I have just received your note of 30th ulto. I am sorry not to have seen you.

There are three reasons why you should not want me as a Trustee:

1st I am too much bound with other engagements—might even be prevented sometimes from attending your semi-annual meeting;

2d I am qualified for very little of the business of the Trustees;

3d You have to make your way against a certain prejudice in which it would help you to have a right down goody man with his light on two bushels. It has been not generally found out but it would be dishonest under these circumstances not to tell you that in a modest way, I am rather of the other sort—a moderate drinker, semi profane swearer, a Sabbath cracker. I should dance if I had two legs and should “gamble” if I had brains enough. (I never could get beyond words of one syllable and forget those between night and night.) Worse—I strongly suspect myself of a vague blundering indefensible rationalism.

I don’t think that this is the sort of man that should be selected as a supervisor of the education of youth.

I really can’t imagine why I was elected and think there must have been a mistake.

Seriously; I have reserved my acceptance until I could see you, and I will send it enclosed herewith—as I can’t see you—begging that you will not use it & will let me decline unless you are quite sure that for some reason which I can’t imagine, I shall serve your purpose better than it probably would be served if I kept out.

Perhaps there are one or two redeeming conditions. I shan’t help to crowd your beautiful ground up with any more buildings or other “donations,” and you will never find another man who will make fewer few remarks on any suitable occasion, whether at Delmonico’s or before a Sunday school. Which I should think might be rather refreshing to you by way of a change sometimes & the more so now that an element so prolific in occasions as the Sage College is to be grafted on your sapling trunk.

The fact is I feel it to be so far away from my beat—feel myself to be so little like a Trustee—that I should not leave the question to you if I did not also feel that it would be a little mean not to lend a hand when I am asked. I need not say I am ready to go into a fight with you against Mr McGuire, blindfold, whenever you want.

I am a little mad with you for thinking it necessary to write me that your business has been honestly managed.

[603]

If you are going to want me about the 25th June, give me timely notice & tell me the particular period when for any business purpose you would be least willing to have me absent because I may be able to get away from here for not more than a day.

But I strongly advise you to take another man.