^nffleiif^i]^ 
 
 tEGE 
 
 TiiiJiHir 
 
 i 
 
 "''''1111 
 
 li i 
 
 iliiiliiii 
 
 11 i I 
 
 ■ 
 
 iiil 
 
 
 
lass 
 
 liOOK 
 
 
 PREyENTICD ir>' 
 
^ 
 
 s 
 
 
 X 
 
 
 
 ^J1^ 
 
 i¥ 
 
 ^^ 
 
 1 r^ b 
 
 ^ 4^^lKI 
 
 
 T 
 
 fa 
 o 
 
 < 
 
 c 
 
 c 
 > 
 
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF 
 HAMILTON COLLEGE 
 
 CLINTON, NEW YORK 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE COLLEGE 
 
 1922 
 
uV 
 
 v\ 
 
 %^ 
 
 
 
 PRINTING AND BINDING BV 
 
 J. B. LYON COMPANY 
 
 ALBANY, N. Y. 
 
'V) 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Centenary of Hamilton College, by Elihu Root i 
 
 Documents illustrating the History of the College 23 
 
 Address at the Dedication of the Kirkland Monument, by 
 
 Horatio Seymour 263 
 
 Address at the Unveiling of the Statue of Alexander 
 
 Hamilton, by Elihu Root 275 
 
 FACSIMILES 
 
 The Interest of Washington and Hamilton in the Acad- 
 emy. From the Journal of Samuel Kirkland, 1792- 
 '1793 Frontispiece 
 
 Title Page of The Laws of Hamilton College, 181^, the 
 first Publication of the College 135 
 
 Plan of the Campus in 1850-1853, from a Sketch by 
 Oren Root 254 
 
 Plan of the Campus in 1868, from a Sketch by Oren 
 Root 254 
 
 [iiil 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The present volume brings together all the available primary 
 records relating to Samuel Kirkland's Plan of Education and 
 the history of Hamilton Oneida Academy, the laws of New 
 York and the proceedings of the Regents of the University of 
 the State of New York so far as they relate to the Academy 
 and the College, and selections from the proceedings of the 
 Trustees and other papers of significance that illustrate the 
 history of the College down to the semi-centennial in 1862. 
 
 The documents are copied from the originals in the College 
 Library except as otherwise indicated. Those relating to the 
 Plan of Education and the history of the Academy are for 
 the most part selected from the Kirkland manuscripts deposited 
 in the College Library by the courtesy of Thornton Kirkland 
 Lothrop, Esq., of Boston, Mass. The extracts from the pro- 
 ceedings of the Regents are printed from a transcript kindly 
 furnished by the Secretary of the Board. 
 
 The editors express their thanks to Mr. Nathaniel L. Good- 
 rich, the Librarian of Dartmouth College, and to the authori- 
 ties of the New York State Library and of the Massachusetts 
 Historical Society for their help in obtaining copies of import- 
 ant papers ; to Senator Elihu Root for his counsel in the selec- 
 tion of papers to be included; and to Dr. Alexander Coburn 
 Soper and the friends of the College associated with him for 
 assistance which made possible the publication of the book. 
 
 Joseph D. Ibbotson 
 S. N. D. North 
 
 Chnton, May 29, 1922. 
 
 [v] 
 
THE CENTENARY 
 OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 
 
 ELIHU ROOT 
 
THE CENTENARY OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 
 
 Historical Address by Elihu Root, June 17, 1912 
 Modern research in the field of evolution tends to increase 
 greatly the apparent importance of inherited as distinguished 
 from acquired characteristics, in the determination of indi- 
 vidual qualities. It appears that from generation to genera- 
 tion the transmission of microscopic determinants fixes, in 
 accordance with established laws already partly discerned, 
 many of the most important characteristics which go to make 
 up the individual. A close analogy may be found in the 
 spiritual succession by which the original qualities and stand- 
 ards of an old institution are transmitted through a long and 
 continually changing series of individual members who differ 
 widely from each other, but who, coming find, and going 
 leave, the institution always essentially the same. Great endow- 
 ments, stately buildings, public favor and prosperity, cannot 
 produce or take the place of that indefinable and mysterious 
 quality which has been transmitted from a remote past, which 
 has persisted through many changing years and many pass- 
 ing lives, and which gives to the institution a personality of 
 its own, a continuance of the life breathed into it at the 
 moment of its birth. Each new human element that enters 
 into the work of such an institution comes under the domina- 
 tion not of this man or that, but of the potent spirit which 
 gave life to the institution and moulds its traditions, its habits 
 of thought and feeling and action, its purposes and its 
 aspirations. 
 
 The true history of such an institution must be the story of 
 the outward working of this informing spirit, and it is only in 
 the origin that we can find understanding of all that follows. 
 The granting of the college charter to Hamilton College 
 one hundred years ago was but an incident in the development 
 of an institution already established. The application for the 
 
 [3] 
 
4 HAMILTON COLLEGE [1912 
 
 charter is described in the Journal of the Regents of the Uni- 
 versity of the State of New York, at its meeting of Febru- 
 ary 17, 1812, as — 
 
 A petition from the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy praying that 
 the said Academy may be invested with collegiate powers and privileges. 
 
 The minutes of the meeting of the regents on March 10, 1812, 
 contained this entry: 
 
 The committee to whom was referred the application for a college in 
 Oneida County and that Hamilton Oneida Academy be erected into a 
 college, report that, in their opinion, the prayer of the applicants ought to 
 be granted. 
 
 The charter, which was reported by Chief Justice Kent at 
 the meeting of the regents on March 22, 1812, begins with 
 the recital : 
 
 Whereas, The Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy, in conjunction 
 with many of the citizens of the Western district of this State, have by 
 their petition made known to us that they, the said applicants, were 
 minded to found a college by engrafting the same on the said Academy 
 at or near the site of said Academy in the town of Paris, in the County 
 of Oneida, and have signified to us that the name thereof shall be Hamilton 
 College. 
 
 For the origin of our college we must go back to the begin- 
 ning of the academy which was thus '" invested with collegiate 
 powers and privileges," which was " erected into a college," 
 upon which a college was " engrafted." The beginning of 
 the academy appears in the Journal of the Regents of the 
 University of the State for January 29, 1793. There were 
 present : *' His Excellency, the Chancellor of the University 
 (George Clinton) ; the Vice-Chancellor (John Rodgers) ; 
 Pierre Van Cortland, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor of this 
 State ; Lewis Morris, Benjamin Moore, Philip Schuyler, 
 Gulian Ver Planck, Mathew Clarkson " — great names in the 
 history of the state. 
 
 The minute reads : 
 
 The respective applications of Samuel Kirkland and seven other persons 
 praying that Alexander Hamilton and fifteen other persons for that pur- 
 
1912] CENTENARY ADDRESS 5 
 
 pose nominated may be incorporated by the name and style of " The 
 Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy " at Whites Town, in the County 
 of Herkimer; and of Joseph Yates and twenty-three other persons pray- 
 ing that Abram Yates, Junior, and twenty-three other persons nominated 
 in the said application may be incorporated by the style of " The Trustees 
 of the Academy of the Town of Schenectady," in the County of Albany, 
 subject nevertheless to be changed into the name of the most liberal 
 benefactor; were severally read and committed to the Vice-Chancellor 
 General Clarkson and Mr. Ver Planck. 
 
 The committee named reported favorably at the same meeting, 
 whereupon the minute proceeds : 
 
 The Board resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take the 
 above report into consideration, and after some time spent thereon the 
 Chancellor reassumed the chair, and General Schuyler, from the said 
 committee, reported that they had agreed to the report of the sub-committee. 
 Whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That the Board agree to the said report. Ordered, That the 
 Secretary prepare instruments in the usual form for incorporating the said 
 Alexander Hamilton and the said fifteen other persons for that purpose 
 named, and the said Abram Yates and the said twenty-three other persons 
 named in the said application, and that the Chancellor affix the seal of the 
 University to the said instruments. 
 
 The "Academy of the Town of Schenectady " subsequently 
 became Union College. Thus Union and Hamilton were 
 created at the same instant by the same sovereign act. 
 
 The Hamilton Oneida application upon which this action 
 was taken was dated November 12, 1792. The charter bears 
 the signature of George Clinton as Chancellor. It was one 
 of the early acts of the regents of the University of the State 
 of New York, an institution then recently organized under 
 the statute of 1784, revised and perfected in 1787 upon the 
 report of a committee drafted by Alexander Hamilton. The 
 first Board of Trustees appointed by the charter consisted of : 
 
 Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing, Egbert Benson, Dan Bradley, Eli 
 Bristol, Erastus Clark, James Dean, Moses Foot, Thomas R. Gold, Sewal 
 Hopkins, Michael Myers, Jonas Piatt, Jedediah Sanger, John Sergeant, 
 Timothy Tuttle, and Samuel Wells. 
 
 For the true origin of the institution we must go still 
 farther back to the school of Eleazar Wheelock at Lebanon, 
 
HAMILTON COLLEGE [1912 
 
 Connecticut, where came in 1761 as a student, at the age of 
 nineteen, Samuel Kirkland, son of the Reverend Daniel Kirk- 
 land, of Norwich, Connecticut. The school was estabUshed 
 primarily for the education of Indians, and out of it a few 
 years later in 1769 grew Dartmouth College. Here the boy 
 became imbued with the spirit and began to acquire the learn- 
 ing, necessary to qualify him for his extraordinary career of 
 usefulness and power as a missionary to the Iroquois. 
 
 After a century and a half of fighting Indians with all the 
 hatred and revenge which follow fire and the sword, outrages 
 and reprisals, the British colonies had become established and 
 strong in their capacity for defense. The long struggle 
 against France and her Indian allies for the control of the 
 continent had drawn to a close with the victories of Wolfe at 
 Quebec and Amherst at Montreal, and a new light seemed to 
 break upon the consciences of the good people of Great 
 Britain and her colonies. The churches that listened every 
 Sunday to the teachings of the Apostles awoke to a sense of 
 concern for the souls of the simple savages whose lands they 
 were taking away and whose habits contact with the new civil- 
 ization was corrupting. Something of the same missionary 
 spirit arose in Protestant Britain and New England that in 
 the Roman Catholic church had inspired the devotion and 
 sacrifice of the Jesuit missionaries to the Indians of the North- 
 west, and had raised the names of La Caron and Breboeuf 
 and Marquette above the obscuring mists of doctrinal dissen- 
 sion, above all distinctions of sect and creed, as illustrious 
 and revered examples of Christian service. William Legge, 
 second Earl of Dartmouth, became trustee of a fund col- 
 lected in England for the support of the school for Indians 
 at Lebanon. The Scotch Society for Propagating Christian 
 Knowledge turned their attention and their money towards 
 the cultivation of the newly-discovered field, sent out mis- 
 sionaries and established other schools for the spread of the 
 
1912] CENTENARY ADDRESS 7 
 
 gospel. The character and spirit of the Lebanon school are 
 exhibited in the Memorial sent by Mr. Wheelock to Sir Wil- 
 liam Johnson, superintendent of Indian Affairs in North 
 America, and other commissioners assembled at Fort Stan- 
 wix for a conference with the Indians, in October, 1768. The 
 Memorial says : 
 
 The Memorial of Eleazar Wheelock of Lebanon in the Colony of Con- 
 necticut, Founder and Director of the Indian Charity School in said Colony, 
 humbly showeth : 
 
 " That said school was founded with a single view to promote the 
 knowledge of the only true God, and our common salvation especially 
 among the savages of this land ; thereby to deliver them from their present 
 miseries, make them good members of society, loyal subjects to our rightful 
 Sovereign, and especially cordial subjects to the King of Zion. And the 
 plan has since been well approved, and the school generously endowed by 
 the liberalities of his present Majesty King George the Third, and by 
 many Noblemen and Gentlemen in Europe, as well as by many charitably 
 disposed people in America — and much labor and cost have been already 
 expended to fit and qualify a number both English and Indians for Mis- 
 sionaries and School Masters among their several tribes who are now or 
 will soon be ready to enter upon their respective services, if suitable doors 
 should be opened for their improvement therein. Some attempts have also 
 been already made among the Oneidas, and not without some encouraging 
 prospect that their lives and manners may be soon formed to rules of 
 decency, civility and religion." 
 
 Into this work the young Kirkland entered with unsurpassed 
 energy land enthusiasm. The first reference to him which I 
 find is in a letter from Sir William Johnson to Mr. Wheelock, 
 dated November 17, 1761, in which the writer says: 
 
 Kirkland's intention of learning ye Mohawk language I much approve 
 of as after acquiring it he could, when qualified, be of vast service to them 
 as a clergyman, which they much want and are very desirous of having. 
 
 In the autumn of 1762 Kirkland entered the sophomore 
 class of Princeton, where he received his degree in course at 
 the Commencement of 1765. So eager, however, was he to 
 enter upon his adventurous work that he did not remain for 
 the college commencement, but before the close of the year 
 he withdrew and engaged in an expedition to the country of 
 
8 HAMILTON COLLEGE [1912 
 
 the Senecas. Mr. Wheelock said of this expedition, in a 
 letter to the Countess of Huntingdon, on May i6, 1765: 
 
 A young English gentleman, Samuel Kirkland, I sent last fall to winter 
 with the numerous and savage tribe of the Senecas in order to learn their 
 language and fit him for a mission among them ; where no missionary has 
 hitlierto dared to venture. This bold adventure of his, which, considered 
 in all the circumstances of it, is the most extraordinary of the kind I have 
 ever known, has been attended with abundant evidence of a divine blessing. 
 
 On April 29, 1765, Mr. Wheelock sent through Sir William 
 Johnson an address to the sachems and chiefs of the Iroquois 
 tribes, in which he said : 
 
 I thank you for the kindness which some of you have shown to my dear 
 Mr. Kirkland, whom I sent into your country last fall. His heart is bent 
 to do good to the Indians. He denies himself all the pleasure and honors 
 which he might have here among his friends, only to do you good. I 
 hope you will continue your kindness to him, and treat him as my child. 
 I hope God will make him an instrument of great good to the Indians. 
 
 " This gentleman," say McClure and Parish, speaking of 
 Kirkland, in their memoirs of Wheelock, 
 
 was, in various respects, peculiarly qualified for the arduous task. He 
 possessed uncommon constitutional strength and vivacity, a mind fearless 
 in danger, a great fund of benevolence, and a heart devoted to the cause 
 of the Redeemer, and zealous for the conversion of the heathen. He 
 traveled among those barbarians unattended, boldly persevered in the good 
 work, and endured trials and encountered dangers which would have appalled 
 a common mind with terror and dismay. Although famine spread its 
 horrors around him, and his life was often in danger from some who 
 watched an opportunity to kill him, yet he continued with them more than 
 eighteen months, taught them from the word of life, and acquired a compe- 
 tent knowledge of their language. 
 
 In May, 1766, Mr. Kirkland returned from the country of 
 the Senecas and was ordained at Lebanon, and in July he 
 returned to the country of the Iroquois under a commission 
 from the Society in Scotland. The commission ran in these 
 words : 
 
 Be it known to all people by these presents, that the Board of Corre- 
 spondents, in the Colony of Connecticut, New England, appointed and 
 comm.issioned by the Honorable Society in Scotland for Propagating 
 
1912] CENTENARY ADDRESS 9 
 
 Christian Knowledge. ... Do authorize, ordain, and appoint the Reverend 
 Samuel Kirkland a missionary among the heathen and ignorant people in 
 North America . . . and we do invest the said Reverend Samuel Kirkland 
 with all the powers, immunities, and privileges belonging to a missionary, 
 employed and commissioned by the Corresponding Commissioners of the 
 Honorable Society in Scotland for propagating Christian knowledge ; and as 
 the said Reverend Samuel Kirkland goes forth under the protection of 
 their royal charter, it is desired and expected none will presume to molest 
 or disquiet him in the prosecution of his office, but afford him all needful 
 encouragement and assistance therein. 
 
 Signed and sealed by order and in the name of the Board of Corre- 
 spondents, at Lebanon, the nineteenth day of June, a. d. 1766. 
 
 Eleazar Wheelock, Secretary. 
 
 At this time he took up his residence in the more central 
 position of the Oneidas, where he was to pass his life and do 
 his work for more than forty years. Abundant evidence has 
 been preserved of the noble and unselfish spirit in which he 
 worked, of his tireless energy, the fortitude with which he 
 endured hardship and suffering, the courage which no pov- 
 erty or discouragement could daunt, the swift sympathy 
 through which he found his way to the affections of his 
 untutored people, and the commanding influence over them 
 which he acquired. In 1769 a clergyman in Scotland sent 
 him thirty pounds through a New York correspondent, say- 
 ing that he had " from good authority a most savory account 
 of the uncommon labor of love and hardships in his Master's 
 service of the Indian Missionary, Mr. Samuel Kirkland; " and 
 Kirkland said in his acknowledgment of this : 
 
 This will be not only the first thirty pounds, but the first thirty shillings, 
 I ever had, that I might in any sense call my own, except a few dollars 
 given me last spring by the liberality of some friends in Boston, to procure 
 books. I have never had any salary since I embarked in this arduous but 
 glorious cause, nor ever asked for one. I have the testimony of my con- 
 science, with four years' experience (notwithstanding the reproach and 
 censure I am obliged to receive from the men of the world), that I was 
 not induced to enter this design of Christianizing the heathen from pecuniary 
 motives or worldly views. Dr. Wheelock has supplied me from time to 
 time, as Providence handed in to him. 
 
10 HAMILTON COLLEGE [1912 
 
 And at about the same time the Board in Scotland resolved: 
 
 The Board, having taken into consideration the eminent services and 
 painful labors of the Reverend Mr. Samuel Kirkland, one of the mission- 
 aries employed by Dr. Wheelock among the Indians, and the difficulties 
 he has undergone in the prosecution of that employment, are of opinion 
 that the sum of one hundred pounds sterling be allowed him, to provide 
 himself with necessaries, before he engages in further services. 
 
 It is probable that during all this period Kirkland had in 
 mind as a useful agency for civilizing the Indians the estab- 
 lishment of a school, not only because of the impression 
 derived from the Lebanon School and from Mr. Wheelock's 
 example, but from the fact that during their intimate acquaint- 
 ance Mr. Wheelock himself had entertained the idea of remov- 
 ing his own school to the country of the Iroquois. A letter 
 is preserved from Wheelock to General Amherst, written 
 April 2, 1763, in which he proposes that a grant of land be 
 made — 
 
 on the West side of Susquehanna River or in some other place more 
 convenient, in the heart of the Indian country, in favor of this school 
 . . . and that the school be an Academy for all parts of useful learning; 
 part of it to be a college for the education of missionaries, interpreters, 
 school masters, etc., and part of it a school to teach reading, writing, etc. 
 
 Indeed it appears that the establishment of Dartmouth Col- 
 lege on the Mohawk instead of at Hanover was at one time 
 in contemplation, for at the Indian Congress at Fort Stanwix, 
 in October, 1768, the Reverend Jacob Johnson, one of the 
 missionaries to the Indians, came in behalf of Dr. Wheelock 
 to ask the favor of Sir William Johnson and his associates 
 for a proposal to the Indians, which ran in this way : 
 
 Know Ye That Whereas The Reverend Dr. Eleazar Wheelock of 
 Lebanon in the Colony of Connecticut in New England, Minister of 
 Jesus Christ is about to set up a college or Great School for the benefit 
 of the Indians which generous and good design is favored by your Royal 
 Father the King of Great Britain The Earl of Dartmouth together with 
 many wise as well as great and good men, and a place is now searching out 
 whereon to set up said College and many great offers made in lands and 
 monies wherewith to endow said College in several of the neighboring 
 English Governments but no place resolved upon as yet to set up said 
 College. 
 
1912] CENTENARY ADDRESS H 
 
 These are therefore to ask of you Fathers and Brethren if it be your 
 minds and what you would choose to appropriate and devote a certain tract 
 of your land or country for this great and good purpose on or near the 
 Mohawk River or wherever you in your wisdom may think most convenient 
 of such extent and worth as may be sufficient with what monies and other 
 benefactions and charities may be given to endow said College that it may 
 be of a most public and extensive use and benefit to the several nations of 
 Indians. 
 
 The outbreak of the Revolution carried Kirkland's activi- 
 ties into a wider field, introduced a new element into his life, 
 and gave broader scope to his vision, for his knowledge of 
 the Indians and his influence over them enabled him to render 
 most signal service in preventing Indian hostilities, and espe- 
 cially in maintaining the friendly attitude of the Oneidas 
 towards the colonists so that the united action of the League 
 of the Iroquois in the British interest was impossible. He 
 was as patriotic as he was pious. He served his country as 
 zealously and effectively as he had served his religion. He 
 became the agent of the colonies among the Indians of all the 
 Six Nations, and for years journeyed up and down through 
 the country attending their councils and pleading the colonial 
 cause. He was chaplain to the garrison at Fort Schuyler -^ 
 under a commission from the Continental Congress. He was 
 brigade chaplain of General Sullivan in the campaign of 1779. 
 He became a trusted adviser of the government regarding 
 Indian affairs. He was thrown into intimate relations of 
 friendship and confidence with Washington and Hamilton 
 and Schuyler and Pickering and Knox. After the defeat of 
 St. Clair, when the Iroquois were in danger of making com- 
 mon cause with the western Indians in a bloody war against 
 the new government of the United States, it was Kirkland 
 who, with infinite pains and difficulty, induced a great party 
 of the chiefs and sachems of the Six Nations to go with him 
 to the seat of government at Philadelphia, where a good under- 
 standing was reached and their part in the war prevented. 
 In the meantime he had returned to his missionary duties 
 among the Oneidas and had prepared and sent to Timothy 
 
12 HAMILTON COLLEGE [1912 
 
 Pickering and to the Board of Commissioners in Boston, " a 
 plan of education for the Indians, particularly of the Five 
 Nations." This plan contemplated, in addition to smaller 
 schools, the establishment of an academy in the vicinity of 
 Oneida at which English youth were to be admitted, and a 
 certain number of Indian youth, selected from the different 
 nations of the confederacy, and to be 
 
 instructed in tlie principles of human nature, in the history of civil society, 
 so as to be able to discern the diflference between a state of nature and a 
 state of civilization, and know what it is that makes one nation diflfer 
 from another in wealth, power, and happiness, and in the principles of 
 natural religion, the moral precepts, and the more plain and express 
 doctrines of Christianity. 
 
 Timothy Pickering was one of the little group of men 
 whom Washington trusted most. He was then Postmaster- 
 General, was soon to become Secretary of War, and after- 
 wards Secretary of State; and he played a great part in the 
 Federal administrations which, under Washington and John 
 Adams, set in motion the machinery of the new government 
 under the Constitution. A long document from him con- 
 taining comments upon Kirkland's plan of education, approv- 
 ing its general principles, suggesting alterations and improve- 
 ments, gives evidence of the interest*he felt in the subject. 
 In 1792 Kirkland went about the execution of that portion 
 of the plan of education which related to the establishment 
 of an academy. He visited New York, conferred with the 
 governor of the state and the regents, and he visited Phila- 
 delphia, where he conferred with Washington, Pickering, and 
 Hamilton. Washington, it is said, expressed a warm interest 
 in the institution, and Hamilton consented to become one of 
 the trustees and to afford all the aid in his power. President 
 Fisher, in his semi-centennial address fifty years ago, states 
 the fact that from Hamilton Mr. Kirkland obtained the gift 
 of a lot of land, which realized what in those times was a 
 handsome sum. When the charter had been granted Kirk- 
 land proceeded to donate a site to the new institution on the 
 
1912] CENTENARY ADDRESS 13 
 
 hillside overlooking the valleys of the Oriskany and the 
 Mohawk — a part of the tract which four years before had 
 been conveyed to him by the conjoint action of the Indians 
 and the state in recognition of his services to both. The 
 terms of the conveyance indicate a liberal spirit and an appre- 
 ciation of the polite side of life which it is pleasant to find 
 surviving after so long experience amid barbarism and hard- 
 ship. He was founding an institution in a wilderness, sur- 
 rounded by savages. The nearest approach to civilization was 
 to be found in the rude life of the frontiersmen. Yet he speci- 
 fied in his gift of land that a part was to be used for an orna- 
 mental garden. The preamble of the deed has often been 
 quoted, but cannot be quoted too often. It says : 
 
 A serious consideration of the importance of education and an early 
 improvement and cultivation of the human mind, together with the situ- 
 ation of the frontier settlement of this part of the state, though extensive 
 and flourishing, yet destitute of any well regulated seminary of learning, 
 has induced and determined me to contribute of the ability wherewith my 
 Heavenly Benefactor hath blessed me, towards laying the foundation and 
 support of a school or academy in the town of Whitestown, and county of 
 Herkimer, contiguous to the Oneida nation of Indians, for the mutual 
 benefit of the young and flourishing settlements in said county, and the 
 various tribes of confederate Indians; earnestly wishing the institution may 
 grow and flourish, that the advantages of it may be extensive and lasting, 
 and that, under the smiles of the God of wisdom and goodness, it may 
 prove an eminent means of diffusing useful knowledge, enlarging the 
 bounds , of human happiness, aiding the reign of virtue, and the kingdom 
 of the blessed Redeemer. 
 
 To this foundation were added contributions made from 
 their slender means by many of the inhabitants of the infant 
 settlements of central New York. In the following year, 
 1794, the academy building was erected and soon after teach- 
 ing was commenced. The corner stone of the building was 
 laid with great ceremony by the Baron Frederick William 
 von Steuben, Washington's inspector-general, the drill master 
 of the Revolution, the old staff officer of Frederick the Great, 
 whose military experience and loyal constancy through the 
 privations of Valley Forge turned the undisciplined colonial 
 levies into an army capable of Monmouth and Yorktown. 
 
14 HAMILTON COLLEGE [1912 
 
 Among the forests that were famihar with the silent passage 
 of the savage Indian, along the slopes that looked down upon 
 the bloody battlefield of Oriskany, the war-worn soldier was 
 accompanied to this place where we now stand by a gay and 
 joyous cavalcade in which were two of the daughters of Mr. 
 Kirkland and their escorts, and in which the Clinton Light 
 Horse, Captain George W. Kirkland commanding, was the 
 guard of honor. Cheerful hope and strong faith and lofty 
 purpose accompanied, with propitious omens, the first physical 
 step in the undertaking we now celebrate and promote, after 
 the lapse of a hundred and eighteen years. 
 
 It is plain that the long and strenuous labors of Kirkland 
 in the revolutionary struggle, his companionship with the 
 great men who were freeing and founding the nation, his 
 agency in establishing and maintaining due political relations 
 between the still powerful Indian tribes and the new United 
 States, had changed and developed the view of the young 
 missionary and brought a new element into the scope of his 
 purpose. He was no longer content to convert pagan savages 
 into Christian savages, but was bent upon establishing an 
 agency of civilization which should do its share towards 
 solving the race question of his time and make peace through 
 knowledge and understanding. To the savage prejudice and 
 error and racial hatred against which he and his great com- 
 panions and leaders had been struggling, he would oppose, 
 in the words of the plan of education, " instruction in the 
 principles of human nature, in the history of civil society, 
 so as to be able to discern the difference between a state of 
 nature and a state of civilization, and know what it is that 
 makes one nation differ from another in wealth, power, and 
 happiness." He would inculcate not the doctrinal theology 
 of any school or creed, but " principles of natural religion, 
 the moral precepts, and the more plain and express doctrines 
 of Christianity." It was this public service of statesmanship 
 which brought to his project the approval of Washington and 
 the cooperation of Hamilton and Pickering and Steuben. 
 
1912] CENTENARY ADDRESS 15 
 
 So there entered into the birth of the new institution both 
 the spirit of rehgion in its broadest sense and the spirit of 
 patriotism in its highest development. It was to promote 
 Christian civiHzation and to promote instructed and wise 
 citizenship. It was not merely that boys might learn grammar 
 and algebra to help them to get on in life, but that among all 
 the crude and unorganized elements of that transition period 
 should arise an influence powerful to expand men's minds 
 and form men's characters for a nobler country and a better 
 world. The spirit of the new institution was born of struggle 
 and arduous labor and sacrifice, and noble scorn of ease and 
 luxury, and little care for wealth and display, and thirst for 
 knowledge, and loyalty to truth, and love for man, and faith 
 in God. When we now, in our generation, do our share 
 towards carrying on the college we are executing the lofty 
 purposes of great and noble men, long since passed away, 
 and entering into a companionship with them. 
 
 The life of the institution has been a life of struggle, 
 happy, perhaps, for the preservation of its virtues. It was 
 several years before the funds sufficed to finish the interior 
 of the building of which Steuben laid the corner stone ; but 
 before the close of the eighteenth century it had become a 
 flourishing institution. It was visited by President Timothy 
 Dwight in his "Journey to Whitestown " in 1799. He says 
 of it: 
 
 This Seminary is already of considerable importance ; and contains fifty- 
 two students, of both sexes, under the care of two instructors. The 
 scheme of education, professedly pursued in it, includes the English, Latin, 
 and Greek languages, and most of the liberal arts and sciences. An 
 Academic building is erected for it, eighty-eight feet long, and forty-six 
 feet wide, of three stories, on a noble, healthy eminence, commanding a 
 rich and extensive prospect. It is, however, but partially finished. 
 
 In his account of this same journey President Dwight 
 describes Utica as " a pretty village containing fifty houses," 
 and he says, " in 1794 there were but two, and in 1795 but 
 six." It was Dr. Dwight's intention to extend his journey 
 
16 HAMILTON COLLEGE [1912 
 
 to the western parts of the state, and he proceeded as far as 
 a point which he describes as " Laird's, at the entrance of the 
 Oneida woods." This is the hamlet on the present state 
 highway about two miles and a half north of the college. 
 There he became daunted by the reported difficulties of 
 penetrating the wilderness any farther and turned back. It 
 seems rather a pity that the old academy building which 
 was built in the wilderness with so much pains should not 
 have been preserved for its associations, but it was torn down 
 in 1830, although the house built by Mr. Kirkland at the foot 
 of the hill for his home, in 1795, and long known as the 
 Harding house, still remains. In those early days there was 
 but little money in the neighborhood and the academy had but 
 a small part of that. The report to the regents for the year 
 1804 states the property of the academy to have been: 
 
 Academy lot and house $3,500 
 
 Other real estate 900 
 
 Personal estate 240 
 
 Library and apparatus 462 
 
 Annual Income 
 
 From the funds 48 
 
 From tuition 494 
 
 Teachers' salaries per annum [there were two of them] 604 
 
 Average price of board per annum 65 
 
 Price of tuition per annum 12 
 
 And upon this basis sixty- four students were being instructed 
 in — 
 
 Reading and Writing. 
 
 English Grammar, Cyphering, etc. 
 
 Mathematics, Bookkeeping, etc. 
 
 Dead Languages. 
 
 Logic, Rhetoric, Composition, etc. 
 
 Moral Philosophy, etc. 
 
 The French Language, and Natural Philosophy. 
 
 When we consider those days of poverty we should remem- 
 ber that the men who contributed the funds and the labor, 
 
1912] CENTENARY ADDRESS 17 
 
 who cut and squared the timbers and split the shingles and 
 raised the frame for the new academy, were themselves liv- 
 ing in log houses and destitute of what would now be regarded 
 as almost the necessities of life; that the money which paid 
 the sixty-five dollars per annum for board and the twelve 
 dollars per annum for tuition was hardly earned on partly 
 cleared farms and was saved by self-denial and sacrifice. 
 Life was hard and stern. For a long time after the college 
 charter the students arose in the morning at half past five 
 o'clock, summer and winter, attended prayers in the chapel 
 at six, and recitations until seven, by the light of tallow 
 candles. They attended church and chapel and recitation 
 in rooms without fires, and even the president sometimes 
 preached in overcoat and mittens. 
 
 Great progress was made from this point to the opulence 
 which justified and secured the college charter of 1812. In 
 1814, the regents of the University reported, of the three 
 colleges which then existed in the state : 
 
 From Columbia, Union, and Hamilton Colleges, special representations 
 of their respective conditions have been made to the Legislature, by which 
 the degree of increasing prosperity in each will be seen, and how far the 
 very great benefits they are calculated to afford to the community, recom- 
 mend them to the unremitted support of Government. 
 
 And thereupon the legislature of the state enacted a law 
 which affords an interesting illustration of the changing 
 standards of public sentiment and public policy. It was 
 Chapter 120 of the Lavv's of 18 14, entitled "An act institut- 
 ing a Lottery for the promotion of Literature and for other 
 purposes," passed April 13, 1814. The act recites: 
 
 Whereas well regulated seminaries of learning are of immense impor- 
 tance to every country, and tend especially, by the diffusion of science 
 and the promotion of morals, to defend and perpetuate the liberties of a 
 free state ; Therefore, 
 
 Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, represented in 
 Senate and Assembly, That there shall be raised by lottery, in successive 
 classes, a sum equal in amount to the several appropriations made by this 
 act, together with the simple interest accruing thereon, till the same shall 
 be raised and paid by the managers appointed to superintend the same. 
 
 2 
 
18 HAMILTON COLLEGE [1912 
 
 The act then proceeds to make appropriations of one hun- 
 dred and seventy thousand dollars out of the avails of the 
 lottery to Union College, forty thousand dollars to Hamilton 
 College, to grant the land known as the Botanic Garden in 
 New^ York to Columbia College, and to authorize the pay- 
 ment of four thousand dollars to discharge the debt of the 
 Asbury African church in the city of New York. In the 
 original edition of the Session laws there is a note under this 
 statute which says : 
 
 No bill before the Legislature excited greater interest and attention 
 than this act. Much credit is due to the unwearied exertions of the able 
 and eloquent president of Union College, in procuring its passage. 
 
 And there is an appendix to the volume by which it appears 
 that the state, under an act of June 19, 181 2, had already 
 given to Hamilton College the sum of fifty thousand dollars, 
 and that the trustees of the late Hamilton Oneida Academy 
 and other individuals had subscribed fifty thousand dollars 
 for the benefit of the college. 
 
 The prosperity of the institution continued until in 1823 a 
 boyish prank in which a cannon was exploded in Old South 
 College led to a controversy that left the college almost with- 
 out students; and for several years it seemed on the verge of 
 extinction. It soon recovered, but before the recovery was 
 complete an active dispute arose upon a proposition to remove 
 the institution to Utica, and the defeat of that proposal led 
 to the resignation of President Sereno Dwight. We should be 
 grateful that the proposal was defeated, for it would hardly 
 have been the same institution if it had been moved, and 
 now, with the railroad and the trolley line and the macadam 
 roads and the automobile, the college is practically a Utica 
 institution. It is nearer to Utica now than New Hartford or 
 Whitesboro was then. The great citizens whose memory 
 Utica cherishes as a part of her civic traditions deemed it a 
 part of their duty as citizens to maintain and promote the 
 interests of the institution which was exercising so beneficent 
 
1912] CENTENARY ADDRESS 19 
 
 an influence throughout the region of which Utica is the 
 center. The first president of the Board of Trustees of the 
 college for many years was General Joseph Kirkland, mayor 
 of Utica. My own memory recalls, with a distinctness 
 peculiar to the vivid impressions of early youth, the appear- 
 ance of Horatio Seymour and Joshua Spencer and Hiram 
 Denio and Edmund A. Wetmore and Erastus Clark and 
 S. Newton Dexter and William J. Bacon and Thomas W. 
 Seward and Publius V. Rogers as they appeared upon the 
 commencement stage or attended meetings of the trustees. 
 They deemed this to be their college — the college of their 
 home, and injurious distance did not stop the way of their 
 devotion to her interests. That noble and beautiful city is 
 nobler and more beautiful because step by step with the mate- 
 rial growth of its entire life have gone the influences of the 
 institution, educating the sons and mingling with the social 
 life of the city. There are worthy successors now to Kirkland 
 and Seymour and Spencer and Denio, and, since the city and 
 the college are drawn closer together in ease of access, they 
 should draw together in sympathy and mutual benefit. 
 
 Since the settlement of that vital controversy the college 
 has proceeded with little adventure upon its simple and pro- 
 gressive course. It has gradually enlarged its Faculty and its 
 facilities for instruction; it has made its standards higher 
 and its work more thorough; and it has kept pace with the 
 requirements of the time, in the comfort and convenience 
 and beauty of the many commodious and stately buildings, 
 which, especially under the force and enthusiasm of President 
 Stryker, have succeeded the rude old wooden academy on 
 the edge of the Oneida woods. 
 
 It is an interesting fact that although the Corporation of 
 Harvard College had for many years contributed to the 
 support of Kirkland's mission, and his son. John Thornton 
 Kirkland, had become president of Harvard, and although 
 Dartmouth and Hamilton were so closely associated in their 
 source and origin, and although Kirkland was a graduate of 
 
20 HAMILTON COLLEGE [1912 
 
 Princeton, nevertheless the force of the old Connecticut 
 associations was so strong that for more than seventy years 
 every principal and teacher in the academy and every presi- 
 dent of the college, with one exception, was a graduate of 
 Yale. The one exception was Dr. Penney, who held the 
 office of president for a very brief time, from 1835 to 1839. 
 The last of the series of Yale graduates was the eloquent 
 Samuel Ware Fisher, who retired from the office in 1866. 
 After him came that scholarly and delightful gentleman, 
 Samuel Oilman Brown, a graduate of Dartmouth; after him, 
 a graduate of Amherst, the gentle and pious Henry Darling. 
 Then we came to our own in the selection of Melancthon 
 Woolsey Stryker, of the Class of 1872. He needs no monu- 
 ment yet, but, when he does, circumspice. 
 
 No mortal now can inspire me with half the reverence and 
 admiration that I felt for the teachers of Hamilton jfifty years 
 ago. There are no better men than they. There never can 
 be. But I am bound to say that Hamilton is a better college 
 than it was then. Her work is better done and her students 
 are better educated. It is not my purpose in this paper to 
 recount the details of the college life and growth or to enu- 
 merate and estimate the men who have been a part of that 
 life. For the men of the first half -century that service was 
 well done by the historical discourse of fifty years ago, and 
 for them all the same thing is done under the admirable prac- 
 tice by which each year there is read an annalist letter from 
 the class fifty years out, a practice which has endured for half 
 a century and ought never to be abandoned. 
 
 I wish, however, to say something about the college that 
 can be illustrated by reference to a group of teachers, who 
 were here fifty years ago — my own father, Oren Root, and 
 his son, Oren Root, who, in succession, filled the chair of 
 mathematics in the college for fifty-eight years; Edward 
 North, professor of Greek for forty-eight years; Charles 
 Avery, for twenty-five years professor of chemistry; Chris- 
 tian Henry Frederick Peters, the astronomer for thirty-two 
 
1912] CENTENARY ADDRESS 21 
 
 years in the Litchfield Observatory; and Anson Judd Upson, 
 for twenty-one years professor of rhetoric. Their students 
 doubtless soon forgot the most of what they learned from 
 book and lecture ; but their students never could escape the 
 deep and lasting impressions upon their characters, their 
 tastes, and their intellectual methods. These professors were 
 poor as the world goes, but they had a wealth that money 
 cannot create. They loved their subjects and were happy 
 in their work. They rejoiced in the exercise of their powers. 
 They were content with simple pleasures. They filled the 
 atmosphere about them with an enthusiasm for learning and 
 literature. They sought for truth as one who strives in a 
 game. They never talked or thought about money or invest- 
 ments or profits. They took little heed of all those things 
 for which men are striving and wearing out their lives in 
 the market places of a materialistic clviHzation. 
 
 For a boy to live with such men, to be close to them during 
 four of the most impressionable years of youth, to observe 
 and become accustomed to their simple and sincere lives, with- 
 out money, made happy by the pleasures of the intellect and 
 taste, to get their standards and become impressed by their 
 estimates of the values of life, and to learn enough out of 
 books in the meantime to understand it all — that is an educa- 
 tion beyond price. 
 
 And this is the true history of Hamilton. Before the com- 
 ing of the group that I have named, their predecessors running 
 back to the wilderness days did the same. Their successors 
 are now doing the same. It is something that the great uni- 
 versity cannot do. With all that the great university gains, 
 it continually loses something with its growth, and this is 
 what it loses — the personal touch and the development of 
 character. It is something that only the small college can do, 
 and only the small college with the right spirit. Hamilton 
 does it because the spirit of the founding in the wilderness 
 persists. She has held to the old faith. She has never sought 
 to be a vocational institution. She does not teach men to be 
 
22 HAMILTON COLLEGE [1912 
 
 lawyers or doctors or clergymen or bankers or farmers. She 
 is an educational institution. She seeks to develop, to train, 
 to form, to educate, youths to be men competent to fit them- 
 selves for any vocation. She has been kept true by her tradi- 
 tions, by the train of simple farmer boys who have come 
 plodding over the hills to her examinations, by the great pro- 
 portion of her students who come not because they are sent 
 or because it is the correct thing to do, but because they are 
 eager to make their way in the world. The college has grown, 
 the buildings are more numerous and expensive, the physical 
 appliances are more adequate, the endowment is more ample. 
 The pathetic little schedule of property of a century ago has 
 long since passed the million mark. But all these things are 
 of minor importance, for what would it profit the college to 
 gain them and lose its own soul? The richest possessions of 
 the institution are the multitude of lives, past and present, 
 that would never have been educated if the college had not 
 been here ; the intelligences that would not have been enlarged 
 by learning and literature ; the spirits that would not have 
 been quickened but for her; the unrecorded influences for 
 the betterment of a thousand communities to which her 
 graduates have gone ; the part she has played in the develop- 
 ment of our country along lines of Christian civilization. The 
 great thing to be said, as we review the century, is that the 
 college always has been, in its essential character, the same 
 institution which drew its life, in the wilderness, from the 
 struggles and sacrifices of Kirkland — always inspired by the 
 same spirit, faithful to the same cause, and working out the 
 same beneficent purpose. 
 
DOCUMENTS 
 
 ILLUSTRATING THE HISTORY 
 
 OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 
 
 1766-1862 
 
Kirkland's Appointment as Missionary to the Indians 
 
 Be it known to all People by these Presents, that the Board 
 of Correspondents, in the Colony of Connecticut, New Eng- 
 land, appointed and commissioned by the Honourable Society 
 in Scotland for propagating Christian Knowledge (by their 
 Commission given under the common Seal of the aforesaid 
 Society, Signed by James Smoller Prseses of the Committee 
 of Directors, and Alexander Stevenson Clerk of the Society, 
 at Edinburgh the 13th of March A. D. 1764: which Society 
 was legally incorporated by Royal Charter, in the Eighth Year 
 of Queen Anne A. D. 1709: and afterwards enlarged and ex- 
 tended to the Colonies and Plantations in America, Anno 
 quarto Georgii Primi.) 
 
 Do authorize, ordain, and appoint the Reverend Samuel 
 Kirtland a Missionary among the Heathen and ignorant 
 People in North America and direct him, as he hath Ability 
 and opportunity, to instruct, teach, and preach the Gospel, to 
 the Indian Tribes and others, as he shall find Occasion, where- 
 ever the Providence of God shall call him, and we do invest 
 the said Rev^ Samuell Kirtland, with all the Powers, Immuni- 
 ties and Privileges belonging to a Missionary, imployed and 
 commissioned by the Corresponding Commissioners of the 
 Honourable Society in Scotland for propagating Christian 
 Knowledge, and as the said Rev^ Samuel Kirtland goes forth 
 under the Protection of their Royal Charter, it is desired and 
 expected none will presume to molest or disquiet him in the 
 Prosecution of his Office, but afford him all needful Encourage- 
 ment and Assistance therein. 
 
 Signed, Sealed by Order, and in the Name of the Board of 
 Correspondents, at Lebanon, ye 19 Day of June, A. D. 1766. 
 
 Eleazer Wheelock, Secretary. 
 [25] 
 
26 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1789 
 
 From Samuel Kirkland's Journal, Jan. 14, 1789 
 
 The Honbl Board has been made acquainted by my Journal, 
 transmitted to them in the month of August last, of several 
 applications made to me by the Chiefs on Buffaloe Creek and 
 Genesee — both Senekas and Onondagos, also some Oneidas 
 — to make provision for the education of some of their youth. 
 They have accordingly desired me to take the care of several 
 of their promising youth, and adopt them into my family, that 
 they shall henceforward be considered (in the Indian stile) 
 as the minister's sons. And upon my accepting the charge 
 or trust, the Parents respectively in a formal manner enjoined 
 upon them to follow my advice and attend to my instruction. 
 Some of these adopted sons have been my companions the 
 summer and autumn past, in travelling several hundred miles 
 through their country. These they would wish to be taught 
 the English language — to read and write the same. The 
 other kind of schooling they would have to be in their own 
 language and in their respective villages. 
 
 The education of the first class they wish to be such as 
 shall fit them for politicians and schoolmasters, to introduce 
 the manners and customs of the white people among them, 
 which the famous Captain Brant has effected in a very con- 
 siderable degree among the Mohawks. 
 
 I have not yet given any encouragement of having a school 
 set up in the Senekas Country the present year, as the expense 
 would be too great, till provision can be furnished at a less 
 distance than Mohawk River. 
 
 The vicinity of Oneida is the best place that I know of for 
 the instruction of those who are designed for an English 
 education. A settlement of white people has been making 
 there for two years past, and will soon furnish provision at a 
 moderate price. They are also a sober, religious, and indus- 
 trious people. 
 
 Particular attention should be paid to the character of the 
 persons who might be employed in the Indian Country, either 
 
17911 OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 27 
 
 as missionaries or school masters. They ought to be of good 
 moral character, of generous principles, lovers of universal 
 peace, free from party spirit and bigotry, not contracted but 
 catholic in their sentiments. They must treat all Indians in- 
 discriminately with kindness. 
 
 A Plan of Education for the Indians, Particularly of 
 THE Five Nations 
 
 First. Let a school be erected in the vicinity of Oneida, 
 contiguous to some English settlement. 
 
 Secondly. Let there be admitted into this school tzvo Indian 
 lads of the most promising parts, best habits, and principal 
 families from the Seneka Nation, one of the same description 
 from the Onondaga, Cayoga, and Tuscarora; and two from 
 the Oneida Nation. 
 
 Thirdly. Let them be instructed pretty much in the follow- 
 ing method: first, in reading and writing the English and 
 Indian languages, and in the rudiments of Arithmetic. After 
 having acquired a sufficient knowledge of these, they may be 
 instructed into the principles of human nature, and the history 
 of civil society, so far as is necessary to give them a knowledge 
 of the means which conduce to the wealth, power, and happi- 
 ness of Nations, such as laws, government, agriculture, indus- 
 try, etc. — that they may be able clearly to discern the differ- 
 ence between a state of nature and a state of civilization, and 
 may know what it is that makes one nation differ from another. 
 Lastly, let them be taught the principles of natural and the 
 doctrines of revealed religion. Moral precepts and the more 
 plain and express doctrines of Christianity should be con- 
 stantly inculcated, as the minds of the youth are able to re- 
 ceive them. 
 
 Fourthly, besides the above number, it is proposed, in order 
 that the school may become more immediately useful, to select 
 two young men from among the Oneidas, and two from each 
 village in their neighbourhood, who have already acquired 
 
28 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1791 
 
 considerable knowledge of the English language and manners, 
 and place them in the school for six or eight months only, 
 which will so complete them in reading and writing, as to 
 enable them to keep common schools in their respective 
 villages, which schools should be supported by the Indians 
 themselves. To facilitate the acquisition of the English lan- 
 guage by the Indians, it will be necessary to admit into the 
 school a number of English youth, who shall bear the charges 
 of their own education. 
 
 Fifthly. Those who are members of the school may acquire 
 some knowledge of husbandry by being employed for a cer- 
 tain portion of time in the cultivation of a small tract of land, 
 near the school, to be appropriated for that purpose ; but for 
 the more general and speedy introduction of agriculture among 
 the Indians it will be necessary that each village have a good 
 farmer residing in it for a term of time ; the expense of which 
 may be defrayed by the Indians after the first year. 
 
 Sixthly. When the practice of husbandry shall have 
 obtained considerably among them, let a work-house be estab- 
 lished in one of their principal villages, in which the females, 
 after having before learned reading and writing, may be 
 taught spinning and weaving, together with domestic economy. 
 
 The expense of this may likewise be defrayed by the Indians 
 after the first or second year. 
 
 The reason why it is necessary to have the school contiguous 
 to the English on the one part is that the Indians cannot learn 
 the language and manners of the English, but by hearing their 
 language spoken and observing their manners. This has been 
 sufficiently proved by experience. After much pains, there 
 are only four scholars out of thirty in the school among the 
 Oneidas, who have acquired any considerable degree of knowl- 
 edge in the English language, and this they could not have 
 obtained had not their instructor been well acquainted with 
 both languages, for it scarce need be remarked that they have 
 neither grammar nor dictionary to assist them, as we have 
 to assist us in acquiring the knowledge of a language we dc 
 
1791] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 29 
 
 not hear spoken. The chief reason why it is necessary to have 
 the school contiguous to the Indians, on the other part, is, 
 that as the habits of savage Hfe are at a very great remove 
 from those of a civiHzed, to oblige the Indian youth suddenly 
 to break off all the former and adopt the latter, will unavoid- 
 ably tend to depress their spirits, and either sink them into a 
 torpid indifiference, or beget in them an utter dislike to the 
 improvements and manners of a civilized life. Some of the 
 more intelligent Indians have observed the same thing to me 
 in conversation, which I have had with them upon the subject ; 
 that some of their manners must, for a time, be indulged and 
 even cherished, and be very gradually superseded by those of 
 the white people, if we would bring them into our path (as 
 they express it) and make them see as we white people see. 
 By the school being near the Indians, the parents and friends 
 of the youth would have opportunity to visit them frequently, 
 or at stated times have the gratification of seeing their improve- 
 ments, and would encourage them by their applause. More- 
 over, the Senekas, Onondagoes, and Cayogas will not readily 
 consent to have their children, at least of principal families, 
 go farther from their country tlian the vicinity of Oneida. 
 
 The utility of teaching them to read and write their own 
 language is very obvious. From their strong attachment to 
 their mother tongue, and the difficulty with which they learn 
 ours, neither the present not the next generation will obtain 
 much knowledge of the English language. There are now 
 more than sixty Oneidas who can write and read in their own 
 language with considerable ease and propriety. There are 
 two of the Oneidas, either of whom would answer to teach 
 the Indian language in the school. 
 
 The little success, which lias followed all past attempts to 
 civilize the Indians, may seem to discourage any future efforts 
 for that purpose. To me, however, it appears that the failure 
 of those attempts is to be ascribed to causes, some of which 
 do not exist, and others may be prevented from operating. 
 The whole face of things throughout the territory of the Six 
 
30 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1791 
 
 Nations is of late years greatly changed. Formerly the 
 Indians in general, from a strong attachment to their ancient 
 usages and customs, held in great contempt the manners and 
 arts of an improved state of society ; now, many hold them in 
 high esteem, and express a strong desire to have them intro- 
 duced. 
 
 Formerly they could subsist by hunting and fishing; now 
 it is certain, and many of them believe and say it, that their 
 very existence as a people will in a short time depend upon 
 their having recourse to agriculture. So sensible are the dis- 
 cerning among them of the change in their circumstances, 
 that they are excedingly alarmed at their present situation, 
 and apparent destiny, and are convinced that a different course 
 of life from that of their forefathers must be adopted, or 
 their extinction as a nation will be inevitable. 
 
 The deep rooted prejudices against white people, which 
 formerly possessed the minds of the Indians, are now in a 
 good degree removed. 
 
 Those Indian youth who have been introduced to schools, 
 were put there too late, and taken away too soon. In the 
 choice of them, little or no regard was paid to genius, dis- 
 position, or habits. This has been remarked by the Indians 
 themselves. Most of those who received this partial English 
 education, were obliged, for the sake of subsistence, to resume 
 the savage mode of life afterwards; Capt. Joseph Brant 
 excepted. 
 
 Considering these circumstances, and some others that might 
 be mentioned, I believe it may be concluded that a fair trial 
 has never yet been made for the civilization and improvement 
 of the Indians, and that there is still encouragement still to 
 pursue the object as yet attainable. For I cannot yet admit 
 the idea, which some have advanced, that there is a repugnancy 
 in the very frame and constitution of their minds to intellec- 
 tual improvements and the arts of civilized life. After more 
 than twenty years' observation, I am not able to discover any 
 other repugnancy in the Indian mind to civilization, than what 
 
1791] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 31 
 
 arises from the mere force of an Indian or pagan education. 
 That they want capacity cannot be urged, for they discover in 
 many things great ingenuity and address ; and some marks of 
 original genius are found among them. That they have such 
 a viciousness and depravity of disposition as forbids their 
 civilization, is not true ; for their ideas of right and wrong in 
 many cases, if known, would do them honor. What I have 
 seen among them, instead of weakening, confirms to me the 
 opinion of most philosophers, that the difference between one 
 nation and another is not so much owing to nature as to 
 education. I think we have every reason to believe that the 
 present inhabitants of the United States owe all their 
 superiority over the native savages of the wilderness in point 
 of dignity to the cultivation of their minds in morals and in 
 the civil and polite arts. 
 
 I cannot but believe that this plan, or some one similar to it, 
 may with the aid and countenance of Government be executed. 
 
 That it will be productive of happy consequences, in a civil, 
 moral, and political view, will not be doubted. In the view 
 of the humane and benevolent mind, it will unquestionably 
 be considered as a most desirable object ; and an act of justice 
 due to that much injured and neglected part of our species, 
 who are equally capable with us, by nature, of social enjoy- 
 ments and the more noble improvements of the mind. 
 
 It may be one way in which the United States are to express 
 their gratitude to Heaven for raising them to such wealth 
 and eminence, and putting them into quiet possession of so 
 extensive a part of the territory, once claimed and occupied 
 by the Aborigines of America. 
 
 We may be confident that every attempt to diffuse human 
 happiness will meet the approbation of Him, who made of 
 one blood all nations to dwell upon the face of the earth. 
 
 Sam' Kirkland. 
 Oneida, Octor- 4th 1791. 
 
32 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1791 
 
 Samuel Kirkland to Henry Knox 
 Secretary of War in the x^dministration of George Washington. 
 
 Philadelphia 6th Decemr- 1791. 
 Sir, 
 
 Agreeably to your request I have the honor to present you 
 with a statement of the expences requisite to give efficacy to 
 the Plan I have drafted and presented to you for introducing 
 Civilization among the five Nations of Indians. For some 
 reasons the statement I have made extends no farther than the 
 Oneida Nation and its vicinity, together with the Onondagoes, 
 who reside in their ancient settlement, called Onondago, and 
 at the distance of 18 miles only, from the westernmost Village 
 of the Oneidas. 
 
 Let it be observed that the Oneidas, with their Allies viz. 
 Tiiscaroras and Stockbridge Indians, are settled in five small 
 Villages, and all within what is called the Oneida Reservation; 
 viz. Old Oneida, Tuscarora, (alias Kanadesco) Kanonwalo- 
 hale, Skawasleagh, and Kanaghsolage. The two last is at 
 present fewer in number than the former. Kanonwalohale 
 is their Capital, and most central. 
 
 First. For erecting a convenient and decent 
 Schoolhouse, either in Kanonwalohale, or its 
 vicinity 250 doll^s- 
 
 Two School Masters to be supported for the 
 term of two years, by the General Government ; 
 The one to be placed at Tuscarora, the other to 
 supply both Kanaghsolage and Onondago, to be 
 allowed one hundred dollars each annually 200 
 
 A third School-Master will be employed in 
 the Principal School at Kanonwalohale or its 
 vicinity, and most probably supported by the 
 Society in Scotland for propagating Christian 
 Knowledge. 
 
 One carpenter and one blacksmith, both of 
 which to be good farmers, and each to be sup- 
 plied with a set of tools — to be placed at 
 
1791] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 33 
 
 Kanonwalohale, and to work for the whole 
 vicinity as occasion shall require — and each to 
 be allowed 60 dolks for the first year — exclu- 
 sive of their tools — and forty dolls each for the 
 second year 120 
 
 One or both of the above mentioned to have 
 families, if such can be found who are sober, 
 industrious, ingenius, and of strict integrity. 
 
 One farmer, a single man, to be placed at 
 Tuscarora; and one of the same description, or 
 with a small family, to reside at Onondago, and 
 part of the time at Kanaghsolage ; each to be 
 allowed 40 dolKs and for the first year only, as 
 there is a sufficient quantity of cleared land in 
 each of these Villages to enable them soon to 
 provide for themselves 80 
 
 Three yoke of working oxen; two for Kanon- 
 walohale and its vicinity; and one for Onondago 
 and Kanaghsolage, at 50 dolli"s each 150 
 
 Three draught chains at 2>4 dolls each; two 
 log do at 4>^ dolls each i6>^ 
 
 Three plows, called by the farmers hog-plows. 
 This kind are found to be preferable to any 
 other for rough and rooty ground — 9 dolks 
 each 18 
 
 One ox cart — 22dolls ; 100 axes at i doll. ; 
 100 hoes at ^3 dolk 188^ 
 
 A Superintendent, whose duty shall be to in- 
 spect the whole, visit each Village and tribe at 
 least once a month during the spring and 
 summer seasons to encourage the industrious, 
 and to take notice of their progress, and render 
 a particular acct of their conduct and improve- 
 ment once or twice in the course of a year to 
 some person appointed for that purpose. The 
 Superintendent may be allowed 160 or 200 
 dollrs per an", according to his fidelity and 
 attention to the real interest of the Indians. . . 160 doll. 
 3 
 
34 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1791 
 
 Two or three hundred acres of land should be appropriated 
 in each Village for the use and benefit of their respective 
 schools. The Master and Scholars, instead of the usual diver- 
 sions of boys, should be ordered to exercise themselves one 
 or two hours every day in improving and cultivating some 
 part of their glebe. The farmer also to contribute something 
 towards it that the profits arising from this appropriated 
 ground may in time support the School. 
 
 No Trader must be allowed to bring spirituous liquors into 
 any part of the Oneida Reservation or Onondago Village on 
 any consideration. 
 
 The success of this attempt, next to the aid and counte- 
 nance of the general Government (in which the Indians have 
 now an almost unbounded confidence since the last treaty) 
 will chiefly depend on the character and fidelity of the School 
 masters and farmers who shall be employed, and the exclu- 
 sion of intoxicating liquors from the Indian settlements. I am 
 persuaded on the whole it will be most eligible that a Trader 
 be admitted into one of their principal Villages, with dry 
 goods, ammunition, etc. to prevent the Indians travelling 
 abroad for those necessary articles, where they will be exposed 
 to the intoxicating draught. 
 
 The building of a work-house for the education of the 
 females may be a subject of future consideration. 
 
 With sentiments of the highest respect and esteem, I have 
 the honor to be, Sir, 
 
 Your obedt and humbl Servt 
 
 S. Kirkland. 
 Honbl. Henry Knox, Secty. 
 in the War Depart^. 
 
 P. S. In addition to the above, I would recommend the 
 furnishing the Indians with three harrows and three grind- 
 stones, which will be absolutely necessary. 
 
 The reasons which invite to make the first efforts for intro- 
 ducing Civilization among the Oneidas and their Allies, are 
 
1791] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 35 
 
 principally these : Their having been friends to the United 
 States in the late war, and suffered much in the common cause ; 
 they have already approximated considerably towards Civil- 
 ization, which will greatly facilitate the attempt ; lastly, the 
 ideas and impressions which the Oneidas embibe of our 
 national character will unavoidably have great influence with 
 the western parts of the confederacy and even extend to more 
 remote Nations. 
 
 N. B. It will be necessary that the farmers and School- 
 masters should be permitted to hold the land they may respec- 
 tively occupy, by way of lease, for the term of 15 or 20 years, 
 or during good behaviour. 
 
 Timothy Pickering to Samuel Kirkland. 
 
 Timothy Pickering was Postmaster General and Superintendent of 
 Indian Affairs in the Administration of George Washington. From 
 the original, in the Library of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 
 Philadelphia, Dec'r 4, 1791. 
 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have attentively examined your plan for instructing the 
 Indians of the Five Nations in the arts of civil life. In its 
 most striking features, it resembles the plan which last winter 
 I submitted to the consideration of the President of the United 
 States. I am pleased to find that the ideas entertained by me 
 on the subject, after a single interview with the Indians, may 
 be presumed to be just, from their correspondency with yours, 
 which are the result of more than twenty years' experience. 
 My design was only to suggest a general idea; not to enter 
 into any details. You have descended to particulars ; on which, 
 agreeably to your request, I will make such remarks as occur. 
 
 I. For the reason you mention — " that the habits of a sav- 
 age are at a very great remove from those of a civilized life " 
 — the first essay for their instruction cannot be on a plan too 
 simple. A school of plain learning and husbandry, should 
 bound their first attempts. By plain learning, I mean such 
 as that which in New England is acquired by the sons of com- 
 mon farmers. At present there are no other objects to which 
 
36 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1791 
 
 other learning can be applied; its acquisition therefore will 
 be useless. It will be worse than useless. For want of proper 
 objects, it will produce that uneasiness which arises from the 
 want of employment. And this will lead to drunkenness; 
 and indolence and drunkenness are fruitful sources of vice. 
 If, indeed, an aspiring genius appeared, — though I would 
 not obstruct, I should be at no pains to urge its pursuits. The 
 same learning which would be proper for the farmer, would 
 be suitable for the carpenter and blacksmith; and these two 
 arts the Indians might be encouraged to learn, as well as the 
 art of husbandry; because they are essentially necessary to 
 each other. 
 
 2. The necessity of coercive laws and government will not 
 be very apparent, until they acquire property, by cultivating 
 the useful arts. Their first legislators and judges can be no 
 more than arbitrators, to whose decisions they may be per- 
 suaded to submit their disputes. Abstract dissertations on 
 laws and government would be little understood; because 
 there are very few objects about which these could be exer- 
 cised. At present the only material one would be to check 
 private revenge. When, by practising the useful arts, they 
 acquire property, laws will be necessary to secure its enjoy- 
 ment. Laws, to be executed, must appear to be necessary. 
 The difference between a state of nature and a state of civil- 
 ization cannot be shown them by abstract reasoning; it can 
 hardly strike them at any time more forcibly than at present, 
 by a particular comparison of their wants, with the plenty of 
 all desirable things which they see in the liands of their white 
 neighbours. It would then be natural to show them by what 
 active means the difference arose. 
 
 3. Instruction in the principles of natural, and the doctrines 
 of revealed religion, you place last in the order of education. 
 And indeed I should be very late in an attempt to teach them 
 the peculiar doctrines of revealed religion. First because they 
 would find it difficult to comprehend them; and their concep- 
 tions would be wild and extravagant. And secondly, because 
 different teachers might place them in very different points 
 
1791] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE ^37 
 
 of view; and such different views of the same thing (by all 
 their teachers perhaps declared essential to salvation) would 
 confound and discourage them; and probably make them sus- 
 pect the whole to be an imposture. And this would bear 
 unfavourably on all other points in which we v/ish to instruct 
 them. But the principles of natural religion, and moral pre- 
 cepts, being applicable to all people, at all times, it will be 
 important to explain and inculcate. A short system on these 
 subjects, drawn up in the most familiar stile and manner, 
 would be a valuable acquisition. It would be alike valuable to 
 the master and the scholar. 
 
