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Address to Board of Trustees (with X on p. 11 to mark where Vassar stopped reading), 23 Jun 1868
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
June 23, 1868
Text
To the Honorable Board of Trustees of Vassar College Assembled at the Institution June 23rd, 1868 Gentlemen. Some 3 years has now elapsed since the first opening of your College for the admission of Pupils, and the workings, doings & fruits of which it is unneccary[unnecessary] for me to particulise[particularize] as your President, Treasuer[sic], Sectary[Secretary] & Register Reports will be submitted [to] you for examination & afford you all the neccessary[sic] information,...
Show moreTo the Honorable Board of Trustees of Vassar College Assembled at the Institution June 23rd, 1868 Gentlemen. Some 3 years has now elapsed since the first opening of your College for the admission of Pupils, and the workings, doings & fruits of which it is unneccary[unnecessary] for me to particulise[particularize] as your President, Treasuer[sic], Sectary[Secretary] & Register Reports will be submitted [to] you for examination & afford you all the neccessary[sic] information, especialy[sic] that of the Treasuer[sic] from which you will learn the condition of your funds and then be able to decide upon future expenditures outlays etc. I will therefore confine my remarks chiefly to two topics - [vis.] The running yearly expenses of the College, and its receipts, and Incomes, and ask your patient indulgence & attention for the purpose of understanding our true financial condition & ascertaining wether[sic] the College as a whole is sustaining itself or in other words paying its way, and if not, what are the remidy’s[remedies], and what changes can be made to swell or increase its Income.For its seems neccesary[sic] that unless the College can command an Increased buisness[sic] patronage and at avanced[sic] prices for Tuition or the running Expenses reduced a further loan on our property must ineviatebly[inevitably] occur. The present Indebteness[sic] is some $125,000, say $45,000 by Bond & Mortgage and about $35,000 Balance of Floating Debt, yet considering the times through which we have passed with our inexperience in Female Educational College enterprises, it is not very extraordinay[extraordinary] or alarming, being only about 1/5 of the valuation of our property, yet the day will soon come when new outlays will be needed for Furniture & repairs etc and therefore one of two things must happen, either to reduce our outgoes, or advance our Incomes, as it is self evident that the College as a whole is thus far not self sustaining, and it is left to your judgement & discretion to apply the remidy’s[remedies] From past experience & observation it is very certain that an Institution like “Vassar College cannot be succesfully[sic] long conducted on the principle of pure voluntary services, however ably & liberally confered[sic] in the beginning, experience has proved, that continued monotomy[monotony] renders these services in time inconvienant[sic] and often irksome resulting in the nonattendance to the meeting of the Boards, and as a consequence a want of information of its internal workings, only partialy[sic] discharged, I would therefore recommend the appointment of a midde[sic] man & paid officer in or out of the officialty[sic] of the College, whose special duties it should be to fill up such business delinquencys[sic] deficientcys[deficiencies] and to superintend all other buisness[sic] matters which the official committes[sic] cannot, or do not discharge, but subject of course to thier[sic] instructions, & that officer be paid for his services, and there[their] duties should be to attend to all maters of an litterary[sic] character, [vis], to Invite public Lectures, Report thier[sic] addresses, orso much of them as the Executive Committe[sic] may approve and direct, to be published in such Journals of the day as they may advise. Also to Invite the different denominational Clergymen of Po’Keepsie etc to Preach in the College Chapel with permission to publish such discourses or portions thereof & pay if necceasy[necessary] a reasonable compensation for such sermons or addresses, as may be calculated to promote the interest & reputation of the College. That some such gentlemen officer might also be appointed the Librarian, and attend to all matters not delegated to other officials, # to be known as the Reporter of the College.I next in order call your attention to the Astronomical Department, and ask wether[sic] that is self sustaining or doing the amount of work as at first anticipated, if not, how it can be invigorated and made more useful, and wether[sic] the present incumbent Miss Mitchell could not aid in other instructive departments without inconvienance[sic], but if not, I am nevertheless persuaded that her services had best be retained. Her reputation as an astromer[astronomer] alone is worth to your College all you pay her & her Father, besides the College has already had some large draught on its Litterary[sic] Capitol and any further disbursements in that line may materialy[sic] effect its Interest, as we have no surplus interlectual[sic] popularity to spare. besides it is worthy of consideration wether[sic] the application of the ancient Motto would not apply to us, to wit “He that is not for us is against us.”I would also remark, that whereas your Treasuer[sic] has often intimated his wish to be relieved from a part at least of so close attention to the labors of his office thus far so grattuitious[gratuitous] bestowed, and the Executive Committe[sic] considering the reasonableness of his request immediatially[immediately] provided for his relief by the appointment of a Treasuer[sic] pro. tem John N. Schon as his assistant, and now I do hope that he will reconsider such determination especialy[sic] in view of his uncle’s, the Founder’s, advanced age & physical inabilities to render any material aid to your Institution. I would further call your attention to the consideration and policy of taking Pupils applying for admission to the College from the City and vicinity of Poughkeepsie living with their Parents or Boarding with thier[sic] Friends to be taken from the College and returned to thier[sic] respective homes Daily, by the College conveyances etc I would note more refer you to the subject which I have heretofore alluded, [vis] The erection of a low Glas[sic] structure for Hot Bed orHouse, East off and Midway of the College Building for the purpose of the culture of Exotic & Botannical[sic] Plants & finest specimens of Florals for the purpose of Instruction to such of the Pupils requiring the same & studying Botany etc. A simple Glas[sic] structure ordinarily termed a hot Bed could be erected at comparative small expense and kept at a proper temparature[sic] by the waste heat of the Tunnel leading from the Steam & Gass[sic] houses to the College, which I am authorised to say can be Leased to responsable[sic] partys[sic] @ 10 per cent on its cost.The Ladies of the College are expending much money and time going to and from the College to procure from other Gardeners & Florist these decorative and Instructive specimens in the Floral Art costing at least $1500 yearly. I would therefore reccommend[sic] the erection the present summer this Hot House. While speaking on the subject of Improvements we have the gratifying evidence of a benevolent Interest being manifested in our College Cabinet of Natural History, especialy[sic] in that on Ornithology. The room set apart to receive the Gifts by our friend and Benefactor Mr. Giraud, is already crowded while his liberaltiy[sic] seems unabated, therefore it would be well to take into early consideration how and in what manner other apartments for Cabinets of Zoology, and Ornithology, may be contructed[constructed] and here I would observe that instead of erecting a separate Building for them, wether it would not be better to take one wing of the College for this purpose now occupied by the Professors, and make or convert thier[sic] apartments into Cabinet Halls, Lecture Rooms etc, andBuild two independant[sic] Professor houses on the new College Avenue proposed to be opened opposite the Gate Lodge I accompany these suggestions with a Draught of such avenue with a ketch[sketch] of the Cottages which you will please to examine. Altho’[although] I may be somewhat deviating from my purpose suggested at the opening of these remarks, I would nevertheless briefly call your attention to one more subject which I regard quite important, and which has occasioned me much thought & anxiety. You remember Gentlemen, that at the commencement of the College Enterprise I addressed to you several reasons why I located and selected its cite[site] so distant from the city, and one of the reasons I mentioned at the time was for its Retirement & quietude, but this quietude is now likely to be disturbed unless some action is taken by you soon to prevent it, I rifer to the continuation of the new Avenue now in process of opening by other partys[sic]
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Address to Board of Trustees, draft, 25 Jun 1867
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
June 25, 1867
Text
Respected friends The second Collegiate year of your Institution has passed with all its attending varied circumstances & incidents, among them are some worthy of your especial & devout consideration and gratitude to Almighty God for his great goodness and merciful protection over us - no sickness or death to my knowledge has occured[sic] in our numerious[sic] circle since its first organization in 1860, nor any changes in your official memberships, or other matters, save in the legal...
Show moreRespected friends The second Collegiate year of your Institution has passed with all its attending varied circumstances & incidents, among them are some worthy of your especial & devout consideration and gratitude to Almighty God for his great goodness and merciful protection over us - no sickness or death to my knowledge has occured[sic] in our numerious[sic] circle since its first organization in 1860, nor any changes in your official memberships, or other matters, save in the legal total of your College, which by our act of the Legislature last winter, the middle word Female was stricken out, your Institution is now and will henceforth be known & distinguished as “Vassar College” Po’keepsie[Poughkeepsie]. We are indebted to Mrs. Sarah J. Hale of Phi’a[Philadelphia] for the first suggestion of this change, and would now advise that the middle marble Slab with the word, Female be taken out of the Front of the Building. Since your last Annual Meeting, the the Riding School and Gymnasium Buildings has[have] been completed and is doubtless the finest and best fitted establishment of the Kind in this Country. It is 156 feet long & 130 feet wide, covered with Tin & Slate built of Brick with Blue stone trimmings. It contains a music hall 30 x 52[,] a Gymnastic hall 81 x 30[,] a bowling alley (unfinished) 82 x 30 and apartments for the accommodation of several familys[sic] - a carpenter and joiner shops, stalls and slatting for some 20 to 25 horses, [Journy] closets etc etc[.] Baron Von Seldeneck has charge of the Riding department and Miss E. M. Powell a Lady of distinguished merit in Gymnastic Exercises, in the Instruction of that healthy art who recommends to your considerations some improvements, but perhaps I had better read a note from her received a day or two since in answer to some enquiry made by me concerning the Gymnasium [etc etc B. Nole]. Among other Physical Exercises the subject of Public Dancing is occupying much (over)attention in the Christian Community and much is being written pro and con on the Question. The latest are[is an] [“]Essay delivered at the International Convention of Young Mens Christian Association” held in Albany last June by Rev[erend] Martin R. Vincent[,] Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church of Troy, and a reply thereto by the Rev[erend[ E. R. Keyes[,] Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church [of] Po’Keepsie[Poughkeepsie] on the “Incompatibility of amusements with Christian Life,” both being able papers I present them for your reading & consideration. I had however years proven made w/o[without] my judgement on the Questions and decided favorably on the subject altho’[although] I never pratic’d[practiced] Dancing in my Life, yet in view of also being a Gracefull[sic] healthy yGymnastic Exercise I heartly[sic] recommend in being taught in the College to all such whose Parents or Guardians desire its inhibition to their Daughters. The gross cost of this Gymnasium Building with all its appurtences[appurtenances] is some $66,000 nd[and] notwithstanding in large cost & outfit its income from the receipts of pupils from these physical exercises will more than pay the interest on the investment. I would recommend the creation of some additional finish on the Center front of the Building to break the long sweep of the heavy cornish, also Lightning Rods, also the erection of a [few] Sheds for protection of Coal etc, as much loss in occasionaly[sic] for want of these protections from Snow & Rains. [I] Would also advise the Construction of a Dam at the junction of the Streams South East of the College Buildings for the purpose of erecting Bathing Houses, besides as an ornament to the Grounds, and the planting of Willow Trees around it to screen the Bath House from public eyes. The first year trial of your College was rather experimental, and in common with all new schemes, [&] necessaraly[sic] undefined & indefinite, subsequent practice has demonstrated actual verities that in the main we were right, and now that all doubts of its future success has been removed our bark may again venture upon the sea of ordinary upheaving and frictions off interlects[sic] incident to the elements of mental voyages. First, with regard to the interior official management of your College it is not my special province to speak, these matters will be laid before you under their proper heads. In those that pertains to the Exterior[,] conducment perhaps it would be well to examine more in detail. First, considerable expenditure has and must continualy[sic] occur in this department, but wether[sic] there is not room for retrenchments & yet progressive improvements is for you honorable body to consider and decide. I make these suggestions in order that some permanent system of opperation[sic] may be adopted to guideyour superintendant[sic], I fear the interest of your College has suffered for want of System. I suggest also wether[sic] it would not be wise to have your Agent live in the College in order that he could have a constant eye and supervision over all its affairs pertaining to its exterior management, the lack of his presence cannot fully be estimated, as the old proverb has it that the “eye of the master is worth two Servants[‘],” much money would be saved by it from the often wrong doing by unskillfull[sic] opperatives[sic] of the commonest kind of work, planting Trees, Shrubbery, grading of avenues, walks etc and which is unavoidable without the supervissing[sic] eye of your over-seer & especialy[sic] in the Kitchen department. But I much questions policy, as cheaper and better accommodation can be attained by the erection of a Building in the rear of the College as its accompaning[accompanying] sketch and afford Lodging apartments for all your Domestics & they always near to their work. We can [have] them occupy their retired apartments for the Pupils, affording accommodation for 400 comfortably, and then raise your standard price of Instruction to $500. The more I reflect on this subject the more I am sattisfied[sic] of its policy. I made my propety by this rule, doing things well and changing accordingly - they almost the whole community are speaking of your very [con being], and almost courting an advance in connextion[connection] with this advance I would make more special provisions for Benificiary[sic] Students and this provide for the continguous[sic] more largely. Why Gentlemen your terms are below the average price of other seminarys[sic] of learning in this city & greatly so in those of other cities. It has been suggested by your chairman Doct[or] Bishop, that an enlargement be made to the Dinning[sic] Hall, and also some additional Lodging apartments for 50 more pupils and that this enlargement be made by adding the rear hall at the east of the Dinning[sic] room, and for the additional Lodging apartments either part of Allick over the Chapel or finish off some [of] the vacant portion of the basement for Lodging rooms for the Domestics - either of which plans would not be expensive & afford great conveinance[convenience]. As physical health is more or less indebted to physical vigor, I recommend progression in this department by the erection on the College grounds a few simple Swings on cross frame works located on the Lawn north of the College Building, for while we are expending so liberaly[sic] for the mental mind I would urge the importance of doing still more than we have, for the well being of the physical man, by the reception of a Building for special training in the science of the Culinary Artwhere all the pupils with the consent of their Parents or guardians may be instructed how to make a pudding, boil an Egg, Cook a potatoe[sic], prepar[sic] a Dinner, make a Beef and arrange in a proper manner the furniture in rooms with beaming taste - simple as these suggestions may appear to some minds they are the fruits of long thought and observations that there is nothing more needed than harmony order & fitness of things in domestic economy life, and without such provisions all is discord & confusion like old “Hogarth[‘]s” burlesque drawings in grouping perspectives etc. I would now call your attention to the suggestion & recommendation of your Ex[ecutive] Committe[sic] that a full story of your College and your Founder has been publish’d by your associate Trustee, Benson J. Lossing, Esq and, and I present you Gentlemen each with a copy. The importance of this history can only be examined by the character & duration of the Institution - without it Antiquarians will seek in vain for its history after our bodys[sic] are consigned to the dust.unless some thing memorial is written. In connexion[connection] with the same idea a statue of its Founder has been suggested, altho’[although] the delicacy of the subject admonish[es] my silence, I would no bring it to your notice now only to redeem my promise to Mrs. Hofmann an engenous[ingenious] artist of this city who has executed a model in Plaster of your humble Servant, with the intention of having it executed in March and proposes further more to construct a model in clay for an Iron or Bronse[sic] Stature at her own cost and risk of not approved by a Committe[sic] of your own appointment and if so approved, the terms for the work to be settled between them & her, but as I intimated above, the delicacy of the subject forbids my urging it on your consideration, but should you decide favorably the Founder would advance the means to the cost & erection of the same by receiving B&M on the College property. It is proposed to erect the Statue on the Center Circle opposite the front entrance I herewith hand you a rought[rough] drawing of the samewith a proposed colonnade or what in French parlance call’d “Pork-Cooker” the latter would be both an ornament and comfort to visitors in times of sudden rains or hot and cold weather. While making these improvements I would reccommend[sic] the painting of the Cluster of Farm Buildings, House Mill, Barnes[sic] etc and the adding a wide cornish to the Mill Building, in keeping with the Ice House building, and while washing the Callers. Also the putting up of Lightning Rods on the above Buildings & those of the Gymnasium & Riding School, and the erection of sheds for the College fuel on the sides of the embankment. Also the Bridging of the Pond at the point of Rocks on the East boundary line with the pickett[sic] wood black painted fence & making a path-way to Plank Road Since our last Annual Meeting an increased public favor & popularity in our own & other Countrys[sic] to the credit and honor of your Institution has been widely demonstrated. Letter from distinguished Individuals in science & Literature has been received bareing[sic] ample testimony to those feats and I would here call your attention or notice to one, a Gentlemen[sic] Amateur ornithologist in this vicinity, a comparative stranger, & I believe to most of our faculty, have out of his benificient[sic] heart given to the College a collection of Birds etc surpassed by any Cabinet in this Country with the Glass bases, and is now giving his personal time & attention in filling them upon your College and for this generous Gift I recommend your Board to pass suitable Ressolutions[sic] of thanks and place them in his hands & on the files of the Archives of the College. Thier[sic] value are at least $5000 This Gentlemen[‘]s Name is G. P. Giraud and who has also been instrumental of procuring from other parties further donation to this Cabinett[sic]. Refering[sic] again to the financial affairs of the College, I reccommend[sic] the setting apart a Fund for the express purpose of paying the contingent running expenses of of repairs Buildings, Grounds and the interest of which fund only to be use. In closing these remarks I would here say, that I do not contemplate all the suggestions herein made to be literaly[sic] executed at once but by degrees or circumstances may from Time to time warrant, yet I do hope the College net income may be such as to justify thier[sic] being done soon & even then my purposes & places will not all be completed. Progress is my watchword Refering[sic] again to the Office department of your College I would recommend the appointment of a sub-Clerk as an assistant to your Treasurer & present Book Keeper Mr. Schoe, the former feeling his duties too arduous & confining, bored by long experience has taught me in buisness[business[ pursuits, aways[always[ to have more than one string to your bow.Your Treasurer M. Vassar Jr. will lay before you a report on the Financial Condition of the College prospects etc. Your Sect[Secretary] C. Swan will afford you in his statement the general condition of the material outside matters, [best] embraced in the efficient account kept by Mr. Scoe & his assistants in the most satisfactory manner. I close these remnants with the request that they be filled with my former address on the archives of the College. I only add, that I would reccommend[sic] that our annual meeting hereafter be held on the Commencement Week of the College MV Now Gentlemen, having given you a brief statement of the generalities of the materials or outside matters of your Collage[sic] affairs, I wish I could close my remarks here, but Gentlemen there has been some occurances[sic] transpired within the past year among your Faculty & Proffesors[sic] which I would not now allude had they not been forced upon my consideration. I allude to the “Resignation” of Prof[essor] Knapp, an event as sudden as it was unexpected, and perhaps just such a one of those cases incident to College history, which in not easly[easily] prevented or provided for. It seems that some disagreement with Prof[essor] Knapp has occured[sic] between the President & Lady Principal as to the extent of thier[sic] official derogations, which has been the occasion of some misunderstanding and consequently unpleasant feelings; while Prof Knapp has discharg’d[discharged] his dutys[sic] with remarkable ability, zeal & industry, securingto his credit the favor & love of all his all his all his classes, there seems to have been some element of discord to have cramped & retarded his efforts of which he complains, and has in consequence tender’d his resignation to yr[your] Ex[ecutive] Committe[sic] This gentlemen is a delicate & difficult subject to be dealt with, but is one which must be and with discretion & promptliness[promptness] as the remedy now applied will be a precedent for your or your successors future guidance, in all after time. I hope the Board will give it all the consideration the subject demands, after obtaining hence the parties all the facts the case and do all in your power to remove the causes for his Resignation & retain him if possible. One word more before I close this address, and that is, I have to request of this [here] Board of Trustees, that they respectfully furnish the College at their own expense M Vassar’s Address June 25 1867 a half size Portrait of themselves which I shall regard as a great compliment and respond to it by a written note & have them hung up in the Gallery of Fine Arts in the College that future generations may know who my dignified friends were that I call’d to my assistance around me when I commenced this great educational work for woman. MV
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Address to Board of Trustees, draft, 23 Jun 1868
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
June 23, 1868
Text
To the Honorable Board of Trustees of Vassar College Assembled at the Institution June 25th 1868. Gentlemen. Some 3 years has now elapsed since the first opening of your College for the admission of Pupils, and the workings, doings & fruits of which it is unneccary[unnecessary] for me to particulise as your President, Treauser[sic], Sectary[Secretary] & Register Reports will be submitted you for examination & afford you all the neccessary[sic] information, especialy[sic] that of...
Show moreTo the Honorable Board of Trustees of Vassar College Assembled at the Institution June 25th 1868. Gentlemen. Some 3 years has now elapsed since the first opening of your College for the admission of Pupils, and the workings, doings & fruits of which it is unneccary[unnecessary] for me to particulise as your President, Treauser[sic], Sectary[Secretary] & Register Reports will be submitted you for examination & afford you all the neccessary[sic] information, especialy[sic] that of the Treasuer[sic] from which you will learn the condition of your fund, and then be able to decide upon future expenditures outlays etc. I will therefore confine my remarks chiefly to two topics. in The running yearly expenses of the College, and its receipts, and Incomes, and ask your patient indulgence & attention for the purpose of understanding our true financial condition & ascertaining wether[sic] the College as a whole is sustaining itself or in other words paying its way, and if not, what are the remidy’s[remedies], and what changes can be much to swell or increase its Income.For its seems necccesary[sic] that unless the College can command on Increased buisness patronage and at avanced[sic] prices for Tuition or the running Expenses reduced a further loan on our property must ineviatably[sic] occur. The present indebteness[sic] is some $125,000 - say $45,000 by Band & Mortgage and about $35,000 Ballance[sic] of Floating Debt, yet considering the times through which we have passed with our inexperience in Female Educational College enterprises, it is not very extraordinary or alarming, being only about 1/5 of the valuation of our property, yet the day will soon come when new outlays will be needed for Furniture & repairs etc and therefore one of two things must happen, either to reduce our outgoes, or advance our Incomes, as it is self evident that the College as a whole is thus for not self sustaining, and it is left to your judgement & discretion to apply the remidy’s[remedies] From past experience & observation it is very certain that an Institution like “Vassar College” cannot be successfully long conducted on the principle of pure voluntary services, however ably & liberally confered[sic] in the beginning, experience has proved that continued monotomy [sic] renders these services in time inconvienent[sic] and often irksome resulting in the nonattendance to the meeting, of the Boards, and as a consequence a want of information of its internal workings, only partially discharged, I would therefore reccommend[sic] the appointment of a middle man & paid officer in or out of the officialty of the College whose special duties it should be to fill up such buisness[sic] delinquencys[sic] deficientcys[sic] and to superintend all other buisness[sic] matters which the official committee cannot, or do not discharge, but subject of course to thier[sic] instructions, & that officer be paid for his services, and these duties should be to attend to all matters of unlittering character in, to Invite humble Lectures, Report thier[sic] addresses, orso much of them as the Executive Committe[sic] may approve and direct, to be published in such Journals of the day as they may advise. Also to Invite the different denominational Clergymen of Po’Keepsie[Poughkeepsie] to Preach in the College Chapel with permission to publish such discourses or portions thereof & pay if necceasy[necessary] a reasonable compensation for such sermons or addresses, as may be calculated to promote the interest & reputation of the College. That some such gentlemen officer might also be appointed the Librarian, and attend to all mailing not delegated to other officials, to be known as the Reporter of the College.I would next in order call your attention to the Astronomical Department and ask wether[sic] that is self sustaining or doing the amount of work as first anticipated, if not, how it can be invigorated and made more useful, and wether the present incumbent Miss Mitchell could not aid in other instructive departments without inconvience[inconvenience], but if not, I am nevertheless persuaded that her services had best be retained. Her reputation as an Astromer[astronomer] alone is worth to your College all you pay for her & her Father, besides the College has already had some large draughts on its Litterary[sic] Capitol, and any further disbursements in that line may materialy[sic] effect[affect] interest, as we have no surplus interlectual[intellectual] popularity to spare. Besides it is worthy of consideration wether[sic] the application of the ancient motto would not apply to us to wit “He that is not for us is against us.”I would also remark that whereas your Treasuer[sic] has often intimated his wish to be relieved from a port at least of so close attention to the labors of his office thus far so grattuitusly[sic] bestowed, and the Executive Committe[sic] considering the reasonableness of his request immediatially[immediately] provided for his relief by the appointment of a Treasurer pro team John N. Schon as his assistant, and now I do hope that he will reconsider such determination especialy[sic] in view of his uncle, the Founder’s, advanced age, & physical inabilities to render any material aid to your Institution.I would further call your attention to the consideration and policy of taking Pupils applying for admission to the College froth city and vicinity of Poughkeepsie living with their Parents or Boarding with thier[sic] Friends to be taken from the College and returned to thier[sic] respective homes Daily or by the College conveyance etc. I would once more refer you to the subject which I have heretofore alluded, sir. The erection of a low Glas[sic] structure for a Hot-Bed or House, East off[of] and midway of the College Building for the purpose of the culture of Exotic & Botanical Plants & finest specimens of Florals for the purpose of Instruction such of the Pupils requiring the same & studying Botany etc. A simple Glas[sic] structure ordinarilly[sic] termed a hot Bed could be erected at camparative small expense and kept at a proper temparature[sic] by the waste heat of the Tunnel leading from the Steam & Gass houses to the College, which I am authorized to say can be Leased to responsible parties @ 10 per cent of its cost. The Ladies of the College are expending much money and time going to and from the College to procure from other Gardeners & Florist the redecoration and Instructive specimen in the floral Art costing at least $1500 yearly & would therefore reccommend[sic] the erection the present summer this Hot House. While speaking in the subject of Improvements We have the gratifying evidence of a benevolent interest being manipulated in our College Cabinets of natural History, especialy[sic] in that on Ornithology. The room set apart to receive the Gifts by our friend and Benefactor Mr. gird, is already crowded, while his liberaltiy[sic] seems unabated, therefore it would be well to take into early consideration how and in what manner other apartment for Cabinets of zoology, and Ornithology, may be contracted adhere I would observe that instead of erecting a seperate[sic] Building for them, wether[sic] it would not be better take one wing of the College for this purpose now occupied by the Professors, and make or convert thier[sic] apartments into Cabinet Halls, Lecture Rooms etc, andBuild two independant[sic] Professor houses on the new College Avenue proposed to be opened opposite the Gate Lodge. I accompany these suggestions with a Draught of such avenue with a Ketch[sketch] of the Cottages which you will be please to examine. Altho’ I may be somewhat deviating from my purpose suggested at the opening of these remarks, I would nevertheless briefly call your attention to one more subject which I regard quite important, and which has occasioned me much thought & anxiety. You remember Gentlemen, that at the commencement of the College Enterprise I addressed to you several reasons why I located and selected its cite[site] so distant from the city, and one of the reasons I mentioned at the time was for its retirement & quietude, but this quietude is now likely to be disturbed under some action is taken by you soon. To prevent it, I refer to the continuation of the new Avenue now in process of opening by other partys[sic]throught[sic] the North side of the College Grounds, west of the Filkins Road, and which Avenue is far advanced, and the Partys[sic] are only waiting the legal sanction of the Town Commissioners to continue it in a strait[sic] Line Eastward, crossing the Filkins Road aforesaid without ultimate intention of running it to Manchester. This project would cut off a portion of your ?Lands and particular the hight[high] Hill or Rock Bluff were[where] I purposed other improvements for the use of the College, but should thier[sic] Road be laid throught[sic] on the South side of the Hill or Rock Bluff, would defeat this object. However, Gentlemen, this is a matter for your consideration, and I leave it in your hands. I renew Gentlemen my wishes heretofore intimated & expressed about the erection of a Building upon some convienant[sic] part of the College Grounds for the purpose of Instructing Pupils attending College where Parents or thier[sic] Guardians desire & approve of the same an Importation of a thorough Knowledge of Domestic Economy, and that provisions be made in the Edifice with all the modern apparatus for the full instruction of that science, so that the pupils may not only be prepared Theoretically, but Practically, and thus be qualified to gaurd[sic] against imposition so often practic’d upon novice Housekeepers by servants in thier[sic] Employ. I consider Gentlemen this Knowledge one of the most important for your pupils to posses, and its truthfullness[sic] will be so verefied[sic] and regarded in due time. I therefore, repeat my earnest wishes that suitable structure may be erected or other arrangement, made as part of the curriculum of the College to such of the Pupils Through their Parents as may desire it. One more topic which I would wish to call your attention and upon which I would offer a few suggestions. That is to establish a regular system of Education for Women, peculiarly adapted to the fitness or wants of Woman life, similar to those in the universities for Young Men, and appoint a Committe[sic] of Lady’s[Ladies] whose duty it should be to to organise & define the course of Education for women, and I have thought the suggestion would be best carried out by inviting experienced well known Lady Educators outside of the College, to coopperate[sic] with the experience which your Faculty must have attained by this time, and thus establish a regular Curriculium[sic] Course for the future, which would be Known as having emanated from “Vassar College” and do but Repeat my wishes of 1865. But Gentlemen I do not pretend to understand much about Classical Education and only offer these brief suggestions, as suggestions to your more elaborate consideration, and hope you will give them such attention as you may think the subject demands, for your future but not present action for it is quite certain that if we only follow on inthe old beaten paths, we make no progress, we do more than others have done before us, we are only copyist and not progressionist, my motto is progress. Lastly Gentlemen, I would suggest for your early consideration the expedientcy of establishing a more frequent & reguliar[sic] communication to and from the College than at present exist, and with Lighter Carriages similiar[sic] those running on the Hyde Park Road, and to be entirely under your own control, such an arrangement can be economicaly[sic] made with Baron Von Seldenick, he having Horses, and some light conveying stabling etc already and would be a great convienance[sic] & saving to all visiting or going to the College. The Baron will report to you more particular about details etc And now Gentlemen in closing these remarks I would humbly & solemly[sic] implore the Divine Goodness to continue his smiles & favors on your Institution and bestow upon all hearts connected therewith his love & blessings, having peculiarly protected us by his Providence through all our College trials for Three consecutive years without a single death in our Board, or serious illness or death of our Pupils within its Walls. Wishing you Gentlemen a continuance of health & happiness I bid you a cordial and final farewell, thanking you kindly for your official attention and services not expecting from my advanced years and increasing infirmities to meet with you officialy[sic] again & imploring the Divine goodness to guide and direct you aright in all your counsells[sic], and social buisness[sic] diliberations[sic]. Yours truly etc etc M. VassarM. Vassar Address Read in Board of Trustees by M. Vassar [passing] to the middle of the 11th page June 23 1868 at 11.30 o clock Concluded after his death & on the same day by the secretary C. Swan Sec[retary]
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Address to Board of Trustees, 30 Jun 1863
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
30-Jun-63
Text
No 1 Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen Through a gracious Providence we are now permitted to meet once more for consultation in reference to the important enterprise which has been confided to your care. I desire to be deeply thankful to the Giver & Preserver of life that in the enjoyment of tolerable bodily health & strength and in the possession of my mental powers not materially impaired, I am allowed to extend to you a cordial welcome to the honors and responsibilities of this occasion,...
