APRIL MEETING, 1901.

    A Stated Meeting of the Society was held at No. 25 Beacon Street, Boston, on Thursday, 25 April, 1901, at three o’clock in the afternoon, President Kittredge in the chair.

    The Records of the Stated Meeting in March were read and approved.

    In anticipation of the Annual Meeting the President appointed the following Committees: —

    To nominate candidates for the several offices, — The Honorable Jeremiah Smith, and Messrs. Thomas Minns and Charles A. Snow.

    To examine the Treasurer’s Accounts, — Messrs. Henry Lee Higginson and Samuel Wells.

    The Corresponding Secretary reported that since the last meeting letters had been received from Professor Edward Charles Pickering and Mr. Arthur Richmond Marsh accepting Resident Membership.

    Mr. Worthington C. Ford communicated three unpublished letters189 written from England by Catharine Macaulay, William Bollan, then the Agent of the Province in London, and Thomas Pownall, in acknowledgment of copies of the Short Narrative of the Horrid Massacre, prepared by order of the Town of Boston to be sent to its friends in England.190

    The following is the text of these letters:

    I.

    London May 9th 1770

    Gentlemen

    I think my self much honored by the Town of Boston for the compliment of transmiting the Narrative relative to the massacre perpetrated by the military on the fifth of March

    In condoling with you on that melancholy event your friends find a considerable alleviation in the opportunity it has given you of exhibiting a rare and admirable instance of patriotic resentment tempered with forbearance and the warmth of Courage with the coolness of Discretion

    Believe me Gentlemen there is not a Bostonian the spectator of the bloody scene who feels more sensibly than my self the horrid transaction

    Every service which is in my power to perform the Town of Boston may command and may depend upon a faithful and ardent exec[u]tion

    I am Gentlemen

    Your very obed

    And very Humble Serv’t

    Catharine Macaulay

    II.

    Fludyer Street. Westmr. May 11th. 1770

    Gentlemen,

    Your letter relating to the late military massacre at Boston, which I had the honour to receive by express, was accompanied with such ample proofs, considered in point of number, matter, candour, propriety & fairness of caption, that I flatter myself they will in time prevail, and establish the truth in the minds of all honest men, maugre all the attempts made with art & sollicitude to represent the inhabitants as the aggressors. I had some hopes of getting the authentic copies laid before the house of com̃ons for consideration in this session, with the other papers laid before them; but they are vanish’d and the parliament will rise in a short time.

    From what was openly said not long since, I understood the troops wou’d be removed; but the times abound with uncertainty as well as difficulty.

    I have the honour to be with great respect, and the sincerest wishes for the welfare of the town,

    Gentlemen,

    Your most obedient

    humble servant

    W. Bollan

    P. S.

    Captn. Gard’ner staid here, by my

    direction, til this day, in order to

    promote the public service by his examination in the house of commons,

    or otherwise, as occasion shou’d require

    W Bollan

    Jas. Bowdoin Esqr. & others a Comttee. of the town of Boston

    III.

    London

    Albemarle Street

    May 11, 1770.

    Gentlemen

    I duely rec’d by Cap’t Gardiner yr letter dated March 23:d 1770, written & address’d to me in Consequence of an Appointment of ye. Town of Boston. —

    I did not want the bloody proofs w:ch ye Narrative you have communicated to me gives, of the danger & destructive consequences that must necessarily arise from a Military establishment posted within the heart of a Civil Jurisdiction, under such Arrangements of Command as were attempted to be fix’d in time of Peace within ye Colonies.

    I had only wonder’d that some thing of this Sort had not happen’d sooner, & am now only happy that ye mischief has not gone further — I hope it is not only at an end but that Like some of those Momentary Shocks of Nature w:ch endanger ye very being of the Region where they happen, while in the Convulsion — it may purge away this Mischief that was ye Component Cause of that Danger.

