CHAP. 45.—JOINT RESOLUTION returning thanks to W. W.,
Corcoran, Esq., of Washington city, for the gift of a valuable
painting.

Approved January 25, 1879.

Whereas since the last session of this general assembly, W.
W. Corcoran, Esquire, of Washington city, who has heretofore
given strong proofs of his friendly interest in our state and her
public institutions, has donated to the University of Virginia,
our leading state institution of learning, fifty thousand dollars
in Virginia consol bonds, for the purpose of endowing a profes-
sorship of natural history in that institution, and has also given
to the commonwealth, herself, a historical painting of great
value, illustrating one of the most interesting events of her
history, which donations it is meet and proper that this general
assembly should acknowledge in fitting terms; therefore,

1. Resolved by the house of delegates (the senate concur-
ring), That in this munificent donation to the university, the
third it has received from the same source within the last two
years, we recognize a new and striking proof of the enlightened
and expanded liberality of the donor, his friendly interest in
our state, and his desire to advance her foremost institution of
learning ; and for it we tender to Mister Corcoran the expres-
sion of the grateful acknowledgments of the members of this
general assembly and of the people of our state generally.

2. Resolved, That the letter of Mister Corcoran, communi-
cated to us in the annual report of the rector and visitors, and
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in which he tenders this donation, contains such noble senti-
ments, so gracefully expressed, that it must ever remain a
memorial, not only of his large-hearted benevolence, but of his
lofty patriotism and exquisite literary taste.

And resolved, also, That the thanks of the state of Virginia
are due and hereby cordially tendered to Mister Corcoran for
the painting by Lami of the “storming of a redoubt at York-
town,” which he has generously presented to the common-
wealth.

2. That all proper measures will be taken to preserve unim-
paired this costly and valuable work of art, which is at once
an illustration of the genius of the artist, an impressive memo-
rial of the great historical event it is intended to commemorate,
and a cherished token of the kindly generosity of the esteemed
and distinguished donor.

3. That his excellency the governor of this commonwealth
be requested to transmit to Mister Corcoran a copy of these
resolutions, engrossed on parchment and attested by the seal
of the commonwealth.