Life, times, and correspondence of James Manning, and the early history of Brown University

Front matter

^aa^it^S

Qass.

Book.

Preface

A CENTURY has elapsed since Brown University was founded, and nearly three quarters of a century have passed aAvay since the death of Dr. Manning ; yet no extended history of the one or life of the other has been published. This neglect to record the honors, the struggles, and triumphs of the founder, so to speak, of the venerable seat of learning, with the early liistory of which his own history is so thoroughly identified, must be ascribed, in part, to the almost habitual indifference which Baptists have thus far manifested to the characters and the fame of their fathers and departed Avorthies.

"It is mortifying," says a writer in one of the earlier numbers of the Christian Review^ " that we have allowed men like Clarke and Callender, Backus and INIanning, — each of them an honored and true-hearted advocate of the faith which we profess, at a time when this faith was despised and derided over the greater part of New England, — to pass away so nearly from the memory of men. They were all scholars, who compared well with the foremost of their time. Some of them, also, have linked their names with the history of the country, by the services they rendered in the days

of her early settlements, and her subsequent struggles for national

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VI PREFACE.

independence. But no one of them has found among their own brethren a biographer to set forth their labors and sacrifices, and to delineate their characters in connection with the pecuhar faith which they professed. Their lives, in some instances, at least, were filled with Important events, which illustrated the civil and religious character of the age to which they belong. They were made beautiful, too, by their simple manners, their all-enduring faith, their deep devotion to truth. It is sad to think that their memory has so nearly perished, and it is humiliating to think that this would have been permitted in no other denomination than our oAvn."

In 1815, twenty-four years after Dr. Manning's death, a brief sketch of his character and life, by the late John Howland, Es(j., was published in the RlioJe Maud Lilerary llepo^itory. It comprises sixteen pages, and consists chiefly of personal recollections. Mr. Howland, although his calling was humble, possessed original and vigorous powers of mind, which he had cultivated by extensive reading, and a close observation of men and manners. He was a warm admirer of President Manning, who, with the leading men of the town, used to frecpient his shop. Although diflfering from him in his religious sentiments, he has furnished a sketch of Manning which the Rev. Dr. Hague, in his " Historical Discourse," pronounces " an elegant tribute to his memory."

Nearly a quarter of a century later, a memoir of President Manning, from the pen of William Giles Goddard, LL. D., at that time the accomplished Professor of Belles-letters in Brown University, was published in the American Quarlcrl// Reyister. This memoir

PREFACE. VM

Is necessarily brief, and although an admirable specimen of the author's skill in literary writing, furnishes but little additional information respecting Manning, his materials having been limited mainly to the College records, and the traditions that had come down to his time. As an illustration of this dearth of material, the Rev. Dr. Elton, a few years later, in his " Literary Remains of Jonathan Maxcy," D.D., thus remarks : " President Manning embodied in an enduring form few of the productions of his noble mind. Of his writings, after diligent inquiry for several years, we have been able to obtain only two of his familiar letters, and an address delivered to the graduating class in 1789."

The present work owes its origin to a train of circumstances, by which the author came into the possession of new and original sources of information in regard to Manning and his associates. In the year 1848, soon after he entered upon his duties as librarian of Brown University, a handsome morocco portfolio, lettered on the back " Manning Papers," was placed in his hands, as the custodian of the Library. These papers, containing thirteen packages carefully arranged by Manning himself, were found on examination to be his correspondence with friends in England, he having preserved copies of his own letters to them. They came from the late Mrs. Ludlow, wife of the Rev. Peter Ludlow, and daughter of the Rev. Stephen Gano. Mr. Gano, upon the death of Mrs. Manning, who was his aunt, took possession of Mr. Manning's papers, as administrator of the estate. Upon his own death, in 1828, the portfolio containing Manning's foreign correspondence, as above described, fell into the

hands of liis daughter, Mrs. Ludlow, who finally presented it to the Library. The greater portion, however, of Dr. Manning's papers, being loosely kept in barrels, were, through a sad mistake which good housewiA'es sometimes make, unfortunately destroyed. These papers comprised without doubt private diaries, important narratives, records pertaining to the Church, the College, the Association, — in short, ample materials for his own personal history, and the history of his times. An instance like this illustrates the folly of making the garrets and storehouses of private dwellings places of deposit for valuable manuscript papers, for the care and preservation of which historical societies are instituted.

