AND EARLY FAMILY SURROUNDINGS 
 
 Simeon Baldwin was born in Norwich, Connecticut, 
 December 14, 1761. His father, Ebenezer Baldwin, born 
 there in 1710, was a farmer and blacksmith. His mother, 
 Bethiah (Barker) Baldwin, came from Marshfield, Massa 
 chusetts, where her grandfather, John Barker, was a prac 
 ticing lawyer. She was a sister of Rev. Nehemiah Barker 
 (A.B. Yale, Class of 1742) of Southold, Long Island, and a 
 half sister of Mrs. Sarah Deane, the mother of Silas Deane, 
 the Revolutionary statesman. 
 
 Ebenezer and Bethiah Baldwin had eight children, of 
 whom Simeon was the youngest. The eldest son, Ebenezer 
 Baldwin, born in 1745, was prepared for college by his Uncle 
 Nehemiah, and graduated at Yale in 1763. It was no light 
 burden for his father to maintain him there, but he was well 
 repaid. The boy's scholarship was remarkably high, and he 
 became a distinguished educator and clergyman. In 1770 
 he was settled as pastor of the first church in Danbury, Con 
 necticut, and in 1773 began also to fit boys for college. This 
 means of adding to their salaries was quite generally resorted 
 to then, by the country clergy of the State. 1 
 
 His library was one of the best in Connecticut. Among 
 the first of those whom he thus taught was his youngest 
 brother, who was sent to Danbury for this purpose, in that 
 year, at the age of eleven. Another of his pupils at this 
 time was James Kent, afterwards the great Chancellor of 
 the State of New York. In 1844 he wrote Judge Baldwin 
 the following letter : 
 
 1 Memoir of John Trumbull. Hartford, 1820, 10. 
 
2 Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 
 
 "New York May 6 h 1844 
 My dear Friend 
 
 It was the Forenoon of a beautiful day in the first week in 
 May 1773, that you called on me at Deacon Knapp's at Dan- 
 bury. I had just come to Town from the Oblong 2 to see the 
 training & to go to School under the Tuition of your Brother. 
 This was exactly 77 years ago! & what grave & what inter 
 esting & pleasing Recollections does that note of time create. 
 Take it altogether what a propitious race you and I have run, 
 & how many comforts & Joys, & how much Health, Pros 
 perity & Honor we have felt & distributed ! I was led to these 
 reflections on reading this morning the very excellent Mes 
 sage of his Excellency the Governor of Connecticut* & I 
 congratulate his Parents on such an illustrious Son. The 
 Doctrines of the Message are just & admirable, & they recall 
 the bright days of the Trumbulls, Ellsworths & Shermans, 
 who threw such a Lustre on the golden annals of your State. 
 Be pleased to tender my Congratulations & best respects to 
 your Son the Governor & remember me affectionately to M w 
 Baldwin & your Daughter, & believe me 
 
 most truly Yours 
 
 James Kent 
 Honble. Simeon Baldwin" 
 
 Danbury, when this school was opened there, was really a 
 frontier settlement. No newspaper was taken in it. On a 
 June day in 1775, a rumor reached there that there had been 
 a battle at Bunker Hill near Boston between the British and 
 the Americans. Ebenezer Baldwin knew that the minister 
 at New Milford, sixteen miles distant, took the Connecticut 
 
 2 "Oblong" was the common term then used to describe a tract of 
 that configuration, containing over 60,000 acres, ceded to New York 
 by Connecticut on the adjustment of the South Western boundary of 
 Connecticut. Documents relating to the Colonial History of New York, 
 IV, 629, V, 950, note. 
 
 3 Roger Sherman Baldwin. 
 
Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 3 
 
 Courant, published at Hartford, and despatched his brother, 
 then a lad of thirteen, on horseback to borrow it. He was 
 successful in getting it, and brought it back buttoned under 
 his jacket, stopping to read it aloud once or twice to excited 
 gatherings of men who knew what had been his errand. 
 
 The Danbury school was terminated by the Revolution. 
 In August, 1776, Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin was commissioned 
 as chaplain of the fourth and sixteenth regiments of the 
 Connecticut militia in the Continental army. He joined them 
 at once near New York, and died on October I, of that year, 
 of camp fever contracted in the service. He was unmarried. 
 Part of his estate, which was of the value of 780, went to 
 his father, and helped to secure the completion of Simeon's 
 education. 
 
 The boy now studied for a time with Rev. Joseph Hunt- 
 ington (Yale, Class of 1762) at Coventry, and afterwards at 
 "Master Tisdale's School" at Lebanon. He had been born 
 into a family of moderate means, and very different measures 
 of education. Shortly after the death of his mother, the 
 general character of the household was thus described by 
 the oldest brother, Ebenezer Baldwin, then a student at Yale, 
 in a letter urging upon one of his sisters the duty of 
 contentment : 
 
 "Let us learn to be content, not only In the Late Depriva 
 tion of our Dear Mother, but also with Regard to the State & 
 Station of Life we are placed in: we seem to be placed in a 
 Middle State, Below y e Reach of Envy, & above y e Fears of 
 Poverty, In some Measure. I have Sometimes thought it a 
 Great Favour y* I was not so Rich as Some In College ; for 
 were I so, I should in all Probability be of their Disposition, 
 thinking I had Estate to live in all Imaginable Luxury, & 
 so Neglect those studies the Attaining of which is the End 
 & Design of a College Education, & which Fit & Prepare a 
 man to Live in y e World. On y e other hand I Cant but 
 
4 Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 
 
 Esteem it a Great Mercy y t I was born of Parents Disposed 
 & in Some Measure able to Bestow on me a liberal Education : 
 and if you Duly Consider it you will undoubtedly find near 
 the Same True with Regard to yourself & since it must be 
 allowed our State is best as it is let us be Content therewith & 
 not Aspire at y e Grandeur & Riches of y e World." 
 
 In a diary which Ebenezer Baldwin kept during part of 
 that year, he made this entry a few months later : 
 
 "1762. April 21. 
 
 Evening; felt melancholy and dejected on thinking of 
 y e difficulties my Dadde must undergo to provide for me here 
 at college." 
 
 His mother, Bethiah Barker Baldwin, had died on January 
 20, 1762, when Simeon was but a few weeks old. Ebenezer 
 Baldwin married again on July n, 1764, Mrs. Esther Backus 
 (ncc Clark), by whom he had no children. She was born in 
 1723; married first a widower, Ezra Lathrop, who died 
 before her; then, in 1754, another widower, Jabez Backus 
 of Bozrah; and finally, in 1764, Ebenezer Baldwin. Jabez 
 Backus was the father by his first wife of Rev. Dr. Charles 
 Backus of Somers (Yale, Class of 1789) ; and, by his second 
 wife, of Oliver Backus, who was a co-executor with Simeon 
 Baldwin of Ebenezer Baldwin's will. 4 
 
 Simeon Baldwin was warmly attached to his stepmother, 
 the only mother he had ever known, and who treated him as 
 if he had been her own child. 
 
 In many things, however, his sister Bethiah shared with 
 her a mother's part to him. When their mother died, she 
 was a lively, rattling, but sensible and shrewd girl of nine 
 teen; tall and vigorous. She read solid books and profited 
 by them. In one letter we hear of her taking up the Spec- 
 
 4 Old Families of Norwich, 10, 13, 14. 
 
Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 5 
 
 tator; in another she writes her brother, early in his College 
 life, that their brother in law Jacob Witter had bought 
 Chesterfield's Letters and that, when he comes home, he had 
 better read them, as they are full of fine observations for 
 youth. She kept a spirited and graphic journal, in 1770, 
 of a horseback trip to Danbury, to attend the ordination of 
 her brother Ebenezer, which has been published in the Papers 
 of the New Haven Colony Historical Society. 5 
 
 She did a good deal towards supplying the wardrobe of 
 her brothers, by her needle, and after they became able to 
 give her some compensation for such services, they were glad 
 to do so. 
 
 A younger sister, Mary, did the same, as she grew up. In 
 July, 1782, when her brother Simeon was spending his year 
 in New Haven as a resident graduate, a letter from her shows 
 that she was sending him two pairs of worsted and one of 
 silk stockings. It also asks him to send back his old pair of 
 silk stockings if they are no longer fit for him to wear, so that 
 she can make a pair of gloves out of them. 
 
 The family of Ebenezer Baldwin were never more than 
 moderately circumstanced. Norwich was a small place, in 
 which social lines were hardly formed. His daughters were 
 fond of company, saw a good deal of what there was of it 
 there, and were not without ambitions of rising in the world. 
 The Revolutionary war, in bringing so many French troops 
 into Connecticut, gave new color to its society gatherings. 
 
 On December 3, 1780, his sister Mary writes to Simeon 
 Baldwin thus : 
 
 "I think you have doubtless heard that there is a number 
 of the french troops stationed at Lebanon they seem to be 
 the cheif topick of discourse I think now in town & I hear 
 since I come home that the Duke is going to have a grand 
 
 5 Vol. IX. 
 
was 
 
 6 Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 
 
 Ball next friday at Lathrops so as to get acquainted with 
 our Norwich Ladys I suppose he has had one at Windham 
 What will be the event of these things I cant say but he Who 
 governs all things will no doubt order all things for the best." 
 
 Early in 1781, a considerable part of the family property 
 vv as lost by the mismanagement and improvidence of an older 
 brother. Simeon Baldwin writes from College, in regard to 
 it, to his sister Bethiah, on March 3, 1781 : 
 
 "The unhappiness of our father & family is what I much 
 more dread than the loss of our little estate which I have 
 long since thought inevitable twice has our brother been 
 placed in flourishing Circumstances but how soon did they 
 disappear & what is it now but that he has fallen upon a 
 larger fund to use in a similar manner. 
 
 The thought of these things has ever urged me on to 
 obtain a good Education though I know it has cost my father 
 much trouble & expence; though I know it has not been so 
 much to my advantage as it would have been, had he been 
 better able to discharge the expence necessarily attending it. 
 The present misfortunes of the family fall more immediately 
 on me than either of the Children as may readily see by 
 reallizing to yourself what it would have been, had it hapned 
 when you was of my age, to which I may add the thought 
 of its being an only brother Tis true, I flatter'd myself with 
 the thought of spending some time at home to regain the time 
 I lost in the Course of my Collegiate Life, but to appearance 
 this is superseded." 
 
 All was not sunshine in Simeon Baldwin's youth, but he 
 always endeavored to make the best of things. In looking 
 back on it, when over eighty, he wrote one of his sons that, 
 when a boy, he used to have gloomy feelings occasionally, and 
 found that they could be best dissipated by steady and 
 systematic work. 
 
 He was fond of his family, and they were proud of him. 
 The three following letters give one a glimpse of the Norwich 
 
Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 7 
 
 home in 1783. The first was from Dorothea Baldwin, a 
 ten-year-old daughter of his older brother, Oliver : 
 
 "Norwich December 3 1783 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Encouraged by Aunt Polly and other friends, I take this 
 oppertunity of writing to acquaint you of the welfare of the 
 family wich is as usual I go to School every day this winter 
 with Ebenezer and Oliver the boys learn to read very fast 
 Oliver can read now without Spelling David visits Gran- 
 father every day and says catichiss and verses wich he calls 
 going to School I think I will now leave writing begging you 
 not to be offended with my troubling you with a letter but 
 write Sir if you please an answer & you will oblidge your 
 Neice 
 
 Dorothy Baldwin 
 
 P S Bristo sends his duty And ses he learns to fiddle 
 bravely 
 
 He is to fiddle to Aunt Molly's wedding" 
 
 The Oliver named in her letter, Ebenezer, and David were 
 Dorothea's brothers. She afterwards married Benjamin 
 Culver of Norwich. Bristo was the slave of Capt. Ebenezer 
 Baldwin. 6 "Molly" was Simeon Baldwin's sister, who was 
 married January 27, 1784, to Jabez Colton (Yale, Class of 
 1775), then a schoolmaster in Somers, Connecticut, but who 
 afterwards removed, across the border, to Longmeadow, 
 Massachusetts. They were the parents of Rev. Simeon 
 Colton, D.D., President of Mississippi College. 
 
 In January, 1784, Dorothea received this reply to her note: 
 
 6 In a part of the old Norwich burying ground reserved for the 
 slaves is a stone inscribed "to the memory of Mr. Bristo Zibbero of 
 Norwich, a captive from y e land of Affrica," who died January 26, 
 J 783, aged 66. He was probably the father of the slave boy. Perkins, 
 Old Houses of Norwich, 129. 
 
8 Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 
 
 "Y. Coll. 12 Jan y 1784- 
 
 Your pretty little Letter, Dear Dolly, gave me much 
 pleasure ; both because my little Niece was so mindful of me. 
 & that I had one capable of writing so much to their 
 honour - - the handwriting is beautiful I must confess for 
 your age & the sentiments familiar & easily expressed - - It 
 gives me an idea of what I think you may be & what you 
 will be if you design to become a fine & accomplished Girl - 
 this is all done when you are young - - your parents will 
 spare no pains to educate you as far as belongs to them - 
 you must do the rest - - Learn to write a good hand, read 
 slowly and distinctly, & mind the sentiment; never hurry 
 over a page without knowing what it contains - - even if the 
 subject be ever so trivial, so it will lead you to a good habit. - 
 ask advice what books to read & get your papa to examine 
 you. this method will store your young and tender mind 
 with a thousand pretty & useful things which now you cannot 
 know - - tis the greatest and best source of female educa 
 tion. - - but 'tis not all; you will be ashamed to be ignorant 
 of any kind of housework, tis an accomplishment to a 
 princess - - & I need not add, for you already know, how 
 much it is to the honor of little Misses to be expert & excell 
 at the needle - - the accomplishments, tho' not all, yet if 
 brought to perfection & joined with a mild temper & sweet 
 ness of disposition will make you distinguished among your 
 companions - - & I know you'd scorn to be outdone by them 
 in any thing -- for how would you feel to hear the little young 
 Gallants attempting to flatter you for accomplishments which 
 you did not possess- 
 On December 22, 1783, his sister Mary writes this letter, 
 announcing her wedding day: 
 
 "Norwich, December the 22, 1783 
 
 Dear Brother. I take it upon me now to invite you to wed 
 ding; yesterday, they say, there was a certain couple cryed 
 of, & the wedding is to be in 5 weaks from to morrow : now, 
 Sir, if it is consistent with your business your company would 
 
Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 9 
 
 be very agreable at old yantick at the time above mentioned : 
 however if it is not, you must remember the day & drink our 
 healths with some of your most intimate friends; perhaps 
 Miss R S 7 will be one of them : my compliments to her 
 & to all other acquaintance there. M r Colton me(n)tioned 
 taking some of your books to use untill you should call for 
 them if agreable to you I Suppose he will mention it as he 
 talks of writing however your acquainting me with your 
 consent will be the same, if you should have oppertunity to 
 send here first I shall want much to hear from you within 
 4 weaks from the date of this ; whether you come home this 
 winter or not, I Shall expect a visit in the Spring from you 
 at Somers, where expect to be in about 5 weaks: we have 
 meet with a great many disappointments about getting ready 
 or I should have been there now : well have filled up one side 
 with matrimonial news & I will begin this with the same, as 
 I make no doubt you will smile to hear that Miss Sally Throop 
 is courted by one Cap 1 Peabody living at the Landing; he 
 has been trading ever since the war at some of the west india 
 Islands & has made something handsome; after 9 years 
 absence he is returned & renewed his acquaintance with Miss 
 Sally, & how it will end I cant yet say; perhaps in Marriedge ; 
 & Miss Lois Hinkly has a suiter from Newlondon, one Cap 1 
 Dishon, & so we carry on I believe I have told you news 
 enough for once, so will end my letter with telling you father 
 enjoys health as usial & remembers Love to you Mother 
 Joins with him in love & good wishes for your prosperity as 
 doth your sister 
 
 Polly Baldwin 
 To M r Simeon Baldwin 
 
 Dolly has wrote a letter, & I would have you notice it so 
 much as to write to her" 
 
 At this time the social center of Norwich was what was 
 later called Norwich town, in contradistinction to the city of 
 Norwich. Simeon Baldwin grew up with a set of boys living 
 
 7 Miss Rebecca Sherman. 
 
io Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 
 
 in the neighborhood of the meeting house plain and Bean 
 Hill, one of whom, Simeon Breed, was to be his College class 
 mate. The part of the town about the wharves, now much 
 the most thickly settled, was called "the Landing" or 
 "Chelsea." 
 
 Captain Ebenezer Baldwin, as he was generally called, was 
 a solid and substantial citizen, doing his modest part well as 
 member of the community. He was one of those who could 
 honestly say with Agur, 8 "Give me neither poverty nor 
 riches." He had inherited something from his father, 
 Thomas Baldwin, who had also received something from his 
 father, John Baldwin, the first ancestor of Simeon Baldwin 
 of the Baldwin name. For three generations Norwich had 
 been the home town of the family. 
 
 It is the family tradition that John Baldwin came to the 
 colony of New Haven, as an orphan boy, in charge of a 
 relative who was a cousin of John Baldwin of Stonington, 
 Connecticut ; returned to England to learn a trade ; learned 
 that of a cabinet maker and chair maker ; then came to New 
 England again; and in 1651 settled in Guilford. It is cer 
 tain that he married Hannah Birchard there, on April 12, 
 
 1653- 
 
 In the records of the ancient "Joiners and Ceilers Com 
 pany" of London is this entry under date of January 12, 
 1646, "John Baldwin, son of Edward Baldwin late of East 
 Grinstead, Sussex, apprenticed to George Payne for 7 years." 
 From this it may be assumed that Edward Baldwin had died 
 before January 12, 1646. If John Baldwin of Guilford, and 
 afterwards of Norwich, was the apprentice named (of which 
 there has been found no further evidence), he would have 
 had time enough after completing his term of service (on 
 
 8 Proverbs, 30, 8. 
 
 9 Smith, Hist, of Guilford, 20 ; The Baldwin Genealogy, I, 269. 
 
Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 1 1 
 
 January 12, 1653) to cross the sea, look about him for a place 
 to ply his trade, fix on Guilford, and settle there before April 
 12, 1653. He may, also, have been discharged by Payne 
 before the seven years of apprenticeship expired. 
 
 It was an unusual thing for a boy to make the journey 
 twice between England and New Haven Colony. This 
 strongly confirms the family tradition that just that thing 
 was done in the case of John Baldwin of Norwich, and it is 
 certain that Sylvester Baldwin, a cousin of John Baldwin of 
 Stonington, with others of the name, sailed for New Haven 
 Colony in 1638, dying on the voyage. 
 
 In 1659, John Baldwin was one of the original purchasers 
 of the lands bought by a company of thirty of the inhabitants 
 of Guilford to found the town of Norwich. He removed his 
 family to the new settlement in 1661. Their house lot was 
 one of five acres running from the highway to the Yantic 
 River. 10 On May 10, 1666, the freeman's oath was admin 
 istered to him, at Hartford, before the General Court, the 
 record describing him as John Baldwin of Norwich. 11 
 
 In 1668 he was elected one of the two "townsmen," or 
 selectmen, and was one of the two who prepared the list of 
 the freemen of the Colony living in the town. This (or a 
 copy of it), taken as of October 5, 1669, m tne State archives 
 was apparently written by him. His name (spelt Bauldwin) 
 was the last name listed. The handwriting is very good and 
 clerkly. 12 In 1673, in tne June County Court, he was 
 appointed a grand jury man for Norwich, and received a 
 similar appointment at the June County Court in 1686 and 
 1687. In 1674 he served on the petty jury in the June County 
 
 10 Caulkins, History of Norwich, 66. 
 
 11 Colonial Records of Conn., 1665-71, 32. 
 
 12 State Archives, "Civil Officers," 11,2; County Court Records, 
 MSS. in, 121, 523. 
 
1 2 Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 
 
 Court. In 1675 he was chosen (described as John Baulding, 
 Senior) to be one of two Surveyors for the year ensuing. 
 His son, John, born in Guilford, became of age December 5, 
 1675, and was thenceforward known as John Baldwin, Jr. 
 In September, 1687, at the September County Court, "M r 
 John Baldwin Sen r " was on the petty jury. On December 30, 
 1678, he was chosen one of the two town constables. In 
 1683 he was again elected one of the two townsmen. In 1688 
 he made his will. It is written in a clear and plain hand. 13 
 He died after February 8, 1692, when he made a conveyance, 
 and before December 19, 1696, as a deed to his heirs was then 
 executed, referring to him as John Baldwin, yeoman, 
 deceased. 
 
 Thomas Baldwin, second son of John Baldwin, Senior, 
 was born in June, 1662, and died September 10, 1741. He 
 was a farmer in what is now the town of Bozrah and village 
 of Fitchville, and is styled "yeoman" in several deeds. He 
 married, on September 20, 1692, Abigail Lay of Lyme, and 
 their third son was Ebenezer Baldwin, the father of Simeon 
 Baldwin. Ebenezer Baldwin was born April 20, 1710, and 
 married Bethiah Barker, October 10, 1738. At that time he 
 was prosecuting his trade as a blacksmith, with an apprentice, 
 in Norwich. 
 
 The general statutes of Connecticut then imposed a penalty 
 of five shillings for those who should on the Lord's Day 
 "prophane the time by Playing or Talking." Magistrates 
 were enjoined to see that this law was enforced and to 
 restrain all persons from unnecessary walking on the streets 
 or following their "Secular Occasions or Recreations in the 
 Evening preceeding the Lord's Day, or any part of the said 
 Day, or Evening following." 14 It was also enacted, in I72I, 15 
 
 3 It is in the possession of Simeon E. Baldwin of New Haven. 
 
 14 Revision of 1715, 105, 106. 
 
 15 Session Laws, page 261. 
 
Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 1 3 
 
 "that whatsoever person shall go from his or her place of 
 abode on the Lord's Day, unless to or from the publick Wor 
 ship of God attended or to be attended upon by such person 
 in some place by Law allowed for that end, or unless it be 
 on some other work necessary then to be done, and be thereof 
 convicted as aforesaid shall incur the penalty of Five 
 Shillings Money for every such offence." 
 
 A few months before his marriage, a charge was brought 
 against Ebenezer Baldwin, together with Thomas Avery, 
 Abiall Marshall and David Bingham, under these statutes, 
 described in the complaint as single men, and boarders or 
 sojourners in the town, that they 
 
 "did convean and meet in company with sundry others, att 
 y house of William Waterman, y e 4^ day of June last, it 
 being Sabbath evening." 
 
 Ebenezer Baldwin filed this plea : 
 
 "True it is, we did converse with the company, and att y e 
 time and place sett forth in y e complaint, but he saith he is not 
 guilty for these reasons : I st , That he is not a single person, 
 as having an apprentice by indenture ; 2 nd , he is not a boarder, 
 having y e care of a family; 3 r(Uy , he is not a sojourner, as liv 
 ing in y e place where he was born and bred." 
 
 The judgment was 
 
 'The Court is of opinion he is guilty, and fines him 5". and 
 costs. Appeal granted, to be heard in y e County Court." 10 
 
 In 1751 Ebenezer Baldwin was a selectman of Norwich; 
 in 1755 an ensign in the Norwich train-band; in 1757 one 
 of Captain John Perkins' company that marched to the relief 
 of Fort William Henry; 17 and in 1762 Captain of the eleventh 
 
 16 Caulkins, History of Norwich, 2d ed., page 279. 
 
 17 Connecticut Historical Society Collections, IX, 236. 
 
14 Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 
 
 company in the third regiment of the Colony militia. 18 The 
 title of Captain clung to him through life. 
 
 He was an enterprising man, of a rather wide outlook on 
 affairs. Connecticut's claims as to her Western boundary 
 interested him deeply. In 1754 he bought a share in the 
 Susquehanna Land Purchase, and in 1773 half of another 
 share. In 1770 he was one of the Managing Committee of 
 the Proprietors. 19 He was also a shareholder in the Dela 
 ware and Lackawanna purchase, and was active in the 
 management of its affairs in Connecticut, traveling about the 
 State as one of its business agents. 
 
 The house in Norwich where he lived is still standing, in 
 Bean Hill. 20 A photogravure of it fronts this page. In 
 January, 1778, he conveyed it, comprising half an acre, and 
 also twenty acres lying across the river, to his son-in-law, 
 Jacob Witter, for 571. Mr. Witter afterwards used it as a 
 tavern. 
 
 From this time on Captain Ebenezer Baldwin lived on a 
 farm a mile or two from Bean Hill in that part of Norwich 
 known as Bozrah, and now as Fitchville. His son Oliver, 
 who had a family of young children, came to live with him 
 early in 1780. Oliver also followed the blacksmith's trade. 
 His sister Bethiah writes Simeon in February of that year 
 that this arrangement has been made and she is sure, in view 
 of it, that he will not want to live at home after graduation 
 from college. 
 
 Captain Baldwin was much respected for his sound judg 
 ment. When, in 1779, it was determined that a new bridge 
 should be built between Norwich and Preston, the towns 
 failed to agree on the site. It was thereupon, in 1780 (to 
 quote the historian of Norwich), 
 
 18 Colonial Records of Connecticut, 1762-7, page 84. 
 
 19 Conn. Courant for October 5, 1770. 
 
 20 It is one owned by Elizabeth T. Sherman. 
 

Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 1 5 
 
 "referred to three well-known citizens, mutually respected 
 and honored by the towns, viz., Hon. Benjamin Huntington, 
 Capt. Ebenezer Baldwin, and Elijah Lathrop, Esq., who 
 reported that in their opinion the best and only convenient 
 place for a bridge was where the late one stood, that is, below 
 the ferry and near the mouth of the river. Whereupon it 
 was ordered that the bridge should be forthwith erected at 
 that place/' 
 
 Not long afterwards the feeling became general that the 
 town had grown too large and should be divided into several. 
 To determine how this could best be arranged a "General 
 Committee" was appointed by the town, to confer with com 
 mittees of the various ecclesiastical Societies and to report 
 their recommendations. It consisted of Capt. Ebenezer 
 Baldwin, Deacon Joseph Bushnell, Samuel Leffingwell, and 
 Capt. Andrew Perkins. They decided that a division should 
 be made into four towns, and the General Assembly con 
 firmed this conclusion in 1786, when the new towns of Lisbon, 
 Franklin, and Bozrah were incorporated, the residue of the 
 old town being left to bear the name of Norwich. 21 
 
 In 1776 Capt. Baldwin was named as the executor of the 
 will of his son Ebenezer, which made Simeon his residuary 
 legatee and devisee. The bulk of what was thus left to him 
 was invested, in 1777, in a note or loan certificate of the 
 State of Connecticut for $400. The interest on this was paid 
 for four years in bills drawn on our representatives in 
 France, which were sold at a discount, in order to meet the 
 local taxes on the loan. The discount and taxes together, 
 after adding the accumulations during Simeon's minority, 
 brought the fund down to 332, io/ 6d in "lawful money," 
 when, in the Spring of 1783, Simeon, having come of age, 
 received it from his father. "Lawful money" was then a 
 
 21 Caulkins, Hist, of Norwich, 348, 428. 
 
1 6 Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 
 
 much depreciated paper currency, and the whole fund prob 
 ably amounted to less than 100 pounds in hard money. 22 
 
 In 1783, Captain Baldwin became blind and so remained 
 for the rest of his life. A similar misfortune had befallen his 
 father, at about the same age. 
 
 He left an estate of 616. The inventory, dated June 26, 
 1792, comprised, among other things, a "castor hat, I2/; 
 gold sleeve buttons, 2O/; Edwards on the Affections, 3/; 
 a desk, I5/; a stand table, 9/5 5 silver table-spoons, 40/5 
 six silver tea spoons, I2/; one yoke of oxen; one steer; two 
 cows ; one heifer ; one mare ; one colt ; eleven sheep ; a vice 
 and hammer ; and real estate to the value of about 500. He 
 owned one slave. 
 
 His will, made May 28, 1787, left to his son Oliver, among 
 other items, his blacksmith's tools and his interest in the 
 Delaware and Lackawanna purchase, with remainder to 
 Oliver's male heirs. To Simeon he left his interest in the 
 Susquehanna purchase, and two-sevenths of his residuary 
 estate. One clause provides that "if Bristol, my negro boy, 
 shall serve my heirs faithfully untill he shall arrive to the age 
 of twenty five years, he shall be set free and a new bible 
 given him." 23 The copy of Edwards on the Affections he 
 had taken as part of his share under the will of his eldest 
 son, of whose library it had formed a part. 
 
 Captain Baldwin's monument in the Norwich cemetery 
 bears this inscription : 
 
 "In memory of / Capt. Ebenezer Baldwin / who departed 
 this life May 2 / 1792 in the 82 nd year of his age / He was 
 a reputable citizen / a kind husband, a tender parent / an 
 amiable & cheerful neighbor / and a good man. Supported 
 
 22 See Bronson, Papers of the New Haven Colony Historical Society, 
 I, 104, 120, 121, 129, 159; Stiles, Literary Diary, II, 299, 541. 
 
 23 Norwich Probate Records, VIII, 465. 
 
Parentage, Boyhood, and Early Family Surroundings 1 7 
 
 by a cheerful fortitude / he bore with singular philosophy / 
 the peculiar calamities of his life / during 9 years of blind 
 ness and infirmity / and the extreme pains of / his last linger 
 ing illness / in the sure hope of a long-wished for / eternity 
 of happiness." 
 
 Miss Caulkins, the historian of Norwich, wrote in 1845, 
 that she had often heard aged people in the town speak of 
 Capt. Baldwin in terms that convinced her that this epitaph 
 (written no doubt by Simeon Baldwin) contained but the 
 simple truth in regard to his character. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 LIFE AT YALE, AS AN UNDERGRADUATE 
 
 Simeon Baldwin entered Yale College in September, 1777, 
 at the age of fifteen. It was then in a confused and feeble 
 state. For eleven years it had had only an acting President, 
 and he had resigned six months before, after the presenta 
 tion to the College corporation of a petition from many of 
 the students, asking for his removal. His predecessor, 
 President Clap, had had a similar fate. His successor had 
 not yet been chosen. 
 
 The Revolutionary war was in active progress. Since it 
 opened, the ordinary sessions of the College had not been 
 kept with any regularity. 
 
 The government of the State and the government of the 
 College were not agreed as to the general policy which the 
 latter should pursue, and financial aid from the public 
 treasury could not be expected until harmony was restored. 
 
 The Freshmen began their college work in 1777, not at 
 New Haven, but in Glastonbury, where the faculty was 
 represented by Professor Strong and one tutor, Abraham 
 Baldwin. He was a distant cousin of Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 The youngest member of the class was but fourteen years 
 old. Three were men of twenty. Four had reached the age 
 of nineteen, and five that of eighteen. 1 
 
 The college customs and rules existing at this time were 
 largely inheritances from a remote antiquity. The Freshmen 
 were the fags of the upper class men. All were bound to 
 show the utmost respect to their college superiors. The 
 
 1 Stiles, Literary Diary, II, 226. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 1 9 
 
 Freshmen rose at prayers when the tutors were taking or 
 leaving their places. 2 
 
 Class competitions were recognized, however, so far as to 
 wink at snowball fights between two classes, on formal 
 challenges. 3 
 
 Students were to take off their hats when they approached 
 on the campus within a specified distance of any member 
 of the faculty. One Winter day President Stiles slipped on 
 the ice as he was walking across the campus, and fell. A 
 student rushed to his assistance, and restored his hat and 
 cane, which had fallen on the ground. In the hurry of the 
 moment he forgot to doff his own hat, and for this offence 
 against college rules he was fined. 4 
 
 Freshmen must go bareheaded, when in the "college 
 yard," until after the May vacation, and could not carry 
 canes until the evening before Commencement. 5 Commence 
 ment was also the date when Seniors could put on a triangular 
 cocked hat, such as was commonly worn by the faculty. 6 
 
 Seniors had normally but one recitation a day. The other 
 classes had two or three. 7 
 
 President Stiles began his administration with requiring 
 all the Freshmen in the future to study Hebrew. It proved 
 distasteful to many, and he made it an elective study in 1790. 
 It was such when Mr. Baldwin entered college and he was 
 one of four Freshmen who took it under the President in 
 the latter part of the year 1777-1778. The whole class 
 numbered twenty-one. 8 
 
 2 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 244. 
 8 Ibid., 247. 
 
 4 Biographical Memoranda, Class of 1832, appendix, 21. 
 
 5 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 299. 
 
 6 Silliman, Address before the Yale Alumni Association, 1842, 32, 33. 
 1 Yale Book, II, 44, 45 ; Stiles, Literary Diary, II, 475, 515 ; III, 397. 
 8 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 397. 
 
20 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 In February, 1848, Simeon Baldwin, then an old man of 
 eighty-seven, wrote a letter to a son of Chancellor Kent, 
 for use in compiling a biography of James Kent. We quote 
 the greater part of it, as giving a graphic picture of the 
 College during the Revolutionary War, when Baldwin and 
 Kent were classmates there; and of their early intimacy. 9 
 
 "I was introduced to James Kent on the first Monday in 
 May, 1773, at Danbury. He had that day come to town, to 
 go to school to my brother, the Rev'd Mr. Baldwin, the clergy 
 man of the parish, who had opened a school for a few boys, 
 to fit them for college. Danbury was then quite an isolated 
 country town. . . . 
 
 He continued in that school until the death of Mr. Baldwin 
 on the 5th of October, 1776. 
 
 We were then separated one year, and met as freshmen 
 of Yale College in 1777. Our class was small, consisting 
 of young men grown up, most of them much older than cither 
 of us. He, I think, was the youngest in the class, but was 
 better fitted for his standing than most of them. While we 
 were members of college the students were often dispersed 
 and their studies interrupted in consequence of the war, but 
 he still kept his standing in the class, and, to say the least, 
 in all the classical studies, he ranked among the best. In 
 history, in the belles-lettres studies, and in reading generally, 
 he excelled them all. His attention to what he read was 
 strict, and his memory was uncommonly retentive. It was 
 the common remark of his companions that they could 
 generally tell the author he last read, by the style and matter 
 of his next composition. 
 
 He wrote his compositions with great care, and in a pleas 
 ing, flowing style. But the rapid flow of his ideas often 
 embarrassed him in public speaking, whether extempore or 
 memoriter. When preparing for public speaking, he has 
 often requested me to hear him rehearse, and, by signal, to 
 check him when speaking too rapidly, as he generally would, 
 without knowing it, when he felt the spirit of the subject. 
 
 9 Memoirs and Letters of Chancellor Kent, 9-14. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 2 1 
 
 On these occasions, when often checked, I have known him 
 to sit down and weep; but he would try again and again, 
 and by repeated trials, did learn, in a great measure, to 
 regulate the rapidity of his speech, which, without attention, 
 would, at times, be unintelligible. 
 
 He left college universally beloved by his class and ranked 
 as a scholar among the first. During President Stiles' 
 administration, the Bachelors had a public exhibition con 
 nected with the examination for their degrees in July. Their 
 cliosophic and valedictory orations were then pronounced, 
 and the class dismissed till Commencement, when the Bache 
 lors occupied the forenoon, and the valedictory by the 
 Masters closed the exercises of the day. From the year 1798 
 the valedictory of the Bachelors has been transferred to 
 Commencement, and the Masters do not now take part in the 
 exercises of Commencement. I find by President Stiles' 
 diary that at the July examination of our class, Kent had 
 the most honorable appointment ; namely, the cliosophic ora 
 tion, for which, from his extensive reading, he was the best 
 qualified of any in the class. Gridley had the valedictory in 
 Latin. There was also a dispute and a dialogue. At Com 
 mencement, Baldwin had the salutatory oration in Latin; 
 Perkins, oration in Greek on Greek Literature; Hinckley, 
 oration in English. There was a dispute on the question 
 whether the modern surpasses the ancient literature, in which 
 Gridley and Kent maintained the affirmative, and Channing 
 and Stebbins the negative. These, with sundry syllogistic 
 disputes, occupied the forenoon. In the afternoon the Mas 
 ters exhibited a poem by Barlow, orations by Webster and 
 Wolcott, and the valedictory by Tutor Meigs. 
 
 \Yhen we took our degree as Masters (in 1784), Kent 
 was appointed to deliver an oration. He accepted the 
 appointment, but was prevented from attending, and sent an 
 apology to the President. Baldwin also delivered an oration 
 in English, and Channing delivered the valedictory. No 
 others of the class took part in the exercises. It will be 
 remembered we were in college during part of the Revolu 
 tionary War, and all the classes were for a time convened 
 for safety in separate country towns, in the centre of the 
 
22 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 State. James Kent and myself joined the class in Glaston- 
 bury, under the care of Professor Strong as tutor, and con 
 tinued together until the January vacation; were then 
 dismissed, and not called together again until June of the 
 next year. We then met at New Haven and Doctor Stiles 
 was inaugurated President. Mr. Atwater was appointed 
 tutor of our class, a meek, modest, unassuming man, a good 
 scholar in the languages taught, a preacher by profession, 
 not much of an orator or belles-lettres scholar, but peculiarly 
 affectionate, kind, and conscientiously devoted to the faithful 
 discharge of his official duties. We continued under his 
 faithful care and instruction till we became seniors. The 
 President then became our instructor. 
 
 On the 5th of July, 1779, the British troops took possession 
 of New Haven, and the students were again scattered. They 
 were not called to return till the end of the fall vacation, 
 about ist of November following. The winter of 1779-80 
 was severe, and the quantity of snow from successive and 
 continued storms was seldom, if ever, equalled; in conse 
 quence of which the steward of college informed the Presi 
 dent that he could no longer furnish commons for the 
 students. College was of course dismissed, a fortnight 
 before the usual January vacation, and did not convene again 
 until the next summer. Our class were then juniors. From 
 that time we pursued our studies without further interrup 
 tion ; but it will be perceived that a large portion of valuable 
 term time was lost by those various interruptions ; and when 
 together, our means of instruction and of obtaining informa 
 tion were very much limited, the college library then con 
 sisting of little more than three thousand volumes, most of 
 them valuable for their antiquity and much of the time kept 
 out of the town for safety; and the Society libraries, the 
 Linonian and the Brothers', then consisted of about one hun 
 dred and sixty volumes each, now over nine thousand 
 volumes. The faculty of college then consisted of the Presi 
 dent, one professor, and three tutors, a very limited estab 
 lishment compared with what it is now. The classical studies 
 were proportionately limited. 
 
 The only Latin authors then studied classically were Virgil, 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 23 
 
 Cicero's Orations and his treatise on oratory, and some parts 
 of Horace. The Greek Testament was the only book read 
 in that language. The Hebrew language was taught by the 
 President, to the very few who volunteered. A few, gen 
 erally two or three in each class, to qualify themselves for 
 the Dean's Bounty, so called, made themselves acquainted 
 with Homer and Xenophon and a few other classical books ; 
 but this was optional. Perkins and Channing were the Dean 
 scholars in our class. It was then the duty of the tutors to 
 give all the instruction which the pupils received during the 
 first three years, not only in the languages, in mathematics, 
 natural philosophy, and astronomy, but in grammar, rhetoric, 
 logic, composition, oratory, history, geography, and the belles- 
 lettres generally. Chemistry, mineralogy, and geology were 
 then little known and not studied ; and no stated lectures were 
 then delivered on any literary subjects." 
 
 It will be noted that the Freshmen entering in 1777 saw 
 nothing of New Haven and little of College during most of 
 their first year. 10 Professor Daggett had resigned the Presi 
 dency in the preceding Spring and he had never, as Professor 
 of Divinity, been accustomed to give any instruction except 
 in the shape of his weekly sermons in the College chapel. 
 Mr. Dwight had resigned his place as Senior Tutor. There 
 was no active head of the institution. The students, in the 
 Fall of 1777, were divided into three squads, each meeting 
 at a different place. The Junior and Freshman classes were 
 together at Glastonbury under Professor Strong and Tutor 
 Baldwin; the Sophomores were under another Tutor at 
 Farmington, and the Seniors only were at New Haven, with 
 Tutor Buckminster. 
 
 During the six years that Mr. Dwight had been a Tutor, 
 he had done much to give fresh life and better form to the 
 course of instruction. He led in a movement to broaden and 
 
 10 Dexter, Yale Biographies and Annals, 3d Series, 642 ; Woolsey, 
 Historical Discourse of 1850 on Yale College, 31. 
 
24 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 enrich it by bringing in new subjects and new methods of 
 study. Belles-lettres now received something approaching 
 their due share of attention. 11 
 
 One unfortunate effect was that the greater cultivation of 
 general literature made many of the students give to that 
 more time than comported with the requirements as to classics 
 and mathematics. Not a few of the older alumni feared 
 that, as the result of these changes, the serious spirit of study 
 had declined. One of them told Dr. Stiles that the College 
 needed regulation, for the students had "left the more solid 
 parts of Learn 8 & run into Plays & Dramatic Exhibition? 
 chiefly of the comic kind, & turned College into Drury 
 Lane." 12 
 
 There were two rival secret societies in the College at this 
 time: the Linonian and the Brothers in Unity. Both had 
 been founded primarily to cultivate the art of public speak 
 ing. Both had also engaged in private theatricals. Each 
 had its anniversary celebration, when plays were acted. 
 Attendance at these was originally confined to the members 
 of the society. While Mr. Baldwin was a student, it was 
 becoming customary to invite outsiders, both gentlemen and 
 ladies, to witness these entertainments. 13 
 
 Mr. Baldwin joined the Brothers in Unity, became its 
 librarian, and took an active part in its proceedings. 
 
 The debates were often on the questions of the day. Some 
 were opened on each side with a formal presentation of the 
 subject, called a "disputation." Mr. Baldwin prepared a 
 number of brief papers of that nature. 
 
 The languages at this time had, of course, much more rela- 
 
 11 The Yale Book, I, 99; Life of Timothy Dwight, prefixed to his 
 Theology, I, xi. 
 
 12 Stiles, Literary Diary, II, 230. 
 
 13 Ibid., Ill, 14. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 25 
 
 tive importance as subjects of study, than now. The fields of 
 natural science were only beginning to open. Commerce also 
 with foreign countries was conducted by methods which 
 rendered some acquaintance with the speech of the ports 
 visited particularly important. 
 
 One of the letters received by Mr. Baldwin, after gradua 
 tion, from college friends, was in Latin (not wholly of the 
 best) sent by St. John Honey wood, of the Class of 1782, and 
 addressed as to an associate in the Brothers in Unity and 
 Phi Beta Kappa. 
 
 In the earlier part of that century the college rules required 
 all conversation between students to be in Latin, 14 and public 
 disputations were conducted in the same language. This was 
 no longer so when the Class of 1781 entered college, but 
 "Latin prose" was still much more the subject of study than 
 it became in the nineteenth century. 
 
 Language for some years, under the influence of Dwight 
 and Trumbull, 15 had been studied to get what it was worth 
 for inspiring and interpreting literature, more than as a 
 means of learning grammar. Sharp criticism had been 
 necessary, and criticism not always just. The testing in 
 practice of the new education had now been accomplished. 
 Confessedly its advocates had proved their case. It had been 
 done also without exciting as much bitterness of feeling on 
 the part of those trained in the old ways, as might well have 
 been anticipated. They were ready to listen, and to try 
 experiments. Here, what was, down to 1778, the flabby and 
 disorganized condition of the College when Dwight opened 
 his campaign, had one good effect. There was no real head 
 of affairs to be the subject of attack. Consequently criti- 
 
 14 The Yale Book, II, 496. 
 
 irj John Trumbull (Yale, Class of 1767) ; tutor at Yale from 1771 
 to 1773- 
 
26 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 cism was directed to methods, not men. Being impersonal, 
 it was not calculated to provoke resentment. Trumbull pub 
 lished the first part of his "Progress of Dullness/' a satire 
 on the College student of the day, in 1772, and the whole in 
 1773, both while a tutor, and that he stood none the worse 
 for it in College circles is clear from his election, in 1776, 
 as Treasurer, an important trust, in succession to Roger 
 Sherman. Yet in the preface to this poem, dated in August, 
 1772, he had said that "except in one neighboring province, 
 ignorance wanders unmolested at our colleges, examinations 
 are dwindled to mere form and ceremony, and after four 
 years dozing there, no one is ever refused the honors of a 
 degree, on account of dulness and insufficiency." The 
 excepted institution here was undoubtedly Harvard. 
 
 The Commencement of the College in 1777 was held as 
 usual, so far as the granting of degrees was concerned, on 
 September 10, at New Haven. Rev. Dr. Ezra Stiles of New 
 port was then elected President, and after some months of 
 hesitation took office during the next year. He had been 
 looking forward to his new work with decided misgivings. 
 He wrote in his diary on September 19, 1777, 
 
 "An hundred & fifty or 180 Young Gentlemen Students is 
 a Bundle of Wild Fire not easily controlled & governed and 
 at best the Diadem of a President is a Crown of Thorns." 1 
 
 A few days later he observes that while for several years 
 Yale had had more students than any other American college, 
 the graduating class this year, composed of forty, had been 
 replaced by a Freshman class thus far of but a dozen or 
 fifteen. 17 In a few weeks, however, the Freshman class num 
 bered twenty, and the class finally was one of about thirty. 
 
 16 Stiles, Literary Diary, II, 209. 
 
 17 Ibid., 209, 213. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 2 7 
 
 The total number of students was a hundred and twenty-five, 
 while Harvard had but a hundred and eleven. 
 
 The students could not fail to be impressed with the acces 
 sion to the Presidency of so learned a man as Dr. Stiles and 
 the ceremonies attending his inauguration, which took place 
 July 8, 1778. The delivery of a Latin oration by him was a 
 part of these, in which he expressed the hope that all would 
 strive to make their University shine with splendor among 
 the other American academies, as the moon among the lesser 
 lights, "Luces in Luna minores." 18 
 
 The months that followed were full of dark days for the 
 college and for young Baldwin. He spent them at Norwich, 
 except a few weeks occupied in further study at the Tisdale 
 School in Lebanon. He felt it to be a serious question 
 whether he ought to persist in his attempt to secure a liberal 
 education. An undated draft of a letter to an unnamed 
 friend (not improbably Rev. Dr. Charles Backus of Somers), 
 seeking advice as to this, and as to his general plans for life, 
 was apparently written at this period: 
 
 D r S r 
 
 When cast down in solitude; dejected through Despair; 
 & crazy with Reflection : what sweeter Cordial can be given 
 to the troubled Soul, than an agreeable, a constant, & an 
 approved Friend. 
 
 Sufficient encomiums have already been heap'd on friend 
 ship and it is impossible to bestow greater than the deserts so 
 I leave her praises for the present, since my mind chuses to 
 speak of things more immediately reflecting herself. Did 
 you think that the once happy Sim would be so soon affected 
 with the above mentioned disagreeable Diseases (if I may 
 so call them?) I cant think you did but I can assure you 
 he is. his case perhaps is worse than you may at first 
 imagine ; he is you know a member of College which at any 
 
 Ibid., II, 281. 
 
28 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 time requires a considerable Fund of money to support a 
 person even with the greatest frugality & more especially 
 at the present; in this respect you know his misfortunes, 
 first (thro the depression of our money) he is balk'd of the 
 happy prospect which kind Heaven was pleased to afford him 
 by the hand of an Indulgent Deceased Brother in the next 
 place his second recource must be to an aged Father already 
 worn out with the toils of Life: from such an one we cant 
 expect all the assistance we need especially if he is not sup 
 ported by a larger Estate than his father has at present. 
 Shall I mention a third resourse which some may have (i. e.) 
 a Brother here my pen chuses to stop before it begins, 
 this is my Despair .... 
 
 College is now broken up & I at home in that solitary place 
 Yantic, yet I should not call it solitude, could I improve my 
 time (like the Antient Poets when in their retirements) in 
 agreeable Studies & diverting Amusements. I would not 
 however have you think me Idle, for tho' one and the same to 
 a Scholar, I have kept myself at work almost all Summer 
 except for a few weeks at Sc(h)ool in Lebanon nor was my 
 solitude much less there, not having one Classmate or agree 
 able Friend with whom I might converse. When a person 
 is in this condition we may readily conclude there is some 
 grounds for reflection on his unhappy Case & enquire what 
 shall be done I st Shall I entirely lay aside all hopes of 
 furthering myself in the pleasing path of litterature? this 
 is a disagreeable thought - - but if I should, what should I 
 do next - - must I without further ceremony become a rusty 
 farmer? this was ever my aversion. Shall I go to 
 keeping school? this is no business for life, nor would the 
 same prospect arise from it, of finding business as there 
 would be^ had I finished the Collegiate part of my Educa 
 tion - Shall I go into the Army and try that for a liveli 
 hood ? Surely no, not under the present encouragements. - 
 perhaps you will advise me to try my luck on the Seas & 
 become a privateersman I confess this best suits my 
 inclination but there is the difficulty of procuring a birth in 
 the way - - well you may try merchandizing, since the mer 
 chant is quick to make an estate - - but this requires present 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 29 
 
 money as well as my present employment ; & if you propose 
 the use of physic the same answer may be given - & in 
 short I can almost say with Cato "I'm weary of Conjectures ; 
 Death must end them." but I believe you are weary of hear 
 ing my Complaints & perhaps you do not think them so great 
 as I do, but no heavyer than they are when joined to a mind 
 hardly able to support it, the consequence must be bad - I 
 will not trouble you longer but simply beg the best of your 
 advice in my present Case & you may be assured I remain 
 most affectionately Your - 
 
 The brief allusion to the possibility of his engaging in the 
 military service indicates very clearly that he had no bent 
 that way. Voluntary enlistments were then few. The State 
 militia was liable to be called out for service, whether in or 
 out of the State. If so called out, each man who voluntarily 
 enlisted for four months received a State bounty besides 
 the same allowance for wages and rations as the Continental 
 troops. 19 From May, 1777, to April, 1779, any two men, 
 not of the Continental army, who procured one recruit for 
 three years or during the war, became exempt from actual 
 service or draft. 20 In other words, anyone willing to pay 
 enough could hire a "substitute." In May, 1780, an embargo 
 was laid on all privateers, because serving on them was so 
 often preferred to enlistment in the army. 21 
 
 The following extracts from a letter to Simeon Baldwin 
 from his sister Mary, dated August 19, 1780, help us to put 
 ourselves in the position which he took. 
 
 There had been a call for recruits for the Continental army, 
 and she writes to him thus: 
 
 "I come in the next place to give you A List of the Militia 
 that are gone from Bozrah John Threyh is the only white 
 
 "Conn. Stat, 1776, 455. 
 
 20 Conn. Stat., April, 1779, 515; May, 1779, 523. 
 
 21 Conn. Stat., May, 1780, 550. 
 
30 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 man that I can think of but perhaps you may have had some 
 acquaintance with old Brister, Pease, & Ammon & one more 
 Black belonging to M r Cartwell this much for those that 
 are gone but there Is a number that now stand drafted to 
 (appear) when called for I know not who they all be." 
 
 She adds : 
 
 "I expect to send this by Mr. Avery & father sends some 
 state money by him & if you cant put it of (f) there so well 
 as it goes here you had best bring it back. It goes forty 
 for one here. Continental dollars at a penny a piece." 
 
 "Old Brister," then sixty-three years old, 22 was probably 
 the father of the negro boy named Bristo whom Captain 
 Ebenezer Baldwin owned when he died, and by his will 
 emancipated conditionally. The younger Bristo was taken 
 by Simeon Baldwin to New Haven to work out his time and 
 was employed by him as a chore-boy. 
 
 During the Revolutionary war, slaves were often per 
 mitted to enlist; the enlisting officer agreeing to reserve a 
 certain part of their pay for their owner. Such an agree 
 ment is shown in the following paper, executed in 1777: 
 
 "Know all men by these presents y 1 I Silas Benham of the 
 town and county of New Haven in the State of Connecticut 
 am holden and do stand firmly bound and obliged unto M r 
 John Pierpoint of s d Town in the Just Sum of one Hundred 
 Pounds Lawfull money payable to s d Pierpoint his heirs Ex" 
 and Adm" - unto the which payment well and truly to be 
 made and done I bind my Self and my heirs Ex and admin 
 firmly by these presents Signed with my hand & Sealed 
 with my Seal Dated in New Haven June 28 1777 - 
 
 The Condition of the above Obligation is Such that 
 whereas S d Benham is a Lieu 1 " in the army of the United 
 States of America, (& hath this Day by the Consent and 
 
 22 See ante, pp. 7, 16. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 3 1 
 
 approbation of s d Pierpoint) inlisted into the s d army Peter 
 Johnson a negro Servant belonging to s d Pierpoint, to Serve 
 during the war, and it being the agreement between s d Ben- 
 ham & Pierpoint, that the Sum of fifteen pounds Lawfull 
 money, shall be paid out of the wages of s d Peter Annually, 
 to s d Pierpoint his heirs, Ex or admin" during the time he 
 Continues in the Service Now if s d Benham do stop out 
 of the wage of s d Peter the Sum of fifteen pounds Lawfull 
 money annually, and the Same pay unto s d Pierpoint during 
 s d service then the above bond to be void - - if otherwise to 
 remain in full force & value 
 
 Signed Sealed & Del Td 
 
 in presence of 
 Evelyn Pierpoint 
 Israel Granis 
 
 Silas Benham Leu*" (Seal) 
 
 At this time Yale College had ceased to be what has been 
 often claimed to have been the main object of its foundation, 
 peculiarly a nursery of ministers. Of the Class of 1781 only 
 six out of twenty-seven adopted that profession ; of the Class 
 of 1780 but five out of the same number. Few of the stu 
 dents were members of any church. At the April communion 
 of the College church in 1779 only three of them participated. 
 Under President Stiles the number of communicants was 
 considerably increased. He led the way towards the serious 
 study of moral and religious subjects. In 1779 a course of 
 instruction in Ethics or Moral Philosophy which had been 
 abandoned for several years, was reestablished. A year 
 later he also set up weekly lectures on theology. They were 
 given on Saturday afternoons to both graduates and under 
 graduates. 23 Religion was presented in a more reasonable 
 light than it had been. The hyper-Calvinism characterizing 
 the "new divinity" of the day he treated with little tolerance. 
 
 28 Stiles, Literary Diary, II, 328, 349, 453. 
 
32 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 In recording the death of one of similar sentiments to his son, 
 he described him thus: 
 
 "He loved the Puritan Doctrines, without those Innova 
 tions which make God, most holy & blessed, the intentional 
 Author of all moral Evil, - - the Devil of the Universe." 24 
 
 This repellent theory of the divine nature had been a dead 
 weight upon the College for a whole generation. President 
 Stiles did much to throw it off; but it was long before the 
 task was fully accomplished. 
 
 One of the customary college exercises at this time seems 
 to have been the composition of letters. 
 
 In his Freshman year Mr. Baldwin wrote the following as 
 an example of what one might submit to a friend whom he 
 wished to reclaim from intemperance: 
 
 "May A.D. 1778 
 Dear Sir 
 
 The Love I bear for you, - The regard & esteem I have 
 for your Wife & Children - The anxiety of your tender 
 Parents, of your brothers & Sisters are the inducements 
 which oblege me to write to one who I ever have held dear to 
 myself & hope I ever may, notwithstanding the misfortunes 
 you have brought & are bringing upon yourself I trust 
 when you reflect on these inducements you will excuse the 
 disagreeable undertaking of laying open your perticular 
 failings to you in legible Characters that you may behold 
 them as in a Glass & fly from such detestable practices. 
 
 Intemperance S r . is one of the most disagreeable Vices 
 practiced; only observe a person overcome with the intoxi 
 cating power of Liquor, see him wallowing in his own filth 
 & nastiness even beyond the practice of the most nausious 
 beast. View him exposed in the open air to the mercy of 
 devouring beasts & the inclemency of the weather & it seems 
 
 24 Ibid., 460. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 33 
 
 to me this alone is sufficient to strike horror into the most 
 obdurate heart even if we set aside the absolute consequences 
 which are not only the ruin of his fortune & the disgrace he 
 brings on himself & family but in time the inevitable diffi 
 culties of Life I do not mean to rank you among those of 
 this Class yet S r . give me leave to tell you, you are in the 
 strate road to it & soon will arrive there unless you use your 
 best endeavours to cross the bud now in its infancy - 
 
 That you do allow yourself in a too free use of Spirituous 
 Liquor you cannot presume to deny; how often have you 
 gone in search of it left your family in a suffering condi 
 tion for want of you at home; nay there is scarce a day 
 passes but you are in town & with such Company too as add 
 greatly to your disgrace such as little become the person 
 you might have been, had you rightly improv'd your natural 
 abilities & your advantages. You Have as good a natteral 
 genious & as good Learning as many who are imployed in 
 some important business either of the Town or State & give 
 me leave to tell you it is altogether owing to your I can 
 almost say unbounded use of Liquor that hinders you from 
 attaining the same honors: to what other cause can you 
 ascribe it that there is no more notice taken of you in public 
 business. 
 
 You cannot but be sensible how fast your Estate decays, 
 neither can you be ignorant of the grief you are dayly load 
 ing on your tender father, such grief concern as is, when 
 added to his old age almost sufficient to bring his grey hares 
 with sorrow to the grave; neither do I think this concern 
 much less in your other relations. 
 
 & S r . if nothing else will move you, let me intreat you to 
 turn your eyes on those lovely Children of yours see them 
 exposed to the reproaches of every one & yet from no mis 
 demeanour of theirs, & as you behold them look upon your 
 self or rather on your conduct, observe the example you set 
 them ; think whether they are suitable to go from a parent 
 to a child ; that these reflections may cause a reformation 
 in your conduct is the hearty desire of one that wishes well to 
 you yours." 
 
34 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 He felt that writing imaginary letters to imaginary persons 
 was but a poor way of learning how to write real letters, with 
 clearness and grace, to real persons. He determined to use 
 the best means to gain that faculty, that is, maintaining a 
 frequent correspondence with selected friends. Among these 
 were Rev. Charles Backus, D.D., of Somers (Yale, Class 
 of 1769), the son of his stepmother; Solomon Porter of 
 Hartford (Yale, Class of 1775) ; George Hough of Norwich, 
 and his classmates, Kent, Perkins, and Isaacs. With Kent 
 and Perkins he was particularly intimate, and letters were 
 exchanged, as opportunity offered, long after their college 
 days were past. 
 
 He also, while in College, asked the favor of correspond 
 ence with several of his lady acquaintances, telling them 
 frankly that he wanted the polish of style which their good 
 example and kind criticisms would best confer. Chief of 
 these were Miss Lois Wood and Miss Nancy Dibble of Dan- 
 bury, and Miss Betsey Bushnell of Lebanon. 
 
 It was in the Summer of 1776, when a schoolboy in Dan- 
 bury, that he had made the acquaintance of Solomon Porter, 
 who had graduated from Yale in the previous year. In the 
 latter part of his Freshman year, when the courses of instruc 
 tion at Glastonbury had been closed, and he had returned 
 to his home in Norwich, fearful that he should not be able 
 to pass the required examinations on them, he wrote to Mr. 
 Porter, who was then in business at Hartford, for his 
 friendly counsel. He replied, on March 24, 1778, in a kindly 
 letter, in which occurs the following passage: 
 
 "I lament (on your account) the present unsettled state 
 of College but hope e're long to see our Alma Mater resume 
 her usual Order and appear more florishing than ever am 
 sorry you are deprived the privilege of reciting, yet trust 
 you will so improve your time as not to make that despicable 
 appearance you mentioned on examination. A Number of 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 35 
 
 your Class are under the tuition of M r Backus of Somers; 
 the Day I wrote you last had the pleasure of waiting on your 
 Classmate Sacket on his way to Somers; he then talked of 
 returning to Windsor to study if he could get two or three 
 of his Class to join him - - have not heard from him since 
 Kent, & I believe, Smith are with M r E. K. White" 
 
 A straggling correspondence between them was maintained 
 for several years. 
 
 Mr. Porter, in writing him on February 5, 1781, enquires 
 thus, as to the College commons: 
 
 "Have you the same old round? methinks I can see you 
 curse the Steward for finding you bad meat, stinking Cheese, 
 strong Butter, and milk & water - - the Cooks for their raw, 
 smoky, durty, nasty, preparations, and, above all, the Butler's 
 Boy for disturbing your matutinum somnum by the ungrate 
 ful sound of that never silent execrable Tintinnabalum" 
 
 In the early Summer of his Junior year, Mr. Baldwin asked 
 permission of Miss Betsey Bushnell of Lebanon, Connecticut, 
 to open a correspondence with her. What he endorsed as a 
 "rough draft" of this request is as follows: 
 
 "July i, 1780 
 Dear Miss B. 
 
 Though I am sensible that for me to attempt to introduce 
 a Correspondence after so short an acquaintance may be 
 justly looked upon by you as presumptious, yet the prospect 
 which arises from it, of an agreeable Intimacy with so 
 amiable a Person & the Happiness attending it ; joined to the 
 hopes I entertain of improving myself in Letter writing, an 
 accomplishment worthy of every Gentleman's Pursuits are 
 Inducements sufficient to prompt one to undertake it. And I 
 can sincerely wish you could find those that would induce you 
 to make it mutual. 
 
 It seems peculiarly necessary for Persons of a Scholastic 
 Life to have frequent Intercourse & an extensive Correspond- 
 
36 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 ence with the female World, that they may polish off that 
 Scholastic rust so apt to adhere to them I am sensible I am 
 possessed of too much of it, but am resolved for the future 
 to deliver myself up to the rasps & files of the Artist, lest 
 it get deeper root. 
 
 The natural ferocity of our Tempers & maners is such that 
 it requires much of that softness, so natural to your sex to 
 allay them, This again Miss B. must plead my excuse, and 
 the personal Beauties, that agreeable humour & Pleasantness 
 which I know you to be possessed of, added to the peculiar 
 Turn you have to please, tends much to increase my anxiety 
 & long for the time when a happy Correspondence shall be 
 established between us - As I intended this only as an 
 introduction, I will not trouble you more till I have your 
 approbation, & though it is with regret I bid you Adieu, yet 
 it is with pleasure I can subscribe myself yours 
 
 N B I will not forget to remember my Compliments to 
 friends in Lebanon particularly your brother, nor again to 
 answer this the first opportunity if you think proper, other 
 wise you will please to destroy the contents & laugh at the 
 impertinence of yours 
 
 as before." 
 
 Her reply follows : 
 
 "Sir. 
 
 A ready answer is often misconstrued: & generally sup 
 posed to be premature. At present (if I may be my own 
 judge) I think it is not my case, the favourable opportunity 
 of replying by M T R n, & the uncertainty of another, 
 the various conjectures you would raise in your own mind 
 from a neglected epistle, were motives sufficient to induce 
 me to an answer : which, I think may be with propriety be 
 in the affirmative. 
 
 In corresponding with a person of your genious & ability, 
 I may reasonably promise myself some advantage, without 
 once considering the advantageous situation you are in, to 
 improve in every laudable attainment: with natural sim 
 plicity you may be diverted, while with what is valuable, & 
 useful I may possibly be profited. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 37 
 
 Your resolution to polish of (f ) scholastic rust, I sincerely 
 applaud; tho in itself innocent, it is to some very disagree 
 able. To execute your plan, you think 'that intercourse with 
 the female world is necessary' this perhaps is commend 
 able. but the consequence of your fatal resolution, to 
 deliver yourself up to the 'rasps & files of the Artist', I 
 must leave for a more penetrative pen to delineate. 
 
 from &cc 
 
 BB- 
 Lebanon July 4 th 1780" 
 
 This brought out a second letter, the draft of which is as 
 follows : 
 
 "D M B 
 
 I lately received your most agreeable Epistle by M r Robert 
 son & assure you it was highly agreeable in evry respect the 
 length excepted & were M r R to go back & forth evry Week 
 I doubt not but the case would be very agreeable. 
 
 Your conjecture with regard to my anxiety in case you did 
 not write I assure you was justly founded & I underwent 
 some of it before I knew you had - 
 
 With natural simplicity you think I may be diverted I 
 own it, but assure you Miss B without flattery that I am 
 much more delighted with the acquired Sentiments & the 
 easy Stile that expresses them, which I find in yours - I 
 am happy to find that you so much applaud my resolution 
 with respect to scholastic rust & the measures I propose to 
 get rid of it, though the consequence you think you can not 
 describe - 
 
 You must excuse me Miss if my Letter is not so long or 
 correct as you can wish for I assure you it is amid the great 
 est Noise & confusion immaginable that I write Scholars 
 continually in & out forbidding my writing, the Cause of 
 this is the Examination of the Senior Class, which is com 
 monly attended with a Relaxation from studies & in attend 
 ance on favourrite amusements & mine you see has centered 
 on Writing letters & this evry rational person would think 
 an amusement, provided he had so agreeable a Person for 
 
3 & Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 the Object - The exhibitions usual on such examinations 
 will begin soon, they will be attended with a great Audience 
 of Gentlemen & Ladies & I can with Sincerity wish myself 
 (the) happiness of Introducing you among them & since you 
 cannot oblige me in this you will at least suffer me to attend 
 them myself & in consequence I bid you a temporary Adieu 
 
 And now I suppose M. B. you will be anxious to enquire 
 whether the exercise were agreeable & if they were crowned 
 with a Collection of fine Ladies - - these I readily answer in 
 the Afermative - - but I am sensible I have reason to ask 
 pardon for troubling you with a recital of such agreeable 
 scenes since they can be only an aggravation to one who did 
 not pertake of the pleasure of them - 
 
 And it is now too late in the Evening to resume a new 
 subject so I must once more bid you adieu with assuring you 
 I remain your most obedient hum b Sevant & if you will allow 
 the expression Admirer 
 
 Simeon Baldwin." 
 
 A few months later she writes again. 
 
 "Lebanon, October 23 1780 
 Sir 
 
 Having found an opportunity of sending a line to you, I 
 cannot deny myself the pleasure of improving it : but upon 
 my word T know not what to write - - our acquaintance will 
 apologise for no freedom & a reserv'd formal epistle would 
 appear unfriendly - - and it is exceeding difficult for me to 
 determine what would be to you agreeable, or entertaining - 
 a delineation of the advantages of letter-writing T would be 
 dictating to better judgment - - & a description of my own 
 situation, very ungen(er)ous. I can think of nothing at 
 present that would be more satisfactory than something con 
 cerning some particular Ladies - - & first place would give 
 an account of an agreeable visit which I made this afternoon, 
 but previous to this would observe, the Ladies were all older 
 than myself, excepting two, - - seven of us formed the circle, 
 courtship, & matrimony the topic of conversation, & must 
 own we were rather severe in our censures of the men, tho 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 39 
 
 perhaps not altogether unjust - - but finding our sentiments 
 were not concordant, I returned to enjoy my own opinion in 
 a happy retirement. 
 
 As it is natural for every one to make frequent mention 
 of whatever is upon their mind, you will suopose it time to 
 notice the other Sex --be not too happy in your suppositions ; 
 it is not a matter of so much weight upon my mind, but that 
 I could leave the company of three worthy young Gentlemen 
 to my Brother, while I retired to write - this you will say is 
 almost incredible -- but not to create any unbeliefs let me tell 
 you the evening is not far spent. 
 
 Yours of July last I received by M r R n. I assure you 
 that a 'recital of the agreeable scenes' at the examination 
 was far from being 'an aggravation/ to see persons tasting 
 the highest degrees of happiness, I hope will never excite a 
 spirit of uneasiness in me, merely, because I am not a 
 partaker. 
 
 I presume you will put the most candid construction on this 
 very lengthy epistle. 
 
 from B B 
 M r Baldwin." 
 
 His draft of his next letter to her makes it seem probable 
 that it was not written before the following Winter. 
 
 "To Miss B Bushnell - 
 
 The interrupted chain of our correspondence is such that 
 it almost requires a formal introduction before I may venture 
 to begin another Epistle, yet the pleasure alredy received & 
 the agreeable prospect of future happiness as well as improve 
 ment on my part, forbid that I should let it entirely cease - 
 but now I've taken my pen I have not determined on the 
 subject for, as you say, our acquaintance will apologize for 
 but little freedom - I have asked my room-mates what 
 subject would be proper for a letter to an amiable young Lady 
 One says Sublimity, but I am not master enough either in 
 Theory or practice to write an agreeable Treatise on this; 
 another says hatred & insincerity but I hope we may neither 
 
40 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 of us have to do with this - Love & friendship are pro 
 posed ; as to the former I acknowledge I never was affected 
 with it, & consequently cannot write on it with that pathos the 
 subject would require - - Should I attempt a Dissertation 
 &c, Courtship & matrimony you tell me \vere the subject of 
 conversation for the agreeable Circle of which you was a 
 part, on the afternoon previous to your writing your Last: 
 this I fancy was then so much better discussed than what 
 could be expected from the inexperienced I, that I dare not 
 attempt it 
 
 I shall however think myself honoured in submitting to 
 your perusal the scanty productions of an inexperienced 
 writer, though quite unadorned with that fictitious pomp & 
 those dazling ornaments too freequently used as a gloss to 
 the Deceit of flatterers, & which I know must be as disgustful 
 to your more refined tast as they are unnatural to yours in 
 the Bonds of friendship," 
 
 Early in his Senior year lie seems to have had a very 
 friendly acquaintance with Miss Nancy Dibble of Danbury. 
 It was, no doubt, begun when he was at that place, as a school 
 boy. He writes her on October 26, 1780, and receives, early 
 in 1/81, by the hand of Mr. Hillhouse, this answer: 
 
 "Danbury Fc b 23 1781. 
 
 T received, Sir, 
 
 With pleasure your Ingenious & Polite favour Of Oct 26, 
 which I should have acknowledged before this time had an 
 opportunity offered I think your Modesty was rather 
 extravigant to oppose your pleasure (if it was any) in Writ 
 ing to me; however I am happy that it was Conquered by 
 any inducement whatever. I hope after this you will not be 
 at a loss for a subject, as I will Venture to give you Leav to 
 Write on any which may please your own fancy, and let the 
 Subject be ever so pleasing in itself, I dare say it will receiv 
 new Graces from your Just and Lively imagination, You 
 must allow me Sir to tell you I think you have Entirely 
 Escaped that pedantic air you mention, which is too often 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 4 1 
 
 the Companion of young gentlemen when the Leave Calage. 
 I think this proceeds from their Ignorance of the World, as 
 I perceiv their acquaintance with it is their Remedy; you 
 appear to be so well acquainted with the arts of the fair that 
 I think their is but little danger of your being deceived by 
 them, and I believe their is very few Such Characters as you 
 Described; their are Some Gentlemen so Whimsical that 
 they think every Lady of one or other of these Characters, 
 as they will say their is no medium in a Lady, but I know 
 you have more generosity than to think so unfavorably I am 
 Sir with Sentiments of Respect & Esteem your 
 
 Obliged friend N. Dibble 
 Miss Lucy returns her ) 
 most respectfull Comp 
 to Mr Baldwin ) 
 
 Whether other letters passed between them, or not, does 
 not appear, but it is probable, from the following extract 
 from a letter to him from Benjamin Isaacs, of April i, 1782, 
 that one more came from him : 
 
 "Your Friend Xancy Dibble, was married to M r Tucker, 
 last tuesday night, not long since I had the honor of drinking 
 Tea with her at Danberry; she told that you had 
 written her a very fine Letter I re-echoed her praises, & 
 would, had the wind been fair, conveyed them to you that 
 instant, but I suppose the twiching of your right Ear gave 
 you notice what we are about: it is they say sometimes a 
 faithful Monitor My left Ear, this instant, gives me warn 
 ing not to trouble you with this, but your observations, 
 against my negligence will ever prevail." 
 
 His other lady correspondent at Danbury, Miss Lois Wood, 
 was apparently a family friend, who was considerably older 
 than himself. During his three years at school there he had 
 formed quite a wide circle of acquaintanceship. One or the 
 other of his sisters in turn kept house for his brother, and 
 
42 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 they saw a good deal of company. Simeon was a handsome 
 boy, with blue eyes, and flaxen hair, an easy talker, and pre 
 possessing in his address. While in College, he visited 
 Danbury once or twice again, and was always interested in 
 news from that town. It was the better to secure it as well 
 as to improve his style in letter-writing, that when he was 
 seventeen or eighteen years old, he asked from Miss Wood 
 the privilege of correspondence. She granted it, and they 
 exchanged letters several times a year, for some time. She 
 often alludes to the doings of her family in a way that shows 
 that they all knew to whom she wrote. 
 
 J 
 
 Of these letters some were written during the year suc 
 ceeding his graduation. 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Miss Lois Wood 
 
 "Dear Miss Lois: 
 
 It is now a month since I wrote a large Packet to Dan- 
 bury but as I have received no returns conclude it never 
 reached the Persons to whom it was directed so that without 
 apologies I may still venture upon another with the same 
 freedom - Little did I think when I left Danbury Inst 
 where I was entertained with such an agreeable Circle of 
 Intimates - - that we should suffer two long months to pass 
 without once attempting to fan the coals of that friendship 
 which we then professed & especially so when the small bar 
 rier of 40 miles easily passed is the only hindrance But yet, 
 though it may appear singular to make such an excuse, it 
 is the want of opportunity - - for to tell the truth your friend 
 
 - pardon the digression - - is become wholly weaned from 
 the world & given to the Muses: these I court with equal 
 pleasure & profit, devoting all my little stock of Gallantry 
 to increase the intimacy - My visits I make almost as 
 constant as the day, & frequently sup with them upon the 
 richest repast 25 sometimes we have a dish of history sea- 
 
 25 History, Poetry, Novels & Plays for the dainty Morsels of the 
 Banquet. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 43 
 
 soned and made palateable with a flowing, easy stile - - & 
 for a second course perhaps a little Poetry cooked by a Milton 
 or a Pope, & the Banquet closed, or interspersed, with a few 
 of those easily digested morsels, Novels & Plays The dishes 
 of the Feast you readily see will afford sufficient matter for 
 Conversation to the whole Circle, which is commonly com 
 posed of none but the 9 sisters & myself. Thus, Miss Lois, 
 I have given you a description of my situation & imployment, 
 wh h though longer than I intended, I hope is not disgustful. 
 If from my relation you think I spend my time happily, I 
 must assure you I do, but then point to yourself the Conse 
 quence - - fancy you see me in the Spring stalking forth a 
 morose Pedant, covered with Scholastic rust for These 
 Persons tho otherwise agreeable - - seldom form the man of 
 the world - - know little about the Beau-mond - - or the 
 insidious deceit of flatterers. & Indeed I find they are not 
 possessed of all that Delicacy & Softness, the Peculiar char 
 acteristic of your Sex, & wh h is so very necessary to soften 
 the natural ferocity of ours -- dont think I'm preaching for 
 I assure you I never yet received Orders - I am sensible, 
 Miss Lois, that there is an agreeable manner of expressing 
 familiar matters as well in our Letters as in personal Con 
 versation & wh h renders them peculiarly engaging - - I wish, 
 for the pleasure of my friends, I was possessed of this happy 
 tallent - - but small talk of either kind is not the natural 
 Product of my Genius." 
 
 "N Haven Februarv 2cl 1782 
 D. Miss 
 
 I perceive from sad experience tho \ know not from what 
 rule that I must expect to sent 2 Epistles to you before I 
 may hope an Answer I say I know not from what rule, 
 for were it a Compensation for yours, I'm sensible a Dozen 
 would not make it - - but yet, tho I am sensible the Ballance 
 is so^nuch against me, I can by no means forbear writing 
 for I've heard it an observation that even a scrap of paper, 
 which we know has recently passed thro the hands of our 
 f rinds causes many pleasing Emotions - Now as I have the 
 
44 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 pleasure of my friends much at heart, it affords me much 
 happiness to reflect that in the present case I am doubly pre 
 pared to effect it, for if the Letter in itself is agreeable, my 
 End is certainly answered, & if it be disagreeable - - only 
 conceive it a useless fragment devoid of contents but just 
 left me & I think I have obtained my wishes from the Obser 
 vation made above .... 
 
 Our dancing School which has for so long been the subject 
 of Table chat will be opened to morrow - - this will afford 
 new business for us - - this is all the news in our Day that I 
 can at present afford for I assure you I am almost as dead 
 to the world as the Hermit of the Desert. 
 
 The short notice I had of this opportunity requires me to 
 shorten my Letter though I have many things to say & 
 Questions to Ask of you & our friends but they all amount 
 but to this that I am entirely your's & their 's most sincerely 
 Miss Lois Wood." 
 
 Miss Lois Wood to Simeon Baldwin 
 
 "Danbury February 22 (1 1782 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I had the honour of receiving yours by M r Trowbridge; 
 which afforded me Infinite J Measure, first Because that my 
 scrawl it gave you any Satisfaction and Secondly that I am 
 not to be Numbered with those Delinquents; but you must 
 Consider that they are Others ways engaged; and I sup 
 pose they think on Business of more Importance than Letter 
 writing; (Viz) Matrimony; but I hope They will take care 
 and not go to N Haven, as I think by all account there is 
 Something in the Climate which is very Disadvantageous 
 to People who are about to give Hymen an Invitation to 
 Light his Torches and If you ever mean to Marry a N H. 
 Lady I should advise you by all means to move her from 
 there; as I dont think the Ladies minds can be formed so 
 very different from other peoples ; and It must be Something 
 particular in the air - - but you must Consider it is Court 
 week here and Company will not admit of any more but only 
 I am your Sincere Friend and Humble Servant Lois Wood. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate* 45 
 
 N B My Dadda desired me to Inform you that Lewis 
 Holms' Estate is now advertised for settlement and If you 
 will send him your account he will give it to one Lawyer Dell 
 an acquaintance of his who will procure you your dew - 
 
 L W." 
 
 February 23 d 82 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I received yours by D r Munson - - and am happy to find 
 you so Friendly as to not wait for an answer to your Last 
 as I assure you my Friend, I have not had an Opertunity till 
 this since I had the pleasure of receiving it - - you are very 
 polite Indeed to say that a Dozen of your Letters is not a 
 Compensation for one of mine Flatery undoubtedly How 
 ever I shall not take it in that way, but only that you are glad 
 to hear from your Friends and as there is none in Danbury 
 who by action prove that they wish to inlarge their Friend 
 ship with you by Letters, excepting my self, mine may give 
 you some degree of satisfaction - - Lockwood says he would 
 write now If that he was not so much Engaged with Law 
 affairs; but I told him to write Love instead of Law as I 
 thought that most proper - I am glad to hear you are 
 coming on so smart in the Dancing way I shant hardly dare 
 to speak to some folks in the spring I suppose they will be so 
 smart. But the Lawyers have used up all my Paper since 
 they have been here so that I have only enough left to say 
 I am Yours sincerely 
 
 Lois." 
 
 Her correspondent having found fault with her for not 
 telling him all the Danbury news, she replied on April 7, 
 1782: 
 
 "I assure you my Friend that had any thing worth relating 
 to you Occured I should have taken a Pleasure in Commu 
 nicating it. I can Inform you though that we had an Elegant 
 Ball last week at Cp* Clerks and you must know I had the 
 honour of being M r Bebee 9 partner - - undoubtedly you have 
 
46 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 heard before this that we have no N Dibble In Dan. as she 
 has Lately deserted Celibacy and Inlisted herself in the bands 
 of Hymen with M r Tucker - - as for going to Norwich I 
 would go with all my heart but I fear I shall not be able to 
 Persuade Betsy to go along, Though I am sure If she was 
 half as anxious to see her friends there as I am that she would 
 go, as I allready anticipate the Pleasure I should receive in 
 that visit - but you must not expect anything agreeable or 
 entertaining from me at this time as I have been hearing 
 D r Rogers preach his farewell Sermon which has rather 
 thrown my mind into a Serious posture; and I must beg of 
 you to take orders for Preaching very soon. If you ever mean 
 to, and come and Live here, as we are Tntirely destitute of a 
 Preacher and now know the value and feel the Loss of your 
 Worthy & most amiable Brother. From your sincere friend 
 and humble servant Lois." 
 
 At this time and until sometime after his return from 
 Albany, Mr. Baldwin was thinking seriously of preparing 
 for the ministry. 
 
 He visited his old home at Norwich in the Summer of 
 1782, and another letter from Miss Wood, dated July 21 of 
 that year, refers to it thus: 
 
 "I have had the pleasure of receiving your two Last 
 oblidging favours and am very happy to find you have not 
 forgot your friend - - you seem to make Apologies for the 
 former which I think was Intirely Needless as it aforded me 
 the greatest Pleasure, as it came at a time when 1 began to 
 think your Journey to Norwich the Pleasure and Satisfac 
 tion you received with your Friends; and the Pleasing 
 Sensations which must have risen from thinking you had 
 Captivated three or four fine young Ladies - - had Driven 
 poor Lois quite from your remembrance - - but am very 
 sorry to hear your ride was so Disagreeable." 
 
 In the Summer of 1/84, she married a Mr. Starr of Bethel, 
 and his sister Bethiah wrote him of it, and of several other 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 47 
 
 recent marriages, in a way showing clearly that the cor 
 respondence had been a purely Platonic one. 
 
 He was asked by his sister Mary, in August, 1781, when 
 she was a woman of twenty-eight, for his opinion as to 
 whether she should accede to the request of a Mr. Weed to 
 correspond with her in a similar way. She writes that she 
 thinks Mr. Weed a worthy young man, but will follow her 
 brother's counsel in the matter, adding that she has ever 
 looked upon it as an advantage for the improvement of 
 young women to correspond with gentlemen, and that so far 
 as she is capable, she would be willing to write, as requested. 
 
 The advice seems to have been favorable, for a corre 
 spondence with Mr. Weed was begun, though soon dropped. 
 
 Changes in our social usages served to put an end, early 
 in the next century, to exchanges of letters of this description. 
 
 One of Mr. Baldwin's grandsons, in a letter to a younger 
 sister, in 1848, thus narrates the fate of a similar invitation 
 to that sent by her grandfather to Miss Dibble: 
 
 "Your letter came just in time to keep me from writing to 
 Hartford, as T was going to tomorrow, to make of Emily 26 
 the same request that Tom Beecher made to Elizabeth 27 
 which so astonished her, i. e. that, since she was fond of 
 scribbling, it would give him great pleasure if she would 
 collect her letters into words, her words into sentences, & 
 send them on, at stated times, to him. Elizabeth rolled up 
 her eyes." 
 
 The manners of women in Connecticut in the latter part 
 of the eighteenth century were in general less formal and 
 conventional than now. 
 
 In the first year of his tutorship, for instance, Mr. Baldwin 
 received the following note from Miss Ruth Stiles, the Presi- 
 
 28 A first cousin. 
 27 Another sister. 
 
48 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 dent's daughter, then a girl of nineteen, inviting him to what 
 was probably the Commencement ball : 28 
 
 "Miss Ruthy Stiles's compliments wait on M r Tutor Bald 
 win with the inclosed Ticket which unexpectedly was pre 
 sented her by M rs Wilson : it entitles a Gentleman & Lady to 
 a part in the Ball this Eveing: M r Baldwin will at once 
 percieve that Miss Ruthy would be happy in his company as 
 she has made the predelection by sending him the Ticket 
 
 Leap Year" 
 
 The invitation also indicates that, had it not been for this 
 ticket, he would probably not have gone to the ball. Fond 
 as he was of dancing, this could only have been because he 
 did not feel able to support the expense incident to attending 
 such an entertainment. 
 
 Dancing by students had formerly been discountenanced. 
 In 1762 three students were publicly "admonished for having 
 got up a dance at Milford," and four more were fined 2s 6d 
 for attending it."' 1 ' As early as 1775 public sentiment had 
 changed, and a dancing school was opened in New Haven. 30 
 
 Balls had by this time become a common diversion in all 
 the larger towns of the State. The graduating class at Yale 
 were accustomed to have one in the State House, on the 
 evening of Commencement. 31 
 
 Mr. Baldwin had learned to dance before coming to Col 
 lege and was fond of the amusement. One of his boyhood 
 comrades in Norwich, George Hough, writes to him in his 
 Junior year the following letter describing two balls recently 
 given at that place : 
 
 28 Miss Stiles was married in 1799 to Rev. Caleb Gannett of Cam 
 bridge, who was graduated at Harvard in 1763. 
 
 29 Yale Book, I, 445. 
 
 30 Barber, History and Antiquities of New Haven, 134. 
 
 31 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 36. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 49 
 
 "Norwich, 2O th Nov r . 1779.- 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 My former Manifestations of Friendship and Affection 
 for you, will, I make no doubt, be considered a sufficient 
 Introduction to this Epistle; I shall therefore proceed to 
 give you a vulgar Description of our affairs here: And am 
 sorry to say, that we have been in a terrible Hubbub since 
 'you left this place, occasioned by Miss S y T- p's 
 refusing to gratify M r . Hackley with the Pleasure of waiting 
 on her to our late recreative Ball after Training; but this 
 is now considerably hushed, and I hope the peevish Disposi 
 tions and fantastical Notions of those fickle-minded Persons 
 will no more be permitted to disturb the Peace, Tranquility 
 and Union of our Part of the Community -- and all haughty 
 Designs and demoniacal Machinations wafted to the utter 
 most ends of the Earth. - However, a Detail of what hap 
 pened in Consequence of that Affair, will not, I presume to 
 say, be disagreeable to you, - - which I shall endeavour to 
 give as accurate and concise as possible ; though a particular 
 one will doubtless require some Patience. 
 
 After our absent Members returned from the Forest (one 
 of which, on his Way Home, met M r . Hackley on his Return, 
 who did not forget to entertain him, as well as others before 
 he left this Place, with a Series of delightful Talks and 
 diabolical Falsehoods) I had enough to do to palliate the 
 Blame and Censure brought on me by his Malevolence, until 
 I could give a true and candid Representation, not only of 
 my Conduct in particular, but the Company's in general, 
 towards that Gentleman, for it seems he imputed his being 
 destitute of a Partner that Evening, entirely to me - - saying 
 that I treated him disrespectfully as a Stranger, by not 
 acquainting him of Miss S y's Aversion to go with 
 him ; - - which in Truth I ought to have done, had I had an 
 Opportunity before we arrived to the place agreed on for 
 our Recreation; but being deprived of any, I thought it 
 then most proper to inform M r . Simeon Lathrop of the sad 
 Effects of his Appointment who I made no Doubt would 
 dispense it to him, - - and that, in my Opinion, would have 
 been more consistant than for me in my vicarious State. 
 
50 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 But the greatest Absurdity was his saying, that we took a 
 Thirty Dollar Bill of his towards defraying the Expence of 
 the Entertainment! - Though there was a Thirty Dollar 
 Bill taken by my Kinsman John (who repeatedly refused it) 
 previous to M r . Hackley's leaving the Company; yet his 
 insisting on his taking it, - - saying, he hated to go away 
 before the Company broke up, without leaving something; - 
 that he was unwell, &c. - - and that if we declined taking it 
 at the Close of the Dance, we might give it to his Cousin 
 Hannah, who he should see the next Day, and would take it 
 again: - - Instead of that, he made it his particular Business 
 the next Day to assert, that we took it toward the expense. 
 
 I was in a Manner totally ignorant of M r Hackley's Dis 
 gust, until M r Asa Fitch acquainted me of it, some Time after 
 he returned from the Forest ; who was the Person that met 
 j\1 r Ilackley on his Return, as before mentioned. - He at 
 first appeared very much dissatisfied with our Conduct in 
 treating that Gentleman in the manner he said we did, (and 
 good Reason according to his Story) - - but when he came 
 to be acquainted with the Truth and Circumstances of the 
 Matter, he did not think us so obnoxious to Censure as he at 
 first suspected. 
 
 Let this liuddhl Narration suffice for the present, which I 
 have to inform you, that perfect Harmony now subsists 
 between us - - no Jars nor Contagions are heard - - all is 
 quiet and serene, - - two of our Cowass Friends have been 
 down, and we have had an agreeable Dance; - Stop! - 
 was agreeable? - let me consider a Moment - O Yes, 
 agreeable to me by all means; - - though not to be compared 
 to any - You would have laughed to see the hustling and 
 irregular Manner in which it was conducted - Female 
 guests were so scarce, that myself and one other went with 
 out Partners; - - and the pompous Ball was performed -at 
 M r Jesse Brown's. - - When I reflect on that of ours, the 
 Decency, good Order, Freedom from Clamours, Com 
 placency, and every other Decoration that could contribute 
 to illustrate a Performance of the Kind, appear so conspic 
 uous, that the mere Glance of Thought on the other, renders 
 it almost unworthy the Name of BALL or ENTERTAINMENT. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 5 1 
 
 Your Attention, I imagine is by this Time sufficiently 
 weary of my unrefined Stile - - and perhaps excited by the 
 Reflection of something more entertaining than the Perusal 
 of my Scribbles : Therefore, presenting the Compliments of 
 your amiable female Friend - - my Brother Wetherill - 
 Kinsman John, &c. &c. and inclosing one of the Epitha- 
 lamiums, I must leave you to the premeditated Disposal of 
 the Divine Being, and subscribe myself with Sentiments of 
 Regard and Affection, your sincere Friend, Wellwisher and 
 humble Servant. - - G. Hough. - 
 
 P. S. - - My D r S r - - I am sorry to inform you that I have 
 lately made a Contract with M r London, of Fish Kill, to go 
 and work with him, giving over all thoughts of going to 
 School: - His offers were such as not to be rejected - - he 
 has a grand Library, which he has given me the free use of, 
 so that I am in hopes, by close attention (abandoning all rural 
 Amusements) to make Proficiency, at least in the English 
 Language, in some Degree adequate to that which I should 
 obtain by going to School: - - If you are disposed to write 
 before my Exody, (which will be in two or three weeks) you 
 will find a ready conveyance by the post - - by inquiring at 
 the Printing-Office what time in the week he passes thro' N. 
 Haven. - - I intend if possible, to come thro' N Haven when 
 I go to Fish Kill. 
 M r Simeon Baldwin ) ( , 7 , ~ 
 
 New Haven \ \ Your s &c ' G " H -~ 
 
 Hough's next letter, of December 19, 1779, thus alludes to 
 a similar entertainment at New Haven, in which Baldwin 
 took part: 
 
 "I must not forget to felicitate you on the agreeable dance 
 you had in the evening previous to your last Epistle; I am 
 happy that your situation affords you so much pleasure. 
 
 I promised in my last to give you an account of proceedings 
 at thanksgiving; but as nothing material happened to pre 
 vent our having an agreeable dance, which we surely had, 
 and it being now near 12 o'clock, I shall suspend particulariz 
 ing until I have a more convenient opportunity." 
 
5 2 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 Simeon Baldwin was no anchorite. He enjoyed the 
 pleasures of society; both at home and while at college. 
 His long vacations he spent largely in Bozrah. 
 
 A letter from Air. Hough, dated September 3, 1781, gives 
 this description of a recent Norwich party: 
 
 ''Last week all Hands, (those of Airs. Huntington's family 
 excepted, not being duly notified) made a tour over to Air 
 Josh Barker's, I suppose to eat Walter-Melons; I was there 
 myself in the evening, but got none, - - however I was very 
 well entertained with a suppre of Aleat and Beans, topped 
 off with Pyes, &c. Good Cyder to wash down. - Crisp 
 was there, 
 
 And made his lyre with such a scrapering, 
 It set the people all a capering. 
 
 1 don't know that I can give you any other idea of their 
 proceedings, than that they performed their exercise with 
 the usual polite ceremonies: Alessrs John Waterman, Solo 
 mon Hyde, & one or two others, were there, to put the grace 
 ui)on us. - We dispers'd about twelve o'clock in perfect 
 harmony." 
 
 One of Air. Baldwin's liveliest correspondents was his 
 classmate, Benjamin Isaacs, afterwards a merchant in 
 Norwalk. 
 
 In A I ay, 1/80, Air. Hough replies thus to a letter describ 
 ing the gayeties of Norwich during the preceding Winter: 
 
 'It seems clear that you have spent this frozen winter 
 very agreeably - - I must acknowledge full equal to my expec 
 tation, by your account : - I am glad to hear it, and should 
 have been consumately happy had 1 been with you. - But 
 contrary winds I fear will ever attend me. - I must heartily 
 congratulate you on your different parties of pleasure, espe 
 cially your first and capital one - - It was undoubtedly grand, 
 and I flatter myself conducted in a manner well becoming 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 53 
 
 the gallant sons of BOZRAH. - For my part I have taken 
 very little satisfaction, except entertaining books; the 
 perusal of which has been my principal employment at leisure 
 hours. - None, or very few, parties of pleasure are to be 
 found in this place. - The army has so depopulated and 
 corrupted it, that there is no regulation among the young 
 people. And on the whole I begin to wish myself back 
 again. - 
 
 But to return to yours. - - I cannot pretend to answer every 
 particular circumstance, though deserving it. Your ride, 
 &c. to Cardwell's seems to be a principal, as well as an agree 
 able one : And the thought of having a plenty of Wine and 
 Ladies, makes my mouth water. [[7/0 could lire better, says 
 you ? Ah ! sure enough ! - Let those who can, despise 
 such living as that, I say - For my part I desire no better. 
 
 Xow I come to Marriages -- and what shall I say of your 
 Wedding? Surely I cannot wish to have been a sharer in 
 your disappointment: No, by no means; and I am sorry 
 people should put so much dependance on uncertainties. - 
 However, the silk Gowns, Head-Dresses, &c. &c. which were 
 made and altered, will be ready against time of need; - 
 doubtless there will be another soon, if courting is continued 
 with spirit ; and then what they have done will seem to be 
 clear gain; - But how did the Ladies, (and I will venture 
 to say Gentlemen too) conceal their chagrin? Did they not 
 look on the happy couple with disdain? - with a scowling 
 sneer? - Did they not apparently envy them because they 
 married privately? - Methinks I see you laughing at each 
 other with a horrid Grin ; trying to find one more disap 
 pointed than another : But it is in vain, I think : - Indeed, 
 Sir, in my opinion T have the best right to laugh, and that 
 without discrimination - - Ha! ha! ha! - - upon my word, 
 fine times there - - have a Wedding in the very heart of the 
 parish, and none of you invited: Poor mortals! - I would 
 not be considered as laughing at you, my dear Sir; for I 
 imagine you are pleased with the Joke; and are willing to 
 forego the honour of an invitation (though you might have 
 taken great pleasure) to have some few disappointed: You 
 know who I mean ; - therefore tell them from me, if you 
 
54 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 think proper, that / pity them from the bottom of my heart; 
 and would willingly comfort them, zvas it in my power/' 
 
 No copies of Mr. Baldwin's letters to Mr. Hough were 
 retained, but some notion of their contents may be gained 
 from the replies to them, including that of August 14, 1780, 
 from which the following extracts are made : 
 
 "My opinion, Sir, with respect to Scholars having nothing 
 to do but to indulge themselves in slothful indolence, is very 
 different from most people's. I have had sufficient expe 
 rience in study to convince me to the contrary. It is a 
 tedious employment, and ought to be attended to with the 
 greatest assiduity. It does not, 'tis true, exercise the body; 
 but the close application of the mind makes it extremely 
 wearisome to the senses; - - and when a person is allowed 
 a little recess, he gladly embraces the opportunity of divert 
 ing himself with the amusements of the town and a view 
 of the surrounding scenes. You do not, however, seem to 
 have the least inclination to indulge yourself in diversions 
 that produce so little advantage in the end; and indeed the 
 disposition is commendable. It displays a strong desire of 
 becoming perfect in Literature, and gives your friends & 
 acquaintances the satisfaction to hope you will not only be 
 gratified to exhibit a part with a respectable appearance upon 
 the stage of the world, but be able to render the most impor 
 tant services to the whole community." 
 
 On January 19, 1781, Isaacs writes from Xorwalk that 
 he has just returned from the ordination of Mr. John A very 
 (Yale, Class of 1777), adding: 
 
 "The exercises in general would have been more agreeable; 
 had they been proportioned to the coldness of the weather. 
 A dance naturally ensued (pretty good). 
 
 You flatter my vanity too much, to think that the Ladies 
 have so great a regard for me, I might give some credit to 
 it, did not I know that your presence carries with it the idea 
 of invincible, among the Ladies, please to return them the 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 55 
 
 kiss of friendship; tell them that I can note their sweetness 
 in imagination." 
 
 The ordination was at Stamford, Dr. Stiles preaching the 
 sermon, which alone occupied an hour and a half. 32 No 
 stoves, except small foot stoves for elderly women, were then 
 used in churches. 
 
 Another letter from Isaacs, written at the close of their 
 Senior year, is as follows: 
 
 "Xorwalk, April 25th, 1781. 
 Dear Sim - 
 
 After much trouble, I have at length obtained all the 
 necessary ingredients towards compassing a Letter except 
 invention, which I find is considerable blunted, by a small 
 walk, of about 14 Miles (this I think needs explanation) I 
 have just returned from Horseneck which being below the 
 Lines, I assure it was with the greatest difficulty that I could 
 get a permission to see my Friends; nor could I get back, 
 unless I avoided the Guards by passing a river, which could 
 not be effected only by Shanks Horse. O tempora ! O mores ! 
 I have no news but bad. last Wednesday was brought into 
 N York the ship Confederacy, Cap't Harding, laden with 
 Sugars & clothing for the soldiers valued at 50,000 Sterling. 
 She surrendered to the Roebuck of 44 guns without firing a 
 Gun. I fear our Friend Jesse is aboard. Mason Cogswell 
 has almost recovered his health from a dangerous fit of 
 sickness. I will write no more of news, since there is no 
 merit in describing misfortunes. Your Motto I would 
 answer, but your good friend Horace will favor none but the 
 diligent, however T think our productions are too fine to be 
 compared with a ridiculus mus. 
 
 Nothing Sim troubles me so much at present as uneasy 
 reflections, especially those which are derived from being 
 rob'd of the enjoyments of that society which will be ever 
 
 32 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 3. 
 
56 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 most dear to me. I was surprised that you should be at a 
 loss to know what to write, for your letter does not certainly 
 betray a want of sentiment; besides whatever you write, 
 depend upon it will be ever acceptable. I perceive you gain 
 in the art of flattery, but I could wish you would transfer 
 it to some other subject besides Gallantry. As for Hinckley 
 if he is your enemy, I pity him, tho absence they say is a 
 general cure for love. For your sake I am glad you had 
 an opportunity of representing to my beloved, my departure 
 in those pathetic masterly strokes of eloquence, which you are 
 sensible is your characteristic. If I could have enjoyed that 
 opportunity, I assure you I should have counted myself one 
 of the torque qitaterqne beati; & to have heard the swift 
 winged tongue of E 
 
 Now I will describe the music I have been entertained with, 
 an old snorer keeping up a regular concert with 3 or 4 
 younger ones. Harmony as agreeable as the figure of Death 
 in Milton when he 'grin'd horribly a ghastly smile.' 
 
 If I should be so unfortunate as not to have another oppor 
 tunity before vacation (for I mean to embrace every one) 
 be particular in writing concerning the examination, for 
 which T suppose you are preparing with the utmost diligence ; 
 while I am Satanlike, walking to & fro through the Earth." 
 
 Some of his correspondents wrote in a lighter not to say 
 reckless vein. One writes to him in 1782 of the tedium of 
 life, with nothing to do, 
 
 "For to study I have no inclination, to play I am too lazy - 
 to dig I cannot, to beg, I am ashamed. . . . But at 
 present I have no Inclination for anything, for I am almost 
 sick of the World & were it not for the Hopes of going to 
 singing-meeting to night & indulging myself a little in some 
 of the carnal Delights of the Flesh, such as kissing, squeez 
 ing &c. &c. I should willingly leave it now, before 10 o'clock 
 & exchange it for a better." 
 
 Another classmate, shortly before their graduation, writes : 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 57 
 
 "In general have gone on in my old Course of passing time 
 without much Improvement in ' the Sciences. Four years 
 will soon be gone. And then, O then. What Shall I do? - 
 Without a Degree can do Nothing. And with one Shall be 
 like Sounding Brass and a tinkling Cymbal, unable to parse 
 or even to construe it." 
 
 From the first, Simeon Baldwin stood well in scholarship, 
 and he soon built up quite a reputation as a writer and 
 speaker. At the "Quarter" of the Sophomore class, in 
 June, 1779, ne delivered an oration on the "Beauties of 
 Nature," in the chapel, which was less sophomorical than 
 might have been expected from the subject chosen. It was 
 apparently composed in competition for a book offered as a 
 prize by the Class tutor, Noah Atwater. He was so much 
 pleased with it that he asked for a copy, and the following 
 correspondence ensued : 
 
 "Much respected & learned Sir 
 
 Agreeable to your desire I have coppied 
 
 & enclosed the Declamation which I wrote to obtain the pro 
 posed prize which you was pleased to think worthy of your 
 perusal. I must acknowledge that my Ambition was such 
 that it did not consider the Book itself as the highest Object 
 (Palm) I shall therefore ever esteem that as a present & 
 keep it as a token of that grateful remembrance which in duty 
 I owe to the worthy Donor. The Distance which our sit 
 uation at College has placed between us & which the good 
 Order of College seems necessarily to require - forbid 
 that ease of Conversation & freedom of access which would 
 otherwise afford me much pleasure & happiness. Yet the 
 regard & Esteem I ever had for my worthy Tutor as such, 
 & the Obligations I owe for the many kindnesses received 
 not only in helping me from the Intricate mazes of Science; 
 but such as naturally flow from that spirit of philosophy 
 which I ever had the pleasure of beholding in my Instructor, 
 must Apologize for my improving this as an opportunity 
 
58 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 to return my Sincere Thanks as a small retribution for a 
 much larger Debt. I hope your kindness will [pardon] 
 me the troble I give you & receive these expressions of 
 Gratitude as the natural sentiment of my Heart, though 
 unadorned with that fictitious Pomp & Dazling Ornaments 
 too often used to glaze over the Deceit of flatterers & which 
 I know must be disgustful to your more refined tast 
 
 Impressed with these Sentiments it is impossible but that 
 your happiness should ever be an object high in my View - 
 & that your remaining residence at College may be a time 
 of more Pleasure than as yet it has ever been, & when your 
 Profession calls you hence into the Wide World may more 
 refined streams of happiness flow from the exhaustless 
 fountain of that Divine Being in whose Vinyard you have 
 the Honor to Labour - - th is Worthy S r is the Wish & earnest 
 desire of your most Obliged humble Serv 1 & Pupil 
 
 SB" 
 
 Noah Atwater to Simeon Baldwin 
 
 "M T Atwater, impressed with the pleasing Idea of seeing 
 his Pupils emprovements both in solid & refined Literature 
 as well as their decency and regularity in Conduct, particu 
 larly returns thanks to Baldwin, S. S. for his literary and 
 elegant Production and also for his polite & respectful Letter 
 which presented it." 
 
 Early in July of that year, New Haven was invaded by the 
 British troops, and Mr. Baldwin took part with other students 
 in a skirmish at Neck Bridge, one of the points at which 
 armed resistance was ofrered. 
 
 In December, 1779, when he was a youth of eighteen, he 
 prepared the following argument for use in a debate in the 
 Brothers in Unity on the question "Whether the Continental 
 Money ought to be redeemed according to the face of the 
 Bill." 
 
 He argued for the affirmative, thus : 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 59 
 
 "Perhaps it may be proper in the first place to refute some 
 of the objections that may be made against the redemption 
 of the Money, & then offer a few arguments in favour of it. 
 
 It may be said the calling in the money will reduce many 
 persons to poverty & raise others to great Estates, who have, 
 by whatever means they could, collected a considerable sum 
 of this money & expect it paid to them in Silver. Again it 
 may be said it is utterly impossible the States would procure 
 a sufficiency to redeem the whole & therefore they had better 
 let it sink than attempt it. To Answer these it must be 
 considered in what maner the currency is to be redeemed ; It 
 must certainly be by taxation, for as they Say it is impossible 
 to procure enough by any other Method : it will then be at 
 the option of the people whether they will pay their taxes in 
 Silver or paper; if in Silver they may reason(ably) expect 
 to have their money redeemed, but if in paper, it is already 
 done; this is doubtless the method in which the money will 
 be redeemed. Here it may be said the heavy load of taxes 
 will able those possessed of but little money to dispose of their 
 effects at whatever price these hoarders of money will please 
 to give them. To this I answer it ever was & perhaps ever 
 will be the method of redeeming the money to call in the bills 
 of one emission first & to declare them of no Vallue after 
 some Stated Term. This immediately induces the monied 
 man to place his money in any thing rather than have it Sink 
 in his Hands; & now the poor man, that wants Money to 
 pay his rate obtains whatever price he desires for his effects; 
 This, we see, lightens the Load of one & imposes it on the 
 other, who had obtained an unjust Estate by the help of the 
 war as is often the Case, nor are these persons entirely free 
 from the burden, but as is reasonable to suppose they must 
 have some faculty in trade or they never would have obtained 
 such an estate & there is a Special Act for rating persons 
 according to their faculty. again by a late act they are 
 rateable for the money they have in their Chest, So we 
 see these persons have their proportion of the tax. Now is 
 it reasonable to suppose it will do more justice to ruin one 
 half of the people than to preserve an equality among the 
 whole, for it is evident if the money is not redeemed, those 
 
60 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 persons who have their Estate in money lose all at once, and 
 this will immediately produce murmurings & discontent 
 among the people & perhaps a Civil War, nor can we suppose 
 France who own a considerable share will remain quiet, thus 
 we see both from motives of Equity & policy, the money ought 
 to be redeemed, & what is still greater the plighted faith of 
 the Public which ought to be kept pure as Virgin Chastity 
 will be Violated. 
 
 These are Arguments I think not easyly surmounted & I 
 am sure will greatly overbalance any that can be brought 
 against the redemption of the money." 
 
 Another argument was submitted by him in July, 1780, 
 on the question "Whether the Alliance with France will be 
 beneficial to the Inhabitants of America." 
 
 He spoke for the negative, thus : 
 
 'This at first may seem acting against the opinion of our 
 Learned, & the work of our Legislators. But it is a well 
 known Maxim that 'circumstances alter Cases, & necessity 
 knows no Law. When the Inhabitants of America first 
 declared themselves independent States they were almost 
 entirely destitute of the Machines of War, not half the 
 Inhabitants were in possession of a Gun, nor had they one 
 in store to Supply the destitute, or Skilful Artificers to make 
 any! to add to their calamity they must contend with a 
 Nation, Supporting a powerful Army, Skilled in the Arts 
 & Arms well supplyed with the necesaries of war, sufficient 
 discouragements to strike despair into any but Americans; 
 in this case rather than lose our precious Liberty, though 
 suspended by a feble thread, we chose to offer our commerce 
 & beg the Alliance of some potent Nation, who could deliver 
 us from the depths of difficulty into which we were plunged ; 
 upon this we immediately turned our Eyes upon France, who 
 dazzled with the prospect of our useful trade immediately 
 signed our proposals offred her assistance. This we did, 
 not because we saw the Alliance would be useful for the 
 future, but because there was no other Alternative but to 
 submit ourselves to an ignominious Slavery, or fetter our- 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 61 
 
 selves in the chains of this Alliance. In this case we chose 
 the latter as being least of the evils, & it will be well if our 
 case is not that of the Horse in the Fable. Non Equitem 
 Verso, non f renum deputit Ore. But it may be proper, more 
 particularly to enquire, what were the motives that induced 
 France so readily to agree to the Alliance. It is evident that 
 a Nation so Subtel, So skilled in political affairs, would not 
 offer their assistance merely from compassion, or because 
 we asked them ; it must be therefore they foresaw, that the 
 Alliance would be attended with a great Commerce & that 
 the balance would be against us; that we should send the 
 produce of a fertile land, to exchange for their glittering 
 Merchandise, which contain more show than substance; & 
 every person must be sensible that an extensive Commerce 
 with France would be disadvantagious to America, because 
 she can furnish us with nothing, but what we can produce 
 among ourselves, except her Vices & Religion. Another 
 inducement she had, & which is an Argument against the 
 Alliance is this, that we are obliged to declare War against 
 any Nation whatever that France shall call her Enemy. 
 This will again bring in the horrors of War which we very 
 sensibly feel at present. 
 
 Though the Inhabitants of America will never introduce 
 the Popish Religion of ourselves; yet the agreeable tempera 
 ture of the climate, the extensiveness of her delightfull unin 
 habited fields, with the budding Glory of her rising 
 greatness, added to the Liberty we now enjoy, & the free 
 toleration we allow, are sufficient invitations for those Popish 
 Idolaters to spring to her extended Arms. This we see is 
 a method by which this religion may be introduced, by means 
 of this Alliance, & when once it has taken root; the Liberty 
 & Licences that are allowed, are so captivating it will soon 
 spread with universal acceptance among the lo(o)ser & more 
 vitious part of the People, & from them to others of more 
 note till great part of the Inhabitants are tainted with it. 
 
 Perhaps it may be said in favour of this Alliance that the 
 Introduction of Forainers into America, will be useful in 
 improving the Arts & Sciences, & in Peopling the Land, & 
 consequently strengthening it. To this I answer that there 
 
62 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 are not many Arts but what we understand as well as they, 
 except those of Luxury & debauchery, in these I acknowl 
 edge they excell us. But instead of Strengthening the Land 
 they serve greatly to diminish it, which is the natural conse 
 quence of Luxury & effeminacy. 
 
 There is another disadvantage attending the Introduction 
 of the French. We have in truth many of them already 
 with Military command & posts of honor, & many more, by 
 the insinuating address they are Masters of, will soon arrive 
 to still greater Power, till at Length the constitution is 
 undermined & consequently overthrown, & we reduced to 
 the ignominy of becoming Vassals of our Allies. The 
 entrusting Foreiners with the Chief Power is ever attended 
 with consequences similar or worse than these. Thus we 
 see the effect of our so much boasted Alliance, which (tho 
 I own it was useful at first) we see bringing on a disad 
 vantageous Trade, the renewed horrors of War, the intro 
 ducing Foreiners who deprive us of our Sacred rights & 
 Religious duties, & lead us on to Popery & destruction ; who 
 take away what little Virtue we have & replace it with 
 Luxury & Debauchery. & not only this but they deprive us 
 of our freedom, undermine our Power, & totter the State to 
 
 ruin." 
 
 Early in his Senior year, another secret society, to meet 
 fortnightly, was established in the College, by the organiza 
 tion of the "Connecticut Alpha of the Phi Beta Kappa/' 
 It was formed by the initiation, under a charter from the 
 parent society at William and Mary College, of a number 
 of Seniors and Juniors, together with a few recent graduates, 
 on November 13, 1780. He was one of its charter members, 
 and strong supporters. 
 
 The two following arguments he wrote in 1781 for debates 
 at one or the other of his two societies. Both, it will be 
 observed, are on topics of the day, and evince a maturity of 
 judgment not always found in young men of nineteen. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 63 
 
 The first presents a question as to the policy of a law of 
 Connecticut, adopted in May, 1779, providing for the annual 
 election of seven delegates to represent the State in the 
 Congress of the United States. 
 
 "Whether the Members of Congress ought not to be chosen 
 by the Assembly instead of the Freemen. 
 
 Negatively 
 
 The grand Cause of the present unhappy War, & the 
 Important Object we had in View was Liberty, This has 
 already deprived many Individuals of Life & cost the Com 
 munity rivers of Blood, Since then the Object is so dear 
 to us & the price to obtain it so very great, we ought to use 
 evry possible method to keep it in our possession, & especially 
 so before the Bird is become tame & enured to the Cage as 
 here one false step can never be recovered. The present 
 Time is the most important ^Era that America ever saw, 
 She must not only shake off the shackles of slavery which 
 have allready been riveted upon her but must found the 
 Bases on which if rightly managed will probably subsist 
 the most important Empire that ever graced the /Era of 
 man. To make this the case we must first fix our eyes on 
 Liberty the rise & support of the grandeur of all Nations 
 nor must any of our measures interfere with this, & there 
 is no time that a State is in so much Danger as in her Infancy. 
 Her inexperience will then expose her to the Designs of any 
 Insinuating Intruders, whose Lust for Dominion will grow 
 upon them as their Power increases. This is a general fault 
 of mankind into which the best are liable to fall that their 
 Desire whether of riches or Power increases in proportion 
 to what they possess. From this thought it appears evident 
 that we cannot be too cautious especially in our first setting 
 out in trusting any set of men with too much Power, nothing 
 is more dangerous to the Liberty of the State than this. In 
 the present case part of the Power is in the Hands of the 
 people & the question is whether it would not be better for 
 them to give it to a set of Men, who have already as much as 
 they can manage with Dignity. The Question in itself con- 
 
64 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 sidered would appear of little moment, but if we look at the 
 Consequence we shall find them important if considered in no 
 other view than the tendency it has to support our Liberty. 
 If we give up our choice of Election in this grand Court of 
 America we deprive ourselves of one of the most important 
 Pillars which support our Liberty. 
 
 Many Plead that it ought to be \vith the Assembly, as they 
 are better acquainted with the most eminent characters in 
 the State, but ours is not so large but that the Fame of those 
 who are proper persons to join such an August Body \vill 
 soon be spread over the whole either by actions when per 
 sonally present, or the Information not only of Delegates 
 but of others who know them. The Power of Bribes & 
 Insinuation cannot be half so effectual over the People, when 
 spread over the whole State, as over a small proportion of 
 them who are confined to one House. Here also the wrongly 
 applyed Power of some Statesmen will have a much greater 
 effect than over the people at large. To this we may add 
 (that) the uneasiness of the People which will necessarily 
 attend it & be productive of much unhappiness to the Com 
 munity ought to be considered a weighty Argument." 
 
 "Whether it would be for the Advantage of America to 
 accept the Articles of Peace said to be proposed at Madrid 
 between the belligerent Powers of Europe America. 
 
