Seminary Of Learning, Alexandria, Dec. 15,1859.
My DEAR SIR: . . . I wrote you some time ago, addressed to
Mount Lebanon, advising you to come on at once, to get in position before, we
will be all in confusion by the arrival of the cadets. All the professors are
now here at hand but yourself, and I think you should come on at once. I have
just returned from New Orleans where I purchased all the room furniture for
cadets, but I bought nothing for professors, and advise you to bring your
bedding, indeed any furniture you may have, as Alexandria is a poor place to
supply. I think you will be as comfortable here, and your health be restored as
fast as anywhere in the state. All books must be ordered from New York. I found
the supply in New Orleans very poor, and we want a list of your first text
books, grammar, and dictionary as soon as possible, that they may be ordered,
but, as I suppose we can fully employ the students the first few months in
French and Algebra, I will now await your coming.
The want of certainty has caused many to doubt whether we
could commence January 2, but you may announce that it is as certain as that
the day will come. About thirty-four appointments have been made by the Board
of Supervisors. I suppose sixteen will have been made by the governor. So you
see thus far we have not an adequate supply of cadets. The right to appoint
rests in the Board of Supervisors, but I know their views so well, and there
being no time for formalities you may notify Mr. Gladney, and indeed any young
men between fifteen and twenty-one, who can read and write, and who have some
notion of arithmetic (addition, etc., as far as decimal fractions) to come on
by January second and we will procure for them the appointment and receive
them.
Each young man should be of good character with a trunk and
fair supply of clothing, and must deposit two hundred dollars for six months'
expenses in advance. We think we can make the aggregate year's expenses fall
within four hundred dollars.
I wrote and sent you circulars to Mount Lebanon which I
infer you did not receive. No cadet can be received except from Louisiana.
Please state these leading facts to some prominent gentleman
of your neighborhood, assure them that its success is determined on, and that
as soon as the Academic Board can meet, deliberate, and refer their work to a
Board of Supervisors, full rules and regulations will be adopted, published and
adhered to. Until that time we can hardly assert exactly what are our text
books, or what the order of exercises.
It is however determined that the Seminary shall be governed
by the military system, which far from being tyrannical or harsh is of the
simplest character, easiest of enforcement and admits of the most perfect
control by the legislature.
SOURCES: Walter L. Fleming, General W.T.
Sherman as College President, p. 78-80
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