 4. Your idea of placing the first school in the neighborhood 
 of one of our settlements, to facilitate the learning of the lan- 
 guage and manners of the English citizens of the United 
 States, appears to be just. 
 
 5. The provision for the instruction of Indian youth, to 
 qualify them to be school masters among their brethren, is 
 very desirable; but at the out-set, I consider the agricultural 
 by far the most important part of their education. The prac- 
 tical knowledge of husbandry should therefore be an indis- 
 pensable qualification for every schoolmaster whether white 
 or brown; and daily, by direction and example, they should 
 instruct the scholars in the practise of it. It will afford a 
 healthful exercise to both master and scholars, and banish the 
 greatest of evils — idleness. 
 
 6. For the speedy and general instruction of the Indians in 
 husbandry, you think it will be necessary to place in each vil- 
 lage a good farmer. And you propose that when husbandry 
 shall be considerably practised among them, a work-house 
 should be established in one of their principal villages, in which 
 the females, besides reading and writing, may be taught spin- 
 ning and weaving. With the first idea I perfectly concur; 
 but the latter, for many reasons, I do not think eligible, if it 
 were practicable. But so far as it regards spinning and weav- 
 ing, and domestic economy, the provision is obvious. Choose 
 an honest, sober, and discreet farmer, with a wife of the same 
 
38 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1791 
 
 description, for each considerable village ; and furnish them 
 with cattle and instruments of husbandry, and spinning wheels, 
 and the apparatus for weaving : Let the man teach the boys 
 to cultivate the ground, manage the cattle, and perform every 
 other labor of the husbandman, and the woman instruct the 
 girls in spinning and weaving, and every other branch of 
 business incident to a country life. There are multitudes of 
 farmers who are carpenters, and farmers' wives who are 
 weavers as well as spinners. Such should be preferred. The 
 compensation to the farmer and his wife will be easy: it should 
 depend on their own diligence, and the pains they take to 
 instruct the Indians. Let it consist of a certain proportion 
 of the increase of the cattle, and of the produce of the land 
 and the loom. This proportion will be greater or less accord- 
 ing to circumstances. At first it must be large ; and as their 
 improvements and manufactures extend, it may be reduced. 
 The Indians, for their encouragement, will share the residue. 
 Tho' where the work is capable of a division, so that the labor 
 of each can be ascertained; after deducting the farmer's share, 
 the remainder should exclusively belong to the Indian by whose 
 industry it was produced. 
 
 The land cultivated by the farmer would belong to the 
 Indians, but to encourage him to pursue the object with spirit, 
 his tenure in it might be fixed to twenty years — dependent 
 on his good behaviour. When schools were established in 
 the villages, they should be placed near these farms, which 
 would at once furnish to the master and scholars employment 
 and support. 
 
 But to carry any plan of civilizing the Indians into effect, 
 traders must not be licensed, they must be excluded; or if 
 admitted, they must be carefully selected, and not suffered to 
 keep a drop of any intoxicating liquor. 
 
 Wishing success to some plan of civilizing the Indians, I am 
 etc. 
 
 T. P. 
 Rev'd Mr. Kirkland. 
 
1792] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 39 
 
 John Kemp to Samuel Kirkland. 
 
 Edinburgh, 27th January 1792. 
 Revd and dear Sir, 
 
 . The history of your labors and services during 
 the course of your Mission continues to give the Society the 
 same satisfaction, which they have formerly received from 
 them. They observe, with much pleasure and approbation, 
 your unwearied zeal and perseverance in the extension of the 
 knowledge of the Gospel among the Indian tribes, and your 
 humane and benevolent attention to the interests, both tem- 
 poral and spiritual, of these remote and benighted people, and 
 they trust you will long be enabled to continue your exertions 
 in the arduous and important work. The residence of your 
 family at Oneida, I hope, will tend to make your situation 
 more comfortable, by enabling you, in the midst of the wilder- 
 ness, to enjoy the comforts of domestic society. 
 
 The Society are happy to find that the important plan of 
 attempting the Establishment of Schools in the Indian Coun- 
 try is now to be carried into execution. They hope that Mr. 
 Calkins will prove able and fruitful in the discharge of the 
 trust, and they have the more confidence of the utility of the 
 measure from the school being situated in the vicinity of 
 Oneida, where the Teacher may enjoy the benefit of your 
 advice and instruction. 
 
 Your plan for the education of the Indian youth was read 
 over and carefully considered by the Directors at their last 
 meeting. Their sentiments on the subject I have communi- 
 cated in a Letter to Mr. Thacher. In general they approve 
 highly of the scope and strain of the proposed plan, but as 
 they wished for cooperation from some American Societies 
 for carrying it into execution, some additional information 
 (which I have mentioned to Mr. Thacher) will be wanted, 
 before they come to a final Resolution on the subject. In the 
 mean time the attempt now to be made in the neighborhood 
 of Oneida may perhaps from experience furnish some farther 
 suggestions, for assuring the wished for success. 
 
40 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1792 
 
 I shall wait, with some impatience, for answers to the ques- 
 tions I used the freedom to ])ut to you, particularly in regard 
 to the state of Aloor's Indian School. I wrote to you with 
 unreserved confidence and hope you will continue the same 
 friendship and cordiality your last letters express. 
 
 With the highest personal Esteem, and sincerest wishes for 
 your welfare and happiness, I remain, Revd Dear Sir 
 
 Your most faithful hble Sert 
 Jo : Kemp. 
 Mr. Kirkland. 
 
 Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea) to Samuel Kirkland. 
 
 Niagara 4th Febry 1792. 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 Your long epistle of the 3d ult. I six days agone received. 
 I am particularly happy to hear that you are settled 
 to your satisfaction in the Oneida country, and that you mean 
 still to persevere in good works, the accomplishing which will 
 require patience and perseverance, both of which I must say 
 you are remarked for. Since your general Government has 
 founded the establishment and are anxious of succeeding in 
 civilization, I have no doubt of their success. It may at first 
 seem a difficult task, particularly so to those who may be set 
 over us, unacquainted in any wise with our manners or cus- 
 toms, but this is a circumstance easily surmounted, as there 
 may always be found some well acquainted w^ith us, with whom 
 our Pastors might advise if themselves were uninformed. 
 As the plan for this civilization has been drafted by you (so 
 well acquainted with us) and approved of your Government 
 as the Patron of this good work, the assistance that will be 
 rendered will enable you to begin the undertaking in person, 
 with your usual alacrity, spirit, and perseverance, there can 
 be no doubt but that the end intended will be answered. The 
 good effects that you mention that the Creeks and Cherokees 
 begin to feel from the establishment will be an incentive to 
 
1792] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 41 
 
 perform this great, this praiseworthy work, the accomplish- 
 ing which must ever redound to the credit of the U. S., and 
 mark the first Promoter with the highest pubHc applause : 
 the secret pleasing satisfaction that the undertaker will be 
 afforded, in reflecting on the good works in which he will be 
 daily employed, must be such as none but those in a similar 
 pursuit will be able to judge of. If doing good deeds will 
 render a person fit for the kingdom of Heaven, accomplishing 
 this Xian like desirable business of civilization must and will 
 render his (or their) names famous to posterity. Should you 
 be enabled to pursue your intentions, you shall find every 
 assistance that I can any ways afford, and shall ever be happy 
 whenever opportunitys may serve, to join my poor endeavors 
 with yours in forwarding what we both seemingly wish 
 for. '. . . 
 
 With compliments to my friends, your friend and well- 
 wisher, 
 
 Jos. Brant. 
 Revd Saml Kirkland. 
 
 Thomas Casety to Samuel Kirkland. 
 
 Paris, 2y April 1792. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I doubt not you recolect a conversation that once pas^ 
 between you and me at the time Schonandeow's Bridge was 
 built concerning some land that lay near the place where said 
 Bridge was erected. It was then our opinion that if said 
 Land can be obtained by the consent of the Indians and the 
 Legislature of the State of New York for the appropriation 
 and support of an Academy to promote Literature, useful 
 Science, and Religion among them (the true Source from 
 which the happiness of the human race can only spring) that 
 an undertaking so laudable in itself ought to be forwarded 
 by every just effort. I am well convinced from the goodness 
 that so much distinguishes your character you have not lost 
 
42 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1792 
 
 sight of so desirable an o1)ject. From conversation I have 
 had with my neighbors on the subject tliey appear all inter- 
 ested in the business and say that they will exert every nerve, 
 accompanyd with your well known perseverance and patience 
 which have been exersizd by many years endurance for the 
 benefit of your fellow men to forward the somuch desired 
 object, being well convinc^, knowledge is the Fountain from 
 which the Peace, Greatness and Happiness of Republican Gov- 
 ernments flow as that ignorance is favorable to monarchy, 
 the source of indigence and slavery; putting entire confidence 
 in your ability and exertion knowing them to be equal to the 
 task, I hope so principled an undertaking will have a favor- 
 able end. 
 
 With many Apologys for the imperfections of my Letter, 
 1 am with the greatest esteem and many well wishes for your 
 happiness 
 
 Your very obdnt Serv' 
 
 Thomas Casety. 
 Revd Samuel Kirkland. 
 
 E. WiGGLESWORTH TO PetER ThACHER. 
 
 From the original in Dartmouth College Library 
 
 Cambridge April 30, 1792. 
 Revd Sir, 
 
 Upon a careful attention to your letter of the 27th I find 
 I cannot express my sentiments on M^ Kirkland's plan more 
 fully than I did in a letter to Dr Erskine of last December. 
 I have enclosed you an extract from it, which I wish you 
 would be so kind as to communicate to the Commissioners, 
 and to assure the gentlemen of the Board that I shall esteem 
 myself happy in conferring with a committee of them at my 
 house. The outlines of Mr. Kirkland's plan I approve, but. 
 at the same time, am of opinion that no expence ought to 
 accrue to the Society in Scotland, or to that among ourselves, 
 
1792] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 43 
 
 exceptin^^ for the support of an Instructor, and possibly a 
 grant of a certain sum toward defraying the expence of erect- 
 ing a school room. 
 
 E. Wigglesworth. 
 Rev. Di" Thacher. 
 
 Secy etc. 
 
 Samuel Kirklaxd to Peter Thacher. 
 
 Oneida June 6th 1792. 
 Rev^ and dear Sir, 
 
 I had the honor of addressing you from Stockbridge the 
 15th ultimo, in which I gave you a sketch of my long tour 
 through the Seneka's Country and journey to Philadelphia 
 with a delegation from the five Nations to propose and adopt 
 measures for introducing the arts of civilized life among them. 
 I also informed you that Congress had granted 1500 dollars 
 annually for the term of 21 years, for the express purpose 
 of introducing civilization among the five Nations, in the 
 following manner, viz. for the support of a blacksmith, car- 
 penter, farmer, and a common school master in four estab- 
 lishments, viz. one at Oneida, including the vicinity, and 
 extending as far as Onondago; the second at Geneseo; the 
 third at Buffaloe Creek ; the fourth at the Allegheny ; the two 
 former only to be attempted the present year. The persons 
 to be employed are to be of good moral character and exemp- 
 lary — particularly to be free from the vices of idleness, pro- 
 phaneness and intemperance — but where such will be found, 
 with every other necessary qualification, together with the 
 small wages allowed, I know not. 
 
 The disposition that now prevails among the Indians for 
 the instruction of their children is remarkable, and not less 
 so, the disposition that now seems to have roused up in many 
 parts of the United States, to attend to the situation, cause 
 and complaints of the poor Indians, which have been too long 
 neglected. At the same time, it appears a strange thing to 
 
44 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1792 
 
 them, if the Christian reHgion be so such vast importance, 
 that so httle has been said to them about it by the Americans, 
 except a few good ministers who reside in Boston, and corre- 
 spond with the good ministers over the great water — as they 
 say. The force of this objection, in the manner in which 
 some of them will dress it up, has been difficult to remove. 
 
 There are now two small villages, besides the Onondagoes, 
 which wish for a school master, and in the course of one or 
 two years there will be probably the addition of two more, as 
 all the Oneidas residing at the Genesee have determined to 
 remove down to the vicinity of Oneida, the next fall or spring. 
 
 Should I be able to prosecute my plan for erecting one prin- 
 cipal school in the vicinity of Oneida, the whole might be 
 soon supplied with school masters of their own respective 
 tribes, to teach the rudiments of the English language and 
 arithmetic, together with reading and writing in the Indian 
 language. . . . 
 
 The school here, under the care of Mr. Calkins, is in a very 
 flourishing condition. By next winter will probably have 
 betwixt 50 and 60 scholars, and will require the assistance of 
 an usher, with a small salary. I expect two young boys from 
 the Cayoga country, to be boarded at Oneida, or in my own 
 family a part of the time. 
 
 Mr. Calkins appears to be one of a thousand for the busi- 
 ness, if he can be prevailed upon to prosecute it. Most of the 
 Indians are exceedingly fond of him, and approve of his 
 method of instruction, and even fully justify his rigid dis- 
 cipline, which is very remarkable of Indians. The proficiency 
 of one of his scholars in writing has astonished the Indians, 
 and will scarcely gain the credit of the Hon^l Board (without 
 well attested evidence) when they come to receive a specimen 
 of it. 
 
 With all the dispatch my health will allow I shall tran- 
 scribe my journal, with an estimate of the expense of my plan 
 of Indian education, and forward to the Hon^l Board. I am 
 
1792] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 45 
 
 obliged to attend to the immediate concerns of the Indians, 
 whether sick or well; there is no denial in the present state 
 of things among them. 
 
 Your obed. hum. Servt and affectionate Brothr in the 
 Gospel, 
 
 S. Kirkland. 
 Revd Mr Thacher, Secrty. 
 
 Samuel Kirkland to Peter Thacher. 
 
 Near Oneida, June 30th 1792. 
 Revd and Hond Sir, 
 
 When I had the honor of addressing you last, I expected by 
 this time to have transcribed my journal, but the state of the 
 Indians, with their various concerns, since my return from 
 my western tour, have occupied too much of my time. We 
 have had many councils upon their temporal and political as 
 well as religious affairs, and part of the time I have not enjoyed 
 good health. 
 
 You desired of me an accurate map of the territory of the 
 five Nations, or to inform you where one might be obtained. 
 I referred you to Mr. Gorham for what is commonly called 
 the Massachusetts preemption ; the other I expected to procure 
 of the Surveyor General of this State — but could not see him 
 on my way from Stockbridge to Oneida. 
 
 You wish for an estimate of the probable expences requisite 
 to give efBcacy to the plan of Indian Education I drew up 
 last year, a copy of which I presented to the Board at my last 
 meeting with them. The following estimate I beg leave to 
 submit : 
 
 Towards erecting a suitable and convenient 
 building for the proposed school 200 dollfs. 
 
 The support of the six or eight Indian youths 
 statedly as proposed in the plan 300 p. ann. 
 
 N. B. Congress now give 300 dolKs pr an- 
 num only for the boarding of two Indian Lads 
 
46 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1792 
 
 in the City of Philadelphia — viz. Corn Plant- 
 er's son and a nephew of McGillevery. 
 
 As besides the above number there will be 
 (particularly in the winter season) from twenty 
 to thirty occasional scholars without any charge 
 except their tuition, books and stationary. 
 
 The support of an able instructor 250 p. ann. 
 
 Books and stationary for the whole, including 
 the common schools in their respective villages, 
 at least for the first three years 75 P- ann. 
 
 The place for erecting the principal School, as most con- 
 venient for attaining the ends proposed, and which has been 
 pretty generally agreed upon, is about one mile north of the 
 Indian village called Brothertown, on the Oriskene Creek, 
 about one mile and a quarter east of the Oneida's line of sepa- 
 ration, and about one mile west of thq Oriskene Creek, where 
 there is a settlement of white people, many of whom, espe- 
 cially those nearest the place proposed for the school, are 
 respectable families, friends to industry, learning, and religion, 
 and support a good moral character. It is proposed that a 
 small piece of land, perhaps 15 or 20 acres, should be appro- 
 priated to the sole use and benefit of the school, and that the 
 Master and Scholars, instead of the usual diversions of school 
 boys, should exercise themselves one or two hours every week 
 day in improving and cultivating this glebe, that the scholars 
 may, if possible, early imbibe a habit of industry and love of 
 agriculture, which ought to be considered as an essential part 
 of their education. The profits arising from the cultivation 
 of this school field or garden, which I should wish to have 
 carried to a high degree of improvement, both in the orna- 
 mental as well as the useful, I would have distributed in pre- 
 miums to the most industrious scholars, or laid out in pur- 
 chasing Books for the School. This will require such utensils 
 as axes, spades, hoes, and shovels, and such implements of 
 husbandry at the outset. The expence of these would not be 
 jrreat. 
 
1792] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 47 
 
 That part of the plan relating to the introduction of hus- 
 bandry in general and the mechanic arts among them, the 
 Government of the United States have undertaken to execute, 
 an acct of which I have heretofore transmitted to you. No 
 estimate therefore is here made respecting it. 
 
 The building a work house for the education of the females 
 must be deferred till agriculture has made fair progress among 
 the Indians. 
 
 For the English part of the School, there has been some 
 property in uncultivated, tho' valuable, lands contributed, 
 which is to be committed to a body of Trustees with a charter 
 of corporation from the State or Congress, and the proceeds 
 of it, as soon as cultivated, to be applied to the support of 
 the Instructor. Some money and materials have been already 
 subscribed, which, with the sum mentioned in the estimate, 
 and what more may probably be obtained, will be sufficient 
 for erecting the building, and support of the Indian youth 
 proposed, in order to make one fair trial for the education 
 of Indians. 
 
 For the present year I shall only prepare accommodations 
 for several of the Chiefs' sons — just to make a beginning — 
 and at the same time keep up the common school in their 
 principal Village under Mr. Calkin. . . . 
 
 The Oneidas and Onondagoes, since their return from 
 Philadelphia, have been so much engaged in their political 
 concerns, particularly in preparing a delegation, with proper 
 speeches, to go to the westward, with a view to bring about a 
 general peace, they have not yet in full council formed their 
 address to the Honbl Board upon this plan of Indian educa- 
 tion. It is probable one of their young chiefs will accompany 
 me down on a visit to the Board in September next, for a 
 free conference upon the subject. 
 
 Good Peter, with four other Oneidas, set out the last week 
 for Buffaloe Creek, where they expect to meet with a delega- 
 tion from the seven tribes in Canada, also a delegation from 
 some of the hostile tribes in the vicinity of the Miamee. 
 
48 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1792 
 
 I inclose you a specimen of the improvement in the art of 
 writing of several Indian Boys, under the instruction of your 
 Schoolmaster, Mr. Calkin. 
 
 The one named John appears to have a genius for the fine 
 Arts — painting, musick, etc. 
 
 Mr. Calkin's task at present is very hard and laborious. 
 He has now upwards of sixty scholars, and his accommoda- 
 tions are very poor. He has labored under every disadvantage, 
 during my absence on my western tour, and supported him- 
 self, altho' a great oeconomist, at great expence. His salary 
 of £20 for six months, will barely defray his expences of 
 boarding, with the company he has been exposed to, exclusive 
 of his journey and transportation of a little baggage for near 
 300 miles. I doubt not the Honbl Board will make him a 
 proper extra allowance. Provisions are so scarce and bear 
 so high a price at Oneida, that it is, all things considered, as 
 dear boarding there as in the City of Boston, and cannot be 
 much otherwise till such times as the Schoolmaster, Carpenter, 
 etc., shall be in a position to raise their own Bread, or live 
 solely on Indian fare. 
 
 Your obedt and very obliged humb^ Serv* 
 
 S. Kirkland. 
 Revd Dr Thacher 
 Secretary to the 
 
 Board of Commiss^s 
 
 Report of a Committee Appointed by the Board of Com- 
 missioners FOR THE Society in Scotland to Consider 
 Kirkland's Plan of Education. 
 
 From the original in Dartmouth College Library 
 
 The Committee appointed by the Board of Scotch Commis- 
 sioners, at a meeting held June 15, 1792, to take Mr. Kirk- 
 land's Plan of an Indian School in the Oneida Country, into 
 consideration, and to report their sentiments upon the subject, 
 have attended the business, and take leave to report : 
 
1792] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 49 
 
 That they have had a personal conference with Mr. Kirk- 
 land; and having entered into a free conversation with him 
 upon the subject, and received from him explanations of such 
 parts as they wished, find the plan, in their judgment, well 
 calculated to promote the improvement of the Indian youth, 
 and beg leave to propose: 
 
 ( 1 ) That it be recommended to the Society in Scotland, to 
 enable their Corresponding Board in Boston to draw for two 
 hundred dollars towards erecting a building for a School, upon 
 a Charter's being obtained, agreeable to Mr. Kirkland's pro- 
 posals, and an attested copy of it being transmitted to the 
 Secretary of the Board ; and also to enable them to draw for 
 three hundred and twenty five dollars per annum, in semi- 
 annual or quarterly payments, for the maintenance of an able 
 Instructor, and for books and stationary for Indian youth; 
 and also one hundred dollars annually, for seven years, for 
 seven Indian youth, to be selected agreeably to the second 
 article of Mr. Kirkland's Plan. 
 
 (2) That it be recommended to the Massachusetts Indian 
 Society and to the Corporation of Harvard University to 
 contribute one hundred dollars each, per annum, for seven 
 years, for the same purpose. 
 
 (3) That an account of the state of the Indian youth in 
 the school, and the expenditures of the money for their service, 
 be annually transmitted to the three above-mentioned Boards. 
 
 Joseph Willard per order. 
 Deer 6, 1792 
 
 This Report is accepted. 
 
 Kirkland's Plan for the Academy, 
 A General Plan of Education for the Academy in Whites- 
 town and vicinity of Oneida, with Rules and Laws for regula- 
 ting the same, approved by a majority of the Trustees. 
 
 A short reflection upon the grand design of the great Parent 
 of the Universe in the creation of Mankind, and the improve- 
 4 
 
50 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1792 
 
 ments of which the mind is capable both in knowledge and 
 virtue ; as well as upon the prevalence of ignorance and vice, 
 disorder and wickedness, and upon the direct tendency and 
 certain issue of such a course of things, must occasion in a 
 thoughtful mind an anxious solicitude to find the source of 
 these evils, and their remedy; and a small acquaintance with 
 young minds, how susceptible and tenacious they are of im- 
 pressions, evidences, that youth is the important period, on 
 the improvement or neglect of which depend the most im- 
 portant consequences, both to individuals themselves, and the 
 community at large. 
 
 A serious consideration of the premises, the importance of 
 education, an early improvement and cultivation of the human 
 mind, together with the situation of the frontier settlements 
 of this part of the state, tho' extensive and flourishing, destitute 
 of any well-regulated seminary of learning, have determined 
 us to contribute of the ability wherewith our Heavenly Bene- 
 factor hath blessed us, towards laying the foundation of a 
 Free School, or Academy, in the town of Whitestown and 
 County of Herkimer, contiguous to the Oneida Nation of 
 Indians, for the mutual benefit of the young flourishing settle- 
 ments in said County and the various tribes of confederate 
 Indians, agreeably to the respective plans proposed for said 
 Seminary. 
 
 1. That a suitable building for the purpose be erected, west- 
 wardly of Capt. Cassety's mills, in Whitestown, near the line 
 of property (so called) — not less than eighty rods nor more 
 than one hundred ninety from said line. 
 
 2. That the Academy or 'Seminary of Learning be incor- 
 porated, and subject to the visitation of the Regents of the 
 University of the State of New York — and that the Honble 
 Alexander Hamilton Esquire Secretary of the Treasury of 
 the U. S., the Honbl John Lansing Esquire, the Honbl Egbert 
 Benson Esquire, the Rev^ Dan Bradly, Eli Bristoll, Erastus 
 Clark, James Dean, Moses Foot, Jonas Piatt, Jedidiah Sanger, 
 Revd John Sergeant, Timothy Tuttle, and Sam^ Wells, be 
 
1792] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 51 
 
 appointed the first Trustees of said Seminary, with power to 
 increase the number of Trustees to the number of twenty-one, 
 whenever a majority of the Persons above named, shall upon 
 due notice think proper to elect suitable persons to compleat 
 the said number of twenty-one Trustees, and they and their 
 successors in ofifice shall be known and distinguished by the 
 Name or Stile of the Trustees of the Hamilton Oneida 
 Academy. 
 
 3. The Master, or principal, for the time being shall ever 
 be one of the Trustees. 
 
 4. The Trustees shall meet (so many of them as con- 
 veniently can) on the fourth Tuesday in Febry next, and ever 
 after, once in every year, on such day as they shall appoint; 
 also upon emergences, when called thereto, as hereafter 
 directed ; and a major part of the Trustees shall, when regularly 
 convened, be a Quorum, of which Quorum a major part shall 
 have power to transact the business of their Trust, except in 
 cases hereafter excepted. And their first meeting shall be at 
 the house of Sam' Kirkland Miss^y — (near the line of prop- 
 erty so called.) At which meeting shall be chosen the officers 
 of the Trust, and such other business transacted as the Trus- 
 tees shall think proper. 
 
 5. There shall be chosen annually a President, Clerk, and 
 Treasurer, as officers of the Trust, of their own number, who 
 shall continue in their respective offices 'till their places are 
 supplied by a new election ; and upon the decease of either of 
 them, another shall be chosen in his room at the next meeting. 
 
 6. The master or principal, shall not be chosen President, 
 and no man shall sustain the office of Clerk and Treasurer 
 at the same time. 
 
 7. The President shall in all cases give his voice and vote 
 in common with any other member, and whenever there shall 
 be an equal division of the members on any question, it shall 
 be determined, on that side, whereon the President shall have 
 given his vote ; and in his absence, at any meeting of the 
 Trustees, another shall be appointed, who shall be invested 
 with the same power during his absence. 
 
52 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1792 
 
 He shall call special meetings upon application of any three 
 of the Trustees ; or upon the concurrence of any two of the 
 Trustees in sentiment with him on the occasion of such 
 meeting. 
 
 And upon the decease of the President a special meeting 
 may be called by any three of the Trustees. 
 
 All notifications for special meetings sliall express the busi- 
 ness to be transacted, if convenient; and be given at least one 
 month previous to such meeting, if not incompatible with the 
 welfare of the Seminary; and when a special meeting shall be 
 called for the appointment of an Instructor, or to transact 
 other business of material consequence, information shall be 
 given by leaving a written notification at the house of each 
 Trustee, or in such other way as that the President, or mem- 
 bers notifying, shall have good reason to believe that each 
 member has received the notice. 
 
 8. The Clerk or Secretary shall record all votes of the 
 Trustees, inserting the names of those present at every 
 meeting. 
 
 He shall keep a fair record of every donation, inserting the 
 name of such Benefactor; the purposes to which it is appro- 
 priated, if expressed — whether for the support of the prin- 
 cipal Instructor, or an assistant — the Academy at large — 
 or for the education of Indian youth — and of all expendi- 
 tures : and a true copy of the whole shall be taken and kept 
 in the Seminary to be open for the perusal of all men. 
 
 And if he shall be absent at any meeting of the Trustees, 
 another Person shall be appointed to serve in his room, during 
 such absence. 
 
 The Treasurer shall, previous to his receiving the interest 
 of the Seminary into his hands, give bond for the faithful 
 discharge of his office in such sum as the Trustees shall direct, 
 with sufficient sureties, to the Trustees of the Seminary for 
 the time being by name, the said bond to express the use both 
 in the obligatory part and in the condition. 
 
 He shall give duplicate Receipts for all monies received. 
 
1792] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 53 
 
 countersigned by one of the Trustees, one to the Donor, the 
 other to be lodged with such member as the Trustees shall 
 from time to time direct : and the Trustees shall take such 
 other measures as they shall deem requisite to make the Treas- 
 urer accountable, and especially to secure the interest of the 
 Seminary. 
 
 The Trustees, shall let, or rent out the lands, already given 
 (or that may hereafter be given) in such manner as they shall 
 find on the whole will best serve the interest of the Academy. 
 
 Upon the Death, resignation, or removal of the Master, 
 the Trustees shall appoint another in his stead. 
 
 9. Whereas the success of the Institution much depends 
 under Providence on a discreet choice of the Principal Instruc- 
 tor, and the human mind is liable to imperceptible bias; it is 
 therefore required that when any candidate for election as 
 Principal Instructor, is so near akin to any member of the 
 Trust, as a Nephew, or Cousin, in determining that election, 
 any member to whom the Candidate is thus related, shall not 
 vote. 
 
 The Trustees are impowered to appoint such assistant, or 
 assistants, in and for the service of the Academy, as they shall 
 judge will best promote its usefulness, and may be duly 
 encouraged. 
 
 No Person may be chosen as a principal Instructor, unless a 
 professor of the Christian religion, or of an unblemished 
 moral character — of exemplary manners, of good natural 
 abilities, of literary acquirements, of a good acquaintance with 
 human nature, with a natural aptitude for instruction and 
 government. 
 
 And in the appointment of any Instructor, regard shall be 
 had to qualifications only, without preference of kindred or 
 friend, place of Birth, education or residence. 
 
 The Trustees shall make a Contract with each Master and 
 Assistant before their entrance upon the office, as to salary, 
 of which there shall be no alteration but in their favour, which 
 the Trustees are empowered to make, as shall to them appear 
 reasonable and the incomes of the Seminary will admit. 
 
54 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1792 
 
 It shall be their duty to enquire into the conduct of the 
 Master and assistant, and if they, or either of them, be found 
 justly chargeable with such misconduct, neglect of duty, or 
 incapacity, as said Trustees shall judge renders them, or either 
 of them, unfit to continue in office, they shall remove the 
 Master, or any assistant so chargeable. 
 
 The Trustees shall determine the qualifications requisite to 
 entitle youth to an admission into this Academy. 
 
 As the welfare of the Institution will be greatly promoted, 
 by its members being conversant with persons of good 
 character only, no Scholar may enjoy the priviledges of the 
 Academy (except the Children of its Benefactors) who shall 
 board in any family, which is not licensed by the Trustees. 
 And in order to preserve the Institution from the baneful 
 influence of the incorrigibly vicious, the Trustees shall deter- 
 mine for what reasons a Scholar shall be expelled, and the 
 manner in which the sentence shall be administered. 
 
 Upon the death, resignation, or incapacity for the service, 
 by reason of age or otherwise, of any of the Trustees, the 
 remaining Trustees shall supply the vacancy by a new election. 
 
 In settling the salary and perquisites of the Master, and in 
 the consideration of every other question in which the Master 
 is particularly interested, he shall not sit. 
 
 So soon as the Funds will admit, at the annual meeting of 
 the Trustees, there shall be a decent, not extravagant enter- 
 tainment; and that two, and not more than six, Indian Chiefs 
 of the five Nations, be invited to attend the same, which will 
 afford them an opportunity, of learning the state of the 
 Academy, and seeing the improvements of the Indian youth. 
 
 Oeconomy is ever to be viewed by Trustees and Instructors 
 in their respective capacities as an object worthy of their 
 particular recommendation. 
 
 The Master, when appointed, shall receive applications for 
 the admission of Scholars, and determine agreeably to the 
 rules respecting the same. 
 
 He shall conform himself to the rules and regulations estab- 
 lished by the Trustees, and have power from time to time to 
 
1792] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 55 
 
 make such other consistent rules and orders as he shall find 
 necessary for the internal management and regulation of the 
 Academy ; which rules and orders shall be subject to the exam- 
 ination, amendment or discontinuance of the Trustees at their 
 discretion. 
 
 It shall ever be considered as the first and principal duty 
 of the Master to regulate the tempers, to enlarge the minds, 
 and form the morals of the youth committed to his care. The 
 culture of the heart is to be considered as an important object 
 in every branch and part of education ; that the Seminary may 
 prove an eminent mean, of diffusing useful knowledge, en- 
 larging the bounds of human happiness, and aiding the reign 
 of virtue and Kingdom of the blessed Redeemer, which are 
 professed hy the ultimate end of its institution. 
 
 lo. The General Plan of Education for this Academy is as 
 follows : 
 
 There shall be taught the English, Latin, and Greek 
 languages ; But learning to speak, spell, read, and write the 
 English language, with propriety, accuracy, and elegance, is 
 to be considered an important object. 
 
 Natural History, Geography, Chronology, Music, Arith- 
 metic, practical Geometry, Logic, moral and natural Phi- 
 losophy, Metaphysics, the higher Mathematics, Laws and 
 Government, the principles of Agriculture, commerce and 
 manufactures, and those things that contribute to the wealth 
 population and happiness of states and nations. 
 
 The study of Government will lead to the knowledge of 
 Republican Government in general. But the pupils should be 
 led more particularly, to attend to the form, principles and 
 supports of the Government of our own Country; they should 
 be carefully taught where lie the dangers to which our national 
 freedom and happiness is exposed, and what are the means of 
 guarding against them. 
 
 And as Agriculture is the source of subsistence and wealth 
 to our Country, the friend of health, innocence, knowledge 
 and liberty; this is to be strongly recommended and en- 
 couraged by the Master. For which purpose a small piece of 
 
56 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1792 
 
 land, not exceeding lo or 12 acres, shall be appropriated to 
 the sole use and benefit of the Academy, and shall be laid out, 
 near to or adjoining the same. It is the wish of the Founders 
 and Benefactors, that the Master, or Assistant, with the 
 Scholars, instead of the usual diversions of School Boys, 
 should exercise themselves one or two hours every week-day 
 in improving this glebe : that the Scholars, and more par- 
 ticularly the Indian youth, may if possible cultivate a habit of 
 industry and learn agriculture. 
 
 And fully to answer the design, it should be carried to a 
 high degree of improvement both in the ornamental as well 
 as useful. 
 
 The cultivation of various kinds of plants, flowers, and 
 trees would answer the double purpose of affording amuse- 
 ment, and assisting in the study of natural history. 
 
 Let the profits arising from the cultivation of this garden, 
 be distributed by the Trustees, in whole or in part, as premiums 
 to the most meritorious of the Students, or for the procuring 
 a Library. 
 
 The Scholars shall be taught their duties as men, citizens, 
 and Christians, and the greatest care taken that the knowledge 
 and love of them be instilled into their minds as fast and as 
 soon as they are capable of receiving it, that they may be led 
 to see the beauty of virtue and its tendency to happiness, the 
 deformity of vice and its tendency to misery. 
 
 As their minds grow ripe for it (more particularly the 
 Indian youth) let the evidences, doctrines, precepts, and sanc- 
 tions of Revelation and the gospel plan of salvation by a 
 Redeemer be unfolded to them, together with their important 
 and intimate relation to the Supreme Being be pointed out. 
 II. The election of all officers shall be by ballot only. [The 
 remainder of this paragraph is torn out of the manuscript. 
 It provided for the admission of Indian youth to the 
 Academy. ] 
 
 In witness whereof the subscribers have hereunto set their 
 hands and seals. 
 
 Saml Kirkland. 
 
1795]- OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 57 
 
 From Kirkland's Journal, 1792-1793. 
 
 August 4. Saturday. . . . Through the whole week I 
 have been incessantly thronged with Indians from various 
 parts ; some full of their wants and distresses ; some to confer 
 with me upon the Plan of Indian Education — if it be like 
 to succeed. . . . 
 
 II. Saturday. In the course of the week I had several 
 conferences with some of the more intelligent Indians upon 
 the subject of the School, or Flan of Indian Education which 
 I had drawn up. They seemed to be very impatient to have 
 it begun, that the experiment might be made. . . . 
 
 December 10. Monday. . . . The Indian School, that 
 has been so long proposed, agreeably to my Plan of Indian 
 Education, has become an object of enquiry to many; and 
 some grow uneasy, complain of delays, and blame me for not 
 having set it up before now. I have concluded to take a 
 journey, by leave of Providence, partly with a view to obtain 
 some effectual relief for my eyes, and partly in behalf of the 
 Indians and the proposed School, which will oblige me to go as 
 far as New York, if not to Philadelphia. . . . 
 
 Jany 3, 1793. New York. Waited on several gentlemen 
 of the Honbl Board of Regents of the University of this State, 
 and conferred with them upon the subject of the School and 
 plan of Indian education. They expressed, individually, the 
 highest approbation of the plan — its general utility, and the 
 methods proposed. The Governor, who is President of the 
 Board (ex officio) appointed a meeting of the Regents, when 
 the plan of the proposed Seminary should be laid before them 
 for their consideration. Several of the members being at a 
 distance, they could not be notified short of twelve or fourteen 
 days. Presented several Indian petitions to particular mem- 
 bers of the Legislature. , . . 
 
 Conclude to take the stage to Philadelphia, in order to con- 
 fer with the Honbl Mr Hamilton, Secretary of the United 
 States, and others, upon the subject of the School. 
 
58 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1793 
 
 8. Philadelphia. Waited on the President. He again ex- 
 pressed his approbation of the proposed Seminary, as well as 
 that part of the Plan which has been adopted, for introducing 
 and promoting agriculture among the Indians. 
 
 Mr Hamilton chearfully consents to be a Trustee of the said 
 Seminary, and will afford it all the aid in his power; which 
 was requested by Good Peter and several other Indian Chiefs 
 when at Philadelphia the last spring. . . . 
 
 26. New York. Having obtained a meeting of the Hon^l 
 Board of Regents, presented them with the following Petition, 
 and sundry other papers relative to the same. . . . 
 
 The Regents of the University, after having read the Peti- 
 tion, Plan of Indian Education, Rules for Regulating the 
 Academy, etc., appointed a Committee to report upon them at 
 their next meeting; but by reason of the indisposition of two 
 of their number and the absence of a third, they could not 
 make a quorum — which detained me two weeks longer than 
 I should have otherwise been. 
 
 The Committee reported unanimously in favor of the Peti- 
 tion, and expressed in terms of high approbation their opinion 
 of the propriety and utility of the Institution, 
 
 The Charter of Incorporation was accordingly granted 
 under their hand and seal. . . . 
 
 May 20. Received an attested copy from the Clerk of the 
 Board of Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy, to the Revd 
 and Honbl Board of Correspondents in Boston etc., directed 
 to Dr Thacher, Secry — which I here insert. 
 
 Original Subscription Form, Hamilton Oneida 
 Academy. 
 A Plan for establishing a School or Seminary of learning 
 in the Town of Whitestown, and County of Herkimer, con- 
 tiguous to the Oneida Nation of Indians, for the mutual benefit 
 of the young flourishing settlements in this County and the 
 various Tribes of Confederate Indians, proposed to the inhabi- 
 tants of Whitestown and the County aforesaid. 
 
1793] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 59 
 
 The importance of education and an early improvement and 
 cultivation of the human mind is almost universally acknowl- 
 edged. Experience teaches that nothing tends more to pro- 
 mote the happiness of society, to give dignity and reputation 
 to a commonwealth, and aid the reign of virtue, than well 
 established Institutions for the education of youth in every 
 branch of useful literature. Philosophers generally allow that 
 the difference between one Nation and another is not so much 
 owing to the unequal distribution of Nature's gifts, as to 
 the nurturing hand of Education. 
 
 It is Learning which hath made such astonishing distinctions 
 among the different Nations of the earth. That people which 
 hath lived under the warm and enlightening beams of Science 
 has ever appeared like a superior order of beings, in com- 
 parison with those who have dragged out their lives under the 
 cold and dark shades of ignorance. The human mind is like 
 some precious stone, whose inherent beauties and excellencies 
 are not discoverable till it hath gone through the hand of the 
 polisher. 
 
 Perhaps no Country in the world is more indebted to the 
 cause of Learning than the United States of America. Her 
 present inhabitants owe all their superiority to the native 
 savages of the wilderness, in point of dignity, to the cultiva- 
 tion of their minds in morals and in the civil and polite arts. 
 And more than this; to the well informed mind of her citizens 
 does she owe her present important rank in the scale of 
 Nations; and to this is she indebted for the establishment of 
 a Constitution and Government which are an honour to human 
 nature; and on this alone (under God) do the preservation 
 of her future liberties, and all the invaluable rights of man- 
 kind, essentially depend. 
 
 Knowledge, next to Religion, is the brightest ornament of 
 human nature. It strengthens, enlarges, and softens the human 
 soul, and sets its dignity and beauty in the fairest light. Our 
 natural powers are so many Talents, which in their own nature 
 lay us under moral obligation to improve and cultivate them 
 to the best advantage, agreeably to the doctrine of our divine 
 
60 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1793 
 
 Teacher : " Whoso hath, to him shall be given, and he shall 
 have abundantly." 
 
 What more noble and engaging considerations can be urged 
 to prove the propriety, absolute necessity, and good policy of 
 making the cause of literature an object of attention; and 
 what higher motives can be suggested to claim our earliest 
 exertions to place on liberal and solid grounds the education 
 of our youth in these infant, but growing and flourishing, 
 settlements on the frontiers of this State? 
 
 Our great distance from any School or well regulated 
 Seminary of learning clearly evinces the importance of having 
 one established among ourselves; otherwise our youth must 
 grow up ignorant of the arts and sciences, or their education 
 be attended with very great expense. 
 
 We, the Subscribers, being duly sensible of the importance 
 of the Object, and willing to discharge our duty which as 
 Parents we owe to our respective families, or as good Citizens 
 which is due from us to the Community of which we are a 
 part, do fully agree that it demands our immediate and un- 
 remitting attention. It is our desire that a decent and con- 
 venient building may be erected in some part of this Town, 
 so soon as may be, for the reception of a number of youth, 
 and that an able and skillful Master be employed to superintend 
 their education. 
 
 And if our united efforts in our present infant state should 
 prove inadequate to the attaining of the desired object, we 
 hope the hand of Charity will lend her friendly aid to complete 
 a design so truly laudable and of such public utility. And 
 whereas the Revd Samuel Kirkland, Missionary, has for some 
 time had it in contemplation to erect a School in the vicinity 
 of Oneida and contiguous to an English settlement for the 
 purpose of educating a number of Indian youth as well as 
 extending the means of education to the adjacent frontier 
 Towns ; and whereas the said Kirkland has encouragement of 
 obtaining a considerable fund for the use and benefit of the 
 proposed School or Academy; we the Subscribers etc., etc. 
 August, 1790. 
 
1793] 
 
 OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 
 
 61 
 
 Original Subscription for the Establishment of 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy, i 792-1 793 
 
 From a copy in the handwriting of Samuel Kirkland, in the College Library 
 
 Cash 
 Names of Subscribers £ sh 
 Samuel Kirkland 10 
 
 300 acres of land 
 
 for the use and 
 
 benefit of the Academy to be 
 
 John Sergeant 
 Moses Foot 
 
 James Dean 
 
 Jed*"' Sanger 
 
 100 acres of land of 
 
 Sewall Hopkins 
 Timothy Tuttle 
 
 Dan. Bradley 
 Eli Bristoll 
 
 Ralph W. Kirkland 
 Skene D. Sacket 
 Seth Blair 
 Deod'- Clark 
 Erastus Clark 
 Jonas Piatt 
 Tho'- Casety 
 Isaac Jones 
 Elias Kane 
 Henry Merril 
 John Young 
 
 o 15 days' work 
 
 leased & the product applied 
 towards the support of 
 an able Instructor. 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 1000 feet of timber, 5000 
 feet of boards, & 20 
 days work. 
 2000 feet of Hemlock 
 
 boards 
 100 feet of 7 X 9 glass 
 45 th lot in the 20th Township in the 
 Unadilla purchase, 
 o Ten Days Labour 
 o 500 feet of Clapboards, 
 1000 shingles, and 10 
 days work. 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 400 feet of timber, 
 
 days work 
 6 days work 
 6 days work 
 6 days work 
 1000 feet of boards 
 
 20 
 
 o 3 days work 
 
62 
 
 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY 
 
 [1793 
 
 Original Subscription for the Establishment of 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy, i 792-1 793 — Continued: 
 
 Names of Subscribers 
 Jesse Hunger 
 Samuel Laird 
 Elizur Moseley 
 Lorin Webb 
 Joshua Vaughan 
 Ephr""- Blackmer 
 Joseph Blackmer 
 Israel Green 
 Joel Bristoll 
 
 Ezra Hart 
 Aaron Kenman 
 Abner Ormsby 
 Stephen Willard 
 
 Brunson Foot 
 
 Consider Law 
 John Blunt 
 
 Sor- Thomson 
 John Townsend 
 Amos Parmely 
 Nath'- Townsend 
 Silas Phelps 
 
 Moses Dewitt 
 Thomas Hooker 
 Noah Taylor 
 Nath'- Griffin 
 Robert Darke 
 Eliakim Elmore 
 Eben''- Seely 
 Samuel Wells 
 Peleg Havens 
 Thomas Hart 
 
 £ 
 
 sh. 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 I 
 
 10 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 16 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 4 days work 
 
 2000 feet of Clap-boards 
 
 2000 feet of boards 
 
 6 days work 
 
 1000 feet of boards 
 
 3 days work 
 6 days work 
 
 300 feet of timber, 20 
 
 days work 
 6 days work 
 6 days work 
 1000 Nails 
 200 feet of timber, 2000 
 
 nails, & 6 days work 
 1000 feet of boards, 6 
 
 days work 
 
 4 days work. 
 
 1000 feet of Hemlock 
 
 boards, 3 days. 
 6 days work 
 
 payable in blacksmith's 
 work 
 
 payable in grain. 
 6£ payable in grain, 
 payable in grain 
 payable in grain 
 3 £ payable in grain 
 3 days labour 
 3 payable in grain. 
 
1793] 
 
 OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 
 
 63 
 
 Original Subscription for 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy, 
 
 Names of Subscribers 
 Ira Foot 
 
 Joseph Boynton 
 
 Eben"- Butler 
 
 Tim'^^ Pond, Jr. 
 Broome & Piatt 
 Stephen Barret 
 
 Seth Roberts 
 Amos Kellogg 
 Oliver Tuttle 
 Elias Dewey 
 Aaron Kellogg 
 Thomas Whitcomb 
 James Smith, Jun''' 
 Barnabas Pond 
 
 Elijah Blodget 
 Henry Holly 
 Seely Finch 
 Josiah Bradner 
 Joseph Stanton 
 Pomroy Hull 
 Rufus Stanton 
 Amos Blair 
 Oliver Phelps 
 Samuel Tuttle 
 
 Peter Smith 
 Tho^- R. Gold 
 
 THE Establishment 
 1 792-1 793 — Concluded: 
 
 OF 
 
 £ 
 
 sh. 
 
 d. 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 168 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 1000 feet of boards & 20 
 days work 
 
 2 days in surveying 
 land. 
 
 200 feet timber, 100 feet 
 boards, 500 feet clap- 
 boards 
 
 1000 feet of boards. 
 
 300 feet 7x9 glass. 
 
 40/ value in pine boards, 
 first rate. 
 
 Six Days of work 
 
 & six days work 
 
 & six days work 
 & six days work 
 one thousant ft. of 
 
 Boards, 
 one m shingles. 
 & six days work. 
 & six days work. 
 
 & 3 days work 
 & three days work 
 & 3 days work. 
 
 1000 feet of Clapboards, 
 to be delivered at the 
 Mill. 
 
64 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1793 
 
 Petition for a Charter for the Academy. 
 
 To the Regents of the University of 
 the State of New York. 
 Whereas a Plan for establishing a school or Seminary of 
 Learning in Whitestown, in the County of Herkimer, con- 
 tiguous to the Oneida Nation of Indians, for the mutual 
 Benefit of the young and flourishing settlements of Emigrants 
 to said County and the various Tribes of Confederate Indians 
 has been proposed by the Rev^ Samuel Kirkland and received 
 the approbation and Patronage of many of the most respect- 
 able Characters of the United States, and is also encouraged 
 and patronized by the Society in Scotland for propagating 
 Christian Knowledge ; and whereas very considerable contribu- 
 tions have already been made, and there are strong assurances 
 of further very liberal donations towards the Funds of 
 said Institution, provided a Charter of Incorporation can be 
 obtained; and whereas the great distance from any well-regu- 
 lated Seminary of Learning clearly evinces the propriety and 
 importance of having one established at the place above pro- 
 posed, as the youth of that part of the Country must grow up 
 in a state of gloomy ignorance, or their education must be 
 attended with very great expense ; we the Subscribers being 
 so many of the Founders or Benefactors of the aforesaid 
 Institution as have contributed more than one half in value 
 of the real and personal property and estate collected and 
 appropriated for the use and benefit thereof, do hereby respect- 
 fully pray that the said school or Seminary of Learning may 
 be incorporated and be subject to the visitation of the Regents 
 of the University of this State, and that the Honbl Alexander 
 Hamilton, Esquire, Secretary of the Treasury of the United 
 States, the Hon^l Egbert Benson, Esquire, the Honbl John 
 Lansing, Esquire, the Rev^ Dan Bradley, Eli Bristoll, Erastus 
 Clark, James Dean, Moses Foot, Thomas R. Gold, Sewal 
 Hopkins, Michael Myers, Jonas Piatt, Jedidah Sanger, Revd 
 John Sergeant, Timothy Tuttle, and Samuel Wells be ap- 
 
1793] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 65 
 
 pointed the first Trustees of the said Seminary, with power 
 to increase the number of Trustees to twenty one, whenever 
 a majority of the Persons above named shall upon due notice 
 think proper to elect suitable Persons to compleat the said 
 number of twenty one Trustees; and that they and their suc- 
 cessors in office may be known and distinguished by the name 
 or stile of the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy. In 
 witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals 
 the 1 2th day of November, 1792. 
 
 Saml Kirkland 
 Jonas Piatt 
 Eli Bristoll 
 Erastus Clark 
 Joel Bristoll 
 Sewal Hopkins 
 James Dean 
 Michael Myers 
 
 New York ss. Be it remembered that on this twenty sixth 
 day of January in the year one thousand seven hundred and 
 ninety three Before me James M. Hughes, Master in Chancery, 
 Personally came Michael Myers Esquire and the Revd Samuel 
 Kirkland two of the subscribers to the foregoing Petition who 
 being duly sworn did depose and say that they together with 
 the several other Petitioners whose names are also subscribed 
 thereto have subscribed more than one half in value of the real 
 and personal property and estate appropriated for the use and 
 benefit of the Seminary of Learning in the said Petition 
 mentioned. 
 
 James M. Hughes. 
 Michael Myers 
 Saml Kirkland 
 5 
 
66 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1793 
 
 Samuel Kirkland to Col. Wadsworth. 
 
 New York Jany 24th 1793. 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honor to acquaint you, that after my arrival here 
 I had a conference with several of the Regents of the Univer- 
 sity of the State of New York upon the subject of the Oneida 
 Academy, Your generous donation of the Encyclopaedia was 
 received with the highest satisfaction. Tomorrow evening the 
 Regents are have a meeting, when the petition for an incor- 
 poration will be presented. I here met with Mr. Phelps, and 
 took the liberty of reminding him of the generous donation 
 which he had heretofore offered to make to said seminary. 
 After reflecting upon the grant he liad made of 8000 acres in 
 Ontario County for the express purpose of establishing an 
 Academy there, he thought that ten pounds would be sufficient 
 for him. He accordingly signed his name for that sum. 
 
 From that active public spirit and true magnanimity which 
 have uniformly made so conspicuous a part of your character, 
 the Trustees of the Academy may be assured of the continu- 
 ance of your patronage to a design truly laudable and friendly 
 to the cause of humanity. 
 
 For the present, in their behalf please accept of my sincere 
 thanks, and believe me, in great truth and sincerity with senti- 
 ments of high esteem to be 
 
 Your obedt humble Serv* 
 
 S. Kirkland. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of January 29, 1793. 
 
 The respective applications of Samuel Kirkland and seven 
 
 other persons praying that Alexander Hamilton and fifteen 
 
 others for that purpose nominated may be incorporated by 
 
 the name and stile of " the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida 
 
1793] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 67 
 
 Academy " at Whites Town in the County of Herkermer; and 
 of Joseph Yates and twenty three other persons praying that 
 Abram Yates Junior and twenty three other persons nominated 
 in the said appHcation may be incorporated by the stile of 
 " The Trustees of the Academy of the Town of Schenectady " 
 in the County of Albany, Subject Nevertheless to be changed 
 into the name of the most liberal benefactor; were severally 
 read and Committed to the Vice Chancellor Genl. Clarkson 
 and Mr Verplanck. 
 
 The Vice Chancellor from the Committee to whom the above 
 applications were referred reported that it appeared to the 
 said Committee by due proof on oath that the subscribers to 
 the said applications are contributors and benefactors for more 
 than one half in value of the real and personal estate collected 
 or appropriated for the use and benefit of the said academies 
 respectively and that the said Committee are of opinion that 
 the said Academies should be severally incorporated the first 
 by the stile of " The Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy " 
 and the latter by the stile of " The Trustees of the Academy 
 of the Town of Schenectady ". 
 
 The Board resolved itself into a Committee of the whole 
 to take the above report into consideration and after some 
 time spent thereon the Chancellor re-assumed the chair and 
 Genl. Schuyler from the said Committee reported that they 
 had agreed to the report of the Sub-Committee Whereupon 
 
 Resolved that the Board agree to the said Report. 
 Ordered that the Secretary prepare instruments in the usual 
 form for incorporating the said Alexander Hamilton and the 
 said fifteen other persons for that purpose named and the said 
 Abram Yates and the said twenty three other persons named in 
 the said application, and that the Chancellor affix the seal of the 
 University to the said Instruments. 
 
68 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1793 
 
 Charter of Hamilton Oneida Academy 
 January 31, 1793 
 
 The Regents of the University of the State of New 
 York to all to whom these presents shall or may come Greet- 
 ing. Whereas Samuel Kirkland, Jonas Piatt, Eli Bristoll, 
 Erastus Clark, Joel Bristoll, Sewall Hopkins, James Dean and 
 Michael Myers by an Instrument in writing under their hands 
 and seals bearing date the twelfth day of November in the 
 Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety two 
 after stating among other things that they are founders and 
 benefactors of a certain Academy in Whitestown contiguous 
 to the Oneida Nation of Indians in the County of Herkimer 
 in the State aforesaid who have contributed more than one 
 half in Value of the real and personal property and Estate col- 
 lected or appropriated for the use and benefit of the said 
 Academy did make application to us the said Regents that the 
 said Academy might be incorporated and become subject to 
 the visitation of us and our successors and that we would 
 signify our approbation that Alexander Hamilton, John Lans- 
 ing, Egbert Benson, Dan Bradley, Eli Bristoll, Erastus Clark, 
 James Dean, Moses Foot, Thomas R. Gold, Sewal Hopkins, 
 Michael Myers, Jonas Piatt, Jedediah Sanger, John Sergeant, 
 Timothy Tuttle and Samuel Wells, the Trustees named in the 
 said application and their successors might be a Body corpo- 
 rate and politic by the name and style of The Trustees of 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy in the Town and County afore- 
 said Nozv know ye that we the said Regents having enquired 
 into the allegations contained in the Instrument in writing 
 aforesaid and found the same to be true and conceiving the 
 said Academy calculated for the promotion of Literature Do 
 by these presents pursuant to the Statute in such case made 
 and provided signify our approbation on the incorporation of 
 the said Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing, Egbert Benson, 
 Dan Bradley, Eli Bristoll, Erastus Clark, James Dean, Moses 
 Foot, Thomas R. Gold, Sewal Hopkins, Michael Myers, Jonas 
 Piatt, Jedediah Sanger, John Sergeant, Timothy Tuttle and 
 Samuel Wells the Trustees of the said Academv so as afore- 
 
1793] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 69 
 
 said named by the Founders thereof by the name of the 
 Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy, being the name 
 mentioned in and by the said request in writing. In Testi- 
 mony whereof we have caused our common Seal to be here- 
 unto affixed the thirty first day of January in the Seventeenth 
 Year of American Independence. Witness George Clinton 
 Esquire Chancellor of the University. 
 
 Geo. Clinton, Chancellor 
 N. Lawrence, 
 
 Secretary 
 
 Address of the Oneida Indians 
 to the Regents of the University of the State of New York. 
 
 Oneida, April 2y, 1793. 
 Fathers and Brethren, 
 
 Attend and open your ears to our words which we address 
 to you. We have been informed by our Father Mr. Kirk- 
 land and others that you have laid a permanent foundation 
 for a great School for the education and instruction of youth 
 near us; that you have placed it between us and our Brothers 
 the White People to the eastward; and that you propose our 
 children shall be benefitted by it, as well as theirs. We thank 
 you that you have thought of us on this occasion, and that 
 you appear so willing to exert yourselves to expel the dark 
 clouds of ignorance which have so long obscured the minds of 
 the Indian Nations, and to introduce the light of knowledge 
 among us. It is our hearts, not our tongues alone, which 
 speak the language of gratitude and thankfulness to you for 
 your benevolent attention. We are poor; our minds are 
 involved in ignorance and darkness; it may be some time before 
 we shall be able to emerge from this gloomy state. We there- 
 fore beg your patience, that you will not be easily discouraged 
 in your friendly exertions; but that you will make a full and 
 fair experiment how far the minds of Indians are capable of 
 cultivation and improvement. Possibly you may have the 
 satisfaction to find, on trial, that the minds of Indians may 
 
70 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1793 
 
 become as enlightened as the minds of the White People, and 
 that all the difference between us and them consists only in 
 the colour of the skin. 
 
 Fathers and Brothers, this is all we have to say. 
 
 John X Skanondo 
 \Vm X Kayendarongwan 
 Lowdwick X Kaghsaweda 
 Signed in the presence John X Tekanajasore 
 
 of James Dean, ap- Paul X Otshetagon 
 
 pointed by the Board Cornelius X Aghyongo 
 
 of Trustees to inform Joseph X Kanaghsatirhon 
 
 the Oneidas of the erec- Peter X Kanadarok 
 
 tion of the Hamilton John X Shojijowane 
 
 Oneida Academy Thomas X Aronhokta 
 
 To the Honble Regents W™ X Shoratowane 
 
 of the University Moses X Awethare 
 
 State of New York. Mattunis X Asisat 
 
 W"i X Shotegonwasere 
 Jacob Reed, alias Atsiaktatige 
 John X Jourdan 
 
 From the Proceedings of the Trustees, 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy. 
 
 At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Hamilton Oneida 
 Academy at the house of Seth Roberts in the Town of Paris 
 on the twenty fourth day of April A. D. 1793 — 
 
 Resolved 
 
 That the sincere thanks of this Board be presented to the 
 Rev"<i Samuel Kirkland for his benevolent exertions in found- 
 ing Hamilton Oneida Academy, and his liberal donations 
 towards the funds of that Institution; and in consideration 
 of his liberality and benevolence the Clerk is directed to enter 
 satisfaction on the minutes for the sum of ten pounds sub- 
 scribed by Mr. Kirkland on the Subscription List for erecting 
 said Academy: and that the Clerk present Mr. Kirkland with a 
 copy of this Resolution. 
 
 A true copy. Test : Erastus Clark, Clerk. 
 
1793] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 71 
 
 Extracts from Samuel Kirkland's Journal. 
 
 From The Missionary Magazine, Edinburgh, 1796, pages 253-259. 
 
 October 11, 1793. Six Indians came with several chiefs, to 
 confer upon the subject of the Academy. 
 
 December 31. Last evening sat in council with a number, 
 upon the subject of the Academy, and the children they were 
 about to send. Some had murmured, and complained that it 
 was not a free school. I endeavored to convince them of the 
 propriety and necessity of selecting the specified number, agree- 
 ably to the original plan for the first trial, and that no per- 
 sons were better able to do this, than Mr Dean, Mr Caulkings, 
 and myself, to whom the Trustees had referred the selection; 
 and that the Indians themselves had agreed to this, when the 
 plan was proposed some years ago. I again informed them, 
 that so soon as they could build near the Academy, and board 
 their own children, they might send forty or fifty, or even one 
 hundred. But provision was made at present for boarding 
 no more than six or eight; and a proportion of them must 
 be of the Seneka and Cayugo nations. They in general seemed 
 to be well satisfied, and concluded to set out this afternoon. 
 
 January i, 1794. Last night came to my house several of 
 the Oneida chiefs, viz. Skenandou, Capt. John, Laurense 
 Aukeand'yakhon, Kaghhelayen, Atenis, one Tuscarora chief, 
 with their sons, and accompanied by many others, with some 
 women and children. The whole number consisted of nine- 
 teen souls. Gave them an exhortation, and closed with sing- 
 ing a psalm, and prayer. This evening addressed by the 
 parents of the children who were to be admitted as members 
 of the school, upon the plan of Indian education, which had 
 been proposed to the Society in Scotland, their Board in Bos- 
 ton, also to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, 
 with many other individuals, and received their approbation. 
 After several short addresses, and replies made relative to 
 the subject, Laurense Aukeand'yakhon requested leave to speak 
 on the occasion, in his own behalf, more particularly as he 
 
72 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1793 
 
 considered his situation to be singular. All were instantly 
 attentive. He began as follows : 
 
 " Father, and brothers here present, hear me ; open a candid 
 ear. My principal business here was to introduce my son 
 Isaac to this great school. Now, upon the introduction, and 
 giving up of my son, it is proper you should know what my 
 views are. Father, you know it is more than three years since 
 the instruction of my son has been a subject of frequent con- 
 versation between us. He is a lad we both love. But soon 
 after you had digested the plan of Indian education, and it 
 was agreed upon that my son should be one of the number, 
 the unhappy division took place in our nation, betwixt the 
 Sachems and the warriors. . . . 
 
 " Now, father, attend, and all here present. I said my busi- 
 ness here was the introduction of my son. What are my 
 views? What are my wishes with respect to my son? Do I 
 wish him to become a great man of the world? No. There 
 is not one such wish now existing in my heart, that I am con- 
 scious of. The strongest wish of my heart, and the warmest 
 affection of my soul, in regard to my son Isaac, is this, that 
 he may attain the knowledge and love of God, that he may 
 possess true goodness in his heart, that he may get into that 
 path, which will certainly lead him to a happy life in the next 
 world, even to live with the great and holy God, and Jesus 
 Christ his Son, and all good people. This, father, is my wish 
 concerning my son, tho' expressed in few words. Should my 
 son obtain this, I expect he will some day or other lift up his 
 voice to my poor Nation. . , ." 
 
 The foregoing address was so lengthy, and delivered with 
 so much pathos, and altogether unexpected, and from a per- 
 son who had so long exempted himself from their public 
 councils, that it silenced in a great measure all the other 
 speakers, and seemed to absorb all their ideas. Captain John 
 is a much more graceful and eloquent speaker than Auke- 
 and'yakhon, but his modesty forbid him to enlarge upon the 
 subject at this time. He only added that the education of 
 
1793] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 73 
 
 his son Moses, and two other of his sons, had long been deeply 
 impressed upon his heart, from the knowledge he had acquired 
 of a civilized people. He would therefore only add, that the 
 sum of his wish, respecting his son, was to have him fitted 
 for usefulness, in every point of view ; and to have him become 
 a good man, in the full extent of the expression. . . . 
 
 Thursday, January 2. I delivered the following address to 
 the chiefs and warriors of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras present. 
 
 " My children, attend, both Sachems and warriors ; open a 
 candid ear. 
 
