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Confined within college walls

Throughout the months of September and October 1848, James Griffing remained actively involved in the Societies of his choice at Wesleyan University. Among the questions debated in the Philorhetorian Society that fall were: "Do moral and religious subjects afford a better field for the display of eloquence than civil and political?", "Does the nature of the principles of the Buffalo Convention [1] tend to the dismemberment of the Union?" and "Are the utilitarian principles of the present age conducive to permanent renown?"

The Missionary Society appeared to be enjoying its new accommodations in the Boarding Hall but requested "the business committee take into consideration the propriety of making some provision for warming the room the coming winter." The records show the following questions being debated; "Has the progress of Christianity been retarded more by the lethargy of its members in the Christian church than by the inability of its ministers?" and "[What are] the comparative merits of the Home and Foreign Mission?"

As a junior, James was beginning to take courses that were more rigorous than any he had previously encountered. During the first term, he was required to take Mechanics, Intellectual Philosophy, and Tacitus - Historia. During the second term, he would be taking Mechanics and Hydrostatics, more Intellectual Philosophy, Logic, Constitution of the United States, Philosophy of Natural History, and Chemistry. The third term consisted of Optics, Astronomy, more Chemistry, and Plato's Gorgias. It would be a challenging year.

Once again, James took early examinations at the end of the first term in 1848 and returned to Westchester where he began teaching his select school. The following letter to Augusta was written shortly after his arrival there.

Westchester [Connecticut]
Half past 12 p.m., November 11 [1848]

Kind Friend Augusta,

Standing by my desk in the schoolroom with a flock of bright eyes around me, I commence an answer to your kind epistle. I had almost concluded you had left for home, the delay was so long. Yet after awhile it came so well freighted with news that I could easily account for the delay. Nearly every item was new to me. I suppose now I am compelled to believe you were present at our commencement [last August]. The testimony is perfectly satisfactory. I certainly can do nothing else than blame myself for scrutinizing [the crowd] so imperfectly although at the close of the day I felt well satisfied that you were not present. I do hope it may be convenient for you to make another in that section as I want at some time to show you that our own "good city" possesses attractions not much inferior to your [Hartford].

But I find it almost time to gather my flock. I wish you were here just to look in upon us a few moments. I am sure you would pronounce this group the brightest and happiest you ever saw, and I was about to say the most noisy. Never in my life did I ever so fully realize my inadequacy to meet all their wants or my incompetence to develop symmetrically their several powers. Is it possible that the direction or bent which their minds may take in after life will depend in the least upon any impressions which I may make? If so, with what wisdom, patience, and every grace will I need to be endowed in order to meet this great responsibility?

Half past 6 eve. -- Since I last wrote you I have been down to New York City to make a visit. I arrived there on Thursday, the 2nd Inst. and returned on Monday following. A letter from [my] brother Daniel informed me that he and his would probably be in the city at that time. Actuated by such expectations, I arranged my business and went down to meet him there, but was sorry to be disappointed. An explanatory letter, however, was rec'd upon my return giving satisfactory reasons why he did not come. I misinformed you in saying that he was married. Some time ago I rec'd a wrong impression in a letter from Samuel who said that "Daniel and his wife would pass through New York City on the first of Nov." From this I rec'd the impression that he was married at the time, but recent information assures me that this is not the case and is not to be until the 14th Inst. and can not make arrangements to come home until the last of December. His Lady's name is Eliza Shaffner. [2] She carries on quite an extensive business in the manufactory and sale of artificial flowers. He has had an acquaintance of four years and certainly ought to have no occasion to be dissatisfied after the knot is tied. Mr. and Mrs. [John] Kelly [3] are both acquainted with her and are much pleased with the choice.

I had a very pleasant visit at [my brother-in-law, John] Kelly's.  Ann Hill [Charlotte's sister] was there and added much in making it home-like. [Mr. Kelly] has purchased a lot and built him a house in Williamsburgh, just across from the city on Long Island, very conveniently situated for school and church. Mr. Kelly works [as a tailor] in [New York] City at No. 123 Williams Street.  A steam ferry boat [across the East River] makes his walk very short. The children are all with them except [Mary Permelia Kelly,] Lydia's youngest, which one mother intends to keep.  Charlotte has a boy 5 months old which they call Frederic Parker [Kelly]. They are all in possession of good health and appear to enjoy themselves right well. Whenever you pass through the city, you must not fail to call on them.

