which pressed hard upon its funds. The first object of the grant was, to pay the expense of this building. It was desirable also, that there should be a building erected for the use of the Medical School; and, lastly, a fund was wanted for the charitable support of necessitous young men of merit, the sons of poor parents, who, without the aid of charity, could not go through a course of education; and in whose possession of the means of knowledge, the State supposed itself to have an interest. University Hall and the Medical College have accordingly been built; and that part of the annual grant (one quarter of the whole) which was destined to purposes of charity, has been so applied.

"Six years of the ten have now expired, and University Hall having been built at an expense of sixty-five thousand dollars, and the Medical College at an expense of about twenty thousand dollars, and one quarter part of the grant being, as before mentioned, appropriated to the use of necessitous scholars, when the four remaining years shall have expired, the College will have invested and applied the whole amount of the grant, with ten thousand dollars of its own funds, to the purposes for which the grant was made. The Committee have inquired particularly into the manner in which this charity is distributed, and they think it wise, impartial, and efficacious. In the first place, it is given to none but those who apply for it, and who clearly show, by proofs from their Instructers, their Ministers, the Selectmen of their town, or otherwise, that they and their friends are necessitous, and unable to supply the means of education. In the next place, it is required that they should be persons of fair character and good behaviour; and when it is ascertained that the applicant possesses a fair character, and that he is necessitous, he is admitted to partake in the benefit. The scale of merit, kept by the Instructers of the Classes, is then referred to, and among those who are thus necessitous and of fair character, such as give most proof of talent and promise receive most; those who give less, receive less. It may be added, that this charity is confined to young men of this State. The Committee do not know how a plan could be devised more effect to the intention of the Legislature."

likely to give

In respect to the general condition and financial affairs of the College, the Committee say,

"The history and present state of the Institution speak the most decisively, as well on the plan of its government, as on its administration. As to the care and management of the funds, it is believed to have been cautious and exact, in a very high degree. No delinquency to the amount of a single shilling, is known to have existed in any member of the Corporation, or any of their agents or servants, from the time of the first donation, in 1636, to the present moment.

"How far this Government of the University has been found competent to conduct its literary concerns, and to what respectability and distinction, among the institutions of the country, it has raised it, neither the members of this Convention, nor the citizens of this Commonwealth, nor the people of the United States, need be informed."

The mode in which the Legislature expected the Corporation would dispense the fourth part of the grant, may be learnt from the Act itself, passed February 26, 1814.

"Be it enacted, that at least one fourth part of the sums to be received by the said Colleges, shall be appropriated for and towards the partial or total reduction of the tuition fees of such students, not exceeding half the number of any class, who may apply therefor, according to the judgment of the respective corporations of said Colleges."

66

In an additional Act, passed February 16, 1816, it was provided further, that if any sum shall be remaining of the aforesaid appropriations, after giving relief to the undergraduates as aforesaid, it shall be lawful for the said Corporation to cause the same to be invested in some funds or securities, the income whereof may be applied for the purposes mentioned in the aforesaid Acts."

It is evident, I think, that the Legislature contemplated that one quarter of the annual grant, that is, $2500, should be distributed yearly to reduce the tuition of indigent students. If there was any sum then remaining, that surplus was to be funded. In dispensing this grant, the Corporation acted in entire conformity with the views, intentions, and expectations of the Legislature.

