USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the Colonial History of the state of New Jersey, Vol. XXVIII > Part 22
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Address to the Inhabitants of Jamaica, and other West- India Islands, in behalf of the College of New-Jersey. [Concluded from our last.]
I WILL now proceed to speak a little of the Constitution and Advantages of the College of New-Jersey, in partic- ular.
About twenty-four Years ago, several Gentlemen and Ministers in this Province, by the Friendship and Patron- age of JONATHAN BELCHER, Esq; then Governor, ob- tained a very ample Royal Charter, incorporating them, under the Title of, Trustees of the College of New-Jer- sey; and giving them the same Privileges and Powers, that are given to the "two English Universities, or any "other University or College in Great Britain." They, although only possessed of a naked Charter, without any public Encouragement, immediately began the Instruc- tion, and very soon after, by their own Activity and Zeal, and the Benevolence of others, who had the highest Opin-
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ion of their Integrity, raised a noble Building, called Nas- sau Hall, at Princeton, New-Jersey. This they chose to do, though it wasted their Capital, as their great Inten- tion was to make effectual Provision, not only for the careful Instruction, but for the regular Government of the Youth. There all the Scholars are lodged, and also boarded, except when they have express License to board out, in the Presidents House, or elsewhere.
The regular course of Instruction is in four Classes, exactly after the Manner, and bearing the Names of the Classes in the English Universities; Freshman, Sopho- more, Junior, and Senior. In the first Year they read Latin and Greek, with the Roman and Grecian Antiqui- ties, and Rhetoric. In the second, continuing the Study of the Languages, they learn a compleat System of Geography, with the Use of the Globes, the first Prin- ciples of Philosophy, and the Elements of Mathematical Knowledge. The third, tho' the Languages are not wholly omitted, is chiefly employed in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. And the senior Year is employed in reading the higher Classics, proceeding in the Mathe- matics and Natural Philosophy, and going through a Course of Moral Philosophy. In Addition to these, the President gives Lectures to the Juniors and Seniors, which, consequently, every Student hears twice over in his Course, first, upon Chronology and History, and af- terwards, upon Composition and Criticism. He has also taught the French Language last Winter, and it will con- tinue to be taught to all who desire to learn it.
During the whole Course of their Studies, the three younger Classes, two every Evening formerly, and now three, because of the increased Number, pronounce an Oration, on a Stage erected for that Purpose in the Hall, immediately after Prayers, that they may learn, by early Habit, Presence of Mind and proper Pronunciation and
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Gesture, in public Speaking. This excellent Practice, which has been kept up almost from the first Foundation of the College, has had the most admirable Effects. The Senior Scholars, every five or six Weeks, pronounce Ora- tions of their own Composition, to which all Persons of any Note in the Neighborhood are invited or admitted.
The College is now furnished with all the most im- portant Helps to Instruction. The Library contains a very large Collection of valuable Books. The Lessons of Astronomy are given upon the Orrery, lately invented and constructed by David Rittenhouse, Esq; which is reckoned, by the best Judges, the most excellent in its Kind of any ever yet produced; and when what is com- missioned, and now upon its Way, is added to what the College already possesses, the Apparatus for Mathematics and Natural Philosophy will be equal, if not superior, to any on the Continent.
As we have never yet been obliged to omit or alter it for Want of Scholars, there is a fixed annual Commence- ment, on the last Wednesday of September, when, after a Variety of public Exercises, always attended by a vast Concourse of the politest Company, from the different Parts of this Province, and the Cities of New-York and Philadelphia, the Students, whose senior Year is expiring, are admitted to the Degree of Bachelors of Arts; the Bachelors, of three Years standing, to the Degree of Mas- ters; and such other higher Degrees granted, as are either regularly claimed, or the Trustees think fit to bestow upon those, who have distinguished themselves by their literary Productions, or their Appearances in public Life.
On the Day preceding the Commencement last Year, there was (and it will be continued yearly hereafter) a public Exhibition, and voluntary Contention for Prizes, open for every Member of College. These were first, second, and third Prizes, on each of the following Sub-
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jects. I. Reading the English Language with Propriety and Grace, and being able to answer all Questions on its Orthography and Grammar. 2. Reading the Latin and Greek Languages in the same Manner, with particular Attention to true Quantity. 3. Speaking Latin. 4. Latin Versions. 5. Pronouncing English Orations. The Preference was determined by Ballot, and all present per- mitted to vote, who were Graduates of this or any other College.
