ubject and better able to judge.
From certain intimations which I have lately had, I am led to believe
an intention is entertained by some members of the Board of ending all
difficulty with the president by removing him from office. I greatly
fear such a measure adopted under present circumstances, and at the
present time, would have a very unhappy effect on the public mind. An
inquiry is now pending, instituted after considerable discussion, by
the Legislature of this State, apparently for the purpose of granting
relief for the subject matter of complaint. The Trustees acquiesce in
this inquiry; whether they appear before the committee appointed to
make it formally as a body, or informally as individuals, the public
will not deem of much importance. The Legislature, I think, for
certain purposes, have a right to inquire into an alleged
mismanagement of such an institution, a visitorial power rests in the
State, and I do not deem it important for my present view to determine
in what department or how to be exercised. The Legislature may, on
proper occasion, call it into operation. I have never seen the
president's memorial to the Legislature, but am told it is an abstract
from the 'Pamphlet of Sketches.' From the statements in that I take
the burthen of his complaint to be, that the Trustees have not given
him a due and proper share of power and influence in the concerns of
the college, and that they have improperly used their own power and
influence in patronizing and propagating in the college particular
theological opinions. The alleged misapplication of funds [paid for
preaching] is stated as an instance of such misconduct. These
opinions, it would seem, are particularly disagreeable to the
president. The whole dispute is made to have a bearing on the
president personally. Should the Trustees, during the pendency of the
inquiry in a cause in which they are supposed to be a party, take the
judgment into their own hands, and summarily end the dispute by
destroying the other party, they will offend and irritate at least all
those who were in favor of making the inquiry. Such will not be
satisfied with the answer that the Trustees have the power and feel it
to be their duty to exercise it. It will be said that the reasons
which justify a removal (if there be any) have existed for a long
time. A removal after so long forbearance, at the present time, will
be attributed to recent irritations.

"That part of the president