 The prospect of a desired peace to a Nation weary with 
 war is so captivating to the people in general that they fre 
 quently drink many bitter swallows to obtain the desired 
 Draught. This war makes us fearful lest there remain some 
 bitter Dreg which lies hid even in the most favourable pro 
 posals & warns us carefully to examin before we use them: 
 to do this in the present case it seems necessary to consider 
 what was the cause of the war & what our Object in con 
 tinuing it. The two principal Objects mankind have in 
 view in making war are Liberty or extent of territory, the 
 latter of these cannot be ours as we have now extent of 
 Country much too large for our husbandmen to cultivate; 
 or our Arms secure. What advantage can we flatter our 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 65 
 
 selves as arising from the addition of the Floridas in the 
 South or the frozen deserts in the North to our extended 
 republic which is now the largest of the kind in the world 
 The strength of kingdoms arises not so much from the extent, 
 or the number of People as from unanimity, the prospect of 
 which decreases in proportion as the extent increases & 
 it is impossible they should become formidable to us till those 
 States have reached their meridian of Glory since they are 
 now much our inferiors & the increase of population in the 
 United States is certainly equeal & perhaps more rapid than 
 with them Upon the whole we have obtained from these 
 proposals all that we have ever demanded of Man or asked 
 of Heav'n. Liberty was the darling object in persuit & 
 we have obtained this by being declared free & independent 
 of all other Nations of the World. When the proposals 
 are satisfactory to our selves the next thing to be considered 
 is whether they do not militate with the Honour & Integrity 
 of our Allies. Their design in entering the war was 
 undoubtedly to support the Cause of injured Inocence & 
 humble the pride of Britain their enemy, in each of these 
 particulars they have gained their point. They have 
 humbled the pride of their insolent foe & our Cause has been 
 supported & prospered even beyond our most sanguine 
 expectations increase of Dominion they never demanded, 
 all they asked in return for their kindness was the profit of 
 our Trade & Alliance. Thus the advantages arising from 
 this proposed Peace, even if we set aside some small conces 
 sions whh have been made such as the St John, 
 & the cod fishery - - is much in favour of & indeed all that 
 could be demanded by our Allies, as well as our selves. Can 
 we then hesitate one moment before we put an end to the 
 desolation of the war which has already drank the blood of 
 so many of our hopeful youth - The war is already become 
 burdensome - - our resources are small - - much too small 
 to become aggrassors, which we certainly must if we neglect 
 the present honourable proposals - our Debt is already too 
 large for our small revenue, & to think of entailing the need 
 less (cost) upon our posterity & thus deprive them of bless 
 ings of that Liberty they nominally possess, The needless 
 
66 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 expence of a War which at best would produce but a few 
 trifling acquisitions would be injustice indeed. I might here 
 add that when we look forward & contemplate the happy 
 prospect that lies before us & see that the beauty & utility 
 of evry notable fabric depends on the foundation, which is 
 laid in the beginning - - it will evidently appear that the 
 blessings of peace are necessary to establish, & regulate, 
 that happy form of government, wh h is to be the Basis on 
 wh h shall exist the rising greatness & future grandieur of 
 the most extensive republic in the world - - & which in our 
 infant State is incompatible with the din of Arms & the 
 horrors of civil war." 
 
 Mr. Baldwin in his Senior year was elected President of 
 the Brothers in Unity. His inaugural address, which in tone 
 is much like the "Statement of Facts" speeches of fifty 
 years later, was as follows: 
 
 "My Friends & Brethren 
 
 Considering the Laudable Motives which have induced 
 us to Spend the most happy Part of our Lives in the Walls 
 of Yalensia, to debar ourselves of the pleasures & Amuse 
 ments of youth, which others of our Companions are enjoy 
 ing, we ought to use evry Possible method to render them 
 effectual. 
 
 What can be more praiseworthy, or what can redound 
 more to the Honor of any Person than to have it told of 
 him that he had imployed those hours (which others throw 
 away in wanton Amusements) in such a maner as to render 
 the future Period of his life an agreeable Scene of Pleasure 
 & Profit to those around him. The Quarels & Contentions 
 of Mankind he settles with unanimity & Concord, or to those 
 who are wracked with the most cruteating Pains of Body 
 he brings ease & health ; or what is still more Noble, to the 
 Sinful Points out the road to that Stream of Happiness which 
 never fails, & the unparralleled Torments that shall attend 
 him through the boundless Eternity provided he does not 
 strive to enter it. What Laudable Professions are these & 
 how worthy of our unweried application to obtain! And 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 67 
 
 it is impossible to obtain them to any Degree of Perfection 
 without it. Either of them require the strict attention of 
 many a laborious Hour. Thus we see that the whole Glory 
 of our future progress in Life depends much on our improv 
 ing our time well before we set out upon the toilsome Jour 
 ney - A Journey in which we need all the experience of 
 the Aged, & all the advice of the most intimate friends joined 
 to the most consummate knowledge of our own. To obtain 
 these several advantages our Predecessors in this Academy 
 had recourse to that wise Scheme of Instituting perticular 
 Societies both for the Improvement in Literature & Increas 
 ing our Intimacy by more near & indering connections than 
 we should otherwise have which we hope & trust will not 
 be confined to our short residence at this happy Seat of the 
 Muses but extend itself through the whole Course of our 
 future Life - The Society to which we have the Happiness 
 to become members was founded about the Year 1768 by a 
 very few Persons from each of the Classes. There were 
 at that Time two other Meetings in being, the Linonian & 
 Critonian, one of which has since been entirely dissolved. 
 The founders of ours had the happiness to be entirely 
 acquainted with the Constitution of both the others, some of 
 them having been members themselves. This we readily 
 see enabled them to form a third still more perfect than 
 either, making whatever extracts they pleased from those 
 to which they belonged & adding to that whatever their 
 inventive Genii thought proper A perticular History of 
 these things, & of the sufferings it underwent in its infancy 
 vvould be too tedious for your Patience to endure. I cannot 
 however omit mentioning that Secrecy alone was its sup- 
 fort for near a Year ; so fearful were they of its being known 
 that they procured a room in Town & held their exercises 
 there during the whole Summer, And after it was discov 
 ered, they bravely suffered every thing that the combined 
 malevolence of the two others could invent. There was one 
 Instance in perticular that a Meeting was held by the two 
 under Classes, & it being made known to the other Meetings, 
 they came in the most impolite & even brutal maner & 
 ordered the freshmen present to disperse, & a noble refusal, 
 
68 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 which they unanimously made, caused much trouble to them 
 selves & loss to those who assisted them. What unparalleled 
 brutality! how beneath the Character of those who make 
 learning- their pursuit! But so far were these Distresses 
 from procuring- the ruin of this Society, that it seemed like 
 the propagation of the Prodestant religion, to increase from 
 the Blood of evry Martyr, and within the Course of 8 or 9 
 Years it arose to that degree of Glory & Magnificence as to 
 far exceed their haughty opposers, & though the number of 
 members is not so large, yet other things, of more importance 
 considered, I can with pleasure assure myself we see it so 
 at preasent & in such a Condition it is that I have the pleasure 
 to Address you which I beg you would suffer me to do with 
 the freedom due to a Member of this Society, suffer me to 
 implant within you if you have not them already the Seads 
 of Ambition & let the example, the fortitude with the Pro 
 ficiency our Predecessors have made, excite every spark of 
 Emulation, & blow it up into a shining flame that it may run 
 through every action, & make them team with a laudable 
 thirst for honor & preferment. 
 
 Semented as we are in the bonds of brotherly Union and 
 Interist and prosperity of the Society is no less than the 
 interest & prosperity of every Individual whose combined 
 Characters compose of the whole. Let this thought arouse 
 our Ambition if not out of regard to the good & honour of 
 the Society at least from principles of self Love & Interest 
 which evry one possesses, to use evry possible motive that 
 is conducive to its happiness. We have evry advantage in 
 our Power there is nothing wanting but resolution to enable 
 us to become the beauty & ornament not only of this society 
 of united Brethren but of Yalensia herself. 
 
 Can one of you enumerate a single perticular in which 
 our rivals (if I may so call them) have the Advantage. 
 What do their boasted Numbers avail them? Why as Cir 
 cumstances are they are the greatest Curse that can befal 
 them, both with respect to the profit that they can receive 
 from the exercises & the advantage arising from the Library 
 which does not contain more Vollums than ours & conse 
 quently cannot be so useful to them as ours to us. I may 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 69 
 
 add to this that putting their whole trust in their Numbers 
 they have evry accomplishment necessary to adorn them, 
 while we, continually alarmed at the prospect, & fearful of 
 our final Disolution, strain evry Nerve & call forth evry 
 Virtuous Passion to our aid. And if we proceed in this 
 maner we never need fear the Calumnies & Malevolent 
 reproaches of our exasperated oppose (r)s; they are but thin 
 Veils, which only excite the Curiosity of evry considerate 
 beholder & the latent Virtue of the one & Malevolent dis 
 position of the other will be easily discovered. Let this 
 therefore remind us not to indulge ourselves in similar 
 Calumnies, for though they may deceive at first they will 
 soon redound with Interest on our own heads. 
 
 The Presidency of so honourable a Society as this I con 
 sider an honor to any one who is capable of sustaining it & I 
 can wish both for my own honor & that of the Meeting which 
 I have much at heart that I was better able to do it. My 
 Obligations for this honor I am sensible are great & I can 
 think of no method to manifest them more sensibly than by 
 using my utmost Abilities to promote its Interest & pros 
 perity. You must not think however that this is intirely 
 dependent on those in Office: it is in your own Breasts & 
 entirely depend on your resolution & Industry, to which you 
 may be assured we will with the greatest Pleasure add our 
 Assistance as far as it extends. Suffer me then, my Breth 
 ren, once more to intreat you with ardour to call forth evry 
 Spark of emulation, with the whole force of your Ambition, 
 & promote their progress by a steady & diligent attendance 
 on the exercises of the Meeting in which we are much 
 deficient, let us allay them with Secresy, wh h is the support 
 of the whole, & join them all in the Bonds of Brotherly Union 
 which we possess & I doubt not but in a short time we shall 
 again & again hear the impartial World pronounce us 
 Victorious." 
 
 Occasional correspondence with Mr. Porter had been kept 
 up in a desultory fashion, until the middle of his Senior year. 
 Mr. Porter's letters were about nothing, and longer than 
 
70 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 that required. He was six years the elder, and there was 
 little going on at Hartford to interest a Norwich student at 
 Yale. The following extract from a letter from him of 
 March 17, 1781, indicates that Mr. Baldwin has become 
 wearied of the burden of exchanging letters with one so far 
 removed in place and interests: 
 
 "I think you was very clever in your observations on the 
 effects of our Correspondence, tho rather in the complimen- 
 ing way; and in answer I must tell you, were I as capable 
 of giving, as you of receiving instruction, or of receiving, 
 as you of giving 'twould be no small additional Inducement 
 to maintaining and promoting so agreeable and usefull an 
 Intercourse. - Tamcn his omissis, satis est practerea - 
 
 Your proposing some point of Learning and especially 
 Philosophy as a substituted Topic would be very agreeable, 
 were it not that those who were never professed adepts, and 
 have long since retired from a philosophical course of studies, 
 ought to be extremely careful of expressing their disserta 
 tions on what they are so little acquainted with ; yet my entire 
 confidence in your Friendship and benevolent Disposition to 
 cover rather than expose my weaknesses will induce me to 
 the utmost freedom in observations on any of the questions 
 agitated in the Schools of our Times , . . . Your 
 different allotments of your Time, I dare say are not only 
 amusing, but very useful, & I think you may well claim the 
 Indulgence of one Evening with the Ladies as you requested, 
 but pray Sir in your next give me some farther account of 
 your 0"K B 
 
 In his Junior year he occupied room 12 on the west side 
 of Connecticut Hall, and was able to earn a little money 
 towards his College expenses by receiving from the Presi 
 dent, first an appointment as third waiter at the College 
 Commons, and then as one of the two monitors for his class. 33 
 He also, during both that and the following year, besides 
 
 33 Stiles, Literary Diary, II, 384, 428. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 7 r 
 
 attending to his regular work in College, earned something 
 substantial by teaching school in New Haven. During his 
 Senior year he roomed at the house of Isaac Beers. 
 
 In a letter written in March, 1781, he describes the employ 
 ment of his time, thus: 
 
 "My School employs 6 good hours which, with attendance 
 on meals & College exercises, consumes most of the day. The 
 evening I spend as follows; every other Monday in the 
 exercises of the 4> B K, a Society newly founded ; Thursdays 
 on the B U; 34 Fridays till n o'clock in Thesis correcting, & 
 Saturday is not for study." 
 
 Throughout the Revolutionary War, the public Com 
 mencements of the College were omitted. After the return 
 of peace, they were resumed on September 12, 1781. This 
 action of the "corporation" was taken after the presentation 
 of the following petition, which Mr. Baldwin drew : 
 
 "To the Reverend & President & Corporation - - the peti 
 tion of the Senior Class. 
 
 Reverend & honoured Gentlemen Sirs 
 
 The calamitous situation of our 
 
 unhappy Land & the gloomy prospect wh h overspread it at 
 the commencement of the present War were such that it very 
 justly diverted the candid Mind from pursuing those inno 
 cent diversions & Amusements which at other times would 
 be both just & Laudable. At that time it seemed reasonable 
 and proper that the public exercises of this Society & the 
 parade attending it should be laid aside, but this we conceive 
 was only temporarily & that it was the design of our worthy 
 Governors to resume them as soon as the situation of our 
 public affairs would permit, & not let such a stimulus to 
 Literature be deprived of its effect. The expence attending 
 a public commencement has hitherto been a weighty objec 
 tion against it, but we humbly conceive that the honour of 
 College will not require an expence at the present Time 
 
 84 Brothers in Unity. 
 
7 2 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 greater if equal to what was usual in time of peace - we 
 are willing & desirous to retrench much of that needless 
 expence which was heretofore made - - & shall be contented 
 with the restriction which the more mature judement of our 
 Learned Governors shall think proper to make Were all 
 to attempt to show the honour which would redound to this 
 society & those that have the management of it, or did we 
 endeavour to point out the incitement to ambition wh h such 
 exhibitions produce - - we are sensible it would but be dic 
 tating to better judgement - Impressed with these senti 
 ments & having the honour of College much at heart, we 
 are unanimous in making this Petition which is our earn 
 est request to & that they would give us the honour of 
 .exhibiting to the world the acquirements which we have 
 obtained from our residence at this Society 
 
 This honoured Sirs is our prayer & petition, which we cant 
 but hope & trust if considered with your usual wisdom & 
 Candour will be granted. 
 
 f Committee of the 
 ( Senior Class" 
 
 To Mr. Baldwin was assigned the salutatory oration in 
 Latin at the Commencement. 
 
 Isaacs, who was at the same time put down for a syllogistic 
 disputation, writes him from Norwalk on August 6 of that 
 year: 
 
 "Take care that the Physicians in curing the epidemical 
 disorder of your Oration, don't cut & slash, at such an 
 unmerciful rate, as they did my poor Thesis ; for if they do, 
 depend upon it, it will never recover its former health." 
 
 There were very few alterations suggested by the tutor 
 who revised it, in the manuscript of Mr. Baldwin's oration. 
 
 In the course of it, this compliment is paid to Franklin, in 
 commenting on electric science : 
 
 "Huic studio maxime profuerunt Experimenta clarissimi 
 nostri Americani FRANKLIN: Hac scientia, horribilis visus, 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 73 
 
 coeli nubiferi crebris fulgoribus erubescentes turn tonitru 
 pervolventi crepitantis naturae legibus explicari potest, et 
 naturam virgula metallica, cujus auxilio vim incredibilem 
 facile evitamus." 35 
 
 When the speaker came to President Stiles he declared that 
 
 "Favore Providentiae, nubes tenebrosa, pristinum academiae 
 fulgorem obscurans, dispersa fuit, te inaugurate/ 
 
 "36 
 
 Allusion was made to the absence of Governor Trumbull, 
 
 "cujus examplo, tarn diu, et tarn eximie praefecturae potien- 
 dae supremae, in omnibus soliis XIII Statuum, non habetur 
 simile vel secundum." 37 
 
 The officers of instruction were each addressed in turn, 
 Senior Tutor Atwater, who had had the Senior Class mainly 
 under his charge and retired at this Commencement, as 
 "Tutor noster proprius et eruditissimus." The other Tutors 
 were greeted collectively as "Domini edocti," worthy of 
 praise, "singulorum quamvis vestrum discipuli nunquam 
 fuerimus." 38 
 
 35 For this study the experiments of our most distinguished Ameri 
 can FRANKLIN have been especially advantageous. By this science, the 
 horrible sight of a cloud-bearing sky reddening with frequent flashes, 
 then rattling with fast flying thunder, can be explained by the laws of 
 nature and (one can control) nature, by a metallic rod, with the aid of 
 which we easily avoid incredible force. 
 
 J6 By the favor of Providence a darksome cloud, obscuring the 
 pristine brightness of our academy, was dispersed, when you were 
 inaugurated. 
 
 37 To whose example of so long and so well receiving the supreme 
 power of government, there is nothing in all the lands of the Thirteen 
 States, similar or second. 
 
 J8 Learned Masters . . . although we have never been disciples 
 of yours individually. 
 
74 Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 
 
 This salutatory oration was three or four times as long as 
 such addresses came to be, before they were finally aban 
 doned. It could only have been endured because spoken 
 Latin was more generally understood in the eighteenth than 
 in the nineteenth century. 
 
 After seven quarto pages given to the arts and sciences, 
 the audience were thus cheered : 
 
 "Non amplius auditores, Lingua multis incognita, patien- 
 tiam abuteremur, ni ut praeceptores nostros salutaremus." 39 
 
 Six pages more came then closing thus : 
 
 "Patientiam, auditores, paulisper rogamus dummodo prox- 
 imi verbi Dei ministros et ecclesiarum Pastores reverenter 
 salutamus." 40 
 
 It took three pages more to wind up, including a warm 
 tribute to those present who had distinguished themselves in 
 aiding their country's cause, "foro, atq: senatu quiq: in 
 Exercitu americano federatoq: WASHINGTONIANO/ MI 
 
 This old-time salutatory, with which the commencement 
 exercises were opened, stands out in sharp contrast with the 
 modern spirit and tone of the valedictory poem with which 
 they were closed. This was written by Joel Barlow, who, 
 one is pleased to read in Stiles' Diary, "was clapped" the 
 only applause won by any of those who took part in the 
 performances of the day. 42 His look was forward. 
 
 39 1 will not further, my hearers, abuse your patience in a language 
 unknown to many, save to salute our preceptors. 
 
 40 1 ask, my hearers, your patience for a short time while next 
 reverently I salute the ministers of the word of God and pastors of 
 churches. 
 
 41 In public speech and in council, and in the American and con 
 federated army of Washington. 
 
 42 Stiles, Literary Diary, II, 556. 
 
Life at Yale, as an Undergraduate 75 
 
 Universal peace was predicted, and for the college, grow 
 ing prosperity. 
 
 "Yalensia's friends shall thus attend her call, 
 And youths unnumbered bless the favorite wall. 
 And tho' thou seest the rage of slaughter roll, 
 And different views thy wayward race controul, 
 Tho' still oppos'd their interest, and their laws, 
 And every sceptre leads a different cause, 
 Yet thro' the whole the same progressive plan, 
 Which draws, for mutual succour, man to man, 
 From men to tribes, from tribes to nations spreads, 
 And private ties to public compact leads, 
 Shall rise by slow degrees, and still extend, 
 Their power their interest and their passions blend, 
 Their wars grow milder, policies enlarge, 
 Increasing nations feel the general charge, 
 Form broad alliances for mutual aid, 
 Mingle their manners and extend their trade, 
 Till each remotest realm, by friendship join'd, 
 Link in the chain and harmonize mankind, 
 The union'd banner be at last unfurl'd, 
 And wave triumphant round the accordant world." 
 
CHAPTER III 
 LIFE AT YALE, AS A RESIDENT GRADUATE 
 
 It was not uncommon in the eighteenth century for bache 
 lors of arts to remain at the College, pursuing advanced 
 studies or engaged in general literary cultivation, until they 
 became entitled to receive the degree of M.A. in course. To 
 encourage this practice the statutes of the State exempted 
 from capitation taxes "the President and Tutors of the 
 College School, School masters, and Students of the College 
 until the Expiration of the Time for taking their Second 
 Degree." 1 
 
 His graduation found Mr. Baldwin quite unsettled as to 
 his plan of life. One thing was certain. He must at once 
 do something for his support. His father had helped him 
 to a liberal education. Now he must turn it to immediate 
 account, in pounds, shillings, and pence. 
 
 The readiest way was to keep on with the school at New 
 Haven, of which he had taken charge during the preceding 
 year, and this he did ; registering also as a graduate student 
 in the College. 
 
 He declined an offer made him early in 1782, to become the 
 schoolmaster of the "Brick Schoolhouse" at Norwich, at a 
 salary of 120. His father advised against its acceptance, 
 believing that, in teaching school in New Haven, he would be 
 enjoying greater advantages. 
 
 He was fond of society, as well as of books, and he found 
 both at his hand, there, as a resident graduate. He also had 
 more leisure for correspondence, and wrote often to his 
 closest friends. 
 
 1 Stat., Ed. of 1769, 136. 
 
Life at Yale, as a Resident Graduate 77 
 
 On March 26, 1782, he writes to his classmate, Isaacs: 
 
 "I have just come from an agreeable Circle at the presi 
 dent's, where, I assure you, we have spent a very agreeable 
 Hour - I waited till most of the dolefull company were 
 gone, that I might leave the rest with the decent & desirable 
 Ceremony - & as the blushing Corporal in Tristam Shandy 
 let fall a tear of sentimental bashf ulness - - another to Unkle 
 Toby - - which, with one for his brothers misfortunes, ran 
 together down his Cheek, so I selected a Happy Kiss from 
 the rest, & told the subject of it that I intended it for you 
 the whole Circle join in their Compliment to you." 
 
 He had plenty of opportunities to gratify his love for danc 
 ing. Besides informal gatherings of young people at their 
 own houses, and the grand Commencement ball at the State 
 House, each Quarter-day brought its dance, and these some 
 times lasted until two o'clock in the morning. A regular 
 dancing school was set up in New Haven in the Winter of 
 1781-2. It did not meet with universal approval. The town 
 was divided in sentiment as to whether public balls and danc 
 ing schools should be permitted or encouraged. President 
 Stiles was not unfavorably inclined to them. In February 
 a large number of students asked his consent to their taking 
 dancing lessons, and he gave it to about seventy-five. They 
 were to be taken "in town" in the evening, and Thursday 
 afternoons, "but not to interrupt any college exercises." His 
 own son was one of them, and two of his daughters also 
 attended the school. 2 In his diary are these entries : 
 
 "March 7. A great Noise about the Dancing School. Meet 8 
 of Select Men & Civil Auth y . . . 
 
 March 12. Great dissatisfaction about the School of polite 
 manners, called the Dancing School." 
 
 2 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 10, n. 
 
78 Life at Yale, as a Resident Graduate 
 
 From the selectmen and civil authority the matter went up 
 to a town meeting. When the controversy was nearing its 
 conclusion, Mr. Baldwin wrote to Isaacs as follows, on 
 March 29, 1782: 
 
 "Our Dancing School, for I suppose you know we have 
 one, has become the subject of Paper wars, Political Debates 
 & Tea table Chittchat, I assure you, Benne, you cant con 
 ceive the wisdom of our young Solomons upon this mighty 
 matter; it will this day I suppose be altercated before the 
 venerable Town-meeting; as soon as I learn the result, I'll 
 send it. 
 
 Last Fryday we Celebrated the Aniversary of the B U. 3 
 Robbins had an oration - - very fine BusyBody was the 
 Com., acted well - - Chronon came on in the evening and I 
 assure you was very droll the Mourning Bride ended the 
 exercises D G. master of Ceremonies." 
 
 The town carried the day against the gown, and a few 
 days later President Stiles thus noted the end of the "school 
 of polite manners" : 
 
 "April ii. Violent Proceed* 8 about dancing Master - - to 
 leave T to-morrow." 
 
 On April i, 1782, Isaacs returned a sympathetic letter, 
 containing the following passages : 
 
 "I intend to come to visit you, if possible, within a Month, 
 & expect a salute from the compleatest Beau of the Age. 
 For I expect, Brother Sim, that you have made your usual 
 proficiency in the noble Art of dancing; if we may be 
 allowed to give any credit to the young Students Letter. I 
 hope the powerful Competition of the Fiddle will not oblige 
 the good Bible, to quit its important place. 
 
 I think the scandalous proceedings of your Town Meeting 
 reflects the utmost ignominy & disgrace upon its Members; 
 
 3 Brothers in Unity; founded April 4, 1768; Stiles, Literary Diary, 
 
 ii, 527. 
 
Life at Yale, as a Resident Graduate 79 
 
 however you know it is the characteristic of the place; I 
 think nothing less could be expected considering the disposi 
 tion of the People. ... I should have been exceeding 
 glad to have seen the celebration of your Anniversary. 
 Robbins 4 character, both as to his own merit & the honor of 
 being your Successor, will sufficiently answer for the excel 
 lency of his Oration. What a happy Fellow you are, Beauty, 
 Religion & children at your elbows end; Plays and Balls 
 ever ready to please your Fancy, engage your attention; & 
 perhaps ensnare your Heart. While I am like a Drone in 
 the Hive, except what activity I receive from perusing the 
 Letters of my Friends. Your life is a continual round of 
 Pedagoguisms ; mine of nihilisms, & so, being even, let us 
 shake hands, & cement our friendship by an intercourse of 
 Letters." 
 
 Isaacs wrote him on June i, 1782, of a visit to Norwalk of 
 
 "a Friend of yours, & mine, James Kent. He is at home, 
 at present - - surprisingly altered He frequently relates 
 to me the disputes he has had with you, upon the Girls ; he 
 says that he should be as great an Advocate for them at pres 
 ent, as you were at that time. He has become passionately 
 fond of the Company & distinguishes himself as a Gallant. 
 There is a great talk this way about your dancing, M r 
 Russell as Generalissamo, 6 Miss Bears I think as second in 
 command, Jack Williams too has become a capital Dancer. 6 
 Good old Daddy Thompson has left his Loom ; through the 
 importuning of his Daughters, & come to Newhaven, that 
 they may have the opportunity of improving in such a hope 
 ful School. O Lamentable ; O monstrous ! that the iniquity 
 of the times should deprive you, of all these advantages. Are 
 you one of the most extraordinary, or not ? perhaps you may 
 
 *Asher Robbins (Yale, Class of 1782), afterwards United States 
 Senator from Rhode Island. 
 
 6 This was probably Samuel Russell (Yale, Class of 1781), who 
 was College Butler and a resident graduate during the year 1782-3. 
 
 6 This was probably John Williams (Yale, Class of 1781), who was 
 then studying law in New Haven under Judge Charles Chauncey. 
 
So Life at Yale, as a Resident Graduate 
 
 be surprized at my Questions, but I will give you my reasons. 
 As your Beaus & Belles would not willingly I suppose, admit 
 us into your presence, we shall be necessitated, to look out 
 for accommodations where we may shuffle, & hobble. There 
 fore I would wish to know whether you will be willing to Join 
 our western, unpolished Company. For instance suppose 
 we were to begin at Milford, & run as far as the boundaries 
 between Connecticut & York State; don't you think we 
 might get a respectable Company, considering all disad 
 vantages unimproved and uninstructed, in the noblest of all 
 Schools." 
 
 During their Sophomore year, Simeon Baldwin and Enoch 
 Perkins agreed to commence a correspondence in the next 
 coming vacation. Perkins sent the first letter August 13, 
 1779, and they continued (though with increasing infre- 
 quency) to write each other occasionally until the death of 
 Mr. Perkins in 1828. In 1820, Roger Sherman Baldwin, the 
 son of one of them, was married to Emilia Perkins, a daugh 
 ter of the other. 
 
 On October 25, 1781, Mr. Perkins wrote from Newport, 
 where he was employed as a tutor in the family of Hon., 
 William Ellery (Harvard, Class of 1747), the news of the 
 surrender of Cornwallis : 
 
 "Yesterday we had the glorious intelligence of Cornwallis's 
 Surrender. Inclosed I send you a hand-bill, printed this 
 morning, giving an account of this important & joyful event. 
 Whigs wear a smile, and Tories a long face. The Bell has 
 been ringing almost ever since the arrival of the news. This 
 morning at Sunrise the French Cutter in the Harbour fired 
 a Feu de joy of 13 Cannon. At 12 there is to be a discharge 
 of Cannon, upon the Parade. Providence favours, America 
 prospers, Liberty smiles, and may Peace soon wave her olive 
 wand o'er our happy land." 
 
 Mr. Baldwin, on October 28th, sent the news to his boy- 
 
Life at Yale, as a Resident Graduate 8 1 
 
 hood friend, George Hough, now a printer and publisher in 
 Norwich, and received this reply on November 21, 1781: 
 
 "Yours of the 24th ultimo accompanying the MS. for pub 
 lication, I rec d per His Honor the Lieut Governor ; but had 
 previously rec d that of the 28th, containing your congratu 
 lations on the Glorious News, &c. from which I took the 
 liberty to extract a paragraph for the News-paper, partly 
 to confirm what we had before heard, and partly on account 
 of the Joy which seemed to swell every breast to the utmost 
 degree of exultation; hoping withal that the people of this 
 town, on seeing that the neighbouring ones were making 
 preparations to celebrate the important capture, would be 
 induced to propose a day to be set apart for General Rejoic 
 ing, and let every denomination participate in the Entertain 
 ment, so as to render the Joy mutual, and diffuse a little upon 
 the heart of every poor inhabitant. But alas! Alas! the 
 reverse was the case ; for a number were privately selected, 
 and had a dinner prepared for them, a partial invitation 
 was given, and none but trusty worthies were admitted: 
 Their plan was discovered by the commonalty about ten 
 o'clock on the day they were to dine, and the whole affair 
 turned into complete ridicule. Instead of preparing fire 
 works, &c. against evening, (which they readily would have 
 done had the matter been conducted properly) they assembled 
 on the Green, and proceeded to muffling and tolling the Bell, 
 instead of ringing it, and firing cannon. The distorted coun 
 tenances, the Chagrin, mortification and resentment, which 
 appeared in the Select party, contrasted with the satisfaction 
 the people seemed to receive in ridiculing them, formed the 
 drollest scene I ever beheld. - - General revenge was sworn 
 by some of the Gentry on the leaders of the rabble, while 
 those who had but late invitations to attend the entertain 
 ment, and were before unacquainted with the plan on which 
 it was founded, being now dissatisfied with it, commended 
 the people for their proceedings, and censured the others for 
 their conniving partiality. - - However, it seems now to be 
 blown over, and I hope wisdom and experience will treat them 
 better next time." 
 
82 Life at Yale, as a Resident Graduate 
 
 Hough was now busy at his trade, and the correspondence 
 with him did not long survive a letter, dated July 27, 1782, 
 in which he wrote : 
 
 "When a Correspondence becomes so dull as to consist 
 chiefly in mutual apologies for want of time to enlarge on 
 some important topic, (which has been the principal contents 
 of several of our late letters to each other,) it affords but 
 very little entertainment or instruction ; and can hardly claim 
 a right to the name of Letter Writing; but on the contrary 
 bears the resemblance of a couple of old women sending invi 
 tations to each other for a visit and are both too lazy (or cant 
 get time) to go abroad. 
 
 But hold! - - I am too blunt in my introduction; for on 
 second look I find our letters have been lately filled with 
 matters on business. I ask pardon for my absurd reflec 
 tion - - I was hasty, and had not read yours through; (at 
 least since I first rec d it)" 
 
 On April 3, 1782, Mr. Perkins sent an elaborate letter, 
 composed on a new plan that of writing a description of 
 particular characters. 
 
 "It is sometimes more agreable to walk in a new path 
 than in an old one, though the new be not in itself more 
 pleasant than the other. In this letter give me leave to intro 
 duce you to one or two worthy persons. If the acquaintance 
 proves agreable to you, it is all your Friend wishes. 
 
 - William - - Esq. 7 was educated at Harvard 
 
 College - - was formerly attorney at Law has been active 
 in the present controversy - - is now at Philadelphia sitting 
 in Congress, of which he has been a member great part of 
 the time since the revolution. When the enemy came to 
 Newport, his family moved into the country, during his 
 absence his estate suffered much. He has lately returned. 
 Early, upon my residing here, I was so fortunate as to be 
 introduced to his acquaintance. He has the true art of being 
 
 7 William Ellery, signer of the Declaration of Independence. 
 
Life at Yale, as a Resident Graduate 83 
 
 agreable in company. Many persons of his age and station 
 have no more to say to a circle of young persons, than if they 
 were quite a different species of beings. But M r 
 has always something agreable. If entertainment lies no 
 nearer, he can bring it from the manners & customs of 
 Philadelphia and the Southern States, with which a man of 
 his nice discernment is perfectly acquainted. He is not a 
 story teller, but he shines in telling a story. While I have 
 been hearing him relate the circumstances of his college-life, 
 I have fancied it to be such a scene as would give entertain 
 ment to every beholder; but afterwards reflection told me 
 that the entertainment arose not from the circumstances, but, 
 from the manner of relating them. He converses with his 
 family, and his family converses with him, with the famil 
 iarity of Brothers and Sisters. For his wisdom they revere 
 him, for his accomplishments they are pleased with his com 
 pany, and in return for his paternal affection they have for 
 him that which is truly filial. He is perfectly acquainted 
 with the interests of his country, and is a firm supporter of 
 her rights. He was at Philadelphia, when the enemy took 
 possession of Newport, and his family were obliged to leave 
 their pleasant habitation, and take refuge in the country. 
 Then was the time to try mens' souls. He writes to his family 
 'I am ready to sacrifice not only my property, but my life, in 
 the cause of liberty & my country/ 
 
 M. - - is agreable as to her person, but the beauty 
 
 of her person is far surpassed by the amiable and truly 
 estimable qualities of her mind. Understanding & memory 
 are hers in an eminent degree. These have not wanted culti 
 vation. She was so happy as to have a mother capable of 
 forming her mind to virtue, & of improving it in knowledge, 
 from her earliest years. She is exceedingly well versed in 
 the more elegant English authors. Her taste is just and 
 refined. Her manners are engaging. She is Mistress of 
 politeness. The internal management of her family is admir 
 able. Would you see elegance, view her table or drawing 
 room. But of all her excellent qualities the most worthy of 
 praise and esteem are her admirable talents and assiduous 
 care for the education of her family. Besides a promising 
 
84 Life at Yale, as a Resident Graduate 
 
 son, she has two daughters. The eldest in the bloom of 
 seventeen. To the excellent instruction of such a mother 
 have been added the advantages of a boarding school at Bos 
 ton. Here is youth, beauty, good sense, politeness, family, 
 and fortune. The youngest daughter is twelve. The 
 worthiest of mothers gives the greatest attention to her edu 
 cation. She wants not capacity or agreableness. What 
 pleasure must such a parent feel ! the purest and most noble 
 that can enter the human breast. How happy the man who 
 is connected with such a person in the nearest and most inti 
 mate society? Rational entertainment in her company sweet- 
 ens his moments of leisure. Her attention to domestic 
 concerns relieves him from care. He sees his family flour 
 ishing under her cultivating hand. She is an honour to his 
 choice. This choice, my Friend, is the most important 
 the all-important step in a mans life. Without domestic hap 
 piness, farewell to all hopes of happiness. Must not every 
 man of discernment and feeling have the most mortifying 
 sensations to see himself joined to a person unworthy of his 
 choice? Let the wisest observation pry into the foibles of 
 the Lady before the tender passion is indulged. But after 
 the indissoluble not is tyed, then let the veil of candour be 
 spread over defects. 
 
 I have been intimately acquainted with several families. 
 I always form an opinion. One Lady is an eternal talker; 
 tells a story an hour long, when every hearer wishes it to be 
 not a minute; is liberal of her censures on her husband. 
 Another, although an agreable companion, is remiss in her 
 domestic affairs. Another is violent in her temper, and not 
 over stocked with good sense or neatness. The person and 
 mind of another almost forces you to believe that nature mis 
 took the sex. Female oratory, or incessant scolding make 
 another the object of contempt. The truly worthy part of 
 the sex are so few, and those of a contrary character so many, 
 that the choice needs the greatest circumspection. Indeed the 
 prospect seems almost discouraging. 
 
 But man was formed for Society, and for this nearest of 
 societies. Until that connection is formed, he is in a sense 
 alone. There is not a person in the world, whose interests 
 
Life at Yale, as a Resident Graduate 85 
 
 are entirely the same with his. We are formed with passions. 
 The most beautiful part of our species is the object of them. 
 The virtuous union of two kindred souls is the highest human 
 happiness. Many are the cares attending the union; but 
 mutual affection, mutual endearments, and mutual esteem 
 amply repay them. 
 
 My Friend, I have written you a long letter, if it could 
 afford you entertainment for an idle minute, I shall be repaid. 
 In this letter, I have given you a sketch of two characters, 
 in my next I will give you their names. It is a long time since 
 you have received a line from me. The fault non est mea, 
 sed temporum." 
 
 On June 12, 1782, Rev. Samuel Wales was installed as 
 Professor of Divinity at Yale, with all due ceremony. 
 Simeon Baldwin, as a resident graduate and one of the better 
 Latinists among them, gave, at the request of the President, 
 a Latin oration. The New Haven newspaper of June 20 
 described it as "ingenious" and well adapted to the occasion. 8 
 
 In the course of this year two things occurred of lasting 
 importance to Mr. Baldwin. He began the study of law 
 under the direction of Judge Charles Chauncey of New 
 Haven, and he became deeply interested in, if not virtually 
 engaged to, Miss Rebecca Sherman, a handsome girl of 
 seventeen, who was a daughter of Roger Sherman, the signer 
 of the Declaration of Independence. 
 
 That his work as a graduate student and also as a school 
 master was thought well of by those who could best judge 
 is implied, in his recommendation, towards the close of the 
 year, by the President, for the important position in Albany 
 described in the following chapter. 
 
 8 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 27. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 YEAR AS A SCHOOLMASTER AT ALBANY 
 
 On July 2, 1782, Alderman Peter W. Yates of Albany 
 presented to President Stiles a request for advice in pro 
 curing two "preceptors" for the Albany Academy. This 
 had been founded two years before, and was under the gov 
 ernment of the city authorities, though partly supported by 
 private subscriptions. On Dr. Stiles' recommendation, Mr. 
 Baldwin and John Lovett of Lisbon, a member of the grad 
 uating class, were engaged, at a salary for each of "150, 
 York money silver." In Stiles' diary for July 5, 1782, this is 
 minuted, with the addition of "Deduct Board & Wash 8 100 
 Dolls per Ann. leaves 110." 
 
 There was no time to consult his father, but shortly after 
 accepting the position he wrote home about it and received 
 the following replies from his father and stepmother. They 
 show the good sense and piety of each. 
 
 "Norwich July 18 1782 
 
 Dear child my kind Love and affection to you wishing 
 of you well I Received yours informing me that you have 
 ingaged to goo to Albenni to keep a School their, being 
 ingaged tis too late to give my advice about going I fear it 
 is a place whair you will meat with much bad compiny now 
 my advice is to shun all bad compni as much as bosabal which 
 many times brings a snare on young people kep the fear of 
 god before your eyes and all Days remembr that you are 
 acountabel to god for every action don hear in the body I 
 pray to god for you that he will protect and defend you from 
 the snairs of the world and bring you to the knowlig of 
 himself and to embrace Jesus Christ as ofred in the gospel 
 Senc you are ingaged to goo I make no obgacton i hope it 
 may doe well We are in as good a State of health as yousel 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 87 
 
 I hope you will write as often as you can being at such a 
 
 grait Distanc 
 
 So I Subscrib your affectianant father Eben Baldwin" 
 
 "Dear child I am very sorry your Lott is cast att so grate 
 a distance from home but I hope you have consedered the 
 matter well and taken the best advise and I know there is the 
 same god to protect you there as hear whose devine direction 
 I pray you may have in all your ways and may your Life 
 and health be precious in his sight to whose care I Recommend 
 you and Remain your Loveing mother 
 
 Esther Baldwin." 
 
 At the same time, his sister Bethia writes him that she 
 does not like his going such a distance from home as to 
 Albany, but she finds there is a post-rider from there to 
 Bennington, Vermont, and so they may hope to have news 
 of his doings from time to time by mail. 
 
 The general practice of those days to send letters by 
 private hands was due to the paucity and irregularity of the 
 post office service, quite as much as the high cost of postage. 
 Letters frequently miscarried, and when money was enclosed, 
 it was at considerable risk of losing it. The mails were 
 chiefly carried by post-riders, on horseback. 1 
 
 Albany at this time had four or five thousand inhabitants, 
 and had been incorporated as a city for nearly a hundred 
 years. Jedediah Morse, in the second volume of his "Ameri 
 can Geography," published in 1792, gives a description of 
 it, from which the following extracts are taken. 
 
 "As great a variety of languages are spoken in Albany, 
 as in any town in the United States. Adventurers, in pursuit 
 of wealth, are led here by the advantages for trade which this 
 place affords. . . . 
 
 Albany is said to be an unsociable place. This is naturally 
 to be expected. A heterogeneous collection of people, 
 
 1 Stiles, Literary Diary, II, 54. See ante, pages 38, 42, 51 ; post, 
 page 424. 
 
88 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 invested with all their national prejudices, eager in the pursuit 
 of gain, and jealous of a rivalship, cannot expect to enjoy 
 the pleasures of social intercourse, or the sweets of an inti 
 mate and refined friendship. . . . 
 
 To form a just idea of the manners and customs of the 
 inhabitants, we must confine ourselves to the Dutch, who 
 being much the most numerous, give the ton to the manners 
 of the place. Two things unite more particularly to render 
 these disagreeable to foreigners; first, a natural prejudice 
 which we all possess in favour of our own, and against the 
 manners of another place or nation: secondly, their close 
 union, like the Jews of old, to prevent the innovation of for 
 eigners, and to keep the balance of interest always in their 
 hands. 
 
 It is an unhappy circumstance when an infant nation 
 adopts the vices, luxuries and manners of an old one; but 
 this was in a great measure the case with the first settlers 
 of Albany, most of whom were immediately from Amster 
 dam. Their diversions are walking and sitting in mead- 
 houses, and in mixed companies they dance. They know 
 nothing of the little plays and amusements common to small 
 social circles. The gentlemen who are lively and gay, play 
 at cards, billiards, chess, &c. others go to the tavern, mechan 
 ically, at eleven o'clock, stay until dinner, and return in the 
 evening. It is not uncommon to see forty or fifty at these 
 places of resort, at the same time; yet they seldom drink 
 to intoxication, unless in company, or on public occasions, 
 when it is thought to be no disgrace." 
 
 Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Lovett rode to Albany on horseback. 
 The following copy of a journal kept by the former 2 gives 
 quite a full account of his journey there and the year that 
 followed it. 
 
 2 A large part of this journal is embodied in a paper entitled "A 
 Young Man's Journal of a Hundred Years Ago," read in 1884 by 
 Simeon E. Baldwin before the New Haven Colony Historical Society 
 and published in its Papers, Vol. IV, 193. 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 89 
 
 JOURNAL N. i 
 
 This gloomy Day saw me bid adieu to the happy Aug. 5* 
 Circle of my Intimates at New Haven & set out i;82 ' 
 on a journey from that to Albany, (in company 
 with M r Lovett) to take with him the charge of their 
 academic school The thoughts of leaving 
 
 friends with whom I had spent so many of the social 
 hours in the most agreeable manner & of some of 
 them to whom I was bound by the strongest ties 
 of Affection, could not be otherwise than disagree 
 able. And the prospect of forming new 
 acquaintance in a place where the maners of the 
 people were so very different from those to which I 
 had ever been accustomed & which was ever 
 represented to me as the most horrid place of 
 Nature, fill'd me with anxiety & uneasy reflections. 
 
 Harrassed with these feelings, but otherwise 
 agreeably we passed thro Waterbury where we 
 heard the agreeable News of the arrival of the 
 french fleet of 13 Sail in Chesapeak. - D r Wood 
 of Danbury favoured us with the intelligence 
 we saw Litchfield the next morning found it a 
 pretty well situated Town. Land very good & Aug 
 farmers wealthy - - brokefast at M r Shermans 3 of 
 Goshen - after breakfast were favoured with the 
 presence of the most angelic form in a female that 
 ever I saw. the features of her face were regular 
 & well formed - - her skin like the paper on which 
 I write, animated with a little of the Vermillion 
 her Lips which it would be a feast for an Emperor 
 to kiss - - displayed the tast of the divine Architect 
 who formed them in a more lively maner than words 
 can express or the most celebrated painter display. 
 And without the thoughts of flattery, if any thing 
 performed by mortals is inimitable, it was the dress 
 ing of her hair : it covered her Cushion as a plate 
 
 3 Rev. Josiah Sherman (Princeton, Class of 1754). 
 
90 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 of the most beautiful enamel frosted with Silver 
 nor were the flowing" ringlets that innocently played 
 upon her heavenly neck, less beautiful - her - 
 stop says my dulcinea forbear your praises or I'll 
 be jealous Upon the whole she was an amiable 
 object & afforded us an agreeable conversation 
 thro' the stony woods of Norfolk & the uper part 
 of Canaan. We called on Burral 4 - - he was from 
 home, went on to Sheffield, a pretty little country 
 Town -- slept that night at an old Dutchman's near 
 the foot of the mountains of Nobletown - - which 
 we passed the next morning on our way to Kinder- 
 
 th hook; dined in the plain between that & Green- 
 
 bush - - crossed the river about Sunset enquired 
 for Dennisons were met there by M r Yates, who 
 politely insisted on our spending the night with 
 
 I782 him - - went to Bloodgood's; fill'd the circle with 
 
 Aug news & supt at Denisons on fish, with John & Kilian 
 
 Ranselear : slept at M r Yates - 
 
 After Breakfast walked round the City: found 
 many streats agreeable, but in others the smell was 
 most intolerable, few of them are paved & they in 
 
 9 th general the most filthy: dined, supt, & Slept again 
 
 at M r Yates. After Breakfast set out for Domine 
 Westerlo's, 5 met him on the road, deliver'd our Let 
 ters & received a polite invitation to dine with him - 
 were engaged, but by his desire promised to do 
 ourselves the Honor of waiting on him at Tea 
 delivered our Letters to the Mayor who treated us 
 politely - Dined at M r Henry's a most agreeable 
 family in company with M r JVTKesson an attorney 
 tarried till after Tea - - rode with M r Yates in a 
 carriage to the D. took tea again spent a Sociable 
 Afternoon, were much pleased with the grandieur 
 of the patron's seat where the Domine Lived, 
 returned to M r Yates & Slept next day Saturday 
 
 4 Jonathan Burrall (Yale, Class of 1781). 
 
 5 Rev. Eilardus Westerlo, father-in-law of Philip van Rensselaer. 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 91 
 
 Au. lowry : did not go out till afternoon - saw nothing 
 
 remarkable except that we were visited by Stephen 6 
 & K. V. Ransselear 7 
 
 Sabbath The first thing I saw from my window was the 
 
 butchers killing sheep & boys driving their 
 Hoops - & soon after the Waggons were ratling, 
 this at once led me to a tho't upon virtue & morality 
 which as far as it comes to my share I am deter 
 mined to maintain - - & as I see myself exposed to 
 temptation & surrounded by examples of this kind 
 will endeavour to double my vigilence in my vir 
 tues defence - went to worship in the dutch 
 church but contrary to our expectation the Domine 
 preached & performed the whole service in Dutch 
 to our no great edification - In the afternoon 
 the Domine favoured us with a very good sermon 
 in English upon temptation -- & at 5 o Clock heard 
 M r Catlin preach a most inspired discourse from 
 the grain of corn that died 
 
 Albany This day entered upon the business of our School 
 
 Mond.Aug. our Number in the forenoon was 31; a Collection 
 (taken together) of as likely look'd Lads as ever 
 I saw ... in afternoon near 40 - - to our 
 surprize saw Merwin & Williams - - walked with 
 them to Jack Ransselears were amused with the 
 sight of a very fine horse which here affords the 
 people the grandest entertainment - - supt at M r 
 Philip ransslears were treated very politely - 
 
 13 Merwin & Williams left us, I wrote a line to 
 
 Doc r Goodrich & sent his horse - - & another short 
 Line for the first to my Dulcinea - spent the day 
 in School ; are still much pleased with our Pupils 
 but at times of reflection cant but turn a thought on 
 the happy Circle of my Intimates in N. England 
 with whom I have spent so many sociable hours - 
 
 6 Stephen Van Rensselaer was graduated from Harvard in 1782, the 
 fifth in line of the patroons. 
 
 7 Kilian K. Van Rensselaer, who studied at Yale but did not graduate. 
 
9 2 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 but stay my complaints! I am I hope improving 
 & even from this - - as I shall know how to vallue 
 the blessing when I enjoy it (if ever) again. Yet 
 Heavens! O Amanda what would I give for 
 another such happy evening & a return of those 
 sweet Kisses which I enjoyed when last I saw 
 you - last night Lovett & myself had the honour 
 of an Invitation to spend the Evening with the 
 Commonalty were obliged to beg ourselves excused 
 for our Company's sake (i e Merwin & Wil) but 
 by their desire agreed to spend this Eve with the 
 Subscribers; 8 went accordingly to Bloodgood's 
 tavern spent the Eve pretty sociably & drank 
 our fill from the BOWL of plenty which moved round 
 the Dutchified Circle as fast as the unwillingness 
 of the machine & their natural heaviness (for all 
 things else) would admit 
 
 Fryday Dined with Gen. Ten Broeck 9 in company with 
 
 16 Gansevoort Esq the recorder Dom. Westerlo Col. 
 
 Levingston, Mess" Steven & Killion Ransselear - 
 a grander Table I never saw Spread much polite 
 ness & Ease were manifest & the whole Circle 
 appeared to enjoy themselves happily - - Drank for 
 toast 
 
 1 The Day (viz. 16 of Aug) being the anniversary 
 of the glorious victory at Bennington, & the day 
 on which we received the news of the pacific 
 measures of Europe. 
 
 2 Absent friends 3 Washington - 4 United 
 States 
 
 5 A speady & honourable Peace, left the Table 
 
 about 3 O Clock 
 
 Albany Entered into Conversation this Day with M r 
 
 Sa I t 7 8^ th Yates, upon the Study of the Law - - he gave me to 
 
 read Simpson upon the Study of it, an Ingenious 
 
 piece - 
 
 8 The private subscribers to the expenses of the Academy. 
 
 9 Gen. Abraham Ten Broeck, then Mayor of Albany. 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 93 
 
 In the forenoon remained at home in the Aft. Sab i8 th 
 went to the high-Dutch-Church in Expectation 
 of an English Sermon but was disappointed was 
 much entertained with Organs, which I now heard 
 for the first time - - think it a great addition to the 
 beauty & Grandeur of church music. - 
 
 This day began the Study of the Law, with Momg- 
 Wood's institutes & Jacobs Gram. Sat24 
 
 Nothing extraordinary this Week am much con 
 fined - - have not as yet been introduced to a single 
 Young Lady, & for want thereof was last night 
 obliged to kiss table Spoons; semidintd this day 
 upon bread & buttermilk for the first time 
 
 After dinner were favoured with the Company 
 of Col. Nichol & Jack Ransslaer &c - The after- 25 
 noon heard D r Westerlo deliver a very excellent 
 discourse from Rom. 14: 7 & 8. 
 
 Have employed myself this day almost entirely Saturday 
 in writing Letters to friends in New England - 
 read but little & Introduced to no Company 
 except that Yesterday dined with the Domine, with 
 Col. Deuar 10 & M r Lansing - Table was furnished 
 with much elegance & a fine Dinner - spent the 
 Evening agreably at D r Youngs - - with his & his 
 sisters agreeable conversation & the animating 
 music of his Violin - - drank Tea on Monday at 
 M r Henry's - This day (Sat.) Lovett left me to 
 the Toils of the whole school - - while he enjoys the 
 pleasures of Com t . Now I've a glorious time for 
 drooping Melancholy, & never satisfying reflection. 
 - endeavoured however to divert myself by Hunt 
 ing in company with M r Yates & Nisher came home 
 much fatigued & with very little game 
 
 A. M. heard Dom. W. preach an excellent sermon Se r ist 
 from these words "The just shall live by faith" Sabbath 
 & feel unhappy tho' perhaps from no better prin- 
 
 10 Probably Col. Wm. Duer, who married a daughter of the so-called 
 Lord Stirling. 
 
94 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 ciple than conformity to Custom, that I cant, this 
 P. M. took tea at M r Teabout a clever old Gentle 
 man with M 1 " 8 Yates Graham &c spent the Evening 
 agreeably at M r Phil. Rensselear; supt there - 
 with M r Morris his Sister & Miss Betty Sanders . . . 
 Sept 4 This day sent a Letter to Lovett, never was more 
 
 1782 dejected in Spirit in my Life - a laborious School 
 
 mate gone - - M r Yates gone - - & I alone in the 
 midst of a Thousand -- & never (I begin to think) 
 was a more disagreeable place - - or one where it 
 was more difficult to form an intimacy with any 
 one - for this appears to be the principle of their 
 Action & the extent of their Politeness, that if a 
 stranger of good family & fortune & very agree 
 able will be pleased to introduce - - & push himself 
 into Company & will oblige them to sociability & 
 make them agreeable to themselves - - they will 
 suffer him to stay & possibly he may be welcome - 
 You may be as intimate as friendship will allow, 
 with the Young Gentlemen & never hear the name 
 of a Lady or their desire to introduce you, or wish 
 to increase your acquaintance - - such manners I 
 never was acquainted with before, & hope I never 
 may experience them again. - In the afternoon 
 rode to divert myself but without Company - - went 
 upon the flatts, to Maj. Schyler's & very agreeable 
 & hospitable Man. treated me kindly lamented the 
 manners of the People &c invited me to frequent 
 his house &c . . in the evening spent a few 
 minutes with the Ladies at Phil. Rensselaer. - 
 Sab. 8 th Afternoon heard Domine Westerlo preach 
 
 Sept. Walked in the Evening but found no Company - 
 
 look & feel like a sheep deprived of its mates & 
 placed among beast unknown to it. - 
 
 Monday Begun with Col. Burr's son to instruct him in the 
 
 9 Languages. - - went to the Domines found him not 
 
 at home - visited by K. V. Ren 
 
 ioth This morning a little lowry, rain'd some, windy 
 
 all day - - very cloudy & high wind this Eve which 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 95 
 
 I observe the more as it precedes the pleasures of 
 Com 1 , at N Haven wh h I am not only deprived the 
 pleasure of enjoying but was almost obliged to do 
 the duty of a watch in this detested City was 
 warned, but for 2/6 procured a substitute. - was 
 invited to a funeral, attended, but not a Dutch 
 corpse- many persons were collected the corps 
 preceded, born of 10 persons who were not relieved, 
 tho' we went to some distance the GENTLEMEN 
 fell in by twos in procession, but not a single Lady 
 tho' it was a female Corpse - the whole returned 
 in the order they went - & took their glass of 
 wine with the mourners, agreeable to the universal 
 Custom of the place which I understand is drank 
 in proportion to the character & fortune of the 
 dead. &c. 
 
 Wei ii Had no School in the forenoon - was most of 
 
 1782 the Day in mente at N H. et totus in ipsa; in the 
 
 afternoon weather favourable & a most glorious 
 Evening for Dancing. 
 
 Is^nta Heard Dom Westerlo preach an excellent Dis- 
 
 Sabbath course upon the merits of Christ & his Righteous 
 ness - Dined with M r Henry as M r Yates & his 
 Lady were gone up the river. - spent the after 
 noon at home in reading the divine Sentiments of 
 the Phylosophic Seneca. - in the evening visited 
 Alderman Huss - & supt at Gen. Ten Broecks, as 
 his Son had this day returned from N Haven .... 
 Sat My school in the Absence of M r Lovett is so 
 
 exceedingly laborious that really It has quite 
 exhausted my spirits & almost ruined my health: 
 ]/2 an , hour before Breakfast with Provo Burr ; 
 enter School at 9, seldom finish the morning recita 
 tion till near n. from that to 12 too short for 
 the noon restation & then till I o Clock with Burr 
 again, have one hour for diner, then from 2 till 
 5 in a laborious & numerous School - - & then read 
 till ii at Night; the Day time I devote to the 
 Languages, the Evening to the Study of the Law 
 
96 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 this has been my tiresome round for 3 Weeks past 
 - - rode in the afternoon with M rs Yates to Maj. 
 Schylers spent a most agreeable afternoon 
 found Lovett at home on my return, was very glad 
 to see him & receive some very agreeable Letters, 
 but was especially animated by ONE. - 
 
 Sab Did not go to meeting - - was a little unwell. 
 
 Supt at M r P. Renselear's with Col. Rensselaer 
 from Cloverac, a very lively & agreeable Man, 
 
 2 3 Brother Lovett left me, & takes lodgings at M r 
 
 Lansings, a curious scene opened the way to it. - 
 
 fryday In the Evening visited the Domine - - & find my 
 
 Veneration increases for him evry time I see him. - 
 & was really almost tempted to wish myself behind 
 the Door. 
 
 29 Rode in company with Mess ra Lovett, Ten Broeck 
 
 & Rensselaer to see the falls at Cahos upon the 
 Mohawk river, 12 miles from Albany. - the ride 
 is agreeable the country a plain, even the tops of 
 
 the banks of the 
 very easy descent 
 of a mile before 
 Level with the 
 of the fall is 
 but none of it 
 
 A pen and ink 
 
 sketch of the falls 
 
 comes here. 
 
 72 feet 
 
 river have but a 
 runing near half 
 they come to the 
 river the height 
 about 25 yards 
 quite Perpendicu 
 
 lar - - tho' the jutting banks were almost perfectly 
 so & to the height of more than 100 feet accord 
 ing to my opinion. - the water was low so that 
 above the falls we might have walked accross with 
 out wetting our feet & the little streams that 
 purled down the lofty rocks, amid the more rough 
 & boisterous Sluices, formed a most beautiful 
 variety in the Grandeur of the prospect 
 The river was not at all confined but of the two 
 rather wider in this than other places the 
 bottom above & below appeared to be of one entire 
 rock, but of the soft Slate kind, & in many places 
 curiously wrought upon by the water, into holes & 
 crevices of various Depths & shapes. 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 97 
 
 Went to church in the forenoon heard (as) 
 usual a most excellent Sermon from a Text in 
 Isaiah delivered by the Dom. dined with the 
 Mayor, in company with a M r Sawyer from Bos 
 ton; had a fine dinner. As the exercises were 
 Dutch, did not go to church. At 4 o Clock we went 
 to the German-Church & were entertained for an 
 hour after Meeting- with the animating music of 
 the Organs drank Tea at the Mayors & walked 
 home - But I must make this reflection (that 
 tho' the time would have been most happily spent 
 were it any other Day of the week) it was not per 
 fectly consistent with the more agreeable Rules of 
 Christianity tho perfectly consonant to the 
 
 manners of the place . . . 
 
 It is also Election-day for the Aldermen & offi 
 cers of the City - - accordingly they repaired for 
 the purpose to the City-Hall soon after Church 
 
 Spent an agreeable Evening at M r Henrys ; supt 
 with them & in consequence of it am very unwell; 
 did not go to School. 
 
 This morning am troubled with a pain in my 
 Breast, walked a mile or two & felt it a little 
 removed attended School in the Afternoon, 
 unwell still - - in the Evening went to see D r Young 
 but he was not at home -- returned to my Chamber 
 & relieved my Stomack from a heavy disagreeable 
 Load - - upon which the D r made me a visit & left 
 an Emettic, which I took early the next morning & 
 find a great relief. 
 
 Dined at the Domine Westerlo's; had a very 
 good dinner; but great many disagreeable lattin 
 proverbs, which he is very fond of exhibiting with 
 all the Airs of pedantry, & not without reflections 
 
 - I esteem him as a divine & a man well versed 
 in the Languages, but further than this cannot say 
 that I do. - He is fond of their Eropean Edu 
 cation & seems to dispise ours He certainly 
 transgresses the rules of politeness by introducing 
 
 1782 
 
 Albany 
 Sept 29 
 Sabbath 
 
 Tuesday 
 Oct. I st 
 Wed. 2 
 
 Albany 
 October 3 d 
 1782 
 Thursday 
 
 Fryday 
 4 
 
 Sat. 5. 
 
98 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 so much of his Latin upon- evry occasion, especially 
 as he knows that from his manner of pronuncia 
 tion it cannot be clearly intelligible & consequently 
 must be disagreeable, to those he converses with - 
 And it appears to me that he does it from a prin 
 ciple which Chesterfield condemns (i, e,) to make 
 others appear as diminutive as possible to themself ; 
 that they may entertain an exalted Idea of his 
 superior Learning He even exercised the 
 
 Pedantry (I'll call it by no worse name) to attempt 
 to examine me in the Greek Testament, which I took 
 the liberty to refuse: & was not a little out of 
 temper & could perceive I was not alone He 
 then mentioned that the word was appa<f>os, with 
 out seem, which I did not look upon, for tho I knew 
 I could construe that, yet I knew also there were 
 many others which I could not, especially as he was 
 curious in the Themes -- nor again would I submit 
 to an examination from any man upon such an 
 occasion & before such Company - But I find 
 that this is his pretty general practice; and upon 
 my word it is some comfort to me that others under 
 stand him no better than I do - Am determined 
 however to scour up what little I know of the 
 Mathematics, Rhetoric, History, &c that if I'm 
 attack'd again with his lattin balls I may return the 
 fire with Triangles, Tropes, huperboles &c which 
 I understand he is not much acquainted with 
 when I have another engagement Til write more. 
 tarried there till after Tea when Mess" Steven & 
 Phil. V. Rensselaer accompanied Lovett, Tenbroeck 
 & myself into Town .... 
 
 Sabbath A. M. read till I was tired, & then took a long 
 
 6^1782 serious, & solitary walk was accompanied at 
 diner by M r Lovett & two other Gentlemen one of 
 them an agreeable officer & the impoliteness of our 
 family which disgusted me now more than ever did 
 not suffer our landlord to introduce either of us 
 I'm sure it was noticed by the officer & it certainly 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 99 
 
 made us feel disagreeably after diner we went 
 to meeting & heard the Domine preach upon the 
 merits of Christ & the necessity of our faith in 
 him - 
 
 Passed the Evening agreeably at M r Henrys who Tuesday 
 took the trouble to initiate me a little in the Game 8 
 of Backgammon. 
 
 Agreed to accompany M r Lovett upon a visit 9 
 down the river to Col. Nicoll's was put to much 
 trouble in obtaining a horse, till M r Scuyler obliged 
 me with his sat out about 2 o'clock rode fast 
 till near 4 o Clock when we found we were in a 
 wrong road & near iy 2 Mile below his house but 
 it was some compensation that after the roughness 
 of our wrong, woodsy path, we had a most beauti 
 ful canter, to his house, along the river, upon an 
 exceeding smoth plain of Interval. Tea was just 
 ready & we were affectionately welcomed to partake 
 of it spent the afternoon happily had an 
 excellent farmers Supper, the fat of the Land were 
 late to bed & consequently did not git up till 8 
 o Clock; nor would they suffer us to go till after 
 Breakfast tho we were obliged to ride 8 miles & 
 attend the Academy by 9 o Clock we break 
 fasted bid good by - - & mounted by 20 minutes 
 past8 .... 
 
 The Col. appears to be a person of a very gen 
 erous make - - open hearted - - hospitable, sensible 
 and exceeding amiable Gentleman & the old Lady 
 his wife seems to vie with him in evry excellence 
 They have but 2 children a Son & a Daughter who 
 is now at Boston, I never saw her - - but his Son 
 bids fair to unite in himself the excellence of both 
 his parents 
 
 The Estate of the family is very great they have 
 a most noble farm & of the best kind which the 
 country affords - - they are seated in the midst of 
 it, but a few rods from the North river live in 
 a small, but yet elegant house & seem to enjoy the 
 
IOO 
 
 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 10 
 
 Thursday 
 
 Fryday 
 II 
 
 Sat. 
 
 12 
 
 pleasures of their Wealth. The scene is almost 
 romantic What situation does the Stage of Life 
 afford, that is more pleasing. 
 
 Free from Envy, free from Strife 
 The Curst destroyers of our Life. 
 
 We dismounted at the Door of our Academy 25 
 Minutes after 9 & found we had been but one hour 
 & 5 minutes in riding the 8 Miles. Dined acci 
 dentally at M r Scuylers .... 
 
 In the Evening were invited to sup with some of 
 the Town Gentlemen at Schuylers; sign, Gen 
 Green M r Van Neghten accompanied us, were 
 introduced to two Mess ra Lansings & a M r Briskey 
 a modest young Man from the Jersey, Hackinsack. 
 these with Mess 18 Graham, Lovett, 2 Ten Broecks 
 & myself made the Circle Cards were introduced 
 I had the good fortune to join in a table of Whist 
 which we made very agreeable while the others 
 exercised themselves with the most disagreeable of 
 Games, WHACKETS, which they made so ridiculously 
 noisy that it was disgusting. We sat down to 
 supper about 10 o. C. Before us were oysters & a 
 good Turkey - made a comfortable Supper - - but 
 the wine was most miserably bad, so that no one 
 was tempted to drink it to excess. After Supper 
 a musician was called & we had an all-cheese-romp- 
 ing-Dance - Capt. Guion joined us before we had 
 done & another officer Graham I think - - some 
 apologies were made for the noise tho 'twas said 
 nothing hapned, but what was perfectly consonant 
 to the manners & Customs of the place - - tho in 
 New England it would be called a pretty high take 
 we left the House about 12 o C. I slept with 
 my friend Lovett - Breakfasted at home which 
 I had not done for 5 meals was not a little 
 pleased to find the family so alarmed that they 
 were quite softened into Honey & Pie In the 
 Evening attended a Court at Dennisons twas a 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 101 
 
 Jury of Inquest upon an interlocutory Order or 
 Judgment the Sheriff presided but as he was 
 not a competent Judge of Law, the cavils of the 
 Lawyers & the Demurrers brought to his decision 
 made it a confused Court they began at 1 1 A. M. 
 examined witnesses & Accounts till 8 after N. plead 
 till half after ten & gave their Verdict at 12 o Clock 
 
 - Col. Troup plead for the defendant & I think 
 bids fair for a capital character as this was his 
 second plea 
 
 Got up from Breakfast Table 5 minutes before 1 1 Sabath 
 o Clock this I suppose would be the case evry 
 day were they at perfect liberty, but they are sensible 
 that I must commonly be at School by 9 o, Cl. & in 
 consequence after much Noise, a great deal of 
 Scolding on their side, & a shade of determination 
 on mine, we frequently sit down by 5 minutes before 
 9 ... Tis sacrament to Day for that reason 
 our English Service is in the Afternoon heard a 
 M r Morison preach in the Presbyterian house his 
 Sermon was full of Scripture, & good exhortation, 
 but without any connection with his text as is the 
 Case with most extempore preachers after 
 
 service was called to my window by the horrid 
 swearing of two Negroes who were fighting most 
 inhumanly - - 50 or more Spectators were soon col 
 lected to see the beastly scene. I could not but 
 reflect upon it with pain, that human Nature could 
 divest themselves of the Dignity of our Species, 
 & take the revenge & perform the Actions which 
 ought to be peculiar to the most malicious of the 
 brutal race 
 
 spent part of the Evening very agreeably at M r 
 Gansevoorts, the Sheriff Tenbroack came in, a very 
 agreeable Man - We walked to M r Lansings & 
 supt with him all were exceeding sociable . . . 
 
 Rose from Breakfast more than half past 9 A. M. Monday 
 & to do this was obliged to call for it myself & sit I4 
 down alone heard some observe as I past them 
 
102 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 upon my late hour at School & really tho' I ever 
 keep my hours, it makes me feel disagreeable to 
 walk the streets so late for people seldom make 
 the suitable allowance It was apparent that I was 
 disgusted in the morning, & to make some com 
 pensation we dined y\ after one o C. Intended 
 to have walked out this Eve but the rain disap 
 pointed me. Was ordered to be ready at a minutes 
 warning, to march to the frontiers as twas 
 rumoured the Enemy, were upon the Lake or 
 Mohawk river so to add to the disagreeables of 
 my situation I am obliged to perform military Duty 
 as the Legislature of the State of New York seem 
 never to have thought the promotion of Literature 
 an object worthy their attention consequently 
 no privaleges are allowed or favour shown to those 
 who have spent their time & fortune in the pursuit 
 of it - A Disposition much the reverse is mani 
 fest in the liberal provision made by the Legislature 
 of the State of Connecticut. 
 
 Tuesday This Eve M r Lovett & myself sup'd at M r Scuylers 
 
 x s th spent the time exceeding sociably, tarried till u 
 
 o'Clock. 
 
 16 In the afternoon attended Court - - the Cause 
 
 was an Action of Trespass M r Yates & Bray were 
 the opposing Attorneys Y. spoke exceeding 
 fluently, with a great deal of ease & discovers much 
 knowledge of the Law - - B. was much embarassed 
 seems to have Ideas but no words, he lost his 
 Cause. 
 
 17 th The 5 th Aniversary since the Capture of Burgoin 
 
 rained, & but little parade in the Celibration. - 
 Afternoon attended Court An Indictment for 
 
 Riot was tried & the Party found Guilty, no plead 
 ings spent the Eve with Graham. Vanveghten two 
 Lansings &c were there supt with them at D 
 Schuylers as it was the aniversary of the surrender 
 of Cornwallis 
 |? b - A. M. heard the Dom. preach, John 17* 19 th . . . 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 103 
 
 Judge Hubbard Hobart Attorney General Ben 
 son. - - M r M c Kesson Clerck & Col. Varnek Fork 
 dined with us - M r Gilbert came in while at dinner 
 & spent the Afternoon with me about sunset we 
 walked with M r Yates fell in at Lovetts Chamber 
 - & from that took Tenbroeck & went to the Sheriff 
 Tenb. & spent the Evening sociably with a M r 
 Banker supt there, came home about 10 o Clock & 
 spent the remainder of the Eve in filling up my 
 Diary 
 
 Were obliged to sup at Col. Corchran's he is a 
 man of little Education, some sense & a great deal 
 of Vanity. the rest of the family so, so 
 
 Heard our Pupils rehearse a Tragedy preparing 
 for Quarter. 
 
 Was Introduced to Miss S. Lansing a very 
 amiable young Lady - - drank Tea with her spent 
 the Eve at Court - - heard Judge Morriss give his 
 opinion upon a Cause, very full, in his charge to 
 the jury & their Verdict was given according to his, 
 as it appeared, prejudiced charge. 
 
 Dined with Alderman Hun. The Mayor, Dom, 
 Stephen & Phil. V Rens r . D TBroeck & M r Lovett 
 were present, very good Diner Dom. had not 
 so many Lattin proverbs as usual .... 
 
 Took Tea at Col. Corchrans, heard the Tragedy 
 rehearsed again. . . . Slept with M r Lovett. 
 
 In the afternoon attended Court as it was the 
 last day of the Term, the Judgments were declared 
 & Sentences given, among others two were con 
 victed of stealing - - they upon their knees plead 
 the benefit of clergy, which exempted them from 
 Death the Vallue of the things stolen being under 
 10 . They were branded on the left Thumb in 
 presence of the Court & dismissed. - 
 
 Afternoon attended Church. - In the Evening 
 walked to M r Bloodgoods; as Miss Lansing was 
 sitting in their stoop she introduced me to Miss 
 Lydia VanVeghten, we went into the House: 
 
 Monday 
 21 
 
 22 
 
 Thursday 
 24 
 
 Fry day 
 
 25'" 
 
 th 
 
 Sat. 
 26 
 
 Sab 
 27 
 
iO4 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 conversation was pretty lively and agreeable till the 
 Company was increased by some elderly Gentlemen, 
 Lawyers &c. they had a pretty Learned Gent ns 
 discourse on one side of the Room, while a M r 
 Banker engrossed the Ladies to himself on the other 
 - - & I, in the midst, joined neither -- as I tho't my 
 Design in visiting was principally to the Ladies I 
 thought my attention ought principly to be paid to 
 them, while they & the M r B., as I tho't impolitely, 
 not only introduced a Subject which they knew me 
 to be unacquainted with, as it respected Company 
 matters, & not only so, but ornamented it with the 
 grace of a little Dutch diction interspersed. They 
 saw I took it ill & made some vigorous attempts to 
 introduce a Subject in which I might join them 
 but all they could say was How do you like 
 Albany? Have you ever been to Schenectada? 
 'tis a beautiful Town &c &c. supt about 9 o Clock 
 shifted my position got among the Ladies & made 
 conversation a little more agreeable - - walked with 
 Miss S. Lansing 
 
 Mond After School visited the Sheriff T Broeck spent 
 
 a pretty agreeable Evening, supt about 10 o Clock. 
 
 29 After School visited at M r S Cuylers, then at M r 
 
 Huns & ended with another to Miss S L-g - L. 
 Van V-n was there & K-n V R-r & C. Ten Broeck: 
 spent the Eve very sociably & very agreeably ; supt 
 about 10 o Clock walked home with Miss L. V., bid 
 them goed-enau Laster 
 
 30. Spent the afternoon in the Academy hearing the 
 
 Lads rehearse - - in the Evening visited Alderman 
 SChuyler he is a pretty sensible Man - - had no 
 great Education - - but a most tenatious Memory : 
 came home at 8 & found a Miss Trunicliff with my 
 Landlady, supt with her. she appears to have 
 the command of a good many words, but withal very 
 vain. I walked with her to her Lodgings, but I'm 
 sure 'twas no great pleasure, for it rained hard, so 
 that the streets were most abominably muddy & 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 105 
 
 they inform me this is entailed upon it from this 
 Time 'till the return of another Summer. The 
 Soil is of a heavy Kind easily affected by a small 
 rain, & tho' the Sides of the Streets are in general 
 paved, yet they are so very dirty that 'tis worse 
 walking even on them than on the ground itself 
 in most other Towns; add to this the water con 
 stantly pouring from the Spouting Gutters & I'm 
 sure they are enough to give one a prejudice against 
 the place. - 
 
 Began again with young Provosts Instruction. - Thursd. 
 In the Evening walked out with V. Veghten to M r 
 Bloodg. to his namesake Lydia; spent the Eve 
 sociably - she is a person of Modesty, not very 
 deep, nor much read, of a pretty good & mild dis 
 position, & very affable - - supt at 10 o Clock 
 &c 
 
 Spent the Eve at M r Henries, M r Lovetts & at Fryday 
 the post office & Sat. afternoon in rehersing with Nov 
 our Lads, - - too Tea with M r Gillilan & promised 
 to dine there on Sabbath. 
 
 Breakfasted before I went to Church. - The Albany 
 Dom. preached from I st of Isaiah 17^ Come let us 
 reason together &c - - dined at M r Gillilans with a 
 pretty agreeable company of his friends, not with 
 so much brilliancy as is seen at some of the Dutch 
 Tables. He is an Irishman came into the 
 
 country young, traded at N York till he acquired 
 a fortune, this he employed in the purchase of 
 Lands upon Lake Champlain. He entered them 
 when a forest. Had got a beautiful seat well culti 
 vated & more than 50 families settled when he 
 was drove from it & all burnt by the fate of War 
 He is now at Albany with his family, is a sensible 
 man; has many curious turns Has an extensive 
 acquaintance a pretty good knowledge of human 
 Nature - - very hospitable, frank & open in his 
 manners - 
 
 Lieu 1 Thomson joined us at Tea walked then 
 
io6 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 to the patrons, stop at the ail-house & on our way 
 home at M r Watrous to see some Ladies did not 
 tarry long 
 
 Mond. took Tea at Judge Yates, Col Throup was there 
 
 4 laughed heartily & had most of the conversation - 
 
 The Judge is a sensible, humoursome sociable, witty 
 & agreeable man,, not very haughty & but little for 
 show - - his wife upbraided him for his want of 
 tast in dress when young, She is a Woman of great 
 Spirits, high Notions, & not very neat, can swear a 
 little now and then on occasion .... 
 
 5 th At the desire of a Lady (which cannot be denied 
 
 consistent with the rules of Gallantry) we consented 
 that Miss P. Floyd with two other Ladies should 
 be admitted to our rehearsal, as she wished much 
 to hear Miss Yates, & was going out of town before 
 the exhibition, but to our surprize the room was 
 crowded, with spectators and party thro' accident 
 & partly from the officiousness of K - n V.R - r 
 while we had no scenery -- dress, or apparatus, one 
 of our principle Characters gone & but the 3 d or 
 4 th time of rehearsing - - however they went thro' 
 & the whole was crown'd with a capshief of Albany 
 politeness x x x x x deest x x x x x very happily 
 escaped being led into a beastly scene of wedding 
 debauchery increased by the arbitrary power of a 
 Dictator - - which is but a customary visit to the 
 Groom the day after Marriage per. Gr - m Esq 
 
 Wednesday Quite unwell with a very severe cold. - M r 
 
 6 th Yates gone & his as cross as the Devil, using 
 
 evry Mean to disoblige me, & desending so low in 
 
 some little matters of boarding, as 'twould disgrace 
 
 my pen & Journal to write them 
 
 Thursday; Spent the Evening very sociably at M r Henry 
 
 8 Took Tea with Lovett - - came home, M Yates 
 gone out, no Candle, or Supper, I ordered the 
 servant to do me an Errand, the impertinent Miss 
 Peggy (in attempting to imitate her mother in 
 impoliteness & ill usage to me) forbid him & ordered 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 07 
 
 him back I soon let her know that tho' I received 
 & bore innumerable Insults from that family, that 
 I should brook none from her I added a few 
 strong epithets & soon gained my point & let them 
 know with a good deal of resolution that in such a 
 matter I should be obeyed. I had Supper imme 
 diately. 
 
 Had an examination of the pupils of our Acad- Sat. 
 emy The Dom, Mayor & a number of other 9 
 Gentlemen attended, examined all day & I believe 
 acquitted ourselves with honour & acceptance, no 
 material Accident hap'ned. - took Tea at M r 
 Henrys - Madam Yates much more sociable & 
 pliable this Eve than usual & of consequence I 
 fair much better - I find that by a great deal of 
 submission - - some flattery with a large propor 
 tion of that obsequious behavior which I never will 
 submit to, I may live in peace, (but not happily) 
 she is Femina sui generis 
 
 In the forenoon heard a Sermon from D r Clarke Albany 
 upon carnal or natural & spiritual Marriage & to NOVIO 
 be sure he had some very curious remarks upon 
 it - he is Author of the wea mouse &c - - in the 
 Afternoon heard D Westerlo. spent the Evening 
 very agreeably at M r L Gansevorts, in company with 
 the Gen, & recorder of the same name, with their 
 wives, had a good supper 
 
 Spent the Eve at M r Schuylers & rehearsal Mond 
 
 ^ Changed my Lodgings ; left a place where evry 
 circumstance conspired to make it most detested, 13 
 both from the unpoliteness of the family & a woman 
 from whom I had received innumerable insults 
 in exchange for evry perfect opposite. my sit 
 uation is pleasant, the family hospitable, kind & 
 regular & one that display the most order & greatest 
 in government of any with which I was ever 
 acquainted. - The contrast is so great that it 
 really affords one sensations partly pleasing, & 
 partly painful, pleasing to see in so great a Degree 
 
io8 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 a terrestrial Display of the first Law of heav'n; 
 painful to see what human Nature will become 
 without its blessed restraint I'm sure I never 
 can forget that most fell disposition accompanied 
 with so much Hypocrisy & so many Lies So many 
 Insults - - so many & repeated denials of favours, 
 that room - - the furniture - Sheets - - wood - 
 Candles, waiters Government of family -- irreg 
 ularity of Meals & manners when at Table s. 
 to D - h - Hatt on, & no blessing except when 
 
 strangers present 
 
 Thirsday Moved my cloaths &c & the bare position in wh h 
 J 4 I found them demonstrated the feelings of the 
 
 family . 
 
 Sat Was employed in directing the place of the Stage 
 
 16 &c. M rs Caldwell the Albany Schoohnadam was 
 
 with us, She is a sensible Lady - - has a sufficient 
 
 opinion of her good sense & abilities, & is very 
 
 severe in the manners of Youth 
 
 i7 th Heard Dom Westerlo & Clarke preach . 
 
 dined with M r Yates - 
 
 Mond Had an invitation to dance, agree'd to accept, but 
 
 18 at ii o Clock was obliged to write the following 
 
 Billet 
 
 Sim Baldwin is much obliged to M r C Ten Broeck 
 for his polite invitation to dance, & as he knew 
 neither the House or Company is still obliged to 
 him for the promise of a Waggon (he never sent) 
 to take him from M r Lansings where he tarried 
 from 8 till 10 o'Clock. . . . 
 this I sent the next morning & M r T. B - k imme 
 diately waited upon me & with such Apologies & 
 excuses as I thought sufficient 
 
 This morning the N. river was frozen over . . . 
 Thirsday Have been much employed for two days past in 
 preparing the apparatus of the Stage for our Aca 
 demic Exhibitions, & I'm sure 'tis laborious much 
 beyond my expectations at 1 1 o Clock was much 
 alarmed by word from the Mayor that we were pro- 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 109 
 
 ceeding irregularly in not giving the Corporation 
 a formal written information & Invitation to our 
 Exhibitions we went to his house & made our 
 Apologies, that inasmuch as twas a matter separate 
 from & after our examination, (to which we did 
 invite them & waited their pleasure) we thot it not 
 proper to trouble them as a bord, but to give them 
 invitations as Individuals he told us he informed 
 us merely from kindness & affection & tho' at a late 
 hour he would except of the invitation now we 
 wrote one immediately; he call'd for the Cryer 
 (Marshall) & sent him round with all the pomp 
 of formal Ceremony. . . 
 
 We had 900 Tickets printed which we distributed 
 among the families of the first Character in the 
 place - - hoping that by these & the help of a double 
 Guard, we might secure a comfortable situation for 
 all who we wished to have present but to our 
 surprize it all had but little effect the house was 
 crowded beyond belief - - our side scenes were full 
 & could hardly secure the Stage The front of 
 the Judges bench was broken down by the weight 
 of the people upon it - - & the disagreeable scene 
 attended with a great deal of noise, & unpoliteness 
 to each other, the Speakers, & ourselves. 
 We endeavoured to entertain them with a Tragedy, 
 the MOURNING BRIDE, & for a farce the Toy 
 Shop & closed with the farmers blunder the 
 Youth many of them performed exceeding well, 
 & did themselves much honor, notwithstanding the 
 disadvantages of a noisy bable . . . Those of 
 the Audience that I have conversed with confess 
 themselves much pleased with the performances 
 
 but that the croud was insupportable 
 
 Slept but very little last night after my fatigue 22 
 have an invitation from M r TenBroeck to Dance 
 again, I suppose to make up for former treatment 
 & I'm sure tis only to show him that I accept of his 
 apologies, that I promise to go 
 
no As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Joined our family at Tea, with M ra Badry an 
 agreeable Lady from Philadelphia Dress'd & set 
 out for my Dance it was held near a mile out of 
 Town & we were all escorted in Waggons, our Com 
 pany consisted of 10 Couple some uneasiness 
 soon took place respecting our partners, some of 
 the Gentlemen insisted very strongly on dividing 
 by Lottery, others upon bespeaking them them 
 selves. As I was a stranger & twas the first time 
 of my being admitted into the Company I chose not 
 to interfere in the Dispute, tho' M r TenBroeck had 
 been so kind as to engage for me an amiable partner 
 a Miss P. Hogoboom. - They at length made a 
 Lottery & Drew - - I had the good fortune to find 
 myself honoured with Miss S Lansing & to be sure 
 she was as good a partner as any in the room & 
 No. i. The Dispute however had run so high & 
 some other little matters attending it, made it an 
 unsociable Circle I myself was much displeased 
 & I'm sure had reason for it, from the impoliteness 
 of some who entered the Head of our Dance com 
 posed of six, (Nancy Dissor) & danced it down 
 before us, turning it into a Country Dance. - We 
 had a pretty good Supper & tarried till 2 o Clock, 
 escorted my partner to her Home .... 
 Sat agreed to take the small pox with M r Henry's 
 
 family; wrote a letter to the Corporation for leave 
 to retire as much as was necessary from the busi 
 ness of the Academy - M r Van Neghten visited 
 me ; informed me he had sent a Note to TenBroeck 
 for calling him a rascal & he was willing to settle 
 it by making apologies to all the Ladies - in the 
 afternoon took Tea with my partner, found her 
 much more sociable than usual I suppose to make 
 amends for some little misconduct the Evening 
 before found D r Stringer upon my return, he 
 gave me some directions respecting our future diet, 
 & some black powders for that Eve & a portion 
 
 Sabbath ^ ^3^ ^ or * ne nex t morning 
 
 24 Took my physic did not go to meeting tho it had 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 1 1 
 
 but little effect Lady Caldwell dined, took Tea 
 & supt with us her greatest fault is too great a 
 manifestation of her own superiority she is 
 certainly sensible but too censorious. We spent 
 the Evening very sociably, gave each other many 
 high Compliments, the subjects of Conversation 
 were religion & phylosophy mostly . . . 
 
 From the Mercury wh h I have taken & some that 25 
 I put upon my head I find the pours so opned that 
 inadvertantly I have taken a cold - - but the Doctor 
 has not been here to visit me this Day - - hope to be 
 inoculated on the morrow 
 
 I am not to be inoculated till Thirsday; took Tue 
 some more of the Mercurial powder & in the morn- 27 
 ing my Physic. - - attended School however. At 
 noon D r Cochran visited me & very prettily intro 
 duced himself with, "I am D r Cochran" as there 
 was no one present to do it - after diner rode 3 
 or 4 miles, come home to Tea, where were M r 
 Taylor & wife a sensible Man but I could converse 
 but little ; have for several Days felt myself under 
 new embarassments - - my animal Spirits quite 
 exhausted, my Memory almost gone & what little 
 I know of the Sciences seems a perfectly confused 
 & indigested Mass & so almost useless. Upon my 
 word I think upon it with serious concern & fear 
 if I cannot find something to divert my attention I 
 shall soon fall into a moping melancholy or become 
 perfectly crazed. I impute the cause of it to the 
 great confinement of my situation added to the 
 usage of an inhuman family in wh h I lately lived 
 & the fatiguing cares of bringing on a Quarter 
 which admitted of no respit or recreation - - & I 
 may still add the want of surrounding intimates 
 (whom I have heretofore enjoyed,) with whom I 
 might spend the social hour in pleasing conversa 
 tion, might throw off the heavy cares, unbend the 
 Soul, & reanimate the drooping spirits grown dull 
 by fatiguing Study & Business. . . 
 
 A great change of the weather from what it was 28* ' 
 
1 1 2 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 yesterday, being pleasant but very cold. have 
 just had the operation of Inoculation performed 
 upon me by D r Stringer ; he performs it with a great 
 deal of ease ; first wets his Lancet with a very little 
 of the Infection, then gently raises the Skin upon 
 the Arm just so as to perceive the Blood ; the little 
 orafice is then rub'd together & the opperation 
 ended . . . This is also the Day appointed by 
 Congress to be observed as a day of Thanksgiving. 
 & to be sure tis a duty each Individual owes to the 
 author & giver of Mercies, who is certainly ever 
 liberal much beyond our deserts or reasonable 
 expectations, & / certainly have reason, perticularly 
 at this Time, for Thanksgiving, as well as a Day of 
 fasting & prayer of Thanks that the giver of Life 
 & preserver of Health has been pleased to moderate 
 in this way the severities of the most terrible dis 
 order to which human Nature is subject; that he 
 has been pleased to communicate it to man & that 
 I at this time may, thro' his blessing hope to receive 
 its salutory assistance; . . . of fasting & prayer, 
 to the supreme physician, for his kindly presence 
 & aid to moderate the severities of the Decease, for 
 it certainly is severe even to those who have it but 
 lightly - - & to impress my Mind with an entire 
 dependence upon him, that I may know where, & 
 to whom I am to pay my thankful Acknowledg 
 ments, if it please that mighty Being to hand me 
 safely through it ... 
 
 It gives me but little pain that my health would 
 not permit me to enjoy the usual externals of a 
 Thanksgiving Day. - since the Customs are so 
 very different from those to wh h I have been 
 accostomed in N England, Tis true it in some 
 measure puts a stop to their business & on that 
 account seems a Damp to their Spirits, to be sure 
 none of that lively Joy wh h is there so conspicuous 
 & seems to animate the Countenance of all we meet, 
 is visible here. They have no extraordinary Din- 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 1 3 
 
 ner, nor in their cookery do they at all deviate from 
 the usual custom of each Day, & I could wish that 
 I had reason to think that what is wanting in 
 external show, was replaced in the superior Devo 
 tion & sincerity of their service, for they have two 
 meeting's in the Day, in the afternoon a Charity 
 Sermon. 
 
 Very cold; the river closed & bids fair for the Fryday 
 setting in of Winter - am very well in Health & 29 
 I think more lively from my low diet than before I 
 began 
 
 This morning took 4 pills I suppose mercurial Sat, 
 was never better in health have not for a week ^ ov 
 back tasted Meat - but am sure from the extraor- 1782 
 dinary kindness of our family I have scarce reason 
 to complain of my Diet - in the morning I break 
 fast upon Coffee with Buiskit or a dry Toast of the 
 best Bread that ever I ate & to relish it have cooked 
 Apples my Dinner is commonly chickenbroath with 
 toasted Bread, & finished with a bit of Apple pie. - 
 with Tea I have butterd Buisket & apples, & I sup 
 as I breakfasted unless favoured with a dish of very 
 good Suppaun - - in short I have more reason to 
 fear I live too well for the Disease than to make the 
 usual complaints - 
 
 In the course of the week have dream't of D r 
 Wood & family & of my distant Dulcinea - Have 
 refused a part wh h I was importuned to take in a 
 Tragedy with M r Lovett & some Officers in the 
 place. - It was a good excuse that I was under 
 Innoc n tho' I had more weighty reasons - - in the 
 first place we were in an unkind, unsociable, & 
 unhospitable place - - & all strangers from this; 
 they might think us assuming in the next place 
 the people are many of them good Judges of 
 Theatrical performances, which they have fre 
 quently seen in New York & heretofore in this 
 place. while were all of us entirely ignorant & 
 unexperienced in this kind of speaking & wanted 
 
ii4 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 scenery & room, & might therefore reasonably 
 expect in so large a field of wants, there would be 
 room enough for the Malevolence & critical Obser 
 vations of the maliciously disposed . . Add to 
 this the expence of Time & money with the difficulty 
 of procuring a suitable Dress, & I think it dear 
 bought fame, even if success & applause should 
 crown their Labours but if not, that if, con 
 cludes a Hiss ! - - tho I've reason to hope better of 
 them, I'd not run the risque. These disadvan 
 tageous circumstances & the danger of displeasing 
 the parents of our School by encroaching upon 
 school Hours & drawing off the Attention from the 
 business of it, make it a pleasing reflection to me 
 that I'm free from it & from the Affection I bear 
 
 M r Lovett I wish him as much so 
 
 Sab. Intended to go to meeting, but was prevented by 
 
 1 a potion of physic which I was obliged to take this 
 
 morning, & to be sure it was powerful enogh to 
 keep me in full employ. - M rs Caldwell & a Sister 
 of M rs Hendrie dined with us, & I upon my broath 
 Monday Visited M r Yates for the second time since I left 
 
 Dec 2** hi s Table - - He gave me many hypocritical pro 
 fessions of friendship, & began immediately with 
 "had not I better begin directly upon the study of 
 the practice of Kings bench that the Rule of 
 Court was that none be admitted to the practice 
 without an apprenticeship of three years - - with 
 a proviso however in favour of those whose Studies 
 had been interrupted by the Course of the War . . 
 then added, there were such & such Young Gentle 
 men pursuing the Study of Law with expectations 
 of having the rule of court set aside once more to 
 favour them - - if that should happen he said I 
 might depend on his friendship & Assistance to for 
 ward the like pretensions in me. I sincerely 
 thanked him for his kindness (so formally ex 
 pressed) & made my situation, Smalpox, an apology 
 for not immediately entering upon the Study with 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 1 5 
 
 double Vigor. I was acquainted with his ready 
 promises knew the disposition of the Bar which 
 would all oppose & the example of M r Gilbert 
 was fresh in my memory In short instead of 
 Law, I asked for the loan of Sterns Tristram 
 Shandy . . 
 
 Took Tea at Col. Cochrans after a short Viz 
 at M r Vernon's . . . 
 
 Took pills in the morning . . 3 
 
 Am as yet perfectly well except the natural con- 4 
 sequences of a potion of powdered Jallap, which 
 keeps me very busy . . in the Evening made a 
 Visit at M ra Lansings . . . 
 
 Eight Days complete since my Inoculation & I Fryday 
 am perfectly Well - - upon going to Bed found my 
 Arm a little stiff - - it soon grew sore underside 
 near my body & before morning I found myself 
 wakened by a pain in my Head & neck but not 
 violent . 
 Am better after geting up & taking the Air - - took 7 
 
 another portion of Jallap Had a 
 
 most restless, painful, Night, such pains in my 
 boans, back, & Head, to be sure I never before 
 experienced . 
 
 a little better this morning but no appetite felt 8 
 inactive & dull - - soon fell upon my Bed - - when 
 the D r came in, he insisted on my getting up & 
 walking, I walked with him accordingly for near 
 a mile, tho' I was so weak I could hardly go, & there 
 was a Damp, heavy snowstorm, yet it had the 
 desired effect I came home much better than I 
 went out, & tho' the weather proved very cold in 
 the afternoon I repeated the experiment, & doubt 
 not, but if I had got from bed & taken the Air the 
 last night would have saved me many painful 
 hours - my pain diminishes but I have but little 
 appetite. - A melancholy accident hapned this 
 day from a sudden gust of wind, which took the 
 roof from off a barn, which fell upon 4 children, 
 
n6 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 wounded the head of one, broke the arm of another, 
 broke the Leg of a third, & put out the hip & 
 wounded the Head of the other. 
 
 Monday Spent the last night with more ease & slept con- 
 
 siderable . . M r Lovett slept with me, he came 
 in early in the Eve with Maj Sill. The Dom. 
 Westerlo did me the honour to pay me a Visit to 
 day & Alderman Hun in the Afternoon & very 
 kindly desired me to send to his house if I wanted 
 Fouls or fresh meat or any thing of that kind which 
 he had & it should be at my service - - M ra Mayor 
 TenBrock sent her Compliment with an offer of 
 sweetmeats or anything of that nature which should 
 be palateable & make my sickness more tollerable - 
 am pretty well to day when in the Air - - have a 
 few pocks which made their appearance in the 
 night 
 
 Tuesd. In the morning a few more pocks, some few 
 eruptions in my face felt almost (free) from pain, 
 walked towards the Markett & received the con 
 gratulations of all who knew me - Alderman 
 Rens'laer asked me to his house, I went, his 3 
 children full & just turning. . after dinner took 
 Tea at the Mayors, their little Child almost covered 
 with the pocks, but recovering, Spent the Eve at M r 
 A Lansings - - M r Bartholomew 11 came in. no one 
 knew him ; had a Letter for M r Lovett for Money 
 as he had met with many misfortunes, & wanted 
 business 
 
 ii. At Home all Day; sore throat 
 
 Thursd. M r Bartholomew dined & took Tea with me he 
 
 concludes to go down the river to a place called 
 Cosocca & there enter upon the practice of Physic, 
 by recommendations & supply from D r Stringer 
 M r Lovett lets him his Horse &c he will go as 
 soon as the Horse can be brought from across the 
 river. spent the Evening in improving & lively 
 
 11 Phineas Bartholomew (Yale, Class of 1778). 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 117 
 
 Conversation with Lady Caldwell. . . still very 
 sore throat. 
 
 Spent the forenoon in School, in the afternoon 
 waited on D r Bartholomew played several 
 games of chequers - - he slept with me tho I had 
 a very disagreeable night, my pox about turning 
 gave me the Nap effectually & to be sure in the 
 middle of the night I slept but little, till I got up & 
 shook them off - the pox on my tongue & in my 
 throat are indeed very sore 
 
 Am still unwell beside my sore throat feel 
 low in spirits tho this Day is the 21 Aniversary of 
 my birth. - I began a letter of Thanks, which I 
 thought suitable to the occasion, to my Parents for 
 their Kindness & parental Affection which they ever 
 manifest towards me - was not able to finish it 
 on account of my health I have 7 pox on my 
 Tongue & many in my Throat which then amazing 
 sore & my head withal so very disordered that I 
 could not lie; was obliged to get up & send to the 
 D r for an Anodyne, it had its desired effect. 
 
 Grow better : the pox begin to dry & my throat 
 almost well 
 
 DIARY 4 
 
 This day I returned to the business of my school, 
 evry thing returned to the former channel 
 
 M r Phelps, a young Gentleman from the East 
 ward, came with thoughts of opning an apothe 
 caries Shop in the place he had Letters of recom- 
 endation from D r Lathrop, with whom he studied, 
 to M r Lovett & myself 
 
 waited on D r Phelps to D r Youngs, took Tea 
 there - he seemed to encourage the Design . 
 M r Phelps came home & supt with me, Van Neghten 
 visited me 
 
 Went to meeting all Day for the first after Small 
 pox washed myself in the morn, feel myself 
 much relieved from a most heavy Disagreeable 
 
 Fryday 
 
 1782 
 Dec. 
 
 Dec 
 
 14 
 1782 
 
 Sab.& 
 Mond. 
 16 
 
 Albany 
 Dec 17 
 1782 
 
 Tuesday 
 Fryday 19. 
 
 Sat. 
 
 20 
 
 Sab. 
 
 21 
 
1 1 8 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Load which must attend any one who has not had 
 the Small pox, when in such a place as this can 
 therefore at this time with propriety & devout sin 
 cerity return my many thanks, to the mighty God 
 who made me to the merciful God who has so 
 long preserved me & shown such indulgent favours, 
 to the great Phisician wh. has 
 
 at this time in particular assisted me, & to the most 
 Gracious God who allows degenerate mortals to 
 express that gratitude which is so justly his due - 
 
 Tuesday Dismissed the Academy till the Day after new 
 
 Dec 23 Year, agreeable to the custom of Holy-days in this 
 place - - with this proviso that if any wished to 
 attend, we would open School on Monday & Tues 
 day - Spent the Evening at M r Gillilans with 
 Mess ra Lovett & Phelps . . . 
 
 Wednesd. Christmas, M r Lovett by invitation dined with 
 us & spent the afternoon & evening in playing Cards 
 &c. &. to be sure we had a pretty merry Christmas - 
 26 I dined at M r Lansings -- spent much of the Day 
 
 with M r Lovett talking about our Dulcineas. 
 
 Monday It snow'd for the first time this Season by the 
 
 next morn about 6 Inches deep. The circumstances 
 of Albany are such that no place is more affected 
 with the want of snow. They depend entirely upon 
 this for their wood, Grain, Trade, & almost evry 
 convenience of Life & much of its pleasures. The 
 people had long wished for it. - - & to be sure the 
 Joy was manifest upon evry Countenance, upon its 
 falling, & the frozen paths seemd warm'd with Life 
 action. 
 
 Wednesday Had much merriment in making the Compli- 
 ments of the Season, received a Cuckey according 
 to the Custom of the place . . from M ra Henry. 
 Took Tea at M r Scuylers - 3 European Holland 
 ers were present - spent the Eve at M r Vadnor's 
 D r Young was present & played Chess - came 
 
 home & wrote Letters to N Haven 
 
 Attended the Academy according to appointment 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 1 9 
 
 had but one student present, & in the Afternoon 
 none 
 
 Was surprised to find Tenbroeck & V Renselear 12 Fryday 
 pay me a visit from new Haven I had but just 
 sent them a packect. They brought me but one 
 Letter - from Crocker. 13 M rs Vadnor paid us a 
 visit in the Eve. The two M r Henrys & myself sat 
 down for a sociable game of whist Young M r 
 Henry & myself were partners - we had beat 
 them 2 rubbers which was a little disagreeable to 
 the old Gentleman (who is an excellent Gamester 
 at Whist) & were like to win the last game of the 
 third - - when M r Vadnor, thro mistake dropt a 5, 
 & lost the trick when he had the Queen & Jack which 
 would have saved it, The old Gentleman, who has 
 a temper unhappily quick - - threw his cards across 
 the table in a violent passion & left the room - We 
 were not so much surprized, because we had fre 
 quently seen it, tho' hardly to so great a degree. 
 & I never saw him play an evening without mani 
 festing some of it - I myself had him once for a 
 partner & thought he used me rather roughly. 
 He soon returned again - - had some reflections 
 upon the bad play - when M r Bob. Henry unhap- 
 ily made this true observation that he manifested 
 so much temper that nobody chose to play with 
 him. - the truth is not always to be spoken - - it 
 spur'd the old Gent. ns Hobby-Horse, when that is 
 effectively pricked, tis very apt to run away with 
 
 the rider M r Henry to be sure called 
 
 Bobby much to nought, & accused him of irrever 
 ence & disrespectful treatment & ingratitude, which 
 he had long born but would no more - Bobby 
 replyd he knew he had been obliged, but ever dis 
 charged his obligations with Gratitude M rs 
 Henry came in much distressed, we all tried what 
 
 12 Jacob Rutsen Van Rensselaer (Yale, Class of 1786). 
 "Daniel Crocker (Yale, Class of 1782). 
 
1 20 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 was in our power to pacify them but to no avail 
 they carried matters on both sides to great ex 
 tremes even agreed to separate & that M r Bob 
 should seek his lodgings somewhere else . . but 
 upon the whole I must think the old Gentleman 
 much the most to blame he certainly led the way 
 to all the excess . . we at last with much per- 
 swasion got them to supper & I shifted the con 
 versation as soon as I could find opportunity. 
 Albany After Breakfast M r Henry asked me to take a 
 
 Tan* 1 * r ^ e m ^ e Sleigh we went to the flatts - to 
 ^783 Major & Col. Schylers. had a pretty clever ride - 
 Young M r Henry is very busy in adjusting his 
 accounts - is determined upon new Lodgings . . . 
 I said much to prevent it, & hope they may be recon 
 ciled, tho' he & his uncle have not exchanged a word 
 to Day . 
 
 M. 6. The M r Henrys settled the unhappy difference. - 
 
 Wednesday Very cold, The Patroon took M r Lovett & my- 
 jan.8 se | - nto sieigh to M r John's VR-ss-r to converse 
 upon the subject of our Society of 4> B K ; agreed 
 to hold meetings here & desired me to write for a 
 Charter & Laws - - w h I did that night. 
 
 IQ&II There fell a Snow of near 18 Inches. - Was 
 
 introduced to 2 young Gentlemen by the name of 
 Payne from Worcester, who appeared to be most 
 accomplished & agreeable Persons - - the one a 
 Druggist They took Tea & supt with us, together 
 with M r Williams an Att y from Pitsfield. 
 Janyi2 th Attended service in the Dutch Church A. M. - 
 Sab. 1783 p M heard a Episcop n . he afforded us an excel 
 lent Sermon Dined by Invitation at P. Yates 
 Esq. -- & spent part of the Eve at D r Young's with 
 Miss Eunice Brown & M r Henry. 
 Monday Evening I spent at M" Lansing visiting Miss Sally, 
 
 *3 after taking Tea at M r Phil VRensselaer's 
 
 Tuesday M r Mosely came into Town from Con 1 had a 
 circle of friends at my chamber & spent a sociable 
 evening over a Bowl or two of punch 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 2 1 
 
 formed a party for a ride on pleasure to Schenec- Wednesday 
 tada - sat out about 2 o Clock & arrived at 
 Sch. about dusk after a very cold ride spent 
 part of the Evening* in the singing-school had 
 an elegant supper at Lewis Tavern with some Com 
 pany of the place next morning Walked round l6 
 the Town before Breakfast found the situation, 
 being upon a large plain, to be very agreeable the 
 Town large, equal to any in Connecticut & very 
 regular in the streets - - Breakfasted & got into our 
 Sleigh about no Clock I had the good pleasure 
 to meet M r Lockwood very unexpectedly at this 
 Tavern - - he set out soon after us for Albany 
 we came to Albany about i. & the funeral of Gen 
 eral Lord Stirling 14 was attended with much pomp 
 at 4 . . M r Lockwood took Tea with me & spent 
 the Eve with Major Sill & Jackson wrote a 
 letter to Miss Wood . . 
 
 Fryday M r Mosely returned & I was a little sur- 17 
 prized that he never called to let me know it. 
 
 M r Henry invited me to go into the country with lgth 
 him & M r Vadnor for a ride & as twas Saturday I 
 agreed to accept it - we sat out about 10 o Clock, 
 the day very pleasant . . went thro' the new 
 City, a very pleasant pretty little country place, on a 
 plain large enough for a large City arrived at M ra 
 People's at Half moon at dinner time, our next 
 stage was at M r Schyler's at Stillwater ; was intro 
 duced to his daughter Else a pretty sensible, but not 
 handsome Miss - we made but little stay - stopt 
 a little at M r Varnor's farm (beautifully situated 
 on the river) on our way to Ensigns, where we 
 lodged; spent the Evening very agreeably - - had 
 plenty of good punch - - slept with an Arche Mc- 
 Neal. ( You must lie the back side, Neighbour. ) 
 
 14 William Alexander, who claimed unsuccessfully to be entitled to 
 the earldom of Sterling. He was a Major General in the Continental 
 army. 
 
122 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 19 The next morning before Breakfast we rode to 
 Saratoga passed Gen Schylers seat which is 
 certainly very grand he has an interval of 6 or 
 700 acres all in a piece upon the Banks of the Hud 
 son, & upon a Creek that runs thro them several 
 very stately mills for grinding & sawing, the sit 
 uation & prospect good . . we passed the fort 
 & Barrack which are a little beyond & Breakfasted 
 at Mahoney's . . came back to Ensigns to 
 Dinner. after the satisfaction of viewing the 
 place & ground where Burgoyne & his army sur 
 rendered, we had passed the place of battle the 
 day before - - the works were still visible extending 
 for near a Mile back from the river into the woods, 
 upon Bemus Heights Burgoyne's entrench 
 ments were nearly as extensive, at about a miles 
 distance. - We took Tea in the afternoon with 
 Miss Schyler & lodged at M rs Peebles ; had a merry 
 Evening with the Ladies - the drift of all the 
 jokes was centered upon M r Henry & Miss Rosy 
 
 20 Till we almost offended them. We brokefast there 
 
 took Toddy, for want of punch, at Mollenbeek's 
 & reach'd home about 10 Clock . . 
 
 27 received Letters & some shirts from home by M r 
 
 Lord. - Took Tea with M r John VR - r. over the 
 river & the next Saturday he waited on me with 
 a Sleigh to M r S Dow's. - 
 
 Monday spent the Eve at M r Judge Yates, Peter Do. & 
 Gen Ten Brock there I had the Honor to see & be 
 introduced to Miss Peggy Schyler & I might have 
 mentioned her mother first waited on them 
 across the Street to M r Taylors without mine Hatt. 
 
 supt with young Ten Broeck & his good mother ; 
 he made me a present of Doolittle new Col. of 
 psalm Tunes 
 
 Tuesday by Invitation supt at peter Yates with M r & M re 
 Tea Bout, Col. Levingston & M r Lovett 
 
 Wednesday M r Lovett & Brother dined with us after dinner 
 M r Henry took us all in sleigh to Col Van Schoon- 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 123 
 
 hoven's at Half Moon : twas a beautiful ride most 
 of the way on the Ice & we were treated with the 
 greatest Complisance & hospotality spent the 
 Eve at Phil Renss'rs & Gillalands . . 
 
 So exceeding cold did not go to meeting spent 
 part of the Eve at M r Gillilands 
 
 M r Lovett & I went for a Viz, to M r Shaws & 
 as M r Graham & his Lady were absent we spent the 
 Eve till near 120 Clock at M r Gillilands : had a little 
 family Dance. 
 
 took punch at noon with M r IVTClellen & by his 
 invitation spent the Eve & supt with him - had a 
 merry Game of whist - - he & I opposed M r Henry 
 & Lovett, & we won a rubber 
 
 Took Tea at Jacob Cuyler & entered a com 
 plaint about his Son John received his confession 
 & promise & of amendment. 
 
 took Tea at Peter Yates & supt with Alderman 
 Hun.- 
 
 Examination in the Academy. Supt again with 
 the same company as on thursday with M r 
 M c Clellen 
 
 Dined with a pretty large Circle at M r James 
 Varnors - He is a well built, handsome Bache 
 lor of 32 -- is naturally sensible read considerable, 
 travelled more, & frequented a great deal of Com 
 pany & that very good was once much of a 
 buck - but is reformed, has a pretty estate & 
 is exceeding hospitable - - & upon the whole is a 
 man of Pleasure & independent Sentiment. - 
 
 I was so unhappy as to wound the feelings of a 
 Baptist, M r Barry who was in the Circle by intro 
 ducing the observations made by Stern upon their 
 anteborn Baptisms -- slops Oath, &c . . I soon 
 perceived the mistake & endeavoured to take off the 
 edge by observing upon the too great freedom & 
 severity of the author for tis ever against my 
 principle to ridicule any one of whatever perswai- 
 sion when sincerity & a consciousness of rectitude 
 
 Sunday 
 Feb. 2 
 
 Tuesday 4 
 
 Wednesday 
 5 
 
 Albany 
 
 Feb6 
 
 1783 
 
 Fryday 
 7 
 
 9 th 
 
124 
 
 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Fryday II 
 Wed. 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 
 Fryday 
 14 
 
 of Conduct are evident for under that rule I 
 have charity for all. spent the Eve too with 
 M r Varnor & attempted to sup but had the mortifi 
 cation to be so sick by smoaking as to have no 
 appetite. 
 
 Spent the Eve at Col. Cochrans, had two or 3 
 games of whist &c & came home early. 
 
 Visited M r Graham found the little pair at home, 
 thought they cared but little about our company - 
 & I am sure 'twas mutual 
 
 Made a little visit in the Eve at Sheriff T.Broecks 
 Maggy was Ironing & not a little mortified - I 
 went from there to P. Yates & supt; found the old 
 Lady much more sociable than usual - - a little 
 reformed from brutallity but still the rough 
 manners of the children would disgrace a family of 
 far less pretentions than theirs. - I might have 
 observed too that I took Tea at M r Bloodgoods with 
 a large Circle - - among the rest was a Miss Caty 
 Dyckman - - a great Bell - - much for Dress - - & 
 a little affected - - was formerly from New York - 
 had Travelled a good deal & read considerable I 
 had not the pleasure to be introduced to her - - but 
 she evidently manifested a desire to form my 
 acquaintance - - gave me a fair opportunity - - to 
 offer my Arm & escort her home more than half a 
 mile & I am almost ashamed to say it that my 
 embarassment in having two or three married 
 Ladies to accompany another way (which however 
 on such an occasion might have been dispensed 
 with) & my want of acquaintance with the world, 
 mankind & Company, prevented me from making 
 the suitable apologies on either side so I left Miss 
 Caty, (not however without several gentlemen in 
 the House that might accompany her) & waited on 
 M ra Henry & M re Barry - - & then reflected. . . 
 
 M r Lovett & myself sat out for a visit at 
 Cloverack & Cocksocea left Albany about noon 
 dined with Capt Woodworths had his sleigh & 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 125 
 
 servant & after an agreeable ride on good Slighing 
 we passed thro' Kenderhook to our destined port 
 that Evening - took lodgings at Hogebooms - 
 he has three very amiable Daughters - - we were 
 soon admitted into their room by the old Lady 
 after first calling them out and passing the "How 
 do you does" we soon fell into a round of very 
 agreeable Chitchat, - - had cards at pleasure & all 
 conspired to make our Time happy & visit agree 
 able -- supt at 9 & sat up till ^2 past 10 
 
 We tarried in the place all day visited & dined 
 with M r Gilbert - afternoon took the Ladies into 
 the sleigh & visited at a M r Tenbroacks there were 
 two young old Ladies, returned about dusk took 
 a short Eveningside & compleated a scene similar 
 to the last nights. - - formed an acquaintance with 
 a M r Peter TBroecker 
 
 After Breakfast rode to Judge Morris's spent an 
 hour or two & crossed the river to Cocksocea found 
 the D r Bartholomew & Capt Vanscoyk were gone 
 to Albany - - this obliged us tho' contrary to our 
 expectations to proceed home, accordingly after 
 dinner we set out - - stopt at Col. Nicoll's; he & 
 family were gone too, to Albany so we returned 
 home that evening 
 
 & feell very happy that I did for tis to day very 
 rainy & warm. 
 
 Yesterday very warm & rainy, so that the river 
 rises fast -- was called out immediately after dinner 
 (which I took with M r Lansing ) to see the break 
 ing up of the river, & to be sure it was a sight worth 
 observing - - The ice had before came down & stopt 
 within about a mile - - this had choked the water 
 & prepared a greater force - 'twas now all in 
 motion - - almost one solid cake & calm, seeming to 
 move with a beautiful regularity, - - but twas soon 
 changed the jutt g Docks seemed in vain to oppose 
 its passage - - the large Logs of which they were 
 composed were broke with as much apparent ease 
 
 Sat. 
 IS 
 
 i6 th 
 
 Monday 
 17 
 
 Wednesday 
 19, 1783 
 
1 26 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 as the stem of a brittle pipe the foundations 
 torn up & in their place piles of powdered ice 
 seemed to rise spontaneously, like the belching fires 
 from a Vesuvius There is a winding of the 
 shoar near the Academy, which as it opposed the 
 progress of the Cakes, afforded a scene of horrid 
 Grandeur almost beyond Imagination for by 
 crowding the foremost cakes upon the land & fence 
 which they beat down, the others, which succeeded, 
 would increase the pile till they appeared to rise like 
 clouds, almost perpendicular the height of 30 or 
 40 feet & as they broke and fell, others would suc 
 ceed - this lasted about 10 minutes when it was 
 succeeded by the broken ice which formed a presses 
 of grand Confusion All the people of the City 
 were down as spectators and the various pas 
 sions which moved them was diverting to indifferent 
 spectators - they were all atte(ntion) were all 
 passion - - some fearing the fate of many buildings 
 (which) were exposed - - & the consequence of an 
 inundation. others their own Docks - - Vessels 
 stables & even Houses for several were in much 
 danger ; others enjoied the rich scene without reflec 
 tion - - were all eyes - - & even wished it might 
 increase - - some you would see agitated at once 
 with evry passion which would arise on such an 
 occasion - 
 
 The stable next to the Academy House was 
 almost torn to pieces & a slaughter house at a dis 
 tance thrown down; several vessels were driven 
 from the creeks to a considerable distance upon the 
 high bancks - - it was indeed a scene that would 
 excite the attention of any one but had more of 
 grand confusion than regular beauty. 
 Thursday The water rose the last night so as to almost fill 
 the cellars of our house; we were obliged to move 
 the cattle & even the hens from the stable & evry 
 thing of consequence from the rooms below . 
 I went to the schoolhouse but found it surrounded 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 2 7 
 
 with water so that I could not get to it without a 
 Canoe, considerable of our wood was gone & the 
 yard full of broken Ice The water is still high 
 but the ice mostly gone. 
 
