Page:The formative period in Colby's history.djvu/31



The act was approved on June 19, 1820, and the Maine Literary and Theological Institution at last possessed the powers which had been asked for in the original bill submitted to the General Court of Massachusetts in 1812. Only one further step remained to be taken: to make the Institution a college in name as well as in fact. Accordingly we find that at their meeting on August 12, 1820, the Trustees voted:

When the legislature met in January, 1821, the committee presented a petition in this form:

"To the Hon. Senate & House of Representatives of the State of Maine in Legislature assembled—

Respectfully represent The Trustees of the Maine Literary & Theological Institution that the present name of this Institution not indicating that it is clothed with the powers common to other Colleges they pray that the name of the same may be altered & that in future it may be known & called by the name of Maine College—or such other name as shall be deemed fit and proper. 8 Jany 1821—

It is to be noted that the committee did not follow their instructions to the letter. Instead of asking that the name be changed to "the College at Waterville" they asked that it be changed to "Maine College." What effect the adoption of the latter name might have had upon the history of the college is a matter for interesting speculation. On January 22d the petition was committed to Messrs. Boutelle, Rice, and Seaver, who on the next day reported the following bill:

On the 24th of January the bill was passed to be engrossed, and