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CHAPTER XVII.

THOMAS PENN AND THE ACADEMY.

THE people of Pennsylvania at that time naturally looked to the Proprietors as a source from which assistance should flow when needed to support public-spirited measures. Consequently the Penn family had been constantly reminded of the existence of the Academy, and there are in the "Penn Papers" in the Historical Society several boyish compositions which were sent to England for the edification of Thomas Pnn, the head of the family, written by students attending the Academy.

These attentions were not wasted, for in 1753, when the trustees of the Academy, as stated by Dr. Wood, applied to Thomas Penn for a charter, it was promptly granted, and was accompanied with a gift of five hundred pounds. The trustees passed a resolution thanking the Proprietors for

their generosity, but the committee to draft the letter did not act as promptly as they should have done, and on November 1, 1753, Thomas Penn wrote: "We have not received from the Academy any acknowledgment of the receipt of the charter or five hundred pounds which our receiver has paid, which, we think, is a neglect such a present did not deserve." Fortunately, Franklin and Peters did not know that the Proprietor was feeling nettled at this want of courtesy on their part, or they might not have made an appeal for additional assistance, feeling that the times were not propitious for a favourable reply. The appeal was made, however, but indirectly.

Franklin, as we have seen, enlisted the services of Collinson. Mr. Peters sent Thomas Penn his copy of the College of Mirania, and gave Dr. Smith the following letter of introduction to him:

"HONOURED SIR:

"Our Academy is at present in such repute that we have sixty five Boys from the neighbouring Colonies now educating in it. Col. Martin brought his three Boys

Since Sam entering upon a Subject

to

so noble

exterque, & so far superior to my small Abilities, your Clemency, Gentlemen, would be very acceptable where there is fuck great Occasion for it: a subject the finest theoruums that Language" "afford,

worthy and

so copious that it is

Manner it diserves.

than which indeed

thing Since the

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in the

impossible to sprate of it F's Learning Fspeak usefull,

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more becoming a rational Being.
worthy Gentlemen of this (ity, being
begun, & carryd a Design
Academy

fully sensible of this,

to noble & usefull

have

as that of instituting

an

for the Instruction of Youth; - Since the honourable "Proprietor & Governour have confirmed of establishic by the Privilege of a Charter, the least that

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to return

Pearty Thanks for their Kindness, & to render thur Benevolence

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Is Learning which like an able polishes the Diamond and discovers it's Lustre & latent Preanties, Is Learning which makes a Man happy in himself 4 a blessing to his Country, Fis Learning which prepares us for Heavn & Perfection and makes a Mortal almost equal to the Angels themselves. From

How

ateringloriously have the antient Romans

sternized their Names by their Falour, Prudence-
& Learning ! How Justly
was their City

stiled

the Seat of Empire, the Mistress of the World, &f the Glory of Nations.

The Creator of for

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• great & noble End,

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dare we

frustrate his

I who have not

I a liberal Education,

"Designs by neglecting these glorious Falents; which he has implanted in us, dare we first disgrace this noble Form which he has given us by ever in our native Ignorance.com meanly groveling in our native Alas! how unhappy are they had the Advantages of a surely Life must be a burden to them &f Time hang heavy on their Hands; but this shail never be said of Philad : while suck, generous such publich spirited Gentlemen bear any Sway in it.

Let me conclude with saying that when I fins

the Muses, attentive to

alas! It is now

only

my

Invocations but

the Cry of a Child of unworthy the Notice of those delicate Beities, the illustrious Name of Penor thall

be

be my delightfull

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