John C. Kelly family 1850 Census Record
Williamsburg, New York 

I have on my table a letter from Mother. It contains no news that would much interest you as it is principally occupied with a detailed account of relatives in different parts of the State. I prize it highly as it is the second one she ever wrote me and, in fact, the second one I ever saw of hers. My last letter from sister [Permelia] was dated at Mother's. She did not know with certainty where she would spend the winter but was expecting to teach near Br. Giddings at Sauquoit, [New York]. She was at that time attending the Teachers Institute in session at Owego. She spoke quite highly of the daily exercises -- thought them not only interesting but profitable. The evening lectures which were given by Dennan, Town, and others added much to their interest.

Aunt Clarissa Parmelee (my father's sister) is at present living in Owego -- the only one of the family living. I should much like to see her. She has formerly resided in Louisville, Kentucky. Nothing of especial interest has occurred in the vicinity of late. I know not when I shall be again in [Hartford] although I should like much to have a talk with you. I have had an invitation to spend Thanksgiving in Manchester [Connecticut]. [4] If I should go, it is not possible but I may return that way. Remember me kindly to your Uncle [Elizur] and Aunt [Mary]. Tell [your Aunt] I cannot feel that I have been sufficiently grateful for past kindnesses and it seems as if I ought to ask her pardon [for] the coldness and indifference I have manifested at such times. And my hope is at present that in the future I may be circumstanced as to repay them with good interest. A word from her will ever be received with gratitude.

I like much the plan you have entered upon to spend many of your long winter evenings. I wish it was more generally adopted. How much precious time be saved, and how many thousands that are "weak" would become strong. And pray what objections could you have to sending one of your evening recollections down to Westchester to be corrected, if desired. It would certainly be returned safe.

I forgot to say that in my last [letter] from home, our people were all well. Meetings, Sabbath schools, &c. seem to be all confined to the new school house on the back road. I have not yet learned whether our people have been located in that District or not. I hope so. Ann H. says I will hardly know the young people when I return to Owego. What think you? When do you think of going home? How is the health of your Uncle's family? What news do you hear from Owego? Please write all. Fill up a good large sheet. Let your Aunt have a chance too, and in the interim, believe me yours affectionately, -- James  

Although he didn't mention it in his letter to Augusta, the general elections had been held just four days before and the nation had elected Gen. Zachary Taylor, the Whig candidate, to be their next President. James must have been pleased that the Whigs were back in the White House although he was probably disappointed that Henry Clay had been passed up by the Whig’s in favor of the popular Mexican War hero. During the weeks ahead, dramatic events that would shape the nation's history unfolded. On December 5, 1848, exiting President Polk delivered his last annual address to Congress, confirming what had been rumored for many months -- that gold had been discovered in California. The announcement would trigger the mass migration of over 100,000 "forty-niners" to seek their fortune in the California gold camps. On December 22, 1848, a caucus of 69 Southern Congressmen met to oppose legislation that would prohibit the slave trade in the District of Columbia. This contingent, led by John C. Calhoun, eventually submitted a formal "Address" listing "acts of aggression" committed by the North against Southern rights. These acts included attempts to exclude slaves from new territories, and attempts to impede the return of fugitive slaves. With the California and New Mexico territories on the threshold of applying for statehood, it was clear that 1849 would be a year of turmoil in the Nation's capitol.

Sometime in early April, 1849, James returned to Wesleyan University -- a little past halfway in the spring term. The records of the Philorhetorian Society and the Missionary Society show him being present at their respective meetings on April 16 and 17. The college records indicate that he paid his miscellaneous debts on April 14, presumably with what money he had earned while teaching school in Westchester. His journal, doubling as a ledger, does not show him having much success in collecting his fees from the parents of the students in Westchester, however. As was the custom in those days, school fees were paid at the end of the school term, and his ledger shows only about half of the parents "owing up."

On Wednesday evening, May 2, 1849, during the week of spring term examinations, the University held its traditional "Junior Exhibition." This class event gave all the members of the junior class an opportunity to practice their declamation and to gather afterwards for a class supper. Although absent from the University for much of the term and presumably heavily engaged in preparing himself to be examined, James played no small part in the evening's events. While his classmates, William Lawrence and George Stillman gave orations on "The Imaginative, a striking characteristic of the Grecian Mind" and "The Martyr Spirit" respectively, James chose to deliver a tongue-in-cheek allegorical satire on the "Advantages of Covetousness." After the orations, he also played the role of one of the Jacobins in a dramatic Parisian sketch.

His Junior Exhibition speech is reproduced here, in its entirety:

Advantages of Covetousness

It is passing strange that many unimportant topics have secured able advocates, whilst great and practical subjects have scarcely gained the attention of a single declaimer. Yet it is more strange that these able advocates have barely obtained a single convert whilst a treatise upon practical subjects has generally such power over the human heart as seldom fails to secure innumerable devotees. Moved by these considerations, we shall endeavor at this time to supply one omission by treating upon the advantages of covetousness. From Eden through all past time, it has exercised such a boundless sway over human hearts and secured such a host of sincere worshippers at its shrine, that all arguments tending to prove its advantages seem superfluous. Its beneficial influence is at once seen in the continual composure it affords, whilst the heart of benevolence is ever weighed down with sorrow and anguish at the sight of human suffering and is ever useless until it unburdens itself by affording some alleviation.

