 | Board of Visitors minutes June 25, 1857 |  |
STATED MEETING
June 25th 1857
The following members of the Board were present:
Col Thomas J. Randolph Rector, Messrs John B. Edmunds, Wm
T. Joynes, J. B. Baldwin, M. R. H. Garnett, Wm J. Robertson
and James L. Carr. who constituting a quorum, were called
to order by the Rector,
When the following proceedings were had.
On motion of Mr. Garnett, it was
Resolved that Prof. Bledsoe have leave to retain in
his possession for the present the books mentioned in his
communication of June 25th 1857.
On motion of Col. Baldwin it was,
Resolved that the deposit of $20,000 in the Charlottesville
Savings Bank as reported by the Bursar & Proctor be
approved by the Board.
The Rector appointed the following Committees
Committee of Finance Messrs Edmunds & Joynes
Committee of Library Messrs Garnett & Baldwin
Committee of Inspection Messrs Carr & Robertson.
On motion of Col. Baldwin it was,
Resolved that the Board of Visitors will attend in a
body, all the public exercises of the University.
The Board then adjourned until tomorrow morning at
8 1/2 Oclock A.M.
Friday June 26th 1857
The Board met pursuant to adjournment present the
same gentlemen as on yesterday when the following proceedings
were had.
The Committee of Finance submitted the following report
which was approved,
The Committee of Finance have had under consideration
the matters referred to them and submit the following,
Report
They have compared the accounts of the Proctor and
Bursar, and found the statements to verify each other.
The Commissioner N. H. Massie certifies that each item of
disbursement is sustained by a proper voucher, and that
the accounts are correctly stated and settled - and your
Committee have regarded his certificate as evidence of the
facts set forth.
| The receipts from all sources during the fiscal year, including the balance in the Bursars hands on the 1st day of June 1856 were |
$57,581.86 |
| Total disbursements in the fiscal year | 31, 748.63 |
| Balance of general fund 1st June 1857 | $25,833.23 |
| Of this amount there was invested in the Charlottesville Savings Bank |
$20,000 |
| Leaving on deposit in the Branch of the Farmers Bank of Virginia at Charlottesville. |
5,833.23 |
| $25,833.23 | |
| The Bursar had on hand of Special appro- priations on the 1st of June 1856 |
2,727.27 |
| Received in full under the act of Assembly, during the fiscal year |
15,050.00 |
| Total amount of special fund | $17,787.27 |
| Of which Special fund there was disbursed during the year for Special Repairs & renewal of the Terraces |
5,065.96 |
| Balance of Special funds 1st June 1857 | $12,721.31 |
| Of which there is invested in Treasury notes | $9,000.00 |
| Leaving in Branch of Farmers Bank at Charlottesville |
3,721.31 |
| Total Special funds as above | $12,721.31 |
| The total General funds 1st June 1857 | $25,833.23 |
| Total Special funds 1st June 1857 | 12,721.31 |
| Total of both funds 1st June 1857 | $38,554.54 |
| Of which there is invested in Treasury notes | $ 9,000.00 |
| In the Charlottesville Savings Bank | 20,000.00 |
| Deposited in Farmers Bank at Charlottesville | 9,554.54 |
| Total funds as above stated | $38,554.54 |
| There has been appropriated but not expended from the general fund |
$11,372.13 |
| From the special funds | 2,000.00 |
| Total unexpended balance of Appropriations | $13,372.13 |
On motion of Mr Joynes it was
Resolved That in the opinion of the Board if it shall
be ascertained upon an investigation of the fact that Mr
T. Henry Johnson committed a violation of the laws of the
University by carrying a challenge or otherwise aiding in
a proposed duel before he attempted to withdraw from the
University and that he made the attempt to withdraw for
the purpose of aiding in said duel, and with a view to evade
no claim to an exemption from the penalties of the law.
The Board is further of opinion that the provisions
of the enactments on the subject of withdrawals from the
University are founded in good policy and ought to be strictly
enforced and that in every case of withdrawal the fact
and the reasons of the consent of the Faculty should without
delay be connumicated to the parent or guardian.