The benefactions to the College from private sources, during the administration of President Kirkland, are stated in the text as exceed. ing one hundred thousand dollars. This is much within bounds ; they might have been put at double that amount; and that too without including Governor Gore's noble bequest, from which the College will ultimately realize upwards of a hundred thousand, and which, though not received till after Dr. Kirkland's retirement from the College, may fairly be put under the same head. Mr. Gore was one of Dr. Kirkland's intimate friends, coöperated with him eight years in the Corporation, from 1812 to 1820, and made his Will in 1826, during his presidency. Had Dr. Kirkland not been elected, that splendid legacy probably never would have gone to the College. The same may be said of most of the other munificent donations and bequests which were presented and devised during his administration. Some of these I will mention. 1814. Samuel Eliot, $20,000. 1814. Benjamin Count Rumford, $20,000. 1814. Samuel Parkman, a township of land, the fund derived from which is now $5000. 1816. Abiel Smith, 30,000. 1817. Ward Nicholas Boylston, $9000, besides a valuable Medical Library. 1818. Israel Thorndike, $6500, the cost of the Ebeling Library. 1819. Theodore Lyman, Jr., $2000, the cost of the Panorama of Athens. 1820. Moses Brown, of Beverly, $2000, 1821. John McLean, $25,000. 1822. Samuel A. Eliot, $5000, the cost of the Warden Library. 1822. James Perkins, $20,000. 1823. (Will made in that year) Nathan Dane, $15,000. 1826. George Partridge, $2000. Dr, Joshua Fisher, $20,000, (Will made during Dr. Kirkland's presidency.) Thomas Cary, of Charlestown, $1000. The whole amount of this is $182,500, which added to the $100,000 of Mr. Gore, and the $40,000 subscribed for theological purposes, and the State grant of $100,000, make the round sum of $422,500 given to the College during President Kirkland's administration — a goodly sum for eighteen years!

It must not, however, be inferred from this statement, that the College has now any surplus revenue. With the exception of Mr. Gore's bequest, the larger part of which will be used in building

Gore Hall, the above donations and bequests were devoted by the donors to specific purposes, and cannot be employed for the general objects of the College, or to reduce the tuition fees.

ADDRESSES TO GOVERNORS STRONG AND BROOKS,

p. 62,

We are this day to take leave of one for many years at the head of this Commonwealth-who, having declined our suffrages, claims the privilege of a long course of services to authorize his retirement from public cares. Permit me, I ask your Excellency, in the name of those to whom you have devoted your talents and influence, to express our sense of the value and the importance of your agency in the high and responsible stations, which your respect to the wishes of your fellow citizens, and your interpretation of your duty in the aspects of Providence, have led you to accept. Permit me to acknowledge in their behalf the benefits of your wisdom, moderation, activity and firmness, displayed in framing the constitutions of the Commonwealth and of the Union, in taking a conspicuous part in administering the government under them, and in maintaining the interests of republican liberty, your countenance of the cause of learning and education, and your exemplary respect to the religion we profess.

However reluctant to resume the load of public duties, when last called from your retirement, you cannot fail to account it a privi lege to have been the character desired in a period of difficulty and agitation; and to have been resorted to as a shield from the dangers, that seemed to be gathering around us to have been able, under the favor of Heaven, to guide us safely in a dark and troubled season, and now to resign the chair of the Commonwealth to an honorable man, high in your esteem, with auspices so benign, and prospects so cheering;—the world at peace, and a career of public improvement and happiness opening before us. Your principles and example will continue our valued possession, though your immediate services be withdrawn, The recollection of your

public course will enliven our feelings of complacency and confi dence towards our republican institutions, which placed authority in your hands, and made it so effectual for the conservation of the public interests.

The affectionate wishes and prayers of your fellow citizens attend your Excellency to the shade of honorable privacy. May the best comforts and hopes gild the evening of your life; and after prolonged years of tranquil enjoyment, in the scenes of affection and peace to which you repair, may the God you have served receive you from earthly distinctions, duties and trials, to the rest and reward of eternity.

·

We congratulate our Commonwealth on the election of a Chief Magistrate, acknowledged and honored as a "patriot from his youth," a laurelled hero of the Revolution which made us a nation, a son of liberty, who shared the dangers and counsels which were the purchase of our independence; an able and faithful guardian of our rights and interests in the important offices which he has since sustained, and the object of heartfelt respect and attachment in private life for the virtues of the man and the Christian. May we be worthy of that patriotic solicitude with which he will watch over us, and appreciate the discernment and disinterestedness, which we have the fullest reason to believe will mark his administration. May his feelings be gratified by finding in all who share authority with him, a conciliatory disposition, which he will not be the last to exemplify, and which the circumstances of the times encourage; a disposition to unite moderation with consistency; to embrace openings for concert and coöperation; to remove dissensions, and allay animosities, and soften the acrimony of party.

We bid his Honor, the second Magistrate,* a respectful and cordial welcome to a renewed participation in the councils of the State. May he have the joy of seeing the objects of his affection secured; the interests of order, of freedom, of learning and religion, which have ever derived support from his influence, countenance from his example, and encouragement from his liberality.

* William Phillips.