Page:The Judicial Capacity of the General Convention Exemplified.djvu/16

14 of several volumes of New Church books for Mr. Wilks; and a small sum of money—$20, I think—was allowed him from the treasury of the General Convention, at my solicitation. Just about that time I received as a present for myself, from Mrs. Fairfax Catlett, sufficient broadcloth for a coat. This I immediately determined ' to give to Mr. Wilks, as I was not myself in immediate need of it. I accordingly told Mr. W. that I would give him that broadcloth—that I wished him to accept it as a present from me—that it had been given me by a kind friend, but I thought that he (Mr. W.) needed it more than I did. And never, I believe, did gift from mortal man go freer or more affectionately than that did from me. And it was, to all appearance, thankfully received by Mr. Wilks. He appeared very grateful, and expressed himself so. He did not then say one word, as I remember, about refusing it—not a word that could be construed into declining to accept the gift. On the contrary, he seemed very thankful, as he had reason to be, for what he must have seen I gave so freely. The broadcloth was then at my house. Mr. W. said he would leave it there with my permission, as he had not then the means to pay for making it into a coat; and as he should get it made in New York, when he was able, he could then call at my house and take it. I said, very well, and added, that perhaps I could get some tailor of my acquaintance to make it for him at a reduced price, which I tried to do, as Mr. Howard may possibly remember.

Shortly after this, Mr. Wilks received a license to preach, from Mr. De Charms of Baltimore, which greatly surprised me, after all the professions of friendship for, gratitude towards, and confidence in me, which he had so often and freely expressed. I could scarcely believe it until I called on Mr. Wilks, (which I did immediately, in company with Mr. Ropes) and ascertained the fact from himself. The explanation that he then gave was satisfactory to me, though it did not seem to be to Mr. W.; for he came the whole way from Williamsburg to my house the next day, to explain farther, or to talk more about it, and to express.his regret at what he had permitted to be done for him by Mr. DeCharms. He pretended not to know that the General Convention granted licenses to candidates, although, I had myself told him the course to be pursued in entering the ministry, and he had read our Rules of Order but a short time before.

Some two months or so, I should^think, passed by, and Mr. Wilks did not call for his cloth, feeling, as I supposed, some delicacy about it, after the course he had taken. But I considered that cloth his property, after I had given it to him, and he had thankfully received it—none the less his, because it still remained in my house. And, in order to relieve him from the embarrassment, which I thought he might very naturally feel in calling for the cloth, I sent it to his house in New York, accompanied with a friendly note. This, I think, was some time in the month of May, 1846, shortly after he removed from Williamsburg. And although 1 saw Mr. Wilks at least two or three times between this and the middle of June following, he said not a word, as I remember, about the cloth or note that had been sent, (there was no need of a word)—certainly not a word about declining to accept the gift.