BRIEF HISTORT T OF THE N E W - E N G L A N D piMorical iuib ieiiealflgical llegbtcr. 184.7 — 1876. V. z^^^^::/ ^:^^^^- ^^0 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE N E W - E N G L A N D IJistoriciil aiiij (icntalogifal llcgistfi; I5i;ixa THE Report of the Committee on PrKi.iCATiox, si'umittei) at THE Annual Meeting of the New-England Histoiuc, Genealogical Society, Jan. 5, 1876 ; Revised and Enl\i;ged. ^ 4c Reprinted from the Society's " rrocccdings " for Jaiuiaiy, 1876. \\ O S T ON: DAVID CLATP h SON, PR INTERS 187G. C Ff C^. M ^ (lomiuittcc {in Publiiation, ALBERT II. IIOYT. JOHN WARD DEAN, WILLIAM B TOWNE, LUCIUS R. TAIGE, 11. H. EDES, JEREMIAH COLBURN. \ EEPOET OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION. Mr. Albert 11. Iloyt submitted the following report : r|"^IIE Historical and Genealogical Register for the year 1875 has J- been regularly issued. The last October number contained six ora- tions, viz.: of the lion. Henry Armitt Bi'own, delivered in Carpenters Ilall, Philadelphia, September 5, 1871, on the centenary of the meeting of the first Continental Congress, in that place; of Abner C Goodell, Jr., Esq., before the Essex Institute, on the one hundredth anniversary of the meeting of the Provincial Legislature of Massachusetts in Salem, October 5, 1774; of the Hon. Richard H. Dana, LL.D., on the one hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Lexington; of George William Curtis, LL.D., on the centenary of the Battle at Concord ; of the Hon. Charles Devens, Jr., in commemora- tion of the Battle of Bunker Hill, delivered on the 17th of June, 187.5; and of the Rev^ Andrew P. Peabody, D.D., LL.D., on July 3, 1875, the centenary of Washington's taking command of the Continental Army in Carabridjie. The orations were printed from revised copies furnished for this purpose by their respective authors, and with the consent of the miuiicipalities and associations, or committees, under whose auspices they were delivered. To these are annexed very full and carefully revised reports of the other proceedings at these commemorations, aiid several other papers relating' to the same events. These discourses, proceedings and papers have been also published in a separate volume, entitled: "Centennial Orations Commemorative ok THE Opening Events of the American Revolution," to which is prefixed an excellent portrait of General Joseph Warren, engraved by W. H. Smith. from an original painting l)y Copley. This volume contains oife hundred and seventy-eight compactly printed pages, octavo. The edition is limited to two hundred and fifty copies. Of the orations themselves, it seems not too much to say, that whether regarded as eloquent and forcible expressions of patriotic wisdom, as lucid and philosophical expositions of the chief operating causes and motives of the Revolution, or as vivid and accurate narratives of important events and interesting incidents, they will not suffer in comparison with similar discourses in any age or language. For these reasons, and from the peculiarly interesting circumstances under which they were delivered, we believe these discourses will have an abiding and ju'ominent place in the historical litera- ture of this country. Soon after the organization of this Society, its members took into formal consideration the feasibility of publishin:^ a magazine to be "devoted to the pi-iiitiug of ancient documents, wills, genealogical and biographical sketches, and historical and antiquarian matter generally." The value of such a periodical and its pressing necessity, in view of the scattered and perishing condition of the larger part of such important materials of history, were sufficiently ol)vious. It was not, however, until the autumn of the year 184G, that definite arrangements were concluded for the publication of such a work under the aus})ices of the Society. By this ai-rangemeut it was understood and agreed between the publisher and the Society that the ''title and good will" of the m:igaz;ne should forever remain ii> the Societ}^ and that it should be pub- lished and edited under its general direction ; but that the salary of the editor and all other costs and chai-ges incident to the undertaking should be paid by the publisher. A member of the Society volunteered to publish the magazine, and an editor was chosen by the Society, — the Rev. Wil- liam Cogswell. D.D.