Davie, William Richardson, 1756-1820
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Mr.
Bennehan's
July 22d 95.
My Dear Sir,
I regret exceedingly the various causes which produced your absence from the
board. However as the Arabs say "God would have it so, and men must
submit," under misfortunes like yours there is no comfort, because
nothing can be substituted; the only resource for the Human mind in such cases
is in a kind of philosophic fortitude, the calm result of time, reason and
reflection.
The Business which occupied the board exclusive of the Examination I suppose
Glasgow has shewn you, and also
deposited with you the Journal. Some of the objects of your letter were acted
upon as you will perceive by those papers. The Board of Trustees sat so constantly
that the building Com[mittee] could do no business.
Patterson became extremely clamorous
to be paid for his extra work.
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The
Board
being pressed on this Head took it up; but his charges were found so excessively
exorbitant, and his work so infamously done, that they referred it again to the
Commissioners. I verily believe he has charged six or seven prices for the
painting, the rest of the work is on the same ratio.
Mr. Hopkins's bill to my astonishment
was almost as bad, so nothing was done in that either.
I am very desirous that we should close our accounts before the meeting of the
next board, at least so far as regards the principal building, the
Presidents House and the
Steward's
, and hope it will be in
your power to have our Journal brought up and our accounts stated.
Serious and I believe well grounded complaints are made against the conduct of
the
Steward; I have written fully to
Mr.
Kerr
and also to
Harris
on this subject, whether this will have any effect
I know not; these Gentlemen did not think proper to mention it when the
board was
siting altho' they had
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given assurance to the
Students that they would certainly do so.
The Students, every thing considered, acquited themselves well, but the next
examination will be a better test of the capacity and attention of the
professors. They will soon suffer very much for want of rooms and an expedient
was adopted to give a temporary relief from this mischief; by building a House
for a grammar school with three or four lodging rooms.
The papers you enclosed to me lodged with Mr.
Alves so that they can be had at any time.
Please to let me know whether a receipt is necessary to you for Prillegibleds money forwarded with your last letter.
Adieu, let me hear from you, and be assured no man takes a more sincere interest
in your happiness than