Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V, Part 51

Author: New York (State). State Historian. cn; Hastings, Hugh, 1856-1916. cn; Corwin, Edward Tanjore, 1834-1914, ed. cn; Holden, James Austin, 1861-
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Albany, J. B. Lyon, state printer
Number of Pages: 720


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That a College for the instruction of youth in sound literature will be very advan- tageous in general ; but unless provision be made for a Professor of Divinity for the benefit of the Dutch churches in this country, they will lose a main advantage thereby (and which they prefer to every other benefit excepted from a public Semi- nary of learning), as the youth intended for the ministry will without that privi- lege, at a vast expense to the parents, be obliged to reside several years in Holland, or other foreign Protestant countries :


That the institution of such a Professor would make the intended College more numerous and flourishing, as their youths would thereby be encouraged to the study of Divinity ; that as the Dutch are the greatest number of any single denomination of Christians in this Province, it may reasonably be expected that in all Provincial contributions they will be the greatest benefactors to the intended College; and, therefore, humbly praying that the Honorable House will be favorably pleased, whenever the matter of the said College comes under consideration, they may, by the Act for incorporating and establishing the same, be entitled to a Divinity Pro- fessor, with a reasonable salary, to be nominated by the Ministers, Elders and


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Deacons of the Dutch Reformed Protestant Church in this City; and that the said Professor may freely and without control teach the doctrines of faith maintained by their churches, as established and approved of by the National Synod of Dort, 1618, 1619.


Ordered that the said petition be taken into consideration when the House proceeds on the consideration of establishing a College for the education of youth within this Colony.


DRAFT OF CHARTER FOR A COLLEGE IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK


PRESENTED. OCTOBER 31, 1754.


At a Council, etc., etc., the 31st of October, 1754. Present (as above, except Mr. Alexander).


The draft of letters patent, incorporating certain persons to be named therein, by the name and stile of the Governors of the College of the Province of New York, in the City of New York, in America, prepared and signed by his Majesty's Attorney- General, pursuant to his Honour's warrant, issued by advice of the Council on the 30th day of May last, was laid before the Board and read and agreed to with one alteration made at the table. His Honor also communicated a list of the names of the persons he proposed to appoint Governors of the said College, which list was read and the persons approved of by the Council. And the Council humbly advised his Honour to affix the great seal to the said letters patent when engrossed.


Mr. Smith declared his dissent to the said draft of a charter or letters patent, for the reasons assigned by him and Mr. Alexander on the 30th of May last, on the report of the committee upon the petition of the Trustees, and desired his dissent might be entered, which is entered accordingly .- Council Minutes, 224.


ROYAL CHARTER OF KINGS COLLEGE, NEW YORK. OCTOBER 31, 1754. Name and Title of the King.


GEORGE THE SECOND, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ire- land, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:


Moneys Raised for Founding a College.


Whereas, by several acts of the Governour, Council, and General assembly of our Province of New York, divers sums of money have been Raised by Public Lotteries, and appropriated for the founding, erecting, and establishing a College in our said Government, for the Education and Instruction of Youth in the Liberal Arts and Sciences:


Land Given by Trinity Church.


And Whereas, the Rector and inhabitants of the City of New York, in Communion of the Church of England, as by Law Established, for the encouraging and promot- ing the same good design, have sett apart a parcell of ground for that purpose, of upwards of Three Thousand Pounds value, belonging to the said Corporation, on the west side of the broadway, in the west ward of our City of New York, fronting easterly to Church street, between Barclay street and Murray street, four hundred and forty foot; And from thence running westerly, between and along the said Barclay street and Murray street, to the North River; And also, a street, from the middle of the said Land, Easterly to the Broadway, of ninety Foot, to be called Robinson street, And have declared that they are ready and desirous to Convey the said Land in Fee, to and for the use of a College, intended and proposed to be Erected and Established in our said Province, upon the terms in their said declara- tion mentioned.


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


3507 1754


Petition of the Trustees of the Original Funds for Incorporation.


