218 Letter from a Clergyman

[November 14 1720]

A Letter from a Clergyman in the country to one of the Overseers of Harvard Colledge.

Sir

At your desire I shall give you my sentiments concerning the present State of the Colledge, which indeed by my last advices from there, I look upon to be very unhappy. The Colledge which had been in an unsettled State for some years before Mr. President Leverets Settlement in it, was then, by an Act of the General Court, fixt upon the Charter of 1650 and the President and Fellows were directed to regulate themselves according to the Rules of that Charter and constitution and to exercise the powers and authorities thereby granted; for the government of the Colledge and Coll[edge] has no other foundation but that to depend upon.

And here I will first consider the form and constitution of the Colledge Government by the Charter and Laws upon it, and then the present State of Colledge affairs.

In the first place—It is plain and evident that by the Charter the next and immediate Government of the Colledge is put into the hands of seven persons, Viz a President five Fellows, and a Treasurer or Burser which 7 persons were all Resident at the Colledge for the good Inspection and Government of the Society, [2] And although when the Colledge was founded there were many great and worthy persons in the Vicinity, yet rather than take in any from abroad into the Corporation (who were to govern the Colledge) there were of the First Nomination, three Bachelders of Art, besides others of an advanced Character and for promoting the weal and Government of the Students in the Colledge (which was the great design of this grant of Charter) as is exprest in the preamble of it, as well as in Conformity to the usages of Colledges in the Universities abroad, it was thought necessary by the Founders of the Colledge that it should be so.

In the said Charter it was Provided that in case of the death or removal of anyone of the said seven persons, resident at the Colledge, the Survivours should have power to elect a New one, and compleat their number. The Corporation are likewise impowered to choose under officers for the Colledge, Such I suppose as Library Keeper, Steward, Butler, Scholars of the House, Handicraftsmen &c. But I can’t imagine that any were designed under this head to be brought in to govern the Colledge. Beside the Corporation, because there are no Rules prescribed either in the Charter, or Laws, for anybody to manage the Affairs of the Colledge by but the Corporation, Whereas for them there are very good ones, and the Charter limits the Government of the College to the Corporation. The Corporation is furthermore impowered to make Such orders and By Laws for the better ordering and carrying on the work of the Colledge, as they shall think fit and to put the same into execution for the good [3] of the Colledge, and to receive and dispose of Colledge money.

And by the Charter and English Laws all Acts and Elections of Fellows are to be allowed and confirmed by the Overseers; and all things of

Importance in the Colledge are to be done with their Knowledge and Consent.

The English Laws that were made in 1655 direct the President and Fellows of the Corporation to execute the Laws, either jointly or severaly as the nature of things calls for: Small things are to be managed either by the President or a single Tutor or Fellow: But such as are greater by the President and Fellows at a meeting in form: and all matters to be decided in Corporation by a Majority of Voices of President and Fellows. And from the whole its clear and evident that by the Original Form and Constitution of the College Government all affairs were managed by the President and Corporation, and in matters of importance with the knowledge and consent of the Overseers.

I now proceed to consider the present state of Colledge Affairs and wherein in my opinion it differs from the original constitution and the immediate care and government of the College is now supposed to be with Mr. President and 4 Fellows: Three of which Fellows are not allowed to sit in Corporation: and most of the Corporation being abroad at a distance, and very seldom there. And this State of things in the Colledge is but feeble and can’t be otherwise for the Gentlemen of the Corporation that reside at Several miles distance and are seldom more than twice or thrice in a year there can’t be of great service in the government and good order of it. Even although they have the most passionate regard [4] for its welfare.

And the Resident Fellows out of the Corporation can’t be strong in the business of the Colledge having no Interest in Elections of Officers Exhibitions of Colledge money whereby a great number of persons are continualy benefitted, and many others in expection of favours which interest in the Colledge has formerly been improved by the Fellows very much for the Service of it. And the Loss of this Interest will bring the Fellows into some Degree of Contempt in the Colledge.

And a Fellow that is not of the Corporation in this account cannot have the same Credit and Authority in the Colledge with one that is of it; It not being agreable with humane Nature for persons to love or fear very much such as they have no dependance upon, or to have any great regard to those that can neither do them good or hurt, which is very much the case of Titular Fellows in the Colledge. vid.* fin. And furthermore this state of the Colledge is very perplext and difficult by reason of the uncertainty those of the Fellows are under who are out of the Corporation [5] about what is their proper business, and how to manage it. They have Pupils committed to their Tuition which they take care of, but as for Executing the Laws and governing the Colledge that seems to them by the Charter and Laws to be the Business of the Corporation but they are forced to pretend to all those things, for otherwise the Government of the house is immediately dissolved (The Corporation being absent). But then, how and by what Rules they shall manage affairs is another difficulty: there are indeed very good Rules prescribed to the Corporation in the Charter to manage all affairs by, but none for Fellows that are out of it. And thus the Colledge dos in a great Degree loose the benefit of the Charter, under these Circumstances, and is reduct to a state of Nature, and the Gentlemen immediately concerned in the business of the Colledge, having no certain rules to go by, cant often without difficulty get through the smallest matters. And its become a general Observation of all persons there, both Graduates and Undergraduates that the Interest and Authority of the Fellows are under Visible decays, and indeed I think it impossible for them under their present Circumstances to keep up their Characters in the Colledge, as the Fellows formerly have done, and ought still to do, for the Service of the Colledge. [6] And thus in my Opinion the present state of the Colledge differs from its antient Constitution.

