Constitutional Whig. [volume], September 26, 1826, Image 3

About Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832

Image provided by: Library of Virginia; Richmond, VA

                
.... CUMMC.MCAT.KP.
" I ^ LI AM AM) MARY COLLEGE.
Q the 7lh uf July, the Picsident ami l’rufcssor of
oral Philosophy, in the College of William ami Mar}’,
'Vll3{ his own approbation, appointed to a Profes
sorslnp in another Institution. The f;th August the Rec
l*r published a (Notice for a meeting* of the Visitors on
I ic 4th September; but a convocation was not held, six
members only having attended tioin a distance, and only
two of the three who reside in town, being able to do
business, the other being oonGnt ! to his bouse by indis
position. The situation of the College during the last
course was made known to the public, and it requires
no argument to prove that it was highly important to the
interests oi the Institution that a Convocation should
have been held, mere cspcci-.iily a* n.» meeting took
place in February last or in July, both ofthem periods
tixed by a statute f>r regular mel tings of that hodv. It
ought to be believed that no \ i«itor wuilld absent him
s. It on any occasion will; mt just cause, even if be was
,,,M“ . attend by flic j»iii)cij*lt,s of hdiior ntiiv; but as
! ii colors ate all sworn to discharge their duties faith
lolly, an l scarcely any duly can be per formed by a \ i
Mtor, Jhe Rector always excepted, who may call a
meeting at any lime,)save in the Convocation chamber,
r iarily ought to lend to the conclusion that no one
would absent hitmcll when business of the last conse
quence required a meeting, unlc.-j for the strongest roa
f.m. 1'be Visitors present recommended it to the Rec
tor (o appoint the 1 Gib October next for a merlin"- and
T;" d,,,,bt >•« (•«* acted according'v. Agreeably to a
construction of the Charter adopted by the Visitors it
would seem that the Rector m,i4 be ,'rn sent to make
a board, although lie may liavo In* n twelve months in
othce, and (lie moment a boar.! is burned bis nOieccx
ptres and a successor must be appointed. Whatever
reason there may be for doubting the correctness of this
Construction, which Ins been ntton hd already with
our It 111 consequences, and if adhered ,o, mi •! t even de
Mroy the Institution, si.. a Rector ever'be so or
veMC; not to say unprincipled, as to decline attending
lie Convocation, and yet refuse to give in bis irsigna
t. on id an otfaee which he could not exercise a moment
J ,nc.f in^ ,va? fanned, s-.i i rro quo-(ion ought now
to arise with regard to a meeting on ibe Iftth October
!?’.v?rUSh *!i °f. "° *h<vnr:c ,!tc tor, should be not
.1- i ch the business of the Frcdmick,burg C hancery
Court before that tune, or should be be sick or hr kept
away by other cause, as be i- pe.fectk apprized of the
construction heretofore adopted by the'Victors, and
td !« .» l° S0'1'1 ,n rcsignatum^s Rector, tow.
r. ».o t ie Convocation to meet and despatch the mass of
business which will be before them of the deepest into
M’st o the Institution. Nor is it foreseen that any cause
v natevercan prevent a meeting at that time. The Vi
sitors who lia.l left the lower country in search of health
or in pursuit of business, before the last meeting was
announced, will have-relurned. The health of others
and their families, ft may be hoped, w.-l be restored, and
a.though ft may be feared (bat Rishop Moore, fwlm with
the goodness and zeal for which be i* re.na.table, al j
toopgl, not well, cheerfully gave his attendance at an I
T'r“H ° "‘e > ca, 0 ma3* *»e to the .North,
} el there can be no doubt tint a meeting will take place,
and as Ii tie that a President and Professor of Moral
' oe appointed, aril a Professor of Poli
t.cal Law » such a Professorship should he established,
ll,at aI,_ !',Gt °'r,CfiS "’'ll i-c filled before (he Collc-e
opens; ami if they are not, it ought not for a moment to
>e supposed th;t all the Lectures, as usual, will not be
delivered in C ollege. Two of the Visitors residue r.t
a very consideraulo distance from the College have sel
dom been able to attend, and there is no reason to sup
pose that they can attend in future with greater punctu
ality. If they would resign, the number necessary to
torm a board would be lessened, and a inpcting would he
rendered absolutely certain. Should they be apprised
of the state of things, limy no doubt would follow the
example of so many others that have heretofore re-'
signed w.icn they could n.»t he present, to put M i.i Ihe !
power -of the hoard to hold a meeting an I appoint other I
gentlemen that might attend with-greater punctuality. I
In the mean time, opportunity is afforded f,r looking a ;
round and weighing the merits a.rd fli,.Caa u| these who I
may : nioa-.dy he brought forward for the vacant offices
It would certainly be desirable to appoint a President
wt!..out assigning to I im am Professorship in the Col
lege. Hut as the funds in the College will not admit of
any additional charge, and a gentleman suited to the of
fice of I resident could not be obtained, as is believed,
tor the salary of£:>00 with a house and-garden fnriii-hed
lmn, it would secin, that that which all admit would be
desira de, must be given up fioin neccssitv. It has been
strongly urged, from almost every quarter, that a Cler
gvman ought to bo placed at the head or the College— j
'1 o this it has been objected, that it would not he proper '
* i umiliw, i ojuicui J.cHinoinv. nnu rSitiiunal
to a ( hair filled !\y a Clerg-ymnn; Hint ns those
fiomnces form a part of (he course of Moral Denture* in
the C ullcgn, an.! the ['residency and Moral Chair, nc
cording to the present arrangement, and the state of the
<.ollego funds, must be united in the same person, that
it would he. univisc to appoint a Clergyman to the head
7 the College. If this objection can he gotten over
there would seem to be no grounds for reject in* a fler-’
gytnnn, and in many point- of view i! would be extreme
ly important and highly beneficial to have a Cler-man
tor President. *
Suppose the Convocation should establish a Profcs-:
fiorshiji of Political Daw, and assign the branches of!
science just mentioned to that Chair; there would then !
remain for the Professorship of Moral Philosophy, the'
Philosophy of Grammar, Rhetoric and Hellos Defies !
