*N 
 
 EULOGX 
 
 ILLUSTRATIVE 
 
 OF THE LIFE, AND COMMEMORATIVE OF THE BENEFICENCE 
 
 OF THE LATE 
 
 HOlSr. JAMES BO^VDOIN, ESQUIRE, 
 
 WITH NOTICES OF HIS FAMILY j 
 
 PRONOUNCED IN BRUNSWICK, (MAINE) 
 
 AT THE REQUEST 
 
 OF THE TRUSTEES AND OVERSEERS 
 
 OF 
 
 BOWDOIN COLLEGE, 
 
 ON THE 
 
 ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT, SEPT. 2d, 1813. 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM JENKS, A. M. 
 
 PASTOR OF A CHURCH IN BATH, AND SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 
 
 ■ sui memoref alios fecere merendo." 
 
 BOSTON : 
 PRINTED BY JOHN ELIOT, JUN. 
 
 1813. 
 
 • 5 18 2
 
 B<bJ^ 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM THE COLLEGE RECORDS. 
 
 " May 19th, 181S. 
 
 " Li the Board of Trustees, 
 
 " Voted, That, in consideration of the great munificence of the late Honourable 
 " James Bowdoin, Esq. toward this Institution, and the interest taken 
 " by it in his lamented decease, it is expedient and becoming, that pub- 
 *' lie notice be taken of the event ; and therefore, 
 
 *' Voted, That the Secretary of this Board be requested to deliver, at the en- 
 " suing Commencement, an Eulogy on his memory. 
 
 *' In the Board of Overseers agreed to." 
 
 « In Board of Trustees, Sept. 2d, 1812, 
 
 " Voted, That the thanks of the Trustees be presented to the Rev. William 
 " Jenks for the Eulogium delivered by him this day, commemorative of 
 " the public services and virtues of the late Hon. J. Bowdoin, the lib- 
 " eral Benefactor of the College ; and a copy be requested for the press. 
 
 " Attest, 
 
 " Samuel S. Wilde, Sec'ry pro tern." 
 
 ^* In Board of Overseers, 
 
 " Read and agreed to, 
 
 " Attest, 
 
 " John Abbot, Sec'ry." 
 
 404330
 
 Gentlemen, Trustees and Overseers 
 
 of 
 
 Bowdoin College, 
 
 WHILE I rise, in compliance with your appoint- 
 ment and request, to attempt an expression of your re- 
 spectful gratitude toward our distinguished, departed 
 Benefactor, you will have occasion, I fear, to regret with 
 me some disadvantages, under which this publick ad- 
 dress is made. 
 
 If we expect from the skill of the painter that his por- 
 trait of a beloved friend shall faithfully exhibit the 
 countenance and lineaments, which characterise the ob- 
 ject of our affection, we must give to the artist the fair- 
 est opportunity of beholding the features we would pre- 
 serve ; for they must be familiar to his eye before they 
 can be transferred to his work. No mere description 
 of ours would persuade him to commit his art, or repu- 
 tation. 
 
 Biography, in like manner, owes its sweetest charm, 
 and is indebted for its most powerful effect on the heart 
 to that fidelity, with which it portrays lineaments of
 
 6 
 
 moral character observable only in familiar intercourse^ 
 and with which it describes the ever varying circum- 
 stances and occurrences of life, that have so great influ- 
 ence in forming the character such as it is. 
 
 But my mind is greatly relieved from the embarrass- 
 ment, under which an inability to avail myself of the 
 advantages of personal friendship, or of an extensive en- 
 quiry among tiie confidential associates of the late Hon- 
 ourable Mr. BowDoiN has laid it, by reflecting that he 
 has so well been known, been held in so high esteem 
 among our publick men, and his talents and patriotism so 
 tried ; and that his more private character has been so 
 fully represented to the world by those,* who had the 
 best means of knowing it, that his reputation needs not 
 the aid of my feeble endeavours for its illustration and 
 perpetuity. It stands secure on its own basis. I con- 
 sole myself too with the thought, that I address several, 
 whose early and continued intercourse with him must 
 have given them that knowledge, which will amply sup- 
 ply the defects of my own information ; and that the 
 regret expressed so widely for his removal from the 
 
 * Rev. T. M. Harris, miuister of Dorchester, the place of Mr. Bowdoin's residence for sev- 
 eral years, published " a tribute of respect to" his " memory ;" and the late beloved and lamented 
 Mr. BucKMiNsTF.R, pastor of tlie Churcii in Brattle-square, where the faniil} had lonj; worthipped, 
 permitted an extract of his sermon, delivered the Lord's day after Mr. Bowi gin's interment, to 
 meet the public eye. A well written " obituary notice" appeared also in the ueAvspapers, and 
 with the former is preserved iu a Jto. pamphlet.
 
 scenes of his usefulness testifies the regard of those, who 
 witnessed his honest and beneficent exertions. 
 
 Ingratitude, however chargeable on political Repub- 
 licks, has never been attached to the members of the Re- 
 publick of Literature. They have attempted to show 
 at least their sense of obligation to its patrons, by recog- 
 nising their claims, and on the broad scale of general 
 history those appear with most lustre, who have most 
 distinguished themselves by encouraging sciences and 
 arts. 
 
 ^' Sint Maeeenates, non deerint unquam Marones." 
 
 This Literary Institution bears the family name of 
 BowDOiN. While we dwell then with peculiar interest 
 on the memory of that munificent benefactor, who late- 
 ly bore it, and whose death since its last anniversary 
 calls forth the present tribute of gratitude and respect, 
 it cannot be deemed an unappropriate employment, to 
 trace the steps, by which the wise and holy Providence 
 of God reared up this family to eminence and useful- 
 ness. Let me then ask the indulgence of this audience, 
 as I attempt to show on what just grounds the name of 
 Bow DO IN may claim the distinction of illustrious. 
 
 The ancestors of this family were French Protestants 
 residing in the neighbourhood of Rochelle. Their an- 
 tient armorial bearings indicate an honourable descent.
 
 8 
 
 and the name has not been inconsiderable in France. 
 Individuals of the family, while residing in that country, 
 have indulged a feeling congenial to our hearts in visit- 
 ing the patrimonial domain of their forefathers ; and 
 Mr. BowDOiN enjoyed the opportunity, which some oth- 
 ers also of his countrymen have shared, of reflecting on 
 the wonders of that inscrutable Providence, by which 
 the descendants of exiled Protestants have been sent as 
 publick functionaries to a Court, which wreaked its un- 
 hallowed vengeance on their unoffending progenitors. 
 " Whoso is wise," says a sacred writer, " and will ob- 
 " serve these things, even they shall understand the lov- 
 " ing kindness of the Lord."* 
 
 " History," it has been said, " is philosophy teaching 
 by example." It derives its practical value from the 
 display it makes of the human character. But this dis- 
 play is not confined to the revolutions of empires, and 
 the pomp of princes, courts and armies. It may be 
 conspicuous in the private individual. The accurate 
 biographer then is the most instructive historian. Of 
 how many individuals and families, as well as of states 
 and kingdoms, would an impartial, discriminating his- 
 tory be a publick benefit ? 
 
 * Psalm cvii. 43.
 
