Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society
Massachusetts Historical Society | Clark, John Spencer, 1835-1920. Lamon's life of Lincoln | Morse, John Torrey, 1840-1937. Lord Charnwood's Life of Abraham Lincoln
#/ *v. *J * ' ' * ^L^.^'i^'.*^ ^1 l?% ^Jfr >C^I> - ^&ik^^ IB* W: ' m * * t if i^^E ' W fij£ m gJ / Gc 974.4 M386p Ser.l - : r X »£ m *st *< * * 1 ?SI W -X*i%Mi 1S^ 0--*. i^j^i a* IE* 'M M w. tfi> I ^V, > & T* D- **fc ?S2 Ui. ■■' - h K r A t *£4rm .'$^ V' * SENEAL.OGV COL.LECTION Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/proceedingsofmass1v7mass PROCEEDINGS MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. PROCEEDINGS assatjjngett* Historical Sfooetg. s& \ t V.13T 1863-1864. BOSTON: PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY M.DCCC.LXIV. BOSTON: PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON AND SON, 15, Water Street. PREFATORY NOTE. 1128338 This volume contains the Proceedings of the Massachu- setts Historical Society, — with the exception of such as relate to its private business, — from the Annual Meeting in April, 1863, to the stated Monthly Meeting in September, 1864, inclusive. The Society is indebted to the respective families of Luther V Bell, M.D., LL.D., and the Rev. Charles Mason, D.D., for the Portraits which accompany the Memoirs of those esteemed members. The historical portion of this volume is published at the charge of the " Appleton Fund." CHARLES DEANE, For the Committee of Publication. Boston, Dec. 1. 1864. Committee of Publication. CHARLES DEANE. WILLIAM G. BROOKS. GEORGE LIVERMORE. HENRY A. WHITNEY. OFFICERS OF THK MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Elected April 14, 1864. HON. ROBERT C. W1NTHROP, LL.D Boston. JARED SPARKS, LL.D Cambridge. COL. THOMAS ASPINWALL, A.M Boston. lUcorbing J^ecretarg. CHARLES DEANE, A.M Cambridge. Coraspcmbmg Swwtarg. REV. CHANDLER ROBBINS, D.D '. . Boston. treasurer. HON. RICHARD FROTHINGHAM, A.M Charlestown. librarian. THOMAS C. AMORY, Jun., A.M Boston. Cabmd-Jbeper. SAMUEL A. GREEN, M.D Boston. SSianbmg Commrtiw. WILLIAM G. BROOKS, Esq < * . . Boston. REV. GEORGE E. ELLIS, D.D Charlestown. HON. HORACE GRAY, Jun., A.M Boston. CHARLES E. NORTON, A.M Cambridge. LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, A.M.* Newton. * See pages 363, 375. RESIDENT MEMBERS. AT THE DATE OF THE PUBLICATION OF THIS VOLUME, IN THE ORDER OF THEIR ELECTION. Hon. James Savage, LL.D. Hon. Edward Everett, LL.D. Rev. William Jenks, D.D. Jared Sparks, LL.D. Joseph E. Worcester, LL.D. Joseph Willard, A.M. Rev. Joseph B. Felt, LL.D. George Ticknor, LL.D. Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, LL.D. Hon. Charles Francis Adams, LL.D. Rev. George E. Ellis, D.D. Hon. John C. Gray, LL.D. Rev. Nathl. L. Frothingham, D.D. Hon. George S. Hillard, LL.D. Hon. William Minot, A.M. Hon. Peleg W. Chandler, A.M. Rev. George W. Blagden, D.D. Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D.D. Hon. Solomon Lincoln, A.M. Rev. Chandler Robbins, D.D. Francis Bowen, A.M. John Langdon Sibley, A.M. Hon. Richard Frothingham, A.M. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M.D. Henry Wheatland, M.D. Hon. David Sears, A.M. Thomas H. Webb, M.D. Charles Deane, A.M. George Livermore, A.M. Francis Parkman, A.B. Ellis Ames, A.M. Hon. John H. Clifford, LL.D. William Brigham, A.B. Hon. Emory Washburn, LL.D. Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop, D.D. Rev. William Newell, D.D. Hon. Lorenzo Sabine, A.M. Col. Thomas Aspinwall, A.M. Rev. John S. Barry, A.M. John A. Lowell, LL.D. Lucius M. Sargent,. A.M. J. Lothrop Motley, LL.D. George R. Russell, LL.D. Hon. Charles H. Warren, A.M. Rev. James Walker, D.D. Rev. Edmund H. Sears, A.B. Oliver Wendell Holmes, M.D. Henry W. Longfellow, LL.D. Rev. Frederic H. Hedge, D.D. Jacob Bigelow, M.D. Hon. George T. Davis, A.B. Hon. Stephen Salisbury, A.M. Henry Austin Whitney, A.M. Rev. William S. Bartlet, A.M. Josiah G. Holland, M.D. Rev. Charles Brooks, A.M. Leverett Saltonstall, A.M. Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, A.M. RESIDENT MEMBERS. IX Samuel F. Haven, A.M. Hon. Richard H. Dana, jun., A.M. Hon. Levi Lincoln, LL.D. Joseph Palmer, M.D. Hon. George Tyler Bigelow, LL.D. Hon. Caleb Cushing, LL.D. Henry W. Torrey, A.M. Hon. Joel Parker, LL.D. Williams Latham, A.B. Hon. Charles Hudson, A.M. Rev. Robert C. Waterston, A.M. Hon. Theophilus Parsons, LL.D. Thomas C. Amory, jun., A.M. Hon. Benjamin F. Thomas, LL.D. Samuel A. Green, M.D.. Hon. James M. Robbins. Charles Eliot Norton, A.M. Hon. John J. Babson. Robert Bennett Forbes, Esq. Rev. Edward E. Hale, A.M. Rev. Andrew P. Peabody, D.T). Hon. Theron Metcalf, LL.D. William G. Brooks, Esq. Hon. Horace Gray, jun., A.M. Hon. Charles G. Loring, LL.D. Charles Folsom, A.M. Amos A. Lawrence, A.M. Rev. Edwards A. Park, D.D. Charles Sprague, A.M. Rev. William A. Stearns, D.D. Francis E. Parker, A.B. William H. Whitmore, Esq. Geo. B. Emerson, LL.D. James R. Lowell, A.M. Rev. Nicholas Hoppin, D.D. Nathaniel Thayer, Esq. John G. Whittier, A.M. Erastus B. Bigelow, A.M. William C. Endicott, A.B. Hon. Eben Rockwood Hoar, LL.D. HONORARY AND CORRESPONDING MEMBERS, ELECTED UNDER THE ORIGINAL ACT OF INCORPORATION, 1794, IN THE ORDER OF THEIR ELECTION. Rev. Eliphalet Nott, D.D. Hon. Gulian C. Verplanck, LL.D. Don Manuel Moreno, M.D. Rev. John Hutchinson. Thomas C. Haliburton, D.C.L. Hon. Lewis Cass, LL.D. Theodore Dwight, A.M. M. Cesar Moreau. Erastus Smith, Esq. Joshua Francis Fisher, A.M. T. A. Moerenhout, Esq. Usher Parsons, M.D. Hon. George Folsom, A.M. Rev. Luther Halsey, D.D. John Disney, Esq. Rev. Francis Lister Hawks, D.D. Rev. Leonard Bacon, D.D. M. Henri Ternaux-Compans. George Catlin, Esq. John Winthrop, Esq. Dom Joaquim Jose da Costa de Macedo. Israel K. Tefft, Esq. Hon. David L. Swain, LL.D. Hon. James M. Wayne, LL.D. M. Hall McAllister, Esq. Rt. Rev. William B. Stevens, D.D. Henry Black, LL.D., C.B. Rev. Charles Burroughs, D.D. Richard Almack, F.S.A. Sir Archibald Alison, Bart., D.C.L. Lieut.