Items

• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David is very frustrated with Lowrie for not sending his books. He has been waiting about a month. "J. Johnson will send the Bills for the Chronicles and Foreign Missionaries; as this is the month for collecting the bills." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David's books have not come and the summer session will commence Wednesday, May 1st. David and Dr. Yeomans talked about the close of his college days and "where I expect to be useful." Dr. Yeomans suggests that David tell Lowrie that his friends think he should finish his medical profession before leaving the country. "Drs. Green and Swift told me...that if I stood a good examination, I could get a medical degree after the first course of lectures. Dr. Abernethy says he will give me a written certificate next fall." David hopes that Lowrie and John will allow for him to "perfect my medical profession before leaving this country for that of my ancestors." David notes a possible misunderstanding of his tone, by Lowrie, in a previous letter. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  John fears David is ungrateful and unprincipled. John and Lowrie think of "discarding him at once," but John knows that once David finds out, he will "promise anything, to be permitted to stay in college...But do Sir, as you see fitting." John has advised Washington to stay where he is "to study and prepare himself under your Reverend Missionaries there." John has heard from friends on the Saint Paul River (near Monrovia) that they are "willing and desirous" to go down to Sinoe. There are no means of paying the expenses necessary. They now say their Governor has "no means of taking down or supporting them at Sinoe." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  John reacts to David's letter suggesting that he will not go to Liberia. John asks Lowrie to "stop I pray you, instantly all further expense on his [David's] account (even of one cent)." John suggests that Lowrie should threaten re-entry into Bondage if (as John requested at the time) David is unaware of his freedom. John does "not know whether I shall ever write him [David] again." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to John McDonogh

  Five reasons for why David should stay in the United States in order to continue his education: 1) John's decision was made far too quickly. 2) David wants to get his medical degree and become master of his profession prior. 3) "This going to Africa to study professions is not all it is cracked up to be." There is no medical infrastructure. 4) The "4th and greatest reason," John promised that David would study Hebrew, Arabic, and other disciplines prior to departing. 5) "When I leave this my native country, I never expect to see it again." David wishes to see Washington "and other places where they made laws." David feels that he should have been warned earlier so he could have time to prepare for his departure. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to John McDonogh

  David is "decidedly, utterly and radically opposed" to John's desire to send him to Africa. David presents four points of reason to continue his education and not go to Africa yet. 1) "You were entirely too hastey in your decision." 2) David wants to get a medical degree first and be a master of his profession. 3) There are no medical colleges in Africa, and consequently no anatomical or dissecting apparatus. 4) David wants to continue education and live in an environment that supports intellectual endeavors, which is not available in Africa. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David asks again to discontinue Mrs. M. Bowes,' Miss E. David and Mr. CE Thaw's Chronicles. David has also not received a copy since August. David requests additional silk for shirts and $5.00 for incidental expenses. "Mr. Johnson, although a poor tailor, is a very prominent member of the Presbyterian Church in Easton." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  "You may discontinue the Chronicles of Ms. Bowes and Miss Eliza Davis. Their year is up and they want to take something else." David is beginning to review for his medical course and wants to go over "the whole" again before he graduates so he can be prepared for lectures. About his post-grad lectures, David asks: "Where do you intend for me to attend them? In New York or Philadelphia?" David asks if Lowrie has heard from Africa. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Rev. John Yeomans