As to the Government of the College, no Correction by Stripes is permitted. Such as cannot be governed by Reason, and the Principles of Honour and Shame, are reckoned unfit for Residence in a College. The collegiate Censures are, I. Private Admonition by President, Pro- fessor, or Tutor. 2. Before the Faculty. 3. Before the whole Class, to which the Offender belongs. 4. And the last and highest, before all the Members of the College, assembled in the Hall. And, to preserve the Weight and Dignity of these Censures, it has been an established Practice, that the last or highest Censure, viz. public Ad- monition, shall never be repeated upon the same Person. If it has been thought necessary to inflict it upon any one, and if this does not preserve him from falling into such gross Irregularities a second Time, it is understood, that Expulsion is immediately to follow.
Through the Narrowness of the Funds, the Govern- ment and Instruction has hitherto been carried on by a President, and three Tutors. At last Commencement the Trustees chose a Professor of Mathematics, and intend, as their Funds are raised, to have a greater Number of Professorships, and carry their Plan to as great Perfec- tion as possible.
The above relates wholly to what is properly the Col- lege; but there is also at the same Place established, under the Particular Direction and Patronage of the President,
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a Grammar School, where Boys are instructed in the Latin and Greek Languages, with the utmost Care, and on the Plan of the most approved Teachers, in Great Britain. It is now so large, as to have two Masters for the Languages, and one for Writing and Arithmetic; and as some are sent with a Design only to learn the Latin, Greek, and French Languages, Arithmetic, Geography, and the practicle Branches of the Mathematics, without going through a full College Course, such Scholars are permitted to attend the Instruction of the Classes in what- ever coincides with their Plan.
It is also now resolved, at the Request of several Gen- tlemen, to have an English Master after next Vacation, for teaching the English Language regularly and gram- matically, and for perfecting by English Exercises those, whose previous Instruction may have been defective or erroneous.
I have thus laid before the Public a concise Account of the Constitution of the College of New Jersey ; and must now earnestly recommend it to the Assistance and Pa- tronage of Men of liberal and ingenuous Minds. I am sensible, that nothing is more difficult than to write in Behalf of what the Writer himself has so great a Part in conducting, so as neither to fail in doing Justice to the Subject, nor exceed in improper or arrogant Professions. And yet to employ others to write for us, who may have some Pretence, as indifferent Persons, to establish our Characters, is liable to still greater Suspicion. The very best Security one can give to the Public for Decency and Truth, is to write openly in his own Person, that he may be under Necessity to answer for it, if it is liable to Chal- lenge.
This is the Method I have determined to follow; and that I may neither offend the Delicacy of Friends, nor provoke the Resentment of Enemies, I will endeavor
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humbly to recommend this College to the Attention and Esteem of Men of Penetration and Candour, chiefly from such Circumstances as have little or no Relation to the personal Characters of those now employed, but are es- sential to its Situation and Constitution, and therefore must be supposed to have not only the most powerful, but the most lasting effect. The Circumstances to which I would entreat the Attention of impartial Persons are the following.
I. The College of New-Jersey is altogether indepen- dent. It hath received no Favour from Government, but the Charter, by the particular Friendship of a Person now deceased. It owes nothing but to the Benefactions of a Public, so diffusive that it cannot produce particular De- pendence, or operate by partial Influence. From this Cir- cumstance it must be free from two great Evils, and de- rive the like Number of solid Advantages. There is no Fear of being obliged to choose Teachers upon Ministerial Recommendation, or in Compliance with the over-bearing Weight of Family Interest. On the contrary, the Trus- tees are naturally led, and in a manner forced, to found their Choice upon the Characters of the Persons, and the Hope of public Approbation. At the same Time those concerned in the Instruction and Government of the Col- lege are as far removed, as the State of human Nature will admit, from any Temptation to a fawning cringing Spirit, and mean Servility in the Hope of Court Favour or Promotion.
