128 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



President Dwight was at that time fifty-two years of age, 

 and was in the full splendor of his exalted powers, physical 

 and mental. 



I called upon him at his house, and found him at leisure 

 in the front parlor, and in a state of mind to receive my 

 suggestions favorably. After ascertaining from him that 

 the report which I had heard of the appropriation of ten 

 thousand dollars was true, I inquired in what manner the 

 business would be transacted. He replied, probably through 

 the house of Isaac Beers & Howe, the college booksellers, 

 and by the agency of their correspondents in London. I 

 then inquired on what terms. He replied, by paying them a 

 commission of perhaps five per cent. I then added, " Why 

 not, sir, send me to transact the business, allowing me the 

 percentage, and continuing my salary, which, if I were 

 absent but six or eight months, would probably pay my 

 expenses, and I should in the mean time have opportunity 

 to improve in my profession." The plan was afterwards 

 altered, and the time allotted was double of that originally 

 proposed.. 



To this proposal he instantly replied with his character- 

 istic decision and frankness, and spoke as follows : "I 

 am very glad you have made the suggestion ; the thought 

 had never occurred to me ; this will be the best possible 

 arrangement, and it shall have my decided support ; but 

 the corporation of the college have adjourned and cannot 

 now be consulted without calling a special meeting, which 

 I think will not be necessary, as the Prudential Committee* 

 can arrange the business, and I have no doubt they will be 

 willing to assume the responsibility. Step into a carriage, 

 therefore, and drive to Repton " (now Huntington, fourteen 

 miles from New Haven), " and consult the Rev. David Ely, 

 D. D., a member of the corporation and of the Prudential 

 Committee, Then go to Farmington, twenty-eight miles, 

 and submit the matter to Gov. Tread well, who is an ex- 

 officio member of both boards. You will thus have con- 



