Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/123

Rh But the contributions were not confined to home sources, for Mess. David Barclay & Sons of London were contributors: it was recorded in the minutes of 25 June, 1750, "that Mr. Joseph Turner acquainted the members that they had generously presented the Academy with the sum of One Hundred Pounds Sterling Money, which they had ordered him to pay." Publicity was given to this by Franklin in the Pennsylvania Gazette of 2 August, 1750:

We hear that an eminent merchant of London hath generously given a Hundred Pounds to the Academy now erecting in this City, for the Education of Youth, which has accordingly been paid into the Hands of the Trustees by his Correspondent here.

But the minutes do not record the gift of the City of Philadelphia, which was the first tie that bound the corporation to what was to become its great institution. The Treasurer in his journal records the receipt on 20 August, 1750, from Samuel Hasell, Esq., the sum given by the Corporation towards finishing the Building, £200. [And Franklin joyfully informs the readers of the Pennsylvania Gazette of it on 2 August, 1750:] Tuesday last, the Mayor and Commonalty of this City met, and voted a Sum of Two Hundred Pounds to be paid down, and One Hundred Pounds a year, for the Encouragement and Support of the Academy and of the Charity School which the Trustees of the Academy have likewise undertaken to open in this city, for instructing poor children in Reading, Writing and Arithmetic: The Corporation only reserving a liberty of nominating yearly one scholar out of those that shall be taught in the Charity School, to be received into the Academy, and educated there gratis.

The subject had been presented to the Council on 30 July, 1750, by the Recorder, William Allen, a Trustee, who proposed that it might be considered. Whether this Design for the advancement of Learning, be not worthy of some encouragement from this Board as their circumstances may very well afford it. It appearing to be a Matter of Consequence, and but a small number of the Members now present, [it was referred to a special Meeting to be called for] Tomorrow at four o'clock in the Afternoon to consider of the proposal.

At the Common Council held next day, of those present the Mayor, the Recorder, three of the Aldermen, and eight of the "Common Council Men," were Trustees, viz: Lawrence, Allen, Turner, Strettell, Plumsted, Francis, Franklin, M'Call,