Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/284

256 The Ministers so nominated, met at New-Haven and formed themselves into a Body or Society, to consist of eleven Ministers, including a Rector, and agreed to Found a College in the Colony of Connecticut ;. which they did at their next Meeting at Branford, in the following Manner, viz. Each Member brought a Number of Books and presented them to the Body ; and laying them on the Table, said these Words, or to this Effect ; "I give these Books for the founding a College in this Colony." Then the Trustees as a Body took Possession of them and appointed the Rev. Mr. Russel of Branford to be the Keeper of the Library, which then consisted of about 40 Volumes in Folio. Soon after they received sundry other Donations both of Books and Money, which laid a good Foundation. This Library with the Additions, was kept at Branford, in a Room set apart for that Purpose near three Years, and then it was carried to Killingworth.

. . . After mature Consideration, they concluded that it was safe and best to have a Charter, notwithstanding any change of the Government which might possibly happen ; and wrote to the Hon. Judge Sewall, and Mr. Secretary Addington of Boston to prepare a Draught of a Charter, to be presented to the next Assembly. . ..

The Trustees chose the Rev. Mr. Abraham Pierson, who was one of their Number, to take the Care of Instructing and Governing the Col legiate School ; under the Title and Character of RECTOR. . ..

At the same Meeting, they entered upon the Consideration of the most convenient Place in the Colony of Connecticut, in which they might erect and fix the Collegiate School : they were not perfectly satisfied or united in it ; but after a considerable Debate they fixed upon Saybrook, as the most convenient Place, at Present ; unless upon further Consideration they should alter their Minds : And this Matter was debated at several Meetings afterwards.

They also desired the Rector to remove himself and Family to Saybrook ; but till that could be effected, they ordered that the Scholars should be instructed at or near the Rector's House in Killingworth. As this School was some Years in forming, several young Gentlemen were preparing for it under the more private Instruction of some one of the Trustees or others : After the School became furnished with a Rector and a Tutor, eight of them were admitted, and put into different Classes, according to the proficiency they had antecedently made. So that in a Year or two some were qualified for Degrees.

The first Commencement was held at Saybrook, on Sept. 13th, 1702 ;