 We venerate the *' Pilgrims of Leyden.'* The day, 
 on which they landed upon the shores of this then unex- 
 plored and unknown country, is observed as a festival. 
 And not only is it thus noticed in the town, where they 
 first obtained a settlement, but in the two capital cilies 
 of the Northern States this honourable remembrance of 
 their piety, enterprise and sufferings is annually main- 
 tained. 
 
 As yet however no day brings to remembrance the 
 heroism, sufferings and piety of the expatriated Protes- 
 tants of France. Their descendants have mingled in 
 the mass of our countrymen, and satisfied, as would 
 seem, with enjoying the common blessings of our free- 
 dom, aspire to no peculiar distinctions among their fel- 
 low citizens, but such as arise from serving the com- 
 munity. 
 
 Not that we are to consider all the troubles, which 
 France endured after the introduction of the Reforma- 
 tion, and which had connexion with religious disputes, as 
 grounded wholly on religion itself. Our honoured coun- 
 tryman, the sagacious author of " Lectures on Davila," 
 has taught us clearly to perceive, that religion was in 
 most cases but the pretence, and ambitious rivalries of 
 principal families the real cause of the greater part of 
 these troubles. It is true " no other part of the reformed
 
 
 10 
 
 " church suffered so grievously as they did for the sake 
 " of religion."* For the Reformation had been early in- 
 troduced, and principally from Geneva. She had thrown 
 off" the yoke of Savoy and France, soon after embracing 
 these doctrines, having already allied herself, as an inde- 
 pendent Republick, with the Swiss. These circumstan- 
 ces prepared the way for her prosperity. Here the end- 
 nent reformer, Calvin, sought an asylum, and with inde- 
 fatigable zeal and great success promulgated his opin- 
 ions. Thus, " about the middle of the sixteenth cen- 
 tury," the reformed churches of France, " without ex- 
 ception, entered into the bonds of fraternal commu- 
 " nion with the church of Geneva." 
 
 Soon after, the civil wars began to deluge the king- 
 dom in blood. The young prince of Navarie, head of 
 the house of Bourbon, became chief of the Huguenots, as 
 in derision the Protestants were named. The duke of 
 Guise, and his equally ambitious brothers endeavoured 
 to extirpate them. In 1562 the admiral Coligny sent 
 a colony of these Protestants to Nortli America. I'hey 
 landed and settled near the place, as some suppose, 
 where now is Charleston, in Carolina.^ But the 
 Spaniards cut them off. In the same year was first shed 
 
 * Mosheim. 
 f Charlevoix, qiiot. by Dr. Holmes, Add. 1562, notes. " Cond. des Francois," etc. p. 12.
 
 11 
 
 the blood of Protestants in civil war, and fifty thousand 
 were soon destroyed. The awful night of St. Barthole- 
 mew followed, and seventy thousand more, to the out- 
 rage of all law, humanity and policy, were murdered. 
 Privileges had indeed been granted, but what could they 
 avail against the barbarity of brutal power, and the fren- 
 zy of religious bigotry ? At length the king of Navarre 
 mounted the throne of France, and, in gratitude for the 
 aid of the Protestants, issued the famous edict of Nantes. 
 
 We must pause at this period to remark, that now the 
 Protestants were allowed churches, funds to maintain 
 their ministers, judges of their own persuasion, and the 
 free printing of their books. They were eligible to all 
 offices of state, and left in possession of a vast number 
 of towns and strongly fortified cities, forming at that 
 time, says Voltaire, " nearly the twelfth part of the 
 " nation." 
 
 Among their strongest places, and first in importance 
 to their cause, was the commercial and flourishing city of 
 Rochelle. It was indeed the Geneva of France. The 
 English favoured its enterprise and industry by sea. It 
 possessed a territorial jurisdiction of considerable extent, 
 and the right of coinage. It once contained upwards of 
 seventy thousand souls, and had already formed the de- 
 sign of raising itself into an independent Republick, on
 
 12 
 
 the model of the States of Holland, emancipated from 
 Philip of Spain. " Where the spirit of the Lord is, 
 " there is liberty." 
 
 A weak minority, and an ambitious, inflexible minis- 
 ter, the Cardinal de Richelieu, succeeded the death of 
 Henry IV. After many manoeuvies of court policy, re- 
 sort was had against the Protestants to open force. The 
 second and most memorable siege of Rochelle* com- 
 menced, and the bold genius of Richelieu, imitating the 
 exploits of Alexander at Tyre, threw across the bay of 
 the city an immense mole, *' which curbed the sea, and 
 " the citizens of Rochelle." It was taken after a year of 
 extreme suffering. It had been defended by a woman, 
 the heroic mother of the duke de Rohan, who, though in 
 her 75th year, exhibited a prodigy of fortitude. Its in- 
 habitants were now reduced from fifteen to four thou- 
 sand, and though not denied the exercise of their relig- 
 ion, were yet debarred the enjoyment of all other priv- 
 ileges. 
 
 Soon after the restoration"!- of Charles II. a minister of 
 Rochelle and doctor of divinity applied to the legislature 
 of Massachusetts for leave to settle with a part of his 
 flock in her territory, and it was granted. 
 
 * See note A. 
 t Hutchiuson, 1664. See Rev. Dr. Holmes' '< Amer. Aiinals," 1666, note 3.
 
 13 
 
 The situation of Protestants in France grew claih 
 more distressing. Louis XIV. was resolved to use eve- 
 ry method to convert them to the faith of Home. At 
 length, after many cruel and oppressive proceedings, 
 their ministers were banished. The flocks followed, as 
 was natural. This alarmed the court. Guards were 
 placed around the kingdom, but they migrated still. 
 
 The wise and discerning Colbert, to whose prudent 
 moderation, skill and industry, France was principally 
 indebted for her commercial and naval prosperity, had 
 encouraged the Protestants, as merchants, artists, man- 
 ufacturers and mariners. At his death another influence 
 prevailed ; and when, in 1685, the revocation of the 
 Edict of Nantes took place, the loss sustained by France 
 in her population was chiefly of men most useful to the 
 State. Six hundred thousand* of her subjects, in con- 
 sequence of this weak, impolitick and cruel measure, 
 quitted the kingdom, rather than violate conscience. -|* 
 
 Holland, England, Denmark, Prussia, Switzerland, 
 and peculiarly Geneva opened wide their arms to re- 
 ceive the exiles. France was impoverished, and these 
 states enriched by the subduction of their manufactures 
 and wealth. 
 
 * Russell, Mod. Eur. f Note B.
 
 14 
 
 But many of them had left all their estate, and fled 
 only with life. The parliament of England voted fifteen 
 thousands pounds sterling for their relief. Even James 
 assisted them, and William, who had favoured them 
 greatly in Holland, forming three entire regiments, and 
 manning several of his ships with their bravest men, 
 noAv aided them in reaching his colonies in America. 
 Some went first to Ireland, and afterwards came to this 
 country ; and among this latter class was Pierre Bau- 
 
 DOUIN.* 
 
 The ancestor of our departed patron landed at Casco 
 in 1688. Two years after, he went to Boston ; happily 
 experiencing the kind protection of God's providence in 
 escaping the general massacre by the Indians. It was 
 effected on the day following his removal. 
 
 Let us again pause to notice the fortunes of these 
 Avanderers for religion. It may be conjectured, that, at 
 different times, more than a thousand sought an asylum 
 in these States. Several settled in Virginia,f and 
 among them a brother of the family of Bowdoin. Ma- 
 ny went to Carolina. § Some found refuge in New 
 York.^ Subscriptions were raised for the relief of the 
 necessitous. The friends of humanity were not inactive. 
 
