Founded in 1764, Rhode Island College was governed by a Corporation of two boards, Fellows and Trustees, each comprised of specific numbers of members from various Protestant denominations. However, there were no religious requirements for students and in 1770 the Corporation expressly stated that Jewish students would be admitted to the College.
Collecting financial support for the College was of major concern for the Corporation and money was usually raised through subscriptions. Baptist clergy, including Morgan Edwards, who traveled to Great Britain, and Hezekiah Smith in Georgia and South Carolina, solicited subscriptions on behalf of the College.
The competition between Rhode Island towns, especially Newport and Providence, for the final location of the College, first located in Warren, is documented in the collection. Members of the Brown family (Nicholas, Joseph, John, and Moses) were instrumental in the 1770 decision to locate the College in Providence and were responsible for building the college edifice.
During the Revolution the College was closed. The College edifice was used as a barracks for American troops from 1776 to 1780 and was a hospital for French militia from 1786 to 1792. After the war, the College sought compensation from Congress for the damages done during occupation.
Nicholas Brown (1769-1841) gave a $5,000 endowment in 1804 and the College was subsequently named Brown University.
The Rhode Island College miscellaneous papers date from the petition for a charter in 1763 to the change of name from Rhode Island College to Brown University in 1804. Included in the collection are minutes, reports, correspondence, a charter, lists of subscribers, lists of members of the corporation, accounts, and library catalogs.
The collection documents the grant from the General Assembly and the Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island for the establishment of a college; the early history of the College's Corporation; the appropriation of financial support; the absence of religious requirements; students; the college library; and the impact of the Revolution on the College. A speech given by George Washington at the College on August 19, 1790, is in the collection.
Student conduct, admissions, commencements, tuition, and fees for commons and boarding are documented through the Corporation minutes and correspondence. The development of the college library is documented through orders for books, letters related to the donation of books, and library catalogs. The impact of the Revolution on the College is detailed in compensation requests from the College to Congress.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Rhode Island College miscellaneous papers, MS-1E-1, Brown University Archives.
The collection was assembled and arranged during 1903 and 1904. Titles of the papers and folder numbers are taken from the two volumes in which the papers had previously been mounted. The collection is divided into 6 series:
Manuscript indexes to the collection are located in Box 3.
The title page image of the College Edifice and the President's House is from the Brown University Archives' Print Collection. This engraving, the earliest view of the campus, is based on a drawing by David Augustas Leonard, class of 1792, grandfather of John Hay, class of 1858.
Brown University Library catalog record for this collection:
Manuscript indexes to the collection are located in box 3.
Related collections in the Brown University Archives include:
Digital facsimiles of items from this collection are available from within the online finding aid.
Petition presented to the General Assembly pleading for permission to establish an institution of learning in the Colony. Sixty original signatures of petitioners appended. On verso--Petition for a college. Filed Aug. 4, 1763.
On verso: Original Draught of ye Charter of R. Island Col.
Another copy of the draft of the charter (see I:3), in a different hand.
Another draft of the petition (see I:1), with sundry variations and especial mention made of the Baptists. No individual signatures. On verso--Copy of the Petition to the General Assembly for obtaining the Charter of the College.
A list of names of the trustees and fellows who have signed the oath of allegiance; minutes of the Anniversary meeting of the College at which a committee was chosen to draw up a preamble for subscriptions, etc.
Begins: "This certifies that ... is fully authorized by the Corporation for founding a College in the Colony of Rhode Island to receive any donations that may be made for founding and endowing said College ..." List of names follows.
List of names. Begins: "Newport. Jas Lyndon, Job Bennett ..."
Contains copy of form to appear in subscription books authorizing the bearer to collect money for the College. Also form of receipt for cash received.
List of names of members of Corporation present, list of gentlemen appointed to receive subscriptions, appointment of Jeremiah Condy to solicit funds in Europe, etc. Sketch of proposed college edifice added.
Resolution "that an exemplification of the Charter ... be made out on parchment and deposited with the President," and other resolutions regarding men appointed to receive subscriptions.
Includes copies of original rough minutes (see I:9-I:21). In the minutes of 1766 is a description of the first seal of the college.
Letter to the Chancellor, President, Fellows and Trustees of the College of Rhode Island declining the office of Fellow of the College.
Bill for printing and paper.