* The first numl)er was issued on the fifth day of February, 1847, under the title of '"The New-Entrland Historical and Genealos^ical Reijister." Under this title every volume of this Quarterly has been regularly issued without interruption; and with adequate support, we see no reason why it should not be continued for irenerations to come. * The follDwiiiij is .1 statement of tlic names o of voliMiies of tliL' RiooisTEK, tlieii' residences at by tliein respccavely : 'J'he llev. William Cojjsweli, D D., of Boston, Sanitiel G. Dralic, A.M., of Bo-ton, . , William Tliaddeiis Uanis, A.M., of Cambridge, Samuel (J. Drake. A.M., of Boston, Nathaniel B. Siiunlefr, M.l)., of Boston,. Samuel G. Drake, A.M , of Boston, The Rev. Joseph B. Felt, LL.D., of Boston, . The Hon. Timothy Farrar, LL.D., of Boston, William B. Trask, of Dorcliester, Samiul G. Drake, A.M., of Boston, William B. Tra>k, of Dorchester, . William H. Whitmore, A.M., of Boston, . John Ward Dean, A.M., of Floston, Samuel G. Drake, A.M., of Bo.-^ton, Wdliani B. Tra.^k, of Dorchester, . The Rev. Klias Xason, A.M., of Exeter, N. H. Tiie Hon. Charles lliulson, A.M., ol Lexington, .lolin Ward Dean, A.M , of Boston, . William B. Trask, of D(jrchester, . John Ward Dean, A.M., of Boston, . William B. Trask, of Dorchester, . The Rev. Fdias Nason, A.M., of Billcriea, Albert H. lloyt, A.M., of Bostoi John Waiil liean, AM., of Boston, f those who have edited volmnes or parts time of election, and the numbers edited Jan. 1847, 4 numbers. (( 1818, 5 April, 1849, 3 Jan. 1850, 1 April, 18.50, 3 Jan. 1851, 4 (( 1852, '2 July, 18.52, 1 Oct. 18.52, 1 Jan. 18.53, 2t Jan. 1859, 8 J, in. 1861, 4 " 1862, 1 April, 1862, 1 Julv, 1S62, 1 Oct. 1862, 5 Jan. 1864, 2 July, 1864, 2 Jan. 1865, 4 (( 1866, 8 t ( 1868, 32 ii 1876. From 1847 to 18G4, inclusive, tlie Register liad four different publishers.* In the summer of 18G4 a few members of the Societj^ with its consent, formed themselves into an association, known as the Register Club, far the purpose of securing the continuance of the Quarterly, the members of which pledged themselves to bear the responsibility of the publication. The Society readily conceded to them the privilege of annually nomi- nating the Committee on Publication, the latter choosing the editor. This Club exi&ted far nine years, some members going out and other persons interested in the work coming in at the end of each year to lend their support. They so prudently administered this trust that, while saving themselves from loss and gradually enlarging and improving the publication, they were enabled out of the small surplus to place upon the shelves of the Society's library a considerable number of much-needed volumes and useful periodicals.! Tlie editor of the first volume was engaged at a salary of one thousand dollars. The first publisher, and for several years nominal editor, of the Register, Mr. Drake, kejit a book-store, and issued publications of his own. * The publishers have been as follows: Samuel G. Drake from 1847 to 1861, inchisive, except for the years 18o2 and 18-57; Thomas Prhic-e, 18o2; Charles B. Rieliardson, 1857 ,v Joel Munseli, 1862, 1833, and 1834. Since the last date the successive volumes have borne the imprint of the Societj'. David Clapp & Son have been the printers since 186i. t The names of those who were members of the " Register Club," and the years of theli: membership, are as follows : Winslow Lewis, M.D., I860, 1866, 1839, 1871. William B. Townc, A M., from 186.5 to 1874, inclusive. Frederic Kidder, from 1865 to 1874, inchisive. Charles S. Fellows, 1865, 1863, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870. William B. Trask, from 1865 to 1874, inclusive. William H. Whitmore, A.M., 1865, 1866, 1868, 1869. William S. Appleton, A.M., 1865, 1868, 1870. >. Samuel G. Drake, A.M , 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1872. John K. Wiggin, from 1865 to 18(18, inchisive. John Ward Dean, A.M., from 1865 to 1874, inclusive. Jeremiah Colburn, A.M., from 1865 to 1874, inclusive. John M. Bradbury, from 1865 to 1868, inclusive. Deloraine P. Corev, from 1835 to 1874, inclusive. Edward S. Rand, Jr., A.M., I860, 1866, 1868. George W. Messinger, 1865. The Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, D.D., 1865, 1S66, 1870, Calvin Fletcher, 186.5, 1866. Almon D. Hodges, 1865. David Clapp, 1865. The Rev. Henrv M. Dexter, D.D., 1865. Charles W. Tuttle, A.M., from 1866 to 1874, inclusive. Ebenezer W. Peirco, 1866 William R. Deane, from 1866 to 1869, inclusive. Francis French, 1866. The Rev. Edmund F. Slafter, A.M., 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1874. The Rev. Elias Nason, A.M., 1868. Albert H. Hoyt, A.M., from 1868 to 1874, inclusive. The Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, from 1868 to 1874, inclusive. H. H. Edes, from 1870 to 1874, inclusive. The Rev. Dorus Clarke, D D., 1871, 1872, 1873. Thomas Waterman, 1871, 1872. Commodore Geo. Henrv Preble, U.S.N., from 1871 to 1874,. inclusive; John H. Sheppard, A.M., 1872, 1873. The Rev. Lucius R, Paige, D.D., 1874. 