 * T^ote C. j Beverly. § Note D. IT Note E.
 
 15 
 
 And of these the name of Byrd* of Virginia deserves 
 peculiar honour. 
 
 But their best dependence was the favour of God, and 
 their own religion, industry and temperance. With 
 these the father of Governour Bowdoin acquired an im- 
 mense estate, lived in esteem and honour, and transmit- 
 ted to his posterity the means of beneficence. 
 
 A church had been erected by the French Protestants 
 in Boston in 1686,-|- and was the first they founded in 
 America. Here they worshipped in peace the God of 
 their fathers. But their descendants, finding the same 
 doctrines generally preached, as they became connected 
 with other families, gradually forsook their appropri- 
 ate house ; and soon after the death of Mr. James Bow- 
 doin, § their minister ceased to officiate. It is not a little 
 singular that this house of worship, in the year, which 
 completed the century from the landing in America of 
 this gentleman, who became its principal proprietor, was 
 opened for the hearing of mass, and a New England 
 convert to the faith of Rome has there performed the 
 service. A¥hat a change of times and manners ! Nay, 
 in that house, where worshipped those persecuted men, 
 who fled from the bigotry of Louis XIV. have officiated 
 
 * See Beverly. f Massa. Hist. Coll. § He died Sept. 4. 1747, ^t, 71.
 
 16 
 
 more than one reverend priest of the Romish faith, who, 
 when the royal descendant of the French monarch had 
 bled by the hands of his subjects on a scaffold, sought 
 for themselves an asylum in this land of religious and 
 civil freedom ; and found it where it was enjoyed by the 
 descendants of Huguenots. What a triumph for a tol- 
 eration, which it cost France a million of subjects to es- 
 tablish by the edict of Nantes. 
 
 Mr. BowDoiN educated his son, the late honoured, 
 beloved and lamented Governour of Massachusetts, at 
 the principal seminary of New England, of which as 
 well, as of his country, he became the delight and boast. 
 His name is dear to Keligion and Science. His useful 
 life was devoted to their interests with uncommon assidu- 
 ity, success and reputation. In early youth he laid the 
 foundation of solid knowledge, and by cidtivating a taste 
 for the matheniaticks prepared himself to appear with 
 distinction among the philosophers of our country. At 
 the formation of the " American Academy of Arts and 
 Sciences" he was chosen President of that honourable 
 body, and held the station until his death. He was 
 President of the Convention, which formed the Consti- 
 tution of Massachusetts, and governed the Common- 
 wealth at a period, which required uncommon prudence, 
 skill and firmness. He was honoured for his literary
 
 17 
 
 acquisitions abroad, as well as at home ; and with the 
 degree of Doctor of laws, bestowed by the University of 
 Edinburgh, he was elected a member of the Royal Soci- 
 eties of London and Dublin. 
 
 But public honours were not his highest praise. He 
 was a humble believer in the gospel of the meek and 
 lowly Jesus. His Christian walk, as a professor of re- 
 ligion with the church in Brattle Street, shone for more 
 than thirty years, to the honour of the cause of Christ, 
 with exemplary lustre.^ At his death he bore ample 
 testimony to his conviction of the truth of the gospel. 
 His life had been a display of beneficence, and his last 
 will showed how deeply the habit of doing good was im- 
 pressed on his mind. From his father he had at an ear- 
 ly age inherited an ample fortune ; yet it did not hinder 
 him from passing a life of strict industry. He pursued 
 a regular course of study, and found its labour a plea- 
 sure. His library, consisting of more than twelve hun- 
 dred volumes, he bequeathed, together with one hundred 
 pounds, to the American Academy. Four hundred 
 pounds wei'e assigned to Harvard University, of which 
 he had been Fellow, for peculiar literary purposes, be- 
 side his donations to the library and philosophical appa- 
 
 * See Rev. Mr. Allen's biogr. diet. &c.
 
 18 
 
 ratus. Nor could the son of one, who had risen from 
 the humble walks of life to ease and affluence, forget the 
 poor of the church of God. 
 
 *' He was always ready," says one of his biographers, 
 the modest and learned Joitin of New England, *' to 
 " promote every literary, benevolent and religious insti- 
 " tution. He exhibited the virtues of social life in all 
 " their engaging lustre, and breathed a Christian spirit."* 
 
 This great and good man was born in 1727, and died 
 1790, -|* leaving a daughter, the wife of Sir John Temple, 
 sometime Consul General of Great Britain in the United 
 States, and a son, the peculiar subject of this address. 
 
 We must not omit to remark, that, contemporary with 
 the Governour, and shining in the first rank among the 
 ornaments of America, flourished De Lancy, Laurens, 
 the philantrophist Benezet,§ Boudinot and Jay, de- 
 
 * Dr. Eliot's N. Eng. biogr. 
 
 t Elizabeth, daughter of John Erving, esq. of Boston, and relict of Governour Bowdoin, 
 presented to the College at Brunswick one hundred pounds sterling, toward tlie purchase of a suit- 
 able library. With this sum several of the most valuable books, by the selection of President 
 McKeen, were obtained in England, and by the kind and gratuitous attention of her brother, res- 
 ident in London, forwarded to America. Madam Bowdoin also presented to the Hallowell Acad- 
 emy three hundred acres of land, lying originally in that town, with liberty afterward granted to 
 sell the same, and to apply the interest arising from the proceeds " towards the encouragement of 
 " the good and useful education of children (especially poor orphan females, or such whose parents 
 " are unable to educate them) in such manner as in the discretion of the trustees for the time being 
 " shall be thought most conducive to the object intended by the donation." The land was sold af- 
 terward for one thousand dollars. 
 
 ? Note F.
 
 19 
 
 scendants, like him, from French expatriated Protestants. 
 Three of these have presided in the continental Congress. 
 The late Honourable James Bowdoin Esquire, only 
 son of the Governour, was born Sept. 22, 1752. Under 
 the watchful care, and able instruction and advice of a 
 father so judicious, tender and learned, he enjoyed every 
 advantage of education. Before he had attained the 
 age of twenty, he received the first honours of Harvard 
 College,* and sailed for England, where he spent ten 
 months at the University of Oxford, in the study of law. 
 After this he travelled in the island, and at the expira- 
 tion of two years, having increased his knowledge of 
 men, and acquaintance with the most interesting objects, 
 returned to his native land. 
 
 At home a year only was spent before he crossed 
 again the Atlantick, and visiting first the Italian States 
 proceeded by the way of Holland to England. The 
 news of the battle of Lexington interrupted his pursuits 
 in that country, and he returned in September after to 
 share, as he hoped, the dangers and the glory of his com- 
 patriots. But the fond feelings of a father prevented 
 him from joining the army to suffer its fatigue and dis- 
 tress. He had however the satisfaction of accompany- 
 ing its beloved General in his entrance of Boston-j* on the 
 
 * In 1771. tNoteG.
 
 20 
 
 memorable 17th of March 1776, when the troops of 
 Britain abandoned the town. He was with him also 
 while preparing a lodgment on the heights of Dorches- 
 ter in the stillness and secrecy of night, a measm-e pro- 
 ductive of the happiest effects to the American arms. 
 