This spirits peace is undisturbed. It can smile with comfort amidst miseries most earnest appeals. Unmoved, its eye can follow the houseless wanderer pining with neglect. Its hands are not pained when closed to all the solicitations of sickly infancy or decrepit age. The cries of helpless orphanage and the sighs of disconsolate widowhood disturb it not, for its liberality has long taught it to give these all over to public care. True, it can not boast of its many hospitals; yet in nearly every state it has multiplied its thousands of travelers homes, supplied these with medicine answerable to every condition of the poor way-worn wanderer, is willing to sooth all his troubles for a small pittance, continues to solace him so long as it is well remunerated, gives him a system and especially a countenance that will make an immediate appeal to public sympathies and thus is instrumental in securing him a permanent home.

Proverbial for its philanthropy, it bursts away from its native shore and goes on its errands of mercy to other lands, hazarding itself amidst the searing heat and miasmatic vapors of Afric's clime. Here, it searches out the benighted sons of Ham, rescues them from the early bondage of their paternal home, brings them free of all expense to our own shores where freedom and equality are so extensively enjoyed and permits them to realize all the striking benefits of the South.

To the devoted Missionary whose heart burns with a holy impatience to reap the vast harvest of the heathen world, it discloses the folly in engaging in so unreasonable enterprize. It presents before him the great waste of money necessary for successful operation, shows him the loss of time and especially the great exposure of health and life to which he will be daily subjected, and finally assures him that whilst ignorance and innocence shall save many of the heathen, the remainder have plunged themselves so deeply in misery that their salvation is beyond all effort, human and divine.

It even comes as a minister of mercy to the indomitable student, presents before him the huge pile of lucre he must scale just for the privilege of being confined within college walls, of turning old musty volumes, conning tedious lessons, obtaining a pale countenance, inflamed eyes and oft wearied frame, removed far away from friends and early home. All these, 'ere he can secure the height of his ambition...the life restoring parchment roll. It is a spirit that has long felt that the fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves; that we are underlings and which consequently disposes a man to obey the highest promptings of his internal nature, and regard his own individual consequence as the first, second, and last object upon which all his powers shall concentrate. And although he may be disregarded by others, it secures the rare benefit of thinking the more highly of himself, incites him to cultivate this feeling until he becomes one of our greatest men and destined to leave behind him a name that shall last, ...until his property is divided.

Such are a few of the advantages of the cause we advocate. And now, my covetous brethren, the great question arises, 'Shall our cause go down or shall we not rather, simultaneously, make an effort to sustain it?' To the most, I flatter myself that appeals will be unnecessary. Yet have we not every reason to fear that, a few at least, have fallen from their first love? Oneness of interest is our only strength and if we hear of an erring brother who has inadvertently dropped a penny into the urn of poverty, let us quickly initiate him into the art of taking his shilling out. For unless we are awake to duty, the heart of benevolence will continue to bleed over human wretchedness. The glorious advent of a risen Messiah will be announced in the darkest abodes of heathenism; downtrodden poverty with its wailings of sorrow will utter forth the voice of cheerfulness and loud hosanna's from gladdened hearts will respond from every vale of woe.

Now in order to furnish a speedy preventive to these disastrous results, we must organize. I repeat it, we must organize. For in no way can we bring all our forces to bear successfully upon the advancing columns of this death dealing foe. We will give to stinginess, charge of the foremost ranks. And if we find him likely to suffer defeat, we will bring to his aid the unfaltering battalion of parsimony backed by invincible avarice, and the field is ours. Now, to accomplish this, will you be one in sentiment, one in interest, one in united effort? Will you! Will you! Will you!

Finis

In June, 1849, following a very long absence from her hometown, Augusta Goodrich returned to Owego, New York. The following letter describes her trip home:

New York [City], New York
Tuesday, [June 5, 1849]

My dearest Aunt [Mary],

We are now quietly seated in our room at the Western Hotel [on Cortland Street], and feeling rather tired. We arrived at the depot here about 4 o’clock. Mr. Coe [5] had very little trouble with the baggage and nothing was lost. Our sleeping room is in the second story – a front room and very pleasant. The street is not as wide as Asylum [Street is in Hartford, Connecticut], and there is rather more noise here. The [wall] paper on the room is like the paper on your bedroom excepting that all the flowers are of one colour (green) and it looks quite natural. I hope Uncle [Elizur] returned to you safely. I thought just after the cars started from Hartford that Mr. Coe had not come and that I should be obliged to go alone. Oh how glad I was to see Uncle [Elizur] come in with him, but was sorry to have Uncle taken on his account.

