Poughkeepsie Satturday 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 carefull 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
173
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Oct. 24, 1863 - Z
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 of an 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, shurely if any human
17 5 4
. 30P
Oct. 24, 1863-3
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 thro1 God to cast
my Bread upon the Waters while I live, and you are now Lecturing
give it
me why I dont go on fasteri 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 owener of the
College 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
173 e
30:
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Oct. 24, 1863 - 5
My dear Mr Jewett I cannot pursue ray thoughts any further
nay eyes grow dim and brain hot You seem to argue with me
if I could do maricles, but I cannot do more than I have- Do come
and help, I am willing to surrender all up to the Excutive & 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
373^