"I propose to place in your hands good eight per cent. securities to the amount of four hundred dollars ($400), the interest to be collected by you, and invested in a suitable medal, to be presented at each annual commencement to _the best orator_ connected with the college who shall contend for the same, to be decided by three competent judges who have no official connection with the College, to be selected by yourselves, whose decision shall be final. The fund hereby donated shall be held by you and appropriated to the above purpose in perpetuity, and to no other. Respectfully, (Signed) "W. T. SUTHERLIN." On motion of Rev. A. W. Wilson-- "_Resolved_, That the proposition be accepted, and that the thanks of the Board be returned to Major Sutherlin for the generous donation, and that the medal be styled the _Sutherlin Prize Medal for Oratory_." Rev. A. G. Brown, Financial Secretary, made the following review of the financial operations of the year: "1. That the current expenses of this session have been promptly and fully paid to June 1st. "2. That means are in hand to meet obligations to July 1st. "3. That we rely principally upon the assessments and special donations to the College for the succeeding three months. "4. That the assets of the College have been improved in value and in the amount of interest they yield. "5. That the liabilities have been materially reduced. "6. That the financial interests of the College are freed from legal or legislative embarrassments. "These are gratifying results. I mention them for your information and encouragement. They are the sign of a better day. Let us consecrate ourselves to this noble institution, and, with the blessing of God on our duty faithfully performed, we may expect to see it what it ought to be in the scope of its usefulness and the development of its resources, a strictly first-class College. (Signed) "A. G. BROWN, "_Financial Secretary Randolph-Macon College_." This gratifying report, the best that had been submitted for years, caused the Trustees to adjourn in a cheerful mood. [Illustration: G. E. M. WALTON, _Founder of the Walton Greek Library._] [Illustration: MAJ. W. T. SUTHERLIN, ELECTED TRUSTEE, 1860. _Founder of the Sutherlin Prize for Oratory._] A called meeting of the Board was held in Richmond October 13, 1872. A letter was presented from Prof. Thomas R. Price, which was as follows: "_Rev. James A. Duncan, President_: "DEAR SIR,--As Professor of Greek in our College, I feel great pleasure in informing you, and through you the Board, of the noble act of generosity by which Mr. George E. M. Walton, of Hanover county, Va., has planned a lasting benefit to the School of Greek.