Minutes of the Academy Volume 01 Part 3, 1780-1797
Transcriptions
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State of Massachusetts Bay
In the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred & eighty.
An Act to incorporate and establish a Society for the cultivation and promotion of the Arts and Sciences.
As the Arts and Sciences are the foundation and support of Agriculture, Manufactures, and Commerce; as they are necessary to the wealth, peace, independence and happiness of a people; as they essentially promote the honor and dignity of the Government which patronizes them, and as they are most effectually cultivated and diffused through a State by the forming and incorporating of men of Genius and learning into public Societies for these beneficial purposes;
Be it therefore Enacted by the Council and House of Representatives in General Court assembled and by the authority of the same, that The Honble Samuel Adams Esqr., Honble John Adams Esqr., John Bacon Esqr., Honble James Bowdoin Esqr., Revd. Charles Chauncy D.D., Revd. John Clark, David Cobb Esqr., Revd. Samuel Cooper D.D., Honble Thomas Cushing Esqr., Honble Nathan Cushing Esqr., Honble William Cushing Esqr., Tristram Dalton Esqr., Honble Francis Dana Esqr., Revd. Samuel Deane, Revd. Peres Fobes, Revd. Caleb Gannett, Honble Henry Gardner Esqr., Mr. Benjamin Guild, Honble John Hancock Esqr., Honble Joseph Hawley Esqr., Edward Augustus Holyoke Esqr., Doctr. Ebenezer Hunt, Jonathan Jackson Esqr., Doctr. Charles Jarvis, Revd Samuel Langdon D.D., Honble Levi Lincoln Esqr., Revd. Daniel Little, Revd. Elijah Lothrop, John Lowell Esqr., Revd. Samuel Mather D.D., Samuel Moody Esqr., Honble Andrew Oliver Esqr., Doctr. Joseph Orne, Doctr Theodore Parsons, Honble George Partridge Esqr., Honble Robert Treat Paine Esqr., Revd Phillips Payson, Samuel Phillips junr Esqr., Honble John Pickering Esqr., Honble Oliver Prescott Esqr, Revd. Zedekiah Sangar [sic], Honble Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant Esqr, Micajah Sawyer Esqr, Theodore Sedgwick Esqr, Honble William Sever Esqr., Stephen Sewall Esqr, Honble David Sewall Esqr, John Sprague Esqr, Ebenezer Storer Esqr, Caleb Strong Esqr, Honble James Sullivan Esqr, Doctr. John-Bernard Swett, Mr. Nathaniel Tracey, Cotton Tufts Esqr, Honble James Warren Esqr., Samuel West, Revd. Edward Wigglesworth, Revd. Joseph Willard, Revd. Samuel Williams, Revd. Abraham Williams, Revd Nehemiah Williams, and Mr James Winthrop, be, and they hereby are formed into, constituted & made
a
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a body politic and corporate, by the name of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and that they and their Successors and such other persons, as shall be elected in the manner hereafter mentioned, shall be and continue a body politic and corporate, by the same name forever.
And Be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the Fellows of the said Academy may from time to time elect a President, one or more vice Presidents, one or more Secretaries, and such other Officers of the said Academy, as they shall judge necessary or convenient; and they shall have full power and authority from time to time to determine and establish the names, number and duties of their several Officers, and the tenure or estate, they shall respectively have in their Offices; and also to authorize and empower their President or some other Fellow of the Academy, at their pleasure, to administer such oaths to such Officers, as they shall appoint and determine for the well ordering & good Government of the said Academy; provided the same be not repugnant to the laws of this State.
And Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesd that the Fellows of the said Academy shall have one common Seal, which they may make use of in whatsoever cause or business shall concern the Academy, or be relative to the end and design of its Institution; and shall have power and authority from time to time to break, change, and renew the Common Seal, at their pleasure; and that they may sue and be sued, in all actions real, personal and mixed and prosecute and defend the same unto final judgment and execution, by the name of the President & Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
And Be it further Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, that the Fellows of the said Academy may from time to time elect such persons to be Fellows thereof, as they shall judge proper; and that they shall have full power & authority from time to time to suspend, expel or disfranchise any Fellow of the said Academy, who shall, by his conduct, render himself unworthy of a place in that Body, in the judgement of the Academy; and also to settle and establish the rules, forms and conditions of Election, Suspension, expulsion, and disfranchisement. [gap] Provided, that the number of the said Academy, who are Inhabitants of this State shall not, at any one time, be more than two hundred, nor less than forty.
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And Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesd that the Fellows of the said Academy shall have full power and authority from time to time to make and enact such reasonable rules, orders and bye-laws, not repugnant to the laws of this State, as shall be necessary or convenient for the well ordering and good Government of the said Academy, and to annex reasonable pecuniary fines and penalties to the breach of them, not exceeding the sum of twenty pounds, to be sued for and recovered in any Court of Record within this State, in the name and for the use of the President and Fellows of the said Academy; and the same rules, orders and bye-laws to repeal at their pleasure; and also to settle and establish the times, places and manner of convening the Fellows of the said Academy; and also to determine the number of Fellows, which shall be present to constitute a meeting of the sd. Academy. Provided that the Fellows of the said Academy shall meet twice in a year at the least; and that the place of their meeting shall never be more than thirty miles distant from the town of Boston.
And Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that the Fellows of the said Academy may and shall. forever hereafter, be deemed capable, in the law, of having, holding and taking in fee-simple, or any less estate, by gift, Grant, devise or otherwise, any lands, tenements or other Estate, real and personal: Provided, that the annual income of the said real estate, shall not exceed the sum of five hundred pounds, and the annual income or interest of the said personal Estate shall not exceed the sum of two thousand pounds: all the sums, aforementioned in this Act, to be valued in Silver at the rate of six shillings and eight pence by the Ounce, and the annual interest & income of the said real and personal estate, together with the fines and penalties aforesaid, shall be appropriated for premiums to encourage improvements and discoveries in Agriculture, Arts and manufactures, or for other purposes, consistent with the end and design of the Institution of the said Academy, as the Fellows thereof shall determine.
And Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that the end and design of the Institution of the said Academy is, to promote and encourage the knowledge of the antiquities of America, and of the natural history of the Country, and to determine the uses, to which the various natural
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natural productions of the Country may be applied; to promote and encourage medical discoveries, mathematical disquisitions, philosophical enquiries and experiments, astronomical, meteorological and geographical observations; and improvements in Agriculture, Arts, Manufactures and Commerce; and, in fine, to cultivate every Art and Science, which may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people.
And it is further Enacted, that the place, where the first meeting of the Fellows of the said Academy shall be held, shall be the Philosophy-chamber in the University of Cambridge; and that the Honorable James Bowdoin Esquire be, and he hereby is authorized and impowered to fix the time for holding the said meeting and to notify the same to the Fellows of the Academy.
(This Act passed the 3d. May 1780)
True copy
Attest
John Avery D Secy.
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Endnotes
- 1Page numbering begins again at 1 on this page; this part hereafter referred to as Part 3.
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Statutes of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Enacted August 30th 1780
Chapter I
Of Officers and the manner of their Election.
1. There shall be a President, one Vice-President, ten Councillors [sic], two Secretaries, a Treasurer, a vice-Treasurer and a Keeper of the Cabinet; which Officers shall be annually elected by written votes on the day next preceeding [sic] the last Wednesday in May.
2. In order to this Election, the President, or in his absence, the vice-President, or in the absence of the President and Vice-President, the senior Councillor [sic] present shall take the chair at three o’clock, P. M. and, after the choice of three Scrutineers by nomination, the ballot shall begin and remain open ‘till five o’clock, at which time, it shall be closed: upon which, should it appear in any instance, that there is no choice, the balloting shall be renewed ‘till a choice be made.
