90 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE 



the manner in which the negotiation was conducted, 

 the evidence of calmness, mutual respect, and the 

 desire to avoid giving offense. It is, indeed, true 

 that the American Society declined an election of its 

 members, &quot;en masse,&quot; into the Philosophical Society. 

 At their meeting of the 5th of February, 1768, the 

 American Society voted unanimously that the terms 

 of union implied by the election of their members 

 into the Philosophical Society by a general vote, were 

 not equally honorable to both parties. Immediately 

 after passing this vote, the following proposition 

 was unanimously carried in the affirmative: 



&quot;As the Gentlemen of the American Philosophical 

 Society have conducted themselves politely towards 

 this Society; is it not proper to draw up an answer 

 to their proceedings, and deliver it to the Gentlemen 

 of said Society?&quot; 



At the next meeting, the Committee appointed for 

 the purpose, submitted their draught of an answer 

 to the Philosophical Society. It is too long to be 

 inserted here, but the Committee will transcribe the 

 first paragraph, which is in these words: 



That although the readiness of the American 

 Philosophical Society to dispense with their law in 

 order to ballot us into their Society, together with 

 their respectful conduct on that occasion, might be 

 deemed an honour to us as individuals; yet, as a 

 Society, we cannot consider it in that light for the 

 following reasons.&quot; 