-Col. James D. Graham. Robert Lemon, F.S.A. John Romeyne Brodhead, A.M. Major E. B. Jarvis. E. George Squier, Esq. Miss Frances Manwaring Caulk ins. Thomas Donaldson, Esq. Hon. George Bancroft, LL.D. J. Hammond Trumbull, Esq. Robert Bigsby, LL.D. James Ricker, jun., Esq. Henry Stevens, Esq. Cyrus Eaton, A.M. Hon. William Willis, A.M. Frederick Griffin, Esq. John Carter Brown, A.M. Hon. Elijah Hay ward. HONORARY AND CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. XI Rev. William S. Southgate. Hon. Samuel G. Arnold, A.M. Hon. Charles S. Daveis, LL.D. John Gilmary Shea, Esq. James Lenox, Esq. Rt. Rev. the Bishop of Oxford, D.D. Winthrop Sargent, A.M. Earl Stanhope, D.C.L. Hon. William C. Rives, LL.D. Hon. Peter Force. Hon. John R. Bartlett, A.M. Samuel Eliot, A.M. G. P. Faribault, Esq. William Paver, Esq. HONORARY AND CORRESPONDING MEMBERS, ELECTED SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE ACT OF 1857. Honorary. Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot, LL.D. Count Jules de Menou. Hon. Edward Coles. Baron Charles Dupin. M. Francois A. A. Mignet. Count Adolphe de Circourt. Hon. Horace Binney, LL.D. The Very Rev. Henry Hart Milman D.D. William C. Bryant, LL.D. Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott, LL.D. Count Agenor de Gasparin. Hon. Millard Fillmore, LL.D. George Grote, D.C.L. M. Edouard Rene Lef&bre Labou- laye. Maj.-Gen. John A. Dix. Corresponding. Rev. William B. Sprague, D.D. Rev. Samuel Osgood, D.D. William Durrant Cooper, F.S.A. E. B. O'Callaghan, M.D. Buckingham Smith, Esq. Benjamin F. French, Esq. Francis Lieber, LL.D. William H. Trescot, Esq. Richard Hildreth, A.B. Dr. J. G. Kohl. Hon. Albert G. Greene. Hon. John P. Kennedy, LL.D. Hon. George P. Marsh, LL.D. Benjamin R. Winthrop, Esq. J. Carson Brevoort, Esq. The Ven. Lord Arthur Hervey. Horatio Gates Somerby, Esq. George H. Moore, Esq. Hon. William R. Staples, A.M. Hon. Hugh Blair Grigsby, LL.D. W. Noel Sainsbury, Esq. S. Austin Allibone, LL.D. William Winthrop, Esq. Henry T. Parker, A.M. Rev. Leonard Woods, D.D. Benson J. Lossing, Esq. Lyman C. Draper, Esq. Rt. Rev. George Burgess, D.D. George Washington Greene, A.M. Rev. William G. Eliot, D.D. Henry B. Dawson, Esq. John Foster Kirk, Esq. Prof. Goldwin Smith, LL.D. MEMBERS DECEASED. The following named Resident, Honorary and Corresponding Mem- bers have died since the publication of the last volume of Proceedings, April 1, 1863: — Hon. Josiah Quincy, LL.D. Rev. Convers Francis, D.D. Rev. Alvan Lamson, D.D. Resident. Frederic Tudor, Esq. Hon. William Sturgis George Sumner, Esq. Honorary and Corresponding. Benjamin Silliman, LL.D. Carl Christian Rafn, P.D. Rev. Benjamin Tappan, D.D. George Atkinson Ward, Esq. Thomas C. Grattan, Esq. Rev. Joseph Romilly, A.M. Lord Lyndhurst, D.C.L. Hon. John J. Crittenden, LL.D. Hon. Robt. Hallowell Gardiner, A.M. Hon. Luther Bradish, LL.D. PROCEEDINGS MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY, ANNUAL MEETING, April 9, 18G3. rpHE Society held its annual meeting this day, J- Thursday, April 9, at eleven o'clock, a.m. ; the President, Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, in the chair. Donations were announced from the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York ; the Essex Institute ; the Royal University of Norway ; the Ver- mont Historical Society ; the Young Men's Mercantile Library Association of Cincinnati ; John Appleton, M.D. ; Rev. Caleb D. Bradlee ; John H. Bufford, Esq. ; Hon. John Cradlebaugh ; George T. Curtis, Esq. ; John W. Dean, Esq. ; J. Francis Fisher, Esq. ; Peter Force, Esq. ; B. P. Johnson, Esq. ; Thomas S. Kirkbride, M.D. ; L. A. Huguet-Latour, Esq. ; Benson J. Lossing, Esq. ; Henry Phillips, jun., Esq. ; John R. Bart- lett, Esq.; Benjamin S. Shaw, M.D. ; Hon. William Willis ; Hon. Henry Wilson ; and from Messrs. Bartlet, Brooks (W. G.), Deane, Folsom, Robbins (C), Sibley, Webb, and Winthrop, of the Society. l 2 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. [APRIL, In the absence of the Corresponding Secretary, the Recording Secretary communicated a letter of accept- ance from Count Agenor de Gasparin of Switzerland. The President remarked as follows : — At the last monthly meeting, a new volume of Collections was laid on our table, of which many of you already have copies. At this, our annual meeting, a new volume of Proceedings is ready for delivery, containing many valuable memoirs and miscellaneous papers, with not a few interesting illustrations, engraved or lithographed. Our thanks are especially due to our faithful and devoted Recording Secre- tary for preparing and publishing this volume with so much despatch. It brings the record down to the close of the very last meeting ; so that henceforth we may follow the example of some of our sister societies, in having our Proceedings printed in serial pages or numbers from month to month, if the Committee on this subject shall think it wise to do so. In the brief interval which has elapsed between the dates of these two volumes, our Honorary Roll has been deprived of a name which must not be suffered to disappear from it with- out a passing tribute. I refer to that of the Hon. James Louis Petigru of Charleston, S.C., whose death has recently been noticed in the public journals. Mr. Petigru was the President of the Historical Society of South Carolina, before which he delivered an eloquent inaugural discourse a few years since. He was elected an Honorary Member of our own Society in February, 1861 ; and his formal acceptance was announced by our Corresponding Secretary at the following March meeting. The pleasant personal relations with Mr. Petigru which I had enjoyed many years previously, and the interest which I took in his course at that critical period of our public affairs, induced me to write to him immediately after his election; and I have brought his reply here to-day, in the assurance that 1863.] LETTER OF JAMES LOUIS PETIGBU. 