National Scientific and Educational Institutions. 267 



now maintaiired an honorable position among the scientific organizations 

 of the world. 



The society at once began the publication of a volume of memoirs, 

 which appeared in 1771 under the name of The American Philosophical 

 Transactions.' 



From 1773 to 1779 its operations were of ten interrupted. In the min- 

 utes of the meeting for December, 1774, appears the following remarkable 

 note in the handwriting of Doctor Benjamin Rush, one of the secretaries, 

 soon after to l)e one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence : 



The act of the British Parliament- for shutting up the port of Boston, for altering 

 the charters, and for the more impartial administration of justice in the Province 

 of Massachusetts Bay, together with a bill for establishing Popery and arbitrary 

 power in Quebec, having alarmed the whole of the American colony, the members 

 of the American Philosophical Society, partaking with their countrymen in the 

 distress and labors brought iipon their country, were obliged to discontiime their 

 meetings for some months until a mode of opposition to the said acts of Parliament 

 was established, which we hope may restore the former harmony and maintain a 

 perpetual union between Great Britain and the Americas. 



This entry is especially interesting because it emphasizes the fact that 

 among the members of this infant scientific society were many of the 

 men who were most active in the organization of the Republic, and who, 

 under the stress of the times, abandoned the quiet pursuits of science 

 and devoted themselves to the national interests which were just coming 

 into being. 



Franklin was president from its organization until his death, in 1790. 

 He was at the same time president of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl- 

 vania and a member of the Constitutional Convention, and the eminence 

 of its leader probably secured for the body greater prestige than would 

 otherwise have been attainable. The society, in fact, soon assumed 

 national importance, for, during the last decade of the century and for 



7, 1769: I long meditated a revival of our American Philosophical Society, and at 

 length thought I saw my way clear in doing it; but the old party leaven 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. The assembly have countenanced 

 and encouraged us generously and kindly; and we are much obliged to you for your 

 care in procuring the telescope which was used in the late observations of the transit 

 of Venus. 



' A copy of the finished volume of the Transactions was presented to each member 

 of the Pennsylvania assembly, accompanied by an address as follows: As the vari- 

 ous societies which have of late years been instituted in Europe have confessedly 

 contributed much to the more general propagation of knowledge and useful arts, it 

 is hoped it will give satisfaction to the members of the honorable house to find that 

 the province which they represent can boast of the first society and the first publi- 

 cation of a volume of Transactions for the advancement of the useful knowledge of 

 this side of the Atlantic— a volume which is wholly American in composition, print- 

 ing, and paper, and which, we flatter ourselves, may not be thought altogether 

 unworthy of the attention of men of letters in the most improved parts of the 

 world. 



