"Journal of the Meetings of the President & Masters of William & Mary's College"
Introduction and summary.[1]
Contents
- 1 Document text, 29 December 1779
- 2 Document text, 30 December 1779
- 3 Document text, 2 February 1780
- 4 Document text, 17 March 1780
- 5 Document text, 23 May 1780
- 6 Document text, 20 May 1780
- 7 Document text, 27 June 1780
- 8 Document text, 14 December 1780
- 9 Document text, n.d.
- 10 Document text, 7 March 1781
- 11 Document text, 7 March 1781
- 12 Document text, 3 June 1782
- 13 Document text, 12 June 1782
- 14 Document text, 1 September 1782
- 15 Document text, 1 September 1782
- 16 See also
- 17 References
- 18 Further reading
- 19 External links
Document text, 29 December 1779
Page 280
Dec.r 29.th 1779.
At a meeting of the President &
Masters^Professors of Wm Mary College, under a statute passed by the Visitors the fourth Day of December, 1779 —Present
James Madison, President, & Professor of Natural Philosophy, & Mathematics.
George Wythe, Professor of Law & Police.
James M'Clurg, Professor of Anatomy and Medicine.
Robert Andrews, Professor of Moral Philosophy, the Laws of Nature & of Nations, & of the fine Arts.
Charles Bellini, Professor of Modern Languages.
Resolved, That M.r Andrews act as Clerk of the Society for this day.
Resolved, that the Lectures in the different Schools shall commence for the ensuing year on the 17.th of January.
For the Encouragement of Science,
Resolved, that a Student on paying an annually one thousand pounds of Tobacco shall be entitled to attend any two of the following Professors, viz.: of Law and Police, of Natural Philosophy. & and Mathematics, & of Moral Philosophy, the Laws of Nature & Nations, and of the fine arts, & that for fifteen hundred pounds he shall be entitled to attend the said three said Professors, the fees to be paid at that Period of the year when the Courses of Lectures commence.
Resolved, that Mr James Wilson be allowed 3,000 lbs. of Tobacco pr annum, two men & a Boy, & any Benefit he can derive from the Garden after supplying the President & Professors with vegetables, as Steward & Gardener of y.e College.
Resolved, that Winkfield, Bob, Lemon, Adam, & Pompey, be retained for cleaning the College, & other necessary Purposes.
Resolved, that the President & Mr Andrews hire the Negroes not retained, for Tobacco or other Country Produce.
Resolved, that Mr Andrews be appointed to execute the office of Bursar of the College.
Document text, 30 December 1779
Page 281
Dec.r 30.th 1779.
At a Meeting of the President & Professors of Wm & Mary College.
Present
- James Madison, President,
- George Wythe, Robert Andrews
- James M'Clurg Charles Bellini
Resolved, that the Ceremony of Matriculation shall be a pecuniary contribution to the Library, from every Student when he enters the College, & annually afterwards, on which his Name, together with his Contribution, shall be entered in a Book kept for that Purpose by the Bursar, & he shall be entitled to the Use of the Library.
Ordered, that the Library be arranged according to the different Branches of Literature.
Resolved, that former Students shall enjoy a preferable Claim to Rooms until the 30.th of next month.
Resolved, that Application for College Rooms be made to the Presidt, who shall determine the Right according to Priority of Application.
Resolved, that the personal Property, not necessary for the Use of the College, shall be exposed to publick sale on the 7.th of January, 1780.
J. Madison, P.
Document text, 2 February 1780
Page 282
At a Meeting of the President and Professors of William and Mary College, Feb.r 2.& 1780.
Present - James Madison Pr.
- George Wythe
- James M'Clurg
- Robert Andrews.
Resolved - that James Wilson be appointed Collector of y.e Rents in y.e County of King William in y.e place of Christopher Taliaferro
Resolved - that in future all surveyors be publicly examined before y.e Society, previous to their having a Certificate of their abilities.
Resolved - that Mr Wm Cole be desired to collect y.e Money due from y.e Rents of y.e Nottoway Estate.
Resolved - that Samuel Griffin, Esqe. be permitted to have any quantity of land near to his House not exceeding 20 acres for y.e Purpose of Pasturage only.
