WHEREAS, the proper education of youth has always been considered as the most certain source of the tranquility, happiness and improvement of private families, States and nations; and all the seminaries of learning which have been established in the interior part of this State, being from some fatal cause become extinct, so that the rising youths, after obtaining a knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages, are obliged to resort to the Colleges in other States, to acquire a knowledge of the arts and sciences, to fit them for future life. And the Rev. Joseph Alexander, having taught a grammar school for many years, near Pinckneyville, in which a considerable number of students have made great proficiency in literary education, and it being thought by many pious and public spirited men, that great advantages would result, could it receive the encouragement and sanction of a law for its establishment as a College:

I. Be it therefore enacted by the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives, now met and sitting in General Assembly, That the following gentlemen be, and they are hereby, appointed trustees, to wit: Joseph Alexander, James Templeton, John Simpson, Francis Cummins, Robert M'Culloch , James White Stephenson, John Brown, Robert Wilson, William Williamson, Robert Becqum Walker, Samuel Whorter Yongue, John Foster, John Kennedy, James Gilliland, William Smith, Abraham Nott, Andrew Love, Alexander Moore, Thomas Brandon, William Bratton, Samuel Dunlap. And the said trustees, and their successors, shall, forever hereafter, be one body politic and corporate, in deed and in name, by the name and style of "The Trustees of Alexandria College;" to have perpetual succession; capable, by its name, in law, to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, in any court within this State; and to receive, possess, retain and enjoy, any lands, rents, tenements or hereditaments, of what kind soever, and to alien the same; and also to purchase any lands or estate, real or personal; to receive any charity or donation or bequest which may be made unto them, the said trustees, for the use of the said College; and be capable to sell or dispose of any lands or chattels, real or personal, of any kind whatsoever; that may come to them by purchase, gift or bequest, or in any other way whatsoever, or to hold the same in perpetuity or for term of years.

II. Be it further enacted, That any five or more of the said trustees, or their successors, shall be a quorum to do business; and in case any of the said trustees should refuse to act, resign, die of remove, that the remainder of the trustees, or a majority of them, shall have power to elect others in their stead. And that the said trustees, or a majority or them, shall have full power and authority to make, alter or amend any by-laws for their own government or regulation, that they may deem proper and necessary, which are not repugnant to the laws of this State, and have full power and authoity to carry the same into effect.

III. Be it further enacted, That the said trustees of Alexandria College shall have a seal, have power to appoint or remove their tutors, and shall have power to make such rules and regulations therefor, as they, or a majority of them, may think proper and expedient. And that the said trustees shall make such rules and regulations for the admission or dismission of students, as they may deem necessary; and at the public commencements to grant diplomas or any other testimonials, under the seal of the said Alexandria College, as they may appoint, to all such as they shall think worthy to receive the same.

IV. Be it further enacted, That the said Alexandria College shall haveand possess the same powers of any College in this State; and the diplomas or testimonials from under the hands of the said trustees, with the seal of the said College affixed, shall be deemed and taken as such, in as full and ample manner as any diplomas or testimonials of any College heretofore established in the State.

In the Senate House, the sixteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, and in the twenty-second year of the Independence of the United States of America.

DAVID RAMSAY, President of the Senate.
ROBT. BARNWELL, Speaker of the House of Representatives.