The Charter of Dartmouth College
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The Charter of Dartmouth College
 
1   GEORGE THE THIRD by the grace of GOD of Great Britain
 
France and Ireland KING Defender of the Faith, and so forth.—
   
  To all to whom these Presents shall come.
   
 
GREETING
      [§ 1] WHEREAS it hath been represented to our Trusty and well beloved
  JOHN WENTWORTH Esquire Governor and Commander in Chief in and over
    our Province of NEW HAMPSHIRE in New England in AMERICA, that the
  Reverend ELEAZAR WHEELOCK of Lebanon in the Colony of Connecticut in
  New England aforesaid, now Doctor in Divinity, did on or about the year
10   of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Fifty four, at his own expence,
  on his own Estate and Plantation set on foot an INDIAN Charity School and
  for several years through the assistance of well-disposed Persons in America,
  cloathed, maintained and educated a number of the children of the Indian
  Natives, with a view to their carrying the Gospel in their own Language
  and spreading the knowledge of the great Redeemer among their Savage
  Tribes, and hath actually employ'd a number of them as Missionaries and
  Schoolmasters in the Wilderness for that purpose: and by the blessing of
  GOD upon the endeavours of said Wheelock the design became reputable
  amoung the Indians insomuch that a larger number desired the Education
20   of their Children in said School; and were also disposed to receive Mission-
  aries and Schoolmasters in the Wilderness more than could be supported
    by the charitable Contributions in these American Colonies.— [§ 2] WHERE-
  UPON the said Eleazar Wheelock thought it expedient that endeavours
  should be used to raise Contributions from well disposed Persons in England
  for the carrying on and extending said undertaking, And for that purpose
  said Eleazar Wheelock requested the Reverend Nathaniel Whitaker now
  Doctor in Divinity to go over to England for that purpose, and sent over
  with him the Reverend Samson Occom an Indian Minister who had been
  educated by the said Wheelock, And to enable the said Whitaker to the more
30   successful performance of said Work on which he was sent, said Wheelock
  gave him a full Power of Attorney by which said Whitaker solicited those
    worthy & generous Contributors to the Charity VIZt.   The Right Honorable
  WILLIAM Earl of DARTMOUTH, The Honorable SIR SIDNEY STAFFORD SMYTHE
  Knight, one of the Barons of his Majesty's Court of Exchequer, JOHN
  THORNTON of Clapham in the County of Surrey Esquire, SAMUEL ROFFEY
  of Lincoln's Inn fields in the county of Middlesex Esquire, CHARLES HARDY
  of the parish of Saint Mary-le-bonne in said County Esquire, DANIEL WEST
  of Christ's church Spitalfields in the County aforesaid Esquire, SAMUEL
  SAVAGE of the same place Gentleman, JOSIAH ROBERTS of the parish of Saint
40   Edmund the King Lombard Street, London Gentleman, and ROBERT KEEN
  of the parish of Saint Botolph Aldgate London, Gentleman, to receive the
  several Sums of Money which should be contributed, and to be Trustees for
  the Contributors to such Charity, which they chearfully agreed to.   [§ 3] Where-
  upon the said Whitaker did by virtue of said power of Attorney constitute
  and appoint the said Earl of Dartmouth Sir Sydney Stafford Smythe, John
  Thornton, Samuel Roffey, Charles Hardy & Daniel West Esquires, and
  Samuel Savage, Josiah Roberts and Robert Keen Gentlemen to be Trustees
  of the Money which had then been contributed, and which should by his means
  be contributed for said Purpose; which Trust they have accepted as by their
50   engrossed Declaration of the same under their Hands and Seals well executed
  fully appears, and the same has also been ratified by a deed of Trust well
    executed by the said Wheelock;— [§ 4] And the said Wheelock further repre-
  sents that he has by power of Attorney for many weighty reason, given
  full Power to the said Trustees to fix upon and determine the place for said
  School most subservient to the great end in view, and to enable them under-
  standingly to give the preference, the said Wheelock has laid before the said
  Trustees the several Offers which have been generously made in the several
  Governments in America to encourage and invite the settlement of said
  School among them for their own private emolument, and the increase of
60   Learning in their respective places as well as for the furtherance of the
  general design in view.   [§ 5] And whereas a large number of the Proprietors of
  Lands in the western part of this our province of New Hampshire, animated
  & excited thereto by the generous example of his Excellency their Governor,
  and by the liberal Contributions of many Noblemen and Gentlemen in
  England; and especially by the consideration that such a situation would
