Texts Required for Law School by University of Virginia
Minutes of the Board of Visitors, March, 1825
The founding of the University of Virginia as a tax funded school remains arguably one of the worst constitutional faux pas of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. None-the-less, it can hardly be disputed that their understanding of the principles undergirding our Constitution are nearly unmatched. They are rightly known as the fathers of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
As former presidents they were members of the University's Board of Visitors, the managing body of the university. On this day the Board passed a resolution, the writing of which is often attributed to them. In it the Board created a required reading and study list which is still used by numerous universities around our nation to this day.
The following is taken from the US National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/98-01-02-5019
As former presidents they were members of the University's Board of Visitors, the managing body of the university. On this day the Board passed a resolution, the writing of which is often attributed to them. In it the Board created a required reading and study list which is still used by numerous universities around our nation to this day.
The following is taken from the US National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/98-01-02-5019
From the Meeting Minutes of University of Virginia Board of Visitors
4-5 March 1825
At a special meeting of the Board of Visitors of the University, called by George Loyall, Chapman Johnson and Joseph C. Cabell while attending the late session of the legislature, and held at the University Mar. 4. 1825.
Present Thomas Jefferson Rector, James Madison, George Loyall, John H. Cocke, and Joseph C. Cabell.
...A Resolution was moved and agreed to in the following words.
Whereas it is the duty of this board to the government under which it lives, and especially to that of which this University is the immediate creation, to pay especial attention to the principles of government which shall be inculcated therein, and to provide that none shall be inculcated which are incompatible with those on which the Constitutions of this state, and of the US. were genuinely based, in the common opinion: and for this purpose it may be necessary to point out specifically where these principles are to be found legitimately developed:
Resolved that it is the opinion of this board that as to the general principles of liberty and the rights of man in nature and in society, the doctrines of Locke, in his ‘Essay concerning the true original extent and end of civil government,’ and of Sidney in his ‘Discourses on government,’ may be considered as those generally approved by our fellow-citizens of this, and of the US., and that on the distinctive principles of the government of our own state, and of that of the US. the best guides are to be found in 1. the Declaration of Independance, as the fundamental act of union of these states. 2. the book known by the title of ‘the Federalist,’ being an authority to which appeal is habitually made by all, and rarely declined or denied by any as evidence of the general opinion of those who framed, and of those who accepted the Constitution of the US. on questions as to it’s genuine meaning. 3. the Resolutions of the General assembly of Virginia in 1799. on the subject of the Alien and Sedition laws, which appeared to accord with the predominant sense of the people of the US. 4. the Valedictory address of President Washington, as conveying political lessons of peculiar value. and that in the branch of the school of Law, which is to treat on the subject of Civil polity, these shall be used as the text and documents of the school.
Present Thomas Jefferson Rector, James Madison, George Loyall, John H. Cocke, and Joseph C. Cabell.
...A Resolution was moved and agreed to in the following words.
Whereas it is the duty of this board to the government under which it lives, and especially to that of which this University is the immediate creation, to pay especial attention to the principles of government which shall be inculcated therein, and to provide that none shall be inculcated which are incompatible with those on which the Constitutions of this state, and of the US. were genuinely based, in the common opinion: and for this purpose it may be necessary to point out specifically where these principles are to be found legitimately developed:
Resolved that it is the opinion of this board that as to the general principles of liberty and the rights of man in nature and in society, the doctrines of Locke, in his ‘Essay concerning the true original extent and end of civil government,’ and of Sidney in his ‘Discourses on government,’ may be considered as those generally approved by our fellow-citizens of this, and of the US., and that on the distinctive principles of the government of our own state, and of that of the US. the best guides are to be found in 1. the Declaration of Independance, as the fundamental act of union of these states. 2. the book known by the title of ‘the Federalist,’ being an authority to which appeal is habitually made by all, and rarely declined or denied by any as evidence of the general opinion of those who framed, and of those who accepted the Constitution of the US. on questions as to it’s genuine meaning. 3. the Resolutions of the General assembly of Virginia in 1799. on the subject of the Alien and Sedition laws, which appeared to accord with the predominant sense of the people of the US. 4. the Valedictory address of President Washington, as conveying political lessons of peculiar value. and that in the branch of the school of Law, which is to treat on the subject of Civil polity, these shall be used as the text and documents of the school.