Professional Documents
Culture Documents
John Witherspoon (Woods 1906)
John Witherspoon (Woods 1906)
By
JR.,
M. A.
Niw YORK
CHICAGO
TORONTO
EDINBURGH
FLEMING
New
York:
158
Fifth
Avenue
Paternoster
Square
Street
Edinburgh:
100
Princes
PREFATORY NOTE
WiTHERSPOON's
for
life is
notable in connection
:
popular
rights in the
the administration of
Princeton College
the
organization
Church
the
life
curately.
As
notes
my
For the Scotch period these were " " Cunningham's History of Scotland," Autobiography of Rev. Alexander Carlyle," and the
information.
Minutes of
the
General Assembly
"
for
the
American period, Bancroft's History of the United States," "Sprague's Annals," Sanderson's " Lives of the Signers of the Declaration
of
Independence," Tyler's
"
of the College of
New
Jersey," John
Adams'
But in Diary, the Writings of Washington. all cases I have also used the original documents.
of the
Board
of
Trustees of Princeton College, the minutes of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, of the Synod
6
of
PREFATORY NOTE
New York and
;
Philadelphia, and the records the minutes of the of the Presbyterian Church
Provincial Congress and Council of Safety of New Jersey the Secret Journals of Congress
; ;
Thompson's Journal " Diplomatic Correspondence of the AmerFor both periods I have ican Revolution." used the American edition of Witherspoon's
;
Wharton's edition
of the
various publications.
my
grateful appreciation
of
me by the
;
libra-
and Theological Seminary and Pennsylvania College by the historical societies of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and by the state librarians of these comrians of Princeton University
monwealths.
Senator M. S.
am
Quay
gov-
ernment documents.
Houck Memorial
Afansf,
Gettysburg, Pa.
CONTENTS
THE SCOTCH PERIOD
I.
1 1
II.
25
III.
47
PRINCETON COLLEGE
....
...
. .
77 97
II.
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
III.
.138
.185
IV.
2.
3.
Work
in
Congress
.
4.
V.
277
John Witherspoon
EARLY YEARS AND ENVIRONMENT JOHN WITHERSPOON was born February 5, 1722, in the manse at Yester, East Lothian, Scotland, the son of
lished church.
father,
lazy to use his endowments of been well educated, was fond of reading, especially the sermons of the French Calvinistic
These he translated into and delivered from his pulpit with great acceptance and even with an eloquence that brought him some repute. In general he was very popular and his family were so highly esteemed that when the son was ready for ordination he might have become his father's To the elder Witherspoon a good successor.
preachers of the day.
excellent English
commended
;
more highly than the scholarly pursuits of the study. He was a very large man " a
mountain
of flesh,"
one writer
ii
calls
him.
When
12
JOHN WITHERSPOON
young candidates
for ordination
the
came
to
examined they Rev. James Witherspoon were most hospitably entertained at the Yester
manse, and doubtless enjoyed the good cheer But the examination of a student of the table.
to be
He
enjoyed
their
pleasant for
them.
Rev.
John Witherspoon inherited his father's fine scholarly tastes which were afterin his career.
wards so conspicuous
ever pride and ambition might arise from the knowledge that he was a lineal descendant of
John Knox, the greatest man Scotland ever produced, and of John Welch, who had married a daughter of Knox, and whose conspicuously
brave and
brilliant
championship
of religious
man.
Witherspoon' s mother was a woman of more than ordinary force of character, well educated and deeply spiritual in her nature. To her
training he seems to have
owed
13
Witherspoon's father took in the education of his son we are not told.
interest
How much
The
tion.
men
in Scot-
land,
and James Witherspoon was not an excepA high degree of intellectual culture was
required of them.
orders
was obliged to pursue a classical course in college, which was followed by three years in the
divinity school.
he must then spend two years as a licensed probationer under the care of Presbytery. This
discipline
was intended
to secure
an educated
and orthodox ministry, and was generally effective in doing so. Most clergymen read the Bible in the original Hebrew and Greek and were equally familiar with Latin. As in our day theological ideas are largely derived from Europe so in that day the Protestant preachers and teachers of France and Switzerland were
the guides of Scotch ministers. That this intellectual culture and orthodox discipline did not
and conscientiousness, Witherspoon's father is an evidence. Whether the son was from the first destined to become a clergyman or not, he was given a
JOHN WITHERSPOON
Early in his boyhood he was sent to Haddington to attend a first rate preliberal education.
been established
Doubtless the high degree of literacy among the people of Scotland is due to
kingdom.
these schools.
Leaving Haddington young Witherspoon entered the University of Edinburgh at the age of He was a precocious boy, naturally fourteen.
his
among
At
was small so
professor had to teach several subjects, but the students numbered less than a hundred and
fifty.
While none of the professors ever attained scholarly distinction, one of them at least had the rarest and best gift of a teacher, the power
who
imparting enthusiasm. The students came under the influence of Colin Mcof
ical sciences,
Laurin, professor of mathematics and the physquickly caught from him the desire
for
knowledge.
of
He was
the
authorities
15
Stevenson
time.
who taught
logic,
of
at the
same
One
boy was supposed to be sufficiently familiar to understand what the good doctor was saying. He referred frequently to Cicero, Quintilian and Horace as familiarly as if these authors were the
book of Homer's " " Iliad which the students would read in his presence while he commented in Latin on the beauties of it, comparing it with the works of " " Iliad disposed Virgil, Milton and others. The " " of they read and translated Aristotle's Politics or Longinus' " Essay on the Sublime." Out of the all this boys learned not only Latin and Greek but also as much of logic and metaphysics as could properly be drawn from such writings.
Or perhaps he
A
life
the flourishing literary mon not only among the students but also with
the
professional
men
of
Wither-
in the
work
of these societies,
16
JOHN WITHERSPOON
being especially proficient in debate. Students whose interests have been enlisted in organizations of this sort gladly confess to the invalu-
ollection of such
an influence
own
uni-
Witherspoon
to
encourage
the two famous literary societies of Princeton, one of which, Whig Hall, was reestablished on
an
earlier
organization
by James Madison Witherspoon became president of This society, and the other, Clio
credit the
regular four years' classical course in the univerwas graduated into the sity, Witherspoon
divinity school.
It
is
not
my
purpose to
at-
tempt any detailed account of his life there. In 1741 the famous George Whitfield preached in
Edinburgh, crowds flocking to hear him. But it does not appear that his preaching made much
impression on Witherspoon.
and warmth
preachers.
of his
preaching were
much needed
of the Scotch
methods
There was
little
originality or vital
17
usually followed a settled routine, lecturing through the Assembly's Catechism or the less formidable Shorter
among
these.
They
Catechism
year employing
;
giving exhibitions of clever jugglery with theological dogmas, but failing to apply the living truths of the gospel to the moral needs of
the times.
An
1731,
year of Witherspoon's
also the pastor of the the freshness and force of
matriculation.
He was
By
Tolbooth church.
his
treatment of theological subjects and the originality of his thought he gave a new impetus to the religious life of the city. The people crowded the church when it was known that
he would preach. For the students he remained the model minister for many years, and was the
most popular pulpit orator in Edinburgh. His preaching was plain and direct, dealing with immediate problems of life, and lighted with
Without forsaking the pleasing illustrations. beaten paths of orthodoxy, he made them attractive,
an influence
of this
They
i8
JOHN WITHERSPOON
full
and
of
life.
Of them, however,
not
shall
speak
in
later.
It is
my
purpose to follow
him
through
which he completed
After the prescribed two years of 1743. service as a licensed probationer, during which
he preached
in various churches,
he was
finally
ing
his
appointment by
it
may
be well
have an ac-
count of the method of settling a minister over a parish in that year of grace 1 745. Among us
in
America a congregation of Presbyterians calls the minister of its choice and the Presbytery will install him if there are no objections on the score
of his
The
responsibility rests with the people of the church more than with the Presbytery. The latter would not refuse to present a minister
call
of
a congregation
much
less
to install
a pastor against the expressed wishes of the people, nor even of a large minority. Quite otherwise was it with the Presbyteries of Scotland in Witherspoon's day, plicated condition existed.
19
on
their estates as is
now done
England.
congregation.
ministers
Clergymen were,
nevertheless,
of the established
salaries, or stipends,
two years
again
called,
later, in
and then began the struggle in which, later, Witherspoon took a prominent part and which continued for more than a hundred years, until in 1843 the present Free Church of Scotland was formed by ministers who voluntarily resigned their pastorates, and organized churches
supported wholly by the voluntary subscrip-
and organized Presbyteries, and a General Synods Assembly altogether independent of government control. When the act restoring patronage first became
tions of the people,
effective in 1712
Assembly opposed its operation. Ministers declined to take charge of churches against the wishes of the people. Strong efforts, which, if
continued, might have been successful, were made to break down the power or evade the
But gradually the temprovisions of the law. of the per clergy changed. majority became willing to accept the nomination of the patron
20
JOHN WITHERSPOON
to install
and
and sometimes with the aid of soldiers. Some of the majority even went so far as to place upon a committee appointed to install an objectionable minister, one who was known
opposition,
to be conscientiously opposed to the system, which added to the bitterness of it. At one time
committees were appointed to act upon pastoral settlements during the intervals between the
meetings of the Assembly which were known as " riding committees," travelling on horseback from place to place to do their work.
An
ments
settle-
system.
serve to illustrate the working of the The patronage of the parish of Lanark
was claimed by Lockhart of Lee, by Lockhart of Carnwath, by the magistrate of the borough and by the crown. Lockhart of Lee presented a Mr. Dick the borough and the crown concurred in presenting a Mr. Gray. The Presby;
Lee had become infeft in the patronage in 1647 and had drawn the stipend during a vacancy. The case seemed to be clear and the Presbytery
proceeded to install Mr. Dick. But the people took a hand in the matter. They disliked the
Lockharts and had an intense hatred of the
21
The magistrates who system of patronage. had been set aside were angered and refused to suppress the mob which assembled when the
Presbytery attempted to carry out their decision. The people held the church and assured the
ministers that
would be resisted even to bloodshed. The case was taken into the civil courts, which decided finally against Mr. Dick who was compelled to withdraw, receiving no pay for the four years of his service while the case was in process. Such occurrences were not unusual. More than fifty similar cases were brought before the General Assembly between 1740 and 1750. Many churches were without ministers for years,
any attempt
to enter
the congregation divided all the while into hostile factions. In the decisions of the Assembly
no uniform rule was followed. Sometimes the patron was supported and the minister installed
against the wishes of the people
who
not infre-
quently
left
him
to preach to
empty pews.
Or
Many
attempts were
made
22
JOHN WITHERSPOON
formed one party
;
the people and with them comthe pastors who sympathized posed the other, with here and there a nobletheir favour
man on
in
a conciliatory spirit. In 1731 an attempt was made to straighten the tangle which seemed promising. An overture was brought before
the Assembly providing that when a charge became vacant and the patron failed or refused
to present
in
a minister, the landholders and elders the country parishes, the town council and
make
out the
call
a minister.
If
empowered
and
set
him as seemed best required by law this overture was sent down to The next the Presbyteries for their action.
aside or install
him As was
had
it
failed to act
upon
it,
the Barrier Act, designed to protect the Presbyteries from coercive measures by the Assembly.
The
cious plea that the eighteen Presbyteries which had failed to report should be counted in favour
of
it.
23
sembly, not only protested against this stretch of authority, but, on retiring from the moderator's chair
Synod, denounced the proceeding so bitterly that the Synod censured From this censure he and three of his him.
of his
friends appealed
to
the Assembly.
But the
temper
of that body had been aroused, the censure was affirmed, and Erskine was summoned to 'appear for rebuke. He went, noth-
rebuke having been publicly administered, he at once proceeded to enter his protest against this last act, a
ing
daunted
but the
to
him
in
a church
"
the freest
Yet
growing out of the inmost spirit of ProtestantThe ism, he was deposed from the ministry. deposition was a blunder soon repented, but too late to repair the damage done by it. Erskine and his three friends, who seceded from the established church, formed what has since been known as the Seceder church, which has
produced some of the
finest
men, both
in Scot-
land and America, among those who accept the Nine years later these doctrines of Calvinism.
24
JOHN WITHERSPOON
men were joined by another, John Gillespie, who was deposed for refusing to assist in settling
over a parish a minister to
jority of the
whom
a large ma-
The
me
of
some idea
issues thus
siastical.
Witherspoon's
It
is
The
drawn were not doctrinal but ecclequestion was not one of orthoof authority versus lib-
of
too often arbitrarily enacted, interpreted and enforced on the one side and of popular rights,
;
as yet accepting the established church, making no attempt to abolish it but claiming justice
and freedom within it, on the other side. This was the condition of affairs in the church of
Scotland in the
tury.
first
II
BEITH
minister of the parish of Beith for twelve years, devoting himself dili-
WlTHERSPOON was
office.
From
the be-
ginning of his ministerial career he conceived a high idea of it. He was fond of study. His sermons were carefully prepared, being fully
written,
without notes.
his voice
being somewhat harsh, but he was a good preacher. When he exchanged pulpits with neighbouring clergymen he was always
heard with acceptance, and his own parishionwere devoted to him. It does not appear
ers
that he ever
to be transferred
to another parish.
in the spirit of
one who expected and would be glad to spend his life there. Although a studious man with a well-trained mind, he wrote litpublication in the earlier years of his ministry at Beith. The children of the parish were duly well catechized, their parents teachtle for
ing them
first
and
later
26
JOHN WITHERSPOON
minister visiting their homes statedly and testing the knowledge of the boys and girls. Those
catechizing were ordeals not relished by the youngsters, but Witherspoon was fond of children and got along well with them.
visits for
His theology was the strict Calvinism of the Westminster Confession of Faith from which he
never departed. That he was sincere in his adhesion to its doctrines is beyond doubt. But he was not unacquainted with other teachings.
literary productions, as
that, for the
show
times in
which he lived he was a wide reader. History was one of his favourite fields. Of course he
was thoroughly acquainted with the Greek and Latin classics, quoting them with easy familiarHe was as easily at home in the realm of ity. French literature and philosophy. Montesquieu was his favourite French author. He also knew
the works of
German
writers.
But
for the
most
in
whose father, Robert Montgomery, was a kinsman of the Earl of Eglinton, by whom Witherspoon was appointed to the
distant
parish.
BEITH
27
A
him
story has come down to us which makes a side hero of the battle of Falkirk. Be-
cause of his remote descent from the royal house of Stuart the incident has been used as evidence of his sympathy with the Pretender, while others have gone so far as to say that he
led a
company
seems
The
truth
to be that,
hill in
prompted by
curiosity,
the neighbourhood of the more probably, along the line battle-ground or, of retreat followed by the Pretender's army.
he went upon a
Lest he should give information to the English forces he was made prisoner by the rebels and confined for
castle
of
some days
in the
neighbouring
Donne.
Some
of
the thinner
men
the prisoners escaped by creeping along the coping of a wall but Witherspoon was too large for the narrow and perilous space and
among
was obliged to remain behind until his release by the collapse of the rebellion. With this exception his ministerial life at Beith was uninterrupted by any unusual event.
But his
activities
his pro-
fession as
a clergyman.
was one
parish.
office
highway
in the
independent
which he manifested
in
every
28
JOHN WITHERSPOON
754 the commissioners new scheme for rea county proposed
life.
situation of his
of the
In
pairing the roads, assessing the tax and requiring the labour of the people. This made neces-
sary a
list
number
of horses
owned and the number of The commissionfirst step in their that the most public roads,
plan to build
good
and
Witherspoon proceeded to comply with the demand to send in the lists asked for. But
his associates
first
upon undertaking
ties
make these, many difficulAnd when they carefully examined the new plan they found many It was not possible for a man objections to it.
to
were encountered.
Witherspoon, nor any other high-spirited Scotchman, for that matter, to submit without protest to what he regarded as an injustice.
like
He
and pre-
proaching meeting of the justices of the peace and commissioners of the highway, these officers being entrusted by Scotch law with the
management
objects to the
cult to
of the
shire.
In this paper he
send
lists
BEITH
many men buy
and
it
29
sell
them again
profitable to feed
winter.
Servants also are hired for short periods, so that it is impossible to give an accurate list of
those who, being employers, would be required to pay a larger tax or do more work upon the
make as careful a list as possible and await more serious obthe action of the meeting. The failure of jection lies against the scheme.
former schemes for making good roads is not due to the common people but to the gentry
who
to
fail
Further, what assurance have we, he asks, that the officers under the new scheme will be any more zealous and diligent than they have been under others? But the most serious objection is that there is no agreement as to what are the most public
fulfill
roads.
Some
through great tracts of land from which the noblemen had removed the tenants and which were little used by the common people as they
travelled to market, or they
ran from one county to another, and these should be kept up by those who travel greater
30
JOHN WITHERSPOON
who seldom
This paper shows where Witherspoon's symOn broad grounds he contended pathies were.
that not only popular rights, but also the na-
demanded that the gentry not should compel the tenant to bear the greater part of the expense, but that this should be distion's
strength,
tributed equably.
Holding his position by the a noble patron, he knew his rights under the law of Scotland, and feared not to
grace of
protest against injustice whether it bore upon himself in the church or upon the people in
their business
spirit,
and on
for
their farms.
This fine
the nobility,
won
him
respect.
His opinions
were
always expressed with courtesy. He found no fault with the social order of his day. But he plead for justice to all alike. He be-
lieved
man, whatever be
self,
his station, to
conduct him-
both towards superiors and inferiors, so that their relations shall be harmonious and
mutually satisfactory.
however, was Witherspoon's most congenial field. Nor was it merely as a He parish minister that he regarded himself.
church,
The
BEITH
belonged to the church
of
31
;
Scotland
;
its
was partly
keeping high standard of character must be maintained. Such events as have already been described were
in his
honour a
recurring in the church. They were unusually numerous during his residence at Beith and his
indignation rose higher with each fresh case of People were compelled to accept as injustice.
ministers
men whom
It
not respect.
such circumstances was hardly fitted to assume His ministrations would accomplish its duties.
good, his presence tended to excite enmity and to alienate people from religion. Witherlittle
stamp found graver fault. Many of the ministers who were thus installed were unorthodox. They were obliged to declare upon oath that they believed and accepted doctrines which they privately repudiated and Whatever one publicly ignored or criticised.
of his
may
many
of
otherwise morally unfit for their duties. Total abstinence was rare among any class in those
days. Everybody used wine and Witherspoon himself liked the best he could get. But many
32
of
JOHN WITHERSPOON
the ministers, courting the favour of the
intemperance. When there was a meeting of Presbytery or Assembly to act upon cases of disputed settlements, the patrons interested in
'the
opened public houses to and elders. Everybody drank freely and one can readily imagine the The ministers were a jovial set, fond of effect.
litigation
often
drinking, seeking the loose society of the wild young bloods. It is related of one of them that
"he could pass at once from the most unbounded jollity to the most fervid devotion
;
believe," says the writer of this account, yet " that his hypocrisy was no more than habit
I
his apt-
ness to pray was as easy and natural to him as to drink a convivial glass." This itself is the
a clergyman and indicates the mildness with which the practice was regarded by many of the clergy. Not such was the
judgment
of
temper of Witherspoon whose sense of decency was outraged by the vulgarity and coarseness
of these scenes.
To an
orthodox clergyman
ing.
age.
hypocrisy and drunkenness were shockIt grew out of the evil system of patronOn every possible occasion Witherspoon
BEITH
33
combated the practice of forcing objectionable In all the ministers upon unwilling people. meetings of the church, where protest was
proper, he
of
popular
called Moderates,
in
and
a majority in the
all
the Moderates
were
men
of
low character or
inferior abilities.
as
William Robertson, principal of St. Andrew's University, a polished and courtly gentleman,
an historian
proach.
it
of note, with
a character above
of gross habits
re-
The
system by which
and inferior ability to be placed in charge of a Christian church through the influence of a patron who had no further interest in religion. That there were incompetent men who shirked their duties, neglected their parishes, and diswas possible
for
man
evident not only from but from the newspaper Witherspoon's writings press of the day, from the pictures of the times
graced their
office, is
in Scott's novels,
General Assembly.
for the
Assembly
34
JOHN WITHERSPOON
tered at least once a year and if not what excuse could be given for the omission. Parishes
complained to Presbytery
their ministers.
of the inattention of
remarked, another way. It imposed upon the clergyman a creed from which he could not conscientiously depart so long as he held his
establishment,
in
The
it
may
be
worked harm
within the limits of which all his thinkmust be done, beyond which his mind ing might not range. This fettered the mind. It made originality impossible and was in itself a form of intellectual tyranny which the Moderates combatted. Commenting on this phase of
office,
the situation,
Cunningham remarks
that few
two conditions of compulsory on the one hand and loose living on orthodoxy the other makes applicable to a certain type of
selves.
The
line,
Whatever lack
of originality
might be found
of
in
sincerity,
conscientiousness or high principle. One wonders, after all, not merely at the necessity but at the possibility of originality in one who devotes
his
life
Ten
BEITH
35
Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. As the evil continued from year to year and
seemed
Witherspoon fought it with all his power. Loyal to the doctrinal standards of his church he was not content to rest under an execution of the ecclesiastical law which manifestly worked a wrong, and while he did not attempt to change the law, he strove hard to combat the evils of its working. In the Presbytery he was usually successful, but on appeal, the General Assembly, as has been already
almost invariably decided
in
to be increasing,
stated,
favour of the
patron against the congregation. That it was not altogether the system itself but its abuse, of
which Witherspoon and his friends complained, seems evident from the fact that he himself had
accepted,
accepted again, an appointment by a patron but in his case the appointment was confirmed each time by the congregalater
;
and
tion.
The
positions of the
two
parties
have
been so admirably stated by Cunningham that can do no better than to quote his words.
"
When men are considered as individuals," said the Moderates, " we acknowledge that they
have no guide but their own understanding and no judge but their own conscience but when
;
judgment
is
36
JOHN WITHERSPOON
in
merged
minority
that of
the
must yield to the dictates of the Think of the spiritual descendants majority." of John Knox using an argument which is one
of the strongholds of " These
Roman
The
is dis-
two
capital articles,
by which Presbytery
tinguished from every other ecclesiastical polity, are the parity of its ministers and the subordination
of
its
courts.
By
;
the
one,
individual
ministers
are prevented from exercising lordover their brethren by the other, confusion ship
and anarchy are prevented. Wherever there is a subordination of courts, one must be supreme and though it be not infallible, yet its sentences must be absolute and final. No inferior court may disobey its mandates with impunity, or all government is at an end no individual may set
;
;
up
scruples against the decisions of the whole church or authority sinks into contempt.
his
own
Accordingly every minister is required at his ordination to vow that he will submit himself to
the discipline and government of the church. Submit himself, therefore he must, or if he can-
not there
is
communion."
this
was
to
BEITH
37
introduce despotism into the church to subject the servants of God to the rigours of a military
law.
as
the General Assembly was fallible, they demurred to its sentences being absolutely
binding. The Church of Scotland, said they, is but a branch of the Church of Christ, and
within
it
God
alone
God
and no order
evil or evil
Is the resign the right of judging for himself. General Assembly, they continued, resolved to
compel Presbyteries to execute its sentences at all hazards ? is conscience to be stifled ? is the
strong conviction of duty to be disregarded ? is everything that is sacred to be sacrificed to the
single
principle of submission
will
to authority?
What
measures ?
be the result of such compulsory The honest and the brave will be
compelled to seek for liberty of conscience without the pale of the Establishment the unprinci;
pled and the cowardly may remain, but they will remain with consciences debauched by the high stretch of church authority, by being compelled to do what their hearts tell them they
38
JOHN WITHERSPOON
ought not to do. We plead not for license to every man to do as he pleases, but we plead that we may not be bound hand and foot by a crushing despotism that the law may relax
;
something
science
is
where con-
concerned."
These principles of the Popular party Witherspoon afterwards expressed in the preliminary principles drawn up by him and prefixed to the constitution of the American Presbyterian Church, which has not always acted in their
spirit
manner
question in the
mingling authority and liberty. The Scotch Church was more than
The Moderate majority in the Assembly continued to drive their measures through by the sheer force of numbers. Two
an academic one.
were answered by censures and threats of reIt became unsafe for men to oppose the will of the majority, and all this, it will be removal.
membered, was
Failing to
in Protestant Scotland.
impression by appeals to reason and justice Witherspoon determined to In 1 753 he issued, try the power of ridicule.
make any
BEITH
anonymously and so
he entitled
the Arcana
"
of
safely,
39
little
book which
or
Ecclesiastical
Characteristics,
Church
Policy," in
which he pre-
tended to give " a plain and easy way of attaining to the character of a moderate man as at
present in repute in the Church of Scotland." After a short introduction wherein he declares
purpose "to enumerate distinctly and in their proper order and connection all the several
his
meaning.
all
The maxims
pro-
persons of whatever rank that are suspected of heresy are to be esteemed men of great genius when any
fess to
show
that
ecclesiastical
man
cies
tected as
much
as
regarded
good humoured
it
is
necessary part of a moderate man's character that he always speak of the confession of faith
with a sneer
;
subjects as "social duties," quote as little Scripture as possible and be very unacceptable to the common people he must cultivate the air
;
and manner of a fine gentleman he must have no learning but the works of Leibnitz, Shaftes;
40
JOHN WITHERSPOON
bury and Hutcheson. Here is inserted what he called "The Athenian Creed," to be believed
quote
it
in its en-
tions of
and comely proporNature and in Almighty Fate, her only parent and guardian for it hath been most graciously obliged (blessed be its name)
I
"
Dame
to
make
us
all
is
a huge ma-
everlasting by necessity, and consisting of an infinite number of links and chains, each in a progressive motion towards the zenith of its perfection and meridchine,
wound up from
that
piece of clockwork,
pendulum
in this
ing hither and thither by the different impulses of fate and destiny that my soul (if I have
;
of exceedingly any) minute corpuscles, much smaller than the finest Holland sand and that certain persons in a
is
;
an imperceptible bundle
else but
no
ill
in the universe,
BEITH
41
are only errors in judgment, and foils to set off the beauty of Nature, or patches to adorn her
face
that the whole race of intelligent beings, even the devils themselves (if there are any)
;
shall finally
this
be happy so that Judas Iscariot is time a glorified saint and it is good for
;
divinity of L. S. (Lord Shaftesbury) the saintship of Marcus Antoninus, the perspicuity and sublimity of Aristotle,
of
Mr. Hutcheson's
ate
The remaining maxims show that the moderman must endeavour, as much as he hand;
somely can, to put off any appearance of devotion in church settlements, which are the
principal causes that
come
who
the patron and the great and noble heritors are for; the inclinations of the common people
must be utterly despised the unpopular candidate must be praised for remarkable abilities but if, after being settled, he shall succeed in gaining the people's affections he must be despised orthodox opposers must be compelled
; ; ;
unpopular minister,
especially
if
42
against
of their
JOHN WITHERSPOON
it;
moderate
opponents as knaves
they
must have great charity for atheists and deists and for persons of loose and vicious practices, but none at all for the pious and strictly moral all moderate men must never fail to support
;
to the utmost.
of these maxims have little point for moderate men, however, were stung The us. to madness by them. They stirred up as much
Many
clamour
among
made
New
Dire were
be discovered-
man
A certain suspected of having written it. Mr. Johnson was accused but he easily disproved the charge.
The
cret
well.
The book
eagerly read and thoroughly enjoyed by the The great cry raised by the popular party.
moderate
as evidence of the
truthfulness
the
satire.
Following
elucidations
each
maxim were
the
promised
and
illustrations, but as there was not a single personal allusion no suit for slander or libel could
be brought against the publisher. Five editions of the book were issued, each edition increasing
the rage and fury of the pilloried men.
As
BEITH
Witherspoon
is
43
that does not bite
said,
"
A satire
good for nothing." This one bit and stung. As suspicion pointed more and more to the real
author, his enemies tried to fasten
it
upon him,
Nor could they discover themselves upon him, until, revenge any way in 1757, when he was called to Paisley, they atbut without success.
to
tempted to prevent
his transfer.
The method
of transferring
a minister from
Presbytery presented the call to the minister, if he were one of its own members, or to the
Presbytery to which he belonged, and that body presented it to him. If all the legal proceedings
were regular and the church of which he was the pastor consented, the transfer would be made. No Presbytery had the right to refuse
he were in good standing, no charges pending against him. The Laigh (or Low) Street Church of Paisley, Presbytery of Paisley, issued a call to Witherspoon who was a member of Irvine Presbytery. When the call
to call
if
a minister
came
send
before the Paisley Presbytery, that body, a majority of whom were moderates, refused to
it
44
JOHN WITHERSPOON
The
had
Paisley congregation and their pastorelect appealed to the Synod of Glasgow, which
jurisdiction over both Presbyteries. He had no standing in the Presbytery of
and could not plead his cause there. It would have been futile to do so in the face of the prejudice against him. His only course was to appeal to the Synod. There he presented a
Paisley
that
He declares masterly statement of his case. it is painful for him to stand before the
Synod's bar in some sense an accused person, " for he had been represented as a firebrand, as
violent
and contentious,
society."
unfit to
be a member
of
any quiet
this,
He demands
evidence of
appealing to his acquaintances, even among the moderates in his neighbourhood, with whom he lived on friendly terms. Protesting against
their associating his
name
when
they have no proof of his authorship he says, " It looks as if they themselves were struck at in
the performance and acted as interested persons," and asks if it is fair that they his accusers
be likewise his judges, a thing contrary to law. That there is nothing criminal in the book
shall
may
it
has
received from so eminent a personage as the Bishop of London. The charge made in the
BEITH
book must have been
just or
it
45
would have
Professing himself
amazed
it
at the boldness of his accusers, consid" Is ering the land in which they lived, he asks,
not,
in its being,
a land
then a land of liberty and yet a land of ecclesiastical tyranny? Must not a
of liberty
Is
it
man have
proper
equity and justice in the church as " well as in the state ? He defends satire as a
mode of writing in that it serves to bring objectionable men and practices into deserved
any case erroneous life, is plain and visible, to render them odious must be a duty." His enemies had " acted in a most unjust and illegal manner in passing the sentence they have done in my absence, and without any exwhatever were their paramination; ticular intentions, by their violent and illegal
contempt.
Moreover,
"
if
in
doctrine, or degeneracy of
upon it, they were and it always put me in mind of a Fryer of the Inquisition, with an unhappy person before you, whom they want
stretches of
power
in falling
;
may burn
'
him, stroking
him, and saying to him in the spirit of meekIn concluConfess, my son, confess.' ness,
sion he appeals to the laws of the church which they had not proved him to have violated, but
46
JOHN WITHERSPOON
which, by proceeding in this inquisitorial way, without giving him an opportunity to be heard
in his
own
defense, they
had
violently
and
ar-
bytery and ordered that Witherspoon be transferred and installed over the church which had
called him.
Literary
satire
work
of
at
The year before his removal to Paisley Beith. he had published an essay on Justification a little book which had a wide sale not only in
;
the English speaking churches of the continent, at Rotterdam, Geneva and elsewhere, as well as in
;
Great Britain
but also
among
The year of his transfer to Paisley another and more pretentious work on Regeneration came from his pen. This book met with even a better reception than the first. The two gave him high rank as a theological writer.
America.
He was
Church
the foremost
of Scotland.
man
Ill
PAISLEY
WiTHERSPOON began
recognized
leader of the section which stood for orthodoxy and liberty. An ardent and sincere Calvinist,
accepted the Westminster Confession of Faith as his own personal belief. That creed, so far from binding men's consciences and
he
been
"
minds, in his opinion liberated them. It has wittily said by another Scotchman that
Calvinism is a sheep in wolf's clothing." Its doctrine of predestination has been represented as relentless and inescapable fate foreordination
;
human
will.
It
is
not
my
purpose to discuss
these dogmas.
mons and correspondence, a close following of his career, show that in these teachings, he found
for himself,
find,
the strongest basis for hopefulness in that predestinating love and that foreordaining grace
men
as the children of
God and
image
of
His Son.
To
47
48
JOHN WITHERSPOON
and earnestly gave his sermons and His writings betray strength
of
doctrines he joyously
life.
and
sincerity
conviction.
He
does
not
search for arguments to bolster a belief, but for the best manner of presenting what are to him
necessary and eternal truths. These doctrines are worthless in his opinion unless they produce
strong and pure characters. In his controversy with the Moderates he said, " It is dangerous to
claim respect for a creed
if
its
men
of
pure Christly
life."
transfer to Paisley he
a plea
for
minister of Christ.
Personal character
more than intellectual zeal. "Is any minister more covetous of the fleece than diligent for the welfare of the flock cold and heartless in his sacred work, but loud and noisy in promiscuous and foolish conversation covering or palliating the sins of the great because they promote him making friends and companions of profane per;
; ;
sons
though
this
man's
zeal should
burn
like
flame against antinomianism, and though his own unvaried strain should be the necessity of
holiness,
its
real friends."
of
would never take him to be any of " If one set apart to the service Christ in the gospel, manifestly shows his
I
PAISLEY
49
duty to be a burden and does no more work than is barely sufficient to screen him from censure
;
if
he reckons
or
it
a piece of improvement
how seldom
makes
his
how short he can preach, and boast how many omissions he has
;
brought a patient and an injured people to endure without complaint however impossible
it
may
be to ascertain his
faults
by a
libel,
he
justly merits the detestation of every faithful " Christian." Nothing does more hurt to the
interest of religion, than its
great number, who, for assume the form while they are strangers to the " As the gospel is allowed on all power of it."
hands
when
differences arise,
side
pretends to have the letter of the law in its favour, the great rule of decision is, which doth
most immediately and most certainly, promote piety and holiness in all manner of conversation."
Take
rifice
sermon on the
sac-
of Christ.
Make no image
of the cross
your houses, but let the remembrance of it be ever in your hearts. One lively view of this
in
one
lively
view of
make
the unjust
man
one
lively
view of
50
this
JOHN WITHERSPOON
tremendous object
his
;
make the angry look of mercy one weapon nay, drop from a dying Saviour will make even the
will
man
covetous
mystic
spirit.
man open
he
his hand."
He was
not a
but
"
preacher, "are as contrary to true religion as And on the other either avarice or ambition."
True piety points to one thing as its centre and rest, the knowledge and enjoyment of God." " Man was made for living upon God." Speaking of the temptations that beset " humanity he said, If sin give a man no rest, he
hand he
"
says,
should give
government was believed by many men of that church a hundred and fifty years ago to be divinely ordained and
of
Witherspoon believed
it to be more Scriptural than any other, but he had the utmost charity for other branches of Christ's church, and his relations with men of
His other types of Protestantism were friendly. essay on Justification was published with a
prefatory note addressed to an English clergyman, Rev. James Hervey, rector of WestonFavel, Northamptonshire, which is a sort of dedication to him. His devotion to the Presbyterian polity
his belief
PAISLEY
that
it
51
is
apostolic, but
it
cause he believed
articulated authority
Side by upon church of Scotland sat the noble earl and his
side
tenant
farmer, equally
holders in the
church, equally chosen by the free vote of the No orders of the ministry put one man people.
another and a layman represented every church at every delegated gatherin authority over
making clerical tyranny an impossiThis bility. conception of church government was inseparably connected with the creed which
ing, thus
taught that
that
God
alone
is
Lord
of the conscience,
men
other nor to any religious teacher, but to God Himself. In the presence of the Almighty there
no personal distinctions. Superiority of character and individual ability make the only
are
to leadership. In all his contentions the before church courts Witherspoon insisted
title
valid
on the untrammelled
which permitted a patron to appoint. Not, however, against the wishes of the people, said Witherspoon. For
over ten years he continued, in Paisley, to proclaim his faith and to contend for popular rights.
52
JOHN WITHERSPOON
The
duties of a parish
There were no Sunday-schools. Whatlight. ever religious instruction the people received was given by the minister, with here and there
a schoolmaster to teach the Shorter Catechism.
Every Sunday there were two sermons, one in the morning, another in the afternoon. During the week, day in, day out, the conscientious pastor was among his people, watching over
their spiritual interests their business affairs.
in
No
monotony
its
annual
vis-
to Presbytery or Synod might be regarded as such. There were few things to distract him
except the trials in the church courts. not so restless as it has since become.
tions
Life
was
Innova-
in
There were no
problems."
His was, however, a full life in every sense. As a minister of the church of Scotland he took a
prominent part in endeavouring to
settle the
Rome
card-playing and theatre-going. In the early eighteenth century the church severely disciplined those
guilty of
any
PAISLEY
of them.
53
George Whitfield preached against a new playhouse being erected in Glasgow, July, 1753, with such warmth and force that, before his departure from the city, workmen were employed to take it down to prevent its destruction
by the mob. was presented
great
" the tragedy " Douglas in Edinburgh, in 1 755, there was
When
and was a author, John Home, clergyman. The Presbytery of Edinburgh condemned both the play and the writer of it A minister, who had gone to see it acted, endeavoured in vain to excuse himself and escape
indignation
both
among
clergy
people, because
its
the censure of the church, by saying that he had taken a back seat and remained in the
not be seen. In was a serious breach Witherspoon's opinion of church discipline and an offense against the
could
it
shadows where he
any one to countenance So stage plays. important did he deem it that he wrote a book against it, "A Serious Inquiry into the Nature and Effects of the Stage." Much of this little book is interesting to-day because
Christian religion for
of the clever
way
in
presented.
It
may
he
"
is
of deso-
54
lating
JOHN WITHERSPOON
judgments."
some modern
inserted in
the essay " that such a levity of spirit prevails in this age, that very few persons of fashion will read or consider anything that is
written in a grave or serious style. Whoever will look into the monthly catalogue of books,
published in Britain for some years past, may be convinced of this at one glance. What an immense proportion do romances under the titles
of
lives, adventures, memoirs, histories, etc., bear to any other sort of production in this Romances and novels were seldom age."
Presbyterian household in a land that produced the greatest romantic writer of the English tongue. Witherspoon failed to
strict
found in the
perceive the value of fiction even as mental recreation and the power of the English literature of his
day was
lost
upon him.
It is
not
and Smollett, the most popular authors of that period, failed to win the favour of a Puritan like
Witherspoon. As for the drama, he knew nothing about the stage of his own day from personal attendance.
In spite of this lack of ex-
perience he declares in his essay that the theatre is immoral in itself and by its influence. One
of his objections is that the chief
end
is
to
amuse,
PAISLEY
he clearly appreciates.
55
mere and undermines the foundation of character, both individual and " It gives men a habit of idleness and national. trifling, and makes them averse from returning
insists that
He
amusement saps
the strength
to anything that requires serious application." " No man who has made the trial can deliber-
and with good conscience affirm that attending plays has added strength to his mind and warmth to his affections in the duties of devotion that it has made him more able and
ately
;
powers in the more of the Chrisand offices graver important tian life nay nor even made him more diligent and active in the business of civil life." Plays he condemns as pernicious, exhibiting and arousing the lower and baser passions of men, exposing them to temptation unnecessarily, emphasizing the immoral and cultivating the
willing to exert his intellectual
;
frivolous sides of
human
nature.
What
astonishes the
modern reader
of this
old-fashioned
essay is the author's thorough and even intimate knowledge of his subject. He seems to know his ground. He is familiar with Greek and Latin, French and English plays; he quotes from numerous authorities, ancient and modern, even including " the Phil-
56
JOHN WITHERSPOON
He knows
the
adelphia newspapers."
names
and reputations of the famous players of his own day and of other periods. His book is not a ranting tirade of ignorant, even if unsympathetic, prejudice,
who frequent the theatre are too sweeping and much of his reasoning falls through. But
those
the
circulation and brought from the praise people whose good opinion he valued most, although his was a temper of
him
mind which
led
him
to
re-
gardless of popular favour. That the essay ever reached the eye of the " does not appear. The author of " Douglas
play had a successful run in Edinburgh, despite the action of the Presbytery against its author,
a man so much esteemed by his parishioners that on his retiring from the ministry they voluntarily hauled the stone for the house which
he
built for himself.
Shortly after going to Paisley Witherspoon took advantage of an opportunity afforded by his being invited to preach the installation sermon
of
Abbey Church,
tion
and
faction
made
His
against his
"
own
party by
the
Moderates.
Ecclesiastical
Charac-
PAISLEY
teristics"
57
was a cutting satire, and even the sermon has a sting in it. His friends the enemy were doubtless in his mind when he announced it, "These that have turned the
text of this
upside down are come hither also." Deftly he turns the charge against himself into Wicked men are always the ranks of his foes.
world
making such charges against the servants of God, he says, and asks what there is in true
religion which gives occasion for
it
it.
He
is
finds
in the
a conof
tinual reproach
"The example
like the
to the
wicked
is,
sun upon a
"
If I
distressing and
it
painful."
may
so,
it
flashes light
from a state of sensible security, points arrows and sharpens its sting." The sermon
it,
but
it
is
for patience
and
these
was the anniversary of the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge. It is, I be-
58
JOHN WITHERSPOON
and still carries on the work which engaged it then. Not only
sort of
endeavour to evangelize the regions of Scotland not yet brought within control of the church it established schools for the education
did
it
;
Antedating by more than a people. hundred years the industrial features of modern missionary methods, home and foreign, this society undertook to instruct young men in the
of the
best
methods of farming, taught them useful trades and established schools for girls where sewing and other domestic arts were taught. The Highlands and islands of Scotland were
by the agents of the society who carried Bibles with them which they distributed, by gift or sale, and taught the people to read. Witherspoon was one of its warmest supporters. It
visited
in foreign lands of
had
Indians.
by it. As early as 1748 Ebenezer Pemberton, an American clergyman, had received aid from the society for the education
of
one young
lege of
New
Newark.
for the ministry in the colthen located temporarily at Jersey, When, in 1739, the Synod of Phila-
man
PAISLEY
59
delphia sent down an overture recommending " the erection of a seminary of learning," they expressed the hope that two of the men named " as a committee to further the project might be sent home to Europe to prosecute this affair
with proper directions." This was not done at once. After the college had become established, in 1749, the Scotch society appropriated thirty
purchase of books for the college library, and the next year granted it an appropriation for the education of two young Indians.
pounds
for the
Three years
later,
upon
petition of the
Synod
of
New
York, the society asked for a national colAmerican Church. About the
Gilbert
same time
were appointed by the synod to visit Great Britain on behalf of the college. Davies afterwards became president of Princeton. The two
cordially received
hundred pounds.
Upon
their
appearing before
the General Assembly in Scotland, that body ordered the Presbyteries to appoint a day for
and urged the " ministers to enforce the recommendation with suitable exhortations." More than a thousand pounds were contributed to the American college by the Scotch Church. I have related this incident to
the collection
60
JOHN WITHERSPOON
show the close relations existing between the two countries. Witherspoon's connection with
the society for propagating Christian knowledge
for knowing somework and doubtless thing about its foreign made him acquainted with the needs and pros-
he found
collected
pects of the college of New Jersey. In America many readers of his books which fol-
closely.
In 1764 he
were published by a London house. In the same year the University of Aberdeen gave him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Local church politics demanded his attention. The schoolmaster of his parish was chosen by
the church session in conjunction with the town council, the dominie also filling the office of
session clerk.
erspoon called his session together and urged upon the elders concerted action which would
result in securing the
church.
man
larger affairs of the church he proved to be a very clever politician. Such training as he received in Scottish ecclesiastical politics served
him
politics is
shown
in
PAISLEY
61
sermon preached on the occasion of a fast ordered by the government. As a clergyman of the established church Witherspoon fulfilled the duty laid upon him. Great dangers threatened the British empire in 1757. The Seven Years' War had begun with serious reverses to the
English arms.
In
the
capitulation
of
Port
Mahon
lost
;
had been
the English army in Germany had been defeated disaster seemed to be creeping like a
;
since Olive
had
left
with
in America Braddock's defeat had been followed by the loss of Niagara, the St. Lawrence and Lake Champlain. England seemed to be on the verge of losing all her foreign possessions already her American col;
onies were complaining of the disdain with which certain British statesmen were inclined to
In view of these things the British ministry ordered that Thursday, February 1 6, 1758, be observed as a day of public
speak of them.
fasting
and prayer.
the nation he looks upon these disasters, real and impending, as those desolating judgments of which he had spoken in his essay on the But their causes he finds in the proper stage. place. Recalling the people to the true mean-
62
ing of
terial
life,
JOHN WITHERSPOON
which
will
prosperity
and military
but in
virtue
a matter
One
is
reminded
"
measures, and wrest the ensigns of government out of each others' hands." " In the case of
disappointments, on the one hand, are we not ungovernable and headstrong in our resent-
ments against men? and equally foolish and sanguine on the other, in our hopes of those
who
We
give
pompous
nay, even describe their victories long before the season of action, and incautiously celebrate the characters of leaders while they are only
statement prefixed to a sermon which he published, the two together being made the basis
of the prosecution.
service
was held
in the
Laigh Street church on Saturday, February 6, 1 762, the day before the celebration of the sacrament. Some young men, who were present,
PAISLEY
63
went, after the meeting, to the room of one of them to dine, and there engaged in a mock
celebration
hilarious
Becoming heard was mockery by some passers-by who were scandalized by such blasphemy, especially on the day preceding sacrament Sabbath, a day observed by Presbyterians
their
of
the
Lord's supper.
much reverence as the Sabbath The men were citizens of Paisley, one an ensign in the army, one a writer, and two manwith almost as
itself.
ufacturers.
hearing of the shocking behaviour, Witherspoon preached a sermon on " Seasonable advice to young people." It made
Upon
such an impression on some of his hearers, who were indignant at the conduct of the young
men, that they requested the minister to publish The sermon itself furnished no ground for it.
complaint, but the explanatory note gives a detailed account of the sacreligious scene and
specifically
partici-
pants.
It
was addressed
and town
council of Paisley. The accused men promptly brought an action for libel against Witherspoon,
who
failed to
make good
He was
heavily
mulcted
in
64
JOHN WITHERSPOON
who had urged the publication of the sermon, generously come forward, and obligated themselves for the
affair
full
amount.
it
So
far
from the
rather increased
his popularity.
In 1764 his publisher told him there was a demand for another edition of his " Characteristics."
last.
It
was the
fifth
and proved to be the for him to avow Not only could he do this
without fear of being successfully attacked in the church courts, but he also felt that he might
give a more serious turn to the whole subject
No
apology
is
made
;
for
situ-
ation satirically he justifies the use of ridicule. This last edition is dedicated " to the nobility
members
not to
of the General
Assembly."
"
am
you," he says with perfect frankness, "with an entire approbation as church members, but beseech you seriously to consider
flatter
whether you ought any longer to give countenance to the measures which have for some
time generally prevailed."
In
their
present
temper an appeal to the clergy is hopeless. " When once the clergy are corrupt their reformation can be looked for from the laity only
PAISLEY
and not from themselves."
"
I
65
look upon every attempt for reviving the interest of religion as quite hopeless unless you be pleased to support
it."
He
laity
never
received their reward in ingratitude and con" I humbly entreat you who only can tempt."
do it with success to frown upon the luxurious and aspiring, to encourage the humble and
diligent clergyman."
is
longer than
the satire
itself,
names were bestowed upon the concealed author, and the most dreadful threatenings
uttered in case they should be so fortunate as to discover and convict him," as was shown in
their
treatment of a gentleman
"
whom
they
suspected.
But though
heard
it
it.
He probNevertheless he
was " a
to write
deep concern for the declining interest in religion in the church of Scotland, mixed with some
66
JOHN WITHERSPOON
me a
strange
abuse of church authority." He refers to the deposition of two men, Adam and Gillespie, for " refusing to join in the ordination of a pastor
without a people."
As he had been
severely
condemned
for
if
it.
Where
first
the character
principle that as
is
and doubly pernicious so it ought to be with double severity." They had comexposed
criminal
plained that to give clergymen a bad reputation strengthens the cause of infidelity. Of course
it
" Men are always does, says Witherspoon more influenced in their regard for or contempt
;
of religion
in
the characters
and behaviours
" Was the But, he asks, reasonings whatever." first information had of the characters of the
clergy drawn from that performance ? Because a bad opinion leads men to infidelity shall we cover their failings and palliate their crimes ? " Rather let the guilty persons be chastised.
"
Every
tion
those
PAISLEY
religion
67
Moderate clergymen.
He
made when
in
France
"
;
Moliere's play, Tartuffe, was given That a man may write what he
against God Almighty in perfect but if he write against the clergy in security, power he is ruined forever." Satire he finds
pleaseth
Adam
man
evil."
sanctioned by the Almighty who used it against " Behold the after the fall in the words,
is
become as one
of us to
Then he claims
levity
that there
satire
is
abroad that a
was necessary
he
in
men
age would pay no attention to "Those who have long had their appetites quickened by a variety of dishes and the most pleasing sauces are not able to
serious writing.
relish
plainer,
food."
planted the country with useless ministers and disdained to make any other
decisions
answer to
opponents than the unanswerable argument of deposition. One great end of the " " had been to open the eyes of Characteristics
their
good men among the Moderates of whom he acknowledges there are many. But it " appears that the more the complaint of degenthe really
68
JOHN WITHERSPOON
eracy in the church of Scotland is just, the more difficult it will be to carry a conviction of it to
the minds, either of those
or of those
who
who observe
it
it"
to mention names,
Everycould the the "On recognize body guilty. other hand though I should produce the names
men of the turf and are well skilled in all the terms of that honourable art; though I should name those who are to be found at routs and drums and
other polite assemblies of the same nature, and can descant with greater clearness on the laws of the gaming table than the Bible instead of
;
being commanded
facts I
to
produce a proof
of the
many who
denied
the relevancy of the crimes." He thinks that if a man were to publish a book that had in it a
and
morals of some ministers, he ought to have a ship hired to fly to another country. Simony, a vice not strange among gambling clergymen,
in,
so that
men
tried to
by
flattery
and loose
living, but even by purchasing the goodwill of those who had influence with the patron. As
early as
PAISLEY
and
in
69
1759 the
that
evil
"no
minister shall
make any
composition with his heritors." Even as late as 1820 the evil had not been uprooted. It is not
a pleasing or hopeful picture, nor does WitherNevertheless he is not a spoon overdraw it.
pessimist.
from
ruins."
One
of
The History
There are too many to reproduce may interest the reader to see a
the verse,
specimen
of
wretched
doggerel
though
it is.
it is
in vain to think
That men of sense and spirit Will ever cease to swear and drink While as their purse will bear it.
*.
"
We
For
drink to bear
down
sorrow,
all
And we may
70
JOHN WITHERSPOON
" The way
Is still to
for
clergymen to win
sin
A sweet
delicious dinner,
And justify
initial
and
final
names, doubtless of the most notorious of the convivial, sporting parsons, but
they would not interest the modern reader.
In
to
ways the popular party strove secure a reformation of the church. Seldom
more
serious
were they successful in their politics. But upon finding that the Moderates were accustomed to
instruct their friends in the Presbyteries to send
up commissioners favourable to them, and in the Assembly to pass the word around as to the measures to be supported, Witherspoon and his friends caught them napping on one occasion and contrived to secure a majority in the Assembly. Dr. Robertson, leader of the Moderates, for whom Witherspoon had the greatest
personal respect, congratulated the latter saying, " You have your men better disciplined than " " Yes," replied Witherspoon, you formerly." have taught us how to beat you with your own
weapons."
They
increased in power
they carried through repressive measures at their will they were never conciliatory and
;
PAISLEY
71
continued to alienate the popularists more and more. Under these circumstances the invitations
that
came
must
to Witherspoon,
if
not very
tempting
very consoling. greatly desired to have him as its From the English Church of Rotterminister.
have
been
Dundee
services.
dam came an An
declined.
earnest invitation for his pastoral urgent call was sent by the most
They were
to Paisley.
all
He seemed wedded
As
the recognized leader of his party, in the maturity of his powers, he seemed to feel that his
best
there
and he elected
to remain.
In 1766, however, came an invitation which was destined to change the scene of his activi-
Richard Stockton, an American gentleand a trustee of Princeton College, then man, on a visit to England, was instructed by the trustees to go to Paisley and urge upon Withties.
erspoon the acceptance of the presidency of the college, to which office they had elected him.
Witherspoon had
of
in the
meantime been
notified
the election
by
letter.
unable to persuade him to accept Mrs. Witherspoon seemed particularly averse to the idea,
72
retreat
JOHN WITHERSPOON
from the manse.
Later she apologized for her discourtesy saying that she was ill at the time, and the thought of going so far away
from her home and friends made her very unhappy. Her husband wrote declining the office.
The next
Instead of
danger of
offending Mrs. Witherspoon, he first secured quarters at the inn, and sent a note to Dr. Witherspoon, asking for an interview.
table Scotchman, urged
his
by
over her former rudeness, hastened to the inn and carried Mr. Beattie
greatly distressed
home
with him.
He was
so delighted with
Mrs. Witherspoon's courtesy and gentle manners that he was ready to doubt the story of her
More delighted was he when Witherspoon told him that the college had been much on his mind and that,
treatment of
Mr. Stockton.
were the
to accept.
offer
had gone to America intimating that Witherspoon would welcome an opportunity of changing his mind. Whereupon at a meeting in December, 1767,
"
From
other Scotchmen
The board,
culiar satisfaction,
proceeded immediately to a
PAISLEY
reelection."
73
The sum
for the
of
expenses of removing to
Upon
relieve
the
In
farewell sermon, characteristically choosing as " his subject, Ministerial Fidelity in Declaring
the
Whole Counsel
of
God."
He
dwelt at
great length upon the character and duty of a good pastor. In the closing paragraph of this,
the longest sermon he ever preached, doubtless feeling deeply the strain of separation, he bids
farewell in these words.
"
For what
have
to
among
bounds.
you,
It
shall bring
it
were easy by saying a few words to move the concern both of speaker and hearers this I have hitherto chosen to avoid
; ;
this
am
deeply sensible
of the affection
and duty
of the congregation
that attended
my
I
ministry,
my^ charge.
cannot express
my
sense of
it
new
office,
words of the late eminently my immediate predecessor in who, on his death-bed said to
'
of
74
debts to
JOHN WITHERSPOON
my
I
friends
which
will
will
not be put to
I
my
charge
me.'
hope God
have to make of you is that you would give me and my famIntreat of God ily an interest in your prayers. that we may be preserved from perils and dangers and carried to the place of our destinafurther request
tion in safety
;
The only
and that
may
be assisted of
every future duty, and not fall under the terrible reproach of agreeing to make so distant a removal and then being found unfit
in
for
Him
The people
of
his
church
and
his
friends
let
were reluctant to
him
an old bachelor, promised to make Witherspoon his heir if the minister would remain. But the
Leaving Scotland he went to London, where he secured a number of books for the college library, and settled accounts with his own publisher. Then on the 2Oth of
die
cast.
was
May, 1768, he and his family sailed for Philadelphia where they arrived on the 6th of August. Here he was the guest of Mr. Hodge, a friend of the college. They went to Princeton towards the end of the month, making their home with Richard Stockton for a few weeks, until their own house was ready for them.
PRINCETON COLLEGE
the founding of Princeton there were in the American colonies of Great Britain only
three colleges where a
UNTIL
a good
classical
and
scientific education.
;
Two
of these
were in
New England
Harvard had
been established at Cambridge near Boston in 1636 under a charter from the General Court
;
Yale, beginning
in 1701,
New Haven
William and Mary College, in Virginia, had been chartered by the crown in 1693. The middle colonies were practically destitute of the
means The
of higher education.
comprehensive course of
strong among the Presbyterians of this section, so that they might not only educate their sons
but- also in this
way procure
suitable candidates
which they
or the old
were dependent on
country.
New England
away
77
For
this
far
78
JOHN WITHERSPOON
;
stage coach was the speediest method of travel it was too largely under Episcopalian influence
to suit the orthodox Calvinists of that
day
of
denominational
suspicion and exclusiveness. were both satisfactory on the Yale and Harvard score of orthodoxy but the distance was too great
for the
boys
ware,
New
There was great need of a college where " religion and sound learning should receive equal
Presbyterians did not wish a theological seminary, but a school of high moral and religious tone. Religion without learning,
attention."
The
At scholarship, both classical and scientific. that time there was a faction in the Presbyterian
church
who
laid
qualification
on
experience.
Rev.
William Tennent and his two sons had opposed a rule of the synod providing that young men
applying for licensure, not being graduates of college, should undergo an examination on the
arts
this
and sciences before the synod. Against rule the Tennents protested and for this
by a stretch of authority, cenThereupon the members of three
sured them.
PRINCETON COLLEGE
Presbyteries from the vicinity of
79
and formed a separate synod. The members of the new Synod did not all agree with the Tennents on the question of education they thought the Philadelphia men had gone too far
drew
;
in
possible, to establish a
of
college.
The
partisans
fervid
piety
had
been alienated from Yale by the expulsion of David Brainerd from that college. Brainerd
was a
heart
warm
and strong mind. He could not endure the cold-blooded manner of some of the New
Englanders.
In a
moment
of passion
he told
one
gentleman
"had no more
chair."
fault
he was promptly expelled. His expulsion was regarded as too severe a punishment and
served to strengthen the determination of the New York men to establish a college where religion should not be discounted.
Philadelphia men had tried to establish a school at New London, Pennsylvania, but it
The
amounted to little and after a struggling existence became what is now Newark Academy, Delaware. Over in East Jersey Jonathan
80
JOHN WITHERSPOON
Dickinson opened a private school at Elizabeth where he did his best to prepare young men for the ministry. Aaron Burr had a classical school
These were private schools at Newark, N. J. and did not meet the large need. Dickinson and Burr consulted with two others, John Pierson and Ebenezer Pemberton, as to the best
way
to establish a
ther makeshifts.
knowledge sent money for work among the These four men, not as representatives of the Synod, but on their own account, tried to obtain a charter for a college in New Jersey. Lewis Morris, Governor of the Province, refused to grant one in 1745. Why he refused is not stated. But his honour had a hearty dislike for
Indians.
dissenters, as
The
British
Government had
instructed
the
Provincial Governors that religious and educational matters were under control of the Bishop
be permitted to keep school in the province without his permission. The rule was not always enof to
observe
it
in
were
in their
good
all
not abandon
PRINCETON COLLEGE
a college was predestinated.
watched.
sorely
81
One
when Governor Morris died on the 2ist May, 1746. It was not until the 22d October,
however, that they renewed their application to John Hamilton, who, as President of the Provincial council, held the government until
King George should appoint a new Governor. The council promptly granted the application, an action which does not surprise us when we
learn that four of the councillors were Presbyterians.
The
charter conferred
upon twelve
trustees
the right to conduct such a college as they desired, at the same time securing the liberties
and privileges of other Christian denominations whose members might care to patronize it. Although the charter was granted in October, 1 746, the college was not advertised until Febru-
making ready their plans When all was ready the school of Jonathan Dickinson, at Elizabeth, was made the foundation of the new college and he became its first president. The advertisement anary,
1
in the interval.
nounced that students would be admitted the fourth week of May, 1 747, and the college started on its career. The first commencement was to
have been held
in
May,
1748.
But
in October,
82
1
JOHN WITHERSPOON
Whether the
trustees
took any immediate steps to appoint his successor does not appear, but the students of the
college went over to
Newark and
there
com-
pleted
their
Burr, one of the applicants for the charter. During the summer of 1747, the newly appointed governor of the province, Jonathan
Belcher, arrived in
New
Jersey,
having had an
experience of
New England had shown a marked interest in Harvard ColThe lege, where he had graduated in 1699.
trustees of the
new
college of
New
Jersey were,
after his
Soon
a new
charter,
some
doubt having been cast upon the validity of the first one, which had been granted by the
president of the council without the assent of the Assembly or the Crown. Before they
should
fix
college or expend
Governor Belcher met them more than way and granted them a new charter for which he also secured the sanction of the Crown.
half
could not be got ready in time for the graduation of the first class in May, 1748. Lest the
It
PRINCETON COLLEGE
83
degrees of the graduates should not be valid under the old charter it was decided, at the re-,
quest of the governor himself, who wished to be present at the first commencement, to post-
pone
that
it,
and
1
it
tember,
is
748,
was not until the I4th of Septhat it was finally approved and
;
why
the
commencement
fall
exercises of
spring for
the governor
To
this
proviso the
clergymen objected, lest difficulties might arise under governors not in full sympathy with the
other trustees, and, as Jonathan
to
a friend
in Scotland,
"
religion or Deists."
On
this point,
Governor Belcher was firm and to this day, the charter having been confirmed by the legislature in
1
780, the
is
presi-
a State
is
institution
altogether independent of State control. Princeton had been selected for the site of the
1
No buildings had been and in the meantime the erected, however, school of Rev. Aaron Burr, at Newark, acted
college as early as
747.
first
presi-
84
dent upon
JOHN WITHERSPOON
its
being granted.
at
Richard Stockton, was afterwards a trustee of the college and a colleague of Witherspoon in
the Continental Congress.
tees thought
Some
of the trus-
New
and
and the
The commencement of 1749 president's house. was held there with the design of interesting the
people. They seemed indifferent. The trustees in 1750 voted that "a proposal be made to the towns of Brunswick and Princeton to try
what sum
of the
raise for building the next college by meeting, that the trustees may be better able to judge in which
of these places to fix the place of the college."
of
Again the next spring they offer to locate the college in the town on the Passaic if the citizens will guarantee a thousand pounds, ten acres of land near the college and two hundred acres of woodland not more than three miles away. The woodland was wanted to supply the college with fire-wood. The people of Princeton had bestirred themselves and came forward with an offer. The treasurer was instructed to view the land at Princeton as well as that which had at
PRINCETON COLLEGE
last
85
The
been offered by the New Brunswick folk. latter, however, were unable to make a
Despite the preference of the
definite offer.
tonians in raising
money and
was such
that finally in January, 1753, it was to accept the offer of Princeton, " when
for
a certain
No
have
been chosen.
Princeton lay near the centre of the province of New Jersey on the main coach
Phila-
a beautiful stretch
touch with the
Sufficiently in
of the
traffic
and news
day
it
was
sufficiently
quiet of college
the land, also gave twenty and pounds promised to obtain subscriptions from his friends. Governor Belcher wrote to some wealthy men of New England who conThere were not more tributed various sums.
Peo-
86
JOHN WITHERSPOON
and Rev. Samuel Davies, as has been already " home " to Great Britain armed with told, went letters of Governor Belcher and others as well
as with a very earnest address from the Synod Other letters were sent to indiof New York.
vidual clergymen in the three kingdoms. The " home " generous response of the people at
ber of 1756 that President Burr arranged to have the commencement exercises held at
Princeton on the 28th.
wanting, for
Governor Belcher,
the 3ist of August.
appreciative were the trustees of his kindness that they had proposed
to
So
name
the
new
The
governor had been a warm admirer of King William III, and requested the trustees to call
it
Nassau Hall
it
in
honour
Thus
house
came
in
choosing
another
Before electing any one, however, president. the trustees decided that " the salary of the
president shall be two hundred pounds procla-
PRINCETON COLLEGE
87
mation money of the province, together with the use of the president's house and improved lands with liberty of getting his fire-wood on
land belonging to the corporation." They then elected Jonathan Edwards, the famous New
England preacher and theologian. There was some delay in getting him released from his
charge at Stockbridge, so that he did not arrive
at Princeton until early in February, 1765.
fatality that
The
seems
to
presidents overtook him. He died of the smallpox on March 22d. The next president, Samuel In Davies, held his office less than two years.
September, 1761, Rev. Samuel Finley was introduced to the Board of Trustees, beginning
administration without any further ceremony. Dr. Finley added to the reputation of the college, which became more largely patronhis
ized
by
friends.
there
The funds increased considerably were offers of money for the support of
; ;
poor students a Virginia gentleman gave a hundred pounds towards maintaining a professor of Divinity, to which chair Rev. John
Blair
ton,
was appointed.
a petition for a grant of land was presented to the Crown, but it was refused, it was suspected, through the influence one
of the trustees,
88
JOHN WITHERSPOON
The
president's
of the Episcopalians.
salary
had been increased from time to time until in 1766 it was four hundred pounds. In September of that year, Dr. Finley having died in July,
before proceeding to the election of his successor, the trustees fixed the salary at two hun-
pounds with the usual perquisites, and on the following day elected John Witherspoon. I have already stated that he
fifty
dred and
declined the
first offer.
It
may
be well to give
The college had been founded by individual members of the New York Synod after the
separation of that body from the Philadelphia Synod. The members of the latter Synod had
In 1757 there held aloof from the enterprise. was a reunion of the two Synods, upon which
the Philadelphia Presbyterians and their friends asked for a share in the government of the col-
Philadelphia and had come offers of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, money upon satisfactory assurances involving
lege.
From gentlemen
of
this question.
Upon
it
was hoped
that these
new
friends
might have a
voice in suggesting or electing the president, but the Board of Trustees proceeded without
PRINCETON COLLEGE
89
heads over Nassau Hall, and he had no desire to leave the disturbed church of Scotland, where he was a growing power, for a new land and
church torn by dissensions, the nature of which he did not fully understand, and in which he
might be the greatest sufferer. His own feelings were conservative he had no sympathy
;
with those
who
dicating his reason in his letter he simply declined to become entangled in the strife of parties
in
His
reasons,
mean-
Samuel
also
had been elected president, but with the understanding that he should not enter upon his duties for a year, there being strong hopes
persuading the Paisley pastor to accept. As soon as he learned that Witherspoon might reof
consider he withdrew.
Witherspoon's election
was unanimous,
all
90
JOHN WITHERSPOON
many vexed
There was no questions. man in America above the suspicion of belonging to one or the other party. No such charge
could be brought against him.
in existence twenty which position placed it little years. above a classical school it had now risen to a rank among the best educational institutions in
The
college
had been
From a
curriculum was almost as good as that of Witherspoon's alma mater, the Univerthe land.
Its
sity of
Edinburgh, although the faculty was not so large nor the equipment so extensive. There
was no
divinity school.
pered the
European university had as full liberty as he. The college was controlled neither by the government nor by the church, directly, but by an
independent board of
self-perpetuating.
trustees, self-governing,
Among
the
trustees
were
not only Presbyterians who were in a majority, but also Episcopalians, Independents and a
Supported by a reunited church, governed by such a body of representative men, a very promising future was before the
Quaker.
college.
of pupils had increased until in there were about a hundred and twenty, 1766
The number
PRINCETON COLLEGE
almost as
versity of
91
many
triculated there twenty-five years before. The curriculum offered what seems to us a very
of study. During the first three the Latin and Greek classics were thoryears oughly read. Orations were delivered by the
narrow range
students,
speaking being an
Mathe-
much
of
them as
were known, were pursued until the senior year, which appears to have been devoted to
criticism
to
How far the educational original composition. ideas of Princeton's faculty at that time approximates those of the present day may be seen in
the account of Princeton written
tutors in 1766,
tion of
by one
of the
who
tells
youth care
is
taken to cherish a
;
liberty and
free inquiry
to permit
but even to encourage their right of private judgment without presuming to dictate with an
air
of
infallibility,
or
demanding an
implicit
assent to the decisions of the preceptor." Each " class recited twice a day and always had free
access to their teachers."
been
long,
at
92
JOHN WITHERSPOON \
to translate
it.
and
Except
for
an hour
in the
morning, two at noon and three in the evening, the boys were kept at work upon their studies. College athletics there were none; no class
Handball matches, no intercollegiate games. was the most exhilarating sport. All students were required to board in the college, the table
being supplied by the steward, who also furnished fire-wood and candles. The delightful club life so characteristic of Princeton to-day
was unknown.
to run
upper
early in Witherspoon's administration the custom was broken up by the trustees. demo-
as
it
was most
largely,
life,
rank of colonial
duced.
into
Penalties for breaches of college discipline were not the undreaded disorder marks of
later era,
full
but fines of
paid in
by the
culprit before
fines,
his degree.
The
tinued early in Witherspoon's connection with the college, except where injury had been done
to the property.
PRINCETON COLLEGE
93
extreme forms of punishment seldom inflicted. No cuts were allowed from prayers or recitation,
of absence.
and the president alone could grant leave Evening prayers were made the
occasion for instruction in psalmody. No instrumental music profaned the walls of Nassau
Hall's chapel, the voices of
in full
rising
of
Disputations on the subject of natural and revealed religion were given publicly in the
be done.
chapel, the citizens of the town being privileged " in order to habituate the boys early to attend,
an assembly, as also for other important and religious ends." As there was no church in the town the citizens attended the services in the chapel, where some of them were assigned pews for which they paid a rental.
to face
Examinations were
oral,
conducted in the
visitors as
and such
chose to attend, by the president and tutors, and "any other gentlemen of education who shall choose to be present." It is plain that no " " was possible in such an exshenanigaging
amination.
Although the laws required every candidate for a bachelor's degree to reside two whole years in the college, any person might
94
JOHN WITHERSPOON
present himself for examination, and, if deemed worthy, receive a degree upon payment of eight pounds tuition for two years and the customary
graduation. Commencement day in September began the long term uninterrupted by vacations. Orations and disputations were
fees
of
given by those who had graduated a few weeks No Christmas or Easter recesses broke before.
the routine, for these were popish feasts not observed by strict Presbyterians. short va-
cation in the spring and another in the fall, neither exceeding two or three weeks, was all
the rest given teachers or students.
to
pay two
shill-
ings sixpence quarterly for the rent of the library, a rule providing that no student might
have the key of the library, that being in charge of one of the officers of the college. The total
expenses averaged about twenty-five pounds,
four
for
tuition,
fifteen
for
board,
three for
room
laundry, two for fire-wood and candles, one for rent, with six shillings for contingent expenses.
pranks the students played the minutes of the trustees up to 1768 do not record. It was found necessary to lock the door of the cupola
What
in the
PRINCETON COLLEGE
95
whose duty it was to ring the bell, and who must permit nobody else to go up. Is it unlikely that even as early as 1766, as in 1876, the
boys occasionally rang the bell at night or stole There were laws forbidding the clapper?
various
offenses,
trivial
and
serious,
which
might disturb the peace of the Hall or the campus, and occasionally some luckless lad was obliged to pay a fine, which he did with good
no expulsions. Several students neglected to pay their fees, which led to a law requiring them all to give bond in the
grace, but there were
amount before they could enter college. This rule was found too hard and was amended
full
so that the sophomores paid thirty shillings, senior in the juniors forty, entrance money.
all ar-
and its student life gives us some idea of the work which lay before the new president. He
faced the task of bringing together in support of the college two parties in the church, formally
united but
other.
jealous
three thousand pounds, only a small part of that drawing interest. But the college stood high in
96
JOHN WITHERSPOON
the public favour, attracting students from New England in the North and the Carolinas in the
hood
of
New
Jersey.
II
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
Witherspoon's advent, Moses Coit Tyler has written so well that I can do no better than
OF
"His advent to the college over which he was to preside was like that of a prince coming to his throne. From the moment of his landing in Philadelphia to that of his arrival in Princeton, his movements were atto quote his words.
and homage and on the evening on which he made his entry into day what was thenceforward to be his home, the college edifice was brilliantly illuminated and not only the whole village but the adjacent country, and even the province at large, shared
fest affection
;
of the
'
It is
pleasant to
know that in the six and twenty years of public service that then lay before him in America, the person of whom so much was expected not only
did not disappoint, but by far exceeded, the high hopes that had thus been set upon him. For
once
in this world, as
it
turned out, a
man
of ex-
traordinary force,
versatility,
97
98
JOHN WITHERSPOON
and scope
found the place exactly suited to give full swing to every element of power within
Witherspoon must have been a very simple ceremony. Dr. Ashbel Green, a student at the time, tells us that he delivered an address in Latin on the Unity of Piety and Science, but the address has not been
of Dr.
preserved.
His
first
sermon
is
found in his
published works.
The
first
was the raising of money to pay a debt upon He the college and to increase the endowment. made the statement must have been startled by
to
the Presbytery of
New
Brunswick by the
meeting which he attended. It was frankly stated that unless something should be done speedily the college would have to be
the
first
abandoned.
ready money was there, that the trustees were unable to pay Wither-
So
little
spoon the one hundred guineas promised him for his expenses in making the journey from
Scotland, and the treasurer
this
first
to hand.
What Witherspoon
financial outlook
plaint
energy
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
he took hold of the business at once.
99
Small
first
legacies were received occasionally during the few years and the friends of the college
were active in collecting funds. The churches took collections under instructions from the
the year 1772 New Brunswick Presbytery had raised over three hundred and sixty pounds, with two hunPresbyteries
and Synods.
By
Soon
Dr. Witherspoon himself went to New England to collect money. From one of the founders of
the college, Ebenezer Pemberton, now a minister in Boston, he received great help. Pember-
ton introduced
him
added
the college funds, a part of this being at the personal disposal of the president, who was authorized to use it as he saw fit.
to
Both before, during and after the war he did what not only every president of Princeton but of every other American college has been obliged to do he travelled far and wide seeking money and students for the college. Others helped him in this. A journey to the Carolinas was undertaken by Dr. John Rodgers, of New York, whose pulpit was supplied by the trustees during his absence. And he brought back a considerable sum. Long Island was the self;
ioo
JOHN WITHERSPOON
there
and
in
Elizabeth,
New
Jersey,
brought him a vote of thanks from the trustees. Having been himself elected a member of the board in 1 769 he was authorized to solicit funds
as a result one thousand pounds were added to the treasury. He extended his
in Virginia
;
visit to
to the scarcity of
it
ready money
in that province
lumber and other things, which the people promAt his suggestion a vessel was chartered ised.
and sent
having been
in-
formed in time for them to bring their gifts to the wharf so that no money was lost by delay.
In the spring of 1772 Dr. Witherspoon was requested to visit the West Indies and Mr. Charles
Beattie,
who
will
be remembered as the
man
who finally secured Witherspoon's consent to accept the presidency, was appointed to go with him. Witherspoon was unable to go, although
lands.
he prepared an address to the people of the isMr. Beattie set out upon his journey
but died in the Barbadoes in August before he had entered upon his business.
Dr. Witherspoon was a member of every committee entrusted with financial matters. In
1772
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
arrange
Castle,
101
lottery at
fifty
New
thousand
pounds proclamation being given to Mr. George Monroe and others, the proceeds to be divided between the college and the Presbyterian churches of New Castle and Christiana Bridge. This method of raising money had been emMr. Halsey was paid fifty ployed before. pounds for his services in conducting a previous one. The legislature of New Jersey refused several times to permit lotteries in that province.
profitable.
This
one gave the trustees no little annoyance. The war came on before it was settled. In 1778, according to the minutes of the Board, Mr.
" Halsey was ordered to prepare a just
state-
ment
again
and
lottery.
1780 he was ordered to settle the But it would not remain settled. A
certain Mr.
for several
Geddes who had drawn a ticket hundred pounds clamoured for his
finally
less
money and
bonds
for
amount than his claim. But as late as 1786 he was again urging it. When, two and that hundred he in said 1791, finally,
a
twenty-two pounds were still due him, the board ordered the clerk to write him that so far from
the college being indebted to
him he was
in-
102
JOHN WITHERSPOON
it,
debted to
after that.
of
him
Until the beginning of the war the finances of the college were in a fairly prosperous condition, little difficulty
being experienced
In
in
meet-
felt 1771 justified in electing a Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, William C. Houston
the trustees
being chosen at a salary of one hundred and But when the country became unfifty pounds.
settled
by
hostilities there
was
little
money
to
be had.
From
nental currency, but in May, 1781, the Board ordered that he be paid in gold and silver. Accounts could not be kept correctly amid the
confusion brought on by the war. For two or In three years the trustees could not meet.
1775 a meeting was held of which there is np record but at which a committee was appointed
to
of
examine the treasurer's accounts, the report which was not finally made until 1 793. Dr.
Witherspoon was found to be indebted to the college about six hundred and forty-five pounds.
to
him and
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
the whole affair
103
was
bal-
Ugly rumours magnified by Tory enemies during and after the war had run over the country. At no time had the trustees questioned his honour and again and again the
minutes contain records of their confidence in
him, their appreciation of his devotion and generosity in the service of the college. So
that for every reason they
A very loose and irregular fully. method seems to have been followed in collecting and disbursing the funds. Donations were
onerate him
sometimes to a committee of
It
was not
all
through the treasurer's hands, in order to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. Some
money was given for the ordinary expenses of the college, some for special ob" for the education of poor jects and much
of the
and pious youth." A fund for this latter purpose had accumulated from legacies and
church collections.
Personal fees belonging to
the president and tutors were paid to the treasurer or to the person to whom they were due.
The accounts
every
104
JOHN WITHERSPOON
them
in the
reference to
that, while the college was well maintained, confusion of the accounts was unavoidable. Although the institution was compara-
shows
a burden of
deserves great credit not only for commanding the confidence of the public and the trustees but
also for keeping the college in a prosperous condition and increasing the endowment in
spite of
In
resembled
modern boarding
contained
kitchen, the
library
single building
the
steward's
dining-room
and was
rooms
chapel.
and
The
president's house
a separate building.
pected to live in
ard's table, with
tract.
whom
made a
con-
The contract of 1768 provided that Jonathan Baldwin the steward, " should furnish the students such meat and drink, including small
beer as had formerly been served up to them, at the rate of six shillings sixpence proclamation per week and should find and provide fire-
wood and candles at the current prices and keep a proper number of servants for doing the ordinary business, including the ringing of the
bell,
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
and
pay
at the
105
end
a
of the
year take
all
the kitchen
furniture at
fair price."
advance, and one shilling per week for every week of absence after the opening of college,
and be responsible
for
Joseph Berrian and Trustee Richard Stockton were a committee for advice and direction in
the
management of the stewardship. Mr. Baldwin gave them trouble the next year. It was found that he owed the college over a thousand pounds, and he finally gave bond and security
for
seven
hundred.
He
remained in
"
office,
agreed be swept twice a week and washed and sanded once a month in the
galleries (halls) shall
later
that the
summer, and once in two months in the winter." Tuition fees were paid to the president who was To diligent in keeping an account of them. him also was paid the money for the board of "the poor and 'pious youth " being educated
for the ministry.
The money
for this
purpose
came from
at once,
for
individuals sometimes in
amounts
to
be used
sometimes as legacies to be invested an income. Students failed to pay their fees both to the steward and to the president.
106
It
JOHN WITHERSPOON
The selling of the choice of rooms had become an abuse as early as 1771. Upper class-
men adopted
from them
willy-nilly.
by the energy of Witherspoon's personal attention, but it became so deeply rooted that to this
day the college law is evaded. Governor Belcher had begun the foundation of a library by a gift of books, other friends had added more. Witherspoon himself had brought with him about three hundred volumes the gift of friends in Scotland, Holland, and London. New books were added from time to
Evidently the students were careless in their use of the library. Very strict rules were
time.
made by the
direction the
no circumstance which throws this new country so far back in point of science as the want of public libraries where thorough researches might be made, and the small number of
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
learned
107
men
to
assist
in
making researches
its scientific
ap-
paratus.
Two
hundred and
for the
fifty
pounds had
it,
been appropriated
purchase of
at the
president's suggestion, and doubtless against the protest of some who thought this a large sum for such a purpose. Visitors were usually taken to see the apparatus, which John Adams
declared was the most complete and elegant he had ever seen. Two orreries, arrangements of
one
another,
were
also
exhibited.
little
Another
of
New England
spirit
visitor
thought
either
The
scientific
was
lieved in
cation.
management
of the
college. They usually met twice a year when the college bell was rung ten minutes to summon them to the session. They usually dined
together.
At
first
grew so large
that a
board was finally passed requiring the steward to serve the dinner in the college,
io8
JOHN WITHERSPOON
thereafter the trustees continued to dine
and
together, a
custom
still
The
766.
he resigned a year
later.
His depar-
ture released
some
of the funds
trustees to increase the president's salary, with the understanding that he take the duties formerly performed by Professor Blair. Two tutors
president and Professor Houston so that the entire teaching force during Witherspoon' s presidency of twenty-six years never exassisted the
five in
any
year.
Most
of
the teaching fell to Witherspoon. In 1772 he offered Hebrew to those students who intended to
become
the
lectured
Eloquence. These lectures, making due allowance for the nature of the subjects must have
been truly
Witherspoon is always ambiguity clouds his style. He knows the subject thoroughly and is familiar with all the literature of it. The lectures abound with quotations and references to other writers and are lighted with pleasing illustrations. As
delightful.
perfectly clear.
No
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
they were not written in
full
109
they are not satisThe lecture as factory to the modern reader. him was not a droning deliverance, given by
the students
nervously taking such notes as were possible. It was rather a free conversalecturer first stating his subject
it,
tion, the
and
his opinion of
tioning him
and being in their In a modern classturn questioned by him. room such a method might subject an ordinary lecturer to an endless fire of questions designed to waste time. Nothing of that sort was atat their pleasure
lost the
They
felt in
his presence
an unembarrassed freedom which never degenHis dignity might at erated into familiarity.
a freshman with awe, for he was the most dignified of men, with a stately manner.
first
inspire
But that feeling soon left the boy. To his students he freely accorded every right. Naturally passionate, he had the greatest kindness of
family tradition relates that as he was leaving the college building one morning, a boy threw from a window a basin of water intended
heart.
for
who was just about to emerge from the door but who drew back to let The water drenched the president pass out. the doctor's new coat, to the dismay of the
a fellow student
no
JOHN WITHERSPOON
youngster who, having leaned from the window to see the effect upon his mate, was recognized. He retreated at once to his room. Witherspoon
called
remarked, D'ye see, wet new That how coat?" my ye young man, was all. Of course the boy went to the presi-
and apologized for his unintentional act, which was nevertheless a breach of It was not reported, however the college law. was forgiven and was forever a devoted boy
dent's house
;
admirer of Witherspoon.
1771 Witherspoon's character as at once strong and gentle. Long after graduation his students endeavoured to
graduated
in
testifies to
keep in touch with him. Those who had been employed as his secretary, writing letters for him and attending to some minor details of college business by his direction, spoke warmly of his consideration and kindness. This was especially the case in the later years of his when his eyesight had become impaired.
life
No
won the
personal at-
tachment
John Wither-
spoon unless
James McCosh. Besides doing his work in the college he preached every Sunday in the chapel, long ser-
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
mons, one
noon.
in the
in
The Sunday
Adams
spent in
August, 1774, he records in his diary, he "heard Dr. Witherspoon all day," a remark which may have been nearer the truth
Princeton in
than
Adams
intended.
in the
There were no first-class preparatory schools American colonies in those days. Many
classical schools in con-
clergymen conducted
nection with their churches, which afterwards became fine academies. The public school was
far in the future.
Those private academies did preparing boys for college. The preparation was not always well done.
most
of the
work
of
Schoolmasters
attached to
not expected to send boys up to college, sometimes chose to put extra time upon some promis-
ing pupils. But many of the boys who came up to Princeton were deficient even in reading
and
spelling.
So
serious
was the
fault that in
1774 Witherspoon addressed a public letter to schoolmasters, both in America and the West
Indies,
catalogue
H2
JOHN WITHERSPOON
Boys were expected
to be
well-grounded in the rudiments of English and mathematics to be able to read Latin readily,
;
having gone through Caesar, Virgil and Cicero, A knowledge of Greek was perhaps further.
also essential.
eight years the college grew rapidly in the number of its students who came
first
During the
from every part of America. Witherspoon's fame added to Princeton's repute and his graduates sent up
gifts of
more students and encouraged money. The trustees were beginning Then the war came on. to enlarge the faculty. as the of As early fall 1775 there was a noticeaTroops on their way to Boston during the summer were quartered From these, if not in and around the college. from Witherspoon himself, the boys caught the In the military spirit, some of them enlisting. fall of 1775 there was not a quorum of the
trustees present to transact business
and confer
the degrees, but those who were there passed such measures as were necessary, trusting that a future meeting would approve them. Nor
was
it
fall
of
1776, but they adjourned for a month, only to find that the invasion of the province by the
British kept the
members away.
Witherspoon
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
himself
113
was obliged
life.
His ex-
perience is preserved in a letter to his son writIn a ten from Baltimore in January, 1777.
letter
to his son-in-law,
Rev. S. S. Smith, in
whose Virginia school the young David Witherspoon was teaching, he had given one acIn this letter he says, " I gave a very count. full and particular account of our flight from Princeton and the situation of your mother as
well as myself.
She
is
at
Pequa
(the
home
of
Rev. Robert Smith, father of S. S.) I hope but I have not heard from that place since
her.
well,
I left
nothing away but what could be carried upon one team. Benjamin Hawkins drove your mother in the old
chair
We carried
and
made John
His ex-
Graham
young
colts."
perience was similar to that of many other Jersey men. The trustees of the college, determined
to
have a meeting, assembled at Cooper's Ferry on the Delaware in May, 1777. Governor Livingston, ex-officio president of the Board, found
time to be present.
With him were eleven others and Dr. Witherspoon, now a member of the
Continental Congress.
that
it
He
told
the trustees
on the college. When Washington's army, retreating from New York, had passed through Princeton in Decem-
was impossible
to carry
H4
rooms
JOHN WITHERSPOON
had found
in the students'
lot for
softer
day, nor did they hesitate to use them. Their example was followed by the Hessians
many a
and
British
who were
January while there time to stop for rest, the Continental troops drove the soldiers of Cornwallis out of
On
was
the college and as quickly departed themselves, ragged, cold and footsore, but triumphant, for
they had slipped out of a trap and won a notable victory. By the cannonading the building
to be unfit for
do was
to ap-
point a committee to attend to such repairs as were absolutely necessary, while Dr. Wither-
spoon should collect as many students as possible and either instruct them himself or get some assistance. He was also requested to ask the
Congress to forbid the quartering
the college.
to hold
of troops in
By
it
was possible
a meeting at Princeton, although some of the trustees were detained by the enemy in their homes, one of them being shut up in
Philadelphia, which was then in possession of the British. The legislature of New Jersey was requested to confirm the charter of the college
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
t
115
from military duty, which was Such good prospects were there of doing the work of the college that advertisements were inserted in the New Jersey, Fishkill and Lancaster newspapers, stating that "due atthe students
done.
tendance
will
youth
the college after the tenth day of For a year and a half Witherspoon and May." Professor Houston were able to teach their
in
damaged
building, waiting
could collect
of
money
to
pay them.
