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A SHORT

ACCOUNT

OF THE

THE

LIBRARY.

THE foundation of the prefent library was laid in the year 1731; a period when Philadelphia afforded little affiftance to the inquiries of the ftudious. A number of gentlemen having raised the sum of one hundred pounds by fubfcription a fmall library was formed upon principles the best calculated to diffeminate knowledge: the books were not, as in many of the public libraries of Europe, confined to the apartments, but the subscribers were allowed to carry them home for a reasonable space of time.

The plan foon became popular; acceffions to the number of members took place, and the ftock of books was annually increased by purchases at the company's expense, and liberal donations from perfons both at home and abroad.

The then proprietaries of Pennsylvania appear to have taken a patriotic pleasure in the encouragement of the plan. Befides several valuable donations, they granted a charter of incorporation in the year 1742.

A fpirit of literary improvement made its way among all claffes of people, and the philanthropy of the great and amiable character* who suggested the plan, was gratified by tracing the books as well into the hands of the opulent, with whom literature is fometimes no more than one of the ornaments of civil life, as among those to whom it renders a more substantial benefit. Letters, while they employ the leisure of the artist, reconcile him to his labour; by removing groffer relaxations they promote his health, while they enlarge his mind; and prolong his life, while they teach him to enjoy it.

* Doctor Franklin.

b

The refpectable and intelligent character of the latter class of people in Philadelphia and its environs, cannot be referred to a more probable cause, than the habits of reading promoted by this institution.

The great utility and fuccefs of this measure, occafioned the formation of other libraries upon fimilar principles. But as it appeared more conducive to the interefts of literature, to be possessed of one large, than of several smaller collections of books, coalitions gradually took place among them, till the Amicable, the Affociation and the Union Companies were blended with the Library Company of Philadelphia, the title conferred by the charter.

Since this event, which took place in the year 1769, the members and the property of the company have continued to increase: the former being nearly feven hundred in number. The number of volumes, exclufive of nearly four thousand, in the Loganian Library, now annexed to this institution; at present, amounts to about fourteen thousand five hundred; the felection of which, has in general been calculated to promote the more important interests of fociety. And the ftock of books is continually increased by occasional donations, annual importations and purchases of most of the American productions of merit.

Some valuable machines and apparatus for the purposes of natural philofophy, &c. and a variety of curious artificial and natural productions alfo belong to the company, and are depofited in their apartments.

Befides the collection, the perfonal property, confifts in fome public, stock, the fale of shares, which since the year 1793 have been fixed at forty dollars, and the annual payments which fince the year 1795, have been fixed at two dollars from each member. The real estate of the inftitution, confifts of the lot and buildings, where the Philadelphia and Loganian libraries are kept.

The members hold the property as tenants in common, and difpofe of their fhares by will or deed; but the affent of the Directors, as well in fuch cases as in cafe of an original purchase, is previously neceffary -a restriction early adopted, in order, as much as poffible, to prevent improper persons from having access to a collection of a nature so liable to injury.

Ten Directors and a Treasurer are annually elected by the members: the Directors appoint a Secretary and a Librarian,-for the refpective powers and duties of whom, the reader is referred to the charter and the fubfequent laws and regulations.

THE

CHARTER.

J

OHN PENN, THOMAS PENN, and RICHARD PENN, Efquires, true and abfolute proprietaries of the province of Pennfylvania, and counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Suffex, upon Delaware: To all to whom these prefents fhall come, greeting, Whereas Benjamin Franklin, Robert Grace, Anthony Nicholas, Preamble: Thomas Cadwalader, William Coleman, Thomas Godfrey, Henry Pratt, Benjamin Pafchall, Jofeph Breintnall, John Jones, jun, Samuel Hale, William Parfons, Nicholas Caffel, Francis Richardson, William Maugridge, David Bush, Thomas Hopkinfon, Philip Syng, Jacob Duché, Evan Morgan, Jofeph Stretch, John Pafchall, Nicholas Scull, Thomas Green, Hugh Roberts, Rees Lloyd, John Roberts, Richard Standley, John Nicholas, John Sober, Charles Read, Daniel Harrison, James Morris, Thomas Shaw, John Read, Joshua Richey, James Hamilton, William Plumfted, John Bard, Samuel Morris, John Stamper, Samuel Norris, John Mifflin, John Langdale, Samuel Coates, Samuel Rhoads, Jofeph King, Alexander Graydon, James Merrywether, Anthony Morris, jun. Tobias Grifcom, Charles Willing, Ifaac Williams, William Allen, Jofeph Peters, Richard Peters, Thomas Clay, Phineas Bond, Ifrael Pemberton, jun. Robert Greenway, William Crofthwaite, William Callender, George Emlen, jun. Isaiah Warner, Tench Francis, James Bingham, Charles Meredith, Samuel McCall, Hugh Davy, Amos Strettell, Benjamin Shoemaker, Jofeph Hatton, Andrew Hamilton, Thomas Bond, and William Peters, have, at a great expenfe, purchased a large and valuable collection of ufeful books, in order to erect a library for the advancement of knowledge and literature, in the city of Philadelphia; Now know ye, That we Motives to being truly fenfible of the advantage that may accrue to the people of this province, by so useful an undertaking, and being willing to encourage the fame, Have given and granted, and by

grant,

the

tees

gran.

these presents do, for us, our heirs and fucceffors, give and grant, Names of That the faid Benjamin Franklin, Robert Grace, Anthony Nicholas, Thomas Cadwalader, William Coleman, Thomas Godfrey, Henry Pratt, Benjamin Pafchall, Jofeph Breintnall, John Jones jun. Samuel Hale, William Parsons, Nicholas Caffel, Francis Richardfon, William Maugridge, David Bush, Thomas Hopkinson, Philip Syng, Jacob Duché, Evan Morgan, Joseph Stretch, John Pafchall, Nicholas Scull, Thomas Green, Hugh Roberts, Rees Lloyd, John Roberts, Richard Standley, John Nicholas, John Sober, Charles Read, Daniel Harrison, James Morris, Thomas Shaw, John Read, Joshua Richey, James Hamilton, William Plumfted, John Bard, Samuel Morris, John Stamper, Samuel Norris, John Mifflin, John Langdale, Samuel Coates, Samuel Rhoads, Jofeph King, Alexander Graydon James Merrywether, Anthony Morris, jun. Tobias Grifcom, Charles Willing, Ifaac Williams, William Allen, Joseph Peters, Richard Peters, Thomas Clay, Phineas Bond, Ifrael Pemberton, jun. Robert Greenway, William Crofthwaite, William Callender, George Emlen, jun. Ifaiah Warner, Tench Francis, James Bingham, Charles Meredith, Samuel M'Call, Hugh Davy, Amos Strettell, Benjamin Shoemaker, Joseph Hatton, Andrew Hamilton, Thomas Bond, and William Peters, and fuch other perfons as fhall hereafter be admitted, or become members of The Library Company of Philadelphia, according to the laws and conftitutions of the faid company, hereafter to be made, be, and forever hereafter fhall be, by virtue of thefe prefents, one body corporate and Name of politic in deed, by the name of The Library Company of Philadelphia; and them by the name of The Library Company of Philadelphia, one body politic and corporate in deed and in name, we do for us, our heirs and fucceffors, fully create, constitute and confirm by thefe prefents; and that by the name of The Library Company of Philadelphia, they fhall have perpetual fucceffion; and that they, by the name of The Library Company of Philadelphia, be, and at all times hereafter fhall be, perfons able and capable in law, to have, hold, receive, and enjoy lands, tenements, rents, liberties, franchises, and hereditaments, in fee fimple, or for term of life, lives, years, or otherwise; and also goods, chattels, and other things, of what nature, kind or quality foever. And also Power to to give, grant, let, fell, or affign, the fame lands, tenements, hold lands, hereditaments, goods, and chattels; and to do and execute all other things about the fame, by the name aforefaid: And also, that they and their fucceffors, by the name of The Library Com

the compa

ny.

&c.

Power to

sue, &c.

To have

a common

Power to

meet and

pany of Philadelphia, be, and shall be, for ever hereafter, persons able and capable in law, to fue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, anfwer and be answered unto, defend and be defended, in all or any of the courts, or other places, and before any judges, juftices and other persons whatsoever, in all manner of actions, suits, complaints, pleas, caufes and matters whatsoever, and of what nature or kind foever. And that it shall and may be lawful to, and for the said Library Company of Philadelphia, and their fụcceffors, for ever hereafter, to have one common feal for their use, in their affairs; and the fame at their will and pleasure to eal. change and alter, And for the well governing and ordering the affairs of the faid company, we do, for us, our heirs, and fuceffors, further grant, That it shall and may be lawful for the said company, and their fucceffors, to affemble and meet together on the make laws. first Monday in May, in every year, and at fuch other times as there shall be occafion, at their library, or fome other convenient place, due and public notice being given at least twenty days before the times of fuch meetings; not only of the day, hour and place, of fuch meeting, but of the cause thereof, and of the matters to be tranfacted at fuch meeting. And that they, the said company, or one fourth part of them at least, being fo Quorum. met, in person, or by proxy duly conftituted in writing, fhail have full power and authority from time to time, to make, constitute, and establish such laws, statutes, orders and constitutions, as fhall appear to them, or the major part of them, to be good and ufeful, honeft and neceffary, according to the beft of their udgment and discretion, for the government, regulation, and direction of the Library Company, and every member thereof; and for the appointing and regulating the election or nomination of Directors, Treasurer, Librarian, Secretary, and fuch, and so many other officers as they fhall think fit; and for limiting and appointing their truft and authority; and for the admitting new members; and to do all things concerning the government, eftate, goods, lands, revenues, as alfo all the bufinefs and affairs of the faid company. All which laws, ftatutes, orders, and conftitutions, fo to be made as aforefaid, fhall be binding on binding. every member, and be from time to time inviolably observed, according to the tenor and effect of them, provided that they be not repugnant or contrary to the laws of England, or this government. Provided always, That for the increase and preservation of the faid library, every member of the faid company fhall and do pay into the hands of the faid company's Treasurer, for

Laws SO made, to be

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