293 



The following communication was read from Dr. Patterson, 

 the President of the Society: — 



Philadelphia, 18th Nov. 1852. 

 To the Members of the American Philosophical Society: 



Gentlemen, — Having been for several years chosen by you as 

 President of the American Philosophical Society, an honour of which 

 I have always entertained a high appreciation, I feel that it is now 

 prudent for me to decline being again a candidate. 



Advancing years and declining health admonish me to seek quiet 

 and repose; but I beg to assure you that, though retired from active 

 duties as an officer of the Society, I shall ever feel a lively interest in 

 its welfare, and a desire that its efforts for " the promotion of useful 

 knowledge" may successfully continue. 



R. M. PATTERSON. 



And, on motion of Prof. Frazer, the Secretary was instruct- 

 ed to address a letter to Dr. Patterson, expressive of the high 

 estimation in which the Society has always held him, and of 

 their deep regret that he should find it necessary to decline be- 

 ing again a candidate. 



On motion of Mr. Trego, it was resolved that the sealed 

 paquet transmitted by Mr. Michaux, be deposited in the docu- 

 ment box of the Society, which is placed for safe keeping in 

 the vault of the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society. 



The following donations were announced: — 



FOR THE LIBRARY. 



De la Difference du Pouvoir dispersif des deux Electricites. (Note 

 de M. Zantedeschi, communiquee par M. Arago. Comptes Ren- 

 dus de I'Acad. des Sciences^ Tome XXXV.) 4to. — From M. 

 Zantedeschi. 



Notice Historique sur M. R. Fulton. Par M. Andre Michaux, Mera- 

 bre de la Societe Nationale et Centrale d'Agriculture. Paris. 

 4to. — From the Author. 



Explanations and Sailing Directions, to accompany the Wind and 



Current Charts, approved by Commodore Charles Morris, Chief 



of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, and published by 



authority of Hon. William A. Graham, Secretary of the Navy- 



V^OL. V. — 2 s 