Copy of letter in regard to the subscription books and urging that the solicitors of funds use their utmost efforts to obtain results.
Commission issued by Samuel Ward, chancellor, and James Manning, president, delegating Edwards "to proceed to Europe to solicit and receive donations" for the college.
Notes that children of those who profess Judaism shall be admitted to the college with all the privileges and advantages and at the same time enjoy the freedom of their own religion.
Notes the appointment of David Howell as tutor with salary of 72 pounds. Voted that Mr. Edwards be instructed to purchase abroad an air pump, a telescope, and a microscope.
Reports from London on his efforts to raise funds for the college.
Broadside. Printd names of signers: Grantham Killingworth and eleven others.
Four signatures all in the same hand.
Five signatures appended.
Committee of five suggest that some part of the County of Bristol be chosen as site of the College and that a committee be chosen to select a location.
Unsigned form authorizing Hezekiah Smith of Haverhill to collect funds for the college "in any part of America." Stephen Hopkins, Chancellor, and James Manning, President, to sign.
Title taken from entry on the document. Account audited by a committee appointed to examine it and accepted by the Corporation September 8, 1769. Signatures of committee members.
Signed by Stephen Hopkins, Joseph Brown, John Davis.
Reports his opening of a school and his difficulty in obtaining textbooks.
Notice to insert in the Newport Mercury the appended advertisement, which is a notification to the Corporation that an important meeting is to held November 14 relating to the location of the College Edifice.
Incomplete.
Copy of an anonymous letter written by Moses Brown to Nicholas Brown. Contains the first motion to locate the College in Providence, suggesting the advantages.
Written from Taunton, England. Letter in Latin to the Fellowship of the Baptist College in Providence thanking the president and his associates for the honorary A.M. degree awarded to him. As a token that the honorary is not completely undeserved he sends a copy of his recently published book for the college library.
Copy made by Moses Brown.
Representing that it will be most for the advantage of the college that it be erected in Providence. On verso, "First memorial to the Corporation Nov. 14, 1769. Setting before them the Claim of Providence for the College to be in Providence."
On verso, "The Memorial of Providence for ye College to be erected there, Nov. 1769." The text of this document is for the most part identical with the memorial of Nov. 14 (I:57), but in this document the amount of money raised in Providence is specifically announced as $6260.
Presents three cogent reasons why the college should be located in East Greenwich in Kent County. Signed by Wm. Greene, Nathanael Greene, Jr., Preserved Pearce, Charles Holden, Jr.
Document prepared by Governor Sessions probably with a view to the special meeting of the Corporation to be held in Newport. He expresses his views of what make a place desirable for the location of a college.
Letter to the very Reverend, the moderator, and other members of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland commending Mr. Morgan Edwards and his mission to solicit funds for the College. Signed James Manning, President; Stephen Hopkins, Chancellor.
Having been informed that the County of Newport are raising money by subscription, the writer (who signs himself "A man who raised just 2604 pounds of Tobacco") states that Warwick and East Greenwich will promote Providence over Newport. On verso, letter from a judge of Kent County.
Preamble to the subscription book used in Newport to raise funds for the erection of the college edifice.
Copy of a letter to Town Councils of Scituate and Gloucester about the College. Soliciting funds for the new college so that it may be erected in Providence. Signed, Stephen Hopkins, Nicholas Brown & Co.
Letter from Nicholas, John, and Moses Brown stating amount of funds raised by Providence subscriptions at the close of 1769.
Signed, Thos. Eyres, Henry Ward, Fellows. Discussion of location of college was to be chief business.
Meetings held to press the effort to have the College Edifice in Providence. Copy of numerous signatures of those present.
Meeting to be called chiefly to decide the location of the college edifice. Document signed by Joshua Babcock, Thos. Eyres, Henry Ward, Fellows.
Urging the desirability of Providence as a location for the new college and discounting the arguments for Newport.
Handbill circulated to insure a generate attendance at the Court House to consider an effectual plan for establishing the College in Providence.
An anonymous letter believed to be from President Manning to Nicholas Brown about the subscriptions for the College. Expresses preference for Providence for the location of the College and suggests possible plan of campaign against the powerful group in Newport.
Signed also by Nathanael Greene, Jr., Charles Holden, Jr., and Adam Maxwell.