Dogic, Metaphysics, and Ethics. Tho salary of the !
: 1 1 ‘Ofcswr of Moral Philosophy, amounts
to i i.,l) dmlars, and the Pi C idr.nt besides is entitled to a j
bouse and garden. To tlm President and Professor of
-Moral i liilo-nphy under llie proposed arrangement, a
talarv of £1000. with a fee of £-20 for each student who 1
fhall altenj him, and a house and garden might be. al
lowed: and a diary of £7.10 with fees, might he. all wed
the Professor of P.diti ml Daw, so that no additional
• large would be brought on tbe College; and tbe duties !
heretofore performed by one Professor would be per- ‘
formed by two. and the ralary would be so divided as to
ensure ,o tbe College not only a [’resident and Profes- j
i'w of Moral Plnlosophy of the highest standing and eba- ’
racier, but a Professor of Political f.aw also. That al
most any Clergyman in tho State con Id be obtained for
, "rsl •neutiened offices, appears to mo to be quite
c.ear and certain. The sabuics, fees, and perquisites,!
when tbe College enjoyed hut a very moderate share of!
puhne patronage, would certainly amount to fifteen I
hundred do1.su* per annum. 'Hie Pref- ssor elected
would, if lie belonged to tbe Protestant Episcopal
Church, be inducted into the vacant pm ish < f Rruton
fiom which be might expect to receive a moderate sub’
script".", fiom £ J to V)0 annually. The .situation wm.ld
ho as important and respectable as that of almost any
individual within the Slate; so that whether the import
tance and respectability of hi; situation, the ainouul of
h;s income, or his opporluni'iesof advancing the cause
7 ,,,• consii!tied, the = ituation would be unite
r.osirable for any (. lergyman. It. Tod. (Imre is no oc
c as mu to rely on reasoning gn tlm sq1 gel. I>r. Wd
im r, of Alcxandiia, lias iniirniT I hi, willingness to ac
«' pt (he (woappointuienis; he i-, known stand as high
t:» ti.c C hnrcli to which be belongs as an*, man in tins
SM,e or probably in the Coiled States. ' lie is rVcrv
tvimre known »>y fepiitatieii, and i- engaged at (bis time
in delivering De< turts j;, Alexandria mi Ethics, and is
at tbe same limn the teacher rf the Jlebtew Dan*m. *.•
in the Institution in which hit is a Profc-sor. J I,me
who proiess to know the extent of hi, acquirements. p.o
nonnee decidedly on In- fitness to discharge ti.c duties
Of the Moral Chair, limited a- has been suggested,
which is strongly fortified by tl.e cireumstance, tlm! his
discourses m the pulpit aye always admired, and among
other thing-, for tlm nrntnr*s ami the excellence of
their composition, lie is understood to be no bigot, but
mi ardent and zealous promoter of the Religion of
Christ, entertaining a firm persuasion that there i, sal
tation for inam, out of the pale of the Protestant Epis
copal Church. Moreover, |)r. Wilmcr is now about
A i, with a considerable family, and lias not disc.oveifd
any of that kind of ambition which would lead him to
seek for new sconces on which to exhibit himself; or to
enter on now schemes or projects which might pul at
hazard the total loss of an ancient and venerable insti
’• ,ion, for the purpose *f endeavouring to build up a
: cw one that, might m •. ext (be ,1,000,,* of the Cuiv r
Mly, without promoting the general interests of Litera
ture.
1 hus the objection is wholly removed so far as it
applies to the Moral Chair. Let us see whether the
objection has, more weight with regard to the other
Professoiship. The gioiiuds here relied on are, that
Ihe Professor’s salary woul I be but <750, whilst the Pro
fessors of Mathematics, and Chjn.Ltrv, and Natural
! Philosophy receive $U’50, and although he would bp
entitled to fees lor attendance, that these Professors arc
a.„o entitled t > fees, and that he would feel degraded
try accepting an office where cqiiftl talents were renui
red, when the compensation allowed was so much less
lu this it may he answered, that the objection would
li.tidlv arise with any one who was not in senieh of ob
jections, but that it would l*o removed with almost
• very one so soon as a!l the facts were known. The
s il.irv r>i the Prohssor of Law is only <750; the Pro
misor ot.Jw.muiity receives only $500, and the salary
» ‘n^rr; u'r'1 r1"10^ bC o„iy
$ s. I ho I lolessrr of Political Law, would then
>er cm? " I,yiri!,a 1,1 ,!‘e P*ofe««r of Law, and 50
oneV t,'\"e " '!,-e.ot,,er *»o Professors just men
; Cl'* V *n this question we must take
1 ,ri ra i ’r T W"I-V ,,,c UL‘"ls are required.
Mt the extent of the services to ho performed by the
! •onch.S7n,UTp‘Vr,y 1,1 0rder,oc“'>«= ^ a cornel
I rh ‘ it Professor who lectured hut once d„
mg the course ivould not be degraded by accepting a
| or salary ban one who lectured . very day durmg
;.e course whatever might be the talents required ftj
7 T7 e, r 7UrC‘ ■ 1,0 dulies u hic-' ",),J ,d remain to
( i'|u al hair are just one half of the dulies now as
'ilfl- ‘V '“‘lt so iLnt the Professor of Moral
I rdosophy would per fo.m for a salary of $500 equal
' '. ,cs w‘ll'J7 Political Professor who wouid receive a
■sal.iiy iiKuO. Ihe Law Coarse is much more ex
tensive than the Political Course w< old be, and the
. rofcssor in that department, although his Icctuics
would close two months sooner, wou! i expend half as
mud. again time in lectui iifg as the Political Professor.
I tm t rofcs'or of f lumanit) is engaged from six to eight
hours daily in teaching his classes, and his Course ton
tunics two months beyond the course in the higher
schools, whilst the P. lilical Professor would he enga
7, . Pnc 7lir onty cvcry second day in lecturing, and i
tliat for a ( oursn shot ter by two months than the Course i
m the school of Humanity. The Professor rhen would :
sda:n. <m Ir.goer grounds than three cf Urn other Pro
essi.o s. A, to the ot! lt two, their Courses of Lectures
continue for the same time with (he Political Profcs- j
Mir , arc much more extensive than the Lectures on the !
sciences proposed to In- assigned to the Political Chair !
h ive been, and require that each should lecture every I
day m the week, whereas the Political Professor, as :
liss been soul, would lecture only every second day I
Vndly It is objected that the salarv of <750 is in it
self too lovv jo enab'e the College to obtain a tit person
to li the ( hair. rbc first observation which may be
made m reply is, that from the-year 17.'i:i to the present
‘ ay, tt.tr 1 rofessor of Law never received a giealev
■salary than $750, and no difficulty ever existed m ub
laming a fit Professor. Indeed,'when that great and
good man, George Wythe, filled the Chair, his salarv
did not, al any lime, exceed 0. inn Al.m.i • _
1790 or 0 1. Tucker succeeded to that Professor
Miifi ai t!io same salary, which was bftcrwnrds raised to
Ho Was succeeded by Judge William Nelson
And Chancellor Nelson on (he death of Judge \V.
Nelson was appointed to that Chair; the salary was af
terwards in 1815 raised to £750, and it has been con
tinucd to the present Profossor, Judge Semple, to (his
time. Bishop Madison, who filled the Chairs both of
Moral and Natural Philosophy with equal dignity and
ability for many years, received for both Professorships
only $600, and never received, to the day of his death,
more than £750. It is true that he was President of<
the College at the same time, at a salary of about £.300, j
and- that as Chaplain he received £100;' but the extent '
ot his duties as Professor were three times as great as I
those ot the Professor of Political Haw would be. Uoet. i
.Smith accepted the office of President and Professor of j
Moral Philosophy, when (he salary of the Professor of
Mural Philosophy, as is behoved, was only £600, and
(he duties double the extent of those of the Political
ProfcssQr. Poring a period of near 10 years, thete
has been then, no difficulty in procuring a fit Professor I
ot Haw, whilst (he salary was for by far the greater!
part of the time, much lower and never higher, a!
th. ugh the services of the Professor were more lahori- 1
mis and the course much more extensive than that of
the ProiC! sor of Political Haw. Bislmp Madison per- '
formed tiehle the sendees, for many years, at a less, I
and at no time torn higher salary; and Doct. Smith,!
for a short time, performed double the services for a locs :
salary than would be attached to the Political Chair.
l lew coulu it n»* tint j\ Professor could now oe *
I.a.I for the Political Chair at a salary of ^750? Again, ;
si the net: annual income ot the members oi the three '
learned professions be enquired into, ii would be found,1
thu t very few receive in cash more than the salary pro- •
pose d to be given to ih.s Professor; and as the situation i
under considciation would he highly respectable and
the income certain, we ought not to donht that almost
any one from either of the learned professions would
be Willing to accept (Ins Professorship. Indeed, two !
of t’ e professions arc now overstocked, and it is highly !
probable lb it many from eilher of ibein would be happy j
in having the opportunity ol obtaining such an ostab
I.shiner.!; and especially if he belonged to (he bar, as be I
might po-sibly be admitted to practice in the ( hanen , !
(.’mirt in the City of W hi; armburg. .Nn doubt what :
ever is er.laitaincd, that some gentleman may at once
be obtained who would willingly receive the appoint
merit, (oat ;.t first would h charge al! the d !:?•.. 1
least as well as they Itave hern discharged by a Pro
fessor when first appointed, and in a reasonable time
would do cicdit to himself and to the Institution.
These objections then appear to bo entirely refuted.
