Branch—I am sorry that I have not prepared to address you. I came to this country thirty-five years ago, a poor boy. I got a clerk’s situation at $2 a week. Then I went to Leary’s hat store, in Water Street. Afterwards I went to Harper’s, then to the New York _American_, and afterwards to the _Evening Post_. Then I returned to Rhode Island, and went afterwards to Boston, Hartford, Springfield and New Haven, and worked at the printing business, and was the first compositor on the Washington _Globe_. and set up the first article on that paper, which was a comment on the conduct of General Jackson, from the pen of Amos Kendall. I then took a room with Edward Dodge, of Philadelphia, and roomed with him some time. My father sent me a letter from Providence, and procured for me a situation in the Post Office, and I was there four or five years. I became ambitious, and studied at nights. I studied with Thomas F. Carpenter. I left the Post Office, and continued my Greek and Latin studies. I returned to the Post Office, but such was my desire for learning that I went to Cambridge Law School, and studied under Judge Story. I mingled with Southern students, and spent much money. They were high-bloods, and I spent a dissolue winter. I came back, and went to Andover, where I resumed my studies in Greek and mathematics. I then left for Providence, and was unfortunate in my domestic life. I left Providence and went to Washington, where I got $10 a week at the printing business. I went next to Columbia College, when I would take my basket of bread and butter, work all day at the job office, walk back to the College at ten o’clock at night, and study till daylight. I would then get to the office at seven in the morning. I lost my health in doing this, and was reduced to the verge of the grave. My father remained true to me, notwithstanding my domestic misfortunes. I came to New York, and saw an advertisement in a paper, that a teacher was wanted in Alabama. I secured the situation, and afterwards went to Apalachicola, thence to Alabama, and taught school. I found they were cruel to slaves there. The lady on the plantation used to whip the slaves early in the morning; it disgusted me, and I went to New Orleans. My brother Albert printed the New Orleans _Times_. I advertised for a situation as teacher, and soon secured one. I remained there till my brother Albert died—no, I am mistaken, he did not die then. I came to New York, and had but little money left. I could not work at the printing business. My father sustained me in the sun and rain, although he was a man of limited means though of high position, for he was a Judge of Rhode Island. I went to Arthur Tappan, who introduced me to his brother Lewis. I told him that I wanted to teach colored scholars. I suppose you will call me a lunatic for that. I told him my qualifications, and he sent me to Mr. Van Rensselaer, under the _Journal of Commerce_. I taught a colored boy for him, for which he gave me my board.