3 the Society would be pleased to hear the following brief extracts from it : — Charleston, Feb. 25, 1861. My dear Sir, — Nothing could exceed the kindness of your note giving me notice of the honor done me by the Massachusetts Historical Society. To be chosen for a colleague and an associate by such a Society is a distinction of which anybody might be proud ; but it is rendered much more flattering by the way it is announced. I remember with the greatest distinctness the hours which I passed so many years ago in the house of your venerable father, as well as under your own hospitable roof. . . . How willingly I would make any sacrifice that might avert from our common country the consequences of that miserable discord that now prevails between communities that ought for ever to be united ! I say miserable ; for such we may certainly deem a controversy odious to the best men on either side. History will adjust hereafter the degree of reprobation due to each party ; but I venture to say, that, whatever may be thought of the motives of the actors, their folly will be as much the subject of wonder as of censure. We are here in such a disturbed condition, that the things that are going to happen in a week are as uncertain as if they belonged to a distant future. With great anxiety for a peaceful solution of difficulties, but with very little hope, I am, my dear sir, very truly and sincerely yours, J. L. Petigru. The Hon. E. C. Winthrop. This letter was written more than two months after South Carolina had adopted her Ordinance of Secession, and only six or seven weeks before the bombardment of Fort Sumter. But Mr. Petigru was not of a complexion to be moved from his firm devotion to the cause of the Union, either by any thing which had been done, or by any thing which it was proposed to do. He had stood fast for the Union in the days of Nullification, thirty years before ; and had resisted alike every temptation and every menace which could be employed to induce him to swerve from his loyalty to the Constitution of the United States. We might almost hear him saying to the abettors of this later conspiracy, " Contempsi Catalinse 4 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. [APRIL, gladios, non pertimescam tuos." He stood fast for the Union again in these days of Secession and Rebellion, in defiance of all intimidations or blandishments ; and if the wisdom and virtue and eloquence and patriotism of any one man (for he seemed to stand almost alone in the community in which he lived) could have availed any thing to arrest the madness of those around him, and to avert the dreadful catastrophe of civil war, the example, the influence, and the appeals of Mr. Petigru would not have been lost. It is not my purpose to go further into his personal his- tory or his public life on this occasion. A great lawyer, an admirable orator, an accomplished, virtuous, and brave man, rich in all the qualities and resources which rendered him the most delightful of companions and the most valued of friends, he has left a name and a fame which would adorn the annals of any land or any age. But I have desired to recall him here to-day only as one who had twice signalized his devotion to the American Union under circumstances and in a manner which must secure him the grateful remembrance of all to whom that Union is dear. He died before the worst results of this deplorable Rebellion had fallen upon the city of his residence in the struggle which is probably at this moment in progress ; and his friends may well feel that he was kindly and mercifully " taken away from the evil to come." And now, gentlemen, before closing these introductory words, it devolves upon me, most unexpectedly, to notice a still nearer and more recent loss which our Society has met with. The grave has not yet closed upon one of our most esteemed and respected Resident Members, whose death, though not unexpected by his immediate friends, has taken many of us by surprise. The Rev. Convers Francis, D.D., was elected a member of this Society in 1831 ; and his name stands ninth in order of seniority on the revised roll of the volume which is still wet 1863.] THE LATE REV. CONVERS FRANCIS, D.D. 5 from the press. He was for sixteen or seventeen years one of our Standing Committee, and assisted in the preparation of at least four volumes of our Collections. He has repeatedly contributed valuable papers to our volumes, and has exhi- bited a constant and earnest interest in the cause in which we are associated. It will be for others to dwell on his fidelity as a pastor, his eminence as a professor, his acquire- ments as a scholar, and on those personal virtues and excel- lences which endeared him to those among whom he lived. I