large church was built for him, by Universalists, on Fifth avenue and 45th street. He became quite distinguished as an author and an orator.
Mr. Thomas Willys White was not a literary man; but an excellent printer, who had served part of his time in Boston, and no doubt his experience and observation there stimulated his enterprise and were of good service to him in undertaking the Messenger, in which he had higher aims than procuring a monthly job of printing. For he had a liberal spirit and a proper State pride. He could write a very correct and diplomatic letter, well calculated to obtain what he desired, and he was an indefatigable correspondent. It is probable that his not being a literary character was an advantage to him in his efforts to establish the Messenger, by drawing out the cordial cooperation which was extended to him. His sentiments towards Northern people conciliated them, whilst his being a native of Virginia strengthened him in the South. A correspondent of the Portland Advertiser once claimed him for the North and he corrected the mistake in the following terms: "The publisher did once reside in the city of Boston and can freely bear testimony to the high character, generous feelings and the noble accomplishments of its citizens; but he was only a sojourner among them, having been born and for
