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ANNUAL   REPORT 


American  Historical  Association 


FOR 


THE    YE^R    1904, 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE. 
1905. 


a 


LETTEE  OF  SUBMITTAL. 


Smithsonian  Institution, 
Washington,  D.  C,  31  arch  18,  1905. 
To  the  Congress  of  the  United  States: 

In  accordance  with  the  act  of  incorporation  of  the  Ameri- 
can Historical  Association,  approved  January  4,  1889,  I  have 
the  honor  to  submit  to  Congress  the  annual  report  of  that 
Association  for  the  y^av  1001. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient 
servant, 

S.    P.    L ANGLE Y, 

Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

Hon.  Chari-es  W.  Fairbanks, 

Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 

3 


ACT  OF  INCORPORATION. 


Be  it  enacted  hy  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled.  That 
AnclrcAv  I).  AVliite,  of  Ithaca,  in  the  State  of  New  York; 
George  Bancroft,  of  AVashington,  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia; Justin  AVinsor,  of  Cambridge,  in  the  State  of  Massachu- 
setts; William  F.  Poole,  of  Chicago,  in  the  State  of  Illinois; 
Herbert  B.  Adams,  of  Baltimore,  in  the  State  of  Maryland; 
Chirence  W.  Bowen,  of  Brooklyn,  in  the  "State  of  New  York; 
their  associates  and  successors,  are  hereby  created,  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  a  body  corporate  and  politic,  by  the 
name  of  the  American  Historical  Association,  for  the  pro- 
motion of  historical  studies,  the  collection  and  preservation 
of  historical  manuscripts,  and  for  kindred  i:>urposes  in  the 
interest  of  American  history  and  of  history  in  America. 
Said  Association  is  authorized  to  hold  real  -and  personal 
estate  in  the  District  of  Columbia  so  far  only  as  may  be  nec- 
essary to  its  lawful  ends  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  five 
hundred  thousand  dolkirs,  to  adopt  a  constitution,  and  to 
make  by-laws  not  inconsistent  with  law.  Said  Association 
shall  have  its  principal  office  at  Washington,  in  the  District 
of  Columbia,  and  may  hold  its  annual  meetings  in  such 
phuH's  as  the  said  incorporators  shall  determine.  Said  Asso- 
ciation shall  report  annually  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution  concerning  its  proceedings  and  the  condi- 
tion of  historical  study  in  America.  Said  Secretary  shall 
communicate  to  Congress  the  whole  of  such  reports,  or  such 
portions  thereof  as  he  shall  see  fit.  The  Regents  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution  are  authorized  to  permit  said  Asso- 
ciation to  deposit  its  collections,  manuscripts,  books,  pam- 
phlets, and  other  material  for  history  in  the  Smithsonian  In- 
stitution or  in  the  National  Museum,  at  their  discretion, 
upon  such  conditions  and  under  such  rules  as  they  shall 
prescribe. 

[Approved,  January  4,  1889.] 
4 


LETTER   OF   TRANSMITTAL 


AiNiERTCAX  Historical  Association, 
Office  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Association, 

Washington,  D.  C,  March  18,  WOo. 
Sir:  In  accordance  Avith  the  act  of  incorporation  of  the 
American  Historical  Association,  I  have  the  honor  to  trans- 
mit hercAvith  a  general  report  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
tAventieth  annual  meeting  of  the  Association  held  at  Chicago, 
111.,  December  28,  29,  and  30,  1904.  Several  of  the  papers 
read  and  discnssed  at  that  meeting  are  recommended  for 
publication  in  this  report,  together  Avith  the  Justin  Winsor 
prize  essay  on  the  Nootka  Sound  Controversy,  and  a  valuable 
report  by  the  Public  ArchiA^es  Commission,  shoAving  the  con- 
dition and  contents  of  the  archives  of  several  of  the  States. 
Very  respectfully, 

A.  HoAVARD  Clark, 

Secretary, 
Mr.  S.  P.  Langley, 

Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution, 

Washington,  D.  C. 
5 


CONSTITUTION. 


I. 

The  name  of  this  society  shall  be  The  American  Historical 
Association. 

11. 

Its  object  shall  be  the  promotion  of  historical  studies. 

III. 

Any  person  approved  by  the  executive  council  may  be- 
come a  member  by  paying  $3,  and  after  the  first  year  may 
continue  a  member  b}^  paying  an  annual  fee  of  $3.  On  pay- 
ment of  $50  any  person  may  become  a  life  member,  exempt 
from  fees.  Persons  not  resident  in  the  United  States  may 
be  elected  as  honorary  or  corresponding  members,  and  be 
exempt  from  the  payment  of  fees. 

IV. 

The  officers  shall  be  a  president,  two  vice-presidents,  a 
secretary,  a  corresponding  secretary,  a  curator,  a  treasurer, 
and  an  executive  council  consisting  of  the  foregoing  officers 
and  six  other  members  elected  by  the  Association,  with  the 
ex-presidents  of  the  Association.  These  officers  shall  be 
elected  by  ballot  at  each  regular  annual  meeting  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. 

V. 

The  executive  council  shall  have  charge  of  the  general  in- 
terests of  the  Association,  including  the  election  of  members, 
the  calling  of  meetings,  the  selection  of  papers  to  be  read, 
and  the  determination  of  what  papers  shall  be  published. 

7 


8  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

VI. 

This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  annual  meeting, 
notice  of  such  amendment  having  been  given  at  the  previous 
annual  meeting,  or  the  proposed  amendment  having  received 
the  approval  of  the  executive  council. 


AMERICAN  HISTORICAL  ASSOCIATION. 

Organized  at  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  September  10,  1884.     Incorporated  by  Congress 
January  4,  1889. 


OFFICERS  FOR  1905. 


PRESIDENT  : 

JOHN  BACH  McMASTER,  Ph.  D.,  Litt.  D.,  LL.  D., 
Professor  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS  : 

SIMEON  E.  BALDWIN,  LL.  D., 

Professor  in  Yale  University,  Associate  Judge  of  Supreme  Court  of 
Errors  of  Connecticut. 

J.  FRANKLIN  JAMESON,  Pit.  D.,  LL.  D., 

Professor  in  the  University  of  Chicago. 

SECEETARY   AND   CURATOR: 

A.    HOWARD   CLARK, 

Smithsonian  Institution,  W.ashlngton,  D.  0. 

CORRESPONDING    SECRETARY  : 

CHARLES  H.  HASKINS,  Pii.  D., 
Professor  in  Harvard  University. 

TREASURER  I 

CLARENCE  WINTHROP  BO  WEN,  Ph.  D., 
130  Fulton  street,  'New  York. 

EXECUTIVE  council: 

In  addition  to  above-named  officers. 

(Ex-Presidents.) 

ANDREW  DICKSON  WHITE,  L.  H.  D.,  LL.  D., 

Ithaca,  N.  Y. 

JAMES  SCHOULER,  LL.  D., 

Boston,  Mass. 

JAMES  BURRILL  ANGELL,  LL.  D., 

President  of  the  University  of  Michigan. 


10  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

GEORGE  PARK  FISHER,  D.  D.,  LL.  D., 

Professor  in  Yale  University. 

HENRY  ADAMS,  LL.  D., 

Washington,  D.  C. 

JAMES  FORD  RHODES,  LL.  D., 

Boston,  Mass. 

CHARLES  FRANCIS  ADAMS,  LL.  D., 

Boston,  Mass. 

ALFRED  THAYER  MAHAN,  D.  C.  L.,  LL.  D. 

New  York. 

HENRY  CHARLES  LEA,  LL.  D., 

Philadelphia. 

GOLDWIN  SMITH,  LL.  D., 

Toronto,  Canada. 

(Elected  Councillors.) 

GEORGE  L.  BURR,  LL.  D., 

Professor  in  Cornell  University. 

EDWARD  P.  CHEYNEY,  A.  M., 

Professor  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 

EDWARD  G.  BOURNE,  Ph.  D., 

Professor  in  Yale  University. 

ANDREW  c.  Mclaughlin,  a.  m., 

Carnegie  Institutio?i  of  Washington. 

GEORGE  P.  GARRISON,  Ph.  D., 

Professor  in  the  University  of  Texas. 

REUBEN  GOLD  THWAITES,    LL.   D., 

State  Historical  Society  of  Wisconsin. 


TERMS  OF   OFFICE 


EX-PKESIDENTS. 


ANDREW  DICKSON  WHITE,  L.  II.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1884-85. 

t  GEORGE  BANCROFT,  LL.  D.,   1885-86. 

t  JUSTIN  WINSOR,  LL.  D.,  1880-87. 

t  WILLIAM  FREDERICK  POOLE,  LL.  D.,  1887-88. 

t  CHARLES  KENDALL  ADAMS,  LL.  D.,  1888-89. 

t  JOHN  JAY,  LL.  D.,  1889-90. 

t  WILLIAM  WIRT  HENRY,   LL.  D.,  1890-91. 

JAMES  BURRILL  ANGELL,  LL.  D.,   1891-1893. 

HENRY  ADAMS,  LL.  D.,  1893-91. 

t  GEORGE  FRISBIE  HOAR,  LL.  D.,  1894-95. 

t  RICHARD  SALTER  STORRS,  D.  D..   LL.  D.,   1895-96. 

JAMES  SCHOULER,  LL.  D.,  1896-97. 

GEORGE  PARK  FISHER,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1S97-9S. 

JAMES  FORD  RHODES,  LL.  D.,  3  898-99. 

t  EDWARD  EGGLESTON,  L.  II.  D.,  1899-1900. 

CHARLES  FRANCIS  ADAMS,   LL.   I).,   1900-1901. 

ALFRED  THAYER  MAHAN,  D.  C.  I .,  LL.  D.,  1901-2. 

HENRY  CHARLES  LEA,  LL.  D.,  1902-3. 

GOLDWIN  SMITH,  LL.  D.,  1903-4. 

EX-VICE-rKESIDENTS. 

t  JUSTIN  WINSOR,  LL.  D.,  1884-1886. 

t  CHARLES  KENDALL  ADAMS,   LL.  D..   1884-1888. 

t  WILLIAM  FREDERICK  POOLE,  LL.  I).,  1886-87. 

t  JOHN  JAY,  LL.  D.,  1887-1889. 

t  WILLIAM  WIRT  HENRY,  LL.  D.,  1888-1890. 

JAMES  BURRILL  ANGELL,  LL.  D.,  1889-1891. 

HENRY  ADAMS,  LL.  D.,  1890-1893. 

t  EDWARD  GAY  MASON,  A.  M.,  1891-1893. 

t  GEORGE  FRISBIE  HOAR,  LL.  D.,  1893-94. 

t  RICHARD  SALTER  STORRS,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1894-95. 

JAMES  SCHOULER,  LL.  D.,  1894-1896. 

GEORGE  PARK  FISHER,  I).  D.,  LL.  D.,  1896-97. 

JAMES  FORD  RHODES,  LL.  D.,  1896-1898. 

t  EDWARD  EGGLESTON,  L.  H.  IX,  1898-99. 

t  MOSES  COIT  TYLER,  L.  II.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1897-1900. 

CHARLES  FRANCIS  ADAMS,  LL.  D.,  1S99-1900. 

t  HERBERT  BAXTER  ADAMS.  Pn.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1900-1901. 

ALFRED  THAYER  MAHAN,  D.  C.  L.,  LL.  D.,  1900-1901. 

HENRY  CHARLES  LEA,  LL.  D.,  1901-2. 

GOLDWIN  SMITH,  D.  C.  L.,  LL.  D.,  1901-3. 

t  EDWARD  McCRADY,  LL.  D.,  1902-3. 

JOHN  BACH   McMASTER,  LL.  D.,  1903-4. 

11 


12  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

SECRETARIES. 

t  HERBERT  BAXTER  ADAMS,  Ph.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1S84-1S99. 
A.  HOWARD  CLARK,  1880— 
CHARLES  IT.  HASKINS,  Ph.  D.,  1900— 

TREASURER. 

CLARENCE  WINTHROP  BOWEN,  Ph.  D.,  1884 — 

EXECUTIVE    COUNCIL. 

WILLIAM  BABCOCK  WEEDEN,  A.  M.,  1884-1886. 

t  CHARLES  DEANE,   LL.  D.,  1884-1887. 

t  MOSES  COIT  TYLER,  L.  H.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1884-85. 

EPHRAIM   EMERTON,   Ph.   D.,    1884-8.J. 

FRANKLIN  BOWDITCH  DEXTER,  A.  M.,  1885-1887. 

t  WILLIAM  FRANCIS  ALLEN,  A.  M.,  1885-1887. 

t  WILLIAM  WIRT  HENRY,  LL.  D.,  1886-1888. 

t  RUTHERFORD  BIRCHARD  HAYES,  LL.  D.,   1887-88. 

JOHN  W.  BURGESS,  LL.  D.,  1887-1891. 

ARTHI^R  MARTIN  WHEELER,  A.  :M.,   1887-1889. 

GEORGE  PARK  FISHER,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1888-1891. 

t  GEORGE  BROWN  (iOODE,  LL.  D.,  1889-1896. 

JOHN  GEORGE  BOITRINOT,  C.  M.  G.,  D.  C.  L.,  LL.  D.,  1889-1894. 

JOHN  BACH  McMASTER,  LL.  D.,  1891-1894. 

GEORGE  BURTON  ADAMS,  Ph.  D.,  1891-1897;    1898-1901. 

THEODORE  ROOSEVELT,  LL.  I).,  1894-95. 

t  JABEZ  LAMAR  MONROE  CURRY,  LL.  D.,  1894-95. 

HENRY  MORSE  STEPHENS,  A.  M.,  1895-1899. 

FREDERICK  JACKSON  TURNER,  Ph.  D.,  1895-1899;    1901-1904. 

EDWARD  MINER  GALLAUDET,  Pn.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1896-97. 

MELVILLE  WESTON  FULLER,  LL.  D.,  1897-1900. 

ALBERT  BUSHNELL  HART,  Ph.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1897-1900. 

ANDREW  c.  Mclaughlin,  a.  b.,  ll.  b.,  is98-19oi  ;  i903 — 

WILLIAM  A.  dunning.  Ph.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1899-1902. 
PETER  WHITE,  A.  M.,  1899-1902. 

J.  FRANKLIN  JAMESON,  Ph.  D.,  LL.  D.,  1900-1D03. 
A.  LAWRENCE  LOWELL,  A.  B..  LL.  B.,  1900-1903. 
HERBERT  PUTNAM  Litt.  D.,   LL.  D.,   1901-1904. 

geor(;e  l.  burr,  ll.  d.,  1902— 
edward  p.  cheyney,  a.  m.,  1902— 

EDWARD  G.  BOURNE,  Ph.  D.,  190;^.— 
GEORGE  P.  GARRISON,  Ph.  D.,  1904— 
REUBEN  GOLDTHWAITES,  LL.  D.,  1904— 

Deceased  officers  are  marker!  thus  t- 


COIVIMITTEES-1905. 


ANNUAL    COMMITTEES. 

Committee  on  the  Programme  for  the  Tireittij-first  Animal  Meeting: 
(Baltimore  and  Wasliingtoii,  1905)  :  John  Martin  Vincent, 
Charles  M,  Andrews.  F.  A.  Christie,  Charles  11.  llaskins,  and 
Andrew  C.  McLaughlin. 

Joint  Local  Committee  of  Arrangements  for  the  American  Historical 
Association,  American  Ecoiiomic  Association,  and  American 
Political  l^^cicncc  Association:  Theodore  Marlmrg,  J.  11.  Hol- 
lander, John  Martin  Vincent,  W.  W.  Willoughhy  ;  with  power 
to  add  nienihers  at  the  discretion  of  the  chairman. 

Committee  on  the  Entertainment  of  Jjidies:  Mrs.  Annie  M.  L. 
Sioussat,  Miss  Ida  M.  Tarhell ;  with  power  to  add  memhers  at 
the  discretion  of  the  chairman. 

STANDING   COMMrrTKES,   COMMISSIONS,   ANO  BOARDS. 

Editors  of  the  American  Historical  Review:  H.  Morse  Stephens, 
George  B.  Adams,  J.  Franklin  Jameson,  William  M.  Sloane, 
Albert  Bnshnell  Hart  (these  live  hold  over)  ;  Andrew  C, 
McLaughlin,  reelected  for  term  ending  January  1,  1011. 

Historical  Manuscripts  Commission:  P]dward  (J.  Bourne,  Frederick 
W.  Moore,  lieuben  G.  Thwaites,  Worthington  C.  Ford,  A.  C. 
McLaughlin,  T.  M.  Owen. 

Committee  on  the  Justin  Winsor  Prize:  Charles  M.  Andrews,  E.  P. 
Cheyney,  Charles  H.  Hull,  Roger  Foster,  Williston  Walker. 

Committee  on  the  Herbert  Baxter  Adams  Pri;:e:  Charles  Gross, 
George  L.  Burr,  Victor  Coffin,  James  Harvey  Robinson,  John 
Martin  Vincent. 

Public  Archives  Commission:  Herman  V.  Ames,  William  MacDonald, 
Herbert  L.  Osgood,  Charles  INI.  Andrews,  E.  E.  Sparks. 

Committee  on  Bibliography:  Ernest  C.  Richardson,  A.  P.  C.  Griffin, 
George  lies,  William  C.  Lane,  Reuben  G.  Thwaites,  Max  Far- 
rand. 

Committee  on  Publications:  Charles  II.  llaskins,  A.  Howard  Clark, 
F.  M.  Fling,  S.  M.  Jackson,  Miss  Elizabeth  Kendall,  A.  D. 
Morse,  Earle  W.  Dow. 

13 


14  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

General  Committee:  Henry  E.  Bourne,  Charles  H.  Haskins,  Miss 
Lucy  M.  Salmon,  Miss  Lilian  W.  Johnson,  John  S.  Bassett, 
William  MacDonald,  F.  H.  Hodder,  F.  L.  Riley,  B.  F.  Sham- 
baugh,  R.  G.  Thwaites,  F.  G.  Young;  with  power  to  add  ad- 
junct members. 

Committee  of  Eight  on  Hifttory  in  Elementary  Schools:  J.  A.  James, 
Henry  E.  Bourne,  E.  C.  Brooks,  Wilbur  F.  Gordy,  Mabel  Hill, 
Julius  Sachs,  Henry  W.  Thurston,  James  H.  Van  Sickle. 

Finance  Committee:  J.  H.  Eckels,  Peter  White. 


CONTENTS 


Page. 
I.  Report  of  the  Proceedings  of  the   Twentieth   Annual 
Meetini?,  at  Chicago,  111.,  December  28-30,  1904,  by 

Charles  H.  Haskins,  corresponding  secretary 17 

II.  The  Treatment  of  History,  by  Goldwin  Smith 05 

III.  On  Roman  History,  by  Ettore  Pais 79 

IV.  On  the  Necessity  in  America  of  the  Study  of  the  Early 

History  of  Modern  European  Nations,  by  Friedrich 

Keutgen 89 

V.  The  Chief  Currents  of  Russian  Historical  Thought,  by 

Paul    Milyoukov 109 

VI.  The  Work  of  American  Historical  Societies,  by  Henry 

E.   Bourne 115 

VII.  Public  Records  in  Our  Dependencies,  by  Worthington 

Chauncey  Ford 129 

Vni.  The  Exploration  of  the  Louisiana  Frontier,  1803-1806, 

by  Isaac  J.  Cox 149 

IX.  The  Campaign  of  1824  in  New  York,  by  C.  H.  Rammel- 

kamp 175 

X.  Report  of  the  Conference  on  the  Teaching  of  History 

in  Elementary  Schools,  by  J.  A.  James 203 

XI.  Report  of  the  Conference  on  the  Teaching  of  Church 

History,  by  Francis  A.  Christie 211 

XII.  First  Report  of  the  Conference  of  State  and  Local  His- 
torical Societies,  by  Frederick  W.  Moore 219 

XIII.  State  Departments  of  Archives  and  History,  by  Thomas 

McAdory  Owen 235 

XIV.  Report  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  First  Annual  Meeting 

of  the  Pacific  Coast  Branch,  by  Max  Farrand 259 

XV.  Bibliographical  Notes  on  Early  California,  by  Robert 

Ernest  Cowan 267 

XVI.  The  Nootka  Sound  Controversy,  by  W.  R.  Manning 279 

XVII.  Report  of  the  Public  Archives  Commission 479 

XVIII.  Report  on  the  Collection  of  Materials  in  English  and 
European  History  and  Subsidiary  Fields  in  Libraries 
of  United  States,  by  Wilbur  H.  Siebert 651 

15 


I -REPORT  OF  PROCEEDINGS  OF  TWENTIETH  ANNUAL  MEETING  OF 
THE  AMERICAN  HISTORICAL  ASSOCIATION. 


Chicago,  III.,  December  28,  29,  30,  1904. 


By  CHARLES    H.  RASKINS, 

Corresponding  Secretary. 


H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 2 


MPORT  OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  TWENTIETH  ANNUAL 
MEETING  OF  THE  AMERICAN  HISTORICAL  ASSOCIATION.^ 


By  Charles  H.  Haskins,  Corresponding  Secretary. 


For  some  years  the  successive  meetings  of  the  American 
Historical  Association  have  vied  one  Avith  the  other  in  in- 
terest and  usefulness.  In  describing  these  meetings  it  is  no 
longer  possible  to  use  descriptive  adjectives  in  the  compara- 
tive or  superlative  degree.  All  of  them  have  been  prac- 
tically above  criticism  or  complaint.  The  recent  meeting 
at  Chicago — December  28  to  30,  1904 — was  no  less  satisfac- 
tory in  all  respects  than  its  predecessors,  and  candor  forbids 
the  use  of  more  laudatory  phrases.  The  programme  was 
excellent,  the  social  arrangements  were  admirable,  the  cour- 
tesy of  those  in  charge  of  the  meeting  and  the  attentions  of 
friends  of  the  Association  in  Chicago  unfailing  and 
unremitting. 

Most  of  the  sessions  were  held  at  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago, in  the  Reynolds  Club  House,  and  in  the  Leon  Mandel 
Assembly  Hall  adjoining,  which  were  well  adapted  to  the 
purposes  and  gave  facilities  not  only  for  the  stated  pro- 
gramme, but  for  committee  and  board  meetings,  and  for 
social  intercourse,  which  after  all  is  the  most  important  fea- 
ture of  these  gatherings.  The  American  P^conomic  Associa- 
tion and  the  American  Political  Science  Association  held 
meetings  at  the  same  time  and  place,  and  there  were  three 
joint  sessions.  At  the  first  the  chief  paper  was  the  address 
of  the  president  of  the  Political  Science  Association ;  at  the 
second,  the  addresses  of  the  presidents  of  the  Economic  Asso- 

a  This  general  account  of  the  Chicago  meeting  of  the  Association  is  repro- 
duced, with  slight  modifications,  from  the  report  prepared  for  the  American 
Historical  Review  (April,  1905)  by  the  managing  editor  of  the  Review,  Prof. 
A.  C.  McLaughlin. 

19 


20  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

elation  and  the  Historical  Association  were  read;  at  the 
third,  topics  in  industrial  history  were  *  discussed  by  the 
economists  and  the  historians. 

At  the  end  of  the  first  session  a  luncheon  was  served  to 
visiting  delegates  in  Hutchinson  Hall,  the  university  com- 
mons— a  charming  reproduction  of  the  hall  of  Christ 
Church  College,  Oxford.  The  same  afternoon  the  ladies 
were  invited  to  a  tea  by  Mrs.  William  Gardner  Hale. 
Wednesday  evening  a  reception  was  given  by  the  Chicago 
Historical  Society  at  its  building,  and  the  next  afternoon  the 
delegates  were  received  by  President  and  Mrs.  Harper.  An 
enjoyable  smoker  was  held  at  the  Hotel  del  Prado  on  Thurs- 
day evening.  The  same  evening  the  ladies  were  entertained 
at  the  residence  of  Prof.  James  Westfall  Thompson  by  Mrs. 
Thompson  and  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Wilmarth.  The  Quadrangle 
Club,  the  Union  League  Club,  the  City  Club,  and  the  Uni- 
versity Club  gave  non-resident  members  the  free  use  of  their 
clubrooms,  and  the  same  courtesy  was  shown  the  ladies  of 
the  Association  by  the  Chicago  Women's  Club.  The  success 
of  the  meeting  was  in  no  small  measure  due  to  the  tireless 
work  and  good  judgment  of  Prof.  J.  Franklin  Jameson, 
chairman  of  the  committee  on  programme,  and  of  Mr. 
Charles  L.  Hutchinson,  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
arrangements. 

Most  of  the  sessions  Avere  held  at  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago, but  one  was  held  at  the  rooms  of  the  Chicago  Historical 
Society,  and  one,  the  last,  at  the  Northwestern  University 
building  in  the  central  part  of  the  city.  The  attendance  was 
large  and  representative,  more  members  being  registered  and 
probably  many  more  being  present  than  at  any  previous 
meeting.  As  w^as  the  case  at  New  Orleans,  nearly  all  sec- 
tions of  the  countr}^  were  well  represented.  Though  not  so 
many  came  from  the  Pacific  coast  or  the  South  Atlantic 
States  as  were  in  attendance  a  year  ago.  New  England  and 
the  Middle  States  Avere  largely  represented,  as  were  nearly 
all  of  the  States  of  the  Mississippi  basin. 

The  meetings  once  more  gave  evidence  of  the  wide  inter- 
ests of  American  historical  scholars,  of  the  spirit  of  coopera- 
tion, and  of  the  best  of  scholastic  good-felloAvship.  One  of 
the  meetings  was  given  up  to  conferences  or  "  round  tables  " 
on    special    subjects,  a  feature    of    the    programme  which 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  21 

proved  peculiarly  attractive,  as  is  likely  to  be  the  case  where 
topics  of  live  interest  are  discussed  and  where  practical 
methods  are  considered.  The  practice  of  dividing  the  Asso- 
ciation into  sections,  which  years  ago  was  followed  for  a 
time,  had  its  evident  disadvantages,  since  it  destroyed  the 
unit}^  of  the  meetings  and  simply  added  to  the  number  of 
formal  papers  to  which  one  might  listen  if  he  chose ;  but  such 
a  plan  as  that  adopted  at  Chicago,  of  giving  one  session  to 
a  number  of  special  gatherings  in  which  matters  of  interest 
may  be  freely  discussed  by  a  comparatively  small  number  of 
men,  is  of  very  evident  effect  in  increasing  the  interest  and 
the  value  of  the  meetings.  One  Avould  hesitate  to  say  that 
the  plan  should  ahvays  be  followed  in  the  future,  but  this  at 
least  is  certain,  that  the  morning  session  given  up  to  the 
round-table  conferences  was  the  most  profitable  and  inter- 
esting of  all.  The  meeting  as  a  Avhole  was  of  unquestioned 
service  to  western  scholars,  and  perhaps  of  si)ecial  value  be- 
cause it  brought  together  an  unusual  number  of  workers  in 
local  history  and  gave  them  new  courage  and  interest. 

At  the  first  session,  held  in  Leon  Mandel  Asseml)ly  Hall, 
an  address  of  welcome  was  given  by  President  William  R. 
Harper,  after  which  Prof.  Frank  J.  Goodnow,  of  Columbia 
University,  president  of  the  American  Political  Science 
Association,  gave  the  first  annual  address,  choosing  for  his 
topic  the  Avork  of  the  ucav  association.  He  dwelt  chiefly  on 
topics  and  fields  of  study  that  need  attention  from  investi- 
gators in  political  science  and  on  the  desirability  of  co-opera- 
tion betAveen  practical  Avorkers  and  theorists  Avhich  the 
association  might  promote,  and  emphasized  the  desirability 
of  a  thorough  and  scientific  examination  of  the  principles 
and  practice  of  administration. 

After  these  addresses  had  been  delivered  before  the  three 
societies  tivo  papers  Avere  read  in  a  joint  meeting  of  the 
Historical  and  Political  Science  Associations.  Prof.  Wil- 
liam M.  Sloane,  of  Columbia  UniA'-ersity,  in  a  paper  entitled 
"  The  Contrast  of  Political  Theory  and  Practice  in  France 
under  the  CouA^ention,"  examined  critically  the  French  Gov- 
ernment under  the  convention  from  1793  to  1795,  inclusiA^e. 
He  declared  that  an  assembly  chosen  to  make  a  constitution 
usurped  the  soA^ereign  poAver  Avithout  excuse,  and  that  the 
plea  of  necessity  was  invalid.     The  coalition  against  France 


I 


22  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

was  not  formidable,  because  it  had  no  solid  basis  and  no 
consistency.  The  internal  affairs  of  France  gave  the  Jaco- 
bins no  monopoly  in  saving  the  country,  for  there  was 
already  a  constituted  executive,  and  the  boundless  resources 
of  the  country  Avere  just  as  available  for  the  republicans  as 
a  whole  as  they  were  for  one  faction  of  the  party.  The 
convention  was  not  merely  a  usurper;  it  was  irregular  and 
illegitimate  in  both  its  membership  and  its  organization. 
Surrendering  its  power  to  two  committees,  the  executive 
council  and  that  of  public  security,  it  devoted  itself  solely 
to  party  ends.  Its  earliest  effort  in  arrogating  sovereignty 
to  an  oligarchy  by  the  committee  of  general  defense  was  a 
failure.  Thereuj)on  it  deliberately  sacrificed  for  its  own 
ends  the  entire  Girondin  party  and  created  the  committee  of 
public  safety,  which  took  advantage  of  the  public  disorders 
to  create  a  Jacobin  autocracy.  The  most  efficient  organ  of 
this  shameless  tyranny — the  revolutionary  tribunal — steadily 
declined  into  a  factional  committee  of  assassination.  Any 
effort  to  judge  the  "  Terror  "  e^^n  as  a  means  justified  by  the 
end  is  foredoomed  to  failure,  for  France  has  been  saved  sev- 
eral times  in  moments  quite  as  critical ;  but  it  was  done  by 
sane  men,  and  the  success  did  not  deliver  her  bound  to  gov- 
ernments like  the  disreputable  directoiy,  and  an  eventual 
military  despotism. 

Mr.  Jesse  S.  Reeves  read  a  paper  on  "  The  Napoleonic  Con- 
federacy in  the  United  States,"  an  organization  by  the  French 
refugees  in  America  having  for  its  purpose  the  placing  of 
Joseph  Bonaparte  upon  the  throne  of  Mexico.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1817,  G.  Hyde  de  Neuvillcj  the  French  minister  at 
Washington,  obtained  possession  of  certain  letters  sent  by 
Joseph  Lakanal  to  Joseph  Bonaparte.  These  letters  dis- 
closed a  conspiracy  among  French  refugees  in  America,  but 
though  the  attention  of  the  State  Department  was  called 
to  the  matter  no  steps  were  taken  to  apprehend  the  leaders. 
In  the  spring  of  1818  a  company  of  200  men,  under  General 
Lallemand,  left  Philadelphia,  landed  at  Galveston,  and  pro- 
ceeded up  the  Trinity  River.  A  settlement  called  "  Champ 
d'Asile  "  was  founded,  but  its  existence  was  short ;  menaced 
by  the  Spanish  and  suffering  for  want  of  food,  the  wretched 
Napoleonic  soldiers  abandoned  their  settlement  and  returned 
to  Galveston,  where  they  were  found  by  General  Graham- 


I 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  23 

who  had  been  sent  by  Monroe  to  investigate  the  purposes 
of  the  expedition.  Inasmuch  as  Lallemand's  plans  came  to 
naught  and  there  was  no  proof  that  Joseph  Bonaparte  had 
any  part  in  the  undertaking,  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  did  not  think  it  best  to  take  further  notice  of  the 
purposes  and  plans  of  the  conspirators.  Mr.  Reeves's  nar- 
rative was  based  on  the  correspondence  on  file  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  State. 

The  afternoon  of  Wednesda}^  was  given  to  a  meeting  of 
the  council  and  of  various  committees  and  boards  which  now 
have  in  charge  many  of  the  important  functions  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. In  the  evening  a  joint  meeting  of  the  Historical 
and  Economic  Associations  was  held  in  the  Chicago  His- 
torical Society  building.  Mr.  Franklin  H.  Head,  in  behalf 
of  the  Chicago  Historical  Society,  welcomed  the  associa- 
tions in  a  felicitous  address.  President  Frank  W.  Taussig, 
of  the  Economic  Association,  discussed  the  present  position 
of  the  doctrine  of  free  trade.  After  considering  the  general 
arguments  for  free  trade  and  protection,  he  said  that  conclu- 
sions as  to  the  general  argument  for  protection  for  young 
industries  have  an  uncertain  ring ;  and  that  while  protection 
can  not  be  proved  to  be  useless,  certain  economic  phenomena 
in  this  country  show  that  it  is  not  indispensable.  The  essence 
of  the  doctrine  of  free  trade  is  that  international  trade  brings 
a  gain,  and,  in  consequence,  all  restrictions  upon  it  a  loss. 
Departures  from  this  principle  may  perhaps  be  justified, 
but  they  need  to  prove  their  own  "case,  and  if  made  in  view 
of  the  pressure  of  opposing  interests  such  departures  are 
a  matter  of  regret."  The  address  of  the  president  of  the  His- 
torical Association,  Prof.  Goldwin  Smith,  which  in  his 
absence  was  read  by  Prof.  Benjamin  Terry,  appears  in  this 
volume. 

The  session  of  Thursday  morning,  when  the  round-table 
conferences  were  held,  was  of  peculiar  interest;  and  the  fact 
that  many  felt  when  the  conferences  were  finished  that  much 
remained  to  be  said  is  ample  proof  of  the  profitableness 
and  utility  of  the  discussions.  The  officers  of  the  associa- 
tion have  long  felt  that  an  effort  should  be  made  to  bring 

a  Professor  Taussig's  address  is  printed  in  full  in  the  Publications  of  the 
American  Economic  Association  for  15)05. 


24  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  State  historical  societies  into  closer  relations  with  one 
another  and  with  the  general  association,  in  order  that,  by 
means  of  greater  co-operation,  objects  of  common  interest 
might  be  attained  and  unwise  and  unnecessary  duplication 
of  work  avoided.  With  the  hope  of  establishing  this  closer 
relationship,  a  conference  of  representatives  from  State  and 
local  societies  was  made  part  of  the  Chicago  programme,  and 
its  success  was  marked.  The  sessions  w^ere  held  in  the 
library  of  the  Reynolds  Club  House.  Dr.  Reuben  G. 
Thwaites,  secretary  of  the  State  Historical  Society  of  Wis- 
consin, w^ho  acted  as  chairman,  in  opening  the  meeting  stated 
in  a  fcAv  well-chosen  words  the  purposes  in  view  and  what 
might  be  gained  for  mutual  benefit  by  a  better  understanding 
among  local  societies.  In  a  paper  on  the  forms  of  organiza- 
tion and  the  relation  to  the  State  governments  Mr.  Thomas 
M.  Owen,  director  of  the  Alabama  Department  of  Archives 
and  History,  spoke  of  the  obligation  resting  upon  the  State 
for  the  preservation  and  care  of  its  archives,  and  of  the 
desirability  of  having  an  officer  specially  charged  with  this 
duty.  This  work  should  be  consigned  to  some  one  who  is 
interested  in  historical  matters  and  appreciates  the  value 
of  documentary  material,  inasmuch  as  the  average  adminis- 
trative officer  is  not  likely  to  have  much  respect  for  docu- 
ments that  have  no  immediate  and  evident  utility.  The 
State  historical  society  is  unable  to  care  for  the  public  rec- 
ords, and  only  by  the  establishment  of  a  distinct  depart- 
ment can  suitable  appropriations  commonly  be  expected. 
The  speaker  described  the  organization  existing  in  Ala- 
bama, where  there  is  a  separate  department  of  the  govern- 
ment, under  the  general  management  of  a  board  of  trus- 
tees, and  a  director  is  appointed  as  a  State  trustee;  the 
State  Historical  Society  of  Alabama  has  decided  to  surrender 
to  the  State  the  task  of  collecting  manuscripts,  and  to  content 
itself  with  holding  meetings,  publishing  material,  and  stim- 
ulating interest  in  history.*^  Mr.  Warren  Upham,  secretary 
of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  spoke  in  approval  of 
the  methods  existing  in  those  States  where  the  expenses  of 
the  historical  society  are  met  by  legislative  appropriations. 
Without  denying  the  value  of  such  an  organization  as  that 
of  Alabama,  and  without  underestimating  the  immense  work 

«  Mr.  Owen's  paper  is  printed  in  full  in  this  volume. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO   MEETING.  25 

done  by  such  associations  as  the  Massachusetts  Historical 
Society,  he  pointed  out  the  evident  advantages  of  such  a 
system  as  that  of  Wisconsin  and  of  some  of  the  other  States 
in  the  Northwest.  A  State  department  of  history  is  in 
danger  of  being  subjected  to  political  influence.  An  his- 
torical society,  aided  by  the  State  in  an  evident  public  duty, 
can  collect  and  care  for  historical  documents  and  also  arouse 
popular  interest,  as  a  public  officer  can  not.  Mr.  C.  M.  Bur- 
ton, of  Detroit,  president  of  the  Michigan  Pioneer  and  His- 
torical Society,  and  well  known  as  a  devoted  collector  of 
historical  materials,  spoke  earnestly  of  the  need  of  coopera- 
tion to  the  end  that  unnecessary  duplication  of  work  might 
be  avoided  and  more  thorough  Avork  accomplished.  He 
advocated  the  preparation  of  a  general  index  to  the  publi- 
cations of  historical  societies,  a  task  which  would  be  easily 
performed  if  the  historical  societies  of  the  country  w^ould 
be  willing  to  work  together.  Prof.  B.  F.  Shambaugh,  of 
the  State  Historical  Society  of  low^a,  spoke  briefly  of  the 
proper  division  of  the  field  between  the  State  society  and  the 
local  societies  within  the  same  State,  and  pointed  out  the 
value  of  local  societies  in  preserving  documents  and  in  aid- 
ing the  State  society  in  the  task  of  collection. 

Prof.  F.  L.  Riley,  of  the  Mississippi  Historical  Society, 
commenting  on  the  general  subject  under  discussion,  spoke 
favorably  of  the  arrangement  in  Mississippi,  where  there 
is  an  active  historical  society  and  also  a  well-organized 
State  department,  the  former  at  the  university,  the  latter 
at  the  State  capital.  Prof.  A.  C.  McLaughlin,  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  the  chairman,  gave  a  short  statement  of  the  pro- 
posed Avork  of  the  Bureau  of  Historical  Research  of  the 
Carnegie  Institution.  Referring  to  the  Avork  already  done 
in  England  by  Prof.  C.  M.  AndrcAvs,  he  said  that  it  is  the 
intention  to  make  a  thorough  report  on  the  British  archives 
and,  in  the  coming  year,  to  begin  the  examination  of  the 
Spanish  archiA^es,  Avith  the  hope  of  being  of  service  not  only 
to  investigators,  but  to  historical  societies  that  Avish  to  have 
transcripts  made.  It  is  also  the  intention  of  the  bureau 
to  gather  information  concerning  all  manuscript  collec- 
tions of  historical  societies,  in  order  that  there  may  be  in 
one  place  knowledge  of  the  materials  that  are  scattered 
throughout  the  country. 


26  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL   ASSOCIATION. 

The  round-table  conference  on  the  teaching  of  church 
history  had  a  fair  attendance,  and  the  proceedings  were  of 
great  interest  to  all  present.  Prof.  F.  A.  Christie,  of  the 
Mead vi  lie  Theological  School,  presiding,  opened  the  confer- 
ence by  a  plea  for  a  consideration  of  the  problems  of  church 
history  as  problems  of  historical  science  without  the  con- 
trol of  dogmatic  or  ecclesiastical  interests.  Regret  was 
expressed  that  the  body  of  workers  in  this  field  does  not 
compare  favorably  in  numbers  or  energy  with  those  who 
contribute  to  other  divisions  of  the  field  of  history,  and  that 
the  production  of  results  is  equally  disappointing.  Having 
indicated  certain  problems  of  the  definition  and  treatment 
of  the  subject,  the  speaker  held  that  a  higher  scientific 
activity  calls  for  ampler  material  equipment  in  theological 
schools  and  for  the  introduction  of  the  study  in  institu- 
tions other  than  theological.  When  colleges  afford  an  out- 
line of  knowledge,  the  instruction  in  theological  schools  can 
use  more  intensive  methods  and  yield  higher  results. 

Prof.  Albert  T.  SAving,  of  (3berlin,  speaking  on  methods 
of  teaching,  made  a  vigorous  argument  for  a  system  that 
would  occupy  the  student  with  the  problems  of  exposition 
and  reproduction.  In  view  of  the  future  vocation  of  the 
student,  an  extensive  thesis  was  held  to  be  less  desirable  than 
the  preparation  of  addresses  in  such  literary  form  as  would 
make  a  living  appeal  to  a  mass  of  hearers.  The  aim  should 
be  twofold:  The  discovery  and  analysis  of  vital  movements 
by  the  exercise  of  true  historical  insight ;  and  the  immediate 
presentation  of  these  ideas  with  a  judicial  temper  and  a  sen- 
sitive skill  of  artistic  expression.  After  indicating  the  divi- 
sions and  methods  of  the  general  survey  of  church  history, 
Professor  Swing  urged  the  historical  analysis  of  the  origin 
and  develoj^ment  of  doctrines  as  the  crowning  work  of  the 
department. 

Dealing  with  the  problem  of  the  fostering  of  independent 
research.  Prof.  Shailer  Mathews,  of  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago, held  that  a  theological  school  aims  at  practical  effi- 
ciency in  a  profession,  and  that  the  general  body  of  its 
students  should  not  be  expected  to  accomplish  special  re- 
search. The  seminary  must  first  teach  the  body  of  things 
known  and  then  in  the  senior  year  give  some  discipline  in  the 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  27 

use  of  sources,  not  for  the  production  of  technical  historians, 
but  to  show  the  difference  of  opinion  and  fact  and  to  teach 
the  method  of  construction.  On  the  other  hand,  students 
preparing  to  teach  must  be  given  a  separate  technical  tiain- 
ing,  and  the  instructor  must  pursue  research  for  his  own 
good.  Professor  Mathews  advocated  the  systematic  editing 
and  publication  of  documents  of  American  church  history  by 
instructors,  with  the  collaboration  of  advanced  students,  and 
a  project  of  co-operative  historical  writing  after  the  model 
of  the  Gamhridge  Modern  History. 

On  the  theme  of  church  history  in  colleges  and  graduate 
schools  Prof.  Carl  Rnssell  Fish,  of  the  Universit}^  of  Wis- 
consin, made  a  stimulating  and  suggestive  speech  with  special 
regard  to  American  history.  Although  churches  have  had  a 
great  influence  on  the  growth  of  our  civilization,  the  atten- 
tion given  to  them  in  general  courses  is  slight  nnd  confined 
to  the  bizarre  and  the  picturesque.  Vital  problems  are  sel- 
dom handled.  As  the  multiplication  of  college  courses  for- 
bids the  average  student  to  take  a  special  course  in  church 
history,  it  is  necessary  to  correlate  the  sul)ject  with  general 
history.  The  advantage  of  this  is  seen  in  the  broadening 
and  consequent  simplification  of  the  whole  view  of  history. 
An  illustration  is  the  growth  and  the  history  of  united  or- 
ganizations in  the  churches  and  tlie  ])olitical  union  of  the 
country.  If  college  teachers  are  to  have  the  basis  for  such 
correlation,  it  must  be  furnished  by  the  specialists  in  church 
history  and  by  those  who  have  made  a  comparative  study  of 
the  several  churches,  as  well  as  of  religious  and  civil  institu- 
tions. This  is  the  most  profitable  held  for  the  graduate 
student,  who  will  find  whole  series  of  problem.s  by  simply 
placing  side  by  side  the  ascertained  facts  in  these  several  sub- 
jects and  observing  the  relationships  and  the  discrepancies 
which  there  appear. 

The  conference  on  the  teaching  of  history  in  the  elementary 
school  was  likewise  interesting  and  profitable.  Prof.  J.  A. 
James,  of  Northwestern  University,  who  acted  as  chairman, 
opened  the  meeting  with  a  few  words  concerning  the  impor- 
tance of  the  problems  that  were  to  come  up  for  discussion. 
He  showed  that  there  is  at  the  present  time  no  agreement  in 
practice  or  in  theory;    there  are  few  indications  of  any 


28  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

tendency  to  uniformity  in  the  schools.  Occasionally  men 
competent  to  speak  with  wisdom  have  been  called  to  plan 
a  course  of  study  for  the  grades,  but  expert  recommendations 
have  in  the  past  been  of  little  use.  The  time,  however,  may 
now  have  come  for  a  thorough  and,  if  possible,  an  authorita- 
tive study  of  the  whole  situation.  Mr.  Henry  W.  Thurston, 
of  the  Chicago  Normal  School,  read  a  paper  on  "  Some  Sug- 
gestions for  an  Elementary  Course  of  Study  in  History." 
The  aim  of  history  teaching  is  to  help  the  child  to  under- 
stand in  a  true  sense  what  his  American  fellows  are  now 
doing  and  to  help  him  to  intelligent  voluntary  action  in 
agreement  or  disagreement  Avith  them ;  a  course  of  study  with 
this  general  aim  would  begin  with  the  child's  problems  in 
his  social  environment  and  carry  on  from  grade  to  grade  the 
examination  of  such  contemj^orary  social  problems  as  are 
w^ithin  the  child's  comprehension.  This  study  would  embrace 
likewise  attention  in  every  grade  to  genetic  problems  in  the 
past.  The  events  studied  should  be  in  the  industrial,  politi- 
cal, social,  and  religious  fields,  and  be  chosen  primarily  from 
direct  physical  and  i:)sychical  ancestry  of  Americans.  Dif- 
ferent "unit  topics''  should  not,  the  speaker  said,  be  pre- 
sented in  chronological  order,  but  rather  in  such  a  Avay  that 
there  will  be  the  strongest  tendency  in  the  child  to  relate 
the  past  to  himself,  that  he  may  feel  that  the  ways  and 
thoughts  of  the  present  are  the  product  of  development  and 
evolution. 

In  continuing  the  discussion.  Dr.  George  O.  Virtue,  of  the 
Winona  State  Normal  School,  Minnesota,  said  he  did  not 
think  that  in  choosing  material  for  preparatory  work  stress 
should  be  laid  on  the  interest  of  the  child ;  the  safer  guide  is 
the  child's  future  needs.  A  proper  course  Avould  not  be  very 
different  from  that  now  followed  in  many  American  schools. 
It  gives  a  prominent  place  in  the  seventh  and  eighth  years  to 
American  history,  which  might  well  be  preceded  by  ancient 
and  English  history.  The  momentary  interests  of  such  a 
course  might  be  made  to  conform  roughly  to  the  demands  of 
those  holding  to  the  culture-epoch  theory  and  be  fitted  to  the 
needs  of  children  of  varying  experience  and  abilities;  it  is 
rich  in  possibilities  for  developing  the  imagination,  rousing 
the  enthusiasm,  and  building  standards  of  personal  and  civic 
conduct.    The  mental  training  from  the  study  of  history, 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  29 

which  some  persons  assert  to  be  only  a  by-product  of  history 
study  in  the  lower  schools,  could  be  made  really  valuable  and 
significant  if  proper  attention  were  paid  to  conditions  of 
preparation,  to  the  time  employed,  and  to  securing  skilled  in- 
struction. Miss  Emily  J.  Rice,  of  the  School  of  P]ducation 
of  the  University  of  Chicago,  spoke  briefly  on  the  prepara- 
tion of  the  elementary  teacher.  She  emphasized  the  fact 
that  new  ideals  in  education  are  making  new  demands  on  the 
teacher;  her  task  is  not  to  compel  her  pupils  to  commit  a 
few  pages  or  to  memorize  a  few  meaningless  details;  she 
must  help  to  bring  the  subject-matter  of  history  home  to  tlie 
child  and  to  relate  it  to  his  experience.  Stress  should  be  laid 
on  industrial  history  and  the  development  of  the  arts.  The 
test  of  a  teacher's  success  is  to  be  found  in  the  habits  of  study 
which  her  pupils  acquire  under  her  guidance  and  inspiration. 
Following  these  papers  was  a  general  discussion,  in  which 
a  number  of  persons  participated,  among  them  Prof.  A.  II. 
Sanford,  of  the  Stevens  Point  Normal  School,  Wisconsin, 
who  declared  that  general  principles  should  be  laid  down  and 
superintendents  left  to  work  out  the  details  in  a  way  suited  to 
their  own  needs ;  Prof.  J.  S.  Young,  of  the  Mankato  Normal 
School,  Minnesota,  who  said  that  history  study  should  begin 
with  the  first  grade  and  develop  by  regular  stages;  Prof. 
J.  B.  McMaster,  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  who  be- 
lieved that  in  the  process  of  Americanizing  the  foreigners 
we  must  fill  their  minds  with  facts  of  American  history, 
which  they  may  not  understand,  but  which  they  must  take 
as  so  much  medicine;  and  Prof.  James  Sullivan,  who  said 
that  we  now  have  a  disproportionate  amount  of  American 
history.  Some  of  the  speakers  radically  disagreed  with  Pro- 
fessor McMaster,  declaring  that  a  mere  acciunulation  of  facts 
was  of  little  moment.  There  seemed  to  be  general  agree- 
ment as  to  the  wisdom  of  a  wide  and  substantial  course  in 
American  history,  as  the  best  preparation  for  civic  duties 
and  for  the  comprehension  of  the  meaning  of  American  soci- 
ety in  which  the  boys  and  girls  of  the  school  are  called  upon 
to  pass  their  lives.  One  would  judge  from  the  course  of  the 
discussion  that  there  should  be  no  serious  difficidty  in  mark- 
ing out  a  course  of  study  for  the  grades,  if  the  task  is  entered 
upon  seriously  and  intelligently.  That  the  subject  might 
secure  the  requisite  attention  the  conference  asked  the  council 


30  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL   ASSOCIATION. 

to  appoint  a  committee,  similar  to  the  Committee  of  Seven, 
which  should  recommend  a  history  course  for  the  elementary 
schools. 

At  the  conference  which  considered  the  doctoral  disserta- 
tion in  history  and  the  doctor's  degree  there  was  a  large 
attendance.  The  room  where  the  sessions  were  held  was  too 
small  to  contain  all  who  sought  admission,  and  the  discussions 
were  of  unusual  interest.  There  was  a  general  feeling  that 
the  problems  under  consideration  are  vital  and  important. 
In  opening  the  discussion,  the  presiding  officer,  Prof.  George 
B.  Adams,*^  of  Yale,  said  that  in  following  German  practice 
in  this  country  we  had,  in  his  opinion,  followed  the  wrong 
road ;  by  granting  the  degree  freely  to  every  one  completing 
a  required  course,  and  by  demanding  as  a  dissertation  a  piece 
of  original  Avork,  we  are  likely  in  the  end  to  magnify  the 
importance  of  little  things  and  run  the  risk  of  creating  the 
impression  that  what  is  only  the  beginning  is  the  real  end; 
we  shall  fall  also  into  a  state  in  which  process  seems  the 
only  thing,  Avithout  regard  to  the  value  of  the  result.  For 
the  first  of  these  conditions  the  thesis  is  largely  responsible  ; 
for  the  student — and  sometimes  the  instructor — labors  under 
the  impression  that  the  product  of  the  student's  minute  toil 
is  really  an  important  contribution  to  knowledge,  Avhereas 
in  the  majority  of  cases,  certainly  in  medieval  history,  these 
laborious  theses  merely  cumber  the  shelves  and  are  but  im- 
pediments in  the  way  of  the  really  creative  scholar.  Pro- 
fessor Adams  called  attention  to  the  number  of  men  who  do 
nothing  after  compiling  their  dissertations,  and  fall  back 
Avith  an  undeserved  and  unnecessary  feeling  of  failure  into 
the  Avork  of  the  secondary  schools.  As  a  remedy,  he  advised 
the  establishment  of  tAvo  doctorates,  the  first  of  which  should 
stand  for  about  the  amount  and  kind  of  training  now  re- 
quired for  the  doctorate.  For  this  degree  the  thesis  need  not 
be  an  original  contribution  to  knowledge,  and  there  should 
be  no  requirement  that  it  be  printed;  the  more  adA^anced 
should  be  similar  to  the  French  degree,  obtainable  only  by 
mature  scholars  after  a  searching  examination  and  on  the 

« Professor  Adams's  paper  introducing  this  discussion,  rewritten  and  en- 
larged, will  appear  in  an  early  number  of  the  Educational  Review. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  31 

presentation  of  a  dissertation  indicative  of  real  scholarship 
and  creative  ability.  If  it  were  possible,  he  said,  to  advance 
our  present  master's  degree  to  about  our  present  doctor's 
degree,  and  the  doctor's  to  the  point  of  the  French  doctorate, 
the  arrangement  would  be  altogether  desirable.  By  agree- 
ing on  an  advanced  degree,  American  universities  would  gain 
the  advantages  of  both  German  and  French  practices;  they 
would  not  lose  their  influence  on  the  secondary  schools;  we 
should  avoid  conveying  to  the  student  a  wrong  impression 
of  his  own  attainments  and  prospects,  and  should  esca])e  a 
barren  and  desolating  flood  of  printed  dissertations  of  no 
substantial  value,  Avhich  threatens  to  be  a  burden  to  every 
branch  of  knowledge. 

Prof.  D.  C.  Munro,  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  spoke 
of  the  various  kinds  of  students  who  seek  the  doctorate.  The 
training  given  those  who  are  to  be  writers  of  history  should 
be  different  from  that  offered  those  who  are  seeking  only  a 
broad  scholarship  and  a  fuller  knowledge  than  can  be  ac- 
quired in  the  undergraduate  course.  If  the  former  class 
is  to  be  properly  prepared,  training  in  the  technique  of 
history  requires  so  much  time  that  no  thesis  fairly  worth 
printing  can  as  a  rule  be  Avritten.  In  this  respect  history 
stands,  perhaps,  on  a  different  plane  from  that  of  the  phys- 
ical sciences,  where  it  is  not  impossible  for  the  compara- 
tively immature  student  to  make  a  serious  contribution  to 
his  science.  Professor  Munro  could  not  agree  with  Pro- 
fessor Adams  as  to  the  usefulness  of  the  proposed  second 
doctorate.  Prof.  James  Harvey  Robinson,  of  Columbia, 
said  that  the  doctor's  degree  might  be  taken  too  seriously; 
certainly  for  some  purposes  the  master's  degree  is  more 
useful.  There  are  great  differences,  he  said,  in  the  capacities 
of  students,  some  of  them  reaching  their  limit  by  the  end 
of  the  first  year  of  graduate  work.  To  obtain  an  elaborate 
literary  production  would  be  very  difficult  in  these  days, 
when  so  few  can  write  the  English  language  in  accordance 
with  accepted  usage.  Perhaps  a  translation  might  prove 
an  agreeable  substitute  for  a  thesis  in  some  cases,  for  it 
requires  the  intelligent  use  of  two  languages  and  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  subject  in  hand.  Prof.  George  E.  Howard,  of 
the  University  of  Nebraska,  on  the  other  hand,  pleaded  for 


32  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  retention  of  the  doctorate  as  a  scholar's  degree,  declar- 
ing that  the  last  decade  has  seen  a  decided  improvement  in 
the  standard,  that  the  present  thesis  is  creditable,  and  that 
in  American  and  English  history  it  is  better  than  the  typical 
German  thesis.  He  could  not  see  the  wisdom  of  establish- 
ing a  new  degree,  but  he  did  believe  that  the  master's  degree 
should  be  given  more  meaning,  for  it  has  a  distinct  academic 
function.     The  main  thing  is  to  keep  the  standards  high. 

Prof.  N.  M.  Trcnholme,  of  the  University  of  Missouri, 
considered  the  present  doctor's  examination  too  severe  for 
the  students  Avho  have  had  no  preparation  for  such  an  ordeal, 
and  advocated  making  an  examination  for  the  master's  de- 
gree a  preliminary  training  for  the  doctor's  examination. 
Prof.  J.  M.  Vincent  spoke  of  the  value  of  the  work  on  the 
thesis  in  the  intellectual  development  of  the  student;  to 
work  over  old  topics  may  be  good,  but  to  do  something  new 
is  better;  the  printing  of  theses  is  considered  a  reward  of 
effort  and  industry.  Prof.  C.  M.  Andrews  advocated  the 
maintenance  of  high  standards  for  the  degree.  The  result 
of  not  printing  the  theses  would,  he  thought,  be  the  cheap- 
ening of  the  degree ;  both  the  instructor  and  the  student  need 
the  stimulus,  the  check,  and  the  encouragement  that  come 
from  the  knowledge  that  the  dissertation  is  to  be  printed  and 
must  bear  the  inspection  of  others.  Subjects  for  theses 
should  be  wisely  selected  and  suited  to  the  needs  of  the 
science.  Prof.  F.  M.  Fling  believed  we  should  have  no  in- 
flexible rule  about  printing  and  that  college  students  should 
be  so  grounded  in  the  principles  of  historical  method  and  so 
taught  by  continuing  practice  to  express  their  ideas  that, 
when  the  need  comes,  they  will  be  able  to  prepare  a  thesis  in 
intelligent  and  readable  English.  Prof.  F.  H.  Hodder  and 
Prof.  F.  M.  Anderson  both  dwelt  on  the  desirability  of 
strengthening  the  master's  degree.  Prof.  J.  F.  Jameson  said 
we  should  adjust  our  degrees  to  American  needs;  the  mas- 
ter's degree  should  indicate  that  its  possessor  has  the  schol- 
arly preparation  for  teaching  in  the  secondary  schools;  the 
doctor's  degree,  that  he  is  fitted  for  the  college.  The  person 
who  is  to  handle  college  classes  should  have  experienced  the 
pains  and  pleasures  of  discovery  and  have  ascertained  by  his 
own  trials  how  history  is  written.  Three-fourths  of  all 
theses,  he  said,  are  in  American  history,  and  of  these  the 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  33 

larger  portion  is  good.  Like  Professor  Andrews,  he  be- 
lieved the  certainty  that  the  dissertation  would  be  inspected 
b}^  others  is  of  salutary  influence,  but  thought  it  might  possi- 
bly be  wise  not  to  print  the  dissertation,  in  a  given  case,  if  it 
were  judged  good  by  a  professor  in  another  university. 
Prof.  A.  B.  Hart  said  he  had  not  ^seen  the  evil  of  the  doctor- 
ate, for  the  educational  development  of  recent  years  was  due 
to  the  desire  for  the  degree  of  doctor  of  philosophy  and  to 
the  fact  that  it  is  a  good  standard  measure  for  professional 
purposes.  The  dissertations  had,  moreover,  added  consider- 
ably to  our  knowledge;  and  he  advocated  that  time  be  de- 
voted to  the  study  of  topics  that  would  vield  positive  and 
helpful  results.  Prof.  C.  H.  Ha  skins  thought  there  had 
been  a  marked  improvement  in  the  real  value  of  the  doctor- 
ate, and  that  much  more  was  asked  than  twenty  years  ago; 
he  believed  that  standards  should  be  raised  for  both  the  mas- 
ter's and  the  doctor's  degrees,  the  latter  to  be  given  only  to 
students  showing  unusual  promise  and  likely  to  follow  a  uni- 
versity, as  distinguished  from  a  college,  career.  In  a  Avord, 
Avithout  establishing  a  new  degree,  the  universities  might 
well  provide  for  the  type  of  man  that  Professor  Adams  had 
in  mind.  At  present  we  are  in  a  transitional  stage;  and 
while  we  provide  fairly  well  for  the  future  college  professor 
we  do  not  do  enough  to  develop  the  type  of  man  who  looks 
forward  to  a  university  career,  and  who  should  have  the 
power  and  the  training  to  conduct  profitable  investigation. 
At  the  end  of  the  discussion.  Professor  Milyoukov,  compar- 
ing the  conditions  in  Russia  with  those  prevailing  here,  said 
that  the  Russian  degree  of  ''  magister  "  is  as  a  rule  obtained 
by  men  who  are  already  too  old,  and  that  in  his  country  the 
attainment  of  a  degree  is  too  difficult,  and  here  too  easy. 

At  the  fourth  session  five  papers  were  read  on  a  variety  of 
subjects.  Prof.  C.  W.  Colby,  of  McGill  University,  char- 
acterized in  an  interesting  manner  the  personnel  and  the 
work  of  the  historical  congresses  at  St.  Louis.  Prof.  Ettore 
Pais,  of  the  University  of  Naples,  beginning  with  a  tribute 
to  the  late  Theodor  Monnnsen,  and  a  reference  to  the  mar- 
velous breadth  of  his  scholarship  and  the  value  of  his  con- 
tributions to  Roman  history,  proceeded  to  point  out  the 
work  that  remains  to  be  done.     The  soil  of  Italy  still  has 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 3 


34  AMEEICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

many  archaeological  treasures,  and  new  discoveries  will  add 
new  knowledge  and  raise  fresh  problems.  The  study  of 
primitive  life  in  other  lands  and  the  study  of  ancient  law 
will  throw  light  on  the  early  development  of  Rome.  Even 
for  the  study  of  the  empire  much  remains  to  be  done,  for 
we  know  much  more  of  the  administrative  system  than  of 
the  real  history  of  the  people;  we  know  more  of  their  law 
than  of  their  ideas,  their  moral  movements,  or  their  social 
development.  Because  of  the  similarity  between  the  char- 
acter and  the  history  of  modern  America  and  those  of 
ancient  Rome,  American  scholars  are  especially  called  upon 
to  study  and  interpret  Roman  life  and  history.^ 

Prof.  Henry  E.  Bourne  made  a  report  upon  the  work  of 
American  historical  societies,  a  summary  of  impressions 
received  from  the  inquiry  for  the  general  committee  of  the 
Association.  Describing  with  considerable  care  the  different 
forms  of  organization  and  effort,  he  dwelt  on  the  desirability 
of  cooperation,  and  especially  on  the  need  of  good  under- 
standing between  the  local  societies  and  the  general  associa- 
tion.'^ 

The  next  paper,  by  Prof.  E.  G.  Bourne,  was  a  clever 
and  interesting  effort  to  test  the  trustworthiness  of  the 
Travels  of  Jonathan  Carver,  by  an  application  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  modern  historical  criticism.  Even  the  conclu- 
sions, not  to  speak  of  the  proofs,  can  not  be  given  here  in  a 
word ;  and  we  must  content  ourselves  with  saying  that  Pro- 
fessor Bourne  demonstrated  that  the  book  ascribed  to  Carver 
has  no  standing  as  a  piece  of  first-hand  testimony,  that  in  all 
probability  he  did  not  write  it,  and  that  while  portions 
were  probably  written  by  adroit  literary  hacks  from  Carver's 
own  statements,  much  was  but  a  rehearsal  of  the  sayings  of 
Charlevoix  and  other  early  explorers,  including  the  men- 
dacious Lahontan. 

In  the  first  paper  of  the  evening,  Mr.  Isaac  J.  Cox,  of  the 
University  of  Cincinnati,  spoke  of  the  explorations  in 
the  Southwest  by  Hunter,  Dunbar,  Pike,  and  Freeman  in 
the  first  three  years  after  the  purchase  of  Louisiana. 
Although  these  expeditions  were  much  less  comprehensive 
than  originally  planned,  they  furnished  valuable  informa- 

a  The  paper  is  printed  in  the  present  volume. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  35 

tion  concerning  the  geography  of  the  territory,  marked  the 
first  step  in  deflecting  the  border  Indians  from  their  nom- 
inal Spanish  allegiance,  and  were  a  material  factor  in  the 
final  assertion  of  American  claims  to  large  portions  of  the 
Southwest. 

Prof.  Friedrich  Keiitgen,  of  Jena  and  Johns  Hopkins,  gave 
the  first  paper  of  the  Friday  morning  session  on  the  neces- 
sity in  America  for  the  study  of  the  early  history  of  modern 
European  nations."  The  real  antecedents  of  America,  he 
said,  are  to  be  found  in  the  early  life  of  the  European 
nations,  whose  history  is  continuous  from  the  time  of  their 
formation  on  the  ruins  of  the  older  Roman  Avorld.  But  not 
for  this  reason  alone,  not  from  any  merely  patriotic  motive, 
should  American  students  study  this  early  history,  but 
because  the  backbone  of  every  science  is  its  method,  and  this 
method  can  best  be  learned  where  the  materials  are  most 
easily  mastered.  In  the  early  period  of  European  history 
conditions  were  comparatively  simple,  and  the  evidence  we 
have  to  handle  can  be  tested  by  certain  and  intelligible  rules. 
Opportunity  is  given  for  training  and  practice  in  ])aleog- 
raphy  and  diplomatics,  while  power  of  correct  observation 
and  inference  can  be  developed  in  students  with  compara- 
tive ease.  Prof.  Paul  Milyoukov,  formerh'  professor  in  the 
University  of  Sofia,  read  a  paper  on  Russian  historiography," 
in  which  he  traced  the  periods  through  Avhich  the  writing  of 
history  has  passed  from  early  days  to  the  present.  It  is  now, 
he  said,  under  the  influence  of  the  wider  sociological  con- 
ceptions, to  which  American  scholars  have  made  notable 
contributions. 

Following  these  papers  by  distinguished  European  histo- 
rians, three  papers  were  read  describing  certain  archives 
and  the  materials  to  be  found  in  them  of  particular  interest 
to  historical  investigators.  Prof.  A.  C.  McLaughlin,  of  the 
Carnegie  Institution,  gave  the  results  of  his  investigation  of 
the  diplomatic  archives  of  the  Department  of  State.''  Con- 
fining his  description  to  the  period  from  1789  to  1845,  he 
pointed  out  the  amount,  character,  and  apparent  interest  of 

«  The  paper  is  printed  in  the  present  volume. 

*  Printed  by  the  Carnegie  Institution  under  the  title,  "  Report  on  the 
Diplomatic  Archives  of  the  Department  of  State,  1789-1840."  Washington, 
1904. 


36  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  great  quantity  of  unpublished  materials,  which  throw 
light  not  only  on  our  diplomatic  history,  but  on  conditions  in 
foreign  states.  Special  attention  was  called  to  the  dispatches 
of  William  Short,  John  Quincy  Adams,  and  Jonathan  Rus- 
sell, and  to  the  papers  bearing  on  our  diplomatic  relations 
with  the  Republic  of  Texas.  Prof.  C.  M.  Andrews,  of 
Bryn  Mawr,  described  briefly  the  character  of  the  material 
relating  to  American  history  to  be  found  in  the  leading  Brit- 
ish archives,  especially  the  Public  Record  Office,  where  exist 
great  masses  of  documents,  of  some  of  which  little  has  hith- 
erto been  known.*^  For  the  internal  history  of  the  colonies 
in  the  seventeenth  century  documentary  evidence  is  scanty, 
though  of  the  highest  importance.  On  the  other  hand,  for 
the  study  of  British  colonial  policy  and  the  development  of 
the  organs  of  administration  the  evidence  is  of  great  extent 
and  of  corresponding  value.  The  materials  bearing  on  Brit- 
ish trade  and  revenue,  on  the  cost  of  general  administration, 
and  on  the  expense  of  managing  the  military  are  enormous, 
especially  for  the  years  1745,  1755-1763,  and  for  the  Revo- 
lution. Professor  AndrcAVS  also  spoke  appreciatively  of  the 
Stevens  Index,  which  contains  references  to  more  than  100,000 
documents  in  England,  France,  Spain,  and  Holland  relating 
to  the  period  1763-1783.  Mr.  Worthington  C.  Ford,  of  the 
Library  of  Congress,  briefly  described  the  extent  and  con- 
dition of  the  public  archives  at  Manila  and  the  richness  of 
these  papers  in  historical  material.'^  While  the  great  bulk 
of  them  is  concerned  with  questions  of  local  administration, 
the  large  collection  of  royal  decrees  and  orders  distinguish 
the  archives  from  those  obtained  in  previous  acquisitions  of 
Spanish  territory.  The  insular  government  has  appointed 
a  keeper  of  the  archives,  and  is  taking  measures  for  preserv- 
ing the  papers  from  further  loss  and  damage,  even  sending 
a  special  student  to  Europe  to  obtain  additional  matter  relat- 
ing to  the  history  of  the  Philippines.  The  Guam  records, 
few  in  number  and  much  mutilated,  have  in  part  been  trans- 
ferred to  (he  Library  of  Congress,  Washington,  where  they 
can  receive  greater  care  and  attention.  The  archives  of 
Porto  Rico  probably  contain  some  material  of  value  for  his- 

«  The  paper  is  printed  in  tiie  American  Historical  Review,  January,  190'). 
"The  paper  is  printed  in  full  in  the  present  volume. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  37 

torical  purposes ;  but  the  archives  of  no  dependency  are  com- 
plete, having  suffered  much  in  the  past  from  carelessness  and 
from  changes  of  sovereignty  or  from  revolution.  The  history 
of  the  Spanish  colonial  policy  in  the  sixteenth  and  seven- 
teenth centuries  is  closely  related  to  that  of  the  British  col- 
onies in  America,  and  should  be  studied  in  connection  with 
the  attempt  of  Spain  to  maintain  a  trading  monopoly  in  the 
face  of  rivalry  from  England,  France,  and  Holland. 

