Page:Archæologia Americana—volume 2, 1836.djvu/599

CHRISTOPHER C. BALDWIN. 563 To this end, he also carried on an extensive correspondence ; addressing such persons as he supposed might be in possession of documents and papers, valuable in their character, as illus- trative of our history ; entreating them to place them in this general and safe depository, for the benefit of the public. In this manner, he opened unknown mines, rich in antiquarian treasure, which have contributed largely to the general stock of the Society. On him, also, fell much of the burden of both foreign and domestic correspondence. This was a matter wholly indepen- dent of what has just been spoken of. It was with learned societies and learned men ; and, while it has called for no in- considerable labor, it is believed to have been executed in a manner highly creditable to the character of the Society. Thus the Society has attained a palmy state of prosperity, chiefly under the influence of a mind most admirably adapted to enlarge its respectability and usefulness. But, under these complicated cares and labors, the health of this estimable indi- vidual gave way, and, for several months past, he has been an invalid. The Society, grateful for his eminent services, and having it in their power, under the bequest of Mr. Thomas, to despatch a person to the West, to visit and explore the antiqui- ties of that region, commissioned Mr. Baldwin for that purpose, with hopes that his health would be improved by the journey. In this expedition he has perished, and we are left to mourn his untimely fate. Mr. Baldwin has been spoken of only as a scholar and pro- fessional gentleman ; but he had other properties that endeared him to his friends. Few persons have been more caressed for enticing social qualities. His disposition was amiable, his man- ners easy and conciliatory, his address affable, his temperament, almost without exception, cheerful, and often humorous. At the table, the fireside, in all the little coteries of friends, where his company was always much sought, he enlivened and animat- ed all around him. His satire, though often pungent, seldom excited resentment. His wit was generally the offspring of good feeling, and served to amuse, rather than irritate. His repartee, though often pointed, seldom left a sting behind. In a word, he was a person of happy temper, having an uncommon share of good nature and unoffending wit, which insured him a kind and favorable reception wherever he moved. The writer of this humble article pretends not to canvass the