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 GEORGE WASHINGTON 
 
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 THE UNIVERSITY OF 
 PENNSYLVANIA 
 
GEORGE WASHINGTON 
 
 AND 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF 
 PENNSYLVANIA 
 
 By ... •; ' • ■ 
 
 Horace Mather LippincotI"'' •"' • '•" 
 
 COPYRIGHT 1916 BY 
 
 THE GENERAL ALUMNI SOCIETY 
 PHILADELPHIA 
 
ENTERPRISE COMPANY 
 PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS 
 BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY 
 
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GEORGE WASHINGTON AND THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF PENNSYLVANIA 
 
 Upon a wall in the Library of the University of Pennsyl- 
 vania there hangs a photograph of the diploma given to 
 George Washington in 1783 when he was made a Doctor of 
 Laws. For some strange reason nothing has ever been writ- 
 ten about this important event or of Washington's connection 
 with the University. Few know how intimate this was and 
 no doubt believe the honour conferred upon so great a man 
 was perfunctory and the natural outcome of hero-worship. 
 It will be interesting, therefore, to see how well he knew the 
 institution and its men, and how both entered into his career. 
 The minutes of the Board of Trustees are distressingly mea- 
 ger at this time, which may be proof of their dignity or that 
 the times were too crowded with events of national impor- 
 tance to elaborate upon their own affairs. Indeed the ses- 
 sions of the University were frequently interrupted during 
 this troublesome period. Its buildings and yard were used 
 
 (3) 
 
4 George Washington and the University 
 
 by Colonial troops, the British occupation of Philadelphia 
 put a stop to its classes and upon their retirement in 1778 the 
 Congress of the United States met in the College Hall until 
 the State House was cleansed and repaired. 
 
 The Trustees were in no hurry to give Washington his 
 degree as the date indicates, but they addressed him formally 
 in 178 1 upon his victory over Cornwallis. Harvard and 
 Yale Universities presented him with an honorary degree 
 earlier in his career although he is not known to have visited 
 them at that time or to have attended any of their lectures, 
 both of which he did at Pennsylvania upon more than one 
 occasion. 
 
 It is reasonable to suppose that Washington's first sight 
 of the Academy and of a large city, the largest indeed and 
 the most prosperous on the continent, was in 1756 when he 
 journeyed to Boston on horseback to settle the dispute about 
 the command of the army to resist the Indians on the fron- 
 tier. The Pennsylvania Journal and the Gazette tell us of 
 his arrival in Philadelphia on February 6th. He visited 
 Governor Morris and fitted himself out as his expenditures 
 to the tailor, hatter, jeweler and saddler show. Benjamin 
 Franklin, the President of the Board of Trustees, and Pro- 
 vost Smith must have shown him some attention during his 
 ten days' visit as they were among the most distinguished 
 citizens, and it was the custom at the Academy to entertain 
 
George Jrashiucjton and the Unizersily 5 
 
 important visitors. On his return in March he lodged with 
 Mr. Woods and went to the Assembly Ball. 
 
 He was present at Commencement in 1775 and 1782 
 and while presiding over the Constitutional Convention in 
 1787 accompanied his hostess, Mrs. Robert Morris, to a 
 reading for charity in College Hall on May i8th. When 
 James Wilson opened the law school, President Washington 
 attended his introductory lecture in College Hall on Decem- 
 ber 15th, 1790. These are the visits definitely recorded, 
 though no doubt there were many others as he spent much 
 time in Philadelphia from 1775 to the close of the century, 
 lived near to the University and was surrounded with inti- 
 mates who were graduates or patrons. On three occasions at 
 least the Trustees and Faculty waited upon him in a body, as 
 we shall see. He spoke to them of his earnest desire to en- 
 courage all seminaries of learning, of his inexpressible hap- 
 piness at being able to contribute toward the re-establishment 
 of the University after the disturbance of war and of his 
 desire to be considered the friend and patron of the arts and 
 sciences. He saw the power of the college man in the framers 
 of the Declaration of Independence and the makers of our 
 Constitution and knew that many of them were University of 
 Pennsylvania men. His great desire for a national university 
 is well known and perhaps it may have had its origin in the 
 intimacy he enjoyed and the honours he received from the 
 
6 George Washington and the University 
 
 institution founded by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. 
 
 On account of the presence of the Continental Congress, 
 the Commencement of 1775 was a notable one. Many of 
 the delegates were at home in the College Hall for they had 
 been a part of the institution, and two of them, Franklin and 
 Mifflin, Trustees, were appointed a committee of reception. 
 Allen, Mifflin, John and Lambert Cadwalader, Peters, 
 Bingham and Smith, of Pennsylvania ; Hopkinson, Neilson 
 and Sergeant, of New Jersey; Paca, Seney and Hindman, 
 of Maryland; Williamson and Hill, of North Carolina; 
 Dickinson, of Delaware; Marchant, of Rhode Island; 
 Grayson, of Virginia, and Ramsay, of South Carolina, all 
 knew the place and it was dear to them. We can imagine 
 their reminiscences and the pranks they recounted to their 
 distinguished colleagues as the assemblage gathered. Some 
 perhaps had appeared in the "Masque of Alfred" per- 
 formed by the students in January of 1757 in honour of 
 Lord Loudoun and the Governors of several of the Col- 
 onies, who were in Philadelphia consulting upon plans for 
 common resistance to the Indians. Some grew enthusiastic, 
 no doubt, as they pointed out the course, about the square, 
 taken by young Samuel Lewis, of Virginia, in 1770 when he 
 won the championship at foot-racing. There may have been 
 some in the company who had led the assault with apples 
 upon the windows and new street lamps in 1752 which 
 
Gcor(ic H'dshitit/ton and the I'niirrsily 
 
 caused a formal entry upon the minutes of the Trustees 
 "that a small Ladder be bought, to be always at hand for 
 the Conveniency of mending the windows." 
 
 As a member of the Congress came Colonel George 
 Washington, a delegate from Virginia, who was to be called 
 within a month to the command of his country's army. He 
 lodged at Dr. Shippen's and was entertained at Andrew and 
 James Allen's, James Tilghman's, Thomas Mifflin's, Wil- 
 liam Hamilton's, John Dickinson's, Benjamin Chew's, 
 Thomas Willing's, Dr. Cadwalader's, General Cadwala- 
 der's, Thomas Wharton's, Dr. Rush's and at other homes of 
 University men. He wore his uniform because it was the 
 best suit he had and it consisted of a blue coat, scarlet waist- 
 coat and breeches. And so Washington first appeared at 
 the University in the colors it now holds so dear. 
 
 On Monday, May 15th, 1775, the following advertise- 
 ment appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet: 
 "♦ * * The COMMENCEMENT for degrees in the 
 ARTS will begin at the COLLEGE, on Wednesday next at 
 nine o'clock; and the business will be finished in the fore- 
 noon. That there may be the more room for strangers in 
 the HALL, the worthy inhabitants of the City are requested 
 to accommodate themselves (as far as they conveniently 
 can) in the GALLERIES; the doors of which will be opened 
 at half an hour PAST Eight o'clock." 
 
8 George Washington and the University 
 
 The account of the Commencement is given in the Penn- 
 sylvania Packet of May 22 d, 1775: 
 
 "College of Philadelphia, May 17, 1775. 
 
 This day the public Commencement for Graduation in 
 the Arts was held here, in the presence of the most illustrious 
 assembly this Seminary ever beheld. 
 