 Governom* Bowdoin was a frequent and able politi- 
 cal writer during the disputes with the mother country. 
 His pen, his eloquence and learning had rendered him 
 obnoxious to the ministry, and to the provincial gover- 
 nours commissioned by the crown. His son could not 
 but partake these feelings and the spirit of the times. 
 He lived in the midst of discussions most interesting to 
 a patriot. His youth was passed among the statesmen 
 of his country. The zealous, benevolent and learned 
 HoLLis had for a long time been bestowing books on 
 the library of Harvard College. After its conflagration, 
 in 1764, he was indefatigable to repair the injury. He 
 had himself the preceding year sustained the loss of a 
 fine collection, intended for that College, by fire ; " How- 
 " ever," says he, in the true spirit of unabated resolu- 
 tion, " I will work on with courage, sure of the noble- 
 " ness of my ends, and pray God to grant me resigna- 
 " tion if they should be disappointed, or gratitude and 
 •'* humility, if, as I still hope, they should succeed."* 
 
 * Mem. of HoiLis, p. 239.
 
 21 
 
 This truly ingenuous Englishman, in the range and 
 direction of his literary beneficence, effectually refuted 
 the seeming paradox, that a loyal subject of the monar- 
 chy in Britain might be an ardent and intelligent friend 
 to the cause of freedom in America. The books he sent 
 were often political, and of a republican stamp. And it 
 remains for the perspicacity of our historians to ascertain 
 what influence his benefactions and correspondence had 
 in kindling that spirit, which emancipated these States 
 from the shackles of colonial subserviency, by forming 
 the " high minded men,"* who, under Providence, 
 achieved our independence. 
 
 Doubtless at that favoured seminary, and at the time, 
 in which Mr. Bowdoin was educated, he drank deeply 
 of the writings of Milton, Harrington, Sydney, Lud- 
 low, Marvell and Locke. These were then, by Mr. 
 HoLLis's exei tions,f political text books. And the 
 eminent men of that day were 
 
 " By antient learning to the enlightened love 
 " Of antient freedom warmed.''^ 
 
 Before the close of the war Mr. Bowdoin altered his 
 state of life, and became the husband of a lady of his 
 own name and family, daughter of a half brother of his 
 father, who now survives ; and long may she survive, 
 
 * Sir Wm. Joneb, tr. of Alc^us. f Note H. § Thomson.
 
 22 
 
 the beloved patron of an Institution, which perpetuates, 
 with his, her own honoured name, and cannot, I trust, 
 but be the subject of her good wishes and prayers. 
 
 In filling the offices successively of a Representative, 
 Senator and Counsellor, Mr. Bowdoin evinced his in- 
 tegrity and talents. His time, which now was chiefly 
 spent in Dorchester, was occasionally occupied in Bos- 
 ton. He was increasing his general acquaintance with 
 literature, of which he ever was fond, and in which he 
 evinced a cultivated taste. 
 
 The foundation of a College in this place, a place, 
 which bears the name of a family* so dear to Hollis, 
 and to lovers of liberty upon the principles of that revo- 
 lution, which he delighted to remember — a name, too, 
 worthy to be revered by those, who wish well to the 
 cause of Evangelical Missions in the East,-|" could not 
 but appear an important event to the mind of Mr. Bow- 
 doin. The grant of the Legislature to the new Col- 
 lege was liberal and wise ; and not long after the incor- 
 poration a letter was received from its patron, bestow- 
 ing one tliousand acres of land, and three hundred 
 pounds. Soon after a further sum of eight hundred and 
 twenty three pounds and four shillings was bestowed, 
 
 * Brunswick. 
 + See the letters of George I. to the missionaries Ziegknbalg and GRUNnLER, republished by 
 
 Dr. BuCHANAK.
 
 23 
 
 with a " request that the interest thereof may be appli- 
 " ed to the establishment and support of a Professor- 
 " ship of Mathematicks and of natural and experimen- 
 '' tal Philosophy, and that the interest be added to the 
 " principal until a Professor shall be appointed." 
 
 About this time Mr. Bowdoin was chosen a Fellow 
 of Harvard University, and retained the office seven 
 years. He was also elected President of the Board of 
 Overseers of this Institution, but on account of distance 
 declined the honour. His kindness toward it was often 
 expressed, and it was evident he was sensibly affected 
 by its interests. 
 
 When we reflect on the situation of this College, in a 
 rising country, containing a territory far larger than 
 Ireland, with a population already of near a quarter of 
 a million, we cannot wonder that a man of such benevo- 
 lence, and a patriot of such worth, should interest him- 
 self for its welfare. To establish a seminary of such 
 nature confers an honour most durable on its founder. 
 He unknowingly consults the perpetuation of his own 
 name and character, while providing the means, where- 
 by thousands may be benefited. He rears a monu- 
 ment outlasting, and in value far exceeding brass and 
 marble. This may immortalize the ingenious sculptor, 
 by exhibiting a benefactor's form and looks ; but the
 
 24 
 
 other stamps the character of his mind upon generations 
 yet to come. And let me, before this audience, hazard 
 the suggestion — absit invidia verho — that the friends to 
 the memory of Washington might better consult the 
 good of that country, which he loved, by labouring to 
 realize his noble plan of a NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, 
 than by rearing a monument of bronze or stone. That 
 plan may save the country. It Avas worthy of Wash- 
 ington. It would connect and assimilate our most in- 
 fluential men, and cause them to combine for the good 
 of the whole ;* and, instead of supplying a foreign ar- 
 tist with means of luxury, would be training up artificers 
 of our prosperity and happiness. God grant it to take 
 eifect, if it be consistent with His holy, sovereign will ! 
 
 In the autumn of 1804 Mr. Bowdoin received a com- 
 mission from the President of the United States, as Min- 
 ister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Madrid. The ob- 
 ject of this mission is understood to have been, to as- 
 certain the eastern and western limits of Louisiana, 
 which had recently been purchased, to negociate for the 
 Floridas, if expedient, and to seek compensation for re- 
 peated spoliations of American commerce.-j- 
 
 Although in ill health, Mr. Bowdoin embarked for 
 Spain, with his lady. May 10, 1805. His return was not 
 
 * Note I. f Note J.
 
 25 
 
 until the 18th of April 1808. His health allowed him 
 to remain no longer. The main object of his embassy 
 was frustrated, and he sought the shades of retirement, to 
 employ his yet remaining strength in gentler and" more 
 grateful occupations, than the business of Courts.* 
 
 But he had not been unemployed abroad. The col- 
 lection of books, which he made, on the subjects of his 
 mission, show a conscientious care to fulfil his trust, 
 and must have occupied time and skill. He was busied 
 too in using influence for his country. In England and 
 in France, for he visited both, and spent in Paris two 
 full years, he exhibited the character of an upright, in- 
 dependent American. As proof that he had none of 
 that sychophantick fawning, which too often disgraces 
 courtiers, let it be remarked, that in England he was 
 thought the friend of France, in France the friend of 
 England. His country's cause would not suffer in his 
 hands. 
 
 Here too he was mindful of this Literary Institution. 
 Much of that valuable library, he has since bequeathed 
 to BowDoiN College, was collected in France, and 
 contains a selection of its literature and science. Here 
 he formed his collections of minerals, metals and fossils, 
 and the accurate and useful models of crystallography 
 
 * Note K.
 