 " Various have been our mutual congratulations, upon the 
 return of another new year. ... I expressed last even- 
 ing my great satisfaction with the address of my son Auke- 
 and'yakhon. It has been like a cordial to me; and it seemed 
 to diffuse joy through every one present. It is my prayer 
 that God may graciously enlighten him, strengthen and con- 
 firm him more and more, in the true religion, and make him 
 a blessing to the Nation. May he live to see good come of his 
 favourite son Isaac, who is now become a member of the 
 school. ... I have also expressed my satisfaction with 
 the address and sentiments of Captain John, Skenandou, 
 Atenis, Lieutenant Cusock, and others. What more shall I 
 say? You know my disposition, and every wish of my heart 
 respecting your children. What lies in my power, I shall do 
 for them. I shall not fail to counsel, advise, reprove, and 
 exhort them, as occasion offers, and their situation requires. 
 
 "As we have enjoyed a free, unrestrained, and friendly 
 intercourse, I would take this occasion to animadvert upon 
 several oblique and ungenerous reflections, that were cast upon 
 me by some individuals, while at the village. I don't mean, 
 my children, that it interrupt our present agreeable interview; 
 nor do I wish you to make any formal reply, until I meet you 
 in full council in your own town. Hear me, therefore, my 
 children, with patience and candour. To you, indeed, I may 
 open my mind with the utmost freedom, 
 
 " The establishment of this school in your vicinity, has been 
 
74 DOCUMENTAF^Y HISTORY [1793 
 
 an object of my constant attention since the projecting the 
 plan ; it being, in my opinion, the last expedient to be tried, 
 and the last effort to be made, together with agriculture, and 
 the gradual introduction of the civil arts, for your national 
 happiness and prosperity. 
 
 " Some of you are well acquainted with the exertions I 
 have made to effect it. Here let me enumerate several 
 instances. In the first place, I have given to the school or 
 Academy three hundred acres of land, never to be alienated, 
 but remain the sole property of the Academy, and to be 
 improved by the Trustees towards the support of an able and 
 skilful instructor. This is one eighth part of all the landed 
 property I possess. In addition to this, I have taken three 
 long and expensive journies to bring about its establishment ; 
 one to Boston, when accompanied by Captain John, and two 
 journies to New York and Philadelphia. These journies were 
 performed at my own private expence, and without the least 
 charge to you, or any other person. They cost me (exclusive 
 of the losses I unavoidably sustained by my absence from 
 my family) upwards of 170 dollars; for which I never asked, 
 nor do I ever expect, any recompence ; unless I am rewarded 
 by the promotion of your happiness, and seeing good come 
 to your children. I also undertook the long and most fatiguing 
 tour to the Senekas country, the winter before last, with a 
 principal view to lay a foundation for your rising and future 
 happiness. My sufferings in that journey were almost every- 
 thing, short of death, which some of you can witness, till I 
 arrived in Philadelphia. . . . 
 
 The Trustees have been collecting materials for a building, 
 to accommodate the number of Indian youth proposed: and 
 more if desired. This is a work of time. The small house 
 the school now occupies was built by only two persons, besides 
 myself, and for your present convenience. I am not one of 
 the Trustees of the Academy. For various reasons, which 
 I have heretofore mentioned to some of you, I refused to be 
 one of their board. Nevertheless, I shall attend to its interest, 
 
1793] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 75 
 
 and seek its prosperity, with as much engagedness as if I 
 belonged to their board. Where, then, have I been negHgent, 
 as to my duty, in forwarding this school? Your ungenerous 
 and ungrateful reflections are groundless, and only the fruit 
 of a party-spirit, which even some of your chiefs have 
 acknowledged. 
 
 " I have received, in some instances, the same treatment, 
 tho' dressed in a different garb, from envious and unprincipled 
 white people, who have suggested that I have acted from selfish 
 interested motives. Others, and some of the first characters 
 in the state, bring a very different charge against me, rela- 
 tive to this matter. They have checked me, and kindly 
 reproved me, for giving so much as I have. They say that 
 I have given more than I ought to have done, consistent to 
 the duty I owe to my family ; that justice has a prior claim to 
 charity. This, my children, is my situation. Am I to be 
 pitied, or blamed? After all, be assured, none of these things 
 move me ; nor will they divert me from the object upon which 
 I originally set out, and in the accomplishment of which I 
 consider your national happiness to be involved. As to the 
 purity of my motives, in regard to the school, I have long 
 since referred that to my Maker, and merciful Redeemer; and 
 there I endeavour to refer them every day. 
 
 Petition of the Trustees of the Academy 
 
 To the Revd Doctor Thacher, Secretary to the Hon^' 
 
 and Revd Board of Commissioners for Propagating 
 
 Christian Knowledge among the Indians. The Petition of 
 
 the Subscribers, Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy, 
 
 Respectfully represents 
 
 That the diffusion of Christian knowledge among the natives 
 of the Land, and the cultivation of the untutored savage mind, 
 was an object early embraced by our benevolent Forefathers, 
 and diligently pursued by their successors as opportunity pre- 
 sented from the earliest periods to the present time. In fur- 
 therance of the same beneficent purpose an Academy hath 
 been recently incorporated in the western part of this state, 
 
76 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1793 
 
 agreeably to a plan proposed by the Rev^ Mr Kirkland, your 
 worthy Missionary; embracing for its object, the education of 
 a specified number of Indian youth from each of the five 
 Confederate Nations, as well as those of the adjacent New 
 England settlements. 
 
 We have the pleasure to inform you, that the school is now 
 opened in the vicinity of Oneida and contiguous to the English 
 settlement of Whitestown; a number of Indian youth have 
 been introduced in a formal but pleasing and grateful manner 
 by their respective parents. Great care has been taken in 
 selecting such Indian Lads as are of the most promising parts, 
 best habits and principal families. 
 
 This Institution it is conceived will be introductive of the 
 most beneficial effects, in meliorating the savage disposition 
 and dispelling those prejudices which too naturally arise 
 against the present occupants of an extensive luxuriant coun- 
 try; which tradition informs the credulous Indian was given 
 to his beloved forefathers by the beneficent Creator of all 
 things, and of which he is too prone to believe them to have 
 been unjustly despoiled. 
 
 To allay these prejudices and counteract the unceasing prac- 
 tices of a formidable nation occupying our western frontier 
 throughout the Indian Department is an object highly inter- 
 esting to every well wisher to this Country. 
 
 The period presaged by the Honbl Board (whom we now 
 address) in a former representation on the present subject to 
 the Legislature of Massachusetts has now arrived, in which a 
 League of the numerous tribes of savages in the West is 
 attempted to be formed by a dangerous enemy, to be improved 
 as an engine against the United States. 
 
 Under these circumstances, in addition to the encourage- 
 ments given us from the report of your Committee in Sep- 
 tember 1792, the subscribers have thought proper to address 
 themselves to the Hon^l Board ; disclosing the many difficulties 
 and embarrassments of the above object in this infant coun- 
 
1793] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 77_ 
 
 try; earnestly recommending the above benevolent Institution 
 to their patronage ; praying that out of the Funds under their 
 direction they will be pleased to appropriate for the Education 
 of Indian Youth such sum annually as to them shall seem meet 
 and proper; a just and accurate account of the disposal of 
 the same, or any similar benefaction, shall be rendered to the 
 Board of Commissioners by our President or Clerk whenever 
 required. 
 
 The Honbl and Rev^ Board, in thus concurring in the prose- 
 cution of the above laudable design, will as your Petitioners 
 conceive carry into execution the object of our ancestors in 
 their charitable association for the benefit of the natives of the 
 country, advance the political interests of the U. S., at the 
 present critical period in the Indian Department ; open a wide 
 and permanent door for the more extensive diffusion of the 
 precepts of our most holy religion, and in so doing, mitigate 
 the inevitable calamities of human life and better the condi- 
 tion of man. 
 
 For many interesting particulars respecting the present dis- 
 position of the Indians, we beg leave to refer the Honbl Board 
 to the Revd M^ Kirkland, whom we expect to be the bearer 
 of this. The Communications of the Hon^l Board you will 
 please to direct to the Rev^ Dan Bradley, ( Whitestown, Herki- 
 mer County, State of New York) President of the Trustees of 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy. 
 
 Erastus Clark 
 James Dean 
 Jonas Piatt 
 T. R. Gold 
 Moses Foot 
 Sewal Hopkins 
 Timothy Tuttle 
 Herkimer County 
 State of N. York 
 Jany 2^ 1794 
 
78 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1794 
 
 John Sergeant to Peter Thaciier. 
 
 New Stockbridge, Jany lo, 1794. 
 Revd Sir: 
 
 I lately saw the Rev^ M^ Kirkland who informed me that 
 he was about soon to set out for Boston. He presented me 
 a petition to the Society from the Trustees of Hamilton Acad- 
 emy, myself being one, desired me to sign it. But as I dif- 
 fered from the worthy Gentleman in sentiment in some respects 
 with regard to the education of Indian youth at this Acad- 
 emy, I could not sign the petition, at least without a better and 
 more full understanding the whole plan of proceeding respect- 
 ing the whole business. Mr. Kirkland then wished me to state 
 my objections in writing. I agreed to write and give my 
 opinion respecting the education of Indian youth, and the 
 methods which I think most likely to give the savages a favor- 
 able idea of the blessings of a civilized life. Will therefore 
 now observe that it has been found by experience to give 
 Indians more learning than they can obtain from common 
 schools has been almost entirely lost. Many of those who 
 have had much laid out upon them in English schools, acad- 
 emies, etc., when returning to their respective tribes have been 
 more savage than any of their nation. I have therefore been 
 of opinion that the best method to teach Indian youth would 
 be to send religious young men into their towns and set up 
 schools ; that these Masters, by supporting a good govern- 
 ment, frequent lectures upon morality, and setting a good 
 example himself before both children and their parents, would 
 have the most likely tendency to give them a favorable idea 
 of religion and virtue. An Indian assistant who understood 
 the English language might be of particular service. But all 
 this will not bring them to the practice of industry and the 
 arts of a civilized life. I would therefore propose to encourage 
 the Indians in raising flax and wool, which may be done by 
 premiums. I would then set up spinning schools for their 
 females, by which they would soon realize the benefit of their 
 
1794] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 79 
 
 labour. All the tribes of the Six Nations could easily be per- 
 suaded to believe in the necessity of turning their attention to 
 some other way of getting their living than by hunting, because 
 their game will soon be extinct. It has been lamented that 
 all the means that have hitherto been tried, have not proved 
 successful to bring the Indian tribes off from a savage to a 
 civilized life. But I would observe that this method never 
 has been adopted. 
 
 Now as to the Academy tliat is so happily established in 
 the neighborhood, I cannot think that it will ever be of much 
 advantage towards civilizing the tribes of the Six Nations. 
 But as a seat of learning for English youth I sincerely wish it 
 might have the patronage of every well-wisher to learning and 
 useful knowledge, and I think it may be of particular advan- 
 tege to these young and flourishing settlements. But so far as 
 it is connected with the education of Indians, I have thought 
 that one or two of the most promising youth out of the dif- 
 ferent villages of the Onondagos, Cayogas, Senecas, and Tus- 
 caroras, where they have no established schools, might be 
 taught here to read, write, and understand the English lan- 
 guage, to fit them for schoolmasters, interpreters, or assistants 
 to English schoolmasters. I would further propose that all 
 the moneys given by benevolent people for the promotion of 
 learning and civilization among the natives in this part of the 
 country should be kept in a fund by itself, and laid out by the 
 Trustees in schooling, boarding, and when found necessary 
 in clothing those Indian youth to fit them for the above men- 
 tioned purpose, but after this object is answered then the 
 monies to be improved in some way to civilize them in their 
 villages. It is easy to calculate that the expense of five or 
 six youth at the Academy would support a Master in an 
 Indian town, which would be of vastly more advantage towards 
 the promotion of useful knowledge among the Indians than 
 the education of five youth at the Academy. There is one 
 thing further I would observe in the petition to the Society. 
 It is proposed to send for a number of youths from the Senecas 
 
80 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1794 
 
 with a political view. It will no doubt be an object in the 
 present situation of affairs to cultivate the friendship of the 
 Six Nations, the Senecas in particular; but the most likely 
 way to effect this, and who ought to be at the expense of it, 
 I leave to better judges. 
 
 Where there are established schools in Indian towns, I would 
 not take any children, at least until they have obtained all the 
 knowledge they can get in said schools. And if there appears 
 a likely genius, who bids fair for more extensive usefulness to 
 his tribe in teaching a school etc., let him be supported at the 
 Academy to fit him for the above-mentioned purpose. 
 
 I have now given my opinion on the subject of the best 
 methods to promote the arts and sciences of a civilized life 
 among the natives of this country, and feel happy in this, that 
 the measures adopted by Government for the civilization of 
 the Six Nations exactly agree with my idea of the subject. 
 
 You will please to communicate this to the Revd and Honbl 
 Society. 
 
 I remain, Rev^ Sir, your most obliged 
 
 humble Servant 
 
 John Sergeant. 
 Revd Docf Thacher. 
 
 [Endorsed] A Copy of a Letter sent to Docti" Thacher, 
 to be communicated to the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida 
 Academy. 
 
 Ebenezer Caulkins to Peter Thacher. 
 
 Paris 15th January 1794. 
 Rev. Sir. 
 
 I have written you twice since I was at Boston; the last 
 time I wrote I sent you my Journal, drew a Bill for £30 Ster- 
 ling, and informed you that it was not possible for me to 
 teach the school at Oneida through the Winter, and that I 
 should therefore devote the time to study and making prepa- 
 rations to resume teaching the school in the spring. I left 
 Oneida the 9th of December last, and the Trustees of Hamil- 
 
1794] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 81 
 
 ton Oneida Academy applying to me to teach their school 
 through the present Winter, I engaged to teach twenty-five 
 white children for a small sum on condition that they should 
 allow me to take into the school as many Indian Children, on 
 account of the Society, as should be convenient. The Trus- 
 tees are to board six or eight on their own account, I have 
 agreed to board my interpreter and give him something more 
 on my account, until I hear from the Board ; some other Indian 
 boys I expect will attend so as to make up forty in the whole. 
 It is proposed to provide a house for an Indian family and let 
 them board a number on account of the Indians. The Indian 
 boys now in the school learn very fast; and I hope to send 
 you a specimen of their improvement next Spring which will 
 do honor to them and the Institution which supports them. 
 
 I desire that you would write me by Mr. Kirkland and let 
 me know how you approve of my proceedings, and what 
 further encouragement you have obtained for me from the 
 Society, and you will oblige, Revd. Sir, 
 
 Your devoted humbl Serv* 
 
 Ebenezer Caulkins. 
 Rev. Peter Thacher, D.D. 
 
 John Kemp to Samuel Kirkland. 
 Revd dear Sir 
 
 Your letter of the 15th February 1793 came to my hands 
 only upon the 6th of November last. I sincerely regret the 
 cause of your long silence, and sympathize with you under 
 the painful feelings, which the inflammation in your Eye must 
 have occasioned. But still, tho' disabled from this cause from 
 writing with your own hand, it excited surprize that you did 
 not employ one of your sons or some other person, as your 
 amanuensis, both to transcribe your Journal and also to corre- 
 spond with us. 
 
 The long delay of your answer to my inquiries respecting 
 Moor's Indian School was matter of sincere regret to the 
 
82 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1794 
 
 Society ; and now that an answer has come, I am sorry to say 
 that it is far less full and explicit, than my Letter of which I 
 had preserved a copy demanded. It is very possible that 
 motives of delicacy and prudence may have restrained your 
 pen, in your Letter upon tliat subject ; and it is also possible 
 that the further information which you promised with your 
 Journals which are wanting, may be on their way to me. 
 Meantime situated as We are with respect to the fund col- 
 lected for Moor's Indian School, We have been laid under the 
 necessity to apply to our Board at Boston for such authentic 
 and judicial Information upon the subject of my quaeries 
 to you, as may warrand our future precedent, vizt either to 
 pay the money to that Institution if its original purposes are 
 still promoted, (which however from all the information We 
 have received both from you and others, We have no reason 
 to believe is the case,) or to devote it to some other institu- 
 tion which has the same general object in view. We find our- 
 selves without the aid of this fund unable to carry on the Plan 
 of Indian Education which you suggested however much it 
 meets with our approbation, or to give to Mr. Calkin that 
 encouragement, which has been represented to us as due to 
 his talents and zeal. Indeed We are still left very much in 
 doubt whether any efforts however ably or zealously conducted 
 will have effect in any considerable degree to change the char- 
 acter of the Indian Tribes, with respect either to Religion or 
 Civilization. Some melancholy representations have been 
 given to us lately, with respect to those Indians for whom most 
 labour and expence have been bestowed, even those among 
 whom Mr. Sergeant and you have long laboured, which seem 
 to be but too well authenticated; and which have greatly 
 damped our hopes of future success. Meantime we wish to 
 have from you a fair representation of the number of souls in 
 general among whom you labour, of the progress of Civiliza- 
 tion and the Gospel among them, of the number whom you can 
 consider as instructed in the principles of the Gospel, and of 
 those who seem to be influenced by serious impressions of its 
 power. 
 
1794] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 83 
 
 We wish to know whether any considerable number of your 
 people have deserted their old habits of roving and idleness ; 
 and of intemperance, when the means of indulging it occurs; 
 and whether they have addicted themselves to the arts of 
 industry, so as to procure a decent livelihood for themselves 
 and families. We also beg to know whether the change that 
 takes place from the rude and savage state to the arts of civili- 
 zation and industry has not an unhappy effect on the health 
 of the Indians, and whether it is true, as has been strongly 
 asserted to us, that they decline so fast in number, that there 
 is reason to apprehend a speedy extinction of the race. 
 
 We are very well pleased to receive both from your Brother 
 Mr. Sergeant and you, an account of your ministerial labours, 
 and specimens of the manner in which you conduct them. But 
 we wish you both to direct your attention to those great and 
 leading points which may serve to give us just ideas of the 
 general effects. 
 
 I sincerely hope and pray that the state of your health may 
 permit you to give an answer as speedily as possible to this 
 Communication ; and that neither I nor the Board of Directors 
 may again have reason to regret so long a silence. With my 
 best wishes for your comfort, and the success of your labours 
 in the service of our common Lord, I remain, Rev^ dear Sir, 
 Your affectionate Brother 
 and humble Servant, 
 
 Jo : Kemp. 
 Edin. 5th Feby. 1794. 
 Revd Mr Kirkland. 
 
 P. S. Notwithstanding the date of the within Letter no 
 opportunity occurred of sending it until now that I am 
 informed of a Vessel ready to sail from Leith when the wind 
 shall permit. 
 
 As yet we have received no further Communications from 
 you. 
 
 J. K. 
 
84 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1794 
 
 Proceedings at the Laying of the Corner Stone of 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy. 
 
 From the Utica Patriot and Patrol, July, 1794 
 
 Paris, July ist, 1794. 
 
 This day at eleven o'clock A. M., the first corner stone of 
 " Hamilton Oneida Academy " was laid by the honorable the 
 Baron de Steuben, in presence of the Reverend Samuel Kirk- 
 land, the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, Col. North, Maj. 
 Williamson, Shanondo, the first chief of the Oneida nation, a 
 number of the trustees of said academy, and a numerous 
 body of spectators. Shanondo appeared much delighted and 
 affected. The ceremony was preceded by a prayer well adapted 
 to the occasion, by Mr. Kirkland, after which the Baron made 
 the following 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 " To the Trustees of the Institution, Friends and Fellow 
 Citizens : The object for which we are now assembled is the 
 erection of an academy for the propagation of useful knowl- 
 edge. In this enlightened age it will be deemed unnecessary 
 to explain to you how closely institutions of this kind are 
 connected with the true felicity of a nation. The necessaries 
 of life, its superfluities, riches, and even liberty itself, become 
 so many curses, if the enjoyment of them is not limited by 
 wisdom — wisdom, which leads us in the paths of virtue, and 
 directs our actions not only to the promotion of our own 
 happiness, but to the welfare of all mankind. For the acquire- 
 ment of this wisdom are seminaries of learning instituted. 
 And here, my fellow citizens, let us stop for a moment, and 
 viewing our situation, feel with honest pride the happiness 
 which we in preference to other nations enjoy. Among the 
 ancients, or among the moderns, where shall we look for a 
 comparison? It was not till after ages of barbarism had 
 passed that Athens, or Rome, the mistress of the world, erected 
 a temple to Minerva or Apollo. Where among the modern 
 nations of Europe shall we find an example of a wilderness 
 
1794] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 85 
 
 in the short space of a few years converted to a garden, and 
 the first exertion of its inhabitants directed to the extension 
 of knowledge and the happiness of their fellow men? Scarcely 
 has the plow traced the first furrow for necessary subsistence 
 — scarcely has the first tree fallen by the stroke of the ax, 
 when a portion of this subsistence, when this very tree, is set 
 apart to erect a temple dedicated to the best interests of the 
 rising generation, to the happiness of thousands yet unborn. 
 Yes, my friends, the people who dread famine less than igno- 
 rance, who respect the laws, and whose time is employed in 
 benefiting their country, by adding to its resources, must be 
 happy and respected. Amongst the first laws of the State of 
 New York was that for appointing a Board of Regents for 
 the University, under whose direction schools and seminaries 
 of learning were erected, and liberal provision has been made 
 for carrying the object of their appointment into effect. 
 
 " For erecting the building which is to be placed on this spot, 
 you, gentlemen, and other worthy members of the community, 
 by a free and liberal subscription provided funds. It remained 
 to the Regents to incorporate, and to give you such pecuniary 
 assistance as was in their power, and to me the honorable 
 office is committed of laying the corner stone of this building, 
 a task I shall perform with a sincere wish that you may con- 
 template this edifice, not only as a means of public felicity, 
 but as a temple in which your virtuous and patriotic action may 
 be preserved to future ages. 
 
 " By your charter this edifice is called The Hamilton Oneida 
 Academy. It bears the name of a patriot on whose merit and 
 virtues an orator would find an ample field for the exertion 
 of all his powers ; for me to attempt to draw his character 
 would be too bold. To an Appelles it belongs to draw the 
 picture of an Alexander, and we must leave to the Demosthenes 
 and Ciceros, the future offspring of this institution, to pro- 
 nounce its eulogium." 
 
 The Baron as one of the Regents of the University, and a 
 guardian of the literature of the State, presented the charter 
 
86 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1794 
 
 to the Trustees, remarking to them that by its acceptance they 
 became pledged that the institution should not languish for 
 want of their greatest exertion. 
 
 The Trustees in a short reply expressed their cordial thanks 
 to the Baron for his particular attention to this infant Semi- 
 nary, their full confidence in his assurances of his future friend- 
 ship, their resolution to exert their utmost abilities to promote 
 the interest of the institution, and their ardent wishes that 
 their mutual endeavors might be extensively useful to the new 
 settlements and the cause of literature in general. 
 
 To which the Baron with a heart too full for utterance 
 answered : " Gentlemen : I shall always remember that I 
 have laid the corner stone of this Academy — it will ever be 
 I dear to me." 
 
 Loan for the Academy. 
 
 \Miereas it has become necessary in consequence of the 
 expences incurred in erecting Hamilton Oneida Academy to 
 make a loan of four hundred dollars to defray the present 
 expences, and whereas the trustees of said academy have 
 appointed Jedediah Sanger and Erastus Clark Esquires a Com- 
 mittee to effect said loan. Now therefore to enable the said 
 Committee to procure said sum of money, I do hereby engage 
 and promise to become responsible for and secure the payment 
 of the said sum of money or any part thereof, to such person 
 as shall be disposed to loan the same — as witness my hand 
 and seal this 15th day of August 1794. 
 
 Saml Kirkland(Seal) 
 Paris August 15th 1794 
 
 In presence of 
 Solomon Kellogg 
 Eli BristoU 
 
 The note given for the money mentioned in this Instrument 
 signed by Jedediah Sanger and Erastus Clark as a Committee 
 for the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy I engage to 
 deliver to Joseph Kirkland July 13, 1797. 
 
 Ai Breese. 
 
1794] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 87 
 
 Ebenezer Caulkins to Peter Thacher. 
 
 From the original in Dartmouth College Library 
 
 Paris Clinton Society 4th June 1794. 
 Rev. Sir. 
 
 I am very glad to hear that the Board approved 
 of my conduct in leaving Oneida and taking charge of this 
 Academy school last winter, although I could not see that 
 they could find cause to censure my conduct. After I received 
 your letter I engaged to tarry here till November if the Board 
 should not determine otherwise. The school met with an 
 unfortunate interruption about two months ago by the school 
 house's being burned, in which I lost many valuable books 
 and writings, besides many of the books and other things 
 which were sent from the Commissioners at Boston to the 
 Indian School, which I had locked up in my desk in the school- 
 house. But the house was rebuilt and the school in it again 
 in a little more than three weeks after it was burnt. There 
 were but four Indian boys at the school last Winter, and but 
 one of them has attended since the house was burned, for they 
 went home and have not yet returned. The one who now 
 attends is about eight years old; a bright little lad who 
 improves very well. The others were older and made good 
 improvement while they stayed. 
 
 I went to Oneida and spent a few days there after the 
 schoolhouse was burned, saw my former school together, heard 
 them read, and examined their improvement under Reed's 
 instruction, who has taught them a little this Spring, which 
 has prevented the children from losing ground in their read- 
 ing, writing, etc. but not in their morals or behaviour, for 
 he has neither religion nor morals, and good breeding he 
 knows more of than he is inclined to practice; however, if 
 he would do as well as he might, or as well as he used to do 
 for a day or two at a time in my school when I was obliged 
 to leave it with him, he would do very well and teach a good 
 school. 
 
88 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1794 
 
 I find that the Indians are many of them very sorry that 
 I left them and wish to have me return, but they say that they 
 fear I never will. I have indeed a feeling for them and would 
 willingly return to keep school among them again if my situa- 
 tion could be rendered more comfortable than it was before; 
 and I think it might be in one respect if no more, for I have 
 accomplished my wishes in getting the infamous Schuyler 
 removed, or very near accomplished them; he is now under 
 warning by authority from government, and must go off 
 within a month, or be gotten off otherwise. 
 
 I went to see the parents of the boys who were out here 
 to School last winter, and the parents of several other boys 
 whom we mean to have out here to the School as soon as we 
 can get them here ; they expressed a willingness, and some of 
 them a desire, to have their children come to the School, and 
 said that they would bring them out within a short time ; but 
 they have not come yet, and I fear that they will not unless 
 something more be done about it. I think the Commissioners 
 will not be satisfied to have me continue here unless they are 
 here; and I tell the Trustees of the Academy that they must 
 take some measures to get them here immediately, or I shall 
 return to Oneida and school them there ; for there are six or 
 seven of those little lads whom we have selected for this School 
 who are very promising little fellows of more than ordinary 
 parts, and I am so fond of instructing them that I do not like 
 to be without them. The white children also like to have them 
 here, and are very fond of their improving with them. 
 
 I have about twenty-five or six white children in my School. 
 This is the number to which the School is restricted on account 
 of taking in the Indian youth and giving them a good chance 
 of improvement. ... 
 
 I am. Rev. Sir, with great esteem. 
 
 Your obedient humble servant 
 
 Ebenezer Caulkins 
 
 Rev. Peter Thacher, DD. 
 
1795] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 89 
 
 Stephen West to Peter Thacher, 
 
 Stockbridge, 28th Jany 1795. 
 Revd Sir, 
 
 Mr. Kirkland has acquainted me very particularly with the 
 nature and object of the literary institution on the borders of 
 Oneida. What benefit may finally accrue from it to the 
 Indians, it is impossible for us to foresee. For my own part, 
 I have but little hope of any very great good to that poor 
 people, from all the exertions which are made to promote the 
 knowledge of divine truth amongst them. There cannot, how- 
 ever, be a just reason for relaxing our endeavours, in a case 
 of such unspeakable importance as that of christianizing the 
 Indians. It belongs to us to use all the means which may be 
 in our power. The event must be left with God. 
 
 That Hamilton Academy may be of great advantage to the 
 new settlements in that part of the country, cannot be doubted. 
 We may hope, also, that it may prove useful in promoting 
 knowledge and civilization among the Indians. In these views, 
 as far as it may be consistent with the duties of your Board, 
 I hope it may be patronized by the gentlemen who compose it. 
 
 You will. Sir, excuse my freedom in writing you on this 
 subject, 
 
 And believe me to be, with Respect and Esteem, 
 Your Obedient Servt and Brother, 
 
 Stephen West 
 
 Revd. Dr. Thacher 
 
 Samuel Kirkland to Stephen Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Albany 24th Feb^y. 1795. 
 Sir, 
 
 Permit me to observe to you, that the difficulties, attending 
 the collection of subscriptions already made to the Hamilton 
 Oneida Academy, and procuring others till the next season, 
 induced the Trustees of said Seminary to apply to you for a 
 
90 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1795 
 
 small loan, which you was pleased to grant, Coll Sanger and 
 myself becoming joint security for same. In order to com- 
 plete their Building, the Trustees have since proposed to me, 
 to convey the donation I have made to them, with a mort- 
 gage, giving them the Equity of Redemption, that I might 
 thereby be able to procure them a thousand or fifteen hundred 
 dollars. Could you, Sir, conveniently loan them, or me on 
 their behalf, the sum of ten or twelve hundred dollars for 
 the term of one year, I will mortgage to you three hundred 
 acres of land, including the Academy plat or lot of ground 
 on which the Academy is erected. The Building has already 
 cost them upwards of two thousand dollars. The land only, 
 would be valued at sixteen or eighteen hundred dollars. 
 
 Pity the Institution should be retarded for want of some 
 friend to give it a lift at the present juncture; as few, if any 
 are established upon more liberal and humane principles, and 
 better situated to be a mean of diffusing useful knowledge, 
 and enlarging the bounds of human happiness, and aiding the 
 reign of virtue. 
 
 I wish to hear from you upon the subject by the first 
 conveyance. 
 
 With sentiments of high respect and esteem, I am, S^". 
 Your obedt huml Serv*. 
 
 Saml Kirkland 
 Stephen Van Rensselaer, Esqr. 
 
 Deed of Samuel Kirkland to the Trustees of Hamilton 
 Oneida Academy. 
 
 From the records in the office of the County Clerk of Oneida County; 
 Deeds, Book II, page 304. 
 
 Among the Kirkland Papers in the College Library is the rough draft 
 of a deed, undated, but earlier than 1704, conveying to the Trustees of the 
 Academy the first and fourth of the five tracts described in the recorded 
 deed. In the draft, there are many interlineations, and several verbal diff^er- 
 ences from the text here printed, particularly in the introductory portion. 
 
 The Trustees mortgaged tracts three and four to Erastus Clark, Jonas 
 Piatt, and Thomas R. Gold, August 15, 1795, for seven hundred dollars. 
 
 A serious consideration of the Importance of Education 
 and an earlv cultivation of the mind, with the situation of the 
 
1795] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 91 
 
 western frontier settlements of the State of New York, exten- 
 sive and flourishing, yet destitute of any well regulated semi- 
 nary of learning, have induced me to contribute a portion of 
 that Property wherewith my Heavenly Benefactor hath blessed 
 me toward laying the foundation of and supporting Hamilton 
 Oneida Academy, in the Town of Paris, in the County of 
 Herkimer, and contiguous to the Oneida Nation of Indians, 
 for the mutual Benefit of the young flourishing settlements in 
 said County and the various tribes of Confederate Indians, 
 earnestly wishing the Institution may grow and flourish, that 
 the advantages of it may be permanent and extensive, and 
 that under the smiles of the God of Wisdom it may prove an 
 eminent mean of diffusing useful knowledge, enlargeing the 
 bounds of human happiness, and aiding the reign of virtue 
 and the Kingdom of the Blessed Redeemer. Know all men 
 by these Presents, that I, Samuel Kirkland, of the County of 
 Herkimer, Missionary to the Five Nations of the Indians, 
 for the causes already mentioned and the purposes and uses 
 hereafter expressed, have given, granted, aliened, and con- 
 veyed, and by these Presents do give, grant, alien, and convey 
 unto the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida x^cademy, to wit : the 
 Honbl Alexander Hamilton, late Secretary of the Treasury of 
 the United States, Dan Bradley, Eli Bristoll, Erastus Clark, 
 James Dean, Moses Foot, Thomas R. Gold, Sewal Hopkins, 
 Michael Myers, Jonas Piatt, Jedediah Sanger, John Sergeant, 
 Timothy Tuttle, Samuel Wells, Asahel S. Norton, and Joel 
 Bradley, and to their successors in said office forever. All the 
 right, title, and interest I have in and to certain tracts, pieces, 
 or parcels of land lying west of the Line of Property (so 
 called) in said Town of Paris, and hereafter mentioned and 
 described, viz : One certain tract lying near said Line of 
 Property, beginning at a stake ninety-seven rods west of said 
 Line on the north side of the road leading to Stockbridge ; 
 thence running westerly forty-six rods ; thence at right angles 
 north ten degrees east forty-three rods ; thence at right angles 
 
92 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1795 
 
 east ten degrees south forty-six rods ; thence forty-three rods 
 to the place of beginning, containing twelve acres and fifty- 
 eight rods ; this is designed for the ground plot of the Academy 
 and its various and other necessary buildings, viz : a house 
 for the Preceptor's accommodation, an Inn, kitchen and flower 
 gardens, and Common.* No part of the above described land 
 is to be alienated, but ever remain the property of the Academy. 
 Also another small tract of land lying westerly of the above 
 described land and adjoining the same so as to extend said 
 Academy plot twenty-four rods further westward, containing 
 six acres and twenty-two rods suitable for meadows and till- 
 age; which is to be for the use of the Preceptor. Also one 
 other tract of land beginning at the place where the south line 
 of George W. Kirkland's land crosses the main road leading 
 from the Academy plot to Brothertown and about the distance 
 of forty rods from the Academy plot; thence running along 
 said south line three quarters of a mile ; thence at right angles 
 southwardly fifty rods; thence eastwardly at right angles until 
 a line at right angles with the course of the road shall intersect 
 the place of beginning; thence to the place of beginning; con- 
 taining seventy-six acres and thirty rods, the western fifty 
 acres of which tract is forever to be reserved for a wood lot 
 for the use of the Academy. Also another certain tract or lot 
 of land lying in the southwest part of my Patent, beginning 
 at the southwest corner thereof, at a beech stake marked three 
 sides with a blaze and three notches under, and on the east 
 side with seventeen hundred eighty-nine, and a large beech 
 tree standing south thirty-five one-half degrees east eight 
 links, marked on the north side seventeen hundred eighty-nine ; 
 thence runninjr north on the line of the Oneida Reservation 
 
 * The rough draft of the deed inserts the following: " 149 feet and Yi to 
 be appropriated as part of the road or highway on the south side of said 
 plot ; then in the center from north to south 99 feet for the purpose of a 
 public road. 132 feet at the south end of the western division of the plot 
 to be appropriated for the purpose of an Inn, but ever to remain the 
 property of the Academy, and to be rented by the Trustees for the benefit 
 of the Academy." 
 
1795] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 93 
 
 one hundred and twenty-seven rods; thence at right angles 
 due east half a mile; thence south at right angles seventy- 
 three rods to my south line ; thence along said line to the place 
 of beginning; containing one hundred acres. Also one other 
 lot of land lying on my west line bounded north on a lot of 
 land sold by me to Andrew Warner and others ; south on land 
 sold to Jonathan Boynton ; east on the road leading to Brother- 
 town ; west on the line of the Oneida Reservation ; containing 
 one hundred and twenty-five acres. To Have and to Hold 
 the above granted pieces of land to them and to their suc- 
 cessors in said office of Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy 
 for ever, to the uses hereafter mentioned, to wit : the above 
 described premises hereby granted and conveyed, excepting 
 the Academy plot and the land to be reserved for a wood lot, 
 shall be leased out or improved on such terms and in such way 
 as said Trustees shall judge will be most beneficial, and the 
 whole of the rents, profits, issues and proceeds shall be forever 
 laid out and expended and appropriated toward the support 
 of the Principal Instructor of the Academy. The whole of 
 said several parcels of land above granted and conveyed to be 
 forever unalienable excepting by lease as above said and except- 
 ing as is hereafter excepted. And I do hereby authorize and 
 empower the Trustees of said Academy and their successors 
 in said office once to mortgage said several tracts of land 
 exclusive and independent of any restrictions to the contrary 
 above mentioned, or to mortgage any one or more of said 
 tracts at one time, and any one or more of the other of said 
 tracts at another time, so that the whole may become mort- 
 gaged to any person or persons or body corporate as security 
 for such sums of money as they or their successors may bor- 
 row to pay off the present debts of said Trustees as such, and 
 to complete the Academy which is now unfinished. And I do 
 hereby covenant for myself, my heirs, executors and adminis- 
 trators, with said Trustees and their successors and with such 
 person or persons or such body corporate to whom said lands 
 shall be mortgaged in pursuance of the power above given, 
 
94 DOCUMKXrARV HISTORY [1796 
 
 and with their heirs, that at the ensealing of these presents 
 1 am well seized of said several tracts of land herehv granted 
 in my own right in fee simple and without incumhrance. and 
 that myself and heirs will forever warrant the same to them 
 respectively. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 
 hand and seal the eighth day of April in the year of our Lord 
 one thousand seven hundred and ninety-tive. 
 
 Saml Kirkland(L. S.) 
 In Presence of 
 
 George W. Kirkland. 
 
 Kbenezer Caulking. 
 
 Herkimer County, ss : — 
 
 Be it Remembered, that on the ninth day of April, in the 
 year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-tive, 
 personally appeared before me Hugh White, Esquire, one of 
 the judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County 
 aforesaid, George W. Kirkland, one of the subscribing wit- 
 nesses to the within deed, and being duly sworn on the Holy 
 Evangelists maketh oath and saith that he saw the within 
 named Samuel Kirkland sign, seal, and deliver the within 
 instrument as his voluntary deed in the presence of himself 
 and of Ebenezer Caulking, the other subscribing witness, who 
 did subscribe as a witness in the presence of said George, and 
 I having examined the same and tinding no material erasure 
 or interlineations therein except as noted, do allow the same 
 to be recorded. 
 
 Hugh White. 
 Recorded the 23d day of May, 1795. 
 
 Jonas Piatt. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of Eebruary 24, 1706. 
 
 The board resolved itself into a Committee of the whole on 
 the report of the sub-committee appointed to prepare the annual 
 
1797] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 95 
 
 report and after some time spent thereon, the Vice-Chancellor 
 resumed the Chair and Mr. Schuyler from the said Committee 
 reported that with some amenchnents they had agreed to the 
 said report and that as agreed to it is in the words following, 
 to wit, 
 
 The Regents of the University respectfully submit to the 
 Legislature the following report concerning the progress of 
 literature in the State. 
 
 The Trustees of the Academy of Hamilton Oneida in the 
 County of Herkimer have erected the frame of a building for 
 an Academy, which will require a considerable sum of money 
 to complete. There is a small schoolroom, half a mile from 
 the Academy, in which scholars have been formerly taught, 
 but no Teacher has been employed, nor school kept since Sep- 
 tember 1794. The funds for an Institution here, consist of 
 425 Acres of Land in the neighborhood of the Academy, 
 chiefly uncultivated, and 400 Dollars on a subscription not 
 collected. An incumbrance of 1000 dollars has been laid on 
 the land by the Trustees for the purpose of raising the frame 
 of the building. It was judged by the visiting Committee to 
 be inexpedient to apply any part of the money assigned to this 
 Academy. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of March 6, 1797. 
 
 Mr. Benson from the Committee appointed to draft the 
 annual Report to the Legislature made a Report which was 
 read, whereupon 
 
 The Board resolved itself into a Committee of the whole 
 to take the same into Consideration and after some time spent 
 therein the Chancellor reassumed the Chair and Mr. Schuyler 
 from the said Committee reported that the Committee had 
 gone through the same made some amendments and had agreed 
 to it as amended in the Words following:. . . . 
 
96 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1798 
 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy is in a worse Situation than it 
 was the preceding year; the Building is covered, but there is 
 no Prospect it will be further completed ; the Funds being 
 wholly expended & the Property already taken in Execution 
 to satisfy Debts still due. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of March 5, 1798. 
 
 Mr. Ellison from the Committee appointed to prepare the 
 annual Report to the Legislature, delivered to the Board the 
 Draft of a Report which was read & approved. . . . 
 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy. The Trustees in a Letter to 
 the Regents represent " That about four hundred and sixteen 
 Acres of good land were given as a Fund for the support of 
 the institution ; that they built the Academ.y on a large scale 
 in dependence on the promises of liberal aid from different 
 quarters; that being disappointed in these sanguine expecta- 
 tions, that they were able only to erect the Frame and partly 
 enclose it in doing which they had incumbered nearly one half 
 of the farm by a Mortgage ; that a number of Gentlemen of 
 property and respectability in the neighborhood, have asso- 
 ciated and determined to assist the Trustees in carrying the 
 work on to completion, and that they have now before them 
 pleasing prospects, and doubt not of having shortly a respect- 
 able Seminary in that growing country." , . . 
 
 Samuel Kirkland to John Thornton Kirkland 
 President of Harvard College, 1810-1827. 
 
 Paris, 5th December, 1798. 
 My dear Son — 
 
 . . . As you have from time to time expressed so much 
 concern for the interest of the family, I will assign some causes 
 for my present financial embarrassments. In the first place, I 
 sustained considerable loss in personal estate in the late war. 
 
1798] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 97 
 
 2d. I have always kept an open generous house, and from my 
 public character and connection with the Indians have been 
 exposed to much company and great expence. That I have 
 been liberal towards the education of my children, you can 
 testify. At the first turn of the times — the depreciating of 
 our currency, and the sudden rise of labour and the neces- 
 saries of life — my salary ceased, when many others had it 
 not only continued but enlarged. Moreover the ceasing of my 
 salary just at that juncture and at the time of my sickness, 
 was more disadvantageous to me than twice its sum or value 
 at another time. 3d. My long sickness, with the necessary 
 and unavoidable expence attending it, including the almost 
 total derangement my farming business sustained during that 
 period (in the estimation of my judicious neighbours) could 
 not be less than 2000 dollars. During this period, moreover, 
 being unable to attend to my worldly affairs, I met with several 
 losses by bad debts and failures. 4thly. The money I advanced 
 and hired for the Trustees of the H. O. Academy amounted 
 to a little more than 1 100 dollars, in the outset. Interest, cost 
 of suits, journies, executions and the like have increased the 
 principal to nearly 1700 dollars. For a part of this I am still 
 indebted to you. And that the Academy might progress and 
 attain the important ends of its Institution, I gave the Trustees 
 a full and complete discharge of all demands upon them. In 
 addition to this, and over and above the 325 acres of land I 
 gave to the Trustees, when a part of them and some gentlemen 
 of the first character in the County, associated and covenanted 
 to complete the building, (dividing it into twenty shares) were 
 unwilling to proceed unless I subscribed a 20th part — which 
 I did cheerfully and shall soon pay my proportion — and 
 blessed be God, the building is so far completed as to receive 
 40 or 50 scholars and will be opened in the course of two or 
 three weeks by an able and worthy gentleman chosen and 
 recommended for the purpose by Dr. Dwight, President of 
 Yale College. He is already arrived. Perhaps you think I 
 have done more than I ought to have done for this Institution, 
 7 
 
98 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1798 
 
 considering the infancy of the settlement of this Town and its 
 vicinity; that I ought to liave learned to be just before I 
 became generous. This may be true. But the flattering 
 prospects, and many encouragements given to promote the 
 Institution when the Plan was first proposed, induced me to 
 think I should make no farther sacrifice of property than the 
 first donation, which I conceived to be my duty. Let me once 
 more remark that from the encouragements I had received, 
 I boarded and lodged three Indian boys for near three months ; 
 and now almost four years have fed, cloathed, and schooled 
 a boy of a Tuscarora Chief,* and most of the time paid for 
 his education, all at my own expense, except a hat or a pair of 
 mogesans given by his father. I also advanced lOO dollars 
 toward repairing the Oneida mills — with some articles of 
 farming utensils, for which as yet I have received no com- 
 pensation. I also victualed the sick Indian Chief with his two 
 and three attendants under Dr. Hopkins' care, at the request 
 of the former Superintendent of Indian affairs, for near two 
 months. . . . 
 
 Your affectionate Father 
 
 Sam^ Kirkland. 
 Revd. J. T. Kirkland. 
 
 Kirkland's Release to the Trustees of the Academy. 
 
 Be it known that in consideration of six cents, the receipt 
 whereof I do hereby acknowledge : I hereby release, exonerate, 
 and discharge the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy of 
 and from all Constraints, Debts, Dues and Demands either 
 in Law or equity, upon condition that the sum of two thousand 
 Dollars shall be applied towards inclosing and finishing the 
 Building called Hamilton Oneida Academy according to a Con- 
 tract agreed on by and between Thomas Hart and his Asso- 
 ciates of the one part and the said Trustees of the other part. 
 Witness my hand and seal in the year of Our Lord One thou- 
 sand seven hundred and ninety nine. 
 Samuel Kirkland. 
 
 * Captain Cusick. 
 
1799] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 99 
 
 Joel Bristoll. 
 
 I hereby certify that the above is a true Coppy from the 
 original Discharge in my hands. 
 
 Sewall Hopkins, Clerk. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of March 5, 1799. 
 
 . . . Mr. Benson from the Committee appointed to pre- 
 pare the annual Report to the Legislature, delivered to the 
 Board the Draft of a Report which was read & approved; and 
 ordered to be engrossed authenticated in the usual manner and 
 presented to the Legislature. . . . 
 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy. 
 The Trustees have represented to the Regents that they 
 have completed so much of the Building as is sufficient for 
 the Accommodation of a large School. They have procured 
 an Instructor Mr John Niles, who has had experience in the 
 Instruction of youth at Greenfield Academy in Connecticut and 
 whose Recommendation from the Rev^. Dr Dwight is an 
 ample Testimonial of his Virtue and of his Qualifications as 
 an Instructor. The School was opened in the Academy on 
 the 26th day of Dec^. last nearly twenty Scholars were ad- 
 mitted and the Number was daily increasing, and there was 
 Reason to believe would in a short time be respectable. . . . 
 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy in 1799. 
 
 From an Appendix to the Journal of Samuel Kirkland for the years 
 1798-1799, dated Boston, November, 1799. The Report to which reference 
 is made, is the Report of Dr. Belknap on the condition of the Oneida 
 Indians and the mission, published in the Collections of the Massachusetts 
 Historical Society. 
 
 The Report speaks of the hopeless state of Hamilton Oneida 
 Academy, of which I have so often written heretofore. The 
 
100 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1802 
 
 event has disproved the predictions of some of the Regents of 
 the University of New York, who are often cited as represent- 
 ing that there is no prospect of its progressing. 
 
 This Institution, from its origin, has been opposed by the 
 ignorance, prejudice, selfishness, and envy of certain persons 
 in the state of New York, tho' it is presumed that few Institu- 
 tions of the kind have been estabhshed upon more Uberal and 
 humane principles; and from its local circumstances, few are 
 better situated to be the means of diffusing useful knowledge 
 and promoting good order and government. To give its his- 
 tory, the difficulties and opposition it has had to encounter, 
 the many discouragements it has surmounted, would be too 
 long for a place here, were I furnished with the necessary 
 documents. This I hope will be given in the course of the 
 ensuing years by an abler and less injured hand. It has been 
 thought an object worthy of attention, even in its infant state, 
 and has been visited by many gentlemen, among whom are 
 the Revd Presidents of Yale College and that at Williamstown. 
 Suffice it to say that the incumbrances under which it was laid 
 have been in a great measure taken off, and the building partly 
 finished in a neat, workmanlike manner. It is furnished with 
 upwards of fifty Scholars, and two learned and respectable 
 Instructors. But one Indian boy is in the School ; many have 
 applied, and repeatedly, but the provision for their support 
 which was calculated upon has not been made. A few hundred 
 dollars annually for the support of some Indian boys is all 
 that is wanting to make it answer every purpose with respect 
 to the Indians that either I or anybody else ever proposed. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of March 26, 1802. 
 
 . . . The Regents of the University respectfully make 
 
 the following as their annual Report to the Legislature. . . . 
 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy. The principal Branches of 
 
1803] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 101 
 
 Education taught in this Academy are, the Latin and Greek 
 Languages — Arithmetic, Geography, Enghsh Grammar & 
 Surveying — It consists of fifty Scholars — there are two 
 Preceptors — A commodious House is now building near the 
 Academy for boarding of Scholars, which will be a means of 
 increasing their numbers ; and there is no doubt considering 
 the local situation of this Academy and the reputation of its 
 Instructors, but that it will soon become very respectable. . . . 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Statement of the 
 monies heretofore paid to the different Colleges & Academies 
 of this State and an estimate of what further sums ought to 
 be distributed. Report 
 
 That the Book herewith presented contains a Statement of 
 the monies that have from time to time been paid to the different 
 Colleges & Academies in this State, and that in the opinion 
 of the Committee there ought to be a further distribution of 
 the following Sums to the Academies hereafter mentioned to 
 be applied for the purchase of Books & Apparatus To wit 
 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy $ioo 
 
 North Salem Academy lOO 
 
 Dutchess County Academy lOO 
 
 and that the Trustees of said Academies account to the Board 
 for the Expenditure of the Sums so to be granted to them 
 respectively. . . . 
 
 Joseph Willard to Samuel Kirkland, 
 
 Cambridge October 20, 1803. 
 Revd Sir, 
 
 The Corporation of Harvard College have made you a grant 
 of one hundred dollars, out of Indian monies in the Treasury, 
 which they think is all they can do for you, at present. This 
 sum, together with an equal one, which the Society for propa- 
 gating the Gospel have voted you, will give you some relief 
 under your difficulties, for which I heartily rejoice. The 
 Corporation have also voted to support Isaac Solegwaston one 
 
102 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1805 
 
 quarter at the Hamilton Oneida Academy. When the bill is 
 transmitted to them, at the end of the quarter, they expect that 
 it contain the several particular charges. They will also expect 
 a Certificate from the Preceptor, respecting Isaac's particular 
 studies and pursuits at the Academy, the progress made by 
 him, and his behaviour and moral character. Should the 
 prospect concerning him be very promising, and our Indian 
 funds be sufficient, I think it probable that we may afford him 
 some farther assistance in his education. However, I should 
 advise you to look out for assistance from other quarters, as 
 I can promise you nothing absolutely. 
 
 I rejoice, Sir, at the full recovery of your health, and your 
 renewed zeal in pursuing the objects of your mission. May 
 the great Head of the Church animate and support you in 
 the prosecution of your arduous and difficult work! And 
 may he grant you success among the poor Aborigines, to whom 
 you minister, adequate to your desires and the desires of all 
 who wish well to the cause of Zion. 
 
 A line from you, when you shall have opportunity to write 
 to me, will be very acceptable. 
 
 I am, Revd Sir, your sincere friend and humble Servant 
 
 Joseph Willard. 
 Revd Samuel Kirkland. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of March 25, 1805. 
 
 To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York 
 — The Regents of the University of the State of New York 
 respectfully Report — . . . 
 
 The Regents have required annual Returns from the differ- 
 ent Academies according to a prescribed form — 
 This has enabled them to exhibit a general return which at one 
 view shows the state of all the academies that have complied 
 with the regulations. That for the last year is annexed as 
 
1808] 
 
 OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 
 
 103 
 
 part of this Report. From the representations that have been 
 received it appears that most of the academies suffer for the 
 want of pecuniary aid beyond what is in the power of the 
 Regents to afford — 
 
 Return of Academies in the State of New York 1804. 
 
 Studies 
 
 Reading & Writing 
 
 Eng. Grammar, Cyphering etc. 
 Mathem Book Keeping etc.. 
 
 Dead Languages 
 
 Logic, Rhetoric, Composition 
 
 etc 
 
 Moral Philosophy etc 
 
 French Language 
 
 Natural Philosophy 
 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy. 
 
 Funds. 
 
 Academy Lot and House • • $3500 
 
 26 Other Real Estate 900 
 
 6 Personal Estate 240 
 
 30 Library and Apparatus 462 
 
 Annual Income 
 
 2 From the Funds 48 
 
 From Tuition 494 
 
 Total number of students. . . . 
 Price of Tuition per annum.. 
 
 64 
 
 $12 
 
 Teachers Salaries per annum. 604 
 Average Price of board per 
 annum 65 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of April 4, 1808. 
 To the Honorable the Legislature. 
 The Regents of the University of the State of New York 
 Respectfully report, . . . 
 
 Return of Academies in the State of New York for 1807 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy. 
 
 Funds 
 
 Academy House & Lot $350o 
 
 Other Real Estate 1200 
 
 Personal Estate 250 
 
 Library & Apparatus 350 
 
 Studies 
 
 
 Reading & Writing 
 
 10 
 
 English Gramr. & Arithmc. 
 
 84 
 
 Maths. Book Keepg. Geogy. . 
 
 28 
 
 Dead Languages 
 
 34 
 
 Logic, Rhetoric, Compn. &c.. 
 
 13 
 
 Moral Philosophy 
 
 
 Natural Philosophy 
 
 
 French Language 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Total number of students.... 
 
 121 
 
 Price of Tuition per an.. $8 
 
 to $12 
 
 Annual Income 
 
 From the Funds 95 
 
 From Tuition 530 
 
 Teachers' Salaries 547 
 
 Average price of Board per 
 
 annum 78 
 
104 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1811 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of February 26, 1810. 
 
 . . . A Petition from the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida 
 Academy praying a Charter for a College was received read 
 and considered. The board thereupon resolved that it is in- 
 expedient to grant the prayer of the said Petition. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of March 29, 18 10. 
 
 The Regents met pursuant to adjournment. . . . 
 
 The Committee appointed to distribute the sum of twenty 
 two hundred Dollars among the several academies of the State 
 reported as follows — viz — ... 
 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy $150 
 
 Resolved that the same be approved of, and that the Treas- 
 urer pay the aforesd. sums to the several Academies accordly. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of March 4, 181 1. 
 
 . . . A petition from the Trustees of Hamilton Academy 
 and another from the Trustees of Kingston Academy — Pray- 
 ing Charters investing the said Academies with the Privileges 
 of Colleges were severally read and referred to Mr Kent Mr 
 DeWitt and Mr Clinton. . . . 
 
18111 OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 105 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of March ii, 1811. 
 
 The Committee to whom were referred the petition of the 
 Trustees of Kingston Academy and the petition of the Trus- 
 tees of Hamilton Oneida Academy praying that the Regents 
 would erect those Academys into Colleges Reported 
 
 That under the Provisions in the Act instituting the Univer- 
 sity no academy ought to be erected into a College until the 
 state of Literature therein is so far advanced and its funds so 
 far enlarged as to render it probable that it will attain the Ends 
 and support the Character of a College in which all the liberal 
 arts and sciences are to be cherished and taught. 
 
 That in the opinion of the Committee no College ought to 
 be established until suitable buildings have been provided and 
 a fund created consisting of a Capital of at least $50,000 yield- 
 ing an annual Income of $3,500. The Academies in question 
 furnish no Evidence of any such requisite means and their 
 petitions ought not to be granted. 
 
 The Committee however have bestowed some Consideration 
 upon the Propriety of instituting one or more Colleges within 
 this State upon the supposition that the requisite funds might 
 be procured. 
 
 The literary character of the State is deeply interested in 
 maintaining the reputation of its Seminaries of learning, and 
 to multiply Colleges without adequate means to enable them to 
 vie with other similar institutions, in the United States, would 
 be to degrade their character and to be giving only another 
 name to an ordinary academy. The establishment of a College 
 is also imposing upon the Government the necessity of bestow- 
 ing upon it a very liberal and expensive Patronage and with- 
 out that patronage it would languish and not maintain a due 
 reputation for usefulness and universal learning. The Com- 
 mittee are therefore of opinion that Colleges are to be cau- 
 
106 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 tiously erected, and only when they are called for by strong 
 public expediency. 
 
 They are of opinion however that considering the great 
 extent and population of this State an addition may be pru- 
 dently made to the two Colleges already existing provided 
 the proper means shall have been previously ascertained and 
 procured. 
 
 The Committee think it would be advisable to establish a 
 College within the Western District in some proper situation 
 to be determined on by the Regents and that the situation to 
 be selected be one that would best and permanently accommo- 
 date the Inhabitants of that district having a due regard not 
 only to its present but to its future increase. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of March 5, 1812. 
 . . . The Petition from the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida 
 Academy praying that the said academy may be invested with 
 collegiate powers and priviledges and the Petition from the 
 Trustees of Fairfield academy praying for like powers and 
 priviledges which were read at a former meeting and post- 
 poned for further consideration, were referred to Mr Kent 
 Mr Van Vechten and Mr Southwick ; ordered that the applica- 
 tion for the Incorporation of academies, which are received 
 and which may be received during the present session of the 
 Board, be referred to Mr Dewitt, Mr Smith, and Mr Jenkins. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of March 10, 1812. 
 
 The committee to whom were referred the application for 
 a college in Oneida county and that Hamilton Oneida academy 
 be erected into a college — Reported — 
 
 That in their opinion the Prayer of the applicants ought to 
 be granted. 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 107 
 
 The report being considered, The Regents adopted the fol- 
 lowing resolution. 
 
 Resolved that the chanceller of the University be autherized 
 to issue a charter establishing the said college by the name of 
 " Hamilton College " whenever it shall appear satisfactorily 
 to him that funds are procured for the said Institution which 
 with those already provided shall amount to fifty thousand 
 dollars. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of May 22, 1812. 
 
 The following reports from the colleges and academies were 
 received to wit — ... 
 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy. . . . 
 
 His Excellency the Chanceller reported to the Board a 
 schedule of subscription for the contemplated college at Paris 
 in Oneida County which being considered by the Board a satis- 
 factory compliance with the resolution heretofore passed on 
 that subject and Mr Chief Justice Kent having reported the 
 Draft of a charter for the said college. 
 
 Resolved that a charter issue accordingly. 
 
 Charter of Hamilton College 
 
 By the Regents of the University 
 of the State of New York. 
 Whereas the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy, in con- 
 junction with many of the citizens of the Western District of 
 this State, have, by their petition, made known to us, that 
 they, the said applicants, were minded to found a college, by 
 engrafting the same on the said Academy, at or near the scite 
 of said Academy, in the Town of Paris, in the county of 
 Oneida, and having signified to us, that the name thereof shall 
 be " Hamilton College," and have proposed to us the twenty 
 
108 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 four persons, hereafter named, for the first Trustees of the 
 said College; and whereas it satisfactorily appears, that funds 
 are procured and provided, towards the support of said College, 
 to the amount of fifty thousand dollars, and we having ap- 
 proved thereof, and it appearing to us, that the funds intended 
 by the said applicants, for the use of the said College, are as 
 duly and sufficiently secured and vested for that purpose as is 
 requisite, and that the founding of the said College can not 
 be farther completed, before the said Trustees are incor- 
 porated : 
 
 Therefore, in virtue of the power in us vested by law, we 
 have granted and declared, and by these presents do grant and 
 declare, that a College, for the instruction and education of 
 youth, in the learned languages and liberal arts and sciences, 
 shall be and hereby is founded and established, in the said 
 Town; that the Trustees of the said College shall always be 
 twenty four in number ; and that Henry Pluntington, George 
 Brayton, Morris S. Miller, Nathan Williams, James S. Kip, 
 James Carnahan, Jedediah Sanger, Joseph Kirkland, John H. 
 Lothrop, Thomas R. Gold, Jonas Piatt, James Eells, Asahel S. 
 Norton, Ephraim Hart, William Hotchkiss, Joel Bristol, Henry 
 McNiel, Peter Smith, Dirick Lansing, Jasper Hopper, Obadiah 
 German, Arunah Metcalf, Simeon Ford, and Walter Fish, 
 sliall be the present Trustees; and that the said Trustees and 
 their successors shall be a body corporate and politic, by the 
 name of " The Trustees of Hamilton College," and shall have 
 perpetual succession and shall be capable to sue and be sued, 
 and to purchase, take, hold, enjoy, and have lands, messuages, 
 tenements, hereditaments, and real estate whatsoever, in fee 
 simple, or for term of life, or lives, or years, or in any other 
 manner howsoever; and also goods, chattels, books, monies, 
 annuities, and all other things of what nature or kind soever, 
 provided, always, the clear yearly value of such real estate do 
 not exceed the sum of thirteen thousand three hundred and 
 thirty three dollars and one third of a dollar lawful money 
 of the United States; and also to appoint a President and 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 109 
 
 Professors and Tutors to have immediate care of the educa- 
 tion and go\ernment of the Students, who shall be sent to and 
 admitted into the said College for instruction and education, 
 according to such ordinances, rules, and orders, as shall be 
 made by the said Trustees ; and also to appoint a Treasurer 
 and Clerk, and all other needful officers and ministers, and 
 assign to them their respective business and duties; and also, 
 from time to time to make such ordinances, rules, and orders 
 for the management and disposition of the lands and other real 
 estate, and of the chattels and monies and other property at 
 any time held or possessed by them, the said Trustees, for 
 the use of the said College : and for the more orderly and con- 
 veniently performing and executing the trusts and authorities 
 hereby granted and committed to them, as they, the said 
 Trustees shall deem most fit and beneficial; and also all such 
 ordinances, rules, and orders, directing and appointing what 
 books shall be publicly read and taught in the said College, 
 and for the better government of the said College, and of the 
 President, Professors, Tutors, and Students thereof, as they, 
 the said Trustees, think best for the general good of the same ; 
 provided that no ordinance, rule, or order, to be made by the 
 said Trustees, nor shall the appointment of a President, or of 
 any professor, or tutor, in the said College, nor of a treasurer 
 or clerk, or any other officer or minister, have any force or 
 validity, unless the same shall be agreed to by the major part 
 of any thirteen or more of them, the said Trustees, convened 
 and met together ; and provided farther that no such ordinance, 
 rule, or order, shall be repugnant to the Laws of this State, 
 or the Laws of the United States; neither shall any of them 
 extend to exclude any person of any religious denomination 
 whatsoever from equal liberty and advantage of education, or 
 from any of the degrees, liberties, privileges, benefits, or im- 
 munities of the said College, on account of his particular tenets 
 in religion; and provided also that every such ordinance, rule, 
 or order, whereby the punishment of expulsion, suspension, deg- 
 radation, or public confession shall be inflicted on any student. 
 