And in this Situation of Colledge afairs, the government of the Society has laboured for two or 3 years past: and the Fellows find themselves under difficulties to keep the Colledge in order, and govern their Pupils. I shall mention what I’ve heard in objection to the Resident Fellows being of the Corporation. And first it’s said that the Corporation grants Salaries, that therefore if they were of the Corporation they might give themselves and one another the Colledge money. But in Answer to that In all the Colledges in England the Fellows Salaries are Stated and fixt and they might easily be so here, by the Overseers of the Colledge and undoubtedly twould be best upon more accounts than one to have it so—and the Overseers must be allowed to be sufficient guard upon the Colledge in that case and in all others. Again it has been said that the Corporation at a distance is of Terrour to the schollars. But in answer to that in my Opinion the Loss of the Resident Fellows Characters and Interest in the Colledge by their being left out of the Corporation who, with Mr. President have the constant care and management of the College affairs upon them has been and will be a greater detriment to the Colledge than that Terrour of the Corporation (at a distance) is, or can be, of Service to it. And if the Corporation were [7] in the Colledge the Charter and Laws direct to carry things of great Importance before the Overseers: and Surely the thoughts of the Scholars being brought to appear before that great and awful assembly to answer for their crimes, must needs strike them with a far greater dread and horrour.

Morever It has been argued that it will be necessary to have other persons admitted into the business of the College besides the Corporation in its growth and increase, Because so small a Number will not be sufficient. But in answer to this I suppose that Seven persons in the College may be sufficient for the affairs of its government, decision of Controversies, and Suppressing disorders, even untill it shall increase to five hundred. And if more persons are wanting for the business of Tuition, I don’t know why they may not be admitted to it, upon this foundation: while the Corporation carry on the affairs of government in the Colledge according to the Rules of the Charter. But if it might not be so upon this foundation; Yet if the Corporation were in the Colledge, at present they are enough to manage all its affairs. And when a greater Number shall be wanting, It will then be time to have some further provision made, as is common in the Universities.

I have of late carefully read over the Colledge Charter, and formerly have seen the Lawes. My Affection to the Colledge has lead me to acquaint myself with these affairs. And since you importune me so much, I will impart to you my thoughts about what seems to be needful to be done for the Service of the Colledge in this Juncture.

[8] And if the feebleness of the government of the Colledge arises from the depressed circumstances of the Resident Fellowes (as upon the whole in my opinion it do’s very much) Then to advance their Characters, as formerly, will be a Remedy. And if the Resident Fellows were admitted to the Corporation, that the Colledge might be governed immediately by them, as formerly, in Corporation, It would be a great Strengthening. They would then have a greater reputation and Authority in the house, and they would have certain Rules to manage all affairs by. And Mr. President and Fellows must be together in all affairs of importance according to Charter. And no one member of that little Body Politique must say to another I have no need of Thee. And under these circumstances Mr. President and Fellows will have strength in the business of the Colledge, (which they can’t have in their present state) and the Corporation being in the Colledge will put an End to many disputes and difficulties that have Arose about what matters are to be determined by the Corporation and what by the President, and Resident Fellows, and Something of this Nature I look upon as necessary for the good order of the Colledge; For Surely no President can govern that numerous Society alone, and without the help of Fellows.

Neither can Fellows that are at Several [9] Miles distance do much for the keeping good order in the Colledge.

Neither can resident Fellows (who are divested of that authority which the Charter and Laws give Fellows, and who have left them only a Name and Title) be of any great significancy with the Scholars.

Neither is it possible by any New laws, to make the resident Fellows of equal authority with the Fellows of the Corporation, unless they have powers to do the same business.

And methinks all the Authorities which were granted to the Fellows in the Infant state of the Colledge, (when their Number seldom exceeded Twenty or 30) are needful for them now, when their Numbers are increast to above an hundred and fifty. And surely upon many Accounts It is a most reasonable thing that it should be as I have proposed.

Elections and Exhibitions are now two principal things that are managed by the Corporation. Now by reason of their absence It can’t be supposed that they should know perfectly, who are best accomplisht and qualified for Offices and business in the Colledge; who are the most suitable objects for the Colledge Bounty; and so in their affairs they can’t but act very much in the dark. [10] Whereas the Gentlemen that reside at the Colledge are well acquainted with the Character and Circumstances of all persons.

If the Corporation were in the Colledge, they might have a meeting in Form, upon every exigence (which is often wanted) and a quick dispatch of business might be made, which is the Life of all such affairs. Whereas now by reason of the distance of so many of the Fellows, and who have a multiplicity of business upon their hands at home, It is difficult to obtain a Meeting in season, upon any occasion that requires it. And so business is delayed from time to time. The President of Harvard Colledge is worthy of an honourable subsistence. The Fellows formerly had a more plentiful allowance by far, than now. They are honest gentlemen and stand in publick places; and an hospitable living will give them, and the Colledge a reputation, both at home and abroad, whereas straitness in their circumstances will be hurtful.

I must mention one thing more and that is, an Act of the Corporation limiting the election of Fellows to three years, [11] contrary to the usual form of Elections, (there formerly, and in all Colledges abroad) which is, in perpetuum. Now this will probably raise many needless, hurtfull disputes in the Colledge, about the continuance of Fellows, if the Fellows business is to secure their Posts, They may in my Opinion easily do it at the expence of the Colledge.

This Act makes their Circumstances precarious (which were more so before) than the Fellows in any Colledge in England and too much so. This Act is not yet confirmed by the Overseers, and you will serve the Colledge, if you use your Interest that it never may.

It will be allowed by all that the present great Increase of their numbers at Colledge requires a greater Strength for the keeping good order there, but to divest the fellows of their Authority in the Colledge, by throwing them out of the Corporation, and to straiten them in their Allowances, and to make their circumstances more precarious, by a limitation in their Elections, are in my opinion very odd steps in policy for that Purpose. A Fellow must needs have a very sensible feeling of any one of these alone, but all of them together will render the best man, in a great degree feeble and useless in that business. [12] I have thought a pretty while that the Fellows of the Colledge were under difficulties, and the Society would be ill affected thereby. And it has been beyond my expectation, that they have got along thus far so well. It must be owing to the caution, prudence, and steadiness of their conduct, in their places and with the good influences of some persons of distinction, and worth, which now are gone. And now in the growing state of the Colledge, all the authorities and advantages (I have mentioned) are little enough for the Service of it. And after all, it may be feared that as their numbers increase, disorders may in some measure prevail upon them too.