The acquisition of the " Manning Papers " awakened on the part of the author a desire to obtain further information in regard to the early history of the College, and the life of its first President. By means of letters and circulars, and by persistent effort, a large number of manuscript documents, printed pamphlets, sermons, addresses, catalogues, theses, programmes, minutes of the Warren Association, etc., have been collected and carefully arranged for preservation in the College Library. The titles of most of these are given in Bartlett's Bibliography of Rhode Island (see under Brown University, pp. 45-66). From these varied materials the present work has been mainl}- compiled.

In preparing a history of this kind, a large number of books and jiamphk'ts have of necessity been consulted and used, many of which are referred to, both in the text and in foot-notes. The " Manning Papers," the papers and correspondence of Ilezekiah

Smitb, D.D., the papers of the Hon. David Howell, and the early College records, together with files of the Providence Gazette, constitute, it may be added, the basis of the book.

The author takes great pleasure in acknowledging herewith his obligations to David Benedict, D.D., the veteran historian, from whom he obtained Manning's diary and the correspondence of Hezekiah Smith, together with other valuable letters and documents, including a set of the printed Minutes of the Warren Association, from the year 17 71 ; William B. Sprague, D.D., of Albany, who kindly furnished copies of Manning's letters to General Miller, and who also presented to the Library the original draft of the College Charter, of which an account is given in the first chapter, and in the Appendix ; Horatio Gates Jones, Esq., of Philadelphia, from whom he obtained copies of Manning's letters to the Rev. Thomas Ustick, and also much information essential to his work ; the Rev. Silas Hall, of Raynham, Mass., to whom he is indebted for a copy of Backus's manuscript minutes of the first four meetings of the Warren Association ; Capt. G. L. Dwight, for papers belonging to his great-grandfather, the Hon. David Howell, including letters to him from Manning ; the Rev. Thomas S. Drowne, of Brooklyn, N. Y., for many rare documents and pamphlets pertaining to the early history of the College ; the Rhode Island Historical Society, for the free use of their accumulated treasures ; and, in fine, to all the numerous friends who luive in any manner aided him in his work.

Justice to his feelings requires the author to express his special gratitude to Barnas Sears, D.D., President of Brown Univer-

X r K E I< ACE.

s;!y, for valuable suixgestions and counsels, and for friendly q\icourairement, oiven Lim from time to time while en^afTed in the prosecution of his labors. The publishers also, Messrs. Gould and Lincoln, deserve grateful mention for the interest which they have taken in the publication of the book, the good taste which they have displayed in its mechanical execution, and for the liberality and promptness with which all their arrangements have been made and completed.

The undertaking was entered upon with great diffidence. It has been continued from year to year, under all the disadvantages of accumulated public and professional duties, and amidst frequent interruptions. Historical accuracy, and not literary excellence, is all, therefore, to which the author has been able to aspire. Sincerely wishing that he had possessed greater skill and more ample leisure for the })erformance of the task to which his position as librarian seems naturally to liave assigned him, the work, wnth all its imperfections, is herewith submitted to the public, in the hope that it may be acceptable to the general reader, and especially useful to the College, and to the religious denomination under whose auspices the College was founded.

R. A. G.

Brown Univeksitt, September 1, 1864.

