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[session of 1787]

An act to establish a University in this State.

WHEREAS, in all well regulated governments, it is the
indispesable duty of every legislature to consult the hap-
piness of a rising generation, and endeavor to fit them for
an honorable discharge of the social duties of life, by pay-
ing the strictest attention to their education: And, Whereas,
a university, supported by permanent funds, and well endowed,
would have the most direct tendency to answer the above pur-
pose:

1. Be it therefore enacted, &c., That Samuel Johnston,
James Iredell, Charles, Johnson, Hugh Williamson, Stephen
Cabarrus, Richard Dobbs Spaight, William Blount, Benjamin
Williams, John Sitgreaves, Frederick Harget Robert W. Snead,
Archibald Maclaine, Honorable Samuel Ashe, Robert Dixon,
Benjamin Smith, Honorable Samuel Spencer, John Hay, James
Hogg, Henry William Harrington, William Barry Grove, Reverend
Samuel M'Corkle, Adlai Osborne, John Stokes, John Hamilton,
Joseph Graham, Honorable John Williams, Thomas Person,
Alfred Moore, Alexander Mebane, Joel Lane, Willie Jones,
Benjamin Hawkins, John Haywood, senior, John Macon, William
Richardson Davie, Joseph Dixon, William Lenoir, Joseph McDowell,
James Holland, and William Porter, Esquires, shallbe
and they are hereby declared to be a body politic and corpo-
rate, to be known and distinguished by the name of "The Trus-
tees of the University of North Carolina," and by that name
shall have perpetual succession, and a common seal; and that
they, the trustees and their successors, by the name afore-
said, or a majority of them, shall be able and capable in law
to take, demand, recieve and possess all moneys, goods and
chattels that shall be given them, for the use of the said
university, and the same applying according to the will
of the donors, and by gift, purchase or devise to take, have,
recieve, possess, enjoy and retain to them their succes-