Show moreNo 1 Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen Through a gracious Providence we are now permitted to meet once more for consultation in reference to the important enterprise which has been confided to your care. I desire to be deeply thankful to the Giver & Preserver of life that in the enjoyment of tolerable bodily health & strength and in the possession of my mental powers not materially impaired, I am allowed to extend to you a cordial welcome to the honors and responsibilities of this occasion, and to the hospitalities which we may be able to offer. During the past year, our enterprise has gone steadily forward. The Report of the Treasurer will show our funds to be in good condition. Some of our Securities haveNo 2 advanced above par, and the proceeds of others has been sold by our Treasurer on good and advantageous terms and invested in long loans on B & Mortgage. Since our last meeting, the College edifice has been enclosed and the Builder has occupied the Winter and Spring in laying the floors, furring & Cathing, and putting in the Gass-pipes [sic]. The plastering is now proceeding, in the hands of a responsible and energetic contractor. During the year, two of the Workmen employed in the building met with a sudden & violent death by accidential [sic] falls, but no blame could be attached to any person for the fatal casualties. No.No. 3 The Founder appropriated a liberal gratuity to the families of the deceased. The President returned from Europe in December last and will lay before you the results of his observations. Some highly favorable oppertunities [sic] having occurred for the purchase of Books for the Library, the books were obtained under the authority granted at the meeting of the Board in February 1862. Under the advice of the President when in Rome, last September, the Executive Committee contracted for copies of four pictures from the old masters, to be made by W Emma, @ Church, an American artist from New York City. Two of these4 are now on thier [sic] way to this Country, and a third is probably completed. The high rate of exchange which now prevails has much increased the expense of these pictures, but it is a great sattisfaction [sic] to know that the first contributions to our Art Gallery will reflect the very soul of Raphael & others of the worlds acknowleged [sic] mastery. For several months past, the subjects of an Astronomical observatory has engaged my attention. It was ascertained that Henry Fitz, the celebrated telescope maker of New York, had on hand an object Glass, 12 3/8 inches in diamter [sic] which could be bought, cash down for $2000, less than the customary price. Through a No5 third party, the College not being known in the transaction the bargain was closed, the Treasurer secured the prise [sic] and the Glass is now in the safe of the Founder. When mounted this Glass will give us a Telescope 12 3/8 inches aperture and 17 feet in lenght [sic], exceeded in sise [sic] only by the great Equatorical of Cambridge Observatory The most important subjects to be acted on at this meeting will be presented for your consideration in the Report on the organisation [sic] of the College. The two years past, the President has given his earnest attention to the matter, and for the past six months his whole time and thoughts have been employed in elaborating + maturing the details. No.6 6 The plan which will be submitted to you has received the sanction of several of the most distinghused [sic] educaters [sic] of our Country. The President has conferred freely with the Founder on every feature of the System; and while I cannot claim any knowledge, and decline all responsibility, in the relation to matters purely literary and professional; yet so few as I am capable of judging, the the [sic] great principls [sic] contain in the Report meet my cordial approval but shall leave the final decission [sic] of these questions to your superior wisdom. The correspondence both of the Founder and the Presidents, this last year, has been verry [sic] heavy and proves a profound and7 universal interest in our enterprise. From the number of applications already received and from the numerous inquiries addressed to us from all the Free States it is reasonable to conclude that our Halls will be thronged with Students at the first opening of the College. With regard to the work done on the College this Spring and Summer it has not been as extensive as we expected, the Scarcity of hands and high price of materials has greatly retarded its prosecution altho’ I would not say this to be the only and exclusive reason, which if continued, may prolong the completion of the building beyond the period stipulated in the contract with Mr Harloe. For these reasons we do not believe it policy to enter into engagement for furniture or any expenditure whatever, until such time as we can see a prospect of opening the College within a given period. My wishes have been to finish the Edifice, enclose and lay out your walks and Drives, plant your Shrubbery & Trees but to incur no further outlay of Capital than we need to expend in prospect of the opening of the College.8 And now, Gentlemen Trustees, as you are my chosen Associates in carrying forward this great work, I beg you to be frank, and free to speak, and express your unbiased judgment upon all matters connected with the enterprise as it is only by a candid and open expression of our several views that we can hope to perfect and demonstrate to the public mind this new feature or Epoch of Female education, therefore I beg leave to repeat the expressions of my confidence in your interest, your wisdom & your energy by Gods blessing, to bring it to a happy consummation, I also renew to you the promise of my constant & earnest9 Co-operation, as far as my feeble health will permit; and I pledge myself to do all in my power to secure the success of the institution while I live, and to perpetuate its blessings to my Country and to the world for long generations after I have slept with my fathers.Address of M. Vassar Read in Board of Trustees in Annual Meeting June 30, 1863 and ordered on file, C. Swan Sec.
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Address to Board of Trustees, 28 Jun 1864
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
June 28, 1864
Text
Gentlemen, I congratulate you on being permitted by a kind Providence once more to meet together under circumstances so peculiar auspicious and … amidst the desolating [times] in which our Country is at present suffering It is a meeting upon the results of which hangs verry[sic] great and important issues, I feel therefore that more than an ordinary weight of responsibilities rest upon us. We are attempting by this days consultation to give to the world a new moral educational and creative...
Show moreGentlemen, I congratulate you on being permitted by a kind Providence once more to meet together under circumstances so peculiar auspicious and … amidst the desolating [times] in which our Country is at present suffering It is a meeting upon the results of which hangs verry[sic] great and important issues, I feel therefore that more than an ordinary weight of responsibilities rest upon us. We are attempting by this days consultation to give to the world a new moral educational and creative power or influence is intrinsicaly[sic] worth more than one which is merely of a communicative power, so with a College, it should posses[possess] the germ of life within itself, something that will grow, made things are generally without life, but educational institutions should be living entities and rise in strength & grandeur by an inherent power - inanimate thingsmay be made complete by the engenuity[sic] of man, but decay begins immediatedly[sic] when his work is finished - so does a tree grow through the same process absorbing the elements … for its growth and if, but when these elements receive thier[sic] right direction they repair its waste and bring out at last its strength & beautifull[sic] symmetry and in magnificent proportions. A College should rise in power by a similar process, much way be done by giving it a favorable planting, loping of its redundant branches and inserting fruit-bearing scions, but still nature must do its work before it can be a tree - so much may be done to plant and prune and aid a College to to absorb in itself the forces of society but will never become what we desire till those forces have produced thier[sic] results. The old limbs will die, and new ones will shoot up in thier[sic] places, and perhaps give it a better form than anticipated. You cannot make a plantation today as itwill appear half a century hence, so [as] Colleges - you cannot tell at the start what they will be in the end. This is a neccessary[sic] condition of success to leave a large margin for changes. How many officials male and females will alternately succeed each other, and become permanent growing branches no one can tell. When the life and energy is obstructed from any cause it will be their time that others takes thier[sic] places. We want no sinecures, no drones, to ounce the stores of the working bees. These are the curse of most all endowed institutions, and it is not a bad idea of the Germans as Prof Fisher imform[informs] me to make the income of teacher dependent upon thier[sic] success. I hope excissions[sic] of this kind will not be necessary in our institution, nevertheless it will do no harm to warn my friends in advance, and further not to expect too much at first. Give the College a chance to grow by forces which neither money nor legislative aid can supply. All great things are of slow growth, we have therefore much room for the exercise of the best of the virtues - patience. I say we have much room for that virtue - the natural impetiosity[impetuosity] of american character renders patience one of the most difficult things to practice. We want to see things done at once - a day is a year - a week an age - in our headlong callender[calendar]. Our national education has been untill[sic] lately all in the direction of haste - quickness of action, a driving impetous[impetuous] performance, a hurrying toward the goal of ambition, has been the salient point of our national character. This is not by any means a reprehensible peculiarity, but unaccompanied by neccessary[sic] restraint of patience it engenders a one-sidedness of character most unfavorable to a full development of individual or national strenght[sic]. We have sadly witnessed in the conductment of our national Army a full illustration of this.And now gentlemen with the general idea of caution which I have suggested I have to add that as I have laid the foundation it remains for you to rear the superstructure. The mutuialitys[mutualities] are mine, but the live-giving spirit is yours, and in thus in detail I have nothing to advise nor power or ability to impart. The time and manner of opening your Institution rest with you - all I can give you are the facts, and then leave the subject to your wisdom and discretion. The Architect Mr. Rennick will inform you of the present advance of the edifice and what remains to be done. The Sct. Mr. Swan will give you all the essential information in his department. The Treasurer the state of your funds, disbursements and liabillity[sic]. The [superintendent] will impart to you what has come within his duties, and Prof Harrar, the progress and completion of the astrinomical[sic] “Observey”[Observatory] Prof Ward has completed the Geological Cabinets Room,and made some advance in filling up the Library and Art Gallery department. For the more full inspection and completion of the latter I have purchased of the Rev. E. L. Magoon the entire collection of his valuable gems of Art & Science in oil & water [colores[sic]] with numerous devices of Ancient, Armory, Coins & etc for the sum of $20,000, and now gentlemen I donate them all to your College. These valuable collecting as a whole are not surpassed in this Country, and must form a great attraction and powerfull[sic] utillity[sic] to your Institution. Dad-Magoon had kindly consented to arrange them artisticaly[sic] in the Gallery on or before the first of August. And now Gentlemen having briefly alluded to the progressive matters of your College allow me your patience a little which to call your attention to some of the retrograde, and counter incidentally that has fallen upon your Executive Committe[sic] since your last meeting.You or most of you perhaps are aware of the catastrophe befallen the Builder Mr. Harloe and the genirous[sic] and liberal course of the Executive Committee in adding him under the unfortunate circumstances to some extent which he was obligated by relieving him from an important position of the Heating [fixtures] to the amount of some 9 to $10,000. Mr. Harloe further seeks to be released from the obligation of all the cost of the pluming[plumbing] etc amounting to some $20 to $25000 more, and if the difference between the contract price could be allowed him he thinks he could manage to finish the Building. The Gate Lodge & Astronomical Building are under a written contract with Mr. Harloe but at such advanced prices as will enable him to complete. The report of the Treasuer[Treasurer] will afford you every information under those heads, I will however remark in connection with the College Edifice that we have alreadysuffered largely in our means for want of patient, and practical prudence & foresight in those who were early entrusted to superintend and supervise some speciality. There was from the first an untill[sic] quite recently an ungert disposition to lavish means unwisely and impotence of details and for practicable results and conveniences which has led to much embarrassment & loss. It was impossible for me (from the state of my health) to guard against all mistakes especialy[sic] those the earlest[earliest] made which properly belonged to one whose expierened[experienced] as I supposed knew what was wanted in the line of his long practice but which mistakes was not untill[sic] too late brought to my notice. Still it is believed that these are now substantiously[substantially] surmounted and at last removed. The Gass[sic] Buildings, Steam Boiler house are in process of erection under the supervision of Messrs Haughwout & Co., of New York with all the apparatus. The contract covers all the appen-dages[appendages] for heating & Lighting while [the] whole edifice and by the 1st Octoberr. Excepting the Gass-mometer[gasometer] &Boiler house which is now in the process of erection at the expense of the College, The Gass Apparatus & Steam Boiler pipes for heating costing some $40,000. The Ex[ecutive] committee has also made a contract for the Kitchen Ranges - Steam Tables etc with Messrs Moneuse & Duparquet New York. The Astronomical Clock etc, are fitted up and after our adjournment, the Gentlemen Trustees will have an opportunity to visit the College and examine it and other Buildings & appendages. I with great pleasure speak in this connexion[connection] in honor & credit of Prof. Farrar whose untiring zeal & energy has completed his work in a most satisfactory manner, and as for as the Executive Committee can judge in a most scientific & perfect way. And Gentlemen altho’[although] much has been done - much remains undone. The Farm Buildings are to be erected - Gate Lodge to be finished - Boiler & Steam Buildings to be built, and last but not least the entire plumming[sic], Bell-hanging through the whole Edifice, with the purchase of Furniture for your pupils, professors, and your President departments, and if all this can be completed within a year from next fall, I think there is not another instance on record where so great amount of work has been done in so short a period. The State Enebrate[Inebriate] assylum[sic] at Binghamton and under the patronage of the public Purse began in or about the same time with College is yet incomplete & requires some year or two to finish - so that if takes yet 12 months longer, we shall accomplish an amount of work in labour + material, beyond any other College in america.Nevertheless, Should you finaly[sic] decide in view of all the circumstances of the case to open the College in the coming winter. It has been suggested to me, by your President, that so much of the College can be made ready, to make a small Beginning in January with about 100 pupils, and this idea meets my entire judgement. Prof Raymond will speak more fully on this point. [Note: the above section was crossed out] Out of some 240 to 250 Colleges, there were 3 founded in 16600, 22 in 1700, and 215 in 1800, all requiring an average of some 20 years to get fairly at work.There is every thing Gentlemen to encourage our perseverance. The public feelings in your Institution are with us we have every inducement to prosecute our work with vigour. We use daily receiving Letters of enquirys[sic] when the College will open and your Clerk and Book Keeper Mr. Schou will inform you of the number of pupils who have already applied for scholarship which of course will be refered[sic] with the numerous applications for Professorships, Teachers & etc to the proper departments. And finaly[sic] Gentlemen I have the most intense & highly gratifying intelligence to communicate to you above all and every thing else that, the Rev[erend] of God, J. H. Raymond has accepted the Presidentcy[Presidency] of your College upon terms mutualy[sic] sattisactory[sic] to both party & with the blessings of God we may now hope our College to be a complete and final success.And finaly[sic] gentlemen I have placed the foregoing remarks on paper as I have all my former communications to you and because I could not speak of them verbaly[sic] but for the purpose of having them Recorded by your Secty[secretary] in the minutes of his journal, so that hereafter that there cannot be any misunderstanding or doubt of the views or opinions of the founder, and moreover to impart to you his views under all the circumstances of the time of opening the College. Nevertheless should you after deliberating & considering all the arguments pro % con to open it the coming winter[.] It is[has] been suggested to me by your President elect, that so much of the Building can be made ready to accommodate say 100 to 120 pupils and to open on the 1. January. President Raymond will explain to you more particular on this point and shurely[sic] no eyes will be more gratified nor heart elated than that of your founder.1864 Address of the Founder at the meeting of the Board of Trustees June 28th
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Address to Board of Trustees, 27 Jun 1865
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
June 27, 1865
Text
Gentlemen We are assembled as a Board of Trustees for last time before the completion of our preliminary arrangements of the opening of the College for the reception of those who are to enjoy its benifits[sic]. It is fitting that we pause to recognise the favoring Providence which has conducted our enterprise safely and successfully through the preparatory stage and shed the light of benignant promise upon the future. It is not given to man to force the perils and perplexities through which...
