Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-21
OLD WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE.

We have been furnished for publication with letter, an
interesting extract from which will be found below. II is
from Visitor and OF the most enlightened and devoted
friends of the venerable tmehonored institution We had
hoped that under its new auspices old College would
have taken decided step in the OF prosperity and use
funess We have learned ts classic walls for the
associations of the past and for the long list of able wise
and pure statesmen and citizens who have come forth In
full armor from this seat of learning win aures in
tanning the conservative principles of their native State
the wide field Of the constitution and laws and properly TO
discharge the social and political duties of citizens of the
State Virginia heavy debt of gratitude TO William
and Mary the good sho has doneand every Vgnian
must feel kindly sympathy her fortunes and must hearth
" desire that cloud which hangs her. be
but temporary that she be restored to her for
mer brancy and usefulness We regret tobeeye that some
thing necessary be done TO save the College from rum
We should especially regret the necessity Of removing the
institution from Its pesen, classic precincts As 10 Inc pro-
Der remedy should be esorted shall not venture 10
give advice AS friends of the venerable institution,
we take great pleasure in being the medium through which
one Of its best champions may present his views:
My proposition you know, is ths-To tender to the
State our College buildings valuation and all our funds
upon the condition that the State will appropriate an equal
(of Military Tactics Engineering &c) Make an ins,i,u
ton of general learning well military institute with
arsenal and depot Of arms ammunition &C. Our income
in about 000-an addition Of another SO 600 would In my
opinion, all the objects have in view what are
they To roetore College, school of Literature Arts
and Science degree of usefulness educating some
200 OF our young instead of 80 49, but above a 10
furnish disarmed and helpless population the means Of de-
fence and seproeon IN case Of an internal conmolson-
10 give feeling of security against Danger
which we have now-to furnish raying point In case
of alarma depot where may be found-and men ca
pable of commanding and acquainted with the science OF
war and the use arms may also be foundto enable the
State educated fair proportion Of the students al
public expense upon condition that they shall take the place
rtaot yvhoc
doomed be stopped and TO give 10 all who may enter H.
far more usand extended education than they are likely
10 receive present The two questions TO be dis
cussed ae-Can the Legislature do it Will they do II
they have the power tits objected BY some that the grant
is Of the nature of private contract and that tho
can pass mo law mpairing it," Those who entertain ihs
opinion few and the courts to themit Is need
less discuss It. I be objected that the Legislature con-
no, act without the assent Of the overnor and masters
or vsi,srs" imagine there will be difficulty in obtaining
the Of maority and there be doubt or rather II
found that majority opposed to IT. Them by all means
give power the Legislature under your Constitution
10 REFORM amend any ote-reroufionary charter The
great question is 1o the Legislature come TO our aid
think they ought and believe that they ,riW.
"Have not bled very freely lin purses mean for
the benefit OF other sections OF the Statelnot very willing
ly, with very good grace admit That was
hardly to be expected of us-but we have been
made to bleed al least and if we do not want
our roads or rivers improved, we wish 10 be I'M
proved in Of education and the means OF our de-
fence and protection. We do not mendicants out
with cash hand asking the State to do only as much Tor
us we offer do for the State However, have no time
TO enter into all the arguments, whcn sneW cohcus'ey
Legislature ought to come to our they are as
apparent to you as to me- conceive how any one
who the heart Eastern vireinan in his BOSOM or
such heart Eastern vginan ought 10 have In his
BOSOM withhold hs aid and suppor-an eager and an
anxious support toto the establishment OF such
an institution in midst have endeavored very fee
bly, present 10 your consideration aware that some
may desire to give the College, under its present organlza
on time develope its usefulness; but desire not
10 be misunderstood misconceved-for whilst believe II
will flourish under any set Of VISITORS masters and
professors Classical and Literary Institutions yet
ii thought 1t would attain any degree of SUCH
should abae in the least in my anxious efforts and
wishes TO have changed into the enlarged
aud PROTECTIVE Institution have described"