3. Each Elector shall deliver his balloting list folded to the President, and a Scrutineer, sitting by the President with a list of the Members of the Academy present before him, shall mark the name of each person, so delivering in his list.
4. When the ballot is closed, the Scrutineers shall sort the votes and report the same to the Chair: after which, the presiding member shall declare the persons, who have the majority of votes to be the Officers respectively for the ensuing year.
5. If either of the Secretaries, the Treasurer or the Keeper of the Cabinet die, resign, or be removed during the year: at the next meeting of the Academy, the vacant office or offices shall be filled by written votes for the remaining part of the year.
6. At all Elections of Officers, if the Suffrages should be equal, the decision shall be by lots prepared by the Scrutineers & drawn by the President.
7. Notwithstanding the election of Officers be annual, the Academy reserve to themselves a power of removing any of them for neglect of their trust or disobedience to the Orders of the Academy.
8. A Messenger may be appointed or removed at any Meeting of the Academy.
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Chapter II
Of the President and Vice-President.
1. The business of the President, or, in his absence, of the vice President, or in the absence of the President and vice-President, then of the senior Councillor present, shall be to preside in the Meetings and to regulate the debates of the Academy & Council; to state and put questions, both in the affirmative & negative, according to motions regularly made; to call for reports and accounts from Committees and others; to preserve decorum; to summon all Meetings of the Council and all extraordinary Meetings of the Academy by advice of Council upon any urgent occasions, and to execute, or to see to the execution of the Statutes of the Academy.
2. The President, or in his absence, the Vice-President or presiding Councillor is empowered to draw upon the Treasurer for such sums of money, as the Academy shall direct.
{{Enacted [31] May 1791.}} [written in different, later hand]
3. The Vice President, when the office of President is vacant, or when the President is absent from the State, shall execute all the duties, which by the Statutes of the Academy, are performed by the President.
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Chapter III.
Of the Council
1. The Council shall have full authority, and it is their incumbent duty, from time to time, to originate such laws, statutes, orders and constitutions, as shall appear to them to be necessary or useful, according to their judgment and discretion, for the regulation, government and promotion of the design of the Academy. All which laws, Statutes, Orders and constitutions shall be by them presented at a Meeting of the Academy for the approbation of the Fellows; also to prepare such other matters, as they may judge proper to be pursued by the Academy, in order to advance, in the best manner, the end of its institution. Nevertheless, no Fellow is hereby hereby [sic] precluded from laying before the Academy such matters, or proposing such laws, as he shall think conducive to its benefit.
2. The Council with the President and Treasurer have power to make conclusive bargains for real or personal estate, for the benefit of the Academy and to rent the same, and to give orders concerning the improvement of the estate, goods, lands, and revenues of the Academy, pursuant to the Orders of the Academy.
3. Every deed or writing, to which the common Seal is to be affixed, shall be passed and sealed in Council and signed by the President and four at lest of the Council.
4. During the recesses of the Academy, the Council shall direct the Secretaries in such correspondence, as they shall find expedient. The whole of which shall be laid before the Academy at its next meeting.
5. The Council shall order such papers and letters to be recorded, as they shall think proper.
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Chapter IV.
Of the Secretaries.
1. One of the Secretaries shall have the charge and custody of the Charter and Statute-book, Journal books, Register books, and all literary papers belonging to the Academy; and also all letters, after they have been recorded, shall be kept by him on file. This Secretary, if possible, shall attend at all Meetings of the Academy and Council, where, when the presiding member hath taken the chair, he shall read the orders and entries of the last precedent meeting, and shall take notes of the Orders and transactions of the present meeting, to be entered by him in the respective books, to which they relate. And when there shall be a competent number for making elections, he shall give notice of any candidates, that shall stand propounded in order to election into the Academy.
2. The other Secretary shall have the charge and custody of the Letter-books belonging to the Academy. He shall attend all meetings of the Academy and Council and read all letters, sent to the Academy or to any member in his academical capacity and draw up all letters to be written to any person in the name of the Academy or Council (to be read & approved of in some meeting of either respectively) except for some particular cause and consideration, some other person or persons be appointed by the Academy or Council to draught any such letter. He shall also enter all letters, that shall be directed by the Academy or the Council; and when entered, the originals shall be delivered to the first mentioned Secretary in order to their being filed.
3. At every meeting of the Academy, the Secretary, in whose custody the letter-books are, shall read any entries that the presiding member shall direct, and the Secretary, in whose custody the originals are, shall have with him, ready to prduce [sic], the file of all letters received since the last ^precedent meeting, that, if it be required, a comparison may be made.
4. Each Secretary shall deliver an attested copy of any transaction of the Academy, or paper belonging to his particular department, to any member, upon his producing a written licence [sic] from the Council for that purpose; and to any other person, who shall produce a licence from the Academy, signed by the presiding member, and in no other case whatever.
5. Whenever any copy shall be delivered by a Secretary, the person, upon receiving it, shall pay him such fees as the Academy may establish.
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Chapter V
Of the Treasurer and Vice-Treasurer.
1. The Treasurer and vice Treasurer shall give such Security, as the Academy shall require for the trust reposed in them respectively.
2. The Treasurer shall receive officially all monies or sums of money due or payable, and all bequests and donations, that may be made to the Academy: and by order of the President or presiding member shall pay such sums as the Academy or the Council shall direct, pursuant to the Orders of the Academy, and shall make no disbursements of money otherwise, and shall keep a particular account of such orders, receipts, and payments.
3. All monies or sums of money, whereof there shall not be present occasion for expending or disposing to the use of the Academy, shall be put out to interest on such securities, or otherwise disposed of as the Academy or the President and Council, pursuant to the orders of the Academy, shall direct.
4. The Treasurer’s accounts shall be annually audited by a Committee, appointed by the Academy for that purpose. In which appointment, not more than one member of the Council shall be included.
5. In case of the death, resignation or removal of the Treasurer, the vice-Treasurer is empowered to receive all books, papers, and effects, that were in the custody of the Treasurer, & which belong to the Academy, and to give receipts and discharges for the same in the name of the Academy. A duplicate of which, signed by the vice-Treasurer shall be filed with the President. The same process shall be observed upon the choice of a new Treasurer, and his acceptance of the office.
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Chapter VI
Of the Keeper of the Cabinet.
1. The Keeper of the Cabinet shall receive and have in his ^charge & custody all productions of nature and works of art, that shall be purchased by or presented to the Academy. He shall arrange them according to their respective classes in natural history, philosophy &C at his own discretion; unless he be directed therein by a Committee of the Academy for that purpose. He shall, also, in a book, to be kept by him, register the various articles in classes, corresponding to the arrangement of the artiles [sic] themselves, with the description that may accompany the article, the Donor’s name, and the place whence taken, and the time when presented [sic]
2. He shall attend the exhibition of the articles in his custody, whenever the Academy shall meet; and no person shall be admitted to a view of them at any other time, unless in presence of the Keeper of the Cabinet, or some member appointed by the Council for that purpose.
3. He shall be Librarian to the Academy ‘till they shall judge it expedient to appoint a distinct person to that office.
4. He shall give such Security as the Academy shall judge proper for the faithful discharge of his office, and for surrendering the articles in his custody, whenever required by the Academy.
{{Enacted 31. May 1791.}} [written in different, later hand]
5. The Librarian shall receive all books belonging to the Academy, when the term, for which they are loaned in expired; and shall from time to time, receive such books as may be devised, or presented to the Society, and give proper receipt for the same.
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Chapter VII
Of the Meetings of the Academy & Council.
