Evening journal., 1900-11-20
R. D. PATTINON'N
ABLB ADDRESS
Speaks Of DeIaWare'S Former
Governor
Before Historical Society Of Delaware.
Interesting Events in Richard
BaSSett'S Life

At the meeting of the Historical So
ciety of Delaware last night, Former
Governor Robert h. Pattison. of Penn
svlvania. made AN interesting address on
Governor Richard Bnssett Chief JUS
tice Lore presided at the meeting ana
there were present a large number of
members and guests.
Mr. Pattison, in part. said:
The commonwealth of Delaware vindi-
Gated her right 10 independence by her
firm patriotism and the magnificent rec
ord of her troops in the war of the revo-
luton. The services of her distinguished
statesmen will always have place in the
annals OF our country. The roll of honor
would not be complete without the names
Of Bassett, Bayard, Clayton and Sauls-
bury.
Some years ago beautiful Methodist
church was built in Philadelphia under
the ministry OF the late DR.. Charles W.
Buoy. 1t was adorned in the interior
with four Corinthian columns. Upon
each was carved bust Of a representa-
tive character of early Methodism, the
learned Bishop Cooke speaking for Eng
lish Methodism; the pious and indefati-
gable Bishop Asbury for American
Methodism; the brave old soldier. Cap
tain Webb. for Methodism in the army,
and the wise and conservative Richard
Bassett, of Delaware for the statesman
in Methodism.
Mr.. Asbury visited Delaware FOR the
first time in 1772 He started for Boz
hemia Manor, to find Richard Wright
who had came over with him from Eng
land in response to Wesley's invitation
Rnfnra ranahin.r NXflr,f,s.t,r, d.. mot NTr
Wright as he was turning OFF 20 Mr.
Tussey's TO stay all night. Next day he
went to Mr.. Stedham's. in Wilmington
Without stopping TO preach he went to
/ New Castle and preached in Robert Fur
ness tavern. During the latter part OF
the year 1872 he visited Bohemia Manor
for the first time. After visiting Ephraim
/ Thomson. near Back creek. he came TO
/ Wilmington, where he preached for the
first time.
Richard Bassett was born i'm 17i5 He
was the adopted son of Mr.. Lawson. a
lawyer, who married a Miss liner. The
liner family was Herman's heir TO Bo-
hemia Manor lie was educated and
| trained for the profession Of law by Mr.
Lawson, whose heir he became. by this
inheritance he came into possession OF
5000 acres Of Bohemia Manor.
Mr.. Bassett married Miss Ann Ennals.
Of Dorchester county, Maryland, sister Of
| Henry Ennals and niece of Judge En-
mails, Of the same county His second
wife was Miss Bruif, lady from Talbot
county. Mr.. Bassett reared but one child.
She became the wife Of the Hon. james
Bayard, the eminent lawyer and states
man. who was associated with Messrs.
| Gallatin, Russell, Adams and Clay in ne
gotiating the Treaty Of Client in 1914.
! Wesley Chapel in Dover was largely,
if not entirely built, by Governor Bassett
and Bishop Asbury had strong hopes of
the statesman becoming a minister, for
he wrote that the governor preached sew
eral times in Philadelphia, and was a
sweet singer. When camp meetings
were held Governor Bassett pitched his
tent near the quarters OF the negroes, for
he said their music 10 him was like harps
Ex-Governor Pattison referred briefly
to Governor Bassett's political life, tell
ing how he was a member of the consti-
tutional convention and one of the first
/ senators from Delaware, therefore one Of
the first men to locate the nations capital
at Washington, although in the consti-
tuti0nal convention half a vote had
been cast in favor of making Wilmington
the capital. In the latter years Of his life
/ Governor Bassett was paralyzed, and
suffered much. Eventually his well-spent
life ended, and there passed away a
statesman, a man Of honesty and integ-
rity, who had adorned every position he
| filled.
AT the business meeting Of the society,
Lindley c. Kenfs resignation as treas
urer was accepted.