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Bates, Daniel, 1779-1799. Letters from Daniel Bates to William Jenks, May 1795-September 1798. HUD 795.6, Harvard University Archives.

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Daniel Bates wrote these five letters to his friend and classmate, William Jenks, between May 1795 and September 1798. In a letter written May 12, 1795, Bates informs Jenks, who was then employed as an usher at Mr. Webb's school, of his studies of Euclid, the meeting of several undergraduate societies, and various sightings of birds, gardens and trees. In a letter written in November 1795 from Princeton, where he was apparently on vacation with the family of classmate Leonard Jarvis, he describes playing the game "break the Pope's neck" and tells Jenks what he was reading (Nicholson, Paley?, and Thompson) and what his friend's father was reading (Mirabeau and Neckar).|In a letter written on December 9, 1795, Bates recounts the "bedlam" then taking place at Harvard, including an account of the theft of candlesticks, a cushion and a Bible. In a letter written in March 1797, Bates encouraged Jenks to stay in Waltham, with a Mr. Dix, as long as necessary to fully recover from an illness from which he was apparently suffering. He also updated Jenks on what he was reading: James Ferguson's writing on eclipses and an unnamed work by Jean Jacques Burlamaqui. In the last letter, written September 22, 1798, Bates recounts a visit with a Dr. Eustice concerning a potential trip to Virginia. He mentions that William Ellery Channing was also a candidate for the unexplained journey; presumably Bates is referring to a position in Richmond, Virginia, tutoring the children of David Randolph. Channing, rather than Bates, ultimately accepted this position.

Biographical Notes

Daniel Bates was born in Boston on December 4, 1779. He received an A.B. from Harvard College in 1797 and died two years later, in 1799.|William Jenks was born in Newton, Massachusetts on November 25, 1778. He received an A.B. from Harvard College in 1797, an A.M. in 1800 and an S.T.D. in 1842. He also received two degrees from Bowdoin College: an S.T.D. in 1825 and an L.L.D. in 1862. Jenks served as pastor of churches in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Bath, Maine before joining the faculty of Bowdoin College as professor of Oriental and English literature. He later returned to Boston, where he founded a mission for seamen and took an active part in several of the city's humanitarian reform organizations. He served as a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College from 1832 to 1845. He was also a founder of the American Antiquarian Society and the American Oriental Society. William Jenks died in Boston on November 13, 1866.

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(seq. 11)
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(seq. 11)

Cambridge, March -- 1797. Friday evening.

William,

I hope you have not lost all patience, in waiting so long for a letter. I should have written before, if I had not been necessarily detained by other business. I have been so busy this week, that I have not had much time to devote to common affairs. I am very happy to hear, that you are fast recovering your health. No doubt, you are sorry to be obliged to be absent so long from your friends and connections. I dare say you wish to return & pursue your studies with your class. But be not too anxious to return. It is best to have your health firmly established, before you think of paying any attention to your books. Health is the main object. It should be our first endeavor to secure to ourselves this invaluable blessing. If you should return now, and pursue your studies, you might relapse again into sickness; and surely this would not be desirable. A month or two may entirely remove your sickness and [?] render you capable of pursuing your studies with diligence and ardor.

Last edit over 3 years ago by Cary Saunders
(seq. 12)
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(seq. 12)

Besides you can, if you choose, study at Mr. Dix's. You have a very fine opportunity, and if I remember right, you have some books with you. It is but a little while to commencement. I do not expect to study much myself before that time. We are seniors now, and it is not expected that we pay such close attention to our studies as we did for the three first years of our College life. -- All things considered then, I think it is best for you to tarry at Mr. Dix's a little while longer. -- Perhaps you would wish to know how far we have proceeded in Ferguson, Burlamaqui, &c. We have just finished the Eclipses, and it is probable that we shall finish the book this term. We have not recited in Burlamaqui, since you were here, & I think I told you then, how far we had proceeded. In Mr Webber's branch we have advanced as far as the projections of the sphere. -- I hope to have the happiness of seeing you here soon upon a visit. Give my respects to Mr Dix and family. Write to me when Mr Dix comes into Town.

I remain your Sincere Friend

Daniel.

William. —

Last edit over 3 years ago by Cary Saunders
(seq. 13)
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(seq. 13)

D. Bates. March 1797. Cambridge.

Mr William Jenks. member of H. University Waltham

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(seq. 14)
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(seq. 14)

Boston September 22. '98

Respected friend,

I called upon Dr Eustice yesterday and made some enquiries respecting the affair which you mentioned to me the other day. It is yet uncertain whether I shall go to Virginia or not. He informed me that Channing had been & Sawyer had been previously recommended to him and that he has not yet received an answer from either of them. He {exp}ects to hear from them by the next week, and will then be able to give me some further information on the subject. I did not know that the matter stands as it really does; or that any application had been made either to Channing or Sawyer. You see then that I cannot give you a direct answer at present, since it does not depend entirely upon myself own inclinations, whether I shall go or not. Probably I shall see you on Sunday evening, and then we may converse further on the subject. Remember me to all friends.

I remain your &c

Daniel Bates Jur

Mr William Jenks.

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(seq. 15)

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