The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

FOR The NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER

SIR,

From repeated conversations with many gentlemen on the subject of a National University, I am persuaded that the following clause in the will of Washington is not generally known, as this clause formed the basis of a memorial published in yours of the 12th January, now before Congress, to be the subject of a report early in November next, you will oblige many of the subscribers to this object by inserting it in your next with the calculations at the close.

Extract from Washington's will.

"As it has always been a source of serious regret with me, to see the youth of these United States sent to foreign countries for the purpose of education, often before their minds were formed or they had imbibed any adequate ideas of the happiness of their own; contracting too frequently, not only habits of dissipation and extravagance, but principles unfriendly to Republican Government, and to the true and genuine liberties of mankind; which, thereafter are rarely overcome. For these reasons, it has been my ardent wish, to see a plan devised on a liberal scale which would have a tendency to spread systematic ideas through all parts of this rising Empire, thereby to do away local attachments and state prejudices, as far as the nature of things would, or indeed ought to admit, from our national councils. Looking anxiously forward to the accomplishment of so desirable an object as this is, (in my estimation) my mind has not been able to contemplate any plan more likely to effect the measure, than the establishment of a UNIVERSITY in a central part of the United States, to which the youths of fortune and talents from all parts thereof, might be sent for the completion of their education in all the branches of polite literature; in arts and sciences, in acquiring knowledge in the principles of politics and good government, and (as a matter of infinite importance in my judgement) by associating with each other, and forming friendships in juvenile years, be enabled to free themselves, in a proper degree, from those local prejudices and habitual jealousies, which have just been mentioned; and which, when carried to excess, are never failing sources of disquietude to the public mind, and pregnant of mischievous consequences to this country; under these impressions, so fully dilated,

"Item. I give and bequeath in perpetuity the fifty shares which I hold in the Potomac Company (under the aforesaid acts of the legislature of Virginia) towards the endowment of a UNIVERSITY, to be established within the limits of the district of Columbia, under the auspices of the general government, if that government should incline to extend a fostering hand towards it; and until such Seminary is established, and the funds arising on these shares shall be required for its support, my further will and desire is, that the profit accruing therefrom shall whenever, the dividends are made, be laid out in purchasing stock in the Bank of Columbia, or some other Bank, at the discretion of my executors, or by the treasurer of the United States for the time being, under the direction of Congress. provided that honorable body should patronize the measure; and the dividends proceeding from the purchase of such stock, is to be vested in more stock, and so on, until a sum, adequate to the accomplishment of the object, is obtained; of which I have not the smallest doubt, before many years pass away, even if no aid or encouragement is given by legislative authority, or from any other source."

Thus if no aid "from Congress" or "from any other source" had followed this noble challenge of Washington, his 25,000 dollars would in 12 years at compound interest have produced 50,000, and in 24 years 100,000 dollars, before which period one of the Colleges might be erected and the surplus, still operating at interest, would in time complete the entire University.