110 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 shall be put in execution only by such major part of any thir- 
 teen or more of the said Trustees ; that the President of the said 
 College shall hold his office for and during his good behaviour; 
 but that all professors and tutors, and every treasurer and clerk, 
 and all other officers and ministers, shall hold their respective 
 offices, at the will and pleasure of the said Trustees ; that there 
 shall be two meetings of the said Trustees in the said Town 
 in every year, on such days, and at such place, as the said 
 Trustees shall by ordinances to be by them from time to time 
 made in that behalf, appoint, to be denominated stated meet- 
 ings ; and until the said Trustees shall have made an ordi- 
 nance, appointing the days and place of such stated meetings, 
 the same shall be held on the last Tuesday in May and on the 
 last Tuesday in September, and in the building hitherto called 
 the Academy; 
 
 That when any special meeting of the said Trustees shall 
 be deemed necessary, the Senior Trustee then residing in the 
 said Town, and taking upon himself the exercise of the office, 
 shall, on application for that purpose in writing, under the 
 hands of any five or more of the said Trustees, appoint a 
 time for such special meeting, at some convenient place in the 
 said Town, and cause due notice thereof to be given, by adver- 
 tising the same, in one or more of the publick news-papers, 
 printed in Utica, at least twenty days before such meeting; 
 and at such meeting such senior Trustee, before entering on 
 any business, shall certify such notification to the Trustees 
 then met; that whenever the said Trustees shall be met to- 
 gether at any meeting, the senior Trustee, then present, shall 
 preside at such meeting; that the seniority intended in these 
 two several cases, shall be determined according to the order 
 in which the said Trustees are herein named, and shall be here- 
 after elected; 
 
 That the said Trustees may, by the President of the said 
 College, or any other person by them authorized and ap- 
 pointed, give and grant any such degree and degrees, to all such 
 persons thought by them worthy thereof, as are known to and 
 usually granted by any University or college in Europe; 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 111 
 
 That the said Trustees shall and may have a Common Seal, 
 under which they shall and may pass all grants, diplomas, and 
 all other writings whatsoever requisite or convenient to pass 
 under such seal, and which shall be engraven in such form 
 and with such devices and inscription as shall be agreed upon 
 by the said Trustees, and to alter the same, at their pleasure ; 
 and finally, that the said Trustees and their successors forever 
 shall enjoy all the corporate rights and privileges which we are 
 empowered to grant. 
 
 In Testimony whereof we have caused our common seal to 
 be affixed to these presents the twenty sixth day of May in the 
 thirty sixth of the Independence of the United States, 1812. 
 
 Daniel D. Tompkins 
 
 Chancellor of the University 
 of the State of New York 
 Fran. Bloodgood, Secretary. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of June 4, 1812. 
 
 . . . Resolved that the chanceller be authorized to accept 
 of a surrender of the charter of the Hamilton Oneida Academy 
 on his being satisfied that they have granted and conveyed all 
 their estate Real and Personal to the Trustees of Hamilton 
 College. . . . 
 
 Laws of the State of New York, 1812. 
 
 Chapter 237. 
 
 AN ACT for the Endowment of Hamilton College, and for 
 
 other purposes. 
 
 Passed June 19, 18 12. 
 I. Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York, 
 represented in Senate and Assembly, That the comptroller of 
 this state, as soon as may be after the passing of this act, 
 
112 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 shall, on behalf of this state, assign and transfer unto the 
 trustees of Hamilton college, for the use and benefit of said 
 college, and to their successors in office, bonds and mortgages 
 executed to the people of this state for lands heretofore sold 
 in the late Oneida reservation to the amount of fifty thousand 
 dollars, including principal and interest now due thereon. 
 
 2. And be it further enacted. That upon the payment of the 
 interest due or to grow due on the said bonds and mortgages, 
 at or before the expiration of one year after the same shall 
 have become due, the payment of the principal shall not be 
 demanded until the expiration of ten years from and after 
 the passing of this act. 
 
 3- And be it further enacted, That the charter granted to 
 the college of physicians and surgeons in the city of New York, 
 by the regents of the university, bearing date the fourth day 
 of June instant, ht and the same is hereby ratified and con- 
 firmed, any grant or charter heretofore made by the said 
 regents to the said college to the contrary notwithstanding. 
 
 The Founding of Hamilton College. 
 
 From Some Reminiscences of the Life of Samuel Kirkland LotJirop. p. 26. 
 
 Hamilton College was at this time a matter of great interest 
 to all the best and most substantial people of that part of New 
 York, but especially to the Kirkland and Lothrop families. 
 It had grown out of the Oneida Academy, an institution vir- 
 tually founded some fifteen or twenty years before by my 
 grandfather, who had given it nearly the whole of the lands 
 he had received from the Indians and the State of New York 
 in attestation of his valuable and patriotic services during the 
 War of the Revolution, especially in keeping the Six Nations 
 neutral during that struggle. His great object was to have a 
 school on the borders of civilized and savage life where the 
 youth of both conditions — civilized and savage — could be 
 educated together, and the latter receive especial benefit from 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 113 
 
 intercourse with the former. But the borders would not re- 
 main stationary: civilization constantly encroached; the 
 Indians, though still numerous, became insignificant and un- 
 important amid the rapid increase of the white population; 
 and the wants of the latter seemed to demand that the Academy 
 should be elevated to the rank of a college. A charter for this 
 purpose was granted ; and through the Federal influences — 
 which in the Kirklands, Lothrops, and other good people in 
 Oneida County at that time were strong and potential — it 
 was called Hamilton College, in honor of the great statesman. 
 Considerable funds had been raised, and new buildings were 
 to be erected; and my father, as one of the Trustees, was 
 intrusted with the superintendence of these things, and for a 
 year or two was much at Clinton and on College Hill, as it 
 was called. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 First Meeting, July 14, 18 12. 
 
 In pursuance of the provisions and directions contained in 
 the Charter of the College, & at the request of five of the 
 Trustees named in said Charter, I hereby notify Messrs Henry 
 Huntington, George Brayton, Morris S. Miller, Nathan Wil- 
 liams, James S. Kip, James Carnahan, Jedediah Sanger, Joseph 
 Kirkland, John H. Lothrop, Thomas R. Gold, Jonas Piatt, 
 James Eells, Ephraim Hart, William Hotchkiss, Joel Bristoll, 
 Henry McNeil, Peter Smith, Dirck C. Lansing, Jasper Hopper, 
 Obadiah German, Arunah Metcalf, Simeon Ford, and Walter 
 Fish, the Trustees of the said College, named in said Charter, 
 that a Meeting of the said Trustees will be holden at the house 
 of Abraham W. Sedgwick, innkeeper in the village of Clinton, 
 in the town of Paris, in the county of Oneida, on the 14th 
 day of July next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon 
 
 Asahel S. Norton, 
 
 Senior Trustee, residing in 
 the town of Paris. 
 Dated June 19, 181 2. 
 8 
 
114 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 The above and foregoing notification, was given by me the 
 Subscriber and inserted in the news-paper printed in Utica 
 intitled the " Utica Patriot " on the 23rd day of June 1812, and 
 done on the apphcation of five Trustees named in the Char- 
 ter of Hamilton College; the like notification was inserted in 
 the " Columbian Gazette " printed in Utica. Certified this 
 14th day of July 1812 
 
 Asahel S. Norton, 
 
 Senior Trustee, residing in 
 the town of Paris. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Trustees of Hamilton College, at the 
 house of Abraham W. Sedgwick, innkeeper, in the village of 
 Clinton, in the town of Paris, on the 14th day of July in the 
 year of our Lord 1812, pursuant to the foregoing Notice; the 
 following Members of the board were present, — viz : Henry 
 Huntington, George Brayton, Morris S. Miller, Jedediah 
 Sanger, Joseph Kirkland, John H. Lothrop, Thomas R. Gold, 
 Jonas Piatt, Asahel S. Norton, Ephraim Hart, Joel Bristoll, 
 Henry McNeil, Peter Smith, and Nathan Williams. 
 
 Henry Huntington, being the Senior Trustee, took the chair 
 as President of the said board of Trustees. Nathan Williams 
 was appointed Secretary pro tem. 
 
 On motion of a Member of the board the Charter of the 
 College was read. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Kirkland, Ordered, that a Committee 
 of the members of the board be appointed, to report arrange- 
 ments for carrying the objects of the Charter into execution, 
 and that the President of the board appoint said Committee; 
 on which Jonas Piatt, Thomas R. Gold and Joseph Kirkland 
 were appointed. 
 
 The above Committee reported the following Resolutions, 
 viz. 
 
 Resolved, that Peter Smith, Ephraim Hart, and George 
 Brayton, be a committee to secure the donations, property, and 
 
1812] OF HAMILT ON COLLEGE 115 
 
 funds belonging to this Corporation, with full and ample 
 power and authority to apply to the Comptroller of this State, 
 and receive on behalf of this board an assignment of the Bonds 
 and Mortgages mentioned in the Act of the Legislature of 
 this State, entitled "An Act for the endowment of Hamihon 
 College," passed in June 1812. And also with full power to 
 accept and receive on behalf of this Corporation, a regular 
 conveyance and assignment of all the property and estate real 
 and personal, now belonging to the " Trustees of Hamilton 
 Oneida Academy." And also with full power and authority, 
 to ask for and obtain regular conveyances and securities to this 
 board for all the Land, Monies and other Property whatsoever 
 subscribed by any person or persons towards the funds of 
 " Hamilton College," and it shall be the duty of said Com- 
 mittee to report their proceedings to this board without un- 
 necessary delay. 
 
 Resolved, that j\Ir. Piatt, Mr. Gold, and Mr. Miller, be a 
 Committee on the Presidency, Officers of the College, and any 
 other Officers or Agents necessary to be appointed by the 
 Trustees; which Committee is required to report the proper 
 duties to be attached to each of the said offices respectively, 
 and the salaries or compensation to be made to the said offices. 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Norton, Mr. Kirkland, and Mr. Lothrop, 
 be a Committee to report in relation to the duties of a 
 Treasurer and Clerk and their salaries; also a code of bye- 
 laws and rules for this board, and the device proper for the 
 Common Seal ; also the present state and situation of the build- 
 ings belonging to Hamilton Oneida Academy, and an estimate 
 of the expense of putting the same in repair; Which were 
 adopted by the board. 
 
 Resolved that the Seal of " Hamilton Oneida Academy " 
 be adopted as the Seal of this Corporation, until another is 
 provided. 
 
 Resolved, that the board be adjourned, to meet again on the 
 2 1 St inst. at ten o'clock in the forenoon, at the place of this 
 
116 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 meeting; and that the Secretary notify said meeting to the 
 members of the board not now present. 
 Adjourned. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Second Meeting, July 2ist 1812. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Trustees of Hamilton College, pursu- 
 ant to adjournment, at the house of Abraham W. Sedgwick, 
 innkeeper, in the village of Clinton, in the town of Paris, on 
 the 2 1 St day of July, 18 12, the following Members of the 
 board were present, viz. Henry Huntington, George Bray- 
 ton, Morris S. Miller, James S. Kip, Jedediah Sanger, Joseph 
 Kirkland, John H. Lothrop, Thomas R. Gold, Jonas Piatt, 
 Asahel S. Norton, James Eells, Ephraim Hart, Joel Bristoll, 
 Henry McNeil, Peter Smith, Dirck C. Lansing, Jasper Hop- 
 per, Simeon Ford and Nathan Williams. Henry Huntington, 
 President, Nathan Williams, Secretary pro tem. 
 
 The several committees, appointed at the last meeting, were 
 called on to report. 
 
 Mr. Piatt, Mr. Gold, and Mr. Miller, one of said committees, 
 reported as follows : 
 
 The Committee, to whom was referred the subject of the 
 Presidency and officers of the College, with directions to 
 report as to the duties to be assigned to each of them and the 
 compensation to be allowed to them respectively. Report : 
 
 That the powers and duties to be assigned to the head of the 
 College, and the salary proper to be allowed to him, will 
 depend in a great degree on a previous question, to be decided 
 by the Trustees ; viz. Whether the President alone shall per- 
 form the higher duties of the Institution, or whether he shall 
 be aided by a Provost or Vice-President of distinguished lit- 
 erary attainments, who shall perform the principal labors of 
 instruction and discipline? 
 
 If the Trustees prefer the former mode; then the committee 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 117 
 
 are of opinion, that a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per 
 year, payable quarterly, together with the use of a convenient 
 dwelling house, garden and out houses, should be allowed to 
 the President. 
 
 If the Trustees prefer the latter mode of organization; then 
 the committee recommend, that a salary of seven hundred and 
 fifty dollars per year payable quarterly be allowed to the Presi- 
 dent ; and that a salary of fourteen hundred dollars per annum, 
 payable quarterly, together with the use of a convenient dwell- 
 ing house, garden and out houses, be allowed to the Provost 
 or Vice President. 
 
 The committee further recommend, that the following Pro- 
 fessors be immediately appointed for Hamilton College, viz. 
 a Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy; a Professor of 
 Surgery and Anatomy ; a Professor of the Institutes of Medi- 
 cine ; and a Professor of Obstetrics : And that a Committee 
 be appointed to confer with the Persons who shall be appointed 
 to the said Professorships, in regard to the Chemical and Surgi- 
 cal Apparatus, the necessary apartments for their accomoda- 
 tion, the compensation for their services, and all other matters 
 in relation to their Professorships respectively. 
 
 The Committee further recommend, that the appointment of 
 Tutors, and the regulation of their respective duties and com- 
 pensation, be postponed until the next meeting of this board. 
 
 Messrs. Norton, Kirkland, & Lothrop, another of the said 
 committees, reported as follows : 
 
 To the Board of Trustees of Hamilton College : 
 
 The undersigned, a committee appointed by a resolution of 
 the Board passed the 14th instant, on the several subjects there 
 expressed report as follows : 
 
 On the subject of the Bye-laws, necessary for the regula- 
 tion of the board, the Committee have deemed it necessary 
 for the present to submit for the adoption of the board only 
 the following, viz. 
 
 I. All the appointments, both of the Officers of the Col- 
 
118 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 lege and in filling the vacancies that may happen in this Board, 
 shall be made by ballot. 
 
 II. All committees shall be named and appointed by the 
 presiding officer of the Board. 
 
 III. Whenever any member shall propose a resolution for 
 the adoption of the Board, the same shall be presented in 
 writing. 
 
 IV. The members of this Board shall be allowed nothing 
 for their ordinary services; but their expences in coming to, 
 attending on, and returning from the meetings of the Board 
 shall be paid by the Treasurer. 
 
 V. The Reports of all committees of the Board shall be 
 made in writing. 
 
 On that part of the Resolution, relating to a Common Seal 
 for the Corporation, the following devices are submitted for 
 the selection of the Board: i^t The emblematical figure of 
 Wisdom or Science, Minerva, leading her votary up an emi- 
 nence and pointing to the temple of Fame situated on the 
 Height; Motto, Scientiae et Virtiites, Praemium Splendidum; 
 in the margin of the Seal the words Collegii Hamiltonensis 
 Sigillum, Fundatum MDCCCXII. 2"^ The same figure crown- 
 ing one of her sons in the vestibule of the temple of Fame 
 with her appropriate wreath, the words Lux et Veritas entwined 
 in the wreath; same Motto, same Margin. 3i'd An appro- 
 priate figure raising a veil from the vision of a nonciate, with 
 the finger of her right hand resting on the book of Knowl- 
 edge open, and pointing to the words Lux et Veritas writ- 
 ten therein; Motto in Greek characters 'I'viuet l£ai>Ti>v\ same 
 Margin. 4th Or the figure of a celestial being, raising a veil 
 in the same manner, pointing to the words "l\wdt Isaurcr/' 
 written in Greek characters in the open Book of Knowledge ; 
 Motto, " Lege, Prodesse, et Conspici; " same Margin ; Seal to 
 he 2}i inches in diameter. . . . 
 
 On the subject of repairs immediately necessary to render 
 the Academy commodious and convenient for students the 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 119 
 
 committee further report : that after having reviewed the 
 premises and taken the estimates of the proper mechanics on 
 the subject, they are of opinion that the upper arched room 
 at the South end of the building be finished — that two addi- 
 tional stacks of chimnies be built — that all the rooms undergo 
 a thorough repair, and that the same together with the Halls 
 and Staircases be painted and whitewashed; that the under- 
 pinning be repaired : that the staircases be removed and placed 
 in the Halls running crosswise of the building, and the other 
 halls be converted into closets or bed rooms to accomodate 
 the rooms ; that two of the rooms be converted into one, to 
 accomodate a professor of chemistry, if necessary; and that 
 the whole expence to be incurred will probably amount to the 
 sum of five hundred and seventy-five dollars. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Piatt, Resolved, that Mr. Bristoll and 
 Mr. Hart be a committee to examine whether any and what 
 Lands, if any, are necessary for the accomodation of the Col- 
 lege, with power to treat for and obtain the refusal of any 
 lands which they may deem useful to the institution, & make 
 report thereof to this Board. 
 
 The Board then adjourned until 8 o'clock A. M. on 
 Wednesday. 
 
 Wednesday morning July 22nd 18 12, the Board met pur- 
 suant to adjournment. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Gold: Resolved, that Mr. Gold, Mr. 
 Piatt, and Mr. Miller be a committee to procure a Seal for the 
 Corporation, with the following devise and motto: The 
 emblematical figure of a Celestial Being or angel, raising a 
 veil from the vision of a pupil or novitiate, with the left hand, 
 and the finger of the right hand resting on the book of 
 Knowledge open, and pointing to the words " Lux et Veritas," 
 written therein; Motto, "rmidi lEArWN"; in the margin 
 " Collegii Hamiltonensis Sigilliim, Fundatum MDCCCXII." 
 The size to be the diameter of two and a half inches; and 
 authority is given said committee to make any unessential 
 alteration in the same device. 
 
120 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 On the motion of Mr. Gold, Resolved, that Mr. Smith and 
 Mr. Brayton be a committee to procure a College bell, of a 
 proper size, and not exceeding in weight two hundred pounds. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Piatt, Resolved, that Mr. Bristoll, Mr. 
 McNeil, and Mr. Hart, be a committee to carry into effect the 
 alterations and repairs in the buildings, according to the report 
 of the committee thereon, and this board will provide for the 
 expense thereof. And that said committee be authorized to 
 make such alterations and additional repairs as they may deem 
 necessary, provided the expence of such alterations and addi- 
 tions shall not exceed the sum of two hundred dollars. . . . 
 
 On motion of Mr. Kirkland, Resolved, that the board pro- 
 ceed to the election of a President of the College — which was 
 done accordingly; and on counting the votes it appeared that 
 the Rev. Caleb Alexander was unanimously elected President 
 of said College. 
 
 A committee was then appointed to inform Mr. Alexander 
 of his election. 
 
 Said committee then reported that said information had 
 been communicated to him, and in reply the Rev. Mr. Alex- 
 ander presented to them the following letter of resignation, 
 which was ordered to be read, viz. 
 
 " Paris, July 22^^ 1812. 
 Gentlemen — having received by your committee, your Reso- 
 lution of this date, informing me that you have unanimously 
 appointed me President of Hamilton College, I do hereby 
 express to you my sincere thanks for the honor bestowed on 
 me. After maturely considering the subject, and reflecting 
 on my own situation, as also that of my family, I believe it 
 my duty under existing circumstances to decline accepting the 
 appointment. Allow me to say that I am your affectionate 
 friend and humble servant 
 
 C. Alexander." 
 To the Trustees of Hamilton College. 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 121 
 
 On motion of Mr. Gold, Resolved, that whereas the Rev. 
 Caleb Alexander was this day appointed President of Hamil- 
 ton College, and did thereupon decline accepting the said office, 
 and this Board conceiveing themselves justly indebted to said 
 Alexander for his great and zealous exertions in procuring 
 the Qiarter and funds of the College: to the end therefore 
 that due compensation may be made to him in the premises ; 
 Resolved, that the Treasurer of the Board be directed to pay 
 to the said Caleb Alexander the sum of one thousand five 
 hundred dollars as soon as the same shall be received into the 
 Treasury and within the period of six months, with interest 
 from this date, and the further sum of five thousand dollars 
 in five equal annual installments, to be computed from this 
 day, with annual interest on the same, and that the senior 
 Trustee and Clerk, on behalf of this Board, execute to the 
 said Caleb Alexander a bond or obligation accordingly under 
 the seal of the Corporation. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Gold, Resolved, that Mr. Norton, Mr. 
 Bristoll, and Mr. Hotchkiss be a Committee to take charge of 
 and superintend the School now kept in Hamilton Oneida 
 Academy, on the relinquishment thereof to the Trustees of 
 Hamilton College, until the further order of this Board. 
 
 The Rev. Caleb Alexander having declined to accept the 
 Presidency, as above; 
 
 On motion of Mr. Williams, Resolved, that the Board pro- 
 ceed to the election of another person to fill that office; which 
 having been done accordingly, it appeared on counting the 
 ballots that the Rev. Samuel Miller, D.D., was elected the 
 President of said College. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Ford, Resolved, that Mr. Gold, Mr. Piatt, 
 and Mr. Miller be a Committee to communicate to the Rev. 
 Doctor Samuel Miller his appointment to the Presidency of 
 Hamilton College, and to request his answer as to his accept- 
 ance of the appointment. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Piatt, Resolved, that the Board proceed 
 to the election of Professors of Chemistry and Mineralogy 
 
122 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 and of Obstetrics, which was done accordingly. And Doctor 
 Josiah Noyes was elected Professor of Chemistry and 
 Mineralogy ; and Doctor W^estel Willoughby Professor of 
 Obstetrics. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Piatt. Resolved, that Mr. Norton. Mr. 
 Bristoll, and Mr. McNeil be a Committee to confer with Dr. 
 Josiah Noyes and Doctor Westel Willoughby in regard to the 
 Chemical Apparatus, the necessary apartments for their 
 accomodation, the compensation for their services, and all 
 ■other matters in relation to their Professorships respectively. 
 
 The Board then adjourned to meet again on the twenty- 
 fifth day of August next, at ten o'clock A. M., at the same 
 place. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Third Meeting. August 25, 1812. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees of Hamilton College, pursu- 
 ant to adjournment, at the house of Abraham W. Sedgwick, 
 in the village of Clinton, town of Paris, on the 25th day of 
 August, 18 1 2, the following members of the Board were 
 present, viz : Morris S. Miller, James S. Kip, Jedidiah Sanger, 
 Joseph Kirkland, Thomas R. Gold, Jonas Piatt, Asahel S. 
 Norton, James Eells, Ephraim Hart, Joel Bristoll, Henry 
 McNeil, Peter Smith, Dirck C. Lansing, and Nathan Williams. 
 Morris S. Miller, President; Nathan Williams, Secretary pro 
 tem. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Gold, Resolved, that the Committee 
 appointed to communicate to the Rev^ Df Miller his election 
 to the Presidency of the College, Report that they have per- 
 formed that duty, and have received for answer that he 
 declines the honor of the office. Therefore, on motion, 
 
 Resolved, that this Board proceed to the election of another 
 person to fill that office; which being done accordingly, it 
 appeared on counting the ballots that William Johnson, 
 Esquire, was elected the President of Hamilton College. 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 123 
 
 On motion, Resolved, that Mr. Piatt, Mr. Gold, and Mr. 
 Williams be a committee to communicate to the President 
 elect his appointment, and to request his answer as to his 
 acceptance of the same. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, that the Board proceed to the election 
 of a Professor of Theology, which was done accordingly, and 
 on counting the ballots it appeared that the Rev. Asahel S. 
 Norton was elected to that office. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Gold, Resolved, that the salary of the 
 President of the College be eighteen hundred dollars, together 
 with the use of a house, garden, and out houses. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Gold, Resolved, that the Grammar School 
 of the late Hamilton Oneida Academy be continued by the 
 Trustees of the College. 
 
 Resolved, that the College be opened for the reception of 
 Students in the ensuing Autumn, and that Mr. Norton, Mr. 
 Eells, and Mr. Lothrop be a Committee to provide for open- 
 ing and organizing the College and continuing the Grammar 
 School; and also, in conjunction with Professors of the Col- 
 lege, to examine and admit Students into a Class in the College 
 for which they may be found competent. 
 
 Resolved, that the above Committee notify the Public of 
 the intention of the Board to open the College for the recep- 
 tion of Students the ensuing Autumn. 
 
 On motion. Resolved, that the Board proceed to the elec- 
 tion of a Professor of the Learned Languages, which was 
 done. On counting the ballots, it was found that Mr. Seth 
 Norton was elected to that office. 
 
 On motion. Resolved, that the salary of the Professor of 
 Languages be seven hundred and fifty dollars, and that he 
 perform the duties of a Tutor of the College until the further 
 orders of this Board. 
 
 The Committee appointed to the property and funds of the 
 College, by Mr. Smith, their Chairman, made the following 
 report of their proceedings to the Board, which was on motion 
 
124 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 accepted: viz. The Committee ai)pointed on the 14th of July 
 last, of which Peter Smith is Chairman, Report in part, That 
 two of its members have waited on the Comptroller of the 
 State and have obtained from him assignments to the Trus- 
 tees, pursuant to an Act entitled "An Act for the endowment 
 of Hamilton College and for other purposes passed 19th of 
 June 1812," of seventy-six several Mortgages upon lands in 
 the late Oneida Reservation, on which IVIortgages agreeable 
 to the Schedule herewith is due of Principal $37658.70, and of 
 interest calculated up to the said 19th of June, 18 12, $12346.83, 
 making in the whole $50005.53, which is $5.53 more than the 
 Trustees were entitled to receive by the aforesaid Act, which 
 overplus of $5.53 your Committee have transmitted to the treas- 
 ury of the State. The Mortgages, with an assignment upon 
 each, your Committee now delivers up to the Board. 
 
 Your Committee suggest that it would be advisable for the 
 Treasurer of this Board to obtain from the Comptroller's 
 office a particular statement of the payments heretofore made 
 on each Mortgage ; then by comparing the payments with the 
 provisions in the several statutes in relation to " Reservation 
 Mortgages " he will the more readily ascertain if any and on 
 which interest is now due and collectable, and when the residue 
 will be collectable. 
 
 Your Committee, in furtherance of their duties, have 
 appointed John Kirkland, Esquire, their Agent to receive from 
 the respective donors to the College monies and other effects, 
 as well as titles to the lands subscribed, and that he is making 
 progress in the premises. 
 
 Resolved, that the Treasurer of the Board be instructed to 
 procure from the Comptroller of the State the information 
 mentioned in the report of Mr. Smith this day. 
 
 The Committee on the Chemical Apparatus, by Mr. Norton, 
 their Chairman, made a Report accompanied with documents, 
 which on motion were accepted and filed. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Norton, Resolved, that the Committee 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 125 
 
 heretofore appointed to confer with Doctor Noyes in regard 
 to Chemical Apparatus be authorized to purchase the apparatus 
 belonging to him and mentioned in the catalogue filed with 
 the above Report by said Committee, and that the sum of two 
 hundred and twenty dollars and twenty-eight cents be and the 
 same is hereby appropriated for that purpose. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, that seven hundred and fifty dollars 
 be the salary of the Professor of Chymestry, and that it com- 
 mence from the 25th day of August and continue until the 
 further order of this Board ; and that he be requested to per- 
 form the duties of a Tutor until the further order of this 
 Board. 
 
 On motion. Resolved, that the Committee appointed for the 
 organization of the College report to this Board what buildings 
 it may be necessary to erect the next season, and also to ascer- 
 tain if a suitable dwelling house can be obtained for the use 
 of the President this winter. 
 
 On motion. Resolved, that the Committee for repairing the 
 College Buildings be authorized to contract for the occupation 
 of the Boarding house and the price of board for the ensuing 
 year. 
 
 On motion. Resolved, that the Treasurer be authorized to 
 make a rebate or discount at the rate of ten per cent per annum 
 to such of the Subscribers to the College as may anticipate 
 their payments, in case their subscriptions are for money not 
 on interest. 
 
 Resolved, that the Stated Meeting of this Board on the last 
 Tuesday in September next shall be held at the house of Abra- 
 ham W. Sedgwick, in the village of Clinton, at ten o'clock 
 A. M. 
 
 Adjourned accordingly. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Fourth Meeting, September 28, 181 2. 
 
 At a stated meeting of the Trustees of Hamilton College on 
 the last Tuesday of September, 18 12, at the dwelling house 
 
126 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 of Abraham W. Secl<^wick in the villa|^e of Clinton, pursuant 
 to Charter and the adjournment of the board at their last meet- 
 ing, the following members of the board were present, viz. : 
 Henry Huntington, Joseph Kirkland, Thomas R. Gold, Jonas 
 Piatt, Asahel S. Norton, James Eells, Ephraim Hart, Joel 
 Bristoll, Henry McNeil, George Brayton, Nathan Williams, 
 John H. Lothrop, and Jedediah Sanger. 
 
 Henry Huntington, president; Nathan Williams, Secretary 
 pro tern. 
 
 Mr. Norton, chairman of the committee for the organization 
 of the College, reported as follows : 
 
 The undersigned, committee appointed to provide for the 
 opening and organization of the College, and for other pur- 
 poses, take leave to report : That in pursuance of the duty 
 assigned to them they have provided for the opening of the 
 College on Thursday, the 22d day of October next ; and should 
 a sufficient number of students offer themselves and be found 
 qualified for admission, that the four usual Classes will then 
 be organized and admitted for instruction. That examina- 
 tions for admission to the several classes are appointed to be 
 holden by the professors and committee elected for that pur- 
 pose on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday preceding the 
 said 22d day of October. That the third Thursday in Septem- 
 ber has been designated as a suitable day for the annual cele- 
 bration of Commencement. And that they have agreed that 
 the College year be divided into three terms of study and 
 three vacations ; that one vacation take place immediately after 
 Commencement and continue for four weeks; at the expira- 
 tion of which a term of thirteen weeks commences, to be suc- 
 ceeded by a vacation in the Winter of six weeks ; then another 
 term of thirteen weeks, to be followed by a vacation of three 
 weeks ; and then a term of thirteen weeks to end on the day of 
 Commencement. 
 
 To entitle the Student to admission into the Freshman 
 Class, the committee have made it requisite that he shall be 
 able to read, construe, and parse Virgil's Aeneid, Cicero's 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 127 
 
 Select Orations, and the Greek Testament, and that he shall 
 have learned English Grammar and Vulgar Arithmetic; but 
 that less attention will be paid to the quantity read, than to the 
 manner in which it has been read; and whether the Student 
 shall have read less of the books prescribed or other books in 
 the Latin and Greek languages will not be considered material, 
 if he understands those languages sufficiently to go on with 
 his class. For admission to the three higher Classes the com- 
 mittee have directed that the Student shall generally be exam- 
 ined in those studies in which Students are usually examined 
 for admission to the same Classes in Colleges of the first stand- 
 ing in the United States; and that each Student, at the time 
 that he offers himself for examination, present satisfactory 
 testimonials of having sustained a good moral character. 
 
 That all Students be roomed in the College, to be located 
 by the officers of the College, and that for the present not 
 more than three Students be appointed to one room. That 
 each Student furnish his own bed, furniture, fire-wood, and 
 candles, and be responsible for his equal proportion of all 
 damages done to his room (the natural and necessary wear 
 thereof excepted) during his residence in the same, to be 
 adjudged by an inspector appointed for that purpose ; that he 
 pay at the commencement of every quarter the sum of six 
 dollars for his tuition; and that he submit to such regulations 
 in regard to the Commons, when established, as the Trustees 
 shall direct. 
 
 That the Grammar School be continued under the direction 
 of one of the Tutors of the College hereafter to be appointed, 
 and that pupils be instructed only in the preparatory studies 
 requisite for admission into the Freshman Class of College ; 
 
 And that, to carry the above arrangements into effect, it 
 will be necessary to appoint two additional instructors, either 
 two Tutors, or one Tutor and one Professor to perform for 
 the present the duties of a Tutor. 
 
 The committee further report that they have caused to be 
 published in the two News Papers printed in Utica (with a 
 
128 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 request that publishers of News Papers in the Western Dis- 
 trict and those friendly to the Institution elsewhere would 
 insert the same in their respective papers) a Notification desig- 
 nating the time the College will be open for the reception of 
 Students, the days of examination for the several Classes, and 
 the studies generally in which Students will be examined for 
 admission ; and also of the continuation of the Grammar School 
 lately taught in Hamilton Oneida Academy. 
 
 In pursuance of another part of the duty assigned to them, 
 the committee report : That it will be expedient and necessary 
 during the ensuing year to erect a building, either of stone 
 or brick, of about eighty feet in length, thirty-five in breadth 
 and one and a half story in height as a Common Dining Hall 
 for the use of the College, together with a suitable building 
 of the same material and under the same roof for the accomo- 
 dation of a Steward and his family; and that in the course 
 of the present Autumn a convenient necessary of brick or 
 stone ought to be built for the immediate relief of the Students. 
 As a preliminary step to the erection of such buildings, the 
 committee have taken leave to suggest to the consideration 
 of the Board the propriety of having the lot of ground on 
 which the public buildings are to be placed, regularly surveyed 
 and laid out; a plan of the buildings hereafter to be erected 
 drawn, and the scite and dimensions of each building, together 
 with the materials to be used, designated; with a view to the 
 eventual construction of a pile of buildings that shall unite 
 elegance with convenience. 
 
 The committee further report, that after making the neces- 
 sary enquiry, they could not find a house on or near the Hill, 
 in the neighborhood of the College, suitable for the residence 
 of the President, and that in the village near the meeting house 
 none can be calculated upon with certainty ; but that there is the 
 prospect of obtaining one early in the Spring. 
 
 Which was accepted and adopted by the board. 
 
 On motion. Resolved, that Mr. Piatt, Mr. Lothrop, and 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 129 
 
 Mr. Hart, be a committee to purchase any lands adjoining 
 the College property, which they may deem necessary, upon 
 such terms as they may approve ; and that thereupon they 
 cause the College plot to be surveyed and a Map thereof to 
 be made, designating thereon the scites of the College build- 
 ings, the streets, alleys, and pleasure grounds, with such 
 explanatory notes as to the kind and dimensions of said build- 
 ings and other subjects as they may deem proper; and also 
 that they cause such trees to be planted on said grounds, and 
 such other improvements thereof to be made as they may deem 
 useful. 
 
 Resolved, that the committee who were directed to advertize 
 the opening of the College for the reception of Students, cause 
 such notice to be inserted without delay in the principal News 
 Papers in the Western District, and also in the cities of New 
 York and Albany. 
 
 Resolved, that the Treasurer procure from the Comptroller's 
 office a particular statement of the payments which have been 
 made upon the Mortgages which have been assigned to the 
 Trustees of the College. 
 
 Resolved, that the Clerk of the board furnish the Treasurer 
 with a copy of all resolutions which may be passed relating 
 to the duties of his office. 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Seth Norton make the selection of the 
 Books which have been given to the College. 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Norton, Mr. Lothrop, and Mr. Eells 
 be a committee to consult with Professors Norton and Noyes 
 as to the books proper for the several Classes to study the 
 ensuing Winter; and to procure such additional apparatus as 
 may be immediately necessary for the department of Professor 
 Noyes. 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Hart, Mr. Bristoll, and Mr. McNeil be 
 
 a building committee, and that they be authorized to explore 
 
 the country adjacent to the lands belonging to the Corporation 
 
 on which is contemplated to erect the public buildings, with a 
 
 9 
 
130 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 view of discovering if there be any stone quarries from which 
 it would be expedient to quarry stone for the pubhc build- 
 ings, and if in their opinion such stone in sufficient quantity 
 and of a quality suitable for that purpose be found at any 
 reasonable distance, to make contracts without delay for pro- 
 curing the same for the buildings to be erected during the 
 ensuing year; and further, that they cause a building for a 
 necessary for the College to be erected as soon as the scite 
 thereof shall be designated by the committee appointed for 
 that purpose. 
 
 Resolved, that until a President be appointed who shall take 
 upon himself the duties of his office, the Professors and Tutors 
 of the College have the immediate care and governance of the 
 Students, who shall be required to recite three times in each 
 day, Sundays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays excepted, and upon 
 the two latter days only twice, and that the Clerk give to the 
 Senior Professor a copy of this Resolution. 
 
 The committee appointed to communicate to William John- 
 son, Esquire his appointment as President of the College, and 
 to request his answer etc., Report, that they have made the 
 communication, and have received for answer that he declines 
 the office. Therefore on motion. Resolved that this Board 
 proceed to the election of another person to fill that office. 
 Which being done accordingly, it appeared on counting the 
 ballots that the Rev. Doc^ Azel Backus was elected President 
 of Hamilton College. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, that Mr. Piatt, Mr. Gold, and Mr. 
 Williams be a committee to communicate to the President 
 elected as aforesaid his appointment, and to request his answer 
 as to his acceptance. 
 
 It being suggested by Mr. Piatt that James Carnahan, hav- 
 ing removed from this State, had vacated his seat as one of 
 the Trustees of Hamilton College, Resolved, therefore, that 
 another person be elected in his place. Which being done, it 
 appeared on counting the ballots that the Rev. Samuel F. Snow- 
 den was elected a Trustee. 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 131 
 
 On motion, Resolved, that the Board proceed to elect a Tutor 
 of the College. Which being done, it appeared on counting the 
 ballots that Mr. Joseph Montague was duly elected. Resolved, 
 that he be allowed a salary of four hundred dollars, to be com- 
 puted from this day. 
 
 The Board then adjourned to the 28th of October next, to 
 meet at this place. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Fifth Meeting. November 24th, 1812. 
 
 . . . On motion of Mr. Kirkland, Resolved, that the 
 President of the College be inaugurated on the third day of 
 December next, and that he be requested to deliver on that 
 day an inaugural address in English ; and that Professor Nor- 
 ton be requested to deliver an address in Latin; and that the 
 addresses be accompanied by such other apposite exercises 
 as the committee of arrangements may deem proper ; and that 
 Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Snowden, and Mr. Norton be a committee 
 to make arrangements for the occasion. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that there be erected for the use of the College a 
 Dining Hall, a Kitchen, and necessary outhouses for the Stew- 
 ard, and that the same, except the outhouses, be built of stone, 
 and that the building committee procure the necessary materials 
 and contract for building, and that the buildings be placed upon 
 the ground designated by the committee who were appointed 
 to lay out the grounds of the College, and that John H. Loth- 
 rop be added to said building committee; and that the sum 
 of two thousand five hundred dollars be appropriated to carry 
 into effect this resolution. 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Piatt, Mr. Kirkland, and Mr. Williams 
 be a committee to confer with the President and Professors in 
 relation to a Code of Laws for the Government of the College, 
 and that they prepare and report the same to this board. . . . 
 
132 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Eells, Mr. Norton, and Mr. Snowden 
 be a committee to confer with the President and Officers 
 of the College upon the course of studies to be pursued 
 by the Students of the College ; and that the President and 
 Officers of the College be requested to submit a plan of studies 
 to this Board ; and that until further order of this Board the 
 Students pursue such studies as the f*resident and Officers shall 
 direct. 
 
 Resolved, that the Treasurer take measures to ascertain the 
 value of the Lands given to this Corporation, and that he 
 report the sums due on Bonds, Mortgage, Notes, and Sub- 
 scriptions, when the same are payable, designating such as are 
 on interest, and whether the interest is payable annually; also 
 the amount of Stock belonging to the Corporation, and in what 
 companies the same is holden and its present value ; also the 
 amount of monies which have been or may be appropriated 
 before the coming in of his report. 
 
 Whereas it is necessary that a small addition be made to the 
 College Library, for the use of the Students : therefore. 
 Resolved, that the sum of one hundred dollars be appropriated 
 for this purpose ; and that Mr. Piatt, Mr. Williams, and Mr. 
 Kirkland be a committee to procure the same as soon as there 
 shall be sufficient money in the Treasury not otherwise appro- 
 priated ; and that the Treasurer pay the said sum of one hun- 
 dred dollars to the committee on their order ; and that the 
 said committee select the books subscribed to the funds of the 
 College ; and that the committee appoint a Librarian, and regu- 
 late the manner in which the books shall be drawn, until the 
 further order of this Board. 
 
 Resolved, that the purchase of four acres of land, made 
 by the committee, of Job Herrick, be sanctioned by this Board, 
 and that a bond be executed on behalf of this Board to the 
 said Job Herrick for the sum of four hundred and fifty dol- 
 lars, payable on the first day of April next, at which time 
 said Herrick is to deliver possession: and also for indemnify- 
 
1812] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 133 
 
 ing said Herrick and his representatives against a certain Bond 
 and Mortgage executed by said Herrick to Nathaniel Richards, 
 Gustavus Upson, and Najah Taylor, of the city of New York, 
 for the sum of six hundred dollars, with interest, bearing date 
 the 17th day of September, 18 12, and payable the 17th of 
 September, 1813; and also that the Treasurer remit to said 
 Job Herrick one hundred dollars in part of the money sub- 
 scribed by him towards the funds of Hamilton College. . 
 
 Resolved, that the salary of the Tutors of the College be 
 fixed at five hundred dollars a year, and that Mr. Montague 
 be entitled to the benefit of this resolution. 
 
 Resolved, that the Building Committee report to this Board 
 at their next meeting the fences necessary to be made the next 
 Summer; also the repairs necessary to be made in the Board- 
 ing house and the out houses, to fit them for the accomodation 
 of the President. 
 
 Resolved, that there be appropriated a sum not exceeding 
 one hundred dollars, for the purpose of paying Doct. Noyes 
 for the air-pump and apparatus ; and a further sum not exceed- 
 ing two hundred and twenty dollars for the purpose of paying 
 for a Seal and a Bell, to be paid to the respective committees 
 appointed for these objects. . 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Norton, Mr. McNeil, and Mr. Lothrop 
 be a committee in relation to the office of Steward, that they 
 make inquiry as to a suitable person to fill that place, and that 
 they report to this Board such rules and regulations in relation 
 to the Steward's department as they may deem proper, and 
 the time when it will be expedient for him to enter upon the 
 duties of his office. 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Eells, Mr. Hart, and Mr. McNeil be a 
 committee to confer with the Trustees of the Society whereof 
 the Rev. Mr. Norton is Pastor, and to make a contract or 
 arrangement with them for accomodating the Students of 
 the College in their attendance on Divine worship, and that said 
 committee report at the next meeting of the board. 
 
134 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1812 
 
 Resolved, that the Prudential Committee be authorized and 
 required to hire a suitable house for the temporary accomo- 
 dation of the President and his family as early as the first day 
 of February next. 
 
 On motion, the board adjourned to meet again at this place 
 on Wednesday, the 2d day of December next, at 5 o'clock 
 P.M. 
 
THE 
 
 jla^ws 
 
 HAMILTON COLLEGE, 
 
 TOWN OF PARIS, COUNTY OF ONEIDA, 
 
 STATE OF NEW-YORK 
 
 EXJlCTZ:i) BY THE 
 
 BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 utica: 
 printed bt iba merrell. 
 
 1813. 
 
136 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 THE 
 LAWS OF HAMILTON COLLEGE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Of the Government of the College. 
 
 I. The Government of the College shall be vested in the 
 President, Professors and Tutors, duly elected, qualified and 
 Mitroduced into office, according to the Charter and rules estab- 
 lished by the corporation, and shall be styled the Faculty of 
 the college. 
 
 II. The President shall have power to direct in all matters 
 relating to the college ; to govern the undergraduate Students, 
 and the resident Graduates, and to punish all crimes and 
 ofTences, committed by them against the laws of the college, 
 except in cases referred by law to the Faculty. 
 
 III. The Professors and Tutors, severally, shall have power 
 to govern the undergraduate Students, and to punish them for 
 any crime, except in cases referred by law to the Faculty: 
 Provided that they may not, in any case, proceed contrary to 
 the advice and direction of the President. 
 
 IV. The President, at his discretion, shall have authority 
 to appoint a meeting of the Faculty. — All matters, which by 
 law are referred to the Faculty, shall be brought before such 
 meetings, and determined by the major part of the members 
 present, whereof the president shall be always one, and con- 
 curring in such determination : And when the members pres- 
 ent shall be equally divided, the president shall have a casting 
 vote. And in all other cases it shall be the duty of the pro- 
 fessors and tutors, when requested by the president, to give 
 their opinion and advice. 
 
18131 OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 137 
 
 CHAPTER H. 
 
 Of admission into the college. . , . Of the distinction of 
 the classes. . . . Of resident graduates . . . and 
 of the manners of the students. 
 I. AFTER the first of January, 1813, no person shall be 
 admitted into the freshman class till he has completed his 
 fourteenth year; nor to an advanced standing, without a pro- 
 portional increase of age. Candidates for admission into the 
 college shall be examined, by the president, or, under his direc- 
 tion, by one or more of the professors or tutors ; and no one 
 shall be admitted, unless he shall be found able to read, trans- 
 late and parse Cicero's select orations, Virgil, and the Greek 
 Testament, and to write true Latin in prose, and shall also 
 have learned the rules of vulgar arithmetic. 
 
 n. Every candidate for admission to an advanced standing, 
 shall be examined by the president, and one or more of the 
 professors or tutors ; or, under the direction of the president, 
 by two or more of the professors or tutors; and no such 
 candidate shall be admitted to such standing, unless he shall 
 be found fully qualified, in all branches of learning proper 
 for the same. But no one, whether a candidate for an advanced 
 standing, or coming from another college, or having been 
 before dismissed from the college, shall be admitted into the 
 senior class, after the end of January vacation. 
 
 III. No candidate shall be permitted to attend on the col- 
 legiate exercises, until he shall have been regularly examined 
 and approved; nor until he shall have given a satisfactory bond 
 to the treasurer, for the payment of his term bills. 
 
 IV. Any student, however, who comes recommended from 
 any other college, may be admitted without any pecuniary con- 
 sideration, to the standing for which he shall be found quali- 
 fied, on examination as before directed, for the admission of 
 candidates to an advanced standing. 
 
138 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 V. Every candidate for admission into the college, shall pro- 
 duce satisfactory evidence of a blameless life and conversation. 
 
 VI. No student shall be admitted as a member of this col- 
 lege, from any other college, unless he produce a certificate 
 from the proper authority, tliat he has been subject to no col- 
 lege censure, except on a hearing, the prudential committee 
 shall deem it consistent with the interest of the college to admit 
 him. 
 
 VII. The senior tutor shall keep a matriculation book, in 
 which shall be registered the names of all students, who, by 
 their regular behavior, and attention to collegiate duties, for 
 six months at least, after their admission, shall exhibit evi- 
 dence satisfactory to the Faculty, of their unblemished moral 
 character. And if any candidate shall fail of exhibiting such 
 evidence, within a reasonable time, he shall be allowed to 
 attend on the exercises of the college no longer. Each candi- 
 date shall be particularly required to exhibit proof that he is 
 not guilty of using profane language. All those who are 
 students on probation, as well as the regular members who 
 have been matriculated, shall be subject to the laws, penalties 
 and discipline of the college. 
 
 VIII. No candidate's name shall be registered, until he shall 
 have subscribed the following engagement : . 
 
 I, A. B. on condition of being admitted as a member of 
 Hamilton College, promise, on my faith and honor, to observe 
 all the lazvs and regulations of this college; particularly, that 
 I will faithfidly avoid using profane language, gaming, and 
 all indecent, disorderly behavior, and disrespectfid conduct to 
 the Faculty of the same: as witness my hand, A. B. 
 
 IX. Every student, not belonging to Paris, shall be placed 
 under the guardianship of a patron, who shall be one of the 
 Faculty of the college, and shall be either chosen by the parent 
 or legal guardian of the student, or appointed by the president : 
 and no student shall contract any debt with out a written per- 
 mission from his patron, on penalty of being privately dis- 
 missed. 
 
1813] OF HAMILTO N COLLEGE 139 
 
 X. Masters and Bachelors of Arts, who shall signify to the 
 president their purpose of residing at the college, with a view 
 of pursuing literature under his direction, and under the 
 government of the college, and give a sufficient bond to the 
 president and fellows for the payment of their term bills, shall 
 be considered as resident graduates and students of the college. 
 
 XL The undergraduate students shall be divided into four 
 distinct classes. The first year they shall be called freshmen; 
 the second, sophomores; the third, junior sophisters; and the 
 fourth, senior sophisters : And in order to preserve a due 
 subordination among the students, the classes shall give and 
 receive, in the course of their collegiate life, those tokens of 
 respect and subjection, which from common and approved 
 usage belong to their standing in the college. i\nd, if any 
 scholar shall not comply with this law, or shall be guilty of any 
 abusive speech or behavior towards his fellow-students, or 
 towards any other person, he may be punished by admonition 
 or otherwise, as the offence may require. 
 
 XIL If any student, during the time of his pupilage, shall 
 contract matrimony, he shall no longer be a member of the 
 college. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Of the religious worship and order of the College . 
 and of monitors. 
 
 I. IT shall be the duty of the Faculty, diligently to inspect 
 and watch over the manners and behavior of the students, and 
 in all proper methods, both by example and precept, to recom- 
 mend to them a virtuous 'and blameless life, and a diligent 
 attention to the public and private duties of religion. 
 
 II. The president, or, in his absence, one of the professors, 
 or one of the tutors, shall pray every morning and evening, in 
 the chapel, and read a chapter, or some suitable portion of 
 scripture ; unless a sermon or some other theological discourse 
 shall be delivered. And every undergraduate student shall be 
 obliged to attend, unless he can render a sufficient excuse for 
 absence. 
 
140 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 III. The president is desired frequently to deliver, in the 
 chapel, lectures or dissertations on such religious, moral, and 
 other subjects, as he shall judge proper for the instruction of 
 the college ; which being publicly appointed, every student shall 
 attend. 
 
 IV. Every undergraduate Student shall be obliged to be 
 present at every exercise of public worship, on every Lord's 
 day, and on days of public Fasting and Thanksgiving; and 
 no reason of a student's absence from public worship shall 
 be received as sufficient, unless, when practicable, previously 
 made known to the president, or a professor, or a tutor. 
 
 V. It is enjoined upon all the students to observe the Lord's 
 day as holy and sacred to the duties of religion: and if any 
 student shall profane the said day by unnecessary business, by 
 diversion, or by walking abroad, or shall be absent from his 
 chamber on this day, or the preceding evening, or shall thereon 
 admit any other student or a stranger into his chamber ; or on 
 the preceding or following evening shall make indecent noise 
 or disturbance, or shall behave indecently or profanely at the 
 time of public worship, or at prayers, in the chapel, he may be 
 punished by admonition or otherwise, as the nature and de- 
 merit of the crime shall require. 
 
 VI. Resident graduates are required to attend prayers, 
 lectures, and all other exercises of divine worship in the chapel, 
 under penalty of being deprived of the privilege of the library 
 for neglect : and if they shall persist in the neglect, or set 
 examples of open profaneness and disregard to the Lord's 
 day, and the religious order of the college, and after admoni- 
 tion by the president, shall not reform, they shall be adjudged 
 and declared to be no longer resident graduates, or members of 
 the college, nor allowed to reside in it. 
 
 VII. Monitors shall be appointed by the president, who shall 
 be furnished with bills, in which they shall note down those 
 who are absent from, come late to, or egress from, prayers 
 and other public exercises in the chapel, on which the students 
 are by law obliged to attend; which bills they shall deliver to 
 the president, a professor, or a tutor, whenever they shall be 
 required. 
 
18131 OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 141 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Of the course of Academic Literature and Instruction in the 
 
 College. 
 
 I. THE Faculty shall instruct the undergraduate students 
 in the three learned languages, the liberal arts and sciences, 
 and the whole course of academic literature. 
 
 II. The senior class shall be under the especial instruction of 
 the president : each tutor shall take the care of, and instruct 
 the particular class committed to his charge by the president : 
 the professors shall deliver public lectures in the chapel, and 
 private lectures and instructions to the classes and students, 
 in the several branches of science which they severally profess, 
 under the direction of the corporation, or of the prudential 
 committee ; and where no particular direction is given by the 
 corporation or the prudential committee, under the direction 
 of the president. 
 
 III. The president, with the advice of the professors and 
 tutors, shall appoint all classical exercises and examinations, 
 and the authors which shall be read and recited by the respec- 
 tive classes, not inconsistent with the regulations of the 
 trustees : And it shall be the duty of the president annually at 
 the commencement to lay before the corporation the state and 
 method of instruction, the authors recited, and the progress 
 of literary improvement in the college. 
 
 Each of the professors shall, at his discretion, deliver, occa- 
 sionally, public lectures in the chapel. 
 
 The lectures of the professor of chemistry, shall be delivered 
 to the two elder classes, separate or together, at the discretion 
 of the professors, by and with the concurrence of the president. 
 
 The students of the classes specified are required universally 
 to assemble at each Lecture, according to the direction of the 
 professors; and shall by them be required to account for 
 absence, and any other negligence. 
 
142 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 Each student shall take notes of the several heads of the 
 instruction delivered at each lecture ; and shall be examined by 
 the professors concerning the knowledge which he has gained 
 from the preceding lecture. 
 
 The professor of chemistry shall deliver three lectures in a 
 week, until his course is completed. 
 
 The prudential committee shall be empowered to make tem- 
 porary alterations in this system, as convenience may require; 
 to exist, in no instance, longer than till the next ensuing ses- 
 sion of the corporation. 
 
 FRESHMAN YEAR. 
 
 First Term. — The first five books of Livy for a morning 
 lesson. Graeca Minora, for the recitation at 1 1 o'clock, a. m. 
 Arithmetic thoroughly and demonstratively, at 4 o'clock, p. m. 
 
 Second Term. — Adam's Roman Antiquities, for the morn- 
 ing recitation. Algebra at 1 1 o'clock, a. m. Homer at 4 
 o'clock, p. M. 
 
 Third Term. — Cicero de Oratore, for the morning lesson. 
 The first volume of Morse's Geography, (newest edition) at 
 1 1 o'clock a. m. with the best atlasses : and great attention to 
 globes and maps. Homer at 5 o'clock, until four books are 
 completed. 
 
 One student is required to declaim every day before his 
 tutor and class. And to declaim in the chapel before the 
 faculty and all the students, as often as it shall be thought 
 proper by the faculty, taking into consideration the numbers 
 in the classes. 
 
 SOPHOMORE YEAR. 
 
 First Term. — Murray's English Grammar (octavo edition) 
 for morning lesson — Euclid's Elements at 11 o'clock — 
 Geography at 4 o'clock, till finished and reviewed. One com- 
 position in rotation and one declamation each day through 
 the Sophomore year. 
 
 Second Term. — Horace for the morning lesson — Euclid 
 at 1 1 o'clock. In Webber's Mathematics, begin with Trigo- 
 
1813] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 143 
 
 nometry, and proceed to Navigation, substituting Flint's Sur- 
 veying for Webber's. The recitation at 1 1 o'clock a. m. and 
 4 o'clock p. M. in these studies. Elegant exercises in Greek at 
 such time as may be convenient this term. 
 
 Third Term. — What remains of Horace for the morning 
 lesson — Webber, beginning with navigation and proceeding 
 to Spherical Astronomy, at 1 1 o'clock. The Extracts from 
 Xenophon's Cyropaedia and Anabasis, for the recitation at 5 
 o'clock. 
 
 JUNIOR YEAR. 
 
 First Term. — Chemical and Philosophical lectures at 9 
 o'clock A. M. and no morning recitation, three days each week 
 — Enfield's Natural Philosophy at 1 1 o'clock a. m. four days 
 in the week — Graeca Majora at 4 o'clock p. m. — Ferguson's 
 Civil Society on the days there is no chemical or philosophical 
 lecture — recite at 1 1 o'clock a. m. 
 
 N. B. Students to take notes of all Lectures, and reduce 
 them to writing to be examined by the Professor. 
 
 Second Term. — Chemical & Philosophical lectures as before. 
 
 Enfield's Philosophy as before. 
 
 Tytler's History after Ferguson. 
 
 Graeca Majora. 
 
 Valpy's Elegantiae Latinae. 
 
 Third Term. — Chemical and Philosophical lectures as 
 before. 
 
 Fluxions after Euclid is finished. 
 
 Tytler continued. 
 
 Tacitus after Graeca Majora. 
 
 English composition and declamation as in the Sophomore 
 Year, with the addition of Forensic Disputation, on Wednes- 
 day of each week, 
 
 SENIOR YEAR. 
 
 Lectures on Chemistry and Natural Philosophy, as before, 
 at 9 o'clock A. M. 
 
 First Term. — Forensic Disputation, Mondays and Tues- 
 days, at 4 o'clock p. M. 
 
144 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 Blair's Lectures on Rhetoric, Wednesdays, Thurdays and 
 Fridays, 4 o'clock p. m. 
 
 Vincent's Exposition of the Catechism on the Sabbath, at 4 
 or 5 o'clock p. M. 
 
 Second Term. — Chemistry and Natural Philosophy in lec- 
 tures, as above. Disputation as above. Duncan's Loj^ic at 
 4 o'clock p. M. After Duncan, Locke on the Understanding, 
 with the exhibition of arguments and sentences, &c. 
 
 Third Term. — Chemical and Philosophical lectures — 
 Paley's Moral Philosophy — Disputation — Criticisms. 
 
 Examine for degrees the 4th Wednesday of July. 
 
 The under classes to be publicly examined twice each year, 
 viz., at the expiration of the terms in May and September. 
 
 IV. The classes shall not go to their recitation rooms, until 
 after the tolling of the bell for the recitation ; and shall leave 
 them immediately after the recitation is ended. 
 
 V. If any student shall be absent from any lecture, recita- 
 tion, disputation, or other classical exercises duly appointed, 
 he may be admonished : — And every student, who shall be 
 absent from an examination appointed by the Faculty, shall 
 receive such college punishment as the nature of the offence 
 may require. 
 
 VI. There shall be two public examinations, each year ; one 
 on the week preceeding May vacation ; and. the other on the 
 week preceeding the commencement. 
 
 VII. If any Student shall appear, on examination, deficient 
 in those branches of knowledge, which according to the 
 regular course of literature in the college he hath been pur- 
 suing, it shall be the duty of the president, or his tutor, to 
 admonish him of such deficiency, that he may be incited to 
 apply with greater diligence to study: and if, notwithstanding, 
 at the next succeeding public examination, holden after an 
 interval of at least three months, he shall appear so deficient as 
 to be unfit for his standing, and unable with profit and reputa- 
 tion to pursue his studies with his class, he shall be dismissed 
 from the college. 
 
1813] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 145^ 
 
 VIIL The customary public exhibitions in the chapel, shall 
 be holden under the direction of the president, at the close of 
 the winter and spring terms. If any student without per- 
 mission from the faculty, shall fail to perform the exercise 
 assigned him, he may be sent home. 
 
 IX. On the fourth Wednesday of July, annually, the senior- 
 sophisters shall be examined, under the direction of the faculty, 
 and other gentlemen of a liberal education, who may be 
 present, as to their knowledge and proficiency in the learned 
 languages, and liberal arts and sciences : — And being found 
 well skilled in them, and the whole course of academic litera- 
 ture, shall be advanced to the standing of candidates for the 
 degree of bachelor of arts ; and having made all necessary 
 preparations for commencement, the president may give them 
 leave of absence from the college until the Friday before the 
 commencement. 
 
 X. If any member of the senior class absent himself from 
 the July examination, without reasons satisfactory to the 
 faculty, he shall be precluded receiving a degree with his class. 
 
 XI. No candidate shall be permitted to exhibit on the public 
 commencement, unless he present his composition for correc- 
 tion, on or before the Monday preceding the July examination. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Of Vacations, and of Absence from the College. 
 
 I. THERE shall be three vacations annually. The first, 
 four weeks immediately after commencement : The second, 
 six weeks from the second Wednesday in January : The third, 
 three weeks from the Wednesday immediately preceding the 
 second Thursday in May. 
 
 II. No undergraduate shall reside in the college, during any 
 of the vacations, without the knowledge and permission of the 
 president: And if any one shall transgress this law, he shall 
 be fined not exceeding twenty cents for each day. 
 
 10 
 
146 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 III. Immediately upon the expiration of every vacation, the 
 undergraduate students shall assemble at the college: If any 
 student shall voluntarily absent himself from the college with- 
 out a just and reasonable excuse, when by law he ought be 
 present, the faculty shall have power, at their discretion, to 
 correct such disobedience by fine, not exceeding fifty cents by 
 the day, during such absence, or by admonition, as the nature 
 of the case may require. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Of the Location of the Students. 
 
 I. THE president shall have authority to locate the students 
 in the chambers and studies of the college; and if any student 
 shall refuse to dwell in the chamber assigned to him by the 
 president, he shall be dismissed from the college: and if any 
 student shall remove from his own into another chamber ; or 
 make up his bed for lodging in any other chamber than his 
 own, he may be fined or punished in some other way, as the 
 circumstances of the case may require. 
 
 II. If any student to whom a chamber is assigned, shall be 
 absent from the college beyond the time allowed him, or shall 
 be vexatious to his chamber mates, or shall injure the chamber, 
 or there shall be any other sufficient cause, the president may, 
 at his discretion, take away a chamber from him to whom it 
 is assigned, and dispose of it to another. 
 
 III. No student shall walk abroad, or be absent from his 
 chamber, (except to attend the collegiate exercises) in the 
 hours of study, which shall be, from the tolling of the study 
 bell, in the morning and afternoon, till the close of the succeed- 
 ing recitations. 
 
 IV. Every student, whether present or absent, shall be at 
 the expense of his proportion of furniture, wood and candles, 
 necessary for the chamber assigned to him. 
 
1813] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 147 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 Of College damages, and the assessment of them. 
 
 I. WHEN any damage shall be found done, except by the 
 inevitable providence of God, to any chamber or study in the 
 college, the person or persons to whom such chamber or study 
 is assigned and belongs, shall make good the same, unless such 
 damage shall have happened while they were absent, in vaca- 
 tion. And when any damage is done to any chamber or study 
 in vacation, or to any other parts of the college, or the appur- 
 tenances thereof at any time, the same shall be assessed upon 
 all the undergraduate students, and charged in their quarter- 
 bills: Provided always, if the person or persons who were 
 principals or accessories in doing any such damages, shall be 
 discovered, he or they shall make full satisfaction for the same ; 
 and if they shall have been done intentionally by any student 
 or students, they shall each be liable to a fine not exceeding 
 three dollars and thirty-three cents, and to any other college 
 punishment which the circumstances of the offence shall 
 require. 
 
 n. The president shall cause to be estimated all damages of 
 broken glass at the end of every term, and the same to be 
 assessed upon the students according to law, and charged in 
 their term bills. 
 
 in. To ascertain other damages done to the college build- 
 ings and appurtenances, there shall be annually appointed at 
 commencement three persons, who shall be called inspectors 
 of the college, and any two of them have power to act; — 
 whose duty it sliall be to inspect and estimate all damages done 
 to the college, buildings and appurtenances, whenever they 
 shall be required by the president : They shall also, ex officio, 
 inspect and set down in writing, the state of every chamber, 
 and study at the beginning and ending of every vacation, and 
 likewise of the buildings and appurtenance of the college ; and 
 at the end of each term and of each vacation, they shall esti- 
 
148 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 mate the damages done to each chamber and study, or to other 
 parts of the college buildings and appurtenances during the 
 preceding term or vacation, which had not before been esti- 
 mated, on the special request of the president. And all esti- 
 mates of damages, particularly stated, the inspectors shall 
 deliver to the president in writing, with their names sub- 
 scribed ; — which estimates, with a reasonable compensation 
 to the inspectors for their trouble, shall be the rule by which 
 the undergraduates shall be assessed and charged respectively 
 by the president for damages, in the term bill, next after such 
 estimates shall have been made. 
 
 IV. All damages estimated by the inspectors of the college, 
 shall by order of the president, be immediately repaired, when 
 practicable ; and when in the opinion of the inspectors it shall 
 be expedient, that any damages done to the college, or to any 
 of the appurtenances thereof, should be repaired before an 
 estimate of such damage is made, the president shall order the 
 repair to be made : and provided the repair is full and com- 
 plete, the actual expence shall be a rule to the inspectors in 
 the estimate of the damage ; otherwise it shall be assessed 
 according to their discretion. 
 
