19 



AN ACT 



For Incorporating the American Philosophical Society, held at PhiladelphiOv 

 for promoting Useful Knowledge. 



Whereas, the cultivation of useful knowledge, and the advance- 

 ment of the liberal arts and sciences in any country, have the most 

 direct tendency towards the improvement of agriculture, the enlarge- 

 ment of trade, the ease and comfort of life, the ornament of society, 

 and the increase and happiness of mankind. And whereas, this country 

 of North America, which the goodness of Providence hath given us 

 to inherit, from the vastness of its extent, the variety of its climate, 

 the fertility of its soil, the yet unexplored treasures of its bowels, the 

 multitude of its rivers, lakes, bays, inlets, and other conveniences of 

 navigation, offers to these United States one of the richest subjects of 

 cultivation, ever presented to any people upon earth. And whereas, 

 the experience of ages shows that improvements of a public nature, 

 are best carried on by Societies of liberal and ingenious men, uniting 

 their labours, without regard to nation, sect or party, in one grand 

 pursuit, alike interesting to all, whereby mutual prejudices are worn 

 off, a humane and philosophical spirit is cherished, and youth are 

 stimulated to a laudable diligence and emulation in the pursuit of 

 wisdom. And whereas, upon these principles, divers public spirited 

 gentlemen in Pennsylvania, and other American States, did heretofore 

 unite themselves, under certain regulations, into one voluntary Society, 

 by the name of "The American Philosophical Society, held at Phila- 

 delphia, for promoting Useful Knowledge," and by their successful 

 labours and investigations, to the great credit of America, have ex- 

 tended their reputation so far, that men of the first eminence in the 

 republic of letters in the most civilized nations in Europe, have done 

 honour to their publications, and desired to be enrolled among their 

 members. And whereas, the Society, after having been long inter- 

 rupted in their laudable pursuits by the calamities of war, and the dis- 

 tresses of our country, have found means to revive their design, in 

 hopes of being able to prosecute the same with their former success, 

 and being further encouraged therein by the public, for which purpose 

 they have prayed us, the representatives of the freemen of the Com- 

 monwealth of Pennsylvania, that they may be created one body politic 

 and corporate for ever, with such powers, privileges, and immunities. 



