NAWSA     GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE     Cochran, C. Euphemia

[*CE Cochran*]
Detroit May 9th '58

Dear Friend
Yours of the 19th
March was duly received
and right welcome  At that
time I was weary with anxious
care and a purpose of business
which left little leisure for
anything else   It is so with 
me still - let this be my
apology for long delay in
answering and for brevity now.

Three years ago I was present
at a Convention of Teachers
in Ann Arbor where the subject
of the Common & equal education
of the sexes was discussed
with much earnestness - almost
every speaker was in favour of
it even to the extent of opening
the University to women and
as they went from various parts

of the State it betokened a
State of public opinion in 
Michigan altogether in advance 
of what I supposed had
existed.  Mr Mayhew the
Superintend of Public Instruction
and Prof. Haven, then of
the University were both
advocates of this   A year ago
last winter during the Session
of our Leglislature, earnest
endeavours were made to obtain
an appropriation for the endowment
of a a Female College at
Lansing - Thinking this a good
opportunity to agitate the
subject anew, I prepared
a Remonstrance - and
petitioned, that if any legal
obstruction to the admission
of woman to the Michigan
University existed, it should
be at once removed - to this,
I obtained the signatures of a

number of gentlemen and sent 
it to Mr. Fairfield with a
letter requesting his consideration.
The subject excited some
interest among the members
and a favorable Report was
made by the Committee on
Educational Matters and Mr
Fairfield spoke with a good
deal of ability on the occasion.
Later in the Season Mr
Mayhew in his yearly report
treated the University question
at some length and unequivocally 
declared it as his opinion
that no legal obstruction to
the entrance of woman existed.

I met Mr. Mayhew a few
days ago and conversed with
him on this subject.  He
told me he had notified the
Regents that at the next
term he should present a
class of young ladies for exam-

ination and admission - that
in a late conversation with
some of them, he declared plainly
that the question was merely
one of time - whether they would
open it freely now or be driven
to it are long - he thinks they
dare not refuse this class.  - He is 
a man of nerve and of enduring
determination - I read to him
a portion of your letter and gave
him your address - he promised
to forward to you his Response
and you will receive it I think
before this letter reaches you
I shall enclose with mine, a
letter from a young friend who
is a student at the University
- it may prove of interest as showing
how the matter is viewed by
the Students

I hope you will
have a good Convention - the
cause is advancing with
rapid strides - no reform ever
before made such progress
and I trust the generation

of women who follow us, will
with better heads and hearts,
have larger room for the 
free exercise of voting

I rejoiced dear friend to 
hear of the existence of your
little daughter - A child is
a great boon and I earnestly 
hope that her life may be
prolonged and she, prove
your joy and your glory - 
I was glad that you had
enjoyed a visit of Charles
@ Burleigh - glad too, that
you had thought of me
then and spoken of me also

Give my kind regards to 
your husband - I have to 
thank him for an acquaintance
with Mrs. Eliza Farnham - 
a lady in whom I feel a 
very lively interest - 

I was very
glad to see the kind of

protest which you made
to the payment of taxes
and hope your example
will be followed by others.
Mr. Cochran is well as
usual & desires kind remembrances
to you - my little
boys grow fast  Geordie
the eldest is eleven years
now but is in height more
like a boy of fourteen.
Have you no intention of 
visiting Michigan again?
You have warm friends here
Mr Mayhew said when you
were at Albion, he was not
at home but his wife went to
your lectures through all weathers.
Remember me with much
love to Mrs Blackwell - I shall
welcome a letter from you
when ever you have leisure and
inclination to write
Your sincere friend
C Euphemia Cochran

Ann Arbor, May 7th 1858

My Dear Mrs. Cochran:
                         Your kind note came to hand
yesterday, & I will hastily reply to your questions
in as brief manner & to the best of my ability.
    The real position of the regents can not
be known until after their next meeting
in June. Application will then be made
by a few young ladies, & the result will
be know in a short time thereafter.
   Pres. Tappan is decidedly opposed
to it, & his influence with the regents
will be great. He has alluded to it
lately, & in terms such as we hear in
all quarters. He like all others is very
desirous that woman should not 
leave her true sphere. He thinks we
should build a fine institution for
the ladies on one of the surrounding
hills. He will do all he can to present

the ladies from entering.
    You ask the views of the students.
They are divided in opinion. Probably
a majority are opposed, many of
them saying that their entrance will
be the signal for their departure.
They would, however, be upheld by a
fine body of young men of good character 
at the outset; & doubtless all
would fall in with the sentiments
in a short time.
    The matter is so uncertain
at present that I do not feel at liberty 
to say much. I trust, & I
have reason to expect that if the
Regents refuse them admission
it will be carried to the courts.
    I may pass through Detroit
next week. Probably I shall call
& see you.
    Excuse my brevity & believe
me.               Your sincere friend
Mrs. C.E. Cochran \          James R.C.

