256              JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Feb. 5,

of the funds of the College.) 3d—Rev. Henry L. Davis, D.
D., from 1820 to 1824. 4th—Rev. William Rafferty, D. D.,
from 1824 to 1831. 5th—Rev. Hector Humphreys, D. D.,
from 1831 to 1857. 6th—Rev. Cleland K. Nelson, B. D.,
from August, 1857.

Dr. McDowell was a Layman, we do not know of what de-
nomination. Dr. Rafferty was elected as a Presbyterian
clergyman. The other Principals have been Episcopal clergy-
men, although the vacancy occasioned by Dr. Rafferty's death,
was filled by the election of Professor Silliman, of Yale Col-
lege, a Presbyterian layman, who declined. No record of the
religious opinions of the Principal, or any Officer of the Col-
lege, having been required by the charter, none is accessible
to the Board, but we give general report. It is not at all
strange that Clergymen should be found at the head of most
of our literary institutions, as they are generally scholastic in
their tastes, and are presumed to have the proper moral quali-
fications. Laymen, competent to fill such posts, can realize
far ampler incomes by the ordinary pursuits of professional
life, and cannot therefore be easily persuaded to enter upon
the very arduous, but by no means lucrative, calling of scho-
lastic life.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

C. K. NELSON, Principal,
In behalf of Visitors and Governors.

St. John's College, Feb. 4th, 1858.

SUPPLEMENT :

The Copy furnished us of the Order of your honorable body,
not containing the 5th Question, we beg leave to amend our
information by adding the Answer to that Question. Ques-
tion 5th—What is the average number of Under-Graduates ?

Answer 5th. The average number of Under-Graduates
during the whole time of its operation, since 1793, about 90.
Our present number of Under-Graduates is 104, with a pros-
pect of quite a large accession at the beginning of our March
term.

Most Respectfully,

C. K. NELSON, Principal,
In behalf of Visitors and Governors.
Which was read, and ordered to be entered on the Journal.

Mr. Kidd presented the report of the Trustees of West
Nottingham Academy, Cecil county;

Which was referred to the committee on Education.

Mr. Walker presented a petition from Elizabeth Rutledge
and Levinia Rutledge, asking relief;