J. Madison, P.
Document text, 17 March 1780
Page 283
March 17th 1780.
At a Meeting of y.e President and Professors of y.e College, Present —
J. Madison Presidt.G. Wythe — P. L. & P.
J. M'Clurg — P. A. & M.
R. Andrews P. M. P. &e.
Ch. Bellini P. M L.
Resolved that y.e Collectors be ordered to collect all Rents for y.e last Year in Tob.o only-and that all Arrears due for any Time preceding y.e Commencement of y.e last Year be collected either in Tob.o, or in Money according to y.e Value of Tob.o at y.e Time of Payment.
J Madison P.
Document text, 23 May 1780
Page 284
May y.e 23.d 1780.
At a Meeting of y.e President & Professors, Present: J. Madison — George WytheRobert Andrews
Charles Bellini
Resolved — that y.e Collector of King Wm do receive the rents of 1779 at 30£ pr cwt, provided they be paid on demand.
Mr Wythe did not vote in y.e above Resolve.
That he shall bring suits for all arrears, unless paid at y.e current Price of Tob.o — and that those who are not able to pay their arrears be ejected.
— J Madison
At a Meeting May 25.
Present as above-also Doctr Mc Clurg.
Mr Joseph Fox was elected Collector of King Wm. Rents in y.e stead of James Wilson who had resigned.
The following advertisement was directed to be made public: The College having suffered very considerably by accepting current Money instead of y.e Rents reserved in y.e Leases of their Lands w.ch were payable in Tobacco or sterling Money at y.e option of y.e President & Professors; Notice is hereby given to y.e Tenants & others concerned that y.e Rents of y.e Current year, & of all future years will be exacted in Tobo according to y.e reservations. Actions are directed to be commenced immediately for Breaches of y.e Covenants in any of y.e Leases, and to recover Posession of all y.e Tenements, y.e Holders of which have forfeited by non-payment of y.e Rents by waste by y.e neglect to make improvements by Sales without License, or otherwise, and to be prosecuted with y.e greatest Expedition.
J Madison
Document text, 20 May 1780
Page 285
At a Meeting of y.e President & Professors of y.e College May y.e 20th. 1780.
Present. J. Madison Geo. Wythe James Mc Clurg Robt Andrews Charles Bellini.
Resolved-that Mr Bellini be appointed Librarian.
2. That all Books belonging to y.e Library & lent out be forthwith returned, that none of y.e Books be hereafter delivered out of y.e Library to any but Professors & matriculated Students and to them for one month only at a Time, when they shall be returned, otherwise y.e Borrower shall not only be accountable for y.e value of y.e Book withheld, but be deprived of y.e Priviledge until y.e Society upon proper amends, at a subsequent Meeting agree to restore it.
3. That if any borrowed Book be defaced, torn, or otherwise injured, he who had y.e use of it shall replace it by another of y.e same Author, equal to what it was when put into his hands —
4. The first Monday in every Month at 9oC in y.e Morning is appointed as a Time to receive all Books lent out.
J Madison
Document text, 27 June 1780
Page 286
At a Meeting of y.e President & Professors of Wm & Mary College, June 27th—1780. Present — J. Madison G. Wythe J. M'Clurg R. Andrews Ch. Bellini.
Resolved, That y.e vacations in future be as follows
- The first — from y.e first of April to y.e first of May.
- The second — from y.e first of August to y.e 10th October.
J Madison
At a Meeting of y.e President and Professors of
- Wm & Mary College November 27th. 1780.
Present J. Madison, P.
G. Wythe J. McClurg R. Andrews C. Bellini —
Resolved — That Col. Thomas Marshall be appointed surveyor of y.e County of Fayette. James Thompson of y.e County of Lincoln-and Geo. May of y.e County of Jefferson— Resolved — That James Wilson be allowed five Hhds of Tobacco ^pr annum as his Wages-and that he shall also undertake y.e Management of a Farm upon the Lands adjoining y.e College—
Document text, 14 December 1780
Page 287
Resolved also-That three Hhds of Tobo — be farther allowed him in Lieu of his Board.
J Madison Pr.
