Page:The History of the University of Pennsylvania, Wood.djvu/57

Rh these appointments, it will be perceived that the legislature fully provided for the political fidelity of the University, and its perfect impartiality towards all religious denominations; and these ends were still more firmly secured by the reservation of the right, within six months after the choice of any new trustee, to disapprove and annul the election. Whether the real interest of the institution was consulted by placing it in the hands of men, whose public engagements might be supposed sufficient to occupy their whole attention, was a question which could not be readily answered, and was perhaps considered of secondary importance.

The new trustees met for the first time in December 1779 and having taken the oath or affirmation at that time prescribed by law, organized themselves into a board, and appointed his excellency, Joseph Reed, their president. However dissatisfied with the late decision, the former authorities of the college did not venture to resist the will of the government, and quietly resigned their property to their