Chap. 157.—An ACT to Adjudicate the Claim of Washington and Lee
University against the State.

Approved March 11, 1872.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That it shall be
competent for the circuit court of the city of Richmond, sit-
ting in equity, to hear and determine the claim of Washington
and Lee University, as the grantee of the late George Peabody,
for the re-issue, for its use and benefit, of certain coupon bonds
of the state of Virginia lost at sea with the steamship ‘Arctic’
in eighteen hundred and fifty-four; subject to such offset as
the state may be entitled to as the creditor and assignee of the
late firm of Selden, Withers & Co., or otherwise, against the
estate of the said Peabody.

2. The attorney general shall represent the interests of the
state before the court, and shall in its behalf accept, or be
served with, on reasonable notice, all process or pleadings
necessary to mature the cause for speedy trial. Attestec
copies of all papers on file on the records of the board o:
public works, and of the general assembly, relating to this
subject, as also certified extracts from the books of Selden,
Withers & Co., and of George Peabody & Co., shall be admis-
sible as evidence in the cause: provided, however, that no final
decree shall be entered in the cause until the court shall be
satisfied that all existing evidence relating thereto has been
placed in its possession, and that the defence of the common-
wealth has not been materially impaired by death, lapse of
time, or other cause. Hither party may have the nght of
appeal to the supreme court of appeals.

3. The final decree in the canse shall be certified to the
governor, who shall cause it to be executed; and the second
auditor shall have authority to re-issue, in heu of said lost
bonds, such amount thereof, if any, as shall be adjudged as
justly due to Washington and Lee Univer sity, as grantee of
George Peabody. and shill annul and cancel from the records
of the publie debt such amount, if any, as shall be adjudged
as justly due to the state of Virginia.

4. Any bonds which may be issued under this act shall have
no preference over other bonds of like charactcr issued pre-
miOUE to eighteen hundred and fifty-five.

. This act shall be in force from its passage.