TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS, 1843-1845. 283 



That of the committee of the Senate is distinctly enough intimated 

 in the beautiful speech with which Mr. Robbins introduced the subject, 

 in January, 1839. I find it in the Appendix to the Congressional 

 Globe : 



I could wish, if all were agreed in it, that this institution should make one of a 

 number of colleges, to constitute a university to be established here, and to be 

 endowed in a manner worthy of this great nation and their immense resources. But, 

 as opinions are divided upon this subject — not, I should hope, as to the great desir- 

 ableness of such an establishment, but as to the constitutional competency of Con- 

 gress to undertake it — I will not embarrass my present object by involving it with 

 that subject. This, as an independent institution, may hereafter be made a part of 

 such a university, should one be established; but it is now to be looked at only as an 

 independent institution. 



It was to embody and execute this conception that Mr. Robbins 

 drew the Senate bill No. 292. 



Finding themselves unable to agree, it was determined that each 

 committee should report both of these bills to their respective Houses. 

 On the 25th of February, 1839, the bill drawn by Mr. Robbins was 

 taken up in this body, and after an animated discussion was laid on 

 the table by a vote of 20 to 15. This vote is regarded, I perceive, by 

 Mr. Adams, in his subsequent reports of 1840 and 1842, as expressing 

 the judgment of the Senate against the establishment of such academi- 

 cal institute of learning. He says: 



It is then to be considered as a circumstance propitious to the final disposal of this 

 fund, by the organization of an institution the best adapted to accomplish the design 

 of the testator, that this first but erroneous impression of that design — an institute of 

 learning, a university, upon the foundation of which the whole fund should be lav- 

 ished, and yet prove inadequate to its purpose, without large appropriations of pub- 

 lic moneys in its aid — should have been presented to the consideration of Congress, 

 referred to a numerous joint committee of both Houses, there discussed, reported for 

 the deliberation of both Houses, fully debated in the House where it originated, and 

 then decisively rejected. 



If such may be inferred to have been the judgment of the Senate, it 

 may be defended on the most decisive reasons. It is hardly worth 

 while to move the question whether it would be expedient to apply the 

 fund as far as it would go to the founding of a great university deserv- 

 ing of the name — a national university — in which all the branches 

 of a thorough education should be taught; which should fill the space 

 between the college and professional schools which should guide 

 the maturer American mind to the highest places of knowledge; for 

 such should be the functions of such a university. It is not worth 

 while to move this question, because no such proposition is before us. 

 I am afraid, with Mr. Adams, that to found such a university would 

 consume the whole fund, interest and principal, almost at once, and 

 reduce you to the alternative of a signal failure, or of occasional and 

 frequent application to the Government for aid which could never 

 be granted. But the Senator from Ohio contemplates no such thing. 



