tion itself, and it is worthy of note that the petitioners refer to "Harvard College in Cambridge, as well as the other colleges and seminaries" being under the direction and management of the Congregationalists. Why base their plea upon this ground if all they desired was a theological school? And again, it is alleged "we have no seminary over which we have any control." Yet Hebron Academy was already established, so they could not have had in mind the establishment of another academy.
As indicated by the endorsement (1) on the petition, the Senate acted in concurrence with the House. On page 226 of the Senate Journal we read:
"Wednesday Jan. 22. The petition of Daniel Merrill and others praying for the establishment of a Baptist College to Mr. Smith of W. S. Mr. Webb of B. Mr. Hovey of and Mr. Coburn of C. with such as the Senate may join Came up for Concurrence. Read and Concurred and the Hon. Mess King, Hastings & Hazard are joined."
Here we have it expressly stated that the petitioners desired the establishment of a college. Surely the men to whom the petition was submitted could not have been in error on so important a point.
The joint committee reported three days later. Their report is in the Archives as House 7196:
"Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In Senate January 25th, 1812. The Committee of both Houses to whom was committed the Petition of Daniel Merrill and others, a Committee of the Lincoln Association,—Robert Low and others, a Committee of the Bowdoinham Association,—and Caleb Blood and others, a Committee of the Cumberland Association, Praying for the establishment of a College in the District of Maine and for a grant of Land on which it is contemplated the Seminary should be established,—Have had the same under consideration, and [have directed me to][1] report that the Petitioners have leave to bring in a Bill embracing both the objects prayed for.—Which is Respectfully submitted—by Wm. King per order."In Senate Jany 25th 1812. Read and accepted. Sent down for Concurrence. Saml Dana, Prest."
"In House of Rep. Jany 27, 1812. Read and concurred. El. W. Ripley, Speaker."
The Senate Journal for January 25, 1813, page 238, records the action indicated above in these words:
"Leave to bring in a Bill on the Petition of Daniel Merrill and others Read and Accepted. Sent down for Concurrence. Came up Concurred."
Up to this point things were apparently going smoothly. It was not until the bill had been introduced that the opposition is manifested.
- ↑ Words in brackets scratched.
