I wrote the following essay as a final research project for Dr. Andrew Keener‘s CTW 2 class in Winter 2019. I also created an online project about James Alexander Forbes, which you can access if you wish to learn more about James Alexander Forbes and traces of him in Santa Clara University Archives & Special Collections. Much of the assignment revolved around analyzing a specific item from the Papers of John Nobili, Santa Clara’s founder and first president, which is included below in digital surrogate.

James Alexander Forbes was a man of great influence. Consequently, he had, and still carries, a prominent reputation. His true character is still a mystery despite a significant amount of research on him and his family. Recent scholars have thoroughly examined both his personal life and his business transactions only to remain conflicted over two prevailing, yet opposing, interpretations of his character: he is either a conniving businessman, or an intelligent one who has fallen upon a series of unfortunate events. Although there is no final consensus, scholarly opinions are inclined towards a more favorable view of him, while popular opinion portrays him negatively. This controversy over his character surrounds a particular transaction he made with Santa Clara University back when it was in the process of being founded.

            The letter itself does not seem to be of great significance when considering the land transfer in its entirety. Indeed, this letter is only a picture of the deal in its early stages, and does not include all of the facets later known to be part of the transaction. Despite this, there are also some physical markings that hint at this document’s lesser importance. The letter has several crease marks on it, which might indicate that it was folded and put in various locations. Additionally, it was clearly used as scratch paper. On the back there is both math and doodles. Perhaps this letter started the deal that united the mission under Nobili’s ownership, but it does not seem to be the one that finished it.

            It is only natural that such a public figure would have rumors and suspicions surrounding their name, but in the case of this transaction it appears that he really does not benefit much from such a deal. Highly involved in both politics and land ownership in the Santa Clara area, James Alexander Forbes was well known for being the British vice-consul for California, and is documented as being consulted for several affairs. In his thesis on the life of Forbes, Frank L. Beach relates a time when Forbes was asked to intervene on behalf of the British-Consul in order to purchase land. “Needing this confirmation by the others, the British Consul and merchant asked James Alexander Forbes to act as his intermediary with the abio [those in control of the mine they wanted to purchase]” (Beach 117). Additionally, Forbes is documented as having contributed to Father Nobili’s school as a teacher early on. Forbes was not a minor person, and this transaction was one of his smaller involvements. The letter itself proposes he sell the land for twelve thousand dollars. According to Bernard Glienke, author of James Alexander Forbes: His Descendants for Four Generations, Forbes was making many business deals around that time that were giving him much greater sums of money. He was clearly not in need. Additionally, evidence points to a good relationship between Nobili and the Forbes family. In The Annals of Santa Clara: College and University, 1851-1951; Part 1, the Forbes family is mentioned and referred to as a “wonderful family” (Walsh 5). While many people speculate about his motives, the facts do not lend themselves to suggest bad intentions on Forbes’ part.

            The deal itself is not one of strict demands, but a friendlier proposition. Within the letter, Forbes says, “Hence the conditions of payments, which may nevertheless be modified by any arrangements that you may suggest.” This shows that Forbes is willing to make arrangements that will accommodate Nobili’s plans. He knows that he owns the land that Nobili wants, and he could ask for whatever he wishes in return. However, he decides to be flexible with Nobili. It is also well known that free education for Forbes’ sons at the school was part of the deal. In two collections, both Early SCU Histories: Souvenir—Golden Jubilee—Santa Clara College and The Annals of Santa Clara: College and University, 1851-1951; Part 1, it is clear that Forbes took full advantage of this part of the deal. His sons’ names come up repeatedly in the student records. Although this is a clear benefit for Forbes, it also helped the school’s reputation. Forbes was known for being highly educated, and for receiving this education in Europe, so sending his sons to Nobili’s school lent credibility to the new institution. After further investigation, it appears that the assumed questionable intentions were merely a product of previous doubts that others had about his character. Nothing in the deal itself proves that it was necessarily exploitation of Nobili.

            The one issue that is often brought up in discussion of this deal is the fact that Forbes turned around and used the money to build a mansion right behind the mission. However, this was part of the deal. Although the conditions are not in this specific letter, Forbes does make Nobili aware of his intentions to build a house: “You will readily perceive, that I have made the condition of payments as long in terms as shall be at once convenient to you, and also, so as to meet the outlay of money that I shall necessarily be obliged to incur in the purchase of land, and in erecting a dwelling house, as soon as possible.” Additionally, as documented both by Bernard Glienke (pg 54) and in Shannon E. Clark’s essay “Mischief Making Man,” the final conditions of the deal, which include a great deal of building material, made Forbes’ intentions clear to Nobili. Thus, Forbes’ actions were not ones of exploitation, but were well discussed and wholesome.

            Although Forbes’ dealings with Santa Clara University were a small part of his overall influence on the Santa Clara area, his actions contributed to a worthy cause. As Father Nobili was struggling to maintain the Mission land that had been granted him, Forbes was helpful to him in many ways. He not only gave up his portion of the land, but he also contributed to the school through teaching and by giving some legal defense to Nobili in a time of need. Despite what the rumors say, James Alexander Forbes was a prominent and generous benefactor in the early life of Santa Clara University.

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Works Cited

Beach, Frank L. James Alexander Forbes, 1804-1881: British Vice Consul In California, 1842-1850. MA Thesis. University of San Francisco, 1957. Web. 21 Feb. 2019.

Clark, Shannon E. “James Alexander Forbes The Mischief-Making Renaissance Man.” Ed. William Wulf. Los Angeles: University of California, Los Angeles. Web. 21 Feb. 2019.

Glienke, Bernard A. James Alexander Forbes 1804 to1881 His Descendants for Four Generations. 2014.

Souvenir—Golden Jubilee—Santa Clara College. Santa Clara University: Early SCU Histories, 1901. Print.

Walsh, Henry L. The Annals of Santa Clara: College and University, 1851-1951; Part 1. Santa Clara. Print.

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Header image from USC Digital Library, Illustrated portrait of James Alexander Forbes, [s.d.]