worm, the Latin and Greek antiquarian, this is certainly not the country." The University lands, amounting to forty-six thousand and eighty acres, donated to the State by Congress, have all been sold, realizing fifty-seven thousand six hundred dollars in cash. This amount has been, or will be, under our law, invested in State Stock. At the ruling rates it will purchase stocks to the amount of sixty-five or seventy thousand dollars. This amount may be considered, therefore, in our Treasury, as the nucleus of a fund for the establishment of our University. It is apparent, however, that it cannot go far toward that end. We propose, therefore, to save the expense of purchasing a site, and of erecting temporary buildings, by obtaining from the United States, a cession of the Monterey Redoubt. That, you are aware, is situated just without the limits of the town of Monterey, bordering upon, and commanding a splendid view of the whole bay of that name. The grounds are spacious-amply large enough for the purposes of the Institution proposed, including a parade-ground. The buildings or barracks are extensive, although somewhat rude and primitive of construction. They might, by proper expenditures made by the State, be converted into tolerably good quarters for the cadets until our means permitted the erection of more substantial and suitable buildings. Suffice it to say, that with these grounds and buildings, and the seventy thousand dollars to the credit of our University Fund, now in the Treasury, we could make an encouraging beginning. We could, at least, commit the State to the policy of maintaining such an institute. Its practical benefits would soon insure it the fostering care of our Legislature and people, and, in time, we might hope to see in flourishing operation, such an institution as would be a credit to our State. Such are but a few of the advantages that California would derive from the cession. Now let us see if such considerations cannot be offered, as will clearly show to Congress, that the cession will be an absolute advantage to the General Government. The Redoubt is not now, and for a long time has not been, occupied, except perhaps by a barrack-keeper, and there is not the remotest probability, that it will ever be garrisoned in time of peace, for the reason, that there are no Indians in that vicinity, whose depredations are to be feared. In time of peace, therefore, this Redoubt is not only utterly worthless, of no conceivable use to the United States, but it is an actual incumbrance, to the extent of the expense of maintaining a custodian, and keeping it in repair. Now, how will it be in time of war? I doubt very much if it could hold out an hour, however manfully defended, against the attack of a hostile fleet. Besides, there is not the slightest necessity for such a fleet (desirous of capturing the town of Monterey) of exposing itself to the fire of this Redoubt, as there are hundreds of places around the Bay, where a force could be landed, out of range, and then march, without hindrance, upon the town. But, supposing this should not be the case, and that the Redoubt should 35 be considered essential to the protection of the town, all the purposes designed, could as well be attained, if granted to the State, as if retained by the United States. If necessary, it may be made a condition of the cession, either that the United States shall have the right to occupy the Redoubt in time of war, for the purposes of defense, or better still, that the State shall so provide that the cadets at the Military Academy, who may be expected in a few years to number three or four hundred, shall form a garrison, subject to the orders of army officers, for the defense of the work. They will of course be exercised in the artillery practice, for which the broad, open bay fronting the grounds affords an admirable field, and in time, should be as skilled in gunnery, as the best artillerymen in the army. Such would be their morale and materiel, too-high-spirited young Californians from sixteen to twenty-one years of age-that the government might confidently rely upon as gallant and skillful a defense, as if made by Federal soldiers. From this we may conclude, that the proposed cession would be of vast benefit to our State-would enable us to initiate the organization of a Military Institute-would thereby raise a corps of skillful and scientific soldiers, and to that extent, add to the military resources of the United States in time of war-would relieve the Federal Government of the cost of maintaining a place of no use in time of peace-would still allow the government in time of war, all the advantages it could derive if retained by the United States, and in addition furnish a numerous garrison of high-spirited and disciplined young soldiers, fully capable of making the best defense, that could be expected from the best troops. If these considerations are urged upon Congress, I have not a doubt, that body will promptly and cheerfully make the desired cession. It might be well, perhaps, to explain the matter to the Secretary of War, who is known to be a great friend of Military Institutes, and prevail upon him to recommend the cession in his next report to Congress. Such a recommendation would be almost conclusive with that body. Trusting, sir, that to you the people of our State may be chiefly indebted for the benefits expected from the proposed action, and thereby to you may be measurably ascribed the credit of founding our Pacific University, I have the honor to subscribe myself 36 The extracts you sent me from your letter to Hon. C. L. Scott, I consider in every respect true. At least, you will not be found to have overcolored. The buildings at the Monterey Redoubt, are: A magazine, about twenty-five by sixty feet, one story, of stone, and well built, of course. A store-house, two stories, about twenty-five by fifty feet. A small house, about fifteen by thirty feet. A barrack-house, two stories, about twenty by sixty feet. A house for officers' quarters and barracks, about eighteen by fifty feet, two stories high. All these building, except the magazine, are block-houses, well built, and very capable of supplying all present wants of an institution such as you propose. The lands pertaining to the fort, include something like thirty acres, and the adjoining owners, I have called upon, and they advise me they will donate lands adjacent, so as to make enough for all needful purposes in case the United States will cede the Redoubt as desired. Before the taking of Monterey, in 1846, the Mexicans commenced defensive works at the place now occupied. While the Mexicans so held the land for public purposes, an Alcalde at Monterey granted four hundred varas square, over the fort-grounds, to Talbot H. Green; but he never had possession, and his claim has always been considered null. The United States holds the place up to this time, and I think their cession would be fully sufficient. Besides, we here believe, that Green, who is now in the Eastern States, will freely relinquish all claim, in case the United States will cede for the purposes desired, and we are now sending to him for that purpose, and shall undoubtedly receive his answer during the session of the Legislature. In conclusion, the State Superintendent would again call attention to the necessity of adopting effective measures to procure from Congress the grant, made to all other States upon their admission into the Union, of five per cent. of the proceeds of the sale of all public lands within our limits. In September last, the Superintendent addressed to the Hon. Chas. L. Scott, a brief, setting forth, in detail, the history of similar grants made by Congress, since the organization of our government, and the grounds upon which California has a right to demand a like donation. The document is too lengthy to be inserted here, but the material points may be found in the Superintendent's last Annual Report. As an indication of the value of this grant, the proceeds of which are, by our Constitution, devoted to the support of Public Schools, it may be stated that, in the early part of 1859, an agent of the State of Missouri received from the United States the sum of four hundred and fourteen thousand dollars on this account. This large amount, as I understand, was but two per cent. of the proceeds of the sale of public lands in Missouri, that State having previously received three per cent. of those proceeds. |