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Title: Faculty Circular and Grade Report for J. D. Battle, June 1, 1844: Electronic Edition.
Author: University of North Carolina (1793-1962). General Faculty
Author: Mitchell, Elisha, 1793-1857
Funding from the University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill supported the electronic publication of this title.
Text transcribed by Bari Helms
Images scanned by Bari Helms
Text encoded by Sarah Ficke
First Edition, 2005
Size of electronic edition: ca. 16K
Publisher: The University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
2005

No Copyright in US

The electronic edition is a part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill digital library, Documenting the American South.
Languages used in the text: English
Revision history:
2005-08-03, Sarah Ficke finished TEI/XML encoding.
Source(s):
Title of collection: Battle Family Papers (#3223-a), Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Title of document: Faculty Circular and Grade Report for J. D. Battle, June 1, 1844
Author: [The Faculty]
Author: E. Mitchell Bursar
Description: 3 pages, 3 page images
Note: Call number 3223-a (Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
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Faculty Circular and Grade Report for J. D. Battle, June 1, 1844
University of North Carolina (1793-1962). General Faculty
Mitchell, Elisha, 1793-1857



Page 1

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Chapel Hill, June 1st, 1844.

SIR:

The Faculty feel themselves fully justified in stating, that at no previous period in the history of the institution, have the opportunities both for impacting and receiving instruction, been equal to what they are at present. They believe that there is no department, into which manifest improvements have not been introduced, and that in all that relates to the cultivation of the intellect, the community have good reason to be satisfied with the present condition of the University:
There are few parents who do not feel much more solicitous about the moral culture, than the intellectual attainments of their children; and any instructor may be regarded as eminently unfaithful in the discharge of his duties, to whom the morals and manners of his pupil are not subjects of paramount concern. To what extent our labors have been or may be successful in these respects, it is impossible to determine. We can conscientiously assure you, however, that there is no collegiate institution in the country, to which our acquaintance extends, in which we believe greater pains are taken by the Faculty, and certainly none where the Legislature and the Trustees have united so cordially and efficiently to promote these objects.
Our secluded situation is not without its disadvantages, but they are believed to be more than counterbalanced by the safeguards which the Legislature and the Trustees have been thereby enabled to throw around us. Extensive inquiry, long experience, and personal examination have left no doubt, on the mind of any one of us, that our location was in all respects happily chosen.
To maintain a tippling house within two miles of the University, or to sell within that distance wine, ardent spirits or malt liquors, to be used by a student, without the consent of the Faculty, is an indictable offence. Gaming, horse-racing, and other kindred practices, within four miles, are prohibited in like manner. To give full sanction and efficiency to the provisions of the criminal law, the Trustees have ordained that any student who may be seen publicly intoxicated or in whose room ardent spirits may be found, shall be forthwith suspended or dismissed, as the circumstances of the case may seem to require. This ordinance has been and will be faithfully carried into execution in every instancs of its violation.
Extravagant habits ordinarily tend to the hindrance of all improvement, intellectual and moral; and the deleterious effect is by no means confined to the individual who is the subject of them. It is impossible to preserve young men in all cases from indiscretions of this character. So carefully have these evils been guarded against, however, that no parent can suffer from them, who is faithful to the college, the community, his son, or himself. The Rev. ELISHA MITCHELL , D.D. is Bursar of the institution. It is his duty to receive all sums of money that young men bring with them, to "disburse the same in paying their board, tuition fees, college dues, and other necessary expenses"—"to keep an account of the money thus received and disbursed, and at the close of each session to transmit a copy of such account to the parent or guardian of each student."
The Revised Statute "concerning the University," (chap. 116,) makes it "unlawful for any merchant, shop-keeper or other person at Chapel Hill, or within two miles thereof, to sell to any student of the University, goods, wares or merchandise, without the consent of the Faculty or some member thereof, in writing." Any contract for the sale of such articles is "null and void, and no recovery can be had thereon." The parent is consequently absolved from all obligation to pay an account thus created, and it is very clear that a guardian cannot discharge such a claim, without rendering himself

Page 2
liable to the estate of his ward for the amount. The ordinance of the Trustees, on the subject, requires the Faculty to dismiss a student, who may contract a debt without permission.
The Faculty have full confidence that these salutary provisions will meet with your hearty concurrence. To enable you to act intelligently and efficiently, we will transmit at the middle and end of each session, such a statement of the progress of your son in learning, and of his moral deportment as will enable you to form and communicate to him, your opinion of his fidelity to himself and to you. We beg leave to assure you that no influence can be brought to bear upon the young with so much promise of a favorable result, as advice, expostulation, encouragement, or admonition from the paternal roof.
In behalf of the Bursar and the merchants here, we have especially to request, that you will notify the former forthwith, if you desire that your son may be permitted to contract debts on credit, that notice and permission may be given accordingly, and the obligations consequently incurred, be rendered your own.
Since the commencement of the session (a period of 21 weeks) Mr. J. D. Battle has been absent from Prayers — times, from Recitation — times, and from attendance on Divine Worship — times; —of these absences — from Prayers — from Recitation, and — from Divine Worship were unavoidable
His general deportment very good.
His relative gradation of scholarship in his class is considered very respectable in the ancient Languages and Mathematics, good in English Grammar and very good in History
Each student is required to attend prayers thirteen times, recitations fifteen times, and Divine worship once each week. All absences, whether unavoidable or not, are recorded. A very simple calculation, therefore, will enable you to ascertain the precise proportion of duties performed and omitted.
With respect to the necessary expenses of a student, THE FACULTY concur entirely in the opinion expressed by the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE in the Circular addressed to Parents and Guardians on the 15th April, 1837, that exclusive of the supplies of clothing ordinarily obtained from home, more than two hundred and fifty dollars a year is not necessary either to the comfort or reputation of any one.


Page 3
Audit by Amount deposited by Hon Wilm. Battle for the College Expenses of his son Janry 6th 1844.
Thirty Dollars . . . . . $30.00
Dr by Amount transferred to credit of Trustees for tuition and deposit . . . . . $28.00
Balance in hand . . . . . $2.00 $30.00

E. Mitchell Bursar