On motion of Mr Garnett it was
Resolved that the Executive Committee be requested to
have the additional surveys for water made by Mr Ellet at
the earliest practicable time and that they be authorized
and instructed to contract for the execution of the works,
as soon as possible, on such plan as they think best; provided
that if the plan involving the use of a steam engine
is deemed best an immediate meeting of the Board of Visitors
shall be called before it is adopted.
On motion of Mr Baldwin it was,
Resolved that exemption from the payment of Professors
fees shall not be extended to any person other than those
described in the enactments or provided for by act of
Assembly, unless by vote of the Faculty and that the Chairman
of the Faculty be required to report annually to this
Board all cases in which such exemption shall have been extended
and the reasons therefor.
On motion of Mr Garnett it was
Resolved that the board be increased for the next
session to $130 and that the regulations of the Faculty in
tables, 4 chairs, & one slop bucket in each dormitory,
instead of the number heretofore furnished, and to require
clean sheets and pillow cases to be furnished for each bed
at least once a week, and clean towels for each student
every day.
Mr John S. Dix of Williamsburg is appointed a Hotel
Keeper in the place of Wm McCoy decd.
The Board then adjourned until tomorrow morning
at 10 oclock A.M.
Saturday June 27th 1857
The Board met pursuant to adjournment present the
same gentlemen as on yesterday, when the following proceedings
were had.
On motion of Col Baldwin it was
Resolved that Every Hotel Keeper shall before entering
upon the duties of his office execute & file with the Proctor
a bond with security in the penalty of $5000 conditioned
for faithful discharge of the duties of his office and for
abiding by & conforming to, the laws and regulations of the
University in force or to be made during his continuance
in office.
Every Hotel Keeper now in office or hereafter appointed
shall be deemed to continue in office within the meaning
of this enactment, until the office shall be vacated by
death resignation or removal as provided by the enactments.
Every Hotel Keeper now in office shall execute such
a bond on or before the 1st day of September 1857 and upon
failure to do so, shall be deemed to have vacated his
office.
Each Hotel Keeper shall pay to the University a rent
at the rate of two hundred dollars per annum payable
quarterly in advance.
If a Hotel Keeper shall at any time cease to discharge
the duties of his office he or his estate shall refund to
the University all monies which he shall have received in
advance for boarding students, or for the performance of
any other duty which at the time of his so ceasing to discharge
the duties shall be unperformed.
Mr B. L. Gildersleeve was unanimously elected Professor
of the Greek & Hebrew Languages in the University
of Virginia.
On motion of Mr Garnett it was
Resolved that the subject of the division of the
duties of Proctor & Patron be referred to the Executive
Committee to be reported upon by them in connection with
their report upon the revision of the enactments.
Mr Garnett Chairman of the Committee on the Library
offered the following resolution which was adopted.
Resolved that the Board of Visitors take pleasure in
authorizing the Librarian to lend to Hon Wm C. Rives such
of the Madison Pamphlets as he wishes to use in editing
the Madison papers confided to him by Congress, and that
the Librarian take his receipt for the same, to be returned
A communication from Dr Allen in relation to an increase
of his salary as Demonstrator of Anatomy having been
received and considered, The Board declined to make any
increase of his salary.
The committee on the Library submitted the following
report & resolutions which were adopted.
The Committee of the Library have had under their
consideration the subjects to them referred, and report
the following resolutions.
Resolved 1. The Faculty may make such disposition as
they think proper of the "Essay on Anglo-Saxon by Thomas
Jefferson" retaining a sufficient number of copies for the
use of the Library.
2. The Executive Committee is authorized to
make such arrangements & provisions as they may think necessary
to render the Library room comfortable & commodious.
3. The offices of Librarian and Clerk of the
Faculty shall be separated from and after the 1st day of
September 1857.
4. The Clerk of the Faculty shall after that
date receive a salary of four hundred dollars per annum
payable quarterly.
5. The Librarian shall hereafter be appointed
annually by the Board of Visitors, preference being given
in making such appointment to persons who are desirous to
devote themselves to literary studies. He shall keep the
the hours to be fixed by the Faculty. He shall
prepare a full and accurate Catalogue of the Library, on
a plan to be fixed by the Faculty and reported to the
Board of Visitors. He shall perform all the other duties
now assigned to the Librarian.
