The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-06-26
Antiquarian and Historical Notes.
JEFrEERsoN, STUART, PEYToN.

JEFFERSON. STUART, PEYTON.
We have been much interested recently
in reading the early history of the Universe
ty OF Virginia as developed in the unpub
lished letters Of Jefferson and J. c. Cabell.
One Of the letters particularly struck us. 1t
is from Mr.. Jefferson to Mr.. Cabell, and
dated Monticello, May 18th, 1925, and con-
tains the warmly expressed opinions Of two
OF our former citizens as to the professional
ability, general qualifications and high char
a.ter oil the late Judge Dade, who was urged
by his friends as a suitable person to be
ton. Judge Stuart and John Howe Peyton
were on visit to Monticello at the period
when Jefferson was perplexed by the de.
clension of this Professorship by Mr.. Gill
mer and Mr.. Jefferson gives, the substance
of what Judge stuart and Mr.. Peyton said
to him.
The letter will be read with interest by
all, but more particularly by those who re-
member Judge Stuart and Mr.. Peyton, two
of our famous men OF the past, both of whom
died full OF years and honors, bequeathing
fortunes and leaving families, which have
inherited their genius.
JEFFERsoN's LETTER.
MONTICELLO, May Is, 1925.
DEAR SIR Every offer OF our law chair
has been declined. and late renewal Of
pressure on Mr.. Gilmer has proved him in
flexibly decided against undertaking it,
What are we to do? The clamor Is high for
4srkv, snRA II
of many students who do not come because
that school is not opened, and some now
with us think of leaving us for the same rea-
son. You may remember that among those
who were the subjects Of conversation at our
last meeting, Judge Dade was one; but the
minds of the Board were so much turned
to two particular characters, that little was
said of any others. An idea has got abroad,
know not from what source, that we have
appointed Judge Dade and that he has ac-
cepted. This has spread extensively, per-
haps from general sense of his fitness, and
l learn it has been received with much favor,
| and particularly among the students OF the
University. | know no more myself OF
Judge Dade than what saw Of him at our
Rockfish meeting, and short visit he made
me in returning from that place. AS far as
that opportunity enabled me to form an
opinion, certainly thought very highly OF
the strength of his mind, and the soundness
of his judgment, l happened to receive
Mr.. Gilmer's ultimate and peremptory re.
fusal while Judge Stuart and Mr.. Howe
Peyton, of Staunton, were with me. The
former, you know, is his colleague on the
bench Of the General Court the latter has
been more particularly intimate with him
as having been brought up with him at the
same school. asked from them informa
81
of him in terms of high commendation.-
They state him to be an excellent Latin ant
Greek scholar, of clear and sound ideas, lu-
cid in communicating them, equal as law
yer to any of the judiciary corps, and su
J perior to all as writer and that his char
acter is perfectly correct, his mind liberia
and accommodating, yet firm and OF sount
Republican principles.
+ This is the substance, and these, I ma
, say, the terms in which they spoke of him
and when consider the character of thes
two gentlemen, and their opportunities O
] knowing what they attested, could not bu
t be strongly impressed. 1t happened YER
; much to my qualification, that Gen. Cock
was here at the same time, received the sam
information and impression, and authorize
me to add his concurrence in proposing tn
E appointment to our colleagues and to say
. moreover, that if on such further inquiry q
. they may make, they should approve th
: choice, land express it by letter, in preferenc
: to meeting for conference on thissubjec
Q l might write to Judge Dade, and on his a,
! ceptance, issue bis commission. l shout
:. add the gentlemen above named were conf
IL dent that he would accept, as well from OIL
: er circumstances, as from his having thrt
3 sons to educate. OF course this would p'
. an end to the anxieties we have all had 9
. this subject. The public impotence oy
7. Some appointment to this school, renders d
le sirable as early an answer as your conv'
n nience admits. Accept the assurance OF n
"a great esteem and respect.
= TIL. JEFFERSON.
is $500
= The silk crops OF France and Italy a