COMMUNICATION OF J. FKANCIS FISHEK. 155 



I am with the greatest esteem and affection 



your sincere friend 



CHAKLES THOMSON. 

 (Endorsed) letter to D r Franklin. Nov. 6. 1768 



Here is a Sketch of the Eise and Progress of the 

 American Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowl- 

 edge. It is clear that Franklin was not itfe Founder, 

 that he took no part in it except by advice to his 

 young friends who formed it, that he never attended 

 its meetings, nor indeed was a member till the eve of 

 its union with the American Philosophical Society. 



Of this last Society he was really the Projector. I 

 have already referred to his excellent paper of Pro- 

 posals, which embraces all the objects of a Scientific 

 association, and suggests the best plans for it's organ- 

 ization and proceedings. Most of his suggestions are 

 embodied in the Constitution and By-Laws of our 

 Society and are not to be improved on. 



Altho' not the President of this Society he was 

 certainly it's most active member and moving spirit; 

 and the suspension of it's meetings was doubtless 

 owing to Ms public Duties at home and long absence 

 in England. 



That he was not elected President on its revival, 

 was probably owing to political feeling. The few 

 surviving members who reorganized it in 1768 were 

 of the Aristocratic or Proprietary Party, and a 

 majority of the newly elected Members were of simi- 

 lar connexion. Governor Hamilton was chosen, a 



