Items

• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David writes a letter of complaints to Lowrie in which he takes issue with President Yeomans. "He wants me to submit to all the rules and regulation of college, where as I enjoy none of the privileges...He forbids me going to Sabbath School, this I told him, I could not submit to..." David also lists two advantages of attending Lafayette. "Here I am so situated that I can pursue the regular college studies, and also my medical studies with the molestation on any one...I am acquainted by all the students and professors." David emphasizes his passion and devotion to his studies- both medical and theology. "I will go with a glad and overflowing heart, to that once enlightened, but now benighted country, with my box of medicine in one hand and my Bible in the other." David also complains that the students wanted the campus illuminated for Dr. Junkin's visit, but the President forbade them from doing so. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  David tells of a religious revival at Lafayette in which several students appear to be "convicted of their Great Sin; and two of them, we hope and trust, have come over to the flock of the Lord Jesus Christ." The two he speaks of are Mr. C.E. thaws of Philadelphia and himself. David is happy to hear that Washington was in good spirits when he left. David is getting along well in his medical studies. He got a 72 in languages. "Dr. Abernethy says that he wants me to begin Bleeding and drawing Teeth; and he says that I must get a good Spring Lancet." David asks for postage money- he is a dollar in debt. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  The Ship Mariposa and Captain Chase will be leaving from Norfolk, Virginia to go to Louisiana in Liberia. There are about 100 emigrants on board (81 of McDonogh's slaves). "Washington may proceed at once to Norfolk...and join his Mother, Brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends, and proceed with them to their fatherland." John is pleased with David's decision to study medicine at Lowrie's recommendation. "It will vastly tend to, and augment his powers of usefulness, in becoming master of that noble science." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  David has enclosed a list of medical books that he wants for his studies. He also asks for a little money to buy handkerchiefs and books to send with Washington to his young friends in Liberia. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David & Washington to Daniel Wells

  Part I: Washington to Daniel Wells Washington is still pursuing his studies. "I am very glad to hear that the time is so near at hand when I shall leave this place for the Land of my fathers." Washington thinks he will be leaving around June 1st. He asks for one or two days notice. Part II: David to Daniel Wells "I am now handling the bones of dead men! And I have nearly learned their names." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  Today, David begins studying medicine. His first book is called Horner's Special Anatomy. Volume 1st. Summer session began last Thursday. Lafayette has 13 or 14 new students. David wants Mr. Johnson to see the agent of the African Repository and to send him David's numbers for March, April, and May. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David and his classmates are taking a summer math class. He is also studying the human skeleton and has some uneasy feelings about it. He is alarmed to have the bones in his room. David asks about Washington's current status. "The students and people here, seemed to be very much affected at the departure of Washington." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• Washington McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  "I hope that we may one day boste of Liberty as strong as any American if it be the will of him who created all things." The summer session will commence of the 4th of May. Washington would like to know whether he is to continue at school "or not as my time is short I would like to se little of the country before I leave." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David traveled by steam boat. He met men from the Board of Foreign Mission. One old gentleman advised David in regard to his studies and future usefulness. Once he arrived in Elizabeth town, he took a steam car to Somerville, where he continued to Easton. David conversed with Doctor H.H. Abernathy on the subject of studying medicine with him. David plans to study under Dr. Abernathy for two hours a day. At that rate, he would be able to graduate in three years. "I want to get at it as soon and I can." David and Washington's summer session begins next Thursday. "Mr. J.M.L. is here with us." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• Joseph Vogele to Walter Lowrie

  Vogele sends Lowrie a check for $2,000. It is a grant from the board to be distributed in Northern India. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• Washington McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  David has been very unwell, but he is getting better. "I am very glad to hear that our friends will be ready to set sail on the first of May." "I will be very glad if you would let me know when I am to leave this place." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  John reports that about 80 friends and family of Washington and David will leave for Liberia on May 1st. "I am daily looking for the Reverend Mr. McLean, agent of the American Colonization Society, from Washington, here, to attend to their embarcation and departure." "Washington can depart int he first good vessel from your port, for you Mission Station, on that Coast, where he can remain with Mess, Canfield and Sawyer, until the arrival of his friends: when he can join them and open a school at once." John clarifies that the William Grove Hotel was occupied as a private residence, by a Mr. Massy. It was flooded but he (and David) did not own it. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  "I have been very busily engaged, all the vacation, in writing a letter to my friends at home; who are now about to leave this hostile country for the hospitable land of their forefathers." "I told them, in my farewell address, that I would rather be a servant in the colony of Liberia, than to be a freeman in America. And so I would; and I think every sensible colored man ought to have the same feeling." "It is true, we were all born in America; but, as strangers from a foreign land, we are oppressed, abused, and in fine we enjoy no political rights or privileges...In fact we are looked upon, by all grades of men, as something made expressly to wait upon the white man!" "But I contend, that they are totally wrong, we were not made for that purpose, as we will show them when we become naturalized citizens in the colony of Liberia." David has now finished his letter and it ready to come to New York. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David & Washington to Walter Lowrie

