Item 49 - Letter from Edward Hawkins

Oriel College - EH cannot properly answer WW's 'questions about our intentions as to the Commission [investigating the Universities]. For we have not yet received Counsel's opinion about the Commission'. EH hears that Cambridge have attained an opinion against the legality of the Commission. 'You have no doubt seen the various sets of Questions sent to us by the Commissioners; very different, as I understand, from those which you have received. Yours, so far as I know them, were such as might (independently of the constitutional question) be fairly asked and answered. Ours are prying, inquisition, and I may say, some of them, impertinent, but at the same time well adapted to draw forth answers from anyone who had a crotchet to gratify, or a scheme of reform in his mind'. At Oxford, it seems, 'the younger members are bursting with impatience to answer. Several, I think, have sent answers. Whilst the older members have actually desired to wait till we know at least our legal position'. EH has heard 'that the younger men with you are indisposed to answer, and that your older members are more disposed to yield'.