The History of Dartmouth CollegeSmith, Baxter Perry
History
The History of Dartmouth College
Smith, Baxter Perry
Dartmouth College -- History
"Reverend and dear Sir,--Yours by Captain Cushman is safe arrived, and
I have considered the contents. And for several reasons I am of
opinion that it will be best that the Trustees be the same for the
present, as I have already appointed in my will, which I have made at
the desire of the Trust in England, whose names were, with the will,
some time ago transmitted to them. The affair is very delicate, and as
such must be conducted, or it will disgust those worthy gentlemen, and
overset all. Their sentiments of an incorporation have been differing
from mine. They have insisted that I should conduct the whole affair
without one, and that my successor should be nominated and appointed
by my will. Experience, they think, has fully taught them that, by
means of an incorporation, such designs become jobs, and are soon
ruined thereby. They choose to hold the moneys collected there in
their own hands for this purpose, and accordingly have publicly
declared their Trust of the same under their hands and seals, and have
disposed of it, as their wisdom directed, for the benefit of the
school. I have, therefore, after much study and consultation in the
affair, appointed two setts of Trustees, namely, those in England who
have voluntarily condescended to make themselves so, to take care of
whatever concerns the object in view on that side the water; and a
sett in this vicinity, to take care of and perform whatever shall
concern it on this side. I have appointed a successor, to take care of
the school, etc., only till he shall be approved and confirmed by the
concurrence of both setts of Trustees, or till they all agree in
another, nominated by either and approved by both, each sett to have
power to supply vacancies in their Trust, made by death or
resignation, by the major vote of the survivors; something like this I
conceive will be most agreeable to the Right Honorable, Honorable, and
generous benefactors who have accepted the Trust in England, and I
apprehend it will make the design popular and respectable.
"The Trustees here will hold and have the disposal of lands given in
America for this use; and I apprehend it will be proper for his
Majesty's Governor of the Province for the time being to be a Trustee,
but at present I have not light enough to determine a propriety in
making his Majesty himself one on this side the water.
"I have several reasons, which appear to me weighty, for having the
body of the Trustees first incorporated in this vicinity.
"1. They will be at hand to conduct the affairs of the school,
missionaries, schoolmasters, etc., till I can get settled in the
wilderness, which will be impracticable, if they are at the distance
of Portsmouth.
"2. Several of the Trustees talk of removing with me to settle in that
vicinity; and if so, they may for a time act as a committee, till a
sufficient number suitable for that Trust shall be settled (as you
will observe will be expedient) near to the school.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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