In Consequence of this it may naturally be expected, and we find by Experience, that hitherto in Fact the Spirit of Liberty has breathed high and strong in all the Mem- bers. I would not be understood to say, that a Seminary of Learning ought to enter deeply into political Conten- tion; far less would I meanly court Favour, by professing myself a violent Partisan in any present Disputes. But
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surely a Constitution, which naturally tends to produce a Spirit of Liberty and Independence, even though this should sometimes need to be reined in by Prudence and Moderation, is infinitely preferable to the dead and vapid State of one, whose very Existence depends upon the Nod of those in Power. Another great Advantage arising from this is, the Obligation we are under to recommend ourselves, by Diligence and Fidelity, to the Public. Hav- ing no particular Prop to lean to on one Side, we are obliged to stand upright and firm, by leaning equally on all. We are so far from having our Fund so compleat, as of itself to support the necessary Expence, that the greater part of our annual income arises from the Pay- ments of the Scholars, which, we acknowledge with Grat- itude, have been for these several Years continually in- creasing.
2. This leads me to observe, that it ought to be no in- considerable Recommendation of this College to those at a Distance, that it has the Esteem and Approbation of those who are nearest it, and know it best. The Number of Under Graduates, or proper Members of College, is near four Times that of any College on the Continent to the Southward of New-England, and probably greater than that of all the rest put together. This we are at Liberty to affirm has in no Degree arisen from pompous Descriptions, or repeated Recommendations in the public Papers. We do not mean to blame the laudable Attempts of others to do themselves Justice. We have been often found Fault with, and perhaps are to blame, for Neglect on this Particular. It is only mentioned to give full Force to the Argument just now used; and the Fact is certainly true. I do not remember that the Name of the College of New-Jersey has been above once or twice mentioned in the News Papers for three Years, except in a bare Re- cital of the Acts of the annual Commencements. The
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present Address arises from Necessity, not Choice, for had not a more private Application been found impracti- cable, the Press had probably never been employed.
3. It may not be amiss to observe on this Subject, that the great Utility of this Seminary has been felt over an extensive Country. Many of the Clergy, Episcopal and Presbyterian, in the different Colonies, received their Ed- ucation here, whose exemplary Behaviour, and other Merit, we suffer to speak for themselves. We are also willing, that the Public should attend to the Characters and Appearance of those Gentlemen in the Law and Med- ical Departments, who were brought up at Nassau Hall, and are now in the Cities of New-York and Philadelphia, and in different Parts of the Continent or Islands. Two at least of the Professors of the justly celebrated Medical School, lately found [ed] in Philadelphia, and perhaps the greatest Number of their Pupils, received their Instruc- tion here. We are not afraid, but even wish, that our Claim should be decided by the Conduct of those, in gen- eral, who have come out from us, which is one of the most conclusive Arguments; for a Tree is known by its Fruits. It is at the same Time an Argument of the most fair and generous Kind, for it is left to be determined by Mankind at their Leisure, and if the Appeal be not in our Favour, it must be unspeakably injurious.
4. The Place where the College is built, is most hap- pily chosen for the Health, the Studies, and the Morals of the Scholars. All these were particularly attended to when the Spot was pitched upon. Princeton is on a rising Ground, from whence there is an easy gradual Descent for many Miles on all Quarters, except the North and North-west, from whence at the Distance of one Mile it is sheltered by a Range of Hills, covered with Woods. It has a most beautiful Appearance, and in Fact has been found one of the healthiest Places, as it is situated in the
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Middle of one of the most healthful Countries on the whole Continent. It is upon the great Post-road, almost equally distant from New-York and Philadelphia, so as to be a Center of Intelligence, and have an easy Convey- ance of every Thing necessary, and yet to be wholly free from the many Temptations in every great City, both to the Neglect of Study, and the Practice of Vice. The Truth is, it is to this happy Circumstance, so wisely at- tended to by the first Trustees, that we owe our being enabled to keep up the Discipline of the College with so great Regularity and so little Difficulty. We do not wish to take any Honour in this Respect to ourselves. Doubt- less the Masters of every College will do their best in this Respect. But it is not in the Power of those, who are in great Cities, to keep the Discipline with equal Strictness, where Boys have so many Temptations to do Evil, and can so easily and effectually conceal it, after it is done. With us, they live all in College, under the Inspection of their Masters, and the Village is so small, that any Irreg- ularity is immediately and certainly discovered, and there- fore easily corrected.
It has sometimes happened, through Rivalship or Malice, that our Discipline has been censured as too severe and rigorous. This Reproach I always hear, not with Patience only, but with Pleasure. In the mouth of an Adversary it is a clear Confession, that the Government is strict and regular. While we avail ourselves of this, we prove that the Accusation of oppressive Rigour is wholly without Foundation, from the Number of Schol- ars, and the Unfrequency of public Censure, but above all, from the warm and almost enthusiastic Attachment of those who have finished their Course. Could their Esteem and Friendship be expected in Return for an aus- tere and rigorous Confinement, out of which they had escaped as Birds out of the Snare of the Fowler? We
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admit that it is insupportable to the Idle and Profligate, for either they will not bear with us, or we will not bear with them; but from those who have applied to their Studies, and reached the Honours of College, we have, almost without Exception, found the most sincere, active and zealous Friendship.
5. This College was founded, and hath been conducted upon the most Catholic Principles. The Charter recites, as one of its Grounds, "That every religious Denomination may have free and equal "Liberty and Advantage of Ed- ucation in the said College, any "different Sentiments ill Religion notwithstanding." Accordingly there are now, and have been from the Beginning, Scholars of various Denominations, from the most distant Colonies, as well as West-India Islands; and they must necessarily confess, that they never met with the least Uneasiness or Disre- spect on this Account. Our great Advantage on this Sub- ject is, the Harmony of the Board of Trustees, and the perfect Union in Sentiment among all the Teachers, both with the Trustees and with one another. On this Account there is neither Inclination nor Occasion to meddle with any Controversy whatever. The Author of this Address confesses, that he was long accustomed to the Order and Dignity of an established Church, but a Church which hath no Contempt or Detestation of those who are differ- ently organized. And, as he hath ever been in that Church an Opposer of lordly Domination, and sacerdotal Tyranny, so he is a passionate Admirer of the equal and impartial Support of every Religious Denomination, which prevails in the Northern Colonies, and is perfect in Pennsylvania and the Jerseys, to the unspeakable Advan- tage of those happy and well constituted Governments.
With respect to the College of New-Jersey, every Ques- tion about Forms of Church Government is so entirely excluded, that, though I have seen one Sett of Scholars
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begin and finish their Course, if they know nothing more of religious Controversy than what they learned here, they have that Science wholly to begin. This is altogether owing to the Union of Sentiment mentioned above; for, if you place as Teachers in a College, Persons of repug- nant religious Principles, they must have more Wisdom and Self-denial, than usually fall to the Lot of Humanity, if the whole Society is not divided into Parties, and mar- shalled under Names, if the Changes are not frequent, and, when they take place, as well known as any Event that can happen in such a Society. On the contrary, there is so little Occasion with us to canvass this Matter at all, that, though no Doubt Accident must discover it as to the greatest Number, yet some have left the College as to whom I am wholly uncertain at this Hour to what De- nomination they belong. It has been, and shall be our Care, to use every Mean in our Power to make them good Men and good Scholars; and, if this is the Case, I shall hear of their future Character and Usefulness with un- feigned Satisfaction, under every Name by which a real Protestant can be distinguished.
Having already experienced the Generosity of the Pub- lic in many Parts of the Continent of America, I cannot but hope, that the Gentlemen of the Islands will not refuse their Assistance, according to their Abilities, in order to carry this Seminary to a far greater Degree of Perfection than any to which it has yet arrived. The express Pur- pose to which the Benefactions now requested will be ap- plied, is the Establishment of new Professorships, which will render the Institution not only more compleat in it- self, but less burthensome to those who have undertaken the important Trust. The whole Branches of Mathe- matics and Natural Philosophy are now taught by one Professor; and the President is obliged to teach Divinity and Moral Philosophy, as well as Chronology, History,
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and Rhetoric, besides the Superintendance and Govern- ment of the whole. The short Lives of the former Pres- idents have been by many attributed to their excessive Labours, which, it is hoped, will be an Argument with the Humane and Generous, to lend their Help in pro- moting so noble a Design. I am Gentlemen,
Your most obedient, Humble Servant,
JOHN WITHERSPOON.
NASSAU-HALL, at Princeton, New-Jersey, March 21, 1772.
Proper Forms of DONATIONS to the COLLEGE by WILL : Of CHATTELS personal.