Show moreGentlemen We are assembled as a Board of Trustees for last time before the completion of our preliminary arrangements of the opening of the College for the reception of those who are to enjoy its benifits[sic]. It is fitting that we pause to recognise the favoring Providence which has conducted our enterprise safely and successfully through the preparatory stage and shed the light of benignant promise upon the future. It is not given to man to force the perils and perplexities through which his best laid plans must advance to this completion. A loving wisdom veils from our view the roughnesses and the dangers of the way, while it holds and in clear relief its glorious ends which ever invites us on. Had we anticipated four years ago, when first we set our hands to the work the stormy period of war that was before us, and the immense augmentation of our difficulties consequent thereupon, had we been able then to count the losses, the failures, the disappointments, the perilous crises, and the hair-breadth ‘scapes[escapes],on which we now look back, it may well be doubted wether[sic] we should have summoned courage to face the ordeal and embarked upon this tossing sea. But all these trying experiences are now in the past. We may fairly number them among our victory achieved; and though in some respects our anticipations may not have been fully reilised[realized], in others perhaps they have been and much surpassed, and in the whole actual result as the stand before us so full of present beauty and so fraught with prospective benifits[sic], we may surely find occasion to thank God and take courage. The last and finishing stroke will soon be put to our noble structure, the largest in the world & best appointed for the purposes to which it is consecrated, whose fair proportions and gracefull[sic] architectural lines have won universal admiration. The orders have been given out for the various fixtures and appliances both domestic & educational, required to finish its interior, and those we hope, will be in place and ready for use by the time appointed. The park hasbeen laid out and graded, seeded & planted with requisite shrubery[sic] shade-trees & evergreens. The principal drives and foot paths have been carefully studied & properly prepared. The farm grounds has[have] been fittingly arranged & put under cultivation and a vegitable[sic] Garden of some acres & orchard laid out and planted with all variety of small summer fruits under the direction of an experienced work-man and it alredy[sic] smiles with the promise of a generous supply of esculents for the College family in the first months of its existence. For myself personally, I feel especial cause of thankfulness in the fact, that contrary perhaps to reasonable expectation, my file and health have been spared, not merely to watch the progress of the work, but to participate in it constantly & actively from the begining[sic] to the end, besides conveying the hundreds of distinguished visitors to the grounds, without any expense to the College. As chairman of you Executive Committee I have taken a deep & lively interest in all the multplyed[sic] details, and have spared no pains to ensure the most favorable condition to every contractor, and have watched with daily and sedulous care the manner in which every part of the work has been performed. As no one more than myself has borne the burden of solicitude and performed the labor of daily & nightly thought incident to such a task, no one more than myself has a right to rejoice as this stage of the enterprise approaches completion. I have from the begining[sic] look’d forward to this period, as the time when I might fairly claim to be relieved from the responsibility of superintending these details. My long experience in buisness[business] life had perhaps give me some peculiar qualifications for the discharge of this duty, so long as it pertained to the collection & disposition of the materialties[materialities] of the College. But now that the questions to be considered will relate in a large degree to its interior & educational life, I feel that there is a special fitness in callingMr. M. Vassar’s Address to the Board of Trustees June 27th 1865 Read in Board of Trustees June 27, 1865 C. Swan Sec[retary]to this service gentlemen, who can add to the general buisness[business] capacity and an interest [in] the cause, a more intimate acquantance[acquaintance] with institutions of learning and experience in their management. Such gentlemen fortunately we have in our number; and a sufficent[sic]number of them, I am happy to know, stand ready to accept the trust. If I am so happy as to be sustained by your concurence[sic] in this view (which I do not doubt)I retire with perfect sattisfaction[sic] from any past and, for what remains to me of a life now surely drawing near its close, shall look with assured confidence by the Divine blessing, for the steady developement[sic] & final success of this the dearest object of my hopes. I retire Gentlemen, from my office thanking you kindly for your generous counsell[sic] & support hitherto; & wishing you all future health & happiness, I tender you my resignation of the position I have held on your Executive & Library Committee.
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Address to Board of Trustees, 26 Jun 1866
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
June 26, 1866
Text
To the Gentlemen Trustees of Vassar College There is a subject to which I have already alluded, and which if not very important in your view it is quite so to mine and which I am anxious to bring before you at this meeting of the Board probably in view of my health may be the last I shall be able to attend. I refer to the title of our College. Its name “Vassar Female College” as you know was given by our first President Mr. Jewett, with I admit my full concurrence, for I had not then examined...
Show moreTo the Gentlemen Trustees of Vassar College There is a subject to which I have already alluded, and which if not very important in your view it is quite so to mine and which I am anxious to bring before you at this meeting of the Board probably in view of my health may be the last I shall be able to attend. I refer to the title of our College. Its name “Vassar Female College” as you know was given by our first President Mr. Jewett, with I admit my full concurrence, for I had not then examined the subject, non, am I convinced that he; he had been at the head of a “Female Seminary” and merely continued the title “Vassar Female College” throughout his book. In 1864 however, Mr. Jewett wrote his “Report on Organization” In that he had no running title, and he was very chary in using the term sex. V.[assar] F.[emale] College occurs but six times in the text, while “V.F.C[“] [Vassar College?] occurs thirteen times, showing that his former view is condemned out of his own mouth. You will probably remember also, that in our first meeting Feb. 1861, I stated to you that my object was to erect & endow a College for the education of “young women.” It is worthy of note that all places of learning in Mr. Jewett[’s] first books or circulars for the daughters of america; have the epithet “Female” set in their titles, but we cannot find a single “Female school or seminary” in the old world as reported by him. There is the Merchants Maiden Hospital and School for Girls. “The scottish Institution for young Ladies,” [“]The Ladies of the Assumption (a conventual Seminary)[,]” [“]City of London College for young Ladies,” [“]Queen College for Ladies” and various of the same style of names. This is important proving as it does, that our use of the term female; is erroneus[erroneous] and should be abandoned. Bear with me, while I strive to share you my reason for these views.Woman is the root of humanity, whatever degrades her, lessens her moral influence and honor for good, this degrades the race, and now I maintain, that to use the term sex which applies to all animals and living creatures that bear young, as the name and synonym for woman, because she also bears young, degrades her, and currups[corrupts] the speech we use. To call woman female except in the one case of abstract terms, as in numbering the people where the masculine and feminine of all ages are included, is to her loss, injury, and shame. It is vulgar, because it uses the lowest term, which is always imperfect, it is wrong because it inflicts on her a title which she did not choose, it is vicious because it signifies only sexual and sensuous qualitiy[sic] in woman, it violates good sense, that always selects the best terms, and good breeding that always seeks to avoid unpleasent[sic] words. This term is also the unscriptural and ungrammatical.The word female used for woman, the animal adjective of distinction for sex only, has been dragged into our anglo saxon language, and has unfortunately gained considerable currency in its use, degrades the idea of femine[feminine] humanity to the level of the brute creation. Feminine is the true adjective for woman, female does not certainly mean woman unless placed in contradistinction to man or male and never indicates a lady. Truth is always definite, errors confuses. Truth dignifies, error degrades. The real meaning of a “Female College” is not definite because it means all feminine humanity, aged women, little girls and married women are females, but these are not included in the class of young ladies (or young women) for whose benefit Vassar College was established. We have in this matter high legal authority on our side who says “The term woman is the only one that distinctly expresses the beingwho is the mother of our race, the term female does not, without the other explanation morally or intellectually express that being. It appears to e to be an affectation in the use of language, and to indicate an absence of a true conception of the dignity of the subject” This is no trifling matter. We earnestly urge upon the members of this Board, to look at the question seriously. This college is now in its infancy, it rest[s] with you to make it what you will, and honor and a glory to america, or to faster & perpetuate an error which has more in it than the mere changing or retaining a name, an error which must have a moral effect upon every girl who is educated within these walls. Is it nothing to her whether she bears the holy name of woman, the name which our blessed saviour ever accorded to her, rather we might say selected for her in his own form of address, or wether[sic] she is to be merely known as a female, and ranked amongst other femalesof every species of the animal creation? It does seem to me, that no one can look at the title of our College (and especialy[sic] Mrs. Hale) calmly and without prejudice and not feel that it contains a word too much, a word which we are constantly temp’d[tempted] to drop, and which our young pupils invariably do in every instance when they can, not that it is too long, but that there is an innate feeling, wether[sic] acknowledg’d or not[,] that it mars the meaning of the title, because it does not fully describe the class of persons for whom the college was or is intended. My friends, I wish you to look at this matter, and I beg of you to agree to change the title of the college to “Vassar” College or Lady or Woman College at this meeting so that it may be presented to the next Legislature early at their next session, and thus make “Vassar College” a name as we hope to in fact the blessed means of raising woman in her true position, physically, interlectualy[intellectually[ and morally. M.[atthew] V.[assar]M.[atthew] Vassar Founder Read at Board of Trustees June 26 1866 filed C. Swan Sec[retary]
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Address to Board of Trustees, 26 Feb 1861
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
February 26, 1861
Text
To the Trustees of Vassar Female College: Gentlemen, As my long-cherished purpose to apply a large portion of my estate to some benevolent object is now about to be accomplished, it seems proper that I should submit to you a statement of my motives, views and wishes. In having pleased God that I should have no direct descendants to inherit my property, it has long been my desire, after suitably providing for those of my kindred who lead claims on me, to make such a disposition of my means as...
