Minutes of the Philanthropic Society, August 10 - December 6,
1795
The Laws of the Philanthropic
Society.
Philanthropic
Society.
August the 10. 1795
The Society met according to adjournment and all the member
were present Mr. Cook motioned that Mr
Nat Hunt should be admited in
the society rejected
Mr
Evan Jones read on rustic
felicity
Mr. William
Alston read
Mr. Nicholas
Long spoke on rustic felicity
Mr. Henry
Kearny spoke on Ambition
Mr
George Long spoke
Mr. Gillespie Composed and addressed the members
Mr. Edwin
Osborn Composed on regularity
Mr. David
Cook Composed on drunkinness
Note. This was the first regular meeting of the Society though Mr
David Gillespie was elected
President some time before.
Mr
Edwin J Osborn &
Mr. George.
W. Long were the first Correctors in the Society.
Mr
Evan Jones first treasurer
and Mr
Henry Kerney the First Clerk
Ed J Osborn Secy
August the 17. 1795
The Society met according to adjournment and all the members were
present.
Mr. David
Cook read on the love of learning.
Mr. Nicholas
Long read on politeness.
Mr. Evan
Jones Spoke on the fortitude of mind.
Mr. William
Alston Spoke on the wish.
Mr
Edwin Osborn Spoke on wisdom.
Mr
George Long and Mr. Kearny
Opened the debate on a Question Whether an Education or Fortune is best it was
given in favour to an education
August the 24. 1795
The Society met according to adjournment and all the members were
present.
Mr. Nicholas
Long & Mr. Evan Jones oppened the debate on a Question
whether a private or a publick Education was best it was given in favour of a
publick Education
Mr. Wm. Alston Composed on industry
Mr. David
Cook spoke on the eturnal disputer
Mr
Long spoke on luxury.
Mr. Edwin
Osborn read the characters of Pericles
Mr. Henry G.
Kearny read on the Extract of a letter.
The Society then proceeded to chose a President Mr.
George Long was elected
by a majority
Then Mr. Gillespie was chosen corrector
August the 31. 1795
The society met according to adjournment and all the members were
present. Mr
David Gillespie &
Mr. E.
Osborn opened the debate whether an civilised man or the savage
enjoys the most happiness it was given in favour that a civilised life was most
happy
Mr. Evan
Jones read on the life of Joseph
Mr. Wm. Alston read on Prejudice
Mr. N.
Long spoke on politeness
Mr. H.
Kearny Spoke on sorrow
Mr. David
Cook spoke about a miser
Mr. George
Long composed and addressed to the members
Sept. the 7. 1795
The Society met according to adjournment and all the members were
present. Mr. Wm. Alston motioned that the Society should be divided into two Classes who should read &
compose alternately Seconded by. E.
Osborn & passed unanimously
Mr. Henry
Kearny & David
Cook opened the debate on a Question whether poverty or a bad name is
preferable it was given in favour to poverty.
Mr. Wm. Alston composed on Unpoliteness
Mr. David
Gillespie read on sotial virtue
Mr. Edwin J.
Osborn Read on a dream
Mr. N.
Long spoke on dishonestly punied
Mr. Evan
Jones spoke on Indolence
Note. From this time untill the meeting of Novemr 9th 1795 agreeable to the motion of Mr
Alston all the Members
composed on the subject if Debate
Ed Osborn Secy
Sept 14th 1795
The Society met according to adjournment and all the members were
present except Mr. Cook. Mr. David Gillespie & Mr. E. Osborn opened the
debated on a question whether Female modesty was natural or effected it was
given in favour that it was natural.
Mr. E. J.
Osborn read on the examination
Mr. Wm. Alston read on writing
Mr. N.
Long read on misspent time
Mr. D.
Gillespie spoke Catiline's
speech
Mr. H. G.
Kearny spoke on Virtue
Mr. Evan
Jones spoke the fable of the stork & the fox
Mr. E. J.
Osborn elected President
Mr. G.
Long was chosen Corrector
Mr. N Long
was chosen Treasurer
Mr. H G.