 The water rises & falls alternately & sometime Fryday 
 in quick succession as the channel is checked more 
 or less below it was supposed to have swelled to 
 the height of 13 or 14 feet which is great in this 
 Town as it lies very low the Academy-House still 
 surrounded with water, but had it opened & kept 
 school 
 
 Water subsides - have employed the leisure of Sat 
 3 or 4 Days past in reading to M ra Henry the His 
 tory of Miss Emily Montague written by a Lady 
 in a series of Letters 'tis a pretty little love tail 
 without much sentiment. - 
 
 Saw accidentally several of the Albany Gallants. 
 Passed a cold & indifferent How do do, joind cold 
 hands with one but believe it did not shake up the 
 tender emotions of drowsy friendship on either side. 
 We are quite indifferent - I'm sure I feel much 
 of the stoick with respect to them & their whole 
 Company & I fear rather too much for the world 
 in general I am sensible I have a awkward stiff 
 ness & an embarrassment which makes me appear 
 insipid in Company & yet that nothing but a fre 
 quent practice in Company will polish it off. In my 
 opinion too the manners of them in general are but 
 little better. - - in short I do not like them they 
 envy me my situation - - & make no allowances for 
 want of improvement. The consequence is that 
 several invitations some of which I refused & those 
 that I accepted I was not very well pleased with 
 they have neglected to invite me. I am determined 
 not to play the sycophant so frequent no Com 
 pany the pleasure I loose I set down as nothing - 
 the advantage in employing those hours in reading 
 is certainly something - The only particulars in 
 which it is disagreeable are i the want of those 
 
128 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 accomplishments which are only obtained by fre 
 quenting Company 2 the wound it might give 
 my Character in N England should it be told with 
 out the Circumstances that I frequented no Com 
 pany 
 
 Sabath A. M. read in Drillencourt on Death it is a 
 
 F i78 23 ver y pi us & we ^ wrote piece on the subject 
 Dined by invitation at M r Cuylers Jacobs on 
 Cod-fish - attended Church P. M. took Tea at 
 M ra Yates P - - & spent part of the eve at Dr 
 Young's, heard some of the particulars of an un 
 happy Expedition against Oswago commanded by 
 Col. Willet - - their dependance was on surprize 
 They were misted went thro' a wet swamp in the 
 night - - 150 of their men were frozen in feet or 
 hands - - & at day brake when they were to attack 
 the fort - - they found themselves 7 or 8 miles out 
 of the way. of consequence the expedition 
 
 failed - 
 
 24 th Had the curiosity to attend a dutch funeral the 
 
 remains of Col. V.Renslear a man rich old & 
 universally beloved - - he lived on the other side 
 of the river from Town - - but the whole City & 
 14 or 15 miles round were invited & also all Claverac 
 as they were his Tenants the Ice was gone so 
 we were obliged to ferry But yet there were many 
 present - - the house in evry room had as many as 
 could sit with convenience, & servants at the Doors 
 to direct people according to their appearance. No 
 Ladies were present The procession began 
 about 3 o Clock - the Corps preceeded upon a 
 Coach converted into a Hearse by taking off the 
 Box &c the Horses were white, but covered with 
 black cloth - - & the Coachman all in black - - next 
 followed 10 persons with scarfs of white the 
 mourners without scarfs & then the ministers & 
 Doctors with after these the people who attended 
 walked in a long train by pairs all were invited 
 to return to the house & take a glass of wine 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 29 
 
 Tables were sett in evry room of a very large house 
 - with Bottles of wine, glasses pipes & Tobacco 
 with candles ready lighted & servants with each a 
 white Napkin round their arm stood ready to replace 
 any thing that was wanted. the wine was pretty 
 good & Im sure many drank of it very freely : their 
 merriment was apparent - In a word the whole 
 scene had rather the appearance of a jovial meeting, 
 than the tender, sympathetic feelings of a humane 
 Condolence - - there was no prayer - - & the con 
 versation was upon News - - horsejockeying & 
 other indifferent subjects Im sure I did not hear 
 a word, adapted to the occasion or a house of 
 mourning & in reallity the appearance is rather of 
 joy & feasting - I staid near an hour, & left 
 many behind crossed in a boat with one as beastly 
 drunk, as was possible in so short a time I saw 
 an other nearly as bad, & I doubt not, there were 
 several in the same situation as many of the lower 
 kind go purposely with that design . . 
 
 I spent the Eve & supt at M" Judge Yates. had 
 a very merry time. D r Young & M r Lovett were 
 present. 
 
 Feb 20 - - 1783 
 
 Read Baker on Learning - - which is in short a 
 confused mass seeking for the faults of evry kind 
 of Science without an attempt to remedy them - - it 
 appeared to me the Gentleman wrote it purely from 
 the vanity of wishing to be called an author. 
 
 In the leasure hours of 2 or 3 Days, have been 
 reading the History of Miss Emily Montague writ 
 ten by a Lady in a course of Letters from the Actors 
 The scene opens in Canada where Emily happens 
 to be with an Aunt M re Melmoth. thro' the media 
 tion of this Aunt & her husband Emily is courted 
 by one Sir George Clayton, afterwards a barronet, 
 a great fortune - - she agrees to marry him but 
 before the happy day she is blessed with the sight 
 of Ed. Rivers they are mutually pleased they 
 
130 
 
 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Tuesday 
 25 
 
 27 
 Thursday 
 
 are in Love she rejects Sir George embarks 
 for England, after engaging herself to Rivers 
 he follows her the only obstruction to their happi 
 ness is the want of money he is importuned to 
 marry a daughter of a Col Willmot with many Thou 
 sands for her portion he has the Virtue the noble 
 Spirit to refuse it for his Love he marries his 
 Emily & in the sequel has the happiness to find her 
 the very daughter of Willmot & all is Joy & Trans 
 port Miss Arabella Fermor is another prin 
 cipal character she is an intimate friend of Emily's 
 
 a great coquet & witty; falls in Love, marries 
 & lives happy with a Capt Fitzgerald who is an 
 officer in Canada intimate with Rivers returns 
 home - - obtains a Majorey by the intervention of 
 his friends especially the father of Bell Capt Fermor 
 who writes sentimental Letters from & concerning 
 Canada to the Earl of Madam Des Roches 
 is a rich french Widow is much in Love with Col. 
 Rivers All these were in Canada 
 
 The scene closes in England - John Temple 
 is a libertine of great fortune becomes steady & 
 marries Lucy Rivers sister of the Cols the Lives 
 of all seem to run on in a round of pleasure & happi 
 ness - upon the whole the Novel may be said to 
 exhibit a pretty little lovetail, but void of much 
 sentiment 
 
 Affecting story of Miss Williams 
 
 A Ball is forming for Thursday - - Cards sent 
 to day I had none M r Henry in the same house 
 had I hardly know whether to put it down 
 among my chagrins or not were it in some other 
 places it certainly would or even here if the com 
 pany were such as I wished or liked It is appar 
 ently a designed neglect but believe my Philoso 
 phy will easily support it, from such Characters. 
 
 They had their Ball & I to be sure had no Card 
 
 but find that few of them were very happy in it 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 3 1 
 
 & had a Bill of 305. The neglect is all that troubles 
 me 
 
 took Tea with M Judge Yates - - she invited me 28 
 to sup next night, which I did on a fine Turkey j arc 
 with a clever Company & jolly evening . . Sat. 
 
 Heard Dom. Westerlo in A M upon the Thorns Sab2 
 & Briars in the Vineyard (i. e.) siners in the 
 Church P M Dined at Home with a Capt Jones 
 from near Boston, heard M r Proudfoot preach an 
 insipid Sermon 
 
 Had an invitation to dance, but mustered spirit Monday 
 enough to refuse - - for the party was made up of 3 
 those by whom I was neglected before & Im 
 determined never to show to them any of that fawn 
 ing behavior wh h I am persuaded would introduce 
 me into Company - - & as tis disagreeable to visit 
 Ladies at one time & cant at another I seldom 
 trouble them; am therefore almost constantly at 
 Home & doubt not but 'twill be nearly as much to 
 my advantage & pleasure 
 
 Took Tea at M ra J. Yates walked round the Sat. 8 
 great square without entering any House. 
 
 Was both parts of the Day to hear a New Eng- Sab 9 
 land preacher - - was not very fond of him went 
 to take Tea at D r Youngs. Miss Enice was at 
 M r DToisters, went there with the D r & took Tea 
 - made a little visit & returned to his House to the 
 agreeable entertainment of a Philosophic Conver 
 sation. 
 
 The D r is a man of very humly visage, of rather 
 mean appearance - - but very affable long accus 
 tomed to study, & close reasoning & is endowed with 
 as excellent faculties for it as any man of my 
 acquaintance takes nothing for granted because 
 evry one says tis so - - in short he dives to the 
 bottom of evry thing - - has reasoned himself into 
 the confirmation of deisticle tenets He extends 
 his researches to the field of Nature & the physical 
 
1 32 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Causes of her Productions he showed me sev 
 eral disquisitions of his upon several philosophic 
 points Electricity is his Hobby Horse; he 
 applies it to evry thing makes it the operating 
 Cause of Life, Vegitation, Heat, attraction & its 
 contrary; & in short evry motion, even the animal 
 Spirits, are influence by it. 
 
 This indeed is the Data upon which he tells me 
 he has founded the science of his Profession - He 
 is new in almost evry thing ; has wrote considerable 
 
 - & I think it appears very reasonable He 
 laments that he has not time to digest his Ideas, to 
 form them into a system & to make the necessary 
 experiments - I must think if he had, his new 
 system would appear much to his advantage - 
 
 All kind of Attraction even Magnetism is the 
 effect of repulsion there is but one kind of heat 
 or fire in Nature & that is Electric in motion more 
 or less rapid. All bodies even Electricity when 
 destitute of Motion are by nature cold - - & they 
 naturally condense when this fluid becomes dormant. 
 - - & the promotion of this dormant situation of 
 Elec. is the opperation of Cold in the production 
 of Ice. - 
 
 A pen and ink figure comes here 
 illustrating 
 
 Attraction by Repulsion 
 
 Monday 
 M. 10 1783 
 
 Tuesd. 
 
 Went to M r Grahams chamber & took a glass of 
 bitters at noon, agreeable to invitation - there 
 were several young Gentlemen in, upon the busi 
 ness of forming a dance as I supposed - - my invi 
 tation there I knew to be in consequence of my 
 asking the like favour of him, as he passed my 
 chamber the day before - - & the consequence of 
 both was, that I received a Card the next morning, 
 inviting me to attend a Ball on Thursday Vini 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 33 
 
 sacra fames, quid non mortalia pectora f acere cogis 
 
 - Per hoc, mihi manifesti apparent, omnia quae 
 necessaria sunt, ut conciones eorum frequentarem 
 I was some time in suspence whether, after 
 several neglects I should accept or refuse the 
 invitation my friends advised me to go their 
 Balls are conducted by managers, who invite who 
 they please in general once or twice I was 
 unacquainted with the Managers & another I knew 
 had a spite against me & on these accounts could 
 not be a designed neglect These expressed a 
 strong desire to have me there & said it would be 
 agreeable to the Company - these added to a 
 desire to see the ceremonies & manners of the Com 
 pany induced me to accept it I went found 
 
 the circle smaller than I expected, but agreeable Thurs. 
 in general the Gentlemen had provided partners for I3 
 the Eve as is usual - - there were several however 
 that had not & I among the rest so I was intro 
 duced to a Miss Nancy DePoister & obtained her 
 for my partner seniorissima, et visu inurban- 
 
 issima omnium puellarum, vel feminarum ejusce 
 splendidae frequentiae, tamen 15 an agreeable per 
 son & a lively dancer & one whose experience had 
 made some progress in the road towards perfection 
 
 - she danced well & I made but few mistakes. 
 There was a sleigh provided for the use of the Com 
 pany, each took this and went for his partner ; they 
 were introduced with little Ceremony, except by 
 the Managers to those Gentlemen who were not 
 acquainted with them - - no dancing till they all 
 came in - a Lottery was then made & the Ladies 
 drew for their number in the Dance the Ball 
 was opned with a Minuet & a Country-Dance imme 
 diately called they succeeded each other till sup 
 per, which was a good one but plain; a few 
 
 15 In English : the oldest, and apparently the most inelegant of all 
 the girls or women of this splendid assembly but nevertheless. 
 
134 
 
 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Monday 
 
 17 
 March 
 
 1783 
 
 Thursday 
 March 26. 
 
 Cotelons were then danced, with one or two reels 
 & the whole closed with a sett of Country dances - 
 Broke up about 3 o Clock & each retired with his 
 Partner - next day took Tea with mine, found 
 her much pleased, & very sociable, spent the Eve 
 with her at D r Youngs. 
 
 Yesterday attended the funeral of a M r Van- 
 Teoyck. drank no wine ; but took Tea in its room 
 at P W Yates, after spending the afternoon in 
 attempting to scan the character of a Capt Jones, 
 & I think him an ignorant, self conceited, unprin 
 cipled man, - - one that is neither an agreeable or 
 useful acquaintance. - Dined this day at Peter 
 Yates. 'tis S fc Patric's which is celebrated by a 
 number of Drunken soldiers & low people, an 
 unhappy reflection that y e effects of a religious 
 inthusiasm should be the cause of such scenes of 
 Debauchery & excess in wickedness. - Spent the 
 Eve with good old Alderman Hun upon evry topic 
 of Conversation that I can think of, a great deal 
 of plain good nature & affection is manifest. - 
 
 Heard the glorious news of a general Peace 
 among the belligerent powers of Europe & America 
 twas brought by express into Albany. the 
 People, by the Cryer were desired to meet at the 
 City Hall immediately - - the Letters were read & 
 3 Cheers universally given - - other demonstrations 
 of Joy were suspended till official accounts whould 
 come to Hand - No place on the Continent, which 
 is so far from the enemy, is so immediately affected 
 as this - - shut out from any seaport - - trade, their 
 dependance, entirely stagnated, & the most affluent 
 families reduced to poverty. - It does one good 
 to see the general Joy, which sparkles in the Eyes - 
 enlivens the Countenance animates the feelings 
 of all - - especially the unhappy who could say, nos 
 patriam fugimus. Took Tea yesterday at Corn us 
 Cuylers - - & spent part of the Eve at M r De- 
 poisters. 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 135 
 
 Was over at Greenbush to see several horse races. Sat 
 spent the Eve with a large & agreeable Circle at 2g 
 T. V. Grahams Esq. play'd whist & drank mull'd 
 cyder next day took Tea at Gillilands, Esq . . . 
 
 Was invited to spend the Eve with a sociable Monday 
 Circle, to celebrate the Peace & Independence of March 3i 
 America we met at Kinears, was agreeably 
 entertained 'till after Supper when we were 
 called to sit round the Table & drink. A President 
 was immediately proposed & M r A. Lansing seated 
 in the Chair. he required absolute powers. I 
 opposed it & had two to second me for I knew the 
 consequence of such authority & I was determined 
 not to disgrace myself by Liquor which I had so 
 often disapproved in others the Vote went 
 against me, & the event soon proved my fears to be 
 true, if any refused to drink what he was ordered, 
 a funnel was introduced & some of the Company 
 ordered to oblige him to it, nor might any leave 
 the room without Leave I was careful not to 
 offend against order, so that some were merry 
 before I had drank much I was determined to 
 drink as much as I could well bear without opposi 
 tion; then to place my foot immovable. I had 
 drank several Beakers and was determined to 
 oppose the next, but was prevented by one before 
 me who was ordered to drink 2 large beakers of 
 Grog after the Egg Punch we had been drinking 
 he took one & refused the other, the President 
 ordered compulsory measures, the Company was 
 divided & the setting ended in a happy Tumult. 
 several Ciceronian harangues were made, by the 
 lively spirit of what we had drank, I was with 
 the minor party in opposition I plead that the 
 design of a sociable meeting was the happiness of 
 the Circle, which could not be increased by such 
 scenes of debauchery & the occasion of this meet 
 ing was to celebrate the freedom & Independence 
 of the United States that there was therefore an 
 
1 36 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 inconsistency in introducing the idea of absolute 
 Power - - & much to that effect. I came home 
 without being tipsy & fell in company with Miss 
 Gitty Lansing - - saw her home oscula junximus 
 & I came home. 
 
 Wednesday Was visited by C. Ten Broeck & A. Van Vechten 
 the first I cared not much about - - & the other I 
 did not want to see - - for at a ball made in the 
 winter in which he was manager & after express 
 ing a particular affection for me - - he invited one 
 from the house & sent no Card to me - I cared 
 but little about going - - but the respect due to our 
 apparent friendship, demanded it - this he had 
 violated, & this ought in itself to have satisfaction 
 & in its own way - - therefore I did not wish to 
 manifest those professions of esteem which I would 
 to another - Nothing was said upon the subject 
 but he manifested a desire to please & being at 
 my own Chamber twas difficult to treat him quite 
 as he deserved . . therefore sent for Cards & 
 had a game of Whist with them & M r Henry. 
 April Took Tea with Dr Stringer heard of the 
 
 Monday p aper War in Con respecting y College & the next 
 
 day procured some of the Papers which contained 
 them, found they were written with much plain 
 ness - - & a good deal of Elegance - spent part 
 of the Eve too with M r Lansing. 
 
 8 As I was sitting in my School, perceived one of 
 the Buttons on a Boys Coat that had polished 
 bright upon plains unparallel sent forth rays that 
 were very perceptible 
 
 Quaery - - how could they be seen if Light does 
 not reflect Light Spent the Eve with a sociable 
 Circle at M r Grahams . . 
 
 9 Was moved with the affecting sight of 5 or 6 
 in a Company - - of the unfortunate sufferers of 
 Col. Willets expedition against Oswago their 
 feet bound up - - some with the loss of half their 
 foot hobblig about to take air 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Diary for April io th 1783 Albany 
 
 . . Made a visit to Dom. Westerlo talked on Wednesday 
 indifferent subjects, Powers of the Mind, feelings 
 of Humanity &c went into the Garden with the 
 Patroon grafted a couple of scions, took tea & he 
 walked with me into town went to Phil. V Ranse- 
 laers - - spent the Eve; play'd whist with Miss 
 Betsy Sanders for a partner, against John VRanse- 
 laer & Miss Glen from Schenectady was not used 
 very handsomely by the Company who went off & 
 left me with the old People 
 
 Was invited to attend a Ball: excused myself Fryday 
 from attending - Was at meeting in the fore 
 noon, took Tea at home walked over the Hill Sab. 
 to - - Mills stop'd at Bloodgood's stoop, again 
 at M r P Lansings on our way to M r Varnors, 
 where we spent the Eve & supt - - the next Eve 
 I spent at D r Young's; had a little family Dance & 
 the day following took Tea at Peter Yates' 
 
 Was invited to take tea at D r Youngs, present 
 M ra Blanchard & Miss D Poister M ra Dyckman & 
 her sister Katy - - after Tea walked upon the Hill 
 back of the City - - Miss Dyckman was exceeding 
 merry & kept up the spirits of the Company - - went 
 to the Mead House & spent a part of the Eve in 
 Dancing &c - Had a number of Gentlemen to 
 dine with us -- & at Tea the family of M r P. Lans 
 ing - - for tis the Custom, where the woman of the 
 house visit, for the whole family to join - 
 
 The Rev d M r Catlin, visited our family, he tarried 
 all night - - I formed some acquaintance with him 
 - & do not think him a man of the greatest Learn 
 ing, or gifts as a preacher - he was on his way 
 to Schenectada to visit the Oneida tribe of Indians, 
 with w m he was for a long time before the war, as 
 Missionary - M r Gilbert paid me a Visit & 
 tis the eighth aniversary since the commencement 
 of the War - we are, tis true, well assured of a 
 general Peace, but I have not the official confirma- 
 
 Thursday 
 18 
 
 18 
 
 Sat 19 
 
 April 
 
 1783- 
 
138 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 tion, so as to warrant our manifestations of Joy 
 upon this aniversary as we wished & expected. 
 The express however brought the desired accounts 
 
 Sab. this morning; tis to be read to morrow & the 
 
 demonstrations of Joy the day following the 
 Domine preached a very good Sermon adapted both 
 to y e occasion & that of Easter, from XIII of 
 Hebrews 20 & 21 
 
 2i st The first thing observed this day was the method 
 
 of exhibiting the mirth of this holiday which is the 
 next succeeding Easter or in dutch called Pause - 
 it is this - - the Saturday before evry family boils 
 a basket of Eggs, colouring them in a curious 
 maner - - they are boiled very hard, & each of the 
 family takes several - - goes among his intimates, 
 challenging them to butts; the Eggs are struck 
 together & the one that is brok is given to the one 
 who breaks it. - - there is much merriment in it - 
 but mostly practised among children. 
 
 At 9 o Clock the Citizens were called to the City- 
 Hall to hear the Proclamation of the Gov concern 
 ing a Peace & cessation of Hostilities - - & a vast 
 concourse crowded together - - gave three general 
 chears & proceeded to the church - - where we had 
 a very good Sermon for the occasion by Dom. Wes- 
 terlo from Psalms LXVI, 8 to 14 
 
 Albany Met with the Citizens about 10 o Clock at the 
 
 M Ue i S 8 ay ^ ity Hal1 " " haci a lon Procession from that to 
 the Mill - - preceeded by the Common Council 
 Cannon & Bells constantly contributing their aid to 
 enliven the Passions - a long Table was provided, 
 the Liquor ready & 13 Toast .given with a Huzza 
 & 13 Cannon to each, this took up most of the fore 
 noon - we retired to Dinner returned in the 
 afternoon - - repeated our Toasts over a Cup of 
 Wine satisfied any apetite with seeing, instead 
 of eating the roasted OX. In the beginning of 
 the Evening fire was put to a large pile of pine 
 wood, prepared for the purpose, round a pole with 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 139 
 
 a large Barrel of Tar on the Top it made a beau 
 tiful appearance we had no proper fireworks of 
 Powder some were drunk, many were merry, 
 & all were Happy The City was illuminated till 
 no Clock & appeared very beautiful during 
 which the streets were crowded with people of evry 
 kind & sex The Gentlemen of the City in gen 
 eral spent the night & following Day in Debauchery 
 & Carouse so that 'twas almost thought a duty 
 inseparable from a true whig Patriot to make 
 himself a convert, to the depravity of their Tast & 
 practice - I was strongly solicited to join in this 
 peculiar method of demonstrating Joy - - but found 
 means to evade it. 
 
 Evening was at an elegant Ball made to crown 
 our festivals - - it consisted of about 30 couple, 4 
 or 5 of wh h did not dance, so that we stood upon the 
 floor 13 in a sett were elegantly dress'd, made a 
 brilliant appearance & all were Happy. 
 
 took Tea at M r R. Lansings as my partner was 
 out contrary to my reasonable expectations. on 
 my return she was in the stoop & made many 
 apologies, insisted on my taking Tea on the morrow 
 I did not promise - - nor did I go - 
 
 D Westerlo gave his audience a very good dis 
 course from Luke i : 74 & 5 took the occasion to 
 give a severe reprimand to those persons who had 
 exceeded the bounds of a proper rejoicing after Tea 
 Maj Sill came in - - we went to D r Smiths & spent 
 the remainder of the Afternoon in singing of Psalm 
 Tunes, according to the custom of New England 
 
 In the morning went to Judge X's to receive 
 excuses from M ra X for her Son's absence from 
 School - she invited me to Tea, the Judge then 
 in Court - In the Afternoon I went - - the Judge 
 standing at the Door, waited on me in I imme 
 diately saw the confusion of the family & in their 
 countenances read what had passed she pass'd 
 a cold Compliment & we sat down she imme- 
 
 Thursday 
 24 
 
 Fryday 
 
 Sab 
 27 
 
 April 
 Tuesday 
 
 Albany 
 
140 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 diately introduced the subject that she was 
 plagued almost to death by her unruly son & his 
 father she said abused her "abuses me, M r Bald 
 win, beyond account" I was all confusion 
 would have given anything to have been absent 
 & had I not promised to take Tea, would have left 
 the house immediately The Judge said not a 
 word but took his Hatt & retired, while she went 
 on with the disagreeable tale - I used evry means 
 to divert it & at length made her sociable on other 
 matters - when Tea was ready the judge returned 
 & said -- "well, M r B., has my wife black-balled me 
 sufficiently - her Eyes look'd as if they'd leave 
 their sockets to take revenge. I told him we waved 
 the Subject as soon as possible - - & by turning to 
 other Subjects, prevented her reply - she had 
 indulged the boy from infancy - - now as he grew 
 older he expected the same Liberties - - & always 
 found a shelter in her protection - the Judge 
 determined to break him - she was an exceeding 
 bad tempered woman - - and tis common where the 
 Passions move easily one way they also do the other 
 --it gave pain to her tender feelings to have him 
 whip'd - - she took the childs part - - & blamd the 
 father - - which more than spoil'd the effect of the 
 correction - - what unhappy consequences attend a 
 disagreement, with those who are thus closely bound 
 by evry endearing Tie 
 
 April Exceeding cold for the Season during a week 
 
 4 past - - no rain - - of course vegetation comes for 
 
 ward extremely slow - Was a few nights since 
 in a Circle of mix'd Company ; walk to the Pasture 
 & sat on the stoops &c - - during the whole of 
 which scarce a subject could be introduced without 
 some of their disagreeable Douts sprauter they 
 knew I understood none of it, therefore broke the 
 chain of conversation & of course it would be diffi 
 cult for me to sustain my part of it I had fre 
 quently given gentle hints I was determined now 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 141 
 
 April 
 7 
 
 Fry day 
 9 
 
 to give a loud one. I introduced a short discourse 
 with a friend in Lattin, ended with visne ambulare; 
 ans. etiam Domine; 16 with that we left them. Ive 
 not been into their company since I am happy to 
 hear it has been a matter of some speculation 
 various constructions were put upon it - - some 
 commending it; others pretending an affront 
 just as I wished & expected 
 
 Made several little visits at M r Sheriff Ten 
 Broecks & Miss Sally Lansing spent y e Evening 
 sociably, found that I might visit y m with accept 
 ance - 
 
 Yesterday received Letters from N Haven by M r 
 T B - - & this day I attend the examination of the 
 Academy, under my Care, we were honoured by a 
 number of litterary Characters Dom. Westerlo 
 honoured us thro' the whole, we had no exhibitions 
 they are to be next week. Took Tea by Invitation 
 at M ra Judge Yates, all Honey & Pye 
 
 Took Tea at M r Shaws walked home with Miss 
 Sally Lansing from Ch., Yates &c 
 
 Exceeding Busy preparing for the Exhibitions 
 of the Evening. M r Ely & Honeywood honoured us 
 with their Company - the Company was admitted 
 into the City Hall about 6 o Clock, an Oration on 
 the return of Spring opned the exhibitions, the 
 Tragedy Orphan of China succeeded, this was 
 followed by a humerous Dialogue written by M r 
 Lovett & two Orations upon the glorious prospect 
 of an honourable Peace closed the amusement of 
 the Evening, the one written by Judge Yates & the 
 other by his honour myself we were honoured 
 by as many persons of the first families in Town 
 as the Hall could contain & I am happy to find they 
 thought themselves agreeably entertained, & gave 
 our young Gentlemen much applause Ma y 
 
 Much fatigued with the Business of the last ^ 
 
 16 In English: "Do you feel like taking a walk? Answer, yes, Sir." 
 
 Sabbath 
 
 Monday 
 
i4 2 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Evening & more perplexed with the want of a 
 horse to perform my journey rode to the flatts 
 with D T Broeck; took Tea with M ra Schuyler 
 &c Capt. Sill came to see if I went in the morn 
 ing was unhappy to give him no for answer 
 M r Henry out of affection for me, & seeing my 
 embarassments, was so generous as to offer his & 
 insist upon my taking it, but refused any reward & 
 I knew 'twould greatly disoblige the family I 
 told him after thanking him for the generous offer, 
 that I would ride in the morning & if twas impos 
 sible to obtain one would then take his - accord 
 ingly M r Lovett went with me & we rode to almost 
 evry house in New Schotland - - found it the most 
 miserable place for horses that ever I saw - - even 
 the people were almost as ignorant & more lifeless 
 than that noble animal - - the horse, in some others 
 - we saw none almost night that were fit to ride 
 my journey - - at length we came across a stone 
 horse which pleased in evry respect but that one & 
 as necessity knows no Law I purchased him, gave 
 2^ N York Cur & found that people in general 
 thought I had him at a good Lay tho 3 Days before 
 half the price would have hardly tempted me to 
 purchase him. 
 
 Thursday Took my leave of friends & left Albany about 10 
 May J 5 o Clock in company with a Shirtlanda Commissary, 
 talked much about Dutchmen, their manners &c - 
 travelled to Kenderhook in his Company Dined at 
 Larrabee's TV & lodged at JVTKenstry's Noble 
 Town - 
 
 16 next morning Breakfasted at Great Barrington 
 
 T. & Dined with Burrall at Canaan; saw his Wife 
 caird upon Farrand 17 who was in the Dumps 
 indeed ; rode to Goshen that Night, put my horse in 
 Tavern & spent the Evening & lodged at Parson 
 Shermans 
 
 17 Daniel Farrand (Yale, Class of 1781). 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 43 
 
 rode to Litchfield & dined with Esq. Tracy 18 17 of 
 spent my time very agreeably he has certainly a j^ y 
 most amiable partner 19 & is himself exceedingly 
 improved, & finds much Business here too I 
 found Capt Sill - - rode in company with him to 
 Watertown, took Tea at Parson Stores 20 & 
 lodg'd at Maj Smith's our conversation turned 
 much upon the half pay of Officers - - he gave me 
 some new Ideas upon the Subject - next morning 
 after Breakfast designed to attend meeting at N. 
 Cambridge, but found ourselves lost & were too late Sab. 
 
 - so we rode on to Farmington dined & went to l8 
 meeting -- heard M r Pitkin 21 condemn evry Armin- 
 ian & evry other who does not think with him 
 Took Tea at M r Lewis & walked with Sill to see a 
 number of his acquaintance spent part of the 
 Evening with Pars. P. Daughters Misses Betsy & 
 Nancy - - were very sociable &c 
 
 Went to Hartford; did some Business; dined 19 
 with Hopkins & Wells - - took him & Williams & 
 cantered to Wethersfield ; stopt a moment at Bucks 22 
 & Mitchels; Took Tea with Williams - - saw his 
 Sister - had a good Circle of friends & spent the 
 time sociably had a game of Whist in the Evening 
 at M r Wrights, Breed's Lodging; was introduced 
 to Miss Lidia Wright & Polly Hossford in the 
 latter I was disappointed the wrong way - - the 
 other pleased me much - - & I reentered to steal a 
 Kiss before I went to Bed ; got up early & went to 
 Middletown to Breakfast; did Business with Col. 
 Floyd; saw the pretty Polly she has fine Eyes 
 
 18 Uriah Tracy (Yale, Class of 1778). 
 
 19 Mrs. Tracy was a daughter of Judge James Gould. 
 
 20 Rev. Andrew Storrs (Yale, Class of 1760). 
 
 21 Rev. Timothy Pitkin (Class of 1747). 
 
 22 Josiah Buck of Wethersfield had married in 1775 Hannah Deane, 
 a sister of Silas Deane, and first cousin of Simeon Baldwin. N. E. 
 Hist. & Gen. Register, XV, 298. 
 
1 44 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 but not so extrem in other features ; rode home that 
 day without any remarkable occurrence 
 Wednesday remained at home & endeavoured to console my 
 21 honoured father in his misfortunes, whom I found 
 
 deprived of Sight, & of course of almost evry Com 
 fort of Life the next day I went into Town; 
 found my 3 Sisters together - - they & my other 
 particular friends were well, made a little Visit 
 to Miss Sally Rogers found her very sociable & 
 happy - - delivered some Letters to friends in the 
 lower end of Town; took Tea with Phelps at M r 
 A. Hunter & slept with M r Hough, after spending 
 a part of the Eve at M r Troth with the young Ladies 
 of his acquaintance. 
 
 Norwich Breakfasted at M r Hollerns with Hough; dined 
 
 p r y^y at M r Witters 23 & returned to make my aged father 
 
 1783 happy, & was at home the next day & read some 
 
 Sab. 25 Went to meeting in Bozra M r Throop officiated 
 
 - the next day Monday went to M r Lovetts ; dined 
 
 with them conversed about John & our affairs 
 
 P. M. went to Windham ; saw young Flint but could 
 
 not oblige him & myself so much as to visit the circle 
 
 of their fair - - did business with N Wales, Esq & 
 
 returned to M r Notts after making a little Viz & 
 
 my uncles &c - spent the Eve & Night with M r 
 
 Nott. 
 
 Tuesday returned home & P. M. made a visit at Asa 
 Fitch's - Wednesday was the day appointed to 
 make their ride to Mohegan. I was invited to join 
 the Row but had not much inclination to make such 
 a spectacle as I was sensible must be the case with 
 so large a company when riding thro' Town I 
 agree'd therefore to go with my sister to Goshon 
 we dined with the Rev. M r Throop, took Tea at 
 M ra Hinckleys, & got back in season to attend the 
 
 23 Jacob Witter, his brother-in-law, who was now keeping a tavern 
 in the house on Bean Hill, in which Capt. Ebenezer Baldwin had 
 resided, a cut of which is to be found opposite page 14. 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Sat 31 st 
 
 Norwich 
 June i, 1783 
 Sabbath 
 
 Dance the next day we visited O Lathrop & family 
 f ryday was at home. 
 
 walked into Town dined at my Brothers & at 
 tended the trial of Butler v. Hide the former of 
 which was Horswhip'd by the latter the whole 
 process was very musical Butler got 6/ Damage 
 & Hide was fined io/. visited Mr Strong. 
 
 M r Nott preached at Norwich I went to hear & 
 liked better than I expected his Discourse was 
 directed much to the Youth their singing was 
 excellent an Anthem closed I dined at M r 
 Barretts took Tea with Mr. Townsend vis 
 ited at Perrits & attended the singing school &c 
 slept at Winters & the next morning took my leave 
 of them, came home, bid farewell, & sat out on my 
 Journey, arrived at N Haven about 1 1 o'Clock the 
 next day Dined with D r Goodrich - - received his 
 invitation to make that my Quarters P. M. 
 attended a meeting of 4> B K. gave them my senti 
 ments fully upon the subject of giving charters, as 
 the case of a pe(ti)tion from Providence College 
 was then before the meeting - - this gave me a 
 handsome opportunity to show my disapprobation 
 of their refusing to send one to Albany attended 
 Prayers in the Chappel was invited into the 
 Library - - sat half an hour or so with the Presi 
 dent went to M r Mix & took Tea - visited some 
 friends & slept with brother Stebbins 24 - - break 
 fasted at D r Goodrich & dined with M r Wales 
 after spending part of the forenoon in an agreeable 
 walk with Tutor Goodrich toppics of Conversa 
 tion were business in future . . I had perceived 
 by hints the Eve before that a party of pleasure was 
 intended for the next day after this, but out of a 
 very great stretch of politeness towards me they 
 agreed to bring it on this afternoon. 3 o Clock 
 
 "Stephen W. Stebbins (Yale, Class of 1781), then studying theol 
 ogy at Yale. 
 
 Wednesday 
 4 
 
146 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 was appointed the time for meeting. I spent all 
 the time to this in attentive visits joined the 
 Circle at Lieut. Bears a sprinkling of rain pre 
 vented a going soon. Yet the time passed very 
 merrily, till twas thought convenient to walk into 
 the Quar(ter) twas on a plain of about a mile, 
 most beautiful walking, the cool clouds made it 
 more so (Boys) were provided to take along 
 the Baskets &c fires were made & Tea kettles on, 
 when we got to the place which was at the end of 
 the lane terminating with a very steep side hill - 
 proper for the lovers leap - - below an extensive 
 meadow & a beautiful river - - in short both nature 
 art & company vied with each other to make the 
 Individuals happy - we took Tea danced to the 
 fluit - - & enjoyed a most happy scene of rural 
 felicity until dusk returned & crow(n)ed the whole 
 with a pretty Dance at Deacon B's. I slept at Esq r 
 Shermans; the fatigue of the Day prevented me 
 from the remaining felicity which I had anticipated 
 from the company of my Dulcinea; but a happy 
 hour of private sociability the next morning made 
 amends I broke fast at Esq Shermans bid good by 
 to my friends & sat out for Danbury; spent one 
 Day there with my friends with mutual expressions 
 of Esteem, then rode to Poughkeepsie. Breakfasted 
 with Brayley & Hun Esq re & arrived at Albany on 
 Monday the 9 th of June, 1783 
 
 From June 9 to September 26, 1783, no journal was kept, 
 or, if kept, none has been preserved. There was less of 
 novelty to record. His position had become assured in 
 Albany society. That he had made a favorable impression 
 on those with whom he had had dealings there is certain 
 from the invitation which he received to deliver an address 
 as part of the exercises attending the public celebration of 
 the return of peace, on May 12, 1783. It was no small com- 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 47 
 
 pliment to be asked to be one of the two orators of the day, 
 when the other was an eminent lawyer of the city, Judge 
 Robert Yates. 
 
 Mr. Baldwin's oration follows : 
 
 "No Theme can be more animating to an Orator, or more 
 acceptable to his Audience; than to congratulate his fellow 
 Countrymen, upon a release from trouble, & a completion of 
 every virtuous wish. 
 
 During an unhappy Period of near 8 years wh have expe 
 rienced all the horrors of a War, as important to us as 
 unnatural in itself. - Nothing less than the Liberties, 
 Happiness, & future Glory of the american World, were the 
 lively incentives, which emboldened the Patrons of our 
 Cause, to oppose the aspiring progress of lawless Power, to 
 check the Lust for universal dominion, & protect the rights 
 of injured Innocence. 
 
 Your own recollection will assure you with what reluctance 
 we engaged in Arms, when our own Danger & revenge for 
 our Brethren's blood, obliged us to action. Yet the contrast 
 may perhaps increase the lively joy of this occasion to take 
 a cursory view of our past misfortunes & recapitulate a few 
 of Those Events which soon manifested to the amazed spec 
 tators, that the boasted Heroism of a veteran Army, could 
 not withstand the true fire of Patriotism, when provoked by 
 Injuries, & supported by Innocence & the Being who protects 
 it. Yes be it known to the World, that the imperious Britons, 
 instead of conquering the Virtue that opposed them, were 
 soon obliged to retire from an important Capital - - several 
 garisoned forts were wrested from their possession, & to 
 their astonishment saw a little Army of American Hannibals, 
 passing with incredible Ardor, thro a Wilderness till then 
 deemed impenetrable. These Sons of Liberty, they are 
 worthy of the name, even dared to assault the strongest 
 Bulwarks of the northern realm. Come ye who enjoy the 
 blessings for which they fought, lend a tear to the immortal 
 memory of your brave Montgomery The unhappy Events 
 which took place in the next campaign, must still be recent 
 in your memories But it has ever been the peculiar Cir- 
 
148 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 cumstance, attending the most gloomy Prospects of this War, 
 that they did eventually turn out to our advantage & end in 
 the glory of our Cause. Three times had the rapid career 
 of victorious Armies, mow'd down their way, & spread 
 destruction with their March almost to the Centre of our 
 Country; - & twice has it been emphatically proved to the 
 world, by the capture of two powerful brittish armies, that 
 Captivity may be taken Captive. It is, perhaps, becoming 
 when we consider the prospects of a reconciliation with those 
 who have been our Enemies, to cover with the veil of 
 Delicacy, many of those scenes which at the time they were 
 exhibited, added to our distress, & were shocking to Human 
 ity - It is more pleasing to reflect on the final end of all 
 our conflicts, & the accomplishment of our most sanguine 
 expectations; tho indeed the pleasure of this is increased 
 by the dark & gloomy Clouds which have long obstructed the 
 appearance of that day, which now begins to dawn with the 
 approach of unequal'd splendor. - Hail thou bright morn 
 ing of independent Liberty, thou bles'd reward of patriotic 
 merit Hail! Welcome to the realms of Columbia, thou 
 genius of Liberty, Harbinger of Happiness - Here fix thy 
 seat amid the joyful acclamations of those who are worthy 
 to be called thy Sons - - No Tyrant shall drive thee hence : 
 but a perpetual Asylum shall be afforded by those Patriots 
 of their Country, who have fought & bled in thy glorious 
 Cause - The feelings of their Souls are manifest in the 
 smiles of evry Countenance, & Humanity will join us in the 
 general Joys; while with grateful Hearts we render our 
 tribute of thanks to those who under the smiles of a most 
 conspicuous Providence have been instrumental in promoting 
 this happy Event. Come then ye Heroes of Columbia, 
 with the inimitable Washington at your head, receive those 
 congratulations which by your Vallour we are enabled to 
 give Your Merits are more than words can express or 
 our thanks repay Those who fell, have richly deserved 
 the Tear of Sympathy & those who survive the highest 
 Plaudits of a grateful Country While the reflection itself 
 which enlivens the patriot who is worthy of such Applause 
 will be a source of Happiness more refined than those which 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 149 
 
 arise from the "Blaze of Glory, the Arm of Power, or the 
 golden Lure of Wealth" Much too is due to those gener 
 ous Allies, who have mingled the blood of Heroes with the 
 blood of Patriots, in supporting a Cause where Innocence 
 was distressed, Humanity suffered, & the rights of nature 
 were abused. Such was the glorious Cause, not the prospect 
 of extensive Claims for which they fought with us, & with 
 us have conquered. Universal Nature must therefore 
 approve the great Event, & welcome in the prospects of a 
 heaven-born Peace. 
 
 Commerce the source of national Ease & Wealth, already 
 calls forth the mouldering Hulls, commands the unaccustom'd 
 Sails to catch the lively Breeze & waft the Produce of our 
 western world, to regions of Distress. 
 
 And Agriculture rising to an Art, shall soon subdue the 
 wilds of untrod regions, to the use of Man While a rapid 
 Population forms extensive States, with many a rising City, 
 where now, nought are seen but the Haunts of fiercest 
 Beasts or the footsteps of a barbarous race. Here inde 
 pendent Liberty shall erect the standard of Happiness. Sci 
 ence shall feel the general flame & fire the Genii of our riping 
 Youth, to those important Discoveries, & noble Improve 
 ments which will add their names to the fam'd Catalogue 
 of those who do honour to the American World, which gave 
 them birth. Human Nature shall then grow more refined, 
 & the Dignity of Man of course exalted Virtue shall land 
 her guiding Hand - Congenial Friendship glow in evry 
 Breast, & fair Religion, crown the beatific scene Then we 
 may indeed adopt the words of a late Prophetic Poet 
 
 'No din of Arms the peaceful Patriot hears, 
 'No parting sigh the tender matron fears, 
 'No field of Fame invites the youth to rove, 
 'Nor Virgins know a harsher sound than Love. 
 'Then Love shall rule, & Innocence adore 
 'Discord shall cease, & Tyrants be no more; 
 'Till yon bright orb, and those celestial spheres, 
 'In radiant Circles, mark a thousand Years; 
 'Till the grand fiat burst the etherial frames, 
 
1 50 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Worlds crush on worlds, & nature sink in flames ! 
 The Church elect, from smouldering ruins, rise, 
 'And sail triumphant, thro' the yielding skies, 
 'Hail'd by the Bridegroom! to the father given, 
 The Joy of Angels, & the Queen of Heav'n !' 
 
 His remarks, referred to in his Journal as made on June 
 4, 1783, before the Alpha chapter of the 3> B K Society at 
 Yale, were occasioned by its cold reception, in January, 1783, 
 of his request for a charter for the members of the fraternity 
 then living at Albany, under which to form the Alpha chapter 
 of the State of New York. The reply was a polite refusal, 
 on the ground that "we may be in danger of multiplying 
 Charters and forming different Branches, with greater haste, 
 than would be conducive to the general good of our important 
 Institution/' 
 
 He kept up, during this year, quite a frequent correspond 
 ence with several of his college friends. Among these were 
 Tutor Elizur Goodrich of the Class of 1779, and his class 
 mates Enoch Perkins and James Kent. 
 
 It was much the custom of young people in those days, 
 who were on terms of intimacy, to call each other in their 
 letters by fanciful names. That of Mr. Goodrich was 
 Gustavus: that of Mr. Baldwin, Adolphus. 
 
 On November 27, 1782, Gustavus writes to Adolphus of 
 the second wife of President Stiles, 25 to whom he had been 
 recently married : 
 
 "Mrs. Stiles is a fine woman diligent in business prudent 
 in Ecconomy sensible - - polite in Company Dignity & 
 gracefulness unite in her Conduct & person 
 
 "Yalensia," he proceeds, "is much as usual the old build 
 ing levelled & an elegant Hall nearly completed. The Stu- 
 
 25 Mrs. Mary Checkley of Providence. 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 5 1 
 
 dents are 250 in number & in general very clever young 
 fellows." 
 
 After speaking of several of the young women of New 
 Haven, Mr. Goodrich adds of Miss Rebecca Sherman, to 
 whom he evidently considers that his correspondent was then 
 engaged to be married : 
 
 "I wish I could at the same time give you all the pleasure 
 you would enjoy in hearing of Miss S welfare - - She is 
 as you have heard at Boston - - I need not say she is a fine 
 Girl - - you already believe it. May guardian angels protect 
 & return her to her friends -- & you to her & each of you to 
 each other." 
 
 Mr. Goodrich next writes on December 28, 1782, of the 
 events of the College world: 
 
 "Since my last which lies before me nothing very material 
 has transpired in our western hemisphere. True, there is 
 a small misunderstanding between some of our great folks 
 but you dont want to be troubled with Etiquettes or points of 
 Ceremony - - The Cause is shortly this - - the Misses Stiles's 
 think it their ryht to go out of the Pew before M ra Meigs, 
 who you (know) is a married Lady Her Husband jealous 
 as every man ought to be of his & his Ladys honr has resented 
 the matter with spirit & unable to obtain redress his Lady 
 has withdrawn her attendance from Chappel. You know 
 the estimation the Ladies are in in town -- the influence their 
 Conduct respecting pews has had on their Characters & con 
 sequently what effect it will have on their general reputation. 
 Your particular acquaintances are in good health & we take 
 time by the foretop & spend it pretty merrily." 
 
 A hint is added that he may expect a call to become a tutor 
 at Yale. 
 
 Mr. Perkins writes him thus on November 23, 1782, from 
 Newport, where he was teaching school and reading law : 
 
152 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 "All my Friends affairs are interesting to me. By our 
 letters we may reciprocally introduce each other to an 
 acquaintance with Albany & Newport. 
 
 Last evening I spent with Major Lyman. You know he 
 has married at Newport. His wife is an agreable, sensible, 
 & accomplished woman. She was in the straw I did not 
 see her. The Major is your Friend, among other things, 
 conversed upon various topics of literature. My acquaint 
 ance with him is short. But for every Yalensian I feel a 
 nearness. He seemed like an old acquaintance. It is in 
 contemplation to institute a Society for literary improvement 
 in this town. The Major is warmly engaged in it. The 
 same may be said of your Friend. Meetings for the can 
 vassing of literary topics & for acquiring a facility of com 
 municating our ideas are to the highest degree useful. I 
 promise myself much pleasure & improvement from this 
 
 institution 
 
 Do you enquire, comment se porte Monsieur Channing, notre 
 amis ? He has entered upon his important profession. He 
 has preached at Newport. His text was, "Behold I bring 
 you glad tidings" &c. I thought the subject exceedingly 
 well adapted to the occasion. His profession is to preach 
 the gospel. He begins with proclaiming glad tidings. His 
 discourse was well written. His manner of speaking was 
 solemn & adapted to the subject. He was heard with listen 
 ing attention. He was admired. He is now at Attle- 
 borough, were he present, he would not forget My Friend. 
 
 You write to me upon matrimony. Ha, ha My Friend, 
 I believe your thoughts run much upon that subject. New 
 port is not at so great a distance that news cannot reach it. 
 The agreable little Miss R. S. I expect you will kiss those 
 two letters. My letter will afford you pleasure in that place, 
 if in no other. Should you be joined with her in the nearest 
 of connections, may your days flow on in a perpetual circle 
 of joys." 
 
 The following extracts are from a letter from Mr. Perkins 
 dated at the same place on August 2, 1783: 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 153 
 
 "May we ever keep up a correspondence. And the inter 
 position of hills & mountains, Seas & Oceans never interrupt 
 it. Do you inquire of the particulars of your Friend's Situa 
 tion? Judging you by my own feelings, you do. I take a 
 small and select number of scholars. But my principal atten 
 tion is directed to study. In about a month I shall dismiss 
 my school entirely, & totis viribus bend my whole attention 
 to study until the latter end of November. Until that time 
 your letters will find me here. Do not omit writing. The 
 Court will sit at Newport in November, when I have some 
 expectation of being admitted to the Attorney's Oath. Then 
 my present plan is to return to Connecticut, make myself 
 acquainted (with) the practice of Law there, & make that 
 State the place of my future residence. This is sub rosa. 
 As we frequently meet with disappointments in our pro 
 jected plans, in general it is not the part of prudence to make 
 them known to the world, & make others the witnesses of 
 our abortive schemes. But to a friend one loves to com 
 municate all." 
 
 "I was going on in the moralizing strain, when I was 
 interrupted by D r Waterhouse. This Gentleman formerly 
 studied Physick in this town, from hence went to London, 
 studied there with the famous D r Fothergil of that city 
 From thence went to Leyden in Holland, prosecuted his 
 studies & afterwards took the degree of Medicinae Doctor 
 at that University. He was appointed Professor of Physic 
 at the University of Cambridege, & is soon to be installed. 
 He has been shewing me part of his Oration which is to be 
 delivered on the occasion. I was much pleased with it. The 
 Canterbridgians mean to make a figure in the Literary world. 
 Their President is a man of abilities, & they have lately added 
 two new professorships, one of Physic & one of Surgery. 
 
 I have just received your obliging letter of July I st alias 
 15 th I was much pleased with my Friend's playful imagina 
 tion. It is said of Virgil that he displayed a most excellent 
 genius, in taking such a barren subject as that of his Georgics, 
 & making from it a beautiful, entertaining, & sublime poem. 
 Yet in derogation of Virgil's fame, be it spoken, he had some 
 
154 Asa Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 real foundation. But to the honour of my Friend, "Cedite, 
 Romani Scriptores, cedite Grai/ with nothing but an imagin 
 ary foundation, he has raised a Superstructure reaching to 
 the stellary system, & introduced worlds within worlds 
 revolving in the most beautiful, grand, & sublime regularity, 
 order, & harmony." 
 
 A life-long correspondence was begun in 1782 between 
 Simeon Baldwin and James Kent. The first letter was from 
 Mr. Baldwin, and miscarried. 
 
 The second was the following from Mr. Kent: 
 
 "Poughkeepsie Sep r 15 th 1782 
 My Dear Friend 
 
 By a kind of pia Fraus I steal a few moments this 
 morning from the religious Services of the Day to devote 
 them to my Friend - - M r Graham is here, & the Conveyance 
 is presented by him - - he tells me you wrote by Coll. Troop, 
 but I have received no Letter - - I was informed he had had 
 one for me, but had lost it O Caprice how Can thou torture 
 & unprovokedly wound the tenderest Feelings of thy most 
 faithful Subject, by raising & then by sporting with his 
 Expectations! - Your attention Sir though unenjoyed I 
 acknowledge with a mixture of Gratitude & Esteem - - & by 
 the Commencement of the Correspondence also on my part, 
 you will see that I am as ready as you are, to begin & carry 
 on the great Purposes of Society & Friendship. - 
 
 The Felicity & Refinement of our Nature, I repeat it, 
 Mankind derive all their Happiness & Improvement by carry 
 ing into Execution the Impulse to Connection, & 'tis no less 
 commendable than advantageous; a social Disposition & a 
 friendly Heart are the most amiable Accomplishments of the 
 Mind, & are equally deserving of Esteem in whatever Light 
 they recommend themselves to our View - - But alas ! it is 
 a Truth, & my own Experience witnesseth to the Observa 
 tion; that one great part of the Infelicity of all sublunary 
 Communities arises from this Cause, that they are precarious 
 in their Duration & subject to the Convulsions of Time 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 55 
 
 One year has now wasted away since I have been dismissed 
 from under the Patronage of the Muses, torn from the 
 Society of my collegiate Companions & sent forth into the 
 World - To indulge a Reflection on the former scene, 
 brings to my mind the pacific, the golden Age of Antiquity, 
 as deliniated by the Pencil of the Poets; whilst the latter 
 bears some Resemblance to the Iron the rugged times that 
 ensued 
 
 We were once fellow Companions travelling over the Fields 
 of Science, diverted by the same Objects & animated with 
 the same Motive ; we have together whirled away the inno 
 cent Morning of Life, & in the Arms of Affection have trod 
 the romantic Stage of Youth, have relished the Charms & 
 Entertainments of human Literature & have ripened into 
 Men, but now how shall I describe my Feel 
 ings, the Eloquence of the Pen is inadequate to the Descrip 
 tion - - 1 am sure I feel all the Enthusiasm of Friendship, & 
 amidst the Changes & Revolutions of our Lives this one 
 Truth shall be invariable, / love my Friend & I will love him 
 unto Death. 
 
 Whilst I am thinking on the Object of this Letter such 
 Swarms of obsolete Ideas are awakened & sent up from the 
 dusty Cabinet of my Memory where they have slept for a 
 twelvemonth, that I feel embarrassed among Abundance & 
 am perplexed for Choice through the Luxuriancy of Inven 
 tion - The Time Sir has arrived when we must think 
 seriously of coming forth upon the Stage of public Life, to 
 take a more conspicuous & a more influential part in the grand 
 Society of the human Race - - Tis a matter of perfect Indif 
 ference what Profession we are delegated to fill, or in what 
 Sphere we are appointed to move; since all our Labours & 
 Pursuits ought uniformly to concur in this one grand Object, 
 the Glory of our Creator & the general Interest of Mankind ! 
 these ought to be in all, & they are in the Christian & the 
 Patriot, the governing Principles of Life & the great effica 
 cious Springs of Action Tis a Treachery to the human 
 Race & Rebellion against the Law of Nature, for Man to 
 confine his Abilities & Utility to himself, & to live as though 
 he was abstracted from the World. our old Affection for 
 
156 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 the Sciences ought now in some Measure to give way to an 
 Affection for our Country we ought to forget the Indi 
 vidual Self, in our regard & Exertions for the Benefit of 
 Society, the Love of the whole constitutes the great Patron 
 of disinterested & Extended Philanthropy, & is esteemed by 
 some Philosophers the Foundation of Virtue, nam non nobis 
 ipsis nati sumus, sed partim Patriae, partim Amicis" 
 My Friend. I want to say every Thing & I do not know 
 what to say - - You must write every Opportunity, & I declare 
 with the most devout Sincerity that I will on my part - You 
 must inform me what our old Classmates are about, how, 
 when & where they are & where over the Surface of the 
 Earth - M r Lovett I am told is with you, though he is now 
 gone to N. H. - - when he returns, you will be pleased to 
 tender to him my best Compliments, & desire him to write, 
 as I will when I can know he is returned. I am anxious 
 to know how you are pleased with your new Situation, in 
 that cold strange Quarter of the World I came here to 
 Poughkeepsie the io th Nov r last, & have except two Visits 
 at Home, continued here ever since with M r Benson the Atty- 
 General - - I have five Companions with me in his Office, so 
 that it has become in some Measure a College in mineature - 
 This Place lies about half a mile from the Hudson on the 
 East side, & there is about 70 miles between us - - but 'tis 
 time to prepare for Church & & & 
 
 M r Baldwin" 
 
 Your affectionate Friend 
 James Kent 
 
 Mr. Baldwin preserved the following draft (undated) of 
 his answer: 
 
 "My Dear Friend 
 
 With pleasure I received your Letter by M r 
 Graham, with raptures broke the Seal & with delight that 
 I can not describe, read & reread your Inimitable Epistle. 
 Excuse me my friend it is the truth & I cannot but feel 
 nonplus' d when I take it in hand to attempt an Answer. Tis 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 5 7 
 
 true I wrote you by C. Troop but the fortunate Letter was not 
 exposed to your critical perusal, .... Am happy to 
 find you fond of a Correspondence & that you are thus 
 desirous of perfecting the object of our Actions - "The 
 felicity & refinement of our Nature" tis worthy of repeating. 
 I think the superior wisdom of our great Creator is 
 peculiarly manifest in this, that the beauty, the harmony 
 the dignity & the felicity of Man are totally inseparable from 
 the necessary bonds of Society The History of the first 
 of Men dictates the passion to be natural & if I may be 
 allowed to say it - The God of Nature has in himself 
 afforded us a most grand specimen of its superior beauty & 
 Sublimity in the misterious & divine Consequences of his 
 triune essence - I must say I never saw half its beauties 
 till I look'd upon past scenes thro' the grate which surrounds 
 me in this dirty unsociable place - - upon my word I have 
 been almost obliged to pray for the Philossophic Soul of a 
 Seneca, Socrates, or Plato, which bore the soaring possessors 
 above the feelings of Adversity. And tho now I have the 
 prospect of a more extensive acquaintance, yet the trouble, 
 care & anxiety which chequer the paths of riper years are 
 such that really I would toil with infinite pleasure in rolling 
 back the wheals of Time might I but enjoy a return of those 
 happy Hours, those innocently pleasing scenes of youthful 
 mirth & joys which we as schoolboys freinds & Classmates, 
 once enjoyed amid amantes. But it cannot be. A laud 
 able Ambition must be our Guide to more Noble Scenes ; tis 
 therefore with pleasure I view you hasting forward to the 
 stage of Useful actions, in a path thro' which if possible I 
 would most willingly accompany you - - Yet 'tis as you say 
 a matter of perfect indifference what part we exhibit in the 
 Theatre of Action, provided we proceed from the impulse 
 of those Sentiments which move the patriot, the Philan 
 thropist, & the Christian - - Go on my friend in this Glorious 
 path: you have the Love, well wishes & "untill death the 
 friendship" of Your humble Sev* 
 
 S B" 
 
 To this Mr. Kent replied as follows : 
 
1 58 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 "Poughkeepsie, October io th 1782 
 
 M r Baldwin This Sir is the second Letter which I have 
 had the Honor of transmitting to you I should have 
 wrote the Evening M r Wendell tarried here, but I was then 
 too unwell, being not as yet recovered from a gentle Visit 
 which I have had of the intermitting Fever my Letters 
 are long & frequent, but I have such an honest Confidence in 
 the Sincerity of our Friendship, that I doubt you will receive 
 them with Indulgence & Attention Under the influence of 
 Affection I write, & under that Influence I presume they will 
 be read. 
 
 If I may judge of others from what I have experienced in 
 myself, Communications of this kind are in a peculiar Manner 
 entertaining & welcome at a time when we are thrown into 
 the Society of Strangers. As they are by a Kind of Fiction 
 taken for the Conversation of the Person himself, so they 
 have an easy & a very natural Tendency to familiarize our 
 Situation by engrafting it with our former; or to suppose 
 the one momentarily exchanged for the other, by calling up 
 Scenes which have been for some time entombed from the 
 Fancy - If the Science of Politics can relate to the Gov 
 ernment of Individuals as well as of Nations, I would call 
 your Removal to Albany, a high Stretch of political Wisdom 
 I hope you will find it agreeable - as for me I rejoice 
 in the event - we can now renew the Connection which once 
 so happily submitted between us, & promote each others Inter 
 ests & advance each others Glory with Sentiments of recip 
 rocal Generosity & Honor I forbear to urge the 
 Advantages that are personal to yourself they are known 
 to you, better than they are to me. but this I can safely 
 say, that it will furnish Observation cleanse away Preju 
 dice - - extend Acquaintance & enable you in some measure 
 to adopt the Expressions of the Philosopher of Athens who 
 said, that he was a Citizen of the World 
 
 College I am told has very much increased since we left 
 it The Passion for Learning is surprising in Connect 
 icut People there seem to reverence the Muses with the 
 most Exemplary devotion and to such a noble Pitch is this 
 Enthusiasm exalted, that a Father scarce thinks his Duty dis- 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 59 
 
 charged to his little Children until he has at least conferred 
 an Education on one I believe many will however be 
 almost induced to unite with Quinctilian who laments of the 
 Prophanation of Learning in his Day, by its becoming too 
 vulgar I wish more of the literary Spirit of that State 
 was communicated to this, and I am happy in the Reflection 
 that your Government of the Academy at Albany will have 
 a Tendency of that Nature 
 
 All popular Passions are capable of being carried to 
 Excess, & neither do I scruple to say that this commendable 
 Thirst for Knowledge is sometimes attended with that Mis 
 fortune, 'tis in this Instance, when there are more profes 
 sional Candidates for Office, than the respective Offices & 
 Professions demand. - the Surplus can then neither imme 
 diately serve the Community nor themselves - - all the high 
 Departments of civil Society are full, and that forbids the 
 first; all manual Occupations are beneath them & that for 
 bids the second; the consequence is Idleness, Venality, & 
 Corruption - - Learning was much more common in the Days 
 of Justinian than in those of Augustus, all the World is 
 inundated with Knowledge in my Day says Juvenal a late 
 Latin Writer, the consequence was then as above, Idle 
 ness, Venality, & Corruption, and they brought on that 
 northern Storm of Barbarians, which threw down the Roman 
 Empire & swept away the Throne of the Caesars 
 
 But a daring & intoxicated Fancy hurries me on whither 
 I would not, I check the Impulse least you should think me 
 writing a Satire upon Education - - so far from which, 
 though, I am, that I think a liberal Diffusion of Learning & 
 a timely Encouragement to Genius, the Strength of Society 
 & the Ornament of our Nature they add Elasticity to the 
 Spirit of a Nation, & afford a strong & most efficacious 
 Incentive to Glory - 
 
 The Study of the Law Sir has absorbed my principal 
 Attention for this twelvemonth - I have grown almost a 
 stranger to the Charms & to the Entertainment of the acca- 
 demical Sciences - Law I must frankly confess is a field 
 which is uninviting & boundless notwithstanding it leads 
 forward to the first Stations in the State The study is so 
 
160 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 encumbered with voluminous Rubbish & the Baggage of 
 Folios that it requires uncommon Assiduity & Patience to 
 manage so unweildy a Work - - yet this Adage often serves 
 to steel my Courage & smooth the rugged Moments of Dis- 
 pair, "the harder the Conflict, the more glorious the 
 Triumph" But I close you will pardon the Length of 
 the Letter & speedily give me one in Return M r Lovett I 
 was told is returned from N. H. You will be pleased there 
 fore to deliver him the enclosed. 
 
 I am with perfect Esteem & unalterable Friendship 
 Dear Sir 
 
 your most obedient & 
 
 very humble Servant 
 
 James Kent 
 M r S. Baldwin" 
 
 The following is the first draft of part of what he terms 
 a "disputation letter," dated October 20, 1782, in reply to 
 the foregoing: 
 
 "The advantages of communications of this kind are indeed 
 apparent & innumerable & the pleasures I'm sure we 
 cannot contemplate without the lively emotions of Rapture 
 itself. Tis but a small streatch of this & at the receipt of 
 evry Letter, we enjoy all the agreeables of his entertaining 
 Company & tis an Observation of the divine Seneca that 
 "Friends do not see each other personally; as when divided 
 where the Meditation dignifies the prospect." & Indeed if 
 there were neither pleasure nor other advantages attending 
 it, it would still be our duty by repeated Letters to fan the 
 Coals of that friendship we have so long possessed & which 
 the stillness of Absence had almost smothered. I rejoice 
 with you in this that our Situation now enables us to do this 
 with renewed pleasure - I thank you for your good wishes 
 respecting my personal advantages & I'm sure I shall be 
 happy if we can by the best of our Labours promote the 
 laudable Ambition for Literary improvement Tis true 
 what you hear of our Alma-Mater, she has a most prolific 
 Womb & brings forth Alumni almost without number 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 6 1 
 
 Yet I cannot be brought to the sentiments of Quinctilian 
 which you seem to favour or the consequence which you 
 draw from it. No I hope better things from the untainted 
 Virtue of our infant Republic, nor can I be brought to think 
 that the promotion of Literature will be productive of Venal 
 ity or Idleness in any State they are consequences which 
 seldom accompany its Infancy They are in short ever pre- 
 ceeded by the Pomp of Luxury itself which at a proper 
 stage of Society I think a virtue. My ideal may be 
 chimerical but I must think the prospect Glorious - - to see 
 the Emulous Youth of an infant republic push forward with 
 such rapid career toward the perfection of human arts & 
 human science. What 111 consequences could possibly arise 
 to Community if evry Individual were to receive the happy 
 foundation for fut Improvement which is generally 
 received by the industrious Allumni of our Colleges The 
 celebrated Lawgiver of Sparta practiced with the most 
 Glorious success upon a plan nearly Similar & so far were 
 the consequences you mention from taking place y* they never 
 entered till this mode of Education was entirely neglected 
 & why mental improvement should militate with manual 
 labour I cant see from the Nature of the thing, I'm sure the 
 latter is perfected entirely from the former & tis seldom 
 or never that those who are entirely ignorant of that were 
 ever very eminent for this Let this then once take effect 
 that even the yeoman, & mechanick should be initiated in 
 the sweets of science, at least in a degree equal to our Col. 
 Education, might we not occasionally hope for many a Riten- 
 house among our Mechanick Genii & an American Cincin- 
 natus upon every farm? the Physical springs of Causes 
 & Effects tht now surprize the wondering Eye would 
 soon be freed from the surrounding Veils by the joint 
 endeavours of All - While the solitary Hours of necessary 
 Confinement or the Sociall Circle of the long winters Eve 
 would much promote the philosophical search." .... 
 "The Nature & design of republican Governments is not 
 the aggrandizement of any Individuals, but the happiness 
 of the Society there united. There must therefore be as little 
 subordination as the nature of Government will admit. 
 
1 62 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Education may therefore be admitted without any dangerous 
 consequences, & in short as the only support of this form of 
 Gov 1 for the Souls of Individuals thus expanded are from 
 the noblest principles attatched to the Interest of the State - 
 feel themselves infinitely above the bribes of the rich - - & 
 are Emulous for the attainment of office by their superior 
 merits in knowledge, Virtue & the Love of Mankind; (they 
 have a reverence for those in Office from principle) I'm 
 sensible my friend - - that my warmth for the promotion of 
 science is not yet extinguished - - my situation leads me to 
 defend it - - but I'm sensible my zeal in the cause has carried 
 me far beyond my intention when I began to write. - which 
 was to have drawn a parrallel between this State & Con\ 
 upon the happiness of Individuals, which is promoted by the 
 difference of Manners & Education. In this State you have 
 a greater subordination & greater distance between the 
 Orders of the people - - & considering the cause tis founded 
 on Justice - - for the body of the people are extremely Igno 
 rant, while a few Individuals, by the blessing of an early 
 Education, have acquired wealth & importance both from 
 the Necesities & Ignorance of those beneath them. - They 
 are indeed eminent & great in their Profession but not in 
 general Science thus the scattered starrs shine like 
 glorious Luminaries enhanced by the contrast of surrounding 
 Darkness - - While with us the glow of science o'erspreads 
 the heavenly constellation with a general fulgor. The 
 glorious brightness of the Individuals who compose this 
 illumined Milkey-way are lost in the superior splendor of the 
 whole." 
 
 This called out the following answer, dated January 18, 
 1783, and containing a summary of the writer's positions 
 on the subject in hand : 
 
 "Poughkeepsie Jany. i8 tb 1783 
 Dear Baldwin 
 
 I have the Pleasure of acknowledging at this 
 late Date your two Letters of October last. Your indulgent 
 Compliments & polite Observations upon the Offerings of 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 163 
 
 your Correspondent, are flattering from an involuntary Emo 
 tion which no philosophical Reflection can withstand. I 
 feel Obligations resulting from your Esteem, & shall 
 endeavour always in my turn to pay you an uniform & 
 a deserved Respect - 
 
 I have had a long Visit into Connecticut & did not receive 
 either of your Letters till my Return the 2o th of last Month, 
 this no doubt will operate as an acceptable Excuse for my 
 not returning the Civility before A concise Narrative of 
 my Excursion is this - When I left Poughkeepsie the 
 middle of last October I had nearly recovered my Health 
 from an Attack of the intermitting Fever - My journey 
 home threw me into its Arms again, & I was for four Weeks 
 confined to my Father's house - At the Expiration of that 
 Term I might truly be said to be deprived of Flesh, Strength 
 & the Lumen purpureum fuventae - our faithful & most 
 excellent Friend ISAACS paid me two or three Visits during 
 my Relapse which I afterwards most dutifully returned 
 After I had tolerably recovered We rode together over to 
 Fairfield to pay the usual Tribute of Friendship to Sturges 
 & Mess ra Noyes's the former of which honored me after 
 wards with the same attention and thus did Isaacs & 
 myself pertly at Fairfield at Compoo & at Norwalk walk in 
 the Arms of Affection, & behold three or four Weeks slide 
 round in Vanity & Pleasure Isaacs told me he had received 
 a fine Letter from you, in which you acknowledged the 
 Receipt of two of mine - I know he would have answered 
 you by me had he been apprized of my returning when I did, 
 for my Return was suddenly planned & as suddenly put in 
 Execution - If he has not as yet wrote, doubt not his 
 Fidelity, for of this be assured and I religiously avoid Excess, 
 he spoke of you with the warmest Attachment & Esteem 
 
 In perusing your Letters (which I do with singular 
 Pleasure & Admiration) I find in the last some Sentiments 
 of mine forcibly attacked & totally defeated how I par 
 ticularly expressed myself I do not recollect for I never 
 trouble myself with Copies of my own Letters - But what 
 ever might have been the general or prima Facie Appearance 
 of my Principles, this Sir at least was never my design to 
 
1 64 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 draw you into a scientifical Controversy with me Though 
 Polemicks may perhaps be considered as my professional 
 Science, yet Prudence would prevent me from entering the 
 Field when an Attempt is Rashness, & Exertions serve only 
 to humiliate my Respect. I am candid but not sycophantic 
 when I say, You completely triumph by the Arguments you 
 have adduced, - - for to be sure I must have been a Lunar 
 Utopian, or you must have pushed my Position to an unwar 
 rantable Length; when I advanced (as it appears I have 
 done) that the Progress of Education is repugnant to the 
 Accuracy of Government & the Interest of the People. - 
 a Sentiment so palpably erroneous, so contradictory to His 
 tory & the unalterable Relations of human Nature, that I 
 am sure I never meant to convey so unworthy an Idea - As 
 a Circumstance of Speculation I have often been of Opinions, 
 & that Opinion you may call (if you please) a Creature 
 painted by the whimsical Pencil of Fancy, for it is this, that 
 the Encouragement of Learning ought to have a relative 
 Reference to the Advancement of Agriculture, Population, 
 Policy & Commerce, & I may add extent of Dominion. This 
 Sentiment as it thus stands I can see no manner of Objection 
 to, This is the one I at least meant to convey in a former Let 
 ter & this (through an unintended Construction) you have so 
 warmly assaulted - - By Learning I here mean not that which 
 administers so much to our Wants & Conveniences, as to the 
 Luxury, not of the task only but of the five Senses, & 
 the classical Erudition of Yale College is principally of the 
 latter Sort, as might easily be exemplified for of what use 
 is Opticks, Astronomy or most of the other Branches of 
 natural Philosophy for the Procurement of Food, Rayment 
 & Habitation, or will a laborious travel of two years thro' 
 the Greek Testament or Horace contribute to the com(pleter) 
 Organization of our Constitution - Unless, therefore (a 
 State) has advanced to a considerable Degree of Maturity, 
 it cannot nor ought not maintain many idle votaries of aerial 
 speculations, curious indeed in themselves, but contribute 
 very little to give Energy to Trade, Patronage to Agriculture 
 or Regulation to the Policy of the State Whether there 
 fore Connecticut is as yet so far advanced as to have a 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 165 
 
 Residium of Wealth sufficient to maintain one third of Yale 
 College in Amusement? (for two thirds of that College are 
 as many as the three learned Professions there in Policy 
 require) is what I heretofore doubted & do still 
 
 To demonstrate how easily Positions may be put out of 
 Countenance when we give them TOO LITERAL a Construction 
 I have subjoined to the inclosed scrap in a friendly manner 
 four sentences of yours & my Remarks against them My 
 Dear Friend I expect a faithful Continuance of your Cor 
 respondence - I could wish to know whether M r Lovett is 
 at Albany - I wrote to him in Confidence to Friendship 
 but received no Answer 
 
 Yours most sincerely 
 
 J. Kent 
 
 concise Commentaries upon 
 four Positions 
 
 M r Baldwin's I st Expression - "I hope better things from 
 the UNTAINTED Virtue of our INFANT Republic" 
 
 I pray God to forgive the Wickedness & Antipatriotism of 
 the times, & deliver the United States from that Deluge of 
 Luxury, Scepticism and Licentiousness which pours in from 
 every Quarter. - - Connecticut is 140 years of Age & there 
 fore is at least a Youth with a considerable Beard - 
 M r B - - 2 d Expression - - "IDLENESS never accompanies the 
 Infancy of any State" 
 
 But D. Robertson says, that Nations in their Infancy never 
 labour, they lead a lazy pastoral Life & their only Pro 
 fession is that of Arms Hume also says that the English 
 Nation is now five times more industrious than they were in 
 ancient times, i. e., in their Infancy 
 
 M r B - 3 d Expression - - "What is there in the nature of 
 things that will cause MENTAL IMPROVEMENT to MILITATE 
 against MANUAL LABOUR?" 
 
 I answer, a white, tender Hand, & an untanned Complec- 
 tion - - I know this has operated with thousands & Expe- 
 rientia docet - - also no Man can work while he studies; 
 hence Study militates against Work mental Improvement 
 
1 66 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 also refines Sensibility, that will not work; it will have 
 Recource to the Pistols first; Witness the tragedy of 
 Wethers field - - it elevates Pride, that will not work, it will 
 oppress first (NB. By Pride I here mean conscious Dignity) 
 - it refines Dissimulation, that will not work, it will turn 
 Courtier & corrupt, first 
 
 M r B - 4 th Expression "The celebrated Lawgiver of 
 Sparta practiced with the most glorious Success upon a plan 
 as NEARLY SIMILAR to that of YALENSiA, as the Circum 
 stances of the Ages will admit" 
 
 They bear not the most distant Comparison Lycurgus's 
 System was directly the Reverse - WAR was his sole 
 Object & his whole Plan of Education, for which purpose he 
 banished the Arts & Sciences & murdered Infants - - & 
 altho' the rigid Discipline & ungenerous Patriotism which 
 he established, bound the Lacedaemonienes so firmly together, 
 that they stood for several Ages a Phaenomenon in civil 
 Society ; yet were they rude, sullen, severe - - brutal in their 
 Intercources, ferocious in War & Savages in their Man 
 ners - J. K . . . 
 
 These Observations you may think the Result of a captious 
 Criticism, - - these are not - - they are the Offspring of 
 friendly Pleasantry & good Humour - - & authorized I think 
 by the Lex Tallionis - - I say Law of Retaliation, for you 
 must have been governed by the same friendly Intimacy & 
 Diversion, grammatical Accuracy, & Calculation; when you 
 drew the following Inference from what I asserted, - - that 
 I meant to wage War with Literature & the Sciences - 
 
 A draft of part of the reply follows : 
 
 "To M r Kent. - - Jan 30 1783 
 
 I wish I could express the lively feelings, the emotions of 
 sympathetic friendship, which the perusal of evry Letter of 
 yours revives - - & I assure you 'twas more particularly so 
 in your Epistle of this month which I received by M r B. n 
 as your long absence from P. & of consequence want of 
 opportunity to write gave me many uneasy reflections, upon 
 my too free remarks on your former Generous Letter I'm 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 167 
 
 sensible nothing will excuse them but the frequent practice 
 of the same freedom, when in "the Arms of Affection we 
 walked the scientific field" Your candour & our friend 
 ship I know will excuse me I am much pleased with your 
 generous Criticism upon several observations of mine 
 Yet I'll take the liberty to Quaery whether considering the 
 common duration of Empires, a state tho years old may not 
 with propriety be said to be in its infancy, or whether Con 
 necticut might properly be called a Republic till within 7 
 or 8 years; if so instead of "a considerable Beard." she 
 cannot have the appearance of Down Again altho' I 
 acknowledge her an Infant republic - Yet in the common 
 acceptation of the word she cannot be called an Infant Nation 
 
 - we are a part of one of the Oldest Nations in Europe. - 
 therefore I query whether the observation of D r Robertson 
 or the learned Hume has the most distant application. - 
 
 Your Remarks on Ob. 3 would have but little weight if 
 the observation be considered upon the Scale of universality 
 which was meant. 
 
 My 4 Ex. you attack with so much (vigor) & with so much 
 of that irresistable eloquence almost peculiar to my friend, 
 that I cannot pritend to excuse it, Yet a little to alleviate the 
 tender feeling of conscious conviction - I beg you to recon 
 sider the last Clause ff as the Circumstances of those Ages 
 would admit" 
 
 But Fll beware in future how I give occasion for the irre 
 sistable Torrent of eloquence, which flows with so much ease 
 & conviction from the prolific pen of my friend 
 
 I rejoice with you my friend upon your recovery from the 
 disagreeables of sickness & I dare say you will return the 
 Compliment when I tell you I have walk'd safely over the 
 critical Bridge of Innoculation & pass'd the horrid Gulph 
 which it covers. There is a figure for you. 
 
 I am very Happy to hear from our common friend Isaacs 
 
 - with whom I have with intimacy spent so many of the 
 social Hours - - sweetned with the charms of the most firm 
 and gentle Friendship - It give(s) me pleasure that he still 
 spends his time with "a round of Variety & pleasure. - 
 You mention about the Amours of the little Sturges you 
 
i68 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 must certainly know them is the little fellow really fond 
 of Miss Keze or not He is young yet, possibly a little 
 absence & more experience in the curious science of female 
 Charms, may divert his Passion Benne our intimate Com 
 panion once felt a flame which was kindled from the same 
 Spark There certainly must be something exceedingly 
 curious in the formation of that enchanting Sex when the 
 operation is so surprising - I assure you I should be 
 exceeding happy in receiving a dissertation, wrote with your 
 usual eloquence upon a Subject which a man of your Obser 
 vation & Gallantry must have tho'ro'ly scaned for my 
 part I am a hermit among a Thousand & have no other way 
 to account for them, than by the Physical Causes & effect 
 which are apparent tho the field of Nature - In the first 
 place they have engrossed in a surprizing manner evry male 
 Body that comes within its sphere. They are also pos 
 sessed of a share of the electric fire which, while it assists 
 in the Attraction, is sure to give the bag to all Bodies not 
 equally charged, & repel them with amazing velocity - 
 
 The next letter which has been preserved is from Mr. Kent, 
 written in June, 1783: 
 
 "My Dear Friend - 
 
 Fortune may prevent me from seeing 
 
 you, but I presume is unable to defeat the Conversation of 
 the Pen - I feel happy to be favored with this generous 
 Indulgence - 
 
 Last Monday or June Q th I returned to Poughkeepsie, the 
 Day after you left it - But Oh how cruel my Disappoint 
 ment ! - Shall I with Outrage arraign the Stars that chalk 
 out my Destination? - I will rather hold fast my Philos 
 ophy & my Patience - - assume the dissembled Resignation 
 of a Courtier ; for perhaps by renewed Addresses, the Frown 
 of Fortune in this Instance may be repaid by a double smile 
 in another. 
 
 In my Recess from this place I have (as usual) enjoyed 
 an agreeable Relaxation & Change I was absent above 
 4 weeks saw no collegiate Classmate but Isaacs with 
 
As a Schoolmaster a + Albany 1 69 
 
 him I exchanged 2 or 3 Visits He is my Friend & I love 
 him - - his Virtues are many & you know them he enjoys 
 the Esteem of all his Friends & he deserves it Both of 
 us would have been happy, exquisitely happy, to have seen 
 you at Fairfield & Norwalk The enclosed Letter I 
 received from him 
 
 I hope very soon to be favored with an Account of your 
 Eastern Journey -- what have you seen & who & where 
 - & this under your agreeable Signature - Whether any 
 human Lips have let fall an Enquiry concerning an antient 
 & almost forgotten Acquaintance of theirs by the name of 
 /. Kent? poor neglected man! - But tho' he be over 
 whelmed with Infirmities & Disfigured with Defects, he 
 boasts & will boast it with a mixture of Ostentation & Pride ; 
 that the Sentiments & Attachments of Affection & Friendship, 
 as unalterable as his Nature & as inviolable as Fate, are to 
 be found with Honor & Sincerity in his Bosom 
 
 Last Tuesday I was at the marriage of my Companion 
 M r Bailey & Miss Hoffman - - his refined Sensibility, his 
 warm Heart & his amiable Wife form a Conjuncture of Cir 
 cumstances which (to a human Eye) have sealed to him the 
 Extreme of sublunary Happiness & Pleasure 
 
 There are Sir, 4 great Stages in the Passage thro' Life 
 each are decisive in their Operations & each attended with a 
 Revolution - the four I allude to are - - Entrance into 
 Life into a Profession into Marriage & out of Life 
 
 In the short Space of two Months has my Friend M r Bailey 
 been carried with rapidity thro' two I tell him this is 
 making very serious Strides in the Progress of human Exist 
 ence - - one only now awaits - - the very Idea of which con 
 vulses & sublimes all the Emotions of the Heart. - 
 
 You tell me in your's of last April that you have renounced 
 the Parade of high Life & the Dignity of Office - I believe 
 my Friend, that you, like myself & all the rest of Mankind 
 who have any Share of Sensibility & Reflection, are subject 
 to Ebbs & Flows of Spirits & Passion. It was low tide I 
 presume with the Ocean of your Ambition when you made 
 that solemn Declaration - I think was you to attempt coolly 
 to defend it, I could, tho' with much inferior Forces, drive 
 
1 70 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 you from the Field. I have often (& upon my Honor I 
 speak the Truth) wished myself born Heir to the Fortune & 
 Condition of Jack my Father's slave - Oh what a Patri 
 mony this! happy Ignorance & glorious Obscurity! But 
 my God ! when the Reflection of a moment gave play to the 
 natural Pride & Dignity of a rational Soul, enobled by Free 
 dom & illuminated by Science; with Indignation I detested 
 the base the pusilanimous Idea & myself for receiving it - 
 
 You'll recollect the beautiful Sentiment of a Classical 
 writer which (if my Memory serves me) I quoted in a former 
 Letter to you - - non nobis ipsis nati sumus, sed partim 
 Patriae, partim Amicis - - How you can reconcile the Posses 
 sion of those Talents which Nature & Education have given 
 you, to a conduct which would naturally flow from such a 
 Resolution I am unable to conceive. - I view you as under 
 an Obligation actually binding in Foro Conscientiae; as the 
 Lawyers term it, to enter into one of the Learned Profes 
 sions - That sequestered, that poetical Life which your 
 Fancy sketched by the inimitable Elegance of her Pencil, 
 has ('tis confessed) a Charm in it almost too powerful for 
 the Resistance of sullen Philosophy & stormy Ambition 
 When I am in Love (a Fever which frequently scorches me) 
 I am ready to quit Society & retire like you with a little 
 Partner into that deep Solitude of yours - - "where heavenly 
 pensive Contemplation dwells" But, Sir, had we not 
 
 better first step forward into the Scenes of public Life - 
 discharge our Duty to our Friends & to our Country like 
 true Patriots & benevolent Christians - - assist in informing 
 the Heart by Precept & in subduing it by Example - - in 
 guarding our political Constitutions, as the most sacred 
 Ramparts of national Independence & Freedom, - - & in 
 ascertaining the Rights of Individuals by Laws & an equi 
 table Administration of Justice - - in being noble in our 
 Motives & diffusive in our Exertions, & aim at the Lustre, 
 the Merit & the Utility of fixed Stars in the Firmament of 
 the Commonwealth. - Then my Friend in the Afternoon 
 of Life when the Hand of Time & the Load of meritorious 
 Burden shall weigh us down & apprize us of the Season to 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany i 7 1 
 
 retire ; - - an applauding Conscience & an approving country 
 will render a Retreat honorable & make us happy neighbours 
 & Companions in your rural Hermitage or Cot - 
 
 Your best Friend 
 
 James Kent 
 Monday. P. M. June i6 th 
 
 M r Baldwin - 
 
 The following is the main part of Mr. Baldwin's reply: 
 
 "Albany July 4 - - 1 783 - - M r Kent - 
 My dearest Friend 
 
 Our intimacy is not so miserable as to need 
 a request - - yet there is many times - - I can not express it 
 
 - a certain diffident reluctance in performing those very 
 things upon which we are sensible our happiness is centered 
 
 - I would, however, for the pleasure of writing, have run 
 the venture of pleasing - - could I have found ' conveyance 
 before - as I suppose M r Tyler undoubtedly gone, I shall 
 write no Letters to N E. - My disappointment was great 
 I assure you in not seeing you at P. - - wh h was my only 
 motive in traveling 40 miles from my direct rode I should 
 undoubtedly have gone to Norwalk had I been sure of find 
 ing M r Isaacs & yourself - - for I'm sure none could be more 
 happy than myself in devoting the pure, untainted hour to 
 the sacred Shrine of our friendship - 
 
 As Sympathy is the primum mobile of this divine Passion 
 
 - for it arises, is heightened, is perfected according to the 
 different degrees of union which coalesces the happy Souls 
 which feel the genial flame - - I entered with rapture into 
 all those tender feelings which arose from an interview with 
 our worthy friend Isaacs - I attended you in every scene 
 of the kind through your Journey - - & in the course of mine 
 had occasion frequently to converse with a peculiar Pathos 
 upon a friend of ours by the name of Kent, whom we 
 esteemed by no means "the poor neglected Man." 
 
 In the course of my Absence I saw many of our Compan- 
 
1 72 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 ions was happy in a variety of Company pass'd thro' 
 many agreeable scenes added to the number of several ani 
 mating parties on pleasure In which I roll'd the wheels of 
 Time with the rapid Career of a young Phaeton Happy 
 too happy should we be if amid the gay & festive mirth of 
 youthful amusement we were not obliged to tast the bitter 
 dregs of alloy. You doubtless remember the good old Gentle 
 man, my father - - shall I tell you he is doom'd to live a 
 wretched Life, while providence shall continue him in this 
 world of sorrow - - to the Catalogue of Misfortunes which 
 have befallen him in person - - in his family & the distress 
 of his Country, there is now added the deprivation of Sight ; 
 yes my friend my father is entirely blind. What a miserable 
 Creature is Man in this helpless, unhappy Situation? - I 
 did not know his misfortune was so great, till I got home 
 I took him by the Hand - - he knew my Voice & in the union 
 of two, the most opposite Emotions, could say / saw an 
 unhappy father - - while the trickling tear from his still 
 expressive Eyes declared the lively Joy of the inner Man 
 excuse me my friend if too particular; they are the tender 
 feelings of fillial Affection for an obliging, unhappy father, 
 which I write 
 
 My Sisters are well & with pleasure make their Compli 
 ments to their once little Jimmy/' 
 
 The reply, of July 29, contains these passages : 
 
 "I cordially sympathize with you in the melancholy Con 
 dition of your Father - - Your Observations I revere - - they 
 bespeak the Torture of the Filial Sentiment, & are expressive 
 of a Heart full of Devotion to him." 
 
 "The cruel Ingratitude or the virtuous Policy (as some 
 say) of America & especially N. E. to her military sons are 
 Subjects of Argument & Animadversion in every Company 
 & upon all Occasions They have given Occasions to many 
 publications of uncommon Elegance & Merit That the 
 Fate of all public Creditors is involved with that of the 
 Army & that the Existence of political & national Credit 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 73 
 
 & Importance depends upon the fulfilment of the Promises 
 of Congress to the Army, has been evinced by noble Argu 
 ments & enforced by the finest Exhortations 
 
 Four criminals were condemned to Death here last Week. 
 This sanguinary Complexion of our Laws throws Me into 
 a serious Train of Thought a general Act of Oblivion & 
 Indemnity have usually succeeded Revolutions in Government 
 I could wish for one here our Tribunals are so 
 exemplary in their Decisions that it argues either great 
 Degeneracy of Morals in the People or great Defects in our 
 criminal System of Jurisprudence It seems to Me to be 
 repugnant to that Benignity which We are taught resides in 
 the Law, that in the Eye of it a Man's Life should be put in 
 the Ballance with a Dutchman's Horse one of the Crim 
 inals will be hanged for a Theft of that kind to murder is 
 Death - - to steal is Death But is there not in these Cases 
 an immense Disproportion between the Punishment & the 
 Crime? 
 
 If it be true that Society derives the Right of punishing 
 solely & only from the principle of self preservation & that 
 all Executions by Law wherever immediate Safety of the 
 whole does not anxiously demand it, are a species of Tyranny 
 & Injustice; then I think I can prove a priori, that Modera 
 tion & Mercy are as often to be found in the obscure, the 
 untutored Individual, as in those wise Assemblies which 
 frame Laws & superintend the Conduct of human Society " 
 
 The journal, when resumed, proceeds as follows : 
 
 Yesterday took an affectionate farewell of my Albany 
 School in the Academy gave them a short address 1783 2S 
 on the occasion - - on our connection, affection, the 
 business of scholars the advantages of Educa 
 tion, some advice, professions of friendship, good 
 wishes & a farewell & never felt my passions 
 more tenderly affected in my Life they were an 
 agreeable school, easily governed & mostly in a 
 good way of improvement. I also wrote a Letter 
 to the Corporation who are now convened upon the 
 
1 74 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 subject of my pay. & I momently expecting their 
 Answer. -- and have nothing else to do till it comes 
 
 - but to reflect back upon the time from whence 
 the chasm in my Journal commenced. & I think 
 there have but a few things taken place which would 
 have afforded me much entertainment, had I com- 
 mited them to writing. - - I have been but once out 
 of Town & then to Schenectada - - in company with 
 M r Lovett & D r Hopkins, spent the time agreeably 
 
 - except that in attempting to return by the Cahoes 
 we were lost near Neskeyuna - - slept at an old 
 Dutchmans - - saw the falls the next morning, & 
 returned by Breakfast - I was once too at Col. 
 Nicoll's & have had several rides with a party on 
 pleasure to the flatts. Tis not the custom of the place 
 to dance much in Summer, & except one or two little 
 collections at the Meadhouses we have had no 
 regular Ball till the 17 th of this month - - have seen 
 but a few of my friends from N England. - - M r 
 Lovett is gone to enjoy the pleasures of Commence 
 ment & a visit to his relations & friends - - I should 
 have gone had I not so soon determined to leave 
 this place. - My thoughts have been much em 
 ployed upon the important Subject of an Employ 
 ment for Life - The Bar, which I think my 
 ambition would chuse, is embarrassed with so many 
 hindrances in this State that Indeed it damps my 
 wishes - trade I should like & indeed have thought 
 much, on the Branch of Business of the Bookseller 
 & Stationer - - which I think might answer in this 
 City & would suit me pretty well - - but here the 
 want of a stock or rich friends & extensive Con 
 nections prevent me. - The prospect of a Tutorcy 
 in Y College I have - but hardly think it a desir 
 able object - - for several reasons 
 
 I st a sallery not sufficient to maintain me - 
 
 2 Loss of time in the most important period in 
 
 Life 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 75 
 
 3 Character & Happiness disagreeably depending 
 on the whims & Caprice of the Scholar's fancy 
 But more than all 
 
 4 a real Consciousness of my own inability for a 
 task which ought to be so important - - as y e pre 
 paring the tender Minds of Youth for the more 
 noble scene of an active & useful Life It was 
 however an object with me wh n I gave in my resig 
 nation to the Corporation of this Academy - - this 
 I believe I may previously determine, if I go there 
 to enter immediately the study of Divinity. My 
 advantages for it will be greater than perhaps I 
 might otherwise enjoy - It will be agreeable to 
 my friends -- & I think if I know myself, twill best 
 suit my Genius & Abilities - - which is perhaps the 
 thing most to be considered. Since the calls are 
 not conclusively binding either way - - tis therefore 
 no matter to what profession or calling in Life we 
 turn our attention provided we always act in con 
 formity to those sentiments which ever actuate the 
 Patriot the Philanthropist & the Christian - I 
 expect to leave this City in the course of a very few 
 Days - shall then be soon obliged to enter the 
 study & business of something with spirit. 
 
 Towards night I received a complimentary Let 
 ter from the Corporation for my services in their 
 Academy. 26 
 
 26 He had written to the city authorities as follows : 
 
 "Albany Sept 24, 1783 
 To the Mayor Aldermen & Commonalty of the City of Albany 
 
 Gentlemen 
 
 The time of my Services under your patronage is now 
 expired - My business requires me to be as expeditious as possible 
 in my return to Connecticut I shall therefore endeavour to leave 
 this City next Monday, if tis possible for me to pay my Debts & settle 
 my accounts - I therefore took the liberty to give you this imme 
 diate Notice & as I trust this is the last Address with which I shall 
 
1 76 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 26 Dined at home in company with M r W. O. Neil 
 
 & Lieut Wheaton, were very happy over our Bottle 
 till 3 o Clock I agreed to ride to the flatts to see a 
 horse race - rode home in company with a large 
 Circle, Patroon, Popham, Johnson T Broeck &c - 
 spent the Evening with the Miss Lathams, sat alone 
 with Miss Amelia on the stoop for some time; got 
 
 ever be obliged to trouble you you will permit me in this to return 
 you my many thanks for the particular attention, which I have received 
 from your honourable Board & my wishes for your success in the 
 most glorious undertaking of a Legislature that is when they become 
 the Patrons of Science. 
 
 I am Gent n 
 
 Your most obliged 
 & very humble Serv*. 
 
 Sim Baldwin 
 The Mayor of Albany " 
 
 The response was this : 
 
 "Sir. 
 
 Upon receipt of yours of the 24 th current I called a common Council 
 and reported your Letter to them, to which every attention has been 
 paid and I doubt not but the measures taken thereon will facilitate 
 your purposes. 
 
 The unanimous concurrence of the board has imposed that on me 
 which your merit enables me most chearf ully to execute ; to make their 
 most grateful acknowledgements to you, for, your unremited ardor 
 to promote Literature, your regular Attendance at their Academy and 
 compliance with their resolves during the time they have been favored 
 with your Services, and are happy that your labors have been so far 
 blessed as to have exceeded their most sanguine Expectations 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 Your most obedient 
 and very hum 6 Serv 1 
 
 Jn Van Breeckman Mayor 
 M r Simeon Baldwin." 
 

 
 &m 
 
 V ' 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 1 77 
 
 pretty intimate supt at P. W Yates with the 
 Ladies 
 
 Have spent almost all day in forming a Map of 27 
 Albany 27 & its environs towards night rode in 
 Company with M r Graham, & spent the Evening 
 with the Miss Lathams very sociably, rakishly, & 
 merily 
 
 At meeting in the forenoon ; spent the Evening & Sab. 28 
 supt at M r Vander-Heiden's. 
 
 The Day appointed for my return to Connecticut Mond29 
 - caird on the treasurer & found not one farthing 
 of money saw that he was most to blame, since 
 he had not even drawn out the Accounts of sub 
 scribers - - feel unhappy to be thus disappointed, 
 after evry favourable Expression Dined with 
 Ten Broeck & after a few glasses felt my cares a 
 little removed - had a little Dance in the Evening. 
 
 No money ; of course my Horse cant go went Tuesday 
 to Peter W. Yates with a view to borrow, which 
 spurd him up to call a meeting of the Subscribers, 
 for this Evening & till I hear the result am in a 
 disagreeable suspense; my spirits flag & I take 
 no pleasure in tarrying - - in Company or in 
 preparing for my Journey 
 
 Rained all Day - - went to the Domine's and took Wed - st 
 tea & bid farewell - - & also to a number of other 
 friends 
 
 Roads so bad could not sit out tho' I had received Thurs- 
 8 out of 40 - - from the Treasurer - towards 
 noon heard of the arrival of M r Lovett at Doug 
 lass's ; went to see him ; spent the Time happily 
 hearing of his maneuvres he also informed me 
 that I was appointed a Tutor of Y. C. gave me a 
 Letter from Crocker & another from Miss Sher 
 man 
 
 27 A rough sketch of the city, found among his papers, faces this 
 page. 
 
1 78 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 Albany Spent the afternoon with M r Lovett & the Eve 
 
 ning in paying my respects to all my friends before 
 my departure - setled account with M r Ten Eyck, 
 so far as to find my due & draw Order. 
 
 Fryday This day after doing a few Errands preparatory 
 
 Oc 3 t d & setling accounts with M r Henry & Shop - - took 
 
 1783 my leave of the family with a Salute all round - 
 
 they expressed a good deal of Affection & I'm sure 
 
 I feel it for them - we ever lived in the greatest 
 
 Amity & separated in y e same maner. to be sure 
 
 I have received more kindness from their family 
 
 than from any other except my own - - & gratitude 
 
 requires that I remember them, ever with a glow 
 
 of Affection . . 
 
 JVT Lovett crossed the river with me & accom 
 panied me to Mores - - where we parted with the 
 feelings of separating friends - - but before my 
 arrival at Mores - - my old ungain(ly) Sulkey - 
 an ugly bitted Horse - - & an unskilful driver all 
 united to give me a complete overset - - I jumped 
 from the carriage without damage - - that fell into 
 the mud - - but with the assistance of M r Lovett 
 we righted it soon went on to Mores & cleaned it - 
 M r Thaw a very jovial Irishman accompanied us, 
 made much merriment & keeps up the Spirits which 
 are apt to droop on such occasions. Our next stage 
 was for a few minutes at Larabee's then passed 
 Kenderhook without calling, to Hogobooms, in an 
 out part of Cloverac 28 miles from Albany - - tho' 
 night had first overtaken me - - for the roads were 
 exceeding muddy by the long rains - - which we 
 had before experienced. nothing else material 
 hapned - 
 
 Saturday Got up early & mended my Sulkey wh h began to 
 4 be weak in some of the joints -- went on good speed 
 to Nobleton where we Breakfasted -- still dreading 
 the horrid Mountain of that town it was with 
 difficulty & slowly that I cross'd it - - was obliged 
 to lead up most of it ; - - But the good road of Egre- 
 
As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 179 
 
 Sunday 
 
 mont & between that & Sheffield, where we dined 
 made some amends - - rode that Evening as far as 
 Norfolk ; put up with M r Phelps : after calling on 
 Burral without going in the next morning tho' 
 entered the dreadful road of the Greenwoods - 
 stones, rocks, mire, stumps & Logs made up the 
 horrid pavement of the Ways which were now & 
 then diversified with Hills, Swamps & Vallies 
 with the frightful scarecrows of broken Axeletrees, 
 Wheels &c. . evry rod seemd full of danger & 
 many places almost impassable - - I was obliged to 
 walk a good part of the way - - 'till about 1 1. o Clock 
 we calld for Breakfast after traveling about 4 
 Hours for n miles - I then pass'd the four re 
 maining Miles --to Smiths by 3 o Clock; the roads 
 soon altered much for the Better & I rode to a 
 certain M r Woodfords there I heard of a field 
 day - - or General Training at Farmington - - & as 
 I thought it very probable I might see several of 
 my old friends at that collection I determined to go 
 there & spend the day - I was soon happy in 
 meeting with my friend Langdon 28 & Gridly. 29 I 
 dress'd -- took dinner & walked to the field --on 
 my way met with our old misseretic Hermit Newel 30 
 - he looked a good deal weatherbeaten, his appear 
 ance very farmerlike - There were many spec 
 tators in the field; the troops made a good 
 appearance & exercised & maneuvred well for a 
 Militia - - the Troop came into y e parade & attacked 
 in a mock fight, the advance of the foot & the body 
 which was drawn up into a collumn to receive y m ; 
 no accidents hapned among them - I saw M rs 
 Gridley & was introduced upon the parade ; was in 
 at M r Lewis on our way down & by Invitation came 
 
 8 Timothy Langdon (Yale, Class of 1781), who had been his chum 
 while in college. 
 
 29 Elihu Gridley (Yale, Class of 1781). 
 
 30 Samuel Newell (Yale, Class of 1781). 
 
 Mond 
 ay. 6 
 
180 As a Schoolmaster at Albany 
 
 back there to Tea; the Miss Pitkins were present 
 & tho' I was invited to a Ball, could not go, by 
 reason of a lameness had several little plays to 
 pass the time slept with M r Langdon at M r 
 Smiths by his invitation ; brokef ast there - - & sat 
 
 7 out for Hartford about 8 o Clock. M r Barnum 
 from Danbury overtook me, had much agreeable 
 chitchat about old affairs till Diner which we had 
 at Flags. I left the place about 3 & without any 
 material accident got to M r Whites to lodge - 
 
 8 Breakfasted at M r Clerks the next morning stopt 
 a moment with M r Crocker - - dined at M r Lymans 
 of Lebanon and arived at Home about 4 o' Clock - 
 
 9 Was very stormy . . But the next day being 
 
 10 good I went to Town Saw an old Cousin M r Dean 
 
 - spent much of the fore noon with him - - con 
 versing on Subjects but in general on the Institu- 
 Norwich tions & Customs of Williams & Mary College in 
 Oct. ii the afternoon went to the Landing with him - - took 
 Tea at Cap 1 Backus - - call'd on M r Russell on my 
 return & to close heard a Sermon preached by one 
 M r Baldwin of Cohos 
 
 I remained at Home doing little but visit & the 
 21 like until the time of the meeting of College, when 
 
 I went out on my Journey to Newhaven - - no re 
 markable occurrence hapned in the course of my 
 Journey" 
 
CHAPTER V 
 LIFE AT YALE, AS A TUTOR 
 
 The selection of Tutors had, before Dr. Stiles' adminis 
 tration, been practically committed to the President. He 
 picked out the man he should prefer, spoke to him about it 
 and desired him to adapt his preparatory studies to what 
 might afterwards be so required of him. 
 
 Not trusting President Daggett's judgment of men, the 
 Corporation took the appointments entirely into its own 
 hands. This almost necessarily resulted in its asking for the 
 preferences of the existing Tutors, as to their successors, and 
 following their counsel. 
 
 President Stiles found the custom established and did not 
 care to change it. 1 Elizur Goodrich, of the Class of 1779 
 (afterwards Professor of Law at Yale), was one of the three 
 Tutors in 1782. The others were Ebenezer Fitch (Yale, 
 Class of 1777, afterwards President of Williams College), 
 and Josiah Meigs (Yale, Class of 1778, afterwards President 
 of the University of Georgia). Mr. Goodrich was an early 
 friend and life-long correspondent of Simeon Baldwin. On 
 December 28, 1781, the latter, then at Albany, received a 
 letter from him (from which a quotation was made in the 
 preceding chapter) containing the following offer: 
 
 "You know my friend I wish the interest of College tho j 
 I dont always expect to make it the theatre of my actions. 
 Commencement will terminate my collegiate Life most prob 
 ably as well as Mes 818 Fitch's & Meigs' - - There will there 
 fore be several vacancys in the tutorial Circle. And tho' it 
 is not an envious situation yet it is a situation to which 
 
 1 Stiles, Literary Diary, II, 514. 
 
1 82 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 your merits will entitle you & the suffrages of Corporation 
 at that time call you. Let me tell you you will probably be 
 called the first in your Class - - for Tutors are (inter nos) 
 appointed by tutors & our Ideas are collected & uniform & 
 I am requested by the Gentlemen to desire you not to be so 
 far engaged in your present situation but that you may retire 
 with honor if consistent with your inclination." 
 
 It is interesting to note that the plan of practically con 
 fiding the appointments of tutors then the main College 
 officers to the college faculty was thus early established. 
 
 On April i Mr. Baldwin wrote in regard to the offered 
 tutorship and soon afterwards received this answer : 
 
 "And now for the subject I wrote to you upon & upon 
 which you address me - The employment is temporary - 
 agreable & disagreable - - is not dishonorable - - and may be 
 the course of reputation - With regard to abilities every 
 person must submit himself to the opinion of others, & in 
 every Office every persons abilities must be judged by those, 
 who appoint & introduce him to office This is therefore a 
 Subject you must not scrutinize - - or if you do let me tell 
 you - - you may expel every apprehension from your mind 
 
 - You can & will perform with honor & reputation - 
 
 On your part it must be determined from inclination & cir 
 cumstances -- these are best known to yourself - However 
 I may say from experience -- that my acceptance has been of 
 great service to me -- and I cant see, why it will not operate 
 just so in your favour - You will be in fields of Litera 
 
 ture may study human nature & in the field of action to 
 learn action as well as in the field of sentiment to learn senti 
 ment -- among the Ladies of town you may cultivate friend 
 ship & here you will find me & a number, who will ever be 
 ready to give you ourselves & friendship - Upon the whole 
 it will do must do - I think you have a vacation this Spring 
 & I hope to see during that time in Connecticut." 
 
 The salary of a tutor at this period was 80, with the use 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 183 
 
 of a college room. 2 The Tutor senior in office, called the 
 Senior Tutor, was paid 5 more, and had somewhat the func 
 tions later given to the dean of a Faculty. In 1789, with the 
 improvement of the currency, the pay was reduced by cutting 
 off 5 from the Senior Tutor's salary and 10 from that of 
 the others. 3 
 
 September 12, 1783, "the corporation elected Mess 18 Bald 
 win, Channing, and Perkins Tutors in the University, as 
 there shd be an occasion." A vacancy soon occurred, and 
 Mr. Baldwin was sworn in, on October 23, having been pre 
 viously examined as to his orthodoxy and "opposition to 
 Arminian and prelatical corruptions." He was assigned to 
 the charge of the Freshman Class. A few days later Mr. 
 Channing was called in to fill another vacancy, and divided 
 the charge with him. The Freshmen, of whom there were 
 eighty, recited in Virgil the first thing in the morning, in 
 the Greek Testament at n o'clock, and in Cicero at 5. They 
 were also drilled in public speaking. 4 
 
 From November 14, 1784, President Stiles gave up the 
 conduct of morning prayers to the tutors. 5 
 
 The first entry in the Journal as to these occurrences is 
 as follows: 
 
 1 came into Town on Wednesday - - & spent the 1783 
 Evening at M r Perrits & lodg'd at Doc* Goodrich's October2 2 
 which I am to make my Quarters - - the next morn 
 ing visited the President, he was glad to see me, 
 
 & requested an acceptance of the Office to which I 
 was elected - I wish'd to know the Class to which 
 I should officiate - - he informed me that could not 
 be determined, till the return of M r Channing - - & 
 
 2 A few years before, in 1779, it was 880, in paper money. 
 
 3 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 369. 
 
 4 Ibid., 97, 199, 114. 
 
 5 Ibid., 141. 
 
1 84 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 after a conference with the Tutors who were in 
 Town I a t length concluded to accept & was 
 accordingly inducted at evening Prayers - the 
 Class of Freshmen was for the present committed 
 to my Care accordingly I entered upon the Busi 
 ness of my office the next morning 
 
 24^ have as yet visited in Town but very little the last 
 
 Evening I spent with M r Goodrich at Deacon 
 Austins & on a short visit to professor Wales who 
 had been very sick but was now on the mending 
 hand this day I made a short visit to the family of 
 Esq Sherman & but said nothing particular to some 
 body 
 
 Nov Have as yet met with no difficulty in the course of 
 
 4 my office - - this day M r Channing came to our 
 
 Assistance & was inducted the Freshman Class 
 was of course divided between him & me - I visit 
 but little am much confined, & yet not so much time 
 for Study as I had imagined. 
 
 Among Mr. Baldwin's papers were left three forms of 
 prayer which he had evidently composed, while a Tutor, to 
 pronounce at the College chapel, as a part of the daily service. 
 One is marked Peccavi, 2. Another is the following : 
 
 "Oh thou whose name alone is Jehovah - - & who art the 
 most high over all the earth - - permit us who are but dust 
 & ashes to approach into thy presence & address ourselves 
 unto thee, the Lord of Glory - Thou o Lord art very great 
 thou art cloathed w th honour & majesty, thou cover est thyself 
 with Light as with a Garment, & yet as to us makest Dark 
 ness thy Pavilion ; for we cannot order our speech by reason 
 of Darkness - Altho the Heavens declare thy Glory of 
 God & the firmament sheweth thy handy work Whilst 
 the whole Creation declares the omnipotence - - the infinite 
 wisdom & the matchless Perfections of the triune Jehovah - 
 
 What is there o God in man, for which thou art mindful 
 of him, or the son of man that thou dost visit him, or permit 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 1 85 
 
 him to come into thy presence and in all things by prayer & 
 supplication make known his requests unto thee who art of 
 purer Eyes than to behold iniquity. Thou hast directed us 
 to ask & seek, as children of a father hast stiled thyself 
 the hearer of prayer - - & therefore unto thee shall all flesh 
 come - Yet o Lord, we know not what to pray for as we 
 ought (but we are thine o father - - & it is in thee that 
 we live, move & have our being & all Power both in heav'n 
 & Earth is thine) let thy spirit, therefore, help our infirmi 
 ties & make intercessions for us pour upon us the spirit 
 of Grace & supplication - - send forth thy Light & truth 
 let them lead & guide us to thine holy hill - - & do thou be 
 graciously pleased to hear & answer us thro' the merits of thy 
 blessed Son - for in ourselves there is no help, To us 
 belongeth shame & confusion of face, because we have sined 
 against thee - We lament the corruption of our Nature 
 & that by practice we are wise to do evil, but to do good have 
 no knowledge - we have committed sins of omission & com 
 mission we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our 
 God to walk in his laws which he hath set before us, though 
 they are all holy, just & good Deal not with us, merciful 
 God, according (to) the demerit of our Sins Lord have 
 mercy upon us - - for we are sensible that shouldest thou lay 
 righteousness to the plummet & Judgment to the line, thou 
 mightest justly swear in thy wrath that we should never enter 
 into thy rest 
 
 Thou hast said it & hast confirmed it by an Oath & by the 
 richness of the patience & forbearance of our God that thou 
 takest no pleasure in the Death of the Sinner, but had rather 
 they should turn & live - - turn thou us, o God of our Salva 
 tion, & we shall be turned to purpose (May our stony hearts 
 be dissolved with the Tear of the penitent & our works fruits 
 meet for repentance) O purge us with hyssop & we shall 
 be clean ; wash us, & we shall be whiter than snow ; hide thy 
 face from our Sins, & blot out as a cloud our transgressions 
 
 - (enter not into judgment with (us) o Lord; for in thy 
 sight shall no flesh living be justified - - but do unto us 
 according unto the greatness of thy mercy & as thou has 
 forgiven even until now ) : may we enjoy the blessings 
 
1 86 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 of the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity - - & in 
 whose spirit there is no guile may we therefore receive 
 the blessing of our God - - & be thus reconciled unto thee - 
 that we may have thy blessing to attend us & thy presence 
 to accompany us thro' all the changing Scenes of Life - - be 
 our spiritual protector, guard us from the snares of Satan & 
 the allurements to Vice ; fulfil in us all the good pleasure of 
 thy goodness, & the work of faith with Power even that 
 faith by which we may look above the things that are seen 
 that are temporal, even to those which not seen, y 1 are eternal 
 - teach us so to number our days that we may apply our 
 hearts unto true wisdom - - & may our path be as the rising 
 Light of the Morning which shineth more & more unto the 
 perfect Day -- & while we are pressing forward to the mark 
 for the prize of our high calling - - may we never forget the 
 practice of charity philanthropy, & Benevolence - - those 
 social virtues which are the fulfilling of the Law - Let thy 
 good Providence so order all events which concern our tem 
 poral existence, as that they may be made to work for good to 
 us as thou hast promised they shall to all who love thee - 
 give us, merciful God, a competency of the good things of this 
 Life -- & wilt thou be our refuge and our habitation, that no 
 evil may ever befall us & give increase to all our lawful 
 employments - And may the end of all our petitions be to 
 draw us nearer to thee, the author & giver of evry benefit - 
 
 Bless the Lord, o our Soul, & all that is within us bless his 
 holy name - - for all his unmerited Goodness - It is a 
 good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, & sing praises unto 
 thy name - - to shew forth thy loving-kindness in the morn 
 ing & thy faithfulness evry night - - (for thou art (the Lord 
 is) good & doest (doeth) good unto all thy creatures - Our 
 existance is of thee, and the comfortable circumstances of our 
 Lives the effect of thine unbounded Goodness & the nobler 
 part of our Natures the work of a beneficent God - Glory 
 be to thy Name for that glorious plan of redemtion for 
 perishing Man, which is the Astonishment of superior intel 
 ligences - do not suffer, we beseech thee, the sinfulness of 
 men to frustrate that beneficent Design - but may all the 
 nations of the Earth even those, which sit in heathenish Dark- 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 187 
 
 ness, be made to know the savior of men, may thy Gospel be 
 universally preached, & the knowledge of the Lord cover the 
 earth as the waters do the sea. 
 