The  last  session — a  joint  meeting  with  the  Economic  As- 
sociation— Avas  held  on  Friday  evening  in  the  building  of  the 
Northwestern  University,  in  the  center  of  the  city.  Prof. 
E.  F.  Gay,  of  Harvard,  read  a  paper  on  the  significance  of 
the  inclosure  movement  in  England,  an  important  contribu- 
tion to  the  subject  of  English  industrial  history,  its  conclu- 
sions being  in  some  respects  quite  at  variance  with  those  com- 
monly accepted.  The  distinction  should  be  made,  the  speaker 
said,  between  the  inclosure  of  common  Avaste  and  the  depopu- 
lating of  the  common  fields,  the  former  being  nnich  older 
and  more  widespread  but  less  disquieting  than  the  latter. 
The  depopulating  inclosures  of  the  connnon  or  open  fields, 
especially  characteristic  of  the  sixteenth  century,  were  not  so 
serious  a  matter  as  contemporaries  believed  and  almost  all 
modern  writers  tliink.  These  inclosures  Avere  mainly  con- 
fined to  the  midland  counties;  even  there,  till  late  in  the 
eighteenth  century,  they  were,  in  general,  small  piecemeal  af- 
fairs, and  the  Avhole  movement  Avas  one  of  gradual  and  not 
of  violent  change.  Professor  Gay  brought  out  Avith  especial 
distinctness  the  conditions  under  Avhich  this  great  agrarian 
change  Avas  made — the  strong  economic  and  social  motives 
that  tended  to  hasten  it,  and  the  equally  strong  obstacles, 
likeAvise  economic  and  social,  that  retarded  it.  In  con- 
clusion, he  said  that  the  comparison  of  the  inclosure  move- 
ments of  the  sixteenth  and  eighteenth  centuries'  as  usually 
made  OA^erlooks  the  continuity  of  the  dcA^elopment  in  the 
different  sections  of  England  and  does  not  sufficiently  take 
into  account  the  differing  social  effects  of  the  movements  in 
the  tAvo  periods.^ 

After  Professor  Gay's  paper,  the  rest  of  the  evening  Avas 
taken  up  Avith  a  discussion  of  the  plan  for  preparing  an  eco- 

«  Professor  Gay's  paper  is  printed  in  full  in  tlie  I'ublicatious  of  the  Ameri- 
can Economic  Association  for  1J)05. 


38  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

nomic  history  of  the  United  States.  President  Carroll  D. 
Wright,  head  of  the  department  of  economics  of  the  Carne- 
gie Institution,  who  is  responsible  for  the  inception  and  the 
general  management  of  the  undertaking,  briefly  outlined 
the  plans  that  have  thus  far  been  agreed  upon.  The  whole 
field  of  American  industrial  history  is  divided  into  eleven 
main  parts,  and  the  general  management  of  each  one  of  these 
is  in  the  hands  of  a  specialist,  whose  duty  it  is  to  provide 
for  the  special  investigation  and  the  preparation  of  desir- 
able monographs  Avithin  his  field.  The  divisions  and  the 
persons  in  charge  of  them  are  as  follows:  (1)  Population 
and  immigration.  Prof.  Walter  F.  Willcox;  (2)  agriculture 
and  forestry,  including  public  domain  and  irrigation.  Presi- 
dent Kenyon  L.  Butterfield;  (3)  mining,  Mr.  Edward  W. 
Parker;  (4)  manufactures.  President  Wright;  (5)  trans- 
portation. Prof.  B.  H.  Meyer;  (0)  domestic  and  foreign 
commerce.  Prof.  Emory  K.  Johnson;  (7)  money  and  bank- 
ing. Prof.  Davis  II.  Dewey;  (8)  the  labor  movement.  Presi- 
dent Wright;  (9)  industrial  organization.  Prof.  J.  W.  Jenks; 
(10)  social  legislation,  including  provident  institutions,  in- 
surance, and  poor  laws.  Prof.  Henry  W.  Farnam;  (11)  Fed- 
eral and  State  finance,  including  taxation.  Prof.  Henry  B. 
(Tardner.  At  the  present  time  there  are  some  seventy-five 
persons  engaged  in  one  capacity  or  another,  and  it  is  ex- 
pected that  many  more  will  soon  be  at  work.  It  is  plain, 
from  Colonel  Wright's  statement,  that  his  plan  contem- 
plates, at  least  for  some  time  to  come,  the  study  of  eleven  or 
more  parallel  lines  of  industrial  development,  leaving  any 
general  scheme  of  co-ordination  or  combination  to  be  dealt 
with  at  a  later  day.  In  the  meantime,  within  these  special 
fields  where  work  is  to  be  carried  on  by  separate  investiga- 
tion, the  work  is  to  be  in  many,  if  not  in  most  cases  decid- 
edly monographic;  and,  naturally,  the  task  must  be  that  of 
collecting  data  wdiich  at  some  future  time  can  be  properly 
arranged  in  chronological  or  logical  relationships. 

The  general  plan,  as  presented  by  President  Wright,  was 
commented  on  by  several  speakers,  but  the  time  was  so  lim- 
ited that  anything  like  a  thorough  discussion  was  impossible. 
The  matter  is  one  of  such  general  interest,  and  the  coopera- 
tion of  historical  scholars  and  economists  so  desirable,  that  it 
is  regrettable  that  a  thorough  debate  and  interchange  of  views 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  39 

were  impossible.  Professor  McMaster  in  a  few  luminous  re- 
marks called  attention  to  the  fact  that  real  history  in  which 
events  are  brought  out  in  their  significant  aspects  can  not  be 
written  by  following  with  precision  any  number  of  parallel 
lines.  While  such  special  treatment  may  be  of  much  value, 
the  investigator  must  remember  that  even  in  his  choice  of 
facts,  as  well  as  in  their  interpretation,  much  more  must  be 
considered  than  the  changes  talving  place  in  one  phase  of  hu- 
man activity.  In  the  period  after  the  Revolution,  for  exam- 
ple, all  social  and  industrial  conditions  had  their  bearing  on 
constitutional  change  and  on  the  need  of  establishing  a  new 
political  order.  The  ultimate  effect  of  industrial  conditions 
must  affect  the  choice,  arrangement,  and  presentation  of 
facts.  The  next  speaker.  Prof.  C.  H.  Hull,  of  Cornell,  forti- 
fying his  argument  by  the  eiuuneration  of  various  European 
and  American  examples,  contended  that  among  subsidized 
and  co-operative  undertakings  of  wide  range,  whether  in 
ecclesiastical  or  in  political  history,  those  had  proved  on  the 
whole  most  useful  whose  managers  had  confined  their  efforts 
chiefly  to  the  editing  of  sources,  and  had  left  the  production 
of  co-ordinated  narratives  to  the  enterprise  of  individual 
writers  and  of  commercial  publishers.  He  maintained  that 
this  experience  ought  to  have  Aveight  in  planning  the  eco- 
nomic history  of  the  United  States;  and  especially  so  be- 
cause, unlike  the  official  materials  of  ecclesiastical  and 
political  histor}^,  the  materials  of  economic  history  do  not 
become  accessible  after  a  few  years  as  a  matter  of  course.  He 
therefore  welcomed  President  Wright's  announcement  that 
"  the  real  and  important  work  of  the  department  of  economics 
and  sociology  of  the  Carnegie  Institution  is  *  *  *  to 
place  the  largest  possible  collection  of  materials  in  the  hands 
of  both  "  the  economist  and  the  historian.  Prof.  Henry 
R.  Seager,  of  Columbia,  spoke  in  approval  of  the  general 
plan,  and  said  that  the  work  was  properly  imdertaken  by 
economists  because  the  historians  have  as  yet  taken  so  little 
interest  in  the  writing  of  economic  history.  He  believed, 
however,  that  there  were  certain  omissions,  notably  in  the 
failure  to  provide  for  the  study  of  the  growth  of  trade  in  the 
ordinary  sense  as  distinguished  from  commerce  and  trans- 
portation. Prof.  Jacob  H.  Hollander,  of  Johns  Hopkins, 
said  that  the  description  of  economic  status  rather  than  the 


40  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

narrative  of  economic  development  is  the  urgent  need  of 
economic  study  in  the  United  States.  Descriptive  investi- 
gation, as  distinct  from  historical  stud}^  and  local  inquiry, 
must  bear  the  same  relation  to  political  economy  that  field- 
work  does  to  geology  and  the  clinic  does  to  medicine.  The 
immediate  environment  should  first  be  utilized  as  an  economic 
laboratory  for  the  development  of  scientific  spirit  in  economic 
study  and  sound  method  in  economic  research,  and  as  the 
field  from  which  bases  of  working  hypotheses  may  be  derived. 
Thereafter  the  iuA^estigator  must  extend  the  range  of  his 
inquiry  by  visits  to  representative  localities  and  even  resi- 
dence in  them  with  a  view  to  collecting  Avider  and  more 
varied  data  and  to  testing  tentative  conclusions.  Such  a  pro- 
cedure involves  two  essentials — leisure  and  resources.  The 
investigators  for  scientific  inquiry  must  certainly  not  be  un- 
duly absorbed  by  the  routine  engagement  of  the  student  or 
the  teacher,  AVith  respect  to  resources,  the  investigator 
must  be  in  command  of  funds  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  visit, 
and  upon  certain  occasions  temporarily  to  reside  in,  repre- 
sentative localities  for  the  purpose  of  gathering  additional 
evidence  and  of  testing  and  verifviup*  tentative  conclusions. 
Here  seems  to  lie  the  present  prime  usefulness  of  private  or 
public  endoAvment  in  economic  research. 

The  business  meeting,  Avhich  Avas  held  Friday  afternoon, 
shoAved  that  the  affairs  of  the  Association  are  in  their  cus- 
tomary prosperous  condition,  and  that  the  various  commit- 
tees and  commissions  are  Avorking  Avith  zeal  and  success.  In 
accordance  Avith  the  desire  of  the  round-table  conference 
of  State  and  local  historical  societies,  a  conference  of  such 
societies  Avas  appointed  to  be  held  in  connection  Avith  the 
next  annual  meeting,  and  Mr.  Thomas  M.  Oavcu  was  ap- 
pointed chairman  and  Prof.  Benjamin  F.  Shambaugh,  secre- 
tary. The  request  of  the  conference  on  the  teaching  of  history 
in  the  elementary  school  Avas  ansAvered  by  a  resolution  faA^or- 
ing  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  eight  to  investigate 
the  subject  and  prepare  a  report  on  a  course  of  history  for 
elementary  schools  and  the  proper  training  of  teachers 
for  their  work.  Prof.  J.  A.  James,  of  NorthAvestern  Uni- 
versity, w^as  appointed  chairman  of  the  ncAv  committee,  the 
other  members  being  Prof.  Henry  E.  Bourne,  of  Western 
Reserve  University ;  Supt.  E.  C.  Brooks,  of  Goldsboro,  N.  C. ; 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  41 

Siipt.  Wilbur  F.  Gordy,  of  Springfield,  Mass.;  Miss  Mabel 
Hill,  of  the  Normal  School  at  Lo^Yell,  Mass.;  Dr.  Julius 
Sachs,  of  the  Collegiate  Institute  and  Teachers'  College, 
New  York  City ;  Prof.  Henry  W.  Thurston,  of  the  Chicago 
Normal  School,  and  Supt.  J.  H.  Van  Sickle,  of  Baltimore, 
Md.  The  report  of  the  treasurer.  Dr.  Clarence  W.  Bowen, 
was  not  less  gratifying  than  usual,  showing  the  total  assets 
of  the  Association  to  be  $22,477.69,  an  increase  during  the 
year,  despite  the  heavy  expenses  incurred  for  the  numerous 
activities  of  the  Association,  of  $1,243.09.  The  membership 
of  the  Association  in  1904  was  2,1G3,  an  increase  of  98  over 
the  preceding  year. 

The  rejDort  of  the  Pacific  Coast  Branch  was  transmitted 
by  the  secretary,"  Prof.  Max  Farrand,  and  l*rof.  H.  Morse 
Stephens  gave  a  statement  concerning  the  numbers  and  the 
plans  and  purj^oses  of  the  new"  western  organization.  One 
meeting,  a  very  successful  one,  has  been  held  in  San  P'ran- 
cisco,  and  it  is  intended  to  hold  a  meeting  the  coming  year 
at  Portland  in  connection  with  the  Lewis  and  Clark  celebra- 
tions. The  present  membership  of  the  branch  is  130.  The 
committee  on  the  Justin  Winsor  prize  expressed  its  gratifica- 
tion at  the  general  character  and  qualit}^  of  the  ])ai)ers  sub- 
mitted, and  announced  the  awarding  of  the  prize  ^  to  Mr. 
W.  R.  Manning,  of  Purdue  University,  for  his  monograj)!!  on 
"  The  Nootka  Sound  Controversy,"  and  that  the  nu)nograph 
of  Mr.  C.  O.  Paullin  on  "  The  Navy  of  the  American  Kevolu- 
tion "  had  received  honorable  mention.  The  Association 
approved  recommendations  of  the  committee  to  the  effect 
that  more  emphasis  should  be  laid  on  the  critical  bibliogra- 
phy and  that  all  mention  of  universities  or  former  instruct- 
ors should  be  omitted.  Approval  was  likewise  given  the 
report  of  the  committee  on  the  Herbert  Baxter  Adams  j^rize, 
which  recommended  that  for  the  present  the  prize  should  be 
$200,  that  it  be  awarded  every  second  year,  and  that  the  rules 
governing  the  competition  be  practically  the  same  as  those  in 
force  for  the  Winsor  prize  competition.  The  prize  is  to  be 
offered  for  the  best  monograph  "  based  upon  inde})endent 
investigation  in  European  history,  by  which  is  meant  the  his- 
tory of  Europe,  continental  or  insular,  or  any  part  thereof." 

«  Printed  in  full  in  this  volume. 

"The  successful  monograph  is  printed  in  full  in  this  volume. 


42  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Prof.  E.  G.  Bourne,  in  behalf  of  the  Historical  Manuscripts 
Commission,  said  that  steps  had  been  taken  to  edit  and  pre- 
pare for  the  printer  the  diplomatic  correspondence  of  the 
Republic  of  Texas.  The  editorial  work  is  to  be  done  by 
Prof.  George  P.  Garrison.  In  giving  the  report  of  the  Pub- 
lic Archives  Commission,  Prof.  H.  V.  Ames  said  that  the 
commission  has  representatiA^es  in  32  States  and  has  already 
published  one  or  more  reports  from  18  States.  Six  addi- 
tional reports  appear  in  the  "Annual  Report ''  of  the  Asso- 
ciation for  1904,  and  other  investigations  are  in  progress. 
The  work  of  the  commission  has  helped  the  passage  of  laws 
in  several  of  the  States  for  the  better  preservation  of  the 
public  records.  Prof.  H.  L.  Osgood  is  editing  the  council 
journals  of  New  York  City,  the  proposed  publication  of 
which  is  directly  traceable  to  his  stud}'  of  the  records  of  the 
State  in  behalf  of  the  commission.  Dr.  E.  C.  Richardson 
reported  that  the  Bibliographical  Committee  had  been  en- 
gaged in  making  additions  to  the  information  collected  by 
Prof.  W.  H.  Siebert  concerning  collections  of  material  on 
European  history  in  American  libraries.  At  present  the  list 
is  limited  to  special  library  collections  and  does  not  indicate 
individual  books;  but  the  committee  intends  to  make  up  a  list 
of  two  or  three  thousand  of  the  great  series,  w^ith  indication 
of  the  libraries  in  which  they  may  be  found.  The  work  of 
the  General  Committee  consisted  in  preparing  a  list  of  per- 
sons eligible  to  membership  in  the  Association  and  of  assist- 
ing the  committee  on  ihe  programme  of  the  Chicago  meeting 
in  arranging  for  a  conference  of  representatives  of  State 
and  local  historical  societies.  The  success  of  the  confer- 
ence led  to  the  appointment  of  a  subcommittee,  composed 
of  Dr.  R.  G.  Thwaites  and  Profs.  B.  F.  Shambaugh  and 
F.  L.  Riley,  with  the  special  task  of  reporting  at  a  fur- 
ther conference  upon  the  best  methods  of  organization 
and  work  on  the  part  of  State  and  local  historical  so- 
cieties. The  General  Committee,  in  addition  to  its  usual 
duties,  will  undertake  the  preparation  of  a  list  of  those 
members  who  are  engaged  in  research,  classifying  them  ac- 
cording to  the  fields  in  which  they  are  at  work.  The  com- 
mittee will  also  investigate,  in  connection  with  other  his- 
torical societies,  the  extent  to  which  historic  sites  have  been 
marked  or  otherwise  accurately  determined. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  43 

The  Association  voted  to  meet  the  coming  year  in  Balti- 
more and  Washington,  and  in  Providence  in  1906.  The  com- 
mittee on  nominations,  composed  of  Prof.  F.  J.  Turner, 
Charles  H.  Hull,  and  A.  L.  P.  Dennis,  proposed  a  list  of 
officers,  all  of  whom  were  chosen  by  the  Association.  Prof. 
John  B.  McMaster  was  chosen  president.  Judge  Simeon  E. 
Baldwin  first  vice-president,  and  Prof.  J.  Fi-anklin  Jameson 
second  vice-president.  Mr.  A.  Howard  Clark,  Prof.  Charles 
H.  Haskins,  and  Dr.  Clarence  W.  Bowen  were  re-elected  to 
their  former  positions.  In  the  place  of  Dr.  Herbert  Putnam 
and  Prof.  F.  J.  Turner,  who  had  served  three  years  on  the 
council,  were  chosen  Prof.  George  P.  Garrison  and  Dr. 
Reuben  G.  Thwaites. 

The  following  list  includes  the  names  of  members  Avho 
registered  at  the  headquarters  in  the  course  of  the  meeting : 

George  B.  Adams,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

Henry  Carter  Adams,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 

Victoria  A.  Adams,  Chicago,  111. 

C.  W.  Alvord,  Urbana,  111. 

C.  H.  Ames,  Boston,  Mass. 

Herman  V.  Ames,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Frank  Maloy  Anderson,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

Charles  M.  Andrews,  Bryn  Mawr,  Pa. 

Edward  E.  Ayer,  Chicago,  111. 

Earle  J.  Babcock,  New  York  City. 

James  Bain,  Toronto,  Canada. 

Earnest  A.  Balch,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Alice  M.  Baldwin,  Fargo,  N.  Dak. 

C.  M.  Barber,  Chicago,  111. 

Levi  D.  Barbour,  Detroit,  Mich. 

A.  J.  Baughman,  Mansfield.  Ohio. 

Adelaide  S.  Baylor,  Wabash,  Ind. 

Myron  H.  Beach,  (  hicago,  111. 

William  Beer,  New  Orleans,  La. 

E.  J.  Benton,  Cleveland.  Ohio. 

Arthur  E.  Bestor,  Chicago.  111. 

Bessie  Boies,  Painesville,  Ohio. 

Josephine  O.  Bostwick,  Kingston,  R.  I. 

Mrs.  A.  R.  Bourne,  Bethany,  W.  Va. 

E.  G.  Bourne,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

H.  E.  Bourne,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Clarence  W.  Bowen,  New  York  City. 

E.  Mortimer  Boyle,  New  York  City. 

Edith  C.  Bramhall,  Rockford,  111. 

Edward  O,  Brown,  Chicago,  111. 


44  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION, 

George  Bryce,  Winnipeg,  Manitoba. 

James  C.  Burns,  Macomb,  111. 

Mrs.  James  C.  Burns,  Macomb,  111. 

C.  M.  Burton,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Edward  O.  Bynum,  Chicago,  111. 

Howard  W.  Caldwell,  Lincoln,  Nebr. 

J.  Morton  Callahan,  Morgantown,  W.  Va. 

W.  II.  Cathcart,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Ralph  C.  H.  Catterall,  Ithaca,  N.  Y. 

Robert  C.  Chapin,  Beloit,  Wis. 

Francis  A.  Christie,  Meadville,  Pa. 

H.  V.  Church,  Borwyn,  111. 

Edna  R.  Chynoweth,  Madison,  Wis. 

Frederick  A.  Cleveland,  New  York  City. 

Catharine  C.  Cleveland,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Benjamin  F.  Coen.  Rockford,  111. 

Victor  Coffin,  Madison,  Wis. 

C.  W.  Colby,  Montreal,  Canada. 

Horace  M.  Conaway,  Warren,  Pa. 

Archibald  Cary  Coolidge,  Cambridge,  Mass. 

I.  J.  Cox,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Josephine  M.  Cox,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

Mary  B.  Cox,  Huntington,  Ind. 

C.  C.  Crawford,  Madison,  Wis. 

William  II.  Crawford,  Meadville,  Pa. 

Arthur  Lyon  Cross,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 

Frances  G.  Davenport,  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

Jesse  B.  Davis,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Walter  S.  Davis,  Richmond,  Ind. 

Alfred  L.  P.  Dennis,  Chicago,  111. 

Alfred  Pearce  Dennis,  Northampton,  Mass. 

Frank  II.  Dixon,  Hanover,  N.  II. 

Walter  B.  Douglas,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Earle  W.  Dow,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 

William  A.  Dunning,  New  York  City. 

George  M.  Dutcher,  Middletown,  Conn. 

Albert  E.  Ebert,  Chicago,  111. 

C.  C.  Eckhardt,  Columbia,  Mo. 

Ephraim  Emerton,  Cambridge,  Mass. 

Nelson  W.  Evans,  Portsmouth,  Ohio. 

John  G.  Ewing,  Notre  Dame,  Ind. 

May  L.  Fairbanks,  Mount  Vernon,  Iowa. 

Sidney  B.  Fay,  Hanover,  N.  H. 

James  W.  Fertig,  Chicago,  111. 

Mayo  Fesler,  Chicago,  111. 

C.  R.  Fish,  Madison,  Wis. 

Fred  Morrow  Fling,  Lincoln,  Nebr. 

Worthington  C.  Ford,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Ernst  Freund,  Chicago,  111. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  45 

Herbert  Friedenwald,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Henry  B.  Gardner,  Providence,  R.  I. 
George  P.  Garrison,  Austin,  Tex. 
Edwin  F.  Gay,  Cambridge,  Mass. 
Nicholas  P.  Gilman,  Meadville,  Pa. 
Ulysses  Grant  Gordon,  Taylorville,  111. 
John  H.  Gray,  Evanston,  111. 
Evarts  B.  Greene,  Urbana,  111. 
Lyman  Bronson  Hall,  Oberlin,  Ohio. 
Albert  S.  Harding,  Brookline,  S.  Dak. 
S.  B.  Harding,  Bloomington,  Ind. 
William  R.  Harper,  Chicago,  111. 
N.  D.  Harris,  Appleton,  Wis. 
Albert  Bushnell  Hart,  Cambridge,  Mass. 
Charles  H.  Haskins,  Cambridge,  Mass. 
Augustus  R.  Hatton,  Chicago,  111. 
Nils  P.  Haugen,  Madison,  Wis. 

C.  D.  Hazen,  Northampton,  Mass. 
Franklin  II.  Head,  Chicago,  111. 
Mary  R.  Ilellacot,  Waterbury,  Conn. 
Amos  S.  Hershey,  Bloomington,  Ind. 

E.  E.  Hill,  Chicago,  111. 
Henry  W.  Hill,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
H.  II.  Hilton,  Chicago,  HI. 
Ripley  Hitchcock,  New  York  City. 

F.  H.  Hodder,  Lawrence,  Kans. 
Cyrus  W.  Hodgin,  Richmond,  Ind. 
Arthur  Hoermann,  Watertown,  Wis. 

D.  H.  Holbrook,  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis. 
Agnes  E.  Home,  San  Jose,  Cal. 
George  E.  Howard,  Lincoln,  Nebr. 
Richard  Hudson,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 
Charles  H.  Hull,  Ithaca,  N.  Y. 
Carl  F.  Huth,  Madison,  Wis. 
Joseph  H.  Iglehart,  Evansville,  Ind. 
J.  A.  James,  Evanston,  HI. 

J.  Franklin  Jameson,  Chicago,  111. 
Marcus  W.  Jernegan,  Chicago,  111. 
Allen  Johnson,  Grinnell,  Iowa. 
Franklin  W.  Johnson,  Waterville,  Me. 
Lilian  W.  Johnson,  Oxford,  Ohio. 
R.  M.  Johnston,  Cambridge,  Mass. 
Beulah  Judson,  Oxford,  Ohio. 
Harry  P.  Judson,  Chicago,  HI. 
Louise  Phelps  Kellogg,  Madison,  Wis. 
Elizabeth  W.  Kenyon,  Kingston,  R.  I. 
Everett  Kimball,  Northampton,  Mass. 
Julia  A.  King,  Ypsilanti,  Mich. 
Susan  M.  Kingsbury,  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 


46  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Frances  A.  Knox,  Chicago,  111. 

E.  B.  Krehbiel,  Chicago,  111. 
Laurence  M.  Larson,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Florence  E.  Leadbetter,  Boston,  Mass. 
Orpha  B.  Leavitt,  Dousman,  Wis. 
Charles  H.  Lee,  Racine,  Wis. 

Henry  E.  Legler,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Waldo  G.  Leland,  Washington,  D.  C. 
Harlow  Lindley,  Richmond,  Ind. 
Isidor  Loeb,  Columbia,  Mo. 
G.  D.  Luetscher,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Edith  Kathryn  Lyle,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

F.  M.  Lyon,  Boston,  Mass. 
Charles  McCarthy,  Madison,  Wis. 
Margaret  McCoy,  Chicago,  111. 
William  MacDonald,  Providence,  R,  I. 
C.  H.  Mcllwain,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

A.  C.  McLaughlin,  Washington,  D.  C. 

John  Bach  McMaster,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

John  H.  McMillan,  Monmouth,  111. 

Edgar  M.  McNeal,  Chicago,  111. 

Jesse  Macy,  Grinnell,  Iowa. 

Martha  J.  Maltby,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Charles  W.  Mann,  Chicago,  111. 

Frank  B.  Marsh,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 

William  I.  Marshall,  Chicago,  III. 

O.  J.  Marston,  Ripon,  Wis. 

George  W.  Martin,  Kansas  Historical  Society. 

Shailer  Mathews,  Chicago,  111. 

Archibald  B.  Maynard,  Vermilion,  S.  Dak. 

N.  P.  Mead,  New  York  City. 

George  L.  Melton,  Chicago,  III. 

C.  E.  Merriam.  Cliicago,  111. 

Roger  Bigelow  Merriman,  Cambridge,  Mass. 

W.  H.  Miner,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

James  E.  Mitchell,  Alma,  Mich. 

Thomas  L.  Montgomery,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

F.  W.  Moore,  Nashville.  Tenn. 

S.  H.  Moore,  Georgetown,  Tex. 

Thomas  F.  Moran,  Lafayette,  Ind. 

Jenny  H.  Morrill,  Atlanta,  Ga. 

Henry  C.  Morris,  Chicago,  111. 

D.  C.  Munro,  Madison,  Wis. 
David  S.  Muzzey,  New  York  City. 
George  P.  Nauman,  Naperville,  111. 
Aaron  Newell,  Dubuque,  Iowa. 
Elizabeth  B.  Noyes,  Oshkosh,  Wis. 
Mrs.  Kate  A.  Oliver,  Chicago,  111. 
Thomas  M.  Owen,  Montgomery,  Ala. 


PEOCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  47 

Edward  C.  Page,  De  Kalb,  111. 
Mrs.  Edward  C.  Page,  De  Kalb,  111. 
Edwin  W.  Pahlow,  Cambridge,  Mass. 
David  L.  Patterson,  jr.,  Madison,  Wis. 
Stephen  D.  Peet,  Chicago,  111. 
Paul  S.  Peirce,  Ames,  Iowa. 
V.  V.  Phelps,  Muskegon,  Mich. 
Ulrich  B.  Phillips,  Madison,  Wis. 
Mrs.  E.  J.  G.  Potter,  Alpena,  Mich. 

B.  E.  Powell,  Wilmette,  111. 
Herbert  Putnam,  Washington,  D.  C. 
J.  W.  Putnam,  Evanston,  111. 
Mary  B.  Putnam,  Ypsilanti,  Mich. 
William  Radebaugh,  Chicago,  111. 

C.  H.  Rammelkamp,  Jacksonville,  111. 
Samuel  H.  Ranck,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 
E.  O.  Randall,  Columbus,  Ohio. 
William  A.  Rawles,  Bloomington,  lud. 
Jesse  S.  Reeves,  Richmond,  Ind. 

Paul  S.  Reinsch,  Madison,  Wis. 

R.  Resky,  Ilarrisburg,  Pa. 

James  Ford  Rhodes,  Boston,  jNIass, 

E.  C.  Richardson,  Princeton,  N.  J. 
Robert  K.  Richardson,  Beloit,  Wis. 
Franklin  L.  Riley,  University,  Miss. 
James  A.  Robertson,  Madison,  Wis. 
Edward  Van  Dyke  Robinson,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 
Florence  Porter  Robinson,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
James  H.  Robinson,  New  York  City. 
Dunbar  Rowland,  Jackson,  Miss. 

William  IT.  Runyon,  La  Grange,  111. 

F.  A.  Sampson,  Columbia,  Mo. 
John  B.  Sanborn,  Madison,  Wis. 
A.  H.  Sanford,  Stevens  Point,  Wis. 
William  A.  Schaper,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 
George  L.  Scherger,  Chicago,  111. 

H.  L.  Schoolcraft,  Urbana,  111. 

Ferdinand  Schwill,  Chicago,  111. 

Paul  Selby,  Chicago,  111. 

George  C.  Sellery,  Madison,  Wis. 

Allen  D.  Severance,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Frank  H.  Severence,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Benjamin  F.  Shambaugh,  Iowa  City,  Iowa. 

A.  Hunt  Shearer,  Hartford,  Conn. 

Francis  W.  Shepardson,  Chicago,  111. 

Charles  H.  Shinn,  Sierra  Reserve,  North  Fork,  Cal. 

Henry  R.  Shipman,  Hanover,  N.  H. 

Adam  Shortt,  Kingston,  Canada. 

W.  H.  Siebert,  Columbus,  Oliio. 


48  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

St.  George  L.  Sioussat,  Sewanee,  Teun. 

William  M.  Sloane,  New  York  City. 

Charles  E.  Slocum,  Defiance,  Ohio. 

Albion  W.  Small,  Chicago,  111. 

Ernest  A.  Smith,  Meadville,  Pa. 

Leon  E.  Smith,  Ithaca,  N.  Y. 

Theodore  C.  Smith,  Williamstown,  Mass. 

Edwin  E.  Sparks,  Chicago,  111. 

Henry  II.  Spencer,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

H.  C.  Stand  if  t.  Mount  Vernon,  Iowa. 

Albert  Stenmo,  Chicago,  111. 

II.  Morse  Stephens,  Berkeley,  Cal. 

E.  L.  Stevenson,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

J.  F.  Steward,  Chicago,  111. 

Mabel  A.  Steward,  Kalamazoo,  Mich. 

James  Sullivan,  New  York  City. 

Albert  T.  Swing,  Oberlin,  Ohio. 

Marion  Talbot,  Chicago,  111. 

Benjamin  S.  Terry,  Chicago,  111. 

Lucy  E.  Textor,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

James  Westfall  Thompson,  Chicago,  111. 

R.  G.  I'hwaites,  Madison,  Wis. 

A.  C.  Tilton,  Madison,  Wis. 

N.  M.  Trenholme,  Columbia,  Mo. 

Frederick  J.  Turner,  :^Ladison,  Wis. 

Edward  Tiithlll,  Madison,  Wis. 

A.  H.  Tuttle,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Warren  Upham,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Harry  S.  Vaile,  Chicago,  HI. 

C.  H.  Van  Tyne,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 

John  Martin  Vincent,  Baltimore,  Md. 

G.  O.  Virtue,  AVinona,  Minn. 

Alice  E.  Wadsworth,  Chicago,  111. 

Joseph  I*arker  Warren.  Chicago,  HI. 

R.  B.  Way,  Evanston,  111. 

U.  G.  Weatherly,  Bloomington,  Ind. 

Homer  J.  Webster,  Chicago,  111. 

Dora  Wells,  Chicago,  111. 

Willis  M,  West,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

W.  L.  Westermann,  Columbia,  Mo. 

Peter  AA'hite,  Marquette,  Mich. 

Arthur  II.  Wilde,  Evanston,  111. 

Alice  Bradford  Wiles,  Chicago,  111. 

J.  A.  Wilgus,  Platteville,  Wis. 

Westel  W.  Willoughby,  Baltimore,  Md. 

George  G.  Wilson,  Providence,  R.  I. 

A.  P.  Winston,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Arthur  M.  Wolfson,  New  York  City. 

Frank  H.  Wood,  Clinton,  N.  Y, 


PEOCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING. 


49 


James  Albert  Woodbiirn,  Bloomingtoii,  Ind. 
Walter  E.  C.  Wright,  Olivet,  Midi. 
C.  T.  Wyekoff,  Peoria,  111. 
Maurice  Zeliqzon,  Clevelaiul,  Ohio. 
J.  C.  Zeller,  Chebansee,  111. 


The 


American   Historical  Association,  in  account  ivith   Clarence  W 
Boiven,  treasurer. 


1904. 
Dec.  21 


1903. 
Dec.  24 


1904. 
Dec.  21 


Dk. 

To  disbursements  as  follows: 

Treasurer's  clerk  hire,  etc.,  vouchers  1,  31,  54,  64,  88,  104 

Secretary's  clerk  hire,  etc.,  vouchers  26,  43,  52,  60,  69,  75 

Corresponding  secretary's  expenses,  vouchers  9,  36,  82 

Expenses  Pacific  Coast  Branch,  voucher  44 

Postage  and  stationery,  treasurer  and  secretary,  vouchers 

10,  14,  20,  24,  27,  49,  58,  61,  72,  84,  86, 

American  Historical  Review,  vouchers  4,  15, 17,  21,  23,  30,  32, 

;i5,  37, 38,  41,  45,  59,  62,  65,  71,  73,  77,  78,  79,  85,  87,  93,  96,  102... 

Public  archives  commission,  vouchers  74,  83,  101 

Historical  manuscripts  commission,  vouchers  7,  8, 16,  19,  28, 

29,57,94 

Winsor  prize  committee,  voucher  46 

General  committee,  vouchers  55,  56,  81,  98,  99 

Account  annual  report  1902,  vouchers  3,  5 

Printing  1904  catalogue,  vouchers  48,  50,  51,  53 

Expenses  nineteenth  annual  meeting,  vouchers6, 11, 12, 13, 18 

Expenses  twentieth  annual  meeting,  vouchers  97,  KM i 

Expenses  executive  council,  vouchers  25,  89,  90,  91,  92,  95  ... 

Engraving  certificates,  vouchers  39,  47,  63,  70 

Bank  collection  charges,  vouchers  2,  22, 33, 40, 42,  («},  67, 80,  103 

Interest,  voucher  68 

Loan  on  l)ond  and  mortgage,  voucher  34 

Flowers  for  Senator  Hoar's  funeral,  voucher  76 

Balance  cash  on  hand  in  National  Park  Bank 

Total 

Cr. 

By  balance  cash  on  hand _ 

By  receipts  as  follows: 

l,99(M/3  annual  dues,  at  $3 

1  annual  dues 

2  annual  dues,  at  $3.05 

3  annual  dues,  at  $3.10 

1  annual  dues 

Do 

Do 

5  life  memberships 

Sales  of  publications 

Royalty  on  The  Study  of  History  in  Schools 

Sale  of  bank  stock 

Herbert  B.  Adams  fund 

Interest  on  H.  B.  Adams  fund 

Interest  on  deposit  with  United  States  Trust  Co 

Interest  on  bond  and  mortgage 

Total- -. 


$185. 00 

297. 20 

38.  75 

17.00 

181.57 


28, 199. 34 


15,117.64 

5,971.(H) 

2.75 

6. 10 

d.m 

3. 15 

3.36 

3.50 

250.00 

70.00 

19.55 

1,147.25 

4,875.00 

97.76 

222.98 

400.00 

28,199.34 


We  have  examined  the  books  and  records  of  the  above  Association,  and 
certify  that  the  statement  of  receipts  and  disbursements  as  set  forth  above  is, 
in  our  opinion,  correct. 

The  Audit  Company  of  New  York, 

E.  T.  PbkrinEj  Oeneral  Manager. 
New  York,  Decemher  23,  WOk. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 4 


50  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

We  have  examined  the  ahove  report  of  The  Audit  Company  of  New  York 
on  the  statement  of  receipts  and  disbursements  of  the  treasurer  of  the  Ameri- 
can Historical  Association  and  a  check  certified  by  the  National  Park  Bank 
of  New  York  to  the  order  of  the  treasurer  and  in  his  hands  for  $2.298.24 — 
the  balance  of  cash  on  hand — and  from  said  report  and  check  audit  said  state- 
ment and  account  as  correct. 

Edwabd   O.    Brown, 
f.  h.  hodder, 

Auditing  Committee. 

The  assets  of  the  Association  are  : 
Bond  and  mortgage  real  estate  at  No.  24  East  Ninety-fifth  street, 

New    York $20,  000.  00 

Accrued  interest  from  September  20,   1004,  to  date 184.  45 

Cash  on  hand 2,  293.  24 


22,  477.  69 

An  increase  during  the  year  of 1,  243.  99 

Respectfully  submitted. 

Clarence  AV.  Bowen,  Treasurer. 

New  York,  December  21,  IDOJ/. 

American  Historical  Association. 

Total    receipts,    1904 $13,081.  70 

Less. sales   of  bank   stock $1,  147.  2r> 

Transfer  from  M.  B.  Adams  fund 4.  870.  00 

G,  022.  2.5 

Net    receipts    $7,059.45 

Total  disbursements,   1904 25,906.10 

Less  loan  on  bond  and  mortgage 20,  000.  00 

Net  disbursements   5,906.10 


Excess  of  receipts  over  disbursements 1,  153.35 

PRESENT    ACTIVITIES    OF    THE    ASSOCIATION. 

The  followinjj:  list  enumerates  the  present  leading  activities  of  the 
American  Historical  Association  : 

(1)  The  {iniuial  meeting  of  the  Association  held  during  the  Christmas 
holidays  in  the  East  or  the  West  or  the  District  of  Columhia  in  tri- 
ennial succession. 

(2)  The  annual  report  of  the  secretary  of  the  Association  concern- 
ing the  annual  meeting  and  its  proceedings,  with  the  papers,  bibliog- 
raphies, and  other  historical  materials  submitted  through  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  for  publication  by  Congress. 

(3)  The  preservation  of  historical  exchanges,  books,  pamphlets, 
reports,  and  papers  of  the  Association  in  the  National  Museum,  at 
AYashington,  D.  C,  in  the  keeping  of  Mr.  A.  Howard  Clark,  secretary 
of  the  Association  and  curator  of  the  historical  collections. 

(4)  The  Historical  Manuscripts  Commission  of  six  members,  estab- 
lished in  1895,  and  now  receiving  from  the  Association  a  subsidy  of 
$500  a  year  for  the  collection  and  editing  of  important  manuscripts; 
Prof.  Edward  G.  Bourne,  of  Yale  University,  chairman. 

(5)  The  Public  Archives  Commission,  established  in  1899,  for  in- 
vestigating the  public  archives  of  the  several  States  and  of  the  United 
States,  and  now  receiving  a  subsidy  of  $500  a  year  for  the  expenses 
incident  to  preparing  its  reports;  Prof.  Herman  Y.  Ames,  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  chairman. 

(G)  The  Committee  on  Publications,  to  pass  upon  papers  and  iLiono- 
graphs  submitted  to  the  Association  for  publication ;  Prof.  Charles  H. 
Haskins,  of  Harvard  University,  chairinan. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  51 

(7)  The  Committee  on  Bibliogi'aphy,  to  advise  the  executive  council 
and  to  cooperate  with  the  American  Library  Association  upon  matters 
of  bibliographical  interest;  Dr.  Ernest  C.  Ricliardson,  of  Princeton 
University,  chairman. 

(8)  The  General  Committee,  r€'presenting  the  local  interests  of  the 
Association  and  its  relations  with  State  and  local  historical  societies; 
Prof.  Henry  E.  Bourne,  of  Western  Ptcserve  University,  chairman. 

(9)  The  "Justin  Winsor  prize"  of  $100  for  the  best  unpublished 
monographic  work  based  upoji  original  investigation  in  American 
history ;  Prof.  Charles  M.  Andrew  s,  of  P»ryii  Mawr  College,  chairman 
of  the  committee. 

(10)  The  Ainerican  Historical  Review,  i)ul)lished  quarterly,  and 
subsidized  by  the  American  Historical  Association,  whose  executive 
council  elects  the  board  of  editors;  Prof.  A.  C.  McLaughlin,  of  the 
Carnegie  Institution,  managing  editor. 

(11)  A  series  of  reprints  of  the  chief  original  narratives  of  early 
American  history,  i)ublished  by  authority  of  the  Association ;  Prof. 
J.  Franklin  Jameson,  of  the  iJiiversity  of  Chicago,  general  editor. 

(12)  The  "Herbert  Baxter  Adams  prize"  of  $200,  awarded  bien- 
nially, for  the  best  unpublished  monograph  based  upon  original  in- 
vestigation in  European  history ;  I*rof.  Charles  Gross,  of  Harvard 
University,  chairman  of  the  committee. 

(13)  The  Committee  of  Eight  on  history  in  elementary  schools; 
Prof.  J.  A.  James,  of  Northwestern  University,  chairman. 


MINUTES  OF  THE  BUSINESS  MEETING  OF  THE  AMERICAN 
HISTORICAL  ASSOCIATION,  HELD  IN  THE  MANDEL 
ASSEMBLY  HALL,  CHICAGO,  ILL.,  AT  3.30  P.  M.,  DECEMBER 
30,  1904. 

Yice-rresident  McMaster  in  the  chair.  In  tlie  absence  of  the 
secretary  his  duties  were  performed  by  the  corresponding  secretary. 

On  behalf  of  the  council  the  corresponding  secretary  reported  that 
the  council  had  held  a  meeting  at  New  York  November  25,  1904, 
and  two  meetings  at  Chicago,  December  28  and  30,  1904,  and  that  at 
these  meetings  reports  from  the  various  committees  and  commissions 
had  been  presented  and  considered  and  the  usual  appropriations 
made  for  the  continuation  of  the  work  for  the  coming  year.  The 
council  recommended  that  in  view  of  the  expectation  expressed  by 
the  Association  at  New  Orleans,  and  of  similar  action  by  tlie  com- 
mittee of  the  American  Economic  Association,  Baltimore  and  Wash- 
ington be  designated  as  the  meeting  place  for  1905,  and  Providence 
as  the  place  of  meeting  for  1906,  and  the  recommendation  was  adopted 
by  the  Association. 

The  council  reported  that  in  accordance  with  a  vote  passed  by  the 
round-table  conference  of  State  and  local  historical  societies  it  had 
approved  the  holding  of  a  conference  upon  the  work  of  State  and  local 
historical  societies  and  commissions  in  connection  with  the  next 
annual  meeting  of  the  Association,  and  had  appointed  as  chairman  of 
this  conference  Mr.  Thomas  M.  Owen,  director  of  the  Department  of 
Archives  and  History  of  the  State  of  Alabama,  and  as  secretary 
Prof.  Benjamin  F.  Shambaugh,  of  the  State  Historical  Society  of 
Iowa.     The  Association  voted  to  approve  the  action  of  the  council. 

In  accordance  with  a  resolution  passed  by  the  round-table  confer- 
ence on  the  teaching  of  history  in  elementary  schools,  the  Associa- 
tion voted  to  approve  the  action  of  the  council  in  appointing  a  com- 
mittee of  eight  to  investigate  and  report  to  the  Association  on  a 
course  of  history  for  elementary  schools  and  the  proper  training  of 
teachers  for  such  work. 

The  report  of  the  treasurer  and  the  auditing  committee  was  re- 
ceived and  accepted. 

The  report  of  the  organization  and  annual  meeting  of  the  Pacific 
Coast  Branch  was  transmitted  by  the  secretary.  Prof.  Max  Farrand, 
and  Prof.  H.  Morse  Stephens  gave  a  brief  account  of  the  present  con- 
dition and  activity  of  the  branch. 

The  following  committees  made  brief  reports:  The  Historical 
Manuscripts  Commission,  Prof.  Edward  G.  Bourne,  chairman ;  the 
Public  Archives  Commission,  Prof.  Herman  V.  Ames,  chairman;  the 
52 


PEOCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  53 

board  of  editors  of  the  "American  Historical  Review,"  Prof.  George 
B.  Adams,  chairman ;  the  Bibliographical  Committee,  Dr.  Ernest  C. 
Richardson,  chairman ;  the  General  Committee,  Prof.  Henry  E.  Bourne, 
chairman. 

On  motion  of  Prof.  Albert  Bushnell  Hart,  the  following  resolution 
was  adopted  by  the  Association : 

"  In  view  of  the  importance  of  a  proper  administration  and  direc- 
tion of  State  aid  in  behalf  of  historical  work  and  enterprise :  Be  it 

''Resolved  hy  the  American  Historical  Association,  That  the  plan 
of  administration  in  Alabama  and  Mississippi  through  State  depart- 
ments of  archives  and  history  is  hereby  earnestly  indorsed  and  com- 
mended." 

The  committee  on  the  Justin  Winsor  prize  reported  that  the  prize 
for  the  year  1904  had  been  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  R.  Manning,  Lafayette, 
Ind.,  for  his  monograph  upon  "  The  Nootka  Sound  Controversy,"  and 
that  honorable  mention  had  been  made  of  the  monograph  of  C.  O. 
Paullin  on  "  The  Navy  of  the  American  Revolution." 

The  Association  approved  two  certain  proposed  changes  in  the 
rules  governing  the  award  of  the  Winsor  prize,  to  the  effect  that 
more  emphasis  should  be  laid  upon  a  critical  bibliography  and  that 
all  mention  of  universities  or  former  instructors  be  excluded  from  the 
monographs  handed  in  for  the  competition. 

The  committee  on  the  Herbert  Baxter  Adams  prize  made  the  fol- 
lowing report,  which  was  adopted  by  the  Association : 

"  The  committee  on  the  newly  created  Herbert  Baxter  Adams  prize 
in  European  history,  to  whose  consideration  was  last  year  referred 
the  question  as  to  the  frequency  of  aw^ard  of  that  prize  and  as  to  its 
amount,  recommends  that  for  the  present  the  prize  be  awarded  only 
every  second  year,  and  that  its  amount  be  $200,  In  making  only 
this  recommendation  we  do  not  overlook  the  suggestion,  last  year 
advanced,  as  to  a  larger  Adams  prize  to  be  awarded  at  less  frequent 
intervals  for  maturer  work ;  but  this,  for  which  the  residue  of  the 
Adams  fund  may  still  suffice,  can  perhaps  wisely  be  left  to  the 
later  discretion  of  the  Association." 

The  Association  also  approved  the  recommendation  of  the  com- 
mittee that  the  rules  governing  the  competition  for  the  Adams  prize  be 
the  same  as  those  now  in  force  for  the  Winsor  prize,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  following  change  in  the  second  paragraph  of  these  rules : 

"  The  monograph  nmst  be  based  upon  independent  and  original  in- 
vestigation in  European  history,  by  which  is  meant  the  history  of 
Europe,  continental  and  insular,  or  any  part  thereof." 

The  committee  on  nominations,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Frederick  J. 
Turner,  Charles  H.  Hull,  and  A.  L.  P.  Dennis,  proposed  the  following 
list  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year,  for  which  the  secretary  was 
instructed  to  cast  the  ballot  of  the  Association :  President,  John  Bach 
McMaster,  LL.  D.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. ;  first  vice-president,  Simeon  E. 
Baldwin,  LL.  D.,  New  Haven,  Conn. ;  second  vice-president,  J.  Frank- 
lin Jameson,  LL.  D.,  Chicago,  111. ;  secretary,  A.  Howard  Clark, 
Smithsonian  Institution,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  corresponding  secretary, 


54  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Charles  H.  Ilaskins,  Pli.  D.,  Cambridge,  Mass. ;  treasurer,  Clarence 
W.  Bovveu,  Pb.  D.,  New  York  City.  Executive  council  (in  addition 
to  tbe  above-named  officers  and  the  ex-presidents  of  the  Association), 
George  L.  Burr,  LL.  U.,  Ithaca,  N.  Y. ;  Edward  P.  Cbeyney,  A.  M., 
Philadelphia,  Pa. ;  Edward  G.  Bourne,  I'b.  D..  New  Haven,  Conn. ;  An- 
drew C.  McLaughlin,  A.  M.,  Washington,  D.  C.  (these  four  were 
renominated)  ;  George  P.  Garrison,  Ph.  D.,  Austin,  Tex.;  Reuben  G. 
Thwaites,  LL.  D.,  Madison,  Wis. 

The  following  resolutions,  proposed  by  a  committee  consisting  of 
Messrs.  Richard  Hudson,  Dunbar  Rowland,  and  Charles  D.  Hazen, 
were  unanimously  adopted  by  the  Association : 

"The  American  Historical  Association  expresses  its  hearty  appre- 
ciation of  the  generous  hospitality  of  the  University  of  Chicago,  its 
president  and  faculties,  who  have  so  largely  contributed  to  the  suc- 
cess of  its  twentieth  annual  meeting. 

"  It  desires  to  make  particular  mention  of  obligation  to  the  local 
committee  and  its  chairman  and  secretary,  Mr.  Charles  L.  Hutchinson 
and  Dr.  J.  Franklin  Jameson,  for  their  untiring  efforts  in  its  behalf. 

"  The  Association  also  places  on  record  its  appreciation  of  the 
courtesies  extended  by  the  Chicago  Historical  Society,  Northwestern 
University,  the  Quadrangle  Club,  the  University  Club,  the  Union 
League  Club,  the  City  Club,  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  and  by  indi- 
vidual citizens  of  Chicago." 

On  behalf  of  the  council,  the  corresponding  secretary  announced 
the  appointment  of  the  following  connnittees  : 

ANNUAL    COMMITTEES. 

Committee  on  the  programme  for  the  ticenty-first  annual  meeting 
(Baltimore  and  Washington,  1005). — John  Martin  Vincent,  Charles 
M.  Andrews,  F.  A.  Christie,  Charles  H.  Haskins,  and  Andrew  C. 
McLaughlin. 

Joint  local  committee  of  arrangements  for  the  American  Historical 
Association,  Afnerican  Economic  Association,  and  American  Political 
Science  Association. — Theodore  Marburg,  J.  II.  Hollander,  John  Mar- 
tin Vincent,  W.  W.  Willoughby ;  with  power  to  add  members  at  the 
discretion  of  the  chairman. 

Committee  on  the  entertainment  of  ladies. — Mrs.  Annie  Isl.  Jj. 
Sioussat,  Miss  Ida  M.  Tarbell ;  with  power  to  add  members  at  the 
discretion  of  the  chairman. 

STANDING  COMMITTEES,  COMMISSIONS,  AND  B0A.RDS. 

Editors  of  the  ''American  Historical  Review.''' — H.  Morse  Stephens, 
George  B.  Adams,  J.  Franklin  Jameson,  William  M.  Sloane,  Albert 
Bushnell  Hart   (these  five  hold  over)  ;  Andrew  C.  McLaughlin   (re- 
elected for  term  ending  January  1,  1911). 
Historical  Manuscripts  Commission. — Edward  G.  Bourne,  Frederick 

W.  Moore,  Reuben  G.  Thwaites,  Worthington  C.  Ford,  Andrew 

C.  McLaughlin,  Thomas  M.  Owen. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  55 

Committee  on  the  Justin  Winsor  prize. — Charles  M.  Andrews,  E.  P. 
Cheyney,  Charles  H.  Hull,  Roger  Foster,  Willistoii  Walker. 

Committee  on  the  Herbert  Baxter  Adams  prize. — Charles  Gross, 
George  L.  Burr,  Victor  Coffin,  James  Harvey  Robinson,  John 
Martin  Vincent. 

Puhlic  Archives  Commission. — Herman  V.  Ames,  William  MacDonald, 
Herbert  L.  Osgood,  Charles  M.  Andrews,  E.  E.  Sparks. 

Committee  on  bibHographi/. — Ernest  C.  Richardson,  A.  P.  C.  Griffin, 
George  Ties,  William  C.  Lane,  Reuben  G.  Thwaites,  Max  Far- 
rand. 

Committee  on  publications. — Charles  H.  Haskins,  A.  Howard  Clark, 
F.  M.  Fling,  S.  M.  Jackson,  Miss  Elizabeth  Kendall,  A.  D. 
Morse,  Earle  W.  Dow. 

General  committee. — Henry  E.  Bourne,  Charles  H.  Haskins,  Miss 
Lucy  M.  Salmon,  Miss  Lilian  W.  Johnson,  John  S.  Bassett. 
William  iSIacDonald,  F.  H.  Ilodder,  F.  L.  Riley,  B.  F.  Sham- 
baugh,  R.  G.  Thwaites,  F.  G.  Young  (with  power  to  add  ad- 
junct members). 

Committee  of  eight  on  history  in  elementary  scJiools. — J.  A.  James, 
Henry  E.  Bourne,  E.  C.  Brooks,  Wilbur  F.  Gordy,  Miss  Mabel 
Hill,  Julius  Sachs,  Henry  W.  Thurston,  J.  II.  Van  Sickle. 

Finance  committee. — J.  H.  Eckels,  Peter  White. 
The  meeting  adjourned  at  5  p.  m. 

Charles  II.  Haskins, 

Corresponding  Secretary. 


PROGRAMME  OF  EXERCISES  AT  THE  TWENTIETH  ANNUAL 
MEETING  OF  THE  AMERICAN  HISTORICAL  ASSOCIATION,  HELD 
AT  CHICAGO,  DECEMBER  28,  29,  AND  30, 1904. 

Persons  not  members  of  the  Association  will  be  cordially  welcome 
to  the  sessions. 

Papers  are  limited  to  twenty  minutes,  and  discussions  to  ten  min- 
utes for  each  speaker.  Those  who  read  papers  or  take  part  in  the 
conferences  are  requested  to  furnish  the  secretary  with  abstracts  of 
their  papers  or  remarks. 

First  Session,  Wednesday,  10.30  a.  m.,  in  Mandel  Assembly  Hall. 

Address  of  welcome.  President  William  R.  Harper,  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Chicago. 

Annual  address  (before  the  three  associations)  :  The  Work  of  the 
American  Political  Science  Association.  Prof.  Frank  J.  Good- 
now,  president  of  the  Association. 

JOINT    meeting    with    THE    AMERICAN     POLITICAL    SCIENCE    ASSOCIATION. 

1.  The  Contrast  of  Political  Theory  and  Practice  in  France  under  the 

Convention.     William  M.  Sloane,  professor  in  Columbia  Univer- 
sity. 

2.  The  Relation  of  the  Executive  to  the  Legislative  Power.     James 

T.  Young,  director  of  the  Wharton  School,  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

3.  The    Napoleonic    Confederacy    in  the    United    States.     Jesse    S. 

Reeves,  of  Richmond,  Ind. 
Wednesday,  1  p.  m.,  luncheon  in  Hutchinson  Hall ;  3  p.  m.,  meeting 
of  the  executive  council  and  of  committees,  Reynolds  Club  House; 
3-G  p.  ra.,  tea  for  ladies,  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Hale,  5757  Lexington 
avenue. 

Second  Session,  Wednesday,  8  p.  m.,  at  the  Chicago  Historical 

Society. 

JOINT    meeting    with    THE    AMERICAN    ECONOMIC    ASSOCIATION. 

Address  of  welcome.  President  Franklin  H.  Head,  of  the  Chicago 
Historical  Society. 

Annual  address :  The  Present  Position  of  the  Doctrine  of  Free  Trade. 
Frank  W.  Taussig,  president  of  the  American  Economic  Associa- 
tion. 

67 


58  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Annual  address:  The  Treatment  of  History.     Goldwin  Smith,  presi- 
dent of  tlie  American  Historical  Association. 
Wednesday,  10  p.  m.,  reception  by  the  Chicago  Historical  Society. 

Third  Session,  Thursday,  10.30  a.  m.,  in  the  Reynolds  Club  House. 

"  round  table  "  conferences,  in  four  sections. 

1.  On  the  rroblems  of  State  and  Local  Historical  Societies   (library, 

north  room,  first  floor).     Chairman,  Reuben  G.  Thwaites,  secre- 
tary of  the  State  Historical  Society  of  Wisconsin. 
a.  Forms  of  Organization,  and  Relation  to  the   State  Govern- 
ments.    Thomas  M.  O^Yen,  director  of  the  Department  of 
Archives  and  History,   Alabama  ;   Warren  Upham,   secre- 
tary of  the  ^Minnesota  Historical  Society. 
1).  The  Possibilities  of  Mutual  Co-operation  between  Societies, 
State  and  Local.     C.  M.  Burton,  president  of  the  INIichi- 
gan  Pioneer  and  Historical  Society ;  Benjamin  F.  Sham- 
baugli,  State  Historical  Society  of  Iowa. 

2.  On  the  Teaching  of  History   in  the  Elementary   School    (theater. 

third   floor).     Chairman,   James  A.   James,  professor   in   North- 
western University. 

a.  Some  Suggestions  for  an  Elementary  Course  in  History. 
Henry  W.  Thurston,  Chicago  Normal  School ;  G.  O.  Virtue, 
Winona  State  Normal  School ;  William  H.  Elson,  super- 
intendent, Grand  Rapids. 
6.  The  Preparation  of  the  Elementary  Teacher.  Emily  J. 
Rice,  School  of  Education,  University  of  Chicago. 

3.  On  the  Doctoral  Dissertation  in  History,  and  the  Doctor's  Degree 

(south  room,  second  floor).     Chairman,  George  B.  Adams,  pro- 
fessor in  Yale  University. 

a.  On  the  Character  of  the  Thesis.     Dana  C.  Munro,  Univer- 
sity of  Wisconsin  ;  James  II.  Robinson,  Columbia  Univer- 
sity ;  George  E.  Howard,  University  of  Nebraska. 
1).  Subjects   for   Theses.     Charles   H.   Haskins,   Harvard   Uni- 
versity ;  Albert  Bushnell  Hart,   Harvard  University 

4.  On  the  Teaching  of  Church  History    (tower  room,   second  floor). 

Chairman,    Francis    A.    Christie,    ])rofessor    in    Meadville    Theo- 
logical School. 

a.  Methods  of  Teaching.     Albert  Temple  Swing,  Oberlin  Sem- 
inary. 
h.  The  Promotion  of  Research.     Shailer  Mathews,  University 

of  Chicago. 
c.  Church   History    in   Colleges   and   Graduate    Schools.     Carl 
R.  Fish,  University  of  Wisconsin. 
Thursday,  4  p.  m.,  reception  by  President  Harper. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  59 

Fourth  Session,  Thursday,  8  p.  m.,  in  Mandel  Assembly  Hall. 

1.  The  Historical  Congresses  at  St.  Louis.     Chaiies  W.  Colby,  pro- 

fessor ill  MeGill  University. 

2.  On  Roman  History.     p:ttore  Pais,  ])rofessor  in  the  University  of 

Naples. 

3.  The  Work  of  American   Historical   Societies.     Henry   E.   Bourne, 

professor  in  Western  Ileser\'e  l^niversity. 

4.  The  Travels  of  Jonathan  Carver.  .  EdNvard  G.   Bourne,  professor 

in  Yale  University. 

5.  The  P^xploration  of  tJie  Louisiana   Frontier,   1803-180G.     Isaac  J. 

Cox,  instructor  in  the  ITnivei'sity  of  Cincinnati. 
Thursday,  10  p.  m.,  smoiver,  at  the  Hotel  del  Prado ;    10  p.  m.,  recep- 
tion for  ladies,  by  Mrs.  Wilmarth  and  Mrs.  Thompson,  5747  Washing- 
ton avenue. 

Fifth  Session,  Friday,  10.30  a.  u.,  in  Mandel  Assembly  Hall. 

1.  The  Necessity  in  America  of  the  Study  of  the  Early  History  of 

Modern  European  Nations.     Friedrich  Keutgen,  professor  in  the 
University  of  Jena. 

2.  Russian  Historiography.     Paul    Milyoul^ov,    formerly   professor   in 

the  University  of  Sofia. 

3.  The  Diplomatic  Archives  of  the  Department  of  State.     Andrew  C. 

McLaughlin,  director  of  the  Bureau  of  Historical  Research,  Car- 
negie Institution. 

4.  The   Materials    for   American    History    in    the    English   Archives. 

Charles  M.  Andrews,  professor  in  Bryn  Mawr  College. 

5.  Government   Archives   in   Our   New   Possessions.     Worthington   C. 

Ford,  chief  of  the  Division  of  Manuscripts,  Lil)rary  of  Congress. 

Friday,  3.30  p.  m.,  annual  meeting  of  the  Association,  Mandel 
Assemhly  Hall. 

1.  Report  of  the  Council. 

2.,  Report  of  the  Treasurer  and  Auditing  Committee. 

3.  RejKjrt  of  the  Historical  Manuscripts  Commission. 

4.  Report  of  the  Public  Archives  Conmiission. 

5.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Justin  Winsor  prize. 

6.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Herbert  Baxter  Adams  prize. 

7.  Report  of  the  board  of  editors  of  the  American  Historical  Review. 

8.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Bibliography. 

9.  Report  of  the  General  Committee. 

10.  Report  of  the  editor  of  the  "  Original  Narratives  for  Early  Ameri- 

can History." 

11.  Election  of  oflicers. 

12.  Report  of  the  committee  on  resolutions. 


60  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Sixth  Session,  Friday,  8  p.  m.,  at  the  Professional  Building  of 
Northwestern  University,  Lake  and  Dearborn  Streets. 

JOINT    meeting    with    THE    AMERICAN    ECONOMIC    ASSOCIATION. 

1.  The  Significance  of  tlie  Inclosure  Movement  in  England.     Edwin 

F.  Gay,  professor  in  Harvard  University. 

2.  An  Economic  History  of  tlie  United  States.     Carroll  D.  Wright, 

chairman  of  the  Department  of  Economics  and  Sociology  in  the 
Carnegie  Institution. 

Discussion  led  by  John  B.  McMaster,  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  Charles  H.  Hull,  Cornell  University,  of  the  American  Historical 
Association;  Henry  R.  Seager,  Columbia  University,  and  Jacob  H. 
Hollander,  Johns  Hopkins  University,  of  the  American  Economic 
Association. 

To  be  read  by  title :  Report  on  the  Collections  of  Material  in  Euro- 
pean History  and  Subsidiary  Fields  to  be  found  in  the  Libraries  of 
the  United  States,  by  Wilbur  H.  Siebert,  professor  in  the  Ohio  State 
University. 


Committee  Circulars. 

[The  Justin  Winsor  prize.  Committee:  Charles  M.  Andrews  (chairman), 
Bryn  Mawr  College ;  Edward  P.  Cheyney,  University  of  Pennsylvania ; 
Roger  Foster,  New  York  ;  Williston  Walker,  Yale  University ;  Charles  H. 
Hull,  Cornell  University.] 

The  Justin  Winsor  prize  of  $100,  offered  by  the  American  Historical 
Association  for  the  encouragement  of  historical  research,  will  be 
awarded  for  the  year  1905  to  the  best  unpublished  monograph  in  the 
field  of  American  history  that  shall  be  submitted  to  the  committee  of 
award  on  or  before  October  1,  1905. 

I.  The  prize  is  intended  for  writers  who  have  not  yet  published  any 
considerable  work  or  obtained  an  established  reputation. 

II.  The  monograph  must  be  based  upon  independent  and  original 
investigation  in  American  history,  by  which  is  meant  the  history  of 
any  of  the  British  colonies  in  America  to  1770,  of  other  portions  of  the 
continent  which  have  since  been  included  in  the  territory  of  the  United 
States,  and  of  the  United  States.  It  may  deal  with  any  aspect  of  that 
history — social,  political,  constitutional,  religious,  economic,  ethnolog- 
ical, military,  or  biographical,  though  in  the  last  three  instances  a 
treatment  exclusively  ethnological,  military,  or  biographical  would  be 
unfavorably  received. 

III.  The  monograph  must  present  subject-matter  of  more  than  per- 
sonal or  local  interest,  and  must,  as  regards  its  conclusions,  be  a  dis- 
tinct contribution  to  knowledge.  Its  statements  must  be  accurate,  and 
the  author  in  his  treatment  of  the  facts  collected  must  show  originality 
and  power  of  interpretation. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  61 

IV.  The  monograph  must  conform  to  the  accepted  canong  of  hi?-- 
torical  research  and  criticism.  It  must  be  presented  in  scientific 
form.  It  must  contain  references  to  all  authorities.  It  must  be  accom- 
panied by  a  critical  bibliography.  Should  the  bibliography  be  omitted 
or  should  it  consist  only  of  a  list  of  titles  without  critical  comments 
and  valuations,  the  monograph  will  not  be  admitted  to  the  compe- 
tition. 

V.  In  length  the  monograph  should  not  be  less  than  30,000  words,  or 
about  100  pages  of  print.  It  may  be  more.  If  possible,  it  should  be 
type-written ;  but  in  any  case  it  should  be  presented  to  the  connnittee 
free  from  erasures,  interlineations,  and  other  evidences  of  revision. 
If  the  work  is  not  type-written,  it  must  be  written  carefully  and  legi- 
bly on  only  one  side  of  the  sheet  and  must  be  in  form  ready  for 
publication. 

VI.  In  addition  to  text,  footnotes,  and  bibliography,  the  monograph 
must  contain  nothing  except  the  name  and  address  of  the  author  and  a 
short  introduction  setting  forth  the  character  of  the  material  and  the 
purpose  of  the  work.  After  the  award  has  been  made  the  successful 
competitor  may  add  such  personal  allusions  as  are  customary  in  a 
printed  work. 

VII.  In  making  the  award  the  committee  will  consider  nut  only 
research,  accuracy,  and  originality,  but  also  clearness  of  expression, 
logical  arrangement,  and  especially  literary  form.  The  successful 
monograph  must  be  written  in  good  English.  The  prize  will  not  be 
awarded  unless  the  work  submitted  shall  be  of  a  high  degree  of 
excellence. 

VIII.  The  successful  monograph  will  be  published  by  the  American 
Historical  Association  in  its  annual  report.  The  author  will  be 
given  25  copies  of  his  worJv  bound  separately  in  paper  and  2,5  bound 
in  cloth;  but  in  case  he  desire  additional  copies  for  personal  dis- 
tribution, or  to  present  as  part  of  the  recpiirement  for  the  doctor's 
degree,  he  shall  pay  the  cost  of  striking  off  the  extra  coi)ies.  Sep- 
arate copies  of  the  monograph,  bound  in  cloth,  may  be  obtained  of  the 
Secretary  by  any  one  desiring  them  at  a  cost  of  .50  cents  each. 

IX.  Under  the  rules  of  the  (4overnment  the  successful  competitor 
can  purchase  copies  of  his  work  from  the  Public  Printer  and  put 
them  on  sale  at  such  price  as  he  may  see  fit.  Any  competitor  may 
make  such  use  of  his  manuscript  as  he  desires,  even  while  it  is  in 
the  hands  of  the  committee,  provided  that  in  case  he  receive  the 
award  he  defer  its  publication  by  anyone  else  than  the  Association 
until  after  the  appearance  of  the  report  of  the  Association  con- 
taining the  w^ork  in  question.  He  nmst,  however,  relinquish  all 
right  of  copyright  in  his  essay,  since  the  copyright  of  material  pub- 
lished by  the  Government  is  forbidden  by  statute. 

Address    all    correspondence   to    the   chairman    of   the    committee, 

Prof.  Charles  M.  Andrews,  Bryn  Mawr,  Pa. 

The  Justin  Winsor  prize  has  been  awarded  as  follows : 

In  1896  to  Herman  V.  Ames,  for  his  work  entitled  "  The  Proposed 

Amendments  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States." 


62  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

From  1897  to  1899  the  prize  was  not  awarded. 

In  1900  to  William  A.  Schaper,  for  his  work  entitled  "  Sectionalism 
and  Representation  in  South  Carolina ;  "  with  honorable  mention  of 
the  work  of  Miss  M.  S.  Locke  on  "Anti-Slavery  Sentiment  before 
1808." 

In  1901  to  Ulrich  B.  Phillips,  for  his  work  entitled  "Georgia  and 
State  Rights ; "  with  honorable  mention  of  the  work  of  Miss  M. 
Louise  Greene  on  "  The  Struggle  for  Religious  Liberty  in  Con- 
necticut." 

In  1902  to  Charles  McCarthy,  for  his  work  entitled  "The  Anti- 
Masonic  Party ;  "  with  honorable  mention  of  the  work  of  W.  Roy 
Smith  on  "  South  Carolina  as  a  Royal  Province." 

In  1903  to  Louise  Phelps  Kellogg,  for  her  work  entitled  "  The 
American  Colonial  Charter :  A  Study  of  its  Relation  to  English 
Administration,  chiefly  after  1688." 

In  1904  to  William  R.  Manning,  for  his  work  entitled  "  The  Nootka 
Sound  Controversy  ;  "  with  honorable  mention  of  the  work  of  C.  O. 
Paullin  on  "  The  Navy  of  the  American  Revolution." 

[The  riei-bert  Baxter  Adams  prize.  Committee:  Cliarles  Gross  (chairman), 
Harvard  University ;  George  Lincoln  Burr,  Cornell  University ;  Victor 
Coffin,  University  of  Wisconsin  ;  James  Harvey  Robinson,  Columbia  Uni- 
versity ;   John  Martin  Vincent,   Johns  Hopkins  University.] 

The  Herbert  Baxter  Adams  prize  of  $200,  offered  biennially  by  the 
American  Historical  Association  for  the  encouragement  of  historical 
research,  will  be  awarded  for  the  year  1905  to  the  best  unpublished 
monograph  in  the  lield  of  European  history  that  shall  be  submitted  to 
the  committee  of  award  on  or  before  October  1,  1905. 

I.  The  prize  is  intended  for  writers  who  have  not  yet  published 
any  considerable  work  or  obtained  an  established  reputation. 

II.  The  monograph  nmst  be  based  upon  independent  and  original 
investigation  in  European  history,  by  which  is  meant  the  history  of 
Europe,  continental  or  insular,  or  any  part  thereof.  It  may  deal  with 
any  aspect  of  that  history — social,  political,  constitutional,  religious, 
economic,  ethnological,  military,  or  biographical,  though  in  the  last 
three  instances  a  treatment  exclusively  ethnological,  military,  or 
biographical  would  be  unfavorably  received. 

