HISTORY OF VERMONT. SOS 



suitable library, philosophical apparatus, or the 

 proper accommodations for professors and stu- 

 dents. The trustees were embarrassed, s'eldoifi 

 met, and a president was not appointed for the 

 seminary. The citizens of Middlebiiry were 

 anxious to have a college in that place. Thet 

 erected a small, but convenient building, pro- 

 cured books, appointed an instructor, and col- 

 lected a number of students. Their exertions 

 had produced more of a literary appearance than 

 Xvas to be seen at Burlington, In this state of 

 things they urged the legislature to let them go 

 on, and make a college CiUt of the school they 

 had already formed. The matter had been sug- 

 i2;ested to the assembly at Windsor the year be- 

 fore ; it Was now urged with more warmth, and 

 the legislature was invited to viev/ and examme 

 what they had already done. After much de- 

 bate anc? reasoning upon the subject, a majority 

 of the house were of opinioo, that the exertions 

 of Middlebury ought to be encouraged ; that 

 the most probable way to encourage the intro- 

 duction and cultivation of science in the state, 

 would be to favor those who were willing to be 

 at the expence of it ; and to make it the interest 

 of such societies to endeavor to excell, and im- 

 prove upon each other : And an act incorpora- 

 ting and establishing a College at IVIiddI«bur3% 

 in the county of Addison, was passed by a great 

 majority, yeas 117, nays 51.^ 



The act of incorporation gave to the presi- 

 dent and fellows all the powers and privileges 

 commonly granted to colleges or universities ; 

 and one, which has not been usually granted to 



'•* P«2e 90s. 