  be as convenient as any for carrying on the great design among the Indians;
  and also considering that without the least impediment to the said design
  the same School may be enlarged & improved to promote Learning among
  the English, & be a means to supply a great number of Churches & con-
70   gregations which are likely soon to be formed in that new Country with a
  leaned & orthodox ministry; they the said Proprietors have promised large
  Tracts of Land for the uses aforesaid, provided the School shall be settled
  in the western part of our said Province.   [§ 6] And they the said Right Hon-
  orable, Honorable and worthy Trustees before mentioned having maturely
  consider'd the reasons & arguments in favour of the several Places proposed,
  have given the preference to the western part of our said Province lying
    on Connecticut River, as a situation most convenient for said School; [§ 7] And
  the said Wheelock has further represented a necessity of a legal Incorporation
  in order to the safety and well being of said Seminary, and its being capable
80   of the tenure & disposal of Lands & bequests for the use of the same.   [§ 8] And
  the said Wheelock has also represented that for many weighty reasons it
  will be expedient at least in the infancy of said Institution or 'till it can
  be accommodated in that new Country and he & his Friends be able to remove
  and settle by and round about it, that the Gentlemen whom he has already
  nominated in his last Will (which he has transmitted to the aforesaid Gen-
  tlemen of the Trust in England) to be Trustees in America should be of the
  Corporation now proposed [§ 9] & also as there are already large Collections for
  said School in the hands of the aforesaid Gentlemen of the trust in England
  and all reason to believe from their singular wisdom, piety and zeal to
90   promote the Redeemers cause (which has already procured for them the
  utmost confidence of the Kingdom) we may expect they will appoint Suc-
  cessors in time to come who will be men of the same Spirit whereby great
  good may & will accrue many ways to the institution & much be done by
  their example and influence to encourage and facilitate the whole design
  in view; for which reason said Wheelock desires that the Trustees aforesaid
  may be vested with all that power therein which can consist with their dis-
  tance from the same [§ 10] KNOW YE THEREFORE, that We considering the Premises
    and being willing to encourage the laudable & charitable design of spreading
  Christian Knowledge among the Savages of our American Wilderness and
100   also that the best means of Education be established in our province of
  New Hampshire for the benefit of said province, DO of our special grace
  certain knowledge and mere motion by and with the advice of our Council
    for said Province by the Presents Will, ordain, grant & constitute that
  there be a College erected in our said Province of New Hampshire by the
  name of DARTMOUTH COLLEGE [§ 11] for the education & instruction of Youth
  of the Indian Tribes in this Land in reading, writing & all parts of Learning
  which shall appear necessary and expedient for civilizing & christianizing
  Children of Pagans as well as in all liberal Arts and Sciences; and also of
    English Youth and any others, [§ 12] and the Trustees of said College may and
110   shall be one body corporate and politick in deed action & name, and shall
  be called, named & distinguish'd by the Name of the TRUSTEES of DART-
  MOUTH COLLEGE And further we have willed given granted constituted
  and ordained and by this our present Charter of our special grace certain
  knowledge & mere motion with the advice aforesaid DO for us our heirs
  and successors forever will give grant constitute & ordain that there shall
  be in the said DARTMOUTH COLLEGE from henceforth and forever a body
    politick consisting of Trustees of said Dartmouth College   [§ 13] And for the more
  full & perfect erection of said Corporation & body politick consisting of
  Trustees of said Dartmouth College We of our special grace certain knowledge
120   & mere motion DO by these Presents for us our Heirs & Successors make
  ordain constitute and appoint our trusty and well beloved JOHN WENT-
  WORTH, Esquire Governor of our said Province and the GOVERNOR of our
  said Province of New Hampshire for the time being and our Trusty and well
  beloved THEODORE ATKINSON Esquire now President of our Council of our
  said Province GEORGE JAFFREY & DANIEL PIERCE Esquires both of our said
  Council and PETER GILMAN Esquire now Speaker of our House of Repre-
  sentatives in said Province & WILLIAM PITKIN, Esquire one of the Assistants
  of our Colony of Connecticut & our said trusty and well beloved ELEAZAR
  WHEELOCK of Lebanon Doctor in Divinity, BENJAMIN POMROY of Hebron
130   JAMES LOCKWOOD of Weathersfield TIMOTHY PITKIN & JOHN SMALLEY of
