To Cadwallader Colden
als: New-York Historical Society; also transcript: Library of Congress
New York, April 5. 1744
Sir

Happening to be in this City about some particualr Affairs, I have the Pleasure of receiving yours of the 28th past, here. And can now acquaint you, that the Society, as far as relates to Philadelphia, is actually formed, and has had several Meetings to mutual Satisfaction; assoon as I get home, I shall send you a short Account of what has been done and propos’d at those Meetings. The Members are

Dr. Thomas Bond, as Physician
Mr. John Bartram as Botanist
Mr. Thomas Godfrey as Mathematician
Mr. Saml. Rhodes as Mechanician
Mr. Wm. Parsons as Geographer
Dr. Phineas Bond as General Nat. Philosopher
Mr. Thos. Hopkinson President
Mr. Wm. Coleman Treasurer
BF. Secretary

To whom the following Members have since been added, viz. Mr. Alexander of New York. Mr. Morris (Ch. Justice of the Jerseys.) Mr. Home Secretary of Ditto. Mr. Jno. Coxe of Trenton and Mr. Martyn of the same Place. Mr. Nickolls tells me of several other Gentlemen of this City that incline to encourage the Thing. And there are a Number of others in Virginia, Maryland, Carolina, and the New England Colonies, who we expect to join us, assoon as they are acquainted that the Society has begun to form itself. I am, Sir, with much Respect Your most humble Servant

B Franklin

Addressed: To  The Honbl. Cadwallader Colden Esqr  at  Coldengham
Endorsed: B. Frankilin
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