Dartmouth was desirous of aiding Mr.
Wheelock by his influence, and otherwise, long before being asked by
him for pecuniary aid. In explanation of the governor's objections, it
should be stated, that Mr. Wheelock desired such an incorporation as
would enable him to locate his school in any of the American Colonies,
and that there was just at that period an earnest contest between the
corporation of Yale College, led by President Clap, and the Colonial
government, in regard to the control of that institution.

Nothing having been accomplished in the meantime, Mr. Wheelock writes
in July, 1763, to his friend, Dr. Erskine, as follows: "Governor Fitch
privately proposes my removing my prayer for an incorporation from
this government [Connecticut]. It is likely we shall delay, it till we
see the success of our suit for the Royal favor." In September
following, he writes to his friend, Mr. De Berdt, in London, that he
has sent to him "materials, by General Lyman[22] and Colonel
Dyer,"[23] to enable him to "make application for an incorporation."
Unsuccessful as before in England, for reasons which will become more
apparent hereafter, in May, 1764, we find Mr. Wheelock petitioning
the Connecticut Assembly "to incorporate" six gentlemen of the Colony,
including George Wyllis, of Hartford, and himself, as legal guardians
of his school. But he did not procure the long-desired incorporation.

[22] The distinguished Gen. Phineas Lyman.

[23] Hon. Eliphalet Dyer, of Windham.

In 1765, being about to send solicitors of charity on a larger scale
to England, Mr. Wheelock decided to make yet one more effort there for
an act of incorporation. A letter from Mr. Smith, written evidently
about this time, no date being attached, contains advice to Mr.
Wheelock in which we trace one of the most prominent features of the
Charter. He proposes, in substance: "an application to the King for a
short Charter incorporating. First, A sett of gentlemen in the
Colonies near Mr. Wheelock, who shall have all the power of a
corporation, as to managing estates, supplying vacancies, etc. Second,
Another sett in England and elsewhere in Europe, who, shall be
correspondents of the first sett, and only have the general power of
securing donations to be transferred to them."

Lord Dartmouth and the other gentlemen in England who were
constituted, by Mr. Wheelock, a Board of Trust for the moneys
collected in that country, by Messrs. Occom and W