This memorial is from Providence subscribers and is not signed. It appears to be mainly a complaint against Newport.
Account of the final meeting to decide the location of the college, written by Moses Brown on February 9th, and signed by him.
Begins: "The zeal and spirit of the people here, more than at Newport, for promoting the College is certainly most evident ..." Note on verso states that this is the Governor's statement of the case of Newport's claim for the College. It described the Providence-Newport controversy from the beginning.
Original rough minutes of the meeting of the Corporation which decided the location of the College in Providence. Contains also a minute stating the Corporation's hearty approval of Dr. Mannings's conduct and their desire that he "go with the college to Providence."
Vote taken because Manning had complained that "his character had been injured and traduced because of his having refused."
Copy of an Order calling a meeting of ye Corporation signed by James Manning and Jabez Bowen. Order made out to Thos Eyres, Secretary.
Public notice to gather all members of the Corporation to gather at Warren April 25 ... 1770.
States that Dr. Manning, while deprecating his own abilities, would accept the office proffered. The church at Warren will not consent to part with him.
Two copies of a notification, signed by President Manning and three of the Fellows, calling for a meeting on April 25. One copy has corrections.
Copy of a letter to Messrs. Sampson & Solomon Simson instructing that the sum of five pounds be paid to the Trustees of the new Rhode Island College in view of the fact that Jews will be admitted there without restrictions.
Announcing his resignation as tutor at the college and accepting the appointment as professor. Also respectfully asks for an increase in salary. Notes by Thos. Eyres, Secty. of the Corporation appended.
An appeal to the General Assembly asking that it reject the petition for establishing another college in Newport, with reasons for the request.
Copy of a certificate protesting the disciplining of Ranna Cosset at Yale for playing cards. Signed, William Burroll, Lewis Beebe, James Nichols. An added note signed by John Brown and John Dennis confirming the certificate.
Certificate protesting the rustication of Ranna Cosset at Yale for playing cards.
Certification protesting the disciplining of Ranna Cosset for playing cards while a student at Yale.
Unsigned, in same hand as document on I:183.
List of Trustees and Fellows from 1764 to 1770.
Brief note which mentions that "the name of Rhode Island College is not quite explicit enough."
Copy of a letter from a committee of the Corporation explaining that Jews were to be on an entirely equal footing with other students in the new college and even to received certain added advantages. The letter also suggests that Lindo solicit subscriptions from his friends.
List of subscriptions paid to March 11, 1771. Includes money and materials contributed for the building of the College Edifice and the president's house.
Full and minute list of all supplies and monies expended by the Building Committee for the erection of the College Edifice and the president's house. The last of sixteen pages is an auditor's statement affirming the account to correct and expressing appreciation of the "judgement, prudence and economy" of the Committee, signed by Nicholas Cooke, Darius Sesions and Joseph Russell.
Note on verso, Copy of the account of Nicholas Brown & Co., the Committee for building the College. Audited March 11, 1771. Signed by Nicholas Cooke, Darius Sessions and Joseph Russell.
Contains list of books he is sending as a present to the college.
Letter to the President and Tutor of Providence College accompanying a gift of books for the college.
Members are grouped by denominations.
Resolutions passed relating to student delinquencies in payment of tuition.
Another copy of document in I:121.
Committee to sell and dispose of the wood and timber growing on the land given by Capt. Esek Hopkins to the Corporation, the money for which to be held as a fund the interest of which to be appropriated to the maintenance of the president. Signed, T. Eyres.
Resolution authorizing Rev. Francis Pelot of South Carolina to collect subscriptions for the College. Also a resolution regarding the failure of an elected member of the Corporation to qualify himself.
Report of monies collected in Great Britain for the college. Signed, as accepted by the Corporation, by Thomas Eyres, Secty.
Letter announcing that a box of books has been sent for the library of the college. Bill of lading for the same dated London, August 22, 1772, with this.
To the Revd. President and to the Tutors of Providence College; enclosing a catalogue of books offered by the writer for the library of the college.
Darius Sessions, Jabez Bowen, and Nicholas Brown chosen to consider who should be sent to Europe and whether it would be most suitable to send President Manning.
Money received by Howell for tuition.
Copy of a letter (much corrected) expressing gratitude for first volume of the society's Transactions.
Contents of the volumes of sermons included.
