Timothy Matlack to John Jay, 21 April 1780
Philadelphia April 21. 1780
Sir,
The American Philosophical Society for promoting useful knowledge &c has the honor to enroll your name in the list of its Members, of which you will receive official information thro– another channel; 1 but the Situation of the Society will not admit of your having a Diploma until a new one is framed agreable to the late change of circumstances. The Society applied to the late sitting of Gen l . Assembly for an act to incorporate us, which was very readily granted. On this occasion the Rev d . D r Ewing was requested to deliver the annual oration, to which duty he had been long since appointed; but having been lately chosen Provost of our University, and this Seminary of learning having been by the war thrown into great disorder, his immediate and whole attention became necessary to restore it to order again: He therefore declined the oration. 2
You know the delay of business in publick bodies, and will therefore not wonder that too much time was spent before any other was appointed to that duty; so that some Gentlemen who might otherwise have done honor to this institution were, by this means, discouraged from undertaking the task.
Seeing the opportunity likely to be lost, and my motto being –I can try– I determined to make the best use of the little time there was left, and threw together the thoughts enclosed herewith. When you read it pray remember, it was delivered in the presence of the Assembly of Pennsylvania, composed of pious good men, well read in scripture. The blush which I feel upon publishing so crude a performance would have restrained, effectually, the vanity of an author and prevented my troubling you with it, had I not known it would officially find its way to Paris, which rendered some apology necessary, more on account of the Society than on my own. 3
The enclosing it to you affords me an opportunity of recommending to your notice the bearer, Doctor John Foulke, a young Gentleman of a good family in this city and whose abilities and industry will one day make him a useful and respectable character. The present contest has laid the doctor under very singular difficulties, which render the countenance and assistance of Gentlemen of distinction abroad absolutely necessary to him. He has undergone a regular examination before the Trustees of the late College of this city; but the change in the institution taking place and the professors not being yet appointed, renders it impossible for him to obtain a diploma at present. Under these circumstances let me beg your interest in his favour, being firmly pursuaded that he will do honor to his country. 4
The resolution of Congress of the 18 th March, respecting the bills of credit, alarmed the holders of Loan office certificates, and occasioned several meetings of the Citizens. Great warmth appeared among them; but before the measures they proposed could be executed the resolve of the 18th instant was passed, which has put it in our power to reconcile the people to the measure with less difficulty than was expected. Something like this will probably happen in several of the States, and will, I hope, as happily subside. 5 I have the honour to be with great respect Your Excellencys Most obedient and very humble Servant 6
T Matlack