76 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



sliding into consumption. He relinquished all business 

 several weeks since; has hied at the lungs frequently; is 

 attended with an occasional fever, and grows poor and weak 

 very fast. His misfortune was induced by preaching. Some 

 chance remains for his recovery, but, although we do not 

 entirely despair, we have no reason to hope. He is still in 

 town. I passed the last night with him, and left him quite 

 comfortable this morning. Chauncey Whittelsey of Mid- 

 dletown, a most respectable man, and an able and faithful 

 officer, has been turned out, since my last, from the Col- 

 lectorship of Middletown, and A - W -- , a known 

 atheist, profligate, and bankrupt, appointed in his place. 

 This is Jefferson's policy to heal national wounds ; this is 

 democratical sincerity. I am, my dear brother, not with 

 empty presidential professions, your sincere friend and affec- 

 tionate brother. 



The annexed letter alludes to the separation of his 

 brother's wife from her family consequent upon her 

 marriage. 



TO MR. G. S. SILLIMAN. 



HA VEX, April 3, 1802. 

 ..... I PITY her with all my heart when I think what 

 a parting she must have had with the best of parents, and 

 the most affectionate of brothers and sisters. Indeed, my 

 dear brother, when I consider what sacrifices this dear 

 friend is making to promote your happiness, I need not 

 add anything to stimulate your exertions to supply, as far 

 as possible, sources of happiness which shall in some 

 measure compensate her for the loss she has sustained. I 

 earnestly pray Heaven to bless you both, and to render the 

 land in which you are settled as pleasant as that which you 

 have left. I expect to receive letters from you by the 

 middle of next week, but I shall endeavor to feel perfectly 

 easy about you, since you are in the hands of a kind Provi- 



