University of Virginia Library

Decisions by the Board of Visitors

The new Board of Visitors met as scheduled on Monday, 29 March, with all members
attending, and appointed Jefferson rector of the university, Peter Minor secretary to the
board, and Alexander Garrett bursar, allowing the latter $250 a year for compensation. The
board also appointed Jefferson and Cocke to a committee of "advice, Superintendence and
controul," authorizing them "jointly or severally" to direct the agents of the institution
during the intervals of its sessions, but "jointly only" to call a special meeting of the board
when necessary. It instructed the new committee to purchase at a "fair valuation or
reasonable price" such portion of John Perry's land that lay between the two tracts
heretofore purchased of him, "as may conveniently unite the whole in one body," provided it
could defer the payment until the institution received the fourth installment of subscriptions
or the third year's public endowment. Another important matter devolving to the committee
of superintendence was the hiring of Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough as proctor of the
University for $2,000 or less, or if he could not be engaged, then any other person "on such
terms as they find necessary."

The board also resolved to instruct acting Proctor Nelson Barksdale to examine into the state
of the property real and personal (monies and credits excepted) formerly appertaining to the
Central College, and he make an inventory of the same, "as it stands at this day, specifying
the items whereof it consists, and noticing the buildings and other improvements already
made and those which are in progress." It also instructed the new bursar to make a statement
of the funds in money and credits and debts relative to the Central College. Finally, the
board reaffirmed the decision made by the visitors of the Central College at their last
meeting (26 February) to delay the opening of the institution by diverting all incoming funds
into construction of the buildings and resolved to approve and pursue the measures "adopted
by them for the buildings of the present year."[224]