The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-10

CLAIMS A0AtNsT 1T wITHDRAWN--1HE WASH
lNGToN AND LEE UNIVERSITY OR TIE yIIs-
ofNiA MILITARY INSTITUTE DEQuEsT.
The following, though containing some
few inaccuracies, Is interesting. II Is from
the philadelphia Times:
The account OF the executors under the
viii OF Asa Packer came up yesterday IN
the Orphans Court. before Judge Hanna,
for adjudication and settlement. james
II. Campbell, representing the estate Of
Barnabas Iiammett, deceased, formerly OF
the firm OF Noble, Hammett & Co., stated
that the Supreme Court having lately de-
cided the questions involved in the litiga-
ton between that firm and Asa Packer
growing out OF the construction OF the
Lehigh Valley railroad, IL had been agreed
by the surviving members Of the firm to
withdraw all claims against tie estate,
thus finally terminting in this city con-
troyersy which arose twenty years ago In
Carbon county, and In which Attorney
General Brewster, George w. Biddle,
William A. Porter, the late William l..
Hirst, Judge Green, OF the Supreme Court,
and other prominent lawyers OF the State
often figured as colleagues and opponents.
The only remaining obstacle to the imme-
diate settlement OF the estate and its dis
tribution in accordance with the proyis-
ions Of the will grows out OF legacy OF
81, 900 given by Judge Packer to a military
institute in Virginia. George NJ. Dallas
appeared for the Washington and Lee
University and John S. Gerhard for the
Virginia Military Institute, located in the
town OF Lexington, and both claimants OF
the legacy. In the course OF the argu-
mentS IL appeared that what is now known
as the Washington and Lee University
was formerly the Augusta Academy, esiab-
hshed in 1749 by Robert Alexander, one OF
the original families Of Virginia. 1t was
the first classical school in the Valley OF
Virginia, and was continued by an unin-
terrupted succession OF principals and as
sistent instructors, on successive sites,
until il gradually developed into Washing
ton College, and finally, after the death OF
General Robert Il. Lee, the name OF Lee
was added TO its title. The Virginia Mill
tary Institute was established by the State
OF Virginia in 1889 as a substitute for
the State Guard, and its object was
the education OF poor boys, who were
required to guard the State property at
Lexington in payment FOR their tuition.
Both colleges possess an historical IN
tercst. many OF their graduates having
found fame on the battle-fields Of Mexico,
while others became prominent generals
in the Confederate service during the late
war; Robert +. Lee remained the presi-
dent OF the institute now bearing his
name from shortly after the surrender at
Appomattox until his death, ard Stonewall
Jackson was for many years professor in
the Virginia Military Institute. The clause
in the will which Will require the interpre-
tstion Of the auditing Judge reads thus
4" To the trustees OF the Washington Col
lege. Lexington, Virginia, the sum OF 81
600, and also direct that the bond OF
the Washington College, Lexington,
Virginia, now held by me for $1,000.
shall be surrendered or Cancelled by
the trustees, thus making the legacy
to that college $1,000" The testimony sub
mitted TO the court In support OF the argu-
ments consisted entirely OF dispositions OF
residents OF Lexington, Confederate OFF,
GERS, and men OF learning in the South,
whose names became quite familiar during
the rebellion. Judge Hanna will render
his decision in a few days as to which in
sttution is entitled to the legacy. The adj
Indication will then be filed, the long-pro-
tracted litigation will be referred to only
for the legal lore contained in the numer-
Gus opinions and decisions OF the Judges
written during its tendency, and the i'm
mense estate OF Asa Packer will in time be
distributed among the numerous heirs and
legatees.