176 REPOKT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE 



"His Excell. William Franklin, Esq. being the only 

 member of the ancient Society, 1 who has not signed the 

 rules of this book, Dr. Evans is desired to inform him, 

 that, agreeable to what was concluded on in reviving 

 the Society, if he chooses to sign our rules and give us 

 a meeting, he shall be considered as a regular mem- 

 ber." On February 19, Dr. Evans reported that Gov. 

 Franklin wrote: "When I come to town, I shall do my- 

 self the pleasure of meeting you as an old member, and, 

 if I like your new Eules, as I probably shall, will sign 

 them, and make it my business to attend as often as I 

 possibly can." Other minutes show how the old mem- 

 bers were continued, or dropped out, as the case might 

 be, in the revival of the Society. Dr. Franklin, no 

 longer an active member of the Junto of twelve mem- 

 bers, and now abroad, is recorded in the minutes of 

 February 19, 1768, as having been "elected"; and on 

 November 4 following, although still in Europe, at the 

 first election of officers he was chosen "President," 

 there having been no permanent officers prior to that 

 time, each member acting in turn as Chairman and as 

 Secretary. 



As further evidence of the identity of this Society 

 with the original Junto, it may be stated that Franklin 

 throughout his correspondence only referred to it in 

 the years between 1753 and 1766, the years in which the 

 preserved minutes prove it to have been in existence, 

 and he does not refer to it by that name after the date 



i The Junto, limited to twelve members. 



