■i T ; i P Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, By-Laws, Officers and Members OF THE Oneida Historical Society J^T UTIOA WITH THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE OFFICERS FOR 1878, AND SOME ACCOUNT OF THE COLLECTIONS OF THE SOCIETY \ND ITS NEEDS AND PURPOSES. Founded 1876; Incorporated i! UTICA, N. Y. Ellis H. Rc^erts & Co., Book and Job Printers, 60 Genesee Street. 1879. The Oneida Historical Society was organized Dece at an informal meeting held in the office of Hon. Charles W. - ' at which a committee consisting of John F. Seymour, Ale . ard and Robert S. Williams was appointed to prepare a coj of by-laws, and to nominate a list of officers. At a subsequent December 15, 1876, this committee submitted its report, which i The officers elected were the same as those elected in 1879, ( | the exception of Dr. M. M. Bagg, Recording Secretary, who office in January, 1878. BY TRANSFER JUN 3 1910 !>•» >»?;.,. ,-»l ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. We, the undersigned, citizens of the United States, residing in the county of Oneida and State of New York, and being also citizens of the State of New York, of the age of twenty-one years and over, do hereby associate ourselves and form a corpora- tion, pursuant to the provisions of the statutes of the State of New York, and particularly under Chapter 267 of the Laws of 1875, as amended by Chapter 53 of the Laws of 1876. The name by which such corporation shall be known in law is ■"The Oneida Historical Society at Utica." Said corporation is formed for historical and literary purposes, and the particular objects and business thereof shall be the discovery, collection, preservation and publication of the history, historical records and data of and relating to the territory or districts of country formerly occupied or claimed by the Oneida and Mohawk tribes or nations of Indians ; the collection and preservation of books, pam- phlets, maps, genealogies, portraits, paintings, relics, manuscripts, letters, journals, surveys, field-books and any and all other articles and materials which may establish or illustrate such history, or the growth and progress of population, wealth, education, agri- culture, arts, science, manufactures, trade and commerce in said territory or districts. The principal office and place of business of said society shall be in the city of Utica, in the county of Oneida. The said corporation shall be managed by its President, three Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, and five members of said society, who shall constitute its Board of Managers. The names of said Managers for the first year of the existence of said corporation are Horatio Seymour, President; Charles W. Hutchinson, Alexander Seward and Ed- ward Huntington, Vice Presidents ; S. N. Dexter North, Recording Secretary; Morven M. Jones, Corresponding Secretary; Robert S. Williams, Treasurer; and William J. Bacon, John F. Seymour, Daniel Batchelor, Richard U. Sherman, and Simon G. Visscher. Said Managers, and Roscoe Conkling, Pomroy Jones, Luther Guiteau, Philo White, Daniel B. Goodwin, Charlemagne Tower, John Stryker, Ward Hunt, Ellis H. Roberts, DeWitt C. Grove, Francis Kernan, John H. Edmonds, Michael Moore, Alexander S. Johnson, Edward North, Othniel S. Williams, William D. Walcott, Daniel E. Wager, John P. Gray, John G. Crocker and Theodore S. Faxton, constitute a Board of Councilors of said Society — the foregoing being all the officers of said society for the first year. [Signed] Horatio Seymour, Deerfield, N. Y. ; Alexander Seward, Utica, N. Y. ; Charles W. Hutchinson, Utica, N. Y. ; Pomroy Jones, Lairdsville, N. Y. ; Robert S. Williams, Utica, N. Y ; Ellis H. Roberts, Utica, N. Y. ; M. M. Bagg, Utica, N. Y. ; John F. Sey- mour, Utica, N. Y. ; E. D. Buckingham, Utica, N. Y. ; S. N. Dex- ter North, Utica, N. Y. ; Andrew McMillan, Utica, N. Y ; Harold Frederic, Utica, N. Y. ; M. M. Jones, Utica, N. Y. ; James Benton, Utica, N. Y. ; Francis Kernan, Utica, N. Y. ; Samuel G. Wolcott, Utica, N. Y. ; Joseph E. West, Utica, N. Y. ; S. G. Visscher, Rome, N. Y. ; Richard U. Sherman, New Hartford, N. Y ; J. L. Earll, Utica, N. Y ; Edgar O. Wagner, Utica, N. Y. ; P. G. Web- ster, Fort Plain, N. Y. ; W. H. Christian, Utica, N. Y. ; George Graham, Oriskany, N. Y. ; Matt. D. Bagg, Utica, N. Y. ; William J. Bacon, Utica, N. Y. ; DeWitt C. Grove, Utica, N. Y. State of New York, Oneida County, City of Utica f-ss. 3A, ) On the 18th day of September, 1878, personally appeared before me, Charles W. Hutchinson, Alexander Seward, Robert S. Wil- liams, and on the 30th day of September, 1878, personally appeared before me, Moses M. Bagg, John F. Seymour, E. D. Buckingham, Andrew McMillan, Harold Frederic, and on the 7th day of Octo- ber, 1878, personally appeared before me, James Benton, Joseph E. West, S. G. Visscher, Richard U. Sherman, Peter G. Webster, S. G. Wolcott, Francis Kernan, and on the 18th day of October, 1878, personally appeared before me, Horatio Seymour, Pomroy Jones, William II. Christian, George Graham, M. D. Bagg, Wil- liam J. Bacon and D. C. Grove, all of whom are to me well known, and whom I know to be the persons who executed the above written articles of association, and they severally acknowledged that they had subscribed their names to said articles of association. M. M. JONES, Justice of the Peace, Utica, JV. Y. Oneida County, City of Utica, ss. On the 26th day of October, 1878, before me personally came Ellis H. Roberts, S. N. Dexter North and Morven M. Jones, who are to me well known, and whom I know to be three of the persons who executed the above written articles of association, and they severally acknowledged that they had subscribed their names to said articles of association. GEORGE L. ROBERTS, Notary Public, Oneida County. State of New York Oneida County, ' j-ss. I, Taliesin Evans, Clerk of said county, hereby certify that Morven M. Jones, who subscribed the within certificate of ac- knowledgment as a Justice of the Peace, and George L. Roberts, who subscribed the within certificate of acknowledgment as a Notary Public, were, during the months of September and October, respectively, a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, of Oneida County, duly sworn and residing in the city of Utica, and were duly authorized to take such acknowledgments, and that their sig- natures are genuine. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand [l. s.] and affixed the seal of said county, at Utica, Novem- ber 14, 1878. TALIESIN EVANS, Clerk. State of New York, , Oneida County, I hereby consent to and approve of the foregoing certificate, and of the objects therein expressed, and of the Society therein named. Utica, N. Y., November 6, 1878. M. H. MERWIN, Justice Supreme Court. State of New York, Office of the Secretary of State, ss. I have compared the preceding with the original certificate of incorporation of the Oneida Historical Society at Utica, with acknowledgments thereto annexed, filed in this office on the 16th day of November, 1878, and do hereby certify the same to be a correct transcript therefrom, and the whole of said original. Witness my hand and the seal of the office of the Secre- tary of State, at the city of Albany, this nineteenth day [l. s.] of November, one thousand eight hundred and seventy- eight. GEORGE MOSS, Deputy Secretary of State. t CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE I. This society shall be called The Oneida Histokical Society AT UtICA. ARTICLE II. The objects of this society shall be the discovery, collection, preservation and publication of the history, historical records and data of and relating to that portion of the State of New York formerly known as Tryon county, and originally occupied or claimed by the Oneida and Mohawk tribes of the Irocpiois; the collection and preservation of books, newspapers, pamphlets, maps, genealogies, portraits, paintings, relics, manuscripts, letters, jour- nals, surveys, field-books, and any and all other materials which may establish or illustrate such history, or the growth and prog- ress of population, wealth, education, agriculture, arts, manufact- ures and commerce in central New York. ARTICLE III. The society shall consist of resident, corresponding and honorary^ members, who shall be elected by a majority of ballots ; and of life members, as hereinafter provided. Resident members shall consist of persons residing in the county of Oneida; corresponding and honorary members of persons residing elsewhere. ARTICLE IV. Resident members shall pay an admission fee of two dollars, and also an annual fee of two dollars, which shall be paid on or before the 1st day of May in each year after that in which they shall have been elected. Any member in arrears for annual dues on the second Tuesday in January in each year, shall no longer be considered a member of the society. *As Amended, December 17, 1878. ARTICLE V. The officers of the society shall consist of a