Show moreTo the Trustees of Vassar Female College: Gentlemen, As my long-cherished purpose to apply a large portion of my estate to some benevolent object is now about to be accomplished, it seems proper that I should submit to you a statement of my motives, views and wishes. In having pleased God that I should have no direct descendants to inherit my property, it has long been my desire, after suitably providing for those of my kindred who lead claims on me, to make such a disposition of my means as should best honor God and benefit my fellow men. In different periods, I have regarded various plans with favor, but these have all been dismissed, one after another, until the subject of erecting + endowing a College for the education of young women was presented for my consideration. The novelty, grandeur, and benignity of the idea arrested my affection. The more carefully I examined it, the more strongly it commanded itself to my judgment + interested my feelings. It occurred to me, that woman having received from her Creator the same intellectual constitution as man, has the same right as man to intellectual culture + development. I considered that the mothers of a country mould the character of its citizens, determine its institutions, and shape its destiny. Next to the influence of the mother in that of the female teachers, who is employed to train young children at a period where impressions are most vivid + lasting. It also seemed to me, that if women were properly educated, some new avenue to useful + honorable employment, in entire harmony with the gentlemen and modesty of her sex, might be opened to her. It further appeared, thereis not in our country, there is not in the world, so far as is known, a single fully-endowed institution for the education of women. It was also in evidence, that for the last thirty years, the standard of education for the sex has been constantly rising, in the United States; and the great, felt, pressing want has been ample but dormant, to secure to female seminaries the elevatid [elevated] character, the stability and permanency of our best Colleges. And now, gentlemen influenced by these and similar considerations; after devoting my best powers towith that preponderate in its favor; and the project leaving received the moment commendations of many prominent literary men + practical educators, as well as the universal approval of the public press, I have come to the conclusion that the establishment + endowment of a college for the education of young women is a work which will satisfy my highest aspirations, and will be, under God, a rich blessing to this city + state, to our country + the world. It is my hope to be the instrument in the hand of Providence, of founding … an institution which shall accomplish for young women what our colleges are accomplishing for young men. In pursuance of this design, I have obtained from the Legislature an Act of Incorporation, conferring on the proposed seminary the corporate title of “Vassar Female College”, and naming you, gentlemen, as the first trustees. Under the provisions of this charter, you are invested with all the powers, privileges + immunities which … to any college or university in this state. To be somewhat more specific in the statement of my views as to the character + aim of the college: I wish that the course of study should embrace, at least the following particular: The English Language + its Literatureother Modern Languages; The Ancient Classics so far as may be demanded by the spirit of the times; The Mathematics, to such an extent as may be deemed advisable; all The branches of Natural Science, with full [Apparatus], Cabinets, Collections + Conservations for visible illustration; anatomy, Physiology + Hygiene, with practical reference to the laws of the health of the sex; Intellectual Philosophy; the elements of Political Economy; some knowledge of The Federal + State Constitutions and Laws; Moral Science, particularly as bearing on the filial, conjugal + parental relations; Aesthetics, as creating of the beautiful in Nature and Art, and to be illustrated by an extensiveGallery of Art; Domestic Economy, practically taught so far as is possible, in order to prepare the graduates readily to become skillful housekeepers; last, and most important of all, the daily, systematic Reading, and Study of the Holy Scripture as the only and all-sufficient Rule of Christian faith and practice. All sectarian influences should be carefully excluded; but the training of our students should never be interested to the sceptical, the irreligious, or the immoral. In forming the first Board of Trustees, I have selected representatives from the principal christian denominations among us; and in filling the vacancies which may occur in This body, as also in appointing the Professors,Teachers, and other [Officers] of the College, I trust a like catholic spirit will always govern the Trustees. It is not my purpose to make Vassar Female College a charity school, whose advantages shall be free to all without charge; for benefits so cheaply obtained are cheaper held; but it is believed the funds of the institution will enable it to offer to all the highest educational facilities at a moderate expense, as compared with the cost of institution [institutions] in existing Seminaries. I earnestly hope the funds will also prove sufficient to warrant the gratuitous admission of a considerable number of indigent students, annually - at least, by regarding the amountremitted, in most cases, as a loan to be subsequently repaid from the avails of teaching, or otherwise. … should be given to beneficiaries of decided promise - such as are likely to distinguish themselves in some particular department or pursuit - and especially, to those who purpose to engage in the teaching of the young as a profession I desire that the College may be provided with commodious buildings, containing ample apartments for public instruction, and at the same time offering to the inmates the safety, quiet, privacy and purity of the family. And now, Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees, I Transfer to your possession + ownership the real and personal property which I have set apart for the accomplishment of my designs. I beg permission to add a brief and general expression of my views in regard to the most judicious use + management of the funds. After the College Edifice has been erected, + furnished with all need full aids + appliances for imparting the most perfect education of body, mind + heart, it is my judgment + wish that the amount remaining in hand should be safely invested, to remain as a principal,only the annual income of which should be expended in the preservation of the Building and grounds; the support of The Faculty, the replenishing and enlarging of the Library, Cabinet, Art Gallery, etc; and in adding to the capital on hand; so that the College, instead of being impoverished + tendering to decay, from year to year, shall always contain within itself the elements of growth + expansion of increasing power, prosperity and [usefulness]. In conclusion, gentlemen, the enterprise which I regard as the last great work of my life, I committo you as a sacred trust, which I feel assured you will discharge with fidelity and uprightness, with wisdom and prudence, with ability + energy. It is my fervent desire that I may live to see the Institution in successful operation; and if God shall give me life + strength, I shall gladly employ my best faculty in co-operating with you to secure the full and perfect consimmation [consummation] of the work before us. Poughkeepsie, Feb. 26, 1861. M. Vassar
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Address to Board of Trustees, 25 Jun 1867
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
June 25, 1867
Text
Respected Friends The second commencement Collegiate year of your Institution has passed with all thier[sic] attending varied circumstances incidents etc., among them are some worthy of your special devout consideration and gratitude to Almighty God the Father of all mercies for his great goodness & protection over us from our first buisness[sic] organization in 1860 - no material sickness or death to my knowledge has occurred in our numerous circle during the past two years, nor any...
Show moreRespected Friends The second commencement Collegiate year of your Institution has passed with all thier[sic] attending varied circumstances incidents etc., among them are some worthy of your special devout consideration and gratitude to Almighty God the Father of all mercies for his great goodness & protection over us from our first buisness[sic] organization in 1860 - no material sickness or death to my knowledge has occurred in our numerous circle during the past two years, nor any changes in the official memberships or other matters save in the Legal Title of the name of the College which by an act of the Legislature last winter, the middle word Female was stricken out, your Institution is now and will henceforth be known & distinguished as the “Vassar College” Poughkeepsie. We are indebted chiefly to Mrs. Sarah J. Hale of Phil’a[Philadelphia] for the suggestion of this change of titleand I would now advise that the middle marble slab with the words Female be removed, and [in its] place filled up with brick. Since our last Annual meeting considerable new additions and improvements have been made on the College grounds. A Riding School and Gymnasium Buildings has been built and is admitted by good judges to be the best fitted and best arranged establishment of the kind in this Country. It is in length 156 feet. It is in width 130 feet covered with double x Tin and Slate, walls of Brick with Blue Stone trimmings. It contains a music hall 30 x 52, a Gymnasium Hall 81 x 30, a Bowling Alley (unfinished) 82 x 30 and apartments for the accommodation of several familys[sic], a carpenter & joiner shops, stalls for stabling 20 to 25 Horses, harness, closets etc etcBaron von Seldeneck has charge of all the Riding School department and Miss E. M. Powell a Lady of distinguished merit in the Gymnastic exercises, who by a letter I hold in my hands which I will read directly, reccommends[sic] to your consideration some improvements or arrangements in the apparatus of the rooms. Among other physical Exercises the subject of teaching dancing has been presented to your Ex[ecutive] Committee for thier[sic] considerations and been urged by many Citizens. Besides the attention in the Christian Community has been awakened by recent written articles pro & con on these question[s]. The latest are essays dilivered[delivered] at the “International Convention of Young Mens Christian Association” held in Albany last June by the Rev..d[Reverend] Marvin R. Vincent Pastor of the first Prespeterian[Presbyterian] Church of Troy, and a reply thereto by the Rev..d[Reverend] E. K. Keyes Pastor of the Medthodist[sic] Episcopal Church Po’Keepsie[Poughkeepsie] on the “Incompatibillity[sic] of amusements with Christian Life etc.both being able written papers I present them for your examination etc. I had however years previous made up my judgement on those great questions in the religious point of view and came to a favorable decission[sic] on the subject altho’[although] I never practic..d[practiced] public dancing in my file and yet in view of its being a healthy and gracefull[sic] exercise, I heartly[sic] approved of it and now reccommend[sic] its being taught in the College to all such pupils whose parents or guardians desire it. The gross Cost of the Gymnasium Building wills its appurtenances is some $46,000, yet notwithstanding this large expenditure, its income from pupils for these physical exercise will more than pay the interest on its cost. I would now reccommend[sic] some additional finish on the Centrel[sic] front of the main Edifice to break the long plain sweep of the heavy Cornish. Also the putting up Lightning Rods, and the erection of a few sheds for protection of Coal from wether[sic] etc.[I] would also advise the construction of a Dam or Pond at the junction of the streams of Caspir’s Kill & waters of “Mill-Cove Brook” so graphically discribed[sic] by Mr. Lossing in his history “Vassar and the Founder,” for the purpose of erecting Bathing Houses, and the planting of Willow Shades trees to Screen the building from public view etc The first year’s trial of your College workings were rather experimental and in common with all new schemes and Enterprises undefined and indefinite subsequent practice by actual verities has fully demonstrated that in the main we were right and now that all doubts of its future workings with success has been removed, our bark once more may venture upon the sea of ordinary mental upheaving & frictions of interlects[sic] incident to educational voyages etc. First with regard to the interior official management of the College it is not my speial[special] province or duty to speak - these matters will be laid before you by the proper heads of the several departments. In those that pertains to the Exterior conductment[sic] perhaps it would be well to consider & examine more in detail. First considerable expenditure has and must continue to occur in this branch of the College department, but wether[sic] there is not room for retrenchments & yet progressive improvements, is for you gentlemen Trustees to consider, and direct, I make these suggestions in order that some permanent system of opperations[sic] may be adopted to guide your superintendant[sic], I fear the interest of your College has suffered for want of system. It is for you to determine on a plan of improvement and place it the hands of your Agent to work it out, and I would suggest wether[sic] it would not be wise for that Agent to live in the College, in order that he could have a constanteye and supervission[sic] over its internal and external affairs pertaining to his duties, the lack of his personal presence cannot be fully estimated but the old proverb has it that the “eye of the master is worth two of his servants” much would be saved, as it often happens that wrong doings by unskillfull[sic] opperations[sic] that work has to be done over again - your Honorable Chairman with his large & long experience will join me in this fact. It has been suggested by your Executive Chairman Doct[or] Bishop that an enlargement be made to the Dinning[sic] Hall, and also some additional Lodging rooms for 50 more pupils, and that this enlargement be made by adding the rear hall at the East end of the Dinning[sic] Room and for the additional Lodgning apartments the rooms now occupied by the Servants, for the pupils, and to finish off part of the basement for the lodging rooms of the Servants. But I much question the policy of these suggestions, especialy[sic] as cheaper & better accommodationscan be obtained by the erection of a Building in the rear of the College 15 or 20 feet distance, connected by a row which I expected Architect Mr. Wood to have furnish’d me a draft or sketch off to accompanied[accompany] these suggestions, which Building would have provided 20 to 30 sleeping Rooms for your Domestics etc and thus be always near thier[sic] work & retired from the College proper - by this arrangement we could then accommodate 50 more pupils, and then raise your terms of Tuition etc etc to $500. The more I reflect on this subject, the more I am satisfied of its policy, that is, to do things better than the best if possible and charge accordingly, at least I made my money by this rule, almost the whole community are expecting an advance of your terms next Fall, this would enable you to take some beneficiry[beneficiary] student. A number of visitors this past year has asked wether[sic] we were not intending to raise our terms. Your terms Gentlemen are below the average prices of other Seminary’s[Seminaries] of Learning in this City and greatly below those in the City of New York[,] Albany etc. As physical health is more or less indebted to physical resolutions and vigor, I recommend progression in this department by the erection of a few Simple Things, on cross frame works located on the Lawns, for while we are expending so liberally for the mind, I would urge that some usefull[sic] comforts should be made for the well being of the corporal man, and would therefore suggest the erection of a Building for the special training in the Knowledge of the Cullenary[Culinary] Art, where such pupils with the consent of thier[sic] Parents or guardians may be instructed how to make a pudding, boil an egg, cook a potatoe[sic], prepare a dinner, make a Bed and in fine arrange in a proper the affairs of the household etc. Simple as these things appear they are the fruits of long thoughts & reflection, and that there is nothing more needed than order & fitness in things in domestic economy life, for without such provisions all is discord & confusion, like old “Hogarths” burlesque drawings in grouping perspectives etc. I would now call your attention to the suggestion and recommendation of your Ex[ecutive] Committee that a full history of your College and its Founder ought to be written, this has through by instrumentality and expense been done and handsomely done, by your associate Trustee Benson J. Lossing Esq. costing some $8000 for 2000 copies, or $4 p[er] copy, and I now present you Gentlemen Trustees with each a copy enclosed in past Board Covers with the Complements of the Founder. The importance of this history can only be appreciated by the magnitude, character & duration of your Institution, without it antiquarians will seek in vain for its history, after our bodies lie crumbling in the grave. In conextion[connection] with the same idea at[of] a monument or Statue, of the Founder, has been suggested. Altho’[although] the delicacy of the subject admonish[es] my silence, and would not now bring it to your notice but to redeem my promise to a Young Lady Artist of our City, who has already executed an exceeding fine Bust of your humble Servant in marble, and now proposes to construct a modelin Clay for a Bronse[sic] Stature[Statue] of 7 feet hight[height], at her own cost and risk, and if not approved by a Committe[sic] of your own selection, no charge will be made, but if approved the terms to be settled between them and her, but as intimated above the delicacy of the subject forbids my urging it upon your Consideration, but should you decide favorably, the Founder will advance the means to pay for the same & its erection and like your B&M on the premises. This Lady Artist name is Mrs. Laura S. Hoffmann. It is contemplated to erect the Statue within the circle fronting the main entrance of the College. I had the promise from Architect Mr. Wood on Saturday last week for a rought[rough] drawing of the same with the proposed Collenade[sic] or what the French calls in thier[sic] parlance “Porte-Cocher”[sic] but in this [I] was disappointed. The Collenade[sic] would be both an ornament & comfort to visitors in stormy or hot weather While making these improvements I would advise the painting of the Farm Buildings, mill & dwelling house, whitewashing the Ice House, also puttingup Lighting[Lightning] Rods on them, and on the Gymnasium & Riding School Buildings, and the erection of a few sheds for the College fuel coal etc. Also the Bridging of the upper end of the lake or Mill Pond, by a light suspension wire foot-path crossing, directly in range with the East boundary line of your grounds & opposite the Gate Lodge, which crossing would save a walk of an quarter of a mile coming out at “Wheeler” farm house on plank Road. Since our last Annual Meeting an increased public favor & popularity in this and other Countries to the Credit and honor of your Institution has been widely disemmated[disseminated]. Letters from distinguished Individuals in science Litterature[sic] and Art, has been received, bearing high testimony to those facts and I would here call your attention to one, a Gentlemen amateur Ornithologist, living in this vicinity, a comparitive[sic] stranger to most of the Committe[sic] of the College have out of his benificent[sic] heart donated to the Institution a Cabinet of Birds etc with all the Glass cases.of not less than $5000, that Gentlemen’s name is, J. P. Giraud Jn’r[Junior], and I recommend your Board to pass a suitable Ressolutions[sic] of thanks and place them in his hands and on the Files of the Archives of the Institution etc. Refering[sic] again to the financial affairs of your College, I recommend the setting apart a Fund for the express purpose of paying the contingent running expenses of repairs to the College buildings & grounds, the Interest of which fund only to be used. And in closing these remarks I would here say that I do not contemplate all the suggestions herein made to be literarly[literally] executed at once, but by degrees, as circumstances may from time to time warrant, yet I do hope the College nett[sic] income may be such as to justify their being done soon & even then my purposes & plans will not all be completed. Progress is my watchword. Refering[sic] again to the office department of your College, I would reccommend[sic] the appointment of a sub clerk as an assistant to your Treasuer[Treasurer] & present BooKeeper[Book Keeper] Mr. Schou, the former feeling his duties too ardous[arduous] & confining, besides long experience has taught me in buisness[sic] purpsuits[pursuits] always to have more than one string to your Bow, which is econmy[economy] in the long run. Your Treasuer[sic] M[atthew] Vassar Jr. will lay before you a report on the financial condition of the College, prospects etc. Your Sectary[Secretary] & Superintendent Mr. Swan will afford you in his statement the general condition of the material outside matters both embraced in the efficent[sic] able accounts keep’d[kept], by your Clerk & his assistants in the most sattisfactory[sic] manner. I close this address with the request that it be filed with my former ones in the Archives of the College. I only add, that I would reccommend[sic] that our future meetings hereafter be held on the commencement day week of the College. M. V.Now Gentlemen, Having given you a brief statement of the generalties[sic] of the materials, or outside matters, of your College, I wish I could close my remarks here, but genlemen[gentlemen] there has some occurrences transpired within the past year among your Faculty & Professors which I deeply regret, and would not now allude to them had they not been forced upon for my Consideration. I allude to the “Resignation” of Professor Knapp, an event as sudden as it was unexpected, and perhaps just one of those cases incident to College [experiences] which is not easely[easily] prevented or provided for. It seems that some disagreement with him has occured[sic] between the President & Lady Principal as to the extent of thier[sic] official prerogatives, which has been the occasion of some misunderstanding & consequent unpleasant feeling. While Prof[essor] Knapp has discharged his dutys[sic] with remarkable abillity[sic], zeal, and industry, securing to his credit the favor & Love of all his classes, there seems to have been some element of discord to have cramped & retarded his efforts, of which he complainsand has in consequence tendered his Resignation to your Ex[ecutive] Committe[sic]. This[,] gentlemen[,] is a delicate and difficult subject to be dealt with, but is one which must be met with discretion, and prompness[promptness], as the remidy[sic] now applied will be a precedent for your or your successors future guidance in all of the time. I hope your Honorable Board will give it all that consideration of the subject demands, after obtaining from the parties all the facts in the case, and do all in your power to remove the causes for his resignation, and retain him if possible. One word more before I close this address, and that is, a I have o request of this Honorable Board of Trustees, that they respectively furnish the College at thier[sic] own expense a half Length Portrait of themseves[themselves], which I shall regard as a complement to me, and respond to it by a written note & have them hung up in the Gallery of Fine Arts in the College, that future generations mayknow who my dignified friends were that I called to my assistance around me when I commencd[sic] this great educational work for woman.Founder’s Address Read in Board of Trustees June 25 1867 C. Swan Sec[retary]
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Address to Board of Trustees, 25 Feb 1862
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
February 25, 1862
Text
1. Mr. Chairman & Gentleman Trustees &C Having been spared by a kind Providence to witness another Anniversary of the organization of our College Bord [sic], I am happy to see so many members present at this inclement season, which is a proof of your deep interest you feel in the Institution, and the desire of aiding your humble Servant the Founder in accomplishing and Carrying out his wishes. I beg Gentlemen to extend to each of you and all of you my most Cordial welcome to the...
