The University of St. Andrews had conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws in the month of February preceding his visit to Scotland. The following is a copy of the diploma.
"Nos Universitatis St. Andrew apud Scolos Rector, Promotor, Collegiorum Presecti, Facullatis Artium Decanus, caterique Prosessorum Ordines, Lectoribus Salutem. "Quandoquidem sequum est et rationi congruens, ut qui maggno studio bonas didicerunt artes, iidem referant praemium studiis suis dignum, ac, pro inerti hominum vulgo propriis quibusdam fulgeant honoribus et privilegiis, unde et ipsis bene sit, atqne aliorum provocetur industrial Quando etiam eo prmsertim spectant amplissima illa jura Universitati Andreanae antiquitus concessa, ut, quoties res postulate idoneos quosque in quavis facultate viros, vel summis,qui ad eam facultatem pertinent, honoribus amplificare queat; Quumque ingenuus et honestus vir, Ben- jaminus Franklin, Artium Magister, non solum jurisprudentiae cognitions, morum integritate, suavique vitae consuetudine nobis sit commendatus, veram etiam acute inventis et exitu felici factis experimentis, quibus Reruip Naturalium, et imprimis Rei Electrice parum hactenus exploratae, scientiam locupletavit, tantam sibi conciliaverit per orbem terrarum laudem, ut summos in Republica Literama mereatur honores; Hisce nos adducti, et praemia virtuti debita, quantum in nobis est tribuere volentes, Magistrum Benjarninum Franklin supra nominatuin; Utriusque Jaris Doctorem crearnus, constituimus, et renunciamus, eumque deinceps ab universes pro Doctore dignissmo haberi volumtis; adjicimusque ei, plena manu, quaecunque, uspiam gentium, Juris Utriusque Doctoribus competunt privilegia et omamenta. In cujus rei testimonium hasce nostras privilegii Literas, chirographis singulorum confirmatas, et communi Almeo Universitatis sigillo munitas, dedimus Andreapoli duodeci-, mo die Mensis Februarii, Anno Domini millesimo septingentesimo quinquagesimo nono."
This diploma was signed by Andrew Shaw, Rector of the University, David Gregory, Professor of Mathematics, Robert Watson, the historian, and nine other officers of the University.
While he was at Edinburgh, the freedom of the city was presented to him. The following is an extract from the record, dated September, 5th, 1759, "Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia is hereby admitted a burgess and guild-brother of this city, as a mark of the affectionate respect, which the Magistrates and Council have for a gentleman, whose amiable character, greatly distinguished for usefulness to the society which he belongs to, and love to all mankind, had long ago reached them across the Atlantic Ocean." On the 2d of October the same compliment was paid to him by the magistrates of St. Andrew's.