    It is a Common thing with Bodies of Men as well as Individuals standing towards each other in a State of Irreconcilable variance to Apprehend from each other mischiefs w:ch neither are Capable of Effecting to Impute to each other Evil designs w:ch neither ever harbour’d — This state of Mind leads them by way of Prejudgment, Exculpation & Recrimination into representations w:ch take their Colour rather from imagin’d than existing Facts — But as on Occasion of the late shocking events at Boston, there has been I hope, less of this than on former occasions, so I do not find People here so much dispos’d to enquire who were the Aggressors, What were the Occasions, what the Mutual provocations in the late Affray, What ye state of this particular Eruptions, as attentive to learn what is ye State & Cause of ye Fever in general w:ch they see brought to this height of Malignancy — & what may be the Remedy.

    I had long ago given notice, without being much attended to, that I wou’d lay before Parliament what I thought to be ye unconstitutional state of ye Military establishment in America. I took advantage from ye impressions made on Mens Minds by ye late Events to bring forward ye Consideration at this Time. by Moving that an Humble Address be presented to his Majesty, stating the Necessity of some Remedy in this Case, & praying that he wou’d be pleas’d to give directions w:h the Advice of his privy Council, that these Matters might be revis’d & examin’d into, to the End that they may be explain’d, corrected & Amended, where they interfer’d or Clash’d w:h each other, or contain’d any Matters contrary to Law & the Constitution.

    The Ministry mov’d the Question of Adjournment upon my Motion, but Allowing that the Ground w:ch I had taken of Doubts in point of Law & the Constitution, of Confusion in the Execution & of Danger, in the Consequences not only to the Political Liberty of the Community, but to the Franchises of the People was good & sufficent, & did call for some remedy in the Case, & having declar’d that His Majesty had given Directions to have the Question of Law laid before the Crown Lawyers, & the Matter to be revis’d & Amended upon that Foundation that shou’d appear to be right & legal; & that in General every thing that the Address did or cou’d desire wou’d be clone in Consequence thereof. Upon this our friends, tho’ they did not think fit to withdraw the Motion for the Address, yet did not think proper to divide, as considering it best to hold the Ministers pledg’d by their Declaration & our Acquiescence under it. — & I own I think, as do many of your Friends here, w:h whom I have communicated upon this Occasion, that it wou’d be wise in you in Point of Policy to give Credit to this Declaration, & to suspend all Opposition on this Point as Considering the Ministry having pledg’d themselves to rectifye it according to Law & the Constitution; especially as you are now free from all Danger of any evil Consequence arising from it, as the Ministry have declared that as the Troops are now withdrawn, so they shall never be sent back untill the Civil Magistrate, shall call for & employ their Aid in Support of the Civil Government w:ch I shou’d guess is never likely to happen. As I have said before that there was no Disposition Amongst people here to enquire into the particular Actions & transaction in the late Catastrophe at Boston So you will find that no Notice has been taken either by Ministry or Opposition of any of the Events w:ch have arisen on this Occasion, otherwise than to look to the Cause in General & the remedy — Yet one Observation I think it just to make to you, that One Sentiment has unanimously arisen in the Minds of all express’d in a wish & Hope from all Quarters that no Prejudice, Resentment, or party Consideration whatsoever may Operate in the unhappy Case of Cap t Preston & the Soldiers, but on the Contrary it wou’d do more Honor to the Spirit & Temper of your People to shew Mercy than to exact Severe Justice.

    I beg you to mark my respects to ye Town & to assure them of my readiness in all cases & upon all occasions to engage in their service

    I beg you Gentlemen to accept my particular respects —

    I am Gentlemen

    Yr most Obed

    & most humbly

    T Pownall

    To the Honle James Bowdoin Esqr

    To SamL Pemberton

    Joseph Warren Esqṛṣ

    Committee of ye Town of Boston.

