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to Milo P. Jewett, 22 Mar 1864
Title
to Milo P. Jewett, 22 Mar 1864
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Description
Stating his unchanged feelings with regard to altered relations with Jewett.
Date
March 22, 1864
Text
Poughkeepsie March 22d 1864 Prof M0P. Jewett Dear Sir. Yours of the 17""1 inst is before me and I have delayed a reply thus far hardly conceiving that one was necessary or perhaps expected- Upon reflection I have satisfied you for the right myself that one is due touthorough understanding of our present position and to prevent any possible misconceptions. You speak of being nencouragedn by the Hon Mr Kelly to renew the assur- ances of your regret &c-----I do not of course know...
Show morePoughkeepsie March 22d 1864 Prof M0P. Jewett Dear Sir. Yours of the 17""1 inst is before me and I have delayed a reply thus far hardly conceiving that one was necessary or perhaps expected- Upon reflection I have satisfied you for the right myself that one is due touthorough understanding of our present position and to prevent any possible misconceptions. You speak of being nencouragedn by the Hon Mr Kelly to renew the assur- ances of your regret &c-----I do not of course know to what circum- is stances that encouragement is due and it but fair to you to say that our positions are in no respect altered from what they were when I wrote you on the 2** inst, at least for the better as I have since heard (if true) much to widen our difficulties It is impossible that we shall ever again occupy the same relation to each other hereafter, and a sense of self respect require me in honesty & canodr to leave the expression of them just as I have already written them to you as I cannot nor would not disguise ray feelings. I subscribe myself Respectf^ &c jMatthew Vassar }Copy Letter to Prof. M. P. Jewett 22 March 22, 1864
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to Milo P. Jewett, 24 Oct 1863
Title
to Milo P. Jewett, 24 Oct 1863
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Description
Vigorous rebuttal of a letter from Jewett criticising his policies with regard to the construction of Main Building.
Date
October 24, 1863
Text
Poughkeepsie Saturday P M. Oct? 24th 1863 ProfFM. P. Jewett My very dear friend Your kind and candid note of six pages was received this morning and I have given it as careful perusal and consideration as my health and \\fe^X office dutys to-day would admit,--- And in reply, I am first constrained to say, your want of experience in those matters which it chiefly embrac**- seemed to carry the idea that it is only to will and it is done, to command and there it stands fast- you forget thatds...
Show morePoughkeepsie Saturday P M. Oct? 24th 1863 ProfFM. P. Jewett My very dear friend Your kind and candid note of six pages was received this morning and I have given it as careful perusal and consideration as my health and \\fe^X office dutys to-day would admit,--- And in reply, I am first constrained to say, your want of experience in those matters which it chiefly embrac**- seemed to carry the idea that it is only to will and it is done, to command and there it stands fast- you forget thatds much time taken up unavoidably in preliminaries, before the work can commence, He is a wise man who first sit down to count the cost before he begins to build his house and well considers his plans &c. As an illustration think of the amount of debates, opinions &c &c growing out of the apparent simple location of the Gate Lodges, which by-the-by, your consel with the Executive Committee reccommendations took up several con- secutive weeks, waiting the plans of Daniels & Renwick, and then con- sider the time consumed in settling upon the Buildings to be erected for Heating & Lighting the College &c — You know or at least ought to know, that I have always streniously urged and advocated the policy (for the past year) of expending the College funds in all neccessary & indispensable departments as fast as possible as they then was commanding advanced values, — - besides I was extremely anxious to press forwards not only to get our funds into Bricks Mortar &c, but to finish all the material structures to save other expenses and turn the current the other way, vizi, earning an income in its educational departments.- With due difference to your superior judgement in these latter matters, am I willing to yield, but in those of general buisness character, you nor any other man shall-3»# dictate to me my duty. Your life and exper- ience has been one ofan educational type- mine of buisness in general, you are practicaly in your calling- I in mine, and I allow no man to coerce or dictate to me in my course of policy. Your desires and ambition appears to be baised entirely on the relations which the College will sustain to the present - mine to the present and future. You are for doing things up in (comparatively) in a day, I am for com- pleting firmly, and leave the gloryfication of it to future generations----- present You seem to predicate your idea upon the fact of its moral influences, but I would respectfully ask wether there will not be "precious souls to be saved after you and I are gone to our final resting places. You urge the opening of the College in fall !64, that the founder may see the fruits of his labours to nhis honor & happiness11, surely if any human eyes would desire to see this consumation mine much more so, Generaly my fellow creatures give their wealth to charitable objects after their discease, but I have been permitted thru God to cast my Bread upon the Waters while I live, and you are now Lecturing me why I don't give it faster —If for the good of the enterprise, I to forego am willing the pleasure of seeing the College in opperation - shurely you ought not to complain. -*- Your simile as applied to me in a California Gold Mill is nonesense. You take it for granted I have built the mill to grind your Grist only- I pray its benefits will extend far and wide, Another argument you propound for my con- sideration nThe happiness I will have to walk out, over the broad grounds and inspect and suggest improvements &c &c. You seem not to consider that I am an old man nearly 72 years of age, and subject to much more than the ordinary infirmities of age, but suffering with bodly as well as mental weakness- especialy when over-taxed- It was only Thursday I came home took my bed at 7 P.M. could neither sleep nor rest, partly on account of a physical ailment, which troubls me much when I taxed too much.