Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-13
E'r.rac; Of q letter to q Gentleman, Visitor
ofh College Of William s. Hary.
WilIiamsburg, Fob. sih. iSI7.

that our proceedings, under a law passed
by the Visitors, at their last { onyocation
are not so unanimously approved of rs
could be wished. A very full account of
the transactions to which you allude, has
been sent to Mr.. Richie, and will, pre-
suine, appearin his paper of to-day. Per-
NIT me now, however, tn give YOU a mere
connected view than that statement ai-
fords, of our discipline III relation 10 often
ccS.
Whenever learn that any efour stat
utes have been infrinsed, a written notice
from me is readily the several Professors
to their respective classes, requiring the
offender 10 report himself privately, that
the affair may, if possible, be adjusted
without further trouble. If no attention
be paid to this notification, all the Students
are called before The Society, and every
one is required in the first instance TO
declare, upon his honor, without preva-
rication or mental reservation, whether he
was directly or indirectly concerned or
privy to the transaction" IF all deny,
then, and then only, do we call uponthe
to give any evidence to the Society in
their possession, touching the affair III
question.
Thus, you will perceive that no testimo-
ny is ever expected, except against those
who have shown Il total disregard to every
principle of morality; q so far are we from
requiring Students to act as spies and
iniormers upon each other that acciden-
tai communications are frequently made.
but have never been taken advantage of.
and clandestine intelligence from d Pupil
never has, and never will be received
Nay, have repeatedly advised those who
wished TO keep themselves out of difficult
ties, TO hold no communion with such as
they know to be prone TO mischief, aud
except in very fragrant cases, not TO ac-
quire u knowledge, which might be ar
tended with diSagreeable consequences.
This, we hope, Will satisfy the public as
TO our insisting upon Students becoming
'lformcrS upon each other. But where
can be the difference, in principle, between
giving evidence 10 a Court of Justice,
which is bound to preserve the peace Of
the community, and giving the same evil
dence 10 Professors, who are equally
bound 10 maintain order in their Col
lege
That a law compelling young men, I'M
der the circumstances which have men
toned, 10 give evidence, is absolutely
necessary, experience has fully proved.
During the last course, have been repeat
ely informed, and have every reason 10
believe, that some of the Students were
In the constant habit of disturbing the
peace of the town, and of injuripg the
property of the inhabitants, aud vet
when called up, made no scruple Of de-
nying every thing to the Society, until at
length coming before us was a matter OF
derision. Nay, to such pitch was this
carried, that offences committed in the
very lecture rooms could not be detect
ed, and enc OF the Professors was daily in
terrupted, until the Students voluntarily
determined, if the act were repeated. TO
deliver up the perpetratOr This at once
put an end 10 that particular mode OF DIS
turbance. Afterwards, however, as YOU
anow, so gross an outrage was commit
ted, that the Chemical Lectures were sus-
pended, until the Students came forward,
and did, OF their accord, what we have
now required them by our regulations to
do, when peace vas restored, and every
thing went on tremendously TO the end of
the course.
Now, did any person ever blame the
Students for the agreement and conduct
aforementioned, and if such acts were
not wrong at that time, how eau they be
50 at this !
But compare our regulations with those
of other establishments Of Il similar kind.
In the University Of Cambridge, by far
the most iiourIs'ing Seminary on the Con
tlnent, the same law prevails. | am 10
nOrant OF Tire usageS at other Colleges.
but | will venture to say, that in none Of
them are the rules better calculated 10 a.
void giving needless trouble or offence
than III William d Mary. The Students
| here have been repeatly told GIVE cannot.
young gentlemen, possibly permit those
| to remain who are determined to inter
rupt your studies, TO disturb the peace of
| the town, and TO destroy the reputation
| OF the College. Find you out, therefore, If
| you object to this law some better plan, by
which such characters may be gotten rid
| of, and ii shall be immediately aud thank
| fully adopted" Can any manner. less
! likely to irrltate, be devised, IN which our
duty can be q scharged! And if deco
| rum among the students is 10 be preserv-
| Ell, can there be a milder mode Of doing
it Your feelings are doubtless excited
| in behalf of those who have beer sent a.
WAY from toe COllegein consequence of
this law. 1t does not appear, however.
| that they made any great cxertion 10 in
| duce the persons concerned TO come for
ward IN order that they themselves mirht
remain. All the facts, thanks, imagine.
TO this law, connected with the attempi
! upon The steeple door of The COLLEGE. and
the ringing of the church bell on We'd
nesday night, are, il is supposed. now in
! the possession Of the society-and they
might, think, have been sooner bronoIt
| out had ctforts f,v tI.,t ,,,,,-,.