me; for these reasons it has been my
ardent wish to see a plan devised, on a liberal scale, which would have
a tendency to spread systematic ideas through all parts of this rising
empire, thereby to do away local attachments and State prejudices, as
far as the nature of things would, or indeed ought to admit, from our
national councils. Looking anxiously forward to the accomplishment of so
desirable an object as this is (in my estimation), my mind has not been
able to contemplate any plan more likely to effect the measure, than the
establishment of a University in a central part of the United States, to
which the youths of fortune and talents from all parts thereof may be
sent for the completion of their education, in all the branches of
polite literature, in arts and sciences, in acquiring knowledge in the
principles of politics and good government, and, as a matter of infinite
importance in my judgment, by associating with each other, and forming
friendships in juvenile years, be enabled to free themselves in a proper
degree from those local prejudices and habitual jealousies which have
just been mentioned, and which, when carried to excess, are
never-failing sources of disquietude to the public mind, and pregnant of
mischievous consequences to this country. Under these impressions, so
fully dilated--

_Item._--I give and bequeath, in perpetuity, the fifty shares which I
hold in the Potomac company (under the aforesaid acts of the Legislature
of Virginia), toward the endowment of a University, to be established
within the limits of the District of Columbia, under the auspices of the
general government, if that government should incline to extend a
fostering hand toward it; and, until such seminary is established, and
the funds arising on these shares shall be required for its support, my
further will and desire is, that the profit accruing therefrom shall,
whenever the dividends are made, be laid out in purchasing stock in the
Bank of Columbia, or some other bank, at the discretion of my executors,
or by the Treasurer of the United States for the time being, under the
direction of Congress, provided that honorable body should patronize the
measure; and the dividends proceeding from the purchase of such stock
are to be vested in more stock, and so on, until a sum adequate to the
accomplishment of the object is obtained; of which I have not the
smallest doubt before many years pass away, even if no aid or
encouragement