Memoir of William Maclure. 15 



by his liberal spirit, we open our doors to all inquiring minds, and 

 invite them to participate, with us, in these invaluable acquisi- 

 tions ; and while we regard them as a trust to be transmitted 

 to posterity, let us honor the name and cherish the memory of 

 the man from whom we derived them. 



The death of Mr. Maclure was announced to the Academy of 

 Natural Sciences on Tuesday evening, the 2Sth of April, on which 

 occasion the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : 



Resolved, That the Academy has learned with deep concern the 

 decease, at San Angel, near the city of Mexico, of their venerable 

 and respected President and benefactor, William Maclure, Esq. 



Resolved, That although his declining health induced him to 

 reside for some years in a distant and more genial clime, this 

 Academy cherishes for Mr. Maclure the kindest personal recol- 

 lections, and a grateful sense of his contributions to the cause of 

 science. 



Resolved, That as the pioneer of American geology, the whole 

 country owes to Mr. Maclure a debt of gratitude, and in his death 

 will acknowledge the loss of one of the most efficient friends of 

 science and the arts. 



Resolved, That as the patron of men of science, even more 

 than for his personal researches, Mr. Maclure deserves the lasting 

 regard of mankind. 



Resolved, That a member of the Academy be appointed to 

 prepare and deliver a discourse commemorative of its lamented 

 President. 



Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary be requested to 

 communicate to the family of Mr. Maclure a copy of these reso- 

 lutions. 



Mr. Maclure died before he had accomplished all his views in 

 respect to this institution ; for, looking forward, as he did, to re- 

 newed personal intercourse with its members, he intended to in- 

 quire for himself into the most available modes of extending its 

 usefulness. This, as we have seen, was denied him ; but the 

 spirit of science which was inherent in him, has descended upon 

 his brother and sister ; and to these estimable and enlightened 

 individuals, we owe the consummation of all that their brother 

 had proposed in reference to the Academy, which will be here- 

 after enabled to devote its resources exclusively to the advance- 

 ment of those objects for which it was founded. 



