 | Board of Visitors minutes March 26, 1856 |  |
Special Session
May 26th 1856
In pursuance of a call, by three members of the Board
of Visitors of the University of Virginia, for a special
meeting of the Board on Monday the 26th of May 1856, the
following members of the Board appeared and took their
seats Messrs Andrew Stevenson, John R. Edmunds, Muscoe R.
H. Garnett and John R. Tucker, there being no quorum present
the Board adjourned until this evening at five oclock.
Evening Session
The Board met pursuant to adjournment present the same
gentlemen as at the morning session with the addition of
Messrs John B. Baldwin, William J. Robertson and James Neeson.
On motion of Mr Edmunds, Andrew Stevenson Esqr was
unanimously elected Rector of the University, who having
assumed the chair returned his acknowledgements.
A communication from the Chairman of the Faculty covering
several resolutions passed by the facluty was read and
on motion laid on the table. These resolutions were as
follows.
1. A resolution in regard to salary of Assistant Instructor
Wm. Dinwiddie.
2. A resolution in relation to the admittance of state
students to the Professional Schools.
3. A resolution asking that the "public day" be held
on Friday the 27th of June.
4. A resolution communicating to the Board the answer
of the Faculty of the University to a communication from
a Committee of the Faculty of William and Mary College
5. A memorial in regard to the increase of Professors
salaries.
The foregoing resolutions were read and laid upon the
table.
The Rector laid before the board the following communications
which on motion were read and laid upon the
table viz
A communication from Dr Cabell & Prof Smith in relation
to instruction in Botany.
A communication from Prof Schele De Vere.
A communication from the Proctor.
A communication from the Secretary of the Faculty in
regard to an increase of salary.
A communication from the Columbian Society.
A communication from Prof Holcomoe.
A communication from Gov ise.
A communication from assistant instructors.
A communication from gas company of Charlottesville.
The Rector laid before the Board a communication from
the "Sons of Temperance" tendering the use of their hall
to the Board, during their present session.
On motion of Mr Edmunds it was.
Resolved that the thanks of the Board be returned to
"The Sons of Temperance" for the tender of their hall, but
in view of the greater convenience of meeting in the faculty
On motion of Col Baldwin,
Resolved That the Board approve of the proposition
made by the Faculty to hold the "Public Day" on friday June
the 27, for the present year.
On motion of Mr Edmunds it was,
Resolved That the Lectureship of Anatomy, Materia Medica
and Therapeutics be constituted a full Professorship of
the same subjects, and that in this school, shall also be
taught Botany and Vegetable Physiology, not only in reference
to Materica Medica, but especially as a distinct science
for the unprofessional student.
On motion of Col Baldwin J. S. Davis was unanimously
elected Professor of The School of Anatomy, Materia Medica
Therapeutics, Botany and Vegetable Physiology.
On motion of Mr Edmunds it was,
Resolved That in the School of Ancient Languages there
shall be two Professorships.
A Professorship of the Latin Language, and a Professorship
of the Greek and Hebrew Languages, and that the Assistant
Instructors shall hereafter be dispensed with.
On motion of Col Baldwin it was,
1. Resolved That the Faculty be requested to report to
this Board at its annual meeting in June next, a plan for
an increase of the Library of the University, with a list
of books, and an estimate of cost, And that the list be
arranged in the order of importance, so as to enable the
Board to appropriate for the purpose as they may find expedient
2. Resolved That the Proctor report to this board at
its annual meeting in June next a Statement showing
1. The debits of the University of every kind
and to whom due.2. The property of the University of every
description.[3. The value and condition of the Dawson farm.]
Resolved That he also report to the Board, the condition
and value of the Dawson farm - with the opinion of
counsel upon the power of the Board to sell the same.
