University of Virginia Library

Adjourned Session

The Board this day met pursuant to their adjournment of
30th June last.

Present. Joseph C. Cabell Rector. Thomas J. Randolph.
Henry A. Wise William Lucas. Andrew McDonald John Y Mason
& James L. Carr. Visitors.

Mr Mason laid before the board a communication from James
P. Holcombe relative to the surplus fees in the Law School.

The Rector then brought to the notice of the board the
condition of the Terraces and after some discussion the subject
was laid on the table until tomorrow. The board then proceeded
to read the testimonials of the various candidates for the
Place of Proctor & Patron. and the election was postponed until
tomorrow morning.

Col Randolph laid before the board a communication from
Col Watson relative to the dormitories near his Hotel, this
communication was laid on the table.

Col Randolph laid before the board a communication from
G. W. Turpin in relation to the Supply of Water to the University.
laid on the table for the present.

The Rector laid before the Board a communication from Dr
S. Maupin in relation to his Pavilion, requesting that he might
be permitted to add to it at his own cost, to be refunded to
him as soon as the finances of the University will admit,
whereupon

Messrs Randolph McDonald and Carr were appointed a committee
to examine the Pavilion of Dr Maupin and report tomorrow.

On the motion of Mr McDonald it was ordered that the Chairman
of the Faculty be directed to assign a Dormitory to the
Demonstrator of Anatomy.

On motion of Mr Mason it was resolved that the Executive
Committee be directed to report to the next meeting of the
Board as to the propriety of providing an office for the Secretary
and Commissioner, wherein to preserve the papers of the
Board of Visitors and transact the duties of their offices.

The Board then adjourned until tomorrow morning at 9 oclock
A. M.

Septr 2nd 1853

The Board met this morning pursuant to their adjournment
on last evening present the same members as on yesterday.

The Board proceeded to the election of a Proctor & Patron
Whereupon it was

Resolved that Mr Rt R Prentiss of Norfolk County be and he
is hereby appointed Proctor & Patron to the University.

A communication from Philip St George Cocke esqr on the
subject of the bonds of the University, issued under the act
of February 17th 1852 held by him and submitting a proposition
that certain measures in regard to said bonds, may be taken,
was laid before the Board and considered. The Board having determined
to renew the petition to the Legislature which was
presented at the last session and strong hopes being entertained

of its success which will be a more satisfactory arrangement of
the matter than any order which the Board of Visitors have power
to make.

Resolved that the subject be postponed until the next meeting
of the Board of Visitors when the petition will have been
disposed of by the Legislature.

The Rector laid before the Board a communication from the
Chairman of the Faculty in relation to repairs of Terraces. a
Supply of Water and other subjects. Whereupon           
On motion of Mr Mason

Resolved that the Executive Committee be instructed, to
cause estimates to be made without delay, of the expense of
thorough repairs of the Terraces at the University, and of the
expense of the best means of supplying water from Springs, for
the use of the University and especially as reliable means, in
case of fire, and communicate such plans and estimates to the
Rector.

Resolved that the Rector be authorized and requested to
memorialize the Legislature for authority to borrow temporarily
a sum sufficient to meet the extraordinary expense thus to be
incurred not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, to be repaid
principal and interest out of the current revenues of the University.
(During the pendency of this motion Mr. Wise retired
from the meeting)

On motion of Mr Mason The order made by the Board of Visitors
on the 25th of June 1853 rejecting the application of James P.
Holcombe Esqr adjunct Professor of Law, to have the Surplus

fees in the School of Law for the Session ending on the 29th of
the same month paid to him, be reconsidered and rescinded; and
that the Communication of Mr Holcombe on which the order of the
25th June last was founded, be refered to a Committee of three
Visitors

Who are instructed to examine and report on the subject
matter of the said communication and on the subject of adjunct
Professors, and assistant Instructors in the Several Schools of
the University- to the Board of Visitors at its next meeting.
Whereupon Messrs Mason. Randolph & Carr were appointed a special
committee under the forgoing resolutions.