III.  The  monograph  must  present  subject-matter  of  more  than  per- 
sonal or  local  interest  and  must,  as  regards  its  conclusions,  be  a  dis- 
tinct contribution  to  knowledge.  Its  statements  must  be  accurate  and 
the  author  in  his  treatment  of  the  facts  collected  must  show  origi- 
nality and  power  of  interpretation. 

IV.  The  monograph  must  conform  to  the  accepted  canons  of  his- 
torical research  and  criticism.  It  must  be  presented  in  scientific 
form.  It  must  contain  references  to  all  authorities.  It  must  be 
accompanied  by  a  critical  bibliography.  Should  the  bibliography  be 
omitted  or  should  it  consist  only  of  a  list  of  titles  without  critical  com- 
ments and  valuations,  the  monograph  will  not  be  admitted  to  the 
competition. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    CHICAGO    MEETING.  63 

V.  If  possible,  the  iiionograpli  should  be  type-written,  but  in  any 
case  it  should  be  presented  to  the  connnittee  free  from  erasures,  inter- 
lineations, and  other  evidences  of  revision.  If  the  work  is  not  type- 
written, it  must  be  written  carefully  and  legibly  on  only  one  side  of 
the  sheet,  and  must  be  in  form  ready  for  ])u])licati<)n. 

VI.  In  addition  to  text,  footnotes,  and  bibliography,  the  monograph 
must  contain  nothing  except  the  name  and  address  of  the  author  and 
a  short  introduction  setting  forth  the  character  of  the  material  and 
the  i)urpose  of  the  work.  After  the  award  has  been  made  the  suc- 
cessful competitor  may  add  such  personal  allusions  as  are  customary 
in  a  printed  work. 

VII.  In  making  the  award  the  committee  will  consider  not  only  re- 
search, accuracy,  and  originality,  but  also  clearness  of  expression, 
logical  arrangement,  and  especially  literary  form.  The  successful 
monograph  must  be  written  in  good  Englisli.  The  prize  will  not  be 
awarded  unless  the  work  submitted  shall  be  of  a  high  degree  of 
excellence. 

VIII.  The  successful  monograph  will  be  published  by  the  Ameri- 
can Historical  Association  in  its  annual  report.  The  author  will  be 
given  25  copies  of  his  work  bound  separately  in  paper  and  25  bound 
in  cloth;  but  in  case  he  desires  additional  copies  for  personal  distri- 
bution, or  to  i)resent  as  part  of  the  re<iuirement  for  the  doctor's  de- 
gree, he  shall  pay  the  cost  of  striking  off  the  extra  copies.  Separate 
copies  of  the  monograph,  bound  in  cloth,  may  be  obtained  of  the  sec- 
retary, by  any  one  desiring  them,  at  a  cost  of  50  cents  each. 

IX.  Under  the  rules  of  the  Government  the  successful  competitor 
can  purchase  copies  of  his  work  from  the  Public  Printer,  and  put 
them  on  sale  at  such  price  as  he  may  see  fit.  Any  competitor  may 
make  such  use  of  his  manuscript  as  he  desires,  even  while  it  is  in  the 
hands  of  the  connnittee,  provided  that  in  case  he  receive  the  award 
he  defer  its  publication  by  anyone  else  than  the  Association  until 
after  the  appearance  of  the  report  of  the  Association  containing  the 
work  in  question.  He  must,  however,  reliiujuish  all  right  of  copy- 
right in  his  essay,  since  the  copyright  of  material  published  by  the 
Government  is  forbidden  by  statute. 

Address  all  correspondence  to  the  chairman  of  the  connnittee,  Prof. 
Charles  Gross,  11  Putnam  avenue,  Cambridge,  Mass. 


II.-THE  TREATMENT  OF  HISTORY. 

By  GOLDWIN   SMITH, 

President  oj  the  American  Historical  Association. 


H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 5  65 


THE  TREATMENT  OF  HISTORY.^ 


By  GoLDWiN  Smith. 


Before  entering  on  my  subject  let  me  congratulate  the 
Association  and  Americans  generally  on  the  striking  prog- 
ress made  by  the  study  of  history  here  in  the  course  of  the 
last  half  centur}^  To  the  names  of  Bancroft,  Hildreth,  Prcs- 
cott,  and  Palgrav(^  have  been  added  those  of  Henry  C.  Leu, 
Henry  Adams,  James  Ford  Khodes,  John  B.  McMaster, 
John  Fiske,  James  Schouler,  Moses  Coit  Tyler,  AY.  M. 
Sloane,  Charles  Francis  Adams,  and  Woodrow  Wilson. 
The  progress  shoAvs  itself  alike  in  style,  in  research,  and  in 
fairness  of  judgment.  In  the  style  even  of  Bancroft  tliere 
lingers  something  rather  too  rhetorical,  too  much  savoring  of 
the  Fourth  of  Juh\  Conscientious  research  has  advanced 
with  great  strides.  It  has  perhaj^s  been  carried  almost  to 
the  point  of  exaggeration  by  researches  into  the  history  of 
obscure  municipal  institutions.  But  the  excess  is  infinitely 
better  than  the  defect. 

In  fairness  and  candor  also  there  has  been  a  vast  improve- 
ment, specially  to  be  noted  in  the  treatment  of  questions  with 
Great  Britain.  The  Revolution,  the  Avar  of  1812,  and  rehi- 
tions  Avith  England  generally  receiA^e  far  more  equitable 
treatment  noAV  than  they  did  of  yore.  The  other  day  a  cry 
was  raised  in  England  that  the  American  school  histories 
are  poisoning  the  minds  of  Americans  against  us.  Some- 
body proposed  to  deal  Avith  the  subject  specially  and  to 
stanch  the  source  of  rancor.  I  sent  for  a  number  of  school 
histories  and  examined  them.  In  those  of  forty  or  fifty 
years  ago  the  angry  spirit  Avas  manifest;  but  it  decreased 
as  the  present  time  was  approached,  and  in  the  school  histo- 
ries of  the  present  day  little,  I  believe,  will  be  found  of 

°  The  president's  address  to  the  American  Historical  Association,  December 
28,  1904. 

67 


68  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

which  an  Englishman  could  fairly  complain.  From  the 
taint  of  national  arrogance  English  histories  would  hardly 
be  found  free.  Too  much  space  is  given  to  war.  Too  much 
space,  perhaps,  is  given  to  war  in  all  histories.  War  is  still, 
unhappily,  of  all  themes  the  most  exciting.  It  is  the  best 
suited  for  lively  description;  it  strikes  the  imagination  of 
itself  without  calling  for  much  skill  on  the  part  of  the 
writer.  Genius,  perhaps,  may  some  day  make  the  annals  of 
peaceful  and  beneficient  achievement  interesting  even  to 
boys.  If  I  found  any  special  fault  with  the  American 
school  histories,  it  Avas  not  that  they  were  rancorous,  but  that 
they  were  dry.  For  writing  children's  books  special  genius 
is  required. 

In  proceeding  to  deal  with  the  treatment  of  history,  we 
are  met  at  once  b}^  the  question  Avhether  history  is  or  can  be 
made  a  science.  Expectations  of  this  kind  are  the  natural 
offspring  of  the  vast  conquests  which  science  has  been  mak- 
ing and  Avhich  seem  to  proclaim  its  empire  universal.  We 
are  confronted  at  once  by  the  everlasting  problem  of  free 
will.  Human  history  may  be  the  subject  of  philosophy;  the 
subject  of  science  it  can  hardly  be  if  the  human  Avill  is  free. 
I  trust  it  is  not  presumptuous  to  say  that  this  question  of  free 
will  and  necessity  seems  to  me  to  be  a  mental  puzzle  and 
nothing  more.  In  every  action  our  consciousness,  if  we 
appeal  to  it,  tells  us  that  there  are  tw^o  elements — the  ante- 
cedents or  motive,  and  the  volition.  In  every  action  which 
is  doubtful  or  unusual  or  which  calls  for  a  special  effort  of 
will  we  are  distinctly  conscious  of  the  volition  as  well  as  of 
the  antecedents.  In  habitual  ani^  commonplace  actions  we 
are  not  conscious  of  the  volition  unless  our  attention  is 
specially  called  to  it.  But  ahvays  the  two  elements  are 
there ;  and  upon  the  presence  of  the  volition  depend  our 
retrospective  judgments  on  our  own  actions  and  our  judg- 
ments on  the  actions  of  our  neighbors.  The  volition  could 
not  take  place  without  the  antecedents,  nor  will  the  ante- 
cedents produce  action  without  the  volition.  It  is  difficult, 
probably  impossible,  to  designate  the  exact  relation  between 
them ;  hence  the  puzzle,  hence  the  question  about  which  such 
controversies  have  raged.  Huxley,  biased  by  physical 
science,  took  at  one  time  the  extreme  necessarian  view.  But 
if  I  mistake  not,  he  had  latterly  ceased  to  feel  so  sure  that 


THE    TREATMENT    OF    HISTORY.  69 

man  was  an  automaton  which  had  automatically  fancied 
itself  a  free  agent,  but  had  automatically  come  back  to  the 
belief  that  after  all  it  was  an  automaton.  His  superb  good 
sense  prevailed. 

There  is  apparently  another  serious  difficulty  in  attempt- 
ing to  treat  human  history  as  a  science.  To  base  a  valid 
induction  we  must  have  the  phenomena  completely  before  us. 
But  human  history  is  not  yet  complete,  nor  do  we  know  how 
far  it  may  be  from  completion  or  what  phenomena  its 
progress  may  be  destined  to  disclose.  Comte  traces,  as  he 
thinks,  the  histor}^  of  man  through  three  stages — the  theo- 
logical, the  metaphysical,  and  the  positive,  with  their  sub- 
divisions, and  assumes  that  the  positive  stage  is  final.  He 
accordingly  proceeds  to  give  the  Avorld  a  form  of  govern- 
ment, a  form  of  religion,  a  calendar  of  social  worthies,  per- 
manent institutions  of  different  kinds.  But  his  finality  is 
without  reasonable  warrant.  The  era  which  he  styles  posi- 
tive may  not  be  the  last.  Destiny  may  have  totally  new 
developments  in  store.  At  all  events,  it  is  not  likely  that  a 
government,  a  religion,  or  a  calendar  of  worthies  framed  by 
a  man  of  this  generation  will  serve  for  generations  yet  to 
come. 

Besides,  human  history  is  full  of  accidents  baffling  to 
theory  as  well  as  to  calculation.  By  the  merest  accident 
Napoleon  becomes  a  French  citizen.  It  seems  that  he  had  at 
one  time  thought  of  enlisting  in  the  British  navy.  Had  he 
been  shot  on  the  bridge  of  Lodi,  or  assassinated  by  Georges 
Cadoudal,  both  of  which  events  were  perfectly  possible,  the 
whole  current  of  history  Avould  have  been  changed.  Gus- 
tavus  Adolphus  is  in  the  full  career  of  victory,  which  to  a 
moral  certainty  would  have  ended  in  the  redemj^tion  of 
Germany.  A  wreath  of  mist  comes  over  the  field  of  Liitzen 
and  separates  him  from  his  troops.  He  falls,  and  half 
Germany  remains  Catholic.  Napoleon,  it  is  true,  would  not 
have  been  what  he  was  or  have  done  what  he  did  without 
predisposing  forces.  But  the  predisposing  forces  would  not 
have  produced  the  events  without  Napoleon,  whose  appear- 
ance on  the  scene,  as  it  could  not  possibly  have  been  foretold, 
was,  if  anything  is,  a  chance.  Such  instances  might  be  mul- 
tiplied without  number,  and  they  are  apparently  fatal  to  the 
conception  and  verification  of  any  scientific  law. 


70  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

For  the  philosophy  of  history  which  traces  the  interde- 
pendence of  events,  the  connection  of  causes  and  effects,  the 
operation  of  special  influences,  general  or  personal,  per- 
manent or  temporary,  the  distinction  of  epochs,  the  forma- 
tion of  national  character,  and,  above  all,  the  general  progress 
of  humanity,  it  is  needless  to  say  there  is  a  vast,  fruitful, 
and  highly  cultivated  field. 

Here,  perhaps,  may  be  noticed  the  view  which  seems  to  be 
held  by  my  very  eminent  predecessor  in  the  presidency  of 
the  Association,  Mr.  Henry  C.  Lea,  as  to  the  division  of  his- 
tory into  moral  epochs.  Mr.  Lea  appears  to  think  that  it  is 
irrational  and  unjust  to  condemn  Philip  II  and  the  inquis- 
itors of  the  day  for  putting  peo])le  to  deatli  on  account  of 
their  religious  belief,  such  having  been  the  moral  law  of  that 
epocli.  This  view  would  seem  to  lead  to  the  division  of  liis- 
tory  into  a  series  of  moral  zones  with  which  our  judgments 
of  action  and  character  ought  to  vary.  But  such  a  concep- 
tion ^^'ould  surely  be  fatal  to  morality  itself,  as  it  would 
destroy  the  identity  of  the  moral  hnv.  In  judging  individ- 
ual character  and  action  just  allowance  must  of  course  be 
made  for  the  general  beliefs  and  prevailing  influences  of 
the  time.  But  this  is  the  limit  of  condonation.  The  age  of 
Philip  II  and  the  Spanish  Inquisition  was  an  age  of  mur- 
derous persecution.  What  made  it  so?  The  conduct  of 
Philip  II  and  the  inquisitors,  Avliich  itself  was  influenced 
not  solely  by  hatred  of  misbelief,  but  by  criminal  propen- 
sities of  a  grosser  kind ;  the  despot's  lust  of  unlimited  power, 
the  hierarch's  lust  of  ascendancy  and  wealth.  Philip  II  was 
not  only  a  persecutor,  he  Avas  a  murderer  and  an  adulterer. 
He  hired  assassins  to  take  the  life  of  his  noble  enemy,  AVil- 
liam  the  Silent.  It  is  by  no  means  certain  that  the  propen- 
sity to  religious  murder  was  universal  or  even  general  among 
the  people  of  that  day.  Nor  was  morality  on  this  subject 
without  a  witness.  Erasmus,  invoking  the  judgment  of  Eu- 
rope on  the  execution  of  Sir  Thomas  More,  pleaded  that  no 
one  during  More's  chancellorship  had  suffered  death  for 
heresy.  More,  in  his  "  Utopia,"  advocates  the  broadest  prin- 
ciple of  religious  toleration.  Can  it  be  supposed  that  Wil- 
liam the  Silent  or  Henry  IV  would  have  burned  people  alive 
for  misbelief?     Was  not  the  reaction  in  England  against 


THE    TREATMENT    OF    HISTORY.  71 

Queen  Mary  and  her  religion  largely  caused  b}^  the  fires  of 
Smithfield?"^ 

Comte's  series  of  historic  epochs,  distinguished  by  the 
progress  of  ideas  from  the  theological  and  the  metaphysical 
to  the  positive,  can  not,  it  seems  to  me,  be  really  identified; 
though,  like  many  theories  incapable  of  perfect  verifica- 
tion, it  has  shed  important  light  on  the  subject.  The  identi- 
fication of  the  metaphysical  era  is  especially  difficult.  But 
I  must  not  attempt  the  discussion  of  this  complicated  ques- 
tion here.  I  confine  myself  to  the  recognition  of  Comte's 
merits  as  an  earnest  thinker  and  a  devoted  servant  of  human- 
ity. Vico's  theory  of  historic  C3^cles  now  hardly  calls  for 
examination,  though  Vico  may  claim  the  honor  of  having 
been  the  first  to  treat  history  philosophically,  unless  we 
include  in  philosophies  of  history  a  religious  surv^ey  such  as 
that  of  Bossuet,  or  an  observation  of  political  sequences, 
such  as  that  in  the  "  Politics  "  of  Aristotle. 

The  crown  of  science  is  prediction.  Were  history  a  science 
it  would  enable  us  to  predict  events.  It  is  needless  to  say 
that  the  forecast  of  even  the  most  sagacious  of  public  men 
is  often  totally  at  fault  with  regard  to  the  immediate  future. 
On  the  brink  of  the  great  revolutionary  wars  Pitt  looked  for- 
ward with  confidence  to  a  long  continuance  of  peace.  Pal- 
merston,  if  he  was  rightly  reported,  deemed  the  cause  of  Ger- 
man unification  hopeless  at  the  moment  Avhen  Bismarck  was 
coming  on  the  scene  and  unification  was  at  hand. 

The  philosophy  of  history,  on  the  other  hand,  without 
affecting  the  character  or  claiming  the  prerogatives  of  a 
science,  but  simply  resting  on  the  identity  of  human  nature, 
traces  past  effects  to  their  causes  and  from  the  continuance  or 
recurrence  of  the  cause  predicts  a  recurrence  of  the  effect.  It 
discloses  the  interaction  and  the  nature  of  all  the  forces  and 
influences  of  which  past  history  has  been  the  outcome, 
ranging  them  in  their  order  and  trying  to  assign  to  each  its 
part  in  the  product.  It  frequently  takes  the  form  of  separate 
treatises.  But  no  historical  work  which  shows  the  sequence 
of  events,  nothing,  in  short,  that  is  really  history  and  not 
merely  a  chronicle,  can  be  without  philosophy. 

Writers  on  the  philosophy  of  history  are  in  danger  of 
overstating  the  effect  of  some  particular  cause,  the  impor- 
tance of  which  they  are,  or  seem  to  themselves  to  be,  the  first 


72  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

to  recognize.  Buckle,  for  instance,  in  a  work  which  pro- 
duced a  great  effect  in  its  day,  seems  sometimes  to  overrate 
the  influence  of  natural  phenomena  of  a  striking  kind  in  the 
formation  of  national  character.  He  traces,  for  example, 
the  religious  character  of  the  Spaniards  to  the  impression 
made  on  them  by  the  terrors  of  volcanoes  and  earthquakes. 
But  there  appear  to  be  no  records  to  show  that  in  the  forma- 
tive i^eriod  of  Spanish  character  volcanic  phenomena  greatly 
prevailed.  The  religious  character  of  the  Spaniard  was 
formed  largely  by  the  long  conflict  with  the  Moors,  as  was 
that  of  the  Russians  by  the  long  conflict  with  the  heathen 
Tartars.  Volcanic  phenomena  do  not  seem  to  have  affected 
the  character  of  the  Japanese.  Italian  character  in  its  Roman 
phase  was,  and  in  its  Catholic  phase  is,  the  manifest  out- 
come of  historical  causes  quite  independent  of  Vesuvius. 
Among  the  sources  of  Scotch  character  Buckle  reckons  the 
influence  of  thunderstorms  and  of  the  reverberations  of  the 
thunder  among  the  mountains.  But  the  mountains  are  in 
the  Celtic  highlands,  and  the  Scottish  character  is  that  of 
the  lowland  Teuton;  not  to  say  that,  if  I  may  trust  the 
experience  of  a  shooting  season,  thunderstorms  are  far  from 
frequent  among  the  Scotch  mountains.  The  backwardness 
of  native  American  civilization  is  ascribed  to  absence  of 
animals  of  draft  or  burden.  That  may  have  been  a  partial 
cause,  but  the  ruined  cities  of  Central  America  show  that 
much  might  have  been  done  by  human  labor ;  so,  apparently, 
do  the  great  monuments  of  Egypt. 

I  have  read  an  ingenious  work  on  the  philosophy  of  his- 
tory which  ascribes  everything  to  the  struggle  for  subsist- 
ence and  the  conflict  betAveen  economical  classes  to  which  it 
gives  birth.  The  theory  is  taken  as  the  key  even  to  relig- 
ious revolutions,  such  as  that  of  England  in  the  time  of 
Charles  I.  The  landowners,  it  is  remarked,  were  mainly  on 
the  one  side,  the  yeomanry  on  the  other.  Only  to  a  limited 
extent  was  this  the  fact.  But  it  can  hardly  be  questioned 
that  religious  convictions  and  the  political  tendencies  allied 
with  them  were  the  fundamental  motives.  Subsistence  is  of 
course  the  basis  of  all,  and  the  division  into  economical 
classes  is  of  the  highest  importance.  But  the  sharpness  of 
the  division  and  its  influence  on  the  course  of  civilization 
are  capable  of  overstatement.     Not  all  consumers  are  pro- 


THE    TREATMENT    OF   HISTORY.  73 

ducers,  though  the  vast  majority  of  them  are,  but  all  pro- 
ducers must  be  consumers;  so  society  can  hardly  be  divided 
on  that  line.  The  vast  and  infinitely  complex  frame  with 
its  boundless  variety  of  influences  and  circumstances,  while 
it  affords  abundant  matter  for  fruitful  remark,  defies  sweep- 
ing generalization.  None  of  the  sweeping  generalizations, 
at  least  so  far,  has  held  its  ground. 

Again,  we  have  a  philosopher  of  mark  who  holds  the 
apparently  paradoxical  doctrine  that  man  has  advanced  by 
disregarding  the  dictates  of  his  individual  reason.  That 
progress  has  been  largely  due  to  the  action  of  man  against  his 
propensities  and  his  apparent  interest  is  true  enough.  All 
self-sacrifice,  patriotic  devotion,  and  religious  martyrdom 
may  be  so  described.  But  reason  comprehends  the  whole  of 
the  mental  antecedents  to  action,  whether  selfish  or  miselfish 
or  of  whatever  kind  they  may  be;  and  Ave  can  no  more  act 
against  the  whole  of  the  mental  antecedents  to  action  than  a 
man  can  jump  out  of  his  skin. 

Of  Carlyle,  what  is  to  be  said  ?  Is  his  view  of  history  to 
be  called  philosophy  or  poetry?  A  serious  philosophy  of 
history  it  certainly  can  not  be  called.     He  says: 

As  I  take  it,  universal  history,  the  history  of  what  man  has  accom- 
plished in  this  world,  is  at  hottom  the  history  of  the  great  men  who 
have  worked  here.  They  were  the  leaders  of  men,  these  great  ones : 
the  modelers,  patterns,  and  in  a  wide  sense  creators,  of  whatsoever 
the  general  mass  of  men  contrived  to  do  or  to  attain ;  all  things  that 
we  see  standing  accomplished  in  the  world  are  properly  the  outer 
material  result,  the  practical  realization  and  embodiment,  of  thoughts 
that  dwelt  in  the  great  men  sent  into  the  world ;  the  soul  of  the  whole 
world's  history,  it  may  justly  be  considered,  were  the  history  of  these." 

This  evidently  is  not  philosophy.  Great  men  were  not 
creators,  but  the  consummate  products  of  their  generation, 
giving  its  tendencies  the  fullest  expression,  and  reacting  upon 
it  by  the  force  of  their  genius.  But  they  were  its  offspring, 
not  its  creators.  What  would  Odin,  if  there  was  such  a  man, 
have  been  without  Norse  tendencies  and  beliefs?  What 
would  Mahomet  have  been  without  Arabian  tribalism,  Juda- 
ism, and  Christianity  ?  What  would  Luther  have  been  with- 
out the  ferment  of  spiritual  insurrection  against  Rome  which 
had  long  before  produced  Wycliffe?     What  would  Shake- 

o  Heroes  and  Hero- Worship,  lecture  1. 


74  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

speare  have  been  without  the  Elizabethan  era,  Voltaire  with- 
out his  century,  Napoleon  without  the  Revolution  and  the 
outbreak  of  military  adventure  which  ensued?  Carlyle's 
preaching  has  been  well  described  as  an  alterative.  His 
sentiment  was  a  revolt,  and  probably  a  seasonable  revolt, 
against  triumphant  and  self-complacent  democracy  in  all  its 
phases,  historical  as  well  as  actual,  intellectual  as  well  as 
political  and  social.  Democracy's  thirty  millions  of  voters 
to  Carlyle  seem  mostly  fools,  owing  everything  that  is  good 
or  sensible  about  them  to  the  great  men,  who,  he  says,  are 
"  sent  "  into  the  world,  not  born  of  it,  to  be  its  guiding  lights. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  democratic  optimism  and  the  worship 
of  the  ballot  box  after  the  triumph  of  Parliamentary  reform 
in  England  had  about  them  something  repulsive,  particulai-ly 
to  Carlyle.  Both  his  antipathy  and  his  worsliip  were  carried 
to  the  pitch  almost  of  frenzy.  Cromwell,  generally  humane 
in  Avar,  deplores  the  slaughter  at  Drogheda  as  a  sad  necessity. 
Carlyle  exults  in  it,  and  asks  us  wdiether  we  dare  wed  the 
heaven's  lightning.  But  it  is  in  his  "  Frederick  the  Great " 
that  his  fancy  breaks  all  bounds.  Frederick's  ability,  mili- 
tar}^  or  political,  nobody  questions.  As  a  king  he  was  pro- 
gressive, made  good  reforms,  such  as  the  abolition  of  torture, 
and  above  all  proclaimed  liberty  of  conscience.  On  the  other 
hand,  he  Avent  to  Avar,  as  himself  avoAA^ed,  to  Avin  himself  a 
name,  and,  having  no  title  to  Silesia  other  than  his  Avor- 
shiper's  mystic  "  destiny,"  plunged  Europe  into  a  war  of 
twenty  years.  Carlyle  puts  morality  under  his  idol's  feet. 
When  sophistry  breaks  cloAvn,  he  flies  off  into  rhapsody. 
There  is  a  memorable  passage  in  "  Sartor  Resartus  "  denounc- 
ing and  deriding  the  barbarism  of  Avar.  But  in  the  "  Fre'l- 
erick  the  Great"  humanity  disappears  and  gives  place  to  a 
sentiment  bordering  on  the  brutal. 

At  the  same  time  let  me  emphatically  acknowledge  Car- 
lyle's greatness  as  a  teacher  of  history.  In  picturesqueness 
he  has  hardly  a  peer.  Still  more  strikingly  unique  and  a 
greater  mark  of  genius  are  the  breadth  and  boldness  with 
Avhich  he  presents  the  Avhole  of  humanity  Avith  all  its  Aveak- 
nesses  and  absurdities,  with  its  comic  and  laughable  as  Avell 
as  its  tragic  and  pathetic  side.  This  is  an  invaluable  feature 
of  his  "  History  of  the  French  Revolution,"  a  work  which, 


THE    TREATMENT    OF    HISTORY.  75 

though  perhaps  not  strictly  accurate  in  all  its  details,  is  in 
depth  of  insight,  in  breadth  of  treatment,  as  Avell  as  in  pic- 
turesqueness  and  vividness  still  without  a  rival.  I  Avould 
venture  to  commend  it  as  a  valuable  training  in  its  way  for 
the  historic  sense. 

To  lay  down  any  rules  for  the  Avriting  of  history  seems 
impossible.  The  style  must  vary  with  the  subject,  Avith  the 
genius  of  the  writer,  Avith  the  intelligence  of  tlie  reader.  To 
be  generally  read  any  work  must  obviously  be  interesting  to 
ordinary  minds.  There  is  perhaps  rather  a  tendency  in  this 
scientific  and  sociological  age  to  underrate  the  value  of  nar- 
rative skill.  Stubbs's  "  Constitutional  History  of  England," 
Avhich  is  treated  as  the  paragon,  is  indeed  admirable  and  in- 
valuable as  a  work  of  research.  But  for  anybody  but  an 
earnest  student  it  is  hardly  readable.  Hume  has  been  se- 
verely lashed  by  Freeman  and  others  of  that  austere  school 
for  his  inaccuracies;  no  doubt  with  justice.  But  it  is  to  be 
borne  in  mind  that  by  the  attractiveness  of  his  style  and  his 
art  as  a  narrator  lie  made  history  popular  and  has  imparted 
to  countless  readers  a  knowledge  of  it,  true  as  to  the  main 
facts,  though  in  some  particulars  incorrect.  The  same  may 
be  said  of  Robertson,  whose  "  Charles  the  Fifth  "  is  a  broad 
and  luminous  treatment  of  a  great  subject,  superseded  no 
doubt  in  many  respects  by  writers  who  have  had  access  to 
further  information,  yet  a  good  service  rendered  to  the  stud}^ 
of  history  in  its  da}^  Moreover,  to  instruct,  touch,  and  ele- 
vate humanity  a  history  must  be  human.  It  nnist  be  a 
lively  presentation  of  character  and  action.  Sociology  is  a 
thing  by  itself.  So  is  every  historical  treatise  written  on  the 
sociological  principle.  So  are  those  sj^ecial  treatises  on  an 
infinite  variety  of  subjects  in  Avhich  character  and  action 
have  no  place.  If  history  ever  does  become  science,  a  histo- 
rical Avork  will  take  the  form  of  a  scientific  treatise.  Rea- 
sons have  been  oifered  for  doubting  whether  that  day  will 
ever  come. 

Macaulay,  himself  the  most  brilliant  of  historians,  in  his 
essay  on  "  History  "  says  that  to  be  a  really  great  historian 
is  perhaps  the  rarest  of  intellectual  distinctions.     He  Avrites : 

The  cause  may  easily  be  assigned.  This  province  of  literature  is  a 
debatable  laud.     It  lies  on  the  confines  of  two  distinct  territories.     It 


76  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

is  under  the  jurisdiction  of  two  liostile  powers  ;  and,  lll^e  otlier  districts 
similarly  situated,  it  is  ill  defined,  ill  cultivated,  and  ill  regulated.  In- 
stead of  being  equally  shared  between  its  two  rulers,  the  reason  and 
the  imagination,  it  falls  alternately  under  the  sole  and  absolute  domin- 
ion of  each.  It  is  sometimes  fiction.  It  is  sometimes  theory.  History, 
it  has  been  said,  is  philosophy  teaching  by  examples.  Unhappily 
what  the  philosophy  gains  in  soundness  and  depth,  the  examples 
generally  lose  in  vividness.  A  perfect  historian  must  possess  an 
imagination  sufficiently  powerful  to  make  his  narrative  affecting 
and  i)icturesque.  Yet  he  must  control  it  so  absolutely  as  to  content 
himself  with  the  materials  which  he  finds,  and  to  refrain  from  sup- 
plying deficiencies  l)y  additions  of  his  own.  lie  must  be  a  profound 
and  ingenious  reasoner.  Yet  he  must  possess  sufficient  self-com- 
mand to  abstain  from  casting  his  facts  in  the  mould  of  his  hypothesis. 
Those  who  can  justly  estimate  these  almost  insuperable  difficulties 
will  not  think  it  strange  that  every  writer  should  have  failed,  either 
in  the  narrative  or  in  the  speculative  department  of  history.^ 

Here,  I  think,  we  have  a  specimen  of  that  love  of  antithesis 
which  is  ratlier  a  weakness  of  Macauhiy.  Setting  aside 
Macaulay  himself,  it  surely  would  be  hard  to  say  of  Gibbon 
that  he  had  failed  in  combining  the  philosophic  with  the 
narrative  element.  Exception  may  reasonably  be  taken  to 
this  philosophy  as  an  inadequate  and  unfair  treatment  of 
Christianity,  the  really  great  motive  ])ower  of  the  period, 
but  the  art  with  Avhicli  the  philosophy  is  combined  Avith  the 
narrative  seems  to  be  complete,  Tlie  same  apparently  may 
be  said  of  Tacitus,  Avhose  style  is  unapproachable,  partly 
perhaj^s  l)ecause  the  language  in  which  he  wrote  was  im- 
perial. Tlie  loss  of  the  greater  part  of  Tacitus's  works  is 
the  greatest  calamity  of  literature.  Thucydides  employs  as 
the  vehicles  of  his  philosophy  fictitious  speeches,  for  which 
Macaula}^  severely  censures  him.  But  Thucydides  can 
hardly  be  said  to  pretend  that  the  speeches  are  real ;  and  his 
employment  of  them  may  be  regarded  with  interest  as  the 
first  attempt  at  a  philosophy  of  history. 

We  must  expect  writers  of  history  to  be  of  their  age  and 
country.  In  the  sentiment  and  style  of  Mommsen's  "  His- 
tory of  Rome  "  we  perceive  Germany  passing  from  the  meta- 
physical to  the  militant  and  hear  the  tramp  of  the  German 
armies  marching  on  Paris.  Voltaire,  Hume,  Renan,  Gibbon, 
Michelet,  and  on  the  other  hand  Montalembert,  are  redolent 
of  the  influences  of  their  time. 

a  Edinburgh   Review,   May,   1828,   331. 


THE    TREATMENT    OF    HISTORY.  77 

I  must  not  omit  to  mention  so  important  an  event  in  the 
study  of  history  as  the  appearance  of  the  ''  Cambridge  Mod- 
ern History,"  planned  by  the  late  Lord  Acton  and  com- 
menced under  the  auspices  of  that  prince  of  students.  The 
work  seems  to  be  truly  described  in  the  introduction  as  a 
"  series  of  monographs,  conceived  on  a  connected  system," 
which — 

instead  of  presenting  a  collection  of  fragments,  possesses  a  rleflnite 
unity  of  its  o^^'n.  *  *  *  Each  separate  writer  treats  of  a  subject 
with  which  he  is  familiar,  and  is  freed  from  any  other  responsibility 
than  that  of  setting  forth  clearly  the  salient  features  of  *  *  * 
[his]  period.  *  *  *  pje  may  follow  any  line  of  investigation  of 
his  own,  and  may  supply  links  of  connection  at  his  will.  He  may  re- 
ceive suggestions  from  different  minds,  and  may  pursu(^  them.  *  *  * 
He  is  free  at  the  same  time  from  the  aridity  of  a  chronological  table. 
*     *     *     Each  subject  or  period  has  a  natural  coherence  of  its  own.« 

Complete  harmony  among  the  minds  of  ditferent  contribu- 
tors can  not  be  expected,  nor  can  we  look  for  the  interest  of 
a  flowing  and  lively  narrative.  AVhut  tlie  work  rather 
claims  to  be  is  an  aid  to  exact  and  comprehensive  study,  and 
this  function  it  may  be  expected  to  perform.  There  is  a 
copious  bibliography  for  each  part.  I  can  not  pass  by  the 
Avork  due  to  the  inspiration  of  my  illustrious  friend  without 
deploring,  as  a  student  of  history,  the  immense  treasure  of 
historic  knowledge  which  has  been  hurried  in  that  grave. 

Let  us  treat  the  subject  as  we  ma}^,  scientifically,  philo- 
sophically, or  in  an}^  other  method,  Avhat  can  we  nudvc  of  the 
history  of  man?  Is  the  race  the  creation  of  a  directing 
Providence,  or  a  production  of  blind  nature  on  this  planet- 
fortuitous  in  its  course  and  in  its  end  ?  We  have,  preceding 
the  birth  of  man,  eons,  it  may  be  almost  said,  of  abortion; 
eons  of  animal  races  which  destroyed  each  other  or  perished 
on  the  primeval  globe;  a  glacial  era;  man  at  length  brought 
into  existence,  but  remaining,  perhaps  for  countless  genera- 
tions, a  savage,  and  afterwards  a  barbarian ;  wild  tribal  con- 
flicts and  cataclysms  of  barbarian  conquest.  Then  comes  the 
dawn  of  civilization,  which  even  now  has  spread  over  only  a 
portion  of  the  race,  and  even  for  that  portion  has  been  re- 
tarded and  marred  by  wars,  revolutions,  persecutions,  crimes, 

,  «  The  Cambridge  Modern  History,  I,  5. 


78  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

and  aberrations  of  every  kind,  besides  plagues,  earthquakes, 
and  other  calamities  of  nature.  Through  all  this  mankind, 
or  at  least  the  leading  members  of  the  race,  have  been  strug- 
gling onward  to  social,  moral,  perhaps  spiritual  life.  Are 
things  tending  to  a  result  answerable  to  the  long  preparation, 
the  immense  effort,  and  the  boundless  suffering  which  the 
preparation  and  the  effort  have  involved?  Or  w^ill  the  end 
of  all  be  the  physical  catastrophe  which  science  tells  us  must 
close  the  existence  of  the  material  scene  ?  That  question  not 
even  a  "  Cambride  Modern  History  *'  attempts  to  answer. 


III.— ON    ROMAN    HISTORY. 


By  ETTORE   PAIS, 

Professor  in  the  University  of  Naples. 


79 


ON  ROMAN  HISTORY. 


By  E.  Ettore  Pais. 


The  marvelous  activity  of  Theodore  Mommsen  in  the 
field  of  Roman  history  gives  the  impression  at  first  that 
there  is  very  little  left  for  future  generations  to  accom- 
plish. In  fact,  no  phase  of  Roman  history  has  been  left 
untouched  by  Theodore  Mommsen.  The  extraordinary  en- 
ergy of  this  remarkable  man  led  him  to  examine  every 
subject  pertaining  to  the  Republic  and  the  Empire;  his 
researches  extended  in  ever}^  direction,  as  if  from  a  common 
center;  they  penetrated  the  field  of  philology  no  less  than 
that  of  law,  of  epigraphy,  and  of  numismatics. 

Little  more  than  a  year  has  passed  since  Theodore  Momm- 
sen closed  his  eyes,  laden  Avith  science  and  with  glory,  and 
at  the  ripe  age  of  86.  In  this  solemn  gathering  of  the  his- 
torians of  the  United  States  of  America  I  trust  it  may  be 
permitted  to  me  to  begin  my  address  with  directing  in  the 
name  of  all  a  reverent  salute  to  the  great  and  incomparable 
master — the  greatest  of  all  who  have  undertaken  to  nar- 
rate the  deeds  of  immortal  Rome. 

Sincere  is  our  admiration  for  the  great  historian,  and 
firm  our  persuasion  that  much  was  done  by  him  with  the 
penetrating  glance  of  the  eagle  soaring  in  the  highest 
spheres.  But  this  must  not  induce  us  to  consider  that  the 
immense  task  of  narrating  Roman  history  has  been  com- 
pleted. We  must  not  think  that  there  is  now  little  to 
accomplish  and  that  we  are  merely  to  resume  the  discoveries 
and  researches  of  the  great  German. 

The  task  of  the  historian  does  not  consist  in  gathering 
and  arranging  historical  facts,  which  are  merely  the  subject 
of  research  and  of  judgments.     History  is  the  objective  ex- 

H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 6  *  81 


82  AMEEICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

position  of  truth,  interpreted  according  to  the  knowledge 
and  the  moral  and  political  principles  of  the  writer.  His- 
tory is  written  and  narrated  from  the  point  of  view  of  the 
individual  historian  and  exhibits  both  his  scientific  con- 
science and  the  different  psychology  of  the  various  p_eoples. 
The  history  of  France  as  narrated  by  Voltaire  or  by  Taine 
is  a  far  different  product  from  one  exposed  by  an  English 
or  a  German  writer. 

In  regard  to  the  elements  of  research — namely,  facts — it 
can  not  be  said  that  the  study  of  Roman  history  is  ex- 
hausted. The  soil  of  Italy  still  treasures  in  its  bosom  a 
large  part  of  the  archaeological  material.  Through  this 
it  may  some  day  be  possible  to  trace  the  past  history  of 
the  nation.  A  comprehensive  study  of  the  Republic  and 
the  Empire  presents  a  long  series  of  problems — problems 
which  not  only  have  not  as  yet  been  investigated,  but 
which,  we  may  say,  have  not  yet  been  called  to  the  atten- 
tion of  scholars.  The  excavations  in  the  Forum  Ro- 
manum,  rather  than  solving  old  problems,  have  offered  new 
ones;  and  if  similar  excavations  Avere  to  be  made  on  a 
thousand  other  sites  of  the  Italian  Peninsula  we  would 
obtain  material  for  infinite  researches  and  precious  data 
for  the  comparative  study  of  the  development  of  ancient 
civilization. 

Moreover,  no  one  is  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  the  study 
of  a  people,  and  particularly  for  the  earliest  periods,  is  not 
content  with  the  slender  share  of  facts  referring  to  that 
people  only.  Mommsen,  it  is  true,  must  be  credited  with 
having  advanced  deeply  into  the  study  of  Roman  public 
law  and  with  having  animated  his  narrative  by  citing 
examples  from  modern  history.  But  what  was  by  him, 
in  this  respect,  but  barely  begun  must  be  completed  with 
renewed  and  greater  energy.  The  study  of  Latin  civili- 
zation is  but  ill  pursued  if  it  be  not  supplemented  by  a 
full  knowledge  of  the  Hellenic  world.  Likewise  it  is  now 
evident  that  onl}^  a  thorough  preparation  in  the  study  of 
the  oriental  world  enables  us  to  penetrate  the  mysteries  of 
the  conscience  of  the  Hellenic  stocks  and  civilization. 

In  different  peoples,  and  in  ages  entirely  separate,  more  or 
less  analogous  conditions  of  civilization  and  of  sentiments 
have  often  been  reproduced.     To  trace  out  and  to  understand 


ON    ROMAN    HISTORY.  83 

clearly  all  the  formative  elements  of  Roman  history  we  must 
place  ourselves  on  paths  not  yet  marked  out,  or,  to  speak 
more  exactl}^,  we  must  needs  cut  a  way  through  dense  forests 
which  have  scarcely  begun  to  hear  the  blows  of  the  pioneer's 
ax.  The  study  of  American  ethnography,  mythology,  and 
customs  have  a  thousand  times  furnished  the  means  of  com- 
prehending the  mysteries  of  Hellenic  mythology  and  reli- 
gion. The  study  of  tlie  early  Gennanic  laws  and  of  the 
2)rimitive  societies  of  England  and  of  Ireland,  and  the  devel- 
opment of  modern  peoples  often  present  analogies  or  differ- 
ences. These,  as  if  possessing  the  virtue  of  the  X-rays  or  of 
a  particle  of  radium,  allow  us  to  cast  a  somewhat  certain 
glance  into  the  misty  origins  of  the  Roman  people  and  of  the 
remaining  Italic  stocks. 

In  the  address  which  I  Avas  invited  by  your  universities  to 
deliver  before  the  International  Congress  of  Sciences  and  Arts 
at  St.  Louis  I  enumerated  what,  in  my  humble  opinion,  were 
the  present  and  the  future  problems  of  the  ancient  history  of 
Rome  and  of  Italy.  We  are  in  great  need  of  a  long  series  of 
excavations  in  various  parts  of  the  peninsula,  which  may  re- 
veal to  us  the  separate  and  also  the  general  progress  of  the 
material  and,  sometimes,  religious  civilization  of  the  Italic 
races.  We  lack  a  good  work  nuiking  us  acquainted  with  how 
much  there  is,  in  the  excavations  already  made,  that  is  truly 
authentic  and  useful  to  the  historian.  We  do  not  possess  a 
history  of  public  law  Avhich  ccmipares  Ronuin  law  with  the 
closely  related  Greek  i)ublic  law.  We  are  without  a 
thorough  examination  of  the  ])olitical  development  and  of 
the  landed  estates  of  Italy,  covering  the  joeriod  from  the 
fourth  century  to  the  time  of  Ctesar.  We  still  have  no 
knowledge  of  the  Latinizing  (so  to  speak)  of  many  parts  of 
Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa,  nor  can  we  estimate  what  new  ele- 
ments of  civilization  and  of  ideas  arose  from  the  intermix- 
ture of  so  many  races. 

Evidentl}^  our  knowledge  of  the  Empire  is  far  greater. 
The  untiring  researches  of  Mommsen  and  of  Marquardt  and 
of  a  long  series  of  students  who  ranged  themselves  beneath 
their  standards  have  extended  our  knowledge  to  a  degree  far 
beyond  that  of  a  century  ago.  Nevertheless,  much  remains 
to  be  done,  and  surely  much  more  than  is  generally  supposed. 
The  researches  of  the  new  and  glorious  German  school  have 


84  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

made  us  acquainted  with  the  political  administration  rather 
than  with  history.  To  know  the  constituent  elements  of  the 
army  and  fleets,  to  know  the  characters  mentioned  by  Tacitus 
or  Suetonius,  is  both  useful  and  valuable.  Likewise  it  is 
valuable — indeed  indispensable — to  know  all  the  particulars 
of  the  governmental  administration.  But  a  knowledge  of 
the  administrative  regulations  does  not  at  all  represent  an 
historical  knowledge  of  the  people  itself.  Very  often  the 
facts  are  far  different  from  what  the  written  laws  would  lead 
us  to  infer.  And  even  if  there  were  complete  harmony  be- 
tween the  written  law  and  the  facts,  the  histor}^  does  not 
exist  in  which  there  do  not  enter  living  and  personal  ele- 
ments, elements  which  determine  the  grand  characters  and 
the  poAverful  internal  and  external  impulses  of  the  life  of  the 
nations.  What  would  there  be  to  the  history  of  Caesar  and 
of  Augustus  if  we  possessed  only  the  coins  recording  their 
legions,  or  only  those  passages  of  the  authors  in  which  the 
external  acts  of  their  authority  are  mentioned?  What  if  we 
did  not  possess  the  words  of  Cicero  and  of  Suetonius  in  their 
regard?  From  these,  indeed,  we  can  reconstruct  figures 
which  speak  to  our  imagination  and  appeal  to  our  intellects. 
What  could  we  know  of  Greek  history,  though  Ave  had  the 
inscriptions  on  finances  edited  by  Boeckh,  if  we  did  not 
possess  the  comedies  of  Aristophanes  and  the  orations  of 
Demosthenes?  AVhat,  finally,  woidd  the  histor}^  of  America 
mean  to  us  if  we  had  only  the  text  of  the  Constitution  and 
remained  unacquainted  with  the  lives  of  Washington,  of 
Jeiferson,  and  of  Hamilton? 

From  this  point  of  view^  the  problem  of  the  Roman  Empire 
becomes  a  very  complicated  one.  A  revision  of  the  problem 
is  necessary,  in  order  to  determine  the  value  of  the  person- 
ality of  the  various  Emperors  and  to  settle  the  equally  vexed 
question  of  the  welfare  of  the  Roman  provinces.  We  need 
not  venture  as  far  as  the  exaggerations  of  those  who  style 
themselves  the  materialists  of  history.  It  is  nevertheless 
clear  that  the  study  of  the  papyri,  which  Egypt  offers  in  such 
great  abundance,  is  aiding,  and  will  continue  to  aid,  in  the 
compilation  of  a  new  history  of  the  economic  development 
of  the  Roman  world. 

But  it  is  not  sufficient  to  study  the  economic  development 
and  the  military  or  political  systems  of  the  Roman  State, 


ON    ROMAN    HISTORY.  85 

whether  during  the  Republic  or  during  the  Empire.  It  is 
essential  to  examine  with  greater  attention  the  most  difficult 
and  most  important  problem  of  the  development  of  the  moral 
conscience,  namely,  the  progress  of  ideas  in  the  fields  of  law 
and  of  religion.  What  relation  exists  between  Greek  phi- 
losophy and  the  "  ius  naturale  "  of  the  nations — a  funda- 
mental conception  of  later  Roman  law?  In  what  way  and  to 
what  degree  did  the  TioXireia  and  vo/aoi  of  Plato  and  the 
politics  of  Aristotle — or,  better,  to  what  degree  did  the  works 
of  Posidonius  and  of  Pan?etius — penetrate  into  the  books  of 
Mucins  Scaevola  and  of  Cicero?  To  what  degree  did  they 
fashion  that  law  which  imposed  itself  upon  the  world  and 
which  continued  to  exercise  so  great  an  influence  upon  Ger- 
manic life  and  mediaeval  society?  How  did  the  theories  of 
philosophers  become  the  sentences  of  lawyers  and  the  decrees 
of  magistrates?  Why  is  it  that,  notwithstanding  the  vaunted 
prosperous  condition  of  the  Empire,  the  old  Hebraic  doc- 
trines and  the  worship  of  Mithras  attracted  such  multitudes 
of  people?  And  hoAv,  from  such  a  mixture  of  beliefs,  for 
which  Rome  w^rongly  thought  to  substitute  the  worship  of 
the  State,  did  there  arise  the  new  Christian  faith,  destined 
to  conquer,  first  the  Empire,  and  then  the  world  ? 

These  problems  are  old,  and  yet  remain  ever  new.  Many 
different  solutions  have  been  offered  and  will  continue  to  be 
offered.  Mankind,  having  progressed  far  on  the  path  of 
civilization  and  of  science,  will  at  last  ask  itself  what  are 
the  origins  of  its  ideas  and  sentiments;  or  it  will  ask  to  Avhat 
end  does  this  incessant  and  feverish  activity  lead,  which  the 
common  herd  considers  as  directed  to  the  satisfying  of  mere 
material  needs,  but  which,  on  the  contrary,  represents  the 
divine  spark  intrusted  to  humanity  and  to  be  transmitted  to 
future  generations? 

Among  the  future  generations  called  upon  to  solve  the 
grand  and  glorious  problems  of  Italian  and  Roman  history, 
to  you,  oh,  Americans,  will  doubtlessly  fall  a  large  and  noble 
part.  If  there  is  a  nation  whose  interest  it  should  be  to 
study  and  to  become  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  past  of 
Italy,  that  nation  is  the  United  States  of  America.  Your 
interoceanic  position  betw^een  Europe  and  Asia  is  quite  simi- 
lar to  that  which  Italy  held  between  the  eastern  and  western 


86  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

countries  of  the  Mediterranean.  Italy  transmitted  the  torch 
of  Oriental  and  Greek  civilization  to  Gaul,  to  Spain,  and  to 
Africa.  In  like  manner  you  are  transmitting  the  civiliza- 
tion of  England  and  of  continental  Europe,  which  you  have 
impressed  with  your  OAvn  stamp,  to  the  West ;  and  you  have 
already  begun  to  extend  it  to  the  far-off  shores  of  Japan  and 
of  China.  No  ancient  civilization  can,  in  equal  measure 
with  the  Roman,  boast  of  having  transformed  so  many  shep- 
herds into  farmers,  and  of  having  created  therefrom  so  large 
an  Empire,  possessing  such  numerous  colonies  and  bound 
together  with  so  perfect  a  netw^ork  of  roads.  You,  indeed, 
have  a  system  of  railroads  without  equal  in  the  world,  and 
you  will  have  in  the  near  future  such  a  continuous  series  of 
cities  as  to  surpass  the  history  of  all  preceding  colonization. 

A  w^ell-known  characteristic  of  the  Roman  State  w^as  the 
uniformity  of  Latin  civilization  in  the  various  parts  of 
the  Empire.  The  uniform  and  mathematical  scheme  with 
which  you  build  your  cities  and  extend  your  institutions  is 
a  phenomenon  very  frequentl}^  observed  by  scholars  and  by 
visitors  to  America. 

The  short  time  at  my  disposal,  as  well  as  the  fear  of  abus- 
ing your  patience,  forbids  my  prolonging  such  an  enumera- 
tion. But  I  trust  it  may  be  permitted  to  me  to  state  that 
shortly  before  my  arrival  in  this  country,  being  undecided 
whether,  for  my  comparative  studies,  I  would  be  more  bene- 
fited by  a  voyage  to  the  classic  Orient  than  by  one  to  Amer- 
ica, I  greatly  preferred  the  opportunity  of  accepting  your 
invitation.  For,  absorbed  in  the  past,  I  perceived  that  the 
study  of  your  new^er  civilization  would  aid  me  in  under- 
standing the  grow^th  of  ancient  Italian  civilization. 

A  strong  sentiment  of  public  trust,  honesty  in  private 
transactions,  and  a  deep  feeling  of  the  destinies  of  the  nation 
were  the  qualities  which  rendered  great  the  Roman  Repub- 
lic, the  period  which  represents  the  first  and  most  vigorous 
youth  of  the  Roman  people.  Honorableness,  trust,  constancy 
of  purpose,  and  noble  impulses  are  to-daj^  in  the  United 
States,  as  once  at  Rome,  the  sentiments  which  sustain  each 
citizen  in  the  performance  of  his  duties  and  which  render 
him  proud  of  belonging  to  the  great  American  nation. 
These  characteristics  impress  the  foreigner  who  arrives  from 
countries  where  somewhat  different  social  laws  hold  sway, 


ON    ROMAN    HISTORY.  87 

and  they  are  the  characteristics  which  made  the  Roman  State 
both  feared  and  respected  among  the  Greeks.  All  know  that 
the  soberness  of  life,  which  even  to-day  is  peculiar  to  the  Ital- 
ians, the  contempt  for  stimuli  and  for  idleness,  the  transac- 
tion of  business  based  upon  good  faith,  and  the  accuracy  and 
dispatch  of  affairs  w^ere  the  characteristics  of  the  ancient 
Roman.  The  ancient  Roman  was  famous  for  his  constancy 
and  for  his  tenacity  of  purpose.  These  same  characteristics 
are  evident  in  you. 

Not  only  the  Roman  Empire,  but  also  the  political  union 
of  the  Italian  Peninsula  resulted  from  the  fusion  of  differ- 
ent peoples,  bound  together  by  the  cult  and  love  of  Rome. 

"  Patriam  fecisti  diversis  gentibus  unam,"  sang  the  ancient 
poet,  returning  from  the  capital  to  the  Roman  fatherland  of 
the  West.  It  is  this  love  of  country  and  of  liberty  which 
fuses  and  will  continue  to  fuse  the  foreign  elements  arriv- 
ing on  your  shores.  Let  us  hope  that  these  elements  will 
continue  to  arrive  from  various  parts  of  Europe,  thus  render- 
ing your  stock  more  comprehensive  and  complex,  without  in 
the  least  impairing  the  fundamental  unity  of  the  nation.  Let 
not  this  influx  of  foreigners  alarm  you.  Be  greatly  circum- 
spect of  the  advice  to  be  sufficient  unto  yourselves.  The 
greatness  of  Athens  consisted  in  her  being  the  center,  not  of 
the  Hellenic  races  alone.  Rome  was  great  and  powerful  as 
long  as  it  could  absorb  and  fuse  in  its  crucible  the  different 
nationalities  which  came  into  contact  with  her.  It  began  to 
fall  only  when  the  point  of  saturation  was  reached,  when 
the  various  national  elements  of  which  it  was  composed  began 
to  separate  themselves,  when,  finally,  the  Greek  Avorld  rose 
to  a  second  existence  in  the  Empire  of  the  East. 

Few  nations  of  the  world  are  interested  in  the  history  of 
Rome  and  Italy  as  deeply  as  the  United  States  of  America. 
It  remains  for  me  to  wish  that  my  words  may  be  received 
by  some  one  of  those  present,  and  that  they  may  serve  to  urge 
him  more  and  more  to  the  study  of  the  country  of  Lucretius 
and  of  Virgil,  of  Cicero,  of  Livy,  and  of  Tacitus — the  great 
glorifiers  of  science,  of  nature's  beauties,  of  eloquence,  of 
glorious  deeds,  and  of  liberty. 

In  this  honorable  gathering,  which  represents  the  best 
forces  of  a  great  nation,  y^ou  have  conferred  upon  me  the 


88  AMEKICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

honor  of  speaking  of  my  country.  Italy  has  had  undying 
glories,  and  may  some  day,  from  its  very  geographical  posi- 
tion, be  called  to  live  not  merely  in  the  past.  The  love  of 
Italian  science  and  art  binds  you  to  that  land  which,  to  use 
the  words  of  Pliny,  Avas  "  diis  sacra."  Allow  me,  therefore, 
to  express  my  certain  hope  that  there  may  arise  among  you 
that  intelligence  and  those  energies  which  may  give  a  new 
aspect  to  many  problems  of  the  history  of  Rome  and  of  Italy. 


IV.-ON  THE  NECESSITY  IN  AMERICA  OF  THE  STUDY  OF  THE  EARLY 
HISTORY  OF  MODERN  EUROPEAN  NATIONS. 


By  FRIEDRICH   KEUTGEN, 

Professor  of  History  in  Vie  University  of  Jena  and  Lecticrer  in  History  at 
the  Johns  Hopkins  University. 


c'  N 


ON  THE  NECESSITY  IN  AMERICA  OF  THE  STUDY  OF  THE  EARLY 
HISTORY  OF  MODERN  EUROPEAN  NATIONS. 


By  Friedrich  Keutgen. 


In  choosing  for  the  subject  of  a  paper  to  be  read  at  a  con- 
gress of  American  historians  "  The  Necessity  in  America 
of  the  Study  of  the  Early  History  of  Modern  European 
Nations  "  it  is,  of  course,  not  without  some  hesitancy  that  I 
have  come  forward  to  speak  before  an  American  audience 
on  anything  that  may  or  may  not  be  necessary  in  America. 
After  a  sojourn  of  three  or  four  months  I  can  not  be  thor- 
oughly informed  as  to  the  provision  made  for  the  purpose 
stated  by  teaching  bodies  all  over  this  country.  Neverthe- 
less I  hope  there  will  in  this  case  be  found  some  justification 
in  the  fact  that  I  am  here  on  an  invitation  to  teach  early 
European  history  during  a  Avhole  winter  in  that  one  of 
America's  universities  which  took  the  lead  in  instructing  its 
students  in  independent  investigation. 

Besides,  every  man  Avhose  heart  is  in  his  work  rightly  feels 
moved  toward  its  furtherance  anywhere,  irrespective  of  na- 
tionality. Moreover,  by  observations  which  have  forced 
themselves  upon  me,  I  have  become  convinced  that  there  is 
occasion  enough  to  raise  a  cry,  in  which,  I  trust,  all  true  his- 
torians, whatever  their  special  interests,  will  support  me. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  just  lately  I  have  been  assured  that  all 
serious  historians  in  this  country  do  share  my  views;  but, 
at  the  same  time,  it  has  been  suggested  that  perhaps  I  under- 
rate what  is  already  being  done.  No  doubt  much  is  effected 
and  more  striven  after  by  a  number  of  earnest  men.  I  have 
gladly  noticed  that  since  I  have  been  among  them  at  Chi- 
cago, more  particularly  from,  what  yesterday's  conference 
elicited,  as  to  the  inestimable  educational  and  no  mean  scien- 
iific  value  of  the  doctoral  thesis. 

91 


92  AMERICAN"    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Nevertheless  those  men  appear  few  in  number  and  still 
stand  isolated  among  a  surging  multitude  that  has  a  voice  in 
the  matter  and  yet  little  understanding  as  to  its  importance. 

Further,  I  have  ascertained  that  in  at  least  one  of  the  lead- 
ing northern  luiiversities  men  are  admitted  to  the  study  of 
history  wlio  have  no  acquaintance  with  Latin  whatever,  on 
the  plea  that  this  is  not  needed  for  the  study  of  American 
history.  Such  a  point  of  view  is  simply  monstrous.  A  man 
might  just  as  Avell  pose  as  a  scientific  chemist  while  knowing 
no  more  chemistry  than  would  entitle  him  to  conduct  a  drug 
store.  No  one  can  claim  to  be  a  historian,  no  one  can  prop- 
erly teach  history  in  a  school,  on  a  knowledge  of  American 
history  alone.  American  history  is  too  short  and  too  uni- 
form to  allow  of  an  insight  into  the  play  of  general  historic 
forces,  for  one  thing. 

There  is  abroad  in  this  country  a  lively  interest  in  history. 
This  very  meeting  proclaims  it.  America  has  produced  a 
niunber  of  historians  of  world  fame — I  need  not  name  them. 
It  possesses  an  excellent  "  Historical  Review,"  which  takes 
rank  with  any  of  its  European  sisters,  and,  besides  that,  a 
number  of  other  reviews  devoted  to  local  or  State  history. 

But  it  is  chiefly  American  history  that  Americans  delight 
in;  or,  if  they  take  up  that  of  Europe,  it  is  mostly  the  his- 
tory of  recent  times.  Early  European  history  has  found 
comparatively  little  favor.  Certainly  there  are  a  number 
of  American  scholars  who  have  won  international  renown 
even  in  this  field.  There  is  Lea  and  his  celebrated  "  History 
of  the  Inquisition."  There  is  Gross,  Avho,  to  mention  only 
one  of  his  invaluable  contributions,  has,  by  his  "  Sources 
and  Literature  of  English  History,"  as  it  were,  for  the  first 
time  laid  the  necessary  foundation  for  the  study  of  Eng- 
land's first  ten  centuries  and  carried  into  effect  what  no 
Englishman  had  even  attempted.  And  there  are  others. 
Still  these  works  are  not  typical  of  where  American  interest 
centers. 

Every  country  is  most  concerned  with  its  own  history, 
and  the  early  history  of  Europe  is,  after  all,  not  American 
history. 

But  is  this  true  ? 

Is  it  a  fact  that  the  history  of  modern  European  nations 
is  not  that  of  America  ? 


HISTORY    OF    MODERN    EUROPEAN    NATIONS.  93 

One  might  think  so,  in  view  of  the  latest  universal  history 
that  has  appeared  in  Germany — the  one  edited  by  Helmolt. 

The  very  first  of  the  eight  volumes  of  this  in  many  re- 
spects valuable  undertaking  contains  the  history  of  America, 
and  the  account  of  the  United  States  in  it  is  only  preceded 
by  the  early  history  of  the  Western  Hemisphere.  This  in 
a  work  that  avowedly  makes  it  its  aim  to  illustrate  Avithin  its 
compass  the  continuity  of  the  civilization  of  the  human 
race. 

It  is  enough  to  state  this  in  order  to  show  its  absurdity. 

Nobody  will  think  it  amiss  that  a  citizen  of  this  country 
should  feel  attracted  to  the  study  of  prehistoric  America. 
Striking  memorials  of  the  period  surround  him  in  many  parts, 
and  hoAv  should  he  but  be  drawn  to  devote  a  lovinrr  attention 
to  anything  that  speaks  to  him  of  former  conditions  of  his 
home?  It  is  the  voice  of  the  heart  that  makes  itself  heard. 
But  the  voice  of  this  closest  friend  is  not  always  the  one  that 
calls  to  the  highest  endeavors. 

My  contention  is  that  prehistoric  America  does  not  present 
the  real  early  American  history.  Paradox  as  it  may  seem,  the 
history  of  the  early  inhabitants  of  the  American  continent 
is  not  American  histor3^  Earh^  American  history  lies  in 
Europe. 

For  the  subject  of  history  is  man  ;  man  and  his  actions, 
his  work,  his  creations  in  the  widest  and  fullest  sense;  or, 
taking  a  narrower  unit,  it  is  the  nation — it  cleaves  not  to 
the  continent. 

To  understand  man,  it  may  be  necessary  to  understand  his 
surroundings,  his  conditionings;  but,  if  this  means  his 
geographical  circumstances,  it  is  not  they  that  make  him. 

However  much  the  history  of  the  people  of  these  United 
States  may  have  been  influenced  by  the  natural  conditions 
of  the  land  in  which  they  live,  what  has  really  shaped  ihe 
American  and  his  history — taking  this  term  in  all  its  pro- 
fundity— incomparably  more  than  anything  he  has  experi- 
enced since  he  set  his  foot  on  the  new  continent  is  what  he 
brought  with  him — the  blood  of  his  ancestors  and  the  riches 
of  that  civilization  which  they  had  accumulated  since  time 
out  of  mind ;  their  whole  Avealth  of  culture  in  religion,  letters, 
art,  sciences,  in  political  and  economic  life,  and  likewise 


94  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

their  habits,  their  ways  of  thought,  all  these  plants  of  a 
growth  of  thousands — no,  of  tens  of  thousands — of  years. 

It  is  the  reason  why  the  history  in  the  w^idest  sense — 
the  actions,  the  work,  the  productions,  the  national  life — 
of  the  modern  Englishman,  the  modern  German,  the  mod- 
ern Frenchman,  are  infinitely  more  akin  to  those  of  the 
modern  American  than  are  those  of  the  red  Indian  or 
would  be  those,  it  may  be  boldly  affirmed,  of  the  quondam 
Mexican  or  Peruvian  if  their  ancient  civilization  had  been 
allowed  to  live  and  grow  to  this  our  day. 

But  now,  if  all  this  be  so,  Avhy  do  I  not  call  for  a  more 
intense  study  simply  of  the  Old  World  and  its  history? 
Have  not  the  modern  nations  derived  a  great  portion  of 
their  culture  from  Kome,  from  Greece,  from  Israel,  even 
from  Egypt  and  Babylon? 

Most  certainly.  Nor  will  the  rejoinder  satisfy  that  these 
are  matters  from  Avhich  their  due  meed  of  interest  is  by  no 
means  being  withheld.  But  the  fruits  of  those  older  civiliza- 
tions have  not  been  simply  passed  on  to  the  younger  jieoples 
mechanically,  as  a  coin  passes  from  hand  to  hand,  without 
change  of  value  and  signification;  but  whatever  modern 
nations  at  various  phases  of  their  history  could  do  with,  to 
put  it  in  homely  phrase,  just  so  much  have  they  accepted 
of  those  fruits;  this  they  have  transformed  and  assimilated. 
The  main  stock  of  their  culture  Avas  their  own. 

And  now  it  will  already  be  guessed  why  I  have  not 
described  my  paper  as  relating  to  the  study  of  mediaeval  his- 
tory— why  I  have  avoided  and  am  avoiding  that  term. 

You  are  all  of  you,  no  doubt,  aware  when  and  how  the 
term  "  Middle  Ages  "  originated.  It  Avas  in  the  seventeenth 
century,  Avhen  men  of  letters  had  drimk  deeper  and  deeper 
of  the  charmed  draft  of  classical  literature.  The}^  felt  them- 
selves, so  they  imagined,  at  one  Avith  the  master  minds  of 
Greece  and  Rome.  And  all  that  filled  the  interval  from 
the  downfall  of  the  Roman  Avorld  to  their  own  time,  the 
whole  previous  history  of  their  OAvn  people,  seemed  to  them 
as  a  chaotic  chasm,  an  interlude,  a  middle  age  of  darkness 
and  barbarity. 

Nothing  could  be  more  unhistorical.  There  never  has 
been  such  a  "  middle  age."  The  whole  history  of  modern 
nations  presents  one  continuity  from  the  first  appearance  of 


HISTORY    OF    MODERN    EUROPEAN    NATIONS.  95 

the  Germanic  peoples  on  the  historic  stage.  This  is  some- 
thing very  different  from  the  asserted  continuity  of  the 
whole  of  history.  Of  course,  you  can  forge  a  single  un- 
broken chain  of  main  political  events  from  the  earliest  times 
onward;  but  if  you  write  the  world's  history  after  this 
recipe,  as  Ranke  did,  where  do  you  find  room  for  all  that  the 
Germanic  nations  brought  with  them  when  they  destroyed 
the  Roman  Empire  and  most  of  what  remained  of  its  crumb- 
ling civilization  and  took  possession  of  its  western  provinces  ? 

Vulgarly  described  as  barbarians  though  you  find  them, 
they  possessed  cultural  conceptions  of  their  own  and 
institutions  of  the  strongest  vitality,  allowing  of  the  richest 
further  evolution.  The}^  implanted  in  the  Roman  soil  politi- 
cal institutions  which  were  their  very  own.  They  brought 
with  them  primitive  but  elastic  systems  of  civil  and  crimi- 
nal law  and  of  legal  procedure,  and  likewise  an  economic  sys- 
tem, novel  methods  of  land  tenure,  and  agriculture.  Their 
constitutional  and  legal  systems,  moreover,  were  based  on 
conceptions  or  convictions  fundamentally  distinct  from  any- 
thing Roman,  but  furnishing  the  main  root  out  of  which  the 
most  modern  democratic  institutions  have  sprung.  Their 
German  blood  mingled  Avith  that  of  the  older  inhabitants 
of  Gaul,  of  Italy,  of  Spain,  and  of  Britain,  and  out  of  this 
fusion  new  nations  sprang.  These,  with  the  people  that  had 
remained  at  home  in  the  old  Germanic  lands,  henceforth 
formed  one  group  of  nations  closely  allied,  not  only  by  blood, 
but  sharing  in  the  main  the  same  institutions  and  the  same 
mental  culture.  It  was  a  new  world,  whatever  its  debts  to  an 
older  one  that  had  passed  away,  and  a  world  that  is  still  in 
full  vigor.  All  the  members  of  that  group  are  now  repre- 
sented in  this  young  great  nation  of  America — some  more, 
some  less.  Their  institutions,  laws,  customs,  beliefs  have 
crossed  the  ocean  with  their  children.  Out  of  all  this  has 
been  built  up  America,  and  their  history  is,  therefore,  the 
early  American  history. 

But  it  is  essential  to  my  subject  that  I  should,  from  yet 
another  point  of  view,  expose  the  folly  of  the  terms  "  middle 
ages  "  and  "  mediaeval  history."  As  if  there  ever  had  been 
any  period  of  a  number  of  centuries  during  which  the  gen- 
ei'al  state  of  civilization  had  possessed  such  strongly  marked 


96  AMERICAI^    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

features  as  to  make  that  period  a  unity  in  itself,  as  distin- 
guished both  from  ancient  and  from  modern  history ! 

No  doubt  the  Reformation,  the  liberation  of  one-half  the 
Western  World  from  Papal  domination,  marks  a  great  epoch. 
But,  then,  it  is  overlooked  that  many  of  the  fruits  of  the 
Reformation  only  ripened  centuries  later,  and,  what  is  more, 
that  religious  life  and  intellectual  freedom  don't  make  up 
the  whole  of  a  nation's  existence.  Political  institutions  con- 
tinued in  the  main  till  the  end  of  the  eighteenth  or  the  begin- 
ning of  the  nineteenth  century  on  the  lines  that  had  been 
formed  in  the  thirteenth.  In  the  history  of  political  insti- 
tutions, the  age  of  Simon  of  Montfort,  of  St.  Louis,  and  of 
the  interregnum,  therefore,  marks  a  greater  epoch  than  that 
of  Luther.  At  the  same  time  intellectual  life  was  no  less  act- 
ive and  of  no  less  subversive  a  cast  in  the  thirteenth  century 
than  during  the  Renaissance,  as  so  judicious  a  master  as 
Stubbs  has  repeatedly  insisted.  But  the  Karolingian  Em- 
pire— does  it  not  signify  a  revolution  even  more  comprehen- 
sive? And  what  shall  we  say  of  that  period  from  the  mid- 
dle of  the  eleventh  to  the  end  of  the  twelfth  century,  when 
cities  first  sprang  into  being,  and  which  saw  that  portentious 
break  in  the  economic  Avorld — the  transition  from  an  almost 
purely  agricultural  condition  to  a  state  in  which  money  be- 
came the  universal  medium  ? 