Chapter I. 1738-1764

Manning's Birth and Parentage — Home Influence — Early Education — Sent to the Hopewell Academy — Isaac Eaton — Conversion and Baptism — Benjamin Miller — Admitted into the College of New Jersey at Princeton — His Instructors, Davies, Finley, and Blair — Extracts from the College Laws — Student Life — Letter from Kev. Oliver Hart — Manning's Classmates — Graduates with Salutatory Honors — Marriage — Ordination — Sketch of his Brother-in-law, John Gano — Isaac StelJe — Travels through the Colonies — Keceives a Call from the Baptist Church in Charleston, S. C, which he declines — Plan for establishing a Bai)tist College for the education more especially of Young Men for the Ministry — Colleges in existence at this time — Formation of the Pliiladelphia Association — Early eflTorts of the Association in behalf of Education— Hollis and the Hollis Scholarships at Harvard University — Hopewell Academy — Annual Meeting of the Philadelphia Association in 1762 — Ehode Island College projected — Morgan Edwards — Enterprise specially intrusted to Manning — His first appearance in Ehode Island — Movements at Newport in relation to the College, as narrated by Manning — Ezra Stiles — Thomas Eyres — Daniel Jer.ckes — Jenckes's History of the Charter — Analysis of the statements of Manning and Jenckes — Extracts from the early Minutes of the Philadelphia and Warren Associations pertaining to the College — Liberal spirit of the Charter — Extract from Backus's Church History of New England pertaining to the early History of the College 23

Xn CONTENTS.

Chapter II. 1764-1769

First Jleeting of the Corporation, at Newport— Character of the twenty-four members present, representing the four religious denominations recognized in the Charter — Manning removes with his family to Warren — Begins a Latin School, now the " University Grammar School " — Employs a i^art of his time in preaching — Formation of the "Warren Baptist Church — Appointed Fresidcut of the College — Extracts from a Letter of Rev. Isaac Backus to Dr. Gill of London — Suggests the formation of the Warren Association — Difficulties to be overcome — First Meeting of tiie Association, in 17G7 — Letter from the Fhiladelphia Association — Second and third 3Icetings — Sentiments and Plan of the Warren Association as drawn up by Manning — Plan to collect grievances — Character and influence of the Association — Manning's prominence and usefulness as a member of the two Associations — Circular Letter by Manning — Letter to Hon. David Howell — Howell appointed Tutor of th« College — Sketch of his Character — First Commencement of the College — Account from the Providence Gazette — Rev. Morgan Edwards's efforts in England and Ireland to secure funds for the College — Biographical Sketches of members of the first Graduating Class; Rev. Dr William Rogers, Hon. James Mitchell Varuum, Rev. Charles Thompson, Rev. William Williams.

CHAPTER Til.

1769-1770.

Erection of a College edifice, and place of location — Warren, East Greenwich, Newport, and Providence contend for the honor — Meeting of the Corporation at Newport in reference thereto — Final contest between Newport and

CONTENTS. XIII

Providence — Subscriptions in Newport — Final meeting of the Corporation on the question of location — Names of the thirty -five members present — Decision in favor of Providence — Letter to Rev. Hezekiah Smith giving a detailed account of this meeting — Proceedings of the Corporation with reference to Manning's removal to Providence— Comparison between Providence and Newport at this time — Attempt to establish another College, at Newport— Home-lot of Chad Brown selected for the location of the College

— Plans of Nassau Hall, Princeton, adopted for the building — Corner-stone laid by John Brown — Manning sunders his connection with the church at Warren — His struggles of mind in regard to duty — Removes to Providence — Remarks of Prof. Goddard respecting his position at this time — Letter to Rev. Dr. Stennett, of London — Stennett's reply —Efforts of Rev.llezekiah Smith to secure funds for the College, in South Carolina and Georgia — Letter from Rev. Oliver Hart in reference thereto — Account of the first Commencement in Providence — Letter to Thomas Lapham, of Smithfield, illustrating the early discipline of the College — Biographical Sketch of Rev. Isaac Backus — Sketch of Rev. Dr. Samuel Stillman — Sketch of Rev. Dr. Hezekiah Smith

