The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-10-10
MISCELLANEOUS.
General Lee.
HIS INSTALLATION AS PRESIDENT OF WASH
INGTON COLLEGE.

HIS INSTALLATION AS PRESIDENT OF WASH
INGToN COLLEGE.
LEXINGTON, VA, Oct. I'd, 1865 General
Robert E. Lee was to-day installed President
of Washington College. There was no pomp
of parade. The exercises of installation were
the simplest possible-an exact and barren
compliance with the required formula of taking
the oath by the new President, and nothing
more. This was in accordance with the spe-
cial request of General Lee. 1t was proposed
to have the installation take place in the col
lege chapel to send invitations far and wide,
to have band of music to play enlivening
airs, to have young girls robed in white and
bearing chapets of flowers, to sing songs OF
welcome to have congratulatory speeches. to
make it a grand holiday. That this pro-
posed programme was not carried out was a
source of severe disappointment to many.
But General Lee had expressed his wishes
contrary to the choice and determination of
the college trustees and the multitude, and his
wishes We're complied with.
The installation took place at nine A. NJ. in
a recitation room of the college In this room
were seated the faculty and the students, the
ministers Of the town churches, magistrate
and the county clerk, the last two officials be-
Vi
Lee was indicted into the room by the Board
of Trustees. At his entrance an introduction
all in the room rose, bowed and then became
seated Prayer by Rev DR.. White, pastor of
the Presbyterian church, directly followed. To
me it was a noticeable fact, and perhaps wor-
thy Of record, that he prayed for the President
iof the United States Altogether it was d
most fitting and impressive prayer.
The prayer ended, Judge Brockenbrough,
chairman of the Board of Trustees, stated the
object Of their coming together, to install ,Gener-
al Lee as President of Washington College
He felt the serious dignity of the occasion but
it was seriousness and a dignity that should
be mingled with heart felt joy and gladness
Passing brief eulogy upon General Lee, and
congratulating the board and college, and its
present and future students, on having obtain
ed one SO loved and great and worthy to pre-
side over the college, he said he could say
great deal more, had it not been voted against
speech making, During the delivery of these
few words-and they came, despite the pro-
hibitory voting near eliminating to the digni-
ty of seat as well as eloquent speech.
General Lee remained standing, his arms
quietly folded and calmly and steadfastly look
ing into the eyes of the speaker Justice
William White, at the instance of Judge
Brockenbrough, now administered the oath of
Office to General Lee For the benefit of
those curious to know the nature of this new
oath to which General Lee has just subscribed
and as it is brief I give it entire It is as
follows
| do now swear that | will, to the best of
my skill and judgment, faithfully and truly
discharge the duties required of me by an act
entitled An act for Incorporating the rector
and trustees of Liberty Hall Academy" with
out favor, affection or partiality So help me
God.
To this oath General Lee at once affixed his
signature, with the accompanying usual jurat
Of the swearing magistrate appended Those
inquisitive enough to seek further light than
that revealed in the copied oath can look at
the act therein referred to, and, when found,
make note of it, The document in the form
stated was handed to the County Clerk for safe
and perpetual custodianship, and at the same
time the keys Of the college were given by the
Rector into the keeping of the new President.
A congratulatory shaking of hands followed,
and wound up the days brief but pleasing,
impressive and memorable ceremonial Pre-
sident Lee and those of the trustees present
with the faculty, now passed into the room
set apart for the formers use-a good sized
room, newly but very plainly and tastefully
furnished.
General Lee was dressed in plain but ele-
CANT suit of gray His appearance indicated
the enjoyment of good health-better, should
say, than when he surrendered his army at
Appomattox Court House, the first and only
occasion before the present of my having seen
him. His looks and bearing have been often
and infinitely described, and will not dwell
upon them here. Most pictures of him on
exhibition come up to the average of fidelity
of this class of likeness.