Letter of Cotton
Mather, Boston, New England, to Governor Elihu Yale, of London, England,
November 14, 1718
.
Sir,
. . . The Colony of Connecticut, having for some years had a College at
Saybrook without a collegious way of living for it, have lately begun to erect a large
edifice for it in the town of New Haven. The charge of that expensive building is not yet
all paid, nor are there yet any funds of revenues for salaries to the Professors and
instructors to the society.
Sir, though you have your felicities in your family, which I pray God continue and
multiply, yet certainly, if what is little time forming at New Haven might wear the name
of YALE COLLEGE, it would be better than a name of sons and daughters. And your munificense might easily obtain for you such a commemoration and
perpetuation of your valuable name, as would indeed be much better than an Egyptian
pyramid.
We have an excellent friend, our Agent, Mr. Jeremiah Dummer, who has been a tender, prudent, active, and useful patron of the infant College at Connecticut . . . . . . . He will doubtless wait upon you, and propose to you, and concert with the you the methods in which your benignity to New Haven may be best expressed.
Nor will it be to any disadvantage unto your person or family, for a good people to make mention of you in their prayers unto the glorious Lord, as one who has loved their nation, and supported and strengthened the seminary from whence they expect the supply of all their synagogoues . . . . . . .
I subscribe, Sir,
Your most sincere friend and servant,
COTTON MATHER.
Source: Josiah Quincy, History of Harvard University, Volume I, (1840), pp. 524-526