Life of Count Rumford. 259 



" Whereas Benjamin, Count of Rumford, of Munich, in 

 Bavaria, has presented to this Institution the sum of Five 

 t Thousand Dollars in three per cent stock of the United States, 

 the interest of which, by the terms of the donation as expressed 

 in his letter of July 12, 1796, to the President of the Academy, 

 is to be 'applied and given .... Heat or Light,' which dona- 

 tion has been accepted by the Academy, and by proper certifi- 

 cates, which accident only has delayed, has now become the 

 property of the Academy. 



" Voted, That the thanks of the Academy be presented to 

 Count Rumford for this his very generous donation, and that 

 they experience the highest satisfaction in receiving this ad- 

 ditional and very liberal aid for the encouragement and exten- 

 sion of those branches of science which ht has so successfully 

 cultivated. That they entertain a high sense of the sentiments 

 and views, so becoming to a Philosopher, which have prompted 

 him to this distinguished act of liberality ; and in the execution 

 of the grateful office which they have undertaken of awarding 

 and distributing the premiums which Count Rumford has thus 

 appropriated they will sacredly comply with the conditions of 

 the donation, indulging the hope that he will meet his reward 

 in learning that many in his native country are thereby excited 

 to emulate his labors and to promote the accomplishment of 

 his beneficent wishes for the advancement of science and the 

 augmentation of human happiness. 



" Voted, That the Corresponding Secretary be requested to 

 transmit a copy of the preceding vote to Count Rumford by the 

 earliest opportunity." 



At a meeting on May 28, 1799, probably by sug- 

 gestion of the second committee above appointed, it was 



" Voted, That the Secretary .of the Academy cause the 

 terms of Count Rumford's donation to be published in the 

 several capitals of the different States, and in some of the Amer- 

 ican Islands, and information that the Academy are ready to 

 adjudge the premium, provided for by Count Rumford, to the 

 person or persons who shall appear to be entitled to the same." 