Item, I A. B. do hereby give and bequeath the Suni of unto the Trustees of the College of New-Jersey, commonly called Nassau-Hall; the same to be paid within Months next after my Decease; and to be ap- plied to the Uses and Purposes of the said College.
Of REAL ESTATE.
I A. B. do give and devise unto the Trustees of the Col- lege of New-Jersey, commonly called Nassau-Hall, and to their Successors for ever, all that certain Messuage and Tract of Land, &c .- The Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2288, October 28, 1772.1
NEW YORK, October 22.
The seven Transports mentioned in our last we hear are designed to carry his Majesty's Royal American Reg- iment, now in this City and the Jersies, to the Islands of Jamaica and Antigua.
1 Also in The New-York Gazette; and the Weekly Mercury, No. 1099, No- vember 16, 1772. The Address was printed at Philadelphia, in pamphlet form, with this title: Address | to the | Inhabitants | of | Jamaica, | and other | West-India Islands, | In Behalf of the | College of New- Jersey. | Philadelphia: | Printed by William and Thomas Bradford, at ! the London Coffee-House. | M.DCC. LXXII. | 8 vo. Pp. 27. See Hilde- burn, No. 2839.
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To be sold at publick Vendue, on Thursday the 5th Day of November next, on the Premises, the Saw-Mills, and Lands adjoining thereto, containing about fifteen hundred Acres; situate at Tom's River, in Monmouth County, New-Jersey; lately the Property of Abraham Schenk; it will be sold all together, or in Lots, as it may suit the Pur- chaser .- Attendance will be given on the Day of Sale, by
ABRAHAM P. LOTT, JOHN LEFFERTS, PETER SCHENK.
Henry Van Vleck and Son,
Have imported in sundry vessels from London, Bristol, Liverpool and Hull, a neat assortment of goods suitable for the season, and to be sold on very reasonable terms, for cash, or short credit, at their store in Great Dock Street, near the ship market; country produce will also be taken in payment for the same, at market price, and pot and pearl ashes .- They have likewise for sale, allum, brimstone, copperas, fresh currants, hearth tiles, earthen ware per crates, &c.
ALSO a good farm, containing about 170 acres of land mostly in good fence, well watered and timbered, part cleared plow land, and meadows, with a dwelling house, barn and orchard; any person inclining to purchase the same, may know the conditions of sale and payments, by applying to said Van Vleck and Son, or to Josiah Crane, living on the premises near Morris Town, in Morris County, by whom a good title will be given for the same.
NOTICE is hereby given, to the creditors of John Smith of Tuexbury, in the county of Hunterdon, and province of New-Jersey, an insolvent debtor, that they be, and ap- pear at the house of ELIJAH DUNHAM, innholder, in the City of Perth-Amboy, on the 17 day of December next, .
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between the hours of 12 and 2 o'clock of the same day- before the honourable Stephen Skinner and Jonathan Fra- zee, Esqrs. two of the judges of the inferior court of common pleas, for the county of Middlesex, and then, and there make their objections, if any they have, why an assignment of the said John Smith's estate should not be made, and he be discharged, pursuant to the directions of an act of the Governor, Council, and General Assembly of the province of New Jersey aforesaid, passed at Bur- lington, in the twelfth year of his present Majesty's reign, entitled "an act for the relief of insolvent debtors."
October 13th, 1772.
-The New York Journal; or The General Adver- tiser, No. 1555, October 22, 1772.
NEW-YORK, October 26 | Thursday Morning, the 15th Instant, being appointed by the First Baptist Church in this City for the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. Isaac Skil- man,1 to the Work of Gospel Ministry, it was attended by Fasting and Prayer, and a Sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. Manning, of Providence, in Rhode Island, from Mat- thew xxviii-19-20. Then the Person was ordained by the Rev. Messrs. John Gano, Abel Morgan, of Middletown, and Isaac Stelle, of Piscataway, in New-Jersey; and the Charge given by the Rev. Mr. Miller, of the Scotch Plains.
The Transports that lately arrived here from England, are destined to carry his Majesty's 60th or Royal Ameri- can Regiment to Jamaica and Antigua. Part of them sailed last Friday for Amboy, to take on board the First Batallion, who have been a short Time stationed at Eliza- beth-Town and New-Brunswick. The Second Batallion, we are told will embark on board the Transports that
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