 About half an hour after nine o'clock, agreeable to an in- 
 vitation previously given to them, the Honorable members 
 of the CONTINENTAL CONGRESS were pleased to 
 proceed in a body from the State House to the College, 
 where they were received at the gate by the Provost and con- 
 ducted to places prepared for their reception in the Hall. 
 As soon as they were seated, the Trustees, with the Gov- 
 ernor as President at their head, followed by the Provost, 
 Vice-Provost, Professors, Graduates and other students, in 
 their proper habits, entered the Hall, took their places; the 
 Galleries and other parts of the house being filled with as 
 many of the respectable inhabitants of the City as could find 
 room. The business then proceeded in the following OR- 
 DER, viz : 
 
 1. Part of the Church service, with an occasional Prayer, 
 by the Provost. 
 
 2. An Anthem, accompanied with the organ and other in- 
 strumental music. 
 
 3. Latin Salutatory Oration, de Amicitia, by Henry Ridg- 
 ley. 
 
Cit'orifc If'cishitu/ton and the University 9 
 
 4. On the Education of Young Ladies, by Francis Brown 
 Sappington. 
 
 5. Latin Syllogistic Dispute, Utrum detur Sensus Mo- 
 ralis? Respondent, William Moore Smith; Oppo- 
 nents, Benjamin Chew and John Mifflin. 
 
 6. On Ancient Eloquence, by Thomas Ennals. 
 
 7. On Politeness, by John Mifflin. 
 
 8. On the Fall of Empires, by William Moore Smith. 
 
 9. The degrees were then conferred as follows, viz: 
 Bachelor of Arts — Benjamin Chew, *Townsend Eden, 
 *Thomas Ennals, John Farrel, John Mifflin, *Henry 
 Ridgley, * Francis Brown Sappington, and William 
 Moore Smith. 
 
 ** The young Gentlemen whose names are marked 
 with an asterisk (thus * ) are of Maryland, the others 
 of Philadelphia. 
 
 Samuel Armor, John Park and John Thomas. 
 Honorary Master of Arts, James Ross. 
 
 10. A Dialogue and two Odes set to music. The speakers 
 in the Dialogue were John Parrel, F. B. Sappington 
 and W. M. Smith. 
 
 11. Valedictory Oration — B. Chew. 
 
 12. CHARGh^ to the Graduates, by the Provost. 
 
 13. Concluding Prayer, by the Vice-Provost. 
 
 The Condescension of the Gentlemen Delegates, who 
 thought it not unworthy of them, amid their other arduous 
 
lo- George Washington and the University 
 
 concerns, to devote a few hours towards the encouragement 
 of youth in Hterary pursuits, and the great generous ap- 
 plause given by them, as well as the audience in general, to 
 the different speakers and to their exercises, especially such 
 of them as had a reference to the present state of our public 
 affairs, are circumstances which will be long remembered as 
 honorable to the Seminary. At the desire therefore of some 
 very respectable names, and also that the principles con- 
 stantly propagated in this Seminary may be known to the 
 whole world, all those parts of the exercises which touched 
 on matters of a public nature, are herewith communicated." 
 
 In the next issue of the Packet, May 29, 1775, the 
 speeches on "Ancient Eloquence," "Fall of Empires," the 
 Valedictory and the Charge of the Provost are given. 
 
 "The Fall of Empires" by the son of Dr. Smith caused 
 the audience to break "forth into one loud and general 
 plaudit" when he cried out, "Liberty is our idol! She is the 
 parent of virtue, the guardian of innocence, and the terror 
 of vice ! Equal laws, security of property, true religion, wis- 
 dom, magnanimity, arts and sciences are her lovely off- 
 spring 1" Listening to this oration and to others of like senti- 
 ment we can imagine Washington's heart responding warmly 
 to the spirit of the occasion. How enthusiastic he must have 
 felt for the College that was instilling into its youth the prin- 
 ciples he heard so ardently proclaimed that day in May of 
 
Gcorijc U'ash'uujton and tlir I'nkfrsily n 
 
 1775 when he was on the threshold of the consecration of his 
 life to the ideals it taught! 
 
 Washington soon had further evidence of the patriotic 
 attitude of the University he had visited. On the 23rd of 
 June he attended Christ Church with the members of the 
 Continental Congress, the officers of the Third Battalion of 
 Philadelphia Militia, Colonel John Cadwalader command- 
 ing, and a "vast concourse of people" to hear a sermon by 
 Provost William Smith. It was on the "Present Situation of 
 American Affairs" and laid down certain moral and political 
 principles, leaving the obvious application to the distin- 
 guished gentlemen in the audience. This sermon caused 
 much comment and was considered a patriotic call to the 
 liberties of America. 
 
 Washington heard again from Dr. Smith when on July 
 nth, 1789, in New York City he presented him with the 
 diploma of Washington College, Maryland, conferring upon 
 him the degree of Doctor of Laws. 
 
 The ceremony of the commencement to which Washing- 
 ton listened was the last public one until 1779. The com- 
 mencement of 1776 was a private one on June lOth. The 
 buildings and yard were filled with militia and the classes 
 discontinued. The Trustees did not meet on account of 
 "public alarms." The Faculty complained that their lecture 
 and even bed-rooms were forced open and that there were 
 "hundreds of soldiers quartered in the College at one time." 
 
12 George Washington and the University 
 
 There were many of the University's men in the Revolu- 
 tion. Ten of them had signed the Declaration of Independ- 
 ence. This is not the place to enumerate them, but it may be 
 well to tell of a few who stood near to Washington, were 
 dear to him, whom he trusted and who helped him win. It 
 is fitting to begin with that unique figure whom many con- 
 sider the greatest American of all time. 
 
 For Benjamin Franklin, the Founder of the University, 
 Washington formed an early attachment. Indeed it was 
 Franklin, as one of a committee of three sent by Congress in 
 1775, who framed the plan, with the Commander-in-Chief, 
 at Cambridge for putting the defence of the country upon a 
 permanent basis. The scheme was a continental army which 
 enabled Washington to carry on a seven years' war, and 
 through Franklin's later efforts in Paris, to carry it to a suc- 
 cessful conclusion. Washington wrote to him afar off in 
 Passy in 178 1, virtually telling him that it lay with him to 
 save his country if she was to be saved at all. It is Washing- 
 ton's words that are cut in the base of the Franklin Statue in 
 Philadelphia on the site of the one time University buildings : 
 
 "Venerated for Benevolence 
 Admired for Talents 
 Esteemed for Patriotism 
 Beloved for Philanthropy." 
 
 He wrote to him from 
 
Gt'orye H'ashuujton and thr University 13 
 
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 The splendid figure of Washington which stands in the 
 Capitol at Richmond is due to Franklin's selection of Hou- 
 don to execute the commission voted by the State of Virginia. 
 
