The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1783-05-13 00:00:00, page 1

PARNASSU S, No. XI.
Felices errore fuo
GENTLEMEN who have excepted to the
reftri&ion or administration of the Cor
poration, have been accused by them, and some
of their injudicious friends, as influenced by
very bad principles. From some publications
against Parnassus this accusation, it seems, will
be renewed. The principal objeaions, stated
in these papers to the reftriaion of the govern
ment of College and administration of the Cor
poration, are no other than gentlemen of firft
rank and character have long made, and make
at present.
It may Still be said, that " from the nature
and tendency" of these objeaions those who
make them must be thought " illiberal, ungen
tlemanlike, and wholly divested of candor."
But how is liberality, candor, or the charaaer
of a gentleman forfeited by denying to one of the
learned profeffions the wisdom of all ? Or by
fuppofingthe Corporation are not infallible, or
impeccable ? Unless they claim, and can sup
port, these prerogatives, they may judge and aft
amiss. Wherein they do so, it is not uncandid
to take exception. Were they allowed these
prerogatives, it might be prudent, with Lu
ther, to appeal from the pope ill-informed, to
the pope when he Should be better informed.
It is, indeed, most illiberal and ungentlemanlike
to suggest, that obje&ions to the present limita
tion of the Corporation and their proceedings
must spring from unworthy motives. The Cor
poration are not accused of any wilful breach of
trust. At the fame time the charity which fuf
fereth long, which beareth and endureth all things,
will not allow them an exclusive oversight of
the university. Various things have been men
tioned, which clearly prove, that there is much
occasion for a speedy alteration and improve
ment of the trust. Is there nothing illiberal,
uncandid, or ungentlemanlike in taxing the Un
dents annually five hundred pounds more than the
just expence ftheir education ? * Should the Ge
neral Assembly lay taxes on the State far beyond
the just expenditures of government, the spirit
of the people would soon compel them to change
their measures. Is there nothing illiberal in ex
cluding all profefans but one from the government
of College,and implicitly acctfng other profeffions
as deflitute of learning or principle ? in the infringe
ment of the rights of our churches ? in the peculiar
circumstances ofthe firft gathering, continuance
and prefentform of she College church ? In the re
jufal f donations > In partial appointments to, and
removals from office ? In treating the Supreme Le
gifature as unworthy of any confidence ?
In a commonwealth of such knowledge and
liberty as ours, the clergy are too liberal to with
that their profeffions Should engross the direc
tion of the university. They only desire the
common privilege of other profeffions, Cicilibet
in fua arte credendum est. The Corporation
* The students cannot consistently be taxed for the support
ofthe profeffor of divinity. For the Corporation in 1752
' ordered one half of the College lands in Litchfield coun
ty to be leafed for the fuppprt of" this office. And in 1756
the rents ofthe lands thus ordered to be leafed, " were fuf
ficient for the annual fupporc of the profeffor," including
about five pounds annual interest on the donations of Mr.
Livingston and Mr. Clark. These " rents were secured
in the best manner, free from the trouble and charge of infpe&ion
and reparation." (Coil.Hift. page 59, 60, 67, 68.) Osher
College lands in that county arc now leafed out, and may
yield as large rents at Icaft as the half mentioned, lands
having risen much in value fine# the firft Icafc.
#^ii
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WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER.
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TU E SD A Y, MAY 13, 1783.
have, I believe, opposed the general sentiments
of their brethren, as well as of gentlemen in civil
life. With what propriety have they invited
gentlemen of liberal sentiments to aid and efta
blifli them in their illiberal system ? I appear
against their system, because I would be actuat
ed by liberal sentiments.
On reviewing these papers, I am not consci
ous of having violated the candor the public
were assured of in the firft number. To appear
abroad in a dress one would not chufe to be found
in at home, is an indecency, which I would not
willingly offer to the public. The fubjeft is too
grave and important,and the tribunal of the public
too refpe&able to admit of uncandid reflections.
The principles and conduct of the Corporation
have been animadverted upon with noother free
dom and firmnefs, than a country of liberty
permits us to treat men in public trust, and their
measures. The animadversions seemed natural
from the fads refered to. I confefs an attach
ment to the public sense in the premises : If
this sense is injurious to the Corporation, they
will point out wherein it is so.
If any remarks have been made, which justice
to injured individuals, or the injured communi
ty, did not require—if the best apology has not
been offered for the whole Corporation—if the
reverend gentlemen who possess more liberal sen
timents than the body in general, have not been
treated with due marks of esteem and regard—
but especially if any fa&s have been misrepre
sented ; I would, upon conviction, make all the
attonement in my power, f On the other hand,
as plainness and firmnefs were proposed, if any
expreflions have the appearance of adulation, or
indicate a spirit of timidity, they are fully repro
bated.
It has been suggested, that in my publications
" the peace and good of the community" have
not been "consulted." My aim is to unite all
profeffions and denominations in advancing the
interest, ufefulnefs and honor of the public Se
minary : To continue it under the sole manage
ment of its present overseers, is not conducive to
the peace and good of the community ; but con
ducive to much difeontent, ftrife and confufion.
The most refpe&able characters' would justly be
offended, and the seminary would fall into con
tempt with all wife and judicious men.
What has been last observed answers a further
objection, that my publications have an ill afpeCt
on " the interest of religion and learning." For
a monopoly of these is as injurious and odious to
the community as monopolies in trade.
Umbrage has been taken at what was observed
in my second paper on the number of aged gen
tlemen in the trust. This matter was out inci
dentally introduced : Perhaps it would not have
been introduced at all, had it not been hintedby
the act of General Assembly 1723 ; which makes
30 years, instead of upwards of 40, a qualifica
tion, in refpe& of age, for the trust. I repeat
the observation, dictated by the wisdom of the
General Assembly, " It must be weakness for
gentlemen advanced in years to think, that they
alone are fit to direct the studies of youth."
-ft Upon further examination, Parnassus finds that the
fines arc included in the quarter-bills he published—that
the Corporation have voted an addition of 201 to the Prc
fident's filar, the present year—that the Treasurer is al
lowed 101. per annum---and that in the months of June and
November 1781, the sum of iiol. Bs. in silver, was re
ceived for bills of exchange; the amount, as he fuppofetb,
of two years interest for money in the public loans. He
also finds that the corporation have obligations of private
perlons for about 1501, on intflG'h
As age has its infirmities and doth not love
contradiction, the Aged Layman will approve
my silence with refpeCt to his performance.
But the writer of these papers difeovers such
" spite," that "he must have received some
great provocation from the reverend body." If
Parnassus has received such provocation, this
surely is no reason for his entertaining the most
favourable thought of the board. It is making
him but poor amends, to mention the great pro
vocation given him, as a proof that he has no
grounds for any of his objections; and this i$
but an indifferent evidence offered to the public.
However, with what spirit he has written, is
Submitted to his readers-—whether he has
" freely vented his prejudices and resentment,
and indulged to “ the grossest abuses and perso
nal reproaches," as has been, intimated in the
public papers. If thisnotice ismore than Should
have been taken of these things, I alk the for
giyenefs of my readers.
I shall here subjoin a summary of what has
been laid before the public in these papers.
Special attention has been given to the general
complaint, that gentlemen of one profeffion have
the sole direction of the University. Instead of
endeavouring to silence this complaint, the rea
sonableness of it has been asserted, and such con
federations suggested as may hopefully influence
to a change of government. Nothing has been,
diminished from the Share and influence, which
the clergy of right Should have in the trust; but
the equal right of other learned profeffions to be
included therein, has been defended. The single
point, in which all my numbers meet, is, that
the clergy alone are not qualified for this com
prehensive and important trust.
From various considerations it is fliewn, in
number 11. that the care of the public seminary
ought not to be refrifled torthe clergy—and in.
number 111. that such reftri&ion is contrary to
the charter. To this the readers particular at
tention is requested. Number IV. exhibits the
advances the Corporation have made to indepen
dence, in violation cf the charter, and contempt
of other learned profeffions, of the legislature,
and of the community. Some following num
bers exhibit the administration of the Corpora
tion, with intent to Shew that independence^
though earnestly desired, ought not to be allow
ed them. A most oppressive tax is imposed ore
the students-—various and valuable donations
presented or proposed for the College have been
refufed—the President is not allowed the influ
ence due tohisftation and character—the ecclesias
tical constitution and rights of the churcheshave
been infringed---and gentlemen in office at
College have been treated in a most illiberal and
injurious manner.—(The addraffes of the late
Profeffor are compositions which would do ho
nor to the talents of a Profeffor in any Univer
sity. The strokes of severity, more especially in
the second, will be considered in connection,
with the very Singular treatment he received.
Among other things it will be recolleded, that
tuition had been nearly doubled some years be
fore his abdication of his office; yet he was
told, that the finances of College were so low as
not to admit of a support for him.) The pecu
liar circumstances of the College church have
been examined; the most material objections
considered, and those which are immaterial not
entirely puffed over.
I rest assured that the legislature will continue
in the sentiments they have uniformly held
with regard tg the University. Can any hono.
(No. 955.)