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XXXI: TO THE HON. CADWALLADER COLDEN - Benjamin Franklin, The Works of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. II Letters and Misc. Writings 1735-1753 [1904]

Edition used:

The Works of Benjamin Franklin, including the Private as well as the Official and Scientific Correspondence, together with the Unmutilated and Correct Version of the Autobiography, compiled and edited by John Bigelow (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904). The Federal Edition in 12 volumes. Vol. II (Letters and Misc. Writings 1735-1753).

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XXXI

TO THE HON. CADWALLADER COLDEN

New York, 5 April, 1744.

Sir:—

Happening to be in this city about some particular affairs, I have the pleasure of receiving yours of the 28th past, here; and can now acquaint you that the Society,1 as far as it relates to Philadelphia, is actually formed, and has had several meetings to mutual satisfaction. As soon as I get home I shall send you a short account of what has been done and proposed at these meetings. The members are:

  • Dr. Thomas Bond, as Physician.
  • Mr. John Bartram, as Botanist.
  • Mr. Thomas Godfrey, as Mathematician.
  • Mr. Samuel Rhoads, as Mechanician.
  • Mr. William Parsons, as Geographer.
  • Dr. Phineas Bond, as General Nat. Philosopher.
  • Mr. Thomas Hopkinson, President.
  • Mr. William Coleman, Treasurer.
  • B. F——, Secretary.

To whom the following members have since been added, viz.: Mr. Alexander, of New York; Mr. Morris, Chief Justice of the Jerseys; Mr. Home, Secretary of do.; Mr. John Coxe, of Trenton; and Mr. Martyn, of the same place. Mr. Nicholls tells me of several other gentlemen of this city that incline to encourage the thing; and there are a number of others, in Virginia, Maryland, and the New England colonies, we expect to join us as soon as they are acquainted that the Society has begun to form itself.

I am, Sir, with much respect,
Your most humble servant,

B. Franklin.

[1 ]The American Philosophical Society, as afterwards instituted, was formed out of two societies, of which this was one. The other was the Society for Promoting and Propagating Useful Knowledge. The two societies were incorporated into one, called the American Philosophical Society, in December, 1768, and in January, 1769, Franklin was elected the first president, although he was at that time in England.