Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

the least to diminish my gratitude. I have consid ered that, among artisans, good apprentices are most apt to make good citizens; and having myself been bred to a manual art, printing, in my native town, and afterwards assisted to set up my business in Philadelphia by kind loans of money from two friends there, which was the foundation of my fortune, and of all the utility in life that may be ascribed to me-I wish to be useful even after my death, if possible, in forming and advancing other young men, that may be serviceable to their country in both these towns.

To this end I devote two thousand pounds ster ling, which I give one thousand thereof to the inhabitants of the town of Boston, in Massachusetts, and the other thousand to the inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia, in trust, to and for the uses, intents, and purposes, herein after mentioned and declared.

The said sum of one thousand pounds sterling, if accepted by the inhabitants of the town of Boston, shall be managed under the direction of select men, united with the ministers of the oldest episcopalian, congregational, and presbyterian churches in that town, who are to let out the same upon interest at five per cent. per annum, to such young married artificers, under the age of twenty-five years, as have served an apprenticeship in the said town, and faithfully fulfilled the duties required in their indentures, so as to obtain a good moral character, from at least two respectable citizens, who are will ing to become sureties in a bond with the appli cants, for the repay ment of the money so lent, with interest, according to the terms hereinafter prescribed; all which bonds are to be taken for Spanish milled dollars, or the value thereof in current

with the sums lent, the dates, and other neces and proper records respecting the business and cerns of this institution, and as these loans ar tended to assist young married artificers in set up their business, they are to be proportioned discretion of the managers, so as not to exceed ty pounds sterling to one person, nor less than teen pounds.

And if the number of appliers so entitled sho be so large as that the sum will not suffer to af to each as much as might otherwise not be imp er, the proportion to each shall be diminished as to afford to every one some assistance. T aids may therefore be small at first, but as the tal increases by accumulated interest, they wi more ample. And in order to serve as man possible in their turn, as well as to make the re ment of the principal borrowed more easy, borrower shall be obliged to pay with the yearly terest one tenth part of the principal; which s of principal and interest so paid shall be again. out to fresh borrowers. And it is presumed, there will be always found in Boston virtuous benevolent citizens, willing to bestow a part of t time in doing good to the rising generation, by perintending and managing this institution gra it is hoped that no part of the money will at time lie dead, or be diverted to other purposes, be continually augmenting by the interest, in w case there may in time be more than the occa in Boston shall require: and then some may spared to the neighboring or other towns in

said state of Massachusetts, which may desire to have it, such towns engaging to pay punctually the interest, and such proportions of the principal annually to the inhabitants of the town of Boston. If this plan is executed, and succeeds, as projected, without interruption, for one hundred years, the sum will be then one hundred and thirty-one thousand pounds; of which I would have the managers of the donation to the town of Boston then lay out, at their discretion, one hundred thousand pounds in public works, which may be judged of most general utility to the inhabitants; such as fortfications, bridges, aqueducts, public buildings, baths, pavements, or whatever may make living in the town more convenient to its people, and render it more agreeable to strangers resortin; thither for health, or a temporary residence. The remaining thirtyone thousand pounds I would have continued to be let out to interest, in the manner above directed, for one hundred years; as I hope it will have been found that the institution has had a good effect on the conduct of youth, and been of service to many worthy characters and useful citizens. At the end of this second term, if no unfortunate accident has prevented the operation,, the sum will be four millions and sixty-one thousand pounds sterling; of which I leave one million and sixty-one thousand ponds to the disposition and management of the

bitants of the town of Boston, and the three mtions to the disposition of the government of the state; not presuming to carry my views any farther.

All the directions herein given respecting the disposition and management of the donation to the inhabitants of Bosion, I would have observed respecting that to the inhabitants of Philadelphia; only,

as Philadelphia is incorporated, I request the corpo ration of that city to undertake the management, agreeable to the said directions: and I do hereby vest them with full and ample powers for that pur pose. And having considered that the covering the ground-plat with buildings and pavements, which carry off most rain, and prevent its soaking into the earth, and renewing and purifying the springs, whence the water of the wells must gradually grow worse, and in time be unfit for use, as I find has happened in all old cities; I recommend, that, at the end of the first hundred years, if not done before, the corporation of the city employ a part of the hundred thousand pounds in bringing by pipes the water of Wissahickon-creek into the town, so as to supply the inhabitants, which I apprehend may be done without great difficulty, the level of that creek being much above that of the city, and may be made higher by a dam. I also recommend making the Schuylkill completely navigable. At the end of the second hundred years, I would have the disposition of the four millions and sixty-one thousand pounds divided between the inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia and the government of Pennsylvania, in the same manner herein directed with respect to that of the inhabitants of Boston and the government of Massachusetts. It is my desire that this institution should take place, and be gin to operate, within one year after my decease; for which purpose due notice should be publicly given, previously to the expiration of that year, that those for whose benefit this establishment is intended may make their respective applications: and [ hereby direct my executors, the survivors and survivor of them, within six months after my decease, to pay over the said sum of two thousand pounds

sterling to such persons as shall be duly appointed by the select-men of Boston, and the corporation of Philadelphia, to receive and take charge of their respective sums of one thousand pounds each, for the purposes aforesaid. Considering the accidents. to which all human affairs and projects are subject in such a length of time, I have perhaps too much flattered myself with a vain fancy, that these dispositions, if carried into execution, will be continued without interruption, and have the effects proposed; I hope, however, that if the inhabitants of the two. cities should not think fit to undertake the execution,. they will at least accept the offer of these donations,, as a mark of my good will, token of my gratitude,. and testimony of my desire to be useful to them. even after my departure. I wish, indeed, that they may both undertake to endeavor the execution. of my project, because I think, that, though unforeseen difficulties may arise, expedients will be found to remove them, and the scheme be found practicable. If one of them accepts the money with the conditions, and the other refuses, my will then is, that both sums be given to the inhabitants of the city accepting; the whole to be applied to the same purposes, and under the same regulations directed for the separate parts; and if both refuse, the money remains of course in the mass of my estate, and it is to be disposed of therewith, according to my will made the seventeenth day of July, 1788.

My fine crab-tree walking-stick, with a gold head curiously wrought in the form of the cap of Liberty,. I give to my friend, and the friend of mankind, General Washington. If it were a sceptre, he has merited it, and would become .

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »