Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-01

rCstiNo ana violent on The ocCaSon, Is not 10 be
wondered at. Let them fret, provided the
country is rescued from taG threatened curse of
ms rule.
| We invite attention to the following
Essay and Documents. No subject Ger.
tainly deserves it more.
COMMUNICATED.
I II IKE Gcncrat .!sSenijiv If p1r~io;g.
! One who leei. an interest in common with his
t2:!ow-ci'izcus in the literary institutions of the
state, begs leave most respectfully 10 submit to
| yonr PeTusai AID consideration the slbiuincd
letters and papers, accompanied by few ex-
planatory obse!N ations.
These documents, gentlemen merit YOUR Sc
rouS attention, ms well on account of their own
| intrinsic merit as of the distinguished source
from winch they cmanated. They shed useful
ilShts on the petitions now preferred from various
parts ct commonwealth for aids to the interrne
dl2!c scmmaries; aud exhibit, in astr,kinm uoint
OF Vle", the long continued aud anxious efforts
.! one OF the greatest and best of men TO i'm
prove the neral condition of ms countrvmen by
the introduction of 4 genera! system of public
instruction.
The bill from which the suhioned sections are
extracted, is entitled "a bill for ESTABLISHING .
system OF public education" and provides for =
whole system Of national instruction, CONSISTING
| OF three gindes-Primary Schools, olle..es. and
an University The failure OF a similar bill at
the session of f3I6-I7, gave occasion 10 =
member OF the General Assembly, who was
friendly 10 the objects of the measure TO request
Nlr. Jefferson to disclose his views, on the sub
Jsct' an! 10 make the communication 10 a form
10 oc readily presented 10 the Legislature of the
State The bill which grew out of this appica
ton, and from which the subjoined sections
we're taken, was offered by Mr.. Samuel Tav
Tor, OF Chesterfield, to the House of DeIeo2tes
at the session of 1918, aud was Supported
witb great zeal and ability by that gentleman,
at the head vi numerous and respectable party
IN the Legislature. The existing. provision for
The education of the poor, and the University of
Virginia, formed the basis of the compromise
| winch then took place between tie two Houses
oil Assembly: the former being the favorite nea
sure OF the House of Delegates, and the latter
Dems tie SINE qua non OF the Senate The
iTiends OF The bill made the utmost exertions TO
carry II IN all It's partsbut the primary schools
and the colleges were stricken from II in tbo
House of Delegates. Great difficulties were
found TO attend any system of primary schools
many OF which were suggested and discussed.
and the parish tax, by which the author of the
bill proposed TO diminish and soften the financial
diihcuiues o! the subject. was by no means ac-
cepta6le to the Representatives of the peooIe
ne objects OF compromise absorbing all The
diSposa5le funds of the State, aud it being i'm
practicable to procure the means of CARVING the
whole system into effect, the COLLEGES were. ne
| cessarlly postponed along with the primary
schools
Since the winter of 1817-18 efforts have
been made, from session TO session. towards tho
endowment of some one or more of the visiting
colleges and academies; but. the literary funds
oi the State being limited, and the drafts for
inc purpose OF completing the University being
heaYy and pressing, these efforts have conse-
qucntiy proved abortive. movement IN favor
OF one college has invariably been ACCOMPANIED
oy similar movements in favor of many Others;
and the funds being insufficient for a general
appropriation, all have failed OF success.
AT the session OF 1901, general appropri-
alton was made IN favor Of the colleges thcreaf-
ter 10 DC established or patronized, of the sur
plus revenue Of the literary fund, till il should
reach the amount of $4,000 per annum, which
was partially repealed in favor OF the University
at the last session Of the Assembly. no sur
Plus having yet accrued, no specific appropria-
ton III favor OF the colleges has heretofore taken
place: and tins part of the system lies over.
awaiting the tardy increase Of the Literary
Fund
In this state Of things the college of William
aud Mary comes before YOU; and, upon the
ground that 1t can no longer accomplish fhe
end OF IT'S institution at Williamsburg, invites
you TO give It different location
You will doubtless inquire, both impartially
and diligently, into all the causes Of the present
reduced situation of this ancient establishment.
II Is for you to decide what influence is due tn
the various causes alicged-to the charter. or
10 tic administration under the charter; TO the
present location Of the institution, or to the ex
pected opening of the University of Virginia.
II IS your province TO determine whether the
cause of IFS failure nc temporary or permanent:
and whether, upon full and candid inquiry into
all the circumstances Of the case. the old size
or new location, will be most conducive 10 fhe
interests Of literature.
Should you, however, be finally convinced
that your d"ty TO the people requires you to e,ye
new disposition to the funds Of the COLLEGE the
question will then ARISE whether the petition of
the Visitors and Professors does not furnish a
ProPltIous occasion for fastening the accom-
PlIshment OF the collegiate part Of our general
system OF public instruction-and whether. in
stead OF transporting to the city Of Richmond
the Whole Of these extensive endownnenfs. under
their present organization, it would not be
equally the dictate Of justice and of policy to d.
FpsRnd to distribute them over the surface of the