Kearny continued Clerk
Sept. 21st 1795
The Society met according to adjournment and all the members wer
present.
Mr. D.
Gillespie motioned that Mr. James should be admited
as a member of the Society which was unanimously agreed to.
Mr. George
Long & Mr. D. Gillespie opened the debate on a question
whether Ladies or wine is most injurious to students it was given in favour that
women was most injurious
Mr. E. J.
Osborn addressed to the members
Mr. G.
Long spoke on politeness
Mr. Wm. Alston spoke on prejudice
Mr. N.
Long spoke on unpoliteness
Mr. H. G.
Kearny read on Cimonthe son of Milliades the Athinian
Mr. D.
Gillespie read on the description of Catiline
Mr. Evn. Jones read a letter
Sept. 28th. 1795
The Society met according to adjournment & all the members were
present.
Motion was made by Mr. E. J. Osborn that Mr. D. Cook shall no longer be considered
as a member of this society for speaking disrespectful of it
& other reasons, which was unanimously agreed to.
Mr. David.
Gillespie & Mr. George Long opened a debate whether a single or
a married man enjoys the most pleasure it was
given in favour that a married does enjoy the most pleasure.
Mr. George
Long Read the description of an Indian insect
Mr. Wm. Alston Read of Diffidence in love
Mr. N.
Long Read on a storm
Mr. H. James Spoke on Brutus
Mr. H. G.
Kearny Spoke on the soldier
Mr. D.
Gillespie spoke Catilines
speech
Mr. E.
Jones Spokee from the Tragedy of Cato
Oct. 5th 1795
The society met according to adjournment & all the members were
present. Mr. James motioned that the person who exceeded in
Composition should be honourably distinguish. Mr. G. Long & Mr. D.
Gillespie opened the debate on a question whether does a man in a publick
or a private life enjoy the most pleasure it was given in favour that a publick
man must enjoy the most pleasur
Mr. D
Gillespie Read on a bad reader
Mr. H. G.
Kearny Read on the Latin Tongue
Mr. H
James Read on Modesty
Mr. Evan
Jones Read a letter
Mr. G.
Long spoke a speech to the Lacidemonians
Mr. N.
Long spoke about the sick kite
Mr. Wm. Alston spoke on self love
NB The motion of Mr
James was
rejected By a Majority
E. J. Oosborn was Choosen
Correcter
Mr. Wm. Alston was elected President
October 12th 1795
The Society met according to adjournment & all the members was
present. Mr. G.
Long & Mr. D. Gillespie opened the debate on a question
whether the importation of negro slaves is advantageous to the united states or
not. It was given that they are advantageous
Mr. Alston
Composed & addressed to the members
Mr. E. J.
Osborn read a letter of Charles Churchhill
Mr. G.
Long Read on the effects of opening tombs to soon
Mr. N Long
Read on Chearfulness
Mr. D.
Gillespie Spoke of the Stuttering soldier
Mr. H
James Spoke of the boy that lay a bed after Sunrise
Mr. E.
Jones Spoke concerning the man & his wig.
Mr. Hen.
Kerney spoke of Strange things in real life
Oct. 19. 95
The Society met according to adjournment & all the members were
present. Mr. EJ.
Osborn & Mr. D. Gillespie opened the debate on a question
Whether is strength or Valour is the most useful in war it was given in favour
that Strength was.
Mr
David Gillaspie Read of the
Laws relating to
Hinton James Read
on the pursuit of happiness
Mr
Henry Kerney Read lord Mansfields Speech in Parliament
Mr
Evan Jones Read an account of
Publius Hostilius
Mr
Edn J
Osborn Spoke an anecdote of Miss Bush
Mr
N Long Spoke on Indolence in
youth
Mr. G.
Long Spoke
October the 26th 1795
The Society met according to adjournment and all the members were
present except Mr
Henry Kearney Mr
David Gillespie and Mr
N. Long opened the debate on
a question "Whether selflove or Benevolence was most commendable in a
man? It was given that Benevolence was by far the most commendable
Mr
G. Long read of Sir Wm. Lily and
the Alderman
Mr. E. J.