And Whereas our Loving Subjects, the Trustees, appointed in and by an act of the Governor, Council, and General Assembly of our said Province of New York, Intitled an Act for Vesting in Trustees the sum of three Thousand four Hundred and forty three Pounds eighteen shillings, by way of Lottery, for erecting a College within this Colony, esteeming the said Lands offered and sett apart by the said Rector and Inhabitants of the City of New York, in Communion of the Church of England, as by Law Established, the most convenient place for the Building, Erect- ing, and Establishing, a College, in our said Province, have, by their humble peti- tion, presented to our trusty and well beloved James De Lancey, Esq., our Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Province of New York, In Council, prayed our Letters patent of Incorporation for the better Establishing, Erecting, and Building a College, on the said Lands, and the more Effectually Governing, Carrying on, and Promoting the same, and Instructing of Youth in the Liberal Arts and Sciences;


Request for Incorporation granted. Popular Name of College.


Wherefore, Wee, being willing to Grant the Reasonable request and desire of our said Loving Subjects, and to Encourage the said good design of promoting a Liberal Education among them, and to make the same as Beneficial as may be, not only to the Inhabitants of our said Province of New York, But to all our Colonies and Territories in America, Know ye, that Wee, considering the premisses, do, of our especial Grace, Certain Knowledge, and meer motion, by these presents, will, Grant, Constitute, and ordain, that when, and as soon as the said Rector and Inhabitants of the City of New York, in Communion of the Church of England, ag by Law established, shall legally convey and assure the said herein before men- tioned Lands to the Corporation, or body politick, Erected and made by these our Letters patent, That there be erected and made on the said Lands, a College, and other Buildings and Improvements, for the use and conveniency of the same, which shall be called and known by the name of King's College, for the Instruction and Education of Youth in the Learned Languages, and Liberal Arts and Sciences;


Religion of the President; Corporate Name of the Institution; Governors of the College ex officio ; and other Governors.


And that in Consideration of such Grant, to be made by the Rector and Inhabi- tants of the City of New York, in Communion of the Church of England, as by Law Established, the President of the said College, for the time being, shall forever hereafter be a member of, and in Communion with the Church of England, as by Law established; And that the Governors of the said College, and their successors, forever, shall be one body Corporate and politick, in deed, fact, and name, and shall be called, named, and distinguished, by the name of the Governors of the College of the Province of New York, in America, and them and their successors, by the name of the Governors of the College of the Province of New York, in the City of New York, in America, one Body Corporate and politick, in deed, fact, and name, really and fully, we do for us, our heirs and Successors, Erect, Ordain, make, Con- stitute, declare, and Create by these presents, and that by that name, they shall and may have perpetual succession :


And we do for us, our heirs, and successors, for the Continuance and Better Establishment of the said College, Will, Give, Grant, Ordain, Constitute, and appoint, that in the said College, to be erected and Built upon the Lands aforesaid, there shall from henceforth forever be a Body Corporate and politick, Consisting of the Governors of the College of the Province of New York, in the City of New York, in America; And for the more full and perfect Erection of the said Corpora- tion and Body politick, consisting of the Governors of the College of the Province of New York, in the City of New York in America, we do will, Grant, ordain, Con- stitute, assign, Limitt, and appoint, by these presents, the most Reverend Father in God, our Trusty, and well beloved Thomas, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and the most Reverend the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury for the time being; The


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Right Honorable Dunk, Earl of Halifax, first Lord Commissioner for Trade and Plantations, and the first Lord Commissioner for Trade and plantations for the time being; Our now Lieutenant Governor and Commander in chief of our said Province of New York, and the Governor or Commander in chief of our said Pro- vince for the time being; the eldest Councilor of our said Province now and for the time being; the Judges of our Supreme Court of Judicature of our said Province now and for the time being; the Secretary of our said Province now and for the time being; the Attorney General of our said Province now and for the time being; the Speaker of the General Assembly of our said Province now and for the time being; the Treasurer of our said Province now and for the time being; the Mayor of our City of New York in our said Province now and for the time being; the Rector of Trinity Church in our said City of New York now and for the time being; the Senior Minister of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in our said City now and for the time being; the Minister of the ancient Lutheran Church in our said City now and for the time being; the Minister of the French Church in our said City now and for the time being; the Minister of the Presbyterian Congregation in our said City for the time being; the President of the said College, appointed by these Presents, and the President of the said College for the time being, to be chosen as herein after is directed, and twenty four other Persons, Who shall be called and named, and are hereby called and named, the Governors of the College of the Province of New York, in the City of New York in America:


And for that purpose, We have elected, nominated, ordained, constituted, limited, and appointed, and by these Presents do, for us, our Heirs, and Successors, elect, nominate, ordain, constitute, limit, and appoint, the said most Reverend Father in God, Thomas, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Lord Archbishop of Canter- bury for the time being; The Right Honourable Dunk, Earl of Halifax, first Lord Commissioner for Trade and Plantations, and the first Lord Commissioner for Trade and Plantations for the time being; our now Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of our Province of New York, and the Governor or Commander in chief of our said Province for the time being; the eldest Councilor of our said Province now and for the time being; the Judges of our Supreme Court of Judicature of our said Province now and for the time being; the Secretary of our said Province now and for the time being; the Attorney General of our said Province now and for the time being; the Speaker of the General Assembly of our said Province now and for the time being; the treasurer of our said Province now and for the time being; the Mayor of our said City of New York now and for the time being; the Rector of Trinity Church in our said City now and for the time being; the Senior Minister of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in our City now and for the time being; the Minister of the ancient Lutheran Church in our said City now and for the time being; the minister of the French Church in our said City now and for the time being; the minister of the Presbyterian Congregation in our said City for the time being; the President of the said College, appointed by these Presents, and the President of the said College for the time being;


And Archibald Kennedy, Joseph Murray, Josiah Martin, Paul Richard, Henry Cruger, William Walton, John Watts, Henry Beekman, Philip Ver Planck, Fred- erick Philipse, Joseph Robinson, John Cruger, Oliver De Lancey, James Livingston, Esquires, Benjamin Nicoll, William Livingston, Joseph Read, Nathaniel Marston, Joseph Haynes, John Livingston, Abraham Lodge, David Clarkson, Leonard Lis- penard, and James De Lancey the Younger, Gentlemen, to be the present Governors of the said College;


Appointment of First President. Duties.


And we do by these Presents ordain and appoint our well beloved Samuel Johnson, Doctor of Divinity, to be the first and present President of the said College, for and during his Good Behaviour ; and do will that he and the President for the time being after him, who shall also hold his office during Good behaviour, shall have the Immediate care of the Education and Government of the students that shall be sent to and admitted into the said College for Instruction and Education, according to such Rules and orders as shall be made by the Governors of the said College;


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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


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Rights and Privileges of said Corporation.


And they are by these presents made and constituted a Body Corporate and politick, by the said name of the Governors of the College of the province of New York, in the City of New York, in America ; and they and their successors, by the said name of the Governors of the College of the province of New York, in the City of New York, in America, be, and for ever hereafter shall be, a Body politick and corporate, in deed, fact, and name, and shall be Capable and able in Law to sue and be sued, Implead and be Impleaded, Answer and to be Answered unto, Defend and be Defended, In all Courts and places, before Us, our Heirs and Successors, and before all and any the Judges, Justices, Officers, and Ministers of Us, our Heirs and Succes- sors, in any Court or Courts, place and places Whatsoever, in all and all manner of actions, suits, Complaints, Pleas, causes, matters, and demands whatsoever, and of what kind or nature soever, in as full, ample manner and form as any of our other Liege Subjects of our said Province of New York can or may sue and be sued, Implead and be Impleaded, Defend and be Defended, by any Lawfull ways and means whatso- ever. And, also, that they and their successors, by the said name of the Governors of the College of the Province of New York, in the City of New York, in America, be, and for ever hereafter, shall be a Body Corporate, Capable and able in Law to purchase, take, hold, receive, Enjoy, and have any messuages, houses, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, and real Estate whatsoever, in Fee simple, or for Term of Life, or Lives, or Years, or in any other manner howsoever, for the use of the said College ; Provided always, the clear yearly value thereof do not exceed the sum of Two Thousand pounds Sterling ; and also Goods, Chattells, Books, moneys, annuities, and all other things of what nature and kind soever. And, also, that they and their Successors, by the same name of the Governours of the College of the Province of New York, in the City of New York, in America, to and for the use of the said Col- lege, shall and may have full power and authority to Erect and build any house or houses, or other Buildings, as they shall think necessary or convenient; and also to Give, Grant, Bargain, sell, demise, assign, or otherwise dispose of all or any mes- suages, Lands, Tenements, Rents, and other Hereditaments, and real Estate, and all Goods, Chattells, money, and other things whatsoever, as to them shall seem fitt, either in the payment of the Salary or Salaries of the President, Fellows, and Professors of the said College, or any other officers or ministers of the same, at their will and pleasure : excepting always, and it is, Nevertheless, our True Intent and meaning that the said Governors of the said College for the time being, and their Successors, or any of them, shall not do or suffer to be done, at any time hereafter, any act or thing whereby or by means whereof the Lands set apart and offered to be Conveyed by the Rector and Inhabitants of the City of New York, In Communion of the Church of England as by Law Established, for the use of the College, or any part thereof, shall be vested, Conveyed, or Transferred, to any other person, contrary to the true meaning hereof, other than by such Leases as are hereafter mentioned : our will and pleasure is, therefore, and we do for us our heirs and Successors will and ordain, that no Grant or Lease of the said Land, or any part thereof, shall be made by the said Governors of the said College which shall exceed the number of Twenty one Years, and That either in possession or not above three years before the End and Expiration or Determination of the Estate or Estates in possession.


Oaths of Office.


And we do by these presents will, ordain. and direct, that the said Governors of the said College (Except always the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury for the time being, and our first Lord Commissioner for Trade and Plantations) do, at their first meeting, after the receipt of these our Letters patents, and before they proceed to any business of and concerning the said College, take the oaths appointed to be taken by an act passed in the first year of our Late Royal Father's Reign, Entituled, (an Act for the further security of his Majesty's Person and Government, and the Succession of the Crown, in the Heirs of the Late Princess Sophia, being protestants, and for extinguishing the Hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales, and his open and' Secret abettors, ) and make and subscribe the declaration mentioned in An Act of Parliament made in the twenty fifth year of the Reign of King Charles the second,


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Entituled, (an act for preventing Dangers which may happen from popish Recus- ants ;) as also, an oath, faithfully to execute the trust Reposed in them, as members of the said Corporation, which Oaths we authorize and Impower the Justices of our Supreme Court of Judicature, for our said Province of New York for the time being, any or either of them to administer; and that when, and as often as any person or persons, either by his office or place in our said Government, or Elsewhere, (Except always the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury for the time being, and our first Lord Commissioner for Trade and Plantations for the time being,) or by Choice of the said Governors of the said College, shall become, or be Chosen a Member or mem- bers of the said Corporation, they shall, before they are admitted, or enter into the said office or Trust, take the said Oaths, and Subscribe the said Declaration to be administered to them in the manner above directed.


Times of Meeting of the Governors; Proxies, Quorums, President of Meeting.


And we do further will, ordain, and direct, that the Governors of the said College, shall yearly, and every year hereafter, forever, on the Second Tuesday in the Month of May, in every year, meet together in our said City of New York, for the Better taking care of, and Promoting the Interest of the said College; and that the said Governors of the said College, or any fifteen or more of them being met, shall be a Legal meeting of the said Corporation, and they, or the major part of them so met, shall have full power and authority to adjourn from day to day, as the Business of the said College may require, and to do, execute, and perform, all and every act and acts thing and things whatsoever, which the said Governor of the said College are, or shall by these, our Letters patent, be authorized and impowered to do, act, or Transact, in as full and ample manner, as if all and every of the members of the said Corporation were present.


And we do will, ordain, and direct, that as our Right Trusty and well beloved Thomas, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury for the time being ; and our said first Lord Commissioner for Trade and Plantations, and the first Lord Commissioner for Trade and plantations for the time being, can- not attend the meetings of the said Corporation, they and each of them shall, from time to time, have full power and authority to appoint a Proxy, in writing, under their hand and seal, which person or persons so appointed by them, and each of them shall and may Represent them, and each of them, Respectively, according to such appointment, and shall have full power to vote and act as a Governor or Gover- nors of the said Corporation, at any and every meeting of the said Corporation, as fully and amply as if they, the Constituents, and each of them were present at every such meeting or meetings ;


And, in case any other meeting or meetings of the said Governors of the said College shall, at any other time or times, be judged and deemed Necessary for the Carrying on and promoting of the Business and Interest of the said College, or the Government thereof, by any five members of the said Corporation, we do, by these presents, authorize and Impower such five members by writing, and under their hands, to direct the Clerk of the said Corporation to Give notice of the day appointed by them, for such meeting, at the said City of New York, by advertising the same in one or more of the public news papers, at Least, seven Days before such meeting ; and, that at such meeting, the Said Clerk, before entering on any Business, shall Certify such Notification, under his hand, to the Board then met ;


Provided, always, Fifteen or more of the said members shall be then met together, which said fifteen or more members, so met, In Pursuance of such Notification, shall be a Legal meeting of the said Governors of the said College; and they, or the major part of them so mett, shall have full power and authority to adjourn from day to day, as the Business of the said College may require, and to do, Transact, and perform, all matters and things whatsoever, that the said Governors of the said College are, or shall be authorized and Impowered to do, by these presents.


Appointment of Professors and Tutors.


And, of our further Grace, Certain Knowledge, and meer motion, to the Intent that the said Corporation and Body politick, may answer the end of their erection


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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


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and Constitution, and may have perpetual succession and Continue forever, Wee do for us, our heirs, and Successors, Give and Grant unto the said Governors of the said College of the Province of New York, in the City of New York in America, and to their Successors forever, that when and as often as they or any fifteen or more of the said members of the said Corporation or of their successors shall be mett together at their said Yearly meeting herein before appointed, or at any other meeting upon Notification, as aforesaid, for the service of the said College, that the Governor or Commander in chief of our said Province of New York, and, in his absence, the First person in Rank in our said Government, who holds his place as a Governor of the said Corporation by his office, place, or Dignity, and, in the absence of such, the Eldest Governor or member of the said Corporation then present, such Seniority to be taken according as they are named in this our Charter, during the lives of the present Governors, and after their death, the Seniority to be taken and accounted as they have been a Longer or shorter time Governors of the said Corporation, shall preside at such meeting from time to time, and that at such meeting or meetings from time to time, they or the major part of them so met, shall have full power and authority to Elect, nominate, and appoint any person to be president of the said College in a Vacancy of the said Presidentship for and during his Good Behaviour ; provided, always, such President Elect or to be elected by them, be a member of, and in Communion with the Church of England, as by Law Established ;


And, also, to Elect one or more Fellow or Fellows, Professor or Professors, Tutor or Tutors, to assist the President of the said College in the Education and Govern- ment of the Students belonging to the said College, which Fellow or Fellows, Pro- fessor or Professors, Tutor or Tutors, and every of them, shall hold and Enjoy their said office or place, either at the will and pleasure of the Governors of the said Corporation or during his or their Good Behaviour, according as shall be agreed upon Between such Fellow or Fellows, Professor or Professors, Tutor or Tutors, and the said Governors of the said College, Provided, always, such Fellow or Fellows, Professor or Professors, Tutor or Tutors, before they or either of them enter into or Take upon themselves such office, do take the Oaths and subscribe the declaration herein before directed, to be taken and subscribed by the Governors of the said College before they enter upon their said Respective offices ; and that when and as often as any or either of the said offices shall become Vacant by death or otherwise, the said Governors or the major part of any Fifteen or more of them so met as aforesaid, shall have full power to Elect, Nominate, and appoint, other or others in their places, upon the same proviso or Condition as aforesaid ;




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