Ordered that the Secretary of the Visitors be authorized
(under the direction of the Chairman) to surrender to any unsuccessful
applicant for any office his testimonials &

The Rector laid before the Board a communication from
Professor Gessner Harrison resigning the office of Chairman
of the Faculty- at the request of the Board Messrs Randolph &
Mason had an interview with Dr Harrison & reported its result.
Whereupon the Board of Visitors appreciating the arduous and
valuable services of Dr Harrison for years past, as Chairman
of the Faculty and earnestly desirous to relieve him from these
duties; yet under the Circumstances by which they are now surrounded
they are earnestly desirous of continuing his services
in the capacity of Chairman of the Faculty for another year,
and assure him that if at the end of that time he desires to be
relieved, his wishes will be gratified

Resolved therefore that the Board declines to accept the
resignation as tendered.

Col T. J. Randolph laid before the Board a letter addressed
to him by Col Wm S. Kemper late Proctor & Patron of the University
asking that the fees paid by him for tuition of his sons,
whilst at the University, be refunded to him.

Whereupon the Board ordered the following entry to be made

The application of Col Kemper is in effect for an additional
allowance to him, for his official conduct as Proctor and Patron
of the University. The fees for his sons were paid, and the
emoluments allowed him, in conformity with the laws and Regulations
of the University- The Board can percieve in the circumstances
of the case, nothing to justify them in returning
these fees so paid and thereby increasing the compensations by
that amount, to an officer for past services for which all the
Compensation allowed by law has been paid. And therefore decline
to comply with the request preferred by Col Kemper.

The Rector laid before the board a communication from Dr
Harrison asking the Board that the appointment of Mr Ed S. Joynes
as Assistant Instructor in the School of Ancient Languages be
confirmed.

It is ordered that the appointment of Mr Joynes be confirmed.

The Rector laid before the Board a communication from "The
Monticello Bank" On motion of Mr Carr it was resolved that the
further consideration of this communication be postponed until
the next annual meeting of the Board

The Rector laid before the Board a Communication from the
Faculty with a report from Messrs Minor & Courtney in relation
to lighting the University with gas. Whereupon

It was ordered that the Chairman of the Faculty be authorized

to accept the proposition made by Messrs Stratton & Brother,
to send on a competent person who will, examine the grounds of
the University, and selecting the most suitable site for the
buildings, make a close & definite estimate of the cost, of
supplying the University with Gas, and allow to the person while
so employed two dollars a day, and his expense of travel in
coming from Philadelphia to the University & in returning.

Col Randolph then called the attention of the Board to a
communication from Col J. R. Watson in relation to the Dormitories
near his Hotel. Whereupon

It was ordered that the Consideration thereof be postponed
until the next meeting of the Board.

The Board then proceeded to the consideration of communication
which was received on yesterday from Dr Maupin in relation
to his Pavilion & verbal report of the Committee

On the motion of Col Randolph it was Resolved that the
Proctor under the direction of the Executive Committee be directed
to contract for the construction of an addition to the
Pavilion No 8. now assigned to Dr Maupin, on a Plan to be approved
of by the Executive Committee, provided Dr Maupin will
advance the cost thereof to the contractor or to be refunded to
him, under the order of the Board of Visitors.

Ordered that on the completion of the New Building attached
to the Rotunda the services of the Superintendent of that building
be dispensed with and his compensation discontinued and that
it shall be the duty of the Building Committee, to fix the time,
when the work shall be deemed and considered as completed within
the meaning of the Resolution, and communicate the same to the

superintendent & the Proctor and Patron of the University.

Ordered that instead of the monthly reports required of
the Proctor of the University by the 5th paragraph of the 2nd
Section of the 1st Chapter of the Regulations of the University,
it shall be his duty to make weekly reports to the Chairman of
the Faculty.

The recommendation of the Faculty that an additional Ice
Pond be constructed is approved, and it is ordered, that the
Proctor cause an additional Ice Pond to be made on the University
grounds at such point as may be selected by him under direction
of the Executive Committee for the use of the public Ice houses.

Ordered that the Board adjourn sine die