— Extracts from Smith's correspondence while in the Army — Influence of the Brown family upon the College — Biographical Sketches of their ancestors: I. Chad Brown; II. John Brown; III. James Brown; IV. James Brown— Biographical Sketches of the " Four Brothers," Nicholas, Joseph, John, and Moses Brown — Transit of Venus — Destruction of the schooner Gaspee. . 107

Chapter IV. 1770-1773

First Baptist Church of Providence — Founded by Roger Williams in 1639 — Samuel Winsor — Manning's connection with the Church — Invited to preach — Controversy on Singing in public worship and the Imposition of Hands — Becomes the Pastor in 1771 — Revival under his preaching — Letter to Dr.

XIV CONTENTS.

Stennett, of London, giving au account of Lis views and feelings as Pastor of the Church and President of the College, together with an account of the dispute between the Baptists and Congregationalists of Massachusetts, Kew Hampshire, and Connecticut — Circular Letter of the Warren Association, in 1770, recommending the churches to seek redress of their grievances at the King's Court in England — Letter to Rev. Hezekiah Smith in behalf of an oppressed Baptist Church in Richmond, N. H. — Letter to Rev. John Ryland, of Northampton, England — Bitterness of the New England Congregationalists in general towards the College — Ryland's reply — List of worthy men of learning and character in England deserving the honors of the College — Letter from 3Iorgan Edwards illustrating the ill-feeling of the Congregationalists towards the College — Extract from Prof. Knowles's Memoir of Roger Williams respecting the expediency of unveiling scenes of intolerance and persecution—Account of the third Commencement, in 1771 — Letter to Dr. Llewelyn, of London, giving the condition and prospects of the College, and urging its claims upon his benevolence — Letter to Rev. John Ryland — Honors of the College — Spread of Baptist sentiments in New England — Manning suggests a Lottery to augment the funds of the College — His connection with the Latin School — Manning's Salary — Letter to Rev. John Ryland — Gift to the College of Dr. Gill's Works and fifty-two volumes of the Fathers — Rylands letter to Manning — Character and early history of Ryland's friend, Rev. Augustus M.Toplady — Letter to Dr. Stennett — Letter from Rev. Isaac Woodman, of Thorp, England, suggesting a printed Narrative of the College and declining its honors — Manning's reply — Extract from a letter from Ryland respecting a History of the College — Playful letter to Rev. Hezekiah Smith — Letter to Rev. Benjamin Wallin, a wealthy Baptist of London — Wallin's reply— Letter to Ryland upon academic honors, and detailing facts illustrative of the ill-will of Congregationalists toward the College — Ryland's reply — List of Calviuistic Baptist Ministers in England able to read the Greek Testament — Letter from Rev. O. Hart, of Charleston, S. C., thanking Manning for the discipline of the rod to his sou — Letter to Ryland — Letter to Wallin —Letter to Rev. Abraham Booth, of London, author of "Reign of Grace." 177

CONTENTS. XV

CHAPTER y.

1774-1779.

Description of the Baptist meeting-bouse at the time of Manning's removal to rrovidcnce — Church and Society prosper under liis pastoral care — Resolve to build " a meetinghouse for the public worship of Almighty God, and also to hold Commencements in "— Committees appointed — John Brown — Lottery to assist in defraying the expense — liaising of the house — Dedication — Description of the building and grounds — Letter to Eev. Benjamin Wallin — Baptists imprisoned for the non-payment of rates — Letter to Eev. John Kyland — Manning's illness — His ]!!s arrative of the College — Commencement in 1774 — Barnabas Binney — Valedictory oration — Letter to Thomas Ustick — Manning's efforts in behalfofcivil and religious freedom — Congress of Delegates meet at Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1774 — Address to the same from the ^Yarreu Association — Backus an agent to said Congress — Meeting of the Baptists in Philadelphia — Conference between them and members of Congress — Manning addresses the Conference and reads a Memorial — Results — Increase of Baptist sentiments throughout tiie land — Extract from letter giving Dr. Stiles's statements in regard to said Conference — Petition from the Senior Class — Manning's reply — No Commencement in 1775 — Reasons — Commencement in