Again,  the  scholastic  philosophy  only  gradually  developed 
during  the  so-called  "  middle  ages,"  of  which  it  is  thought  to 
be  characteristic,  and  nevertheless  received  severe  blows  long 
before  that  period  ended;  while  the  theological  impregna- 
tion of  thought  continued  for  a  considerable  while  after,  in 
fact  was  still  on  the  increase,  but  Avas  at  no  time  so  general  as 
is  commonh^  represented.  On  the  other  hand,  certain  phe- 
nomena which  to  us  moderns  seem  particularly  "  mediaeval," 
such  as  torture  as  a  means  of  legal  procedure,  absolutism 
or  certain  extreme  restrictions  on  trade,  really  belong  to 
the  so-called  "  modern  times," 

The  alleged  "  middle  age,"  therefore,  is  neither  marked 
off  by  a  clear  line,  or  any  kind  of  line,  from  "modern  his- 
tory," nor  does  it  constitute  in  any  sense  a  unity  in  itself. 

This,  however,  is  a  fact  which  can  not  be  too  strongly  in- 
sisted upon,  nntil  the  continuity  of  the  history  of  modern 
nations  shall  at  last  have  become  a  matter  of  the  most  firen- 


HISTORY    OF    MODERN    EUROPEAN    NATIONS.  97 

eral  and,  if  I  may  say  so,  ingrained  acceptance,  for  it  Avill 
not  be  till  then  that  people  will  cease  to  regard  the  study  of 
"  mediaeval  history  ''  as  a  matter  of  mere  antiquarian  cu- 
riosity. 

In  thus  urging  the  unity  of  European  and  American  his- 
tory, I  may  seem  to  be  calling,  as  it  were,  on  American  pa- 
triotism. I^ut  that  is  a  standpoint,  it  need  hardly  be  said, 
which  the  historian  can  not  adopt  and  can  not  connnend. 

The  study  of  histor}^  with  an  unbiased  mind,  the  diving 
and  delving  in  a  spirit  bent  on  nothing  but  the  search  for 
truth,  is  without  doubt  a  great  and  healthy  strengthener  of 
the  love  of  one's  country;  but  this  strengthening  and  deep- 
ening of  our  patriotism,  to  be  healthy,  must  come  as  an 
unsought  result.  This,  however,  is  not  what  we  are  con- 
cerned with.  The  chief  ground  why  the  study  of  early 
Euro})ean  history  should  be  ])ressed  upon  Americans  as  upon 
all  others  must  be  found  in  history  herself  as  a  science.  And 
from  this  point  of  view  tliere  is  reason  enough  why  the 
beginner  should  exactly  avoid  occupation  with  anything  that 
strongl}^  engages  his  patriotism  or  his  political  or  religious 
predilections. 

The  historian's  chief  function  is  judgment — not,  of 
course,  that  he  should  pass  sentence  on  men  and  Avomen  and 
their  thoughts  and  actions,  but  judgment  in  discriminating 
betAveen  evidence  as  to  facts,  between  facts  as  to  their  im- 
portance, their  relation  to  one  another,  and  so  forth. 

The  exercise  of  judgment,  however,  needs  impartiality, 
detachment.  This  requires  training,  until  it  becomes  a  habit, 
and  this  training  can  always  be  acquired  only  by  labor,  and 
at  the  cost  of  so  much  greater  labor  the  more  stirring  the  per- 
sonal interest  in  the  events  under  consideration. 

History  demands  detachment  for  her  own  behoof,  and  the 
same  amount  of  the  same  kind  as  any  other  science. 

I  am  afraid  this  is  exactly  what  is  not  yet  generally  recog- 
nized: This  claim  of  history  to  rank  as  an  independent  and 
self-sufficing  branch  of  study,  side  by  side  with  all  the  others. 

Science  asks  not  w^hat  uses  its  results  can  be  turned  to.     It 

takes  its  spring  from  a  desire  to  know  all  about  a  certain 

group  of  facts,  purely  for  the  sake  of  the  knowledge,  for  the 

sa>ke  of  the   facts,   for  the  interest  they  inspire.     Call   it 

H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 7 


98  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

curiosity,  if  you  will,  yet  it  is  no  idle  one ;  if  curiosity,  it  is 
a  working,  a  hard-working  curiosity. 

In  this  respect  history  does  not  differ  from  other  sciences. 
The  physician's  art  may  arise  from  a  desire  to  succor  suffer- 
ing mankind;  medical  science  has  only  to  deal  Avith  the 
human  body  and  the  laws  that  govern  it,  for  the  mere 
knowledge  sake. 

I  repeat,  there  is  no  difference  between  history  and  any 
other  science  in  this,  that  both  have  for  their  sole  object 
knowledge  about  a  certain  group  of  facts. 

Now,  it  has  been  claimed  that  history  does  differ  from 
certain  other  sciences,  inasmuch  as  it  only  undertakes  to 
establish  facts,  Avhereas  those  other  sciences,  besides  that, 
evolve  laws  from  the  facts  they  have  discovered;  further, 
that  this  alone  is  the  true  field  and  criterion  of  science,  and 
that  history,  therefore,  can  not  rank  as  a  science  in  the  strict 
meaning  of  the  word. 

It  hardly  needs  saying  that  a  discussion  of  that  much- 
vexed  question  can  not  here  be  entered  upon.  Still,  we  are 
concerned  with  establishing  the  claim  of  history  to  rank  as 
an  independent  and  self-sufficing  branch  of  study.  Enough, 
therefore,  to  observe  that  the  discovery  of  laws  governing 
the  facts  that  any  science  is  interested  in  constitutes  but  an 
accident,  not  a  primary  object.  If  it  is  the  aim  of  history 
to  establish,  as  Ranke  has  been  patted  on  the  back  a  thoii- 
sand  times  for  casually  remarking,  "  wie  es  eigentlich  gewesen 
ist,"  even  so  it  is  Avith  every  other  science;  it  matters  little 
whether  the  facts  it  deals  Avith  belong  to  the  joast,  i:)resent,  or 
future.  If,  then,  there  are  any  laA\^s  underlying  the  facts 
that  make  up  history,  they  aaIII  come  to  light  in  due  season. 

Phj^sicists  have  again  and  again,  on  the  strength  of  the 
"  laAvs  "  of  the  most  exact  of  all  practical  sciences,  declared 
certain  things  to  be  impossible  Avhich  engineers  liaA^e  after- 
Avards  not  only  shoAvn  to  be  possible,  but  have  made  real. 
They  haAC,  for  instance,  explained  Avhy  and  wherefore  no 
steamship  Avould  ever  be  able  to  cross  the  Atlantic.  Let  us 
then,  pray,  not  stultify  ourselves  by  saying  that  anything 
is  impossible. 

To  return  to  our  starting  point,  its  scientific  interest  alone 
can  determine  the  course  the  study  of  history  ought  to  pursue. 

What  makes  a  science  is  not  the  laws  it  discovers ;  it  is  its 


HI8TOEY    OP   MODEKN    EUROPEAN   NATIONS.  99 

method.  It  is  this  that  distinguishes  science  from  the  pur- 
suit of  a  mere  curiosity.  And  it  is  since  each  of  them  in  turn 
has  discovered  its  true  method  that  the  natural  sciences,  one 
after  another,  have  reached  that  status. 

Well,  then,  what  the  student  has  first  of  all  to  do  is  to 
acquire  a  sure  command  of  method.  But  method  is  deter- 
mined by  the  matter  each  science  has  to  deal  with — its  mate- 
rials. Therefore,  he  should  turn  his  first  and  principal 
attention  to  that  portion  of  his  subject  Avhere  its  method  can 
best  be  studied  and  where  the  materials  can  best  be  made 
accessible  to  him.  Or,  to  put  it  differently,  if  any  student 
is  to  do  successful  work,  the  material  he  is  set  to  work  upon 
must  be  such  that  he  can  completely  master  it.  Noav,  this 
is  exactly  .what  makes  the  study  of  the  early  history  of 
European  nations  particularly  adapted  to  his  needs. 

In  parenthesis  I  want  to  observe  that  as  to  ancient  history 
and  its  stud}^,  that  is  a  matter  apart.  Its  material  and  con- 
sequently its  methods  are  so  individual  that,  as  things  at 
present  stand,  no  one  can  be  advised  to  try  and  embrace 
both  it  and  modei-n  history.  Criticism  as  applied  to  classi- 
cal writers  is  of  a  totally  different  type  from  that  in  place 
with  regard  to  our  monkish  annalists  and  chroniclers,  who 
never  once  intended  to  produce  works  of  art,  but  oidy  meant 
to  tell  the  plain,  unvarnished  truth,  such  as  they  understood 
it.  And  to  decipher  and  interpret  Greek  and  Koman  in- 
scriptions has  become  almost  a  science  in  itself,  which  in 
early  modern  history  finds  its  counterpart  in  another  dis- 
tinct specialty — diplomatics. 

Now  the  material  of  history  is  of  a  double  nature.  There 
are  first  of  all  the  historic  events,  conditions,  acts;  and  then 
as  these  are,  as  a  rule,  not  innnediately  susceptible  of 
observation,  there  is  the  evidencje  we  have  about  them,  the 
so-called  sources.  It  is  to  both  these  ingredients  of  the 
historic  material — and  this  is  essential — that,  what/  I  have 
said  about  the  suitableness  of  the  study  of  the-  early*  history 
of  Europe  to  the  needs  of  the  learner  applies.  Not  only  are 
the  sources  easier  to  handle,  being  few  in  quantity  and  sim- 
ple in  kind;  the  totality  of  historic  events  and  conditions  in 
earlier  times  was  also  less  complex. 

Although  it  will  probably  be  contended  that  the  farther 
away  from  our  own  times  the  more  difficidt  human  life  in  all 


100  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL   ASSOCIATION. 

its  forms  is  for  us  to  understand,  I  think  it  may  with  reason 
be  urged  that  the  riddle  of  any  j^eriod  is  so  impossible  for  us 
to  solve  that  degrees  of  difficulty  need  not  be  taken  into 
account. 

Die  Zeiten  cler  Vergangenheit 

Sind  uns  ein  Buch  mit  sieben  Siegeln. 

That  applies  to  the  time  of  Louis  XIV  just  as  truly  as  to 
that  of  Charles  the  Great. 

On  the  other  hand  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  life  was  far 
simpler  in  the  remoter  ages  than  it  was,  say,  in  the  sixteenth 
and  seventeenth  centuries,  or  even  in  the  thirteenth  and 
fourteenth.  There  has  been  from  the  Karolingian  and  the 
Ottonian  age  downward  a  continuously  growing  complexity 
of  historic  life.  Formerly  ideas  were  simpler,  communica- 
tion was  rarer,  economic  conditions  more  uniform,  transport 
difficult,  events  fewer. 

But  knowledge  of  the  Avhole  of  the  conditions  of  a  given 
period  is  indispensable  for  the  understanding  of  any  historic 
detail. 

A  Avise  and  Avell-meaning  ecclesiastic,  like  Bishop  Gregory 
of  Tours,  says  of  King  Chlodovech,  "  God  overthrew  his  ene- 
mies day  by  day  and  increased  his  Kingdom,  because  he 
walked  before  him  with  a  just  heart  and  did  what  was  pleas- 
ing in  his  sight."  This  need  by  no  means  be  taken  for  mere 
bigotry  on  the  bishop's  part,  because  the  King  had  fought 
the  heretic  Burgundian  and  Goth;  and  yet  that  very  Chlo- 
dovech had  shrunk  from  no  atrocity  and  no  trickery  in  order 
to  compass  his  ends.  These  were  great  and,  in  effect,  benefi- 
cent; yet  we  can  understand  (iregory's  judgment  only  on  the 
basis  of  a  knowledge  of  the  entire  circumstances. 

The  nearer  to  our  own  day  we  descend,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  more  complex  do  conditions  become.  The  material 
grows  in  quantity  and  also  in  subjectiveness.  Therefore, 
although  the  sources  may  seem  more  accessible  to  the  dilet- 
tante, the  difficulties  in  the  way  of  methodical  study  are  by 
far  more  stubborn.  Every  great  event  has  its  "  proximate  " 
causes  and  its  "  remote  "  causes ;  but  in  later  history  the  un- 
raveling of  the  former  alone,  as  a  rule,  taxes  the  energy  of 
even  scholars  of  position  to  their  utmost,  with  the  result  that 
the  remote  causes  are  frequently  treated  in  a  perfunctory 
manner.     The  numberless  single  acts  leading  up  to  a  general 


BISTORY    OF    MODERN    EUROPEAN    NATIONS.  101 

consummation  are  so  closely  interAA^oven,  many  of  them  being 
synchronistic,  that  the  greatest  analytical  skill  is  required 
to  follow  each  to  its  end  and  apportion  to  it  its  due  part  in 
the  play  of  cause  and  effect. 

Let  me  refer  to  the  question  that  convulsed  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  historical  world  of  Germany  some  eight  or 
nine  years  ago  on  the  occasion  of  Lehmann's  brilliant  little 
book  on  the  origin  of  the  Seven  Years'  Avar.  The  material 
here  consists  largely  of  the  correspondence  of  each  of  the 
great  poAvers  Avith  its  ambassadors  or  its  special  envoys  at 
each  of  the  other  courts.  The  court  of  Vienna  Avas  com- 
municating AA^ith  that  of  St.  Petersburg  through  its  oAvn  am- 
bassador at  the  latter  court  and  at  the  same  time  through 
the  Russian  ambassador  in  Austria.  These  connnunications 
Avould  probably  be  crossed  by  Avord  from  the  Russian  capital, 
similarly  communicated  through  a  double  or  treble  channel. 
MeauAvhile  resolves  both  at  Vienna  and  at  St.  Petersburg 
Avould  become  influenced  by  ucavs  receiA^ed  from  Paris,  from 
London,  and  from  Berlin;  Paris  and  London  Avould  also  be 
in  communication,  Avhile  Frederick  Avas  AAriting  to  and  re- 
ceiving letters  from  any  of  the  capitals  named.  Would  he 
make  an  enemy  of  France  by  concluding  a  treaty  Avith  Eng- 
land, her  old  foe?  Would  Russia  in  such  a  case  hold  fast 
to  her  ancient  alliance  Avith  the  latter  country  ? 

And  then  the  personal  element !  Hoav  much  of  Avhat  each 
gOA^ernment  writes  even  to  its  OAvn  agents  in  private  is  to  be 
taken  literally?  How  much  of  it  has  been  adapted  to  the 
special  mental  capacity,  inclinations,  temper  of  tlie  indi- 
vidual envoy?  All  that  is,  no  doubt,  extremely  interesting, 
but  hardly  suitable  for  the  untrained  beginner  to  be  turned 
loose  upon. 

Complexity  of  conditions  and  complexity  of  sources  are 
here  correlative.  Similarly  a  simplicity  of  sources  corre- 
sponds to  the  greater  simplicity  of  conditions  in  earlier  times. 
Here  it  is  not  too  difficult  for  the  average  student  to  manip- 
ulate the  Avhole  of  the  CAadence  on  any  one  question  before 
him.  He  can  examine  each  portion  of  it  as  to  its  origin,  its 
credibility,  the  weight  to  be  attached  to  it — all  according  to 
those  well-known  rules  which  it  is  so  easy  for  him,  and  at 
the  same  time  essential,  to  ^remember:  AVas  the  author  in  a 
position  to  give  trustworthy  evidence  ?     Was  he  a  contempo- 


102  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

rary  of  the  events  he  relates?  Was  he  in  direct  communi- 
cation with  the  actors  in  those  events?  Is  he  otherwise 
personally  reliable  ?  If  not  contemporary,  had  he  yet  good 
means  of  informing  himself  and  us?  Then  such  questions 
as  that  of  the  ''  argumentum  ex  silentio ; "  further,  that  of  the 
dependence  of  one  source  upon  another,  a  principle  the  im- 
portance of  which  even  the  great  historians  of  the  eight- 
eenth century  did  not  always  quite  realize,  who  not  infre- 
quently quote  as  independent  evidence  for  one  event  two 
Quthors,  one  of  whom  had  simply  copied  the  other. 

But  if  one  set  of  questions  in  historical  method  can  most 
successfully  be  taught  and  learned  with  the  help  of  chronicles 
and  annals,  another  and  equally  important  vista  is  opened 
up  by  the  documentary  sources,  where  paleography  and 
diplonuitics  come  to  our  assistance,  though,  to  be  sure, 
paleography  is  no  less  a  conditio  sine  qua  non  in  making 
accessible  the  former  class. 

As  Bernheim  has  remarked,  "  No  other  matter  furnishes 
such  an  object  lesson  of  what  evolution  in  history  means  and 
how  it  proceeds  "  as  paleography,  "  the  mutual  reaction  of 
psychical  and  material  factors,"  the  development  of  writing 
having  been  dependent  on  the  one  hand  on  writing  materials, 
papyrus,  wax,  parchment,  paper,  calamus,  quills,  and  the 
economic  possibilities  of  procuring  one  kind  or  another,  and 
on  the  other  hand  on  general  economic  and  cultural  condi- 
tions, conducive  to  more  or  less  copious  writing,  and  on 
mental  habits. 

Furthermore,  nothing  could  be  better  adapted  than  pale- 
ography to  train  the  mind  to  careful  observation  and  break 
it  of  the  habit  of  jumping  to  conclusions  and  guessing.  The 
student,  in  order  to  avoid  mistakes  which  otherwise  will 
occur  with  absolute  certainty,  has  constantly  to  keep  in  mind 
the  component  elements  of  each  original  letter  of  the  Roman 
alphabet,  as  well  as  the  changes  it  has  undergone  during 
each  period  down  to  the  one  to  which  the  document  under 
observation  belongs. 

But  if  critical  analysis  of  an  early  author's  work  can  not 
but  be  imperfect  unless  the  critic  is  able  to  read  it  in  the 
very  form  in  which  it  w^as  written,  or  at  least  in  which  it  has 
been  preserved,  paleography's  most  interesting  application 
is  in  diplomatics,  the  science  of  charters ;  and  diplomatics  in 


HISTORY    OF    MODERN    EFTROPEAN    NATIONS.  103 

turn  furnishes  a  higher  and  unparalleled  field  for  the  exer- 
cise of  historical  analysis. 

In  the  early  centuries — and  this  again  by  no  means  applies 
to  the  whole  of  the  period  commonly  described  as  the  "  mid- 
dle ages  " — the  legislative,  judicial,  and  administrative  func- 
tions of  government  were  hardly  separated.  Legislation 
largely  took  effect  in  the  shape  of  administrative  decrees 
based  on  findings  of  the  law  courts  regarding  individual  cases. 
These  findings  and  decrees  would  be  embodied  in  charters 
extended  to  single  persons  or  corporations.  Other  charters 
or  deeds,  especially  those  issued  to  churches  or  convents,  con- 
ferred endowments,  gifts  of  land  or  rents.  Yet  the  charters 
in  the  possession  of  an  ecclesiastical  corporation  did  by  no 
means  always  cover  the  whole  ground  of  its  claims,  and  then 
more  deeds  Avere  manufactured,  forged,  or  the  existing  ones 
appropriately  improved  upon.  Venerable  bishops  and  abbots, 
highly  respectable  men,  saw  no  harm  in  that,  any  more  than 
they  did  in  burglariously  robbing  some  foreign  church  of  the 
bones  of  its  pati'on  saint  for  the  benefit  of  their  own  church: 
one  might  say  a  remnant  of  native  polytheistic  feeling,  tlie 
last  vestiges  of  which  have  perhaps  not  quite  disappeared 
even  in  our  own  day,  the  unconscious  substitution  of  one's 
own  little  tangible  local  church  for  the  great  invisible  univer- 
sal one.  A  fire  might  have  destroyed  the  genuine  deeds: 
then  the  safest  and  simplest  course,  instead  of  ai)plying  to 
distant  kings  or  popes  or  to  the  heirs  of  long-deceased  donors, 
seemed  to  be  to  resuscitate  tlie  lost  treasure  at  home  through 
the  ingenuity  of  an  industrious  monk.  Or  a  neigliboring  noble 
might  lay  violent  hands  on  land  which  had  from  time  imme- 
morial been  in  the  possession  of  the  church,  but  for  wdiich  it 
was  unable  to  show  any  titles;  a  bishop  might  claim  juris- 
diction over  a  monastery  which  believed  itself  dependent  on 
the  Pope  alone:  in  such  periclitations  likewise  the  forger 
was  called  to  the  rescue.  Now,  it  is  the  historian's  business 
to  unmask  these  falsifications,  to  distinguish  the  wholly  or  in 
part  genuine  from  the  spurious,  and,  Avhat  is  still  more  diffi- 
cult, to  detect  those  which,  although  feloniously  manufac- 
tured, yet  represent  Avhat  in  fact  was  true. 

Besides  this,  diplomatics  teaches  us  how  to  interpret  the 
genuine  diplomas,  their  formulary  and  language,  the  usages 
of  the  chanceries  whence  they  issued;  all  which  is  neces- 


104  AMEKICAN    HISTOKICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

sary  before  they  can  be  turned  to  account  as  historic  ma- 
terial. 

All  this  furnishes  unrivaled  schooling  for  the  mind  and 
introduces  the  student  far  better  than  anything  else  to  the 
inner  workings  of  what  has  made  history. 

To  historic  study  based  on  an  anal^^sis  of  mere  narrative 
sources  there  often  appertains  an  element  of  unreality — 
either  of  romance,  if  the  student  is  of  an  imaginative  turn, 
or  of  a  lifeless,  mechanical,  reckoning  out,  if  his  mind  is 
more  given  to  abstractions.  That  is  to  say,  he  Avill  either 
dwell  with  enthusiasm  on  deeds  of  prowess  and  become  ab- 
sorbed in  those  other  personal  details  about  kings  and  popes, 
nobles  and  bishops,  which  those  ancient  writers  love  to  re- 
count, who  seldom  understood  what  Avas  really  politicalh^ 
important  and  Avhat  forms  the  basis  of  all  personal  achieve- 
ments; or  he  contents  himself  with  working  out  Avhat,  ac- 
cording to  strict  method,  Ave  may  accept  of  those  tales  and 
what  Ave  must  reject,  likcAvise  Avithout  inquiring  Avhat  it  all 
means. 

Diplomatics,  on  the  other  hand,  directly  leads  him  on  to 
this.  It  brings  him  into  immediate  contact  Avith  life,  in  the 
Avork  of  the  council  chamber  and  the  administratiA^e  offices, 
and  also  in  the  management  of  private  estates  and  economic 
conditions. 

HoAv  romantic  and  Avonderful  and  attractive  is  the  ac- 
count of  the  First  Crusade  as  presented  by  contemporary 
Avriters,  and  yet  hoAv  incomprehensible  it  all  appears!  We 
are  told  of  princes  calling  upon  their  A^assals  to  accom- 
pany them  on  the  distant  journey  to  the  Holy  Land;  inde- 
pendent knights  Avith  fcAV  retainers  Avould  folloAV  the  gen- 
eral direction,  and  hosts  of  common  people  from  toAvn  and 
country  likeAvise  took  the  cross.  AW  these  in  large  and 
small  bands  took  the  road  to  Constantinople,  independent 
of  one  another,  Avithout  any  general  guidance,  some  by  sea, 
some  by  land.  To  the  inhabitants  of  the  countries  through 
Avhich  they  marched  it  seemed  as  if  the  Avhole  Avorld  Avere 
a-stir. 

Now,  if  it  requires  some  stretch  of  the  imagination  to  pic- 
ture how  they  all  traveled,  Avhile  they  were  still  dispersed, 
only  a  discovery  of  Boemund's  commissariat  accounts — the 
one  of  their  leaders  Avho  shoAved  statesmanlike  ability  and 


HISTORY    OF    MODERN    EUROPEAN    NATIONS.  105 

who  had  remained  behind  at  Constantinople  for  a  while  to 
arrange  for  the  provisioning — would  make  it  possible  to  con- 
ceive how  the  unwieldy  mass  subsisted  and  was  ordered  and 
managed  and  moved  after  it  had  united  and  crossed  the 
Bosporus. 

Or  another  case:  Some  years  ago  there  was  discovered  in 
the  archives  at  Miinchen  a  sheet  of  parchment,  containing 
a  list  of  the  annual  contributions  of  the  imperial  cities  in  the 
year  1241.  Up  to  that  time  nothing  had  been  known  of 
such  contributions.  It  had  been  assumed  that  whatever 
taxes  those  cities  might  have  paid  was  so  insignificant  as  to 
be  used  up  on  the  spot  for  local  purposes.  We  had  some 
ground  for  such  an  assumption,  because  such  was  shown  to 
have  been  the  case  at  the  little  town  of  Sinzig  on  the  Rhein, 
the  only  one  Avhose  accounts  for  one  year  had  appeared  to  be 
preserved.  If  the  cities  were  able  to  furnish  so  little  cash, 
certainly  even  less  was  to  be  expected  from  the  country  dis- 
tricts. Therefore  it  was  universally  taken  for  granted  that, 
as  far  as  (lermany  was  concerned,  there  was  and  could  have 
been  at  the  time  practically  no  central  financial  administra- 
tion. And  yet  that  one  discovery  of  a  single  document  has 
overthrown  all  previous  notions  of  government  in  the  Hoh- 
enstaufen  period. 

Again,  the  imperial  itinerary,  the  knowledge  of  Avhich  is 
derived  from  the  imperial  charters  chronologically  ar- 
ranged, by  showing  us  how  kings  and  emperors  in  the  pur- 
suance of  the  duties  of  their  office  moved  from  place  to 
place,  gives  a  reality  to  their  persons,  their  doings,  their 
policies,  which  previously  was  quite  lacking,  and  has  done 
away  with  a  mass  of  what  I  may  call  purely  literary  criti- 
cism empty  as  air.  How  has  opinion  as  to  the  Luxem- 
burgers  changed  since  the  days  of  Gibbon,  only  on  the 
strength  of  evidence  inaccessible  without  diplomatic  aid; 
and  side  by  side  with  our  estimation  of  those  emperors,  and 
for  the  same  reasons,  our  interest  in  the  whole  history  of 
Germany  during  two  centuries  has  been  transformed. 

But  the  most  important  point  from  the  methodological 
point  of  view,  the  point  of  view  of  the  present  lecture,  is 
tihat  charters  are  in  the  true  sense  surviving  historic  facts. 
Chronicles,  annals,  and  other  so-called  narrative  sources  are, 
of  course,  also  survivals  of  the  past,  but  only  in  a  literary 


106  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

and  historiographical  sense.  Of  the  facts  they  deal  with 
they  are  merely  reports,  really  evidence  at  second  hand; 
whereas  the  charters  are  immediate  evidence  of  the  facts 
themselves.  They  are,  therefore,  scientific  material  of  a 
distinctly  higher  order.  But  this  is  by  no  means  as  yet  gen- 
erally recognized.  Even  to  this  day  far  too  great  a  portion 
of  our  book  history  is  built  up  upon  the  questionable  accounts 
of  chronicling  monks,  instead  of  on  that  documentary  evi- 
dence Avhich  onh^  the  exactest  application  of  special  method 
has  now  rendered  accessible. 

It  would  be  nugatory  to  object  that,  these  two  branches  of 
our  science  being  subsidiary  to  early  European  history  only, 
their  value  stands  and  falls  Avith  the  general  value  of  that 
study.  The  argument  is  that  early  European  history-  hav- 
ing nuich  method  is  particularly  suited  for  the  beginning 
student  of  all  history. 

No  mistake  could  be  greater  than  saying  that  the  modern 
historian  does  not  need  all  this  training.  Maybe  it  is  easier 
for  an  amateur  to  furnish  some  contribution  to  recent  than 
to  earlier  history,  where  without  some  methodical  training 
a  mediocre  mind  would  find  the  task  extremely  awkward  of 
raising  a  crop  on  the  stony  soil.  But  it  is  just  the  modern 
historian  who  re(]uires  to  be  made  and  continuously  kept 
aware  of  the  pitfalls  that  lie  hidden  in  his  more  flowery 
path.  The  fact  that  methodical  questions — questions  of 
principle — do  not  readily  lie  on  the  surface  in  modern  his- 
tory renders  them  apt  to  be  disregarded,  and  that  is  pre- 
cisely why  the  modern  historian  more  than  any  other  needs 
a  thorough  training  in  method,  such  training  as  can  only 
be  acquired  by  the  study  of  the  earlier  period. 

Of  course  I  am  fully  aware  how  fallacious  method  is.  In 
itself  it  can  never  make  an  historian.  The  possession  of 
method  without  common  sense  has  misled  many  a  scholar, 
young  and  old,  to  argumentation  w^holly  wrong,  argumenta- 
tion enunciated  with  all  the  more  complacent  conviction 
because  of  the  author  being  justly  conscious  of  his  unim- 
peachable method,  and,  perhaps,  correspondingly  difficult  to 
refute.  I  am  also  most  alive  to  the  force  of  Ottokar  Lorenz's 
dictum,  that  the  only  true  and  reliable  principle  in  his- 
torical science  is  that  of  the  "  clever  man  "  (des  gescheiteren 


HISTORY    OF   MODERN    EUROPEAN    NATIONS.  107 

Mannes) .  And  yet  even  a  very  clever  man  is  certain,  unless 
he  has  a  sure  method,  to  go  disastrously  astray  again  and 
again. 

Perhaps  I  may  venture  in  this  connection  to  make  a  pro- 
posal of  immediate  practical  bearing. 

I  think  in  order  to  derive  a  full  benefit  from  the  method- 
ical training  of  the  graduate  work  the  student  ought  to  leave 
college  better  equipped  with  general  historical  knowledge 
than  seems  at  present  to  be  the  case.  With  this  end  in  view 
it  ought  to  be  made  possible  for  him  to  hear  lectures  on  the 
history  of  modern  European  nations  for  four  hours  a  week 
in  each  of  his  college  years.  If  this  is  thought  too  much  for 
the  average  undergraduate  who  does  not  intend  to  devote 
himself  to  the  s]x»cial  study  of  history  later,  jjerhaps  the  end 
might  be  attained  by  introducing  some  flexibility  in  the 
group  S3^stem  of  college  tuition  without  discarding  its  ])rin- 
ciple.  Without  breaking  up  the  group  of  history  and  polit- 
ical economy,  it  should  j^et  be  feasible  to  aiford  the  histor- 
ically intentioned  the  opportunity  of  attending  more  history 
lectures  than  those  prescribed  in  the  ordinary  curriculum. 

It  would  take  me  too  far  afield,  and,  besides,  be  quite  un- 
necessary before  this  audience,  to  enlarge  upon  what  early 
European  history  teaches  materially.  The  main  point,  how- 
ever, is  this:  Nobody  can  be  considered  an  educated  j^erson 
who  has  not  some  fairly  just  idea  as  to  how  all  things  in  this 
world  of  ours  hang  together ;  and  nobody  can  be  considered 
as  possessing  such  an  idea  who  has  no  conception  as  to  how 
the  modern  political  w^orld  has  evolved  out  of  its  beginnings. 
At  home  and  in  our  international  relations,  in  state  and 
church,  and  even  in  economics,  the  life  of  our  race  is  beset 
with  problems  which  can  only  be  understood  on  an  historic 
basis. 

As  for  the  United  States,  until  recently  they  have  lived  in 
a  kind  of  self -containment  and  self -contentment.  They  have 
formed  a  world  to  themselves,  occupied  w^th  their  own  af- 
fairs— home  questions,  internal  politics — almost  exclusively. 

But  that  state  of  things  is  rapidly  passing  away.  Amer- 
ica has  joined  the  concert  of  world  poAvers.  It  is  getting 
.time  for  all  nations  to  become  better  acquainted  with  one 
another,  for  which  purpose  a  sound  though  not  necessarily 


108  AMEEICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

detailed  knowledge  of  each  other's  history  is  indispensable. 
This  knowledge,  howe\er,  can  be  communicated  to  the  major- 
ity of  the  people  only  through  a  staff  of  thoroughly  trained 
instructors,  and  it  is  the  vocation  of  the  universities  to  pro- 
vide these. 

It  has  often  been  said  that  it  was  the  schoolmaster  who 
won  Sadowa.  Let  it  in  future  be  the  schoolmaster's  fairer 
task  to  promote  mutual  esteem  and  good  will  among  nations. 


V -THE  CHIEF  CURRENTS  OF  RUSSIAN  HISTORICAL  THOUGHT. 


By   PAUL    MILYOUKOV, 

Of  St.  Pclcr><bur(j. 


109 


CHIEF  CURRENTS  OF  RUSSIAN  HISTORICAL  THOUGHT. 


By  Taul  Milyoukov. 


Ladies  and  Gentlemen  :  I  am  going  to  give  you  only  a 
general  sketch,  in  quite  general  outlines,  of  the  progress  of 
Russian  historical  study.  With  a  :^eAv  exceptions,  I  shall 
not  mention  Russian  names,  which,  I  know,  are  pretty  hard 
for  you  to  spell,  and  I  shall  not  enumerate  special  subjects 
of  study.  It  is  only  the  chief  currents  of  Russian  historical 
research  that  I  intend  to  describe,  and  I  shall  try  to  do  it  in 
terms  which  have  an  international  meaning.  This  will  en- 
able me,  in  addressing  my  learned  audience,  to  compress 
within  the  limits  of  my  twent}'  minutes  the  results  of  a  long- 
personal  study.  You  Avill  excuse  me  if  I  am  too  short  or  con- 
cise in  my  statements. 

I  propose  to  classify  the  chief  currents  of  Russian  histor- 
ical thought  and  research  under  the  following  headings: 

Points  of  view : 

I.  Pragmatic  (1730-1870). 
II.  Critical  (1770-1830  to  1870). 
III.  Orgniiie— 

1.  Nationalistic   (1840-1870). 

2.  Institutional   (1860-1880). 
a  Social   (1880-         ). 

4.  Economic   (1890-         ). 

This  classificati(m  nearly  coincides  with  tlie  chronological 
development  of  the  corresponding  currents  of  research,  and 
at  the  same  time  it  points  out  the  characteristic  features  of 
each  current.  The  follow-ing  explanations  will  help  toward 
a  better  understanding  of  the  terms  given  in  the  above  classi- 
fication. 

The  scientific  study  of  Russian  history  begins  in  the  second 
half  of  the  eighteenth  century.  The  character  of  research 
was  then  pragmatic,  as  everywhere  in  Europe  at  that  time. 
Our  first  detailed  descriptive  works  in  what  the  Germans 
call    "  iiussere    (and    especially    '  politische  '  )    Geschichte  " 

111 


112  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

appeared  then  (Tatishchev's  and  Shcherbatov's  voluminous 
"histories"  are  the  best  among  them).  The  Avell-known 
"  History  of  Russia,''  by  Solovyov — the  Henr}^  Martin  of 
Russian  historiography — is  only  a  belated  manifestation 
of  the  same  tendency  in  historical  research.  The  second 
(the  critical)  period  was  begun  in  Russia  by  the  very  origi- 
nator of  the  same  current  in  western  Europe — the  renowned 
Schlozer,  Avho  lived  a  few  years  in  Russia  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  reign  of  Catherine  II.  But  his  Avork  on  Rus- 
sian annals  did  not  appear  until  the  beginning  of  the  nine- 
teenth century,  and  it  had  no  effect  u])on  Russian  scholars 
until  1830-1840,  when  its  influence  coincided  with  that  of 
the  next  following  current  of  thought.  In  1860-1870,  to  be 
sure,  a  kind  of  "  critical  "  school  Avas  founded  in  the  St. 
Petersburg  University  by  Professor  Bestooshev-R3^oumin, 
Avhose  influence  can  be  traced  in  the  activities  of  his  pupils 
now  teaching,  but  the  j^ositive  results  of  tlieir  Avork  are  few, 
and  the  whole  school  had  stood  under  strong  suspicion  of 
pedantry  and  hairsplitting  hy])ercriticism,  wliicli  led  them 
to  keep  themselves  aloof  from  modern  historical  thought  and 
its  influences. 

These  influences  are  summarized  in  our  scheme  under  the 
general  heading  of  ''  organic,"  and  are  subdivided  into  four 
stages,  the  "  nationalistic,"  "  institutional,"  "  social,"  and 
"  economic."  The  general  feature  common  to  all  these  stages 
is,  indeed,  that  they  endeavor  to  disclose  the  natural  connec- 
tion between  the  historical  facts  and  to  represent  them  as  an 
organic  wliole.  The  idea  of  evolution  is  also  connnon  to  all 
of  them  except  the  first,  the  nationalistic,  which  attempts  to 
connect!  the  facts  rather  on  the  basis  of  the  idea  of  national 
inmiutability.  The  foundation  for  the  nationalistic  theory 
was  at  hand  in  the  German  philosophic  teachings  of  Schel- 
ling  and  Hegel;  Fichte  passed  by  without  influence.  The 
theory  itself  is  known  under  the  name  of  "  Slavophilism." 
It  provoked  opposition  on  the  part  of  the  liberal  scholars, 
who  first  opposed  the  idea  of  evolution  to  that  of  immuta- 
bility. The  idea  of  national  immutability  had  found  its 
arguments  in  the  study  of  the  "  national  soul,"  which  was 
supposed  to  be  the  depository  of  the  national  "  spirit."  The 
idea  of  evolution  sought  for  arguments  in  the  histor}^  of 
institutions,  and  thus  constitutional  histor}^  supplanted  the 


EU8SIAN    HISTORICAL    THOUGHT.  113 

Volkerpsychologie ;  law  scholars  took  the  place  of  the  folk- 
lorists  in  the  general  attention.  But  the  idea  of  evolution 
could  be  only  superficially  applied  to  Russian  history  Avhen 
applied  to  the  study  of  the  "  institutions "  alone.  The 
forms  of  Russian  constitutional  life  at  that  stage  of  the 
historical  study  were  simph^  compared  with  the  corre- 
sponding forms  of  otlier  nations,  and  isolated  features 
found  to  be  similar  were  immediately  taken  as  proof 
of  the  similarity  in  the  whole  historical  development. 
The  conclusion  might  or  might  not  be  right,  but  the 
method  by  which  the  conclusion  Avas  reached  was  decidedly 
wrong.  NoAv,  if  the  study  of  the  political  forms,  or 
what  may  be  called  "  political  morphology,"  was  not  conclu- 
sive, it  had  to  be  completed  and  deepened  by  the  stud}^  of 
political  histology — the  matter  itself  with  which  the  political 
forms  are  filled.  Thus  the  stage  of  social  research  was 
reached.  But  the  study  of  the  social  structure  of  society 
is  impossible  without  a  study  of  the  economic  phenomena 
underlying  the  social  structure;  and  thus  it  very  soon  led 
to  the  following  stage  of  economical  research,  as  condition- 
ing a  still  deeper  understanding  of  the  social  structure  itself. 
One  of  the  most  important  results  of  the  last  two  stages  of 
stud}^  Avas  to  revive  the  interest  in  peculiarities  and  local 
conditions  of  Russian  history — too  much  forgotten  by  the 
students  of  institutions,  who  Avere  mainly  hunting  after 
similarities  alone.  The  deficiencies  of  the  "  comparative 
laAv  "  study  have  noAv  become  entirely  manifest,  and  their 
mechanical  parallels  betAveen  similar  institutions  of  difi'erent 
countries  Avere  partl}^  supported  b}^  the  evidence  of  social 
and  economic  history,  partly  rejected. 

The  change  in  the  aims  of  historical  research  conditioned 
also  the  choice  of  historical  sources.  For  the  "'  pragmatic  " 
history  such  sources  Avere  wanted  as  gave  evidence  about  the 
"  Haupt-  und  Staatsactionen,"  about  the  Avars,  diplomatic  re- 
lations, and  so  on.  These  Avere  also  the  sources  Avhich  Avere 
the  easiest  to  be  reached.  Particularly,  the  documents  for 
diplomatic  relations  Avith  foreign  poAvers  Avere  preserved 
in  abundance  in  the  archives  of  the  ministry  of  foreign 
affairs  in  Moscoav  and  in  St.  Petersburg.  Thus  the  prag- 
matic histories  of  Russia  by  Shcherbatov  and  by  Solovyov 
were  founded  chiefl}^  upon  that  sort  of  historical  material. 
H.  Doc.  429,  68-3 8 


114  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Now,  the  "  critical "  current  of  historical  thought  brought 
with  it  the  prevailing  interest  for  the  study  of  such  sources 
as  required  j)revious  critical  analj^sis,  i.  e.,  the  sources  for  the 
earliest  history  of  Russia,  particularly  the  annals.  The  more 
a  source  was  unreliable  the  more  it  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  critical  school.  The  later  the  epoch  to  be  studied,  the 
more  abundant  the  sources,  tlie  less  necessary  the  application 
of  formal  criticism,  and  the  more  the  necessity  of  extensive 
rather  than  intensive  study  of  the  sources  was  felt.  The  new 
tendency  of  the  "  organic  "  study  was  to  resort  to  the  abun- 
dant and  quite  reliable  '*  Urkunden  "  left  by  the  Russian  ad- 
ministration of  the  seventeenth  and  the  following  centuries, 
and  deposited  chiefly  in  the  Moscow  archives  of  the  ministry 
of  justice  and  also  in  local  archives.  At  the  same  time  the 
critical  school  persisted  to  devote  its  attention  (even  for 
that  later  epoch  of  study)  to  second-hand  and  less  reliable 
material,  its  minute  investigations  mostly  ending  in  mere 
negative  results.  Opposite  to  this  St.  Petersburg  school  of 
"  critical  study  of  sources  "  a  Moscow  school  was  founded 
depending  chiefly  on  the  Moscow  archives  in  their  study  of 
institutions,  social  history,  and,  lastly,  economic  history. 
The  Moscow^  school  influenced  also  the  specialists  of  the 
other  universities,  and  noAV  its  position  is  generally  accepted 
in  Russia. 

I  hardly  need  to  say  that  the  above-mentioned  metamor- 
phoses in  historical  study  do  not  exhaust  all  possibilities 
and  do  not  preclude  any  further  change.  Just  now  a  new 
current  of  thought  and  research  is  in  process  of  develop- 
ment. This  may  be  perhaps  characterized  as  the  "  sociologic 
stage  " — the  fifth  in  our  classification  of  the  organic  cur- 
rents. I  need  not  dwell  upon  the  theoretic  foundations  of 
that  new  current,  as  it  is  chiefly  from  America  that  we  bor- 
rowed our  most  widely  spread  and  most  prevalent  sociologic 
doctrines,  Mr.  Lester  Ward  and  Mr.  Giddings  exercising  the 
greatest  influence  in  that  line.  Let  me  mention  only  that,  in 
application  to  the  Russian  research,  the  new  current  tries  to 
reconcile  the  former  ones,  to  take  away  their  one-sidedness 
and  limitations,  to  use  for  itself  such  matter  as  is  sifted  by 
the  previous  study,  but  to  permeate  all  by  its  own  method 
and  to  organize  further  research  by  making  the  most  narrow 
specialist  conscious  of  the  great  general  aim  to  be  attained. 


VI -THE  WORK  OF  AMERICAN  HISTORICAL  SOCIETIES. 


By  HENRY  E.   BOURNE, 

Profcssur  of  History,  Western  Reserve  University. 


115 


THE  WORK  OF  AMERICAN  HISTORICAL  SOCIETIES. 


By  Henry  E.  Bourne. 


American  historical  societies,  like  other  American  institu- 
tions, illustrate  the  advantages  and  disadvan^aaes  of  decen- 
tralization. They  are  as  diverse  in  aim  and  organization 
as  the  localities  where  they  work  or  tJie  periods  wlien  they 
originated.  This  diversity  is  encouraging,  for  it  pro\'es  that 
the  interest  in  history  and  the  desire  to  collect  historical 
material  are  not  restricted  to  a  few  connnunities  nor  de- 
pendent upon  two  or  three  groups  or  individuals.  The  conse- 
quence must  be  a  broader  interpretation  of  American  history. 
Students  naturally  inquire  with  filial  care  into  the  origins 
of  their  State  or  section,  and  out  of  a  friendly  strife  of 
these  rival  interests  comes  a  more  catholic  curiosity.  To 
this  is  to  be  attributed,  in  part  at  least,  the  greater  atten- 
tion which  for  some  years  has  been  given  to  tlie  gi'OAvth  of 
the  West.  History,  like  the  center  of  population,  has  crossed 
the  Alleghenies.  The  space  given  in  manuals  to  the  colouinl 
period  of  the  original  States  has  been  shortened  in  order  to 
give  more  space  to  the  colonial  period  of  the  States  of  the 
Central  West  and  the  West.  In  the  creation  of  this  broader 
interest  the  western  historical  societies  have  had  an  impor- 
tant share.  But  decentralization  also  has  disadvantages, 
especially  if  it  means  isolated  effort.  The  successes  of  mod- 
ern historical  investigation  have  been  greatest  where  the 
scholars  of  a  country  have  worked  either  upon  a  large 
common  plan  or  under  the  stimulus  of  the  suggestions  and 
criticisms  of  their  associates.  Such  a  community  of  work 
is  necessary  to  groups  like  historical  societies  as  well  as 
to  individual  scholars.  The  sense  of  what  others  are  accom- 
plishing quickens  the  laggards  and  directs  the  bewildered. 

117 


118  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  lack  of  an  effectively  organized  influence  of  this  kind 
partially  accounts  for  the  unevenness  in  the  work  of  different 
societies.  How  niuch  might  be  done  by  fuller  cooperation 
is  suggested  by  the  important  influence  noAV  exerted  by 
example  alone.  Everywhere  the  achievements  of  societies 
like  the  Wisconsin,  the  Massachusetts,  and  the  Pennsylvania 
are  held  up  as  proofs  of  what  has  or  should  be  accomplished. 

Historical  societies  are,  broadly  speaking,  of  two  types, 
illustrated  by  the  Massachusetts  and  the  Wisconsin.  The 
Massachusetts  l)ears  the  name  of  a  great  Commonwealth, 
but  it  is  not  a  State  organization  nor  does  it  receive  a  sub- 
sidy from  tlie  State.  Its  resident  membership  is  restricted — 
originally  30,  now  100.  Membership  is  evidence  of  social 
prominence  or  of  special  achievement  in  historical  investi- 
gation. The  society  is  a  characteristic  product  of  a  period 
and  of  a  State  in  Avhich  higher  education  and  similar  scien- 
tific activities  were,  and  are  still,  left  mainly  to  private 
initiative  and  generosity.  Of  the  same  type  are  the  New 
York  and  the  Pennsylvania  societies,  and,  Avith  some  reser- 
vations, nearly  all  the  eastern  organizations.  The  Wisconsin 
Historical  Society,  on  the  other  hand,  is  a  State  institution, 
palatially  housed  and  generously  supported  by  the  State. 
Its  membership  is  unrestricted  save  by  the  payment  of  a 
small  fee.  Like  the  great  State  universities  of  the  West,  it  is 
an  example  of  the  wise  utilization  of  the  public  wealth  to 
promote  the  intellectual  interests  of  the  community.  But 
the  contrast  should  not  be  pressed  too  far.  The  Wisconsin 
societ^ns  not  a  State  institution  in  the  sense  of  being  directly 
under  official  State  management.  Those  who  have  directed  its 
affairs  have  guarded  against  even  the  suspicion  tliat  politics 
should  ever  control  it.  It  is  ratlier  a  group  of  individuals, 
organized  as  a  corporation,  to  which  the  State  has  intrusted 
the  administration  of  important  interests.  Everything  ac- 
quired by  the  society,  from  whatever  source,  becomes  at  once 
State  property.  In  order  that  the  State's  interests  may  be 
preserved,  the  three  leading  State  officials  (governor,  secre- 
tary of  state,  and  State  treasurer)  are  ex  officio  members  of 
its  executive  committee  of  42  persons.  Societies  of  the  same 
type,  avoAvedly  patterned  after  it,  exist  in  Minnesota,  Kan- 
sas, loAva,  Nebraska,  and  in  several  other  AYestern  States. 

A  minor  peculiarity,  which  may  be  noted  in  passing,  is 


WOKK    OF    HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES.  119 

that  local  societies  in  New  England  are  generally  town 
organizations,  whereas  south  and  west  of  the  Hudson  River 
they  represent  a  county  or  district  which  has  a  common 
tradition,  like  the  Wyoming  Valley  or  the  Western  Reserve. 
In  eastern  Massachusetts  there  are  almost  as  many  historical 
societies  as  there  are  towns.  Nearly  100  w^ere  in  active  exist- 
ence in  1893,  and  several  have  been  organized  since  that  time. 
Outside  New^  England,  societies  strictly  local  are  either  in 
large  cities  or  have  a  special  historical  reason,  like  the  Ger- 
mantown  Site  and  Relic  Society  or  the  Vincennes  Historical 
and  Antiquarian  Society. 

The  number  of  historical  societies  in  the  United  States  is 
between  400  and  500.  Of  these,  a  little  over  800  were  listed 
in  the  bibliograpliy  printed  in  the  report  of  this  Association 
for  1895.  The  fortlicoming  "  Handbook  of  Learned  Socie- 
ties," published  bv  the  Carnegie  Institution,  will  contain 
more  than  a  hundred  others.  Statistics  of  numbers  do  not 
reveal  the  strength  or  weakness  of  the  movement.  Societies 
may  live  in  name  only.  Every  year  some  cease  to  exist  and 
others  are  organized.  Besides  the  State  or  local  societies 
there  are  several  national  or  regional  organizations,  some 
with  a  general  aim,  liivc  the  American  Antiquarian  Society 
or  the  Southern  History  Association;  others  devoted  to  the 
history  of  a  church — for  example,  the  American  Baptist,  the 
New  England  Methodist,  the  New  England  Catholic,  and 
the  Universalist — and  still  others,  like  the  Holland  and  the 
Huguenot  societies,  the  Oerman- American  of  Philadelphia 
or  of  Illinois,  the  Pennsylvania-German,  or  the  Irish- 
American,  which  study  the  part  their  race  has  had  in  the 
development  of  the  United  States,  and  which  in  much  of 
their  work  are  akin  to  genealogical  societies.  There  are 
several  national  organizations — the  Society  of  the  Cincin- 
nati, of  the  Colonial  Wars,  of  tlie  Colonial  Dames,  of  the 
Sons  and  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution — 
which  unite  the  descendants  of  colonial  or  revolutionary  per- 
sonages in  preserving  the  memory  of  what  their  ancestors 
have  accomplished  and  in  cultivating  a  like  patriotic  spirit 
among  themselves.  They  imply,  even  when  they  do  not 
directly  promote,  much  genealogical  investigation.  There 
are  also  purely  genealogical  societies,  of  which  the  most 
notable  is  the  New  England  Historic  Genealogical  Society. 


120  AMERICAN    HISTOBICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Indeed,  organized  research  in  genealogy  is  emphasized  by 
many  societies  not  founded  primarily  for  this  specific  pur- 
pose. The  reason  is  apparent.  The  genealogy  of  individ- 
uals is  a  form  of  history  Avhich  appeals  to  many  who  are 
not  interested  in  the  genealogy  of  states  or  of  institutions. 

Of  the  State  societies  several,  notably  those  of  South 
Dakota  and  Arkansas,  have  been  founded  within  the  last  few 
years.  An  attempt  is  being  made  to  reorganize  this  work  in 
the  State  of  Washington.  The  older  State  Historical  So- 
ciety has  been  unable  to  accomplish  much  for  years,  and 
another  has  been  organized  with  the  State  University  at 
Seattle  as  its  headquarters.  The  California  Society,  which 
practicalh^  ceased  to  exist  in  1895,  has  also  been  revived. 
The  Missouri  Historical  Society  at  St.  I-.ouis,  being  far  re- 
moved from  the  State  University  at  Columbia,  and  having 
become  in  large  measure  localized,  there  has  been  estab- 
lished at  the  latter  place  the  State  Historical  Society  of  Mis- 
souri, Avhich  will  largely,  perhaps  chiefly,  be  devoted  to  the 
collection  of  a  library,  to  be  housed  in  the  university  library 
building.  Perhaps  the  most  interesting  movement  of  late 
has  been  the  division  of  the  work  in  Alabama  and  Missis- 
sippi between  a  State  Department  of  Archives  and  History 
and  the  State  Historical  Society.  Something  of  the  same 
kind  is  about  to  be  attempted  in  Tennessee. 

The  programmes  of  the  State  and  local  historical  societies 
are  varied,  but  the  work  for  which  they  provide  may  be  an- 
alyzed as  follows :  The  association  of  those  actively  engaged 
in  historical  investigation  or  who  Avish  to  exert  an  influence 
toward  the  promotion  of  historical  studies;  meetings  of 
members  to  read  papers  or  to  listen  to  addresses ;  the  collec- 
tion of  manuscripts,  books,  and  historical  relics,  maintaining 
these  collections  as  public  libraries  and  museums;  marking 
historic  sites;  publication  of  papers  or  of  documents  of  his- 
toric interest;  reprinting  rare  pamphlets  and  books,  and  the 
support  of  public  lectures.  How  many  of  these  functions  a 
society  shall  perform  depends  often  as  much  upon  circum- 
stances as  upon  the  preference  of  its  managers.  A  society 
may  excel  as  a  collector  of  books  in  a  special  field.  For  ex- 
ample, the'  Minnesota  Historical  Society  aims  to  possess  a 
relatively  complete  collection  of  works  on  genealogy  and 
town  history,  fields  in  which  several   of  the  other  society 


WORK    OF    HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES.  121 

libraries  are  also  strong.  The  Pennsylvania  Historical  So- 
ciety is  rich  in  the  local  histories  of  England,  Scotland,  and 
Wales,  as  well  as  of  the  United  States.  The  Wisconsin 
Society  is  also  well  equipped  in  the  sources  of  British  his- 
tory. The  Connecticut  Historical  Society,  has  1,300  works 
on  NcAv  England  local  history  alone.  The  societies  of  Kan- 
sas and  of  Missouri  emphasize  the  collection  of  complete  files 
of  all  local  newspapers;  every  editor  or  publisher  who  con- 
tributes his  newspaper  is  a  member  of  the  society.  This  aim 
is  partly  the  consequence  of  the  fact  that  both  societies  were 
founded  through  the  efforts  of  State  press  associations. 

Many  societies  serve  as  convenient  repositories  for  family 
documents  or  letters  of  permanent  interest.  This  function 
is  particularly  useful  in  a  country  where  few  families  retain 
their  public  importance  more  than  two  or  three  generations, 
so  that  for  lack  of  family  archives  such  papers  may  be  dis- 
persed or  lost.  One  has  only  to  glance  over  the  list  of  the 
manuscripts  of  special  value  preserved  in  the  archives  of  so- 
cieties like  the  Connecticut  or  the  Pennsylvania  to  realize  the 
usefulness  of  such  a  function.  In  the  series  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Society  are  listed  the  Penn  papers  (150  volumes), 
Shippen  papers  (100  volumes),  Dreer  collection  (100  vol- 
umes), Franklin  papers  (25  volumes),  Buchanan  papers  (50 
volumes),  etc.  In  the  Wisconsin  Society  is  the  now  famous 
collection  of  the  Draper  manuscripts,  in  whose  400  stout  folio 
volumes  are  papers  of  the  Clark,  Boone,  Sumter,  Brady,  Pat- 
terson, Lewis,  Preston,  and  other  families  of  border  renoAvn. 
The  most  valuable  publications  of  several  societies  are  often 
editions  of  papers  which  have  come  into  their  possession  by 
purchase  or  bequest.  Recent  illustrations  are  the  volume  of 
General  Heath's  letters,  published  by  the  Massachusetts  His- 
torical Society,  and  a  collection  of  journals,  letters,  and  mus- 
ter rolls  relating  to  the  Dunmore  Avar  (1774),  now  in  course 
of  publication  by  the  Wisconsin  Society,  which  will  be  of 
great  value  to  persons  tracing  their  genealogies  to  the  period 
of  our  colonial  wars  in  the  West. 

The  work  of  a  society.  State  or  local,  depends  especially 
upon  the  character  of  other  agencies  which  partially  occupy 
the  same  field.  This  is  particularly  true  of  the  maintenance 
of  libraries  and  of  the  preserv^ation  and  publication  of  local 
or  State  records  or  pajiers.     A  society's  work  may  be  com- 


122  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

prehensive  if,  as  in  Wisconsin,  it  is  not  merely  an  historical 
society,  but  the  manager  of  the  miscellaneous  State  library. 
Until  1875  a  general  State  library  had  been  maintained  at 
Madison.  The  judges  of  the  supreme  court,  who  managed 
the  State  library,  wished,  however,  to  center  its  collection  on 
law  books.  The  legislature,  at  their  request,  transferred  to 
the  larger  library  of  the  historical  society  all  the  miscellane- 
ous works  of  reference,  so  that  thenceforth  the  society's 
library  became  the  miscellaneous  library  of  the  State.  Until 
1890,  when  it  moved  into  its  own  new  building  a  mile  away 
from  the  statehouse,  the  society's  library  was  maintained  as 
a  general  reference  library,  strongest,  however,  in  history, 
economics,  and  political  science.'  Admitting  the  State  Uni- 
versity library  to  its  building,  a  plan  of  differentiation  of 
collection  was  arranged  between  them,  the  society's  library — 
of  course,  much  the  larger  of  the  two — thereafter  restricting 
itself  to  Americana,  the  British  Empire,  geography  and 
travel,  genealogy,  and  a  few  other  lines,  and  the  university 
library  taking  upon  itself  the  other  fields.  While  differently 
administered,  the  two  libraries  are  now  managed  according 
to  a  common  plan  and  supply  practically  a  common  constit- 
uency, save  that  the  society  library  has  also  in  view  the  duty 
of  assistance  to  the  legislature  and  State  officials  and  the 
carrying  out  of  an  inter-library  loan  system  throughout  the 
Commonwealth,  while  its  superintendent  is  ex  officio  a  mem- 
ber of  the  State  free  library  commission. 

In  Iowa  the  removal  of  the  State  capital  from  Iowa  City 
to  Des  Moines  the  year  the  historical  society  was  created 
made  such  complete  cooperation  impossible,  but  it  was  in- 
tended that  the  society  should  be  in  a  sense  "  under  the 
auspices  of  the  State  university."  Since  1901,  as  from  1857 
to  1868,  its  collections  have  been  preserved  in  one  of  the 
university  halls.  The  growth  of  the  collections  of  the  State 
library  at  Des  Moines  led  to  the  creation  in  1882  of  a  State 
historical  department,  which  does  much  of  the  work  ordi- 
narily left  to  an  historical  societ}^  In  Alabama  and  Mis- 
sissippi what  in  Iowa  has  been  the  result  of  circumstances 
has  been  determined  upon  after  a  careful  consideration  of 
the  problem.  The  Alabama  Historical  Society  was  reor- 
ganized in  1898.  One  if  its  first  successes  was  the  creation 
of  an  official  history  commission  charged  with  a  report  upon 


WORK    OF    HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES.  123 

the  sources  and  material  of  Alabama  history.  The  report 
of  the  commission  led  to  the  establishment  of  a  new  State 
Department  of  Archives  and  History,  with  the  comprehen- 
sive task  of  caring  for  the  State  archives,  collecting  mate- 
rials npon  the  history  of  the  State,  publishing  official  records 
and  other  historical  materials,  and  the  encouragement  of 
historical  work.  The  only  part  of  the  recommendations 
of  the  commission  not  adopted  urged  an  annual  appropria- 
tion of  $1,000  to  enable  the  historical  society  to  continue 
the  publication  of  its  "  Transactions."  The  existing  col- 
lections of  the  society  were  according  to  the  agreement 
given  to  the  State,  and  the  society  remained  chiefly  as  a 
means  of  affiliating  those  interested  in  histoncal  studies. 
In  Mississippi  a  similar  de])artment  was  created  two  years 
ago,  but  better  provision  Avas  made  for  the  coordinate  ac- 
tivity of  the  historical  society,  with  headquarters  at  the 
State  universit}^  Here  were  to  center  researches,  the  re- 
sults of  which  the  society  was  to  publish.  The  State  agreed 
to  grant  an  annual  subsidy  of  $1,000  to  assist  the  work  of 
publication.  As  in  Alabama,  the  society  turned  over  to  the 
State  its  collections  and  left  to  the  director  of  archives  and 
history  the  duty  of  editing  public  records  for  pu!)lication. 
In  a  sense  the  society  was  to  control  the  policy  of  the  depart- 
ment, for  the  executive  committee  was  to  be  the  first  board 
of  trustees,  with  power  of  filling  vacancies.  Such  a  plan 
seems  a  Avise  utilization  of  forces,  especially  Avhere  the  uni- 
versity is  not  located  in  the  capital  of  the  State. 

In  Michigan  and  Illinois  still  another  arrangement  exists. 
The  historical  society  is  actually  or  virtually  a  part  of  the 
State  library.  But  in  neither  is  there  much  cooperation 
with  the  university. 

Several  of  the  older  States  Avhich  do  not  subsidize,  or  do 
not  have  a  distinctively  State  historical  society,  have  long 
been  engaged,  through  the  officials  of  the  State  libraries  or 
through  editors  especially  appointed,  in  collecting  and  edit- 
ing their  colonial  or  State  records.  New  York,  according  to 
her  State  historian,  has  since  1885  been  expending  annually 
about  $50,000  for  this  purpose.  Occasionally  Avhere  there  is 
a  State  historical  society  it  has  become  the  agent  of  the  State 
in  such  Avork.  Ncav  Hampshire  adopted  this  method  at  first, 
but  subsequently  appointed  an  editor  of  State  papers.     The 


124  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

New  Jersey  Historical  Society  is  still  engaged  in  publishing 
the  State  archives,  for  which  the  State  appropriates  $3,500 
a  year.  Here  the  decision  to  undertake  publication  was  the 
result  of  an  agitation  begun  by  the  society  many  years  before 
the  legislature  was  persuaded  to  take  favorable  action. 
Maryland,  in  1882,  made  the  historical  society  custodian  and 
publisher  of  her  archives  prior  to  1776,  and  appropriates 
$3,000  a  year  toward  the  expenses  of  the  work.  The  Iowa 
State  Historical  Society  has  in  course  of  publication  the 
''  Messages  and  Proclamations  of  the  Governors  of  Iowa.'' 
Even  where  a  society  is  not  so  employed  it  may  exert  an 
effective  influence  in  promoting  the  direct  publication  }>y 
the  State  of  such  records.  In  Pennsylvania  it  was  through 
the  efforts  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society  and  the 
Pennsylvania  Historical  Society  that  the  legislature,  in  1837, 
directed  the  publication  of  the  "  Minutes  of  the  Provincial 
Council,"  the  first  of  several  important  series  of  State  publi- 
cations. The  Massachusetts  Historical  Society  is  credited 
with  defending  the  editor  of  the  "  Province  Laws  "  in  the 
chronic  warfare  waged  against  their  publication. 

The  fact  that  a  State  undertakes  the  publication  of  its 
own  records  does  not  crowd  the  local  society  out  of  a  useful 
occupation.  As  already  intimated,  some  of  the  strongest 
societies  find  sufficient  occupation  in  publishing  the  papers 
Avhich  have  come  into  their  possession.  They  also  reprint 
rare  books  and  pamphlets.  Many  restrict  their  work  to 
essays  or  addresses  read  at  their  meetings  and  to  occasional 
documents. 

There  is  nnich  diversity  also  in  the  form  of  publication. 
Several  societies  issue  what  are  called  "  Collections,"  or 
"  Proceedings,"  or  "  Transactions,"  which  often  are  virtually 
nonperiodical  magazines.  The  societies  of  Pennsylvania, 
South  Carolina,  Ohio,  Iowa,  Texas,  and  Oregon  maintain 
periodical  "  Magazines,"  or  "  Registers,"  or  "  Quarterlies." 
A  few  town  societies  in  Massachusetts  publish  historical 
magazines,  but  they  are  mainly  devoted  to  genealogy. 

Occasionally  an  historical  society  is  under  the  same  man- 
agement as  the  local  association  for  the  advancement  of 
science.  Many  of  the  early  historical  societies  had  an  aim 
as  comprehensive  as  the  original  aim  of  the  Massachusetts 
Historical  Society,  which  provided  for  the  "  collection  of 


WORK    OF    HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES.  125 

observations  and  discoveries  in  natural  history  and  topog- 
raphy, together  with  specimens  of  natural  and  artificial 
curiosities  and  a  selection  of  every  thing,  which  can  improve 
and  promote  the  historical  knowledge  of  our  country,  either 
in  a  physical  or  political  view."  The  Vermont  Historical 
Society  included  three  departments — history,  natural  his- 
tory, and  horticulture.  In  Minnesota  5  out  of  the  11  depart- 
ments provided  for  in  the  by-laws  of  1879  are  scientific 
rather  than  historical.  Colorado  embodies  the  same  combi- 
nation in  the  name,  "  State  Historical  and  Natural  History 
Society."  Several  local  organizations  are  similarly  compre- 
hensive, notably  the  Wyoming  Historical  and  Geological 
Society,  at  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.;  the  Bridgeport  Scientific  and 
Historical  Society,  Conn. ;  and  the  Essex  Institute,  of  Salem, 
Mass. 

The  w^ork  any  society  can  undertake  is  quite  as  often  de- 
pendent upon  the  size  and  stability  of  its  income  as  upon  the 
other  circumstances  to  which  reference  has  been  made.  If  it 
has  no  resources  save  membership  fees  its  activities  are 
necessarily  restricted.  Small  incomes  are  absorbed  by  the 
salary  account  if  there  is  a  librarv  or  museum,  and  nothing 
is  left  for  the  purchase  of  books  or  to  pay  for  publication. 
Even  endowed  societies  are  under  the  necessity  of  providing 
for  publication  expenses  out  of  special  funds.  The  Mary- 
land Historical  Society  has  reported  that  the  falling  oif  in 
the  income  of  the  Peabody  fund  has  led  to  delay  in  the  ap- 
pearance of  what  are  termed  "  fund  publications."  Many 
of  the  publications  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society 
were  paid  for  from  a  similar  fund.  To  meet  this  need  the 
NcAV  York  Historical  Society  has  resorted  to  an  interesting 
plan,  creating  a  publication  fund  divided  into  shares,  sold 
originally  at  $!^5,  now  at  $100,  each  shareholder  being  en- 
titled to  a  full  set  of  fund  publications. 

The  largest  societies  without  State  support  are  the  Massa- 
chusetts, Xew  York,  and  Pennsylvania.  Their  annual  ex- 
penditures are,  respectively,  $18,000,  $12,000,  and  $24,000. 
Several  eastern  societies,  which  for  ordinary  purposes  rely 
chiefly  upon  receipts  from  membership  fees  or  income  from 
bequests,  receive  a  small  subsidy  from  the  State.  In  Maine 
this  depends  upon  publication ;  in  Ncav  Hampshire  it  is  $500 ; 
in  Vermont  it  is  $100  for  binding;  in  Rhode  Island  $1,500; 


126  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

in  Connecticut  $1,000,  chiefly  for  publication;  in  New  Jersey 
$3,500  for  publication  of  State  archives,  as  already  stated, 
and  in  Maryland  $3,000  for  the  same  purpose.  West  of  the 
Alleghenies  only  a  few  States,  and  these  with  one  or  two  ex- 
ceptions in  the  South,  do  not  grant  liberal  subsidies  to  the 
State  historical  society.  AVisconsin  approj3riates  the  largest 
amount,  $43,000  ($20,000  directly),  Iowa  (the  Historical 
Society  and  the  Historical  Department)  $17,500,  Minnesota 
$15,000,  Kansas  and  Ohio  betAveen  $7,000  and  $8,000,  and 
Nebraska  $5,000.  There  are  a  few  instances  of  local  grants, 
of  which  the  most  liberal  is  that  of  Buffalo,  namely,  $5,000. 
Watertown,  Mass.,  pays  the  town  society  $1,000  annually  to 
assist  in  the  publication  of  the  town  records.  At  least  two 
boards  of  county  commissioners  in  Pennsylvania  grant  $200 
or  $250  to  their  county  organizations  under  the  provisions 
of  a  laAV  which  permits  such  grants  to  the  oldest  society  in 
each  county. 

One  can  not  review  even  in  the  most  cursory  fashion  the 
work  of  American  historical  societies  without  being  im- 
pressed by  the  number  of  centers  of  activity  and  substantial 
results  already  accomplished.  If  there  are  societies  that  are 
moribund  this  is  due  either  to  the  lack  of  an  income  sufficient 
to  enable  some  one,  in  the  words  of  Mr.  ThAvaites,  to  "  devote 
his  entire  time  to  the  work,  becoming  personally  responsible 
for  the  conduct  of  the  society's  affairs,  and  imparting  to  it 
life  and  individual  character,"  or  to  a  loss  of  consciousness 
on  the  part  of  its  directors  of  what  other  societies  are  doing. 
Part  of  the  remedy  lies  in  greater  cooj^eration  among  socie- 
ties in  the  same  State  and  between  the  societies  and  the  his- 
torical faculties  of  the  local  universities.  In  a  few  States, 
like  Iowa,  it  is  arranged  that  local  societies  are  members  of 
the  State  societ}^  and  may  each  send  a  voting  delegate  to 
meetings.  The  importance  of  intimate  relations  between  the 
societies  and  historical  faculties  is  evident  from  the  fact  that 
the  larger  faculties  with  their  bodies  of  graduate  students 
are  virtually  historical  societies,  engaged  in  important  re- 
searches, the  results  of  which  appear  in  published  theses,  or 
in  series  of  publications  like  the  Columbia  "  Studies  in  His- 
tory, Economics,  and  Public  Law ;  "  the  Harvard  "  Histor- 
ical Studies,"  and  the  Johns  Hopkins  University  "  Studies  in 
Historical  and  Political  Science."     The  relations  of  these 


WORK    OF   HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES.  127 

two  bodies  are  especially  intimate  in  Wisconsin,  Iowa, 
Nebraska,  and  Mississippi.  The  membership  of  several  of 
the  older  societies,  like  the  Massachusetts,  the  Rhode  Island, 
and  the  Pennsylvania,  includes  members  of  the  faculties  of 
Harvard,  Brown,  and  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  It 
is  difficult  to  establish  such  relations  unless  the  two  are  con- 
v^eniently  near  each  other. 

