It is with peculiar Pleasure, that the American Philosophical Society address You on this occasion.
The high consideration and Esteem in which we hold your Character, so intimately confine with our Regard for the Public Welfare, that we participate eminently in the general Satisfaction which your Return to America produes. We bid you Welcome to your native Country, for which you have done the most essential Services.
And we welcome you to this Chair; your occupying of which, as President, adds to our Institution much Lustre in the eyes of all the World.
Sir, it reflects Honour on Philosophy, when one, distinguished for his deep Investigations and many valuable Improvements in it, is known to be equally distinguished for his Philanthropy, Patriotism, and liberal attachment to the Rights of human Nature.
We know the favourable influence that Freedom has upon the growth of useful Sciences and Arts. We derive Encouragement and extraordinary Felicity from an Assemblage of recent memorable Events.
And while we boast in a most pleasing Equality permanently ascertained; and that Independence which you had so great a share in establishing; we have every reason to expect that this Society will proceed with an increasing Success, to manage the great Pruposes for which they originally associated.