Show more1. Mr. Chairman & Gentleman Trustees &C Having been spared by a kind Providence to witness another Anniversary of the organization of our College Bord [sic], I am happy to see so many members present at this inclement season, which is a proof of your deep interest you feel in the Institution, and the desire of aiding your humble Servant the Founder in accomplishing and Carrying out his wishes. I beg Gentlemen to extend to each of you and all of you my most Cordial welcome to the duties and responsibilities as well as to the honors and pleasure of this occasion. The annual meeting for the election of Officers &c &c having been fixed by the Bord [sic] at their last meeting for June in each year, the Trustees would
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Address to Board of Trustees, 24 Jun 1862
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
June 24, 1862
Text
No 1 Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen Trustees Where [sic] it not that the Statutes of the State required corporations to hold annual Elections and make annual reports of thier [sic] doings we might have dispensed with this meeting so far as the actual amount of other buisness [sic] to be laid before you today is concerned, but aside from these Statute obligations there are considerations which conduce to the police of frequent assembling, they strengthen the common interest in the enterprise,...
Show moreNo 1 Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen Trustees Where [sic] it not that the Statutes of the State required corporations to hold annual Elections and make annual reports of thier [sic] doings we might have dispensed with this meeting so far as the actual amount of other buisness [sic] to be laid before you today is concerned, but aside from these Statute obligations there are considerations which conduce to the police of frequent assembling, they strengthen the common interest in the enterprise, quickens our impulses in behalf of the object, and thus acts and reacts favorably upon ourselves. It is a well known fact in natural history that retrograde movements are the offspring of tardy or heartless efforts, and always ceases where the power that sustain them are relaxed. The progressive speed of the car or water craft stops at the declension of its motive power. The spring foliage begins to fade at the climax of its decending [sic] [sap].No. 2. It is quite important therefore that we are punctual in our meetings wether [sic] they be few or many, much or little buisness [sic], for they have a good effect upon ourselves and help to strengthen the Common Cause in which we are engaged. The absence of your President in Europe on a professional tour imposses [sic] upon me the duty in some measure to supply his place but the incompletion of the Colleg [sic] Edifice renders it inexpedient for me to reccommend [sic] to your honorable body any special action pertaining to official appointment, neither do I wish to tax your time on such remote maters. At the meeting of the Executive Bord [sic] last April: Professor Jewett and myself were appointed a Committe [sic] to purchase Books for the College Library, with instructions however to be confined to prices at the reduction of 25 to 30 per cent below their wholesale value in ordinary times, a limited amount of this order have only been executed- my purchases is less than $400. Professor Jewett about half that sum.No. 3. I will read a portion of his last letter on the subject. —> Letter directly. It may also be proper here to state that Mr Jewett was advanced by the Executive Bord [sic] $500 for that object and before his departure had commissioned Mr Vool of Boston and Mr David Davidson of New York to execute purchases as set forth in a Catulouge [sic] sent to them, when they could be bought on our terms. The former has made no purchase, the latter some $350 This much for books Since the President’s absence numerous letters from his corrispondents [sic] of official character has been received by his Lady & placed in my hands to answer, some from distinguished Educators, others from Parennts and others from young ladies for postst & places in your Institution, thus showing that there is no fear of want of patronage when your College opens. The building gentlemen has now risen to its third storey [sic] or rather to the third tier of beams, and your contractor Mr Hurloe informs me he will commenceNo 4 roofing next month and finish roofing in all November It has been suggested by some of the Trustees that as soon as a portion of the interior can be completed, say the early part of next summer that we should open apartments for the initiary instruction of a class of young ladies Teachers- and thus avoid confusion or embarrassment at the commencement, which will they think have a happy effect on the pupils and public, however as this branch more properly belongs to your President who will be home before that period I shall make no further comments under this head. It would be I doubt not interesting to you to know what reception your honorable President have met with abroad and the efforts he has made to bring to public notice your Institution, but as it would occupy too much of the morning I will omit the reading only of portions of his Letter for the present, suffice to say, his visit will redound greatly to the benefit of your College. He had not left England down to the last address from him of the 3rd inst. when he stated he would visit.No 5. Scotland and Ireland, then go to the continent spend the last of the summer + fall in Germany and Winter in Italy. In all of his letters he speaks of your College and wishes to be kindly and respectively remembered to all the gentlemen Trustees. And now gentlemen in closing indulge me with your patience a moment or two longer while I say a few words about our “contractor” Mr Harloe- that he has thus far progressed with the work to our entire sattisfaction [sic], and has shown a willingness to accommodate the building committee in all reasonable requirements, our indefectable [sic] and devoted superintendent Mr Dubois has been always found in his (…) in connextions [sic] with your Architect Mr. Benneck who conjointly have been likewise devoted to the discharge of their respective dutys [sic], and Gentlemen allow me to speak a word of commendation in behalf of the overseer or Foreman Mr. Donnelly, who has had under his charge some 100 workmen, and thus far in the progress of the work- there has been no disipation [sic] or rioting on the premises and his watchful carefulness has been [observed] and remarked by all and commended by all the Bord [sic]No 6 And last but not least I cannot close these hasty remarks without calling your attention to our worthy and efficient clerk Mr Scow whose specimen of penmanship and accuracy of Book-Keeping will sufficiently commend itself to your approbations without any comments from me. With these brief and general remarks Gentlemen- your Secty and Treasurer will follow with their respective Reports, and after the reading of them- the Committe [sic] on Library, Cabinets & Apparatus, Art-Gallery and those on Bye-Laws [sic] will lay before you such matters as appertain to their departments. Your Hon. Chairman Mr Kelly so highly skilled in Parliamentary rules will then Conduct your through the Triumph of day with his usual promptness, suavity and indulgence, and after closing up the morning exercises will dine @ 2 O’ck after which carriages will be in waiting at the Door to convey all who can make it convenient to visit the College ground, and return in time to take the Cars at 1/2 6 O clock Yours Respectfully &c MV Tuesday June 24, 1862 Tuesday June 24, 1862Address & Statement of M. Vassar Read at Board of Trustees June 24th 1862 and ordered on file C. Swan Secretary-
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Address to Board of Trustees, 23 Feb 1864
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
Feburary 23, 1864
Text
M. Vassar address to the Trustees of V. F. College at the regular meeting of the Board on the 23rd Febr. 1863 Gentlemen Trustees of Vassar Female College. You will allow me once again to congratulate you that a kind Providence has shared our lives to assembly[sic] to gather at this special adjoined meeting to discuss the place of organization. I am truly happy to welcome you nd[sic] my selected counsellors, and beg your attention to some remarks from the present and future aspects of our...
Show moreM. Vassar address to the Trustees of V. F. College at the regular meeting of the Board on the 23rd Febr. 1863 Gentlemen Trustees of Vassar Female College. You will allow me once again to congratulate you that a kind Providence has shared our lives to assembly[sic] to gather at this special adjoined meeting to discuss the place of organization. I am truly happy to welcome you nd[sic] my selected counsellors, and beg your attention to some remarks from the present and future aspects of our enterprise, and to such suggestions as have occurred to my mind. As this paper which I hold in my hand embraces much thought and reflection, and will be the first I have ever addressed to you expressing fully my views and wishes on the several topics connected with the organization, so also it may be my last, & I therefore with, if sanctioned by your honorable body, to order it placed on file in the Archives of the institution for future reference. With these brief remarks by the way of preamble, I will attempt to read my address, craving your indulgence for 15 or 20 min. Perhaps gentlemen more than to any other, these reflections occur to me because a long and stirring life, has developed habits of activity which physically, age may repress, but which mentally were never more in exercise. As I have now withdrawn from every other occupation, my activities center here to such an extent that scarcely an hour occurs, which does not bring with it reflections reflecting the best mode of accomplishing this one great object, which has become the nearest to my heart. Three years I have devoted to this cause alone - years full of information, discussions, and suggestions.from almost every source and every variety of experienced examined, it is thus my own education upon this special subject in all its phases and relations, developed by such opportunities as I could attain by reading and election, that give me a better confidence in my own convictions, even when matters not previously familiar to my thoughts and yet, it is due to truth that my great interest on the subject of female education was awakened not less than 20 years ago by an intimate female friend & relative now decsceased[sic], in the conductment of a Seminary of long standing & character in this city. That close intimacy and interest, continued many years, until just before the institution passed into the hands of our President. It was this fact more than any other and more than all others that awakened me early to the possibility and necessity of an Institution like the one we now propose. This tendency of my mind is therefore of ancient date, and thus gradually gained confidence and strength from my various associations until it has finally caused me to devote to it my property to a large extent, and now occupies all my thoughts. Its complete expression is yet to be effected by your united aid. Gentlemen, by the wise constant and careful aid of your Executive Committee, the College edifice and some of its appendages have gradually progressed, until we hope if nothing unforeseen occurs, that it may be completed by the time limited in the contract, and without any serious loss or controversy. Your lands have been wisely administered and protected, and my own efforts and your interests in these directions, could not have been more ably, cautiously … seconded, than they have been by these gentlemen. Up to this point there is nothing left from that source, that could have been properly expected or desired. I take peculiar pleasure in thus publiclyexpressing my thanks for the aid I have derived from this source, and my strong desires and relyance[sic] when this continuance, a necessity of the same wise consul and assistance for the future We are far advanced in the exterior structure of your Astronomical Observatory and have contracted mainly for its complete equipment, under the valuable assistance and office of Prof. Farrar. We have contracted for a Gate Lodge which we hope to see finished by the coming mid-summer. We have excavated the roadways to some extent and have adopted plans for completing laying out and planting the grounds. Their final completion most occasions made expense and occupy much time. We have contracted for the cases of your Cabinet of Geology & Minerology. We have discussed and attained much valuable practical information upon the subjects of heating and lightening the College Buildings. We have not altered one early design of introducing both, from a building to be constructed specialy[sic] for that purpose, in the rear of the main edifice, and yet, these subjects, especially that of heating, is undergoing such rapid changes as to require the greatest caution, if we hope to secure the best and simplest, most efficient, and economical plan. We have secured plans and estimates for that purpose, but the work has not thus far been commenced. For further information I would beg to refer you to our Architect Mr. Renwick. The road making, the walks, the planting, the farm buildings and sheds, and a heavy amount of grading, boundary fences, as well as many details in various departments, remain to occupy our time, and draw upon our funds.The Library, the Art Gallery, the Museum, the Gymnasium, are yet unprovided to any considerable extent. We have furnished to Prof. R. A. Fisher who is now in Europe, upon the recommendation of the appropriate committe[sic] $500 for the purchase of such apparatus and chemicals, as could not be found so well in this country. We were led to believe, that notwithstanding the high rate of exchange, an exceptional appropriation of this kind might and should be made. The furnishing and equipping the whole interior o the College building, has more over yet to be effected, and will inevitably cause startling inroads upon our Treasury. A Report will be presented to you upon this very important subject in detail, from facts collected by your Treasurer and Sect[Secretary], and reexamined by the Executive Committe[sic] who have given it an elaborate study. Allusion has been heretofore made in respect to the purchase by Prof Kennel with my assent, while he was in Rome, of certain copies of celebrated pictures, made by Miss Church an American Artist. Two of these pictures have arrived, and cost about $1000, and may be seen at my residence. The other copy, at a cost of some $1200 at Rome, is nearly finished, and will be forwarded next month. For this latter, I have assumed the payment, and when it comes to hand the proper Committe[sic] can examine, and take it to the College or not. The President Jewett will submit a schedule of prices and terms on a sliding scale estimated by him to cover the running expenses of the College. The ifs and provisos upon this subjects are quite inevitable, the whole scheme being contingent upon circumstances against which there is no possibility of providing. Prof Jewett will explain to you the details, upon which I have been unable to form a sattisfactory[sic] opinion. It will be very wise however to leave a large margin, for theses possibility against whichno forecast can provide especialy[sic] in the opening of an enterprise, which braves opposition, and depends upon its securing the public attention and favors, without trial and at once. Having thus detailed briefly the existing facts, I proceed with a more general statement of my ideas and desires. In request to the call of [furnishing] the college throughout, I beleive[sic] the report upon that subject covers it completely in every detail that can be foreseen. It is however a matter of the greatest consideration, wether[sic] these heavy outlays exceeding $100,000 should be made in the inevitable haste, and at the vast extra expence[sic], for the sake of opening the College in the coming fall, not withstanding my intense desire to see it in fall opperation[sic], before my heart is sleeping under the clods[clouds] of the valley. The various arguments on this point have been perhaps all, already urged upon me and are familiar. I am not able however to bring myself to a conclusion, favorable to one opening, within a year from the coming spring, and perhaps even six months longer. I do not see my way at all clear, to a commencement next fall, excluding from the continuation, any but the most meagre Library, Art Gallery, the Cabinet & apparatus. If these are all to compete with the cost of the Geological Department, the outlay at present prices must be generous, to an extent which must most seriously exhaust our means. It must all the while be born in mind, that when the time comes for a change of values, securites[securities] will fall less rapidly than [articles] of merchandize, which being held for sale, and not as capital, to be retained, must go upon the market to maintain