1. There shall annually be four stated Meetings of the Academy viz, on the last wednesday [sic] in January and the day next preceding the last wednesday [sic] in May at Boston; and on the wednesday [sic] next preceding the last tuesday [sic] in August and the second wednesday [sic] in November at the University in Cambridge.
Provided that in case the President, shall, at either of the said annual Meetings, within the year of his first appointment, think proper to deliver before the Academy an inaugural oration or philosophical discourse, the place of such Meeting may be at Boston or Cambridge, according as it shall be most convenient to him; of which he shall give notice at some preceding meeting of the Academy. The Council shall also meet four times annually, viz on the first wednesday [sic] in January and the first wednesday [sic] in May at Boston,
{{2 Wednesday in Augt. 1. voted Aug 24 1803}} and on the [underline] first wednesday [sic] in August [end underline] and the [underline] ^second
{{3d wednesday [sic] in October.}} wednesday in September [end underline] at Cambridge; unless it should
{{Changed at a meeting Augst. 22. 1781}} by any means be unsafe for the Academy or Council to convene at either of the places abovementioned at the times specified. In which case, the President with the advice of the Council may appoint the next stated Meeting of the Academy at any place within thirty miles distance from Boston. And the President in the abovementioned case may appoint a Meeting of the Council within the abovesd limits.
2. Extraordinary Meetings of the Academy may be called at any time or place within thirty miles distance from Boston by the President with the advice of the Council. And extraordinary meetings of the Council may be called by the President within the aforesaid limits, whenever he shall judge it necessary.
3. Eleven Fellows shall be present to constitute a Meeting of the Academy; and at any Meeting of the Council, the presiding member with four others of the Council are required to be present in order to transact any business proper to the Council.
4. At all Meetings of the Academy or Council, the President and vice-President, or in their absence, the presiding member shall have a right to vote in common with the other members of either body respectively.
5. No person shall be introduced to any Meeting of the Academy but by vote of the Academy, except American & foreign Ambassadors, Members of Congress, Members of the supreme Legislative and Executive of the State of Massa-
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Massachusetts for the time being, and Members of similar Institutions with this Academy, who may be introduced by any member of the Academy.
6. All Meetings of the Academy shall be advertised in two, at lest [sic], of the public news-papers fourteen days previous to such Meeting, by one of the Secretaries, under direction of the President, or in his absence of the Vice-President or presiding member of the Council.
{{[Enacted] Jany. 31 1781}}
7. All Meetings of the Council shall be notified to the several members by billets from the President, or one of the Secretaries under direction of the President, or in his absence, of the vice President or presiding member of the Council, seven days, at lest [sic], before the time stated or proposed for a Meeting.
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Chapter VIII
Of Fellows.
{{Repealed Jany 31 1781}}
1. No person shall be elected a Fellow of the Academy, unless proposed and recommended by one or more of the members, and the name, place of abode and addition of the person recommended, shall be delivered in, signed by the proposers and read by one of the Secretaries. A fair copy of such paper, with the date when delivered shall be hung up in the room, where the Academy shall from time to time meet. On which the Candidate may be balloted for at the next or some succeeding meeting. And if two thirds of the Fellows ^then present shall ballot in his favor, he shall be a Member.
2. Each Fellow residing in the State of Massachusetts shall be subject to an annual payment of [blank] spanish [sic] milled dollars in specie or an equivalent in bills at the current exchange. Fellows, with out the State, shall be subject to no other annual payment, than they voluntarily consent to.
{{Enacted Jany 31 1781 in lieu of Statute}}
1. No person shall be elected a Fellow of the Academy, unless proposed and recommended by one or more of the members, Nor nominated to the Academy until he has first been proposed to the Council, and they have consented to such nomination; and the name, place of abode and addition of the person recommended shall be delivered in, signed by the proposers and read by one of the Secretaries. A fair copy of such paper with the date, when delivered, shall be hung up in the room, where the Academy shall from time to time meet: on which the Candidate may be balloted for at the next or some succeeding meeting. And if three fourths of the Fellows then present shall ballot in his favor, he shall be a Member.
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Chapter IX.
Of Proceedings on literary Performances.
1. The Academy will never give their judgment or opinion upon any literary performance presented to them, but allow it to rest upon its own merit and the credit of its author.
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Chapter X
Of Oaths.
1. The President, Vice President, Councillors, Secretaries, Treasurer, vice-Treasurer and Keeper of the Cabinet, shall each take the following oath, mutatis mutandis2 .
I A.B; elected to the Office of [blank] in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, do swear, that I will, according to my best judgment and discretion faithfully discharge the duties of the trust reposed in me.
So help me God.
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Endnotes
- 2Mutatis mutandis is a Medieval Latin phrase meaning “with things changed that should be changed” or “once the necessary changes have been made.”
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A Catalogue of the Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Fellows incorporated.
[table]
|| The Honble Samuel Adams Esqr. || of Boston
|| The Honble John Adams Esqr. || Braintree
|| John Bacon Esqr. || Stockbridge
|| The Honble James Bowdoin Esqr. || Boston
* || The Revd. Charles Chauncey D.D. || Boston
|| The Revd. John Clarke || Boston
|| David Cobb Esqr. || Taunton
* || The Revd. Samuel Cooper D.D. || Boston
* || The Honble Thomas Cushing Esqr. || Boston
|| The Honble Nathan Cushing Esqr. || Scituate
|| The Honble William Cushing Esqr. || Scituate
|| Tristram Dalton Esqr. || Newbury-Port
|| The Honble Francis Dana Esqr. || Cambridge
|| The Revd. Samuel Deane || Falmouth (Casco-Bay)
|| The Revd. Perez Fobes || Raynham
|| Mr. Caleb Gannett || Cambridge
* || The Honble Henry Gardner Esqr. || Boston
|| Mr. Benjamin Guild || University of Cambridge
|| The Honble John Hancock Esqr. || Boston
* || The Honble Joseph Hawley Esqr. || Northampton
|| Edward A. Holyoke Esqr. || Salem
|| Doctr Ebenezer Hunt || Northampton
|| Jonathan Jackson Esqr. || Newbury-Port
|| Doctr Charles Jarvis || Boston
|| The Revd. Samuel Langdon D.D. || University of Cambridge
|| The Honble Levi Lincoln Esqr. || Worcester
|| The Revd. Daniel Little || Wells
|| [strikethrough] The Revd. Elijah Lothrop [end strikethrough] || [strikethrough] Springfield [end strikethrough]
|| John Lowell Esqr. || Boston
* || The Revd. Samuel Mather D.D. || Boston
|| Samuel Moody Esqr. || Newbury
|| The Honble Andrew Oliver Esqr. || Salem
* || Doctr Joseph Orne || [blank]
* || Doctr Theodore Parsons M. A. || Newbury
|| The Honble George Partridge Esqr. || Duxbury
|| The Honble Robert T. Paine Esqr. || Taunton
[end table]
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[table]
|| The Revd. Phillips Payson || Chelsea
|| Samuel Phillips Jnr. Esqr. || Andover
|| The Honble John Pickering Esqr. || Salem
|| The Honble Oliver Prescott Esqr. || Groton
|| The Revd. Zedekiah Sangar || Duxbury
|| The Honble Nathaniel P. Sergeant Esqr. || Haverhill
