Harvard University. Corporation. Corporation papers, 1st series, supplements to the Harvard College Papers, circa 1650-1828. Letter from Richard Bellingham, Boston, April 22, 1672. UAI 5.120 Box 1, Folder 7, Harvard University Archives.

Richard Bellingham {Esquire], Governour of the Massachusetts Colonie in New England with the advice of the rest of the overseers of Harvard Colledge in New England. To our truely & welbeloved freinds Richard Saltenstoll Esq. Nicholas Gregson {merchant} taylor & citizen of London, the {Reverend} John Knowles minister of Gods word, Robert Newman vintener & {good} citizen of London, Anthony Wilson Gentleman

Whereas it hath pleased God to stirr up the hearts of sundry pious Gentlemen & other benefactors in England by deed of gift or by their last wills & {testaments} to give or bequeath legasies, annuities or gifts tow the endowing of Harvard Colledge in Cambridge in New England for the education of youth in good literatuire or for as much as we understand that there are others like minded to leave the testimonies of their love for the promoting of the worke amongst us and that we may not be wanting in any good means for the having the those good aimes and ends of our friends brought to effect, [as?] may happen if we should not have some meet [ ? ] to take [part?] thereof even the [ ? ]; We have therefore in confidence of {your} readines, ability & faithfulnes nominated constituted and appointed you & every of you jointly & severally, or so many of you as can conveniently convene together to be {our} Trustees, hereby giving & granting to you & every of you our full power of authority and Trustees for the Overseers of Harvard Colledge in New England aforesaid to ask, demand, [receive?] for the use of the said colledge all such gifts legacies annuities already given or bequeath[ed] th[?] thereunto or that shall or may be given by any person or persons hereafter in England authorizing & impowering of you or any of you to give discharges in full or in {part} as you should receive such gifts legacies or annuities. This desiring & impowering of you hereby on our behalf by all good and lawfull means to promote the [worke?] for the enlargeing & making addition to the revenues of the said Colledge & to do all arts & [? ] as we ourselves might doe were we personally present & you to make & impower such instrument or instruments one or more under you as you shall see cause & [ ? ] for the [ ? ] the same & them againe to revoke or remove as you please & whatsoever you our Trustees or any of you shall lawfully do [hort?] in we will & do by these {presents} allow & [stand?] by ratifying & confirming the same as if done by ourselves you following the [ ? ] herewith comitted to you & such otheres as from time to time you shall receive from the Governors & [ ? ] of the Overseers of the said colledge & you to give an {account} from time to time to [ us? ] of what may [? ] therein. And that you by these may have credit with all [ ? ] that are or may be concerned therein & in Testimonie of the truth of these being the [ ? ] of the Governors & rest of the overseers for Harvard Colledge in Cambridge in New England unto you The Governor hath set to his hand & affixed the seale of the Colonie. Done in Boston in New England the two & twenty day of Aprill

[signed] Richard Bellingham {Governor}

[illegible] Friends in England [illegible] [?] College 1672