James Manning, Brown University and the French Army
James Manning was the first President of Brown University.
During his tenure, Manning was a supporter of the American Revolution. He opened his school to the French Army and even spent time in the Congress of the Confederation.
James Manning
After graduating from Princeton, a young New Jersey native by the name of James Manning was chosen by the Philadelphia Baptist Association to assist in founding a college.
Manning traveled to Rhode Island, where the largest collection of Baptists in the British Colonies had assembled.
Originally called The College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, we know this institution today as Brown University.
Brown University
James Manning was chosen as President of Brown University, a position he would hold for the better part of thirty years, spanning the entire Founding Period.
James helped oversee the construction of the first buildings for the University, as well as the church in Providence which he was named Pastor of. After the Boston Tea Party, Parliament closed the ports in Massachusetts and many unemployed shipbuilders found work erecting these buildings.
Manning is also said to have made a trip to Philadelphia at this time to convince the Continental Congress to remember the importance of religious liberty during their fight for political freedom.
The French Army
In 1780, the French sent a large contingent of soldiers to assist the United States in their fight against the British. These troops were stationed in Rhode Island for over a year before their journey South to take part in the Victory at Yorktown.
Reverend Manning helped these men by opening up his University to the soldiers. While still educating his students, he managed to house and supply hundreds of French allies.
James even turned the College’s main hall into a military hospital.
Politics
After the war, James Manning was chosen by Rhode Island to attend the Congress of the Confederation.
While in Congress, Manning became familiar with James Madison and the two men discussed changes that were necessary for the Articles of Confederation. Both served on the Grand Committee which made recommended changes to the Government.
After the Constitutional Convention, Manning became a supporter of the National Government. In his last great public service, James accepted an invitation from John Hancock to say the closing prayer at the Massachusetts Ratification Convention. His sermon was filled with Patriotic rhetoric which is said to have swayed the opinion of undecided voters in favor of the Constitution in an extremely close debate.
To learn about other Founders who were men of the Lord, check out our articles on John Carroll and Samuel Kirkland.
If you would like to read more about the French Army in Rhode Island, pick up ‘The French Army in the American War of Independence.’ It is more of a textbook than I usually recommend, but it contains a lot of pertinent information. Grab a copy through our affiliate link below.
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