The Remonstrance of the Senior Class of Rhode Island College to the respectable the President and Professor of the Same. Protesting the decision to omit the Commencement exercises for 1773. Signed by Jacob Nash, Henry Tillinghast, and Joseph Litchfield.
Inquires how a friend can go about acquiring an honorary degree from Rhode Island College and what the expense would be.
Deals with subscription matters and income from rooms. A second copy (I:151) omits items concerning income from rooms.
Deals with subscription matters and income from rooms. A second copy (I:151) omits items concerning income from rooms.
Authorization of Francis Pelot as a collector of subscriptions in South Carolina and Georgia for the College. Signed, Stephen Hopkins, James Manning.
Copy of a letter empowering him to collection subscriptions for the College from his friends in Great Britain.
Copy of letter sent to Francis Pelot of Ewhaw, South Carolina, together with an authorization to collect subscriptions for the College. Note added to letter stating that another copy is to be sent to David Williams of Charles town.
Note appended: "There is to be three copies of this taken; one to David Williams, one to Rev. Francis Pelot, one to Rev. Botsford."
Formal authorization of Williams as a collector of subscriptions for the college in South Carolina and Georgia. Signed by James Manning and Stephen Hopkins.
Formal authorization of Rev. Botsford as a collector of subscriptions for the college in South Carolina and Georgia. Signed by James Manning and Stephen Hopkins.
Formal authorization of Bowen as a collector of subscriptions for the college in South Carolina and Georgia.
Appended is the report of an auditing committee, signed by Darius Sessions, Joseph Russell, and Nicholas Cooke, August 28, 1773, and an acceptance of the account by Thomas Eyres, September 2, 1773.
Rules and regulations for the conduct of students in the Dining Room and for the serving of food.
Rules and regulations for the College Steward relating to room rented and meals served, the kind and quality of the food being designated.
Fragment of a rough draft of part of rules (see I:171).
Another copy of above rules (see I:171).
A narrative or sketch of the college prepared by Manning for publication as a pamphlet, probably set aside because of the war.
Accepting his appointment as solicitor for subscriptions for the college.
Document prepared for Providence town meeting stating that the estates of the College (excepting the campus, the President's House, and the College Edifice) together with those of the President and Professor should be subject to taxation.
Report of tuition money received and amount due on his own salary.
Thanking Rev. Williams for a book sent for the college library.
Formal and public admonition administered to four students, John Hart, Daniel Gano, Walter Vigneron, and William Edwards, for neglect of studies and causing noise and damage.
Copy of a list, "sent by Mr. John Ryland in 1772, for which he solicited Diplomas." All those of the list of English clergy men, arranged by religion, were awarded A.M. degrees in 1773 and 1774.
Letter from a trustee of the college sent with the account of Manning with the college settled to date.
Report, from September 18, 1774 to September 10, 1775, of tuition money and amount due on his own salary, with sundry other items.
Treasurer's report 1775; approved by Edward Thurston and John G. Wanton.
The Corporation, having heard both the students and the Steward, decided the latter was at fault and must improve conditions in the Commons or be discharged.
Relating to degrees conferred and changes of officers; General Nathanael Greene given honorary degree for signal services to his country.
Copy of a resolution to send to various members a request to attend an adjourned meeting. On verso, copy of the letter to be sent to members who have continuously absented themselves from the meetings, requesting that, if unable to be present, they retire in favor of someone able to attend.
Note added by James Manning: "Done by Chancellor Hopkins."
On verso, an account of the money spent on the wall on college land.
Notice includes mention of the opening of a Grammar School at the same time and place. Notice confirmed by five members of the Corporation.
From Governor of Rhode Island, announcing the need of taking over the College Edifice as a hospital for French soldiers.
Citing the destruction to the building resulting from its use as a hospital for the French soldiers, the Corporation urges that it be returned to the College and repairs made at the public expense.
Inquires regarding possibility of having a telescope repaired in Philadelphia; also a "wooden still" to be used in connection with a fire engine to be built at his mine. Criticizes the methods of Congress in the matter of raising money with a 5 per cent duty and doubts the success of its attempt to do so.
The writer, unable to finance a college education because of family responsibilities, offers his services as a steward of the College or instructor in the College Grammar School, if he may be permitted to pursue his studies at the same time.
