Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/362

358 These Buildings were to be erected partly on the original Academy lot and partly on the lot purchased from Mr. Hazard in 1750, facing upon the Eastern campus, with Mr. Dove's two Fourth Street Dwellings to the Northward in the rear.

The Provost lost no time in preparing for this absence which might be of uncertain length, and welcoming any duty which would redound to the service of the College, he looked to a parting from his wife and their two young sons, William Moore and Thomas Duncan, with equanimity and patience. The Trustees at the meeting of 1 5 December, adopted Letters and Instructions for his introduction and guidance abroad ; on 10 January, 1762, he preached in Christ Church the Sermon at the funeral of Dr. Jenney, its venerable Rector; "God Knows but this may be my last opportunity of ever speaking to you from this place : my heart is full on the occasion," he says in conclusion ; on 25 January he sets out for New York where he remained over a fortnight, sailing thence on 13 February to Eng- land and arriving early in March. There we leave him, until we can carry on the story of the College up to the time of his return in June, 1764, freighted with those substantial bounties which so materially added to the resources of the College.

The proposed Buildings, which proved the occasion of this foreign mission of the untiring Provost, were at this meeting of 28 November, 1761, committed to Messrs. Peters, Cox, Sted- man, Willing, Chew, and E. Shippen "to agree with proper Workmen for carrying them on the ensuing spring." The loca- tion of these was at the meeting of 12 April, 1762, decided upon: the members resumed the consideration whether it would be better to build on the North or South Side of the Academy, and as well on Account of the South Exposure as Keeping clear the South Door which is the common Entry into their schools it was agreed that they should be placed at the North End of the Square.

On 1 November, Franklin arrived in Philadelphia on his return home after a five years' absence in England on behalf of his country, bringing with him his Oxford Doctorate of 22 Feb- ruary, 1762, and bearing from Dr. Smith to William Coleman