From Samuel Vaughan (unpublished)
Philadelphia Mar. 8. 1784
Dear Sir

An unwillingness to encroach upon your time unless for an object of importance has hitherto witheld me from congratulating you on the late glorious Revolution in which you have borne a part so conspicuous as to entitle you not only to my gratitude but that of every present and future Inhabitant of these States.

The liberty of the Country Secured, I ardently wish to see you return to your former objects of pursuit and to renew your wanted exertions for the promotion of Knowledge and philosphical pursuits, from which the publick Necessities has called your attention. Persuaded this wish is also yours I am happy in being the Instrument of conveying you a plan the Completion of which is much to be Desired and which will assuredly take place if it meets with your Sanction. I mean the union of the Philadelphian and Loganian Libraries, the latter of which tho’ extremely valuable is of very little use to the public contrary to the Intent of the Donor. The present Idea is to have them under Trustees in the Same building but in different appartments, and with the former names in order to perpetuate that of the Benefactor one librarian (if sufficient) to attend on both, at such distinct times as shall be judged most for public Utility. Dr. Logan wishes to promote it, but his Uncle who is averse from business wishes to postpone his assent ’till he hears from you, who are only surviving trustee. It were therefore earnestly to be wished, if we are to be deprived of the pleasure of seeing you early in the Spring, that you would send Mr. Logan your opinion fully on this Subject, and on some others I shall now hint to you.

Great pains are taking to give importance to the Society above mentioned and the Philosophical. The assembly enter into these views and it is proposed making Mr. Writtenhouse State Astronomer, and to aid the p.s. by a grant of £150 encouraged by these favorable appearances, they wish to make an application to the Legislature for a grant of ground on the S.E. and S.W. corners of the Statehouse yard for the erecting of two buildings one for the library, and the other for the Society, which are meant to be sufficiently ornamental not to interfere materially with the views of making a publick walk. Committees from the two bodies meet tomorrow to Confer on the proper mode of application. Many advantages will result from this arrangement if it meets with Success, some of them will necessarily Strike you. The Society felt the necessity of a resting place So Strongly that they a few meetings ago purchased a large lot of Mr. Hopkinson near the Observatory, upon which they propose building if the assembly should reject the petition, and we flatter ourselves Subscriptions will not be wanting to enable them to do it; should they Succeed which is not improbable, it may either be resold or be converted into a Botanical Garden.

I could wish you would communicate any ideas which may occur tending to the advancement of these Interests, as there seems to be a strong disposition to forward them in the members of the different Societies and the publick at large. I remain, with the greatest respect and attachment, Dear Sir Your obliged and affectionate humble servant

Sam Vaughan

p.s. The family all join in affectionate greetings
His Excellency B Franklin Esqr.
641002 = 041-u408.html