Gratitude that he has offered himself and been accepted as steward of the College; promises faithful service.
University charter revised.
Petition to receive degree from the College. Service in the army had interrupted his studies in his junior year and prevented further study.
Petition to receive a degree from the College. His college career was interrupted by the war in his junior year, but he had pursued his medical studies and done hospital service while the College was closed.
Statement of the indebtedness of the College to its president and a request that consideration of the facts may lead them to act in his behalf as they see themselves able to do.
Contains a form of an "Engagement to be administered to the Officers of the Corporation in the Room of the Oath of Allegiance prescribed by the Charter." This form to be submitted to the General Assembly for its approval, also to make the necessary amendment of the charter. Signed, Jabez Bowen, Samuel Stillman, Henry Ward, and William Rogers.
Report of the amount of money needed to make the College Edifice fit for use again, also a statement of amount due Dr. Manning for salary, etc. Signed by Jabez Bowen, Nicholas Brown and Joseph Nightingale.
Manning accepts amount mentioned as satisfactory because of the unusual conditions, but stipulates that the sum be not made a precedent to affect his future salary.
He has been advised that boards and windows in the College Edifice are being removed for sale on the following day. On verso: the reply of the Brown brothers suggesting an immediate summoning of the Corporation to handle the situation. Signed, Jos. Brown. List of Corporation members to be summoned appended.
Long letter on varied subjects; the building of ships for the national marine service, an electrical experiment, affairs in Congress, the restoration of the College Edifice.
Discusses appointment of Asher Robbins as tutor, code of laws for the College; Manning's offer to go abroad to solicit funds. Notes for meeting of Dec. 24 signed James Manning, Scribe.
Copy of letter. The letter, though sent in the name of Joseph Brown, was probably composed by Manning. It solicits the General's aid in diverting to Rhode Island College the offer of a library of 2000 volumes and a professorship in French which had been made by the French king to Yale College and which that institution had declined.
Rough draft of letter sent by Chevalier Chatterlein.
Includes notice of the University Grammar School, and of the hiring of a Steward.
In hand of James Manning. Copy made in a subscription book giving Benjamin Waterman authority to collect funds for the College. Seal of the College and signatures of Stephen Hopkins, Chancellor, and Thos. Eyres, Secretary, appended.
In hand of James Manning. Copy made in a subscription book giving Benjamin Waterman authority to collect funds for the College. Seal of the College and signatures of Stephen Hopkins, Chancellor, and Thos. Eyres, Secretary, appended.
Reporting the cost of tuition at Harvard. On verso a form for the pledge made by a Fellow of the University on taking office.
Manning reports need of increased funds and offers to travel abroad to solicit gifts. Page 3 is evidently a rough draft of a notice to be put in a newspaper regarding the meeting.
Bill for his subscription to the Library.
Reports on the completion of a certain matter of business.
Acknowledging receipt of the requests that he act as solicitor of funds for the College, and asking for information regarding his duties.
Vote stating the remuneration which a solicitor of funds for the College in Europe may expect to receive. Also a vote appointing David Howell a solicitor to raise funds in Europe. Signed by Solomon Drowne, Assist. Secty.
Copy of a letter requesting that Van Horne reply as soon as possible if he is willing to accept the duties of solicitor of funds for the College in Europe.
Mistakenly dated 1783. Copy of letter regarding Waterhouse's draft of an address to the King of France which is to be sent forward immediately. Explains that his own offer to go abroad to solicit funds has been declined because he is considered "a poor beggar." Letter has been copied on second page of a folder on which is a copy of a letter to William Van Horn.
Petitioning that a professorship of the French language be established in the College together with an adequate library of French literature. Probably in the handwriting of Stillman, who with Benjamin Waterhouse was commissioned to draw up the document.
Copy of a letter informing Howell that he has been appointed to solicit funds in Europe and asking him to send his acceptance as early as possible. Also requesting him to deliver to the Minister in France a letter to the King. The urgency of prompt action is stressed.
Copy of a letter informing Rogers that he has been appointed to solicit funds for the College in the South.
Rough draft of a letter prepared by Manning and other members of a committee to accompany an address to the King of France. Giving a brief history of the College, it cites the disastrous condition to which it was reduced by the war and its great need of assistance.
Declining to accept the appointment to solicit funds for the College in Europe.
