Jenkins, Charles Jones. Letters

[Letters from Charles J. Jenkins (1805-1883), Governor of Georgia from 1865-1868]

Summerville 25 Nov 1862
My Dear Sir [Col Mitchell]
I received your kind letter this morning, & regret that I cannot be with you [“this” crossed out] tomorrow evening. It was my plan to go up tomorrow, but to day I ascertained that an important interest of my own & as I think of the C.S. Government is likely to suffer, by means of military movements of the authorities of So. Carolina. I think by going over there tomorrow I can put measures in train which will prevent the mischief so I will defer my Athens trip until Sunday.
You must not look upon me as a Heathen for travelling on the Sabbath. I really look upon my engagements tomorrow as so important as mak the Sunday’s journey a work of necessity
Very truly your friend
Charles J. Jenkins
Col Mitchel

Summerville 21st Nov 1862
My Dear Sir [Dr. Moore]
I had a kind letter from Col. Wm L. Mitchel this morning saying that he would send his carriage to the Depot for me tomorrow [“morning” crossed out] evening. I suppose you will readily recognise it & I will be very much obliged if you will hand the enclosed note to his driver, for the col & tell the driver I was not on the train. I hope this will neither delay you nor put you to much trouble.
Very Respectfully etc.
Charles J. Jenkins
Dr Moore

Executive Department
Milledgeville 11th Aug 1866
Col. Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
[“My” crossed out] The exercise of the pardoning power is at all time a delicate and responsible function, and there never was a time that demanded so much caution & discretion in the use of it. I certainly cannot act advisally without seeing the evidence upon which the conviction took place. Many, many pardons are asked, very few granted.
I regret exceedingly to hear of prof. [Smith’s?] death.
In haste very truly yours
Charles J. Jenkins

Milledgeville Ga 30 May 1867.
Dr A.A. Lipscomb [Chancellor, University of Georgia, 1860-1874]
My Dear Sir
I fear you think I have been neglectful of you, but I assure you not wilfully so. My late absence from the state was prolonged beyond my expectation, and there was consequently a great accumulation of business awaiting me. I returned in a crippled condition, on crutches (not yet laid aside), otherwise physically indisposed, and in a rather worse state in spirit. I have not yet been to my office, and although I have done a great deal of work, it has been at great disadvantage, separated from my books, papers, secretaries etc. I am now about up with the musings of the office & hope to have something of the quiet rest I feel I need. But it will be the quiet of despondency & the rest, of gloom.
I don’t know but it might be best for me, while here, to have every waking hour provided with work. I am extremely sorry, My Dear Sir, to hear that the University [University of Georgia] is in such straightened circumstances, though of course not surprised. I wish it were in my power to aid you in any way. But circumstances over which I have no control, have combined to keep me in financial trouble ever since I have been in office. Last summer I was in a fair way to bring up the credit of the state’s bonds to [pas?], so that without great sacrifice I could have had [?] of means enough to make me easy. But the onslaught of a Radical Congress – the unwise & lavish appropriations of a wild legislature, and the curtailment during the Spring, of revenues from the Rail Road, occasioned by the interruption of western conventions, the consequence of unusual freshets have all combined to produce an alarming depletion of the treasury. For this reason, if there were no other difficulty in the way I could not now make good to the university the deficit of annuity which accrued during the war. But I am by no means satisfied, that if I had the money in the Treasury, unappropriated, I would be justified in making good this deficiency without a special appropriation. Annuities that accrue during my [crossed out word] administration I have no difficulty about, but accruages previously occurring stand on a different footing. The current annuity always enters into the estimate for the year, and is provided for. Such are my impressions. – I am troubled too about the future payments for the soldier students. I am now engaged in an effort, with the sources at my command to raise revenues. If I succeed, I hope to be able to continue the cash system, depending however upon the extent of success. If I fail I shall probably make the colleges a new proposition, being very reluctant to disappoint those poor fellows who are reported so eager to get an education and so industrious exemplary. I am doing what I can and trust a gracious Providence will favor my efforts. Without that trust, my dear Sir, I must have succumbed, and would probably have availed myself of the altered status, as affording a sufficient justification for retiring from a position, in which I am so loaded with responsibility & yet so manacled. But this I have never contemplated as a voluntary act. Will you have the kindness, my dear Sir, immediately on the receipt of this, to suggest the names of suitable persons to constitute the Board of visitors – the full number if you please. I have thought of appointing the heads of the four other colleges – vis Mercer, Oxford – Bowdon & Oglethorpe. I would like to see the chief officers of our literary institutions brought together more - & more in conference about the great interest of education. I threw out to them at the Atlanta meeting, where I had so much hoped to see you, the general idea, & seemed to be well received. And now, touching a meeting between us, before the commencement, would be a great pleasure to me. I have it in contemplation to spend three or four days in Augusta after the middle of June, & so soon after as I may be able to walk with any degree of security and comfort. As it depends on that and my recovery has been hitherto so slow I cannot speak more definitely, but so soon as I can fix a time I write you in the hope that it may suit you. Our young ladies are absent. Mrs J. unites in kindest regards to you, and I beg you will present mine to Mrs Lipscomb, and my precious young friend Ella.
Most Respectfully & truly your friend
Charles J. Jenkins