14 George Washington and the University 
 
 Anthony Wayne, of the Class of 1766, was the most pic- 
 turesque figure of the Revolution and one of the finest sol- 
 diers America has produced. He was also an Assemblyman 
 and sat in the Pennsylvania Convention which ratified the 
 Constitution of the United States. Washington's reliance 
 upon him is indicated by the account of every battle in which 
 he was engaged where "Wayne led the advance." On June 
 24th, 1778, Washington invited his generals to a council at 
 Hopewell, New Jersey, and after explaining to them the con- 
 ditions of his own force and that of the enemy, asked if it 
 would be advisable to hazard a general action. Sixteen gen- 
 erals were gathered and all answered against such an action 
 with considerable explanation until it came to Anthony 
 Wayne. Washington then said to him, "What would you 
 do, General?" He arose in his place and replied with em- 
 phasis, "Fight, sir." The Battle of Monmouth was the re- 
 sult. He served with distinction in nearly every important 
 engagement from Canada in the North to Georgia in the 
 South and after the war Washington made him Commander- 
 in-Chief of the American Army. In this position he con- 
 quered the middle and northwest and secured for civilization 
 the territory between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Upon 
 the center of the outer line at Valley Forge stands a noble 
 equestrian statue of General Wayne. It is where he stood 
 on that hallowed campground and the place he held upon 
 
Anthony Wayne 
 Thomas Mifflin 
 
 Philemon Dickinson 
 J. P. G. Muhlenberg 
 
C-ofc/i' irashiuijton and the University 15 
 
 many a field of battle. There is no commonwealth in Amer- 
 ica but has a county or town bearing his name. 
 
 John Cadwalader, of the Class of 1760, after serving as 
 a member of the Provisional Congress, took command of the 
 "Silk Stocking Company" in Philadelphia before which Pro- 
 vost Smith delivered his celebrated address in Christ Church 
 in 1775. He soon rose to be a Brigadier-General, meriting 
 the report of Washington in which he said, "General Cad- 
 walader is a man of ability, a good disciplinarian, a man of 
 good principles and of intrepid bravery." He was always 
 an enthusiastic supporter of Washington and fought a duel 
 in his behalf with Conway, author of the "Cabal," whose 
 purpose was to substitute General Gates as Commander-in- 
 Chief. Cadwalader badly wounded Conway, who apolo- 
 gized to Washington and left the country. In 1779 he be- 
 came a Trustee. A brother, Lambert, of the same class, was 
 a member of the Provincial Convention and Continental 
 Congress. He was a Captain and Colonel of Pennsylvania 
 Militia in the Revolution. 
 
 Robert Morris held intimate relations with General 
 Washington as financier of the Revolution. He was a Trus- 
 tee of the College, a signer of the Declaration, member of 
 the Constitutional Convention and State Assemblyman. His 
 relations with Washington and his confidence in him were so 
 great that he met his every demand to his utmost ability, 
 pledging his personal credit without hesitation. "The United 
 
1 6 George Washington and the University 
 
 States may command all that I have except my integrity,' was 
 his patriotic statement. He was the first United States Sen- 
 ator from Pennsylvania. 
 
 Thomas Mifflin graduated in 1760. He soon took an 
 interest in public affairs and became a member of the Provin- 
 cial Assembly and Continental Congress. Although a mem- 
 ber of the Society of Friends, he enlisted for the defense of 
 Pennsylvania as a major upon the outbreak of hostilities. 
 When Washington became Commander-in-Chief of the 
 American Army, Mifflin was the first aide-de-camp he chose 
 and soon after he appointed him Quartermaster-General 
 "from a thorough persuasion of his integrity and my own 
 experience of his activity." He quickly rose to be a Major- 
 General and Congress maintained implicit confidence in him 
 by almost unlimited financial support while he was Quarter- 
 master-General. He became, indeed. President of Congress 
 and received Washington's resignation in the historic scene 
 at Annapolis after the war. As Mifflin rose in fame and po- 
 sition he was drawn into a critical attitude toward Washing- 
 ton and was suspected of being a party to the Conway Cabal. 
 He returned to his old allegiance, however, and in receiving 
 Washington's resignation made a particularly graceful and 
 eloquent reply. "You retire," said he in closing, "from the 
 theatre of action with the blessings of your fellow citizens; 
 but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your 
 military command: it will continue to animate remotest 
 
Georijt' W ashitujton and the Utiiversity 17 
 
 ages." He was long a member of the Pennsylvania Assem- 
 bly, Governor and member of the Convention which formed 
 the national constitution. He was a Trustee of the College. 
 
 James Wilson was one of the most distinguished lawyers 
 of his day. He was Professor of English in the College in 
 1773, received the degree of A.M. in 1766 and Ll.D. in 
 1790. He founded the Law School of the University in 
 1790, the first on the Continent, was the first Professor of 
 Law and a Trustee. He was a member of Congress until 
 1787, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and mem- 
 ber of the Constitutional Convention, in which he was in- 
 tellectually the ablest of the members. He is said to have 
 had much, if not most, to do with the writing of the Consti- 
 tution of the United States and was appointed a Justice of 
 the National Supreme Court in 1789 by President Washing- 
 ton, who had already recognized his ability by placing his 
 nephew Bushrod under him. 
 
 John Morgan graduated in 1757 and received his mas- 
 ter's degree in 1760. He studied medicine under Dr. John 
 Redman, a Trustee of the University, and afterwards in 
 London, Edinburgh, Paris and Padua, obtaining his M.D. 
 from Edinburgh in 1763. He was a member of many im- 
 portant foreign scientific societies and founded the Medical 
 School of the University in 1765, it being the first on the 
 Continent. He was active in founding the American Philo- 
 sophical Society. In October, 1775, Congress appointed 
 
1 8 George Washington and the University 
 
 him Director General and Physician-in-Chief of the General 
 Hospital of the American Army, thus bringing him into inti- 
 mate relations with General Washington. 
 
 David Rittenhouse, A.M. 1761, the well-known astron- 
 omer, was a Trustee, Professor and Vice-Provost of the 
 University. His orrery by which the revolutions of the 
 heavenly bodies were presented more completely than ever 
 before is justly famous and appears upon the seal of the 
 University attached to Washington's diploma. Washington 
 relied upon Rittenhouse to grind the glasses for his spec- 
 tacles. 
 
 Philemon Dickinson, of the Class of 1759, was a soldier 
 and statesman. He was a member of the Continental Con- 
 gress and entered the Revolution as a Colonel of New Jer- 
 sey troops, soon rising, as a Major-General, to the command 
 of all the troops of his state. He displayed great bravery 
 at the battle of Monmouth and was especially commended 
 by Washington. As Chief Signal Officer of the Continental 
 Army, he had much to do with Washington and was Cad- 
 walader's second in his duel with Conway. After the war 
 he became United States Senator from New Jersey. 
 
 John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, of the Class of 1763, 
 was a picturesque and romantic figure. At the outbreak of 
 the Revolution he was the pastor of a church at Woodstock, 
 Virginia. Having accepted a Colonel's commission at Wash- 
 ington's solicitation, he appeared in his pulpit with his uni- 
 
Robert Morris 
 Richard Peters 
 
 James Wilson 
 Thomas McKean 
 
Gt'onji- n'aslinK/ton and ///<■ Uuiversity 19 
 
 form under his gown and after preaching a sermon on the 
 wrongs the Colonists had suffered from Great Britain he 
 proclaimed, "There is a time for all things — a time to 
 preach, and a time to pray; but there is also a time to fight, 
 and that time is now come." Then pronouncing the benedic- 
 tion he threw off his gown and took his place at the head of 
 his recruits. He participated in many battles and became a 
 Major General. After the war he was a member of Con- 
 gress and United States Senator from Pennsylvania, but re- 
 signed before taking his seat. His figure is Pennsylvania's 
 sole representative in Statuary Hall of the national capital. 
 Richard Peters graduated in 1761 and received his mas- 
 ter's degree in 1765 and Doctor of Laws in 1827. He was 
 a member of the Continental Congress, Assemblyman and 
 Judge of the U. S. District Court. He commanded a com- 
 pany when the Revolution broke out and in 1776 was ap- 
 pointed by Congress Secretary of the Board of War. As 
 the first Secretary of War he frequently came into contact 
 with General Washington. He was a Trustee of the Col- 
 lege and a famous wit. His hospitality at "Belmont," his 
 country seat, now in Fairmount Park, was as lavish and 
 widely known as was his stately mansion situated upon the 
 eminence which commanded an extensive panorama of love- 
 ly country and winding river. Judge Peters tells of how 
 upon one occasion in 1779 Washington wrote him "that all 
 his powder was wet and that he was entirely without lead or 
 
