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 nothing in the impossible to sprate of it F's Learning Fspeak usefull, can be more e of no more becoming a rational Being. 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 we can do (who reap the Advantages of it) is them our to return Pearty Thanks for their Kindness, & to render thur Benevolence 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- stiled the Seat of Empire, the Mistress of the World, &f the Glory of Nations. The Creator of for some the Universe seems to have made us • great & noble End, 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 |