31, 1821

TO JOSEPH C CABELL.

Monticello, January 31, 1821.

Dear Sir,

Your favors of the 18th and 25th came together, three days ago. They
fill me with gloom as to the dispositions of our legislature towards
the University. I perceive that I am not to live to see it opened. As
to what had better be done within the limits of their will, I trust
with entire confidence to what yourself, General Breckenridge, and Mr.
Johnson shall think best. You will see what is practicable, and give it
such shape as you think best. If a loan is to be resorted to, I think
sixty thousand dollars will be necessary, including the library.
Its instalments cannot begin until those of the former loan are
accomplished; and they should not begin later, nor be less than thirteen
thousand dollars a year. (I think it safe to retain two thousand dollars
a year for care of the buildings, improvement of the grounds, and
unavoidable contingencies.) To extinguish the second loan, will require
between five and six instalments, which will carry us to the end of
1833, or thirteen years from this time. My individual opinion is, that
we had better not open the institution until the buildings, library, and
all, are finished, and our funds cleared of incumbrance. These buildings
once erected, will secure the full object infallibly at the end of
thirteen years, and as much earlier as the legislature shall choose. And
if we were to begin sooner, with half funds only, it would satisfy the
common mind, prevent their aid beyond that point, and our institution,
remaining at that for ever, would be no more than the paltry academies
we now have. Even with the whole funds we shall be reduced to six
Professors. While Harvard will still prime it over us with her twenty
Professors. How many of our youths she now has, learning the lessons of
anti-Missourianism, I know not; but a gentleman lately from Princeton
told me he saw there the list of the students at that place, and that
more than half were Virginians. These will return home, no doubt,
deeply impressed with the sacred principles of our Holy Alliance of
restrictionists.

But the gloomiest of all prospects, is in the desertion of the best
friends of the institution, for desertion I must call it. I know not the
necessities which may force this on you. General Cocke, you say, will
explain them to me; but I cannot conceive them, nor persuade myself
they are uncontrollable. I have ever hoped, that yourself, Gene