 O thou fountain of wisdom, bless, we beseech thee, this 
 seminary of Literature, this School of the Prophets which 
 thou hast here set up - - replenish it with evry good Gift 
 & evry perfect Gift from above, from the father of Lights ; 
 be particularly present with each member of this Society - 
 may they so remember their creator in the Days of their youth 
 
 - that the end of this Institution & their creation may be 
 answered - We would recommend unto thee our absent 
 friends & the families to which we respectively belong, with 
 all our brethren of the human race for whom we are bound 
 to pray; - - for them and us beyond the scantiness of our 
 petitions - - & prepare us all to join that happy family who 
 shall be forever with the Lord We ask and offer all in the 
 worthy name of thy blessed Son & in his divine words would 
 further say 
 
 Our father &c - 
 
 Notwithstanding his long prayers, Tutor Baldwin soon 
 made a good impression on the student body. Among other 
 things he organized a volunteer singing school in the sopho 
 more class, which was particularly under his charge. The 
 agreement to form it describes the project as one "proposed 
 by our honoured Tutor, Mr. Baldwin," and likely to be 
 "important and beneficial for divine worship." This paper 
 was signed by eighteen of the members of the Class of 1787. 
 Abraham Nott, afterwards Chief Justice of South Carolina, 
 and Augustus Baldwin, afterwards a Georgian lawyer, were 
 chosen to lead the school. 
 
 A college friend writes him, in January, 1784, that he has 
 been glad to hear that his class are fond of him, "and, in a 
 word, that Yale is once more blest with a popular tutor." 
 
 One of his Albany friends, Robert Henry, Jr., writes him 
 thus, on January 26, 1784: 
 
1 88 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 "You mention your being shut up again in the dull Cloister 
 of the College - - happy are those, whose minds like yours, 
 are not confined to place, but can at large survey the works 
 of nature, and from thence draw an inexhaustable source of 
 pleasure. Happy the youths who have for their Tutor a man 
 like you on whom gentle manners, knowledge of the world, 
 and learning are combined. 
 
 If I am to credit the reports I hear you do not shut your 
 self out altogether from the social Circle, as I am told you 
 pretty often pay a visit to a certain Fair One whos name, if I 
 recollect right is Miss Sally." 
 
 The Journal for November proceeds as follows : 
 
 Y. College Nothing disagreeable has yet hapned in the 
 I2 course of my College connection. This day wrote 
 
 a Letter to M r Henry's family of Albany by M r 
 Leonard Gansevoort who hapned accidentally here 
 As Mr Lovett from the caprice of his odd 
 humour had wrote me no Letter, or even sent Com 
 pliments by the Albany Scholars - - I thot best to 
 treat him in the same way - - altho no open rupture 
 has ever taken place between us - 
 
 Dec ii This day Thanksgiving I supt at Doc r Wales', the 
 
 Thursday p ro f essor __ m y brother Tutors were there too . . 
 in the evening went into Esq r Shermans & took the 
 Ladies to Cap 1 Daggetts. there left them till I 
 went on to Doc r Beardsley's, 6 who had just returned 
 from Europe spent a few hours very sociably - 
 returned & escorted back the Ladies - 
 
 Wednesday W as Quarter-day of the senior class --a brilliant 
 assembly attended after the exercises I had 
 several of them to my chamber till Evening when 
 I attended the Ball, which was made on the occa 
 sion - - the time pass'd agreeably, while there the 
 Miss Sherman was my partner we retired a little 
 after no Clock - 
 
 6 Dr. Ebenezer Beardsley, a physician and druggist in New Haven. 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 189 
 
 Mond. 
 
 22 
 
 Thursd. 
 25 
 
 Sat. 
 27 
 
 New Haven 
 Monday 
 Dec. 29 
 
 Took Tea at the Presidents with a large Circle of 
 Ladies spent the Evening there in various chit 
 chat &c 
 
 Christmas, went to church M r Leming preached ; 7 
 was very cold, got no Christmas supper but in 
 the Evening had a brilliant Ball the first of a 
 regular Assembly which was lately established by 
 subscription I had the honor to be appointed a 
 manager Miss Sherman was my partner for the 
 Eve the time pass'd pretty well tho some 
 things respecting the provisional part of the enter 
 tainment were hardly eligible. 
 
 met with managers & determined on some regula 
 tions; among the rest, to have the House of D r 
 Northrop & to make use of M r Lathrops for the 
 purpose 
 
 After the usual business of College, made a visit 
 at D r Beardsleys. he was not at home had a 
 good deal of time & agreeable conversation with 
 Miss Patty Comstock a relation of his. She is a 
 young Lady of sensibility, has a good education & 
 a great deal of real virtue & goodness of heart 
 she has for several months been declining by a con- 
 sumtion - - is sensible of her decay & short con 
 tinuance, which makes her virtues the more amiable 
 & conspicuous. 
 
 Visited at Esq. Shermans ; all were kind & after 
 the Ladies came home I was soon left in the Com 
 pany of one of them - I tarried not long & during 
 that time conversation was on various & common 
 topics she appeared very agreeable & sociable . . 
 
 Paid the Compliments of the season to but few 
 made a few reflections to my Class & some to myself 
 upon the occasion 
 
 Attended upon the Assembly again, it was 5 
 brought forward one week upon the occasion that 
 the Gen. Assembly & a Lodge of Masons would 
 
 7 Probably Rev. Jeremiah Learning, D.D. (Yale, Class of 1745). 
 
 Jan. 
 1784 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 be in Town upon the usual time It was held at 
 M r Lathrops - - his dancing room is hardly so con 
 venient as that of Doc r Northrop's, but the drawing 
 rooms have no comparison - - they are all better 
 a fire was made before hand in each - - they were 
 warm - The Ladies as they came in, after laying 
 aside their cloaks &c were all conducted into one of 
 them 'till the Gent m drew numbers for y m Selves & 
 the Ladies they conducted - A Master of Cere 
 monies was then chosen for the night (viz) M r 
 Edwards - he then called 13 Couple upon the floor 
 
 - dividing the whole into 3 Setts - my Number 
 was 2 & M ra Powel for a partner. The supper was 
 provided by M r Mix & a very good one - - & the 
 singular Decency which was observed thro the 
 whole added to the pleasure & the beauty of 
 the Scene - I escorted the two Miss Shermans 
 
 N Haven M r Fitch lately from Europe did me the pleasure 
 Jan. ii to spend 3 or 4 hours with me - He gave me the 
 1784 history, as far as he could in so short a time, of 
 
 what he had done & seen - he has indeed seen 
 much ; has done it mentally - - done it to purpose ; 
 has improved much in manners & in knowledge 
 has formed many agreeable acquaintances & estab 
 lished a good Correspondence for Trade. 
 
 He with M r Goodrich dined with me in the Hall 
 
 - & all with M r Little took Tea & spent part of the 
 Evening at M r Meigs - - & from that to Esq Sher 
 mans for a few moments - next day took Tea at 
 Presidents 
 
 Tuesday College was dismissed in the morning, for a 
 13 Vacancy of 3 Weeks - feel myself liberated from 
 
 much fatigue, Care & anxiety - - these in a peculiar 
 manner attend a College office I shall not leave 
 Town much - - shall mostly be employed I believe 
 in studying into points in Divinity in wh h I have 
 doubts - - for whatever business in Life I follow 
 that cannot be omited - writing Letters & biding 
 farewell engrossed my whole attention for the 
 Day 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 191 
 
 Read a curious history of Connecticut, written 15 
 & printed in England . . Peters the reputed 
 Author . . the singularity of the performance 
 tho' void of much merit made entertaining; took 
 tea at Esq Shermans - conversed with Miss most 
 of the Evening. 
 
 In the afternoon rode in the Sleigh to Goodyers 16 
 - Mess" Fitch & Goodrich & Misses Shermans & 
 Allen made our party - we were joined when 
 there by a large Circle from Town danced a little 
 & returned before 9 o Clock M r Fitch lodged 
 with me as he had done for two nights before 
 we conversed much upon his voiage & observa 
 tions 
 
 Was employed mostly in making an Electric 17 
 receiver & repairing the Apparatus - - received a 
 visit from M r Mix Mitchell. 8 
 
 Sabath ; attended Meeting at M r Edwards Parish Jan. 18 
 in the afternoon - - M r Trumbul preached 
 A very remarkable change of weather, from 2 Deg. 19 
 below Cypher which it was on Saturday - it is 
 now very warm & attended with a most heavy rain 
 & violent winds - snow melts very fast. - 
 
 A Comet was discovered in the southern Hemi- 20 
 sphere & as the President was unwell he desired 
 M r Channing & myself to investigate its true place 
 & make what discoveries we could - It had now 
 however got so low towards y e Horizon & so very 
 could that we could not be particular - 
 
 Our Telescope being out of order we employed 21 
 most of the forenoon in rectifying it - - & in the 
 Evening we proceeded to ascertain the true place 
 of the Comet - The sun was in the 2 Degree of 
 Aquarius & the Comet so near as to be past the 
 meridian at sunset. Our method was therefore 
 to look out 2 or more stars of the i, 2, or 3 magni 
 tude which were nearly in a range with the Comet, 
 which we determined by a thread - these obser- 
 
 8 Stephen Mix Mitchell (Yale, Class of 1763). 
 
1 92 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 vations we made from various parts of the Heavens 
 & by applying them to the Celestial Globe deter 
 mined the place of y e Comet to be in the point of 
 intersection - which fell near the greatest bend 
 of the stream from Aquarius's pot. at about 22 
 south Lat. near the Letter d. the stars of obser 
 vation were 
 
 1. & in the Breast of Pegasus ) 
 
 2. in the tail of the whale V at 2 m ' 
 
 3. a in Aries & in tail of whale ) 
 
 we made our Telescope to bear, but twas so hazy 
 that it appeared little better than to naked Eye 
 
 2S Cloudy & hazy for several days past so that no 
 
 observation could be made this Evening was 
 clear but so cold that I did not chuse to go into the 
 Library - - but to the Eye it appeared to have rose 
 a little towards the Zenith - spent the Evening 
 'till no Clock in agreeable chit-chat upon old & 
 new matters with - 
 
 N Haven Walked with M r Fitch to the ship which lay 
 
 Jan. 26. frozen up in the Harbour - - she was 3 miles from 
 Town - - we went on the Ice: the hands were 
 attempting to cut her out she was bound for 
 
 29 Ireland - Thursday Evening attended Assembly 
 
 a large Collection of strangers honoured the 
 Company - all matters much as usual .... 
 
 Feb Was made a Freeman of the State of Connecticut 
 
 5 & City of N Haven 
 
 6 Introduced to a M r Joy of Boston & a very modest 
 & agreeable Dutchman, one Capt. . . he was on 
 his travels for Improvement & seemed to have a 
 talent to make them so was very Inquisitive 
 & manifested a good judgment & Tast in his Ques 
 tions He was free from light Airs but had an 
 engaging Address & modest Assurance which en 
 deared him to the whole Circle We took Tea at 
 the Presidents - 
 
 8 P. M. to past 7. Observed the place of the 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 '93 
 
 1784 
 
 Feb 10. 
 Tuesday 
 
 Comet. A line from H of the Whale to A of the 
 Pegasus, runs thro' Comet Another from 
 the B. of Andromeda to y of Pegasus's Wing 
 strikes the Comet in the point of Intersection 
 
 A Perpendicular from the y above leaves the 
 Comet but little to the South 
 
 College began to come together last Wednesday 
 Orders are now observed as usual & matters yet 
 go on quietly 
 
 Spent the Eve in agreeable chitchat with . 
 & next day took Tea at M r Meigs: 9 some of his 
 friends from Stratford were present, & the two 
 Miss Shermans - Tuesday 10 was appointed by 
 the Assembly to chuse the City officers of our Cor 
 poration - we met at the Statehouse & made 
 choice of Mr Meigs as our Clerk & the Hon. Roger 
 Sherman was chosen Mayor - Deacons Howel 
 Bishop - - Austin & M r Bears were elected Alder 
 men & in the two following days were chosen & 
 qualified the twenty Common Councillors & two 
 sheriffs & Treasurer as appointed by charter 
 the method was by balloting, which made it very 
 slow 
 
 On Tuesday the mercury in the Thermometer was 
 down to 10 below Cypher - 
 
 Was pleasured with a Visit from M r Gilbert of 
 Cloverac. 
 
 Rode in sleigh accompanied by the Rev^ President 
 & D r Wales - - M r Russel & Miss Betsey Stiles to 
 Brantford to attend the ordination of my Class 
 mate Atwater - - twas a fine Day good sleighing 
 & of course many People were collected - - the Gal 
 leries of the meeting House full, waiting the 
 approaching solemnities But at the expected 
 time word was given from the Council that there 
 
 9 Josiah Meigs (Yale, Class of 1778) was a tutor at Yale at this 
 time, resigning May 6, 1784. He was married in 1782, while a tutor, 
 to Miss Clara Benjamin of Stratford, Conn. 
 
 12 
 
 Thursday 
 
 18 
 Wednesday 
 
i 9 4 
 
 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 would be no ordination that Day It was post 
 poned for three weeks on account of the opposition 
 of about 20 persons some of the leading char 
 acters in the place Their Conduct however was 
 by no means honourable for at the first Society 
 meeting near that number appeared but at a second 
 six only opposed & the others app( eared) so 
 unanimous as to raise the sallery from 90 to an 
 i oof - M r Atwater was of course deceived 'till 
 on the Evening preceding the Day for ordination 
 a paper was handed to the Council - - seting forth 
 the wishes of the opponents, their Number & Names 
 upon which twas their advice to wait & see if 
 the Difficulties could not subside or be surmounted 
 
 - M r Atwater feels the wound upon his tender 
 feelings most sensibly & is pretty much determined 
 to leave them 
 
 We stop'd at D r Goulds 10 dined with M r Bald 
 win, received an invitation to stay and Dance 
 accepted it - - visited M r Atwater - - took Tea at 
 D r G Danced - - came back & slept there & 
 breakfasted the next Day - - visited M r Atwater 
 comforted him - took his Horse because we 
 could not find a Sleigh in Town put Miss Stiles 
 & Miss Polly Gould in sleigh going to Town - - & 
 got home about noon on 
 
 sent back our Horses & am now just as 
 before . . . 
 
 As I was coming into Town, was stop'd by M r 
 Clark, a manager with me, of the Assembly, he 
 told me that some of the young Company had used 
 their influence to foment as much Difficulty, in the 
 subscribers of the Assembly as was possible that a 
 number, to about 20, had drawn off & agreed upon a 
 Dance & Supper at Fords that they had made the 
 omission of Suppers agreed on by the managers 
 
 10 Dr. Wm. Gould, Jr., a Branford physician, father of Judge James 
 Gould of Litchfield. 
 
 Thursday 
 19 
 
 N Haven 
 
 1784 
 
 Thursday 
 Feb. 19 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 '95 
 
 March 10. 
 1784 
 
 the basis of their proceedings &c I walked 
 about Town a little among my friends, found all 
 was uproar & party - - soon saw M r Hillhouse who 
 was pleased to give me an Invitation to the Ball 
 of the seceders - Gave him my mind pretty fully 
 & openly - They pretty soon found they were in 
 disagreeable Circumstances - - & about 4 o Clock 
 agreed to pay Ford for his preparation & attend 
 the regular Assembly - - they were accordingly all 
 present except Lieut Dagget - - Mess 18 Hillhouse & 
 Whitney We called the Gentlemen to a room by 
 themselves & found by Vote that they approved 
 of the Doings of the managers - - we had a very 
 agreeable Assembly & by appointment I acted as 
 Master of Ceremonies Escorted Miss Cloe 
 Sherman & Miss Polly Gould - - drew for partner 
 Miss Betsey Stiles 
 
 "Was the Quarterday of the Junior Class of the 
 College the Exercises were very clever & humor 
 ous - - a large Collection of both sexes attended 
 I took Tea at Esq r Shermans & escorted Miss 
 Rebecca to the Ball - - which was attended at the 
 State House. Tarried & was agreeably entertained 
 till 12 o Clock - 
 
 - gave the Tickets & attended the Assembly. Thursday 
 had for partners the two Miss Shermans & drew 
 
 Miss Betsy Beers - 
 
 - was happy in visit from M r Perkins, was with Saturday 
 him most of the day - 
 
 received a handsome superfine cloth coat - - as 
 a present from my Class - - twas a valuable hand 
 some & well timed present & of course I was ani 
 mated with those lively feelings which gave me a 
 pleasure in expressing my Gratitude - for the 
 Honour of the Compliment & the value of the 
 Thing - 
 
 At this period each of the tutors had particular charge of 
 one class, and it was usual for this class in the course of the 
 
1 96 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 college year to express their acknowledgment of his services, 
 and make him some present, at the same time. Mr. Baldwin's 
 remarks on this occasion follow: 
 
 "- 'Tis with a Heart warmed with Gratitude & glowing 
 with Affection, that I now arise to return you my many 
 thanks for your renewed marks of Attention, respect & 
 affection - - of all which the elegant Present made in the 
 compliment of this coat is a renewed assurance - I should 
 be wanting in the feelings of humanity, did I not feel the 
 most lively animation on such an occasion - It is ever 
 pleasing to the generous Soul to find opportunities of express 
 ing its gratitude - - & it must be peculiarly so to one at this 
 time - - not only from a reflection on the greatness of the 
 obligation - - but from the assurance which accompanies it, 
 of the pleasure & affection of those whom it is my greatest 
 object to please & instruct. 
 
 What more pleasing situation can a man have than to see 
 himself surrounded by a circle of lively youth -- whose whole 
 attention is engrossed in the improvements of the mind - - in 
 enlarging their Souls & exalting the Dignity of their Nature 
 - the very thought is animating & if I can be instrumental 
 in promoting an object so grand surely it must afford me 
 the most sensible pleasure - And All must be sensible that 
 the pleasure of an instructor is very much by the Confidence 
 & Affection of his pupils 
 
 The Task you have undertaken is great, 'tis important to 
 your future usefulness - - & 'tis with Pleasure I can look 
 forward to the future scenes of an active Life & flatter 
 myself with many shining characters, even from those I 
 have the honour to instruct in redoubling my attention 
 with a view to prepare you for these important ends, it shall 
 be my endeavour to make some return for the renewed 
 obligations you have confer'd 
 
 I say it with equal truth & pleasure, that no situation in 
 the Tutorial Office could please me so well as the one in 
 which I am hapily located - - & you may depend on it that 
 so long as I have your confidence & esteem I never shall 
 willingly leave yours for any other Class my own f elings 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 197 
 
 require it & gratitude for your kindness & affection require 
 it 
 
 You will therefore please to receive my Assurances of 
 affection & esteem - - & that I shall ever take a pleasure in 
 seeing- your progress & think myself bound by the strong 
 est ties to promote - you'll also receive my sincere thanks, 
 both for the honor done me in the Compliment, & for so 
 valuable & elegant a present/' 
 
 On July 23, he was presented by the same class with a 
 tamboured satin vest, a pair of florentine breeches, and two 
 pairs of silk stockings, and responded as follows : 
 
 "This renewed Expression of your AfP in the Instance of 
 your late generosity certainly calls for my sincerest 
 Thanks - - I cannot express, my pupils, the pleasure which 
 I receive from this renewed Expression of your friendship 
 without making use of that Language which would be ful 
 some to you. - Yet I can say it gives me a heartfelt pleasure, 
 a pleasing, a virtuous vanity to reflect that I have the friend 
 ships of those so dear to me. 
 
 I have had the satisfaction to experience the reciprocal 
 feelings of a pupil & instructor - - I know them both to be 
 tender - - for however the sentiments of some may be, that 
 an Instructor has no further care or anxiety than simply to 
 discharge the Duties of his Office & that for the sake of 
 imployment, the feelings of evry Instructor that is possessed 
 but of common sensibility can assure you to the contrary 
 
 And altho Instructors do not in general previously know 
 the Individuals of which their classes are composed yet 
 they know that in general 'tis a selection of youth which are 
 worthy of their Esteem & friendship add to this their fre 
 quent intercourse & mutual endeavour to please & they form 
 a tenderness for each other which time does not easily 
 obliterate. 
 
 This renewed instance of your Generosity is a repeated 
 Indication of this tenderness on your part, as well as that 
 regular conduct and dutiful carriage which has ever graced 
 the course of our Connection. & I pray that I may never 
 
198 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 be wanting in a becoming 1 Gratitude on my part - - or that 
 lively sensibility which I now have the pleasure to expe 
 rience or that I may never be wanting in evry endeavour 
 that can promote your furtherance in evry thing laudable. 
 
 I think it will be no more than a becoming sensibility - - if 
 in the public exercises of this year I indulge a little virtuous 
 pride when I behold myself surrounded & clad in the Love, 
 the friendship & the generosity of my pupils. 
 
 You will therefore please to accept of my sincerest thanks 
 for this recent instance of your attention in the very valuable 
 & elegant suit of underdress which I this day received from 
 you." 
 
 A year later the class gave him a superfine claret colored 
 coat and white cassimere underdress, which called out the 
 following parting speech. It is worth remark that while 
 given on the fourth of July, no allusion was made to its 
 anniversary significance. 
 
 "You have done me great honour my pupils in the Expres 
 sion of your Esteem which you have made me this day. 
 
 Nothing can be more agreeable & important to those who 
 are occupied in Employments like mine, than the assurance 
 of the friendship & Affection of those with whom we are 
 connected - as no situation is more agreeable where mutual 
 confidence subsists, so none can be more disagreeable if the 
 contrary takes place - it gives me the greatest pleasure 
 therefore that I may acknowledge your Esteem & Affection 
 which I know accompanies the very valuable & Elegant 
 present which I have this Day received from you. I will not 
 use flattery in what I say, but I may indulge my feelings & 
 may in part express them. 
 
 There cannot in the nature of things be a more noble or 
 animating employment than the improving & ornamenting 
 the human mind: 'tis this adorns, expands & enobles the 
 Dignity of Man 
 
 I wish my abilities for this Task were greater than they 
 are Youth has not the maturity of riper years nor can so 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 1 99 
 
 much be expected from them Our imperfections are 
 surmounted alone by asiduity to the object in view - - Grati 
 tude as well as the sentiments of Duty & the passion for 
 applause & honor will certainly animate me to evry exertion 
 which may terminate in your advantage I never wish 
 to be confined to the stated Hours of recitation - I shall 
 ever be open to the pleasure of private instruction 
 
 Your improvement is at present my highest ambition & 
 I can anticipate pleasure from the future employments of 
 many of those whom I have had the honour to instruct 
 Nothing then is wanting to make our employment agreeable 
 but the assurance of the Confidence of those whom we 
 instruct 
 
 It gave me a great deal of pleasure in the public exercises 
 of the last year, that I could view my self clad in the Love 
 & Affection of my pupils. I thought I might indulge a little 
 virtuous pride in the Idea & I am sure 'twas more than what 
 I could reasonably expect would be repeated 
 
 The class have done me great honour in this Compliment 
 
 you will please to receive my thanks for this very elegant 
 suit - - my assurance of affection & wishes & endeavours for 
 your prosperity." 
 
 This note, accepting an invitation from his partner to tea, 
 refers probably to this occasion : 
 
 "M r Baldwin is particularly happy in receiving so polite & 
 very pretty a billet from M 8 R Sherman & with his com 
 pliments to Miss Sherman, engages to do himself the pleasure 
 to be with her & the other Ladies at Tea 
 Y. C Tuesday n, oClock." 
 
 The Journal proceeds thus : 
 
 After much difficulty in procuring a couple of N Haven 
 horses - - M r Russel & I set out to ride for exercise arch^9 
 
 objects of course Health & pleasure made 1784 
 ourselves merry on the road, to North Haven 
 stop'd at a Tavern about 4 miles out called for 
 
200 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 Egg-punch - - could git none - - the Girls took us, 
 honest as we were, for high rakes & the poor 
 souls were frighted - we renewed our applica 
 tions after several fruitless attempts at a neighbour 
 ing private House - - where after much persuasion 
 & a few Compliments we obtained the promise of 
 Punch. The good Lady undertook to make it - 
 she beat the Yolk & White of her two Eggs, which 
 indeed were all she had, in a foot Glass with a Tea 
 spoon - Her sugar was answerable in quality & 
 quantity our mortifycation was that we could not 
 Laugh - - we drank our punch & I came home very 
 unwell - was better the next day - 
 
 April Attended the Assembly with my usual Partner - 
 
 thro' a mistake M r Ogden & I claimed one partner 
 in the Dance - - Miss Lord - He would not sub 
 mit to a new Lottery - - twas left with the Master 
 of Ceremonies - - he decided in my favour - - it 
 almost occasioned a Chalenge 
 
 April Took Tea at M r David Austin's A large & 
 
 brilliant Circle graced the room 
 
 April 4 Attended to the Grave the remains of the amiable 
 
 & the Virtuous Miss Patty Comstock - she was 
 the niece & favourite of D r Beardsley who 
 brought her up with the care & attention of a 
 parent ... On her Coffin was written the 
 following sentiment - 
 
 Youth 
 sweetness & 
 Sensibility . . 
 were her own 
 
 but 
 
 they could not 
 save her 
 
 A great concourse of people attended And I as 
 one of the bearers we accompanied the mourners 
 back & instead of the Dutch Custom had a Dish 
 of Tea 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 201 
 
 Wednesday 
 21 
 
 Thursday 
 22 
 
 Monday 
 26 
 
 Spent the Evening at Esq Shermans & pre 
 sented a Ladies Pocket-Book of Morocco Leather, 
 a glass & set of Ladies instruments inclosed 
 
 Had a very agreeable ride, with a small party on 
 pleasure of which I made one Miss Allen & 
 Sherman were in a Carriage M r Goodrich & 
 myself on Horseback - - we rode to the Hospital 
 & took Tea with Miss Sherman 
 
 Spent the Afternoon with a large Circle of both 
 Sexes at Cap* Powell's, the Evening was devoted 
 to plays & Dancing - 
 
 Began the Spring Examination with the 
 Senior Class, the forenoon was spent pretty much 
 upon the Languages - - & the whole of the After 
 noon was devoted to Questions - - upon the various 
 Branches of Science which they had studied - 
 
 Rested from Examination in the morning rode 
 to the Hospital: they were all fully broke out 
 But the Rev d M r Bird, 11 afforded a spectacle shock 
 ing to humanity - - his whole Body covered with 
 the protuberance of the confluent Eruption now 
 returning inward. we could see him thro the 
 Window - he began to look black & twas said to 
 mortify --so that there was no prospect of a recov 
 ery - A certain M r Crane, appeared but little 
 better - - both of them died a few days after - 
 
 Vacation commenced. I took leave of friends 
 & rode to Somers to pay my first respects to my 
 brother Colton - - found him a very plain but very 
 good Man ; my sister was very happy in her situa 
 tion & in him, & that was enough to make me love 
 him. M r Backus was very attentive to me & made 
 my stay very agreeable - while in that quarter I 
 made a tour to Longmeadow Springfield, Enfield, 
 Westfield & Suffield several very pretty Towns 
 which I never saw before. on my return Mr. 
 
 11 Rev. Samuel Bird, who until 1767 was pastor of the church in the 
 White Haven Society of New Haven. 
 
 1784 
 
 May 
 
 i 
 
 New Haven 
 
 May 
 6 
 
2O2 Life at YaU as a Tutor 
 
 Witter was at Somers, who accompanied me the 
 Day before Election to hartford. the usual Parade 
 attended it - - was in the Evening at a pretty good 
 Ball & the Day following rode to Norwich with a 
 merry circle composed of Mess ra Witter, Brown, 
 Lathrop; & Bishop with Miss Sally Beers in a 
 chaise - I had the pleasure of making an agree 
 able exchange of my horse for his Situation 
 
 Spent the remainder of the Vacation the usual 
 visits, till I returned to Newhaven on the 27 of May. 
 
 Miss Elizabeth Beers 12 and Miss Sally Maria Beers 13 were 
 leaders in New Haven society. They were the daughters 
 of Hon. Isaac Beers, President of the New Haven Bank. 
 Each had been carefully educated in the accomplishments 
 of the day. Miss "Betsey," as she was commonly called, 
 wrote a letter, which has been preserved, in French from 
 New York to Miss Betsey Sherman, which shows that she 
 had considerable familiarity with that language. It received 
 more attention in Connecticut, after the French troops had 
 joined the American forces in the Revolutionary war, than 
 ever before. 
 
 On Presentation day, July 21, 1784, Tutor Baldwin pre 
 sented the candidates for degrees in a Latin address, which 
 he closed with the expression of the hope that all friends 
 of virtue and science would unite in saying "diu vivat aeter- 
 noque effloreat Praeses edoctus alma mater, Yalensia, diu 
 vigeat, diutissime que effloreat." 1 
 
 12 Miss Elizabeth Beers married Joseph L. Wooster (Yale, Class of 
 1786) on Feb. 28, 1794. 
 
 13 Miss Sally Beers married, on September 12, 1786, William Leffing- 
 well of Norwich (the evening before the Commencement at which he 
 was graduated from Yale). 
 
 14 Long live and in eternity flourish our learned President : Long 
 livejand, as long as time lasts, flourish Bounteous Mother Yale. 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 203 
 
 The Tutors, in this part of the eighteenth century, came 
 much closer to each other, and also to the President than did 
 their successors, later. Professor Daggett had died in 1780, 
 and his work was assumed by Dr. Stiles. Professor Strong 
 resigned in 1781. Professor Wales was appointed in 1782. 
 His main duty was to fill the pulpit, and he stood apart by 
 himself. The President and the Tutors really formed the 
 College circle. We hear of their riding off together, of a 
 summer afternoon, for an excursion into the country. 15 The 
 Tutors seem to have been always hospitably received at the 
 President's house, and had a place of importance in the 
 society of the town. 
 
 We resume the Journal at its next date: 
 
 Some time in August made a party to the ordina- "August 
 tion of my friend M r Stebbins, at Stratford - - I 
 took Miss Sherman into my carriage for a partner 
 
 - two others were in company with us - - we were 
 a little too late the Town crowded with Company 
 & the meeting house before we were dress'd was full 
 
 - we were put to much difficulty to obtain a seat 
 till M r Lockwood politely made room for my partner 
 we dined at Esq. Brooks, & closed the day with a 
 very good Ball - the next day dined at M r Steb 
 bins Quarters - - took Tea at D r Johnsons 16 & spent 
 the Evening most agreeably at M r Benjamins - 
 entertained with a variety of music. the day 
 following we returned I to the common round 
 of business till Commencement . 
 
 was Commencement - - the fatigue of preparing college 
 an Oration to which I had been appointed & that Sept? 8 
 of a great confinement during near a weeks Exam 
 ination of the respective Classes, prevented me 
 from enjoying that pleasure which such scenes 
 usually give the exhibitions of the Evening 
 
 15 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 236. 
 
 16 William Samuel Johnson (Yale, Class of 1744). 
 
204 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 before Com 1 were very entertaining altho' not per 
 fectly scholastic 
 
 The Procession was as usual of those who were 
 immediately connected with College A saluta 
 tory Oration, a Dispute, Dialogue of the humorous 
 kind, a sylogistic Dispute, & an English Oration 
 composed the exercises of the Bachelors 
 
 An English Oration on the rise, progress & 
 effect of Commerce delivered by myself and 
 valedictory oration by M r Channing - - were the 
 only exercises of the Masters - - the Pomp of con 
 ferring the Degrees made up the deficiency - 
 
 The Business of y e Day was closed, with a Ball 
 in the Court-house, for which I was one of the 
 managers & help'd to distribute near 800 tickets 
 from which near 5 hundred attended - - to be sure 
 by. far the greatest collection I ever saw for such 
 an occasion, numbers were drawn by the Gentlemen 
 to near 200 - - no pleasure could be taken from the 
 Dance - - all was the beautiful sight of such an 
 elegant, & blooming Collection the next day 
 gth was obliged to return to the duties of my Office 
 
 & examin the Candidates for the freshman Class 
 waited on my friends what time I could spare, & 
 closed the Day with another Ball more agreeable 
 & by far less crowded y n the other - 
 
 zoFryday wa s more at liberty to enjoy my friends 
 
 waited on some Ladies to the Library - - & was 
 happy in diverting my mind from the cares & 
 fatigues I had gone thro', by the agreeable chit-chat 
 & the friendly attention due to them . . ." 
 
 In anticipation of this Commencement he had asked his 
 classmate, Kent, to suggest some themes for discussion at 
 that time by those proceeding to the degree of Master of 
 Arts. The following was the response in a letter dated June 
 4, 1784: 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 205 
 
 "I Here inclose a Number of Questiones Magistrates & 
 have sent as many least some may be judged improper & 
 others may have been heretofore used. Should the whole 
 be condemned upon either of those principles I wish you 
 would insert one for me and let it be what you please/' 
 
 The master's oration which Mr. Baldwin pronounced 
 showed considerable thought and study. A few extracts 
 from it are worth quotation. 
 
 "We set out with that knowledge of mercantile improve 
 ments which the experience of many Ages has acquired and, 
 such an extensive country runing thro' such a variety of 
 Climates, proper for the production of almost evry thing; 
 our extensive Boundaries by an Ocean opning to the world; 
 joined to the natural fertility of our Soil & the inexhaustable 
 resources in the mineral, animal & vegitable productions; 
 are advantages not equaled in any Nation on Earth. Our 
 country is sufficiently extensive - - 'tis extremely fertile ; has 
 an internal Navy w h is unparalleld, & opens to the world 
 
 The necessaries of Life are from within ourselves so easily 
 procured, and the liberal Profusion of those Articles proper 
 for remitance so great, that the voice of Nature seems to 
 accompany the Dictates of policy to make use of our advan 
 tages for Commerce to a certain Degree, that we may minis 
 ter to the calls of a refined Tast, & increase the power & 
 riches of the Nation. - - Yet it is a question whether these 
 alluring Prospects have not hitherto led us a career too rapid 
 for our real finances or our stage of society, for, it must be 
 considered that 'tis not greatness of Trade that will increase 
 the riches of a Nation if the Ballance be against it." . . . 
 
 "During the continuance of the war our Trade being inter 
 rupted; our former Exports were in general useless among 
 ourselves, could not be carried abroad, & of course were not 
 cultivated or prepared The return of Peace could not 
 bring them in a moment to their former channel - - while a 
 general consumption of the merchandize which was on hand 
 at the commencement of the war. & a more luxurious Tast 
 which crept in from our greater Intercourse, increased our 
 
206 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 demand for foreign goods. This has caused that surprizing 
 torrent of Silver, which has rolled across the Atlantic to make 
 even small payments for the vast quantities of Goods which 
 the States have received This remittance must be self 
 annihilated, and a Dilemma follow which threatens Bank 
 ruptcy to many of the Merchants both of America & those 
 of the European Nations with whom they traded - Is it 
 not bad policy to encourage general importation, & pay no 
 attention to our Exports which certainly ought more par 
 ticularly to be encouraged." 
 
 "It does not require the warmth of Enthusiasm to paint 
 the glorious Prospect, of this American Empire rising, by the 
 Effects of her Commerce, which must be her great resource, 
 to the height of earthly glory & the grandeur of millennian 
 splendour." 
 
 "No Nation on Earth ever set out with such glorious 
 prospects before it, as the union of America. All the influ 
 ential natural causes seem to indicate this, that we shall eer 
 long become the general mart for mercantile Nations & the 
 great store house of the world. Our extensive Commerce 
 if properly regulated must in future add riches, splendour & 
 Dignity to the Nation. And while our population and com 
 mercial Labours increase our internal power. - - the men 
 which our Trade enures to the sea, & the forest of shiping 
 with which our harbours will be crowded, will give us not 
 merely respectability, but Empire upon the Ocean, till the 
 superior Policy of refined Nations shall bring to an end the 
 Convulsions which distract the Empires of the world." 
 
 Three days after Commencement, Mr. Baldwin and the 
 senior tutor, Matthew T. Russell, set off on horseback for a 
 trip of pleasure to Newport, Boston, and New Hampshire. 
 They carried for delivery Yale diplomas for doctorates in 
 laws, which had been granted the year before, to M. Le 
 Tombe, Consul-General of France at Boston, and Count 
 Francesco Dal Verme of Milan. 17 
 
 17 
 
 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 137. 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 207 
 
 The Journal thus records the incidents of the journey. 
 
 N Haven 
 Saturday 
 ii Sept 
 1784 
 
 12 
 
 Come to a conclusion of a long proposed plan of 
 traveling eastward with M r Russell we commu 
 nicated it to the President it met with his 
 approbation - He politely offered us Letters of 
 introduction to his friends - - & went immediately 
 to writing & preparing a Diploma for the french 
 Consul General in Boston Le Tombe we also 
 obtained Letters from M r Fitch & took leave of our 
 friends & left Nhaven by 3 o Clock, arrived at 
 Middletown about 9. Slept with M r Russell at his 
 Uncle's - - the next day went to meeting heard 
 a M r Marsh preach from the miracle wroght on 
 the Man with the withered Hand I liked his 
 sermon pretty well & his method of handling the 
 Subject after Tea walked to the beautiful Grove 
 & Seat of Capt Mortimer think I never saw one 
 of the kind which pleased me more - - he is an 
 agreeable Man, & seems to enjoy the fruit of his 
 labour. we soon after joined a Circle of Ladies. 
 I walked with a Miss Sage who was very chatty & 
 sensible & agreeable & a Miss Hosmer with 
 whom I could not form an acquaintance at 9 
 
 Clock escorted them home & retired to rest 
 
 Sat out alone for Norwich, dined at Tainters 
 & without any accident arrived at home 18 about 
 Sunset -- friends were all well as usual. The next 
 day I spent at home & the 
 
 I went into Town, saw my friends, took Tea at D r 
 Rogers - - heard a singular private story which 
 
 1 shall note when I come to it . . spent the day 
 following without any remarkable transaction, 
 Took Tea at M r Barritt's. 
 
 It rained, but I walked home; conversed in the 17*18. 
 Evening with my hon d father on religious Sub 
 jects 
 
 18 His "house," that is, his father's residence was now on his farm 
 at Yantic, a mile or two from Bean Hill. 
 
 Monday 
 Sept. 13 
 
 r ednesday, 
 
2o8 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 Sabbath Was at Meeting in Bozra in the Evening there 
 
 was a Conference at our house - After singing 
 & praying I read a very suitable Sermon --we then 
 conversed a little - - sung the Evening Hymn & the 
 meeting was closed with Prayer - the Day fol 
 lowing I busied myself in looking over writings of 
 my Brother's, till M r Russell came in the Evening 
 & tarried with me & agreed upon a plan for our 
 journey - 
 
 Norwich M r Russell went into Town. I spent milch of the 
 
 Tuesday ^ a y m conversing with my father, towards night 
 rode into Town to be early on my journey to 
 morrow - 
 
 Wednesday Rose early, Breakfasted, & called on M r Russell 
 before he was ready - - We soon began our Jour 
 ney - I proposed that our Conversation be scien 
 tific . . for Instance that on the road to our 
 first stage, Grammar be the subject. Rhetoric, 
 Logic, Geography be each in their turn another - 
 M r Russell liked the proposal in part - - he would 
 have the circle of sciences be a part of our conver 
 sation but not when riding, as he tho't the obser 
 vations made on the soil, Landscapes & situations 
 of y e Country would be more instructing. I agreed 
 with him that where any thing uncommon presented 
 itself it would, but that a rout thro' the woods in 
 general afforded but little entertainment of that 
 kind - - we altercated the matter for some time & 
 finally agreed that the first stage should be entirely 
 upon the Country, the next on Grammar, inter 
 spersed as the circumstances allowed. A com 
 parison should then be made 
 
 Thus we rode to Plainfield, the soil in Newent 
 was in general good, a number of wealthy setlers 
 were dispersed along the road between that & 
 Plainfield the Land was not so good We fed 
 our horses at Etons, visited M r Merwin to get what 
 information we could of the state of the Academy, 
 found it not so flourishing as we expected; the 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 209 
 
 resignation of M r Pemberton gave at least a tem 
 porary blow M r Pemberton was not at home: 
 we left our Names & Compliments 
 
 Took our horses & rode over a most barren soil 
 to Dawrances in Volentown, where we dined; tis 
 a good tavern & appeared to be the only one 
 possessed of a good farm in Volentown - - twas a 
 most miserable Country of Land from this thro' 
 the greatest part of Coventry, we made a stage at 
 Watermans, the soil a little better, till night pre 
 vented our observations - - after which we passed 
 through a pretty little place called the Fulling-Mill 
 about three miles from Greenwich where we took 
 lodgings at Col. Arnolds Tavern - - found the place 
 far exceed our expectations. 
 
 Inspected the Horses, found that M r Russells was Thursday 
 unable to perform our Journey by reason of a lame- 23 
 ness, occasioned by a fall the Day before in which 
 he maimed the wrist & knee of M r Russell & his 
 own shoulder. The Farrier was of opinion He 
 might be well in the course of a week We took 
 Breakfast & walked round the Town & then to 
 Gov r Greens 19 - - his son was absent. Miss Celia 
 his daughter was happy to see us & Introduced us 
 to her Worthy & Amiable Mama & to Col. Ward 
 her brother in Law - he was a sensible & agree 
 able Man - We concluded 'twas best to leave our 
 Horses in that place -- & take the packet for New 
 port Col. Ward walked with us to the water, 
 we found there was no boat going till the Morrow 
 
 We returned to Gov r Greens & Dined the Gov r 
 then came in & we were introduced to him - He is 
 a very plain but sensible Man Says not a great 
 deal After dinner it began to rain & continued 
 all the Afternoon which prevented our going out 
 
 they desir'd us to tarry there the Night We 
 attempted to excuse ourselves from troubling them 
 
 19 Wm. Greene was then Governor of Rhode Island. 
 
2 io Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 by saying we must go down & see about our horses 
 & especially the lame one we were informed 
 they were in their Pasture & so we tarried, In the 
 Night young M r Green came home. We were very 
 happy in seeing & conversing with him. The morn 
 ing was spent in a variety of occupations & walking 
 about the farm. 
 
 Greenwich About io o Clock we took our leave for Newport. 
 I may make this reflection that the Gov r & his Lady 
 are exceeding hospitable, kind, sensible & plain - 
 that Col. Ward is a worthy Man - - that Miss Celia 
 appears much better & more amiable at home than 
 abroad - - the seat which is more convenient than 
 elegant is about y 2 a mile from the town street of 
 Greenwich 
 
 The boat on which we embarked was about 17 
 tons burthen, the Hold full of Cyder & the Deck 
 of rails for fences - - so that evry thing was incon 
 venient for passengers & made more so by our Num 
 ber, which was 18, among which was young M r 
 Green & a M r Wonton, with a most amiable young 
 Lady Miss Lucy Sheffield & two or three other 
 females. The wind was contrary & small, so that 
 we moved very slow - - but amused ourselves with 
 the agreeable prospect of the adjacent Country & 
 Islands. Prudence is a small Island of about 100 
 Acres. Patience is several miles in Length, ex 
 tremely fertile, makes many excellent farms, but 
 no trees - before we arrived at Gould Island a 
 thick fog prevented our prospect - - wind still con- 
 In Boat trary & Night overtook us - - the mist drove all 
 to the little Cabbin which was almost full of 
 Chests & baggage & so exceeding small that all 
 could neither sit or lie & none could stand -- the 
 Air very Impure such a situation would have 
 been intolerable had (not) an uncommon flow of 
 Spirits given a peculiar Life to all who were re 
 solved to make as light of it as possible our Mirth 
 was much increased by the impertinent drollery of 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 2 1 1 
 
 one of the hands - - to make all worse, our Captain 
 a blundering Man, got lost. We were obliged 
 to cast Anchor till the Providence packet passed us 
 & set him right - we beat a little farther & the 
 wind left us, so that we were at the mercy of the 
 Tide to be carried back we must submit to have 
 y e Anchor cast again - - the (re) we were be 
 nighted, could see nothing had no provision - 
 & could get no sleep - - the greatest Happiness I 
 had was in my seat by the side of Miss Sheffield 
 whom indeed I pittied most sincerely - - I tried to 
 make her as happy as I could & indeed she mani 
 fested a great flow of spirits till our great fatigue 
 almost overpowered Nature - We were thus con 
 fined on board this dirty Boat for more than 18 
 Hours when by the help of some rowing, in which 
 I myself assisted, we had the Happiness to sit our inBoat 
 feet on one of the wharves of Newport about 5 
 o Clock in the Morning of the 26 Sept. 
 
 I assisted Miss Lucy in giting to the shore gave Saturday 
 her a parting kiss with the sincerity of an affec- N 26 
 tionate friend which her virtues, & our partnership 
 in Misfortunes had made us her Cousin Wonton 
 escorted her home - M r Russel M r Green & my 
 self knocked at Fry's tavern, gained admittance & 
 retired to rest - 
 
 We rose about 8 o Clock, took a good Breakfast 
 - got our things from the wharf dress'd & 
 walked about the place - - accidentally found M r 
 Wonton, who politely accompanied us and led us 
 thro all the principal streets of the City - he left 
 us when we retired to diner We found there 
 were a number of People from Carolina in the 
 place for their health - - four of them our fellow- 
 Boarders, one of them a M r Smith was a very 
 affable communicative, & well disposed person, 
 with him we had the pleasure of forming some 
 acquaintance the others were not so easy of 
 access 
 
2 12 
 
 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 Newport 
 
 Sabbath 
 27 
 
 Newport 
 
 In the Afternoon we stept in to M r Channing's, 
 intending to find M r Law who boarded here & thus 
 get introduced to the family - he was absent - 
 but pretty convenient opning being made, we intro 
 duced ourselves to the old Lady - - she pretty soon 
 stept to the other room & communicated it to the 
 family - a lad was sent to invite us into the room 
 where the young Ladies, Misses Betsy & Nancy, 
 were sitting we were obliged to repeat the same 
 ceremony to them - - found them both very sociable 
 & very sensible - - of course agreeable a variety 
 of conversation spent the time till Tea . . when 
 M r Law came in. we were glad to see a man with 
 whom we had even no more intimacy than we had 
 with him - - for unhappily we had omitted obtain 
 ing Letters to Gentlemen in Newport, except one 
 to Alderman Warner, which we had not yet deliv 
 ered - At dusk we returned, calling at the lodg 
 ings of M r Green who was absent we soon retired 
 to rest. 
 
 Thot as our object was to see what we could of 
 the curious kind - - we would attend upon the meet 
 ing of the friends, an honest Quaker who was 
 standing at the Door directed us to a good seat, 
 which overlookt the Assembly - A peculiar plain 
 ness singularized the whole & a universal silence 
 gave me leasure to observe - - we sat for near an 
 hour in profound silence when the spirit moved a 
 venerable Matron to open her mouth in a few un 
 digested incoherent observations, mostly uncon 
 nected Texts of scripture - She spoke about two 
 minutes - after a short interval another speach 
 of equal length, from a similar person closed the 
 solemnities of the worship of our God for after 
 an other interval of silence they shook hands rose 
 up & departed - reflections upon such Assemblies 
 are too natural to need a place in this Diary 
 
 In the afternoon we went to the Church, the 
 speaker, from Boston - - gave us a most excellent 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 2 1 3 
 
 Discourse, & a very splendid Assembly composed 
 his Audience - M r Freebody with whom we sat 
 invited us to Tea, we spent part of the Evening at 
 M r C. Elerys 20 - were invited to come again - - M r 
 Channing invited & waited on us to singing school 
 we then walked round the Town till 9 o Clock & 
 retired - 
 
 Took Breakfast at Cap 1 Warners, a very good Newport 
 sociable Man - - he invited us to dine, we were 
 engaged, to dine the next day - - we excused our 
 selves as we expected to leave the place . . He 
 informed us of a cause of some importance then 
 impending before the Court - All the capital Law 
 yers of the State were employed --we were anxious 
 to hear them speak - - we attended but the parties 
 were persuaded to settle the matter - - just as the 
 Jury were impanalled. . But as it was a very 
 intricate Cause many of the Jurors were challenged, 
 the lawyers all spoke of course, & the merits of the 
 Cause were nearly adduced. 
 
 I gave the preference to M r Channing, the State 
 Atturney - - he has a great share of Life & anima 
 tion in his speaking, is very candid & fair -- speaks 
 a little too quick - Varnum I had heard much 
 celebrated, but confess I was disappointed in him 
 Merchant is verbose beyond measure & altogether 
 too fast - - skims the surface & appears a little 
 frothy. Bradford, hollows amazingly - - when he 
 gets warm & has a blackharding method of satiriz 
 ing his opponents which is not commendable. 
 
 Dined at M r Channings. had a very handsome 
 diner, & things were conducted with much ease. 
 Conversation was various subjects of familiar chit- Newport 
 chat. Mess ra Elery & Green were with us. the 
 young Gentlemen were so kind as to procure an in 
 vitation from the Comidore of the squadron of 
 f rench then in the Harbour, to join a party on board 
 
 20 Hon. Christopher Ellery. 
 
214 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 to Tea the next day we could (not) overlook a 
 circumstance which would so much gratify our 
 Curiosity - - we anticipated the pleasure in much 
 familiar Conversation 
 
 M r Elery accompanied us to the steple of the 
 church which is very grand & gave a beautiful 
 prospect of the Town - - the whole of this Edifice 
 far exceed any I ever saw - The organ is the gift 
 of Dean Berckley . . we then walked to see 
 the remains of the Tedwood Library the building 
 is really an elegant & pretty one for its size & stands 
 beautifully . ., the Books are more than half 
 lost & poor attention paid to the rest . . yet it 
 indicates the vallue & usefulness of the collection, 
 many fine books yet remain . 
 
 We called in at M r Elery' s on our return, he asked 
 us to Tea --we were engaged, but promised to dine 
 with him the next day - took Tea at M r Chan- 
 nings - In the Evening went to the singing 
 School - 
 
 Breakfasted with M r Channing - - states At- 
 turney. find him a very agreeable Man - then 
 found by conversation with M r Law that he ex 
 pected us to dine at Cap 1 Warners & that he was 
 going to accompany us - - were a little surprised, 
 not thinking ourselves under engagements or that 
 he would expect us - we were obliged to post off 
 as fast as possible to make all the apologies in our 
 power I never was more chagrined at any mistake 
 in the world - We took a chaise & rode to a place 
 called the neck to see M" Stiles the situation is 
 very retired, quite at the south end of the Island . . 
 she came in soon after us and was at Diner with us 
 at M r Elery's; the drollery of his brother Ben 
 & the life of Mess ra Channing & Elery graced the 
 table too . . 'tis a very easy & agreeable family, 
 Miss Betsey is not handsome but very chatty . . 
 
 We dress'd & went on Board the fleet about Sun 
 set the ships were most beautifilly decorated 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 2 1 5 
 
 with variety of colours & flags in evry part, the 
 Com 17 into which we went was of 80 Guns 
 
 Tea was provided in the State room which was 
 elegant beyond my expectations I ran all over 
 the ship to see what I could after Tea we were 
 conducted into an elegant room made entirely of 
 hangings of Linen & on purpose for this occasion 
 It was made upon the Uper Deck under an 
 awning & so contrives as to leave an Isle on each 
 side of about 5 feet - - both sides of which were of On board 
 clean cloth - the room was large enough for 
 about 20 Couple to dance & others sit round 
 upon each end were two arched entries & on the 
 sides large arched window spaces opning to the 
 Isles . . the edges of wh h were painted red 
 the sides to the windows a dark brown above & the 
 top white - - & on evry part for cornices & case 
 ments vines of green boghs of various kinds most 
 beautifully arranged a Large Lanthorn of about 
 3 feet square with 5 Candles curiously ornamented 
 with boughs Vines & Oranges, was suspended from 
 the Centre of the room & twelve others in different 
 parts of the same room & a suitable number in the 
 isles - Here they danced in a pretty confused 
 irregular manner till no Clock when all were 
 invited to a spacious room below to sup the 
 Ladies 45 in Number sat round the table with the 
 Comidore at the head - twas ornamented with 
 an innumerable number of Dishes of various kinds 
 some eatable, others made only to feast the Eye 
 the Gentlemen had an other Table in the State room 
 & catched what they could find both there & in 
 the room with the Ladies as many as could be con 
 tained - After supper all were invited to the open 
 Deck to see a very beautiful display of fireworks 
 from boats at a suitable Distance they then 
 returned to the Dancing room 'till they chose 
 to retire, when they were conducted back as they 
 came in the barges belonging to the several ships 
 
2 1 6 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 Nothing could exceed the Politeness & the atten 
 tion of the officers - - or their apparent desire & 
 endeavour to please - the Conf stood at the en 
 trance & received evry Lady as they came on board. 
 I returned about two in the morning much pleased 
 with what I saw the day was incomparably fine 
 & evry thing, conspired to make us happy but the 
 confusion attending a crowd especially of dif 
 ferent Companies, whose manners cannot be so 
 easily assimilated. 
 
 29 th Sept. Rose by six o Clock & gratified my Curiosity to 
 
 Wednesday gee ^ ce i e b rate d Molbourn Gardens & the remains 
 
 of the Grandest dwelling House in New England 
 
 - all was going to decay -- apparently wanting the 
 superintendence of a wealthy & tasty owner - - re 
 turned to breakfast. Went & took my leave of M r 
 Channings family - - and amused myself in various 
 ways, 'till after diner, which we took at Fry's - we 
 
 Newport were invited to M r Teisons, but excused ourselves, 
 because we expected to leave the place before diner 
 took a french leave of most of our friends & 
 sailled about y 2 past 3, after spending near 5 days 
 in the most agreeable Maner - had the pleasure 
 of making much agreeable acquaintance & receiv 
 ing the polite attention of a very hospitable people 
 
 - had a most agreeable sail to Providence on board 
 the packet in company with M rs Stiles & her Sister 
 . . the prospect was fine & the passage pleasing - 
 
 Providence Took lodgings at M r Rices breakfasted by 
 ay invitation at M r Hitchcocks. he was very polite & 
 attentive to us accompanied us to the College; 
 introduced us to the President Manning & I must 
 confess I was disappointed the wrong way. he did 
 not appear to be a man of that Dignity that uni 
 versal Literature or Ease of Maners which I 
 think ought to accompany a man in his station, the 
 College stands finely & is elegant, but after the form 
 of New Jersey the Chapel is very small suited to 
 no audience but scholars the Library was small 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 217 
 
 but exceeded my expectations some good Books 
 belonged to it & a Donation of 14 Hundred Vol- Providence 
 lumns was expected from M r Brown he had just 
 before given them a very good Air-pump - - but 
 smaller than ours at Newhaven They had 2 setts 
 of Globes & the remains of an electric machine 
 which might be repaired. - A Telescope, Theo 
 dolite &c . . 
 
 Dined at M r Hitchcocks by invitation. was 
 happy in the presence of D r Moyes the celebrated 
 blind Philosopher - - who is exhibiting a course of 
 Lectures on the various branches of Philosophy 
 he obtained his knowledge by the reading of his 
 servant, who constantly accompanies him - he re 
 sided at the University of Glascow - - is acquainted 
 with the course of a University Education & has 
 gone thro' it himself - - but his Genius is peculiarly 
 adapted to philosophic inquiries in which from 
 his conversation twas evident he had made deep 
 researches - I conversed with him about deliver 
 ing a course of Lectures at Newhaven - - he gave 
 encouragement of coming in about 8 weeks - - in 
 vited us to attend his Lecture the next Evening . . 
 
 Took Tea at Capt Aliens, a very good & hospit 
 able man, after receiving the most polite treatment 
 & particular Attention from M r Hitchcock - 
 
 After Breakfast walked about the place without 
 any particular Company - - but fell in with several 
 that we knew - Gov Bowen call'd to us & invited 
 us to dine the next day - we visited M r D Cook 
 he looks very tattered in his Dress - - has lost much 
 of his Life & Activity - thro' want of business 
 from a too early marriage Dined at our Lodg 
 ings with a Gen. Miller who carried about an 
 amazing Load of mortality & a very droll Judge, 
 somebody - - an honest farmer Conversation 
 was upon Agriculture, Commerce & the resources 
 of the Country. 
 
 After walking about Town we called on Governor 
 
 Oct. i, 1784 
 Fryday 
 
2 1 8 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 Sessions, 21 the old Gentlemen was very sociable 
 & hospitable his daughters good girls but not 
 handsome or used to company he urged us to 
 Tea we were engaged took a Glass of wine & 
 engaged to take Tea the next day walked then to 
 the College & took Tea, with a certain M r Wilkison 
 who keeps school in a room of the College & lives 
 in the other he will never do injury if he can 
 help it - - returned to the lecture of D r Moyes, to 
 which he had politely sent us Tickets without pay - 
 he made many apologies for so dry a subject - - it 
 was his i I th Lect. & upon Alculies, Acids, Salts &c. 
 
 Providence he appears to understand his subject with clearness 
 - cloaths his Ideas in good language & clear, but 
 has not the graces of a good delivery he closed 
 with many excellent moral reflections - 
 
 0^1784 Af ter Breakfast made a long visit to y e D r Moyes. 
 Conversed with him on many subjects - - he ap 
 peared to understand y m accurately: if not would 
 candidly confess he had not attended to them 
 wrote a line to M r Green to excuse our not calling 
 on him & desiring our horses sent it by a Boy 
 caird on M r Allen he was out - - dined at Gov 
 Bowens with M Stiles her Sister M r & M ra 
 Hitchcock conversation on your little matters 
 which were not very important - I might have 
 also mentioned that D r Moyes was present - - he 
 after diner played very beautifully on the Harpsi- 
 cord in concert with his own voice & that of a 
 pretty young Lady who came in to walk with the 
 D r which she did in such a maner y* few would 
 mistrust his blindness 
 
 We tarried till about 4 and took Tea at Gov. 
 Sessions the time we spent with him was very 
 improving he gave us a historic account of the 
 rise & finances of Providence College it seems it 
 
 21 Darius Sessions (Yale, Class of 1737), who had been Lieutenant 
 Governor of Rhode Island. 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 219 
 
 was set on foot by D r Stiles, thro' his zeal for 
 academic & catholic Literature, but his plan was 
 overruled by the superior Number of the Baptists 
 
 We returned to our Lodgings & found an agree 
 able stageload of passengers from Boston among 
 others Maj. Sumner with him I made an 
 
 acquaintance directly - - & with an agreeable M r 
 Russell from Boston, who politely gave us a Letter 
 to his brother, the next morning we supt together 
 & spent the time agreeably . . 
 
 Viewed our horses - - they appeared very well & 
 not lame - In the morning went to the Baptist 
 meeting, designing to hear M r Manning were 
 disappointed - - a M r Pitman preached a sermon 
 from which answered the description of the 
 
 Irishmans owl - - vox et prat ere a nihil - In the 
 af terpart of the Day - - heard M r Hitchcock deliver 
 a very good, well digested, discourse upon the 
 excellence & propriety of the Christian religion 
 went home with him & took Tea -- spent the after 
 noon in a variety of agreeable conversation upon 
 various subjects - - he is very humorous, not at all 
 bigoted - - perhaps a little too loose in his pro 
 fessions of Liberality of Sentiment - took my 
 leave of him & family - - thank'd him for his polite 
 attention, did the same to gov. Bowen & spent a 
 good part of the Evening with Maj. Allen - - went 
 home & was highly entertained for an hour by D r 
 Moyes - he would be pretty good, we found, in 
 his demands from College - - but chose that y e the 
 people of Town should be on the same footing as 
 in other places - 
 
 prepared for our Journey 
 
 Rained till 7 o Clock. we underwent all the 
 disagreeables of a disappointment & we had already 
 spent more time than we intended, or could do to 
 advantage - - Our Conscience convicted us - - but 
 it stopt about 7 & we set our Journey, found the 
 land very poor on the way to Petuxet village & but 
 
 Providence 
 
 Sabbath. 
 Oc. 3 d . . 
 
 Monday 
 Oct 4. 1784 
 
220 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 little better to Daggetts in Attleborough, where we 
 were happy in seeing his son David 22 - he gave 
 us a good Breakfast & was very polite - we then 
 passed through a very pretty Town call'd Wrenthan 
 & dined in Walpole ; had a good diner at Daggetts 
 Tavern - - our next stage was in dedham & with 
 out fright or accident we went on to Roxbury - 
 rightly named but a much prettier Town than I 
 expected - - we pass'd over the neck after dark - 
 which was very disagreeable from a very severe 
 Ocf wind - - we were happy in throwing ourselves 
 into the Arms of hospitality at M r Grays - 
 Snd 0n Took a walk before Breakfast to the long wharf 
 
 Oct 5*1784 - found it a most curious & noble work of near ^4 
 of a mile in length - - built mostly of stone & very 
 wide - - After Breakfast we call'd on M r Russel - 
 merchant, he very politely gave us an invitation to 
 Diner - - we accepted it - - M r Clark M r Hubbard 
 & D r Dexter were absent - - we delivered our Let 
 ters & a diploma to M r La Tombe the f rench Consul 
 
 he invited us to dine with him on our return 
 After seeing what we could of the Town, & get- 
 
 ing what information we could respecting y e streets 
 
 - in which I had the opportunity to gratify my 
 Curiosity in descending into a Tomb just opned. 
 two of the Coffins were open, which gave a striking 
 specimen of Man returning to his Dust. We went 
 to M r Russells & dined - - his wife is a very dressy 
 woman & easy & pretty. In our next walk we fell 
 in company with M r Shipman 23 from N. Haven - 
 he went with us to most of the Distinguished places. 
 Beacon Hill afforded a most beautiful Prospect of 
 evry p fc of the Town - We took Tea at M r Guilds 
 
 spent part of the Evening at M r Hubbards & 
 the remainder at M r Clarks a most agreeable & 
 accomplished Clergyman he introduced us to an 
 
 22 David Daggett (Yale, Class of 1783). 
 
 23 Elias Shipman. 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 221 
 
 Wednesday 
 Oct. 0* 
 
 agreeable Circle then present - - and offered us Boston 
 Letters in the morning for Cambridge - 
 
 Took a walk to see what of the Town I could 
 before Breakfast - - after which I took my horse 
 calFd on M r Clark took his Letters & rode round 
 by Roxbury to Cambridge; put our Horses at 
 Bradishes - - changed dress & walked into College 
 
 - young M r Russell walked with us to the Chamber 
 of M r Hale, 24 a very accomplished & polite Tutor, 
 we dined with the Circle, found the maners of their 
 Hall much similar to our own, except the custom of 
 waring Hatts - - we took Wine at M r Hales - - at 
 tended the Lecture of professor Williams, 25 neither 
 the delivery or the matter exceeded my expecta 
 tions - - he led us into the philosophy Chamber 
 where we viewed their elegant paintings - - & into 
 the apparatus room - - which certainly was exceed 
 ing elegant, costly, various & useful . . then 
 into the Museums & rooms replete with a great 
 variety of the curiosities of Art & nature - - the 
 Library was distinct from these, the apartment was 
 elegant - - the distribution discovered great tast & 
 the number of Vol. about 11,000 most of y m ele 
 gantly bound lettered & guilt 
 
 M r Williams took us to his house & shewed us 
 the remainder of the Instruments for Astronomy 
 exhibited some little experiments &c . . . 
 
 Took Tea with M r Tutor Howard, 26 & spent the 
 Evening agreeably there with a round of sociable 
 Company - - as we divided into the smaller Circles 
 my companion was the professor I slept with 
 M r Hale 
 
 Took an early walk to see the place; tis pretty, 
 but not very delightful. I went to a beautiful 
 Summer house of M r Tracy's, came back & break- 
 
 24 John Hale (Harvard, Class of 1779). 
 
 25 Samuel Williams (Harvard, Class of 1780). 
 
 26 Rev. Bezaleel Howard, D.D. (Harvard, Class of 1781). 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 Thursday 
 Oct. 7 
 
222 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 fasted M r Librarian Winthrop, 27 a clever, sociable, 
 Laughing, good natured Man waited on the 
 President, 28 gave him my Letter from M r Clark 
 took some from him to Portsmouth & tarried but 
 a few minutes, took our leave of the Circle - - & 
 dined among the rocks & shoemaker shops of Lyn 
 went into one of the shops (of which there are 
 150) to see y e manufactory - - were informed that 
 Medford or Mystic a pretty Town a little back 
 was equally famous for a manufactory of brick - 
 much of their common wall was made of them . . 
 After diner & paying extravagantly for it we 
 travelled thro' several little settlements tho' little 
 good Land, till we came to Marblehead a town of 
 about 4 or 500 houses on the sure foundation of a 
 rock - - they a (re) famous for the curing of Cod. 
 The people are savage in their nature & education 
 
 - are very poor in general - - amazingly prolific & 
 exceed all places in the habit of begging, one can 
 hardly ride thro' the Town without being accosted 
 in that way by one half the old women & children in 
 it. We viewed the crates, got what information we 
 could & rode round to Salem - put our horses & 
 lodged at Col. Bacons, after delivering our Letters 
 & suping with M r Gibbs 29 - - he is a very kind hos 
 pitable Man: says not a great deal, but appears 
 clever - M" Gibs answers the same description - 
 She does not half so much resemble the Prescot 
 family, at N Haven as her sister Goodoo, 30 she was 
 present - I gave her the Letter & drank to her 
 as M" Gibs, the mistake turned the Laugh on 
 me &c 
 
 Fryday Took my morning walk as usual to see the place 
 
 - found the streets a little irregular but the build 
 ings many of them very good, & the number, but a 
 
 27 James Winthrop, LL.D. (Harvard, Class of 1769). 
 
 28 Rev. Joseph Willard, D.D., LL.D. (Harvard, Class of 1765). 
 
 29 Henry Gibbs (Harvard, Class of 1766). 
 
 30 Wife of Stephen Goodhue. 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 223 
 
 little short of those in Newport . . business was 
 lively & good deal done there took breakfast at 
 M r Gibs delivered a Letter to Miss Peggy Me Key 
 a plain, good girl & another introductory to M r 
 Whetmore a Lawyer promised to call on him 
 again, left the Town in company with M r Law 
 soon pass'd the ferry to Beverly a place far exceed 
 ing my expectations; in short I never had a just 
 idea of the population of this Country evry three 
 or 4 miles a meeting-house would present itself 
 we dined at M r Dana's a very good Minister of 
 Ipswich the Rev d M r Frysby came there to see us, 
 and we must call on both on our return our next Newbury- 
 stop was for a few minutes at M r Bradf ords & then P rt J 7 8 4 
 a variety of merry chit-chat & friendly Disputes 
 interspersed the variety of Landscips in our rapid 
 progress to Newbury & port, where we slept after 
 delivering a letter to a very pretty Miss Parsons, 
 with whom & her papa we spent most of y e Evening 
 M r King to whom we had Letters was absent 
 we returned to the Tavern without much new 
 acquaintance 
 
 Breakfasted soon after rising had an invita- Saturday 
 tion soon after to breakfast with M r Spring the 
 Clergyman I went to his house but on my way 
 was introduced to M r Nyeall the printer went 
 into his bookstore - - found a very good collection 
 of 5 or 6 hundred Vollumns took half a second 
 breakfast at M r Springs found him & his wife 
 both very agreeable - - engaged to dine with them 
 on Monday took leave & rode to Almsbury 
 calFd on a M r Bell, who was to be setled there the 
 next week could not get away 'till after diner 
 was entertained with the great exuberance of his 
 oddities found fine road thro Hannover to our 
 last stage at PORTSMOUTH; put our horses at 
 Stavers about Sunset, & ran about to deliver our 
 Letters . . M r Buckminster 31 was absent 
 
 31 Rev. Joseph Buckminster, D.D. (Yale, Class of 1770). 
 
224 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 J. Pickering Esq. was also absent a Letter to 
 Miss Betsey Haven introduced us to her hon d 
 father who was very polite in his offers of atten- 
 
 Portsmouth. ^ Ollj a jtho he pretended he was not pleased, that the 
 President Stiles had not introduced us to him - 
 took Tea at M ra Buckminster, & engaged to dine 
 with her the next day delivered a Let to M r Sheaf, 
 engaged to Tea the next day 
 
 Sabbath After the common business of the morning went 
 
 to M r Buckminsters - - waited on young Miss B. & 
 to meeting - - heard M r Evans a quondam chaplain 
 - he read the psalm very well - - prayed method 
 ically & delivered his discourse pretty well, which 
 was much in the declamatory stile - - dined with 
 M ra Buckminster, find her a pretty - - very sensible, 
 accomplished & agreeable Lady - - made our ex 
 cuses to her - - that we might attend the meeting of 
 D r Haven - - but when we came to M r Sheafs a 
 Gent, upon whom we engaged to call we found he 
 preferred attending the preaching of M r Parker, 
 we hinted our wishes of going the other way so far 
 as politeness would permit - - & were obliged to 
 accompany him & his wife who looks well - - to 
 hear this Parker a blacksmith preaching with the 
 warmth of partizan the salvation of all men he 
 was a Dupe of Murry, 32 his equal in Art, but not in 
 Education - Took Tea with M r Sheaf - - viewed 
 the Assembly room which was very elegant - - at 
 tended a funeral at which D r Haven made the 
 Address spent part of the Evening at M r 
 Langdons, 33 the Vice President of the State, a very 
 
 Portsmouth sensible, hospitable Man - - he would have us dine 
 with him next day - - twould have been our happi 
 ness but we must leave the Town call'd on D r 
 Haven for Letters, were introduced by him & a 
 
 32 Rev. John Murray, the founder of the Universalist denomination 
 in America. 
 
 33 Hon. John Langdon, LL.D. 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 225 
 
 Letter to Esq. Hale - - with whom we are to break 
 fast to morrow - After viewing the greater part 
 of the Town in company with young M r Langdon 
 
 - we took breakfast at Esq. Male's & about 9 Monday 
 
 Clock were on our horses for Salem - Ports 
 mouth is a Town of about 700 Houses not equal to 
 Salem - - is pretty well laid out in squares the 
 Harbour exceeding good - - their wealth is in the 
 lumber trade - - with share in the fishery - We 
 made but few stages, & nothing particular in the 
 soil or prospect was inviting - - till we came to 
 Newburyport; this is a place of great Trade, par 
 ticularly in fish, vessels & Lumber the Town is 
 pretty regular, perhaps including Newbury about 
 600 Houses - we dined at M r Springs, 34 was 
 exceedingly pleased in the acquisition of having 
 him & his wife among the Circle of my acquaintance 
 
 took letters from Miss Hannah Parsons & the 
 charge of a performance of her Papa's - - in which 
 
 1 had a specimen of a Man riding his Hobby M r 
 Frysby was not at home & we excused ourselves 
 without tarrying at M r Dana's we (re) so belated 
 in the Hamlet of Ipswich that we put up for the 
 night - - altho we dipended on arriving at Salem 
 M r Cutler was so busy in some unavoidable matters 
 
 - that we could not spend time with him till the 
 next morning - - when we breakfasted with him 
 he gave us a variety of entertainment, particularly 
 an account of his tour to the White Mountains 
 he accompanied us to Beverly - - and took leave 
 with much politeness 
 
 Crossed the ferry about no Clock, M r Whet- _ 
 
 p ?L , , TT ; Tuesday 
 
 more was out of I own M Hopkins to whom Oct. 12. 
 by his previous desire we introduced ourselves 
 invited us to dine - we paid our respects & deliver 
 our Letter to M r Bentley & except his importunity 
 (in which he succeeded) to make us tarry. I have 
 
 34 Rev. Samuel Spring (Princeton, Class of 1771). 
 
226 
 
 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 not found a more agreeable acquaintance - After 
 calling on M r Gibs & making my excuses for not 
 being there the last night, I took their & Miss 
 Mackey's Letters, & mounted for Cambridge about 
 4 o Clock - - night overtook us & we lost our 
 road - - but were in College in about 3 & y 2 hours 
 
 took Tea with M r Reed Slept after conversing 
 Wednesday late with M r Howard Attended morning prayers, 
 
 J 3 took breakfast in the hall spent a part of the fore 
 noon with Professor Wigglesworth & dined with 
 the President The Table was very elegantly 
 furnished with a rich variety - - the Tutors of 
 Harvard were with us Conversation was not 
 very lively, but on general subjects: the president 
 is very reserved, has not the ease of maners which 
 Cambridge is visible in D r Stiles, yet there is a dignity in his 
 deportment & a sensible look; he is a worthy Man 
 & President. After taking leave of him & smoking 
 a pipe with the Tutors, we took our leave of the 
 Circle & set out for Boston, by the way of Charles- 
 town, saw the celebrated bunker Hill, & the 
 vestages of the unhappy Town of Ch n , yet it was 
 surprisingly rebuilt - we crossed the ferry & came 
 to our old lodgings about sunsetting - took Tea 
 
 walked to the consul La Tombe; found him agree 
 able, polite & attentive we took a glass of wine; 
 had a little agreeable chit-chat & took our leave - 
 he expressed a wish to have us dine with him, but 
 we then thought of going out of Town the next 
 day 
 
 After breakfast was visited by M r Law & (a) 
 certain conceited Dartmouth scholar - - he detained 
 us till 10 o Clock; took a walk & fell in with M r 
 Howard, who had called on us we took a view 
 of the Statehouse & Market, & attended the usual 
 weekly Lecture, the sermon was by M r Akely I 
 did not like him in any respect after we came out, 
 we stood as usual and conversed with many of the 
 Clergy; made some engagements; took leave & 
 
 Thursday 
 Oct. 14 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 227 
 
 came home After dinner visited M r Clark; he 
 could not be so attentive as I really suppose so 
 benevolent & polite a Gentleman wished, on account 
 of M M Clarks being newly in the Straw spent the 
 Evening very agreeably at the house of M r Guild, 
 with him, Judge Cranch 35 & a D r somebody, all 
 members of the A. A. S. conversation upon Agri 
 culture, Philosophy - - & Trade - 
 
 After Breakfast call'd on M r Bond, merchant, 
 he was very kind in offering to walk with us to the 
 market, the most noted wharves the Commons, 
 the Bank equally agreeable from the strength of 
 y e place & facility of doing business - - he then lead 
 us to beacon Hill - - the State house - - the court 
 house & concert Hall - - we then returned to his 
 house - - took a glass of wine thank' d him for 
 his politeness - - & went to M r Lathrops - he & 
 his wife w r ere agreeable & polite - - he walked with 
 us to a painting chamber, kept by a M r Savage, 36 
 where we were entertained with a variety of paint 
 ing . . in our walk from thence we fell in & 
 were introduced to D r Chauncy spent half an 
 hour with him, very sociably - - find him a man of 
 many oddities & much plainness & frankness - 
 We then spent a few moments at the house of M r 
 Akely - - he went with us to his meeting house once 
 a horse stable for the Brittish, now elegantly re 
 paired - - a fine prospect presented itself from the 
 steple - - a curious anecdote was there told me of 
 a boy who, on a banter, climbed up the lightning 
 rod - - stood up on the upper ball & turned the cock 
 & came down as he went up 
 
 Dined with M r Guild D r Dexter & several other 
 Gentlemen honoured the table which was graced 
 with the presence of his very amiable partner 
 who presided & served up the rich variety in a very 
 
 35 Richard Cranch, father of Judge William Cranch. 
 
 36 Edward Savage. 
 
 Boston 
 
 Fryday 
 Oct 15. 
 
 Boston 
 
228 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 handsome manner - A general ringing of the 
 bells of Boston call'd us from table & announced the 
 Approach of the Marquiss La Fayete - - the main 
 street was crowed with spectators, who were all 
 anxious to repeat the applause of their country & 
 renew the Honours due to so distinguished & heroic 
 son of Liberty - the Company of Cadetts pre 
 ceded on foot - - Then the Marquiss & Gen. Knox 
 between two other Gent of distinction - the Con 
 sul La Tombe & several f rench & American Officers 
 followed in carriages or on horses - - with many 
 Gent of the Town - - I stood near the stump of the 
 liberty Tree - - once so famous - as soon as the 
 Marquiss came near the spot almost sacred to 
 Liberty - - he was welcomed by three general cheers 
 sounds which carried with them the Gratitude of 
 those who uttered them, a numerous crowd fol 
 lowed him to his lodgings in State street -- received 
 his thanks - - from the walk over the door - - re 
 peated the huzza's & dispersed - I really felt 
 emotions which were peculiarly animating, let the 
 cause be what it would - 
 
 We then took leave of our friends & after sunset 
 rode to Dedham - - & the next day . . . 
 
 Saturday pass'd thro' a variety of prospects to the parish 
 
 Oct. 16 o f Thompson in Killingly - 
 
 returning Was at Meeting in Thompson heard M r Russell 
 
 Sabbath spent the Evening there - 
 *' jg Sat out for home call'd at D r Fitch's of Canter 
 
 bury & introduced myself - - they had heard of me 
 & were very kind Indeed - - I could not get away 
 'till I made a second Dinner - - found I could pass 
 by Hanover - - the road was bad & intricate - - but 
 I wanted to visit my good friend M r Perkins, who 
 I knew had had the smallpox - - could not get from 
 there till, 
 
 Tuesday After Breakfast I rode home ; found my friends 
 in usual health but much concerned that I tarried 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 229 
 
 so much longer than I had at first designed - 
 After making the usual visits & compliments to them 
 I returned the next Tuesday to N Haven - 26 
 
 REFLECTIONS 
 
 Upon the whole the Journey was very agreeable 
 & Improving - - & I think the Vacation could not 
 have been spent to greater advantage - 
 
 All Books & no society will never make the useful 
 or agreeable Man - neither will do of themselves 
 alone - the Perfection of a good Education is to 
 unite the excellencies of both. It is impossible that 
 by travelling alone a man will acquire the first prin 
 ciples of any of the more noble sciences which 
 expand the Soul - - & it is equally impossible that 
 he should enjoy half the pleasure or the utility 
 which might arise from his travels, if he has not 
 a foundation in these - The first immediate effect 
 of travelling is that it gratifies our curiosity to see 
 new objects the next it improves us in Geography, 
 
 - It enables us to view things upon a larger scale 
 than that which is proportioned to the confines of 
 the little spot of our nativity It polishes off the 
 rust of pedantic maners & by observing those of 
 different men in different places, it assimulates our 
 manners with those of the World & ever enables 
 us to adapt them to the company of the Place we are 
 in - - It roots out those local Prejudices which are 
 so inimical to enterprize independence of 
 thought or liberality of sentiment - It gives us 
 an acquaintance with the World - - with things 
 with Men & with human Nature & In short it 
 the better qualifies us to act the part assigned us 
 in the grand play of human Actions - - to be of 
 course more useful & active to better purpose, while 
 in the Bustle of Life, & when in the shades of re 
 tirement, it will increase the source for peaceful 
 
2 3O Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 reflections & enlarge the field of that internal Hap 
 piness to which in the close of Life we ever wish to 
 resort 
 
 N Haven On the 9*, io, ii & 12 th were transacted some 
 Nov 8 i 4 4 matters within the Circle of my friends which con 
 cerned me; but are better entrusted with the 
 memory than with paper . . 
 
 23 By Invitation dined at M r Miles on Turtle : spent 
 
 the Afternoon very merily & the evening in Danc 
 ing there & at M r Nicols 
 
 27 Dined with a number of Gentlemen at M r 
 Brooms 37 --his Daughter Betsy drew my Attention 
 very much - 
 
 28 Dined at D r Goodrich's & took Tea at M r Isaac 
 Beers' . . . 
 
 Dec 14 Celebrated the 23 Aniversary of my Nativity - 
 
 J785 Spent the Vacation in reading Law at New 
 
 Haven Blackstone my main object - - boarded at 
 M r Townsends 
 
 April for the convenience of a more general Attend 
 
 ance we determined the Classes this month - 
 
 Spent the fore part of Vacation in Norwich 
 waited on my Sister & little namesake Colton 38 to 
 Somers. At Hartford attended the Wedding of 
 M r Woolcott 39 & Miss Stoten - - returned (to) the 
 business of College July 18. Attended the Exam 
 ination of the Candidates for Degrees & After a 
 long & particular Examination of the 71 who offered 
 -- Buckley, Forgue, Hull & Tomlinson were sus 
 pended to a second examination, by a majority of 
 the 1 6 Examiners who attended the whole - the 
 
 37 Samuel Broome, a merchant who had recently removed to New 
 Haven from New Jersey. 
 
 38 Simeon Colton was born January 8, 1785. 
 
 39 Oliver Wolcott (Yale, Class of 1778) was married June i, 1785, 
 to Elizabeth Stoughton. 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 231 
 
 others I had the Honour to present to the Presi 
 dent- 
 Attended all Day upon a close Examination of Sept. i 
 the 4 suspended Candidates found them all 
 deficient & after much deliberation, agreed not to 
 recommend them from merit; but it being a new 
 thing & of course requiring Caution we desired the 
 President to recommend them to the Corporation 
 to have degrees speciali Gratia, the Day After Com 1 , 
 the thing laboured much w 1 Corporation, but was 
 finally voted 
 
 After the fatigue of Examining the Classes & 14. 
 the Candidates for Admission into College we 
 are this Day to celebrate the Aniversary Com* of 
 this Year, the special Fireworks & other parade 
 preceeded & attended it the Accademic Proces 
 sion moved about 10 o Clock prayer by President 
 preceded the Exercises which were begun by M r 
 Pitkin, Sal. Or, M r S. Perkins Greek Or. Mess. 
 Newton Bidwell, Rossiter, & Wadsworth, Disputed 
 this Quest. Are the Moral Dispositions of Man 
 kind influenced. 
 
 The last entry in the journal is that of Sept. 14, 1785. 
 Since June 22, 1786, Mr. Baldwin had been the Senior Tutor, 
 and so a kind of Dean of the Faculty. He had been a busy 
 man before : he was busier now. 
 
 He wrote to his sister Bethiah, on July 23, 1784: 
 
 "You may perhaps wonder Sister Bethiah - - that I am 
 no more faithfull to the duties of y* Correspondence in 
 which I possess & really enjoy so much pleasure But if 
 you knew the busy Life in which I am involved - - you would 
 not be surprised that I write so seldom but rather that I write 
 so frequent - 
 
 We are all particularly busy this summer & shall be so 'till 
 Commencement. 
 
 I now steal a short moment, but expect the Bell will sum- 
 
232 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 mon evry minute - .... "I may spend a part of 
 the Vacation at Norwich or riding Eastward. I am too 
 undetermined in almost evry thing till the immediate time of 
 Action - - I sometimes think myself almost useless in the 
 scale of Beings - That observation will exclude any Ques 
 tion from you, about matrimony in me." 
 
 "Norwich I perceive has really become a City 40 - M r 
 Witter sent me a list of the Officers & I had it printed in the 
 next paper & how is every body pleased are they wiser? 
 more happy they undoubtedly are as they think are they 
 richer? Or do they marry more? perhaps that may be 
 regulated by a bye Law - - write to me if it is. - 
 
 Your Aff* brother 
 
 Simeon." 
 
 This note of uncertainty as to his work in the world is 
 struck also in the following letter to his father and mother : 
 
 "Yale College Aug. 30. 1785. 
 Hon d Parents. 
 
 Altho it is seldom I can hear direct from you, yet I am 
 happy in the reflection that the Distance is not so great, but 
 that I may expect to know if any thing unhappy takes place - 
 
 The wellfare of those to whom I am under so many obli 
 gations, will ever be an object near to me -- & it is an alloy 
 to the agreeables of my situation, that it does not leave it 
 in my power to pay that Respect & Attention which my own 
 feelings & your advanced Age require It is a duty justly 
 required of the vigour of Youth to be subservient to the 
 infirmities of the Aged - I know your situation is such that 
 it does not so much require it, yet it would afford me pleasure 
 could I do it. 
 
 I think it will be with me this fall as I told you when I left 
 you last, inconsistent with my plans to visit you - - I begin 
 to feel the importance of preparing myself for something in 
 the busy scene of Life. I know it would afford you pleasure 
 
 40 It received its charter in 1784. 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 233 
 
 as it would myself to perform my part worthily There are 
 many spheres in which Man may be useful to man - It 
 matters little which we choose provided it be supported with 
 the views of the patriot & the Christian - I pray God these 
 may be mine - 
 
 That the blessings of this Life may make your stay easy 
 & the rewards of Eternity your exit Glorious is the wish 
 & prayer of I trust your Dutiful Son 
 
 Simeon Baldwin - 
 Capt & M rs Baldwin - 
 
 The final graduation, in 1785, of the five men who were 
 plucked at the Presentation Day examinations occasioned 
 much unfavorable comment. 
 
 James Kent writes Tutor Baldwin on September 16, 
 1785, while saying a kind word of the college faculty, to 
 express the hope that Yale will be a little more careful in 
 requiring proofs of good scholarship before admitting stu 
 dents to graduation. 
 
 "Your Commencement at New Haven must have been very 
 lately. I should like very well to be present once more at 
 the Exercises of such a Day, & I should be allured much more 
 from Motives of Curiosity than of Instruction provided the 
 President was to deliver another Arabic Oration He 
 always excited my Affection from the Softness of his man 
 ners & the Goodness of his Heart, but my Admiration used 
 to be carried to a very high Pitch from my Idea of the 
 Immensity of his Learning & his Researches as an Anti 
 quarian - He has many fanciful Notions which I shall not 
 undertake to refute nor to defend. But he is the Ornament 
 of the Age as a Scholar, & I believe those who are entirely 
 delivered from the Pedantry of the Schools, & whose Ideas 
 are enlarged by History & Experience, & corrected by just 
 Criticism & sound Philosophy will still see cause to view him 
 with great Veneration. I ardently wish that Glory & 
 Reputation may crown the Labours of that our parent Uni- 
 
234 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 versity, & that such Moderation & Caution may attend the 
 Distribution of accademical Honours that they may be 
 courted with Emulation & conferred as a sincere Regard. 
 You have never told me any thing of your Associates M r 
 Perkins & Channing. I think they must be by this time 
 very sensible & very learned. They both had great talents 
 & great Industry & I think I dare safely calculate that they 
 have already fixed their Characters & added Dignity to their 
 respective Professions. I dont at present recollect any other 
 of our old Friends who had such a favorable Combination of 
 Genius, Application, & Enterprize as to raise very promising 
 Expectations. I own however I am in no Situation to decide 
 - I shall rejoice to be disappointed - - & if the literary or 
 political character of either of them should reach me, I shall 
 very cheerfully pay my humble Tribute of deserved Appro 
 bation." 
 
 Early in the fall of 1785, Dr. Moyes responded to the 
 encouragement given him in behalf of the College, at Provi 
 dence a year before, and gave a series of philosophical lec 
 tures at the State House at New Haven. The preparations 
 for this course must have fallen largely on Tutor Baldwin. 
 
 The social visiting continued along its former lines. On 
 December 17, 1785, Dr. Stiles notes in his diary, "Dined 
 with the Tutors, at Mr. Broome's." The four tutors con 
 stituted among themselves something like a corporate body. 
 They were often united together, as an academic court. Of 
 course they naturally made an important part of the younger 
 social set in New Haven. Among Mr. Baldwin's papers 
 has been preserved this invitation to all of them, probably 
 written by Miss Betsey Beers : 
 
 "The Tutors of Yale 
 
 "Would the Muses but fly to my Aid 
 I'd address our good friends now in rhyme 
 Nor ask'd to forgive a weak maid 
 Who to give brilliant strokes has n't time 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 235 
 
 For so dull is Eliza's poor pate 
 And so languid each stroke of her Pen 
 Not one line with the other can mate 
 Thats fit for the Eyes of the men 
 
 But a truce with preambles I say 
 
 Tis a request that the Lasses would make 
 
 To change the abode of the Day 
 
 And Tea with M ra Goodrich take 
 
 Who hath sent an Invite to the fair 
 And who send it directly to you 
 To refuse it methinks you'll not dare 
 While Polly's sweet face is in view 
 
 Old mansion 1 1 oclock" 
 
 "Mrs. Goodrich" was, no doubt, the wife of Judge Elizur 
 Goodrich. They were married September i, 1785, and the 
 tutors of the following year were Matthew J. Russell, Simeon 
 Baldwin, Henry Channing, and Enoch Perkins. 
 
 Miss Betsey Sherman, the younger sister of Rebecca, was 
 now "out" in society, having become twenty years old on 
 December 31, 1785. She was an attractive girl, a good 
 talker, with a ready smile, and easy manners. 
 
 The following note, addressed to the two sisters, has been 
 preserved : 
 
 "M r Baldwin's Compliments to the Miss Shermans - - he 
 informs them that M r Webster will accompany him to visit 
 the Ladies this Afternoon - - if they are not engaged 
 Thursday 3. o Clock " 
 
 Noah Webster (Yale, Class of 1778), then of Hartford, 
 gave a course of evening lectures on the English language, 
 in June, 1786, at New Haven. 
 
 At the end of April, 1786, a serious riot occurred among 
 the students. The Tutors' windows were broken, and Tutor 
 
236 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 Channing's door met with a similar fate. The President 
 and Tutors waited a couple of months before determining 
 what to do with the rioters. At last, on June 21, they pub 
 lished a judgment expelling one and rusticating several. 41 
 Tutor Baldwin wrote of the affair to Kent, on July 10, 1786, 
 who replies on August 4 : 
 
 "I hardly understand what you mean by a Yalensian Earth 
 quake - Perhaps it is some uncommon Commotion which 
 has arisen (as I think they generally used to) from the pecu 
 liarity of College Discipline - If so I would only observe & 
 perhaps not nial apropos that I am professionally an advocate 
 for strict Discipline in the administration of Justice - Let 
 Laws be framed with Gentleness, Moderation, & Wisdom, 
 but let them be executed with Precision & with quick & 
 irresistable Authority." 
 
 At the Presentation Day Exercises, on July 19, 1786, Tutor 
 Baldwin, then about to close his official connection with the 
 College, delivered a valedictory address to the graduating 
 class. President Stiles notes in his diary that it occupied 
 only fifteen and a half minutes. Extracts from it follow: 
 
 "We wish you to forget as much as possible the Individual 
 Self in Regard & Exertions for the Benefit of y e Community. 
 With respect to your Exertions. It is a matter of Indiff 
 erence wh 1 profession you are deligated to fill, or in what 
 sphere you are appointed to move. In all of them there is 
 infinite Room for the Display of Abilities & of those Virtues 
 which animate the Patriot, the Philanthropist & the Chris 
 tian." .... "Our system of national policy we still 
 hope may be brought nearer to Perfection - And the Laws 
 of our Land, especially that System of Common Law which 
 we have adopted, - - altho' it has ever aimed at a consonance 
 with the most perfect Reason (for Reason is the Life of this 
 
 rational Science)" "There is yet before 
 
 you an infinite field for Improvement in the Arts & in the 
 
 41 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 227. 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 237 
 
 Sciences. They are many of them far from that perfection 
 to which hereafter they will doubtless be brought. Those 
 improvements depend much upon the speculations & 
 researches of philosophical Retirement Should the 
 
 Genius of any of you turn your attention to any part of this 
 field, we doubt not but you may be of essential service to 
 Mankind - Many branches of Philosophy even at the 
 present Day are but little understood. The application of 
 the accuracy of Mathematics to the works of Nature & of 
 
 Art is capable of being- much extended." 
 
 "The communication of Knowledge to the rising Generation 
 should not only be countenanced & patronized by men of 
 knowledge, but they must be the active Characters. When 
 youth are taught erroneously by the ignorant, they find it 
 a matter of more difficulty to unlearn what they have thus 
 learned, than to make, under proper Instructors, those very 
 acquirements at which they aimed. In a republican form of 
 Government, the people retain as much as possible the Power 
 in their own Hands - They are all eligable to offices of 
 Government & Legislation; it is therefore of the utmost 
 importance, in a political, as well as in a Religious view & 
 from a regard to the happiness of Individuals, that Education 
 should be promoted in all the ranks of the people - - yet it is 
 a literal, tho a melancholy fact, that 475 th8 of the people in 
 many of the States can neither read or write - "here is 
 their Liberty. Wh* in their Virtue. W* is their Happiness ?" 
 "Such my young friends is that Theatre upon which we 
 hope you will be ambitious to act conspicuous parts. We 
 hope you will resolve not to bury a single talent; that you 
 will neither be treacherous to yourselves nor treacherous to 
 your fellow-Citizens - Resolve ever to be masters of that 
 particular line of business which you profess, nor attempt 
 that for which Nature never designed you No Man was 
 ever made in vain ; nature designed each one for some use 
 ful part. We must know our place in the beautiful grada 
 tions of Nature in that we may be ambitious & we may 
 encourage in our Breasts a laudable Emulation to excell 
 The great characters who have deserved well of their 
 country, before you, have been indefatigable in their 
 
238 Life at Yale as a Tutor 
 
 endeavours. You must be so too you ought never to 
 think you have acquired knowledge enough in the profes 
 sion which you may undertake, for altho you have greater 
 advantages, than those who have gone before you - - yet 
 knowledge is not hereditary we cannot begin where 
 our fathers left off: each one must begin & travel the road 
 for himself 
 
 But after all your most vigorous exertions & benevolent 
 Intentions, be not disappointed if you meet with opposition 
 from the envious & the malevolent world. Many of you 
 have doubtless flattered yourselves with happier Times than 
 those halcyon Days you have here enjoyed ; we wish you not 
 to be deceived by entertaining too exalted Ideas of the Hap 
 piness of Life - Clashing interests beget foes even among 
 nominal friends, & successful merit is not without invidious 
 enemies - Be not surprized, such is the strange nature of 
 man, if even those, whom you may lay under the strongest 
 obligations, by conferring on them the greatest kindnesses 
 by a long course on the most benevolent Conduct towards 
 them - - by labouring with the most disinterested affection 
 for their welfare, should turn against you with rancorous 
 malevolence & become your enemies. But be not discouraged 
 at this. I only mention it to give you a just estimate of 
 human Life. That Armour of Virtue which has supported 
 those who have gone before will support you Knowledge 
 is but one of the pillars of Greatness. Virtue is necessary 
 to complete the Glory of Nations & the usefulness & happi 
 ness of Individuals - I know that office & Riches may some 
 times be obtained without it But "what is the blaze of 
 Glory, the Arm of Power or the golden Lure of Wealth," 
 when compared to the Charms of Virtue This is amiable 
 in private stations. It completes the glorious Character of 
 eminence in the Great. - - we wish you to cultivate above all 
 other accomplishments that Virtue which will make you 
 happy in Life & triumphant in Death 
 
 We feel interested my young friends, in the prosperity & 
 happiness of all those with whom we have been connected 
 by those ties which have united us. It is our earnest wish 
 & the prayer of our Hearts that you may grow in Knowledge 
 
Life at Yale as a Tutor 239 
 
 & increase in evry amiable accomplishment, that you may be 
 noble in your motives & diffusive in your exertions for the 
 happiness of Society - - you will then be a Joy to your 
 Parents an Honour to this Institution & a blessing to your 
 Country; and when the weight of meritorious services shall 
 bear you down in the Decline of Life you will enjoy the peace 
 of a calm & quiet conscience, the applause of a Grateful 
 Country, & the approbation of your God. 
 
 Dear Sirs farewell " 
 
 On September 14, 1786, the day after Commencement, 
 Tutors Baldwin, Channing, and Perkins resigned their 
 offices. 42 
 
 There had been, during the past few years, not a few sharp 
 criticisms of the ease with which students were both admitted 
 and graduated by Yale College. His classmate, Channing, 
 writes to Mr. Baldwin, December 2oth, 1786, to express his 
 pleasure to hear from him that this was being corrected : 
 
 "I am happy in your information, that College is in a 
 tranquil state and appear pleased with the Officers. - I hope 
 they will invariably pursue some effectual plan to preserve 
 Yale from producing mere Diploma Scholars. I have 
 heard that the Killingworth Scholar has been reexamined 
 and my information is that he was HONORABLY admitted. 
 I must acknowledge that I cannot conceive how Six weeks 
 should fit a Person for College : for when we examined him 
 at Commencement he did not appear to know scarcely the 
 A. B. C of the Languages. - But I am sure that the present 
 Officers of College are our Friends, and would not wish to 
 pain our feelings. - But how to reconcile this step, I know 
 not. I will hope the best & flatter myself that when more 
 fully acquainted with particulars I shall be satisfied." 
 
 42 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 239. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 CHOICE OF A PROFESSION, AND MARRIAGE 
 
 Mr. Baldwin's relations with Miss Sherman seem to have 
 continued unchanged during at least the latter part of his 
 tutorship. The mysterious entry in his journal of Nov. 
 14, 1785, was soon followed by the abandonment of that 
 record of his life. It may not improbably refer to some 
 explanations between them, on the days mentioned, upon the 
 subject of his prospects of marriage, which were certainly 
 not very encouraging. 
 
 Little had been received from his brother's legacy, owing 
 to the depreciation of State loans. The year's salary due 
 him from the city of Albany had not been fully paid. He 
 was obliged to write to successive mayors again and again, 
 to ask for the balance. In such a letter, dated March 27, 
 1787, he says: "I would do almost any thing for the money, 
 for I have calculated upon my expectation of receiving it 
 before this, and am exceedingly embarrassed for the want 
 of it." It did not come finally until November, 1788, when, 
 as the fruit of a special journey to Albany and threat of a 
 law suit, 28, 3d was paid and received in full, without any 
 allowance for the four years' interest. His salary as tutor 
 had been paid in a depreciated paper currency, and he could 
 have saved but little. His father was earning nothing, and 
 had but a small property. 
 
 He had begun, as a tutor, the study of divinity, which his 
 sister Mary had recommended him to pursue, but he soon 
 abandoned it for law. He had indeed, in 1785, no definite 
 plans or prospects as to settling down for life. He was a 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 241 
 
 young man of good morals, but had never undergone the 
 spiritual experience insisted on by most of the Congrega- 
 tionalists of Connecticut at that time, under the name of 
 regeneration. He had been bred up as a strict Sabbatarian, 
 and in writing to a friend, Sunday, July 19, 1786, he says: 
 
 "It is not frequent that I intentionally Interrupt the solemn 
 Duties of this Sacred Day - - but when I devote the stolen 
 moments to those Duties upon which depend the felicity & 
 refinement of our Nature - - they are almost as sacredly 
 employed & I trust I shall be forgiven." 
 
 Theological definitions and doctrines had no attraction for 
 him. He had never become a member of the church. He 
 had no gift of speech at church prayer-meetings, and never 
 opened his mouth when he attended one. Under these 
 circumstances he did not incline to the clerical profession. 
 
 He had some predilections for a business life, but knew 
 that it was of doubtful promise to one without capital or 
 commercial connections. 
 
 In January, 1784, he writes to his classmate Isaacs, thus: 
 
 "You know I am at College, & I believe as happy as such a 
 station can make me - - but I am a restless creature - - this 
 is not the place - - I've roved long & far enough from the 
 point - - I wish to be settled agreeably for Life - - happiness 
 with me & prospects before me. - I care not what my 
 employment is provided it be a virtuous one - .... 
 
 You wish to know I suppose what road thro Life my wishes 
 may direct me - - I answer I suppose contrary to your expec 
 tations - That at present the line of the mercantile Life is 
 my object. - - This is my wish & I believe I shall endeavour 
 to encompass it & wait only for a little more information 
 an agreeable partner & suitable place - - Necessity does not 
 drive me so, but I may have time to speculate a little more 
 my plans are yet sub rosa. they may be chimeric." 
 
242 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 The final choice of law was not absolutely made until the 
 following winter, nor did he then decide where to settle. He 
 was at first inclined to commence practice at Tolland, in the 
 newly constituted County of that name, which was then the 
 seat of some not unimportant mining interests. 
 
 His sister Bethiah, always a plain-spoken monitor, wrote to 
 him in reference to his choice of a profession, in a letter 
 which also throws a side light on the morals of the day. 
 
 "Norwich January 3O th , 1785 
 Dear Brother 
 
 I received your letter & very wilingly answer 
 it I could be wiling to write much oftener if opertunity 
 presented I think you preferred Staing to Newhaven to 
 study of the Law to visiting your friends; then you think 
 of being a Lawyer, do you, - - all that Studies the Law 
 intend to be a great won ; dont intend to be the one that has 
 but little buisnes I dont know but honest Lawers are as 
 necessary as honest Ministers: if you can make as good a 
 figgure in the Law as M r Austin 1 does in the Pulpit, you will 
 Shine: he is very well liked for a Preacher; he is made on 
 purpose for that caling I believe; he is very well liked in 
 the School; they had an exibition about a month ago it 
 was very well liked: a great many more people than could 
 git into the house: it was thought there was Six or Seven 
 hundred people got into the house : as great many went away 
 that could not git in. I believe he is at a loos about Staing 
 another year: he wants to go about preaching I must not 
 omit telling you that Father and Mother has ben to Summers 
 in the Slay; was gone about a weak. Father bore the jour 
 ney very well : well, another peace of news, I dont know but 
 Polle thinks you will be a Bacheldor, for she has realy got a 
 Son and cals his name Simeon: by that you Se She thinks 
 you wil want an heir: I think She gives you over verry 
 young More news : my letter contains as much news as our 
 Newspaper now a days. M r X has got a son 9 weaks old ; 
 
 1 Rev. David Austin (Yale, Class of 1779). 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 243 
 
 Married I think 6 weaks; Marring I think has quite made 
 up all with Salles troubles Seams to be at an end, and all 
 the rest of them has got over it : I think if She was a little 
 more humble, it would become her much better. Benne is 
 now hear; expects to Set out for Baltimore this weak; is 
 not to come again til next August. Salle has concluded not 
 to go at al, he thinks, to stay a year or two and then come hear 
 and live : I never thought that She would go, I find I have 
 got to the bottom of my paper So bid you good night 
 
 from your Affectionate Sister 
 
 Bethiah Baldwin 
 P S Sister Witter rembers Love to you." 
 
 Mr. Baldwin's legal education begun at New Haven, while 
 he was a graduate student, and continued at Albany under 
 Peter W. Yates, was finally concluded at New Haven while 
 he was a tutor at Yale, and on January 9, 1786, he was 
 admitted to the bar of Connecticut by the Superior Court at 
 New Haven. His life-long friend, David Daggett, entered 
 it at the same time. The plan of settling in Tolland County 
 had now been abandoned in favor of New Haven, and Kent 
 thus refers to it in a letfer of July 10, 1786: 
 
 "You have determined it seems to settle at New Haven & 
 if the obvious Objection against Capitals can be surmounted, 
 I mean the Establishment of Influence of able & elderly 
 Council, you are always sure to maintain a Superiority at the 
 Bar. The Road to Improvement to Property & to Fame 
 is always more open & inviting at the principal Seats of 
 Justice & they always draw together the most celebrated 
 Members of the Profession. But every Gentlemen must 
 lay it to his Account I think, & I would ever recommend it 
 to those who are favoured with solid Parts & have elevated 
 Imaginations to bestow their time upon the Law with inde 
 fatigable application. There is no arriving at Eminence 
 as a cautious & sound Lawyer without it The Science & 
 
244 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 principally the practical part has become too intricate, com 
 prehensive & immense by the progress (of) the Age & the 
 Revolutions of Political Society to be caught & supported by 
 the mere irradiations of Genius - There must be the viginti 
 annorum Lucubrationes to enable us to maintain the Rank of 
 learned Councellors as well as the Dignity & penetration of 
 the judicial Character." 
 
 Four years had now gone by since Miss Sherman and he 
 had come to an understanding. The match had been before 
 the eyes of his sisters as a happy possibility as long before 
 as 1781. Several of his family came on to New Haven, in 
 September, 1781, to attend his Commencement, and stayed 
 as boarders with her sister-in-law, Mrs. John Sherman. On 
 their return to Norwich his sister Mary wrote him, on 
 November 3, 1781, a letter containing this passage: 
 
 "How does your School go on has it increased according 
 to your wishes Think you shall tarry at New Haven any 
 length of time if you are like to I should wish to form a 
 more intimate acquaintance with the Miss Shermans As 
 they used us very Politely I should be glad if Pas' accommo 
 dations would any ways answer to have one of them come 
 here with you in the spring You know how it is if you 
 think it worth while you may give an invitation from me 
 be that as it will you must give my complements to them all 
 And to M Sherman where we lodged." 
 
 A few days later Bethiah sent him a letter in which she 
 says that she thought the Miss Shermans very pretty, and 
 wished he might render himself agreeable in their esteem, 
 and "perhaps lay a foundation for by-and-by perhaps." 
 
 Miss Sherman had many near relatives in Salem, and went 
 on with her Uncle Prescott, to make a visit there, in Novem 
 ber, 1782. 
 
 That his intimate friends were by that time pretty well 
 assured that Mr. Baldwin was practically engaged to her is 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 245 
 
 plain from what Dr. John Goodrich (Yale, Class of 1778) 
 writes him on November 3, 1782: 
 
 "M r . Prescott set out for Salem this afternoon, and with 
 him I suppose went all that is dear to you in N Haven 
 well proved, you could not have made a better choice (I being 
 judge !) I must conclude with a monthly chronology of New 
 Haven occurences D D r . Stiles married at Providence M ra 
 Chickley and is expected in town to morrow - M r Ely has 
 accepted the pastoral charge of the Church of Lebanon is to 
 be ordained next week M ra Meigs 2 is safely put to bed with 
 a young Dauphin (in her esteem). It is rumored that M r 
 Lovett 3 writes very long Letters to Miss B. B: that M r 
 Crocker 4 is Courting Miss A. A. that M r King the honest 
 is ogling the plump Miss S. A: - that M r Williams the 
 Long bends towards Miss L. A. the Slim, and that College 
 cannot be kept in the new hall for want of butter this Winter, 
 but the last wants confirmation/' 
 
 The real difficulty in the way of an engagement to Miss 
 Sherman and the public announcement of it, at this time, was 
 Mr. Baldwin's want of means. On August 9, 1783, he 
 writes from Albany to his sister Bethiah, referring to his 
 New Haven visit in June, and to what occurred there, thus: 
 
 'Tis probable, I think, I may be at Norwich in the begin 
 ning of October - - shall have done with this - - 'tis not that 
 the place or situation is disagreeable nor that the people wish 
 me gone -- but the fancy of Youth is subject to Sallies, that 
 appear unaccountable - May be I'll then study Law 
 turn Merchant or cut some other unexpected Caper 
 
 2 Mrs. Josiah Meigs, wife of Tutor Meigs (Yale, Class of 1778), 
 who was afterwards President of the University of Georgia. 
 
 3 John Lovett (Yale, Class of 1782), afterwards a member of 
 Congress from New York. 
 
 4 Daniel Crocker (Yale, Class of 1782), who afterwards married 
 Miss Ann Austin of New Haven. 
 
246 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 I made an agreeable tho' too short a viz at N haven 
 saw my friends & passed the time happily - believe I might 
 have leave to talk upon preliminaries, with a certain coy 
 friend of our acquaintance - - but what could I do with a 
 partner when with my best economy I can scarce maintain 
 my Self - Oh ! what a World we live in !" 
 
 It would appear that an engagement was first made known 
 late in 1783, to some intimate friends outside of his family. 
 In January, 1784, a letter from Mr. Perkins to Mr. Baldwin 
 congratulates him upon his engagement to Miss Sherman, 
 and refers to her as possessing "an agreeable person, deli 
 cacy, & an amiable female diffidence, united (with) good 
 sense & a cultivated mind/' 
 
 He still apparently did not take his family into full con 
 fidence. On March 22, 1784, his sister Bethiah writes him: 
 
 "You are so reserved about your courting matters, you 
 wont let me know any thing of the matter. I shall come 
 up with you, when I am courted I shall not give you any 
 intelligence of it." 
 
 On June 20, 1784, Samuel Austin of New Haven (Yale, 
 Class of 1783) writes him from Norwich: 
 
 "You, Sir, are very happily situated. Collegiate acquaint 
 ance is well calculated to afford true satisfaction, and I 
 think I need not mention a neighbouring source of distin 
 guished pleasure." 
 
 A letter to Mr. Baldwin from Mr. Kent, in the early fall 
 of 1784, from which some extracts follow, shows that up 
 to that time the writer had not been informed of the other's 
 engagement. 
 
 "Major Livingston saw you, he tells me, at the ordination 
 of M r Stebbins; says that you are a clean, lively agreeable 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 247 
 
 Gentleman - - that you appeared to be very much my Friend, 
 & further that you waited upon a Miss Sherman, whom it 
 was said & believed you had selected as your Companion & 
 would soon combine your Hearts according to form. 
 wish you all possible Happiness my Friend & from my faint 
 Recollection of the Lady I am almost inclined to send her 
 my Compliments for your sake; indeed you may politely 
 present them if you please. I think you have as good a 
 Heart as I have hitherto found among the faithless Race of 
 Mankind, I therefore love & prize you highly, will give 
 you a sacred Deposit in my Memory, & even raise you to a 
 seat among the few the very few Geniusses of my Reverence 
 & Adoration." 
 
 It shows also that Kent was looking forward to a dis 
 tinguished career, for he continues thus : 
 
 "In this Manner does Fortune diversify our Lives 
 You are a Tutor - - almost a Husband & a Gentleman of 
 Genius & Reputation. I as yet am covered with Obscurity 
 & have received no Wreath of Honor to animate my counte 
 nance - I am as yet a poor Clerk to an Attorney & all my 
 Property is confined to my Chest, a few Cloths within it & 
 some papers & Manuscripts, the Fruit of an industrious 
 Hour. But I have a thirst for knowledge & a Determination 
 to put in a claim for some of those Honors which imprint 
 Immortality on Characters, & this thirst & this Determina 
 tion I trust under providence will lead me forward to some 
 of those good & generous Actions & that sacred integrity of 
 Conduct & Principle which will render me not a dishonor 
 able Object of the few who love Me, as you are an honorable 
 Connection to me & to all others who love you. 
 
 There is but 3 or 4 Persons on Earth that I would write 
 to with the same unreserved Frankness that I do to you, & 
 was you to forget me & become faithless to your Trust I 
 shall think very contemptibly of the Species & become a per 
 fect Misanthropist I have been several times deceived 
 since I left college My unsuspicious Confidence has 
 
248 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 betrayed me to several, whom I thought my Friends - I 
 have since grown thoughtful, & reserved - I do not take 
 up Mankind upon trust & if I am not very mistaken, it would 
 require from a Stranger the Assiduity of a twelvemonth to 
 insinuate himself as far in my Confidence as you are. But 
 I deny that I am very misanthropical as yet. I admire the 
 nobler & what are termed the generous passions of the Heart, 
 that Patriotism which embraces our Country & that Benev 
 olence which comprehends all Mankind. These enlarged 
 Principles of social Affection warm the human Breast & 
 awaken those Ardent Ideas of Justice, Greatness, Generosity 
 & public Duty which have always attended conspicuous Merit, 
 & produced the most faithful & vigorous Exertions for the 
 Splender of the Commonwealth & the political Happiness of 
 the human Kind. This recalls the Idea of a Character I 
 have just been reading & as his Life may be read without 
 classical Erudition it is not pedantic to mention him here. 
 It is Peter the Great, His pacific Virtues & the Labors be 
 bestowed upon cherishing the Arts & civilizing his Country, 
 has, & will still no less attract the admiration of Posterity, 
 than the History of his Conquests & the Memory of his 
 marvellous atchievments : his Genius is more to be admired 
 as it was found in a very uncommon Situation, I mean on a 
 despotic Throne. The present King of Prussia is another 
 rare Instance of the Kind. He has discovered an astonish 
 ing Richness & Strength of Mind & is at the same time 
 Philosopher, Historian, & Poet, Politician & Hero. But as 
 I much question, notwithstanding what has been said to the 
 contrary, his Humanity & Patriotism, he cannot be consid 
 ered as a bright Specimen of their benevolent (character), 
 & so adieu to Kings & moralizing - - Chesterfield says Man 
 should never speak of himself except in a Court of Justice 
 as a Witness, I would allow him also in a private Letter to 
 an intimate Friend, else you see I must be obliged to confess 
 my own Vanity or Impropriety or make some Apology for 
 talking so much of myself, but I will do neither because I 
 believe neither is necessary in the present Instance for I 
 have no Rules of Criticism for a Friend's Letter except this 
 simple one, that it be careless & unreserved 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 249 
 
 Give my compliments to Mess 18 Channing & Perkins & 
 every other old Acquaintance that you think will receive them 
 with Complaisance & Friendship - I wish you an agree 
 able Commencement & that the exhibitions & particularly 
 your own, may be performed with Applause & Honor - 
 
 Adieu 
 
 my Dear Friend 
 
 James Kent. 
 M r Baldwin - 
 
 As year after year rolled away, it would not have been 
 strange if Miss Sherman had become somewhat impatient 
 of further delays. Her younger sister was now taking a 
 place among the young people, which was more prominent 
 than her own. Miss Betsey, as a young lady in society, had 
 plenty of admirers. Her older sister would naturally receive 
 less attention from young men, after her relations to Mr. 
 Baldwin became generally understood. Miss Betsey, too, 
 was of a livelier disposition, and a more interesting talker. 
 She had also received a better education. Rebecca's spell 
 ing was poor, though far from being as bad as that of 
 Bethiah Baldwin. Her style of expression in letters was 
 commonplace. Betsey, besides what she knew of her native 
 tongue, had studied French. 
 
 Miss Rebecca had other correspondents among her gentle 
 men friends about this time. The following is from a tal 
 ented brother of her friend Miss Anna Pitkin of Farmington. 
 He was a member of the Class of 1785, at Yale, and had 
 gone to Plainfield to earn a little money by teaching school, 
 before commencing the study of law. 
 
 "Plainfield May 2; th 1786 
 
 The promise I made of writing, you see, I take the earliest 
 opportunity to fulfil; so that if any one should enquire, 
 whether I perform my promises, you can tell them I do, 
 almost before I make them. 
 
250 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 Now, if you please, I will give you an account of my 
 journey - I left Farmington, you know, on Thursday 
 morning with considerable reluctance proceeded no 
 farther than East Hartford that night, after having been 
 successfull with Mr Elsworth Next day I rode to 
 Windham in company with some gentlemen belonging to that 
 place On Saturday I arrived at Plainfield where I am 
 now settled down for the summer 
 
 Though not well versed in narration yet I will give you a 
 short description of the place in as Geographical a manner 
 as I am able - Plainfield lies about sixty miles from Farm 
 ington and ninety from New Haven. It is situated upon the 
 side of a hill which gradually ascends But this you will 
 say is a paradox, that a plain-field should be situated upon 
 the declivity of a Mountain however it is not less para 
 doxical than true and I am as much difficulted to account for 
 the phenomenon as any one - It commands a very beautiful 
 prospect to the west and so extensive that three or four Meet 
 ing Houses are seen from the street - It contains also many 
 clever people 
 
 I suppose you have not forgot the promise you made to 
 send me the answer to your Letter, I shall insist on the per 
 formance of it I likewise shall expect to see you and Nancy 
 here this summer, though I very much fear, I shall be dis 
 appointed ; but I'll bear up under the disappointment as well 
 as I can This, I suppose, will be handed you by M r Bid- 
 well --it was written in a great hurry, as you will doubtless 
 perceive, and if, after perusal, you will commit it to the flames, 
 you will oblige your sincere Friend 
 
 Tim y . Pitkin." 
 
