I was some weeks ago favroured with a Letter, inclosing a Diploma, whereby I am constituted a Member of the American Philosophical Society. Having waited in vain for the opportunity of a private conveyance, in order to transmit my acknowledgments to the Society for so unexpected an honour, I am obliged in this way to trouble you, Sir, to convey to the Gentlemen who have elected me the warm sense of gratitude which I feel for so flattering a token of their respect. If it were in my power, by any Communications, to subscribe in the smallest degree the important objects for which the Society was instituted, it would give me a singular pleasure to have my name enrolled among the efficient and active Members of it.

You, Sir, probably will not recollect an Evening in which I had the great happiness of enjoying your Company in London. I was introduced to you by our valuable friend Dr: Price. It was in the beginning of the late War, just after your Examination before the Privy Council. We were then looking forward with anxiety to events, the probable issue of which lay in impenetrable darkness. The wishes of the best friends of Liberty and of Mankind have been answered; And we are now looking back to that period, as to an Oera, which will be gloriously distinguished in the future Annals of Men, The Form of Government which you, Sir have borne so useful a part in forming, seems to realize all that is practicable and valuable in the Science of free Government. I hope, it will be universally and cordially adopted. We hear with pleasure that several States have already acceded to it; and we flatter ourselves, that it will soon receive the sanction of those which remain.

My very particular and worthy friend Dr. Percival desires to be affectionately remembered to you. With grateful respects to the worthy Members of — (I feel peculiar pleasure whilst I write the word) Our justly distinguished Society I remain, Sir, Their and Your greatly obliged and sincerely devoted servant