6. He shall receive a salary of $600 per
annum payable quarterly.
This and the preceding resolution shall go into effect
on the 1st day of September 1857.
The Board having received an oral communication from
the Faculty through Prof Holcombe in reference to the instruction
given last year to the Faculty to employ a competent
Bibliographer to prepare a Catalogue of such books
as are needed to make the Library worthy of the University,
and understanding from this communication that each Professor
is prepared to report such a list in his own department,
it is
Resolved that the several Professors be requested
to prepare such lists to be first approved by the Faculty
& then reported to the Board at its next meeting and that
the former resolution be rescinded.
Resolved 1. that any person of unexceptionable character
& habits, upon producing to the Faculty satisfactory
evidence of suitable capacity & attainments shall be licensed
by the Faculty to form classes for private instruction
in any school of the University in aid of, & conformity
to, the public teaching of the professor upon any subject
taught therein.
2. The employment, selection & compensation of any such
licentiate shall be at the option of the student, but no
licentiate shall receive pupils who are not members of the
school for which he is licensed, nor shall he without the
express consent of the Faculty give instruction upon any
other subjects than those embraced in the plan of that school.
3. The resolutions adopted on this subject on the 28th
June 1856 are rescinded.
A letter from Wm. C. Rives Esqr to the Rector, & a
letter from Philip St. G. Cocke Esqr to Mr. Rives and relating
to Mr Cocke's proposed donation of twenty thousand dollars
for the establishment of a School of Agriculture having been
laid before the Board, the following resolutions were adopted:
1. Resolved unanimously that the Board inferring from
the letters of Mr Rives & Mr Cocke that the resolutions
adopted by the Board on the 11th day of February, 1857, have
been understood as expressing the opinion that the proposition
then before them was not liable to any other objection
than that indicated in said resolutions, think it proper to
declare that the Board did not intend to be understood as
expressing any opinion on that subject, deeming it sufficient
to confine themselves to the ground then mentioned as conclusive
in their opinion against the acceptance of said
proposition.
2. That while the Board are still disposed as declared
in the resolutions above referred to, to cooperate in the
establishment of a school of Agriculture in the University
upon a liberal deal, they do not think proper to recommend
authorize the acceptance of the proposed donation upon the
conditions attached,,& the Board being themselves called
upon by the letters of Mr. Rives & Mr Cocke to express a
more definite opinion upon the subject declare their opinion
to be that such a change would materially impair the unity
of government established over the University, the maintenance
of which they regard as essential to its best interests, &
that the acceptance of said donation upon the conditions
proposed would be inexpedient if the laws were so changed
as to authorize it.
A memorial from the Faculty in relation to the compensation
of the Professors having been read, on motion of Mr
Robertson , the following Resolution was adopted
Resolved That each member of the Faculty be requested
to state whether or not he concurs in all the views & opinions
expressed in their memorial in reference to salaries, &
if he does not in what respect, & to what extent, he differs
from those views & opinions, or any of them.
The Board then adjourned at 10 o'clock till tomorrow
morning 8 A.M.
University of Virginia
Monday, June 29th, 1857
The Board met pursuant to adjournment, present the
same gentlemen as on yesterday & without transacting any
business, repaired to the Public Hall to attend the closing
exercises of the session, after which they again assembled,
On motion of Mr. Edmunds it was
Resolved That the letter of Mrs McCoy be referred to
the Executive Committee with instructions to allow her such
compensation for improvements as they deem advisable.
On motion of Mr Joynes, it was
Resolved That the Board, understanding that the billiard
saloons established in the vicinity of the University
have exerted the most unfavourable influence upon the habits
of the students, & the discipline of the Instutution, beg
leave to call the attention of the General Assembly to the
subject, & to suggest the expediency of such a modification
of existing laws as to prohibit billiard tables in the
vicinity of the University.
2. That the Rector communicate a copy of the foregoing
resolution to the next General Assembly.
Resolved That until further ordered by the Board, the
fee for each diploma shall be one dollar.