I might have said many things more concerning the difficulties at Colledge but I determined before I began, not to touch any Character, or offend any body, having the greatest esteem and veneration for all concerned in these affairs.

The Colledge is a valuable Interest, and the Countreys Glory, I know Your Zeal and affection for it, and that has induced me to use this freedom with you [13] which I hope You will not take amiss; for I have no other View but the Service of that great Interest, and I would incourage myself that these broken and imperfect thoughts of mine, may be improved by your great Genius for some good purposes.

And when with the Advantages I have mentioned, if they may be obtained, Mr. President and the Fellows, shall with [14] vigour pursue the Business of the Colledge, in their several Spheres, and under the countenance and support of His Excellency the Governour, and the Honourable and Reverend the Rest of the Overseers of the Colledge, I would hope that the Society under these means, may, (by the Blessing of God) thrive, and flourish, even to the End of Time. And I am,

Sir

Your most Obedient

Ex Musaeo	Humble Servant
	[Philanthrottas] [In Greek]

[15]

College Papers, i. 53 (No. 116). Another of the documents relating to the Fellows’ controversy. The composer of the letter was undoubtedly Sever, and the person addressed was probably Judge Sewall. There are copies, with slight variations, in College Papers, Supplement, i. 42, 43. The letter is printed in J. E. Kirkpatrick, Academic Organization and Control, pp. 220–226.

1. A helpful listing of the main records series (to 1800) in the Harvard Archives is in Appendix F of Samuel E. Morison’s Harvard College in the Seventeenth Century (Cambridge, 1936), vol. II, 662–81; changes have not been sufficient to outdate it seriously.

1. Many of his papers were published in J. E. Kirkpatrick’s Academic Organization and Control (Yellow Springs, Ohio, 1931), but that volume is not easily available now, and it contains some errors and omissions, so they are reprinted here.

1. Words following the signatures of witnesses are hard to decipher. Preice and Colbron are followed by “Ser” and a letter, possibly Latin for Ser [vus]; Nelmes is followed by a word appearing to end in “ieu”.

1. For another payment to “Mr. Eldred for shooes” see Morison, Founding, p. 273.

2. Lockrum was a linen fabric.

3. Difficulty of interpreting a few figures makes the total slightly less than the sumas recorded.

1. Segs are animals castrated when fully grown.

2. A tear in the MS makes a half dozen words illegible.

1. Several lines, in the hand of Governor Winthrop, are not readily legible.

1. Nathaniel Ward (c. 1578–1652), one-time minister at Ipswich and author of The Simple Cobbler of Aggawam. He returned to England in the winter of 1646–1647. See CSM Publications, xv. 176; also Morison, Founding, pp. 403–404.

2. Capt. Robert Cook; the non-receipt of this grant is referred to in CSM Publications, xv. 284.

3. John Doddridge, Esq. (d. 1659) “of Bremeridge in the County of Devon.” For the terms of this bequest, see CSM Publications, XV. 289; and for its abandonment by the College, xvi. 654. A copy of his Will is in No. 60 following.

4. Robert Sedgwick (c. 1613–1656) of Charlestown, who was chosen Major-General of the Colony in 1652, and later became one of Cromwell’s major-generals. In 1646 he gave the College “two shops standing by the ordinary called the Ship’s Tavern, under lease for fifteen years at ten shillings sterling.” For a biographical sketch of Sedgwick see CSM Publications, iii. 156–173.

5. William Phillips (d. 1683). See CSM Publications, XV. 286–287.

1. Samuel Sewall, the well-known judge and diarist, graduated in the Class of 1671. Further documents relating to Merricaneag Neck appear later in this volume.

2. For more on John Newgate and his deed of gift see No. 11.

3. John Cogan’s gift of Rumney Marsh, in what is now Revere, is noted in Morison, Seventeenth Century, I. 34–35.

4. Samuel Ward’s gift is noted further in Nos. 84 and 85.

5. See No. 70 for an enlarged quote from Theodore Atkinson’s deed. The last three entries (Atkinson, Rutland, and Groton) appear in almost the same form in CSM Publications, xv. 279–280, 285; they are from College Book III.

1. John Glover, merchant; see Morison, Seventeenth Century, ii. 380. His son graduated from the College in 1651; not to be confused with the John Glover who was Dunster’s stepson.

2. John Walley died in 1712.

3. For Henry Webb’s bequest see Morison, Seventeenth Century, ii. 379. His Will is in New England Historical and Genealogical Register, x (April, 1856), 177.

4. For a further extract from James Penn’s Will see No. 69.

5. Thomas Richards, nephew and heir of Major John Richards, died in Boston on December 5, 1714.

6. The Will of Robert Keayne, wealthy merchant, has been written about often. For what happened to his Harvard bequest see Morison, Seventeenth Century, ii. 378–379.

1 Probably a symbol.

1 We would say stepfather.

2 The initials stand for Thomas Danforth who, in addition to many duties connected with the College, was clerk of courts.

1 Adam and Deane Winthrop were sons of Governor John Winthrop.

2 This is a legal symbol.

3 For a reference by Dunster to a return made by these men see No. 39.

1 This line is in a different hand.

1 This sentence is in a different hand.

1 Many words are crossed out, including “with the greatest expedition that may be.”

2 In margin: [Fellow?]

[Eldest?]	12
2–	10
3–	8
4–	6
	36

1 The ‘5’ has been written over; to make the addition correct, it should probably be a ‘4’.

2 Should be 233:10:3.

1 The ‘13’ has been written over to make it ‘03’.

1 “Mr. Allen” was presumably the Reverend Thomas Allen, of Charlestown, who married John Harvard’s widow and acted as executor of his Will. See Morison, Founding, pp. 222, 364.

