CHAPTER V.

1803-Et. 28.

to

Letters to Rev. Dr. Boucher Sketch of Life and Character his friend Mercer-Series of Letters to Mr. How-Board of Trustees of Columbia College-Mr. Hobart's Election into it-Members-Di. vision-Rev. Dr. Mason-Character-Contests in the Board.

BUT before proceeding into the merits of the controversy thus forced upon him, we turn for a time to more quiet scenes.

Among the college friendships which time and absence had not severed was that with young Mercer, (the Hon. Charles Fenton Mercer, of Virginia.) Upon the visit of the latter to Europe, in 1802, Mr. Hobart addressed the following letter, by his hands, to the Rev. Dr. Boucher, one of the expatriated clergy of the Church in the colonies, but at that time Vicar of Epsom (England.)

Sir,

TO REV. DR. BOUCHER.

'New-York, November 22d, 1802.

1

I am sensible that an apology is due to you from a stranger for the liberty which he takes of addressing you. You will permit me to say, that feeling as a minister of the Episcopal Church, cherishing a warm interest in its welfare, I have been led to

esteem your character as one of its principal defenders; and from my connection by marriage with one of the late Dr. Chandler's daughters, to revere you as his valued friend.

My acquaintance with Dr. Chandler's family did not commence until several years after his death; I regret this circumstance the more, as all his papers, which I conceive would have thrown considerable light on the history of the Church in this country, have been destroyed. I am persuaded that a Church in which you once so zealously labored must still be the object of your solicitude, and if amidst the profound literary pursuits in which you are at present engaged, you could find leisure for other objects, no person could be better qualified for recording and elucidating the early, and the more advanced history of the American Church. Such an account of its origin and progress as you would be able to give, would be a valuable acquisition to literature, to ecclesiastical history, and to the cause of sound principles in religion and government. Should your engagements forbid the prosecution of an extensive plan, such hints as you might be able to put to paper would be a valuable present to any friend of the Church here to whom you might think proper to transmit them. I have often deeply regretted that the venerable clergy are one by one passing away, without any exertions being made to secure for posterity the important information which they possess on the past affairs of the Church.

I take the liberty of sending you some pamphlets which will give information on the present state of our Church. In our transactions I trust there are some things to approve; and, it is to be feared, other things which the sound advocate of primitive principles would

be obliged to condemn. The force of circumstances it is not always possible to resist, and the torrent of popular prejudices is not in a moment to be subdued. The Church in this quarter is, I trust, brightening in its prospects. Its state to the southward excites the most poignant apprehensions of its friends. The legis lature in Virginia have invaded its property; its clergy, with grief be it spoken, are many of them dispirited and inactive; many parishes are and have been for a long time vacant; and solitary are the instances of persons of talents and piety engaging in the ministry. Could some clergy of the Church of England, of sound principles and active popular talents, be persuaded to seat themselves in that quarter, Virginia particularly, they might be able successfully to oppose the rapid strides which the popular declamation of the sectarian clergy is making toward the complete possession of the confidence and support of the people. But, alas! what has a poor, persecuted Church to offer any of the clergy of England to leave their fortunate and happy country.

Charles F. Mercer, Esq., carries a letter of introduction from the Rev. Mr. Waugh, but I cannot refrain from mentioning those traits of his character which have been the foundation of the closest friendship between us. Intelligent and amiable, ardent in his feelings, and persevering and noble in all his aims, he obtains general esteem and respect wherever he is known; and, what will enhance his character in your estimation, he has, in this age of degeneracy, openly professed his belief in the religion of JESUS, and among the young men of his country afforded almost a solitary example of a consistent and uniform submission to the faith, the ordinances, and precepts of the Gospel,

Be pleased to excuse the long encroachment which I

have made on your time. Accept my most ardent wishes that your declining years may be cheered by all the exalted rewards of distinguished science and eminent piety. Permit me to subscribe myself,

Most respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

JOHN H. HOBART.'

The picture given by Mr. Mercer, in his answer, of the retirement of this learned and amiable man is so pleasing, and his remembrance of his American home so touching, as to deserve extracting. After enumerating the members of his family, the writer goes on to add:

FROM C. F. MERCER.

'Leicester Place, London, July 29th, 1803.

I believed, for a moment, that I saw the old patriarchal simplicity revived; and I felt deeply interested in the journey which the venerable head of this amiable family was performing. His gardens, his grounds, his house, his library, and the affection with which he seemed to be regarded by all around him, gave me a very pleasing view of his character. They told me that he used to say, that his three temporal blessings were, his family first, his books next, and his garden. He preserves an affectionate remembrance of our country. His daughter pointed out to me many American plants and trees which he had nurtured with great care. I was particularly pleased with his library, which is the largest I ever saw in a private house; it must contain five thousand volumes.

The most interesting object in it was a pile of quarto manuscripts, two feet high, which comprised, I was told, the first part of his Archæological Dictionary. The unfinished remainder, I understood, would occupy as many more, and require his unremitting attention for several years. All the books, amounting to six or seven hundred volumes, which he had consulted in the course of his labors, were neatly arranged in the middle of his library, on a separate stand of shelves.

From the windows of his library the Doctor has a prospect of some of his American trees, and of a beautiful green, surrounding a sheet of clear water; this is itself encompassed by a walk consisting of a double row of evergreens and tall trees, which, obstructing the view of every outward object, must peculiarly dispose the mind to abstract study.

I bade adieu to this charming retreat, and this worthy family, which reminded me sorrowfully of my distant home and friends, on the evening of the second day after I entered Epsom.'

The name of Boucher is familiar to American ears as connected with their own history; he was one of the most zealous preachers for the King, in the colonies of Virginia and Maryland, at the commencement of the revolutionary struggle, but he was also a good man and a sincere Christian. Being too bold to be awed into silence, and too influential to be allowed to speak, he was forcibly expelled, and driven to take refuge in England in 1776; and was there presented to the vicarage of Epsom, without