Is  it  possible  to  increase  the  cooperation  betw^een  the 
societies  as  a  whole  ?  Those  most  actively  interested  in  them 
are  generally  members  either  of  the  American  Library  Asso- 
ciation or  of  this  Association.  Last  September,  at  St.  Louis, 
steps  were  taken  to  affiliate  for  common  work  on  the  history 
of  the  Louisiana  purchase  the  societies  of  States  and  Terri- 
tories once  included  Avithin  its  limits  and  of  neighboring 
States.  In  France  the  historical  societies,  Avith  the  other 
scientific  associations,  hold  an  annual  congress  which  is 
much  like  the  annual  meetings  of  this  Association.  The 
congress  is  directed  by  the  comite  des  travaux  historiques 
which  is  appointed  by  the  ministry  of  public  instruction. 
If  some  common  direction  is  needed  in  a  highly  centralized 
country  like  France,  where  the  intellectual  life  centers  in 
Paris,  it  is  much  more  necessary  here.  The  necessity  is  pres- 
ent ;  the  materials  are  at  hand.  The  question  is.  What  shall 
be  done  ? 


VII -PUBLIC  RFXORDS  IN  OUR  DEPENDENCIES. 


By  WORTHINGTON  CHAUNCEY  FORD, 

Chief  of  the  Division  of  Manuscripts,  Library  of  Congress. 


H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 9  129 


PUBLIC  RECORDS  IN  OUR  DEPENDENCIES. 


Ky  Worth iNGTON  Ciiauncey  Ford. 


It  Avonld  seem  as  if  a  student  of  Spanish  colonial  policy 
should  be  able  to  find  in  the  United  States  the  material  that 
was  essential  for  a  study  of  the  seventeenth,  eiahteenth,  and 
a  part  of  the  nineteenth  centuries.  For  it  has  been  from 
Spanish  territory  that  the  ex])ansion  of  the  territory  since 
the  treaty  of  ITSJ-';  has  come,  and,  with  one  exception,  on  ces- 
sion it  has  been  stij)ulated  that  such  archives,  i)apers,  and 
documents  relating  to  the  domain  and  sovereignty  of  the 
ceded  territor}^  should  be  turned  over  to  the  representatives 
of  the  United  States. 

The  archives,  papers,  and  doenineiits  relative  to  the  domain  and 
sovereignty  of  Louisiana  and  its  dependencies  will  be  left  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  commissaries  of  the  United  States,  and  coi)ies  will  he 
afterwards  given  in  due  form  to  the  magistrates  and  nninicii»al  otti- 
cers  of  such  of  the  said  papers  and  documents  as  may  he  necessary 
to  them.  (Art.  II  of  the  treaty  for  the  cession  of  Louisiana  to  the 
United  States,  1808.) 

Ilis  Catholic  Majesty  cedes  to  the  United  States,  in  full  property 
and  sovereignty,  all  the  territories  which  Ix^long  to  him,  situated  to 
the  eastward  of  the  Mississippi,  known  by  the  name  of  East  and  West 
Florida.  The  adjacent  islands  dependent  on  said  provinces,  all  pub- 
lic lots  and  sipiares,  vacant  lands,  public  edifices,  fortifications,  bar- 
racks, and  other  buildings  which  are  not  private  property,  archives 
and  documents  which  relate  directly  to  the  property  and  sovereignty 
of  said  provinces  are  included  in  this  article.  The  said  archives  and 
documents  shall  be  left  in  possession  of  the  commissaries  or  officers 
of  the  United  States  duly  authorized  to  receive  them.  (Art.  II  of 
the  treaty  of  amity,  settlement,  and  limits,  concluded  with  Spain 
in  1819.) 

The  treaty  of  Guadelupe-Hidalgo,  1848,  under  which 
Mexico  ceded  California,  is  silent  on  this  subject,  as  is  the 
supplementary  agreement  which  secured  the  Gadsden  pur- 
chase. 

131 


132  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  treaty  of  Paris  of  1898  recites: 

In  the  aforesaid  relinquishment  or  cession,  as  the  case  may  be, 
are  also  included  such  rights  as  the  Crown  of  Spain  and  its  authori- 
ties possess  in  respect  of  the  official  archives  and  records,  executive 
as  well  as  judicial,  in  the  islands  ahove  referred  to,  which  relate  to 
said  islands  or  the  rights  and  property  of  their  inhabitants.  Such 
archives  and  records  shall  be  carefully  preserved,  and  private  per- 
sons shall,  without  distinction,  have  the  right  to  require,  in  accordance 
with  law,  authenticated  copies  of  the  contracts,  wills,  and  other 
instruments  forming  part  of  notarial  protocols  or  files,  or  which  may 
be  contained  in  the  executive  or  judicial  archives,  be  the  latter  in 
Spain  or  in  the  islands  aforesaid. 

In  reality,  however,  so  little  attention  was  given  to  a  strict 
performance  of  these  stipulations  that  in  no  place  in  the 
country  is  there  a  collection  which  even  approaches  complete- 
ness, even  on  matters  of  local  concern.  The  effort  of  Jack- 
son to  extort  from  Callava  a  performance  of  the  agreement 
is  one  of  the  comic  passages  in  southern  history;  and  the 
less  known  mission  of  Jeremy  Robinson  in  search  of  the 
archives  relating  to  Florida  and  Louisiana  would  make  an- 
other search  for  the  golden  or  paper  fleece — in  more  senses 
than  one.  He  found  some  in  Pensacola  and  others  in  Ha- 
vana, the  larger  part  being  in  the  ''Archives  Repository, 
Royal  Factory,"  of  the  latter  city.  Still  others,  embracing 
many  of  the  archives  which  were  formerly  in  the  custody  of 
the  captain-general  of  Cuba,  had  been  removed  from  the 
government  house  to  the  Convent  of  St.  Domingo.  A  valu- 
able collection  was  also  found  to  be  in  the  possession  of 
Madame  Pintado  (widow  of  the  former  Spanish  land  sur- 
veyor-general in  Louisiana  and  Florida),  who  refused  to 
part  with  the  collection  except  for  a  large  consideration. 
Mr.  Robinson  spent  much  time  in  examining  and  selecting 
material,  ordering  copies,  and  tracing  the  lost  archives, 
from  1832  to  1834,  manj^  years  after  the  treaties  which  on 
their  face  yielded  the  custody  of  the  records,  but  there  is  no 
evidence  of  a  transfer  of  archives  to  the  United  States.^  In 
Florida,  Texas,  Mississippi,  New  Mexico,  and  California 
papers  were  obtained  at  the  time  of  the  cession,  but  in  no 
instance  are  they  known  to  be  complete,  and  in  one  case  they 

"  I  am  indebted  to  Mr,  Andrew  H.  Allen,  of  the  Department  of  State,  for 
this  account  of  Jeremy  Robinson's  mission.  The  journal  he  kept  is  in  that 
Department,  in  7  volumes,  the  first  volume  being  missing. 


PUBLIC    EECOKDS    IN    OUR    DEPENDENCIES.  133 

have  suffered  much  from  neglect  and  deliberate  destruc- 
tion.« 

The  Spanish  official  was  created  to  prepare  reports,  and  in 
the  dependencies  of  Spain  this  function  received  a  cultiva- 
tion that  borders  upon  an  excess.  It  is  possible,  perhaps, 
to  picture  the  first  comers  with  sword  in  hand;  their  suc- 
cessors took  to  the  pen.  The  very  vocabulary  of  Spanish 
terms  applicable  to  minutes  on  administrative  questions  is 
a  large  one,  perhaps  increased  by  the  ingenuities  of  the 
laws  of  taxation  for  multipljang  fees  and  charges.  If  favors 
and  promotions  were  bestowed  for  reportorial  activity,  the 
Spanish  official  deserved  all  his  reward.  Knowing  this 
activity,  and  knowing  something  of  the  past  exj^erience  of 
the  United  States  with  Spanish  records,  it  was  with  some 
interest  that  I  examined  the  conditions  in  the  Philippines. 

On  the  first  occupation  of  the  city  of  Manila  by  the 
Americans  there  w^as  appointed  a  "  keeper  of  the  Spanish 
archives,"  but  he  could  do  little  in  the  confusion  that  pre- 
vailed. The  administrative  offices  were  separate  and  often 
distant  from  each  other;  and  the  papers  they  contained, 
not  w^ell  arranged  as  it  was,  suffered  from  removals  incident 
to  the  installation  of  the  ncAv  government.  The  attem^^t  to 
bring  them  under  one  roof  would  only  add  to  the  confusion, 
for  a  want  of  proper  knowledge  of  the  colonial  administra- 
tive system  to  make  a  proper  discrimination  and  arrange- 
ment supplemented  the  dangers  incident  to  removal.  A 
building,  used  as  the  custom-house  before  1803,  when  it  Avas 
overthrown  by  an  earthquake,  and  as  the  central  offices  of 
the  treasury  since  its  reconstruction  in  1873,  now  known  as 
the  intendencia,  was  selected  for  such  of  these  collections 
as  could  be  brought  together. 

In  October,  1901,  the  bureau  of  archives  was  created.  In 
1903  this  bureau  was  in  charge  of  Senor  Manuel  de  Iriarte, 
who  had  held  office  in  the  Spanish  reginie,  and  was  possessed 
of  a  knowledge  of  the  ramifications  and  processes  of  that 
regime  which  was  highly  useful  in  his  new  position.  He  had 
under  him  a  force  of  12  clerks,  natives,  and  the  annual  appro- 
priation of  $10,000  gold  enabled  him  to  do  little  beyond  the 
mere  watch  and  ward  of  what  was  in  his  keeping.  The  exi- 
gencies of  the  American  Government  demanded  more  and 
more  space  in  the  building  of  tlie  intendencia.     The  treasury 

« I  refer  to  the  New  Mexican  papers. 


134  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

of  the  islands  occupied  one  section  of  it ;  the  coast  survey  and 
the  storerooms  of  the  constabuhiry  commissariat  had  other 
sections.  The  records  lay  in  piles  in  open  spaces  and  corri- 
dors, and  even  in  the  open  court,  although  the  rainy  season 
was  at  hand.  Cartloads  of  papers  had  been  disposed  of 
wherever  space  offered,  and,  loosely  tied  in  bundles,  lined  the 
entrances  and  doorways.  Since  1908  they  have  been  again 
moved  and  are  now  in  the  palace,  where  more  space  is  al- 
lowed and  better  care  insured.  Only  time  and  continued  at- 
tention are  required  to  save  what  has  survived  the  many 
chances  of  loss  and  injurv  that  surround  manuscrij^t  mate- 
rial. 

The  larger  mass  of  papers  was  naturally  of  a  purely  "Ad- 
ministrative character,  bureau  and  departmental  reports,  and 
documents,  local,  municipal,  and  provincial.  The  nature  as 
well  as  the  arrangement  of  these  papers  forbade  a  close  exam- 
ination of  any  branch  of  them.  To  strike  a  number  of 
formal  returns,  the  stubs  of  public  documents  issued,  or  a 
package  of  minute  items  not  unlike  the  individual  returns 
made  to  our  census  was  too  discouraging. 

The  relation  of  one  office  to  anotlier,  one  class  of  documents 
to  other  classes,  Avould  require  much  study,  and  as  the  ad- 
ministration was  singularly  open  to  change  in  details  from 
time  to  time  this  relation  determined  for  one  period  Avould 
be  misleading  for  another.  Tlie  material  would  undoubt- 
edly yield  much  of  interest  to  an  investigator  of  Spanish 
methods,  but  it  would  be  material  illustrative  of  the  actual 
working  or  application  of  administrative  methods.  One 
example  would  be  as  good  as  a  thousand,  unless  the  investi- 
gator was  intent  upon  developing  the  conditions  of  a  lim- 
ited range  of  territory,  a  single  district  or  island,  a  task 
which  at  this  time  would  be  un})r()fitable. 

Of  local  importance,  too,  are  the  land  records;  for  what 
Spanish  territory  was  ever  free  of  disputed  titles?  Under 
Spanish  rule  these  records  were  kept  by  notaries  public, 
each  notary  retaining  possession  of  the  records  in  his  own 
house  or  office.  The  only  check  lay  in  the  requirement  of 
using  the  paj^er  stam])ed  by  the  Government — a  source  of  a 
small  yet  steady  income  to  the  administration.  The  land 
registration  law,  framed  in  1902,  provided  that  all  these 
records  should  be  delivered  to  the  bureau  of  archives,  Avhere 


PUBLIC    RECORDS    IN    OUR    DEPENDENCIES.  135 

they  now  are,  a  well  ordered  and  notable  collection.  The 
series  begins  with  the  year  1740,  comes  down  to  date,  and  will 
be  carried  on  under  the  new  registration  law.  As  a  record 
of  land  holdings  and  transfers,  of  property  and  family  rela- 
tions, these  records  are  of  the  highest  value.  It  is  difficult 
to  see  how  they  can  be  complete  for  the  period  they  cover,  in 
spite  of  the  regulations  throw^n  round  the  registries  by  the 
officials.  If  one  may  judge  by  the  many  pieces  of  property 
in  the  city  under  dispute,  even  where  the  church  or  the  Gov- 
ernment is  involved,  the  temptation  to  manipulate  or  leave 
in  doubt  the  actual  ownership  was  too  strong  for  humanity 
under  a  tropical  sky  to  avoid. 

I  have  used  the  words  ''  notable,"  "  valuable,"  and  "  impor- 
tant "  so  much  for  the  minor  features  of  these  collections  that 
the  word  "noble "only  will  apply  to  the  series  of  royal  decrees 
and  orders  which  exist  in  this  new^  dependenc}^  They  begin 
with  the  3^ear  IGGO,  and  there  is  a  tradition  that  the  earlier 
papers,  those  of  a  date  before  IGGO,  were  taken  by  the  British 
when  they  occupied  Manila,  about  17G3.  The  same  tradi- 
tion has  placed  these  seized  records  in  that  most  convenient 
of  receptacles,  the  British  Museum,  to  which  indolence 
rather  than  knowledge  has  assigned  so  much  that  has  dis- 
appeared from  sight.  The  enormous  fortunes  lying  in  the 
Bank  of  England  awaiting  some  American  claimants  are 
matched  by  the  collections  of  papers,  public  and  private, 
supposed  to  be  buried  in  the  collections  of  the  museum. 
And  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the  tradition  surrounding  the 
disappearance  of  these  earlier  decrees  serves  as  a  convenient 
cover  for  carelessness  or  a  worse  fault  somewhere  in  the  long 
line  of  custodians  of  the  records.  The  condition  of  the  later 
years,  those  after  IGGO,  give  support  to  this  suspicion,  for 
there  are  many  gaps,  and  not  a  few  of  importance.  There 
are  no  decrees  or  orders  for  the  years  1GG5,  1G71,  1G79,  1689, 
1691-1G93,  1709,  1731,  and  1749.  The  entire  collection  must 
at  some  time  have  been  bound  in  volumes,  and  occasionally 
changed  in  arrangement,  for  each  document  of  the  earlier 
centuries  bears  two  and  even  more  page  numbers,  showing 
that  the  papers  must  have  been  arranged  in  different  series 
at  different  times,  and  probably  they  have  been  bound  or 
stitched  in  such  series  three  or  four  times.  As  these  vol- 
umes were  subject  to  be  withdrawn  by  different  bureaus  or 


136  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

departments  as  occasion  required,  and  sometimes  retained 
for  a  long  period  or  not  replaced  in  their  proper  position, 
as  there  was  little  or  no  examination  of  the  contents  of  the 
volumes  before  and  after  such  use,  the  wonder  is  that  so 
much  has  been  saved  from  loss.  In  1880  an  attempt  was 
made  to  bring  the  collection  together,  and  at  some  late 
period  a  chronological  arrangement  was  introduced.  This 
necessitated  the  breaking  up  of  the  volumes,  and  it  would 
now  be  hopeless  to  undertake  to  schedule  the  papers  by  the 
old  paging  Avith  a  view  to  determine  how  far  the  series  is 
complete. 

These  original  royal  decrees  and  orders  number  about 
18,000  pieces,  and  are  of  the  highest  historical  importance. 
Many  bear  the  royal  seal,  many  carry  the  royal  signature, 
and  many  are  stamped  by  the  wooden  block  reproducing  the 
King's  signature.  The  higher  officials  of  state  also  signed, 
with  their  characteristic  flourishes  or  rubrics,  and  the  formal 
nature  of  the  papers,  taken  with  the  fact  that  so  many  are 
printed  documents,  signed  in  manuscript,  shows  that  they 
were  of  a  circular  character,  doubtless  sent  to  the  governors 
of  all  the  leading  Spanish  colonies.  The  uncertainties  at- 
tending the  receiving  of  these  orders  led  to  the  dispatch  of 
two  or,  in  a  year  of  war,  even  of  five  copies  by  different  ves- 
sels, and  each  document  is  signed  in  all  formality.  The 
connection  between  the  Spanish  court  and  the  Papacy  was 
most  intimate,  and  papal  bulls,  letters,  decrees,  admonitions, 
or  commendations  are  of  frequent  occurrence.  The  in- 
closures  in  the  royal  letters  are  often  of  greater  interest  than 
the  lettei*s  themselves.  Dispatches  passing  between  Spain 
and  her  great  rivals,  England  and  France,  play  an  important 
part  in  these  papers  in  the  earlier  years,  and  the  commercial 
and  religious  questions  receive  full  treatment  so  far  as  gen- 
eral laws  or  decrees  can  effect  them,  xls  examples  of  the 
quality  of  these  records  I  may  cite  a  few  that  attracted  my 
attention  as  I  hurriedly  ran  over  the  titles.  There  was  an 
apparently  original  letter  from  Sir  Henry  Bennett,  dated 
July  20,  1060,  announcing  the  cessation  of  hostilities  be- 
tween Spain  and  England.  The  declaration  of  war  against 
France  in  1673  is  announced  in  two  letters  of  the  Queen 
Kegent  and  six  printed  inclosures.  In  1684  are  found  two 
pamphlets  of  4  and  8  pages,  signed  in  writing  by  five  or  six 


PUBLIC  RECORDS  IN  OUR  DEPENDENCIES.     137 

ministers  or  agents,  entitled  "  Tratado  de  Tregua  entre  esta 
Corona  y  la  de  Francia,  ajustada  en  Ratisbona  en  quienze 
de  Agosto,  en  Madrid,  ano  1684."  The  years  of  war  Avith 
England  and  those  of  the  American  Kevolution  contain 
matter  of  immediate  relation  with  our  own  history.  In  late 
years  the  interest  is  not  so  great,  due  perhaps  to  the  absence 
of  the  picturesque  features  that  surrovuid  the  documents 
issued  before  the  nineteenth  century.  But  some  compensa- 
tion is  made  by  the  greater  attention  given  to  local  affairs. 
The  success  of  France  and  England  in  clipping  the  imperial 
profits  of  the  Spanish  colonies  altered  the  tone  as  well  as  the 
subject-matter  of  these  decrees. 

A  second  series  of  papers  contains  copies  or  transcripts  of 
these  royal  decrees  and  orders,  and  beginning  with  1609  ex- 
tends to  1898;  but  it  is  imperfect,  not  only  showing  many 
woeful  breaks  (such  as  having  none  for  1612,  1615,  and  1636 
to  1678,  except  1665),  but  it  does  not  give  the  valuable  inclo- 
sures.  It  was  not  possible  to  make  even  an  estimate  of  the 
number  of  documents  included  in  this  series,  but  it  could 
hardly  have  been  more  than  one-third  that  contained  in  the 
first. 

Nor  do  these  two  series  exhaust  the  possibilities  of  the 
records.  Some  pigskin-covered  volumes  contain  both  orig- 
inal decrees  and  copies,  and  their  contents  Avill  some  day  be 
broken  up  and  distributed  in  chronological  order  in  the  two 
series  already  described.  An  extended  examination  might 
have  developed  the  exact  relation  of  these  papers  to  the  great 
series,  as  well  as  thrown  some  light  upon  the  curiosities  of 
arrangements  which  doubtless  affected  the  entire  archives 
under  the  earlier  custodians.  But  the  results  Avould  hardly 
have  repaid  the  labor,  and  the  titles  on  the  covers  are  suffi- 
cient to  indicate  a  certain  looseness  of  description  answering 
to  a  certain  originality  in  classification  of  contents  worthy 
of  all  avoidance  of  imitation,  thus : 

1.  "  Varias  Cedulas,"  8  volumes.  Volume  I  extends  from 
1588  to  1838,  Volume  II  from  1756  to  1790,  and  Volume  III 
from  1772  to  1829. 

2.  "  Reales  Ordenes  originales,"  in  8  volumes,  divided  as 
follows:  No.  1,  1635  [should  be  1625]  to  1686;  No.  2,  1687  to 
1720;  No.  3,  1722  to  1747;  No.  4,  1748  to  1765;  No.  5,  1766 
to  1772;  No.  6,  1773  to  1781;  No.  7,  1782  to  1790,  and  No.  8, 
1791-92. 


138  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

3.  ''  Transcripts  of  Reales  Cedulas  y  Ordenes,"  in  6  vol- 
umes, beginning  ^vith  No.  4,  1G50  to  1666,  and  running  to  No. 
9,  1735  to  1747. 

4.  "  Reales  Ordenes,"  in  3  volumes,  2  of  which  have  num- 
bers. No.  10  contains  papers  from  1748  to  1764,  No.  11  from 
1763  to  1778,  and  a  third  volume,  without  number,  papers 
from  1737  to  1805.  Volume  10  appears  to  have  been  once  in 
the  possession  or  keeping  of  Don  Gore  Cuevas,  superior  of 
the  order  of  the  Jesuits. 

5.  "  Reales  Ordenes,"  in  about  69  volumes,  commencing 
with  No.  4  (1784-85)  and  extending  to  1856.  Some  royal 
orders  are  found  in  these  volumes,  but  the  greater  part  of 
these  papers  are  ministerial  dispatches  from  Spain, 

A  corresponding  series  of  dispatches  from  the  Philippine 
to  the  Spanish  (home)  Government  extends  from  1691  to 
1870,  but  the  imperfections  are  as  numerous  as  they  are 
important.  For  example,  there  are  none  from  1702  to  1750, 
and  there  is  a  sudden  break  after  1870.  Mr.  Iriarte  ex- 
plained this  latter  feature.  The  papers  of  a  date  later  than 
1870  were  kept  in  a  building  used  as  executive  offices,  adjoin- 
ing the  summer  residence  of  the  governor-general,  at  Mala- 
cafian,  a  few  miles  from  the  city.  Being  occupied  by  the 
American  troops,  and  all  available  space  required,  these 
papers  Avere  destroyed,  as  they  were  not  supposed  to  possess 
any  value. 

Finally  may  be  noted  187  volumes  of  papers  emanating 
from  the  local  government  and  concerned  w4th  all  the  ques- 
tions arising  under  a  colonial  administration.  There  are 
some  documents  of  the  sixteenth  century,  and  the  last  volume 
comes  down  to  1867.  It  would  be  a  rich  mine  for  a  student 
of  institutions  and  Spanish  colonial  policy  in  action. 

With  the  establishment  in  1853  of  the  "  Boletin  Oficial," 
an  organ  for  publishing  the  important  orders  was  created, 
and  in  1860  this  bulletin  gave  place  to  "  La  Gaceta  de  Ma- 
nila." It  was  a  daily  issue  containing  decrees,  royal  orders, 
and  local  regulations  on  matters  of  administration  relating 
to  the  Philippines,  Jolo,  the  Mariana  and  Caroline  Islands, 
and  Palaos.  The  last  number  was  issued  August  12,  1898. 
The  matter  printed  w^as  such  as  the  authorities  saw  fit  to 
publish,  and  constituted  only  a  selection  from  the  great 
mass.     Some  additional  matter  may  be  found  in  the  undi- 


PUBLIC    RECORDS    IN    OUR    DEPENDENCIES.  139 

gested  but  valuable  '*  Boletin  Oficial  del  Ministerio  de  Ultra- 
mar "  (Madrid). 

Passing  from  the  archives  of  the  state,  those  of  the  religious 
orders  attracted  attention,  but  the  results  Avere  very  disap- 
pointing. Three  of  the  great  orders  have  establishments 
within  the  walled  city — the  Augustinians,  the  Dominicans, 
and  the  Franciscans.  The  buildings  themselves  are  impres- 
sive; great  cathedral  churches  Avith  monasteries  attached, 
all  constructed  in  the  most  solid  nuinner  by  forced  labor  and 
of  stone  brought  from  China.  The  strength  of  the  structure 
is  such  that  they  are  fortresses  rather  than  buildings  for 
dailv  use;  and  while  a  liability  to  earth  tremors  more  or 
less  severe  may  explain  some  of  this  solidity,  the  eagerness 
of  each  order  to  obtain  influence,  even  against  its  fellow- 
orders,  is  a  factor  not  to  be  overlooked.  This  eagerness 
involved  at  times  a  state  of  war.  The  government  could 
protect  the  churches  against  external  foes,  but  it  was  power- 
less in  the  face  of  divisions  within  the  church  itself,  and 
these  establishments  are  i-eminders  of  a  condition  when  the 
conquest  of  souls  Avas  not  confined  to  the  heathen  native,  but 
extended  to  the  supposed  heretic  Avithin  the  church.  The 
Jesuits  ha\^e  no  great  establishment  such  as  the  other  orders 
possess,  but  they  are  leaving  a  more  lasting  monument  in 
shoAving  a  modern  spirit  of  scientific  research. 

The  monasteries  ai-e  built  round  an  open  court,  and  in  the 
galleries  hang  many  paintings,  ])ortraits  as  Avell  as  religious 
allegories.  The  mai'tyrs  of  tlie  past  and  the  superiors  of  the 
orders  are  represented,  sometimes  Avith  a  medieval  hardness 
of  feature  and  attitude  and  often  Avith  all  the  impossible 
situations  of  martyrdom  draAvn  in  lurid  colors  by  a  brush 
directed  by  ecstatic  fervor  rather  than  by  the  hnvs  of  per- 
spectiA^e.  SomeAvhere  in  the  building  is  the  library,  usually 
locked,  but  a  room  to  delight  by  its  cool  air,  tempered  light, 
and  roAvs  of  pigskin  A^olumes.  Too  much  praise  can  not  be 
given  to  those  pioneers  in  the  East  Avho,  for  the  love  of  God 
and  dcA^otion  to  the  church,  A^entured  their  lives,  mastered 
the  languages,  and  left  on  record  a  picture — someAvhat  dis- 
torted, it  is  true — of  the  difficulties  they  encountered  and  the 
victories  Avon.  We  boast  of  the  Eliot  Indian  Bible  and 
tracts,  printed  in  Massachusetts  after  IGOO;  but  the  first  book 
printed  at  Manila  in  the  Tagalo  appeared  fifty  years  earlier. 


140  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

prepared  by  a  Franciscan  and  printed  at  the  Monastery  of 
Bataan.  With  that  beginning  followed  a  long  list  of  dic- 
tionaries, text-books,  and  devotional  exercises  in  various 
languages  and  dialects,  and  in  two  of  the  monasteries  are 
still  to  be  found  such  manuscript  records  of  very  ancient 
date — the  labors  of  devout  Avorkers  for  the  lio^ht. 

The  friars  of  the  monasteries  went  into  the  districts  of  the 
islands  and  carried  with  them  some  of  the  publications  of 
their  order.  On  their  return  from  service  they  w^ould  bring 
something  of  native  production — a  map,  a  sketch  of  history, 
an  outline  of  a  dialect  grammar — but  of  this  little  is  now  in 
Manila.  The  greater  part  of  these  curiosities,  together  with 
the  manuscript  records  of  the  monasteries  themselves,  were 
sent  to  Spain  when  the  islands  were  purchased  by  the  United 
States,  and  w^hat  remained  is  destined  at  some  time  to  take 
the  same  direction.  In  the  UniA^ersity  of  St.  Thomas  is  a 
printing  press  which  is  still  turning  out  religious  manuals 
in  the  native  languages  and  even  attempting  more  ambitious 
issues,  like  church  histories,  as  well  as  a  newspaper  devoted 
to  matters  of  the  missions. 

Perhaps  the  fact,  already  noted,  of  one  volume  having 
been  in  the  keeping  or  possession  of  the  Jesuits  may  explain 
one  element  of  groAvth  and  arrangement  in  the  public  docu- 
ments. The  relations  between  the  church  and  the  state 
were  so  close,  the  very  existence  of  the  one  depending  so 
largely  upon  the  recognition  and  cooperation  of  the  other, 
that  two  sets  of  the  essential  State  papers  were  probably 
kept,  the  one  in  the  palace  of  the  governor-general  the  other 
in  the  archives  of  the  Jesuit  order.  When  that  order  fell 
under  suspicion  and  eventually  into  disgrace  Avith  the  State, 
what  more  likely  than  to  haA'e  those  archiA^es  return  to  the 
State?  The  expulsion  of  the  Jesuits  destroyed  for  a  time 
the  standing  of  that  order,  and  its  property,  never  approach- 
ing in  amount  that  acquired  by  the  other  orders,  Avas  ab- 
sorbed by  the  State.  The  decrees  recognizing  the  existence 
and  functions  of  the  Jesuits  so  long  as  they  Avere  recognized 
must  have  been  preserved  by  the  friars  in  Manila.  Yet  if 
these  records  passed  into  the  possession  of  the  Government, 
why  is  there  no  better  evidence  of  them  in  the  existing  col- 
lections than  is  given  by  this  chance  entry  in  a  single  vol- 
ume?    The  problem  which  constantly  meets  us  in  dealing 


PUBLIC  RECORDS  IN  OUR  DEPENDENCIES.     141 

with  records  is  the  reasons  for  their  incompleteness.  Ap- 
parently, under  a  government  largely  military  and  strongly 
centralized,  possessing  a  centripetal  energy  that  drew  to  cer- 
tain places  the  activities  of  the  outlying  administrative  re- 
gions, the  material  has  disappeared. 

What  St.  Helena  Avas  to  the  trade  around  Africa  Guam 
sought  to  be  to  the  trade  across  the  Pacific.  But  the  cabbage 
or  vegetable  patch  of  St.  Helena  was  soon  transferred  to  the 
mainland  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  where  it  served  its 
purj)oses  until  the  occasion  for  developing  a  great  hinter- 
land arose  and  has  given  the  basis  for  a  State  imperial  in 
its  dimensions,  continental  in  its  relations  and  ambitions. 
The  original  cabbage  patch  is  better  known  for  its  having 
harbored  one  of  the  world's  most  remarkable  adventurers, 
one  who  has  left  his  impress  on  three  continents.  Guam  of- 
fered fresh  food  for  the  ships  of  Spain  in  their  passage  from 
the  Isthmus  to  the  Philippines  and  assumed  some  impor- 
tance with  the  rise  of  the  Avhaling  interests  of  the  Pacific. 
Its  slight  stores  were  jealously  guarded  under  the  usual  com- 
mercial exclusiveness  that  Spain  has  always  enforced  upon 
her  dependencies,  and  having  no  hinterland  Guam  remained 
and  must  remain  a  speck  on  the  map  of  the  ocean,  to  be  re- 
ported monthly  as  existing  and  little  more.  The  island  re- 
ceived its  orders  from  Manila  and  returned  its  reports  to 
that  center.  Tradition  says  the  records  were  sent  in  1840  to 
Manila,  for  Avhat  reason  is  not  stated.  Inquir}^  at  Manila 
did  not  discover  any  trace  of  such  a  transfer,  and  no  docu- 
ments which  would  correspond  to  such  a  transfer  were  to  be 
found  in  the  archives. 

Some  of  these  archives  are  now  in  the  Library  of  Congress, 
and  their  condition  would  seem  to  explain  the  fragmentary 
records  that  w^ere  found  on  the  island.  The}^  have  been 
eaten  by  insects  and  mice,  dampened  and  rotted  until  the 
paper  shakes  down  in  a  fine  dust  as  they  are  handled. 
Mice,  the  polilla,  the  rainy  season,  supplemented  by  an  occa- 
sional tidal  wave,  have  enforced  upon  the  islanders  a  forget- 
fulness  of  the  past,  which  we  may  well  envy  them.  Some- 
thing remains,  however,  and  from  1762  scraps  of  informa- 
tion on  local  customs  and  regulations,  judicial  and  trade 
methods,  military  records,  census  returns,  and  tables  of  fees 
are  to  be  found.     Most  exasperating  are  the  lists  of  royal  de- 


L 


142  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

crees  received  through  the  Philippine  Islands  for  the  Mari- 
ana Islands,  a  list  of  good  things  that  have  long  since  disap- 
peared. Easy,  indeed,  must  have  been  the  conscience  of  a 
new  governor  when  lie  signed  the  inA  entory  of  public  prop- 
erty turned  over  to  hirn  by  his  predecessor  in  office;  he  signed 
for  a  vacuum,  so  far  as  the  records  Avere  concerned. 

I  have  spoken  of  scraps  that  remained.  There  is  a  very 
good  series  of  orders  issued  betAveen  179 1  and  1800,  by  Gov- 
ernor Don  Manuel  Muro  to  the  connnandants  of  the  towns 
of  the  island,  a  series  in  fair  condition  and  belicA^ed  to  be 
complete.  There  are  tAvo  decrees,  dated  1800,  printed  in  the 
Chamorro  as  Avell  as  the  Spanish  language,  on  the  Spanish 
victory  oA^er  the  English  in  the  Plaza  of  Zamboanga,  P.  I., 
papers  relating  to  shi])AA  recked  A^essels,  Avhen  the  laAvs  of  man 
Avere  suspended  in  the  face  of  an  act  of  God.  Some  fcAv  in- 
structions issued  to  the  governors  on  assuming  office,  and 
some  dispatches  and  memorials  from  the  island  to  the  Philip- 
pine goA'ernment,  are  Avell  Avortli  study;  and  the  same  may  be 
said  of  15  A^olumes  ol'  orders  issued  to  the  commandant  of 
Guam  by  the  goA^ernor-general  of  the  Philippines,  incom- 
plete as  the  record  is.  The  mention  of  one  more  document, 
because  of  its  local  color,  may  close  this  branch  of  the  sub- 
ject. It  Avas  an  order  issued  from  Manila  for  a  Te  Deum  and 
cock  fights  to  celebrate  the  pacification  of  the  Philippines — 
Avhich  must  have  reached  Guam  after  the  Spanish  fleet  had 
been  sunk  in  Cavite  Pay. 

For  an  accovmt  of  the  archiA^es  of  Porto  Pico  I  depend 
upon  a  report  pre])ared  in  October,  181)0,  by  Mr.  Charles  W. 
Russell  for  the  American  Conunission.  The  generally  mod- 
ern character  of  tlie  papers  makes  them  of  secondary  interest 
for  those  Avho  are  interested  in  questions  of  colonial  policy, 
but  on  matters  of  detail  concerning  Porto  llican  affairs  they 
may  yield  results.  I  do  not  folloAv  the  order  of  Mr.  Russell's 
paper.  He  found  the  archives  in  the  palace  of  the  governor- 
general  in  great  disorder,  as  no  archivist  had  been  appointed 
for  many  years. 

There  are  A'olumes  of  correspondence  (1705  and  other  years), 
naturalizations  (1800-1S36  and  apparently  to  date),  lists  of  strangers 
on  the  island  (of  1814,  1864,  and  others  no  doqbt),  registers  of  slaves, 
proceedings  of  the  junta  de  comercio,  papers  concerning  condemned 
papers  (1897  and  others)  presnpuestos  (estimates  or  assignments  or 


PUBLIC    RECORDS    IN    OUR    DEPENDENCIES.  143 

apportionments  of  taxes)  for  the  island,  papers  relating  to  criminal 
matters  (1841,  etc.),  stray  leaves  of  correspondence  (1733),  royal 
orders  (from  1801  practically  to  date),  papers  concerning  public 
works  1815  apparently  to  date),  a  volume  concerning  a  council  of  war 
(1795),  papers  concerning  police,  municipal,  and  other  (many  years). 

The  judicial  archives  are  in  a  very  satisfactory  condition, 
extending  from  1832,  and  being  well  arranged  from  1860. 

In  the  building  of  the  ayuntamiento  he  found  the  archives 
of  that  body  in  a  state  of  careful  preservation,  and  begin- 
ning with  1722 — 

They  contain  the  papers  relating  to  elections  of  members  of  the 
ayuntamiento  (from  1773)  ;  to  elections  of  I'orto  Rican  Deputies  to 
the  Cortes  (from  1800)  ;  the  nmnicipal  ordinances  (from  1791)  ; 
accounts  of  rents  of  San  Juan's  property  (from  1757)  ;  estimates  of 
taxes,  etc.  (from  17()5)  ;  appointment  of  employees  (from  1776)  ; 
licenses  for  fishing,  ferrying,  etc.  (Irom  1795;  now  issued  by  the 
Crown  officials)  ;  i)apers  relating  to  public  lighting  (from  1870)  ; 
permits  to  build  (from  1785)  ;  accounts  of  expenses  of  fiestas  (from 
1890)  ;  taxation  of  butchers  and  bakers  (fi-om  1809)  ;  pai)ers  relating 
to  public  works,  streets,  l)ridges,  municipal  buildings,  etc.  (from 
1783)  ;  concerning  the  municipal  police,  or  guardia  munici]»al  (from 
1826);  concerning  the  public  charities,  or  beneficencia  (from  1814; 
now  controlled  by  the  House  of  Deputies)  ;  concerning  public  instruc- 
tion (from  1770);  many,  concei-ning  tlie  jupieduct  (from  1837;  the 
aqueduct  is  not  finished  yet,  however)  ;  tlie  cemetery  (from  180(5)  ; 
concerning  the  lands  owned  by  the  city  (from  1773)  ;  the  theater 
(from  183(5)  ;  statistics  or  lists  of  taxpayers,  etc.  (from  1807)  ;  the 
lottery  (from  1837  to  1874;  no  lottery  at  i)resent)  ;  municipal  contri- 
butions or  taxes  on  rents,  lawyers,  i)hysicians,  merchants,  etc.  (from 
1814)  ;  quintos,  or  persons  o\\'ing  two  years'  military  service  in  Porto 
Rico  (from  18(51  ;  now  under  the  House  of  Dei)uties)  ;  pensioners 
(from  1844)  ;  concerning  street  cleaning  and  other  public  cleaning 
and  painting  (from  1813)  ;  public  health  (from  1766)  ;  inventories 
of  all  city  property,  movable  (from  1846)  ;  papers  concerning  vacci- 
nation (from  1804)  ;  sidewalks  and  fountains  (from  1820;  there  are 
no  fountains)  ;  roads  outside  the  city  proper  (from  1844),  and  papers 
concerning  miscellaneous  business  (from  17(58). 

These  papers  of  administration  are  supplemented  by  the 
department  records  proper,  in  the  intendencia  or  in  separate 
buildings.  The  treasury  estimates  are  "  reasonably  com- 
plete "  for  a  century  past ;  the  records  of  the  posts  and  tele- 
graphs were  in  some  confusion,  as  the  older  records  were  not 
arranged,  and  this  prevented  any  determination  of  the  period 
of  time  covered  by  them.  The  department  of  public  works 
begins  with  1848,  having  been  in  charge  of  the  military  engi- 


144  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

neer  prior  to  that  date.  The  institution  of  education  has 
preserved  a  careful  account  of  each  student  since  1874,  but 
neither  the  methods  nor  the  results  of  general  education 
would  yield  encouragement  to  those  wishing  to  know  how 
far  it  has  been  carried.  Before  1884  there  was  no  school  for 
girls  outside  of  the  towns,  and  even  in  the  towns  there  were 
only  one  or  two  schools  of  every  description  prior  to  1880. 

The  land  records  were  more  complete.  The  system  of 
public  notaries  existed,  and  each  of  the  27  notaries  of  the 
island  kept  his  records  for  the  last  thirty  years  in  his  own 
house.  By  a  law  of  1874  a  record  keeper  for  each  district 
was  provided,  and  to  him  was  sent  each  year  the  volume  of 
notarial  entries  of  a  date  thirty  years  earlier.  In  1898  the 
volumes  for  1867  were  thus  deposited.  If  we  are  to  judge 
of  the  result,  the  deposit  merely  transfers  the  risk,  for  the 
"  archivero  "  for  the  San  Juan  district  had  in  his  house  the 
books  complete  for  one  hundred  and  nine  years,  and  the 
room  in  which  they  were  kept  was  neither  fireproof  nor  bug- 
proof — the  latter  being  the  element  of  greatest  risk.  Copies 
of  land  transfers,  prepared  on  stamped  paper,  are  sent  to 
the  registrar  of  the  district,  but  under  the  high  tax  deeds 
are  directly  made  between  parties  without  the  intervention 
of  a  notary  and  are  valid.  The  office  of  registrar  was  created 
in  1880,  and  the  records  begin  with  that  3^ear.  The  notaries 
perform  many  services,  and  among  others  the  making  and 
preserving  of  wills,  the  originals  of  which  are  bound  in  the 
same  books  with  the  deeds  of  land  transfers.  These  records 
would  thus  promise  some  valuable  material  on  property 
rights  and  their  history,  as  well  as  on  family  relations  and 
social  conditions  on  the  island. 

Turning  to  church  records,  Mr.  Kussell  found  in  the  cathe- 
dral building  the  records  of  the  cathedral  chapter,  embracing 
royal  cedulas,  appointments  of  church  dignitaries,  corre- 
spondence with  the  captain  general,  etc.,  practically  com- 
plete from  1652.  The  accounts  of  tithes  collected  from  the 
churches  of  the  island  prior  to  1858  are  also  here. 

In  the  palace  of  the  bishop  I  found  a  most  interesthig  collection  of 
royal  cedulas,  decrees,  pragmaticas,  orders,  and  provisions,  the  oldest 
dates  1635,  but  skipping  then  to  1687.  There  are  but  two  of  that  year, 
two  of  1696,  two  of  1697,  and  one  of  1701.  In  all,  down  to  1750,  there 
are  53,  and  after  that  others,  making  in  all  to  1832,  794.     (Russell.) 


PUBLIC  EECORDS  IN  OUR  DEPENDENCIES.     145 

It  is  evident  that  there  has  been  great  loss  here,  unless 
Porto  Rico  was  subordinate  in  religious  matters  to  Cuba. 

In  the  priest's  house  adjoining  the  cathedral  were  found 
the  original  parish  registers,  comj^lete  from  IGIG,  of  births, 
deaths,  marriages,  and  confirmations.  The  earlier  volumes 
were  illegible,  but  transcriptions  made  every  fifty  years  have 
preserved  the  whole.  The  registers  prior  to  161G  were  de- 
stroyed by  the  Dutch,  who  occupied  and  burned  the  then 
wooden  village  of  San  Juan. 

In  the  intendencia  building  were  found  the  records  of  two 
of  the  three  monasteries  abolished  by  law  in  1851 — those  of 
Franciscans  and  the  Dominicans.  Tliese  papers  concern 
the  properties  of  the  monasteries,  and  run  from  1700  and 
1791.  The  Stale  took  the  property  and  gave  a  salary  to  the 
clergy,  which  was  ])aid  to  the  time  of  the  American  occupa- 
tion. 

An  ''  Official  Gazette,"  published  every  two  days,  has 
existed  since  188S,  and  contains  the  more  important  matters 
touching  upon  the  administration  of  the  island. 

In  his  interesting  account  of  the  ''  Materials  for  South- 
western Histoj-y  in  the  Archivo-Cieneral  de  Mexico  "  Mr. 
Bolton  seeks  to  explain  the  ])resence  of  copies  and  the  al)- 
sence  of  impr)rtant  originals  in  the  archives,  taking  for  a 
starting  point  ihe  intention  of  the  Spanish  (lovernment  to 
prepare  in  Madrid  a  general  histor}^  c^f  the  colonies.  This  in- 
tention assumed  an  active  form  in  1780,  and  in  pursuance 
with  it  papers  were  shipped  from  Mexico  during  the  suc- 
ceeding years  of  that  century.  Like  most  undertakings  of 
such  magnitude  it  could  only  slowly  and  partially  be  ful- 
filled, and  the  proneness  to  political  disturbances  both  at 
home  and  in  the  colonies  interfered  with  its  performance, 
and  finally  put  an  end  to  it  by  changing  the  colonies  into  in- 
dependent states  or  by  transferring  them  to  the  United 
States. 

So  far  as  historical  material,  as  such,  is  concerned,  this 
explanation  will  doubtless  hold  for  some  of  the  special  col- 
lections to  be  found  in  the  archivo  of  Mexico  and  elsewhere. 
But  Mr.  Bolton  «  recognized  the  existence  of  originals  in 

"  Mr.  Bolton's  papers  are  printed  in  the  Quarterly  of  the  Texas  State  His- 
torical Association,  VI,  lo;'.,  and  \U,  106. 

H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 10 


146  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

private  and  public  keeping  in  the  cit}^  and  provinces,  and  it 
is  to  be  feared  that  into  private  hands  much  of  the  missing 
material  in  Porto  Rico  and  the  Philippines  passed,  through 
interest  or  carelessness  or  even  for  safe-keeping.  The  de- 
scription of  the  Talamantes  papers  would  show  that  that 
reporter  had  access  to  the  royal  and  vice-royal  decrees,  and 
his  volumes  contain  the  originals  of  some  of  these  papers. 
What  happened  in  one  case  would  happen  in  many,  and  the 
multitude  of  reports  prepared  upon  every  conceivable  topic 
of  administration,  in  a  Government  that  was  more  than 
paternal,  almost  patriarchal,  in  its  scope,  gave  an  opportu- 
nity for  using  the  original  records  and  a  permanent  with- 
draAval  of  the  j^apers  from  the  files.  It  is  impossible  to  see 
a  collection  of  Spanish  records  without  a  conviction  that  it  is 
only  a  part  of  what  was  once  a  very  much  larger  collection ; 
and  while  the  regulations  appear  to  call  for  preservation  and 
duplicate  records  by  transcription,  the  rules  Avere  as  often 
neglected  as  obeyed.  AVe  need  onl}^  look  into  our  own  State 
records  to  see  how  the  best  have  suffered  by  one  chance  or 
another,  sometimes  by  deliberate  intention. 

No  one  who  has  seen  the  printed  and  manuscript  collec- 
tions of  the  Tropics  can  fail  to  be  impressed  with  the  diffi- 
culties attending  their  preservation.  There  are  volumes  in 
the  Library  of  Congress  brought  from  Porto  Rico  which 
look  more  like  patterns  in  lace  work  than  sheets  of  paper,  so 
riddled  are  they  by  that  most  destructive  of  insects  called 
by  the  Spanish  the  "  polilla."  Light  and  air  are  said  to  be 
certain  preventives;  but  the  volumes  were  rarely  disturbed, 
and  in  the  changes  of  season  offered  fat  nesting  places  for 
the  insects.  In  the  East  in  the  libraries  of  the  various  royal 
societies  the  shelving  is  made  of  teak  wood — a  wood  which 
the  white  ant  will  not  eat;  and  the  foot  rests  of  the  shelves 
are  placed  in  platters  or  boxes  containing  pitch,  to  inter- 
cept the  roving  insect.  Unfortunately  this  pitch  is  often 
not  looked  after  and,  hardening,  offers  no  resistence  to  the 
passage  of  the  ant  or  polilla.  It  is  the  exception  to  find  an 
old  book  not  riddled,  and  only  modern  methods  will  coun- 
teract this  danger.  In  Manila  tin  boxes  washed  in  kerosene 
are  used,  and  periodical  exposure  to  the  sunlight  is 
attempted. 

In  measuring  the  importance  of  these  Spanish  documents 


PUBLIC    RECORDS    IN    OUR    DEPENDENCIES.  147 

it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  details  must  serve  to 
illustrate  the  general  methods  of  colonial  polic}^  and  gov- 
ernment. The  series  as  they  stand  are  too  incomplete  in 
the  great  essentials  to  be  other  than  imperfect  material  for 
history.  It  was  a  European  wave  of  conquest,  followed 
by  a  foreign  domination  over  races  and  people,  aliens, 
looked  upon  as  inferiors,  to  b(3  taxed  of  necessity,  to  be  con- 
verted if  possible,  and  to  supply  enough  to  support  the  Gov- 
ernment, with  a  little  lagniappe  for  the  agents  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, and  an  excuse  for  maintaining  sovereignty. 
AVhether  the  settlement  Avas  in  Porto  liico,  Florida,  Loui- 
siana, California,  Guam,  or  the  Philippines,  the  purpose 
was  the  same,  and  to  some  extent  the  methods  were  the 
same.  It  is  difficult  to  imagine  much  use  of  these  records 
for  genealogical  purposes,  unless  we  are  to  be  blessed  with 
a  "  society  of  the  followers  of  I.egaspe  "  or  "  daughters  of 
the  original  order  of  the  galleons."  The  personal  interest 
is  slight.  But  a  complete  series  would  l)ecome  of  the  very 
best  of  historical  material.  The  colonial  ambitions  of  Spain 
were  boundless,  and  her  religious  activity  made  her  the 
efficient  agent  of  Eome  wherever  her  colonies  were  ])lanted. 
This  gave  international  relations  of  importance  and  ahnost 
world-wide  matters  for  record  and  regulation.  The  laws  of 
the  Indies  Avere  in  their  day  a  monument  of  administra- 
tive industry,  but  it  was  one  thing  to  pass  a  law  and  an- 
other to  carry  it  into  effect.  The  colonies  were  distant, 
close  supervision  difficult,  the  agents  were  spoilsmen,  and 
the  natives  were  to  be  exploited.  The  mass  of  decrees  and 
dispatches  indicate  that  there  was  weakness  somewhere  in 
the  chain,  and  hence  this  great  mass  is  needed  for  a  cor- 
rective. The  good  or  the  ill  wishes  of  the  home  govern- 
ment were  embodied  in  the  decree;  the  application  of  the 
wish  and  the  results  would  be  recorded  in  the  reports  of 
the  colonial  administration.  If  a  rosy  view  dominates  in 
the  actual  message  from  the  governor-general  to  his  official 
superiors  on  whose  favor  his  office  and  profits  depended,  a 
corrective  exists  in  the  local  and  provincial  reports,  also 
prepared  by  those  anxious  to  please  the  higher  powers,  but 
written  at  a  so  much  closer  range  as  to  be  deprived  of  a 
certain  tropical  exuberance  that  gave  a  pictorial  effect  to 
the  summary. 


VIII.— THE  EXPLORATION  OF  THE  LOUISIANA  FRONTIER,  1803-1806. 


By  ISAAC  JOSLIN   COX, 

Instrnctor  in  Hi^torij,  University  of  C'incinndii 


149 


THE  EXPLORATION  OF  THE  LOUISIANA  FRONTIER,  1803-1806. 


By  Isaac  J.  Cox. 


For  the  three  years  immediately  following  the  purchase 
of  Louisiana  the  annals  of  American  exploration  are  excep- 
tionally full  of  interest.  It  was  during  this  period  that 
Meriwether  LcAvis  and  AVilliam  Clark  performed  their  cele- 
brated journeys  to  the  Pacific  and  Zebulon  Montgomery  Pike 
presented  to  his  fellow-countrymen  the  alluring  opportunity 
for  adventure  and  reward  in  the  Spanish  internal  provinces 
of  the  far  Southwest.  The  work  of  these  men,  however,  was 
upon  a  scale  continental  in  its  scope  and  was  only  indirectly 
concerned  with  the  exploration  of  our  new  territorial  ac- 
quisition. This  latter  task  was  intrusted  to  another  group, 
among  whom  the  most  noted  were  William  Dunbar,"  George 
Hunter,  John  Sibley,  and  Thomas  Freeman.  To  these  men 
was  assigned,  in  turn,  the  task  of  acquiring  knowledge  of 
the  vast  domain  vaguely  known  as  Louisiana.  They  worked 
under  definite  instructions,  personally  formulated  by  Pres- 
ident Jefferson.  Their  efforts,  though  originally  designed 
to  embrace  a  field  as  extensiv^e  as  the  purchase  itself,  were, 
by  the  force  of  circumstances,  restricted  to  the  Red  and 
Washita  rivers.  Within  this  narrow  field,  hardly  beyond 
the  rapidly  advancing  frontier  line,  and  almost  wholly  with- 
in the  limits  of  the  present  State  of  Louisiana,  there  was 
not  the  opportunity  for  picturesque  adventure  and  un- 
expected discovery  afforded  by  the  two  more  famous  expe- 
ditions; but  this  restricted  area  embraced  the  Louisiana - 
Texas  frontier,  and  this  fact  gave  additional  interest  to 
their  explorations  and  at  times  promised  to  raise  them  to 
international  importance.     Aside  from  their  political  signifi- 

"  Dunbar,  who  as  a  British  subject  rightfully  bore  the  title  "  Sir  William," 
was  in  his  day  the  most  noted  scientist  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

151 


152  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

cance,  these  expeditions  represented  Jefferson's  plan  for  the 
exploration  of  the  Louisiana  purchase  and  assisted  ma- 
teriall}'  in  opening  up  to  settlement  the  region  in  which  they 
occurred.  For  these  reasons  they  are  b}^  no  means  to  be  dis- 
regarded in  a  study  of  the  factors  that  rendered  memorable 
the  acquisition  of  Louisiana. 

Upon'receiving  news  of  the  purchase  of  Louisiana,  Jeffer- 
son immediately  began  the  process  of  collecting  information 
concerning  this  almost  unknoAvn  territory.  As  the  first 
step  he  submitted  a  list  of  seventeen  questions  to  Daniel 
Clark,  our  consul  at  New  Orleans;  to  William  Dunbar,  the 
scientist  of  Mississippi,  and  to  William  Charles  Coles  Clai- 
borne, the  youthful  governor  of  that  territory.  Of  these 
questions  at  least  four  related  to  maps  of  Louisiana,  its 
boundaries,  and  the  distances  from  the  mouths  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi lliver  to  various  points  to  the  westward."  By  Sep- 
tember Clark  had  prepared  his  reply,  and  this,  with  sup- 
plementary information  from  Dunl)ar  and  Claiborne,''  con- 
stituted the  basis  of  Jefferson's  report  to  Congress,  Novem- 
ber 14,  IcSOB,  upon  our  new  territorial  acquisition.'^  From 
a  geographical  standpoint  the  information  furnished  by 
these  gentlemen,  though  practically  all  obtainable,  was  piti- 
fully meager,  and,  such  as  it  was,  it  directly  o])posed  Jef- 
ferson's own  opinion  of  the  boundaries  of  Louisiana — an 
opinion  derived  from  an  examination  carried  on  in  his 
library  at  Monticello.''  Under  the  circumstances  he  largely 
avoided  the  questi(m  of  limits  in  his  re]X)rt,  but  deteruiined 
upon  a  more  thorough  exploration  of  our  ucav  western  fron- 
tier— a  frontier  which,  despite  a  century  of  controversy  be- 
tween French  and  Sj^anish  officials,  by  its  vagueness  still 
perplexed  and  embarrassed  the  new  possessor  of  Louisiana. 

Jefferson's  plan  for  the  exploration  of  Louisiana,  and  the 
distinction  which  he  wished  to  preserve  between  the  expedi- 
tion of  Lewis  and  Clark  and  those  he  now  had  in  mind,  is  best 

«  Ford,  Writings  of  Jefferson,  VIII,  253.  2o4. 

''These  letters  are  in  Claiborne's  Correspondence.  Vol.  I  (MSS.),  Bureau 
of  Rolls  and  Library,  State  Department. 

"  Annals  8  Congress,  2.  1498  fF.  Also  published  as  a  separate  pamphlet 
under  the  title,  "  Information  Concerning  Louisiana,"  by  Duane,  at  Phila- 
delphia. 1803. 

''  "  The  limits  and  bounds  of  Louisiana."  published  in  "  Documents  Relating 
to  the  Purchase  and  Exploration  of  Louisiana."  Boston,  Houghton,  MifHin  & 
Co.,  1904. 


EXPLORATION    OF    LOUISIANA    FRONTIER.  153 

shown  in  his  letter  of  Xovember  IG,   1803,  to  Meriwether 
Lewis : " 

The  object  of  your  mission  is  single,  the  direct  water  conununica- 
tion  from  sea  to  sea  formed  by  the  bed  of  tlie  Missouri  and  perhaps 
the  Oregon.  *  *  *  i  have  proposed  in  conversation,  and  it  seems 
generally  assented  to,  that  Congress  appropriate  10-12,000  dollars  for 
exploring  the  principal  waters  of  the  Mississippi  and  ^Missouri.  In 
that  case  I  should  send  a  party  up  the  Red  River  to  its  head,  then 
to  cross  over  to  the  head  of  the  Arkansas  and  come  down  that.  A 
second  party  for  the  Panis  and  Padouca,  and  a  third,  i)erhaps,  for 
the  Morsigona  and  St.  Peters.?>  *  *  *  This  [exploration]  will 
be  attempted  distinctly  from  your  mission,  which  we  consider  of 
major  importance,  and  therefore  not  to  be  delayed  or  hazarded  by 
any  ei)isodes  whatever. 

The  result  of  Jefferson's  quiet  personal  work  among  the 
members  of  the  Eighth  Congress  appeared  in  a  report  dated 
March  8,  1801,  from  the  Committee  on  Connnerce  and  Manu- 
factures/" After  hazarding  a  surmise  that  the  ncAv  territory 
extended  to  the  Pacific,  the  rei)ort  touched  upon  previous 
ex])lorations  of  the  Mississippi  and  of  the  Gulf  coast,  men- 
tioned the  plans  for  penetrating  the  upper  Mississippi  and 
Missouri,  and  closed  by  advocating  the  Red  and  the  Arkansas 
as  affording  the  next  most  favorable  field  for  ex])loration. 
For  this  i)uri)ose  the  services  of  private  individuals  shoidd 
be  utilized  Avherever  possible,  and  in  addition,  an  aj^pro- 
priation  should  l)e  given  the  President  to  supplement  such 
efl'orts. 

A  few  days  later  Jefi'erson  wrote  Dunbar  '^  of  his  plan, 
and  asked  him  to  direct  the  expedition  up  the  Red  and 
Arkansas,  in  case  Congress  should  authorize  the  required 
ap2)ropriation.  He  feared,  however,  that  the  pressure  of 
public  business  might  lead  that  body  to  defer  the  matter. 
Fortunately  he  secured  an  apj^ropriation  of  three  thousand 
dollars  and  on  the  loth  of  the  following  month  again  wrote 
Dunbar  ^  asking  him  to  superintend  the  preparations   for 

"Jefferson's  Writings  (memorial  edition).  X,  431  ff. 

'' .Jeffrey's  -American  Atlas  (London,  177(i)  shows  these  last  four  rivers 
with  somewhat  modified  spelling.  Their  equivalents  are  as  follows  :  ranis== 
Platte-,  Morsigona  (Moingona)=Des  Moines;  Padouca  (Paducas,  Radon- 
cas)=Kansas;   St.  Peters=Minnesota. 

"Annals  8th  Congress,  1,  1124-1120. 

''Washington   (editor),  Works  of  Jefferson,  IV,  r)40. 

«  Lihrary  of  Congress,  .Tefferson  Papers,  series  1.  vol.  10,  Nos.  ftO  and  GO. 
For  references  to  the  manuscripts  o'f  Jefferson,  I  am  indehted  to  Mr.  W.  G. 
Leland,  of  the  Carnegie  Instil ution. 


154  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  expedition  and  to  select  its  leader.  For  this  position 
he  suggested  a  Mr.  Walker,  of  Mississippi,  or  a  Mr.  Gilles- 
pie, of  North  Carolina.  He  mentioned  the  fact  that  a  Dr. 
George  Hunter,  of  Philadelphia,  would  accompany  the  ex- 
pedition, and  spoke  of  his  reputation  as  a  chemist.  In  his 
replies  of  May  13  and  June  1  Dvmbar  '^  believed  that  Gil- 
lespie was  the  better  fitted  by  education  for  the  command 
of  the  expedition,  and  that  Walker  possessed  the  greater 
natural  talent,  but  that  neither  had  any  particular  qualifica- 
tion for  the  work  aside  from  a  knowledge  of  surveying.  At 
present  Walker  was  in  the  Spanish  army.  If  a  man  of 
"  only  moderate  talents "  was  needed,  he  suggested  that 
Doctor  Hunter  should  command  the  expedition. 

MeauAvhile  during  the  month  of  Ma}^,  1801,  Dr.  George 
Hunter,  acting  under  the  instructions  of  the  Secretary  of 
War,  had  busied  himself  in  Philadelphia  in  the  purchase 
of  provisions,  Indian  presents,  medicines,  and  instruments 
for  the  proposed  expedition  up  the  Hed  River.'^  On  the 
27th  of  May  the  Doctor  and  his  son  set  out  on  horseback 
for  the  overland  journey  to  Pittsburg.  After  eight  days 
they  arrived  at  the  latter  place,  where  they  spent  nearly  two 
weeks  superintending  the  construction  of  a  flat-bottomed 
boat  to  convey  themselves  and  stores  to  Natchez.  The 
details  of  their  journey  to  the  latter  town  furnish  a  most 
interesting  picture  of  j^ioneer  travel  upon  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi,  but  are  not  directly  connected  with  our  theme 
and  so  may  be  omitted.  The  Doctor  records,  "  with  a  feel- 
ing of  relief,"  that  on  the  21th  of  July  they  made  fast  to 
the  shore  at  Natchez. 

Although  Hunter  had  consumed  nearly  two  months  on 
the  trip  from  Philadelphia,  he  speedily  learned  from  Mr. 
Dunbar  that  no  prej^arations  had  been  made  for  the  expe- 
dition. Lieut.  Col.  Constant  Freeman,  the  commandant 
of  the  garrison  at  New  Orleans,  was  to  furnish  the  boat  and 
military  escort,  but  had  deferred  all  measures  until  Hunter's 

«  Jefferson  Papers,  series  2,  vol.  28,  Nos.  62  and  63. 

"  For  his  movements  until  the  expedition  started  from  Natchez,  the  16th 
of  the  following  October,  my  authority  is  the  "  Manuscript  Journal  of  Geo[rge] 
Hunter  up  the  Red  &  Washita  Rivers  with  W[illiam]  Dunbar,  1804,  by  Order 
U[nited]  S[tatesl,  and  up  to  Hot  Springs."  This  manuscript  is  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  American  Philosophical  Society  of  Philadelphia,  where,  through  the 
courtesy  of  Dr.  I.  Minis  Hays,  the  writer  was  permitted  to  examine  it. 


EXPLORATION    OF    LOUISIANA    FRONTIER.  155 

arrival.  Dunbar  suggested  that  the  Doctor  should  pro- 
ceed with  his  boat  to  New  Orleans,  and  if  no  better  one 
could  be  procured,  have  some  alterations  made  in  it,  buy 
the  necessary  stores,  and  return  as  soon  as  possible  Avith  the 
military  escort.  Accordingly  Hunter  was  obliged  to  spend 
the  next  two  months  in  the  trip  to  New  Orleans  and  return, 
and  in  the  rej^airs  to  his  boat,  which,  although  constructed 
for  use  on  a  large  river,  was  the  only  one  procurable,  and 
must,  perforce,  serve  for  the  navigation  of  the  smaller 
streams  that  they  planned  to  explore.  With  a  far  from 
efficient  crew  composed  of  a  sergeant  and  twelve  enlisted 
men  from  the  New  Orleans  garrison,  and  Avith  his  make- 
shift boat.  Hunter,  in  the  latter  part  of  September,  again 
reached  the  proposed  starting  point  of  the  expedition — St. 
Catharines  Landing,  just  below  Natchez.  In  general  one 
gains  the  impression  from  the  pages  of  the  Doctor's  journal 
that  only  a  very  moderate  degi'ee  of  alacrity  Avas  displayed 
in  following  out  the  details  of  the  President's  plan. 

Meanwhile  there  had  been  an  entire  change  in  the  plan 
itself.  On  the  iTth  of  July  Jefferson  wrote  Dunbar  "  tliat  on 
account  of  the  defection  of  a  part  of  the  Osage  Indians  the 
expedition  up  the  Red  v  as  to  be  postponed  until  the  follow- 
ing spring.  However,  Dunbar  was  authorized  to  make  use 
of  the  men  and  stores  for  a  shorter  excursion,  and  in  the  in- 
terim the  delay  Avould  permit  the  selection  of  a  fully  quali- 
fied leader.  The  President  also  suggested  that  Dunbar 
should  try  to  forward  the  account  of  this  preliminary  trip 
in  time  for  effective  use  with  Congress.  In  his  rej^ly  ''  Dun- 
bar announced  that  he  in  person  would  go  up  the  Washita, 
and  that  Doctor  Hunter  would  probably  accompany  him. 
He  added  another  reason  for  postponing  the  main  ex])edition 
in  the  fact  that  the  Spaniards  would  probably  have  stopped 
it.  As  Don  Nimecio  Salcedo,  the  captain-general  of  the 
internal  provinces  of  New  Spain,  had,  in  the  preceding  May, 
issued  orders  from  Chihuahua  ^  that  no  American  should  be 

» Jefferson  Papers,  series  1,  vol.  10,  No.  124. 

^  Jefferson  Papers,  series  2,  vol.  28,  No.  G4. 

"  Salcedo  to  governor  of  Texas,  May  .3,  1804,  MSS.  Bexar  Archives.  This 
collection  of  valuable  manuscripts  rohiting  to  Texas  history  under  Spanish  and 
Mexican  rule  Is  not  at  present  classifie'l.  and  exact  references  are  impossible. 
For  the  use  of  the  extracts  used  in  the  preparation  of  this  article  I  am 
indebted  to  my  friend  and  colaborei',  Dr.  Walter  Flavius  McCuleb. 


156  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

permitted  to  approach  the  Texas  frontier  or  alone  to  mark 
the  boundaries  of  Louisiana,  Dunbar's  surmise  appears  to  be 
well  founded.  The  Washita  offered  the  advantage  of  hav- 
ing its  lieadwaters  protected  from  incursions  of  the  preda- 
tory Osages  by  a  group  of  rough  elevated  liills,  and  it  was 
likewise  remote  from  the  Spanish  out])osts.  While  not  so 
important  as  either  the  Ked  or  the  Arkansas,  the  river 
promised  to  support  a  large  future  population,  whose  pio- 
neer elements  were  already  settling  upon  its  banks,  and  its 
exploration  Avas  necessary  to  complete  the  chart  of  our  new 
territorial  acquisition.  These  considerations  to  a  certain 
extent  rompensated  for  the  postponement  of  Jefferson's  far- 
reaching  [)hin  of  frontier  exploration. 

The  route  of  the  Hunter-Dunbar  expedition  was  so  pru- 
dently chosen  that  no  untoward  event  occurred  to  render  it 
memorable.  On  the  afternoon  of  October  10,  1804,  the  start 
was  finally  made  from  St.  Catharines  Landing,  near  Dun- 
bar's plantation,  '*  The  Forest."  The  personnel  of  the  party 
consisted  of  Sir  William  Dunbar,  Dr.  George  Hunter  and 
his  son,  a  sergeant  and  12  enlisted  men,  and  a  negro  servant 
of  Dunbar's.  The  route  covered  the  distance  to  the  mouth 
of  the  lied  Ixiver,  uj)  that  stream  to  the  Black  or  Washita," 
to  the  hot  springs  near  the  source  of  the  latter,  and  thence 
the  return  by  the  same  streams,  the  whole  occupjang  some 
four  months.  Naturally  the  major  part  of  the  details  of 
such  an  expedition  consist  of  scientific  descriptions  of  the 
country  traversed  and  the  trivial  incidents  of  life  in  the  wil- 
derness. Except  as  tending  to  throw  light  upon  the  gen- 
eral methods  of  frontier  exploration  these  details  are  now 
relatively  unimportant.  Their  observations  upon  the  con- 
temporary life  encountered  along  the  river  banks  and  such 
experience  as  they  gained  for  the  use  of  succeeding  expedi- 
tions more  than  repaid  the  cost  of  the  attempt.'' 

"  The  journals  describe  the  Black  as  flowing  into  the  Red,  and  the  Washita 
into  the  Blaclt. 

''At  this  point  it  may  be  well  to  indicate  the  sources  for  information  con- 
cerning this  expedition,  nx  addition  to  the  manuscript  journal  of  Dr.  George 
Hunter,  mentioned  above,  Mr.  Dunbar  kept  a  separate  journal  which  was 
publislied  by  Houghton,  Mitiin  &  Co.,  1904,  under  the  title  "  Documents  Relat- 
ing to  the  Purchase  and  Exploration  of  I.oulsiana."  *  *  *  n  The  Explora- 
tion of  the  Red,  the  Black,  and  the  Washita  Rivers.  By  William  Dunbar." 
A  summary,  evidently  Imsed  largely  upon  Dunbar's  journal,  was  published  in 
Annals  9  Congress,  2,  p.  1106  ff.      If  one  should  attempt  a  brief  characteriza- 


EXPLORATION    OF    LOUISIANA    FRONTIER.  157 

The  population  along  the  river  was  a  never-failing  source 
of  interest, especially  to  Doctor  Hunter.  The  greater  part  con- 
sisted of  Canadian-French  "  of  few  Avants  and  as  little  indus- 
try.'' There  were  a  number  of  Spanish  and  French  Creole 
families  apparently  of  the  same  general  character  as  the 
Canadians,  but  interspersed  with  them  were  a  few  of  a  higher 
order  of  industry  and  intelligence.  Mingled  with  the  ele- 
ments surviving  from  the  previous  ivgimes  Avere  a  few  (ler- 
man,  Irish,  and  American  settlers  of  the  frontier  type,  and 
the  soldiers  of  the  post  on  the  Washita.  About  this  post 
were  grouped  some  150  families  of  this  nondescript  popula- 
tion. A  few  scattered  cabins  above  and  beloAV  this  place, 
with  an  occasional  house  of  more  pretentious  appearance, 
constituted  the  settled  portion  of  the  country.  The  upper 
courses  of  the  river  Avere  marked  only  by  an  occasional  hun- 
ter's lodge,  or ''  cache,"  utilized  l)v  the  inhabitants,  Avhite  and 
Indian,  during  the  autunui  hunting.  The  deer,  bear,  and 
Avild  foAvl  of  the  sAvamps  and  forests  afforded  the  greater 
portion  of  the  food  supply  of  the  region;  but  this  Avas  sup- 
plemented by  an  occasional  ])atch  of  Indian  corn  and  by  a 
feAV  Avild  cattle,  ke])t  for  beef  rather  than  dairy  purposes. 
Tavo  large  land  grants,  affording  a  fertile  field  for  future 
litigation,  Avere  located  upon  the  Washita;  that  of  the  Mar- 
quis of  Maison  Rouge  being  located  l)elow  Fort  ^liro,  and 
the  more  recent  one  to  the  Baron  de  Bastro]),  soon  to  be  con- 
nected Avith  Burr's  ambitious  filibusterii\g  ])r()ject,  extend- 
ing 12  leagues  square  above  it.  The  greater  part  of  the 
inhabitants  appeared  to  be  satisfied  a\  itli  the  sAvay  of  Lieu- 
tenant BoAvman,  the  connnandant  at  the;  military  post. 

