The report of that committee, filed with the petition, is as follows :
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Committee of the Senate to whom was referred the Petition of Daniel Merrill and others praying that they may allowed to establish a College in the district of Maine within this Commonwealth and for a Grant of Land, to aid them in the establishment of such Seminary, have had the same under consideration, and ask leave to Report—That the further consideration thereof be referred to the [next][1] last session of the present General Court. Which is respectfully submitted, by order of the Committee. E. Poor. Chairman
In the Senate June 11th 1812 Read & accepted Sam. Dana Pres.
Here again we find the purpose of the petitioners stated in the words "to establish a College in the district of Maine," showing plainly how the matter was viewed at the time. Why further consideration was postponed to the winter session of the General Court, is a question the documents do not answer. The second endorsement upon the petition shows the action taken by the Senate at that later session:
"In Senate, Feby 13th 1813. Read and Committed to the Hon Mess Phillips, Poor and Foote—to consider and report thereon. Sam. Dana, Pres."
This is the same committee to which it had been committed in the previous June, and that they were favorably disposed is shown by their report, which follows:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Committee of Senate to whom was referred the Petition of Daniel Merrill and others praying that they may be incorporated into a Literary Seminary in the District of Maine with the usual powers & privileges, and for a Grant of Land to enable them to carry into effect the object of the Petition, have had the same under consideration—and ask leave to Report—That the prayer of the Petition be so far granted, that the Petitioners have leave to bring in a Rill for that purpose.
Which is respectfully submitted, by order of the Committee, John Phillips, Chairman.
In Senate Feby 19th 1813 Read and accepted. Sam. Dana, Pres.
One significant change in phraseology is to be noted in this report. The word "college" is no longer used : in its place we find "Literary Seminary." That this change was made with a view to lessening opposition we may be allowed to assume in view of what came later. In accordance with the report of the commitee, a draft of the desired charter was submitted in this form:[2]