will only trespass further by offering, in behalf of the Standing Committee, the following resolution : — Resolved, That we have learned with deep regret the death of our esteemed and respected associate, the Rev. Convers Francis, D.D. ; and that the President be requested to appoint one of our number to prepare a Memoir of him for a future volume of our Proceedings. Dr. Hedge, in seconding the resolution, spoke sub- stantially as follows : — Mr. President, — I have been requested, as one associated with Dr. Francis in the work of instruction at the Divinity School in Cambridge, to say a few words by way of response to your official announcement of his decease. I am not prepared to speak of him as I would, not knowing that the subject would come before us at this meeting ; but this I am prepared to say, that in Dr. Francis our Society and this community have lost one of the ripest and best scholars in the land. In theological learning, and especially in a thorough knowledge of the literature of theology, he had, I think, no superior among us. Immediately on taking his Bachelor's degree at Cambridge in 1815, he began his preparation for the work of the Chris- tian ministry ; and entered at once on a course of theological study, in which he labored with a diligence and a zeal that never slacked until his death. It chanced that the com- 6 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. [APRIL, mencement of Ills career was the .date of a new era of theological science in this country. It coincided with the first introduction, into these parts, of the study of the lan- guage and literature of Germany. Previous to that date, there was hardly an individual in all this community who had read a German book. It was wholly an unknown tongue. But, from various causes, about that time there commenced among scholars an interest in, and a sedulous study of, the German ; among theologians especially, a study of German theology. Dr. Francis was one of the first to engage in this pursuit : he applied himself with all diligence to the study of the language ; and soon became, in the department of German theology, one of the best read scholars in the country. While thoroughly versed in the German, he did not neglect the theological literature of other languages, especially the English, in all the departments and epochs of which he was perfectly at home. He was a good classical scholar at the same time ; a diligent reader of Latin and Greek ; to which he added a considerable familiarity with French literature, and a competent knowledge of the Italian. Much has been said of the extraordinary acquirements and vast learning of the late Theodore Parker. I am far from wishing to question or qualify his title to such repute : at the same time, I am able to affirm, from personal knowledge, that Mr. Parker was largely indebted for aid in his studies to Dr. Francis ; who, however, was far from sharing Mr. Parker's theological views. As a preacher, Dr. Francis, in the earlier part of his pro- fessional life, had a high reputation in the churches of his communion in this vicinity. I well remember, that, during the years of my college-life, there was no preacher whom we students welcomed more gladly in the pulpit of the College Chapel ; and I believe there were few who were more acceptable in the churches of the neighboring towns. He 1863.] THE LATE REV. CONVERS FEANCTS, D.I). 7 was then minister of the territorial parish of Watertown, to which he was called immediately on entering the ministry, — I think, in 1818, — and where he remained until he was made theological professor at Cambridge ; a period of twenty- three years. In his discharge of the duties of his professorship, and in his connection with the Divinity School, he was uniformly and eminently faithful and conscientious, thorough in his investigation, and unwearied in the presentation and illustra- tion of the topics which belonged to his department of in- struction. The students who came under his care could not but respect his devotedness and indefatigable industry ; and many a young man has been indebted to him for impulses which have given a healthy stimulus and a right direction to his future life. In social relations, he was a warm friend and a genial companion to those who were intimate with him, but not what you would call a popular man. It has often seemed to me, Mr. President, that all men have not full justice done to them in this world, in all respects. There are certain quite extrinsic qualities which throw their lustre over the whole man, and, where they appear, insure success. Graces of manner, a personal charm, a winning address, — these are attributes which secure popularity and command good-will ; and the individual in whom these are wanting, however venerable in moral excellence, and however rich in intel- lectual gifts, is seldom appreciated according to his desert. Dr. Francis's retired habits, his modesty and reserve, pre- cluded a wide popularity ; but all who were blessed with his friendship, and all who enjoyed his near acquaintance, will retain the indelible impression of his solid worth as a scholar and a man. Dr. Ellis also paid a brief tribute to his late associate, in the following terms : — 8 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. [APRIL, It is not from any omission in the substance, or of heartiness. and simple sincerity in what has just been spoken, that I add a few words. I could not be wholly silent ; and should wish, at least, to express my full sympathy with that appreciative tribute which