to the case. At that time Russell was so impaired in health that he
could not aid in the investigation. Upon an examination I found that
the testimony of Staples was important. He then lived at Machias,
Maine. By writing and interviews when I found him in Boston, I became
satisfied that for a hidden reason he was resolved to have nothing to
do with the case. As a last resort, I took out a commission and
submitted interrogatories. The answers were evasive or valueless from
loss of memory. Thus the case was delayed. In 1862 I was elected to
Congress. Childs was an easy going man who made inquiries
occasionally, but never complained. Upon my return from a session,
about 1865, I resolved to bring the case to a close. I examined the
papers carefully, and I found full material for a statement, although
it cost labor to analyze the accounts. At that time Russell was dead
and Fiske was dead. Mr. John Loring, a former partner of Fiske, took
the case. Loring agreed to a hearing at Chambers. Chief Justice
Chapman named a day. At the day named the clients and counsel
appeared. I presented my statement in writing. Loring and Fowle said
they knew nothing about the matter. My statement showed a balance of
between $400 and $500 in Fowle's hands. I asked for interest. Fowle
said he had been ready always to pay. I contended it was his duty long
before to have rendered an account, and made payment. Judge Chapman,
with less reason than courts have usually for their decisions, held
that as he was always ready to pay, he was not justly chargeable with
interest. I drew a decree, the judge signed it, Fowle paid, and Childs
returned home that night. For ten years the case had been on the
docket, when, if some one had made an examination of the papers it
could have been disposed of in a day.

The controversy in New England between Trinitarians and Unitarians had
culminated in Groton about the year 1825 in a division of the old town
society and the organization of an orthodox church under the Rev. John
Todd. His successor, a Mr. Kittredge, had charge of the Society in
1835, and for a short time afterwards. He was succeeded by Dudley
Phelps, who was a man of ability and liberal in his religious opinions.
From 1838 to 1841 the post-office was in my charge, although I held the
office of postmaster only from February to April, 1841. Mr. Phelps
was in the habit of sitting in the office and reading every sort of
newspaper f