2 It looks as though 300 has been changed to 301; the latter sum is needed to make the total correct. Some figures have been reworked in the original; there are additional figures on the page, and some have been crossed out.

1 The figure ‘17’ in the total was changed to ‘13’.

1 For Eaton see the note to No. 31.

1 William Hibbins; also spelled Hibbens or Hibbings.

1 See No. 36 for the names of persons so designated.

2 Presumably the initials T.D. stand for Thomas Danforth, who had been one of the attorneys for the children of Jose Glover.

1 For their appointment see No. 13.

2 Probably a legal symbol.

1 For Dunster’s resignation as President of Harvard see Morison, Seventeenth Century, I. 307–314.

2 The answer of the Court to the first three points may be found in Chaplin, op cit, p. 149, and in Quincy, History, I. 465–466.

1 Samuel Dunster, op cit, feels that Coy stands for Kay, and says that Dunster’s mother’s maiden name was Kay.

2 There were several Thomas Greenes at this time; many English Greenes settled in Barbadoes about 1635. See Lora S. LaMance, The Greene Family and Its Branches, p. 39.

3 Guinea.

1 This and the following column do not add up correctly.

1 Day brought a separate suit against Dunster for £100; this was decided for the defendant; see David Pulsifer, transcripts of documents in Middlesex County Court, I. 94. See also G. P. Winship, The Cambridge Press, p. 140.

1 Messrs. Hibbens (probably Hibbings) and Lowell were attorneys for the Glover heirs; see G. P. Winship, The Cambridge Press, p. 139.

2 This had been the Day house; it was sold by Dunster to John Fownall before March, 1647–1648, when he bought it back. See Morison, Founding, p. 346, n. 4.

1 ‘Judgeth’ is written over this word.

1 Sara Bucknam was 84 years old, and had been a servant to Mrs. Glover 1¼ years; see Anna Glover, Glover Memorials and Genealogies, p. 570.

1 In error for £232; figures above were changed; figures on the next page indicate that £232, not £252, is correct.

2 This may be a symbol.

1 It appears that this should be £678.10.00.

2 These sums are scratched out; however, the arithmetic requires this amount.

3 Portions of these sums are also scratched out; again, the figuring requires this amount.

1 This sum should be £189–15–09.

2 Tears or erasures obscure the first figure in this and two subsequent entries; they have been supplied from entries in other documents.

3 The ‘1’ in this and the following entry is ambiguous; other documents list returns from the Press as £50.

4 The total appears to be £60 too low; however, some figures are ambiguous.

1 A few proper names are identifiable, as Nowell and T. D. Recorder; this was probably Thomas Danforth.

1 The first paragraph has been omitted, since it contains shorthand and is the same as the second paragraph.

* Also a silver tankard in kind.

Also Mr. Glovers books according to Cattologue given in to be delivered in kind.

Also the price of a house at Hingham that was received of Payntare at £15.

[.] Also to Mr. Dunster the lands in Sudbury bounds purchased by the said Henry Dunster called the farme now in the occupation of Wilson.

1 These words appear to be altered from ‘revealed’ and ‘revealing.’

2 There is a caret, but the copyist neglected to put in the word, doubtless ‘set’.

1 From the second copy, it appears that Jeremiah Ellsworth was added later.

1 The words from “President” to “Society” appear to be in a different hand, as is also the case when they appear below.

1 Saltonstall recommended Knowles for the College Presidency in 1672, but nothing came of it.

1 “The Doctor” was President Hoar.

2 Elijah Corlet, the Cambridge schoolmaster, and his son, Ammi Ruhamah (A.B. 1670). For a brief sketch of Elijah see Morison, Founding, p. 373.

1 The house to which he refers was Old Harvard Hall, begun in 1674.

1 Alexander’s testimony is squeezed in between Abdere’s and Warrar’s, and is in a different hand.

2 The numbers refer to the pages in the original; they are shown in this copy within brackets.

1 This inscription is written across the back; the blurring makes it almost impossible to read. This reading is taken from a transcription in the Harvard Archives.

1 William Manning, the builder.

2 Cambridge Village, now Brighton.

3 Sums as shown add up to £155.13s.4d.

4 Entries for Springfield, Northampton, and Bradford are crossed out, since they appear above.

5 Capt. John Richards, Mr. Anthony Stoddard, Capt. Thomas Brattle.

1 Several words are missing, due to a tear in the margin.

1 Samuel Torrey, minister of Weymouth, was a member of the Class of 1650, but did not graduate; he declined the offer of the Presidency.

1 Stanislaw Lubienski, Theatrum Cometicum, issued in three parts, 1666–1668.

2 Gijsbert Voet, Exercitatio de Prognosticis Cometarum, 1665.

3 Harvard’s set of the Miscellanea is listed in the 1723 Library Catalogue as extending, in three series, from 1670 to 1694.

1 A piece is here cut out and a blank inserted.

2 Samuel Sewall, an Overseer by virtue of being a magistrate, graduated with the Class of 1671.

1 This clause, from “the remainder” is in a different hand.

2 The students were: Henry Gibbs (A.B. 1685), Nathaniel Rogers (A.B. 1687), Jonathan Mitchell (A.B. 1687), and Paul Dudley (A.B. 1690, the Governor’s son).

3 The “K” has been written over what appears to be an “L”. This correction, the clause in number 1, and the date may have been added by either Dudley or Stoughton.

1 Rev. John Sherman died in 1685; see John Eliot, A Biographical Dictionary . . . , pp. 427–428. The phrase, “who is since that dead,” is inserted in a different hand.

