To James Madison from Henry B. Bascom, 26 June 1827
From Henry B. Bascom
Union Town Pena. 26. June 1827.
Mr. Ma[d]ison, my Dear Sir,
Accompanying this letter, I send you a copy of the charter, of “Madison College”1—by reference to the 9th. Art, you will perceive, it is the intention of the Trustees, to have attached to the Institution, an Agricultural Department, in which all the various arts & uses, of this important branch of human industry, shall be taught upon scientific principles and daily reduced to practice, in the grounds & gardens connected with the college for that purpose. As this is rather an experiment, in the litterary world, especially in this country, I shall feel myself greatly obliged, should you be so good, as to furnish me with your views on this subject.
“Madison College” is yet in its infancy, but from a calculation of probabilities it is likely to do well—accept my thanks for your former letter, and permit me to renew assurances of my perfect esteem. Very respectfully
H. B. Bascom.
RC (DLC). Cover docketed by JM.
1. An Act for the Establishment of a College at Uniontown, in the County of Fayette (Pittsburgh, 1827; 29587). JM’s copy is in the Madison Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress.