The Writings of Thomas Jefferson (Volume 19 ) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1903. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... INTRODUCTORY NOTES. It will be readily admitted, after due examination, that the "Minutes" of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, under the rectorship of its father and founder, Thomas Jefferson, are far more interesting than the mere reports of similar business meetings. They contain an account of the actual growth of that famous institution, --the practical suggestions for the erection of the buildings, the plans and organization for the various academic departments, the adoption of educational theories and innovations and, in short, the establishment of a centre of learning as fulfilled to-day in the University of Virginia, This fulfillment had been the heart's desire of its founder for many years before his death, and he wished to have its accomplishment engraved in the epitaph on his tombstone, together with the record of his services as the author of the Declaration of Independence and the Statute for Religious Freedom in Virginia. Associated with Jefferson on the Board of Visitors were James Madison, James Monroe, Joseph C. Cabell, James Breckenridge, David Watson and J. H. Cocke. All of them were intensely interested in the erection of a State University along the lines conceived by Jefferson. Joseph C. Cabell, then a member of the Virginia Senate, was especially enthusiastic and supported in the legislature what Jefferson planned in the privacy of his study. It was due to the tireless efforts of Cabell, stimulated by Jefferson, that the State government ultimately expended $300,000 for the construction of the University and appropriated 813,000 a year toward its maintenance. The correspondence between Jefferson and Cabell on the subject of the early history of the University of Virginia was published in an octavo volume in 1856, and is n...