20 George JVashington and the University 
 
 balls, so that, should the enemy approach, he must retreat." 
 Peters was on his way to a gala occasion at the Spanish Am- 
 bassador's who lived in Mr. Chew's house on Third Street, 
 when he received this alarming and what to us must seem 
 incredible appeal. He was in despair, but meeting Robert 
 Morris, who remarked his low state, he was relieved when 
 that patriot assumed the whole responsibility and procured 
 the munitions. When Washington was President he drove 
 to "Belmont" whenever a morning of leisure permitted, and 
 there enjoyed his host's vivacious conversation while walk- 
 ing with him for hours in the beautiful gardens and beneath 
 the shade of the ancient trees. 
 
 James Tilton, bachelor of Medicine 1768 and doctor 
 in 1 77 1, was a Delawarean and entered the war as a lieu- 
 tenant of light infantry. He soon became regimental sur- 
 geon, however, and after serving in several campaigns was 
 called to the hospital department of the army, where he 
 brought order out of chaos and established methodical pro- 
 cedure. He refused the chair of Materia Medica at his 
 Alma Mater, preferring not to desert his country at a criti- 
 cal time. He was present at the surrender of Cornwallis 
 and soon after was elected to Congress. When the war of 
 1 8 12 came Tilton was made Surgeon-General of the United 
 States Army. He was a distinguished publicist and member 
 of many important scientific societies. 
 
Gt'on/i- II as him/Ion and llir Uttiit'rsilx 21 
 
 Jonathan Potts, of the Class of 1768, was made a doc- 
 tor of Medicine in 1771 also. He delivered the valedictory 
 at Commencement, emphasizing the advantage to be derived 
 in the Study of Physic from a previous liberal education in 
 the other sciences. He was a member of the Provincial 
 Congress and upon the outbreak of hostilities was appointed 
 physician-surgeon of the army for Canada and Lake George. 
 In 1777 he became deputy director-general of the General 
 Hospital in the Northern district. His work of reorganiza- 
 tion and efficiency gained for him a commendatory vote of 
 Congress and he was made director-general of the hospitals 
 of the middle department. This brought him into the enor- 
 mous task of caring for the sick and wounded at Valley 
 Forge. From this exertion he died at the age of 36, before 
 the independence of his country for which he had so ardent- 
 ly longed. 
 
 Jacob Duche, of the Class of 1757, was chaplain to the 
 Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776; Patrick Alison, 
 of the Class of 1760, during 1776 and William White, 
 1765, from 1777 to 1801 with interruption from 1785 to 
 1789. 
 
 William White, of the Class of 1765, was chosen chap- 
 lain to Congress in 1777. He was riding with a friend when 
 a messenger from Congress overtook him. Realizing the 
 danger of enrolling with the patriots he hesitated a few mo- 
 ments, turned his horse's head and accompanied the emis- 
 
22 George Washington and the University 
 
 sary to the Congress then sitting at York, Pennsylvania. 
 He was the rector of the United Churches of Christ 
 and St. Peter's and the first American Bishop of the Episco- 
 pal Church. He was made a Master of Arts in 1767 and a 
 Doctor of Divinity in 1783. He was a Trustee from 1774 
 to 1836 and only lacked one vote of being chosen Provost. 
 He had close and confidential relations with Washington, 
 who attended Christ Church. The Bishop was often present 
 at dinners of state and his residence on Walnut Street was the 
 only place where President and Mrs. Washington allowed 
 themselves to make a social call. The Bishop was the dis- 
 penser of the President's alms. 
 
 In 1762 at the age of 18 Tench Tilghman came to Phila- 
 delphia from Maryland. His father was a lawyer and soon 
 became a prominent man in the Commonwealth and a Trus- 
 tee of the University. Sympathizing with the loyalists, the 
 elder Tilghman retired to Chestertown, Maryland, at the out- 
 break of hostilities, leaving his son a merchant in Philadel- 
 phia. Tench Tilghman's mother was the daughter of Tench 
 Francis, Esquire, Attorney General of Pennsylvania. He 
 was a founder and one of the first Trustees of the Univer- 
 sity. With Franklin he drew up its constitution and rules of 
 government. His grandfather assumed the direction of his 
 education and he entered the College in 1758, graduating 
 A.B. in 1 76 1. Soon after Lexington and Concord, Tench 
 Tilghman became a Lieutenant in "The Silk Stockings," a 
 
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 John Cadwalader 
 Tevch Tii-ghman 
 
 Lambert C!ad\vai.ader 
 Francis FIopkinson 
 
George JVashington and the University 23 
 
 company composed of the young men of the best social posi- 
 tion in Philadelphia. When it was merged into Washing- 
 ton's Army Tilghman was Captain. Trained in filial piety 
 and the reverence of a son he found himself violating some 
 of the tenderest sentiments of his nature, but in his relations 
 with his father during the war there never was an alienation 
 of feeling but mutual affection and respect was cherished to 
 the end. 
 
 Thus disregarding pecuniary interests, personal comfort 
 and family ties, Tench Tilghman became the most trusted 
 and nearest of Washington's aides, "master of the most val- 
 uable secrets of the cabinet and the field" and proof against 
 the many attempts made to alarm the general's suspicions as 
 to his being near his person. In August, 1776, he became a 
 member of Washington's family and served as his military 
 aide and secretary throughout the war, being in every action 
 in which the main army was engaged. In a letter General 
 Washington wrote to the Hon. John Sullivan, a delegate to 
 Congress, on the i ith of May, 17S1, he speaks of the diffi- 
 culties and disputes arising among the officers respecting the 
 order of their promotion, and urges that it be settled on ac- 
 count of Mr. Tilghman as being especially deserving. Con- 
 tinuing he says: "He has been a zealous servant and slave 
 to the public, and a faithful assistant to me for nearly five 
 years, a great part of which time he refused to receive pay. 
 Honor and gratitude interest me in his favor, and make me 
 
24 George Washington and the University 
 
 solicitous to obtain his commission. His modesty and love 
 of Concord placed the date of his expected commission at 
 the first of April, 1777, because he would not take rank of 
 Hamilton and Meade, who were declared aides in order 
 (which he did not choose to be), before that period, al- 
 though he had joined my family and done all the duties of 
 one from the first of September preceding." This letter 
 needs no comment. It is sufficient to show the character of 
 the man and the esteem in which Washington held him. His 
 commission as Lieutenant-Colonel as of April ist, 1777, was 
 issued to him May 30th, 178 1, as well as his formal recog- 
 nition as assistant secretary of the Commander-in-Chief. He 
 sought no promotion but was content with the confidence and 
 approbation of his chief. 
 
