his attention to the prosperity of their school, and announcing their compliance with his advice, take occasion to observe, that they should always evince towards the national church every mark of regard consistent with their faith pledged to other religious denominations, and with that plan of Christian liberty upon which the institution was founded. A similar sentiment is expressed in their letters to Dr. Chandler and the proprietors, also copied into the minutes of June 14th; and in no other part of the minutes of that date, except in the joint letter and document above alluded to, is any reference whatever made to difference of religious persuasion. Upon the passages here referred to, the legislature must have rested their accusation; and a more striking instance could hardly be offered of that blindness and perversion of judgment to which the best men are liable, when under the influence of violent political excitement.
riod when the college was finally incorporated with the University. It is as follows:—
"The trustees being ever desirous to promote the peace and prosperity of this seminary, and to give satisfaction to all its worthy benefactors, have taken the above letter into their serious consideration, and perfectly approving the sentiments therein contained, do order the same to be inserted in their books, that it may remain perpetually declaratory of the present wide and excellent plan of this institution, which hath not only met with the approbation of the great and worthy personages above mentioned, but even the royal sanction of his majesty himself. They further declare that they will keep this plan closely in their view, and use their utmost endeavours that the same be not narrowed, nor the members of the church of England, or those dissenting from them (in any future election to the principal offices mentioned in the aforesaid letter) be put on any worse footing in this seminary than they were at the time of obtaining the royal brief. They subscribe this with their names, and ordain that the same be read and subscribed by every new trustee that shall hereafter be elected, before he takes his seat at the board."
