Thomas Jefferson Papers

Enclosure: Commission Appointing Central College’s Board of Visitors, 18 October 1816

Enclosure

Commission Appointing Central College’s Board of Visitors

Virginia, to wit:—

Whereas, by an Act of the General Assembly, Passed the 14h day of February 1816, intitled, “An act for establishing a College in the County of Albemarle,” it is made the duty of the Governor for the time being, as Patron of the said College, to appoint Visitors thereof—Therefore, I, Wilson C. Nicholas, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, do, in pursuance of the authority vested in me by the said Act, hereby constitute and appoint, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe David Watson (of Louisa) General John H. Cocke and Joseph C. Cabell, Visitors of the said College, with all the powers vested in the office of Visitor by the Act of the General Assembly aforesaid—And you are hereby authorised to proceed in the execution of the said office according to law.—

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name as Governor aforesaid, this eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.

W. C. Nicholas

MS (DLC); TJ’s copy; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Nicholas. MS (ViU: JCC); Cabell’s copy; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Nicholas; conjoined with covering letter similar to that received by TJ; addressed: “Joseph C. Cabell, Esq Nelson”; with endorsement by Cabell reading, in part, “appointing me Visitor of the Central College.” MS (ViU: JHC); Cocke’s copy; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Nicholas; conjoined with covering letter similar to that received by TJ; at foot of cover letter: “Genl John H. Cocke Fluvanna”; with endorsement by Cocke reading “Commission as Visitor of the Central College.” MS (DLC: Madison Papers); Madison’s copy; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Nicholas; conjoined with covering letter similar to that received by TJ; addressed: “James Madison, Esq President of the U. States. Washington City”; with endorsement by Madison reading, in part, “Feby 14. 1816.” MS (NN: Monroe Papers); Monroe’s copy; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Nicholas; conjoined with covering letter similar to that received by TJ; addressed: “James Monroe, Esq Secr’y of State Washington City”; with endorsement by Monroe reading, in part, “accademy.”

Index Entries

  • An Act for establishing a College in the county of Albemarle (1816) search
  • Cabell, Joseph Carrington; appointed to Central College Board of Visitors search
  • Central College, Board of Visitors; members of search
  • Central College; establishment of search
  • Cocke, John Hartwell; appointed to Central College Board of Visitors search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Public Service; appointed to Central College Board of Visitors search
  • Madison, James (1751–1836); appointed to Central College Board of Visitors search
  • Monroe, James; appointed to Central College Board of Visitors search
  • Nicholas, Wilson Cary (1761–1820); and Central College search
  • Virginia; General Assembly search
  • Watson, David (1773–1830); appointed to Central College Board of Visitors search