Subscriptions
Obtained.

First dona

tion of Real Estate.

On August 20, it being made to appear to the satisfaction of the Assembly, that the contributions, actually available, really amounted to £2,751, 16s 8d, being upwards of the required sum, an order was drawn on the Trustees of the Loan Office for the payment of £2000 to the Hospital. Of this sum, one-half (1000) was to be paid immediately, the balance to become due and payable in twelve months.

This money was placed by the Managers to the credit of Capital Stock account, and they ordered that it should not be loaned at interest by the Treasurer without sufficient real security, nor in less sums than 100.

The first real estate owned by the Hospital was donated by Matthias Koplin, a pious, but eccentric German. The following quaintly expressed letter is self-explanatory:

Christopher Sauer, My dear and beloved friend:

September the 2, 1751.

Whereas I have seen out of your newspaper that the contributors of the Hospital at Philadelphia are carefully concerned about it and made a beginning to take care of the poor sick people and observed that it has not such a foundation nor is likely to become such a Hospital as I have seen and known in Germany, where great sums of alms were collected and ill-used according to the affection of the masters of the Hospital, governed by self-love, enriching themselves and favoring their friends, so that they lived in Plenty, Superfluity and Voluptuousness, in so much that they could drive in carriages like people of Rank, although they had nothing before nor any Income but out of the Funds of the Hospital (when on the contrary) the poor and needy in spite of alms being collected, suffered great want and were not taken care of according to their necessity, because it was consumed otherwise. But (considering) the noble foundation of this our Hospital, I can't but (hope) it will be (also wisely) managed by impartial hands, therefore I thought to make a free gift, and accordingly (I do make a gift) of a small lot of land for the use of it, situate between Germantown and Philadelphia. And I do send hereby, to my beloved friend the deed of it. The managers of the Hospital may make (a deed out) of it for the Hospital of Philadelphia and send it to me, and I and my wife will set Hands and seals to it, before lawful witnesses, and if I should live some years longer in the flesh, I may not be expected to come to Philadelphia every year for the election of the twelve managers of the Hospital since that can be done without me, and I prefer to stay at home rather than ride on horseback, drive or walk.

I am the old

MATTHIAS KOPLIN.

P. S.-I pray you will not take it amiss that I made known my experience in the debauchery of alms as I have had no ill thoughts nor have any as yet.

The above letter appears in full on the minutes, in German script, and is followed by the English translation.

The Managers duly acknowledged this donation in the following letter, the original of which is in Franklin's handwriting:

!

I

it out of the Funds of

te of a'ms beng

are of according to then

Ert (considering the noble it will be ca'so wisely, managed

e a free gt, and accordingly (I do

of it, situate betaven Germantowa

to my beed fr. nd the deed of it.

a deed out of it for the Hospital of

nd my wife will set Hanas and seals to Chuld lives me years longer in the fesh, I Thila tea every ve 1 for the election of the it can be done witheat ae, and I prolet acr, drive (

de on Fors

walk.

Farbe. ollicht und Hessarths Unterhaltung dann, den geringen ärmen ihre Noht= dürfftigkeit vor Zührete, daß sie bey sehr vielen Allmosen samlen sehr daich hoffe, daß es in dem hinsigen Hospital nicht also. müstenz an der grossen Strasse gehen wird, so sende ich hieben meinem Freund einen Dald über ein Lot: When Land, Zwischen Germantown und Phyladelphia. 946 Hospital in Phyladelphia Vermaisur Will, die liegend, welches ich an ab Hospital in Phyladelphia v. Gegenwart Law fielly hangen Vorsteher das Haspitals Konnan einer Det ingehen, und mir zuschicken, meiner Frauen die Doed in ich halte mir aber dabey Voraus, daß dessent¬ unterschreiben und besiegeln, ich halte von mir, wann ich ntessa noch einigestänger im Fleisch leben solten nicht ver¬ Lanzet werde, daß ich jährlich nach Phyladelphia Zur Wahlung der 12 Vorsteher, des Happitals Roman soll, die weil solches ohne mir geschehen Nan, und ich lieber zu Matthias Koplin Hrüche bleibe alß auf dem Pferde reite, oder fahre, oder Zü hüsse gehe. Ich bin der

alte

THE F. GUTEKUNST CO., PHILA.