  Farmington & WILLIAM PATTEN of Hartford all of our said Colony of
  Connecticut Ministers of the Gospel.   (the whole number of said Trustees
  consisting and hereafter forever to consist of TWELVE & no more) to be
  Trustees of said Dartmouth College in this our Province of New Hampshire
    [§ 14] And we do further of our special grace certain knowledge and mere motion
  for us our Heirs and Successors will give grant and appoint that the said
  Trustees & their Successors shall forever hereafter be in deed act & name,
  a body corporate & politick & that they the said body corporate & politick
  shall be known & distinguished in all deeds grants bargains sales writings
140   evidences or otherwise howsoever, & in all Courts forever hereafter plead and
  be impleaded by the Name of the Trustees of Dartmouth College [§ 15] and that
    the said Corporation by the name aforesaid shall be able and in law capable
  for the use of said Dartmouth College to have get acquire purchase receive
  hold possess and enjoy tenements hereditaments jurisdictions and fran-
  chizes for themselves and their Successors in fee simple or otherwise how-
  soever & to purchase receive or build any House or Houses or any other
  buildings as they shall think needful & convenient for the use of said Dart-
  mouth College and in such Town in the western part of our said Province
  of New Hampshire as shall by said Trustees or the major part of them be
150   agreed on their said agreement to be evidenced by an instrument in writing
  under their hands ascertaining the same   And also to receive and dispose
  of any Lands goods chattels and other things of what nature soever for the
  use aforesaid And also to have accept and receive any rents profits annu-
  ities gifts legacies donations or bequests of any kind whatsoever for the use
    aforesaid so nevertheless that the yearly value of the Premises do not exceed
  the Sum of six thousand pounds Sterling and therewith or otherwise to sup-
  port and pay as the said Trustees or the major part of such of them as are
  regularly convened for that purpose shall agree the President Tutors and
  other Officers & Ministers of said Dartmouth College & also to pay all such
160   Missionaries and Schoolmasters as shall be authorized appointed & employed
  by them for civilizing & christianizing & instructing the Indian Natives of
  this Land their several allowances & also their respective annual Salaries
  or allowances & all such necessary & contingent charges as from time to
  time shall arise & accrue relating to the said Dartmouth College   And
  also to bargain sell let or assign Lands tenements or hereditaments goods,
  or chattels & all other things whatsoever by the name aforesaid in as full
  and ample a manner to all intents and purposes as a natural person or other
  body politick or corporate is able to do by the laws of our realm of Great
    Britain or of said province of New Hampshire   [§ 16] And further of our special
170   grace certain knowledge & mere motion to the intent that our said Corpo-
  ration and body politick may answer the end of the erection & Constitution,
    & may have perpetual succession & continuance forever We do for us our
  heirs and Successors will give & grant unto the Trustees of Dartmouth
  College & to their Successors forever that there shall be once a year & every
  year a meeting of said Trustees held at said Dartmouth College at such
  time as by said Trustees or the major part of them at any legal meeting of
  said Trustees shall be agreed on the first meeting to be called by the said
  Eleazar Wheelock as soon as conveniently maybe within one year next after
  the enrollment of these our Letters Patent at such time & place as he shall
180   judge proper And the said Trustees or the major part of any seven or more
  of them shall then determine on the time for holding the annual Meeting
  aforesaid which may be alter'd as they shall hereafter find most convenient
  And we further order and direct that the said Eleazar Wheelock shall notify
  the time for holding said first meeting to be called as aforesaid by sending a
  letter to each of said Trustees & causing an advertizement thereof to be
  printed in the New Hampshire Gazette & in some publick News Paper
  printed in the Colony of Connecticut But in case of the Death or incapacity
  of the said Wheelock then such meeting to be notified in manner aforesaid
    by the Governor or Commander in chief of our said Province for the time
190   being [§ 17] And we do also for us our Heirs & successors hereby will give and
  grant unto the said Trustees of Dartmouth College aforesaid & to their
  Successors forever that when any seven or more of the said Trustees or their
  Successors are convened & met together for the service of said Dartmouth
  College at any time or times such seven or more shall be capable to act as
