Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-07-02
arts, law, and medicine, which it would Offer

Surprising, that, through The paternal care OF
the visitors, the disiDterestedness Of the leyis
lalure, and the liberal spirit of the corporalioo
and citizens Of Richmond. the college shall b..
translated TO that city and erected into an uni
| versity, the future organization Of the insti
tuition becomes matter Of great and national
concern. Anticipating this important and de-
! srable change, l beg leave 20 submit The fol-
lowing scheme for an university establishment
to the consideration Of the visitors and socierv
OF William and Mary, and Of the public. In
doing so, would not be supposed TO presume
upon any superiority Ofjudgment but mere
~ u indulge IN the exercise Of a common nri-
shege I'm an affair of much conse quence TO a
large section Of the state,) which MAY suggest
to others Of more competent wisdom and tx
psrience a similar course hoping that nv this
means, useful lights may be difft,sed. tending
to concillaie the good wishes, and TO pre-en-
gage the confidence of the public.
l. The institution shall be demo minated the
University Of Richmond.
<. The University shall be governed by vi-
s'toTs VINO DO not hold professorships, and a
send'us dcddemtc,ts, composed of the profess
sors established IN the several schools. These
Two Classes shall be one body corporate for
ever: and to this corporation all the funds and
ensownents ofth University shall be- assign
cd, 10 trust, for the uses Of the institution.
.. The present visitors and professors of
WILLARD and Mary College shall be visitors
ana professors in the University, the latter re-
tanning their. respective professorships and
inc Governor of the state and the Mayor of
Richmond shall be visitors er offcio.
q. When, by death or resignation, the number
oil visitors shall have become reduced to an
equality with the number of professors. that
equality shall be preserved ever after. Sub
sequent vacancies In the seats of the visitors
shall be filled by the legislature of Virginia !;
accepting tnose which are 10 be supplied &c off,
clo as in article 8.
.. The nature of the trust reposed in this
corporation renders II proper, that its mem
beers should enjoy that Independence in Office
WHICH may place them above the influence of
every species of intrigue and cabal and this
especially necessary 10 the upright and sue
cessful performance OF the duties of a profess
sor; therefore, all visitors Except those who
are suth by virtue of office,) aud all profes
Sors, VINO shall have been regularly appointed,
snail hold their respective Offices, I'D vitam
aat cuipam
This Is the condition Of a professorshp in
every prosperous University in Europe and
america. The objections which lie against
the same tenure of Office in the case OF Judg-
es OF Courts, do not apply to that of PROBES
sors In public semnaries. The love of repu-
tation, and the natural impulse Of interest, are
the best securities for the performance of the
academic functions Of professor. His int
rest and his duty can never be at variance, and
there can be no motive with frend or aatterer
10 perveit his Judgment, influence his con-
ouct, or corrupt his principles Besides, the
ueVolion OF his time, for years, to academic
,abour. must disqualiiy him for other pursuits.
Inns would be consideration of weight with
liberal minds. PIayfar remarks, that as a
pubic professor, " his own instruction is one
=" of ms most important duties one thay NAV
require more time than any of the rest, and
" that should never be supposed to end bu,
'" with bis life" Few men will be likely
thus to de, ole themselves who are placed al
the mercy of caprice.
b. As the professors of an University must
be presumed to be more Jealous for the repu-
talon, and more interested in the prosperity
vi the institution, than any other sci of men
II Is OF the First consequence that they should
nave considerable agency IN films up vacan.
cles IN The SenatuS .4cadsnicus therefore the
VISITORS and professors shall act conformity in
their corporate capacity, in the election oil
professors 10 supply Dew chairs, or to fill up
vacancies arising from any Cause.
7. Neither place of nativity, nor religious
creed shall affect the eligibiiily of candidates
for proisssorshps. And the following oath
shall he taken by every member OF the corpo-
ration assembsd immediately before proceed
I ing tn eject any professor:
| do sofemniy smear, thai Ia the election of d
professor 10 fiithe chair Of - neither personal
prejudice nor pariiIt,y shall influence me !; bn.
only The abilities, and general fitness of the
candidate for TINT office SO help me God.
| An oath ut this tenor IS administered to the
persons who appoint medical professors in
the University of Dublin, Immediately before
they proceed TO she election of "a professor
and persons of all countries and Of every chris.
tan persuasion are eligible as candidates.
o. Every member of the corporation al
the time of hi, instament as a visitor or pro.
lessor. shaitbe duly sworn to execute the du-
lies of his Office, faithfully and diligently, ac
ccrdIng To the best of his abilities
| o. The visitors and professors shall ac
CONFORMITY in every thug that respects the pro.
petty assigned to them, in trust except what
concerns salaries 10 professors and tutors. h
which affairs, the Senatus Academicus shall on.
iy advise.
10. The salary of each professor shall b,
declared al his instaiment. Ii shall not be In.
creased during Inc life of the professor, uples.
| by unanimous vote of the visitors in convu
cation, and advised to that effect by the sepa
tus academicus; nor shall il be diminished
while the appropriate income is adequate I.
its payment.
III The court Of appeals Tor some higt
court of record) shall nave and exercise tn,
right of inquiry, with respect to the safety
aud preservation, of all endowments belong
ing to the University.
IL. The corporation may assemble as of
ten as may deemed necessary; but convo
cation shall be held, regularly, on the frs
Monday Of May, aud The last Monday of DC
tobcr, 10 every year. Que half of the visitor
j aud one half of the professnrs in nf1ca -, a.