happy genius magnetism may be reduced to certain laws, in the same manner as electricity now is by the unwearied diligence and sagacity of the ingenious Doctor Franklin." February 8. "We have existed for some years as a Society for the promotion of natural knowledge” etc. Extract from the answer of the American Society to the American Philosophical Society, in relation to a union. Junto Minute book, Part 2, p. 79. This answer was never sent. See p. 81. February 12. "His Excellency William Franklin, Esq., being now the only member of the ancient Society who has not signed the rules in this book" etc. Junto Minute Book, Part 2, p. 82. February 19. Franklin elected a member of the American Society. p. 87. November 4. Franklin Elected President of the American Society. p. 132. November 6. Date of C. Thomson's letter to Franklin, stating that the American Society was begun in 1750, and informing him of his election as President of it. 1769. January 11th. William Coleman died. Extract from the family register, furnished by Coleman Fisher, Esq. June 7th. "I long Meditated a Revival of our American Philosophical Society, and at length I thought I saw my way clear in doing it, but the old party le[a]ven split us for a Time. We are now united, and, with your Presence, may make a Figure, but, till that happy Event, I fear much will not be done." Dr. Thomas Bond to Franklin. 1 Sparks, 578. [Also Franklin Papers in A.P.S. II. 179.] 1773. January 22. "Nor can we entertain a doubt of the like encouragement on all necessary occasions, when we have the happiness to behold the first person in the administration of this government now sitting as our patron. Extract from the Rev. Dr. Wm. Smith's Oration before the A. P. S. delivered on the above date, page 11. 1775. May 5. Franklin arrived in Philadelphia after his second mission to England. Absent more than 10 years. 1 Sparks, 391. 1776. October 26. Sailed for France, and arrived in 30 days in Quiberon Bay. 1 Sparks, 417. 1782. May 21. "And gradually established many necessary institutions, among which was this Philosophical Society, so early as in '43, when the plan was formed and published, the members chosen, and . an invitation given to all ingenious persons to cooperate and correspond with them on the laudable occasion." Extract from Dr. Thomas Bond's Oration before the A. P. S. delivered on the above date, page 2. 1785. June 24. "Philip Syng, the only other surviving member here, of the old Junto, labours under infirmities, keeps much at home, where I can seldom go "The Honorable Richard Penn, Esq., Governor of the Province." to visit him." H. Roberts to Franklin. Hazard's Register, XV, 184. September 14. Franklin arrived in Philadelphia, after an absence in France of nearly nine years. 1 Sparks, 591. 1791. March 1. The Franklin Junto, "after having subsisted forty years, . . . became at last the foundation of the American Philosophical Society, now assembled to pay the debt of gratitude to his memory. A book containing many of the questions, discussed by the Junto, was, on the formation of the American Philosophical Society, delivered into my hands, for the purpose of being digested, and in due time published among the transactions of that body." Rev. Dr. William Smith's Eulogium on Franklin, delivered on the above date, page 13. [The foregoing Report was received by the Society and its consideration deferred to the Stated Meeting of November 5th 1841, when the resolution appended to the Report was adopted Mr. Du Ponceau stated that it was his wish to revise his Paper on the early history of the Society, and to withdraw it for that purpose. Dr. Isaac Hays offered the following resolution:Resolved, That Mr. Du Ponceau be permitted to withdraw his papers from the Archives of the Society for the purpose of revision. Adopted. From the Minutes]. ADDITIONAL DATA COLLECTED IN 1910. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO CADWALLADER COLDEN. "The members of our Society here are very idle gentlemen. They will take no pains. I must, I believe, alter the scheme and proceed with the papers I have, and may receive, in the manner you advise in one of your former letters." . . .Smyth's Franklin, II., 289. CHARLES THOMSON TO WILLIAM FRANKLIN. 1757 [?] "Our Society goes on well. We have agreed to purchase an electrical apparatus, and a Martin's optical apparatus. I believe we shall trouble you to assisting in choosing the latter for us. But of this more hereafter.” . . .—Franklin Papers in A.P.S., XLVIII., 120. HUGH ROBERTS TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. PHILADELPHIA, May 15, 1760. "Pursuant to thy order, I have 2 or 3 times revisited the ancient Junto (gentlemen for whom I have a great esteem) and I found some relaxation from the anxiety which attends business, yet I cannot say that the variety of trivial chat (to which I am also inclined) affords satisfaction when under restraint, so that in some respects there must be an union of thought and affection to make company altogether agreeable, and the Hours glide with ease and pleasure." Draft of letter in the possession of Charles Morton Smith, Esq. HUGH ROBERTS TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. PHILADELPHIA, October 12, 1765. "The remaining members of the good old Junto adjourned during the warm and short evenings and are now endeavoring to find a House for their and thy reception where we may sit with more satisfaction than of late." Draft of letter in possession of Charles Morton Smith, Esq. CADWALADER EVANS TO WILLIAM FRANKLIN. PHILADELPHIA, January 25, 1768. "Dr. Bond, then, strenuously endeavored to revive the old Society, begun by your Father 25 years ago & to wch he had offered to be Secretary [he broached the scheme to several and a plan was fixed and they held a meeting] at Byrnes's to elect a President, Vice-President, Secretary &c. I was told your Father was to be President and Smith or Ewing Secretary. Whether they chose the officers that Night or not, I cannot say, but they Ballotted in Gov'. Penn & between 20 & 30 others as you will see by the proposals accompanying this. . . . You may have heard that some Members of the young Junto, together with |