  fully & amply to all intents & purposes as if all the Trustees of said College
  were personally present—& all affairs & actions whatsoever under the care
    of the said Trustees shall be determined by the majority or greater number
    of those seven or more Trustees so convened & met together   [§ 18] And we do
  further will ordain & direct that the President Trustees, Professors & Tutors
200   & all such Officers as shall be appointed for the publick instruction & govern-
  ment of said College shall before they undertake the execution of their
  Offices or Trusts or within one year after take the Oaths & subscribe the
  declaration provided by an act of Parliament made in the first year of King
  George the first entitled "An act for the further security of his Majesty's
  Person & government & the succession of the crown in the heirs of the late
  princess Sophia being Protestants, & for the extinguishing the hopes of the
  pretended Prince of Wales & his open & secret Abettors," that is to say the
  President before the Governor of our said Province for the time being or by
  one by him impowered to that service or by the President of our said Council
210   & the Trustees Professors Tutors & other Officers before the President of
  said College for the time being who is hereby impower'd to administer the
  same an entry of all which shall be made in the Records of said College
  [§ 19] And we do for us our heirs & Successors hereby will give & grant full Power
    & Authority to the President hereafter by us named & to his Successors
  or in case of his failure to any three or more of the said Trustees to
  appoint other occasional meetings from time to time of the said seven
  Trustees or any greater number of them to transact any matter or thing
    necessary to be done before the next annual meeting and to order notice
  to the said seven or any greater number of them of the times & places
220   of meeting for the service aforesaid by a letter under his or their hands of
  the same one month before said meeting Provided always that no standing
  Rule or order be made or altered for the regulation of said College nor any
  President or Professor be chosen or displaced nor any other matter or thing
  transacted or done which shall continue in force after the then next annual
    meeting of said Trustees as aforesaid   [§ 20] And further we do by these Presents
  for us our Heirs and Successors, create make constitute nominate & appoint
  or Trusty and well beloved ELEAZAR WHEELOCK Doctor in Divinity the
    FOUNDER of said College to be PRESIDENT of said DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
  and to have the immediate care of Education & government of such Students
230   as shall be admitted into said DARTMOUTH COLLEGE for instruction & edu-
    cation and do will give & grant to him in said Office full power authority
  & right to nominate appoint constitute & ordain by his last will such suitable
  & meet person or Persons as he shall chuse to succeed him in the Presidency
  of said Dartmouth College & the person so appointed by his last Will to con-
  tinue in office vested with all the powers privileges Jurisdiction & authority
  of a President of said Dartmouth College that is to say so long and untill
  such appointment by said last Will shall be disapproved by the Trustees
    of said Dartmouth College   [§ 21] And we do also for us our heirs and Successors
  will give & grant to the said Trustees of said Dartmouth College & to their
240   Successors forever or any seven or more of them convened as aforesaid that
  in the case of the ceasing or failure of a President by any means whatsoever
  that the said Trustees do elect nominate & appoint SUCH qualified person
  as they or the major part of any seven or more of them convened for that
  purpose as above directed shall think fit to be PRESIDENT of said DARTMOUTH
  COLLEGE and to have the care of the Education & government of the Stu-
  dents as aforesaid [§ 22] & in case of the ceasing of a President as aforesaid the
  Senior Professor or Tutor being one of the Trustees shall exercise the Office
  of a President untill the Trustees shall make choice of & appoint a President
  as aforesaid & such Professor or Tutor or any three or more of the Trustees
250   shall immediately appoint a meeting of the body of the Trustees for the
    purpose aforesaid   [§ 23] AND also we do will give and grant to the said Trustees
  convened as aforesaid that they elect nominate & appoint so many Tutors
  and Professors to assist the President in the Education & government of
  the Students belonging thereto as they the said Trustees shall from time
  to time & at any time think needful & serviceable to the interests of said
  Dartmouth College   And also that the said Trustees or their Successors
