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PF2.1.71
Date
3-9-1833
Transcript
Rt. Rev. C.P. McIlvaine
Brooklyn L.I.
Putnam March 9th 1833
My Dear Sir
I received your letter yesterday and am able to answer it sooner than I otherwise should from having thought much upon the subjects mentioned in it previous to this time.
Since you left this place I have been collecting materials for building a dwelling house and spending my leisure time in the study of the law. To this course I was impelled by the following considerations. My lamented Father at his death left his property in such a state that it required much looking after, a part of it consists in Bridge stock, Bank stock, debts, mortgages, and liabilities of various kinds which my at some future period be the source of much litigation and difficulty. This property will (at least the most of it) belong to minor heirs whose interests require to be looked after; and this duty seemed by Providence to be assigned to me. And in order to be prepared to discharge this duty I commenced disposing of any leisure time by attending to the law. The same circumstances seemed to require any residence at this place or at least in its neighborhood.
I have though much upon the subject of studying divinity but the circumstances just mentioned seemed to me to require that I should reside in this neighborhood which might be out of my power should I devote myself to the ministry. The situation of my property is such that I must have more worldly business on my hands than would be consistent with my duties as a clergyman. And again my health is such that I must take a great deal of exercise and a very close application to study would soon complete the ruin of my constitution.
These circumstances would not be in the way of my accepting the appointment of Prof. of Math. in K.C. provided I might have sufficient time to take exercise, and however convenient it might be for my business, for me to remain in this place, it is not a small obstacle that would hinder me from doing what might serve the cause of my divine Master.
Upon the receipt of your letter I put off the engagements that I had made with workmen for building my house and shall do nothing more for the present than continue to collect materials so that I shall be in a situation to build if necessary, and if circumstances should take me to Gambier I can dispose of them again without much loss. As much of my property consists in real estate it will be out of the question for me to built at G. unless I go there myself-- and should I go I will do many thing that circumstances and my means shall render proper.
You may then consider me as willing to accept of the situation mentioned in your letter should it be vacated and offered within the present year and you are of course aware that the sooner I am informed of the situation of things the better as I shall have a great deal of business to attend to and I might have opportunities of disposing of property that I should keep if I remained here.
We intend during the summer to visit the wast and probably I may come as far as N.Y. so that I shall probably see you during that summer when I can say much that I hardly know how to communicate in a letter concerning my motives, intentions, and prospects.
Mrs. Buckingham begs to be affectionately remembered to Mrs. McIlvaine and yourself.
Please remember me to Maj. Douglass and believe me
Yours very affectionately
C.P. Bucking[ham]
Recommended Citation
Buckingham, C. P., "Letter from C. P. Buckingham to Charles P. McIlvaine" (1833). 19th Century Correspondence. 11.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/correspondence_19thc/11