But Queen’s Museum, or College, flourished without a charter for several years, in spite of the intolerance of the King and Council.  Its hall became the general meeting-place of literary societies and political clubs preceding the Revolution.  The King’s fears that the College would prove to be a fountain of Republicanism, and calculated to ensure the growth of the “numerous Democracy,” were happily, for the cause of freedom, realized in the characters of its instructors and pupils.  The debates, preceding the adoption of the Mecklenburg Declaration, were held in its hall, and every reader can judge of the patriotic sentiments which pervade that famous document.  After the Revolution commenced, the Legislature of North Carolina granted a charter, in 1777, to this institution, under the name of “Liberty Hall Academy.”  The following persons were named as trustees, viz.:  Isaac

Alexander, M.D., president; Thomas Polk, Abraham Alexander, Thomas
          
                                                     Neal,
Waightstill Avery, Ephraim Brevard, John Simpson, John McKnitt

Alexander, Adlai Osborn, and the Rev. Messrs. David Caldwell, James

Edmonds, Thomas Reese, Samuel E. McCorkle, Thomas H. McCaule and James
          
                                                     Hall.

The Academy received no funds or endowment from the State, and no further patronage than this charter.  At the time the charter was obtained the institution was under the care of Dr. Isaac V. Alexander, who continued to preside until some time in the year 1778.  From a manuscript in the University of North Carolina, drawn up by Adlai Osborne, one of the trustees, it appears, the first meeting of the board of trustees was held in Charlotte, on the 3rd day of January, 1778.  At this meeting Isaac Alexander, M.D., Ephraim Brevard, M.D., and the Rev. Thomas H. McCaule, were appointed a committee to frame a system of laws for the government of the Academy.  They were also empowered to purchase the lots and improvements belonging to Colonel Thomas Polk, for which they were to pay him L920.  The salary of the president was fixed at L195, to be occasionally increased, according to the prices of provisions, then greatly fluctuating in consequence of the war.

In the month of April, 1778, the system of laws, drawn up by the committee, was adopted without any material alteration.  The course of studies marked out was similar to that prescribed for the University of North Carolina, though more limited.  Shortly before these transactions, overtures were made to the Rev. Alexander McWhorter, of New Jersey, so favorably known to the churches by his missionary visit in 1764 and 1765, with the Rev. Elihu Spencer; and also by a more recent visit to the Southern country, to encourage the inhabitants in the cause of independence, soliciting him to succeed Dr. Alexander in the presidency of the Academy.