    Mr. Ford also communicated, by title, a Bibliography of the Massachusetts House Journals from 1715 to 1776, illustrated by photographs of title-pages and of the Royal Arms.191

    Mr. Andrew McFarland Davis remarked upon the great value of Mr. Ford’s bibliographical contribution to the Society’s Publications.

    Mr. Henry H. Edes stated that no perfect set of the House Journals is to be found in any one library or in any one State, and that the Journal of at least one Session — that of March, 1721–22 — is to be found only in the unique copy owned by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

    Mr. Henry W. Cunningham communicated two unpublished letters, one written by Joshua Bates, the benefactor of the Boston Public Library, the other written by President Jared Sparks in which reference is made to one of the Honorary Members of this Society, then a recent graduate of Harvard.

    I.

    London, 1 Octo 1850

    My 60th birth day.192

    Wm Ropes Esq

    Boston

    My Dear Sir

    I am very much obliged for your suggestion, contained in your valued letter of the 17th Ult and have authorised the Petersburg House to draw £250. for the investment for Mr Sturgis193 to be kept moving under your controul, for his benefit and hope it may be instrumental in adding to his happiness. I am very glad to learn of the success that has attended your exertions. No one merits it more than yourself. I work about as hard as ever and feel that I should be very miserable without the excitement. Mrs. Bates has not been very well this year but I do not feel any symptoms of age altho’ I can remember things that happened “a long time ago.”

    Ever truly yours

    Joshua Bates.

    [Addressed]

    private [Field]

    Wm. Ropes Esq

    Recd per Asia, Octo. 24, Thursday

    Boston.

     

    U.S.A.

     

    II.

    Cambridge, July 20tḥ 1850.

    My Dear Sir,

    Allow me to introduce to your acquaintance Mr. James C. Carter, a graduate of our University at the recent Commencement. Mr. Carter is engaged for a time as a teacher in a private family in New York, & he proposes afterwards to qualify himself for the profession of the Law. As a scholar he has ranked among the very first in his class, and throughout his college course he has sustained a character which has won the respect, esteem, & confidence of all his instructors. He may want the use of books, & I trust it may be in your power to procure for him such a privilege from some of the Libraries in the city. Permit me to commend him to your kindness; and believe me, as ever,

    most truly your friend,

    Jared Sparks.

    Joseph G. Cogswell, LL.D.194

    [Superscribed]

    Care of John A. Haven, Esq.195 New York.

    Mr. Denison R. Slade exhibited a rare mezzotint of Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon, for whom Mount Vernon was named. He also exhibited a Receipt-Book of Richard Clarke, the father-in-law of Copley, which contains the autographs of many prominent Bostonians between 1760 and 1770.

    Mr. Henry H. Edes communicated and read a letter describing an excursion on the Middlesex Canal in the summer of 1817. Mr. Edes spoke as follows:

    Two or three years ago, I had the pleasure of hearing read a most interesting letter of which I have recently procured a copy that I might communicate it to the Society and thus secure its preservation in print. The letter describes an all-day excursion on the Middlesex Canal in the summer of 1817. The party consisted of a large gathering of what was best in the society of the old town of Boston. The Winthrops, Quincys, Amorys, Sullivans, Grays, Masons, Tudors, Eliots, Mays, Buckminsters, Cabots, Emersons, and Jacksons were all represented; and Daniel Webster and his wife were also of the party. Mr. Webster was then but thirty-five years of age and had been in Congress only three or four years.196 He had removed his residence to Boston in August of the preceding year; and in the following year (1818) he was to establish his fame at the Bar by his argument in the great Dartmouth College Case before the Supreme Court of the United States. It is interesting to learn, as we do from this letter, the impression made by Webster upon an educated and cultivated woman on a purely social occasion before he had entered upon his great career in the Senate of the United States, which did not begin till ten years later — in 1827.

