Letter from David L. Swain to Charles Manly, October 25, 1856
[Containing Enclosures from Henry Harrisse, Elisha Mitchell, Charles
Phillips, James
Phillips, Solomon Pool, Joseph Blount Lucas, Fordyce
Mitchell Hubbard, Manuel Fetter, William Robards Wetmore,
and Ashbel Green
Brown]
(Private)
Chapel
Hill,
25. Oct. 1856.
My dear Sir,
On Monday after reading the Resolutions in relation to Mr.
Hedrick & Mr. Herrisse, I read to the Faculty in the presence of the latter the
accompanying letter from him to Gov. Bragg I then remarked, that if there was a
single person present, who understood me as making the threat charged in the
letter, I wished him to answer it. There was no reply. I then stated that I
would expect as a favour, from every member of the Faculty, present a written
statement of his recollection of what I did say on the occasion referred to.
At a meeting of the Faculty, the next day I called upon Mr.
Herrisse,
to state the words I read. He gave the following which I immediately reduced to
writing, and read over to him to be certain of absolute accuracy. "If
that memorial were read to the classes where would you be now? This is a part of
what you said but these very words are ringing in my ears." Last night
at the regular meeting of the Faculty the accompanying statements were given in,
and at the same time, Mr. Herrisse placed the enclosed note
upon my table.
The letter to Gov. Bragg was written with no expectation, on his (Mr.
H.) part
that I would ever see it, or have an opportunity to contradict it. How many
communications with similar motives have been made to Mr.
Bryan, Mr.Mr. Moore, and Judge Saunders, I
have no means of ascertaining. From the consultation of the keen mind, it is
unreasonable to suppose that oft repeated statements and insinuations can be
listened to without some impression.
Take another case. Turn to the memorial which I returned by Dr. Mitchell and read his account of the Sophomore rebellion in Sep.
1855. Finding himself at issue with every one, he makes this attempt to sustain
it in his "Key and Appendix to Memorial No.
2".
30. "However, not very long since, our students
burnt one of the Professors in effigy amidst the reels and stamping of three
hundred and fifty young men, dancing by the glare of the funeral pile, to
the music of their own yells and vociferations!"
"It was Prof. Charles Phillips on the 9th.
& 10th. October 1855.
"The fact itself is unquestionable. I apprehend however, that I may have
committed a lapsus permae in giving the number of
students. For instead of 350, I understand there were only 330 on the Hill; and
it is barely possible they should all have been engaged in the riot. I have
heard it cited as one of most formidable disturbances ever known here; and Tutor
Lucas tells me, that he heard Gov. Swain himself make
remarks to that effect."
When the foregoing was read I requested Mr. Lucas to state in writing what he had at any time heard me say on the
subject. Hisrecollection and that of Mr. Hubbard were given last night. I wrote at
the bottom of Mr. Lucas's note, my
recollection which agrees in substance with that of Prof. H. and read
it to the Faculty in the presence of Mr. Herrisse. Please
read it, and see how few Mr. Hs. allegations, are
sustained by his proofs.
I will not hereafter reply to any thing he may say or write. I withdraw the note
written to you on Tuesday evening last, but beg you to say as my friend, and the
friend of the University whether some action on the
part of the Committee is not merely necessary but
indispensable. Hedrick the only member of the cabal, who rendered any
efficient aid in the maintenance of discipline, and he was really efficient,
never present but always energetic, has been dismissed. His offence was no
greater a departure from our usages than that of Herrisse, in the Hughes case. The proceedings of the
Faculty, was bairely sustained when religious interference, was in question
& more than maintained in a matter of party politics.
I beg pardon for taking up so much of your time in relation to this matter
& will endeavour not to trespass again. I do not think I ask too much
of the Committee, in requesting simply that they will
determine, on the issue before them who are right, and who are wrong. In the
language of the Resolutions of the whole Faculty, if you shall not be satisfied
from the evidence before you that the Memorial of Mr. Herrisse is
without substantial foundation, then you oweit to
yourselves to the community, and to us, to institute a searching investigation.
Whilst I have no desire, to injury any one, I think great good may accrue from
ascertaining the extent to which Mr. H. and those who
unite, in his complaints, contribute either by night or by day to the
maintenance of discipline.
Mr. Browns short comings and idiosyncrasies, are
occasioned by mental disorder. He is in the main a very good and very acceptable
instructor, and we may find it sufficient to obtain the service of a successor
who will do as well. Prof. Hubbard, though not perfect as depicted in Mr. Herrisses series of allegories, performs his duties in the
Recitation room well. His attainments and his ability as a writer contribute an
important item in our stock of mental wealth. Except in the recitation room, and
there he is wanting in energy and life, his direct services are not important.
