To the Honourable Benjamin Franklin Esqr. L L D &c.

The Provost vice-Provost and Professors of the University of Pennsylvania beg Leave to congratulate you on your safe Arrival in your native country, after having accomplished the Duties of your exalted Character with Dignity and Success.

While we participate in the general Happiness of America to the Establishment of which your political Abilities and patriotic Exertions have so signally contributed; we feel a particular Pleasure in paying our acknowledgments, to the Gentleman, who first projected the liberal Plan of the Institution, over which we have the Honour to Preside.

Not contented with enriching the World with the most important Discoveries in Natural Philosophy, your Benevolence and Liberality of Sentiment early engaged you to make Provision for exciting a Spirit of Enquiry into the secret Operations of Nature; for exalting and refining the Genius of America, by the Propogation of useful Learning; and for qualifying many of her Sons to make that illustrious Figure which has commanded the Esteem and Admiration of the most polished Nations of Europe.

Among the many benevolent Projections which have laid so ample a Foundation for the Esteem and Gratitude of your native Country, permit this Seminary to reckon her first Establishment, upon the solid Principles of equal Liberty as one of the most considerable and important; And now when restored, thro’ the Influence of our happy Constitution, to her original broad and catholic Bottom; when enriched by the Protection and generous Donations of a public spirited and patriotic Assembly; and when flourishing under the Countenance of the best Friends of Religion Learning and Liberty in the State; she cannot but promise herself the continued Patronage of the Evening of that Life which divine Providence has so eminently distinguished.

May the same indulgent Providence yet continue your protracted Life, enriched and crowned with the best of Blessings, to nurse and cherish this favorite Child of your Youth; that the future sons of Science in this Western World may have additional Reason to remember the Name of Franklin with Gratitude and Pleasure.

Signed in the Name and by Order of the Faculty by