Executive Department
Milledgeville 20th Aug 1867
Col Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
The blow has been struck sooner than I expected. The order to the Treasurer has come and in its terms is broad enough to cover the judgment on acct of maimed soldiers. The Treasurer is instructed “to make no further payments on account of the University of Georgia, from the State Treasury, except on voters approval and countersigned by him.” i.e. Genl Pope [General John Pope supervised the Third Military District under the First Reconstruction Act]. Now the question is, what is to be done? I of course only intend what follows, in the way of suggestion. I think the Prudential Committee should, as representing the Board, & the Chanceller in conjunction with them, bring the matter before the President by way of appeal, presenting the whole case – showing the relation which the Committee has to the Board – [Illegible] intensive authority, and given the history of this endowment – where it stands in the place of assets, once in the possession & under the actual control of the Board of Trustees. It ought also to set forth a plain [illegible] statement of the Commencement incidents which have induced this action, and a [illegible] and correct copy of young Cox’s speech (if as I understand there be nothing [illegible] disloyal in it) – also setting forth the extent to which the Board of Trustees [illegible] unite [illegible], & as a permanent policy, discontinued any allusion in the commencement exercises to party politics. If there be in Cox’s speech anything reflecting on any Department of the government, or their military representatives here, such explanations as you may be enabled to give should be made. I think the President could send a great deal of sharp [illegible] upon Congress without being greatly shocked. I wish I could see the speech. I could then better [comprehend?] the situation. I think too it should be represented fully that this order cuts off the education of many indigent youths which the state is charitably educating there. I will aid any effort of this character by an efficient communication to the President, but I think the appeal should come from the Board, as the Prudential committee which I think would be quite as effectual. Such is my present idea: circumstance may rapidly induce a change as to my connection with the movement, but not probably. I will here say ([illegible]) that I have yet one object to accomplish as Governor, of vast importance to the state, & which cannot probably be effected short of two or three months, & to accomplish this I must use a great deal of policy to retain my place. That done, I care little how soon my head comes off.
There are two important questions which you in the [illegible] are competent to decide & I am not.
1st. Can you without the usual endowment & without turning to [illegible] the brethren of the soldiers education, carry on the Institution? Without the appropriations of last year for the education of maimed soldiers you cannot of course give them that leave. But that suggests the second question vis 2ndly Can the determination of the disposition to be made of them be postponed until the success or failure of your appeal (if you make one) is known? I should surely think it could, for there
is always great delay in determining these questions at Washington. I rather think you will be under the necessity of at least suspending this branch of your operations, but you, on the spot, will know best.
I send you a copy of Genl. Pope’s order. I desire that this communication may be confined to Dr Lipscomb & the prudential Committee, because I know that Genl Pope is being constantly plied with suggestions to remove me & of course as he becomes more & more irritated & intolerant (the evidences of which are daily coming out) my tenure of office becomes more and more precarious. And though I say it myself, I assure you it is vastly important that I stay where I am, two or three months longer. I would write to Dr L. but I suppose by this time he will have gone to Atlanta to the Teacher’s Convention, and as it is none vacation, may go elsewhere & prolong his absence. Should he, however, return to Athens you can show him this.
Very hastily & truly
Your servant & friend
Charles J. Jenkins
Copy
Atlanta Ga. August 13th 1867
Sir.
The General commanding this District directs me to instruct you to make no further payments on account of the University of Georgia, from the state Treasury, except on orders approved and countersigned by him, and that after the appropriations for the present fiscal year are exhausted, no payments of any kind will be made from the State Treasury of Georgia, unless on orders approved and authorized as where stated.
I am sir very respectfully your ob’t ser’t
G.K. Sanderson Capt. 33. U.S. Inf. and A.A.A.G. [Acting Assistant Adjutant-General]
John Jones Esq State Treasurer Of Georgia Milledgeville, Ga.

