employed in this institution, making 1 1 in all; by whom 266 students and scholars, often more, are instructed; and all the branches of education carried on that are necessary, either for the learned professions, or merchandise or the mechanic arts and inferior callings. A seminary, on so extensive a plan, is nowhere else to be found in this new world, nor in many parts of the old; and therefore a sketch of its constitution and government, and those methods, by which discipline and good order are preserved, among such a variety of schools, students and scholars, may be proper on this occasion. And here it will be found that its Government is the most rational and free that can well be imagined, and its Constitution has many advantages peculiar to itself.
The chief power is, by Charter, lodged in twenty-four Trustees, who must all be residents not only within the province, but within five miles of the city. All matters of higher import are to be decided by their councils and direction; and all Laws are either to be made by them, or receive a final sanction from them.
No student can receive the honors and ordinary degrees of the college, without a previous examination in their presence, and a Mandate under their privy-seal and the hands of a majority of them. Nor can even an honorary Degree be conferred without a like Mandate, under the said privy-seal and the hands of at least two-thirds of the whole body; which regulations must ever be a means of preventing a prostitution of those degrees and honors to the Illiterate and Undeserving, which should be the reward of real Learning and Worth; a practise too much complained of in many other places.
In order to do their duty as trustees more effectually, they set apart the second Tuesday of every month, for visiting and examining the schools, conversing and advising with the masters, encouraging the students according to their several degrees of merit, aad making such regulations as may be thought necessary. All the schools, high and low, have their turns of these visitations; which are so truly calculated to keep up the spirit of the institution, and promote diligence, emulation and good behaviour among the scholars, that 'tis hoped none who accept the office of a Trustee will ever be slack in their attendance, when health and other business will permit. Besides these stated meetings, their president[1] who is chosen annually, has a power of calling other meetings on any particular occasion. The present trustees are the following gentlemen, viz.
James Hamilton, William Allen, John Inglis, William Masters, Samuel M' Call, jun., Joseph Turner, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Leech, William Shippen, Robert Strettell, Philip Syng, Phineas Bond, Richard Peters, Abraham Taylor, Thomas Bond, Joshua Maddox, William Plumsted, Thomas White, William Coleman, Thomas Cadwalader, Alexander Stedman, John Mifflin, Benjamin Chew, and Edward Shippen, junior.
- ↑ The present President of Trustees is Richard Peters, Esq