President, three Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secre- tary, a Librarian, and a Treasurer, who shall be elected annually, on the second Tuesday in January, by a majority of ballots ; and who, together with an Executive Committee of five, to be elected annually in the same manner from among the number of the Board of Councilors, shall constitute the Board of Managers of the society, exercising the duties and discharging the responsibilities which belong to boards of trustees in general. Five members of the Board of Managers, if the number include the President or one of the Vice Presidents, shall constitute a quorum at any regularly called meeting. ARTICLE VI. There shall be a Board of twenty-six Councilors, to be elected at the first annual meeting of the society, who shall hold office for life. An Executive Committee of five shall be elected annually from among the number of the Councilors. All vacancies in the Board of Councilors, by resignation or death, shall be filled at the next succeeding annual meeting of the society, by a majoritv of ballots. ARTICLE VII. k\ None but resident <*r life members shall be eligible to office, or qualified to vote. ARTICLE VIII. The payment of twenty-five dollars at one time shall constitute a life member, exempt from the payment of annual dues. ARTICLE IX. The President shall preside at all meetings of the society, regu- late its proceedings, and have a casting vote. He shall be chair- man of the Board of Managers. Either of the Vice Presidents may discharge the duties of the President in his absence. ARTICLE X. The Recording Secretary shall have the custody of the constitu- tion, by-laws and records of the society. He shall give due notice of all regular and special meetings, and keep a record of the pro- ceedings of the same. At least two days notice shall he given of all special meetings. He shall be secretary of the Board of Man- agers, and keep a record of its proceedings. ARTICLE XI. The Corresponding Secretary shall have the custody of all letters and communications on the business of the society, and shall read to the society all communications received by him as such Sec- retary. He shall, under the direction of the society, prepare all communications to be addressed to others in the name of the Society, and keep true copies of the same. ARTICLE XII. The Librarian, under the direction of the Board of Managers, shall have the custody of the library and cabinet, including all manuscripts, documents, coins, relics, pictures and maps, and shall, under the direction of the committee on library, prepare and con- tinue a catalogue of the same. He shall arrange the collections of the society in a manner suitable for convenient reference and in- spection. He shall keep a record of all donations to the society, and make a report of the same at each regular meeting. He shall prepai-e and read at each annual meeting a statement of the growth and condition of the library and collections of the society. ARTICLE Xni. The Treasurer shall receive and keep all securities and moneys due and payable or belonging to the society. He shall keep the funds of the society on deposit to his credit as such Treasurer, in some institution to be approved by the Board of Managers, and shall pay such sums as the society shall direct, upon the written order or warrant of the President or one of the Vice Presidents, or the warrant of the chairman of a standing committee directed by the society to incur a particular expense. He shall keep a true account of his receipts and disbursements, and render a statement thereof at the annual meeting of the society, or whenever called upon to do so by the society or the Board of Managers. He may also be required to give such bonds as the Board of Managers may direct. 10 ARTICLE XIV. It shall be the duty of the Board of Managers to discharge to- wards the society the duties which ordinarily belong to Boards of Trustees of corporations, subject only to the restrictions of this constitution. It shall exercise a general supervision over the funds and affairs of the society, and at any time may restrain any ex- penditure of money authorized by the society, which in its judg- ment is not warranted, or is forbidden by article eighteen of this constitution. It shall make annually, on the second Tuesday in January, a detailed report to the society of its transactions for the preceding year with such recommendations for the develop- ment of the society as seem to it best. ARTICLE XV. All officers shall continue in office until their successors are elected. Any vacancies in office, except in the number of the coun- cilors, may be filled for the unexpired term at any regular meeting of the society. ARTICLE XVI. The society shall meet monthly, on the second Tuesday of each month. The President, or either of the Vice Presidents may direct the call of a special meeting at any time. ARTICLE XVII. Those members who shall attend any regularly called meeting of this society shall constitute a quorum. ARTICLE XVIII. No debt shall be incurred in the name of the society, for any purpose whatsoevei-, beyond the amount of its unappropriated funds in the hands of the Treasurer at the time any expenditure may be authorized by the society. ARTICLE XIX. This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a regular meeting of the society, provided notice of the proposed amendment is given at the previous regu- lar meeting, and notice thereof mailed to each resident member or published in the daily papers of Utica. BY-'LAWS. 1. The regular meetings of this society shall be held at the rooms of the society, in the City Library Building, at four o'clock p. m., unless a different hour shall be designated by the previous meeting. 2. Special meetings may be called at such time and place as the President or either of the Vice Presidents may designate. The Recording Secretary shall give notice through the press or otherwise, of both regular and special meetiugs of the society. 3. Any meeting may be adjourned to such time as a majority of the members present shall determine. 4. The annual meeting of the society shall be held on the second Tuesday in January of each year. The election of officers shall then take place, and the annual reports of the officers of the previous year shall be received, and if approved, adopted. At each annual meeting there shall be an address delivered before the society, by some person to be appointed by the society, on the recommendation of the Committee on Addresses and Publications. 5. At the next regular meeting after the annual election of officers, the President shall appoint from among the active mem- bers of the society, the following standing committees, to consist of three members each, to-wit: 1. A Committee on Finance. 2. A Committee on Library and Exchanges. 3. A Committee on Donations and Collections. 4. A Committee on Property and Fixtures. 5. A Committee on Addresses and Publications. 6. A Committee on Natural History and Geological Specimens. 7. A Committee on Biography and Historical Material. 8. A Committee on Statistics. 9. A Committee on Membership. 12 6. The President shall be ex-officio chairman of the Committee on Finance. It shall be the duty of such committee to super- vise the books, accounts and reports of the Treasurer, and of the financial receipts and expenditures of the society ; it shall also be its duty to consider and recommend all suitable measures to in- crease the revenues of the society, and promote economy in its expenditures. It shall examine and report upon all accounts and claims against the society, and upon all propositions for the appropriation and expenditure of its funds, when such propositions have not been made or reported upon by some other standing committee of the society. It shall also recommend to the society a proper investment of its funds. 7. The Committee on Library and Exchanges shall have the general charge and supervision of the library, and of all proposi- tions in regard to its use, increase and management ; or in regard to the procurement, exchange, or other disposition of books, peri- odicals and pamphlets, or their binding and preservation. It shall supervise the cataloguing of the collections of the society, and shall take such steps, from time to time, as may be necessary to secure a proper accountability for said collections and library. 8. The Committee on Donations and Collections shall have supervision of the discovery, solicitation and transportation of donations for the collections of the society ; it shall make such recommendations to the society in regard to the procuring of historical materials, by purchase or otherwise, as shall seem to it desirable. 9. The Committee on Property and Fixtures shall have the charge and supervision of the rooms of the society and its prop- erty, otherwise than its catalogued collections ; shall keep the same in repair, and shall recommend such additions, from time to time, as the growth of the society shall render necessary. 10. The Committee on Addresses and Publications shall ar- range for the delivery of papers and addresses on historical topics and investigation connected with the objects of the society, to be read at the regular meetings, and shall recommend an orator to address the society at its annual meetings. It shall have the charge and supervision of all the publications of the society, in order that the same may be properly and correctly printed whenever 13 directed by the society. It shall also recommend for publication by the society, such material as it may deem desirable. 11. The Committee on Geological and Natural History Speci- mens shall have the whole charge and supervision of these depart- ments of the society's collections, their procurement, arrangement and cataloguing, and shall make such recommendations to the society regarding these departments, as the needs of the cabinet may require. 12. The Committee on Biography and Historical Material shall have charge of the procuring of details and data respecting the history of central New York, and the individuals prominent in that history ; and it shall be the duty of its members to prepare and arrange these data in a manner suitable for preservation and reference. 13. The Committee on Statistics shall have the charge and supervision of the collection and arrangement of statistics of the manufactures, trade, commerce, agriculture and business of Utica and central New York, and place them in proper shape for pres- ervation and reference. 14. The Committee on Membership shall have full charge over all questions relating to the membership of the society; and it shall be its duty to labor to increase the membership, by inducing all proper persons to become members. 15. All reports of the standing committees shall be made to the society in writing, and placed upon file ; but the committees may report by resolution if they shall deem it expedient. 16. All books, manuscripts and other articles belonging to the society, shall be plainly marked with the name of the society, and with the name of the donor. They shall be numbered and entered correspondingly in the catalogue. IT. No books, maps, charts, manuscripts, or copies thereof, nor any other article belonging to the library or cabinet of the society, shall be taken from its rooms without the written permis- sion of the members of the committee on the library. 18. The printed books in the library of the society shall be accessible to all members, whether resident, honorary or corre- 14 sponding, and its manuscript collections at the discretion of the Librarian. To visitors who are not members, access to the manu- script collections of the society can be had only by the consent of the committee on the library. 19. Any member of this society may be expelled by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the resident members present at a regular meeting, but no such vote shall be taken unless notice of the motion to expel shall have been given at a meeting held at least four weeks previous thereto. 20. Any of these By-Laws may be suspended in case of a temporary emergency, by the unanimous vote of a meeting, duly organized. They may be amended from time to time, by a ma- jority vote of the members present at a regular meeting, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given at least four weeks previous to a final vote thereon. 21. At the regular meetings of the society, the following shall l>e the order of business: 1. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting. 2. Acknowledgment of donations to the society. 3. Reports and communications from the officers of the society. 4. Reports from the standing committees. 5. Reports from special committees. 6. Election of Members. V. Miscellaneous business. 8. Reading of papers and delivery of addresses. STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE SOCIETY. A ALEXANDER Qi Committee on Finance, The President, ex-offlcio, Charles S. Symonds, P. V. Rogers, Charles K. Grannis. Committee on Library and Exchanges, MAXSHWW'DrBAGG, Robert S. Williams, M. M. Jones. Committee on Property and Fixtures, George D. Dimon, Andrew McMillan, William Kernan. Committee on. Donations and Collections, John F. Seymour, S. G. Visscher, C. W. Hutchinson. Committee on Geological and Natural History Cabinet, Edwin Hutchinson, William II. Christian, S. G. Wolcott. Committee on Biography and Historical Material, M. M. Bagg, Py JJi Fowler/ George Walker. Committee on Statistics, Alexander T. Goodwin, James C. P. Kincaid. Committee on Addresses and Publications, Alexander Seward, Rees G. Williams, S. N. D. N. M. K., Rome. Jones, Henry R., Rome. Jones, Jolin 11., Utica. Jones, Morven M., Utica. Jones, Pomroy, Lairdsville. Keeney, Rufus, Rome. Kernan, Francis, Utica. Kernan, John D., Utica. Kernan, William, Utica. Kessenger, A. C, Rome. Kincaid, James C. P., Utica. ^ Kroosz, Carson W., Rome. Latimore, Frank II., Utica. H T , Allii 1 1 F , Ulii j. Lewis, Benjamin F., Utica. Lnx, Arthur, Utica. Lowery, Samuel S., Utica. Mallory, H. P., Utica. Mann, James P., Utica. Matteson, William A., Utica. ,\J^ Mears, John W., Clinton. Meyers, Edwin J., Utica. Sawyer, George C, Utica. Say re, Theodore S., Utica. Seward, Alexander, Utica. Schachlel, William, Utica. jLY . JrOt'allaghirrf; R-S»» -N-e.w York, N. Y. Pierrepont, William G, Pierrepont Manor, N. Y 'ork. Wagner, Hon. Webster, Palatine Bridge, N. Y. Wagner, Peter J., Fort Plain, N. Y. Walrath, D. D., Chittenango, N. Y. Ward, Edward A., Richfield Springs, N. Y. Webster, Prof. Horace E., Union College, Schenectady, N. Y. Webster, Peter G., Fort Plain, N. Y. Wemple, Edward, Fultonville, N. Y. Wrii't; linn, DniWTtHgrrfet»w-viile,N. Y. White, Hon. Andrew D., LL. D., Cornell University, Ithaca. Pierson, Prof. Jonathan, Y^Williams, Samuel, Union College, Schenectady, N. Y. San Francisco, Cal. Potter, Rev. Eliphalet N., D. D., Williams, ftejj. S. Wells, Dr-ft-, Union Collage, Schenectady, N. Y. Yale College. New Haven, Conn. Potter, Hon. Piatt, Schenectady, N. YOwVooI worth, Hon. Samuel B., LL. D., ■ Pratt, Daniel J., Albany, N. Y. / Albany, N. Y. ^St-Redfield, Hon. Lewis H., Wright, E. Kellogg, New York. Syracuse, N. Y. Yost, Hon. George, Fort Plain, N. Y. Richmond, A. G., Camvjoharie, N. Y. 9 # ANNUAL REPORTS FOR 1878. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. The Board of Managers, in submitting its report for the year 1878, desires to express its gratification that the first year in which the Oneida Historical Society can be said to have had an active existence, has been marked by substantial progress in its work. By the courtesy of the Board of School Commissioners of the city of Utica, the society has been permitted to occupy rooms in the new library building; and to this fact, more perhaps than to any other, is to be attributed the impetus of the past year. The fact that the society has safe and centrally located rooms where its collections can be preserved, arranged, catalogued and exhibited, lias stimulated donations not only from friends in Utica but throughout central New York. The list of donors to the so- ciety, herewith submitted, already contains one hundred and thirty- seven names, some of whom have made very numerous donations. The Board of Managers takes this opportunity to express its grati- tude to all these donors, and to commend their example to the community at large. The report of the Librarian shows a cata- logued collection aggregating 1,370 in the several departments — nearly all of which are the accumulations of the year just closed. If the Oneida Historical Society can make a progress alike sub- stantial during the coming year, it will become entitled to the third rank among the historical societies of the State of New Y'ork. The present quarters of the society were first occupied at the regular meeting held September 23, 1878. At a previous meeting, a committee had been appointed to secure the incorporation of the society under the laws of the State. Articles of incorporation were filed in the office of the Secretary of State at Albany, No- vember 19, 1878. Senator Goodwin has been requested to secure, if possible this winter, the passage of an act enabling the society to hold real estate, in order to enable it to preserve and control sites of historic interest. 