All Items 4

Hezekiah Wright Strong letter to unidentified recipient, 1839 October 30

Strong, Hezekiah Wright, 1768-1848

H.W. (Hezekiah Wright) Strong, an Overseer of the Charity Fund, letter to an unidentified recipient, possibly Thomas Bond, in which Strong writes about his concerns regarding the Charity Fund and its Financier, Lucius Boltwood. He states that the Prudential Committee of the Trustees of Amherst College met on the subject of the Financier's conduct, and he writes what the Committee reported of this meeting. Strong believes more should be done than what the committee recommended, and provides his recommendations mentioning the McFarland loan and Deacon Flagg. Strong states that he asked President Heman Humphrey for the Committee's report, but Humphrey would only read it to him. He writes that he believes a meeting should be called before Commencement and requests that the recipient sign the enclosed application or make one of his own and send it to General Town. The enclosure note no longer accompanies this item.

Hezekiah Wright Strong letter to unidentified recipient, 1839 August 29

Strong, Hezekiah Wright, 1768-1848

H.W. (Hezekiah Wright) Strong, an Overseer of the Charity Fund, letter in which he writes about his concerns regarding the Charity Fund, the original endowment of Amherst College. Strong explains specific concerns he has relating to Charity Fund Financier Mr. Boltwood (Lucius Boltwood) and the Prudential Committee, three members of which he states are Michigan speculators. He closes by writing that the recipient may communicate this to Mr. Calhoun, presumably William Barron Calhoun. Other individuals mentioned in the document include General Mack (David Mack, Jr.), Luke Sweetser, G. (George) Grennell, and Mr. Vail (Joseph Vaill). This letter was possibly sent to Thomas Bond, another Overseer of the Charity Fund at this time.

Hezekiah Wright Strong letter to unidentified recipient, 1839 November 15

Strong, Hezekiah Wright, 1768-1848

H.W. (Hezekiah Wright) Strong, an Overseer of the Charity Fund, letter to an unknown recipient, possibly Thomas Bond, in which Strong writes regarding his concerns about the security of the Charity Fund, especially in regards to a loan made from it to someone named McFarland. He discusses the Michigan land which he thinks is of no value and also writes regarding the Financier's role in approving this loan. He calls the Financier (Lucius Boltwood) dishonest. Strong proposes that he be dismissed from service, mentions the inaction of the Prudential Committee, and proposes that a meeting of the Overseers of the Charity Fund should be called to address the issue. He closes by stating that he has made up his mind on this and should the Trustees or Overseers not act for Boltwood's removal, then Strong shall resign and state at large the reasons for his resignation.

Hezekiah Wright Strong letter to unidentified recipient, 1839 October 30

Strong, Hezekiah Wright, 1768-1848

H.W. (Hezekiah Wright) Strong, an Overseer of the Charity Fund, letter to an unidentified recipient, possibly Thomas Bond, in which Strong writes that he will give some reasons in this separate letter regarding why Lucius Boltwood, the Financier of the Charity Fund, should be removed from his office. He provides these reasons including Boltwood's involvement in Michigan land speculation and that Boltwood was "left out" of his office as President of Amherst Bank for misconduct. Strong writes that in the general opinion of most if not all people here, Boltwood is not an honest man. On the back of the letter he writes further regarding Boltwood and a loan to a person named McFarland. Strong states that it would be well if a meeting was called before the catalogs are printed as they have Boltwood listed as the Financier of the Charity Fund.