The Rhode Island College Studious of promoting Literature and disseminating that kind of knowledge which tendeth to impress the minds of Youth under their direction, with such Sentiments of Benevolence, as are Circumscribed in no less bounds than the whole bulk of Mankind, look up to your Majesty not as only a Friend and promoter of Such knowledge, but also like many of your Illustrious Ancestors, a patron of those Arts which polish humanity and exalt our Natures.

With these Sentiments we regard the Monarch of France, and with all deference beg leave to express our Wishes of having a professor of the French Language and History in this our Infant Seminary—A Thing we ardently desire but are unable to Accomplish—Ignorant of the French Language, and separated as we were by more than mere distance of Countries, we too readily imbibed the prejudices of the English—prejudices we have renounced, Since we have had a nearer View of the brave Army of France who actually inhabited this College Edifice Since which time our Youth Seek with avidity whatever can give them information respecting the Characters, genius, and influence of a people they have such reason to admire, A Nation so eminently distinguished for polished humanity!

To Satisfy this laudable thirst of knowledge, nothing was wanting but to encourage and diffuse the French Language, and that not merely as the principal means of rendering an Intercourse with our brethren of France more easy and beneficial, but also for Spreading far and wide the History of the So Celebrated   of Kings, Statesmen, Philosophers, Poets, and Benefactors of Mankind which France has produced.

As no King will be held by us in So lasting and So dear a Remembrance, So there is no Name we are more desirous of repeating as the Founder of the French Language and History in this Country than your Majesty’s, and that too as much from gratitude to your Majesty as profit to ourselves. From the Scarcity of French Books our Youth can at present only draw their Information from English Writers, and not from the more pure Source the French themselves. Our wish has therefore been to procure a proper Collection of the best French Authors, and to Establish a Professorship of the French Language and History in the College of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations but such have been the Obstructions to Learning during the War, and the Course of Education so Obstructed, that the Edifice erected for the reception of the Studious Youth, was granted by the Governors of the College as a Hospital for the Troops. These together with the Common Calamities of the Country render it impossible for us to Carry our design into execution respecting French Literature.

Regarding therefore your Majesty as a Monarch endowed with Qualities that add Lustre to Crown, ever ready to Patronize what is good and usefull, we presume to Solicit your Majesty’s Assistance; firmly believing that whatever tends to make Men wiser, better, and happier, will meet with your royal Assistance and Encouragement.

May the Common Father of the Universe bless our Endeavours, and make your Majesty the happy Instrument of raising to us, the Literary Genius of France, in ages past, as from the Dead. May Sacred and unerring Wisdom ever be your guide, Adorn you with every Virtue and Crown you with every blessing, that future Ages may Commemorate the happiness of your Reign with gratefull Admiration! Signed by Order and in behalf of the Corporation