Emmons, Williams (1784-1855) to Aaron Hobart
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06313.04.006 Author/Creator: Emmons, Williams (1784-1855) Place Written: Providence, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 August 1806 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 25.1x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions he is glad to have received Hobart's but regrets that Hobart only asked for an account of a rebellion by the senior class at Brown University, which Emmons describes. Explains that those students from the senior class who left the college were suspended by the president for their improper conduct. Written from Brown University.
William Emmons graduated from Brown in 1805 and went on to become a librarian, lawyer, and politician, serving in the Maine House of Representatives from 1833-1834, the state senate from 1834-1835, and as a probate judge from 1841-1848.
Aaron Hobart, lawyer, jurist, state senator, and congressman, was born in Abington, Massachusetts and graduated from Brown University in 1805. He was admitted to the bar in 1809 and commenced practice in Abington, Massachusetts. In 1824, he moved to East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He was a representative in the state legislature in 1814; a state senator in 1819; and in 1820 was elected a representative in the 16th congress to fill a vacancy. He was re-elected to the 17th, 18th, & 19th congresses, serving from 1820-1827. He was a member of the governor's council, 1827-31, and a probate judge from 1843-58.
[Draft Excerpt:]
At the time appointed by law, the senior class were examined, and after examination, those who wished to return home, previously to the convocation of the parts, were dismissed; but the others, requested to attend prayers on the coming morning...The next morning the senior class were absent from payers. In consequence of their absence the president informed the other classes, that as the senior class had seen fit to absent themselves from prayers, he should postpone a publishment of the parts to a future period...Mortified at the disappointment of not having a publick enunciation of the parts and perpetually harrassed with a consideration of their own folly and the opinion of the other students, the senior class returned to College this term, with a determination to adopt the measures, which they have pursued...The class...concluded that the Government had not complied with the laws in the publishment of the parts, and resolved they would not speak at Commencement, unless the President would accede to certain conditions...they addressed to him a letter without form or comeliness...The President preemptorily and decidedly declared he would not yield...Some persisted in their determination and departed from College without any permission...Those who did not quit College returned to their duty soon after their rebellion and were present at final examination...To me the ostensible seems not to be the real cause. Last term...there was considerable disturbance in College,. Some of the senior Class were [illegible] in making it and others suspected of being accomplices. These individuals, as I imagine, were actuated by a spirit of retaliation.
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