  or the major part of any seven or more of them convened for that purpose
  as above directed shall at any time displace & discharge from the service
  of said Dartmouth College any or all such Officers & elect others in their
260   room & stead as before directed   [§ 24] And also that the said Trustees or their
  successors or the major part of any seven of them which shall convene for
  that purpose as above directed do from time to time as occasion shall require
  elect constitute & appoint a TREASURER a CLERK an USHER & a Steward
  for the said DARTMOUTH COLLEGE & appoint to them & each of them their
  respective businesses & trusts & displace & discharge from the service of
  said College such Treasurer Clerk Usher or Steward & to elect others in their
  room & stead [§ 25] which Officers so elected as before directed We do for us our
  heirs & successors by these Presents constitute & establish in their respective
  Offices & do give to each & every of them full power & Authority to exercise
270   the same in said Dartmouth College according to the directions & during
  the pleasure of the said Trustees as fully & freely as any like Officers in any
  of our Universities Colleges or Seminaries of learning in our Realm of Great
    Britain lawfully may or ought to do, [§ 26] & also that the said Trustees & their
  Successors or the major part of any seven or more of them which shall con -
  vene for that purpose as is above directed as often as one or more of said
  Trustees shall die or by removal or otherwise shall according to their judge-
  ment become unfit or incapable to serve the interests of said College do as
  soon as may be after the Death removal or such unfitness or incapacity of
  such Trustee or Trustees elect & appoint such Trustee or Trustees as shall
280   supply the place of him or them so dying or becoming incapable to serve
  the interests of said College & every Trustee so elected & appointed shall
  by virtue of these presents & such election & appointment be vested with
  all the Powers & priviledges which any of the other Trustees of said College
    are hereby vested with   [§ 27] And we do further Will ordain & direct that from
  & after the expiration of Two years from the enrollment of these Presents
  such vacancy or vacancies as may or shall happen by death or otherwise
  in the aforesaid number of Trustees shall be filled up by   election as afore-
  said so that when such vacancies shall be filled up unto the complete number
    of TWELVE Trustees Eight of the aforesaid whole number of the body of
290   Trustees shall be resident and respectable Freeholders of our said Province
    of New Hampshire & seven of said whole number shall be Laymen   [§ 28] And
  we do further of our special grace certain knowledge and mere motion will
  give and grant unto the said Trustees of Dartmouth College that they and
  their Successors or the major part of any seven of them which shall convene
  for that purpose as is above directed may make & they are hereby fully
 impowered from time to time fully & lawfully to make and establish such
  Ordinances Orders & Laws as may tend to the good & wholesome govern-
  ment of the said College & all the Students & the several Officers & Ministers
  thereof & to the publick benefit of the same not repugnant to the Laws
300   & Statutes of our Realm of GREAT BRITAIN or of this our Province of NEW
    HAMPSHIRE and not excluding any Person of any religious denomination
  whatsoever from free & equal liberty & advantage of Education or from
  any of the liberties and privileges or immunities of the said College on
  account of his or their speculative sentiments in Religion, & of his or their
  being of a religious profession different from the said Trustees of the said
    Dartmouth College   And such Ordinances orders & laws which shall as
  aforesaid be made We do by these presents for us our heirs & Successors
  ratify allow of, & confirm as good & effectual to oblige & bind all the Students
    & the several Officers & Ministers of the said College   and we do hereby
310   authorize & impower the said Trustees of Dartmouth College & the Presi-
  dent Tutors & Professors by them elected & appointed as aforesaid to put
  such ordinances laws and orders in execution to all proper intents and pur-
    poses   [§ 29] And we do further of our special grace certain knowledge & mere
  motion Will give & grant unto the said Trustees of said Dartmouth College
  for the encouragement of Learning and animating the Students of said College
  to diligence & industry & a laudable progress in Literature that they & their
  Successors or the major part of any seven or more of them convened for that
  purpose as above directed do by the President of said College for the time
  being or any other deputed by them give & grant any such degree or degrees
320   to any of the Students of the said College or any others by them thought