has just been paid to one with whom the speaker and myself, besides sharing together the privileges of this pleasant fellowship, were also associated in sacred duties in the University. The remains of our late esteemed associate now lie in his home, awaiting burial to-morrow. The son and daughter, constituting the surviving remnant of his family, shrink from any publicity in his obsequies ; and therefore it is the more becoming that we should make this recognition of our respect for his pure character, and of his claims upon our gratitude for the long and fruitful service of his well-filled life. Such gifts of mind, and such opportu- nities of culture, as had been granted to him, — and they were of generous measure, — were most religiously improved by him. He turned them in very many ways to the benefit of a wide circle of friends and pupils whom he was privi- leged to influence. His quiet, private hours were spent among his books, and in deep, thoughtful musings, that he might bring from them aids and means for the knowledge and the application of truth. Though his studies engaged him very much with the past, he lived in the living world, and sought to leave the impression of his honest and deep convictions of the right and the good, and to impart his own loyalty of faith and purpose to his contemporaries around him. It is well known to his friends, that his principles and his feelings alike engaged him with quite an ardent interest, as well in the most advanced discussions opened by the free thought of our age as in the agitations of practical reform. He was, however, a reverent pleader for a healthful con- servatism in the beliefs and usages of true piety; and his philanthropy never led him to bitterness or passionate invective, even against what he hated most. Knowing, as 1863.] DONATION FROM THE HON. WILLIAM BTURGIS. 9 some of us do, how intense were the elements of zeal with in him, we may claim it as no little to his praise, that his deportment and his utterance were characterized by a dignified moderation. The method of his discharge from the congenial labors of so many years as a theological professor was very gentle and very merciful. It -seemed to us that he was not aware that the weakness which so rapidly enfeebled him, so mani- festly indicated the near closing of his life. He spoke of it, and he appeared in cheerful hopefulness to think of it, as if it was to be a means of recuperation for continued work ; requiring, while it lasted, not a cessation, but only a varia- tion in the way of doing that work. When he could no longer go to his recitation-room, he received his classes in his own study. He said he could not live unless he did his work. And so it proved. Work and life stopped together. He was spared all the pains and discomforts of a lingering decay. His last conscious hours found him cheerful and sociable at his household table. A few days of unconscious truce with death intervened, and his spirit passed away. The resolution was then unanimously adopted. Mr. Washburn, from the Committee appointed to " advise with the Treasurer in regard to the funds of the Society, and to make any investment of the same which they may deem advisable," reported a Declaration of Trust, which, together with the votes and orders attached to the same, was unanimously accepted and adopted. The President made the gratifying announcement, that in addition to the sums which had been invested, from the Appleton Fund and the Dowse Fund, in the Society's building, he had just received from our asso- ciate, the Hon. William Sturgis, a check for eleven 2 10 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. [APRIL, hundred and ninety-seven dollars, — being the whole amount necessary to the discharge of the mortgage on said real estate ; and that the edifice is now the property of the Society, with no other encumbrance except such as is imposed by the Society's obligations to its own trust-funds. Voted, That the thanks of the Society be presented to the Hon. William Sturgis for his liberal and timely donation. The Chairman of the Standing Committee presented his Annual Report, which was accepted. Report of the Standing Committee. In compliance with the requisition of the By-laws, the Standing Committee of the Massachusetts Historical Society submit their Annual Report : — Charged with the oversight and promotion of the interests of the Society, and the general management of its affairs, the Committee have endeavored to be faithful to that high trust. The record for the year contains no events, affecting the prosperity of the Society, its usefulness, or its means of use- fulness, of such magnitude and marked importance as some that have occurred, and may be found in the records of the last seven or eight years ; yet it has been a year of prosperity, of increased interest and valuable labors on the part of the members, and of generous contributions from our friends. The first duty with which the Committee stand charged in the By-laws is the nominations to fill vacancies in the lists of Resident Members : and this is rightly placed first, as one of the most important and responsible of its duties ; for upon the character of its members will depend the character, the labors, and the progressive usefulness, of the Society. There ought not to be any drones in a society constituted 1863.] REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE. ] 1 like this. The symbol on its seal is significant of this idea ; and was for this reason, probably, adopted by the founders of the Society. There