pertained to the Legislature of the late Province, must in any interpretation include a power extending to such alterations in the Board of Overseers as should be made with the consent of both the College Boards, on whom such alteration was to operate. Such consent having been provided for by the statute of 1809, and given by the said Boards, the Corporators created pursuant to said Act have, as your memorialists believe, acquired rights, of which they cannot be deprived, but by their own consent, or by some legal process, founded on a charge of misbehaviour. But if it should be admitted that the Legislature have authority by the Constitution to make alterations without consent, yet 'this authority must extend to permanent as well as temporary alterations, and the statute of 1809, having made a permanent alteration, the Legislature have exercised the powers reserved to them by the Constitution of the State.

"Your memorialists conceive that the present Constitution of the Board of Overseers ought not to be considered as excluding the Commonwealth from its just participation in the government of the University; since the Commonwealth has an immediate relation to it by its constituted authorities, and is truly and virtually represented by the permanent Overseers, who hold their place and trust under authority derived from the Legislature. The Legislature have not thought it any disparagement of the rights of the public to erect other Colleges, indebted like Harvard to the bounty of the State, with select and durable Boards of Trustees or visitors. They cannot be supposed willing to deny an institution, especially committed to their protection and patronage, means of improvement freely bestowed on other Seminaries.

"Your memorialists are convinced that the University has been conducted with liberality and impartiality, and a steady view to the public good. In regard to the political divisions of the times, they believe that persons best acquainted with the course of instruction and discipline in that place will acquit the College of any attempts to prejudice or unduly excite the youthful mind. - Your memorialists rely on the wisdom and moderation of the Legislature to arrest any measure that may involve the privileges or endanger the stability of an institution, vigilantly guarded and fondly cherished by all preceding generations, since its foundations were laid. "In conclusion, your memorialists observe, that whilst they have deemed it necessary to be explicit in stating their views of the rights and interests of the College, they hope no part of this rep

resentation will be thought to militate with a due deference to that branch of the Legislature particularly included in the consideration of this subject. The attachment of your memorialists to the present Constitution of the Board of Overseers is founded on principles, which your memorialists believe consistent with an entire respect for the Senate of this Commonwealth. And your memorialists, as in duty bound, shall ever pray."

This memorial was presented February 24, 1812.

No. XVI. (pp. 99, 151, 231, 236.)

FOUNDATIONS AND STATUTES OF
PROFESSORSHIPS.

HOLLIS PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY.

Rules, Orders, and Statutes, relating to the Hollis Professor of Divinity in Harvard College, at Cambridge, in New-England.

1. THAT the Professor be a Master of Arts, and in communion with some Christian Church of one of the three denominations, Congregational, Presbyterian, or Baptist.

2. That his province be to instruct the students in the several parts of Theology by reading a System of Positive and a Course of Controversial Divinity, beginning always with a short prayer.

3. That the said Professor read his private Lectures of positive and controversial Divinity so many times in the week as shall finish both courses within the term of one year.

4. That the Professor read publickly, *[once a week upon Divinity, either Positive, Controversial, or Casuistical; and as often upon Church History, Critical Exposition of Scripture, or Jewish Antiquities, as the Corporation, with the approbation of the Overseers, shall judge fit], always time of vacation excepted.

5. That the Professor set apart two or three hours, one afternoon in the week, to answer such questions of the students who shall apply to him, as refer to the system or controversies of religion, or cases of conscience, or the seeming contradictions in Scripture.

6. That the Professor of Divinity (while in the office) shall not be a Tutor in any other science, or obliged to any other attendance in the College, than the above-mentioned publick and private Lectures.

7. That the Professor read his private Lectures to such only a are at least of two years' standing in the College.

8. That, an honourable salary being provided for the Professor, it is expected that he require no fee from any of the students for their instruction.

* The words between brackets, an "alteration" by the Overseers.

9. That the said Professor be chosen * [every five years] by the Reverend President and Fellows of the College, or the major part of them, for the time being, and be presented by them, when chosen, to the Honourable and Reverend Overseers, to be by them approved and confirmed in his place.

10. That the said Professor be at all times under the inspection of the Reverend the President and Fellows with the Honourable and Reverend the Overseers for the time being, to be by † [them displaced for any just and valuable cause.]

11. That [the person, chosen from time to time to be] a Professor, be a man of solid learning in Divinity, of sound and orthodox principles, one who is well gifted to teach, of a sober and pious life, and of a grave conversation.

The Plan or Form for the Professor of Divinity to agree to at his Inauguration.

That he repeat his oaths to the civil government; that he declare it as his belief, that the || [Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are] the only and most perfect rule of faith and manners; and that he promise to explain and open the Scriptures to his pupils with integrity and faithfulness, according to the best light God shall give him. That he promise to promote true piety and godliness by his exam

"Or the major part of

"Every five years," struck out in 1724. them" added at the same time. Both by the Overseers.

† Article 10. Instead of the words, after the word "by," the Overseers voted, Aug. 4, 1724, to insert these words, viz. " the said President and Fellows or the Major Part of them displaced for any just and valuable reason the Overseers consenting thereunto." Whether this alteration was consented to by Mr. Hollis does not appear by the Records of the Overseers, though it was proposed to him, with the amendment of the 9th Article, in a letter dated Aug. 6, 1724, and the latter was approved by him, as appears by their Records, May 13, 1725. All the amendments were in the Articles as signed by Mr. Hollis, except what relate to Articles 9th and 10th.

The words between brackets, inserted by the Overseers, instead of the words, "it be recommended to the Electors that at every choice they prefer ".

"Scriptures" &c. within brackets, instead of "Bible"; "and most " blotted out by the Overscers.

ple and instruction; that he consult the good of the College, and the peace of the Churches* [of our Lord Jesus Christ] on all occasions; and that he religiously observe the statutes of his Founder, + [and all such other Statutes and Orders, as shall be made by the College, not repugnant thereunto.]

Signed and sealed the tenth day of January, in the ninth year of the Reign of King George, 1722.

THOMAS HOLLIS. [L. s.]

A true copy of Mr. Hollis's Orders and Statutes relating to the Professor of Divinity in Harvard College, consented to by the Overseers, and afterwards signed and sealed by Mr. Thomas Hollis. Examined

Per HENRY FLYNT, Cler. Curat.

December 15th, 1804. It was voted, "That it shall be the duty of the Hollis Professor of Divinity to preach, and to perform other divine services in the Chapel, before the Officers, Graduates, and Undergraduates, on the Lord's Day, forenoon and afternoon, whenever the same shall be hereafter required by the Corporation and Overseers."

HOLLIS PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL

PHILOSOPHY.

Rules and Orders relating to a Professor of the Mathematicks and of Natural and Experimental Philosophy in Harvard College in Cambridge in New England, appointed by me, Thomas Hollis of London, Merchant.

1. That the Professor be a Master of Arts, and well acquainted with the several parts of the Mathematicks and of Natural and Experimental Philosophy.

2. That his province be to instruct the students in a system of Natural Philosophy, and a course of Experimental, in which to be comprehended Pneumaticks, Hydrostaticks, Mechanicks, Staticks,

* The words between brackets added by the Overseers. † Added by the Overseers.