60 



thy successor to the illustrious individuals who have, for a long series 

 of years, been placed at its head. 



Resolved, That the profound researches of Mr. Du Ponceau, in 

 the sciences of jurisprudence and general philology, and especially 

 on the aboriginal languages of America, of whose remarkable struc- 

 ture and peculiar characteristics he was the first to communicate to 

 the learned in Europe and America just and philosophical views, and 

 by their application to general philology, to extend the boundaries of 

 that science, are entitled to the gratitude of the jurists and scholars 

 of our country, and are duly appreciated and recognised by this 

 Academy, with which he has, for many years, been associated as 

 one of its honorary members. 



4. From the Corresponding Secretary of the National Institute 

 of Washington, dated Washington, April 6, 1844, in relation 

 to the same subject: — 



5. From the Librarian to the Library of Congress, dated 

 Washington, April 11, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of 

 Transactions of this Society: — 



6. From Charles V. Walker, Esq., dated London, March 1st, 

 1844, in relation to Proceedings of the Electrical Society for- 

 v^^arded to this Society, &c. &c.: — and 



From Dr. Dunglison, as one of the executors of the late Mr. 

 Du Ponceau, dated Philadelphia, April 10, 1844, enclosing a 

 copy of that part of the will of the late President of the So- 

 ciety which relates to this Society; and stating that the execu- 

 tors would carry into effect the object of the bequest at the 

 earliest possible period. 



The following is a copy of the bequest: — 



" I give and bequeath to the American Philosophical Society, held 

 at Philadelphia for Promoting Useful Knowledge, all my books treat- 

 ing of philological subjects, that is to say, of languages in general, 

 including hieroglyphics, alphabets, specimens of languages and works 

 treating of the various systems of writing, excepting such Grammars 

 and Dictionaries, English, French and Italian, which my grand- 

 daughter shall think proper to take for her own use. Also, all my 

 pamphlets in any languages, bound or unbound, separately or toge- 

 ther, whether relating to politics or literature, or other subjects, ex- 

 cepting such as my said granddaughter shall think proper to reserve for 

 her own use. Also, my works of Locke, Condillac, Dumarsais, the 

 two Humboldt, Dugald Stewart, and Thomas Reid, in their original 



