The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-11
The Burning Of William and Mary's College,
OUR WILLIAMSBURG (vA.) CORRESPONDENCE

The Burning Of William and Mary's College.
OUR WILLIAMSBURG (vA.) CORRESPONDENTS.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va, Feb 8, 1852
II Ia my sad duty TO inform you of the burning Of
William and MArys College, of the Oldest collegiate in
sutions in the country, and one very much cherished
and reverenced by all vrgnans the Ala Mater OF SO
many Of her most distinguished men. Among these were
the Randoiphs Of Turkey Island and Henrico-sons OF
VIM. Randolph Attorney General of the Colony Of virginia.
Theodorc Bland author of the "Bland Papers and Colo
mel in the Continental army John Tyler the first Cover
nor Virginia. Carter Brsxton sgner Of the Declaration
Of Independence Thomas jefferson, President Of the
United States and repued author Of the Declaration OF In
dependence Charles Harrison General in the Revolution
ry war; Governor Nelson of Yorktown John Taylor, OF
Caroline Of the celebrated resolutions of 1859 IN
the Virginia House Of Delegates and United States senator
from Virginia; VIM. B. Giles, Governor Of virginia ana
United States Senators Spencer Roane Judge OF the oourt
of AppeaIs: Governor Lit w. Tazewe, of Norfolk; John
Randolph, Of Roanoke; Governor Cabe; H. st. George
and N. Beverley Tucker; George NJ Bibo United states
Senator Chancellor Of Kentucky and Secretary OF the
United States Treasury Benjamin Watkins Leigh; WHIT.
Barry Postmaster General and in the present century
she numbers among her graduates Philip p. Barbour,
Richard G. Archer, John J. Crittenden, VIM s. Archer
Linn Banks John Tyler President the United States and
second Governor Of Virginia Of the name A. T. Ma
son, B. G. Baldwin, Charles Todd, John 8 Barbour, VIM
G. Rives, John Nelson, Powhatan Ellis, j. B. Clopson,
George c. Dromgoole, VIM. o. Goode, and many others.
The fire broke out about half past two last night in the
cellar under the addition known the library wing The
progress Of the flames very rapid and no efforts were
made TO arrest them. This, indeed would have been i'm
possible owing the fact that there is no fire engine in
williamsburg worthy of the name. The building is en-
tirey consumednotbng but the bare walls being Left
The library, containing from five to seven thousand
Volumes valued at about $4,000 destroyed as also
the apparatus in the room beneath Among the lat
astronomical clock Of very curious mechanism,
and some three centuries oldvauable chiefly on
account of its antiquity Among the valuable books in the
library very ancient theological works and law
books There aso many works on natural
history All of these il will be next 10 impossible 10 re-
place as they were the FIRST editions. . go
The library and appara were not insured the pulid
ing was insured for $4,000 which will not repair the
damages; but the corporation is wealthy one Is IN
derstood that the faculty VIII occupy the new court douse
for lectures, until the will Of the Legislature be KNOWN
As this is next Harvard the Oldest college In the
United brief glance at its history may not De I'M
interesting. William and Marys College was chartered in
the fourth year of the reign OF William Ill and Mary
corresponding under the new style, with the 18TH
of February A. D. 1898. The design was to establish
Mace Of Universal study or perpetual college Of Divinity
Philosophy Languages and other good arts and sciences
Towards the endowment OF the college William and Mary
contributed thousand nine hundred and eighty
pounds fourteen ehiiDgs and ten pence one penny
pound ali tobacco exported from Virginia and Mary
land the office Surveyor General Win all us ices, &C.,
and twenty thousand acres OF land. The first College
building was unfinished in 100. The Houses Of Bur,
gesses however, met in until 1705, when, together
with the library and philosophical apparatus, 1t de-
stroyed by fire. The second building commenced in
the time Of Governor spotswood bat owing 70 the want
OF available means and the scarcity OF workmen the
burned to the ground was not finished
until 1923.
Before the Revolution the College consisted OF School
Of Divinity Of Philosophy and Mathematics From 100
1776 eight Indians annually educated and
maintained For about seventy years previous TO the
Revolution the average number Of students about
SIXTY Al the beginning Of the Revolution the number OF
studente was seventy. Many Of the distinguished gentle
OF Virginia conspicuous in the measures that led TO
the Revolution, and Ior active operation with the pa
during the struggle for independence, alumni
OF William and Mary College. Towards the close Of the
three Of the professors and more than thirty students
pn os sne Marshall The Society Of the PHI Beta
Kappa organized at this college IN l776.
In 1918 George Washington made Chancellor OF the
college. His letter Of acceptance is as follows
MOUNT VERNON, April &c. i7S8
DEAR SRI an now to acknowledge the receipt Of your
letter Of % @ s S $ s ns g
Of the Office TO which had been appointed Influenced by
once q Chancellor Of he same. and Isqns:. vi p
ssys 70 nSnss me with Se me-
tenn q edneatoD on such As VII render ost bene
fetal to the republic Of letters well the
sy he NJ.
%y d
po.nt objects For the expressions Of poeness and friend
Of
sss% and regard am dear s yG1, SesSsni saa very
s1sUzl GRIFFIN, Esq, Rector Of the College Of william
and Mary.
To him who is fond Of antiquarian lore the library
the college presented Eysan field Tome upon tome
was found the collection that alone represented in
this New World the abors Of learned authors who lived
centuries ago in the Old. And il is gouel That ancient
building and its valuable conten,s Fallen before the
devouring flannel