 Miss Pitkin, soon to marry Enoch Perkins, writes Miss 
 Betsey thus, on August 30, 1786, of the impending Com 
 mencement gayeties: 
 
 "I can hardly refrain from saying that I wish to be one 
 of the large number that I suppose will meet at that time, 
 but as a substitute for my absence I expect that my imagina 
 tion will make you a visit & there find my friend Betsey with 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 251 
 
 the most attentive Capers about her & that attention 
 received with so much indifference that I shall pity those 
 painfull feelings it will cause you will think me a droll 
 girl I believe to write thus, but what comes into my head goes 
 on to my paper." 
 
 In February of the next year Miss Betsey received another 
 letter, from a gentleman who could hardly have been one 
 of the caperers around her moth-compelling flame at Com 
 mencement. It was from Mr. Baldwin, on the general sub 
 ject of the virtue of benevolence. Her sister had been fed 
 with occasional compositions of a similar kind. 
 
 It reads thus : 
 
 "Feb y 2 3 d 1787 
 Miss Betsy 
 
 That benevolent Heart which wishes Happiness to all the 
 objects of happiness around it, tho' you may be surprised at 
 the receipt of my Letter will not impute it to my Vanity, that 
 I write - - yet had I Vanity enough to think it would please 
 you, that little Benevolence of which I am possessed should 
 have the due credit of it ; but it does not I think destroy the 
 Virtue of Benevolence that the operation of it is not benefi 
 cent. So I'll venture to write & allow you to give the credit 
 to that page of the Ledger of our intimacy where the account 
 current of my Foibles or Virtues suits it the best. The 
 thoughts of a moment run no great hazzard when they are 
 only submitted to the Candour of a benevolent Mind. But 
 what is this benevolence which is so very kind that we can 
 with confidence trust our reputation to it - - it is no other 
 than that social feeling of the human Heart which breaths 
 the spirit of Philanthropy to all being capable of Happiness 
 This, not external beauty, is that accomplishment which 
 makes the possessors of it angelic - - 'tis heavenly, this refines 
 humanity, it exalts the dignity of human Nature How 
 very different the world would appear were we generally 
 influenced in our intercourse with each other by feelings 
 like these Malevolence would be no more contention 
 
252 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 would cease, every moulder in the dust & all those nameless 
 passions which riot on the miseries of our fellow beings, 
 would yield to the Scepter of Benevolence - - one would 
 almost think that the whole of Religion, & morality was 
 comprehended in that expressive word, & that the return of 
 terrestrial Paradise could be no more than the influence of 
 that. It is the basis of friendship - - miserable is that self 
 interested, nominal Friendship which attempts to exist with 
 out it - It is the foundation of all that pleasure which we 
 experience from social intercourse, & the extent of that 
 happiness which the social Hour affords, must be in propor 
 tion to our wishes & endeavours to make each other happy - 
 Is it not surprizing then Betsy that so little of it exists cer 
 tainly it is a feeling which in itself is an internal resource of 
 Happiness to us - - naturally tends to make others happy - 
 & again increases our own happiness from the pleasure of 
 making & seeing them so - Imperfect as we find it at 
 present to exist, even the worst of us revere the persons who 
 are possessed of it -- they are never the objects of our Envy 
 tho' they shine with a peculiar Splendor amid the baseness 
 of the world. - Happy in the happiness of others, the 
 benevolent person never feels the Shafts of Envy, or the 
 stings of those malevolent passions which marr our joys & 
 debase the natural dignity of our species All the softer 
 passions of the Soul grow & flourish in so rich a soil as 
 Benevolence - All the Joys of friendship, Sympathy & 
 Love flow mingled forth from so rich a source - Our 
 benevolence naturally leads us to enter as much as possible 
 into the feelings of those around us - - we rejoice in their 
 joys & thus redouble them we suffer with them in their 
 afflictions & thus by our sympathy taking a part in them, we 
 lessen their Burden, while the consciousness of having obeyed 
 the dictates of humanity in doing it & the pleasure we expe 
 rienced at the time made us the more happy than we should 
 have been had we not had the opportunity of suffering with 
 them in their distress, & lessening the burden of it. - 
 
 Very intimately connected with kind wishes are kind 
 actions - - when we really wish well to others - - we are 
 naturally led to do them all the good offices in our power, 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 253 
 
 & there are a 1000 acts of this kind which a beneficent per 
 son may do without the least injury to himself yet materially 
 connected with the happiness of others The pleasures of 
 sociability allmost all spring from benevolent sources - - tis 
 true we may have selfish motives in entering the social Circle 
 - These Gentlemen, I know, frequently have when they join 
 the Circle of the fair - - yet these selfish motives will induce 
 them to wish & make the Circle happy that they may enjoy 
 it. This is the most sordid kind of Benevolence I own & such 
 as I hope may never taint that which arises amid the more 
 soft & finer feelings of the female Heart - It is to them, 
 Betsey, we look for patterns to immitate in the exercise of 
 so amiable a Virtue, as this, which blends so many of the finer 
 feelings which are peculiar to the delicate, the tender emo 
 tions of a Ladies Heart - Nature has given us each our 
 part to play upon her extensive stage - - these tender scenes 
 she designed for the part of those whose delicacy is fitted 
 for them - The Ladies act them with a feeling, with a 
 peculiar grace, & with that soft & amiable tenderness which 
 excites the sympathy of the man & subdues that fortitude 
 which, had I time this evening to write to Chloe upon her 
 favorite Theme, I might perhaps be disposed to confine in 
 some measure to the Gentlemen, as being better suited to 
 their make, their manners, their disposition their design. - 
 The late Hour must excuse the part which might have been 
 written upon so pleasing a subject, but you may assure your 
 self that in the exercise of all the benevolence I possess I am 
 
 your sincere friend 
 
 SBDW" 
 
 If such a missive could have been appropriately written to 
 any prospective sister-in-law, it certainly could not have 
 gratified the taste of Miss Betsey Sherman. It was as 
 ponderous as she was lively. One gets some notion of how 
 she looked and acted about this time from a letter of a college 
 classmate to Mr. Baldwin, written from Norwich a few 
 months later. 
 
254 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 Simeon Breed to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Norwich July io th 1788 - 
 Dear Baldwin - 
 
 Your's p r M r Sherman rec'd 
 
 Fortunately a Party of Pleasure down the River gave me 
 an opportunity to see both him & his Sister; otherwise I 
 fear I should have been able to pay them no part of the atten 
 tion that you wished - I am obliged by your introduction of 
 them to me - I find Betsey to be a fine Girl . . Were 
 the traces of my former Attachments worn out of my heart 
 
 I somewhat suspect I should strive that we might be 
 Brothers in reality as well as Brothers in Unity & Phi Beta 
 
 Kappa - 
 
 . . "To return to M r Sherman & his Sister - - I am very 
 sorry they tarry so short a time with us - - Am sorry like 
 wise that their particular acquaintance are at such a distance 
 from the Landing - I have still some remains of a spirit 
 of Gallantry - But not so great as to make me neglect 
 Business & post two or three miles to obtain a few smiles 
 from some handsome faces that I may never see again - 
 
 I should have been happy to have had a few from Betsey 
 - Had I a little more leisure & opportunity, I should have 
 tried hard to obtain them - - for they are peculiarly pleas 
 ing 
 
 I am unfailingly thine ever 
 
 Sim Breed " 
 
 Mr. Baldwin was more successful in writing to men than 
 to women. His correspondence with friends had been made 
 to serve him as a school of literary practice, and where to 
 both him who wrote and him who received this was a com 
 mon purpose, the mind was stimulated by it, if the heart was 
 not. He acquired a way of rounding out his periods, and 
 expatiating on moral and philosophical subjects, which gave 
 to the few of his "love letters" which have been preserved 
 too much of a studied and formal character. One of them 
 is as follows : 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 255 
 
 April 1 6 th 1786 Sunday Eve- 
 Be not alarmed dear Becca at opning a Letter under my 
 Seal & Signature ; the contents are as harmless as they are 
 senseless But what reason have I to write you'll say 
 upon my word I have no other reason or excuse than to tell 
 you the reason In short that is to be the foolish subject of 
 my Epistle tis not to extol your Virtues to the skies to 
 make you an Angel, a Goddess, the wonder of the world & 
 the pride of Heaven, tis no such thing Those unmean 
 ing expressions never sullied the writing or disgraced the 
 Pen of the true admirer they are unnatural to your Friend ; 
 you shall never have them from me I hope if I have friend 
 ship I have sincerity & that my Friends will measure the one 
 by the other. But I am wandering from my subject tis 
 no more than the simple narration of where I am, what I 
 am about & what I am thinking of The force of habit is 
 peculiarly strong in evry body and nothing which is not 
 attended with absolute pain, gives more uneasy, more dis 
 agreeable feelings, to any person than when the course of 
 those habits are interrupted. methinks I hear you say 
 "Sir you are long in coming to the point you proposed" be 
 contented, Sterne would have been as long again And 
 besides there is many times a peculiar pleasure in keeping 
 the mind in suspense it is necessary if the matter to be 
 communicated is of no importance and it is no less neces 
 sary if the matter is so important, that it will likely affect the 
 mind of the person, too sensibly to whom it is communi 
 cated in the one case all the pleasure consists in raising 
 the passions to the anticipation of something great in the 
 other Case to prevent the Effects of too sudden effusions of 
 Joy or Grief it is equally necessary to excite the Anticipa 
 tion in such a manner that it may prevent the consequence 
 of a too sudden shock The Mind is so formed that it will 
 support much both of Joy & Grief provided the passions are 
 kept in unison & are led to the weight by Degrees. Tis 
 with them as with the strings of a musical Instrument, Strain 
 them gradually & they may be brought to almost any Key 
 do it at once, & ten to one but they snap This peculiar 
 faculty of keeping the mind in continual suspence, ever 
 
256 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 anticipating a 1000 times more than comes has rendered the 
 writing of Stern so agreeable He has digression upon 
 Digression in the relation of a very simple story - - & when 
 you have got it - - you would think it in itself not worth a 
 relation or the trouble of hearing from any other person 
 yet you would find yourself agreeably entertained by the 
 innumerable little annecdotes which interspersed it. 
 
 Now my subject is not one of those insignificant ones, 
 which depend solely for their Glee on anticipation tho I know 
 you are capable of anticipating much and possibly if your 
 mental feelings were highly roused, you might experience 
 some pleasure in having those expectations entirely disap 
 pointed. - nor is my subject of so much importance that 
 I need the slow progress of your feelings to prevent the injury 
 which might affect the delicacy of your nervous system. I 
 know it is the part of prudence to manage all our matters 
 with the Ladies with circumspection - - we must look round 
 
 - suspect, expect & regard a thousand other aspects in all 
 our maneuvres with them - - and ten to one then after all 
 but we excite their Jealousy - - and there are no weeds in the 
 world more difficult to eradicate y n those which arise in the 
 Garden of Frindship from such seeds - 
 
 My Habit - - then (for I am now coming to the point 
 before I scrabble all over my paper) has been for some time 
 to spend this Evening of the week with my nearest Friend; 
 dont mistake me - - I mean not that the pleasure which arises 
 from the company of my friend is merely from Habit 
 but that it should be on this Evening of the week rather than 
 any other is entirely so - Convenience may lead us to the 
 habit, & tis Custom that makes it painful to break over it - 
 not that the Sermons of the priest contain any necessary 
 Lessons for the sociability of kindred Souls in private con 
 ference which cannot be practised on any other Day - 
 
 The fact was Becca I did not intend to have troubled you 
 again, to receive the friendly communications of your friend 
 
 - (for I never wright Love or Lover on paper) But the 
 presence of>a grave Judge - - two venerable matrons, & a 
 numerous family overawed me - I retired to my Chamber 
 took my Book read & reread & knew not a sentiment. 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 257 
 
 * 
 
 I threw it down, & where am I, said I. my answer was, this 
 Man is a compound Being made up of Body & Soul 
 the one movable by slow Degrees the other liable to be hunted 
 by the rapid flight of a swift winged fancy - - the presence 
 of both is necessary to complete the machine - - the one I 
 am sensible is present - the other I know not where, you 
 can guess as well as I - - but wherever they are now They 
 are much with the friend of your friend - there is not room 
 enough to write my name." 
 
 During the ensuing College vacation, on Sunday, May 14, 
 1786, he writes Miss Sherman, who was then visiting Miss 
 Pitkin in Farmington, another four-page letter, from which 
 the following extracts are made : 
 
 "A female Book-worm or Philosopher are harsh names, 
 they are grating to a modern Ear - - but I am persuaded that 
 the delicacy, the sensibility & the naturally easy manners of 
 those who are by nature the most amiable, would ever pre 
 vent the opprobrious Names being affixed to them let their 
 Attainments be ever so great Those names were made 
 for the rough manners of our Sex whose Scholastic Rust 
 contracted in the Cloisters of their lamp-lighted Study form 
 a proper substance for those impressions which the fashion 
 able world are pleased to call the Brand of Infamy - 
 
 Never Becca was man collecting this Rust faster than your 
 friend, upon my word - - I believe I shall hardly be knowable 
 by the end of Vacation - - shut up all Day - - & Day after 
 Day in the lonely cloisters of my Chambers, where I have 
 scarcely heard the footsteps of Mortals since I saw you - 
 So lonely and so still in my apartment that even the frightful 
 Phantoms -- and ghastly Spirits which terrify the Timorous 
 durst not enter them - 
 
 But in such a situation I have many advantages I disturb 
 nobody, and in return nobody disturbs me - I can do as I 
 please & nobody knows it - I have travelled on the wings 
 of the historian, over most of the Empire of the antient 
 Romans I have entered unseen the Palaces of the 
 Tyrants, where I beheld with Horror in the course of their 
 
258 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 ambition & thirst for power their plots, their Treasons, their 
 Murders and their Deaths " .... "This is a drole 
 Subject Becca for a love Letter, but I believe will be as 
 durable & as like to find you as Love itself for there is 
 nothing more difficult to fold up & confine in a Letter than 
 the warm expressions of a tender Heart - - I am sensible 
 that the studed Gallant could find a 1000 pretty things to 
 say upon the Beauties of a Ribbon -- the elegance of a Head 
 Dress or the sublimity of a new fashioned Cap - Such a 
 one I know would laugh at the Idea of turning over the rusty 
 Volumns of Antiquity & calling up events that have been 
 buried in oblivion for more than a Thousand Years - but 
 I know to whom I write and that is my excuse -- the Trouble 
 it has given me to write it is very little & for you to read it 
 will not be much more so that if you do not like it very little 
 will be lost - 
 
 I know but little of domestic occurrances - - Betsey can 
 better inform you of them - this I believe I shall send by 
 M r Daggett; he expects to be supremely happy in the Com 
 pany of his Wealthy to Hartford on the morrow - we wish 
 to know how the climate of Farmington suits New Haven 
 Constitutions and whether a Satiety of Happiness has given 
 you a Disposition to return if so your humble Serv* will 
 stand ready to escort you - - make my Love if you can spare 
 any to all the Miss Pitkins & tell me how are matters with 
 P. & N. do they make Love by rule - I can write no more, 
 
 but SBDW." 
 
 One of the College Tutors at that time was Jedidiah Morse 
 (Yale, Class of 1783), who had already published at New 
 Haven, while studying for the ministry as a resident grad 
 uate, what proved to be the first of a long series of important 
 geographical studies. In prosecuting these he made a jour 
 ney Southward, towards the close of 1786, and was asked 
 by Miss Sherman if he would not let her hear from him on his 
 travels. This he promised, and it resulted in the following 
 letter, in which Mr. evidently stands for Mr. Baldwin : 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 259 
 
 Charleston Jan y 4*, 1787. 
 
 Jealousy, Miss Becca, forms no part of the character of 
 the Young Attornies in New Haven. They generally possess 
 noble, catholic, & liberal Minds, particularly Mr. - I 
 
 am under no apprehensions, therefore, of fulfilling a kind 
 of half promise I made, that I would write you. An unex 
 pected, tho agreeable, detention in this place, & a direct con 
 veyance by Mr Prescott, afford me opportunity of executing 
 the pleasant task. 
 
 There is an obvious & I think beautiful trait in the char 
 acter of the Young Ladies & Gentlemen in N. England which 
 I find is in a great measure peculiar to them it is that 
 friendly, familiar, & obliging (if I may so express it) Inter 
 course whh happily subsist between them. This inex 
 haustible source of refined happiness is hardly known South 
 of Philadelphia & in its greatest perfection seems to be limited 
 to New England. Perhaps I shall be thought partial but 
 I think I am not - - I have, as far as possible, laid aside all 
 prejudice in favor of my native State. I have endeavoured 
 to Judge impartially. Between Philadelphia & Charleston, 
 the young Ladies & Gentlemen have nothing to boast of 
 in whatever point of light we view them. The Ladies (with 
 a few exceptions) are not what we call polite, easy, agree 
 able in their manners but are tinctured with hughtiness 
 & a kind of contemptuous indifference. They are not hand 
 some, nor delicate, nor captivating. They think themselves 
 under no obligations to a Gentleman who shews them the 
 ne plus ultra* of Politeness - - & yet they are not affronted 
 at being neglected. Nothing is more common than for the 
 Gentlemen, when they have waited on the Ladies, upon a 
 party of pleasure, to leave them at the place rendezvous, & 
 go to a horse race, if there should happen to be one, or to the 
 Gaming table & think no more of the Ladies, leaving them 
 to get home as they can, At this neglect the. Ladies take 
 no offence because they think that a taste for horse racing 
 & Gaming indicates a Man of Spirit. And such a Gallant 
 with them always has the preference. I was unfortunate 
 enough to have for my Company, 60 miles in the stage, four 
 Ladies, the ton of Virginia, You may well suppose, I put 
 
260 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 my best foot foremost. I went to the ne-plus-ultra of my 
 politeness. I cheerfully gave them my seat, as I was entitled 
 to the first in the Stage I helped them out of the Stage & 
 in again repeatedly with as much activity & gentility as I 
 was Master of I paid them every attention in my power. - 
 I even proceeded so far as to give one of them an Apple 
 because she was sick & wanted it. & will you believe me, 
 not a thankful word of gratitude, not even a look of appro 
 bation, did I obtain. Add to this, what you will scarcely 
 believe, notwithstanding they knew my profession, they con 
 stantly wounded my ears, with profane Oaths. - Two of 
 them, even exceeded the Gentlemen who were their com 
 panions in the Stage. - 
 
 Far different are the Ladies in Charleston - - they are 
 delicate, amiable & obliging. - perfectly easy & polite in 
 their behaviour, yet it is not customary, as in New Haven, 
 for Gentlemen to gallant the Ladies - - they are generally 
 seen walking the streets with a Servant only. - It would 
 be reckoned forward in a single Lady to invite a Gentleman 
 to Tea. - 
 
 Make my Compliments, if you please, to your sisters, & 
 the good Ladies of my acquaintance in New Haven, & 
 believe me 
 
 to be, with great Sincerity your 
 
 friend J. M. 
 Miss Becca Sherman." 
 
 * Pardon the expression You breath a Latin Atmosphere. 
 
 The easy flow of Mr. Morse's style shows that all young 
 men in that generation did not become didactic and formal 
 when they wrote to young women. 
 
 Before opening his office in New Haven, Mr. Baldwin 
 visited his sister, Mrs. Colton, in Tolland County, and while 
 there wrote this letter to Miss Sherman: 
 
 "Somers Sept r 24 th 1786 
 
 My first object Dear Becca is to write you a Letter 
 & then I'll send it if I can I was at Tolland last Week, 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 26 r 
 
 attended the Court in that County 3 Days found brother 
 Carter there before me from N Haven his object I suppose 
 is the lawyers Oath by him I propose to send this if he 
 is not gone when I return to Tolland which will be 
 to-morrow I came to this place last Fryday found my 
 friends in health & glad to see me, I propose a Day or two 
 more at Tolland from thence go to Norwich, make a short 
 Visit there & return as soon as I can to the Circle of my 
 friends at New Haven There you know I am to seek & 
 try my fortune & the fortune of my friend. 
 
 I wrote you last Week from Middletown, perhaps you have 
 received my scrawl if not I discharged my Duty for I wrote 
 & inclosed it to a worthy friend of us both, M r Fitch - The 
 general subject of it I do not remember; but this I recollect 
 that, before I had done, I stumbled upon this that the Study 
 of human Nature and the Knowledge of it was necessary for 
 the fair Sex. I acknowledge it was a singular Theme espe 
 cially for a Letter of that kind of which it might be presumed 
 ours would be - - but however improper the Subject at this 
 time or when I wrote before, (for I know of nothing in our 
 own Intimacy or in the Circumstances of our Connexions & 
 friends which would naturally lead me to it ) yet I must 
 adhere to the truth of the Observation. The importance of 
 female Education & of attention to their manners has lately 
 been attended to, with laudable Zeal & happy Success We, 
 especially Lovers, do not think them Cyphers in Creation or 
 as having no share in promoting the general felicity & hap 
 piness of Mankind - Much of this certainty depends on 
 our happy Connexion with them there is something 
 peculiar in the softness the Delicacy & the pure friendship 
 of that Sex which is calculated on purpose to happyfy ours 
 Oh that our Moroseness bluntness & &cs of disagree 
 ables in our Sex could be meliorated to the same effect in 
 yours what it is that the Ladies find in us which makes us 
 so far tollerable I can not tell - certainly it is not untill after 
 we are polished by the soft hands of the fair that we are the 
 most acceptable even to our own Companions, The Ladies 
 then have committed to their care the perfecting & com- 
 pleating one half of the noblest part of Creation & in 
 
262 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 that way of making them happy. To do this to the best 
 advantage will be of essential service. They must learn the 
 Strings by which Delila like, they can lead about & controul 
 the morose Samsons of America can soften their Rage 
 inspire them with Courage or reanimate their drooping 
 Spirits, when dull by the fatigues of y e Day, to the pursuit of 
 laudable attainments, & the Business, peculiar to, & proper 
 for, the hardiness of Man - In short they can lead the Man 
 - by their inchanting power, whom the priest tells them in 
 accents of Thunder they must obey to those requests which 
 it would be their Interest - - their wish & their happiness 
 to comply with & obey. 
 
 Strange that the secret cannot be kept that shows 
 
 that human Nature is the same now (that) it was in the 
 Days of Samson - - he told the un( discover) able Secret & 
 the fatal knowledge proved his ruin. That sameness makes 
 the study easy, - - part of it is obtained from those Books 
 which delineate it handsomely, but much more from obser 
 vation as we see it put in practice. 
 
 Tolland Sept r 25* 1786 
 
 I enclose you this in a line to Brother Morse & send both 
 by M r Carter who will probably be at N Haven before me 
 I purpose to set out for Norwich tomorrow, which will be 
 Wednesday, shall be back at N H to receive the Happiness 
 which the small Circle of my friends can give me about the 
 middle of next Week, till when & as long as you please I am, 
 Dear Becca, your Affection friend 
 Miss Rebecca Sherman S B D W" 
 
 It is evident that she had felt that he regarded her as not 
 well skilled in psychology. However this might be, he plainly 
 thought that she was none too liberal in her expressions of 
 affection for him. This produced the following letter written 
 in New Haven and addressed to her in New Haven. One 
 cannot but think that his evening would have been better 
 spent in a call at her house, and the opportunity for a few 
 frank words of reassurance : 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 263 
 
 "New Haven Dec 10, 1786 in y e Evening 
 Dear Miss 
 
 There are a 1000 things which tend to the Happiness of 
 Man which from supervenient Causes he cannot perform 
 He must then be miserable indeed if he has neither Phi 
 losophy to support him, nor internal resources for a 
 Substitute. 
 
 I dont believe there is a situation in Life into which a 
 person can be thrown where he will so frequently need the 
 Assistance of one or other of these as that of a Lover. 
 Their Happiness depends on numerous Contingencies - It 
 is many Time more than annihilated by a frown - - Tis raised 
 to Rapture by a Smile - Do Ladies believe this ? - - no 
 if they did their features would always be smiling their 
 Goodness & their Benevolence would always shine con 
 spicuously thro' their Countenances - My Philanthropy 
 would wish to others as little Cause of Complaint as I find 
 in myself and the Impressions I feel are certainly as Strong, 
 if the Expressions I make are not as numerous, as the favours 
 I receive - for the first (the Impressions I feel) you must 
 either take my word, or as a Physiognomist learn them from 
 the Index of the Heart - - for the Heart has an Index & 
 those Impressions are made upon the Heart - - for the last 
 (my Expressions) I do not speak it as a matter of Boast, 
 that they are just as numerous & just as large & just equal 
 to, the favours I have received - T do not consider Love 
 as any way connected with Merchandize - - or the Inter 
 changes of Lovers any way similar to the equal weights & 
 measures of Barter. Love is an anomalous something It 
 cannot be reduced to rule - It flies in the face of all Cal 
 culation - - The Philosopher may Love - - but he cannot tell 
 how - - He expresses it in ten thousand ways but he cannot 
 tell why - The roughest Peasant sometimes has a portion 
 of it - - he is softened to refinement without Art or Instruc 
 tion & feels a pleasure unknown before in the rural scenes 
 around him - Sweet, powerful Impulse of Nature! for 
 such I'll name thee - Thou must vanquish the victorious 
 Hero & triumph over the Laurels he has won Touched 
 by thee, the Statesman forgets the Intrigues of Party, & 
 
264 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 the Monarch languishes on his majestic Throne - Who 
 then can be to blame for indulging- this Passion so universal 
 to Sensibility -- Certainly we are not to blame for possessing 
 it - - we are only answerable for our Conduct under the 
 Influence of it - If rightly used, the felicity & refinement 
 of our Nature depend upon it - If that is true, & it cannot 
 be denied or disputed, surely a small portion of the time 
 devoted to it, & some way or other employed in keeping alive 
 the flame is not mispent, for our Refinement & Happiness are 
 among the grand objects of our Existence 
 
 Thus far Love is interesting as it appears to be only self 
 ish - - but to a benevolent mind it will appear more amiable 
 when viewed as of a social Nature - - As such, it delights in 
 the Happiness of Objects around, & in communicating it, 
 especially to those where (it) finds a Complacency - But 
 in one thing it appears wonderful - - that by giving a part of 
 itself to increase the Happiness of others, it never diminishes, 
 but always increases, & the more the Happiness of others is 
 increased by the Love which the Lover imparts, so much the 
 more the Love & the Happiness of the Lover is increased - 
 Love then & be Happy in yourself & Happyfy 
 
 Your Humble Servant 
 
 S B D W " 
 
 A few months later he felt that his position at the bar had 
 become such as to justify his marriage and this took place on 
 Sunday evening, July 29, 1787. 
 
 Roger Sherman, during that summer, was attending the 
 Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia, but an adjourn 
 ment of that body from Thursday, July 26, to Monday, 
 August 6, permitted him to be present at the wedding, 
 though only by traveling on Sunday. 5 
 
 The first formal greeting to the bridegroom was this note 
 in Latin, from Tutor Abiel Holmes : 
 
 5 New Haven Gazette, II, 183, 193. 
 
Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 265 
 
 "Domine Baldwin. 
 
 "Sit hie dies auspicatissimus tibi, dilecte Amice, ac suavi 
 tuae Conjugi! Sit nuptiale vinculum maxime jucundum, et 
 nihil, praterquam mors -- sera mors -- dirumpat. 
 
 Sic optat 
 Sic sperat 
 
 A. Holmes 
 July 3 o th 1787."' 
 
 A week after his marriage (on August 5, 1787), Jedidiah 
 Morse wrote him from Philadelphia: 
 
 "This evening I called on your honorable Father-in law 
 - who gave me such Data as left me to conclude that you are 
 at present very happy. I really believe you are so, and give 
 you most cordially all joy on the occasion. My heart is full 
 of good wishes too for Mrs B n's happiness your amiable 
 partner & my friendly Correspondent - Pray tender her, 
 in the best manner you can, (& you can do it in the best 
 manner possible) my more than Complin^. - - you may give 
 them what name you please." 
 
 Mr. Baldwin hastened to apprise his old friend, Rev. 
 Henry Channing of Newport, of his marriage, who replied 
 thus: 
 
 "New London, August 17 th 1787. 
 
 My warmest congratulations await you my Friend & 
 Brother. May happiness refined and lasting be the kind 
 
 6 Sir Baldwin 
 
 May this day be most auspicious to thee, beloved 
 Friend, and to thy kindly wife! May the nuptial bond be most 
 pleasant, and nothing sunder it but death a late-coming death - 
 
 So hopes 
 So wishes 
 
 A. Holmes 
 July 30, 1787. 
 
266 Choice of a Profession, and Marriage 
 
 allotment of Heaven to you & your amiable other self. 
 Your Letter communicated its enthusiasm to my breast & 
 made me wish to hasten & be happy. But I find that it 
 must not yet be all things are not yet ready Yet I am 
 happy yes ; my friend, the period of courtship is a much 
 happier period than I once supposed. - - Some suppose that 
 our greatest happiness here is the prospect of some good not 
 possessed. You seem by your last truly animated letter, to 
 think differently 'Marry & be happy/ You are in your 
 honey moon, my brother - - therefore you may be allowed to 
 be thus sanguine; yet I must think cooly - I expect a 
 chequered scene in life yet am not moved. I have had 
 already a large portion of happiness & my present prospects 
 promise as much to come; but I hope to be prepared for the 
 reverse, not by anticipating evil; but by moderating my 
 expectations You are the Philosopher & when the Moon 
 is past you will probably be better able to advise your friend 
 but you must not attempt to philosophize me out of matri 
 mony Indeed I think that there is not much probability 
 even of the attempt, but should you attempt it I think it would 
 be without success." 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 LIFE AS A PRACTICING LAWYER FROM 1786 TO 1806 
 
 Mr. Baldwin entered the bar without any natural clientage 
 in New Haven County. He had no blood connections there; 
 no business backing; and but a trifling capital to lean on 
 at the start. During the next year his marriage brought him 
 ties with the Sherman and Prescott families. 
 
 New Haven was well supplied with lawyers, older than he, 
 and knowing more of modes of practice in the different lines 
 of the profession. One or two of them had so many stu 
 dents in their offices, as to make them in effect small law 
 schools. Wherever a law school is situated, there is found 
 an abnormal proportion of lawyers to the total population. 
 Many of the inhabitants send their sons to such a school, 
 who would feel quite unable to bear the expense of a legal 
 education at some distant place. There will also often be 
 law students who come from other States, and remain to 
 practice their profession where they learned it. Such an 
 one was David Daggett, born in Massachusetts, who studied 
 law under Charles Chauncey of New Haven. Admitted to 
 the bar of Connecticut in January, 1786, at the same time 
 with Simeon Baldwin (as stated in Chapter VI), he at once 
 opened an office in New Haven and early rose to prominence, 
 first as a lawyer and then as a statesman and judge. Another 
 was Pierpont Edwards, coming also from Massachusetts, 
 who opened a law office in New Haven in 1771, and had 
 acquired what was probably the largest practice in Connect 
 icut when he was appointed to the bench in 1806. 
 
 There were, towards the close of the eighteenth century, 
 a hundred and twenty attorneys in Connecticut. Morse, in 
 
268 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 
 
 his "American Universal Geography/' says that this was 
 "a very great proportion for the real exigencies of the 
 people/' yet that "from the litigious spirit of the citizens, 
 the most of them find employment and support." Too many 
 of the people, he adds, are idle and dissipated, and much time 
 is unprofitahly and wickedly spent at taverns, in law-suits, 
 and petty arbitrations/' 1 
 
 It was seldom that any large amounts were in litigation. 
 There were no large establishments, and no great fortunes. 
 The richest man whose estate had been settled in New Haven, 
 up to 1819, had been worth not quite $60,000. 
 
 The number of lawyers in the State of New York entitled 
 to practice in its highest courts was smaller than that of the 
 corresponding class in Connecticut, and there was also a 
 much heavier volume of business for them to handle. As 
 late as 1783, out of 120 licensed attorneys in New York, 
 there were but sixteen engaged in active practice at the bar 
 of the highest courts at Albany, with all of whom Mr. 
 Baldwin became acquainted. 2 
 
 Mr. Baldwin, a few years later, thus expressed to his friend 
 Kent his regret that he did not remain at Albany: 
 
 "I have frequently lamented that I did not attend enough 
 to my own advantage when I could have tarried & probably 
 have pursued my professional employment there A bubble 
 brought me back & local attachments bind me here." 
 
 New Haven was, in 1787, a particularly attractive place 
 to a man of any literary tastes. It had been incorporated 
 as a city, three years before. Connecticut, at this time, was 
 considered a center of letters. Mr. Baldwin, writing to 
 Gen. Ten Broeck of Albany, in November, 1783, thus alludes 
 
 1 London ed. of 1792, 230; Am. ed. of 1796, Part I, 463, 473, 506. 
 
 2 S. W. S. Button, Sketch of the Life and Character of Hon. Simeon 
 Baldwin, p. 9. 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 269 
 
 to it, after mentioning his recent appointment as a tutor at 
 Yale: 
 
 "There are many Circumstances in this Situation which 
 makes it very agreeable, tho' not Lucrative. 
 
 The passion for Literature in this State is to be sure more 
 extensive than in yours Perhaps we educate quite as many 
 of our Youth as the finances of Society will support in the 
 professional employments Yet I must think it a glorious 
 Prospect in a republican Gov. nt where merit is the criterion 
 of Eminence to see the emulous youth studious to recommend 
 themselves by this to the confidence of their Countrymen. 
 
 It has been with peculiar pleasure I've seen the same Senti 
 ments encouraged by many worthy Characters in the State 
 of N York." 
 
 New Haven was then remarkable for the large proportion 
 of its citizens who had received a collegiate education. 
 There were 55 of these in the original list of the freemen of 
 the city, numbering 343, as made up in February, I784. 3 
 
 The new-born city promised also to become and indeed then 
 was a place of commercial importance. It was to be a free 
 port until June i, 1791. By its charter, foreigners and citi 
 zens of other States, admitted by the freemen or the select 
 men and justices of the peace of the town, could reside there 
 without being taxed more heavily than citizens; and firms 
 of which at least one member was a resident, importing 
 annually from Europe, Asia or Africa goods of those coun 
 tries to the amount of 3000 were exempt from taxes on their 
 profits "so far as the Revenues of this or the United States 
 are interested therein/' 4 
 
 It had already a considerable foreign trade; there being 
 ihirty-three vessels owned there, which were engaged in it. 
 One of these was a ship of 300 tons. 
 
 3 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 109. 
 
 4 Stat., Rev. of 1784, 268. 
 
270 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 
 
 There were over fifty shops in the city, half a dozen of 
 which carried a stock of goods worth two or three thousand 
 pounds sterling. 5 
 
 Here in September, 1786, Simeon Baldwin entered on 
 the practice of law. 
 
 He was now twenty-four years old, - - a handsome, tall, 
 well-built man, of easy address and quick sympathies. 
 
 His year at Albany, and trip to New Hampshire, had 
 broadened his acquaintance with the usages of polite society. 
 His service as a tutor had added both to his scholarly attain 
 ments and his knowledge of human nature. He had made 
 warm friends and deserved them. 
 
 He had many qualities which would be useful in the prac 
 tice of law. His reasoning powers were good; and they 
 were comprehensive. His ability to see a point and appre 
 ciate its importance was marked. His manner was pre 
 possessing. He was painstaking and industrious. He 
 worked hard to put his powers, such as they were, to the best 
 use. 
 
 He had given unusual attention to the cultivation of 
 literary composition, particularly by maintaining a regular 
 correspondence with educated and intelligent men. We can 
 see him reflected in the letters which they sent to him. He 
 was a lovable character. He was not bashful or diffident 
 in society. He was not pedantic. As a public speaker, his 
 sentiments were just, and his manner of expressing them 
 direct and forcible. He cultivated his native faculties with 
 care in all directions. He kept commonplace books, in which 
 he entered extracts from works of writers, ancient and 
 modern ; wise sayings ; chronological historical notes, alpha 
 betically arranged ; terms of science and art, with appropriate 
 explanations; and drafts of some of his letters to friends. 
 
 5 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 128. 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 2 7 1 
 
 In one of these volumes, opened while he was a college stu 
 dent, he jots down, what seems to have struck him as a novel 
 doctrine, an observation of President Stiles: 
 
 "That it is his opinion that the first knowledge of the Prin 
 ciples of Phylosophy & Astronomy, together with many Arts 
 & Sciences, were first given to the Antients by Revelation." 
 
 His letters contain many spirited passages. 
 
 In one, for instance, written while a tutor, he says that 
 
 "before we declared ourselves independent, it was almost bold 
 to suppose it would not tarnish the Alphabet of Europe to 
 wrap it round an American Idea." 
 
 A student in one of his college classes, Dirck Ten Broeck, 
 writes him thus at Albany, in 1783: 
 
 "A true friend, a longing friend can, if possible, inform, 
 from experience, the pathetic feelings, the agreeable surprise, 
 occasioned by the receipt of your kind letter as I judge 
 yourself to be a Nisus and so being you may figure to 
 yourself my sentiments consider me then, walking from 
 Mother Yales, to my Museum to be stopt on this my jour 
 ney by a stranger accosted thus are you a student 
 yes do you know TenBroeck why? - - I think I've a 
 letter for him - - I'll give it to him, and spare you the trouble, 
 I think I know him very well the letter given into my 
 hands, you may suppose was soon open'd - - looking from 
 whom it came just with a squint, saw test. S. Baldwin 
 being put into my Pocket, was soon carried with myself, 
 into my Chamber - - after reading, and not 'till then, was I 
 pursuaded, that it came from my friend - - happy, truly 
 happy, are they, who have a friend, but happier those, who 
 have so good a friend, as I can boast 
 
 Perhaps you will tax me, with delay, in not sooner answer 
 ing your letter, believe me, I wrote as soon as I had read it 
 but have not been able to forward it 'till now your letter 
 is almost worn out so often do I read it I never can read 
 
272 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 
 
 your letters too often - be asur'd I feel as happy in 
 acknowledging the receipt of a letter from you - - as the 
 Lover in receiving tender words, and soothing smiles - 
 from his dearest object - - how I long to grasp your friendly 
 hand -- and ask - - how does my friend to day." 
 
 One of Mr. Baldwin's warm admirers was Stanley Gris- 
 wold of the Yale Class of 1786, who had studies under him 
 as a tutor, and replies thus to a letter sent to him by Mr. 
 Baldwin at Norwich, where he was then teaching school: 
 
 "Norwich, 27* Jan y - - 1787 
 Dear Sir - 
 
 That Mississipi of pleasure which yours of y e 6 th 
 Inst. caused to roll through my soul continues yet in an over 
 flowing condition & I believe will never be asswaged. To say 
 the worst of that letter I must pronounce it the most instruc 
 tive, opportune & agreeable one I ever rec d I sincerely 
 thank you for the best of friendly offices; - I mean your 
 determination not to flatter me. Had you observed this in 
 every expression of your letter, I should have been more 
 happy ; - - but I must think, you forgot me as a friend, when 
 you mentioned that 'my abilities would enable me to shine in 
 any profession/ 
 
 I am fully sensible that my strains to you have ever been 
 servile; - - but since the native freedom of every American 
 has not prevented this in me ; to what must it be attributed? 
 - to what indeed, but that idea of your great superiority 
 which I can testify to have ever existed in my mind. Sir, 
 I revere you. The Omnicient knows, I don't mean to flatter. 
 I detest the character. Not to enumerate, - - suffice it to 
 say, that, the unusual coincidence of circumstances, which 
 has ever attended the scene of our acquaintance from first 
 to last, has made out that idea of you, which I have, do &, 
 I believe, ever shall entertain. 
 
 You are very kind in offering your aid as a consolatory 
 friend. I thank you. Great exertions in that respect, how 
 ever, I think will not be needed, as our school has of late 
 become considerably numerous. Nothing would now invite 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 273 
 
 me from my present situation, except the advantages of liv 
 ing in N. Haven, or some such motive. This, however, I 
 never expect to be so happy as to obtain, while I am so 
 dependent on my own industry for getting a support. If 
 I am too selfish, pray, attribute it to the necessitated cir 
 cumscription of nobler views. Concerning the professions 
 I acknowledge the justness of your observations. At this 
 day the practice of Law is entirely forbidding; - - but, I 
 think, that the knowledge of its principles is highly inviting 
 & very necessary for a liberal character, whether theological 
 or physical. Such a character I have proposed to ambition; 
 - but whether unfavourable circumstances will not finally 
 clip her wings, time alone must unravel. I observe our 
 Priests in general to be quite too stanch, dogmatical & nar 
 row ; - - I mean, with respect to their sentiments of men and 
 occupations. To conform with them in these respects would 
 be intolerably irksome: It is ignobly base to depreciate in 
 the Parish & crouch in the City. All which is too abundantly 
 exemplifyed at general Elections & Public Commencements. 
 I wish there were more Doctor Stiles's ! - As to a physician, 
 I conceive it to be more pardonable for him to know nothing 
 beyond the limits of his own books: - - but in them the 
 importance of his profession leaves him without enough in 
 being but partially versed. The study & exercise of a 
 Physician place themselves with enticing charms before me, 
 while nature recoils at the idea of spending a life in the 
 house of distress, & of growing rich in proportion to the 
 acuteness of pains of my fellow-mortals. - - Come to reflect 
 tho', - - this may be urged in one shape or other against all 
 the professions. It is hard to discern with accuracy! 
 I think I now see the truth of the concluding words of your 
 Letter ; - - which are, that, 'it is no matter which we engage 
 in, provided we are actuated by those motives which move 
 the Patriot, the Philanthropist & the Christian/ 
 
 No news this way but good health & Massachusettensian 
 convulsions. Powder has this week been transported 
 through this place to Springfield. Massachusetts must, I 
 think, rue the fatal consequences of Ignorance which prevails 
 through most of the discontented towns. Next to that of 
 
2 74 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 
 
 serving you is the Pleasure with which I have the honor of 
 subscribing myself 
 
 Your most affec te friend 
 & humble ser* 
 
 Stanley Griswold." 
 
 Mr. Griswold fulfilled Mr. Baldwin's forecast. After a 
 dozen years in the ministry, he became the editor of a news 
 paper in New Hampshire, a Senator of the United States 
 from Ohio, and a Judge of the Northwestern Territory. 
 
 A few weeks after his admission to the bar, Mr, Baldwin 
 prepared a scheme for a sort of moot-court club of the 
 younger lawyers and a few law students in or near New 
 Haven. The paper is in his handwriting and reads thus : 
 
 "New Haven March 6 th 1786. 
 
 We whose Names are underwritten do mutually agree, to 
 form ourselves into a friendly Society, for our improvement 
 in the knowledge of the Law - - and do pledge our Honour 
 to adhere strictly - - as far as circumstances will permit to 
 the following 
 
 - Rules 
 
 1 That we all meet for the purposes hereinafter specified 
 at 6 o Clock on Fryday Evening of each week, at such place 
 as the meeting from time to time shall appoint. 
 
 2 The Exercises shall be as follows Law Questions 
 with all the legal Forms used in our Courts of Justice or 
 Bills bro't before the Assembly at the option of the Dis 
 putants shall be discussed by four Members each Evening 
 untill all have had their Turns Those who do not dispute 
 setting as Judges & giving their opinions as such. The 
 President or Chief Judge shall be chosen from among them 
 by Nomination When they have thus gone round one 
 Evening shall be set apart, for an Examination of the whole 
 upon some Branch of the Law previously agreed upon. 
 
 3 Evry Member shall make a formal Draught of some legal 
 Process used in our Courts such as an Attachment, Sum- 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 275 
 
 mons, Scire facias, Petion &c before Tuesday Night of each 
 week, wh h shall be interchanged among the Members & each 
 Member shall put in a plea or take Exceptions to that which 
 he receives & have them ready to be read at the opening of 
 the next meeting. 
 
 4 The first Meeting shall be at M r Baldwins Chamber on 
 Fryday the io th Inst. where all shall be examined by M r 
 Goodrich in the first Vol. of Blackstones Commentaries. - 
 
 Ab m V. H DeWitt C. Goodrich 
 
 Dyer White Matthew T. Russell 
 
 Saml. Whittelsy Enoch Perkins 
 
 Simeon Baldwin 
 D. Daggett 
 N. Rossiter 
 J. Leavitt 
 Barna. Bidwell 
 Peter DeWitt 
 
 Of the signers of this scheme, Abraham Van Horn DeWitt 
 (Yale, Class of 1785) was practicing law in Milford; Russell 
 (Yale, Class of 1779) and Perkins (Yale, Class of 1781) 
 were then College Tutors, and intended to settle, the former 
 in Middletown and the latter in Hartford; Rossiter (Yale, 
 Class of 1785) was practicing in Guilford; Leavitt (Yale, 
 Class of 1785) and Bidwell (Yale, Class of 1785) were 
 studying law under Charles Chauncey, not being admitted to 
 the bar until a considerably later date; and Peter DeWitt 
 (Yale, Class of 1799) came to College as a Junior in 1797, 
 and was admitted to the bar of New York in 1803. This 
 last signature was probably made in 1799, and indicates 
 that the "friendly society" was still in existence at that time. 
 It had presumptively become reduced in membership to Mr. 
 Chauncey and the students in his office, of whom, in 1800, 
 he had six, part of whose instruction took the form of moot 
 courts. 
 
276 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 
 
 One of the first suits in which Mr. Baldwin was retained 
 was against one Ephraim Fenno of Middletown for a debt 
 due to a Mr. Clark. He got judgment on it early in 1787 
 and at last succeeded in collecting the execution in full. To 
 do this he went to Middletown to receive the final payment 
 due. While there, at Mr. Fenno's invitation, he stopped 
 part of a day at his house. He offered on leaving to pay 
 for the entertainment, but Mr. Fenno declined to accept 
 anything for it. Not long afterwards, however, Mr. Fenno 
 drew on him for three shillings and one penny, as the price 
 of what he had received, and he paid that amount to the man 
 who presented the draft, following it up with this letter, 
 which shows that he could be angry on proper occasion : 
 
 "New Haven, Feb y 13 1788 
 M r Eph m Fenno 
 
 Sir 
 
 I this Day received the very unhandsome 
 open Billet & order wh h you sent me by M r Starr - I have 
 paid its Contents & taken his Receipt But altho you have 
 Age on your side & respect is due to the aged, when 
 accompanied with those Virtues wh h are becoming a Man 
 of your Years yet Sir I have the Independence to despise 
 every, little, mean transaction in whomsoever I perceive it 
 And, be assured Sir, I have not paid the Money because I 
 was afraid of a suit I know you could not recover it of 
 me but I despise the Idea of taking advantage of this 
 or of being beholden to a man whose Conduct in this Trans 
 action is so contemptable 
 
 Let your own Conscience answer you this Did not I 
 offer to pay for my entertainment when at your House? 
 You know I did & that your answer was this, that I had 
 been at so much Expence in coming twice to Middletown 
 for the money, you had so long owed me, that you would 
 receive nothing for my entertainment at your House I 
 urged it upon you & you refused And is it acting like a 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 277 
 
 man of Honour or Integrity to ask it now & in the manner 
 you have I am surprised at it M r Fenno, I did not think 
 it of you 
 
 You say too that I have collected the money without Mercy, 
 favour or Affection - Let your Conscience answer these 
 further questions wh h I will propose to it Has not this 
 money been due to Clark more than 16 months? You know 
 it has. Did not I obtain Jud* more than a year ago in his 
 favour? - - You also know I did. Did not you promise the 
 Money to me in Sep r last if I would come to Middletown? 
 you did - Did I not wait a month after your Note became 
 due before I sued it? I did After I had obtained Jud* 
 against you - - did not the Ex n once run out upon your 
 promise that it should be paid in the Life of it? It did 
 did you not know that this Debt has long since been assigned 
 over to a Gentleman in Norwich who liberated Clark from 
 Gaol, by paying his Debts on the prospect of receiving this, 
 Months ago ? You did for I told you - - Upon those facts 
 I have not a word to say to shew on which side Mercy, favour 
 or Affection ought to have been shewn. The Law has had its 
 course & you have vented your spleen I have sent your 
 demand of 3/1 which you have taken so much pains to 
 shew to the world I have never paid you, & (however you 
 may disregard it) I have sent with it the Contempt of 
 
 Simeon Baldwin." 
 
 During the year 1787 Mr. Baldwin began to receive young 
 men into his office as law students, a practice which he kept 
 up for many years. Generally they also boarded with him. 
 Among the first were Jeremiah Mason (Yale, Class of 1788), 
 Dor ranee Kirtland (Yale, Class of 1789), and Edward Dorr 
 Griffin (Yale, Class of 1790). Mason, afterwards of Bos 
 ton, was long one of the leaders at the New England bar. 
 He soon became satisfied that Connecticut was not an 
 attractive place for the practice of law, and left the State 
 to study where he intended to settle. This was Vermont and 
 
2 78 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 
 
 he writes thus to Mr. Baldwin from Westminster, January 
 5, I79i: 
 
 "I shall continue in the humble station of Clerk in Col. 
 Bradley' s 6 office & how long I shall the Lord only knows - 
 Perhaps till next Spring & perhaps longer. It is a fixed 
 opinion of the Gentlemen of the Bar in this State that a man 
 cannot Legally acquire any legal knowledge* only while 
 breathing the pure air of Vermont - Our Northern world 
 is rapidly rising in consequence in our own view at least - 
 Politicians & Politicks are in such plenty among us that it is 
 thought advisable to open a free trade with the United States 
 that we may have the benefit of exportation The proposals 
 made by the Commissioners of New York to this State you 
 have doubtless seen - Our convention sits this week to 
 adopt the Constitution - A weak opposition will ('tis said) 
 be made - The Assembly will meet next week when agents 
 will be chosen to negotiate with Congress concerning the 
 admission of this State, & Senators chosen to take a seat in 
 the Senate Chamber as soon as permitted." 
 
 In an autobiographical sketch contained in the Memoir of 
 Jeremiah Mason, which was privately printed in 1873, ne thus 
 refers (pages 15, 17) to the beginnings of his legal studies: 
 
 "I soon went to New Haven, entered Mr. Baldwin's office, 
 and lived in his family. Then, as at the present time, very 
 little instruction in the course of study was given in a private 
 office. I spent a year in Mr. Baldwin's office reading pretty 
 diligently. My time passed pleasantly; I had access to very 
 good society. He married a daughter of the celebrated 
 Roger Sherman and lived near him. He had a family of 
 children, some near my age. I was often at the house, 
 and very frequently saw Mr. Sherman. His reputation was 
 
 then at the zenith." 
 
 The State of Connecticut was overstocked with lawyers; 
 most of them had but little business, with fees and compensa- 
 
 6 Stephen R. Bradley, LL.D. (Yale, Class of 1775). 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 2 79 
 
 tion miserably small. The professional income of Pierpont 
 Edwards, supposed to be the largest in the State, was said not 
 to amount to two thousand dollars a year. Very few obtained 
 half that sum ; my master Baldwin, with his utmost diligence, 
 was scarcely able to maintain his small family, living in the 
 most simple manner. Seeing the host of needy young law 
 yers, some with clever talents, seeking business with little or 
 no success, I soon became satisfied that my prospect was 
 exceedingly unpromising. The common opinion was that 
 the prospect for success was much better in the neighboring 
 States. In most of the States at that time, to entitle a per 
 son to admission to the bar, a term of study within the State 
 was required. After maturely balancing the pros and cons, I 
 came to the conclusion, in the Fall of 1789, that it was best 
 for me to quit Connecticut/' 
 
 Among those who studied law in Mr. Baldwin's office in 
 later years were Benjamin Silliman (Yale, Class of 1796), 
 and his brother-in-law, Roger Sherman, 2d (Yale, Class of 
 1787), who soon turned from it to mercantile life, and was 
 for many years a member of the shipping and importing firm 
 of Prescott & Sherman, on Long Wharf in New Haven. 
 
 In the summer of 1787 he was employed by William 
 Moseley (Yale, Class of 1777) of the Hartford bar, to com 
 plete for him a manuscript form book, which he had recently 
 prepared, with a view to its use in instructing a student in 
 his office. It required many alterations and an index. The 
 work was of a kind that it pays a young lawyer to do for his 
 own improvement, and he received, in February, 1788, 3, 
 6 shillings for his services, the largest single fee that had 
 yet come in. 
 
 While waiting for business, he also received a little money 
 for tutoring young men needing further preparation for 
 college than they had yet received. On December 7, 1787, 
 President Stiles sent a South Carolinian youth, Stephen 
 Elliott, who had applied for admission to the College but was 
 
280 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 
 
 deficient in Greek "to Mr. Baldwin for three months further 
 instruction in that language, for which he was to pay five 
 shillings a week/' He made such progress that two months 
 proved sufficient, and after that period he was admitted as 
 a Freshman. 7 
 
 A young lawyer is prone to feel somewhat discouraged 
 at the small amount of business which finds its way to his 
 office, and still more at the length of time apt to elapse 
 between doing a piece of legal work and getting his pay for 
 it. He begins with no book charges, and his first year's cash 
 receipts are seldom a fair measure of that year's earnings. 
 
 During the year 1789, Mr. Baldwin was made City Clerk, 
 holding that office till 1800. 
 
 .His business showed a substantial growth in 1789, which 
 was continued in 1790. In that year appears among his 
 cash receipts a prize of 2, us., drawn in a New York 
 lottery, his ticket in which had cost him i, ics. His total 
 income was 115, 5d., and he spent 118, 155., 2d. 
 
 He now was to have aid from his family connections in the 
 shape of their influence towards securing him an office. 
 
 On September 24, 1789, while Roger Sherman was a mem 
 ber of the lower House of Congress, the Judiciary Act was 
 passed, settling the jurisdiction and organization of the 
 courts of the United States, and the President promptly sent 
 in nominations for the Judges, which were as promptly con 
 firmed. The position of Judge of the District Court for the 
 District of Connecticut went to Chief Judge Law of the 
 Superior Court, who lived in New London. Congress 
 adjourned September 29, and on October 3 Sherman wrote 
 to Judge Law, informing him of his appointment and adding : 
 
 "Your honor will have the appointment of a Clerk who 
 must reside at Hartford or New Haven. Simeon Baldwin, 
 
 7 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 291 ; Dexter, Yale Biographies, 4th 
 series, 704. 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 281 
 
 Esq., of this city, with whom you are well acquainted, would 
 execute the office well, and I believe, to good acceptance, if 
 he should be appointed. If your honor shall think fit to con 
 fer that office on him the favor will be gratefully acknowl 
 edged by him, and 
 
 Your sincere friend and humble servant, 
 
 Roger Sherman/' 
 
 Judge Law soon afterwards appointed Mr. Baldwin clerk 
 of the District and Circuit Courts, and he held these places 
 until 1806. 
 
 From June to October, 1791, he also held the place of a 
 local Collector of Revenue under the internal revenue laws 
 of the United States, but the pay was so small that he did not 
 care to continue longer in that office. 
 
 His cash account soon assumed a more cheering appear 
 ance. On January I, 1792, he made an inventory of his 
 property. It comprised 150 in book accounts; 86 in 
 promissory notes; 170 in Continental and State notes; and 
 20 in cash, subject to a reduction of 10 for small debts 
 which he owed. This amounted in all to 416. 
 
 A few months later (May 2, 1792) his father died, and 
 his share of the estate gave him something more. On Jan 
 uary i, 1793, he estimated that he was worth, irrespective 
 of this little patrimony, 602. 
 
 His father left him his share and a half in the Susquehanna 
 purchase in Pennsylvania. Each share represented a right 
 to six hundred acres. The best of the land was then worth 
 only about two shillings and sixpence an acre. He located 
 his right in the town of Bachelor's Adventure. 
 
 He now stopped taking any boarders, except an occasional 
 family or personal friend, who wished to spend a few days 
 in New Haven; and began to invest his surplus earnings. 
 His first large purchase was that of the house which had 
 
282 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 
 
 been occupied as his residence by Rev. Jonathan Edwards, 
 D.D., until he resigned his pastorate of the church in the 
 White Haven Society of New Haven. This he bought in 
 1795. It was a roomy, old-fashioned house, with a large 
 garden around it of about an acre in extent. A sketch of 
 the house, taken from the rear, faces this page. This was 
 his future residence through life. He paid $2,500 for it, 
 and for the addition of an adjacent lot, purchased a little later. 
 
 About this time Simeon Baldwin was elected a member of 
 the Friendly Society, a secret society formed in New 
 Haven in 1781. Its Constitution in some respects was like 
 that of the Junto, of Philadelphia, framed by Dr. Franklin. 
 One of its objects was the mutual assistance of each other 
 in "whatever may concern them in Counselling & advising 
 Them, and any other Friendly Acts in their Power : at the 
 same Time each Member shall endeavor at all Times to pre 
 serve the Characters of the Other Members, from the Mis 
 chiefs that may otherwise arise from Falsehood, Calumny, 
 Envy, Slander & Detraction." 
 
 Originally composed of seven, new members were elected 
 from year to year to the number of twelve. One of the last 
 chosen was Noah Webster (Yale, Class of 1778), who first 
 took up his residence in New Haven early in 1798. 
 
 The principles that governed Mr. Baldwin's practice are 
 well illustrated by the following letter, in which he frankly 
 admits a want of proper care for a client's interest and 
 shoulders the resultant loss: 
 
 "New Haven, July 6, 1801. 
 Mess r Samuel & Peter Talman 
 
 Gent n 
 
 I acknowledge at a very late 
 
 hour the rec* of yours of the 24 th of Mar. by Cap Miles my 
 mortification at the issue of my indulgence & the constant 
 

Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 283 
 
 hope of giving you a better account than I now can respect 
 ing the debt must apologize what it can. 
 
 On the rec* of yours I immediately called on M r Lynde 
 he promised me payment in a few days & assured me the 
 alarm arose solely from the failure of Heaton his former 
 partner. - in a few days tho at longer period than his first 
 proposal he brought me 140 Dol r - - & gave me such assur 
 ances respecting the remainder, that tho I had prepared an 
 att*. I suspended the Service & on my return to Town after a 
 few days absence I found he had failed & was shut up but, 
 as I confess it is probable had I pressed the collection imme 
 diately without reliance on his assurances & the respectability 
 of his connexions - - I should have obtained, I now enclose 
 the balance - - being as it foots Dol. 132 - trusting to the 
 faithless Bankrupt for my indemnification. 
 
 I will thank you for your Rec 1 of the sum from me but 
 that you would not credit the same to Lyde, as that would 
 frustrate my attempt to recover the balance - 
 
 I am with respects 
 
 Your Ob 1 . 
 
 S. Baldwin 
 
 His business was now a solid one, though his earnings seem 
 small as compared with those of New Haven lawyers a 
 century later. The following bills for service before the 
 legislature and the City Court speak for themselves : 
 
 "D r David Tallman & Hez h Clark 
 
 in a/c with S. Baldwin. 
 1802 
 
 Ocf G A. To ret 8 fee on Pet n respecting 
 
 mines Dol. 5. 
 
 To fees on hearing in both 
 
 Houses 15. 
 
 D r 20. oo 
 
284 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 
 
 D r David Tallman in a/c with S. Baldwin 
 1803 
 
 Mar. To ret 8 fee Benoni Hotchkiss v him - Dol. 3 
 To arg g Case Manus & him in City 
 
 C twice - - 10 
 
 13- 
 E E 
 
 S. Baldwin D r 33 - ' 
 
 On January i, 1800, his inventory was as follows: 
 
 Notes, probably good 2765.18 
 
 Book debts " iSS 1 ^ 2 
 Judgments " " say 200.00 
 
 4 shares in the New Haven bank 600. 
 
 10 " N. H. Insurance Co. 
 
 ten per cent paid in 100. 
 
 2 " Litchfield Turnpike Co. 252. 
 
 10 " N. H. & Hartford " 
 
 $16 per share paid in 160. 
 
 Homestead 2000. 
 Miles lot, 6 acres 200. 
 
 Hamden land 120. 
 
 Paid toward cargo in the "Hope" 375. 
 
 $8103.00 
 
 He owned one thirty-second of the ship Hope and cargo. 
 She was probably controlled by Prescott & Sherman. 
 
 Every year now told the story of new savings and new 
 investments. One line of his business was the handling of 
 funds or property for others. James Hillhouse was one of 
 those who employed him in this way, and often would have 
 a balance in Mr. Baldwin's hands of $1,000 or more. Occa 
 sionally the account would go the other way. In Mr. Bald 
 win's inventory for January i, 1803, amounting to over 
 $14,000, one item is $900, for money due from Mr. Hillhouse. 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 285 
 
 His practice had become quite extensive. Clients came 
 from all the surrounding towns and also from Hartford, 
 Litchfield, Fairfield, New London and Middlesex Counties. 
 He had also business of some importance from New York 
 and Philadelphia. 
 
 In December, 1801, he had twenty-nine cases on the docket 
 of the Superior Court and in November, 1802, fourteen on 
 that of the County Court. 
 
 In 1805, soon after his election as a Representative in 
 Congress, under the circumstances mentioned in Chapter X, 
 he received a letter from his cousin, Roger Minot Sherman 
 (Yale, Class of 1792) of Fairfield, offering to attend to such 
 of his pending cases as he might see fit to intrust to him 
 during his absence at Washington, on the basis of an equal 
 division of the fees. Mr. Baldwin preferred an arrangement 
 which should embrace all his legal business, whether in or 
 out of court, and concluded one of this nature with Charles 
 Denison of New Haven (Yale, Class of 1796). All fees 
 thereafter earned by either, before the expiration of Mr. 
 Baldwin's term in Congress, were to be equally divided 
 between them, and the business was to be conducted in Mr. 
 Baldwin's former office. 
 
 The clerkship of the District Court he resigned, on the 
 promise of Mr. Denison that if he should be appointed his 
 successor, he would in turn resign when Mr. Baldwin's term 
 in Congress expired, should the latter then desire to resume 
 it. Judge Law had previously intimated his assent to such 
 an arrangement. 
 
 One of his last trials before going on the bench was that 
 of several young men, including some College students, and 
 among them a son of his old friend David Daggett, who were 
 prosecuted criminally for rioting and assault, at an affray 
 between "town and gown" in the early part of 1806. The 
 students had got up a ball at "Bloomfield's Assembly Hall," 
 
286 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 
 
 and one or two of them, hearing that some of the town boys 
 were planning to make things uncomfortable for them, went 
 armed with pistols. Several more had clubs, and when the 
 disorder commenced, late in the evening, there were loud 
 cries for the College Bully. 8 Guy Richards, of the Senior 
 class, who then held that office, flew to the spot, and was 
 immediately knocked down, the town lads crying out, "Here 
 is the damned bully, that has dared us out to fight so often/' 
 Blows were freely exchanged, and it was finally necessary 
 to read the Riot Act. 
 
 As both sides were shown to be in fault, the matter quieted 
 down, when the lawyers came to discuss it, and Richards 
 received his degree with his class at Commencement. 
 
 Mr. Baldwin did not give all his working time to legal 
 study and practice. He ranked well among those of his age 
 as a public speaker, and his services in that line were often 
 in request. 
 
 In September, 1787, occurred the first anniversary of the 
 founding of Phi Beta Kappa in Connecticut. It was appro 
 priately celebrated and Mr. Baldwin delivered what proved 
 to be the first of a long series of orations pronounced before 
 the Society at the annual College Commencements. It was 
 in praise of philosophy as the guide of life. It was, he 
 admitted, no easy task for philosophers to elevate humanity. 
 
 "(If I may be allowed the expression, & in a qualified sense, 
 I may) this is almost the only part of Creation w T hich the 
 Supreme Being has left in a manner, unfinished." 
 We come into the world equally destitute of ideas. A small 
 difference there may be in the powers of the mind, but a much 
 
 8 Each Senior class formerly had such an officer of justice or injus 
 tice, who had the charge of a formidable club known as the Bully Club. 
 Yale Book, II, 460. 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 287 
 
 greater is made by the different modes of cultivating it." 
 
 "The 4> B K is dayly enlarging New 
 
 branches spring from this growing stock, that they may 
 spread the influence of our benevolent Institution, among the 
 good & virtuous of every Country - This Year, Brothers, 
 will commence the ^Era of a new star in our increasing Con 
 stellation A new collection of Brothers while they 
 improve by the exercises of this society & cherish the prin 
 ciples of our fraternal Union, will rejoice to unite with us 
 the friendly Hand & Social Heart." 
 
 The new star was the Dartmouth chapter, which had been 
 established in the preceding month (August 30, 1787). 
 
 On July 4, 1788, there was an unusually elaborate cele 
 bration of the day in New Haven, on account of the ratifica 
 tion of the Constitution of the United States by Virginia, 
 of which news had arrived the day before. A procession 
 was formed a hundred and twenty rods in length and an 
 oration was delivered by Mr. Baldwin in the Center Church ; 
 followed by a public dinner at the State House attended by 
 about a hundred and fifty. 9 
 
 The committee of arrangements printed the address, and 
 apart from his many judicial opinions, it is the only piece 
 of literary work ever published in which he is named as the 
 author. It occupied a little over half an hour in delivery 
 and went over the history of republican institutions in 
 America. As for the Declaration of Independence, he said 
 that "the world confessed it nobly done, and Heaven has 
 ratified the deed." 
 
 The work of the Constitutional Convention of 1789 had 
 not yet been ratified. He deplores the fatal weakness of the 
 existing Confederation. 
 
 "The nerves of the whole body politic should concenter in 
 the supreme executive ; and the great council of the nation, 
 
 9 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 321. 
 
288 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 
 
 under due restrictions, ought to command the purse and the 
 sword ; or in vain will they wield the sceptre of government. 
 To what purpose should a legislative enact laws, if nobody is 
 obliged to obey them? To what purpose make contracts, 
 which they can never fulfil? To what purpose remonstrate 
 against the encroachments, the insults . . . the abuses 
 of other nations, when they have not the appearance of 
 power to oppose them ? O my country ! thy glory hath been 
 tarnished by the consequences of a confederation totally 
 deficient in these particulars. The resolves of that illus 
 trious body of men, who form the nerveless council of our 
 union, are disregarded at home, and despised abroad. Our 
 commerce languishes. Public credit is no more; and the 
 glory of the United States . . . where is it? It expired 
 with that patriotic warmth which once united our councils, 
 opened our purses, and strengthened our arms without the 
 force of law/' 
 
 But a new birth of the nation was to be expected, in view 
 of what had been done in Philadelphia. The members of 
 the Convention were truly the representatives of the people. 
 
 "For a moment turn your attention to that venerable body 
 . examine the characters of those illustrious sages, 
 eminent for political wisdom and unsullied virtue 
 see them unfolding the volumes of antiquity, and carefully 
 examining the various systems of government, which differ 
 ent nations have experienced, and judiciously extracting the 
 excellence of each . . . listen to the irresistible reasons 
 which they urge . . . mark the peculiar amity which 
 distinguishes their debates . . . hear the mutual con 
 cessions of private interest to the general good, while they 
 keep steadily in view the great object of their counsels, the 
 firm CONSOLIDATION of our union - - and then glory, 
 Americans, in the singular unanimity of that illustrious 
 assembly of patriots, in the most finished form of govern 
 ment that ever blessed a nation. 
 
 By the Constitution of the United States, all the essential 
 rights of freemen, and the dignity of individual States are 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1786 to 1806 289 
 
 secured. The people have the mediate or immediate election 
 of their rulers ... to the people they are amenable 
 for their conduct, and can constitutionally be removed by the 
 frequency of election. While the voice of the people is heard 
 in the House of Representatives, the independent sovereignty 
 of the several States will be guarded by the wisdom of the 
 Senate, and the disinterested penetration of the President will 
 balance the influence and prevent the encroachments of each." 
 
 One relic of barbarism, Slavery, leaning on the slave trade, 
 remained. 
 
 "Yes, even in this land of boasted freedom, this asylum for 
 the oppressed, that inhuman practice has lost its horrors by 
 the sanction of custom. 
 
 To remedy this evil will be a work of time. God be 
 thanked it has already begun. Most of the southern & 
 middle states have made salutary provision by law for the 
 future emancipation of this unfortunate race of men, and it 
 does honour to the candour and philanthropy of the southern 
 states, that they consented to that liberal clause in our new 
 constitution, evidently designed to abolish a slavery upon 
 which they base their riches. It is the duty of every friend 
 to his country to lead his fellow citizens to rational reflection 
 upon these interesting subjects, to abolish as much as pos 
 sible the vices peculiar to us as a nation and as individuals, 
 and to disseminate still farther those principles of wisdom and 
 virtue which form the pillars of republican government." 
 
 10 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 POLITICAL ACTIVITIES 
 
 Before going on the bench, Mr. Baldwin had taken an 
 active part in the politics of his town and State. He was 
 a strong Federalist from the beginning of his career until 
 the party bearing that name ceased to exist. He served early 
 and long on its campaign committees, and exercised a con 
 siderable influence in its counsels. He had able men to work 
 with. In 1804 he was associated on the State Federalist 
 Committee, among others, with Noah Webster, Enoch Per 
 kins and Theodore Dwight. 
 
 At about this period, the following confidential circular, 
 written by him, was sent out from the central office of the 
 party, to the local committee in each town : 
 
 "Inclosed is a form of a subscription to raise a fund for the 
 promotion of the circulation of federal-newspapers & pam 
 phlets. This fund is to be at the disposal of the general 
 Conf* who are in the first place to promote an extensive 
 circulation of one principal Newspaper & then to afford such 
 encouragement to other good newspapers as may be necessary 
 & consistent with the state of the funds - - probably as much 
 will be expended in your County as will be raised there. - 
 
 In order to furnish the people with correct information of 
 the state of public affairs it is intended, in addition to such 
 federal papers as shall be subscribed for, to distribute gratis 
 to the Inhabitants of every town in this State such number 
 as the circumstances shall require. - 
 
 The money must be raised from Gentlemen of property 
 and liberal minds - To such characters you will be pleased 
 to hand the subscription individually, or call a meeting of 
 them in each town for that purpose The latter mode is 
 
P o litical A c tivities 291 
 
 perhaps preferable if you can attend to the business person 
 ally, or can intrust it to some confidential agent. - 
 
 You will be pleased to obtain accurate information of the 
 number & kind of Newspapers now taken in each Town. 
 
 Endeavor to promote subscriptions for Hudson & Good 
 win's paper 1 (which will be the principal one) & such other 
 federal Newspapers as have usually circulated in your part 
 of the Country, & to report what number & whose papers it 
 will in your opinion be expedient to distribute gratis in each 
 town in addition to what shall be subscribed for. - 
 
 It is recommended to you to afford all the aid you can 
 procure to the Editors of federal Newspapers in your County 
 & Vicinity, in addition to copious extracts from Hudson & 
 Goodwin's paper which it is thought advisable for them to 
 make. - 
 
 The Tone of the papers should be temperate decent & 
 manly -- the stile & manner of political disquisition should be 
 plain & perspicuous, & they should not be of tedious length 
 multwn in parvo should always be remembered. 
 
 The diffusion of correct information through the medium 
 of Newspapers is deemed to be of the utmost importance, & 
 to effect it your prompt & steady exertions are required. 
 
 You will be pleased to confer with the printers of Federal 
 Newspapers in your Neighborhood - Give them as much 
 information of the general arangements, respecting news 
 papers - - as you think proper, & if they will come into it, 
 assure them they shall receive a proportionate support from 
 the general Fund. - 
 
 You will take particular care that the subscriptions do not 
 get into the hands of improper persons, & that the written 
 instructions do not go out of your own hands on any occa 
 sion. " 
 
 The following general campaign instructions were found 
 among his papers and are in his handwriting. They 
 indicate that he was a shrewd political manager. 
 
 1 The Hartford Courant. 
 
292 Political A ctivities 
 
 I st That the Town Committees as early as may be, pro 
 cure an exact List of all the Freemen in their respective 
 Towns arranged under two Heads - - Federal - - Demo 
 cratic This they should keep on hand & as new freemen 
 are admitted their names should be added. - The number 
 of all the freemen & of those under each head to be sent as 
 early as may be to the County Committee, that a return of 
 the number in all the Towns may be sent to the State Com 66 
 
 This will shew the strength of parties in each Town, & 
 also the strength of parties throughout the State, & it is 
 confidently believed that the federal Interest in most of the 
 Towns & in the State will be found more powerful than is 
 generally supposed. Let this consideration be an incitement 
 to activity & preseverence. 
 
 2 d The Town Com 668 should associate with themselves 
 a number of the most active, sensible & judicious men in their 
 respective Towns, to aid them. When a f reemens meeting 
 approaches the Town Com 66 should arrange the names of 
 all the federal Freemen in their respective Towns & draw off 
 
 6, 8, or 10, names on a slip of paper requesting some one 
 trusty person to take such separate List & engage to call 
 on each man named upon it & request him, laying aside all 
 excuses to attend freemens meeting, to be there at the open 
 ing & to stay & vote untill the business of the Day is finished 
 
 This will insure us an increase of many thousand Votes 
 The necessity of it therefore should be earnestly pressed 
 upon the freemen by all the motives which the nature of the 
 case furnishes. - 
 
 3 Nominations & the names of those in nomination who 
 are to be voted for at the particular meeting, either for the 
 Council or for Congress, should be distributed, to the free 
 men at the time they are called upon to attend freemens meet 
 ing; in this way they will learn the general arrangement, & 
 will be prepared to vote alike thro' the State. 
 
 4 th The Town Com 668 should make Lists of all the young 
 men in their respective Towns, who are or may be qualified 
 to be admitted freemen & see that they are admitted. - 
 Seasonable attention should be paid to the qualification by 
 Deed. - The Law requires a Deed to be recorded at length 
 
Political A ctivities 293 
 
 four Calendar months before the f reemens meeting - The 
 Town records should be examined from time to time to see 
 if any fraudulent attempts are making by pretended con 
 veyances of Land to qualify new Democratic freemen. - 
 
 5 th The Town Com 66 should pay particular attention to 
 the young men, that are coming upon the stage, that they 
 may be early engaged on the side of truth and sound prin 
 ciples, & that they may be guarded against the errors & 
 delusions of Democracy This is a most important point 
 & requires great prudence & attention. 
 
 6 th If any falsehood, misrepresentation, or embarrassment 
 should exist in any particular Town or place the operation 
 of which may be unfavorable to the good order & Gov* of the 
 State & favorable to the cause of Democracy, early infor 
 mation of the facts & circumstances of the case should be 
 made by the Town Com 69 to the County Com es & by them to 
 the State Com 66 , that a remedy may be provided if possible, 
 And generally that the Town Com 668 communicate to the 
 County Com 66 , that they may communicate to the State Com 66 
 all such facts & information as may be useful to the federal 
 
 cause " 
 
 A newspaper squib, from which the following extract is 
 made, was written by him in August, 1790, in answer to 
 complaints, which a "Republican" had recently published, 
 of the new Constitution of the United States. 
 
 "The Constitution must be radically defective I 
 would therefore humbly propose the following further amend 
 ments to the Constitution 
 
 1 Clashing interests & local policy or prejudice shall no 
 longer exist in the minds of M (embers) of C(ongress) 
 
 2 To prevent a mispence of time in unnecessary debate 
 two thirds of each House shall always agree in every Bill or 
 Resolve, before it shall be proposed. 
 
 3 To convince the other third & keep up the perfect free 
 dom of Debate 5 speakers on each side shall be allowed to 
 debate in speaches 5 minutes long 
 
294 Political Activities 
 
 4 When a Question has been once taken, the resolve shall 
 be like those of the Medes & Persians unalterable, unamend- 
 able, because that would occasion a misspende of precious 
 time 
 
 5 The fees of all officers, Doorkeepers not excepted, shall 
 be regulated by those of the State Gov 1 of Con 1 - 
 
 6 The residence of Congress .shall not be in an Indian 
 wigwam, nor in the Howling Wilderness. 
 
 7 The petitions of Baron Stuben 2 & Nat. Twing shall be 
 negatived without being read - 
 
 These amendments I think will comprehend most of our 
 sources of uneasiness & I am surprised that the wise f ramers 
 of our Con n had not the sagacity to insert them/ 5 
 
 The selections from his correspondence to be found in 
 Chapter XIV show that he was, throughout his life, in par 
 ticularly close political association with two of his brother 
 lawyers in New Haven, Elizur Goodrich and David Daggett. 
 The three men were of about the same age. Each was sent 
 by Connecticut to represent her in the lower House of Con 
 gress, and one was a member of both Houses. Each had a 
 ready pen, but Daggett could use his with the most skill and 
 effect. Each lived to the age of over eighty. Their houses 
 were near together and their families were on terms of 
 intimate friendship. 
 
 During the last month of John Adams' administration, the 
 Collector of the port of New Haven died, and Elizur Good 
 rich was appointed his successor. The nomination was 
 promptly confirmed and Mr. Goodrich assumed the duties 
 of the office early in March. In the latter part of the month 
 he was removed by the new President and the office conferred 
 on Samuel Bishop, a prominent Democrat, and father of one 
 still more prominent, Abraham Bishop (Yale, Class of 1778). 
 
 2 In this year Congress granted to Gen. von Steuben, of our Revo 
 lutionary Army, a pension of $2,500 a year. 
 
Political Activities 295 
 
 This was one of the earliest, if not the earliest, removal of a 
 competent Federal official for political reasons, and occa 
 sioned a letter of remonstrance, signed by Elias Shipman and 
 other merchants in the collection District of New Haven, 
 and a reply, justifying his course, from President Jefferson. 
 Both of these papers are well-penned and forcible in both 
 statement and argument. Mr. Baldwin drafted the remon 
 strance for the merchants. In Jefferson's reply occurs the 
 often quoted passage as to his being compelled to make some 
 removals, because the Federalists had had a monopoly of 
 office, and vacancies "by death are few; by resignation 
 none," and that after giving something like a just propor 
 tion of new appointments to his political supporters, he 
 should "return with joy to that state of things, when the 
 only questions concerning a candidate shall be; Is he honest? 
 Is he capable? Is he faithful to the Constitution?" 3 
 
 Tapping Reeve (Princeton, Class of 1763) of Litchfield, 
 founder of the "Litchfield Law School," was a Judge of 
 the Superior Court from 1798 to 1815, and Chief Judge dur 
 ing his last year of office. His wife was a sister of Aaron 
 Burr. 
 
 In April, 1806, he was indicted in the Circuit Court for 
 the District of Connecticut, under the Alien and Sedition 
 Act, on the charge of publishing a seditious libel. The 
 prosecution was disapproved by President Jefferson, who 
 regarded this Act as unconstitutional, and a nolle prosequi 
 was entered in 1807. 
 
 While it was pending, most of the leaders among the 
 Federalist lawyers and a few among the Democratic ones 
 joined in sending the following letter to Judge Reeve. This 
 was signed by over forty lawyers, and among them was 
 
 3 Atwater, History of the City of New Haven, 321 ; Writings of 
 Thomas Jefferson, Library Ed., X, 268. 
 
296 Political A ctivities 
 
 Simeon Baldwin. It is one of his last acts of a political 
 character before going on the bench. 
 
 "Hartford, May 23, 1806. 
 Honorable Tapping Reeve 
 
 Sir 
 
 We have been informed that dur 
 ing the late Session of the Circuit Court of the United States 
 at New Haven you were designated for prosecution, on 
 account of a publication pretended to be libellous. What 
 ever may have been the cause of such a procedure, our con 
 fidence in the correctness of your information and the purity 
 of your principles will not permit us to believe you deserving 
 the character of a libeller. We do not attempt to express 
 the various sentiments excited in our minds by this accusa 
 tion against Judge Reeve. But we request you freely to 
 command our professional aid if, in your estimation, any of 
 our exertions should be desirable for your defence. How 
 ever unnecessary our assistance may be to a gentleman versed 
 in the science of jurisprudence we hope this voluntary proffer 
 of our services will be accepted as a testimonial of the senti 
 ments of respect and friendship with which we are, Sir, 
 
 Your very obedient and humble servants. 4 
 
 Judge Baldwin came now for nearly twelve years to hold 
 a position which withheld him from engaging in political 
 discussions. After May, 1818, he was again at liberty to 
 express his views on public questions without reserve, and 
 then he began at once to take the benefit of his new freedom. 
 
 The following draft of a letter in his handwriting has 
 been preserved among his papers. It would appear from its 
 contents to have been written shortly before the Convention, 
 which framed the Constitution of the State, of 1818, was 
 assembled. The name of the person to whom it was 
 addressed is not given, and it may have been written for use 
 in the newspapers, as a reply to a supposititious inquirer. 
 
 4 Conn. Herald for Nov. i, 1806. 
 
P o litical A c tivities 297 
 
 "Sir 
 
 I confess I have been one of those who long opposed the 
 mania for a Constitution for Connecticut, because I believed 
 we had one. - I was opposed to forming a new one because 
 I did not believe we could make one, more favourable to the 
 liberty of the people or more congenial to their habbits 
 because this had grown venerable by antiquity had carried 
 in safety thro' the many perils, revolutions & political tur 
 moils of nearly two Centuries. - (We have grown up in 
 the enjoyment of it, & our children practically know it) 
 the bold features of which were delineated in the Conven 
 tion of 1639 - - & which received its finishing touches in 
 1662. Shall we now reject the Gov n of our choice & say we 
 have no Constitution because we once enjoyed it by royal 
 favour ; as well may we renounce our independence for that 
 was yielded to us by the same royal sanction. Still if it is 
 the wish of my fellow citizens to divest the instrument of 
 its royal charter robes & cloath it in a more fashionable 
 republican dress I will not object provided the garment is 
 made to fit those who must wear it 
 
 It has often been said by others as well as ourselves, that 
 no portion of the globe exhibits a specimen of purer Democ 
 racy, than the republic of Connecticut & I much doubt whether 
 any form of Gov fc existing has so long & so well protected the 
 rights of the citizens & at the same time exhibitted energy 
 & inspired respect This I agree has been owing in some 
 measure to the steady habits of the people, naturally growing 
 out of such a form of Gov 1 to which they & their fathers 
 have been enured during a period beyond their memories 
 This has hitherto suited the people well, it has produced 
 happy results in the protection of life, liberty, property & 
 all that is dear to freemen Why then hazzard the experi 
 ment of a change? Our Neighbours were under the neces 
 sity of forming Constitutions after the Declaration of 
 Independence because they had no form of Gov* suited to 
 that condition - - would any of their constitutions suit the 
 people of Connecticut better than our own? - have they 
 enjoyed more freedom or political happiness during the last 
 40 years than we have ? - - or do we think we could manage 
 
298 P o litical A c timties 
 
 their Constitutions better than they? fellow citizens be not 
 deceived, your passions have been enflamed by designing 
 men who to answer sinister purposes would persuade you 
 that we have no Constitution, & that for 40 years your Gov t 
 has been an usurpation, that your Governor & your Counsel 
 whom you have annually chosen & your representatives 
 whom you have semiannually elected have exercised the 
 power of legislation without authority - - & that the Jud te 
 of your judicial Tribunals are of course void - Sober 
 reason will teach you it is not so - It has already quieted 
 much of the alarm on this subject yet so much has been 
 said and done that it seems necessary to make the enquiry 
 whether alterations cannot be advantageously made. I 
 would willingly have avoided the excitement necessarily inci 
 dent to the discussion of such a subject - because I know 
 we have long been a happy people, & I have reason to fear 
 that a change in our Constitution of Gov* would not make us 
 more so - - because I am fully convinced we cannot be united 
 in many of the amendments I have heard proposed - 
 
 So far as it is the wish of any portion of my fellow citizens 
 to divest the instrument of its royal robes & cloath it in a more 
 fashionable republican dress, I will not object. This may be 
 done without essentially "impairing our institutions or 
 abridging the rights & privileges of the people" - but more 
 I know is intended 
 
 Your Gov r is now a constituant part of the Legislature: 
 he sits & votes in the house of Assistants - - Are you willing 
 to make him a distinct branch and give him a complete or 
 even a qualified Negative ? This royal prerogative has been 
 engrafted into some Constitutions called republican. This 
 principle is important in a monarchial Gov* to guard the 
 rights of the crown - - but what rights or prerogatives has 
 a Gov r of Con 1 distinct from the people, I have no fear that 
 this will succeed - But if you separate him from the legis 
 lature you must give him some power, he does not now pos 
 sess, or his office will become a sinecure & sink into 
 insignificance will you take from the Gen Assembly the 
 power of appointment to office, a power they have always 
 enjoyed, & seldom abused, & vest that in the Governor either 
 
Political A ctivities 299 
 
 wholly or partially - This is an important power & I know 
 has its advocates - You ought then to consider the sub 
 ject thoroughly, before you are suddenly called to sanction 
 such a measure. - 
 
 I have never heard complaints of essential evils resulting 
 from the present mode of appointing to office - 
 
 The sheriffs being peculiarly executive officers have been 
 immemorially appointed by the Gov r & Council. The can 
 didates for the higher offices are supposed to be known to 
 the representatives, they are selected from the State at large 
 by a general ballot in each house - - local officers both civil 
 & military are selected & nominated by the representatives 
 from the District within which they are to act & are then 
 appointed or rejected by the Gen 1 Assembly - Will a well 
 disposed Governor select with less partiality or be liable to 
 less imposition? I am persuaded that a people so long 
 accustomed to popular appointments to office will not readily 
 yield them to the will & pleasure of the best man among 
 them, A power so peculiarly democratic & so flattering to 
 the pride of freemen I think they will retain. - 
 
 An attempt will be made to introduce another important 
 principle. I mean the independence of your Judiciary. This 
 undoubtedly would be an improvement - - an independent 
 Judiciary ought to be the pride & boast of every free people 
 
 - but it is to be feared we are not yet ripe for such a change 
 
 - Our present Constitution admits of appointment for a 
 longer period than one year The Legislature once 
 partially adopted the principle & by law declared that their 
 Judges should hold their offices during the pleasure of the 
 Assembly; this law soon became unpopular: their pleasure 
 was annually manifested by reappointments, the law became 
 obsolete & was eventually repealed - - Upon the recommenda 
 tion of the Gov r it became the subject of legislative delibera 
 tion during the last year, & was, rejected, can we reasonably 
 hope for better success in the Convention - 
 
 This is plausible & specious merely - The State of Con 
 necticut is so limited in extent that we have never expe 
 rienced difficulty from not knowing the Characters of the 
 Candidates for the office of Assistants or Rep* in Congress, 
 
300 Political A ctivities 
 
 nor can we ever experience it provided we can restore to its 
 antient purity our peculiar system of nomination - It may 
 be called peculiar to Connecticut because it does not probably 
 exist any where else It originated in the Convention of 
 1639 : the System has been adhered to ever since & by various 
 emendations has been improved - To this more than any 
 other single cause is to be attributed the stability of our Gov 1 
 and the succession of dignified Characters who have gen 
 erally adorned her Councils - In former times men grad 
 ually rose into nomination, as their increasing votes from 
 year to year led to inquiries & opened to view their qualifica 
 tions for office This beautiful feature of our Constitu 
 tion has indeed been impaired by party zeal in moddern times 
 Organized Caucuses, those fatal enemies, of all govern 
 ment, good order & freedom of election have imposed upon 
 the freemen, candidates for nomination, not designated by 
 antecedent Votes of the freemen If they were the best of 
 the parties who selected them, they were not always the best 
 in the State, If the Convention can in their wisdom restore 
 & perpetuate this antient mode of election, in its purity, there 
 will be no occasion for Districts in this little republic, to 
 secure the talents of the best & ablest men in the State for 
 those important offices. - Local interests, being represented 
 in the lower house, ought not to influence the choice of 
 Assistants. - 
 
 ! Another important subject of amendment, & intimately 
 connected with the last is the elective Franchise - The qual 
 ification on which freemen were at first admitted does not 
 appear - - but it does appear that for 50 years after the 
 establishment of our Gov* it was considered a subject of so 
 much consequence that none were admitted free but at a gen 
 eral Assembly & upon a previous nomination & they very 
 soon required proof of the possession of property as well as 
 of orderly behavior - For more than a century past the 
 pecuniary qualifications have been the possession of Free 
 hold estate at least of 4O/ annual value or 40 of personal, 
 computed by the list The depreciation of money had 
 reduced these qualifications more than one half ingenious 
 devices still more, & the last Act of Assembly has done them 
 
Political A ctivities 3 r 
 
 away This ought to be a subject for the serious delibera 
 tion of the Convention. Our present system approaches 
 so near to universal suffrage that many suppose it would 
 be better to make it clearly so Our present system in the 
 opinion of most politicians has been thought too dangerous 
 for experiment - 
 
 Perhaps the Convention can retrace this hazardous step 
 of the Legislature - - or at least interpose an Antidote, by 
 requiring suitable pecuniary qualifications in electors of the 
 Governor & Council Such a provision is common in other 
 States & might still give energy & stability to our Govern 
 ment - 
 
 What think you of lessening the popular branch of your 3) 
 legislature & enlarging the other? this may be a subject 
 for your deliberation. There is doubtless a convenience 
 in having one rep. from each town to represent their local 
 interests - - perhaps the evil complained of may be lessened 
 by giving one to each town & an increase for population in 
 such ratio as to reduce the number of the whole - This 
 would lessen expence, increase responsibility, & tend to the 
 dispatch of business - On the other hand an increase of 
 the other house would add to the expence, lessen the dignity 
 & responsibility of the members & delay business - - but it 
 would open a more extensive field to gratify ambition, or to 
 reward merit. - 
 
 Connected with this is the enquiry whether the Legislature 4 
 shall have two Sessions annually or only one & if one whether 
 this shall be alternate at Hartford & New Haven or confined 
 to one place as the Judgment Seat of Gov 1 . - This is a 
 subject of much delicacy & some interest. - It is always 
 unpleasant & generally impolitic to break in upon ancient 
 habits if innocent & unproductive of evil - From the com 
 mencement of our Gov* the people have been accustomed to 
 two Sessions which by ancient compact have been held 
 alternately at Hartford & New Haven - This has been 
 found conducive to the dispatch of business & very con 
 venient for the Inhabitants of the different portions of the 
 State. It has gratified the people with frequent elections 
 & semiannually brought in review before the electors the 
 
302 Political A ctivities 
 
 conduct of their representatives - Short sessions are not 
 indeed so convenient for the slow & careful deliberation 
 which ought to characterize the enactment of Laws - - but in 
 a State like this, few new laws of importance are necessary, 
 & when they are, they can be & usually are postponed for 
 deliberation to the next session - The principal object of 
 the Legislature being the watchful Guardianship of the 
 interests of the State, the dispatch of business of a local or 
 individual concern can be better accomplished by two than 
 by a single session & it is believed the expence will not be 
 greater because a single session in the winter, when the days 
 are short will consume more time & be attended with addi 
 tional expence. - But if it should be deemed advisable so 
 far to break in upon our ancient practice as to have but one 
 session & of course choose our representatives for the year 
 
 - where shall that session be held? H & N H. are well 
 situated for alternate sessions, but neither of them is central 
 
 - Shall we abandon the accommodations of both & seek one 
 more central ? 
 
 In 1817, when the "Toleration party" carried in their 
 nominee for Governor, Oliver Wolcott, he advised, in his 
 inaugural message, some radical changes in the existing 
 system of taxation. 
 
 Judge Baldwin held opposite views, and among his papers 
 is a rough draft of an argument against the Governor's pro 
 posals, from which extracts are given below. It was probably 
 written for publication early in 1819. 
 
 "The Crisis 
 To the people of Connecticut 
 
 The affairs of no country ever progressed with such 
 rapidity as yours to an alarming crisis - Within the short 
 period of the last year, your system of Gov 1 , the glory of 
 your ancestors & the pride & bost of their posterity has been 
 overthrown These venerable institutions of our fathers 
 have been undermined & the steady habbits of Connecticut, 
 
Political Activities 303 
 
 exchanged for the turbulent spirit of reform In the short 
 period of Days a Convention was chosen - - a new con 
 stitution of Gov* framed, & adopted by the people in a mode 
 & by measures unprecedented in the annals of deliberate 
 assemblies - These changes have been effected, by impair 
 ing the ancient guards to the elective franchise & extending 
 the right almost to universal suffrage. Pecuniary qualifica 
 tions are no longer necessary for the privileges of freemen of 
 the State And property is controuled by pennyless voters. 
 All this was done during the fatal period of the slumbering 
 apathy of the friends of the State Wearied with the toil 
 of constantly guarding their political rights, it is known that 
 many real friends to the ancient Gov 1 & institutions of the 
 State have retired from the polls, either in disgust, or with 
 out anticipation of the extent of evils to which they exposed 
 themselves & the State. - Their opponents elated with suc 
 cess have hurried on the delusive work of tolleration & 
 reform, grasping for themselves the offices & emoluments of 
 those whom they have displaced without cause or imputation 
 - Alas "Our Councillors are not as at the beginning" 
 But the work of reform is not yet ended - - a bold attempt 
 has been made & is still in operation to change your whole 
 system of revenue, a system matured & improved by the 
 experience of more than a century. This subjects demands 
 your most serious attention Property will always shape 
 itself to any tollerable, permanent system of taxation ; - - if 
 our present system is capable of improvement let us amend 
 it, but remember that a radical change is always attended 
 with evils many of which will be unforseen & incalculable. 
 This scheme is peculiarly alarming to the farmer, & not unin 
 teresting to the subjects of assessment. - The project was 
 first proposed to the Legislature in May 1817 the plan then 
 seemed to be to obtain a valuation of lands and buildings & 
 raise our taxes on real estate exclusively. The subject was 
 referred to their financial Com 66 Mess ra Stevens, Russ & 
 House who after much time spent upon the subject reported 
 in May last a Bill providing for the appointment of Assessors 
 who are to make an Assessment list of each mans Lands & 
 buildings & personal property at their just value the num- 
 
304 Political A ctivities 
 
 ber of taxable polls - - & to assess mechanics, merchants & 
 others at their discretion that i/io of all taxes be laid 
 on Polls & the remainder apportioned on the real & personal 
 estate thus valued & assessments then made This bill was 
 continued to the last Oct r session, & was then fully discussed 
 in the house of Representatives & after being amended by 
 inserting a clause exempting Household furniture Libraries 
 &c passed the house of representatives near the close of the 
 session & was continued by the Council for want of time to 
 discuss it. 
 
 This Bill has been published in several Newspapers & is 
 now before the public. It demands the serious & deliberate 
 consideration of all classes of Citizens - It is not to be 
 ragarded as the wild theory of an individual - - but as the 
 result of the profound deliberations of a joint Com 66 of both 
 houses of our Legislature already sanctioned by the appro 
 bation of one & continued for the consideration of the other. 
 Unless prevented by your exertions this plan will in all 
 probability become the law of the land You alone possess 
 the constitutional power to prevent it 
 
 Let us then compare the principle of the old with that of 
 the new system & examine 
 
 The provisions of the Bill, to carry the new plan into 
 execution & the effect of the new plan on the different 
 classes of People The principle of our present scheme of 
 revenue is a tax apportioned on income or the profits of 
 Labour & property - Ass te for the profits of certain occu 
 pations & on Luxuries all set in the list at a legal valuation 
 except ass ts & now with respect to them the discretion of the 
 Listers is limitted by legal restrictions to comparative 
 profits - 
 
 The principle of the new scheme is a tax i/io part on Polls 
 & the remainder apportioned on the apprized value of all 
 Lands & buildings & personal property belonging to indi 
 viduals - except furniture neat cattle &c. - - & an Assess* 
 on all who are now subject to it at the discretion of the 
 Assessors without limitation or guide or even regard to 
 profits - 
 
 Polls at the rate of about one half the income of labourers 
 
Political A ctivities 305 
 
 by the year abating one in 10 for infirmity & excluding mili 
 tary exempts - Bank stock is also rated at half its annual 
 produce or 3 p r C on the amount real estate is rated 
 probably at about 2 p r O on its average value difference in 
 quality being equallized by the tax on cattle & Horses which 
 are rated at % of their average value thereby increasing the 
 tax on an owner of productive lands capable of supporting 
 more than their average of stock - - to 3 or 4 p r Cent ; plate 
 is rated at 6 p r C* articles of luxury or such as are used 
 only by the wealthier part of Com y are rated much higher, 
 viz Carriages for pleasure, watches, Clocks, &c are now rated 
 at nearly their average value and all assessments are con 
 fined to profits & in a limitted ratio .... 
 
 By the old system By the new system 
 
 Polls pay about 3 tenth i tenth 
 
 Lands a little over 3 nearly 8 
 
 Other property & 
 
 Ass te nearly 4 a little over I 
 
 These statements exhibit the subject in an alarming view 
 to every considerate farmer. The burthen on Lands is 
 increased nearly in proportion as 3 to 8 while polls are 
 diminished as from 3 to I & the aid which the farmer here 
 tofore received from the heavy tax on articles of luxury or 
 pleasure used only by the wealthy is wholly lost in the change. 
 Silver plate Gold watches & pleasure carriages are to pay no 
 more than the same amount in value of Team horses This 
 cannot be right will you be quieted by the flimsy pretence 
 that you are relieved by the exemption of your neat cattle 
 This was indeed an important item under the old system. 
 It served to equallize the value of farms rated alike by increas 
 ing the tax on farmers whose lands were more productive 
 than their neighbours but when rated at their real value their 
 relative importance will be lost as will be seen by the table 
 The original plan is said to have been a system of taxation 
 confined exclusively to real estate, this being the pole star 
 
 you see how near they have approached in the first essay 
 
 Notwithstanding the plausible pretext of embracing all 
 
306 Political Activities 
 
 personal property & fettering the bill with numerous pro 
 visions expensive & oppresive which will be hereafter con 
 sidered - - the exemptions still leave about 8 tenths on real 
 estate & little more than one on personal and ass ts Such 
 being- the first stride, how long will it be before the system 
 will be perfected, the embarrassing provisions respecting per 
 sonal estate be done away & the whole placed on the more 
 sure & simple basis of real estate? - 
 
 I am aware you will be told, & that attempts will be made 
 to quiet you, on the ground, that property will shape itself 
 to any system of taxation & will eventually equallize itself - 
 I admit the Theory in its fullest extent & on that I ground 
 my objection to this besom of reform - Our old system has 
 been in operation more than a century it has become famil 
 iar to us - - it is simple & easily understood being guided by 
 legal certainty - - so that every man may make up his list & 
 compute his tax & every species of property & labour have 
 long since insensibly shaped themselves to it. - Shall we 
 then suffer the mania of reform rashly to demolish a system 
 matured by the wisdom & experience of ages & hastily build 
 up a new one whose basis is theory unaided by experience, 
 abandoning the scheme of legal valuation & limited discre 
 tion, shall we leave all to the arbitrary apprizal of men with 
 out rule to guide their discretion, or law to restrain their 
 will? - The operation of any system is slow in producing 
 the effect of equallization - the change proposed is radical 
 & almost universal - can any man now living expect to see 
 a tax on real estate only equallize itself in Connecticut on 
 every other species of property. In the course of another 
 century it probably may, but the present generation of Land 
 holders must & will bear the additional burtherns alone - 
 Can you at once raise the price of your beef, your pork, or 
 your grain, in proportion to the increase of your tax, or will 
 the consumer who pays no tax, on that account pay you more ? 
 - this equallization must be the work of time, & hence the 
 folly of unnecessary changes. 
 
 The reduction of the poll tax I am aware has been the 
 popular theme of the Demagogues of the Day. It is the 
 reward of that new class of voters by whose aid all our 
 
P o litical A c tivities 307 
 
 changes have been effected & well may they claim it. 
 Imaginary pretences of financial indigence & distress in its 
 objects have been painted in glowing colours to excite even 
 the sympathy of your Legislature - - but did such men ever 
 pay a poll tax - The provision of Law for the relief of 
 those whom that tax might otherwise oppress is abundant, 
 & leaves no reasonable cause of complaint - the militia 
 who equip & serve are all exempt from it - - & one tenth of 
 all the polls included are to be abated on account of sickness 
 or infirmity before the list is returned -- & on all State taxes 
 an allowance is made by law for the abatement of an 8 th of 
 the amount of the tax : this if required may be wholly applied 
 to the relief of the Polls. The fact is, the mere poll tax has 
 never been the most burthensome part of our system of taxa 
 tion, it falls heaviest on the man that is poor & yet possesses 
 taxable estate. - 
 
 This is a general tax on all who are able to pay it, for that 
 protection which Society gives to personal rights. A large 
 portion is paid by owners of real estate, but a large portion 
 is also paid by those who are abundantly able & yet possess 
 little or no taxable property - The reduction of this tax 1 
 & adding it to real estate obliges the Land owner to pay not 
 only his own proportion, but all that is taken from the polls 
 of others. - 
 
 The reduction of the poll tax will be attended with another 
 difficulty not probably foreseen. The militia by their exemp 
 tion virtually have, on the average of all taxes a bounty of 
 8 DoP p r an ; on the new system this will be reduced to two 
 
 - If this was a reasonable compensation only the conse 
 quence will be - - either the service will suffer & the militia 
 run down, or the difference must be made up to them. & 
 charged over again at least 1/8 of it upon real estate which 
 has once already been charged with the reduction. . . 
 
 Under the new system no limits are fixed, no bounds to 
 guide the understanding, to bridle the passions, or restrain 
 the prejudices of the assessors with respect to the value of 
 property - - and the whole subject of Assess 13 of mechanics, 
 traders & others is left without any rule to their arbitrary 
 discretion. 
 
308 Political A ctivities 
 
 It will be readily perceived that if the same articles com 
 pose the List under each system & they should be set in the 
 Ass 1 list at a given ratio of increase whether 10 or 20 times 
 higher a given sum raised on either list would produce 
 the same tax on the list of any individual - - & if this were 
 the only difference in the change I should have no alarm 
 but this is not the only difference by the present system 
 all real estate & almost every species of taxable personal 
 property has its rateable value ascertained by law, & the 
 discretion of the Listers with respect to that which is not, 
 & with respect to all Assessments is bounded by safe & 
 reasonable limits - but under the new system no limits 
 are fixed no bounds are given to guide the understanding, 
 to bridle the passions or restrain the prejudices of the Asses 
 sors with respect to the value of property - - & the whole 
 subject of Ass 1 of mechanics, traders &c - - is left without 
 any rule to their arbitrary discretion. Thus to have asses 
 sors without guide or restraint is unreasonable, unnecessary 
 & unsafe - This plan has heretofore more than once, been 
 tried & on trial has been found defective, & unsafe, & has 
 given way to a system of legal valuation or limited discre 
 tion - The law is no respecter of persons, when that fixes 
 the value we feel safe - The old system is attended with 
 little trouble or expence - The proposed system must neces 
 sarily be attended with great expence both to the Towns & 
 to Individuals. If the apprizal is made under oath as the 
 law contemplates & not by guess, the premises must be viewed 
 & an inventory taken with as much care as if the owner were 
 deceased, nay with more for if the Ex r omits he may after 
 wards add if the owner omits the Ass r will add forefold - 
 This apprizal is at the expence of the town - - so far as 
 respects the Assessors - - but in every instance they must be 
 attended with the owner or at his own expence & loss of 
 time. 
 
 Can any man in his sober senses believe, that a system of 
 equallizing a tax upon the value of property instead of the 
 income or product of that property, will benefit the towns or 
 individuals, even if most fairly done in any measure pro 
 portioned to the expence of effecting it? The time & 
 
Political Activities 309 
 
 manner of the valuation is also peculiarly exceptionable. By 
 a section of the Bill as it was reported & as it finally passed 
 the House, the Assessors shall in the month of Jan y make a 
 list of all taxable persons & affix to the name of each person 
 on s d list the quantity & just value of all lands & buildings 
 or personal property to such person belonging on the first 
 day of Nov r preceeding by the 8" section the Asses r must 
 enquire at the residence of the owner for the quantity & 
 value of such estate & may fourf ould him if correct informa 
 tion is withheld This valuation must be made in the month 
 of Jan y when the ground is usually covered with snow & 
 farms are placed in the worst possible state for a fair 
 apprizal: a worse period could not have been fixed - the 
 List must be submitted to the civil authority & selectmen 
 for abat* of polls on the 2 d Monday of Feb y & after being 
 in the hands of the Town Clerk a reasonable time for general 
 inspection it must be handed over to the board of relief on 
 the 3' Monday of March - - so that the whole valuation 
 must be made & completed in the dead of Winter - Farm 
 ers, are you willing to have your Lands thus apprized? 
 To the owners of buildings & personal property I agree the 
 time is less important - our houses, barns & stables our 
 parlours bed rooms & kitchens may indeed be viewed in 
 winter our trunks & closets & the wardrobes of our family, 
 may as well be ransacked at one time as another & it is 
 equally unimportant at what time we pass the ordeal of 
 examination - The principle of the system is the subject 
 of alarm, The details of the bill are only the necessary means 
 to carry it into effect The principle avowed in the 2 & 
 II th sections is that the value of all real & personal property 
 shall form the basis of taxation the 12 th section forms the 
 only exception - the expressions are the most general, 
 including all property every thing then which is property 
 & not exempted must be valued & included If the f ramers 
 of the Bill meant to embrace only such articles as are 
 expressly directed to be included in the Second Section, Bank 
 Stock &c. they could easily have said so & made their bill 
 explicit without exceptions but this was not the intention 
 Horses Mules & a variety of other articles are undoubtedly 
 
3 1 o Political A ctivities 
 
 meant to be most subject to taxation - there is then no safe 
 limit to the subject of taxation at the ordeal of his exami 
 nation. He must expose every thing which can be called 
 "property" or "estate" both real and personal - Bank 
 Insurance & U S. stock are expressly by name included - 
 Turnpike stock is also property & must be valued - - money 
 on In* is named as included - - money on hand & Debts not 
 on int r are equally property & must also be included - I 
 could swell the list but it would be as impossible to embrace 
 the whole as it will be for the honest subject of taxation to 
 escape the liability of being four foulded . . . 
 
 During the year before he went on the bench he served as 
 one of the four aldermen of the city. In 1825 he held the 
 same position, and in 1826 became the mayor. 
 
 This office had, until that year, been held during the 
 pleasure of the General Assembly. The charter was then 
 amended so as to elect one annually, at the annual freemen's 
 meeting in June. George Hoadly, the President of the Eagle 
 Bank, who had been Mayor since 1822, resigned the latter 
 office May u, 1826. The annual meeting for that year was 
 held on June 6 and Judge Baldwin was elected his successor. 
 
 The meeting was thinly attended, and the majority of those 
 present when it was opened were Federalists. They pro 
 ceeded to elect Judge Baldwin Mayor, and had also elected 
 two of the four aldermen, when a number of Democrats 
 who had been hastily notified of what was going on appeared 
 and carried the election of the other members of the Court 
 of Common Council. The next year a Democratic Mayor 
 was elected. In 1829 Judge Baldwin served again as an 
 alderman ; this time as a colleague of his own son, Roger S. 
 Baldwin. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 PUBLIC ACTIVITIES, NOT POLITICAL 
 
 There is a time in the life of most persons of good abilities 
 who are interested in civic affairs and social movements, 
 when they are made secretaries or treasurers of organiza 
 tions having to do with attempts to better the course of things 
 of public interest; and there is a time, later, when they are 
 promoted to be chairmen and presidents. 
 
 Judge Baldwin was faithful in all such offices, as he was 
 successively chosen to them. If any public meeting for a 
 philanthropic purpose was called, he was apt to be present 
 and to be made the chairman. His nature fitted him to be 
 a good presiding officer, and no less to be a good recording 
 one. 
 
 He was of a philanthropic temperament. Throughout 
 his life he was warmly interested in a long succession of good 
 causes, looking to the betterment of the community. He 
 never had much money which, in justice to his family, he 
 could give away. Apart from his contributions to aid in the 
 maintenance of public worship, the largest sum he ever gave 
 at one time to a public object was $50 to Yale College, in 
 1826, to apply towards the purchase of the Gibbs cabinet of 
 minerals, for which a subscription paper was circulated and 
 $20,000 raised. But of his time and strength and personal 
 activity he gave cheerfully and largely. 
 
 One of the first causes which he publicly advocated was 
 that of the fair treatment of the slave, and the prevention of 
 the spread of the slave system. 
 
 The census of 1790 showed that Connecticut still had a 
 slave population of over 2,000. A paper was preserved in 
 
312 
 
 Public Activities] not Political 
 
 Mr. Baldwin's files, and probably copied from the census 
 returns, which shows that there were over thirty in his own 
 town. 
 
 f A List of Slaves in New Haven 
 
 Masters 
 
 M r M c Cracken 
 
 Thad 8 Beecher 
 M r Chauncy 
 
 P. Edwards Esq r 
 
 I Jones 
 
 M r Leavenworth 
 Jn Smith 
 Levi Hubbard 
 
 Col Hubbard 
 Da Howel 
 Jo. Howel 
 Jon n Fitch 
 Sturges Burr 
 Amos Hotchkiss 
 Sam 1 Thatcher 
 
 M r Grenough 
 
 Hugh Hotchkiss 
 M r Hillhouse 
 
 E. Goodrich 
 Doc r Wales 
 Widow Hillhouse 
 
 Serv* Name 
 
 Age 
 
 Peg 
 
 30 
 
 her child 
 
 vJ 
 
 12 
 
 Frank 
 
 6 
 
 Peg 
 
 4 
 
 Lem 
 
 26 
 
 Violet 
 
 30 
 
 a girl slave for years 
 Casar 
 
 *_/ 
 
 14 
 
 Tom 
 
 14 
 
 Pink 
 
 IT 
 
 20 
 
 Marg 
 
 
 girl 
 
 IO 
 
 Aaron 
 
 
 Caesar 
 
 8 
 
 Jube 
 
 26 
 
 woman 
 
 22 
 
 Do 
 
 24 
 
 Do 
 
 T^ 
 
 4 5 
 
 Sylvia 
 
 18 
 
 girl 
 
 5 or 6 
 
 Caesar 
 
 ^ 
 
 woman 
 
 
 Boy 
 
 
 Man 
 
 
 Woman 
 
 
 boy 
 
 14 
 
 Woman 
 
 T" 
 
 b. since 1784 
 
 
 Betty 
 Flora 
 
 30 
 
 Man 
 
 
 Woman 
 
 
Public Activities } not Political 3 1 3 
 
 34. of which M r Beechers two Frank & Peg were born 
 since March 1784 & not recorded." 
 
 Occasionally at this period the advertisement of a fugitive 
 slave, or a slave for sale, would appear in the newspapers. 
 The New Haven Gazette of Nov. 9, 1786, contains one read 
 ing thus : 
 
 fC To be sold at public V endue on Tuesday the 2Qth of 
 November instant, at the dwelling house of Capt. Enos 
 Atwater of Cheshire, deceased, a good Negro Wench, about 
 twenty years old. Also a brass wheel'd Clock, a weaver's 
 Loom, with tackling, sundry feather beds, and furniture and 
 a variety of articles of Household Furniture too numerous to 
 mention." .... 
 
 In the same newspaper, for April 19, 1787, we find this: 
 
 "To be sold, a healthy, strong and active Negro Boy, about 
 T i years of age. Enquire of the printers." 
 
 Mr. Baldwin's father, as is stated in Chapter I, was a slave 
 holder, owning a negro lad named "Bristo," who was born 
 in 1771. In 1792, in the distribution of the estate under the 
 will, Bristo became part of Simeon's share, and was sent to 
 New Haven in the fall of 1792. This arrangement was made 
 on the basis of a valuation of his services till he should become 
 twenty-five, namely for four years and two months, at 16. 
 
 But while to this limited extent he was a slaveholder, Mr. 
 Baldwin was among those most active in pressing forward 
 the movement for the amelioration and ultimate abolition of 
 slavery. 
 
 In August, 1790, a society had been formed by voluntary 
 association, bearing the sesquipedalian name of the "Con 
 necticut Society for the Promotion of Freedom and for the 
 Relief of Persons unlawfully holden in Bondage." Simeon 
 
3 T 4 Public A ctivities, not Political 
 
 Baldwin was one of the signers of the agreement of associa 
 tion, and was its first secretary. In this agreement, the sub 
 scribers, not denying that men might be lawfully holden in 
 bondage, and careful not to class themselves with those who 
 would have had the United States make all the States free, 
 and later came to be known as "Abolitionists," thus expressed 
 their purposes : 
 
 "Impressed with a sense of the inestimable worth & value 
 of the excellent constitution, laws, & government of this 
 State, & the united States of America, and anxiously desirous 
 that every description of men who have obtained a residence 
 among us, of whatever clime or colour, should quietly enjoy 
 the freedom & happiness which the beneficent father of the 
 human race has kindly allotted to us, & having with grief 
 & abhorrence long beheld a considerable number of our fel 
 low men groaning under the iron hand of Slavery, many of 
 whom are entitled by the wise and humane laws of our coun 
 try to an exemption from this cruel bondage; and being 
 desirous to cooperate in a systematic way with the several 
 societies which have been or that may be hereafter formed in 
 the united States or elsewhere for the purpose of promoting 
 the abolition of Slavery - The Subscribers have associated 
 themselves under the name & title of", etc. 
 
 The Society was to meet twice a year, once at New Haven 
 on the day after the Yale Commencement, and again in Hart 
 ford on Election Day. 
 
 In January, 1791, Mr. Baldwin drew a petition to Congress, 
 which was sent in over the signatures of himself as Secre 
 tary, and President Stiles of Yale as President of the Society. 
 They joined as such, by order of the Society, in the petition, 
 praying for the prevention of the horrors of the slave trade, 
 and its general restriction, so far as the Constitution would 
 permit ; and stating that in the opinion of the Society, calm 
 reflection would "at lest convince the world that the whole 
 
Public Activities, not Political 3 1 5 
 
 system of African slavery is unjust in its nature - - impolitic 
 in its principles, and in its consequence ruinous to the indus 
 try and enterprize of the citizens of these States." 
 