The replies of several of the Professors to the resolution
of the Board adopted on Saturday, having been Communicated
to the Board, Mr. Robertson submitted the following
resolution:
Resolved That it is inexpedient to make any change
at present in the provisions now in force in reference to
the Compensation of the Professors.
The Ayes & noes being demanded the vote resulted as
follows:
Ayes, Messrs. Robertson & Baldwin
Noes, Messrs. Joynes, Edmunds, Garnett, Randolph,
& Carr.
On the motion of Mr. Garnett, it was
Resolved That each Professor shall receive such a proportion
of the fees of his school as the Board of Visitors
may determine.
Mr. Joynes submitted the following resolution:
Resolved That the maximum compensation of the Professors
of the University, except the Professor of Latin, be changed
from the sum of $3,000, as fixed by the resolutions of the
Board, adopted 28th June 18..., to $3,500, subject in all
other respects to the existing enactments.
To which Mr. Garnett offered the following resolution
as a substitute.
Each Professor, except the Professor of Latin, shall
receive of the fees of his school the following per centage:
| viz, the Professor of Mod. Languages | 50 p.c. |
| Professor of Greek | 60 per cent |
| Professor of Mathematics | 45 per cent |
| Professor of Nat. Philosophy | 65 per cent |
| Professor of Moral Philosophy | 55 per cent |
| Professor of Chemistry | 45 per cent |
| Professor of Medicine | 90 per cent |
| Professor of Comp. Anat. Phys. & Surgery |
90 per cent |
| Professor of Anatomy | 90 per cent |
| (Professor of Law (together) | 70 per cent |
| (to be equally divided between the two) | |
Provided that no professor shall receive less than ___
dollars out of the fees of his school.
The ayes & Noes being demanded on Mr. Garnett's substitute,
the vote resulted as follows:
Ayes, Messrs. Robertson, Garnett, Carr, & Randolph
Noes, Messrs. Joynes, Baldwin & Edmunds.
So the substitute was adopted in place of original
resolution.
Mr. Edmunds then moved to fill the blank in Mr.
Garnett's resolution with $2500, & the question being put
it was determined in the negative.
The Ayes & Noes being thereupon required, are as
follows:
Ayes, Messrs. Edmunds & Carr
Noes, Messrs. Robertson, Garnett, Baldwin, Joynes,
& Randolph
Mr. Garnett then moved to fill the blank with $2000,
the question being put, upon Mr. Garnett's motion, it was
determined in the Affirmative.
Mr. Garnett's resolution then coming up on its passage
was determined in the Affirmative.
The Ayes & Noes thereupon being required, are as follows:
Ayes, Messrs, Garnett, Robertson, Carr, & Randolph.
Noes, Messrs, Joynes, Baldwin & Edmunds.
On motion of Mr. Garnett, it was
Resolved That the professor of History & General Literature
shall receive all the fees of his school, provided
they do not exceed $2500, but it is expressly declared that
On motion of Mr. Joynes, it was
Resolved That it was the intention of the board, in
the adoption of the resolutions, establishing the school of
History & General Literature to establish only a single school,
& not two schools, as expressed in the terms of said resolution
On motion of Mr. Robertson it was
Resolved That the school of Ancient Languages be divided
into two schools - one of Latin - the other of Greek
& Hebrew, & that the same fee shall be paid in each of said
schools, as in the other academical schools of the University,
but where a student attends both of said schools, the Professor
of Latin shall receive fifteen dollars only out of
the fee paid in his school by such students, receiving the
full fee of twenty five dollars only when the student attends
the school of Latin, & does not attend the school of Greek.
Mr. Joynes offerred the following preamble & resolution:
Professor Harrison, having appeared before the Board,
& having informed the Board, in reply to inquiries propounded
to him, that he understands the arrangement made with him at
the meeting im May, 1856, has the effect of a Contract between
himself & the University & as to deprive the Board of
the right without the violation of good faith to change
the compensation, provided by said arrangement, & yet that
he is at liberty at any time to leave the University upon
the terms prescribed by the enactments without being restrained
to any extent by the terms of the said arrangement. And
this Board being unwilling to acquiesce in any construction
which would limit or impair the right of the Board, at its
discretion to regulate his compensation, but being disposed
to assert this right, without injustice or surprise to Professor
Harrison, it is therefore declared That the Board
considers itself at liberty at any future meeting to make
such changes in the Compensation of Professor Harrison, or
of any other Professor, as in its judgment the interests of
the University may require. The Ayes & Noes being required
on the foregoing Preamble & resolution, the vote resulted as
follows:
Ayes, Messrs. Joynes, Robertson, Baldwin, Carr, &
Randolph.
