Mr. Perm and Dr. Chandler, and also by his Majesty's express approba- tion, and Lord Bute's desire, that the two Designs should be united. * * * And that his Majesty himself would so far show his Countenance to this Plan, as to begin it with a Mark of his Bounty to both Institutions. That same concurrence of thought had existed between Dr. Smith and Dr. Johnson on this subject in their February conferences, there can be little doubt. Dr. Johnson was unpre- pared to cross the ocean himself, and at that moment there was no one to send. But after Dr. Smith's departure from New York, the knowledge of Dr. Jay's proposed visit to England afforded Dr. Johnson the opportunity desired of a personal solicitation from friends in England. Dr. Jay says : While I was in New York, and intending to come to England on some business of my own, the Rev Dr Johnson proposed it to me to make a Collection in this Kingdom, for the Benefit of that Seminary which I consented to do. The Doctor called a meeting of the Governors of the College and laid the matter before them and they appointed a Committee to confer with me on the subject Dr. Jay's immediate consultations with Dr. Smith on his reaching England testify to his knowledge of Dr. Smith's plans, and of his readiness to join the work of the two Colleges in one comprehensive scheme. But by previous correspondence, Dr. Jay may have prepared the way in a measure for his work, knowing that the Philadelphia ambassador had already been three months on the ground ; and while Dr. Smith had hesitated about resorting to a brief, hoping great things doubtless from the Penn influence, Jay had lost no time in complying with his special instructions and had applied for a Brief immediately on his arrival. Dr. Smith afterwards wrote of him : " Jay is an active and sensible young fellow." 4 In the union of these two appeals, great gain was made for both, as the results proved and each College was materially bettered by the joint mission, for time was saved by each, and the minister of each traveling in different ways could present to
- He was five years the junior of Smith. See Dr. Jay's Letter to the Governor
of the College of New York respecting the. Collection for the Colleges of Philadelphia and New York, London, 1771, by Sir James Jay, Knight, M. D. This pamphlet exhibited the unhappy controversy he fell into with the College authorities on the closing of his collections.