 In particular, the petition asked that Congress would "pro 
 hibit the citizens of the United States from carrying on the 
 trade for the purpose of supplying Foreigners with slaves," 
 and "prohibit foreigners from fitting out Vessels in any port 
 of the United States for transporting persons from Africa 
 to any foreign port." 
 
 At the Commencement-week meeting of the Society, in the 
 same year, Mr. Baldwin was chosen to deliver the customary 
 address before the next Hartford meeting. Allusion to this 
 is made in the following extract from a letter to him from 
 Rev. Charles Backus, D.D. : 
 
 "Somers Ocf 6 1791. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I am highly gratified by your growing reputation, 
 and that you do not aim to acquire influence by coarse and 
 indelicate witticisms, but on the surer ground of delicate and 
 judicious behaviour. 
 
 By the papers I learn the proceedings of the Connecticut 
 Society for the promotion of freedom &c in Sept last." .... 
 "I congratulate you on the honorable appointment for next 
 May ; and doubt not, that you will add to the increasing light 
 on the subject of the Slave Trade. Sermons & orations 
 against the inhuman traffic, and circulated by the Press, must 
 aid the cause of the oppressed Africans." 
 
 Dr. Stiles records in his diary, 1 that about 130 persons 
 attended the Election dinner on May 10, 1792, and that in 
 the afternoon "Mr. Simeon Baldwin delivered an Oration in 
 Mr. Strong's Desk to the African Society." The "desk" 
 was the pulpit of Rev. Dr. Nathan Strong (Yale, Class of 
 1769), pastor of the first church of Hartford. The name 
 
 1 HI, 449- 
 
3 1 6 Public A ctivities, not Political 
 
 of the Society had been found too long for common use and 
 it was now generally called the African Society. A few 
 extracts from the oration follow : 
 
 "The constitutional objects of this Soc y are three 
 
 1. To restore to freedom, those who are holden in bondage 
 by fraud or violence, without the countenance of Law 
 
 2. To inforce the due observance of the Laws of this State, 
 favouring a gradual abolition of Slavery 
 
 3. To coopperate with other Societies in those measures 
 which will alleviate the sufferings of those in bondage & wh h 
 will eventually abolish slavery from the earth - ... 
 . . "A Law of the State requiring a Register of all Slaves, 
 and of all transfers of them would not be unreasonable & 
 would prevent much fraud and imposition upon Negroes 
 
 - The existing Laws of this State, which favour the gradual 
 abolition of Slavery, are principly comprehended in two 
 Statutes The first was passed at the revision of our Sta 
 tutes in 1784 By this it is enacted that no Slave shall at 
 any time thereafter be imported into this State, & both 
 importers and purchasers are liable to a penalty of f 100 
 No child born of a Slave, after the I st of March 1784 shall be 
 holden in servitude after 25 years of age Masters are also 
 permitted to emancipate their slaves - - but are made liable 
 to future maintenance, unless their manumission is made with 
 the consent & approbation of the Selectmen of the Town 
 where they dwell 
 
 By another statute passed in 1788 - - The Citizens of this 
 State are totally prohibited all connexion with the African 
 Slave Trade, under a penalty of 50 for every Slave Inhab 
 itant of Africa received on board any vessel with a view for 
 transportation, & 500 for every vessel employed in the Trade 
 
 - If any person shall kidnap or forceably carry out of this 
 State any free negro, or any person intitled to freedom at 
 the age of 25 years, or be aiding therein, he shall forfeit 
 100 -- in each case one half to the State -- the other to the 
 complainant - In the same Statute it is also enacted that 
 the Possessor of any child entitled to freedom at the age of 
 
Public Activities, not Political 3 1 7 
 
 25 shall cause to be enrolled on the reccords of the Town 
 where he lives -- his own name as poss r , the name, age & Sex 
 of the child, under oath on penalty of 40 / p r month neglect 
 These provisions are certainly liberal: they strike at the 
 root of the evil and will in time, if duly observed, wholly 
 eradicate it - 
 
 . . "Permit me also to suggest another expedient. As 
 Slavery was introduced under the Countenance of Law, can 
 Gov* better attone for the evil than by removing all obstacles 
 to emancipation, & support by public expence the few who 
 by poverty will become burthensome we are apt to appre 
 hend more expences from this source than are ever realized 
 look round among the free blacks within the circle of 
 your acquaintance: the instances are rare that manumitted 
 
 slaves are ever expensive " 
 
 . . "A vigilant attention to the execution of these Laws is 
 one of the great objects of this Institution. To the shame of 
 this enlightened State the African trade for Slaves is still 
 pursued by our fellow citizens, in defiance of Law Sev 
 eral vessels have been built, owned, & fitted out in this State 
 & employed in this Trade within the two last years - - in one 
 of those vessels it is said that every seaman on board, died 
 by sickness or cruelty in Africa or on the voyage. Several 
 persons who were free or entitled to freedom have been con 
 veyed from this State since the passing of those Laws, and 
 are now drinking the bitter cup of slavery in the Southern 
 States - The same iniquity will in a few years befal many 
 of those who will hereafter be entitled to freedom at the age 
 of twenty five, & with equal impunity, unless the provision of 
 Law for registring their names & births are strictly attended 
 to- 
 
 In 1818 the American Society for Colonizing the Free 
 People of Colour of the United States was organized, and 
 two years later the "Auxiliary Society of New Haven" was 
 formed to cooperate with it. Judge Baldwin was a friend 
 of colonization, and was made President of this auxiliary. 
 The movement, however, fell flat. It was found to be the 
 
3 T 8 Public Activities, not Political 
 
 general impression that it came from Southern holders of 
 slaves who were anxious to keep free negroes away from 
 theirs. Another meeting held in 1824, with Judge Baldwin 
 in the chair, served somewhat to dissipate this feeling, and 
 he was appointed chairman of a committee of five to cor 
 respond with what was now called the American Colonization 
 Society. Three years afterwards, in 1827, a State auxiliary 
 was formed, which did some useful work. 
 
 In 1826 a new society was formed for bettering the con 
 dition of the negro population of the city. It was called the 
 African Improvement Society of New Haven. Judge Bald 
 win was one of its prominent adherents, and in 1829 presided 
 at its annual meeting. 
 
 In 1799, the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences 
 was incorporated and organized, the third body of that kind 
 established in the United States. 2 He was its first record 
 ing secretary, and "Keeper of Records." President Dwight, 
 writing in 1810, described the Academy as the only literary 
 society in New Haven, and it has since done important ser 
 vice to the country by the publication of its Transactions. 
 
 Anything that tended to promote education, whether ele 
 mentary or advanced, always appealed to Judge Baldwin's 
 sympathies. 
 
 In 1801, he was a subscriber to the funds of the "Proprie 
 tors of Union School" in New Haven, which was chartered 
 in that year, and one of its managing committee. From 1812 
 to 1839 he served as one of the Trustees of the ancient 
 Hopkins Grammar School of New Haven; and from 1799 
 to 1842, as treasurer of the White Haven School Society, 
 which managed part of the public schools in the city. 
 
 In 1816 he was one of the most active in founding the 
 
 2 The others are the American Philosophical Society and the Ameri 
 can Academy of Arts & Sciences. 
 
Public Activities, not Political 3 1 9 
 
 American Asylum for the education of the Deaf and Dumb, 
 at Hartford, and collected funds in aid of it at New Haven. 
 
 While he was on the bench, a Society was organized under 
 the name of the Connecticut Society for the Promotion of 
 Good Morals. It published several addresses, and was of 
 especial service in pushing the cause of temperance. He 
 was one of its leading supporters, and its president in 1816. 
 He had been also in 1813 the chairman of a local auxiliary 
 society in New Haven. 
 
 He was a charter member of the Social Library of New 
 Haven, formed as a voluntary association in 1808 and incor 
 porated in 1810. This was a subscription library, the annual 
 fee being one dollar, and gradually accumulated 2,000 vol 
 umes. One of the articles of its constitution was that "no 
 Novels, Romances, Tales or Plays" should be admitted into 
 the library, unless by vote of two-thirds of the members, at 
 a legal meeting. A catalogue of its books in 1815 shows 
 that only Ccelebs In Search of a Wife, Don Quixote, Miss 
 Edgeworth's popular Tales and Tales of Fashionable Life, 
 Forester's American Tale, Gil Bias, Johnson's Rasselas, 
 MarmonteFs Moral Tales, PercivaPs Tales, and the Vicar 
 of Wakefield ran this gauntlet successfully. 
 
 In 1812 it had a collection of over 500 volumes and had 
 over fifty members. Nathan Beers, Simeon Baldwin and 
 George Hoadly were then appointed a committee to endeavor 
 to enlarge the membership, and issued a notice in the Con 
 necticut Journal for February 6, 1812, explaining the char 
 acter of the organization, in which they were careful to state 
 that in practical operation "the prohibition in respect to 
 fictitious works, while it excluded all the frivolous trash 
 which constitutes so large a part of many libraries, does not 
 prevent the introduction of those works of this class which 
 are of acknowledged excellence." 
 
3 2 o Public Activities, not Political 
 
 A month later Judge Baldwin was elected President of the 
 Company, and held that position for several years. 
 
 The original burying ground for the town of New Haven 
 was that part of the central "Green" lying adjacent to the 
 first church. It was unsightly and out of place. 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse was at the head of a small body 
 of intelligent men, determined to accomplish its abandon 
 ment, and prepared to offer a new and unobjectionable site. 
 Simeon Baldwin was one of this body, and was named in a 
 charter for the "Proprietors of the New Burying Ground 
 in New Haven/' which it obtained in 1797, as the first clerk, 
 to hold office until another should be chosen. He held until 
 1815, and was also one of the "standing committee" of 
 five. In both these capacities he was an efficient aid to Mr. 
 Hillhouse in his work of grading, setting out trees and gen 
 eral beautification, which soon came to distinguish New 
 Haven as the possessor of the first regularly laid out and 
 handsomely planted cemetery in the United States. 
 
 In 1818, the New Haven County Agricultural Society was 
 chartered for the promotion of agriculture. Its members 
 had previously been associated as a voluntary society for 
 the same purpose. Judge Baldwin was one of those spe 
 cially interested in it. In May, 1820, he signed as chairman 
 of a committee of the Society, and presumably wrote, a 
 forcible appeal for new members, from which the following 
 extracts are taken : 
 
 "To the Farmers 
 
 of 
 New-Haven County. 
 
 The Agricultural Society, established in this county, was 
 the first of its kind in the State. Its members are few, and 
 its funds are too limited. But since the counties of Hart 
 ford and Litchfield have made great exertions on this subject, 
 
Public Activities, not Political 32 1 
 
 and have had their public Shows and Fairs, the farmers of 
 those counties have experienced great benefit, and have 
 offered to us an example worthy of imitation. 
 
 While all other classes of men are associated for the 
 advancement of their particular callings, you, separated 
 from each other by the landmarks of your farms, are man 
 aging your affairs in your own way, without those aids, 
 which the knowledge or experience of others might furnish ; 
 and if you adopt errors in practice, they too often descend, 
 with your lands, to your children. In this situation, you will 
 seldom know the real state of the market, or the real merits 
 of the various improvements, which are said to be making in 
 husbandry. 
 
 The newspapers from different quarters notice great 
 improvements in the structure of ploughs, harrows, threshing 
 machines, and other implements of husbandry. They also 
 notice great improvements in the different kinds of live stock, 
 and many savings in the mode of feeding them, and they pro 
 pose many modes of enriching land, which we have not tried. 
 And very little shall we ever know on these subjects, unless 
 we can collect together the wisdom and experience of actual 
 farmers. 
 
 It is well for our country, that, in this dearth of business 
 and scarcity of money, the public mind should be turned to 
 the earth for support : that governors and legislatures should 
 be offering aid to Agricultural Societies : that men of capital, 
 and professional men, should be turning their attention to 
 farming: but all these things will be ineffectual, unless the 
 real farmers will come forward to sustain the work. 
 
 The expense of joining this society is small, and the annual 
 tax is limited to a small sum. Any member can withdraw 
 at any time, by notice given to the town clerk in his town. 
 Most of the monies collected will be distributed in premiums 
 at the annual Shows. A small sum only will be reserved for 
 contingencies. Thus, nearly all the money, which you pay, 
 will be returned to you within the year." 
 
 . The intention of such a Show in the present year would 
 be to give premiums, more or less, to every deserving thing 
 in the Agricultural or Manufacturing line; and if in this 
 ii 
 
322 Public A ctivities, not Political 
 
 way we can give notice to the public at large, that in this 
 county they may find the best working oxen, or the best of 
 any thing else in the line of farming, or that we can furnish 
 the best hats, the best combs, or the best of any thing in the 
 line of manufactures, we may in this way bring an addition 
 of wealth to our county. 
 
 In these hard times, every county must look out for itself ; 
 so must every town and every family, and every individual: 
 we must make the most of our means, and the least of our 
 expenditures ; and we trust, that the extension of this society 
 will lead to measures, conducive to economy, industry, profit, 
 and general prosperity. 
 
 Every person, to whom this is addressed, if he has not 
 already become a member, is requested to consider himself 
 invited to join the society; and the members of committees 
 are desired to exert themselves at all times to procure the 
 objects of the society, and particularly within the time limited 
 for the first return of new members/' 
 
 No great success met this appeal, and after a few years 
 the Society became dormant and its annual "Show" was 
 abandoned for the more showy exhibition of flowers made 
 every year by the Horticultural Society of New Haven, which 
 was incorporated in 1832. Judge Baldwin believed that 
 these organizations should unite in promoting a display, both 
 agricultural and horticultural, in its character, and led in a 
 successful movement to revive the Agricultural Society for 
 this purpose. He was then chosen its President, and held 
 the office until the fall of 1840, when he declined a reelection 
 on the plea of age. 
 
 He furnished, from time to time, articles for the Agri 
 cultural Almanac, annually published for New Haven 
 County. These were mostly selected from periodicals or 
 treatises. Occasionally he contributed to agricultural jour 
 nals facts or theories which he thought, from his own obser 
 vation and experience, worth special attention. 
 
Public A ctivities, not Political 3 2 3 
 
 In the annual town meeting in November, 1822, the town 
 of New Haven 3 appointed a committee of six "to devise a 
 plan for lessening the expenses of pauperism in this town." 
 Judge Baldwin was its chairman, and in November, 1823, 
 presented its report, which he undoubtedly drew. It stated 
 that the committee had come to the conclusion that the town 
 poor might "be made to support themselves by agriculture 
 and a few simple manufactures under an intelligent and 
 efficient superintendence." Paupers could thus be elevated 
 to the rank of industrious citizens. Some of them had 
 become dependents on the town, without fault of their own. 
 The committee "would not class these deserving but unfor 
 tunate persons with those who have reduced themselves to 
 rags by their aversion to labour, or by a criminal indulgence 
 in the use of ardent spirits. But the aged and infirm are 
 more comfortable, and lead more useful lives when in the use 
 of moderate labour, - - labour adapted to their strength, than 
 when in a state of complete inaction." 
 
 The committee therefore recommended the purchase of a 
 farm of not less than 75 acres as a permanent establishment 
 for the support of the poor of the town, on which to erect a 
 stone building for a House of Industry; or, if preferred, 
 the enlargement of the existing Alms House farm, by pur 
 chasing 75 to 100 acres more. The material could be cheaply 
 procured from West Rock or Neck Rock. 4 "If," the report 
 concluded, "we had buildings of the best construction and 
 of the most permanent kind; if we had a farm of the richest 
 land and large enough to accomplish every object we have 
 in view; if we had a board of directors chosen from the 
 
 3 The city embraced only a part of the town. The town, as a whole, 
 had charge of paupers. 
 
 4 A name then used for what is now known as Snake Rock and 
 Indian Head. 
 
324 Public Activities, not Political 
 
 wisest among our citizens ; still the success of an establish 
 ment of the kind contemplated would depend very much on 
 the character of the superintendent. This officer should not 
 only be a well-informed, practical farmer, but an intelligent, 
 sagacious man, who by his knowledge of the human heart, 
 understands managing men, although of wayward tempers 
 and perverse disposition. The committee presume that such 
 a man may be obtained either from our own town, or from 
 abroad; and they agree in saying that such a person should 
 receive a handsome compensation." 
 
 No ardent spirits should be allowed in the building. There 
 should be no opportunity for the paupers to procure them 
 elsewhere. "No plan has been found so effectual in accom 
 plishing these objects, as the erection of a brick wall, laid in 
 mortar, around the buildings, made ten or twelve feet high 
 and crowned with spikes. At Salem, in Massachusetts, they 
 have a wall of this kind and a gate keeper, and no person 
 of a suspicious appearance is admitted without a passport." 5 
 
 A special town meeting was held on December 29, 1823, 
 to take this report into consideration, but the plan proposed 
 was never carried out. Something in the same general line 
 was, however, ordered two years later. In 1825 a new com 
 mittee of five was appointed at the annual town meeting, to 
 report if any alteration or improvement in the Alms House 
 was necessary. Judge Baldwin was made chairman. 
 
 It reported, in December, in a paper evidently composed 
 by him, in favor of a new brick wall, ten feet high, around 
 the building, and the construction of a stone lockup for 
 criminals, drunkards, and others under correction, with 
 rooms overhead for a school and work shop. 
 
 This report was accepted, and the action recommended 
 was ordered. 6 
 
 5 Conn. Herald for Dec. 9, 1823. 
 
 6 Conn. Herald for Dec. 27, 1825. 
 
Public A ctivities, not Political 325 
 
 All title to lands in Connecticut is derived from the charter 
 granted to the Colony in 1662, and patents afterwards from 
 time to time granted by the General Assembly. Titles to 
 lands in New Haven came through such a patent granted to 
 the town in 1685. During the seventeenth century most of 
 these lands, which were originally held by the proprietors in 
 common, were divided up among them by proper conveyance. 
 Some parcels remained undivided and are undivided still. 
 The right to dispose of these is reserved to a standing com 
 mittee of the proprietors, called the Committee of Proprietors 
 of Common and Undivided Lands. 7 Of this committee Judge 
 Baldwin was for many years a member. 
 
 The first hospital in the State was chartered in 1826, under 
 the name of the "General Hospital Society of Connecticut." 
 Its establishment was to be at New Haven. The State made 
 an appropriation of $5,000 in its favor in 1828, and some 
 $7,000 was subscribed by private individuals. 
 
 Judge Baldwin was chosen President of the Society and, 
 in 1831, headed an appeal by the directors, presumably from 
 his pen, to the public, for further contributions. This being 
 only partially successful, the directors brought, in 1832, a 
 petition for another appropriation of $5,000 to the General 
 Assembly. The joint committee to which it was referred 
 proving friendly, he also drew up its report. This was not 
 adopted at the time, but may be regarded as the beginning 
 of a movement, ultimately successful, to secure an annual 
 grant from the public treasury to all hospitals in the State. 
 
 Judge Baldwin had begun life as a moderate drinker. A 
 wide temperance agitation arose in the United States, in 1826, 
 and during the next ten years all the States but two had their 
 temperance societies, and four thousand distilleries were 
 closed. He was active in organizing the "New Haven City 
 
 7 Dawson v. Orange, 78 Conn. Law Reports, 96, 115; Conn. Statutes, 
 Revision of 1783, 114; Revision of 1821, 304; Revision of 1849, 
 
326 Public A ctivities, not Political 
 
 Temperance Society" in 1829, of which he was the first 
 President. The next year a "New Haven County Tem 
 perance Society" was formed, under his influence and direc 
 tion. They did good work and had a large membership, 
 each of whom pledged himself to drink thenceforward no 
 ardent spirits as a beverage. A committee of the New 
 Haven Society reported, through Professor Denison Olm- 
 stead (Yale, Class of 1813), at a meeting held after the 
 effects of the movement had been ascertained, 
 
 "that the sales of ardent spirits were very much diminished 
 
 - at least one half - - that among the respectable inhabitants 
 all appearances of inebriating liquors had nearly vanished; 
 there being none seen on side-boards, or offered in the way 
 of courtesy, or scarcely found at the gayest visiting parties 
 that those who drank in any public place, accompanied it 
 with an apology which denoted a consciousness that the prac 
 tice was no longer reputable - - that several retailers had 
 stopped vending ardent spirits that nearly every mechanics 
 establishment in the city had entirely discarded the use of it 
 
 - and that various individuals among the laboring classes, 
 some of whom were frequently exposed to hardships and the 
 vicissitudes of the weather, had entirely relinquished the use 
 of spirits ; and one carman was mentioned who had refused 
 to transport the article. 
 
 On the other hand, it was ascertained that the city was 
 still defiled by a great number of grog-shops to which the 
 lowest classes continue to resort, and that a considerable por 
 tion of our respectable inhabitants still decline taking a 
 decided & active part in furthering the objects of the Society." 
 
 In 1844 ne was elected an honorary member of the "United 
 Brothers of Temperance," in New York. In a letter accept 
 ing this election, he wrote thus : 
 
 "I have long considered the cause of Temperance among 
 the first if not the first among the benevolent enterprises 
 of the Day. It must accompany & generally will precede the 
 
Public A ctivities, not Political 327 
 
 successful efforts of all the others - I was early convinced 
 of its importance & took part with others to promote the 
 cause, but our plans were then imperfect our object unpopular 
 & our success comparatively small - Now although the 
 infirmities of old age prevent my being active in the cause, 
 I thank God I am not too old to feel the lively emotions, which 
 the wonderful progress in reformation, attending the new 
 pledge, is calculated to produce. We certainly live in a 
 wonderful age An age peculiarly devoted to ameliorate 
 the condition of man & in nothing more conspicuous, than 
 in the temperance reformation, & in extending the hand of 
 brotherly kindness & affection to the persons & families of 
 inebriates reformed & reforming The extensive & rapid 
 spread of the temperance reformation, embracing more or 
 less of the whole civilized world, is animating proof that it 
 is one of the heavenly precursors of a more glorious era in 
 the Destinies of man." 
 
 In January, 1830, he was chairman of a large meeting of 
 citizens of New Haven to protest against the removal of the 
 Cherokees from Georgia without their free consent. An 
 address to Congress was issued, which he signed as chairman, 
 and probably wrote. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 TERM IN CONGRESS 
 
 Elias Perkins (Yale, Class of 1786), one of the Repre 
 sentatives in Congress for Connecticut, resigned his seat early 
 in the fall of 1803, and, at a special election (called in conse 
 quence of the President's proclamation of July 16, summon 
 ing Congress to meet in special session on October 17) to fill 
 the vacancy, Mr. Baldwin was elected. The following 
 correspondence indicates that it was an unsought honor. 
 
 Governor Jonathan Trumbull to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "New Haven 15 th Oct 1803 
 Sir 
 
 I have the pleasure to inform you That on counting the 
 Votes of the Freemen of this State - - it appears that you 
 are chosen a Representative of the People of this State in 
 the Eighth Congress of the United States, in the place of the 
 Hon Elias Perkins who has resigned his Seat - 
 
 Your acceptance of this appointment will be very agree 
 able to 
 
 Sir 
 
 Your Obed 1 Servant 
 
 Jon a Trumbull 
 Hon Simeon Baldwin" 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Governor Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 "New Haven Ocf. 26 th . 1803 
 Sir 
 
 I have the Honor to acknowledge the rec* of your Excel- 
 lencys Letter informing me that I am chosen a Representative 
 of the People of this State in the eighth Congress of the 
 United States 
 
Term in Congress 3 2 9 
 
 Altho' I intended, if timely notice of a vacancy had per 
 mitted, to decline any honor which would place me in a 
 situation calling for so great a sacrifice of private Interest 
 Yet under existing Circumstances, I feel myself bound to 
 accept the appointment - 
 
 I shall hasten to the seat of Gov 1 . as soon as I can make 
 the necessary arrangements 
 
 I am with great respect & 
 Your Excellency's 
 
 most obed Ser 1 
 
 Simeon Baldwin 
 His Ex y Jon n . Trumbull - 
 
 Governor of the State of Connecticut 
 
 New Haven 
 
 Mr. Baldwin first appeared in the House on November 21. 
 His first vote was cast for the repeal of the Bankrupt Act, 
 which he thought resulted in the perpetration of many 
 frauds. 
 
 On November 22 he wrote Mr. Denison : 
 
 "We have not yet seriously taken up a single important 
 question in Congress. We meet about n & adjourn before 
 i. Was I democratically disposed, I should have serious 
 doubt whether our services here were worth six Dollars p r 
 day." 
 
 All the Congressional delegation from Connecticut were 
 Federalists. Most of them lived at the boarding house of 
 Captain Coyle on the hill near the Capitol. His colleague, 
 Col. Benjamin Talmadge (Yale, Class of 1773) and he 
 shared the same room. On November 29, he wrote to his 
 wife: 
 
 This place can never I think be a flourishing City nor do 
 I think it calculated to be so convenient for the dispatch of 
 business as it might be, altho immense sums of public money 
 have already been expended in making it what it is and 
 
330 Term in Congress 
 
 what it is shows the absolute necessity of expending more to 
 make it answer the object intended. The Territory of 
 Columbia includes a tract 10 miles square including Alex 
 andria which I have not seen it is about 8 miles from here 
 & it is said to contain more Houses & Inhabitants than New 
 Haven Georgetown - - about 4 miles from this which is 
 quite a thick settled place, built principally with brick & con 
 taining some handsome houses & the City of Washington 
 properly so called - - this comprehends a large extent of 
 Land, all laid out in regular form on paper, tho little of 
 this regularity appears to the traveller - - as the streets are 
 not fenced and the buildings are very much scattered The 
 Capitol is on the highest ground : to this the Streets point 
 this building when finished will be the largest probably in 
 America only one wing is as yet erected, in that the Senate 
 sit, but their apartment tho' very large & elegant, takes up 
 but a small part of the room in that wing the rest is divided 
 into a Library, Court Room, Com e Rooms &c - The wing 
 for the Representatives is but just begun - - they now sit in 
 a temporary building, which is made convenient & handsome 
 inside - The Capitol & the presidents House are both built 
 of white freestone handsomely chisseled & made smoth & 
 ornamented with suitable mouldings which give it a beautiful 
 appearance but the Presidents House is y 2 mile from the 
 Capitol & the Principal offices are near the Presidents - - the 
 foreign ministers & some of the more showy members of 
 Congress live at Georgetown - I think it would have been 
 much better on a variety of accounts to have erected the 
 public buildings either at Georgetown or Alexandria; the 
 accommodations would have been better, & the public would 
 have saved probably millions of Dollars in erecting a New 
 City which with the others I think the surrounding country 
 or the Commerce from the River cannot support - Yet I 
 think the Situation capable, with expence enough of being 
 made into a butiful place " 
 
 Captain Coyle's charge for board and lodging was $10 a 
 week. This did not include any wine or spirits. Those 
 who desired them generally clubbed together for their pur- 
 
Term in Congress 3 3 : 
 
 chase, each member of the club acting as a purveyor and 
 ordering the supply in turn. In February, 1804, Mr. Bald 
 win acted in this capacity for such a club, and among other 
 things paid $11 for an iron-bound five gallon keg of "Old 
 Peach Brandy." 
 
 The compensation of a Representative in Congress at this 
 time was $6 a day and one mileage for each session, going 
 and returning, at the rate of thirty cents a mile. In 1803-4 
 he received $967 on these accounts; and in 1804-5, $895.50. 
 
 The Congress then sat but a small portion of the year, 
 and he was able to keep up a good part of his practice at home. 
 He also, when in Washington, was occasionally employed in 
 drawing claims for a patent, and aiding in securing its issue. 
 
 The following letter of retainer from one of his col 
 leagues in the House and juniors in the profession, Calvin 
 Goddard (Dartmouth, Class of 1786), indicates that his 
 services in legislative hearings were highly valued. 
 
 "Hartford, May 15, 1804 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 A Petition for a division of the first Ecclesiastical 
 Society in Lebanon, is pending before the Legislature 
 Messrs Griswold & Clark, who have been of Council for the 
 Petitioners, are both absent I am left to combat Demus 
 Gilson & the Devil - I have long found it difficult to resist 
 the latter Gentleman, only the former has become more 
 adroit than his master - - You must come & help me the 
 cause is now assigned for Friday, calculating that your sober 
 face would be here to-day - Pray come to-morrow - If 
 you cannot be prepared untill the beginning of next week we 
 must postpone the trial - I write at the request of the Saints 
 of Lebanon who believe much in your ability to lay evil spirits 
 - Seriously however, the agents for the Petitioners are very 
 desirous that you should be here tomorrow 
 
 Yours Sincerely 
 
 C Goddard." 
 
3 3 2 Term in Congress 
 
 On March 16, 1804, he writes to his wife: 
 
 "I had flattered myself that my stay here would have been 
 of some public service Federal men have in some instances 
 been serviceable, where the measures have been so gross as 
 to divide the less thorough Democrats from their leaders 
 in such cases they have been able to feel their importance by 
 adding their weight to the democratic minority but even 
 this field for usefulness seems to be lost by their alarm at its 
 success - We are now indeed in a degraded minority, with 
 no hope of success, but from silence & seldom even by that 
 My veneration for Congress will not be increased by my more 
 intimate acquaintance with it, & my abhorrence of the men in 
 power & their measures will not I assure you be lessened." 
 
 There were but few standing committees of the House 
 under the rules then existing, and not many places on them 
 were conceded to the Federalist members. Roger Griswold 
 of Connecticut was their leader, and a new member from that 
 State naturally found himself overshadowed. Mr. Baldwin 
 did not take a prominent position on the floor. 
 
 He was appointed one of a new committee of the House, 
 created in December, 1803, to be styled the Committee of 
 Accounts. It consisted of three, and was to control the 
 expenditure of the contingent fund of the House. He was 
 appointed the Federalist member, to fill a vacancy. At the 
 second session of the 8th Congress he was not re-appointed. 
 
 On February 10, 1804, he was put on the Committee on 
 Elections, again to fill a vacancy. In November of that year 
 he was given a place on a select committee concerning our 
 relations with the Barbary powers, and shortly afterwards 
 was a member of another select committee, on a petition 
 from some Georgetown Presbyterians for a charter of 
 incorporation. 
 
 There was less talking at that time than now. Fewer 
 experiments in government were tried. A distinguished 
 
Term in Congress 333 
 
 Senator of the United States Senate 1 was asked by a con 
 stituent on his return from a long session, towards the close 
 of the eighteenth century, what they had found to do for so 
 long a time. "Why, sir/' was the answer, "we have had 
 as' much as we could do to keep from doing." 
 
 Mr. Baldwin was seldom absent at roll-call, and his name 
 was almost always found, on a vote by Yeas and Nays, in the 
 list of the minority. 
 
 While in Congress he received the following letter from 
 an American author who, most of any of them, had suffered 
 from the inadequacy of the protection which our laws then 
 gave them. For the consideration of such matters, however, 
 the purchase and government of the Louisiana territory, our 
 critical foreign relations, and the impeachment proceedings 
 against Justice Chase and Judge Pickering left little time. 
 Mr. Baldwin did not propose any bill for the purpose, and it 
 took a quarter of a century before our copyright law was 
 recast. One of the amendments advocated by Dr. Webster 
 was then adopted. 
 
 Noah Webster to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "M r Baldwin - 
 
 As it is not improbable that the copyright 
 law may come under Consideration, during the present Ses 
 sion of Congress, I beg leave to request your attention to 
 some of the principles of the present Statute, 
 i The requirement of a printed copy of the title page to be 
 lodged with the Clerk of the District, for the purpose of 
 obtaining a Register & Certificate - Since the new law 
 required that certificate to be printed on the back of the title 
 page, it has become very inconvenient to procure a printed 
 copy first - It is now necessary to get the title page set up 
 by itself, before the work is printed. I do not see why a 
 manuscript copy lodged with the Clerk would not answer 
 
 1 Stephen M. Mitchell, Christian Spectator, VIII, 210. 
 
334 Term in Congress 
 
 every useful purpose & then it might be required that a 
 printed copy of the book should be lodged with the Clerk 
 2 I do not see the reason why an interest in original literary 
 composition should stand on different ground from all other 
 personal property - There certainly could anciently be no 
 law, & of course no common law, about a species of property 
 which did not exist In unlettered ages, there was no such 
 property, but when this species of property grew into exist 
 ence & importance, it is clear to me that every principle of 
 common law necessarily attached to it - - & on this ground, 
 I think the decision of the House of Lords in the case of 
 Donaldson v Becket, to be erroneous it is beyond a ques 
 tion, in my mind, that the judgment of Kings Bench, in the 
 case of Millar & Taylor, was grounded on sound principles. 
 But I will not here argue that question - Men are strangely 
 influenced by habits of thinking - - & it is a common opinion 
 that literary composition, a species of property more pecul 
 iarly a man's own, than any other, being the production of his 
 mind or inventive faculties, should be held only for a limited 
 time - - while a horse or an acre of land, which a fool may 
 obtain by muscular exertions, is a permanent inheritable 
 estate 
 
 But at any rate, what reason can be assigned for securing 
 to a man a right for fourteen years, & if he should survive 
 that period, then another fourteen years but if he should 
 die, that his heirs should be deprived of that property r- & 
 at the very time, the property may be most wanted for a fam 
 ily, it must become an object of universal plunder? 
 
 Surely, Sir, in this period of the world, such laws are not 
 very honorable - - & I cannot but hope, that you & all the 
 Gentlemen of the Connecticut Delegation indeed all 
 parties, must concur in the opinion that our Statutes want 
 revision - An attention to this subject will Oblige Your 
 friend & Obed Sevt 
 
 N Webster." 
 
 When the proposal to the States of the Twelfth Amend 
 ment to the Constitution of the United States, in regard to 
 
Term in Congress 335 
 
 the choice of President and Vice-President, was under con 
 sideration in the House of Representatives, sitting- as a com 
 mittee of the whole, Mr. Baldwin called attention to an 
 ambiguity of expression in the resolution as sent down from 
 the Senate. It was in the provision that if no person had a 
 majority of all the electors appointed, for the office of Presi 
 dent "then from the persons having the highest numbers, not 
 exceeding three, on the list of those voted for," the House 
 should choose the President. Did this mean "from the per 
 sons, not exceeding three, having the highest numbers, on the 
 list of those voted for," or did it mean "from the persons 
 having the highest numbers not exceeding three numbers" ? 
 Mr. Baldwin, on December 7, 1803, made a brief and well- 
 reasoned speech in support of a motion which he submitted 
 for the erasure of the three words which raised the ambiguity. 
 It was as follows : 
 
 "Mr. Chairman 
 
 I should not have risen on this question, did I 
 not conceive that the import of a part of the words proposed 
 to be stricken out, had been passed unnoticed by the Gentle 
 men who have preceeded me. I refer to the words "not 
 exceeding three". 
 
 For the purpose to which I wish to turn the attention of 
 the Committee to these words, it is altogether immaterial, 
 whether they refer to Persons or to Numbers. The same 
 difficulty will occur to whichever of these antecedents they 
 may be found to relate. The choice must be made from per 
 sons or from numbers, "not exceeding three" . 
 
 This expression limitting the greater number, necessarily 
 implies that a less number may be taken. It is an expres 
 sion of frequent occurrence in our Statutes; persons may be 
 fined not exceeding a certain sum, or may be imprisoned not 
 exceeding a certain number of years. Whenever the expres 
 sion is thus used, a sum, or a number less than the excess 
 limited, may be assumed; and by the provision under con 
 sideration the choice of President may consistently, with 
 
3 36 Term in Congress 
 
 the expression, be restricted to two persons, or to two classes 
 of numbers. This I am persuaded is not the intention of 
 Congress, but as the words are capable of this construction, 
 why shall we not correct the expression so as fairly to convey 
 the meaning we intend ? We can make it explicit, by saying, 
 the choice shall be made from the three persons having the 
 highest numbers : or if so is our meaning, from the persons 
 having the three highest numbers. 
 
 But Sir the uncertainty of the number from which the 
 choice may be made, is not in itself the greatest evil arising 
 from the expression. Whenever a choice of President shall 
 be refered to the decision of the House of Representatives, 
 under this provision as a part of the constitution, tho' the 
 balloting must be by States, yet the previous question to 
 determine how many persons or numbers shall be run, will 
 be decided as other questions especially taken in this House, 
 by Polls, & not by States. The consequence is obvious ; the 
 four great States, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York & 
 Massachusetts, are represented on the floor of this House 
 by seventy four members, this Sir is a majority of the whole 
 representation of the Union; Their combination may limit 
 the number to two, & thus exclude the Candidate, who might 
 otherwise have obtained the votes of the other thirteen 
 States. 
 
 I shall make no remarks upon the other parts of the Sen 
 tence proposed to be stricken out. The various constructions 
 given to the words, by the different Gentlemen who have 
 spoken on the subject, is the best comment, to shew the impro 
 priety of the expression. 
 
 The language of the Constitution, above all instruments, 
 ought to be plain, certain & incapable of misconstruction. 
 The language of the resolution under consideration is not 
 so; the advocates of it do not agree in its meaning. I hope 
 Sir we shall pause, & before we adopt the resolution, correct 
 the expressions capable of such mischief, & so alter the lan 
 guage, that the meaning cannot be misunderstood. - I 
 therefore move you to insert three before Highest & to strike 
 out "not exceeding three." 
 
Term in Congress 337 
 
 The motion was not passed, and so the Twelfth Amend 
 ment perpetuated an ambiguity, which might easily have been 
 avoided. 
 
 It must now be regarded as established that during the 
 winter of 1803-4 there was serious talk among some of the 
 New England Federalists then prominent in public life over 
 the expediency of planning a secession from the Union of 
 New England and perhaps of New York. Senators Timothy 
 Pickering of Massachusetts and Uriah Tracy of Connecticut 
 were among those who discussed the matter, and there can 
 be little doubt that, if Hamilton had favored it, they would 
 have stood ready to promote a movement to establish a 
 separate Northern Confederacy. 
 
 Mr. Baldwin was not taken into their confidence with 
 respect to their scheme. 2 Only a few of the leading Fed 
 eralists were consulted, and none who were not thought to 
 have leanings in that direction. 
 
 Not long after John Quincy Adams, in 1828, had made 
 public his charge that a project of this nature had been con 
 sidered by some of the Federalists a quarter of a century 
 before, and Uriah Tracy of Connecticut, long since dead, 
 had been named as one of those active in its favor, Judge 
 James Gould, his son-in-law, wrote to the Federalist sur 
 vivors of the Connecticut members of Congress in 1803, 
 asking each if at that time Senator Tracy or anybody else 
 had ever spoken to him of the existence of any such combina 
 tion or "project" as Mr. Adams described. 3 
 
 2 See Lodge, Life and Letters of George Cabot, 338-344, 437, 446, 
 453; Morrison, Life of Harrison Gray Otis, I, 165-216; New Eng 
 land Secessionists, in New Englander for March, 1878, 145 ; Life of 
 Wm. Plumer, 298. 
 
 3 Henry Adams, Documents relating to New England Federalism, 
 99-103. 
 
338 Term in Congress 
 
 Senator Hillhouse replied that he had never heard of "any 
 combination or plot" among the Federal members of Con 
 gress to dissolve the Union of these States, or to form a 
 Northern or Eastern confederacy, and did not believe that 
 "any such combination or plot ever existed." 
 
 It will be observed that for the word "project" used by 
 Judge Gould, Mr. Hillhouse substituted "plot," and twice 
 repeats this term. A plot is something more definite and 
 pronounced than a project. It is a conspiracy to achieve a 
 project. 
 
 Mr. Baldwin responded to Judge Gould's letter as follows : 
 
 " New Haven, April 7, 1829. 
 
 My Dear Sir, - I was a member of Congress in the winter 
 of 1803-4, and resided at Washington until the close of that 
 session, in a family of, I think, fifteen members of Congress, 
 all from New England, and all, in the party designations of 
 that day, Federalists. Mr. Plumer was of our family; Mr. 
 Tracy was not, but an intimacy had subsisted between him 
 and myself from early life. While at Washington, we saw 
 each other frequently, - - I may say, daily, and were in 
 habits of familiar and confidential communications on politi 
 cal subjects, both in private intercourse and in our social 
 circles. I am confident that Mr. Tracy did not, during that 
 period or any time, confer with me upon or disclose any such 
 combination or project as that referred to by Mr. Adams; 
 nor did I ever hear from him, or any other Federalist, dur 
 ing that session or at any other time, the suggestion of a 
 plan to dissolve the Union, or to form a Northern or Eastern 
 confederation, or any intimation of a wish that such an event 
 might take place; I never heard that a meeting for that 
 object was proposed to be held at Boston in the autumn 
 of 1804, until the publication of Mr. Plumer's letter. 
 
 I never claimed the honor of being a leader of the Federal 
 party; but I never suspected there was a want of confidence 
 in me, or that any important party secrets were designedly 
 withheld from me. If such a project had ever been communi- 
 
Term in Congress 339 
 
 cated to me, I think I should not have disregarded or failed 
 to remember it ; because I know, and have ever felt deeply, 
 the importance of preserving our Federal Union. 
 
 I assure you I did not then, from any source, know, nor 
 have I at any time since known, nor have I now any reason 
 to believe or suspect, that such a project ever existed. 
 I am, with esteem, Your friend, 
 
 S. Baldwin. 
 Hon. James Gould." 
 
 This full and explicit response must be accepted as show 
 ing that the writer was no party either to a project or a plot 
 to dismember the Union. Probably General Tracy knew him 
 to be so staunch a supporter of the Constitution of the United 
 States that it would have been both useless and dangerous to 
 confer with him on the subject of splitting the country in two. 
 
 In January, 1805, Stephen Austin of New Haven wrote 
 him that he wished to sue in South Carolina on the official 
 bond of a deceased Marshal of that District, and could find 
 no statute to authorize it. Such bonds were always in form 
 made out to the United States, but were really given for the 
 benefit of anyone as to whom the Marshal had been guilty 
 of a breach of duty. Mr. Baldwin replied on February 18, 
 that he should do what he could to obtain the necessary legis 
 lation, but feared it was too late to hope for any action before 
 the next Congress. On February 20, after talking the 
 matter over with the Secretary of the Treasury, Albert 
 Gallatin, he moved, in the House, that a select committee be 
 raised to consider it. The motion was carried, and a com 
 mittee of three appointed, of which he was chairman. Five 
 days later they reported, through him, a bill for an Act 
 which he had prepared to remedy the defect. It was a good 
 piece of legislation; but the report came too near the end 
 of the session to give much hope of its adoption. It was 
 
34 Term in Congress 
 
 referred to the committee of the whole and made an order 
 of the day; but when the day came the bill was crowded 
 aside by measures of more importance, and never got back 
 to the House for action. The draft of this statute was pre 
 served among his papers. It is written in ink, but there are 
 numerous alterations in pencil. In this form Mr. Baldwin 
 indorsed it as a "precious memorandum of Th. Jefferson/' 
 doubtless referring to the pencilled part. This was probably 
 the result of a conference with the President, either by Mr. 
 Gallatin or by Mr. Baldwin. 
 
 In 1806, a bill closely founded on Mr. Baldwin's draft was 
 enacted. President Jefferson's main suggestions were the 
 use of untechnical terms, and the investment of the District 
 Judge, individually, with power to allow the real party in 
 interest to sue on such a bond, whereas the original draft 
 required the order to be applied for in open court. The 
 final Act 4 was better still, and authorized suit by the real 
 party interested, without any special permission. 
 
 On November 12, 1804, he writes to his wife, shortly after 
 the opening of the second session of the eighth Congress : 
 
 "One week is passed since Congress convened & very little 
 business has been done, and less will probably be done this 
 week as the annual Races commence tomorrow, & must & 
 will be attended by the gentlemen of the turf." .... 
 "It is really a consolation that this is the last of my tour of 
 duty I hope during another winter I may be permitted to 
 enjoy more pleasure at home, --but whether here or at home 
 I am with sincere affection 
 Your 
 
 Simeon Baldwin." 
 
 That the "gentlemen of the turf" were not the only ones 
 who went out to the races, appears from this letter to his 
 son, Roger Sherman Baldwin, a boy of eleven : 
 
 4 Approved April 10, 1806; U. S. Stat. at Large, IV, Chap. 21. 
 
Term in Congress 34 l 
 
 "Washington Nov r 1 5 th - - 1804 
 My dear Son 
 
 I give you the credit .of the first Letter I have 
 received from home. I have just now received it, & though 
 I have already written to you, I cheerfully do it again because 
 I believe it will gratify you 
 
 We have been most of this week employed in visiting the 
 race ground - - which here opens a scene of amusement for 
 three or four days for all sorts of people, as a general train 
 ing does in Connecticut and people here are so very fond 
 of them that little other business can be done while they 
 continue As Congress adjourned each day on that account 
 earlier than usual, I visited the field twice as I had never 
 before seen any thing of the kind. The ground is marked 
 off in a circle, just one mile round it -- on an extensive plain 
 - three or four miles from the Capitol & without the Limits 
 of the City - Huts are here erected for the accommodation 
 of the people who assemble, with all sorts of refreshments; 
 on the top of these huts people stand to see the races - Vast 
 sums are thus bet on the different Horses who are entered 
 to run At the time appointed, on a signal given, the Horses 
 start; in one or two of the races 5 Horses started together 
 & in the great races they run 4 times round the circle making 
 4 miles at a heat, as they term it ; they then rest their Horses 
 about 20 minutes & run round 4 times more - if the same 
 Horse comes out first the Second Heat, the race is over if 
 not, they run a third & some times the fourth heat - the 
 four mile heat is never run except by old Horses - Young 
 Horses run sometimes but once & seldom more than twice 
 round the circle - 
 
 On the whole it appeared to me to be a silly amusement, for 
 such a concourse of people assembled from all parts of Vir 
 ginia & Maryland - The only apology for it to induce the 
 rich people to improve the breed of horses but I think 
 it has but little effect on those most used - - for the Horses 
 mostly used here are much inferior to those we have about 
 New Haven, & a race-breed are of little use for the Chaise 
 or Team, & are often unmanageable to ride. On the whole 
 I think the Connecticut amusements, such as Commencements, 
 
342 Term in Congress 
 
 quarter days training & the like, are more rational & 
 more useful I have written more than I intended. Make 
 my Love to the family - 
 from 
 
 your Affec 1 father 
 
 Simeon Baldwin/' 
 
 On November 19, 1804, he writes to David Daggett: 
 
 "I have rec d yours of the 15*. I thank you for it - If 
 my friends knew the pleasure it gives me - - while in the 
 Shrub plains of the City of Washington to hear from those 
 who live in the world they would write more frequently. - 
 
 You are not alone in your sentiment respecting the Mes 
 sage - It is not only feeble - - but monstrously inaccurate 
 even in grammar, in the construction of sentences & in evry 
 arrangement destructive of perspicuity. The Intelligencer, 
 fearing the rough attacks of federal prints, has already as 
 you have doubtless seen extended its columns for its support 
 
 - the attention of the gaping Democrats gazing at the 
 wonders of Louisiana is turned from the splendour of the 
 mountain of salt to streams of Lead flowing from Austins 
 
 mines." 
 
 On December 15, 1804, he writes to his wife: 
 
 "I confess I have often wondered that many who are 
 appointed to spend their time here are so solicitous for the 
 place. I can account for it from ambition in a few of the 
 leaders who can offset the anticipation of future pleasures 
 against the privation of present ones. They probably dis 
 regard temporary inconveniences in the hope of more lively 
 enjoyment for themselves & families in the high spheres to 
 which they aim Few indeed ought to derive consolation 
 from such reflections - - fewer still will attain the object to 
 which their ambition impels them & none I suspect will find 
 the accomplishment of their views productive of what they 
 in their pursuit expect. I have not the vanity to think 
 myself calculated for such a race I have, I confess, had 
 
Term in Congress 343 
 
 a sort of gratification by being here & seeing what others 
 pursue how they pursue & why they miss it. I hope 
 therefore to be more contented with the steady habits of 
 home & of Connecticut; believing that a Connecticut man, 
 unless inordinate in his ambition, need not come to Washing 
 ton in search after Happiness." 
 
 On December 19 he writes her in the same vein : 
 
 "That portion of happiness which accompanies me at 
 Washington will never, I assure you, wean me from the more 
 substantial joys of domestic life. ... It was a wretched 
 business ever to remove the Seat of Government to this place. 
 It is all a forced business, and will be for years to come. . . . 
 It is now settled wholly by officers of Gov 1 , or adventurers 
 who seek their living from those who are connected with 
 Gov*. The Houses have been erected on speculation, & I 
 presume that not half of those which have been erected are 
 inhabited." 
 
 Three days later he writes her again : 
 
 "Absence increases my wish to return in the dissipation 
 of the place I have no share & the bustle of public Life I am 
 confident will never please me. - 
 
 My life here is more recluse than you probably conceive 
 the men of the different parties do not associate intimately 
 Federalists live mostly by themselves, there are about 50 
 in both Houses, of these we have 13 at our own Table 
 But we make ourselves some sport at the expence of the 
 blunders as we conceive them, of the great folks in power. 
 M r Merry, the minister from Great Britain arrived here with 
 his Lady since the meeting of Congress He is a man 
 accustomed to the forms & ceremonies of the British Court, 
 & knowing the particular attention paid to M r King our min 
 ister & to his Lady while in England he expected a return 
 of reciprocal attention here. Soon after his first audience 
 with the President M r & M rs Merry were invited to a 
 dinner of ceremony at the Presidents It was important 
 therefore on this occasion to settle the relative rank of the 
 
344 Term in Congress 
 
 British minister & our heads of department, & after much 
 inquiry, & great deliberation among the Gent n & Ladies of 
 the Court, the result was the heads of Department were to 
 take the rank - - of course M rs Maddison was led to the din 
 ner Table by the President & some of the other Ladies of the 
 Court according to the supposed rank of their Husbands 
 before M 18 Merry - at another Dinner soon after at M r 
 Maddison's the same order was observed; the next dinner 
 of the kind she refused to attend - - the reason was soon 
 known, & the thing soon became the topic of conversation, 
 & it being known that the former Administration & partic 
 ularly Gen 1 Washington, who had no talent at blundering 
 on such occasions, always considered them as strangers & 
 entitled to a preference & who always led the Lady of the 
 British minister himself to the Table, the new pretentious are 
 illy received by the foreign minister & not generally well 
 approved by the Connoissieurs among the well bred Demo 
 crats and it is said the Philosopher even wishes it had been 
 ordered otherwise. - 
 
 On January 5, 1804, he writes to her thus: 
 
 "I shall this day dine for the first time with Th. Jefferson 
 - he is in the habit of separating the wheat from the chaff - 
 & invites the federal members by themselves - I arrived 
 here after the first round - - the Second federal Invitations 
 commence this day - - tho we have no great complacency in 
 the man - - we feel it a kind of official Duty, to respect the 
 office, & that it is proper to keep a ceremony which once was 
 useful & we hope may be again. 
 
 A later invitation, for December 13, 1804, has been pre 
 served, and reads as follows : 
 
 "Th : Jefferson requests the favour of M r . Baldwin 
 to dine with him on thursday 13 th 
 at half after three, or at whatever later hour the house 
 may rise. 
 
 The favour of an answer is asked." 
 
Term in Congress 345 
 
 On January 12, he writes his wife again: 
 
 "Our landlord gives us an excellent Table, better I believe 
 than is for our health considering our sedentary life - we 
 breakfast at 9 dine at 3 or sometimes 4 & sup at 8 - we 
 have few amusements except those within our own circle & 
 a few federal friends in the Neighborhood - - our mess; 
 none of them join the dissipated circles of the City indeed 
 most of the members who are fond of those pleasures, if they 
 are such, reside in Georgetown 2 or 3 miles from us. 
 
 Young Bonaparte & his wife were here last week I did 
 not have an opportunity to inspect her charms but her dress 
 at a Ball which she attended has been the general topic of 
 conversation in all circles - Having married a Parissian 
 she assumed the mode of dress in which it is said the Ladies 
 of Paris are cloathed --if that may be called cloathing which 
 leaves half of the body naked & the shape of the rest perfectly 
 visible - Several of the Gent n who saw her say they could 
 put all the cloaths she had on in their vest pockett - - & it is 
 said she did not appear at all abashed when the inquisitive 
 Eyes of the young Galants led them to chat with her tete a 
 tete. - Tho' her taste & appearance was condemned by those 
 who saw her, yet such fashions are astonishingly bewitching 
 & will gradually progress, & we may well reflect on what 
 we shall be when fashion shall remove all barriers from the 
 chastity of women. " 5 
 
 He writes to his wife on February 2, 1804: 
 
 "I am more and more satisfied with the mediocrity of the 
 Connecticut stile of living I believe it has as many of the 
 real pleasures & less of the alloy which so often attends 
 the dissipation of the South. 
 
 M r R - who resided last Summer in Wethersfield finds 
 added to all his political rebuffs, a domestic source of more 
 poignant woe. - It seems his wife became attached to a 
 Doc r S - of Newport while they resided there, that this 
 
 5 A cut of one of Mrs. Bonaparte's gowns is given in Sterling, A 
 Painter of Dreams, 172. 
 
346 Term in Congress 
 
 connexion was carried to too great familiarity that it was 
 then noticed by the friends of M r R. & was by one of them 
 communicated to him ; that he had then too much confidence 
 in her Honor to believe the Report - The Doc r has since 
 been in England & lately returned by the way of Charleston 
 & hearing M r R was from home, he went to his plantation & 
 put up - - a friend of M r R. informed him what was doing 
 
 at home he returned a Duel succeeded, & R - & 
 
 his wife have separated - Such are the cursed fruits of 
 unlawful amours : 
 
 On February 12, 1804, Mr. Baldwin jots down the follow 
 ing account of a recent "affair of honor" between John 
 Randolph of Roanoke and his associate in the House of 
 Representatives, Willis Alston, Jr. : 
 
 "A Symptom, Feb y 12 th 1804. 
 
 M r Pepin was this Evening at Coyles & finding we had 
 heard the substance of a controversy between John Randolph 
 & Wyllys Alston two members of Congress, related the trans 
 action as follows. 
 
 That on Saturday the II th he was at dinner with about 20 
 others at M ra Dashields where those Gen n boarded - - that 
 while at the Table M r A. observed that the long discussion of 
 the Georgia Claims had done no good, that he believed the 
 minority was lessened by it, & that he knew of some who 
 would vote otherwise on the Bill R. replied that he was 
 confident it had an effect & that members had expressed 
 themselves convinced by the arguments. A. observed that 
 the subject was not new to the House; it had been debated 
 at the last Session - R. said it was not debated last Ses 
 sion. A. replied that it had. R. with a very serious air 
 told A. that when he should contradict him again he should 
 expect him to do it in more decent Language. A. said he 
 was confident he was right & that his assertion was as good 
 as R's R. replied that he did not consider his word as a 
 mere balance for Mr. A's Some epithets were added to 
 enforce the assertions of each Upon this the Ladies at 
 
Term in Congress 347 
 
 the table retired R. went out & apologized to them for the 
 disturbance & soon after returned into the dining room. A. 
 had by this time removed to the fire R. went to the table 
 took a glass of wine & deliberately went up to A and threw 
 it into his face & while A. was clearing his Eyes he broke 
 the Glass across his face - This produced more words and 
 some battle - - R then threw a bottle of wine at A. which 
 hit him on his body, the company then interfered & prevented 
 a ratification - R then observed to the Company, that this 
 was one of the disagreeable occurrences which would now & 
 then hapen in social intercourse, but he hoped he had acquited 
 himself with propriety, that the treatment he had given was 
 such as the puppy deserved he then left the room with slam 
 observing he could be found at his chamber. Fame with 
 her hundred tongues was as busy as a Bee, in spight of all 
 effort, till the facts were fully known It was supposed the 
 Southern Specific must inevitably be applied to the wound & 
 that nothing would heal the wound but a leaden pill - This 
 morning R. was arrested by warrant from Judge Kilty & 
 recognized to keep the peace Alston was not found - - & 
 neither of them have this day appeared in the House The 
 men of the Pistol say that so gross and deliberate an abuse 
 cannot be pocketed or compromised that A. must fight 
 or leave the place in disgrace - thus the thing now rests 
 & if they must fight I shall be tempted to sing in the language 
 of the sketches of the times 
 
 "So have I seen with fiery rage" 
 A Hawk & Snake in fight engage" 
 For such a combat nothing loath" 
 But wished the Devil had them both" 
 
 Washington, at this period, was a poor place to shop in. 
 Mr. Baldwin writes to his wife on New Year's Day: 
 
 "Tell Simeon I am preparing him a Letter in which I intend 
 to enclose him a picture Book for a New Years gift, but have 
 not as yet been able to find such a thing in the Capital of the 
 United States." 
 
348 Term in Congress 
 
 On January 5, 1805, he describes the opening scene of the 
 trial of Justice Chase, on his impeachment, before the Senate. 
 
 "The Senate chamber was fitted up in a very handsome 
 manner for a court room, while the Senate held their delib 
 erations for a week in a Com* room. - New seats or boxes 
 were erected on the right & left of the Presidents Chair cov 
 ered all over with crimson Cloth for the accommodation of 
 the Senate as a Court. The frame of New Gallery was 
 erected for the accommodation of the Ladies in front of the 
 permanent Gallery but this was not finished & the frame 
 was taken down - The Court room being thus prepared a 
 Chair was provided by the Door keeper for the accommoda 
 tion of the accused in the area assigned for him - - this the 
 V. P. ordered to be removed - The Judge being called 
 appeared, & on ace 1 of his years & his infirmities Solicited the 
 indulgence of a chair while he should prepare himself to 
 address the Court. This indulgence was granted/' 
 
 The next day he writes of it again to his wife : 
 
 "I enclose to you the Washington Federalist because it 
 contains the manly address of Judge Chase to the Senate on 
 his arraignment, his appearance was firm, venerable and 
 Dignified & excited you may well suppose very lively Sensa 
 tions in the breasts of those who were friendly to the men & 
 measures of former times - One expression only I wish 
 he had omitted or amended, that in which he describes his 
 accusers as puling in their nurses arms while he was exerting 
 his tallents to establish the Liberty & Independence of his 
 Country. It is a fact that all the managers are young men, 
 not one of them was grown up & some of them I presume 
 were litterally in their nurses arms at the Com 1 of our Revo 
 lution but the expression is rather hacknied & is calculated 
 to irritate without gaining any valuable object. - 
 
 The trial is now put off to the 4 th of Feb y when I think it 
 probable he will be sacrificed." 
 
 On February 10 he gives her this account of its progress: 
 
Term in Congress 349 
 
 "In addition to the usual pressure of business at the close 
 of the Session - - we are embarked on another of W Jef- 
 fersons tempestuous seas of Liberty, we are in the midst of 
 the trial of Judge Chase - He appeared before the Senate 
 last Monday & filed his answer to the impeachment - - the 
 reading of which consumed nearly four Hours, it was a 
 masterly performance, & was read in a very impressive man 
 ner by M r Harper The audience was very numerous & great 
 many strangers both Ladies & Gent n from remote places were 
 present - - on Thursday the House gave their reply to the 
 answer, & on Fryday the Court opened again, but as the man 
 agers were not ready to proceed they were indulged till the 
 next day. on Saturday (yesterday) the Court was again 
 opened : the crowd was as great as on the first Day - M r 
 Randolph on the part of the managers addressed the Court 
 in a speech of about one hour, but it is generally conceded not 
 much to his Honor or that of the House he exhibited 
 much of the bitterness & abuse of the Judge, from which the 
 prosecution originated every thing respecting the impeach 
 ment has been hitherto marked with the spirit of party & I 
 fear the same Spirit will attend it to the end; if so there is 
 little prospect of his escape, the Court consists of 34 mem 
 bers ; all are present 25 are democrats & 9 federalists, 2/3 
 are nesessary for conviction say 23 - - so that his only hope 
 is that out of the 25 3 may vote in his favor - He is 
 assisted by very able Counsel, far superior to our managers 
 - we have as yet heard but 2 Witnesses out of about 70 
 & have consumed one week ; the trial will probably last most 
 of the Session." 
 
 On February 15, 1804, he writes of John Randolph, the 
 principal manager of the impeachment proceedings, that he 
 
 "has little or no beard - - looks very young & has a voice as 
 shrill as a boy of 12 years old -- But he uses good Language, 
 & has a handsome flow of expression & is certainly a man 
 of a good deal of information he is a thorough going Demo 
 crat, but despising the feebleness of his partisans, he attempts 
 
350 Term in Congress 
 
 to manage them with so much aristocratic hauteur, that they 
 sometimes grow unmanageable & rebel, but they have nobody 
 else who really possess the talents requisite for a leader." 
 
 The story of the trial is continued in a letter to his wife on 
 February 16. 
 
 "The trial of Judge Chase which is so much the topic of 
 the day here, that I must trouble you with it, still goes on - 
 both Houses still continue to attend 4 or 5 Hours each day, 
 all other business of course is very much interrupted and 
 much Legislative business will be left unfinished The 
 witnesses on the part of the prosecution are through: two 
 days have been spent in examining those on the part of the 
 Judge, and I really think he has acquitted himself of every 
 thing which looks like a criminal intent. Indeed his friends 
 think & some of his political opponents have expressed the 
 Same Idea that his character has grown brighter by the 
 scrutiny, both as a correct Lawyer & an humane Judge; 
 every body knows that his manners are not pleasing, but I 
 believe that as much, if not more, might have been proved 
 against him respecting the impropriety of his conduct when 
 he was on the circuit in New England, as has been proved on 
 this trial - I grow more doubtful whether it will be pos 
 sible to condemn him - - in quiet times, I am sure they would 
 not - - & if they do, Posterity will wonder how & why they 
 did it." 
 
 On March 2, 1805, he writes her of the close of the trial, 
 before a "vast concourse of spectators," giving the votes of 
 the Senators in detail, and closing thus : 
 
 "I have written you thus much on this subject because it 
 is the topic of the day, & we are not a little elated at the issue 
 of the trial Wives who have husbands embarked on the 
 Jeffersonian Sea of Liberty must expect (to) hear something 
 of storms hurricanes & turmoils." 
 
Term in Congress 3 5 T 
 
 On February 2, 1805, Dr. Noah Webster writes him from 
 New Haven : 
 
 "We shall expect a great budget of anecdotes on your 
 return I suppose you will remain to see the coronation 
 oath administered & hear a speech from the new king - Are 
 you doing any thing in the Gun-boat business ? Our national 
 character runs so high in the Mediteranean since our losses 
 & de-feats & explosions of gun-powder, that I think the 
 inauguration speech will give a few extracts from English 
 Admirals letters & from the Pope's. I suppose you will 
 appropriate a million or two more to pay the expenses of 
 obtaining more Navy-fame in the same quarter. How much 
 more glorious it is, as well as more humane, to expend money 
 for powder & ball to batter Tripoli, & blow up gun boats, 
 than to redeem a few hundred of our brave unfortunate 
 country men, who are suffering the pain & mortification of 
 slavery & chains ! I know how much you & our friends 
 in Congress must feel the degraded state of our national 
 Character But I know of no consolations but to eat & 
 drink & forget." 
 
 Mr. Baldwin was unwilling to serve a second term in 
 Congress. He preferred the bar for his occupation and home 
 for his pleasures. 
 
 His crayon portrait by St. Memin, taken at this time, 6 
 shows that he was a handsome man whom the dress of the 
 day well became. He wore his hair at the back of the head 
 in a queue until high coat collars became the rule. This 
 made the "pig-tail" stick out almost horizontally, and he 
 preferred to abandon it and retain the low collar. His 
 wardrobe at the time is indicated by the following list, which 
 he made of the articles which he carried home in his trunk 
 from Washington in March, 1805 : 
 
 8 Now in possession of Simeon E. Baldwin. 
 
3 5 2 Term in Congress 
 
 "8 shirts i do Silk do 
 
 8 Cravats i do Striped Velvet 
 
 2 Mix Wool Hose i do Swansdown 
 
 2 White do i pr Cal. Breeches 
 
 i mixed Worsted i pr Velveret Pantaloons 
 
 i Black do i Surtout mixed 
 
 1 White do i Drab Great Coat 
 
 2 White silk do i blue Cloak 
 2 Black i White vest 
 
 i Mixed 3 flannel drawers & Vests 
 
 1 Cotton 5 Silk Pock Hd s 
 
 2 blk Coats 2 pr Boots 
 
 i do Cas. Vest i pr Shoes i pr Slippers - 
 
 Rev. Justus Mitchell (Yale, Class of 1776) of New 
 Canaan, writes him on February 18, 1805, in respect to his 
 approaching retirement to private life: 
 
 "I perceive your state of bondage, & hard service, is draw 
 ing to a close. This may be beneficial to you, but injurious 
 to the country. Old soldiers are always the best to encounter 
 danger, and make resistance to an enemy. This perhaps may 
 well apply to your situation. It is trying to me to have able 
 men, who have become acquainted with the business in Con 
 gress, leave their seats to be filled by new members, who 
 are unacquainted with the business. I am sensible you made 
 a great sacrifice in concenting to the bondage, and I know 
 the encouragements to continue are small ; yet the conscious 
 ness of having made the sacrifice for the sake of promoting 
 the highest good of your Country, must afford consolation." 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 TERM ON THE BENCH 
 
 In 1806, the judicial system of the State was essentially 
 altered. The General Assembly had been the ultimate court 
 of appeal for errors in law. In 1784 it transferred that 
 function to the twelve "Assistants" and the Lieutenant 
 Governor, styled, when exercising it, the Supreme Court of 
 Errors. A few years later the Governor was added to the 
 court. Obviously it was a bench of a political as well as a 
 judicial character. In 1806 it was determined to elect three 
 more Judges of the Superior Court, there being then only 
 six, and let these nine, after June, 1807, constitute the 
 Supreme Court of Errors. 
 
 This automatically shut out any member of the Upper 
 House of the Legislature, by reason of a law passed in 1784 
 that no person should be capable of holding the office of 
 Assistant and either that of a Judge of the Superior Court 
 or of a Representative in Congress at the same time. 
 
 Connecticut had long conducted her elections on the system 
 of the direct primary. Six months or so before each election 
 of State officers, the freemen met in their respective towns 
 to nominate candidates for such election. A Governor, a 
 Lieutenant Governor and twelve "Assistants" or Coun 
 cillors were to be annually elected. These twelve, with the 
 Governor, formed the upper House of the Legislature. Each 
 of the twelve was to be chosen from the official nomination 
 list on which the freemen had previously agreed, by a plural 
 ity vote. This list was to contain the names of the twenty 
 persons having the most votes at the primary. The twelve 
 
354 Term on the Bench 
 
 Assistants must be chosen from it, but the Governor and 
 Lieutenant Governor might be chosen from outside. 
 
 Under this system, as practically administered, the results 
 of a primary were almost always the election at the free- 
 mans' meetings of the two men nominated for Governor and 
 Lieutenant Governor, and of the twelve for "Assistants" 
 whose names might stand first on the official list. The vote 
 was taken on each nominee in order. This order was settled 
 by the General Assembly, but in practice it almost always 
 was arranged so as to insure the reelection of those then in 
 office. It was only as, in slow course, they died or refused a 
 re-nomination, that those at the foot of the nomination list 
 were promoted in turn to a position where an election was 
 virtually assured. 1 
 
 Mr. Baldwin's name had been on the nomination list for 
 Assistants for over a dozen years. In 1794 he had received 
 351 votes. Jonathan Ingersoll then had the most votes, 
 namely, 4,604. The lowest on the list of twenty (William 
 Williams) had 1,998, and the lowest on the whole number 
 voted for (Pierpont Edwards) had 100 votes. 2 In 1806, 
 at the September town meetings, Mr. Baldwin was one of 
 the twelve named first on the list. The election was to be 
 in May, 1807, but in October, 1806, he was elected by the 
 General Assembly to the Bench. This disqualified him for 
 election as an Assistant. 
 
 The three new Judges appointed under this statute of 
 1806, in the order of their commissions, were Nathaniel 
 Smith, Jeremiah G. Brainard (Yale, Class of 1779), and 
 Simeon Baldwin. All were Federalists. They took office 
 immediately as Judges of the Superior Court, but their func- 
 
 1 The Three Constitutions of Connecticut, Papers of the New Haven 
 Colony Historical Society, V, 195. 
 
 2 Stiles, Literary Diary, III, 545. 
 
Term on the Bench 355 
 
 tions as members of the Supreme Court of Errors did not 
 become operative until 1808. 
 
 Each term of the Superior Court was held by three Judges. 
 The Supreme Court of Errors, which was strictly a court 
 of appeal, had but one term annually, held at Hartford and 
 New Haven in alternate years. The salary of each Judge 
 was $1,050, except in case of the Chief Justice, who received 
 the same allowed for the Governor, that is, $1,100. 
 
 Judge Baldwin took his seat in the Superior Court in 
 October, 1806, and that in the Supreme Court of Errors in 
 June, 1808, this court having been kept in its former shape, 
 by the statute, until that time. 
 
 The decisions made in cases heard in the latter were 
 arranged and published by a reporter appointed by the court. 
 Decisions made in the Superior Court were not reported. 
 
 Judge Baldwin's work in the Superior Court was accept 
 able to the profession. His habit of mind was judicial. He 
 had strong common sense, and a good working knowledge 
 of law. He brought also to the aid of his work in the 
 Supreme Court of Errors a faculty of clear statement and 
 easy expression. 
 
 The Reporter of that court, Thomas Day, a very com 
 petent critic, long afterwards expressed this opinion of his 
 judicial qualities : 
 
 "I had good opportunities of knowing him as a Judge; 
 but all that was distinctive of him in that capacity, may be 
 said in a few words. His judgment was sound, the result 
 of thorough investigation and reflection. He was as free 
 from bias as any man that ever gave an opinion. He was 
 not deficient in the learning obtained from books; but he 
 relied more on his own good sense than on the subtleties or 
 refinements of the law. He had less versatility than some 
 other men. Indeed the excellence of Judge Baldwin con 
 sisted in his being always the same the same upright, 
 
Term on the Bench 
 
 deliberate, intelligent man. His leading qualities as a Judge 
 were those which were conspicuous in him everywhere. 
 Everybody had confidence in him whether on or off the 
 bench." 3 
 
 His first opinion (written, as all then were, as a "per 
 curiam" one) was given in the case of Beers v. Botsford, 
 
 3 Day's Reports, 164. 
 
 In 1809 a statute was adopted making it the duty of the 
 Judges of the Supreme Court of Errors to give their opinions 
 publicly and separately, and the first opinion in our reports 
 given by him under his name was that of Swan v. Wheeler, 
 
 4 Day's Reports, 139. 
 
 Among the most noteworthy of Judge Baldwin's opinions, 
 while holding judicial office, were those given in the follow 
 ing cases : 
 
 Nichols v. Palmer, 5 Day's Reports, 50 (1811). Here 
 he held that a voluntary agreement between husband and wife 
 for a separation, accompanied by a settlement on a trustee 
 for her benefit, was enforceable against the latter. The 
 Chief Justice and one of the Associate Judges dissented. 
 
 Palmer v. Allen, 5 Day's Reports, 201 (1811). Here he 
 gave an opinion that a Marshal of the United States could 
 commit a debtor, whose body had been attached, to jail, with 
 out any special order of "mittimus" obtained for the pur 
 pose. Only one of the Judges agreed with him in that view ; 
 but the case was appealed to the Supreme Court of the United 
 States, where his position was sustained and the judgment 
 reversed (7 Cranch's Reports, 550). 
 
 Brandin v. Grannis, i Connecticut Reports, 402, note 
 (1811). Here he supported, on the ground of long usage, 
 the power of the court to allow the jury in a civil case to 
 
 3 Button, Sketch of the Life and Character of Hon. Simeon Bald^ 
 win, 14. 
 
Term on the Bench 357 
 
 separate before agreeing on a verdict. This usage, which 
 had run for more than a century, had given, he held, a prac 
 tical construction as to the governing statute which might 
 fairly be invoked to overcome the strict effect of its literal 
 terms. 
 
 Chief Justice Swift held office from 1815 to 1819. It 
 became his practice to give a written opinion in every case. 
 When the decision was that approved by a majority of the 
 court, the Associate Judges who agreed with him seldom 
 wrote any opinion. Judge Baldwin was quite apt to take the 
 same view of the case which the Chief Justice did, and this 
 leaves fewer examples on record of his judicial style than 
 might otherwise have been expected. All the opinions which 
 he gave were carefully prepared and well worded. Most 
 of them indicate a desire to be as brief as he could well be, 
 without risk of obscurity. 
 
 Judge Baldwin was painstaking in making full minutes 
 of the cases coming before him in each court, and gave them 
 close and faithful study. 
 
 He had gathered while at the bar quite a good law library 
 of his own, and added to it considerably while on the bench ; 
 buying over fifty volumes in a single year. 
 
 A good deal of Judge Baldwin's time was now taken up in 
 traveling from one county to another. Often he journeyed 
 behind his own horse. 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to his wife. 
 
 "Haddam Dec r 23 d 1815 Saturday 
 Dear Betsey 
 
 We have had two very long & tedious trials; 
 particularly the last, the trial of the man for murder - The 
 charge was given to the Grand Jury on Monday; they 
 returned a true bill on Tuesday forenoon - - in the after 
 noon we began the trial before the petit Jury in the meeting 
 
3 5^ Term on the Bench 
 
 house & continued the trial till yesterday at one oClk when 
 the case was given to the Jury - - they have not yet returned 
 their verdict - It is expected this morning - - at the open 
 ing of C. 
 
 The delay which this trial has occasioned of other business 
 will keep the Court into next week probably till Wednesday 
 or Thursday - If the weather should continue good, & 
 Sherman has a mind to come up he can - he may do as he 
 please if he does not, I can find a passage to Middletown & 
 return in the stage - 
 
 I am with great esteem & affection 
 Yours 
 
 S. Baldwin." 
 
 In 1813, the following letters were exchanged between him 
 and one of his associates on the bench who had mislaid some 
 court papers, and help to show the humor of each : 
 
 Tapping Reeve 4 to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 Hon. 8 th March 1813 - 
 
 Simeon Baldwin 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Some mens misfortunes are said to 
 
 arise from carelessness & others from bad luck. I have 
 been unfortunate as you will see in the sequel. I would thank 
 you to attribute mine to the latter cause, as that is the most 
 charitable mode of accounting. - My misfortune is that I 
 cannot find the papers that I brought home from the Court 
 of Errors, & I know not what cause, or causes if there were 
 more than one, were assigned to me, & if I did, I have no 
 minutes of points made or arguments used, and should prob 
 ably omit them, in my attempt to give reasons. I have waited 
 until this time in hopes that I might find them, but I have 
 given the thing up, as my family tell me that we have no vine 
 gar barrel in our house. I would thank you to help me out of 
 
 4 Tapping Reeve (Princeton, Class of 1763) was appointed Chief 
 Justice in 1814. 
 
Term on the Bench 359 
 
 this scrape, as far as may be in your power, by informing me 
 what case was assigned to me, & what were the points in the 
 case &c &c. 
 
 The case of Merrill vs Meacham, I remember that I 
 intended to give reasons in, altho it was not assigned to me. 
 I would thank you for minutes of what the Def* in Error 
 claimed as his defence. And also the case of Sanford v 
 Sanford. I would apologize to you for giving you this 
 trouble if I had any. I am willing however to declare that 
 I verily believe that when you become as careless as I am, 
 & I become as careful as you are, I shall be willing to assist 
 you in like circumstances - - & if you will accept of this 
 declaration as a set off we will have our accounts balanced 
 when we meet. 
 
 Your friend 
 
 T. Reeve - 
 
 The allusion to a vinegar barrel refers to a misadventure 
 of Judge Reeve when at the bar. The story was thus told 
 by Judge Baldwin in 1833 : 
 
 "When Judge Reeve was in full practice as a lawyer, he 
 was engaged in an important cause, depending for proof 
 almost wholly on depositions - These he had caused to be 
 opened by the clerk of the Court, & for safe keeping put them 
 into his pocket, &, soon after, having occasion to go into the 
 apartment where the family vinegar barrel was deposited, 
 and seeing it without a bung, he thoughtlessly put his hand 
 into his pocket for waste-paper & unawares pulled out the 
 bundle of Depositions - - wisped them into a bung & with it 
 stopped the barrel. - 
 
 A few days afterwards the cause was called for trial & 
 these depositions could not be found. After reasonable time 
 given to search all usual places of deposit, the cause was 
 sacrificed for want of them. Some time afterwards, they 
 were accidentally discovered quietly performing their duty 
 as a bung to the vinegar barrel Upon this the Judge, then 
 a lawyer, with his wonted humour, & ingeniousness stated the 
 
360 Term on the Bench 
 
 facts as a ground for a new trial, in favor of his client which 
 he obtained, & with the aid of his proof thus recovered 
 obtained final judg* in favor of his Client. " 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Tapping Reeve. 
 
 "New Haven Mar 15, 1813 - 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I have received yours of the 8 th ins* informing me 
 of your misfortune in the loss of our minutes. 
 
 However powerfully some casuists may insist, that bad 
 luck is always an attendant upon carelessness, yet we know it 
 sometimes overtakes the most careful You certainly 
 
 need not have appealed to my charitable construction to 
 induce me to attribute yours to the latter source - - when it 
 is so well known that your carefulness is even proverbial. - 
 As however the most careful keeper of archives, will always 
 find it indispensable, that he should be furnished with a suit 
 able deposit - - you must permit me, to take the liberty, to 
 urge you to solicit M rs Reeve never to suffer the family to be 
 again destitute of a vinegar barrel. - 
 
 I have with great cheerfulness done what I could, from my 
 imperfect minutes, to help you out of your scrape (as you 
 term it) I find the only cause assigned to you, was Fuller 
 &c v Merrow &c. This I have given you such minutes of, 
 as I had. I think however you will need the Declaration. 
 
 I have also transcribed my minutes in the case of Sanford 
 v Sanford, & Merril v Meecham. I wish they were more 
 perfect ; they may however serve to bring more to your mind 
 
 - The original files of these you can obtain if necessary from 
 M r Wolcoft. - 
 
 With my best respects to M ra Reeve & my 
 best wishes for your happiness 
 
 I am with esteem 
 
 your Hble Ser* 
 
 S. Baldwin. 
 
 It was the general rule in Connecticut to fill State offices 
 by annual appointments. It was also the general tradition 
 
Term on the Bench 36 1 
 
 to reappoint all Judges, at the expiration of the year for which 
 they had been originally appointed. It was a tradition sup 
 ported by the unbroken continuance of the same political 
 party the Federalists in power, from the era of the 
 Revolution down to 1817. In that year Oliver Wolcott was 
 elected Governor, on a coalition ticket, supported by the 
 Democrats and many of the Federalists, mainly Episco 
 palians and Baptists who were dissatisfied with the position 
 of Congregationalism as an established church. This com 
 bination was known as the Toleration party. One of the 
 leaders of the Democrats in the State or, as they were still 
 often called, the Republicans, was Abraham Bishop (Yale, 
 Class of 1778) of New Haven. He had spoken in public 
 with great force and spirit against the system under which 
 all Judges were appointed by a legislature, one branch of 
 which (the Council) was generally controlled by practicing 
 lawyers. In a political oration, delivered a year or two 
 before Judge Baldwin's appointment to the bench, at a time 
 when seven of the "Assistants," being a majority of all, 
 were lawyers and Federalists, he had attacked them thus : 
 
 "By the breath of these seven men are annually brought 
 into new life six judges of superior court, twenty-eight of 
 probate, forty of county courts, and five hundred and ten 
 justices of the peace, with power of increasing these little 
 potentates, equal to that of George in the increase of his poor 
 knights of Windsor, an honor conferred on every man who 
 congratulates him on his occasional transitions from common 
 to political delirium. To each of these judges the silent 
 language of the seven men is constantly sounding, like a 
 catechism in the ears of a child, 'Remember now thy Creator, 
 lest the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, wherein 
 he shall say, I have no pleasure in thee.' ' 
 
 The Tolerationists were not inclined to let a state of things 
 continue which could even seem to support charges like these. 
 
362 Term on the Bench 
 
 At the May Session of the General Assembly in 1818, the 
 Democrats were in control of both houses of the General 
 Assembly. In order to keep up the full number of Judges 
 of the Superior Court it was necessary either to reappoint 
 Judge Baldwin, or to replace him. He was replaced by John 
 T. Peters, a Democrat, who entered at once upon the duties 
 of his office, and sat in the Supreme Court of Errors at its 
 June Term in that year. 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 LIFE AS A PRACTICING LAWYER FROM 1818 TO 1851 
 
 Judge Baldwin's term on the bench expired in May, 1818. 
 One of his associates on the court, Calvin Goddard, who 
 before his connection with it had been an ardent Federalist, 
 was also not reflected, and wrote him thus on July i, 1818: 
 
 "I understand you are at the bar - How do you like the 
 business? I glory (not in my shame) but in the honor of 
 being dismissed with such a man, by such men for such rea 
 sons - That / was a sinner above all those upon whom the 
 - Hartford Convention fell, I was aware. But what dis 
 tinguished sins had you committed? You had neither 
 plotted, planned or executed the deadly treason of that 
 treasonable body. 
 
 But I cannot enlarge - It is a little unpleasant in the 
 decline of life to be obliged to work hard for a living, but I 
 hope neither you, nor your humble servant, will furnish to 
 malignity, the satisfaction of knowing or believing, that it has 
 been able to disturb our peace." 
 
 Judge Baldwin's peace was certainly, from this time on, 
 never disturbed by any press of professional engagements. 
 
 In advising with inventors and drafting claims for patents 
 he had been often employed, before he became a Judge, and 
 was often employed again. He was frequently appointed, by 
 agreement of the parties, as a "committee/' or referee, or 
 auditor. But in bringing suits and arguing causes in court 
 he was seldom retained. Of those for whom he had acted 
 at the bar in 1806, many had died and others had become 
 clients of younger men, from whom they disliked to part. 
 
 He had an occasional fee for drawing a will, and some- 
 
364 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1818 to 1851 
 
 times acted as a commissioner on an insolvent estate. He 
 was now and then made an executor. 
 
 One of the largest single fees he ever received was that 
 of $100 charged in 1826 for services as chairman of the 
 committee to investigate the affairs of the Eagle Bank. 
 
 One interesting cause in which he was retained was a suit 
 brought in 1822 against the owners of the steamboat United 
 States, which had been plying between New Haven and 
 Byram Cove, who were served with an order of injunction 
 from the Court of Chancery of New York, forbidding them 
 to run her in the waters of that State. This was one of a 
 cluster of cases in various States, involving the right of a 
 State to legislate as to inter-State commerce, of which Gib 
 bons v. Ogden 1 is the best known. 
 
 He was employed to present the claims of two Connecticut 
 insurance companies for losses by spoliations during the state 
 of imperfect maritime war which existed between the closing 
 years of the eighteenth century and the opening years of the 
 nineteenth. These he put into form to bring before the Com 
 missioners appointed to pass upon them under our treaties 
 with France and Naples. They were the subject of much 
 correspondence, and considerable sums were eventually 
 awarded to the claimants. 
 
 The most important part of his practice after 1818 was as 
 a patent solicitor. Roger Minot Sherman, in sending an 
 inventor to him in 1826, for services of this character, wrote, 
 "I have advised him to get your assistance, & I hope you will 
 be able to devote sufficient time to it. No other man in the 
 State can do it as well/' 
 
 He continued work in this line until shortly before his last 
 illness. One of his clients in 1844 was Nelson Goodyear, 
 for whom he drew a Caveat to protect him while perfecting 
 
 X 9 Wheaton's United States Reports, I. 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1818 to 1851 365 
 
 a process for improvements in the manufacture of india- 
 rubber cloth. 
 
 Carlyle wrote in his journal, when his old friend, Lady 
 Ashburton, died in 1857, "Her work call it her grand and 
 noble endurance of want of work --is all done." 5 
 
 As we look back on the life of Simeon Baldwin after he 
 left the bench, it is plain that half of it was one long 
 endurance of want of work. At the age of fifty-seven he 
 found his public occupation gone, and little of private busi 
 ness to take its place. Comparatively few clients came to 
 his door. His son, Roger S. Baldwin, was practicing law 
 in the same town with increasing success, and an increasing 
 family to call out his best endeavors. Judge Baldwin had 
 plenty of calls on his philanthropy, and, as we have seen, 
 answered them to the best of his ability, but few for his 
 professional services. He was known to have accumulated 
 some property and its amount was probably over-estimated 
 by the public. Small cases seldom go to rich lawyers, and 
 most cases in Connecticut, when he reentered the bar, were 
 small. There were then no legal partnerships in Connect 
 icut and so no chance that a Judge, on going out of office, 
 would be asked by younger men to head a firm. The tradi 
 tions of the English bar that a barrister must stand alone, 
 on his own feet, remained in full force. 
 
 In 1820, he had a total income from all sources, of 
 $1,012.22. Of this, $646.05 was income from property, and 
 $108.69 from boarders. In the same year he spent $1,006.56. 
 
 We have Mr. Micawber's authority for the proposition 
 that "if a man had twenty pounds a year for his income, and 
 spent nineteen pounds, nineteen shillings and six pence, he 
 would be happy, but that if he spent twenty pounds, one, he 
 
 2 Froude, Thomas Carlyle, A History of his Life in London, I, 115. 
 
366 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1818 to 1851 
 
 would be miserable." A margin of $5.66 at the end of the 
 year, however, can hardly have been a source of much satis 
 faction to one who as a younger man had earned a handsome 
 professional income, and who now occupied a social position 
 which involved certain outlays which he could hardly curtail. 
 
 In December, 1820, when the term of office of Abraham 
 Bishop as Collector of the Port of New Haven was about 
 to expire, it was rumored that he did not desire a re-appoint 
 ment, and Judge Baldwin consulted some of his friends as 
 to applying for the place. He learned from one of them 
 that the rumor was probably unfounded, and that President 
 Monroe was disposed to re-appoint all capable men holding 
 such offices, unless there were strong objections. 
 
 Eight years later Mr. Bishop let it be known that he did 
 not desire a renewal of his commission, and a petition for 
 Judge Baldwin's appointment was signed by the leading 
 merchants and shippers of the city. His friends were active 
 in his behalf, but without success. He wrote his son 
 Ebenezer in April, after the place had been given to another, 
 as follows : 
 
 "When I saw the letters of Gov. Woodbury & others & 
 learned that the principle avowed in Gen. Jackson's letter to 
 M r Monroe could not now be pursued, & that the most noisy 
 supporters of the change of ad r must be first rewarded & 
 that the federalists of the old School had been abused too 
 much to be forgiven I had little expectation of succeeding 
 The principle assumed would not admit of it & in its applica 
 tion other merit & fitness are out of the question." .... 
 
 "I therefore hope no further to invoke the feelings & 
 interest of yourself or R. S. B. in the event - We had all 
 better I think be silent, learn wisdom by experience & devote 
 ourselves exclusively & wholly to professional employment." 
 
 The letter of Gen. Jackson which had encouraged Judge 
 Baldwin to enter the race for the collectorship was no doubt 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1818 to 16*51 367 
 
 that written to President Monroe in 1816, in which the Gen 
 eral urged an entire disregard of party affiliations in con 
 stituting the new cabinet to be appointed in March, 1817. 
 In such a matter, he wrote, "the chief magistrate of a great 
 and powerful nation should never indulge in party feelings," 
 but always bear in mind that "he acts for the whole and not 
 a part of the community." 
 
 By R. S. B. was meant Roger S. Baldwin, who had at this 
 time become one of Jackson's admirers. 3 
 
 In April, 1829, Judge Baldwin writes to one of his sons, 
 who had asked for a loan : 
 
 "I have no business & am dependent on scanty means for 
 support, & must husband them with great economy & some 
 appearance of parsimony, to bring the year about." 
 
 In 1837 he writes to another of them that he feels keenly 
 the results of the commercial panic of that year ; though one 
 might suppose that, situated as he was, "without business & 
 living on former earnings," he could not suffer much from 
 its effects. 
 
 In 1844 he drew up a remonstrance by the New Haven and 
 Milford Turnpike Co. against the grant of a charter for the 
 New York and New Haven railroad. The objections urged 
 were that under a previous grant the turnpike company had 
 made a good turnpike road between New Haven and Mil- 
 ford at a cost of over $15,000, and had a vested right to its 
 enjoyment; that this right would be necessarily impaired 
 by the proposed charter and could not be so impaired unless 
 the calls of the public imperiously demanded it, nor then 
 without reasonable compensation; that there was no such 
 
 3 On the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1828, 
 he had taken part in a celebration of the day, at New Haven, which 
 closed with a dinner, at which he offered one of the toasts. 
 
368 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1818 to 1851 
 
 imperious call; that "if confined between Bridgeport and 
 New Haven a railroad can be no object either for the public 
 use or for private speculation & if extended along the 
 sound to New York it embraces a portion of Country 
 where the public is as well, if not better accommodated by 
 regular Packetts & unrivalled steamboats"; and that the 
 remonstrants "fully believe that the novelty of the thing & 
 the mania for rail roads, rather than the public demand, 
 sustains the application, - - and if granted without reserve 
 they fully believe that neither the Turnpike nor the railroad 
 can be supported without legislative aid/' 
 
 He went before the General Assembly to argue in support 
 of this remonstrance. The charter which he opposed was 
 granted and no compensation made to his client. The case 
 could hardly be distinguished in principle from that of the 
 Charles River Bridge in Massachusetts, decided in 1837 by 
 the Supreme Court of the United States, in which, though 
 by a bare majority of one, a similar claim by a bridge com 
 pany was thrown out, with the observation that to recognize 
 it would be to jeopardize millions that had been invested in 
 railroads and canals upon lines of travel before occupied by 
 turnpikes. 4 
 
 Four years later he appeared again before a committee of 
 the General Assembly, on another matter in which he had a 
 personal interest, and spoke with unabated vigor. In 1848 
 also he prepared a brief eulogy of Chancellor Kent, who had 
 died in 1847, to rea d at the meeting of the Yale Alumni at 
 Commencement. Illness prevented his attendance, but it 
 was subsequently published in the New Haven newspapers. 
 In the same year he furnished his recollections of the second 
 President Edwards to Rev. Dr. William B. Sprague of 
 
 4 Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge, n Peters United States 
 Reports, 420, 553. 
 
Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1818 to 1851 369 
 
 Albany, who was then compiling his biographies of Congre 
 gational ministers. Dr. Sprague, in thanking him for this 
 communication, writes : 
 
 "I know not where else age may have fixed its mark upon 
 you ; but I am sure it is upon none of the physical or intel 
 lectual faculties requisite to your recalling and recording with 
 the most perfect propriety the events of by-gone days." 
 
 A few months later he began a sketch of the career of his 
 brother, Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin of Danbury, for the same 
 work, and completed it in October, 1849. 
 
 His last appearance at the Court House was at a meeting 
 of the bar on April 14, 1851, called to take action on the 
 death, two days before, of Chief Justice Daggett. He was 
 chosen as chairman and opened the proceedings with a short 
 speech. The following memorandum of it in his handwrit 
 ing shows that the natural force of his mind remained 
 unabated, in the last month of his long life. 
 
 "Remarks of Judge Baldwin on Character of Chief Justice 
 Daggett 1851." 
 
 "At the bar meeting occasioned by the death of Judge 
 Daggett, Judge Baldwin being called to Preside, on taking 
 the chair observed that as he had known Judge Daggett 
 longer than any other person present he thought it would be 
 proper for him to state his early history & the course he 
 adopted and pursued to make him what he was. 
 
 He then observed in substance as follows : that M r Daggett 
 entered College in 1781 & joined the Jun. Class which grad 
 uated in 1783. That he afterwards became well acquainted 
 with M r Daggett who soon acquired the reputation of a 
 thorough scholar & when graduated was among those who 
 received the first honors of his Class - That he was soon 
 after appointed Rector of The Hopkins grammar school & 
 Butler in Yale College, which led him to intimate intercourse 
 
37 Life as a Practicing Lawyer from 1818 to 1851 
 
 with the faculty. During that period he with M r Daggett 
 read law together, under the direction of Judge Chauncey & 
 were afterward together examined & admitted to the bar in 
 the winter of 1785/6 M r Daggett immediately opened an 
 office & soon became known & distinguished as a young Law 
 yer of promising prospects He then adopted the resolution 
 to avoid all offices or other employment not connected with 
 a profession & to devote himself exclusively to his profes 
 sional studies & pursuits with a determination to become a 
 distinguished lawyer, & in this he was eminently successful. 
 In addition to his legal science M r Daggett was also distin 
 guished for his amiable social qualities & for his honorable 
 practice. Despising & rejecting all the low chicanery some 
 times imputed to the profession, he was faithful to his clients, 
 & in the management of his causes on trial before the Courts 
 his course was fair & respectful to all concerned in it, par 
 ticularly to the witnesses, from whom he had a happy faculty 
 of eliciting the truth without resorting to the odious & often 
 useless course pursued by some in their cross examination. 
 In his address to the Court he was always respectful. His 
 arguments were not long but always to the point. He lost 
 no time in discussing unimportant circumstances but select 
 ing the few facts or principles on which the case depended 
 he pressed them upon the Court with great & successful 
 energy. By pursuing a course thus fair & honorable he 
 became a popular man & well qualified to sustain the various 
 important offices which you know were afterwards bestowed 
 upon him. These offices he sustained with great honor to 
 himself & usefulness to the public; some of them till age & 
 its infirmities induced him to relinquish them one after 
 another. And at the age of 86 having lived a long life honor 
 able & useful he is now gone to his long rest in joyful hope 
 leaving an honorable example to be followed by all who aim 
 to become useful citizens & eminent in the legal profession/' 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 FINANCIAL MEANS AND POSITIONS 
 
 Judge Baldwin came into active life as a man of business 
 at that period towards the close of the eighteenth century 
 when the financial work of the world was beginning to fall 
 into the hands of corporations. Prior to 1800, there had 
 been chartered in this country some two or three hundred 
 moneyed corporations; almost all after the Constitution of 
 the United States took effect in ifSg. 1 Judge Baldwin saw 
 that their number and importance must rapidly increase. 
 Before 1800, investments in this country were mainly in real 
 estate and loans. After 1800 they soon came to be largely 
 made in the stock of private corporations. He began early 
 to invest his surplus earnings in such securities. A bank in 
 New Haven was chartered in 1792 and organized with some 
 effort in 1795, the "New Haven Bank." He was one of 
 the original subscribers, taking three shares. 
 
 In his later years, he once said to a young man of some 
 means, that in his judgment stock in well managed turnpike 
 companies was a safe kind of property to buy and hold, for 
 people would always use roads, and want them to be kept in 
 good repair. 
 
 Connecticut was the leader in the general American move 
 ment for the establishment of turnpikes. She began to 
 incorporate them in 1795. At the close of the eighteenth 
 century she had granted twenty-three such charters, as com- 
 
 1 Baldwin, Private Corporations, Two Centuries Growth of Ameri 
 can Law, 276; Davis, Essays in the Earlier History of American 
 Corporations, No. IV, 8. 
 
3 7 2 Financial Means and Positions 
 
 pared with thirteen in New York and nine in Massachusetts. 2 
 Taken together every section of the State was touched. Her 
 highways had been comparatively few, and generally rough 
 and poor. They now became greatly increased in number 
 and improved in condition. The State supervised their 
 maintenance. 
 
 Judge Baldwin was among the early investors in the shares 
 of such companies, and held stock in five. Of two he became 
 the clerk. This was a position the occupant of which was 
 usually one of the principal managing officers. 
 
 In October, 1798, the "Hartford and New Haven Turn 
 pike Co." was incorporated. Senator James Hillhouse was 
 the main pillar of the enterprise. He was made its Presi 
 dent and Mr. Baldwin its Treasurer. Each was actively 
 engaged in superintending the mode of construction and 
 repair, and they worked harmoniously together for a long 
 period. Mr. Baldwin remained Treasurer until shortly 
 before his death. 
 
 In 1801 a charter was granted to "The Company for 
 Mutual Assurance against Fire/' which was organized in 
 New Haven. Mr. Baldwin was one of the original directors, 
 and also its Treasurer. The next year he was one of the 
 corporators named in the charter of "The Milford and Strat 
 ford Bridge Company." 
 
 He was also, during a long course of years and until his 
 death, a director and the clerk of the New Haven and Mil- 
 ford Turnpike Co., which was chartered in 1802. 
 
 Up to the time of his going on the bench, his practice had 
 enabled him to save some money every year. His last inven 
 tory, drawn off as of January i, 1806, was as follows: 
 
 2 Davis, Eighteenth Century Business Corporations, 221. 
 
Financial Means and Positions 373 
 
 "On Book say - 3000 
 
 Notes say - 4000 
 
 12 Bank Shares @ 200 - 2400 
 10 Insurance do @ 15 - 150 
 
 2 Wharf do @ 235 470 
 
 2 Straits Turnpike do @ 128 256 
 
 2 Goshen do @ 50 100 
 
 13 H & N H. do @ 80 1040 
 
 2 Milford do @ 130 260 
 10 Rimmon falls do @ 100 1000 
 
 3 Washington Bridge @ 50 150 
 
 12826 
 
 House & Homelot say 3000 
 
 Miles Lot 6 Acres 400 
 
 Staples Lot 8 Acres 240 
 
 High Street land say 400 
 
 Hamden land my part 200 
 
 Beaver pond Land say 75 
 
 New Town Land 500 
 
 4825 
 
 17651 
 Add for book debts omitted 600 
 
 18251 
 Less due sundry parties 850 
 
 Net estate $17,401" 
 
 In 1806 he added a new office wing to his house, and his 
 inventory amounted on January i, 1807, to $20,170. On 
 one dated March I, 1809, his book accounts were only $1,031, 
 but his notes aggregated $5,571, and he had $800 in Bank 
 stock and $400 in shares of the Derby Fishing and Insurance 
 
3 74 Financial Means and Positions 
 
 Co.; his total estate being $21,364. On January i, 1823, 
 his annual inventory footed up $23,101. At his decease his 
 net estate was a little over $30,000, and his four residuary 
 legatees received about $27,570. 
 
 The Derby Fishing Company was chartered in 1806, and 
 subsequently given the power to engage in marine insurance 
 and, under certain conditions, in banking. It suffered from 
 French spoliations of vessels and cargoes which it had 
 insured, and went into liquidation in 1836. Judge Baldwin, 
 who owned forty shares in it, was elected President after it 
 retired from active business ; and wound up its affairs. He 
 succeeded in obtaining payment of about $26,000, under a 
 treaty with the King of Naples, for claims for spoliations, and 
 remained in office until his death. 
 
 A charter for the "New Haven Fire Insurance Co." was 
 granted in 1813. Judge Baldwin took ten shares. In 1822 
 he became its President, but only to wind it up, the charter 
 being repealed that year. 
 
 He early became a director in the New Haven Bank, and 
 held office by annual elections until June i, 1827, when he 
 retired in favor of his son, Roger S. Baldwin. 
 
 In 1811 a new bank in New Haven was chartered. It 
 was named the Eagle Bank and had an authorized capital 
 of $500,000. Five Commissioners, of whom Judge Baldwin 
 was one, were named in the charter to receive and allot sub 
 scriptions. No one was to be eligible as a director for more 
 than three years out of four, except the President. On open 
 ing the books for subscriptions, they poured in until amount 
 ing to four times the authorized capital; $600,000 of this 
 came from citizens of New Haven. 
 
 Judge Baldwin invested heavily, for him, in the stock of 
 the Bank, and became first a director and then, after the 
 resignation of that office by William W. Woolsey, in Novem- 
 
Financial Means and Positions 375 
 
 her, 1815, President. On January i, 1817, he had 43 paid 
 up shares, of $100 each. 
 
 He found his judicial duties, especially when holding court 
 on the circuit, made it inconvenient to sign the bills of the 
 bank, as promptly as was sometimes desirable, and on Decem 
 ber 2, 1817, he resigned both as director and President. 
 George Hoadly, the cashier, was elected his successor, and 
 a few years later some ill-advised loans of large amount 
 brought the bank to a condition of insolvency. 
 
 This was in 1825. The next year the General Assembly 
 authorized the shareholders to appoint a committee of their 
 number to investigate the state of its affairs and replace the 
 existing board of directors. Such a committee was 
 appointed. Of these Judge Baldwin was chairman, and on 
 its report three agents were chosen (in June, 1826) to wind 
 up its affairs. Judge Baldwin was one of the three. The 
 report showed that the bank had loans outstanding of over 
 $1,600,000, and the agents for winding up soon found that 
 much of this was insufficiently secured. They sued the 
 former cashier for a million and a half dollars damages, and 
 considerable litigation ensued. 
 
 The final outcome was that the shareholders suffered a 
 total loss; what property there was being absorbed by 
 creditors. 
 
 Judge Baldwin and Lyman Law presented a petition to 
 the General Assembly, in 1828, for a charter for the "City 
 Bank in New Haven," with a capital of $300,000. This was 
 intended to save something for the Eagle Bank shareholders. 
 A bill was reported granting the petition, but it proved of no 
 benefit to them. 
 
 In 1820, Judge Baldwin was one of the incorporators 
 named in a charter for the "Savings Bank of New Haven." 
 It was to be purely an institution for the benefit of the 
 
3 76 Financial Means and Positions 
 
 depositors. It was soon organized, and received deposits 
 to the amount of about $90,000. This was all lent to the 
 Eagle Bank, repayable on demand with interest at the rate 
 of four per cent. When that bank became insolvent, its 
 officers repaid part of this loan and secured the rest. The 
 courts sustained the preference, 3 but the bank was, in the 
 end, wound up. Another Savings Bank, named the New 
 Haven Savings Bank, was then incorporated, in 1838. Judge 
 Baldwin's name stood first in the list of incorporators. This 
 has now deposits of over 21 millions, and a surplus of nearly 
 a million and a half. He took an active interest in making 
 it a success, and was elected its first President, an office 
 which carried no salary, though considerable responsibility. 
 
 In 1813 the "New Haven Fire Insurance Company" was 
 chartered. Judge Baldwin was elected its President, and 
 it soon began to issue policies. It was the twelfth such com 
 pany established in the United States. Events proved that 
 it made one too many, and its charter was repealed in 1822. 
 The shareholders got back almost all their investment. 
 
 In May, 1822, the Farmington Canal Company was incor 
 porated in Connecticut. It was to construct a canal from 
 New Haven through Farmington to the Massachusetts State 
 line in Southwick. Five Commissioners were appointed in 
 the charter, who were to open books for subscriptions to the 
 capital stock, to determine the route and the lands needed, 
 to assess land damages, and to inspect the work of construc 
 tion. Judge Baldwin was named as the chairman. 
 
 The Commissioners met in the following July to determine 
 the route and continued actively engaged in the discharge of 
 their functions till June, 1828. Their main work was then 
 completed but they were reappointed from year to year down 
 
 3 See Catlin v. Eagle Bank, 6 Conn. 233 ; Connecticut Herald for 
 July i, 1828. 
 
Financial Means and Positions 377 
 
 to 1835, although Judge Baldwin had tendered his resigna 
 tion in 1830. 
 
 The construction of this canal was a great enterprise for 
 that day. The Commissioners lent the weight of their names 
 to support the project. In their public notice, dated July i, 
 1823. of the times and places of receiving subscriptions to 
 the stock of the company, which was drawn, no doubt, by the 
 chairman, we find these words : 
 
 "We have had little experience of the wonderful facilities, 
 which this kind of transportation affords - - but so far as it 
 has been introduced it has far exceeded the most sanguine 
 expectations. In Europe, Canals are now extensively used, 
 yielding immense profits to the proprietors, and of vast 
 utility to the public. Within 50 years past England has 
 become so chequered by them, that it is said no considerable 
 place is more than 15 miles from such accommodation, and 
 no stock in the nation is found to be generally so productive, 
 and yet the charge of transportation in them is from 10 to 
 20 times less than by land carriage. 
 
 We have now Engineers equal to those of any country for 
 this object; experienced workmen, who can construct canals, 
 as well, and cheaper, than they are made in any country on 
 Earth - - and no section of our country, excepting the Erie 
 Canal, it is confidently believed, affords so many facilities and 
 so flattering prospects, as the route now contemplated. 
 
 The Commissioners have no wish to deceive. They hope 
 not to mislead. They know they address an intelligent peo 
 ple, who have turned their attention to this subject - - have 
 heard of the extensive use of canals in other countries, and 
 many of them have seen their wonderful progress in this. 
 To such a people, with means in their hands, and such flatter 
 ing prospects of advantage to the public and profit to them 
 selves they with confidence offer the Stock of the proposed 
 Canal/' 
 
 Judge Baldwin was warmly interested in the undertaking, 
 and inclined to be sanguine of its success. "I have no doubt/' 
 
3 7 8 Financial Means and Positions 
 
 he had written to one of his sons, in the preceding May, "of 
 the great utility of the object - - & as little of our ability to 
 accomplish it, if the means could be drawn from the right 
 
 sources." 
 
 The work of construction was begun in 1825 and the next 
 year it was consolidated with the Hampshire and Hampden 
 Canal Company, a Massachusetts corporation. Judge Bald 
 win advocated this measure and addressed a gathering of 
 the promoters at Northampton in March, 1826, in its support. 
 The consolidated company finished the canal to Westfield, 
 Massachusetts, in 1829. 
 
 It proved hard to raise the necessary funds. In 1824, the 
 applicants for a bank charter from Connecticut were 
 required, as a condition, to subscribe for $200,000 of the 
 capital stock of the Farmington Canal Co. In 1829 the city 
 of New Haven subscribed $100,000. All the stock was 
 extinguished in 1836, when the canal became the property 
 of the New Haven and Northampton Company, a corpora 
 tion chartered to acquire it. The ultimate loss to the stock 
 holders and creditors of the two original companies was over 
 a million dollars. The city of New Haven, in 1839, sent good 
 money after bad, by lending the new company $20,000. The 
 original vote was to issue $100,000 of city bonds, secured by 
 a mortgage from the company; and a loan of the full 
 amount to be raised on them was contemplated, should it 
 prove necessary. When the company, however, applied for 
 the balance of $80,000, it was voted, at a city meeting held 
 on April 19, 1840, not to issue any more bonds for this pur 
 pose, although a scheme was submitted in behalf of most of 
 the other stockholders, devised by a leading lawyer, Seth P. 
 Staples, which made them primarily responsible for the out 
 standing debts and current expenses, leaving the bonds to be 
 fed out only for extraordinary occasions. 
 
Financial Means and Positions 379 
 
 At this stage in the proceedings, Judge Baldwin wrote a 
 spirited letter to the editors of the Daily Herald of New 
 Haven, which was published in their issue of May 5, 1840, 
 and read thus : 
 
 "Messrs. Editors, - - Were any person to request you to 
 give place to remarks upon matters of private interest, an 
 apology would be due to you for the trespass upon your time 
 and space; but there is perhaps no subject to us, as a city, 
 of more vital importance than our means of communication 
 with the interior. I feel, therefore, sure of your concur 
 rence in giving publicity to any thing which you may think 
 promotive of the public good, even if the subject be very 
 familiar. With regard to the Canal, were it right that it 
 should go to decay, I, for one, should be glad to banish it from 
 my thoughts and from my tongue. I have as yet met with 
 no one among our citizens who was willing to own himself 
 so much of a disorganizer, as to wish the Canal destroyed; 
 and I shall take it for granted, in what I may now say, that 
 there is no citizen of New Haven so suicidal as to wish ruin 
 to any public improvement. We may differ widely as to 
 the best plan to be pursued; we may honestly, and with 
 untiring vigilance, endeavor to guard ourselves against 
 increased burthens of taxation or of debt; but it is neither 
 manly nor patriotic to permit the heat of passion or personal 
 jealousy to blind our judgment in matters of public import. 
 Let this matter therefore be subjected to the test of reason; 
 let those of us who, with an excitement in favor of the Canal 
 have cried 'Support it!' or those who, in the spirit of opposi 
 tion common to all men, have cried 'Down with it!' now that 
 it is down, look at what we have done, and see if it is well 
 done ; let us see how much is the action of excitement and of 
 jealousy, and how much of the cool judgment which guides 
 us in our more private concerns. 
 
 The question at issue seemed to be, as to the position which, 
 as a city, we ought to occupy towards the Canal. First, let 
 us examine the proposition which was INTENDED to be 
 submitted to the citizens of New Haven in convention. What 
 was it? To loan the credit of the city to the Canal? No! 
 
380 Financial Means and Positions 
 
 To issue the balance of the bonds contracted to be issued? 
 No: far from this. The agents of the Canal had THEN no 
 right to offer insult to a community hitherto deemed high- 
 minded and honorable, by asking them if they were willing 
 to fulfil a contract signed, sealed and delivered beyond their 
 jurisdiction ! Had such a question been asked, it would have 
 been the duty of the presiding officer to have told the gentle 
 men that 'when they could approach 'The City' with courtesy 
 and decency they should be heard, and not till then' ! 
 
 The position of the city then was simply this : it had become 
 a party to a contract - - had accepted from the other con 
 tracting party the consideration which that party was bound 
 to give, and therefore stood as debtor, not as creditor, until 
 the whole amount of bonds should be issued. At this 
 juncture, while the city occupied a position in no view envi 
 able - - a position which it should never have assumed - 
 having received the consideration from the other party as 
 valid and therefore firmly bound to issue to the last cent the 
 amount of bonds - - at this juncture an opportunity offers, 
 or rather is created by the tact and skill of one of our citizens, 
 for the city to back out honorably, or to go forward with an 
 assurance of success, if they so elected. This plan was 
 simple, but decisive and business like in effect; by it the stock 
 holders, notwithstanding all they had lost, were, as the parties 
 most immediately interested, compelled to come up to the 
 rack; to relieve the city from its imprudent position, if such 
 it was, and place it where it should be, in reserve, instead of 
 in advance; as collateral, instead of principal. This plan 
 was carried into effect so far, that the agents of the Canal 
 were prepared to make an offer to the city which should have 
 been embraced at once, and the acceptance of which would, 
 as has been said, have left it optional with the city to recede 
 from their old contract, if upon investigation such a course 
 seemed best, or to go on, if it should appear that its pledged 
 co-operation would insure profitable returns. 
 
 The proposition was, that an examination of the New 
 Haven and Northampton Canal should be made by Engi 
 neers from the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York 
 Canals, at the joint expense and the joint control, and for the 
 
Financial Means and Positions 3 8 1 
 
 joint profit and loss of the Stockholders and the city; the 
 action upon the result of this examination was to be agreed 
 upon between the Stockholders and the city; if satisfactory 
 to both parties then, and not till then, was the city to issue its 
 already pledged bonds upon f jusf terms; this was to be 
 no party examination, the engineers were to be men wholly 
 unconnected with the Canal, disinterested and unbiassed, 
 and as upon their report and upon a statistical examination 
 to be made in connection therewith, would depend the action 
 of their principals, so they would leave their professional 
 reputation in pledge for the accuracy of that report, be it 
 what it might; the parties most interested in the Canal both 
 by reputation and investment desired and challenged such a 
 survey. 
 
 Now, Messrs. Editors, let our citizens look at the affair in 
 this posture, and decide each one for himself if this was an 
 opportunity lightly to be neglected. The offer was fair and 
 courteous in its terms on the part of the agents of the Canal ; 
 it was soundly advantageous and gainful to the city, situated 
 as it was it was simple equity to all parties ; as such it was 
 received by the committee on the part of the city - - as such, 
 it was to have been submitted to the citizens and pressed upon 
 them in the only way permitted to that committee, or to the 
 stockholders ; those who were present will remember, that as 
 soon as the object for which the citizens were concerned was 
 announced by the Mayor, that a series of rescinding motions 
 were offered and advocated at great length ; and immediately 
 after the vote was taken, there was a general cry, 'adjourn/ 
 'adjourn/ as if it was feared that some other proposition 
 would be submitted to the meeting. I mean not to question 
 their motives, but I wish to ask these gentlemen, now that 
 the flush of excitement is over, to re-view the matter coolly 
 - let us divest ourselves of any prejudices which may exist 
 in our own minds with regard to the Canal - - cast aside the 
 personal associations connected more or less with it - - let us 
 forget our past pecuniary sacrifices and all unpleasant reflec 
 tions. 
 
 Look at the Canal simply as a stream of water emptying 
 into our harbor, and navigable from this to Northampton; 
 
382 Financial Means and Positions 
 
 a safe inland navigation - - no shipwreck, no insurance, no 
 monopoly but a public thoroughfare as free to every man's 
 boat as the turnpike to his cart. It is offered to us for 
 nothing! Whatever the Canal may have cost in times past 
 has nothing to do with the question - - is entirely irrelevant. 
 We have boasted that we have killed the Canal; that it 
 was 'dead as Julius Caesar' - - and therefore it is dead with 
 all its sins. The canal we now have is plainly and incon- 
 trovertibly a new canal. - The only question therefore is, 
 shall we have a canal for nothing, or shall we not? The 
 proposition which was before us came from capitalists, who, 
 had they decided, after their examination had been made, 
 to enlist in this project, could have given, and would have 
 given a guaranty to the amount of one hundred, or two hun 
 dred, or three hundred, or four hundred, or five hundred 
 thousand dollars, that this same New Haven and North- 
 hampton Canal that then was, should be sustained. They 
 are perfectly able to give such a guaranty, and such an one 
 too, as by the board of directors of any bank of this city, or 
 in New York, would be pronounced good. 
 
 And now, gentlemen, these are the facts. Is there any 
 humbug in it? Is it rational to suppose that these capitalists 
 are going to make themselves liable to an unlimited amount, 
 for the sake of gulling us out of our eighty thousand dollars 
 worth of unissued bonds? Have we, with a most narrow 
 minded, a most inane jealousy, in our fear lest somebody else 
 might make some money by being hewers of wood and draw 
 ers of water for us, have we, or have we not, like the dog and 
 his shadow, lost the substance and the shadow too? Have 
 we not, in a moment of excitement, betrayed our own trust 
 by flouting the offer extended to us? Have we not done 
 foul wrong to the city in which we dwell, by thus nullifying 
 its contracts, thus repudiating its credit, in intention and by 
 resolution? At a period like the present, when the business 
 of our city is prostrate, our work shops closed and silent 
 ought we not to keep open every avenue which promises an 
 influx of wealth to us, and especially to treat with courtesy, 
 and to foster to the utmost every prospect of the investment 
 of foreign capital among us. Perhaps even yet we may 
 
Financial Means and Positions 383 
 
 induce that investment, and then, instead of a noisome ditch, 
 as a reeking memento of our folly, we may have a prosperous 
 and independent canal, giving to us, at no further cost to 
 ourselves, a rich return even for the past. 
 