It would be fair to conclude, even without a know
1 '.igo o! (lie .act, that one of these Professorships might
at once be fried with a fit Prolessor, tiiat there would
be no difficulty whatever in procuring such prvjfessors
as would be entirely satisfactory to the Visitors, and
able and willing to sustain the reputation of the Col
lege. In the investigation of the last question, the fees
to be received by ihc professor have been scarcely al
luded to, and not relicJ upon in tlie argument. If itbas
been shewn, that thevacant Chair could be well filled,
without relying oh the fees, as an inducement to ac-’
ccpt the professorship, then the objections urged have
been overthrown entirely; but if a doubt could remain
with any one, for the purpose of removing it, let us
endeavour to shew tiiat the College will flourish, and
toat the fees, likely to be received, will be such a source
of pmi;i t(- the professor, as to remove all objection to
the amount ot the salary. TtwonlJTic an useless task
at this time to examine into the causes which have ope
rated to It.sfji ihc number of pupils at William and
iMarw. they are already before thn public: It is sufli
emi t to say. that except th • cl .blishmenlof the Uni
' 11 a - i toe other causes were teiupoiary; (liat very
many S.avo been removed, and (hat probably not one
v. id irmaiii after a few months. Since July IfrJu,the
f’aeuiiy have been pleased fo inform the public of (be
stale and r> ndilion of the College. This they no doubt
l.ave done, because they were satisfied that public opi
moo must control n!| subordinate Institutions as cfTec
(ually .ii ii controls the political machinery’ of our
country,—ami they scein now to acknowledge that a
Fii-oary la-li'ution can no more set public opinion at
defiance an! flourish, although intrenched tv ii i. a char
ter, than ?i Ilepu sentativr can s-t the instructions of
hi- constituents at defiance and retain his office. This
course of the Faculty cannot fail, if persevered in, to
produce .i h>v ourahle rcMilt. IMbrcover (lie govern
inent of the C< Ilcgc has been placed in the bands of
(lie Fatuity, where it always ought to have been—and
the expemes of Students at Coliege so much reduced,
that the most numerous an I important cle-s in society
coo now avail themselves of (lie benefits of a collegiate
education, independent fciu.ci* possessed of moderate
fortunes; win teas before, iiono could en|oy ilu -e bene
fit s blit the wealthy, without involving themselves and
their families in great embarrassment, if not m ruin.
Flic wealthy may send their sons to (bo University
if they prefer to do so. to the Noith, to Fast, or to
Europe, but the middling classes, especially of the
whole lower country, will send (Imir sons to W.ibam Sf
Mary. Among ti»is important and numerous class.
orv't r <' 11 c ? li'C' i -v spiriv r. ’ ;:/.t ooW will lie ball*
from'tlib*7,> out ii,o who,,. counfry
i“orl l J.°f ° 'ra‘er (° U,t seahoa'-d will be m
c C ;,rd 3 "C‘V S,a.,C « «ll arise. Agn
cr comm I "WOVtC' 3 ' 'l U,e ”f «be low
ercotmtij. riio farmer will add to Ins wealth awl
'''i'",!1'1' "‘c"’™cd in popoil ... im
5f»o“u?Li. y’ ,,C“I,!* “nd <■» “* '*»■»
i he idle notion ti nt Williamsburg is unhealthy du
,? ,««col.orf»iecourse, is so.nbsolutcly wiihom f.jIin
datiorrtbat it is impossible that it can keep Sluconts
?u,n UlC Colk^- K'lber a special Providence watch
? over the youth who come to the Institution, or
I Inc place is peculiarly healthy—Only one young man
has.... more dO years, died during the collegiate cop,so
of any disease whatever. This fact was published on
the authority of the Visitors, and if denied, could be
I verified by hundreds. If the office of President be
| lud iciously filled, if the duties of the Moral (’hair he
, uivided as suggested, and fit professors appointed, and
I , ‘ a, ,,I<y, and every member thereof, will zealous
y discharge Ins duty, and unite in doing all that may
bo |«ro,nri:i resuscitating the College, it will' again
| nourish to an extent that will satisfy entirely the ex
pectation of the public, and render the Institution
highly serviceable to the State, to the Union, and in
doe to the cu e of humanity throughout the civilized
world. And if this state of things should arise, who 1
would tie iiuwillmg to c»ine into the College, or lore-'
main there when once connected with it5 The pros
perity of the College, with the lees added to the sala
ries, would place the professors iu an enviable situa
"on an I the only fear would be, that the abundance
| with winch they were surrounded would induce them
| o relax u. their efforts. Already they have been pub
! c j charged will, reposing on their fat endowments,
without making proper efforts to promote the success
joltli2 Institution, and this charge might possibly here
| alter apply and require a reduction of the salaries so
as to stimulate them to industry and exertion, that
they might make up by foes what they might lose in sal
an. If then proper professors («) can be had for the i
new professorships, why should not the duties of the !
11 . iXog.jjiJ reason is perceived I
<o induce a rejection of this plan; and many advanta- I
im s which most suggest themselves to every one, will j
6a',,cd by placing a Clergyman at the head of the
Coi.ege. * hie of the greatest magnitude will bo men
tioned. \\ iliiain & Mary would gel rid of the charge
°‘ mirl'u mg principles of infidelity—as Metaphysicks
anti Kthics would be assigned to a ClerpfriDan—for it
has been said, that in teaching those sciences sufficient
care had not heeu taken »o prevent the students from
concluding that tlieChristian Religion formed nc part of
the Creed ofa Metaphysician, and that, in consequence,
many of the students were tainted more or ie<-s with
nei-on. Rut when the sciences are assigned to a Cler
gyman, no danger need he apprehended from thai quar
ter. 1 pon tins subject parents and guardians are ex
trcincl v sensitive, for even if they arc themselves sccr.
t u ks, Int-y w ould not have their sons and wards brought
up iiiln,els. By making an additional professor, all
possible objection to a Clergyman would bn removed:!
ht would bo confined to subjects proper for him to
leach, (b) and politics would be turned overto a layman
* o cannot suppose tint the Visitors would be so inju
die ions, as to place at the head of the College a Cler
gyman who was more intent on propagating sectarian
principles than on promoting true roligion and morali
ty, and on imparling the lights of science to pupils en
trusted to his care. It has been suggested that Duct.
