's complaint which relates to his religious
grievances, addresses itself pretty strongly to the prejudices and
feelings of all those opposed to the sect called Orthodox. This
comprises all the professed friends of liberal religion, most of the
Baptists and Methodist, and all the nothingarians. The Democrats will
be against you, of course. All these combined would compose in this
State a numerous and powerful body. Any measure adopted by the
Trustees with the appearance of anger, or haste, will be eagerly
seized on. If the statements of the president are as incorrect as I
have heard it confidently asserted, an exposure of that incorrectness
will put the public opinion right. It may require time, but the result
must be certain. If it can be shown that his complaints are nothing
but defamatory clamor, he will be reduced to that low condition that
it will be the interest of no sect or party to attempt to hold him up.
I see no danger in delay, but fear much in too great haste. Perhaps
there is no occasion at present to determine how long the Trustees
should delay adopting their final course. Circumstances may render
that expedient at a future time which is not now. I feel much
confidence that a very decisive course against the president by the
Trustees at the present time would create an unpleasant sensation in
the public mind, and would, I fear, be attended with unpleasant
consequences.
"I am sensible I have expressed my opinion very strongly on a subject
in which I have only a common interest. I frankly confess I have been
somewhat influenced by fears that some of the Trustees will find it
difficult to free themselves entirely from the effects of the severe
irritation they must have lately experienced.
"I am, dear sir, with esteem,
"Sincerely yours.
"Jeremiah Mason."
"C. Marsh, Esq."
* * * * *
President Wheelock was removed from office on the 26th of August,
1815, by the vote of a decided majority of the Board, upon grounds of
which the following is the substance:
"1st. He has had an agency in publishing and circulating a certain
anonymous pamphlet, entitled 'Sketches of the History of Dartmouth
College and Moor's Charity School,' and espoused the charges therein
contained before a committee of the Legislature. The Trustees consider
this publication a libel on the institution.
"2d. He claims a right to exercise the whole executive authority of
the college, whic
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