|| Micajah Sawyer Esqr. || Newbury-Port
|| Theodore Sedgwick Esqr. || Sheffield
|| The Honble William Sever Esqr. || Kingston
|| Stephen Sewall Esqr. || University of Cambridge
|| The Honble David Sewall Esqr. || York
|| John Sprague Esqr. || Lancaster
|| Ebenezer Storer Esqr. || Boston
|| Caleb Strong Esqr. || Northampton
|| The Honble James Sullivan Esqr. || Groton
|| Doctr. John B. Swett || Marblehead
|| Mr. Nathaniel Tracey Esqr. || Newbury-Port
|| Cotton Tufts Esqr. || Weymouth
|| The Honble James Warren Esqr. || Plymouth
|| The Revd. Samuel West || Dartmouth
|| The Rev. Edward Wigglesworth || University of Cambridge
|| The Revd. Joseph Willard || Beverly
|| The Revd. Samuel Williams || Bradford
* || The Revd. Abraham Williams || Sandwich
|| The Revd. Nehemiah Williams || Brimfield
|| Mr. James Winthrop || University of Cambridge
[end table]
Fellows elected
{{Elected Jany 31. 1781}}
[table]
|| Richard Cranch Esqr. || Braintree || c
|| The Revd. Manasseh Cutler || Ipswich || c
|| The Honble Timothy Danielson Esqr. || Brimfield ||
|| The Honble Timothy Edwards Esqr. || Stockbridge || c
|| The Honble Benjamin Franklin Esqr. || Philadelphia || c
|| The Honble Elbridge Gerry Esqr. || Marblehead || c
|| Ebenezer Hazard Esqr. || [blank] || c
|| The Honble Benjamin Lincoln Esqr. || Hingham || c
|| Chevalier de la Luzerne || France || c
|| Monsieur de Marbois || France || c
|| The Honble Samuel Osgood Esqr. || Andover || c
|| Theophilus Parsons Esqr. || Newbury-Port || c
|| Mr. Eliphalet Pearson || Andover || c
{{N. B. Certificates have been completed for such Gentlemen to whose name [c] is suffixed.}}
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{{Elected Jany. 31. 1781}}
[table]
|| The Revd. Ezra Stiles D.D. || Yale College in Connecticut || c
His Excellen^cy George Washington Esqr. || Virginia || || c
|| Mr Benjamin West || Providence || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected August 22d 1781}}
[table]
* || Monsieur d’Alembert || France ||
* || Mr. Joseph Brown || Providence ||
|| Chevalier de Chattelux || France || c
|| Benjamin Gale Esqr. || Killingsworth, Connecticut || c
* || Monsieur Court de Gebelin || France ||
|| The Revd. Simeon Howard || Boston || c
|| Monsieur de la Lande || France || c
* || Mr Peter Wargentin || Stockholm ||
|| Doctor John Warren || Boston || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Jany 30. 1782}}
[table]
|| Loammi Baldwin Esqr. || Woburn || c
|| The Honble Owen Biddle Esqr. || Philadelphia || c
* || Monsieur la Comte Buffon || France ||
* || Mr [blank] Euler || St. Petersburgh ||
|| The Honble Arthur Lee Esqr. || Virginia || c
|| His Excellency William Livingston Esqr. || New Jersey || c
|| The Revd Richard Price D.D. || London || c
|| The Revd Joseph Priestley L.L.D. || Calne, Great Britain || c
|| David Rittenhouse Esqr. || Philadelphia || c
* || His Excellency Jonathan Trumbull Esqr. || Lebanon, Connecticut ||
* || The Honble Meshech Weare Esqr. || Hampton, New-Hampshire ||
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected May 28. 1782}}
[table]
|| Thomas Brand Hollis. || London || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Novr. 13. 1782}}
[table]
|| Monsieur de Grandchain || France || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Jany. 29. 1783}}
[table]
|| Monsieur Jeaurat || France || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected April 1. 1784}}
[table]
|| Doctr. Joshua Fisher || Beverly || c
|| Thomas Dawes Esqr. || Boston || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected May 25. 1784}}
|| William Erving Esqr. || Boston || c
|| Samuel Hale Esqr. || Portsmouth, New-Hampshire || c
|| Mr. Samuel Gustavus Hermelin || Sweden || c
|| John Sparhawk Esqr. || Portsmouth, New Hampshire || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Augst. 25. 1784}}
[table]
|| Doctr. Aaron Dexter || Boston || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
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{{Elected Jany 26. 1785}}
[table]
|| The Revd. Jeremy Belknap || Dover, New Hampshire || c
|| Mr. Peter Jonas Bergius || Sweden || c
|| Marquis de la Fayette || France || c
|| The Revd. John Prince || Salem || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Augst. 24. 1785}}
[table]
|| Doctr Henry Moyse || London || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected May 30. 1786.}}
[table]
|| Le Comte de Castiglioni, Chevalier de order militaire de St Etienne en Sascane || || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Augst 23d. 1786}}
[table]
|| James Bowdoin jur. [sic] Esqr. || Dorchester || c
|| John Feron Physician || Paris || c
|| John J. Spooner Esqr. || Roxbury || c
|| Samuel Vaughan Esqr. || Philadelphia || c
. || The Honble Nathaniel Welles Esqr. || Wells || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected April 30. 1788}}
[table]
. || The Revd Noah Atwater || Westfield || c
|| Sir Joseph Banks Bart. || Great Britain || c
|| M. le Comte de Cassini || France || c
|| Mr James Hemmer || Germany || c
|| William Herschel L.L.D. || Great Britain || c
|| The Revd Thomas Hornsby D.D. || Great Britain || c
|| The Revd Nevil Maskelyne D.D. || Great Britain || c
|| Thomas Russell Esqr. || Boston || c
|| The Rt Revd. Richard Watson L.L.D. || Great Britain || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Augst. 20th. 1788}}
[table]
|| George Cabot Esqr || Beverly || c
|| Charles Hutton L.L.D. F.R.S. || Great Britain || c
|| John Coakley Lettsom M.D. || Ditto || c
|| Nicholas Pike Esqr || Newbury-Port || c
|| Mr. Joseph Pope || Boston || c
|| Benjamin Rush M.D. || Philadelphia || c
|| Winthrop Sargent jur. Esqr || [blank] || c
|| Jonathan Stokes M.D. || Great Britain || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Jany. 28. 1789}}
[table]
|| John Haygarth D & FRS || Great Britain || c
|| George Richards Minot Esqr || Boston || c
|| M J. P. Brissot De Warville || France || c
[end table]
[horizontal line]
[end page 38 | begin page 39]
{{39}}
{{Elected May 29th 1789}}
[table]
|| Nathaniel W. Appleton F.M.S. || Boston ||
|| The Honble William Baylies Esqr. F.M.S. || Dighton ||
|| [strikethrough] The Revd. John Eliot [end strikethrough] || [strikethrough] Boston [end strikethrough] ||
|| Duke de Almodavar || Spain ||
|| Alexander Mary Cerisier || Leyden ||
|| Marquis de Santa Cruz || Spain ||
|| Charles Wm Frederick Dumas Esqr || Hague ||
|| Edmund Jennings Esqr. || London ||
|| John Luzac LLD || Leyden ||
|| The Revd. Archibald Maclaine D.D. || Hague ||
|| Frederick Wm Pestel LLD || Leyden ||
|| Sir Benjamin Thompson Knight || ||
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Decr. 2d. 1789}}
[table]
|| Charles Blagden M.D. FRS || London ||
|| Doctr. Samuel Danforth || Boston ||
|| Richard Kirwan Esqr F.R.S. || London ||
|| Thomas Percival M.D || Manchester in England ||
|| Samuel Webber Math & Phil Nat. Prof Hollis || Cambridge ||
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Aug. 25. 1790}}
[table]
|| Doctr. Solomon Drowne || Providence ||
|| John Howard Esqr. F.R.S. || Great Britain ||
|| J. G [illegible] Baron De Hupsch || Cologne ||
|| Revd. Samuel Kirkland || Oneida ||
|| Grimr. Johnson Thorkelin LLD || Copenhagen ||
|| Robert Young Esqr. || London ||
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Aug. 25. 1790}}
[table]
|| Samuel Shaw Esq. || at Canton ||
|| John Erving Esq. || Great Britain ||
|| Rev. John Lathrop D.D. || Boston ||
|| Hon. John Jay LL.D. || New York ||
[end table]
[horizontal line]
{{Elected Nov. 20th. 1790}}
[table]
|| Joseph Philip de L’etombe LL.D. || at Boston ||
[end table]
[end page 39 | begin page 40]
{{40}}
[remainder of page left blank]
[end page 40 | begin page 41]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at the House of the Honble James Bowdoin in Boston Jany. 3d. 1781
{{Address to the Public}}
Vote 1. That the Revd Professor Williams prepare an address to the Public, requesting a communication of experiments, observations and productions of Nature or Art to the Academy, adapted to the ends of its Institution; and that he present the said address to the Academy at their next meeting for their approbation, in order to its publication.
