 | Board of Visitors minutes March 6, 1861 |  |
SPECIAL MEETING
March 6th, 1861
The Board met pursuant to the adjourning order of July
5th 1861. Present Thomas J. Randolph Rector. Franklin Minor,
John R. Edmundes, James Neeson, P. H. Aylett and Wm. H. Terrell
visitors, when the following proceedings were had.
The Board of Visitors having on July 4th 1860 adopted the
following resolution.
"Resolved that the Professor of Modern Languages be relieved
from the duty of delivering lectures on History and
Literature in connection with his school, and that he be allowed
in future but one assistant instructor to be employed at the
discretion of the Professor in the instruction of his class."
And having recieved from the Faculty a memorial on the
Subject.
Resolved unanimously that the Board of Visitors adhere
to this previous resolution.
Resolved that the Executive Committee be authorized to
borrow for the University such sums as may be needed prior
to July 1st 1861, not exceeding $10,000 in the sum total.
The Board having under consideration the letter of Prof
Schele De Vere, regret the causes which in his opinion protracted
his absence, a month beyond the Commencement of the
session; but the Board desire distinctly to express their appreciation
of the great importance of punctuality in the discharge
of all duties enjoined by the enactment.
Mr Spooners application to be paid the sum of one hundred
dollars, which was deducted from the amount of his claim for
repairs to the terraces, was taken up, and on motion was
rejected.
Whereas on the first day of February 1861 Professor
Holcombe addressed to the Rector a letter of resignation in
the following words to wit,
In pursuance of the enactments of the University,
I request permission to resign the Chair which I now have the
honour to hold in that institution. I desire this resignation
to take effect at the end of the session, or at the option of
the Board, any earlier period, at which the vacancy can be
permanently filled. I prefer the request under an earnest conviction
that it is my duty to yeld to the wishes of a great
number of my fellow citizens who have called upon me to become
a candidate for the approaching State convention. I
trust that it is unnecessary for me to assure the Board, of the
reluctance with which I have taken this step, My duties at
the University afford ample scope for the gratification of
all my tastes and my whole ambition; and the steadily increasing
number of my students furnish the most satisfactory
evidence that not withstanding much misapprehension as to the
character of my instruction, it commands the confidence and
approbation of the community at large.
I have acted upon a persuasion shared by men of all
parties, that the peace property, liberty, and civilization,
no patriotic citizen should hesitate to take any
place in which those who agree with him, as to the proper
policy of the Republic, suppose that he can render most service
- I desire to give all the instruction during the session,
which will be compatible with my attendance in the Convention.
During my absence, I can make such arrangements with the help
kindly proffered me, of my colleagues Mr Minor and Mr Bledsoe,
and with the assistance of my brother the Librarian in reading
a number of written Lectures, as to render the course
almost as complete, as if there had been no suspension of my
own duties. The Examinations for the certificate of Proficiency
and for graduation in the School of Law I can of course conduct
as usual.
very truly
Which letter was laid before the Executive Committee consisting
of Messrs Minor, Baldwin and Randolph and upon which
said Executive Committee took such action as they entered
on the 8th February 1861 in the record of their proceedings.
And whereas the enactments for the government of the
University require "That no Professor shall be at liberty to
resign his office, without leave of the Board, unless such
resignation be made at the end of the session, and after at
least three months notice shall have been given, in writing,
to the Rector, by the Professor, that he intends unconditionally
to vacate his office at the end of the session."
Resolved that this Board accept the resignation of Prof
Holcombe of the Law School to take effect at the end of this
session; but this acceptance is not intended to approve of
his resignation contrary to the Statutes of the University.
Resolved that this Board without being understood at
all to approve of Mr Holcombes absence from the University,
will sanction the present arrangement for the instruction of
his class until his return to the discharge of his duties.
On motion of Mr Neeson it was
1st Resolved that Galts Statue of Jefferson be inaugurated
at the University on the 4th day of July next.
2nd Resolved that at the Inauguration three addresses be
delivered one on "The Declaration of Independence" another
on "The Act for Religious Freedom", and another on "The University
of Virginia".
3rd Resolved that Prof James P. Holcombe be requested
to deliver the address on "The Declaration of Independence"
that Hon George W. Summers be requested to deliver "The address
on "the Act for Religious Freedom" and that the Hon R. M. T.
Hunter be requested to deliver the address on "The University
of Virginia".
4th Resolved that the Executive Committee be authorized
to invite a substitute or substitutes for said speaker if
necessary.
5th Resolved that the Executive Committee be authorized
to adopt and conduct all necessary proceedings for the inauguration
of the statue.
Resolved that the next commencement day of the University shall
be the 3rd day of July 1861.
Resolved that the Regular annual meetings of the Board
shall hereafter be on the first day of July.
The Board then adjourned sine die.
Secretary.
| Board of Visitors minutes March 6, 1861 | |