Among matter voted upon are: the appointment of solicitors to raise funds at home and abroad, a petition to the French King, a change in tuition costs, indemnity for damages to University Hall, books and apparatus to be purchased for the library, etc.
Declining appointment to solicit funds for the College in the South. Considers it a poor field as it promises small prospect of success.
Document issued in the names of Stephen Hopkins, Chancellor, and James Manning, President.
Vote on allocating the rents of the College rooms to defray expenses of finishing rooms in the third story of the College, to provide shelves in the Library Room, and to make repairs.
From London. Lists books with prices.
Presenting Daniel Taylor for admittance to the College. Deplores the fact that the youth is not better prepared because of ill health.
Notes appointment of new officers and professors, conferring of honorary degrees, improvement on the campus, etc.
Recommending two student who wish to enter the College, Abner Alden and Eli King.
Signed, Asher Robbins, Secty. Pro Tem.
Formal receipt of Martha Eddy, Steward, appended.
135 titles listed.
Thirty titles.
17 title listed.
In handwriting of James Manning.
Fair copy by Reuben Guild of II:57.
Titles are mostly relating to the Quakers.
Listed by size: 61 folios, 25 quartos, 58 octavos, 5 duodecimos.
Copy of a letter to a friend of the Abbe de Mably concerning his remarks on the American Constitution.
Petition signed by Robert Annan and twelve other students requesting that pew be reserved for the use of the students worshiping in the Baptist Meeting House.
Signed by Martha Eddy, Steward. "A true copy examined by James Manning."
Stating that the College Edifice was occupied as barracks from 1777 to 1780 and from June 1780 to May 1782 as a hospital for the French army.
Letter of recommendation to the Rev. the President & Tutors of Providence College for Simeon Doggett who presents himself as a prospective student of the College.
Signed, Martha Eddy, Steward.
Reports of scholastic profess of Winslow Paige, whom he has been tutoring. Also warns the president of a certain John Foster, an Arminian preacher of small abilities and questionable character who is likely to apply for an honorary degree.
Signed, Martha Eddy, Steward.
Resignation as trustee of the college (1), with note asking Manning to present his letter to the Corporation (2).
Notes appointment of Gov. Jabez Bowen as Chancellor, appointment of a new steward, payment of back salary due the President, etc.
Copy of a letter from Manning, Hitchcock and John Brown urging Howell to bring the matter of indemnity due to the College for damages to its property during the war to the immediate attention of Congress.
Chiefly "Rules and Orders for the College Library." Copy 1, amended and corrected document. Copy 2, fair copy, signed by David Howell, Secty.
Copy of certification of the abilities of Robert Scott, for four months teacher at R.I. College and now leaving with prospects of "augmenting his stipend by teaching in the Southern states."
Signed, J. Pitman, steward.
Expressing opinion that the president's becoming a delegate to Congress would mitigate against their personal welfare and that of the College. Fourteen signatures.
President Manning having been elected a delegate to Congress and having asked by leave of absence, a committee is appointed to ask Rev. Perez Fobes to act as vice-president while Manning is away. A resolution is passed that graduating students wear caps and gowns at commencement as at other universities and the proper provision for obtaining these be made.
Information regarding the paper currency then in progress in the General Assembly.
Resigns as trustee.
Copy of letter of thanks for books sent by Rev. Caleb Evans of Bristol, England, and others.
Instructing the R.I. delegates in Congress (James Manning and Nathan Miller) to bring to the attention of Thomas Jefferson, Minister to France, the address of the Corporation to the King, expressing hope that the liberality which the King had extended to Yale and which the latter had declined may be transferred to R.I. College. Signed by David Howell, Benjamin Waterhouse, and Solomon Drown.
Lack of firewood has interfered with the students' studies in the cold weather, and four cords of wood are to be ordered for distribution by the steward. Signed, Solomon Drown.
Request for increase in salary because of added duties.
Copy. Thanking him for donation of his History of the Revolution in South Carolina to the College.
Vote taken to meet the difficulties of the Steward in collecting debts from students for Commons by reducing reducing the the amounts due when bills are paid promptly.
Also signed by Jonathan Abbot. Letter relating to a matter of discipline.
Also signed by Jonathan Abbot. Requesting opportunity to appear before the Corporation in regard to a matter of discipline. Reply from Manning on verso.
