By April C. Armstrong *14

In this week’s installment in our recurring series, John Quincy Adams declines to donate, an alum witnesses a brawl in Congress, and more.

February 11, 1815—A Princeton Theological Seminary student writes to a friend in Chillicothe, Ohio:

Had you been an inhabitant of Princeton last winter, and then had witnessed the deplorable conduct of many belonging to the College established in this place, and could you now accompany me through this spacious building in the present state of things, I am persuaded you would be ready to exclaim, This is the Lords work—Within its walls there is now no scoffer, who has the hardihood to make his boast of sin.

This letter will later be printed in Chillicothe’s Weekly Reporter.

February 13, 1979—About 75 people gather behind Nassau  Hall to protest the Daily Princetonian’s publication of an advertisement for an interview session for Playboy’s “Women of the Ivy League” issue. Bettine Birge ’78 says the Prince is acting as “a conduit to sexism.” As a counterprotest, two students show up with Playboy centerfolds to encourage women to pose for the magazine.

February 14, 1835—John Quincy Adams writes in his diary about a visit from “a Mendicant Agent for Princeton College” on a fundraising trip.

I declined subscribing for the present, having a similar demand pending, from the Alumni of Harvard University, and until that shall be determined, I did not incline to contribute for the benefit of other Colleges.

He notes his contribution to Princeton two years ago to support a new professorship.

February 15, 1798—Ashbel Green, Class of 1783, looks on as two members of Congress, Matthew Lyon and Roger Griswold, brawl on the floor of the House of Representatives after a vote to expel Lyon for spitting tobacco juice in Griswold’s eye fails to clear the 2/3 majority needed.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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