Ducachetof Norfolk, or Mr. Meade of Frederick, would
fill the office i f President and Professor of Moral Phil
osophy with groat benefit to the Institution, and with
credit to themselves—of this there is not the slightest
disposition to raise a doubt; but there is the best rea
son to believe, that Doct. Wihner will fill the offices
w.t.i equal propriety and with as much dignity and ben
e!:l to the institution; moreover lie is willing to accent; •'
whereas after it was known to the other gentlemen that
I-)oct. iirner had intimate] his willingness to accept, (
it ought not for a moment to he believed that they
would stand in his way, unless they knew that he was'
n t suited to the situation, and that It i- supposed could |
not be the case. Indeed it is not believed by any one I
.u pminted well with Mr. Meade that he would under I
any circumstances accept, and nothing i-_ known w ith j
regard to f/oct. Oucacbet, who, after i ho meeting off
the-lib was published, loft Norfolk, having made no I
enquiry nor signified any desiie to change his situation. !
Had the Visitors fortned a board on the -Ith instant, it i
is apprehended, from what has been said on the sub- i
ject. that the.duties of tlie 7-*rofessorship ofjl/oral /*hil '
osopliy would have been divided, and that Doct.’Wilmer
wnrild have been appomted /'resident and Z'rofcssor
Oi .'t/orol /'hilosophv- Indeed so strong was the im
pressiun, that not the least doubt is now enteitained
that it will be done at tlie next meeting, and although ■
the Convocation will not meet imiil the 16th (r) Octo !
her, and the College opens on the dutli, it is pretty con- j
fi-Ie.ill!y expected that I/oct. Vv diner will at once be I
aide Income on and enter on the duties of bis office.
t bat his situation, should lie be appointed, will be an I
ngreable one to him, that tie will oe kindly and affee- •
tionntely received by those with whom he is toassori I
ate, and especially by his collogues, illumed and coidi- I
denliy expected by
A ( itlZFN OF WILLIAMSBURG.
September 16, 13/6. !
("7 If the \ isitora should doubt of tiie practicability of
obtaining a gentleman of established reputation t» fifl tin:
; r. fessorship of political law, might they not suffer the du
i e;: 'o be performed by some one engaged by the Faculty !
t Hit single course? It this plan should not be approved,)
rather than not divide the duties, it would he much better
* * ■>' ii.'iut to the professorship any young gentleman of high
character and sound understanding, who had studied the
f.nonces,embrared hy the professorship as a p.art of hi? ge
ni'ial »Juration, without intending to become a teacher: if
the Convocation were satisfied of his industry, and that he
would -pply himself sedulously to the duties of his office.
Indeed, it is supposed to be so very important that the ar
rangement should take place, that if it could he effected hy
any plan within the power of the Convocation, it ought to1
he adopted, and that there is one method of effecting it,
will he obvious enough to that body.
(/>) Sc." llth Art. Con. Va.
(r) I I,p hector a notice tor a meeting has not been per
ceived iu any i : the public papers printed in Richmond!
Communicated.
; T*> T”: \'i*i runs nr Wir.r jam k Coi i n.r I
Ot nltnncn: An individual whe fakes a lively interest!
in liie prosperity of our venerable Institution, craves J
leave (o ad iros? you upon the present occasion. Ft is 1
no( fiom r.n overweening conceit of bis own abilities,!
! rmr is it from a desire to enrol his name in the lists of
emulation for popular applause, (bat lie is prompted to
! the undertaking, lie ranks too Jow in the scale of bis
! own estimation lo think with arrogance of himself, and
1 his life has hitherto been too sequestered; his affections
j too mttch captivated by the charms of thoughtful study
I and retirement, to be at this time influenced by circurn
j stances drawn from the other consideration. But when
he looks abroad, and contemplates the awful situation
! in which the beloved College of his youth now stands—
! that College endeared to his heart bv the earliest and
fondest associations, he would bean apostate to his own
feehrgs; a traitor to the holy .standard of literature and
the tonnliy of his residence, if he raised not his feeble
voice, and with all his strength proclaimed, that the
lifts or death of this venerable Institution is critically
suspended upon the unbiassed wisdom of your adopted
measures! The respectability of your names, the res
ponsible nature of the olfice with which you arc invest
ed, the solemn obligations of the oath, which, as Visi
tor?, you have taken, all preclude the anticipation that,
in the selection of a President and Professor, you would
be governed by any other motive, than the future wel
fare of the seminary over which jou preside. But,
gentlemen, how often, unperceived by us, arc the best
' and most virtuous inclinations diverted from their pro
per channel? How often «ill private friendship and
family connexion insinuate themselves into the solitude
of our retirement, and unfortunately close our eyes to
the true interest of the object which ernplojs our rc
fleeturns? Is it not from the active influence of consi
deration* like these, that public, offices arc so frequently
filled by characters, amiable it is t*oe. in private life,
but altogether unequal to the stations which they occu
I o\; Is pc*, the iniivii't'.l «1 .• r* bound to tjs’by the
arnco.ous corns ot /cifiUi'cd and ajJcU.au, worn U.u
relation w hich I.c thus boars, magnified in our perspec
tive of Ins rpal merit and qualifications? And will not
* *c 1 < f,He |ne,lj|1'n of priva-N) pique or prejudice so ro
I act (lie irradiating light of the understanding, as to
i ”,rn •* as,,Ie f,om *■'« right line, in which would olhcr
w. .. be regarded the well known qualifications of some
meritorious object? Thai man must know little of his
own nature; little knowledge indeed must he deiive
Irom the passing stream of events, who dues not give an
affirmative reply to the truth of these enquiries.
