1To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Willard, 9 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The last May the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts incorporated a society under the title of The American Academy of Arts and Sciences , which formed its statutes & elected its officers the latter part of last August. The Act of incorporation, a catalogue of the present officers and the Presidents oration at his inauguration attend this...
2To George Washington from Joseph Willard, 28 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
By the direction of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, I have the honor of acquainting your Excellency, that Janry 31, 1781, you were elected a member of that literary Body. Your Excellency’s name—a name revered and celebrated, not only in your native land, but through Europe, the Academy considers as giving an additional lusture to this Institution. We doubt, not your Excellency will...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Willard, 1 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I wrote to your Excellency the letter accompanying this, I designed to have sent it by Col: Laurens; but the Alliance sailed sooner than I expected, and I was consequently disappointed. Having now a direct opportunity from Beverly to Bilboa, I improve it, to send to Paris by that route. Your Excellency would greatly oblige the American Academy, as well...
4From George Washington to Joseph Willard, 22 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much indebted to you for announcing my election as a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences—I feel myself particularly honored by this relation to a Society whose efforts to promote useful knowledge will, I am perswaded, acquire them a high reputation in the literary world. I entreat you to present my warmest acknowledgements to that respectable body and to assure them that I...
5Notice of Honorary Degree from Harvard College, 1 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
At a meeting of the President & Fellows of Harvard College April 1, 1783. Voted, that the Diploma for a Doctorate of Laws, conferred on his Excellency John Adams Esq r , some time since, be immediately engrossed, and the Seal enclosed in a Silver Box. Copy/Attest: RC ( Adams Papers ). For the history of JA ’s honorary doctorate, which had been voted in July 1781 and announced on 19 Dec. 1781,...