At a meeting of y.e Presidt & Professors of Wm & Mary Coll., December 14.th, 1780
Present
J Madison Pr. Geo Wythe
J McClurg Robert Andrews
Ch. Bellini.
Resolved, that such of y.e Negroes as shall not be hereafter reserved, be disposed of in Exchange for Lands not exceeding the Distance of one Hundred Miles from Williamsburg —
J Madison Pr.
At a Meeting of y.e President & Professors Jan. 1. 1780
Present: J Madison, P. Geo. Wythe,
Robert Andrews — Charles Bellini.
Resolved — That Mr Wilson be desired to hire out the Negroes belonging to y.e College, except those necessary for y.e College, & Farm, y.e Persons hiring them to pay their Taxes & clothe them.
J Madison P.
Document text, n.d.
Page 288
At a Meeting of the President & Professors of Wm & Mary College.
Present. James Madison P. Geo. Wythe, Robert Andrews Charles Bellini
Resolved that y.e Collectors hereafter to be appointed be allowed six per Centum upon all Monies by them Collected for y.e Use if y.e College, and ten per Centum for Collections in Tobo —
That when ye Rent shall not be paid in Tobo, nor sufficient Distress be found, the Collector is impowered to receive Money of the Tenant who makes Default at the Rate of y.e current Price of Tobo, at the warehouses, by the notes of wch y.e Rent is payable —
Resolved, that M.r Benja C. Spiller be appointed Collector of King William Rents in y.e Room of M.r Fox deceased —
Document text, 7 March 1781
Page 289
At a meeting of ye Presidt and Professors of y.e College.
Present J. Madison Pr., March 7.th 1781 -
G. Wythe Robt Andrews Charles Bellini.
Resolved, that Suits be brought to turn those Tenants out of Possession of y.e Nottoway Lands who refuse paying y.e Rent at y.e Time y.e Agreement was made for leasing them.
Resolved, that y.e Bursar be allowed 3 pr Cent upon all Monies received by him for use of y.e College.
At a Meeting of y.e Presidt and Proffessors of y.e College, March 1.st 1782.
Resolved that a Degree of Doctor of Civil Law be conferred upon Gen.r Chastellux of which the following is a Diploma
Document text, 7 March 1781
Page 290
Diploma
Praeses et Professores Universitatis seu Collegii Gulielmi et Mariae in Virginia omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint Salutem. Cum eo gradus academici instituti fuerint, ut viri, de Academia, de republica optime meriti, seu in nostrae matris educati gremio, seu bonarum artium disciplinis aliunde eruditi, istis insignibus ornarentur; sciatis, quod nos gradu doctoris in jure civili libenter studioseq, collato, testamur quanti facimus DOMINUM DE CHASTELLUX, e strategis regis christianissimi & sociis quadragenis Academiae gallicanae coetibus philosophicis Philadelphiae Bostoniaeq virum stirpe nobili ortum ; literis interioribus et reconditis imbutum, et quum pacis artibus tum
Page 291
belli rebus gestis inclytum; Libertatum nostratium vindicem, inter alios praeclaros aeque fortem ac felicem insuper operam navantem (haud inauspicato precamur ut musae has sedes sibi dicatas, aliquandiu armis infestas, nunc pacatas, celebrent, et scientiae ibi cultae liberaliter et reflorescentes quasi palladium sint, quo salvo has in regiones tyrannis, ignorantia semper grassans et maxime suffulta, nuper exacta, post hac nec ingruere nec irrepere potuerit. Idcirco in solenni convocatione primo die mensis Martis Anno Domini in Millesimo septingentesimo octogesimo secundo habita, conspirantibus omnium suffragüs eundem honorabilem et egregium virum dominum DE CHASTELLUX Doctorem in Jure civili creavimus et constituimus; eumque, virtute praesentis Diplomatis, singulis juribus, privilegiis et honoribus isti gradui qua qua pertinentibus honoris causa frui et gaudere jussimus. In cujus rei testimonium Sigillum Universitatis commune, quo hac in parte utimur, praesentibus apponi fecimus. Datum in Domo nostrae convocationis Anno Die et Mense praedictis.
