The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-03

of the 'Uaiversity of Virginia have put forth the
following address to the public, in regard to the
murderous transaction which occurred on the
night Of the 18th of November. We also extract
below part of the proceedings and resolutions
adopted on the occasion of the melancholy occur
renee.
AN ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC;
Unanimously adopted By the Students Of the
University Of Taginid
A dark and bloody deed has been done IN our
midst. The tale of horror has, of course, spread
far and wide, accompanied, as we fear, and have
some reason to believe, by every sort OF rumor
and exaggeraton. To disabuse the public mind,
BY short and simple statement OF facts, to do
an act of justice to ourselves by showing our
feelings and our coarse, and 10 shield our Uni
yersty as far as possible from the effects OF any
prejudice which recent events may excite against
her, are the objects of this Address:
From the opening of the present session to the
late dreadful 18th of November, it had been a
matter of common remark, that never before had
so orderly and sober set of students been assem-
bled within the walls of the University The
utmost harmony and good feeling prevailed be-
tween Professors and students Not student
had been expelled, dismissed, suspended or 9TH
erwise punished. Every thing augured term
of quiet and concord.
Some years ago, large body of students were
dismissed on the 18th Of November, ana since
that time, there has always been riot the
night of that day. Each succeeding year, how
ever, the disturbance has grown less and less,
until the approach of the last 18th excited little
or no general attention in College. Some time
after nightfall, two, and only two persons, in dis
guise, were seen walking about the lawn, firing
pistols and making other noises. Up to the time
xrIar tba f,ta hall dizrbarrad tba ~
a row was ridiculed, and pronounced failure.
The disorder, hewever, continued until Mr.. Da
Wis was shot The news spread like wildfre.
Very soon students from every quarter of College
collected before his house. Grief at their Pro-
fessor's situation, mingled with indignation a
gainst the author of the outrage, was felt and ex
pressed by all The promptest and most active
measures were Immediately taken for his deteo-
ton. The zeal of the students continued una
bated, and their efforts unrelaxed. One who con-
fesses that he was aged in the disorder, was
soon discovered. He, however, has been ac-
quilted, not only of the guilt Of Mr.. Davis's
death, but OF aiding and abetting in 1t. Another
student has been arrested and charged with his
murder. With his guilt or inNocence God forbid
that we should NEEDLE. He is in the hands of
the law, and awaits his trial befor tribunal of
his country There Wa leave him.
With the questieu-Who killed Mr.. Davis
this Address has no concern: and we have stu
diously avoided touching it. We have Stunned
1t so far as to omi. details which the public are
probably expecting to hear, but when it is re-
meInbered how very desirable it is that while a
trial is pending nothing should be done to bias
the public mind, one way or the other, we are
confident the omission will be approved. Our OBJ
iect is, BY showing what we have done and felt,
10 dspel the 'sdark cloud" which has been said to
Crest upon the whole body of the students" It
is unnecessary here to d,oeH on our sentiments
and measures. We have already described them
in general terms. Do any ask evidenced We
point to the resolutions that we have passed and
published, (and which are appended to this Ad-
dress,) to those of the Faculty, and to the fact
that our conduct has met the cordial appreciation
of all converssnt with it.
We cannot close this brief Address, without
an appeal TO the friends Of our University, to
rally around her in this dark hour succession
OF calamities has lately befallen and well-nigh
overwhelmed her. They have, however, been
owing to no fault of hers. Three Professorships
are now vacant. Tho Visitors thought their
DUTY and the interests of the Institution, requIr-
ed the removal of the occupant of one, and dis
ease and death have carried of the Incumbent
of another. The atrocious act which has called
out this statement, has torn from us the orna-
nent of the third. These disasters should only
prompt to redoubled efforts on the part of all who
love learning, In behalf of our Institution. 1t
stands IN need OF your Succeur a prejudice
against the University-how groundless its stu
dents we'll know-has long prevailed. 1t was
fast fading before the light of truth and expe-
Renee We fear that late deplorable events will
do nuch to revive it. It ought not, however,
to be so. .any assassin may at any time piunge
anu community into situation like ours. No
thing could be added, either to the strength of our
feelings, or the vigor of our measures. Then
let the effect of the awful tragedy of which our
College has been the scene, and Of the difficult
ties under which it labors, be to make you but
the warmer and hrmsr in your support. 1t is a
great Institution-one in which the State of Vir-
ginia and the cause of Education has large in
terest. Its illusrious founder ranked its pateni-
ty along with the Authorship of the Declaration
OF independence, and boosted no prouder name
than that Of EtFathGr Of the University OF Vir-
GINA" We commit the whole subject to the
calm judgment of dispassionate public
DERAGEETOIEG.S