The  ordinary  method  of  propelling  the  boat  forAvard  Avas 
by  roAving,  all  tAvehe  of  the  soldiers  being  employed  at  once 
at  this  Avork.  Occasionally  the  wind  permitted  the  sail  to 
be  used,  or  good  Avalking  on  the  banks  offered  an  opportu- 

tion  of  the  two  journals  he  would  probably  say  that  Dunbar's  is  the  more  scien- 
tific but  Hunter's  the  more  readable.  As  a  picture  of  frontier  life  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  nineteenth  century  the  latter  well  merits  pul)lication.  A  legend  on 
the  title  page  of  the  Hunter  journal  says  that  an  abstract  of  it  was  published 
by  order  of  the  United  States  (ioveniment.  but  this  evidently  refers  to  the 
summary  mentioned  above.  The  legend  further  states  th:it  this  abstract 
was  also  p\iblished  as  an  appendix  to  one  of  the  volames  of  Brown's  Literary 
Magazine,  of  rhiladelphia.  From  the  incomplete  copy  in  the  lil>rary  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Historical  Society  the  writer  judges  this  to  be  a  reprint  of  the 
same  (Jovernment  publication. 


158  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

nity  for  ''tracking"  (towing).  Each  day  the  attempt  was 
made  to  start  before  sunrise,  but  the  dilatoriness  of  the  sol- 
diers generally  i^revented  this.  Long  lialts  were  made  at  8 
a.  m.  and  at  noon  to  prepare  meals,  take  observations,  and 
to  permit  the  men  to  rest.  Owing  to  the  size  of  the  boat 
and  the  laziness  and  insubordination  of  the  men,  they 
Avere  seldom  able  to  inake  more  than  1^  miles  an  hour. 
Frecjuent  shoals,  logs,  and  trees  lodged  in  the  bed  of  the 
river,  occasional  rapids,  "  chutes,"  and  rocky  ledges,  and 
the  fact  that  the  river  was  graduall}/  falling  added  to  the 
difficulty  of  the  ascent.  Upon  their  arrival,  on  November  6, 
at  Fort  Miro,  some  IDG  miles  from  the  junction  of  the  Red 
and  the  Mississippi,  they  exchanged  their  boat  for  a  smaller 
one  and  hired  a  guide.  A  little  well-advised  encouragement 
from  Mr.  Dunbar  gave  the  soldiers,  who  really  were  glad  to 
escape  the  fever-tainted  atmosphere  of  New  Orleans,  an 
enthusiastic  interest  in  the  success  of  the  expedition.  The 
journey  above  Fort  Miro,  tliough  more  difficult,  w^as  a 
marked  improvement  over  the  first  part  of  the  way. 

At  the  island  of  Mallet  the  travelers  discovered,  in  taking 
the  observation  of  November  15,  that  they  were  within  half 
a  minute  of  the  ucav  boundary  liiie  of  Orleans  Territory — 
the  thirty-third  degree.  Here  they  lost  the  Spanish  moss 
of  the  loAver  courses  of  the  river,  left  the  alluvial  swamps  for 
higher  land,  and  observed  other  nuirked  changes  that  differ- 
entiated the  country  above  and  beloAv  the  new  limit.  A  week 
later  they  passed  the  Caddo  ''  trace  "  leading  from  the  lied  to 
the  Arkansas,  and  a  little  above  this  the  Ecor[e]s  de  Fabri, 
some  sand  hills  Avhere  tradition,  detailed  by  the  guide,  re- 
jDorted  that  leaden  plates  once  marked  the  boundary  between 
the  French  and  Spanish  colonial  possessions.  Naturally  they 
found  no  vestige  of  these  plates.  From  occasional  parties 
of  hunters  they  learned  many  facts  concerning  the  Red  and 
Arkansas,  Missouri  and  Platte  rivers,  the  Indians  living 
upon  them,  and  the  vast  plains  through  which  they  floAved. 

In  a  very  small  measure  only  this  method  of  procuring 
information  answered  the  purpose  of  Jefferson's  extended 
plan.  Far  greater  service  was  rendered  in  the  acquisition 
of  practical  experience  for  the  guidance  of  future  expedi- 
tions of  this  sort.  It  was  speedily  discovered  that  a  special 
boat  was  needed  to  navigate  the  shallow  waters  of  these 


EXPLORATIOJS^    OF    LOUISIANA    FRONTIER.  159 

interior  streams.  It  was  likewise  noted  that  the  discipline 
of  a  detail  of  enlisted  men  could  not  be  maintained  simply 
by  a  noncommissioned  officer.  More  important  still  was  the 
result  of  the  experiment  in  transferring  some  baggage  from 
the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Washita  (the  Fourche  de 
Chalfat)  to  the  Hot  Springs.  Though  the  distance  was  less 
than  9  miles  and  the  loads  carried  by  the  soldiers  purposely 
made  very  light,  they  complained  bitterh^,  and,  as  Dunbar 
thought,  with  justice,  of  the  difficulties  of  this  method  of 
transporting  baggage.  The  experiment  led  Dunbar  to  con- 
sider the  vastly  increased  difficulty  of  using  this  scheme  for 
a  much  larger  company  between  the  headwaters  of  the  Red 
and  the  Arkansas,  especially  Avhen  they  were  Avholly  uncer- 
tain of  the  distance.  In  accordance  Avith  Dunbar's  sugges- 
tion, the  President  afterwards  modified  this  feature  of  his 
original  pl^n. 

The  voyagers  readied  the  head  of  navigation  on  the 
Washita  on  December  G,  and  started  on  their  return  journey 
on  the  8th  of  January.  The  interval  was  employed  in  ob- 
servations and  excursions  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Hot  Springs. 
The  snows  and  rains  of  this  period  increased  greatly  the  vol- 
luiie  of  water  in  the  river  and  facilitated  their  descent.  On 
the  16th  the}^  were  at  the  post  of  the  Washita,  where  Dunbar 
left  the  party  to  return  overland  to  his  home.  On  the  31st 
Hunter  brought  the  boat  to  St.  Catharines  Landing,  and  on 
the  9th  of  the  following  month  delivered  the  escort,  safe  and 
sound  to  a  man,  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Freeman  at  New  Or- 
leans. 

The  results  of  this  scientific  expedition,  in  connection  with 
the  reports  from  Dr.  John  Sibley,  the  Indian  agent  at  Natch- 
itoches," afforded  the  first  fairly  satisfactory  picture  of  the 
southern  portion  of  our  new  acquisition  and  apparently 
stirred  up  Jefferson  to  signalize  his  second  Administration  by 
its  exploration,  as  he  had  signalized  his  first  by  its  acquisi- 
tion. March  12  he  Vv^rote  Dunbar  ^  that  as  Congress  had  ap- 
propriated $5,000  additional,  the  expedition  must  immedi- 
ately be  set  on  foot.  One  of  the  most  important  of  the  ques- 
tions before  them  was  the  selection  of  the  proper  scientific 
men  to  direct  it.     Doctor  Hunter  concluded  not  to  go.     Jef- 

«  Annals  9th  Congress,  2,  p.   1076-1106  flf. 

"  Jefferson   I'apers,  series  1,  vol.   10,  No.  268. 


160  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

ferson  first  mentioned  a  "  Mr.  Perse,"  of  the  Post-Office  De- 
partment, and  as  a  possible  second  a  "  I^arson  Wiley,"  of  a 
Washington  academ}^*  C.  S.  Rafiinesque  had  made  some 
inquiries  concerning  the  botanical  Avork  of  the  expedition, 
but  the  place  was  not  judged  Avorthy  his  attention.'' 

None  of  these  men  proving  available,  Jefferson  suggested 
to  Dunbar  a  certain  George  Davis,  but  the  Mississippian  re- 
jected him  on  account  of  his  unfortunate  personal  disposi- 
tion.^ Finally  a  Mr.  Thomas  Freeman,  whom  Jefferson  had 
previously  meutioned  as  a  suitable  person  for  an  assistant, 
was  selected  as  its  official  head,  to  serve,  however,  under  the 
supervision  of  Dunbar.  Freeman  was  to  manage  tlie  astro- 
nomical Avork,  but  a  botanist  must  still  be  selected.  Freeman 
himself  mentioned  '^  Dr.  Garrett  l^endergast  and  Dr.  Fred 
Seip,  both  residing  near  Natchez,  as  suitable  men  for  this 
work,  but  it  Avas  not  until  the  li2th  of  tlanuary,  180(),  that 
Jefferson  Avrote  Dunbar,^  "  Ave  hope  Ave  have  procured  a  good 
bot[inist  to  accompany  him,"  Dr.  Peter  Custis  Avas  the 
fortunate  candidate.  There  still  renuiined  an  assistant  for 
Mr.  Freeman.  Dunbar  first  tried  to  obtain  Lieut.  E.  P. 
Gaines,  but  as  he  could  not  leave  his  post  he  finally  selected 
Lieutenant  Humphrey,  a  ''  young  officer  of  considerable  tal- 
ents," to  Avhom  ]\Ir.  Freeman  seemed  ''  already  particularly 
attached."'^  This  selection  Avas  not  made  till  May  1,  1800, 
upon  the  eve  of  the  departure  of  the  expedition.  The  diffi- 
culty in  securing  proper  officers  Avill  readily  account  for  the 
long  delay  in  getting  it  started.  Scientific  men  possessing 
the  requisite  plwsical  stamina  for  frontier  exploration  Avere 
hard  to  find  in  America  at  the  opening  of  the  nineteenth 
century. 

Jefferson's  new  instructions  to  Dunbar,^  dated  May  25, 
1805,  shoAv  one  result  derived  from  the  preliminary  expedi- 
tion of  the  previous  year.  On  account  of  the  difficulty  of 
transporting  baggage  from  the  head  of  the  Red  River  to  that 
of  the  Arkansas,  and  because  of  dangers  to  be  appre- 
hended from  the  Osages,  the  President  determined  to  confine 

«  Jefferson  Papers,  series  1,  vol.  10,  No.  271. 

''.lefferson  Papers,  series  1,  vol.  10,  No.  202. 

'•  .Jefferson  Papers,  series  1,  vol.  10,  No.  301  ;  series  2,  vol.  28,  No.  GO. 

''  .lefferson  I'apers,  iferies  2,  vol.  34,  No.  48. 

'■  Jefferson  Papers,  series  1,  vol.  11,  No.  95. 

f  Jefferson  Papers,  series  2,  vol.  28,  No.  74. 

"  Washington,  Works  of  Jefferson,  IV,  p.  '577ff. 


EXPLORATION    OF    LOUISIANA    FRONTIER.  161 

"  the  ensuing  mission  to  the  ascent  of  the  Red  River «  to 
its  source,  and  to  descend  the  same  river  again."  Dunbar 
was  also  to  write  to  Governor  Claiborne,  of  Orleans  Terri- 
tory, to  secure  from  the  Marquis  of  Casa  Calvo,  the  Spanish 
boundary  commissioner,  a  passport  for  the  party.  As  proof 
of  the  exclusively  scientific  character  of  the  expedition  he 
was  to  offer  to  receive  one  or  more  Spanish  representatives 
as  members  of  the  party.  The  fact  that  they  were  empow- 
ered to  trade  with  the  Indians  should  guarantee  a  favorable 
reception  from  the  latter,  and  the  members  of  the  expedition 
were  to  do  everything  in  their  poAver  to  attach  them  to  the 
United  States  Government,  especially  in  view  of  the  state  of 
its  affairs  with  Spain.  In  the  latter  part  of  this  letter 
Jefferson  thus  touches  upon  two  factors — Spanish  frontier 
officials  and  neighboring  Indians — that  were  to  elevate  this 
expedition  to  international  im])()rtance. 

The  Marquis  of  Casa  Calvo  had  been  a  governor  of  Louisi- 
ana luider  the  Spanish  regime  and  came  to  the  province  a 
second  time  in  April,  1808,  to  act  as  one  of  the  commissioners 
for  Spain  in  its  transfer  to  France.  After  its  delivery  to 
that  j^oAver  and  later  to  the  United  States  he  still  continued 
at  New  Orleans  in  his  other  capacity  as  commissioner  to 
mark  the  limits  betAveen  the  possessions  of  His  Catholic  Maj- 
esty and  those  of  the  United  States.  Due  notice  of  his  ucav 
appointment  Avas  given  to  the  American  oificials  and  to  those 
of  the  Internal  Provinces  as  Avell.^  He  speedily  became  an 
object  of  suspicion  to  the  American  authorities,  Avho  dis- 
trusted his  motives  in  remaining  at  Xcav  Orleans,  and  like- 
Avise  Avas  vieAved  Avith  jealousy  by  his  felloAV  colonial 
associates  in  Texas  and  Chihuahua;  and  his  later  corre- 
spondence showed  that  both  had  cause  for  their  respective 
attitudes.  In  June,  1804,  he  Avrote  Juan  Bautista  Elgueza- 
bal,^  then  goA^ernor  of  Texas,  that  he  had  definite  informa- 
tion of  Jefferson's  intention  to  send  an  expedition  up  the  Red 
Ri\^er ;  and  he  assured  the  governor  that  the  mere  reading  of 
this  information  should  lead  him  to  take  urgent  and  imme- 

"  As  late  as  March  28,  1806,  Jefiferson  gave  Dunbar  the  option  of  exploring 
the  Arkansas  first,  if  he  so  desired.  (Jefferson  MSS.,  series  1,  vol.  11, 
No.  167.) 

'' Salcedo  to  governor  of  Texas,  May  3,  1804.      (MSS.  Bexar  Archives.) 
''Casa  Calvo  to  Elguezalial,  June  27,  1804.      (MSS.  Bexar  Archives.) 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 11 


162  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

diate  measures  to  hinder  or  even  destroy  such  expeditions, 
in  order  to  preserve  in  their  integrity  the  vast  and  rich  pos- 
sessions of  His  Majesty.  At  least  the  law  of  nations,  he  sug- 
gested, would  permit  the  governor  to  delay,  in  the  beginning, 
the  progress  of  this  dreaded  enterprise.  During  the  same 
month  and  in  the  following  September  he  communicated  dis- 
patches of  similar  tenor  to  Don  Pedro  Cevallos,  the  Spanish 
minister  of  state  for  foreign  aifairs,^  in  the  course  of  which 
he  recommended  measures  not  merely  to  prevent  the  explora- 
tion of  the  Arkansas  and  Colorado  (Ked),  but  also  to  impede 
the  progress  of  Capt.  ''  Lewis  Merry  Whether  "  up  the  Mis- 
souri. 

Accordingly,  a  year  later,  Avhen  Claiborne,  in  accordance 
with  the  suggestion  of  the  President,  approached  Casa 
Calvo  ''  for  a  i^assport  for  the  exploring  party,  the  Marquis 
was  not  a  little  embarrassed  to  know  what  to  do.  In  his 
request  Claiborne  dwelt  upon  the  scientific  character  of  the 
enterprise;  Dunbar's  skill,  reputation,  and  services  for  both 
governments,  and  the  similarity  of  this  undertaking  to 
Humboldt's  well-known  tour;  and  as  a  guaranty  of  its  ex- 
clusively scientific  purpose,  he  accompanied  his  representa- 
tion with  a  frank  offer  to  receive  as  members  of  the  party 
one  or  more  Spanish  representatives.  In  addition,  Clai- 
borne's request  was  indorsed  by  Andres  Lopez  Armesto,  the 
former  secretary  of  the  province  and  the  present  secretary 
of  Casa  Calvo's  boundary  commission.  In  his  perplexity 
the  Marquis  determined  to  grant  the  passport  and  appoint 
some  one  to  represent  Spain,  but  at  the  same  time  not  to  com- 
promise himself  nor  interfere  with  the  action  of  Captain- 
General  Salcedo. 

Casa  Calvo  believed  the  scientific  object  of  the  expedition 
to  be  a  simple  pretext  to  hide  the  President's  territorial 
ambition.  But  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  Americans  pos- 
sessed the  right  bank  of  tlie  Mississippi  and  the  mouths  of 
the  Ived  and  Arkansas,  they  could  hardly  be  prevented  from 
navigating  those  streams,  especially  as  the  true  limits  of  the 
two  countries  w^ere  not  accurately  defined.  Moreover,  be- 
cause of  the  progress  already  made  by  Captain  Lewis  it 

"Casa    Calvo    to    Cevallos,    July    18,    1805.      (MSS.    New    Mexico   Archives, 
Library  of  Congress.) 
"  Ibi<J. 


EXPLORATION    OF    LOUISIANA    FRONTIER.  163 

would  be  impossible  to  restrain  the  Americans  short  of  actual 
hostilities.  These  he  believed  to  be  inevitable,  and  accord- 
ingly thought  the  opportunity  to  learn,  not  merely  the  char- 
acter of  the  country  that  Avould  be  the  probable  seat  of  war, 
but  also  the  plans  and  real  knowledge  possessed  by  the 
Americans,  too  good  to  lose.  So  he  answered  Claiborne « 
Avith  apparent  cordiality,  expressing  his  belief  in  the  scien- 
tific character  of  the  expedition.  At  the  same  time  he  added 
that  as  the  upper  part  of  the  rivers  in  question  bordered  on 
Texas,  and  perhaps  the  country  farther  in  the  interior,  he 
must  give  due  notice  of  the  expedition  to  Captain-General 
Salcedo,  in  order  that  the  latter  could  take  such  measures  as 
his  instructions  required.  His  secretary  wrote  the  General  ^ 
concerning  the  situation  and  left  him  to  do  Avhat  he  judged 
necessary.  Casa  Calvo's  whole  course  seems  directed  with 
a  view  to  avoid  giving  offense  to  the  American  authorities, 
who  might  cut  short  his  stay  at  New  Orleans;  to  establish 
himself  firmly  with  the  administration  at  Madrid,  and  to 
throw  u2:)on  Salcedo  the  final  decision  in  the  matter  of  the 
exploring  expedition. 

If  Casa  Calvo  was  unwilling  to  assume  this  responsibility, 
the  case  was  far  different  with  the  bluff  soldier  Avho  then 
ruled  at  Chihuahua.  In  his  reply  ^  to  the  communication  of 
the  Marquis  he  bluntly  informed  the  latter  that  although  the 
expedition  bore  his  passport,  he,  as  captain-general,  under- 
stood the  interests  of  his  Government  and  should  protect 
those  interests  against  the  proposed  incursion.  He  professed 
to  see  in  the  expedition,  and  in  that  of  ''  Mr.  Merri  "  along 
the  Missouri,  simply  an  attempt  to  gain  military  knowledge 
of  the  country  or  to  tamper  Avith  the  allegiance  of  the  In- 
dians. The  Spanish  Government  needed  no  geographical 
knowledge  of  the  country,  already  thoroughly  explored  by 
its  traders;  and  if  the  Americans  Avished  to  obtain  such 
knoAvledge  he  Avould  cheerfully  furnish  it  upon  proper 
application  to  his  department.  In  view  of  danger  to  their 
Indian  allies,  all  expeditions  from  the  United  States  must, 
for  the  present,  be  suspended ;  and  to  this  regulation  Dun- 
bar's expedition  must  conform. 

"Casa  Calvo  to  Claiborne,  July  18,  1805.      (MSS.  New  Mexico  Archives.) 
"Andres   Lopes   Armesto   to   Salcedo,    July    18,    1805.      (MSS.    New   Moxico 
Archives.) 

<^  Salcedo  to  Casa  Calvo,  October  8,  1805,      (MSS.  Bexur  Archives.) 


164  AMERICATf    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Just  six  days  before  this  Salcedo  had  written  Iturri- 
garay,"  the  Viceroy  of  New  Spain,  complaining  of  the  ex- 
pansion policy  of  the  American  Government,  especially 
noticeable  in  their  exploring  expeditions  and  Indian  negotia- 
tions, and  expressing  a  fear  that  a  new  expedition  was  to  be 
introduced  under  Casa  Calvo's  passport.  When  surmise  be- 
came reality,  it  is  not  at  all  strange  that  his  reply  to  the  Mar- 
quis was  not  more  gracious,  or  that  he  took  occasion  to  make 
his  conduct  the  object  of  serious  complaint  at  Madrid.'^  He 
immediately  ordered  ^  the  new  governor  of  Texas,  Antonio 
Cordero,  to  detach  a  force  from  the  frontier  posts  of  Texas 
to  watch  the  Colorado  (Red)  and  Napertle  (Arkansas)  for 
the  Dunbar  expedition.  If  encountered,  the  members  of  the 
patrolling  force  should  compel  it  to  remain  under  their 
"  opportune  protection  "  until  it  withdreAv.  The  Spaniards 
should  especially  observe  the  intercourse  of  the  expedition 
Avith  the  Indians ;  and  by  cleverly  utilizing  their  own  native 
allies  they  might  cut  off  its  provisions  and  thwart  it  at  the 
beginning. 

While  arranging  the  personnel  of  the  exploring  party  and 
trying  to  tie  the  hands  of  Spanish  frontier  officials  by  means 
of  Casa  Calvo's  passport.  President  Jefferson  and  his  ad- 
visers were  not  unmindful  of  the  third  factor  necessary  to 
secure  the  success  of  the  expedition — the  good  Avill  of  the 
Indians  dwelling  along  the  Red  River.  In  December,  1804, 
Secretar}^  Dearborn  forAvarcled  to  Dr.  John  Sibley,^  a  Revo- 
lutionary veteran  from  North  Carolina  and  a  recent  arrival 
at  Natchitoches,  a  request  to  act  occasionally  as  an  agent 
for  the  United  States  in  holding  conferences  with  the  va- 
rious Indians  of  his  vicinity.  He  was  to  attempt  to  keep 
them  well  disposed  toward  the  American  Government,  by  a 
judicious  distribution  of  some  $3,000  worth  of  merchandise. 
On  the  23d  of  the  following  May  Dearborn  expressed  his 
gratification  at  a  report  from  Sibley,^  giving  the  names  and 
approximato  strength  of  the  principal  Indian  tribes  between 
the  Arkansas  and  Rio  Grande,  and  added  : 

"Salcedo  to  Iturrigaray,  October  2,  1805.      (MSS.  Bexar  Archives.) 
» Coues,  Expeditions  of  Zebulon  Montgomery  Pike,  612,  613. 
<=  Salcedo  to  Cordero,  October  8,  1805.      (MSS.  Bexar  Archives.) 
•^Dearborn  to  Sibley.      (Indian  Office,  letter  book  B,  30.) 

"  Indian  OlBce,  letter  book  B,  80.  (For  Sibley's  report  see  Anaals  9  Con- 
gress, 2,  1076  flf.) 


EXPLORATION    OF    LOUISIANA    FRONTIER.  165 

At  all  times  use  all  means  to  conciliate  the  Indians  generally  and 
more  especially  such  natives  as  might,  in  case  of  a  rupture  with 
Spain,  be  useful  or  mischievous  to  us,  Islone  oiujlit  to  engage  your 
attention  so  early  us  those  who  reside  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  Bay  of  St.  Bernard,  and  from  your  description  of  their  present 
temper  and  disposition,  it  will  require  no  great  exertion  to  draw  them 
firmly  to  the  interests  of  the  United  States.  They  may  be  assured 
that  they,  and  all  other  red  people  within  the  limits  of  the  Vnited 
^^tates,a  will  be  treated  with  undeviating  friendship  as  long  as  they 
shall  conduct  themselves  fairly  and  with  good  faith  toward  the 
Government  and  citizens  of  ITnited  States. 

This  letter,  significant  for  its  territorial  claims  as  well  as 
for  the  Indian  policy  outlined,  closed  with  a  suggestion  that 
Sibley  j^repare  the  minds  of  those  Indians  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  Ked  River,  Attacapas,  and  Opelousas  for  a  proposed 
land  survey  by  the  United  States  Government.  If  it  should 
be  necessary  to  run  lines  through  their  lands,  in  order  to 
make  the  survey  complete,  they  were  not  to  be  alarmed. 
'"  Not  an  acre  will  be  taken,"  the  Secretary  affirmed,  "  except 
with  payment  and  treaty  under  the  auspices  of  the  United 
States  and  free  concession  on  their  part." 

In  the  report  transmitted  to  the  seat  of  government  Sib- 
ley estimated  the  fighting  strength  of  some  80  tribes  be- 
tween the  Arkansas  and  Rio  Grande  (not  including  th(^ 
Comanches)  at  2,800  warriors.  The  number  and  strength 
of  these  Indians  surprised  the  President, '^  and  doubl}^  im- 
pressed him  Avith  the  importance  of  retaining  the  friendship, 
with  which,  as  the  successor  of  France,  he  understood  these 
natives  already  regarded  the  United  States.  Accordingly 
Sibley  was  made  a  regular  agent,  furnished  with  the  cus- 
tomary goods  for  trading,  and  urged  to  induce  some  of  the 
principal  chiefs,  especially  of  the  Caddos,  to  visit  Wash- 
ington, or  at  least  New  Orleans.^  From  the  other  side  of 
the  border  Salcedo  had  been  issuing  instructions  ^  to  prevent 
the  removal  of  Indians  from  Texas  into  Louisiana,  and  by 
every   means   possible   to   keep   them    faithful    to    Spanish 


»  The  italics  in  this  extract  are  those  of  the  author.  In  a  letter  of  October 
17,  1805,  giving  Sibley  a  commission  as  permanent  agent,  Dearborn  hopes 
that  Sibley  has  made  a  "  proper  impression  "  upon  the  Indians  near  St.  Ber- 
nard Bay.      (Indian  Office  letter  book  B.  122.) 

»  Washington  (Ed.),  Works  of  .Jefferson,  IV,  580,  581. 

"  Indian  Office  letter  book  B,  122. 

•^  Salcedo  to  governor  of  Texas,  .luly  17;  August  — ,  1804.  (MSS.  Bexar 
Archives.) 


166  \MERICA]Sr    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

allegiance.  During  the  following  year,  from  each  group  of 
frontier  officials,  came  recriminations  ^  against  the  unfair 
dealings  of  the  other  with  the  Indians  in  the  disputed  terri- 
tory. On  the  whole  the  advantage  in  the  contest  for  savage 
allies  seemed  to  rest  with  the  Americans,  for  on  the  16th  of 
July,  1805,  Salcedo  wrote  Iturrigaray  ^  that  he  should  need 
at  least  150  additional  men  to  cope  with  the  Indian  machina- 
tions of  the  "  revolutionist,"  Doctor  "  Sikbley,"  and  in  addi- 
tion, he  suggested  that  Casa  Calvo  should  request  the  United 
States  authorities  to  cease  such  proceedings.  In  later  letters 
to  the  governor  of  Texas,^  urging  that  official  to  redouble  his 
efl'orts  to  retain  the  friendship  of  the  Indians,  he  gave  vent 
to  a  most  bitter  tirade  against  the  Indian  policy  of  the  ncAV 
government  of  Louisiana  Territory.  "  Only  a  declaration 
of  war,"  he  savagely  concluded, ''  will  reveal  the  perfidy  of  its 
emissaries  among  the  Indians."  If  his  anger  and  alarm 
were  so  strongly  aroused  by  the  course  of  affairs  on  the  out- 
skirts of  his  command,  it  is  no  wonder  that  he  unhesitatingly 
refused  to  sanction  an  incursion  far  within  what  he  regarded 
as  the  undoubted  possessions  of  the  Spanish  King.  Could  he 
have  known  the  exact  tenor  of  Jefferson's  instructions  to 
Sibley  and  Dunbar  regarding  their  relations  with  the  In- 
dians, he  woidd  have  been  still  more  firmly  t^onvinced  upon 
that  ground  alone  of  the  rightfulness  of  his  refusal  to  coun- 
tenance the  expedition 

Meanwhile  events  in  Louisiana  were  gradually  shaping 
themselves  so  as  to  nullify  the  moderate  amount  of  protec- 
tion afforded  by  Casa  Calvo's  passport.  In  the  summer  of 
1804  Casa  Calvo  commissioned  Juan  Minor,  of  Natchez,  a 
naturalized  American  citizen,  to  explore  portions  of  the 
coast  of  Texas  and  make  a  map  of  the  region.  The  jealousy 
of  Salcedo  frustrated  this  plan.'^  A  year  later  Casa  Calvo 
himself  left  New  Orleans  to  go  to  the  Sabine  frontier 
for  the  double  purpose  of  hunting  and  acquiring  informa- 

»  See  American  State  Tapors,   Foreign   Relations,   II,   690,   691 ;   Salcedo  to 
Iturrigaray,   August  20,   1805;    Dionisio  "Valle  to  Cordero,   October  3,   1805. 
(MSS.  Bexar  Archives.) 
«>  Salcedo  to  Iturrigaray,  .Tuly  16,  1805.      (MSS.  Bexar  Archives.) 
<^  Salcedo  to  Cordero,  October  8  and  22,  1805.      (MSS.  Bexar  Archives.) 
<^  Passport  to  Juan  Minor,  .July  6,  1804  ;  Elguezabal  to  Salcedo,  August  29, 
1804;  Ugarte  to  Elguezabal,  October  1,   1804.      (MSS.   Bexar  Archives.)      In 
this  connection  it  is  significant  to  note  that  during  the  following  summer 
Minor  entertained  Burr  at  his  home  in  Natchez. 


EXPLORATIOK    OF    LOUISIANA    FRONTIER.  167 

tion  concerning  the  former  limits  of  French  and  Spanish 
jurisdiction.  Both  the  Spanish  officials  of  Texas  and  those 
of  the  Territory  of  Orleans  yvere  suspicious  of  the  real 
objects  of  the  Marquis;  but  the  former  apparently  believed 
him  to  be  really  engaged  in  work  as  boundary  commissioner, 
although  they  charged  that  at  the  same  time  he  took  occa- 
sion to  advocate  an  immediate  attack  upon  the  Americans 
in  Orleans  Territory."  The  latter  authorities,  influenced 
by  Casa  Calvo's  ready  resj^onse  to  the  request  for  a  passport 
for  Dunbar,  did  not  try  to  prevent  Casa  Calvo  from  jour- 
neying to  the  Texas  border,  but  they  believed  him  to  have 
the  design  of  tami)ering  with  the  Indians,  of  colonizing 
discontented  Creoles  in  Texas,  and  even  of  leading  a  large 
Spanish  force  into  their  territory.''  Consequently  it  Avas 
with  a  feeling  of  relief  that  Governor  Claiborne  received 
word  from  Wasliington  to  recpiire  the  immediate  departure 
from  American  territory  of  Casa  Calvo  and  otlier  Spanish 
officers  still  at  Xew  Orleans/  Claiborne  had  made  arrange- 
ments before  Casa  Calvo  left  to  have  Capt.  Edward  Turner 
join  him  on  the  frontier,  but  the  Marquis  managed  to  avoid 
this  officer.  When  the  governor  received  the  President's 
definite  order,  he  sent  another  officer  to  intercept  the  Mar- 
quis and  prevent  his  return  to  New^  Orleans.  He  likewise 
was  unsuccessful  in  this.  Casa  Calvo  arriv^ed  in  New 
Orleans  on  the  night  of  February  -1.  Two  days  later  Clai- 
borne informed  him  of  the  desire  of  the  President  for  his 
immediate  departure,  and,  despite  the  indignant  protests  of 
the  Marquis,  followed  a  firm  but  urbane  correspondence  by 
transmitting  a  passport  on  tlie  12th,  and  this  final  hint 
necessitated  the  departure  of  the  Marquis  on  the  15th.'' 

The  departure  of  Casa  Calvo  rendered  the  passport  given 
by  him  utterly  valueless,  and  in  addition  stirred  up  the  re- 
sentment of  all  the  Spanish  frontier  officials  of  the  vicinity. 
This  resentment  Avas  still  further  increased  by  an  CA^ent  hap- 
pening simultaneously^  on  tlie  Sabine  frontier.  During  the 
preceding    autumn    small    Spanish    detachments    had    been 

"  Salcedo  to  Cordero,  January  1  and  28,  1806  ;  Rodriguez  to  Cordero,  March 
4,  1806.      (MSS.  Bexar  Archives.) 

''Claiborne  to  Madison,  November  5,  1805  (Claiborne  Correspondence.  Ill)  ; 
John  Graham  to  Madison,  January  2,  1806  (Claiborne  Correspondence,  IV). 

'^Claiborne  to  Madison,  January  7,  1806.      (Claiborne  Correspondence,  IV.) 

''Claiborne  Correspondence,  IV;  Gayarre,  History  of  Louisiana,  IV,  131, 
132. 


168  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

thrown  to  the  eastward  of  that  river  and  one  of  these  had 
penetrated  as  far  as  the  ancient  Spanish  post  of  Adaes, 
abandoned  some  tliirty  years  before."  After  attempting  to 
get  some  assnrunce  from  the  Spanisli  commandant  at  Nacog- 
doches that  these  forces  woukl  be  withdrawn  and  no  farther 
raids  permitted.  Major  Porter,  connnanding  at  Natchitoches, 
ordered  Captain  Tnrner,  on  the  1st  of  February,  to  advance 
Avith  GO  men  to  the  vicinity  of  Adaes,  where  he  would  prob- 
ably fall  in  with  a  "  stationary  body  of  armed  Spaniards." 
This  force  he  was  to  compel,  if  possible  without  bloodshed, 
to  retreat  beyond  the  Sabine.  Turner  fell  in  Avitli  a  detach- 
ment of  some  twenty  men  imder  Ensign  Joseph  Maria  Gon- 
zales, who,  after  some  altercation,  agreed  to  take  up  his 
march  for  the  Sabine  and  to  send  no  more  patrols  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river.'' 

Tliis  direct  insult  to  the  Spanish  arms,  coupled  with  the 
lack  of  consideration  shown  to  His  Majesty's  commissioner 
and  other  officers,  added  to  the  jealous  fears  of  the  Spanish 
captain-general  the  requisite  desire  for  revenge.  This  com- 
bination of  motives  boded  ill  for  any  exj^edition  venturing 
near  the  uncertain  limits  of  the  Internal  Provinces  upon  the 
double  mission  of  frontier  exploration  and  Indian  negotia- 
tion. Salcedo  furthermore  took  the  precaution  to  order  a 
second  force  from  New  Mexico  to  intercept  Freeman's  party 
in  case  the  latter  escaped  that  detailed  lyv  the  governor  of 
Texas.^ 

As  yet  the  Eed  River  expedition,  planned  for  October, 
1805,  had  not  made  a  start.  In  a  letter  to  Volney,'^  dated 
February  11,  ISOG,  Jefferson  regretted  the  unavoidable  de- 
lay, and  in  his  special  message  to  Ccmgress  ^  on  the  19th  he 
stated  that  the  exploration  of  the  Ped  Piver  was  but  just 
commencing.  It  Avas  Iavo  months  later,  however,  before  the 
expedition  so  hardly,  and  as  events  j)roved,  so  A^ainly, 
planned  for  cast  off  from  Fort  Adams  and  swung  into  the 
opposing  current  of  the  Ped  PiA-er.  In  addition  to  Mr. 
Freeman,  Doctor  Custis,  and  Lieutenant  Humphrey,  already 

"Gonzales  to  Rodriguez,  October  16,  1805;  December  1,  1806.  (MSS. 
Bexar  Archives.) 

''American  State  Tapers,  Foreign  Relations.  II,  708.  799. 
<"  Coues,  The  Expeditions  of  Zebulon  Montgomery  Pike,  412. 
"Ford,  AVritings  of  Jefferson,  VIII.  420 
«  Annals,  0th  Congress,  2,  1037. 


EXPLORATION    OF    LOUISIANA    FRONTIER  169 

mentiojied,  the  party  consisted  of  Capt.  Richard  Sparks,  2 
noncommissioned  subalterns,  IT  privates,  and  a  blaclv  serv- 
ant— a  total  of  21.  Profiting  by  the  experience  of  the  pre- 
vious expedition,  the  party  Avas  borne  in  2  flat-bottomed 
barges  and  a  pirogue,  all  of  light  draft.  It  was  the  inten- 
tion of  the  explorers  to  proceed  on  the  Red  to  the  head  of 
navigation  among  the  Panis  (Pawnee)  Indians,  and  thence 
to  take  horses  to  the  "  top  of  the  mountains,''  in  Avhich  it 
Avas  supposed  to  rise,  a  few  miles  from  Santa  Fe.  The  return 
trip  was  to  l)e  made  by  the  same  river,  using  the  same  boats, 
and  thus  the  toilsome  difficulty  of  ])enetrating  to  the  uncer- 
tain headAvaters  of  the  Arkansas  and  tliere  constructing  new 
boats  Avas  to  be  aA'oided.  It  Avas  hoped  that  the  party  Avould 
be  able  to  bring  a  complete  collection  of  specimens  from  the 
upper  courses  of  the  Red.  I^ater  the  Arkansas  Avas  to  be 
explored  in  the  same  Avay." 

BeloAv  Xatchitoches  the  expedition  traA'ersed  the  region 
of  Avhich  Doctor  Sibley  had  already  given  a  general  descrip- 
tion,^ based  upon  his  travels  during  1803  and  1804.  Tlie 
A^oyagers  upon  this  occasion  simply  noted  the  scientific  data 
afforded  by  the  peculiarities  of  the  river  and  its  immediate 
banks,  together  Avith  some  observations  upon  the  Avhite  and 
Indian  settlements  upon  them.  At  Natchitoches  they  took 
on  additional  stores  for  Indian  trade  and  received  a  rein- 
forcement Avhich  brought  their  number  up  to  37.  AboA^e 
this  toAvn  they  began  to  encounter  that  peculiar  river  forma- 
tion of  logs,  brush,  and  mud,  to  Avhich  the  name  of  "  raft  " 
was  giA^en.  On  June  T  they  encamped  at  the  highest  Avliite 
settlement  on  the  river,  some  45  miles  above  Natchitoches. 
On  the  next  day,  Avhile  forcing  their  Avay  through  a  small 
raft,  they  Avere  OA^ertaken  by  an  Indian  messenger  from 
Doctor  Sibley,  Avho  brought  Avord  that  a  Spanish  force  had 
left  Nacogdoches,  in  Texas,  for  the  purpose  of  intercepting 

«  The  principal  source  used  for  the  Freeman  exploration  is  "An  account  of 
the  Red  River  in  Louisiana,  Drawn  up  from  the  Returns  of  Messrs.  Freeman 
and  Custis  to  the  War  Office  of  the  United  States,  Who  Explored  the  Same, 
in  the  Year  1806.  (Washington,  180G?)"  This  account  is  to  be  found  in  the 
Library  of  Congress,  Miscellaneous  I'amphlets,  vol.  8G1,  No.  8.  The  Library 
also  contains  a  manuscript  copy.  A  summary  of  the  exploration,  evidently 
based  upon  the  above,  is  given  in  James'  Account  of  an  Expedition  from 
Pittsburg  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  etc.,  I'hiladelphia,  1828.  A'ol.  U  pp. 
303-314. 

i' Annals,  OtU  Congress,  2,  1088-llOG. 


170  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

them.  Later  in  the  day  the  Doctor  himself  arrived  and  held 
a  consultation  with  the  leaders  of  the  party,  after  which 
they  resumed  their  journey. 

The  country  for  some  6  or  8  miles  on  each  side  of  the  river 
was  now  intersected  with  lakes  and  bayous,  forming  marshes 
and  swamps,  through  which  a  great  part  of  the  water  of  the 
river  was  dispersed.  The  main  channel  of  the  river  was 
often  choked  Avith  rafts,  which  l)ecame  increasingly  difficult 
to  remove.  On  the  11th  of  June  they  reached  the  "  Great 
Raft,''  through  which  for  over  fifty  years  no  white  or  Indian 
vessel  had  penetrated.  Upon  the  advice  of  their  French 
guide  they  made  a  detour  of  about  100  miles,  passing  through 
bayous,  creeks,  small  lakes,  and  swamps,  where  the  naviga- 
tion at  all  times  was  difficult  on  account  of  shoals,  rapid 
currents,  and  rafts,  and  occasionally  dangerous  from  the 
falling  of  decayed  timber.  Indian  or  French  guides  were 
equally  useless  for  discovering  the  best  way,  and  as  a  result 
fourteen  days  of  valuable  time  j^assed  before  the  explorers 
again  floated  upon  the  undivided  channel  of  the  Red,  some 
200  miles  above  Natchitoches,  They  felt  gratified,  however, 
in  having  passed  the  Great  Raft,  for  the  people  beloAv  had 
laughed  at  the  idea  of  their  doing  so  with  such  boats. 

Nineteen  miles  above  the  spot  where  they  reentered  the 
river  lay  the  village  of  the  Coashutta  (Coashatta,  Coasha- 
tay)  Indians.  These,  with  their  neighbors,  the  Caddoes,^ 
were  agriculturists,  and  in  a  stage  of  culture  comparable  to 
that  of  the  Cherokees.  From  Natchitoches  Sibley  had  sent 
on  an  Indian  guide,  Talapoon  by  name,  to  invite  the  Caddoes 
to  meet  the  party  at  the  Coashutta  village.  As  the  explorers 
were  proceeding  "thither  Talapoon  and  a  companion  met 
them,  bringing  information  that  a  party  of  300  Spaniards 
Avere  encamped  a  few  miles  back  of  the  Caddo  village,  for 
the  evident  purpose  of  intercepting  them.  The  officer  com- 
manding this  party  had  asked  the  Caddo  chief  if  he  loved 
the  Americans,  and  the  chief  had  replied  evasivel}^  that  he 
loved  all  men  and  that  the  Spaniards  must  not  spill  blood 
on  his  land.  The  officer  had  departed  without  replying,  and 
the  perplexed  chief  had  immediately  dispatched  the  mes- 
senger to  Freeman. 

"  The  shortened  form  for  the  Spanish  "  Caddadoches "  and  the  French 
"  Cadadoquious." 


EXPLOKATION    OF   LOUISIANA    FRONTIER.  171 

On  the  26th  of  June  they  arrived  at  the  Coashutta  village 
and  three  days  later  formally  presented  its  chief  with  an 
American  flag  in  lieu  of  the  Spanish  standard  with  which 
he  desired  to  celebrate  the  expected  arrival  of  the  Caddoes. 
On  July  1  the  Indian  guests  arrived  and  were  received  by  the 
Americans  with  a  salute  and  other  formalities.  This  marked 
attention  had  its  effect  upon  the  savages,  who  were  little  ac- 
customed to  receive  such  deferential  treatment.  This  effect 
was  heightened  by  the  skillful  Avay  in  which  Freeman  ex- 
plained the  wishes  of  the  President  regarding  the  Indians 
and  the  difficulties  he  and  his  party  had  already  encountered 
in  carrying  out  that  policy.  His  speech  pleased  the  chief, 
who,  in  reply,  dwelt  upon  the  previous  good  relations 
of  his  people  with  the  French  and  Spaniards  and  their 
determination  never  to  shed  the  blood  of  white  men.  He 
was  pleased  w^ith  what  he  saw  of  the  Americans  and  wished 
them  to  visit  all  the  tribes  along  the  river,  at  the 
same  time  especially  commending  his  friends  the  Panis 
(Pawnees)  and  warning  the  explorers  against  tlie  Osages. 
On  his  departure,  the  3d  of  July,  he  promised  to  keep  Free- 
man informed  of  the  movements  of  the  Spaniards  and  to 
forbid  the  latter  to  interfere  with  the  Americans  within  a 
distance  of  50  leagues  above  the  ancient  village  of  his  people, 
some  300  leagues  farther  up  the  river.  The  Americans  en- 
gaged three  of  the  Caddoes  to  act  as  guides,  si:)ies,  or  messen- 
gers, and  when  these  joined  the  Americans,  on  the  10th, 
they  brought  Avord  that  the  Spaniards  had  retired  to  the 
Sabine,  a  palpable  ruse  pointing  to  an  attack  farther  up 
the  Red. 

Leaving  the  Coashutta  village  on  the  11th,  the}^  passed 
through  a  most  inviting  region  extending  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Little  River,  102  miles  above.  On  the  25th  the}^  reached 
a  prairie,  upon  the  borders  of  which  was  the  site  of  a  former 
Caddo  village,  and  also,  so  their  guides  reported,  of  a 
French  military  post.  Of  the  latter  the  explorers  found  no 
other  trace  than  a  few  cedar  posts.  On  the  following  day 
three  Indian  runners  from  the  Caddo  cJiief  brought  news 
that  a  force  of  Spaniards,  estimated  at  1,000,  had  entered 
their  village,  cut  down  the  American  flag,  insulted  their 
chief,  and  threatened  to  kill  the  Americans  if  they  resisted 
their  attempt  to  stop  them.     The  Indians  spoke  of  the  Span- 


172  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

ish  leader  as  a  "  bad  "  man,  and  besought  the  Americans  to 
return  without  encountering  him.  Upon  Freeman's  declar- 
ing that  his  instructions  were  to  proceed  until  stopped  by  a 
superior  force,  the  Indians  chose  to  go  with  him,  although 
they  were  certain  they  should  not  return  alive. 

On  the  following  morning  the}^  made  a  "  cache  "  of  some 
of  their  provisions,  ammunition,  instruments,  and  most  im- 
jDortant  field  notes,  and  then  proceeded  on  their  voyage, 
taking  precautions  to  avoid  a  surprise.  At  nightfall  on 
the  28th  shots  were  heard  along  the  river  above,  and  the 
next  morning  their  Indian  scouts  reported  the  presence  of 
a  large  force  of  Spaniards.  They  now  proceeded  cautiously 
with  arms  in  readiness  and  with  patrols  moving  ahead  on 
each  bank.  The  American  force  presently  came  upon  a 
i:>icket  guard  of  some  22  Spaniards,  who  precipitately  fled. 
Anotlier  turn  of  the  river  brought  into  view  the  Spanish 
camp,  on  a  bluff,  a  half  mile  distant. 

The  Spanish  force  sent  to  intercept  the  Americans  was 
under  the  command  of  Don  Francisco  Viana,  adjutant  and 
inspector  of  the  internal  provinces,  who  then  commanded 
the  garrison  at  Nacogdoches.  A  veteran  of  firm  and  un- 
bending character,"  he  was  eminently  fitted  for  the  task 
before  him.  Leaving  Nacogdoches  on  the  12th  of  July, 
the  force  reached  the  Caddo  village,  as  reported  above, 
Avhere  they  were  greeted  by  the  spectacle  of  an  American 
flag  flaunting  a  welcome  to  them.  As  the  Indians  Avere 
somewhat  tardy  in  removing  it,  Viana  ordered  it  to  be  cut 
down,'^  possibly  as  an  object-lesson  in  the  method  he  in- 
tended to  adopt  with  the  exploring  force.  In  his  determi- 
nation to  capture,  kill,  or  drive  back  the  Americans,  Viana 
pressed  forward  rapidly,  and  now,  at  a  point  some  635 
miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Red  River,  he  awaited  his 
expected  prey. 

The  exiDloring  party  halted  for  dinner  at  the  usual  hour, 
but  during  the  somewhat  hurried  preparation  for  this  meal 
they  descried  a  large  detachment  of  Spanish  horse  on  the 
opposite  bank,  coming  at  full  gallop  toward  them.  The 
majority  of  the  American  force  were  ordered  to  take  posi- 

"  Cones,  Expeditions  of  Zebulon  Montgomery  Pilie,  710. 

'' Salcedo  to  Iturrigaray,  August  25,  1806.  (MSS.  Bexar  Arctiives.)  Bal- 
timore Telegraph  and  Daily  Advertiser,  October  8,  1S06. 


EXPLORATION    OF    LOUISIANA    FRONTIER.  173 

tion  in  the  canebrake  and  bushes  that  lined  the  bluff,  in 
readiness  to  fire  with  the  sentinels  belo^Y.  Here  concealed 
from  the  enemy  and  in  a  place  inaccessible  to  cavalry,  they 
were  prepared  to  give  the  enemy  a  severe  reception.  In 
addition,  a  noncommissioned  officer  and  6  privates  were  so 
stationed  as  to  be  in  the  rear  of  the  Spaniards  when  the 
latter  crossed  the  river. 

Through  the  water  at  full  speed  rode  the  Spaniards,  and, 
disregarding  the  challenge  of  the  sentinels,  pressed  on  toward 
the  boats  drawn  up  on  the  beach.  A  second  and  more  men- 
acing warning  caused  them  to  halt  and  deploy  in  line,  Avhile 
their  officers  came  forward  to  confer  Avith  Captain  Sparks 
and  Mr.  Freeman.  A  parley  of  some  three-quarters  of  an 
hour  ensued.  Viana  stated  that  he  had  positive  orders  to 
stop  the  explorers  and  to  fire  upon  them  if  they  persisted  in 
advancing  before  the  limits  of  the  two  countries  were  de- 
fined. P^reeman  stated  the  instructions  of  the  President  to 
explore  the  river  to  its  source,  and  re({uested  the  Spaniard 
to  give  in  writing  his  reasons  for  objecting  to  the  passage  of 
his  party.  Viana  refused  to  do  this,  but  asserted  upon  his 
honor  that  he  was  acting  under  direct  orders  from  his  Gov- 
ernment; and  he  peremptorily  inquired  when  the  Americans 
would  begin  their  return  journey. 

It  was  evident  that  Freeman  had  met  with  the  over- 
whelmingly superior  force  mentioned  in  his  instructions. 
Moreover,  the  difficulties  already  experienced  with  their 
barges  showed  the  impracticability  of  a  farther  ascent  at 
this  stage  of  the  water.  Nor  was  their  supply  of  Indian 
presents  adequate  to  procure  enough  horses  from  the  Panis 
(Pawnees),  200  miles  above,  to  transport  their  party  to 
the  mountains.  To  crown  all,  they  Avere  confronted  by 
an  overwhelming  force,  outnumbering  their  oAvn  five  to 
one,  and  although  their  position  and  spirit  might  make  the 
outcome  of  a  battle  doubtful,  their  leader  bore  definite  in- 
structions from  President  Jefferson  to  avoid  o})en  hostilities 
at  all  hazards.  Accordingly,  after  consultation  with  his  fel- 
low-officers, Freeman  replied  that  he  would  begin  his  retreat 
the  following  day.  On  the  30th  the  return  movement  began ; 
on  the  8th  of  August  the}^  were  at  the  Coashutta  village,  and 
by  the  latter  part  of  the  month  at  Natchitoches. 

Apparently  President  Jefferson's  plan  for  the  exploration 
of  the  Louisiana  purchase  had  utterly  failed.     The  net  re- 


174  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

suits  of  two  years  of  careful  planning  and  of  fairly  liberal 
Government  expenditure  Avere  meager  enough.  Dunbar  and 
Hunter  had  made  a  fairly  complete  scientific  exploration  of 
the  Washita.  Freeman  had  penetrated  the  Red  some  600 
miles,  but  this  was  barely  as  far  as  actual  French  occupation 
had  extended  and  bv  no  means  equaled  the  French  explora- 
tions of  the  preceding  century.  Freeman  had  also  estab- 
lished cordial  relations  with  tAvo  minor  Indian  tribes,  but  by 
almost  immediately  yielding  to  Viana's  force  he  probably 
com2:)romised  in  their  eyes  his  Government's  reputation. 

To  the  President  the  result  of  Freeman's  expedition,  de- 
sjjite  his  attempt  in  his  annual  message  to  gloss  it  over  and 
to  persuade  others  that  it  strengthened  our  claim  to  the  Red 
River,*^  must  have  been  a  bitter  disappointment.  He  recom- 
mended a  small  annual  appropriation  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
tinuing the  exploration,  and  a  committee  of  the  House,  of 
which  Alston,  of  South  Carolina,  Avas  chairman,  indorsed 
the  plan,  but  Congress  itself  took  no  action.  The  neutral- 
ground  agreement  betAveen  Wilkinson  and  Herrera  ^  doubt- 
less led  to  an  abandonment  of  the  Red  as  the  scene  of  explo- 
ration ;  but  for  a  time  Jefferson  cherished  the  plan  of 
sending  Freeman  and  Lieut.  James  B.  Wilkinson  up  the 
Arkansas,  in  1807,  but  afterAvards  abandoned  even  this.^ 
Thirteen  years  Avere  to  pass  before  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment sent  its  next  formal  expedition  through  any  jDortion 
of  the  Louisiana  Territory.  Despite  the  failure  of  the  main 
objects  of  frontier  exploration  and  Indian  negotiation,  the 
reports  of  Dunbar  and  of  Freeman  indirectly  stimulated  the 
development  of  the  Avhole  SoutliAvest,  and  in  the  course  of  a 
decade  a  hardy  frontier  poj^ulation,  unmindful  of  natural 
obstacles,  of  the  territorial  claims  of  the  decaying  Spanish 
poAver,  or  of  the  promises  of  the  Government  to  its  ncAv 
allies,  had  occupied  nearly  the  Avhole  extent  of  the  valley 
of  the  Washita  and  of  the  Red  River  as  explored  by  Dunbar 
and  Freeman  in  the  years  immediately  following  the  acqui- 
sition of  Louisiana.^ 

"Ford,  Writings  of  Jefferson,  VIII,  492;  Jefferson  to  Dearborn,  June  22, 
1807  ;  lb.,  IX,  86. 

"  McCaleb,  The  Aaron  Burr  Conspiracy,   149-153. 

'^  Cones,  Expeditions  of  Zebulon  Montgomery  I'ilie,  827,  835. 

^  For  contemporary  maps  based  upon  these  expeditions  the  reader  is  re- 
ferred to  "  Documents  Relating  to  the  Louisiana  Purchase  "  and  to  the  maps 
accompanying  the  various  editions  of  Pike's  Explorations. 


IX.— THE  CAMPAIGN  OF  1824  IN  NEW  YORK. 


By  C.   H.   RAMMELKAMP, 

Professor  of  History,  lUiyiois  College,  Jacksonville. 


175 


THE  CAMPAIGN  OF  1824  IN  NEW  YORK. 


By  C.  II.  Kaaimelkamp 


The  Presidential  election  of  1824  is  usually  stigmatized  as 
a  campaign  of  personalities  and  not  principles.  To  a  certain 
degree  it  is  undoubtedly  true  that  the  scramble  for  the  suc- 
cession to  Monroe  did  not  involve  any  great  national  prin- 
ciples, but,  nevertheless,  during  that  campaign  important 
develo})ments  Avere  taking  place — an  old  })arty  was  dissolv- 
ing and  ncAV  parties  were  crystallizing,  the  system  of  party 
management  was  undergoing  a  transformation,  and  a  move- 
ment toAA'ard  a  more  complete  democracy  Avas  beginning. 
The  campaign  in  the  State  of  Xcav  York,  besides  possessing 
certain  characteristics  in  conmion  Avith  the  general  campaign, 
deriA^ed  from  local  issues  and  local  conditions  a  s})ecial  sig- 
nificance. As  ahvays,  it  Avas  a  vital  question  hoAv  New  York 
Avould  dispose  of  her  armful  of  electoral  Azotes.  If  all  of 
her  3()  Azotes  could  be  '' sAvung ''  in  favor  of  one  candidate 
there  existed,  so  some  politicians  asserted,  the  possibility  of 
keeping  the  election  out  of  the  House  of  irepresentatives. 
But  in  NcAv  York,  as  in  the  nation  at  large,  i)olitical  parties 
Avere  in  a  state  of  confusion  and  the  pr()!)lem  of  uniting  the 
A^ote  of  the  State  upcm  a  single  candidate  involved  insur- 
mountable difficulties.  The  groAving  hostility  in  national 
politics  to  party  dictation  from  Washington  2:)oIiticians 
found  its  counterpart  in  State  politics  in  the  revolt  against 
the  Albany  RegencA^  The  campaign  of  182-1:  in  Xcav  York 
is  marked  by  the  final  establishment  of  the  nominating  con- 
vention and  the  origin  of  the  movement  that  secured  to  the 
people  the  privilege  of  choosing  the  Presidential  electors. 
Both  moA^ements  Avere  steps  in  the  direction  of  a  more  com- 
plete democracy,  and  in  both  do  Ave  find  some  explanation  of 
the  origin  of  that  Democratic  tidal  Avave  Avhich  SAi^ept  the 
H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 12  '  177 


178  AMEBIC AK    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

countr}^  for  Jackson  in  1828.  On  its  personal  side,  the  cam- 
paign in  New  York  Avas  a  contest  between  the  two  chief  poli- 
ticians of  the  State — De  Witt  Clinton,  a  candidate  for  the 
office  of  governor,  and  Martin  Van  Buren,  who,  although 
representing  New  York  in  the  Federal  Senate,  reall}^  directed 
the  campaign  against  Clinton.  Van  Buren  and  the  Albany 
Regency  exerted  themselves  to  defeat  Clinton  and  to  save 
the  State  for  CraAvford.  The  friends  of  Clinton,  although 
differing  decidedly  in  their  preferences  for  Presidential  can- 
didates, Avere  united  in  their  opposition  to  the  Regency,  and 
especially  in  their  effort  to  change  the  electoral  laAV  of  the 
State  so  that  the  people  might  vote  directly  for  the  Presi- 
dential electors. 

In  NeAv  York,  as  elscAvhere,  the  campaign  for  the  succes- 
sion to  Monroe  began  early,  and  naturally  a  question  fre- 
quently asked  Avas.  Which  candidate  Avill  the  poAverful  polit- 
ical leader  of  the  State,  Senator  Van  Buren,  support?  As 
Avas  usual  Avith  him,  the  junior  Senator  from  Ncav  York  Avas 
cautious  and  reticent;  for  a  long  time  his  intimate  friends, 
and  for  a  still  longer  time  the  general  public,  Avere  uncer- 
tain for  Avhose  cause  Van  Buren 's  influence  would  be  Avielded. 
It  might  be  surmised  that  the  leader  of  the  Albany  Regency 
Avould  support  the  candidate  Avho  received  the  regular  caucus 
nomination,  but  of  CA^en  that  no  one  could  be  certain.  For 
example,  Monroe's  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Smith  Thompson, 
remarked  to  Senator  Riifus  King  early  in  February,  1823, 
"  Van  Buren  keeps  himself  dark  on  this  matter;  "  ^  but  King 
himself  apparently  believed  he  had  penetrated  the  darkness 
surrounding  Van  Buren,  for  he  Avrites  to  his  son,  Charles 
King,  February  2G,  1823,  "  V.  B.  au  fond  is  for  CraAvford."  ^ 
For  CraAvford  it  Avas  that  Van  Buren  eventually  declared 
himself.  But  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  upon  the  eve  of 
this  exciting  political  contest  Van  Buren  had  serious  thoughts 
of  AvithdraAving  entirely  from  the  arena  of  party  politics 
to  take  a  seat  on  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Court.  Appar- 
ently he  would  have  accepted  the  place  made  vacant  by  the 
death  of  Judge  Brockholst  Livingston  had  President  Monroe 

»  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Rufus  King,  VI,  510  ;  also  Smith  Thompson 
to  A^an  Buren,  March  17,  1823    (Van  Buren  MSS.,  Library  of  Congress). 

''Ibid.,  VI.  504.  The  I'atriot  (New  Yorlc)  charged  as  early  as  July  17, 
1823,  that  Van  Buren  had  made  a  deal  with  Crawford, 


CAMPAIGN    OF   1824    IN    NEW    YOKK.  179 

been  favorably  inclined  to  the  appointment.^  King,  while 
he  did  not  take  an  active  part  in  the  campaign,  seems  to 
have  been  early  inclined  to  support  Adams.''  Two  citizens 
of  New  York  had  aspirations  for  the  Presidenc}^,  although 
it  is  exceedingly  doubtful  Avhether  either  of  them  could  have 
secured  many  of  the  electoral  votes  of  his  own  State.  The 
ambitious  De  Witt  Clinton,  candidate  of  the  Federalists  in 
1812,  was  hoping  that  there  might  be  a  chance  in  1824;^"  in 
fact,  some  citizens  of  Ohio  nominated  him  in  1823,^^  but 
Clinton,  of  course,  never  became  a  serious  candidate,  nor  was 
the  other  aspirant  from  New  York,  Smith  Thompson,  ever 
an  important  competitor.^' 

Although  Van  Buren  and  his  friends  in  the  Albany  Re- 
gency Avere,  without  doubt,  disposed  to  support  CraAvford, 
they  did  not  at  once  avoAv  their  prefei'ence  and  openly  conduct 
a  campaign  for  their  favorite  candidate.  During  the  months 
preceding  the  meeting  of  the  Congi'essional  caucus  the  Re- 
gency party  in  Ncav  York  conducted  a  campaign  not  for 
CraAvford,  if  one  might  belicA'C  its  public  assertions,  but 
simply  for  adherence  to  the  "  regular  nomination "  that 
might  be  made  by  the  Washington  caucus.  The  mouth- 
piece of  the  Van  Buren  party  in  the  State  Avas,  of  course,  the 
Albany  "Argus,"  and  this  '^  inspired  "  and  influential  paper, 
of  which  the  Avell-kuoAvn  '"  journalist-])olitician,"  Edwin 
Crosv,'ell,  had  become  an  editor,  did  not  in  the  year  preceding 
the  Presidential  election  opeidy  advocate  the  candidacy  of 
Crawford;  on  the  contrary,  as  regards  the  rival  candidates, 
it  pursued,  nominally,  a  nonconnnittal  policy.  ''Premature 
committals  are  to  be  deprecated,"  "  and  to  one  Avho  did  not 
read  betAveen  the  lines  the  only  Avish  of  the  "Argus  "  Avas  that 

"Life  and  Correspondence  of  Riifus  King,  A'l,  522;  Reminiscences  of  J.  A. 
Hamilton,  61,  (i2.      King  urged  tlie  I'resident  to  appoint  A'an  Buren. 

**  E.  g.,  King  was  disinclined  to  "continuing  tlie  I'residency  in  tlie  slave 
section."      (Life  and  Correspondence,  A'l,  508.) 

<^  Clinton  Letters,  in   Harper's  Monthly  Magazine,   L.,  417,  507,  508. 

^  Proceedings  in  New   York  Statesman,  January  7,   1824. 

«  A'^an  Buren  urged  Thompson  to  aim  no  higher  than  the  Vice-Presidency 
or  the  Supreme  Court  (see,  e.  g..  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Rufus  King,  VI, 
511).  Thompson  himself  thought  that  if  the  Republicans  of  New  York  would 
favor  him  his  prospects  would  be  very  fair,  and  accordingly  suggested  to  Van 
Buren  the  advisability  of  some  declaration  from  New  York  in  favor  of  his 
candidacy.  (Smith  Thompson  to  A'an  Buren,  March  17,  1824;  Van  Buren 
MSS.,  Library  of  Congress.)  Clinton  wrote,  on  January  8,  1823:  "Van 
Buren  himself  has  an  eye  to  the  Presidency."  (Clinton  Letters,  in  Harpers' 
Monthly  Magazine,  L,  568.) 


180  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  Republican  party  should  be  kept  together,  and  this  was 
to  be  accomplished  by  unswerving  adherence  to  the  estab- 
lished system  of  Congressional  nomination  of  Presidential 
candidates.  To  oppose  caucus  nominations  is  a  Federalist 
trick ;  the  vote  of  New  York  must  be  united  upon  one  candi- 
date, and  in  order  to  insure  such  a  result  the  "Argus  "  hopes 
that  "  the  salutary  precedent  of  caucus  nominations  will  be 
preserved,"  and  it  promises  that  the  Republican  party  of 
New  York  '^  will  give  its  undivided  and  effectual  support  to 
the  candidate  regularly  nominated  by  the  Republicans  of  the 
Union  in  Congressional  caucus."  ^  It  is  upon  the  string  of 
regular  nominations  that  the  "Argus  "  is  thus  continually 
harping.  "  Regular  nominations  are  the  strength  and  power 
of  the  party,  and  we  are  persuaded  that  they  will  always  be 
preferred  to  the  chances  of  doubtful  and  untried  experi- 
ments." ^ 

But  it  was  difficult  for  the  "Argus  "  to  hide  the  fact  that 
adherence  to  regular  nominations  implied  the  support  of 
Crawford  and  that  it  itself  favored  the  candidate  from 
Georgia.  Remarks  far  from  complimentary  were  constantly 
being  made  about  Mr.  Crawford,  and  the  influential  Albany 
newspaper  could  not  refrain  from  occasionally  repelling 
these,  although  in  doing  so  the  paper  pretended  to  present, 
not  its  own  views,  but  simply  those  of  the  friends  of  Craw- 
ford.'^  If  the  resolutions  of  the  State  legislature  were  any 
indication  of  the  public  sentiment  of  the  State,  the  friends 
of  the  Congressional  caucus  might,  perhaps,  look  to  New 
York  for  an  indorsement  of  the  caucus  candidate,  for  already 
twice,  in  1822  and  1823,  had  the  Republican  members  of  the 
legislature  declared  that  they  would  support  the  regular 
caucus  nominations.'^  The  resolution  of  1823,  prepared 
under  the  direct  supervision  of  Senator  Van  Buren,^  insisted 
that  the  "  practice  of  making  nominations  for  the  office  of 
President  by  the  individual  States  "  destroyed  party  har- 

«  Argus,  March  25,   1823. 

*  Argus,  March  25,  May  13,  June  17,  July  8,  September  5,  November  14, 
December  17,  1823. 

<=  E.  g.,  Argus,  April  22,  September  16,  1823. 

^  Argus,  December  2,  1822  ;  April  25,  1S23.  The  legislature  had  also  for- 
mally refused  to  indorse  the  resolutions  of  Tennessee  against  the  caucus  sys- 
tem. (.Journal  of  Senate,  1824,  13,  17.  28,  55;  Journal  of  Assembly,  1824, 
153,  168.) 

«  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Rufus  King,  VI,  527. 


CAMPAIGN    OF   1824    IN    NEW    YORK.  181 

mony,  and  that  a  nomination  by  Congressional  cancns,  al- 
though objections  might  be  made  against  it,  was  on  the  whole 
the  best  method. 

In  sjDite  of  the  fact  that  the  fall  campaign  of  1823  gave  the 
people  of  New  York,  as  the  law  then  existed,  their  final  op- 
portunity to  vote  on  the  Presidential  question,  the  voters  did 
not  question  the  candidates  for  the  State  legislature  as  to 
their  Presidential  preferences.  The  "Argus,"  as  just  ex- 
plained, exerted  itself  to  kee]D  the  Presidential  question,  as 
far  as  it  related  to  candidates,  in  the  background ;  but,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  Ncav  York  American,  which  had  already  an- 
nounced itself  in  favor  of  Adams,  emphasized  the  necessity 
of  introducing  the  Presidential  question  into  the  State  cam- 
paign of  1823.'^  Unanimity  as  regards  the  best  candidate  of 
the  Republican  party  would  evidently  be  impossible,  and 
therefore  the  "American  "  thought  the  question  ought  to  be 
discussed.  Would  not  the  men.  elected  to  the  State  legisla- 
ture that  fall  choose  the  Presidential  electors,  and  was  it 
therefore  not  of  the  highest  importance  to  inquire  which 
aspirant  for  the  Presidency  the  candidates  for  the  legisla- 
ture favored?  It  was  a  most  pertinent  question,  but  the 
voters  do  not  appear  to  have  been  anxious  to  ask  it. 

Undoubtedly  one  reason  why  the  Presidential  question  w^as 
not  more  strenuously  agitated  in  the  State  campaign  of  1823 
was  the  hope  that  the  law  regulating  the  choice  of  Presi- 
dential electors  would  be  repealed.^  The  repeal  of  the  State 
electoral  law  became,  in  fact,  one  of  the  naost  important  issues 
of  the  campaign  of  1821  in  New  York.  For  over  thirty 
years  the  members  of  the  State  legislature  had  been  choosing 
the  Presidential  electors.  This  important  privilege  the  legis- 
lature had  generously  granted  to  itself  in  1792.  The  privilege 
had  been  originally  assumed,  if  the  preamble  of  the  law  is 
trustworthy,  not  because  the  legislature  indorsed  the  general 
idea  that  Presidential  electors  ought  to  be  chosen  by  State 
legislatures,  but  because  there  was  not  sufficient  time  prior  to 

"New  York  American.  March   15,  3823. 

"  This  hope  is  well  illustrated  in  the  New  York  Statesman,  September  11, 
1823  :  "  We  arc  compelled  to  believe  that,  as  the  people  will  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  express  their  sentiments  on  the  I'residential  question  by  the  choice 
of  electors  in  the  autumn  of  1824,  it  would  be  better  to  ask  no  pledges  in  rela- 
tion to  tiiat  subject  at  present." 


182  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  election  of  1792  to  make  arrangements  for  a  popular 
choice  of  electors." 

