The house reported to have been removed was sold and removed prior to the purchase of said farm, or the contract made by the authorities of Champaign county. Several Red-Cedar trees, of little value, were taken by Mr. Busey, after the sale, out of a small cluster of trees standing on the ground sold.

It would appear that by the agreement with the Board of Supervisors, that Mr. Busey proposed to pay, as rent for the said farm, the sum of two thousand dollars ($2000), with the understanding that the farm should be paid for March 1st, 1867, at which time the rent would commence, and terminate March 1st, 1868; but this agreement was not consummated, and the payments were made May 1st, 1867. He therefore claims the right to use said farm until May 1st, 1868, and pay the sum of two thousand (2000) dollars; or he will give possession of all the meadows, pastures and cultivated lands this fall, retaining one feed lot, with the stable, to enable him to feed the stock now on the farm, March 1st, 1868.

That he will give up the house, if desired, by the 1st of January next, or that in case he remains in full possession, that he will not allow any stock on the meadows, pastures, stock-field or orchard, and take good care of the house until the said first day of March, 1868. and pay rent for the same, fifteen hundred (1500) dollars, and at that time give peaceable possession. In the mean time the said trustees can go on and use any part of the said farm at any time hereafter, except to interfere with the feeding of said stock, and the securing of his said crop. Your Committee would therefore recommend that the Secretary of the Executive Committee make a contract with the said J. S. Busey, on the terms proposed, to terminate possession March 1st, 1868, and that he advise the Chairman of the Farm Committee of his action in the premises. Respectfully submitted. M. L. DUNLAP, Committee.

[Signed]

Mr. J. CUNNINGHAM, Committee upon Farm Rents, submitted the following report:

To the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University : The undersigned would report that, as the agent of the University, he has collected rents for the current year as follows:

On motion Mr. CUNNINGHAM's report was received by the Committee.

The Committee then adjourned, subject to the call of the Regent.

J. W. SCROGGS, Secretary.

JOHN M. GREGORY, REGENT.
Chairman.

INAUGURATION OF THE UNIVERSITY.

MARCH 11, 1868.

The inaugural ceremonies of the University took place in the University hall, commencing at 9 o'clock. A large attendance of the citizens of Champaign and Urbana, besides the Board of Trustees, and distinguished guests from other parts of the State, filled the hall to overflowing. The platform and walls were suitably draped with the national flag. The wall, in the rear of the platform, was decorated with a picture of Washington, the great Farmer of the Revolutionary period, supported on either hand by the American eagle, and crowned above, in letters of evergreen, with the University motto, of "Learning and Labor."

The Hon. S. W. Moulton, of Shelbyville, in compliance with the invitation extended by the Board of Trustees, presided. A choir of fifty singers, under the direction of George F. Root, of Chicago, assisted by R. M. Eppstein, of Champaign, with two pianos, furnished the music for the occasion.

The exercises were introduced by a voluntary, from Root's Cantata of the Haymakers, entitled, "How good is He the Giver." Selections of Scripture were then read, by Rev. C. D. Nott, of Urbana, after which, prayer was offered by Rev. J. H. Noble, of Champaign.

The Hon. S. M. Moulton made a few appropriate remarks on taking his place as presiding officer. He returned thanks for the honor done him; an honor conferred, he felt, in consideration of his long continued connection with the educational interests of the State, rather than to any personal merit of his own. For

twenty years he had been identified with the educational improvements of the State; and in everything concerning its advancement he had been, and should remain, a radical.

The progress of the State had been marvelous. There were still old fogies, but they were passing away, and men with larger culture and more deeply imbued with the spirit of the age were taking their places. As an instance, twelve years before some of the most eminent men of Illinois had undertaken to lay before the Legislature a bill providing for the erection of an Industrial University. But the prejudices of the legislators were such that only two entertained it at all, and it was not introduced. Now we met under the sanction of the law, backed up by the public opinion of all the people, determined to carry out the great enterprise before us.

He, too, having a stake among them, had met to aid in inaugurating the Illinois Industrial University. When they reflected that four-fifths of the people were engaged in agriculture, and ninetenths were interested in the results, and that every art was brought in to the aid of agriculture, ought they not to have an institution specially devoted to it?

It ought to be founded on the broadest principles, embracing all arts and sciences that might enable their sons the better to succeed in agriculture or mechanics. If the trustees did not do that, they would fail, and ought to fail. But he did not fear this. The University would succeed. We wanted men of education, and it would give them. He, for one, would stand by the Institution. The people of his section of the State were determined to sustain it. It was what they wanted; and he was sure it would be appreciated by all the people of the great State of Illinois.

A quartette-"Lord, forever at Thy Side," was then sung by Mrs. Ingersoll, Mrs. Hollister, Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Sweet. The following letters, from invited guests, who were not able to be present, were then read:

STATE OF ILLINOIS, EXECUTIVE Department.

SPRINGFIELD, March 10th, 1868.