I ho retirement of Dr. binitli from the Chair of Pre
sident and Professor, is no doubt a theme of cordial
delight to the ft lends of William and Alary. So long
as that wayward gentleman continued, in despite r"f
delicacy and popular sentiment, to preside over the In
stitution, so long did its true fiicnds entertain the most
gloomy forebodings of its fate. But the “solid dark
ness which enveloped the pros peel 3 of our College,
»as been dispersed by the fortunate removal of its gieat
opaque cause, and it is now in your power, gentlemen
not only to restore this venerable Scmiuarv to ils lost '
character and reputation, but to render your names
dear to the lower country and to posterity, bv the man
nanunity ot your exertions iu ils behalf.
Pin* late re institution of a Graminar fichool may he
con.-ale ted as one ofthe most enlightened steps which I
corn,, ba adopted to effect the restoration of our Col
K;?e; for 11,0 b,')s »» that school, from attachment and i
oilier causes, are to be regarded, il I may be allowed
the expression, as embryo students ofthe Institution—
IIovv impolitic then how passing strange was it for in
dividual- possessed even of coinmou understanding 01
judgment, and whose official duty it was to art with a
single rye to the welfare ofthe College, thus to render !
themselves, by the ill lated abolition of so important a !
school, not only enemies to the Institution, but material
instruments ... its downfall! “ Pros Ty riusvc mibi nolle ;
liscriinmc agetur.” To you, gentlemen, therefore,do |
, in common with the whole lovrer country, offer up '
the aincorest tribute of gratitude for having brought !
back to the Institution those voutliful minds, which it
was erst her delight to instruct; minds destined, per
haps at some future day, to glow with the proud dis
tinction of burninir umi shiniiur lights i» il.„ 1
which gave them birth. * j
In ray humble apprehension, tho spirit of vour char- j
trr evidently requires that the President of William '
; * :,larv be a c,cn«fl character: such appears to have !
been the opinion of all tho collegiate authorities previ
ons to the unfortunate appointment «fl)r. Smith; and'
such too, after a deliberate examination of the charter I
I Matter myself you will have no hositatioo in '
avowing. In your selection of a President, then, re- ;
pair to consult the gcuuine spirit of the charter under :
w.nch you act, and in consulting that oracle, you will ;
*' ,he li‘nc pioinote the real interests of our Sem
inary, by advancing to the (’hair a gentleman distin
guished f■ r the fervor of his zeal in the sacred cause of
religion; one who is l.berally gifted, both by nature and !
hj « lunation, with all those endowments calculated to
urip.ut dignity to tho office, and reputation to the Insti j
timon. Nor is it a difficult task to obtain, among the 1
distinguished clcigy of our country, a President of the I
requisite qualifications. 0„r College rich in its re-‘
sources, from that circumstance alone, possesses advan- !
tages, which few Institutions are able to command.—
Having then, the faculiy to bestow the most liberal
.alaries upon her officers, she has also a right to tic
fro,n l,'osc* appointed to legislate fur her good.
\ r<!/CS!tnr« the most distinguished in this country for
their attainments in the different walks of literature
and science. Let me then, gentlemen, conjure you,
witn a zeal which, it is hoped, will not offend, by no
means to separate the Political from the Moral Chair,
as has been suggested, I fear, by the evil spirit of in
trigue andfavouritism; hut to concentrate in the person
oi your President both .Moral and Political duties. If
the suggested separation of these (wo branches take I
place, and it bo your determination to appoint a Politi- i
cal Professor, can you afford, without reducing the sa- :
larms of the Other Piofessois^can you, I say, afford to I
endow this new Professorship with such advantages, as
to induce gentlemen of distinguished talents to become
candi laics tor the appointment? And if you cannot by
toe advantages of the situation, tempt such characters j
as these, to appi ar competitors for the prize, you may j
as well, in uniiaiiou of the ancient Sibyl, give the funds 1
ot the Institution to the winds. Better, far better!
would it be for oni unfortunate College Mill to heave. ;
ami groan, and struggle under the midnight pressure I
oi its former Liculus, until collecting its whole life!
h.ood at the heart, it throw off at length, hv one con !
vuImvo effort, the Miff-eating load that oppresses it! If;
the fends of the Institution will permit the establish-I
nient o| another Professor, could y on,gentlemen, make
a more judicious application of those funds, than in the
ci cat ion oi a Professorship of modern languages? Po i
great is the importance attached hy me to a knowledge
oi tlie Spanish, French and Italian tongues, that I I
would have them taught in our Institution, even at the
expense of the Law Professorship; valuable as it is both '
for the distinguished ability of the g< ntleman who fills I
that department, and the nature of the object itself — .
Lut, gentlemen, there is un imjnediale necessity for a;
sacrifice of ibis kind. Continue to unite in the same '
person Me offices of President and Professor, ns“ they i
now exi.t; and if an adequate portion of (be funds can '
be devoted to die endowment of a new Professorship,
enli an individual to the (. hair, who is capable of teach- \
ing two at least id these languages. Raise then, O '
raise, our much-abused, our long suffering Institution
from its bed of langnishrnent! Revive, we beseech *
you, its drooping bead! The cordials can he adrninis- !
tcred. The remedies are in your power.
