Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-11-29
GOVERNOR RICHARD BASSETT.
His Connection with Metlodism Presented
by Robert y. Pattison.

His Connection with Nethodism presented
by Robert r. Pattison.
Robert +. Pattison OF Philadelphia,
former governor of Pennsylvania. adj
dressed the Historical Society OF Della
ware Monday week on Governor
Richard Bassett." Chief Justice @. ..
Lore presided, it being the regular
monthly meeting Of the society, and
the audience was much pleased with
the address, rising vote of thanks
being given Mr.. Pattison. In intro
ducing the speaker, Judge Lore said he
was torn IN the Della ware Peninsula,
The lecture was largely devoted to
Richard Bassett's connection with
Methodism. In large Methodist
Church in Philadelphia, said Mr..
Pattisun. are four pillars, on each of
which ia tribute to four men who
had the most to do with Methodism.
Among them is John Wesley, Bishop
Asbury and Richard I'asseJt, the last
named being given a Place OF honor ns
representative Of Methodism among
the statesmen Of this country.
Bishop Asbury came to this section
as missionary and in his travels
visited Bohemia Manor, whore he
preached to the Lord of the Manor"
who was lawyer named Lawson, the
foster father of Richard Bassett, and
with whom Bassett studie law, and
later inherited Lawson's estate, in
Guiding 5000 acres in the manor.
Gov. Basselt was twice married and
had one daughter, who became the vito
OF James Basard. a law student with
her father. Young Bayard and Gov.
Bassett frequently discussed experi-
mental religion. The discussion would
grow warm and the governor would
declare TO young Bayard: II taught
you all you know. :" Tho retort from
the law student is said to havs been |:
"You taught me all you know and
, what else | know taught myself"
1t was in lT7S when Gov. Bassett
bad his interview with Bishop Asbury.
He stopped at the house of his friend,
Judge White, who was entertaining the
Methodist missionary. The Methodists
at that time were regarded with sus
pioion and Gov. Bassett, upon hearing
the missionary, WAS in the house, had
doubts about remaining, but was pre-
vailed upon to do So At the supper
table the governor met the missionary
and was so charmed that he invited
him to visit him at Dover. The mis-.
sionary accepted the invitation, and
when he came to Dover, called upon
Gov. Basseti and friendship was
formed between the two which lasted
for 36 years.
Wesley Chapel in Dover was largely,
il not entirely built, by Gov. Basssti
and Bishop Asbury had strong hopes
OF the statesman becoming a minister,
for he wrote that the governor preached
several times in Philadelphia. aud wal
a sweet singer. When campmeetings
were hold Gov. Bassett pitched bis
tent near the quarters of the negroes
for he said their music to him was lik,
harps.
Ex-Gov. Pattison referred briefly t,
Gov. Bassett's political life, telling
how be was member of the Constitu
tional Convention and one Of the frs
Senators from Delaware, therefore on,
of the first men to locate at the nation !
capital at Washington, although in tn
Constitutional Convention half a vot
had BEEN cast in favor of making vii
mington the capital. In the latter year
of his life Gov. Bassett was paralyzed
and suffered much. Eventually hi
well-spent life ended, and there passe,
away statesman, man of honest
and integrity, who had adorned ever
position he filled.