 V. No repairs, additions or alterations shall be made in any 
 chamber of the college, or in the appurtenances of any cham- 
 ber, by any student or students, but at his or their own expence, 
 and under the direction of the inspectors of the college, on 
 penalty of a fine not exceeding three dollars and sixty-seven 
 cents for each offence. 
 
 VI. Whenever in the opinion of the inspectors of the college 
 it shall be necessary that the chapel, or any of the public cham- 
 bers or entries of the college, or the chambers of the students, 
 or any of them, should be whitewashed, the same shall be done 
 by order of the president, under the direction of the inspectors, 
 or some one of them ; the expence of which shall be paid out 
 of the college treasury. 
 
1813] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 149 
 
 VIL The inspectors of the college shall be authorized to 
 judge and determine whether the college chambers are lit for 
 the reception of the students; and if on inspection of any 
 chamber, it is not in their opinion fit to be inhabited, no student 
 shall be obliged to reside in such chamber, until it shall be 
 repaired, and judged by the inspectors fit to be inhabited. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 Of Crimes and Misdemeanors. 
 
 I. Every student, whether a graduate or undergraduate, 
 shall be subject to the laws and government of the college, 
 and show, in speech and behavior, all proper tokens of rever- 
 ence and obedience to the faculty of the college : And if any 
 student shall transgress this law, by treating them, or any of 
 them, with reviling or reproachful language; or by behaving 
 contumaciously or contemptuously toward them, or by being 
 guilty of any kind of contempt of their persons or authority, 
 he may be punished by any censure, even to expulsion, as the 
 nature and aggravations of his crime may require. 
 
 II. If any student shall be guilty of blasphemy, robbery, 
 fornication, theft, forgery, duelling, or any other crime, for 
 which an infamous punishment may be inflicted by the laws 
 of the state, he shall be expelled. 
 
 III. If any student shall assault, wound, or strike the presi- 
 dent, a professor, or a tutor, or shall maliciously or designedly 
 break their windows or doors, he sliall be expelled. 
 
 IV. If any student shall be guilty of fighting, striking, 
 quarrelling, challenging, turbulent words or behavior, fraud, 
 lying, defamation, or any such like crimes, he shall be punished 
 by fine, admonition, or other college punishment, suited to the 
 nature and demerit of the crime. 
 
 V. If any student shall break open the door of another; or 
 privately pick his lock with any instrument, for the first offence 
 
150 DOCUAIENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 he shall be fined eighty cents; and for the second, fined, ad- 
 monished or expelled, as the nature of the offence may deserve. 
 
 VI. If any student shall be guilty of an injury to a fellow- 
 student, or to any other person, upon complaint and proof 
 thereof made to the president, he shall, with the advice of the 
 professors and tutors, give judgment thereon, and order satis- 
 faction to be made according to the nature of the offence or 
 injury; which if any student refuse to do, he shall be publicly 
 admonished: and if, after admonition, he persist in such re- 
 fusal, he shall be dismissed. 
 
 VII. The president, a professor or a tutor, shall have 
 authority to break open and enter any college chamber or 
 study, at all times at discretion. And if any student shall 
 refuse to admit the president, or any one of the professors 
 or of the tutors into his chamber or study; or to assist them 
 in suppressing any disorder, or to give his evidence respecting 
 any matter under examination, when in any of these cases 
 required, or shall falsely declare himself ignorant of the 
 matter, he may be punished by admonition, suspension, rusti- 
 cation, or expulsion, as the circumstances of the crime may 
 require. 
 
 VIII. If any student without leave obtained of the presi- 
 dent, or one of the professors, or of the tutors, shall go from 
 the college, or beyond the place allowed him, or shall not 
 return by the appointed time, he may be punished by fine, 
 admonition or otherwise, according to the degree and circum- 
 stances of the offence. 
 
 IX. If any student play at hand or football in the college- 
 yard, or throw any thing against the college-building or fence, 
 by which they may be in danger of damage, he shall be fined 
 eight cents. 
 
 X. Every student in studying time, shall abstain from 
 hallooing, singing, loud talking, playing on a musical instru- 
 ment, and other noise in the college, or college yard. 
 
 XI. If any student shall ring the college-bell, except by 
 order of the president, a professor, or tutor, he shall be fined, 
 or otherwise punished, as the case may require. 
 
1813] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 151 
 
 Xn. If any student shall keep any kind of firearms or gun- 
 powder, or shall fire any gun-powder in or near the college- 
 yard, or near the dwellinghouse or the person of the president, 
 a professor or a tutor, he shall be admonished, rusticated, or 
 otherwise punished as the case may require. 
 
 XIII. If any student shall play at billiards, cards or dice, 
 or any other unlawful game, or at back-gammon, or at any 
 game for a wager; or shall keep in his chamber, cards, or a 
 back-gammon board ; or shall call for any strong drink in any 
 tavern or other place within two miles of the college, he shall 
 be punished for the first offence by admonition, and for any 
 subsequent offence may be rusticated, suspended or sent home. 
 
 XIV. If any student shall venture money or goods in any 
 kind of lottery, or chance game, not allowed by the laws of 
 the land, he shall be punished by admonition, rustication or 
 expulsion, as the nature and circumstances of the case may 
 require. 
 
 XV. If any person not belonging to the college shall con- 
 temptuously treat or abuse the faculty of the college ; or shall 
 instigate, advise or aid any student to a refractory and stub- 
 born behavior or carriage towards the laws and governors of 
 the college ; or shall draw away or seduce any of the students 
 into vile principles or practices, the president, a professor or 
 tutor, may forbid the person so offending to enter into the 
 college-yard, and also prohibit the students to hold any inter- 
 course with him, which if any student shall have, after such 
 prohibition, he may be admonished or otherwise punished at 
 the discretion of the faculty. 
 
 XVI. If any combination or agreement to do any unlawful 
 act, or to forbear compliance with any injunction from lawful 
 authority in the college, shall be entered into by under- 
 graduates; or if any enormity, disorder, or act of disobedience 
 shall be perpetrated by any undergraduates in consequence of 
 such combination or agreement, in both or either of those cases, 
 such and so many of the offenders, shall, upon due conviction, 
 be punished with admonition, rustication, dismission or expul- 
 
152 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 sion according to the circumstances of their offences, as shall 
 be judged necessary for preservation of good order in the 
 college. 
 
 XVII. In all cases when an offence is committed frequently 
 or daringly, the faculty shall have power to enhance the 
 punishment at their discretion : In all cases the faculty may 
 accept an ingenuous public confession, in lieu of a penalty, 
 except where the law requires expulsion. 
 
 XVIII. Whenever any member of the college faculty shall 
 be satisfied that any student is guilty of frequent absence from 
 prayers, public worship, or any college exercises, established 
 by law ; or of disorderly behavior, when present at any of 
 them, or in the dining hall; or of unreasonable expensiveness 
 in living or apparel, or in proper company keeping, in his room, 
 or elsewhere ; or of idleness, or profane language, or profan- 
 ing the Sabbath ; or that he has gone out of college limits 
 without leave ; or procured, or received meals, or other enter- 
 tainment, in any tavern or boardinghouse ; or frequented such 
 house or houses; or that he absents himself from his room, 
 after lo o'clock at night; or is frequently absent from his 
 room in study hours ; or has been guilty of any loose conduct, 
 or of disrespectful behavior to any officer of this college; he 
 shall be admonished of his misbehavior by his instructor, or 
 any other member of the faculty; and, if he continue unre- 
 formed, it shall be notified to the faculty, who shall admonish 
 him again, and make known his case to his parent or guardian ; 
 if he continue still unreformed, he shall be sent home; and 
 shall never be readmitted, except by a major A^ote of the 
 faculty. 
 
 XIX. Every student shall be answerable for all vicious, 
 scandalous, and immoral conduct, during the several vacations, 
 in the same manner as in term time. 
 
 XX. Whereas the laws of the college are few and general, 
 and cases may occur which are not expressly provided for by 
 law : in all cases, the Faculty shall proceed according to their 
 best discretion, and may punish a student -by inflicting any 
 
1813] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 153 
 
 college censure, according to the nature and circumstances of 
 his crime, not inconsistent with the charter of the college. 
 
 XXL The President shall cause a bill of the fines and other 
 punishments, inflicted upon the students for misdemeanors 
 and crimes, to be kept for the inspection of their parents and 
 guardians, whenever they shall request it ; which bill shall con- 
 tain a summary account of the reasons of such fines and 
 punishments. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Of the Library — Of the Museum — Of the Philosophical 
 Chamber and Apparatus — Of Commons — Of College 
 Dues and Quart er-B ills. 
 
 THE president and the prudential committee shall have 
 power to make regulations, until the trustees otherwise direct, 
 on all matters relating to the Library, Museum, Philosophical 
 Chamber and Apparatus, and Commons, and the college dues 
 and quarter-bills. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 Of Commencement and Academical Degrees. 
 
 I. THE Commencement shall be on the third Wednesday of 
 September annually, and the candidates for the first degree 
 shall attend at the college, on the Friday preceding. 
 
 II. No student may expect the honor of the first degree, 
 who hath not attended and performed the course of academical 
 exercises, as appointed by law for the space of four years; 
 except such as have been regularly admitted to an advanced 
 standing; nor unless on the examination in July, or a Special 
 examination appointed by the president, he shall have been 
 approved as a candidate for the same ; and also have, on the 
 day before the commencement, produced certificates from the 
 Treasurer, the Butler, and the Librarian, that he has paid to 
 them their resnective dues. 
 
154 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 III. No candidate for the second degree may expect the 
 honor of the same, unless he shall have preserved a good moral 
 character, and previously to the commencement signified to the 
 president his desire of the same : All candidates for either 
 degree shall be personally present, unless in any instance the 
 president and fellows shall judge it proper to confer the honor 
 of a degree upon an absent candidate, in which case he shall 
 pay into the college treasury one dollar, or such greater sum as 
 the president and fellows shall appoint. And certificates from 
 the treasurer, that the money required of the candidates for the 
 second degree, for the public dinner, and likewise of absent 
 candidates, has been paid to him, shall be produced to the 
 scribe of the corporation on the commencement morning; or 
 said money may be paid to the scribe, who shall be accountable 
 to the treasurer for the same, or so much thereof as he shall 
 receive. 
 
 IV. All academical honors shall be given by the president, 
 with the consent of the trustees, and the candidates for a first 
 or second degree, shall, each, for the same, pay to the presi- 
 dent four dollars. 
 
 V. The candidates for either degree shall attend the public 
 procession on the commencement day, from and to the college ; 
 and shall perform the public exercises, which shall have been 
 previously appointed for them by the president ; and no public 
 exhibition shall be made without such appointment nor with- 
 out having been approved by the president. And if any 
 student, without permission from the faculty, shall fail to 
 perform the exercise which has been allotted to him ; or shall 
 speak any thing which has not been approved by the faculty, 
 he may be deprived of a degree. The president shall begin 
 and close the business and public entertainment of the day 
 with prayer. 
 
1813] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 155 
 
 Laws of the State of New York, 1813 
 
 Chapter 98 
 
 AN ACT extending the Time, and continuing in force for a 
 limited Period, certain Banking Incorporations in this 
 state, and for other purposes. 
 
 Passed April 2, 1813. 
 
 L BE it enacted by the people of the state of New York, 
 represented in Senate and Assembly, That the act entitled " an 
 act to incorporate the stockholders of the Merchant's Bank in 
 the city of New York," and the act entitled " an act to incor- 
 porate the stockholders of the New York state bank, and for 
 other purposes," shall be and hereby are respectively extended 
 and continued in force until the first Tuesday of June, one 
 thousand eight hundred and thirty-two. 
 
 IL Provided always, and be it further enacted. That it shall 
 and may be lawful for the comptroller of this state, and he is 
 hereby authorized and required to subscribe to the capital stock 
 of each of the said banks, six hundred shares, in the name of 
 the people of this state, for the use of the common school fund, 
 to be paid for out of the said fund; and that the treasurer of 
 Union college shall and may subscribe for the use of the said 
 college, four hundred shares to the capital stock of each of the 
 said banks, and the capital stock of each of the said banks are 
 hereby accordingly increased one thousand shares ; and that 
 the treasurer of Hamilton college shall and may subscribe for 
 the use of the said college, four hundred shares to the capital 
 stock of each of the said banks, and the capital stock of each 
 of the said banks is hereby increased accordingly: Provided 
 always, that the trustees of the said colleges shall not vote upon 
 the said shares so to be subscribed: Provided always, that on 
 the shares to be so subscribed shall be paid into the said bank 
 a sum not exceeding the amount paid by the former stock- 
 holders, and in like manner from time to time as calls may be 
 made by the directors of said bank. 
 
156 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 V. Provided ahvays, and be it further enacted, That it shall 
 and may be lawful for the comptroller of this state, and he is 
 hereby authorized and required to subscribe the sum of fifteen 
 thousand dollars to the capital stock of the bank of New York, 
 and the sum of five thousand dollars to the capital stock of the 
 bank of Albany, in the name of the people of this state, for 
 the use of the common schools, to be paid out of the common 
 school fund; and also that the treasurer of Union college for 
 and in behalf of the trustees of said college, be and he is 
 hereby authorized to subscribe the sum of twenty thousand 
 dollars to the capital stock of the bank of New York, the sum 
 of twenty thousand dollars to the capital stock of the bank of 
 Albany, the sum of five thousand dollars to the capital stock 
 of the Farmer's bank, and the sum of five thousand dollars to 
 the capital stock of the bank of Hudson; and also that the 
 treasurer of Hamilton college, for and in behalf of the trustees 
 of the said college, be and he is hereby authorized to subscribe 
 the sum of fifteen thousand dollars to the capital stock of the 
 bank of New York, the sum of fifteen thousand dollars to 
 the capital stock of the bank of Albany, five thousand dollars 
 to the capital stock of the Farmer's bank, and ten thousand 
 dollars to the capital stock of the bank of Columbia, and five 
 thousand dollars to the capital stock of the bank of Hudson ; 
 and the capital stock of the said banks is hereby respectively 
 increased to an amount equal to the sums authorized by this 
 act to be subscribed on behalf of the people of this state, and 
 the trustees of Union college and the treasurer of Hamilton 
 college : Provided always, That the trustees of Union college 
 and the trustees of Hamilton college shall not be entitled to 
 vote for directors upon the shares to be subscribed for the use 
 of the said colleges. 
 
 VI. And he it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for 
 the trustees of Columbia college, with the consent of the direc- 
 tors of the banks mentioned in this act, to subscribe to the 
 capital stock of each of the said banks to the extent hereby 
 authorized and granted to the trustees of Union college, and 
 
1813] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 157 
 
 in case such subscription shall be made, the capital stock of 
 the banks where it is made shall be increased to the amount of 
 such subscription : Provided always, That the trustees of 
 Columbia college shall not be entitled to vote for directors on 
 such subscriptions. 
 
 Laws of the State of New York, 1813 
 Chapter 82 
 
 AN ACT relating to the different Cdlleges zvithin this State. 
 
 Passed April 9, 181 3. 
 
 I. Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York, 
 represented in Senate and Assembly, . . . 
 
 And whereas the comptroller, by virtue of an act heretofore 
 passed, did transfer to the trustees of Hamilton college, bonds 
 and mortgages executed to the people of this state, for lands 
 in the late Oneida reservation, to the amount of fifty thousand 
 dollars : Therefore, 
 
 XVH. Be it further enacted, That upon the payment of the 
 interest due, or to grow due on the said bonds and mortgages, 
 at or before the expiration of one year after the same shall 
 have become due, the payment of the principal shall not be 
 demanded until the expiration of ten years from the nineteenth 
 day of June, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, pursuant 
 to the terms and conditions of the act aforesaid. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Seventh Meeting, May 15, 18 13. 
 
 . John H. Lothrop, chairman of the committee to 
 whom was referred the subject of the stewardship of the Col- 
 lege, reported as follows : 
 
 The committee appointed to devise a plan for the establish- 
 ment of the stewardship of Hamilton College report the 
 following : 
 
158 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 I. Of the Office and Duty of the Steward. 
 
 1. The steward shall contract to execute the duties of his 
 office at least one year from the time of his entering on the 
 same, give sufficient surety, to be approved by the Treasurer, 
 for the faithful performance of his trust, and on all subjects 
 relating to his department be associated with the Faculty of 
 the College. 
 
 2. He shall reside in the house adjoining the dining hall 
 built for that purpose, with his family, and have the occupa- 
 tion of the garden and other grounds to be appropriated to his 
 use on such terms as shall be provided by contract. 
 
 3. A large and extensive garden shall be improved and culti- 
 vated by the Steward for his own and College use, the plan 
 and arrangement of which shall be under the direction of the 
 Trustees ; in which apartments shall be allotted to such 
 Students as may wish to learn and practice Botany, Horti- 
 culture, the cultivation of fruit, etc., under the particular direc- 
 tion of the Faculty. 
 
 4. The Steward shall be the purveyor of all supplies for the 
 commons of every nature, and superintend and direct the whole 
 disposition and management of the same under such regula- 
 tions as shall be prescribed by the Trustees. 
 
 5. The Steward shall likewise be the purveyor of all the 
 wood to be used by the Students, which he shall have ready 
 at all times, secured in woodhouses to be provided, suitably 
 prepared for the fireplaces of the College, and shall deliver 
 the same by the cord in the Students' apartments in the College 
 when required. 
 
 6. The Steward ex officio is to be the Butler of the College, 
 the duties of which department shall be executed under the 
 regulations and direction of the Faculty. 
 
 7. The Steward shall, if directed by the Faculty, have the 
 charge and direction of washing and mending for the Students, 
 which he shall cause to be faithfully executed by servants under 
 
1813] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 159 
 
 his direction. He shall likewise have direction and manage- 
 ment of the sweeping, making beds, disposition of ashes, and 
 washing and cleaning the rooms of the Students and the other 
 buildings of the College, and shall at all times have in his 
 employ proper persons to do necessary errands at the call of 
 the Students. None but male servants shall be permitted to 
 perform any of the duties required within the College or 
 College yard, and all servants are to be under the sole control 
 and management of the Steward. 
 
 8. The Steward, as inspector of the public buildings and 
 College premises, may associate with himself two suitable 
 mechanics to make estimates, etc., and it shall be his duty to 
 see to making all repairs and to assess on any Student the 
 amount of any injury done by him to his room or the College 
 appurtenances, subject to the correction of the Prudential 
 Committee. The good order, neatness, preservation, and re- 
 pairs of the whole College premises shall be committed to the 
 care and management of the Steward, whose duty it shall be 
 to attend to the same. 
 
 2. Of the Compensation of the Steward. 
 
 Tlie Steward shall keep regular and correct accounts of the 
 expenditure of all monies in the various departments of his 
 office, shall procure vouchers for the same, and the same shall 
 be audited by the auditing committee at the expiration of each 
 term. He shall likewise open and keep all accounts with each 
 Student, and make all collections and account for the same 
 in the general statement of his accounts ; and as a compensa- 
 tion for all his services he shall be allowed such salary as shall 
 be agreed on by the committee who may contract with him. 
 
 3. Of the Regulation of the Hall. 
 
 1. The provisions of every description provided by the 
 Steward shall be of a good quality, pure and wholesome. 
 
 2. Plain, simple, and neat cookery will be insisted on as 
 indispensible, and the following bill of fare so arranged as to 
 
160 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 produce as great variety as possible : for breakfast, coffee, 
 souchong and hyson skin tea, chocolate shells, and milk, hot 
 rolls and butter, plain toast, buckwheat and Indian cakes and 
 cheese; no meat. Dinner: roast, boiled, fried, fricaseed, and 
 broiled fresh meats, salt meats once a week, soups twice a 
 week, salt or fresh fish on Saturdays, with an abundant supply 
 of every description of vegetables the country produces, plain 
 rice, flour, Indian, buckwheat, and bread pudding, baked and 
 boiled. Supper: tea, chocolate shells, and milk; toasted dry 
 bread, biscuit, rusk, plain cakes, and cheese ; no butter or 
 meats. 
 
 3. The Steward, when not prevented by sickness or indis- 
 pensible business, shall be personally present and superintend 
 every meal and see that all the tables are well served. When 
 necessarily absent he shall procure some suitable person as his 
 substitute. 
 
 4. The tables in the dining hall are to be painted and set 
 without cloths ; the tops white, edged with blue, and varnished 
 with copal varnish ; the stands and seats a dark chocolate. The 
 necessary furniture of the Hall and cooking materials for the 
 kitchen to be furnished for the Steward under such regulations 
 as shall be presented by the board. 
 
 5. Not more than ten Students are to be allotted to one 
 table, who are to be seated so as to face inwards and to be 
 located in classes ; each table to have two monitors, whose 
 places and duties shall be designated by the Faculty for the 
 purpose of preserving order, and reporting all transgressions 
 of the rules prescribed by the Faculty to the President. The 
 tables and seats of those of the Faculty who shall dine in the 
 Hall to be regulated by the President. 
 
 6. The Faculty are to make such rules and regulations for 
 the government and good order of the Hall as they shall think 
 proper, two fair copies of which shall be kept posted in the 
 Hall. 
 
 7. If at any time any provisions shall be placed on either of 
 the tables impure, ill-dressed, and not conformable to the 
 
1813] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 161 
 
 regulations heretofore mentioned, it shall be the duty of the 
 monitor of that table to make immediate report to the Faculty 
 who shall be present, who shall immediately inspect the same 
 and report to the President. 
 
 8. Each table at dinner shall be furnished with at least two 
 dishes of meats and vegetables, and other things in propor- 
 tion, and at all meals as much alike and in as equal a manner 
 as possible, under the direction of the Steward. 
 
 g. No Student shall be allowed to enter the kitchen or dining 
 Hall or Steward's house out of meal times except by the par- 
 ticular permission of the Steward. 
 
 10. At the expiration of each quarter the Steward shall pro- 
 vide a dinner in an extra style, which is to be considered as a 
 galaxy dinner, and for which each Student shall pay the Stew- 
 ard an extra sum of fifty cents. No Students shall be per- 
 mitted to partake of this dinner who shall have been convicted 
 of misconduct or irregular behaviour in the Hall during the 
 quarter, unless by particular permission of the President. 
 
 11. Perfect neatness and cleanliness will be considered indis- 
 pensable, and for this purpose the floor of the kitchen and 
 Hall shall be mopped and filed every evening and both apart- 
 ments thoroughly cleansed at least once a month; the tables 
 properly cleansed after each meal and kept well painted and 
 varnished. 
 
 The committee further report that among the several appli- 
 cants for the stewardship they are of opinion that Abraham 
 W. Sedgwick is the most suitable person to be appointed to 
 that office, and that they have notified the said Sedgwick that 
 they would so report to the board, and that it will be necessary 
 for the Steward to enter on the duties of his office at the com- 
 mencement of the next October term. 
 
 Resolved, on motion of Mr. Gold, that the above report with 
 the amendments be accepted. 
 
 Resolved, that the Prudential Committee, with the addi- 
 tion of Mr. Lothrop, be instructed to contract with the 
 Steward. 
 
 11 
 
162 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1813 
 
 Resolved, that the sum of two thousand two hundred and 
 fifty dollars be appropriated to enable the Building Committee 
 to discharge the duties enjoined upon them. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that the committee appointed to lay out the Col- 
 lege grounds be instructed to confer with the persons who have 
 encroached on said grounds and report a mode for settling any 
 dispute with said persons and ascertain the exterior line of 
 said grounds. ... 
 
 Adjourned without day 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Eighth Meeting. September 14, 1813. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that a sum not exceeding two thousand 
 dollars be appropriated for the use of the Steward, to be 
 expended under the advice and direction and subject to the 
 draught of the Prudential Committee. 
 
 Resolved, that the Committee for laying out and improving 
 the College grounds be instructed to purchase twelve acres of 
 land adjoining said grounds on the north for the use of the 
 College, upon the best terms to be obtained, and that the Treas- 
 urer pay to the order of said Committee such sum or sums as 
 may be necessary for the purpose aforesaid. . 
 
 Resolved, that it is expedient to erect the present season a 
 woodhouse north of the Dining Hall and that a sum not 
 exceeding four hundred dollars be appropriated for that object, 
 subject to the draught of the Building Committee. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Piatt be a committee to draw suitable 
 conveyances for conveying all and singular the property, real 
 and personal, from the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy 
 to the Trustees of Hamilton College, and to cause the same to 
 be executed. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that a new College be built the ensuing season; 
 that the walls thereof be made of stone ; that a sum not exceed- 
 ing nine thousand dollars be appropriated for building the 
 College; and that Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Piatt, Mr. Gold, Mr. Nor- 
 
1814] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 163 
 
 ton, and Mr. Kirkland be a committee to consider and adopt a 
 suitable plan for said building and cause the same to be erected. 
 
 Resolved, that there be appropriated for the purpose of pro- 
 curing chemical apparatus and materials one hundred dollars. 
 
 Resolved, that the Treasurer pay to the Faculty of the Col- 
 lege the sum of two hundred dollars to be expended for the 
 purchase of books for the College Library. . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Meeting of March 29, 1814. 
 
 . . . The Regents of the University report — ... 
 
 From Columbia, Union, and Hamilton Colleges, special rep- 
 resentations of their respective conditions have been made to 
 the Legislature, by which the degree of increasing prosperity 
 in each will be seen, and how far the very great benefits they 
 are calculated to afford to the community, recommend them to 
 the unremitted support of Government. 
 
 Hamilton College is yet in its infancy, and the Regents 
 cherish the expectation that it will grow to maturity with a 
 rapidity equal to that of the improvements progressing in the 
 district for whose accommodation it has been principally 
 erected. . . . 
 
 Laws of the State of New York, 1814. 
 Chapter 120, 
 
 From Southwick's edition, Albany, 1814. 
 
 AN ACT instituting a Lottery for the promotion of Literature 
 and for other purposes. 
 
 Passed April 13, 1814. 
 
 WHEREAS well regulated seminaries of learning are of 
 immense importance to every country, and tend especially, by 
 the diffusion of science and the promotion of morals, to defend 
 and perpetuate the liberties of a free state : Therefore, 
 
164 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1814 
 
 I. BE it enacted by the People of the state of New-York, 
 represented in Senate and Assembly, That there shall be raised 
 by lottery, in successive classes, a sum equal in amount to the 
 several appropriations made by this act, together w^ith the 
 simple interest accruing thereon, till the same shall be raised 
 and paid by the managers appointed to superintend the same : 
 Provided, however, that this provision for the payment of 
 interest shall not extend to interest which may accrue on either 
 of the provisions contained in this act for more than six years 
 from the time of passing the same. 
 
 II. And be it further enacted, that one hundred thousand 
 dollars be appropriated, to be paid out of the avails of said 
 lottery in manner aforesaid, towards the completion of the 
 edifices already commenced by the trustees of Union College, 
 and for the erection of such other edifices as may by them be 
 deemed requisite. 
 
 III. And be it further enacted. That thirty thousand dollars 
 be appropriated as aforesaid, for the purpose of paying a debt 
 already contracted by the said trustees. 
 
 IV. And be it further enacted. That twenty thousand dollars 
 be appropriated as aforesaid, for the purpose of increasing 
 the library, and also the philosophical and chemical apparatus 
 belonging to said institution. 
 
 V. And be it further enacted. That the sum of fifty thou- 
 sand dollars be appropriated to augment the small charity fund 
 heretofore granted by the legislature of this state. . . . 
 
 VI. And be it further enacted. That all the right, title, and 
 interest of the people of this state in or to all that certain piece 
 or parcel of land, with the appurtenances, situate in the ninth 
 ward of the city of New-York, known by the name of the 
 Botanic Garden, and lately conveyed to the people of this state 
 by David Hosack, with the appurtenances, be and the same 
 is hereby granted to and vested in the trustees of Columbia 
 College, in the city of New- York, their successors and assigns ; 
 but this grant is made upon the express condition, that the 
 college establishment shall be removed to the said tract of land 
 
1814] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 165 
 
 hereby granted, or to lands adjacent thereto, within twelve 
 years from this time ; and if the said establishment shall not 
 be so removed within the time above limited, then and thence- 
 forth this grant shall cease and be void, and the premises 
 hereby granted shall thereupon revert to the people of this 
 state. 
 
 VIL And be it further enacted, That the trustees of Colum- 
 bia College shall, within three months from the time of the 
 passage of this act, transmit to the trustees of each of the 
 other colleges in this state, a list of the different kinds of 
 plants, flowers and shrubs in said garden ; and within one year 
 thereafter, the said trustees of Columbia College shall deliver 
 at the said garden, if required, at least one healthy exotic 
 flower, shrub or plant of each kind, of which they shall have 
 more than one at the time of application, together with the 
 jar or vessel containing the same, to the trustees of each of 
 the other colleges of this state, who shall apply therefor. 
 
 Vin. And be it further enacted, That the sum of forty 
 thousand dollars be paid to the trustees of Hamilton College, 
 to be by them applied as the interest of the said college may 
 require. 
 
 IX. And be it further enacted, That four thousand dollars 
 be appropriated to the minister and trustees of the Asbury 
 African church, in the city of New- York, for the purpose of 
 enabling them to discharge a debt contracted in the pur- 
 chase of their church, and to establish a school under their 
 direction. . . . 
 
 X. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of 
 the secretary of state, to transmit to the New- York historical 
 society, a set of the revised laws, and also of the journals of 
 the present and future sessions of the legislature. . . . 
 
 XI. And be it further enacted, That the right reserved to 
 this state, to subscribe to the stock of the bank of Utica, be 
 and the same is hereby transferred to the college of physicians 
 and surgeons of the western district, with full power to dis- 
 pose of the same, . . . 
 
166 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1814 
 
 XII. And be it further enacted, That thirty thousand dol- 
 lars be appropriated as aforesaid, to the college of physicians 
 and surgeons in the city of New-York, for the endowment of 
 the said college. 
 
 XIII. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of 
 the trustees of said colleges, to account annually to the regents 
 of the university, for the expenditure of the money herein 
 appropriated for the use of said colleges, and that the said 
 regents report the same from time to time to the legislature. 
 
 XIV. And be it further enacted. That the person adminis- 
 tering the government of this state, be and he is hereby 
 authorised to appoint four managers, who are hereby empow- 
 ered to form such plan for the said lottery as may appear 
 expedient, to dispose of the tickets and to superintend the 
 drawing of the same. 
 
 XV. And be it further enacted. That the managers appointed 
 as aforesaid, shall hold their appointment subject to the future 
 pleasure of the legislature, and that they shall have the powers 
 and be subject to the regulations, restrictions and directions 
 contained in the act, entitled "An act relative to the managers 
 of lotteries," passed April 13th, 1813. 
 
 XVI. And be it further enacted, That no ticket in any class 
 in this lottery, shall be offered for sale till the lotteries hereto- 
 fore granted by the legislature of this state shall be drawn. 
 
 XVII. And be it further enacted. That two classes of this 
 lottery, as well as of the lotteries heretofore granted, may 
 be drawn in each and every year, until the whole shall be 
 completed. 
 
 (Note. — No bill before the legislature excited greater inter- 
 est and attention than this act. Much credit is due to the 
 unwearied exertions of the able and eloquent president of 
 Union College, in procuring its passage.) 
 
1814] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 167 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Ninth Meeting, May 19, 18 14. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that the further sum of seven thou- 
 sand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated for com- 
 pleting the new College this season, and that the Building 
 Committee be authorized from time to time to draw on the 
 Treasurer for tlie amount of the same. 
 
 Resolved, that Joseph Kirkland, Joel Bristoll, and Simeon 
 Ford be a committee to examine into the state of the Steward's 
 department and to report to the board at their present meeting 
 if any, and what, alterations are necessary. 
 
 Resolved, that Azel Backus, Thomas R. Gold, and Samuel F. 
 Snowden be a Committee to purchase books for the Library 
 and philosophical apparatus for the College, and that the sum 
 of five thousand dollars be appropriated for this purpose. 
 
 Resolved, that John H. Lothrop, Joel Bristoll, and William 
 Hotchkiss be a committee to settle the accounts of the Steward, 
 and to make such alterations in the diet of the Students as they 
 may think proper, and to make other regulations in the Stew- 
 ard's department as may be for the interest of the Corporation, 
 and that the Committee have power to draw on the Treasurer 
 from time to time in favor of the Steward. 
 
 Resolved, that the charge for tuition and room be raised 
 to thirty dollars per year after the present term, and that for 
 the present term it be eight dollars. 
 
 Resolved, that (in consideration of the advanced expense of 
 living) in addition to the present compensation the Professors 
 and Tutors be entitled to their board in the Hall, and that 
 they have the benefit of the foregoing provision for the pres- 
 ent term. 
 
168 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1815 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Tenth Meeting. September 13, 1814. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that a further sum of four thousand 
 dollars be appropriated for the use of the Building Committee 
 appointed to erect a new College edifice. 
 
 Resolved, that a sum not exceeding fifteen dollars be annu- 
 ally appropriated to purchase premiums on public speaking, 
 and that the Treasurer pay the same to the order of the 
 President. 
 
 Resolved, that the report of the Committee upon the sub- 
 ject of the Steward's department be referred to Ephraim Hart, 
 Sewall Hopkins, William Hotchkiss, Joel Bristoll, and Azel 
 Backus, and that they be empowered to settle with and dis- 
 miss the present Steward if they shall think best, and to employ 
 such other person as they may deem proper; and that they be 
 authorized to make any alterations that they may deem expedi- 
 ent in either the price of board or the diet, and to make any 
 other arrangement in relation to this department that they 
 may think necessary. 
 
 Resolved, that Azel Backus, Asahel S. Norton, and Thomas 
 R. Gold be a Committee to prescribe the form of a diploma 
 and procure a plate for the same, and that the sum of eighty 
 dollars be appropriated for that purpose. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Eleventh Meeting. May 9, 18 15. 
 Resolved, that the further sum of fifteen hundred 
 dollars be appropriated to the use of the new Building Com- 
 mittee and that the Treasurer pay their drafts for that sum. 
 
 Resolved, that William Hotchkiss, Sewall Hopkins, and Joel 
 Bristoll be a committee to lay out and improve a sidewalk from 
 Hamilton College to the village of Clinton, and that the sum 
 of fifty dollars be appropriated for that purpose; provided 
 that the inhabitants of said village will subscribe and pay one 
 hundred dollars for the same object. . . . 
 
1816] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 169 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Twelfth Meeting. September 12, 1815. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that all persons, alumni of other Colleges 
 requiring a like term or course of studies as prescribed in this 
 College, who are entitled to a degree of Master of Arts in the 
 Colleges where they may have been educated, be admitted to 
 the degree of Master of Arts in this College, unless personal 
 objection be made to any such person. 
 
 Resolved, that the President request the Sheriff of the 
 County of Oneida for the time being to attend upon Com- 
 mencement and assist in keeping order during the services ; 
 and that the Steward make provision for the entertainment 
 of the Sheriff in the same manner as for the Trustees. 
 
 Resolved, that the Treasurer cause a settlement to be made 
 with Abraham W. Sedgwick, the former Steward, and take 
 such measures for the collection of the balance due as he may 
 deem proper. 
 
 Resolved, that Joseph Kirkland, Nathan Williams, and 
 Henry Huntington be a Committee to make application to the 
 Legislature for further donations, in such manner and at such 
 times as they may deem for the interest of the College. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Fourteenth Meeting. September 10, 181 6. 
 
 . The Committee appointed for that purpose reported 
 the following Rules and Regulations, which were adopted by 
 the Board: 
 
 1. The Executive Government of the College is vested in 
 the President, Professors, and Tutors, who shall severally 
 exercise such powers and perform such duties as have been or 
 shall be assigned to them by the Trustees. 
 
 2. The several officers of the College, in their individual 
 capacity, or as members of the Executive Government, are 
 
170 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1816 
 
 required to exert their authority and influence in maintaining 
 discipline and promoting virtue, piety, and good learning in 
 the Seminary ; to notice and punish violations of the laws ; to 
 refer the consideration of offences exceeding the power of a 
 single officer to punish, to the Executive Government, and 
 to afford the President and Government their advice and 
 co-operation. 
 
 3. The Executive Government have power to determine 
 the relative standing of the Students ; to prevent and to punish, 
 as in their judgment may be deemed necessary, the commis- 
 sion of crimes and misdemeanors against which no express 
 provision is made by the laws of the College, and in general 
 to make such regulations for the better execution of the Col- 
 lege system as shall not be incompatible with the Charter of 
 the College nor the express ordinances of the Trustees. But 
 all such regulations shall be reported to the Trustees at the 
 meeting next after they shall have been made. 
 
 4. The President is authorized to exercise a general super- 
 intendence of the literary and religious concerns of the Col- 
 lege ; to see that the course of instruction and discipline is 
 duly executed: to call meetings of the Executive Government 
 at his discretion; to preside and to vote in those meetings; to 
 preside at the publick examinations, exhibitions, and com- 
 mencement; to perform the religious services of the Chapel; 
 to address publick and private instruction and counsel to the 
 Students ; to hear the recitations of the Senior Class in 
 Rhetoric, Logic, Locke on Human Understanding, and moral 
 Philosophy; and in general to take such measures and per- 
 form such acts for the better execution of the duties assigned 
 to him as in his judgment shall not be inconsistent with the 
 Charter and Laws of the College. No Regulation of the Execu- 
 tive Government may go into operation without the concur- 
 rence of the President. 
 
 5. The Professors and Tutors (unless specially exempted) 
 shall occupy apartments in the College, and are required to 
 exercise authority and frequent inspection in their particular 
 
1816] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 171 
 
 districts; and as occasion may in their judgment require in 
 any part of the College premises. 
 
 6. During the first and second Terms of the year the Pro- 
 fessor of Languages is required to hear, in each week, four 
 recitations of the Senior Class in Kaimes' Elements of Criti- 
 cism and in such portions of Classical and English Literature 
 as the Executive Government may direct; he is also to hear 
 during the same terms in each day one recitation of the Fresh- 
 man Class in the Latin or Greek language ; and is especially 
 required to instruct them effectually in the elements of these 
 languages ; during the third Term he shall hear once in each 
 day a recitation of the Sophomore Class in the Odes of Horace, 
 and he is required to instruct them in like manner in the 
 Prosody of the Latin Language, and particularly in the meters 
 which occur in the Poems of Horace. Through the whole year 
 he is, moreover, required to review and correct the composi- 
 tions of the Senior and Junior Classes. 
 
 7. The Professor of Chymistry and Mineralogy is required 
 to deliver in each week three lectures to the Senior Class on 
 subjects connected with his profession, and to illustrate his 
 lectures by appropriate experiments; during the second and 
 third Terms of the year he is moreover required to have in 
 each week one recitation of the Junior Class in an approved 
 compendium of the principles of Chymistry, and to illustrate 
 the language and doctrines of that branch of Natural Philoso- 
 phy by suitable experiments. The several articles of Chymi- 
 cal apparatus are committed to his care, and he is directed 
 to see that they are in good order and in their proper places. 
 
 8. The Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy 
 is required to hear in each day two recitations in some branch 
 of Mathematics or Natural Philosophy. During the third 
 Term of the Senior Year he is to instruct the Senior Class 
 four times in each week in the use of Mathematical and Philo- 
 sophical Apparatus and in the practical applications of the doc- 
 trines of Natural Philosophy. In general he is to give such 
 instruction and exhibit such experiments to the Senior Class as 
 
172 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1816 
 
 may tend to complete the course of education in his depart- 
 ment, and prepare his pupils most effectually for their final 
 examination. He is also required to keep an accurate meteoro- 
 logical register, and to take care that the several articles of 
 Mathematical and Philosophical Apparatus are in good order 
 and in their appropriate places. 
 
 9. The Tutors are each to hear three recitations on Mon- 
 days, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and two recitations 
 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, in such portions of Classical 
 and English Literature and Mathematics as shall be assigned 
 to them in the manner prescribed in the following article. 
 
 10. The hours for recitations and other Collegiate exercises 
 and the books to be recited (except as herein before provided) 
 sliall be determined by the Executive Government. Duties 
 not comprehended in the preceding distribution shall be 
 assigned to the proper of^cer in the same manner. 
 
 11. The Students shall regularly and seasonably attend the 
 Publick and Private lectures, recitations, and other exercises 
 announced by the President, or by a Professor or a Tutor. 
 They shall use their best diligence in preparing themselves for 
 their several literary exercises and shall perform them with 
 care. 
 
 12. For better ascertaining and promoting the improvement 
 of the Students, the several Instructors are specially desired at 
 each recitation or private lecture to satisfy themselves respec- 
 tively as far as practicable that each Scholar has duly studied 
 the lesson assigned, and for this purpose they are authorized 
 and required to direct the attendance of one or more Students 
 or of the whole Class, who were required to perform an exer- 
 cise at other than at the stated times of College Exercises. 
 
 13. The final examination of the Senior Class shall com- 
 mence on the fourth Wednesday preceding the Publick Com- 
 mencement. At the close of this examination the Seniors shall 
 have leave of absence until the Friday next preceding the 
 Commencement. 
 
1816] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 173 
 
 14. The Trustees, while they enact laws with penalties, 
 earnestly desire that all the Students may be ever excited to 
 diligence in study and a right behaviour by other motives than 
 the fear of punishment ; by a sense of duty and of character ; 
 by a regard to their own permanent advantage, to the wishes 
 and expectations of their friends and instructors, and to the 
 claims of Society; and by a love of Literature and Science. 
 If in any case such considerations and incentives are ineffectual, 
 punishments will be necessary. The College punishments are 
 fines, admonitions, official notice of delinquency to Parents or 
 Guardians, the injunction of special study, degradation, rusti- 
 cation, suspension, dismission, and expulsion. 
 
 15. The fines imposed by a Professor or a Tutor may in no 
 single instance exceed one dollar. Fines imposed by the Presi- 
 dent may not in any case exceed two dollars. All fines exceed- 
 ing two dollars must be imposed by the Executive Government. 
 
 16. Crimes which are to be punished by the Government 
 collectively are : Profaneness ; intoxication ; riotous behaviour ; 
 dissipation; fighting; insolent and contemptuous deportment 
 towards any Officer of the College; insulting, challenging or 
 abusing any one of the Students or resident graduates ; lying 
 or prevarication; entering the apartment of another Student 
 at an unreasonable hour of the night; offences which accord- 
 ing to the laws of the State are punishable by fine, imprison- 
 ment, or otherwise ; associating with bad company after advice 
 and counsel to the contrary from a Trustee or Officer of the 
 College ; combinations to resist the Government generally or 
 any particular Officer in the discharge of his official duties; 
 all acts of resistance in consequence of such combinations; 
 refusal to give testimony in regard to any offence against the 
 laws or authority of the College when required by the Govern- 
 ment; frequenting Taverns; prodigality in expenses; making 
 or attending festive entertainments in the College or its vicin- 
 ity; Exhibitions of any sort whatever, publick or private, 
 without permission from the President; tumultuous, indecent, 
 or troublesome noises to the dishonor or disturbance of the 
 
174 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1816 
 
 College or any part of it, or to the disturbance of the town 
 or any of its inhabitants, especially after being warned to 
 desist by a Trustee or Officer of the College ; want of respect 
 in speech or behaviour to any person concerned in the Instruc- 
 tion and Government of the College; refusal to admit into 
 any apartment the Officer who may demand entrance ; neglect 
 or refusal to attend immediately when sent for by any Officer 
 of the College, and to render suitable assistance, when required, 
 for the suppression of disorder in the College ; playing at cards 
 or other games of chance; and defacing or otherwise injuring 
 the College Buildings. 
 
 17. When any Scholar is brought before the Government 
 for violence or insult offered to any Officer of the College, 
 the person or persons injured or insulted, unless a major- 
 ity of the Governors are so injured or insulted, shall not have 
 a voice, or be present, when such insult or injury is investigated. 
 
 18. Misdemeanors punishable by any one of the Instructors 
 are : absence from any one of the stated or occasional lec- 
 tures, recitations, and other publick exercises, both literary 
 and religious ; coming unseasonably to those exercises, or care- 
 lessly performing them ; absence of any Student, in the hours 
 of study, from the room assigned to him; absence from his 
 room after ten o'clock at night; singing immodest songs or 
 using indecent language ; indecorous behaviour at the required 
 exercises ; absence from the College territory during the hours 
 of study and recitation; noise and disturbance in the apart- 
 ments of the College during the same hours. 
 
 19. The Officers of the College are severally authorised to 
 punish misdemeanors recited in the preceding article by fines, 
 admonitions, and the injunction of special study. Other pun- 
 ishments are to be inflicted by the Government collectively. 
 
 20. When the misdemeanors above mentioned are frequently 
 committed, and the infliction of the milder punishments fails 
 to produce a reformation of the offending Student, the case 
 may be referred to the Officers of the College generally, who 
 shall decide on the treatment necessary to be pursued. 
 
1817] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 175 
 
 21. Students who shall be absent from the College premises 
 five minutes after the hours of study have commenced shall be 
 fined a sum not exceeding twenty-five cents. 
 
 22. Students who are found during the hours of study in 
 any apartment of the College other than that which is assigned 
 to them by the President shall be fined a sum not exceeding 
 twenty-five cents. 
 
 23. Students who are absent from their room after ten 
 o'clock at night shall be fined any sum not exceeding one 
 dollar. 
 
 24. No Student shall put himself under the tuition of an 
 Instructor in any science or art without the permission of the 
 Faculty. 
 
 25. If any Student, being an undergraduate, shall buy, sell, 
 or barter among themselves books, apparel, or any other thing 
 above the value of two dollars without the leave of the Presi- 
 dent, one of the Faculty, or their Guardian or Parent, it shall 
 be in the power of the Executive Government to make void 
 such bargain, and to punish each person so offending by a fine 
 not exceeding one dollar. 
 
 26. It shall be the duty of the Students, on the requirement 
 of the Faculty, to disclose the objects and constitution of any 
 association among them, whether literary or otherwise, and it 
 shall be the duty of the Faculty to suppress any such associa- 
 tion or society if they shall disapprove of the same. 
 
 27. The duties in joined by the laws of the College on the 
 President, in case of the President's absence or indisposition 
 tlevolve on the Professor of Languages, to be by him per- 
 formed as far as may be. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Fifteenth Meeting. January 21, 181 7. 
 
 At a special Meeting of the Trustees of Hamilton College. 
 . . . the attention of the Board being called to the subject 
 of electing a President of the College as successor to the Revd. 
 
176 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1817 
 
 Azel Backus, D.D., deceased, the following proceedings were 
 had, viz. : 
 
 Resolved, that this Board proceed to elect by ballot a Presi- 
 dent of the College as successor to the Reverend Azel Backus, 
 D.D., deceased. 
 
 On counting the ballots, it appeared that the Reverend Henry 
 Davis, D.D., of Middlebury, Vermont, was duly elected; 
 Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, that the Reverend Henry Davis, 
 D.D., President of Middlebury College, be and he is hereby 
 appointed President of Hamilton College, and that Mr. Miller, 
 Mr. Dwight, and Mr. Kirkland be a Committee to notify the 
 President elect of his appointment. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that the Treasurer attend upon the Honorable 
 Legislature of this State to present a petition soliciting pecuni- 
 ary aid and that this Board make provision for the payment 
 of his expenses and time, and in case no aid can be obtained 
 from the Legislature, that the Treasurer (if in his opinion it 
 shall be necessary) go to the city of New York for the purpose 
 of negociating a loan for the use of the College. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Sixteenth Meeting. March 17, 181 7. 
 
 At a Special Meeting of the Trustees of Hamilton Col- 
 lege. . . . 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, that the Treasurer be and he is 
 hereby directed to pay to the widow of the late President 
 Backus the salary which would have become his due up to the 
 end of the third quarter of the current year, and that the Trus- 
 tees will provide for the board and tuition of the late Presi- 
 dent's son, Robert Backus, in case he shall think proper to 
 pursue the usual course of studies adopted by the College, and 
 that the Secretary be directed to send to the widow of the late 
 President a copy of this resolution. 
 
1817] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 177 
 
 The Committee appointed to communicate to the Reverend 
 Henry Davis, D.D., his appointment as President of this Col- 
 lege, and to request his answer, having reported that they had 
 attended to that duty and had received for answer that he 
 declined accepting the office ; Therefore 
 
 Resolved, that this board proceed to elect by ballot another 
 person to fill the vacancy, which being done accordingly, it 
 appeared on counting the ballots that the Reverend Francis 
 Brown of Hanover, in the State of New Hampshire, was 
 elected President of Hamilton College ; wherefore, 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Miller, Mr. Dwight, Mr. Kirkland, and 
 ]Mr. Frost be a Committee to inform the Reverend Francis 
 Brown of his appointment as President of Hamilton College, 
 and that they request his early answer. 
 
 Resolved, that the Revd. Henry Dwight be requested to 
 proceed to Dartmouth College and have a personal interview 
 with the Revd Mr Brown on the subject of his acceptance of 
 the Presidency of Hamilton College; and that the Treasurer 
 pay the reasonable expenses of his journey. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Eighteenth Meeting. June 6, 1817. 
 
 . . . The Report of the Committee on the subject of 
 the presidency was read, by which it appears that the Reverend 
 Francis Brown declines accepting the office of President of the 
 College ; whereupon 
 
 Resolved, that the Committee on the subject of the Presi- 
 dency be instructed to inquire and ascertain whether the Rever- 
 end Gardiner Spring, of the City of New York, would accept 
 the appointment of President of Hamilton College if elected 
 to that office, and in case he should consent to accept the 
 appointment, that this Board would proceed to the election. 
 
 Resolved, that the communication of the Committee on the 
 subject of the Presidency to the Revd M^ Spring be forwarded 
 by Mr Professor Norton, and that the Treasurer pay his rea- 
 sonable expenses therefor. . . . 
 12 
 
178 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1817 
 
 Laws of the State of New York, 1817. 
 Chapter XCI. 
 AN ACT for the relief of Hamilton college. 
 
 Passed March 18, 181 7. 
 
 WHEREAS the trustees of Hamilton college have repre- 
 sented to the legislature, that they have been at great expense 
 in erecting buildings and making other improvements, neces- 
 sarily incident to a new establishment ; and, in consequence 
 thereof, have been obliged to contract large debts, which they 
 are, at present, unable to discharge without sacrifices greatly 
 to the injury of the college, inasmuch as they are restrained, 
 by the terms of the grant, from collecting the monies due 
 upon the mortgages assigned them by the comptroller, pursu- 
 ant to an act for that purpose, and the money granted them 
 by lottery cannot, at present be realized — Therefore, 
 
 BE it enacted by the people of the state of New York, rep- 
 resented in Senate and Assembly, That the treasurer of this 
 state, on the warrant of the comptroller, pay to the trustees 
 of Hamilton college, the sum of ten thousand dollars, in part 
 anticipation of the money authorised to be raised for the said 
 college, by virtue of the " act instituting a lottery for the pro- 
 motion of literature, and for other purposes," passed April 13, 
 1814; and that the said sum of ten thousand dollars, with 
 interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum, be retained 
 by the treasurer, for the use of this state, out of the sum of 
 forty thousand dollars, by the eighth section of the said act 
 directed to be paid to the trustees of the said college. 
 
1817] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 179 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. j 
 
 Nineteenth Meeting. June 24, 18 17. 
 
 . . . The Report of the Committee on the subject of 
 the Presidency was read, by which it appeared probable that 
 the Revd Gardner Spring would accept the office of President 
 of the College if elected. The Board immediately proceeded 
 to the election, and on counting the ballots they appeared unani- 
 mous in favour of the Revd Mr Spring. Therefore 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, that the Reverend Gardner Spring, 
 of the City of New York be and he hereby is appointed Presi- 
 dent of Hamilton College. 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, that the Committee on the subject 
 of the Presidency communicate to the Revd Gardner Spring 
 without delay his appointment as President of Hamilton Col- 
 lege and renew to him the expression of the anxious wishes 
 of the Trustees for his acceptance of the appointment; and 
 that in case of Mr Spring's acceptance of the Presidency, his 
 salary shall commence from the time of such acceptance; and 
 that the Trustees will defray the expense of his removal and 
 that of his family and effects to the house appointed to the 
 use of the President near the College. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Twentieth Meeting. July 21, 18 17. 
 
 . . . The Committee on the subject of the Presidency 
 having reported that the Rev^ Gardner Spring declined accept- 
 ing the office of President of the College, the Board proceeded 
 to elect by ballot a person to fill the vacancy, when on counting 
 the ballots, it appeared that they were unanimously given for 
 the Reverend Henry Davis, D.D., of Middlebury, in the State 
 of Vermont. 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, that the Rev^ Henry Davis be and 
 hereby is appointed President of Hamilton College. . , . 
 
180 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1818 
 
 Report of the Trustees of Hamilton College to the 
 Regents of the University, i8i8: 
 
 From the papers of President Davis, in the College Library 
 
 The Faculty of the College are 
 
 President, the Rev. Henry Davis, 
 
 D.D annual salary $1800.00 
 
 Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Josiah 
 
 Noyes do do 750 . 00 
 
 Professor of Mathematics and 
 Natural Philosophy, Theodore 
 Strong do do 750 . 00 
 
 Professor of Languages, Seth Nor- 
 ton do do 750 . 00 
 
 Tutors : Edward Robinson do do 500 . 00 
 
 Rev. Eleazer Barrows ... do do 500 . 00 
 
 for preaching to the Students 200 . 00 
 
 Number of Students, 58. $5250.00 
 
 The property of the College is as follows : 
 
 The College Plot, about 30 acres, on which are two build- 
 ings, 
 Oneida Hall, of wood, three stories high, 96 feet by 48. 
 Hamilton Hall, of stone, four stories, 93 by 48. 
 A Dining Hall and Steward's House in connection, of stone, 
 
 55 feet in length. 
 A President's House, of wood, and another small house, 
 
 and outhouses. 
 About $30,000 in notes, bonds, and mortgages, yielding 
 
 annually about $2000.00. 
 About 3,000 acres of wild land, indifferent in quality and 
 
 unproductive. 
 A Library of about 650 volumes. 
 A few articles of chemical and philosophical apparatus, very 
 
 insufficient. 
 The expense of each student who spends his whole terms at 
 
 the College, for tuition, board, room, and firewood, is 
 
 $120.00. 
 
1819] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 181 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Twenty-Third Meeting. August 25, 18 18. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that from and after the present commence- 
 ment no instrumental music shall be admitted on commence- 
 ment days or other days of public exhibition in College, either 
 in procession or during the exercises of the day, except such 
 as may be necessary to accompany the vocal music of the day. 
 
 Report of the Trustees of Hamilton College to the 
 Regents of the University, January, 1819. 
 
 From the papers of President Davis, in the College Library 
 The Faculty of the College. 
 
 Pres. Rev. Henry Davis Annual Salary $1800 
 
 Prof, of Chemistry, Dr. Josiah Noyes do 750 
 
 Prof, of Math. & Nat. Philosophy, 
 
 Theodore Strong do 750 
 
 Senior Tutor & Chaplain Rev. Eleazer 
 Barrows do 750 
 
 Junr. Tutor, Solomon Strong do 500 
 
 Professorship of Languages vacant. 
 
 Number of students seventy three, 
 thirty three of which have been ad- 
 mitted since the last commencement. 
 
 Course of Studies. 
 
 Freshman Class; Livy, Graeca Minora, Roman Antiquities, 
 Arithmetic revised, Murray's Eng. Grammar, Morse's Geog- 
 raphy of America, Graeca Majora. 
 
 Sophomore Class; Geography of the Eastern Continent, 
 Graeca Majora, Playfair's Euclid, Day's Algebra, Horace, 
 Webber's Mathematics 2 vol. Homer, Tully De Oratore. 
 
182 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1819 
 
 Junior Class; Webber's Math. 2 vol., Day's Surveying, 
 Enfield's Nat. Philosophy, TuUy De Oratore, Tacitus, Henry's 
 Chemistry, Vince's Fluxions, Tytler's Elements of History. 
 
 Senior Year; Hedge's Logic, Blair's Lectures, Lock on the 
 Human Understanding, Paley's Moral Philosophy, Kaim's 
 El. Criticism, Paley's Ev. Nat. and revealed religion, Butler's 
 Analogy. 
 
 By all the Classes particular attention is paid to composition 
 and speaking. 
 
 The two older classes receive lectures from the professors 
 in their respective branches. 
 
 Expense of Board, Tuition and Room rent, and Apparatus 
 and Library, as before. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Twenty-fifth Meeting. August 24, 18 19. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that Mr. Kirkland, Mr. Bristoll, and Mr. 
 Hopkins be a Committee to lay out the grounds enclosed in 
 the College Yard, and to cause trees of ornament to be set out 
 in such numbers and in such manner as they may deem proper, 
 and that the sum of one hundred dollars be appropriated to 
 defray the expense. . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 
 Meeting of April 3, 1819. 
 
 The Board then proceeded to the consideration of the annual 
 Report of the Regents to the Legislature and after some time 
 spent therein and sundry amendments made thereto it was 
 resolved that the same be adopted in the words following. 
 
 Hamilton College, although the youngest in the State, bids 
 fair to rise high in reputation, and from the advantages of its 
 location, it can not but prove extensively useful. Its number 
 of students during the last year was seventy three. . . . 
 
1820] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 183 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of April 12, 1820. 
 
 Mr Young from the Committee appointed to prepare the 
 annual Report of the Regents to the Legislature submitted the 
 following — 
 
 It appears from the returns made by the Colleges and 
 Academies within the state, that during the last year eighty 
 seven students have been members of Hamilton College. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Twenty-seventh Meeting. August 22, 1820. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that a suitable burying ground or cemetary 
 be set apart and designated on the College land, near the 
 College, for the interment of the Officers of the College and 
 their families, the Students of the College, and others attached 
 thereto. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs. Piatt, Norton, and Miller be a Com- 
 mittee to tender to the persons offering to erect a monument to 
 Schenendo, the Oneida Chief, a place in said cemetary for said 
 monument, consulting the Oneida Indians and their Catechist. 
 
 Resolved, that the remains (the friends of the deceased 
 assenting) of the Reverend Samuel Kirkland, Doctor Backus, 
 and Professor Norton be removed to said cemetary and monu- 
 ments be erected; that a suitable fence be erected around said 
 burying ground ; and that a sum not exceeding three hundred 
 dollars be appropriated for the above purpose. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that the resolution heretofore passed, prohibiting 
 the use of instrumental musick on commencement day, be 
 rescinded, and that hereafter instrumental musick may be em- 
 ployed and paid by the class which graduates, provided the 
 whole expense on account of said musick does not exceed the 
 sum of twenty dollars, and provided that there shall be no 
 performance of said musick in the church until the close of 
 the exercises. . . . 
 
184 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1821 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of March 19, 1821. 
 
 Mr Duer from the committee appointed to prepare the 
 annual Report of the Regents to the Legislature submitted the 
 following draft. 
 
 ... In Hamilton College the number of students is ninety 
 two, the annual expense to each, for Board, tuition, lodging 
 and contingences, is ninety two dollars for the first two years, 
 and one hundred and one for the next two. The course of 
 study adopted in this institution is, upon the whole, judicious, 
 as well as comprehensive, and the growing importance of that 
 section of the State, in which it is situated, entitles it to a 
 continuance of the fostering protection of the Legislature. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Thirty-first Meeting. November 21, 1821. 
 
 Resolved, that an additional College Building, 
 according to the plan heretofore adopted, be erected, the same 
 to be completed by the first of January, 1824, and that for 
 that purpose Messrs. Lothrop, Lynch, and Hopkins, together 
 with the Treasurer, be a committee to designate the site for, 
 and cause said building to be erected within the period afore- 
 said; which committee, in purchasing the materials and com- 
 pleting the building, shall observe the utmost economy, and 
 avoid all unnecessary expense as far as due regard to the 
 original Plan of College Buildings will permit. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs. Lynch, Kip, and McNeil be a com- 
 mittee to make application to the Legislature the ensuing winter 
 for additional funds for the College. . . . 
 
1822] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 185 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of April lo, 1822. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare the annual report to 
 the Legislature submitted the following draft which having 
 been read and amended was adopted, as follows : . . . 
 
 The number of students in Hamilton College is one hun- 
 dred. The property of this institution consists of about thirty 
 acres of ground, on which are the College edifices ; about 
 twenty six thousand dollars in Bonds Notes & Mortgages 
 about Three thousand acres of wild land unproductive and 
 not of much value ; a Library of Thirteen hundred volumes 
 and some articles of Chymical & philosophical apparatus. 
 
 The expense for a student who spends his whole terms at 
 College including tuition board and contingencies for the two 
 first years is about ninety two dollars annually and One hun- 
 dred dollars annually for the two last. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Thirty-third Meeting. August 27, 1822. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that the Committee of Finance, with the 
 Treasurer, be instructed carefully to watch over the Lottery 
 Funds of the College. 
 
 Resolved, that a power of attorney under the seal of the 
 Corporation and hand of the Clerk be executed to the Treas- 
 urer, authorizing and empowering him to transfer all the right 
 of this Institution to the avails of the Literature Lottery to 
 the Trustees of Union College, and to receive from said 
 Trustees such payments and securities as he shall think proper, 
 subject to the approbation and directions of the Committee 
 appointed on that subject. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that hereafter curtains shall not be drawn around 
 the pew in the rear of the stage on any day of Commence- 
 ment or Classical Exhibition, and that no ardent spirits or wine 
 be suffered to be brought into the church by any graduate or 
 undergraduate of the College for their use on those days. . , 
 
186 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1823 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of April 17, 1823. 
 
 Mr Duer from the Committee appointed to prepare the 
 annual report submitted the following draft, viz. . . . 
 
 The number of students in Hamilton College was on the 
 23rd of January last, one hundred and seven. The Professor- 
 ships appear to be well arranged, and the Course of Studies, 
 upon the whole, judicious in reference to the local situation 
 of the College. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Thirty-Fourth Meeting. May 13, 1823. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that the Building Committee take a survey 
 of the old Academy building, and take immediate measures 
 to make such repairs therein as shall be necessary to render 
 the same fit for the accommodation of the Students at the 
 commencement of the next term, and that they draw on the 
 Treasurer for the amount of their expenditures. 
 
 Resolved, that the members of the Finance Committee re- 
 siding in Utica audit the account of the Treasurer as to his 
 agency and expenses in dispositing of the Lottery Funds of 
 the College, and that the Treasurer retain the amount. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Thirty-sixth Meeting. October 8, 1823. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that Messrs. Gold, Piatt, and Anthon be 
 a Committee to consider and report upon the subject of the 
 College exercise of Public Speaking. 
 
 Resolved, that an additional building for the College be 
 undertaken, and that the sum of seven thousand five hundred 
 dollars be appropriated for that purpose; and that a Com- 
 mittee of Superintendance, to consist of eight members of the 
 
1825] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 187 
 
 board, be appointed, with full power to cause said building to 
 be erected, and in such style and form as they may adopt; 
 and the said Committee shall appoint a sub-committee of their 
 number to aid and assist the Treasurer in executing this 
 resolution, and draw for the monies so appropriated as the 
 same may be needed. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs. Lothrop, Lynch, Hart, VanRens- 
 selaer, McNeil, Piatt, Kirkland, and Gold comprise said 
 Committee. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of April 12, 1825. 
 
 The Regents of the University respectfully report. . . . 
 
