VI PREFACE. 



For the accompanying sketch of the early 

 life and character of Mr. Croom I am indebt- 

 ed to the Rev. Dr. Hawks of this city. 



New-York, Nov. 2, 1837. 



MY DEAR SIR, 



In reply to your note asking for information 

 concerning our lamented friend, Mr. Croom, I very willingly 

 perform the sad duty of paying my tribute to departed merit, 

 by communicating such facts as I know. From my boy- 

 hood I have known Mr. Croom. He was born in Lenoir 

 County, in the State of North Carolina, in the year 1799 ; 

 and at an early age, he and I met at the University of that 

 State, where we were both educated. I was in the class 

 before him, but as we were from contiguous counties, our 

 association was more intimate than was usual between the 

 members of different classes. The quality which first en- 

 deared him to me was his natural amiability of disposition. 

 This was indeed remarkable, as you will perceive, when I 

 add, that I cannot now remember having ever seen him in a 

 passion. I have seen him roused to resentment upon suffi- 

 cient provocation, but the expression of that resentment was 

 always dignified. The occasions for this emotion however 

 were so rare, that I believe he passed through his course of 

 four years in college, without having a serious quarrel, or 

 making an enemy. But Mr. Croom had something more 

 than this natural sweetness of disposition to recommend 

 him. It was not in his case (as it has been in that of many 

 others) associated with imbecility of mind. His understand- 