Document text, 3 June 1782
Page 292
At a meeting of the Presidt & Professors of the University on the 3.d June 1782. present
James Madison President
George Wythe
Robert Andrews
Charles Bellin1. Resolved, that the Bursar be authorized to negotiate the Bills of Exchange received from the French Army for the destruction of the President's House.
2. That a House be rented in Town for the use of the President, and the rent be paid out of the interest of the Money due for the above Bills.
Document text, 12 June 1782
Page 293
At a Meeting of y.e Presidt and Professors on y.e 12.th June 1782. Resolved, that a Degree of Doctor of Physic be conferred upon DoctTM Coste first Physician to y.e French Army-of which y.e following is a Diploma.
Omnibus ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint Praeses et Professores Universitatis Gulielmi & Mariae in VirginiaSalutem:
Quum in Charta Nostra nobis concessum & confirmatum fuit, ut eos qui se literis et suis studiis praecipue ornarunt, Gradibus Academici Decoremus, quum volumus in hujusmodi honorem talis imprimis evehi vivos, quales nobis, et juventuti Virginieusi exemplum valde egregium praebeant; Quumque Joannem Franciscum Coste, Genevensem saluberrimarum medicinae facultatum Parisiensis Alumnum, Valentiensis Doctorem, Voscomii militaris et Arcis Caletensis Medicum & regis medicinae Societatibus Londinensi, Ediburgensi, Parissiensi, regii Lotharingorum medicorum collegiis, socium Honorarium et regiis Scientiarum artium et literarum academiis Nanceiana, Lugdunensi, Divionensi et patrioticis Sueciae et Hessiae, Hamburgensis, Societatibus, ex humana Societati Philadelphiensi Christianissimi regis Exercitus in America Archiatrum nobis commendarunt summi artis suae Honores a celeberrimis universitatibus supradictis in eum collati, nec non insignia quae nobis ipse obtulit doctrinae ingeniique sui monumenta: Idcirco in Solenni convocatione die duodecimo mensis Junii Anno Dom 1782 consp irantibus omnium Suffragiis eundem Joannem Franciscum Coste Medicinae Doctorem renunciavimus et constituimus eumque singulis honoribus et Privilegiis ad istum gradum inter nos pertinentibus frui et gaudere jussimus. In cujus rei testimonium his literis Sigillum Universitatis Gulielmi et Mariae apponi curavimus.
Document text, 1 September 1782
Page 294
At a Meeting of the Presidt & Professrs of the University on September the 1.st 1782. PresentJames Madison President
George Wythe
Robert Andrews
Charles Bellini
Resolved, that actions be forthwith commenced in the general court for recovering the rents due from the tenants of the Nottway Lands.
Resolved, that written leases be presented to such tenants as are by virtue of verbal Contracts, in possession of any tenements for the residue of the terms designed by the contracts, to be executed by them.
Document text, 1 September 1782
Page 295
Minutes for "A Meeting of the President and Professors of William & Mary College," September 1, 1782. Faculty Minute Book, 1729–1784, p. 295, Faculty Assembly Records, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries (image 300).September the 1.st 1782.
Mem. The Gentleman who prosecutes the Suit is desired to consider whether the Actions can be maintained upon verbal leases.
Resolved, that a Letter be written to M.r Attorney-General to retain him as counsel for the College, in case M.r Bracken shall commence any Suit against the Soceity for arrears of Salary or for any other cause.
At a Meeting of the President and Professors of the University on September the 2d 1782. Present
James Madison, President
George Wythe
Robert Andrews
Charles Bellini
Resolved, that the Plank now in possession of the Steward be disposed of to M.r Saunders, at the rate of a Penny per foot; The Steward to reserve as much as will be necessary for the repairs in and about the College.
Resolved, that the two Houses between the College and the Barn adjoining the Garden be disposed of by Mr. Saunders.
See also
- Professor of Law and Police
- Other Related Wythepedia Pages
References
- ↑ "Journal of the Meetings of the President & Masters of William & Mary's College." Faculty Minute Book, 1729–1784, Faculty Assembly Records, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Further reading
- Lyon G. Tyler, "Journal of the President and Masters or Professors of William and Mary College," William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine 16, no. 1 (January 1907), 22-33.
External links
- Faculty Minute Book, 1729–1784, Faculty Assembly Records, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
