LITERATURE IN THE CONSTITUTION. DURING the session of the Legislature of 1834, as a member of the House I attended a meeting of the Committee on Education, when the subject of making a grant to one of the Seminaries of learning was under discussion. Governor King being present was requested to give his views to the committee. He went very fully into the question, taking strong ground in favor not only of providing for Common Schools, but also of endowing our higher Seminaries. After speaking at considerable length upon education generally, and the means of promoting it, he stated that Article VIII. of our Constitution was drawn by Mr. Jefferson, under these circumstances: After the vote of separation was passed and Governor King was elected a Delegate to form the Constitution, but before the Convention was held business called him to Washington. While there, it occurred to him that he should be very glad to see Mr. Jefferson and get his views of the best Constitution for the State. So he "took a "turn down to Monticello to see and converse with his old "friend," as he expressed it. He spoke of the interview as affording him a great deal of pleasure. Mr. Jefferson seemed to take a deep interest in the new State, and said it was very important to start right. They talked about the general provisions of the Constitution, but there was nothing that he entered into with so much spirit as the cause of education. Upon that he dwelt as the main pillar of the prosperity and character of the State. Near the close of the interview Governor King said to Mr. Jefferson, "I wish you would write what you have "said, putting it into the form of an Article to be incorpo"rated into our Constitution." Thereupon Mr. Jefferson took his pen and wrote out the substance, if not the exact words, of Article VIII., which was inserted through the influence of Governor King. BRUNSWICK, FEBRUARY 9, 1870. SAMUEL P. BENSON. |