296 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



ships of Moral Philosophy and Chemistry, still remaining 

 vacant We are very anxious to fill these with men of high 

 character and commanding talents. To accomplish this, a 

 committee has been appointed by the trustees, consisting 

 of Governor McDuffie, General Hamilton, and myself, to 

 make inquiries and find out suitable persons for these 

 stations. The president will not be chosen till the annual 

 meeting in November next ; the professors, if we can find 

 proper men, may be elected in June next, to enter upon the 

 duties of their respective offices in October. Now it has 

 occurred to me that as the presidency of the South Caro- 

 lina College is in many respects the most desirable literary 

 office in the Union, it might suit your views to accept it, 

 and believing that there is no man better qualified for the 

 station, none who would be more acceptable not only to the 

 trustees but to the people at large, I take the liberty of 

 submitting the question to your consideration. The salary 

 is $3000 per annum, with a good house ; the tenure during 

 good behavior. The salary is certain, being paid out of 

 the public treasury. The number of students it is not ex- 

 pected will exceed one hundred for several years to come, 

 and probably never extend beyond one hundred and fifty. 

 There is an annual vacation from June to October, which 

 includes the whole season in which autumnal fevers occa- 

 sionally (though rarely) prevail in Columbia, which, as you 

 are aware, is a fine flourishing town, the seat of govern- 

 ment, and possessing a polished society by whom the fac- 

 ulty of the College are greatly cherished. The president 

 might choose his department, and chemistry could be as- 

 signed to you. I am persuaded that there is no station in 

 the Union in which you could acquire more honor or be 

 more successfully employed. Under the new arrangement, 

 I think there will be no serious difficulty in enforcing dis- 

 cipline. With these brief suggestions, I submit to your 

 consideration whether you cannot allow us to look to you to 

 fill the vacancy. I am, of course, not authorized to act for 