Recommendation that the penalty of expulsion be remitted in the case of Samuel Eddy and Jonathan Abbot. Signed by eleven members of the Corporation.
Draft by David Howell of a letter for Eddy and Abbot to the Authority for their restoration.
Also signed by Jonathan Abbot. Asking reinstatement in the College.
Approves action of the Corporation in suggesting reinstatement of Samuel Eddy and Jonathan Abbot.
Request for adjustment of college accounts to release him from indebtedness during a period when he was absent from college.
Rough draft of parts of the items in draft on II:121.
Fair copy of a rough draft of document on II:119. Signed by David Howell. Notes, among other items, honorary degrees granted Thomas Jefferson, and Otto, Comte de Mosloy.
See note in Proceedings, II:119.
Signatures of eighteen students appended.
Resigns from Board of Trustees.
Petitioning that he be excused from payment of library dues because of his indigence.
Change in length of spring vacation noted.
Signed by Manning and others.
Resigning from Corporation.
Resigning from Board of Trustees.
Letter accompanying a copy of the type of degree given to John Adams by Harvard College and which the writer proffers as a sample of the form used at that College. Copy enclosed was given to Arthur Lee of Virginia.
Resignation as trustee.
Resignation as trustee.
Resignation as trustee.
Notice of meeting on January 27.
Resignation from Corporation.
Signed by David Howell. Appointment of Jonathan Maxcy as librarian in place of William Wilkinson noted.
Copy of letter sent by Manning and Jabez Bowen to Governor Hancock with an honorary degree of LL.D. in recognition of his services to his country.
Proposing a premium in the College for the best annual treatise on the influence and benefits of a regular preaching of the gospel, the cost of the premium to be financed by the sales of Webster's Institutes.
Among other items lists new appointments of trustees and new rule relating to the administration of Commons.
Report of the steward on expenses incurred in upkeep of the college building.
Students petition for the removal of Steward Penniman.
Resigns as trustee.
Resigns as tutor.
An account of the expenses at the College at Providence.
Copy of address on behalf of the Corporation to George Washington on the occasion of his visit to the College.
Response to Manning's address on the occasion of Washington's visit to the College.
Signed by Manning and six others.
Steward Rea's Petition.
Resigns as trustee.
Resignation as tutor.
Notice of fine for overdue book at the College Library.
"Please to let the bearer have recourse to the library in my behalf." On verso, Josias Lyndon Arnold, Esq.
Requests that his son, Moses, be allowed to take books from the library.
Order on the library to deliver a book to James Burrill.
Resigns as tutor.
Request for immediate dismission as tutor because of ill health.
Individuals involved cited.
Signed by Manning and nine others.
Copy of letter announcing the death of James Manning and asking Jones to accept the office of president.
Declining to accept presidency; suggests other candidates.
Signed by Howell and Solomon Drowne.
Resigns as trustee.
Acknowledges appointment as trustee and regrets inability to attend meeting of the Corporation.
Records appointment of trustees, arrangements for commencement, payments to the widow of James Manning, etc.
Records appointment of trustees, arrangements for commencement, payments to the widow of James Manning, etc.
Minutes of meetings of June 6, July 10, and August 13, 1792. Voted that David Howell serve as president ad interim; other college business.
Bill for books ordered from England for the College Library on the donation of John Brown. Titles listed.
Plans for a monument for President Manning; the steward is forbidden to sell and spiritous liquors to the students; Jonathan Maxcy appointed president pro tempore, etc.
Digest of the laws of the college adopted and to be carried into execution January 1793; catalogue of the library to be printed; other college business.
Enclosing copy of July 25, 1792 letter relating to law books ordered from England by John Brown, and of invoice listing books, July 11, 1792
Bill for additional law books for the library.
Nicholas Brown's gift of law books acknowledged; also other gifts; new steward to be appointed. Signed, Geo. Benson.
Discusses withdrawal of Uriel Rea as steward and appointment of William Blanding in his place.
Deals with plans for coming commencement and other minor matters.
Letter from the president of Harvard College in regard to releasing a professor for a special service, not specified.
Reports poor condition of some of the volumes and suggests that more attention be given to their care. Also suggests stricter insistence on the return of overdue books. Signed, Enos Hitchcock, George Benson.
