145 Draft of a Petition to Governor Dudley Concerning a Charter

    [March 2 1704/05]

    To His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq. Captain General and Governour in chief of the Province of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire in New England.

    Wee being deeply sensible that the welfare of the Colledge depends very much upon its settlement with such a Charter as shall be sutable to our circumstances, And considering that this affair was Layd before His Late Majesty King William of Glorious Memory by the General Assembly of this Province, and was depending at His Decease, Have thought it our Duty to Pray your Excellency to Improve your Interest for the obtaining of such A charter from Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Ann Our Gracious Sovereign, as may Answer the Ends of the first founding of it. If it shall Please God to Prosper your Excellency in this undertaking, not only we but all Posterity will Have cause to Honour your memory. Wee commend you to the Divine favour, and remayn

    Your Excellencys Humble Servants

    College Papers, i. 38 (No. 86). The date is in the hand of Increase Mather.