Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/427

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The meeting of 14 June, 1764, became a historic one, and marks an era in the life of the College of standing importance, although fifteen years later that life was for a while stricken down by its enemies, who turned to the record of this meeting for false testimony whereon to formulate their charges which brought about the abrogation of the existing charter. Let us first recite the significant letter jointly signed by Archbishop Seeker, the brothers Penn, and Dr. Chandler, of which Dr. Smith was the bearer. The causes which led to this historic document are detailed by Dr. Chandler in his letter to Dr. Peters of 12 April, and display the kindly and worthy motives which prompted it He writes :

As there have been some Suspicions entertained on both sides that the present Constitution of it may be altered, and the Professors and Mas- ters, now of different Denominations, in Time may all be of one prevail- ing Denomination to the exclusion of those of the other, by the Art and Power of the prevailing party ; and as the Doctor [Smith] justly appre- hended this would be contrary to the intention of those who have con- tributed towards the Support of the College (who have been of all parties amongst us) and inconsistent with the Prosperity of the Institution itself, by his Desire, I waited, Monday last, on the good Archbishop of Can- terbury, where, with the Doctor, we freely debated this affair for an Hour together. His Grace, a friend to Liberty, and highly approving the pres- ent Plan on which the College is established, gave his Opinion that this Plan should be preserved without alteration. I had the Honor entirely to agree with the ArchbP, and, on Dr. Smith' s proposing to him that a Letter to the Trustees representing our Judgment in this affair, and signed by both of us, might be of some Weight to keep Things on their present Footing and prevent all future Jealousies on either side, he readily assented to it. * * * As my Judgment is supported by that of so worthy a Prelate, and as I apprehend by the Reason of the Thing itself, I hope it will, as his Judgment, have the good effect of preventing all future jeal- ousies, and of establishing Peace and Harmony amongst all the worthy Professors, and of promoting Religion, Learning and Liberty, which I pray God may long continue to flourish in that Seminary.

The following letter, it will be seen, was joined in by the Pro- prietaries, and approved by one of the most influential Trustees, then in London, Chief Justice Allen.