Milledgeville 9th Oct. 1867
Col. Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
A day or two since I inquired of Col Hunter if he had forwarded to you the amt. of my last warrant in favor of the University & was grieved to learn that the Treasurer said he was not in funds to pay it. I went then to the Treasurer who confirmed the statement. After looking into the state of his accounts I found that recent demands for interest on the [illegible] debt of the state had sudden brought the cash balance very low indeed. But I directed one thousand dollars sent you immediately & the remainder as rapidly as receipts into the treasury would permit. I was rather venturesome when I undertook to pay for the education of maimed soldiers in currency. But, stimulated by solicitude, both for the interests of the Colleges and the credit of the state I determined to here fund it. I should have been able to get on without delaying anyone but for the unlooked for depression in the blessings of the W. & A. R. R. [likely referring to the Western and Atlantic Rail Road, from which a portion of proceeds went toward providing free public education during the Civil War](which however is general in that line of enterprise), making it difficult to scrape along. But for the payments on acct of this education scheme I should now be quite easy. I remember having stated at the time that it was doubtful whether I could continue to pay in this form to the end of the year. I think however not withstanding the difficulties I have encountered, it will be accomplished. But a little tardiness now & then must be excused. I have Dr Lipscomb’s letter, announcing that the purpose of the Prudential Committee is not to appeal from Genl Pope’s order, suppresing the endowment, until, the called meeting of the Board in November. Of course, without such appeal it is useless for me to bring the matter before the President. I shall therefor be quiescent.
Very respectfully & truly yours
Charles J. Jenkins

Confidential
Milledgeville 26th Oct 1867.
Mssrs. E.A. Nisbet & Howell Cobb.
Gentlemen. – I have soon to decide a question growing out of the existing abnormal condition of Georgia which somewhat embarrasses me, & I would be obliged by your friendly counsel.
Some two or three months since a vacancy occurred on the Bench of the superior Court by resignation. After some correspondence with Genl Pope I filled it and no difficulty has resulted. Since then, the Gen’l has removed the Judge of another circuit, and appointed a Judge of another circuit in lieu of the removed, giving me at the same time notice of the removal and appointment. Can I with propriety pay the salary of his appointee? There is, of course, nothing in my office to show that he has been elected or appointed Judge, as prescribed in the constitution and laws of Georgia; and, of course also, no commission has been offered to him from this office. [next four words crossed through] I have no evidence that he has taken the oath required. As an isolated abstract question, I strongly incline to the opinion that I should not recognize him. But there are very serious practical difficulties that ensue upon my refusal, which have put me upon this inquiry. Gen. Pope has appointed quite a number of tax collectors, in the State. If I take the position that his appointees are not lawfully officers of the state, persons may refuse to pay taxes to them – they may collect taxes, and refuse to settle on the same ground. The validity of acts done by various other officers of his appointment, may be questioned, ere any prompting, making confusion worse confounded. What could I say on either of these events? It may be that next year every tax Collector, in the state will be his appointee. Without the payment of taxes the wheels of Govt. may be stopped. In view of this, would I be justified in determining, that under the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the State, his being “de facto” Judge, renders it proper that I should pay his salary, thus recognising him? I am personally strongly averse to this course, but wish to avoid complicating difficulties by too great fastidiousness.
I have no doubt such a refusal on my part would induce my removal. But whilst such a result would greatly conduce to my comfort, I think we have about reached a point, after which, my continuance in office (except as a matter of sentiment with our best citizens) is of little moment. I have just accomplished an important object, which takes from the military all pretext for seising and operating, for acct. the U.S. Govt. the W & A.R.R. which has caused me much solicitude – vis. the payment of debt to that Govt. of nearly $ 500,000 (except a very small sum, left open by consent, as a margin for a set-off- [illegible], not yet allowed) incurred in the purchase of r. r. property, [“not” crossed through] in 1865, and assumed by the state. This done and Gen. Pope, having announce his intention to take control of the treasury in terms; & having practically indicated a purpose, to make all appointments to office, there is little use for me here. Besides I think that within three weeks he will assume that this office is vacant, and make an appointment. So that I do not regard my removal of any importance. Please let me hear from you soon.
Very truly & respectfully your’s
Charles J. Jenkins

Augusta 30. Decr 1872.
Col. Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
I duly received your letter enclosing Mr. Smith’s bill for whiskey & also the whiskey itself. The Bill has been paid. I am much obliged by your kind attention to this matter & have no doubt I shall enjoy the whiskey very much, though in consequence of the crippling of my [illegible] [favors?] by [illegible], I have not yet gotten it home. I wrote the Governor as requested by you in relation to in interest on the agricultural [illegible] fund I give you an extract from his reply. “Interest will not be regularly due until about the 1st of February, but as the state will be in funds sufficient to enable me to do so, I will derect that it be paid upon the bonds now in the [illegible] of the Board before that time – say by the time of the meeting of the Legislature. The Balance will be paid by the 1st of February” I hope this will meet your necessities
Very truly your friend
C. J. Jenkins

Augusta 18th July 73
Col. Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
I have this morning received your letter of the 17th inst & hasten to reply inclosing you a receipt to His Excellency and an authority to some person to deliver my receipt & receive the bonds with a blank for the name of such person which you can fill up with your own name or the name of any person to whom you may entrust the business, & this I hope will answer.
Very truly yours
C. J. Jenkins

Augusta 16th Aug 1873
Col. Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
I received yesterday by Mr Grover you letter and the Certificates of scholarships for Mrs Milledge & Mrs Davison, which I have signed & will forward.
Please certify on the back of the enclosed paper that it is a duplicate of the report made by the Committee to the Board of Trustees, which was adopted by the Board, & return it to me
Very truly yours
C. J. Jenkins

Augusta 24 Decr 1873
Col Wm. L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
Please send me at your earliest leisure a copy of the resolution adopted at the last annual meeting of the Trustees of the University providing for the appointment of a committee to propose & submit to the Legislature a scheme for general education. If the Committee are not named in the resolution please annex a list of their names
& oblige Yours very truly
C. J. Jenkins

Augusta 3. Feby 1874
Col Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear sir
I fear you may think I am becoming very troublesome to you of late. But I still feel that you will pardon any appeal to you for information, touching the interests of the University, which you may have at hand which I have not. My memory is not so tenacious as to keep its grasp upon details, though it retain a hold upon the general subject to which they appertain. My thoughts have lately been somewhat occupied with the educational fund executed by the last will and testament of the late Gov. Gilmer. I never saw the will itself to the best of my recollection. My first knowledge of the provision in it creating the fund alluded to came in the form a statement of Mrs. Toombs that the Governor had set apart a certain portion of his estate for the establishment of normal school & had appointed, himself, Wm Stephens & the late Col. Hardeman trustees of the fund – that upon the death of Col. Hardeman, he had by application the Court in Oglethorpe caused me to be appointed a Trustee in his place – that upon winding up the estate the portion of the fund so set apart, entreaty to expectation was found inadequate to the purpose – that he and Mr Stephens were of opinion that the best disposition which could be made of it under the circumstances, would be to bestow the income in aid of the University & asked my concurrence. Taking the facts as stated & falling back upon the Doctrine of [illegible], I [illegible]. My recollection is that at the last session of the Board, Mr Toombs stated these facts & this purpose to them, but what precise action was taken, in the premises or whether any was, is where my memory is at fault. Will you be good enough to refresh my recollections? Was there any actual surrender of the fund to and acceptance of it by the Board, & has any transfer of it been made?
Did Mr. Toombs indicate as a condition of the transfer any particular use to which the fund should be applied, or did the board, (if the transfer was unconditional) make any specific appropriation of the fund? Is the matter now in such a state that the Trustees under the will, may specify the use to be made of it? Please post me on these points. I am consciving [conceding?] I ought to know without troubling you, but I do not –
Mr. T. is, I believe now in Atlanta, “cumbered with much serving”, in politics & law, & therefore I trouble you
Very truly your friend
C. J. Jenkins

Augusta 14th March 1874
Col. Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
I have been pained to see the death of Prof. Lipscomb announced in the papers. I regret the loss to the University and most sincerely sympathise with his venerable and bereaved father, and his widow.
It has occurred to me that it may be desirable to supply his place as soon as practicable I know a young man, a native of Georgia, & indeed of the village in which I reside, connected with one of the best families of the state, who has been if I am not much mistaken – very thoroughly educated and would probably be in time a great acquisition to the Universit. I mean Mr Montgomery Cumming, a son of Dr. Wm. Henry Cumming, now residing in Atlanta. He was educated at the University of Toronto, Canada, where the course is admirable & the examinations very thorough. Indeed I sometime since got possession of some documentary papers relative, which it my intention to submit to the faculty soon for their consideration.
Mr. Cumming graduated with distinction in 1859 & has since industriously added five years culture to his University course. If he could be provisionally appointed by the Prudential Committee, to full Proffesor Lipscomb’s chair under the special Supervision of Prof Morris, who I believe formerly filled it, his qualifications might be sufficiently tested by the annual meeting of the Board – I believe Mr C. is still in Toronto, but if the Prudential Committee approves the suggestion, he could be telegraphed, & reach Athens in a week – I like the idea of connecting our Georgia young men with the University when they can be found qualified & willing to come in.
Please let me hear from you.
Very truly your friend
C.J. Jenkins

Augusta 22 May 1874
Col. Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
Enclosed I send to you as chairman of the Prudential Committee, and as Secretary of the Board of Trustees U. Ga. a communication from Prof. Wm. Preston Johnston of the Washington Lee College, Lexington Va, declaring himself a candidate for the Chancellorship of our University; also two letters of recommendation. I have also received a letter from Mrs Jefferson Davis bespeaking my support for him. Dr H. F. Campbell of this City has also spoken to me of him in terms of high commendation. Beyond these, I know nothing of him; have not even known of his existence I see nothing in all this to shake my preference for Col. Jones of whom I have made mention to you before.
I regretted very much your absence from Athens during my recent visit there. I wished very much to talk over the two vacancies with you.
I have thought from certain hints usually dropt that an effort would probably be made to induce Dr Lipscomb to withdraw his resignation, it being supposed that the death of his son, might incline him, if urged to do so, to continue, his connection with the University. I have also learned that Genl. Wm. M. Brown of Athens would also be a candidate for Prof. Lipscomb’s chair. Let me hear from you on these matters
Very truly your friend
C.J. Jenkins

Augusta 22nd Jany 1875
Col Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
Your letter of the 20th inst has been received. I was taken quite by surprise by Governor Smiths proposition to reduce in number & reorganise the Board of Trustees; especially in view of the reorganization of the board proposed by the unification scheme. I never heard even a hint that he contemplated such a recommendation. Possibly like myself he has no confidence in the success of that scheme - & possibly he may have conferred with some members of the Board & had their approval of it.
As an original proposition I would I think prefer his number to the present & an intermediate number to either The board is entirely too large; but I cannot approve one number of it without consultation with his associate even “vitute officii,” [“virtute officii”, or “by virtue of his office”] attempting so thoroughly a resolution. It is time, (as he may say) that the Board has nothing to do with his Executive recommendations to the Legislature, as they do not constitute an Executive counsel. He certainly has no part of the Executive Department. But he is a member of the Board of Trustees, & common courtesy should have suggested the propriety of consulting his fellow trustees some of whom have been so much longer Curators of the Institution than himself. If predictive of no other result, there is always a possibility that such consultation might have resulted in agreement on some course that would know conflict. If not, this courtesy having been extended, he would have been at liberty to exercise his Executive discretion, & no one have cause to complain. This is the view I take of the matter & therefore do not hesitate to comply with the request of the Prudential committee. I am too rheumatic to turn out in this inclement weather to attend to the prenting [printing] etc. I therefore leave a blank in the enclosed orders for the time of the meeting which you can fill, after considering the time necessary to get notice to the members of the Board. The prenting case he very quickly done & there will be little perhaps no less of time in pursuing this course instead of having it done here. Besides our prenting establishments here are usually so full of work that I often encounter delay in getting jobs done by them
I do not know that I shall be able to attend the meeting but that is of no consequence. As the call is made of the request of the Prudential Committee, they, through their chairman, or in some other way can explain its object.
Very truly your friend
C. J. Jenkins

Augusta 16th. July 1875
Col. Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
With this I enclose you a communication to the Board of Trustees Unirty of Geo. Asking to be excused from attendance on the approaching annual session. The business which takes me away at this time is an arbitration between the states of Maryland and Virginia relative to the boundary between them. It is more than a year since I accepted the position upon the assurance that it would not interfere with the session of our Board in 1874 – not for a moment doubting that the business could be concluded before this time. Many interruptions and delays have occurred. We had a session in May last & went as far as Counsel were prepared to go. We then adjourned to meet again on the 30th ult [abbrev. for ultimo, or “of the previous month”], the impression being that we should certainly get through by the 25th inst. [abbrev. for “instante mense”, or “of the current month”] But since then the Counsel on both sides have asked a month’s delay, saying that cannot possibly be ready sooner
There were conflicting views about the time of meeting again which had to left to the discretion of the Chairman, who decided that the meeting should take place at Saratoga on the 28th inst.
I did not deem it necessary to go so much into particulars, in my communication to the Board – but state them here, that if it seem expedient to you (as I do not suppose it will) you may explain more fully.
This session is a very important one & I regret not being able to attend it, & exercise the privilege of voting, though I certainly have no reason to suppose that either my opinions or votes would avail much If the half of what has appeared in the papers as to the sort of intercourse between the Chancellor & the Students be true, the closing of the doors would be better than his reelection. It may be & I hope is all false. But there has been no definite denial.
Sincerely thanking you for your kind invitation & regretting that I cannot be with you, & with kindest regards to yourself & family
I am very truly your friend
C. J. Jenkins

P. S. I know two gentlemen who had intended sending their sons to Athens next year, who now say unless these shocking reports are disproved, they will not if the Chancellor is reelected. Rely upon it, the public impression is now unfavorable