There is no Prof. who contributes less to the general maintenance of discipline.
The enquiry you make about the damaging party, I am sorry to have to answer in
the affirmative. The affair was spoken of by the wildest of our young men, as in
bad taste.
If Herrisse
shall do, what he has intimated times without number, resign at the close of the
session, it may do to let things go on. It will not do to retain him, without an
investigation, and a vote of censure, upon the evidence before you.
The official letter sent herewith you did of course read to the Com., this had perhaps better be
burned.
Yours very sincerely
D. L.
Swain
[Letter from Henry Harrisse to David L. Swain]
Copy
To Governor Swain.
Present.
Sir
Your remarks on the day alluded to, did create in my mind the impression of a
threat on your part to raise a mob against me by reading my memorials to the
students.
Since you disclaim having had such an intention, I withdraw my statement so far
as you are concerned.
Yours respectfully
Henri
Herrisse
Chapel Hill, N.C.
Oct 24th 56
[Recollections of Elisha Mitchell]
When the President in the course of the reading of Mr Herrisses Memorial came to
certain statements respecting the deportment of the students in the Recitation
Room or elsewhere, he enquired "What would be the effect if this were
to be read to the Classes — would it not produce an
excitement" or words to that effect; there was so far as I can
recollect no threat to read it or intimation of a purpose to read it to them.
E.
Mitchell
Chapel Hill
Oct 24th 1856
[Recollections of Charles Phillips]
My recollection concerning what Mr. Herrisse represents was a threat by Gov. Swain to raise a mob against
him is as follows.
The President
was protesting against Mr. Herrisse's representation of the
manner in which the students received his (Govr. S's) addresses, exhortations &c in the College Chapel. He
stated that Mr. Herrisse had heard but a small part of the speeches he
had made to the students &c — and at last remarked that it
was a slander on our young men, that were the paper read to them they would
doubtless resent it as such. Thereupon two or three other members of the Faculty
declared that they wished the paper to be so read — that it would be
a good thing to read it to the boys, &c. — Mr. Herrisse merely replied "If you
dare." Dr. Phillips retorted that
he dared to do it — that he wouldn't take a dare from a Frenchman.
There was no formal proposal, or threat from any one to read Mr. Herrisse's Memorial to the Students and least of all from the President.
On the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 18th. in conversation with
Govr. Swain, I asked him what he reckoned Mr. Herrisse meant by his reply "if you
dare," and was somewhat surprised to find that he had not
heard the exclamation. I did not understand Mr. Herrisse as
daring the President, but the Faculty to order the memorial to be read, and the
fact must have escaped thethe President's notice by the
confusion prevalent in the room at the time, — two or three were
speaking, or trying to speak and we were just about to leave the room. I did not
at the time consider the President as threatening Mr
Herrisse and it
was evident from the President's manner on Oct. 18th.
that he never considered himself as having threatened Mr
Herrisse.
I heard Mr. Herrisse's version of this matter read to day. The
matter occurred on Monday, Oct. 13h. 1856.
[Charles
Phillips]
Chapel Hill
Oct. 20h. 1856.
[Recollections of James Phillips]
When M. Herrisse's secret & assassin like charges against the character
of the students as ignorant, impudent, indolent, & riotous in all the
recitation rooms except one, where their conduct was
"perfect," & the gross caricature of their behaviour
to the President when addressing them was read at a meeting of the Faculty,
Govr. Swain remarked, that if
those libellous charges were made known to the students it would produce such a
burst of indignation against the writer as might be attended with unpleasant
consequences; & I then said "if I were President I would do
so," to which M. Herrisse instantly exclaimed "I dare you to do
it." I cannot recall the precise words of the President; but I am very
certain, that I have given their substance accurately. Threat there was none,
either direct or implied. M. Herrisse's exclamation is given in "ipsissimis
verbis." His version of what the President said is incorrect,
& bears the stamp of a want of correctness on its surface. The
Instructor's love of "allegory" has doubtless led him astray.
James
Phillips.
Chapel Hill.
22dOctober 1856.
[Recollections of Solomon Pool]
At an informal meeting of the Faculty, after reading "Memorial No. 2,
Mr. Herrisse," the President remarked in substance: "If that had
been read to the students where would you now be?" The President made
no threat, neither submitted anything further in that relation. Some one else
suggested that it ought to be read to the
students; whereupon Mr. Herrisse dared him
— not the
President
— to do so.
