34 Clinton's introductory discourse. 



the publication, and it expired with the 52d number. In 1 755 a series 

 of well-written essays, under the title of the Watch Tower, was pub- 

 lished in the New-York Mercury, printed by Hugh Gaine. 



The public attention was, however, principally engrossed in religious 

 controversies. In the time of Governor Fletcher the episcopalians were 

 favoured with a partial establishment in this and three of the neighbour- 

 ing counties. This exceptionable measure excited much uneasiness, 

 and a proposition to establish bishops in America, although reasonable 

 in itself, was resisted with great zeal, and produced a long and violent 

 polemic war, which was conducted with great talents. Our Dutch 

 ancestors were agitated about a question relative to their own church i 

 whether their clergy might be ordained in this country without the 

 sanction of the Classis of Amsterdam : and the French and presbyterian 

 churches were also torn asunder by internal feuds. 



Some of these jealousies and controversies affected literary objects, 

 and procrastinated, for a considerable time, the establishment of a col- 

 lege. Pamphlets were written, not only as to the government, but the 

 site, of the institution — whether it should be under the control of a par- 

 ticular sect — whether it should be in the city or county, were questions 

 debated with great earnestness. Although these agitations had a bene- 

 ficial effect in exciting the mind to action, yet it is to be regretted that 

 such talents and powers were expended in a way so little calculated to 

 subserve the solid interests of science. From this barren soil no sub- 

 stantial harvest of improvement could be reaped ; and if the same quan- 

 tity of intellect, which has been appropriated to unproductive and inter- 

 minable controversies, had been applied to the promotion of genuine 

 science, the boundaries of knowledge would have been greatly enlarged, 

 and the honour and happiness of the human race would have been 

 essentially promoted. 