Osborn read a table (Viz) the dutiful son rewarded
Mr. N Long
read on Cruelty to insects
Mr
D. Gillespie Spoke the speech
of Macipsa
Mr
H. James Spoke
the speech of Sempronius
Mr
E Jones Spoke the Speech of
Demosthenes Con
Philip
After which we proceeded to elect a President and Mr
H James was
Elected by a great majority
Mr. G.
Long was then chosen Corrector
Mr
N Long continued in his
office of Treasurer
And Mr
E. J. Osborn was chosen
Clerk
And Mr
W Alston was elected
Corrector
November 2nd 1795
The Society met according to adjournment and all the members were
present.
Mr
Kerney was called upon for
absence on the last meeting but his excuse was admitted as reasonable.
Mr
Hinton James read
an address to the Members
Mr
George Long motioned that a
subscribtion to be made for Candles in the winter season it pass'd in the
affermative
Mr
David Gillespie motioned
that the law should be repeald which was made some time ago by which every one
was obliged to compose each meeting. It was repealed and agreed that we should
be divided into three Classes as formerly. And that on the next meeting we
should begin to read, speak and Compose as formerly.
Mr
David Gillespie and Mr
G. Long opened the debate on
a question whether Peace or War is the most usefull to a Nation. It was
concluded that the latter was the most usefull from the Arguments.
Mr
David Gillespie read a few
thaughts which arose in the mind of a Sleeping man.
Mr
H. Kerney read, A part of
the life of Saml. Butler
Mr
Evan Jones Read, a few
reflections on the minds of men
Mr
Wm.
Alston Read, a piece from the travels of Anacharsis
Edn J
Osborn Spoke the Story of Alexander & the Pirate
G. Long Spoke of Society the
different pursuits of it
Mr
N Long Spoke of Idleness in
youth
November 9th 1795
The Society met according to adjournment and all the members were
present.
Mr
George Long & Mr
David Gillespie opened the
debate on this question "Whether or not Commerce was usefull to a nation? After
very warm debating it being put to vote it was concluded by a majority that
commerce was usefull to nations
Ed J Osborn read an essay on
Antiquity
Mr
N Long read on the necessity
of forming virtuous principles in youth
Mr
W. Alston read an account of
Lesbos the Isle
Mr
Henry G Kerney spoke the
form of a widows prayr
Mr
E. Jones Spoke an account of
Earl Douglass
NB. By a neglect of the Clerks of this Society it was not
recorded that each meeting after the regular business was over the Correctors
mentioned the wrong spelling and bad grammer in the compositions which were read
at the preceeding meeting.
Mr
Henry Kearney left the Society for reasons which he would not give the society.
Mr
David Gillespie motioned
that if upon consideration Mr
Kerney wished to return that
he should be admitted it was passed that Mr
Kerney should have untill
the next meeting to consider upon it.
November 16th 1795
The Society met according to adjournment and all the members were
present. Mr
Henry Kerneay continued in
the society agreeable to the Motion of Mr
Gillispie in the last
meeting.
The debate was intended to have been opened by Mr
N Long & Edn J Osborn; but through a
mistake of the former it was not done; as he wrote on the same side of his
opposer. This mistake was unanimously agreed to be excusable. They should have
debated on this question, "Whether the schoolmaster or the preacher was the most
usefull member of society; However it was debated upon and decided by a majority
that the schoolmaster was the most usefull member of society
Mr
David Gillespie spoke the
speech of Macipsa to the
Senate
of Rome.
Mr
George Long Spoke on
friendship
Mr
William Alston Spoke an
anecdote of Alexander and
the pirate.
Mr
Evan Jones Read an account
of Andrew Doria the Genoese
Mr
Henry Kerney Read a piece
from Anachasis's travels
The Compositions were then corrected by Mr
Alston & Mr
G. Long Correctors.
We then proceeded to elect a president Mr
James time of
serving was elapsed, and Mr
Henry Kerney was elected by
a majority.