{{Members to be classed}}
2. That it be recommended to the Academy at their next Meeting to form all or several of the Members into different classes, whose particular employment shall be to prosecute such enquiries as shall be declared the special objects of their respective appointments.
{{Statute for Council meetings}}
3. That Mr. Gannett prepare a Statute determining the manner, in which Meetings of the Council shall be summoned: and that he present it to the Academy.
{{Room & Fire for Acady. meeting}}
4. That His Honor. Thomas Cushing Esqr and Ebenezer Storer Esqr. be a Committee to provide a convenient room and fire for the accommodation of the Academy at their next meeting.
[horizontal line]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at the House of the Honble James Bowdoin Esqr. May 2. 1781
The Transactions of the last Meeting were read.
{{Committee for Arrangement of Subjects}}
Vote 1. That Mr. Caleb Gannett and the Revd Professors Wigglesworth and Williams be a Committee to arrange the several subjects, which, in their opinion, should principally engage the attention of the Academy, in such manner, as they may be prosecuted to the best advantage by different classes.
On a Motion made by The Honble James Bowdoin Esqr. that there should be an annual revision of the several literary communications, which may be made to the Academy;
{{Committee to review Communications}}
Voted 2. That the Revd Samuel Cooper D.D. His Honor Thomas Cushing Esqr. with the Committee appointed in the preceding vote, be a Committee to revise the literary communications that have already been made to the Academy;
and
[end page 41 | page 42]
{{42}}
and that they report at the next meeting of the Council, what disposition shall be made of them.
{{Meeting adjourned}}
Vote 3. That this Meeting be adjourned to the 29th instant at 10 oClock A.M. then to be holden at the County Court house in Boston.
[horizontal line]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in the County Court house in Boston May 29. 1781 on adjournment.
The Transactions of the last Meeting were read.
{{Report of Committee for revising Communications postponed}}
The Committee appointed by the second vote at the last Meeting, “revise the literary communications, that have already been made to the Academy, and to report what disposition shall be made of them”, not having accomplished the business;
{{Addition to sd Committee}}
Voted 1. That The Revd. Phillips Payson be joined to the Committee, and that a report be made at the next Meeting of the Council.
{{Report of the Committee for arranging Subjects}}
The Committee, appointed by the first vote at the last Meeting “to arrange the several subjects, which, in their opinion, should principally engage the attention of the Academy, in such manner, as they may be prosecuted into the best advantage by different classes”, made the following report: viz
1. That one Class examine the various Soils of the Country – what are their respective qualities – which are the most prevalent; the substances best adapted to improve them – what are their natural growths; also, what have been and are the various methods of culture – which have been found, on experiment, to have the preference – how far rules for European husbandry are applicable to America – In what respects they agree and wherein they differ. Experiments, particularly to be made and varied on the Siberian wheat.
2. That a second class examine the growth of vegetables, and remark the various phenomena, observable in them through the Seasons; that they collect and preserve the seed, leaf and flower of the various vegetables in the Country, determine their proper names and give a particular description of them, especially of those peculiar to America.
3. That a third Class collect samples of the various Minerals and Fossils in the Country and describe their situations and the quality of their respective Soils.
4. That a fourth Class make a chemical analysis of vegetables, minerals & fossils & ascertain their medical & other properties.
[end page 42 | begin page 43]
{{43}}
5. That a fifth Class examine the various diseases of the Country, what are most prevalent, the causes of disorders peculiar to the country; the longevity of the Inhabitants, the ratio between births and deaths, the difference of this ratio in Sea-port towns and the Country, in old and new settled parts of the Country, the degrees of emigration from different parts of the Country to other parts: The Emigrants, however, are not to be taken into the estimate for determining the ratio between the births and deaths in any particular district.
6. That a sixth class attend to mathematical disquisitions and astronomical observations; that they particularly make accurate observations, that they particularly make accurate observations of the eclipses of Jupiter’s Satellites and determine the latitude of different places; also, that they ascertain the variation of the magnetic needle in different parts of the Country.
7. That a seventh Class make Meteorology their special object: observe the azimuth, meridional heighth [sic], vertical direction and various phenomena of the aurora borealis; register the heighth [sic] of the fluid in the barometer and thermometer, the affections of the hygrometer with the weather and winds, noting from time to time the disorders, that may appear among the Inhabitants of places in which such observations are made; that they determine the quantity of fluid, which shall fall in one year on a given surface, and the quantity of evaporation from a similar surface.
8. That an eighth class examine into the progress of the mechanic arts in America, their present State, & make the improvement of them their special object.
9. That the object of a ninth class be the rationale of Language, particularly the rationale, genius, idiom and construction of the English language.
{{Report accepted}}
Vote 2. That the foregoing report be accepted and laid before the Academy.
[horizontal line]
August 1. 1781 A number of the Council met at the University in Cambridge and adjourned to the 22d instant at 9 oClock A.M. at the aforementioned place.
[horizontal line]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences on adjournment, at the University of Cambridge, August 22. 1781.
The Transactions of the Meeting on the 29th of May last were read: also the following resolve of the General Court
of
[end page 43 | begin page 44]
{{44}}
of this State respecting Mr. Benjamin Dudley.
“In General Court July 6th. 1781
{{Resolve of Genl Court respecting Benjn Dudley}}
“On the Memorial of Mr. Benjamin Dudley
“Resolved, That the said Benjamin Dudley be recommended to the patronage of the Academy of Arts & Sciences; and that the Honorable the President, Vice-President and Council of sd. Academy shall receive out of the public treasury of this Commonwealth a sum not exceeding three hundred pounds of the new emission, for the purpose of employing sd. Dudley in such mechanical arts &C as to them may seem most beneficial to this State; and His Excellency the Governor with the advice of Council is hereby requested to draw a warrant on the Treasury for the purpose aforesd; The said Officers of the Academy to lay an Account of sd Dudley’s experiments before this Court at their next Session.”
{{Dudley introduced}}
Mr. Dudley was then introduced and interrogated concerning his profession. After which he retired and it was
{{Committee to confer with sd Dudley}}
Voted – That the President, Vice-President with the several Members of the Council, residing in Boston and the Honble James Warren Esqr. be a Committee to confer with Mr. Benjamin Dudley more particularly upon such improvements as he may propose in any of the mechanic arts, and to employ him in presenting measures, which they may judge shall lend to public utility and answer the design of the General Court in the foregoing resolve.
[horizontal line]
October 1781. A quorum of the Council did not convene.
[horizontal line]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at the house of the Honble James Bowdoin Esqr. in Boston Jany. 2. 1782.
