Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/415

This letter with others was read to them on 10 May, 1763, but a copy does not appear in the minutes, and a special Meet- ing was held on 27 May to consider the addresses framed on his suggestions. The warmth of loyalty expressed in the one to the King may have compensated for their tardiness. Amid the joyous Acclamations of a grateful People, exulting in a Happiness derived from your Majesty' s wise, just and gentle Administra- tion, we, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects beg leave to lay our sincere and humble acknowledgments at Your Majesty's Feet and to express the deep sense we entertain of your Royal Condescending Regard to the Institution under our Government and Direction. * * * Situ- ated as we are in the centre of a Territory, which has long been the Theatre of Desolation and Bloodshed, we cannot but feel a large share of that general joy which is now diffused through your Majesty's American Dominions, upon the conclusion of a Peace so honourable to our Nation, so peculiarly beneficial to us. By this illustrious Event, we are prompted not only to look with Astonishment upon your Majesty, as a Conqueror triumphing over your Enemies, and giving Strength and Increase to your Subjects and Dominions, but to revere you as a blessed instrument, in the hands of Providence, of planting at once the Christian and the British Banners, the Banners of Liberty and true Religion in these remotest corners of the Western World. * * * To conquer and to civilise has hitherto been deemed the highest Effort of human Heroism. But to com- pleat the Glory of your Majesty's Reign, Heaven seems to have reserved it for your Majesty not to conquer and civilize only, but, by spreading throughout your wide extended conquests the Knowledge of Christ's Kingdom, even to bless Millions of Mankind with the comforts of true Religion, and the Gospel means of Salvation. Could the phraseology of the concluding paragraph have been one of the counts of the Indictment of 1779? It shall be our earnest Endeavor, as far as our Influence extends, carefully to provide that the Principles of true Religion, good govern- ment, and useful learning, together with a love and Veneration for the British Constitution, and an unshaken Loyalty and Affection to your Majesty's Person and your illustrious House, be constantly inculcated in the Minds of the Youth placed under our Instruction. To Lord Bute, they " beg leave to return your Lordship our most sincere Thanks and Acknowledgments for the Chear- fulness and Condescension with which you have been pleased