At the commencement
six
September, 1779, graduates. Thereafter the classes were held together. From Virginia, where he had been at the
there were
an academy, which afterwards grew Hampden-Sidney College, came S. S. Smith to take the chair of Moral Philosophy. This adhead
of
into
possible by the Witherspoon, who offered to divide his salary with the new professor and to give him the president's house while Wither-
was made
generosity of Dr.
live upon his farm, about a mile north of Princeton, where he had built a comfortable house. In accepting this generous offer the trustees agreed to permit Dr. Witherspoon,
spoon went to
Professor
n6
JOHN WITHERSPOON
coming year. At the end of that time they added two hundred pounds to Professor Smith's salary. For two years during the war the president's salary had been paid in the depreciated
Continental currency, but in 1781 the trustees decided that he should be paid in gold and
silver.
acts of tion of
Such generosity as is shown in these Witherspoon won the cordial appreciathe trustees and of other friends of the
college.
Some
to be
of these
gave
money
building and in meeting the necessary exIt was difficult to recover the funds of penses. the college which had been placed in the Continental Loan office during the war and Witherspoon was ordered to compound, or to sell
the certificates to the best advantage. In the disturbed period of the war Wither-
spoon had assumed the responsibility of providing teachers, but when peace came he requested the trustees to resume that duty. But he agreed to continue to pay half of Professor
Smith's salary as long as he shall remain in the college. Up to this time there had been
no faculty organization in which the government of the college was vested, all authority
apparently resting with the president. DisciThe minutes of pline was seldom administered.
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
the
117
among
had some political significance. In December, 1773, Paul Revere had ridden post-haste through the town bearing to Burlington and Philadelphia the news of the Boston tea party. Of the crowd that gathered about the tavern door no doubt a goodly number were students who listened
first
The
of these
eagerly to the stirring story. They sent the courier on his way with a cheer, bidding him
employed by college students to show their enthusiasm and their sympathy. Boston folk had set them a worthy example in burning an effigy of the stamp collector and the devil New Yorkers seizing Governor Colden's coach had placed in it the figure of an imp and burned it
;
before
the
governor's
residence.
Princeton
An effigy
governor
of Massachusetts,
was soon ready. The boys formed a procession, marched through the town and on to the campus, where a spirited oration was made. Probably John Dickinson's song of Liberty was sung, and the whole hideous figure set on fire. Such conduct was scarcely a breach of college discipline
n8
JOHN WITHERSPOON
authorities.
fere
not being directed against any of the college Witherspoon himself did not inter-
nor reprimand the students, but Richard Stockton, one of the trustees of whom we have
heard before and shall hear again, one of the finest men in the province of New Jersey and a
high-minded patriot, felt it his duty to stop the unlawful proceeding, for it was unlawful, and might get not only the boys but the college But when Mr. Stockauthorities into trouble.
ton undertook to remonstrate with the excited
and put a stop to their serious sport, one of the students, Samuel Leake, dared to accuse him of cowardice and even of treason to the patriot cause and upon Mr. Stockton's rebuking him for using such language, and en-
young
patriots
deavouring to send the students away, young Leake promptly took him by the shoulders and
hustled
him
off
him
to
go
was
ruffled.
If
At
all
minister
On
Samuel Leake, being 1774 and an orator of college reputation, was awarded the salutatory for the commencement exercises.
the other hand, Mr.
one
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
119
Such appointments, however, must receive the approval of the Board of Trustees, and when Mr. Stockton told his story and protested against the honour being bestowed upon Leake, the
trustees refused to sanction the award, although
they permitted him to graduate. The account is interesting because it throws a side light upon
its
nature and occurred in 1787. Seven luckless seniors having refused to prepare the pieces
assigned for commencement were called before the board and ordered to ask the pardon of
that
body and
of the faculty.
whole college."
any honorary oration at commencement. Not long afterwards a rule was made forbidding any student to speak before his oration had been
passed upon by the faculty.
of the
boys inserted
liverances
found in the manuscript submitted for inspecmade a rule that such conduct
of his degree. instance can hardly be called an act of insubordination, yet shows the necessity for
A third
120
JOHN WITHERSPOON
some authority in the hands of the faculty. In the summer of 1 783 a Frenchman had gathered
a dancing
class at Princeton,
It
many
of the stu-
dents joining. proved disastrous to discipline and interfered with the college work.
Since coming to America Witherspoon had not changed his mind as to the evil effects of
amusements.
And
it
was
some
of the
boys
in
to incur, not
only for the dancing lessons but for the jolly suppers which followed. The class was held at
the tavern where the boys were tempted to drink too freely. After the late hours so spent
they came to their recitations the next day with sadly muddled ideas about Greek construction
and moral philosophy, the effect of too much wine and too little sleep. The reputation of the college suffered by the tales of these midnight gaieties. They were regarded by the faculty and trustees as "circumstances very unfriendly to the order and good government of the institution." Looking upon "a dancing school as useless to them in point of manners,
they being generally past that period of youth in which the manners are formed," the board
forbade
the
school
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
Such cases having arisen the board,
meeting
121
at the
in the fall of 1788, formally vested in the faculty the government of the college " whose authority should extend to every part of the discipline of the college except the ex-
pulsion of a student which shall not take place unless by order of the board or six of them con-
Two
who complained by
letter
had
received
abuse from
manner and
had been sent from the institution in an arbiAfter heartrary and unprecedented manner."
ing
all
with the
Dr. Smith as quite within bounds in dealing " young man as so high an offense merited."
The government
Board
less trouble
of
the
college
gave the
meet expenses.
after the war.
The endowment
had suffered the loss of funds in the Continental Loan office, by the depreciation of the paper currency and by the general financial depression It was almost impossible to following the war. The courts were in confusion. collect debts.
122
JOHN WITHERSPOON
There was no source of national revenue. Business was timid in the uncertainty of laws governing both foreign and domestic trade. Those who had hoarded gold and silver used it sparNevertheless, as before, so now, Witherspoon indefatigably set to work to raise
ingly.
was he that in the ten years following the war more than twelve thousand dollars were added to the funds of the college, truly a marvellous sum under the circumstances. And yet it was not sufficient, although it brought the endowment up to twenty thousand dollars. By 1784 it became
money.
So
successful
imperatively necessary that something should be done. No friend of the college had been
more
generous than Witherspoon himself. Half of his salary had been relinquished to keep
Professor Smith in the chair of Moral Philosothe expenses of
phy
many a poor
student had
be"en borne by him. Of course he expected to be reimbursed from the fund for educating poor
He
and boarding of a student who never paid the debt. So flagrant became the abuse of his good nature that he was obliged to notify
the public through the newspapers that he should not comply with requests to advance
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
money
to the students or
123
make
sible for
them
in
of clothing expecting
them out of what they Witherspoon pay seemed to regard as an unlimited fund for
maintaining
papers
in
needy
scholars.
is
Among
4.95 2.80
.75
the
:
my
possession
$8.50
Doctr Witherspoon,
SIR:
I have bought the above Articles for John Blair, and when Mr. Sam1 Smith was in Town he desired me to call on you for the money which you will please to be so kind as to leave with Mrs. Irwin and oblige Sir your
my B
Humble
Serv 1
,
BETSY BLAIR.
his
education to
He
when
to
of his education.
carry such a heavy burden as was laid upon him. He bore expenses for which the trustees were not
directly liable
and they
testified to his
magna-
i2 4
JOHN WITHERSPOON
was enough
to maintain
in
a manner befitting his position. But the college itself was sorely in need of funds to reand to carry on the pair the damaged building
him
work.
Before the war there had been
of Princeton in
many
friends
Great Britain
uted generously to the college. At an extra meeting of the Board of Trustees in October,
suggestion was made that perhaps these former friends and others abroad might
1783, the
difficulties.
It
was hoped
that Witherspoon's popularity at least in Scotland had survived the bitterness of the struggle
by which Great Britain had lost her American colonies. During the war many Englishmen and Scotchmen had openly avowed their friendship for America, their belief in the justice of her
if Scotch newspapers had called such as knave, fool and names Witherspoon traitor, his experiences during the excitement
claims.
Even
"
that these
friends
of
were numerous.
Besides,
corre-
spondence brought him assurances of friendship and continued interest in his career. Others
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
who had sympathized
125
spond to an appeal from the college to help them restore it and continue the work. As we look at it now, we wonder how they could have perbelief. But they and the Dr. Withertrustees did, permitted spoon and General Reed, who had commanded the Pennsylvania line during the war and was
go to Europe to solicit subscriptions. General Reed generously offered to bear his own expenses and Mr. Bayard and Mr. Snowden advanced the money to pay Dr. Witherspoon's. There was no money in the college treasury. The mission, it is needless to say, was worse than a failure.
It It
criticism.
by some
of the
American
be a disgrace. Witherspoon through a friend applied to Franklin and Jay asking for
patriots to
letters of
Franklin replied, "The very request would be disgraceful to us and hurt the credit
friends.
of responsibility
we wish
to maintain in
Europe
by representing the United States as too poor to provide for the education of their own children.
For
my part I am
persuaded we are
fully
means
of public instruction
126
JOHN WITHERSPOON
that our
little
wonder
paid so
legislatures
have generally
of so great
attention to
a business
Being asked what sums had been country. subscribed or donations made by signers to a
was obliged to reply only one." " John Jay wrote, While our country remained part of the British Empire there was no impropaper
I
priety
in
soliciting
the
aid
of
our distant
brethren and fellow subjects for any liberal and It was natural that the younger public purpose.
branches of the
political family
should request
of the elder.
But as
such relations with any nations in the world, as the rank they hold and ought to assert implies
ability to provide for all the ordinary objects of
government, and as the diffusion of knowledge among a republican people is and ought to be one of the constant and most imtheir
portant of those objects, I cannot think it consistent with the dignity of a free and independent people to solicit donations for that or any other purpose from the subjects of any Prince or
state whatever."
Witherspoon was much depressed by the failure, more particularly by the sense of aliena-
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
tion
127
from his former friends in Great Britain, although some of these wrote him most kindly
regretting his mission
disappointment. To us it is astonishing that he should permit the trustees to persuade him or himself to cherish the idea that his
him
in his
request would be agreeable or even his presence acceptable to many in Scotland. Five was the munificent sum after pounds remaining
the expenses of the trip
had been
paid.
The commencement
of
probably the most memorable in Witherspoon's administration. The Continental Congress had
been
hit
in session at Philadelphia
endeavouring to
upon some measures for raising money to pay the soldiers who had helped to win the independence which the colonies enjoyed. Some of these soldiers were in the city and wished to
hurry the deliberations of the Congress, which they did with such good effect that, disturbed
by the
gates took horse and, at Witherspoon's request, fled to the quiet shades of Princeton, where
Gen. George Washington was also present, as was likewise an English officer who had received permission to
128
JOHN WITHERSPOON
lines to travel for
go through the
a while before
evacuated
New
York.
He was
treated with every possible courtesy, and from his letter to a friend we have a descripOf course Washington had tion of the scene.
The
letter is so interesting
I
many
it
reasons that
refers to
:
tion of
"
which
commencement
DR. WETHERSPOON.
if
An
account of the
himself.
poisons the minds of his students, and through them, the Continent. " He is the intimate friend of the General, and
He
no other arguments to support my ideas Washington's designs, I think his intimacy with a man of so different a character of his own (for Washington's private one is perfectly amiable), would justify my suspicions. "The commencement was a favourable op-
had
of
portunity of conveying certain sentiments to the public at large (for even women were present)
which
it
now becomes
the
important to make
that
is
them
familiar with.
introductory to
drama
to
follow.
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
'
129
The great maxim which this commencement was to establish, was the following A time with and come that every republic, may may be the case with America, when anarchy makes
:
the duty of the man who has the majority of the people with him, to take the helm into his
it
own hands in order to save his country and the person who opposes him deserves the utmost
;
deserves
to
1
be sent to
Nova
Vox populi, vox Dei/ " These were the very words of the moderator, who decided on the question was Brutus justiScotia.
Or they thought us all heard that them blockheads, or they were not This was afraid of avowing their designs.
fiable in killing Caesar.
still
"When the young man who, with a great deal of passionate claquere, defended his favourite Brutus, extolled the virtues of the man who
could stab even his father,
liberties of his country,
;
ington's face clouded he did not dare to look the orator in the face, who stood just before
him, but, with downcast look, seemed wishing hide the impression which a subject that touched him so near, had, I thought, very visito
bly
made
in his
countenance.
But we are so
3o
JOHN WITHERSPOON
apt to read in the face what we suppose passes in the heart, maybe that this was the case with
me.
I
But
if
ever what
moment one
full
do Mr. Wetherspoon the justice to think he was not the author of them, for they were
I will
veyed
different sentiments;
there
liberal
was one
of
to
sentiments
At
this
meeting
Wither-
spoon was requested to ask Washington to sit be painted by the well-known artist, Charles Wilson Peale, "and that his
for his portrait to
portrait
when
room
which was torn away by a king ball from the American artillery in the battle of
of Great Britain
to the request
Washington promised to accede and his full-length portrait now hangs upon the south wall of the hall, in a room
Princeton."
museum
hung
of natural history,
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
131
presidents of the college. When Dr. Witherspoon reported to the trustees that Washington
would grant their request he added that the general had also given him fifty guineas for the
college.
After the disheartening failure of the European mission a very strong plea was made to the
American Presbyterian Church which was, after all, the best hope and surest support of the colA little money was realized from the sale lege. of Rocky Hill lots and of land in Philadelphia, the legacy of Dr. William Shippen, a warm friend of the college. But as long as Witherlived and for spoon many years afterwards the most perplexing question for the trustees was
in
how to raise money enough. No college then or our own day has always been fully maintained
by the fees of the students. So that endowments whose income is intended for the maintenance
needy students does not greatly increase the efficiency of the college equipment or assist in the support of the teaching force. A generous legacy from a certain Leslie for this purpose, while welcomed by the church and the college
of
did not help the solution of the financial problem. In order to avoid confusion, as far as
possible, the trustees, in 1786, finally
made a
money
i32
JOHN WITHERSPOON
all
bills,
the
Thereafter
One
of the causes of
necessity of renewing the furniture in the students' rooms, which had been originally pro-
its re-
moval from one room to another, and in general to assign rooms to the students. The sysor of hitherto in lack had been it, tem, vogue
The upper classmen of anarchy. which the rooms selected they preferred, sometimes ousting a freshman or a sophomore, apa mild form
propriating the best pieces of furniture and bidding the unlucky under classmen shift for themselves.
The unwritten
rules
of
honour
among
the college authorities. The boy who comHe plained to the president at once lost caste.
found
gave him an opportunity to despoil those below him. The new rule of the trustees obliged a student to
it
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
keep the room assigned, and
133
being obliged to furnish his room himself. The assignment of rooms remained nominally in the
hands
had
the custom
become
that to this
day
in Prince-
ton College the students always find the way to avoid the college rule. If a senior wishes to sell his room he knows how to do so without
For a while the faculty tried to assess upon the whole student body the amount of any damage done by one or more of their number. But it was found impossible to enforce such a regulation which died of The number of students had increased neglect. The country had begun to rapidly since 1789.
an open violation
of
it.
The graduating
lege
up
to this time.
For several years, however, Dr. Witherspoon had left the more exacting details of the administration to Professor Smith, who had been
made
vice-president
in
1786.
Six or seven
134
JOHN WITHERSPOON
years before that he had removed to his farm about a mile and a half north of the college where, as he wrote to a friend in Scotland, he
played the r61e of a scientific farmer. He was Nor was he fortunate not a successful farmer.
Ever in his land speculations in Vermont. since the depressing failure of his European mission his health had been failing. In spite of
and the burdensome, often discouraging, aspect of the college, he brought his indomitable energy to the task. Upon him rested the care
this
of the
Presbyterian church in Princeton, although he had never been formally installed as its pastor, a statement which surprised the
Presbytery when, in 1793, the congregation came up with a request for a duly installed pastor, Dr. Witherspoon having declined to
serve them any longer in that capacity. Even as early as the sessions of the Continental Con-
Philadelphia John
faint several
fallen in
The amount
down
in the
His duties
He
served upon
many committees
of Presbytery
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
135
and Synod and General Assembly. Although not more than seventy-two he could no longer He was well enough to sustain these labours.
preside at the commencement of September, 1794, but died on the I4th of November following.
His
service
calculable.
the college had been inAlthough the least he did was for
to
itself
was conscarcity
when one
reflects
upon the
money
absence
and
1769 with
have
money to
would carry it on
it
were supplied, had been brought by this new undismayed, resolute, resourceful president, and energetic, into such a sound financial condition that
it
crisis.
By
his
patience in waiting for his own salary sometimes two or three years in arrears, by faithfully performing that most disagreeable duty of
soliciting
money from
strangers to himself,
I 36
JOHN WITHERSPOON
admiration he won, "by journeyings often," never uttering a word of complaint or giving a
discouragement, this stranger in a strange land, practically saved the college from threatened bankruptcy, and in spite of war and
sign
of
financial depression in the land
cially
made
it
finanin
one
of
the
strongest
institutions
America.
Better than this, under Witherspoon's guidance, the educational facilities of the college were
enlarged and
its
standards exalted.
The
pur-
men
for the
halls
was more than accomplished. From there went a large proportion of men
distinction in public
life,
who achieved
in the
learned professions and in business. It was a thoroughly democratic institution, Indians and free black men finding there an equal opportunity with Witherspoon's own sons and
with boys from the best families in America. Many students whose usefulness in after life
fully justified the practice, received their
educa-
tion as
free gift.
man
in his
church at the
enjoying great fame as an author, regarded as a model writer with a clear and
forceful style,
literature,
master of
languages, speaking
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
137
French and Latin as easily as English, and an His theologauthority in Greek and Hebrew.
writings had a wide circulation, bringing commendation from the universities of Europe
ical
own
church.
John
Adams
him
" a
clear
and
sensible preacher."
orator,
Ill
New
Brunswick
Presbytery records that when Witherspoon presented his credentials from Paisley Presbytery
and asked
to
with the greatest cheerfulness receive him as a member with them." His first duty in the
Presbytery was to urge the claims of Princeton College which he did with such force that the
Presbytery pledged
in collecting
its
members,
in
a long and
did so,
days
later,
the spring of 1771. Such meetings remore time than the quired busy president could well spare so early in his connection with
until
Princeton. The necessary journeys were made on horseback and Witherspoon made it a rule never to ride faster than a walk, for he was too
Until 1777 he
was
139
absent from Presbytery almost as often as he was present, and he did not attend a single
until
October, 1781,
These seemingly unimportant details I mention as showing how intimately he was As a identified with the work of his church.
he served upon several important committees, such as were appointed to straighten out the tangled affairs of churches
of Presbytery
member
at
install
ministers,
some
for
of
Scotland,
whose
sponsor.
He
the
four years of his absence from during Presbytery, not only within the bounds of his
own
Presbytery,
York and
agreed
Indians
to
Indians and
who might be
Al-
though not the regularly installed pastor of the Princeton church he attended to all the duties of
such an
the
office in the
town.
Indeed
in
until
1784
Presbyterians worshipped
the college
chapel,
some
of
4o
for
JOHN WITHERSPOON
which they paid
rent,
pews
her
and one
of
them,
a pew to Mrs. Stockton, was own liking. After the people of the town had built a church for themselves upon land
permitted to build
donated by the college, he continued to act as The their pastor, as has already been stated.
difficulties
faced
by the church
of that time
were those ordinarily found in newly settled lands and were shared by government, commerce, education and society.
necessarily slow.
light.
Intercourse
was
The
and heavy.
There
was
money and
circulation sluggish.
Populations shifted unsteadily so that a church which was hopefully strong one year went to
the next as
the
the asking. The numbers of ministers could not at first keep pace with the number of
which called earnestly for but preaching, while others were indifferent all appealed to the church which made strenusettlements,
of
;
some
ous
self-sacrificing
and devoted
efforts to fol-
low the ramifying roads which penetrated the dangerous and difficult, but alluring, fascinating wilderness of rich soil. With what fidelity, even enthusiasm, the Presbyterian ministers
laboured cannot be told within the limits of this
141
Witherspoon's most effective work for his church was done, of course, at Princeton where he lectured on Divinity and taught
Hebrew become
to
those students
who
intended to
to
ministers.
But from
New England
Virginia he preached by appointment of Synod, not merely to present the educational advan-
tages and financial needs of the college, but in the discharge of his duties as a supply. In the
cities
large audiences greeted this strong and " sensible preacher as John Adams called him,
in
"
and
proportionately appreciated. At that time the government of the Presbyterian Church was not so tight as it afterwards
became.
delphia
The Synod
included
of
Philaof
most,
not
all,
the
Presbyteries in America.
tion of principles of
No
government or
had yet been made. The creed, to which every minister was obliged to assent, was the Westminster Confession of Faith, which was accepted also by the
tionalists.
of
New England CongregaEach Presbytery was independent every other, and sometimes defied the
the right to ignore it not a delegated body but was
itself
Synod, reserving to
142
JOHN WITHERSPOON
teries with
a layman from each church. So that when the Synod met it not only represented so far as the clergy were the entire church concerned it was the entire church, although the complaint was often made that many of the
;
appearance in the Synod was at Philadelphia in May, 1769. He was more diligent in his attendance upon the meetWitherspoon's
first
ings of
of Presbytery,
missing only five of a possible twenty-seven, but being invariably late. Probably his horse did not walk at a very rapid gait. That was
not an age of
fret
and
haste.
None
and
the less
was
it
an era
of earnestness
intensity of
conviction.
when George
of
III
Canada.
But
little
dread,
no great danger.
143
the
Church
in
its
of
England
enabled
to
include
colonies
jurisdiction,
as Gladstone a
it
to accomplish
The
feeling
on
this
point
made
clear in
a hitherto unpublished
Witherspoon, written in 1772 to secure the aid of a Scotch peer in obtaining a charter
letter of
a corporation fostered by the Presbyterians The of America. Its story may be told here.
for
corporation was
known
at
am
not mis-
is
claimed to be
life insurance company in America, The Presbyterian Minister's Fund. Its affairs came before the Synod almost every year, Witherspoon being frequently a member of the
its
accounts.
The
and laymen who composed the corporation, Witherspoon being one of them, had endeavoured in vain to secure a charter
ministers
New
Jersey, Will-
iam T. Franklin.
Pennsylvania
granted
early
1759,
but
granted by a charter
entitle
corporation to the benefit of the laws of another. It was necessary to obtain a charter in
New
Jersey.
The
letter,
which
follows, entire,
144
JOHN WITHERSPOON
ecclesiastical rivalries of
My
of
being personally
known
your Lordship,
am
shall only
been twenty-three years in the ministry of the Church of Scotland, I was persuaded to remove to America to take the charge of a college with
a royal charter in this province. By the goodness of God, the friends of the college and the number of scholars have increased since I came
here beyond even our most sanguine expectaThere are at this time under my tuition tions.
young gentlemen
West
India
"This
way
of intro-
my
address.
please therefore to
know,
the middle colonies from Maryland northward, the Presbyterians are a great majority
of
non-Episcopals, Baptists, Quakers, etc., are to the Episcopalians at least ten to one in Pennsylvania,
New
Jersey
and
New
York, and
145
Yet possibly twenty to one in New England. in all the royal governments the most illiberal
and unjust partiality prevails in favour of the Church of England. This is the more shameful that Pennsylvania is before their eyes, which though the last settled of any of them is already greatly superior to them, not in numbers and
value of land merely, by the principles of its settlement and in a particular manner by the
equal and impartial support it gives to every religious denomination. Every religious society there has the rights, including property, of a corporation. " this
province though the non-Episcopals are so great a majority and though the lower
In
any Presbyterian society. While any inconsiderable number of Episcopalians, though utterly unable to maintain a minister, but having a minister from the London Society,
charter for
can obtain everything of that kind they see proper to ask, [and though they sometimes
grant such favours even to small societies of Baptists and Dutch with the politic view of
alienating
whom by
nected.
146
JOHN WITHERSPOON
get charters for houses of worship we have long despaired of, but lately applied to the
"To
governor for a charter of incorporation to raise a fund for the support of the widows and children of
Presbyterian ministers
to
;
the council
recommended
ditions, that
it
him
to pass
it
on two con-
charity and made accountable to the governor and council. These we readily complied with, never having had any other view but the charity, and being of opinion that any manager of a charity should be willing to account to the whole world. Yet though the governor at first seemed to be friendly he has all along put it off, and not daring, we suppose, to refuse it
the province, he has sent it over by the last packet to ask advice in England upon the subject.
As
it
is
possible,
it
a partial representation
and by party influence it may accompany may be rejected at home, as was done in a
case of a charter to a Presbyterian church in New York, I could not think of any
similar
whose regard
for religion in
general,
I
and
have
attachment to the
Church
of Scotland,
had so many
"
May I
147
it
when
I
this
The
equity and
demand
is
such that
cannot
I easily divine what will be offered against it. can know of nothing on this side of the water
but resentment against the Presbyterians for opposing the coming over of a bishop. As to
this province there
my
knowl-
edge any disturbance upon this subject, but whatever has been said or written in any other
province,
tirely
I
from an apprehension of
influence
and
religious liberties,
from any narrowness of mind in matters of faith or worship. This may be clearly seen from the
late transactions in Virginia,
where the
laity of
the Episcopal persuasion are making a fiercer opposition to the measure than ever was made
in colonies consisting chiefly of Presbyterians.
have been taken in speeches or writing by a few particulars, in which they have been far outdone by their adversaries. Can it have any other effect than to exasperate the evil to treat so great a
But supposing improper
liberties to
body with partiality and injustice ? "In the government of Pennsylvania the Episcopalians and Presbyterians have each of
48
JOHN WITHERSPOON
charters as are desired,
them such
and the
Episcopalians have in this government, and in New York, and indeed wherever they have apunwilling to detain your Lordship by long reasoning or tedious narratives unless I knew beforehand that it were agreeable but as
;
American
affairs
seem now
to be of
some im-
portance in the government of Great Britain, if your Lordship desires information on the state
of this country with respect to politics, religion,
I live
in the
centre of
it,
Philadelphia, and have now a very considerable connection with many gentlemen of weight in all the provinces, I flatter myself I
am
able
and
shall certainly
be very willing
under
will
my
care
many who
in
be at the head of
affairs
and I have already and shall continue to temper the spirit of liberty which breathes high in this country, with just
in their several provinces,
sentiments, not only of loyalty to our excellent sovereign, in which they do not seem to be
defective,
and
sedition into
which
149
is
some-
in Scotland
when
you
it
will
certainly be in
your power by a letter to prevent the prohibition of our charter by the influence of party
and the
inattention
by persons
I
my own
it
communicate
know
of its effects."
Witherspoon and Elihu Spencer, pastor at Trenton, were the applicants for the charter,
the
trustees
named
Franklin
cessful, in
himself.
spite of
The
the
half-hearted letter of
Governor Franklin, and his slurs at the Presbyterians which might have defeated it. In Nothanked the noble vember, 1774, Witherspoon
earl for his influence in another letter, entreat-
ing Lord Marchmont to exert it again in securing a charter for a church in New York, which
was likewise
written
that
had was inexpedient to grant the Presbyterians any further privileges. Both of these letters give us an inside view
successful, although Franklin
it
150
JOHN WITHERSPOON
of
coming by the Episcopalians and as ardently opposed by the Presbyterians. As a member of the Synod, Witherspoon
took such
the
mission
the
Indians
received
in
attention
of
every
year.
This
was
charge
John
celebrated David
Brainerd, whose untimely death, in 1747, had been a severe loss to the church hi its work
among
the savages.
laboured faithfully as long as he lived, not only among the Indians, but also among the white
settlers,
having seven regular preaching stations. He conducted a school for the Indians every sum-
mer, and often throughout the year. Witherspoon's interest in work among the Indians had
In America was not diminished. He inspected the school, and later, as treasurer of the Synod, an office
till
1789, he trans-
Brainerd's
of 1776
he
committee on the
151
May
22d,
meeting of the Assembly of New which a few weeks later sent him to the Jersey,
Continental Congress. At that time the
American Presbyterian
and acting with all the authority of the Synod itself. Witherspoon often served on this commission. By some of the ministers its usefulness was questioned. These brought in a
designed to test its continuance in It 1774, but the Synod voted to continue it. to have been to appears, however, permitted
die,
motion
after 1783.