Detroit, May 9, 1858

Dear Friend:

Three years ago I was present
at a Convention of teachers in Ann Arbor 
where the subject of the Common and Equal 
education of the sexes was discussed with much earnestness, - almost every speaker was in favor of it even to the extent of opening
the University to women, and as they 
went from various parts of the State, it betokened 
a state of public opinion in Michigan altogether
in advance of what I supposed existed. Mr. 
Mayhew, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
and Prof. Haven, there of the University were both 
advocates of this. 

A year ago last winter during 
the session of our Legislature, earnest endeavors 
were made to obtain an appropriation for the endorsement
of a Female College at Lansing. 
Thinking this a good opportunity to agitate the subject 
anew, I prepared a Remonstrance, and petitioned 

that if any legal obstruction to the 
admission of Women to the Michigan University existed, it 
should be at once removed. To this I obtained 
the signatures of a number of gentlemen and 
sent it to Mr. Fairfield with a letter requesting his consideration. The subject excited some interest among the members and a 
favorable report was made by the Committee 
on Educational Matters, and Mr. 
Fairfield spoke with a good deal of ability on the occasion.

Later in the season Mr. Mayhew in his 
Yearly report treated the University question
at some length and unequivocally declared 
it as his opinion that no legal obstruction 
to the entrance of woman existed. I met 
Mr. Mayhew a few days ago and conversed 
with him on this subject. He told me he had 
notified the regents that at the next term 
he should present a class of Young ladies

for examination and admission.  That in a
late conversation with some of them, he
declared plainly that the question was merely
one of time - whether they would open it
freely now, or be driven to it ere long.
He thinks they dare not refuse this class.
He is a man of nerve and of enduring
determination.  I read to him a portion of 
your letter and gave him your address.  He
promised to forward to you his report, and
you will receive it I think before this letter
reaches you.  I shall enclose with mine, 
a letter from a young friend who is a student
at the University.  It may prove of interest as
 showing how the matter is viewed by the students.

C. Euphemia Cochran


Ann Arbor, May 7, 1858
My Dear Mrs. Cochran:
Your kind note came to hand
yesterday, and I will hastily reply to your questions
in as brief manner and to the best of my ability.
The real position of the regents cannot be 
known until after their next meeting in June.
Application will then be made by a few young
ladies, and the result will be known in a
short time thereafter.
Pres. Tappan is decidedly opposed to it, and
his influence with the regents will be great. He
has alluded to it lately, and in terms such
as we hear in all quarters. He, like all others
is very desirous that woman should not
leave her true sphere.  He thinks one should
build a fine institution for the Ladies
on one of the surrounding hills.  He will
do all he can to prevent the ladies
from entering.  You ask the views of

Corn Institute
Feb. 25, 1857
Dear Friend
During the present session of our
Legislature, I prepared and circulated a
Remonstrauce against the endorsement of a
Female College, and petitioned to have 
legal obstructions removed (if any existed) to the
reception of women into the University of Michigan
at Ann Arbor.  Accompanying this I send you a
copy of the Detroit Tribune containing the Report of the
Committee on Education in regard to this petitions
that you may know something of the state of public
opinion in Michigan on this subject.
Nearly two years ago I attended a State Convention
of Teachers which met in Ann Arbor where this subject, 
in connection with the general education of the
sexes together, was freely discussed and was
astonished to find it the almost unanimous
opinion of those present, including the State
Superintendent and Prof: Haven of Ann Arbor


the students, They are divided in opinions.
Probably a majority opposed, many of them
saying that their entrance will be the signal for
their departure.  They would however be
upheld by a fine body of young men of good
character at the outset; and doubtless all
would fall in with the sentiment in a short
time.
The matter is so uncertain at present that
I do not feel at liberty to say much.  I trust,
and I have reason to expect that if the regents
refuse their admission it will be carried to the 
courts.
I may pass through Detroit next week.  Probably
I shall call and see you.
Excuse my brevity and believe me, 
Your sincere friend
James R. C.