Augusta 16th July 1875
Col Wm L Mitchell
Secretary Board Trustees Univty of Geo.
Dear Sir
Please state to the Board of Trustees of the University, on their assembling that it will be out of my power to be present at their next session, owing to an engagement on important business, - entered into without any apprehension that it would conflict with the annual session of the Board. I ask to be excused
Very Respectfully
Your obt servt
C. J. Jenkins

Augusta 12 Oct 1875.
Col. Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
As I shall not be at the meeting of the Board of Trustees on the 14th inst. I enclose you two communications, which please present to the Board. You will oblige me by presenting the one in the smaller envelope, after the other. It contains my resignation as a Trustee. Allow me to thank you for your very kind invitation to be your guest at this meeting of the Board, and believe me, the regret I feel in retiring, on various accounts, is increased by the consideration that it will lessen the chances of occasional personal intercourse with you and other old friends during the much shortened span of life that remains to us
I have some reason for supposing that young Cumming (Montgomery Cumming) son of Dr Wm Henry Cumming, will be before the Board as a candidate for the vacant professorship. Should this be the case, I will only say that he is a native Georgian – has had extraordinary advantages, worthily improved, as I understand – has continued, as resident Graduate in the University of Toronto, a six years course of study. If he should be a candidate, I presume evidences of his qualifications will be presented. I would suggest that he be provisionally appointed until the next annual meeting. I incline to think that he would be found a very reliable acquisition to the University.
Please present my kindest regards to Mrs Mitchell the young ladies & your son, and believe me
Most truly your friend
C. J. Jenkins

Augusta 20th June 1877.
Col. Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
Your letter of the 15th inst. was received yesterday, and your requests have been complied with
I thank you for your kind invitation, for commencement week & if present will gladly accept it It is my purpose attend the meeting of the Board, unless prevented by sickness or a protracted session of the constitutional Convention
With kindest regards to the ladies
I am very truly your friend
C. J. Jenkins

Augusta 29th Jany 1877
Col. Wm L. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
Many thanks for your kind invitation, but I cannot go up to meet the Board. I have been necessarily very much exposed in bad weather and it has increased my rheumatism so that I got about with difficulty & I must, for the present, avoid further exposure
I enclose a letter of recommendation of Dr Stephens for the vacant Chair, having myself no knowledge of him
Very truly yours
C. J. Jenkins

Atlanta 20th July 1877
My Dear Col.
I have your letter of the 19th inst. It is out of the question for the Trustees of the University to ask leave of absence for the 27. & 28th.
The business of the Convention will then be so far advanced, that the more prominent among could not with propriety leave the Convention for two days. That is not to be thought of. I really begin to fear that we shall not get to the Commencement at all. It is possible we may get to Athens by Monday morning? Could not the board dispose of the routine business on [“saturday” crossed out] friday & saturday & postpone graver matters until monday?
Very truly your’s
C. J. Jenkins
[The following written on the back of the above letter]
Enclosed by mistake to
Mrs Jenkins

