Nassau Hall Sept 14th —35 Dear Mother I received yours of the 8th on the 11th & I was very glad on account of two thing — the pleasure of hearing from home & the money that was it — My foot is entirely well now, & I
Nassau Hall Sept 14th —35
Dear Mother
I received yours of the 8th on the 11th & I was very glad on account of two thing — the pleasure of hearing from home & the money that was it — My foot is entirely well now, & I intend to try to keep it so — It should always be my desire and endeavor to act in such a manner as shall meet to your approbation & so long as I am in College I will try to do nothing which will hurt your feelings — I do not think that Aunt Susan will accompany me home this fall, although I am not certain, if she makes up her mind to come, I will let you know three or four days beforehand so that you can get some person to work for you while she is there — I was indeed astonished as well as sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Mitchell — I am somewhat astonished that Mr. Konkling did not write as he said he would; according to your request I made further enquiry & Mr McClean recommended a young man in the Seminary by the name of Topping; I called at his room on Saturday evening & spoke to him about it; I told him all I knew, that the trustees gave $50 & that the number of scholars always have been from 12 to 14, & I also told him that it was probable, if he would teach the higher branches of the English studies, he would have a larger number, he said he would write to Father about it. Mr McClean recommended him.
About a week ago it got buzed through College that there was an Abolitionist in town, & one night the students about 60 number went down to a negro man’s house, where they heard this Abolitionist was holding a meeting, two fellows went into the house, while the rest staid outside to watch, & taking the fellow by the arms asked him to come along with them; at first the man refused & told them to stand off, for he had the law on his side & that he would make use of it; they told him they had Lynchs law which was sufficient for them & so to come along or they would find a way to make him, he did not seemed disposed to come so they laid hold on him & draged him out of the house; they at first intended to tar & feather him, but he begged so pitifully that they determined not to injure him, they took his subscription paper from him & burned it & then took him up in front of the Seminary & called to the Seminarians that here was one Abolitionist & they might look out to be served in the same manner if they caught any of them; they took him a little ways past the Seminary & told him to run for his life & he did if ever fellow did, they ran after him a short distance & then stopt, the Aprentices had followed after the students expecting to have some sport; they wanted the students to let them go after him & catch him, but the students would not do it, they told them not to do it & they were afraid
Our examination commences next Monday & and the Monday following, we are to be examined on all the studies of the sophomore year. Euclid, Horace, Algebra, Homer, Demosthenes, Cicero de officiis, & perhaps Horace de art poetry; Trigonometry, Navigation, & Nautical Astronomy, together with Arithmetic, English Grammar, & Geography, all of which I wish was over,
The Commencement this [hole in paper]
be held in the Campus if it is a dry [hole in paper]
a splendid one if not a poor one — [hole in paper]
curious country, we have been obliged to [hole in paper]
a week in the fore part of August & [hole in paper]
days in the latter part & are now [hole in paper]
fire in our rooms, it is very comfortable [hole in paper]
by a good fire & write to any friends [hole in paper]
The students & Faculty are getting on rather better terms then they have been the greater part of this session, they, the students do not commit quite so much mischief as they did & the Faculty are getting to treat them with more respect & it is more probable that if the Faculty keeps on in this course that the college will prosper, but I would be much surprised if the Faculty act the beginning of the next session as they did the beginning of this, if there would be a sort of disturbance, Give my love to all Father & all he rest & when you write to Walker give him my love, give my respects to all who make enquiry for me, I am ever your affectionate & Dutiful son
J. W. Woods