1* 6 He used the pages of the magazine as an advertising medium, and undoubtedly realized no inconsiderable returns from that source, as he did also from the sale of surplus portions of each issue of the Register. To him as editor the publisher of the volume for 1857 jiaid, we are informed, the sum of five hundred dollars as salary for that year. It is stated, also, that two hundred dollars was paid to Mr. William T. Harris for editorial service in 1849. With these three exceptions, no editor of the Register, so far as we are aware, has ever received any compensation for his services. The leo'al and equitable property in the title, subscription list, and good will of the Register has always been in the Society; and this has never been questioned by any one, so far as our knowledge extends, since that matter was settled by the timely and decisive action of the Committee on Publication and the Society in 18-49.* * Tlic followins arc the names of those who liave served on the Committee on Publication, and their places of residence at the time of their first eleeuou : Charles Ewer, of Boston, The Hon. Natlianiel B. Shurtleff, M.D , of Boston, The Rev. Samuel H. Riddel, A.B., of Boston, .... David Haml)len, of Boston William T. Harris, A.M., of Cambridge Thi Rev. Joseph B. Felt, LL.D., of Boston, .... The Hon. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M.D., of Boston, . The Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D.D., of Cambridge, . Chnrles Deane, LL.D., of Boston, ...... J. Wingate Thornton, A.M., of Boston, William T. Harris, A.M., of Cambridge, Frederic Kidder, of Boston, Tiie Hon. Timothj' Farrar, LL.D., of Boston, .... Wdliam B.Trask, of Dorclicster, Cliarles Maj'o, of Boston The Rev. William Jeidvs, D.D., LL.D., of Boston, Lvman Mason, A.M., of Boston, tJohn Ward Dean, A.M., of Boston, William Piced Deanc^ of Brookline, Lemuel Shattnck, of Boston, The Rev. Alon/.o Hall Quint, D.D., of Jamaica Plain, James Spear Loring, of Boston, The Hon. Francis Briniey, A.M., of Boston Charles H. Morse, of Caml)ridge, William H. Whitmorc, A. M., of Boston, .... The Hon. Timotliy Farrar, LL.D., of Boston, William B. Trask, of Dorchester, The Hon Charles Hudson, A.M., of Lexington, . The Rev. Elias Nason, AM., of Exeter, N. H. ... George Wingate Chase, of Haverhill, William H. Whitmorc, A.M., of Boston, AV'illiam S. Appleton, A.^L, of Boston, ..... The Rev. Henrv ^L Dexter, D.D., of Roxbury, The Rev. Illias" Nason, A.M., of Billerica tWilliani B. Towne, A.M., of Brookline, .... Frederic Kidder, of Bostcm, tAlbert H. Hovt, A.M., of Boston, Charles W. Tuttlc, A.M., of Boston Commodore Geo. Henry Preble, U.S.N , of Charlestown, t'I'he Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D.D., of Cambridge, . +H. H. Edes, of Boston, fJercmiah Colburn, A.M., of Boston t Members of the Committee for 1876. Mar. 1847, to Jan. 18.51 ii 1847, to U 1849 i( 1847, to ii 18.51 Jail. 1849, to Oct. 185.5 Feb. 1849, to t( 1849 Jan, 18.50, to July, 18,52 (( 18.50, to Jan. 18.51 i( 18.50, to (t 1851 *( 1851, to Oct. 1851 ti 18.51, to Mar. 18.52 a 1851, to Oct. 1851 Oct. 1851, to )•( 18.55 Nov. 1851, to Dec. 1854 April, 18.5'2, to Oct. 1853 Oct. 18.52, to 4. 1853 i( 185.3, to Ii 18.58 (i 18.53, to Dec. 1854 Dec. 1854. it 18.54, to Oct. 1856 ii 18.54. to (t Oct. 185.5. to <( 1856 ii 18.55, to (1 18.56 ti 18-56, to a 18.58 it 18-56, to a 1858 a 18.56, to Nov. 1861 a 18;57, to Oct. 18.58 a 18-58, to ii 1867 Nov. 1861, to Ii 1863 4* 1861, to ii 1864 H lf-61, to ii 1862 Oct. 1862, to Nov. 1872 tt 186.3, to a 1872 It 1864, to Oct. 1867 << 186.5, to (1 1868 Nov. , 186.5. Oct. 1867, to Oct. 1868 U 1867. Nov. 1872, to Nov. 1873 a 1872, to Oct. 1874 it 1873. i( 1873. Oct . 1874. And here it is but just to say, that the Society and all friends of the Reg- ister are more indebted than is generally known to Mr. John Ward Dean and Mr. William B. Towne for prompt and most valuable services, at a critical period in the history of our Quarterly, in the autumn of 1861, when they saved it from premeditated death.* They have also rendered, since then, long-continued and unselfish service in its behalf. To Mr. Joel Munsell, of Albany, who volunteered, at a crisis in the exist- tence of the Register, to undertake its publication, we are under great obligations. He bore the sole financial responsibility of its publication dur- ing the years 1862, 1863, and 1864, "without any idea of deriving profit from it, but rather as a contribution to a cause in which he felt," and still feels, '' a deep interest." Mr. William B. Trask also volunteered his ser- vices as editor of the first number of the volume for 1862. He has edited and assisted in editing fifteen other numbers, besides having been a contribu- tor of valuable papers from the beginning. Mr. Frederic Kidder is also en- titled to special mention, for having furnished means to one of the early publishers, and for other labors in the interest of the Register. While the Quarterly was under the control of the Register Club, others, besides those already named, rendered important services in extend- ing its circulation, among Avhom Charles W. Tuttle, Esq., and Commodore George Henry Preble, U.S.N., should be mentioned. " The