 Upon the surrender of Cornwallis, Washington selected 
 Colonel Tilghman to bear the news to Thomas McKean 
 (A.M. 1763, Ll.D. 1785 and president of the Board of 
 Trustees of the University), president of Congress then in 
 session in Philadelphia. He asked, too, that the merits of 
 his aide be "honored by the notice of your Excellency and 
 Congress." The messenger reached Philadelphia in four 
 days, having spread the joyful news to an anxious country- 
 side. McKean was awakened in the middle of the night and 
 the news given to the aroused city, the watchmen calling 
 "Cornwallis is taken" with their announcement of the hours. 
 
George IFashington and the University 25 
 
 Congress presented Colonel Tilghman with a sword and 
 horse fully accoutred. 
 
 As his service was about to close Washington wrote to 
 him, "There are few men in the world to whom I am more 
 attached by inclination than I am to you" ; and "I shall never 
 be more happy than in your company at Mt. Vernon." When 
 Washington resigned his commission in that memorable 
 scene before the Congress at Annapolis, Tench Tilghman 
 stood by his side as they faced the President of Congress, 
 Thomas Mifflin, of the Class of 1760. 
 
 In 1784 he entered into a partnership with Robert Mor- 
 ris, who had known him in his youth at college. The asso- 
 ciation was only terminated by the early death in 1786 of 
 Colonel Tilghman from disease contracted through the 
 hardships of the camp at Valley Forge in 1777. He was 
 but 42 years old. Washington said of him: 
 
 "He left as fair a reputation as ever belonged to a hu- 
 man character. * * * Midst all the sorrowings that are 
 mingled on this melancholy occasion I venture to assert that 
 none could have felt his death with more regret than I, be- 
 cause no one had higher opinions of his worth. * * * 
 There is this consolation, though, to be drawn that while 
 living no man could be more esteemed, and since dead none 
 is more lamented." 
 
 After the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, Washington 
 was called to the funeral of Mrs. Washington's son, John 
 
26 George Washington and the University 
 
 Custis, for whom he had a sincere attachment. He then 
 passed on to Mount Vernon for a few days and was in Phil- 
 adelphia towards the end of November to stimulate Con- 
 gress toward taking measures for following up the success 
 of the allied arms and to plan for an early and decisive cam- 
 paign the next year. During this time, from the 19th of 
 November, 178 1, to the 22nd of March, 1782, he lived at 
 the house of Chief Justice Benjamin Chew, a Trustee of the 
 University, at No. no (now 244) South Third Street, be- 
 tween Walnut and Spruce Streets and next door to the Pow- 
 ell house, still standing, where he was so frequently enter- 
 tained. Washington rented from Mr. Chew, who lived at 
 his country estate "Cliveden," the scene of the battle of Ger- 
 mantown. The house was a fine one and had spacious gar- 
 dens, the only ones, remarks Ann Warder in her diary, be- 
 sides Mr. Norris' in the city. Benjamin Chew, Jr., was of 
 the Class of 1775 and delivered the valedictory at the com- 
 mencement which Washington attended as we have seen. 
 
 At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the University 
 on December 5th, 178 1, it was resolved that the Chief Jus- 
 tice, Thomas McKean, and Doctor James Hutchinson be a 
 committee "to prepare an address to His Excellency Gen- 
 eral Washington on the subject of his late Glorious Success 
 in Virginia, and that the Provost be requested to give his 
 assistance in behalf of the Faculty." On Friday, the 7th of 
 December, the committee reported an essay of An Address 
 
George W ash'uujtun and the University 27 
 
 which, being read and considered by paragraphs, was agreed 
 to. Mr. Matlock was directed to wait upon the Faculty and 
 procure their approbation to the address as altered and 
 agreed to. On Monday the loth the Board and Faculty pro- 
 ceeded to present the joint Address, the event being de- 
 scribed as follows in the Pennsylvania Packet of December 
 1 1, 1781 : 
 
 "Yesterday the Trustees and Faculty of the University 
 of this State, waited on his Excellency General George 
 Washington, presented the following address: 
 
 To his Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, esquire, 
 Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States of 
 America. 
 SIR:— 
 
 The Trustees and Faculty of the University of Pennsyl- 
 vania, deeply impressed with a sense of the many important 
 services you have rendered to America, happy in the protec- 
 tion which this Seminary of Learning, in common with oth- 
 ers, has obtained by your exertions, and elated with the 
 pleasing prospect of the progress of Science, and the estab- 
 lishment of peace and independence, beg leave to testify 
 their participation of the General Joy, that is felt by all the 
 Friends of their Country, on the capture of Lord Cornwallis 
 and his Army. Penetrated with the most lively Sentiments 
 of Gratitude to Heaven for the preservation of your impor- 
 
28 George Washington and the University 
 
 tant Life, they feel an additional pleasure in the reflection, 
 that it has pleased the Most High, who superintends and 
 directs the Councils of States and Princes, to accomplish this 
 Glorious event under the immediate auspices of your Excel- 
 lency, in conjunction with the United Councils and Forces of 
 America and France : an event which must tend to humble 
 the prince of Britain, while it cements the union and 
 Strengthens the affection of the confederate nations, and en- 
 circles, with unfading Glory, the head of that magnanamous 
 Prince, to whom we are so much indebted, and which will 
 transmit to Posterity, with Honour, the names of his in- 
 trepid Officers, particularly the Counts deGrasse and de- 
 Rochambeau, who with distinguished Wisdom, alacrity, zeal 
 and abilities, have Seconded the wishes of their Sovereign, 
 by uniting their exertions in the Execution of your Excel- 
 lency's judicious and well Concerted Plan. 
 
 Signed by order and in behalf of the Board of Trustees. 
 
 Wm. Moore, President. 
 In behalf of the Faculty, 
 
 John Ewing, Provost, 
 to which his Excellency, the General, was pleased to return 
 the following answer : 
 
 To his Excellency, WILLIAM MOORE, esquire. Pres- 
 ident of the Board of Trustees ; and the Reverend Mr, Ew- 
 ing, Provost of the University of Pennsylvania : 
 
Gconjc JI'ash'nKjton and the Univcrsitx 29 
 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 Among the several congratulatory addresses I have had 
 the honour of receiving from my fellow citizens on the late 
 important success of the allied arms, I esteem none more 
 highly than this of the Trustees and Faculty of the Univer- 
 sity of Pennsylvania. Convinced that science is the nurse of 
 Liberty, I have ever made it a rule to protect and encourage, 
 to the utmost of my power, all Seminaries of Learning; and 
 inexpressably happy shall I be to think that my services have 
 in any degree, contributed to the re-establishment of an insti- 
 tution, so eminently distinguished as that which you, Gentle- 
 men, Patronize. It will afford a Very Sensible Satisfaction 
 to the Generals of a nation, as celebrated for her progress 
 in the arts as she is for her prowess in arms, to see their own 
 names and that of their illustrious Sovereign, mentioned in 
 so respectable and Grateful a Manner. You are perfectly 
 right in attributing to their alacrity, Zeal and ability a great 
 share in the Honour gained at York. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the greatest Veneration, 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 Your Most Obedient Humble Servt., 
 
 George Washington." 
 
 It is interesting to know something of the Committee of 
 Trustees which prepared this address. 
 
