 | Board of Visitors minutes February 11, 1857 |  |
SPECIAL MEETING
Wednesday February 11th 1857
The Board met pursuant to their adjourning order of
Tuesday the 9th day of September last. present Messrs Wm
T. Joynes, J. R. Edmunds, J. B. Baldwin, T. J. Randolph,
Wm J. Robertson and J. R. Tucker.
Mr Wm T. Joynes as rector pro tem of the last meeting,
called the Board to order, and on his motion, Col Thomas
J. Randolph was unanimously elected Rector in place of the
late rector Andrew Stevenson. Whereupon Col Randolph returned
his acknowledgements;
On motion of Mr Tucker the following preamble and
resolutions were adopted.
The Board of Visitors of the University of Va having
been informed of the death of the Hon Andrew Stevenson since
their last meeting, have unanimously adopted the following
Preamble and resolutions as expressive of their feelings
at this sad dispensation of Providence.
By his devotion to the interests of the University,
the dignity of his bearing as presiding officer of the Board,
and the Uniform courtesy of his manners in his intercourse
with its members, the late Rector received, as he eminently
deserved the esteem and confidence of his associates. After
attaining high distinction in the public service of the
State and of the Union, with earnest patriotism, he devoted
the evening of his days, to the advancement of Virginia's
great Institution of Learning, and to the direction of the
Counsels of the Board in a manner, appropriate to its extended
usefulness and its permanent renown.
It is therefore
Resolved 1. That we most sincerely lament the sad event,
which deprives the Board of the experience and counsels of
the Hon And. Stevenson distinguished as he was, alike by
those traits of character, which adorned the public service,
graced his private intercourse and made him the valued
Rector of this Institution.
2. That the Rector be requested to communicate
a copy of the Preamble & Resolutions adopted by the Board
to the widow of the Hon And. Stevenson.
3. That the same be spread upon the Records
of the Board and be published.
A Committee of the Farmers Assembly consisting of
Wm C. Rives, William H. Macfarland and Franklin Minor Esqrs
this day appeared before the Board and submitted for the
consideration of the Board a deed from Philip St. George
Cocke Esqr assigning $20,000 to the Rector and Visitors of
the University for the purpose of endowing a School of
Agriculture, together with a project for the School proposed
to be established the Board proceeded to consider the propriety
of accepting the proposed endowment and without considering
the details of the project submitted by the Committee,
adopted the following resolutions.
1. Resolved That the Board are of opinion that under
the law as it now stands they have not the right to accept
the munificent endowment proposed by Philip St. G. Cocke, Esqr
upon the terms set forth in the deed this day presented to
the Board: in this that the reservation in said deed to
the Donor during life and to the Farmers Assembly thereafter,
of the power to nominate the Professor in the proposed
School of Agriculture is inconsistent with the unrestricted
right of Appointment and control vested by law in the Board
of Visitors & which the Board consider themselves bound to
maintain and they are therefore compelled to decline the
said endowment.
2. That the Board with a high appreciation of the
liberality and public spirit of Mr Cocke and of his selection
of the University as the agent for carrying into effect his
the full extent of their powers in the establishment of a
School of Agriculture in the University upon a footing
equal in all respects to that of the other Schools in the
Institution.
Ordered that a copy of the papers presented to the
Board by the said Committee be filed and preserved by the
secretary among the papers of the Board.
The Board then adjourned until tomorrow morning at
ten oclock.
Thursday Feby 12th 1857
The Board met pursuant to adjournment, present the
same gentlemen as on yesterday when
A communication was received from Prof M Schele De Vere
asking leave of absence for the month of June next for
reasons therein stated; upon consideration whereof, it was
resolved unanimously that the leave be granted.
Mr James Neeson appeared and took his seat at the Board.
On motion of Col Baldwin it was
Resolved unanimously that the Executive Committee be
authorized to expend $200 in addition to the $600 allowed
by resolution of the last meeting for improvements upon
the property occupied by Professor Cabell.
On motion of Mr Tucker it was
Resolved that additional rooms be provided for the
accommodation of one hundred Students.
The Board of Visitors having received a Communication
from Thos H. Ellis Chn of the Committee of the Society of
that Society of Paul Balzés copy of Raffaeles celebrated
Picture of the School of Athens- and highly appreciating
the value of this noble tribute from the Alumni to their
Alma Mater- unanimously accept the gift in the spirit in
which it is tendered - and will assign to it the position
suggested by the Donors.
It being represented to the Board by Mr Pratt the
agent of the Society of Alumni that to prepare a suitable
place in the public hall for the School of Athens and to
arrange the picture so as to show it to the best advantage
an appropriation of $550 will be necessary.