 26 
 
 deposited with them.* Appreciating the value of a 
 knowledge of mineralogy to a young country, like this, 
 he was anxious to give every possible facility to its stu- 
 dy — and we trust his care will not be useless. Our 
 mineralogical museum may rank among the most use- 
 ful and perfect. 
 
 Much of his time after his return, Mr. Bowdoin spent 
 upon his family estate, the island Naushaun, in agricul- 
 tural and pastoral improvements. He was not idle. 
 His country will derive benefit from his labours. He 
 employed himself on subjects connected with science or 
 art. And, as on a former occasion he had, anonymous- 
 ly indeed, given the publick his " Opinions respecting 
 the cornmercial intercourse between the United States 
 and Great Britain,"*)* he now consented that his trans- 
 lation of Daubenton's "Advice to Shepherds and 
 owners of flocks on the care and management of Sheep" 
 should be published for the good of the community.§ 
 
 Not long before his death he executed a deed to this 
 College of a large tract of land, consisting of six thou- 
 sand acres, lying in the town of Lisbon. This is dated 
 in the close of July, 1811. 
 
 On the 11th of the succeeding October, worn down 
 with infirmities, which he bore without murmurs, he 
 
 * If ote I* j Note M. ^ Note N.
 
 27 
 
 surrendered up his life into the hands of God, who 
 
 gave it. 
 
 By his will, beside what has already been mentioned, 
 he bestowed on the College his extensive and costly col- 
 lection of paintings, several articles of philosophical ap- 
 paratus, and the reversion of some rich estates, inclu- 
 ding the valuable island of his frequent residence, on 
 failure of issue male of the present devisees. 
 
 In contemplating the character thus imperfectly rep- 
 represented, and in recalling the mild, humane and 
 manly features of it, our regret for the loss of a member 
 of society so valuable is greatly enhanced. When so- 
 cial intercourse is interrupted by the unwelcome intru- 
 sion of the ruder passions of corrupt nature, and the 
 deliffhtful bonds, which link man to man, are severed 
 by the jealousies of political contentions, and party rival- 
 ships, we look for those, who may stand in the breach, 
 and heal the wound. Of this number he was one. 
 Some too can form but ineffectual wishes to do good. 
 Others may possess ability and no inclination. Though 
 rare, yet happy is the vmion of benevolent feelings with 
 ample means to indulge them. In him this union was 
 found. 
 
 My friends ; we are all fellow pensioners on the boun- 
 ty of that God, before whom we are to render the ac-
 
 28 
 
 count of our trust. Time, wealth, understanding, every 
 moral and physical ability, station, influence, and all 
 temporal advantages are talents. We abuse them at our 
 peril. In the use of them we are to glorify theii* Be- 
 stower. Let me, then, remember my duty, as a minis- 
 ter of Christ. " Charge them, that are rich in this 
 " ivorld, that they he not high-minded, nor trust in imcer- 
 " tain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly 
 ** all things to enjoy ; that they do good, that they be rich 
 " in good tvorks, ready to distribute, willing to communi- 
 " cate ; laying up in store for themselves a good founda- 
 " tion against the time to come, that they may lay hold on 
 " eternal life."* 
 
 * iTimo. vi. 17, 18, 19.
 
 NOTES. 
 
 A. p. 12, 
 
 AMONG the singularities of liistory is the fact, that, wlien Charles I. 
 of England sent a naval armament to the assistance of France, in 1625, all the 
 seamen, with the exception of one man, deserted rather, than suffer themselves 
 to be employed against their Protestant brethren of Roehelle. The man, who 
 '' preferred duty toward his king to tlie cause of religion," was afterward killed 
 before the city. Their admiral, Pennington, declared, " he would rather be 
 '' hanged in England for disobedience, than fight against his brother Protes- 
 '' tants in France. Hume. v. 6. p. 208. 
 
 In two ill-concerted and ineffectual expeditions, the English monarch after- 
 ward aimed at the relief of Roehelle. But the Protestant interest wa s crushed 
 by the genius of Richelieu. Several of their leaders had deserted them for 
 posts of power at Court ; for, as says Voltaire, " in the higher pursuits of am- 
 '' bition men are strangers to shame ;" and no allies were found among for- 
 eign nations of tlieir own I'eligiou to give the needed support, since, as Hume, 
 with perhaps equal truth observes, " all princes had ever sacrificed to reasons 
 " of state the interests of their i-eligion in foreign countries." Even the Dutch 
 were made their enemies. 
 
 B. p. 13, 
 
 Our puritan ancestors, in their " Generall considerations for the plantation 
 "in New England, with an answer to several objections," state the following : 
 '' Obj. 2. We have feared a judgment a long tyme, but yet we are safe ; there- 
 "fore it were better to stay till it come, and either we may flie then, or if we be 
 " overtaken in it wee may well be content to suffer with such a church as ours 
 " is. Ans. It is likely that this consideration made the churclies beyond the 
 '' seas as the Palatinate and Rochel, &c. to sit still at home, and not look out 
 " for shelter while they might have found it, but the wofull spectacle of their 
 *' mine may teach us more wisdome to avoid the plague while it is foreseene, 
 " and not to tarry as they did till it overtooke them. If they were now at
 
 30 
 
 " their former liberty wee may be sure they would take other courses for their 
 " safety. And though most of them had miscarried in their escape, yet it had 
 " not been halfe so miserable for themselves, or scandalous to religion, as this 
 " desperate backsliding and abjuring the truth, which many of the antient pro- 
 ^' fessors among them, and the whole posterity that remayne are plunged into.'' 
 (Hutch. Coll. papers.) How strong the inducement to apostatise from Protes- 
 tantism was made, by the artifice of the Catliolicks and Court, we may judge 
 by tlie following passage from *• Eclaircissemens Hist, sur la cause de la revoe. 
 *' de I'Edit de Nantes," p. 89. '" Des ce temps-la, le Clerge avoit assigne, avee 
 *•' la permission du Pape, un fond de trente mille francs sur les revenus Ee- 
 '' clesiastiques, pour dedommager les Pasteurs Reformes, qui, en se convertis- 
 " sant perdroient leur etat ; et ce funds ne trouvant point d'emploi parmi les Pas- 
 "teurs, etoit distribue a des Lai'es, plus aises a persuader." The author pla- 
 ces the commencement of Protestant emigrations at 1666. Happy, had they 
 commenced a half century sooner. 
 
 It must not, however, be forgotten, that several emigrations of French Protes- 
 tants into Canada took place occasionally in the period under review. But 
 those, who loved the religion, for which they and their fathers suffered, finding 
 greater congeniality of mind among the English and other Protestants, than 
 among their own countrymen, generally joined them. Many must have apos- 
 tatised. In France they had had synods, whicli united tliera into a compact 
 body, and a clergy of two thousand ministers. Where are their remains ? 
 We seem to be reading again the liistory of tlie churches of Asia minor. And 
 what a lesson is taught us, when, although it be said, (Dr. Morse's Univ. Geogr. 
 last ed.) that now in Canada nine tenths are Roman Catholicks, no mention 
 whatever is made of the existence there of a Huguenot clairch. 
 
 It is a subject of laudable curiosity to know where and in what state are the 
 descendauts of the associates of such men, as De Moinay, Daille, Chamier, 
 Bochart, and their venerable brethren. While the emigrant fathers of New 
 England have founded a Church, which is now commencing an evangelical ca- 
 reer of Missions even to India, wliere, alas, is tiie Protestant Church of France, 
 once so respectable, great and promising ? " Let liim, that tliinketh he stand- 
 « eth, take heed lest lie fall."
 
