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ready to oppose, if not openly, at least by their influence, every measure which seems to prefer any persuasion or denomination above the Episcopal. 3. The government of this state **** will probably wish to give no countenance at all to any denomination of Christians, lest an infringement of religious liberty should be made; and, therefore, if the College should be erected into an University, it is my opinion, the science of theology will be entirely omitted. For us, therefore, to be waiting for that event, will be loss of time, engaging in the quarrels of an old standing and high partyship, or a final disappointment at last."

"The second has a greater prospect of success, and for some time has been uppermost in my mind, in consequence of a train of happy consequences, which I imagined I saw connected with that situation; nor was the assured orthodoxy of all the Presbyterian Churches, and their indissoluble union in doctrines with ours, by that means, the least argument to persuade me into a coalition with Princeton. But, upon mature thought, it is evident to me that this measure will not succeed. For — 1. Our professor, when placed there, must be either under the control of the Trusteeship of that College, or, (if an exemption from their jurisdiction should be stipulated,) it is impossible but he will, in

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time, be under the influence of their customs, sentiments, and opinions, as he must be one among the many who surround him, and who, all being swayed by one interest, will unavoidably draw him also with the stream; whereby the professor of the Dutch Church will and cannot but be a Presbyterian professor. You know my sentiments in favour of the Presbyterians too well to suppose I mean any thing in this the least derogatory to them, their doctrines, or their church government. I esteem them highly, and wish many among us were not possessed with such groundless prejudices against them. But when I consider our Churches as hitherto preserving a distinct denomination, my first observation will be seen to have great weight, as the name and existence of the Dutch Churches by such an union would soon expire. 2. The same funds must be raised by us for the support of this professorate at Princeton, as if it was placed in any other situation, while the prospect of its answering our purpose would be dubious, and our professor evidently placed farther out of our control, in proportion as he became united to others. 3. Our correspondence with our mother churches in Holland, and the possibility of being increased by emigrations from thence, should at least incline us to remain as pure and unsuspected of any mixture as possible — unless some generous and proper