Present – The President – His Honor Thomas Cushing Esqr. – The Honble Henry Gardner Esqr. – John Lowell Esqr. – The Honble Robert T. Paine Esqr.
{{Reproposal of a Candidate postponed}}
Vote 1. That the consideration of a proposal in a letter from [REDACTED] for reproposing a candidate for admission on a Member into the Academy be postponed.
[end page 44 | begin page 45]
{{45}}
{{Treasurer to apply for part of a Grant of Court}}
Vote 2. That the Treasurer of the Academy be authorised and directed to apply to the Governor and Council for a warrant to the Treasurer of this Commonwealth for thirty pounds in part of a Grant of the General Court of three hundred pounds to be under the direction of this Board, to defray such expences, as might arise from employing Mr. Benjamin Dudley. That sum having become due, as, by accounts presented, appears, for services performed by said Dudley.
{{Accounts allowed}}
3. That two accounts presented by Mr Caleb Gannett, one of six pounds 8/6 for dieting and lodging Mr Benjamin Dudley: the other of six pounds 19/4 for expences on a Journey with said Dudley to Bridgewater &C in September 1781; also ^that an account of said Dudley of fourteen pounds lodged with Ebenezer Storer Esqr. be allowed, and that the President direct the Treasurer to pay the above accounts.
[horizontal line]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at the house of the Honble James Bowdoin Esqr. in Boston May 1. 1782.
Present – the President – the Vice President – His Honor Thomas Cushing Esqr – The Honble Henry Gardner Esqr – The Honble John Lowell Esqr – The Revd. Phillips Payson – The Honble James Warren Esqr. –
The Proceedings of the last meeting were read.
{{Admission & Induction of members.}}
The third vote at the last meeting of the Academy Jany 30. 1782 “recommending to the Council to devise a mode of admitting and inducting Members, when elected and of notifying such members of their election”, was read: and after deliberation, it was agreed by the Council, that they are not able to devise a mode of admitting members into the Academy more eligible, than what has hitherto been practised.
[horizontal line]
August 7 1782. A quorum of the Council did not convene.
[horizontal line]
October 16. 1782. A Statute Meeting of the Council on this day was, thro’ inadvertency, not notified, and of course failed.
[horizontal line]
[end page 45 | begin page 46]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at the house of the Honble James Bowdoin Esqr. Jany. 1. 1783.
Present – The President – Vice-President – The Honble Samuel Adams Esqr. – His Honor Thomas Cushing Esqr – The Honble John Lowell Esqr – The Honble Robert T. Paine Esqr. – The Revd. President Willard and The Revd. Professor Williams.
{{Report of a Committee respecting ways and means}}
Whereas the Academy at a meeting Novr. 13. 1782 referred the report of a Committee, appointed to consider of ways and means to promote the ends of its institution, to the Council, that the result of their deliberation upon it may be laid before the Academy at their next meeting – The said report having been read & considered;
Voted. That the Council approve the general design of the Report, and that, retaining its original form, the following, as what, in their judgment, would, if adopted, have an happy tendency, be laid before the Academy. viz –
That they are of opinion, that the reputation and usefulness of the Society make it necessary to pursue the business and design of their institution in a more certain and regular manner: and that, to effect this purpose, it is necessary to have the business regularly arranged under different heads; and to have some of the Members of the Society responsible for some annual productions in each. It were to be wished, that the Society could carry on a regular course of annual Transactions in all the various branches of Science. But the Council are apprehensive, that this will not be practicable, amidst the distresses and calamities of war; and therefore only propose for the present a general division of the Subjects to be annually pursued into three heads – viz
I. [underline] Mathematical [end underline]; including astronomical & geographical observations and disquisitions.
II. [underline] Physical [end underline]; comprehending whatever may belong to any of the various branches of natural philosophy, history, or Agriculture.
III. [underline] Medical [end underline]; containing whatever may relate to medicine, anatomy, chemistry or Botany.
To carry on the business of the Society and regularly, under each of those branches, it is proposed,
1. That a number of the Fellows, no exceeding five be chosen for each of those departments, to hold their places for the space of two years from the time of election.
[end page 46 | begin page 47]
{{47}}
That each Member, chosen for those departments, lay before the Academy some observation, experiment essay or production of his own, once at lest, in the course of one year.
3. That they have the inspection and examination of all papers presented to the Society, out of which they shall select materials for a volume ^as soon and as often as the collections of the Society will permit, and lay them before the Academy for their determination thereon.
4. If any Member, who is chosen for any particular department shall be prevented from attending to the business assigned to him by the Society, it is expected, that he will resign his appointment, that some other person may be appointed in his place.
Nothing in the above proposed regulations is to be understood as designed to limit the attention of any member of the Society to any particular subject; or to prevent any member from writing upon any subject, that may suit his inclination and genius. What is intended, is to have some of the members responsible for some annual productions; that the Transactions of the Society may not be subject to uncertainty, but be annually kept up. The Council are sensible, that the above will be an arduous undertaking to those Gentlemen, who shall be appointed to annual labors; and therefore propose, that every member of the Society be requested to give all the assistance in his power, that the said Member may be able to propose a volume for publication agreable [sic] to the foregoing proposals.
[horizontal line]
May 1783 A quorum of the Council did not convene.
[horizontal line]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at the University of Cambridge August 6. 1783.
Present – The President – Vice President – The Honble Cotton Tufts Esqr. – The Revd. President Willard and The Revd Professor Williams.
{{Money expended in employing Mr Dudley}}
Whereas by a Resolve of the General Court July 6. 1781, a Grant of three hundred pounds was made to the President, Vice President and Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for the purpose of employing Mr Benjamin Dudley in mechanical arts; and in virtue thereof sd. Dudley was so employed, whereupon the Academy became indebted in the following sums in specia, viz
To
[end page 47 | begin page 48]
{{48}}
[table]
To Benjamin Dudley for his Services || £14.0
To Caleb Gannett for dieting & lodging sd Dudley || 6.8.6
To Do for expences on a Journey with sd Dudley to Bridgewater &C || 6.19.4
||
amounting to || £27.7.10
[end table]
{{Treasurer authorised to apply for sd money}}
Voted 1. That the Treasurer be authorised and directed to apply to the Governor and Council for a warrant to the Treasurer of this Commonwealth for the said sum of twenty pounds 7/10.
{{notifications for Council meetings to be procured}}
2. That the Recording Secretary procure a number, not exceeding three hundred, of blank notifications to members of the Academy-Council for their meeting, to be printed in the form following, viz
{{Form of Do}}
Sir
A Statute Meeting of the Academy-Council, of which you are a Member, is to be holden at [blank underline] on wednesday [sic] the [blank] day of [blank] at [blank] o’clock A.M.
per Order [blank] Sec’y
To [blank]
{{Committee to petition ye Court respecting Mr Dudley}}
3. That The Revd. Dr Cooper, The Honble Cotton Tufts Esqr and The Revd Professor Williams be a Committee to prepare a petition and memorial to the General Court on the subject of a Grant of sd Court of three hundred pounds July 6th 1781 to the President, Vice-President and Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for the purpose of employing Mr Benjamin Dudley in mechanical arts, that the balance already unexpended may be appropriated to the purpose of effecting an essay of the several ores, that are or may be collected in the Country, or such other pruposes, as may be judged of the greatest utility by the forementioned Body – The Committee to report said petition and memorial at the adjournment of this meeting.
{{Presdt Willard to write to Daniel Jones Esqr.}}
4. That The Revd. President Willard write to Daniel Jones Esqr. of Hinsdale, requesting a particular description of West-river mountain, and an account of any appearances or evidence, that sd. mountain ever contained a volcano.
