Letter from James B. Mason to
R. W. Lassiter, September 3, 1873
Chapel Hill, N.C.
Sept. 3d 1873
Hon. R. W. Lassiter
Treas.
of the University of N.C.
Dear Sir:
By a certain writing signed by yourself officially, in the possession of Rev. S.
Pool— one of the Committee appointed by the Bd. of
Trustees in Nov. 1871, to take charge of the entire University
property here — that in allotting the several Libraries as therein
contained, "The care, protiction and possession
of the University Library" were given to me. Under this
arrangement I have had it in charge every since. Prof. Brewer, who for the past two years has been in
Europe filling a
Consulship at Pireaus, Greece, has
returned and claims, that, as Librarian, he is entitled to its possession and
management, & therefore requests of me the keys. I respectfully declined
his request, for the reason that the appointment of the Committee referred to,
and the placing of all the property in the possession of the same by yourself,
and your allotment of the several Libraries, superseded any authority that he
may claim in the premises as Librarian. I further more consider that his
appointment emanated from a body less capable of conferring authority
— and originated from the Faculty; and when the exercises were
suspended & the Facultydisorganized and
sought other employment, that he ceased to be Librarian except in name merely
till its reorganization, especially so, since the Bd. of Trustees had
deemed it proper to appoint such a Committee in whose care & possession
the entire property was entrusted. I am of opinion that the resolution of the
Board and the actions taken thereunder gave absolute
control of the property, and to me the University
Library, independent of and absolving the claims of Brewer & all other persons. If not, why the
necessity of such a Committee, and the charge of the University
Library being placed in the hands of the Committee & in my hands
specially, in common with other of the University property here? Mr. Brewer was at
that time Librarian; and this action on the part of the Trustees
was taken after his appointment to a Foreign Mission. The Trustees certainly
intended to give the Committee absolute charge of all the property —
the University Library with the rest.
It is a difficult matter to know each man's prerogatives in connection with this
property. McIver to give vent to
"buncombe" when I had his boys & others up for
trespassing upon certain of the property— claimed much authority as
Supt. of Pub. Institution — which was foreign and without foundation
in fact. But his boys were on trial! He had employed every technicality on trial
to make good their escape. My authority for
prosecuting was questioned — His son Herman, who had got into the University Library through an upper window and secured an inner key which was by him
given to his father & is now in is father's possession, (this was shown
on trial) and against whom I had better evidence to convict — was
asked to be turned loose because of his age. Having so much authority as Supt.
of Pub. Instruction &c., he was along with & gave his consent to
his other son & others to go into & upon the top of the Phi.
Library Building which was placed in the special charge of Mr. Pool, & upon which many
of the worst trespasses were committed. But these same boys were in the same
building day before & when McIver was not along —
Since the trial I find no trespasses committed. I could tell you much in
connection with this trial & the trespasses which for lack of time
& space I omit.
I succeeded in convicting McIver's colored woman for cutting
& carring away wood (good oak wood — living timber) which was
carried on the premises of McIver, & as the woman was
a in his employ & a single woman, I presume that the wood was used for
the benefits of his family. The woman was fined $5 & cost which was paid by McIver.
Please let me know your opinion of the course I have pursued in respect to Brewer & the University Library. Am I not the rightful possessor?
I am & remain yours with high respect,
James B. Mason
Of the
Committee