The
nine
Synod
o'clock.
About one
taken for dinner, a function so important that the afternoon session did not begin until three,
but lasted until candlelight.
The
luckless
com-
mittee on overtures, annually appointed after 1 769, was ordered to meet at six o'clock in the
for the
152
JOHN WITHERSPOON
followed
method
by the church assemblies with great success, and is an essential adjunct of deliberative bodies when speedy work is
desired.
With other Protestant churches in the colonies, the Presbyterian was on the best of terms. As yet there were few Methodists. The eloquent fervour of Whitfield had roused the slumbering
Presbyterians twenty years before Witherspoon's arrival in America, and the
fire
of the
The
one
government. Both churches received the Westminster Confession of Faith. Delegates from the Presbyterian
particular, that
of
church
Synod
church. Witherspoon was a delegate to this gathering. He frequently was thus brought into touch with the men of
the
New England
New
that
was kept up for many years. Four or five times Witherspoon was a delegate to the general convention.
respondence, of
153
friction, and even to As a result of this, each church members to sit in the highest
though
was mutually conceded in 1795. Witherspoon, ever active in any plan to promote union, was one of the first three delegates chosen, and attended the meeting, cooperating heartily with Timothy D wight, whose
this right
efforts
his
among the Congregationalists equalled own among the Presbyterians. The mutual
arrangement continued in operation until the division of the Presbyterian Church, in 1837, into the Old and New School branches.
is not the only evidence of his desire to a union of the Reformed churches about bring in America. In 1 784 a committee had been ap-
This
pointed to meet the classis of the Dutch Reformed church at New Brunswick to compro-
The Dutch
brethren
some
ministers of the
New York
Presbytery.
strictest
among
its
ministers
were trustees of Princeton college. Before coming to America he had visited Hoi-
whom
154
land,
JOHN WITHERSPOON
where he received a gift of books for the less fortunate visit in 1783, library, and on his
he enlisted the sympathy of his friends in the Low Countries. It will be remembered that he
become pastor of a church He was just the man to bring in Rotterdam. about closer relations. The conference, which met at New York October 5, 1785, was joined by representatives of the associate Reformed Church with which, through Witherspoon, some correspondence had been irregularly kept up
had been invited
to
since
creed for
the sake of the other two, so that no unworthy minister might pass from one to either of the
agreement brought about that mutual confidence which has continued ever since, by which the ministers and members of the several churches are cordially and freely
others.
later
recognized on the common basis of Christian It is to be regretted that the devoted effaith.
as Witherspoon and his associates did not result in a formal union which at
forts of
such
men
this distance of
For many years whatever could be done to preserve the union of Protestantism and main-
155
was
entrusted
to
certain
members
of
the Synod.
of the
committee
to prepare the draft of the letter sent almost every year, and he looked after the letters to
Scotland and France, sometimes also that to Holland. necessary to congregations against unworthy minguard isters from abroad. Scotland and Ireland seem
it
to
have furnished the larger share of these. Clergymen who had been deposed for heresy,
immorality, drunkenness or conduct unbecoming the calling, or any other for that matter,
came
having
Sometimes a foreign Presbytery was suspected of having given a good character to some pestiferous fellow merely to get rid of him, although that was never proven. It was necessary to examine these men, and as Witherspoon was fairly well acquainted with
forged credentials.
the clergy of the Scotch church, this duty often fell to him. Occasionally a young licentiate brought letters of introduction from Wither-
spoon' s friends.
The house
Scotch
at Princeton
lad.
mecca
for
many a
56
JOHN WITHERSPOON
Rev. Walter Monteith, who became pastor at New Brunswick, he preached the installation
sermon.
when
the confusion of the war, he could not wait upon the uncertainty of
Once during
a meeting of the Synod or Presbytery, he gave a letter of general good standing to a young minister who went to the Carolinas and proved
himself worthy of Witherspoon's good words in It may seem strange to us that his favour.
clergymen from abroad applied in the first instance to the Synod. But the Synod frequently acted in a Presbyterial capacity, assigning supplies to
was ordered
York.
vacant churches, as when Witherspoon to preach for Mr. Azel Roe in New
Another time he was sent to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to preach and collect
for the college.
money
Ministers
who
offered
to
Some members of Synod were Presbyteries. so fearful of unorthodox and unworthy ministers
an overture was passed forbidding the Presbyteries to receive a minister or give him any appointment until the Synod should
that in 1773
pass upon his credentials. Some members dissented against the overture, but their objections
157
were withdrawn when Synod agreed that it should not apply to ministers from any part of America, and was later amended so as to permit
Presbyteries to
in vacant churches, but not to
full
employ the foreign clergymen admit them to membership until Synod approved. Withfully
erspoon
ures.
approved
the
of these watchful
itself
meas-
When
Synod reversed
on the
question the next year, he with six others protested against the reversal so strongly that a
overture, covering the disputed points, was It urged Presbyteries to be very careadopted.
ful in
new
quire also personal letters, and further directed the Presbyteries to bring these credentials and
letters to the
reception, that
they might be fully examined by the Synod. This overture saved the authority of the Presbytery of which many ministers were jealous, but guarded the church against the danger so
like
Witherspoon.
His
freedom
land.
orthodoxy almost made him forget the for which he had contended in Scot-
When
1775, the
Synod met at New York, May, colonies had already entered upon the
the
158
JOHN WITHERSPOON
American Revolution. Presbyterians, almost The exto a man, sided with the colonies. occasion have to note as we ceptions we shall
follow Witherspoon's course in the struggle. It may be said here, however, that those excep-
a single Presbyterian minAll of them espoused the cause of the ister. colonists, many of them became chaplains and a few raised companies of troops which they led In view of the serious aspect of pubto battle.
tions did not include
lic affairs
the
Synod thought
it
prudent to issue
tion
a pastoral letter to their people. Its preparawas committed to seven ministers of whom
first
mentioned.
possible to overlook the many tire sentences which are duplicated in sermons and addresses by him written before this time.
After urging the people to remember their dependence on God and to turn to Him with
sincere repentance, the letter, noting the fact that " hostilities, long feared, have now taken
place,"
declares that
by violence, a lasting and bloody contest must be expected." Ardently had the ministers hoped that the unhappy differences might have been
159
none
of
them had
ever, either
the
pulpit
or public press,
inflamed the
of this
minds
of the people.
But protestations
Witherspoon and his associates, he especially " being already known as an ardent friend of liberty" in America, and suspected of being "a turncoat and traitor" in England. The " Let every one who letter itself goes on to say,
from generosity
of
spirit
or benevolence of
heart offers himself as a champion in his country's cause, be persuaded to reverence the name
and walk
advices.
kings
of the earth."
Then they
offer
some
further
to express their
be taken
by which
has so often been emphasized. " It gives us the greatest pleasure to say, from our own cer-
knowledge of all belonging to our communion, and from the best means of information, of the far greatest part of all denominatain
tions in this country, that the present opposition to the measures of administration does not in
160
JOHN WITHERSPOON
from the parent state." "to continue in the exhorted people are
of separation
a desire
The same
one
But when the letter was disposition." read in open session of the Synod, Mr. Halsey,
of the committee, dissented
larations of allegiance.
the people are urged not only to treat with respect the Continental Congress then in
session,
service, "
Then
and
to
and let it be seen that they are able to bring out the whole strength of this vast country to
carry
their
them
into execution."
To guard carefully
their
morals,
conscientiously pay
just
debts, cherish a spirit of humanity and mercy since "that man will fight most bravely, who never fights till it is necessary, and who ceases
to fight as
is
over,"
and to
continue in the habit of prayer are the suggestions of this pastoral letter.
of June was appointed as a general
with the proviso that if gress appoint another day the congregations should observe it instead. On Friday, May i jth, the day selected by the Congress, Wither-
The
last
will
be noticed
another place. The next year when the Synod met in Phila-
161
Witherspoon did not arrive until half-past three in the afternoon and at nine the next morning was excused, going at once to the meeting of the committee of correspondence of Somerset County by which he
May
22d,
was
New
Jersey.
As
the
Synod met
in Philadelphia in
1777,
New York
Witherspoon,
who
was attending the Continental Congress, left that body long enough to sit in the Synod, and make his treasurer's report. In 1778 the Synod could sit neither in New York nor Philadelphia,
those
By
cities being in possession of the British. the advice of several ministers the moderator
Synod
had fled as the British approached Philadelphia, was not able to attend the Synod. But the next year, Philadelphia having finally got rid of the British, and the Congress having returned to the State House in Independence Square, he could easily walk across to the First Church, where he reported that he had "lately received a
legacy,
of
left
New
Synod
at their disposal,
is
now
162
in
JOHN WITHERSPOON
his
pounds,
Synod."
spoke of pounds and shillings, but the Congress spoke of dollars and cents. The exact sum left by Mr. Johnson was not
and
silver, still
stated
by Witherspoon
in his report,
and the
next year Mr. Spencer was ordered to ask the Doctor how much it was and report at the next
Synod
if
Mr. Spencer reported that according to the treasurer's account the legacy amounted to two
hundred and seventy-eight pounds, three shillings and fourpence, and after paying bills by order of Synod he had two hundred and thirtynine pounds, three shillings and four pence, " together with fifty-four pounds, nine shillings, five
and a
tioned
half-pence, the
"
erspoon, who was present, confirmed the correctness of the report. Little business was trans-
Reports of the distressing condition of the country, of a few ordinations and licensures,
acted.
fill
up the
brief minutes.
Synod was meeting, draw upon the treasurer for three dollars specie to pay the janitor. The year before they had paid him two hundred
the church in which the
was ordered
to
163
money.
forty shillings specie for transcribing the minThese bills were paid out of " the good utes.
Synod
as
Entire Presbyteries,
to the
many
as absent.
Presbyteries, in
money
and the increased price of living, as well as the meagre salaries of the ministers, that some measures be taken for paying the expenses of those who attend Synod. But the evil was not
abated,
less
than
half
the
ministers
being
present at any meeting until the formation of the General Assembly. Some of the Presbyteries were too remote for a journey which
must be made on horseback and required, in some instances, two weeks at least, and in others more than that. An elder could not
leave his business.
If
he was a farmer he
away from
the farm at
the busiest season of the year. Many of the elders were as poor as their ministers. Not
until
the
and met
at
Witherspoon
164
JOHN WITHERSPOON
Philadelphia, where the Synod met alternately, could better afford to attend than almost any
member. Although usually tardy he was seldom absent altogether. Every year, except in the midst of the war, he was appointed upon the committee to dispose of the funds in the hands of the college for the educa" tion of poor and pious youth," the committee usually meeting at Princeton on commencement day. During the latter part of the war he consented to serve on the commission and
other
man, brought
France.
I
in
letter
to the minister of
Witherspoon's handwriting.
"The Synod
of
a Dauphin of France and by your means to communicate to your sovereign the interest which they take in every event with which his
of
honour, or happiness, is connected. They have the rather chosen to embrace the opportunity
offered
ticular
them by
their
being met at
this par-
165
wish therefore
and their sense of the advantages which America has already derived and still
hopes to receive from
it.
They
will
not cease
illustri-
to pray to the
God
of all
ous
and
home and ages may abroad as the supporters of liberty and justice,
latest
be distinguished at
Witherspoon was one of the comaccompanied the moderator to the letter. He was personally acpresent quainted with the French minister, having
oppressed." mittee who
several
times
acted
as
interpreter
for
the
Congress in the negotiations between France and America, and served on the committee of
foreign affairs.
An
affair of quite
attention of the
pears that in 1781 a declaration of tolerance had been entered upon the minutes but in 1782, had been expunged. For some reason other denominations, especially the Episcopalian and some Methodists, had accused the Presbyterians
of
intolerance.
The Synod
felt
called
upon
to
166
to the
suffers
JOHN WITHERSPOON
Synod
that
greatly in
nominations from an apprehension that they hold intolerant principles, the Synod do
solemnly and publicly declare that they ever have and still do renounce and abhor the
principles of intolerance
;
and we do believe
that every peaceable member of civil society ought to be protected in the full and free exercise of their religion." It is perfectly absurd to suppose that the Presbyterians had any
idea of attempting to urge upon Congress or any state the establishment of Presbyterianism.
their
and preached with all their might. But did not dispute the right of others to bethey
heart
lieve differently.
One
notes
in
the
minutes
in
of
this
year
Witherspoon's
the
influence
having the
most
important actions of Synod printed and sent to members that thus " the whole body may
be brought to operate with concert and vigour and that none may have ignorance as a plea
for the neglect of duty."
167
committee to print these and the custom of issuing the minutes of the General Assembly
is
due largely
to his influence.
More important than anything else acted upon by the Synod of 1 783 was the draft of a
pastoral
letter
make.
The
in
the minutes for preparing it, was given found in the difficulties under which gospel ministers labour for want of a liberal main-
tenance
but a pastoral letter may cover more ground than the salaries of the ministers. The war had
closed with the triumph of the American arms.
Independence had been won after long and severe years. This pastoral letter, like that of
1776, could not avoid reference to the war.
It
shows
the
same
religious feeling,
the
same
cannot help congratuthese ministers lating you," say (of course they couldn't some of them had fought in the war),
patriotic
spirit.
;
"We
"on the general and almost universal attachment of the Presbyterian body to the cause of liberty and the rights of mankind. This has been visible in their conduct, and has been confessed by the complaints and resentment of the common enemy. Such a circumstance ought not only to afford us satisfaction on the review as
168
JOHN WITHERSPOON
bringing credit to the body in general, but to increase our gratitude to God for the happy
issue of the war.
Had
it
been unsuccessful we
must have drunk deeply of the cup of sufferOur burnt and wasted churches, and our ing.
plundered dwellings, in such places as fell under the power of our adversaries, are but an earnest
of
finally
prevailed." Bibles were very scarce in America in 1783. Before the war efforts had been made by the
Synod and
in
lack of them.
America
There were few printing houses publish them. As soon after the
Independence as practicable,
Declaration
of
Aitken, of Philadelphia, and Collins, editor of the New Jersey Gazette, and state printer, had
made impressions of
of
the Bible.
The Presbytery
rec-
New
Jersey,
ommended
"
the people to patronize Mr. Collins. In 1783 the Synod in session at Philadelphia
shall
Ordered, That every member of this body use his utmost influence in the congre-
cies
gation under his inspection, and in the vacancontiguous to them to raise contributions
for the
purchasing of Bibles."
Three Philadel-
phia ministers were charged with the duty of obtaining the Bibles with the money collected
169
most needy districts. "And as Mr. Aitken, from laudable motives, and with great expense, hath undertaken and executed an elegant impression of the Holy Scriptures, which, on account of the importation of Bibles
from Europe,
will
be very
:
in-
Synod
shall
above committee
and earnestly recommend it to all to purchase such in preference to any other." So far
other,
as
know
passed
the
by any American
legislative
body
since
Declaration of Independence, and it is indicative of the temper of the people at the time.
How
effective
it
was
felt
cannot say.
Two
years
rec-
later the
Synod ommendation as
chase of Bibles.
obliged to
renew the
because of
America.
it,
and
in
some
There was,
course,
immigration. Statistics are not But the frontier had been penetrated and New Prespushed further west and south.
had been formed. The Synod was too large and too cumbersome. Members
byteries
of
70
JOHN WITHERSPOON
spirit of
union stronger
won
great
Some
The minpopularity, strength and influence. isters who came to Philadelphia in 1786 were ready to hear the report of Witherspoon and others who had been appointed to " take into
consideration the constitution of the Church of
also to act
sent
to the
divide the
Presbyteries the year before to Synod into three or more and form a
It
appears, however, that an overture did not mean then what it means now.
It
General Assembly.
for the
adoption or re-
It was nothing of the Presbyteries. more than a notice to the Presbyteries that such action was intended at the next Synod. The charge has been made that the Synod
jection
acted beyond
its
it is
just rights.
true,
Only a minority
less
were present,
probably
than one-
and only about a dozen elders. But every Presbytery had received notice and every minister knew what was going
171
The Synod
of
The very
in the day, Friday, May I9th, notice sent to the Presbytery as the time when
Ministers the question would be considered. who stayed away probably felt that the work
would be done quite as well without them as with them. It was not indifference that kept them away, but a physical inability to attend.
No
only
difference of opinion
is
mentioned.
The
amendment made
to the
Synod be divided into three was that it be divided into three or more. The reason given was the number and extent of the churches
under their care and the inconvenience of the
present mode of government. That inconvenience had been felt for many years, and the new
form of governing the church would be heartily welcomed by the hard worked ministers, who
would be brought into closer relations with each other under three or more Synods than
And
have passed without a dissenting vote. At this time the question of union with the
The Synod
instructed
its
delegates,
Witherspoon was one, to inform the other churches of the proposed action of the
whom
172
JOHN WITHERSPOON
Presbyterians to enlarge their form of government and to assure those churches of the
continued friendliness of the Presbyterians, but that the question of union could more properly
be considered
after the
made.
upon a had not completed their work. As one means of facilitating the work of reorganization each Presbytery was ordered to lay before the Synod the next year an accurate list of their
constitution
settled ministers in the order of their seniority,
with the places of their residence and also of the probationers, and vacant congregations,
;
under their
order to prevent irregularity, uncertainty and waste of time, that each Presbytery draw up their report in writing
care.
And
in
and appoint a member to deliver it to the Synod. So began a custom which has continued without any change ever since.
What had been done almost every year and would be done for many years to come was
done this year, 1787. It makes one wonder what the members of Synod thought of themselves in acknowledging annually not merely that, in the language of another church, they had done those things they ought not to have done and left undone those things they ought
173
have done, but to record in their minutes that they viewed with serious concern the decay
and the prevalence of immorality, appointed a day of solemn Yet these fasting, humiliation and prayer. sober faced men were not morbid pessimists. They were on the other hand hopeful enthusiasts. They had helped to create a great were soon to assist in forming a nation strong government upon the deep and eternal foundations of humanity and righteousness. They believed in God and a straight rifle-barrel, especially those who lived on the frontier. Cities grew by their genius, and the face of nature changed under their hands from a wilderness, peopled by savages and wild beasts, to commonwealths of power, learning and enterprise. When the Assembly met the next year copies " " of the draught of a plan of government had
of
vital
religion
and
already been distributed to the Presbyteries which had time to act upon it, if they thought proper, and after a few items of routine business had been cleared from the docket the
several Presbyteries were ordered to bring in their observations upon the proposed constitu-
Each Presbytery in turn gave its report. The Witherspoon wrote the Introduction.
tion.
time-worn, slightly
faded, but
easily
legible
174
JOHN WITHERSPOON
copy of the preliminary principles in his hand, which is before me as I write, differs in very verbal particulars from the printed slight
sections which
compose the
first
present constitution.
The
first
introductory paragraph has been changed, but the few alterations made by the Synod in the
Church
his
justifies
its
existence.
They express
first
personal
conviction,
having
been
drawn up by himself alone, then submitted to his colleagues on the committee and finally passed upon by the church at large. It would
be fatuous to claim that Witherspoon originated these ideas, it would be false to deny that he
believed them.
due to him for the greatness of these truths whose value he recognized and which he expressed so
the less
is
None
credit
simply and forcibly. He declares that alone is Lord of the conscience and hath
free
God
left it
of of
men.
he
considers
the
right
in all
and
Here
is
none
charged
175
repudiates any desire to see any religion established by the State. He believes in a free
church as well as a
free State.
In perfect con-
sistency with this principle, and, he might have added, because of it, every Christian church is
entitled
to
into
it,
may
mistake in mak;
ing the terms too lax or too narrow but even in this case they do not encroach on the rights of others but err in the use or abuse of their
own.
Here
is
frank confession
here
is
no
claim to infallibility, no spirit of absolutism. Such a church, nevertheless has a right, should
exercise the duty, of censuring the erroneous
and
civil
casting
Even the
government deals thus with its offenders. Witherspoon had contended all his life that, as he expressed it in Scotland, " Truth is in order to goodness." Those doctrines are valuable and true which form good character and lead
to
right
conduct.
The
faith
connection
is
in-
separable ^between practice. with his belief in the formity right of private judgment he declares that all ecclesiastical
authority is derived ultimately from the people. And, on the other hand, no church court ought
to pretend to
in virtue of
and
In con-
make laws to bind the conscience their own authority. Tyranny and
ij6
JOHN WITHERSPOON
His
last
principle
is
that
since discipline must be purely moral and spiritual in its object and not attended with any temporal effect it can derive no force
its
own
justice, the
approba-
and These are the principles which Presbyterians had advocated from the beginning, which, now so concisely and plainly expressed by Witherspoon, became the unchanged law of the church for its unfolding life of a century and a quarter. So simple and clear are these vigorous sentences that no further explanation of them is necessary.
an impartial
followed in the
main the constitution of the established church which had been the ecclesiastical law of that land for two hundred and fifty
of Scotland,
years.
It is interesting to note, in
portance that interrupted the proceedings of the Synod, was a case of discipline appealed from
177
Chuckey
It is
in the
Presbytery
Hanover, Virginia.
of
workings
ferred to
re-
a committee consisting
of the ablest
men
of the
principles
Synod, Witherspoon, author of the just enacted into the law of the
church, Drs. Sproat, Rodgers, Ewing, Duffield and McWhorter, men whose work for Presbyterianism, and the independence of the colonies,
gave
Three of these men had impartial judgment. been chaplains in the Continental army, one of
the Continental Congress, and Witherspoon a prominent member of that body. Into the labyrinth of this story of protest, appeal,
riot, political
mob and
mation of character and breach of discipline, I do not propose to lead the reader. The parties were present and appeared before this committee whose comprehensive report to Synod shows how wisely and tactfully these experienced men
dealt with the question so slight in the historical
persons concerned. The opponents shook hands, accepted the advice of the committee and the decision of the
view, so
for the
momentous
Synod, and went back to Virginia in peace. Although there is no record of Witherspoon's
178
JOHN WITHERSPOON
personal opinion of slavery, it is fair to infer what he thought from his concurrence in a reso-
adopted by this Synod of 1787. The committee of overtures, of which he was not a
lution
in
a resolution stating
world having made of
The Creator
of the
one
men
the
Synod recommend,
every
in
member
of their body, to
do everything
power consistent with the rights of civil society, to promote the abolition of slavery, and the instruction of negroes, whether bond or free." It was late on Saturday afternoon when this was read by the clerk, too late for a full discussion of such an important resolution. It lay
in their
On
and passed unanimously, declaring that the Synod highly approve of the interest which many of the states have taken in promoting the
abolition of slavery. Then follow those clauses, the sensible principle of which might well have
ognized, the country might have been saved from the bitterness of sectional rancour and the
179
made
necessary
if
the government
and stable and pure. The Synod wisely on to say, " yet, inasmuch as men introduced go from a servile state to a participation of all the
privileges of civil society, without a proper education and without previous habits of industry, may be in many respects dangerous to the com;
munity, therefore they earnestly recommend it to all the members belonging to their com-
munion
are at present held in servitude, such good education as to prepare them for the better enjoyment of
to give those persons
who
encourage their slaves' aspiration for freedom and to " use the most prudent measures
procure
eventually the final abolition of America." know how fatuous
to
slavery in
We
was the hope of abolition nevertheless it was the part of wisdom in those states where abolition was accomplished to bring it about gradually and not to confer the franchise wholesale on people incapable of using the privilege to
;
sort
ac-
Synod.
The
doctrines of universal
These the
their
i8o
'
JOHN WITHERSPOON
and morality, and warned their the introductions of such tenets. people against
ciples of religion
Witherspoon
it
is
shared this abhorrence, and not impossible that he was the author of
fully
this resolution.
^of
Faith was
the creed of the American Presbyterian church. Not the least change in its theology was for a
moment contemplated by
was necessary
and
state.
the Synod.
But
it
The
originally by the established church of Great Britain, and had remained, since 1647, the creed
of the of
tended in Scotland.
The next year the whole of the Form Government, Book of Discipline, Confession
Faith and Catechisms were gone over again, in full, except that chapter of the directory dealing
referred
to
181
Dr. Witherspoon, Dr. Smith and the moderator to revise and lay before the General Assembly. The same committee were appointed to revise
the section relating to public prayer and prayers used on other occasions, without being again
considered by the Synod, and to have it printed along with the constitution, so that this may be
regarded practically as Witherspoon's work. After finally approving and ratifying their two
work and attending to some minor items Synod resolved that the first meeting of the General Assembly should be held in the Second Church of Philadelphia, to be opened with a sermon by Dr. Witherspoon,
years'
of business the
The
"
text
of
of
the Assembly was I Cor. 3 7, So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth but God that giveth
opening
the
increase."
Then
Dr. John
Rodgers was
He
amine the credentials of the members, and likewise appointed a committee on bills and overtures. These two items attended to, the first
motion
considered
182
JOHN WITHERSPOON
Washington had been inaugurated just twentyone days before and the Synod embraced the earliest opportunity to present him a conOther churches did likegratulatory address.
wise and to
all of
them he
replied.
The address
of the Presbyterians
is
prepared by Witherspoon
not long, for such a document, recognizing the country's debt to Washington and congratulating the country upon his election. It is the dignified and fitting tribute of a great church
a great man. Witherspoon was not a member of the Assembly of 1790, but in 1791 was appointed chairman of a committee to devise means to
to
prepare a history of the church. But it does not appear that the committee ever did anyHis name is mentioned only three times thing.
in the
minutes of
late,
arrived
the committee to confer with the Congregationalists, and lastly as appointed to supply the
pulpit at
July,
Elizabethtown the
Mr.
last
Sabbath
the
in
and
Snowden's
pulpit
third
Sabbath
in
in June.
a Presbyterial capacity
years.
last
In 1794 Witherspoon appeared for the time at a meeting of the General Assembly. But the minutes do not indicate that he took
183
in the proceedings.
The
last ecclesi-
the
Synod
New
the notices of his associates one gains the impression that most of them regarded him
From
was more than respect and It was said of him " of what we might call pres" ence than any man in America except George Washington. His manner in the pulpit was both impressive and captivating. John Adams, who heard him several times, regarded him as a very fine preacher, although he tells us that a most excellent sermon on redeeming time which he heard in the spring of 1777, was not rememwith a feeling that
to awe.
Adams thought
the
Congress had impaired his oratorical powers, Witherspoon was accustomed to write and
memorize his sermons. That he did not write all his sermons is shown by the bare outlines of
several
among
his
his manuscripts.
In later
life
his eyesight
who was
became some of
us that after he
he committed
sermons to memory
as he
composed
i8 4
JOHN WITHERSPOON
writing, although
them without
others.
It is
he also dictated
any estimate of his influence as a churchman. The minutes of the Presbytery, Synods and General Assembly show us that he was foremost in all the important work of the church. It was by his influence that the American church followed the model of the Church of Scotland. Yet his sincere efforts to win the Congregational and Dutch Reformed churches, prove that he did not lack a conciliatory spirit. Strong in his belief in the Westminster Confession, and
attached to the Presbyterian form of government as a scriptural system, he felt justified in
unnecessary to attempt
urging
their
claims with
all
vigorous mind.
and
temper, genius for organization largely contributed to the Presbyterian church the spirit
his
and ambition which made it so effective life and has carried it steadily forward work for humanity.
in his in its
IV
FROM
until the
he was
core.
early perceived the possibilities of the new Its resources amazed him. The rich country. fertility of the soil, especially that which lay in-
He
land along the streams appealed to him in contrast with the less productive land in Scotdelighted with the he met and with the towns they had
land.
He was
men whom
built.
His
admiration was not effusive, but his practical eye saw the evident advantages that would accrue from hard work.
though he was, following professions not conducive to business sagacity, he had no hesita-
engaging in such enterprises as he thought would be profitable. He became one of a company which obtained from the crown
tion
in
Nova
Scotia.
Wither-
185
86
JOHN WITHERSPOON
to
whom, as in the case of the charter for the Widows' Fund, he could apply for aid. Whether he used this friend on this occasion But he used his own name I do not know.
freely,
not
as he might very properly, to advertise, only his land in Nova Scotia but the
general advantages
Jn America,
pose of
encouraging emigration.
at Princeton in 1774,
Adams was
John Witherspoon
When
said the Congress ought to urge every colony to form a society to encourage Protestant
emigration from the three kingdoms of Great Britain. It was this motive more largely than
the hope of making money that induced him to join the Nova Scotia land company. When
his
name appeared
in the
advertisements in
Scotch papers, some of his old enemies in that land took occasion to attack him.