On motion of Mr Garnett, it was
Resolved That another Professorship viz that of History
and General Literature, shall be established at the University
of Virginia- In the school of History shall be taught
the true objects and best methods of the study of History;
the general course of human affairs with particular developments
and illustrations of those epochs and events which have
had most influence upon man; the effects of systems of religion
and jurisprudence, upon the moral and physical condition
of the human race, the principles of historical
criticism, the most authentic sources and best authorities
to which the student should be referred, in pursuit of the
various branches of History Ethnography and the principles
of Chronology. and the influences of diversities in race
and climate upon the condition of man, and whatever pertains
to the History of the general progress of human civilization.
2. In the School of General Literature shall be taught
the history of the rise and progress of General Literature
with particular developments and illustrations of those
epochs and authors whose influence upon that progress has
been most marked, the best methods and authors for the study
of the Literature of different Languages with a development
of the particular genius and character of each, But it
shall be the especial object of this school to teach the
rise and progress of English Literature, to illustrate those
stages in its growth which are most worthy of remark, and
to trace the effect of particular authors and great masters,
upon the growth of the English Language and Literature.
In the school of General Literature the student shall be
regularly exercised in English Composition, and the Professor
may invite any member of his class, to deliver lectures or
read essays upon such branches of literature, on such authors,
as he may be likely to illustrate with credit to himself
and the Institution. Provided however that nothing contained
in this enactment, shall be so construed as to take from
the chair of Moral Philosophy, And Ancient and Modern Languages
any of the subjects of instruction now confided to them.
On motion of Mr Baldwin it was
Resolved That the sum of $300 per annum be allowed to
each Professor for whom no pavilion can be provided within
the University, such allowance to be in lieu of rent.
Resolved That Prof James P. Holcombe be allowed the
sum of $300 in lieu of rent for the current year.
On motion of Mr Tucker it was
Resolved That a Committee of three be appointed to
report to the regular meeting of the Board in June next
upon the expediency and feasibility of establishing a new
Professorship embracing Physical Geography, Geology, Mineralogy
and general subject of Applied Science- to Art
navigation and agriculture.
The Rector appointed the following Committee under the
foregoing resolution viz Messrs Edmunds Tucker & Robertson.
The Board then adjourned until tomorrow morning, at
nine Oclock.
The Board met pursuant to adjournment present the
same gentlemen as on yesterday with the exception of Messrs
Robertson and Baldwin.
Resolutions on various subjects were submitted for the
consideration of the Board, and informally passed but owing
to the absence of Messrs Baldwin & Robertson these resolutions
were not acted upon definitively.
About 12 oclock Mr. William T. Joynes Esqr appeared and
took his seat at the Board.
About 5 oclock P.M. the Rector retired, whereupon Mr
Edmunds was called to the chair pro tem.
Messrs Robertson and Baldwin soon after appeared and
took their seats at the Board.
When the resolutions informaly passed upon during the
morning session, were again called up for definitive action
Whereupon it was
Resolved That the resignation of Assistant Instructor
Edward S. Joynes, which was this morning tendered to the
Board, be accepted, and permission is granted him to leave
the University on or about the 15th of June next.
The Board having considered the resolution of the
Faculty passed July 2nd 1855 in relation to the increase of
the salary of Assistant Instructor Wm Dinwiddie as well as
the communication from the Assistant Instructors in regard
to an increase of salary
It was on motion unanimously
Resolved that the Board deem it inexpedient to alter
in any respect the resolution passed Thursday June 28th 1855
in relation to the compensation of Assistant Instructors.
On motion of Mr Garnett it was
Resolved That in the Anglo-Saxon class of the School
of Modern Languages shall be taught the principles and facts
of the Philology of the English Language and the laws which
have regulated the growth of the Etymology and Grammar of
the Language upon the basis of the Anglo-Saxon.
The communication from the Faculty of William and Mary
College being under consideration, it was
Resolved that the Board of Visitors consider it unnecessary
to take any action in reference to the subject and that
the resolution be communicated to the Faculty
Resolved That the Communication of Wm Wertenbaker in
respect to an increase of his salary as Secretary of the
Faculty, be referred to the Executive Committee for enquiry
and report upon the Expediency of such increase to the next
regular meeting of the Board.
