James Madison Papers
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Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, 17 July 1827

Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia

Tuesday. July 17. [1827]

The board met, present the same as yesterday.

A letter was received and read from Professor Emmet, on the subject of the chemical laboratory. The reading of the minutes of the Faculty was resumed.

Professor Bonnycastle was admitted to a conference on the subject of the schools of Mathematics and of Natural Philosophy.

Resolved that hereafter, there shall be a standing committee of the Visitors, to be appointed on the first day of every meeting, whose duty it shall be to examine and report to the board, the state and condition of the Library, the Philosophical and chemical apparatus, the Surgical instruments and anatomical preparations, the collections in Natural History, the donation under the will of Mr Jefferson, and the buildings, enclosures, water works, grounds & other property of the University.

Resolved that hereafter, in the school of Mathematics, in addition to what is now required by the enactments, there shall be taught the application of Mathematics to Natural Philosophy; and in the school of Natural Philosophy, shall be taught the application of Physical science to the arts. The board, however, reserves the right of prescribing more accurate limits to this assignment of duty, and of otherwise modelling it, or repealing it, as may be found expedient.

Resolved that Charles Bonnycastle, the professor of Natural Philosophy, be transferred to the chair of Mathematics, vacated by the resignation of Professor Key: provided that such transfer shall in no manner affect the contract entered into between the said Bonnycastle and the University, through their agent Francis W. Gilmer, otherwise than by substituting for the duties required of the professor of Natural Philosophy, those required of the Professor of Mathematics.

The Secretary is requested to communicate the two foregoing resolutions to professor Bonnycastle.

The board then adjourned to tomorrow.

MS (ViU: Special Collections).

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