2 No new Fellows were appointed until 1690, and Samuel Sewall, having served in 1673–1674, did not again become one.

1 In No. 160 Henry Newman gives the name as Isaac Brackston.

1 “my selfe” was John Richards, Treasurer.

1 Written over “Kingston”, the first part of which is crossed out. Thomas Gunston, of Newington Green, gave £50.

1 This appears to be £180, not £150; however, other documents of about this time indicate the President received £100, plus £50 in country pay.

1 Col. Samuel Shrimpton owned considerable property in Boston; see Justin Winsor, ed., The Memorial History of Boston, 1. 584; also Bernard Bailyn, The New England Merchants in the Seventeenth Century, pp. 192–193.

1 The second version adds “to me”.

2 The second version substitutes “have not manifested any consent”.

3 The second version adds, omits, or changes slightly in the next few lines as follows: “And considering that the Council on this occasion, the matter layd before them by the Honourable Lieut. Governor, would not agree to desire me to continue my cares of the Colledge any longer, as hitherto. These unkindnesses (after all my weary Endeavours to serve them abroad and at home) have made such an Impression upon my spirit, as that I cannot be willing to be any Longer concerned as President of the Colledge . . . .”

4 The second version substitutes “upon them, that have cast these Discouragements before me”.

1 In Nos. 1a and 1b the “further” appears before “Serviceable” rather than before “Prospect”.

2 In the plural (“Cares”) in versions 1a, 1b and 2.

3 “Clamours” in versions 1a and 1b.

4 No. 2 adds a sentence (crossed out): Especially I take it unkindly, that One lately admitted a member of the Corporation should so reward me.

5 In place of the clause, “and before effectuall . . . Presidentship”, Nos. 1a and 1b state, in reference to the confirmation of the charter, “which thing was ever doubtful to me”.

6 In Nos. 1a, 1b, and 2 the following sentences are inserted: And having a Desire now Age is come upon me, to live with all the Privacy and Retirement among my own people that is possible. Also foreseeing, That in all Probability, another Dissolution not to be Retrieved, will ‘ere long happen to the Corporation; I am not willing that that Ruin should be under my Hand. In version 3, in place of the above two sentences is this lengthy statement: And whereas the Church, to which I am related, have unanimously signified, that they cannot consent to my Removal to Cambridge, unless I shall continue my Relation to them, and preach the Word amongst them as oft as I can. And considering that I have freely offered, upon my Removal to the Colledge, daily to inspect and govern that Society, and to moderate the Disputations of the Graduates, as former Presidents used to do, and to preach publickly, in Cambridge, every Lord’s Day (which things are work enough for one man, especially One in years, as I am), And moreover for the satisfaction of my own people, In Boston, to preach to them once a fortnight, as long as the Lord shall enable me, and although I understand, that my Loving people are, on this Condition, willing to continue my present maintenance, I have absolutely declined to receive one penny from them, after my residing in Cambridge, being willing to refuse £160 per annum when thus freely tendered to me, and to continue my Labours with my Dear Flock for no other reason in the World, but that so I might manifest my Love to them, and be instrumental of good to their souls. And whereas I supposed this Offer of mine would have been joyfully accepted by every One concerned in the Colledge, but it has not so. And whereas it has been said, That if I would Resign the Presidentship, the Colledge would soon be settled with another President and a good one too, and that my pretending a Readiness to Resign was but a Flourish.

7 Nos. 1a, 1b and 2 use the phrase, “for these causes”.

8 The date is scratched out, and most of Mather’s signature torn off. The text itself is not in his hand.

1 In place of “afternoon”, crossed out.

2 This is interlined, in place of “every morning” at the end of the sentence, which is crossed out.

3 The Tutors were Jabez Fitch (A.B. 1694) and Ebenezer Pemberton (A.B. 1691).

4 This whole paragraph is crossed out, and the next one substituted.

1 The initials have been interpreted as Nehemiah Hobart (A.B. 1667), Nehemiah Walter (A.B. 1684), and possibly Samuel Danforth (A.B. 1683).

1 May be translated: my strength and mind being weak.

1 The sentence to this point is inserted in a different hand, evidently Increase Mather’s.

2 Taking the right of visitation out of the hands of the Governor was a sure way of incurring a Royal veto.

3 This paragraph is crossed out.

1 Hubbard should be Hobart.

2 Senior Tutors were Jabez Fitch (A.B. 1694) and Henry Flynt (A.B. 1693).

1 The initials stand for State Papers, Office of Board of Trade.

2 Richard Coote, Earl of Bellomont, was Royal Governor in 1699 and 1700. His letter of July 15, 1700 is printed in Morison, Seventeenth Century, ii. 528–529.

3 Sir Henry Ashurst (d. 1711) was a Colonial Agent, and was active in the New England Company.

1 William Brattle (A.B. 1680) was a Fellow from 1685 to 1700 and from 1703 to 1717, and Treasurer from 1713 to 1715; he was minister in Cambridge.

2 This was Samuel Willard, who remained as Vice-President until just before his death in 1707.

3 Nehemiah Hobart (A.B. 1667) had been a Fellow from 1681 to 1692 and was reappointed in the Charter of 1697, serving until 1712; he was minister in Newton.

1 This phrase is substituted, in Increase Mather’s hand, for “thereof”, crossed out.

2 This clause is substituted, in Increase Mather’s hand, for “on such as they shallfind duely qualified for them”, crossed out.

1 At top: “suppose 1704”.

2 The words “prelector or” are crossed out.

3 The word “Lecturer” is crossed out.

1 Gate: right to a run or pasture on a common field.

1 Probably Sir Charles Hobby (d. 1715), friend of the Mathers.

1 Constantine Phips; see No. 140.

2 William Blathwayt; see No. 138.

3 Lord Bellomont, Governor, 1699–1700.

4 Mather was offered the presidency in 1681, but he did not actually become President until 1685.

1 Thomas Dudley signed the Charter of 1650.

2 Joannes C. Itter, Diatriba de Gradibus Academicis . . . Giessae, 1679, and Frankfurti, 1698. Mentioned also by Cotton Mather in No. 163.

