AMEKICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 39 



ing." 2G Charles Thomson, Isaac Paschall, Dr. [John] 

 Morgan, and Dr. [Cadwalader] Evans were immedi- 

 ately appointed, but it does not appear that they per- 

 formed the duty. 



At the following meeting (the 19th) Benjamin 

 Franklin was in the regular form, by ballot, and 

 having been proposed at a former meeting, unani- 

 mously elected a member of the Society. This was 

 probably done ex ma j ore cautela, his son, Governor 

 Franklin having been admitted without an election, 

 at the preceding meeting, on merely signing the 

 amended rules, on the ground that he had been a 

 member of the ancient Society (the Junto), which 

 rule of admission, they said, was concluded on in 

 reviving the Society. 27 But Franklin was in England 

 and could not sign the amended articles, it was 

 thought best to elect him. The Society probably 

 contemplated to make him their President, and 

 wished to avoid all disputes, particularly if an union 

 should take place, which might not have been quite 

 despaired of. 



Until that time the Philosophical Society had held 

 their meetings in .public houses, but the Governor, 

 who as their Patron was present at this meeting, 

 gave them permission to hold them at the State 

 House ; thus they were supported with the favor and 

 weight of the Government. 



26 Minutes A. S., 2d part, p. 82. 



27 Ibid. 