 The condition of Hamilton College equals the most san- 
 guine expectations entertained for its prosperity. The faculty 
 consists of the President, three Professors and the requisite 
 number of Tutors. The number of Pupils in the different 
 classes, the present year, is one hundred and five. This insti- 
 tution has increased in reputation and now affords its patrons 
 very flattering prospects of continued usefulness in the promo- 
 tion of science and diffusion of literary knowledge. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Fortieth Meeting. May 10, 1825. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that the General Superintending Com- 
 mittee of the College building now erecting be authorised to 
 enquire into the expediency of inclosing the said College and 
 finishing a suite of rooms for the occupancy of Professor 
 Monteith and his family, together with the necessary lecture 
 and recitation rooms ; and also as to the propriety of discon- 
 tinuing the further prosecution of the work on said building 
 after it shall have been so enclosed and rendered secure from 
 injury; and of applying the materials on hand to the erection 
 of a Chapel for the use of the College ; and that the said Com- 
 
188 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1825 
 
 mittee report their opinion in the premises to this Board at 
 their next meeting. 
 
 Resolved, that no instrumental music whatever be admitted 
 at Commencement, or at Classical Exhibitions, except as the 
 accompaniment of vocal music. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Forty-first Meeting. August 23, 1825. 
 
 Resolved, that the College Building erected the 
 present season be secured against the weather, the windows 
 boarded up, and that further proceedings be suspended till 
 further orders. 
 
 Resolved that the Treasurer proceed to build a Chapel and 
 cause the same to be completed as soon as practicable, con- 
 sistent with due economy, and that Messrs. Piatt, Lothrop, 
 and Hubbard be a Committee to advise and direct the Treas- 
 urer as to the form and size and mode of finishing; and that 
 the Chapel be located south of Kirkland Hall ; and in case the 
 Committee should differ in opinion in relation to the advice 
 and direction to be given the Treasurer, they are authorized to 
 call on the Building Committee for their assistance, . . . 
 
 Philip Hooker to John H. Lothrop. 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I have received your favour of the 19th instant. I received 
 a communication from the late Mr E. Clark dated the 8th of 
 last month, giving me a particular description of the Site and 
 Buildings of Hamilton College, requesting me to forward a 
 Plan or Elevation of a front of a chappel, to have a Tower 
 and Steeple standing intirely without the Building which was 
 to be 75 by 50 feet front. He informed me that the Building 
 would be " Erected for other purposes, beside Religious and 
 Classical exercises " that it would have " three tiers of win- 
 dows " and that it would be " 33 feet in height above the 
 watertable." 
 
1826] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 189 
 
 On the receipt of his letter I wrote to him to inform me of 
 the distribution of the interior the better to enable me to design 
 a front to answer the internal arrangement, and whether a 
 steeple with a proportionate spire would be preferred — or 
 whether something of the style of a cupola with two sections 
 finished with a dome would not be more proper for a Chappel 
 than a lofty spire. The tower I presume ought to contain a 
 clock — and a college bell as a matter of course. If I under- 
 stand the thing correctly the Steeple is to be placed in front, 
 or at the east end. Is the stairs to be carried up in the tower 
 or elsewhere. 
 
 If you will favour me with a few hints on the subject, I 
 shall forward a drawing for the same forthwith. 
 Respectfully yours 
 
 P. Hooker 
 
 23rd Novr 1825 
 J. H. Lothrop Esq 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Forty-second Meeting. December 7, 1825. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs. Gold, Piatt, and Smith be a Com- 
 mittee to petition the Legislature at the next session, and, if 
 the same be deemed expedient, to cause a special delegate to 
 attend the Legislature, to solicit funds for Hamilton College, 
 at the expense of this Board. 
 
 Laws of the State of New York, 1826. 
 Chapter 143. 
 
 AN ACT for the protection of the Side Walks between the 
 Public Square in the Village of Clinton, in the County of 
 Oneida, and Hamilton College, and between the said 
 Square and the Ladies' Seminary in said Village. 
 
 Passed April 10, 1826. 
 I. BE it enacted by the People of the State of New York, 
 represented in Senate and Assembly, That if any person, after 
 
190 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1826 
 
 the passage of this act, shall wilfully do, or aid or assist any 
 person in doing any injury to the side walks, between the 
 public square in the village of Clinton, in the county of Oneida, 
 and Hamilton College, or to the side walks between the public 
 square and the ladies' seminary in said village, or to the fences 
 or railing erected for the protection thereof, every person so 
 offending, shall forfeit the sum of five dollars for each offence, 
 to be recovered, with the costs of suit, in an action of debt, 
 before any justice of the peace, in the name of the overseer of 
 highways of the road district, in which such injury shall have 
 been done. 
 
 2. Atid be it further enacted, That if any person shall here- 
 after wilfully ride, lead or drive any horse or horses along 
 either of said side walks, or shall wilfully drive any waggon, 
 sleigh, or other carriage thereon, every person so offending 
 shall forfeit the sum of one dollar, to be recovered in like 
 manner, 
 
 3. And be it further enacted, That every person oft'ending 
 against any of the provisions of this act, shall in addition to 
 the penalties imposed by this act, be liable to pay damages to 
 the extent of the injury done, to be recovered in like manner, 
 and that all penalties and damages to be recovered under this 
 act, shall be applied in the reparation of the said walks, or 
 of the fences and railing erected for the protection thereof. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Forty-fourth Meeting. August 22, 1826. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that Messrs. Gold, Lothrop, and Hubbard 
 be a Committee to petition the Legislature for aid to the 
 College funds, and if in their opinion it be expedient, to em- 
 ploy a special agent to attend the Legislature. 
 
 Resolved, that the Treasurer furnish said Committee with 
 documents to show correctly the amount of the College funds, 
 after the expense of the present building, now in course of 
 erection, is deducted, as far as they can be ascertained. . . . 
 
1827] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 191 
 
 Resolved, that a Professorship of Theology be established, 
 and the same is hereby established in Hamilton College, and 
 that a Professor be appointed whenever in the opinion of the 
 Trustees the same shall be sufficiently endowed. 
 
 Resolved, tliat Messrs. Davis, Gold, Smith, McNeil, and 
 Coe be a Committee to prepare and circulate a subscription 
 paper for funds to endow the Professorship of Theology in 
 Hamilton College, the subscription to take effect in case the 
 sum of twelve thousand dollars be subscribed. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 
 Meeting of April 12, 1827. 
 
 The usual returns have been received from all the Colleges 
 in the State, according to which, their respective number of 
 Students in each class, for the past year, is as follows: 
 
 Columbia College . . 
 Union College .... 
 Hamilton College . . 
 Geneva College .... 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Forty-fifth Meeting. May 8, 1827. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that it be the duty of the President and 
 Professors of the College to visit the rooms of the Students 
 at least twice a week, and that it be the duty of the Tutors to 
 visit the rooms of the Students in each of their particular 
 sections at least once a day during each Term. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that the Treasurer, as soon as he can get posses- 
 sion of the Boarding Hall and grounds, connected therewith, 
 lease the same on the most favourable terms he can obtain. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs. McNeil, Lothrop, Kirkland, Bronson, 
 
 
 .b opho- 
 
 
 
 Seniors Junior 
 
 mores 
 
 
 Total 
 
 33 30 
 
 31 
 
 33 
 
 127 
 
 — — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 183 
 
 25 29 
 
 22 
 
 14 
 
 90 
 
 7 2 
 
 10 
 
 18 
 
 2>7 
 
192 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1827 
 
 Brown, Hopkins, and Coe be a committee to enquire into the 
 state of the College in general, and particularly in relation to 
 the government and Course of Instruction therein, and the 
 conduct and demeanor of the several Officers thereof; and in 
 particular in relation to any suggestions which may have been 
 made by one Officer unfavourable to another, or derogatory 
 to his character in any manner, and that they report thereon 
 at the next meeting of this Board. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Forty-Sixth Meeting. August 21, 1827. 
 
 Whereas, at the last meeting of this Board a committee was 
 appointed to investigate the condition of the College and to 
 report at the present meeting the result of their enquiries ; and 
 whereas, such report has been presented to the Board at their 
 present meeting and put on file, showing, among other facts 
 of deep interest to the friends of the College, that its produc- 
 tive funds are very rapidly reducing, and do not at the present 
 time exceed the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, and that the 
 sum annually received for tuition falls more than three thou- 
 sand dollars short of the amount of the salaries paid to the 
 officers of the College ; and whereas the state of the public 
 mind with respect to the College is such as to forbid the hope 
 of securing patronage to the Institution and an increase to 
 the number of its students until some very essential and 
 favourable changes shall take place in its character; therefore 
 
 Resolved, that, such being the condition of the College, this 
 Board, as guardians of the Institution, having high and im- 
 portant trusts to discharge, and regarding at the same time 
 the interests and character of the present Faculty of the Col- 
 lege, are of opinion that imperious necessity demands the ap- 
 plication of some remedy to prevent the entire destruction of 
 the Funds and the total prostration of the Institution. . . . 
 
1828] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 193 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Forty-seventh Meeting. September 19, 1827. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that the pecuniary circumstances of the 
 College make it necessary to reduce the Salaries of the Officers ; 
 therefore 
 
 Resolved, that the Salary of the President be reduced to 
 the sum of twelve hundred dollars, and that the Salary of the 
 Professor of the Greek Language be reduced to the sum of 
 six hundred fifty dollars. 
 
 Resolved, that until further ordered Professor Monteith 
 discharge the duties of the Professor of the Latin and Greek 
 Languages. 
 
 Resolved, that the present state of the College imperiously 
 requires that the services of the Professor of the Latin Lan- 
 guage be dispensed with until the next meeting of this Board. 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Maynard, Mr. Frost, Mr. 
 Dwight, and Mr. Smith be a committee to report to this Board 
 as soon as practicable a proper course of studies, exercise, and 
 discipline to be pursued in this Institution; and that the 
 Treasurer pay all the necessary expenses of the committee in 
 the execution of their duty. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Forty-eighth Meeting. January 9, 1828. 
 
 . . . A letter from Professor Strong, announcing his 
 resignation as Professor of Mathematics &c., was read, ac- 
 cepted, and ordered to be filed. The report of the committee 
 of the 19th of September, appointed to report a proper course 
 of studies &c., was read and considered and ordered to lie 
 on the table. A communication from Mr. Smith on the same 
 subject was disposed of in like manner. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that the resolution of this Board passed at their 
 last meeting, reducing the salaries of the President of the 
 13 
 
194 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1828 
 
 College and the Professor of the Greek Language be and the 
 same is hereby rescinded. 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Maynard, and Mr. Bron- 
 son be a committee to confer with the President of the Medical 
 Society of the County of Oneida and such other persons as he 
 may designate, on the subject of the memorial presented by 
 him for the consideration of the Board ; and to report at the 
 next meeting of the Board such measures to be taken in the 
 premises as they may deem for the best interest of the College. 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Bronson, Mr. Aikin, Mr. Lansing, Mr. 
 Williams, and Mr. Coe be a committee to take into considera- 
 tion the state and condition of the College with power to 
 devise such measures as they may deem proper for its in- 
 terests; and to report the same to this Board at its next 
 meeting. 
 
 Resolutions Adopted by Students of the College, 1828. 
 
 At a meeting of the students of Hamilton College, convened 
 at the Chapel on the 14th inst. for the purpose of expressing 
 their opinions with regard to the causes of the present low 
 state of this institution, N. Cushman was called to the chair, 
 and S. T. Fairchild appointed Secretary. After many remarks 
 from different individuals upon the object of the meeting, on 
 motion of Mr. Mather it was 
 
 Resolved, that Stephen A. Goodwin, Hamilton Van Dyck, 
 and Hicks Worden be a committee to draft resolutions expres- 
 sive of the sense of the meeting. The committee retired for 
 a short time and reported the following. 
 
 The Students of Hamilton College, aware of the low state 
 of this institution ; fully convinced that with its best interests 
 are identified their own ; that the fondest wishes and justest 
 expectations of their friends, of the patrons of this College, 
 and of the community at large, are not realized ; feeling a deep 
 solicitude for its welfare ; and believing that it is expedient 
 
1828] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 195 
 
 no longer tamely to witness measures, which in their opinion 
 are detrimental to their own interests, and those of the institu- 
 tion of which they are members, do adopt as expressive of 
 their sentiments on this subject the following Preamble and 
 Resolutions. 
 
 Whereas the decline of this institution has been wrongfully 
 attributed to the maladministration of the Faculty, and where- 
 as certain measures adopted by the Trustees have, in their 
 influence upon our justly revered president and professor of 
 languages, seriously affected the reputation of this institution, 
 and whereas in consequence of these measures our very 
 eminent instructor, the late professor of mathematics, has 
 left this institution, cp which account many students who have 
 been induced by his high reputation as an instructor, to become 
 members of this college, not only feel themselves deeply in- 
 jured, but are unwilling without ample satisfaction longer to 
 remain, and whereas the course of studies in the several classes 
 in consequence of the aforesaid measures, has been so arranged 
 as to produce great dissatisfaction in those classes, and where- 
 as in consequence of the aforesaid measures the students are 
 required to attend public worship at an unreasonable distance, 
 much to their inconvenience and frequently to their unneces- 
 sary exclusion from religious instruction, and whereas the 
 Trustees have neglected to establish a Professorship of 
 Rhetoric and Divinity, as their own promises had led us con- 
 fidently to expect, Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That so far from considering the Faculty as 
 having contributed to the decline, we believe that their un- 
 remitted exertions have been for the advancement of the best 
 interests of this Institution. 
 
 Resolved, that the treatment of our respected Principal and 
 Professor of Languages, so deleterious in its consequences, 
 should and hereby does receive our decided disapprobation. 
 
 Resolved, That the immediate appointment of an able Pro- 
 fessor of Mathematics is indispensably necessary. 
 
 Resolved, That if affairs remain long in their present con- 
 
1% DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1828 
 
 dition we cannot enjoy the advanta<;es which were expected in 
 this and are enjoyed in other institutions and do not feel our- 
 selves under any obligations whatever longer to continue mem- 
 bers of this Institution. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Norton, Resolved that the preceding 
 preamble and resolutions be adopted as expression of the sense 
 of this meeting. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Ullmann, Resolved that the proceedings 
 of this meeting be signed by the Chairman and Secretary. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Baxter, Resolved that a committee of 
 three be appointed to hand the proceedings of this meeting to 
 the Trustees of Hamilton College. Messrs. Baxter, Mather, 
 and Ullmann were appointed to the committee. 
 
 (Signed) N. Cushman, Chm 
 S. T. Fairchild, Secretary. 
 
 [Endorsed] 
 Reed & nothing sent 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Fifty-first Meeting. September 17, 1828. 
 
 , . . Resolved, unanimously, that Mr. John H. Lathrop, 
 of the Town of Gardiner, in the State of Maine, be and he is 
 hereby appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural 
 Philosophy in Hamilton College with a Salary of eight hun- 
 dred dollars per annum; and that the Clerk of the Board be 
 and he hereby is directed to notify the Professor elect of the 
 said appointment, and to assure him that it is the firm deter- 
 mination of this Board to continue the College in operation, 
 and if he accept said appointment he will meet with the cordial 
 cooperation and support of this Board. 
 
 Resolved, that Mr. Williams, Mr. Gridley, and Mr. BristoU 
 be a committee to ornament the College yard by planting 
 forest and other trees and shrubbery at a suitable season of the 
 year, at an expense not exceeding fifty dollars. . . . 
 
1828] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 197 
 
 LIenry Davis to the Regents of the University. 
 
 From the papers of President Davis, in the College Library 
 
 To the Honourable the Board of Regents of the University 
 of the State of New York the undersigned begs leave respect- 
 fully to present the following petition. 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 Constituted as you are, by the supreme authority of the 
 State, the guardians of the interests of Literature and Science 
 in a great and prosperous Community, you cannot but ex- 
 perience lively gratification in every well-directed and success- 
 ful effort, made under your fostering care, for the promotion 
 of those interests ; and the failure of an effort for this object, 
 no matter from what cause, commenced under circumstances 
 calculated to excite in the public mind well grounded hopes 
 of a propitious result, will not fail to be regarded by you with 
 deep regret. 
 
 And when an Institution of Learning, founded under your 
 auspices and liberally endowed from the public treasury, 
 becomes sickly and paralyzed in its operations — and of course 
 fails of its object — to your Honourable Body it belongs, it is 
 believed, to investigate the disorders under which it is labour- 
 ing and to prescribe the remedy. 
 
 It is with no ordinary emotions that your petitioner finds 
 himself constrained by an imperative sense of duty to invite 
 the attention of your Honourable Body to the Institution over 
 which he presides. Situated in a region highly fertile, delight- 
 ful, and favoured with a salubrious climate ; in the midst of 
 an enterprising, virtuous, numerous, and increasing people; 
 with an endowment of $100,000 from the State and of $50,- 
 000 from private munificence, Hamilton College, it was con- 
 fidently expected, was destined soon to become a highly respect- 
 able and useful Seminary. 
 
 The steady growth of the Institution for several years 
 seemed to leave little room to doubt that the expectations which 
 
198 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1828 
 
 had been excited would l^e fully answered. The following 
 facts derived from the printed documents of the College 
 furnish a satisfactory history of its progress during the 
 administration of your petitioner. 
 
 The first year of his presidency no catalogue of the students 
 was published. The whole number in the four classes at this 
 period — 1817-18 — was little more than 50 — graduated 10 
 
 1818-19 — whole number — 73 12 
 
 1819-20 89 14 
 
 1820-21 93 18 
 
 1821-22 100 15 
 
 1822-23 107 33 
 
 1823-24 1 10 17 
 
 1824-25 105 23 
 
 1825-26 100 28 
 
 1826-27 90 23 
 
 1827-28 — no correct catalogue was published.. 17 
 
 There were admitted this year, previous to the 1st of No- 
 vember, 32 young gentlemen — as great a number as has been 
 usually admitted so early in the year. The number of under- 
 graduates at that time was about 80. Had it not been for 
 certain adverse occurrences, it was ascertained that they would 
 have amounted, at least, to 100. Since that time, Nov. ist, 
 1827, we have had no Professor of Mathematics and Natural 
 Philosophy to give instruction in those Sciences ; and since 
 May 1828 no Professor to give instruction in the Languages. 
 Subsequent to the last date but one Professor (i. e. a Professor 
 of Chymestry) has been connected with the Institution, whose 
 salary, because they have no services for him, is suspended by 
 a resolution of the Board of Trustees for the present year. 
 At the Commencement in August last, besides the seventeen 
 young gentlemen in the Senior class who were then graduated, 
 there were remaining in the College but ten members, viz. 
 three Sophomores and seven Freshmen. Of the 80 young 
 
1829] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 199 
 
 gentlemen who were members of the Institution Nov. ist 1827, 
 four only are now connected with it; five have been admitted 
 the present year; so that the total number of our scholars at 
 present is nine, of which five are in the Sophomore, and four 
 in the Freshman class. It must be obvious to any one that 
 causes of no ordinary character must have operated on the 
 vital energies of the Institution to produce so rapid and un- 
 paralleled a decline. 
 
 In view of the facts above stated, your petitioner would 
 respectfully and earnestly request of your Honourable Body 
 that you would faithfully seek for a knowledge of those 
 causes ; and adopt such measures to save the College from the 
 dissolution which threatens it, and to restore its once healthful 
 and vigorous action, as in your wisdom you shall deem proper. 
 
 Should it be the opinion of your Honourable Body, after a 
 thorough and impartial investigation of the subject, and when 
 in possession of all the facts, that its rapid decline and present 
 languishing condition can justly be attributed to your peti- 
 tioner, he will be unwilling to remain an obstacle to the pros- 
 perity of an Institution, which he doubts not may be rendered 
 by judicious and able management an ornament and a blessing 
 to our State and to our Nation. 
 
 Henry Davis 
 Hamilton College President of Hamilton College. 
 
 15th Jan. 1829 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of February 3, 1829. 
 A communication from John Lay, Jesse Curtiss, Josiah 
 Bacon and others, representing themselves to be a Committee 
 appointed by citizens of the County of Oneida, setting forth 
 the present declining state and condition of Hamilton College, 
 and requesting the Regents to ascertain the causes which have 
 produced the decline, and to adopt such measures to restore 
 the College to its former state as to them should appear suit- 
 
200 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1829 
 
 able and proper, was read, and after some time spent thereon 
 it was ordered, that, inasmuch as the Trustees of said College 
 did not make any report to the Regents at their last annual 
 session, the Secretary be directed to inform them of their 
 default, and to call on them for a Report of the present state 
 and condition of their College and of the causes, if any, which 
 have produced a decline in its afTairs. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Fifty-second Meeting. March i8, 1829. 
 A communication from the Regents of the Uni- 
 versity of the State of New York was read and considered, 
 and a committee, consisting of Messrs. Kirkland, Lansing, 
 Yates, Williams, and Lothrop was appointed to report thereon, 
 which report having been made, was accepted by the Board, 
 as follows : 
 
 " The Regents of the University having, by their resolution 
 of the 3d day of February, 1829, called upon this Board to 
 report the present state and condition of Hamilton College, 
 and also the causes, if any, which have produced a decline in 
 its affairs; and the usual annual report of the state of the 
 College having been submitted by the Chairman and Clerk 
 of the Board on the 23d day of February last ; 
 
 " Resolved, without expressing any opinion on the power 
 of the Board of Regents to require of the Trustees to report 
 the causes of the decline of the affairs of the College, that in 
 their opinion it would be inexpedient to attempt to state the 
 causes of such decline, and would lead to no practical good; 
 but that the Trustees will be happy to receive a visit from the 
 Board of Regents, or a committee of the same, whenever it 
 shall suit their convenience or pleasure. . . ." 
 
 Resolved, that whereas a proposition has been made in the 
 name of Gerritt Smith, Esq., to support the College on cer- 
 tain conditions apparently favourable to its prosperity, Messrs. 
 Davis, Yates, Williams, Goodrich, and Knox be a committee 
 
1829] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 201 
 
 to receive his proposition definitely and report the same to this 
 Board at their meeting in May next. 
 
 Gerrit Smith to Andrew Yates. 
 
 From the papers of President Davis, in the College Library 
 
 Petersboro March 23rd, 1829 
 Rev. Dr. Yates. 
 
 My Dear Sir, 
 
 The subject of your conversation with me last Saturday 
 has been much on my mind ever since. The concerns of a 
 College may be brought under the general distinction of its 
 internal and external interests. The first being the charge 
 of the faculty and the other of the Corporation. On the last 
 branch I will make a few remarks. 
 
 Formerly no serious inconveniences were felt from the 
 great defect in the kind of government exercised by the Cor- 
 poration of a College. That defect consists in the govern- 
 ment being so very general and distant and inconstant. A Col- 
 lege at the present time that is highly prosperous may succeed 
 in spite of this defect ; and the principal reason why all our 
 Colleges may not succeed as well now, as they formerly did 
 under a government sitting thus loosely about them, is the 
 rapid multiplication within a few years of similar Institutions 
 in our country. 
 
 The competition amongst these schools has, of course, been 
 sharpening, as their number increased; and inducing a closer, 
 more attentive and particular government of them. This com- 
 petition and these consequences of it have been the greater 
 because many of these schools are individual property, and are 
 conducted under the vigilant eyes and by the stimulated hands 
 of self interest. It is already with our superior schools, as 
 with our manufactories. A few years ago, and our manufac- 
 toring establishments succeeded pretty well even under the 
 very general and negligent charge of the Incorporated com- 
 panies that conducted them. Now, private enterprise in the 
 
202 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1829 
 
 same channels has either driven those estabHshments ashore, 
 or necessitated them to come under a more efficient direction. 
 
 A similar competition amongst our schools of a higher 
 grade is loudly demanding a similar change in the govern- 
 ment of them ; and perhaps there is not one of them under 
 such a vital need of this change as Hamilton College. For if 
 the government usually exercised by a Board of Trustees over 
 a College is not adequate to sustain the Institution against its 
 multiplying competitors, how totally insufficient must such a 
 government be to revive and invigorate a dead College. What 
 remedy is within the reach of your Board? I think of nothing 
 that promises so well to raise the College as the enlistment 
 of individual responsibility in the undertaking. 
 
 That responsibility I never felt to any great extent, whilst 
 I was a member of the Board, and probably it was so with 
 my fellow members. To make that responsibility the most 
 efifectual, let it be made to extend to the property, as well as 
 to the character of the person you load with it. Where will 
 you find the right man to come under that heavy responsibility ? 
 
 In a conversation with Mr Keep the other evening, I was 
 vain enough to volunteer myself for it. I am conscious of 
 having three qualifications for the service. The first is : a 
 strong attachment to my Alma Mater. The second is : that 
 I am in such circumstances, as probably justify me in incur- 
 ring the hazard of so much of my property. And the third 
 is: my solicitude (quite as ambitious as any man should be) 
 to preserve, in all my pursuits, a good and respectable name. 
 But these qualifications, important as they are, do not com- 
 prise all that are needed for this service. It is desirable that 
 the person imbarking in it, be able to add to these qualifica- 
 tions an extended reputation for integrity, wisdom and learn- 
 ing — such a reputation in short as would inspire a very gen- 
 eral and strong confidence in the success of the undertaking, 
 to which he puts his hand. 
 
 I most earnestly wish, that the Board might find a man of 
 such eminent fitness, willing to pledge his faithful and per- 
 
1829] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 203 
 
 severing endeavors — his purse and his character — to the 
 revival of an Institution, in whose fall so many precious public 
 interests sympathise and deeply suffer. I know not where 
 you can find such a man. Probably Henry Dwight of Geneva 
 is as nearly so as any man in this part of our country ; but he 
 has such an aversion to a College, that he would make a con- 
 science of pulling down rather than building up one. 
 
 Should the Board be pleased with such a scheme, as was 
 barely hinted to them by Mr. Keep, and should they after fail- 
 ing to find a suitable man for it, think proper to charge me 
 with the high trust, that the scheme contemplates reposing 
 in some individual, you are at liberty to say I will gratefully 
 accept of it on the following terms. 
 
 1st. Term of the trust to be 6 years. 
 
 2nd. I am to have the use of all the College grounds, build- 
 ings and their contents. 
 
 3rd. The Board to repair and improve from time to time 
 in such manner, as they may think proper, the said grounds 
 and buildings, and also the apparatus and Library. , 
 
 4th. The Board to complete the North Edifice, if the increase 
 of students within the six years should require it. Looking 
 no farther than the interest of their treasury, they would of 
 course be pleased to have this expenditure become necessary. 
 
 5th. Commencement Dinner to be provided by the Board. 
 
 6th. The Board to be at no expense in sweeping rooms, 
 halls, &c, nor in providing fuel, nor in ringing the Bell. 
 
 7th. I am to defray the whole expense of providing teachers 
 
 — and this item of expense is not to fall below 25 to $30,cxdo 
 in the six years — will perhaps exceed this estimate. 
 
 8th. I am to receive all charges for tuition and diplomas; 
 and also any rents that may be derivable from any portion of 
 the premises. 
 
 9th. I am to draw on the Treasurer of the Board for 
 $10,000; this sum is $1000 more than I spoke of to Mr Keep 
 
 — but I must necessarily be at considerable expense, aside 
 from paying the salaries of the members of the Faculty — 
 
204 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1829 
 
 and in making up the $9000 I looked at the subject of the 
 salaries only. The $10,000 I am to draw for in the following 
 manner: first year, $3000; second year, $2000; third year, 
 $1500; fourth year, $1500; fifth year, $1000; sixth year, 
 $1000. My draughts in each year to be quarterly and equal. 
 In the Annual Report which I shall be bound to make to the 
 Board of the particular condition of the College, I am to 
 render an exact account of my receipts and disbursements in 
 the premises. At the end of six years, or at the end of any 
 previous year, when the Trustees shall request me to relinquish 
 this trust, or when I may choose to relinquish it, I am to pay 
 to the Treasurer of the Board whatever surplus of income 
 over expenditure may be remaining in my hands at the time. 
 Should there be a deficiency instead of a surplus, that deficiency 
 to be my loss. There is to be no interest account between the 
 Treasurer and myself. 
 
 loth. As the Corporation have no right to put into other 
 hands, unconditionally and beyond their power of resumption 
 at any time, the government of the College, so, of course, 
 they are not to suffer myself or others to appoint or have the 
 exclusive nomination of any member of the Faculty of the 
 College. I need but add that the Corporation will readily 
 perceive the suitableness and importance of gratifying my 
 wishes on these subjects during the continuance of my Trust, 
 as far as may possibly consist with their sense of propriety. 
 
 nth. I could not be induced to receive this Trust without 
 having an entirely new Faculty, and therefore, if President 
 Davis should persist in holding his place, the negotiation 
 between the Board and myself is at an end. I have not come 
 hastily to this conclusion, nor have I lightly esteemed your last 
 Saturday's arguments against it. 
 
 I am President Davis' friend. I have been his pupil, and 
 his kindness and faithfulness to me whilst standing in that 
 interesting and endearing relation to him can never be for- 
 gotten by me. Such are my feelings towards that venerable 
 man and his excellent family, that his continuance in the 
 
1829] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 205 
 
 Presidency of the College would be to me a most agreeable 
 feature in my contemplated connexion with it, were it not that, 
 in my honest judgment, higher considerations, and before 
 which all personal considerations must give way, are decidedly 
 opposed to it. 
 
 Dr. Davis came into his present office furnished with the 
 most ample and flattering testimonials of his fitness for it. 
 I cannot believe that he has lost any of his intrinsic fitness 
 for it. I know him well, and cheerfully disavow all suspicion 
 of his being in his dotage. Still, Hamilton College cannot 
 rise under President Davis. Hamilton College must present 
 a new aspect, a new state of things, before it can gain public 
 confidence. And can it have that aspect, that apparently new 
 state of things, as long as President Davis continues at the 
 head of it? Produce a change in its conditions, as extensive 
 as you please, and yet forbear to change this most essential 
 feature, and Hamilton College, in spite of all you have done, 
 will continue to be, in the superficial view of the public mind, 
 the same old thing of which it has become so sick and weary. 
 My friend Dr. Kendrick, in his remarks on this subject before 
 the Board, admitted that public opinion is omnipotent, but he 
 added, very happily, that it is not immutable. The doctor's 
 general proposition is certainly full of truth, but Hamilton 
 College has lamentably proved an exception to it, for the years 
 that have passed away since the doctor stated it have but too 
 conclusively proved that public opinion, in this instance, pos- 
 sesses the attribute of immutability as well as of omnipotence. 
 
 I say not by what means Hamilton College has fallen. 
 A share of the blame may belong to the President ; a still 
 larger share to the Board. I insist upon this only, that time 
 has abundantly proved it can never rise but under the auspices 
 and application of other hands. I used to say that if the Board 
 would but exercise confidence in the President, and cordially 
 cooperate with him in advancing the interests of the College, 
 their work would not be in vain. But I would not say so now. 
 Things have come to such a pass that the public would obsti- 
 
206 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1829 
 
 nately refuse to take any hope from any such attempted 
 co-operation. They would look for no beneficial fruits from 
 it. It was given out last September that a reconcilation had 
 taken place between the President and the Board, and the 
 public had large promises made to them of the cordial co-opera- 
 tion of the two in their future efforts to revive the College; 
 but the fact that you have scarcely students enough to disturb 
 the silence of your empty buildings pronounces the futility 
 of your conjoint endeavors to win public favour to the Col- 
 lege. In vain has proved your appointment at that time of 
 a very able man for your Professorship of Mathematics, and 
 of another man, perhaps equally able, for your Professorship 
 of Languages. In vain has it proved, that your Secretary 
 then announced to the public the new-manning and new-rigging 
 of the vessel. It was in vain to awaken hopes of her making 
 a successful voyage so long as she continued under the old 
 commander. 
 
 But before we talk of regaining the public confidence by 
 means of a cordial union of the President and the Board, let 
 us, in view of what has passed, frankly acknowledge the 
 impracticability of an union ever taking place. A few such 
 facts as the following show that it cannot : 
 
 1st. The Board have unanimously resolved that the interests 
 of the College demand the resignation of the President. 
 
 2d. Members of the Board have told Dr. Davis in my hear- 
 ing that he is, in their judgment, unfit for the place, and that 
 whilst he persists in holding it they can do nothing — they 
 have no encouragement to do anything — to revive the College. 
 
 3d. For several years the President has been spending no 
 little breath in charging the downfall of the College on the 
 Board, and in all this time the Board, or at least many mem- 
 bers of the Board, have as freely charged it on him. I might, 
 if it were necessary, communicate many more facts to show 
 that the Board and the President have, in their official capacity, 
 long since parted forever. It is but the form of their first 
 connection that now remains. Should I enter upon the pro- 
 
1829] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 207 
 
 posed Trust, it would be with the purpose of uniting my own 
 spirited and persevering endeavours with such endeavours on 
 the part of the Board to raise our beloved Hamilton into the 
 very first rank of American Colleges. But ho^y could I flatter 
 myself with the aid of such indispensable aid from the Board, 
 so long as we were not rid of what, in their repeated judg- 
 ment, is a fatal objection to the prosperity of the College ? It 
 is surely not enough for me to know that the Board is friendly 
 to the College. I am already persuaded that every member 
 of it is so. But before I come under the heavy responsibility, 
 I must see that there are no obstacles in the way of the pros- 
 perity of the College which the Board will regard as insuper- 
 able, and which will, of course, deter them from putting forth 
 such efforts in belialf of the College as will correspond with 
 the friendship they feel for it. Let Dr. Davis continue to be 
 the President of the College, and I would place no reliance 
 on the aid of the Board, for they could not give me their aid 
 against all their convictions of the uselessness of my efforts 
 under this encumbrance. 
 
 From views of his duty which, sincere as I have no doubt 
 they are, I must still think to be mistaken. Dr. Davis will prob- 
 ably refuse to retire from office. He remains there, as he 
 says, for self-vindication. There, where he has become so 
 unpopular, does he choose to remain to conquer public opinion. 
 If I may be permitted to speak so freely of a man for whom 
 I am bound to feel the greatest respect, I would say that Presi- 
 dent Davis' mind labors under two great errors in this mat- 
 ter: 1st, He has no right as a man, much less as a Christian, 
 to weigh himself, his private grievances and private interests, 
 against the College and all those great public objects which 
 suffer so deeply for the revival of the College, and which must 
 continue to suffer until he makes room for its revival. 2d, If 
 public opinion is made up of individual opinions similar to my 
 own, then President Davis will surely not improve in it by 
 refusing to give up his office, but he will continue to sink lower 
 and lower in it, and to exhibit stronger and stronger proofs 
 of his selfish recklessness of the public good. 
 
208 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1829 
 
 No doubt we all agree that President Davis, in the very act 
 of voluntarily returning to private life, will do much towards 
 awakening in the public mind a tender interest towards himself ; 
 and there, too, he would have leisure, if so disposed to employ 
 it, to collect his testimony and frame his argument for con- 
 vincing the world that the downfall of Hamilton College is 
 chargeable on the Corporation and not on himself. 
 
 I add no more. Yourself and the other gentlemen compos- 
 ing the committee can, no doubt, readily determine whether 
 it is worth while to assemble the Board to consider this 
 communication. 
 
 I need scarcely say to one of such characteristic promptitude 
 as yourself that no time should be lost in getting to the close 
 of this business. 
 
 With great respect and sincere friendship. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 Gerrit Smith. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of March 24, 1829. 
 . . . A communication from the Trustees of Hamilton 
 College declining a compliance with the resolution of the 
 Regents passed on the 3d of February last, calling on them 
 to report the causes of the decline in the affairs of said College 
 was read and referred to the Committee appointed to prepare 
 the annual Report of the Regents to the Legislature. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of April 7, 1829. 
 Mr Butler from the Committee appointed to prepare the 
 annual report of the Regents of the University to the Legisla- 
 ture, submitted the following draft — ... 
 
 There are at this time but nine students in Hamilton College, 
 five of whom are in the Sophomore and the remainder in the 
 
1829] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 209 
 
 Freshman Class. No report was received from this College 
 during the year 1828; but the number of students in the insti- 
 tution at the date of the report for the year 1827 was ninety. 
 The causes of the subsequent diminution in the number of 
 students, not being communicated to the Regents in the annual 
 report of the Trustees, a resolution was passed by the Regents 
 on the 3d day of February last, requiring the Trustees of the 
 College to report its present state and condition, and also the 
 causes if any which had produced a decline in its affairs. 
 A copy of this resolution having been transmitted to the officers 
 of the institution, the Regents were informed by a Letter from 
 the Treasurer of the corporation, under date of the 23d of 
 February, that a meeting of the Trustees was soon to be held, 
 when the subject would be laid before them. Since that time 
 the Regents have received a communication, a Copy of which 
 is annexed to this report, by which it will be perceived that 
 the Trustees without expressing any opinion upon the power 
 of the Regents to inquire into the afifairs of the College, have 
 declined complying with the resolution of the 3d of February 
 on the ground that it would be inexpedient to attempt to state 
 the causes of the decline in the affairs of the College, and 
 would lead to no practical good; but the Trustees state their 
 readiness to receive a visit from the Regents, whenever it 
 shall suit their convenience or pleasure. It does not distinctly 
 appear from the resolution of the Trustees, whether they 
 intend to deny the power of the Regents to inquire into the 
 matters embraced in their resolution or not; and yet if those 
 powers were admitted, it is difficult to suppose that the Trus- 
 tees would have declined answering the inquiries addressed 
 to them. Viewing the subject in this light, the Regents can 
 not refrain from presenting this omission of the Trustees as a 
 palpable violation of the Laws of the State, which authorise 
 & require the Regents " to visit and inspect all the Colleges 
 in the State, examine into the state and system of education 
 and discipline therein, and make a yearly report thereof to the 
 Legislature ; and also to visit every college in this State, once 
 14 
 
210 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1829 
 
 a year, by themselves or their committees, & yearly to report 
 the state of the same to the Legislature." 
 
 It is believed that the power of the Regents to inquire, in 
 reference to this particular institution, into the matters 
 included within the purview of their resolution of the 3d of 
 February, cannot safely be drawn in question ; and it will 
 be seen, that there was a peculiar fitness in asking the informa- 
 tion desired, when it is considered, that the institution referred 
 to had, on two several occasions, received liberal endowments 
 from the Treasury of the State. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Fifty-third Meeting. May 12, 1829. 
 
 . . . The committee appointed at the last meeting of 
 the Board to receive the proposition of Gerrit Smith, Esquire, 
 of Peterboro, in relation to the support of the College on 
 certain conditions apparently favourable to its prosperity, and 
 to report the same to the Board at this meeting, made a report, 
 accompanied by the propositions of Mr. Smith, in writing. 
 The report of the committee was read and accepted. 
 
 The communication of Mr. Smith was then read; and 
 thereupon the following resolution was offered and adopted 
 unanimously : 
 
 Resolved, that the proposition of Mr. Smith, accompanying 
 the report of the committee appointed to confer with him in 
 relation to the support of the College, is inadmissible and ought 
 not to be accepted. . . . 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, that Simeon North, A. M., be and 
 he hereby is appointed Professor of Languages in Hamilton 
 College. 
 
 Resolved, that the Salary of the Professor of Languages be 
 eight hundred dollars. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that the President of the College and the Secre- 
 tary of the Board of Trustees make such communications to 
 the publick in relation to the College as they shall think 
 proper. . . . 
 
1829] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 211 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Fifty-fourth Meeting. August 25, 1829. 
 . A report from the Committee appointed at a former 
 meeting of the Board in relation to the Oneida Hall * was 
 received and accepted, and thereupon 
 
 Resolved, that the Treasurer be authorised and required to 
 remove with as little delay as may be practicable the college 
 building called Oneida Hall, and to level the ground on which 
 it stands ; that he be directed to dispose of the materials of 
 which it is composed to the best advantage in his power; and 
 that he report to this Board at its next meeting what he shall 
 have done in the premises, with a particular statement of his 
 services, receipts, and expenditures. 
 
 On motion of Mr Morse, Resolved, that a committee be 
 appointed to inquire into the present state, condition, and pros- 
 pects of the Institution under the care of this Board ; and also 
 that they enquire into the expediency of introducing into it 
 some of the alleged improvements in the method of teaching, 
 and generally to propose such measures as shall in their judg- 
 ment be adapted to its future prosperity. Messrs. Morse, 
 A. Yates, Kendrick, Goodrich, and Randall were appointed 
 to the Committee. . . . 
 
 The Committee appointed on the resolution offered by Mr. 
 Morse presented their report. Accompanying the report were 
 a- number of resolutions, which, after amendment, were adopted 
 as follows : 
 
 1. Resolved, that ways and means be devised for increasing 
 the Library as rapidly as possible. 
 
 2. That it be the duty of the Faculty to deliver courses of 
 lectures on as many branches of science as practicable ; and 
 that, when they discover that any of the graduates evince 
 genius and the proper talent for good teachers and lecturers, 
 they exert their influence to have them remain in the Institution 
 
 The original Hamilton Oneida Academy. 
 
212 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1830 
 
 after graduation with a view to qualify themselves for such 
 stations. 
 
 3. That hereafter, and as soon as the number of pupils will 
 warrant it, some experienced practical civil engineer shall be 
 employed by this Board annually to deliver a course of lectures 
 on practical surveying, levelling, civil engineering, and subjects 
 which have an intimate connection therewith. 
 
 4. That every person, whether a student in the Institution 
 or not, on paying a compensation to be fixed by the Prudential 
 Committee and strictly conforming to the laws of the College, 
 be allowed to attend all or any of the lectures or recitations 
 of the Institution at the discretion of the Faculty. 
 
 5. In order to secure competent and satisfactory instruction 
 to the higher classes of the Institution, Resolved, that a Pro- 
 fessorship of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres be established ; and 
 that Messrs. Davis, Lansing, and Goodrich be appointed a 
 committee to make enquiries and to nominate some suitable 
 person to fill such Professorship at the next stated meeting. 
 
 6. That a committee be appointed to enquire into the man- 
 ner in which the monies granted by the State and the dona- 
 tions of individuals have been applied; that they examine all 
 the expenditures of this Board and report to it a detailed state- 
 ment of such expenditures, and the amount of money received 
 from the State and from private donation ; and that such com- 
 mittee be authorised, with the consent of the Treasurer, to 
 appoint a competent person to prepare such statement, and 
 allow a reasonable compensation therefor; and that Messrs. 
 Knox, Randall, and Bacon be appointed such committee. 
 
 7. That the Prudential Committee be directed to propose to 
 this Board at its next meeting such measures as the state of 
 the College lands and buildings shall admit of, to furnish 
 the students with the means of gardening and mechanic 
 labour. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 
 Meeting of February 26, 1830. 
 The Trustees of Hamilton College report the num- 
 ber of students in Colie2:e actuallv attending: at the time of 
 
1830] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 213 
 
 their report, as thirty one, all of whom belong to the three 
 lower classes. 
 
 The Regents, in compHance with a resolution of the honor- 
 able the Assembly, of the 15th of January last, requiring them 
 to lay before that house, in their annual report or otherwise, 
 " a detailed statement of the affairs of Hamilton College, 
 showing, among other things, the grounds of the difficulties 
 under which that institution is said to have been suffering, 
 the number of students therein during the year past, the num- 
 ber of graduates at the last commencement, the salaries paid 
 to each of the officers of the College during the last year, and 
 the general prospects of that institution", respectfully report: 
 
 That not having in their possession any documents affording 
 the information required by the Assembly, they caused a copy 
 of the resolution as soon as the same was received by them, 
 to be transmitted to the president of the board of Trustees of 
 said College with a request that the information required by 
 it might be transmitted to the Regents, to enable them to lay 
 it before the Assembly in their annual report. In answer to 
 the communication thus made, the Regents have received from 
 the chairman of the board of trustees of said College, the 
 usual annual report of the college, together with an acknowl- 
 edgment that a copy of the aforesaid resolution had been 
 duly received, accompanied by an intimation that it could not 
 be answered until the next regular meeting of the board of 
 Trustees should take place, which would not be before the 
 month of May next : but the Regents have been since informed 
 by one of the trustees of said College, that a special meeting 
 of the board was to be held in the ensuing month of March, 
 for the purpose of furnishing the information required by the 
 said resolution, to the end that the same might be laid before 
 the Legislature at its present session. The Regents will there- 
 fore retain the said resolution, and comply with it as soon as 
 they shall be enabled so to do by the trustees of said College. 
 
214 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1830 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Fifty-fifth Meeting. March 17, 1830. 
 . A communication from the Regents of the Uni- 
 versity, inclosing a copy of a Resolution passed by the Hon. 
 the Assembly on the 15th day of January last, requesting a 
 detailed statement of the affairs of Hamilton College, showing 
 among other things the grounds of the difficulties under which 
 the Institution is said to have been suffering; the number of 
 students therein during the last year; the number of gradu- 
 ates at the last commencement ; the salaries paid to each of the 
 Officers of the College during the last year; and the general 
 prospects of the Institution, was read and ordered to be filed. 
 
 A report from the Committee appointed at the last meeting 
 of the Board on the state of the finances and expenditures in 
 pursuance of the 6th resolution adopted at that meeting was 
 received, read, and accepted. 
 
 On motion of Dr. P. Randall, Esq., Resolved, that it is 
 expedient to report on the request of the Regents as made in 
 their communication to this Board on the 20th day of January 
 last, and that a Committee of three be appointed to prepare said 
 report and to submit the same to this Board for consideration. 
 
 Messrs. Randall, Morse, and Williams were thereupon 
 appointed said Committee. 
 
 On motion of Dr. Yates, Resolved, that the unoccupied lands 
 around the College belonging to the Institution be apportioned 
 to such Students as are desirous to exercise themselves in agri- 
 culture and labour during the hours of relaxation from study, 
 that the same be enclosed and ploughed for their use so far as 
 it may be needed, and that the same be subject to the direction 
 of the Prudential Committee. 
 
 The Committee appointed to submit to the Board an answer 
 to the communication received from the Regents of the Uni- 
 versity presented a Report in answer thereto, which Report 
 was read and adopted. 
 
 On motion of N. P. Randall, Esq., Resolved, that the Treas- 
 
1830] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 215 
 
 urer make an abstract from the financial report made by him 
 in August last, shewing the amount of the funds of the Col- 
 lege, and their situation, to be attached to the report this day- 
 made respecting the financial concerns of the College ; and that 
 the said report and abstract, together with the Report adopted 
 by the Board in answer to the communication of the Regents 
 of the University be by him transmitted to that Body. . . . 
 
 Report of the Trustees to the Regents, 
 March 17, 1830. 
 
 From the papers of President Davis, in the College Library 
 
 The Trustees of H. Coll. acknowledge the receipt of a com- 
 munication from Regents of the University of the state of 
 N. Y. with a copy of a resolution of the House of Assembly, 
 requesting a detailed statement of the affairs of the Institu- 
 tion, shewing among other things, the grounds of the difficul- 
 ties under which it has been suffering, the number of Students 
 therein during the past year, the number of graduates at the 
 last commencement; the salaries paid to each of the officers 
 during the last year; and its general prospect. 
 
 The Trustees without reference to, or denying the right of 
 the Regents or the Legislature to make this call upon them, 
 most cheerfully proceed to the task of answering the resolu- 
 tion. The statement of the Treasurer herewith transmitted 
 will give a general view of the financial condition of the Col- 
 lege, and if more particular information is desired it will not 
 be withheld. 
 
 As to the grounds of the difficulties in relation to the Insti- 
 tution, the Trustees do not deem it discreet to attempt any 
 enumeration of them all; but among the most prominent, the 
 Trustees would mention the facts, that the office of Professor 
 of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy was vacant from 
 Nov. 1827 to May 1829; and the office of Professor of Lan- 
 guages was vacant from May 1828 to August 1829. 
 
 In consequence of these vacancies many of the students then 
 
216 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1830 
 
 in the College left it, and resorted to other institutions. Others 
 who would probably have joined the College were prevented 
 from entering it. An unfortunate difference of opinion among 
 the Trustees as to the most advantageous method of conduct- 
 ing the affairs of the College and between a part of the Board 
 of Trustees and the Faculty of the College had probably a 
 tendency further to check the prosperity of the institution. 
 
 The said Trustees further report that, so far as respects 
 the number of students and graduates the last year, the present 
 number of students, the officers of the College and their sal- 
 aries, the amount of the funds of the College, the number and 
 condition of the buildings, they refer to their annual report 
 made in February last. 
 
 The salaries paid to the officers of the College during the 
 year ending in August last were: to the President $1800, to 
 one tutor $400, and assistant during the two first terms of the 
 year $165, and to a professor of Mathematics and Natural 
 Philosophy from May last, at the rate of $800 per annum ; 
 these gentlemen being the only officers of College receiving 
 compensation during the last year. 
 
 The Trustees have the satisfaction further to report, that, 
 since August last, the officers appointed as Professors of 
 Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, of the Languages, and 
 also of Chemistry have been and are now severally engaged in 
 the active discharge of their official duties, and that the insti- 
 tution appears to be rapidly rising from the depressed state into 
 which it had fallen. 
 
 From the low state of its funds, however, the Trustees do 
 not feel themselves warranted in employing the number of 
 Professors they might otherwise think desirable, yet they think 
 that the great experience of the President, Dr. Davis, his high 
 reputation as an instructor, assisted as he is by the other able 
 men associated with him in the faculty, warrant them in the 
 belief that the institution cannot fail of affording opportunities 
 for acquiring a classical education highly advantageous to the 
 student and satisfactory to the public, and that notwithstand- 
 
1830] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 217 
 
 ing the cloud that has lately obscured its prospects, it cannot 
 fail under the fostering care of its present officers, to obtain 
 the confidence of the community and a high rank among the 
 literary institutions of our country. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of March 30, 1830. 
 . . . A special communication was received from the 
 Trustees of Hamilton College, in answer to the call made on 
 them by the Regents, for information required by a resolution 
 of the honorable the Assembly of the 15th of January last, 
 which having been read, it was thereupon ordered, that a copy 
 of the said Communication be transmitted to the honorable the 
 Assembly. ... 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Fifty-eighth Meeting. August 24th, 1830. 
 
 The committee appointed at the last meeting of the Board 
 to enquire into the expediency of enlarging the number of 
 branches taught in this Institution and to enquire generally as 
 to the expediency of increasing the number of Professors and 
 of making with their consent a new assignment of their duties ; 
 and, in case this committee shall think it expedient to make an 
 increase of Professors, that they nominate a candidate or candi- 
 dates for the office ; made a Report which was read, and the 
 Resolutions accompanying the same were thereupon, after 
 undergoing discussion, adopted, as follows, viz. : 
 
 1st. Resolved, that the following be considered the perma- 
 nent Professorships in Hamilton College, and that they be filled 
 with Professors as speedily as practicable ; viz. 
 
 1. Of Ancient Languages. 
 
 2. Of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, with En- 
 
 gineering. 
 
 3. Of Moral and Political Science. 
 
218 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1830 
 
 4. Of the Physical Sciences, viz. Chemistry, Geology, 
 
 Botany, and Zoology. 
 
 5. Rhetorick and Belleslettres. 
 
 6. Of Divinity. 
 
 2d. Resolved, that provision be made to fill the Professor- 
 ships of the Physical Sciences and of Rhetorick and Belles- 
 lettres at this meeting, so that their courses of instruction may 
 commence if possible with the ensuing year. 
 
 A communication was received from Mr. Theophilus Smith, 
 who was at the last meeting of the Board elected Professor 
 of Rhetorick and Belleslettres, declining the acceptance of said 
 appointment. 
 
 The Board then proceeded to elect a Professor of Rhetorick 
 and Belleslettres, and on receiving and counting the ballots, 
 Professor Haddock of Dartmouth College was declared to be 
 duly elected to said office. Thereupon it was Resolved that 
 Professor Haddock, of Dartmouth College, be and he hereby 
 is appointed Professor of Rhetorick and Belleslettres in Hamil- 
 ton College, with a salary of eight hundred dollars per annum. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs. Williams, Norton, and Davis be a 
 committee to notify Professor Haddock of his appointment 
 and ascertain whether he accepts of said office ; and if he 
 decline, that they be instructed to correspond with Mr. John 
 Wayland, of Providence, in Rhode Island, and ascertain 
 whether he will, if elected, accept of said office; and should be 
 decline, that they learn of Joel W. Newton, of Amherst, in 
 Massachusetts, whether he will consent to become a candidate 
 for said office ; and in case he should decline ; that they then 
 recommend to this Board at its next meeting some suitable 
 person to fill said office who will consent to accept the same. 
 
 Mr. Hart introduced a Resolution which after being dis- 
 cussed and amended was adopted as follows : 
 
 Whereas Doct. Josiah Noyes has signified his willingness 
 to resign his office as Professor of Chemistry in Hamilton 
 College to the Board of Trustees; therefore. Resolved, that 
 
18311 OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 219 
 
 his resignation be accepted; and the office is hereby declared 
 to be vacant ; and also that the Treasurer pay all arrears due 
 to him. 
 
 The Board then proceeded to elect a Professor of the Physi- 
 cal Sciences, and on receiving and counting the ballots James 
 Hadley, M.D., of Fairfield, in the County of Herkimer, was 
 declared to be duly elected. Thereupon it was 
 
 Resolved, that James Hadley, M.D., of Fairfield, in the 
 County of Herkimer, be and he hereby is appointed Professor 
 of Physical Sciences in Hamilton College. 
 
 Resolved, that a committee be appointed to notify Dr. Had- 
 ley of his appointment and to confer with him on the subject 
 of his salary, and agree as to the time and manner in which 
 he will enter upon the duties of his office; and that the com- 
 mittee be authorized to promise him a sum not exceeding eight 
 hundred dollars per annum. 
 
 Messrs. Morse and Yates appointed committee. . . . 
 
 On motion of Mr. Morse, Resolved, that the Treasurer be 
 directed to convert the securities and lands of the Corpora- 
 tion, exclusive of the College Buildings and premises, into 
 money as fast as the same can be done without loss, and pro- 
 ceed to pay its accredited debts as fast as he receives the money. 
 
 Resolved, that if money cannot be raised in the way pointed 
 out in the above Resolution sufficiently fast to discharge the 
 debts, that the Treasurer be directed to borrow on the credit 
 of the Corporation a sum sufficient for the purpose. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Sixtieth Meeting. June 7, 1831. 
 
 The committee appointed to notify Professor Haddock of 
 his election to the office of Professor of Rhetorick and Belles- 
 lettres reported that they had attended to the duties assigned 
 them, and had received from him a communication declining 
 to accept the appointment. 
 
 The Committee further reported that they had corresponded 
 with Mr. John Wayland, of Brown University, and had ascer- 
 tained that, if elected, he would accept of said office. 
 
220 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1831 
 
 The Board thereupon proceeded to elect by ballot a Pro- 
 fessor of Rhetorick and Belleslettres ; and upon counting the 
 ballots it appeared that Mr. John Wayland was unanimously 
 elected. 
 
 A report from the committee appointed to notify Dr. Had- 
 ley of his election to fill the office of Professor of the Physical 
 Sciences, shewing the terms on which he accepted said appoint- 
 ment, was then read and ordered to be filed. 
 
 Resolved, that a committee of five be appointed to consider 
 the propriety of appointing a Professor of Divinity in Hamil- 
 ton College at the next meeting of the Board, and in case they 
 shall think it advisable to make such appointment, that they 
 recommend a suitable person to fill said Professorship. Messrs. 
 Davis, A. Yates, Coe, and Ledyard were appointed said 
 committee. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Sixty-first Meeting. August 22,, 1831. 
 
 The committee appointed to examine and report to the 
 Board at its present meeting upon the expediency of electing 
 a Professor of Divinity in Hamilton College reported in writ- 
 ing, which report concluded with proposing for adoption three 
 resolutions ; the first of which, being read and considered, was 
 adopted as follows : 
 
 Resolved, that the title of Professor of Divinity be changed 
 to that of Pastoral Professor, and that the special duties 
 assigned to the proposed Professor shall be to give instruction 
 on the inspiration of the Scriptures, and to such as desire it 
 a critical knowledge of the original Languages ; also practical 
 and experimental religion on the Sabbath according to the 
 usage in the observance of that day, and at other times, both 
 in private and in public, as occasion may require ; and to dis- 
 charge such other duties as are required of a Pastor towards 
 his flock. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Morse, the following resolution was 
 adopted as a substitute for the remaining resolutions offered 
 by the committee : 
 
1831] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 221 
 
 Resolved, that as soon as funds can be raised for the purpose 
 the Professorship be filled. 
 
 The committee appointed to enquire into the expediency of 
 appointing an Executive or Prudential Committee with certain 
 specified powers, etc., reported the following Resolutions, 
 which, being read and considered, were adopted : 
 
 Resolved, that there be annually appointed a Committee 
 consisting of five members of the Board, to be denominated 
 the Executive Committee, who shall be clothed with the follow- 
 ing powers during the intervals between the meetings of the 
 Board : 
 
 First; To appoint the Tutors. 
 
 Second ; To devise ways and means for increasing the funds, 
 and with the concurrence of the Board to execute them. 
 
 Third ; To appoint an Agent or Agents to solicit and receive 
 donations for the endowment of some or all of the Professor- 
 ships and for other necessary purposes. 
 
 Fourth ; To report the names of suitable persons to fill 
 vacancies in the Faculty. 
 
 Fifth; To procure temporary instruction in case of vacan- 
 cies in any of the Professorships. 
 
 Sixth; To make all repairs to the buildings necessary to 
 their preservation from immediate injury; not, however, to 
 exceed five hundred dollars in any one year. 
 
 Seventh; To make arrangements for the meetings of the 
 Board and for Commencements. 
 
 Eighth ; To expend the monies appropriated for the increase 
 of the Library, Geological and Mineralogical Cabinets, and for 
 the Philosophical and Chemical apparatus and for the improve- 
 ment of the College grounds. 
 
 Ninth; To recommend at every meeting of the Board such 
 measures for adoption as in the opinion of the Committee the 
 best interests of the Institution require. 
 
 Tenth; To take care that all the personal property of the 
 College is preserved and kept in good condition. 
 
222 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1831 
 
 Messrs. Davis, Williams, Knox, Goodrich, and Bristoll were 
 appointed said committee. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that a sum not exceeding one hundred and fifty 
 dollars be appropriated for the purpose of purchasing a com- 
 plete set of levelling instruments. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of a Meeting of Citizens of Utica. 
 December 8, 1831. 
 
 From the papers of President Davis, in the College Library 
 
 At a meeting of the citizens of the village of Utica, held 
 pursuant to previous notice, at the court room in the academy 
 in said village on Tuesday, December 8th, 1831, for the pur- 
 pose of taking into consideration the condition and prospects 
 of Hamilton College and to adopt such measures in relation 
 thereto as should be deemed proper ; Joseph Kirkland, Esqr. 
 was called to the chair and Thomas H. Hubbard and Horace 
 Butler were appointed secretaries. 
 
 The following preamble and resolution were offered for 
 consideration by Henry Seymour, Esqr. and unanimously 
 adopted : 
 
 Whereas, it appears from the representations of the presi- 
 dent & trustees of Hamilton College, that this institution, 
 which for the last two years has been rapidly recovering from 
 a declension which for a time had threatened it with utter 
 desolation, is embarrassed for the want of sufficient funds to 
 answer its future usefulness and prosperity. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Kellogg Hurlburt, it was resolved that 
 it is the interest and the duty as it is within the power of this 
 community to raise the requisite funds to place this institution 
 on a permanent basis & to insure its future usefulness and 
 prosperity. 
 
 The following resolution was then offered by Charles P. 
 Kirkland, Esqr. and unanimously adopted. 
 
 Resolved, that for the purpose of discharging the duty 
 which we feel to be incumbent on us in relation to this institu- 
 
1832] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 223 
 
 tion, we will use our efforts to procure in this town the sub- 
 scription of a sufficient sum to establish a professorship therein. 
 
 And whereas the most important interests of society are 
 identified with the encouragement and support of our schools 
 & literary institutions: Therefore resolved, as the sense of this 
 meeting, that Hamilton College, hitherto the hope and pride 
 of this central portion of the state, is entitled to the patronage 
 and support of this community. 
 
 On motion of D. Wager Esqr. it was Resolved, that a com- 
 mittee of twenty-five persons be appointed to solicit subscrip- 
 tions for the purposes aforesaid. Whereupon the following 
 gentlemen were appointed to compose committee, viz : Joshua 
 A. Spencer, Ephraim Hart, Rudolph Snyder, John H. Ostrom, 
 Nicholas Devereux, Wm. Williams, Sylvester Doolittle, Hiram 
 Denio, Samuel G. Walker, Moses Bagg, John E. Hinman, 
 James Dean, Silas D. Childs, Rutger B. Miller, Theodore S. 
 Gold, Alvin McAllister, Jene W. Doolittle, Elisha Wells, 
 Milton Brayton, Samuel P. Lyman, Kellogg Hurlburt, Henry 
 Seymour, Augustin G. Danby, David Wager, and Charles P. 
 Kirkland. 
 
 It was further resolved, that the proceedings of this meeting 
 be signed by the chairman and secretaries, and published. 
 
 Joseph Kirkland, Chr. 
 Horace Butler "1 „ 
 T.H. Hubbard/ Secretaries 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of February 28, 1832. 
 The Regents of the University respectfully Report, That 
 they have received Reports, during the present year, from 
 Union, Geneva and Hamilton Colleges. . . . 
 
 The report of Hamilton College shows the whole number 
 of students, during the present year, to have been ninety three. 
 From a special report of one of the trustees, it appears that the 
 condition and prospects of this institution are decidedly im- 
 
224 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1832 
 
 proved; that the course of study has been enlarged, and the 
 standard of admission elevated ; that " particular care has been 
 taken to furnish competent and thorough instruction in the 
 physical sciences and mathematics, and on subjects of a prac- 
 tical nature allied to them;" and that an effort has been made, 
 with so much success already as to leave little doubt of its 
 accomplishment, to raise by voluntary subscription, a sum not 
 less than forty thousand dollars, for the endowment of three 
 or more of its professorships. 
 
 It is exceedingly gratifying to see this institution, after the 
 series of discouragements to which it has been subjected, 
 assuming an honorable rank among the other colleges of the 
 state. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Sixty-second Meeting. August 22, 1832. 
 
 . . . Whereas, in consequence of the prevailing sickness 
 of the season, and the great alarm from danger in the assem- 
 blage of a large collection of people, the Faculty of Hamilton 
 College have determined to dispense with the usual exercises 
 of the annual Commencement, on motion, 
 
 Resolved, that this Board approve of the determination of 
 the Faculty in dispensing with the usual annual exercises of 
 Commencement for the above reason assigned. 
 
 Resolved, that a sum sufficient to pay all the debts due to 
 individuals be borrowed on the security of such of the prop- 
 erty of this Corporation as may be necessary for the purpose, 
 except the College edifices and lands, and tliat a Committee 
 of three be appointed to negotiate for the requisite loan; and 
 further, that when such loan shall have been procured, the 
 requisite mortgages and papers to secure such money shall 
 be executed, and the Seal of this Corporation affixed thereto 
 by the Treasurer of this Board. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that Henry Davis, D.D., be appointed Agent of 
 the Board for the purpose of receiving donations to its funds, 
 with power, in his discretion, to appoint a sub-agent or agents, 
 and that this Board will hereafter give to the agent or sub- 
 agents a reasonable compensation. 
 
