Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/414

In the letter of the Trustees to Dr. Smith of 27 May, 1763, " they think themselves particularly obliged to Dr. Brown for his most excellent Sermon." Dr. Smith was favored with the company of one of his first graduates, Dr. Morgan, and one of the Trustees, Mr. Inglis. In his letter already quoted from, he says " Dr. Morgan is now collecting somewhat occasionally for us and Mr. Inglis will join him." In their letter of 27 May, 1763, the Trustees say to him : Mr Inglis and Dr Morgan will be able to advise you whether it is best to proceed now to ask private charities, or to stay as you think it would be better, till some time hence. Whatever you do, Mr Elliot can be of great assistance, and will we doubt not cheerfully give it, and furnish all necessary Letters and Recommendations from his Relatives who are numerous and have great Interest. A subsequent letter from the Provost asked the attention of the Trustees to the importance of offering their thanks to King George and to Lord Bute for their countenance and assistance. King's College had early in the matter made its loyal Address to the King, and later its loyal congratulations on the birth of the Prince, and Dr. Smith knowing the salutary effect of such procedure, took his Trustees to task for their thoughtlessness on this head ; doubtless he took it amiss on his O ' own part that provision had not already been made for this. The Knighting of Dr. Jay at this time because he was the bearer of the Address of King's College, was an acute reminder to him of the seeming neglect of the Trustees. " I know not how it is," he writes them, 8 that our College, as a body, is so diffident and apt on the first motion to beat down any proposal that has anything great in it. It was thought once that we were too little an object for national notice here. Time and a fair trial have taught us better on this head. Had I at first desired an Address from the Trustees to the King, I think it would not have been granted. Yet a College of less note set out with such an Address. Public bodies should have no shame of this sort ; I speak not this to blame what is past, but rather to persuade you to lift up your heads and rather fail in great attempts than be found too diffident. 8 Smith, i. 320.