credit and meet obligations, at whatever sacrifice. Capital mean while, can and will control itself with more performance of value, and a slower rate of decline. On what day this event will arrive, is of course unknown to any of us[.] Gentlemen upon the subject of opening the College, I must be permitted also to remark, that all I hold dear is involved in our success - in a complete and absolute success. My utmost wish has been to survive so grand a result.I would not have a doubt, which human foresight or care can remove, left to cloud it with a possibility. Every arrangement without and within should first be perfected, and so far as possible, subjected to a full preparatory trial, so that no contingency of safety, health, or ease of working might be left unprovided for. This involves to a very large extent, the element of time. I have never - I do not now look upon the period of opening, as in any sense fixed, or as important at all in comparison with the certainty of opening without accident, or imperfection, and with every accessory in the most exact order. In this particular, success may be demonstrated and proven, whatever else, may abide the ordinary accidents incident to human affairs. Contingency [one ought], must be encountered, be as careful as we may. So far therefore as it is by any means possible, I desire to be entirely assumed in advance. And in regard to the expense, which as by no means to be overlooked, every element of change or chance, seems in favor of wise delay. It is more ever to be borne in mind, that there is certain to remain when the building contract is closed, a great variety of details of construction and conveniance[sic] within the building to be planned and put in place, which will require time and thought and care. Indeed it has just now become apparent, that the relative positions of some important parts of the domestic appartments[sic] must be entirely changed, which will cause them to be remodeled to a great extent. In so large a structure, it is unfeasible to foresee every thing. It is as we leave the larger features, and turn to the details, that defects force themselves upon the attention. I have thus alluded to the subject of opening the College, not left in Justice to myself, to you, to the permanent intent of the College itself, than because of its bearing, when the special subject of organization, which wemeet especialy[sic] to discuss this morning. In doing this I have by no means lost sight of the fact, however perfect & unexeptional[sic] structure, and it aids and equipment may be, there is yet another vital step, when which in the end, the final success will turn - a defective organization or method, or a lack of the best ability, on the part of any of those who may be called to perform its functions, will cause the whole to fail. In this respect gentlemen, I have no partialities for persons, or means, save that they must be the very highest and best. I place the very strongest stress, upon this point. Let nothing of a personal nature, let no prejudice, and no [preprosessions], I intreat you, enter here. This institution as an impersonality, is the object of our care - we launch it for a blessing to all time. We have the world from which to choose our instruments. We each and all of us, as individuals, sink out of sight, in view of the … and greatness of this design. Let us forget men, forget prejudice, forget favor, forget every other consideration, while we plant this seed, whose branching shall be for the healing of the nations, and whose growth shall be perpetual. Scrutinize, sift, weight, guage[gauge] every proposition, every plan, every person, frankly, freely, and honestly. We can never afford to do this so well as now. When we shall have once acted, a correction afterwards, will invite a convulsion. In every instance, give the doubt to the College, and in favor of no method, and of no man, Be sure that the means and instruments, are carefully abreast of the magnitude of the endowments of the idea involved, and of the highest public expection[expectation], and be such that they may all grow and expand together. Among other things respecting the organization, I call your attention to the subject of the age, and requirements requisite to an entrance to the Institution, with the single remark, that both should be fixed at a period so early,as to preclude the necessity, of causing a schollar[sic] to begin her career, by unlearning, what may have been badly learnt elsewhere. Take your pupils from the threshold of study to the summit of knowledge, by your own paths, and you secure a higher result, with no less of either money or time, no half mother, can then claim any share, in the honors your graduates will wear. I regard this as a great oncoming, to pupil and parent alike, and as securing the advantage of an unbroken systematic training, which is the most valuable element in any educated life. In respect to the general system of the organization proposed by your President Mr. J, I heavily approve it - my attention was very much occupied during the summer, if indeed the whole year of 1862, with what is here spoken of as the university system. It was my great advantage to have had near me, and to have corresponded during that period, at very great length, with a gentleman quite familiar, with not only the theory, but to a great extent with the practice of that system, so that when one President returned from Europe, I was already prepared to advocate & urge, its induction here. While therefore, I regard this as a system as by no means a novelity[novelty], even in this country, I am not aware of its application to any such number of young women, as we hope to gather here. However, it is not easy to discover why a system already proven in its applicability to young men, upon a large scale, and to young women only upon a smaller one, is not capable of almost expansion. For myself, I have no fears, as to the success of the main features of this system. In regard to the details, I see about me too many experienced and educated gentlemen, to fear that any minor defects will escape attention or amendment. If there should be any grave doubts, even in reference to these points, I trustthere may be no such haste, as prevent this very deliberate consideration, and calm and intelligent settlement. Let no single point or subject, be passed as “well enough,” or as “one that will do.” When this matter is finaly[sic] dispated[dissipated] of, I shall not be sattisfied[sic], with any thing short, of the intelligent and personal endorsement, of the various members of this Board - every man judging this individual responsibility his conviction, that it is at all points the best than can be devised. Gentlemen while I do not anticipate nor desire any … to any appointments whatever at this meeting, I do with, to lay before you frankly, and as fully as may be, my views where the general subject of appointments, for your future reflection. It is my hope, it was my only hope and desire, indeed it has been the main incentive, to all I have already done, or may here after do, or hope to do, to inaugurate a new era, in the history and life of woman. The attempt you are to aid me in making, fails wholly of its points, if it be … an advance, and a decided advance. I wish to give one sex, all the advantages too long monopolised by the other - ours is, and is to be, an Institution for women - not men. In all its labors, positions, rewards, and hopes, the idea is the development and exposition, and the martialing[sic] to the front and to the preferment, of women, of this power, on every side, demonstrative of this equality with men. If possible, demonstrative of such capacity, as in certain fixed directions surpass, those of men. This I conceive, may be fully accomplished, within the national tenets of true womanliness, and with … the slightest reward, to the natural attractiveness of her character.We are indeed already defeated before we commence, if development be in the least dangerious[sic], to the dearest attributes of the class. We are not the less defeated, if it be hazardus[sic] for her to avail herself, of the highest educated power, when that point is gained. We are defeated, if we start upon the assumption that she has no power, save those she may derive or imitate, from the other sex. We are defeated, if we recognise the idea, that she may not with every propriety contribute to the world, the matured faculty which education evoked. We are specialy[sic] defeated, if we fail to express, on practical beliefs, in her preeminent power, as an instructor of her own sex especialy[sic]. Gentlemen. No superior power, has given, or will give us, an exclusive patent, for originating the utillity[sic] or genius of woman, out of nothing. We must proceed when the conviction, that these are in the world before us. We shall fail to make all coming women, which many already are. We can and still, fill up many valley, elevate many plains, and build higher many natural summits. But we can scarcely hope, that every future height shall wear one family crest alone. Go as fight as we may, or can hope to do, and genious[sic], which will not call on College Mothers, stand all the time abreast of us. It is my wish, to recognize not only the possibility, but the Fact, of that Genious[sic] and those high abilities, at the very outset. Let us prove the certainty, of woman’n higher possible future, by the best example, from the present. Let us recognize and honor, her existing talent ourselves, first, before we demand that recognition from the world. In my judgement, it is clearly due, to the idea whichunderlies our entire structure, that we do not hesitate here. Let us not add another, to the examples of mans want of generosity, or half-hearted recognition, of the power of one half of the world. We should be ashamed to do it at least under the mask of an Institution, which professes to be his peculiar champion, and which is to be dedicated to her benefit alone. We cannot hope to maintain our beliefs before the world, when we valiantly oppose it; to our practice. We are bound to act upon one profession, to illustrate one idea, at the very … and I need not mention that this idea, since the commencement of one enterprise, has unfolded itself immensely since we began. I have therefore no fear of its future, but if failure must ensue, when the development of womans faculties, then will the hand on the dial-plate of universal knowledge be set back, and she must make her way under the twilight of the horizon of her Lord and Master. Only aid me judicious, in the selection of the best instruments to be formed, amongst the highly educated and accomplished women of this country, and let her take the hazard, if there be one. I at least have gone too far already, to allow me shrink one instance, from shining or being intimidated by that risk. Let her at least share the most prominent & responsible position, in your gift, and let them be proffered her, accordingly and as her unquestioned rights. as far as she can fill them equaly[sic] to men. I share your time in omitting here, the great variety of reflections, which has brought me unhesitatingly to this point. They will doubly occur to you.I verryly[verily] believe a generous partition between the sexes of all the [professions] is due no less to the idea underlying this enterprise, than to woman herself, and to the immediate and permanent success of our efforts. [Inaugurate] woman’s elevation & power, genious[sic] and task, at the same moment, that you open the door to her sex for it is vain to elevate woman’s power of thought & then limit their [aspirations]. Give her a present confidence, and not push her back again upon a future hope. I have already staked my means, upon my belief in her present practical powers. Let the foremost women of our land, be among the most advanced and honored pilots, & guardians, of coming women, & of her posterity, and I cheerfully leave my name, to be associated with the research. I hesitate much, to urge this point, from any consideration of an economical nature. We must pay fairly, & even generously, whatsoever instruments we use, and yet the differences will occur to you at once. Nine male professors, or even six at any time, much more of the opening of our doors, will cause a perpetual drain upon our resources, we may wish we had avoided when too late. Now at least, it seems to me the dictate of the only enlightened prudence, to reduce that number by at least one half, and to concentrate their duties of supervision, and lectures, so that all the rest, may be left to the national province of woman, as distinctly hers. I have not the slightest fear, those may be found, fully equal to one half of the positions. Indeed we have the testimony of our President, that he finds the most distinguished student, and copyist, in Rome, to be an american woman and we also have this early recognition of the superior effectiveness of Miss Maria Mitchell. Music, languages, literature, the natural sciences, Hygiene, are her native elements, and she has not failed to reach the highest point, in astronomy & Mathematics. Against the time, when the subject of appointments, shall arrive, and even now, while the distribution of duties in the various departments, will receive your attention. I shall venture to refresh our memories in regard to the care to be taken, in the exclusion of sectarion[sic] influnces[sic], and to that end, that the appointees in every grade, shall fairly represent the principal Christian denominations among us. I would rather be remembered, as one who earnestly sought to fuse, the Christian element of the world into one grand Catholic body - of any rate, as one who has endevoured[sic] to remove all [barriers], rather than recognize or cherish any exclusively. As the legitimate and practicable result of this idea, I would on this point, invite to the College desk, on the days of public worship, alternately, the representatives of every christian church. I am assume that no difficulty need be apprehended, in effecting a permanent arrangement, of this kind, in this city. Let our pupils see and know, that beyond every difference, there is after all but one God, one Christ, one Gospel, and that the spires of whatsoever church, forever point towards one Heaven, and upon this point again, without disparagement to any other religions source, permits me to add, that the strongest incentives to goodniss[sic], and the most valuable religions tendency will be found to foermost[sic] of all, like an emanation, from the presence of gifted, cultivated, Christian, women. With these remarks, gentlemen, we turn to the more minute consideration, of the place of organization, which has brought us together this morning. I ask your deliberate counsel, nothing in haste, nothing premature, nothing in doubt, nothing rejected onlybecause it is old, nothing accepted only because it is new. It is this Institution that you are to launch - your reputation as well as mine is embarked, and I invoke a full expression of every individual opinion. Indeed our reputation are as nothing, in the grand success of this scheme if we equip and direct it as we must, for the most distant future. I am willing to take the fullest responsibility, of the positions I have advanced, but not in any one favor, nor in favor of any other individual, or plan, whatever, are your deliberate convictions to be suppressed. If upon any point, I seem to be in advance of any of you, that time will not be last, which may be necessary to bring us all abreast. Though no one of you can reilise[realize] the extent of my deep solicitude, that I may be shared by my Heavenly Father to see the final and successful achievements of a life, already prolonged. I still invoke deliberation, and not haste. And now Gentlemen Friends, I close these remarks by commending to your the words of our savior in the 26 chapt and 41 verse of my Christian name. It has not escaped my attention, Gentlemen, that after the completion of the College, and furnishing in every department, there will remain certain duties of a financial & business character to be provided as a permanency. At a future time I shall take pleasure in submitting to you my general views upon this head. This does not seem to be the moment to elaborate that subject and I therefore pass it for the present.Address of M Vassar Founder This address of 14 pages was Read at an [adjourned] meeting of the Board of Trustees in the city of Poughkeepsie. Feb. 23rd 1864 and ordered on file. C. Swan Sec
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Address to Board of Trustees, 12-13 Apr 1865
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
April 12, 1865
Text
Gentlemen It is now some 10 months since we last assembled in this room. To me it seems but half its number. Time flys[sic] swiftly as age advances and intervening topics engross our minds, and for these we have certainly not lacked. Just 4 years ago tomorrow we staked out the ground for the foundation of your College and which was singuliar[singularly] memmoralised[sic] by the Fall of Fort Sumter. Then or soon thereafter hostilities of war began in open conflicts, which has spred[sic]...
