5

Although this increased annuity was not more than equal
to the interest on the principal of the arrearages of the an-
nuity claimed of the State by the college, yet on the recom-
mendation of their counsel, among whom was the Honorable
Reverdy Johnson, they agreed to receive this grant and
passed the resolution of which exhibit No. 5, is a copy.

The visitors relying on this legislation of the State, dis-
missed their appeal, and went on through the active co-opera-
tion and recommendation of the principal, to appoint their
professors and complete the faculty of the college. They also
with the means derived from the State and from the United
States, put all the large buildings, seven in number, in com-
plete repair for the occupation of students and boarders. But
from many delays and difficulties beyond their control, not
until the last of September, were the buildings so far ready
aa to authorize the publication of the opening of the college
and boarding house. To this cause in a great degree, they
ascribe it that so few students have yet entered the college
from other parts of the State, but they have reason to antici-
pate accessions to the next term.

The college was opened in September last, the students now
number eighty-two and the whole arrangements of the institu-
tion are conducted with system, efficiency and success. Never
within the memory of the members of this Board, have the
prospects of the college been so encouraging.

With large and commodious buildings in complete order,
a principal well known throughout the country for his quali-
fications in an eminent degree to discharge the duties of his
position, supported by a learned and scientific faculty, in har-
mony with his views of education, and with the means to
keep up the institution in this condition for five years. We
have every prospect within that period, to establish it on a
permanent foundation, and more than restore it to its former
reputation and usefulness.

When we see what is done in other States for their colleges,
and what our own State has done for her public schools, pay-
ing last year most generously upward of one-half a million of
dollars to them, we cannot but be surprised that Maryland
has done so little heretofore for her colleges on which her
public schools must depend for their instructors.

South Carolina, has expended near a million of dollars
since 1801, on its State college, including buildings, library,
&c , with a continuing annuity of $26,000.

Virginia appropriated $250,000 for the establishment of its
University, besides an annuity of $15,000. It has also built
its Military Institute at Lexington, and endowed it with
$20,000 annually.