Litchfield enquirer., 1846-08-13


with educated minds, to make amends 70
the Irregularities of his education. H
never, even during the pressing occupation
OF after life, forgot his literary tastes; hi
powerful memory enabling him to recall Ion;
passages of the English poets, with whom
he was especially familiar. =,
AT this time, in concert with his literary
friends, he occasionally iffdulged in writing
poetry. Among his poems is one entitled
"The Judgement of Paris" of which it is
only necessary TO say, it would be much
worse than Barlow's epic, if it were not
much shorter.
Upon the organization of the General
Government under the new Constitution, in
September; 1889, Mr.. Wolcott received from
President Washington the appointment OF
Auditor Of the Treasury. The appoint
ment was announced to him in the follow
ing letter from Col. Hamilton:
New York, Sect. 18th, 1889.
Sur:
1t is with pleasure l am able to inform you
that you haye been appointed Auditor in the
department of the Treasury. The sala of this
office is $500. Your friends having expressed
a doubt Of your acceptance, cannot forbear
saying that shall be happy to find the doubt
has been ill-tounded, as from the character 7
have received Of you, ain persuaded you will
be an acquisition to the department. need
scarcely add that your presence here as soon as
posshleis essential to the progress of business
am, Sir, your obedient servant,
ALEXANDER HAMILTON,
Secretary Of tie Treasury"
Mr.. Wolcott, after some hesitation, accep.
ted the appointment, and forthwith took up
his residence in New York, the then seat of
Government Mr.. Eveleigh, the Comptrol-
er of the Treasury, died in the spring of
1871 soon after which Col. Hamilton ad i.
dressed letter to the President, warmly re
commencing the appointment of Mr.. VOL
colt to the vacant post. In that letter he
says.
"Ths gentfeman's conduct in the station he
now fills, has been that Of an excellent officer.
1t has not only been good, but distinguished. -
II combines all the requisites which can be de.
sired moderation with firmness, liberaity with
exactnesS, interchangeable industry with an ac-
curate and sound discernment thorough
knowledge of business, and remarkable spirit
of order and arrangement. Indeed ought to
say, that owe very much Of whatever success
may have attended the merely executive opera
tions of the department to MIR. Wolcott; and
do not fear to commit myself, when add, that
he assesses in an eminent degree all the quail
cations desirable in Comptroller of the Treas
| ury-that il is scarcely possible to find man
in the United States more competent to the
duties Of that station than himself--few who
could be equally 500
1t is hardly necessary to add, that VOL
colt received the appointment of Comp
troller.
The U. S. Bank, created during The late
session, was organized during the summer
of 1891. Wocott was offered the Presiden-
cy of the bank, with an ample salary, which
he declined; "preferring the public service
and believing that such station would he
deemed unsuitable Ior a young man withou
property"
AT this time, and during the whole o
Wocott's residence in Philadelphia, whicl
had now become the Seat of Government, hi
situation, though involving laborious du
ties, was in gh degree delightful. A so
ciety at that time existed there, marked b.
every characteristic which could recommen,
it to one of a cultivated mind and socia
disposition, embracing much of the genius
the worth, aud no little Of the wit and beau
ty of the country, and cemented by mutual
confidence and congeniality of opinions and
pursuits. OF this society, two members o
Wolcott's family, his younger sister and hi,
wife, were themselves no inconspicuous Or
naments. The former, married to the Hon
Chauncey Goodrich, was distinguished fO
her personal feauty and brilliant CONVEX
sation; Mrs. Wolcott, with less beauty
had still a countenance of much lowell
ness, and manners graceful and dignified
TO the most feminine gentleness of dis
position, she added sound sense, and lha
kin ! of cultivation which is acquired in in
lercourse with thinkers Both belonged to 9
class of women Of whom Connecticut could
then boast many, whose minds were formed
and habits of reflection directed by men
and without coming within the category o.
female politicians, they had been almos
from childhood familiar with questions O
public and general interest. An anecdo,t
of MIR. Tracy, whose sarcasmS were OF oil
dreaded alike in the Senate chamber an,
the drawing room, has been preserved, com
memorative at once Of Mrs. Wolcoit's at
traction and his own peculiar wit. MI
Liston, who succeeded Mr.. Hammond a
British minister at Philadelphia, and VIII