Letter from William Veasey, New York, to the Bishop of London, December 2, 1699 (20th-century manuscript copy) Digital
Scope and content
Urges the Bishop to monitor the efforts on establish the charter of N. England College.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1650-1828
Researcher Access
The Corporation papers, 1st series, supplements to the Harvard College Papers are open for research use.
Extent
2.8 cubic feet (6 document boxes, 2 flat boxes)Historical note
Henry Compton (1632-1713) served as the Bishop of London from 1675 to 1713.
Historical note
Harvard’s Charter of 1697, which did not include the King’s right to visitation, was disallowed in London. Boston did not learn of the disallowance until April 26, 1699, and beginning that summer, a new Charter draft was presented to the General Court that gave the power of visitation to “his Majesty and his Governor.” But the draft also introduced a clause, requested by President Increase Mather and his son Cotton Mather, which restricted Corporation membership to those who “shall declare and continue their adherence unto the principles of Reformation.” The Earl of Bellomont, Richard Coote (1636-1701), who served as Governor of Massachusetts from May 26, 1699 to July 17, 1700, refused to approve the Charter so long as it retained a religious oath, and Bellomont ordered the Corporation to proceed temporarily under the Charter of 1697.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Received from Rev. Sadler Phillips, March 31, 1910.
Creator
- From the Collection: Harvard University. Corporation (Organization)
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
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