Show moreGentlemen It is now some 10 months since we last assembled in this room. To me it seems but half its number. Time flys[sic] swiftly as age advances and intervening topics engross our minds, and for these we have certainly not lacked. Just 4 years ago tomorrow we staked out the ground for the foundation of your College and which was singuliar[singularly] memmoralised[sic] by the Fall of Fort Sumter. Then or soon thereafter hostilities of war began in open conflicts, which has spred[sic] desolation, grief, & sadness throughout our wide domain - but during all these upturnings and exciting aggitations[sic] our enterprise have[has] gone steadly[sic] along untill[sic] it has substantialy[sic] reached its material climax, but not without partialy[sic] sharing in the monetary convlsions incident to a state of war. We have nevertheless much cause for gratitude to our Heavenly Father that amisdt[sic] all these calamites[calamities] the Lives & health of our honorable Board have been shared to this hour.It would be impossible for me to speak a tythe[tithe] of the incidents and reflections occuring[sic] to my mind within this interviewing period of 4 years, and of the unremitting draft made upon my mental & physical energies. But I have availed myself of the opportunity of free consultation and converse with our worthy and able President Doct[or] Raymond and our Executive Committee on the various departments of the Enterprised as it progressed, And now on the present occasion.I shall confine my remarks of what I have to say to one or two topics, in respect to which my views may be regarded as somewhat chemical being in advance of the public sentement[sic], both on which I am confident & strongly persuaded the longer you reflect the more nearly we shall come to agree. Among the many points of interest embraced in the plan of organizations, one in relation to which I have frequently conversed with the President is that of arranging the College Terms & vacations so as to maintain a just proportion between the periods of Rest & Labor and at the same time to secure for Collegiate uses the largest possible amount of that season which in our climate is most propitious of the year. Address of M. Vassar Read to Board of Trustees April 12 - 1865 & ordered on file C. Swan Sec.[retary] Without counselling[sic] any rash experiments or a premature departure from existing usages, I beg to propose as substantialy[sic] expressing my idea and serve as a guide to your reflections, some such divission[sic] of time as the following: Fall term from 1st Sept[ember] to 1st January 4 Months Spring term from 1st Apl[April] to 1st August 4 Months Total Term Time 8 Months Winter Vacation from 1st Jan.[uary] 1st April 3 Months Summer Vacation from 1st Aug.[ust] 1st Sept[ember] 1 Months Total Vacation Time 4 Months It will be seen that this arrangement reduces the amount of term-time during the year from 10 months to 8 months say about 2/3 of the whole leaving one third to be spent at home or in travelling[sic] under parental directions; at the same time, it assigns a somewhat larger proportion than is usual of the summer months to term of the winter months vacation. The College as you are aware, is already provided with an extensive & admiral effective heating apparatus; amply sufficent[sic] for the coldest winter weather; so that it is not from any economical neccessity[sic] that this change is suggested, but from considerations of health, convience[convenience] and utility, which I think will commend themselves to a reflective mind as of no trifling weight. It is the late fall and winter season which in one climate is prolific of colds & those numerous eruptions, coughs and other disceases[diseases] of Northern latitudes, which are kindred to or consequent upon them. It will hardly be possible I apprehend to conduct the sanitary management of so large a school of young women through our inclement winter months in such way as to prevent the occurance[sic] of numerous such cases and the occupation of our infirmary apartments with most undesireable[sic] frequency. And the tendcy of the public mind would be to ascribe this to something unhealthy in the location or unwise in the management of the College.Besides in carrying out what is not the least important part of our system the thorough physical training of the students - extensive arrangements are to be made on the grounds for various gymnastic & athletic exercises, healthfull[sic] recreations, and physical accomplishments suitable for ladies. I also understand it to be the desire and purposes of your President to intriduce[introduce] into the College Course a liberal supply of outdoor instruction, such for instance, as geological excursions, the study of trees, plants and flowers in living examples, drawing from nature etc. Now all these are suited to the summer; and in the winter season all the extraordinary advantages for them, passed by the Clollege would be comparatively lost. To these advantages of the summer term, so intimately related to the health and perfect education of the young Ladies, may be added a portion of the winter.Those who reside in the rural districts could avail themselves of the long winter evenings assisting in the household duties, repairing their own wardrobes, making up new garments, and meanwhile reviewing the studies of the preceding term or preparing for those of the next; and those whose home is in the Cities or large towns, while doing the some, would enjoy the additional benefit of attending the intellectual and social entertainment usualy[sic] there in the winter months. It would not however be neeccessary[sic] to insist on the peremptory dismissal of all the pupils during the vacation, such as had no parents or homes within convient[convenient] reach could be allowed to remain, paying only for their board and for such special instruction as they might privately engage in. The fixing of the due proportion between term-time and vacation is a matter of no less importance. In the order of nature, the Creator has wisely provided for the rest of man & beasts.This is seen in the climatical division of the earth, the succession of seasons, the alternation of day and night. Even the earth itself, amisdt[sic] the untireing[sic] activity of those powers by which it generates, repairs & fosters life, finds in the rolling year its appointed periods of repose - fall[sic] & winter contrasting with Summer, seed-time set over against harvest, cold alternating with heat, and wet with dry, so in the conduct of our ordinary life, we divide ur time from day to day, alloting[sic] one third for sleep, one third for labor, and one third to recruit our wasted energies by food and recreation. Is there not an analogy limited here, which we may find instruction in determinings[sic] the proportions of the year to be assigned, first to absolute vacation, secondly to serve study, and third, to those refreshing & invigorating exercises with which even the term-time should be relieved and enlivened?Of this we may be sure, that wherever nature has fixed the limit we gain nothing & loose[lose] much by attempting to over-leaped it. Mind as well as matter is most healthy developed by observing the appointed seasons of growth. The latter we see expand and reaches the zenith of its perfection within the natural allotted period, so also does the former; and if we attempt to force nature out of her regular channels, by whatever means, we only impair her powers and hinder the accomplishment of her benificeant[beneficial] ends. Any overtaxating[overtaxing] mental or physical, defeats itself. What I wish mainly to enforce is a more carefull[sic] observance of these great laws and a larger amount of physical, pleasently[sic] blended with the mental exercises of the College - I have long since seen, as you have, the pernicous[pernicious] effects resulting from the neglect of these precautions, and especialy[sic] in our Seminary of learning, from stimulating the youthful brain to exhausting andprotracted exertion, through long winter evenings, in rooms artificialy[sic] heated and imperfectly ventilated and by the light of lamps or gass[sic]. It is reported of one of the most noted of the female Seminarys[sic] in New England, that incalcuable[incalculable] injury is doing to their health under the plea of thorough discipline, and by ill-ventilated apartments and over-taxation of their brains. Everry[sic] hour in twenty-four hours is methodised; there is not a moment unoccupied, and the injury done is fearful. For proof of this I refer you to the Transactions of the N.[ew] York State Medical Society Report of 1864. I may add, that winter-sessions are prefered[sic] in this and in the generality of seminaries on the ground that the season is most favorable to this high-pressure system of severe study & through discipline. Let us look on the pale faces and fragile forms of our notover-loaded, or overeducated but unwisely educated young country women, and correct the system. I close as I began, by disclaiming any purpose of urging the Board to any premature action or insisting on any particular scheme of division for the College year. It is general principles to which I attach importance, and the momentous interest of health and true womanly Education involved therein. To these Gentlemen I do earnestly solicit your attention and to a prompt and courageous action in that direction which your mature judgement shall approve. And now Gentlemen, in closing this address, allow me to recall to your minds the expression which I made on a former occasion, of my opinions and wishes concerning the character of the instruction to be given in the College, and concerning those to whom the responsibilty[sic] of imparting it should be intrusted[entrusted]My views have undergone no change. It is my wish now, as it was in the begining[sic] of our Enterprise, nay, many years before, to build an Institution for women - such in every sense, and of the highest attainments. An Institution where women might be instructed in all the branches of literature and science suited to the sphere assigned them in social, moral, and religious life, and prepared for the successfull[sic] pursuits of every vocation wherein they can be made usefull[sic] for their own maintainance[sic], or for the good of society and the race - an Institution, too, where in due time women shall be the Teachers or Educators of Women. I am pleased to observe, that, since the inauguration of our Enterprise in 1861, great changes have taken place in the public opinion regarding what may be appropriatelly[sic] regarded as the sphere of woman. From two of our Femal Medical Colleges alone,that of Bston, and that of Philadelphia between 25 and 30 ladies have received the full degree of M.D. and many evidences are recorded of the rapid diminuation of unworthy prejudice which for a while denied professional recognition to female practitioners (Beg of Mr. Hales pardon for the use of the term) however learned and skillful and threw ungenerous obstacles in the way of their success. among these evidences may be noted the fact that the venerable Medical Society of Philadelphia - that most professional proud & orthodox of cities, now permits its members to hold consultations with women physicians, a recognition which at first it sturdily refused. This is a long stride in the right direction and I mention it merely as among many interesting facts which marks the drift in the current of the public mind. It is to m, a matter of great encouragement. We have only to go steadly[sic] forward in the path we have begun to tread, and by a wise and liberal policy, to give respectability to an idea, whichhas already taken a strong hold on the concience[sic], and heart of the community, and we are certain under God of success. In dealing justly and generously by our Sisters & Daughters, we may with confidence expect the favoring smile of our common Father, and the surest possible way confer incalcuable[incalculable] benefits on the whole family of man. And now Gentlemen I have only one more thought to mention, and I shall merely name it leaving the consideration of the propriety of it to the decision of your honorable body. I refer to the change of the name of your College from “Vassar Female College” to “Vassar College” Leaving out the word “Female.[“] Your President knows my views on the subject & is intimate with the long discussion for the past 2 years in some of correspond[ence] on that matte I beg therefore for further particulars, to refer you [to] him & other Gentlemen of this Board. for matters refering[sic] to the College Finances, I refer you to the Treas[urer’s] Report & to our Sect.[Secretary] C. Swan.
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Act to incorporate Vassar Female College
Creator
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date
January 18, 1861
Text
Chapter 2 An Act to incorporate Vassar Female College Passed January 18th 1861 The People of the State of New York represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: Section A. Matthew Vassar, Ira Harris, William Kelly, James Harper, Martin B. Andersen, John Thompson, Edward Lathrop, Charles W Swift, E. L. Magoon, S. M. Buckingham, Milo P. Jewett, Nathan Bishop, Matthew Vassar Jr, Benson J. Lossing, E. M. Robinson, Samuel F. B. Morse, S. S. Constant, John Guy Vassar, William Hague,...
Show moreChapter 2 An Act to incorporate Vassar Female College Passed January 18th 1861 The People of the State of New York represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: Section A. Matthew Vassar, Ira Harris, William Kelly, James Harper, Martin B. Andersen, John Thompson, Edward Lathrop, Charles W Swift, E. L. Magoon, S. M. Buckingham, Milo P. Jewett, Nathan Bishop, Matthew Vassar Jr, Benson J. Lossing, E. M. Robinson, Samuel F. B. Morse, S. S. Constant, John Guy Vassar, William Hague, Rufus Baberek, Cornelius DuBois, John H. Raymond, Morgan S. Smith, Cyrus Swan, George W. Sterling, George T. Pierce, Smith Sheldon, Joseph C. Doughty, and A. L. Allen, are hereby constituted a body corporate, by the name of “Vassar Female College” to be located in Dutchess County near the city of Poughkeepsie. By that name the said corporation shall have perpetual succession, with power to fill vacancies as they may occur from time to time in their brand, to sue and be sued, to contract and be contracted with, to make and use a common seal and to alter the name at pleasure, to purchasetake and hold, by gift, grant or devise, subject to “an act relating to wills” passed April thirteenth Eighteen hundred and sixty, except in the case of Matthew Vassar herein named, and to dispose of any real personal property, the yearly income or revenue of which shall not exceed the value of forty thousand Dollars. Section 2. The object and purpose of said corporation are herby declared to be to promote the education of young women in literature, science and the arts. Section 3. The college may grant to students under its charge diplomas or honorary testimonials in such form as it may designate. It may also grant and confer such honors, degrees and diplomas as are granted by any university, college or seminary of learning in the United States. Section 4. Diplomas granted by the college shall entitle the possessors to the immunities and privileges allowed by usage or statute to the possessors of like diplomas from any university, College or seminary of learning in this state. Section 5. The persons named in the first section of this act shall be the first trustees of the said corporation. The President of the College,while holding office, shall be a member of The board of Trustees. Section 6. Nine trustees shall be a quorum for the transaction of business; but no real estate shall be bought or sold, and no president or professor of the college shall be appointed or removed except by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the trustees. Section 7. The Corporation shall have all such powers, and be subject to such duties and liabilities as are applicable to colleges and are specified or contained in the second and fifth articles of the first title of the fifteenth chapter of the first part of the revised statutes, and in title third chapter eighteen of the same part of the revised statutes except so far as the same are inconsistent with the provisions of this act. Section 8. Matthew Vassar, of Poughkeepsie, is hereby authorized and empowered to give, grant, devise and bequeath to the aforesaid corporation, by his last will and testament, or otherwise, any such portion of his estate, as he may choose so to give, grant, devise or bequeath, any existing act or statute to the contrary notwithstanding. Section 9. This act shall take effect immediately.State of New-York, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE I have compared the preceding with the original law on file in this office, and do hereby certify that the same is a correct transcript therefrom and of the whole of … [below] Given under my hand and seal of office, at the city of Albany, this Eighteenth day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty one. H. P. Wilcox … Secretary of State
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