The Washington herald., 1914-03-29
President Wilson Will Ohci-
ate at Ceremonies on First
Day Of Institution First
Conc-.:ad by The Father
of His Country"

The American University which is to be
opened by President Wilson on May q is
the child of the brain OF George Washing
ton Il was about 12e years ago that
Washington first said a national seat OF
learning should be established In the
Capital City Of the nation.
Down through a century and quarter
this idea of the Father Of His Country
has been handed until at last school Is
to be opened in the National Capital that
is intended not only to be a national uni-
versity. but ultimately the foremost CEN
ter of learning In the world.
It was in I7sS that Washington gave
the first recorded mention OF a national
university in the Nations Capital. HIS
words were:
While the work of establishing a ma
tional university may be properly defer
red until Congress is comfortably accom-
modated and the city has so far grown
as to be prepared for IT, the enterprise
must not be forgotten; and trust that
have not omitted to take such measures
as viii at all events secure the entire
object in time"
Held Idea for Years.
That Washington carried his idea for
years and made an effort himself to
launch the project is shown in a letter
which he wrote to Robert Brooke, COVER
nor of Virginia, in 1875. This letter,
which later came into possession of the
men who actually established the Ameri-
can University, now is held by the uni
versity and will be preserved among its
archives as priceless.
Washington's letter was written in
Philadelphia on March I6, 1795 and was as
follows:
Sir: 1t is with indescribable regret
that I have seen the youth of the United
States migrating to foreign countries, in
order to acquire the higher branches of
erudition. and to obtain a knowledge of
the sciences.
IL has been represented that an uni
versity is contemplated to be built in
the Federal city and that it will receive
considerable endowments This position
is so eligible from its centrality and
combines so many other conveniences,
that l have determined to vest the Po-
tomac shares in that university.
Grateful for Opportunity.
Il must beg the favor of your excel
lency to lay this letter before that hon
orable body 0he General Assembly of
Nirginia). They will at the same time
again accept by acknowledgements for the
opportunity, with which they have fav-
ored me Of attempting to supply so inl-
portant a desideratum in the United
states as an university adequate to our
necessity.
with great consideration and respect,
l am, sir.
Your most obedient and humble serv-
ant. GEORGE WASHINGTON"
History is vague about what happened
subsequent to the writing of this let
ter. Some facts which throw a bit of
light on the happenings of the year,
1875. have been recorded but they give
only disconnected story of the work
at that time for the university estab-
lishment- AS to just what Washington
meant by II have determined to vest the
Potomac shares in that university has
been disputed but it is believed he had
reference to S25,OO0 worth of stocks
which he requested at his death for the
founding of a national university at
Washington.
Declined states Gift.
This stock was not a gift from Wash !
ington's estate but was indirectly from
the State of Virginia. To construct in
land waterways the State issued stock
and asked George Washington to accept
a block as gift. He said he would |
not accept the gift ior himself. though !
he deemed IL a great honor, but ex-
pressed a willingness o act as trustee
for the stock. which. AT his death was
to be converted to the use OF some edu- |
cational institution.
Upon the condition that the wealth |
ultimately was to go for education, Wash |
ingtOn finally accepted stock I'm the James |
River Company and other shares in the |
Potomac River Company. The latter
company proposed to navigate the Shen- |
andOah River and the Potomac River
above Georgetown. A few attempts we're
made to send fiat bottom boats Up these |
rivers but the Potomac River Company |
finally proved 4 failure and its stock, |
which Washington cherished highly rs
the foundation Cor a national university, |
became worthless after his death.
An authority who has cited these facts |
says: The real circumstances relating |
tn the bequests, and the real facts as !
T. the value Of the stock bequeathed, |
has been overlooked in every respect made
to Congress giving the history OF the |
legislative course of bills and re eeommen-
dations for she establishment OF the |
national university
Other Company Prospered.
Had Washington bequeathed he shares
in the James River Company for estab- l