Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-05-01

MR.. RELF,
Many representations concerning the
conduct OF the students in respect to the
unfortunate rupture lately occasioned in the
college OF New-Jcrsey, have been made,
though none have been published, permit
me, sir, to request an insertion of the fol-
rowing, oeing letter sent to me by the COM
hie'ee appointed to act in our absence.
Przncetown, AIt1H Is
Your expectation is no doubt by this ne
Rod excited TO a high pitch, and YOUR mind
mas long been disagrecably suspended be-
tween the desire ofgood and the apprehen-
sion OF evil A kind of mystery has hither-
10 surrounded the actions OF the trustees.
winch has rendered us unable to conjecture
with any degree of probability, the result
OF their deliberations. 1t is from this cause.
that we have neglected to inform Won
OF their proceedings from time to time,
Judging that certainty, altno' acquired by
delay, would prove of more utility than
barren conjecture sanctioned by possibility
alone. Since their decree is now passed.
we Will give you in detail their every action
which relates to ourselves.
On the first day of their meeting nothinp.
was done with regard to us From CONVEX.
sations which we held with different mem-
bers of the faculty, we learned that the
trustees had given to our petition an inter.
probation very foreign to that which we in
dlvldua!ly and collectively intended, and
that they were proceeding 10 decide On er-
roheouS principles, without deliberation or
JusCce we expressed desire to relieve
them from this mistake, in order that thew
might judge of those actions which we had
really committed, anu not of such as might
he imputed to us by malignity or prejudice.
We were advised by Docto Hunter to adj;
dress them note, and accordingly the fol-
lowing was sent -
GENTLEMEN,
From representations which have late
~ been handed In to us, we are induced to
OeieVe that much o. the present disorder
OF College has arisen from a misunder-
standing between the faculty and the stu
dents Willing OH our part to do any thing
which will tend to reconcile so unfortunate.
rupture, still however keeping in view
the principles we have ready publicly "a
vowed, we thus request permission to repre-
sent the affair as we have conceived it, lest
perseverance in error should heighten those
grievances which have originated in mis-
take.
If you will accede to our request we will
wait ON you in whatever number Yourselves,
shall appoint
II. p: Uhshur, r. Chambers.
H. r., W. =, 6afes; I Hindman,
1t was our desire to render this note as.
respectful as their situation and dignity de-
manded, and we doubtless expected res
Pectiui return. The following answer was
received. OF its contents YOU can form
your own opinion. For ourselves we regard
1t as the effusion of naughty superiority.
which esteemed us in the light of menials
rather than of men.
he President of the board stated that
ne had received paper from some of the
students, which he was requested to lay be-
fore the board-the paper being read and
appearing to be signed by represen.ativeq
OF a combination, which is against flnda-
mental law of the College, RESOLVED ma
nfmouSiy that the same be returned with
out answer"
Extracted from the minutes of the nro-
ceedings of the Trustees of the COLLEGE OF
New-Jersey. "John D1aciean, CLk."
On the following day we received no.
tlncatlon that any one of us was permitted
10 appear IN his individual capacity and in
his own defence. Mr.. Upshur was request
ed on our part to attend them. Thev 6rst
informed him that he was suspended the
institution for riotous and disorderlv con-
duct in the hall, and thereby resisting a
fundamental law of the College Thev
then asked, "Were you in the hall on the
night of the rupture? 9 Did You leave IL
with the number of those who rebelled
from our authority? 8. Did YOU sign the
paper! Doyou now retract your sigma
ture from it? The three first questions
were answered in the affirmative the LAST
positively in the negative. He desired per-
mission to explain the meaning which he
attached to the petition, that thew mipbt
be convinced that the decision thew were
about topass would be as unfounded in ms.
tee as in truth. This request was grant
ed, but his representation was either not
regarded or believed insincere. A spirit
OF prejudice and contraction appeared tn
have assumed the government of their
minds and forbidding impartial enquiry, TO
demand such observations only as would
Iead TO conviction. They would hear of
nothing but positive retraction, and an
evasive answer was considered as a crime
Many other similar queries were occasion
ally proposed, all of which however tend-
ed TO the same thing, that he would NOT
retract and they were determined TO NM
ish. " pun
we have been thus minute in our state
ment IN order that you may know the
ground on which you yourself stand. and
may resolve accordingly Of the cond,,ct Gov,
VIII pursue. At the expiration IF sfonr
weeks from the Itb inst the trust,,.,. IS,