Augusta 27th May 1878.
Col. Mitchell
My Dear Sir
I received some days since an envelope post-marked Athens, containing a deed purporting to be from the Trustees of the University to Robert L. Bloomfield for a small lot of land in Athens with the seal of the University attached; but accompanied by no letter of request or explanation. I suppose the expectation was that I would give effect to the deed by signing it. Not seeing my way clear, I concluded to await further communication
Your letter of the 25th is at hand this morning but it throws no light on my power to convey. You say “Hon. Y. L. G. Harris was appointed to sell the same to Mr. Bloomfield, which he has done for $100-” Hence the deed sent for my signature.
Now by whom was Judge Harris “appointed to sell” etc. Certainly not by the Board of Trustees, for by the recital in the deed, title has accrued to them since they were last in session. I suppose, (though not so informed) that his appointment came from the Prudential Committee & that they have approved his contract with Mr Bloomfield, but whence did they derive authority to sell? Again I say, not from from the board for they have not been in session since they last acquired title to this property. You say I once executed a deed for this very property from the Trustees to Mr Bloomfield. If I did so I doubtless was satisfied of my authority to do so. I have now a distinct impression that the Trustees did authorize the Prudential Committee to sell certain out-lying lots that It was believed would never be wanted for College purposes It was in this belief that I executed a deed some two or three months since for a small triangular lot, which you informed me had been overlooked accidentally in former sales. back If I had lawful authority to sell the lot in question to Mr. Bloomfield before (as I must have believed I had) in that sale the authority was exercised, the power exhausted. I ask you as a lawyer if that is not true. And now that after a lapse of years, in the progressive evolution of title, the same land has come again into the ownership of the University. Can the Prudential committee or can I fall back upon that fully executed power and sell it a second time; or must there be in view of this second acquisition of the property a renewal of the power? I am quite clear that any deed to Mr Bloomfield, would under the circumstances, convey no title, other than that shadow which vitalized by adverse possession would be bound by the Statute of limitations. I am sorry to disappoint you, but with these views I cannot sign the deed
Very truly your friend
C. J. Jenkins

White Sulphur Springs
1st August 1878
Col Wm L Mitchell
My Dear Sir
I heard with [illegible] regret on my arrival here of your recent indisposition but was glad to learn from Mr Phinizy on the next day that he had seen you & thought you were recovering rapidly I hope you will soon be completely restored
It was my fixed purpose when I left home, to go to Athens to day remain during commencement week – But I find myself, this morning, quite unequal to it. I suffer a great deal of pain & am very weak, & powerless. One of my hands is almost useless to me & in the weakened condition of my lower limbs is very necessary in getting in & out of Cars [commonly used for a horse-drawn cart or wagon] & carriages - & this is only an addition to my other troubles.
I send you herewith the deed for the school lot, which I did not & do not feel authorized to sign – You can doubtless get authority from the board to make the Sale
I also enclose sundry papers addressed to me officially, by & in behalf of candidates for professorships, which please lay before the Board
I again tender my resignation which please present. I suppose coming so soon after the withdrawal by request of another it will be promptly accepted. But should there be any proposition, to lay it on the table, or to request its withdrawal, I ask as a person favor to oppose any such actions & to urg its acceptance –
I enclose also Bishop Beckwith’s note excusing himself for non attendance at this session
I am truly sorry to hear that Mrs Mitchell’s health has been bad of late & sincerely both she & yourself will soon be better & [illegible] quite restored. Please present my kind regards to her & to the young ladies & believe me
Very truly your friend
C. J. Jenkins
[On back of this letter was the following:]
Jenkins Gov of Geo

Augusta 8th Oct 1879
My Dear Col.
I have just received your note of the 6th inst. & thank you for correcting me. I was under the impression that the Prest. was authorised to call a meeting upon the request of a single member. That request I had. I must ask you to suspend further action until you hear from me again I was not, as you know present at the last meeting of the Board. I know nothing of the details of scheme proposed by the Chancellor, adopted, reconsidered & substituted by now – then to which the Chancellor so strongly objects. I only ^ however find written by the details given on the Chancellor’s communication of which you sent me a copy. I can therefore have no opinion of the relative merits of the two & whereas I doubt not the Institutions might be now under either for a year without serious Detrement. But what I do know is that the Board at its last session passed a disciplinary law, & that the Chancellor has since, in a communication addressed to the Secretary (with a request that he forward to each member of the board a copy of it) positively refused to put that law in execution. If after notice given thus no notice be taken of it by the Board for one whole year, could a worse precedent be set? It seems to me that even those members of the board who prefer – the old scheme to both the Chancellor’s & the Board’s would feel very uncomfortable under such a state of things. [Paragraph mark here]
Should I send you any further communication relative to the call of special session of the Board, I will refer to the question about Agricultural Trustees. Perhaps by that time you may have some regular notification of their membership.
Very truly yours
C. J. Jenkins