Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], James McDowell Correspondence, WLU Coll. 0449, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA

In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections' staff to verify the appropriate format.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Col. Harvey E. Sheppard in 1962.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains two letters written to James McDowell while he was a Congressman. In one, dated May 16, 1848, James Paxton writes that he is not sure if the administration of Washington College needs changes, discusses the pay of the professors, which varied from $800 to $1300 per year, Governor William Smith's recent appointment of George H. Lee to fill a vacant judgeship. The other from C. S. M. Lee, J. S. Fishburn, and W. P. Wharton, dated December 6, 1848, asks him to deliver a speech for two literary societies at Washington College during its upcoming commencement ceremony. There is a typed transcription of each letter.

Related Material

WLU Coll. 0045 James McDowell Papers, 1795-1816

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Commencement ceremonies
• Correspondence
• Judges -- Selection and appointment
• Literature -- Societies, etc.
• Sheppard, Harvey E., Colonel
• Smith, William
• Speeches, addresses, etc., American
• Universities and colleges -- Faculty -- Salaries, etc.
• Washington College (Lexington, Va.)