1

Some Considerations tending to show
the propriety and necessity of the continued support of the
University of Virginia, by the State.

The first idea of an University
So early as 1779, upon the first revisal of our laws after the
separation from England, Mr Jefferson, in conjunction with his co-re-
visors, Messrs Pendleton & Wythe, sought to incorporate into the Code
of the infant State, a general system of education doing justice to
all classes alike, and [subsening?] the wants of society in this parti-
cular.

This system is founded upon the principle that the educa
tion of a people is a proper subject of anxiety and care on the part
of the government, and that it is the interest of all, and the duty
of those charged with the administrations of affairs that such
public aid should be rendered as shall be required to effect the
object. Such aid it was insisted, was more particularly indis-
pensable for the lowest and highest grades of institution, the
intermediate grade being more capable of being provided for
by the individual resources of those interested, although his plan
was to give help to this also.

The policy presented by the projet of the law then submit-
ted, has been so often developed by Mr Jefferson himself, that
it cannot be new, but sagacious and comprehensive as it is, if in
worth while in their connection, to exhibit its outline, since in the
opinion of its author, it was an essential part, (one of the four
columns he called it), of a government truly Republican. 1 Jeff.
Mem. 39.

The plan embraced
I. Elementary Schools to be maintained at the public change, & to be free
to all
II. General Schools, (as he called them), coresponding to Academies & Colleges
for the education of such as had time, means and inclina