Washington College - Pegasus Yearbook (Chestertown, MD)

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Sketch of Washington College. In 1780 the charter of the College of Philadelphia. of which Rev. Williain Smith, D. D., was president. was revoked. The reverend gentleman was induced to take charge of the parish of Chestertown. for the consideration of 43011 bushels of wheat per annum. He made such a favorable impression upon the people, that he was speedily elected principal of the Kent county school. He was a born educator, and soon enrolled Ho students. Through his iniiuence. action was taken by the Visitors to obtain from the Legislature a college charter for the Kent county school. That body at their next session, enacted that it would be granted, if 514,000 should be raised in iive years. and that the institution should be named Wasliiiigtoii College, in grateful remembrance of the illustrious commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States. VVithin five months the money was all contributed, and the charter was accordingly bestowed. The State, in addition. agreed thereafter forever to pay annually to VVashington College 331250 in currency, or 532533. This was to be paid either in Spanish dollars or merchantable Wheat or tobacco. The Weste1'11 Shore could not endure that the Eastern Shore should have superior educational advantages. Accordingly, in 1784, St. John's College was chartered. At the same time it was enacted, that the two institutions should constitute the University of Maryland, the Governor of the State being chancellor. and one of the principals vice-chancellor. Three attempts were made. about 1790, to bring about a convocation. which was to meet annually. alternately at each college. for the purpose of making common by-laws and bringing the two institutions into close sympathy. Each attempt was a failure. o11 account of the jealousy existing between the two Shores. and the plan was iinally abandoned. - SP 1'

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WASHINGTON COLLEGE.

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In 1783. the first commencement in Maryland was held at VVashington College. There were six graduates, who aired their learning in a Latin and a French oration and a Latin disputation. Un the next day. the corner-stone of the college building was laid by Governor Paca with appropriate ceremonies. It was 1450 feet long and three stories high. The central portion was 40 feet Wide and 100 feet deep. with a hall through the centre from north to south. Each Wing was 00 feet by 130 feet. with central halls running north and south. 328,000 were raised for the construction of this building, all of which was contributed by the people of the Eastern Shore, except S1200 raised in the three eastern counties of Virginia, and 50 guineas given by General VVashington. It afforded ample accommodations for 500 students, yet, it Was not completed at' the opening of the nineteenth century. It is doubtful whether it was finished very long before its destruction by fire. General VVashington was present at the second commence- ment in 1784. The students played before him the tragedy of Gustavus Vasa. At the close of the performance, Dr. Smith said : You have just performed a play illustrative of the life and actions of Gustavus Vasa 3 behold here the Gustavus of America Y In 1787, the college conferred upon the Father of His Country the honorary title of L.L. D. The total expenses i11 the new institution, were for board, S1305 for tuition. P5101 room-rent, S81 per annum in all. The standard of scholarship was high. lt embraced algebra, geometry, trigonometry. conic sections, fluxious, navigation, surveying, natural philosophy, chemistry. astronomy, moral philosphy, logic, metaphysics. rhetoric. and extensive reading of Greek and Latin authors. ' Dr. Smith returned in due time to the college of Philadelphia, and the young institution began to lose ground. In 1790 the 10