 Thomas McKean, Trustee and President of Congress, 
 was a famous man in his day. He was a member of the 
 
30 George Washington and the University 
 
 Continental Congress, Governor and Chief Justice of Penn- 
 sylvania. He took an active part in the convention which 
 framed the Declaration of Independence and sent the ear- 
 nest message to Caesar Rodney which brought him on his 
 famous ride to cast Delaware's vote for Independence. He 
 was Colonel of a Regiment under Washington in 1776 and 
 as President of Congress received the news of Cornwallis' 
 surrender, brought by Tench Tilghman. He received the 
 degree of Master of Arts in 1763 and Doctor of Laws in 
 1785. 
 
 James Hutchinson after studying in the College and 
 Medical School received his degree in 1774. He became^a 
 Trustee and Professor of Materia Medica and Chemistry. 
 He was abroad at the outbreak of the Revolution but has- 
 tened home and served as a surgeon in the Army, his most 
 distinguished service being at Valley Forge. He was a fre- 
 quent visitor at headquarters and was often consulted by 
 Washington about medical matters. He did brave work in 
 the yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia in 1793 and died 
 from it. His descendants have continued their connection 
 with the University to the present time. 
 
 John Ewing, the second Provost of the University, was 
 a Marylander who was pastor of the ist Presbyterian 
 Church in Philadelphia from 1759 to 1802 and was Pro- 
 fessor of Natural Philosophy in the College. He was elect- 
 ed Provost in 1780 and remained so until his death in 1802. 
 
John Morgan 
 James Tilton 
 
 Dwii) RirrENHousE 
 James Hutchinson 
 
Gcofijc If ashnujton and the U nivcrsily 31 
 
 Edinburgh University made him a Doctor of Divinity in 
 1773 and the University of Pennsylvania a Master of Arts 
 in 1759. 
 
 Before leaving the city, Washington again visited a Com- 
 mencement at the University together with other distin- 
 guished persons. He saw before him more young men who 
 were to make their mark: Caspar Wistar, James Craik, 
 Peter du Ponceau, William White, Patrick Alison and 
 others. 
 
 Let the Pennsylvania Packet of March 30th, 1782, de- 
 scribe the event : 
 
 "On Thursday, the 21st instant, a commencement was 
 held in the hall of the university in this city, before a very 
 crowded and polite audience, consisting of the honourable 
 members of congress, the members of the supreme executive 
 council of the state, the members of the assembly, his excel- 
 lency general Washington and his family, with the family of 
 his excellency the French minister, the Baron Steuben, and a 
 large concourse of the most respectable citizens, when the 
 degree of Bachelor in the arts was conferred on the follow- 
 ing gentlemen, viz., messrs. Moses Bartram, Michael 
 Byrnes, John Catlett, Joseph Clarkson, John Johnson, 
 James Kelly, William Kennedy, Joseph Borden McKean, 
 Thomas Memminger, William Nelson, Thomas Nelson, 
 John Proudfoot, Thomas Stewart, Robert Brooke Voss, 
 John Wade and Thomas Wharton. The degree of bache- 
 
32 George Washington and the University 
 
 lor in medicine, was also conferred upon messrs. Ennels 
 Martin, Charles Worthington, Elisha Cullen Dick, Walter 
 Payne, John Gibson, Caspar Wistar, James Craik, Jun. and 
 Nicholas Coxe. The degree of master of arts was conferred 
 upon messrs. Andrew Gregg, Samuel Sterrett, and Peter 
 Stephen du Ponceau. And the degree of doctor of divinity 
 was conferred upon the revd. Mr. William White of the city 
 of Philadelphia, the revd. Mr. Elihu Spencer, of Trenton, 
 and the revd. Mr. Patrick Allison, of Baltimore. 
 
 The business of the day was opened with prayer by the 
 revd. doctor Ewing, provost; and orations were delivered 
 by the candidates, in the following order : 
 
 A latin salutatory oration, de animi cultura, by Thomas 
 Stewart. A Forensic disputation on this question, "Whether 
 the profession of the law is or is not for the benefit and hap- 
 piness of society." James Kelly, Robert Brooke Moss, 
 maintained the affirmative. Joseph McKean the negative. 
 An oration on the benefit of the alliance between America 
 and France, by John Catlett. An oration against the utihty 
 of the Greek and Latin classics, by Thomas Nelson. An 
 oration in support of classical learning, by Thomas Mem- 
 minger. An oration on sympathy, by Moses Bartram. An 
 oration on cowardice, by John Wade. The degrees were 
 then conferred, and immediately after was delivered the 
 valedictory oration, in praise of knowledge, by Joseph 
 Clarkson. The provost, after having given a solemn and 
 
George irashinqton and the University 33 
 
 affecting charge to the graduates, concluded with prayer. 
 A band of music played at proper intervals; and the per- 
 formances appeared to give a general and high satisfaction 
 to all who heard them." 
 
 We come now to the most important event which con- 
 nects Washington with the University of Pennsylvania. On 
 the 1 2th of June 1783 the following Trustees met: Mr. 
 Dickinson, Mr. Helmuth, Mr. Farmer, Mr. Hopkinson, 
 Dr. Sproat, Dr. Clarkson and Mr. I. B. Smith. Mr. John 
 Sproat was appointed secretary. "A motion was made and 
 seconded that it be recommended to the next full Board of 
 Trustees (the present not being competent to determine the 
 matter) to confer the following honorary Degrees. That is 
 to say — 
 
 On his Excellency Genl. Washington the Degree of Doc- 
 tor of Law, Rev. M. Christopher Kenzie the Degree of 
 Doctor of Divinity, to be conferred at the next ensuing Com- 
 mencement. But the present meeting not being competent to 
 the business the same is referred to the next Board." How 
 deliberate, how careful were these gentlemen though all were 
 eager, no doubt, to do him honour. 
 
 The next meeting was on the 26th of June, 1783, and 
 there were present the Chief Justice Thomas McKean, Doc- 
 tors White, Bond, Hutchinson, Sproat, Mr. Rittenhouse, 
 Mr. Hopkinson, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Bradford, Reverend Mr. 
 Helmuth, Mr. Smith, and Dr. Clarkson, so the record runs, 
 
34 George JVashington and the University 
 
 and it was "Resolved that the Honorary Degree of Doctor 
 of Laws be conferred on his Excellency General George 
 Washington." 
 
 In the Pennsylvania Packet of Saturday, July 12, 1783, 
 we find an account of the Commencement : 
 
 "Philadelphia, July 12. 
 
 On the 4th instant, being the anniversary of American 
 independence, a commencement was held at the University 
 in this city, before a very crowded assembly; a number of the 
 principal officers of the state; part of his excellency the 
 French Minister's family; and a great concourse of most re- 
 spectable citizens, politely countenancing, and giving ele- 
 gance to the literary entertainment. 
 
 About 10 o'clock, the honourable trustees, attended by 
 the faculty of graduates in their robes, went in procession 
 from the apparatus chamber, into the public hall, and took 
 their seats. 
 
 The reverend doctor Ewing, provost, opened the busi- 
 ness of the day with prayer. The exercises were then con- 
 ducted in the order following : 
 
 A Latin salutatory oration, touching on a variety of in- 
 teresting topics; particularly, the baneful influence of luxury, 
 with regard to national principles and manners, by Mr. 
 Snodgrass. 
 
 An oration, sketching the plan of literature, classic and 
 philosophical, observed in this institution, and noticing the 
 
Gcuryc Jraslinujlon and tfw University 35 
 
 special provision made for attaining a masterly correctness 
 and address in our vernacular tongue ; by Mr. Stephen Sykes. 
 