1 This figure should be £363.09.065 it is correctly given in another copy to be found in Lands Papers, ii. 33.

1 In margin: Promoted the choice of another. Sam.

2 Slightly different texts of Mather’s degree can be found in B. Peirce, History of Harvard University, Appendix, p. 52, drawn from Mather’s Magnalia, B. iv. 132–134.

* Five Years are not yet expired since you were pleased unanimously to invite me to accept of the Pastoral office over You. But the unwillingness of the Dear People among whom I have been labouring in the Gospel for the space of thirty six Years, that I should leave them, in consideration with some other obstacles kept me from complying with that your loving motion—sixteen years will this summer be lapsed since God by his Providence devolved the Presidentship of that Society into my Hands to manage it for the ends which he did at first erect a College in N.E. upon.

3 Should be November 7.

1 In the sense of grateful appreciation; see The Oxford English Dictionary.

1 Probably Andrew Belcher, merchant, who died in 1717.

2 Probably Jeremiah Dummer, who died in 1718.

3 Edward Chamberlayne (d. 1703) issued several editions of Anglaiae Notitia; or the Present State of England. His son, John, took it over and expanded it to Magnae Britanniae Notitia; or the Present State of Great Britain.

4 Thomas Wardapiet received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Oxford University on May 29, 1707; he was Archbishop of St. Crux in Goethan, Greater Armenia.

1 Probably Andrew Bordman, Steward, 1703–1747.

1 “Scientia” is here inserted and crossed out.

1 Samuel Sewall (A.B. 1671) was both secretary and treasurer of the Commissioners for Indian Affairs at this time; the Commissioners were charged with distributing the funds raised by the New England Company.

2 Joseph Dudley (A.B. 1665). These letters reflect the Mathers’ feud with the Dudleys, feelings which came to include President Leverett, who had Dudley’s support.

1 Robert Boyle (d. 1691), eminent scientist, and first governor of the New England Company. Arrangements for the College’s receiving its half of the pertinent part of his legacy are noted in Mather’s letter to Ashurst of November 8, 1710, following.

1 Acts and Resolves, ix. 105–108.

1 For an extract from Robert Thorner’s Will see No. 97.

2 Awnsham Churchill (d. 1728).

1 Jeremiah Dummer (A.B. 1699). Acts and Resolves, IX. 154, 156–158.

2 Sir Henry Ashurst (d. 1711), Sir William’s brother.

3 The Commissioners were directed in 1697 to make annual payments to the College of £45, representing one-half the income of an English estate purchased by the New England Company with monies left by Boyle. The money was to be used to pay two ministers for teaching Indians in or near the College. As Mather indicates, the College had not received this money, and in 1710 the College and the Commissioners came to an agreement about it. See CSM Publications, XV. 393–394. This matter is also discussed in William Kellaway, The New England Company, 1649–1776 (London, 1961), pp. 173–175. This volume is most useful for an account of persons involved, not only in London, but in the Colonies. And on page 175 is a quotation from another letter from Increase Mather to Sir William Ashurst, dated 10 January 1710/11. The source for the quotation (a modern transcript) is given as MS 8010, Miscellaneous papers, 1706–1806, Guildhall Library.

4 Robert Thompson; see mention of Madam Thompson, Lady Ashurst’s mother, in No. 177A. Joseph Thompson, Treasurer of the New England Company from 1702 to 1720, was a brother-in-law of Sir William Ashurst.

5 This was to be the third edition, but it did not appear. See Kellaway (cited above), pp. 156–159.

1 The preceding list gives him as William.

1 Mather received a Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of Glasgow in 1710; see Sibley, Sketches, iii. 39. The text of the degree is given in CSM Publications, xv. 308.

2 This work is mentioned in No. 144.

3 A bit of Hebrew is here inserted.

1 Thomas Brattle (A.B. 1676), former College Treasurer, died in 1713.

2 Thomas Hollis (died 1731), London merchant, was the leading benefactor of the College at this time; he will be met with frequently in this volume.

3 William Brattle (A.B. 1680), brother of Thomas, and also College Treasurer, died in 1717.

4 John Walley, of Boston, died in 1712.

5 Charles Chauncy (A.B. 1721).

6 Ebenezer Pemberton (A.B. 1721).

1 Possibly the John Chamberlayne whose books were sent to the College; see No. 151.

2 Jeremiah Dummer (A.B. 1699) was by this time Agent for the Colony in London. For his services to Yale see Sibley, Sketches (Shipton), iv. 462–464.

3 This was The New England Company.

1 Benjamin Marston’s wife, Patience, and John Leverett’s wife, Margaret, were sisters.

1 It was John Newgate, not Nathaniel; for his gift see No. 11.

2 For John Glover and his gift see No. 8.

1 A Richard Syles appears in the Rowley Vital Records for this period.

2 In subsequent years the name was Timothy Pamer (or Palmer).

1 John Gunston became Treasurer of the New England Company in 1720.

2 A half dozen words are illegible because of a tear in the MS.

1 The month appears to be missing, because of the torn margin.

1 William Tailer, who served as Lt. Governor of Massachusetts, 1711–1716 and 1730–1732.

1 Ebenezer Pierpont (A.B. 1715), who took Sever to Court over a College dispute; see No. 185 for Sevens defense.

2 It appears that Sever received a call to Tiverton, but he had given up preaching, because of a strain to his vocal cords. See Sibley, Sketches (Shipton), v. 91.