 31 
 
 C. p. 14. 
 
 By the kind condescension of Madam Sarah Bowdoin to some enquiries of 
 the author, and her obliging communication of copies of a few papers, he is 
 able to enhirge his account in this and following notes. 
 
 Pierre Baudouin " left his native country and estates in the year 1685, and 
 « embarked, with his wife and four children, in a small vessel, in which they 
 « fled to Ireland, But not meeting with a satisfactory reception there, he un- 
 « dertook a dangerous, uncertain and expensive voyage to this country," where 
 he landed at Casco, and afterward removed to Boston. " He survived his ar- 
 " rival at Boston but a short time, dying under tlie pressure of misfortune, and 
 « leaving his eldest son, James, then about seventeen, with the charge of the sup- 
 « port of his mother, a younger brother, (who afterward settled in Virginia, and 
 « left descendants) and two sisters. One of the sisters married M. Boutineau, a 
 « French Protestant gentleman, who left his country likewise on account of his 
 « religion, and was deacon of the antient French Protestant Church in School 
 " Street, Boston." His descendants yet live. " The other sister was never 
 
 '^ married." 
 
 The family of Pierre, following an example then very common among the 
 French Refugees (as in the family of Le Jeune, for instance, descended of 
 the house of Montmorenci, which became Younge) adopted a more English 
 ortho°-raphy, and spelt their name Bowdoin. Mr. James Bowdoin also left 
 using the antient arms, a lion, with a coronet as crest, and adopted those re- 
 tained by the family at present. Beside tlie Governour he had a son William, 
 father of the present respected Relict of the late Hon. James Bowdoin Esq. 
 
 D. p. 14. 
 
 Dr. Ramsay, in his histoiy of South Carolina, mentions more than sixty 
 names of families sprung from tlie expatriated Protestants of France, who set- 
 tled under the ministry of Rev. Elias Prioleau ; and gives an extract of a let- 
 ter, written by a female of the number, painfully descriptive of the sufferings of 
 the company. " Since leaving France," said she, " we had experienced every 
 '' kind of aiflietion — disease — pestilence — famine — poverty — hard labour. I 
 « have been for six months together without tasting bread, working the ground 
 " like a slave, and I have even passed thi-ee or four years without always hav-
 
 32 
 
 ^^ ing it when I wanted it. God has done great things for us in enabling us to 
 " bear up under so many trials. I should never have done, were I to attempt 
 '^ to detail to you all our adventures : Let it suffice that God has had compas- 
 '' sion on me, and changed my fate to a more happy one, for which glory be un- 
 " to him." And well might the pious woman ascribe to God this glory, for 
 her family was, in his providence, raised to much usefulness. She was mother 
 of " Gabriel Manigault, who in a long and useful life accumulated a fortune so 
 " large, as enabled him to aid tlie asylum of his persecuted parents with a loan 
 " of 83:30,000, for carrying on its revolutionary struggle for li])erty and inde- 
 pendence." At his death he left also to a " Society in Charleston, a legacy 
 " of 50001 sterling, from the interest of which it has been enabled to add very 
 '^ considerably to the number of children educated on its bounty." 
 
 From the same distinguished historian it appears, that in 176"*, the Rev. Mr. 
 Gibert, a popular preacher in France, " prevailed on a number of persecuted 
 " Protestant families to seek an asylum in South Carolina." They settled 
 finally in a place called by them New Bordeaux, and were in number 212. 
 
 Dr. Ramsay's hist. S. C. vol. I. pp. 5, 8, 19. //. 501, 8^c. 
 
 E. p. 14. 
 
 In the proceedings of the '' Society for the propagation of the gospel in for- 
 eign parts," incorporated by William III. is the following item, a few years af- 
 ter its establishment : '•' For the use of the inhabitants of JSTew Hochelle, in the 
 " same {JSTeic-Yorlc) Government, (who, under the influential ministry of the 
 " Reverend Mr. Boudet, have built tliem a new Church of Stone for the Wor- 
 " ship of God, and are many of them reconciled to the usages of the Church of 
 ^'England,) 100 French Common-Prayer Books of a small sort, and 20 of a 
 "larger Impression, according to their desire;" — and also, ''to Mr. Elias 
 " JSTeau at .7V'e?r Forlc, 100 small French Books, intituled, Qiiestions and An- 
 ^' swers concerning the Two Religions, viz. those o{ England and Rome, recom- 
 " mended for the service of that, and other places where they should be adjudged 
 '' necessary, by Monsieur Bonet, the worthy Resident for his Prussian Majes- 
 " ty here, and who has approv'd himself a very useful member of the Society." 
 John de Puy, a schoolmaster on Staten Island, had also from the Society a 
 salary of 101. per annum ; and the above named M. Boudet 501. " in considera- 
 " of his great Learning and Piety, with his long and faithful Discharge of his 
 " Office."
 
 33 
 
 F. p. 18. 
 
 This eminently active and benevolent friend of mankind, after instinicting 
 youth a great portion of his life, bent his chief endeavours to the benefit of the 
 Blacks. For them he founded a school in Philadelphia, which the lovers of 
 humanity must hope yet to see instrumental in educating J\regroesfor Missiona- 
 ries to Africa, when the merciful Head of the Church shall prepare the way. 
 His life was spent in exertions to do good. 
 
 G. p. 19. 
 
 As a particularity expressive of the state of Boston at that time, it may be 
 noted, that Mr. Bowdoin, who was in the same boat with the General, took him 
 to dine with his venerable grandfather Erving, when the best fare the town af- 
 forded their table " was only a piece of salted beef." 
 
 H. p. §1. 
 
 Concerning these eiforts Mr. Mollis wrote, " More books, especially on gov- 
 " ernment, are going for New England. Should those go safe, it is hoped that 
 " no principal books on that first subject will be wanting in Harvard College, 
 '' from the days of Moses to these times. Men of New England, Brethren, use 
 " them for yourselves, and for others ; and (tod bless you !" 
 
 " I confess," says he, " to bear prospensity, aifection towards the people of 
 '• North America ; those of Massacliusetts and Boston in particular, believing 
 " them to be a good and brave people : long may they continue such ! and the 
 " spirit of luxury, now consuming us to the very marrow liere at home, kept out 
 " from them ! One likeliest mean to that end will be, to watch well over their 
 " youth, by bestowing on tliem a reasonable manly education ; and selecting 
 " thereto the wisest, ablest, most accomplished of men that art or wealth can 
 " obtain ; for nations rise and fall by individuals, not numbers, as I think all 
 ^' liistory proveth." 
 
 Memoirs, J)]). 319, 339.
 
 34 
 
 I. p. 24. 
 
 Extract from the Will of Washington. 
 