 An oration, showing the essential connexion between the 
 exterior figure of man, and his susceptibility of improvement 
 in arts and sciences, by Mr. Morris. 
 
 A Forensic disputation on dueling. Messrs. Ephraim 
 Ramsey, and Joseph Thomas, maintained the lawfulness and 
 expediency of the practice : messrs. G. Bartram and N. Grier 
 maintained the negative. The arguments were acute, and 
 judiciously arranged on each side. The provost's decision 
 was direct and full against this Gothic phrensy. 
 
 An oration on the nature of government; illustrating the 
 distinguishing excellencies of the democratic form : with ob- 
 servations immediately respecting the United-States; by Mr. 
 Isaac Briggs. 
 
 An oration upon American affairs, embellished with re- 
 marks, immediately respecting the spirit of patriotism, and 
 the generosity of France in the ever memorable alliance; by 
 Mr. Richard Footman. 
 
 An oration containing humorous playful strictures upon 
 some apprehended barbarisms of grammatical and meta- 
 physical erudition; by Mr. John Chew Thomas. 
 
 Degrees were then conferred: That of bachelor in the 
 Arts on the following gentlemen, viz : messrs. George Bar- 
 tram, Isaac Briggs, Richard Footman, Nathaniel Grier, An- 
 thony Morris, Ephraim Ramsey, James Snodgrass, Stephen 
 
^6 George Washington and the University 
 
 Sykes, Joseph Thomas and John Chew Thomas. The de- 
 gree of bachelor In medicine, was conferred upon messrs. 
 Solomon Berkhead, John Morris, John Watson, Thomas 
 Waring, of Charleston, South Carolina. The degree of 
 master of arts, was conferred on messrs. Erasmus Kelly, 
 John Caldwell, John Bleakley, Samuel Sitgreav^es, James 
 Gray, Joseph Rush, Peter Chevalier, and Benjamin Morris. 
 
 The degree of doctor of physic was conferred on doctor 
 Hugh Shields, he having received the same degree before at 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 The degree of doctor of divinity was conferred on the 
 reverend Samuel Magaw, vice provost, and on the reverend 
 John Christopher Kunzie, professor of Hebrew and Philos- 
 ophy in the University. 
 
 The faculty and trustees desirous of showing every mark 
 of distinction, to the illustrious man, to whom America is ex- 
 ceedingly indebted, conferred upon his excellency general 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, esq. commander in chief of 
 the American army, the degree of doctor of laws. 
 
 The valedictory oration was then delivered by Mr. W. 
 Stewart; it had been handsomely prepared — various senti- 
 mental, delicate, pathetic; and the speaker did it justice. 
 
 A solemn charge, suited to bring home with a collected 
 power, philosophy and virtue, to the bosoms and business of 
 the young gentlemen, was given by the provost. 
 
 The vice-provost concluded with prayer. 
 
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George ll'ashingtun and the University 37 
 
 A band of music playing at proper intervals, improved 
 the general entertainment." 
 
 It is interesting to note in the description of these early 
 Commencements the evident importance of the event, the 
 attendance of distinguished public personages, the great 
 length and varied character of the programme and the par- 
 ticipatijpn of the graduates as the principal part of it. Quite 
 refreshing as compared with the formal routine of to-day 
 with one visiting speaker of distinction. 
 
 Washington was not present to receive his degree and it 
 is not known who, if anyone, received it for him. With his 
 headquarters at Newburgh, New York, he was at the time 
 on a visit to the northern posts in the state and the first op- 
 portunity the Trustees had in those days of long and pre- 
 carious communication, of presenting his diploma was when 
 he had said farewell to his army in November, taken leave 
 of his officers at FVaunce's Tavern in New York City and 
 was on his way to resign his commission to Congress then 
 sitting in Annapolis. He stopped in Philadelphia to adjust 
 his accounts with the Comptroller of the Treasury, accounts 
 kept in his own handwriting and with the utmost exactness. 
 
 The Trustees met on the i ith of December, 1783, and 
 the propriety of presenting an Address to his Excellency 
 General George Washington was taken into consideration. 
 Whereupon Mr. Hopkinson, Mr. Bradford and Mr. Bryan 
 were appointed a committee for the purpose. On December 
 
38 George Washington and the University 
 
 1 2th they met again and sent for the Faculty, who attended. 
 The address was read and adopted. Let us see who the men 
 were who prepared it. 
 
 Francis Hopkinson graduated in 1757 ^^'^ took the Mas- 
 ter of Arts degree in 1760 and that of Doctor of Laws in 
 1790. He was one of the most prominent patriots of the 
 Revolutionary war, was a member of Congress, Assembly, 
 Judge and signer of the Declaration. He was a musician 
 and a writer of abihty, in fact the most prolific writer of both 
 prose and verse who ever graduated from the College. He 
 became a Trustee in 1778 and his family have maintained 
 their interest in the University to the present day. 
 
 William Bradford, Jr., (A.M. 1781) was a son of Col- 
 onel William Bradford, printer and soldier of the Revolu- 
 tion. He, too, served in the war and became a Lieutenant 
 Colonel. He was a Trustee by virtue of his office of Attor- 
 ney General of the State. He later became a Justice of the 
 Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and finally Attorney Gen- 
 eral of the United States. 
 
 George Bryan was a Trustee on account of his office of 
 Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He was a 
 man of large influence and prominence in the state. 
 
 The minute book of the Board of Trustees has a blank 
 page where this address should be and there are two copies 
 of it among the Washington papers in the Library of Con- 
 gress. It was customary to send a copy of such things to the 
 
G conic ll'ashuujton and the University 39 
 
 recipient in advance of the formal presentation so that he 
 would have an opportunity to have a reply ready, which ac- 
 counts for Washington's having two copies, and the secre- 
 tary was evidently neglectful or in too much of a hurry to 
 retain any record for the minutes. 
 
 The President of the Board of Trustees at this time was 
 John Dickinson, a Maryland Quaker. He was the most 
 conspicuous person in the service of Delaware and Pennsyl- 
 vania from 1760 until his term expired as President of the 
 Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania in 1785- From 
 the meeting of the Stamp Act Congress in 1765 until his 
 death he was a prominent figure in national history. He was 
 the first to advocate resistance, on constitutional grounds, to 
 the ministerial plan of taxation, and for a long period after 
 tlie enforcement of the Boston Port Bill he controlled the 
 councils of the country. He courageously maintained that 
 the Declaration of Independence was inopportune and so 
 sank at once from the position of a leader to that of a mar- 
 tyr to his opinions. However, after it was found that com- 
 promise was impossible and the step was taken he proved his 
 patriotism and became a General in the Army. In I779 he 
 was returned to Congress from Delaware, and in the next 
 year was president of that State. 
 
 In the convention which framed the Constitution of the 
 United States he took a leading part and prepared many 
 memorable state papers at the request of the Continental 
 
40 George Washington and the University 
 
 Congress. He is perhaps best known for his "Farmer's Let- 
 ters," printed in the Pennsylvania Chronicle and addressed 
 to the people of Great Britain, which secured the repeal of 
 the Stamp Act, so well were they regarded abroad. 
 