1 Crossed out: “for the Law no where Requires that a Legatee shal demand [. . .] or any Such Legacy, of the Executors before”.

2 Crossed out: “was long Since obliged at his Peril to have deliver’d the Tankard to the Appellees tho’ they had not demanded”.

3 Crossed out: “where there is no more by Such a Limitation than is to be found in [Mr. Mitchel’s] Will”.

4 Crossed out: “pretence”.

5 Crossed out: “such a”.

6 Crossed out: “the Executrix or her husband”.

7 Crossed out: “[with]out having any more demand than”.

8 Crossed out: “them”.

9 Crossed out: “fair and”.

10 Crossed out: “never heard of”.

11 Crossed out: “his Last Will and Testament”.

12 Crossed out: “procure”.

13 Crossed out: “Such person has told ’em plainly that”.

14 Crossed out: “The Appellees pray your Honours patience that they may dis”.

15 Crossed out: “But that of”.

16 Crossed out: “Assigned”.

17 Crossed out: “which the Gentlewoman Assented to and Conveyed the Consider able part of her Inheritance for and At the Same time advanced the Value of the Remaining part of her Inheritance, which he left to her, to the Value of the Whole Viz. £400”.

18 The remaining part of the document is missing.

1 Thomas Pierpont (A. B. 1721).

2 This section is written in reverse on the first sheet, with several interlineations and deletions.

3 Amos Throop and Jabez or John Wight, all A. B. 1721. The last names are taken from D, a portion omitted in the following.

4 William Brattle (A. B. 1722).

5 Thomas Parker (A. B. 1718). Sir in front of his name is crossed out.

6 John Wolcott (A. B. 1721).

7 John Wentworth (A. B. 1721).

8 Samuel Marshall (A. B. 1721).

9 Pascal Nelson (A. B. 1721).

10 Joseph Gooch (A. B. 1720); also written as Gouge.

11 Joshua Lamb; died while a student, a member of the Class of 1723.

12 This was evidently a meeting of the President and Resident Fellows, not of the Corporation.

13 Probably Josiah Winslow, who was restored to his Class. See Sibley, Sketches (Shipton), vi. 587.

14 Probably Mitchel Sewall (A. B. 1718), who was named College Butler in 1720.

15 The first portion of this document is omitted here, since it repeats complaints already noted.

16 May be translated: Be of brave spirit, since you are unjustly damned. No one rejoices for long, who wins out by unjust judgement.

17 Possibly Stephen Sewall (A. B. 1721).

18 Judah Monis, Instructor in Hebrew.

19 Jonathan Bowman (A. B. 1724).

20 James Osgood (A. B. 1724).

21 Probably Marston Cabot (A. B. 1724).

22 C. and M., as well as B. and M. above, are not identified.

23 Probably Mitchel Sewall, College Butler, mentioned above.

1 William Heath (died 1741), of Roxbury.

2 The Class of 1720.

3 Probably Peleg Heath, who graduated from Yale in 1721.

4 Probably Francis Foxcroft (A.B. 1712).

5 Evidently a reference to New Haven, where the son had been a student.

1 Crossed out: “drawn”.

2 Benjamin Lynde (A.B. 1686), brother to Hannah, who was Jonathan Mitchell’s widow and the future Mrs. Goffe.

3 Mrs. Jonathan Mitchell.

4 Patience Marston was Mrs. Leverett’s sister; see No. 169 for another reference to her.

1 I am indebted to Daniel K. Clift for identification of these lines as being taken from Horace ep. 1.1.60–61. May be translated: let this be the bronze wall (i.e. defense against life’s ills), that one not be conscious of guilt, nor be there guilt to pale one.

1 Should be 11½.

1 Crossed out: “against”.

2 Possibly Edmund Goffe, the subject of earlier letters from Leverett to Sewall.

3 Nicholas Fessenden, Jr. (A.B. 1701), who died on October 5, 1719.

4 Probably Mitchel Sewall (A.B. 1718).

1 See Nos. 7 and 8 for extracts of these wills and deeds: also No. 264.

1 Samuel Mather (A.B. 1723).

2 For Thorner’s gift see No. 97 and No. 160.

3 Written over “Mr. Cradock and Gilbert as before” crossed out.

4 Elisha Callender (A.B. 1710) became minister of the Baptist Church of Boston in 1718. He corresponded with Thomas Hollis; see Sibley, Sketches (Shipton), v. 514.

5 There is a tear in the MS here and in the next line.

6 Ephraim Wheton; see No. 270 for a letter from Hollis to him.

1 Doubdess Samuel Jefferds (A.B. 1722).

1 Hollis must have here meant Benjamin Colman.

1 Rev. Joseph Stevens (A.B. 1703) was a Fellow from 1712 to 1713, and from 1716; he died in 1721.

2 See No. 200 for an account of Browne Family donations, prepared for Tutor Flynt.

1 Paragraph added and crossed out in Supplement I. 40:

Mr. President’s Residence has been mentioned as a reason of the difference in this regard between now and formerly, but if it be considered, that besides prayers and reading in the Hall, Mr. Presidents being here takes off but little of the proper business of the Fellows, We must beg leave to think that our allowance ought not to be shortened so far on that Account, especially since Mr. President is supported by the Government.

2 Phrase added and crossed out in Supplement I. 40:

In as much as by that means our subsistence will lye less heavy upon the College Treasury.

The Penal Law of 1656 is quoted on the back of the draft in Supplement I. 40; this also appears in No. 219 following.

1 Leverett’s wife died on June 7, 1720.

2 See No. 213.

1 Samuel Mather (A.B. 1723).

2 Josiah Dennis (A.B. 1723).

3 John Callender (A.B. 1723).

4 This is apparently a postscript; tears obscure many words.

1 See n. 1 to No. 212.

2 A catalog of the College library was issued in 1723, it was titled: Catalogus Librorum Bibliothecae Collegii Harvardini. It will be cited hereafter as 1723 Catalogus; its arrangement, and that of its two supplements, was alphabetical, by size, with divisions for folios, quartos, and octavos.

