Extracts from the Minutes of the American Philosophical Society; at a Meeting held on the 2d day of November, 1787.

“Whereas the President of this Society, His Excellency Benjamin Franklin, Esq. to enable this Body to complete the Building begun for their use in the State house Square, and which was lately at a stand thro’ want of funds to prosecute the intentions of the Society; hath subscribed a Second Hundred Pounds, in addition to his former donation; and hath also offered a loan of what money may be requisite to raise and cover the building, at legal Interest; it is therefore

“Resolved That the Thanks of the Society be returned to his Excellency Benjamin Franklin, Esq. President of this Society, for his generous additional contribution of One hundred Pounds, to be laid out in raising and covering the Building; and for his offer of a loan of what money may be wanted to finish the raising and covering of the same, at legal Interest; it is therefore further

“Resolved, By this Society, that the said Offer be accepted; and the Society do appoint the Right Rev. Dr. White, and Samuel Vaughan, Esq; as a Committee to wait upon His Excellency, in order to confer with him upon the most proper mode of giving Security to him for the sums of money he may advance; The Result of which Conference, the Committee is to report to the Society.

“After the interview with His Excellency, and a Report brought in by the Committee;—

“Agreed, That the Society shall give to his Excellency Benjamin Franklin, Esq. a Bond for the money he may advance for carrying on and covering their Building in the State house Square as soon as the sum can be ascertained /it not to exceed five hundred Pounds/ payable in one year; together with legal Interest on the same; as also a Mortgage on the lot of land bought by the Society of Francis Hopkinson, Esq. as also of the Rent of the Cellars and such part of the Building as may be let by the Society until the said Advance and Interest be fully paid: And that in the mean time, a Copy of the foregoing Resolutions be signed by the Vice-Presidents and Secretaries; and the Society’s Seal affixed thereto; and be delivered to his Excellency.”

In Testimony that the above Extracts are truly copied, we have annexed the Seal of the Society here unto and subscribed our names.