Letters and essays had appeared, and pamphlets had been circulated, together with the arguments of the counsel at Exeter.

This work was pushed with increased eagerness after the argument at Washington, and the object now was to create about the three doubtful judges an atmosphere of public opinion which should imperceptibly bring them over to the college.

Johnson, Livingston, and Story were all men who would have started at the barest suspicion of outside influence even in the most legitimate form of argument, which was all that was ever thought of or attempted.

This made the task of the trustees very delicate and difficult in developing a public sentiment which should sway the judges without their being aware of it.

The printed arguments of Mason, Smith, and Webster were carefully sent to certain of the judges, but not to all.