All Items 6

Joseph Vaill drafts of report as General Agent of Amherst College, 1842 August

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, drafts of his August 1842 report regarding his role as Agent to procure funds for the College. Vaill discusses his decision-making process regarding his acceptance of his role as Agent and mentions his resignation from his pastoral charge in Brimfield. He writes regarding his endeavors as General Agent, providing details on his journeys across the state to secure subscriptions for various College funds. Vaill describes some particular subscriptions, discusses communications to the public to promote the College, describes a period when he was unable to perform most of his duties as his wife was ill, discusses the general feelings in the state regarding the College, and details specific financial expenses and incomes, especially in regards to subscription funds. Vaill also writes regarding an endowment for a professorship for which the alumni are attempting to raise money and notes that he has heard dissatisfaction from alumni regarding the present organization of the board of instruction and discipline at the school.

Joseph Vaill drafts of report as General Agent of Amherst College, 1842 August
Joseph Vaill report as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Board of Trustees, 1843 August 8

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, report submitted to the Board of Trustees at their meeting on August 8, 1843 in which Vaill writes regarding his work as the General Agent charged with procuring funds for the College. He notes difficulties he has faced in this role and discusses the monetary amount of new subscriptions obtained this year compared to last year. He discusses his work as Agent since the last annual meeting, describing his travels throughout the state and subscriptions he obtained for the College. He notes specific financial amounts collected and paid and the amount of the subscription for the endowment for a professorship led by the alumni. Vaill also writes regarding specific unnamed donors such as some who have put the College in their wills. He discusses obstacles to procuring donations and states that it us up to the Board to decide how to reduce expenses. He writes that a plan will be submitted by the Executive Committee for their consideration. Vaill also discusses his work as Agent regarding college buildings and grounds.

Joseph Vaill report as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Board of Trustees, 1843 August 8
Joseph Vaill report to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1848 August

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and former General Agent of Amherst College, statement read to the Trustees of the College in which Vaill writes that it has now been twenty-seven years since he was elected to the Board of Trustees of Amherst Academy to whom was entrusted the Collegiate Institution (Amherst College). He discusses his history as a Board member and the history of attempts to obtain pecuniary aid, such as subscription funds. Vaill goes on to describe the August 1841 Trustee meeting and writes regarding his decision to accept the appointment of General Agent, his work in that role, and details regarding particular income and expenses. He expresses his joy that the College has now been brought into a state of prosperity. Included with the statement is the General Agent's report on the one hundred thousand dollar subscription fund with details on the amounts of that fund and agency expenses. The donation made by David Sears is among the amounts included.

Joseph Vaill report to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1848 August
Joseph Vaill statement as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Board of Trustees, 1842 December 27

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, statement to the Board of Trustees at their meeting on December 27, 1842 in which Vaill writes regarding his work as Agent. He describes the agency duties set forth by the Prudential Committee. Vaill provides details as to improvements he has helped to make relating to college buildings and grounds and writes regarding his work to secure funds for the College, mentioning particular subscription funds and endowments. He notes details from the last Treasurer's report and writes of expenses and College debts. Vaill goes on to discuss obstacles to obtaining subscriptions and proposes ideas for reducing College expenses and increasing income, particularly noting student enrollment. He mentions the American Education Society, former students speaking disrespectfully of the institution, and the unpopularity of some of the faculty. He requests that the Board inquire into this last matter. Vaill expresses his belief that the College can prosper and grow with effort.

Joseph Vaill statement as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Board of Trustees, 1842 December 27
Joseph Vaill report to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1847 July 5

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and former General Agent of Amherst College, statement read to the Trustees of the College in which Vaill writes that it has now been twenty-seven years since he was elected to the Board of Trustees of Amherst Academy to whom was entrusted the Collegiate Institution (Amherst College). He discusses his history as a Board member and the history of attempts to obtain pecuniary aid, such as subscription funds. Vaill goes on to describe the August 1841 Trustee meeting and writes regarding his decision to accept the appointment of General Agent, his work in that role, and details regarding particular income and expenses. The text of this document is similar to the report Vaill gave in August 1848 also in Box 6 Folder 12 of this collection, and this document may have been an earlier draft of that report. Included with this document is a statement dated July 5, 1847 concerning the one hundred thousand dollar subscription fund with details on the amounts of that fund and agency expenses. The donation made by David Sears is among the amounts included.

Joseph Vaill report to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1847 July 5
Joseph Vaill statement as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Executive Committee of the Trustees, 1844 November

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill, Trustee and General Agent of Amherst College, statement submitted to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees in which Vaill writes regarding his views on the present state and future prospects of the College. He discusses his role serving as General Agent and references the subscription books and the books of Treasurer. Vaill writes about whether or not the agency should be continued and for how long. He also discusses current debts, subscription funds, proposed endowments, and expenses of the College and of his agency. He proposes that a plan must be adopted to bring the annual expenses within the annual income, saying that he has learned that the professors have drawn up a plan presenting the conditions on which they will give instruction for a limited period at an expense that does not exceed the income of the institution. He goes on to discuss this plan and financial future of the College and writes regarding the process of appointing a new college president. A note on the back of the document states "General Agent Statement to the Prudential Committee" and includes the date.

Joseph Vaill statement as General Agent of Amherst College submitted to the Executive Committee of the Trustees, 1844 November