238 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



pleasant opportunity of recognition. In 1802, having been 

 appointed Professor of Chemistry, &c., I passed the next 

 two winters in pursuing my studies in Philadelphia, and 

 was of course, by my appointment, known to the Governor. 

 I was present at the College Commencements, and he as 

 a member of the corporation knew my position. In the 

 autumn of 1804, it was determined that I should proceed 

 to England in the ensuing spring of 1805. A few weeks 

 before my departure from New Haven, which was March 

 20th, I addressed a letter to Governor Trumbull at Leb- 

 anon, informing him of my projected journey, and request- 

 ing from him, as chief magistrate of my native State, an 

 official document certifying my citizenship and my col- 

 legiate and social position. To this request he promptly 

 acceded. I have his letters respecting this matter, but I 

 believe that the paper was left in Europe, perhaps with 

 Mr. Monroe, then our minister in London. When the Gov- 

 ernor met the Legislature in New Haven in the October fol- 

 lowing my return, the College was remembered in his speech, 

 and he did me the honor to mention emphatically the new 

 department of chemistry, and to recommend it and me as 

 its head to the favor of the Government. The terms in 

 which he mentioned me were such as to gratify and encour- 

 age a young man of twenty-seven years of age, and the 

 impression on his mind was only that of an increased sense 

 of obligation to perform his duty in the best manner possi- 

 ble. The confidence of this distinguished magistrate thus 

 bestowed on me in advance, was followed by an invitation, 

 warmly expressed, that I would call on him at his house 

 in Lebanon, and I did not forget the invitation. In the 

 summer of 1807, Mr. Daniel Wadsworth of Hartford, the 

 husband of the Governor's eldest daughter Faith, came 

 to New Haven, prompted by an interest excited in his 

 mind by the perusal of the MS. volumes of my " Travels 

 in England, Holland, and Scotland." On this occasion he 

 made my acquaintance, proffered me his personal friend- 