22 The society now numbers one hundred and twenty enrolled members, and one hundred and live non-enrolled members, mak- ing a total membership of two hundred and twenty-five. It has one hundred and ten honorary and corresponding members, and one life member. In the latter respect, it is to be hoped that the society will make some progress during the coming year, and that the society may be able to set apart the funds re- ceived from the payment for life-memberships in a perman- ent investment, the income to be used only in promoting the special objects of the society. The report of the Treasurer shows that while the income during the past year has been moderate, it has still been sufficient to meet such light expenses as it has been necessary to incur, and to leave a small balance in the treasury. The expenses will hereafter be increased, as the society already has on hand many donations of publications which must be bound to insure preservation, and every donor of valuable unbound pam- phlets, periodicals and newspapers should receive the assurance from the society that his contributions will be immediately bound in a substantial manner. The society has no other source of in- come than the annual dues of its members, which are fixed at a lower rate, if the managers are not mistaken, than the dues in any other like historical society. If this fact leads to a larger active membership, the board is confident that the society will gain in vitality without losing in revenue. The marked success that has attended the first year of active operations ought to enable the so- ciety to at least double its active membership during the coming year. During the year 1878, eleven regular meetings have been held, besides one annual and two special meetings, making fourteen in all. The board directs attention to the gratifying benefits which have accrued from the frequency with which the regular meetings have been held during the last few months, and especially urges the importance of regular meetings at least once a month during the coming year. These meetings have convinced the public that the Oneida Historical Society is an active and beneficial institution, destined to be made, by your patience and perseverance, of great value to the whole community, and particularly to this central portion of the Empire State. In no other way can donations be better stimulated. During the year five papers or addresses have been read before the society, on topics connected with its work in the verification 23 and preservation of local history. These papers are deposited in its archives, and furnish the nucleus for society publications, as soon as the state of its funds warrants. An immense untilled field of work is here presented ; and many members of the society have expressed a willingness to contribute papers on phases of local history during the coming year. The collections of the society have already materially assisted in the correction of many errors of tra- dition and in the preparation of papers relating to the objects of the society. Very important amendments to the constitution have been adopted by the society during the past year, the general effect of which has been to greatly decrease the powers and responsibilities of the Board of Managers, and to throw their work upon the membership at large. It was intended by these changes to in- crease the interest which each individual member feels in the wel- fare of the society, by giving to each member a voice in its management. In a city the size of Utica, this method of organiza- tion seems to promise better results than that from which we have departed, and which was modeled upon the method of organization found necessary for efficiency in the historical societies of large cities like New York, Boston and Buffalo. The Board of Managers has no recommendations to submit to the society beyond the general one that the success of the first year of active work should stimulate to more earnest endeavor in the immediate future. In the return for the surrender which the Board of Managers has made to the active members, in the amendments to the constitution above referred to, it has the right to express the hope that each individual member will do his part to show that this new departure was a wise step. This will best be done, if each member will constitute himself a special agent of the society, commissioned to inquire among his friends and acquaintances for the materials which are needed to add to the completeness and variety of the society's collections. A gen- erous rivalry in this respect will harm no one, and greatly advance the interests and welfare of the society. The Board of Managers desires to call the attention of the society to the unusual historical importance of the field of labor before it. It is obviously the mission of the Oneida Historical Society to cover in its collections and researches the entire terri- tory embraced in the original civil division of central New Yoi'k — the county of Try on, erected in 1772, rechristened Montgomery 24 in contempt of a royal governor in 1784, divided in 1791 into the counties of Montgomery, Otsego, Tioga, Ontario and Herkimer — ■ Oneida county being erected out of the latter in 1798. It is a wide field ; for the boundaries of Tryon county included all the territory lying west of a line running nearly north and south through the present county of Schoharie. All the State of New York west of that line is our legitimate field. If there are, or should hereafter be, kindred institutions in cities west of us, we welcome them as coadjutors in abroad field of investigation where the harvest will be abundant for all. That county included the hunting grounds of the Five Nations of Iroquois, who were the owners of this soil before our fathers possessed themselves of it, and whose civil and military achieve- ments form the only glorious chapter in the aboriginal history of America. We are at the center of the famous " long house," within fifty miles of the spot where the council fires were held, and so directly in the home of the Oneida tribe of Iroquois — the only one of the original Five Nations which stood by the colonists in their struggle for independence — that Utica's Cemetery Asso- ciation is permitted to be the custodian of its sacred stone. There is no association in this country which makes it its special mission to preserve and perpetuate the history of the Iroquois. By rea- son of our exceptional advantages of location, that should be the special mission of the Oneida Historical Society. In many ways the original Tryon county is peculiarly and ex- ceptionally interesting, in a historical point of view. Hither pene- trated the earliest of the Jesuit missions. Here lived and labored and died Sir William Johnson — in many respects the most prom- inent figure in the colonial annals of America. Here also lived bis sons and their ally Joseph Brant, who made the Mohawk valley forever memorable as the scene of the fiercest and most relentless Indian and tory massacre. Hither migrated the chief segmeut of the exiled Palatinates ; and the story of their pioneer battles with the wilderness, their revolutionary patriotism under circum- stances the most perilous that tested the nerve of any colonists, with the later record of their remarkable assimilation with the American race — a story never yet fully written out — offers inspira- tion for song, romance and history. Here also settled one of the earliest and most important Welsh colonies in the United States; and their story is likewise yet to be written. Here were the frontier and defensive forts and castles both of the French, the In- dians, the English and the colonists — Fort Bull, Fort Plain, Fort House, Fort Hill, Fort Hunter, Fort Dayton, Fort Schuyler, Fort Stanwix, Fort Oswego, Fort Brewerton. Here passed and re- passed along the water-courses, over the Indian fords, and through the trackless forests, the military expeditions of French and Eng- lish, until the prowess of the latter at length determined that the English race and civilization should predominate upon the conti- nent. Here were fought the battles of Oriskany and Saratoga, upon whose fields the war for independence ceased to be a re- bellion and became a revolution. Here the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company made the first attempt at artificial water navigation in America — an attempt which soon developed into the Erie canal, upon whose waters the commerce of a continent traverses from the lakes to the Atlantic. Here Avas the scene of the romantic adventure and the untoward fate of the Castorland Company. Here was the home, and here is the grave and the monument of the brave Baron Steuben. Here was constructed the most famous turnpike thoroughfare in New York State. Here was tested one of the first railroads ever built, and perhaps the first trunk road. Here was organized the first express company. Here the telegraph was put to its first practical utility. Here were erected the first cotton factory and the first woolen factory char- tered by the State of New York. Here the first cheese factory was built. Here were founded the second and third oldest colle- giate institutions within the borders of the State, in one of which — Hamilton College — was made the only attempt to educate and Christianize the savage Iroquois. Here the Holland Land Com- pany left its impress, and here were located the most princely grants of the royal governors. Here, on the lordly acres of Gerrit Smith, were the headquarters of the underground railroad. Here another enthusiast, in sympathy with Gerrit Smith, yet unlike him in many ways, undertook the experiment of the industrial edu- cation and tailed. Here has been the home of more than a due proportion of the statesmen whose life-work is a part of the history of New York and the nation. The Oneida Historical Society is the proper custodian of the documents, the manuscripts, the relics, the memorials of every description, which relate to and illustrate this remarkable history. Because our organization was late in the held many of the most valuable and interesting of these memoirs have gone elsewhere- It is for us to faithfully gather and preserve the valuable mater- ials of local history that still remain scattered and fast disappear- ing in the homes of central New York. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN, With Some Account of the Collections of the Society. To the Oneida Historical Society at Utica : The undersigned, your Librarian, respectfully makes the fol- lowing Annual Report as required by the Constitution : During the short period of your active existence, your success in procuring materials for your Library and historical collections, has been highly flattering. The small beginnings and the meetings of less than a dozen members for advice and consultation, but little over two years ago, have culminated in an Incorporated Society, which now exhibits the signs of real vitality and long life. The citizens of Utica, and many intelligent persons scattered over your field, once the domain of the Oneidas and Mohawks, are awake to the fact of your existence, to an appreciation of your objects, and to the pi'opriety, if not the necessity of their co-operation. Only since the School Commissioners of Utica invited you to make a home in the elegant new City Library building, have you had any abiding place. Now you have pleasant rooms for your meetings, and a fire-proof room for your property. This last fact, a security against fire, was absolutely necessary before you could ask the public to entrust to you their valuable books, papers and historical relics. CLASSIFICATION OF COLLECTIONS. The first donations to the Library and Cabinet, were received September 19, 1878. I have made a descriptive catalogue of all donations to the present time, arranged under five heads. The total number given under each head in the first, second and fifth classes, indicates the number of bound books, pamphlets, relics and works of art received, while of newspapers, periodicals, documents, manuscripts and maps, the numbers may indicate volumes, or lots, or single specimens. This arrangement in five classes leaves the geological and mineralogical specimens to form a sixth, when some -one shall be found to catalogue and arrange them. tivityonthe part of the number, never largfe, who regularly attend, ','ne meetings and are at ail times alive to your interests, insure the perpetuity of the Oneida historical society, At <;very meeting during the past vear ninny val- val hie donations have beeniwutettt your library and cabinet, and still there are ho indications that the stores have been exhausted. The publicity given to these donatioiw has suggested to others that they, too, had treasures — old books, newspapers, records and manuscripts, laid away and forgotten and thought to possess little or no value, but really as valuable as many which have been so thankfully re- caived. In my attempts to arrange and find places for these articles, I have often discovered namesv dates and facts which render them of much value to the future historians of your field, a field Which a century ago constituted the hunting grounds, Inter- sected by the war-paths of the Oneidas arid Mohawks — yet some of the donors Of these old torn, soiled, worm-eaten books and papers have almost^apolo- gized for the Condition and smallness of their gifts. Central New York is yet rich in objects of this char- acter, hidden away in garrets, old chests and cup- boards, and all that is required for their acquisition is an earnest, continued, yet polite advocacy of the claims and objects of this society. People exhibit but little haste or enthusiasm in exposing or disposing of their old household gods. The contents of your library and cabinet have been divided into five classes, and the fellowing table shows the number in each, at the close of each year of your existence, since you have had a place for your treasures, and the' increase during the past year: ISTOl 1880-. Increase. 1. Bound books ......... .512 829 317 2. Pamphlets 34(5 644 298 3. Newspapers and periodicals... 222 268 46 4. Manuscripts, documents, maps,227 206 69 5. Relics and works of art 67 83 16 Total increase 746 In the third and fourth classes a number may include a volume of newspapers or a single paper, a lot of an hundred or two of old letters and docu- ments or a single article and had your librarian been only desirous of high numbers, these could have been easily doubled. . Your librarian would here, now, in tins public maimer urge upon the members and friends of the society the necessity of more room for the arrange- ment and exhibition of your property. To render the books useful and their stores of historical knowl- edge accessible, there should be room for their classi- fication, which can not now be done. New cases for tho many volumes cf newspapers, now unprotected, are also a necessity. Proper cases for the preserva- tion and exhibition of the mass of manuscripts, In- dian and historic relics and mementoes would be in- ducements to many others to make us the custodians of their articles. The present cases may be pro- nounced safe, but they are deficient in room and in proper arrangement. One motive hi thus bringing the wants of the society before the public has been In the hope that public-spirited citizens may see and meet those wants. BOUND BOOKS. The above statement shows that of these 317 have been received in the past year. Of these the most valuable doubtless are the volumes published by the New York Historical society. Your wisdom in pro- curing a share in the publication fund of that society can not be questioned. The eight volumes, 1868-1876, (the volume for 1874 not yet published) are from original and mainly unpublished sources, inaccessible to the public. They cover the " Continuation of Chalmer's Political Annals," Gov. Coldeu's letters reviewing and criticising Smith's History of the Col- ony of New York, documents relating to Gov. Leisler"s administration, "The Clarendon Papers," documents relating to the "New Hampshire Grants," now Vermont; Old New York and Trinity Church Pa- pers of Gen. Charles Lee, (3 volumes;) correspond- ence of Gen. Pattison, British governor of New York, erai siuaem, uiese volumes are oi great vameasiue from the many curious and strange things they con- tain relating to our early history. This publication fund share entitles you to all the works published from its income. You have been fortunate in re- ceiving " The Whitney Family of Connecticut and its affiliations, an attempt to trace the descendents of Henry Whitney, of Connecticut, from 1640 to 1878," in three volumes, 4 to. This is probably the most I splendid and expensive geneological history ever pub- lished in any country. The edition is but 500 copies, all for presentation, and for so generous a gift you are indebted to the author, S. Whitney Phoenix, of New York city. 1 Among the additions of the past year have been a I fair share of useful and rare books, too" many, to be even glanced at in this report. As a rule these are of a higher order and better adopted to the wants of a historical society than those received during youT first year. From one source you received over 800 I volumes of United States and state public documents which are a mine for the future political student and I statistician. The acquisition of a good library is a 1 work of time, even where the books are purchased, and it is no cause for discouragement that your libra- ry is no larger or.better. You have many reasons foi gratification at vour success. You still need the Utica directories for 1817, 1835, 1836, 1838, 1841. PAMPHLETS. Received during the past year, 208. Many of your rar est gifts have been in this modest, unobtrusive form. Ever since the discovery of printing a much larger ! proportion of valuable historical, political, scientific and theological matter has been given to the world in pamphlets and hidden, or become very rare, be- I cause of their liability to be lost or destroyed, than ir bound books. You have many rare pamphlets, and I when classified and arranged they will be sought for bj students and the curious in the whole ra»ge of litera ture. Of those received in the past year you are in debted to Charles L. Woodward, of New York, foi more than 150, with some valuable books. NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS. Altho' the catalogue shows an increase of but 41 numbers in the past year it must not be inferred thai the increase has been of but small value, Twenty two vearlv volumes (bound) of the Tri-weekly Nation, al Intelligencer, of Gales & Seaton, of Washington ! are a bonanza of historical and political intelligence They extend from January 1, 1830, to the close of 186i (5 vols, missing.) What the London Times is in Eug land, so was the National Intelligencer during the live; of Gales & Seaton in the United States— conservative careful and never partisan at the expense of truth oi justice. You are to be congratulated upon their ac quisition. (I woidd en parenthesis hint in this public manne that the borrowers of the volumes for 1841, 1843, '4, '! and 1856 will confer a lasting favor upon this societ; by notifying the undersigned where they may b< found.) A few numbers of The Club, published by " Henr; Goodfellow, esq., & Company," an anonymou literary paper printed in Utica in- 1814, have beei placed on your shelves. These numbers show tha this was a respectable, carefully-printed periodical filled mainly with original matter and at least cor tinued for several months. Yet it has seemed t< pass entirely from the memory of the "oldest ir habitant." A single number of the Whitestown Gazette, pre i sented by B. Pratt Babcock, esq., of Cayuga, 111., I native of New Hartford, settles forever the questio: of the date of the first newspaper established in tin I state west of Albany. This is No. 7, Vol. I, date< August 22, 1793, and was published by Richard \ ar derburgh "opposite the meeting house in Whites town." The good fortune thro' which this singl paper was preserved and presented to this societ) also settles the question of priority between th Whitestown Gazette and the Western Centinel MANUSCRIPTS, DOCUMENTS, MAPS. Of these 60 have been added in the past year. Th undersigned has made considerable progress in ai ranging them in scrap-books, where they will be con paratively safe from the inroads of autograph collec ors, and may be consulted and read. Some of thesi and the largest and most valuable, especially thos with the pendant great seals of this state attachet are very difficult of arrangement, and 1 would as the best taste and skill of the members of the societ to aid me in their proper disposition. Among th manuscripts are many of real historic interest, c pecially to this part of the state, while others are ol and others rank as curiosities. In the opinion of th undersigned the most valuable original paper yo possess is a letter of two sheets, dated Washmgtoi January 15, 1804, written by Hon. Samuel L. Mitchel United States senator from this state, giving, in h language, the "interior and confidential history" ( the purchase of Louisiana from France. In 1803 tr United States purchased Louisiana from France f( $15,000,000. Lossing devotes fifteen lines to a histoi of the transaction, and other historians have bee about as liberal. Robert R. Livingston, the distn espoudence and papers of Baron ,3t'eu'"m ana many volumes of , newspapers primed in the early days of Utica and prob«bl;.' other things were wisely, given to the Sow Yovk Historical society many years ago ftfid HsTdre any one could have foreseen the existence of a His- torical soci 3ty here'. In modern times many valuable papers hnvS been taken from our field to Buffalo, Syracuse and other places. What more fitting than that your society instead of the Buffalo Historical society should have the. papovs o? the iate Henry R. Storrs, a man whose brilliant talents added so much and for so ,: v.'..\ \ ears to the reputation of Oneida BOttntf— or that this society and not the Buffalo and Syracuse societies should have the Vander Kemp correspondence and journals. There is not a neighborhood and in many sections scarcely a house in which there are not relics of our Indians, saving nothing Vith regard to those brought from distant tribes. Soon these relics of the "stone age," pre-historic relics, will have been gathered up and carried Where money will not buy them. The collectors of these tilings are most persistent beggars and, therefore, the inembersbf this society need have no fear of soiling their reputations by using all hon- orable means-, short of petit larceny, hi finding and securing anything and everything covered by the let- ter and spirit of vour charter. Utica. January 13; 1880. .■...-■ -. . M M. Jones, Librarian. 27 SUMMARY. Bound Books, Total entries, 512 Pamphlets, " " 346 Newspapers and Periodicals, " " 222 Manuscripts, Documents, Maps, " " 227 Relics and Works of Art, " " 67 BOUND BOOKS. 1376 7 4- ,. W , Among the bound books are some of great rarity and value. Of course in the small number of five hundred and twelve volumes, there is but a fraction of those desirable and necessary for a his- torical library. Time and the considerate care of many friends will, it is hoped, make your Library what it should be. A knowl- edge of and taste for local history, and a good historical library, are mutually dependent upon each other. You have a good share of works of reference, and serials more or less complete. Of Utica directories, you only need those for 1817, 1835, 1836, 1838, 1841 to complete the series. EARLY LOCAL PUBLICATIONS. A surprisingly large number of local publications, mostly printed at Utica and Rome, have been searched out in garrets and out of the way places, and placed on your shelves. In this way many books bearing the names of Merrill & Seward, Seward & Wil- liams, William Williams and other printers of early Utica and Rome, and which were entirely unknown to the present generation, books of fiction, poetry, school books, works on science, theology, &c, have come to light. Fifty and sixty years ago, Utica was one of the great publishing centers of the State, and very many more books were issued from its enterprising presses than are now published in a city three times its size and with ten times as many printers. Some of these publications are as unique as any speci- mens of the art that ever issued from the American press. The aid of the community is earnestly solicited in the effort to make this collection as complete as possible. Jr 28 WELSH PUBLICATIONS. Of works in the Welsh language, through the the industry and liberality of one gentleman, you have a nearly complete set of the bound books and many pamphlets printed in Oneida county, com- mencing with "Pigion o Hymnau, &c," printed by Ira Merrell, in Utica, 1808. LOCAL HISTORIES. Of local histories, histories of counties, towns and villages, his- torical sermons and lectures, you have received many. You have also several works containing much relating to this section of the State in colonial times, to the Mohawk valley and its people, to Forts Stanwix, Schuyler, Bull and the large territory only known to the French and Indians in their irruptions from Canada. Much of this latter information was recovered at a recent date, through the efforts of Mr. Brodhead, as agent of this State, from the record offices of England, Holland and France. It is in the direc- tion of local history, local to this society, that your members should be ever on the lookout. It is your speciality. PAMPHLETS. Of pamphlets, you have many very curious and rare, among which are New England election sermons, Washington funeral sermons, Fourth of July orations, political speeches, &c. A study of these would show us of this generation some of the peculiar theological and political notions held by our forefathers, and the spirit with which those of different sentiments and views were met and treated. Intolerance was an error of the age, rather than of any sect or party. Our forefathers had not learned that it was " safe to tolerate error when truth was left free to combat it." NEWSPAPER FILES. In newspapers and periodicals your collection is comparatively rich, and if your hopes in that direction are realized, these will be a prominent feature of the Library. You have one hundred and seven bound volumes of newspapers, and many in small lots and single. The following is a summary of the bound newspaper files: ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Animal Meeting— Officers Elected and Other Bust ness Transacted. The annual meeting of the Oneida Historical society-was held iti its rooms in tho library building last evening. There was quite a large attendance; . The meeting was called to order at 7:40 by Vice President Hutchinson. An abstract of the min- utes of the last meeting was read by the secre- tary. The following donations were acknowledged! Department of Interior— Statistics of Manu-~ facture of United States at 10th Census, volume two. Handbook of Woodon county, Kansas. C. W. Hutchinson— Scrap book of 1883. Mr. Hutchinson reported that he had had the base of the Fort Schuyler monument put in, and wished to know who to donate it to. If | proper he would donate it to the society. The gift was accepted with thanks. R. S. Williams, treasurer of the society, pre- sented his annual report as follows: Qash on hand; January, 1883. . . ; $2-80 10 Received back dues from members 118 00 ^ife membership; : : ; ; . . . , . . 25 00 nesreceived for 1883; :..;;...-., ; 170 00 t'otal Paid out. $B87 iQ 48 97 Leaving on hand $538 13 A bill of C. C. Kellogg for making the book- case, $112 85, and $10.97 tor finishing the same a total of $123.53, was presented. It had been approved by the chairman of the library com- mittee. Mr. Williams said he had been requested by the chairman of the Herkimer monument fund committee to state that no report would be made until the next meeting, as he expected to make more collections before that time. In answer to a question from Dr. Hartley, Mr. Williams said there was from $50 to $75 due from members at present. The report of the treasurer was accepted, and he was directed to pay the bill of Mr. Kellogg for the book-case. On account of ill health) M' M. JvneSj the curator* did not prepare &n annual repOrt. Mr: Seward, from the committee on publica- tions; said that at the last meeting of the so- ciety, he reported that there waj not sufficient material on hand for a publication by the so- ciety, it was suggested that by adding the eata : log of donations a book could be made. Mr. Jones, the curator, had notified him that he had fallen behind in cataloging on account of ill health, and would need assistance to prepare it. He moved that he be authorized to obtain as- sistance in arranging it. Mr. Jones thought that with a week's work of an assistant he could get the matter in shape. The resolution of Mr. Seward was then adopted. A vacancy in the board of councilors caused by the death of Hon. Philo White, was an- nounced. The names of Henry Hurlburt and Alexander B. Roberts were presented for membership. Mr. Williams said many men, elected mem bers of the society, received their first notifica- tion of election from him upon a request for dues. They should be notified in some way. Mr. Jones said they did not become members until they had paid their initiation fee and signed the constitution. Mr. Worth offered the following, which were unanimously adopted. Resolved, That the treasurer of the society be in- ' structed to present, at the next regular meeting, a list of the resident members, who, having paid their annual dues for the year 1883, and not being in ar- rears for any previous year, are entitled to be re- garedas.continuing their membership in the society. Eesolved, That notice is hereby given that the names of all persons who shall be found in arrears for annual dues one month after the cate of the said report of the treasurer, shall be stricken from the roll of membership, and shall not thereafter be re- admitted to membership, except upon the special ] recommendation of the executive committee of the board of managers, and that the treasurer be in- structed at the second regular meeting following the present meeting, to report to the society a list of all the names thus stricken from the roll of member- ship, Besolved, That the president be requested to withold the appoiutmeut of the standing eommit- *ees of the society until after the treasurer shall lave reported in accordance with these resolutions. Dr. Hartley moved that the vacancy in the board of councilors be filled by the election of Charles W. Hutchinson. A ballot resulted in the unanimous election of Mr. Hutchinson. F. W. Hurlburt, of the committee on member- ship, reported in favor of the election of the fol- lowing: Theodore F. Gardner, corresponding member; W. G. Stimpson, 'Dr. Wallace Clark, Charles Killgore, Donald Mclntyre, Henry Hurlburt and A. B. Roberts, resident members. The report was accepted and the persons men- tioned were elected. Mr. Hutchinson reported that the roster of Oriskany was complete, and ready for the tablet with the exception of one name. The majority of members present did not rel- ish a discussion of the well worn suhject, and it was decided to proceed to the election of offi- cers. On motion of Mr. Dimon the secretary was directed to notify the members just elected of their election) and also to do it in all cases here- after. On motion of Dr. Bagg the society proceeded to vote for the election of president by ballot. Hon. Horatio Seymour received 23 of the 25 votes cast on the first ballot, and was declared electGd. The first bal'ott for first vice president, in place of C. W. Hutchinson, resulted— E. H. Roberts, 11; C. W. Hutchinson, 10; A. Seward, 2; C. W. Darling, 1; W. J. Bacon, 1. There be- ing no choice, another ballot, confined to the two highest, was taken. It resulted— Roberts, 15; Hutchinson, IP. Mr. Roberts was declared elected. Rev. Dr. Hartley was elected second vicopn dent, in place of Judge Bacon, on the first ball receiving 14 votes, to C. W. Hutchinson 7, &■ Judge Bacon 4. Hon. D. E. Wager was re-elscted for the tbira i vice president. A member moved that the secretary cast the ballot of the society for M. M. Jones for cura- tor. A question arising as to whether this could be done after the society had decided to elect the officers by ballot, Mr. Roberts said he trusted the society would pay the curator the compli- ment of electing him as suggested. The society owed him a great deal. The resolution was adopted and Dr. Bagg cast the ballot of the society for Mr. Jones. A ballot for corresponding secretary, the du- ties of which office Mr. Jones at present per- forms, resulted as follows: George D. Dimon, 11; C. W. Darling, 10; S. N. D. North, 3: D. S. Foster, 1; I. J. Gray, 1. Messrs. Dimon and North withdrew from the contest. Another ballot resulted: DarliDg 13, Foster 8, Dimon 4, Hurlburt 1. While a third ballot was being takes, Profes- sor Sawyer notified the society that he would move at the next regular meeting to amend the constitution so as to change the time of meeting from the second Tuesday in the month to the first Monday The third ballot for corresponding secretary resulted in the election of Mr. Darling by the following vote: Darling, 13: D. S. Foster 7- Sawyer, 2; Diraon, 2; Bagg, 1. Dr. Bagg was re-elected recording secre- ret py« securing 18 votes to Colonei Gray's 6 and S. N. D. North's 1. ' On motion of General Darling the secretary was directed to cast the ballot of the soeiety for K. fe. Williams for treasurer. The following were elected members of the ex- ecutive committee: A. Seward, John F Sev- mour S. G. Visscher, Daniel Batchelor, C. W Hutchinson. Several bills were referred to the finance com- mittee. Dr. Bagg stated that last year the society voted to invite Professor Sawyer to deliver his "lecture on < Old Utica." He wae not ready at the time, and later another lecturer was substituted He moved that he read the paper at the next regular meeting. He also moved that Amos O. Osborne of Watemlle be invited to read a history of his town before the society. Mr. Hutchinson reported that Rev. Mr Beau- champ, who read a paper before the society some time ago, was willing to read another on Moaera Customs of Indians." He moved that he be invited at some future time. The three resolutions were adopted. Mr. Jones said it was important that the ros- ter should be disposed of at once. The com- mittee to whom it was referred had allowed the I executive committer to inspect it, and he was directed to present it to the society. Some changes had been made; who made them he did ' not know. He was however willing to accept ' all changes. The changes made were Nicholaus to Nicolaus. George, to Georg, Timmerman, to limmermann.Blauvault to Blauwauldt, Conover F°ni£ f Ve v h ?/ ei V Dookstader to Dachstader, I tS l -,? 01 ^' Mll,er t0 Muller, Konrad to Con- rad, Sillenboch to Silberbach, Westerman to Wesrermann Oyer to Eyer, Kapfernasel to Kopertiell Tne name Pickard was changed to Rucherr. This he did not understand. On motion the name was left as on the oriffin- I al and the report was adopted. Mr. Guelich reported that in the view of the mode of spelling adopted by the society, theGer- mama Industrial society had subscribed $25 toward the monument fund, and the Maen- toS^ffif T S? GermaDS haVe vol ««teer"d to raise $.140 for the purpose. W^?n? n f- Mr,H , ulburt ' Mr - J^es was al- lowed §10 tor his work upon the roster. lhe thanks of the society were extended to »fL r ^"u g .u Vice " presidem - Mr - Hutchinson, after which the meeting adjourned. I Annexation ett to-..