lawrence residents had first thought of opening a private free-state college in the town when it was first settled. this was in the summer of 1854. that fall, one of the members of the new england emigrant aid company, charles robinson, told treasurer amos adams lawrence that the people of lawrence would start a college as soon as possible. it was supposed to be on top of hogback ridge (later known as mount oread). by 1856, no private college for lawrence was yet created. however, the people of lawrence were still hoping to create one. they also started to hope that it could later be changed into the state's university. on christmas day of 1856, a group of important lawrence people approved a bill from a business committee. it said that the time had come to create a college in lawrence. fifteen trustees were chosen to govern the college. they immediately chose a committee to petition congress for land. it was estimated that $100,000 would be needed to get the college started properly. it was also believed that nearly all of this money would have to be raised outside of the kansas territory. the territorial legislature chartered a private "university of lawrence" in january 1859. however, the people were never able to create a private college in lawrence.