  Part I: Washington to Walter Lowrie David has added a Geography to his course list. "We have very fine weather to day but Sunday and Monday it was very cold and mudy but to day the sun shines beautiful the birds are to be seen on all sides of us singin their lively songs as if it was in the middle of summer." The winter session will close on March 23. Part II: David to Walter Lowrie "It appears that our people at home are in a perilous situation." A portion of the levee on the east side of the Mississippi broke last month and swallowed up the Willow Grove Hotel. This property belongs entirely to David's father. David reminds Lowrie that he and Washington are in debt to Mr. Leigh for two gallons of oil (each $1.12). ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David is so busy that he has not had time to write nor exercise. "I have frequently heard remarked, by those who have past through the college course that the Sophmore year is the hardest one a student meets with, throughout his whole collegiate course." "I will not be understood here as complaining with my lot; no, far from it; I rather rejoice at the idea of being busy in a good cause..." David requests to go to New York for next vacation in order to see the new mission house and get his watch repaired. David asks about Washington's trip to Liberia. He is supposed to leave in April. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David & Washington to Walter Lowrie

  Part I: Washington to Walter Lowrie Washington is getting on well with his studies. He received his watch, but had to take it to the watchmakers to get her repaired. Washington bought a biographical dictionary second hand for 10 cents. He asks for money so he can buy some other books from the sale. Part II: David to Walter Lowrie David thanks Lowrie for the letter and the money they used to pay off their debts. He says he has never been so busy "in all my life as I am at present." David says he is writing his part of the letter in the dark. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• Washington McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  Washington asks for Mr. Wells to send the books he mentioned in his last letter, a pair of pantaloons, and his watch by Mr. Joseph McElroy Thomson.
• David & Washington to Walter Lowrie

  Part I: Washington to Walter Lowrie "David has been unwell for two or three days owing to the change of the weather. I was unwell also for a day or two but I am very well at present." Part II: David to Walter Lowrie David has helped Washington through the history of Rome and thinks that philosophy and chemistry will be the next best for him to take up. "As it regards chemistry, I am almost ignorant, but I think, however, by some study I will be able to explain to him the lecture which we formerly heard from Dr. Green." "I have been very sick for the last two or three days, with fevers, and a sore throat; but thanks to the Lord, I am much better at present...There were two letters received in the colege from Mr. Abraham Miller, and we were happy to hear that he was well..." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  David and Washington have received the money from Mr. Wells and have paid off their expenses. "We paid as follows; first to James Wilson's dry good store, for trimmings and some other articles...fourteen dollars and thirty seven and a half cents...Secondly, to John Johnson, the taylor, for making all our winter clothing eight dollars. thirdly, to Thomas Lulich for binding wool and for one Dementedness & Aeschines, one Blank Book, one Young's Analytical Geometry, ink, Quills at four dollars eighty one cents..." David asks for Mr. Wells to tell Mr. Lowrie that he is in the Sophomore class now, and "am (with few exceptions) recognized as a regular member of the class." "We got sixteen students at the beginning of this session, and are now getting on very fine." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David & Washington to Daniel Wells

  Part I: Washington to Daniel Wells "...it is said that there is about two hundred sick at present in EAston there is scarcely a day but what there is not a funeral." Part II: David to Daniel Wells David asks for a philosophy book for the next session. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  "In relation to our sons...your letter has given me unspeakable pleasure, and gratification to know that they bid fair with God's blessing, to become all we anticipated, or hoped, fills me with joy and delight." John says that although Washington is dull, compared with David, "he has many sterling points of character, which will make him useful, and respectable in life...his disposition is amicable: with a good deal of calm patience and perseverance, which will carry him forward with increasing strength." By next Spring, Washington will be fully prepared to take charge of a school in Africa. "David I trust, will become great in the "Regeneration of Africa" as soon as his Education is completed where he is; we will perfect him at Princeton, in the Hebrew and Arabic." Lowrie entrusts David with fifty dollars, "twas a proof of the confidence shown him, which he will remember, and which will stimulate him, by the conduct of his future life, to merit." John encloses a check of two hundred and thirty dollars. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  David is happy about the clothing and dictionaries he received. He asks for more warm clothing and history books. David spent his vacation writing about Africa and teaching Washington and Mr. Wilson (an old colored gentleman) about arithmetic, grammar, and the history of Rome. David also built an important cooking furnace in the college, and did a good deal of masoning. David asks about Mr. Lowrie. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  "I am now writing a description of Africa, to send home for those people who expect to sail for that country next Spring...And when I finish it, shall begin to teach Washington, and help him on as much as possible this vacation. Because he, also, expects to leave this next Spring for the land of his forefathers." David asks for the rest of his African Repositories. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  The summer session has ended. "Vacation, a word that sounds so sweet in every students ear, and cheers their hearts and brighten their countenances a month before it actually comes, is but a name to me. Because when I am here, my books look so charming, that I cannot possibly avoid studying..." David wishes his tailor, a member of the Presbyterian Church, would work for cheaper. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David requests more cloth to have a pair of pants made for himself and Washington, since the weather is turning colder. He also asks for a couple of waistcoats and socks or stockings. David is in debt to Mr. Snodgrass for some Italian books which he bought for him. David would like to pay him before he leaves Lafayette. "Our father has been very sick; but he is quite well again, and send his best wishes to you." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)