Register Club having voluntarily dissolved in the autumn of 1874, the financial responsibility for the publication of the Quarterly was assumed by the Society, where it now rests ; while its editorial conduct still remains in the hands of the editor chosen by the Committee on Publication. It is gratifying to know that the magazine has a wider circulation at the present time than at any former period of its existence ; and the Commit- tee have good grounds for believing that it was never more highly appre- ciated. Still, as the history of all periodicals teaches, systematic, persist- ent and continuous efforts must be made to keep the Register before the public and secure its continued prosperity. That this publication has accomplished all, and more than all, its pro- jectors anticipated, and that it is worthy of continued support, will be evident to all who consider how large a number of valuable historical doc- uments, and how much of family and town history it has drawn from pri- vate sources, and thus saved from destruction or oblivion. Not only this, but it has begotten what may properly be styled a habit in the community of collecting and preserving such materials. It has also fostered a wide- spread and honorable desii-e among the people generally to ascertain, com- pile and secure the data pertaining to family histories, — data obtained with * See " Publisher's Preface " to vol. xv., for 1861. 8 difficulty always, even in respect of the later generations, but with still greater difficulty the further back the investigation is prosecuted. Advan- tage has thus been taken of the aid to be derived from aged people, whose clear recollections extended into the last century, and of family traditions. When this Society was formed in 1844, only a few genealogies of Ameri- can families had been published or printed. The first of which we have any knowledge is a pamphlet of twenty-four pages, printed in 1771. Be- tween that date and the year 1813, only one more was printed ; while during the ensuing thirty years twenty-two were produced. Prior, therefore, to the establishment of the Register in 1847, but thirty-two genealogies or family pedigrees had been printed ; and these, for the most part, were very limited in extent and inferior in character, as compared with most of those published at the present day. Since the year 1847, or during the last thii-ty years, the number of genealogies, more or less extended and complete, that have been printed, is nearly six hundred ; of which by fav the larger num- ber were produced in New-England. Of histories of New-England towns, published anterior to 1845, we have knowledge of only forty-one ; since that date about one hundred and twenty have been published, and many more are in preparation. In other parts of the country also, genealogies and town-histories are rapidly multi])lying. Of each of these classes of publications, no inconsiderable number were compiled by subscribers or readers of the Register. In this magazine itself will be found the genealogies, or at least histori- cal outlines, of about four hundred and fifty families of English origin ; while the number of papers containing genealogies, ranging from one page or less to ten or more pages, is about one thousand. Besides these are hun- dreds of bic^raphical and obituary sketches. Many of these articles em- body the results of laborious and costly research. Prior to the establishment of this Quarterly, the only book printed in this country that could afford much aid in the study of family history, was the " Genealogical Register of the First Settlers of New-England," by John Farmer, Esq., Corresponding Secretary of the New-Hampshire His- torical Society, — a volume of 351 pages, published in 1829. This work was a great help to tlie early conductors of our magazine. From our Register Mr. Savage drew largely for materials for his invaluable Genealogical Dictionary, published in 18G0-18G2. He corrected many errors in our early volumes ; while many mistakes into which he himself was led, have been pointed out, and his own work has been greatly suj^plemented, in our later volumes. It may, therefore, be fairly assumed that this Quarterly has afforded no little aid and stimulus in all these jiraiseworthy and useful labors of histo- rians and genealogists, — much more aid, apparently, than is sometimes acknowledged. 