he subscriptions at last amounted to about two thousand five hundred
pounds, in which sum is included the generous benevolences of several
merchants of London.

Sec. 134. Anno 1691, an assembly being called, this design was moved to
them, and they espoused it heartily; and soon after made an address to
king William and queen Mary in its behalf, and sent the Rev. Mr. James
Blair their agent to England to solicit their majesties charter for it.

It was proposed that three things should be taught in this college,
viz., languages, divinity, and natural philosophy.

The assembly was so fond of Governor Nicholson at that time, that they
presented him with the sum of three hundred pounds, as a testimony of
their good disposition towards him. But he having an instruction to
receive no present from the country, they drew up an address to their
majesties, praying that he might have leave to accept it, which was
granted, and he gave one half thereof to the college.

Sec. 135. Their majesties were well pleased with that pious design of the
plantation, and granted a charter, according to the desire of Mr. Blair
their agent.

Their majesties were graciously pleased to give near two thousand pounds
sterling, the balance then due upon the account of quit-rents, towards
the founding the college; and towards the endowing of it, they allowed
twenty thousand acres of choice land, together with the revenue arising
by the penny per pound on tobacco exported from Virginia and Maryland to
the other plantations.

It was a great satisfaction to the archbishops and bishops, to see such
a nursery of religion founded in that new world, especially for that it
was begun in an episcopal way, and carried on wholly by zealous
conformists to the Church of England.

Sec. 136. In this first assembly, Lieutenant Governor Nicholson passed acts
for encouragement of the linen manufacture, and to promote the leather
trade by tanning, currying, and shoe making. He also in that session
passed a law for cohabitation, and improvement of trade.

Before the next assembly he tacked about, and was quite the reverse of
what he was in the first, as to cohabitation. Instead of encouraging
ports and towns, he spread abroad his dislike of them; and went among
the people finding fault with those things which he and the assembly had
unanimously agreed upon the preceding session. Such a violent change
there was in him, that it proceeded from some other cause than barel