 This time period was precarious for the nation, as well, with growing tensions between the North and South made war more and more likely.John W. Scott and many members of the Board were strong abolitionists, even to the point where the "Washington Examiner" newspaper, which was published by two individuals who had been expelled from Washington College, regularly denounced the college for its abolitionist thought.Francis Julius LeMoyne, a trustee and 1815 graduate of Washington College, led the Board's investigation of Professor Richard Henry Lee, a native of Virginia, who was suspected of not selling his family slaves when he was hired by the college.