It is interesting to see how Thomas Jefferson has stuck with his views on religious freedom. In 1779, forty years before this report, he drafted the Virginia Statute of Religious freedom highlighting the importance of separation of church and state. He writes, "We the General Assembly of Virginia do enact that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities." It was important for them to not only be able to practice their religion but also that people be allowed to maintain their opinions for or against it, as long as it doesn't take away from their rights.

Written 200 years prior, there are already glaring differences between the founding documents of the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary. Originally, I thought UVA had taken a serious tone representative to their academic values. Now, compared to William and Mary, their language appears more natural and understandable. William and Mary's Royal Charter begins, "WILLIAM AND MARY, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King and Queen, defenders of the faith, &c. To all to whom these our present letters shall come, greeting." The seriousness of this charter is of course explained with it being the 2nd oldest college in America.

This line of thought follows the belief in some sort of hierarchy of culture, as if one can truly be more "advanced." We have been led to believe this is a natural line of thinking, when in reality, it is society perpetuating this ideology. Culture does not follow a hierarchy from barbaric to advanced but rather is a dynamic process constantly being influenced. Education has not 'advanced' them but has been used to disenfranchise their "indigenous neighbors."

While the modern interpretation of this statement is one of racist connotations, the Board of Commissioners were very much being practical. In 1818, the year this report was written, only white males were fortunate enough to receive an education. So, keeping centrality to the white population was a practical decision.