  John is pleased to hear the information about Thomas Durnford from Yeomans' last letter. John is also pleased by Yeomans' observations of David. "I have looked on him as one destined for great purposes on Earth, and as I hoped, and still hope, to bring his race to the knowledge of the only, and true God." John encloses a check for $100 to be placed to the credit of Thomas Durnford. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  All the bills have been paid with the money David has taken up for the chronicles and Missionary Papers. "The more a person studies, the more his ignorance becomes visible. At the latter part of last month Prof. McCartney gave us a lecture or two on Civil Engineering. And when he had enumerated several of the particulars that come under that head. I felt, really, angry. Thinking that I had completed the whole college course of Mathematics and was ignorant of one of the most important and useful Branches of that great Science." "Our commencement was pretty good. But not compared to the one before it. The Junior Exhibition was also good. But I think it would have been better had I taken a part in it. I think it was really mean in Dr. Yeomans for depriving me of that privilege." "On the evening of the Commencement our horses ran away with the Mason and the driver was sorely bruised. Dr. Abernethy officiated in the presence of three of his students." David bled another patient and he is recovering very fast. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  "I was laid up two weeks this vacation with the Gynache Parotidea or Mumps. Not withstanding that however, I read through Chapman's Therssenties, a work on Materia Medica containing about one thousand pages." David updates Lowrie on his progress in his medicine studies. "I have bled three person since I received my lancet- and drawn two teeth- and prescribed several doses to different individuals." "The first person I bled was a woman- I stuck her three times before I got blood. However, I told her that her skin was so tough that I had to strike three times in order to cut through it." "The next person, I bled was a woman, well known to all the Easton physicians as one exceedingly hard to be bled...she was so poor that I thought she could scarcely afford a pint of Blood...I stuck her and the Blood flew up to the ceiling- over the bed, husband and everything else that was in its way...It is true, he was a very Blackman, but when he took hold of the Bowl he was as- I was going to say pale, but that will not express my meaning." "The next person Bled, was a Big Fat Irish Girl- I brought Blood at the first strike." "Drawing teeth is not what [it] is cracked up to be! I had to pay two cents for each tooth I drew." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David sends word of his good grades from winter session. Vacation commenced on March 23rd. "I finished Surgery and am now reading Therassenties." David details his debts to James Wilson, along with several other unnamed people. David asks for textbooks and more clothes for next session. David wrote a long letter to Washington by the Rev. J. Wilson. He asks if Washington has sailed for Africa yet. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  Professor McCartney wishes for David to buy Bouchartats Mechanics. David also needs Hare's Chemistry for both his college and medical course. "I do not see what chance my father has to complain of my expenses. The times can never be hard with him." "My expenses are five dollars a year, that is two pair of shoes...and a dollar for mending. At home I wore out four and five pair of shoes a year." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David has not received answers to his letters nor any money to pay his debts. "The people who work for me are poor and cannot wait very long for their money...You know Sir, that it is hard for the Black man to get anything done Even when he is both ready and willing to pay for it." John had always sent David and Washington a little money at Christmas time, but David has not written him in four months. John thinks David has forgotten him, and has sent him nothing. David asks if he should by a lancet for 50 cents. About three months ago, David sent Mr. Johnson the name and address of a new subscriber for the chronicles, but he has not yet attended to it. David has been letting Mr. C E Thaw read his for the last three months. He would like this corrected. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  "They will not allow us any Holiday on Christmas - I think they might. Because I am almost worn out." "I have to study every night until 12 o'clock." David asks for school supplies to be sent to him by Mr. Thompson. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  John asks about David and his progress in his studies. John seeks assurance that David will graduate in eight months, and leave for Africa soon after. John laments the idea of David going to medical school. "I confess I should be sorry to learn (on account of time) that he would have to remain away from usefulness, one hour longer than the completion of his college course, let alone, three years." John is happy to hear of Thomas Durnford and his success at school, but warns him to behave as economically as possible. Thomas's father is "embarrassed in his affairs" and may ask Thomas to leave. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Rev. John Yeomans