 " As it has always been a source of serious regret .with me, to see the 
 
 " youth of these United States sent to foreign countries for tlie purpose of educa- 
 
 *' tion, often before their minds were formed, or they had imbibed any adequate 
 
 *' ideas of the happiness of their own ; contracting too frequently, not only 
 
 *' habits of dissipation and extravagance, but principles unfriendly to republi- 
 
 " can government, and to the true and genuine liberties of mankind ; which 
 
 '' thereafter are rarely overcome. — For these reasons, it has been my ardent 
 
 " wish, to see a plan devised on a liberal scale, Avhich would have a tendency 
 
 " to spread systematic ideas through all parts of this rising empire, thereby to 
 
 " do away local attacliments and state prejudices, as far as the nature of things 
 
 '* would, or indeed ought to admit, from our national councils. — Looking anx- 
 
 " iously forward to the accomplishment of so desirable an object as this is (in 
 
 *' my estimation) my mind has not been able to contemplate any plan more 
 
 " likely to effect the measure, than the establishment of a UNIVERSITY in 
 
 " a central part of the United States, to which the youths of fortune and talents, 
 
 " from all parts thereof, might be sent for the completion of their education in 
 
 " all the branches of polite literature ; in arts and sciences, in acquiring knowl- 
 
 " edge in the principles of politics and good government, and (as a matter of 
 
 '^ infinite importance in my judgment) by associating with each other, and form- 
 
 " ing friendships in juvenile years, be enabled to free themselves, in a proper 
 
 (( degree, from those local prejudices and habitual jealousies, which have just 
 
 ^' been mentioned ; and wliich, when carried to excess, are never-failing sources 
 
 *' of disquietude to the public mind, and pregnant of mischievous consequences 
 
 ** to this country ; under these impressions so fully dilated, 
 
 " Item. I give and bequeath in perpetuity the fifty shares which I hold in 
 " tlie Potomack company — towards the endowment of a UNIVERSITY, to 
 " be established within the limits of the district of Columbia, under the auspi- 
 " ces of tbe general government, if that government should incline to extend a 
 " fostering hand towards it ; and until such seminary is establislied, and the 
 "funds arising on tliose shares shall be required for its support, my further 
 "will and desihe is, that tlie profit accruing therefrom shall, whenever the 
 " dividends are made, be laid out in purcliasing stock in tlie bank of Columbia, 
 "or some other bank, at the discretion of my executors; or by the Treasurer of
 
 35 
 
 ''the United States for tlic time being, under the direction of Congress — ^pro- 
 " viiled tliat IjououraLle body shouUI patronize the measure ; and the dividend 
 " proceeding Trow the piircliase of such *,tock is to he vested in more stock, and 
 "so on. until a sum, adequate to the accomplishment of the object, is obtained; 
 " of which 1 hace vot the sinullesi doiiht, before many years pass away, even if 
 " no aid or encoiirugemeni is given by the legislative authority, or from any oth- 
 " er source." 
 
 J. p. 34. 
 
 The following was the tenor of Mr Bowdoin's first Commission — 
 
 " Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America, to James 
 " Bowdoin — Greeting. 
 
 "■ Reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Integrity, Prudence and 
 " Ability, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the 
 " Senate do ajipoint you, the said James Bowdoin, Minister Plenipotentiary 
 " for tlie United States of America at the Court of His Catholic Majesty ; au- 
 " thorizing you hereby to do and perform all such matters and things as to the 
 " said place or office doth appertain, or as may be duly given you in charge 
 " hereafter ; and the said office to hold and exercise during the pleasure of the 
 " Piesident of the United States for the time being. In Testimony whereof, I 
 " liave caused the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. 
 
 " Given imder my hand a( the city of Washington the twenty second day of 
 " November, in the year of cur Lord one thousand eight hundred and four, and 
 " of the Independence of the United States of America the twenty ninth." 
 
 " By the President, Signed, 
 
 " James Madison, Secretary of State." " Th. Jefferson." 
 
 Which was afterward modified, as follows — 
 
 "TJiomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America, To all and 
 " singular whom these presents shall concern : Greeting. Know Ye, That 
 " with a view to confirm harmony and fiiendship between the United States of 
 " America and His Catholic Majesty, by removing all grounds of dissatisfac- 
 « tion, and from a special Trust an(! Confidence in the Integrity, Prudence and 
 *' Abilities of John Armstrong, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at 
 " Paris, and James Bowdoin, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at 
 " Madiid — I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the
 
 36 
 
 " Senate appoint them jointly and severally Commissioners Plenipotentiary and 
 " Extraordinary of the said United States ; hereby giving and granting to them 
 '^ and each of them full and all manner of power and autliority, as also a general 
 " and special command, for and in the name of the United States, to meet, confer 
 ^' and treat with the Ministers, Commissioners, Deputies, or Plenipotentiaries 
 '' of His said Majesty, or any of them, being furnished with sufficient authority 
 '^ of, and concerning the said territories of the said United States and of His 
 " Catholic Majesty, and also concerning all wrongful captures, and condemna- 
 ^' tions and other injuries, for which tlie parties may be responsible the one to 
 ''the other, or tlie one to the citizens or subjects of the other. 
 
 " In Testimony whereof, I have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and 
 '' the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. 
 
 " Given under ray hand at the City of Wasliington, Seventeenth day of 
 " March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six, and of 
 "the Independence of the United States of America the Thii'tieth." 
 
 " By the President, Signed, 
 
 " James Madison, Secretary of State." ^' Th. Jefferson." 
 
 K. p. 25. 
 
 Mr. Bowdoin's health l)eiug such, as rendered it necessaiy for him to solicit 
 a recal, he received from President Jefferson a letter dated " Washington, July 
 10, 1807?" of which the following is an extract : 
 
 '' The way being now opened for taking your station at Madrid, it is certain- 
 '' ly our wish you should do so, and that this may be more agreeable to you than 
 " your return home, as is solicited in yours of May 1 . It is with real unwil- 
 " lingness Me should relinquish the benefit of your services. Nevertheless if 
 " your mind is decidedly bent on tliat, we sliall regret, but not oppose your re- 
 " turn. The choice therefore remains with yourself. In the mean time your 
 '^ place in the joint commission l)eing vacated by either event, we shall take the 
 " measure rendered necessary by that." 
 
 On Mr. Bowdoin's return to America he wrote to the President, and receiv- 
 ed the following in reply : 
 
 " Dear Sir, « IMonticello, May 29, 1808. 
 
 i( I received tlie favor of your letter written soon after your arrival, a little 
 " before I left Wasliington, and during a press of business preparatory to my
 
 CI 
 
 7 
 
 « departure on a short visit to this place. Tliis has prevented my earlier cou- 
 « gratulations to you, on your safe return to your own country. There, judg- 
 « ing from my own experience, you will enjoy much more tranquil happiness of 
 « life, than is to be found in the noisy scenes of the great cities of Europe. I 
 « am also aware that you had at Paris adtUtional causes of disquietude. These 
 " seem inseparable from public life, and indeed are the greatest discouragements 
 « to entering into, or continuing in it— perhaps however they sweeten the hour 
 i' of retirement, and secure us from all dangers of regret. On the subject of 
 " that disquietude, 1 found in it no cause of dissatisfaction with yourself, nor of 
 « lessening the esteem I entertain for your virtues and talents ; and had it not 
 « been disagreeable to yourself, I should have been well pleased that you could 
 " have proceeded on your original destination." 
 
 " You find us on your return, in a crisis of great difficulty. An embargo 
 '• had, by the course of events, become the only peaceable card we had to play. 
 " Should neither peace, nor a revocation of the decrees and orders in Europe 
 " take place, tlie day cannot be distant when that will cease to be preferable to 
 « open hostility. Notliing just or temperate lias been omitted on our part to re- 
 " tard, or to avoid this unprofital)le alternative. Our situation will be the more 
 " singular, as we may liave to chuse between two enemies, Avho have both fiir- 
 " nished causes of war. With one of them we could never come into contact ; 
 " with tlie other great injuries may be mutually inflicted and received. Let us 
 " still hope to avoid, still we prepare to meet them. 
 