-- But to return again to some of your Questions,- You seem to forget, that I am not the owner of theCollege funds. I have no more right how and when to use them than any other man on the Ex Com-—True out of respect to the Founder they have often yielded this own judgement but I was not therefore willing to abuse it. I am unwilling to exact a tame submission to my authority. I have no more official power than any other of my associates, and thus why should I place myself in an attitude to offend them thus You say the College has lost money by delays an every thing is now clearer. Ah my dear Sir you have discovered the fact after,and not before it happened. Why did you not tell the Committee that every article of building was going to grow clear and clearer after [] was declared. Did you do so? the fact, shows the contrary. Did not all stocks and all security decline? Did we the Committee not sell our first year funds to meet College payments, below par, have we not made up the losses and much more beside by not going faster? You forget the financial interest of the College we have more than made up our loss by keeping along moderately. but you say too slow. Now as you have alluded to a financial authority [P.G.V.} you say there will be a greater inflation of prices next summer, now I think so too, and stocks at least some of them will perhaps be doubled in value and if this should be so why spend our funds so rapidly and especially when you have to pay 30 to 40 percent more for what you buy? My dear Mr Jewett I cannot pursue my thoughts any further my eyes grow dim and brain hot— You seem to argue with me if I could do miracles, but I cannot do more than I have- Do come and help, I am willing to surrender all up to the Executive & your- self. In the name of Heaven do come and give a hand to the work, talk to com. as you have wrote me, and if I have wrote any thing in this hurried moment forgive me if it is offensive I remain my D^ear Sir Yrs. truly M Vassar
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to Milo P. Jewett, 19 Mar 1864
Title
to Milo P. Jewett, 19 Mar 1864
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Description
Polite but stern note acknowledging Mr. Jewett's apology for ""slander & falsehood"".
Date
March 19, 1864
Text
Friday Morning March 19 1864 Prof. M P. Jewett Sir The note you handed me yesterday morning and of yesterday date accompanied with explanation and appologies you then made seem to demand from me some reply thro1 the same medium and permit me in the way of a preliminary that after sleep- one day, ing over it one night and reflection upon with-a-sincere prayers to my Heavenly Father to direct me aright, I this morning place some thoughts before for your consideration. Alluding as I did in that...
Show moreFriday Morning March 19 1864 Prof. M P. Jewett Sir The note you handed me yesterday morning and of yesterday date accompanied with explanation and appologies you then made seem to demand from me some reply thro1 the same medium and permit me in the way of a preliminary that after sleep- one day, ing over it one night and reflection upon with-a-sincere prayers to my Heavenly Father to direct me aright, I this morning place some thoughts before for your consideration. Alluding as I did in that conversation to the circumstances that led to our early -ae% intimate and warm attachment continuing thro f,a course of several years, and ending in the noble enterprise of Building a College for the elevation of Woman, and altho frequently interrupted by opposite arguments for the purpose eliciting truths and Strenghthen & not weaken the conception I little thought that you would or coulds a Christian Man calmly set down in your study and deliber- ately pen and forward to a Member of our Board of Trustees, such a cool and unblushing Slander & falsehood as said letter contained, which only fell into my hands by a Providential circumstance. Yet after hearing your explanation of yesterday and seeing your Contrition for the consequences and your seemingly heart felt appolog ZC&tL q.nas q.OM umnax^naS anjcq. b saxxioaaq ~3.t$ ear- ^-eqj. d^ Ahxjajo Ao:mrjp.io aqq. ^aaxxi aAV ua^\ noA o% #»pnaq.xa pxq 'uctiio'fi.tioS -e jo xo^o-ezvrqo ani^. nrroi aqq. vaoxj :j.x*edap j XTT^ XOVi ^ST^ 3-on op I ssaxsq^xaAan q.nq 'qxtrod &JV& no noA o:). Avs oq. xaq^xaj Sniq^on aA-eq J axojaxaqx --saaq.STia:x aqq. Aq paptoxp aq ^.snux axtnf uj Sirpj.aaj^ aqj. xa^ye pn*e no aSax -I°D 9tW J° iSax^ aqq. nx aon-ennr^noo xnoA *g it ^oox^xsao pxnoqs I ^qq. pip i s*e noA oq. A*es oq, Ap-eaj: ST2iW I •tiioq aqq. ^ aui 03. uox^nna^xa ntCopy of a letter to M. Jewett march 19 -not sent-
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to Milo P. Jewett, 2 Mar 1864
Title
to Milo P. Jewett, 2 Mar 1864
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Description
Facing him with extracts from his letters calling Matthew ""fickle & childish"" and claiming plots and counter-plots among the Trustees to delay the completion of the College.