are few, if any, honors in this world that do not carry with them a corresponding weight of obliga- tion ; and, if it be an honor to be a member of this Society, it should be regarded as carrying with it an obligation to do something, according to power and opportunity, in advancing its interests and usefulness. In general, it is so regarded ; and yet, among some whose names are upon our roll of mem- bers, there is room, perhaps, for improvement in this respect. In making their nominations, the Committee — while they have allowed no bias of sect or party, political or religious, to influence them, and have duly considered all scholarly and gentlemanly qualifications — have also laid some stress upon the question, whether the candidate would be a working member of the Society, and thereby confer, as well as receive, honor ; and their decisions, after the most careful delibera- tion, have been largely determined by their judgment upon this point. Two Kesident Members have been nominated during the past }7ear, and they have been elected ; two — Hon. Nathan Hale, and Rev. Convers Francis, Parkman Pro- fessor in the Divinity School at Cambridge — have died ; leaving the number of Resident Members, at this date, ninety- five. Of our Honorary Members, two have died during the year, — M. Edme Francois Jomard, and James Louis Petigru of South Carolina, — and two have been added by election to the list ; leaving the present number of Honorary Members fifteen. No death has occurred among the Corresponding Mem- bers during the year, while three persons have been added to the list ; making the number of Corresponding Members thirty. The old list of Honorary and Corresponding Members, chosen before the late alteration in the charter, has fifty-one names : so that the whole number of persons now connected with the Society, as Resident, Honorary, or Corresponding Members, is a hundred and ninety-one. 12 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. [APRIL, The next duty with which the Standing Committee is charged by the By-laws is to pay the current expenses of the Society ; drawing on the Treasurer, from time to time, for such sums as may be necessary for that purpose. During the past year, — owing to the publication of two volumes (one of Collections, and one of Proceedings), and the arrangements made for procuring a considerable increase of shelf-room, the binding of a considerable number of volumes, and other improvements connected with the library, — these expenses have been large ; but the increase in the value of the stocks held by the Society, and the large income from some of them, have enabled the Treasurer to meet all the demands upon him. As the Treasurer's Report — always a correct and carefully prepared document — will present all the details, the Committee need do little more than congratulate the Society on its financial condition, which was never better than at this moment. At the sug- gestion of the President, the question, whether it would not be well to take advantage of the high price of certain stocks to change some of the investments of the Society in a way to promote its permanent interests, was brought before the con- sideration of the Society some months ago, and subsequently referred to the discretionary action of a Special Committee. Through the authority thus given, the Bowditch Donation, the Dowse Fund, and the Appleton Fund, which were held in manufacturing shares, have been invested in the Society's building ; the shares having been sold at a large advance upon the valuation under which they became our property. The sums realized from these sales, with the addition of a donation of eleven hundred dollars, made for the purpose by our esteemed associate, Hon. William Sturgis, have enabled the Treasurer to pay off the whole mortgage on their build- ing, which the Society now owns free of all encumbrance outside of itself. The general care of the library and museum, and the 1863.] REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE. 13 examination of each at the close of the year, and a report on the same, is the next duty which is incumbent upon the Com- mittee. In the discharge of this duty, the Committee have made some changes, and provided some additional shelves; and thus made all our books accessible to an extent which they regard as a great improvement. The Committee examined the library, as required, on Monday last, and found every book in its place save two ; one of which is accounted for, and the other is missing. The number, character, and value of the accessions re- ceived during the past year, and all other particulars respect- ing the condition of the library, will be given, it is presumed, in the Annual Report of the Librarian. In regard to the museum, or cabinet of curiosities, that portion of it in cases in the next room is appropriately arranged, and in good condition. In the small room at the right of the stairs, on the next story, there is a large collec- tion of various things, some of them curious and valuable, not arranged with much order, for want of room. It is hoped that when the close of the war permits the return of our Cabinet-keeper, Dr. Green, these things may be so arranged as to provide for their better exhibition, and thus for a more intelligent and just appreciation of them. The Committee are further charged with the duty of sug- gesting such business as they may deem it advisable to bring before the Society, and facilitating its transaction ; a duty which they are confident has been discharged to the unquali- fied and grateful satisfaction of all, through the honored President of the Society. The meetings through the year have been interesting, and, in general, well attended. The change in the hour, made two or three months ago, from twelve, noon, to eleven, a.m., seems to have been acceptable. The attendance has been some- what larger, and the proceedings less hurried ; and, so far as 14 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. [APRIL, can be judged from a brief experience, it will be well to continue to hold the meetings at this hour. In the appropriate work of the Society, in the way of his- torical investigation and the presentation of its results, one of the most important events of the year, and one that may be justly noticed in this Report, is the very admirable paper prepared by our eminently faithful associate, Mr. George Livermore, on the " Opinions of the Founders of the Republic on Negroes as Slaves, as Citizens, and as Soldiers." Like the paper on the Exchange of Prisoners, prepared by a Committee of which Mr. George T. Curtis was Chairman, last year, this is a most important historical document, bearing directly, in its facts and principles, upon questions of deep interest occu- pying the attention of the public mind, and facilitating their settlement. If some one of our associates could or would now, with equal thoroughness and in the same calm and generous spirit, prepare another historical research into the opinions of the founders of the Republic upon the subject of State Rights, and the power of the Federal Government as affecting them, this Society would, in the course of three years, have made most valuable contributions to the political history of the country, and thrown light upon questions lying at the bottom of our present national difficulties. Mr. Liver- more's paper was most beautifully printed and largely circu- lated at his own expense, and has excited much attention throughout the country. It is now printed by the Society in the fourth volume of Proceedings, — copies of which are on the Society's table this morning, — a volume equal, in the interest and variety of its contents, to either of the three which have preceded, and, in its arrangement and execution, marked by the perfect taste and accuracy which distinguish every volume that is published under the inspection of our excellent Secretary. But the most important event in the work of the Society is the publication of another volume of Collections, the sixth in the Fourth Series. This volume 1863.] REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE. 15 has been carefully prepared under the auspices of the Hon. President of the Society, the Rev. Dr. Robbins, and Mr. Charles Deane, as Publishing Committee ; and is, perhaps, one of the most interesting and valuable volumes the Society has ever published. It contains a selection from the correspondence of Governor John Winthrop of Massachusetts, and from his son, John Winthrop, jun., Governor of Connecticut ; and in this correspondence are to be found letters from very many of the prominent individuals of that day interested in American affairs. This volume, besides many from several other per- sons, and none of them ever published before, contains sixty letters of Roger Williams, forty-nine of Emanuel Downing, and twenty-six of Edward Howes. At the close of the volume are plates with facsimiles of the autographs of the writers, and of the seals used by them, that have been preserved. Most of the letters were written during the lifetime of the first Gover- nor Winthrop, and afford numerous and important illustra- tions of the character and action of the early settlers of New England, and of their friends and correspondents in Europe ; but the whole period embraced in the letters printed in this volume extends from 1613 to 1675. It was the purpose of the Standing Committee to prepare a little circular, calling the attention of the public to this volume, and to the whole of the Society's Collections, in such a way as to increase the sale of them ; but, having failed to do so through the pres- sure of other duties, they hope that work will be done by their successors in such a way that the volumes of Collections now published through the proceeds of the Appleton Fund, without expense to the Society, may, through the sale of them, become a source of income. There have been sold during the year four whole sets of Collections, a hundred and forty-one of single volumes ; the amount of the sales being $595.09. Respectfully submitted for the Committee. S. K. Lothrop, Chairman. Historical Rooms, April 9, 1863. 1G MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. [April, The Treasurer presented his Annual Report in print, which was accepted. Annual Report of the Treasurer. The Treasurer of the Massachusetts Historical Society presents the following statement of its financial condi- tion : — GENERAL ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL, 1863. DEBITS. Interest to Suffolk Savings Bank $1,571.31 John Appleton's Salary 849.96 George Arnold's Salary 549.98 Insurance 367.50 Boston Taxes ". 210.00 Sundries 383.75 Massachusetts Historical Trust-fund 120.00 Suffolk Savings Institution: — Investment of Appleton Fund 12,203.00 Investment of Dowse Fund 10,000.00 Balance of Society note of $27,500 2,597.00 Balance to new Account 270.21 $29,122.71 CREDITS. Balance of Account of 1862 $126.62 Kent of Suffolk Savings Institution 2,200.00 Income of Dowse Fund 600.00 Assessments 385.00 Admission Fees 30.00 Sales of Society's Publications 595.09 Tax of Suffolk Savings Bank 210.00 Copyright on Sales of " Life of John Quincy Adams " . . 