2G8 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



and students of the College established at this place under 

 the State authority. You will perceive that something has 

 been done since the work commenced, and I doubt not that 

 the College will succeed, and will be of very great utility to 

 the country. You will, I dare say, be struck with the few 

 deaths marked or starred in the catalogue ; and you may 

 be induced to think that this is not so dying a climate as 

 you northern gentlemen usually think it is. The truth is 

 that the country from about the falls of the river which are 

 generally at one hundred and twenty miles from the sea, 

 (by the road,) is a very sickly country. But from thence 

 to the mountains it is remarkably healthy. I am inclined 

 to think that this part of the two or three southern States 

 is the healthiest part of the United States, being equally 

 free from the bilious diseases of the flat, swampy sea-coast, 

 and the consumptions, rheumatisms, and pleurisies of the 

 eastern and northern States, and being absolutely clear of 

 the spotted and other malignant fevers of every species. 



I am thus particular in my communication to you, 



because I am persuaded that you take a deep interest in 

 the success of all literary institutions. Indeed, it seems to 

 me that upon their success depends, not only a large por 

 tion of happiness in considerable numbers of the commu 

 nity, but the duration of our free institutions and of the 

 Union of the Republic. For no people can remain long in 

 the enjoyment of so much freedom, so little regulated, with 

 out abusing it to its destruction, unless enlightened to a 

 very high degree. I have, however, trespassed too long on 

 your time already. Allow me only to add my grief at the 

 present deplorable state of our country. If the same wise 

 and overruling Providence which has so recently prostrated 

 usurpation and tyranny in Europe, and tranquillized the na 

 tions, almost against all hope or expectation, does not save 

 us and give us peace, I fear we are doomed to great suffer 

 ing, and, what is of infinitely more importance, I fear 

 your discontents in the East will drive you to the desperate 



