After Frelinghuysen's death, Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh (later Rutgers' first president) established himself as spokesperson for the cause, and a strong supporter of establishing a college in New Jersey. Hardenbergh traveled to Europe, renewing Frelinghuysen's efforts to gain the Synod's approval, but was also rejected. Hardenbergh then appealed to King George III of Great Britain, which further antagonized the authorities in Amsterdam. And on November 10th, 1766 William Franklin, royal governor of New Jersey, granted a charter for Queen's College, with many prominent men supporting this new institution.