t2JiZ .5 MASSxVCHUSETTS SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE REVOLUTION. To Whom it may Concehn: Ou the 30th of March a few gentlemen met at the State House by invitation of W. O. McDowell, Esq., of Xcwark, New Jersey, who represented the Society of the -^ Sous of the Revolution " of that State. He elo- quently told us of the objects of the organization, of its growth in his own and other States, and so impressed were we with the importance of organizing such a society in the Commonwealth whieh holds Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Plill, that a committee was appointed to arrange for a general meeting of the descendants of "heroes of the Kevolution." Such a meeting was held in Trcmont Temple, April 19. The attendance was large beyond expectation, and the meeting enthusiastic. There were present nineteen own sons of Revolutionary sires, grand- sous, great-grandsons, great-great-grandsons, and a few lady descendants. The plan of organization, with Consti- tution and By-Laws, as proposed by a committee, was unanimously adopted, and officers elected, as given below, to serve until the annual meeting, June 17. The fee for membership was fixed at SI. 00, and for annual dues at m.OO. Other matters necessary in completing the organization were referred to the Board of Managers. The Board of Managers met at the Quincy House, April 24. Among the important items of business transacted at this meeting were these, viz., Rev. Heury S. Huntington, of Dorchester, was elected chaplain, L. L. Tarbell of Marlboro, registrar, and John M. Gushing of Duxbnry, director, to fill a vacancy. It was also voted to hold a celebration in connection with the annual meeting, June 17, with addresses and dinner, the expense to be borne by the treasury. Also to instruct the registrar to advertise, to the end that all descendants of Revolutionary sires, however remote their connection, be made acquainted with their privilege of joining the Society; also to procure a suitable diploma, to be given to each member, etc., etc. I have thus concisely given the steps which have led up tu the issuing of this circular, which is done for the information of all into whose han.ls it may fall. And now I urgently request that every reader of this will send me the address of sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, great-great-grandsons, and great-great-^reat-^rand- sous, and there are many of these classes, especially of the second and third class in every man's circle of acquaint- ances, that I may correspond with them at once. All such persons should have the opportunity of becoming members of the Society prior to the celebration in June. It will readily be seen that no sinister motive prompti the above request, or inspires the exhortation to join us. To succinctly show the objects of the organization I quote from the Constitution, which accords with those of other States, as follows: — ARTICLE III. The purpose of the Society is to keep aUve among ourselves and cm- descondauts the patriotic spirit of the men who, m military, naval, or civil service, by their acts or counsel, achieved American Independence; to collect and secure for preservation the manuscript rolls, records, and other documents relating to tlie War of the Revohition- and to promote social intercourse and good feeling among its meniljcrs now and liereafter. .4RTICLE [V. Any person shall be eligible for membership in the Society who is above the ase of tweutv-one ("1) vears -i resident of Massachusetts, and who is descended from an ancestor who, either as a militarv or naval otHcer, soldier sailor or as an official or recognized subordinate in the service of any one of the thirteen original Colonies or States, or'of the National Government representing^ or composed of those Colonies or States, assisted in establishing American Independ- ence during the War of the ]{evohUion, or the descendant of such a Massachusetts ancestor. witl,o„t re-avd to present residence ; and no pers.m other than such shall be eliijible to membership in the Society ~ ' ARTICLE V The officers of the Society shall be a President, a Vice-Pre-iideut, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Eegistrar, a llistoriuu, a Delegate-at-Large, aud a Delegate to the National Society for each 100 or fraction of 100 exceeding 50 mem- bers, provided that each Society shall be entitled to at least one Delegate-at-Large and one Delegate, aud a Board of Man- agers, consisting of those officers ex-offido, and fifteen other members. The President, Vice-President, and the members ■of the Board of Management shall be ineligible for re-election as their own successors. To still further emphasize the importance and illustrate the objects of this Society, I quote from au elo- quent address of J. C. Pumpelly, a distinguished member of the New Jersey Society: — " In this, the Centennial year of the formation of our government, this movement seems especially wise and appropriate, and from this day forth we shall make it our aim to collect aud receive for preservation the genealogical record of every one who joins our ranks, manuscript rolls, and other documents relating to the War of the Revolution, and to inspire as far as we can in tlie l)reasts of our people the patriotic spirit which animated the souls of our forefathers. " Whether a Revolutionary ancestor I)ore the sword or the musket, belonged to the line, or militia, or other- wise aided the cause, each is equally honored. For was it not the brave minute-men. as the great commander himself said, who protected him aud his decimated army with their picket line? The descendants of each are eligible to our ranks. " Eacli old parish in our State has its heroes, and each old church was a shrine at which brave men and women bowed in God's fear, consecrating their all to their country. " Let us see to it that the memories of all are preserved inviolate. To this end let our efl'orts lie united and our influence inspiriting and ennobling. " As a Society having so worthy a cause, we. its members, must not only he de