Williamsburg, Sept. 19th, 182b. JUNIUS. |
DIED,
At Tohu M. Moody's in Hanover, on the 18th instant,
(wliidiet Ire hud gone on a visit,) Captain John'Mooii v,
an old /{evolutionary soldier, and lAng a resident of this
city.
DR. MOSBY takes this method of informing the public,
that he is now attending Mrs. Eeigh's institution at
New York for rming impediments of speech, to perfect
himself; and that lie will in Id or Id days lie at his icsi
rlence in Powhatan county, duly authorised anti empower
ed hy Mrs. Leigh to cure stammerers on licr (dan.
I'r. Mosby having himseif been an inveterate stammer
er all liislife,assures the public tint relief is certainly to be
had in every case by proper attention to the rules adopted
by Mrs. Leigh.
New York, 10th Sept. 1R2G. 7l)_(f
Odd and Even—To-Morrow."
The drawing of the
GRAND STATE LOTTERY
of Virginia, will take place at the City H ill, TO-MOR
ROW morning at ten o'clock—The Capital Prizes are
20,000 DOIZARS!
8,000—1,000 1,000®, kc. fir. The scheme being arran
ged on the OPT) k L\ KN S\ STKM, there is a certainty !
of obtaining at least one prize, by tho purchase of tw o tick
ets or two share®.—'i’lic CASH can l-c I,ad for ail prizes!
the moment they are drawn.
Whole tickets $5 | Quarters £i.o-.
Halves 2.50 | Eighths ’ <)2
To be had (Odd and Even) at
COHEN’S
Lottery and Exchange Oflice; corner opposite the Ea-de
Hotel. *
iff Prizes in any of the Intc Lotteries and most kinds of
foreign bills will be received in payment.
Sept. 2G—It
' virtue of a deed of trust, executed to the subscriber,
Juhn Jennings, and duly recorded in the clerk's
office of Concilia nd county, Vshall, on the 20th day of No
vember next, at ftonchland court house, proceed to sell for
cash, the 'I ract of 1.and conveyed by said deed, or so much
thereof as will satisfy a debt due to Nicholas J. Poindexter
Co. together with the costs of executing and carrying this
deed into effect; this families in the county of tioorhlatri
upon the three chopped road and adjoining tire, lands of
Wm. Price and others. Such title as is vested in the sub
scriber hy the deed aforesaid will bo conveyed to the pur
chaser.
* tV !'T T;’\«A %T5 'p *
fQpl 0£ , ^ * * . 1
COHEN’S OFFICE—Hicjimok®, )
.... September 20,1826 {
, St ‘t ^V' IVO riCE —T,,e drawing of the Vliter Y
• State Lottery, 1st class, for the benefit «>f u,
Monungalia Academy, will take place at the City Hu )
lo-M.„r,,w, the *Ttl, nut. at ten o’clock. y ’
,T*!K Editor tbc Virginia Jackson Rcpuh:
JL lias withdrawn from the said establishment; and
I n,,y Pay»e»ts have been made to him, on application ,i'
| cheerfully will they be returned.
s,,Pt ^ A. RUSSEU .
FALL GOODS.
F HAVE received by the Kichntond Packet and uti.tr
■. late arrivals, a part of my FALL GOODS- Atiu-rr-*
which are, **
Supetltne and common cloths and cassimercg
IVlifsc anil habit cloths, assorted
N a), ncia silk lloreutine and Marseilles vestings
5tij:,crfu»e and common sattinetts
• plains, kerseys and lion skins
Hosr, point anil whitfiev blankets
l*.ed,while anil yellow flannels
f arpetings and hcnrlh rugs
German o/.naburgs and ticklcnhurgs
1-lack and colored bombazetts
Faiian and Cartiline plaid*
S,ik stiij.ml barege
< t»\i uicre and merino shawls
Company rhoppas and bandannas
i-H and 6 4 black mode of superior quality
-•lack and colored Gio* dc Naples
•1-1 pi.nn and worked bobbinet laces
Dillo iace veils and pelerines
Ca.i. " j and printed cambricks, assorted
l.h«cl. and white silk, and cotton hosieiy
It.,:..,, Swiss, mull and jaconet muslins
•1 •*. and tt-4 cambricks. assorted
■•8 ami li-4 iMamlnrin crapes
1 lain and figured Canton crapes and ruben
1-me and superfine black bombasine
Liack, blue and assorted Italian silks
/ -S ami 4 4 heavy Irish linens
5-4 and 6-4 sheetings, assorted
Lini'j eye, Russia and table diapr.r
Thread and cotton tickings
1'hread and cotton checks
•Silk and cotton umbrellas
R,0'v" and bleached domestic shirtings & sheeting*
Run a lan.-tv of other seasonable GOODS; and exm
oidcarlnM-r-,n<?r!IuppIi0-9 in* fewila^n)| which wiii p .;
..t>. 1 at mi'i.'Ually low prices, by
S*r,t‘ ’ hall NEILSON.
,* court held for Prince Edward county, Sentend r
the liuh, 11526.