  worthy thereof as are usually granted in either of the Universities or any other
    College in our Realm of Great Britain & that they sign & seal Diplomas
  or certificates of such Graduations to be kept by the graduates as perpetual
    memorials & testimonials thereof.   [§ 30] AND we do further of our special grace
  certain knowledge & mere motion for us our heirs & Successors by these
  Presents give & grant unto the Trustees of said Dartmouth College & to their
  Successors that they & their Successors shall have a common SEAL under
  which they may pass all diplomas or Certificates of degrees & all other
  affairs & business of & concerning the said College which shall be engraven
330   in such a form and with such an inscription as shall be devised by the said
  Trustees for the time being or by the major part of any seven or more of
    them convened for the service of the said College as is above directed   [§ 31] And
  we do further for us our heirs & Successors give and grant unto the said
  Trustees of the said Dartmouth College & their Successors or to the major
  part of any seven or more of them convened for the service of the said College
  full power & authority from time to time to nominate & appoint all other
  Officers & Ministers which they shall think convenient & necessary for the
  service of the said College not herein particularly named or mention'd which
  Officers & Ministers we do hereby impower to execute their Offices & Trusts
340   as fully & freely as any of the Officers & Ministers in our Universities or
  Colleges in our REALM of GREAT BRITAIN lawfully may or ought to do.
    [§ 32] AND further that the generous Contributors to the support of this design
  of spreading the knowledge of the only true God and Saviour among the
  American Savages may from time to time be satisfied that their liberalities
  are faithfully disposed of in the best manner for that purpose & that others
  may in future time be encouraged in the exercise of the like liberality for
  promoting the same pious design it shall be the duty of the President of the
  said Dartmouth College & of his Successors annually or as often as he shall
  be thereunto desired or required to transmit to the Right honorable, hon-
350   orable & worthy Gentlemen of the Trust in England before mentioned a
  faithful account of the improvement & disbursements of the several Sums he
  shall receive from the Donations & bequests made in England through
  the hands of said Trustees & also advise them of the general plans laid and
  prospects exhibited as well as a faithful account of all remarkable occur-
    rences in order if they shall think expedient that they may be published   And
  this to continue so long as they shall perpetuate their board of Trustees & there
  shall be any of the Indian Natives remaining to be proper Objects of that
    Charity   [§ 33] AND lastly our express Will & pleasure is and we do by these presents
  for us our heirs and Successors give & grant unto the said Trustees of Dart-
360   mouth College & to their Successors forever that these our Letters Patent
  or the enrollment thereof in the SECRETARY'S Office of our province of New
  Hampshire aforesaid shall be good & effectual in the Law to all intents &
  purposes against us our heirs and Successors without any other License
  Grant or Confirmation from us our heirs & successors hereafter by the said
  Trustees to be had & obtained notwithstanding the not writing or misrecital
  not naming or misnaming the aforesaid Offices Franchises Priviledges
  Immunities or other the Premises or any of them and notwithstanding a
  writ of Ad quod Damnum hath not issued forth to enquire of the Premises
    or any other matter or thing to the contrary notwithstanding
370   [§ 34] TO HAVE AND TO HOLD ALL & singular the Privileges Advantages Liberties
  Immunities and all other the Premises herein & hereby granted & given or
  which are meant mentioned or intended to be herein & hereby given and
  granted unto them the said TRUSTEES of DARTMOUTH COLLEGE and to their
  Successors forever. [§ 35] IN TESTIMONY whereof We have caused these our
  Letters to be made Patent and the publick Seal of our said Province of NEW
  HAMPSHIRE to be hereunto affixed   WITNESS our Trusty and well beloved
  JOHN WENTWORTH Esquire Governor and Commander in Chief in and
  over our said Province &ca. this THIRTEENTH day of December in the Tenth
  year of our Reign and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
380   and Sixty nine.
   
  By his Excellency's Command}
  with advice of Council
   
   
  THEODORE ATKINSON, Sec'y
  Province of New Hampshire Decembr 13th 1769
  Recorded in the book of Charters
 
Lib: 4 Fol. 22 to 23 both inclusive.
  Per
  THEODORE ATKINSON, SEC'Y sc      
  JOHN WENTWORTH.
 
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