Mississippi House of Representatives member James Alexander Ventress, in early February of 1840, introduced a bill “to provide for the location of the State University.” He was chairman of the house committee on the seminary fund. The House passed the bill on Feb. 10 and then sent it to the state Senate. The Senate quickly passed the bill and sent it on to the Gov. Alexander G. McNutt, for him to sign into law. He signed the bill on Feb. 20, 1840. (August 20, 2010, Page 3B)