Mitchell, Elisha, 1793-1857
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University of NCa
Feby 3d 1849
To His Excellency
Charles Manly
My Dear Sir
Gov.
Swain
interchanged a few words with you on the subject of improving the grounds
about the University and the employment of Mr
Loder
another year. There was no opportunity
for the action of the Committee at that time but it was supposed that it
would be safe and prudent for us to go ahead and trust to having our
proceedings sanctioned by the Committee.
It was voted at the close of the last session by the Faculty that they would
recommend the employment of Mr
Loder
for another six months.
Gov.
Swain
desires to have the responsibilities of the business transferred from his
own shoulders to those of some other persons. Messrs
Green
,
Phillips Jr
,
and myself have been charged with it and to this august body I act in the
capacity of Chairman. We have had a meeting this day and it is my object in
this communication to lay before you our views and ask directions.
Mr
Loder
was busy a good deal
last year in getting ready in a nursery plants and shrubs to be transferred
to the grounds. He has hitherto been
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engaged a
good deal this year in making the transfer — was wanted in fact to
render the expenditure of last year available. If he is imployed tis almost
a matter of necessity to furnish him with such assistants as shall make his
superior skill of use beyond his mere manual labor.
Whilst he is employed therefore — whether for half a year or a
whole one we think it best that the
rate of
expenditure should be about the same as last year as a thousand dollars per
year. Further — as the engagements of gardeners are generally
entered into at the
beginning of they year it
seems that it will be hardly fair to dismiss Mr.
Loder
and throw him out of business in June. We
rather imagine that you will be inclined to retain him till next January,
giving him timely warning now that his services may not be required after
that time.
In the whole business we are not prepared to recommend anything with any very
intemperate zeal. If an appropriation is made a part of the money should be
placed at our disposal for application as it may be wanted.