MmA"nCU'and Martha hi, wife formerly Martha*}
‘ "against "
Edmond Perkinson, Micajah Mason and Eliza his wife,
Allen Morns, Dahn.y Miller ami Polly his wife
Dabney Morris, Missouri Morris, JVorvelu.nl *7
t.aii ‘ ».h,S W,i,Snn Nimmn Morris, *1-7
lolly Morns M’Earland, daughter of Ja„e G
M garland, Dabney Morris, j„„. Vincent Phillips >1
and llniriet his wife, Temple Lipscnmbe and Eliz
abeth bis wife, Polly JefTVess, John P. Hawkins, cj
Aa.icy A. Hawkins, William Ward and Eliza A. *
his wife, John Ward and Jane M. his wife, Mary ^4
A. Miller, Willtatn T. Woottnn and Elizabeth
H Ins w ife, Samuel D. Burke and Bichard Burke,
and Dabney Miller, En’or of John Perkinson ,*e
i censed, - . . ..
i (laA"'<en,0n J:,J.Iill|or « ,*‘PPnMUrd guardian for tl^ defen
da.its M k a.land daughter of Jane M*F.„land, Dab
ney Morris, juii. Nancy A. Hawkins and Mary A. Miller
who are infants nr,tier the age of twenty one years, for the
special purpose of defending their interest in this suit. And
| the defendants Edmund Perkinson, Micajah Mason and
Eliza hss wife, and Allen Morris, not having entered tlie:r
appearance and given security according loan act of the
genera assembly and the rules of this courr, and it appear
ing lo the satisfaction of the court, that they arc not in
habitants of this state, on the motion of the complainants
by counsel it is ordered, that the said defendants, Edmund
l crk.nsonf Micajah Mason and Eliza his wife, and Allen
Morris, do appear fie.e on the first day of December court
next, and answer the complainants’bill, and that a copy
of this order be forthwith inserted in some one of the pubUc
newspapers printed „ the city of Richmond for two month*
Successively, and also posted at the front door of the court
house of this county. court
- T°!_ A C°Py* .TfMe» D- J. WORSTIJM, dk.
rSlHE Visitors of the College of Wm. & Mary, arc ro
quested to meet in their Convocation Chamber at 12
. clock,on the Ito.h of Oct. The object of the meeting
:o appoint a President and also a Professor of Moral Pi.Vlr.l
mpl.y. Rhetoric and Belles-Lettres, Metaphysics, Nat. and
National Law, 1 ohtical Eco,.ay, and Government. The
salary of the I resident is §500, and he is furnished will, a
iond dwelling bouse and garden. The salary of ,|le
,essor #1250. payable quarterly, and a fee of $20 from each
student who attends any of his classes. Co..,,,,,,mentions
n the subject may be addressed to any Visitor „f ,|ie c<1,.
lege, who will lay then, befoie the Board of Visitors.
. ^ • BBOVVNE, Rector,
sept £G F
F /0— ot
f 1iv"* !)r,ncM'5** ‘d'jout of the meeting of the Visitors
<*t \V imam am! Mary College on the Jdth 0f October
next, is to appoint a President and a Professor of Mural
I inlosophy. For the information or those who may
oc willing to receive an appointment in (he College
and of others who may be disposed to communicate n°ny
information that may tend to aid the Hoard in selecting
"t pci sons for the offices ll.at it may be necr^ssry to
till, it is deemed proper to state—that the salat \ of tho
1 resident n $500 per annum, payable quarterly m
advance, aud that an excellent lion,,a, circulated for
the accommodation of a large family, is furnished him
with an extensive garden cultivated at the College*
expense:—that (he President convenes the Facultv
and always presides at the Hoard, carries on all (he
correspondence oi the Colleger, and performs manv
other duties, none of which however arc difficult or
burlhensorne:—that the Professor c/T Moral Philosophy
is entitled ton salary of $12,50, payable as aforesaid
and to a fee of $20 for every student that attends ci'h.
of his two classes, to one of which he lectures every
day:—that the Professorship of Moral Philosophy a*
present embraces the following sciences, to wit.-' (hn
philosophy of grammar, rhetoric, belles lettres, logic,
cthicks, metaphysics, natural an.l national law, politick c
and political uconomy: —that from 1738, with the ex
ception of a few years immediately alter the death of
the Right Itev. Uishop Madison, who Jong presided
over the College, the offices of President and Profes
sor of Moral Philosophy were bestowed on the same
person; that but few students other than those who
attend the Law Lectures fail to enter the Moral school
and every year some of the Law students become
members of the senior Moral class:—that it has been
suggested as probable that the Convocation may deem
it expedient to establish a Professorship of Political
Law, assign to that chair some of the subjects now
embraced by the Professorship of Moral Philosophy,
to wit: natural and national law, politicks and political
o-conomy, limit the salary of the Professor of Moral
Philosophy to $500, appoint the President to be electefl
Professor of Moral Philosophy, fix the salary of the
Professor of Political Law at $750, allow to each
Professor a fee of $20 for every student that may at
tend him, and require of each to lecture at least
three times a week.—and that the College* as to the
higher schools, opens on the 80th October, when tho
Lectures arc to commence, and closes on the 4th July
following.
ff gentlemen willing to accept cither or both the
offices now vacant, or either of the situations tinder
the suggested arrangement (if adopted,) would rnako
known their views to the Rector or either of the Vi
sitors, to be laid before the Convocation, and forward
any testimonials of their fitness for the situation de
sired, .' if they should deem it expedient to do so,) it
is confidently believed that the course would be ap
proved entirely, and that it would enable the Hoard to
fill the offices to which they may have to appoint will*
greater satisfaction, and in a manner to promote more
effectually the interests of (lie Institution, and th-j
cause of science and humanity.
/FoViaVi.M/rg, S/pf. 8, 1826.
* The Ornuimar School open* on the Is'. O'.rbar, and
•31' Ls* d iy ,-f July '’dT.twirf