Presents his resignation unless the Corporation sees fit to retain him at a more adequate salary.
Letter from President Maxcy addresses Perez Fobes' concerns regarding compensation.
Reports long overdue books. Signed, Enos Hitchcock and George Benson.
Proposes an exchange of 200 tickets in the College lottery for 310 acres of land in Lyndon, Vermont.
Governor Fenner regrets that he and his aides cannot accepts the invitation of the Corporation of the College to dine with them on this day.
Letter from John Whipple and Samuel Thurber reporting of the condition of the college lottery to date.
Acknowledges his appointment as trustee and asks for time to consider his acceptance.
Accepting appointment as trustee of the College.
Accepting appointment as trustee of the College.
Accepting appointment as trustee of the College.
Resigns as trustee.
Petition for addition to his salary because of extra work which he has had to assume.
The Federal Adelphi invites the Corporation to attend the delivery of the anniversary oration of the Society. Signed, Zach. Eddy, Secty.
Requests that apparatus remain at and be rented by the College. Signed Jabez Bowen and David Howell.
Account of Grinnell and Taylor from 1796 to 1799 for painting materials and work done at the College.
Arrangement made with the steward, William Peck, on the price of board.
Request to be released from his duties as steward.
Requests that his messenger be given report of committee on college lands.
Presenting his resignation as trustee.
Presenting his resignation as trustee.
Presenting his resignation as trustee.
Thanking Samuel Elam for donation of $800 for the purchase of scientific apparatus.
High price of provisions renders it impossible for him to continue as steward, unless the price of Commons is raised.
Notice of contract made with William Peck, steward, regarding the price of board in Commons. Signed by members of the committee.
Presenting his resignation as trustee.
Asks that, if the Corporation does not recognize his claims for remuneration, the matter be referred to three men impartially chosen.
Asks for immediate attention to the settlement of his account.
Presenting books to the college library.
Petition of Seth Washburne and others on behalf of Perez Fobes, presented and signed by a committee of his parishioners in Raynham, Massachusetts.
Recommending that the petition of Perez Fobes for further remuneration for past services be duly considered.
Receipt by Fobes on verso. Note on the transaction, August 11, 1802, signed by Jonathan Maxcy.
Items noted from 1786 to 1802.
Bills for magazines and a book on botany.
Receipted bill.
Appeal for recognition of his claims for past services, and for payment for those services which were rendered at great personal sacrifice.
Signed by Jabez Bowen, Samuel Elam, Joseph Jenckes. Committee finds sum of $888.73 due Dr. Fobes. With another copy of the report.
Presents his resignation as president of the College.
Copy of reply to Maxcy's letter of resignation. Signed by Thomas Baldwin, Robert Rogers and Samuel Eddy, committee.
Billet from Maxcy in reply to verbal application to him on September 7 for his account with the College.
Billet from Maxcy in reply to written application of the committee of the Corporation for information relative to his account with the College.
Rules and regulations for the steward and Commons. Signed by the committee. With another copy of document.
Bill presented for items relating to the scientific apparatus of the College.
Again petitions for reimbursement and begs that the allowance reported due him a year earlier be paid.
Presents his resignation from the Corporation and urges that a professorship of English oratory be established in the near future.
Presents a resolution that it shall be the duty of the steward to supervise the condition of the students' rooms, and that the students shall be responsible for damages incurred during their occupancy.
Committee reports the successful conduct of the steward's department under the plan established in 1802.
Student states the he can pursue his studies and pay college expenses only by selling his clothes.
Signed by B. Bourne, Samuel Eddy, John Rogers, committee.
Bill for articles of apparatus furnished the College on Mr. Elam's donation. Items listed.
Presents his resignation as trustee.
Bill for articles of apparatus furnished the College on Mr. Elam's donation and other articles.
Because of increased duties which he has had to assume, requests increased pay as tutor.
Announces his gift of $5000 to establish a professorship of Oratory and Belles Lettres. Because of this gift, and in accordance with a vote of the Corporation on September 8, 1803, the name of the College was changed to Brown University.
[Early subscriptions for Rhode Island College collected by Morgan Edwards in England and Ireland in 1768; and by Hezekiah Smith in South Carolina and Georgia in 1769-70.]
Copy of the account for rents and damages applied for to Congress by the Corporation for [?] while used as an hospital.