Monday November 24th 1795
The Society met according to adjournment and all the members were
present.
Edwin J Osborn Secty. Motioned that Mr
Richd.
Eagles and Mr
William Clark should be
admitted as members into the Society also Mr
Lawrence Dorsey. it was
unanimously agreed that they should be admitted after sighning their names they
were seated.
Mr
Henry Kerney addressed the
members.
Mr
Hinton James
& Mr
Evan Jones opened the debate
of the question "Whether wisdom tends to render mankind happy? It was concluded
by a majority that the wise man was most happy.
Mr
David Gillespie read part of
the preface to Webster's
grammar
Mr
George Long Read on
punctuation
Edn J
Osborn Spoke on Antiquity
Mr
N Long Spoke on a good
education
Mr
Wm
Alston Spoke on Solitude
The regular business being over the Correctors examined the compositions.
& we adjourned
November 30th 1795
The Society met agreeable to adjournment and all the members were
present except Mr
Larry Dorsey
Mr
George Long Motioned that we
should be more strict in our regulations angainst quarreling this motion was
inserted among the Laws.
Edn. J
Osborn Motioned that Mr
Jno
Taylor should be admitted into the Society it passed
only one being against him and one remained silent.
Mr
David Gillispie openned the
debate on this question Viz. Whether travelling improves the mind not? It was
concluded by a majority that travelling greatly improves the mind
Edn J
Osborn Read a piece from the Spectator.
Mr
Nicholas Long read on
Chearfullness
Mr
Wm. M.
Clark read on piety and Morality
Mr
Wm C
Alston read on Sincerity
Mr
Hinton James
Spoke the speech of Brutus over the dead body of Lucretia.
Mr
Evan Jones Spoke an anecdote
of the bald-headed Cavelier
Mr
Richard Eagles Spoke of the
absent man
The Correctors then examined the Compositions
As the question of intended for debate this Sitting was not thinkable the
opponants coincided in opinion the debate was therefore not a good one but after
the regular business was over we debated on this question Viz. Whether the man
who has a competency or he who is in avery affluent station enjoys most
happiness? it was decided that the man with a competency and no more enjoys the
most happiness.
December 6 1795
The Society met and all the members were present except Mr
E Jones. Mr
David Gillespie motioned
that after this meeting the Society should not meet untill January 24th 1796 it passed unanimously Mr
L Dorsey was excused for
absence last meeting.
Mr
William Alston and Edn. J
Osborn opened the debate on this question (Viz.) Whether is a man at any
time justifiable in telling a lie? It was concluded by a majority that lies on
some occasions were usefull.
Mr
N Long Composed on
application to study
Mr
William Clark Composed on
the Proper employment of time
Mr
David Gillespie spoke the
Speech of Catilin
to the army.
George Long Spoke.
Larry Dorsey spoke on the
alliance of France and
America
Jno.
Taylor Spoke part of the Speech of Cicero against
C. Verres.
Mr
Hinton James Read
the Charecter of King Alfred
Mr
Richd.
Eagles Read on good Company
The Compositions were then Corrected
We the proceeded to elect the officers
Mr
David Gillespie was Elected
President
Mr
Jno.
Taylor Was Chosen Clark
Mr
N Long Continued Treasurer
Mr
Richd.
Eagles & Edn J Osborn Chosen Correctors
Hinton James
Motioned that a Censor Morum should be elected to take notice irregular persons
such as Swearers &c. after putting it to vote it was concluded by a
majority that a Censor Morum Should be appointed by a majority of three to
Seven.
After this motion was decided Mr
Hinton James was
Chosen Censor Morum.
Mr
Hinton James
motioned that as Mr
Henry Kerney was about to
leave the Society that he Should have a recommendation or
Diploma from the Society this motion passed unanimously
Mr
Gillespie motioned that Mr
Jame's
Motion should be repealed By a majority it should not be repealed. Mr
Hinton James
motioned that A Committee should be appointed to the duty of the Censor Morum
Mr
Long, Mr
Dorsey & Mr
Alston were Chosen
Committee.
The Committee was to m n.