Wednesday afternoon [June 6, 1849]. We are now about 100 miles from home, but expect to be there about 9 o’clock. Mrs. Hubble has just left at one of the stopping places & is going to take a stage for Honesdale, Pennsylvania. It is very dusty now, but has not been all day.

Last night after tea, Mr. Coe and myself went to walk around the grounds of Castle Garden and were going up to the Park [near junction of Chatham and Broadway] when we met Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Turner from Owego. Mr. Coe was obliged to tell them who I was for neither of them knew me although quite well acquainted with me before I went away. She afterwards said she saw something that looked natural – my profile I believe. We all went to the Park and after to the Museum. It would take me days to go about it as I should like to.

We started from New York [City] about half past seven and had a very pleasant sail up [the Hudson River] to Piermont [New York] about 24  miles, and met several people from Owego. The cars have stopped for one minute.

Thursday morning [June 7, 1849]. We arrived at Owego about nine o’clock last evening. Mr. Coe said that I must go home with him. Just as we were starting from the depot, a boy came up and spoke to Mr. Coe. It was my brother James but I did not know him [for] he had grown so much. He said he should not have known me if I had not have been with Mr. Coe. [My other] brother Ralph was with him and I should not have known him [either]. He has not grown as much as James. They came over on foot to see if I came and are coming for me this morning. Mother and Aunt Lucy [Fiddis] spent the day at Mrs. Coe’s yesterday and took my letter out of the [post] office. They sent on Saturday but received none. I think it strange.

[My brother] James said that Aunt Lucy Fiddis was going to spend the day at our house today so that I shall see her. If all have changed as much as those I have seen, I shall be frightened. Anna has just come to say that my trunk is safe. It could not be found that night [we arrived in Owego] but did not intend to write anything about it for fear it might trouble you. It was found at the depot. [My brother] James said that all were well at home. I suppose they are anxious to see me. It does not seem possible that I have left Hartford. I cannot believe it. I hope this will find you all very well. I want to hear from you very much. It seems a long time since I have seen you.

Please give my love to all my friends. I know you will excuse the looks of this letter because you know where it was written. Tell [your sons] Freddie and Jamie [that] Cutie sends them a sweet kiss. Goodbye dear Uncle and Aunt.

Please destroy this. It looks so bad I am almost ashamed to send it. Yours with much love, -- J. A. G. [Augusta Goodrich]

Mr. Coe has been very kind indeed. He is so careful that I have not felt worried at all.     

Vintage Map of Lower Manhattan

Augusta Goodrich stayed in the Western Hotel on Cortland Street (#40) in New York City. Augusta and Mr. Coe visited Castle Gardens (near the Battery) and the "Park" (now known as City Hall Park), both circled on the map. They also visited the "Museum" which could have been either the "Peale Museum" (# 54) or the "American Museum" (#35), both of which fronted the Park. It is likely they visited the large and ever-popular American Museum.

Vintage Map Showing Railroad Route from Piermont to Owego
(marked with brown line)

[1] The Free-Soil Party held its nominating convention in Buffalo on August 9, 1848.  Van Buren was nominated for President and Charles Adams was added to the ticket as Vice President. The Free-Soil Party platform "attacked the aggressions of the slave power, upheld the substance of the Wilmot Proviso, and favored river and harbor improvements and free homesteads to actual settlers." Its slogan was "Free soil, free speech, free labor, and free men."  Richard B. Morris, Encyclopedia of American History, p. 209.

[2] Eliza Shaffner was born in 1822, daughter of Jacob Shaffner and Phoebe Weaver of Baltimore.  Jacob manufactured hats and Eliza started a business making artificial flowers, presumably to put on the hats her father made. Eliza Shaffner and Daniel S. Griffing were married on 14 November 1848 in Baltimore County, Maryland.

[3] John C. Kelly and his 2nd wife, Charlotte [Hill] Kelly. John's first wife, Lydia (James' sister), died in 1846.

[4] Possibly an invitation from classmate Francis Asbury Loomis of Manchester, Connecticut.

[5] There were two Coe families living in Tioga County in 1850 and it is not possible to tell which "Mr. Coe" was Augusta's traveling companion. It might have been Reuben Coe -- a 60-year old farmer living in Owego in 1849. Or it might have been A. M. Coe -- a 45-year old hotel keeper from the nearby river town of Barton.