*.. ^ 29 Nine bound volumes of the Utica Columbian Gazette, covering in whole or in part, the years 1803, 1805, 1811, 1814, 1822-3-4. Three bound volumes of Utica Sentinel and Gazette, for the years 1828-9, 30- One volume of v -ida Whig, 1834. One volume of Utica Intelligencer, for 1827-8-9-30. One volume of the Elucidator, (incomplete,) 1830-1-2-3-4. Two volumes of the Elucidator, 1830 and 1833. One volume Utica WeeMy Observer, 1837-8. One volume Utica Daily Gazette, 1842. Fifteen volumes Utica Evening Telegraph, 1858 to 1865. One volume Utica Daily JSTews, (for three months,) 1842. Thirty-six volumes Utica Morning Herald, from 1861 to 1878, inclusive. Seventeen volumes, (unbound,) of the Gospel Messenger, Utica, 1855 to 1871. Seventeen volumes New York Daily Tribune, from February 1, 1862, to January 1, 1868. Nine volumes of the Albany Argus, 1833-40. One volume of Albany Gazette, 1812-16. One volume of Albany State Register, 1850-1-2. Six volumes of Richmond Enquirer, 1838-45. The list of miscellaneous newspapers, from a single specimen to a dozen or two, including the Western Centinel, Patriot, the Utica Patriot, Whitestown Gazette and Gators Patrol, the Club, the Western Recorder, Evangelical Magazine, and others from all parts of the world, would be too long for this report. The Historical Magazine, for the first nine years of its publication, is to the searcher after facts in history, among the most valuable works in your library. I would recommend early and persistent efforts to supply the numbers missing. THE PEIECE COLLECTION. A miscellaneous collection of early quarterly and mc nly re- views, religious and literary, from the library of the late Ft- . Isaac Bliss Peirce, of Trenton Falls, will repay an examination. i bun- dle of old sermons and pamphlets, mostly relating to the theo- logical discussions so rife in New England in the last century, is from the same source ; as are also a pitcher commemorating the visit to this country of General La Fayette, "the nation's guest," 30 and another commemorating the completion of the Erie canal, and the long pip?, pipe rest and tobacco box of the late Judge Van der Kemp. THE VAN DER KEMP COLLECTION. Under the head of manuscripts, documents, works of art, the number two hundred and twenty-seven, gives but a faint idea of the extent of the collection. They extend to several thousands. A series of sermons on doctrinal subjects, and the manuscript history of the "Achaian Republic," by the late Judge Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, LL. D., are real gems. A series of letters from Judge Van der Kemp to his friend, Colonel Mappa, detailing the results of his observations, adventures and experiences in a trip from the Hud- son to Oswego, in 1792, throws a great deal of light upon the social, moral and physical condition of this part of the State at that period. The quaint English, the poetry and the enthusiasm of the writer, so recently a refugee on our shores, give these letters a zest not always found in those of explorers. They are found printed as an appendix of an address delivered by John F. Sey- mour, at Trenton, July 4th, 1876. Dr. Van der Kemp was born at Campen, in Netherlands, May 4, 1752, and died at Trenton, September 7, 1829. Born in camp, where his father was an officer of rank, at an early age he became a cadet, and his earlier education had reference to the military profession. Changing his mind, he pursued his education for many years at the schools in Zutphen and Zwolle, and the universities at Groningen, Franequer and Amsterdam. While at the latter, he studied theology, and prepared himself for the Gospel ministry. In 1776, he became pastor of a Baptist church, in Holland, a church which I presume has no synonym in this country. From his pulpit inveighing against the encroachments of the State Church upon the liberties of the people, and opposing all forms of tyranny, he consequently found himself prominent in 1785-6 in the attempted revolution in Holland, and putting in use his early mili- tary training, he was soon in command of a small military force. Overwhelmed by superior numbers, and through the apathy of the people, he with other leaders became prisoners in July, 1786. In December, 1787, he was released, and with letters from Jefferson, John Adams and LaFayette, he soon left Holland and landed in New York, May 4, 1788. After visiting General Washington, Dr. Franklin, Governor Livingston and many other distinguished men, 31 he took up his abode at Esopus, (Kingston,) on the Hudson. From thence, lie removed in 1793 to a place he named Kempwick, on the north shore of Oneida lake, but soon removed to Trenton village, (then Oldenbarneveld.) He was doubtless one of the most pro- found scholars ever a resident of this section, especially in ancient and modern languages, Under the auspices of Governor DeWitt Clinton, he translated most of the Dutch records, contained in over twenty volumes, in the office of our Secretary of State. MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS. The correspondence relating to the Oriskany centennial has found its appropriate place in your library. The handsome volume pre- pared by the chairman of the invitation committee, containing the replies by distinguished men, commencing with President Hayes, forms a collection of autograph letters of much interest. The vol- ume containing names of volunteers and recruits in this county, with names of substitutes and for whom, with full descriptions, for 1863-4 and 5, with a large mass of official documents relating to the re- cruiting service will prove valuable to soldiers and their families. A large number of autograph letters and documents, and a mass of political handbills and circulars of early dates, tend much to enrich the collection. A large number of deeds, mortgages, leases, contracts, surveys, maps, &c, from the papers of the late Judge Sanger, of New Hartford, many of which were never recorded, aside from the historical data they contain, may become useful in future investigation of land titles. For a long period Judge Sanger was extensively interested as owner or agent of lax-ge tracts of land in Oneida, Madison, Chenango, Onondaga and other counties. Jedediah Sanger was born in Massachusetts, February 29, 1751. In 1788 he settled New Hartford, then Whitestown, Mont- gomery county. Residing in New Hartford, he represented Herki- mer, Herkimer and Onondaga and Oneida counties in the Senate and Assembly most of the time from 1794 to 1804. He was first Judge of Herkimer county in 1797, and of Oneida county from 1798 to 1810, though not a lawyer. He died June 6, 1829. THE HEEKTMEE PAPEES. An interesting collection of papers relating to the Herkimer fam- ily, has been presented to the society by H. G. Babcock, of Little Falls, a descriptive account of which has been prepared by Mat- 32 thew D. Bagg, Esq. Although they contain no manuscripts di- rectly from the hand of General Nicholas Herkimer, it is believed to be the fullest collection of papers relating to his family now in existence. The society is anxious to supplement it by additional documents and papers bearing in any way upon the history of the revolution in the Mohawk valley, and especially the part played therein by the Herkimers. INDIAN AND REVOLUTIONARY RELICS. Under the head of relics .and works of art, although a fair beginning has been made, but few articles have been received. Some interesting relics from Oriskany battle field, Forts Stanwix and Bull, old Indian villages in the Mohawk valley, Gettysburg, and other localities are catalogued. With proper effort a large number of Indian relics can be procured. These are fast dis- appearing to grace collections in distant localities, and soon the flint, stone and earthen implements of the Oneidas and Mohawks will be very rare and expensive, and their history and uses will be as little known as those of the mound builders of the west. You will pardon me if I have painted in too high colors ; have been too sanguine, too enthusiastic over the beginnings of the Oneida Historical Society. January 14, 18*79. Respectfully Submitted, M. M. JONES, Librarian. TREASURER'S REPORT. The annual report of the Treasurer, Robert S. Williams, showed a balance on hand of $139.46. .The trcn-aiuxT, Robert S. Williams, sub- bmtfeck nis annual report. It showed the amount on hand at date of last report, $139.46 ; amount since received from all sources, $141.- 45; amount expended during last year, $161.- 54; balance on hand, $119.37. The report showed that 55 members had paid their dues for the year 1879, and that 78 members are upon the books of the society who owe one vcars' dues. V CoyteuUl (?clA> (gUUj^c, r_^r~" 6L^ /// / 7 7 6 //. ^-C-<_<_^-*- i>< PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. Memorial of the Celebration of the Centennial of the Battle of Oriskany: 1877. 2. Historical Fallacies Regarding Colonial New York. Annual Address before the Society, by Major Douglas Campbell: 1879. 3. The Men, Events, Lawyers, Politics and Politicians of Early Eome. Address before the Society, by D. E. Wager: 1879. 4. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, with Constitution, Members, Col- lections, etc.: 1879. Papers and Addresses Read Before the Society. 1. October 29, 1878. Alexander Seward — "The Genealogy of a Utica Newspaper." 2. November 26, 1878. D. E. Wager— "The History of Journalism in Rome." 3. December 10, 1878. S. N. D. North—" The Needs and Purposes of the Oneida Historical Society." 4. December 17, 1878. Alexander Seward—" The History of the Title to the Oriskanv Battle Field." 5. December 31. Alexander Seward—" The Telegraph and the Associated Press." 6. January 14, 1879. Douglas Campbell—" Historical Fallacies Regarding Colonial New York." 7. January 28, 1879. D. E. Wager—" The Men, Events, Lawyers, Politics and Politicians of Early Rome." 8. February 25, 1879. Matthew D. Bagg— " The Herkimer Family Papers." ( G^lJ o~Ya- Cjl^^ c(