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.
