ADDRESS 'Y OF THE 1\. U b 1 11. IL O OF T H 2 COLLEGE OF MEFF-JERSET, TO THE INHABITANTSi OF T II C UNITED STATES, riiiLADzLPniA : PlilKTED BY W. V:. WOODV/ARD5 7vo. 52; South Second, corner of Chefnut Strecf: "X Ik.H ADDRESS Of the Trustees of the College of New- Jersey^ to the Inhabitants of the United States, FsiNtEroN, March ISth, 1802. X HE burnmg of the college edifice in this place on the 6th instant, has been announ- ced in all the public papers. This melancholy occurrence having occasioned a meeting of the Trustees of the College of Hew -Jersey^ they have found it to be an indispensable obligation, arising out of the trust confided to them, to make a representation to the public, in behalf of the institution committed to their care. In doing this they are deeply sensible that every consideration, both of dutyand interest, diftates, that they should exercise a peculiar daution not to depart from the simplicity of truth. The College of New-Jersey was originally founded with a leading view to cherish the prin- ciples, and extend the influence of evangelical piety. At the same time it was hoped and ex- pelled, that as the spirit of genuine religion is ever favorable to the interests of civil society, many warm and able advocates of these interests would be nurtured in the bosom of this institu- tion. We trust it may be asserted without ar- rogance or vanity, that these views and hopes have not proved fallacious or extravagant. Who- ever will look through the several department* of public life at present, or review the eventful scenes which our country has witnessed for half a century past, may be convinced that this col- lege counts among those who have been most distinguished in sacred and in secular office, a number of her sons which she need nbt blush to sompare with those of any sister institution. C 2 3 One prmcipal cause of the usefulness of this seminary, has been its complete independence on legislative influence and controul, and its dependance, as complete, on the benevolence and favor of an impartial public; which could alone be secured by its intrinsic merit, and its constant and vigorous eiforts to render itself worthy of voluntary individual patronage — Pre- viously to the American revolution it was, to say the least, commonly no obje^l of favor with the government of the province. By the depre- ciation of continental money, and other events which took place during the revolution, the funds of the corporation, always inconsiderable,, were nearly annihilated; while the buildings in their possession, by being alternately occupied by the contending armies, were reduced almost to a state of ruin. Since the revolution, the le- gislature of Nev/Jersey have made a grant of eighteen hundred pounds, appropriated by law to the repairing of the buildings, to the increase of the library, and to the provision of a philoso- phical apparatus — This is all the legislative aid that we ever have received; perhaps that we ever shall obtain. ' Under every discouragement and difficulty^ however, the institution has not only been sup- ported and epntinued^ but has been able in some measure to retrieve its losses. By the exertion of its friends and the small public bounty which was conferred, the buildings were put in te- nantable repair, the library and philosophical apparatus became respectable, the faculty were comfortably provided for, the number of students was greatly increased, and all the future pros- pects of the college began to brighten. But alas ! in one fatal day they were all clouded with the darkest gloom. The fair edifice, ereCted by the liberality and consecrated by the prayers of our pious and public spirited predecessors^ [ 3 ] was totally consumed, and three thousand vo'< lumes of valuable books, with much private property of the students, perished in the flames. Under this inauspicious and affliclive event, which the providence of a holy God has permits ted to take place, we are humbled and mourn.* But can we, ought we, so far to despond, as to suffer the establishment to become extin6l I No, we are rather resolved, relying on that aid which has always hitherto been extended to us in the time of distress, to meet with increasing efforts the incr^easingbillows of adversity. Our funds arq indeed small;— they are as nothing when com^ pared with our present necessities. But we are confident we have many friends ; And when w^ recollecl how much more numerous, as well as how much more wealthy, the individuals are who are likely to patronize the college now, than those were who established it at first;— when we recolle6l, above all, the pure designs, the ardent vows, the unshaken faith of those who laid its foundations, and call to mind that* it has in fa6l been eminently blessed as a nursery both for •church and state, we cannot distrust the event of our efforts. We cannot but hope that this temporary calamity is even to be over-ruled for a lasting benefit. Entertaining these sentiments, we have determined to recal the scattered stu- dents, to set about the rebuilding of the college without delay, and to cast ourselves on the care of Divine Providence, and on the pub- lic liberality, to bear us through. But realizing for ourselves, and begging our friends to realize likewise, that confidence of success in an arduous undertaking without the * The circumstances which attended the burning; of the college were such as to leave little dotibt that it was the effed of design ; but though