Transcribe Ward, Henry A. Letter to Orton, James (1855-10-31)

I had depended much upon Mr. Wadsworth, and I will now tell you briefly how & why. I think that he can be numbered among our Philanthropists, but I think I do not wrong him when I say his giving is unaccountable ^somewhat^ & is difficult to calculate upon. He follows his own inclination in giving rather than what would generally be pronounced the merit of the claim. He is notwithstanding more or less sensible to the expectations of his fellow citizens & I know of a young man who lived far away up in Allegen? (I have entirely forgotten English spelling) who presented a letter from his teacher & minister & received money for a series of years free of interest for his education. My present free gift of a sojourn in Europe. I am quite sure is only in consideration of my relations to Charlie, and I fear every month that he will be called home(He is, I am sorry to say, becoming very dissipated) and my support withdrawn. I had proposed asking him to loan you a few hundred dollars pledging my cabinet ( worth at least $2000.) for the payment, provided that the account which I asked you to send me of you did not warrant your pledging your own. I am confident to have succeeded in this, but my present relations will not probably permit of it for some months. He left me an allowance of $30. per month which give rise to series of reservations on my part, raising it at first to $50. & then to &60.. He has given me no answer to this, but as my banker pays me the latter sum, I presume it is only by instruction. You see there- fore, Orton, how I am hindered in writing to him for you ar present, although were I sure of success, I would do it tomorrow. This does not in the least hind3er your calling on him, although the present state of his funds (on return from a most expensive sojourn in Europe & e) might do so.