"Boston, April 26, 1847.
"My dear Sir William: Your kind letter of the 8th instant reached me on the 13th, and is most welcome and grateful, in making me the medium of so much solid comfort to the numerous people whose earnings are thus restored to them through your unceasing and faithful labors. May God reward you, and enable you to enjoy through life the elevated satisfaction that follows such good works to those who can give you nothing but their prayers! It is alike creditable to your Provincial Government and those true principles which are the best riches of all free governments; and I hope may exercise some good influence upon our State Governments, which have done injustice to many poor persons who have given credit to their promises. I have caused your notice to be scattered broadcast, and trust that all who have any interest in the Frederickstown Savings' Bank will know that their money and interest are ready for them. Pray present me most affectionately to Lady Colebrooke and your daughters; and assure her we shall take more comfort than ever in showing her over our beautiful hills, that have health and joy in every breeze. My own health continues as good as when you were last here; and my family (who have not been taken hence) seem devoted to my comfort. What reason have we for devout thanksgiving, that our two countries are not at swords' points, and that the true feeling of our common ancestry is now sweeping over our land! We are in deep disgrace on account of this wicked Mexican business. What the end is to be can only be known to Infinite Wisdom; but one thing is certain,—no good can come to us from it.
"Again I pray you to be assured of my highest respect and regard, and am very faithfully yours,
"Amos Lawrence."
[CHAPTER XXVII.]
MR. LAWRENCE AS AN APPLICANT.—LETTERS.—DIARY.—PRAYER AND MEDITATIONS.—LIBERALITY TO A CREDITOR.—LETTERS.
It was not uncommon for Mr. Lawrence, when a good work was in progress, to give not only his own means, but to lend a helping hand by soliciting contributions from others. The following note, addressed to a wealthy bachelor, is a specimen:
"Boston, June 11, 1847.
"My dear Sir: You will be surprised at this letter, coming as it does as a first; but I know, from my experience of your skill and talents as a business man, how pleasant it is to you to make good bargains and safe investments; and, although you are a bachelor, the early business habits you acquired are marked, and are to be carried forward till the footing up of the account, and the trial-balance presented to the Master at his coming. As I said before, you like safe investments, that shall be returned four-fold, if such can be made. Now, I am free to say to you, I know of such an one; and the promisor is a more secure one than A. & A. L. & Co., Uncle Sam, the Old Bay State, or bonds and mortgages in your own neighborhood. You ask, Then why not take it yourself? I answer, Because I have invested in advance in the same sort of stock in other quarters, but am willing to give my guaranty that you shall be satisfied that it is all I represent when you make your final settlement. It is this: Amherst College you know all about; and that is now in especial need of new instructors, and increased funds for their support. Twenty thousand dollars from you will place it on high ground, give a name to a professorship, make you feel happier and richer than you ever did in your life. What say you?—will you do it? The respect of good men will be of more value to you through your remaining days than any amount of increase, even if as vast as Girard's or Astor's. As I am a mere looker-on, you will take this, as I design it, as an expression of good-will to the college, no less than to you."
"Mem. by A. L.—Received an answer on the 16th, very good and kind, from Mr. ——."
In addition to the "very good answer," Mr. Lawrence had soon after the gratification of knowing that the application had been successful, and that the necessary sum had been contributed by his correspondent.
About the same date, he writes to his friend, Professor Packard, of Bowdoin College, as follows:
"Your visit to us the last week has opened new views and visions, that are better described in the last chapter of Revelations than in any account I can give. Bowdoin College is connected with all that is near and dear to President Appleton,—not only those on the stage of action with him, but all who came after, embracing in this latter class your own loved ones, who may continue to exercise an important agency in making the college what the good man, in his lifetime, strove to make it. The love, veneration, and respect, my dear wife had for him, makes her feel a peculiar pleasure in doing what would have cheered and comforted him so much had he lived till this time. The thousand dollars handed to you is a first payment of six thousand that she will give to the college in aid of the fund now in progress of collection; and she directs that the Lawrence Academy, at Groton, may be allowed to send one scholar each year to Bowdoin College, to be carried through the four years without charge for instruction; and that, whenever the trustees of the academy do not supply a pupil, the college may fill the place. I will hold myself responsible to make good Mrs. L.'s intentions, should she be deprived in any way of this privilege before the work is done."