{{Committee to prepare a regulation respecting Members}}
5. That The Honble Cotton Tufts Esqr. prepare a regulation respecting such members of the Academy, whether inserted in the Charter, or since elected, as have not attended any meeting of the Academy, or in any other way acknowledged themselves members. Said Regulation to be reported at the adjournment of this meeting.
6. That this meeting be adjourned to ye 20th. inst. at 10 oClock A.M. at this place.
[horizontal line]
[end page 48 | begin page 49]
{{49}}
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences on adjournment at the University of Cambridge August 20. 1783.
The Transactions of the last meeting were read.
{{Memorial to ye Genl Court respecting ye Dudley Grant}}
The Committee, appointed by the third vote passed at the last meeting, to prepare a petition and memorial to the General Court, reported as follows, viz
The Memorial of [blank]
humbly sheweth, that by a Resolve of the General Court of July 6th 1781, The President, Vice President and Council of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, were empowered to receive out of the Treasury of this Commonwealth, a sum not exceeding three hundred pounds of the new emission for the purpose of employing Benjamin Dudley in mechanical arts &C
Your Memorialists, in consequence of said Resolve, after making enquiries into the abilities of said Benjamin, and having apprehended him capable of making some new Improvements in casting of iron-shot, and in the finishing work of cannon when cast (which, at that time, were conceived to be of essential benefit to this State), did accordingly employ him in that business, and under their direction he proceeded to the State-furnace and other furnaces in this State for the purpose of making such communications as might best answer the end proposed. But the said Benjamin was soon after called to Philadelphia on Continental business and has not since returned, nor is it known, that he will return to this State again. No opportunity has presented of further employing him in making those experiments, which by said resolve were intended, nor is it likely, that any opportunity will soon present. The expence incurred in employing said Benjamin amounted to twenty seven pounds 7/10 in speice [sic]; and there remains of the three hundred pounds, not as yet expended the sum of one hundred thirty two pounds 12/2 in speice. [sic]
Your Memorialists beg leave to represent to your Honors, that the Academy is possessed of various specimens of ores and other productions of the earth, collected from various parts of this State. Their use and value cannot be ascertained but by proper experiments, which cannot be made without an expence for which the Academy has not at present any fund. Some of those, upon trial, may probably be found to open a source of wealth to the community or to Individuals, others will have relation to the natural history of the Country, and some of them may probably be found to possess medicinal virtues.
Your
[end page 49 | begin page 50]
{{50}}
Your Memorialists would therefore humbly request your Honors, that the unexpended remainder of the three hundred pounds, which they were empowered to receive for the purpose of employing Benjamin Dudley in mechanical arts, may be applied to their employing some suitable person or persons in said business other than the sd Benjamin and also for such other purposes in the experimental way, as shall be judged of the greatest utility to the Public, & that they may be empowered to receive and employ the same for said uses.
The Interest of that Commonwealth, which gave being to the Academy, will ever be its first object: to be useful is its wish; and whatever services within the design of its Institution, the General Court shall be pleased at any time to direct, the Academy will esteem it a happiness to execute.
Voted, that the foregoing memorial and petition be laid before the Academy.
[horizontal line]
[horizontal line]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at the house of the Honble James Bowdoin Esqr. in Boston Jany. 7. 1784.
Present - The President - His Honor Thomas Cushing Esqur. - The Honble John Lowell Esqr. - The Honble Robert T. Payne Esqr and The Revd President Willard.
Whereas Inconveniences have frequently arisen from the quorum of the Academy being so large as eleven Members in all cases,
{{Statute respecting the quorum of sd Academy altered}}
Voted, That it be recommended to the Academy to alter the third Article in the seventh Chapter of the Statutes by adding, immediately after the word Academy in sd Article, the following words “[underline] to transact any matters respecting the estate of the Academy or which may affect the funds. In all other cases, seven Fellows shall constitute a quorum to transact the business of the Academy. [end underline]
[horizontal line]
The Council met at the house of the Honble James Bowdoin Esqr. in Boston May 5th 1784.
Present The President, His Honor Thomas Cushing Esqr, The Honble Samuel Adams Esqr., The Honble Jame Warren Esqr. & The Revd President Willard.
[horizontal line]
[end page 50 | begin page 51]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, at the house of his Excellency Governor Bowdoin Jany. 4. 1786
Present - The President, His Honor Thomas Cushing Esqr., Hon. Robert T. Paine Esqr Hon. Cotton Tufts Esqr & Dr. John Warren
Voted. That the President be authorized to draw an order on the Treasurer to pay Mr. Joseph Callendar ten pounds sixteen shillings for four reams of paper.
[horizontal line]
The Council met at the house of his Excellency Governor Bowdoin May 2 1786.
Present - The President, ^Vice President Hon Samuel Adams Esqr. Loammi Baldwin Esqr. Hon. John Lowell Esqr. Hon. Cotton Tufts Esqr. Hon James Warren Esqr. Dr John Warren.
[no further information recorded]
[horizontal line]
The Council met at the House of Governor Bowdoin January 3. 1787.
Present The President, Vice President, Hon. Samuel Adams Esqr. Loammi Baldwin Esqr., His Honor Thomas Cushing Esqr. Hon. Benjamin Lincoln Esqr, Hon. John Lowell Esqr, Hon. Robert T. Paine Esqr. Hon. Cotton Tufts Esqr. Dr. John Warren, Revd Samuel Williams L.L.D.
[no further information recorded]
[horizontal line]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, at the house of his Excellency the President May 2. 1787.
Present The President, Vice President, Hon. Samuel Adams Esqr. Loammi Baldwin Esqr. His Honor Thomas Cushing Esqr. Hon. Cotton Tufts Esqr. Hon. James Warren Esqr. John Warren M.D. Revd. Samuel Williams L.L.D.
Vote 1. That the recording Secretary publish the vote passed at the meeting of the Academy on the 14th of March last respecting an annual payment from each member within the Commonwealth; in connexion with his notification of the next Statute meeting of the Academy.
2. That the Revd President Willard, the Reverend Samuel Williams L.L.D. and John Warren M.D. be a Committee to consider of and report at the adjournment of this meeting such methods
and
[end page 51 | begin page 52]
{{52}}
and regulations as they may judge expedient for promoting the designs and ends of the institution of the Academy.
3. That This Meeting be adjourned to Friday the 25th of May instant at 11 oClock A.M. then to be holden at the house of his Excellency the President.
[horizontal line]
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy at the house of His Excellency The President May 25. 1787 on adjournment.
Present The President, Vice President, Hon. Robert T. Paine Esqr. Hon. Cotton Tufts Esqr. Dr. John Warren, Revd. Samuel Williams L.L.D.
The Committee appointed on the 2d. instant to consider of & report such methods and regulations as they may judge expedient for promoting the designs and ends of the Academy made the following report.
That in their opinion it is highly expedient that a succession of volumes should be published by the Academy, as the papers upon file may, from time to time, allows.
That whenever a volume of the Memoirs shall be printed, each Member of the Academy, belonging to the Commonwealth, shall be obliged to take one copy, for which he shall immediately pay to the Treasurer, according to the sum, at which the volumes shall be rated by the Academy.
That every one, who shall hereafter be elected a Member, of belonging to the State of Massachusetts, shall, upon his acceptance, pay the sum of five dollars, for which the Treasurer shall give him his receipt; and no one shall be considered a Member, til he has made such payment, unless the Academy should think proper for special reasons to remit it; and that the same exception apply to the payment of the annual assessment and the purchase of the volume.