Noes, Messrs. Garnett, & Edmunds.
On the motion of Mr. Garnett, it was
Resolved That the sum of $2,000 be appropriated for the
purchase of additional apparatus for the school of Natural
Philosophy, to be expended under the direction of the professor
of that school.
On motion of Mr. Baldwin, it was
Resolved That until the further order of the Board
consumers of Gas, within the University shall be charged at
the rate of $5 per thousand feet, & that the Executive Committee
have authority to prescribe all proper regulations
in relation to the whole subject, as between the University
& the Gas Company, & between the University, & the consumer.
The Board then adjourned until tomorrow morning at
10 o'clock.
University of Virginia
June 30th, 1857
The Board met pursuant to adjournment, present same
Gentlemen as on yesterday, with the exception of Mr. Edmunds
when the following proceedings were had.
On motion of Mr. Baldwin it was
Resolved That Professor Maupin be appointed Chairman
of the Faculty for the next year.
Resolved That it shall be the duty of each Professor,
having in his custody for use, in connection with his
school any property belonging to the University, to keep
constantly a complete list, & inventory of such property,
subject at all times to the inspection of the Executive Committee,
& that such inventories be laid before the Visitors
at every meeting of the Board.
On motion of Mr. Robertson, it was
Resolved That Professor Cabell & Davis be authorized
to expend a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars in the
employment of Mr. Scharf, (or such other person as they may
prefer) in making drawing, for their own, or other departments
of the University.
Resolved That an Infirmary be erected & furnished at
a cost not exceeding seven thousand five hundred dollars,
at a place, & on a plan to be approved by the Executive Committee
under the advice of Professors Cabell & Davis, & that
Professors Cabell & Davis be requested to prepare suitable
enactments for its management, to be submitted to the
regulations as they may think fit to remain in force until
they shall have been acted on by the Board.
Resolved that the sum of fifteen hundred dollars be
appropriated to be applied under the directions of Professor
Cabell towards preserving preparations in Comparative Osteology.
Resolved That the sum of seven hundred & fifty dollars
be appropriated to the purchase of Chemical apparatus & materials,
to be expended under the direction of Professor
Maupin.
On motion of Mr. Baldwin it was
Resolved That Thomas B. Holcombe be appointed Librarian,
the appointment to take effect on the first day of September
next.
Resolved That the Executive Committee be authorized
to fill any vacancy in the office of Librarian by an appointment
to continue until the meeting of the Board next after
such appointment.
On motion of Mr Robertson it was
Resolved That the salary of the Proctor be fixed for
the present at the rate of two thousand dollars per annum.
Resolved That an additional assistant be appointed in
the school of Mathematics - with the declaration that the
Board expects the Professor to lecture to each class in his
school, & has assistants to be employed in the examination
& exercisng of his classes.
On the suggestion of Professor Holcombe, ( who represents
that he cannot conveniently perform the duty) he is
Lee to Mr. N. Francis Cabell of Nelson County, with the request
that he discharge the trust confided to Mr. Holcombe,
in reference to said papers.
On motion of Mr. Baldwin, it was
Resolved That the Rector be requested to communicate
to Col. Cocke a copy of the resolutions adopted in relation
to the proposed school of Agriculture, & to explain to him
how it happened that the subject had been disposed of before
the receipt of his letter.
The Official bonds of the Proctor & Patron, & of the
Bursar, with evidence of the continued sufficiency of the
sureties thereto, were submitted to the Board, & approved.
Professor Schele having recommended Mr. A. Von
Frisherz as assistant instructor in Modern Languages, the
Board approve the appointments of Mr. Frisherz.
On the motion of Mr. Garnett it was
Resolved That the order of the Board made at the last
meeting, instructing the Executive Committee to erect new
buildings to lodge students be rescinded.
