University of Virginia Library

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.