1776 — Newport taken by the British forces — Providence under martial law — College studies suspended — College building occupied by the American, and afterwards by the French troops — Manning's duties at this time — Letter to John Ryland, giving a picture of the war and an account of tlie progress of religion in the land — Letter to Rev. Benjamin "Wallin, giving an account of a remarkable revival of religion in the church and College — Wallin's reply — Letter of sympathy and counsel to Miss A. Howard, of England — Controversial letter on Infant-Baptism, to Rev. John Berridge, of London — Conduct of the Episcopal clergy in reference to the war — Meeting of the Corporation in

1777 — Instance of Manning's humane disposition — Important civil function confided to him — Anecdote of Manning in relation to the "Dark Day " —

XVI CONTENTS.

Letter <o Kev. Tlionnus Ustick, urging him to open a Latin school with a view to aiding the College — Letter from Judge Howell resigning liis Professorship. 225

CHAPTER YI.

Distressed condition of the people of Ehode Island in 1779 — Probable reasons for a journey to Philadelphia — Diar)- or Journal — Manning sets out from Providence Thursday, April 29 — Sunday, May 2, preaches at Mr. James Thurber's in the forenoon, and at Mr. Tiiompson's in the afternoon — Thursday, May G, Continental Fast — Preaches in the afternoon for Rev. Dr. iPvathan Strong, of Hartford — Saturday, May 8, preaches to Seveuth-day Baptists in Farmington — Description of the country — Sunday, May 9, preaches for Rev. Judah Champion, pastor of the Congregational church in Litchfield — Monday, crosses chains of tremendous mountains — Tuesday, May 11, preaches in the evening at Mr. Waldo's — Wednesday, 12, crosses Continental Ferry — Thursday, 13, reaches the family of liis brother-in-law. Rev. John Gano — — Sunday, IG, prcaclies twice for Rev. Mr. Randall's people — Tuesday, 18, assists his nephews in planting — Sunday, 23, preaches again for Mr. Randall at Warwick — Monday, 24, sets out for the Jerseys — Reaches Mrs. Manning's liome in the evening — May 27, visits Elizabethtown, his native place — Sunday, 30, preaches at the Scotch Plains Church — Meeting interrupted by the march of the American forces — Sunday, June 6, preaches with Mr. Stelle, to a large audience — Saturday, 12, preaches at the Scotch Plains Church — Sunday, 13, jircaches again ami administers communion — Sunday, 20, preaches at Lyon's Farms — Monday, June 21, sets out for Philadelphia — In the evening preaches at Samuel Randolph's — June 24, visits Dr. Vankirk, and preaches in the evening — Accounts of grain and Indian corn — June 27, tarries with Rev. William Van Horn at Soullunnplon, and preaches — Fruit in this neighbor-

CONTENTS. XVri

hood cut off by tbe frost — Crops fine — Monday, June 28, reaches Penuepek, and tarries with Eev. Dr. Samuel Jones five days — Sketch of Dr. Jones — July 2, Manning arrives at Philadelphia — Puts up at William Goforth's — Calls on Samuel Davis, William Rogers, Mr. Watkins, Mr. Westcots, Dr. Kush, Mr. Moulders, Mr. Hart, and Robert S. Jones — Financial embarrassments of the country — Mr. Joseph Hart of the Executive Council spends the evening at his lodgings — July 3, breakfasts with Dr. Eush — Inquires of Mr. Collins, a member of Congress, relative to the money question — Dines at Mr. Redwood's with Hon. William Ellery — Sunday, July 4, preaches twice — General Spencer, a member of Congress, spends the evening with him — Mondaj', July 5, importuned by a committee of the First Baptist Church to tarry with them a long time — Sets out in the afternoon for Dr. Jones's — July 7, sets out for Bordentown — July 9, preaches in the evening — July 11, preaches at Cranberry — Sick with diarrhoea — July 13, preaches at the Baptist meeting — July 16, sets out for Piscataway — Mrs. Manning ill — July 17, preaches at Sabbatarian meeting — July 18, preaches for Mr. Stelle twice — July 19, returns to the Farms — Report concerning General Wayne and Stony Point — July 23, sets out for Hopewell — July 25, preaches twice and administers the communion — July 26, preaches in the afternoon — July 27, dines at John Hart's, Kewtown — July 29, sets out again for Philadelphia — July 30, visits in town