On motion of Mr Edmunds it was
Resolved That the Secretary inform the Columbian Society
that the Board of Visitors have had under consideration
their application to the Board to be furnished with a Hall,
in which to hold their meetings, and have referred the subject
to the Executive Committee.
Resolved That the Secretary inform Wm T. Early and
others members of the gas light company that their communication
on the subject of introducing gas into the University
of Va has been referred to the Executive Committee for a
report to the next meeting of the Board of Visitors.
On motion of Mr Tucker it was
Resolved That Wm J. Robertson John R. Edmunds and
John B. Baldwin constitute the Executive Committee of the
Board of Visitors
Mr Stevenson submitted the following statement & resolution
to the board which were unanimously adopted.
Since the last meeting of the Board of Visitors of the
University of Virginia its late Rector Joseph C. Cabell departed
this life at his residence in the County of Nelson
in the 80th year of his age.
Few names stand higher on the list of the eminent
founders of this Institution than that of this distinguished
man.
As a citizen of Virginia and one of the members of its
Legislature for many years; as a Visitor of the University,
from the period of its establishment, to that of his death,
and for the last ten years, the Rector; the larger portion
of his life may truly be said to have been devoted to the
advancement of the highest honors, and best interests, of
this noble Institution.
Resolved Therefore that the members of the Board of
Visitors now assembled, cannot satisfy their feelings,
without bearing testimony to the character and services of
Mr Cabell to the University of Virginia and especially their
deep sense of the loss which it has sustained in the lamented
death of one of its early Patrons, and most constant, zealous,
and devoted friends!
Resolved That the Rector be requested to communicate
to Mrs Cabell the foregoing resolutions.
Ordered by the Board that the foregoing preamble and
resolution be published.
On motion of Mr Tucker it was
Resolved That in all respects except where otherwise
specially provided, the several professors in the School
of An Languages, the Professor in the School of History &
Gen Literature & of Mat Medica - Therapeutics, Anatomy and
Botany shall be placed upon the same basis as to compensation
and fees, as the present Proffessors
On motion of Mr Edmunds it was,
Resolved If the Student attends one Professorship in
the School of Ancient Languages, the Charge shall be the
the charge shall be fifteen dollars for each.
Resolved That the Professor of Latin shall receive in
addition to the regular salary of one thousand dollars, all
the fees from the Students attending his classes.
Resolved Unanimously That the Professorship of Latin
be and is hereby assigned to Gessner Harrison M.D. now a
Professor of Ancient Languages in the University of Virginia.
On motion of Col Baldwin it was,
Resolved That the Patron report to this Board at its
annual meeting in June next a statement showing the amount
received for tuition fees in the University for the last
five sessions, including the present, distinguishing the
amount received in each year from each of the Several Schools
and classes. And that he also report the schools and classes
attended by the State Students in each of the five sessions
and the number in each school and class.
On motion of Mr Tucker it was,
Resolved That the Chairman of the Faculty be instructed
to advertize, that the Board of Visitors will receive applications
at its next meeting on the 24th of June 1856 for the
position of Professor in the School of the Creek and Hebrew
Languages and of Professor in the School of History and
General Literature the advertisement to be inserted in such
papers in and out of the state as he may think best- And
that a copy of the Resolution establishing the latter School
shall be inserted with the advertizement.
Resolved That the Professors in the Medical and Chemical
next regular meeting, their views respecting the appointment
of an Analytical Chemist, the probable compensation necessary
therefor, the expense attending it, and the mode in which
his school shall be constituted and conducted.
On motion of Mr Robertson it was,
Resolved That the Bursar be directed to pay to Professor
Maupin the principal and interest due for money advanced by
him for building an addition to his pavilion
On motion of Col Baldwin
Resolved That the Salary of Dr Smith the Janitor be
raised to two hundred dollars per annum to take effect from
the first day of June 1856.
The Board then adjourned until Tuesday June 24th, 1856
| Board of Visitors minutes March 26, 1856 | |