Correspondence (incoming) - C

The Society of California Pioneers 5 Pioneer Place San Francisco, Cal. August 1889

Hon Leland Stanford Dear Sir As an Alumnus of Yale and Trinity and as a Pioneer, I feel deeply interested in your inspiration to found a great University on the Western rim of this Continent by a gift unparalled; which as a bright shield and a monumental fortification will protect this nation from all that is bad of foreign civilizations and will reflect and extend our own and our banners to the remotest East. For these reasons I take the liberty to express a few thoughts and to refer to you to the magazine articles enclosed concerning modern systems of education, which contain sentiments that have before occurred to me and which perhaps might be worthy of engrafting upon a University system. These are 1st The building of Universities by diffusion of culture through Expansion and Affiliation. 2nd Academic Freedom in opposition to Academic [Regime?],

and the power of the former to educate for the practical duties of life without diminishing the ideal education. 3rd The Home as the genesis the unit of culture with associations of families as aids. 4th The influence of the Arts and their refinements as applied to these systems. 5th The inculcation of patriotic sentiments to antagonize and obliterate all hierarchal, monarchal and anti republican growth in this nation. 6th Imperceptability to harmonize and affiliate the scholars of or the Public School systems of the Pacific States and elsewhere with the University. The articles referred to and the new and progressive ideas suggested may aid in rendering the University, its principles and foundation, so impregnable that its power will penetrate every hamlet on this coast and beyond the seas. All people cannot go to the University. The University must be brought within the reach of the people who would all be eager to partake of its beneficiencies; and the intention of its founder would be speedily accomplished. The expense of its buildings and maintenance would be diminished while its resources would be continually strengthened and increased.

I hope their perusal and the suggestions made will be a source of satisfaction. Perhaps identical ideas are a part of your system. If so excuse this communication on the ground of a zealous interest in and a desire for the success of the University you have founded as an enduring memorial; for the welfare and glory of our common country, and for the benefit of humanity. Very respectfully Your friend Samuel J. Clarke

Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. March 23, 1887 Hon. Leland Stanford San Francisco Cal.

Dear Sir: If you wish to get a collection of minerals, for the University in which you are interested, let me call your attention to the collection made by my late father, the late Joseph A. Clay of Philadelphia and his brother, the late Hon. John Randolph Clay. The latter having died a year or so ago this collection will now be for sale, as neither my brothers nor I care to take the collection and keep it up. [?] [within?] a short time of my father's death, 5 years ago, he kept the collection up to the times in regard to new species [etc?], and to the time when he ceased adding to it

it was well known as one of the most complete scientific collections in the country. My uncle's thirty years diplomatic service, in Russia, Austria, and Peru, gave him exceptional opportunities for getting hold of specimens out of the [countryruns?], and [that?] collection has somewhat are unique. I will be glad to give you any information about the collections you may desire, if you have thought of any purchase of collection; and to refer you to eminent mineralogists [and?] others who are familiar with the collection. I may add that it would seem to me preferable to procure a collection practically complete, as this, to a certain [date?] [leaving?] only [subsequently?] discovered specimens to be added, than to get one ostensibly supplied with species to date yet lacking many all along the line. The collection contains some 3000 or more specimens. Yours respectfully Cecil Clay

Chief Clerk Dept of Justice