To the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University :

GENTLEMEN:-Until to day I had hoped to join you to-morrow, at Urbana, in the services of the formal inauguration of the Illinois Industrial University. The importance of this occasion can not be too highly appreciated. You are about to ive practical effect to a natural idea, and to start into existence a new method of

education, under the sanction of State legislation, the paramount and well defined object of which is to open to the practical students of the industries of the State a plain road to the acquisition of all attainable knowledge, through consecutive scientific channels, pertaining to and bearing upon the productive interests of our entire farming and mechanical population. The world progresses, and without this noble agency would continue to progress in the discovery of the means to improve, advance and elevate the occupation of labor; but you are the Trustees of a system which, carefully watched and appropriately managed, it is confidently hoped by all is to add a new impulse to labor, to turn the key which is to unlock and distribute what has been hidden or imperfectly understood in past times.

Our broad and fertile prairies, our indomitable and industrious population, invite the experiment, and offer the finest opportunity for the development of a new system. Nevertheless, we are a purely practical people, and will not be slow, may be even hasty, to expect results.

The law of Congress is very plain. The College is to teach such branches of learning, as are related to the agricultural and mechanic arts, in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions of life, not, however, excluding the scientific and classical studies and military tactics.

The University is suitably located, in one of the best portions of the State, and is surrounded by an agricultural population, and encouraged by the wishes of all who desire the success of any scheme to promote human happiness. Doubtless you are to be subject to criticism, for this is the proper privilege of all; but, may I venture to hope, it is not to be unrelenting or unreasonable. It ought not to be forgotten, that, actuated by a commendable desire to serve the cause of education, as well as the cause of honest industry, you have voluntarily, and without compensation, given your time and intelligence to the organization and management of this experiment. For myself, thanking you for all that has been done, and commending your labors to the favorable recognition and approval of the people of our State; with the ardent hope that all, and more than has been expected, is to be realized from this University, I remain, most respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

R. J. OGLESBY.

WASHINGTON, D. C., March 2, 1868.

DEAR SIR:—I have the honor to acknowledge your kind invitation to attend the inauguration ceremonies, upon the opening of the Illinois Industrial University. With much regret I am compelled to forego the great pleasure which it would afford me to be with you on an occasion of so much interest. The extraordinary condition of public affairs compels me to remain here, and the continual demands upon my time and strength must be my excuse for not writing at greater length. My appreciation of the vast interests involved in a successful administration of the affairs of the University demands a more particular statement of the origin, history, objects and prospects than I can find time to write. My great hope is that this Institution shall prove the crowning achievement of this age, among all the grand works in behalf of popular education which illustrates the splendid history of our State, and that to the latest generation our young men shall have cause to bless the wise forethought of the men of this age, who have, amidst gigantic war, not only vindicated the free institutions and ideas of self-government, but also

founded this splendid nursery of freemen and enlightened patriotism. An edu cated man may become unpatriotic, a patriot may become perverted, through igno ance; but wisdom and patriotism, hand in hand, are invincible. Enlightened patr otism is the steadfast palladium of human liberty.

May the institution over which you are called to preside be enabled to illustrat and enforce this vital truth through all the years of glorious and prosperous peac which await our State and nation, is the sincere wish of Illinois' grateful son, RICHARD YATES.

HON. J. M. GREGORY,
Champaign, Ills.

J. M. GREGORY, D. D.

GALESBURG, ILL., February 29, 1868.

MY DEAR SIR:-I have received yours of the 24th inst., inviting me to be presen at the inauguration exercises of the Industrial University. I am much obliged to you for the invitation, and regret not to be able to accept it. The official dutie of the members of our court make an almost unceasing demand upon their time and hardly less when the court is not in session than during term.

Allow me, however, to express my very deep interest in your noble undertaking, and my most earnest wishes for its success. Every citizen of Illinois who would pro mote the future greatness of the State, and secure the well being of his own chil dren, should lend you a hearty co-operation.

Illinois can hardly fail of a merely material prosperity. God has so endowed us with the means of wealth, that we can not but attain it, if the country remain at peace. But we need more than that, and must accomplish more, if not false to our duties. We should reach, on these prairies, the highest standard of modern civilization, by the most complete development of the individual man in every class of society. The means of the highest mental and moral culture should be furnished to every youth. To this end we shall have, in my opinion, no agency equal to the institution you are about inaugurating, if you are able to build it up in accordance with your plans. From an examination of your published report and schedule of studies, and from what I have learned of your views in conversation, I am satisfied you will, if you are properly sustained, create, in the largest and best sense of the word, a University, where the youth of our State can be taught, according to their respective tastes, talents and plans in life, in every department of human knowledge, while the highest practical training will, at the same time, be given in agriculture and the mechanic arts-an institution resting on a broader basis, aiming at a wider usefulness, and furnishing a culture at once more generous and more practical than any other in the country. I wish you God speed, and am,

Very truly yours,

C. B. LAWRENCE.

TISKILWA, March 10, 1868.

HON. J. M. GREGORY,

Regent of Industri il University.

DEAR SIR:-Permit me to acknowledge the receipt of your invitation to attend the inaugural exercises, to take place to-morrow, at Champaign, and to express my sorrow that severe illness forbids me the enjoyment of the pleasure I had anticipated in visiting Champaign on this interesting occasion.