Page:The History of the University of Pennsylvania, Wood.djvu/48

42 of an article, securing the inviolability of chartered rights. Such an article, drawn up by Dr. Smith, was approved by the meeting; and Dr. Franklin, who was present, undertook to procure its adoption by the convention, over which body he presided, and in the councils of which he was known to possess considerable influence. Hence originated that clause of the constitution of 1776, which secured to all societies "incorporated for the advancement of religion and learning, or for other pious or charitable purposes," the enjoyment of those rights and privileges of which they were possessed under the former laws of the commonwealth. But, to use the language of the venerable Bishop White, who was one of the gentlemen assembled at Dr. Smith's, and from whom the above account was derived, "the event showed of what little effect are provisions put on paper, when they interfere with the views of a dominant party in politics."

The first symptom of any disposition in the public authorities to interfere in the concerns of the college, was exhibited in a vote of the general assembly, in the month of February, 1779, directing an inquiry into the rise, design, and condition of the institution, and appointing a committee for this purpose, with the customary powers to send for persons and papers. In answer to questions proposed by this committee, a long paper was, at the desire of the board, drawn up by Dr. Smith, which was inserted in the minutes, and contains an ample account of the origin of the school, the motives and principles of its establishment, the success which had attended its efforts, and the state of its affairs at the time of the investigation. From this paper many of the details of the present history have been derived; and it will be readily judged, by those who may have perused the preceding statements, that nothing but a predetermined resolution to admit of no justification would have resisted the plain evidence of the facts which it advanced in favour of the college. Nor is it impossible that some impression may have been