Seminary Of Learning, near Alexandria, Nov. 27, 1859
Dear SIR: Mr.
Manning tells me that he has written you that your presence here is not
required till after Christmas. That may be, but it would seem to me better that
we should all have been here at least a month earlier to confer, agree upon our
textbooks, and provide such of them in advance as will be necessary on the
start. I have sent to New York for the mathematical textbooks, and will send to
New Orleans for the French grammar at least; and I think you had better order
at once from New Orleans the grammar you design to teach. I think much of our
future success [depends] on the appearance of our start, and therefore any want
of preparation at the outset would be embarrassing. With arithmetic, algebra,
French and Latin grammar, we can at least begin at once, and then the Academic
Board or faculty must as early as we can all come together, agree upon the
entire course and textbooks, when by a system I can see that these textbooks
are provided in advance.
Little or nothing can be had in Alexandria, and I judge we
will receive no part of our salaries till after the legislature meets and
appropriates. Therefore I advise you to prepare accordingly, and to bring with
you such room furniture as you have that admits of transportation.
I am a stranger in these parts and confess my ignorance of
your locality and station, and make the above points for your benefit.
Applications for admission come in pretty freely, and I think early in January
we will have from sixty to one hundred.
Mr. Vallas and Mr. St. Ange are here, both foreigners. I
shall, therefore, count much on your capacity of teaching and social qualities.
Think well over the branches assigned to you, and on arrival give us the best
course and textbooks you can select. I may have to go to New Orleans to provide
for the tables, room furniture, etc., needed by the first of January.
SOURCES: The article is abstracted in Walter L.
Fleming’s, General W.T. Sherman as College President, p. 68-9
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