Mrs. C. E. Cochran

that the University ought to be opened to woman.
Many in our State are ready for such a movement
and I understand that more than half the students
are anxious that a class of young women possessing
the requisite educational advantages, added
to a goodly share of energy and womanly dignity
ang gentleness should make application for admission, 
they entertain almost no doubts as to the
success of the application and think Prof. Tappan,
though not exactly favorable to the project, is just the
man to see justice done if admitted.
Thinking dear Lucy, that you are very
likely to know of some who would be glad of such an
opportunity as presents itself here, I write to inform you
of this state of affairs.  You know perhaps that our
University is very nobly endorsed; that its reputation is
now very fine under the influence of a new president
and fine faculty, and that furthermore the educational
fees are very small indeed - less, much less-
I believe than in any other college in the Union the
experiment could be made here under unusually

favorable auspices as the students do not room in the
University buildings, but board with the villagers,
therefore if you know of any wishing for the advantages
of a Collegiate Course let them know of Michigan
University and that 'tis the universal opinion that 
no legal obstructions exist against the entrance of 
women to its Halls.  I should be most happy to 
hear from you at your convenience.  I trust you are
happily situated in New York.  Is Mrs. Blackwell, the 
elder, with you?  If so, give my love to her and
kind regards to your husband and brother.  I have
just returned from a visit to the Merritt family in 
Battle Creek where I heard many loving words
spoken of thee.
Yours Aff'y
C. E. Cochran

Chicago, Feb. 18, 1859
Dear Charles (C.c Burleigh)
Have you seen how the question
of Woman's admission to the Michigan University
has roused discussion and called up vipers
and heroes?  The woman's rights petitions
in this State were laid on the table on
the motion of Mr. Judd, the Republican
candidate from this city.  Did Ms. Dall
send petitions to your parish?
Lucy Stone

[*C.E. Cochran Hist
about Mich University*]

Com. Institute
February 25th 1857
Dear Friend
During the present
sesion of our Legislature. I
prepared and circulated a
Remonstrance against the
endorsement of a Female
College and petition to
have legal obstructions removed
(if any exist) to the reception
of women into the University
of Michigan of Ann Arbor.
Accompanying this I send you
a copy of the Detroit Tribune
containing the Report of the
Committee on Education in
regard to this petition, that
you may know something
of the state of public opinion
in Michigan on this subject


nearly two years ago I attended
a State Convention of Teachers
which met in Ann Arbor
when this subject in connection
with the general education
of the sexes together, was freely
discussed & was astonished
to find it the almost
unanimous opinion of those
present, including the State
Independent and Prof. Haven
of Ann Arbor, that the University
ought to be opened to 
woman - Many in our State
are ready for such a movement
and I understand that more
than half the Students are
anxious that a class of
young women professing[?] the
requisite educational advance
[?] added to a goodly
share of energy and womanly
dignity & gentleness should

make application for admissions
they entertain almost no
doubts as to the success of
the application & think
Prof. Tappan though not exactly
favorable to the project is
just the man to see justice
done them if admitted
Thinking dear Lucy that 
you are very likely to know
of some who would be glad
of such an opportunity as
present itself here,  I write to
inform you of this state of
affairs - you know perhaps
that our University is very
nobly endorsed that its
reputation is now very fine
under the influence of a 
new President and fine faculty
and that furthermore the
educational fees are very 
small indeed - less - much less


I believe than in any other
college in the Union - the
experiment could be made here
under unusually favorable
auspices as the Students do
not room in the University
buildings but board with the
villagers, therefore if you know
of any wishing for the
advantages of a Collegiate
Course let them know of 
Michigan University and that
'tis the universal opinion
that no legal obstructions
exist against the entrance of 
woman to its Halls - I should
be most happy to hear from
you at your convenience I trust
you are happily situated in
N. York is Mrs. Blackwell the
elder with you?  if so give my
love to her and kind regard to
your husband and brother- I 
have just returned from a visit to
the Merritt family in Battle
Creek where I heard many loving
words spoken of thee.  Yours Aff
C E. Cochran

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