Chap. 47.—JOINT RESOLUTIONS gratefully acknowledging a mu-
nificent donation to the University of Virginia by an unknown citizen
of New York.

Approved January 26, 1877.

The general assembly of Virginia having been informed
that a citizen of the state of New York (who for the present
declines to permit bis name to be disclosed to the public) has
made a donation to the University of Virginia, amounting to
more than sixty thousand dollars, to be expended in the pur-
chase of a cabinet of natural science, and in the erection of a
building suitable for its safe keeping and exhibition; grate-
fully appreciating the generous feelings which prompted the
gift, and respecting the singular modesty which induced the
donor to witbhold his name, deem it a duty which they owe
to the people of Virginia, to make in their name some suita-
ble acknowledgment of this munificent donation, coming as
it does in this centennial year, which is well calculated to
revive fraternal feeling; and from a citizen of a northern
stato, who is bound to Virginia by no tie of nativity or resi-
dence, it is doubly welcome, not only as a timely contribution
to the cause of science in the south, but as a manifestation of
that comprehensive sentiment of patriotism which ignores
ail sectional lines, and looks to the welfare of every part of
our common.country. |

Resolved, therefore, by the general assembly of Virginia,
That on behalf of the people of Virginia, they accept with
profound sensibility this noble donation, so gracefully be-
stowed by their unknown benefactor, and regret that by
witbholding his name he has deprived them of the pleasure
ot placing it on record with those of others who have strony
claims on the gratitude of Virginia.

Resolved, That the thanks of the commonwealth are here-
by tendered to the generous “unknown donor,” and that a
copy of this preamble and resolutions be engrossed on parch-
ment, signed by the presiding officers of the two houses of
the general assembly, and placed in the hands of the rector
of the University, with the request that he adopt such means
as he may deem necessary to cause it to be transmitted to
the generous friend of tbe institution which was founded
under the counsel and auspices of Thomas Jefferson.