University of Virginia Library

TO JAMES MADISON.[1]

HonD. Sir,—I received your letter by Mr. Rossekrans,
and wrote an answer; but as it is probable
this will arrive sooner which I now write by Doctor
Witherspoon, I shall repeat some circumstances to
avoid obscurity.

On Wednesday last we had the usual commencement.
Eighteen young Gentlemen took their Bachelor's
degrees, and a considerable number their
Master's Degrees. The degree of Doctor of Law
was bestowed on Mr. Dickenson the Farmer and
Mr. Galloway,[2] the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly,
a distinguishing mark of Honour, as there
never was any of that kind done before in America.
The Commencement began at 10 O'Clock, when the
President walked first into the Church, a board of

Trustees following, and behind them those that were
to take their Master's degrees, and last of all, those
that were to take their first Degrees; after a short
prayer by the President the Head Oration, which is
always given to greatest Scholar by the President &
Tutors, was pronounced in Latin by Mr. Samuel
Smith,[3] son of a Presbyterian Minister in Pennsylvania.
Then followed the other Orations, Disputes,
and Dialogues, distributed to each according to his
merit, and last of all was pronounced the Valedictory
oration by Mr. John Henry son of Gentleman in
Maryland. This is given to the greatest Orator.
We had a very great assembly of People, a considerable
number of whom came from N York those at
Philadelphia were most of them detained by Races
which were to follow on the next day.

Since Commencement the Trustees have been sitting
about Business relative to the College, and have
chosen for Tutors for the ensuing year, for the junior
class Mr. Houston from N Carolina in the room of
Mr. Peream. for the Freshman class, Mr. Reeve a
gentleman who has for several years past kept a
School at Elizabeth Town, in the room of Mr. Pemberton:
The Sophomore Tutor Mr. Thomson still
retains his place, remarkable for his skill in the
Sophomore Studies, having taken care of that class
for several years past. Mr. Halsey was chose Junior
Tutor but refused. The Trustees have likewise appointed

Mr. Caldwell a minister at Elizabeth Town
to take a journey through the Southern Provinces as
far as Georgia to make collections by which the College
Fund may be enabled to increase the Library,
provide an apparatus of mathematical and Philosophical
Instruments & likewise to support Professors
which would be a great addition to the advantages
of this College. Doctr. Witherspoon's business to
Virginia is nearly the same as I conjecture and perhaps
to form some acquaintance to induce Gentlemen
to send their sons to this College.

I am very sorry to hear of the great drought that
has prevailed with you, but am in some hopes the
latter part of the year may have been more seasonable
for you[r] crops. Your caution of frugality on
consideration of the dry weather shall be carefully
observed; but I am under a necessity of spending
much more than I was apprehensive, for the purchasing
of every small trifle which I have occasion for
consumes a much greater sum than one would suppose
from a calculation of the necessary expences.

I feel great satisfaction from the assistance my
Uncle has received from the Springs, and I flatter
myself from the continuance of my mother's health
that Dr. Shore's skill will effectually banish the cause
of her late indisposition.

I recollect nothing more at present worth relating,
but as often as opportunity and anything worthy
your attention shall occur, be assured you shall hear
from