  A check for $150.00 is enclosed. John thanks Yeomans for his opinion on John's last letter about Slave Labor. "The most pleasing account on the subject, reach me from every part of the Southern States; and some of the French planters even of Louisiana...adopting the system." Thomas Durnford needs more sufficient funds. Thomas was absent from 49 of 140 class sessions. 15 of his absences were for "satisfactory reasons." John wants David to explain the cause of Thomas's 34 unexcused absences in his next letter. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David describes his studies, including Camp and Bell's Philosophy of Rhetoric, Whattey's Sofie's and Abercrombies' Intellectual Philosophy and Mental Philosophy in the last term. David laments that this busy schedule took him from his medical study. David speaks of Commodore Perry and his war in Africa. "It would be far better for him and also his country if he had been devoting his ill spended time and strength in colonizing or otherwise ameliorating the wretched condition of the poor Blacks in the United States, than carrying war in Africa." "It shows very little Bravery in the Commodore to attack those poor ignorant natives when they were unprepared and not disposed to fight him. This movement of the Commodore is cracked up, by the papers, as a splendid display of Bravery. IF this is American Bravery I am a shame of my Birth Place and will despair for America if she is ever attacked with real Bravery." "It seems that it is no strange phenomenon among Americans to see today, a certain portion of a particular department of this would be great nation, Blown as it were into mince meat and inconsequence the whole nation is thrown into mourning- and tomorrow arrives another portion of the same department- showing their accursed hands having been steeped in, and Reeking with the Blood of their fellows! Is there no connection between these two events?" "It seems that Africa is not the land for the White Man." David asks to know how Washington and the Rev Mr. Wilson are doing. David also wishes to know what he is going to do after he graduates next fall. "Am I to go right to the Theological Seminary? Or tend the Medical lectures first. Either will suit me." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  David has received Wells' letter containing $20. He used the money to pay for trimmings, oil, washing, mending, shoes, one lock, and appendages for his room door. David is pleased with all of his clothes except his overcoat, which almost weighs him down. The weather is getting very cold. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  John understands that David has great advantages at Easton, but he is subjected to considerable expenses. John considers finding a cheaper school. "Permit him (David) on no account, to open an account with any store or to go in debt with any one, in any way...Few young men can be entrusted with means, without abusing them." John urges Lowrie to only let David have items purchased and sent by Lowrie himself. John asks about Thomas Dunford's progress and prospects. "David writes me, that he, that is, Thomas, is very fat and heavy; from that I understand that he does not apply himself, or is not industrious." John asks about the ship Mariposa's arrival in Liberia. "I am extremely anxious to hear of her safety." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David forgot to tell Lowrie in his last letter about the books he needs for the upcoming session. David buys a lock for his door on credit. He is upset that neither Lowrie nor Wells have been responding to his letters. David needs money and clothing. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  The winter session began on November 2nd. David has his room fixed up for winter. He did not make it through Anatomy. David requests the latest edition of Here's Chemistry and Gumer's Astronomy. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  John apologizes for not writing. He has moved residences and is worn down. He expresses his satisfaction and gratitude towards Lowrie. John will pay $353 for Lowrie's Estimate of Expenses. "This is in those times of pressure and difficulty, a very heavy sum, and I am hard pressed to provide it, I assure you Sir, I have however accomplished it, and now remit it to you." The Bill of Exchange is drawn by George See. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  Winter is on its way and David needs to the proper clothing. He asks for an overcoat, dress coat, one pair of pants, and one pair of shoes. David is on vacation, but he still has to study just as hard because Dr. Abernethy wants him to get through with Anatomy. David asks Mr. Wells to remind Mr. Lowrie that he still needs a lancet. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David shakes the hand of Reverend J.B. Pinney. David explains the event that caused the President to want him to give up Sunday School. David had put an old colored man in charge (Mr. Wilson) of the Sabbath School. Several students were displeased and wanted David to conduct the classes. David invited Mr. Bannatyne down to see the school. My Wilson was angry that David did not consult him first. Mr. Wilson called a prayer meeting at his house, but instead, it ended up being an election. He wished the teachers to be elected as Superintendent of the School. Mr. Wilson said David was too young and incapable of conducting a Sabbath School. A teacher stood up for David, but Mr. Wilson accused him of being scared of David. David also stood up to Mr. Wilson, but then Mr. Wilson told the President. Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Bannatyne, and Mr. Book sided with David, but the President was prejudiced in favor of Mr. Wilson because he made shoes for Yeomans and his family. David expresses doubts over having a room next session due to the college being crowded. President Yeomans thinks it will be fine, but if the situation arises, he will try to accommodate David with another. David wants winter clothing. He will send a list to Mr. Wells. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)