Day 2- American Philosophical Society

The American Philosophical Society is very concerned with natural philosophy and it was Benjamin Franklin’s attempt at bettering human kind through reasoning.  Franklin was extremely interested in the world around him, looking at the environment around him and using his reasoning to figure out its function.  Benjamin also wrote many papers on his thoughts, observations, and letters over new ideas.

A letter from Benjamin Franklin to "His Excellency John Hancock, Esq."  Look at that signature!!!

This was one of Lewis and Clark's journals from their expedition.  I actually got to see and read a facsimile (exact replica/copy) of it.  It was incredibly detailed and the descriptions were unreal! Just looking at the picture you can see all of the teeny tiny writing.  The entire journal is the size of my hand and no thicker than a deck of cards.

One of the coolest things that I saw here was an original pamphlet of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.  This was the pamphlet that helped instill many of the ideas that led to the American Revolution.  Another cool tidbit was that I saw a recollection and record of a treaty that took place.  Even though I have read about and heard about the tactics of rhe Americans to swindle Native’s out of their land, it was still mind boggling to see it in writing. (Picture to be added later)