The great legal upholder of Federalism in New York was Chancellor Kent.

His first impression, like that of Story, was decidedly against the college, but after much effort on the part of the trustees and their able allies, Kent was converted, partly through his reason, partly through his Federalism, and then his powers of persuasion and his great influence on opinion came to bear very directly on Livingston, more remotely on Johnson.

The whole business was managed like a quiet, decorous political campaign.

The press and the party were everywhere actively interested.

At first, and in the early summer of 1818, before Kent was converted, matters looked badly for the trustees.