Seminary, Dec. 21, 1859.
Dear General: .
. . I have also another long letter from Bragg, who warms in our favor, and he
will be a valuable coadjutator, should you seek legislative action. He
discusses two suggestions I made: First, let the state maintain their sixteen
cadets, or double the endowment. Meet Uncle Sam half way. I think the latter
the simplest offer, and if they do this we should ask nothing in the way of
building; with a certain income of $16,200 we could annually enlarge to the
extent of three to four thousand.
I think to ask any large sum such as $30,000, would startle
the friends of the Seminary, whereas to do as much for their Seminary as the
United States have done, would be in the nature of a fair banter and could
easily be debated.
I would like much to come up Christmas, for I am lonely
enough here, and may do so if the day be temptingly warm. Still I now have
Jarreau's negroes all at work - scrubbing, cutting wood, etc., and would hate
to leave, as when the cat is away, etc., and I see they watch me, as I make my
round about twenty times a day. All my New Orleans purchases are here safe and
sound, except some forty tables which I hourly expect. Still I have forty on
hand enough to study by even should a mistake have occurred. I bought eighty,
but they had to be put together after I bought them. I go to Alexandria
tomorrow to buy a few small items. I beg you will give yourself no uneasiness
about the regulations. I am in no hurry about them. I have boards, like the
bulletin board in the main hall, on which I will post “roll call,” “mess hall
regulations,” “regulations for rooms,” etc., in the form of orders, and each
cadet will study and remember them quite as well as if they were printed.
After Monday next I will be prepared to entertain gentlemen
or ladies, and think then a visit here would be opportune.
SOURCES: Walter L. Fleming, General W.T.
Sherman as College President, p. 90-1
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