48 NOTES AND 



Academy of Arts, principally for want of a suitable place to exhibit its collec- 

 tions, has not prospered in proportion to its importance. If the application U 

 the corporation of the city to assign spacious apartments for this institution, and 

 the Literary and Philosophical, and Historical Societies, shall succeed, (and, 

 from the invariable public spirit displayed by that body, there is every reason 

 to believe it will,) and if the plan for establishing professorships in painting, 

 sculpture, engraving, architecture, &c. shall also be carried into effect, there 

 can be no doubt but that (notwithstanding the unpropitious state of things for 

 the cultivation of the arts and sciences) this useful establishment will flourish. 

 The New-York Historical Society was established, in imitation of a similar 

 institution in Massachusetts, for the purpose of collecting m-aterials for illustra- 

 ting the natural, civil, ecclesiastical, literary, and medical history of America, 

 The Massachusetts society has published ten volumes of interesting matter ; 

 that of New York, besides publishing two volumes, has made a rare, invaluable^ 

 and extensive collection of books, pamphlets, manuscripts, newspapers, maps, 

 medals, &c. worth at least ten thousand dollars, for which it is greatly indebted 

 to the indefatigable exertions of John Pintard, esq. the rev. Timothy Alden. 

 and dr. John W. Francis. The legislature of the state, deeply impressed with 

 the importance and merits of this establishment, and under the influence of a 

 magnanimous policy, conferred upon it last year a donation of twelve thousand 

 dollars, which will insure its permanent usefulness. The congress of the United 

 States have also directed the public documents to be sent gratuitously to the 

 several Historical Societies ; and the legislature of New-York have made a 

 ihnilar arrangement respecting this institution. 



NOTE 6. 



The agency of dr. Franklin, in projecting and arranging the American Philo- 

 sophical Society, will be seen by the following interesting document, with which 

 i have been favoured by Cadwallader D. Golden, esq. the distinguished grand 

 ion of the late dr. Golden. I here publish this paper from the copy originally 

 transmitted to lieutenant governor Golden, by the celebrated american botanist, 

 .John Bartram. In this communication Franklin makes mention of himself as 

 the writer of the proposal ; and it is highly probable that the first idea of the 

 Institution originated with him. In a subsequent letter of dr. Franklin, dated 

 JMew-York, April 5, 1744, addressed to dr. Golden, and published in the Ame- 

 rican Medical and Philosophical Register, vol. 2. Franklin states, that " so far 

 as it relates to Philadelphia, the society is formed, and has had several meetings 



