XVI. The Bill for Conversion
In the midst of all these plans for building pavilions
and dormitories and engaging professors, how did
Jefferson expect to acquire the funds which would be
needed for so many purposes? The subscription list
was his only immediate reliance, and knowing how slender
and inadequate it was, he began to direct a wistful
eye towards the State treasury, which now possessed,
in the Literary Fund, a source of large income for the
benefit of public education. He was convinced that no
institution of permanent importance could be sustained
by private contributions alone; and this, as we have already
pointed out, was a powerful motive with him in
hastening the completion of the College, for as long as it
was without pavilions, dormitories, and instructors, no
appeal could be made to the General Assembly for assistance
with any prospect of success.
When, in the winter of 1817–18, Jefferson's bill for
general education was submitted, with an alternate clause
for the adoption of Central College as the university then
talked of, Cabell hoped that, should that clause be ignored
and no university authorized, a separate bill asking for
an appropriation for the College would be more fortunate.
"I have often observed," he wrote shrewdly to
his chief at Monticello, "a disposition in the Assembly
to console the disappointed by granting them something
on the failure of a favorite scheme. Miserable omen for
science and literature that their friends should fly to such
a sentiment on such an occasion, yet it would be better to
do this than to fail altogether." It was his plan, should
the conversion be refused, to obtain an annuity, ranging
from $3,500 to $5,000, from the Literary Fund for the
College, to be used for the support of its professorships,
while the money from the subscriptions might be reserved
for the construction of the buildings. But he soon found
that there were many obstacles in his path. On February
6, 1818, he again wrote to Jefferson, "The friends of
Staunton and Lexington wish to keep down the Central
College. I believe that they would oppose the appropriation
of a dollar to it. Should it get even a little
amount, it would be established, and one year more would
throw Staunton out of the chase altogether, and Lexington
in the background. For these reasons, I think the
back country will oppose a small appropriation to the
Central College with nearly as much zeal as it would the
establishment of the University at that place."
After struggling against this illiberal attitude, and witnessing
the defeat of Jefferson's bill, Cabell became so
much disheartened that he doubted the expediency of petitioning
for the desired annuity at this session. "Let it
be done at the next," was his frequently reiterated advice.
Such was the character of the present House, he said,
that it was questionable whether it would grant the College
even the right to hold a lottery. "Certain interests,"
he continued, "have conspired to cause the Assembly
to turn its back on literature and science. A portion
of the middle country delegation, by cooperating
with these interests, have darkened our prospects on this
occasion. These, it is thought, are opposed to the Central
College, partly because of their hostility to some
of the persons who support it, or from other motives but
little more commendable. It is of infinite importance
to the best interests of the State to send some able and
virtuous men to the next Assembly." And again he said,
"If I had the cooperation of some four or five men, such
as I could describe, everything could be effected." And
again, "Our only safe course is to look around and select
suitable persons and to try and prevail on them to come
into the next Assembly. It is a subject of infinite delicacy
and should be handled with great discretion."
Whilst Jefferson's bill, which really aimed at the conversion
of Central College into a State university, was
thrown out at this session, nevertheless an Act was passed,
as a substitute, that authorized the establishment of a
great seat of learning for the whole Commonwealth, and
the selection of a commission to choose its site. The
struggle for that site was to be adjourned to Rockfish Gap,
and the conference there was to be attended by Jefferson.
For the first and last time in the history of this
protracted controversy, he was to be present in person on
the ground where the battle was actually fought; and
the complete success which crowned his participation in
that occasion, demonstrates that the influence of his
tongue could be quite as powerful as the influence of his
pen, whenever he considered it wise to exert it.
