Files
Download
Download Full Text (7.9 MB)
Content Warning
The Charles P. McIlvaine letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
Declined to sign letter - gives his reasons.
Date
7-26-1865
Keywords
letter, Williams, McIlvaine
Recommended Citation
Williams, J. W., "Letter to C. P. McIlvaine" (1865). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 294.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/294
Rights Statement
Transcript
Albany, July 26th 1865.
My dear Bishop,
I rec’d yours of the 1st here, last evening, and hasten to reply, fearing you may think me inherently negligent. I have been absent for several weeks from home.
I wrote our bro of Vermont, declining to sign his circular on the ground first that I could not acquit - as he did - the Ch. South of complicity in the war, and next on the very ground you mention of injustice towards brothers who should not sign it. I venture to express my doubts as to the possibility of any circular being drawn [safe?] to which all could sign; and to suggest to him the plan of writing individually to the Bishops South, saying to these that from correspondence with his Brethren [? fast ascent] of their kindness & fraternal feelings; could signing that be behind that such as could come to the Gen Convocation worked in welcome.
Elliott I did not suppose could come, on account of other [those] [sic?] ecclesiastical relations. But I see [??] that he has taken the oath of allegiance. He had, to my knowledged, declared that he should leave the country; [read Coxe] told me he understood that manners come in hand to give him a “living” in England. [Jobs] not think he will show himself.
Bps. Lee of Delaware and Coxe declined to sign the circular so that four, certainly, have refused; and refused in such a way as has, doubtless, given the matter [?].
The ground which I have been inclined - under correction - to take, is, that (as Mr Lincoln said “the Govt could not [some the Character so]) the Ch. cannot [?] the Govt. and that all who came ??? as to the Christ Authority, might be safely received; it being understood of course that [Wilman’s] care stood by itself, and must receive separate reflections.
[Justly] wish the Bps would assemble a day or two before the opening of Convocation, to talk over this matter. [?] to [?] to hear from you again.
[?] affly your friend & bro
J. Williams
The Rt. Revd. Bp. McIlvaine