    The letter was written by Miss Fanny Searle197 of Brookline, one of the children of Mr. George Searle.198 It is addressed to her sister Margaret,199 the wife of Samuel Curzon,200 who with her husband and family was then on her way to Havana, where for a time they resided. It was in Mr. Curzon’s house that Professor Joseph McKean died, the following year, while on a visit to Cuba in the hope of regaining his health.201 Miss Searle was a governess in the family of Richard Sullivan of Brookline, and had for her charge the young daughters of the house.

    Governor Sullivan was the projector of the Middlesex Canal,202 and for many years was President of the corporation, which two if not three of his sons served in other official capacities.

    Mr. Josiah P. Quincy having expressed a wish to read this letter, I sent him a copy of it. When he returned it, be sent me a long extract from the Diary of his aunt, the late Miss Eliza Susan Quincy, describing this canal party, of which she herself was one. Her account of the day’s frolic corresponds so perfectly with Miss Searle’s as to leave no doubt of the accuracy of the descriptions. As Mr. Quincy was so kind as to give me permission to use the extract, I will read it as a supplement to Miss Searle’s letter.

    MISS FANNY SEARLE TO MRS. MARGARET CURZON.

    Brookline, July 20th [1817].

    It requires some courage to write to you, dear Peggy, with that horrid Gulf stream present to one’s imagination, and not knowing whether it has swallowed you up or not. We were glad at last to get your last Natchez letters, though we have as yet only the first and last, and there is still much to be supplied. We learn from Knight203 that you were to embark for Havana the 2nd of June, but had not reached there the 16th, and this passage must, I think, have been very trying, and these thoughts so press upon me when I think of writing you that I have not spirits to take the pen, or if I do, as you see, give way to them to no purpose, for I cannot give coolness to your atmosphere or speed to your vessel, and it seems doubly foolish when what we think of as present is so long past. Well, then, let me forget you and talk of myself and those about me, and that may give you pleasure.

    Since I last wrote you (though I do not recollect the date), I believe many pleasant things have happened, to me particularly, and of these the most prominent is a day passed on the Canal and the shores of it last week; there was such variety in the amusements of the day, and they were of so choice a kind that I felt no fatigue from 9 in the morning ’till 10 at night, for I was so long time absent from home, and the only alloy to enjoyment was the regret that some of the friends I wanted were not there. It was at first intended to be only a party for children and their parents, — Mrs. Quincy,204 Mrs. Amory,205 and the Mrs-s Sullivans,206 but there were many others afterwards added and Mrs. [Richard] Sullivan asked us all to be of the party. Mrs. S. had before proposed tome to go as one of her family, which I very readily agreed to. George207 thought he could not afford the whole day, and the day was too hot for him to ride up and meet us at Woburn, as he thought he should, or for either of the girls to go with him, which would have decided him to. I was truly grieved for it was just the party he would have enjoyed.

    We entered the boat in Charlestown and set off at ½ past nine; the water gave coolness to the air and the boat208 being covered, gave shelter from the sun, and the party was too large to have any stiffness; indeed, there was the utmost ease and good humor without sadness through the day. The shores of the Canal for most of the distance are beautiful. We proceeded at the rate of 3 miles an hour, drawn by 2 horses, to the most romantic spot209 (about 9 miles from Boston) that I ever beheld; you have not, I believe, seen, though I dare say you have had a description of, this spot. Mr. J. L. Sullivan210 has erected a little building211 on the banks of a lake most beautifully surrounded by woods and occasional openings into a fertile country. The lake212 is about twice the size of Jamaica Pond or larger, and has a small wood-covered island in the centre. On this Island a band of music was placed which began playing as soon as we landed. It seemed a scene of enchantment. Cousin Kate213 who was by my side seemed too much affected to speak. Kate happened to be at Mrs. Quincy’s on a visit of a week and went as one of her family. Olivia Buckminster214 was with us, her sisters declined. I was truly sorry not to have Eliza215 there. We had Mr. Webster,216 Savage,217 Callender,218 Tudor,219 H. Gray,220 P. Mason,221 Russell Sullivan222 and two of his College friends, — Emerson223 and Sam’ May,224 with whom I was very much pleased. Besides the Mr. Sullivans, [were] Mr. Quincy225 and Mr. Amory,226 making in all a pretty large number. Having so many wits of the party, there was no Jack of bon mots. The gentlemen played off upon each other, to our no small amusement, most of the time. When their spirits flagged at all we had the resource of music. Five instruments, horns, flutes and a violin were extremely well performed on at intervals thro’ the day, and at times we had vocal music from Mrs. Quincy, Mr. Callender and Mrs. W. Sullivan, and occasionally Mr. Webster and young May, who discovered, I thought, true, modest assurance with very good sense. Do you know him?

