' the centre of the nation, is recommended by the consideration that 



the additional instruction emanating from it would contribute not 

 ' less to strengthen the foundation than to adorn the structure of our 

 1 free and happy system of Government" 



Again, in his message of December 5th, 1816, Mr. MADISON observes: 



" The present is a favorable season for bringing again into view the 



1 establishment of a National Seminary of learning within the District 



' of Columbia, and with means drawn from the property therein, sub- 



* ject to the authority of the General Government. Such an institu- 

 1 tion claims the patronage of Congress, as a monument of their 

 ' solicitude for the advancement of knowledge, without which the 

 ' blessings of liberty cannot be fully enjoyed or long preserved ; as a 

 ' model instructive in the formation of the seminaries ; as a nursery of 

 1 enlightened preceptors-, as a central resort of youth and genius from 

 L every part of their country, diffusing on their return examples of 

 ' those national feelings, those liberal sentiments, and those congenial 

 ' manners which contribute cement to our Union, and strength to the 

 ' political fabric of which that is the foundation." 



I have been free with italics, because I consider those parts so mark- 

 ed peculiarly appropriate and important. And I must remark that I 

 cannot conceive how any public man can be so presumptuous as to assert 

 and support doctrines opposed to the opinions of such patriots as WASH- 

 INGTON, JEFFERSON, and MADISON. I conceive that the extracts I 

 have made ftom the Presidential messages in question are conclusive 

 in the case, and I will not do the present Congress the injustice to sup- 

 pose for a moment that, when the subject is properly brought to their 

 notice, as it has been, to some extent, by our actual President, a prompt 

 and satisfactory action will not be the consequence. 



I shall continue in my next the discussion of the point I am now 

 endeavoring to press upon the attention of the public, and will endea- 

 vor to prove that there should be no more delay on the part of Congress 

 in complying with the trust of Mr. SMITHSON, and that the National 

 Institute deserves its special and favorable attention in this matter as in 

 others. I remain yours, respectfully, 



J. C. &, 