This is my confident recollection, and in strict accordance with a statement
made, a few hours subsequent, by me to Prof. Shipp who was
absent from the meeting at noon.
Solomon Pool.
Chapel Hill,
Oct. 23rd /56.
[Recollections of Joseph Blount Lucas]
Chapel Hill, N.C.
Oct. 23d 1856.
In compliance with a request from Gov. Swain I make the following
statements.
1st. I have no recollection of having heard Gov. Swain make any
remark about reading Mr Herrisse's Memorial to the Students. I was sitting near
Doctor Phillips and Prof. Fetter, whilst it was reading, and at its
conclusion heard both of them say, aloud, "that it (the Memorial) ought
to be read to the young men, and that Mr Herrisse would then get what he
deserved." It was at this time that Mr Herrisse replied "I dare
you to do it," but to whom the remark was addressed, I know not.
Jos. B.
Lucas
2d. It is my impression that I have heard Governor Swain, in
speaking of the "Sophomore Rebellion" last year, more than
once characterize it, as "one of the most serious disturbances, that
has ever occured since his connexion with the University."
Jos. B.
Lucas
[David L. Swain's Reply to Joseph Blount Lucas's
Recollections]
I have never on any occasion, made a remark to Mr. Lucas, or to
any other person, which by any fair construction, can be used to sustain the
statement of Mr. Herrisse, in relation to the outrageous excesses, which
he represents to have been exhibited, by the students, the night after the
Sophomore rebellion in October 1855.
I have repeatedly said that the combination of the class, not to recite to Prof
(C)
Phillips until the requisition was complied with, was the most
formidable and difficult to overcome I have ever encountered.
The burning in effigy I considered a comparatively trifling affair, I was present
and actively engaged in suppressing the tumult, from the beginning to the close
and knowMr. Herrisse's
statement in relation to it to be a gross exaggeration. He was not there, did
not see, what he undertakes to describe, and had no part, in subduing the
conspiracy.
D. L.
Swain
24. Oct. 1856.
[Recollections of Fordyce Mitchell
Hubbard]
Chapel Hill
Oct. 24th 1856
I remember very well that I heard Gov. Swain remark, about the affair
& about the time when Prof. Phillips was burned in effigy, that
"that was the most formidable combination" he had been called
to encounter, since his connection began with the University.
In regard to Gov. Swain's alleged threat to read Mr
Herrisse's
memorial to the students, I do not well recall the language he used, but it did
not make on me the impression that he intended a menace. The impression which
Mr. Herrisse received was aimed more naturally from words
which dropped at the time from other members of the Faculty, and I understood
the defiance, which he uttered then & there, to have been aimed rather
at them & their remarks than at the President.
F. M.
Hubbard
[Recollections of Manuel Fetter]
When the President had finished reading Mr. Herrisse's Memorial, he remarked
upon the gross injustice of its secret charges, & characterized it as
an outrageous slander both upon the Faculty & the students. Mr. H.
attempting to justify the charges in very strong language the President,
addressing himself to him, said, if this Memorial were to be read to the
students what would become of you? This was the language used by him on that
occasion, as nearly as I can recollect. No threat — not even the
semblance of a threat was uttered by him at that or at any other time. Dr. Phillips then observed that he thought it (the Memorial) ought to be
read to the students, in which opinion I expressed my concurrence. Dr. Phillips
& myselfwere at the time sitting close
together at some distance from the President, when Mr. Herrisse, who was
seated near us, looking at us, said, I dare you to do it. I considered these
words as addressed to the Doctor & myself & not to the President & was very
much surprised to hear that they had been transferred from us to him. The fact
of our answering Mr. Herrisse shows that we both understood his remark as intended for
us. I am confident from what then took place & from subsequent
information, that the President did not even hear what he said.
M. Fetter.
[Recollections of William Robards Wetmore]
The President
said in substance to Mr Herrisse that he believed if his Memorial were read to
the students it would raise a mob against him. Dr
Phillips thereupon said, in substance that is exactly what ought to be
done and he believed it would raise a mob against him. Mr Fetter repeated Dr
P's remark. Mr
Herrisse
then said "I dare you to do it."
W. R.
Wetmore
[Recollections of Ashbel Green Brown]
I certify that I heard the President remark to Mr Herrisse in substance that it
would be worse for him, if his memorial to the Trustees
should be read to the students. I cannot state his words, but did not understand
him to threaten that the paper should be actually exposed to the young men.
Nothing that he said impressed me with the idea that he had an such intention.
A. G.
Brown