:

A SHORT

ACCOUNT

OF THE

LIBRARY.

THE

HE foundation of the prefent library was laid in the year 1731; a period when Philadelphia afforded little affiftance to the inqui ries of the studious. A number of gentlemen having raised the fum of one hundred pounds by fubfcription a small 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 stock of books was annually increased by purchases at the company's expenfe, and liberal donations from perfons both at home and abroad.

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

A fpirit of literary improvement made its way among all claffes of peo ple, and the philanthropy of the great and amiable character* who fuggefted 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 fsubftantial 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 poffeffed 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 thoufand, in the Loganian Library, now annexed to this inftitution; 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 occafional donations, annual importations and purchases of most of the American productions of merit.

Some valuable machines and apparatus for the purposes of natural philosophy, &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 personal property, confifts in fome public, stock; the fale of shares, which fince 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, confists of the lot and buildings, where the Philadelphia and Loganian libraries are kept.

The members hold the property as tenants in common, and dispose of their fhares by will or deed; but the affent of the Directors, as well in fuch cafes as in cafe of an original purchase, is previously neceffary

-a reftriction early adopted, in order, as much as poffible, to prevent improper perfons from having accefs 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 respective powers and duties of whom, the reader is referred to the charter and the fubfequent laws and regulations.

THE

CHARTER.

JOHN

OHN PENN, THOMAS PENN, and RICHARD PENN, Efquires, true and abfolute proprietaries of the province of Pennsylvania, 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 Paschall, Jofeph Breintnall, John Jones, jun, Samuel Hale, William Parfons, 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, Jofeph 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 McCall, Hugh Davy, Amos Strettell, Benjamin Shoemaker, Jofeph Hatton, Andrew Hamilton, Thomas Bond, and William Peters, have, at a great expense, purchased a large and valuable collection of useful 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 fo useful an undertaking, and being willing to encourage the fame, Have given and granted, and by

grant.

the

tees

gran.

"

thefe presents do, for us, our heirs and fueceffors, give and grant, Names of That the faid Benjamin Franklin, Robert Grace, Anthony Nicholas, Thomas Cadwalader, William Coleman, Thomas Godfrey, Henry Pratt, Benjamin Pafchall, Joseph Breintnall, John Jones jun. Samuel Hale, William Parfons, 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 Graydora 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, 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 shall be, by virtue of these presents, 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 these presents; 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 Philadelphià, be, and at all times hereafter shall 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 térm of life, lives, years, or otherwife; and alfo goods, chattels, and other things, of what nature, kind or quality foever. And alfo 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

a

Power to

To have common

pany of Philadelphia, be, and shall be, for ever hereafter, perfons able and capable in law, to fue and be fued, plead and be impleaded, sue, answer and be answered unto, defend and be defended, in all or any of the courts, or other places, and before any judges, justices and other perfons whatsoever, in all manner of actions, suits, complaints, pleas, causes and matters whatsoever, and of what nature or kind foever. And that it shall and may be lawful to, and for the faid Library Company of Philadelphia, and their fucceffors, for ever hereafter, to have one common feal for their use, in their affairs; and the fame at their will and pleasure to seal. change and alters And for the well governing and ordering the affairs of the faid company, we do, for us, our heîts, and fucessors, further grant, That it fhall and may be lawful for the faid company, and their fucceffors, to affemble and meet together on the make laws. first Monday in May, in every year, and at such other times as there shall be occasion, at their library, or some other convenient place, due and public notice being given at least twenty days before the times of such meetings; not only of the day, hour and place, of such meeting, but of the cause thereof, and of the matters to be transacted at such meeting. And that they, the faid company, or one fourth part of them at least, being so quorum. met, in person, or by proxy duly constituted in writing, shall have full power and authority from time to time, to make, constitute, and establish such laws, statutes, orders and constitutions, as shall appear to them, or the major part of them, to be good and useful, honest and necessary, according to the best of their udgment and difcretion, 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 such, and fo many other officers as they shall think fit; and for limiting and appointing their trust and authority; and for the admitting new members; and to do all things concerning the government, estate, goods, lands, revenues, as also all the business and affairs of the said company. All which laws, statutes, orders, and Laws so constitutions, so to be made as aforesaid, shall 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 said library, every member of the faid company shall and do pay into the hands of the faid company's Treasurer, for