 " Hoping you will find our cloudless skies, and benign climate more favora- 
 " ble to your health tlian tliose of Europe, I pray you to accept my friendly 
 '•' salutation, and assurances of great esteem and consideration." 
 
 Signed, "Th: Jefferson." 
 
 L. p. 26. 
 
 While tliis sulyect passes in review, the author will be allowed to remark 
 that the assiduity of the Professor of natural and experimental Philosophy, wlio 
 for several years lias also lectured on cliemistry and mineralogy, has tended to 
 render these branches, among tlieir otlier pursuits, peculiarly interesting to stu- 
 dents. And it may be observed in general that, in proportion to their numbers, 
 BowDOiN College has furnished at least a usual quota of sound, Avell read 
 scholars. Its library, though still consideral)ly deficient in classical and bibli- 
 cal literature, probably ranks now as the third among those, wliich supply the 
 
 404539
 
 38 
 
 Colleges of New England with employment. Its philosophical apparatus may- 
 be considered as very ueai'ly complete. Its immediate government is compos- 
 ed of the Reverend President, tAvo Professors and two Tutors. The numher 
 of pupils being yet small, the share of personal attention to be enjoyed by each 
 offers an advantage by no means to be overlooked. 
 
 Yet although the state of this Institution may be denominated flourishing, its 
 funds are at present in a great degree inactive, consisting much in lauds, to the 
 sale of which several impediments occur, from the state of the times. But 
 should the prosperity of our country revive, and a demand be produced for the 
 dormant property of the College, or should new benefactors arise, several plans 
 of enlarging its influence, and benefit to the publick may be safely indulged, 
 and its friends look forward with confldeuce to its extended utility. 
 
 Above all may it enjoy an interest in the prayers and correspondent efforts of 
 the friends of religion, virtue and science — that a Avise and holy God may bless 
 it, as an instrument of raising up the pillars of the Church and State ! 
 
 M. p. 26. 
 
 Mr. Bowdoin's sentiments on one important branch of national legislation 
 
 and executive provision must not be omitted. " When we consider," says he, 
 
 ^' the encouragement of navigation as contributive to the general defence, with- 
 " out going far into the liistory of ancient or modern nations, there are few or 
 ^' no instances of a country holding extensive colonies or possessions abroad, 
 " or of enjoying power or respectability at home, or among the neighboring 
 " states, without the aid of a maritime force. Navigation, as a nursery of sea- 
 " men, and as a mean of bestowing wealth and power, is found, by experience, 
 " to be among the first objects of national policy. The Carthaginians main- 
 •'• tained their independence, and were successful rivals to the Roman power, as 
 '• long as they preserved their naval superiorly : — The most brilliant achieve- 
 " meuts of the Athenians were through the means of their fleets ; * The answer 
 " given by the oracle of Delphi to the Athenians, to fortify their city with 
 •' wooden walls against the invasion of Xerxes, is an advice which has been 
 •' successfully adopted by the French and English,'* and ought to be operative 
 '* upon the citizens and government of the United States." 
 
 ^•' Oj)inions,'' &c. p. 59- 
 
 * Postlethwaite.
 
 39 
 
 N. p. 26. 
 
 If the most tender and respectful language of condolence, uttered by men, 
 who occupy the iirst ranks in society, and mingled with approbation of her de- 
 parted husband and his labours, can aiford consolation to the afflicted Widow 
 of Mr BowDOiN, as, after tlie infinitely important considerations of religion, it 
 may justly be allowed ; doubtless this lenient balm has been already acknowl- 
 edged in the following letters, which are kindly permitted to enrich these notes, 
 
 and with which they shall close. ., ^« .0.0 
 
 « Quincy, April 27, 1812. 
 
 " Madam, , 
 
 " I pray you to accept my most respectful thanks for the present you have 
 "been so obliging as to send me of the Testimonies of Mr. Harris and Mr. 
 " Buekminster to the character and merits of Mr. Bowdoin : and especially for 
 "the ele-ant Copy of that very useful work, the Advice to Shepherds, than 
 " which a more patriotic present could scarcely have been made to this country. 
 "Thou-hlwas acquainted with this Volume and had esteemed and recoin- 
 "mende'd it, I value it more highly as an expression of Remembrance from a 
 "Family, which for so long a tract of years I have held in esteem and respect 
 "I wish you, Madam, every Blessing and every Comfort that this World 
 " and this Country can afford, and when Nature and Providence shall ordain 
 " it, an easy and a triumphant transit to another and a better. I have the Hon- 
 " our to be, Madam, with great respect, 
 
 " Your obliged and obedient servant, 
 
 "John Adams." 
 
 Mr Monroe, the present Secretary of State, between whom and Mr. Bow- 
 doin a long and confidential friendship had subsisted, renders the following tes- 
 
 timony to his friend, in a letter dated ^ ,„,« 
 
 " Washington, March 25, 1812. 
 
 " My dear Madam, ^^ . -. t 
 
 "I was most sensibly affected by your last letter and the proof which it af- 
 " forded of your friendly regard for me and my family. To your late most es- 
 "tiraable husband I was much attached. Having long before our meeting m 
 "Europe highly respected his character, every circumstance which occurred 
 « there contributed to increase my personal regard for him, and my respect for 
 " his rare merit. I shall preserve and wear the testimonial whicli you have been
 
 40 
 
 " so kind as to send me of our mutual friendsliip. Those sentiments could never 
 '' have been effaced from my mind, but I am particularly gratified to receive 
 
 '^ from one so dear to him such a token of his distinguished esteem." 
 
 Your friend, (Signed) Ja's. Monroe. 
 
 ^' I possess a very interesting pamphlet written on a commercial subject by our 
 ^' late friend, and shall be happy to receive his translation of Daubenton's work 
 '^ for the management of Sheep, which your are so good as to promise me." 
 
 The last mentioned volume being presented the President, was acknowl- 
 edged in tlie following note : 
 
 " J. Madison has received the little volume Avhich Mrs. Bowdoin has had 
 " the goodness to send liim. The sensibility which he begs leave to express to 
 " her is much quickened Jiy his high respect for the Memory of the distinguish- 
 ^' ed Patriot, to Avhom the public is indebted for the valuable Legacy." 
 
 '^ Washington, June 6, 1813." 
 
 Respecting the same work and its Translator the foUoAving are the sentiments 
 expressed by the former President : 
 
 " Th. Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to Mrs. Bowdoin, and 
 '' his thanks for the book she has been so kind as to forward him. It is an^in- 
 " teresting present to the American public, who owed so much before to the pa- 
 '' ti'iotism of its author, and to liis steady vicAvs and efforts for the promotion of 
 " their best interests. With the public gratitude he is peculiarly bound to min- 
 '' gle his own, for the aid and support he received from him personally/ in ad- 
 ^' ministering the affairs of their common Country. Of this he knows no de- 
 " pository to whom it may be committed with so mucli propriety, as to Mrs. 
 " Bowdoin, while he tenders to herself the homage of his liigh respect and 
 " consideration." 
 
 " Monticello, June 24, 1813." 
 
 55 18
 
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