PREMIUMS.
THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, HELD AT PHILADELPHIA, FOR PROMOTING USEFUL KNOWLEDGE,
IN order the more effectually to answer the ends of their institution, have agreed to appropriate, annually, a part of their funds to be disposed of in Premiums to the Authors of the best performances, inventions, or improvements, relative to certain specific subjects of useful knowledge. The following premiums, therefore, are now proposed by the Society.
I.
For the best system of liberal education and literary instruction, adapted to the genius of the government, and best calculated to promote the general welfare, of the United States; comprehending also a plan for instituting and conducting public schools, in this country, on principles of the most extensive utility—A premium of one hundred dollars.
Papers on this subject will be received, till the first day of January, 1797.
II.
For the most simple, easy and expeditious method of computing the longitude, from the common lunar observation,—A premium of seventy dollars.
The particular view of the society, in proposing this subject, is, that the solution of this most useful problem may, if possible, be rendered so plain and easy, as to be readily learned by every mariner, even of moderate capacity, who understands the common rules of arithmetic; and thus be introduced into general practice.
Papers on this subject will be received, till the first day of January, 1797.
III.
For the best construction or improvement of ship-pumps,—A premium of seventy dollars.
Improvements which may be readily applied to the ship-pumps in common use, will be most likely to be adopted by seamen, and introduced into general practice.
Papers on this subject will be received, till the first day of January, 1797.
IV.
For the best construction or improvement of stoves, or fire-places,—A premium of sixty dollars. The principal end which the society have in view, in proposing this subject, is the benefit of the poorer class of people, especially of such as live in towns, or other places where fuel is dear. To answer this end, the stove should be cheap, and of durable materials; should afford the necessary degree of a salubrious and durable heat, with the least expence of fuel possible; and should be capable of being employed both for the purpose of warming the room, and cooking provisions for the family.—The society have been informed, that stoves made of brick are, in many respects, superior to those made of metal; especially, in the saving of fuel, and preserving a more equable degree of heat.
Papers on this subject will be received, till the first day of January, 1797.
V.
For the best method, verified by experiment, of preventing the premature decay of Peach-trees,—A premium of sixty dollars.
Papers on this subject will be received, till the first day of January, 1798.
VI.
For the best experimental treatise on native American vegetable dies; accompanied with an accurate account of the vegetables employed—A premium of ninety dollars.
Papers on this subject will be received, till the first day of February, 1798.
VII.
For the best construction or improvement of lamps; especially, for lighting the streets—A premium of fifty dollars.
Papers on this subject will be received, till the first day of April, 1797.
GENERAL CONDITIONS.
1. Every candidate, along with his performance, is to send to the society a sealed letter, containing his name and place of abode; which letter shall never be opened by the society, except in the case of a successful candidate.
2. No performance, invention or improvement, on any of the subjects proposed, for which a patent or any other reward shall have been obtained, before presenting it to the society, shall be considered as entitled to the premium.
3. In lieu of the money which shall be awarded by the society, as a premium, any successful candidate shall have it in his option to receive a gold or silver medal, or piece of plate, with a suitable inscription, of equal value.
4. The society reserve to themselves the power of giving, in all cases, such part only of any premium proposed, as the performance shall be adjudged to deserve; or, of withholding the whole, if it shall appear to have no merit above what may have been already published on the subject. The candidates may, however, be assured, that the society will always judge [...]erally of their several claims.
MR. I. H. DE MAGELLAN, OF LONDON,
HAVING made a donation, to the society, of two hundred guineas, to be vested in a permanent fund; that the interest arising therefrom may be disposed of, in annual premiums, to the authors of the best discoveries or most useful improvements, relating to Navigation, or to Natural Philosophy, mere Natural History only excepted;—the following are the rules and conditions, adopted by the society, for the disposition of the proposed premiums, in conformity to the intention of the Donor, viz.
I. The candidate shall send his discovery, invention or improvement, addressed to the President or one of the Vice-Presidents of the society, free of postage or other charges; and shall distinguish his performance by some motto, device or other signature, at his pleasure. Together with his discovery, invention or improvement, he shall also send a sealed letter, containing the same motto, device or signature, and subscribed with the real name and place of residence of the author.
II. Persons of any nation, sect, or denomination whatever, shall be admitted as candidates for this premium.
III. No discovery, invention or improvement shall be entitled to this premium, which hath been already published, or for which the author hath been publicly rewarded elsewhere.
IV. The candidate shall communicate his discovery, invention or improvement, either in the English, French, German, or Latin language.
V. All such communications shall be publicly read or exhibited to the society, at some stated meeting, not less than one month previous to the day of adjudication; and shall at all times be open to the inspection of such members as shall desire it. But no member shall carry home with him the communication, description or model, except the officer to whom it shall be entrusted: nor shall such officer part with the same out of his custody, without a special order of the Society for that purpose.
VI. The society having previously referred the several communications, from candidates for the premium then depending, to the consideration of the twelve counsellors and other officers of the society, and having received their report thereon, shall, at one of their stated meetings, in the month of December, annually, after the expiration of this current year (of the time and place, together with the particular occasion of which meeting, due notice shall be previously given, by public advertisement) proceed to the final adjudication of the said premium: and after due consideration had, a vote shall first be taken on this question, viz. "Whether any of the communications, then under inspection, be worthy of the proposed premium?" If this question be determined in the negative, the whole business shall be deferred till another year: But if in the affirmative, the society shall proceed to determine, by ballot, given by the members at large, the discovery, invention or improvement most useful and worthy. And that discovery, invention or improvement which shall be found to have a majority of concurring votes in its favour, shall be successful. And then, and not till then, the sealed letter accompanying the crowned performance, shall be opened and the name of the author announced as the person entitled to the said premium.
VII. No member of the society who is a candidate for the premium then depending, or who hath not previously declared to the society, either by word or writing, that he has considered and weighed, according to the best of his judgment, the comparative merits of the several claims then under consideration▪ shall sit in judgment, or give his vote, in awarding the said premium.
VIII. A full account of the crowned subject shall be published by the Society as soon as may be, after the adjudication, either in a separate publication, or in the next succeeding volume of their transactions, or in both.
IX. The unsuccessful performances shall remain under consideration, and their authors be considered as candidates for the premium, for five years next succeeding the time of their presentment; except such performances as their authors may, in the mean time, think fit to withdraw: And the Society shall annually publish an abstract of the titles, object or subject matter of the communications so under consideration, such only excepted as the society shall think not worthy of public notice.
X. The letters containing the names of authors whose performances shall be rejected, or which shall be found unsuccessful after a trial of five years, shall be burnt before the society without breaking the seals.
XI. In case there should be a failure in any year, of any communication worthy of the proposed premium, there will then be two premiums to be awarded in the next year. But no accumulation of premiums shall entitle an author to more than one premium for any one discovery, invention or improvement.
XII. The premium shall consist of an oval plate of solid standard gold, of the value of Ten Guineas. On one side thereof shall be neatly engraved a short Latin motto suited to the occasion—together with these words, The premium of I. H. De Magellan, of London, established in the year 1786. And on the other side of the plate shall be engraved these words, Awarded by the A. P. S. to [...] for his discovery of [...] A. D. [...] President. And the seal of the Society shall be annexed to the said golden plate, by a ribbon passing through a small hole near the lower edge thereof.
- W. BARTON.
- JOHN BLEAKLEY.