3 A Letter to the Rev. Dr. Francis Hare . . . Occasioned by His Reflections on the Dissenters . . . , 1720.

1 Jonathan Belcher (A.B. 1699), the future Governor of Massachusetts.

2 Jeremiah Dummer (also A.B. 1699). For his interest in Yale College see the sketch in Sibley, Sketches (Shipton), iv. 462–464, where a part of this letter is quoted.

1 Benjamin Colman.

2 An error for William Sheafe (A.B. 1723).

3 Hull Abbot (A.B. 1720). He received Hollis aid for two years of graduate study; see Sibley, Sketches (Shipton), vi. 366. Other students mentioned in this letter have been identified earlier.

4 T.S.V.P. is at the bottom of the page, evidently for Turn, if you please. Hollis used this symbol from time to time, and it will not be noted further.

1 Cotton Mather’s The Christian Philosopher: A Collection of the Best Discoveries in Nature, with Religious Improvements, was published in London in 1721; it was dedicated to Thomas Hollis.

2 What remains is written the other way on the sheet.

3 An error for 1720.

* [Words are here crossed out]

* So that as long as persons may be supposed to be governed by the views of future good and Evil, by hope of Favours they are in pursuit of, or by a Fear of the loss of any good they enjoy, that is as long as they may be supposed to love themselves and regard their own interest and happiness, so long the loss of this interest in the College will lessen the Fellows Caracters.

This Sentence comes in between the 23 and 24 lines of the 4th Page.

1 Law 7 of the Penal Laws reads that students were to be “nonplusht” for two days for neglect to read sermons. The exact nature of this punishment is not indicated in the O.E. D. definitions of the word, non-plus.

1 Seth Sweetzer (A.B. 1722) was granted Hollis aid.

2 For Josiah Dennis see note to No. 213.

3 Rev. Daniel Neal (M.A. 1720) married a cousin of Thomas Hollis.

4 Rev. Jeremiah Hunt (1678–1744), minister at Pinner’s Hall, which Hollis’s father had leased.

5 Cave, Latin for warning.

6 Three Letters from New-England, Relating to the Controversy of the Present Time, London, 1721. This contains two letters from Cotton Mather and one from Increase.

7 Additions, sent by later vessel.

8 William Cooper (A.B. 1712) was Colman’s colleague at the Brattle Square Church, Boston. Colman’s sermon at the younger man’s ordination, together with Cooper’s confession of faith, was published in Boston in 1716.

1 Tears in the MS account for the loss of a half dozen words in each of two cases.

1 Daniel Neal; see note to No. 214.

1 Owen received his A.B. in 1723.

2 Charles Chauncy (A.B. 1721) was a great-grandson of President Charles Chauncy.

1 The smallpox epidemic reached its height in Boston in October, 1721.

1 Elihu Yale died on July 8, 1721.

2 William Tailer, twice Lt. Governor.

1 See note to No. 198.

2 Samuel Mather (A.B. 1723).

1 May be translated: as long as you remain here and as long as you are needed here.

1 The list of Treasurers omits William Brattle (A.B. 1680), who served from 1713 to 1715.

1 May be translated: Thus I judge: Responds someone utterly ignorant of the Academics and (let him be) banished from the Academy.

1 From White’s notations on Hollis’s letters, it appears that he had been ailing for some time. He was inoculated against smallpox, and was one of the few, so treated, who died. See Sibley, Sketches, in. 347–348.

2 Edward Hutchinson, who served until his death in 1752.

3 Edward Wigglesworth (A.B. 1710), who served as Hollis Professor of Divinity from 1722 to 1765. The Church referred to was the Old South.

4 Joseph Stevens (A.B. 1703), minister of Charlestown, and Fellow of the Corporation, died of the smallpox on November 16, 1721.

5 Paul Dudley (A.B. 1690) was the son of Governor Joseph and became Chief Justice of Massachusetts.

6 qt. = containing.

7 Both John Owen’s Sermons (London, 1721) and The Poetical Works of Mr John Milton (2 vols., London, 1720) appear in the Supplement to the 1723 Catalogus. The Corporation voted to give Rev. Colman an older edition of Milton in return for this recent one; see CSM Publications, xvi. 466–467.

8 Rev. Daniel Williams, of London, died in 1716. In 1748 the College finally received £48, which was distributed among ministers working with the Indians, in accordance with the donor’s primary wishes. See CSM Publications, xvi. 791, 839–840. An extract of his Will is in No. 162.

1 A Coffe man kept a coffee house. Evidently a book intended for Mr. Harris was somehow mislaid.

2 See note to No. 244.

3 The 1723 Catalogus lists a Theatre of Plants (London, 1640) and a Garden of Flowers (London, 1629), both by John Parkinson.

4 Benjamin Colman, Some Observations on the New Method of Receiving the Small-Pox by Ingrafting or Inoculation . . . Boston, 1721. This was reprinted, with a different title, in London in 1722.

5 William Cooper, A Sermon Conserning the Laying of the Deaths of Others to Heart. Occasion’d by the Lamented Death of . . . John Gore . . . With an Appendix Containing Something of Mr, Gore’s Character . . . Boston, 1720. Gore (A.B. 1702) died of the smallpox on his ship while in Boston harbor; see Sibley, Sketches (Shipton), v. 152–153.

1 The words “of the Charter” are here crossed out.

1 Jeremiah Condy (A.B. 1726).

2 Charles Chauncy (A.B. 1721).

3 Mather Byles (A.B. 1725).

4 Ebenezer Pemberton (A.B. 1721).

5 Leverett took as his second wife Sarah Crisp, widow of William Harris.