January 19, 1861.
DEAR SIR: I have
just finished my quarterly reports to the parents of all the cadets here, or
who have been here. All my books of account are written up to date. All bills
for the houses, fences, etc., are settled, and nothing now remains but the
daily routine of recitations and drills. I have written officially and
unofficially to Governor Moore, but with my opinions of the claimed right of
secession, of the seizure of public forts, arsenals, etc., and the ignominious
capture of a United States garrison, stationed in your midst, as a guard to the
arsenal and for the protection of your own people, it would be highly improper
for me longer to remain.
No great
inconvenience can result to the Seminary. I will be the chief loser. I came
down two months before my pay commenced. I made sacrifices in Kansas to enable
me thus to obey the call of Governor Wickliffe, and you know that last winter I
declined a most advantageous offer of employment abroad; and thus far I have
received nothing as superintendent of the arsenal, though I went to Washington
and New York (at my own expense) on the faith of the five hundred dollars
salary promised.
These are small
matters in comparison with those involved in the present state of the country,
which will cause sacrifices by millions, instead of by hundreds. The more I
think of it, the more I think I should be away, the sooner the better; and
therefore hope you will join with Governor Moore in authorizing me to turn over
to Major Smith* the military command here, and to the Academic Board the
control of the daily exercises and recitations.
There will be no
necessity of your coming up. You can let Major Smith receive the few hundreds
of cash I have on hand, and I can meet you on a day certain in New Orleans, when
we can settle the bank account. Before I leave, I can pay the steward Jarreau
his account for the month, and there would be no necessity for other payments
till about the close of March, by which time the Board can meet, and elect a
treasurer and superintendent also.
At present I have no
class, and there will be none ready till about the month of May, when there
will be a class in “surveying.” Even if you do not elect a superintendent in
the meantime, Major Smith could easily teach this class, as he is very familiar
with the subject matter. Indeed, I think you will do well to leave the subject
of a new superintendent until one perfectly satisfactory turns up.
* Commandant of
cadets. – ED.
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