1832] OF HAMILTO N COLLEGE 225 
 
 Resolved, that the Senior Trustee and Secretary be author- 
 ized to give the Treasurer a Power of Attorney authorizing 
 him to prosecute and recover, or settle, secure, and compound 
 all Debts due this Board ; and to employ Assistants under him ; 
 and affix the Seal of the Corporation to such Power. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that a Committee be appointed to apply to the 
 Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, 
 or to the Legislature, for an appropriation of three thousand 
 dollars per year for five years, to meet the annual expense of 
 the College, and that Messrs. Morse, Spencer, and Davis be 
 the said Committee. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Sixty-third Meeting. December i8, 1832. 
 
 . . . The will of William H. Maynard having been read, 
 on motion of Mr. Knox the following Resolutions were 
 adopted : 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs. Morse, Spencer, and Yates be a Com- 
 mittee to take into consideration the Bequest of the late 
 William Hale Maynard to this Board, and to report what 
 measures are, in the judgment of the Committee, necessary 
 to effectuate the object of the donor. 
 
 Resolved, that the Trustees of Hamilton College, in com- 
 mon with their fellow citizens, do most deeply deplore the 
 loss society has sustained by the death of the late William 
 Hale Maynard, and that they respectfully tender to his sur- 
 viving relatives their sympathies and condolence in this 
 affliction. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that in order to effectuate the intention of the 
 deceased as expressed in his last Will and Testament, a new 
 Professorship be instituted in this College, to be denominated 
 " The Maynard Professorship of Law, Civil Polity, and Politi- 
 cal Economy." 
 
 Resolved, that the incumbent of this Professorship be 
 required to combine with his Lectures on the Science of Law 
 such practical and useful information as shall fully comport 
 15 
 
226 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1833 
 
 with the desires expressed by the Testator, and also be required 
 to frame a course of instruction that will impart to his pupils : 
 a knowledge of the Constitution of the United States and of 
 the several states composing the confederacy ; a general knov/1- 
 edge of the Laws of Nations; the Common Law, as far as 
 it is of any binding effect in this State ; the Statute Laws of 
 this State; the practical method of procedure in the trans- 
 action of business in the higher courts of this State ; Law 
 Ethics; a general outline of the jurisdiction of Courts of 
 Eouity, and of the practice and of the leading principles which 
 controul their decisions; a general knowledge of the Laws of 
 Congress, and of the organization and practice of the Courts 
 of the United States. 
 
 Resolved, that the Professor be required to cause his pupils 
 to write essays on subjects falling within his department, and 
 also to exercise them in the argument before him of supposed 
 cases and points of law unsettled and disputable. 
 
 Resolved, that Doctor Yates, Messrs. Keep, Morse, Gerrit 
 Smith, and John B, Yates be a Committee to meet the Citi- 
 zens of Utica at such time and place as the Committee shall 
 designate, to lay before them the condition and claims of Llam- 
 ilton College, and to endeavor to secure their efficient coopera- 
 tion in raising forty thousand Dollars, agreeably to a former 
 resolution of this Board. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of February 27, 1833. 
 . . . By the Report of Hamilton College it appears, that 
 the Rev. Henry Davis has resigned the office of President of 
 the College, and the trustees have elected the Rev. Ichabod S. 
 Spencer his successor, and hopes are entertained that he will 
 accept the office. The number of students belonging to the 
 College, at the date of the report, was eighty nine. The trus- 
 tees state, that since their last report, the Hon. \\'illiam H. 
 Maynard has died and left by his will a legacy of twenty thou- 
 sand dollars, with a portion of the residue of his estate, of 
 
1833] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 227 
 
 uncertain amount, to the trustees, as a perpetual fund for the 
 endowment of a professorship of Law in said College. They 
 have instituted a professorship, and will appoint a professor, 
 and carry into effect the munificent intentions of the testator, 
 as soon as they shall come into possession of the funds desig- 
 nated for that purpose. The trustees continue their efforts, 
 with prospects of success, to raise by subscription forty thou- 
 sand dollars for the support of the faculty. The prospects of 
 this institution have been gradually improving since the year 
 1829, and are now such, as to induce the belief, tliat it will be 
 permanently useful. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Sixty- fourth Meeting. March 13, 1833. 
 
 . . . The Revd. Dr. Davis laid before the Board a letter 
 from the Revd. Ichabod S. Spencer, dated Brooklyn, Febru- 
 ary 2, 1833, in which he states that, after mature deliberation, 
 he felt constrained to decline the Presidency of Hamilton 
 College. 
 
 Whereupon, Resolved, that the Reverend Sereno E. Dwight, 
 of the City of New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, be and 
 he hereby is appointed President of Hamilton College. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that a Finance Committee be appointed, to con- 
 sist of the President-elect, the Treasurer, and Messrs. Bristol, 
 Hubbard, and Knox; and that said Committee be convened 
 as early after the arrival of the President elect as may be con- 
 venient; and that they be authorised to appoint two or more 
 Agents, in addition to those already appointed by the Board, 
 to visit such sections of this State as they shall judge expedient, 
 to procure contributions to a permanent fund, for the support 
 of the Faculty. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Sixty-fifth Meeting. April 16, 1833. 
 Resolved, that Messrs. Kirkland, Hubbard, and Aikin be a 
 Committee to examine and report to this Board at their next 
 
228 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1833 
 
 meeting whether any, if any, and what alterations ought to be 
 made in the Charter of Hamilton College. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs. Adams, Aikin, and Knox, together 
 with the President, be a committee to digest and report at the 
 next meeting a plan of religious instruction to be pursued in 
 this College; and that Mr. G. Smith be respectfully requested 
 to place in the hands of said committee the plan on this sub- 
 ject drawn up by him and presented to this board at the last 
 meeting. 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, that Gerritt Smith be associated with 
 the President of the College as Agent to obtain the requisite 
 funds to place the Institution on a permanent footing, and 
 that this Board earnestly request Mr. Smith to accept of this 
 trust. 
 
 •••c Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Sixty-sixth Meeting. June 4, 1833. 
 
 The Committee appointed at the last meeting to digest a 
 plan of religious instruction to be pursued in the College, made 
 through their Chairman, the Revd Mr Adams, a detailed 
 Report, which was accepted. . . . 
 
 Resolved, that the Revd Mr Adams be requested to furnish 
 the Secretary of the Board with a copy of the papers read by 
 him to the Board this day in vindication of the principles of 
 the Report submitted by the Committee of which he is Chair- 
 man, and that the Treasurer pay the expense of the writing of 
 said copy, and that it be kept for the use of the Trustees and 
 Faculty of the College. 
 
 Resolved, that the Report submitted by the Committee of 
 which Revd M^ Adams is Chairman be adopted in its general 
 views and principles, and that the said Report be placed in the 
 hands of the Faculty of the College, to report at the next meet- 
 ing of the Board such modifications in the details thereof as 
 may to them appear desirable. 
 
1834] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 229 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Sixty-seventh Meeting. August 13, 1833. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that the Treasurer be, and he is hereby 
 authorized, by and with the advice of the Executive Com- 
 mittee, to sell, at such time and in such manner as to him and 
 them shall seem most advantageous, all the lands and real 
 estate (except the College grounds) belonging to Hamilton 
 College, and on such sale to execute conveyances for the same. 
 
 Resolved, that the Treasurer, with the advice of the Execu- 
 tive Committee, be authorized to give the notes of the Corpora- 
 tion to such of its creditors as require it, provided that those 
 debts are such as are not contested, and the amount liquidated. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs. Dwight, Spencer, Morse, and Beards- 
 ley be a Committee to petition the Legislature to relieve the 
 wants of the College. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of February 26, 1834. 
 
 . . . From the report of Hamilton College it appears that 
 its faculty consists of a president, four professors and three 
 tutors; and that the number of students matriculated in the 
 College is 103. 
 
 The trustees represent that the legacy bequeathed to them 
 for the endowment of a law professorship in their college has 
 not yet come to their hands. That their productive funds, 
 applicable to the payment of their current expenses, having 
 become nearly exhausted, they have for sometime been solicit- 
 ing donations to enable them to raise $50,000 in aid of their 
 exhausted finances ; that more than $28,000 of that sum " have 
 been subscribed and promised in the County of Oneida, and 
 upwards of $7000 more by some of the trustees and individuals 
 in three western towns; so that the trustees have confident 
 expectations that the whole sum will be speedily raised." 
 But should such expectations not be realized, and no relief be 
 
230 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1834 
 
 obtained from other sources, the trustees represent " that their 
 institution will be seriously embarrassed in its pecuniary opera- 
 tions/'' and its future usefulness much diminished. . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Seventieth Meeting. August 12, 1834. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that the Treasurer be, and he hereby is, 
 authorized to confess a judgment to any one of the creditors 
 of this Corporation in trust for himself and all the other 
 creditors for a sum equal to all the debts owing by said Cor- 
 poration, or for such less sum as shall be deemed advisable 
 by him. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs Knox, Hubbard, and Spencer be a 
 Committee to confer with the creditors of Hamilton College 
 and make an effort to satisfy them without confessing judg- 
 ment. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs. Morse, Dwight, Hubbard, Spencer, 
 and Gerritt Smith be a Committee to confer with the Hon. 
 John C. Spencer on the subject of the establishment of the 
 Law School, and the Maynard Professorship, and the relation 
 which it shall bear toward the College ; the powers and privi- 
 leges of the Professor thereof, and of the government and dis- 
 cipline to which its pupils shall be subject ; and of his becom- 
 ing the incumbent thereof, and of the terms and conditions 
 on which he will undertake the discharge of the duties of such 
 Professorship ; and that they report at the next meeting of this 
 Board a place for conducting the School and a code of laws 
 for the government thereof. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Seventy-first Meeting. November 12, 1834. 
 . . . Resolved, that Messrs. Spencer, Dwight, and Kirk- 
 land be a Committee to confer with the Trustees of Union 
 College, or with a Committee of said Trustees, in relation to 
 the claims which this Board believes it has against Union 
 College. 
 
1835] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 231 
 
 Resolved, that the same gentlemen be appointed a Com- 
 mittee to devise ways and means, if possible, to pay the balance 
 due to the creditors of Hamilton College. 
 
 Resolved, that in the opinion of the Board of Trustees of 
 Hamilton College, it is important to the interests of that 
 Institution that a Post Office be established on College Hill; 
 and that the Postmaster General be respectfully requested to 
 establish a Post Office at that place to be called Hamilton 
 College Post Office. 
 
 Resolved, that the Executive Committee inquire into the 
 expediency of disposing of house lots to such Professors as 
 may wish to erect dwelling houses for their private residences ; 
 and also into the expediency of inserting a clause in the con- 
 veyances by which this Board can repossess itself of the lots 
 on paying the appraised value of the building; the said Com- 
 mittee to report in writing at the next meeting. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of February 24, 1835. 
 
 . . . From the report of Hamilton College it appears that 
 its present faculty consists of a president, four professors 
 and a tutor, and that the whole number of students belonging 
 to the college is 115, of whom 55 have entered during the 
 present collegiate year. 
 
 The trustees of the college represent that during the two 
 last years they " caused a subscription to be circulated in many 
 parts of the State, for the purpose of raising $50,000 as a 
 permanent fund, the interest of which should be applied t6- 
 wards the payment of the salaries of the officers of the 
 college " ; that their efforts to raise such a sum have finally 
 been crowned with success, the subscription being filled up, 
 and the amount subscribed having thereby become payable 
 in four equal annual instalments. When the whole fund shall 
 be collected and invested, the trustees represent that the in- 
 come from it, together with the ordinary tuition money of 
 the college, will be sufficient to pay the salaries of all their 
 present officers. 
 
232 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1835 
 
 It appears from the report that " the property bequeathed 
 to the institution by the late William H. Maynard, for the 
 endowment of a law professorship, has not yet come into the 
 hands of the trustees, and that no further steps have been 
 taken towards the appointment of an incumbent to fill that 
 office." 
 
 To show the great increase in the patronage and support 
 of this institution during the last five years, the trustees state 
 in their report that their receipts from tuition money which 
 in 1829 amounted to only $289.88, and in 1830 to $1,185.79, 
 now amount to $3,812.91 for a single year. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Seventy-third Meeting. July 28, 1835. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs John B. Yates, Gerritt Smith, and 
 Thomas H. Hubbard be a Committee to endeavor to procure 
 on loan a sum of money sufficient to pay the whole or any 
 part of the debts of this Institution, the principal of which 
 shall not be payable in less than five years ; and that the said 
 Committee shall have power to mortgage any of the real estate 
 of the Institution, and that the President and Secretary be 
 authorized to execute any writing for that purpose and affix 
 the seal of this Corporation thereto. 
 
 Resolved, that the Faculty of the College be requested to 
 report to this Board at its next meeting their views in relation 
 to removing the College to Utica. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Seventy-fourth Meeting. September 20, 1835. 
 
 A memorial of the Association of Alumni of Hamilton 
 
 College, on the subject of the removal of the College to Utica, 
 
 held at Clinton the 29th of July, was read by the Secretary, 
 
 on which no order was taken. 
 
 Also was read a paper purporting to be a memorial of a 
 County Convention, held at Clinton on the ist instant, on the 
 
1835] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 233 
 
 same subject; on which the following Resolution was passed, 
 nem. con. : 
 
 Resolved, that the paper now presented, purporting to be 
 the proceedings of a meeting of the Citizens of the Count}^ 
 of Oneida, be returned by the Secretary to the person who 
 forwarded the same to this Board. 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, that the question of the removal of 
 the College ought not to be further agitated. 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, that it is expedient to establish the 
 Law Professorship of this College at Utica, and inasmuch as 
 this cannot be done without an act of the Legislature author- 
 izing it, therefore. Resolved, that the Board of Trustees will 
 petition the Legislature to pass an act conferring such 
 authority. 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs. Spencer, Beardsley, Kirkland, G. 
 Smith, and Hubbard be a Committee to prepare and present 
 a memorial to the Legislature in behalf of this Board praying 
 for the passage of such a law. 
 
 Resolved, that the Secretary publish the foregoing Resolu- 
 tions, passed unanimously. 
 
 The following communication was presented by Rev. Sereno 
 E. Dwight, tendering his resignation of the office of President 
 of Hamilton College : 
 " Gentlemen : 
 
 When the Presidency of Hamilton College was tendered to 
 me, in March 1833, I knew that the Institution was bankrupt 
 in its character, but I did not know that it was bankrupt in 
 its fortunes. At your meeting, April i6th, 1833, in answer 
 to one of my preliminary questions, I was assured by you that 
 more tlian six thousand dollars of the College funds still re- 
 mained; and as the annual expenses exceeded the current 
 revenue from the quarter-bills about $3000, I was told that 
 this residue would enable you to proceed two years at least 
 without running in debt. This assurance was given by you 
 in good faith, and yet I need not inform you, it was wholly 
 unfounded. The College, instead of having one farthing of 
 
234 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1835 
 
 funds, was then bankrupt for more than $10,000, making a 
 difference of at least $16,000 between the reported and the 
 actual state of its resources. It was this assurance on your 
 part alone which determined me in accepting the office. I 
 thought that in two years an adequate Fund might be raised 
 for the support of the Faculty, and the College thus rescued 
 from ruin. 
 
 At your meeting on the 4th of June following I learned 
 with surprise that the College was wholly without funds, and 
 must close its concerns unless I entered upon and prosecuted 
 with success the business of raising a Fund of $50,000 within 
 one year. Had I not already removed my effects to Clinton, 
 I should then, as I told you, have relinquished the office. As 
 the case stood, however, in obedience to your directions and 
 in submission to a stern necessity, I entered on the task of 
 raising that Fund during a year (from July ist, 1833 ^o July 
 I St, 1834) ever memorable as a year of gloom and perplexity 
 and universal pecuniary embarrassment. I need not remind 
 you of the unceasing toil and mortification and self-denial 
 attending the enterprize, nor of the universal conviction of 
 your own body as well as of the community at large that it 
 must fail. It is sufficient to say that, owing in an important 
 degree to the untiring exertions of one of. your own number, 
 through the blessing of God it was crowned with success. At 
 your meeting June 19, 1834, however, your agents had 
 scarcely reported that the subscription for the $50,000 Fund 
 was filled, before it was officially announced to us that the 
 College debts, beyond any means of paying them, amounted 
 to at least one-quarter of that Fund. 
 
 This embarrassed state of your Treasury has perplexed us 
 in all our relations. Expenditures absolutely necessary for 
 the reputation and thrift of the College have been rendered 
 impracticable. The salaries of the officers have been only 
 half paid. When I took the office, the sum of $500 was voted 
 for necessary repairs on the President's house ; yet these re- 
 pairs could not be. and have not been made. 
 
1835] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 235 
 
 Owing to these facts, I and my family have now for two 
 years and a half been unable to keep house, and have been 
 compelled to board out under circumstances of great em- 
 barrassment. Yet, during the perplexities one cheering cir- 
 cumstance has occurred, and it ought to be mentioned with 
 gratitude. Notwithstanding all our difficulties, the College 
 Catalogue has shown regular increase in the number of 
 students, and in the collegiate year just closed it has exceeded 
 the largest number ever found in the College in its most pros- 
 perous state. 
 
 But at this present time we are met with still greater diffi- 
 culties. The debts now amounts to at least $16,000 and we 
 have nothing to pay it with but the College buildings and 
 grounds. Of this debt, $9000 are already in judgments, and 
 executions to that amount may at any moment be levied on the 
 buildings, and the College broken up. Only two sources of 
 relief from these embarrassments have been thought of; the 
 claim on Union College, and the removal of the College to 
 Utica. The claim on Union College can probably be enforced 
 only after a protracted lawsuit, the issue of which is un- 
 certain. As to the removal of the College, my views are 
 known. That the College can never flourish in its present loca- 
 tion without large funds and that it cannot exist at all under 
 a heavy load of debt is my deliberate opinion. Had this Board 
 in its wisdom by a full and nearly unanimous vote resolved 
 on the measure of removal, on the conditions proposed, and 
 had the Legislature subsequently sanctioned it, I am satisfied, 
 not only that the embarrassments of the College would have 
 been removed, but that it would soon have become a large 
 and flourishing seminary. The vote you have just taken leaves 
 no room to hope for such a consummation ; while the very 
 agitation of the question will, if the removal does not take 
 place, seriously diminish the number of the students and the 
 amount of the revenue. 
 
 In this untoward crisis, the question what I ought myself to 
 do is forced upon my immediate attention. Had the actual 
 
236 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1835 
 
 state of the funds been correctly stated to me on the i6th of 
 April, 1833; had I then taken the office (which I certainly 
 should not have done) and were I now to relinquish it; the 
 charge might perhaps be fastened upon me of putting my hand 
 to the plough and looking back. But I did not agree to make 
 bricks without straw. We now owe about $16,000 above any 
 and all our means of payment, and must increase this debt the 
 current year to $19,000 or $20,000; whereas had the report of 
 the funds then made to me been correct, we should now owe 
 nothing. I state these facts, Gentlemen, on this occasion, not 
 because they are new to you, but because those now on the 
 stage and those who may come after us ought to know that 
 the office which I so lately occupied was not relinquished with- 
 out sufficient reasons. It ought also to be known, if the 
 College came to an end, not only that I was not, but who was, 
 the cause of its ruin. 1 now therefore tender you my resigna- 
 tion of the J Residency of Hamilton College, and request your 
 acceptance of the same. 
 
 I ought in justice to myself to observe that my subscription 
 of $500 to the Permanent Fund was made only on the supposi- 
 tion that I should remain connected with the College. I leave 
 it to you to decide, after what I did to raise the Fund, whether 
 the payment of it ought to be enforced. 
 
 With the best wishes for the welfare of the College and for 
 your own prosperity, collectively and individually, I am, 
 Gentlemen, most respectfully, 
 
 Your Friend and obedt. Servant, 
 
 S. E. Dwight. 
 Clinton, Sept. 2d, 1835." 
 
 President Dwight having withdrawn, the following Resolu- 
 tions were adopted : 
 
 Resolved, that the subscription of the late President Sereno 
 E. Dwight to the Permanent Fund be remitted, and that the 
 same be supplied out of the general funds. 
 
1835] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 237 
 
 Resolved, that in consideration of the valuable services 
 rendered by President Dwight to this College, this Board do 
 make a grant to him of the sum of one thousand dollars, and 
 that the Treasurer execute to him the corporate bond there- 
 for payable in two years with interest annually. 
 
 Resolved, that the thanks of this Board be tendered to Presi- 
 dent Dwight for the valuable services rendered by him to this 
 Institution, and that our best wishes attend him for his future 
 prosperity and happiness. 
 
 Resolved, that the Secretary communicate to President 
 Dwight a copy of the foregoing Resolutions. 
 
 Resolved, that out of the first monies received by the 
 Treasurer, pertaining to the disposable fund, he pay to the 
 Rev. Sereno E. Dwight the sum of five hundred dollars 
 towards his salary now due. 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, that the Treasurer be and he is 
 hereby authorized to execute the bond of the Corporation 
 and a mortgage on all its real estate for the sum of ten thou- 
 sand dollars to any person or persons who will loan to the 
 College that amount in money payable in five years with 
 interest annually. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Seventy-fifth Meeting. November 17, 1835. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that this Board will now proceed to the 
 choice of a President of the College. On counting the votes, 
 it appeared that the Revd Joseph Penney, D.D., of North- 
 ampton, Massachusetts, was unanimously chosen. 
 
 Resolved, that the President of this College be required to 
 report at each meeting of this Board immediately preceding 
 Commencement on the condition of the College, and that all 
 other members of the Faculty be required to report to the 
 President one month before said meeting on the state of their 
 respective departments. . . . 
 
238 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1836 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of February 26, 1836. 
 . . . The trustees of Hamilton College report, that its 
 present faculty consists of a President, four professors, and 
 a tutor; and that the whole number of students belonging to 
 the college is now 102. The trustees state, that no part of 
 the property bequeathed to them by the late William H. May- 
 nard, for the endowment of a law Professorship, has yet 
 come to their hands. ... 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Seventy-sixth Meeting. April 20, 1836. 
 
 . . . Resolved, that Dr Penney and Mr Cliase be a com- 
 mittee to digest a plan for the establishment of scholar- 
 ships in this College for the defraying of a part or the whole 
 of the expenses of indigent Students, and to solicit by Agents 
 the endowment of the same by individuals or associations, 
 provided that no regulations of this committee contravene any 
 of the existing laws of the Institution. 
 
 Whereas, the present rapid increase and the still more rapid 
 anticipated increase in the number of the Students of Hamil- 
 ton College make it indispensable that the North College edifice 
 be completed, and whereas the other edifices of the College 
 are in a somewhat dilapidated state and need to be repaired 
 with the least necessary delay, and whereas the College grounds 
 need further improvement, and whereas the funds of the 
 College are permanent and the expenditure of any more there- 
 of than the revenue is directly forbidden, and whereas this 
 revenue is all needed to pay the salaries of the Officers ; 
 
 Resolved, therefore, that this Board again appeal to a 
 generous public in behalf of the College, and an attempt to 
 raise a fund of $5000 for the accomplishment of the above 
 important purposes. 
 
1838] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 239 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Seventy-seventh Meeting. July 26, 1836. 
 
 . . . Some inquiries being made in reference to the claims 
 on Union College, it was 
 
 Resolved, that Messrs Morse, Denio, Hubbard, and Penney 
 be a committee to confer with the Trustees of Union College 
 on the subject of a basis for the settlement of the claim of 
 this Institution against Union College, with full powers to 
 agree on the same. 
 
 Resolved, tliat in case of the failure of said negotiation the 
 committee be directed to employ J. A. Spencer, Esq., to 
 institute a suit against said College. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 
 Seventy-eighth Meeting. August 5, 1836. 
 . . . Resolved, that the Resolution of this Board passed 
 2<1 September last, declaring it expedient to establish the Law 
 Professorship of this College at Utica, and to petition the 
 Legislature to pass an act conferring authority to do so, be 
 rescinded. . . . 
 
 Laws of the State of New York, 1838. 
 
 Chapter 237. 
 
 AN ACT to appropriate the income of the United States de- 
 posite fund to the purposes of education and the diffu- 
 sion of knowledge. 
 
 Passed April 17, 1838. 
 
 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate 
 and Assembly, do enact as follows: 
 
 § I. The income arising from the investment of the 
 moneys deposited by the United States with the State of New 
 York, according to the act of congress, entitled "An act to 
 
240 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1839 
 
 regulate the deposite of the iml)hc moneys," passed June 23, 
 1836, shall, after deducting the charges thereon, he expended 
 for the purposes of education and diffusion of knowledge, in 
 the manner hereinafter provided. 
 
 ******** 
 
 § 7. Three thousand dollars of the income aforesaid shall, 
 for the period of five years and until otherwise directed 
 by law, be annually paid to Hamilton College, to be applied 
 exclusively by said college to the payment of its professors 
 and teachers. 
 
 Joseph Penney to the Board of Trustees. 
 
 Hamilton College, 23 January, 1839. 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 Three years have elapsed last month since by your appoint- 
 ment I entered on the duties of the Presidency of this Institu- 
 tion. In so doing I resigned a situation of very uncommon 
 advantages and comforts to myself and family, for one of 
 many privations and diftkulties. But this I did cheerfully, 
 from the interest I took in the cause of Education, and my 
 reliance on the reasonable cooperation of the Board of 
 Trustees and the citizens generally of this region. My hope 
 was that by a course of cautious reformation and faithful 
 labour in the interior of the Institution, and by a conciliatory 
 but firm and sober course towards the community without, 
 the College might live down existing prejudices and become a 
 blessing to the country and deserving of its patronage. I was 
 led to believe that former jealousies about the location of the 
 College and other adverse influences foreign to the merits of 
 its management would trouble it no more. I expected cordial 
 cooperation from all my colleagues in correcting, in a kind 
 and prudent manner, whatever in the internal affairs of the 
 Institution might afford the public any reasonable cause to 
 complain. In these hopes I have been disappointed. I find 
 
1839] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 241 
 
 myself impeded in every department of the interests of the 
 Collei^e by obstacles which I had no reason to anticipate, and 
 over which I have no control. Having no wish to aggravate 
 the difficulties of the College, I think it unnecessary to go into 
 a specification of these obstacles. They are known to many of 
 the Board, and shall be freely communicated if the interests 
 of the College can be thereby promoted. In the mean time 
 I regard it equally inconsistent with what I owe to my friends, 
 to the cause of education, and to myself, to occupy the office 
 you have assigned me, with so many drawbacks on my 
 means of meeting respectably and successfully its weighty 
 responsibilities. 
 
 I therefore beg leave. Gentlemen, most respectfully to resign 
 into your hands the office of the Presidency of Hamilton 
 College, with which you have honored me, at and after the 
 first day of May next ensuing. I have thought it due to the 
 Board and important to the interests of the College thus to 
 give reasonable notice of my purpose, so that, if possible, a 
 successor may be obtained before I leave the Institution. And 
 let me add that any service that I can render the College in 
 this or any other department of its interests shall be always 
 most cheerfully rendered. 
 
 I trust the personal sacrifices and disappointments to myself 
 in this resignation will exonerate me from the charge of re- 
 garding the welfare of the Institution with indifference. I 
 shall still fondly cherish the hope that by some happy disposal 
 of the present adverse influences, and in some hands more 
 competent than mine, the College may yet surmount the diffi- 
 culties under which it labours, and fully accomplish the design 
 of its founders. 
 
 Permit me, finally, to express my grateful acknowledgments 
 for the personal kindness I have experienced from every 
 member of the Board, and my lasting esteem and gratitude 
 toward those gentlemen who, in the midst of so many dis- 
 couragements, have given the most substantial proofs of dis- 
 16 
 
242 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1842 
 
 interested devotion to the cause of education here — one of 
 the first and most vital of the interests of our country. 
 I am, Gentlemen, most respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient Servant, 
 To the Trustees of Joseph Penney. 
 
 Hamilton College. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 Eighty-ninth Meeting. July 26, 1842. 
 . . . Mr. Spencer, as chairman of the committee in rela- 
 tion to the claims of this Institution on Union College, made 
 a written report relative to the final settlement of said claims, 
 as follows: 
 
 The Committee of the Trustees of Hamilton College to 
 whom was referred the subject of the claims or demands of 
 the said Trustees against the Trustees of Union College aris- 
 ing on a covenant entered into between said Colleges, growing 
 out of the operations of the drawing of the Literature Lot- 
 teries of this state, respectfully reports: 
 
 That the whole claim has been amicably adjusted and 
 settled by the surrender by the Trustees of Union College of 
 the bond of the Trustees of Hamilton College given to them 
 for seven thousand dollars, amounting, with interest, at the 
 time of the surrender, to more than ten thousand dollars ; and 
 by the payment of five thousand dollars in money, and the 
 securing the payment of other five thousand dollars in five 
 equal annual instalments by the hand of the said Trustees of 
 Union College and the annual interest thereon, by the bond of 
 the Revd Eliphalet Nott, D.D., President of said College : both 
 of which securities are believed by your committee to be good 
 and ample. Upon the receipt of such surrender, payment, 
 and security, a release of all claims and demands on the part 
 of the Trustees of Hamilton College upon the Trustees of 
 Union College was duly executed and delivered by our Treas- 
 urer to the Treasurer of Union College, 
 
 All which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 Joshua A. Spencer, Chairman. 
 
1855] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 243 
 
 Laws of the State of New York, 1855. 
 
 Chapter 310. 
 
 AN ACT relating to the Law Department of Hamilton College. 
 
 Passed April 12, 1855. 
 
 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate 
 and Assembly, do enact as follows: 
 
 § I. The trustees of Hamilton College shall prescribe suit- 
 able times for the public examination of students connected 
 with the law department in said institution, and upon applica- 
 tion made by said trustees or by their authority to the supreme 
 court, either at a general term thereof, or at a special term, 
 to be holden for that purpose, if necessary, the court shall 
 appoint a committee to consist of not less than three respect- 
 able counsellors of said court, (any two of whom may pro- 
 ceed with the examination,) to attend the examination in 
 respect to such applicants then being connected with said law 
 department, as shall, pursuant to the regulations adopted by 
 the said trustees, be candidates for the degree of bachelor of 
 laws, and who shall apply to the said examiners for the 
 certificate hereinafter mentioned. 
 
 § 2. It shall be the duty of said committee carefully and 
 thoroughly to examine the applicants for such certificate, in 
 respect to their learning, ability and qualifications for admis- 
 sion as attorneys and counsellors in the supreme court, and 
 to ascertain the length of time during which each applicant 
 has pursued the study of law in this State, under competent 
 instruction. They shall further require from each applicant 
 full and satisfactory evidence of good moral character, and 
 that his deportment during his connection with such institu- 
 tion has been orderly and upright. 
 
 § 3. Upon the production to the court of the certificate of 
 such examiners, or any two of them, stating the fact of such 
 examination, that the person named in said certificate was 
 recommended as qualified for the degree of bachelor of laws, 
 that he appeared to be of sufficient learning and ability to be 
 
244 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1855 
 
 qualified for admission to practice as an attorney and coun- 
 sellor of the supreme court, and also that he had furnished 
 satisfactory evidence of good moral character, the court may 
 make an order for the admission of such person to practice 
 as an attorney and counsellor of the supreme court, which 
 order shall be in all respects as valid and effectual as though 
 such person had been examined at a general term in open 
 court. This order may be made at any special term of said 
 court held in and for the county of Oneida, or at a general 
 term thereof. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 
 Meeting of July 6, 1855. 
 
 . . . The Secretary reported the following laws, or refer- 
 ences to law, passed at the last session (1855) ^^ proper to be 
 brought to the notice of the Regents: . . . 
 
 Chapter 310: An Act relating to the hnv department of 
 Hamilton College, (passed April 12. 1855.) . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 One Hundred and Eleventh Meeting. July 24, 1855. 
 
 Resolved, that a committee be appointed for the 
 purpose of carrying into full effect the resolutions of this 
 Board passed at the meeting held on the 27th day of August, 
 1820, for the removal of the remains of the Rev^ Samuel 
 Kirkland and the Indian Chief Schenandoah from the place 
 of their interment to the College Cemetery; that said com- 
 mittee be authorized to make the removal (with the assent of 
 the surviving members of Mr. Kirkland's family) ; and also 
 that they cause a suitable monument to be erected to the 
 memory of the said Revd Samuel Kirkland, who is justly 
 regarded as the Founder as well as the Benefactor of this 
 College ; and that the removal and the erection of the monu- 
 ment be accompanied with such ceremonies as to the com- 
 mittee may appear appropriate. And that a sum not exceeding 
 $300, mentioned in said resolution of August, 1820, be re- 
 appropriated in order to carry this resolution into effect. Also 
 
1857] OF HAM ILTON COLLEGE 245 
 
 Resolved, that the committee be authorized to remove the 
 remains of the members of the family and direct descendants 
 of Mr. Kirkland who were buried on his homestead or in the 
 village burying ground to the said cemetery to be reinterred 
 by his side. 
 
 The Chairman announced as the committee Mr. Wetmore, 
 Dr. Vermilye, and Mr. WilHams. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 One Hundred and Sixteenth Meeting. July 15, 1857. 
 
 . . . Dr. Fowler, chairman of the special committee of 
 five in relation to the Presidency, made a report in writing as 
 follows : 
 
 The committee to whom was referred the communication 
 of the President of the College, announcing his purpose to 
 resign his place, beg leave to report, that they had an inter- 
 view with Dr. North soon after their appointment, and that he 
 designated commencement or an early day thereafter for the 
 period of his resignation, provided the arrearages in his salary 
 were paid at that time, the resignation to take effect at the 
 close of the approaching vacation. The committee unani- 
 mously and respectfully recommend that Dr. North's salary 
 as President be continued until the close of the financial year, 
 April 15th, 1858, a measure which, while it is justified by fre- 
 quent precedents, harmonises with the feelings of all the friends 
 of the College towards a long tried and faithful officer. 
 
 And on motion of Judge Bacon, Resolved, that the report 
 of the committee be accepted. . . . 
 
 July 16, 1857. 
 
 . . . The Secretary presented and read a paper of which 
 the following is a copy : 
 
 To the Trustees of Hamilton College 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 In accordance with the intention expressed to the Board 
 in a former communication, I hereby resign my office as the 
 
246 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1858 
 
 President of Hamilton College. With the office of President, 
 I also resign my place as a member of the Executive Com- 
 mittee, and as Auditor of the Treasurer's accounts. 
 
 It is my desire that this resignation shall take effect on the 
 first of September next. 
 
 With good wishes for the continued prosperity of the Col- 
 lege, and with sentiments of respect towards those in its 
 Boards of Trust and Instruction with whom I have so long 
 labored for its advancement, I am, Gentlemen, 
 
 Your obedient Servant, 
 
 Simeon North. 
 
 On motion of Dr. Fowler, Resolved, that the resignation of 
 the Presidency of the College and of his membership of the 
 Executive Committee, tendered by Rev. Simeon North, D.D., 
 LL.D., is hereby accepted. 
 
 Resolved, that we avail ourselves of this opportunity to 
 express our sense of the assiduity with which Dr. North has 
 devoted himself to the fulfillment of the duties of the various 
 official relations he has sustained to this College for a period 
 of twenty-eight years, our gratification at the uninterrupted 
 harmony which has existed between him and his associates in 
 the Faculty and Board of Trustees, and our high regard for 
 him as a friend, a christian gentleman, and a scholar. 
 
 Resolved, that the Secretary be instructed to transmit a copy 
 of the foregoing resolution to Dr. North. 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 One Hundred and Eighteenth Meeting. July 6, 1858. 
 
 Dr. Fowler, in behalf of the committee, submitted 
 a series of resolutions, and remarks were made by Dr. Condit, 
 Mr. Woolworth, Judge Denio, Mr. Brayton, and others. 
 
 On motion. Resolved, that Rev. Samuel W. Fisher, D.D., 
 be and he is hereby elected President of Hamilton College. 
 
 Resolved, that the duties of the President for the time being 
 continue the same which have been discharged by his prede- 
 
1858] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 247 
 
 cessors ; subject to the right of this Board hereafter to modify 
 them in such manner as to embrace the Pastorate and Instruc- 
 tion in Moral Philosophy ; and that in the special efforts which 
 may be made to increase the funds and extend the usefulness 
 of the College, he will be expected to take such earnest and 
 efficient part as his position and influence shall render 
 appropriate. 
 
 Resolved, that the Salary of the President elect be fixed at 
 two thousand dollars a year, and that the same commence 
 with his entrance on the duties of his office, and be payable in 
 three payments to be made on the fifteenth day of December, 
 April, and August of each year. 
 
 Resolved, that this Board deem it highly important that a 
 dwelling and premises should be provided and owned by the 
 College suitable for the residence of the President, and that 
 this subject shall receive proper attention so soon as the 
 finances of the Institution will permit. 
 
 On motion of Judge Denio, Resolved, that this Board 
 approve the action of the Executive Committee touching the 
 Observatory and a Director therefor, and that the three reso- 
 lutions passed by the said committee be and the same are 
 hereby ratified and adopted. 
 
 The three resolutions referred to above are in the words 
 following : 
 
 Resolved, that Dr. C. H. F. Peters, of Albany, be and he is 
 hereby appointed to take charge of the Observatory at Hamil- 
 ton College for one year, with a salary of six hundred dol- 
 lars, payable tri-annually from the proceeds of the special sub- 
 scription made for that purpose and not otherwise; this 
 appointment being subject to the order of the Board of Trus- 
 tees at their next meeting. 
 
 Resolved, that Dr. Peters be and he is hereby requested to 
 enter upon the discharge of the duties pertaining to his office 
 at as early a date as practicable and not later than the first of 
 May next; to proceed to Canastota in order to forward the 
 completion of the telescope and to take such measures as may 
 
248 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1858 
 
 be advisable to place the Observatory in working operation, 
 with the least possible delay. 
 
 Resolved, that no expenses be incurred on account of the 
 Observatory except such as can be paid from the proceeds of 
 good subscriptions actually made before such expenses are 
 incurred. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of October 14, 1858. 
 A memorial from the Trustees of Hamilton Col- 
 lege, representing that they had erected an Astronomical 
 Observatory, and had furnished it with a large and powerful 
 telescope, and other instruments for astronomical observations, 
 and asking that they may be permitted to determine the longi- 
 tude of their observatory and of such other places in the state 
 as the Regents may designate, was presented and read. 
 
 After extended discussion on the subject of the memorial, 
 it was, on motion of Mr Benedict, Resolved: That the appli- 
 cation of Hamilton College be laid on the table, and the whole 
 subject postponed to the annual meeting in January at which 
 time the Trustees of the college shall have an opportunity to 
 be heard before the Board in relation to the subject of their 
 memorial ; and that they be requested in the meantime to com- 
 municate to this Board such specification of what said college 
 propose to do, of their power to do it, and the compensation 
 which they will deem proper, as may be necessary to enable 
 this board to act in the premises. . . . 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 Meeting of January 13, 1859. 
 . . . The memorial of the Trustees of Hamilton College 
 in regard to the determinations of longitude presented at the 
 meeting of the Board, Oct. 14, 1858, and made the special 
 order for the present meeting was called up. Judge Denio was 
 heard in behalf of the College. He submitted a proposal of 
 
1860] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 249 
 
 the Executive Committee of the Trustees " to determine the 
 longitude of the College observatory within one year, perhaps 
 by a less time, will be sufficient for one thousand dollars." 
 After full discussion it was on motion of the Rev. Dr. Camp- 
 bell unanimously resolved, That One thousand Dollars be 
 appropriated to the Trustees of Hamilton College from the 
 appropriation of Chap. 784, laws of 1857, *' To the Regents 
 of the University to defray the expenses of ascertaining the 
 Meridian of such important locality or localities as said board 
 shall prescribe." 
 
 It was on motion further 
 Resolved, That Mr Pruyn be a Committee to perfect such 
 arrangements with the Trustees of the College as may be 
 necessary for executing the preceding resolutions. 
 
 The Libraries of the Union and Phoenix Societies. 
 
 In the year i860 the old literary societies transferred their libraries to 
 the College. The contracts are identical in form. That of the Union 
 Society is given here, from the original document in the College Library. 
 
 These Articles of agreement made and entered into this 
 seventh day of November i860, by and between the Union 
 Society of Hamilton College by Charles H. Roys, George H. 
 Starr, David L. Kiehle, Anson J. Upson, and Oren Root, the 
 Trustees of said Society of the first part, and the Trustees of 
 Hamilton College by O. S. Williams their Treasurer of the 
 second part witness: 
 
 The Union Society hereby sells transfers and delivers its 
 Library in trust to the said Trustees of Hamilton College 
 on the following conditions : 
 
 I St The College to take possession of said Library and 
 remove it, and put it up, and suitably arrange it in the Rooms 
 of the College Library; make a full and complete catalogue 
 thereof, and have the whole ready for use with all con- 
 venient speed. On the Catalogue, and the labels placed in 
 the books, they shall be designated as belonging to the Union 
 Society Library. 
 
250 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [I860 
 
 2^ The College Library shall be open on Tuesday and 
 Friday of each week in term time, and for one hour at a time, 
 for drawing books; each member of the Union Society may 
 draw books from any part of the Library free of charge, and 
 may retain five volumes at once according to the rules of the 
 Librarv, but no student unless he be a member of the Union 
 or Phoenix Society shall be permitted to draw any book which 
 shall belong to the Library of either of said Societies. 
 
 3d The College to preserve said Library in good order and 
 condition, and with the same care which shall be bestowed on 
 the original College Library; but if such care is exercised, the 
 College shall not be liable for any damage or loss which may 
 happen to said Union Library. 
 
 4th The College shall pay to the Union Society or its 
 creditors the several sums in which it is indebted to them, 
 amounting to $147.63 or thereabouts according to the schedule 
 hereunto annexed, as soon after this contract shall be perfected 
 as may be convenient, and on or before the first day of January 
 next. And this payment, and the labor and care to be bestowed 
 and performed as hereinafter stated shall form the considera- 
 tion for the transfer of said Library above provided for. 
 
 5th The said Union Society may have the said Library 
 returned and retransferred to it at any time within ten years 
 hereafter, by giving one year's notice in writing of a resolution 
 of said Society requesting the same to be done, and by paying 
 to the College the said amount of $147.63 or thereabouts, with 
 annual interest from the date of the payment thereof by the 
 College. 
 
 6th The College shall grant to the Union Society a suitable 
 and sufficient portion of the present Debating Rooms of the 
 Union and Phoenix Societies free of charge, to be fitted up 
 and used by said Society for a Hall for its meetings. 
 
 Second; The Trustees of Hamilton College hereby accept 
 said Library on the conditions above stated, and on their part 
 agree to perform and abide by the same. 
 
1861] OF HAMIL TON COLLEGE 251 
 
 Witness the said Union Society by its Trustees, and the 
 Trustees of Hamilton College by their Treasurer the day and 
 year first above written. 
 
 The Union Society, By 
 
 Chas H. Roys. 
 Geo. H. Starr 
 D. L. Kiehle 
 A. J. Upson 
 O. Root 
 
 Proceedings of the Trustees. 
 One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Meeting. July 17, 1S61. 
 
 . . . On motion of Dr. Fowler, Resolved, that the Sec- 
 retary be directed to inform Dr. Peters that, while the Board 
 highly appreciate the services he renders, the funds of the 
 College do not admit of any appropriation from them towards 
 the payment of his salary and the expenses of the observatory, 
 and that it will be impossible to make him any further com- 
 pensation than such as he may receive from the friends of 
 Science and from the Board of Regents for special services 
 performed by him on their behalf ; and on like motion, 
 
 Resolved, that if there should occur a vacancy in the Direc- 
 torship of the Observatory during the current year, that the 
 Executive Committee be and they are hereby authorized to 
 make some temporary and economical arrangement for its 
 care and safe keeping and use until the next meeting of the 
 Board. 
 
 The Executive Committee having made a report touching 
 the transfer to the College of the Libraries of the Union and 
 Phoenix Societies and their action thereon ; on motion of Judge 
 Gridley 
 
 Resolved, that the action of the Executive Committee be 
 and the same hereby is approved, and that it be ratified and 
 adopted as the action of this Board in the premises. 
 
252 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1865 
 
 On motion of Mr. Wetmore, the following preamble and 
 resolutions were unanimously adopted : 
 
 Whereas Professor Root, Rev. A. D. Gridley, and Mr. John 
 C. Hastings, who have been the Curators of the College 
 grounds for some years past, have tendered their resignations. 
 
 Resolved, that the same be accepted. 
 
 Resolved, that these gentlemen have rendered a valuable 
 and lasting service to the College by the system of improve- 
 ments which they commenced ; improvements which have 
 already grown to such maturity that they have entirely changed 
 the external appearance of the College grounds, and rendered 
 them a place of great beauty and attraction. For their faith- 
 ful and disinterested services we tender to them our hearty 
 thanks, and give them the assurance that what they have com- 
 menced and carried forward with so much labor and fidelity, 
 we will have continued to their full completion. 
 
 Resolved, that the Secretary be and he hereby is instructed 
 to transmit to each of the above named gentlemen a copy of 
 the foregoing preamble and resolutions. 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 
 Meeting of May 14, 1862. 
 
 . . . Special Committee to attend the Se mi-Centennial 
 of Hamilton College, the Governor, Mr. Hawley, the Chan- 
 cellor, the Rev. Dr. Campbell, Mr. Leavenworth. . . . 
 
 Laws of the State of New York, 1865. 
 Chapter 641. 
 
 AN ACT making appropriations for certain public and chari- 
 table institutions. 
 
 Passed May i, 1865, by a two-thirds vote. 
 
 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate 
 and Assembly, do enact as follows: 
 
 Section i. The treasurer shall pay on the warrant of the 
 comptroller, out of moneys in the treasury not otherwise appro- 
 
1868] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 253 
 
 priated, the several amounts specified in this act, to the persons 
 duly authorized to receive the same. 
 
 Section 2. . . . For Hamilton College, for an arrear- 
 age of a former appropriation, fifteen hundred dollars. . . . 
 
 Laws of the State of New York, 1866. 
 
 Chapter 748. 
 
 AN ACT making appropriations for certain expenses of Gov- 
 ermnent, and to supply deficiencies in former appropriations. 
 
 Passed April 21, 1866; three-fifths being present. 
 
 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate 
 and Assembly, do enact as follows: 
 
 Section i. The treasurer shall pay from the several funds 
 here specified, to the several persons indicated in this act, the 
 amounts named, or such part of those amounts as shall be 
 necessary to accomplish in full the purpose designed by the 
 appropriations. . . . 
 
 Section 2. The following amounts are hereby appropriated 
 for the several objects specified, namely: 
 
 For Hamilton College, in lieu of the same amount appro- 
 priated in eighteen hundred and sixty-five and unpaid, one 
 thousand five hundred dollars. 
 
 The Campus of Hamilton College. 
 
 From A. J. Downing's Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Land- 
 scape Gardening. Sixth edition. 1859. Supplement by Henry Winthrop 
 Sargent, pages 571-572. 
 
 Another phase of improvement in our rural taste is the in- 
 creasing care and attention bestowed upon the grounds attached 
 to our colleges, hospitals, and other public buildings. 
 
 Mr. Downing, we think, did much to develop this in the 
 taste he displayed in the arrangement of the grounds attached 
 to the Smithsonian Institute and La Fayette Square, in Wash- 
 ington. We are rapidly passing from the straight, formal 
 
254 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1868 
 
 walks, and the rectangular plantations of the past, into the 
 more harmonious and pleasing arrangements of the modern 
 school. Clinton Park and Botanic Garden, which contains 
 within its limits Hamilton College, at Clinton, N. Y., is a 
 very successful illustration of this improvement. Fifteen or 
 twenty acres have been enclosed within the College Park, and 
 entirely laid out in the most skillful and artistic manner. 
 Broad and extensive lawns are divided by graceful walks 
 throughout the whole extent ; trees and shrubs, of every 
 description flourishing in this climate, have been planted in 
 groups, masses, or as single specimens. 
 
 A section of the ground will be used as a Botanic Garden, 
 in which trees, shrubs, and flowers will be arranged according 
 to their several families. 
 
 The humanizing influence of harmonious and beautiful 
 surroundings upon every one, is beyond all question ; and it 
 was truly said by the Rev. Mr. Gridley, to whose taste and 
 energy much of the success of the Clinton Park is due. that 
 " it is no vain thing to suppose that the minds and hearts of 
 students will be benefited by daily walks through such grounds, 
 and in view of such a varied and wide-spread landscape : these 
 peaceful shades and sunny slopes and laughing streams — 
 this hum of cheerful industry — the music of distant church 
 bells, and the glimpses and echoes here caught of the great 
 thoroughfares of business and travel that mark the great 
 world without — these skies, ever changing and ever beautiful, 
 and the seasons rolling through them — what mind can be 
 brought into the midst of such scenes without deriving from 
 them essential profit ? " 
 
 Report of the Curators of the College Campus. 
 
 By referring to foregoing diagram of the college plot, it 
 will be seen that in the year 1853 the college domain consisted 
 of about thirty-three acres of land. Its buildings were the 
 present Chapel, three College Halls, the Cabinet, the old 
 President's house and its outbuildings, three wood sheds, one 
 in rear of each college, and a barn in rear of the Cabinet. 
 
V. 
 
 o o 
 
 zh^'s^ ^^'^"^ 
 
 ^o..H 
 
Jt- 
 
THE CAMPUS IN 1868 
 From a Map by Professor Oren Root, Sr 
 
 1. Site of Hamilton Oneida Academy, 1793-1832. 
 
 2. Boarding House (Old President's House), 1802. 
 
 3. South College, 1812. 
 
 5. Chapel. 182S-1<S27. 
 
 6. Middle College, 1825. 
 
 7. North College, 1825, finished 1844-1845. 
 
 8. Observatory, 1854. 
 
 9. Gymnasium, 1853. 
 
 10. Chemical Laboratory, 1855. 
 
 11. Library, 1866. 
 
 12. Old Kirkland House, 1794. 
 
 ( 
 
1868] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 255 
 
 The President's house stood nearly in front of the South 
 College, a little south of the front, and the woodhouse, barn 
 and garden belonging thereto extended along the Vernon road, 
 there being an entrance to the College grounds between the 
 barn and garden. The rectangular lot of four acres lying 
 immediately around the College Halls was enclosed in front 
 with a low stone wall surmounted by a wooden fence. Straight 
 walks four or five feet wide ran in front of the Colleges and 
 the Chapel and from these several buildings to each of the 
 front gates. 
 
 In front of the north and middle Colleges, at the time they 
 were built, the surface of the earth was removed at considerable 
 expense to the depth of three or four feet and the ground 
 leveled leaving it in a condition that made it difficult to grow 
 trees planted in this part of the grounds. This College j^ard 
 was planted somewhat sparsely with trees. The row of Elms 
 near the front fence was set out by Othniel Williams (Senior) 
 at that time Treasurer of the College. Most of the other trees 
 were planted subsequently under the supervision of Presidents 
 Penney and North. The lot east of the road in front of the 
 Campus was used as a pasture and was destitute of trees, 
 except a few which bordered the walk leading to the Cemetery. 
 To this it should be added that there was a row of Lombardy 
 Poplars on the east side of the road just mentioned and 
 another behind the Colleges, these trees with others along the 
 hillside road having been planted in the year 1805, under the 
 superintendence of Rev. Samuel Kirkland. Such was the 
 condition of the College grounds in the year 1853, when the 
 Faculty and several friends of the Institution in this vicinity 
 began to consider the importance and feasibility of improving 
 the same. 
 
 In the autumn of that year, several meetings of gentlemen 
 were held at the house of President North to consult as to 
 what alterations, if any, were required in the College premises, 
 together with the probable cost of making them. As the result 
 of these consultations, a plan for remodeling the grounds, 
 presented by Mr. John C. Hastings of Clinton, was adopted, 
 
256 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1868 
 
 and a committee was appointed to carry that plan into execu- 
 tion. 
 
 This committee consisted of Prof. Oren Root, J. C. Hast- 
 ings, Esq. and Rev. A. D. Gridley. At the same time 
 subscriptions were made by the Faculty and friends of the 
 College in Clinton, amounting to one thousand dollars 
 ($i,ooo), for the purpose of enabling the Committee to make 
 a beginning in the work which had been projected. 
 
 The following are the names of the donors to this fund : 
 
 Presdt. Simeon North 1 
 
 Hon. Josiah Bacon I 
 
 Rev. Robt. G. Vermilye [ 
 
 Treas. O. S. Williams, Esq. J 
 Prof. Charles Avery 
 Prof. Oren Root 
 Prof. Edward North 
 Prof. Theodore W. Dwight 
 Rev. Benjamin W. Dwight 
 Rev. A. D. Gridley 
 John C. Hastings 
 
 At a subsequent meeting of the Trustees of the College the 
 above Committee for improving the grounds were requested 
 to serve as permanent Curators of the College Grounds. 
 
 The first step in the improvements thus inaugurated was the 
 taking away of the fence and the removal of a large quantity 
 of stone in the walk in front of the Colleges to the site of the 
 present Observatory building. These stone were used in the 
 construction of the foundation walls of that building. A large 
 amount of earth was removed in filling the cellar where the 
 President's house stood, and in surface grading in filling up 
 low places in various parts of the ground and in leveling down 
 the land into a smooth slope, from the line of fence removed, 
 to the lot on the east side of the road. Grading having been 
 finished, here and in other parts of the ground, attention was 
 given to draining, a work much needed, and which was done 
 
1868] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 257 
 
 at considerable expense of time and labor. The road in front 
 of the Colleges, being about lOO feet wide at the south end 
 and diminishing to 60 feet in front of the North College, by 
 permission of the Road Commissioner was now reduced in 
 width, and its straight lines changed, so as to make them con- 
 form to the general plan of reconstruction. The President's 
 House with its outbuildings next took up the line of march to 
 the site they now occupy on the Vernon Road. The Presi- 
 dential well is still extant. At this stage of the improvements 
 the Trustees purchased seven acres of land for the benefit of 
 the college on the north side of the east lot. Also Prof. Ed- 
 ward North donated to the College half an acre of land for 
 the enlargement of the Cemetery, which was laid out anew 
 according to a plan furnished by Mr. J. C. Hastings. 
 
 The work thus far, together with the removal of the row 
 of large poplar trees in front of the College, and the making 
 of beds for the new roads and paths and bordering them with 
 turf, was accomplished in the fall of 1853 and the summer of 
 1854. An excellent material for covering these walks was 
 found in the College lands in the red shale lying on the north- 
 west border of the ground. To protect the grounds from 
 street cattle a wire fence was placed on each side of the road 
 in front of the Colleges, and the other portions of the Campus 
 were enclosed with hedges of buckthorn and wooden fences. 
 The wire fence has since proved almost an entire failure, while 
 the hedges are to this day their own best commendation. In 
 planting of the grounds, especially the unoccupied east lot, it 
 was a leading object of the Committee to secure as great a 
 variety of trees as should be found practicable. They wished 
 to obtain a specimen of every desirable tree and shrub, decidu- 
 ous and evergreen, which might be expected to prove hardy in 
 the climate of central New York. These trees and plants they 
 proposed to arrange with a special view to landscape effect, 
 though with some reference to a botanical classification. Ac- 
 cordingly liberal purchases were made from various nurseries, 
 which with donations from friends of the institution, enabled 
 17 
 
258 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1868 
 
 the Committee to carry out their plans with some degree of 
 satisfaction. The different varieties of the oak, ash, elm, 
 maple, etc., were set mostly in family groups ; w^hile of the 
 evergreens, in addition to a general distribution through the 
 grounds, a special collection was begun, which is designed to 
 include every conifer hardy enough to endure our northern 
 winters. For several years past, also, a memorial tree lias been 
 planted by each Senior Class, the planting being accompanied 
 with suitable exercises and ceremonies. The work on these 
 grounds progressed under the care of the Curators until Dr. 
 Fisher was appointed President, having been in their care about 
 four years when he claimed the supervision of the grounds. 
 The Curators accordingly sent in their resignation to the Board 
 of Trustees. Their resignation was accepted with the as- 
 surance on the part of the Trustees that the improvements in 
 accordance with the plan adopted, should be carried forward. 
 In 1867 Dr. Fisher resigned the office of President of the 
 College. During the time the grounds were under the care of 
 Dr. Fisher, very little was done towards improving the surface 
 of the grounds, and the lines of the roads and walks were 
 neglected and some were ploughed over and lost. 
 
 Many of the trees originally planted by the Curators were 
 injured and some destroyed, and although a considerable 
 number of trees were planted under his direction, but few of 
 them, owing to bad planting and other causes, are now living. 
 
 In 1868 the former Curators of the grounds were by the 
 Board of Trustees requested to reassume the care of the 
 grounds. In complying with this request the Curators do so, 
 with a desire so far as the means are furnished them, to carry 
 forward the improvements first contemplated. 
 
 As a postcript to this historical sketch, it may be added that 
 the building formerly kno\<'n as " Hamilton Oneida Academy " 
 which stood midway between the South College and Chapel 
 was taken down in the year 1832. The lines of its foundation 
 walls with their several compartments may now be traced dur- 
 
1875] OF HAMILTON COLLEGE 259 
 
 ing a mid summer drouth in the parched grass growing above 
 them, where there is not much depth of earth. 
 
 The Gymnasium was erected in the year 1853. 
 
 Astronomical Observatory in 1854. 
 
 Chemical Laboratory in 1855. 
 
 The work of embellishing the grounds of Hamilton College 
 IS far from being completed. There are many other valuable 
 trees and shrubs which should be added to our collection. The 
 surface of the land should be graded to a lawn like smoothness, 
 and provision should be made for a more frequent mowing of 
 the grass in summer. Classic Vases, Sun Dials, Fountains 
 with jets d'eau, and rustic seats or tasteful kiosks might well 
 add their attractions to the simpler charms of nature, and 
 these things are sure to be enjoyed in the good time coming. 
 
 Addendum: The principal Donors of trees referred to in 
 the foregoing sketch, were Charles Downing of Newburgh; 
 Hovey & Co., Boston, Mass. ; Henry W. Sargent, Fishkill ; 
 Frost & Co., Hooks & Co., Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester; 
 Wm. D. Walcott, New York Mills; John C. Hastings, Prof. 
 Edward North and Prof. Oren Root and Rev. A. D. Gridley 
 of Clinton ; John J. Smith, Philadelphia. 
 
 Clinton, May 12th, 1868. 
 
 Oren Root "1 
 
 A. D. Gridley ■ Curators 
 
 J. C. Hastings j 
 
 Proceedings of the Regents. 
 
 Meeting of January 14, 1875. 
 
 . . The Vice Chancellor, from the Standing Commit- 
 tee on Incorporations, submitted an application from the Trus- 
 tees of Hamilton College for such an amendment of the Char- 
 ter of the College as will provide for the election of one Trustee 
 annuallv bv the Alumni of the said College. The Committee 
 
260 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY [1888 
 
 find that the application is in conformity with the law and the 
 ordinance of the Regents, and recommend that the same be 
 granted and that an ordinance be issued to that effect, under the 
 seal of the University. . . . 
 
 Laws of the State of New York, 1888. 
 
 Chapter 128. 
 
 AN ACT to extend and de-fine the powers of the trustees of 
 Hamilton College in regard to the investment of its funds. 
 
 Became a law without the approval of the Governor, in accord- 
 ance with the provisions of article four, section nine of the 
 Constitution, April 12, 1888. Passed, three-fifths being 
 present. 
 
 The People of the State of New York, represented in Seriate 
 and Assembly, do enact as follows: 
 
 Section i. The board of trustees of Hamilton College is 
 hereby authorized in addition to any mode of investment now 
 authorized by law, to invest the funds of said college, in its 
 discretion, in any of the securities hereinafter named, namely : 
 
 In the stocks and bonds, or other interest bearing obligations 
 of any State in the Union that has not within ten years pre- 
 vious to making such investment, defaulted in the payment 
 of any part of either principal or interest of any debt author- 
 ized by any legislature of said State to be contracted; in the 
 stocks and bonds of any city in this State issued pursuant to 
 the authority of any law of this State ; in bonds and mort- 
 gages on unencumbered real estate situate in any of the fol- 
 lowing named States, namely, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
 Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Illi- 
 nois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and worth at least twice 
 the amount loaned thereon. 
 
 Section 2. Nothing in this act shall be so construed as to 
 contravene any limitations expressed or implied by any donor 
 of any such funds in regard to the investment or use thereof. 
 
 Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 ADDRESS OF HORATIO SEYMOUR AT THE DEDICATION OF 
 THE MONUMENT TO SAMUEL KIRKLAND 
 
 ADDRESS OF ELIHU ROOT AT THE UNVEILING OF THE 
 STATUE OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON 
 
THE DEDICATION OF THE KIRKLAND 
 MONUMENT 
 
 Address of Horatio Seymour 
 
 June 25, 1873. 
 
 At the erection of this monument to the memory of the 
 Indian missionary, under the direction of a College founded 
 by him to educate the men of that race as well as of the whites 
 who then lived on either side of a line running near where 
 v/e now stand, and which marked the boundaries of their 
 respective properties, the scene would be incomplete if there 
 had been no one here of the lineage of the Iroquois. I am 
 glad that those who by their courage and conduct won for 
 themselves the title of the " Romans of the West " are repre- 
 sented by some who speak their language, and recall by their 
 faces and forms the memory of the tribes who once held 
 dominion over these hills and valleys by the lordly titles of 
 wisdom and of might. The chief interest in the character 
 of Kirkland grows out of his labor in behalf of the confederate 
 nations of Indians, who, in their day, held the destinies of 
 this country in their hands. It is well too that descendants 
 of Sconondoa, whose stalwart form moulders here by the 
 side of his Christian teacher, meet by the graves of their 
 fathers the descendants of Kirkland. Thus, after the lapse 
 of many years, those of the blood and lineage of the warrior 
 and of the Christian missionary come together at a spot so 
 sacred to them and at a time and an occasion of such deep 
 interest. The spirits of the dead are made glad as they wit- 
 ness the scene. 
 
 No just estimate can be put upon the labors of him to whom 
 this monument is dedicated, until we understand the character, 
 power and influence of those for whom he lived and toiled. 
 At this time the Indians are looked upon by many with mingled 
 feelings of abhorrence and disgust. There is a growing feel- 
 ing that the heroism which was once conceded to them existed 
 
 [203] 
 
264 APPENDIX 
 
 only in the imaginations of the novehsts or the fancy of poets. 
 I shall not attempt any defense of the race, but we must bear 
 in mind that on this broad continent with all its diversity of 
 climate and varieties of mountains and plains, lakes and rivers, 
 their several tribes differ as much in mind and morals as do 
 the white nationalities of Europe. To do justice to the memory 
 of Kirkland, I shall speak of those with whom he was brought 
 in contact, and over whom he exerted a great and benign 
 influence. They were savages, fierce, wild and cruel, but they 
 were also a heroic and patriotic people. They were brave and 
 skillful warriors, wise legislators, keen diplomatists, and elo- 
 quent orators. In all these respects they towered above all 
 other tribes upon this continent. They held in subjection a 
 vast extent of country, and in proportion to their numbers 
 they conquered more enemies and held control of more terri- 
 tory by force of arms than any people of which history gives 
 account since the days of Alexander the Great. By the testi- 
 mony of friends and enemies alike, they are shown to have 
 been the foremost tribes within the present limits of the United 
 States. Until Europeans came, their boast that they " were 
 men excelling all other men," was not a vain one so far as 
 wisdom, diplomacy and arms were concerned. The colonial 
 historian Smith says of them in 1750: 
 
 These of all those innumerable tribes of savages which inhabit the 
 northern part of America are of more importance to us and the French, 
 both on account of their vicinity and warlike disposition. 
 
