University of Virginia Library

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Dear Sir I have received yours without date
inclosing the letter of Mr. Cabell & your answer.
I approve entirely the course you recommend to
the friends of the University at Richmond, on the
proposed removal of the College at Williamsburg.
It would be fortunate if the occasion could be improved
for the purpose of filling up the general Plan
of Education, by the introduction of the grade of
Seminaries between the Primary Schools and the
University. I have little hope however that the
College will accede to any arrangement which is to
take from it a part of its funds, and subject it to
the Legislative Authority. And in resisting this
latter innovation, it will probably be supported by
all the Sectarian Seminaries, tho' to be adopted as
legal establishments of the intermediate grade.
It is questionable also whether the sectarian Seminaries
would not take side with William & Mary
in combating the right of the Public to interfere
in any manner with the property it holds. The
perpetual inviolability of Charters, and of donations
both Public & private, for pious & charitable uses,

seems to have been too deeply imprinted on the
Public mind to be readily given up. But the time
surely cannot be distant when it must be seen by all
that what is granted by the Public Authority for the
Public good, not for that of individuals, may be
withdrawn and otherwise applied, when the Public
good so requires; with an equitable saving or indemnity
only in behalf of the individuals actually enjoying
vested emoluments. Nor can it long be
believed that Altho' the owner of property cannot
secure its descent but for a short period even to
those who inherit his blood, he may entail it irrevocably
and forever on those succeeding to his
creed however absurd or contrary to that of a more
enlightened Age. According to such doctrines, the
Great Reformation of Ecclesiastical abuses in the
16th Century was itself the greatest of abuses; and
entails or other fetters attached to the descent
of property by legal acts of its owners, must be as
lasting as the Society suffering from them.

It may well be supposed, Should William & Mary
be transplanted to Richmond, that those interested
in the City will unite with those partial to the College,
and both be reinforced by the enemies of the
University, in efforts to aggrandize the former into
a Rival of the latter; and that their hopes of success
will rest a good deal on the advantage presented at
Richmond to Medical Students in the better chance
of Anatomic subjects; and in the opportunity of
Clinical Lectures; and to Law Students in the presence
of the Upper Courts. It will not surprize

if some of the most distinguished of the Bar and
Bench should take the Lecturing Chair either for
profit, or to give an attractive eclât to the regenerated
Institution. As the Medical & Law Departments
may invite the greatest number of Pupils, and of
course be the most profitable to Professors, the
obligation on us is the greater to engage for the
University conspicuous qualifications for those Chairs.
I trust this has been done in the Medical appointment
actually made, & hope we shall not be unsuccessful
in making the other. In opening the door
a little wider for the admission of students of the
Ancient Languages, it will be found, I think, that
we did well: considering the competition for students
that may be encountered, and the importance of
filling our Dormitories at an early period.

I return the letter of Mr. Cabell, and as your
answer may be a fair Copy for your files I return
that also.

Yours always & affectionately

I write a few lines to Govr. Barbour, on the Virg a.
claim in which the University is interested; tho: it is
I believe only applying the spur to a willing steed.