    The ascent of the Canal was altogether new to me and very interesting; we passed 3 or 4 locks, and it was all the pleasanter for having so many children to whom it was likewise a novelty. After we landed and had ranged about a little, the children danced on the green under a tent or awning and we had seats round them. I never saw more pretty or happy faces than the little group presented. After two or three hours passed in looking about us and admiring the various beauties of the place, we entered the building I spoke of in which was prepared an excellent cold dinner, which we were quite hungry enough to relish. Two long tables accommodated the young and old, and there was just room for benches on each side. This was the only time I felt the heat, which was greater on that day (the 18th July), than it has been any other this season. We ladies were therefore glad to leave the gentlemen very soon and dispersed where best it pleased us for an hour. We again collected and re-entered the boat; tables were placed the whole length of it on which were arranged fruit, wine, ice and glasses, and we had very good room on each side of them. Mr. Sullivan made this arrangement thinking it would delay us too long, if we had the desert in the pavilion, for Mrs. Quincy, who had so great a distance to go; however, it seemed to be the general opinion we had set out too soon, therefore we landed again at another delightful spot227 about 2 miles farther down, where we stopped an hour. It was a fine grove, sloping down to another large pond,228 beyond which was seen in the distance the little village and spire of Menotomy,229 — a pretty termination of the view. This was as pleasant an hour as any in the day, and here it was [that] I was particularly struck with May. We were standing on the edge of the pond and observed some pond lilies a little distance in the water, too far to be reached however without going into the water some lady expressed a wish to have one. “Is there no gentleman spirited enough to come forward and get them?” said Mr. Webster, “is no one gallant enough! — strange! ’tis very strange!” May stood it so far and then darted forward urged on by Mr. W., who said he was glad the clays of chivalry were not over, — “very glad to see you have so much courage, Mr. May.” “It would have required more courage not to have done it after the challenge I received,” said May; “I claim no merit, Sir.” “A little farther, Sir,” said Mr. Webster, “there is another on your right; one on the other side,” &c. May went on till he was up to his middle, and I besought Mr. W. not to urge him farther. “Oh,” said he, “it does not hurt a young man to wet his feet; I would have gone myself if it were not for the ladies.” May presently came back with his hands full of flowers, which he gave to Mr. Webster, and from him the ladies near received each one. Mr. S[ullivan] came up just then and asked May what had induced him to it. “Mr. Webster’s eloquence, Sir,” said be. “It never procured me a lily before,” said the Orator. “Though it has many laurels,” replied May. Mr. W. bowed, and thus ended this little affair, which I thought your interest in the Col.230 might lead you to listen to with pleasure.

