h regard,

Faithfully yours,
GEO. F. HOAR.

In 1850, after he had withdrawn from professional and public
life, being then seventy-two years old, Mr. Hoar was sent
to the House of Representatives, by the town of Concord, to
oppose the removal of the courts from Concord. He was successful
in the opposition. He had, during the winter, an opportunity
to render a very important service to Harvard College. There
was a vigorous and dangerous attempt to abolish the existing
Corporation, and transfer the property and control of the
College to a board of fifteen persons, to be chosen by the
Legislature by joint ballot, one third to go out of office
every second year. This measure was recommended in an elaborate
report by Mr. Boutwell, an influential member of the House,
chosen Governor at the next election, and advocated by Henry
Wilson, afterward Senator and Vice-President, and by other
gentlemen of great influence. All the members of the Corporation
were Whigs in politics and Unitarians, a sect containing a
very small proportion of the people of the State. The project
to take the College from their control was very popular. The
House listened willingly to the able arguments with which
the measure was introduced, and before Mr. Hoar spoke its
opinion was unmistakable for the bill. He argued that the
measure was in conflict with the Constitution of the United
States, and defended the College with great earnestness from
the charge that it had "failed to answer the just expectations
of the public." The Boston _Daily Atlas,_ edited by General
Schouler, then a member of the House, said the next day of
this speech: "The argument of Mr. Hoar was of transcendent
excellence, and had a most overpowering effect upon the House.
We regret that no report was made of it. It is a pity that
so much learning, argument and eloquence should be lost."

This speech caused a revolution in the opinion of the body.
The measure was referred to the next General Court. Mr. Hoar
was employed by the Corporation as counsel to appear before
the Legislature the next winter in its behalf. But the measure
was never heard of afterward. Dr. Walker said of this occurrence,
after his sententious fashion: "Other men have served the
College; Samuel Hoar saved it."

The Board of Overseers, who have visitorial powers over the
College, and whose concurrence is necessary to the election
or appointment of officers, Professors and members of the