Ordinarily he
let
injury might be done to possible emigrants induced to come to America by other land
speculators and as he
was accused
of
being an
his
enemy The charge narrowed down to this, to use " own words Migrations from Britain
:
to
John Wither-
187
America is an enemy to his a long letter to the Scots country." Magazine he shows the folly of such an argument. His only reason for going into the " company, he declares, was that it would give
in
In
people,
who intended
to
come
out,
greater
that they should meet with fair and that I should the more effectutreatment,
confidence
of the express the my joining company was, that no land should be sold dearer to any
ally
conditions of
obliged to make this stipulation because many wildcat schemes were advertised abroad offering land
felt
He
Land
markably cheap compared with the price in Scotland, but Witherspoon reminded his readers
that the value of
it
neighbourhood
letter
than
displays an astonishingly intimate acquaintance with the details of real estate, most
unexpected
to
one whose chief repute was due Already he caught theological learning.
in
i88
JOHN WITHERSPOON
moun-
the rich soils towards and beyond the As for the charge that he is an tains.
to his country
enemy
he
"
replies,
ing
it
is
I
doing a
real service to
my
country
find
it
when
show
that those of
them who
soil in
difficult
to subsist
on the
which they
were born, may easily transport themselves to a soil vastly superior to that." His hope was, not that Scotland should send out men who
would take up large tracts and become landed proprietors on a large scale, but that farmers,
willing to
small holdings. It is shameful, he feels, for men to deceive intending settlers, and protests against the unjust charges of his enemies.
"For
terest
my own
in
part,"
he concludes,
is
"my
in-
the matter
not great
but since
me
me
as to suppose that
my
character might be
security against fraud and imposition, I shall certainly look upon it as my duty to do
some
my
fall
power, to such of
in
my
that
my
way, and
seem to need my assistance." The result was that many Scotch families settled in Nova Scotia, whose descendants compose to-day the sturdiest and most upright por-
189
His
profits
from the
venture were not large, but sufficient to induce him to invest again in New Hampshire lands
by which he is believed to have lost money. American interests of every kind suffered from the dense ignorance of the British. Not
only in political matters, but also in religious, ignorant critics proved very annoying to the
American Church.
ter
annually to Scotland.
The American
Pres-
byterians were independent of the established Church of Scotland, nor did they seek to be
placed under Scottish jurisdiction, as the Episcopalians sought to have the Church of England control the colonial church. But they recog-
nized the close relationship existing between the Presbyterianism of the two countries. Wither-
in
and his friends often sent him copies of other periodicals which might be of interest to him. In a copy of the Scots Magazine late in
was a letter commenting severely upon a sermon preached at Boston by Dr. Joseph " " known as the BosLathrop, on the outrage ton Massacre, which was in reality a justifiable
1770,
190
JOHN WITHERSPOON
defense of British soldiers against a Boston mob, but which the overwrought people seized
upon as an example
of British tyranny.
Dr.
Lathrop's sermon, which was published and While it circulated, served to fan the flames.
was probably
ticular,
correct in
its
general presentation
in par-
itself.
John
Adams was
secured the acquittal of all the soldiers but two, who were let off with a The populace began the trouble, light fine.
of the lawyers
one
who
and the
The pres-
ence of the soldiers served to exasperate the people, but the conflict itself was caused by the
latter.
demned
In any event the British public conthe American attitude. But this writer
Magazine made the mistake of using Dr. Lathrop's sermon to strike at the Synod of New York and Philadelphia. The annual letter from the Synod had been received a short time before, " on the reading of which,"
in the Scots
" I could not help thinking if says the author, we may judge of the American Church from the
sample here given that our church derives no great honour from her western progeny but I
;
is
That
191
Witherspoon.
He
of
tells
the
The Synod
New York
far as
Bos-
He
does not
mean
to disclaim connection
New
England.
"They
are a most respectable part of the Church of Nor do I think that any part of the Christ.
British
empire
is
at this
day equal
to
them
for
real religion
And he begs
the
magazine not to publish anything upon American affairs unless the writers understand
them.
In private letters also he found it necessary to assure his friends that the people of America were quite as respectable, fully as civilized, and
often
at
home
in Scot-
land and England. It was his opinion in 1774 that the Continental Congress might wisely employ capable writers to inform the British public
by pamphlets and through the newspapers, of the real condition of American politics. He
himself reminded the British that
sisted in taxing the
if
they per-
America, which was contributing to British prosperity, more than the trade of any other foreign counHe detry, they would lose rather than gain.
fied
growing trade
of
man more
loyal
192
JOHN WITHERSPOON
than himself to the crown, and avows that for this very reason he maintains the rights of
Instead of distressing and alienating the colonies, the government should attach them
America.
to
For American strength and prosperity meant British strength and prosperity. " That
itself.
you may not pass sentence upon me imme" On Conducting diately," he says in an article the American Controversy," written in 1773, "as an enemy to the royal authority, and a son
of sedition,
I
declare that
ful
I
the Third, to
title
go a little further and say that I not only him as the first magistrate of the realm, but I love and honour him as a man and am persuaded that he wishes the prosperity and
revere
happiness of his people in every part of his dominions. Nay, I have still more to say, I do
not think the British ministry themselves have deserved all the abuse and foul names that have
been bestowed on them by political writers. The steps which they have taken with respect to
and which I esteem to be unjust, impolitic, and barbarous to the highest degree, have been chiefly owing to the two folaffairs,
American
lowing causes
i.
193
treacherous persons employed in their service. 2. The prejudices common to them, with per-
sons of
all
Ignorance and prejudice lay at the bottom of the whole bad business. Witherspoon said in
the
"
same
I
"
article,
by residing in the country three months." have often said to friends in America, on that subject, it is not the king and ministry so much as the prejudices of Britons with which you have to contend. Spare no pains to have them fully informed. Add to the immovable firmness with which you justly support your own rights a continual solicitude to convince
ican
the people of Great Britain that it is not pasTell them sion, but reason that inspires you.
it
cannot be ambition, but necessity, that makes you run an evident risk of the heaviest suffer-
and your
posterity the greatest of all earthly blessings." " Witherspoon condemns the shameless, gross,
indecent and groundless abuse of the king and his family," but he adds that, "Far greater insults
city of
within the verge of the court, than were ever thought of or would have
London and
mob
in
any part
of
194
JOHN WITHERSPOON
the outset Witherspoon kept himself well informed on American affairs. He subscribed regularly for three papers, one published
in
From
New
third,
York, another in Philadelphia and a the New Jersey State Gazette. Besides
papers he read numerous pamphlets, some of which he bought, others being the
these
gifts
of
friends
who knew
Politics,
public questions.
religion,
all
emigration,
and correspondwere noted him. He was a ence, carefully by frequent contributor to the papers, sometimes over his own name, often using a pseudonym. From the beginning he perceived the righteousness of the American claims, and the utter
futility of
the stupid measures adopted by the British government towards the colonies. He
abstained
from
any
reference
to
political
matters in the pulpit. In his private letters to friends in Scotland he frankly expressed his and in personal interviews opinions,
with other Americans his sympathies for America were freely spoken. The boys of Princeton College knew what their president
thought. The trustees might adopt rules of caution to prevent rash statements by the
195
Witherspoon's enforcement
was never beyond the letter of the law. In 1 769, while the crisis was still impendPrinceton had taken a middle ground in ing, conferring the degree of LL. D. upon two Americans whose writings had attracted wide
attention, "
John
Dickinson,
the
author
of
Letters of
An American
whose adherence to the British crown carried him over to the Tory side. Dickinson had written most powerfully against the fatal course of England and Galloway had plead most strongly for colonial caution, deGalloway,
ploring the sentiment in favour of resistence by force, or of independence. Later as a mem-
ber of the Congress of 17 74 he urged upon that body a union of the colonies in a general con-
But the gress under control of the crown. temper neither of America nor England was
ready to entertain that suggestion.
Witherspoon's first public appearance in connection with the American cause was at New
Brunswick,
July
21,
where
1774.
convention
represented
assembled
He
Somerset
County. Among other members of the convention were Jonathan Baldwin, the steward of
Princeton College,
Wm.
P. Smith,
John Kinsey,
Wm.
196
JOHN WITHERSPOON
miah Halsey, a Presbyterian minister, besides other trustees and close friends. Witherspoon and Livingston urged the convention to adopt
a resolution against paying for the tea which Great Britain would force upon America. The
resolutions as adopted, however, were not as
strong as Witherspoon desired. To us who read them to-day, as to the angry ministers of Great Britain, they are strong enough. Of
course they declare the loyalty of all Jersey men to King George, but the men of the convention
declare that they feel bound to oppose the measures of the crown by all constitutional
means
in their power.
it
in their opinion,
the
trial
other
Jersey pledged herself "firmly and inviolably to adhere to the determinations of the Con-
and earnestly recommended "a general non-importation and a non-consumption agreement " and that the several county committees
gress,"
relief of
the
oppressed
people of Boston.
for the general convention
Without waiting
had
in-
197
dependently adopted resolutions, copies of which having come into the governor's hands, he had notified the Earl of Dartmouth of them. His
betrays no very great alarm. He doubts whether the people of the province will enter into a non-importation agreement and thinks
letter
the Congress to be summoned " will apply to his Majesty for the repeal of the Boston Port
Act,
and endeavour
to
fall
upon measures
for
accommodating the present differences between the two countries and preventing the like in future."
How
little
understood the temper of the people is already known to us. But the same mistake is made
of
Witherspoon's
found
in
series of sugges-
by him as
the Congress to pursue. These were written in two before he became a member of 1774, years the Congress. He thinks, "It is at least extremely uncertain whether it could be proper or safe for the Congress to send either ambassadors,
petition, or address, directly to king, or
parliament, or both. They may treat them as a disorderly, unconstitutional meeting they
hold their meeting itself to be criminal they may find so many objections in point of
may
it
is
plainly in the
power
of
198
those,
JOHN WITHERSPOON
who wish
to
do
it,
to
deaden the
zeal of
the multitude in the colonies by ambiguous, dilatory, frivolous answers, perhaps by severer
measures."
"
There
is
yet to think that either the king, the parliament, or even the people of Great Britain, have been
able to enter into the great principles of universal liberty, or are willing to hear the discussion of
the point of right without prejudice" This estimate of the temper of the British is quite in ac-
Adams
to
had reached
it
seems
have
One
adopted by the New Jersey convention had been "That the grateful ac-
knowledgments of this body are due to the noble and worthy patrons of constitutional liberty,
in the British Senate, for their laudable efforts
to avert the
support of the just rights of the king's subjects in America." The Princeton Scotchman did not think such a
resolution
in the present
condition of English politics. The speeches of in favour of granting the American Englishmen
claims were unavailing, nor did the colonists receive any further encouragement from their par-
much
advice as to the
199
way
to proceed.
Of the
British statesmen
power Witherspoon said, "They have not only taken no pains to convince us that submission to their claims
is
among
us, but
it
is
pect, or desire,
absolute slaves,
not their by the hard law of necessity. to believe that our and wish us meaning, they lives and properties are quite safe in the absolute disposal of the British Parliament, the late
a right to murder them, are certainly arguments of a very singular nature." He thinks, therefore,
that the great object of the approaching Congress should be to unite the colonies and
"
make them
defense
that
;
as one body in any measure of selfto assure the people of Great Britain
we
will
the Congress resolutions which are unsurpassed for boldness and flat positiveness by any other
statements of the period. Profess loyalty to the " not king, but declare only that we esteem the
200
JOHN WITHERSPOON
claim of the British Parliament to be illegal and unconstitutional, but that we are firmly deter-
mined never
to
submit
with all
to
our posterity" It the Massachusetts congressmen reached Princeton on their way to Philadelphia, they felt they
and do deliberately and even exterslavery rivetted on us and on is not remarkable, that when
to
it,
its
horrors
had come to an oasis in the desert. At New York and several places in Northern New Jersey, they were reviled and hooted, threats were made against them as disturbers of the peace and rebellious advocates of independence. But
at Princeton the atmosphere
was
clear.
Withcoffee
erspoon received
them
cordially,
entertained
them
and drank
with them at their lodgings. The students showed the influence of their president. The other recommendations urged the closest union of the colonies, so that none should make a separate peace, " and continue united till American liberty is settled on a solid basis "
suggesting measures for encouraging desirable immigrants he insists that the legislature of
every colony should put their militia on the
201
best footing that all Americans provide themselves with arms " in case they should be re-
duced to the hard necessity of defending themselves from murder and assassination." These
strong resolutions had their effect in further stiffening the backbone of Jerseymen like Rich-
who had
not been
ready to
go so
far,
navy urging them, as Britons, not to bring reproach upon themselves as the instruments of
enslaving their country." And lastly, the necessity of union being so important in his mind, he begs the Congress to see to it that all the colonies effectually cooperate for the
fense.
common
de-
spirit
directed the attention of the country and of the government to New Jersey. The colony moved
cautiously, but steadily in the general interest.
In Scotland such accounts of Witherspoon's share in the opposition were spread that he was
half
Witherspoon
202
JOHN WITHERSPOON
was most energetic as the head of the Somerset County committee of correspondence. This committee kept a watchful eye upon suspicious people in their midst and corresponded, not
only with committees of other counties in New Jersey, but also with the Council of Safety in other colonies.
During this time events were rapidly coming a head elsewhere. The Congress met at Philadelphia September 5, 1774, an ^ f r four weeks considered carefully a declaration of " rights claiming for the people of America a free and exclusive power of legislation in their proto
vincial
legislatures
where
all
alone be preserved in
internal
polity."
They
declared
that
they
would never permit themselves to be deprived of certain other rights, demanding the repeal of those acts of Parliament by which these had been infringed. They then formed an association for preventing commercial intercourse with Great Britain and charged the committees of
correspondence to inspect the imports at all custom-houses. Three addresses were prepared,
of Great
the
last
to
meeting
of
203
them
in that
The
Chatham might
his friends
were unable
change the
mind
of the
House
of
Commons,
which answered the appeals of the Congress by resolving to send 10,000 troops under General
Howe
Mas-
sachusetts.
friend of
That
Howe had
declared himself a
America and, perhaps sincerely, believed he might be received as the bearer of Lord North's olive branch, did not smooth the feelings
the Americans.
this
of
The
method would appease the aroused colonists and save the pride of England. During all this time the men of America were meeting almost daily on the village drillgrounds, and collecting arms and ammunition. New Jersey was not behind the other colonies
seemed to be that
in this respect,
news of the engagements at Lexington and Concord spread over the land and troops from every colony instantly began the march to Boston, some of Witherspoon's students hastened to enlist, one of them his own
military zeal.
When
204
JOHN WITHERSPOON
1770.
Another son, John, of the class of medicine and became a surstudied had 1773, geon in the Continental army, serving from
in
On
the
May, 1775,
assembled
Congress
Philadelphia,
Ticon-
Congress was shown by the choice of John Hancock as president, upon whose head a price had been set by the king, and in appointing
George Washington
Commander-in-chief
of
the Continental forces assembled and gathering at Boston. There on the 1 7th of June, before
Washington could arrive, the battle of Bunker Hill was fought, a dearly bought victory for the
British, who began to realize that their task would not be so easy as the confident General Gage had imagined. During the summer of
this
effort
to
allotted to
officers for
the
five
of
in
minutemen
nominating
did not yet feel justified in becoming a member of the New Jersey Conwhich met at Trenton in October. He gress
He
205
success.
In the pre-
vailing excitement few students attended college and it was impossible to hold a meeting of
the trustees,
many
of
whom
were members of
and the following winter, except in Canada. Washington strengthened his positions about Boston without any serious conflict of arms
with the British, but pursued such fine tactics
that the British were obliged to evacuate the
But Witherspoon was alert in his own sphere and took part in the war of
city in
March.
pamphlets, although not so conspicuously as did some others. In January Thomas Paine,
held in odium and undeserved horror for his
infidel
"
Common
writings, published a pamphlet called Sense " in which, with coarse lan-
guage and vulgar invective, he defended the American cause. Although not finely written, it was an able paper. Washington said that it "worked a powerful change in the minds of many men." A hundred thousand copies were quickly sold, and its influence was undoubted. Witherspoon was magnanimous enough to acknowledge
style
its
of
it.
And when an
was made
206
JOHN WITHERSPOON
it
upon
by another pamphlet,
"
Plain Truth,"
the energetic president of Princeton took up " Common Sense." his caustic pen to defend
He
argument who, says Witherspoon, to shew that we ought not to seek or wait for a reconciliation which in his opinion is now become both impracticable and unprofitable, but to establish a fixed regular government and Plain Truth,' on the conprovide for ourselves. trary, never attempts to shew that there is the least probability of obtaining reconciliation on such terms as will preserve and secure our
" wrote
'
Paine' s
liberties
all
his
little
force to
prove that such is the strength of Great Britain that it will be in vain for us to resist at all. I
will refer
it
to the impartial
this
treatise,
judgment
of all
who
have read
an embassy with ropes about our necks, to make a full and humble surrender of ourselves and all our propto send
we ought immediately
This
they have formally and explicitly demanded of us, and this with equal clearness we have de-
termined
is
we
will
never do.
The
this:
Shall
we make
resistance
207
ment which we acknowledge, or as independent states against an usurped power which we detest and abhor?" This is Witherspoon's
first
ence.
May, in conformity with the suggestion of Congress already mentioned, he preached a sermon on "The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men." He " There is not a greater began by saying,
the iyth of
On
evidence
either
of
the
reality
or
power
of
religion than
a firm
belief in
God's universal
The ambition
of
mistaken princes,
and cruelty of oppressive and corrupt ministers, and even the inhumanity of brutal soldiers, however dreadful, shall finally " If your cause promote the glory of God."
is just, if
duct
of
is
your principles are pure, if your conprudent you need not fear the multitude
If
opposing hosts.
your cause
is
just
you
may
all
entreat
Him
my
introducing any political subject into the pulpit. At this season, however, it is not only lawful
but
necessary,
and
willingly
embrace the
opportunity of declaring
my
opinion, without
any
which America
208
is
JOHN WITHERSPOON
in
now
of
arms
is
and
human
nature.
hitherto proceeded I am satisfied that the confederacy of the colonies has not been the effect
of pride, resentment, or sedition, but of a
and
general
conviction
that
our
civil
deep and
and consequently, in a great measure, the temporal and eternal happiness of us and of our posterity depended on this
religious liberties,
issue."
Keenly aware
executive
of the necessity of
said,
union and
authority he
"If persons of
every rank instead of implicitly complying with the orders of those whom they themselves have
chosen to
their
direct, will
if
over again,
little
different classes of
men
intermix
private
views,
arise,
if
local,
provincial
you are doing a greater injury to the common cause than you " He is the best friend to are aware of."
pride and jealousy
American
active
ligion."
in
God
most sincere and promoting pure and undefiled re" Whoever is an avowed enemy to scruple not to call an enemy to his
liberty
is
who
country."
Nothing is gained, he thinks, by railing at the English " as so many barbarous savages. Many of their actions have probably been worse
209
mission to their unjust claims because they are corrupt or profligate, although probably many
of
them are
so,
therefore liable to
from human
distance and ignorance of our situation they could not conduct their quarrel with propriety for one year, how can they give direction and
civil consti-
dedication
America.
There
was
Scotch merchants of had refused to enter into Norfolk, Virginia, the non-importation agreement, and in South Carolina Scotchmen had taken up arms for the
necessity for this.
king. printer of Glasgow, Scotland, issued the sermon with embellishments wherein the
some
is
scar-
Witherspoon had been active in the various meetings of his county almost from the beginning, and had attended one provincial assembly,
2io
as
I
JOHN WITHERSPOON
have already stated. On the nth of June, 1776, he took his seat as a member of the
Provincial Congress of New Jersey, at Burlington, and opened the session with prayer.
The first question of urgent importance to come before this session of the legislature was
a
from the Continental Congress suggesteach colony's quota of militia to be furing nished to serve until the following December,
letter
New
the
Jersey's
in
number being
3,300, to reinforce
army
New
York, now
threatened by the
The British were coming close to New and Jersey Washington followed the letter of Congress by an earnest recommendation that
enemy.
committee to do
its
this
was promptly
work
well.
by a few over the many, the dread of power falling into the hands of a small number of men, prompted some of these Jerseymen to move that two-thirds be a quorum
fear of tyranny
of the Provincial Congress.
The
Witherspoon com-
was difficult to secure so large a quorum, it would be easy for a few disaffected men to stay away and thus prevent the transaction of business, and he himself believed that in such times it was best to dismiss such fears and lodge the power in the hands of a
bated that idea.
It
211
capable few rather than in the keeping of many. A majority was declared to be a quorum and
business proceeded with dispatch.
The royal governor of New Jersey was William Templeton Franklin, son of the famous Benjamin Franklin. As a servant of the crown he endeavoured to fulfill his duties with He was a resolute man and the fidelity.
deputies found that he intended to ignore them. He had appointed a meeting of the General Assembly of the province for the
The members
to
Franklin
refused
recognize them.
They
therefore adopted a series of resolutions declaring that the governor's proclamation ought
not to be obeyed, being "in direct contempt and violation of the resolve of the Continental
Congress
the
"
;
that
of
Franklin was an
this
enemy
that
to
his
liberties
country
and
copy of the resolution to Governor Franklin, and in order that the affair "be conducted with all the delicacy and tenderness which the " nature of the business will admit request him
212
JOHN WITHERSPOON
to sign a parole, promising to remain in the province and to keep his engagements with
fidelity.
Governor Franklin did not appreciate and tenderness " of the Congress
and not only refused to sign the parole but ordered Colonel Heard to go about his business.
The good
placed a guard of sixty men about the house and sent a courier post haste to Burlington asking for further instructions from the ConHe was ordered to bring the governor gress. to Burlington at once, and a notice of their action was sent to the Continental Congress asking that body if it would not, in their
" opinion, be for the general
good
of the
United
Governor Franklin should be removed to some other colony where he " would
Colonies
if
"
be capable of doing
less mischief."
When
Franklin
appeared
under
Colonel
Heard's guard before the New Jersey Assembly he denounced them hotly as a rebellious body,
so that
some
Witherspoon warm June day as to taunt Franklin with his illegitimate birth, a circumstance for which the governor was plainly not responsible.
Witherspoon regretted his hasty and indelicate language but never found himself in a position
213
where he could apologize to Franklin in person. the 2Oth of June a letter was received from
Continental Congress recommending the Jersey men to examine the governor and if they
the
conclude that he should be confined the Congress will direct the place of his confinement. He was finally sent to Connecticut to become
the charge of Governor Trumbull, never subHis mitting to the American Government.
last
in
honourable retirement
in
England.
Friday the 2ist of June the New Jersey Congress resolved to form a government of
their
On
the 24th.
22d, five delegates were appointed to represent New Jersey in the Continental Congress, of
whom
It
has generally
to
do with
framing the constitution of New Jersey. I find no evidence to support this statement. He
was not a member of the committee, which was appointed two days after his election to the
Continental Congress. It is true that he did not arrive at Philadelphia until the 28th. If the committee on the constitution desired to
214
JOHN WITHERSPOON
consult him they might have had opportunity, but they were not appointed until late in the afternoon of Monday the 24th. It is gratuitous
to
suppose
that
Witherspoon
remained
at
Burlington
quite likely that, before proceeding to Philadelphia, he went to Princeton, which would
tween
appointment and his arrival at That he was a slow traveller is Philadelphia. very evident from his almost invariable tardihis
Even on
on the
constitution, of
which
able to find the slightest evidence, he could not at the very longest, have spent over two
It
every desire to give Witherspoon credit for all his work, he cannot be said to have had any
great share in the actual preparation of the
constitution of
New
the
Jersey.
On
July
2,
1776,
the
day
of the in
he
was
the
sitting
Congress at
Philadelphia, taking upon resolution for independence which had been brought before the Congress eighteen
days previously. His instructions by the Jersey Congress empowered him and
New
his
215 they
if
should
consider
promising the support of the whole force of the colony, but "always observing that, whatever
plan of confederacy you enter into, the regulating the internal police of this province is to be
New
Independence Hall, as Jersey delegation it has ever since been called, the postponed
resolution
came up
for consideration.
fur-
ther postponement was suggested so that the newly arrived members might learn the argu-
ments that had been made upon the question. Witherspoon brushed aside this plea, declaring
was not new, he needed no more time, nor further instructions he was ready to vote at once. It was decided, howthat the subject
;
ever, to
until
Monday, the
ist of July. On that day, after a Sabbath whose peace had probably been irksome to some of the eager members, the men upon whose decision rested such momentous consequences, which they fully appreciated, assem-
The president of the stated the order of the Congress, John Hancock, day, and the secretary, Charles Thompson, read
bled again in the
hall.
resolution
for
independence.
216
"
JOHN WITHERSPOON
For a moment," it is said, " there was profound silence." Then John Adams rose in his The hush of that little assembly was so place. intense as to be almost painful to the overstrained men, but
remembered
claring that
"
for
de-
and the
last
they represented." John Dickinson, celebrated as the author of " Letters of a Pennsylvania
Farmer,"
fulfilled his
Pennsylvania,
His patriotism and devotion to the American cause were never questioned, but when he said the country was not ripe for it,
upon the speaker exIn my judgment we sir are not only ripe but rotting. Almost every colony has dropped from its parent stem and your own province needs no more sunshine to
in
1
mature it"
The debate
of
continued.
On
Tues-
ConJuly gress finally voted to sever the connection of the American colonies from Great Britain. A
day the
2d
the
Continental
committee,
of
which
Thomas
Jefferson
was
217
chairman, was appointed to draw up a declaration embodying the decision and the reasons
for
it.
Although the resolution had already been adopted there was some about finally signing it. hesitation Then Witherspoon rose. One writer describing the scene calls him an aged patriarch, a term hardly
applicable to a man only fifty-four years of age, with twenty years of active life still before him.
Although
his hair
his
appearance one of great dignity, he could hardly be called venerable. The only clergyman in
the Congress, of
acknowledged learning, he received marked attention as he proceeded in a brief speech of "There great eloquence to give his opinion. is a tide in the affairs of men, a nick of time.
We
perceive
it
to consent to
To
hesitate
is
That noble
in-
very morning by every pen in this house. He that will not respond to its accents and strain every nerve to carry into effect its
provisions
is
unworthy
part, of
the
name
I
of
free-
my own
property
have some,
2i8
JOHN WITHERSPOON
property
;
of reputation more.
that
is
this contest
must soon descend into the sepulchre, I would infinitely rather that they descend thither by the hand of the executioner than
desert at this crisis the
sacred cause of
my
the colonies
to independence. the the news with received Everywhere people greatest joy, ringing the bells, firing their guns, and building bonfires. The tension was past
and great
relief
was
felt.
3.
WORK
of
IN
CONGRESS
down
resolutely to the
for
The Congress
serious business
settled
providing
the army,
making and securing recognition from them. Ten days after the declaration was signed Lord Howe, whose brother was in command of the British forces in America, landed at Staten Island where General Howe was awaiting his arrival before beginning the attack upon New York. It was announced that Lord Howe had come as the bearer of an olive branch. The anxious Congress and people feared lest some of the timorous
219
Every
had
British faction,
and
of the presence of
by petitions from various townships, urging the Provincial Congress not to break loose from
Great Britain.
of July.
fatal fourth
Even
wanting men who clung to the hope that Lord Howe might propose terms which the Americans could accept.
Before beginning active he sent a message to Washmilitary operations, ington addressing him as a private gentleman.
Washington refused
to receive
it
and
after re-
Lord Howe finally made an attack upon the American army on Long Island. The story of Washington's defeat, his masterly retreat and escape without losing a man or a gun, on the night of
peated attempts to persuade
to confer,
him
is
American schoolboy. been captured in the battle was General Sullivan, a brave and capable officer. Lord Howe thought that a message to Congress, borne by General GenSullivan, might receive some attention.
eral Sullivan, therefore,
having given
his parole,
appeared before the Congress, with the promise that Lord Howe would use his influence with
220
JOHN WITHERSPOON
have the obnoxious measures repealed, but that he would like to confer with some of the members of the Congress as private gentlemen. Poor Sullivan was roundly rated
the Parliament to
by John Adams
message.
for
hotly by the Congress. Some were in favour of granting the desired interview. None of them would
any basis but the recognition of independence. Witherspoon spoke strongly against He felt that nothing would be the proposal.
listen to
gained by
it.
"
It is
solute, unconditional
submission
to,
is
what they
require us to agree
or
mean
to force us to.
" rather increasing every day." It has been admitted that there is not the least
it
is
reason to expect that any correspondence we can have with him will tend to peace." " Lord Howe speaks of a decisive blow not being yet
struck
tle
! ;
as
if
this
Neither loss nor disgrace worth mentioning has befallen us. In short, sir, from anything that has happened I see not the least reason for
our attending to this delusive message. On the contrary, I think it is the very worst time that
could be chosen for us, as it will be looked upon as the effect of fear, and diffuse the same spirit,
221
in some degree, through different ranks of men. The tories, our secret enemies, I readily admit,
are earnest for our treating. They are exulting in the prospect of it; they are spreading in-
lies to
forward
it.