 The address is endorsed by Jonathan Trumbull, one of 
 Washington's aides, "Address of the University of Phila- 
 da." and by Washington himself "December 13, 1783." 
 The draft of his answer in the Library of Congress is in the 
 handwriting of David Humphreys, his aide, and the diploma 
 is on parchment measuring 2034x25 inches. The Pennsyl- 
 vania Packet of Thursday, December i8th, 1783, gives 
 them both in full : 
 
 "Saturday last the following ADDRESS was presented 
 to his Excellency General WASHINGTON, by the Trus- 
 tees and Faculty of the University of the State of Pennsyl- 
 vania : 
 SIR, 
 
 The Trustees and Faculty of the University of the State 
 of Pennsylvania view, with peculiar joy, the conclusion of 
 the war, and congratulate your Excellency on the establish- 
 ment of peace. 
 
 When they consider how many important interests were 
 involved in the late contest, they cannot suppress their ac- 
 knowledgements to your Excellency, under whose auspices it 
 has been so happily conducted. 
 
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 THE ADDRESS OF 1783 
 
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George irash'inyton and the Umversity 41 
 
 In this arduous struggle for "Peace, Liberty and Safety," 
 the welfare of the Arts and Sciences was intimately con- 
 cerned — they trembled at the dangers that surrounded them 
 — they crowded to your standard for safety — and in you 
 they have found an illustrious protector. Sensible of her ob- 
 ligations, and ambitious of enrolling your (justly celebrated) 
 name in the catalogue of her sons, this University presents 
 your Excellency with her highest honors, and joins the 
 Wreath of Science to the Laurels of the Hero. We shall 
 deem ourselves honored by your accepting this testimony of 
 our gratitude and estimation of your literary merits, and we 
 hope the rising generation under our care, when hereafter 
 they shall see their names enrolled with yours, will be fired 
 with emulation to copy your distinguished virtues, and learn 
 (from your example) to grow great in the service of their 
 country. 
 
 Long may you live, to enjoy the sweets of that prosper- 
 ity and peace, which your arms have, under God, given to 
 America. We pray Heaven to reward you with its choicest 
 blessings, and to make you as happy in the shades of retire- 
 ment, as you have been illustrious in the field of glory. 
 Philadelphia, Dec. 13, 1783. 
 
42 George Washington and the University 
 
 His Excellency's ANSWER. 
 
 To the TRUSTEES and FACULTY of the University of 
 
 Pennsylvania. 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 I experience a singular satisfaction in receiving your con- 
 gratulations on the establishment of peace, and the security 
 of those important interests which were involved in the fate 
 of the war. 
 
 Desirous of being considered the friend, and (as far as 
 consists with my abilities) the Patron of the Arts and Sci- 
 ences, I must take the liberty of expressing my sense of the 
 obligations I am under to the Trustees and Faculty of the 
 University of Pennsylvania, for paying me so flattering a 
 compliment, and on so pleasing a subject. 
 
 I accept. Gentlemen, the honors you have had the good- 
 ness to confer upon me, with the greatest deference and re- 
 spect. May the revolution prove extensively propitious to 
 the cause of literature — may the tender plants of science, 
 which are cultivated by your assiduous care, under the fos- 
 tering influence of Heaven, soon arrive at an uncommon 
 point of maturity and perfection — and may this University 
 long continue to diffuse, throughout an enlightened empire, 
 all the blessings of virtue, learning and urbanity. 
 Philadelphia, Dec. 13, 1783. Geo. Washington.'' 
 
 Washington's next visit of consequence to Philadelphia 
 was in 1787 when he presided over the Constitutional Con- 
 
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 PRAF r OF WASHINGTON'S REPLY 
 
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 -m a pasrd .„ .,.„ „, his physician. Elisha CuIIen niclc. .78a M. 
 
George Jf'ashington and the University 43 
 
 vention. He lodged, as has been said, with Robert Morris 
 and accompanied Mrs. Morris to the College to hear a 
 reading for charity. We find in his diary many records of 
 his intimacy with University men. He "drank Tea" with 
 Robert Morris, Benjamin Franklin, John Cadwalader, 
 Thomas Willing, Richard Peters, Benjamin Chew, James 
 Hutchinson, Francis Hopkinson, Thomas Mifflin, Philemon 
 Dickinson, Thomas McKean, John Redman and many 
 others. 
 
 It has already been mentioned that Washington had a 
 high regard for James Wilson. In 1790 when he was Presi- 
 dent and Judge Wilson was Professor of Law at the Uni- 
 versity he attended, on December 15th, the introductory lec- 
 ture in College Hall which was the beginning of the first law 
 school in America. Mrs. Washington accompanied the 
 President on this important occasion, as did also the Vice 
 President John Adams, both houses of Congress, President 
 Thomas Mifflin of Pennsylvania and both houses of the Leg- 
 islature, "together with a great number of ladies and gentle- 
 men, the whole composing a most brilliant and respectable 
 audience." 
 
 As has been said, Washington placed his nephew Bush- 
 rod under James Wilson for the study of the law. He be- 
 came a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. 
 Two other nephews, George Steptoe and Augustine Wash- 
 
44 George Washington and the University 
 
 ington, were entered in the College by their uncle and were 
 of the Class of 1792. 
 
 When Washington was President the citizens built a 
 mansion for him at Ninth and Market Streets. He declined, 
 however, to accept this honour and rented a house from 
 Robert Morris near the corner of High and Sixth Streets 
 for $3,000 a year. The University occupied the Presiden- 
 tial Mansion until 1829. 
 
 After he returned to Mt. Vernon for his last years, Elisha 
 CuUen Dick of the Class of 1782 Medicine, who was settled 
 in practice at Alexandria, Virginia, became one of the family 
 physicians. He was the Worshipful Master of the Masonic 
 Order in the District of Columbia and walked arm in arm 
 with Washington when the corner stone of the Capitol was 
 laid. Dr. Dick was the first to arrive at the bedside of the 
 dying General and remained with him until the end. 
 
 It is a coincidence that an alumnus of the University was 
 close to Washington at the beginning and end of his career. 
 In his first military service for the state of Virginia in 1754 
 when he led a force against the Indian allies of the French 
 at Fort Necessity he formed a warm attachment for Dr. 
 James Craik, the Scotch surgeon of one of his regiments. 
 The doctor became a faithful and confidential friend for the 
 remainder of his life and was his family physician. They 
 spent much time together at Mt. Vernon and in traveling. 
 They served together in Braddock's campaign and Washing- 
 
Gi'ortjt' n'asliifujton and the University 45 
 
 ton appointed him assistant director-general of the Hospital 
 Department of the Middle district, including the states be- 
 tween the Hudson and Potomac Rivers in 1777. Soon after 
 this Dr. Craik, warned Washington of his secret enemies in 
 the Conway Cabal. 
 
 Their last journey together was taken in 1784 when they 
 made a tour of the land on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers. 
 In his last illness Dr. Craik was immediately sent for and 
 near his last words were, "Doctor, I die hard, but I am not 
 afraid to go." As the end came Dr. Craik put his hands 
 over his eyes and he expired without a struggle or a sigh. 
 
 On Washington's birthday in 1794, at noon, the faculty 
 waited upon him in person to present their felicitations, 
 which he graciously acknowledged. Since 1826 the Uni- 
 versity of which he was the friend and patron has celebrated 
 his birthday as an especial occasion to do honour to one who 
 is "enrolled in the catalogue of her sons," hoping, as did 
 those early fathers, that "the rising generation under our 
 care, when hereafter they shall see their names enrolled with 
 yours, will be fired with emulation to copy your distinguished 
 virtues, and learn (from your example) to grow great in the 
 service of their country." 
 
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 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY