The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

We hear, that on Tuesday, the 29th of Sept. the Senior Class in the Academy of Newark was publicly examined in the Presence of the Trustees, Professors and Tutors, of that Institution, and before a very large and respectable Concourse of Gentlemen and Ladies from different Parts of the Country, when the following young Gentlemen received a public Testimonial of their Proficiency in Learning, according to their respective Merits, under the Seal of the Corporation, and subscribed by a Majority of the Trustees, and the Professors, viz. James M'Callmont, Samuel M'Masters, William Popham, John Rankin, William Thompson, Andrew Sterret, and Alexander Steuart.

The Forenoon was spent in examining the Class in the Latin and Greek Language, Logic, Metaphysics, Moral Philosophy and Mathematics; and the Afternoon, in examining their Acquaintance with Natural Philosophy, and in hearing their Syllogistic and Forensic Disputations on these Questions: I. An sensus moralis in Hominibus naturalis? This Question was introduced by Mr. Thompson: Mr. Sterret assumed the Affirmative, and was opposed by Mr. Rankin. --- 2, An Mundus est aeternus? This was introduced by Mr. M'Masters: M'Callmont assumed the Negative, and was opposed by Mr. Steuart. In these Syllogistic Disputations, the young Gentlemen gave Satisfactory Evidence of their Acquaintance with the Latin Language, and with the Rules of Logic - 3. A Forensic Disputation on this Question, Whether it be lawful to make Men Slaves, and use them as such? was introduced by Mr. M'Masters; Messrs. Thompson and M'Callmont assumed the Negative, and were opposed by Messrs. Popham & Steuart, whose Arguments were particularly answered by Mr. Sterret who concluded the Disputation with additional Arguments against the Practice. The Professor of Philosophy presided in the Disputations, and gave his Decisions in each in the usual Form. -- The President of the Trustees, by Order of the Board, conferred on the Students the Academical Testimonials before-mentioned, & gave them a solemn and pathetic Charge concerning their future Conduct in Life.

A Valedictory Oration, pronounced by Mr. Rankin, concluded the public Exercises of the Day, which were, in general Conducted to the universal Satisfaction of a crowded Audience.

The following Day was employed by the Trustees in examining the Progress of the other Class in the Grammar school, and in making such Regulations, as were judged necessary for the Advancement of Literature in the Academy. The Rector having given Notice to the Board, of his Intention to resign his Office in the Academy, the Rev. Mr. Mathew Wilson of Lewes Town, was unanimously chosen to succeed him in that Office.