 S. B." 
 
 Another city meeting was held on June gth to consider the 
 matter further, and it was then voted to pay the company 
 $3,000 a year for thirty years for the use of the water in the 
 canal; to cancel its mortgage; and to give the company its 
 loan of $20,000. Judge Baldwin's letter was well calculated 
 to smooth the way to some such compromise. 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 SELECTIONS FROM CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1786 TO 1846 
 
 Lord Bacon says that letters, particularly if there is a long 
 series of them, furnish a better opportunity to become inti 
 mately acquainted with the spirit of past times than history 
 or biography. 1 
 
 Judge Baldwin, especially in his younger days, had an 
 unusual number of regular and familiar correspondents. 
 Among them were Chancellor Kent, Chief Justice Daggett, 
 Senator James Hillhouse, Elizur Goodrich, and other men 
 of mark. One of the latter, to whom the first of the letters 
 which follow was addressed, was Ebenezer Baldwin's step 
 son, already mentioned, Rev. Charles Backus, D.D., of 
 Somers, Connecticut, a scholarly minister, who in 1796 
 declined the chair of Divinity at Yale. 
 
 The letters which have been selected for publication, in 
 whole or part in this chapter, are in the main arranged 
 chronologically. 
 
 On August 4, 1786, at Dr. Backus' request, Mr. Baldwin 
 wrote to him his views on the general nature of American 
 government. 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Charles Backus : 
 
 "The objects for which Society exists are sum 
 marily the protection of Life, Liberty & Property - The 
 Constitution therefore is equally faulty if by depriving Indi 
 viduals of more Liberty than is necessary, it accumulates the 
 power in the hands of the officers of society, so much as to 
 endanger the Liberty that was reserved or if the power that 
 was put into their hands is not sufficient for the protection of 
 what was reserved. 
 
 1 De Augmentis Scientiarum, VIII, 2, Parabola xxxiv. 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 The latter appears to me to be the great fault of our Fed 
 eral Constitution - In the formation of that union each 
 State stood in the relation of an Individual about to form a 
 Society for the protection of Liberty & for Security. - as 
 much power therefore according to the former observations 
 must be given up as will secure & perpetuate the Union & 
 answer the object of it - - the object of this is the support of 
 a Federal Government - - the protection of the Union as a 
 Nation, its defence & Dignity. - - to do all this Wisdom & 
 money are necessary - - the first our Congress doubtless 
 have - - in the latter they are deficient - - & have no power to 
 become otherwise for however sacred we might view a 
 recommendation from that political Body in the Light of our 
 Zeal & Patriotism, it is not sufficient to bind many Individuals 
 when it crosses their Interest in their more dispassionate 
 Moments, this then is a material fault in our federal Con 
 stitution The Congress of the U. S. respectable for their 
 patriotism their Wisdom & skill in policy, are almost con 
 temptible for want of power - They are but little more 
 than Cyphers - The Consequence has been, a sacrifice of 
 National Faith & National Honour to an overstrained Zeal 
 for Liberty & Love of the purse - the consequence will be a 
 growing Contempt for the Imbecility of Congress both at 
 home & abroad -- the consequence of this must be a disaffec 
 tion & Jealosy among the States & insults from foreign 
 powers - - that will naturally lead to Confusion & War or 
 from necessity an increase of the power of Congress - May 
 Heaven induce us to the Latter, we certainly can never have 
 energy as a Nation until the powers are enlarged - even in 
 theory that part of our Constitution is deficient - If we 
 were as virtuous as Angels we should have but little need of 
 the restrictive Laws of Society, or had we magistrates equally 
 virtuous too much power could not be given them - as we 
 are, Society must be guarded on both sides - - Magistrates 
 should neither be totally deficient in power nor should they 
 be omnipotent, 'so that even in Theory a consti(tu)tion may 
 enlarge the Liberties of the people too much. - 
 
 The same observations will not apply to the Constitutions 
 of the individual States - - they were in general formed with 
 
 13 
 
386 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 much wisdom - - they have well guarded the liberties of the 
 people, & at the same time have given sufficient strength to 
 the Arm of Power - In this State our practice is of this 
 Nature tho I much Question whether we have in Strict pro 
 priety of speech any Constitution at all 
 
 Upon the whole it appears to me that we are more unhappy 
 as a Nation, than as individual States - - to be sure in this 
 State we have lattely felt but few of those evils which arise 
 from maladministration or anarchy & the unhappy state & 
 Confusion of Rhode Island will undoubtedly be a blessing to 
 their Neighbours but it is wounding to the benevolent Man 
 that Society should be taught so salutary a Lesson so much 
 at the expence of many virtuous Characters - I much fear 
 that as a Nation we shall see worse Days before we have 
 better we must actually feel as well as contemplate those evils 
 before we shall be induced to redress them." 
 
 On January 8, 1787, he writes to Dr. Backus, with whom 
 he had recently conversed as to the prospects of the United 
 States, his views as to Shays' Rebellion. 
 
 "Since the Commotions in Massachusetts I have thought 
 much upon that Conversation & upon my word I was almost 
 converted to the fetal necessity of Monarchy - - Yet I will 
 candidly confess I again waver in my faith - - the early 
 prejudices of a Republican I cannot easily eradicate & the 
 Circumstances of that State do not appear so gloomy as they 
 did. the Disaffection to Government even there does not 
 appear to be general as I at first was fearful it would be, 
 their numbers are now nearly known they are not great nor 
 does it appear that they have either System or Systematical 
 persons at their Head. Their real grievances are but few & 
 such as can easily & doubtless will soon be redressed - Our 
 accounts are that they are diminishing in number & spirit 
 Government I must think will be able to quell the insurrection 
 & if they do it effectuallv, they will certainly gain by the 
 Struggle." 
 
 Dr. Backus writes to him on February 5, 1787: 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 387 
 
 "On the whole, I join with you in opinion, that the United 
 States of America will not take a leap into monarchy, without 
 passing through the ordinary gradations from a popular to 
 a kingly government. But whether many years will roll 
 away, before we shall have a Monarch appears doubtful. 
 
 That equal distribution of property, which is so essential 
 to a Republic, is confined to a few of the Northern States, 
 and can never be extended to the other States now in the 
 union. Neither are we to look for the New England equality 
 in the States which will soon be settled. The genius of a 
 large proportion of the first adventurers, the climate in which 
 many of them be, and the example of old States in their 
 neighbourhood, will prevent the existence of the golden age, 
 which our Fathers saw; either in equality of interest, or 
 simplicity of manners 
 
 It is also to be considered, that we are much more deeply 
 plunged in luxury in the United States, than England was in 
 the days of John; and fall but a little behind our English 
 ancestors in the reign of Charles the first. In the Oliverian 
 times which soon followed, the people discovered that they 
 had not enough of the Swiss in them, to endure any other kind 
 of government than monarchy. It is indeed to be acknowl 
 edged that Cromwell's tyrannic disposition, & want of polit 
 ical system, paved the way for Charles the second to sit on 
 the throne of his Father ; but besides this, it is apparent that 
 pomp and high life had too long been realized, to admit of 
 Republican government. 
 
 The extent of the United States is very large : no State or 
 Kingdom in Europe hath so large limits except Russia. 
 Government must have energy sufficient to reach from the 
 seat of it to the extremities, in a short time, or it cannot exist. 
 Republican government is slow in its execution, and therefore 
 cannot long continue in a large country. The case of the 
 Roman republic will not apply to the united states, for several 
 reasons: one is, that our manners are not so simple, & our 
 mode of living is not so frugal, as theirs were, when their 
 republic was in its full vigour. Another reason is, that 
 though a final appeal to the people was admitted, yet the 
 Senate & the Congress, formed in fact, a more powerful 
 
388 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 barrier against popular abuses, than any where exists in our 
 foederal government. Add to this, in the Roman common 
 wealth, a Dictator was appointed in extraordinary cases, who 
 for the time being, possessed absolute and unlimited power. 
 
 I have another objection to urge against the remoteness of 
 monarchy in this country, which perhaps may seem fanciful : 
 We Americans are Englishmen in our temper. We are 
 unsteady, pensive, restless and enterprizing. We are 
 cowards and heroes alternately: we are independent in our 
 manner of thinking, and have a very strong thirst for inde 
 pendence in our fortunes. Hence it seems necessary that we 
 should have a kind of government, which like the jarring 
 elements should check and controul its several powers ; or in 
 other words, we must realize a King, house of Lords, and 
 Commons. Whoever surveys the several institutions of the 
 thirteen States, will observe a parva imago of the British 
 institution. This likeness is not wholly derived from the 
 prejudices of education. Why does the British constitution 
 differ from others which sprang from the common European 
 source, the Gothic customs? The answer to this question, 
 must rather be sought for in philosophy, than in the state of 
 private fortunes, or conquest. 
 
 In our feelings we are at a small remove from a state of 
 nature: and hence if a nominal Republic is to exist in 
 America, an amendment of our foederal constitution must 
 be near. The sad effects which we now feel from the want 
 of an energetic government, will prompt to make a large 
 cession of power to Congress. This will greatly accelerate 
 an Aristocracy. Monarchy will be quick in succession, if I 
 am not a stranger to our national genius. 
 
 Moreover the popular clamour is loud, that "Republican 
 government is expensive." Ambitious men will catch at this, 
 and make it subservient to an aristocratical government. Let 
 the Legislative authority be shifted into the hands of a few, 
 and we shall soon realize the domination of a club: but we 
 shall not like Dutchmen wear the yoke long ; but shall follow 
 the example of the kingdom, from which we emigrated. 
 
 The example of Massachusetts will always have great 
 influence upon the other N. England States. It is the opinion 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 389 
 
 of many Gentlemen of discernment in that commonwealth, 
 that their constitution is too liberal for the minds of the bulk 
 of the people, and that representation by large districts must 
 take place. There is great probability that the alteration, will 
 be made, when the constitution shall be revised in 1795. This 
 alteration will be favourable to Aristocracy, & in its effects 
 to monarchy. 
 
 I earnestly wish for the continuance of Republican govern 
 ment, if it can be realized - - I esteem it the best on earth, in 
 theory - - I have the highest veneration for the liberties of 
 mankind; but dire necessity must controul the fine specula 
 tions of the closet. I fear that American patriots will have 
 the painful conviction that "this world was made for Caesar." 
 
 I submit these remarks to your free and candid discussion, 
 & remain 
 
 Your affectionate Friend, 
 & humble Servant 
 
 C. Backus. 
 Simeon Baldwin Esq r . 
 
 P. S. You have had, no doubt, a more particular account 
 of the present Insurrection in Massachusetts, than I am able 
 to give you. It will soon be quelled by the blessing of provi 
 dence. The evils of civil discord exceed what imagination 
 can paint. When the troubles were at their heighth, I was 
 instructing in Cicero's Orations against Cataline - I never 
 before had my attention so perfectly arrested by the Roman 
 orator - 
 
 The Insurgents have notwithstanding the art of their 
 Leaders got the knowledge of Lincoln's manifesto, and the 
 privates are coming in daily, & taking the benefit of the 
 pardon. The firing of a few guns in anger at Springfield, 
 hath had a wonderful effect - Connecticut will be freed 
 from the trouble of crushing Insurgents at the present time 
 The United States will never in future, live without a 
 standing army - We had better be burdened with this; 
 than with three million Tyrants - 
 
 C. Backus." 
 
39 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 The following extract from a letter of Dr. Backus to Mr. 
 Baldwin, dated June 29, 1787, shows how men's eyes were 
 then turned toward the Constitutional Convention at 
 Philadelphia : 
 
 "I fear that a bloody revolution is not far distant - A 
 long continuance in our present political state is impossible - 
 The federal convention is the dernier resort of our present 
 constitution. I doubt not, but the venerable patriots who are 
 now sitting at Philadelphia will deliverate & advise well: 
 But whether the several states will adopt their recommenda 
 tions, is not very certain. Nothing will effectually influence 
 but fear - At present, there is no object of sufficient 
 magnitude in the view of community at large to impel them 
 to a common centre. To entrust the resolves of the con 
 vention with the option of all the small bodies who acted 
 upon the articles of confederation, will not be safe. Should 
 the several Legislatures adopt the proposed alterations, the 
 danger is great of a violent struggle, under the patronage 
 of a selfish, popular minority in the respective Assemblies 
 But should the Legislatures, with only the exception of Rhode 
 Island, adopt the doings of the Convention, there is reason 
 to hope for better times, even in our day. What will be our 
 condition, if our present dissentions are not healed, is known 
 only to Him who allots the fate of nations - Probably, 
 civil war must exist for a time, & our mode of government 
 must be shifted. 
 
 You must have heard that the present general court of 
 Massachusetts, have repealed the disqualifying act - and 
 that they are in several other things, retarding the steps of 
 the last year's administration. The friends of the latter are 
 hanging their harps upon the willows. - The disqualifying 
 act was probably impolitic, considering the Republican age 
 of America. How far it may be prudent for the general 
 court to relax, is impossible for me to determine - The 
 neighbouring States give too much countenance to the insur 
 rection in that Commonwealth, for their authority to strike 
 a very capital blow to the Mobility. I choose to err on the 
 side of Charity, rather than indulge an injurious reflexion 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 391 
 
 on the supreme Executive, or the Legislative Authority of 
 that State. - At any rate, suspensions of energy in gov 
 ernment, can last but little longer in any of the Republics in 
 the Union. It hath often occurred to me that unless we take 
 a sudden change from vice to virtue, the Supreme Executive 
 of the Country, must not depend on popular Elections. 
 
 I cannot bring my feelings even to speculate on the ill 
 consequences of a division of the United States into two 
 Republics." 
 
 Mr. Baldwin, before settling permanently in Connecticut, 
 made careful inquiries into the conditions of legal practice 
 in other States. One answer to such a question came from a 
 College friend in Hillsborough, who wrote thus in February, 
 1786, as to the bar and bench of South Carolina: 
 
 "The mode of procedure differs only in a few particulars 
 from that in Connecticut; but the regulation of the Courts, 
 y e Justices, and Lawyers, are quite of a different complexion 
 
 - The general Court consists of three very able characters, 
 in whom is the last decision of cases of Law & Equity in 
 the State. Those who are admited to plead before this 
 bar are in general enabled to acquire property very rapidly; 
 and indeed there are many very able Superior Court Lawyers 
 
 The practice of the County Sessions is likewise lucrative 
 but very disagreeable, & to which a man educated to the 
 modes of breeding and decency will not subject himself long 
 
 The Lawyers are of the smaller kind; have no notion 
 of any system of Law, but are acquainted only with a little 
 practical knowledge they have picked up mostly in the Courts : 
 and are generally some of the most finished blackguards - 
 You will naturally suppose that the Judges do not differ much 
 in description - Every Justice of the peace has a right to 
 sit upon the bench of his own County; many of them are 
 very dissolute characters, & for a very plain reason those 
 are the persons who generally preside - Upon the whole 
 a Lawyer whose only object is to acquire property will do 
 well to come into Carolina." 
 
39 2 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 On May 9, 1787, James Kent writes: 
 
 "Your Letters are too full of Instruction & friendship & 
 I am too sincere in my esteem & Attachment to your Char 
 acter not to support the Correspondence with the utmost 
 attention - I never expect from this time hereafter to 
 form a new Connection which will be by any means as 
 durable, as generous & as ardent as the one which I have 
 long since formed with you - The Habits of early Life are 
 peculiarly adapted according to a well known Remark to 
 receive the lively Impressions of Affection; & when those 
 Impressions have been strengthened by time & matured by 
 Reflection they can never afterwards be erased without some 
 surprising contingency or some deep defect in the moral 
 Character/' 
 
 On March 8, 1788, Mr. Baldwin writes to Mr. Kent: 
 
 "A greater uniformity in Laws will probably follow the 
 adoption of the proposed Constitution. I have not heard 
 your Sentiments upon that subject & I know that the State 
 of New York is much divided upon it. But Til venter to 
 write to you as a friend to it for I cannot think that a 
 man of your candour & discernment - - unbiased by Interest 
 
 - can stand forth, & wield the weapons of Anarchy - 
 against the Salvation of our Country who are they in 
 general who oppose the Constitution ? none but the unin 
 formed or the interested - I have frequently been diverted 
 to hear the very trifling & yet very different objections which 
 are made to it by different peasants of this State - - for you 
 know that in this State the farmers are all politicians - 
 many will condemn the same Articles which others with zeal 
 recommend, none of them agree in their objections -- even 
 this Circumstance must convinced an unbiassed mind that 
 the wisdom of that venerable Body who formed the consti 
 tution has led them thro' that central point of Gravity wh h 
 must support the interest of all 
 
 The conduct of New Hampshire has surprized us all this 
 way we did not expect it but had ever calculated upon 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 393 
 
 that State as sure our fears were centered upon New York 
 
 - we are sensible that more self-interest must be sacrificed to 
 the general good in that State - - from their darling impost 
 
 - than in any other - Yet as there is a pretty equal con 
 sumption thro' the States of Articles subject to impost - 
 Justice will certainly require that the avails should go to the 
 advantage of those from whom the Impost is collected - 
 let the Ports at which they are landed & from whence they 
 are scattered be one or many - I wish for your sentiments 
 upon the Constitution & the prospect of its adoption in the 
 State - Many of your influential Characters we are told 
 are against it - I must believe that the Supreme being, 
 whose hand is so visible in the settlement of this Country - 
 in its rapid population - - the extent of territory over which 
 the People have spread - - in the general diffusion of knowl 
 edge among them, which is not equalled by the people of any 
 territory on earth - - & in the surprising union of the whole 
 in the Cause of Liberty - - has designed something great, 
 noble, glorious from such a Country -- such a people --such 
 a revolution - - and I will add from such a change in the 
 Constitution as the United Wisdom of the U. S. has pro 
 posed, from the most perfect models of Gov fc both in Theory 
 & practice which have appeared on earth & been sanctioned 
 by the approbation of the wise politicians who have gone 
 before us - 
 
 This State is at present very quiet in its politics - - the 
 federal party have evidently obtained the superiority, & both 
 sides seem quietly disposed to lay down their Arms - but 
 it has not ever been a Circumstance in the politics of this 
 State that those who are concerned in them remain long in 
 a State of apathy. The leading Characters among our anti- 
 federalists are in general willful & Dogmatical - - no Speak 
 ers are found among them - all their influence is by a low 
 clandestine intrigue Our Leaders in the federal Party are 
 the Leaders in the House of Assembly - - men who despise 
 secrecy in their sentiments & attempt more by solid Reason 
 & an overbearing Eloquence, than by intreague - Their 
 foible is they do not try to reconcile, but frequently irritate 
 by sarcastic reflections. 
 
394 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 The situation of this State as it respects their property, 
 is far from being flourishing we seem to have arrived 
 to the turning point, between a Commerce in w h the balance 
 has long been against us, & the introduction of manufactures 
 among ourselves wh h will supersede the Necessity of such a 
 Commerce - The fact is we have too many inhabitants for 
 the extent of territory - - considering our mode of Cultiva 
 tion & the employments of the people - All have not farms 
 nor can they obtain them - - of course untill manufactures 
 are introduced, the people must be idle, or crowd into those 
 professions which do not immediately depend on the soil - 
 The people thus employed, consume the produce of the 
 farmer - - till nothing is left for a remittence for those 
 articles which our stage of Society has to a Degree rendered 
 necessary - Some attempts were made in this Town the 
 last year for the introduction of a linnen manufactory, that 
 is coarse linnen - - for Sails &c. which succeeded so as to 
 yield a profit to the subscribers far beyond their expectation 
 
 - the same is continued & another subscription for a Wollen 
 manufac(tory) is filling up fast - The introduction of a 
 few such manufactures by men of fortune & enterprize will 
 doubtless opperate to the advantage of the State - we can 
 never expect to be in so flourishing circumstances as the State 
 of New York - - their situation gives them a superiority 
 which industry canno equal -- & I must think that the Policy 
 of that State as it respects their finance is managed with 
 admirable foresight - & the circumstances of the Citizens 
 are very different from ours - I rejoice my friend that 
 you are placed among them - - that you are sharing in its 
 riches & can toil with the prospect of reaping a reward for 
 your Labour." 
 
 In 1789, the Federalists in New York made a strong but 
 unsuccessful effort to prevent the reelection as Governor of 
 George Clinton, who was the founder of the Democratic party 
 in the United States. 
 
 James Kent writes Mr. Baldwin, on March 22, 1789, thus: 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 395 
 
 "We are very much agitated in this Country with our 
 approaching triennial election for Governor - - A new can 
 didate is proposed in opposition to Clinton - It is Judge 
 Yates one of the Judges of our Supreme Court & altho he 
 has been decidedly opposed to the new Constitution yet he is 
 considered upon the whole as a much more virtuous, more 
 independent & more advisable man for our Chief Magistrate 
 than the other. I am one of that part of the Community 
 who are in favor of the Change .& I have some Hopes of 
 Success." 
 
 On November 22, 1786, Enoch Perkins writes to Mr. 
 Baldwin : 
 
 "The debates of our sage Legislators I have read. They 
 do not contain the whole of political wisdom, nor all the 
 force of Eloquence. We have therefore this comforting 
 thought, that, wisdom and Eloquence not being entirely worn 
 out & confirmed, some of these useful articles may fall to 
 the Lot of succeeding Legislators. The federal men have 
 the advantage in these debates; for in the first place, they 
 have the most sense, and can speak best ; and, in the second 
 place, They report, can do themselves justice, & can take 
 care not to do the opposite party more than justice. 
 
 I cannot fully agree with you in your censures of the 
 Anarchiad. 2 The characters there ridiculed, are acting a 
 part that is unreasonable, dishonest, and injurious to the pub 
 lic; They are likewise ridiculous objects. If the shafts of 
 ridicule are aimed at such persons, if they hit & pierce deep, 
 I have not the heart to pity ; because I think they deserve the 
 pain they feel." 
 
 Mr. Perkins, soon after settling in Hartford, wrote Mr. 
 Baldwin a description of the bar and bench, in the following 
 letter, of December 8, 1786, forwarded by the hand of Judge 
 Sherman : 
 
 2 A poem then recently published on American politics, by John 
 Trumbull, Col. Humphreys, Joel Barlow and Dr. Lemuel Hopkins. 
 
396 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 "Since my residence here, the Courts have been sitting a 
 great part of the time, and my attention has been very much 
 taken up with them. So much of our Law remains in the 
 breasts of our venerable Judges, that it is very necessary 
 for a young Lawyer to pay attention to their decisions. 
 Otherwise let his Book learning be what it may, he will make 
 but an awkward hand at applying it. As to assistance from 
 my Brethren, I do not feel quite so much freedom in asking 
 it, as I should at New-Haven; because I have not so much 
 acquaintance with them. And upon the whole, I choose to 
 feel pretty independent. C. C. 3 attended Court here last 
 week, and returned, I suspect, with some mortification; as 
 he had not an opportunity of arguing any cause in Court: 
 Edwards 4 has had several causes. Some of our Attornies 
 here, I suppose you have heard, and some not. Root 5 has a 
 good command of Language, and does well; but he wants 
 force. Seymour is smooth, artful, & insinuating. He con 
 tinues to practice in the Superior Court. Newberry is an 
 honest man, does tolerably well, closes his legal career, and 
 quits forensic business after this Winter. Judd 6 is a pretty 
 good speaker, & argues a cause with a good deal of weight. 
 C. G. . .h 7 speaks like a man of sense & a Lawyer --is rather 
 too rapid, and not so graceful as I expected. Wm M. . . .y 8 
 speaks with great weight - - of voice. - Th 8 S. . .n seems 
 to have a deficiency of ideas. - Trumbull 9 stands the first 
 as to knowledge of the Law and correctness of reasoning. 
 Th s Ch. . .r 10 will be a pretty speaker, but not a great Law 
 yer. Our Class-Mate W. . .ms 11 has considerable business; 
 fails in speaking. &c - 
 
 3 Probably Charles Chauncey, LL.D., of New Haven. 
 
 4 Probably Pierpont Edwards (Princeton, Class of 1768). 
 
 5 Probably Jesse Root (Princeton, Class of 1756). 
 
 6 Probably William Judd (Yale, Class of 1763). 
 
 7 Probably Chauncey Goodrich (Yale, Class of 1776). 
 
 8 Probably William Moseley (Yale, Class of 1777). 
 
 9 Probably John Trumbull (Yale, Class of 1767). 
 
 10 Probably Thomas Chester (Yale, Class of 1780). 
 
 11 John Williams (Yale, Class of 1781). 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 397 
 
 About 70 or 80 actions were adjourned to this Superior 
 Court. They will be chiefly cleared off this Term. 
 
 You have the advantage of me with respect to the matter 
 of your epistles, for (not to mention the inventiveness of 
 your genius) the occurrences which happen among my 
 Friends & acquaintances at N H. will afford a subject very 
 interesting to me. I have felt quite a dearth as to intelligence 
 of this kind." .... 
 
 P. S. Dec r I4th. "I did intend to have sent this by an 
 earlier opportunity, but considering that the conveyance 
 would be so direct by his Honour, I concluded by him. . . . 
 The County Court sat at Windham on tuesday of this week, 
 and the same day adjourned to February next, on account of 
 the badness of the weather, and because of THE COMMOTIONS 
 IN MASSACHUSETTS." 
 
 In 1787, Mr. Perkins, now fixed permanently in Hartford, 
 writes to Mr. Baldwin of a literary club which had been 
 formed in that place : 
 
 "There is a Society of Gentlemen in this town, who meet 
 once a week to discuss litterary, political & professional Sub 
 jects. The question having been established the preceeding 
 evening, the President asks the members their sentiments 
 seriatim. Without the formality of rising They give their 
 real opinions, & the reasons on which they are grounded. 
 M r Strong, 12 D r Fitch, D r L. Hopkins, M r Goodrich 13 &c 
 are of the Society. It is an improving institution. I take a 
 great deal of satisfaction in attending it." 
 
 Joel Barlow published the "Vision of Columbus" in 1787, 
 at Hartford, where he was one of the coterie called the "Hart 
 ford Wits." Mr. Perkins alludes to them in a letter to Mr. 
 Baldwin dated April 30, 1787. 
 
 12 Probably Rev. Nathan Strong, D.D. 
 
 13 Chauncey Goodrich (Yale, Class of 1776). 
 
398 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 "I write just to say, how do you & good be t'ye - How do 
 you do - - & think - - & act - - & feel - How does the 
 amiable Miss R. . S. .n 14 What is going on in the city of 
 N H As to us in this town we are pretty much in statu 
 quo - The course of politics seems to be rather against the 
 wits & poets - I believe they feel rather mortified - It 
 would be odd, if instead of writing W. W. Esq r15 into political 
 annihilation, they should write him into the second seat in the 
 State - The vision of Columbus you have doubtless read - 
 The versification is corect & stately - - the ideas sublime & 
 striking - - the author has the merit of introducing into it 
 many new ideas & similes. Upon the whole I think it 
 deserves to be ranked in an equal station with some of the first 
 English poems." 
 
 A letter from Mr. Perkins to Mr. Baldwin, dated January 
 15, 1788, shows who reported the debates of the Convention 
 which had met on January 4, at Hartford, and ratified the 
 Federal Constitution in behalf of Connecticut. 16 
 
 "I had particular reasons for attending the Convention, 
 all the hours that they were sitting. Company I could not 
 be escaped from. The Printers were very desirous that I 
 should write something respecting the debates of the Con 
 vention, for them to publish. I undertook, and this occupied 
 every moment of spare time. The proceedings of the Con 
 vention have now got to be quite an old Story. But I mean 
 to write you a long letter; and if I should happen to say 
 any thing on this subject which you have heard before, it 
 will not be much trouble for you to read it. 
 
 Gen. Wadsworth attacked the constitution pugnis & cal- 
 caribus, unguibus & rostro. Col. Dyer, to shew his wis 
 dom & importance, & to shew that other men did not know 
 so much as I, made a great many objections against it. He 
 talked, till I believe he disgusted every single soul who heard 
 
 14 Miss Rebecca Sherman. 
 
 15 Probably William Williams (Harvard, Class of 1751). 
 
 16 See Elliott's Debates on the Federal Constitution, II, 185. 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 399 
 
 him. M r Hopkins 17 was afraid lest the liberties of the people 
 should be infringed. But the objections & the objectors were 
 weak; the strength lay on the other side. M r Ellsworth 
 was a complete master of the subject; he was armed at all 
 points ; he took a very active part in defending the constitu 
 tion; scarcely a single objection was made but what he 
 answered; his energetic reasoning bore down all before it. 
 Father S. . .n's 18 good sense, penetration, & knowledge of the 
 political affairs of his country had very great weight. He 
 did a great deal at removing objections. D r Johnson rea 
 soned well on the subject; his eloquence was musick to the 
 ear. Gov. Huntington in his calm placid manner offered 
 his sentiments; & did a great deal toward reconciling the 
 opposition. You might perceive by what Gov. Wolcott said 
 that he thought well; but he is no speaker. Law 19 spoke 
 two or three times in his usual dry manner. At the begin 
 ning of the debate Col. Williams rose & talked a great while 
 partly on one side & partly on the other, & finally observed 
 with striking propriety that his arguments concluded nothing. 
 He was unwise enough to revive the memory of last winters 
 controversy, by interrupting Gen. Parsons, & calling him to 
 order. Parsons gave him a spat, & let him run. Edwards 
 spoke once or twice very well; but he thought it best for 
 those to defend the constitution, who could be heard with less 
 distrust. Upon the whole every thing relating to this 
 important transaction, was concluded with good policy & 
 decorum, & lead to a happy result. The greater part of the 
 opposition went away above half convinced that the con 
 stitution ought to be adopted. 
 
 After the grand question was decided, Gen. Wadsworth 
 & some of his coadjutors being together, could not help 
 expressing their chagrin at the defection of Col. Wms. & 
 M r Hopkins. One of them (I am told) speaking of the 
 latter, called him Copper. Gen. W - - th replied, don't call 
 him Copper, call him Weathercock." 
 
 17 Joseph Hopkins. 
 
 18 Roger Sherman. 
 
 19 Richard Law (Yale, Class of 1751). 
 
400 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 In a letter of March 31, 1788, Mr. Perkins thus alludes 
 again to this subject: 
 
 "The political world seems to be very still with us - - I do 
 not hear of any electioneering - If any is carried on, it is 
 sub rosa - The comptrollership, it is thought will die a 
 natural death this Spring - An attempt is to be made to 
 turn off from the bench Col. D. ..r 19a who made himself 
 ridiculous & disgustful in the convention, & whose peevish 
 loquacity has done much to sink the dignity of the S . . . r 20 
 Court."' 
 
 On May 26, 1789, Mr. Perkins writes Mr. Baldwin on 
 matters of State politics. 
 
 "Mr C. . .y. . 21 is undoubtedly highly pleased with being 
 nominated to the long wished & sought office; I think the 
 appearance that he will pass the upper board grows more 
 favourable M r Edwards discharges the Office of a 
 Speaker with propriety, gracefulness, ability, & dispatch; and 
 I believe gives exceeding good Satisfaction to the house. . . 
 
 With respect to our new Sheriff, there is less & less said 
 about him. His appointment was generally looked upon as 
 a piece of unjustifiable intrigue & partiality. But now he is 
 in, I believe but few people are disposed to quarrel with him. 
 If, however, he should be guilty of mal-conduct in his office, 
 he has enemies enough to hold him up to public view. The 
 circumstances of his appointment have given a deep wound 
 to Mitchels popularity. . . The Mayor of our City is in 
 great trouble. He has talked of having a public hearing 
 upon the unfavourable things which are imputed to him ; but 
 I believe he will find, that the less is said & done upon the 
 Subject the better for his character. 
 
 The examination into the affair of Judge Pitkin, I believe 
 
 19a Eliphalet Dyer (Yale, Class of 1740). 
 
 20 Superior. 
 
 21 Charles Chauncey (Yale, Class of 1779) was appointed a Judge of 
 the Superior Court in 1789. 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 4 ' 
 
 will eventually turn out advantageously for his character; 
 but his reappointment is not expected." 
 
 "Tuesday evening - This afternoon was chiefly taken up 
 in hearing a complaint vs. Noah Phelps & D. Pettibone two 
 Simsbury Justices for mal-administration in issuing a War 
 rant to apprehend a person in the State of N. York on a 
 charge of theft, when they knew that no theft had been com 
 mitted - There were some palliating circumstances, & they 
 were re-appointed. 
 
 The Comptroller & Auditors have, this afternoon reported 
 further upon the late Treasurers matters, suggesting further 
 difficulties - - there is to be a public hearing on the subject 
 before both houses on thursday - 
 
 May 2Q th Yesterday was taken up in hearing the repre 
 sentation of the Comptroller & Auditors. You will learn the 
 particulars from other Quarters - I shall only say that the 
 appearance of things was unfavourable. The Assembly 
 have accepted the report of the Comp r & Audr & appointed 
 a committee to report what further ought to be done. 
 
 The hearing of the Charges vs. Col Seymour was assigned 
 for to day; but is postponed to Tuesday next. . . They 
 have adopted a set of rules similar to those adopted by the 
 house of representatives and Congress. - - But they will not 
 be strictly adhered to." 
 
 On May 27, 1790, Mr. Perkins writes thus to Mr. Baldwin: 
 
 "Judge D. made his representation to House in person; 
 among other excuses, one admitted inadvertence or ignorance 
 of the Statutes. - The House took the matter into consid 
 eration, several wise speeches were made on the occasion 
 interspersed with touches of ridicule, & finally it was resolved 
 to restore him to his capacity - The next day after, a gen 
 eral amnesty was passed in favour of all in like cases offend 
 ing. . . The U. H. 22 have consented to the repeal of the 
 excise laws from & after the I st of July next - The U. H. 
 have not yet decided upon the existence of the Court of 
 
 22 Upper House. 
 
402 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 Errors. I believe it will not be annihilated ; perhaps it may 
 be altered by making the concurrence of 6 or 7 of the mem 
 bers necessary to reverse a Judg*. of Sup r . Court The lower 
 House have had a long debate upon the Subject of exclusion, 
 & have finally passed a Bill excluding the Senators & repre 
 sentatives in Congress from Seats in the Legislature of this 
 State - Our Comptroller has made a report to the Gen. 
 Assembly - - recommending among other things that 4 pr. 
 Cent interest in Cash be paid by the State on the public debt 
 
 - ways & means, a lottery -- enhanced duties on writs &c - 
 excise - - & 2 d on the pound tax - No probability that his 
 plan will be adopted. A Committee has been appointed to 
 take into consideration the criminal laws -- have not reported 
 
 - D. to take into consideration the inspection laws 
 
 The U. H. has had an addition of weight as well as 
 numbers." 
 
 Rev. Stanley Gr is wold (Yale, Class of 1786) writes him 
 on November 3, 1788, on the character of the legal profession : 
 
 "I believe it to be a very just & useful profession, provided 
 it be practiced with a deference to virtue & religion: - - & 
 it cannot be denied but that in the profession, there are dis 
 tinguished temptations to prevarication, deceit & falsehood. 
 You, Sir, I conceive to be a person indeed with fortitude & 
 virtue sufficient to stem the current of temptation, & make 
 your practice strictly conformable to the rules of virtue, 
 truth & sobriety. And however difficult the task may be to 
 moderate genii at the present day, still it is not impracticable, 
 as we see in the instances of the illustrious Johnson, Ells 
 worth & others." 
 
 In 1790, a correspondent in Cambridge, Vermont, Prince 
 B. Hall, writes that he could not take advantage of an earlier 
 opportunity because until recently he 
 
 "had only paper enow with me to write two or three Letters 
 on Business. On inquiry I found there was not paper suffi 
 cient in Town to write the initials of S d Town & State This 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 403 
 
 I desired him to inform you of, Likewise to present my grate 
 ful Compliments, Had this not been the case I should with 
 much satisfaction have Committed the same Compliments on 
 Paper & forwarded by him . . As a proof that there was 
 no paper in Town I saw the Town Clark using Birch Bark 
 in its Stead, This I think is the utmost Evidence the nature 
 of the Fact is capable of." 
 
 Mr. Hall adds: 
 
 "I have had considerable thoughts of getting the Oath in 
 this State - I am certain it would be much more to my 
 advantage than to have it in Connecticut but there is other 
 business at present more Lucrative than the Oath in either 
 State - - I have Pettifog d Considerable, not for gain but for 
 Sport - - I think a man might get a tolerable living by it, tis 
 Amazing to see the wisdom of some of our Justices 
 
 All are pretty mute about Congress. Since the insult the 
 Commissioners rec'd from York State, I do not imagine that 
 more than one third of this State wish to come in to the 
 Union - - & that number decreases - I had rather live in 
 Lapland than here on account of hearing Connecticut News. 
 We have the papers every other week, from Windsor, but 
 they get old before I see them ... I am sorry to hear 
 your Wheelers are Revild; By what I can learn their Con 
 duct is narrowly Inspected . . Political Speculators (I 
 am told) Increase; I think it not a good Omen." 
 
 Senator Sherman sent to Simeon Baldwin, on January 30, 
 1792, a copy of a pending bill to fix the compensation of 
 officers in the Courts of the United States, for his considera 
 tion. Extracts from the reply follow. 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Roger Sherman 
 
 "New Haven Feb y 4, 1792 - 
 
 The amendments you propose I think 
 
 would improve the bill - - most of the States have a mode of 
 proceeding in equity & admiralty causes, & so far as they 
 have deviated from the Civil Law forms, they have I believe 
 
404 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 in general, bettered the system but I do not believe that the 
 States in general would adopt the simplicity of our Con 1 , 
 system unless it was made explicit by the Bill I do not see 
 the necessity of so many executions as the bill contemplates 
 - it may be serviceable to Clerks, but will embarass creditors, 
 I know of no inconveniences wh h result from our mode of 
 blending them all in one - - many conveniences will certainly 
 attend it & Quere if it would not be advisable to author 
 ize Circuit Courts to issue Ex ns to run to any Dist* as we in 
 
 this State do to any County 
 
 . . It appears to me that the Clerk of any Court ought to 
 have a fixed & central residence - - & that many evils will 
 result from the ap fc of a Clerk to the Sup. C. residing in a 
 remote part of the Union - 
 
 Mr. Baldwin had a natural, and perhaps inherited turn 
 for the study of mechanics. He taught natural philosophy 
 as a tutor, and was glad to aid his pupils in making it of 
 practical use to themselves. Quite a part of his practice at 
 the bar from the first was the procurement of patents, and 
 drafting the claims on which they were predicated. One 
 such pupil was Dr. Joseph Strong (Yale, Class of 1788), who 
 while living in Philadelphia in 1792, wrote this letter, refer 
 ring to the use which Mr. Baldwin gave him of his barn floor 
 for the trial of a machine for the carriage of persons on the 
 highway somewhat in the nature of a bicycle: 
 
 Joseph Strong to Simeon Baldwin 
 
 "I now will observe a few things respecting the carriage 
 to you, not to be spoken of - My reasons for secrecy have 
 been to save the world much labour from unimportant obser 
 vation on my procedure - in this inclination I was aided 
 by the decided counsels of those who are my patrons - My 
 prospect of success is favorable - my principles are sup 
 ported by the authority of philosophers in this city & I find 
 no one of them to be false. - The carriage is advanced by 
 the best artists & will be finished this winter perhaps in 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 45 
 
 6 weeks - It would have been more forward but I went on 
 deliberately to have it done by the best artists & in secrecy. 
 This required a little time. - It will be very light & elegant 
 - the whole will not weigh more than 35O lb the machinery 
 is of iron & weighs about ioo lb inclosed in a black leather 
 case to keep it from dust & the eyes of a multitude. I 
 have all the powers in this diminished size which I would 
 have on a larger scale - Philadelphia is an excellent place 
 for the first exhibition, since the streets are equal to your 
 barn floor, where the unwieldy, ill fabricated original, first 
 moved to the astonishment of all who understood wheels & 
 pinions - How far my project may be useful or whether 
 at all, must be known hereafter. I think however from 
 present appearances I shall make an exhibition in P not 
 unfavorable to my reputation . . It is a thing unknown 
 & unthought of here & I expect the populace will be furious 
 when it comes into the streets. The Coach Maker I have 
 employed is the first in the City, from London - I have but 
 lately informed him of my plan - - he is much pleased with it 
 & is convinced it will go very easily on the principles of its 
 motion - - his ambition is strong to finish it with elegance & 
 dispatch - - this is one advantage. 
 
 I hope all will prosper to those who have faith & believe - 
 I shall not return probably until March - Whether in 
 Carriage or on Camels I know not but hope you will provide 
 provender; if I don't want it, others may." 
 
 The next year Dr. Strong writes again from a different 
 quarter of the country, and gives a clear statement of the 
 military situation of the United States forces at the time in 
 what is now the Middle West. 
 
 "Cantonment Legion Ville March 2 d 1793 
 Respected Sir, 
 
 I write you from the influence of that friendship 
 which you once knew I possessed for you - I write you to 
 tell you concisely where I am & what are my feelings 
 Legion Ville is Head Quarters for our Army. It is situated 
 
406 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 on the North West side of the Ohio River 22 miles below 
 Pittsburgh. The place is on high ground upon a large bank 
 of the River. It was a thick wilderness when a detachment 
 of the army arrived here last Nov r , It is at present cleared 
 for many acres, & about 500 log houses have been built for 
 the accommodation of the army. It is a very pleasant Vil 
 lage commanding a good prospect on the River. The woods 
 are thick in the rear of the encampment, but the timber is 
 large & but little shrubbery. There are about 1500 men at 
 this place, consisting of Artillery, Cavalry, Infantry & Rifle 
 men. They are under strict discipline, & would make a 
 formidable opposition to the same number of savages. The 
 whole army consists at present of more than 3000 men. 
 There are 1000 men at F. Washington & at the advanced 
 Forts & below to Georgia 7 or 8 hundred men - It is 
 expected no campaign will take place against the Indians 
 untill a treaty is held by the commissioners. It is thought 
 in this country that a permanent peace cannot be established 
 by a treaty. The savages declare in the most pointed terms 
 that their minds will be troubled 'till they have free posses 
 sion of all lands North & West of the Ohio. Capt Collins 
 a man of reputation has lately arrived here from a tour of 
 4200 miles in the Indian country, & gives much interesting 
 intelligence respecting the situation of the Indians. He was 
 employed by Gen. Wilkinson to recconoitre the Indian settle 
 ments as a spy, & to inform himself of the disposition they 
 bore to the U. States. He says they are fully determined 
 on war, & unless we cede to them all lands now in possession 
 of the U. States & those claimed by them on the North & 
 Western side of the Ohio, they will not bury the Hatchet. 
 The probability of our giving up the claim to those lands 
 appears small. You can judge of the public disposition in 
 this business better than myself. We expect another bloody 
 battle to decide the war. Nothing short of a victory over 
 such merciless enemies can humble their national pride, & 
 induce them to sue for peace. I look with anxiety to the 
 end of the dispute, but mean to conduct with calm & delib 
 erate steps, & be a spectator of all the scenes with which I 
 can connect useful improvement. 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 47 
 
 I am going in about 10 days down the Ohio to Fort Wash 
 ington. It is 500 miles distant. There is no Surgeon there 
 but Doctor Allison for a 1000 men, & I am sent to assist him. 
 Wishing you many blessings in life, I am with 
 respectful esteem your friend & humble Servant - 
 
 Joseph Strong." 
 
 A year later, he writes again. 
 
 "Fort Washington March i6 th 1794. 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I am happy to write you from this remote tract of 
 nature, to inform you of my good health & prosperity. The 
 distance is great, & the uncertainty of safe conveyance is so 
 common, that it seems a sufficient apology for my not writing 
 you often. 
 
 I recollect the Society I formerly enjoyed with you & other 
 friends in N. H. with high satisfaction. I remember all 
 your friendly usage to me with a grateful sensation, & I wish 
 that the kindest indulgencies of fortune may be allotted to 
 you. 
 
 My opportunities of professional improvement in the army, 
 have more than equalled my most sanguine expectations. A 
 great variety of medical subjects have been fully realized in 
 as much variety of practice. 
 
 On the 7 th of Oct r last I was directed to take charge of the 
 General Hospital of the Army consisting of nearly 200 
 patients. The great variety of disorders with which they 
 were affected & the diversity of their characters in sickness, 
 disclosed a large field for practical enquiry. I have had 
 severe duty for a long time, but it is now more satisfactory 
 
 The settlements in this country are increasing rapidly, but 
 are obstructed by the fear of the savages - A number of 
 towns & stations are built on the north-west of the Ohio river, 
 which are filled with all professions of men. - There are 
 large stores of English & W. Indian goods in the town of 
 Cincinati adjoining this Garrison & many of the arts of life 
 have been introduced here in the wilderness. 
 
408 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 The Indians appear more than ever disposed for war - 
 There is a real want of an alteration & addition to the military 
 system. 
 
 I much lament the death of W Sherman. Although his 
 character will be revered by the present & future age, yet 
 that consolation will not make his connections entirely sub 
 missive to his fate. He was kind to all, even to an enemy, 
 for he forgave him. His wisdom has received an eulogium 
 already from a thousand judicious mourners. May his 
 character be held in view by all who would wish to establish 
 an honorable & everlasting fame. - 
 
 I have travelled back in this country 80 miles toward the 
 Miami Villages - There is a fine soil in all this country, & 
 the most prolific vegetation I ever saw. - The fortifications 
 in this country which were raised by some past people, & the 
 mounds of earth which appear as designed for perpetual 
 monuments are scattered over all parts of it, without a signa 
 ture to explain the character of the founders. - 
 
 I shall collect every true history which I am able to do, 
 of the past state of this territory & of the present & past 
 customs of the natives. I expect to leave the army in one 
 year more & establish myself in private practice. - 
 
 Please to remember me affectionately to M ra Baldwin & 
 all branches of the family of Sherman. - 
 
 I am dear sir with much esteem your sincere friend 
 Joseph Strong." 
 
 Most of the work of the Justices of the Supreme Court of 
 the United States at this period was done on the circuits. 
 Not many judgments were rendered in the inferior Courts 
 from which a writ of error or appeal could be taken. 
 Appellate business had to be created. Each Justice was 
 assigned to a Circuit containing several places at which courts 
 were held. They sometimes spent months in thus travelling 
 about, and holding terms at centers hundreds of miles apart. 
 Justice Gushing of Massachusetts once drove with his own 
 phaeton and horses several hundred miles on the Southern 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 409 
 
 Circuit, but ordinarily they travelled by water, whenever 
 it was possible, and when it was not, by stage. 
 
 This brought the clerks of the district courts of the United 
 States in familiar contact with some of the most prominent 
 men of the day. While Mr. Baldwin held that office Justice 
 Iredell of North Carolina was assigned to the circuit which 
 embraced Connecticut. 
 
 James Iredell to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Greenfield, Massachusetts, May 20, 1795. 
 
 - . I am now on my way to Portsmouth from Windsor. 
 I found Windsor exceeding my expectations and received 
 very pleasing civilities there Vermont is certainly in a most 
 rapid state of improvement and Windsor contains a society 
 which I could not leave without regret." 
 
 Sir 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Justice Iredell. 
 
 "New Haven July 28 1795 - 
 
 . . I am happy to hear that your circuit has been agreeable 
 to you - New England has heretofore prided itself on being 
 friendly to gov*. & good order - - & it gives me pain that the 
 intemperate conduct of several towns in so hastily condemn 
 ing the treaty, the merits of which they could not then under 
 stand, should in this crisis tarnish that character - The 
 people in Con 1 , tho materially interested in the West India 
 trade, I am confident are fully disposed to leave the decision 
 of that question to the powers constituted for that purpose, 
 & from what I have seen it appears that the more they reflect 
 and are informed upon the subject - - the better they like the 
 Instrument. M 18 B. joins me in respectful compl ts & sincere 
 wishes for your health & prosperity 
 I am &c " 23 
 
 23 This letter is published in full in Griffith's Life and Correspondence 
 
 of James Iredell, II, 433. 
 
410 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 Justice Iredell to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Philadelphia August i8 th 1795 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I should much sooner have acknowledged your 
 obliging letter but that we have been so incessantly employed 
 in business in the Supreme Court that it has been scarcely 
 possible for us to attend to any thing else, one cause began 
 on the 6 th instant and is not yet ended, and one lawyer spoke 
 three days. I little doubted the moderation and good sense 
 of your happy State and rejoice that in the midst of so violent 
 a storm increased by all possible prejudice and malignity 
 she has remained firm with so much dignified composure - 
 Nothing is more clear than that whatever difference may be 
 occasioned among sensible men in regard to some of the 
 Articles, many objections are founded on a palpable mis 
 construction of the meaning of the Treaty, which has been so 
 commonly read and condemned with unpardonable precipita 
 tion." 
 
 The original Judiciary Act did not provide as to how a 
 quorum in the Circuit Court was constituted. At the April 
 Term in 1794 for the District of Connecticut only the District 
 Judge attended, and he did not feel that he had any right 
 to act for the Court. Under these circumstances the letters 
 to a member of the House of Representatives were sent, 
 from which the following extracts are made: 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Uriah Tracy. 
 
 "Such events whatever may be the cause are unhappy, 
 peculiarly so in the early operations of our government & 
 of our Judiciary System - when the watchful partizan 
 counts every foil - We in this State you know are not gen 
 erally disposed to murmur - but so many persons were dis 
 appointed & put to fruitless expence by the absence of one, 
 that it opperated a little upon their republican pride - I hope 
 satisfactory reasons can be assigned for the event - 
 
 I congratulate you on the Success of northern politics and 
 firmness, & that the cloud has less threatening appearances of 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 4 1 1 
 
 war we have much confidence in the abilities of the envoy 
 extra. - - & in the policy of the measure - 
 I am &c - 
 
 "New Haven Feb y . 15. 1794- 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Maddisons propositions I see are postponed 
 pray what is the real object of M r Maddison & his party 
 by this time I presume the discerning members see thro' 
 them - we differ here in our sentiments - I have hereto 
 fore viewed him as an honest man - - but if war is his object, 
 he deserves the Guilottine 
 
 It is somewhat surprizing to me that any one man, a 
 stranger, a foreigner, could have that influence among the 
 enlightened republicans of this country, in the space of one 
 Summer, as to will the Councils of patriots, eradicate the 
 amor patriae - - & involve our Citizens in all the feuds of 
 party zeal & our Country in a war as inconsistent & as useless 
 as a war with Beelzebub & his princes -- & yet from appear 
 ances Genet has done it - 
 
 Uriah Tracy to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Philadelphia 3O th Jan y 1794. 
 My dear Sir - 
 
 . . Politics, are the Staple Commodity here, but, Sir, They 
 are so much in Chaos yet, that I can hardly mark any prom 
 inent features for detail. - Our increment of numbers in 
 the house of Representatives, has not put on divided appear 
 ances. - I hope we shall be able to maintain government & 
 peace, but I fear War & Anarchy are our portion, Genet 
 is recalled, as it is said, but this I can not say officially. - But 
 at any rate the Anarchy and War, which he has tried to 
 infuse, has not ceased in its effects. - 
 
 We obtain Votes by a small majority, to Arm against 
 Algiers, &c - - & indeed that business is still in doubt. 
 Whether we shall arm or not, is yet uncertain. - We spend 
 much time, in eloquent discussions about opening Gallery 
 
412 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 Doors, when we are in hearing & discussing private Com 
 munications from the PresicP of the United States, so 
 declared by him ; for it is said, after we get the secret - - it 
 is ours, not the President's. - - & if we please to divulge it, 
 we ought, & every thing ought to be made known to a free 
 people - We are but the voice of the people & their servants, 
 & shall we keep any thing secret from them ? - - & then will 
 follow an elegant discussion about Republicanism; & the 
 danger of our destroying the liberties of the people, &c. 
 &c. " 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Philadelphia, March 28 th . 1798 
 Dear Sir 
 
 . Unless some change takes place, and we should receive 
 more favourable Accounts from France, we shall be obliged 
 to adopt measures of defence against such wanton Violation 
 of our rights and property, as are now sanctioned by the 
 Republic of France, which measures we cannot expect will 
 be very readily agreed to, when so great a number seem more 
 disposed to excuse, if not justify, the aggressions of a foreign 
 Nation, than support our own Government - An Embargo 
 has been attempted under an Idea that it was better to Sacri 
 fice all the Commerce of the United States, rather than give 
 offence to France, by attempting any defence, but was nega 
 tived in the Senate by a large majority." 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Philadelphia May 8 th 1798. 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I was very much obliged by your favor of the 25 th 
 ult, and am very glad to hear that our New Burying Ground 
 is like to give general satisfaction - I have always been 
 fully persuaded that if no exertion was attempted, and every 
 one was left to the operation of his own reflection and judg 
 ment, the good sense, and good disposition of the people of 
 New Haven, would lead them to patronize a plan, so well 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 4 1 3 
 
 calculated to provide us with a decent Repository for the 
 Ashes of our departed Friends, and will put it in our power 
 to plant the old one with Trees, and rear a grove sacred to 
 the Memory of those who may have been dear to us when 
 in life, and will more effectually than any other step we can 
 take, secure their Dust from being disturbed by any rude 
 unhallowed hand when surviving Friends shall be no more, 
 and can no longer perform the office of faithful watchman 
 I am very sorry the situation of our public affairs is like to 
 detain me to so late a day, but I hope we shall be able however 
 to compleat the fencing and leveling this Summer and the 
 
 planting of the Trees in the Fall - 
 
 Yesterday exhibited a most animating Spectacle The 
 Young men of the City from Eighteen to Twenty three 
 assembled and marched in procession through an immense 
 crowd of Spectators consisting of Men, Women, and Chil 
 dren, to deliver their Address to the President of the United 
 States: his Answer, which gave great Satisfaction, in the 
 enclosed Paper A wonderful change has taken place. 
 Instead of French Cockades, and French Frenzy, a truly 
 American Spirit now pervades this great City - 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Philadelphia Dec r 7, 1799 
 
 "You have doubtless seen the Presi 
 dents Speech it is echoed in an answer drafted by M r Mar 
 shall. Some think the answer to(o) approbatory of the 
 mission to France; others that it was expedient to prevent 
 motions of Amendment from those who neither respect the 
 President or his measures, but might be willing to compliment 
 him on that Subject. It appears by the communications that 
 the President had direct & unequivocal assurances that the 
 Envoys should be received, &c, before he suffered them to 
 depart." 
 
 On December 10, 1799, Gold S. Silliman, who had begun 
 the study of law in Mr. Baldwin's office, wrote him from 
 Providence this description of the Rhode Island bar : 
 
414 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 "There are in the whole State twenty five practicing attor- 
 nies -- ten of them are in this town & four in Newport. The 
 common pleas docket for this county at Dec r term usually 
 consists of about four or five hundred causes, that of New 
 port of about one hundred, & I presume from what I have 
 heard the total of the business in the two counties is about 
 in this proportion. I have my doubts whether Newport may 
 not be a preferable place for me to sit down in, rather than 
 Providence. I am told that M r Lyman has so many col 
 lateral pursuits that his attention is very much detracted 
 from professional business & that the same may be predicated 
 of Mess 18 Robbins & King. The fourth a young M r Hunter 
 who received his professional education at the temple & is 
 independent in his pecuniary circumstances, declines sub 
 mitting to the drudgery of the practice & bends his views 
 principally to political life. So there appears to be no one 
 in the place who can be termed exclusively a lawyer. The 
 town is now fast looking up & should it, as it probably will 
 become the navy yard for the northern states, it will again 
 be a place of considerable business. From its being so con 
 tiguous to the ocean it must be the port into which many 
 governmental prizes will be brought for trial & that of itself 
 will afford a pretty lucrative branch of law business. But 
 on the other hand this place possesses many advantages 
 which Newport does not & as yet I feel myself quite unable 
 to form a definite conclusion upon the comparative advan 
 tages of the two towns." 
 
 The following letter, of December 23, 1799, refers to the 
 death of Washington, which had occurred December 14. 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Dear Sir 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the suit 
 able measures of honouring the Memory of Washington are 
 to report this day. Their report will be an Eulogium to be 
 delivered on Thursday next by Gen 1 Henry Lee of Virginia 
 a recommendation that a Badge of Mourning be worn thirty 
 days throughout the Union and the delivery of Eulogiums, 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 4 T 5 
 
 Orations & discources on the 22 d Feb y next -- and that here 
 after the day of his Death be noticed through the Union, as 
 commemorative of their loss - I fear the last is not a 
 measure founded on human Nature - - the respect to his 
 memory & name will continue, but the passions subside." 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Philadelphia Jan y 9, 1800 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 Yesterday and this day, and I may add Tuesday 
 have been spent in discussing M r Nicholas' motion to disband 
 the twelve regiments. The question has been long since 
 exhausted, and even lost sight of, and yet I apprehend more 
 than to morrow must be given to its discussion. The num 
 ber enlisted is 3500. if a treaty is made with France they 
 are disbanded by the terms of inlistment & a few months 
 settles that question : & even those who advocate the measure 
 dont suppose that either Justice or policy will admit an imme 
 diate disbandment - - or that it can be practicable much 
 sooner, than the negotiation is terminated. It however 
 affords an opportunity to ring the changes, on finance & 
 expences, on the sufficiency of the Militia, & the impropriety 
 of standing armies &c. &c. 
 
 It is most likely the only popular question which will be 
 agitated & will terminate in a modification of ordering no 
 further inlistments. - 
 
 Mesrs Nicholas & Gallatin advocated the motion, the first 
 is more difuse in his conceptions, and very Courteous in his 
 manner, the latter is acute & discerns with immense quickness 
 the weak part of his antagonists argument, assails with Art 
 & recoils his Adversarys weakness if admissable with great 
 dexterity. M r Marshall opposed M r N in a very logical 
 argument, very handsomely, perhaps I ought to say elo 
 quently delivered. M r Bayard preceeded Gallatin in a hand 
 some & eloquent speach. & the subject was then exhausted - 
 they all displayed talents. I think we shall take the question 
 on the morrow. It will probably be rejected by about twelve 
 
4 1 6 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 majority. I wish you to keep my Letters much to yourself, 
 I may suggest opinions which are formed in haste upon prob 
 able or statements relative to Men or measures, which to a 
 friend may be very proper, tho' not suitable for the public." 
 
 The following letter was doubtless given by Judge Daggett 
 to Simeon Baldwin, and was preserved among his papers : 
 Elizur Goodrich to David Daggett. 
 
 "Philadelphia January 16, 1800: 
 Dear Sir 
 
 You will doubtless see in the papers a correspond 
 ence between the President of the United States & a mem 
 ber of this House. M r R 24 is a young Gentleman, aged 
 twenty seven, the nephew of the former Secretary of State 
 he has imbibed the sentiments of equality in the most exten 
 sive sense. In the debate on Nicholas' Motion he urged 
 against the Army, and said that the people did not wish to 
 have their Liberties protected by a mercinary Army and 
 a sett of Raggamuffions - these words were retorted upon 
 him - he explained his meaning of mercenary to be per 
 sons serving in the army voluntarily for money as contrasted 
 with a patriotic army called for by the Love of Liberty & a 
 desire to aid their Country He said he had used the expres 
 sion Raggamuffion as applicable to the recruits which he had 
 seen marched by his Door - - they were the very Lees of 
 Virginia - - the refuse of Society &c At the theatre the 
 ensuing evening some officers took the opportunity to talk 
 loud in his hearing - - to repeat his words contemptuously 
 and in the Scene when so (me) soldiers appeared to contrast 
 them with their recruits or raggamuffions it is said by some 
 that, after the play, he was squeezed & crowded intentionally. 
 This I believe is the state of the question or rather testimony. 
 The Letters are referred to E Goodrich, Hanna, R Wil 
 liams Bayard, James, Sewell, & another I dont recollect I 
 am in haste 
 
 E Goodrich." 
 
 24 John Randolph of Roanoke. 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 4 1 7 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Philadelphia Jan y 22 d 1800. 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I inclose you a Bill for a general System of Bank 
 rupt Law, through the Union - it has been considered and 
 passed in the Committee of the whole House, with some 
 amendments and is ordered for a third reading on this 
 question, the House being equally divided, the Speaker 
 decided in the Affirmative - Some members were absent, 
 the eventual fate of the Bill is very uncertain. I really wish 
 it were possible something could be found to apply to the evils 
 which exist, and yet I am doubtfull whether the General 
 Government can give relief. The diversity which exist (s) 
 in the different States in Legal principle & practice & in the 
 administration of Justice -- renders it difficult to spread over 
 the Union a general Law, denning the rights of Creditor & 
 Debtor - Were Creditors never hard-hearted were 
 Debtors always honest, there would hardly exist a necessity 
 for the Law - - but we must take Society as we find it, and 
 I am pretty much of opinion we must leave the business as it 
 now is in the hands of the Legislatures of the several States 
 To make a Law merely for Merchants and leave the rest 
 to the respective States, by no means furnishes a Plaster for 
 the wound & may perhaps introduce in the same State if not 
 Laws running abreast of one another, at least Laws, based 
 upon different principles and of course leading to a different 
 administration & result - Introduce the present System for 
 Merchants, debtors to the amount of D 3 2ooo and Mr Tread- 
 wells, on the petition of the Creditor or Debtor in all cases 
 not within the Purview of this list & where would be the end 
 of the Confusion. I dont pretend to say what System would 
 have the advantage on comparison - The people however 
 would I apprehend in the application of those principles, as 
 their respective Interests were affected consider the system 
 as marvellous, as the establishment of the different prin 
 ciples of the civil, cannon & common Law to operate in the 
 distribution or descent of property according to the different 
 occupations or complexions of the Inhabitants. I do not 
 
 14 
 
4 1 8 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 know that a member of the national Legislature supposes 
 that a general, uniform system can be introduced. To intro 
 duce a system, limited to Merchants of the higher might per 
 haps benefit large commercial Cities the great Burthern 
 however would still remain to the individual States, and the 
 complicated Machinery introduced to their aid, would on 
 experiment rather retard than assist their operations On 
 the detail of the Bill it is difficult to secure the rights of the 
 respective parties if the Debtor is honest still a hard 
 hearted Creditor may say Nolo, and he has no Certificate 
 if the Debtor is Dishonest he may procure factitious Cred 
 itors & obtain a Certificate if the Commission does not 
 relate back he may convey in contemplation of Bankruptcy; 
 if it does relate back an honest purchaser may suffer - - if all 
 property in his hands at the time of the Petition is not taken 
 as his, he may present factorage & Bailment if it is to 
 be so considered, credit may be limited or the real Owner 
 injured by the reputed ownership of the Debtor created by 
 the Law - A thousand other things will suggest themselves 
 to your mind, it is on the whole a question of experiment, and 
 I am rather of opinion this is not the time that it is a branch 
 of Legislation which it is better to let the several States 
 manage for themselves. 
 
 I am respectfully y* Friend E Goodrich" 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Philadelphia Feb y 5. 1800. 
 
 The intelligence from Europe was 
 
 unexpected to the Aurora Men they first flatly denied it 
 then waited and now declare it perfectly right the 
 Commission to our Envoys was to the Republic; if that form 
 remains, they will in my opinion negotiate, after some delay 
 in examining whether there is a probability of stability." 
 
 On February 13, 1800, Mr. Baldwin writes to his brother- 
 in-law, Jabez Colton, his views of the French Revolution : 
 
 "The late Revolution in France is like all the rest of their 
 proceedings incalculable in its events or consequences The 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 4 T 9 
 
 proceedings of that Nation in the progress of the main revo 
 lution are not comparable with those of former revolutions 
 - yet I think their issue must be like them in the end -- that 
 is they will terminate in the establishment of Monarchy 
 probably limited to the advantage of the people compared 
 with the old one ! an old - - extensive empire, made up of 
 men of fickle minds & quick, lively, enthusiastic passions is 
 not suited for a republic & over against the advantages 
 the people may finally gain - - is to be charged the ruin of 
 many families (and the) immense expence of Blood & 
 Treasure expended in obtaining them. I hope we shall 
 profit by what we see there & as we have really nothing to 
 expect from a change, let us avoid the calamities they suffer." 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Philadelphia March 3, 1800. 
 My dear Friend. 
 
 I turn with much complacency from a pile 
 of musty reserve Documents, and party Pamphletteers of 
 either party on the construction of Charters &c - - and from 
 Jonathan Robbins, and the many party questions, which dis 
 grace our proceedings to converse with you, by your or my 
 fireside, in familiar chitchat and tell you what I happen to 
 think and how I feel and to indulge in enquiries of where 
 you and what are doing. I will tell you nothing of the 
 hash of business which we have done, and say but little of 
 the business of more consequence which has been effected. 
 The real business which is done is considerable, it is however 
 always prepared in selected Committees: and is commonly 
 passed as reported and that without debate. For instance 
 the Committee of Claims is a standing Committee All Claims 
 are referred to them they keep regular records, a doquet, 
 and have hearings, and make reports, in which they are 
 strictly governed by precedents, they are strict as to evidence 
 and the application of the Laws of Limitation Their 
 Chairman Dwight Foster, adds to amiable manners as a Man 
 careful investigation, perseverance, and much experience in 
 this department and no reports for Grants can find their way 
 
420 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 through that Committee without they are based on substantial 
 fact, justice and equity. Applicants, unless they have a good 
 cause, wish to escape them, and there can be no complaint 
 that the public Monies are lavished by that Committee - 
 
 The Committee of Commerce & Manufactures, is generally 
 raised from commercial Men, from different parts of the 
 Union, have of course different staples for exportation, & 
 different objects, they are heterogeneous and are not very 
 accordant in general Measures, tho the commercial arrange 
 ments of the Country are so systematized as not to require 
 many general Measures. The finances of the Country are 
 under the inspection of the Committee of Ways and Means, 
 and the resources of the Country are fully equal to the 
 ordinary wants, and those extraordinary expenses, which are 
 incurred in raising a Navy and defending our Commerce, say 
 to the extent of two or three millions might I am persuaded 
 be defrayed principally by opening new sources of revenue. 
 And this must be done in preference to any lengthened rely- 
 ance on Loans. Loans are justifiable as temporary expe 
 dients, but the prudence of the Country will not justify them 
 from year to year unless the means of their reimbursement 
 are at the same time created. And however anxious I am to 
 quit this spot, I hope we shall be chained here, until we open 
 some new sources of revenue, or in other words increase the 
 burtherns of the people, so thoroughly am I persuaded that 
 we ought not even in this time of pressure to suffer the Debt 
 to increase. I observe here incidentally, that from informa 
 tion I rely on (& I am going through to satisfy myself amid 
 voluminous documents) on a comparison of increase & 
 decrease of Debt not more than 1.500.000 Dollars have been 
 added under the present Government and the public ships at 
 auction would replace that on the Morrow. I have no 
 anxiety to repel the frequent assertion, that the public debt, 
 is rapidly increasing - it is to be considered that the various 
 insurrections which have taken place, and the expenditures, 
 and involvements consequent on the European Wars have 
 prevented its diminution, and it is undoubtedly true that 
 experience in many instances has shown in public affairs, as 
 it does in private Life, that expenses have been incurred, 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 4 2 * 
 
 which might have been avoided. I am of opinion that Mis 
 takes have been made in the various departments of the Gov 
 ernment, mistakes which have been manifested by experience, 
 not the result of ignorance or intention, and which in the 
 essence of Candor and Charity, are not to be ascribable to 
 corrupt Motives, or to be imputed as objects of Censure or 
 blame. In reflecting on the internal state of this Country, 
 it is a mournful consideration that faction and party spirit 
 are so prevalent in the States distinctly, between the States, 
 and in the public Councils. I mean not however to make any 
 observations on the state of parties in the Country. Much of 
 our attention is called to the internal state of the Western 
 Country. I mean the Country from Erie, west of Pennsyl 
 vania, Kentuckee, Tennese and Georgia, and the Journeying 
 over the reserve and North Western Territory - - the Army 
 Lands and the Ranges -- and the Mississippi Territory, and 
 along the Yazzou & the Bigby is more frequent here than in 
 your Court or in the General Assembly. O speculation, thou 
 fell destroyer, of domestic peace, and introducer of multi- 
 farius ills, what hast the Country done, to deserve thy curses. 
 Here I might go on, and try to demonstrate that the active 
 spirit and enterprize of the American mind should have been 
 confined by the Ohio & the mountains and curve the Gov 
 ernment for Indian Wars, and emigrations &c &c, but I have 
 neither the intent or inclination: and yet I am of opinion 
 that experience shews that the encouragements for settle 
 ments have been too great & the emigrations too numerous. - 
 
 I say nothing of the Reserve, only it is in the hands of a 
 sensible Committee, and we are waiting the conclusion of the 
 Negotiation with New York. Sixty four townships of Army 
 Lands have this day been drawn for, and these will of course 
 be in the Markett, I suppose the warrants were generally 
 sold by the Soldiery and that the Lands are the property of 
 speculators. The Northwestern territory embraces an estate 
 of about Nine hundred Miles. They have a Delegate in this 
 Congress and have many wants and wishes, the Inhabitants 
 are about 70,000, and many of them are on Lands which 
 Judge Simns contracted with the United States to purchase, 
 sold to Settlers and failing to fulfil is unable to give a title. 
 
422 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 These settlers are importunate, and must be quieted for you 
 can no more drive them off, than their Neighbours the Squir 
 rels and Woodchucks. There are in the Western World 
 about 3000 families, squatting on the Lands of the United 
 States. The people of the Western territory, (I mean North 
 Western) are torn by divisions not however of a political 
 Nature, there are many contending Claims and Grants &c. 
 It is in contemplation and a Bill is reported to divide them 
 into two territories, by a Line drawn north from the Mouth 
 of the Great Miami. The State of Georgia have opened a 
 Commission to treat with and cede to the United States, a 
 part of their Western territory which they heretofore sold 
 or pretended to sell and Commissioners are appointed on the 
 part of the United States. The old Spanish and some French 
 settlers near the Natches &c are petitioning for a confirma 
 tion of their Lands The Southwestern territory and People 
 of Governor Sergeant have remonstrated against him & his 
 measures, and the affairs of Claims and the administration 
 of the Country and the Laws & ordinances, by which it is 
 governed are put by reference in the hands of a Committee 
 - there are twenty three different Classes of Claimants to 
 some parts of the territory on the Mississippi sold by Georgia 
 and refunded to the Bostonians. It is very desirable that 
 the inhabitants on our extensive frontier should be quiet, and 
 regular, and their rights ascertained and they reduced to be 
 good, peaceable and efficient inhabitants. It is however 
 difficult to tell what we are to expect from the transatlantic 
 States or Country. The settlements are so sparse - - the 
 unimproved Lands are so extensive the interests of 
 Speculators are so diverse and their temptations so strong 
 to bring their own and exclude their neighbours Lands from 
 Markett - - and the Lands of the United States are some 
 times so valuable that they ought not to be sold, and at others 
 of so little value at present that they ought to be kept, and 
 if by chance any of them are sold, they are so often cheated 
 I am persuaded that we must not much calculate on the Lands 
 as a source of Revenue and that the principal returns of 
 Value which we can expect will be good industrious Citi 
 zens 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 423 
 
 I have expressed myself in haste and will bid you good 
 night, will hereafter tell you my thoughts on the Judiciary 
 and the foreign relations of our Country. I am respectfully 
 your friend 
 
 Elizur Goodrich/' 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington 25 Jan y 6, 1801 
 My dear Sir 
 
 I wrote you this day, in the Capitol rather to 
 amuse myself than with an expectation to inform you that 
 in my opinion, in case the Passions or Judgment of the house 
 could not concur on M r Jefferson or Burr as President, that 
 the Government had the right & ought to discharge the duty 
 of providing by Law for its preservation & existence." 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Dec r 12. 1800 
 Dear Sir 
 
 We this morning have the names of the Electors 
 of South Carolina. They are for Jefferson & Burr, The 
 Majority was thirteen. Nine federal members were absent 
 - It was easy to have joined M r Pinckney in a joint Vote 
 with Jefferson He was a Member of the Legislature & his 
 nice sense of Honour would not suffer it - He insisted to 
 abide the arrangement of federal Men, So strong was the 
 attachment of twenty seven of the Jeffersonians for Pinck 
 ney, that after all- they would yield him up only on his own 
 request. I am, affectionately 
 
 E Goodrich - 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Dec r 19. 1800. 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I presume that by this time, you are over the 
 paroxism of disappointment, and have made up your mind, 
 25 Congress transferred its sessions from Philadelphia to Washington 
 on November 17, 1900. 
 
424 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 to a dutiful submission to the administration, either of M r 
 Jefferson or M r Burr as the Sovereign People in the first 
 instance, or the House, may on their failure, require We 
 do not yet hear from Kentuckee or Tennesee, and there is 
 manifestly an alarm in the minds of our republican Brethren, 
 lest there should be an equi-vote - in that case there (are) 
 may be three alternatives, either the Union must for one year, 
 (unless we can agree on designating the Man) be without 
 any other President, than the President of the Senate, or M r 
 Jefferson must have it and M r Burr lose it, or M r Burr have it 
 & M r Jefferson lose it 
 
 Sufficient however for the day are the politicks thereof - 
 and it is several days to the month of February, and there 
 will in case of an equi vote, be full time for reflexion and 
 deliberation, and the choice is a weighty one, and of course 
 will I presume be duly weighed in case the event should be 
 so unfortunate, as to present us no election of the people - 
 I cannot say much on the subject of the treaty - - it is how 
 ever understood, not to equal the expectations entertained - 
 it will be considered in the Senate deliberately, and I hope 
 their result, will comport with the interests and honour of 
 the United States. 
 
 I wish to know the impressions on the people - I will 
 write as any thing may occur - - may write in haste & things 
 which it may not be best to communicate to many you will 
 exercise a sound discretion - I have rec d your Letter & am 
 respectfully Elizur Goodrich/' 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Dec r 19* 1800 - 
 
 I have written to M r Twining 
 
 to call on you for money to the am* of $250 or less as he shall 
 have occasion, to replace money I had of him before I left 
 home, the notice from him was so short that it was impossible 
 for me to make arrangements for a remittance from here 
 that would be in season and I am not inclined to send a single 
 Dollar that is not checked and perfectly sound ag* fraud or 
 Accident M r Goodrich inclosed by the same mail that carried 
 my Draft to you $150 to M r Twining which was taken out 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 4 2 5 
 
 of his letter but the draft being made payable to M r Twining 
 who is known to Deac n Austin he is confident it will not be 
 paid to any other person tho he did not direct it to be checked 
 at the office but M r Goodrich, & M r Twining and the hand 
 writing of both being well known at the office there is little 
 danger of a forged Indorsement - Upon M r Goodrich' s 
 producing a Certificate from the Collector he will be able to 
 
 obtain a new Draft for the Amount 
 
 I now forward you a Draft on W m H. Imlay for $no6. 53 /ioo 
 being the amount of Dividends of Public Stock which he is 
 
 impowered by me to receive at the office - 
 
 It will be well for you to direct M r Imlay 
 
 by his Indorsement to make the Draft payable only to your 
 self, and upon your personal application and to notify Deacon 
 Austin of the Draft and caution him against paying the same 
 to any other person - The Business then may be done with 
 perfect safety through the mail and the money placed in your 
 hands as soon as the Dividends of the Quarter fall due 
 
 We have accounts from all the States 
 
 excepting Kentucky and Tenisee of the Votes for P. & V. P. 
 and find that Jefferson & Burr hitherto have an equal vote 
 and probably will throughout it will be a tough business for 
 the N. E. States to be brought to choose between the two - 
 they would I believe be of the opinion of Laribe, of two 
 evils to take neither - M r Jay is nominated Chief Justice 
 of the U. S. in place of Elsworth resigned - The French 
 treaty is now before us: it will not be hastily concurred in, 
 it requires and I doubt not will have the most mature con 
 sideration - 
 
 With sentiments of Esteem and great Regard, I am Dear 
 
 Your Friend c 
 
 James Hillhouse." 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Dec r 25. 1800 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 The Votes returned are for M r Jefferson & Burr 
 Seventy three, each - - for M r Adams 65 - - M r Pinckney 64. 
 
426 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 M r Jay i. And thus the House of Representatives are 
 reduced to the Dilemma of making a President The 
 Republicans began in the Intelligencer of last evening to 
 appreciate the pretensions of M r Jefferson & depreciate those 
 of M r Burr They say that if M r Burr is elected he will 
 accept and then resign to M r Vice President Jefferson. I 
 am affectionately 
 
 E Goodrich " 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Dec r 31. 1800 
 My dear Sir 
 
 I suppose this will find you in Court, and busy, 
 I wish however that you would devote part of an evening in 
 telling me what is to be done in these evil times, leaving me 
 after all to do as you know I must after all, just what I think 
 best - We are soon to select a President of the United 
 States What are the impressions of the serious the cool 
 and dispassionate - - the warm & zealous among federal 
 Men - You have the Court with you - - and of course can 
 find their sentiments - the Gentlemen of the Bar - - Mer 
 chants &c &c - - pray write me, it shall be in Confidence the 
 individual sentiments you find - 
 
 The nomination of M r Dexter as Secretary of the Treas 
 ury, is I fear an unfortunate event - M r Steele is an able 
 Man, well qualified for the office - - it is very important to 
 hold M r Steele to the northern section, as his influence is 
 immense in North Carolina. It has made an impression or 
 rather wound on the Gentlemen of that State - - and the 
 danger is, not that the active federalists will become demo 
 crats, but that (they) will be inactive indeed North 
 Carolina have as little inducement to support the present 
 northern commercial arrangements as any State in the Union 
 
 - and every thing is operating to divide the federal states 
 against each other. You will keep this to yourself & friends 
 
 - The treaty is attended with some difficulties, The weighty 
 objection is the asylum of Privateers this article by the true 
 construction of the Law of Nations is void in my opinion, as 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 4 2 7 
 
 interfering with a prior public treaty but it is unquestion 
 ably the opinion of the French that the old treaty exists 
 the second Article leaves it to discussion & only suspends its 
 operation - - they therefore will claim the priority and the 
 British will claim the priority -- and in the event of the con 
 tinuance of war, between these Nations - - we must in case 
 of an unqualified Nulification be involved Give my 
 respects to M ra Baldwin. I am affectionately 
 
 E Goodrich/' 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Jan y 6 1801. 
 
 "It appears to be apprehended by some 
 
 that it is possible that the votes of the Electors may come 
 forth different from expectation - It is observable that the 
 Electors do not return Ballots, but, make Certificates of the 
 number of Votes, and of course that each Elector must know 
 the vote of each of his Collegues -- and it is well known that 
 in each of the Bodies of Electors - - there were individuals, 
 who would not suffer Concealment - - it must throughout 
 be taken for granted, that M r J & B have each Twenty three 
 Votes - - and the second Wednesday of the next month must 
 determine their pretensions A failure of Election would 
 be an immense evil - - the Government however would not 
 die - - the Senate will still exist with their president pro 
 tempore - - for instance a President pro tempore elected in 
 the absence of the Vice President on the first day of March 
 will continue the protemporaneous President of the Senate 
 - untill a Vice President is elected, or another protem 
 poraneous one is made his Successor - The House of Reps 
 indeed expires - - by a succession of individuals - - with new 
 Commissions but the Senate is a permanent Body with 
 popular succession - - and have the same Secretary &c with 
 out reappointment - - of course in case of no Elections by 
 the Reps a President of the Senate will exist to administer 
 the Government - - in case the vacancy happens in fact 
 from removal disability &c as provided in the constitution 
 Should the vacancy be considered as not resulting from one 
 
428 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 of these constitutional defects - - what is to be done - I 
 answer Government has the power of Self preservation, and, 
 if there is no existing Law for its preservation, one should be 
 made founded on the more general powers of the Constitu 
 tion than that contained in the section on which the existing 
 Law is founded 
 
 I am respectfully Elizur Goodrich/' 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Jan y 8, 1801 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Inclosed are some observations which are confined 
 exclusively to that business of M r Whitney. As he has had 
 to contend with much ignorance, and some malice I have 
 written it, with a view that you may read or show it to any 
 person or persons, you think proper 
 
 I am respectfully E Goodrich" 
 
 Eli Whitney of New Haven is the person referred to in the 
 foregoing letter. He was the first to introduce in this coun 
 try the manufacture of firearms made by machinery in inter 
 changeable parts, so that a part lacking in any arm could be 
 instantly supplied at the factory. The following letters refer 
 to his negotiations with the United States in regard to their 
 use in the army and the militia : 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin, 
 
 "Washington Jan y 8, 1801. 
 My dear Sir. 
 
 Our friend, M r Whitney is here, and has exhib 
 ited his work and specimens to the President of the United 
 States, the Heads of Departments and many others of 
 superior mechanical information - They have met uni 
 versal approbation & are considered as evincing, that this 
 Country need not depend on a disgraceful recourse to foreign 
 Markets for this primary means of defence - All Judges 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 4 2 9 
 
 & Inspectors, unite in a declaration that they are superior to 
 any which the Artists of this Country, or importation have 
 brought into the Arsenals of the United States - - and all 
 Men of all parties agree that his talents are of immense 
 importance, and must be exclusively secured by and devoted 
 to the means of defence - The arrangements will be made 
 perfectly satisfactory to him - - and he is requested as the 
 Artist of this Country to suggest from time to time all altera 
 tions, improvement &c which may in his opinion, be useful 
 in the Armories of the United States &c - We last evening 
 waited upon M r Jefferson, in pursuance of a previous appoint 
 ment - He had while in France & England by direction of 
 this Government perticularly attended to the Manufacture 
 of Arms - On a very critical survey and examination he did 
 not hesitate to say, that he had in no instance seen any work 
 or specimens equal to M r Whitneys, excepting in one factory 
 in France in which the owner had desined the various parts 
 of his Muskets on the principles of M r Whitney that M r 
 Whitney equalled his specimens - - that his were gaged and 
 made by machinery - - and he should greatly delight to see 
 them with their mechanism - - that by Authority of this 
 Country at a great price he attempted to remove this Artist 
 to the United States -- but he was immediately taken into the 
 service of the Crown, and had since deceased He observed 
 that the manufacture of Arms, even at a double expence 
 must be secured, that Arms however of equal goodness could 
 not be so cheaply procured from any part of Europe - he 
 observed that the State of Virginia had determined to fur 
 nish at the expence of the State a Muskett to each Militia 
 man in the State - - and to have an equal quantity, in their 
 arsenals - - that they had directed them to be exclusively of 
 the Manufacture of this Country that they had good work, 
 but not so good work from the State factory in Richmond 
 He proposed to M r Whitney - - that he would write to Gov r 
 Monroe, advising him to contract with him at the United 
 States price - for any number of thousands, which M r 
 Whitney would undertake to furnish - - M r W- - informed 
 him that it would not be in his power to contract, untill his 
 contract with Government was more nearly compleated." 
 
430 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Jan y 16. 1801 - 
 
 . . I wrote you some days since that W Whitney has given 
 full satisfaction that his theories are practical - I believe 
 he has agreed that he shall have thirty months for the delivery 
 & shall immediately have D 10,000, or 15,000 - He is now 
 negotiating on the subject of further security for the advance 
 ment I do not know whether he will ultimately be able to 
 obtain it without giving security - - it would be a receding 
 from the general principle of the office - - and on the other 
 hand it will subject him to some inconvenience - I presume 
 he will complete the business so as to proceed without embar- 
 rasment -- He is now at the Office - 
 
 The presidential election is a matter of importance I 
 cant say what we can do - - have written a Letter to M r 
 Daggett on that subject which he will shew you. I am in 
 the Hall, in the noon of business & am Yours respectfully 
 
 E Goodrich " 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Jan y 3 I st 1801 
 
 . . We have appointed M r Marshall, Secretary of State, 
 Chief Justice of the United States - - I wish it had been M r 
 Patterson, I think it a pitty that the feelings of so honorable 
 and able a Judge should be wounded, as I have no doubt he 
 will be by having a younger man, and a younger Lawyer, not 
 more eminent in that line, put over his head - M r Stockton 
 has utterly refused to be Secretary of War, and our Friend 
 Roger Griswold is nominated in his place, who will also 
 decline the appointment - Thus you see the great offices of 
 State go begging - It is to me a very singular mode of 
 proceeding that a Gentlemans name should be made use of 
 in this way without being notified of the intention, or any 
 ascertainment of the fact whether he will accept the office, 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 43 l 
 
 especially when on the ground, and can with so much con 
 venience be consulted 
 
 The Senate are endeavouring to agree on a substitute to 
 the Mausoleum by way of amendment of the Bill from the 
 House of Representatives I am very sorry to differ in 
 opinion with my Friends on subject that has the most remote 
 relation to the fame of Washington, but I cannot agree to the 
 Bill for creating a Mausoleum." 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Thursday Morning i o Clock Feb y 12. 1801 
 The Twentieth Ballot has just closed they have been uni 
 formly eight for Jefferson six for Burr & two divided 
 A Ballot is ordered every hour - - and we arise from the 
 floor and ballot &c and then take a Nap - the Mail usually 
 closes at 4 in the evening, it is by order of the Speaker kept 
 open till 4 this morning - it is not probable there will before 
 that be any Change - - should there be, I shall write some 
 of you I am 
 
 EG" 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Feb y 2. 1801. 
 
 . . A Committee of sixteen is raised to report rules to 
 regulate the counting of the votes - - and the further choice 
 of a President - It is difficult to tell you the result - - and 
 I have not leasure to detail those reasons, which must have 
 occurred to your mind & which will probably induce at least 
 New England to prefer M r Burr to M r Jefferson 
 
 It is expectable that there will not be a choice on the first 
 ballot : it is not however certain - You will know that the 
 choice may be cast by a few individuals and as yet their con 
 clusive determinations are not known " 
 
 A vacancy was at this time anticipated, though none 
 actually occurred, in the position of Collector of the Port of 
 
43 2 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 New Haven. Mr. Baldwin had been active in circulating 
 a petition that the place might be given to Elizur Goodrich, 
 then in the House of Representatives. 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington, Feb y 16, 1801 
 My dear Sir : 
 
 I had the pleasure of your Letter with its 
 inclosure this morning. - - and thank you and M r Twining 
 for your friendly attention, and also the Gentlemen who have 
 so honorably favoured me with their Signatures Should I 
 determine to push for the object they will be of much avail 
 otherwise they will be equal valuable as a testimony of esteem 
 and friendship - 
 
 I had indeed, untill the receipt of your Letter, pretty much 
 determined to take a couple of trips on the tempestuous Sea 
 of Liberty - - and may still think it advisable to continue on 
 board the Ship - - at any rate I dont think it necessary to 
 decide under a couple of days tho' it is possible a nomination 
 may be popped in unexpectedly. I met the Secretary of the 
 Treasury a few days since, before any applications were 
 filed, and suggested to him the expediency of continuing the 
 business open, for a few days, untill no one could say the 
 thing was done in haste - I do not know the applicants - 
 and do not wish to - - have not had a single Letter on the 
 subject - - they probably think I shall apply - - and I do not 
 know but I must to save them from disappointment in the 
 first particular - Should I enter the race - - I hold myself 
 open to disappointment without mortification. - - My motto 
 is let those who lose, laugh - - those who win, won't need it 
 Care has been taken to continue the Clerks of the Circuit 
 Courts, under the new organization - - removable only as 
 they now are by the Court - - I inclosed you an imperfect 
 Bill some time since it has probably gone as many of 
 these things as forward, go . M r Benson Sturges & 
 
 26 Egbert Benson of New York (Columbia, Class of 1765) ; Lewis 
 B. Sturges of Connecticut (Yale, Class of 1782), and Samuel Hitchcock 
 of Vermont (Harvard, Class of 1777). 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 433 
 
 Hitchcock are contemplated as the Judges of our Circuit but 
 not nominated - - Give my respects to Mrs. Baldwin & your 
 sister & family. I am affectionately 
 
 Elizur Goodrich 
 Mention me to M r Twining in connexion with this Letter" 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Feb y 17, 1801 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I believe I mentioned to you in a Letter yesterday 
 the nomination of the Judges in our Circuit - We dare(d) 
 not name Oliver Woolcott : 27 the President however thought 
 of him & requested to know whether it would be acceptable 
 to us - - informally - we said Yes He has this day nom 
 inated M r Benson, Oliver Wolcott, & Sam 1 Hitchcock I 
 wish you therefore to say nothing on the nomination of M r 
 S - for Connecticut - You are safe as Clerk - I shall 
 in three days write W - that you must be intangible. 
 
 In haste E. Goodrich " 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Feby 19, 1801. 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 On the completion of the Judiciary Bill, the Delega 
 tions of New York, Connecticut and Vermont met and agreed 
 on the nomination 28 of Mess 8 B. (enson) S. (turges) & H. (itch- 
 cock) to the President He afterwards wished to know, 
 whether his nomination of M r Wolcott would be acceptable 
 
 - We replied - - that it would - - and he was nominated - 
 It was what we wished, but dare not suggest I am of 
 opinion that he will make an excellent Judge - in pleadings 
 
 27 Mr. Wolcott (Yale, Class of 1778) was just going out of office 
 as Secretary of the Treasury. President Adams and he had had 
 serious political disagreements. 
 
 28 For Judges of the newly-constituted Circuit Court. 
 
434 Selections from Correspondence, 1786184.6 
 
 & Tecknics he will not be at first ready but in great questions 
 of national Law insurance commerce &c he will be 
 excellent and that at his Age &c he is a very desirable acqui 
 sition I hope you will appreciate & consider it as such 
 I am respectfully 
 
 Elizur Goodrich." 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Feb y 19. 1801. 
 My dear Sir. 
 
 I wrote you yesterday somewhat hastily, that 
 the President had been pleased to nominate me, as Collector 
 for the Port of New Haven - Should the Senate concur 
 it is expectable that my purposes are to accept the appoint 
 ment - At a time when the public mind is so much agitated 
 various conjectures are formed relative to the measures 
 of the future Administration especially relative to the vast 
 changes which will be made in the various offices of Govern 
 ment - - where the officers are removable by the President 
 and some of my friends may apprehend that as the President 
 and I shall likely think differently on political subjects 
 that he must certainly remove me from office - - that he may 
 do it for this cause is certain that he will do it is not to 
 me very probable 
 
 Having some interest in the question, I have taken some 
 pains to ascertain what is expectable on that point, from the 
 Administration Men of Candour and intelligence, and who 
 are likely to be correct in their opinions & differing from me 
 in political opinions, dont hesitate to say that the President 
 elect, will claim to himself the nomination of Foreign Min 
 isters and the heads of Departments that as to others, he 
 is hurt at the apprehension, that he will remove them 
 Federal Gentlemen of the Senate have within a few days, 
 conversed with the President Elect, on this question as' a 
 question - He has observed, that as to these higher offices, 
 it would seem to him reasonable that they should be of 
 his choice that as to the others holding appointments 
 no Man could be fit to be President of the United States 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 435 
 
 who would undertake their removal, for a difference of polit 
 ical opinion - - that vacancies ought to be at his command 
 I apprehend that this is the Line of Conduct which is cal 
 culated upon as a branch of the future administration I 
 cannot say whether I shall quit before or tarry till the end 
 of the Session - Present respects to M" B & your Sister 
 & in any event believe me 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 Elizur Goodrich." 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "City of Washington Feb y 4 th - - 1802 
 Dear Sir - 
 
 . . The Bill for repealing the Judiciary Act of last Session 
 has passed the Senate - The enclosed is the Bill as reported 
 by the Select Committee, which underwent some small amend 
 ments in mere matters of form: the Vote was 15 to 16 - 
 I fully agree with you that the constitutionality security of 
 the independence of the Judges is a mere Cobweb - 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "City of Washington Feb y io th 1802 
 Dear Sir - 
 
 Your favor of the Q th Ins 1 has been duly received 
 - I fully agree with you that our affairs are drawing to a 
 crisis that is truly critical and alarming - In the conflict 
 of party, reason and argument are altogether unavailing, and 
 have not the smallest influence in the decision of any question 
 or measure that is taken up in Congress - The House of 
 Representatives are now engaged in a very interesting Debate 
 on the Bill from the Senate for repealing the Judiciary 
 System of last session, which is expected to last for many 
 days - - but I have not the smallest expectation or hope that 
 the vote of a single member will be changed by the most 
 impressive Eloquence, or Arguments the most conclusive 
 All Questions are settled in private meetings, and every 
 
436 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 member composing the majority of both houses comes 
 pledged to support the measures so agreed on This being 
 the case I feel as tho my presence or services here are of 
 little importance to my Country and I feel very little inclined 
 to remain long in this Sittuation A Country is indeed in 
 ,an unfortunate Sittuation when its dearest and most impor 
 tant Interests are to be sacrificed to the triumph of Party " 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "City of Washington Feb ry II th 1802 
 Dear Sir 
 
 The House 
 
 of Representatives have agreed to a Resolution for abolishing 
 the Mint -- and have made the Bill which passed the Senate 
 on the subject of the Judiciary the Order of the day for 
 Monday next - I think there is very little prospect, and I 
 may indeed say there is no hope of arresting that measure 
 The MINISTERIALISTS, (as they are called in the News 
 papers, and very properly in my opinion, for never were a set 
 of men more blindly devoted to the Will of a prime Mover or 
 Minister than are the majority of both Houses to the Will 
 and Wishes of the Chief Magistrate) are determined to carry 
 into effect every Measure recommended in the Message 
 Pointing out the impolicy or impropriety of a measure has as 
 little effect in stoping their progress, as to shew it to be 
 Unconstitutional - I think that if our side shall make a 
 Valiant, tho unsuccessful defence of the Constitution they 
 will merit the appellation of CONSTITUTIONALIST 
 
 David Daggett to Simeon Baldwin at Washington. 
 
 "New Haven, Nov r 13 th 1802. 
 "Dear Sir 
 
 Yours of 8 th covering the Message is received, for 
 which I thank you. The Message is the most foolish pro 
 duction that I ever saw considering the occasion. It 
 certainly is not superior to one of William Carters law argu 
 ments before Alderman Jones when you and I used to petty- 
 fog with him. The disquisition respecting the gun boats 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 437 
 
 is the only part of it worth preserving, & that I think might 
 be kept by a quantum sufficit of Salt from his mountain. 
 
 M r D. and his warm friends affect to censure 
 
 my conduct in favouring Rossiters views my answer to 
 them is short and the only one they will have, Viz, that I 
 did not think it very proper that two or three gentlemen of 
 the bar should have the sole agency of appointing a Sheriff 
 it appeared to me reasonable that M r Ingersoll, M r Goodrich, 
 M r Baldwin M r Smith & perhaps M r D. should have been 
 consulted - As however a different course was taken, I 
 thought it best to give my opinion. - Of the gentlemen of 
 the bar only one third signed the petition. - 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 City of Washington Feb y io th - - 1803 
 
 . . I find you are to have a great Festival at New Haven 
 on the 9 th of March - I think the Ladies must feel them 
 selves highly honored with so polite and respectful an Invita 
 tion from such a quarter especially when they are assured 
 that private Houses are provided for their Accommodation - 
 
 I trust the Ladies of New Haven will on this occasion 
 exercise their wonted discretion and prudence." 
 
 A week later he writes him again on the same subject : 
 
 "I have indeed seen the Proclamation for the Festival on 
 the 9 th of March which I doubt not will meet the attention it 
 deserves from the People of Connecticut - It in my opinion 
 Amounts to a declaration of open hostility to the Morality, 
 Order, and Steady Habits of Connecticut and will I think 
 develop the Views of the party to every Man who can read 
 The well known disposition of our Friends at New Haven I 
 have no doubt will lead them to a correct course of conduct 
 on this Occasion - 
 
 29 This refers to the appointment, in November, 1804, by the Gov 
 ernor and Council, of Nathaniel Rossiter (Yale, Class of 1785) as 
 Sheriff of New Haven County. 
 
438 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 Simeon Baldwin from Washington to Judge Lewis. Decem 
 ber 5, 1804. 
 
 "Dear Sir 
 
 . . Congress have as yet done very little business & 
 have finished less - 
 
 The articles of Impeach* against Judge Chase were carried 
 in our House by an average of about 80 to 40 he will 
 probably be tried the beginning of next month - the prob 
 ability is he will be removed - The manners of Judge Chase 
 you know are far from conciliating the prejudice is great 
 against him & less proof would perhaps be required to estab 
 lish some of the Items against him, than would be required 
 against others. - 
 
 General Rufus Putnam of Revolutionary fame was re 
 moved from the office of Surveyor General of the United 
 States in September, 1803, in order to replace him by a man 
 of different political views. As his successor, Col. Jared 
 Mansfield (Yale, Class of 1777) of New Haven was 
 appointed. He accepted the appointment in ignorance of 
 the fact that Putnam had not voluntarily retired but, on 
 learning the truth, wrote to Mr. Baldwin on November 7th, 
 stating fully the reasons which had led to the course which 
 he had adopted. To this the following reply was sent, under 
 date of January 16, 1804: 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Jared Mansfield. 
 
 "No one, I am confident, would doubt the pro 
 priety of your late appointment, provided the office had been 
 vacant - Your scientific pursuits and particularly your 
 devotion to the studies of mathematics, astronomy, &c., have 
 peculiarly fitted you for such an employment - - and I flatter 
 myself that much useful information will be derived from 
 your discoveries & observations while in the discharge of 
 your official duties. - These sentiments I shall ever with 
 pleasure communicate in defence of the appointment. Yet 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 439 
 
 I frankly own I should have been better pleased had you 
 proceeded on the resignation of your predecessor This 
 business of removing Officers at the whim of the Executive 
 without enquiring whether they are honest, able & faithful 
 to the Constitution, is in my opinion dangerous in its conse 
 quences - It may be ruinous to the officers, & prejudicial 
 to our country It is peculiarly improper, I conceive, in a 
 Gov* where the Supreme executive is elective & for short 
 periods - One glides into office & is swept off by a successor 
 as the alternate tides of party succeed each other. When 
 such is the executive, the permanence of inferior offices seems 
 to be the only anchor left for the stability of Gov* Let the 
 principle be established that every successive President may 
 without reserve remove from office all who are not of his own 
 political sentiments, the basest motives will then influence 
 your elections - - the office of Chief magistrate will be the 
 fruit of corruption, & all other offices the rewards of venality 
 
 - I do consider the wanton abuse of the necessary power 
 of removal, as one of the darkest traits in the character of 
 our present chief magistrate - - That those who are the con 
 stitutional advisers of the executive should be of the same 
 political sentiments with him I readily admit; for a change 
 in such officers I never blamed him but I cannot forgive 
 him for removing a host of inferior officers who were honest, 
 faithful & capable, & whose political sentiments had no con 
 nexion with the discharge of their official Duties - It was 
 an extension of the arm of power, that I believe no prime 
 minister, or even monarch in Europe ever dared to use - 
 
 I am happy to believe, as you say, that you had no agency 
 in the removal of Mr. Putnam - - he is a gentleman whom 
 I never knew personally, but I learn he is one of those whose 
 past services entitle him to claim from our Country those 
 remunerations which her Independence enables her to give 
 to those who aided much in its establishment. 
 
 Thus far I wrote after the rec* of yours, but doubting 
 whether this chain of thought was such as you would expect, 
 I have suspended my Letter, till reflection has convinced me 
 that in answering yours I ought freely to express my senti 
 ments on the subject of it." 
 
44-O Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 On February 20, 1804, Elizur Goodrich of New Haven, 
 whom Jefferson displaced as collector of the port, in 1801, 
 writes him thus : 
 
 "It is the opinion of reflecting men that the affairs of the 
 Country are fast hastening to a Crisis - I do not mean 
 that it will probably happen in a month or year - - for it 
 takes much time for the great events in a Nation to arrest the 
 attention of the people of the Nation - I trust however the 
 proceedings relative to Louisiana & the Judiciary, and other 
 prominent acts of the Legislature must ultimately excite the 
 attention and consequent Alarm of the Community - Names 
 are influential things - - and much has been effected by the 
 term Democrat or republican - In my opinion it is time to 
 leave this distinction, and call the attention of the people to 
 the true point - - the questions which agitate this Country 
 are really northern and southern Interests - - and as such 
 sooner or later we must consider and discuss them. I am 
 sensible those of you, who are in Congress, can't at present 
 so discuss them in your places -- Still I hope that the federal 
 men of the North will speedily see, that the Interests of the 
 North are up at Auction and conduct accordingly." 
 
 Col. Benjamin Tallmadge to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Litchfield, March 2O th , 1804 
 
 . . The farcical Display of Candour &c &c, on the Trial 
 of Judge Pickering, is sufficient to convince any unprejudiced 
 Mind of the futility of defending Character properly, or even 
 Life against the violence of party Spirit. How a man, con 
 fessedly insane, can be convicted of high Crimes & mis 
 demeanors, when in the highest acts of wickedness, such as 
 murder &c, the operation of the penal Law is suspended, is 
 truly astonishing. That M r Pickering ought to leave his Seat 
 on the bench of Justice, seems not so much to be questioned : 
 but that the Constitution does not warrant the present mode 
 of trial & punishment, for such a misfortune, seems very 
 clear to my mind. I have fully anticipated the issue of this 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 441 
 
 Tryal ; & for ought appears Judge Chace may prepare him 
 self for a similar event 
 
 When I left W. n I really did not apprehend that so 
 much opposition would have been made to the plan proposed 
 for affording Compensation to the Georgia Claimants. If 
 Randolph should succeed in postponing this business to the 
 next Session of Congress, the probability is that no great 
 Compensation will ever be obtained. At any rate, this long 
 Delay, is almost a denial of Justice. Had W & M re Payne 
 continued with you to this Day, I think their patience would 
 have been pretty thoroughly tired - I am glad that I sold 
 my Scrip, although some thought that 4 Cents P Acre (the 
 price I obtained in money) was far short of what the Con 
 gressional provision would amount to. 
 
 I am glad M r Corse has finally obtained his money from the 
 Gov 1 ; which I believe was very honestly due to him. In a 
 late Letter from him, he expresses his grateful Acknowl 
 edgments to the federal Members, & particularly to yourself 
 - I have long known him to be a Man of the most unsullied 
 honor & Integrity - 
 
 David Daggett to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "New Haven Nov r 30. 1804 
 
 "Judd's address, written by another, 
 
 was the joint production of Huntington, Judd & Bishop 
 more than half of it was taken from Bishop's oration in May, 
 and the residue we deem quite harmless. - My argument is 
 delayed by the Printer to my great mortification. I prom 
 ised the copy to that lethargic Griswold, to be connected with 
 Edwards' 30 argument & a history of the proceedings My 
 Copy has been ready more than 3 weeks, & the printers were 
 waiting M r Edwards' time - They also under the direction 
 of that little stenographer Bradley who is as much below 
 your little I. H. Smith as an oyster is below a lobster, pre 
 pared a title page &c which appeared to me rather too much 
 of the mongrel for a sound federalist - After they had 
 stricken off 2500 half sheets with this title page, I told them 
 
 30 Pierpont Edwards (Princeton, Class of 1768). 
 
44 2 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 that my argument should not accompany such stuff & they 
 threw it aside, and have now promised to print as speedily 
 as possible my argument without M r Edwards, who, it seems, 
 has not yet finished his. A M r Steel is now associated with 
 Griswold, & J. Walter has joined them. Thus there is good 
 prospect of giving the public some "antidote" to Judds 
 pamphlet. - I do not learn that any impression is made 
 against us by this business - Indeed the measure of a new 
 constitution certainly operates in our favour or I am grossly 
 deceived. The sober part of democrats do not relish the 
 doings of the convention; and some doubting minds have 
 been confirmed in federalism." 
 
 The convention referred to by Judge Daggett was one 
 recently held (in August, 1804), at New Haven, of Demo 
 cratic delegates from nearly half the towns in the State, to 
 consider the expediency of taking steps to form a State Con 
 stitution. Major William Judd was chairman and delivered 
 an address advocating such a measure. He was a justice 
 of the peace and, with four other justices, was summoned to 
 appear before the General Assembly, in October, to show 
 cause why the commission of each should not be revoked, 
 as they held that the government was an usurpation, because 
 there was no Constitution on which to rest it. Mr. Daggett 
 argued before the Assembly for their removal, and Pierpont 
 Edwards defended them. They were all removed, and Mr. 
 Daggett's argument was, after the delays indicated in his 
 letter, printed before the close of the year. 
 
 Jabez Colton (Yale, Class of 1775) to his brother-in-law, 
 Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Longmeadow, December 3 I st 1804 
 
 In your letter dated Nov 17 1804 you express 
 
 your sorrow at hearing of the prevalence of Democracy in 
 this State. I think this is a matter of grief to all well wishers 
 to the welfare of this Country. In this County the Increase 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 443 
 
 of Democracy is not much and perhaps remain nearly the 
 same. The People on Connecticut River in this Common 
 wealth are considerably like those in Connecticut. There 
 is considerable similarity between Suffield and West Spring 
 field. The Counties of Berkshire and Worcester are more 
 composed of people whom we may call rovers than in this 
 County In those two Counties Democracy prevails. We 
 keep more to our old Habits being composed chiefly of the 
 descendants of old Settlers. It is uncertain what will take 
 place respecting our State Authority whether we shall have 
 a new Governor the next Election or not. We may say 
 concerning this State The United States and concerning all 
 other States and Kingdoms, That the Most High Rules in 
 the Kingdoms of men and gives them to whom he pleases 
 and for the punishment of their people Some times Sits over 
 them the worst of men. Do we expect Rulers according to 
 our merits? Then we cant expect the best. Wicked men 
 will act so inconsistently as to choose men like themselves to 
 rule over them. Wickedness will be its own punisher. Men 
 pretend they wish to choose the good and at the same time 
 prefer the wicked if they are of like character. If we have 
 no hopes but from the goodness of the majority of the present 
 inhabitants of our Land our prospects must be gloomy." . . 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Isaac Jones of New Haven. 
 
 "Washington Jan y 5 th 1805 
 M r Isaac Jones 
 
 Sir 
 
 Yours of the 2O th . ult I have received & as 
 I do not mean to (be) backward in any neighborly offices, 
 which as you intimate our local situation indicates, I shall 
 readily join in a correspondence in the hope it will administer 
 
 to the pleasure of each 
 
 . . I have hitherto delayed my answer that I might give 
 you some information respecting the Impeachment of Judge 
 
 Chase which you solicited 
 
 . . You ask "my opinion of the matter, saying it is a mat 
 ter of moment & that you hope Congress will conduct the 
 Impeachment with candor, honor & righteousness. " . 
 
444 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 It certainly is a matter of moment I know of no event 
 more interesting to us as a nation, which has taken place 
 under the present administration - - for I assuredly believe 
 that the Independence of the Judiciary, which is the boast 
 of our Constitution, hangs on this Pivot, of course I sin 
 cerely reciprocate your wish that the trial may be "conducted 
 with Candor, honor & righteousness" for if it is, I believe 
 he will be acquitted & this beautiful feature of our Con n 
 saved: - If you wish to know, my opinion is confined to 
 this whether he ought to have been impeached on the charges 
 exhibited. I have already recorded my vote decidedly in the 
 negative on the charges Separately and so I believe did every 
 federal man; you will hence I presume infer it was a party 
 question - It is true it had in some measure that appear 
 ance, as every federal man voted against every article, but 
 all the democrats did not vote for every article & many of 
 them voted against several of them hence altho' you & I 
 have agreed to differ on some political questions, it is not 
 necessary or certain we shall on this: especially as every 
 federalist & some honest Democrats have concurred with me 
 in opinion." 
 
 David Daggett to Simeon Baldwin at Washington. 
 
 "Litchfield, Feb y 5 1805 
 
 The State is quiet regarding poli 
 tics and all are engaged more in digging out of the Snow than 
 in enquiring into M r Jeffersons Gun boats or Cap* Lines's 
 tour up the Missouri - By the way that fellow must have 
 hard times if our Winter reaches him - He will wish him 
 self in Jeffersons dry dock. I wish I knew how deep the 
 snow now is on that Salt mountain ! ! ! " 
 
 Timothy Pitkin to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Dec r 24 th 1805 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The Committee to whom was referred that part of 
 the President's message, relative to the aggressions, com 
 mitted on our Coasts, by foreign armed vessels; to the 
 defence of our Ports &c yesterday, Reported, that it was 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 445 
 
 expedient to appropriate a sum not exceeding $150,000, to 
 fortify our Harbours, $250,000, to build Gun-Boats, & $660,- 
 ooo, to build Six line-of -battle-Ships. The last, will produce 
 some collision among the Democrats, & the division, I appre 
 hend will be Northern & Southern. - What the result will 
 be, is uncertain " 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "City of Washington Jan y 2 d . 1806 
 
 . . Tho there seems to be a disposition in the Administra 
 tion to bluster a little about defending our Nutral rights, 
 and National honor, I have no idea that much will be done 
 other than by purchase." 
 
 Timothy Pitkin to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Jany 2 d 1806 
 
 . . The President as usual, was visited by those, who chose 
 to present him their Compliments, eat his Cake & drink his 
 Wine. - Three, however, only of those called Federalists, 
 chose to wait upon him As since the commencement of 
 the Session, not one of the Federalists, have been invited to 
 dine with him except M r Adams, the Senator, on account of 
 his Wife, who dined with his daughter Mrs Randolph; they 
 did not think proper to do works of superogation. - The 
 Parties among the Democrats, have not yet compleatly 
 formed; there is, however, strong reason to believe, that 
 Randolph will not bear, with Bidwell 31 very long - The 
 object of Bidwell is to be primus inter pares, immediately, 
 & you may be assured, it will not be submitted to, with 
 patience - The Secret Committee have not yet reported, & 
 the subject of building the six line of Battle ships has not 
 yet been taken up; on this subject there will be a serious 
 division among us & how it will be carried is uncertain 
 
 31 Barnabus Bidwell (Yale, Class of 1785), then a Representative 
 in Congress from Massachusetts. He had been a Federalist, but was 
 now a Democrat. 
 
446 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 I apprehend, there will be only a rumor of Wars after all. 
 It is evident that Randolph & the Southern Demos, are will 
 ing to depreciate the merits of Genl Eaton as much as pos 
 sible, & it is very doubtful, whether the Resolution for a 
 medal will be carried. This Resolution was brought for 
 ward by Bidwell, without much consultation or consideration, 
 - & mainly for the purposes of his own popularity The 
 first Resolution proposed to give him a Sword only, (which 
 was given to the midshipmen under Preble,) being corrected 
 by those who were acquainted with the etiquette in such cases, 
 Bidwell then moved to insert medal, instead of sword - This 
 was but just carried, & the Resolution was then recommitted." 
 
 Timothy Pitkin to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Feby i<f 1806 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 I have duly received yours of the Instant, & am 
 very happy to be able to congratulate you & Mrs Baldwin 
 on the birth of another daughter. I wish I could congratu 
 late you, on the increase of national Spirit, as well as on the 
 increase of national population. - 
 
 The House, as yet, have not exerted their energy in any 
 hostile measures. Information is called for, from .the 
 Genevan? 2 " relative to the state of our Commerce with Great 
 Britain & her dependencies ; in order to shew, in what man 
 ner our Commerce may be affected, & to what extent our 
 Revenues diminished. - This information we have not yet 
 received/' 
 
 Timothy Pitkin to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Feb y 25 th 1806 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 Permit me to inform you, that, yesterday, in the 
 Senate, Pierpont Edwards Esq was appointed District Judge 
 for the District of Connecticut. 
 
 32 Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury, who was born in 
 Geneva, Switzerland. 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 447 
 
 Whether he will accept or not, I have not heard If 
 he does, I presume it must be in the expectation, & perhaps, 
 with the assurance of succeeding Judge Gushing or some 
 other Judge in the Supreme Court. But whether he, or some 
 other Democrat fills the place of the late Judge Law, I pre 
 sume it is not hard to conjecture with some degree of cer 
 tainty who will not be Clerk. 
 
 The Senate have agreed to recommend to the President, 
 a negotiation with Great Britain, & a demand of indemnifica 
 tion for aggressions, agreeable to the Resolutions reported 
 to them, but you have undoubtedly seen the Resolutions in 
 the papers. - We had before us, yesterday, a Bill from the 
 Senate, prohibiting all intercourse with St Domingo; so 
 eager were the Democrats to pass the Bill, that although it 
 was laid on our Table yesterday, they were determined to get 
 it through the same day, & it was with difficulty postponed 
 till to day - It has been again called for, & I expect it will 
 pass soon. - 
 
 The reasons given for this hurry, were, that Bonaparte 
 had demanded a prohibition of this Commerce, & it was 
 important to comply with his mandate, with promptitude. 
 We are too tame, even to be worth conquering What 
 course our Spirit will eventually take, in our relations with 
 Great Britain, is uncertain the various non importation 
 projects have not yet been taken up - The opinions are as 
 various as the projects, & will probably end in mere rant & 
 
 noise" 
 
 Benjamin Tallmadge to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington Feb y 25 th 1806. 
 
 . . The St. Domingo Bill has passed the Senate & now lies 
 before our House. I apprehend it will pass the House of 
 Representatives this day, & without much Debate It is 
 to me a most humiliating Consideration that we are called 
 on & actually consenting to register the Edicts of a foreign 
 Despot." 
 
448 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "City of Washington Feb. 26. 1806 
 Dear Sir 
 
 . . The St. Domingo Bill has passed both Houses - - But 
 I am told the French Minister is not satisfied with the pro 
 visions of the law and says it does not go far enough - - I 
 think if we should be called upon again to legislate on the 
 subject, it would be well to let the French Minister draw up 
 his own decree - 
 
 Pierpont Edwards is appointed District Judge for Con 
 necticut I cannot learn that he has manifested his willingness 
 to accept the office I think however that the probability is 
 that he will accept - 
 
 Pierpont Edwards to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "New York March 3 d 1806 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 An occurrence wholly unexpected, gives birth to the 
 present letter. I this morning received from the president 
 of the United States a commission as district Judge of Con 
 necticut District - Whether I will, for this office, abandon 
 my prospects here, becomes a very serious and momentous 
 question to me, and I must take time to consider it - - in the 
 mean time I have resolved to take the oath of office, that the 
 business of the district may receive no interruption 
 I wish to know what causes are now depending in the Circuit 
 court ? What causes are at law and what on the equity side 
 of the court? - distinguishing the one from the other 
 What issues are joined at Law? Are the jury warrants 
 for the Third Circuit made out? My son Harry will call on 
 you for an answer. 
 
 I am very respectfully your friend 
 
 Pierpont Edwards 
 
 Honorable Simeon Baldwin." 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 449 
 
 Mr. Edwards was the founder of the "Toleration" party 
 in Connecticut, of the policies of which Mr. Baldwin had 
 been one of the strongest opponents. 
 
 Timothy Pitkin to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington March io th 1806 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 We have now under consideration, M r Gregg's 
 Resolutions de non importation, & have been three or four 
 days upon it - After having disposed of our disputes with 
 France & Spain, in a manner, I am not allowed to disclose, - 
 we are now opening the campaign against Great Britain - 
 Randolph has now come out openly, not only against these 
 Resolutions, but against the President, & the Secretary of 
 State. - He has charged the President with duplicity, with 
 holding a language official & a language confidential - - of 
 saying one thing in public, & another in private - He has 
 turned the streams of his invective from the Federalists, 
 upon some of the Northern Democrats viz Harrison, Bidwell, 
 Crowninshield - - & he has lashed them without mercy. 
 Never has the President been handled so severely, in public 
 debate, as by Randolph - His speach, I am informed will 
 be printed in a pamphlet I will send you one as soon as 
 obtained After what Armstrong has done at Paris, I 
 trust, the public will be surprised to hear, that the President 
 has now nominated him, with M r Bowdoin, Ministers to nego 
 tiate our differences with Spain - The nomination has not 
 yet received the sanction of the Senate. - 
 
 As to the state of affairs here, it is difficult to describe 
 them, there seems to be a distrust & difference among the 
 members of the Cabinet, as well as among the members of the 
 House of Representatives - - & I fear it will end in, Confu 
 sion worse confounded. 
 
 I am your S 
 
 Tim Pitkin Jr." 
 15 
 
45 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 Timothy Pitkin to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington March 19 th 1806 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 You will see by the papers what we are doing in 
 Congress - Nicholson's Resolutions have passed - Many 
 of those, who voted for them, are really against them, & 
 expect to fix the day, at so distant a period, that it will never 
 take effect. The union, which finally took place, was, I 
 believe, a forced one, & will not be lasting. - As to the 
 expedition of Miranda, we know here, I presume, little more 
 than you do - Miranda was, indeed, at Washington ; he 
 visited the President, & Secretary of State - Whether he 
 broached his projects to them, or not is left to conjecture - 
 Our particular situation with Spain, might perhaps, incline 
 such a man as Miranda, to just hint some projects to the 
 Executive, & the Executive might wish them success, without 
 promising any countenance or assistance - This is only 
 conjecture - The President has removed Smith of New 
 York, from his office, & has nominated his Successor This, 
 I presume, has been done, for the purpose of showing that 
 he acted without Back. - 
 
 Armstrong & Bowdoin are appointed Ministers to settle 
 our affairs with Spain. Armstrong labored in the Senate; 
 the division on his appointment was 15 to 15 & the Vice 
 President gave the casting vote - one Senator fled the 
 Question. He was opposed, but chose not to vote - The 
 Senate spent a week in debate on his appointment. - 
 
 As we have now, done so much for the honor & Interest 
 of the nation, we talk of adjourning soon - 
 
 I am your Friend & 
 
 Humble Servant 
 
 Tim Pitkin Jr." 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "City of Washington March 2O th . 1806 - 
 
 . . The Senate have advised and consented to the Nomina 
 tion of General Armstrong to be Envoy extraordinary to the 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 45 1 
 
 Court of Spain to commence a new Negotiation for more 
 territory - After what has been published respecting Gen 1 
 Armstrongs conduct at Paris, it was hardly to be expected 
 that even the present Chief Magistrate would have nominated 
 him for a new appointment, instead of recalling him for his 
 past Misconduct the nomination was opposed in the 
 
 Senate, who on the question were equally divided, and the 
 question was decided by the casting Vote of the Vice Presi 
 dent in favour of the appointment - 
 
 In the inclosed paper you have part of the Speech of John 
 Randolph which I have no doubt you will read with pleasure 
 
 - We have truly an Administration without a Cabinet and 
 without System or Energy - 
 
 Timothy Pitkin to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington April I st , 1806 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I am now able to inform you, that, yesterday, the 
 injunction of secrecy, relating to our proceedings with closed 
 doors, was taken off - This was not done, without the 
 greatest struggle, that has yet taken place in Congress 
 We began soon after eleven, & continued our Session till 
 more than half after five. The yeas & nays were taken four 
 different times, the first was on the Question to postpone the 
 motion for two weeks - - this was negatived Ayes 61 
 noes 62 - - the second was on a Question that the Secrets 
 be disclosed after the rising of Congress - - negatived 
 Ayes 59 - - noes 61 - the third on the Question of post- 
 poneing it for one week, negatived Ayes 58 noes 62 - & 
 the last, taken on the original motion - - Ayes 63 - - noes 56 
 
 - It is impossible for me to detail or even to give you any 
 idea of what took place during this sitting of about six 
 hours - 
 
 Randolph came out against the President, & the Secretary 
 of State, in more bitter terms than ever. Our Secret pro 
 ceedings have related to our differences with France & Spain, 
 & we have passed a Law, appropriating two million of Dolls 
 for extraordinary foreign intercourse. The object of the 
 Law is to purchase the Floridas, & to settle our other differ- 
 
45 2 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 ences with Spain, - - It is at length found out, that by the 
 purchase of Louisiana, we obtained no right to any Land 
 East of the Mississippi, except the Island of New Orleans, 
 & on the West side of the river the Spaniards claim to such a 
 line, as will leave us, but a small strip of land, up to the red 
 River - This business must be settled, & money alone would 
 do it. - It is a fact that France would not suffer Spain, 
 to settle with us, unless she would give France money - 
 And the Money - - viz the two millions, has been sent to 
 Paris, in the Hornet, which sailed from New York about a 
 week since, & is going into the pockets of Bonaparte and 
 Talleyrand - - Some say we shall have to give five millions, 
 others Seven millions - Yet I am persuaded, this will not 
 be the end of it. - This measure was carried by Executive 
 influence alone, & by a species of duplicity disgraceful in a 
 Chief Magistrate - Had the President disclosed the whole 
 facts in his possession, the law, I am persuaded, would not 
 have passed. 
 
 In the course of the discussion, yesterday, Randolph de 
 clared that, before the Session of Congress, the Executive 
 perfectly well understood, that the two millions of Dolls was 
 to go to France - - that France would not let Spain settle 
 without money - - that he told the Executive he never would 
 consent to it, but that he would expose it to the public.' - 
 
 He also said, that he had no hesitation, in declaring, that 
 the greater part of the mischief, he had experienced for two 
 years past, had come from the Kings (President) Closet, & 
 the keeper of that Closet. - And also said - "I consider 
 the question now fairly at issue, whether this Country, shall 
 be governed, by a Machievilian, Spider-weaving, Secret 
 Cabinet policy, or agreeable to the laws & Constitution - - It 
 is fairly at issue, & I am determined to abide the event." 
 I say, that according to my "best knowledge & belief (& my 
 knowledge is not hid under a Bushel), that there is either the 
 grossest ignorance or the grossest corruption in one of the 
 departments of Government." 
 
 Randolph, I believe, was nearly three hours on his feet, & 
 treated the Executive, & his opponents in the House, with 
 the utmost severity." 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 453 
 
 Senator James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin, Jan. 8th, 
 1807. 
 
 "There is much talk about Col: Burr but there does not 
 appear to be any precise information of what he is doing, 
 or what is his object - Apprehensions seem to be enter 
 tained that he is upon some great project - 
 
 . "Yesterday we received intelligence of the death of M r 
 Breckenridge, Attorney General of the United States - M r 
 Edwards as he has failed of the Judgeship, may possibly look 
 out for this office - - but in my opinion he will not obtain it; 
 he has changed his politics too often to be trusted even by 
 Democrats - 
 
 James Hillhouse to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "City of Washington Jan y 2 d 1808 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Enclosed I send you the report of the Committee 
 in the case of John Smith, not because I think it a matter 
 of much importance whether or not John Smith shall retain 
 his seat in the Senate, but because it contains a most unwar 
 rantable attack upon all Courts and judicial proceedings 
 in criminal prosecutions - M r Adams was chairman of the 
 Com 66 , and the Report is I presume his own draft - I am 
 sorry the Com ee should have felt themselves at liberty so 
 unnecessarily to have gone out of their way to invade the 
 Sanctuary of Justice - 
 
 With great esteem I am Dear Sir 
 
 Your friend 
 
 James Hillhouse 
 The Hon ble Simeon Baldwin." 
 
 Senator Hillhouse writes him from Washington, January 
 27, 1808: 
 
 "As to the Embargo, I have no better means of forming 
 
 an opinion than yourself and every member of the community 
 
 - M r Adams' motion was negatived by a great majority 
 
454 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 promptly and without consideration - If the Embargo is 
 really intended (as the Administration would seem to wish 
 us to believe) to counteract the Decrees and countervailing 
 Decrees of France and England, it must be of long con 
 tinuance, for the effect will be but lightly, and cannot be 
 spedily fealt by those nations - But every thing is wraped 
 up in mistery, and we cannot tell, by what is said, what is 
 really intended by our Government - 
 
 The grand Caucaus for forcing on the Candidates for the 
 next President and Vice-President, has been held, the result 
 you will find in the enclosed paper; most of the Friends of 
 Gov r Clinton refused to attend the Caucaus, and are dis 
 pleased with the Arrangement - The Legislature of Vir 
 ginia have also had a Caucaus and have divided upon Madison 
 & Munroe for President, a little more than two to one being 
 for Madison - M r Adams has a card of invitation, and did 
 actually attend the Caucaus, so that he may now be considered 
 as having fully and compleatly gone over to Democracy/' 
 
 Senator Hillhouse writes again on January 23, 1809: 
 
 "The administration seem determined to persevere in the 
 Embargo, and the arbitrary and oppressive measures adopted 
 for carrying it into execution - Measures to which I do 
 not believe it is possible for our country to Submit - - and so 
 good an opinion have I of the Spirit, and Patriotism of our 
 Country as to believe they will not submit - You know 
 it has been my opinion from the first that the Embargo must 
 be taken off by the People, for I have long been persuaded 
 that it was not in the power of our Government, consistently 
 with good faith, to take off the embargo without the consent 
 of a nation not subject to our control - I have suspected 
 from the first, and I think there is evidence more than suffi 
 cient to justify suspicion, that the measure was adopted by 
 concert, and to cooperate with a foreign power - The 
 measure also accorded exactly with the Visionary project 
 of our Administration, of converting Merchants and Sailors 
 into Manufacturers - 
 
 I hope the men of Character, Influence, 
 
 and Talents of our country will come forward in a bold and 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 545 
 
 decisive manner - This is no time to take council of our 
 fears - - I wish for no insurrection or irregular violence 
 Those who are intrusted with the management of our State 
 Government, who are the legitimate Guardians of the peoples 
 rights, and liberties ought boldly to step forth in the front 
 rank, and give to the whole business a legitimate and consti 
 tutional direction - I flatter myself this will be the case 
 and if they do the People will go with them - - the time and 
 manner, and much depends on that, must be left to those on 
 the spot - 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Hartford Feb y 26 th 1809. 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 You doubtless wish to know, and certainly as 
 one of the Sovereign People have a right to know, what the 
 Servants of the People are about to do - A committee of 
 24 from the house & 3 from Councils are detailed to report 
 all Measures A Sub Committee of Six is appointed, and 
 they have adopted the following scheme of measures, which 
 if approved by General Committee will be reported to mor 
 row at two of Clock P M. 
 
 i. A resolve approbating the Call of the Legislature. 
 
 2 d Resolves, declaring the embargo & enforcing Laws 
 oppressive, arbitrary, & unconstitutional and on these 
 grounds approving the Conduct of the Governor, in declining 
 to designate persons to enforce the Laws - - declaring that 
 this Assembly will give no aid toward their execution - 
 enjoining upon all executive officers to withhold their Aid & 
 requesting his Excellency, to publish this injunction in mili 
 tary Orders & directing the Secretary to transmit the resolves 
 to Sheriffs & Town Clerks for information - 
 
 These resolutions are to be forwarded by the Gov r to the 
 President of U S - 
 
 These are to be followed by a remonstrance to Congress 
 expressive of what we feel and do fear and by an Address 
 to the People, upon the State of public Affairs, recommending 
 forbearance & moderation -- and appeals to Courts &c &c 
 
45 6 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 A Resolve echoing the resolve of Massachusetts de Amend 
 ments &c - 
 
 This is the general scheme - I am well & am with all 
 Considerations 
 
 Yours respectfully 
 
 Elizur Goodrich." 
 
 The next letter is from Judge Baldwin's nephew, Simeon 
 Colton, who was graduated at Yale College in 1806. 
 Simeon Colton to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Salem Massa. September 8 th 1809. 
 
 I will now introduce a subject, upon which you perhaps 
 will not think me a competent judge, but I can state facts 
 and will leave you to draw whatever conclusion you please. 
 M r Webster has just been in this town and in the neighboring 
 towns soliciting patronage for his Dictionary to be published 
 at some future day. In this town he applied to John Picker 
 ing Jun r Son of the Col. and nephew of the man with whom 
 I live. This man, tho young, is an uncommon schollar, was 
 Secretary to the minister at the court of Lisbon some years 
 since; after that visited many countries in Europe, studied 
 law in England. As this man is the Adopted child or in 
 tended heir of the man with whom I live, I have an oppor 
 tunity to see him daily, and know him, and through him, the 
 opinion of the litterary men in the neighborhood concerning 
 M r Webster, better than he can himself. In this quarter, 
 every thing contrary to the opinion of Cambridge Univer 
 sity is rejected by the principal characters; consequently M r 
 Webster would be much less popular here than if he paid 
 more respect to that institution. Again Mr. Webster seems 
 determined to run down Johnson and build upon his ruin; 
 nothing could be more fatal to him in this quarter, for our 
 litterati will never believe that he is superior to this great 
 english lexicographer, and by this means will withhold the 
 support they would grant were he more modest in his pre- 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 457 
 
 tensions But there is another capital defect in M r 
 
 Websters proposition. He proposes that the subscribers 
 should advance 10 Dols each. This I am certain will never 
 succeed in this quarter, for their opinion of the man, is not 
 good enough to induce them, hardly, to become obligated to 
 take his books after they are printed. He must devise some 
 other plan or he will get but few subscribers within the 
 Atmosphere of Cambridge. Another thing which has been 
 noticed is his pedling his own productions, in person; had 
 he addressed the public thr'o the medium of the papers, or 
 in handbills, with a specimen of his work, he would have 
 been more successful, and nothing would be more efficacious 
 than the publication of a specimen. But the great and 
 capital defect is the unbounded vanity of the man, (Perhaps 
 I use a hard expression, but I use such as I hear, and such as 
 I am inclined to think is proper from his publications and con 
 versation which I have heard related) which is so great as 
 to excite ridicule. Many of the principal characters here 
 have visited, or corresponded with men in England, and when 
 they hear Webster say that he has more knowledge than any 
 European they are rather disposed to laugh than to admire. 
 
 I will however state what I believe to be true, that the peo 
 ple here are willing to see his Dictionary, tho they have no 
 great opinion of it, from the great prejudice they have 
 against the man. These are facts which I have collected 
 chiefly thro M r Pickering, and his father the Col., the latter 
 of whom, I know has a low idea of M r Webster. I write 
 these things to give you a statement of what I think to be 
 the opinion concerning M r Webster here ; and I wish for the 
 honor of our Alma Mater, for the good of the public, and 
 the credit of the man himself, he were not so confident in his 
 own merit, but would be content to address the public as 
 though there were some equal to himself. I suppose D r 
 Morse and friends encouraged him, but their opinion would 
 not weigh much with the greater part of the people in Boston, 
 and other large towns this way. I would not be censorious 
 on this subject, for I wish the man success, but I wish he 
 would be content to use the ordinary means to obtain it." . . . 
 
458 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Hartford June 3O th , 1812 
 
 . . We have unanimously advised his Excellency & he con 
 curs fully in the Advice, that the Militia drafted must not 
 march, untill it is made evident by the President, that one of 
 the constitutional exigencies exist that even then, he 
 retains the Command & that they must be under their own 
 Officers - The case is Gen 1 Dearborn has required four 
 Companies to be placed under the officer commanding at New 
 London - This force is a Battalion - - a Major's command 
 - and by this requiring Companies, Generals, Colonels, & 
 Majors would be left at home without command, their men 
 being cunningly taken from them - Thus far is generally 
 known & you may publish at pleasure 
 
 I say to you, and those to whom you think best - - that 
 Massachusetts & Rhode Island will concur in this procedure 
 
 I am in haste 
 
 respectfully 
 E. Goodrich" 
 
 Mr. Goodrich was then an "Assistant" or member of the 
 Upper House of the General Assembly. 
 
 Judge Baldwin's two older sons were studying law in 1813, 
 Ebenezer Baldwin at Albany, in the office of John Lovett, 
 and Roger S. Baldwin at the Litchfield Law School. The 
 former became a member of Mr. Lovett's family by way of 
 exchange for his son John E. Lovett (Yale, Class of 1814), 
 who lived at Mr. Baldwin's house in New Haven while at 
 College. 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Ebenezer Baldwin. 
 
 "New Haven Jan y 12. 1813, - 
 My dear Son - 
 
 Altho' I have written you two letters since 
 I had the pleasure of one from you, I will not omit so direct 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 459 
 
 a conveyance as this by M r Lovett, who returns to Albany 
 on the morrow. - - & to make my letter the more acceptable 
 for I do not think of much to write, I enclose Twenty Dollars 
 in two ten dollar Bills of the Eagle Bank 
 
 I suppose by this time your Supreme Court is in session, & 
 that you have it determined whether & when you are to be 
 examined - I presume during the absence of M r Lovett 
 you have not been able to learn or do much on the subject 
 of the arrangement proposed. Indeed that depends in part 
 as it appears to me on the continuance of this deranging war. 
 On that subject I confess I can make no satisfactory calcula 
 tions. The results of common sense & prudence or in other 
 words sound policy unquestionably dictate peace, but I much 
 fear from what I can learn that passion and prejudice will 
 prevent it, for the present. - The astonishing changes 
 which have taken place in the sentiments of the people in the 
 northern States, must in the end produce a corresponding 
 change of measures. If the final result should be a northern 
 coalition in opposition to southern dominion and southern 
 policy, some attonement will be made for the horrors of the 
 war - This ought to be a primary object with every friend 
 of the Country. I shall not be chagrined if the name of 
 federalist, must be lost in this coalition. That name has 
 indeed covered a previous nucleus, which now rises in aston 
 ishing growth, & if that which was sown must perish to give 
 vigor to the plant, I shall not despair of the fruit call it what 
 you will. - The peace party will, I think, if kept together, 
 naturally be opposed by Southern policy: to keep them 
 together mutual indulgence & mutual forbearance must be 
 cultivated. Federalists must not carve for themselves alone. 
 It is their interest while giving the tone, & directing the 
 course, to cherish accessions of strength, by sharing with 
 them, when worthy of the trust, even places of confidence & 
 emolument - I say when worthy of the trust - - for I have 
 long been of opinion that among the antifederalists of your 
 State more talents were found than in the same class with us 
 
 - Your divisions were made from different causes - State 
 policy family alliances having often more influence, than 
 
460 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 national objects or perhaps individual interest. - I have 
 heretofore advocated not precisely I agree on these principles, 
 the advancement of Dewitt Clinton - not I admit because 
 I in all respects liked the character of the man, but partly 
 because I liked it better in many respects than that of his rival 
 & more especially because I thought it would produce 
 what I think it has in a great measure produced & is likely to 
 effect, a northern coalition in opposition to that of the South 
 
 - This object tho not fully attained is not to be abandoned; 
 federal men where they have the lead, must in some measure 
 countenance those who have thus far cooperated with them ; 
 this will tend not only to secure those who have acted with 
 them but will have a tendency to encourage others. - 
 
 The future cooperation, in this object of M r Clinton & his 
 associates, ought not rashly to be rejected - He has so iar 
 as I have been informed executed with great propriety & to 
 pretty general satisfaction the important office of Mayor of 
 New York & I very much doubt the policy of a step which 
 I understand is contemplated, I mean of ejecting him from 
 that office. I know not what is expected to be gained by it - 
 but I am confident much would be hazarded. - 
 
 I will not however dwell on a subject which the wise poli 
 ticians of your State understand so much better than myself. 
 I trust they will act wisely - - they have the same object in 
 view. 
 
 You can act your pleasure about continuing at Albany 
 longer than the period necessary to complete your Clerkship 
 
 - provided it should be agreeable to M r Lovett - At any 
 rate whether you tarry or not I shall expect young M r Lovett 
 to return again to us I am sensible we are yet in arrears to 
 them on the balance of board. - - & he has endeared himself 
 so much to us, that I shall insist on his tarrying with us even 
 after that balance shall be discharged. - 
 
 With my best respects to M r & M rs Lovett & family 
 
 I am 
 your Aif 6 father 
 
 Simeon Baldwin 
 M r Eben Baldwin." 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 461 
 Simeon Baldwin to John Lovett of Albany, April 27, 1813. 
 
 . "I suppose you are now in the midst of your election I 
 wish you success with all my heart, & I assure you you have 
 the prayers of all the good and virtuous in the Land of Steady 
 habits - Never I presume was N E so much interested in 
 any foreign election - Indeed your election is of immense 
 importance to the whole of our country - It may give tone 
 to the Politics of the Union - Unite N Y & N E heartily 
 in the object & this calamitous war must cease not from choice, 
 but necessity. " 
 
 Senator Daggett to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Confidential 
 
 Washington June 12. 1813 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I have been endeavouring ever since my arrival 
 here to ascertain the true state of the Russian mediation, & 
 I am inclined to think that you may depend on the following 
 facts as to the origin & progress of that business. Early 
 after the declaration of war the Russian Cabinet fearing 
 that G. B. might by this war be compelled to withdraw her 
 forces from the Peninsula & thus enable Buonaparte to bring 
 a greater force against them, suggested the idea of the media 
 tion to M T Adams. M r A. had just received official informa 
 tion of the war from our Cabinet in which he was instructed 
 to inform the Russian Minister that it was the earnest desire 
 of this Government to remain on the most friendly terms with 
 them, & that in any event, the war was not to bring us into any 
 closer union with France. Count Romanzon then formally 
 offered the mediation which was afterwards accepted by the 
 President & at the time of this offer the Count notified Lord 
 Cathcart of the fact & solicited this acceptance of it on the 
 part of Great Britain. The British Court refused, saying 
 that they neither accepted nor rejected but that the United 
 States would not accept. Thus things were by the last 
 advices. It has been often asked why an armistice was not 
 entered into. The President did not think it proper 
 
462 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 while it was entirely uncertain whether G. B. would treat 
 with us on the terms proposed, to seek an armistice. It would 
 have been too humiliating. 
 
 These being the facts it is fairly to be presumed that the 
 administration are in earnest to terminate this unhallowed 
 war that they will succeed in effecting this object I think 
 probable unless the coalition against France should be so 
 strong & successful as to induce G. B. to hold towards us 
 a very high tone of conduct - that we shall gain any impor 
 tant point I have no belief. The most that the administra 
 tion now look for is that G. B. will stipulate for a limited 
 period, say 10 or 12 years, that in consequence of our making 
 certain laws prohibiting british subjects from entering our 
 vessels, she will forbear to search such vessels for such period. 
 And I think it quite clear that such a treaty would on our part 
 be a recognition of the right of search at all other times, & 
 of course would establish a principle which we now deny 
 & for which we have gone to war. 
 
 The solicitude of the ruling party on the subject of taxes 
 is very great. They dare not impose them and they dare not 
 refuse them. The federalists I presume will tell them thus 
 If you will provide a system of just & equal internal taxes 
 which shall be permanent & which shall remain a source of 
 revenue to build up the nation, we will join you, but we will 
 not aid in any temporary expedients which are calculated 
 merely to relieve you from your folly & consequent embarass- 
 ment. 
 
 There is much strength in both houses against the present 
 measures, & it will be a herculean task for the administration 
 to escape from the effects of their folly. 
 
 I have been much pleased with Giles. 33 He is one of the 
 most able parliamentary men I have seen at any time. He 
 has none of the graces or oratory, but much sagacity & 
 strength. M r M. 34 will find in him a host of enemies. 
 
 33 Senator William B. Giles (Princeton, Class of 1781). He was 
 originally a Federalist, but became a leader of the Democratic party 
 in the Senate in 1804. In 1811 he lost this position, by opposing the 
 policies of President Madison. 
 
 34 No doubt, President Madison is meant. 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 463 
 
 You will read this if you please to Doc* Dwight M r Hill- 
 house & your brethren if you think the information of any 
 importance, but I do not wish it further known from me. 
 
 Yours respectfully & sincerely 
 David Daggett." 
 
 Charles Denison of New Haven was one of the two repre 
 sentatives from New Haven, at the October Session of the 
 General Assembly in 1815, and was elected Speaker. When 
 the time came around for making nominations for repre 
 sentatives at the May Session, 1816, there was a good deal 
 of opposition to sending him back on the part of some New 
 Haven Federalists, because he was an Episcopalian. Senator 
 Daggett wrote Judge Baldwin on the subject as follows : 
 
 "Washington 8 th March 1816 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I extremely regret the course which, it seems, is 
 pursuing now in New Haven respecting the different denom 
 inations of Christians, & that especially regarding nomina 
 tions &c - It cannot be discreet to withdraw support from 
 M r Denison. He is now Speaker &, of course, his election 
 to the Assembly is very important as respects his political 
 career. I shall be very happily disappointed, if the violence 
 of some of our friends shall not essentially injure the cause 
 of correct principles. It cannot be wise to insist that Epis 
 copalians shall become democrats or be disfranchised. 
 Pray tell me if I can write to any one to do any good at this 
 time? 
 
 With kind regards to M ra Baldwin 
 
 I am your friend & 
 Obed* Serv' 
 
 David Daggett." 
 
 New Haven was the first town in the United States which 
 was originally built on a regular geometrical plan, with a 
 central place reserved for a public common or plaza. On 
 
464 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 this common square, afterwards known as the Green, was 
 erected, in 1639, the common church, and in the next century, 
 another of the same faith and order, namely the Congrega- 
 tionalist. Early in the nineteenth century permission was 
 obtained to erect a third church edifice there for Episcopa 
 lians. Each of the others was then replaced by a new one, 
 and in 1815 three church buildings were erected in a North 
 and South line, crossing the Green in the middle. The fol 
 lowing letter is in reply to one from a minister in North 
 Carolina, who wished a full description of the meeting house 
 standing furthest North, and belonging to the "United 
 Society." 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Rev. J. H. Turner. 
 
 "New Haven, Mar. 6, 1816 
 M r J. H. Turner 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Yours of the io th Feb y I received when 
 absent on the Circuit - On my return I immediately pro 
 cured the plan of the meeting house belonging to the United 
 Society, & have taken from that the Draft of the ground 
 floor, Gallery &c which exhibits the size of the house the 
 number of windows - - doors &c. & a conference room over 
 the entrance - That you might have a more perfect view 
 of the general appearance of all the new buildings & of their 
 steeples, proportions &c. I have procured a print of them, 
 which though coarsely done exhibits the general view & I 
 believe the proportions - The center building belongs to 
 the first Soc y (M r Taylors) - - that on the right to the United 
 Soc y (M r Merwin's) : the gothic building to the episcopa 
 lians. - 
 
 M r Merwins is 98 by 60 -- the walls 37 from the basement 
 - M r Taylors 100 by 72. The walls say 34 - - the Church 
 1 15 (sic) by 74 walls say 40 - In the two North meeting 
 houses the pillars support the Gallery ; only the ceiling over 
 head is supported from the roof forming a handsome ellip- 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 465 
 
 tical dome of 10 feet elevation, ornamented with stucco radii 
 from the corners - - other stucco ornaments around its Case 
 & in the center - The pulpit, of M r Merwins is of mahogany 
 the others are of pine well wrought painted & varnished - 
 the Stair rails & caps of the pews & Slips in all are of 
 mahogany - In M r Merwins you perceive by the plan a 
 part of the wall seats are in pews; in both the others the 
 whole is divided into slips - The expence of each building 
 about 31. or 32,000. The walls of the 2 M. H. are of brick 
 - those of the C. are of our rock stone well laid & pointed 
 & cornered with red sand stone. The sales of the pews in 
 M r Merwins amounted to about 34,000 reserving about l / 
 for the Society - The whole will cost this town by the time 
 the fences walks &c are completed not far from 100,000 Dol 
 lars. This prima facie argues much in favour of the increas 
 ing attention to the main objects of such building - And 
 I think there is some reality in it - but we must acknowl 
 edge that some part of our exertion is imputable to worldly 
 pride & a spirit of rivalship - I hope however & think that 
 good may come even out of it - He that makes the wrath 
 of man praise him can with equal ease make their pride 
 terminate in his Glory - 
 
 It is apparent that the attention to religion heretofore 
 exhibited in this town still continues to progress in a still & 
 rational manner & the manifestations exhibited in various 
 parts of our country are animating to the Christian - ' . . . 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Ebenezer Baldwin. 
 
 "New Haven Aug 24 th 1818 
 My dear Son 
 
 The Convention to form a New Constitution for Connect 
 icut, meet at Hartford to morrow - The political parties 
 are nearly balanced & tho party politics ought to be laid aside 
 on such an occasion, I think they will have some influence. - 
 Leading men do not agree on alterations & it is evident the 
 influential democrats are sorry a Convention is called - 
 The Baptists have met & published their resolutions not to 
 
466 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 support a Constitution which sanctions the present mode 
 of supporting the Gospel ministry by taxation - The Con- 
 gregationalist & Episcopalians have so long been accustomed 
 to this mode that they cannot give it up - Such men as 
 Gov r Treadwell M r Pitkin 35 &c I understand are for making 
 no further alterations than to throw the present Constitu 
 tion into modern shape - they thinks it suits the habits of 
 the people & that any innovation in principle would be haz 
 ardous - that while it is the most democratic Const n on 
 earth, 150 years experience has shown that it has sufP energy 
 for such a people Some influential men will propose & insist 
 on making the Gov r an independent branch - - but I think 
 they will not dare to give him even a qualified negative 
 they will insist on his nomination to all the principal offices 
 & that the Senate only have power to approve. I doubt 
 whether this can be carried - an attempt will be made to 
 make the judiciary independent but even that will be opposed 
 On the whole I expect very little good from the attempt, 
 unless good is to come from a new sort of turmoil. - 
 
 Frederick Wolcott to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Litchfield, September 28 th , 1818. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The federal Gentlemen in this County are united in 
 the opinion that the adoption of the proposed Constitution 
 will be ruinous to the State, & we have concluded to devote 
 the whole of this week in efforts to induce the freemen to 
 attend the next Monday & to vote for its rejection. We 
 think the majority of votes in this County against the Con 
 stitution will exceed one thousand. We have been informed 
 that the Court & bar at Danbury lately voted in caucus that 
 they would support the new Constitution. The motive for 
 this measure is incomprehensible to us, but notwithstand 
 ing all the discouraging & wonderful circumstances which 
 are operating against us we have not one thought of relaxing 
 our efforts, & we think we yet have thro the State an even 
 chance of success. The Gentlemen here desired me to state 
 
 35 Timothy Pitkin (Yale, Class of 1785). 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 467 
 
 to you that we anxiously hope & expect that the Gentlemen 
 in New Haven will take the most effectual measures to have 
 the federal freemen in every Town in New Haven County 
 made sensible of the importance of the approaching crisis, 
 and that there shall be the next Monday a full expression of 
 the publick opinion regarding this instrument. Permit me 
 to suggest to you whether it will not be well to write a letter 
 to some confidential & influential person in every town in 
 Fairfield County. The effect of the monstrous measure at 
 Danbury must in some way be removed. 
 
 The Republick may not be dispaired of. If we can get 
 rid of this Constitution Connecticut will be erect again in 
 twenty four hours. We are too liable to conclude that our 
 individual efforts will be of no avail, hence the liberty I 
 take, & believe me to be with the highest respect Dear Sir, 
 your friend & 
 
 Obed. Serv*. 
 
 Frederick Wolcott - 
 Simeon Baldwin, Esq. - 
 
 Mr. Wolcott (Yale, Class of 1786) was a brother of Gov 
 ernor Oliver Wolcott (Yale, Class of 1778), who presided 
 over the Convention which in August and September, 1818, 
 had framed the Constitution. He was, when he wrote, a 
 member of the Upper House of the General Assembly and 
 a staunch Federalist. His brother, the Governor, had come 
 to sympathize with the principles of the Democratic party. 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Ebenezer Baldwin. 
 
 "New Haven July 24, 1819 - 
 My dear Son 
 
 I have intended for some time to seize the first 
 leasure moment to write you - - but the less I really have to 
 so - - the less leasure I find. I have been employed however 
 for about three weeks past attending a reference at Hartford 
 I came home last Tuesday having finished the business on 
 Monday - 
 
468 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 I have heard of your appointment to the office of Surro 
 gate, & congratulate you on the occasion, & the more sin 
 cerely so, as I understand you obtained it without a sacrifice 
 of principle & character. I do not profess to know much of 
 the politics of your State, nor do I personally know Gov r 
 Clinton, but the energetic course he took when mayor of the 
 City of New York to suppress the riots at the time of the 
 Baltimore massacre, gave me an exalted opinion of his 
 talents as a magistrate. His first speech or message was one 
 of the ablest State papers of the age - If his course as chief 
 magistrate of the State has been tollerably fair with respect 
 to men of talents of the different parties, I should be loath 
 to hazzard the experiments of a change - - situated as the 
 federalists are in your State - I presume the reelection of 
 M r King is now secure; this I think very important in a 
 national view. I think he has not his superior in the Gen. 
 Gov fc & he has the share of influence in the national Councils 
 which his superior talents ought to command - There I 
 understand the old parties are in a great measure amalga 
 mated - - & it ought to be the pole star in the politics of the 
 State Gov* to amalgamate them there - I hope the course 
 of the Council of Ass 1 in the St. of N. Y. have lately pursued 
 will tend to the same object - I fear you wont get right 
 till you can call forth the talents not only of two, but of all 
 three of the political parties in your State in unison of 
 action 
 
 With great affection 
 Your father 
 
 S. Baldwin. 
 E. Baldwin Esq r ' 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to his wife. 
 
 "New Haven May 3O tb 1820 
 Dear Betsy 
 
 The General Assembly are still in Session They have 
 not done as much mischief as they did last year because they 
 had it not to do most of the valuable offices were vacated 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 469 
 
 & filled last year - M r Hillhouse will I think be safe another 
 year - Judge Swift is with us yet - He has been ap 
 pointed one of a Com n to revise the Statutes & prepare a 
 new edition of them - This was very proper in itself & 
 very gratifying to him - M r Channing has been in town 
 during the sessions. He has not called on me, & I have not 
 particularly invited him - I have seen him several times, 
 but do not court his favours or his familiarity. I should 
 write more but am interrupted & must close - 
 
 Remember me to all friends - - & be assured I am with 
 great affection your 
 
 S. Baldwin 
 
 Mrs Elizabeth Baldwin/' 
 
 By ''Mr. Channing" was doubtless meant his classmate, 
 Rev. Henry Channing of New London. He had been 
 prominent in the Toleration party, and a member of the 
 House of Representatives which, in May, 1818, provided for 
 calling the Convention from which the new State Constitu 
 tion proceeded. 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Ebenezer Baldwin. 
 
 New Haven May 2O th 1821 
 My Dear Son 
 
 I have received yours of the 14 th & rejoice that you have 
 fully recovered your health & spirits. The issue of your elec 
 tion is different from our hopes & expectations but in these 
 times all calculations founded on the course of former times & 
 events are deceptive. Democracy is a strange thing as we 
 have fatally experienced in Con* - Your explanation how 
 ever is satisfactory. I think your men of property with 
 out freeholds in the west are peculiarly situated & their 
 case ought to be provided for, but I hope you will not suffer 
 the Pendulum to vibrate to the extreme the other way. 
 Universal suffrage you may depend on it, will ruin any State. 
 If it must be extended to electors of the most numerous 
 branch, I am extremely anxious that respectable pecuniary 
 
470 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 qualifications of some sort should be required of those who 
 elect the Gov r and Senate, otherwise property has no check, 
 & will be as it is here controuled by the mob. You have been 
 accustomed to a difference & may preserve it in some shape, 
 we had never known a difference & could not make it. Our 
 suffrage is worse than universal & without a check. . . . 
 
 In the spring of 1821, Judge Baldwin drove in his chaise 
 to Boston, expecting to bring home his daughter Rebecca, 
 who had been making a long visit to her Aunt Evarts. Her 
 husband, Jeremiah Evarts, LL.D., who was Secretary of 
 the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis 
 sions, accompanied him. The trip is described in a letter to 
 his eldest son, at Albany. 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Ebenezer Baldwin. 
 
 "New Haven Nov r io th 1821 - 
 My Dear Son 
 
 We have so long improperly neglected our cor 
 respondence that I hardly know where to begin or what to 
 write." 
 
 "By appointment I took M r Evarts into my chaise at 
 Springfield, where he had been attending the board of Com n 
 for foreign Missions - We spent the Sabbath in Worcester, 
 one of the finest inland Towns in New England & arrived in 
 Boston on Monday & the next day went to Andover & on 
 Wednesday attended the examination or Commencement of 
 the Theological School there. The establishment exhibits 
 the wonderful munificence of its patrons, particularly of M r 
 Bartlett who (in) addition to his former bountiful donations 
 has during the last season completed a new College edifice 
 of the size of the largest Colleges in N H, finished in a supe 
 rior stile - - & every room completely furnished with every 
 necessary article of furniture for the accommodation of the 
 students from the beds to the dust brush & each article 
 marked with the name of the institution & the N of the room 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 47 l 
 
 to which they belong. - - & all this & much more at the sole 
 expence of M r Bartlett. - 
 
 Many things appeared well there, but I was much disap 
 pointed, in seeing no display, or even attempt at pulpit elo 
 quence - - the Pupils all exhibitted specimens of composition 
 in short Essays - - but were all read, & most of them without 
 animation, in a dull monotonous manner - - tho' the subject 
 of several of them was, the importance, power & energy of 
 eloquence. - We returned to Boston on Thursday On 
 Saturday I visited our friends in Salem & returned to Bos 
 ton the same evening - On Tuesday I consulted the Doc r 
 with respect to Rebecca's return & the next day sat out on 
 my return, by the way of Cambridge where I visitted the 
 Colleges &c & the great cotton factory at Waltham & arrived 
 in the afternoon at M r Hoar's 36 in Concord, where I tarried 
 till the next Monday & then returned to New Haven accom 
 panied by M Hoar - - who taried here about a fortnight 
 and has returned. - Boston & its vicinity exhibit great 
 wealth the fruit of unequalled mercantile enterprize - - the 
 Country around is uneven very rocky & much of it barren, 
 exhibitting few inducements for agricultural enterprize, & 
 yet perhaps there is no spot of equal extent in the United 
 States, exhibitting such a display of wealth, industry, enter 
 prize & plenty of good things - On the whole I was grati 
 fied in the journey, tho' disappointed in my main object - 
 I was gone three weeks - I could not therefore immediately, 
 take an other journey to Albany - I should have been very 
 much gratified I have no doubt, to have seen the great men 
 of your State together & heard their Debates in Convention 
 - but I am thoroughly sick of the changes which the mania of 
 the day is producing I did not believe that the Constitution 
 of Connecticut, could have been in any respect a sample for 
 the States of Massachusetts & New York & yet both have 
 aped its worst features - Even the most hot-headed Demo 
 crats with us, now are cursing universal suffrage with more 
 vehemence than the federalist of the old School. Ab m 
 Bishop of this town is all alive on the subject; he reads Chan- 
 
 36 Samuel Hoar (Harvard, Class of 1802, LL.D. 1838), whose wife 
 was a daughter of Roger Sherman. 
 
47 2 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 cellor Kent's remarks with great approbation - I have 
 conversed with several of the most wealthy democrats in 
 Wallingford who are of the same opinion. I am told that 
 Fairchild, the Marshall of the District, & some others in his 
 vicinity have expressed the same opinion, & many of them 
 begin to say the Constitution must be amended in that par 
 ticular - - but the step is not easily regained - The advo 
 cates of universal suffrage may answer present purposes by 
 it - but I am confident they who have property will be sick 
 of it, when it will be too late - The alterations & realtera- 
 tions in your Constitution have been so great & so numerous, 
 that I have not been able to keep pace with them - When 
 they shall have been embodied & printed I will thank you to 
 send me a copy. - 
 
 In the following letter, introducing the sculptor, Judge 
 Baldwin attests the merit of the bust of Chief Justice Ells 
 worth, now owned by the State : 
 
 "New Haven, Jan y 24 th 1837 
 Hon. A. Robbins 
 
 D r Sir 
 
 Perceiving that you are Chairman of 
 
 the Committee, charged with procuring a Bust of the late 
 Chief Justice Ellsworth, I with pleasure introduce to your 
 acquaintance M r Hezekiah Augur the sculptor employed to 
 execute the same. M r Augur is a native of this Town. I 
 have long known him & have seen with pleasure the expan 
 sion of his native powers, without the assistance of others, 
 skilled in the art, he has so successfully assumed. 
 
 I have often visited the work-shop of the artist, while 
 forming the bust he now presents to you: and from a long 
 personal acquaintance with the late Chief Justice Ellsworth, 
 it gives me great pleasure to certify my opinion that the Bust 
 exhibits a good likeness of the original, far beyond my expec 
 tations : and the more I have viewed it, the more I am satis 
 fied that I am not deceived. I do not profess to be a 
 connoisseur in matters of this kind, but I think I can see in 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 473 
 
 the figure the expression of firmness & dignity, so appro 
 priate to the character of the venerable statesman & Chief 
 Justice which it so fairly represents. - 
 
 I rejoice at the success of W Augur, & hope he will receive 
 the liberal regard & encouragement which he so honorably 
 deserves 
 
 I am with great respect, Your ob* Ser* 
 
 Simeon Baldwin." 
 
 Elizur Goodrich to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington May 10, 1844 
 Dear Sir 
 
 There is undoubtedly a serious division among democrats, 
 in regard to a President - - those who are from the south and 
 west are generally in favor of Texas and vehemently 
 opposed to VanBuren - Cass and Commodore Stewart 
 are most frequently mentioned - There can be no unanim 
 ity among them - The new tariff Bill has been very warmly 
 discussed - - and was disposed of in the house this day 109 
 ag* it, 96 for it - There is no other very leading political 
 question before the House - I have been once in the house 
 - twice in the Senate - - have seen John M. Niles - - at a 
 distance and conversed with those who had conversed with 
 him - He appears mopish and depressed - - is probably 
 better than when he came here; goes to the Senate, where I 
 have seen him, but appears to take but little interest in what 
 is going on - he is not however an idiot or deranged - 
 makes enquiries and answers questions correctly had 
 rather be silent than to converse - - is much impaired in his 
 intellect, by the calamity which has befallen him and, left to 
 himself, would prefer to be at home - The Committee had 
 an interview with him this day - - and will probably admit 
 him to a seat - - perhaps they cannot reject him merely for 
 imbecility of intellect - - as there is no precise state, whereby 
 to measure a Senator's understanding - He has saunders 
 around the Senate a good while - - and doubtless y^ wish he 
 was away - Mostly likely soon after he is admitted he will 
 
474 Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 
 
 take his pay and his brother, who is with him every minute 
 will take him home - 
 
 I hope the Assembly will express an opinion upon the 
 Texas question - - also concur with Massachusetts upon the 
 negro representation in House of Reps and send their 
 doings to all the States in the Union excepting Virginia, 
 requesting their concurrence - - not sending to Congress - 
 as they have nothing to do with amendments of this kind, till 
 a number of States agree - The Arrogance of Virginia 
 towards Mass, excuses from sending to them - 
 
 I see it mentioned with approbation in one of our news 
 papers that it is advisable that the Irish in town be allowed 
 to form themselves into a military Company - This, in my 
 opinion, would be a very mischevous measure - - if we must 
 have them among them we should mix them up as much as 
 possible with the inhabitants - - to separate them from the 
 rest - - and put arms in their hands under the direction of 
 their priests would in my opinion be dangerous - I hope 
 if this matter is brought forward, you and others will see 
 that it is crushed - The Senate are determined to admit 
 no second rate man in to Supreme court - - prefering the 
 inconvenience of being with circuit Judges 12 months or more 
 - to filling the court with weak men." 
 
 Senator Truman Smith to Simeon Baldwin. 
 
 "Washington City March 22 d 1846 
 
 Dear Sir. I thank you cordially 
 
 for your late letter and particularly for the favorable opinion 
 which you are pleased to express of my remarks on the 
 Oregon question - I do not believe there has been at any 
 time any necessity of a serious controversy with Great Britain 
 on this subject - but such a controversy has been raised 
 from motives & with purposes which you understand and 
 can properly appreciate I have no doubt at least two thirds 
 of the two Houses of Congress and nine tenths of the People 
 would gladly have the matter settled on the paralel of 49 
 but Great Britain will not offer precisely that paralel - She 
 will require some concessions on our part such as ports & 
 
Selections from Correspondence, 1786-1846 475 
 
 harbors below that paralel and the free navigation of the 
 Columbia River - I am seriously apprehensive that the 
 affair will be hereafter conducted by M r Polk & his Secretary 
 of State in such a miserable low caviling spirit of demagog- 
 uism that the danger of a collision between the two countries 
 will become much more imminent than it has been hitherto 
 - But if we do not have a war with Great Britain I fear we 
 shall have a domestic war - - or in other words I am appre 
 hensive "the powers that be" will declare a war of exter 
 mination against all the great interests of the country by 
 repealing the present Tariff - If the question was to be 
 taken in a general form I have no doubt a large majority 
 of the two houses would be in favor of letting down the Tariff 
 of 1842 but I have some hope that a difference among the 
 majority as to details will enable us to save the protective 
 policy We feel a deep anxiety in regard to the result of the 
 approaching Election in Conn 1 it would be peculiarly 
 
 unfortunate to have our State in the present critical state of 
 public affairs relapse into the slough of Locofocoism - I 
 trust we shall be saved from so great a misfortune - It is 
 not in my power to send you the recent Patent laws as they 
 are not printed for the use of the members. I wish to be 
 kindly & respectfully remembered to M B and believe me 
 (with many affectionate recollections) to be truly 
 
 Your friend 
 
 T Smith." 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 HOME LIFE AND OLD AGE 
 
 At no time in his life did Mr. Baldwin have a large income. 
 As a young man, his professional earnings for the first few 
 years were quite small. By the time he was forty they were 
 for that day handsome, and he had accumulated quite a 
 little capital, the principal item of investment being his home 
 stead. Then came his two years at Washington and twelve 
 years on the bench. These fourteen years of public service 
 took the heart out of his professional life. The loss of 
 $4,300 also, by the failure of the Eagle Bank in 1825, swept 
 away at one stroke the gains of a long period of industry 
 and thrift. 
 
 His household establishment at first consisted of a maid 
 of all work. As soon as he could afford it, he added a chore- 
 boy, who also helped in cultivating the garden, and waiting 
 at table. Bristo, his father's slave, was one of the boys or 
 men thus employed. Later he adopted the plan of taking a 
 boy from the country, and sending him to a public school. 
 One of these who afterwards struggled through college, and 
 eventually became a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 
 once said that the best part of his education came from what 
 he saw and heard when waiting at table at Judge Baldwin's. 
 Another of them, who stayed on until full manhood, married 
 the maid, and became the tenant of the farm in Hamden; 
 cultivating it "on shares/' 
 
 Mr. Baldwin, as has already been stated, soon after 
 his marriage, began to eke out his slender income by tak 
 ing one or two boarders. In Lincoln's novel of Mary 
 
Home Life and Old Age 477 
 
 'Gusta, he describes an elderly lady in Boston, with a long 
 pedigree, and small means to support her ancestral home on 
 Beacon Hill, as taking one or two "paying guests." In 
 the eighteenth century this practice was commoner than in 
 the nineteenth. The "guests" were carefully selected, and 
 made part of the family. The first were- sons of old 
 acquaintances, Elijah Waterman and Erastus Huntington, 
 one coming from Bozrah and one from Norwich, both 
 Sophomores in College. Soon afterwards came some older 
 men, who were studying law in his office. During a large 
 part of his life he kept up this early practice. Once (in 1823) 
 there were as many as four thus added to his household. 
 These were girls attending school at New Haven. 
 
 He also occasionally made an exchange with relatives or 
 friends, by which they would receive one of his children for 
 a few months, or perhaps for a year or two, and would send 
 him one of theirs to take the vacant place and participate 
 in the educational advantages offered by New Haven in 
 school and college. Such arrangements were made with 
 Rev. Justus Mitchell of Canaan, John Lovett of Albany and 
 Jeremiah Evarts of Boston. 
 
 When a term of court was to be opened in New Haven, or 
 the General Assembly met there, he often took in lawyers 
 or legislators as temporary boarders for a few days or weeks. 
 Their company enlivened the table-talk, and what they paid 
 in was of substantial assistance in keeping the table well 
 spread. He liked good dinners, topped by a good dessert, 
 and always maintained them. 
 
 In 1792, he writes from court at Hartford to his wife: 
 
 "M r T. Pitkin has spoken for Lodgings with us during the 
 Sessions of Assembly. I told him I thought we could accom 
 modate him if he brought two or three more as clever 
 fellows as himself." 
 
47 8 Home Life and Old Age 
 
 The following letter from Chief Justice Swift is one of 
 many of a similar nature: 
 
 "Windham, April 13 th 1820. 
 My dear Friend 
 
 I am obliged to attend the Assembly at New 
 Haven as a Representative. I am not in very good health 
 and having met with a heavy loss of property by a partner 
 in trade my feelings are so depressed that the bustle and noise 
 of a tavern or common boarding house would be very painful 
 to me, and I wish for the quiet of a private family. If you 
 could admit me as a lodger I should deem it a particular 
 favour - I would make you no trouble and should be will 
 ing to pay you what you deem reasonable - From the com 
 plexion of the assembly I can anticipate nothing but 
 mortification, and the consolation of your friendship will 
 be a balm to my wounded spirit. If you can consent to my 
 proposal, I will thank you to inform me by the mail - 
 
 I am with great esteem 
 
 your sincere Friend 
 
 Zephaniah Swift 
 Judge Baldwin " 
 
 All told, his cash receipts in the calendar year 1788 were 
 77, 155, 4d, and his cash expenses 75, 155, 7d. His first 
 child was born in May. 
 
 The establishment which he had set up was a frugal one, 
 but his wife was not unused to strict domestic economies. 
 Her home before her marriage had been a modest one. Her 
 new one was but little more so than that which she left. Her 
 younger sisters helped towards paying their father's house 
 hold expenses, after he had resigned his seat on the bench, 
 by making gloves. On March 6, 1790, he writes from New 
 York, where Congress was then sitting, to his wife : 
 
 "If the children make more gloves than will sell at New 
 Haven they may put up some in dozens & send them here 
 
Home Life and Old Age 479 
 
 I will leave them to be sold with a wholesale merchant that 
 I deal with who may sell them at the same price as imported 
 ones If Martin Skins can be procured as cheap as you 
 mention it might be well to manufacture Muffs & Tippets 
 for sale - 
 
 Mr. Baldwin bought a horse and chaise in 1798. He had 
 always been fond of riding and driving, and, indeed a horse 
 was almost necessary, in view of his possession and owner 
 ship of a farm in Hamden, some four or five miles from the 
 city. His barn, with stabling for a horse and a couple of 
 cows, stood a hundred feet back from the house, and by its 
 side was a pig-sty. During his later years he found less use 
 for a horse and gave up keeping one. 
 
 In 1806, his daughter Rebecca, then a girl of eighteen, 
 paid a visit to her Aunt Hoar at Concord, Massachusetts, 
 and began to ride on horseback there. He wrote her, 
 expressing his approval of it, and adding: 
 
 "But while I have said so much in favor of this I know 
 you have too much good sense to consider this among the first 
 accomplishments to which a young Lady should aspire. You 
 can seldom exhibit yourself in that attitude - - you will every 
 day of your Life be called to exhibit yourself in the social 
 circle. In this you should also be more ambitious to shine 
 & excel, & to do so you have not only to frequent such circles, 
 but while enjoying them to improve by them - - always 
 observe the manners of the most accomplished & the most 
 pleasing - - find out what it is that makes them so & endeavor 
 to make yourself equally so - - not by a servile immitation 
 which is always unnatural and disgusting, but by an insen 
 sible assimilation of manners which will always be acquired 
 by frequenting good company with a resolution to endeavor 
 always to your utmost to make yourself acceptable to them & 
 to please them. To please requires a determination to please 
 - & such determination with good sense & good breeding 
 will never fail " 
 
480 Home Life and Old Age 
 
 His wife died September 4, 1795, at the age of thirty-one. 
 They had had four children, three sons and one daughter. 
 One of the sons died in infancy. One, Ebenezer Baldwin 
 (Yale, Class of 1808), became a lawyer and settled in Albany, 
 where he was Surrogate and Recorder, and in 1820, one of the 
 Staff of Governor DeWitt Clinton, with the rank of Colonel. 
 The other, Roger Sherman Baldwin (Yale, Class of 1811), 
 became a lawyer, practicing in New Haven, and was Gov 
 ernor of the State of Connecticut, and a Senator of the United 
 
 States. 
 
 i 
 
 Mr. Baldwin's older sister, Bethiah Baldwin, took charge 
 of his household on his wife's death. 
 
 On April 22, 1800, he was married to his wife's sister, Mrs. 
 Elizabeth Sherman Burr, widow of Sturges Burr, a mer 
 chant, first in New Haven, and then in the city of New York. 
 Shortly before his removal there, on May 7, 1795, Mr. Bald 
 win had given him a letter of introduction to Judge Kent, 
 in which he says that Mrs. Burr is "a sensible and amiable 
 woman." She fully deserved that description. 
 
 Marriage to a deceased wife's sister was originally for 
 bidden by the laws of Connecticut, the prohibition being first 
 removed at the May Session of the General Assembly in 1793. 
 The repeal of the old law was no doubt in part due to the loss, 
 in consequence of its existence, of one of the leading lawyers 
 of Fairfield County, Judge William A. Thompson of Green 
 wich (Yale, Class of 1782). He wished, in 1791, to marry 
 a sister of his deceased w r ife, and for that purpose removed 
 permanently to New York, where no law forbade it. 1 
 
 Mrs. Baldwin was a good manager, prudent and econom 
 ical. In 1804, he had plans drawn for an addition to their 
 homestead, and she wrote to him on the subject: 
 
 "I think to go the length of Banners plan, would rather be 
 a source of regret, than pleasure. As to building wholly a 
 
 1 Dexter, Yale Biographies and Annals, 4th Series, 239. 
 
Home Life and Old Age 48 1 
 
 new house it undoubtedly would be handsomer & might be 
 made more commodious. Still I should not wish to become 
 embarrased by doing it. or straiten ourselves so that we could 
 not accomplish the more important purposes of living com 
 fortably & educating our children well." 
 
 The enlargement of the house was completed in 1806. 
 The dining-room was lengthened, and a wing added contain 
 ing an office and library, with two large and well-lighted 
 closets for papers, and several bedrooms above. The main 
 house had been built close to the street line. The front of 
 the addition was several feet east of it, the intervening space 
 being occupied by an unroofed piazza. A southern window 
 in the dining-room opened on the piazza, and commanded a 
 prospect of the Green. Seated or standing by this Judge 
 Baldwin was generally to be found, after he reached old age. 
 
 The home-lot covered about a third of a city square. It 
 fronted on Church Street, and his dwelling house was near 
 the center of it. 
 
 In 1826 he built a house (still standing) on the corner of 
 Church and Wall Streets, for his son Roger S. Baldwin. It 
 cost about $2,500, and a rent was paid of at first $150 a year 
 and afterwards $200. 
 
 He brought up his boys in the habit of keeping detailed 
 cash accounts, and of earning a little money by working on 
 the family place. The following shows that his son Roger 
 was becoming a capitalist at thirteen. 
 
 Simeon Baldwin Esq r D r to Roger S. Baldwin S D 
 To 4 fowls weighing nine Ib at 6 D per Ib 4 - - 6 
 
 To Cash lent Mama to buy raisins 4 - - o 
 
 Receiv d payment in full December I st 1806 
 
 Roger S. Baldwin 
 Nov r 26, 1806. Paid 
 
48 2 Home Life and Old Age 
 
 As they grew up and left him, he hired more assistance in 
 cultivating the garden, and commonly for much of the time 
 had a regular gardener coming in for a day's work, every 
 now and then, as well as a chore-boy. 
 
 In his office and library were many law books and a modest 
 collection of other literature, among which were to be found, 
 to the joy of his grandchildren, Gil Bias, Trumbull's Mc- 
 Fingal, and some of the Waverley Novels. Part of his law 
 library he sold to his son Roger S. Baldwin in 1837. 
 
 He loved good reading, and as long as his eyesight re 
 mained unimpaired read a great deal. Afterwards came 
 reading aloud to him, in which his grandchildren were glad 
 to have their share. 
 
 He walked on fine days up and down the broad box-lined 
 paths of his garden, which ended in a small orchard, and saw 
 that everything there was receiving proper attention. 
 
 His wife, who was devotedly attached to him, died, at 
 the age of eighty-four, only a year before him. 
 
 Unlike his contemporaries and fellow-townsmen, Chief 
 Justice Daggett, Elizur Goodrich, and Noah Webster, he 
 abandoned the use of short clothes, during the latter period 
 of his life, though he always wore ruffled shirts. 
 
 Mr. Baldwin's oldest daughter, Rebecca, born in 1788, and 
 seven years old when her mother died, outlived him, and 
 never married. 
 
 Three sons and two daughters were the issue of his sec 
 ond marriage. Two of the sons, Simeon and Charles, 
 became merchants in New York City; the third died in 
 infancy. Of the daughters, one lived but a few months. 
 Another (Elizabeth) died unmarried at the age of eighteen, 
 having never been in really good health. 
 
 Neither Simeon nor Charles Baldwin desired a college edu 
 cation. Charles was, from his boyhood, of a highly nervous 
 temperament. At first he was a clerk in the office of his 
 
Home Life and Old Age 483 
 
 brother Simeon, then a broker and commission merchant in 
 New York. They did not always agree as to what he should 
 do or not do. He was irritable and discontented. His 
 father wrote thus of him to his sister Miss Rebecca Baldwin, 
 in July, 1826, when she was keeping house for Simeon, then 
 unmarried, in New York: 
 
 "I believe Ch 8 is capable, but I fear his temper is unyield 
 ing and unaccommodating. No one will or can please if 
 he does not try to please, & I have seen so much of the world 
 & of business as to believe that few who are determined to 
 please & use every endeavor to that end will fail of success." 
 
 It was not long before Charles set up in the same business 
 for himself. His father supplied him with a small capital, 
 which was soon run through. His brother Simeon gave him 
 credit from time to time, to a much more considerable extent, 
 but he did not use it wisely. Finally he failed in business; 
 his health broke down; and his support under medical treat 
 ment away from New Haven was a heavy charge on his 
 father during the rest of the latter's life. 
 
 His son Simeon's original capital consisted of loans from 
 his father on accommodation notes with his indorsement. 
 In 1841, he too, failed in business, but subsequently retrieved 
 his losses, and with the aid of his father paid off those to 
 whom he had been indebted, although he had received a dis 
 charge from the courts. Later, prosperity returned, and he 
 became President of the Jackson Marine Insurance Co. and 
 of the Merchants Exchange Company of New York. 
 
 The health of Colonel Ebenezer Baldwin failed in 1829, 
 and he came back to his father's house to spend his remaining 
 years there, dying in 1837. He was a fine-looking man, 
 of distinct literary attainments, and a favorite in society. 
 His success at the Albany bar had been considerable, but 
 he had laid up nothing. In 1831 he published the "Annals 
 
484 Home Life and Old Age 
 
 of Yale College/' and in 1836 started the issue of the 
 "American Historical Magazine/' which ran for a few num 
 bers and died when he did. 
 
 Col. Ebenezer Baldwin, when living in Albany, did not 
 write home as often as his father would have liked, and the 
 latter once remonstrated thus : 
 
 Simeon Baldwin to Ebenezer Baldwin. 
 
 "New Haven Dec r 3 d 1816 
 My Dear Son 
 
 Neither I nor any one of my family have received a Letter 
 from you since you was here in Sept r - - & yet 
 I remain your affectionate 
 father 
 
 S. Baldwin - 
 Eb r Baldwin Esq r 
 
 Albany - 
 
 PS. 
 
 I had written the above with a determination to send it 
 without writing more - - but on reflection I conclude to add 
 
 The family enjoy usual health." 
 
 "Since you was here the Court of Errors have sat in this 
 Town, there were about 20 Cases on the Docket most of them 
 unimportant. - 
 
 "R. S. B. made his Debut in the first & last cases stated 
 with M r R. M. Sherman & lost them both, he thinks wrong- 
 fully- 
 
 Judge Baldwin's was always a hospitable house. There 
 were few classes graduating at Yale in which he had not 
 some acquaintances, and when they revisited .the College, 
 some of them were apt to drop in there. The practice of 
 New Year's calls prevailed during his later life, and on one 
 New Year's Day (in 1842) they had forty calls. In 1831 he 
 invited the surviving members of his College Class to cele- 
 
Home Life and Old Age 
 
 485 
 
 brate the semi-centennial anniversary of their graduation by 
 dining together at his house, and the gathering was quite a 
 full one. 2 
 
 A New England farmer ordinarily feeds his family partly 
 from what his farm produces and partly from what he gets for 
 so much of those products as he may dispose of by exchange 
 at a neighboring "general store." Not much cash actually 
 passes through his hands. Judge Baldwin, after he retired 
 from the bench, was half a farmer. A large share of his 
 family expenses was met by the products of his house-lot, 
 and the farm which he owned, in right of his wife, in the 
 adjoining town of Hamden. Part he consumed at his own 
 table and part he sold. 
 
 The following entries in his cash-book serve to show what 
 money he received and paid out in the first six months of 1829 
 (which may be taken as an average year). 
 
 171 
 
 1829 D r Cash received 
 Jan y 5 To City Court fees 
 9 To Agur Tomlinson 
 
 on note 12. - 
 
 To N. H. Bank D r on 
 
 ii shares 77. - 
 
 Middletown do 10 
 
 shares 2 7o 
 
 Milford TP. C on 
 
 15 60. 
 
 do for ser 
 vices &c 
 To R. S. B. house 
 
 rent 
 To Patent fees of B. 
 
 Fairchild 
 To D d 2 Wharf 
 shares 
 
 26. 
 
 80. 
 
 8 
 
 1829 Cash paid out C r 
 Jan y 5 By Tub Butter & 
 
 tub 9.37 
 
 7 Byp d Mansor 17.42 
 Coffee i. soap .14 
 Candles 2. 3.14 
 
 gave George for 
 
 mittens .17 
 
 gave change to 
 
 Eb. .75 
 
 Lent Charles 5. - 
 9 By Beef .44, Eels 
 
 20 64 
 
 ii By p d Beriah Brad 
 ley shoe bill 11.88 
 p d for flannel 2 
 
 yards 1.34 
 
 24 
 
 2 A similar dinner was given on a similar occasion, by his son, Roger 
 S. Baldwin, in 1861, and by his grandson Simeon E. Baldwin, in 1911 ; 
 all three taking place in houses on the land purchased by Simeon 
 Baldwin of Dr. Edwards in 1795. 
 
486 
 
 Home Life and Old Age 
 
 27 To Debt of East 
 
 Haven 32. - 
 
 To board &c Greeks 3 61.62 
 
 r 409-83 
 
 1829 
 Feb y D 1 
 
 12 
 
 Cash received 
 
 Int on loan to School 
 
 District 16.56 
 
 To M r Gibbs for 
 
 board 39- 2 3 
 
 45-79 
 To B. B. for wood 4. 
 
 49-79 
 
 12 
 13 
 15 
 
 16 
 
 18 
 
 21 
 24 
 
 26 
 27 
 
 31 
 
 1829 
 Feb y 
 
 1942 
 
 Beef .35 p d Gaston 
 
 Bill 19.07 
 Beef .66 Ind meal 
 
 1.56 2.22 
 
 By p d Abner Wooden 
 
 work &c 7.67 
 
 Beef .8254, Sugar 
 
 & Tea 2 2.82^ 
 
 Tools .45, Cheese .86 
 
 Pork .45 1.76 
 
 Turkey .75, curtain 
 
 wires .40 1.15 
 
 Turkey .54, Beef .52, 
 
 Cid. Bbbl. .75 i .81 
 Ind meal 1.89 .33 2.02 
 Beef .65, Oil & 
 
 Coffee 1.95 
 Fowls .54, Night 
 
 Cap .37 
 
 2.60 
 
 .91 
 
 92.09 
 
 e 
 
 3 Stephen G. Galatti (Yale, Class of 1829) 
 (Yale, Class of 1830). 
 
 Cash paid out 
 
 2 By Clams 25. p d 
 
 Johnson 25. 0.50 
 
 3 By beef 1.27. Clams 
 
 &C23 1.50 
 
 7 By sugar 2. oil 32, 
 
 fowl 25 3.17 
 
 10 By beef .94, (12) 
 
 do i. 06 2. 
 
 12 Byp d . Hull & 
 
 Townsend 36.12 
 
 15 By p d . Stiles for 
 Land in Ham- 
 den 18. 
 By Ch 4. p d 
 
 4. 8. 
 17 By oak logs from 
 
 Mansor 3. 
 
 veal. 50. Mutton 
 
 i. 06. Beef .802.31 
 21 By Ind n meal i. 
 
 Bran 1.14 2.14 
 postages, say I. 
 
 Pantoleon G. Galatti 
 
Home Life and Old Age 
 
 487 
 
 27 
 28 
 
 1829 
 
 Mar. 
 
 9 
 
 15 
 
 20 
 
 D r Cash rec d 
 
 To City O fees. .90 
 
 To Jackson & Tom- 
 
 linson on note 40. 
 
 To J. Carrington P d 
 
 fees & misc. 5. 
 
 To Seeley & Atwater 
 
 A & C y fees 5. 
 
 1829 
 
 Mar. 
 
 2 
 
 50-90 
 
 10 
 
 12 
 13 
 15 
 17 
 
 25 
 26 
 
 29 
 30 
 
 Tea .75. Eggs 
 
 .50 &c .25. 1.50 
 contributions 25 
 
 & 20 & 5 .50 
 
 By Beef .50. Black 
 ing .50 i. 
 By nutwood 3.12^2 
 
 Fowles &c i. 4.12^2 
 
 84.86 
 
 Cash C r 
 
 By Honey i.io. 
 
 Sugar 2. 3.10 
 
 By Gordon's Digest 
 
 8. Taylor's do 
 
 25 8.25 
 
 By Ch y 50, Coffee 
 
 1.50 2. 
 
 By veal .759 Beef 
 
 35. Salt .12 1.22 
 By veal .75, apples 
 
 .62 Cheese 40 i .77 
 By Library Tax 1.50 
 By Clams .21. Butter 
 
 2.30 2.50 
 
 oil .92, postage. 
 
 37^ 
 By L d nutwood of 
 
 Col Warner 
 By pork 56 Beef 
 
 1.24 
 clams .25. postage 
 
 37^ 
 By rice 1.12^. Sugar 
 
 2. Veal 66 3.78*4 
 By Clams 21. Calf 
 
 Head .50 .71 
 
 bought C W 
 
 Lumber 20. 20. 
 
 20. .60 
 
 By cash sent Charles 
 
 in trunk 10. 
 
 By veal .78. Tea .75 1.53 
 By paid Delia for 
 
 21 weeks 21. 
 
 1-30 
 5.50 
 i. 80 
 
 67.19 
 
488 
 
 Home Life and Old Age 
 
 1829 
 
 April D r Cash rec d 
 7 To City C fc fees 
 
 75 
 75 
 
 1829 
 Apl. i 
 
 2.6 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 15 
 18 
 
 20 
 
 25 
 27 
 
 1829 
 May 
 
 D r Cash received 
 7 ToT. Smith for 
 
 board 
 9 To Hicock for his 
 
 Note 
 
 To H & N. H. T P. 
 Div d 
 
 May i 
 4 
 
 10. 
 
 10. 
 
 Cash paid C r 
 
 By postage .65 meal 
 
 1.74 2.39 
 
 By Candles 2.00 
 
 Veal 53. C 25 2.75 
 By Charity .50. 
 
 Blacking 37^ .87^ 
 By Pork, leg .82, 2 
 
 Calf Heads 
 
 .25 1.07 
 
 By meal & B n of 
 
 Gailord 3.08 
 
 By veal 40. Shad 20 .60 
 By Sugar 2. Cheese 
 
 .40 2.40 
 
 Butter i. Honey 
 
 75 175 
 
 By Beef .62 freight 
 
 bill wine &c 
 
 .52. 1.14 
 
 By 2 Shad 37^ p d 
 
 M r D. E. 
 
 Mason 3. 
 IndMeal i. Bg. 
 
 p d Munson 2. 3.39 
 postage 25. 6 
 By painting fence 
 
 1.20. Beef 44 
 By coal 1.50. veal 
 
 40 fish 20. 2.10 
 By i share Turn 
 
 P stock Mil- 
 
 ford 108.00 
 
 .31 
 1.64 
 
 16.25 
 
 134.87 
 
 Cash p d out C* 
 By veal & fish .50 
 
 By postage 25 & 22 .57 
 Tea & Sugar 3. 
 
 Butter i 4. 
 
 p d Sherman John 
 son 4. 
 By veal .35 p d John 
 son i D r 1.35 
 
Home Life and Old Age 
 
 489 
 
 ii 
 
 To my fees of Do as 
 Treas r &c in 
 cluding ex 
 penses 112.09 
 
 To Calf sold to 
 
 Warner 3.75 
 
 To M ra Mack Cash 
 
 lent in 1826 15.00 
 
 167.09 
 
 ii 
 
 12 
 
 18 
 
 20 
 
 22 
 
 24 
 
 25 
 
 1829 D r Cash received 
 June 4 To fees of Painter & 
 
 Eaton i. 
 
 1829 
 Junes 
 
 1.75 
 37^ 
 
 7. 
 
 By expenses to Hart 
 ford & back, Self 
 & Sons say 7.27 
 By veal 40. do 12^2 
 
 Butter i. 
 By veal 40 Butter 
 
 1.30 1.70 
 
 By veal 39. Shad 21 .60 
 By Potatoes to East 
 man 2.00 
 
 to Warner 
 to Taylor, 
 
 Peters 
 
 to Woodin 
 
 By Allen for plow 
 
 ing 
 Pardee & Team 
 
 moving dung 3. 
 By p d Ball for labor 
 2^ days farm 1.75 
 T. Thompson 2 
 
 days i .67^2 
 
 to boys & chil 
 
 dren say .75 
 
 By gave Ch on going 
 to N Y 25. 
 
 By Lamb .40 Lem 
 
 .10 
 By Potatoes of 
 
 Woodin in full 
 By p d Perkins for 
 
 Potatoes 
 do for carting 
 
 dung 
 
 By Cheese .75, G 
 Seed 10, 
 
 .50 
 
 2.10 
 
 8.75 
 
 p d Gaston for wag 
 gon &c 
 
 p d Hart for 23 L 
 Dung 23. 
 
 .85 
 
 102.90 
 
 Cash p d out D r 
 
 By Lamb & veal 3 
 days i. 
 
490 
 
 Home Life and Old Age 
 
 9 To Div d Straits T. P. 
 
 C 10. 
 
 To board of Greeks, 
 
 last term 18.20 
 
 To other advances 
 
 for them 
 
 1 6 To Jn Arnold for 
 
 24 
 
 Patents 
 To fees of S. 
 Andrews 
 
 17.66 
 
 IO.OO 
 
 57.86 
 
 By p d Pardee for 
 Plowing & hoeing 
 corn i 8/3 
 
 Thompson 4/6 3.30 
 5 to 8 By meat 25 .40 .35. i.oo 
 9 By p d Chidsey for 
 
 Charles Boots 7. 
 By Blacking 25 - 
 
 Lamb 25. .50 
 
 ii By raisins 12^ 
 
 Sperm Candles 
 
 60. 
 
 Lamb 25. Lem- 
 mons 25. 
 
 13 
 
 18 
 
 20 
 
 22 
 
 23 
 
 24 
 
 26 
 30 
 
 50 
 .62 
 
 By Peas .37^ Lamb 
 
 25- 
 
 By peas .16. - 
 
 Seeds 10 .26 
 
 By sugar & Tea 3. 
 loaf Sug. & 
 
 lump 2.95 
 
 By market, sev n 
 
 days 1.50 
 
 By tax bible so 
 ciety i. 
 
 By sail on Canal & 
 family 1.85 
 
 By Load Coal, no 
 Bushels 9. 
 
 By veal 30. Lemons 
 
 25 -55 
 
 By meat 56. Peas 
 
 25 Lem 25 i. 06 
 
 By Glass 3.50. Lamb 
 
 18 3-68 
 
 By p d Thompson 
 
 hoeing corn 2.75 
 By fish 28 P 12 .40 
 By meat & peas to 
 
 this day I. 
 
 By carting hay .25 
 
 Jan 5 
 
 Summation for whole year, 1829 
 
 Rec d . paid 
 
 408.83 Jan y . 92.09 
 
 43.89 
 
Home Life and Old Age 49 J 
 
 Feb y . 49.71 Feb y . 84.86 
 
 Mar. 50.90 Mar. 67.19 
 
 509.44 244.14 
 
 Ap. .75 Apl. 134-87 
 167.09 102.90 
 57-86 43-89 
 225.70 281.66 
 
 July 291.34 July 105.49 
 
 22.25 73.30 
 
 74.77 109.97 
 
 - 388.36 - 288.71 
 
 Oct r 91.24 96.11 
 
 82.60 140.42 
 
 12.56 72-51 
 
 186.40 309-04 
 
 1309-90 1123-55 
 
 200. lent Eb n 
 
 I323-55 
 
 Judge Baldwin always took a warm interest in matters 
 of religion and in the maintenance of the Christian church. 
 He was regular in his attendance on public worship, and kept 
 up the institution of family prayers and "grace before meat" 
 in his household. He was repeatedly placed on important 
 committees of the "North church" (since become the United 
 Church), with which he was connected, and the ecclesiastical 
 society which supported it. It was through him that the calls 
 to the pastorate were generally extended and by him that 
 plans of financial support were matured and put in proper 
 form. 
 
 The creed of the church was hyper-Calvinistic. He 
 became a member of it by profession of his faith when in the 
 seventieth year of his age, and it was at the urgent solicita 
 tion of its pastor. Many years before, his wife wrote him, 
 while in Washington (in November, 1804), of the probabil- 
 
49 2 Home Life and Old Age 
 
 ity of raising a fund for the support of the church in New 
 Haven which they attended, then about to pass under the 
 charge of Rev. Samuel Merwin (Yale, Class of 1802), and 
 also of her purpose to become a communicant in it, and he 
 replied thus : 
 
 "Washington, Dec r gth, 1804. 
 My dear 
 
 I am happy to acknowledge the rec* of yours of the 2d & 
 the latter part of that of the 27th. I am pleased that the 
 prospect is so flattering respecting the settlement of Mr. 
 Merwin. I hope the fund will form a Basis of more per 
 manent union than we have hitherto experienced in that Soc y . 
 
 I have no doubt of the beneficial influence which a regular 
 clergy & religious institutions have both on Society & private 
 families, if I needed anything to convince me of this, more 
 than my early & habitual conviction of its truth, I should 
 at once be confirmed by the contrast between this country & 
 our own. No doubt that with us more attention is paid to 
 these subjects, than otherwise would be, because fashion & 
 habit sanction them, at least the outward forms, but I have 
 doubt that much good arises from these habits & this fashion, 
 notwithstanding it may sometimes be the vail of Hypocrisy. 
 Of this, that is, Hypocrisy, I am sure there is but little occa 
 sion here, that is among the citizens - - few indeed attend 
 meetings and none are blamed for their absence - - of course 
 generally the few who do attend, which indeed are mostly 
 women, are unusually serious & devout. - And as still less 
 attention is paid to this subject as you go farther South & 
 more especially in the thinly settled parts of the Country, - 
 were the Institutions of human origin, I should calculate 
 they must inevitably run out and come to naught. - 
 
 I highly approve of the intentions of your sisters, & of 
 your own serious reflections. I have thought much on that 
 subject myself & nothing but the difficulty of solving some 
 of those nice questions in Theology, which I am more & 
 more persuaded have nothing to do with morals or piety, 
 has hitherto prevented me. I hope you will encourage your 
 own reflections & be enabled by divine assistance to remove 
 
Home Life and Old Age 493 
 
 the difficulties which have hitherto prevented you from mak 
 ing those professions which it is doubtless the Duty of us all 
 to make. 
 
 I would write more but it is time to close the mail 
 
 I am with sincere affection 
 
 faithfully yours 
 
 Simeon Baldwin 
 M re Eliza. Baldwin" 
 
 In her reply she writes : 
 
 "It affords me much happiness that the fascinating Influ 
 ence of fashionable dissipation - - does not weaken your 
 attachment to steady Habits & good principles & that you 
 still relish & approve of attention to things of serious & 
 eternal concern - I hope we may realize much satisfaction 
 in future conversations on these subjects, & in united 
 endeavors to educate our children to future usefulness 
 nice questions & speculative opinions in Theology I believe 
 have bewildered many & I think with you that they have 
 nothing to do with morals or piety." 
 
 Judge Baldwin, as an old man, was of a dignified car 
 riage, rather stately, and distinctly venerable. He was a 
 little less than six feet in height, and well proportioned. 
 His bearing was erect and his step firm, though growing 
 slower, until his last illness. 
 
 When he was over eighty, a spot appeared beneath his 
 right eye, which afterwards developed into a spreading 
 cancer. In a few years it reached the eye, over which he 
 afterwards wore a silk blind. 
 
 Early in May, 1851, at the age of eighty-nine, he was 
 seized by erysipelas. At that period it was common in 
 Congregational churches for the family of those dangerously 
 ill to request the church to offer prayers in their behalf. 
 Shortly after this attack by a new disease, and when he was 
 
494 Home Life and Old Age 
 
 obviously failing fast, he dictated the following notice to 
 be read in church : 
 
 "The prayers of this church are asked for Simeon Bald 
 win, not that his life may be prolonged, but that he might 
 have increased faith and a peaceful passage into heavenly 
 rest." 
 
 On May 26 the end came, and on May 28 the funeral took 
 place from the North Church, the pastor, Rev. S. W. S. 
 Button, D.D., giving an address which was subsequently 
 published under the title, "A Sketch of the Life and Char 
 acter of Hon. Simeon Baldwin." 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 SUMMATION 
 
 Biography is a narrative and a judgment. Psychography 
 (to use a word which has received a new vogue by its use 
 in Bradford's "Naturalist of Souls'") is a judgment without 
 a narrative or, at least, with the least possible of narrative. 
 This book is strictly a biography. It is an attempt to portray 
 the character of a particular individual, and to present him 
 in his relation to his surroundings. The environment of 
 any man is largely his creator. It must always be of more 
 interest than he. His achievements and his failures cannot 
 be justly measured without first taking into account what 
 it was. 
 
 This book has been written by one of the descendants of 
 Simeon Baldwin, and primarily for the information of all of 
 them. It is a record of facts from which any one can form 
 his own conclusions. The biographer has formed his, and 
 among them this: that his grandfather was not a great 
 scholar, a great lawyer, a great statesman, or a great judge. 
 In every line of action which he undertook to pursue he out 
 distanced mediocrity; but nowhere did he attain the highest 
 rank. 
 
 It would have been almost an impertinence to make his life, 
 nearly a hundred years after its close, the subject of a book, 
 had he not left a collection of papers which both mirrored 
 his character and threw a strong light on the times in which 
 he lived. He kept most of the letters which he received, 
 and copies of most of those he wrote. He kept his lawyer's 
 briefs and judge's notes. Whoever has read the previous 
 chapters has noticed how many other papers of various 
 kinds his care preserved. 
 
49^ Summation 
 
 His character is best shown by his correspondence. We 
 can judge of a man from the letters which he receives, almost 
 as well as from those which he writes. Noscitur a sociis. 
 
 Very few of Simeon Baldwin's letters were written with 
 a view of publication. He had no thought of laying founda 
 tions for a future biography, or for any historical inquiry 
 into the features of his times. 
 
 A close student of American literature 1 has said that "the 
 United States has not been rich in self-written history." 
 Nor is what now exists of that character in a country so new 
 as likely to be trustworthy as if it had been the product of 
 to-day. In its nature, it may not unfairly be said that what 
 is self-written, and written as a work of history, cannot be 
 true. No man knows himself. No man fully knows the 
 characteristics of his times. No man can have that knowl 
 edge of the facts, attending his life, which, if they were of 
 public concern, all men may have, two or three generations 
 afterwards. The biography is rare that has not something 
 in it which serves to modify statements in preceding biog 
 raphies. 
 
 There are a few turning points in every life. Those in 
 Simeon Baldwin's were the decision not to remain in Albany, 
 with a view of studying and practicing law there ; his declin 
 ing a nomination for reelection to Congress ; his acceptance 
 of a seat on the bench; and the downfall of the Federalist 
 party. 
 
 In all probability he would have secured a larger practice 
 at the Albany bar, had he chosen in 1782 to remain there; 
 he would have gained more political prominence, had he gone 
 back to Washington in 1805 ; and he would have remained 
 on the bench until he reached the age of seventy, had the 
 Democrats not controlled the legislature in 1818. 
 
 1 Worthington C. Ford. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Adams, John Quincy, charges of con 
 templated secession, 337 ; dines with 
 Jefferson, 445; attacks on courts, 
 453; ranked as a Democrat, 454 
 
 African Society, The, 313-317 
 
 Agriculture, promotion of, 320-322 
 
 Albany, academy, 86; description of 
 place, 87; watchmen, 95; freshet 
 at, 125-127; map of, 177 
 
 Almshouses, 323 
 
 Alston, Willis, Jr., 346 
 
 America, forecast of the future, 205; 
 ideals, 271 
 
 American Historical Magazine, 484 
 
 Anarchiad, The, 395 
 
 Andover, Theological Seminary, 470 
 
 Anti-Federalists, 393 
 
 Arms, promoting manufacture of, 428- 
 430 
 
 Armstrong, Gen. John, 449-451 
 
 Army of the U. S. in 1793, 4 ; 405 ; 407 ; 
 reducing, 415; sneered at by Ran 
 dolph, 416; standing, 389, 415 
 
 Assistants, Governor's Council, and 
 Supreme Court, 353; primary elec 
 tions, 353, 354; Federalist control, 
 361 
 
 Atwater, Rev. Noah, 22, 57 
 
 Augur, Hezekiah, 472 
 
 Austin, Rev. David, 54 
 
 Autobiographies, 496 
 
 Backus, Rev. Charles, 4, 315, 384-386 
 Mrs. Esther, 4, 87 
 Oliver, 4 
 
 Bacon, Lord, on letter writing, 384 
 
 Baker, on Learning, 129 
 
 Baldwin, Mrs. Bethiah, i, 4 
 Miss Bethiah, 4, Ride to Danbury, 5 
 Charles, 482, 483 
 David, 7 
 Dorothea, 7 
 
 Captain Ebenezer, i ; descent and 
 character, 10; youth, 13; local of 
 fices, 13, 14, 15 ; his Norwich home, 
 14; investments, 14; estate, 16; 
 owned a slave, 16; letter from, 86; 
 blindness, 144 
 
 Col. Ebenezer, 366, 480, 483, 484; ap 
 pointed surrogate, 468; recorder, 
 480 
 Ebenezer of Yonkers, 7 
 
 Rev. Ebenezer, i ; army chaplain, 3 ; 
 biography, 369 
 
 Edward, of Sussex, 10 
 
 Miss Elizabeth, 482 
 
 John, 10; emigration here, and local 
 offices, ii, 12 
 
 John, Jr., 12 
 
 Mary, 3, 7, 47, 244 
 
 Oliver, 7, 14 
 
 Miss Rebecca, 471, 479, 482 
 
 Governor Roger S., 2, 365, 480, 481, 
 484 
 
 Simeon, ancestry, i ; boyhood, i ; 
 school days, 3 ; family surroundings, 
 3, 6; at Yale, 18; studies Hebrew, 
 19; tutor at Yale, 180; skirmish at 
 Neck Bridge, 58; a resident gradu 
 ate at Yale, 76; and schoolmaster, 
 76 ; schoolmaster at Albany, 86 ; and 
 read law, 92, 93 ; nom de plume, 
 Adolphus, 50; private tutor, 279; 
 City Clerk, 280; earnings, 280, 284, 
 476; Clerk of District Court, 280; 
 farm in Hamden, 479, 485 ; death of 
 wife, 480 ; second marriage, 480, 
 482; property owned, 281, 284, 371- 
 374, 476 ; buys a house, 281 ; active in 
 politics, 290 ; in Congress, 328 ; on the 
 bench, 353; dress, style of, 351, 482; 
 a slave-holder, 7, 313; household 
 establishment, 476 ; cash in and cash 
 out, 485-491 ; house, 480, 481 ; li 
 brary, 482; interest in religion, 492; 
 mayor, 310; legal practice after 
 1818, 363 ; patent solicitor, 363 ; of 
 fice seeking, 366; church connec 
 tions, 491-494 ; death, 494 
 
 Letters to Simeon Baldwin from 
 Tutor Noah Atwater, 58; Rev. 
 Charles Backus, 315 ; Bethiah Bald 
 win, 242; Dorothea Baldwin, 7; 
 Capt. Ebenezer Baldwin, 86; Mrs. 
 Elizabeth Baldwin, 480, 493 ; Mrs. 
 Esther Baldwin, 87; Mary Baldwin, 
 8, 29; Simeon Breed, 254; Miss 
 Betsey Bushnell, 36, 38; Henry 
 Channing, 239; Jabez Colton, 442; 
 Simeon Colton, 56; David Daggett, 
 436, 441 ; 444, 461, 463 ; Miss Nancy 
 Dibble, 40; Pierpont Edwards, 448; 
 Calvin Goddard, 331, 363 ; Elizur 
 
498 
 
 Index 
 
 Goodrich, 181, 182, 413-416, 417-435, 
 455, 458, 473; Dr. John Goodrich, 
 245; Stanley Griswold, 272, 402; 
 Prince B. Hall, 402; Robert Henry, 
 Jr., 187; James Hillhouse, 412, 413, 
 424, 430, 435, 436, 437, 448, 453-455 ; 
 George Hough, 49-54, 81, 82; Ben 
 jamin Isaacs, 54-56, 78, 79; James 
 Kent, 2, 154, 158-160, 162, 168, 233, 
 236, 243, 246, 392, 394; Rev. Justus 
 Mitchell, 352 ; Enoch Perkins, 82-85, 
 151-154, 395 ; Hon. Timothy Pitkin, 
 444-447, 449-452; Chief Justice 
 Reeve, 358; Senator Truman Smith, 
 474; Rev. Dr. Sprague, 369; Dr. 
 josiah Strong, 404, 408; Col. Ben 
 jamin Tallmadge, 440, 447; Dirck 
 Ten Broeck, 271 ; Uriah Tracy, 411 ; 
 Noah Webster, 333, 351 ; Freder 
 ick Wolcott, 466; Miss Lois Wood, 
 
 44 
 
 Letters from Simeon Baldwin, to 
 Tutor Atwater, 57; Rev. Charles 
 Backus, 384-386; Bethiah Baldwin, 
 231, 245; Dorothea Baldwin, 8; 
 Capt. and Mrs. Ebenezer Baldwin, 
 232; Col. Ebenezer Baldwin, 458, 
 465, 467, 470, 484; Mrs. Elizabeth 
 S. Baldwin, 329, 332, 340, 342-344, 
 345-350, 357, 468, 477, 492; Rebecca 
 Baldwin, 479, 483; Roger S. Bald 
 win, 341 ; Miss Betsey Bushnell, 35, 
 37, 39; David Daggett, 342; Eph- 
 raim Fenno, 276; Elizur Goodrich, 
 440; James Gould, 338; Benjamin 
 Isaacs, 77, 78, 241 ; Isaac Jones, 443 ; 
 James Kent, 160, 171, 172, 392; Wil 
 liam Kent, 20; Judge Lewis, 438; 
 John Lovett, 461 ; Jared Mansfield, 
 438; Solomon Porter, 34, 35; Chief 
 Justice Reeve, 360; Miss Betsey 
 Sherman, 251 ; Rebecca Sherman, 
 91, 255, 257, 260, 263; Roger Sher 
 man, 403 ; Samuel & Peter Talman, 
 282; General Ten Broeck, 268; 
 Uriah Tracy, 410; Rev. J. H. 
 Turner, 464 ; Miss Lois Wood, 42- 
 44, 45, 46 
 
 Baldwin, Simeon, Jr., 347, 482, 483 
 Sylvester, n 
 Thomas, 10, 12 
 
 Balls, 6, 77, 108, 130, 132, 189; Com 
 mencement, 204; Election, 202; 
 Ordination, 203 
 
 Bankrupt Act, 329, 417 
 
 Banks, New Haven, 371, 374; Eagle, 
 374, 375, 476 
 
 Baptists, 465 
 
 Bar, of Conn., 267, 395; of S. C, 391; 
 
 of R. I., 414 
 Barker, John, I 
 
 Rev. Nehemiah, i 
 Barlow, Hon. Joel, 74 
 Bartholomew, Phineas, 116 
 Bayard, R. Williams, 415 
 Bean Hill, 14 
 Beardsley, Dr., 188 
 Beecher, Rev. Thomas K., 47 
 Beers, Hon. Isaac, 202 
 
 Miss Elizabeth, 202, 234 
 
 Miss Sally, 202 
 Benham, Silas, 30 
 Bennington, Vt, mails to, 87; battle of, 
 
 92 
 
 Benson, Hon. Egbert, 432 
 Bidwell, Hon. Barnabas, 445 
 Biography, office of, 495 
 Birchard, Hannah, 10 
 Bird, Rev. Samuel, 201 
 Bishop, Abraham, 294, 361, 366, 441, 471 
 
 Samuel, 294 
 Boarders, 277, 281, 476 
 Bonaparte, Mrs. Jerome, 345 
 Boston, 220, 471 
 Bozrah, 14, 15, 29, 144 
 Branding criminals, 103 
 Breed, Simeon, 254 
 Brister, old, 30 
 Bristo, 7, 313 
 
 Brothers in Unity, 24, 66, 78 
 Brown University, 218 
 Browne, Samuel, 230 
 
 Miss Betsy, 230 
 Buck, Josiah, 143 
 Buckminster, Mrs. Joseph, 224 
 Bunker Hill, 2 
 
 Burr, Col. Aaron, 94; contest for the 
 Presidency, 423-428; plots of, 453 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Sherman, 480 
 Bushnell, Miss Betsey, 35-40 
 Canals, Farmington, 376-383; city aid 
 
 to, 378-391 
 Carter, William, 436 
 Cass, Gen. Lewis, 473 
 Caucus, 300, 435, 454, 466 
 Channing, Rev. Henry, 152; character 
 of, 234, 265 ; estrangement from, 
 
 469 
 
 Chase, Justice Samuel, impeachment of, 
 348-350, 438, 443, 444 
 
 Chauncey, Hon. Charles, as a law- 
 teacher, 85, 275; elected judge, 400 
 
 Checkley, Mrs. Mary, 150 
 
 Chelsea, 10 
 
 Cherokees, 327 
 
 Chesterfield's Letters, 5, 98, 248 
 
Index 
 
 499 
 
 Christmas, Merry, 18 
 
 Cincinnati in 1794, 407 
 
 Civil Law, admiralty pleadings, 403 
 
 Clinton, Gov. DeWitt, 460, 468, 480 
 Gov. George, 394 
 
 Cloverack, 124, 128, 178 
 
 Clubs, Moot Court Club, 274; Friendly 
 Society, 282 
 
 Cochran, Col., 103, 124 
 Dr., in 
 
 Cohoes, Falls at, 96 
 
 Colonization Society, 317 
 
 Colton, Jabez, 7, 9, 201, 442 
 Rev. Simeon, 7, 230 
 
 Comet of 1784, 191 
 
 Common-place book, 270 
 
 Common and Undivided Lands, 325 
 
 Comstock, Miss Patty, 187, 200 
 
 Confederation, Articles of, 287, 385 
 
 Congress, of the confederation, election 
 of representatives in the, 63; com 
 mittees of, 419; of the U. S., under 
 the U S. Constitution, 332 
 
 Connecticut, Peters' History, 191 ; desire 
 for a Constitution, 441, 442; fram 
 ing a constitution for, in 1818, 297, 
 
 302, 465 ; opposition to its ratifica 
 tion, 303, 467; system of taxation, 
 304; few rich men in, 345; change 
 of judicial system, 353; over-popu 
 lated, 394 ; manufactures, 394 ; legis 
 lative action on the Embargo, 455 
 
 Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sci 
 ences, 318 
 
 Connecticut Society for the Promotion 
 of Good Morals, 319 
 
 Constitution of Connecticut, before 1818, 
 386, 441, 442; framing of in 1818, 
 297, 302, 465 ; opposing ratification, 
 
 303, 467 
 
 Constitution of the United States, 288, 
 
 293 ; Twelfth Amendment, 334-337 
 Convention of 1787, 390; ratification 
 
 considered probable, 392; implied 
 
 powers of self-preservation, 428 
 Continental money, 58 
 Copyrights, 333 
 Corporations, growth of after 1789, 371 ; 
 
 investments in, 371 
 Courant, Connecticut, 2, 291 
 Courts, Supreme Court of the U. S., 408 ; 
 
 Superior Court of Conn., 353 ; 
 
 Supreme Court of Errors, 355 ; U. S. 
 
 District and Circuit Courts, clerk's 
 
 office, 404 
 Coxsackie, 124 
 Crisis, "The," 302 
 Crocker, Daniel, 118 
 
 Culver, Benjamin, 7 
 
 Daggett, Hon. David, 243, 267, 294, 369, 
 
 436, 441, 463 
 Rev. Napthali, 18, 23 
 
 Danbury, 2 
 
 Dancing, 4, 48, 77, 78 
 
 Day, Thomas, 355 
 
 Deaf and Dumb, education of, 319 
 
 Deane, Hannah, 143 
 Sarah, i 
 Silas, i 
 
 Dearborn, Gen., 458 
 
 Death, Drelincourt on, 128 
 
 Denison, Charles, 285, 463 
 
 Derby Fishing Co., 374 
 
 Dexter, Hon. Samuel, 426 
 
 Dibble, Miss Nancy, 40, 41, 46 
 
 Dinner parties, at the White House, 344 
 
 District of Columbia, 330 
 
 Divinity, student of, 240 
 
 Drinking, social, 88, 120 
 
 Dress, a man's wardrobe in 1805 
 
 Duer, Col. Wm., 93 
 
 Duelling, 346 
 
 Dutch, population in Albany, 88 ; man 
 ners, 92; funerals, 95 
 
 Dwight, President Timothy, 23, 463 
 
 Dyckman, Miss Katy, 124, 137 
 
 Dyer, Col. Eliphalet, 400 
 
 Eagle Bank, 374, 375 
 
 Easter, 138 
 
 Eaton, Gen. Wm., 446 
 
 Edwards, Judge Pierpont, 267, 441, 448, 
 449, 453 J income from practice, 279 
 
 Egremont, 178 
 
 Election campaigns, management of, 290; 
 mode of nomination at primaries, 
 299, 300, 343 
 
 Election dinners, 315 
 
 Elective franchise, 300 
 
 Ellery, Hon. William, 82 
 Mrs. William, 83 
 
 Ellsworth, Chief Justice Oliver, bust of, 
 472 
 
 Embargo, 453 
 
 Engagement of marriage, 244 
 
 Episcopalians, 463, 466 
 
 Evarts, Jeremiah, 470, 477 
 
 Farm, 483 
 
 Farmington Canal, 376-383 
 
 Federalist party, members keep aloof 
 from Democrats, 343 ; strength, in 
 Conn., 361, 393 ; in N. Y., 459 
 
 Fitch, Asa, 50, 144 
 
 Florida purchase, 451 
 
 Floyd, Miss P., 106 
 
 Fort Washington, 406, 407 
 
 Foster, Hon. Dwight, 419 
 
500 
 
 Index 
 
 Fourth of July, in 1789, oration, 287 
 
 France, alliance with, 60; hostilities, in 
 1798, 412; special missions to, 413, 
 418; treaty with, 424, 425, 426 
 
 French language studied, 202 
 revolution, 418 
 
 Funerals, Dutch, 95 
 New Haven, 200 
 
 Gallatin, Albert, 415, 446 
 
 Games, Whackets, 100; all-cheese-romp- 
 ing-dance, 100; cards, 118, 123; 
 chess, 118 
 
 Genet, Citizen, 411 
 
 Georgia land speculations, 422, 441 
 
 Georgetown, D. C, 345 
 
 Gibbs, Henry, 222 
 Mrs. Henry, 222 
 
 Giles, Senator Wm. B., 462 
 
 Goddard, Hon. Calvin, 331, 363 
 
 Goodhue, Mrs. Stephen, 222 
 
 Goodrich, Elizur, 145, 181, 294; corre 
 spondence with, 413, 415, 417-428, 
 429-435, 458; letter to David Dag- 
 gett, 416; Collector of Port of New 
 Haven, 432, 434; removal, 440 
 Dr. John, 145, 183 
 
 Goshen, 89, 142 
 
 Gould, Dr. Wm., Jr., 194 
 
 Governor, functions of a Connecticut, 
 290 
 
 Graham, T. V., 135 
 
 Greene, Governor Wm., 209 
 Miss Celia, 209, 210 
 
 Greenwich, 209 
 
 Greenwoods, 179 
 
 Griswold, Senator Stanley, 273, 402 
 Hon. Roger, 332 
 
 Hall, Prince B., 402, 485 
 
 Hamden, farm in, 485 
 
 Hartford Convention, 363 
 
 Harvard, in 1777, 26, 27, 153; visit to, 
 221, 456 
 
 Hillhouse, Senator James, 284, 338; in 
 terest in turnpikes, 372; corre 
 spondence with, 412, 413, 424, 430, 
 435-437, 445, 448, 450, 453-455 ; con 
 fidences with, 463 ; re-election, 469 
 
 Hinkly, Miss Lois, 9 
 
 Hitchcock, Hon. Samuel, 432 
 
 Hogoboom, Miss P., no 
 
 Holmes, Tutor Abiel, 264 
 
 Honywood, St. John, 25, 141 
 
 Hopkins Grammar School, 318 
 
 Horseback rides, 89, 208, 479 
 
 Horse races, 135, 340-342 
 
 Horsford, Miss Polly, 143 
 
 Hospital, New Haven, 325 
 
 Hough, George, 49-54, 81, 82 
 
 Impeachment, of Mr. Justice Chase, 348- 
 350, 438; of Judge Pickering, 440; 
 of five Conn, justices of the peace, 
 441, 442 
 
 Inoculation, for small pox, no 
 Insurance companies, 372, 374, 376 
 Intoxicating liquors, Temperance move 
 ments, 325-327 
 Iredell, Justice, correspondence with, 
 
 409, 410 
 
 Isaacs, Benjamin, 52, 54-56, 165 
 Jackson, President Andrew, appoint 
 ments to office, 366 
 Jay's treaty, 409, 410 
 Jefferson, Thomas, revision of draft 
 statute as to marshal's bonds, 340; 
 the election for his first term, 423, 
 
 434 
 
 Johnson, Peter, 31 
 
 Judd, Major Wm., 441 
 
 Judges, abolition of office, 435; qualifi 
 cations for U. S. Supreme Court, 
 
 474 
 
 Judiciary, Connecticut system of appoint 
 ment, 299 
 
 Judiciary Act of Congress, defects in, 
 410; abolition of Circuit Judge- 
 ships, 435 
 
 Kent, Chancellor James, i, 79; corre 
 spondence with letters from J. K. 
 to S. B., 2, 154, 158-160, 162, 168, 
 204, 233, 236, 243, 246, 394; letters 
 J. K. from S. B., 156, 160, 166, 171, 
 172 
 
 King, Rufus, 468 
 
 Kissing, 143, 211 
 
 Knapp, Deacon, 2 
 
 Langdon, Hon. John, 224 
 
 Lansing, A., 135 
 Miss Gitty, 136 
 Mrs. P., 137 
 Miss Sally, 103, 104, no, 120, 141 
 
 LaFayette, Welcome to Boston in 1784, 
 228 
 
 Lathrop, Ezra, 4 
 
 Simeon, 49 
 i, C( 
 226 
 
 LaTombe, Consul Joseph Philippe, 220, 
 
 Lawful money, 15 
 
 Lay, Abigail, 12 
 
 Legal education, 243, 266; in offices, 95, 
 
 275, 277, 278 
 Legal practice, in South Carolina in 
 
 1786, 391 
 Legionville, 405 
 
 Legislature, composition of, 301 
 Letters, importance of in judging a 
 
 man's character, 384, 496 
 
Index 
 
 SGI 
 
 Libraries, Subscription, 319 
 
 Light, reflection of, 136 
 
 Linonian Society, 24 
 
 Litchfield, 89 
 
 Louisiana purchase, 452 
 
 Lovett, Hon. John, 86, 88, 477 
 
 Lyman, Major, 152 
 
 Lynn, 222 
 
 Madison, President, French policy, 411 
 
 Mail, irregularity of, 38, 42, 51, 87; 
 danger of thefts from, 424; post 
 riders, 87 
 
 Manning, President, 216 
 
 Mansfield, Col. Jared, 438 
 
 Marblehead, 222 
 
 Marshal, bond of, 339 
 
 Marshall, Chief Justice, 418 
 
 Mason, Jeremiah, 277 
 
 Massachusetts, politics in 1804, 443 
 
 Mead houses, 174 
 
 Medford, 222 
 
 Meigs, Josiah, 151 
 Mrs. Josiah, 151 
 
 Merry, British minister, 343 
 
 Merwin, Rev. Samuel, 492 
 
 Messes at Washington, 343, 345 
 
 Militia, 458; Irish companies, 474 
 
 Ministerialists, The, 436 
 
 Miranda, 450 
 
 Mitchell, Rev. Justus, 352, 476 
 Chief Justice, 332 
 
 Mohegan, 144 
 
 Monarchy, in the U. S., 387 
 
 Money, Continental, 58 
 Lawful, 15 
 
 Montague, History of Miss Emily, 127, 
 129 
 
 Morse, Jedidiah, 87, 259, 265 
 
 Moseley, Wm., 279 
 
 Moyse, Dr., 217, 234 
 
 Naturalist of Souls, 495 
 
 Neutrality, 445 
 
 Newburyport, 223, 225 
 
 Newell, Rev. Samuel, 179 
 
 New England Confederacy, 337-339 
 
 Newent, 208 
 
 New Haven, harbor frozen, 192; first 
 City meeting, 193; prospects for 
 law business, 268; trade of, 268- 
 270; list of slaves in, in 1790, 312; 
 The African Improvement Society 
 in, 318; subscription libraries in, 
 319; new cemetery in 1797, 320, 412; 
 Horticultural Society, 322; Green, 
 463 ; churches on the Green, 464 ; 
 banks, 371, 374, 375 ; insurance com 
 panies, 372, 374, 376 ; savings banks, 
 375 ; Farmington Canal, 378-383 
 
 New Haven County Agricultural So 
 ciety, 320 
 
 New Haven County Temperance So 
 ciety, 326 
 
 New Milford, 2 
 
 Newport, 211, 414 
 
 New Year's Day, Presidential Recep 
 tion, 445 ; calls, 484 
 
 Nicholas, Senator, 415 
 
 Nichols, Col., 99 
 
 Niles, Senator John M., 473 
 
 Nobletown, 90, 142 
 
 Norfolk, 90 
 
 North Haven, 199 
 
 Northwestern Territory, 421 
 
 Norwich town, 9; Bean Hill, 10; Chel 
 sea, 10 
 
 Office, appointments to, 316, 437; re 
 movals from, 294, 434, 438-440 
 
 Oneida Indians, 137 
 
 Oregon, boundaries, 474 
 
 Organs, church, 93, 214 
 
 Party, spirit, 343, 436; names, 436, 440, 
 
 445 
 
 Patent solicitor, 332, 383, 404 
 Patterson, Justice, 430 
 Pauperism, 323 
 Pause, 138 
 Pawtuxet, 219 
 Payne, George, 10 
 Peabody, Captain, 9 
 Peace, project of, 64; celebration of in 
 
 1783, 138, 147-149 
 
 Perkins, Enoch, a teacher at Newport, 
 80 ; correspondence with, 82, 85, 151, 
 400, 401 ; visit from, 195 ; visit to, 
 228; character of, 234 
 Pettibone, D., 401 
 Peyster, De, Miss Nancy, 133 
 Phelps, Noah, 401 
 
 Phi Beta Kappa, 62, 120, 145, 150, 286 
 Pickering, Judge John, 440 
 
 John, Jr., 456 
 
 Timothy, 337 
 Picnic, 145 
 Pierpont, John, 30 
 Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth, 423 
 Pitkin, Rev. Timothy, 43 
 
 Hon. Timothy, 249, 444-447, 466, 477 
 
 Miss Betsey, 143 
 
 Miss Anna, 143, 250, 349 
 
 Judge, 400 
 Plainfield, 208, 250 
 Polk, President, 475 
 Porter, Solomon, 34, 69 
 Portsmouth, 225 
 Prayers, College, 184 
 
502 
 
 Index 
 
 Precedence, official, at College chapel, 
 151 ; at White House, 343 
 
 Presentation Day at Yale, 202 
 
 President of the United States, mode of 
 election, 423-428, 431 
 
 Primaries, Conn, system of, 299, 300, 353 
 
 Protective Tariff, 475 
 
 Providence, R. L, Appearance of, 316; 
 Lawyers in, 414 
 
 Psychography, 495 
 
 Putnam, Gen. Rufus, 438 
 
 Raggamuffions, 416 
 
 Railroads, unfriendly to, 367 
 
 Randolph, John of Roanoke, 346, 349, 
 416, 449, 45i, 452 
 
 Reeve, Judge Tapping, 295, 358-360 
 
 Religion, revivals of, 465 
 
 Revolutionary War, Bunker Hill, 2; 
 French troops at Lebanon, 5 ; Yale, 
 during, 21; enlistments slow, 29; 
 enlisting slaves, 30; surrender of 
 Cornwallis, 80; celebration in honor 
 of, 81 ; Final Peace, 134; celebra 
 tion of, 135, 147-149 
 
 Richards, Guy, 286 
 
 Robbins, Hon. Asher, 79 
 
 Rogers, Miss Sally, 144 
 
 Rossiter, Sheriff Nathaniel, 437 
 
 Roxbury, Mass., 220 
 
 Russell, Matthew T., 206 
 Samuel, 79 
 
 Russia, mediation of, 461 
 
 Sabbatarianism, 91, 97, 241 
 
 St. Domingo, 447, 448 
 
 St. Memin, portrait by, 351 
 
 Saint Patrick's day, 134 
 
 Saratoga, 122 
 
 Savings Banks, 375 
 
 Schenectady, 121 
 
 Schuyler, Major, 94, 96, 100 
 General, 122 
 Miss Peggy, 122 
 
 Schuyler's Tavern, Albany, 100 
 
 Secession, 337 
 
 Senate, U. S., a permanent body, 427 
 
 Seneca, 95 
 
 Sessions, Lt. Gov. Darius, 218 
 
 Shays' Rebellion, 273, 386, 389 
 
 Sheffield, 178 
 Miss Lucy, 210, 211 
 
 Sherman, Miss Betsey, 235, 249, 251 
 Rev. Josiah, 89 
 
 Miss Rebecca, 9, 85, 146, 151, 152, 184, 
 188, 189, 191, 198, 199, 201, 203, 240 
 Hon. Roger, 26, 85, 193, 278; writes 
 Judge Law, 280 ; had a frugal house 
 hold, 478; his children help to pay 
 the expenses, 478; character, 408 
 
 Roger, Jr., 279 
 Roger Minot, 285 
 Silliman, Gold S., 413 
 Slavery, 16, 289, 311; list of slaves in 
 
 New Haven in 1790, 312, 313 ; Slave 
 
 trade, 314 
 
 Smallpox, inoculation for, no, 201 
 Smith, Senator John, 453 
 
 Senator Truman, 474 
 Society, polite, customs of, balls, 6, 88, 
 
 120, 202-204; accepting a kiss, 55, 
 
 77, 143, 21 1 ; drinking, 325-327; 
 
 ladies' dress, 345 
 Somers, 9 
 Sprague, Annals of Congregational 
 
 Ministers, 369 
 Springfield, 201 
 Steele, Gen. John, 426 
 Stenographers, 441 
 Sterling, Gen. Wm. A., 121 
 Sterne, 115, 123, 256 
 Steuben, petition of Gen. von, 294 
 Stewart, Commodore, 473 
 Stiles, President Ezra, 19, 26; Calvin 
 ism, 31, 32; learning, 233, 271 
 Mrs. Ezra, 150 
 Miss Ruth, 47 
 The Misses, 151 
 Storrs, Rev. Andrew, 143 
 Strong, Dr. Joseph, 404-408 
 Sturges, Hon. Lewis B., 432 
 Suffield, 443 
 
 Suffrage, universal, 469, 471 
 Sunday, observance of, 91, 97; elections 
 
 on, 97 
 
 Suppaun, 113 
 
 Swift, Chief Justice, 357, 469, 478 
 Tallmadge, Col. Benjamin, 440, 447 
 Taxation, Conn, system of, 303 ; based 
 
 on income, 304; and polls, 306 
 Temperance movement, 325 
 Ten Broeck, General Abraham, 92 
 C, 108, 109, no, 136 
 Sheriff, 124 
 
 Territories of the U. S. in 1800, 422 
 Texas Question, The, 473 
 Thanksgiving Day, 112, 188 
 Theatricals, private, 105, 113 
 Theology, 49* -493 
 Threyh, John, 29 
 Throop, Miss Sally, 9 
 Tisdale School at Lebanon, 27 
 Toleration party, prevails in Conn., 36; 
 
 its founder, 449 
 Tolland County, 242 
 Tracy, Hon. Uriah, 143, 337, 411 
 
 Mrs. Uriah, 143 
 Travelling, good of, 229 
 
Index 
 
 503 
 
 Treadwell, Gov., 400 
 
 Treaties, Conflict between, 426; Jay's, 
 409, 410; with France, 424-427 
 
 Tristam Shandy, 115, 123 
 
 Troup, Col., 101, 106, 154 
 
 Trumbull, Judge John, 25, 26 
 
 Turnpikes, good opinion of, 371 ; Con 
 necticut favored them early, 371 ; 
 protection against railroad competi 
 tion, 367; S. B. is an officer in 
 several, 372 
 
 United States, under the Articles of 
 Confederation, 287, 385 ; under the 
 Constitution, 288; need of a Con 
 stitution, 390 ; attack on Constitution 
 answered, 293; military establish 
 ment, 405 ; the public lands, 422 ; 
 naval construction, 455 
 
 Vacations, 229 
 
 Van Rensselaer, Col., funeral of, 128 
 John, 90, 91, 137 
 Kilian K., 90, 91 n., 106 
 Philip, 91, 96 
 Stephen, 91 
 
 Van Buren, President Martin, 473 
 
 Van Vechten, A., 136 
 Miss Lydia, 103, 104, 105 
 
 Varnor, James, 123 
 
 Vermont, in 1791, 278; scarcity of letter 
 paper, 402; negotiations with N. Y., 
 
 403 
 
 Voluntown, 209 
 
 Wales, Professor Samuel, 85, 203 
 
 War of 1812, 458, 459, 461 
 
 Washington, General George, 344; com 
 memoration of, 414; mausoleum, 
 43i 
 
 Washington, City of in 1803, 329, 343, 
 
 347; removal of seat of government 
 
 to, 423, n 
 
 Waterhouse, Dr., 153 
 Webster, Noah, 235, 282; his dictionary, 
 
 456 
 Westerlo, Rev. Eilardus, 90, 91, 93, 95, 
 
 96, 97, 103, 116, 137, 138, 139, 141 
 Whackets, game of, 100 
 Whitney, Eli, 428-430 
 Willard, President, of Harvard, 226 
 Williams, John, 79 
 Windsor, Vt, 409 
 Witter, Jacob, 5, 14, 201 
 Wolcott, Gov. Oliver, 302; appointed 
 
 Circuit Judge, 433; becomes a 
 
 Democrat, 467 
 Frederick, 466 
 Women, manners of, in Charleston and 
 
 the South, 261 
 Wood, Dr., 113 
 
 Miss Lois, 41-46 
 Worcester, Mass., 470 
 Workhouses, 323 
 Wrentham, 220 
 Wright, Miss Lydia, 143 
 Yale, College, student life, 18; balls, 
 
 285, Paper War over, 136; singing 
 
 school, 187; College Bully, 286; 
 
 riots, 286; Class dinners, 484; the 
 
 Gibbs Cabinet, 311 
 Yantic, 29, 107 n. 
 
 Yates, Judge Robert, 122, 141, 147, 395 
 Peter W., 86, 90 ; as a law teacher, 92, 
 
 134, 177 
 Young, Dr., 131, 137 
 
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