Date
March 2, 1864
Text
Poughkeepsie March 2r. 1864 Prof, M„ P. Jewett L.L.D. Sir, A letter in your handwriting and in your signature lies before me from which I make the following extracts: vizi. "M. V. Junr aim is to put off the opening of the College, first till the fall of *65; then under }^d$)^t some pretext to '66,* and so on, indefinitely. Meanwhile M. Vassar has become more fickle & childish thaix ever. - He wants the College another year for a play thing to amuse himself with, M.V. Jr. tells...
Show morePoughkeepsie March 2r. 1864 Prof, M„ P. Jewett L.L.D. Sir, A letter in your handwriting and in your signature lies before me from which I make the following extracts: vizi. "M. V. Junr aim is to put off the opening of the College, first till the fall of *65; then under }^d$)^t some pretext to '66,* and so on, indefinitely. Meanwhile M. Vassar has become more fickle & childish thaix ever. - He wants the College another year for a play thing to amuse himself with, M.V. Jr. tells him, "when the College is once opened the President- & Faculty will have all the power and all the glory -- you will then be nobody"-— Like a child, M.V. must have new every* excitement to keep alive his interest. If then the College can lie still 12 Months and M* Vassar have nothing to do about it all the autum, Winter, & Spring, he will cease to care for it, will become dis- gusted with the whole thing, will change his will, giving his money to "the Boys" during their lives & applying it inconnection with their fortunes (already so appropriated by their wills) to the erection of a vast Hospital in Po!keepsie, for a family momument." "For some months past M«V* J? has openly declared "the Col- lege shall not be opened next fall" To prevent the opening, he had gained the consent of of his uncle to have no meeting of the Trustees in FebX He dared not submit the question to the Board" "M.V, JF. admits this (opening of the College) can be done11 if we choose to give all our time and attention to it, but we wont11 Precious little time has he given to the subject except to try hard not to do it11 nBut M.V JF. and Swift had secretly agreed to a denier resort. I discovered this two weeks ago. The plot is to bring before the Trustees a Report on the cost of completing buildings, furnishing the rooms & showing so enormous an aggregate that it will be best to wait another year hoping for a fall in prices f,« Why do they desire conceal- ment? why are they afraid to have the Pres. see their figures. Because they wish to make up a false issue- to impose onthe Trustees leaving no chance for detection and experience1' nMy old friend D.. Babcock, whom I sincerly pity, will aid the conspirators with all his force and cunning. He assumes the pastorship of the first Church here (salary $750) for the sole purpose of getting the ear of M Vassar and revenging himself on the President. But D? B. cannot influence more than two votes at most, and when the yeas and nays are called for I suspect he will find himself alone. This is a poor World. What a mean nasty thing is the love of filthy lucre] From its defilement may the good Lord deliver usn PaS. For three years I have lived in the misdt of plotting and counterplotting, mining and counter miningo I am often heart sick and ready to abandon the whole enterprise] but to say nothing of the higher considerations, my "old Adam wont allow me to give this selfish & contempible faction a triumph so signal, a joy so exqui- site,11"How come the Ex. Com. to take the matter of constituting the Faculty out of the hands of the Committe to which the Trustees had confided this important trust? and why did the Ex. Com. secretly send out the slip from the Ladys Book to the President & Principles of Institutions over the Country asking an expression of their views of the practi- bility of finding Ladies prepared for the heads of the Departments in this College — any names you may suggest, gsrc"-- nAs collateral matter subsiduary to their design they will oppose the election of any Professors at this Meeting. They will also hasten to have their Report on the cost of furnishing refered to a Com. to report at the June Meet- ing. A measure fatal to the hopes of the Petitioner11 Again they will dictate to M. Vassar opening address getting him strongly to commit himself & thus compel the Board to follow the founders lead. Finaly when they wish to frighten him out of his wits, they will then threaten to resign]----- The remainder of this remarkable document Sir, is of the same tenor. Ij-t 3 seems to preclude the possibility of explanation,- You will doubtless see at once the impossibility of any further confidence or harmony between us. I forbear to state the circumstances under which I placed you were you are, and these obvious traits of your character as since developed, which renders it past hopes, that you can longer be usefull in your present position. The only alternative for me is to ask your resignation in proper hands without delay. Whatever further communications there may be between us they must be in writing I remain Yrs &c. M, Vassar.Letters of M. Vassar to M. P. Jewett the signature 1864
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