The College of South Carolina is the best of all the institutions in the State. It was opened for students in 1804, and has ever since exercised a strong influence on the politics of South Carolina, except dur ing the reconstruction period. Every politician of any note in the State, except John C. Calhoun, has been for a time connected with the institution. Thomas Cooper, one of the presidents of the college, supplied the free traders with materials for their attacks upon the tariff. One of the greatest political philosophers of America, Francis Lieber, did his work and made his reputation during a sojourn of twenty years at Columbia, S. C. These two men were the greatest scholars connected with the institution, and their reputation has carried its name and fame far and wide. Owing to the generosity of the Legislature in appropriating thirty-seven thousand dollars for the support of the college, the corps of instructors has been increased, departments have been added, and the whole outlook is more promising than ever before. In the preparation of this paper, the library collections of the Bureau of Education in Washington have been extensively used. Special acknowledgments for assistance are due President McBryde and Professor R. Means Davis, who supplied much manuscript material; to G. E. Manigault, M. D., of the College of Charleston, and Professor H. T. Cook and President Charles Manly of Furman University; to President James H. Carlisle and Prof. F. C. Woodward, of Wofford College; to John F. Calhoun, a great-nephew of John C. Calhoun, for aid in the history of the Willington Academy, under Moses Waddel; to Hon. William A. Courtenay; to Gen. Edward McCrady, Jr.; to Gen. Geo. D. Johnston; and to many others who kindly gave the author sugges tions and information. Valuable facts were also derived from a private memoir of Paul Hamilton, through whose able administration of finances it became possible for the State to found the University. I respectfully recommend the publication of this monograph, which is one of the series prepared by the Bureau of Education. Very respectfully, yours, N. H. R. DAWSON, Commissioner of Education. |