    I have not done justice to Mr. Webster’s words and his look and manner, [which] if you have not seen, no words of mine can paint to you. It always delights me to see him, and I never was so much charmed as this day. To all [the] wit and power of mind of all the other gentlemen he super-adds a tenderness and unaffected feeling that is seldom seen in his sex and especially at his time of life and in his pursuits. I only wish I could see as much of him as Eliza Buckminster231 does and feel, as she does, that he is her friend. I have the pleasure of his recognizing me whenever I meet him and generally have a little of his conversation. This is quite a digression from my story. Well, we entered the boat again and gently pursued our course a few miles farther when we again stopped near a house232 where coffee had been prepared for us; we did not, however, enter the house, but the coffee and necessary apparatus were deposited in the boat. The children then had another cotillion while the boat was descending one of the locks, which was not so pleasant as the ascent. We then walked a short distance on the shore, got into the boat again, took coffee, listened again to sweet strains, and saw the sun descend and the moon rise in a sky beautifully bedecked by light clouds, and reached our place of debarkation233 just after the last tints of daylight had faded.

    I had Kate [Eliot] by my side the best part of the time and we accorded in a retrospect of the day as one of the pleasantest we had ever past. We had nothing to do but enjoy the beauty and loveliness, the wit and harmony around us, and, as Olivia B[uckminster] said, not having to talk ourselves was one of our greatest advantages. Mrs. S[ullivan] and myself were much pleased with Mr. May, — with his attentive and pleasant manners, — polite without being obtrusive. I was not pleased with Mr Tudor, who thinks, evidently, rather more of himself than I should be disposed to think of him. Mr. Callender was vastly amusing; sometimes it tired me a little. Mr. W[illiam] S[ullivan] very comic and entertaining. My friend Richard,234 delightful as ever by his attentive manners and animated, happy face, though he said little. I fear, however, I may tire you of the party though I was not myself tired, and feel certain you would have felt as much pleasure as I, had you been there; the sight of so many fine children and the parents’ delighted countenances would alone have been enough for you.

    I have passed many pleasant hours with the Buckminsters of late; have seen Eliza Cabot235 twice; once at her own house and once here. She passed a day with us while H. Jackson236 was passing the week and I enjoyed it very much. Every time I see Eliza, I am struck with the justness as well as promptness of her thoughts; she will not I suspect go to Havana, nor will you so much want her or any of your friends from here now that you have other friends with you. I feel half glad and half sorry for this. Shall we hear as much from you in the future?237 Shall you come back as soon? Yet you have present comfort, and for that I will be thankful, but is it so? Can you support the beat and sickly season?

    Yesterday I spent the day at Mr. Higginson’s238 with Susan239 and the children. Susan seems well and happy; there were other people there and I had not much conversation with her. It was very kind in the old lady to send for me. The Cremer Case240 which was to have been decided last week, is again postponed till the fall, at the desire of the Higginsons party, who wish to get more evidence. Mrs. Perkins241 has been the last week at Nahant with Elizabeth;242 I do not know if they have returned.

    My eyes plead to be released and the rest of my talk must be deferred till another time. Adieu. May you be preserved by a kind Providence, prays your

    F —

    We are all well.

    [Addressed]

    Mrs. Margaret Curzon

    c/o Mivella & Co.

    Havana.

    extract from the journal of miss eliza susan quincy.243

    Quincy. 1817, July 18th. Friday.

    Set off early. My mother, Catharine,244 Abby245 and myself in the carriage, my father, Margaret246 and Sophia247 in his gig. We drove to a place in Charlestown on the Middlesex Canal. We found a large party of friends we had been invited to join already in one of the canal boats. They were the families of Mr. and Mrs. Richard and William Sullivan, Mrs. George Sullivan, two of her younger sisters, Jane and Ann Winthrop,248 I Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Webster, Mr. John L[angdon]Sullivan, a Superintendent of the Canal, who arranged this charming party, Olivia Buckminster, George B. Emerson and S. May, two Collegians, and some other young men.