— Sees the prisoners taken at Stony Point — Aug. 1, preaches twice — Letters from friends — Aug. 5, call from Rev. Morgan Edwards — Aug. 7, visits Capt. Falkner, in companj^ with Edwards — Aug. 8, preaches in town three times

— Aug. 10, visits Col. Miles, in company with Edwards and Jones — Description of his country-seat — Weather — Crops — Aug. 14, preaches in the evening — Aug. 15, preaches twice, and attends funeral of a child — Aug. IG, sets out for Mr. Jones's at Pennepek — Finds Mr. Edwards there — Aug. 17, sets out for the Jerseys — Visits his family and friends — Sept. 8, sets out for Providence — Sept. 11, reaches the home of his brother-in-law, Mr. Gano, and next day preaches twice at Warwick — Sept. 14, meets Lieut. Hubbel on the road, who had come from Newburgh m ith an invitation from West Point — Sept. 16, goes down to West Point by water in Lieut. Hubbel's boat — Description of the fort and grounds — Introduced to Surgeon McDugal -Dines at General Greene's quarters with his family — Is introduced to (;lcne;nl

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XVTTI CONTENTS.

"Washington, Ck'ncral Knox, Baron Steuben, llie French Ambassador, and others — Returns up the river — Sept. 17, sets out from the Continental Ferry — Journey through Connecticut — Description of the country — Character of the inhabitants — Manner of conducting town meetings — Kavages of the war — lleaches home, Sept. 29 263

CHAPTER YII.

1780-1783.

Meeting of the Corporation in 1780 — College instruction revived — Manning's perseverance — Second interruption — Meeting of the Corporation in 1782 — Resolution to apply to Congress for damages done to the College edifice during the war — First Meeting of the Warren Association in Providence — Illustration of the efforts made by our fathers to educate and improve the "rising generation ■' — Letter to Hon. David Howell — Letter to Rev. Benjamin Wallin — Brief view of the religious condition of the country — Public exercises of Commencement resumed — Manning's purpose to proceed to England to solicit funds for the College— His memorial to the Corporation on this subject — Second letter to Hon. David Howell, giving an account of Commencement and of the proceedings of the Corporation — rctitiou to the King of France for his patronage of the College — Sketch of Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse — Letter from Thomas Jefferson in regard to the aforesaid petition to the King —

• Extracts from a Digest of the College Laws by rresident Manning — Remarks of Tristam Burges in regard to evening speaking on the chapel stage — Manning's ideas of college government and discipline — Letter to Henry Kane, of London — Letter to Rev. John Ry land — Influence of the College in favor of civil and religious liberty — Letter to Manning from Rev. Dr. Stcnnett — Anecdote of Thomas Mullett, Esq.. respecting George Washington — Reply to Dr. Stennett, giving a history of the times during the war; John Murray; Jemima Wilkinson; the "Elect Lady "; increase of religious toleration inKew England; calamities of the war; condition of the College; its influence in pro-

CONTENTS. XIX

moting Baptist sentiments ; character of its library ; plan for an Education Society, etc. — Origin of the Rhode Island Baptist Education Society — Letter to Dr. Thomas Llewelyn, urging him to endow the College, and thus give it his name, -according to a provision of the Charter — Extract from an address of the Warren Association pertaining to education, and especially to the College.

CHAPTER YIII.

1784-1785.