9 Moreover, the Register has been essentially serviceable to this Society, as its special organ, and as a potential agent in making its existence known and its objects respected. Other Societies, too, in New-England and beyond, that have done and are doing distinguished and valuable service for historical and archaeological science, neither have received nor will receive, we are sure, any injury from the circulation of this periodical. With the close of the last volume, the writer of this report resigned his place as editor, which he had held for eight years, — a longer period of continued service, it appears by the records, than has been rendered by any of his predecessors. His efforts have been to make the publication worthy of the patronage and confidence of historical students and experienced genealogists ; to make it thorough and accurate ; to introduce a larger proportion of historical matter; to elevate its literary character; to improve its typograph}' and dress ; to keep its pages free from personal and party animosities ; and to extend its patronage. How far he has succeeded in these efforts is best known to the patrons of the work. To the gen- tlemen with wliom he has been associated on the Publishins Com- mittee, he i-eturns hearty thanks for tlieir unvarying kindness, support and encouragement. Not the least pleasant of his recollections of this long association will be the fact, that from first to last the Committee have been a unit in every vote or act affecting the interests of the Register. The January number of the Register is already published. With this issue the Quarterly enters upon its thirtieth volume, under the editorial charge of Mr. John Ward Dean, the librarian. His experience, having been a member of tlie Committee on Publication continuously for upward of twenty-one years, and other ample qualifications, are a sufficient guaranty that the work will not suffer in his hands. After the reading of this report, Charles W. Tuttle, Esq., spoke as follows : Mr. President : I believe it is announced to the Society for the first time that Col. Hoyt has retired from the editorial chair of the Register. This is an event that cannot be allowed to pass without notice on this occa- sion. Eight consecutive years devoted to this publication as the responsi- ble editor, without pecuniary reward, has no precedent in its history, and is not likely to be repeated soon. It is a bounty that challenges at once our admiration and our gratitude. Such a service cannot be represented by any money standard ; it ranks with the unpurchasable and the unbought, and must ever remain conspicuous in the annals of this Society. Having myself been an occasional contributor to the Register during this period, I have come to know something of the labor, the anxiety, the perse- verance and the ability required for this undertaking ; and I am sure I do 10 not exaggerate when I say that the number of persons qualified to fill the editorial chair is small, much smaller than we are apt to imagine. The Register is no brief chronicler of the time ; it is a standard authority on matters within its scope, every page importing absolute verity as near as may be. Its pages are not open for raw and loose compilations or compo- sitions. These, when otherwise meritorious, must first be made to come up to the required standard of completeness and accuracy, and this must be done by the editor. He must be familiar with all sources of information, and with New-England history in its details. The Register is designed to carry accurate information not only to this generation of readers, but to future generations in distant ages. Resi^onsibility attaches to every date •and to every word it contains. In this age of frivolity, t)f vast issues of popular literature i-ated as merchandise, it is a real pleasure to think that the Register must survive all ; that as lon. Towne then said: Mr. President: I ris'j to second these rcsohuions with i)]eaNur(>. Having been a mi'iabtir of {\u' l*iil)lishing t'omniiltce for the eight years tliat the gentleman has edited tlie Register, I can sjx'ak understandingly in the pre- mises. And here let iiu; s:iy. that I tliiiik we are far more indebted to him for his i)atient, painstaking, and successful eft'orts than most members of the Society suppose. The work of editing a publication of this kind is far dif- ferent from editing a purely literary quarterly. In both literary ability is 11 requisite, but the liistorical is replete with names, dates aiifl facts, that have to be verified by hiborious research, and a faiUire in any one of these would bring discredit on the pul)lication ; and, it it often occurred, destroy its repu- tation as an authority. During the eight years before referred to, this work has been so conducted as to increase its reputation as an authority, has been made attractive by its literary merit, and consequently has had an increased number of readers. In conclusion, I will only add, that I regret that the Society is not in a condition to orter some fitting testimonial for such faith- ful, long-continued and valuable services. The Rev. Dorus Clarke, D. D., next addressed the Society as follows: Mr. President : It is hardly possible for me to keep my seat and remain entirely silent, when a motion is pending before this Society, complimentary to Col. Iloyt, for the able manner in which he has edited " The