Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

UNITED STATES.

WHITESTOWN, State New-York.

PARIS, July 1, 1794.

This day, at eleven o'clock, the first corner stone of Hamilton Oneida Academy was laid, by Baron de Steuben, in presence of the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, Col. North, Maj. Williamson Shanondo, the first chief of the Oneida Nation; a number of the trustees of said academy, and a numerous body of spectators. Shanondo appeared much delighted and affected. The ceremony was preceded by a prayer, well adapted to the occasion, by Mr. Kirkland; after which the Baron made the following
ADDRESS.

To the TRUSTEES of the INSTITUTION

Friends and Fellow Citizens,

THE object for which we are now assembled, is the erection of an Academy for the propagation of useful knowledge. In this enlightened age, it will be deemed unnecessary to explain to you how closely institutions of this kind are connected with the true felicity of a nation. The necessaries of life, its superfluities, riches, and even liberty itself, become as so many curses, if the enjoyment of them is not limited by wisdom; which leads us in the path of virtue, and directs our actions, not only to the promotion of our happiness, but to the welfare of all mankind. For the acquirement of this wisdom are seminaries of learning instituted. And here, my fellow-citizens, let us stop for a moment, and viewing our situation, feel with honest pride, the happiness which we in preference to other nations enjoy. Among the ancients, or among the moderns, where shall we look for a companion? It was not till after ages of barbarism had elapsed, that Athens, or Rome, the mistresses of the world, erected a temple to Minerva, or Apollo. Where, among the modern nations of Europe, shall we find an example of a wilderness in a short space of a few years converted to a garden, and the first exertion of its inhabitants directed to the extension of Knowledge and the happiness of their fellow men? Scarcely has the plow traced the first furrow for necessary subsistence: scarcely has the first tree fallen by the stroke of the axe, when a portion of this substance, when this very tree is set apart to erect a temple, dedicated to the best interests of the rising generations; to the happiness of thousands yet unborn. Yes, my friends, the people who dread famine less than ignorance, who respect the laws, and whose time is employed in benefiting the country, by adding to its resources, must be happy and respected.

Amongst the first laws of the state of New-York, was that for appointing a board of regents for this university, under whose direction schools and seminaries of learning should be erected; and liberal provision has been made for carrying the object of their appointment into effect.

For erecting the building which is to be placed on this spot, you, gentlemen, and other worthy members of community, by a free and liberal subscription, provided funds. - It remained to the regents to incorporate, and to give you such pecuniary assistance as was in their power, and to me the honorable office is committed, of laying the corner stone. This pleasing task I shall perform, with a sincere wish that you may contemplate this edifice, not only as a mean of public felicity, but as a temple, in which your virtuous and patriotic actions will be preserved to future ages.

By your charter, this edifice is called the Hamilton Oneida Academy. It bears the name of a patriot, on whose merit and virtues an orator would find an ample field for the exertion of all his powers: for me to attempt to draw his character, would be too bold: to an Apelles it belongs to draw the picture of an Alexander; and we must leave to the Demosthenes's and Cicero's, the future offspring of this institution, to pronounce his eulogium.

Then the Baron, as one of the regents of the university, and a guardian of the literature of the state, presented the charter to the trustees; remarking to them, that, by the acceptance, they became pledged that the institution should not languish for want of their greatest exertions.

The trustees, in a short reply, expressed their cordial thanks to the Baron, for his particular attention to this infant seminary; their full confidence in his assurances of his future friendship; their resolution so exert their utmost abilities to promote the interest of the institution; and their ardent wishes that their mutual endeavors might be extensively useful to these new settlements, and the cause of literature in general.

To which the Baron, with a heart almost too full for utterance, answered:

"Gentlemen, I shall always remember that I have laid the corner stone of this academy—It will ever, ever be dear to me."