To Benjamin Franklin from William Livingston, 10 June 1784
From William Livingston6
LS: American Philosophical Society
Elizabeth Town 10th June 1784
Sir
I take the liberty of recommending to you Colonel Clarkson who is appointed by the Directors of the University of New York to solicit donations in some parts of Europe, for that Institution.7 In this capacity I do not recommend him to your notice; because my feelings as an American are really hurt by our turning mendicants in Europe, where I think our national glory must be greatly obscured by our appearing in so disadvantageous an attitude. But as a young Gentleman of a very amiable character; and as a late brave and excellent officer in the american army, he is worthy of esteem; and your civilities may be of signal service to him as a traveller.
I have the honor to be with great respect your most obedient and very humble servant.
Wil. Livingston
[In Livingston’s hand:] His Excellency Dr Benjamin Franklin Esqr
6. Livingston, governor of New Jersey, wrote letters the same day to TJ and JA that were nearly identical to the present one: Jefferson Papers, VII, 304; Adams Papers, XVI, 302n.
7. Lieut. Col. Matthew Clarkson (ANB), who fought at the battles of Saratoga and Yorktown, was named to the first board of regents of the University of the State of New York—an educational system created by the N.Y. legislature on May 1, 1784. As yet, this system of public schools and colleges included only Columbia College, the formerly private, Anglican King’s College. At a meeting on May 26, the regents decided to send Clarkson to France and Holland to raise money and purchase scientific equipment: Sidney Sherwood, The University of the State of New York: History of Higher Education in the State of New York (Washington, D.C., 1900), pp. 52–4; A History of Columbia University, 1754–1904 … (New York, 1904), pp. 59–63. Their official letter of introduction for Clarkson is below, June 12.