It
;
has brought
of
it
consequence
which
In one word,
we set this negotiation on foot, it will give new force and vigour to all their seditious machinations.
a
of
measure
doubtful,
if I
had an opportunity
knowing what my enemies wished me to do, I would not be easily induced to follow their advice.
"
As
I
to the
ence,
am
Whigs and
conference should be utterly rejected and to who are in doubt about its nature, nothing
more
will
will
be requisite than a
full
and
clear inI
hope
be granted them.
"
As
to the
army
ion, that nothing will more effectually deaden the operations of war than what is proposed.
do not ourselves expect any benefit from it, but they will. And they will possibly impute
We
222
JOHN WITHERSPOON
;
our conduct to fear and jealousy as to the issue which will add to their present of the cause
little
and despondent spirit." It was decided, however, against the opinion of Witherspoon and others, to send a committee to confer with Lord Howe. Franklin, Rutand Adams ledge doughty John accordingly repaired to Staten Island, where they were most courteously treated by Lord Howe. But as
they demanded recognition of independence as
peace,
the
conference
came
to
nothing.
New
his great military the necessity of retiring in the genius, despite face of a superior force, Lord Howe compelled
the
Americans to begin
Jerseys.
The
at
ing General Greene to hold Fort Washington all hazards lost that fort and its reinforced
garrison, a disaster which,
added
to General
Lee's treachery, almost brought complete ruin to the American cause. It should have taught
the
members
always
223
by the civilians of the Congress, whose duty was not only to confide
wisdom, but to respond to
his
in his
demands
and speedily as possible, and give him a free hand in his direction of the campaign. It was long, however, before Congress learned the wisdom of letting Washington
for supplies as fully
alone.
In those trying days personal anxieties beset Witherspoon. His two elder sons were in the
army.
James Witherspoon was with the northern army, which had retreated to Ticonderoga. He wrote to his father that he and a companion had gone through the forest to St. John's on a
scouting expedition. The place they found in possession of the enemy and they were in great
danger
of
places in the
having lost their way, they nearly starved, having but one biscuit
but,
apiece for three days. Witherspoon, however, devoted himself assiduously to the work assigned
him, serving, it is said, on more committees than any other man in Congress.
While Washington was engaged in operations about New York, the Congress set about doing what it could to supply the army. Team-
224
sters
JOHN WITHERSPOON
charged extortionate prices. Wagons and horses were scarce. The army was in great
The
committee, early in October of 1776, to consider a plan for providing for this part of the public service so that "the demands of the
army might be
days
all
oppression
by private persons effectually prevented." Eight later he was added to the committee on clothing, whose business it was to provide the soldiers with clothing and blankets. It is impossible now to trace the work of these committees.
The
and lack of clothing prove that the committee was not able to meet all the demands. But, on the
Continental
army due
to scarcity of food
now be
obtained gives evidence of Witherspoon's indefatigable efforts to obtain the needed supplies, and
his
are not supposed to be competent. His was a thanked him nature. many-sided Washington
both by
for
letter
and
his
efficient
country as thickly settled as the North during the civil war in the sixties of the nineteenth
225
century, under a government whose organization may fairly be supposed to have gained transportation vastly superior to that existing at the time
ability,
some
and with
facilities for
North were
It is
ington.
One
Congress was
committee
A section of this
of correspondence, to
trusted the communications with foreign powers, whose assistance against England might be se-
cured, although they were at peace with that France was the traditional enemy of country.
Great Britain, and her foreign minister, Vergennes, had sent to America large sums of money for the purchase of arms. The Con-
Deane its European agent, and in October, 1776, he was joined by Arthur Lee, who had been for many years the English agent of Virginia. At the same time Franklin was sent to Paris, and his place on the secret committee was taken by Witherspoon, who remained a member of it as long as there was any need of secrecy in the relations between
gress had appointed Silas
226
JOHN WITHERSPOON
France was at peace with was but ready to assist her foes in every England,
France and America.
The delicacy of the position of possible way. Direct corthe secret committee is apparent.
respondence with France was out of the question, and this was carried on through the agents and commissioners of Congress. The secret
committee urged upon Franklin to secure from the French government the right for men-of-war and privateers to carry their prizes into French
ports
all
of them.
It
war with England, as indeed it did at last Letters between the Congress and the foreign governments went by various routes, sometimes direct to France in an American man-of-war sometimes by way of
might bring France
;
Eustatius or Martinique, in the French West Indies, either on neutral trading vessels or In order that these letters might privateers.
St.
not
fall
into the
hands
were
addressed to merchants or other private citizens. Military supplies from France were
American
ports
as were
not blockaded
by
British ships.
Flints,
227
and other cargoes were landed at ports along the coast from Maine to Florida and from them carried overland. To meet the great expense of these voyages and cargoes, consignments of American goods were often carried to be sold in foreign lands. These
were, of course, liable to capture.
The
secret
committee were compelled to trust the details to their agents both at home and abroad, sending
men
on
arrival in
their correspondents of
Tobacco,
in
rice,
indigo,
in
wheat and
France and
were
great
demand
in Paris,
to write.
on equal terms. America might secure a loan, he wrote, if such success should attend her
military operations as to
make
it
evident that
independence might likely be secured, or if either France or Spain should acknowledge A Swiss banker, America's independence.
Grand, assured him that his banking house would accept American notes at a fair discount
228
JOHN WITHERSPOON
much sought
its
mountains, wild game, agriculture, industries, seaports. This information must be supplied if possible. The
geography,
rivers,
agents, especially Silas Deane, were relied on for credentials of French and other foreign
officers
armies.
coming to seek service in the American For some reason, the committee were
unable to get their letters through to their distressed and embarrassed agent at Paris.
And
his
the greatest credit is due to him for his untiring and successful efforts in the service of country. Without frequent instructions, sometimes not hearing from the committee for
months, he was thrown upon his own judgment. In 1777, having made offers to French officers unauthorized by Congress he was recalled.
One
of these officers
afterwards
rendered
such
Witherspoon could not give all his time in Congress to the work of the secret committee. On the 22d of November he was one of three
sent
to
confer with
situation.
military
The commander-in-chief
had
asked
229
jealously
army.
He
free,
felt
guarded their control of the Witherspoon did not share this dread. that a commander in the field must be
far
as
as possible untrammelled
by a
civilian
body like Congress, whose main duty was to supply the necessary means of support.
He so far prevailed upon his associates that they sent with the committee blank commissions for
the general to fill out at his discretion with the names of those whom he desired to take the
places of the officers
Witherspoon
fulfilled
by
victory at Princeton
and escape
to the heights
about Morristown.
The
secret
first
letter,
now
extant,
sent
by the
2ist,
from Baltimore.
gave a hopeful account of the war and thanked the commissioners for their labours. If a loan can be procured, it
It
Two
million
pounds
230
JOHN WITHERSPOON
On
amount Congress the same date
Robert Morris wrote from Philadelphia giving a gloomy account of the war, the fear of the
people, the boldness of the tories and the information that Philadelphia is well-nigh de-
populated of all but the Quakers. For the next few months Witherspoon did no
work on the
affairs.
secret committee.
In
December
family and servants, they all escaped under cover of the darkness saving only so much of their valuables
Hastily
summoning
his
on one team."
British
His house
tutor
was
left in
charge
of Mr.
Montgomery, a
in the college.
Although the
ransacked
and carried off all the cattle from the books were preserved and little place, damage done to the furniture. That his life was in danger is quite evident from the treatment of another clergyman, whom the British
the house
his
mistook
"
him through and through with bayonets and mangled him in the most shocking manner," although he had denied the
they
pierced
their
231
and
"
people of Princeton," he added, "say they thought they were killing me and boasted that they had done it when they came
back."
The
is
intense
feeling
of
shown
in
an account
in
of
an incident said
to
have occurred
in July, 1776.
The
story
is
told
by Dr.
and
is
McLean
"Just before the thunder-storm last week the troops on Staten Island were preparing figures
of Generals
Dr. Witherspoon,
The
figures
had
all
fagots, the generals facing the doctor and he represented as reading to them an address. All
of
been tarred and prepared for the feathers when the storm came on and obliged the troops to
In the evening, when the storm was over, a large body of the troops gathered around the figures which, being prepared, were
find shelter.
set
on
fire
terrible imprecations
One
232
JOHN WITHERSPOON
spoon burned furiously and were almost consumed, while General Washington was still
standing with the tar burning off, ran away frightened and was soon followed by most of
companions. Next morning the figure was found as good as it ever was, a fact which
his
caused a good deal of fear among the Hessian troops, most of whom were superstitious, and
it
was not
until
its
some
them
the cause of
contented.
not burning that they appeared The reason was that having no tar
on
before the rain commenced, it became saturated with water and the tar only would
it
burn."
While the Congress sat at Baltimore Witherspoon visited the military prison in that city.
He
found
it
in
a wretched condition,
unfit for
of the country.
He
urged Congress to remedy the abuse and was placed upon a committee to do so. With what success he laboured we cannot learn. What
a Tory satirist thought of the action and of Witherspoon in particular, is shown in the following lines by Jonathan Odell
:
" Known
Grown
Three times he
To
233
as tool
a doubt
his conscience
Meanwhile, unhappy Jersey mourns her Ordained by vilest of the vile to fall ;
!
To fall by Witherspoon O name, the curse Of sound religion and disgrace of verse. Member of Congress we must hail him next Come out of Babylon is now his text.
'
Fierce as the
fiercest,
foremost of the
first,
He'd rail at kings, with venom well nigh Not uniformly grand for some bye-end,
burst
To
dirtiest acts
seek the dungeon dark as night, Imprisoned Tories to convert or fright ; Whilst to myself I've hummed in dismal tune,
I've
known him
I'd rather be a
Be
patient, reader
will
His day
come
remember, heaven
is
just
!"
Such
diatribes
were characteristic
of
Revo-
shall see Witherspoon lutionary literature. himself dipping his pen in bitter vituperation. For the present he continued at his work in
We
Congress.
His committee
worked as
report.
impressing of wagons into the public service faithfully as they could but made no
On
the
igth
of
January,
1777,
his
Shortly after this he went to Princeton and from there to Pequea to bring
234
JOHN WITHERSPOON
his wife
home
the
1
By
2th of February he
was again
at Baltimore,
later.
but
left for
March
1 9th finds mittee to examine charges made by Silas Deane against Dr. Williamson, an American citizen,
him
in
whom Deane
accused of treachery.
The com-
Witherspoon was seldom present. September found him present in time to join the others in
that rapid,
panicky ride to Easton, Pennsylvania, when Witherspoon' s horse rode at an unaccustomed gallop, his rider being assured that
a squadron of British cavalry were close behind. Nor was Easton comfortable, the British following them there, and even towards Lancaster,
through which city they passed to their long wintry session at York.
In Congress he continued his unremitting service on various committees. One of these
conferred with
General Gates as to charges made by that officer against General Schuyler whose command of the Northern Army Gates
coveted.
the
mo-
235
Gates and exonerated Schuyler, which so angered the former that he forgot himself, or rather betrayed his real self, refused to serve in
a subordinate capacity, wrote his infamous
ter
let-
Washington, and behaved so outrageously before the committee that he was turned out of the room. Witherspoon never had
to
any sympathy with Gates, nor with that meddling opposition to Washington which was for a time kept alive by the Adamses and Lees. Later, also, in 1779, he was one of those who
voted to retain Schuyler in the service, one of
the finest generals and noblest gentlemen in America. The news of Burgoyne's surrender
of the courier report.
reached the Congress at York before the arrival whom Gates had sent with his
When
some one suggested that Congress should present him with a sword. Witherspoon inter" I think posed, saying in his Scotch brogue, better the lad a o' Neverye'll gie pair spurs."
sword and
While Washington was at Valley Forge keeping a close watch on Howe, shut up in Philadelphia, Witherspoon, with a committee of Congress visited the army by order of Con-
236
JOHN WITHERSPOON
" to consult with the general as to the gress best plans for preserving the health and disciAs a result of that visit pline of the troops."
Congress could do
little.
How
far
they fully
appreciated the situation is shown in a letter written to the commissioners abroad in January, " General Washington's army is in huts 1778.
to the
westward
and
Witherrecruiting during the winter." in nevertheless his all was indefatigable spoon too fruitless efforts to relieve the situation at
Valley Forge. Congress was helpless in the face of conditions which made it well-nigh impossible to
better
settled country
furnish supplies from a sparsely where there were few roads, the
committee on foreign
affairs.
No more
inter-
esting correspondence can be found relating to the Revolution. But its mass of details would
only burden a work like this. The committee of foreign affairs was not well organized. Irof left attendance letters unanregularity many
swered, to the excusable exasperation of the
237
in
But those gentlemen were not doubt as to the needs of America. They
all
money.
Until 1781,
be-
came Superintendent
Finance,
there
was
practically no other financial policy than to make requisitions on the states which were never honoured in full, sometimes for money, sometimes Not infrequently during the entire for supplies. conduct of the war, a state government paid the
mili-
own
estimate.
Paper cur-
rency was issued again and again before Morris took charge. Witherspoon and Lovell for the
committee
of foreign affairs
commissioner to
"
Italy,
Our apprehensions
danger
one
circumstance of the depreciation of our currency from the quantity which we have been obliged to issue." Izard is ordered to use every exertion to secure
a foreign
loan.
Another item
"
of small
an
French
as
may be employed
in the
condition of
238
last
it
JOHN WITHERSPOON
became necessary
to place the foreign
affairs in the
tember, 1781.
was not regarded by any of them as permanent. Each clung more or less tenaciously to its independence
of the others.
The
discipline
of
the army,
hampered the operations of finance and distracted the diplomacy of the Congress. Without a centralized authority there could be no
any department. But the best that could be done was to adopt the Articles of Confederation which bound the colonies loosely together during the war, but was not sufficient to unite them after peace was won.
efficient service
in
The
of
question
of 1777.
came
was opposed by
South Carolina,
New
These
states
clung to
to
As
be a confederation
239
a strong executive, and deprecated the loose methods which dissipated the energy of the
government. All of the delegates felt the need of union for the purposes of the war. Witherspoon plead for a permanent union. Warmly
contending for the preservation of the separate states, he plead equally for their close and abiding union. When the various articles came to be voted on he agreed that each state should
have one vote, not as some of the larger states would have liked, that the voting power of each
state should
be proportionate to
its
population or
extent
he supported the proposition that the quota should be proportionately to the value of the
With equal consistency he opposed the measure which was adopted fixing the number
land.
of delegates to represent each state at not less than two nor more than seven. In his opinion,
determine for
how many
dele-
He maintained that
enough would be sent to protect the interests of the state, and no more than it deemed necessary
or cared to
pay
for.
of Confederation
were too
In 1780 Washing-
240
JOHN WITHERSPOON
can no longer drudge along
in the old
We
way."
Of the
"
said,
army he
evils of the system as felt in the There can be no radical cure till
Congress be vested by the several full and ample powers to enact laws
purposes. In
states with
for general
1781, Witherspoon assume the power to regulate commerce and lay duties on imports. The proposal was negatived, but Congress
February,
finally
re-
duty of
though it never was fully enforced. It was not until March, 1781, that the Articles of Confederation were ratified by the last of the states, Maryland, whose neighbour, Virginia, had been one of the steadiest supporters of a strong union, under the lead of Madison, who had been a
pupil of Witherspoon at Princeton. are fortunate in having a speech by Witherspoon on this subject. Among other
We
things
union,
he
said,
"
The
to the vigour measures on which we are already entered, is felt and confessed by every one of us, without
241
so
far,
who have
expressed their fears or suspicions of the existing confederacy proving abortive have yet
agreed in saying that there must and shall be a confederacy for the purposes of, and till the
finishing of this war.
it
pleasing to ments. But I entreat gentlemen to consider how far the giving up all hopes of a lasting confederacy among these states, for their future
is
security and improvement, will have an effect upon the stability and efficacy of even the
when
union impracticable,
it
will greatly
minds
of the people
and weaken
their
He was
" early in the war. Every day's delay, though it adds to the necessity, augments the difficulty
inclination."
He
looked to
the future, saying, " It is not impossible that in future times all the states in one quarter of the globe may see it proper by some plan of
and union, to perpetuate security and peace sure I am, a well-planned confederacy among
:
242
JOHN WITHERSPOON
may hand down the blessand public order to many gener-
ings of peace
ations."
terest,
"
needed a secretary.
of
Because
of his
advocacy
Paine.
account of
opinions,
for
WitherPaine' s
spoon
had
commended
some
of
writings, notably, "Common Sense," but because of his distrust of Paine's character saying to John Adams that he was a drunkard and unreliable.
Paine was elected, but gave such poor satisfaction that he was requested to resign.
It
was
later
the piece of invective to which I referred. From the beginning of the agitation that culminated
in the Declaration of
Independence no
man
in
in his prayers
Church and St. Peter's, Philadelphia. So earwas he that Congress invited him to open that body with prayer. But when the army of
nest
the colonists suffered those depressing reverses which withered the courage of the shallow-soiled
243
Duche belonged, he
lost heart.
When,
finally,
he opened to them the church in which he had prayed and preached so fervently for the
government.
Duche was
the author of
come from a
the astonishing
name
of
Tamoc
with
home
for titled
Church
of
England.
But the
after
occupation of Philadelphia,
urging the general to persuade Congress to yield, or if Congress will not yield, then to use
his
to submission,
of the his
army
to
compel them
most
fatal error.
Wash-
ington promptly sent the letter to Congress. Duche' s somersault disgusted and enraged the
hardy
scorn
patriots.
in
which form
vocabulary
Witherspoon gave vent to his series of questions and answers a list of epithets which exhaust the of opprobrium, which he called Catechism. Witherspoon was not
its
author, but
his papers.
found the
manuscript
of
it
among
244
Q.
A.
Q. A.
of
What is your reason for that opinion ? Because he walks the street in the habit
petit
maitre.
a turncoat, because after being chaplain of Congress he entered the service of Howe a robber deserving of the gallows because he
is
;
He
pocketed the pay of Congress when he was an enemy to their cause he was a hypocrite, a
;
New England
a
"
liar
delegates
a conceited creature,
and an ass. Then the question is asked, comes it that so many inconsistencies meet in one man ? " It seems to be unanswer" I can able except on one supposition. give no other account of it but that if God Almighty has given a man a topsy-turvy understanding no created power will ever be able to set it right
How
end uppermost."
tion
"
:
What
"
is
reply
is,
That he
a wretch without
principle,
without parts, without prudence, and that by one unexpected effort he has crept up from the
grand
floor of
contempt to the
first
story of
detestation."
245
Duche
to Philadelphia.
until
paralytic, broken-hearted,
life
he had given such an exhibition of strength and weakness, and to be buried beside his wife
in St. Peter's churchyard.
Some
for
of the acts of
many
reasons.
When
that
having
surrendered
their
arms and
all did,
Howe and
transported to England. From the victorious army and its officers the defeated British and
Hessians
had
received
only kindness.
But
when the colours of a regiment had been discovered hidden in the baggage belonging to it, and when General Howe suggested that it
disembark the prisoners at Newport than at Boston, Congress took alarm, and suspected that Howe intended to use the
to
soldiers against
would be easier
New York
instead of sending
246
JOHN WITHERSPOON
back
to
them
ordered
Congress further supplies which had been furnished these troops should be paid for in
England.
that
the
gold,
refusing
to
accept
Continental paper
money.
When Burgoyne
plaining that his quarters were not comfortable he used the expression " the public faith is
broke."
Upon
this
some
of the
Congressmen
took alarm, declaring that if Burgoyne considered the agreement broken he evidently
would not abide by it. The result was that while Burgoyne was exchanged and permitted to go home to England his soldiers were never sent away. Witherspoon voted on all the
questions
relating
if
to
the
convention
with
its
was
that
furnished the captives should be paid for in gold, not in the paper currency of the Congress. Whether Witherspoon assented to this feature
cannot say, but the resolutions adopted forbidding the soldiers to debark until they should sign a parole giving a description
of the case
I
abode are in Witherspoon's he handwriting, having been one of the comof their place of
247
prisoners and non-combatants by the enemy, see about the purchase of salt, to ex-
amine
letters from various persons, to revise the rules for the business of Congress, to consider the best way of securing clothing for the
army and
to
rolls
and
arrear-
of the
New
militia.
As a
result of
was ordered to suspend the purchase of clothThere was extravagance and waste, if not ing. fraud, in this department, and the board of war took up the matter and straightened the affairs.
abuses in the post-office.
Later he served upon a committee to rectify In the spring he
and
in
and
inefficiency.
For
method he recom-
mended
the substitution of the contract system, which resulted in a reduction of five per cent,
in the expenses.
When
finances
Robert Morris assumed control of the he found his own department and
many
many
useless
248
JOHN WITHERSPOON
than a third were required to
and the discharge of the others saved great sums of money not only in the salaries but in the more economical service
transact the business,
in
every way. Witherspoon was the only clergyman in the Continental Congress and always wore the
officiated as chaplain
and
He
John
Adams
excellent
redeeming time," which he heard with great pleasure in 1777, although he remarks that Witherspoon's memory seemed to be less sure than formerly, which Adams
attributes to the necessity of the hasty prepara-
sermon
On
fully
and commit
to
memory.
In July, 1778, the question came before Congress whether that body might appoint an ecclesiastic
to
office.
of that
day
hung
and
his
every indication of its possibility was viewed with alarm. Witherspoon, devoted to
hostile
249
declared that Congress had no right to inquire into the church relations of its officers.
Congress he turned in the fall of 1778 to compose one of his pieces of biting sarcasm in an attack upon Benjamin Towne, publisher of the Pennsylvania Evening Post, who had supported the Congress in his
his
in
From
work
paper
Throughout
their
stay he
filled
his
columns
with attacks upon Congress in general and its members and the officers of the army in particular.
He
pro-British the of the departure English and organ. Upon the return of the Congress, Towne, instead of
leaving as Galloway, Duche and others did, professed to have returned to the cause of
Witherspoon entertained nothing but contempt for the cowardly printer. His mock recantation was sent to the Fish Kill Gazette where it would be most likely to fall
under the notice of the British
It
is
in
New
York.
a covert attack upon James Rivington, publisher of The Royal Gazette of New York.
Poor Towne
is
mercilessly scored
and presented
250
JOHN WITHERSPOON
fall
in
with any
man
or
who
will
He
is
made
that
"
or dignity." the autumn for testing the hold which Washington had upon the confidence of the Congress.
he had opposed a suggestion of Congress that prisoners who were willing should be enlisted
to serve in the
American army.
from the
There were
numbers
of deserters
British, especially
among
the Hessians,
who were
willing to take
such service. Washington had opposed this on the very best grounds, and Congress had
accepted his view.
In the
summer
of
1778,
however, Count Pulaski, the gallant Polish general who had rendered notable service in the American army, formed his famous legion of nondescript men, many of them English and
soldiers.
Hessian deserters, reckless fellows, but daring They were not easily controlled and
their bold foraging
by ways. Congress wished to call him to account for it, but Witherspoon opposed any interference and supported the advice of Washington who told Congress that despite its contradiction of
251
it
and although he didn't bad discipline, he would go, considering Pulaski's energy and and thought
it
bravery. Witherspoon's uniform policy in military matters was for Congress to let Washing-
managere-
of
election to
could not bear the expense and, more particularly, that he might attend to his private affairs
and
at
1
Washington was
Morristown with his army. In the spring of 780, he made requisitions for supplies from the
counties of
Witherspoon interested himself in furnishing Somerset's quota and received the personal thanks of Washington,
Jersey.
New
likewise said he did not like to suggest to Congress what Witherspoon suggested to him,
for supplies
who
namely, that the certificates or receipts given might be received as taxes, but he
good money. was again in Congress in the Witherspoon autumn serving on various committees helping
;
them redeemed
in
to prepare
Russia
mission,
252
JOHN WITHERSPOON
;
which involved the terms of peace looking after the publication of two hundred copies
of the Declaration of
cles
of
boards.
Timing
his absences
so that he might not miss any of the more important discussions, he was present to protest against the practical repudiation of the continental currency by some of the states and to vote a loud ay in favour of some stronger additions to the Articles of Confederation, although
he regretted that the union was not closer and more permanent. In one instance his vote was
a mistake when he voted against Morris's summary removal from office of the supernumerary
whose presence was crippling the treasBut his executive ability was recognized ury. his being chosen one of a committee to deby vise ways and means to carry on the campaign.
clerks,
This committee suggested that the states should support the treasury of the United States with
funds for which the treasurer was ordered to
proportioned. This was all Morris, with no authority to enforce the decrees
253
Some
and he
state
speaks his mind very freely to the delinquent When some of them, governments.
in Congress, sug-
them
in lieu of
money
due, Wither-
spoon joined Morris in opposing such a de moralizing step, and had a very poor opinion
of
brought
in his plan
for
a national bank, Witherspoon gave his hearty support to this, one of the most efficient
of the
great financier's plans for placing the finances of the country on a sound basis.
Witherspoon' s views of finance and of money will be discussed in succeeding pages. An affair of a personal nature demanded his attention this
learned that his son, John, had been taken prisoner by the British. I have already
year.
He
stated that John Witherspoon, Jr., was a phyHe served in the Continental army and sician.
this
year attempted to go abroad to purchase surgical instruments and necessary medicinal He took passage on the privateer supplies.
De
by the
Because of
254
JOHN WITHERSPOON
nence the son was treated with extraordinary harshness in a London prison. When Wither-
spoon learned
Franklin,
he wrote to
who was
man's
release,
and, when
young some
November Franklin was physician on his homeward way, and wrote to his father, " I hope you will have the pleasure of receiving with this your long absent son, who
appears to
a valuable young man. On the receipt of your letter I wrote to a friend in London to furnish him with what money he should
me
have occasion
I
for to bring
him
hither
and here
delivered to
credit
me."
4.
778, George Johnstone, an Englishman friendly to America, wrote to Robert Morris that the peace party in the Par-
As
early as February,
In the
re-
British ministry
all
suddenly
and
255
too
late,
terms.
mediate in the struggle was rejected by England, and the war went on. But in March of the next year the French minister in the United States,
Gerard, suggested to the Congress that they
draw up
what they would demand and what they would yield. Then began a very earnest debate. Of course the one thing which they would never yield was independence. What Witherspoon wrote from his quiet home at Princeton in 1 780 was felt by every member of the Congress in 1779, that they would never " though our condition were ten times give up
setting forth
worse than it is." Then came the question of boundaries and of certain other rights. Witherspoon was not present during the earlier discussion,
is
when
it
was decided
to insist
on what
the free navigation of the Mississippi, and the privilege of fishing on the coasts of Newfoundland.
The
first
point
was claimed by
Virginia,
because of her supposed interest in the northwest territory, and especially because nobody
wanted England on the upper Mississippi. The second point was felt to be necessary for the
trade of the western territory, while the third
256
JOHN WITHERSPOON
in the interest of the fishermen of
was made
New
England. Later in the spring Spain gave notice that she would not grant any rights on the
committee, of which Witherspoon was one, was appointed to consider this delicate question, and, as a result of the delibMississippi.
eration,
insist
on
this
right but only to insist that England be shut out Until peace was of the Mississippi altogether.
finally
all
phases and with varying modifications. John Adams, who had been sent to Holland in 1777 to treat with that country, was later appointed
a plenipotentiary to negotiate for peace with England and make a treaty of commerce. It
was expected
that he
French, but he proceeded at first without reference to France. By the terms of the French
America was under obligations to make no terms which did not include France, but the Americans did not know that the French had a secret treaty with Spain, which country had been dragged into the war. Adams' positive
alliance
and independent manner gave offense to the French court, which tried to have him recalled. Failing in that, which was opposed by the Congress, Gerard was ordered to secure such modification of his instructions as would make him
257
negotiation
is
told
I
by Withhave found
know,
far as I
has never been published. He speaks at first hand, for he was one of the committee to examine the correspondence between Adams and the Duke de Vergennes, foreign minister of France,
and
of
follows
to recollect
sit down agreably to your request and commit to writing the circumstances most worthy of notice at the time of
Sir, I
now
Congress in agreeing to the final instructions to our commissioners for negotiating peace, and
which seemed to me have governed that body and induced them to direct our commissioners to be ultito point out the views
chiefly to
tainty I
in brackets [
The
italics
and
spelling are
Witherspoon's.
258
-It
JOHN WITHERSPOON
was from the
first
appearance of things coming to extremities admitted by all that the chief if not the only quarter from which we were
to look for foreign aid
was France, as
that
is
also that
to say that
we could
not expect
after
independence but
many
a depopulated country and a deluge of blood and that most probably some of the states themselves might have been lost. I do not remember any difference of opinion worth mentioning upon either of these two Therefore our views were directed to points. France there was a much greater difference of
years of suffering,
When
was
and nation
at the
ful
France were very desirous that we should be supported and succeed. (2) That
of
whether
same time they were exceedingly doubtit was safe for them to involve themwith us, or openly to take a part.
selves
much
ferent causes
influence,
This backwardness was plainly from two difwhich seemed to have almost equal
(i)
Jealousy of us
lest
we should
not
259
Necessary fear
England and particularly its They have hardly even yet been wholly free from either of these apprehensions. The affairs of the United States were never in a more critical situation than in December, There 1776, when Congress went to Baltimore. never was a greater need for, or greater anxiety
power
naval force.
The number
that at-
tended
Congress then was small, but their measures were decided and, I believe, judicious.
I
of despondency to from any member or the most distant hint of a desire to make submission to
have
persuading France to interpose effectually were the great subject of deliberation and discussion. At that time
of
there
was a
in
letter
person should
France
make
them
an effectual manner and even this sentiment was spoke of as coming from that quarter, that if we would put France in the place of England they would certainly This came from no official persons, protect us. nor was directed to any official body, nor had we any reason to suppose that it was done at
to support us in
260
JOHN WITHERSPOON
the suggestion of the Court of France. I do not believe it was. The proposition was not
worthy of being taken into consideration. There were, however, some persons in Congress
who reasoned
in this
manner
It is
plain
without foreign aid. There is no place to which we can apply with know probability of success but France.
we cannot be supported
We
she
is
disposed to assist
no
sufficient
fere.
We
us, but we have given inducement to that power to interhave offered nothing to France but
what we have offered to every other nation. The proposals mentioned were to offer France an exclusive trade with the United States for a limited time or to offer them an exclusive trade in some particular articles or to offer them in
distinction
free-
dom
dis-
a very considerable majority of Congress to make no such proposals that they were contrary to the very
cussion
of
;
if
we were
to
be
the
independent
we would be independent of
of
it
all
itself
sufficiently
did not appear from any communications made to our cominteresting to France, that
261
missioners that the Court of France desired any such preferences, but that their slowness and
Therefore Congress sent the most solemn assurances that we never would give up or, in the least degree, recede from the Declaration of
Independence. Soon after this instructions were given to our commissioners to propose to the
of our
conquest of the
West
Indies
by furnishing provisions and stores for the fleets and armies of the King of France and by any other way in our power and that all such conquests should remain with France. One of the copies of these instructions was taken on the
passage, published in London, republished in Charlestown, South Carolina, and from these
papers published in Philadelphia, yet neither friends nor enemies discerned or suspected from
them the nature of the important debate which had preceded them. Soon after the capture of Burgoyne, the Court of France came to a determined resolution to support us vigorously
;
the
first
authentic
letters
6,
from
1777,
our commissioners of
date December
last of
January, 1778,
262
JOHN WITHERSPOON
till
though the treaty was not subscribed of February that year. It is easy to see from the treaty
the French Court were
still
the 6th
itself
that
somewhat appre-
hensive of the issue, for they put in the eighth article that they were not to lay down their
arms till the Independence of America have been formally or tacitly assured, etc.
In the year 1779,
shall
when
the
first
proposal was
made
of attempting a treaty of peace under the mediation of the Emperor and King of Spain,
Congress was called upon to consider and determine upon what terms of peace they
would be willing to accept, and at the same time to be prepared for war. At that time, in a very large and full conference with M. Gerard, the French minister, he particularly and strongly
recommended to Congress not to be too high in their demands and indeed discovered an apprehension that we might mar the treaty by
being
or
so.
Probably
this
might be occasioned
publications at that
time insisting that we ought not to make peace without having Canada, Florida and Nova
Scotia added to us.
The
to
pains
to
represent
would depend upon the opinion the mediating powers might form of our temper and disposition,
263
was
pains to represent us as
wanted to
England took all possible an ambitious people extend their bounds, and would
plain
be dangerous to other nations. In this conference also he told us that the events of war were
uncertain, that, therefore,
we ought
not to be
too
confident
expression that
be the
effect of
Rodney's victory in the West Indies had happened two years sooner than it did its effect would have been perhaps fatal to us.
From
lowed,
I
and
all
that
fol-
am
more
false
that France
purpose of
of her
wanted the war to continue for the ambition and the greater humiliation
enemy.
On
any proposal for this purpose, perhaps prompted or suggested the offers of mediation from Spain, the Emperor and Russia. This was the natural consequence of the two causes above assigned for her slowness and
caution in entering upon the war. Mr. John Adams was chosen for the purpose and a commission for negotiating a peace with
and
listened to
The
in-
264
JOHN WITHERSPOON
first
stmctions at
sent to
following particulars essentially necessary to our making peace: the extension of our bounds
to the forty-fifth degree of latitude north
and
to
on the banks
of
a free
mouth.
When
it
Mr.
Adams was
France he thought
England as from himself that he had a commission for negotiating peace. The Court of France was of opinion that that term was not proper, that things were not sufficiently ripe for it and that no such separate intimation should be made and
that
might encourage England in the expectation of England's making a separate treaty with America and dividing the allies, a thing which they earnestly desired and made repeated attempts to accomplish. In a correspondence between Mr. Adams and the D. de Vergennes on this subject and also on the subject of the
it
act of Congress of the i8th of March, '80, estimating the continental currency at forty per
cent, Mr.
Adams mentioned
a tenaciousness which gave great offense to the Court of France, and indeed such was the manner of his entering upon these subjects that he
265
continue
it
by an express
order de par de
Roi.
In the year 1781 Congress entered upon the reconsideration of the instructions formerly sent
to Mr.
Adams,
particularly the
[
]
making
essential
conditions of the
fishing in
boundary, of the
free
naviga-
we
learned from our ministers was very disagreable to the Court of Spain, another one, the
fishing,
not
France,
selves
who had
very agreable to the Court of not the right by treaty themto suspect
that England might be very timorous upon, nor did we know what might be the sentiments
of
mediating powers or the Powers of Europe in general as to our right or the expediency of our having such extensive dominthe
It
ions.
was also
to be considered that as
none
of these particulars
was
duced
form, whether though France should not support us in these claims we would
to
this
discus-
was
depart
266
essential
JOHN WITHERSPOON
conditions
lest
at
our
distance
it
The
spirit,
was that [high claims] should still serve to them what we wished and thought we ought
to obtain but
left it
to be
wisest
When
these matters
of
France
in confer-
would be highly agreeable to his court that Congress should leave nothing in general or undetermined but say expressly upon any particular what they would or what they would not yield. It could not surely be
with certainty whether this arose chiefly or only from their jealousy of Mr. Adams or
known
whether they preferred upon the whole that as little should be left discretionary as possible lest
blame should be
laid
upon themselves.
When
upon communications were made of them to the minister of France and the directions were given in the same manner as always had been done to our minister to make the most free and
267
his proceedings
the assistance, friendship and influence of that court in all his transactions. Then a difficulty
arose which was trying indeed it appeared that this was not sufficient in the present instance the minister read to the committee
;
upon the subject of Mr. Adams, complaining of him in the strongest terms and expressing their fears of the negotiations being marred by his stiffness and tenaciousness of purpose. It was natural to suppose and probably was supposed by the members of the committee that the minister wished Congress would take that commission from Mr. Adams and give it to some other though no such thing was read to
the committee from D. de Vergennes nor proposed by the minister himself.
matter was reported to Congress a very serious deliberation was taken upon it. What Mr. Adams had done by which he had inthis
When
France had been undoubtedly from his zeal and attachment to the interest and honour of the United States, his ability and his unshaken In such a case to fidelity were well known. a minister displace merely because he had
268
JOHN WITHERSPOON
by an excess of well meant zeal seemed to be a most pernicious example and possibly would have the worst effects upon succeeding ministers and therefore ought not to be done. The writer of this memorial of facts in particular was clearly of opinion that Mr. Adams judged
resided
[wrong] in
in his
which he contested
correspondence with the D. de Vergennes the reasons for which need not be mentioned
yet he was clearly of opinion to sacrifice a minister of unquestionable integrity ought not
any event to be submitted to merely because he had had more zeal than good manners and [assuring presence]. Therefore it was proposed that a clause should be added to the instructions to this purpose and that he should
in
Another committee was appointed to confer with the minister and make this communication.
But
in conference this also
was
in his opinion
insufficient.
He
of difficulties
repeated the fears they had with Mr. Adams and insisted that
clause he
by
this
new
tively, that
269
When
ter
It
this
was reported
to
was discussed
tions against
appeared humiliating at
France.
not dangerous
Court of
it
However
was
agreed by the majority in Congress that he should be absolutely guided by the opinion and judgment of the Court of France.
As
this
particular
resolution appeared so
dubious to several worthy members of Congress and there were so many attempts to reconsider and revoke it and as it [in the
meantime] was the subject of discussion by the public at large, it seems necessary to recollect, while circumstances are fresh in our minds and
to record, the
necessity
induced the plurality to embrace it. It is not intended in this [rather long] memorial to
attempt distinguishing between the opinions of one member and another, but just to mention
as as possible of the sentiments that were proposed and advanced by those who finally
many
voted for
it.
270
It
JOHN WITHERSPOON
was
plain that from the
first rise
of the con-
troversy
we had been
Court of France.
ively
They had
in
interposed
effect-
and seasonably
our cause.
They had
much vigour and zeal. had themselves to very great expense put They upon our account. At the very time when this debate was agitated our most necessary expenses were supported by them, and even the
exerted themselves with
subsistence and support of
many
delegates in
Congress was from bills drawn upon France. We had accustomed ourselves by many public and authentic acts to call the King of France our great and generous ally. Perhaps there were as humiliating expressions in many of the public acts and proceedings as could be in this
resolution which
the effect of
Let us
can trace
of Congress.
was proposed to assoWhen, ciate other commissioners with Adams, Witherspoon opposed it in a very vigorous speech, as he had opposed the recall of Adams. He was
in June, 1781,
very grateful to the French, as he tells us in the memorial just quoted. But he was not willing
that the
271
to
them.
He
Adams was
earnestly opposed that Vergennes' suggestion they might enter into a truce with Great Britain for twenty years,
He had
be given to the United States, Georgia and South Carolina to the English. In the end it was determined to associate four
to
New York
Adams, only three of whom joined him, namely, Franklin, Jay and Laurens, although the latter arrived just in time to sign the preliminary treaty. Witherspoon had nominated Reed of Pennsylvania.
others with the 6th of June, 1781, Witherspoon offered the following further instructions to the minister
On
who was
:
to negotiate
on behalf
of the
United States
"
But as to disputed boundaries and other particulars we refer you to our former instructions, from which you will easily perceive
the desires
and expectations
of Congress, but
tie
we
think
it
you up
by absolute and peremptory directions upon any other subject than the two essential articles
above mentioned (namely, the navigation of the Mississippi and a free port or ports below the
thirty-first parallel of latitude).
fore ^use
272
JOHN WITHERSPOON
securing the interest of the United States in such manner as circumstances may direct and as the
state of the belligerent
and disposition
require.
of the
mediating powers
"
may
You
are to
make
subjects to the ally, King of France, to undertake nothing in the negotiations for peace without their knowledge and concurfidential
communications upon
rence,
rely
and
in
to
make them
sensible
how much we
upon
support
everything that
may
be necessary to
day
it
was
by a very narrow vote. But the whole question was referred to a committee which, the
lost
it
ing additions
"
i.
are to use your utmost endeavours to secure the limits fixed exactly according to
the description in your former instructions. " 2. If that cannot be obtained it is the wish
of
You
fix-
that
is
and
273
in
favour of the
To
the
;
member
Massa-
assented
state except
by a narrow
Then Witherspoon's
original motion
came up
again, and after being vigorously threshed over, both sections were adopted. This did not end
the 9th of June he moved to instruct the commissioners that they might " agree to a truce with England provided that Great Britain be not left in possession of any
the matter.
On
part
of
the
thirteen
United
States."
The
that
war confelt
England was trying to detach France, not suspecting the French agreement with Spain. By August the attitude of Spain was so suspicious that Jay was authorized to sign a treaty with
her " or go to any part of Europe his health might demand," which meant a breach of
negotiations.
were
practically
unchanged.
further disis
not neces-
274
sary.
JOHN WITHERSPOON
But from a study of his action it is plain with the others, he was tenacious of every that right for which the war had been waged, that
he strove to avoid any claims which might endanger the prospects of peace, and that he thought the Congress in honour bound to be
guided by their ally, France. How the American commissioners finally broke their instruc-
and made a separate treaty with England regardless of France is no part of this story. When the news of it first reached the Congress
tions
them, as
and Hamilton,
were
of
ready to censure the commissioners. "When, however," says Wharton, "the treaty
peace in
it
itself
when
make a new
loan to the
United States, then Livingston, Madison and Hamilton concurred in holding that no vote of censure should be passed." Witherspoon held
the
opinion. Certain writers have
same
upon
their
their
weakness,
mistakes.
Such
unfair.
When
one
considers
that
these
men were
275
and diplomacy
they had
it is
marvellous
Of
;
public
military
less.
finance
known
little
of
operations on a large
are the
The
of
warfare
common
had
revolutionists.
Cromwell
them.
The commander-in-chief
felt
the Con-
then- hinderinevita-
ing clutches.
ble in
a representative government
A govern-
ment as
States at the time of the Spanish war, of England during the Boer war, was unable to
maintain
perfect
commissariat.
The men
of the Continental
for their fidelity
they not been ready to sacrifice their private business, and run the risk of losing, as
Had
some
of
them did
for
struggle succeeded.
have been no Confederacy there would have been no treaty making power; there would
have been only a military dictatorship which disunion and the lack of foreign support would
have broken to
pieces.
As Witherspoon him-
27 6
self said,
JOHN WITHERSPOON
"
Those who know how fluctuating a body the Congress is and what continual changes take place in it, as to men, must perceive the
absurdity of their making or succeeding in any such attempt" as the war for independence. That they did succeed is due to the ability and
fidelity of
men
like
men
of
V
THE LAST YEARS
WlTHERSPOON's
first
the attainment of peace was a sermon preached on the Thanksgiving Day appointed by the
Congress.
ligious belief his text expressed his own feel" Salvation belongeth unto the Lord." ings. " He who confesses that salvation belongeth
unto
God will finally give the glory to Him. Confidence before, and boasting after the event
are alike contrary to this disposition. If any person desires to have his faith in this truth
confirmed or improved, let him read the history of mankind in a cool and considerate manner,
of spirit.
will
He
will
He
will
find
that the
portant events have seemed to turn upon circumstances the most trivial and the most out
of the reach of
human
direction.
blast of
random shot, a private of a the servant, a motion withquarrel, neglect out intention, or a word spoken by accident and
wind, a shower of rain, a
278
JOHN WITHERSPOON
or defeat which has decided the fate of empires." He considers the interposition of Providence
i.
"Signal successes or to us in
Preservation from
to be in
and
evils
which seemed
our situation unavoidable, and at the same time next to insurmountable. 3. Confounding
the councils of our enemies and
making them
speaks of the general unpreparedness of the country for war. "There was a willing
spirit,
He
To
the militia
who
contributed so
much
American arms he gives generous praise. Re" garding Washington's leadership as a favour " from the God of heaven he pays his tribute in
these simple words.
"
and prudence, his fortitude and perseverance, his happy talent of engaging the affection of
equally acceptable to the to the state in which citizen, and to the soldier he was born and to every other on the continent
all
ranks, so that he
is
To be a brave man or skillful commander, is common to him with many others but this
;
country stood in need of a comprehensive and penetrating mind, which understood the effect
279
measures
in
cause to an issue.
acter
When we
leaders that have been opposed to him, when we consider their attempts to blast each others'
reputation,
of their
com-
him
for
the charge
him
to the
service."
and of these with their allies is another proof. For the patience and devotion of the people he has nothing but praise. " It is true that Congress has, in many instances been obliged to have recourse to measures in themselves hard
to be so
which
yet, have been patiently submitted to, because of the important purpose that was to be served by
them.
Of
;
money
all
fill
kind was the emission of paper the passing of tender laws compelling
this
;
;
draughting the
;
militia to
the regular
;
army
carriages
and many
Two
things are remarkable in this whole matter one, that every imposition for the service fell heaviest on those who were public
:
America
the
2 8o
JOHN WITHERSPOON
the load
shifting
from their
own
shoulders.
of the press
The
other, that
boldest
and most inflammatory publications, both against men and measures. Yet neither the one nor the other, nor both united, had any
perceptible influence in ment of the people."
weakening the
attach-
He
barbarity of
the
British
combatants
and
and
in battle.
The sermon
As
is
fine
summary
finally
which
brought victory.
to the future he
thinks that
"a
must
acter.
either
liberty."
Public
demands high
char-
"
Let a man's
zeal, profession,
or even
he
private
trusted."
"
and keep
that
and reputation everything serve to may give vigour to an equal Let us cherish a love republican constitution.
in credit
Let us piety, order, industry, frugality. check every disposition to luxury, effeminacy, and the pleasures of a dissipated life. Let us
of
281
and
measures put honour upon modesty self-denial, which is the index of real
merit"
Early in the struggle he had said that the American Revolution "would be an important
" era in the history of mankind." Happy was " that this clear-headed it for us," says Tyler,
sympathy with those deep human currents of patriotic thought and feeling which swept towards an independent national life in this land. Happy was it for us, also, that while he was capable beyond most men of seeing the historic and cosmopolitan significance of the movement for American independence, he had the moral greatness to risk even his own great favour with the American people by telling them that the acquisition of independence was not to be the end of their troubles, but rather in some sense the beginning of them;
position,
in full
was
since greater perils than those brought in by Red Coats and Hessians were then to meet
corruption
among
voters, unscrupulous
partisanship,
new and
hitherto
unimagined
forms of demagogism, and the boisterous incompetence of men entrusted with power in the
regulation
and guidance
of the state."
"
am
282
JOHN WITHERSPOON
"
if the mistaken," said Witherspoon, time is not just at hand when there shall be
much
greater need than ever in America for the most accurate discussion of the principles of society,
the rights of nations and the policy of states." To that discussion he contributed one of the
most forceful essays on the subject of finance that will be found in the literature of
clearest,
our country.
In the Continental Congress he had lamented, where he could not prevent, the
emission of paper currency, speaking against it To the sound financial measures frequently.
of
Robert Morris he gave his unstinted support. In the leisure of his retirement at Princeton
after the
made
of
in
an " were carried away by the paper-money fever and were issuing it freely. He deprecates this. Carefully discussing the nature of money and
the history of finance, he points out the dangers
" It is," he attending a depreciated currency. says, "an absurdity reserved for American
war he gathered together his speeches Congress and issued them in the form Essay on Money." Many of the states
two or three years we constantly saw and were informed," he humorously remarks, "of creditors running away from their debtors, and then pursuing them
legislatures."
in
" For
283
or
arming paper,
in
itself
anything
are
valuable
with
authority
directly contrary to the very first principles of commerce." " All paper money increases the " It annihilates price of industry and its fruits."
credit"
During the year 1781, Witherspoon employed a periodical, which I have not been able to identify, eight articles which he called "The Druid." In these he treated different subjects. In the first he dehis leisure in writing for
fends the dignity of human nature against the habits of prejudice and slanderous statements.
appeals to the love of truth, to honour and " to the nobler effects of justice. The greatest
strength of a people
is
He
in their virtues."
"
He
who makes a people virtuous makes them inThe second paper pleads for as vincible." much gentleness and humanity as is possible in carrying on war. Wanton destruction of
property, assaults
on non-combatants,
brutality
towards prisoners should be discountenanced. His fourth article is a capital plea for the exercise of plain
It
common
life.
make
their
He begs parents a moderate estimation of the talents His concluding sentence children."
to
of
is,
284
"
JOHN WITHERSPOON
all,
Let
therefore,
who wish
or hope to be
eminent, remember, that as the height to which you can raise a tower depends upon the size
and
foundation of their
in sobriety,
prudence and patient industry, which are the genuine dictates (A plain common sense"
The
remaining numbers treated of polite speech under the heads of Americanisms, vulgarisms, cant phrases, etc., of which, he says,
An
"
vulgar
the
the
the
have not lived long enough in communities to acquire dialects. But he thinks, on the other hand, that while some
settlers
isolated
British
"
common chit-chat,
do
in their public
same
"
class
markable difference
discourses
and solemn
letters
in favour of
Great Britain.
have been preserved. He carried on a very active correspondence with his youngest son, David, while the young man was teaching
school
in
Virginia.
These
letters
show
his
285
and attendance upon religious duties. They give news of the family and of public In order to encourage the boy in scholaffairs.
arly efforts his father writes
sometimes in Latin, or in French, and requests his son to do so. But after David Witherspoon became secretary
to the President of Congress, these letters ceased
I
and
date.
of later
His relations with his eldest son, John, were not happy. For some reason not now discov-
young man took offense at his father and refused to hold any intercourse with him or
erable, the
to answer
lina,
in
South Caro-
During the
erspoon
office
continued
Samuel
were performed by his son-in-law, Rev. S. Smith, D. D., who became his im-
mediate successor.
related,
Witherspoon resided on his farm, Tusculum, about a mile above Princeton. His interest in public affairs continued until the end of his life.
When
office,
he wrote to one
dis-
286
JOHN WITHERSPOON
His tone
is
crimination.
serious, but
he could
how
the
to use.
He
wishes to
and whether it is a sin to seek Does his calling render him stupid
or ignorant?"
He
closes
by suggesting the
clergyman, of any denomination, shall be capable of being elected a member of the Senate or House of Representatives, because
[here insert the grounds of offensive disqualification, which I have not been able to discover]
subject " No
it
is
meaning of this part of the constitution, that if at any time he shall be completely deprived o( the clerical character by those by whom he was invested with it, as by deposition for cursing and
swearing, drunkenness or uncleanness, he shall then be fully restored to all the privileges of a
free citizen
;
House
of Representaall
and
be treated with
Assembly." Other literary work produced a series of Letters on Marriage and on Education, both col-
287
on
these topics. So little did he anticipate the growth and future necessities of the government of the United
States that he
select
was opposed
to the
movement
to
a Federal city for the permanent seat of government. In an article giving his views he
resents criticism of the salaries paid congressmen. " I hope few persons will ever be in Congress,
not well deserve the compensation fixed for them for their character and talents."
service,
may
any member
of
the savings above his expense. I know very well, that there have been congressmen and as-
semblymen too, who have carried home considerable sums from less wages but they were such generally as did more good to their fam;
ilies
by
their
their political
their country
by
These remarks having been offered he states his objections to selecting any particular city or erecting buildings for the Federal government,
because
it is
not necessary.
sequent history the good doctor's acrid criticisms " are doubly amusing. Does it," he asks, " appear necessary from the nature of things ?
No.
288
JOHN WITHERSPOON
influence of
any deliberative or
the wis-
dom
of their
in
apartments
of
One remark
what
come
it
to be
one consoliof
dated government,
grant
would be
some
government
and source
be too distant
from the extremities, for reasons which I need But if the particular states
government, it seems of very little consequence where the Congress, consisting of representatives from these states, shall hold their
stitutional
sessions."
So
little
day, anticipate the centralization of power and expansion of territory which has placed America
in the forefront of the nations.
men who
new
nation.
The Spanish
ambassador wrote to his king, "This federal reA day will come when public is born a pigmy. it will be a giant Liberty of conscience, the facility of establishing a new population on immense lands, as well as the advantages of the new government, will draw thither farmers and
289
In a few years
we
watch with
of this
same
perceive that liberty of conscience and tyranny are impossibilities in the same nation.
One
life
of the
is
Of those
which Witherspoon preached only one has been preserved. So far as we know this one was delivered twice; once in 1775 and again
in 1787.
He
three important considerations, their duty to God, the prosecution of their studies or im-
talents,
as
members
of
Religion should be as much a part of the business man's life, he thinks, as of the
clergyman's. One does not go to heaven or hell as minister, lawyer, physician, soldier, or " He must have a merchant, but as a man.
very
mean
taste indeed,
who
is
capable of
" If I finding pleasure in disorder and riot." in had no higher pleasure on earth than eating and drinking, I would not choose to eat and
drink with the drunken," he tells them, in urg" Order, ing them to be decent and orderly.
neatness, elegance, and even moderation itself, are necessary to exalt and refine the pleasures
290
of
JOHN WITHERSPOON
life."
a sensual
pride
and
superciliousness, a disposition to judge others, he says, "It is not only lawful, but our duty, to have a free communication with our
life
;
it
not only lawful but our duty to be courteous, and to give every proper evidence of respect
and attention to others according to their rank and place in society." " We see sometimes the pride of unsanctified knowledge do great injury to religion and on the other hand, we find
;
some persons of real piety, despising human learning, and disgracing the most glorious truths by a meanness and indecency hardly sufferable in their manner of handling them."
"Multitudes of moderate capacity have been
useful
public,
in
their
and
successful
superior talents
by
by mere
slothfulness
and
and died contemptible." the greatest ability have generally been lovers
useless,
of order.
Neither
is
there
any instance
found, of a man's arriving at great reputation or usefulness, be his capacity what it might,
without
industry
and
"
application."
Whatif
may
be,
he
is
291
and holds on with steadiness and uniformity, he will be useful and happy but if he be loose and volatile, impatient of the slowness of things in their usual course, and
;
shifting
from project to project, he will probably be neither the one nor the other." Such was
the advice given to young men by one whose own life was its best illustration. " True religion should furnish you with a higher and nobler principle to govern your conduct, than the desire of applause from men. Yet, in sub-
ordination to what ought to be the great purpose of life," said this man among men, "there
is
just
to
do what
is
praiseworthy among men. This ought not to be extinguished in the minds of youth being a
;
to virtuous or
real character
seldom in point of morals. That there are many malicious and censorious persons, I agree but lies are not half so durable as truth. Therefore
;
He was no
"
recluse.
"As
to
piety," he said, nothing is more essential to it than social communication." As to their inter-
many nuggets
of practical sense.
"
The moral
292
virtue of
JOHN WITHERSPOON
best ground
meekness and condescension is the work even of worldly politeness, and prepares a man to receive that polish, which makes his behaviour generally agreeable, and fits him for intercourse with persons in the higher
ranks of
life.
The same
virtue enables a
man
good
to
manage
shopkeeper
quality.
whereas
peevish
and
petulant
have a repelling
quality." Warning them against talkativeness he says, "There are some persons who, one might say, give away so much wisdom in their speech, that they leave none behind to govern
their actions."
ship to be
"
Speaking of the sort of friendformed he remarks, "There never was a true friend who was not an honest man."
Think of others as reason and religion require you and treat them as it is your duty to do, and you will not be far from a well polished behaviour." He is sure that the best manners
be learned only in the best company, and recommends a study of Rochefoucauld's
can
Maxims and
self
Chesterfield's Letters.
He
him-
was always the most courteous and dignified men, but with an undefinable charm which drew all classes to him. As to their judgments
of
293
ably men are neither so good as they pretend nor so bad as they are often thought to be." In his opinion the one great virtue is truthfulness.
strict,
give dignity to your character it will excite it will put order into your affairs the most unbounded confidence, so that
truth.
interest, or the
assured
there
is
success.
am
more powerful inand upon every other, certainly there is none by which you can draw nearer to God Himself whose distinguishing character is, that He will not, and He cannot lie."
no
virtue that has a
fluence
Witherspoon thought that family religion was of quite as much importance as public religion.
In his
said
own household
family prayers
morning and evening. Saturday evening was set aside for the meditation deemed necessary as a proper approach to the Sabbath. Holy days there were none in that Puritan home, but on the last night of the year he called his family together and impressed upon them the precepts of religion and right
were
living.
294
JOHN WITHERSPOON
In 1789 his wife died leaving him altogether alone, as all his children had by that time left
home.
Mrs.
young widow
Ann
Dill,
of
whom
died in infancy.
interest
To
life
he took a keen
On
the
journey to
Europe had been thrown against the side of the vessel and received a blow which so injured one eye The other that the sight of it was impaired. was bruised by a fall from his horse while riding over land which he had bought in
Vermont.
the
in
The second accident occurred in summer of 1791. From that time he was
secretary, usually
employ a
one
One
an account
Wither*
spoon's habits during the last three years of his life. He continued to preach, being led into
the pulpit where he delivered verbatim a ser-
mon
of his
read to him by his secretary. Nor did he absent himself from the meetings of his church,
attending them regularly up to the
last.
His
295
correspondence was large and two days of each week were generally devoted to it. For some
time before his death he was obliged to give up preaching because of fits of dizziness which his
physician "On the
regarded
1
as
threats
of
apoplexy.
5th day of
of
November
1794, in the
honour and
full of
days."
LITY