1.20 Dividends on one Share in Cotton Mills 300.00 One Share of Cotton Mills 1,150.00 Net Proceeds of manufacturing Stocks, constituting the Appleton Fund 12,203.00 Note of Edward Hyde and O. W. Watris, constituting the Dowse Fund 10,000.00 Hon. William Sturgis, donation to discharge the Mortgage on the Society Building 1,197.00 Return Premiums on Insurance Policy 124.80 $29,122.71 1863.] treasurer's report. 17 THE APPLETON FUND. This fund consisted of ten thousand dollars, presented to the Society, Nov. 18, 1854, by the executors of the will of the late Samuel Appleton, on the condition that its income be applied to the purchase, preservation, and publication of historical material. It was received from the executors in ten shares of manufacturing stocks. These stocks were sold in February and March ; and the net proceeds, amount- ing to twelve thousand two hundred and three dollars, were invested in the real estate of the Society, according to the declaration of trust on file, and recorded in the Register of Deeds' office, book 827, p. 63. Volumes three, four, five, and six, of the Fourth Series of the Society's Collections, were printed from the income of this fund, and a portion of the Society's Proceedings. Account ending April, 1863. DEBITS. John Wilson and Son, printing Sixth Volume of Fourth Series of Collections $879.33 Kilburn and Mallory, engraving 130.00 John Wilson and Son, printing 604.78 Balance in Treasurer's hands 1,351.51 $2,965.62 CREDITS. Balance of Account of 1862 $935.62 Dividends on 2 Shares Stark Mills 300.00 ,, 2 ,, Amoskeag Mills 500.00 „ 1 Share Hamilton 200.00 Appleton „ 300.00 Suffolk (sold with March Dividend on) 40.00 Massachusetts Cotton Mills .... 300.00 Manchester Print-works 250.00 Merrimack Company 140.00 $2,965.62 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL TRUST-FUND. This fund consists of two thousand dollars, presented to the Society, Oct. 15, 1855, by Hon. David Sears; the annual 3 18 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. [APRIL, income of which may be expended in certain specified ob- jects, as the Society may by special vote direct. It is invested in the real estate of the Society. Account to April, 1863. DEBITS. Balance in the Treasurer's hands $390.57 $390.57 CREDITS. Balance of Account of 1862 $270.57 Income to March 1, 1863 120.00 $390.57 THE DOWSE FUND. This fund, of ten thousand dollars, was presented to the Society, April, 1857, by the executors of the will of the late Thomas Dowse ; and it was invested in a note signed by Ed- ward Hyde and O. W. Watris, secured by mortgage on real estate. This note was paid on the 7th of April, 1863; and the whole fund was then invested in the real estate of the Society. PROPERTY OP THE SOCIETY. The Estate on Tremont Street. — The Society purchased, March 6, 1833, of the Provident Savings Institution, the se- cond story and one-half of the attic story of this building, for $6,500 ; and on the 13th of March, 1856, the remainder of the interest of this institution, for $35,000. A portion of this was paid by subscription ; and, for the remainder, the Society mortgaged the whole estate to the Suffolk Savings Bank for Seamen and Others, for $27,500. This mortgage was discharged on the 7th of April, 1863. The payments of the note have been as follows : Two thousand dollars from the legacy of Miss Mary P. Townsend; sixteen hundred dol- lars from the legacy of the late Nathaniel I. Bowditch ; five hundred dollars from the Historical Trust-fund : twelve thou- 1863 ] TREASURER'S REPORT. ] \) sand two hundred and three dollars from the net proceeds of the sales of stocks of the Appleton Fund ; ten thousand dol- lars from the note of Hyde and Watris, constituting the Dowse Fund; and the balance, eleven hundred and ninety- seven dollars, from a donation by Hon. William Sturgis, to enable the Society to discharge the mortgage. The lower floor is rented to the Suffolk Savings Institution for fifteen years from March 1, 1856, at an annual rent of $2,200. The Library, Paintings, and Cabinet. — The general li- brary consists of about nine thousand bound volumes and fifteen thousand pamphlets. The Dowse Library. — This library was presented to the Society by the late Thomas Dowse, and consists of about five thousand volumes. The Society' 's Publications. — These consist of the thirty- six volumes of the Collections, four volumes of Proceed- ings, and two volumes of the Catalogue, — nearly seven thousand volumes, — which are for sale. The Appleton Fund, of ten thousand dollars ; The Massa- chusetts Historical Trust-fund, of two thousand dollars ; The Dowse Fund, of ten thousand dollars, — all invested in the real estate of the Society, as explained in this Report. The Copyright of the "Life of John Quincy Adams." — This was presented to the Society by Hon. Josiah Quincy. -A new edition is on sale by Crosby and Nichols. THE INCOME. The income of the Society consists of an annual assess- ment, on each Resident Member, of five dollars, or, instead, the payment of sixty dollars ; the admission-fee, of ten dollars, of new members ; the rent of the lower floor of the Society's building ; the sales of the publications of the Society, and the sales of the " Life of John Quincy Adams." Richard Frothingham, Treasurer. Boston, April 9, 1863. 20 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. [APRIL, The Annual Eeport of the Librarian was read and accepted. Annual Report of the Librarian. 