His- torical and Genealogical Register" for eight years past. The resolution commands my warmest support. To conduct successfully such a work as the Register, is no easy task. It is so largely made up of names, and tables, and dates, and other figures, that the hundred eyes, which fable ascribes to Argus, would be quite insufficient to prevent mistakes. To edit an ordinary literary work is a pastime to this. I have been myself an editor of several other publications, and also the Historiographer of this Society for seven years, — a sinecure, quite similar to that of editing the Register for ease and pecuniary profit,-^and have therefore had some ex- perience in these matters, and some opportunity to know the extreme difficulty of conducting a work of this peculiar character. Sometimes libra- lies have to be ransacked, and the mails and telegraph put in requisition, to rectify or verify a single letter or numeral. I have often been deeply im- pressed by the untiring industry and the ceaseless effort to be accurate, which have marked the editorial career of Col. lloyt in the eight years' service which he has gratuitously rendered in his department of the multi- form operations of this growing Institution. I cannot therefore refrain from congratulating him, and the Society and the public, upon the ability, the research, and the success of his editorial labors. The Rev. Mr. Slafter spoke as follows : The value and importance of the work bestowed upon the Society's quarterly publication cannot be over- estimated. This publication consists for the most part, as we all know, in all its thirty volumes, cf original papers, printed here for the first time, and the careful annotation which they have received from the late editor, and his predecessors, has greatly enriched the collection, and will save the historical studenjt, when he comes to consult them, a vast amount of pre- liminary and embarrassing labor. These publications hold up a mirror to ^ 12 our minds, in which we m;iy see shadowed forth, more clearly than any where else, the local, domesiic and family history of New-England. If the labor and time bestowed upon them have been gratuitously and cheerfully rendered, it ought only to inspire us witli a deeper sense of gratitude to those who have voluntarily performed this valuable service. 1 should be very glad if the expression of gratitude, incorporated into the resolutions before us, could go beyond that formula, and take here to-day a practical shape. No compliment, I am sure, could be so acceptable to the late editor, or to the present editor, or board of publication, as to know that all of our members, uot already subscribers to the Society's (puirterly publication, would become such before returning to their homes to-night. There are at least two reasons why all the members of the Society should have this publication. In the lirst place, its perusal from year to year would gradu- ally enrich the mind of the reader \vith a wide knowledge of New-Eug- land history, which can be obtained from no other source. In the second place, two hundred additional subscribers would enaWe us to enlarge the magazine, to enrich it with illustrations and maps, irnd to make it a still nobler monument of the Society's great purpose. The sum of three dol- lars annually is but a small sacrifice for each member, but in the aggre- gate would enable us to enlarge and enrich the sources of our history for all coming time. I venture therefore to hope, Mr. President, that our members, distant and near, will send in their names to be enrolled as patrons and co-workers in the Society's enterprise of publishing its historical quarterly, already venerable with age, under the familiar and honored title of the New-Euijland Historical and Genealomcal lieirister. The venerable William Lawton, Esq., of New-Rochelle, N. Y., remarked, in substance, that he was deeply gratified that, in this bustling age, largely devoted to the mere accumulation of money and to the excitements of poli- tics, so many men were willing to give their time, their talents, and their substance to the study of history, and to the work of collecting and preserv- ing the records of our fathers. He had given his early years and middle life to the struggles and competitions of commercial and financial piu'suits. They exerted upon him a fascination for which he could not and did not care to account; but for many years now last past he had devoted a good deal of time to historical and jienealooical investigations in which he had been greatly helped by this and kindred societies. He, therefore, felt him- self to be under obligations to those gentlemen who had given and are giving so much valuable time and ability to the writing, editing and ac- cumulation of the materials of public and family history. The resolutions were uni^nimously adopted. '« LIBRARV OF CONGRESS 013 995 068 9 ♦