    We proceeded up the Canal, and passed through several locks; the banks were beautiful. We passed through the grounds of Mr. P. C. Brooks and along the banks of several beautiful ponds or rather lakes, until we arrived on the bank of the largest denominated the Lake of the Woods.249 This was surrounded by bills covered with trees; and contained a beautiful wooded Island. Here our party disembarked and as we wound our way to a Pavilion situated at the finest point of view, strains of music floated over the lake and a boat emerged from the island and rowed toward the shore. The musicians landed, and, followed by a long procession of children, advanced to an eminence situated between the canal and the lake, and commanding a complete view of both. There the grass had been cut, and the ground leveled under an awning, and here the whole party assembled, the children danced, the band played. The ladies and gentlemen either looked on or wandered on the banks of the lake. The scene was diversified by a canal boat full of passengers coming down the canal from the Merrimac and exchanging salutations as they passed on toward Boston. After an hour or two, a march was played and the company walked in procession to the Pavilion where a collation was prepared. Walking and dancing was resumed, and late in the afternoon we bade a reluctant farewell to the lovely scene and again descended the canal and the locks we had passed in the morning. The band playing and the gentlemen and ladies now and then singing songs.

    We again disembarked in a wood250 through the shade of which we walked to the banks of another lake.251 some of the ladies expressed a wish for some water lilies. Mr. Webster said, “If I was a young man the ladies should not ask for those flowers in vain!” On which Mr. Emerson and Mr. Sam May dashed into the lake and wading about gathered a great number of lilies, brought them to shore and distributed them, at the great risk of their health as they were obliged to wear their wet clothes the rest of the afternoon. Fortunately, they were attired in black silk or stuff pantaloons which were not injured in appearance. Mrs. Quincy thought it was very wrong in Mr. Webster to make such a speech and cause the young men to run such a risk. We walked farther up the bank of the Jake, [and] my mother seated herself on the stump of a tree; C. Eliot and I and some of the gentlemen placed ourselves at her feet and she sang several songs. A return to the boat was sounded and we marched through the woods to the tune of “How sweet through the woodlands.” We paused again to take coffee and it was delightful, floating down the canal. The sun set, the moon rose, the band played and the gentlemen sang songs until we arrived at the place of embarkation in Charlestown, where the carriages were in waiting.

    After leaving C. Eliot at her father’s house in Tremont St.,252 Boston, we returned to Quincy.

    Mr. Francis H. Lincoln read two unpublished letters of Daniel Webster.

    Mr. Davis exhibited one of the notes emitted in 1741 by the Ipswich, or Essex County, Land Bank, which has recently come into his possession.

    Mr. Davis communicated the following information concerning the Historical Societies which have been incorporated in Massachusetts since the last Report on this subject was made to the Society:253

    THE HARVARD HISTORICAL SOCIETY.254

    Purposes. To collect and preserve manuscripts, printed books, pamphlets, historical facts, biographical and historical relies, and to stimulate research into local and natural history.

    Date of Charter. 23 April, 1900.

    THE PALMER HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

    Purposes. The collecting and preserving of historical and genealogical data, documents, books, pamphlets, views of historical places and scenery, as well as antique objects connected with the town of Palmer and other localities, also the encouragement of the study of natural and physical history and the establishment and maintenance of a cabinet for its collections and the holding of real or personal estate which may come into its possession.

    Date of Charter. 31 May, 1900.

    THE DOVER HISTORICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF DOVER AND VICINITY.

    Purposes. To collect and preserve such relics and antiquities, facts, and documents as will throw light on our local history, either by gift or loan, and also to promote a knowledge of natural history, by the formation of a museum, and in every way advancing the aims of the society by such means as are at our command.

    Date of Charter. 1 September, 1900.

    THE LONGMEADOW HISTORICAL SOCIETY

    Purposes. The purpose for which the Corporation is constituted is to collect and preserve facts and mementos that shall tend to illustrate & perpetuate the History & Memory of the early settlers of this region & to lease acquire or erect a suitable building in which such collections may be safely & securely deposited.

    Date of Charter. 3 November, 1900.255

    Mr. John Noble communicated some curious extract from early newspapers.

    The Honorable James Madison Morton, LL.D., of Fall River, and Mr. George Vasmer Leverett of Boston, were elected Resident Members.