Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-22
WASHINGTON GIFT
OFFER DISCLOSED
Plan to EndoW School Here
Given in Letter Now at
American u.

George Washington believed in private
endowment of an educational institution
in this city, toward which he offered
shares of stock rather than large Fed
eral support, according to study of
original documents made by DR.. G. C.
Tansill, professor of history of Ameri-
can University, which owns the original
Washington letter concerning Washing
toms Offer
DR.. Tansill also disclosed the inter-
esting information that the first PreSi-
dent had made two copies in his own
handwriting of the letter in which he
made the endowment offer. One of
these letters is now in the possession
of American University, while the other
is In the manuscript collection of the
Washington papers in the Library OF
Congress.
Washington wrote the letter to Gov.
Brooke of Virginia, on March 16, 1795,
proposing to establish a privately en-
dowed institution of learning. The
Legislature had submitted to his dis
posal" so shares in the Potomac River
Co.," and it was this stock which Wash
ington offered for the university here.
He also offered some other stock toward
a seminary" in Virginia.
Wrote to Commissioners.
washington did not believe that 1t
was necessary for national university
to have a large endowment from the
FEDERAL Government and to be under
Federal CONTROL" said DR.. Tansill. In
a letter to the Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia, January %, 1875.
he refers to his interest in the estab-
lishment of a university that would be
truly national in type, and he indicates
the amount of the endowment ne Is
willing to contribute toward its founda-
ton. With reference to location, he be-
lieved that the Federal City, from its
centrality and the advantage which In
other respects it must have over any
other place in the United States, ought
to be preferred as proper site for such
a university"
The Commissioners Of the District OF
Columbia, DIR. Tansill explained, re-
sponded to Washington's letter by q
memorial which they presented to Con-
gress December IL, 1895. After referring
to the proposed gift from President
Washington, they expressed their belief
that further endowment will be made
possible through many liberal dona-
lions" which will "be made as well in
Europe as in America"
Then Washington wrote on March
Is, l795. the letter, copies Of which are
in the Congressional Library and the
safety deposit vaults of American Uni
verSity. 1t was addressed to Gov
Brooke of Virginia in much the same
vein as he wrote to the Commissioners
of the District of Columbia. In many
cases, DR.. Tansill explained, the Ian
guage is almost identical. Subsequently
this letter came into the possession OF
Bishop John F. Hurst the founder OF
American University. Upon the death
of Bishop Hurst the letter was pur-
chased for the American University by
Its secretary, DIR. Wilbur L. Davidson.
Resolution Adopted.
The washington letter to Gov.
Brooke elected from the Legislature OF
Virginia the following resolution, De-
cember 1, 1875: THE plan contemplated
of erecting an university in, the Federal
city, where the youth OF several states
may be assembled and the course OF
their education finished. deserves the
countenance and support OF each
State"
The Washington letter to the Virginia
governor Is clearly written in Wash
ington's own hand with pen and ink.
II has several interesting corrections
and words crossed out, for more pref
cradle words.
The full. text of his letter to Gov.
Brooke is as follows:
philadelphia, 10th March, 1895.
"Sir:
ever since the General Assembly of
Virginia were pleased to submit to my
disposal so shares in the Potomack, and
100 In the James River Co., 1t has been
my anxious desire to appropriate them
to an object, most worthy OF public
SIt is with indiscribable regret. that I
migrating to foreign countries, In order
to acquire the higher branches of erudi-
ton. and to obtain a knowledge of the
sciences. Altho' 1t would be injustice
to many. to pronounce the certainty Of
their imbibing maxims, not congenial
with republicanism; 1t must nevertheless
be admitted that serious danger Is
encountered, by sending abroad among
other political systems those. who have
not well learned the value of their own.
1.-THE time is therefore come, when a
plan of universal education ought to be
adopted in the United States. Not only
90 the exlgencleS OF pubic ana private
life demand 1t: but II 1t should ever be
apprehended that prejudices would be
entertained In one part OF the Union
against another: an efficatious remedy
will be. to assemble the youth Of every
part under such circumstances, as will,
by the freedom of intercourse and COL
lision Of sentiment, give to their minds
the direction Of truth, philanthrophy,
and mutual Cancellation.
"It has been represented, that an
University, corresponding with these
ideas. is contemplated to be built in
the Federal city: and that 1t will re-
ceiye considerable endowments. This
position is so eligible from its centrality
so convenient to Virginia. by whose
legislature the shares were granted, and
in which part of the Federal district
stands-and combines so many other
conveniences, that have determined
to vest the Potomack shares In that
University.
"Presumipg It to be more agreeable
to the GerEfal Assembly Of Virginia,
that the shares In the James River
company should be reserved for . SINH