That it could be expedient, in future, that the election of Members be announced to them by a printed certificate in such form as the Council of the Academy shall determine.
All which is submitted by
Joseph William in ye name of the Committee.
Voted. That the foregoing vote be accepted; and that it be laid before the Academy, at their next meeting.
[end page 52 | begin page 53]
{{53}}
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, at the house of The Honourable James Bowdoin Esqr. August 21. 1787
Present – The President, Vice President, Hon. Samuel Adams Esqr Hon. Richard Cranch Esqr. Hon. John Lowell Esqr Hon Robert T. Paine Esqr. & The Revd Edward Wigglesworth D.D.
{{Books to be catalogued}}
Vote 1. That the Books belonging to the Library of the Academy shall be catalogued in an alphabetical manner with respect both to the Authors & Subjects, making a double entry for each book.
{{Notification to Fellows elect.}}
Pursuant to a vote of the Academy passed at a Meeting on May 29. 1787 declaring a condition to be performed by a Fellow elect, previous to his being considered a Member; also another vote at the same meeting purporting, that the form of announcing elections in future should be determined by the Council.
Vote 2. That when any Gentleman, within this Commonwealth shall be elected a Fellow, the corresponding Secretary shall send him the following notification,
Sir/
“At a Meeting of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences held the [blank] day of [blank] you was [sic] elected a Fellow.
“By a regulation of the Society, no person living within this State is to be considered a Member notwithstanding his election, until he has paid the sum of five dollars. On the receipt of this Sum you will be furnished with a certificate in the usual form.”
I am your humble Servant
} Secretary
{{Form of Certificate to Fellows Elected}}
Vote 3. That the following be the form of the certificate.
To all Persons, to whom these Presents shall come.
Greeting
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, established by a law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, at a Meeting held the [blank] day of [blank] 17[blank] for the purpose of promoting the design of their
inst-
[end page 53 | begin page 54]
{{54}}
institution, elected A.B. a Fellow of their Society, and have granted until him all the rights and priviledges [sic] of a Member: and in Testimony thereof have affixed their Seal to this certificate and cause the same to be attests.
Attest [blank] }President
[blank] }Secretaries [blank] } Vice President
Vote 4. That the foregoing certificate shall be signed by the President and Vice President of the Academy and attested by the Secretaries.
{{manner of Voting for Candidates}}
Vote 5. That whenever any person shall be proposed to the Council, to be elected a Fellow, the question whether he shall be nominated to the Academy shall be determined by written votes.
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At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at the house of The Honble James Bowdoin LLD Jany. 7th 1789.
Present. The President – Vice President, Hon. Samuel Adams Esqr Hon John Adams L.L.D. Loammi Baldwin Esqr Hon Richard Cranch Esqr. His Honor Benjamin Lincoln Esqr. Hon John Lowell Esqr. Hon. Robert T. Paine Esqr. Hon. Cotton Tufts MD. John Warren M.D.
Several Gentlemen were nominated & approved as Candidates.
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At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at the house of The Hon. James Bowdoin LLD May 6th 1789.
Present The President – Vice President - Loammi Baldwin Esqr. Hon Richard Cranch Esqr. Hon John Lowell Esqr Hon Robert T. Paine Esqr. Hon. Cotton Tufts M.D. John Warren M.D.
Voted. That the Hon. John Lowell Esqr Hon Robert T. Paine Esqr and Mr Caleb Gannett be a Committee to prepare a petition to the General Court for an Act authorizing a Lottery for the benefit of the Academy; to digest a scheme of a Lottery; to consider of proper person, as Managers, and make report on the day of the next meeting of the Academy.
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At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, at the House of the Hon. James Bowdoin LLD, Jany 6. 1790.
Present the President, Vice President, His Honour S. Adams, Loammi Baldwin, Esqr, Hon. Francis Dana Esqr, Hon. John Lowell Esqr, Hon. Rob. T. Paine Esqr, Hon. Cotton Tufts Esqr, John Warren M.D.
{{Report of a Committee on a map of this Commonwealth recomd. to Acad.}}
Voted – That a report of a Committee of the Academy appointed Jan.y 28. 1789, to examine a letter of Edward A. Holyoke M.D. respecting the attainment of a correct map of this State, and to devise the best method for executing the plan therein proposed, be recommended to the consideration of the academy, [sic] at their next meeting.
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At a meeting of the council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Boston 31. May. 1791.
Present – The President
The Vice President.
The Hon. Judge Lowell.
The Hon. Judge Paine.
The Hon. Judge Cranch.
John Warren M.D.
Voted – that Caleb Gannett Esqr. Dr Warren, and the Honle. Judge Lowell, be a committee to take into consideration the State of the property belonging to the Academy, and to report concerning the same.
Several Gentlemen were nominated and approved as Candidates.
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At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, at Boston 4 Jan.y 1792.
Present, the Vice-President of the Academy.
The Hon.le Judge Dana.
The Hon.le Judge Paine.
Caleb Gannett Esqr.
The Hon.le Cotton Tufts.
Several Gentlemen were nominated and approved as Candidates.
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At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Boston 2. May. 1792.
Present. The Hon.le Judge Lowell
The Hon. Judge Cranch.
The Hon. Cotton Tufts.
Caleb Gannett. Esqr.
John Warren. M.D.
Loammi Baldwin Esqr.
Voted – that it be recommended to the Academy to direct the Agricultural Committee to pay into the Treasury of the Agricultural Society, any money they may now have on hand, for the use of said society, so far as the Academy has any authority over the same.
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At a meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, at Cambridge, 17. Octr. 1792.
Present…the President of the Academy.
The Vice President.
The Hon. Judge Cranch.
Caleb Gannett. Esqr.
The Revd. Dr Belknap.
John Warren M.D.
Several gentlemen were nominated, and approved as Candidates.
Voted.. That it be recommended to the Academy to appoint a Committee to settle accounts with the representatives of the late Mr Benja. Guild, in order that the Treasurer may receive such property of the Academy, a may have been in his hands at the time of his decease.
Voted… That it be recommended to the Academy to appoint a Committee with full powers to contract with a printer or printers to publish a Second Volume of Transactions, provided the Academy be subjected to no expence.
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Endnotes
- 3Page numbers are attributed from this point forward.
At a Meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, at Boston. 1. Jany. 1794.
Present the Vice President
The Revd. Doctor Belknap.
The Hon.b Benj.a Lincoln.
The Hon.b Judge Lowell.
The Hon.b Judge Paine.
Several Gentlemen were nominated and approved as Candidates.
Voted, that it be recommended to the Academy, to demand 7/6 as the Retail price of the 1st number of the II Vol. of Memoirs.
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At a meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at Cambridge Aug 24th, 1796.
Present The Vice President
Hon. Judge Lowell
Revd. Doctr Lathrop
Doctr Jno Warren
Revd Doctr Clarke
Mr Caleb Gannett
Several Gentlemen were nominated and approved as Candidates
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At a meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at Cambridge Nov. 9th 1796.
Present The President
The Vice President
Revd Doctr Lathrop
Revd Doctr Clarke
Professor Webber
Several Gentlemen were nominated and approved as Candidates.
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At a meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at Boston Jany 25th, 1797.
Present The Vice President
Revd Doctr Lathrop
Mr Gannett
Professor Webber
Hon. Judge Lowell
Hon. Judge Paine
Several Gentlemen were nominated and approved as Candidates.
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At a meeting of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at Boston May 30th, 1797.
Present. The Vice President
Hon. Judge Paine
Revd Doctr Lathrop
Mr Caleb Gannett
Doctr John Warren
Professor Webber.
Several Gentlemen were nominated and approved as Candidates.
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[END VOLUME 1]