Resolved that the sum of $700 be placed at the disposal
of the Executive Committee for the purposes indicated and
for paying to Mr Pratt such compensation for his services
in superintending the work as the Executive Committee may
deem proper.
Resolved that a committee composed of J. B. Baldwin
and Wm T. Joynes be appointed to examine into and report
upon the mode of receiving and disbursing the funds of the
University.
Resolved that a committee of two members be appointed
to consider and report to this Board at its next annual
meeting whether any and if any, what changes should be made
in the number the duties and the compensation of the various
administrative officers of the University.
The Rector appointed Messrs Baldwin and Robertson as
the Committee under the foregoing resolution.
At half past nine oclock P.M. the Board adjourned
until tomorrow morning at ten oclock.
Friday February 13th 1857
The Board met pursuant to their adjourning order
of yesterday, present the same gentlemen. When the following
proceedings were had.
Resolved that the Proctor be authorized to pay to
Charles Ellet Jr. Esqr $300 and to S. A. Richardson Esqr
$154.38/100 for their services respectively in ascertaining
and reporting upon a supply of water for the University.
Resolved That the Executive Committee be authorized
to contract with the Charlottesville and University Gas
company for the fitting up within the University of such
gas fixtures as in their judgement will be sufficient for
the uses of the institution.
In making such contract the committee will provide
for proper assurances of the ability of the company to
furnish permanently a proper supply of Gas for a reasonable
maximum charge for such Gas, and for the entire freedom
of the University to obtain such supply from other sources,
whenever in the judgement of the Visitors it shall be expedient
to do so.
To carry into effect this purpose the sum of $8000 is
placed at the disposal of the Committee who are instructed
not to exceed that sum in their expenditures.
Resolved that the said committee report to this Board
upon what terms the University should furnish to persons
with the gas company, so as to reimburse the expenses incurred
by the University, in the outfit and maintenance
of the works hereby provided for.
Upon a consideration of the Preamble and Resolutions
of the Faculty relative to the return of fees to Wm B.
Sanford, the Board see no proper cause to interfere in the
case and decline to order a return of fees to him.
Resolved That the Secretary of the Board be requested
to examine the existing enactments and standing resolutions
of the University and to prepare and report a Digest or
code of laws for the government of the University- making
such suggestions for their modification or improvements
as he may upon consultation with the Executive Committee
deem proper- so as to simplify and harmonize the whole.
Resolved that the aplication to purchase Zoological
specimens be indefinitely postponed.
The Board next proceeded to the reading of the testimonials
of the candidates for the chair of History and
General Literature, and without concluding the same, at
ten oclock, adjourned till tomorrow morning at half past
nine oclock A. M.
Saturday the 14th Feby. 1857
The Board met pursuant to adjournment present the
same gentlemen as on yesterday, when the following proceedings
were had.
Ordered that the proctor pay to Mr Bowyer one hundred
and six dollars and forty one cents with interest thereon
from the 8th day of September 1856, the amount withheld by
the Engineer Wm B. Shaw from his bill of work executed by
him for the University.
The Board then proceeded to the reading of the testimonials
of the candidates for the chair of History & General
Literature and after reading the whole and before
taking the vote, the following resolution was adopted.
Resolved that the appointment of the Professor of
History and General Literature now to be made, shall take
effect upon the 1st day of July next so that his salary
shall commence from that day.
The Board then proceeded to the election of a Professor
of History and Literature in the University when
Mr George F Holmes was unanimously elected.
On motion of Mr Robertson it was
Resolved That the Executive Committee be authorized
to cause to be erected on some suitable place west of the
University in the neighborhood of Mrs Ross & McCoys, rooms
sufficient for the accommodation of fifty students - and
that they also be authorized to cause to be erected on
the land belonging to the University East of the Rail Road,
rooms sufficient for the accommodation of sixty students -
and a boarding house with a dining room large enough for
at least one hundred students and to this end they may
enter into contracts to an amount not exceeding $20,000.
will be expedient to increase or diminish the number of
rooms for students to a small extent at either of the points
above indicated they are at liberty to do so, provided that
they shall not so increase the number as to exceed the sum
above named.
Resolved That the Executive Committee enquire into,
and report to the next annual meeting, upon a plan for enlarging
the Dining rooms of the several Hotels within the
University, so as to afford convenient accommodations for
as many as 100 students in each, if practicable.
On the request of Mr Edmunds he was excused from serving
on the Executive Committee and Col Randolph was substituted
in his place.
The Board then adjourned sine die.
Secretary
| Board of Visitors minutes February 11, 1857 | |