every eftort has been used for that purpose, we have not yet been able to as* certain the incendiary^ C 4 ] most a6!ive and vigorous exertions to secure it, is rather weakness and presumption than any commendable or virtuous quality, we feel the necessity of using our utmost endeavors to ob- tain benefaftions for the college. We have ac-' cordingly taken measures to open suoscriptions for this purpose; and we beg for a candid indul- gence while we address a few words L^TO THE FRIENDS OF RELIGION, TO those who are comprehended in this description our college owed its original esta- blishment; and we trust that the friends of reli- gion now, will not be found less munificent than those who possessed this chara6ler fifty years ago. Your means of promoting laudable designs are greatly increased— Far from us be the injurious supposition that your disposition to do good is din^inished. On you, we avow it explicitly, is our principal relia^nce. We have always endea- vored to make the institution for which we soli- cit, a fountain of those principles which to you are the dearest and the most sacred ; and these epdeavors we mean to continue even v/ith increa- sed zeal. We propose to recommence the in- structions of the college with new regulations, calculated to secure more elFeCtually than ever, the moral and religious conduft of the youth en- trusted to our care. We aim to make this insti- tution an asylum for pious youth, so that in this day of general and lamentable depravity, parent^ may send their children to it with every reasona- ble expectation of safety and advantage. This we know will create us some enemies; but your patronage and prayers v/ill, in every view, be more than a compensation for their hostility. We never, indeed, have been so attached to the dogmas of any religious seCl as to impose them on our pupils— To all past experience we appeal as evidence, that religious iiitoleranee has never. C s ] existed here. But religious principle always has been, and we hope always will be, cherished and guarded with- care and vigilance. To the friends of religion, then, we look, to enable us to eretl a buhv ark against the assaults of impi- ety, and in defence of the pure gospel 6f Jesus Christ. II.-rTO THE FRIENDS OF SCIENCE. AMONG those who merit this appellation we hope to find many of our warmest advocates and valuable patrons : For to all the friends of science, wherever educated, all her interests we know must be dear. In whatever sect or in whatever region, science prospers, men of science always rejoice. Rendered liberal by their own attainments, they can even abstract from the characlers of others what is offensive to themselves, and still prize and esteem intelli- gence, talents and learning, wherever they are found. From you, gentlemen, we ask some pecuniary assistance to enable us to cultivate the sciences, in an institution which has not been the least distinguished in our country either for zeal or success in fostering them. Freed from sordid views and feelings by your education and habits of thinking, you will af- ford us cheerfully the assistance which may be proper — To press the subje6l on you would be iinpertinent. III.— TO THE FRIENDS OF CIVIL ' LIBERTY. OF those who are eminently entitled to this designation, many have received their education with us, and many more have always regarded us with kindness. In an hour of peculiar ne- cessity we UQW solicit your benevolent iiiterpo^ [ 6 } sltion in our favor. A Xeport, A-v^e are informed,- has gone forth, that this institution is charge- able with political intolerance. The justness of this charge we absolutely deny. So far as the demands of religion can be supposed by any to interfere with those of a political nature, we must indeed admit, nay we are forwar4 to declare, that w^e shall sacredly regard the former, however they may be imagined to militate with the latter/ But this declaration we are confident will be considered by good men of all parties as perfe6lly consistent with an unqualified denial of political intolerance. No pupil with us has ever been questioned on, the subje6l of his political creed, nor withheld from a full and fjee avowal of his sentiments, nor received any .censure or disapprobation for making known his opinions (either in speech or writing. We trust, therefore, that neither this unfounded rumour, nor the insinuations of any individuals hostile to the college, will be per- mitted to operate to its disadvantage at this cri- tical and necessitous jun61ure of its concerns. it fears no scrutiny on this topic. It makes some pretensions to services rendered to the social and political interests of the United States, and it now asks for the means of renderins: more» IV.—TO THE ALUMNI OF THE COLLEGE, WE esteem it as a precious proof, both of our own fidelity, and of the benefit which you have received in this institution, that your zea- lous attachment to the place of your education is acknowledged by all, and thought by many to be singular. Our expeftations from you pn this occasion are sanguine. We know, that you eannot contemplate Nassau -hall as a heap of niins without a deep exgitcHient of your sensi* r 7 1 bility, and a ready exertion of all your faculties' to restore your Alma Mater to her former res- pe8:abilLty. It will be much in your power tor do this. Occupying stations of honor and dis- tin6lion, possessing wealth or influence, scat* terred through all the populous cities, towns and distri