WITHDRAWAL OF HIS RESIGNATION. 99 



as rational beings, and as heirs of immortality. While I 

 mourn for Mr. Calhoun as a friend, I regard the political 

 course of his later years as disastrous to his country and 

 not honorable to his memory, although I believe he had 

 persuaded himself that it was right, and that he acted 

 from patriotic motives. 



In compliance with the request of the College au- 

 thorities, Professor Silliman consented to withdraw, 

 for the present, his resignation, which has been already 

 mentioned. 



During the week before the last, President Woolsey 

 called and informed me that a meeting of the Professors 

 and himself had been held, during my absence at Washing- 

 ton, on the subject of my proffered resignation of my office 

 as Professor in Yale College, and that they had unani- 

 mously voted to request me to reconsider that determina- 

 tion. This was followed last Tuesday, April 9, by a vote 

 of the Prudential Committee to the same effect. 



I annex my reply to President Woolsey's note : 



Rev. President Woolsey, 



DEAR SIR, In compliance with the wish "unani- 

 mously " expressed by the Prudential Committee, and com- 

 municated in your note of this day, I think it my duty to 

 " reconsider my determination to withdraw from my profes- 

 sorship." Important changes have taken place in the 

 course of the year, and I now feel, that should it be the 

 desire of the Corporation, I ought to follow the example of 

 President Day, and remain in my office for a season, until 

 Providence shall point out more distinctly the course of 

 duty both to the College and myself. I remain, very re- 

 spectfully, yours, 



B. SILLIMAN. 



YALE COLLEGE, April 10, 1850. 