 In the correspondence of the French colonial officials with 
 
 Louis the Great, it is said : 
 
 No people in the world, perhaps, have higher notions of military glory 
 than these Indians. All the surrounding nations have felt the effects of 
 their prowess, and many not only become their tributaries, but are so 
 subjugated to their power, that without their consent they dare not com- 
 mence either peace or war. 
 
 Golden, in his history, printed in London, in 1747, says: 
 
 The Five Nations think themselves by nature superior to the rest of 
 mankind, and call themselves " Onguekonwe," that is, men surpassing all 
 others. This opinion, which they take care to cultivate in their children. 
 
APPENDIX 265 
 
 gives them that courage which has been so terrible to all nations of 
 North America, and they have taken such care to impress the same opinion 
 of their people on all their neighbors, that they on all occasions yield the 
 most submissive obedience to them. I have been told by old men of New- 
 England, who remembered the time when the Mohawks made war on 
 their Indians, that as soon as a single Mohawk was discovered in the 
 countn.'. these Indians raised a cry from hill to hill, "A Mohawk! a 
 Mohawk ! " upon which they all fled like sheep before wolves, without at- 
 tempting to make the least resistance, whatever odds were on their side. 
 All the nations round them have for many years entirely submitted to 
 them and pay a yearly tribute to them in wampum. 
 
 A gentleman of this State, and a descendant of one of its 
 most honored families, has given me a statement derived from 
 the highest authority, which shows the mastery they had 
 gained over the coast tribes. After the whites had formed 
 large settlements about the harbor of New York and its vicin- 
 ity, the Long Island Indians sold some of their lands to their 
 civilized neighbors, without the permission of their Iroquois 
 masters. It was difficult to punish this act by war without 
 making trouble with the whites. A single Mohawk warrior 
 took upon himself the duty of vindicating the honor of his 
 people. Armed with his tomahawk and decorated with his 
 war-paint, he trod the forest paths along the banks of the 
 Mohawk and the Hudson, and passed through the white settle- 
 ments to the village of the guilty tribe. Having called a coun- 
 cil of its warriors, he reproached them for their act of dis- 
 respect toward their masters, and demanded the name of the 
 man who first signed the deed. A chief arose and said it was 
 his act. As he uttered this admission, the Mohawk struck 
 him dead with his tomahawk, and turning on his heel went 
 back upon his solitary path unmolested and unquestioned. 
 This was heroism, although it was barbarous heroism. 
 
 It was not only in courage that they surpassed all other 
 tribes. The historian Smith states that in his day — 
 
 The art of public speaking is in high esteem among the Indians and 
 much studied. They are extremely fond of method, and are displeased 
 with any irregular harangue because it is difficult to be remembered. 
 
266 APPENDIX 
 
 We have many proofs of their skill in oratory and of the 
 clearness and logic of their addresses. Even now, when their 
 power is gone and their pride broken down, they have many 
 orators among them. I have heard in my official life speeches 
 made by them, and I have also listened to many of the distin- 
 guished men of our own lineage ; while the untutored man 
 could not arm himself with all the facts and resources at the 
 command of the educated, yet I can say that I have heard from 
 the chiefs of the Five Nations as clear, strong and dignified 
 addresses as any I have listened to in legislative halls or at the 
 bar of our judicial tribunals. Oratory is too subtle in its 
 nature to be described, or I could give to you some of its 
 finest expressions in Indian addresses. 
 
 They did not excel merely in arms and oratory, they were 
 a politic people. Monsieur de la Potiere, a Frenchman and an 
 enemy, says in his history of North America : 
 
 When we speak of the Five Nations in France they are thought, by a 
 common mistake, to be mere barbarians, always thirsting for blood, but 
 their characters are very diflferent. They are indeed the fiercest and most 
 formidable people in North America, and at the same time are as politic 
 and judicious as can well be conceived, and this appears from their 
 management of all affairs which they have not only with the French and 
 English, but likewise with almost all the Indians of this vast continent. 
 
 As to their civil polity Colden says in 1747: 
 
 Each of these nations is an absolute republic by itself, and every castle 
 in each nation is governed in all public affairs by its own sachems or old 
 men. The authority of these rulers is gained by and consists wholly in 
 the opinion the rest of the nation have of their integrity and wisdom. 
 Their great men, both sachems and captains, are generally poorer than 
 the common people, and they affect to give away and distribute all the 
 presents or plunder they get in their treaties or in wars, so as to leave 
 nothing to themselves. There is not a man in the members of the Five 
 Nations who has gained his office otherwise than by merit. There is 
 not the least salary or any sort of profit annexed to any office to tempt 
 the covetous or sordid, but on the contrary every unworthy action is 
 unavoidably attended with the forfeiture of their commissions; for their 
 authority is only the esteem of the people, and ceases the moment that 
 esteem is lost. 
 
APPENDIX 267 
 
 I have in my possession a copy of a large map printed in 
 1755, which was published "with the approbation and at the 
 request of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Planta- 
 tions," and made up from official papers and reports. This 
 lays down the boundaries of the conquests of the Iroquois. 
 They run on the south through the center of North Carolina 
 to the Mississippi river; thence up that stream to a point oppo- 
 site the west end of Lake Superior; then along the northerly 
 side of the great lakes to the St. Lawrence, near Montreal, 
 and from that point by an irregular line to the sea coast. It 
 may seem incredible that a people whose warriors never 
 exceeded five thousand in number could have carried their con- 
 quests over this vast region. All their warlike expeditions 
 must have been made on foot, through wilderness regions, or 
 along rivers and over lakes in frail bark canoes. Yet the evidence 
 that they waged war with the remote tribes of the South and 
 West is conclusive. They fought with the Cherokees in 
 Georgia, they made treaties with the Creeks, and they brought 
 the Tuscaroras from their southern homes and placed them in 
 western New York and made them the sixth tribe of their 
 nation. 
 
 With all their heroism the Five Nations could not have 
 extended their conquests over this vast area but for another 
 fact which it is proper to allude to here, for it had much to 
 do with their power, and has had and will ever have a great 
 influence in the course of events, both in peace and war, in 
 our country. It is frequently said at the South, and it was 
 lately stated by Governor Wise, of Virginia, that if the great 
 rivers of our country had run in an easterly direction instead 
 of their southern courses, this Union would have been severed 
 by the late civil war. It may perhaps be said that but for 
 that fact it would never have been formed, and it is doubtful 
 if the civilization of our country would not today have been 
 that of France instead of being of the English type. It is true 
 that our Union is bound together by the silver cords of our 
 rivers, whose valleys seem to stamp upon the face of our 
 
268 APPENDIX 
 
 country the law of God, that it should be a land living under 
 one government. 
 
 These highlands upon which we meet today were the homes 
 of the conquering Iroquois. They lived on these slopes or in 
 the recesses of these valleys. They make in many ways the 
 most remarkable range of hills to be found on the face of the 
 earth. Extending across the southerly side of our State in an 
 easterly direction, they are about three hundred miles in length 
 and only at a few points rise more than two thousand feet 
 above the level of the ocean. Yet from their sides flow waters, 
 which run by all the great cities on our Atlantic except Boston. 
 From its southern face its springs send their streams through 
 the Delaware by Philadelphia to the Delaware Bay. through 
 the Susquehanna by Baltimore to Chesapeake Bay, on the con- 
 fluence of which stand Washington, Norfolk and Richmond. 
 The waters of the Allegany drift by Pittsburg, Cincinnati, 
 St. Louis and New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico, while the 
 interlocking streams in western New York run into Lake Erie, 
 thence by the lakes and the St. Lawrence by Buffalo, Montreal 
 and Quebec to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. On its northern 
 face are the tributaries of the Mohawk and Hudson, flowing 
 by Albany, Brooklyn and New York to the Atlantic ocean. 
 
 These various rivers at their intermingled sources in this 
 State make but gentle slopes ; but as they deepen and widen 
 with their swelling floods, they cut in their onward course 
 the country into great valleys, which are channels of commerce 
 and intercourse in peace and the routes of armies in time of 
 war. It was their position at the head of these great valleys 
 which taught the Iroquois the Napoleonic strategy of war and 
 enabled them to throw their united forces upon their enemies 
 who were divided by ranges of mountains and thus cut off 
 any combined resistance. One after another, the isolated tribes 
 were subjugated. While their enemies were thus humiliated 
 the Five Nations were made bold and daring. They gained 
 in conquest not only the arts of war, but wisdom and skill in 
 government. Says Colden : 
 
APPENDIX 269 
 
 They strictly follow one maxim, formerly used by the Romans to 
 increase their strength : that is, they encourage the people of other nations 
 to incorporate with them, and when they have satisfied their revenge 
 by some cruel example, they adopt the rest of their captives, who, if 
 they behave well, become equally esteemed with their own people, so that 
 some of these captives have afterwards become their greatest sachems. 
 
 Thus not only their own conduct and courage but nature 
 aided this people in their career of military glory and conquest. 
 These hills about us were their strongholds. These valleys 
 which stretch out their lengthened courses through our conti- 
 nent were the pathways by which they sallied forth to make 
 war upon their enemies. We who live in the ancient homes 
 of a brave race, who in their day were conquerors and rulers, 
 should cherish the traditions and honor the memories of those 
 who, in the region overlooked by this College, displayed cour- 
 age in war, wisdom in council, and loftiness in patriotism. 
 
 It was to the work of carrying the cross to this proud, fierce, 
 pagan and savage people that Kirkland devoted his life, and 
 it became a life beset with dangers and clouded with suffering. 
 In his early manhood he went out alone through the over- 
 shadowing forests to the most remote and barbarous clan. 
 I will not detail the incidents of his career. I told you of the 
 savage heroism of the Mohawk, who went forth on his soli- 
 tary journey, armed with weapons and painted with the sym- 
 bols of death, to do his work of vengeance. I now point you 
 to the Christian hero who sought alone in the deep wilderness 
 those who imperiled his life, that he might do with them his 
 w'ork of love and mercy. 
 
 Beyond the dignity and power of the people to whom he 
 was a missionary of the Christian religion, and beyond his 
 own merits and services as a man, there is in the minds of 
 those versed in the history of New York another aspect of 
 his life which increases our interest in his career and adds to 
 the impressiveness of this occasion. He was the last of that 
 long line of missionaries who, for more than a century, were 
 actors in the most dramatic events in the history of this conti- 
 
270 APPENDIX 
 
 nent. Our national independence was wrought out by 
 patriotic toils and sufferings which we cannot hold in too 
 high reverence. But our national independence was a certain 
 result of time, however, the first struggle might end. Back 
 of that, there were events of higher interest and wider and 
 more varied influences — those which decided the character 
 of our civilization, those which determined what kind of people 
 should govern this continent when it should be free from 
 European control ; events which trained our fathers for the 
 struggle of the revolution and gave them the wisdom to form 
 our government and shape its institutions. 
 
 For more than a century it was uncertain if French or 
 English manners, customs and laws should dominate here. 
 For more than a century the doubtful struggle was carried on 
 under circumstances of the most romantic interest. Besides 
 the force of arms and the art of diplomacy, religious influ- 
 ences were actively engaged. The future of the continent was 
 involved in the course of European events. The wars of Louis 
 the Great and the victories of Marlborough, although they made 
 great changes in the balance of power in Europe, were fol- 
 lowed by far greater and more lasting results in America. 
 This contest between the great powers was felt in every part 
 of our continent. On the one hand, the English settlements 
 were the most populous, but, on the other, the French held the 
 interior of the country. If they could retain what they claimed 
 by right of discovery, the English would be hemmed in along 
 the sea coast, where no powerful nationality could be founded. 
 The French demanded, by right of discovery, all the confluent 
 rivers of the Mississippi and St. Lawrence valleys, which 
 would give them the regions west of the Alleghanies and a 
 large part of our own State. To oppose this claim, the British 
 took the ground that the vast territory in dispute was held by 
 the Iroquois by right of conquest, and that their alliance with 
 the British government brought to it the region thus gained 
 by their Indian allies by the force of their arms. The dwellers 
 upon these hills and valleys around us were thus made the 
 
APPENDIX 271 
 
 arbiters to decide what type of civilization, what form of 
 government should prevail on this continent. Both of the 
 European parties felt the power and rights of the Five 
 Nations, and they saw, too, that these Indians held in these 
 hills the stronghold of this field of contest. Both of those 
 proud, kingly governments were suitors for the friendship of 
 these savage tribes. Both put forth every effort of power and 
 diplomacy for a long series of years to gain the alliance of 
 the Romans of the West. 
 
 There is nothing in the colonial histories of other States 
 to compare in interest with the annals of this region, as they 
 are recorded in the French, Dutch and English documents. In 
 no other section were events of such importance or of such 
 far-reaching consequence. The influence of the other colonies 
 would have been of little value if the French had been the 
 victors in this contest ; they would not have had the broad 
 arena of the United States, as they now extend from the 
 Atlantic to the Pacific, on which their teachings or examples 
 could work out these results. While the long and dreadful 
 struggle went on, the most influential allies of the French 
 were their missionaries, animated alike by religious and 
 patriotic zeal, they traversed the wildest regions on the borders 
 of the Mississippi and the great lakes, and encountered, 
 unarmed in their solitary v/anderings, all the dangers of inter- 
 course with hitherto unknown savage tribes. It was upon 
 the Iroquois that they exerted their utmost influences. One 
 hundred and fifty years ago they were active among these hills 
 and in the valleys which we now overlook. Although in many 
 instances they suffered the most cruel deaths at the hands of 
 the Indians, they persevered in their efforts to bring them 
 over to the faith of their church and the support of their 
 government. All of them were educated men. and some were 
 of the noble families of France. When their labors were 
 ended by the extinction of French power on this continent, the 
 first to enter the field of their sufferings and toils was the 
 missionary Kirkland. In the same spirit of religious zeal, 
 
272 APPENDIX 
 
 partiotic devotion and heroic daring, he went out on his soli- 
 tary pathway to the savage homes of the wilderness. More 
 fortunate than those who went before him, his religious teach- 
 ings took root and have never perished. More fortunate than 
 his predecessors in another respect, he was able to render 
 efficient support to his country's cause, for he, like them, had 
 to mingle patriotic duties with religious labor. He held the 
 Oneidas and Tuscaroras from joining the armies of Britain 
 in the Revolutionary War, and after the establishment of our 
 independence, he did much to restrain the whole confederacy 
 from taking part in the general onslaught of the Indians on 
 the western borders of our settlements. However much those 
 missionaries differed in nationality and creed, the story of 
 their common zeal, heroism and devotion will ever make one 
 of the most fascinating chapters in the history of religious 
 suffering and labor. 
 
 It is well that the erection of this monument was put off 
 until this time, for the value of events is better seen after the 
 lapse of time, and in view of results, than at the period of 
 their occurrence. The history of Kirkland excites more inter- 
 est now than it did fifty years ago, and it will grow in interest 
 through the coming century. He was not only a link between 
 two great eras in the history of civilization in America, for 
 he lived and acted in the periods of our colonial condition and 
 of our national independence, but he was also the last of the 
 chain of missionaries. Catholic and Protestant, whose religious 
 teachings and political influences had so much to do with shap- 
 ing the destinies of our country. The grand features of our 
 State that made it the heart and center of great events in 
 Indian warfare in the struggles between French and English 
 civilization, and the great battle-field of the Revolution, have 
 also made it the center of commerce, and its valleys the path- 
 way through which the armies of immigration from the old 
 world pour their vast array of numbers into our broad 
 country. 
 
APPENDIX 273 
 
 The rush of crowds from other States and countries in the 
 past has obscured in the minds of citizens of New York its 
 history and the cause of its greatness. Some one has sharply- 
 said that men love to praise the States they are glad to come 
 from, at the expense of the State they are glad to go to. But 
 that men should dwell with pleasure upon the scenes and 
 traditions of their birth-places and upon their early homes 
 is natural; and hence in New York we hear much of all 
 histories save our own. We have now reached a period when 
 the native-born citizens outnumber all others, and they are 
 turning their attention to the historical events of their own 
 State. Among the first steps taken are the erection of monu- 
 ments which more than all other forms of records, arrest 
 attention and excite public interest. Commemorations of 
 various kinds call out recitals and traditions of the past. New 
 York should have a monumental history. One should be placed 
 upon the battle-field of Oriskany, on the line of our great 
 thoroughfare, to tell the throngs who pass by of Indian war- 
 fare ; one at Saratoga, where the revolutionary struggle was 
 virtually ended and the alliance of France was gained; one on 
 the banks of the Hudson, at a point where the British fleets 
 were resisted. 
 
 We begin to find that the scenes around us are impressed 
 with grave and thrilling events. As men grow in wealth they 
 adorn their homes with pictures of acts or scenes. So as we 
 grow in a knowledge of the history of our State, we find 
 it coloring the scenes of our hills and valleys, making them 
 glowing and glorious to the mind's eye. Knowledge adorns 
 all nature around us as the artist adorns the walls of our 
 homes. 
 
 The work of teaching local history is not merely to minister 
 to local pride. It gives enduring pleasure ; it elevates the 
 mind; it purifies the tastes; it tends to make men better and 
 more thoughtful. It should be taught in our academies and 
 colleges, and above all, we should have in the State a clear, 
 
274 APPENDIX 
 
 outlined history of New York, for our common schools, illus- 
 trated after the manner of Lossing's Pictorial Field Book of 
 the Revolution. 
 
 The history of our country has heretofore usually been 
 written in a provincial spirit ; but when it shall be presented 
 in a more enlarged and philosophic way, it will be seen that 
 the range of hills upon which we stand, the valleys of the 
 Mohawk and the Hudson and the plains of western New York, 
 have been the scenes of the most dramatic interest, and those 
 which have told most upon the destinies of our country. No 
 great history of our civilization and government can be written 
 which does not make this State its central point. As this 
 truth shall in the future be impressed upon the minds of our 
 people, not only will the interest in the character of Kirk- 
 land increase, but that college which he founded through his 
 purpose to make it a means of education to the Indian as well 
 as the white man, will be regarded as a memorial of a race 
 which at one time held despotic rule over a region greatly 
 exceeding the united territories of France and Britain. 
 
 The relationship which its founder bears to the long line of 
 missionaries who for a century labored with savage tribes in 
 danger and sufifering, will give to the college a sacredness in 
 its religious aspect. But it will not be merely a memorial of 
 the past, for it fittingly crowns with its structures the range 
 of hills from which flow the rivers which bind together our 
 Union with silver bands, and it overlooks those valleys which 
 have been traveled by armies in war, are the channels of com- 
 merce in peace, and which will be in the future what they 
 have been in the past, the pathways of great events. 
 
ALEXANDER HAMILTON 
 
 Address of Elihu Root, upon the Presentation to 
 
 Hamilton College by Thomas Redfied Proctor, 
 
 of a Statue of Alexander Hamilton, 
 
 June 17, 1918. 
 
 In behalf of the Board of Trustees of Hamilton College I 
 have the honor to accept this statue of the great man who 
 one hundred and twenty-six years ago gave his name to the 
 institution, and who stood first in the list of the incorporators 
 and of the Trustees appointed by the Charter for the Hamil- 
 ton Oneida Academy, which twenty years later was invested 
 with the collegiate powers and privileges we now exercise. 
 
 The generous loyalty which moved you to this gift is con- 
 sistent with the long career of unselfish citizenship that marks 
 you as an inheritor of the great tradition of public service 
 which is the most precious possession of our country, and 
 which found its highest inspiration in the life of Washington, 
 and second only to him in the life of Alexander Hamilton. 
 
 The title of the College to a special share in the memory of 
 the Statesman whose name it bears, and the title of this 
 memorial to its place on the College campus, may be read in 
 the early records of the Regents of the University of the State. 
 
 On the 1 2th of November, 1792, a petition was signed for 
 the establishment of an Academy here on the edge of the 
 Oneida woods for the education of Indians and whites, and 
 this petition was considered by the Board of Regents on the 
 29th of January, 1793. The journal record of the meeting 
 reads : 
 
 The respective applications of Samuel Kirkland and seven other persons 
 praying that Alexander Hamilton and fifteen other persons for that 
 purpose nominated may be incorporated by the name and style of the 
 Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy at Whitestown in the County of 
 Herkimer, and of Joseph Yates and twenty-three other persons pray- 
 ing that Abraham Yates Jr. and twenty-three other persons nominated 
 in the said application may be incorporated by the style of the Trustees 
 of the Academy of the town of Schenectady in the County of Albany, 
 * * * were severally read and committed to the Vice Chancellor Gen- 
 eral Clarkson and Mr. Verplanck. 
 
 275 
 
276 APPENDIX 
 
 After a favorable report by the sub-Committee 
 
 The Board resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take the 
 above report into consideration, and after some time spent thereon the 
 ■Chancellor resumed the chair, and General Schuyler from the said com- 
 mittee reported that they had agreed to the report of the sub-committee, 
 wereupon 
 
 Resolved That the Board agree to the said report. 
 
 Ordered That the Secretary prepare instruments in the usual form for 
 incorporating the said Alexander Hamilton and the other fifteen persons 
 for that purpose named, and the said Abraham Yates and the said twenty- 
 three other persons named in the said application, and that the Chancellor 
 affix the seal of the University to the said instruments. 
 
 The General Schuyler named in the journal as reporting 
 the agreement of the Committee was Philip Schuyler, the 
 always loyal and affectionate father-in-law of Hamilton, the 
 true hero of Saratoga, the noble gentleman whose name was 
 borne by that Fort Schuyler then standing in the valley upon 
 which we look from this hillside, in the place where since that 
 day the noble City of Utica has come into being. 
 
 The other Academy named in the resolution has grown into 
 Union College and Union University. 
 
 So the charter was prepared as the resolution directed, and 
 was signed by George Clinton as Chancellor of the University 
 and incorporated Alexander Hamilton and his associates into 
 the Institution which now does him honor, and which is itself 
 a monument to his name. 
 
 I will read the list of the Trustees appointed by the cliarter. 
 They were : 
 
 Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing, Egbert Benson, Dan 
 Bradley, Eli Bristol, Erastus Clark, James Dean, Moses Foot, 
 Thomas R. Gold, Sewal Hopkins, Michael ]\Iyers, Jonas Piatt, 
 Jedediah Sanger, John Sergeant, Timothy Tuttle, Samuel 
 Wells. 
 
 The first three of these were men of nation-wide reputation. 
 John Lansing, later Chief Justice and Chancellor of the State, 
 had been General Schuyler's military secretary, and was one 
 of Hamilton's colleagues in the Convention of 1787. Egbert 
 Benson, the first Attorney General of the State, was Hamilton's 
 
APPENDIX 277 
 
 companion in the Annapolis meeting of 1786 which called the 
 Convention of 1787, and was his close ally in urging the 
 adoption of the Constitution. 
 
 Of the others there is hardly one but played a conspicuous 
 and honorable part in the history of this region, and their 
 descendants may well look with satisfaction upon the record 
 which links their fathers' names in association for a beneficent 
 undertaking with this great figure of the world's history. 
 
 Hamilton's interest in the new enterprise was not merely 
 casual or personal. He was then Secretary of the Treasury 
 and the dominant spirit in the cabinet of Washington's first 
 Administration, The troublesome race question at that day 
 was not black, or yellow, or brown; it was red. For thou- 
 sands of miles westward from the comparatively feeble settle- 
 ments upon the Atlantic seaboard extended a vast and unknown 
 wilderness peopled by savage and warlike Indians. Hatred 
 for the whites and a fierce determination to prevent further 
 encroachment prevailed from the St. Lawrence to the Gulf. 
 Every frontier community lived in dread of their sudden and 
 remorseless forays. The Indian menace hung always like a 
 black cloud on the Western horizon threatening the infant 
 Republic. 
 
 Samuel Kirkland, the brilliantly successful agent of Wash- 
 ington during the Revolutionary War for the management 
 of the Iroquois, was a most trusted advisor of the Administra- 
 tion upon Indian affairs. He proposed to remedy the evil by 
 educating, civilizing, and Christianizing the Indian. He pre- 
 pared a plan of education which he urged upon the Administra- 
 tion. It appears to have been referred to Timothy Pickering, 
 then Postmaster General, and the paper containing his approv- 
 ing discussion of the plan has been preserved. This Insti- 
 tution was a part of the plan. It was to try out the plan by 
 educating Indians and whites together; so the new enterprise 
 enlisted the interest of the members and friends of Wash- 
 ington's Government. Pickering approved it ; Hamilton become 
 a part of it ; Schuyler reported favorably upon the charter ; 
 18 
 
278 APPENDIX 
 
 Baron Steuben laid the cornerstone of the new Academy. 
 Alas, the plan of education was a dream ! The Indians in 
 general proved incapable of receiving education, and the whites 
 alone have profited by what was done. 
 
 There was another reason for Hamilton's participation. He 
 was deeply interested in education in his own State. It was 
 Hamilton's Committee in the New York Legislature which 
 reported the Act of 1787 creating the University of the State. 
 It was Hamilton who drafted the report ; it was his construc- 
 tive genius which gave form to the educational system of the 
 State that endures to this day and the first act of the Regents 
 of the University in exercise of the power to create institu- 
 tions of learning vested in them upon Hamilton's initiative 
 was to incorporate the Institution for which he stood sponsor, 
 and to write his name at the head of the long and honored 
 list of citizens who have given their free service to the cause 
 of public instruction under the Constitution and laws of this 
 State. 
 
 But all this was a secondary incident in a great career. It 
 explains why the statue should be here, but it does not explain 
 why there should be a statue. 
 
 We raise statues to Alexander Hamilton because the lessons 
 of a century and a quarter have shown that the people of the 
 United States owe to him a greater debt for the creation of the 
 American Republic than to any other man save Washington. 
 
 He was not greater than Washington, but the high quality 
 and power and intense devotion and splendid achievement of 
 his service for the cause of ordered liberty through self- 
 government, set him next to Washington. The two supple- 
 mented each other and worked together in perfect confidence 
 and affection with a single purpose and the same just concep- 
 tion of the essence of a government that should reconcile 
 liberty and obedience to law, independence and peace, 
 sovereignty and honor. Together they endured detraction and 
 public abuse, and strove against ignorance and folly, and 
 selfishness and prejudice and malice, against intriguers and 
 
APPENDIX 279 
 
 demagogues and traitors, through the critical period which fol- 
 lowed the recognition of independence, when the principles of 
 the new Nation had to be determined, and the institutions to 
 give them effect had to be established. At the end of that first 
 formative period the great-hearted character of Washington 
 and the marvelous insight of Hamilton's genius into the princi- 
 ples that control human conduct, had given to the future of 
 mankind the institutions of government which after a cen- 
 tury's test of human weakness, of domestic and foreign war, 
 of vast growth and prosperity, now bind together one hundred 
 million people in the effective exercise of power to preserve 
 Christian civilization, and to defend their liberty and the 
 world's liberty. 
 
 Hamilton was not greater than Lincoln, but if there had 
 been no Hamilton, probably there would have been no Lincoln, 
 because there would have been no Union for Lincoln to save. 
 
 The treaty which closed the Revolutionary War removed 
 the external force that alone secured any semblance of united 
 action among the thirteen colonies, and there speedily ensued a 
 state of confusion and absence of general direction and control 
 almost comparable to the condition of Russia today. The 
 Continental Congress under the old Articles of Confedera- 
 tion had no power whatever. It could not levy taxes or com- 
 mand money to pay its own expenses ; it could not raise troops 
 nor maintain them. It could pass resolutions, but could not 
 enforce them. It could make treaties, but could not keep the 
 promises they contained. There was no national lawmaker or 
 executive or judiciary. There could be no action, except by 
 the unanimous agreement of all the thirteen States ; and when 
 the war was over they ceased to agree. Each State was jealous 
 of its own independent power, and absorbed in the pursuit of 
 its own selfish advantage ; burdensome and vexatious inter- 
 state tariffs and commercial restrictions prevailed. Bitter con- 
 troversies had come to the verge of war. No national con- 
 sciousness had been awakened ; and a people individually honest 
 appeared to have no sense of collective or national honor. The 
 
280 APPENDIX 
 
 obligations of the treaty of peace were grossly violated. The 
 treaty promised security for the property of loyalists. The 
 separate States confiscated their property. The treaty promised 
 justice in the courts. The States nullified the promise. Foreign 
 countries would not make commercial treaties with an alleged 
 nation whose word was worthless. No one would loan money 
 to a government that was unable to raise money to pay. Issues 
 of inconvertible paper money speedily depreciating to nominal 
 values completed the destruction of public credit. The specie 
 in the country disappeared. Business returned to the method 
 of barter. There was no security for the fruits of enterprise. 
 There was general stagnation and distress. The farmers of 
 Western Massachusetts — ignorant of the true nature of the 
 evils which oppressed them — rose in rebellion against the 
 State government. The Southwest discussed the formation of 
 a separate confederacy. The failure of the American colonies 
 to maintain any effective government seemed to have been 
 demonstrated. 
 
 With the instinctive comprehension of political problems in 
 which he was superior to all other men of his time, Hamilton 
 perceived the essential causes of demoralization which were 
 urging the infant confederacy towards its ruin, and the nature 
 of the remedies which were necessary. He saw that the Divine 
 Right of Kings finds its support among men in the necessity 
 of government, that justice and peace are impossible without 
 government possessed of power to compel obedience to its laws. 
 He saw that if the members of a political community would be 
 free they could not rest with the repudiation of superior 
 authority, but must supplement that repudiation by subjecting 
 themselves as individuals to the control of an effective govern- 
 ment, resting upon their own collective authority; that the 
 organized power of self-government must take the place of 
 the organized power of royal government, or liberty would 
 perish in anarchy. He was not alone in this understanding; 
 but he surpassed all others in the clearness of his vision, in 
 capacity to apply theory to the practical affairs of life, so that 
 
APPENDIX 281 
 
 untrained minds of narrow scope could understand what it 
 meant for them, in power of clear and compelling exposition, 
 in determination to make the people of his country see what 
 he saw so clearly, and in the high courage and intensity of 
 the warrior spirit striking for the victory of a great cause. In 
 the Annapolis meeting where but five States were represented 
 he drafted the address which called the Convention of 1787. 
 His presence in the New York Legislature of 1787 was for 
 the specific purpose of securing the appointment of delegates 
 from New York to that Convention. He did his part in the 
 Convention, hampered by colleagues who reflected the hostility 
 of George Clinton to the movement. It is probable that he 
 himself could not have brought about the compromises of the 
 Constitution which were necessary to its acceptance. It is 
 certain that he believed a far stronger government to be 
 desirable, but he alone signed the Constitution as a representa- 
 tive of New York, and he had the largeness to hold all minor 
 questions of difference of no account compared with the over- 
 whelming importance of creating a real national government. 
 When the Constitution was signed, he became the first of its 
 champions. A majority of the people of the country were 
 against him. Local prejudices and personal interests opposed 
 him. A great multitude in all the States were jealous of their 
 individual liberty, and unwilling to surrender any portion of 
 it upon the demands of a public policy which they had never 
 learned to understand. The contest which followed and its 
 result stand forth as the supreme example of the capacity of 
 an unlettered Democracy to yield its prejudices to the force 
 of reason made plain by high intelligence and driven home by 
 the fervor of sincere patriotism. The' letters of The Fed- 
 eralist, the major part of which Hamilton wrote, were read 
 and studied in town and village and farmhouse. They 
 furnished the material for discussion in the State conventions 
 called to act on the new Constitution. They were not mere 
 theoretical discussions. They dealt with the workings of 
 human nature under g^overnment, and with the effect of the 
 
282 APPENDIX 
 
 proposed provisions upon the daily life and affairs of the 
 plain people. They overcame all opposition of argument, and 
 instructed and convinced the candid minds of the multitude to 
 whom they were addressed. The book which now contains 
 them is universally recognized as one of the greatest if not 
 the greatest of all works upon government. 
 
 The most stubborn obstacle to the adoption of the new 
 system was the political power of George Clinton in the State 
 of New York. When the Convention of that State met, two- 
 thirds of the people of the State, and four-sevenths of the 
 members of the Convention, were opposed to the Constitution. 
 On the 17th of June, one hundred and forty years ago this 
 day, Hamilton entered the Convention for a parliamentary 
 battle, which in merit and in fame has no equal in American 
 history, except in the great debate when Webster replied to 
 Hayne, He faced a solid adverse majority bound together 
 by political allegiance to Clinton, with their minds determined, 
 and apparently not open to argument. For more than a month 
 with undivided leadership on the floor of the Convention, with 
 splendid courage and persistency, and with unrivalled power 
 of persuasive and compelling argument, he incessantly assaulted 
 this solid and sullen phalanx. He broke the phalanx by con- 
 vincing the judgment of the most logical and able of his 
 antagonists, and by sheer force of personal power he destroyed 
 the political organization which opposed him, and won the 
 majority of the Convention to the adoption of the Constitution. 
 
 When the new Government was formed, it still remained to 
 make it a real and not a paper government. Adequate and 
 effective organization must be created for the exercise of its 
 powers. Sound principles must be followed in laws under 
 which enterprise would revive ; foreign relations must be 
 established upon a basis to command respect and ensure the 
 dignity of independence and the benefits of commercial inter- 
 course ; obedience to national authority must be compelled. 
 Without these things, the experiment would still fail. Here 
 again Hamilton was the man of the hour. As the first Secre- 
 
APPENDIX 283 
 
 tary of the Treasury, he made the organization of the Treasury 
 Department which has endured to this day, and which after 
 more than a century is in this present month of June with 
 perfect order and accountabihty receiving four bilHons of 
 taxes, after marketing within the year at par over ten billions 
 of bonds at low rates of interest. He raised the public credit 
 from the dust, and industry and enterprise revived. He estab- 
 lished a conception of National honor which has become a 
 National tradition, proof against all assaults. As the dominant 
 spirit in Washington's cabinet and the acknowledged leader of 
 the Federal Administration, always in unison with Washing- 
 ton himself, his clear vision led the way against the opposition 
 of the Department of State to the policy of neutrality and 
 abstention from European quarrels, and the ratification of the 
 Jay treaty, that landmark of liberal diplomacy, against a temp- 
 est of public protest. Without military office he directed and 
 controlled the first exercise of armed power by the Government 
 of the United States, before which the whiskey rebellion of 
 1794 faded away, and the power of government under the 
 Constitution to compel obedience was established. He did all 
 these things under storms of abuse and villification, which 
 now seem incredible. He had no weapons of defence but 
 integrity, the broad wisdom of his action, and power of exposi- 
 tion and argument. He had no faculty for political combina- 
 tion or securing political favor. He had the ardent ambition 
 of youth, but it urged him always to achieve great ends rather 
 than selfish advantage. No consideration of personal popu- 
 larity ever for an instant hindered or modified the expression 
 of his convictions. He appealed to the nobler against the baser 
 motives of his countrymen. He overcame prejudice and selfish 
 impulse by impressing the common intelligence with the funda- 
 mental and eternal truths upon which in all ages and places the 
 order of human society depends. So great came to be the respect 
 of his associates for his extraordinary powers and their con- 
 fidence in the sincerity of his purposes that John Adams, speak- 
 of his own administration said : " Hamilton was all the time 
 
2S4 APPENDIX 
 
 the Commander-in-Chief of the House of Representatives, 
 of the Senate, of the Heads of Departments, of General Wash- 
 ington, and last and least if you will of the President of the 
 United States." 
 
 Hamilton's work was not for his own day alone. He trans- 
 lated thought into action, and gave to his political conceptions 
 the demonstration of permanent institutions founded upon 
 them ; and the descendants of the people for whom he wrought 
 have given to his ideals the immortality of a noble tradition. 
 
 Self-government is an art which does not come to man by 
 nature. It must be learned. Terrible experience proved that 
 when the French overthrew the Bourbons, when the Mexicans 
 overthrew Diaz, when the Russians overthrew the Romanoffs. 
 Alexander Hamilton was the greatest teacher of the art of 
 self-government in the history of the world. To him more 
 than to any other save Washington is due that intelligent con- 
 ception of the relation between liberty and law which enables 
 this great, free people, more than a century after Hamilton's 
 death, voluntarily, with alacrity, without the slightest fear of 
 endangering their liberties, to vest in the President at Washing- 
 ton as Commander-in-Chief of their Army and Navy the 
 mightiest power ever exercised by a single man, with millions 
 of soldiers and sailors in arms, millions of workmen making 
 warhke supplies, billions of money — quantities beyond reah- 
 zation — universal restrictions upon food and fuel and the 
 conduct of business and of life, hard to bear, but cheerfully 
 borne. It is due to Hamilton more than to any other save 
 Washington that this people have a conception, a tradition, an 
 ideal, of a Nation whose power is a bulwark of liberty, so 
 that they are willing to make sacrifice for it, feeling that when 
 they give up for it their means, and their peaceful careers, and 
 their lives, and the lives of those dear to them, they are laying 
 their offerings on the altar of liberty, enlarging power for the 
 moment that liberty may live. 
 
 This granite may crumble, this bronze may corrode, this 
 College may be dissolved; but the monument of Alexander 
 Hamilton's work will remain. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Adams, Parker, 228. 
 Admission, 126-27, 137-39. 
 Administration of the College, 
 letter of Gerrit Smith on, 201-8. 
 Agriculture, instruction in, 28, 
 
 32-34, 46-47, 5^56, 212, 214. 
 Aid requested from the Legislature, 
 169, 176, 184, 189, 190, 225, 229. 
 Alexander, Caleb, elected Presi- 
 dent, 120. 
 compensation for services, 120- 
 21. 
 Alimini Association opposes re- 
 moval of College to Utica, 232. 
 Alumni trustees, 259-60. 
 Amherst College, 20. 
 Asbury African Church, New 
 
 York, 18, 165. 
 Astronomical observatory, 247-49. 
 Atenis, Oneida chief, brings son to 
 
 Academy, 71-73. 
 Aukeand'yakon, Laurense, Oneida 
 chief, brings son to Academy, 
 70-71. 
 Avery, Charles, 20. 
 Backus, Azel, first President, 130, 
 
 131, 168, 183. 
 Backus, Robert, 176. 
 Bacon, Josiah, 199. 
 Bank stock, law relating to, 155- 
 
 57. 
 Baxter, William, 196. 
 Belknap, Jeremy, 99. 
 Bell, College, 119, 133. 
 Benson, Egbert, 64, 68, 95, 276-77. 
 Blackmer, Ephraim, 62. 
 Blackmer, Joseph, 62. 
 Blair, Seth, 61. 
 Bloodgood, Francis, 111. 
 Boarding house. See Commons 
 
 Hall. 
 Botanic Garden, Hamilton College, 
 254, 257-59. 
 
 Botanic Garden, New York, 164- 
 
 65. 
 Bradley, Dan, 61, 64, 68, 77. 
 Bradley, Joel, 91. 
 
 Brant, Joseph, Mohawk chief, 26, 
 30. 
 
 letter to Kirkland, 40-41. 
 Brayton, George, 108, 113, 114, 
 
 116, 126. 
 Breese, Ai, 86. 
 Bristoll, Eli, 61, 64, 65, 68, 86. 
 Bristol, George, 1%. 
 Bristoll, Joel, 62, 65, 99, 108, 113-16, 
 
 119, 122, 126, 167-^. 
 Bronson, Green Carrier, 194. 
 Brown, Francis, elected President, 
 
 1817, 177. 
 Brown, Samuel Gilman, 20. 
 Buildings, 128, 129, 162, 180. 
 
 appropriations for, 162, 167, 
 
 168, 186. 
 repairs, 118-20. 
 stone for, 129, 256. 
 see also Commons Hall, Chapel, 
 •Chemical laboratory. North 
 College, Observatory, Oneida 
 Hall, South College. 
 Butler of the College, 158. 
 Campus, enlargement, 119, 128, 132, 
 162, 257. 
 improvement, 128-29, 162, 182, 
 
 196, 238, 254-59. 
 report of the Curators, 254-59. 
 Sargent's comment on, 253-54. 
 surveyed, 128. 
 Carnahan, James, 108, 113, 130. 
 Casety, Thomas, 61. 
 
 letter to Kirkland, 41-42. 
 Caulkins, Ebenezer, 44, 47, 48, 94. 
 letters to Peter Thacher, 80-81, 
 87-88. 
 Cemetery, 183, 257. 
 Chapel, 139-40, 187-89. 
 
 85 
 
286 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Charter, Hamilton College, 3H 104- 
 7. 
 text of, 107-111. 
 changes proposed, 2Z7-2S>. 
 amendments, 259-60. 
 Charter, Hamilton Oneida Acad- 
 emy, 4-5, 68-69. 
 Chemical apparatus, appropriations 
 
 for, 122, 124, 129, 163, 167. 
 Chemical Laboratory, 259. 
 Church, 133. 
 Clark, Erastus, 61, 64, 65, 68, 70, 
 
 77, 86, 90. 
 Classes, 139. 
 
 ainton, George, 4, 5, 281-82. 
 College of Physicians and Surgeons 
 in the City of New York, 112, 
 166. 
 College of Physicians and Surgeons 
 
 in the Western District, 165. 
 Columbia College, 18, 156, 164-^5. 
 Commencement, 126, 153-54. 
 
 music forbidden, 181, 188; per- 
 mitted, 183. 
 sheriff to keep order, 169. 
 wine forbidden in church, 185. 
 exercises omitted, 1832, 224. 
 Commons Hall, 125, 128, 167. 
 appropriations for, 131, 162. 
 bill of fare, 159-61. 
 rules governing, 1812, 157-61. 
 to be leased, 191. 
 Com Planter, Seneca chief, 46. 
 Crimes and misdemeanors, 149-53, 
 
 173-75. 
 Curators of the College Grounds, 
 
 252, 254-59. 
 Curriculum, 129, 131, 141-45, 170- 
 72, 181. 
 revision proposed, 193, 211. 
 extension of, 217-18. 
 Cushman, Noah, 194-96. 
 Cusick, Nicholas, Tuscarora chief, 
 
 71, 73, 98. 
 Darke, Robert, 62. 
 Darling, Henry, 20. 
 Dartmouth, William Legge, second 
 earl of, 6, 10. 
 
 Dartmouth College, 10, 19. 20. 
 Davis, Henry, 176, 177, 179, 191, 
 195, 200, 204-8, 216, 220, 
 222, 224, 226. 
 petition to the Regents, 197-99. 
 Dean, James, 61, 64, 65, 68, 77. 
 Debating, 143^W, 226. 
 Debts of the College, 219, 224, 225, 
 
 229-37. 
 Declamation. See Public speaking. 
 Decline of the College, 1827-29, 18, 
 
 191-217. 
 Degrees, 110, 153-54, 169. 
 Denio, Hiram, 247, 248. 
 Diploma, 168. 
 
 Divinity, Professorship of, 195, 220. 
 Downing, Andrew Jackson, 253. 
 Dwight, Henry, 177, 203. 
 Dwight, Sereno Edwards, 18, 227, 
 229 
 raises endowment fund, 234, 
 
 237. 
 resignation of Presidency, 22)Z- 
 36. 
 Dwight. Timothy, visits Whites- 
 town, 15-16, 100. 
 Eells, James, 108, 113, 116, 122, 125, 
 
 133. 
 Endowment, 18, 191, 197. 
 
 appropriations by the State, 
 
 111-12.' 123-24, 165, 178. 
 fund of 1822-34, 234. 237. 
 lands, value of, 131-32. 
 Maynard fund, 225-27, 229. 
 Utica citizens, proceedings in 
 
 regard to, 222-23. 
 Utica funds, 226, 229, 231. 
 see also Salaries, funds for ; 
 Lottery fund. 
 Engineering courses proposed, 1820, 
 
 212. 
 Entrance requirements, 126-27, 137- 
 
 39. 
 Examinations, 137, 144. 
 
 f^nal, 145, 172. 
 Executive committee of the Trus- 
 tees, 221-22. 
 Exhibitions, 145. 
 
INDEX 
 
 287 
 
 Expenses of students, 103, 180, 185. 
 Faculty, powers of, 136, 169-70. 
 Fairfield Academy, 106. 
 Fences, 133, 255, 256, 257. 
 Finances, 1827, 192. 
 
 investigation of, 212. 
 Fines, 150-53, 173-75. 
 Firewood, 158. 
 Fish, Walter, 108, 113. 
 Fisher, Samuel Ware, 12, 20, 246, 
 
 258. 
 Foot, Brunson, 62. 
 Foot, Ira, 63. 
 
 Foot, Moses, 61, 64, 68, 77. 
 Football prohibited, 150. 
 Ford, Simeon, 108, 113, 116. 
 Founding of the College, 112. 
 Fowler, Philemon Halsted, 246, 251. i 
 Games, 151. 
 Garden, College, 158, 212, 214. 
 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy, 28, 
 46-47, 55-56. 
 German, Obadiah, 108, 113. 
 Gold, Thomas Ruggles, 63, 68, 77, 
 90, 108, 113-16, 119, 122, 125, 186, 
 189, 190. 
 Good Peter, Oneida chief, 47, 58. 
 Goodwin, Stephen A., 194. 
 Graduate students, 139-40, 211-12. 
 Graduation, 153-54. 
 Griffin, Nathaniel, 62. 
 Gridley, Amos Delos, 252, 254, 256- 
 
 59 
 Gridley, Philo, 196, 251. 
 Gymnasium, 259. 
 Hadley, James, 219, 220. 
 Hamilton, Alexander, 4, 12, 64, 66, 
 67, 68, 91. 
 consents to be a trustee, 58. 
 address by Elihu Root on, 275- 
 84. 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy, history, 
 12-17. 
 Thomas Casety urges establish- 
 ment, 41. 
 location proposed, 26, 27, 46, SO, 
 
 91-94. 
 curriculum, 55-56, 103. 
 
 Hamilton Oneida Academy, sub- 
 scription form, 58-60. 
 petition for a charter, 64-65. 
 plan for administration of, 49- 
 
 56. 
 gifts, original subscriptions, 61- 
 
 63. 
 Kirkland's, 70, 97, 98; deed of 
 
 land, 90-94. 
 state appropriations, 101, 104. 
 incorporated by the Regents, 
 
 4-5, 58, 66-^7. 
 Charter, 68-69. 
 trustees, 5, 70, 276-77. 
 first building, 1793, 7A, 80-81, 87. 
 Indian council in relation to, 
 
 71-75. 
 Caulkins as Principal, 1793, 80- 
 
 81, 87-88. 
 
 John Sergeant's comment on, 79. 
 
 trustees' petition to the Society 
 
 for Propagating Christian 
 
 Knowledge, 75-77. 
 
 laying of the corner stone, 13, 
 
 14, 84-86. 
 loans, 86, 89-90. 
 condition, 1796-1807, 95-%, 
 
 99-101, 103. 
 trustees petition for a college 
 
 charter, 104-7. 
 property transferred to the Col- 
 lege, 111, 162. 
 school continued by the Trus- 
 tees of the College, 123. 127. 
 history of the academy build- 
 ing, 118-19, 211, 258. 
 Hart, Ephraim, 108, 113, 114, 116, 
 
 122, 125. 
 Hart, Ezra, 62 
 Hart, Thomas, 62. 
 Harvard College, 19, 49. 
 
 supports Indian boy in the 
 Academy, 101-2. 
 Hastings, John C, plans improve- 
 ment of campus, 255, 259. 
 Hedges, 257. 
 
 Herrick, Job, sells land for campus, 
 132. 
 
288 
 
 INDEX 
 
 History, Local, study of, 273-74. 
 Hooker, Philip, architect of chapel, 
 
 188-89. 
 Hopkins, Sewall, 61, 64, 65, 68, 11, 
 
 194. 
 Hopper, Jasper, 108, 113, 116. 
 Hotchkiss, William, 108, 113. 
 Huntington, Henry, 108, 113, 114, 
 
 116, 122, 125. 
 Indian education, 26, 43, 44, 57. 
 
 address of Indians to Regents, 
 
 69-70. 
 council in relation to, 71-75. 
 grant by Congress, 43. 
 see also Plan of education. 
 Indian pupils in the Academy, 47, 
 70-76, 81, 87-^, 98, 100. 101-2. 
 Indian traders, 34, 38. 
 Indians, Kirkland's mission, 82-83. 
 
 missionaries to, 6, 269-72. 
 Indians, see also Atenis, Aukeand- 
 'yakon. Brant, Cusick, Corn 
 Planter, Good Peter, Iroquois, 
 Kaghhelayen, Oneidas, Onon- 
 dagoes, Miamees, Reed, Senecas, 
 Skenandoa, Solegwaston. 
 Iroquois, address of Horatio Sey- 
 mour on, 263-74. 
 treaty, 1792, 11. 
 Johnson, Sir William, 7, 8. 
 Johnson, William, elected President, 
 
 122, 130. 
 Kaghhelayen, Oneida chief, 71. 
 Kellogg, Amos, 63. 
 Kellogg, Solomon, 86. 
 Kemp, John, letters to Kirkland, 
 
 3^40, 81-83. 
 Kent, James, 4, 106. 
 
 drafts charter for the College, 
 107. 
 Kingston Academy, petition for a 
 
 college charter, 104-6. 
 Kip, James Samuel, 108, 113, 116, 
 
 122. 
 Kirkland, Charles Pinckney, 222, 
 
 227. 
 Kirkland, Daniel, 6. 
 Kirkland, George Whitefield, 94. 
 
 Kirkland, John, 124. 
 Kirkland, John Thornton, 19, 96-^8. 
 Kirkland. Joseph, 86, 108, 113-17, 
 122, 125, 167, 169, 182, 200, 222- 
 23. 
 Kirkland, Ralph W., 61. 
 Kirkland, Samuel, 6-15, 22. 
 
 commission as missionary, 8, 9, 
 
 25. 
 plan for Hamilton Oneida 
 Academy, 49-56. See also 
 Plan of education, 
 gifts to the Academy, 61, 70, 
 
 97, 98. 
 deed of land to the Academy, 
 
 13, 90-94. 
 thanks of trustees, 70. 
 journey to the Seneca country, 
 
 74. 
 poplars planted by, 1805, 255. 
 burial in the College Cemetery, 
 
 183, 244. 
 dedication of monument, 1873, 
 
 244, 263-74. 
 selections from Journal, 26-27, 
 
 57-58, 71-75, 99-100. 
 letter to J. T. Kirkland, 96-98 ; 
 to Henry Knox, 32-34; to 
 Stephen Van Rensselaer, 89- 
 90; to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 
 66. 
 address to Indians regarding the 
 Academy, 73-75. 
 Knox, Henry, letter from Kirk- 
 land to, 32-34. 
 Knox, John Jay, 212, 225, 230. 
 Lands, sale of. 229. 
 Lansing, Dirck Cornelius, 108, 113, 
 
 116, 122. 
 Lansing, John, 64, 68. 
 Laird, Samuel, 62. 
 Lathrop, John Hiram, 196. 
 Law professorship, 225-26, 230, 
 
 223. 
 Law school, location in Utica, 233, 
 239. 
 examinations, 243. 
 
INDEX 
 
 289 
 
 Laws of New York. 
 
 endowment of the College, 111- 
 
 12, 15S-57. 
 Literature lottery, 17-18, 163- 
 
 66. 
 relief of the College, 178-79. 
 protection of sidewalks, 189. 
 appropriations for the College, 
 
 239, 252-53. 
 law department, 243. 
 amendment to Charter, 260. 
 Laws of the College, 131, 135-54, 
 
 169-75. 
 Lectures, 140, 141, 143, 171, 211. 
 Legislature, petitioned for aid, 169, 
 176, 184, 189, 190, 225, 229. 
 requires statement on condition 
 of College. 213, 214. 
 Library, 132, 163, 167, 211, 249-51. 
 gifts to, 129, 132. 
 rules, 132, 153. 
 Literature lottery, 17-18, 163-66. 
 Longitudes, determination of, 248- 
 
 49. 
 Lothrop. John Hosmer, 108, 113-17, 
 126, 157, 162, 167, 184, 187, 188, 
 193. 
 Lothrop, Samuel Kirkland, quoted, 
 
 112-13. 
 Lottery law. 17-18, 163-66. 
 Lottery fund, 164, 178, 185, 230, 
 
 239, 242. 
 Lynch, James, 184. 
 McNeil, Henry, 108, 113, 114. 116, 
 
 122, 126. 191. 
 Massachusetts Indian Society, 49. 
 Matriculation, 138. 
 Maynard. William Hale, bequest to 
 the College, 225-27, 229, 231, 238. 
 Medical Society of Oneida County, 
 
 194. 
 Metcalf. Arunah. 108, 113. 
 Miamee Indians, 47. 
 Middle College, 184, 186. 
 Miller, Morris Scott, 108, 113-16, 
 
 119, 122. 
 Miller, Samuel, elected President, 
 121-22 
 
 Missionaries to the Indians, 6, 269- 
 
 12. 
 Monitors, 140. 
 Montague, Joseph, 130. 
 Monteith, John, 193. 
 Moor's Charity School, Lebanon, 
 Conn., 6-7, 10, 11. 
 
 inquiries concerning, 40, 81-82. 
 Morse, James Otis, 211, 219, 220, 
 
 225, 230, 239. 
 Music forbidden at commencement, 
 181, 188. 
 
 permitted, 183 
 Myers, Michael, 64, 65, 68. 
 New York laws. See Laws of New 
 
 York. 
 New York Historical Society, 165. 
 North, Edward, 20, 257. 
 North, Simeon, 210, 245-46, 255, 256. 
 North, William, 84. 
 North College, 186-88, 238. 
 Norton, Asahel Strong, 91, 108, 
 113-17, 122, 125, 133. 
 
 elected Professor of Theology, 
 123. 
 Norton, Seth, 123, 129, 183. 
 Nott, Eliphalet, 242. 
 Noyes, Josiah, 121-22, 218-19. 
 Observatory, 251, 256, 259. 
 Oneida County, Citizens of, 199-200. 
 Oneida Hall, 118-19, 211, 258. 
 Oneida Indians, 34-35. 
 
 address to the Regents, 69-70. 
 
 villages, 32. 
 Onondaga Indians, 26. 
 Opening of the College, 123, 126. 
 Pastoral Professor, 220, 221. 
 Penney, Joseph, 20, 237, 240-41. 
 Peters, Christian Henry Frederick, 
 
 20, 247, 251. 
 Phelps, Oliver, 63, 66. 
 Phelps, Silas, 62. 
 Phoenix Society, library, 249-51. 
 Physics, apparatus, 133. 
 Pickering, Timothy, 12. 
 
 letter to Kirkland, 35-38. 
 
290 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Plan of Education, 12-14, 27-31, 
 277-78. 
 agriculture, 32-34, 46-47, 55-56. 
 expense, 32-34, 45-46. 
 Kirkland's letter to Knox, 32- 
 
 34. 
 John Kemp's letters to Kiric- 
 
 land, 39-40, 81-83. 
 comment by Joseph Brant, 40- 
 41 ; by Timothy Pickering, 
 35-38; by John Sergeant, 
 78-80; by Edward Wiggles- 
 worth, 42-43. 
 approved by Washington and 
 Hamilton, 58; by Board of 
 Commissioners, 48-49 ; by 
 Society for Promoting Chris- 
 tion Knowledge, 39; by 
 Regents, 57-58. 
 discussed with the Indians, 71. 
 Society for Promoting Chris- 
 tian Knowledge withdraws 
 support, 82. 
 Piatt, Jonas, 61, 64, 65, 68, 11, 90, 
 94, 108, 113-19, 122, 125, 183, 
 188. 
 Post office at the College, 231. 
 Preaching, 133, 247. 
 President of the College, duties, 
 136, 150, 170, 191, 247. 
 salary, 116-17, 123, 193-94, 247. 
 report to the Trustees, 141, 237. 
 to visit students' rooms, 150, 
 191. 
 President's house, 125, 128, 133, 247, 
 
 255. 
 Princeton College, 7, 20. 
 Prizes for public speaking, 168. 
 Professors, duties, 169-72. 
 salaries, 117, 125, 193-94. 
 allowed board in commons, 167. 
 to visit students' rooms, 170- 
 71, 191. 
 Professors' houses, 231. 
 Professorships, 117, 191, 217-18. 
 Public speaking. 142-43, 182, 186. 
 Race question, 277-78. 
 Randall, Nicholas Pike, 214. 
 
 Reed, Jacob, Oneida Indian, 70, 87. 
 Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York, 5, 57, 
 58. 
 proceedings, 66, 94-96, 99-103, 
 104-7, 111, 163, 182-87, 191, 
 199, 212, 223, 226, 229-31, 238, 
 244, 248-9, 252, 259 
 report to, 1818-19, 180-82. 
 require special report on the 
 state of the College, 200, 208, 
 212-13, 215-17. 
 Religious exercises, 139-40. 
 
 instruction, 228. 
 Reorganization of the College, Ger- 
 rit Smith's plan, 1828, 201-8, 210, 
 217-19 
 Revolutionary War, Kirkland's 
 
 services, 11, 269, 272, 277. 
 Rhetoric professorship, 195, 212, 
 
 218. 
 Roberts, Seth, 63. 
 
 Root, Elihu, "Centenary of Hamil- 
 ton College," 1-22. "Alexander 
 Hamilton," 275-84. 
 Root, Oren, Sr., 20, 252, 256-59. 
 Root, Oren, Jr., 20. 
 Salaries, 116, 117, 123, 130. 132, 
 193-94, 247. 
 funds for, 234, 239, 252-53. 
 Sanger, Jedediah, 61, 64, 68, 86, 
 
 108, 113, 114, 116, 122, 126. 
 Sargent, Henry Winthrop. descrip- 
 
 of the campus, 253-54 
 Schenectady Academy. 5. 67. 
 Scholarship funds, 238. 
 Schuyler, Philip, 95, 276. 
 Schuyler, Fort, Kirkland chaplain 
 
 at, 11. 
 Seal of the College, 118, 119 133. 
 Secret societies forbidden, 175. 
 Sedgwick, Abraham W., 113, 122, 
 125. 
 first steward of commons, 161, 
 168. 
 Semi-centennial of the College, 252. 
 Seneca Indians, 26, 27. 
 
INDEX 
 
 291 
 
 Sergeant, John, 64, 68, 82, 83. 
 
 subscription to the Academy, 
 
 61. 
 criticism of the Plan of edu- 
 cation, 78-80. 
 Seymour, Henry, 222. 
 Seymour, Horatio, Address st dedi- 
 cation of Kirkland monument, 
 263-74. 
 Shale paths, 257. 
 Sheriff of Oneida County to attend 
 
 commencement, 169. 
 Sidewalk to Qinton, 168, 189. 
 Six Nations. See Iroquois. 
 Skenandoa, John, Oneida chief, 70, 
 
 71. 72,, 84, 183, 244, 263. 
 Smith, Gerrit, plan for the adminis- 
 tration of the College, 200, 
 201-8, 210. 
 solicits funds, 228. 
 Smith, Peter, 63, 108, 113. 114, 116, 
 
 122. 
 Snowden, Samuel Finley, 130. 
 Societies, student, regulation, 175. 
 Society in Scotland for Propagating 
 Christian Knowledge, 6, 10, 
 26, 32. 
 appoints Kirkland a missionary, 
 
 25. 
 approves Plan of education, 39, 
 
 48-49. 
 inquires regarding Moor's 
 
 school, 81-82. 
 withdraws support of Plan of 
 
 education, 82. 
 petition of trustees of Academy 
 to, 75-77. 
 Solegwaston, Isaac, Oneida Indian, 
 
 101-2. 
 South College. 162, 167, 168. 
 Special students, 212. 
 Spencer, Ichabod Smith, elected 
 
 President, 226, 227. 
 Spencer, John Canfield, elected 
 Professor of Law, 230. 
 
 Spencer, Joshua Austin, 223, 230, 
 
 2ZZ, 242. 
 Spring, Gardiner, elected President, 
 
 177, 179. 
 Stanwix, Fort, Indian conference 
 
 at, 7, 10 
 Steward, 133, 157-61, 162, 167, 168. 
 Steuben, Frederick William, baron 
 von, 13, 14. 
 Address at laying of comer 
 stone of Academy, 84-86. 
 Strong, Theodore, 193. 
 Students, admission, 123. 
 number, 1817-1828, 198 
 resolutions adopted by, 1828, 
 194. 
 Sullivan's expedition, 1779, 11. 
 Sunday observance, 140. 
 Surveying, instruction in, 212, 222. 
 Thacher, Peter, letter of E. Wig- 
 glesworth to, 42-43. 
 letter of Kirkland to, 43-48. 
 Thayendenagea, see Brant, Joseph. 
 Theolog:.-, professorship of, 191, 
 
 195, 220, 221. 
 Tompkins, Daniel D., 111. 
 Trustees of the College, 108. 
 elected by alumni, 259-60. 
 reply to the Regents, 200, 208- 
 
 10, 213, 215-17. 
 rules of the Board, 117. 
 Tuition, 167, 180. 
 
 receipts from, 1829-1832, 232. 
 Tutors, duties, 172, 191. 
 
 salaries, 130, 132. 
 Tuttle, Oliver, 63. 
 Tuttle, Timothy, 61, 64, 68, 77. 
 Union College, 5, 18, 67, 155-57, 
 
 164, 185, 230, 239, 242. 
 Union Society, library, 249-51. 
 University of the State of Xew 
 York. See Regents of the Uni- 
 versity of the State of New 
 York. 
 Upson, Anson Judd, 21, 249. 
 
292 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Utica, N. Y., relation to the College, 
 18, 19. 
 citizens of, 222-23, 226. 
 establishment of law school in, 
 
 233, 239. 
 removal of the College to, 18, 
 227-28, 232, 233, 235, 240. 
 Utica, Bank of, 165. 
 Vacations, 126, 145-46. 
 Van Rensselaer, Stephen, 84, 89-90. 
 Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 66. 
 Washington, George, 12, 58, 277. 
 Wayland, John, 218-20. 
 Wells, Samuel, 62, 64, 68. 
 West, Stephen, letter to Peter 
 
 Thacher, 89. 
 Wetmore, Edmund Arnold. 245, 252. 
 
 Wheelock, Eleazer, 5-10, 25. 
 Wigglesworth, Edward, letter to 
 
 Peter Thacher, 42-43. 
 Willard, Joseph, letter to Samuel 
 
 Kirkland, 101-2 
 Wager, David, 223 
 Williams, Nathan, 108, 113, 114, 
 
 116, 122, 125. 
 Williams, Othniel, 196. 
 Williamson, Major, 84. 
 Willoughby, Westel, 121-22. 
 Woodsheds, 162. 
 Yale College, 20. 
 Yates, Andrew, 226. 
 
 letter of Gerrit Smith to, 201-8. 
 Yates, Joseph, 67.