He was successful in the opposition.

He had, during the winter, an opportunity to render a very important service to Harvard College.

There was a vigorous and dangerous attempt to abolish the existing Corporation, and transfer the property and control of the College to a board of fifteen persons, to be chosen by the Legislature by joint ballot, one third to go out of office every second year.

This measure was recommended in an elaborate report by Mr.Boutwell, an influential member of the House, chosen Governor at the next election, and advocated by Henry Wilson, afterward Senator and Vice-President, and by other gentlemen of great influence.

All the members of the Corporation were Whigs in politics and Unitarians, a sect containing a very small proportion of the people of the State.