Letter to Manning from Rev. Dr. Rippon, of London — Most of the Baptist ministers in England on the side of America in the war — Manning's reply to Rippon — Apostasy of Rev. Elhanan Winchester — Sketch of Hon. Asher Robbins

— Baptists compelled to contribute to the support of Pedobaptist worship in Massachusetts and Connecticut — Resolution of the Warren Association in reference thereto — Letter to Rev. Thomas Ustick on the subject— Sketch of Rev. Elhanan Winchester — His troubles with the Baptist church in Philadelphia—Letter to Rev. Dr. Smith — William Wilkinson and the College Grammar School — Extract from the Providence Gazette respecting the transfer of the school from the College to the brick schoolhouse — Letter to Rev. Dr. Caleb Evans, of Bristol, England — Condition of the College — Efforts to add to its funds and to increase its library— Evans's reply to Manning — Illustration of Manning's numerous and perplexing cares — Letter from Rev. A. Booth — Manning's reply — Letter to Rev. John Ryland, Jr. —Letter to Rev. Dr. Rippon, introducing Dr. Solomon Drowne, of Providence — Sketch of Dr. Drowue

— Letter to Hon. David Howell, in Congress — Letter to Rev. Thomas Ustick

— Degree of Doctor in Divinity conferred on Manning by the University of Pennsylvania — Second letter to Hon. David Howell — Letter to Thomas Mackaness, Esq., of London — Manning's plan to establish a library for tlie Baptist Association in Kentucky — Letter to Rev. Dr. Evans — Manning's philanthropic efforts to enlighten the illiterate Baptist ministers of Kentucky and

XX CONTENTS.

Yirginia — Letter to Manuing from Hon. Granville Sharp, of London — Manning's reply — Ecclesiastical rnatters pertaining to the Episcopal Church — Letter to Rev. Dr. Kippon — Biographical sketch of Rev. Stephen Gauo — Character of Hon. Stephen Hopkins, the first Chancellor of the College — Letter from Rev. Dr. Evans announcing a donation of books to the College Library from the Bristol Education Society — Character of the donation and of the aforesaid Society — Letter to Hon. David Howell, in behalf of the Corporation, urging him to use his influence with the members of Congress in favor of a petition for indemnity for injuries which the College building sustained during the war — Death of Hon. Joseph Brown — Correspondence between Manning and John Gill, of London, respecting the publications of Rev. Dr. John Gill — List of Dr. Gill's published works — Pleasant bibliographical " morceau " respecting the first volume of Backus-s Ecclesiastical History.

CHAPTER IX.

Manning as a patriot statesman — Appointed a member of Congress— Account of this event, by Hon. Asher Robbins — Rev. Dr. Perez Fobes appointed to take charge of the College in Manning's absence — Letter to Rev. Dr. Rippon, giving his reasons for entering upon political life — Interests of the College paramount to all others — Manning's description of a minister such as he might wish to succeed him in the pastorate of the Baptist church — Letter from Nicholas Brown to Rev. Dr. Smith, respecting Manning and a proposed vacancy in the pastorate of the church — Letter to Rev, Dr. Evans — Letter to Rev. Abraham Booth — Rev. Dr. William Gordon, of London, author of a history of the American war — Letter to him —Congress passes an act for the relief of the College — Letter to Rev. Dr. Smith, giving an account of his life as a member of Congress — Letter to his colleague. Gen. Nathan stiller, giving an account of his own embarrassed condition from the want of funds, and urging him to take his seat as a delegate — Second letter to Mr. Miller — Letter to

CONTENTS. XXI

Manning from Dr. Gordon — Public exercises of Commencement resumed — Sketch of Hon. Nicholas Brown —Account of the collection of portraits in Rhode Island Hall — Extract from a letter illustrating the difficulties against whichthe College at this time had to contend — l.etter to llev. Dr. Smith — Severe reflections on the General Assembly of Rhode Island — Trying period in Manning's life — Commencement of 1787 — Sketch of Hon. Samuel Eddy