The Rector laid before the Board a communication from
Professor Harrison in response to the resolution of the Board
adopted at the present meeting in relation to his Compensation,
which Communication was ordered to be spread upon the Journal
& thereupon it was
Resolved That the Board take pleasure in assuring
Professor Harrison that they had not the least intention in
or to do, or say anything inconsistent with the high respect
to which he is entitled, & which they fully accord to him.
2. That it was not the purpose of the Board to imply
(for it would have been contrary to the fact) that Professor
Harrison had in any respect volunteered to come before them,
or to assert any construction of the arrangement referred
to in the said resolutions.
3. That while the Board feel bound in justice to Dr.
Harrison to make the foregoing declarations, they deem it
proper at the same time to repeat the assertion of the right
& duty of the Board to regulate the compensation of Dr.
Harrison, as well as that of any Professor, according to their
own views of policy & justice. But the Board do not wish
to be understood, as implying any purpose, to change or not
to change the compensation of Dr. Harrison, or any other
Professor; their exclusive object being to declare the
principle asserted in their former resolutions.
The following is copy of Professor Harrison's communication
referred to in the foregoing resolutions.
After carefully considering the Preamble & Resolution
of the Board adopted in regard to my relations to the University
in the matter of Compensation, I am obliged to say that
they have caused me very great pain, & have left me in
they may be gathered from the Preamble & Resolution themselves.
They seem to me to be at least strongly suggestive
of a future too uncertain to be relied on, while the preamble
places me in the most unenviable aspect before the
Board, as coming voluntarily before them to assert rights,
on my part, & deny rights on theirs, & in a way that disconnected
from the circumstances & qualifications does hardly
do me justice. Having these views & feeling, I have considered
it right, & a duty to myself respectfully to request
the Board to say if they should think fit whether it is their
purpose to give me warning of the insecurity of the provision
made for any compensation, & of the revocation of the arrangement
with me to the effect of denying the instance of
any fair right on my part to expect it to continue substantially
in existence, or whether I may understand that apart
from all technical interpretations, I may look for the
continuance of the arrangement so long as the policy of the
University, or the Conduct of the Professor shall not demand
a change.
Your obedient servant,
On motion of Mr Robertson it was
Resolved That the Executive Committee be authorized
to cause to be constructed on a plan to be suggested by Mr.
J. D'Alfonce, & Mr. Pratt, & approved by the Executive Committee
a winter gymnasium at a cost not exceeding fifteen
On motion of Mr. Joynes it was
Resolved That the sum of one hundred dollars be paid
to Mr. Duke, the secretary of the Board, for extra services
during the last twelvemonths, but this is not to be understood
as embracing his services in revising the enactments.
On motion of Mr. Robertson it was
Resolved That the Executive Committee be authorized
to pay to Mr. Pratt a reasonable compensation for the services
which have been rendered by him under the request of
the Executive Committee to submit a plan for the enlargement
of the University.
Resolved that a sum not exceeding four hundred dollars
be appropriated to the enlargement & repair of the Kitchen
attached to the pavilion of Professor Minor, & a sum not exceeding
two hundred dollars to the renewal of the porch in the rear of
the same pavilion, to be expended under the direction of the
Executive Committee.
Messrs. Robertson, Baldwin & Randolph are appointed
the Executive Committee.
On motion of Mr. Baldwin, it was
Resolved That in the opinion of this Board it is inexperient
for the University to undertake the building of
additional dormitories, or boarding houses for the accommodation
of students, unless & until it shall appear that
suitable & sufficient accommodations will not be afforded
by private enterprise on reasonable terms, & that it is
in building to such edifices as shall be required for the
accommodation of its Professors, or for public purposes.
On motion of Mr. Robertson, it was
Resolved That the Executive Committee be authorized
to cause a lightning rod & a Venetian door to be put to the
pavilion occupied by Professor Davis.
Resolved That the Proctor be instructed to take steps
at once to enforce a Compliance in all respects with the
Contract for the building of the addition to the pavilion,
occupied by Professor Davis.
The Board having dispatched all the business before
it, at one o'clock A.M. adjourned sine die.
Secretary.
| Board of Visitors minutes June 25, 1857 | |