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WILLIAM PACA, Esq; Governor.
able and honest men for discharging the various offices and duties of
life both
civil and religious, with usefulness and reputation, and such institutions
of learning
have accordingly been promoted and encouraged by the wisest and best
regulated
states: And whereas it appears to this general assembly, that
many public
spirited individuals, from an earnest desire to promote the founding
a college or
seminary of learning on the western shore of this state, have subscribed
and procured
subscriptions to a considerable amount, and there is reason to believe
that
very large additions will be obtained to the same throughout the different
counties
of the said shore, if they were made capable in law to receive and
apply the
same toward founding and carrying on a college or general seminary
of learning,
with such salutary plan, and with such legislative assistance and direction
as the
general assembly might think fit; and this general assembly, highly
approving
those generous exertions of individuals, are desirous to embrace the
present favourable
occasion of peace and prosperity, for making lasting provision for
the
encouragement and advancement of all useful knowledge and literature
through
every part of this state; |
1784.
CHAP.
XXXVII. |
II. Be it enacted,
by the general assembly of Maryland, That a college or general
seminary of learning, by the name of Saint-John's, be established on the
said western shore, upon the following fundamental and inviolable principles,
namely; first, the said college shall be founded and maintained for ever,
upon
a most liberal plan, for the benefit of youth of every religious denomination,
who shall be freely admitted to equal privileges and advantages of education,
and
to all the literary honours of the college, according to their merit, without
requiring
or enforcing any religious or civil test, or urging their attendance upon
any particular religious worship or service, other than what they have
been educated
in, or have the consent and approbation of their parents or guardians to
attend; nor shall any preference be given in the choice of a principal,
vice-principal,
or other professor, master or tutor, in the said college, on account of
his particular religious profession, having regard solely to his moral
character and
literary abilities, and other necessary qualifications to fill the place
for which he
shall be chosen. Secondly, there shall be a subscription carried
on in the different
counties of the western shore, upon the plan on which it hath been opened,
for founding the said college; and the several subscribers shall class
themselves,
according to their respective inclinations, and for every thousand pounds
current
money which may be subscribed and paid, or secured to be paid, into the
hands
of the treasurer of the western shore, by any particular class of subscribers,
they
shall be entitled to the choice of one person as a visitor and governor
of sid
college. Thirdly, when any of the first visitors and governors chosen
by the
subscribers as aforesaid shall die, or remove out of the state, or absent
himself
from four succeeding quarterly meetings, without such excuse or plea of
necessary
absence as shall be deemed reasonable by a legal and just quorum of the
said
visitors and governors, duly assembled at a quarterly visitation of the
said college,
such quorum, so assembled, shall proceed, by a new election, to fill up
the place
and seat of such deceased, removed, or absenting member. |
College o be
established,
&c. |
III. And be
it further enacted, That the reverend Mr. John Carroll, and the
reverend William Smith, and Patrick Allison, doctors in divinity, Richard
Sprigg,
John Steret, and George Digges, Esquires, and such other persons as they,
or
any two fo them, may appoint in the different counties of this shore, be
agents
for soliciting and receiving, and they are hereby authorised to solicit
and receive,
subscriptions and contributions for the said intended college and seminary
of universal
learning, of any person or persons, bodies politic and corporate, who may
be willing to promote so good a design; and when any class or classes of
subscribers
shall have subscribed and paid, or secured to be paid, as aforesaid, to
the
treasure of the western shore, in three equal yearly payments, to commence
from the first day of June, seventeen hundred and eighty-five, the sum
of one
thousand pounds current money, and shall have lodged their original subscription
papers in the hands of any one of the agents aforesaid, such agent shall
take a
copy of the same, and shall deposit the original subscription lists with
the said
treasurer, taking his receipt for the same; and such agent shall then appoint
a |
Agents appointed,
&c. |
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