The 2 Dec. 1823 report of the senate of South Carolina, with which the lower house concurred seven days later, agreed wholeheartedly with Governor John L. Wilson’s positive assessment of the South Carolina College in his address to the legislature and added that “They believe that the wisdom and the learning of Dr. Cooper, which it has taken a long life to amass, now redown to the honor of the College over which he presides, contribute in an eminent degree, to the best interests of the state, and to that species of happiness which is the result of civilization and the reward of a virtuous and enlightened community” (Acts and Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of South-Carolina, passed in December, 1823 [Columbia, 1824], 111–2).

In the annual message of the governor to the legislature of 25 Nov. 1823, Wilson included a section defending Cooper, deprecating the “spirit of hostility” against him, and noting that the “public feeling” was “rapidly subsiding and concentrating in one undivided opinion in favor of a gentleman, whose whole life has been devoted to the sciences and the arts, and who stands unrivalled in that excellence which knows no superior in acquirements, and is alike unsurpassed in his readiness to impart to the world the fruits of his unceasing labors.” Wilson asserted that “Our constitution tolerates all religion, and legalizes none,” and he added that “notwithstanding the crusade which has been undertaken by a few against the President of the South-Carolina College, that institution has increased rapidly in numbers, the acquirements of the students have surpassed those of any previous period, whilst tranquillity and order have been preserved throughout the current year” (Charleston Courier, 26 Nov. 1823).

we have scotched the snake, not killed it is from William Shakespeare, Macbeth, act 3, scene 2. For mr monroe’s message, see James Monroe to TJ, 4 Dec. 1823, and note.