Power  once  enjoyed  is  not  apt  to  be  Avillingly  and  cheer- 
fully resigned.  Although  at  various  times  the  repeal  of  the 
laAv  was  suggested,  down  to  1823  no  widespread  popular  ob- 
jection to  the  legislative  choice  of  Presidential  electors  seems 
to  have  manifested  itself,  but  in  the  latter  year  a  movement 
began  Avhicli  led  ultimately  to  the  repeal  of  the  old  electoral 
law  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  people  this  important 
privilege.  The  agitation  for  repeal  Avas  started  especially 
by  the  opponents- of  Crawford,  who  feared  that  if  the  choice 
of  electors  remained  with  the  legislature  that  body  would  be 
controlled  in  the  interest  of  this  candidate  by  the  Albany 
Regency.  It  is,  of  course,  not  surprising  that  the  demand 
for  a  repeal  of  the  old  electoral  law  should  win  pronounced 
popular  support,  nor  is  it  strange  that  the  politicians  of  the 
Regency  ranged  themselves  against  the  movement,  for 
although  they  soon  must  have  realized  that  they  were  taking 
an  unpopular  position,  they  nevertheless  instinctively  felt 
that  the  success  of  the  agitation  boded  ill  not  only  to  the 
cause  of  CraAvford,  but  also  to  their  own  power.^  Two  hun- 
dred and  sixty  thousand  voters  could  not  be  so  easily  man- 
aged as  160  members  of  the  State  legislature.  The  Albany 
junto,  as  CA^ents  Avere  to  demonstrate,  made  a  grave  mistake 
in  opposing  the  repeal  of  the  electoral  laAv,  for  Avhile  V^an 
Buren's  political  agents  did  indeed  prevent  an  immediate 
change  in  the  method  of  choosing  the  Presidential  electors, 
their  success  did  not  save  the  State  for  their  favorite  candi- 
date, but  it  did  demolish  their  own  power  in  State  politics. 
But  Avho  could  expect  even  Regency  politicians  to  be  un- 
erring prophets.  They  acted  as  self-interest  and  the  de- 
mands of  the  moment  seemed  to  dictate. 

For  a  long  time  the  leaders  of  the  Regency  party  refused 
to  attach  any  serious  importance  to  the  movement.  In  June, 
1823,  shortly  after  the  New  York  "  Patriot  "  had  opened  the 
campaign  for  a  repeal  of  the  law,  the  "'Argus  "  insisted  that 

«  Laws  of  New  York,  1788-1792,  II,  481,  482. 

'>  Some  members  of  the  party  did,  indeed,  favor  the  reform,  but  the  leaders 
were  against  it.  For  example,  at  a  meeting  of  Republicans  in  Albany  a 
motion  was  made  to  indorse  the  popular  election  of  electors,  but  through  the 
efforts  of  Van  Buren's  friends,  Marcy  and  Butler,  the  motion  was  virtually 
defeated,     (New  York  Patriot,  October  27,  1823.) 


CAMPAIGN    OF    1824    IN    NEW    YORK.  183 

"  of  the  proposed  change  in  the  mode  of  choosing  electors  of 
President  in  this  State  there  is  not  a  solitary  indication  that 
the  people  demand  it  or  are  prepared  for  it:""  but  as  the 
campaign  of  1823  progressed  and  the  next  year  advanced 
the  absurdity  of  such  an  opinion  became  constantly  more 
evident.  It  Avill  be  unnecessary  to  state  at  length  the  argu- 
ments which  each  side  advanced  to  substantiate  its  position. 
Why  should  a  law  established  by  the  "  wise  forefathers  "  of 
the  State  and  tested  in  many  a  Presidential  election  be 
changed?  Those  anxious  for  the  welfare  of  the  State  were 
asked  to  consider  the  excitement  that  would  undoubtedly 
(lisgTace  the  campaigns  if  the  people  were  allowed  to  choose 
the  electors.  Besides,  there  existed  also  the  grave  danger, 
if  the  law  were  changed,  that  the  A^ote  of  Xew  York  might 
be  divided — on  the  gratuitous  assumption,  of  course,  that 
the  district  system  of  voting  must  be  adopted. 

After  all,  the  Avhole  moA^ement  Avas  merely  a  scheme  to 
advance  the  interests  of  De  Witt  Clinton  for  the  Presi- 
dency.^ It  Avas  easy  for  the  friends  of  repeal,  Avho  in- 
cluded Bucktails  as  Avell  as  Clintonians,  to  reply  to  these 
arguments  and  to  advance  positive  reasons  of  their  oavu. 
The  members  of  the  legislature,  Avhich  selects  the  electors, 
are  elected  a  Avhole  year  l)ef()re  the  Presidential  election 
occurs ;  they  "  are  during  that  period  exposed  to  the  arts 
of  seduction  and  to  the  influence  of  unprinci])led  politicians.'' 
State  senators  Avere  in  some  cases  elected  even  years  before 
the  Presidential  election.  Under  such  circumstances,  hoAv 
could  the  legislature  truly  represent  popular  sentiment  Avith 
regard  to  the  Presidential  candidates?  The  danger  of  a 
division  of  the  electoral  votes  among  scA^eral  candidates 
might  easily  be  obviated  by  the  use  of  a  general  ticket.^ 
This  question  thus  became  the  most  important  issue  in  182-^ 


"  Argus,  June  27,  1823  ;  but  the  private  expressions  of  opinion  were  not  so 
confident.  Marcy  writes  to  Van  Biiren,  December  14,  1823  :  "  If  they  could 
have  it  as  they  wish  they  would  not  chanue  the  existing  mode,  but  some  timid 
men  who  wish  well  to  the  Democratic  party  are  appiehensive  that  the  current 
of  public  opinion  seems  so  strong  that  it  can  not  be  resisted,  but  will  over- 
whelm all  that  attempt  it."      (Van  Buren  ]MSS.,  Library  of  Congress.) 

"Argus,  July  8,  December  23,  1823. 

'^  For  the  arguments  used  by  the  friends  of  repeal,  see  e.  g.,  New  York 
American,  July  28,  October  S  ;  New  Yorlc  Patriot,  June  19,  21,  27,  July  3, 
14,  August  6,  September  17,  18,  22,  October  1  ;  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  Sep- 
tember 16,  IS,  26  ;  New  York  StateHuian,  June  27,  30.  1823. 


184  america:n'  historical  association. 

relating  to  the  campaign  of  1824."  Notwithstanding  the 
persistency  of  the  ''  regular  "  leaders  in  closing  their  eye:; 
(at  least  in  public)  to  the  importance  of  the  movement,  it 
was  bound  to  find  favor  among  the  people.  Most  of  the 
newspapers  of  the  State  (except  those  that  took  their  cue 
from  the  "Argus ")  supported  the  movement,  and  many 
ward  and  county  conventions  throughout  the  State  passed 
resolutions  pledging  their  support  onh^  to  such  candidates 
for  the  legislature  as  favored  the  popular  choice  of  electors.^ 

The  agitation  found  especially  strong  support  in  the  city 
of  New  York.  The  nominating  committee  of  Tammany 
Hall  had  prepared  a  list  of  candidates  for  the  legislature, 
but  at  a  general  meeting  to  consider  the  report  of  this  com- 
mittee determined  opposition  to  most  of  the  candidates 
manifested  itself,  because  people  suspected  tlieir  attitude  on 
the  electoral  question.  Very  tumultuous  proceedings  charac- 
terized the  meeting.  A  large  portion  of  those  present  refused 
to  indorse  the  nominations  of  the  connnittee  and  resolved  to 
support  another  set  of  candidates  knoAvn  to  be  in  favor  of 
a  repeal  of  tlie  electoral  law.^  The  party  which  thus 
S2)rang  into  existence  in  this  campaign  called  itself  the 
"  People's  Party."  In  those  districts  of  the  State  where  the 
"  regular "  candidates  Avere  known  to  favor  the  proposed 
change  there  was,  as  c  rule,  no  opposition,  but  in  other  dis- 
tricts "  People's  "  candidates  were  presented.'^ 

Conflicting  claims  were  made  regarding  the  results  of  the 
election  of  1823;  both  the  Regency  and  the  People's  Party 
rejoiced  in  a  victory.  After  the  returns  of  the  election  had 
been  received,  the  '"Argus "  claimed  that  94  out  of  128 
"  regular  "  Eepublicans  had  been  returned  to  the  assembly, 
but  Calhoun's  paper,  the  New  York  "  Patriot,"  Avas  certain 
that  "  Martin  Van  Buren  Avill  go  to  Washington  with  a 

"  De  Witt  CUnton  writes  that  the  objects  of  the  campaign  of  1823  must  be 
"  to  take  ground  against  a  legislative  appointment  of  electors  and  to  discounte- 
nance a  Congressional  caucus.  (MSS.  Letters,  September  14,  1823.)  It  is 
somewhat  surprising  that  the  private  papers  of  De  AAMtt  Clinton  do  not  con- 
tain more  references  to  the  issues  connected  with  the  campaign  of  1824  in 
New  Yox'li,  in  which  he  himself  figured  so  prominently. 

"  R.  g..  New  York  Patriot,  October  8,  27  ;  New  York  American,  October  2, 
3,  4,  8,  20,  22,  28,  30  ;  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  October  15,  28,  29,  1823. 

'■  New  York  Statesman,  October  23,  20  ;  New  York  I'atriot,  October  29,  31, 
1823. 

<*  Argus,  October  31,  1823  :  "  In  almost  every  county  of  the  State  a  Peo- 
ple's ticket  has  been  obtruded  upon  the  electors." 


CAMPAIGN    OF    1824    IN    NEW    YORK.  185 

fallen  coimtenance  and  heavy  heart." "  The  fact  that  in 
many  cases  the  "  regular  '*  candidates  had  given  pledges  to 
support  the  repeal  complicated  the  difficulty  of  deciding 
which  side  had  won,  but  it  is  probable  that  a  majority  of 
the  newly  elected  members  favored  a  change.  As  regards 
the  bearing  of  the  election  upon  the  question  of  the  Presiden- 
tial contest,  the  friends  of  nearly  all  the  candidates  seemed 
to  draw  hope  from  the  results.  Crawford's  organ,  the  Rich- 
mond "  Enquirer,"  felt  sure  that  "  New  York  is  safe ;  "  that 
the  "  next  legislature  will  have  a  decided  majority  of  the 
friends  of  W.  H.  Crawford ;  "  ^  the  New  York  "  Patriot " 
was  equalh^  convinced,  after  the  election,  that  "  the  State  of 
New  York  is  for  John  C.  Calhoun  for  President  of  the 
United  States;  "  ^  while  the  New  York  ''American  "  thought 
that  the  election  of  18:23  was  a  victory  for  Adams,  "  that  not 
80  members  of  the  assembly  out  of  128  prefer  Mr.  Craw- 
ford; " '^  that  the  result  as  far  as  it  indicated  the  preference 
of  New  York  for  a  Presidential  candidate  was  extremely 
doubtful  is  obvious;  confident  in  the  hope  that  the}^  them- 
selves Avould  vote  for  the  electors  in  1824,  the  people  had  not 
asked  the  legislative  candidates  whom  they  favored  for 
President. 

The  State  legislature  which  met  in  January,  1824,  hnd 
before  it  important  jDroblems  and,  as  events  proved,  au  excit- 
ing session.  The  political  complexion  of  the  body  reflected 
the  general  political  conditions — parties  were  not  clearly 
defined;  even  those  members  who  had  been  elected  as  Peo- 
ple's Party  men  did  not  refuse  to  meet  in  caucus  with  the 
"  regular  "  Republicans.^  The  People's  Party  did,  indeed, 
make  an  attempt  to  elect  its  own  speaker  but  was  unsuccess- 
ful. Was  the  legislature  ready  to  take  action  on  the  electoral 
law  ?  The  Regency  politicians,  now  somewhat  distracted  by 
the  popular  demand  for  a  change  in  the  law,  were  at  a  loss 
what  to  do.     Marcy  wrote  confidentially,  January  11,  1824: 

If  it  were  not  for  the  embarrassing  question  of  the  electoral  law  we 
should  be  in  the  best  possible  condition  here.     The  members  are  dis- 

«  Argus,  November  25  ;  New  York  Patriot,  November  24,  1823. 

^Quoted  in  New  Yorlt  American,  November  22,  1823. 

"  New  Yorlj  Patriot,  November  22,  1823. 

**  New  Yorl?  American,  November  24,  1823. 

"  Hammond,  ,T.,  Political  History  of  New  Yorlc,  II,  139.  No  one  can  write 
on  this  period  of  the  political  history  of  .New  York  without  feeling  indebted 
to  Hammond,  who  has  blazed  the  way  through  the  polities  of  the  period. 


186  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

tracted  in  their  views  in  relation  to  that  measure.  I  believe  all 
Republicans  have  serious  apprehensions  as  to  the  consequences,  if  the 
mode  is  changed,  but  they  think  there  is  a  demand  for  it  by  the  great 
body  of  the  people  and  that  a  refusal  to  yield  to  this  demand  jeopard- 
izes their  ])opularity  and  exposes  the  party  to  an  os'erthi'ow.« 

People  awaited  with  great  curiosity  the  message  of  Gov- 
ernor Yates ;  the  friends  of  the  cause  naturally  hoped  that  he 
would  take  a  bold  stand  in  favor  of  repealing  the  old  law  and 
they  expected  that  a  frank  expression  in  favor  of  the  popular 
choice  of  electors  would  have  an  important  influence  upon 
the  legislature.^  Just  what  attitude  the  governor  would 
assume,  hardly  anybody  could  tell,  and  in  fact  his  policy  was 
vacillating.  The  politicians  pointed  out  to  him  that  he 
could  render  a  great  service  to  the  Republican  cause  by  urg- 
ing the  legislature  to  keep  the  choice  of  presidential  electors 
in  its  own  hands.  The  bait  dangled  before  Yates  to  induce 
him  to  adopt  this  course  was  the  Yice-Presidency.^  It  is 
perhaps  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  the  governors  mes- 
sage did  not  meet  the  question  fairh^  and  squarely.  He  did 
indeed  express  the  opinion  that  the  numner  of  choosing  elec- 
tors ought  to  be  made  uniform  throughout  the  United  States 
by  means  of  an  amendment  to  the  Federal  Constitution;  so 
confident  was  the  governor  that  some  action  in  this  direction 
would  be  taken  that  he  told  the  legislature  it  Avould  shortly 
have  an  opportunity  "  to  sanction  an  amendment  not  only 
establishing  a  uniform  rule  in  the  choice  of  electors  but  also 
securing  the  desirable  object  of  directing  such  choice  to  be 
made  by  the  people."  '^  But  an  immediate  change  of  the  law 
in  New  York,  Yates  did  not  recommend. 

At  the  very  first  day  of  the  session,  even  before  the  mes- 
sage of  the  governor  had  been  received,  the  electoral  ques- 
tion came  up.  Mr.  Wheaton,  the  United  States  Supreme 
Court  reporter,  who  had  been  returned  as  a  People's  Party 
man  from  the  city  of  'New  York,  gave  notice  of  his  intention 
to  introduce  a  bill  giving  the  people  the  privilege  of  choosing 
the  electors,  while  Azariah  C.  Flagg,  who  represented  the 
Regency  Party,  at  once  moved  that  the  whole  question  be 

«  Van  Bui-en  MSS.,  Library  of  Congress. 

"  E.  g.,  New  York  Patriot,  September  17,  18,  22  ;  Albany  Daily  Advertiser, 
January  17,  1824. 

<•  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Ilufus  King,  VI,  540,  546. 

'*  Journal  of  Assembly,  1824,  18  ;  message  criticized  in  Statesman,  January 
13,  1824. 


I 


CAMPAIGN    OF    1824    IN    NEW    YORK.  187 

referred  to  a  special  committee  of  nine.'^  The  next  day,  after 
a  debate  in  which  no  one  dared  absohitely  to  oppose  the 
reform,  but  several  argued  in  favor  of  referring  the  subject 
to  the  select  committee,  Flagg's  resolution  was  passed  by  a 
substantial  majority. '^  The  proceedings  of  the  committee 
showed  that  a  majority  of  its  members,  who  were  probably 
Crawford  men,''  while  not  daring  openly  to  refuse  the  popu- 
lar demands,  Avere  determined  to  qualify  their  concession  in 
such  a  manner  that  a  popular  choice  in  the  approaching 
Presidential  election  would  be  impossible.''  By  reporting  a 
bill  making  a  majority  vote  necessary  for  the  choice  of 
electors  the  committee  virtuall}^  annulled  the  proposed  con- 
cession, for,  in  view  of  the  number  of  Presidential  candi- 
dates in  the  field,  it  was  exceedingly  improbable  that  the 
electors  of  any  candidate  Avould  receive  a  majority  of  the 
votes.^  Although  not  stated  in  tlie  bill  reported  to  the  as- 
sembly, the  purpose  of  the  committee  obviously  was  to  per- 
mit the  legislature  to  make  the  selection  in  case  no  set  of 
electors  received  a  majority  of  the  votes.  An  attempt  to 
make  a  j)lurality  of  votes  sufficient  for  a  choice  was  voted 
down,  and  the  bill,  as  finally  passed,  provided  for  a  popular 
choice  of  electors,  but  with  no  provision  to  regulate  the 
course  of  action  should  no  set  of  electors  receive  a  majority.'^ 
It  is  surprising  that  an  assembly  which  probably  contained 
a  large  proportion  of  anti-Crawford  men  should,  by  an 
almost  unanimous  vote,^  have  consented  to  such  a  bill.  The 
explanation  offered  by  Mr.  TTammond  is  that  the  friends  of 
Clay  and  Adams  feared  that  if  the  plurality  principle  were 
adopted  De  Witt  Clinton  Avould  be  brought  forward  as  a 
candidate  and  that,  owing  to  the  division  existing  in  the 
Republican  party,  "  electors  favorable  to  him  would  obtain 
a  plurality  of  the  votes  of  the  people." ''     The  bill  was  en- 

"  .Tournal  of  Assembly,   1824,  7. 
"  Ibid.,  1824,  17.     Vote  stood  76  to  47. 
"  Hammond,  .T.,  I*olitical  History  of  New  York,  IT,  144. 
•*  Proceedings  of  committee,   in   Albany   Daily  Advertiser,   .January   14,    10, 
1824. 

*  Statesman  called  the  report  of  the  committee  "  a  barefaced  attempt  to 
prevent  the  people  from  the  full  exercise  of  the  right  of  suffrage,"  January 
27,  1824. 

1  .Tournal  of  Assembly,  1824,  291,  297,  298. 
0  Vote  stood  110  to  5. 

*  Same  opinion  is  implied  in  Clay,  H.,  Private  Correspondence,  89 ;  also 
Marcy  to  Van  Buren,  January  11,  i824.  (Van  I^ureu  MSS.,  Library  of  Con- 
gress.) 


188  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

tirely  unsatisfactory,  and  the  members  must  have  realizM 
that  they  had  not  provided  for  a  very  probable  contingency .« 
The  senate,  with  its  decided  Crawford  majority,  could 
hardly  be  expected  to  jeopardize  the  chances  of  its  favorite 
candidate  by  allowing  the  people  to  choose  the  electors,  and 
Marcy  was  confident  that  it  would  not  consent  to  a  change. 

We  rely  upon  the  senate.  To  their  credit  it  must  be  acknowledged 
they  are  not  insensible  to  our  danger.  *  *  *  j  believe  they  will 
not  recoil,  yet  it  has  required  much  to  i)rei)are  them  to  come  up  to  the 
charge. 

The  senate  committee  to  which  the  assembly  bill  was  re- 
ferred evinced  no  desire  to  expedite  a  consideration  of  the 
measure  by  making  an  early  report,^  and  when  the  committee 
did  finally  report  it  concluded  that  it  would  be  inexpedient 
to  pass  the  assembly  bill,  at  least  not  until  the  efforts  being 
made  in  Congress  "  to  establish  a  uniform  rule  of  appoint- 
ment, by  an  amendment  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States,"  have  either  terminated  in  the  adoption  or  rejection 
of  such  amendment  b}^  that  body/'  The  senate  did  not  have 
the  courage  of  its  convictions.  Undoubtedly  it  desired  en- 
tirely to  reject  the  proposed  change,  but  on  account  of  the 
strong  public  opinion  existing  in  favor  of  the  proposition,  it 
hesitated  and  vacillated.  A  resolution,  for  example,  which 
contrary  to  ilie  report  of  the  committee  declared  that  it  Avas 
expedient  to  pass  at  that  session  a  law  conceding  to  the 
people  the  privilege  of  choosing  the  Presidential  electors, 
passed  the  Senate,*^  but  the  promise  was  not  fulfilled,  for  a 
short  time  later,  by  a  vote  of  17  to  14,  the  senate  decided  to 
postpone  the  whole  question  until  the  following  November.^ 

» Possibly  the  assembly  desired  to  throw  upon  the  senate  the  burden  of 
rejecting  the  popular  request.  (See  speech  of  Wheaton,  in  Albany  Daily  Ad- 
vertiser, April  29,  1824.) 

''Resolution  calling  for  a  report  was  negatived  by  a  vote  of  21  to  9.  (Sen- 
ate Journal,  1824,  91,  139.) 

'■  Journal  of  Senate,  1824,  155-163.  This  report  was  a  rather  shrewd  argu- 
ment in  favor  of  keeping  the  appointment  of  the  electors  in  the  control  of 
the  legislature.  The  committee  naturally  had  a  sublime  confidence  in  the 
virtue  of  the  legislature  "  To  entertain  serious  apprehensions  that  the  citizens 
who  compose  the  legislature  and  to  whom,  as  lawmakers,  the  dearest  interests 
of  the  State  are  comm.itted,  would  be  unfaithful  to  the  trust  reposed  in  them 
in  relation  to  the  appointment  of  electors,  is  to  suppose  the  prevalence  of 
political  depravity  to  a  degree  incompatible  with  the  security  of  freedom  and 
equaled  only  in  the  most  corrupt  governments  which  ever  existed." 

"  By  a  vote  of  16  to  15.      (Journal  of  Senate,   1824,  253,  254.) 

e  Ibid.,  1824,  p.  254. 


CAMPAIGN    OF   1824    IN    NEW    YORK.  189 

Postponement  meant  virtual  rejection,  and  as  soon  as  the 
result  of  the  senatorial  deliberations  became  known  the 
strongest  public  indignation  manifested  itself.  The  members 
of  the  legislature,  especially  the  IT  senators  who  had  voted 
against  the  change  were  violently  denounced;  newspapers 
printed  the  names  of  the  17  ''conspirators"  in  bold  ])lack 
type  or  within  a  black  border;  in  public  places,  especially 
in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  their  names  Avere  "  hung  up 
in  black  as  a  memorial  of  political  turpitude."  « 

The  failure  of  the  legislature  to  pass  the  bill  had  created 
a  political  crisis;  the  State,  many  declared,  had  been  sold  out 
to  Crawford.^'  The  leaders  of  the  Crawford  interest  in  New 
York  apparently  believed  they  had  won  an  important  vic- 
tory, but,  as  events  proved,  the  legislature  had  not  been  avou, 
for  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  the  managers  had 
made  a  grave  political  mistake.^ 

Nor  was  the  failure  to  act  on  the  electoral  law  their  only 
mistake,  for  their  next  move  in  the  political  game  resur- 
rected a  politician  wdio  led  the  forces  against  them  in  the 
fall  of  1824.  De  Witt  Clinton,  at  the  beginning  of  1824,  was 
politically  dead.  With  the  adoption  of  a  new  State  consti- 
tution and  the  inauguration  of  a  new  administration,  Clin- 
ton had  apparently  Avithdrawn  from  active  ])olitical  life;  so 
strongly  convinced  Avere  his  friends  that  he  could  not  be  re- 
elected goATrnor  in  1822  that  they  had  persuaded  him  not 
eA^en  to  offer  himself  for  reelection.^^  Under  such  circum- 
stances Avas  it  that  the  llegency  leaders  in  the  Aery  last 
moments  of  the  session  "  sprang  upon  "  the  legislature  a 
resolution  for  the  removal  of  Clinton  from  the  canal  commis- 
sion.^ The  resolution  for  i-emoA^al,  supposedly  a  shreAvd 
move,  was  designed  to  embarrass  the  People's  Party  by  creat- 
ing for  it  a  dilemma.  If  the  adherents  of  the  I*eople's  Party 
voted  against  the  removal  they  would  bring  doAvn  upon 
their  heads  the  odium  of  the  faction  opposed  to  Clinton — 
for  example,  the  strong  Tammany  Hall  wing  of  the  Demo- 

«  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  April  8,  20;  Statesman,  April  13,  1824. 

'>  New  York  American,  March  12  ;  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  March  20,  1824. 

'■  See,  e.  g.,  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Rufus  King,  VI,  558 ;  Weed,  T., 
Autobiobraphy,  108 ;  New  York  American,  March  19,  1824.  The  Argus  ad- 
mitted in  1825   (November  30)   that  a  mistake  had  been  made. 

"Hammond,  J.,  Political  History  of  New  York,  II,  07-99. 

*  Journal  of  Senate,  1824,  408,  409.  For  evidence  of  the  preconcerted  plans 
which  prompted  this  move,  see  Weed,  T.,  Autobiography,  109. 


190  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

cratic  party ;  on  the  other  hand,  if  they  voted  for  the  resolu- 
tion they  Avould  manifestly  lose  the  support  of  the  Clintoni- 
ans,  who  had  been  acting  with  them  on  the  electoral  law. 

It  was  also  hoped  that  the  resolution  would  embarrass 
those  who  were  acting  together  against  the  Regency  on  the 
Presidential  question.^  The  opponents  of  the  Regency  in 
the  legislature  chose  the  anti-Clinton  horn  of  the  dilemma, 
so  that  the  resohition  to  remove  Clinton  passed  in  the  senate 
almost  inianimously  and  in  the  assembly  by  a  majority  of 
30.^  The  removal  of  Clinton,  like  the  opposition  to  the 
electoral  law,  in  the  end  did  not  strengthen,  but  weakened 
the  Regency  party,  as  prominent  leaders  of  the  party  later 
frankly  acknowledged.  It  was  a  most  impolitic  act.^  Pop- 
ular feeling  Avas  not  slow  in  showing  itself.  The  tide  which 
for  several  years  had  been  running  against  Clinton  noAV 
turned  in  his  faA^or.  Several  members  w^ho  had  voted  for 
the  resolution  were  hissed  as  they  came  out  of  the  capitol. 
"  The  members  of  the  legislature  had  scarcely  left  their  seats 
before  they  Avere  occupied  by  the  citizens  of  Albam^,"  Avho 
assembled  to  protest.*  In  Ncav  York  City  a  large  open-air 
meeting  denounced  the  removal  as  "  an  act  degrading  to  the 
character  of  the  State,  a  violation  of  justice,  and  an  outrage 
on  public  opinion."  ^  As  one  proceeded  Avest  of  Albany  into 
the  region  that  especially  appreciated  the  efforts  of  Clinton 
in  developing  the  canal  polic}^  of  the  State,  "  the  storm 
raged  against  members  aaIio  had  voted  for  the  remoA^al  of 
Clinton  Avith  greater  and  still  greater  fury."  f     It  aa  as  in 

"  AA'wd,  T..  Autobiography,  110,  111;  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Rufus 
King,  VI,  504;    New  York  American,  April  15;    Statesman,  April  20,  1824. 

*  Journal  of  Senate,  3  824,  409;  Journal  of  Assembly,  1824,  1136.  Wheaton 
wrote  to  King- :  "  This  was  a  contj-ivance  of  the  faction  to  fix  on  us  the 
imputation  of  partiality  to  him  (i.  e.,  Clinton).  They  believed  we  should 
vote  against  it,  but  they  were  much  mortified  to  find  that  the  most  con- 
spicuous members  on  our  side  of  the  house  voted  for  the  resolution."  (Life 
and  Correspondence  of  Rufus  King,  A'l,  504.)  It  will  be  noted  especially  that 
while  the  motion  originated  with  the  Regency  leaders  it  had  the  support  of 
many  of  the  opponents  of  the  Regency.  (See  also  letter  of  Clinton,  in  Har- 
per's Monthly  Magazine,  L.,  566.) 

"  See,  e.  g.,  speech  of  Benjamin  F.  Butler  in  the  assembly  in  1828,  admit- 
ting that  the  removal  of  Clinton  "  was  one  of  the  causes  which  provoked  that 
tempest  of  popular  indignation  which  in  1824  swept  all  before."  (Argus, 
March  4,  1828.) 

"Weed,  T.,  Autobiography,  112;    Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  April  19,   1824. 

«  New  York  Daily  Advertiser,  April  19  ;    Statesman,  April  23,  1824. 

^  AA^eed,  T.,  Autobiography,  114.  The  manuscript  letters  of  Clinton  for 
this  period  contain  many  letters  from  private  individuals  and  formal  meet- 
ings protesting  against  his  removal.  /See  also  Life  and  Correspondence  of 
Rufus  King,  VI,  567,  568  ;  Statesman,  May  8,  18  ;  New  York  Daily  Adver- 
tiser, April  15,  1824.) 


CAMPAIGN    OF    1824    IN    NEW    YORK.  191 

large  measure  the  popular  indignation  over  this  wanton, 
unjustifiable  political  maneuver  of  the  Regency  party  that 
restored  De  Witt  Clinton  to  political  life  in  1824. 

While  the  New  York  legislature  was  in  session  the  Con- 
gressional caucus  had  been  held.  Although  a  meeting  of  the 
Republican  members  of  the  legislature  had  passed  resolutions 
requesting  the  Senators  and  Representatives  from  Xew  York 
to  attend  the  AVashington  caucus,"  neither  these  resolutions 
nor  the  persuasive  arguments  of  Van  Buren  could  induce 
even  one-half  of  the  New  York  delegation  to  attend.  But 
by  the  middle  of  February  the  "  regular  "  nomination  had, 
of  coiu'se,  been  made,  and  no  longer  Avas  it  necessary  for 
the  "Argus  "  and  the  Regency  to  conceal  their  preference  for 
Crawford.  Republicans  of  New  York  were  now  called  upon 
to  stand  by  their  colors  and  show  their  loyalty.  Before  the 
legislature  adjourned,  the  Regency  party  had  also  nominated 
its  candidate  for  the  office  of  governor.  Yates  expected  a  re- 
nomination,  but  the  legislative  caucus,  aj)parently  fearing 
that  he  Avould  not  "  draw  votes,"  abandoned  him  and  selected 
Col.  Sanuiel  Young.'' 

The  public  indignation  over  the  failure  of  the  legislature 
to  pass  the  electoral  bill  had  meanwhile  not  abated,  and  a 
hope  still  existed  that  the  reform  might  be  accomplished.  In 
various  parts  of  the  State,  in  public  meetings,  in  the  cohnnns 
of  ncAA'spapers,  in  private  letters  from  prominent  men  to  the 
governor,  the  demand  Avent  forth  for  an  extra  session  of  the 
legislature.^  Yates,  at  first  hesitating,  but  at  length  con- 
vinced of  the  strength  of  the  public  demand  and  nerved  by  a 
taunt  irom  Attorney-General  Tallcot,  a  Regency  politician, 
issued  a  call  for  an  extra  session.  The  proclamation  of  the 
governor,  favorably  received  l)y  the  people  generally,  was 
greeted  with  scornful  reproaches  by  his  former  political 
friends.  Why  had  he  issued  the  proclamation^  In  re- 
sponse to  the  unmistakable,  universal  demand  of  public  opin- 
ion, said  the  friends  of  reform;  because  he  Avas  disappointed 
over  his  failure  to  secure  a  renomination  for  the  office  of  gov- 
ernor, said  the  members  of  the  Regency. 


«  Argus,  January  20,  1824. 

*  Statesman,  April  6,  1824.      Young  had  been  opposed  to  Crawford. 

"Weed,  T.,  Autobiography,  114,  115. 


192  AMERICAK    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Governor  Yates  has  complied  with  the  wishes  of  every  honest  man 
of  the  community ;  he  has  come  forth  in  hehalf  of  the  liberties  of 
man ;  he  has  shaken  off  the  vile  faction  that  hung  upon  him  like  an 
incubus,  and  given  a  death  blow  to  the  demagogues  who  have  bartered 
the  votes  of  New  York  at  the  shambles  in  Washington. 'J 

That  was  the  spirit  in  which  one  of  the  leading  anti- 
Regency  papers  greeted  the  proclamation.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  men  who  had  refused  to  renominate  Yates  in  the 
legislative  caucus  maintained  that  until  the  nomination  of 
Young,  Yates  had  approved  the  action  of  the  Senate  on  the 
electoral  bill,  and  that  his  proclamation  was  simpl}^  a  shot 
from  a  gun  loaded  w^ith  personal  chagrin  and  envy.''  The 
reasons  publicly  given  by  the  governor  in  the  proclama- 
tion itself  and  the  message  to  the  legislature  were  that  his 
confident  hope  that  an  amendment  would  be  added  to  the 
Federal  Constitution  securing  the  right  to  the  people  had 
been  disappointed,  and  since  the  legislature  had  adjourned 
without  taking  action,  he  was  convinced  that  the  people  of 
the  State  were  "  much  excited  and  alarmed  that  their  un- 
doubted right  to  choose  electors  is  still  to  be  withheld  from 
them.« 

With  the  keenest  interest  did  people  await  the  approach- 
ing extra  session,  many  believing  that  under  the  circum- 
stances the  legislature  would  not  dare  refuse  to  adopt  the 
governor's  recommendations.  In  spite  of  the  slow  methods 
of  travel,  crowds  hastened  to  Albany  to  watcli  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  legislature.  A  correspondent  writes  his  paper 
in  New  York  City  that  visitors  were  thronging  into  the 
capital  "  from  all  points  of  the  compass  and  from  all  sects 
in  politics."  The  steamboats  from  New  York  City  in  the 
course  of  some  three  days  landed  "  from  1,000  to  2,000  pas- 
sengers, and  loaded  stages  and  vehicles  have  been  for  the 
same  time  and  are  still  pouring  in  from  all  quarters.  All 
the  public  houses  are  overrun,  vast  numbers  are  quartered 
upon  private  families,  and  many,  being  unable  to  obtain 
lodgings  on  any  terms,  were  compelled  to  take  stages  for 
Troy."'^ 

"  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  June  4.  1824. 
"E.  g.,  Argus,  June  4,   16,  July  23,  30,  August  3,   1824. 
''Journal  of  Assembly,  1824,  1145-1149. 

<*  Statesman,  August  6 :  see  also  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  August  2,  3, 
1824. 


CAMPAIGN    OF    1824    IN    NEW    YORK.  193 

When  the  legislature  met  on  August  3  the  galleries  and 
lobbies  were  crowded  to  overflowing.  Again  the  party  that 
was  endeavoring  to  check  the  movement  did  not  dare  meet 
the  question  squarely  by  arguing  against  the  principle  of  a 
popular  choice  of  electors.  On  the  contrary,  the  opponents 
of  a  new  electoral  law  hid  their  real  motives  behind  the 
pretext  that  the  call  for  an  extra  session  was  unconstitu- 
tional,"  and  therefore  they  moved  that  the  legislature  should 
immediately  adjourn.  Azariah  C.  Flagg,  the  same  mem- 
ber of  the  assembl}^  wlio  had  acted  as  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee of  nine,  now  urged  that  the  house  should  adjourn 
without  taking  any  action,  ''  without  bearing  upon  its  rec- 
ords, aught  else  than  the  simple  fact  that  it  had  met  on 
this  extraordinary  occasion,  heard  the  message  of  the  gov- 
ernor, and  adjourned."  ^  However,  Mr.  P^lagg's  simple, 
ideal  scheme  had  to  be  somewhat  modified,  for  the  assem- 
bly insisted  upon  debating  the  question.  Tallmadge  and 
Wheaton,  the  champions  of  popular  rights  during  the  de- 
bates of  the  preceding  Avinter,  again  led  the  discussions 
for  a  reform  of  the  State's  electoral  methods.  AMiile  the 
debate  Avas  proceeding  in  the  assembly  a  resolution  was 
received  from  the  senate.  That  body,  acting  more  expe- 
ditiously and  decisively,  had  passed  by  a  very  large  ma- 
jority the  second  day  of  the  session  a  motion  declaring  the 
call  of  the  legislature  unconstitutional  and  demanding  an 
immediate  adjournment.^  But  the  assembly,  unwilling  to 
accept  this  resolution  from  the  senate,  similar  to  the  one 
introduced  into  the  house  by  Flagg,  passed  a  motion  declar- 
ing it  expedient  to  enact  a  law  at  that  session  giving  the 
choice  of  electors  to  the  people.^'  But  the  senate  could  not 
be  moved.  Its  presiding  officer,  Erastus  Root,  the  caucus 
nominee  for  lieutenant-governor,  on  a  point  of  order,  re- 
fused to  entertain  the  resolution  from  the  assembly.  The 
senate  having  decided, that  the  call  of  the  legislature  w^as 
unconstitutional,  it  would  be  out  of  order  to  proceed  with 
any  business  whatever.^     The  senate  sustained  the  ruling  of 

«  I.  e.,  on  the  ground  that  it  was  not  one  of  the  "  extraordinary  occasions  " 
contemplated  by  the  constitution  as  justifjing  an  extra  session. 
"Journal  of  Assembly,  1824,  1140. 
"Journal  of  Senate,  1824,  420. 
<*  Journal  of  Assembly,  1824,  1155* 
•  Journal  of  Senate,  1824,  422.       *  ' 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 13 


194  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

its  presiding  officer  and  the  house  then  also  consented  to 
adjourn. 

Even  an  extra  session  of  the  legislature  and  the  recom- 
mendations of  the  governor  had  failed  to  break  the  determi- 
nation of  the  friends  of  Crawford  to  keep  the  appointment 
of  the  electors  in  the  control  of  the  legislature.  The  last 
chance  of  changing  the  electoral  law  had  now  been  lost ;  the 
voters  Avould  have  no  opportunity  in  the  approaching  Presi- 
dential campaign  to  determine  to  which  candidate  the  vote 
of  New  York  should  be  given,  except  in  so  far  as  their  votes 
for  the  State  candidates  might  exert  a  moral  influence  upon 
the  old  legislature. 

One  of  the  most  significant  developments  of  the  State 
campaign  was,  of  course,  the  meeting  of  the  Iltica  conven- 
tion, which  established  the  nominating  convention  system  in 
State  politics.'^  The  Utica  convention  was,  in  a  certain 
sense,  an  outgrowth  of  the  movement  for  a  popular  choice 
of  Presidential  electors,  since  the  refusal  of  the  Regency  or 
"  caucus  "  party  to  change  the  electoral  law  intensified  the 
opposition  to  the  legislative  caucus ;  this  refusal  brought  the 
growing  hostility  of  the  people  to  dictation  of  State  nomi- 
nations from  Albany  to  a  culmination.  From  several  quar- 
ters suggestions  had  come  that  a  couA-ention  to  nominate  can- 
didates for  the  offices  of  governor  and  lieutenant-governor 
ought  to  be  held.  The  "  New  York  Statesman  "  thought  the 
4th  of  July  a  very  suitable  date  on  which  to  hold  the  conven- 
tion, for  then  a  sort  of  second  Declaration  of  Independence 
might  be  issued. 

The  first  Declaration  broke  the  chains  of  bondage  and  freed  the 
people  of  this  country  from  the  tyranny  of  George  III.  The  second 
would  free  the  people  of  New  York  from  slavish  bondage  to  King  Cau- 
cus and  give  efficiency  to  the  pojuilar  will.^ 

Those  members  of  the  State  legislature,  who,  favoring  a 
chanofe  in  the  electoral  law  had  refused  to  attend  the  caucus 


« Some  earlier  attempts  to  establish  the  convention  system  ought  to  be 
noted — e.  g.,  a  movement  was  started  by  Tammany  Hall  in  1812  for  a  State 
convention,  but  it  failed  ;  in  1S14  a  convention  was  held,  not  for  nominating 
candidates  but  for  determining  a  party  policy  ;  in  1817  a  niixed  convention, 
composed  of  both  members  of  the  legislature  and  delegates,  was  held.  (Ham- 
mond, J.,  Political  History  of  New  York,  I,  354,  438-439  ;  Dallinger,  F.  W., 
Nominations  for  Elective  Office,  28.) 

"  Stateaman,  April  6,  1824  ;  also  New  York  American,  March  19,  22,  1824. 


'    CAMPAIGN    OF    1824    IN    NEW    YOEK.  195 

which  nominated  Young  and  Root,  held  a  meeting  early  in 
April  and  issued  a  call  for  a  State  convention  to  be  held  at 
Utica  in  the  following  September.  The  Utica  convention 
was  a  natural  and  logical  development  of  the  movement  rep- 
resented by  the  new  State  constitution,  Avhich  had  broadened 
the  suffrage  and  extended  popular  control  over  the  State 
government  by  greatly  increasing  the  number  of  elective 
officers.  This  change  had  proved  most  salutary,  and  a  nomi- 
nating convention  would  simply  widen  still  further  the  ex- 
tent of  popular  control. 

There  is  a  striking  difference  in  principle  [the  nnticaucus  men  de- 
clared] between  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  legislature  for  the 
purpose  of  nominating  candidates  for  offices  elective  by  the  people  and 
a  convention  of  delegates  specially  chosen  by  the  latter  for  the  purpose 
of  making  these  nominations.  The  former  has  too  much  the  appearance 
of  a  usurpation  of  the  rights  of  the  people  and  is  a  mode  of  proceed- 
ing liable  to  great  abuses,  while  the  latter  is  capable  of  being  easily 
controlled  by  the  people  themselves.a 

Later  experience  possibl}^  has  made  us  skeptical  about  the 
virtues  of  the  nominating  convention;  perhaps,  after  all, 
the  politicians  dictate  as  much  now  as  they  did  in  the  old 
days  of  the  legislative  caucus.  Yet  the  nominating  conven- 
tion was  undoubtedly  more  democratic  than  the  system 
which  it  displaced. 

To  this  convention,  Avhich  thus  marks  a  new  departure  in 
the  political  methods  of  the  State,  each  county  was  to  send 
delegates  equal  in  number  to  its  representation  in  the  assem- 
bly.^ It  seems  that  in  most  cases  primary  assemblies 
held  in  the  towns  sent  representatives  to  a  county  conven- 
tion, which  selected  the  delegates  to  the  State  convention,^ 
and  when  the  latter  met  in  September  all  the  counties 
of  the  State  but  four  ^  were  represented.  Although  the 
result  of  a  popular,  spontaneous  movement,  the  Utica  con- 
vention was  by  no  means  free  from  internal  discord;  like 
many  a  subsequent  New  York  convention,  this  early  one 
had  its  "  bolters."     While  Avell  united  in  their  opposition  to 

"Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  April  13,  1824. 

"Ibid.,  April  13,  1824. 

•^  E.  g.,  see  U)id.,  .June  12,  August  16,  September  8,  14;  New  York  Ameri- 
can, July  12,  14,  21,  1824. 

■'  Cataraugus,  Allegany,  Broome,  and  Franklin.      (Albany  Daily  "Advertiser, 
September  23,  KS24.) 


196  AMERICAN    HI8T0BICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  Albany  Regency  and  in  their  demand  for  a  change  in  the 
electoral  law,  the  members  of  the  convention  were  far  from 
imited  in  their  views  as  to  the  most  suitable  candidate  for 
the  office  of  governor.  While  a  substantial  majority  of  the 
delegates  undoubtedly  from  the  beginning  favored  the  nomi- 
nation of  De  Witt  Clinton,  the  opposition  to  him,  although 
small  in  numbers,  was  most  determined  in  spirit,  the  leader 
of  the  anti-Clinton  faction  in  the  convention  being  Wheaton, 
the  very  man  who  had  so  valiantly  fought  for  a  new  electoral 
law  in  the  debates  of  the  assembly."  When  Clinton  was 
finally  nominated,  Wheaton  and  his  political  friends,  to  the 
number  of  about  20,  unalterably  opposed  to  the  candidate 
selected,  withdrcAv  from  the  convention.  Tallmadge, 
selected  as  the  candidate  for  the  office  of  lieutenant-governor, 
it  is  interesting  to  recall,  had  voted  for  the  resolution  remov- 
ing Clinton  from  the  canal  commission. '^  The  conven- 
tion besides  passing  resolutions  condemning  nominations  by 
a  legislative  caucus  and  favoring  the  popular  election  of 
justices  of  the  peace,  appointed  a  "  corresponding  commit- 
tee," or  what  we  should  call  a  campaign  committee.  It 
also  issued  an  address,  the  prototype  of  the  party  platform. 
The  address  of  the  convention,  it  must  be  confessed,  was  not 
a  very  strong  document;  it  appeals  for  concerted  action  to 
"  prostrate  the  Albany  Regency  and  break  down  the  caucus 
system,"  but  its  personalities  and  "  mud  slinging  "  at  the 
Regency  candidates  were  far  from  dignified.^ 

New  York  has  witnessed  many  exciting  political  cam- 
paigns, but  few,  probably,  have  been  more  Avarmly  contested 
than  the  struggle  of  1824.  ThurloAv  Weed,  w^hose  extensive 
experience  as  a  politician  lends  weight  to  his  opinion,  de- 
clared the  New  York  election  of  1821  to  have  been  "  one  of 
the  most  stirring  "  he  ever  witnessed.  "No  possible  effort 
Avas  omitted  by  either  party.     The  utmost  excitement  per- 

"One  gets  some  idea  of  the  intense  hostility  that  must  have  existed  hetween 
Clinton  and  Wheaton  from  a  remark  of  the  former  in  a  confidential  letter  on 
the  appointment  of  Wheaton  as  a  delegate  to  the  convention  :  "  The  appoint- 
ment of  Wheaton  as  a  delegate  is  a  barefaced  insult  and  must  be  met  as 
such."      (Clinton  Letters  in  Harper's  Monthly  Magazine,  L.,  569.) 

''  Clinton's  confidential  opinion  of  his  "  running  mate "  is  interesting. 
"Tallmadge  can  scarcely  get  a  vote  in  his  own  county;  he  is  the  prince  of 
rascals,  if  Wheaton  does  not  exceed  him."  (Clinton  Letters  in  Harper's 
Monthly  Magazine,  L,  56ft.) 

"  Proceedings  of  convention  in  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  September  27, 
1824. 


CAMPAlGif   OF   1824   IN   NEW    YORK.  197 

vaded  the  State  till  the  closing  of  the  polls."  «  Although 
the  voters  of  New  York  would  have  no  opportunity  of  cast- 
ing ballots  for  Presidential  electors,  there  still  existed  the 
opportunity  of  rebuking  the  party  that  had  withheld  from 
them  this  privilege  of  rejecting  its  candidates  for  the  legis- 
lature and  the  governor's  office.  While  the  statements  of 
party  newspapers  are  hardly  trustworthy,  the  result  of  the 
election  demonstrated  that  many  voters  must  have  sympa- 
thized with  the  views  of  the  New  York  "American  " : 

Our  battle  is  against  caucus  dictation ;  against  the  sway  of  the 
corrupt  knot  of  political  intriguers  and  hungry  officeholders  consti- 
tuting the  Albany  Regency,  and  against  all  those  who,  in  defiance  of 
political  pledges,  in  contempt  of  all  republican  doctvine,  but  in  obedi- 
ence to  the  commands  of  the  above-mentioned  Regency,  have  abused 
their  public  stations  by  opposing  and  defeating  the  electoral  law.& 

The  fall  campaign  had  not  progressed  far  wdien  the  Re- 
gency leaders,  realizing  how  strongly  the  tide  was  running 
in  favor  of  the  People's  Party,  began  to  make  violent  efforts 
to  prove  that  their  party  was  really  not  opposed  to  the  elec- 
toral law.  Young,  the  Regency  candidate,  a  man  of  inde- 
pendent views,  was  indeed  personally  in  favor  of  the  pro- 
posed law,  and  the  People's  Party  had  even  at  one  time 
thought  of  him  as  a  possible  candidate  of  its  own.  In  the 
latter  part  of  September  Young  wrote  a  letter  in  which  he 
declared  his  adherence  to  the  principle  of  a  popular  election 
of  electors,  and  in  the  face  of  his  connection  with  the  Re- 
gency party  even  declared  his  preference  for  Clay  as  a 
Presidential  candidate.^'  But  while  Colonel  Young  was 
probably  perfectly  sincere  in  his  declarations  in  favor  of  the 
electoral  law,  it  is  amusing  to  see  Root,  the  Regency  candi- 
date for  lieutenant-governor,  who,  as  presiding  officer  of  the 
senate  in  the  recent  extra  session,  had  refused  even  to  enter- 
tain a  motion  for  a  discussion  of  the  electoral  question,  also 
write  a  letter  to  prove  that  he  was  in  favor  of  a  popular 
choice  of  electors.'^  It  was  but  the  frantic  effort  of  a  drown- 
ing politician  to  catch  at  a  straw.  The  people  were  not  de- 
ceived.    Young  might  have  been  personally  acceptable,  but 

«  Weed,  T.,  Autobiography,  120. 
"  New  York  American,  October  4,  1824. 
^  "  Letter  in  Statesman,  October  15,  1824. 

«*  Albany  Daily  "Advocate,"  October  18,  19,  1824. 


198  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

he  "kept  suspicious  company."  The  result  of  the  election 
was  a  decisive  defeat  for  the  Regency  party.  Clinton  was 
elected  governor  by  over  16,000  majority,  and  Tallmadge 
lieutenant-governor  by  over  33,000  majority.  Very  few  of 
the  members  of  the  legislature  who  had  opposed  the  elec- 
toral law  sought  reelection,  but  all  of  those  who  did  were 
defeated.  Six  out  of  eight  State  senators  elected  were  anti- 
Regency  men,  and  tAvo-thirds  of  the  members  returned  to 
the  assembly  \^^ere  opposed  to  the  Regency  party." 

While  the  voting  in  the  State  campaign  w^as  still  in  prog- 
ress, the  legislature  met  to  choose  the  Presidential  electors. 
Even  now,  indeed  to  the  very  last  moment,  it  was  doubtful 
what  the  outcome  in  Ncav  York  Avould  be,  although  Van 
Buren  seems  to  have  been  hopeful  of  the  success  of  Craw- 
ford's cause  to  the  end.^  Before  the  legislature  finally  chose 
New  York's  electors  it  seemed  probable  that  her  vote  might 
have  a  decisive  influence  in  determining  whether  Clay  or 
CraAvford  should  be  the  candidate  Avho  Avith  Jackson  and 
Adams  should  come  before  the  House  of  Representatives.^ 
This  probability  increased  the  interest  in  the  political  game 
going  on  at  Albany  and  made  the  friends  of  the  respective 
candidates  redouble  their  efforts  and  stoop  to  questionable 
tricks  to  Avin  the  fight. ^  The  result  of  the  State  election, 
although  it  of  course  did  not  affect  the  membership  of  the 
legislature,  must  haA^e  added  strength  to  the  anti-CraAvford 
forces. 

A  brief  statement  of  the  method  by  Avhich  the  legislature 
chose  the  Presidential  electors  may  be  necessary  in  order 
that  the  contest  AA-liich  now  ensued  may  be  understood.  Each 
house  first  chose  an  electoral  ticket  of  its  OAvn;  if  the  two 
lists  of  electors  chosen  Avere  similar,  no  further  action  was 
necessary  except  a  joint  meeting  of  the  tAvo  houses,  at  Avhich 
the  result  Avas  formally  declared.  But  if  the  two  houses 
chose  different  electoral  lists,  a  joint  ballot  was  required,  at 
Avhich  only  the  names  on  the  lists  selected  by  the  respec- 

"  Results  in  "Argus,"  December  7,  10,  1824  ;  Weed,  T.,  Autobiography,  121. 

^  Weed,  T.,  Autobiography,  127.  See  also  estimate  in  Statesman,  November 
9  ;  "Argus,"  November  9,  1824. 

''  Weed,  T.,  Autobiography,  123 ;  Hammond,  J.,  Political  History  of  New- 
York,  II,  177. 

<^  For  detailed  charges  of  attempts  at  bribery,  see  Weed,  T.,  Autobiography, 
123-127. 


CAMPAIGN    OF    1824    IN    NEW    YOEK.  199 

live  houses  might  be  voted  on."  The  senate,  with  little  de- 
lay or  difficulty,  nominated  a  set  of  Crawford  electors,^  but 
the  assembly  Avas  unable  to  act  so  expeditiously.  The  three 
parties — Adams,  Crawford,  and  Clay — represented  in  the 
assembly  w^ere  so  divided  that  for  a  long  time  no  faction 
could  secure  a  majority  for  its  set  of  electors.  The  Adams 
men  were  most  numerous,  but  they  could  not  obtain  the 
coveted  majority.  While  party  managers  Avere  maneuver- 
ing to  break  the  deadlock  in  such  a  manner  as  to  secure  an 
advantage  for  their  own  party,  several  days  of  ineffectual 
balloting  occurred.  The  friends  of  Crawford,  since  in  a 
meeting  for  a  joint  ballot  they  could  vote  for  the  senate's  list 
of  Crawford  electors,  might  vote,  if  necessary,  for  either  a 
Clay  or  an  Adams  ticket  in  the  assembl}^,  simply  for  the  ])ur- 
pose  of  coming  to  a  joint  ballot.  But  the  Adams  and  Clay 
men  must  be  more  w^ary;  under  the  circumstances,  they 
feared  a  joint  ballot  even  more  than  did  the  Craw^ford  fac- 
tion. The  friends  of  the  latter,  after  nuich  hesitation  and 
shrewd  intriguing,  apparently  believing  that  if  they  could 
reduce  the  candidates  to  Adams  and  Crawford,  the  Clay 
men  w^ould  vote  on  joint  ballot  for  Crawford,  cast  their 
votes  for  an  Adams  ticket  and  thus  secured  the  nommation 
of  a  set  of  Adams  electors  in  the  assembly.^  But  later  de- 
velopments proved  that  they  had  not  correctly  judged  the 
future  action  of  the  Clay  men,  for  the  friends  of  the  Ken- 
tuckian  gave  the  votes  which  they  could  not  cast  for  their 
favorite  to  Adams  instead  of  CraAvford. 

Weed,  of  the  '^  Rochester  I'elegraph,"  not  a  member  of  tlie 
legislature,  but  nevertheless  exerting  a  powerful  influence 
behind  the  scenes,  assisted  in  forming  a  union  ticket  com- 
posed of  Adams  electors  and  certain  "  moderate  "  Clay  men 
whom  the  senate  had  put  upon  its  CraAvford  ticket.  The 
autobiography  of  the   intluential  journalist  and   politician 

«  Method  was  tlie  same  as  that  provided  for  the  choice  of  representatives  to 
the  Continental  Congress  in  Revoltitionary  days.  (See  New  York  Constitu- 
tion of  1777,  Clause  XXX.) 

''  Journal  of  Senate,  1824,  451  ;  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  November  12, 
1824.  Seven  of  the  men  on  the  Crawford  ticket  were  "  moderate  "  Clay  sym- 
pathizers, put  on  the  ticket  for  "  tactical  "  reasons. 

"  Journal  of  Assembly,  1824,  1242  ;  Clay  Private  Correspondence,  105,  lOG. 
See  also  letter  written  by  Oran  Follet,  a  Regency  man,  who  made  the  motion 
in  favor  of  Adams  electors,  in  AA'eed,  Autobiography,  130-130.  Van  Buren 
also  makes  a  lengthy  confidential  explanation  to  Crawford  in  a  letter,  Novem- 
ber [12],  1824.      (Van  Buren  MSS.,  Library  of  Congress.) 


200  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    AvSSOCIATION. 

gives  a  graphic  account  of  the  exciting  sessions  of  the  joint 
meeting.  It  is  unnecessary  to  repeat  the  details  of  the  bal- 
loting that  eventually  resulted  in  the  choice  of  25  Adams,  7 
Clay,  and  4  Crawford  electors."  However,  when  the  elec- 
toral college  met  in  December,  some  changes  occurred ;  Clay 
lost  3  votes,  w^hich  were  distributed  among  the  other  candi- 
dates, so  that  the  final  vote  of  New  York  in  the  Presidential 
election  of  1824  stood  26  for  Adams,  5  for  Crawford,  4  for 
Clay,  and  1  for  Jackson.*  The  Albany  Regency  had  fought 
most  persistently  for  the  caucus  Presidential  candidate,  but 
it  had  finally  won  for  him  only  5  out  of  the  3G  votes  at  the 
disposal  of  the  State,  and  in  its  efforts  to  save  the  State  for 
Crawford  the  Kegency  had  been  obliged  to  take  an  unpopu- 
lar position  on  the  electoral  law,  which  lost  it  the  control  of 
the  State. 

The  rebuke  administered  to  the  Regency  party  in  the 
camj^aign  of  1824  showed  in  an  unmistakable  manner  the 
wishes  of  the  voters  regarding  the  manner  of  choosing  the 
Presidential  electors.  It  is  very  evident  that  the  men  who 
were  acting  at  the  command  of  Martin  Van  Buren  had  re- 
sisted the  movement  not  so  much  because  they  were  opposed 
on  general  principles  to  the  popular  election  of  electors,  but 
because  they  desired  to  gain  a  political  advantage  in  the 
campaign.  The  advantage  had  not  been  gained,  but  the 
unpopularity  had  been.  The  later  history  of  the  movement 
for  a  change  in  the  electoral  law  may  be  briefly  told.  The 
legislature,  which  at  its  previous  sessions  had  so  doggedly 
evaded  a  direct  vote  on  the  proposed  change,  now  at  the  ses- 
sion at  which  the  electors  w^ere  chosen,  passed  a  law  provid- 
ing for  a  popular  expression  of  opinion  on  the  electoral 
question.  At  the  next  annual  State  election — that  is,  in  the 
fall  of  1825 — the  voters  were  to  indicate  their  preference 
for  the  election  of  electors  by  (1)  districts,  (2)  general 
ticket  with  a  plurality  vote,  or  (?j)  general  ticket  with  a 
majority  vote.^  But  the  new  legislature,  chosen  during  the 
"  political  tornado  "  of  1824,  also  desired  to  deal  with  the 

«  Weed,  T.,  Autobiography,  122,  123. 

''  For  accounts  of  the  proceedingt?,  see  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  November 
16,  December  2,  1824;  Journal  of  Assembly,  1824,  1248-1251,  1257,  1258; 
Journal  of  Senate,  1824,  461,  462.  The  vote  for  Vice-President  stood  29  for 
Calhoun  and  7  for  Natlian  Sanford. 

"  Laws  of  1824,  365. 


CAMPAIGN    OF    1824    IN   NEW    YORK.  201 

question.  Convinced  that  the  people  were  in  favor  of  choos- 
ing the  electors  by  the  district  system,  this  legislature,  even 
before  the  voters  had  expressed  themselves,  as  provided  in 
the  act  just  mentioned,  passed  a  law  directing  that  the  elec- 
tors were  to  be  chosen  by  Congressional  districts,  and  that 
those  thus  chosen  were  to  select  the  electors  corresponding 
to  the  senatorial  representation  of  the  State.'* 

Thus  was  the  campaign  of  1824  fought  out  in  New  York. 
Its  real  importance  lies  not  so  much  in  the  intrigues  of  the 
Albany  Regency  to  save  the  State  for  Crawford  as  in  the 
movement  for  a  popular  choice  of  the  Presidential  electors 
in  the  revolt  against  the  legislative  caucus  and  in  the  per- 
manent establishment  of  the  nominating  convention  as  a 
method  of  making  State  nominations.  These  were  not  iso- 
lated movements  unrelated  to  the  political  progress  of  other. 
States ;  they  were  all  parts  of  that  political  evolution  which 
was  changing  the  democratic  theory  of  the  early  Republic 
into  democratic  practice. 


New  York  adopted  the  general  ticket  system  in  tlie  election  of  1832. 


X.— REPORT  OF  THE  CONFERENCE  ON  THE  TEACHING  OF  HISTORY 
IN  ELEMENTARY  SCHOOLS. 

By   J.    A.    JAMES, 

Professor  of  History,  Northtvesteru  University,  and  Chairman  of  the  Conference. 


203 


REPORT  OF  THE  CONFERENCE  ON  THE  TEACHING  OF  HISTORY 
IN  ELEMENTARY  SCHOOLS. 


By  J.  A.  James,  Chairman. 


In  opening  the  discussion  Mr.  J.  A.  James,  of  Northwest- 
ern Universit3%  chairman  of  the  conference,  said  that  he 
would  strive  not  to  encroach  upon  the  subjects  assigned  the 
other  speakers  and  that  his  remarks  would  be  grouped  about 
three  points — (1)  The  importance  of  the  problem  and  what 
has  been  done  in  the  various  States;  (2)  AVliat  may  reason- 
ably be  expected  of  the  schools;  and  (3)  Are  we  prepared  in 
this  conference  to  make  any  practical  recommendations? 
He  spoke  of  the  unification  and  organization  characteristic 
of  present-day  business  and  politics  and  showed  that  there 
was  a  like  tendency  in  education. 

In  the  report  of  the  committee  of  seven  Miss  Lucy  M. 
Salmon  shows  that  about  one-half  of  the  States  have  a  uni- 
form course  of  study  in  history  for  the  elementary  schools. 
As  is  well  known,  these  courses  are  usually  optional  with  the 
schools.  This  is  desirable  as  long  as  the  office  of  State  super- 
intendent of  public  instruction  is  purely  political.  In  a  few 
cases  men  competent  to  advise  have  been  called  upon  to  aid 
in  planning  courses  appropriate  for  the  grades.  Even  then 
these  recommendations  seem  to  have  been  of  but  little  prac- 
tical use.  Last  year  in  one  of  the  States  the  State  superin- 
tendent called  on  a  committee  of  the  History  Teachers'  As- 
sociation to  assist  in  making  a  suitable  course  in  history. 
A  report  constituting  some  30  pages  of  the  "  State  Manual  " 
was  prepared,  but  it  was  thought  '*  too  comprehensive  "  by 
a  committee  of  city  superintendents.  Their  report  says,  in 
part,  on  the  subject  of  history  "  that  it  is  a  crime  against  the 
the  child  to  crowd  the  school  arts  back  in  the  corner  for  any 

205 


206  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

culture  subject,  no  matter  how  valuable  its  contribution  to 
the  child's  spiritual  life.  The  chief  problem  of  the  school 
to-day  is  to  get  enough  time  for  mastery  of  the  language 
arts.  *  *  *  Little  besides  the  narrative  of  our  national 
history  can  be  presented  successfully  in  the  elementary 
grades.  *'  *  *  The  tendency  to  minimize  the  importance 
of  war  in  the  history  of  our  country  is  a  mistake."  Thus  we 
have  the  two  widely  different  views  as  to  what  may  be  at- 
tempted and  the  method  to  be  used  in  the  elementary  grades. 

An  examination  of  the  courses  of  study  in  history  adopted 
in  the  various  city  schools  shows,  in  like  manner,  that  the 
problem  has  a  variety  of  phases  and  is  by  no  means  satis- 
factorily solved.  No  attempt  is  made,  in  many  cases,  to 
give  instruction  even  in  the  elements  of  history  until  the 
seventh  grade.  The  teacher  is  then  directed  to  cover  during 
the  first  year  150  pages  of  some  text,  and  in  the  eighth  grade 
the  text  must  be  completed. 

The  leader  then  compared  the  amount  of  time  assigned 
to  the  subject  of  history  in  the  French  and  German  and  in 
the  American  programmes.  *  *  *  jj^  closing,  he  called 
attention  to  the  influence  of  the  report  of  the  committee  of 
seven  on  the  study  of  history  and  suggested  that  the  time 
had  come  when  a  similarly  useful  work  might  be  done  in 
making  out  a  programme  for  the  elementary  schools  and  in 
considering  other  closely  allied  topics. 

Mr.  Henry  W.  Thurston,  of  the  Chicago  Normal  School, 
presented  a  paper  on  "  Some  Suggestions  for  an  Elementary 
Course  of  Study  in  History."  He  spoke  of  the  differences 
of  emphasis  in  the  elementary  course  as  revealed  by  recent 
writers,  and  especially  Miss  Lucy  M.  Salmon,  Miss  Emily 
J.  Rice,  Mr.  Henry  E.  Bourne,  and  Mr.  Frank  McMurray. 
Mr.  Thurston,  after  defining  the  positions  of  these  writers, 
offered  the  following  theses : 

1.  The  course  must  recognize  each  of  these  factors: 

a.  The  dominant  mental   traits  cf  children   at   different 

ages. 

h.  The  peculiar  individual  physical  and  social  experiences 

the  children  are  getting  outside  of  school  or  that  are  within 

the  power  of  teacher  to  furnish  in  school. 


HISTORY    IN    ELEMENTARY    SCHOOLS.  207 

c.  The  fundamental  difference  between  knowing  the  inner 
spirit  and  meaning  of  biographies,  episodes,  events,  histor- 
ical material  of  any  kind,  and  the  mere  externals  of  such 
material. 

d.  The  peculiar  social  demands  of  the  particular  society 
in  which  the  child  must  live. 

2.  Stated  as  simply  as  possible,  an  aim  of  history  teach- 
ing that  includes  all  of  these  factors  is  to  help  the  child  as 
fast  as  possible  to  understand  in  a  true  sense  what  his 
American  fellows  are  now^  doing  and  to  help  him  to  intelli- 
gent voluntary  action  in  agreement  or  disagreement  with 
them. 

3.  A  course  of  study  in  history  with  the  above  aim  will 
begin  with  some  of  the  child's  problems  in  his  contemporary 
social  environment. 

4.  A  study  of  contemporary  social  problems  tliat  come 
w^ithin  the  comprehension  of  the  child  will  be  a  part  of  the 
work  of  each  succeeding  grade. 

5.  The  aim,  as  stated  above,  "  to  help  the  child  to  under- 
stand in  a  true  sense,"  involves  not  only  continuous  atten- 
tion to  contemporary  problems  that  are  within  the  com- 
prehension of  the  child,  but  also  attention  in  every  grade 
to  genetic  problems  in  the  past  that  he  can  understand. 

6.  These  events  of  past  time  should  be  chosen  from  at 
least  the  following  fields  of  human  activity:  A.  Industrial; 
B.  Political;   C.  Social;   D.  Religious. 

7.  They  should  be  chosen  primarily  from  the  direct  phys- 
ical and  psychical  ancestry  of  Americans,  and  from  various 
stages  in  that  development  from  the  primitive  stage  up. 

8.  Phases  of  human  life  may  be  chosen  from  outside  this 
ancestry  for  good  reasons  similar  to  the  following : 

a.  If  they  are  accessible  and  typical  of  less  well-under- 
stood phases  of  ancestral  life. 

h.  If  they  have  had  important  influences  on  that  ances- 
tral development. 

c.  If  they  help  the  child  to  understand  some  phase  of  the 
life  of  his  fellows  by  contrast. 

d.  If  they  furnish  him  with  the  best  available  ideals  for 
future  action. 


208  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

9.  Each  separate  histor}^  topic: — civic  function,  industrial 
function,  biography,  episode,  event,  series  of  events,  etc. — 
should  be  treated  as  intensively  as  the  pedagogical  condi- 
tions allow.  At  the  very  least  it  should  be  studied  fully 
enough  for  the  child  to  see  it  in  some  of  its  genuine  rela- 
tions— breathe  something  of  its  very  atmosphere. 

10.  The  different  unit  topics  should  not  necessarily  be 
chosen  and  presented  in  chronological  order^  but  rather  in 
such  a  way  that  there  will  be  the  greatest  psychological  tend- 
ency for  the  child  to  relate  them  for  himself  in  a  series  that 
will  make  him  feel  that  present-day  American  ways  of 
doing  things  is  the  result  of  evolution. 

11.  A  great  many  courses  of  study,  differing  from  each 
other  in  most  of  their  details,  can  be  made  out  that  will  ful- 
fill these  conditions. 

12.  The  teacher  of  history  in  the  elementary  schools  is  of 
more  importance  than  the  course  of  study.  There  are  teach- 
ers Avho  can  succeed  in  making  their  children  historically 
minded  with  a  poor  course  of  study. 

Mr.  G.  O.  Virtue,  of  the  Winona  Normal  School,  continued 
the  discussion,  saying,  in  brief: 

I  shoidd  discard  the  principle  so  often  urged  for  choosing 
the  material  for  the  preparatory  years — namely,  that  based 
upon  the  interest  of  the  child.  The  safer  guide  is  the  child's 
future,  rather  than  his  present,  needs,  and,  likewise,  in  choos- 
ing matter  and  method  for  the  seventh  and  eighth  years  it 
is  the  future  needs  of  children,  most  of  whom  end  their  school 
career  with  these  years,  that  should  determine  the  choice, 
rather  than  their  present  interests.  Of  course,  this  does  not 
mean  that  the  child's  aptitudes  and  capacities  are  to  be  ig- 
nored, but  only  that  his  interests  for  the  day  shall  not  control 
in  so  important  a  matter.  We  need,  for  such  a  selection, 
the  perspective  given  by  the  consideration  of  the  whole  life 
of  the  child. 

This  procedure  would  lead  to  the  adoption  of  a  course  not 
differing  widely  in  content  from  that  now  followed  in  many 
American  schools.  It  would  give  an  important  place  to 
United  States  history  in  the  seventh  and  eighth  years.  This 
is,  perhaps,  most  wisely  preceded  by  a  year  with  English 
history  stories  organized  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  the  work 


HISTORY    IN    ELEMENTARY    SCHOOLS.  209 

most  directly  preparator}^  for  the  work  that  follows,  and  the 
English  history,  in  turn,  by  a  year  with  the  Greeks  and  Ro- 
mans and,  perhaps,  with  some  phases  of  mediaeval  life.  The 
fourth  year's  work,  given  to  biography,  chiefly  American, 
while  of  greatest  value  in  relation  to  language  and  some 
other  work,  may  be  regarded  as  a  part  of  the  course  in  his- 
tory. 

A  course  for  the  elementary  school  ought,  it  would  seem, 
to  cover  the  ground  indicated  above,  and  this  would  probably 
be  most  wisely  covered  in  the  order  set  down.  It  is  by  no 
means  certain,  however,  that  the  proportions  would  be  just 
those  indicated.  The  course  outlined  could  be  made  roughly 
to  conform  to  the  demands  of  those  holding  to  the  culture- 
epoch  theory.  It  is  flexible  enough  to  meet  the  needs  and  in- 
terests of  children  of  varying  experiences  and  abilities.  It 
is  rich  in  its  possibilities  for  developing  the  imagination, 
rousing  enthusiasms,  and  for  building  up  standards  of  per- 
sonal and  civic  conduct.  It  makes  it  possible  for  the  children 
to  gain  some  sense  of  connection  with  the  historic  past,  and  it 
enables  them  to  approach  the  study  of  their  OAvn  country  in 
the  seventh  and  eighth  years  with  an  experience  enlarged  by 
at  least  an  elementary  knowledge  of  other  peoples  and  other 
industrial  and  political  institutions  than  their  own.  Of 
these  last  years  spent  on  United  States  history,  the  really 
vital  ones  of  the  course  froui  both  the  knowledge  side  and 
from  the  training  side,  no  adequate  discussion  is  here  possi- 
ble. It  seems  proper  to  say,  hoAvever,  in  passing,  since  men 
of  influence  are  proclaiming  that  "  mental  training  is  a  by- 
product "  merely  of  history  study  in  the  grades,  that  under 
proper  conditions  of  preparation,  of  time,  and  of  skilled 
instruction  this  "  by-product "  may  be  made  of  the  utmost 
value,  and  that  a  course  of  study  not  arranged  w^ith  the  pos- 
sibilities for  mental  training  in  view  is  necessarily  a  weak 
one. 

Miss  Emily  J.  Rice,  of  the  School  of  Education  of  the  IJni- 
versit}^  of  Chicago,  spoke  briefly  on  the  subject,  "  The  Prep- 
aration of  the  Elementary  Teacher."     Miss  Rice  indicated : 

I.  New  ideals  in  education  make  new  demands  upon  the 
scholarship  of  the  teacher.     The  teacher's  scholarship  should 

H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 14 


210  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

not  be  measured  by  the  capacity  of  the  children  for  acquire- 
ment, but  rather  by  the  wisdom  necessary  to  guide  experi- 
ence. 

II.  Relation  of  subject-matter  and  experience.  The  sub- 
ject-matter of  history  is  the  result  of  social  experience,  and 
the  teacher's  place  is  to  help  the  children  to  make  it  their 
own  as  far  as  possible.  If  this  could  be  done  by  the  chil- 
dren's learning  to  state  the  conclusions  of  others  the  teacher's 
work  would  be  comparatively  easy,  but  they  can  make  their 
own  only  such  knowledge  as  their  experience  helps  them  to 
interpret.  The  teacher's  scholarship  must  be  so  broad  that 
she  will  not  se]:)arate  history  from  experience  nor  from  the 
other  subjects  of  study. 

III.  Place  of  psA^chology  in  the  preparation  of  the  teacher. 
Since  psychology  helps  the  teacher  to  appreciate  the  mental 
attitude  of  the  child,  it  is  as  important  to  her  as  the  knowl- 
edge of  histor}^  itself.  The  teacher  should  understand  the 
meaning  of  experience,  so  that  she  can  make  the  problems 
of  history  the  children's  own  problems. 

IV.  Emphasis  upon  industrial  history  and  the  develop- 
ment of  the  arts.  Study  of  the  experiences  of  children  leads 
us  to  see  that  the  emphasis  in  the  elementary  school  must  be 
placed  ui^on  industrial  rather  than  political  history.  The 
problems  that  arise  in  the  occupations  of  the  school  give 
importance  to  the  study  of  the  arts. 

V.  Organization  of  the  subject-matter  for  teaching.  Sub- 
ject-matter comes  to  us  formulated  by  the  adult  mind  and 
for  the  adult.  It  can  not  be  given  to  children  in  this  form. 
The  teacher  should  liaA^e  an  opportunity  to  observe  the  chil- 
dren's reactions  to  the  subject-matter  and  to  organize  sub- 
ject-matter for  those  of  different  ages. 

yi.  Test  of  the  teacher's  work.  The  test  of  the  teacher's 
work  is  to  be  found  in  the  habits  of  study  that  the  children 
acquire. 

The  general  discussion  which  followed  Avas  participated  in 
by  Messrs.  John  Bach  McMaster,  of  Philadelphia;  James 
Sullivan,  of  New  York;  J.  S.  Young,  of  Mankato;  E.  C. 
Page,  of  Dekalb,  111. ;  A.  II.  Sanford,  of  Stevens  Point,  Wis. ; 
T.  F.  Moran,  of  Lafayette,  Ind.,  and  many  others. 


XL— REPORT  OF  THE  CONFERENCE  ON  THE  TEACHING  OF  CHURCH 

HISTORY. 


By    FRANCIS    A.   CHRISTIE, 

Professor  of  Church  Ilistonj,  Mcadville  Theological  School,  and  Chairman  of  the  Conference. 


211 


REPORT  OF  THE  CONFERENCE  ON  THE  TEACHING  OF  CHURCH 

HISTORY. 


By  Francis  A.  Christie,  Chairman. 


Mr.  Christie  (presiding)  opened  the  conference  by  enu- 
merating certain  defects  in  the  present  state  of  the  American 
pursuit  of  church  history : 

(1)  A  lack  of  that  spirit  and  method  which  defines  the 
problems  of  church  history  as  problems  of  historical  science. 
The  instruction,  being  chiefly  confined  to  theological  schools, 
is  shaped  too  much  by  dogmatic  and  ecclesiastical  interests. 

(2)  A  failure  to  develop  a  body  of  workers  in  this  field 
comparable  in  number  or  in  energy  to  those  who  contribute 
to  other  divisions  of  the  field  of  history. 

(3)  A  failure  to  show"  a  production  of  results  comparable 
to  the  fruit  of  study  in  the  field  of  the  biblical  sciences  and 
in  political  history. 

The  speaker  proceeded  to  urge  improvements  in  pedagogic 
method  as  the  condition  of  obtaining  a  larger  audience  for 
the  specialist  in  this  field.  The  lack  of  research  and  pro- 
duction was  ascribed  in  large  measure  to  the  failure  of 
theological  schools  to  conceive  of  themselves  as  divisions  of 
the  university  and  under  obligation  to  realize  the  highest 
university  ideal.  To  that  failure  is  due  the  utterly  inade- 
quate provision  of  leisure  and  library  equipment  for  teachers 
in  theological  institutions.  It  was  argued,  moreover,  that 
the  desired  results  could  not  be  obtained  until  the  study 
should  be  released  from  the  monopoly  of  theological  inter- 
est and  offered  also  as  a  matter  of  general  culture  to  a  wider 
audience  than  the  clergy.  If  colleges  and  graduate  schools 
should  pursue  the  subject,  its  problems  would  appeal  to  a 
larger  body  of  people,  and  the  instruction  in  theological 
schools  would  be  lifted  to  a  higher  plane, 

213 


214  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Prof.  Albert  T.  Swing,  of  Oberlin  College,  then  spoke  as 
follows  on  "  Methods  of  Teaching  Church  History :  " 

Three  things  work  together  to  make  a  tremendous  prob- 
lem for  the  teacher  of  church  history — the  mass  of  material, 
the  curriculum  limitations,  and  the  uneven  preparation  of 
the  students.  The  problem  is  to  know  hoAV  to  accomplish 
the  most  under  the  circumstances.  The  best  method  is  the 
one  which  can  bring  the  best  results  to  the  particular  body 
of  students  in  the  benches.  In  something  more  than  a  figura- 
tive sense  the  teacher  is  to  sink  his  individuality  in  theirs, 
and,  if  possible,  they  are  to  go  out  original  and  independent. 
The  professor  in  the  American  seminary  can  afford  to  turn 
his  lecture  room  into  a  workshop  and  push  the  laboratory 
method,  in  which  the  students  are  made  to  do  the  work. 
Any  number  of  lectures  by  a  master  are  not  as  useful  to  the 
student  as  one  "  poor  thing  all  the  student's  own,"  which  he 
has  been  able  to  produce  by  wrestling  with  the  problems  of 
exposition  and  reproduction,  which  must  be  felt  before  they 
can  be  overcome.  The  mere  stimulation  of  the  imitative 
faculties  is  the  poorest  service  that  can  be  rendered  the 
student.  The  simple  truth  is,  there  can  be  no  strength 
where  there  is  not  a  large  place  for  initiative  and  the  demand 
for  original  sentiment. 

( 1 )  Chief  stress  is  to  be  laid  on  the  successful  grouping  of 
the  subjects  for  the  whole  class  and  for  the  special  studies 
with  which  each  student  is  alone  to  grapple. 

(2)  The  second  point  of  significance  is  the  application 
of  the  analytical  method  of  study,  by  which  is  meant  the 
seeking  for  the  fundamental  truths,  the  germinal  ideas,  and 
the  new  forces  coming  into  action  at  the  beginning  of  move- 
ments and  their  contact  with  the  old. 

(3)  The  third  matter  of  importance  is  the  right  use  of 
sources  and  authorities.  While  the  new  emphasis  placed  on 
primary  sources  is  a  move  in  the  right  direction,  the  student 
will  be  narrowed  rather  than  broadened  if  he  is  not  helped 
to  a  wise  use  of  secondary  sources.  He  must  be  delivered 
from  slavery  to  one  book,  and  be  helped  to  the  mastery  of 
many  books.  The  teacher  is  to  be  the  companion  and 
friend  as  well  as  the  example  in  this  real  laboratory  work. 

(4)  The  next  best  help  which  the  teacher  of  church  his- 


TEACHING    OF    CHURCH    HISTORY.  215 

toiy  can  render  is  the  inauguration  of  the  student's  pro- 
ductive work,  where  it  is  to  be  not  the  one  great  thesis  but 
the  preparation  of  usable  papers  and  addresses,  with  enough 
of  the  esthetic  and  dramatic  art  to  make  a  living  appeal  to 
a  mass  of  hearers. 

(5)  A  final  and  subordinate  point  of  importance  is  the 
observing  from  the  beginning  the  correct  mechanical  form — 
the  bibliography,  the  outline  and  table  of  contents  in  the 
final  form  for  printing.  To  write  as  carefully  and  exactly 
as  if  to  print  is  a  valuable  rule. 

The  problem  of  making  strong  students  is  therefore  a 
double  one,  the  discovery  and  analysis  of  vital  movements 
by  the  exercise  of  true  historical  in-iight ;  and  the  immediate 
using  of  these  ideas  with  a  judicial  temper  and  yet  with 
a  sensitive  skill  which  can  make  the  hearer  see  what  he 
sees  and  feel  something  of  what  he  feels.  Knowing  is  not 
the  end,  but  the  end  is  the  effective  reproduction  and  pre- 
sentation. Here  is  to  be  the  consummation  of  the  seminary 
student's  study  of  church  history.  If  the  preacher  who 
can  speak  of  the  dry  and  dusty  shelves  of  the  past  has  any 
message  it  will  spring  out  of  a  very  short  root.  Eight  im- 
portant groups  can  be  proposed,  no  one  of  which  the  student 
can  ignore  without  serious  loss.  Four  of  these  are  in  the 
general  history.  Important  as  these  are  as  preliminary 
studies,  and  from  their  mingling  of  political  as  well  as 
religious  interests,  they  are  to  be  duplicated  by  as  many 
studies  in  doctrine  and  theology,  for  Avhich  the  general 
history  is  but  the  preparation.  The  historical  analysis  of 
the  origin  of  doctrine  and  the  tracing  of  the  developments 
of  doctrine  should  become  the  crowning  work  of  the  his- 
torical department  in  any  Christian  seminary.  Without  it 
no  student  is  strong  enough  to  cope  with  the  intricate  prob- 
lems which  thrust  themselves  continually  into  the  life  of 
every  man  who  is  a  force  in  the  real  world  of  ideas.  Un- 
reasoning dogmatism  has  no  insight,  unthinking  liberalism 
has  no  ideals  great  enough  to  make  a  future,  unschooled 
radicalism  can  establish  no  rights  to  leadership.  The  pres- 
ent and  the  future  are  alone  for  the  strong  student  who  is 
as  wisely  conservative  as  he  is  truly  progressive,  who  under- 
stands the  new  because  he  can  understand  the  old.  Having 
become  sympathetic  with  every  old  form  of  thought  that  had 


216  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

vitality  in  it  he  is  alone  fitted  to  step  forth  and  assume 
leadership  in  an  age  which  apart  from  him  knows  not  really 
from  whence  it  came,  and  even  less  whither  it  is  tending, 
and  least  of  all  whither  it  ought  to  go. 

The  second  speech  was  by  Prof.  Shailer  Matthews,  of  the 
University  of  Chicago,  on  "  The  Stimulation  of  Kesearch." 
Professor  Matthews  maintained,  in  substance,  that  in  a  theo- 
logical seminary  a  limit  Avas  set  upon  research  b}^  the  aim  of 
the  institution.  The  seminary  being  a  professional  school, 
like  those  for  law  or  medicine,  aimed  at  practical  efficiency 
and  not  at  general  culture.  It  is  inadvisable  to  urge  re- 
search upoji  the  majority  of  the  students  in  a  seminary,  the 
training  obtained  in  college  being  too  much  of  a  general 
smattering  to  make  research  possible.  The  seminary  should 
provide  for  the  general  mass  of  its  students  a  teaching  of  the 
substance  of  knowledge,  and  then  in  the  final  year  a  discipline 
in  the  use  of  sources,  not  for  the  production  of  technical  his- 
torians, but  to  show  the  difference  between  opinion  and  fact 
and  the  method  of  constructing  data.  When,  however,  a 
seminary  has  also  a  class  of  students  Avho  are  preparing  to 
teach  and  bring,  therefore,  a  higher  aptitude  and  ambition, 
separate  provision  should  be  made  for  such  so  that  after  two 
years  of  professional  study  they  should  pass  to  a  more  tech- 
nical training.  Research  thus  concerns  the  instructor  him- 
self and  the  students  who  aim  to  become  instructors.  For 
the  advancement  of  learning  in  this  field  Professor  Matthews 
advocated  a  systematic  undertaking  to  edit  and  publish  docu- 
ments of  American  church  liistory,  the  Avork  to  be  done  by 
instructors  and  advanced  students  in  collaboration.  He  ad- 
vocated also  a  project  of  cooperative  historical  writing  by 
teachers  of  the  subject,  after  the  model  of  the .  Cambridge 
Modern  History. 

Prof.  Carl  R.  Fish,  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  then 
spoke  on  "  The  Teaching  of  Church  History  in  Colleges  and 
Graduate  Schools."  This  discussion  is  confined  to  the  neces- 
sity and  advantage  of  correlating  the  church  and  secular 
history  of  the  United  States.  Although  churches  have  had  a 
very  great  influence  in  the  development  of  American  civiliza- 
tion, the  attention  devoted  to  them  in  general  courses  in 


TEACHING    OF    CHURCH    HISTORY.  217 

American  histor}^  is  very  slight  and  is  directed  chiefly  to  the 
bizarre  and  the  picturesque.  Vital  problems  are  seldom 
handled.  This  is  jDartly  explained  by  the  fact  that  most 
American  colleges  are  denominational,  or  are  connected  with 
State  universities;  but  the  obstacles  thus  presented  are  not 
so  great  as  is  generally  supposed,  owing  to  tolerance  of 
Americans  with  regard  to  questions  of  religion. 

The  necessity  for  such  correlation  is  urgent,  because  the 
multiplication  of  courses  forbids  the  average  college  student 
to  take  special  courses  in  church  history;  because  the  recent 
expansion  of  the  field  of  history  demands  attention  to  the 
churches,  lest  the  view  given  be  one-sided ;  because  such  cor- 
relation is  too  difficult  for  the  student  unaided.  Its  advan- 
tage lies  in  broadening,  and  therefore  simplifying,  the  whole 
view  of  history.  An  illustration  is  the  growth  and  the  his- 
tory of  united  organizations  in  the  churches  and  the  political 
union  of  the  country. 

As  a  2)reliminary  to  such  correlation  by  the  college  teacher 
of  general  American  history,  much  work  must  be  done  by  the 
specialists  in  church  history  in  the  comparative  study  of 
the  several  churches  of  religion  and  morality  and  of  local 
religious  and  civil  institutions.  This  is  the  most  profitable 
field  for  the  graduate  student,  who  will  find  whole  series  of 
problems  by  simply  placing  side  by  side  the  ascertained  facts 
in  these  several  subjects  and  observing  the  relationships  and 
the  discrepancies  which  then  appear.  This  broadening  of  the 
scope  of  church  history  would  increase  interest  in  it,  which 
is  at  present  increasing,  and  would  put  on  a  scientific  basis 
many  subjects  which  are  now  left  to  conjecture  and 
deduction. 


XII.— FIRST  REPORT  OF  THE  CONFERENCE  OF  STATE  AND  LOCAL 
HISTORICAL  SOCIETIES. 


By    FREDERICK    WIGHTMAN    MOORE, 

Tennessee  Historical  Society,  Secretary  of  the  Conjerence. 


219 


FIRST  REPORT   OF  THE  CONFERENCE   OF  STATE   AND  LOCAL 
HISTORICAL  SOCIETIES. 


By  Frederick  Wightman  Moore,  Secretary  of  the  Conference. 


In  accordance  with  an  invitation  emanating  from  the  pro- 
gramme committee  of  the  American  Historical  Association, 
a  conference  of  State  and  local  historical  societies  was  held 
in  Chicago  on  the  morning  of  Thursday,  December  29,  1904, 
in  connection  with  the  annual  meeting  of  the  national  asso- 
ciation. 

The  conference  was  called  to  order  at  10.30  a.  m.  in  the 
library  of  Reynolds  Club  House,  University  of  Chicago,  by 
Reuben  Gold  Thwaites,  of  the  Wisconsin  Plistorical  Society, 
who  had  been  designated  by  the  committee  as  chairman  of 
the  meeting.  Frederick  W.  Moore,  of  the  Tennessee  His- 
torical Society,  was  selected  by  the  delegates  as  secretary. 

The  Chair  briefly  stated  the  objects  of  the  gathering  to  be 
an  informal  consultation  concerning  the  problems  Avhich 
beset  the  societies  and  the  State  departments  of  archives  and 
history.  The  invitation  extended  to  the  organizations  and 
departments  had  in  the  main  been  restricted  to  those  of  the 
West  and  South,  because,  in  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  the 
eastern  societies  were  not  as  a  rule  confronted  by  the  ques- 
tions which  troubled  those  in  the  newer  States.  Institu- 
tions invited  to  attend  had  been  asked  for  suijgestions. 
Many  had  replied,  their  letters  covering  so  Avide  a  range  that 
it  was  apparent  that  a  two  hours'  meeting  would  unfortu- 
nately not  suffice  to  touch  upon  a  tithe  of  the  interesting  dis- 
cussions proposed.  It  had  therefore  been  determined  by 
the  committee  to  restrict  discussion  at  this  first  conference 
to  two  points — the  best  methods  of  organizing  State  his- 
torical work  and  the  possibilities  of  cooperation  betw^een 
societies. 

221 


222  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Under  the  first  head — forms  of  organization  and  the  rela- 
tions of  the  work  to  the  State  government — Thomas  M. 
Owen,  director  of  the  Department  of  Archives  and  History 
of  Alabama,  opened  the  discussion.  Mr.  Owen  enlarged 
upon  the  duty  which  each  State  owes  to  its  archives  and  his- 
tory, and  advocated  the  organization  of  a  State  department 
of  archives  and  history  charged  with  the  duty  of  caring  for 
the  archives  of  the  State  departments  and  the  local  govern- 
ment, as  well  as  the  collection  of  miscellaneous  historical 
material  and  the  diffusion  of  historical  knowledge.  The 
possibilit}^  of  establishing  a  practical,  nonpartisan  depart- 
ment was  illustrated  by  the  example  of  Alabama,  where  the 
personnel  of  the  first  board  was  specified  in  the  creating  act, 
and  that  board  made  practically  self -perpetuating,  subject 
to  confirmation  by  the  senate." 

Warren  Upham,  secretary  of  the  Minnesota  Historical 
Society,  presented  arguments  in  favor  of  this  work  being 
performed  by  well-established  societies  and  done  at  public 
expense.     Professor  Upham  spoke  as  follows : 

Although  in  some  of  the  States,  especially  where  his- 
torical work  is  now  for  the  first  time  being  actively  and 
systematically  undertaken,  a  department  of  archives  and 
history  may  be  found  most  efficient  and  practicable,  I  believe 
that  even  there  historical  societies  should  be  formed  for 
cooperation  with  the  State  department  of  history,  and  that 
in  most  or  all  of  the  States  which  have  long  had  such  socie- 
ties their  services  are  more  comprehensive  and  valuable  than 
can  be  rendered  by  an  official  State  department. 

The  society  enlists  the  interest  and  aid  of  its  large  mem- 
bership, representing  personally  manj^  or  all  of  the  counties 
or  other  large  districts  of  the  State.  Each  member  is  ex- 
pected to  aid  by  gathering  details  of  the  pioneer  settlement 
and  subsequent  history  of  his  county,  township,  or  region ; 
by  donating  local  publications,  mostly  pamphlets,  as  reports 
of  the  schools,  churches,  local  societies,  fairs,  etc.,  for  the 
society's  library;  by  securing  historical  relics  for  its  mu- 
seum and  portraits  of  early  settlers  and  prominent  citizens 
for  its  State  portrait  collection,  and  by  writing  on  themes  of 
the  local  history  for  its  meetings  and  publications.     Through 

«  See  full  text  of  Doctor  Owen's  paper,  post. 


CONFERENCE    OF    HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES.  228 

invitation  and  solicitation  by  the  secretary  and  other  officers 
of  the  society  it  may  thus  receive  addresses  and  papers  on 
any  theme  of  the  State  history,  or  that  of  any  county,  city, 
town,  or  village,  by  authors  having  accurate  knowledge, 
responsibility,  and  pride  for  the  district  or  the  subject  so 
presented. 

In  their  relations  to  the  State  governments  and  to  State 
support  by  legislative  appropriations  the  State  and  local 
historical  societies  of  the  older  States  receive  little  or  no 
State  aid,  Avhile  yet  rendering  great  services  to  the  people 
in  each  of  the  New  England  States,  in  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  South 
Carolina,  Georgia,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Missouri,  and 
Michigan.  These  societies,  through  financial  support  by 
their  membership,  supplemented  in  many  cases  by  State 
assistance  for  printing,  have  gathered  very  important  his- 
torical libraries,  museums,  and  collections  of  portraits,  and 
have  issued  extensive  series  of  publications  on  the  history 
of  these  several  States. 

Contrasted  with  these  eastern  historical  societies  we  have 
in  five  of  the  Western  and  Northwestern  States,  namely, 
Wisconsin,  Minnesota,  Iowa,  Nebraska,  and  Kansas,  societies 
which  have  long  received  nearly  all  the  means  for  their  very 
extensive  work  from  State  appropriations,  being  thus  on  the 
same  footing  with  the  other  institutions  of  public  education. 
Besides  the  collection  of  all  published  books,  pamphlets, 
maps,  etc.,  relating  to  the  State  history,  these  five  societies 
gather  the  current  newspapers  from  all  parts  of  their  re- 
spective States  and  preserve  them  in  bound  volumes,  doing 
this  more  fully  than  has  been  attempted  elsewhere  in  the 
United  States,  but  similarly  with  the  British  Museum,  which 
thus  preserves  all  the  newspapers  issued  in  Great  Britain. 
The  newspaper  departments  of  these  State  historical  libra- 
ries are  priceless  treasuries  of  materials  for  future  historians, 
showing  the  development  of  these  States  and  of  their  coun- 
ties and  separate  townships  from  their  beginnings. 

Each  of  the  States,  whether  aiding  their  historical  societies 
little  or  much,  is  served  continuously  and  zealously  and  gra- 
tuitously by  the  boards  of  officers  and  by  the  membership  of 
these  societies.  Several  features  of  this  service  are  notable. 
It  is  not  determined  by  political  election  or  appointment, 


224  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

nor  dependent  on  changes  of  the  general  State  administra- 
tion ;  it  extends  through  very  long  terms  of  membership,  and 
often  of  official  relations;  its  changes  of  officers  are  decided 
by  the  members  of  the  society  or  by  a  large  number  of  their 
representatives  forming  the  society's  council,  and  constant 
and  efficient  Avork  for  the  increase  of  the  library  and  other 
collections  of  the  society  is  carried  forward  by  frequent 
meetings  and  regular  publications. 

To  mention  finally  what  I  deem  the  highest  merit  and 
crowning  honor  of  the  local  historical  societies,  they  are 
shown  })y  their  results,  extending  in  some  of  the  old  States 
a  century  or  more  and  in  the  Northwest  more  than  half  a 
century,  to  be  nobly  useful  by  the  discovery  and  develop- 
ment of  historical  workers,  local  antiquaries,  and  the  per- 
sons in  every  part  of  the  several  States  who  have  been  best 
qualified  for  historical  researches  and  for  rescuing  the  past 
from  forgetfulness. 

A.  C.  McLaughlin,  director  of  the  Bureau  of  Historical 
Research  in  the  Carnegie  Institution  of  Washington,  was 
introduced  and  asked  to  state  the  plans  of  that  institution. 
These  look  rather  to  aiding  than  to  undertaking  research. 
In  this  respect  the  interest  and  appreciation  of  the  historical 
societies  of  the  country  is  desired.  It  is  hoped  that  the 
institution  may  be  of  service  to  them  and  that,  by  proper 
correlation,  duplication  of  work  and  needless  searching  may 
be  avoided.  The  institution  hopes  eventually  to  secure  the 
transcription  of  all  American  documents  in  European  ar- 
chives, as  Avell  as  to  calendar  all  collections  of  such  tran- 
scripts already  in  the  United  States.  The  last  undertaking 
will  be  entered  upon  immediately — the  former  Avill,  in  due 
course,  be  carried  forAvard  in  connection  with  the  Library 
of  Congress. 

The  question  of  the  possibilities  of  mutual  cooperation  be- 
tAveen  societies.  State  and  local,  Avas  then  taken  up.  C.  M. 
Burton,  president  of  the  Michigan  Pioneer  and  Historical 
Society,  spoke  substantiall}^  as  folloAvs: 

The  purposes  for  Avhich  historical  societies  should  cooper- 
ate would  be  to  pre\^ent  needless  duplication  of  matter  in 
their  published  reports  and  proceedings  and  the  gradual 


CONFERENCE    OF    HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES.  225 

preparation  of  an  index  to  all  printed  historical  material, 
so  as  to  provide  a  ready  access  to  such  matter  for  students 
and  investigators. 

There  are  two  classes  of  historical  societies — those  main- 
tained by  private  donations  and  dues  of  members  and  those 
maintained  by  legislative  donations.  The  publications  of 
the  first  class  of  these  societies  is  frecpiently  confined  to  a 
small  edition  to  be  distributed  only  among  the  members  of 
the  society.  In  the  second  class  the  published  works  are 
sometimes  distributed,  as  in  Michigan,  to  all  libraries  in 
the  State,  and  are  thus  used  for  popular  instructions  among 
the  citizens  and  in  the  schools.  As  a  general  rule  both 
classes  are  in  want  of  funds  for  the  proper  management  of 
the  societies  and  are  unable  to  do  all  that  they  desire  or  all 
that  they  ought  to  do  in  the  proper  line  of  historical  research 
and  work. 

It  has  frequently  happened  in  the  past  that  two  societies 
will  collect  and  print  iu  their  publications,  papers,  and 
documents  that  have  already  been  printed  by  some  other 
society.  This  sometimes  occurs  because  the  two  publica- 
tions are  issued  at  the  same  time  and  the  publishing  socie- 
ties are  ignorant  of  the  works  of  each  other.  Sometimes 
this  duplication  occurs  because  the  second  publisher  was 
ignorant  of  the  former  publication.  It  has  also  sometimes 
happened  that  one  society  will  print  a  portion  of  some 
important  document,  omitting  portions  not  of  interest  to  the 
State  or  locality  of  the  society,  althoiigh  the  omitted  portion 
may  be  of  great  interest  to  some  other  locality. 

It  is  not  always  best  to  omit  publication  of  documents 
simply  because  they  can  be  found  printed  in  some  other  pub- 
lication. In  the  publication  of  a  series  of  documents  it 
would  detract  from  their  value  somewhat  to  find  a  statement 
that  some  one  or  two  were  omitted  because  thSy  were  printed 
in  the  proceedings  of  some  other  society,  while  it  would  be  a 
needless  expense  to  any  society  to  reprint  an  entire  collection 
of  documents  because  they  applied  to  the  locality  of  the 
society  if  the  original  print  could  be  readily  secured. 

For  the  purposes  of  cooperation  to  avoid  this  unnecessary 
duplication  it  is  suggested  that  the  various  societies  send  to 
the  secretary  of  the  Ameriean  Historical  Association,  to  be 
H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 15 


226  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

by  him  at  once  transmitted  to  the  other  historical  societies,  a 
list  of  such  papers  as  are  proposed  to  be  printed  by  the 
society  during  the  ensuing  year.  As  an  illustration  of  how 
this  will  w^ork,  take  the  subject  of  the  Haldimand  papers, 
many  of  which  have  been  printed  in  Michigan  and  AVi  scon- 
sin.  If  any  society  proposes  during  the  next  year  to  print 
any  more  of  these  papers  and  a  list  is  sent  to  every  other 
society  the  publication  of  the  same  j^apers  by  any  other 
society  could  be  readily  prevented. 

Another  good  that  might  be  derived  from  this  notification 
can  be  readily  seen  in  the  following  illustration:  There  is 
now  in  preparation  for  publication  in  the  thirty-fourth  vol- 
ume of  the  Michigan  Society  the  ''  Orderly  Books  of  Gen. 
Anthony  AYayne,"  comprising  not  only  the  books  left  by 
General  AYayne,  but  the  continuation  of  the  same  by  his  suc- 
cessor, General  AA^ilkinson,  and  such  other  heretofore  unpub- 
lished documents  as  can  be  obtained  covering  the  period  from 
1792  to  1797.  It  is  quite  desirable  that  this  publication 
should  include  everything  that  can  be  found  on  the  subject 
of  Indian  Avarfare  after  the  appointment  of  AYayne,  at  least 
until  the  time  of  his  death  in  179().  Alan}^  of  the  societies 
have  letters,  documents,  diaries  or  journals,  and  papers  of 
various  kinds  that  throw  light  on  this  interesting  and  histor- 
ical period.  AYhen  the  knoAvledge  of  this  intended  publica- 
tion has  been  transmitted  to  the  various  societies,  they  will 
doubtless  examine  their  archiA^es  and  notify  the  Michigan 
Society  of  such  papers  as  they  have  and  are  Avilling  to  send 
for  publication.  This  is  a  cooperation  that  could  be  put  into 
immediate  practice. 

A  further  suggestion  for  cooperation  is  the  making  of  an 
index  of  historical  Avritings  prepared  somewhat  on  the  plan 
of  Poole's  index.  The  preparation  of  such  Avork  Avould  be 
stupendous  without  doubt,  but  Avhen  once  completed  it  Avould 
be  invaluable.  It  Avould  be  of  use  to  students,  in\^estigators, 
and  historical  societies.  Such  a  Avork  should  not  only  in- 
clude the  historical  societies'  publications,  but  the  magazines 
and  pamphlets.  The  Avork  of  compiling  it  might  be  cooper- 
ative. Each  society  could  contribute  the  index  to  its  own 
publications  and  the  public  and  private  libraries  could  add 
the  list  of  pamphlets.  Poole's  index  coiud  be  utilized  for  the 
magazine  articles.     A  year's  work  would  produce  a  very 


CONFERENCE    OF    HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES.  227 

good  beginning,  and  a  foundation  thus  laid  could  be  built 
upon  by  a  new  edition  each  year  until  the*  work  was  prac- 
tically completed.  Who  could  compute  the  value  and  use- 
fulness of  such  a  work  ? 

Benjamin  F.  Shambaugh,  of  the  State  Historical  Society 
of  Iowa,  followed  with  these  remarks  upon  the  possibilities 
of  mutual  cooperation  between  State  and  local  historical 
societies  : 

At  this  conference  of  historical  societies  I  desire  to  speak 
briefl}^  to  the  point  of  (1)  the  propagation  of  interest,  (2) 
the  collection  of  material,  and  (3)  the  publication  of  thita 
as  within  the  possibilities  of  mutual  cooperation  between 
historical  societies.  State  and  local.  And  to  be  more  specilic 
I  will  add  that  my  remarks,  suggested  by  conditions  in 
States  such  as  Iowa,  Michigan,  Illinois,  Minnesota,  and  Wis- 
consin, contemj)late  phases  of  possible  cooperation  between 
the  State  historical  society  on  the  one  hand  and  the  various 
local  historical  societies  and  associations  on  tlie  other. 

First.  By  the  propagation  of  interest  I  mean  the  stimula- 
tion and  diffusion  throughout  the  Counnonwealth  of  a  gen- 
eral interest  in  and  an  enthusiasm  for  State  and  local  his- 
tory. With  students  and  men  of  science  the  interest  will  be 
chiefly  academic,  and  will  be  expressed  in  scientific  research, 
critical  investigation,  and  scholarly  publications,  while 
among  the  masses  of  the  people  enthusiasm  will  take  the 
form  largely  of  a  cojnniendable  pride  in  things  local  and 
provincial.  The  State  historical  society,  with  its  larger 
library  and  collections,  its  broader  scope,  its  publications, 
and  its  touch  with  American  and  Avorld  histor}^  will  attract, 
stimulate,  and  encourage  the  scholar.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  local  society  of  the  town  or  comity,  with  its  more  popu- 
lar membership,  can  do  jnost  to  arouse  that  local  patriot- 
ism and  foster  that  spirit  of  local  provincialism  which, 
when  widely  diffused  throughout  the  community,  means  for 
the  State  society  that  popular  moral  support  which  leads  to 
rich  gifts  and  large  a])propriations.  Thus  the  State  and 
local  societies,  being  mutually  supplementary,  may  through 
affiliation  and  cooperation  become  most  effective  in  spreading 
the  gospel  of  historical  interest. 


h 


228  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Second.  The  possibilities  of  cooperation  in  the  collection 
of  liistorical  material  for  permanent  preservation  are  evident. 
For,  while  the  State  society  will  aim  to  make  its  library  the 
largest  and  most  complete  Avithin  the  Commonwealth  in 
State  and  local  history  (including  at  the  same  time  materials 
of  national  and  Avorld  history  as  Avell  as  much  that  is  classed 
as  politics,  economics,  sociology,  and  jurisprudence),  few 
local  societies  will  go  beyond  the  collection  of  materials  of 
local  and  State  history.  Local  societies  aim,  first  of  all,  to 
collect  and  preserve  tlie  materials  of  local  history,  and  while 
doing  this  they  may  eti'ectively  assist  the  State  society  in 
securing  matter  along  tlie  same  lines.  At  the  same  time  the 
members  of  local  societies  may  cooperate  effectively  with  the 
collector  of  the  State  society  in  securing  manuscripts,  books, 
pamphlets,  etc.,  which  are  of  more  general  interest.  In 
Iowa,  where  the  State  Historical  Society  has  placed  a  col- 
lector in  the  field,  this  jjliase  of  cooperation  now  appears  to 
be  most  promising.  On  the  other  hand,  the  State  society 
Avill  often  find  it  possible  to  turn  over  duplicate  material  to 
the  libraries  and  collections  of  local  societies. 

Third.  The  publication  of  data  of  State  and  local  history 
is  one  of  the  most  important  offices  of  the  historical  society. 
And  I  believe  that  as  time  goes  on  this  function  will  become 
more  and  more  pronounced,  notwithstanding  some  contempo- 
rary evidence  of  the  tendency  to  yield  to  the  solicitations  of 
publishers  who  make  books  valuable  by  limiting  the  editions. 
I  do  not  believe  that  tlie  historical  society  has  fulfilled  its 
highest  mission  when  it  has  collected  a  large  library  of  books 
and  manuscripts  and  housed  them  securely  in  a  marble 
palace.  For  after  the  materials  have  been  collected  their 
content  should  as  far  as  possible  be  made  accessible  through 
publications.  Are  there  manuscripts  of  great  value?  Let 
them  be  carefully  edited  and  published  by  the  State  society. 
Has  some  student  done  a  scholarly  and  critical  piece  of  work? 
Let  it  be  published  in  the  quarterly  of  the  State  society  or  as 
a  separate  monograph.  Finally,  the  State  society  should 
furnish  all  of  its  publications  at  a  nominal  price  or  in  ex- 
change to  all  of  the  local  societies  and  public  libraries  in  the 
Commonwealth.  On  the  other  hand,  the  local  societies  may 
cooperate  in  this  field  by  publishing  their  proceedings,  which 
will  contain  reminiscences,  recollections,  and  reflections  of 


CONFERENCE    OF    HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES.  229 

old  settlers  and  pioneers,  as  well  as  notes  and  information 
of  a  jiurely  local  bearing.  These  proceedings  should  be 
freely  exchanged  with  other  local  societies  and  with  the  State 
organization. 

But  the  important  question  is,  IIow  may  cooperation  in 
the  three-fold  direction  herein  indicated  be  made  possible 
and  practicable?  The  answer  is.  Through  the  affiliation  of 
the  local  historical  societies  Avith  the  State  historical  society. 
This  affiliation  may  take  the  form  of  auxiliary  membersliip, 
as  in  loAva,  Avhere  the  provisions  for  such  membership  are  as 
follows  : 

Local  historical  societies  (such  as  county  historical  societies,  city 
or  town  4iistorical  societies,  and  old  settlers'  associations)  may  he 
enrolled  as  auxiliary  menihers  of  the  State  Historical  Society  of  Iowa 
upon  application  of  such  local  historical  societies  and  upon  the  ap- 
proval of  their  applications  hy  the  hoard  of  curators  of  the  State  His- 
torical Society  of  Iowa. 

Auxiliary  societies  shall  he  entitled  to  menihershi]>  in  the  State  His- 
torical Society  of  Iowa  and  shall  have  one  vote  at  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  this  society.  Each  auxiliary  society  shall  he  entitled  to  re- 
ceive all  the  puhlications  of  the  State  Historical  Society  of  Iowa  is- 
sued during  the  period  of  its  affiliation  as  an  auxiliary  memher. 

Franklin  L.  Riley,  of  the  Mississippi  Historical  Society, 
thus  described  the  condition  of  affairs  in  that  State: 

Although  the  Avriter  worked  out  the  details  of  the  exist- 
ing historical  organizations  in  Mississippi  and  drafted  the 
legislative  bills  which  put  them  into  active  operation,  he 
finds  it  rather  difficult  to  say  where  all  of  their  features 
came  from.  He  spent  much  time  studying  the  organization 
in  Wisconsin,  where  the  State  Historical  Society  has  control 
of  all  the  necessary  machinery  for  carrying  on  the  work  in 
the  State,  and  in  Alabama,  Avhere  the  Historical  Society  lost 
its  appropriation  in  the  establishment  of  the  State  Depart- 
ment of  Archives  and  History.  The  constitution  and  work- 
ings of  several  other  historical  organizations  were  also 
studied  in  this  connection. 

The  primar}^  object  he  had  in  view  was  the  establishment 
of  two  permanent,  coordinate  agencies  with  clearly  defined 
spheres  of  activity,  which  would  perform  all  of  the  necessary 
local  historical  work  in  the  State.  There  seemed  to  be  a 
place  for  an  agency  controlled  and  permeated  by  university 


230  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

influences,  also  for  an  agency  which  would  be  in  more  con- 
stant contact  with  the  citizens  of  the  State  of  all  ranks  and 
occupations.  He  therefore  planned  for  the  reorganization 
and  perpetuation  of  the  Historical  Society  and  for  the 
establishment  of  a  new  State  Department  of  Archives  and 
History. 

The  newly  planned  department  was  expected  to  undertake 
work  in  fields  which  it  was  very  difficult,  if  not  well-nigh 
impossible,  for  the  society  to  develop  satisfactorily.  There 
are  comparatively  few  historical  societies  that  accomplish 
great  results  as  collecting  agencies.  There  are  also  very  few 
State  departments  that  are  able  and  willing  to  foster  and 
direct  the  various  important  lines  of  research  which*  are  nec- 
essary to  the  publication  of  valuable  contributions  to  history. 

The  latter  field  seems  to  be  the  special  province  of  the 
university,  with  its  corps  of  graduate  students  and  its  large 
number  of  alumni,  as  well  as  its  various  other  literary  affili- 
ations, Avliich  reach  to  ever}^  part  of  the  State.  These  cir- 
cumstances afford  to  persons  who  are  well  trained  opportu- 
nities as  well  as  incentives  to  contribute  their  part  toward 
the  development  of  historical  work  in  the  different  States. 
Three-fourths  of  the  contributors  to  the  Publications  of 
the  Mississippi  Historical  Society  are  alumni  of  the  State 
University.  In  the  near  future  the  proportion  of  contri- 
butions from  this  source  will  doubtless  become  even  greater. 

The  idea  of  publishing  at  the  University  of  Mississippi 
the  finished  products  of  historical  investigation  was  derived 
from  the  Johns  Hopkins  University,  and  the  utilization  of 
the  State  Historical  Society  was  at  first  onl}^  a  means  to 
this  end.  The  society  developed  rapidly,  however,  and 
within  a  year  the  historical  work  under  the  direction  of 
the  secretary  and  treasurer  of  that  organization  embraced 
so  many  different  kinds  of  activity  that  the  office  became 
very  burdensome.  Then  followed  a  process  of  differentia- 
tion, which  culminated  in  the  creation  of  the  Department 
of  Archives  and  History,  the  model  for  which  was  furnished 
by  the  then  newly  created  Department  of  Archives  and  His- 
tory in  Alabama. 

In  the  opinion  of  the  Avriter  the  organization  for  his- 
torical work  in  Mississippi  is  unique,  and  contains  at  least 


CONFERENCE    OF    HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES.  231 

one  idea  which  is  original.  It  is  that  of  two  coordinated, 
State-supported  agencies,  one  with  headquarters  at  the  State 
University,  the  other  with  headquarters  at  the  State  capi- 
tal, and  both  of  them  working  successfully  and  harmoni- 
ously in  their  respective  fields.  These  agencies  bring  to 
bear  upon  the  historical  work  of  the  State  two  of  the  influ- 
ences— academic  and  political — which  are  the  most  powerful 
and  progressive  in  any  Commonwealth. 

i  The  Mississi])pi  Historical  Society  has  issued  annual  vol- 
umes of  Publications  since  its  reorganization.  Its  energies 
are  primarily  directed  to  the  publishing  of  finished  products 
of  historical  research.  SeA-en  volumes  of  Publications  have 
been  issued,  the  eighth  being  now  in  the  press,  each  of  which 
has  been  more  valualole  than  the  preceding  one.  The  vol- 
umes which  have  been  pul)lished  are  well  bound  in  cloth 
and  contain  154  c()ntril)utions.  aggregating  2,742  pages. 
Volume  YIII  Avill  contain  28  contribution^,  which  will  make 
a  book  of  about  550  pages. 

A  general  classification  of  the  contributions  that  have  been 
published  by  the  Mississippi  Historical  Society,  Avith  the 
number  of  contributions  under  each  sul)ject,  is  here  giA^en 
in  order  to  indicate  the  nature  and  scope  of  the  iuA^estigations 
Avhich  have  been  successfully  conducted  under  the  direction 
of  this  State  agency.  The  result  of  this  eifort  at  classifica- 
tion is  not  entirel}^  satisfactory,  as  some  of  the  most  a  aluable 
contributions  may  be  placed  under  more  than  one  head.  In 
only  exceptional  cases,  hoAvcA^er,  has  the  Avriter  yielded  to 
the  tem]:)tation  to  count  contrilMitions  under  more  than  one 
head.     This  classification  is  as  folloAvs: 

Contributious. 

Bibliography    K) 

Historical   reports 8 

Literary  history__l 11 

Constitutional  and  i)oliti<-al  liistory 27 

Economic  history 8 

Social  history 6 

Educational  history 4 

Ecclesiastical  history 10 

Military    history 17 

History  of  scientific  investigations  and  industries 3 

County  and  municipal  history 12 

Biography . 15 

Pioneer  reminiscences - 3 


282  AMERICAK    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION". 

Contributions. 

Archaeology 7 

Indians    13 

Exploration  and  early  settlement 5 

Historical  geograi)liy 8 

Original   documents 4 

Mississippi    River 4 

Miscellaneous    8 

It  is  not  deemed  necessary  to  give  in  this  connection  a 
detailed  statement  of  the  different  fields  of  labor  which  have 
been  allotted  to  the  Historical  Society  and  to  the  State  De- 
partment of  Archives  and  History  in  Mississippi,  as  this 
information  will  ])e  found  in  the  Annual  Report  of  the 
American  Historical  Association  for  1903,  Volume  I,  pages 
475-478. 

The  several  addresses  were  attentively  listened  to,  and 
elicited  numerous  questions,  showing  a  hearty  interest  on  the 
part  of  all  present.  In  summing  up  the  result  of  this  first 
conference  of  historical  societies  and  de2:)artments,  the  chair- 
man said  that  it  was  quite  evident  that  among  the  earliest 
needs  was  the  publication  of  calendars  of  each  other's  manu- 
script collections,  on  some  well-accepted  plan;  there  were 
also  needed  published  lists  of  other  historical  material  which 
was  available  to  scholars,  in  the  several  society  and  depart- 
mental collections,  such  as  maps,  portraits,  engravings,  and 
illustrative  material  generally. 

Sectional  or  neighborhood  cooperation  was  also  highly  de- 
sirable. The  Louisiana  Purchase  States,  those  in  the  Old 
NortliAvest,  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  the  Middle  West,  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  the  Gulf  States,  the  Pacific  coast,  the 
Canadian  Northwest,  etc.,  Avere  all  of  them  sections  whose 
societies  or  departments  might  profitably  get  together  now 
and  then  to  discuss  historical  needs — the  sources  of  docu- 
ments, the  parceling  out  of  possible  publications,  the  dis- 
covery of  gaps  which  need  to  be  filled;  together  with  ques- 
tions of  administration,  public  and  private  support,  mu- 
seums, lectures,  etc. 

National  cooperation,  he  thought,  was  also  quite  feasible. 
Methods  and  ideals  might  be  improved  by  annual  confer- 
ences like  the  present.  There  might  well  be  a  national  com- 
mittee, or  possibly  a  commission  charged  with  this  object 


CONFERENCE    OF    HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES.  233 

like  the  Historical  Manuscripts  and  Public  Archives  com- 
missions, seeking  to  effect  a  general  improvement — not  reject- 
ing genealogy,  as  has  sometimes  been  urged,  but  seeking 
to  draw  the  line  between  that  and  real  historical  work,  and 
cordially  cooperating,  wherever  need  be,  with  the  genealogi- 
cal societies.  Then,  again,  we  shall  find  the  Library  of 
Congress  and  tlie  Cai-negie  Institution  eager  for  our  coopera- 
tion ;  indeed,  they  are  already  soliciting  our  suggestions  as 
to  work  desirable  for  them  to  undertake  both  at  home  and 
abroad. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Owen,  the  council  of  the  American  His- 
torical Association  was  unanimously  requested  to  provide  for 
further  conferences  of  State  and  local  historical  societies, 
the  chairman  and  secretary  thereof  to  be  appointed  by  the 
council,  and  such  officers  to  2:)rovide  a  programme  for  at  least 
tAvo  meetings  at  the  next  session  of  the  national  association. 
Later  in  the  day  the  council  voted  that  a  similar  round 
table  of  State  and  local  historical  societies  and  departments 
be  held  as  one  of  the  features  of  the  annual  meeting  in  Bal- 
timore next  winter.  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Owen,  director  of  the 
Alabama  Department  of  Archives  and  LTistory,  was  ap- 
pointed chairman  of  the  conference,  and  Prof.  Benjamin  F. 
Shambaugh,  of  the  T^niversity  of  Iowa,  secretary. 

The  following  delegates  Avere  accredited  to  the  conference, 
and  nearly  all  Avere  present : 

Alabama  Department  of  Archives  and  History,  Montgomery — Dr. 
Thomas  M.  Owen,  director. 

Buffalo  (N.  Y.)  Historical  Society — Frank  II.  Severance,  secretary. 

Carnegie  Institution  of  Washington,  Bureau  of  Historical  Research — 
Prof.  A.  C.  McLaughlin  and  Waldo  G.  Leland. 

Chicago  Historical  Society — Dr.  J.  W.  Fertig,  secretary  :  Dr.  A.  L. 
Schmidt,  S.  H.  Kerfoot,  jr.,  and  Miss  Caroline  Mcllvane,  librarian. 

Evanston  (111.)  Historical  Society — J.  Seymour  Currey.  secretary,  and 
Frank  B.  Grover,  vice-president. 

German  American  Historical  Society,  Philadelphia — Emil  Mannhardt, 
Chicago. 

Illinois  State  Historical  Society,  Springfield — Dr.  J.  F.  Snyder,  presi- 
dent ;   J.  F.  Steward,  Paul  Selby,  A.  M.,  and  Prof.  Edwin  E.  Sparks. 

Iowa  Historical  Department,  Des  Moines — Hon.  (  harles  Aldrich,  cur- 
ator, and  Miss  Mary  R.  Whitcomb,  assistant  curator. 

Iowa  State  Historical  Society,  Iowa  City — Prof.  B.  F.  Shambaugh, 
Dr.  Frank  E.  Horrack,  secretary,  and  T.  J.  Fitziiatrick,  collector. 

Kansas  Historical  Society,  Topeka — Col.  George  W,  Martin,  secretary. 


234  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Louisiana  Historical  Society,  New  Orleans — William  Beer,  Prof,  Alcee 
Fortier,  president,  and  Dr.  James  S.  Zacliarie,  first  vice-president. 

McLean  County  (111.)  Historical  Society,  Bloomington — George  P. 
Davis,  president ;  Ezra  M.  Prince,  secretary,  and  John  H.  Burnham, 
'  chairman  of  executive  committee. 

Manitoba  Historical  Society,  Winnipeg — Rev.  Dr.  George  Bryce. 

Manmee  Valley  (Ohio)  Pioneer  and  Historical  Association,  Defiance — 
Dr.  Charles  E.  Slocum. 

Michigan  Pioneer  and  Historical  Society,  Lansing — Clarence  M.  Bur- 
ton, president,  Detroit,  and  Hon.  Peter  White,  Marquette. 

Minnesota  Historical  Society,  St.  Paul — Prof.  Warren  Upham,  secre- 
tary. 

Mississipi^i  Dejiartment  of  Archives  and  History,  Jackson — Hon.  Dun- 
bar Rowland,  director. 

Mississippi  Historical  Society,  University — Dr.  Franklin  L.  Riley,  sec- 
retary. 

Missouri  Historical  Society,  St.  Louis — Judge  William  B.  Douglas, 
l)resident. 

Missouri  State  Historical  Society,  Columbia — F.  A.  Sampson,  secre- 
tary ;  Dr.  Isador  Loeb,  and  Dr.  Jonas  Viles. 

Nebraska  Historical  Society,  Lincoln — Prof.  H.  W.  Caldwell. 

New  York  University — Marshall  S.  Brown. 

Northern  Indiana  Historical  Society,  South  Bend — George  A.  Baker, 
secretary,  and  Otto  M.  Knoblock. 

Ohio  Historical  and  Philosophical  Society,  Cincinnati — Joseph  Wilby, 
l)resident,  and  Prof.  Merrick  Whitcomb,  curator. 

Ohio  State  Archaeological  and  Historical  Society,  Columbus — E.  O. 
Randall,  secretary. 

"  Old  Northwest "  Genealogical  Society,  Columbus,  Ohio — Capt.  N.  W. 
Evans,  Portsmouth. 

Peoria  (HI.)  Historical  Society— Prof.  Charles  T.  Wycoft". 

Richland  County  (Ohio)  Historical  Society,  Columbus — Hon.  E.  O. 
Randall,  Columbus,  and  A.  G.  Baughman,  secretary,  Mansfield. 

Tennessee  Historical  Society,  Nashville — Dr.  Frederick  W.  Moore 
and  Dr.  R.  A.  Halley. 

Texas  State  Historical  Association,  Austin — Prof.  George  P.  Garrison. 

U.  S.  Daughters  of  .1812,  Illinois  Branch,  Chicago— Mrs.  Robert  Hall 
Wiles,  president. 

Wayne  County  (Ind.)  Historical  Society,  Richmond — Prof.  Cyrus  W. 
Hodgin. 

Western  Hlinois  State  Normal  School,  Macomb — Prof.  James  C.  Burns. 

Western  Reserve  Historical  Society,  Cleveland,  Ohio — Wallace  H. 
Cathcart,  secretary,  and  William  II.  Miner. 

Wisconsin  Historical  Society,  Madison — Hon.  William  W.  Wight, 
president ;  Dr.  R.  G.  Thwaites,  secretary ;  Hon.  Henry  E.  Legler, 
and  Dr.  Frederick  J.  Turner. 

Wyoming  (Pa.)  Historical  and  Geological  Society — Thomas  Lynch, 
Montgomery,  State  librarian. 


XIII. -STATE  DEPARTMENTS  OF  ARCHIVES  AND  HISTORY 


By  THOMAS  McADORY  OWEN, 

Director  of  the  Alabama  Department  of  Archives  and  History. 


235 


STATE  DEPARTMENTS  OF  ARCHIVES  AND  HISTORY." 


By   Thomas    McAdory   Owen. 


The  subject  of  history  is  receiving  a  degree  of  attention 
and  commanding  a  place  in  the  domain  of  letters  never 
before  known  in  the  United  States.  This  interest  is  demon- 
strated in  a  hundred  different  Avays.  Every  institution  of 
learning  of  any  ])retention  offers  extensive  courses  both  in 
general  and  in  American  history.  The  very  best  men  are  at 
the  head  of  their  historical  schools.  Secondary  schools  like- 
wise give  history  a  prominent  place.  Thousands  of  the 
brightest  and  subtlest  intellects  of  the  world  are  devoting 
themselves  to  its  study  and  proinotion.  In  this  almost  uni- 
versal revival  of  interest,  embracing  educational  institu- 
tions, learned  societies,  and  individuals,  what  part,  if  any, 
has  been  taken  by  the  State,  using  the  word  in  its  broad  sense  ? 
To  state  the  inquiry  definitely,  has  there  been  any  response 
on  the  part  of  the  State  to  a  supposed  or  real  duty  to  its 
archives  (public  records  of  every  character)  and  its  history? 
The  duty  is  now  so  universally  conceded  that  I  ought  not  to 
stop  for  its  consideration.  I  only  do  so  to  briefly  say  that  if 
the  State  owes  a  duty  to  publish  and  disseminate  its  statutes 
and  the  decision  of  its  courts,  which  are  directive  or  pro- 
hibitive, surely,  for  the  same  reason,  it  should  care  for  its 
history  as  such,  which  is  stimulative,  inspiriting,  and  life- 
giving. 

Almost  every  State,  as  well  as  the  General  Government, 
has  in  some  way  recognized  this  duty.  The  latter  has  spent 
more  than  $1,000,000  for  specific  historical  purposes,  as  the 
purchase  of  manuscript  material,  the  publication  of  archives, 
war  records,  etc.  State  aid  has  usually  taken  the  form  of 
appropriations  in  support  of  historical  societies,  subsidies  or 


"  Presented  at  a  round  table  conference  during  the  Twentieth  Annual  Meet- 
ing of  the  American  Historical  Association,  Chicago,  Dec.  29,  1904. 

237 


238  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION 

grants  to  individual  authors  or  historical  writers;  appropria- 
tions for  the  publication  of  State  papers  or  archives,  military 
records  and  historical  narratives,  official  documents  of  a  semi- 
historical  character,  and  also,  in  a  few  cases,  for  the  care  and 
preservation  of  public  records.  The  most  noticeable  fact  in 
reference  to  these  appropriations  is  their  striking  lack  of  uni- 
formity and,  except  in  a  few  instances,  their  temporary  char- 
acter. No  two  conceptions  of  the  duty  are  alike  and  no  two 
States  (except  Alabama  and  Mississippi)  meet  it  in  the  same 
way.  I  am  not  able  here  to  enter  into  an  extended  analysis, 
but  from  a  most  careful  study  my  conclusions  are  that  the 
problems  involved  have  not  yet  been  met  in  an  enlarged,  com- 
prehensive, and  logical  manner.  While  the  appropriations 
made  are  usually  well  directed,  as  far  as  they  go,  they  are 
given  as  a  sort  of  subsidy.  A  particular  condition  is  met 
with  a  specific  amount,  and  usually  the  agencies  appointed 
to  do  the  work  involved  are  required  to  serve  w^ithout  com- 
pensation. There  is  a  painful  lack  of  organized  effort.  In 
my  opinion,  so  long  as  aid  is  extended  as  a  subsidy  or  gift, 
so  long  will  the  conditions  which  surround  it  be,  in  the  very 
nature  of  things,  temporary,  uncertain,  and  without  organ- 
ized direction.  A  subsidy  or  gift,  no  matter  how  meritorious 
in  the  particular  case,  falls  short  of  the  enlarged  conception 
of  permanence,  which  must  be  realized  before  the  full  meas- 
ure of  obligation  is  met. 

Before  we  can  properly  discuss  agencies  for  the  perform- 
ance of  duties  we  must  have  a  clear  and  definite  conception  of 
the  duties  themselves.  As  a  comprehensive  enumeration,  I 
can  not  do  better  than  to  quote  the  entire  statement  of  the 
"  objects  and  purposes  "  of  the  Department  of  Archives  and 
History  of  the  State  of  Alabama,  established  by  legislative  act 
approved  February  27,  1901.  These  are  declared  to  be  "  the 
care  and  custody  of  official  archives,  the  collection  of  mate- 
rials bearing  upon  the  history  of  the  State  and  of  the  terri- 
tory included  therein  from  the  earliest  times,  the  completion 
and  publication  of  the  State's  official  records  and  other  his- 
torical materials,  the  diffusion  of  knowledge  in  reference  to 
the  history  and  resources  of  the  State,  the  encouragement 
of  historical  work  and  research,"  etc. 

The  enumeration,  it  must  be  observed,  only  purports  to  set 


STATE    DEPAETMENTS    OF   AHCHIVES    AND    HISTORY.       239 

forth  the  duties  of  the  State,  not  the  obligations  of  histor- 
ical societies  or  individuals,  which,  Avhile  they  may  be  iden- 
tical in  some  respects,  are  nevertheless  altogether  distinct 
and  separate.  It  is  further  to  be  noted  that  as  between  the 
State  and  societies  or  individuals,  the  only  exclusive  duty  is 
that  in  reference  to  official  archives.  In  all  other  matters, 
if  desired,  societies,  as  well  as  the  State,  can  collect  histor- 
ical materials,  diffuse  knowledge,  encourage  historical  Avork 
and  research,  etc.  An  ideal  condition,  and  one  not  at  all 
hard  to  realize,  w^ould  mean  the  successful  operation  of 
all  activities  under  Avhatever  auspices  conducted.  First 
and  of  supreme  importance  in  the  list  is  "  the  care  and  cus- 
tod}^  of  official  archives."  That  this  should  be  first  hardly 
admits  of  question.  The  position  of  this  Association  is  (dear 
as  to  the  value  of  archives  or  public  records  as  source  mate- 
rial, and  also  on  the  importance  of  their  proper  care  and  ])res- 
ervation.  At  its  annual  meeting  in  December,  1899,  a  Public 
Archives  Commission  was  created  to  investigate  and  report 
upon  the  archives  and  public  records  of  the  several  States 
and  the  United  States.  Prior  to  this  the  Historical  Manu- 
scripts Commission  had  conducted  some  investigations  in 
this  important  field.  Four  reports  have  been  made  by  the 
Public  Archives  Commission,  and  are  to  be  found  in  the 
annual  volumes  of  this  Association.  Its  investigations  have 
been  conducted  with  much  thoroughness  and  care,  and  an 
examination  of  them  is  in  the  highest  degree  helpful  and 
necessary  in  reaching  a  satisfactory  conclusion  on  the  subject 
in  hand. 

In  the  first  report  ^  the  significant  statement  is  made  that 
"  the  information  gathered  by  the  commission  through  its 
adjunct  members  has  served  to  make  clear — what  was 
already  clear  enough — the  imperative  necessity  for  a  more 
rational  and  scientific  treatment  of  documentary  material  in 
the  United  States."  In  the  same  report  (p.  21)  is  the 
following  statement  in  reference  to  public  records,  taken 
from  a  report  of  a  committee  of  the  United  States  House  of 
Representatives :  "  What  the  situation  needs  is  not  sj^as- 
modic  or  irregular  treatment,  but  adherence  to  a  compre- 

"  Annual  Report  of  the  American  Historical  Association,  1000,  Vol.  II, 
p.  23. 


240  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

hensive  and  well-ordered  plan ;  "  "•  and  commenting  on  the 
report  of  Prof.  H.  L.  Osgood  on  the  New  York  archives, 
the  further  statement  is  made  that  his  investigation  "  affords 
a  striking  illustration  of  the  necessity  of  a  more  orderly  and 
scientific  treatment  of  these  valuable  records  by  the  State 
itself."  In  due  appreciation  of  the  very  great  importance  of 
the  subject,  the  commission  reported  (p.  24)  that  they  had 
lent  their  aid  "  to  every  movement  which  has  come  to  their 
notice  having  for  its  object  the  creation  of  State  record  com- 
missions, State  archivists,  and  the  like,  and  they  are  glad  to 
report  that  in  a  number  of  States  the  sentiment  in  favor  of 
so?ne  foruh  of  central  adminiHtixition  and  supervision  seems 
to  be  on  the  increase."     (The  italics  are  mine.) 

The  position  of  the  Public  Archives  Commission,  so 
strongly  urged  in  its  first  report,  as  well  as  in  all  subsequent 
reports,  is,  so  far,  at  least,  as  we  are  concerned,  authorita- 
tive. But  I  think  that  I  can  safely  go  further  and  say  that 
its  conclusions  are  now  generally  accepted  by  all  who  think 
intelligently  on  the  subject.  If,  therefore,  the  duty  is  clear, 
and  particularly  if  the  situation  in  respect  thereto  demands 
"  rational  and  scientific  treatment,"  "'  adherence  to  a  com- 
prehensive and  well-ordered  plan,"  and  ''  some  form  of  cen- 
tral administration  and  supervision,"  what  is  the  wdse  and 
logical  thing  to  be  done?  In  what  specific  way  are  the 
duties  to  be  met?  AVe  haA^e  heretofore  dealt  in  generali- 
ties; let  us  now  view  the  subject  in  a  purely  practical  way 
and  endeavor  to  reach  a  sound  conclusion.  Even  a  superfi- 
cial consideration  at  once  leads,  I  think,  to  the  irresistible 
conclusion  that  the  same  principles  should  be  here  applied 
as  in  similar  cases  where  the  State  has  met  new  duties  and 
obligations.  Consider  for  a  moment  the  method  of  meeting 
the  general  duties  of  the  State  to  any  of  the  subjects  to  which 

"  The  value  and  importance  of  the  scientific  treatment  of  archives  and  pub- 
lic records  has  found  admirable  emphasis  in  a  paper  by  Dr.  Ernest  Gushing 
Richardson,  president  of  the  American  Library  Association,  in  The  Dial, 
Chicago,  February  1,  1905,  p.  74.  Doctor  Richardson  says :  "  When  the 
American  Library  Association  was  formed,  and  for  ten  yeai's  aftervyards, 
there  were  hardly  half  a  dozen  librarians  in  America  to  whom  the  word 
'  archive '  meant  anything  practical.  To-day  archival  science  is  developed 
to  a  high  degree  in  many  States.  To  the  careful  observer  of  library  progress 
there  are  few  achievements  in  American  library  woric  so  valuable  in  them- 
selves and  so  promising  of  future  scientific  usefulness  as  that  of  which 
Mr.  [Thomas  M.]  Owen's  work  in  Alabama  is  perhaps  the  best  type,  bui; 
which  is  now  being  done  in  many  States." 


STATE    DEPAKTMENTS    OF    ARCHIVES    AND    HISTORY.        241 

it  owes  duties  at  all.  Without  going  back  to  the  early  or- 
ganization of  State  governments,  your  attention  is  directed 
to  the  many  new  obligations  which  have  developed  with  the 
growth  of  the  State.  Some  of  these  are  education,  agricul- 
ture and  industries,  geological  surveys,  statistics,  banks  and 
banking,  and  supervision  of  common  carriers.  How  are  the 
duties  in  relation  to  these  subjects  met?  By  State  offices, 
departments,  boards,  and  commissions.  It  is  respectfully 
submitted  that  the  situation  which  has  arisen  and  developed 
in  respect  to  the  care  and  custody  of  archives  and  the  promo- 
tion of  historical  activities  be  met  in  the  same  Avay — that  is, 
by  the  establishment  of  a  department  of  archives  and  his- 
tory. This  is  the  natural,  simple,  and  logical  course.  The 
establishment  of  such  a  department  in  the  several  States, 
charged  Avith  the  duties  which  I  have  heretofore  enumerated, 
would  meet  e\'ery  conceivable  condition  which  might  arise. 
"  But,"  you  ask,  "  why  has  not  this  method  obtained 
earlier?/'  Simply  for  the  same  reason  that  other  growth 
in  civic  life  has  been  slow,  but  principally  because  of  the  fact 
that  we  are  only  now  coming  to  a  full  realization  of  the  need. 
It  may  be  said  that  offices  and  departments  already  estab- 
lished should  be  so  readjusted  and  enlarged  as  to  care  for  the 
several  matters  proposed  to  be  incorporated  in  the  new  de- 
partment. This  position  is  not  sound  and  carries  its  oAvn 
refutation.  It  is  far  easier  to  create  a  ncAV  office  than  to  in- 
crease the  duties  of  existing  ones.  Experience  has  shown 
that  very  rarely  have  officials  shown  the  proper  apprecia- 
tion of  the  valuable  and  important  records  properly  forming 
a  part  of  their  offices.  It  is  only  necessary  to  examine  the 
reports  of  the  adjunct  members  of  the  Public  Archives 
Commission  to  obtain  abundant  evidence  in  support  of  this 
assertion.  If  such  has  been  the  condition  in  the  past,  how 
can  anything  better  be  expected  in  the  future?  It  has  been 
suggested  by  some  that  the  State  library  should  be  so  reor- 
ganized as  to  constitute  the  proposed  department.  To  this  I 
give  an  emphatic  dissent.  It  might  be  done  if  a  hundred 
years  of  traditions  and  settled  conditions  did  not  obtain  in 
the  several  State  and  supreme  court  libraries  of  the  country 
which  would  render  reform  or  change  impossible.  The 
State  and  supreme  court  librarian  should  respond  generally 
H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 16 


242  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

to  the  needs  of  the  court  and  its  bar,  but  should  not  be 
charged  with  duties  involving  highh^  specialized  functions 
foreign  to  regular  library  work.  Kow^  man}^  librarians  are 
fit  to  cope  with  musty  archives?  How  many  are  equipped 
to  edit  your  historical  publications  ?  Hoav  many  are  able  to 
respond  to  calls  for  detailed  historical  or  statistical  infor- 
mation ?  In  making  these  comments  on  the  State  librarians 
it  is  done  in  no  unfriendly  spirit.  I  am  simply  emphasizing 
the  point  that  our  hopes  in  reference  to  the  care  and  preser- 
vation of  our  archives  and  our  historical  interests  must  not 
be  centered  in  them.  In  the  past  they  have  been  just  about 
as  indifferent  on  such  subjects  as  other  State  officials.  It  is 
proper  for  me  to  say,  however,  that  there  are  some  notable 
exceptions,  particularly  in  the  case  of  the  State  librarians  of 
New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Indiana,  Connecticut,  Massachu- 
setts, and  Ohio. 

There  are  two  other  matters  proper  to  be  considered  at  this 
point.  One  is  the  question  of  whether  or  not  the  Public 
Record  Commission,  so  successfully  in  operation  in  Massa- 
chusetts, may  not  be  made  to  perform  the  work  of  the  pro- 
posed department.  The  statutes  governing  the  commission, 
as  well  as  its  several  reports,  have  been  carefully  and  critic- 
ally examined.  It  is  charged  with  very  important  duties  in 
reference  to  supervision  and  the  enforcement  of  laws  con- 
cerning record  making  and  record  preservation,  as  whether 
or  not  certain  records  are  kept,  the  character  of  buildings 
and  vaults  in  which  kept,  quality  of  inks,  paper,  t3^pewriter 
ribbons,  etc.  These  things,  while  of  vital  consequence,  are 
nevertheless  only  a  very  small  j)art  of  the  many  functions 
w^hich  should  be  exercised  by  a  department  of  archives  and 
history.  There  is  no  objection  to  the  Public  Record  Com- 
mission.*  It  is  a  useful  and  wise  institution,  but  it  is  too 
limited  in  scope.  Indeed,  it  does  not  undertake  to  view 
archives  in  any  sense  from  the  standpoint  of  the  historical 
student. 

The  other  question  is  whether  or  not  a  State  historical 
society  can  meet  the  requirements  of  a  department  such  as  is 

«  See  Mr.  Robert  T.  Swan's  admirable  paper  descriptive  of  the  worli  of  the 
Massachusetts  Public  Record  Commission,  in  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Ameri- 
can Historical  Association,  1901,  Vol.  I,  pp.  95-112.  Mr.  Swan  has  been  the 
commissioner  for  a  number  of  years,  and  its  excellent  work  has  been  devel- 
oped under  his  direction. 


STATE    DEPARTMENTS    OF    ARCHIVES    AND    HISTORY.        243 

proposed.  In  a  large  measure,  yes ;  but  as  respects  the  care, 
custody,  and  supervision  of  archives  and  public  records,  no. 
So  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  discover,  no  existing  society, 
however  useful  its  work  and  extensive  its  operations,  under- 
takes or  is  in  position  to  undertake  the  functions  of  archivist. 
Indeed,  such  a  course  Avould  not  be  practical,  and  doubtless 
for  that  reason  has  never  been  attempted.  Therefore,  even  if 
liberal  aid  be  granted  the  State  historical  society  and  it  suc- 
cessfully meets  2)ublic  expectation  in  the  accumulation  of 
historical  materials,  there  is  still  the  problem  of  the  archives. 
Inasmuch  as  they  nuist  occupy  the  first  place  in  any  consid- 
erati(m  of  organized  State  aid,  any  plan  which  does  not 
rationally  and  scientifically  deal  with  them  must  be  rejected. 
In  stating  this  conclusion,  it  must  be  understood  that  tliere  is 
involved  no  hostility  to  a  State  historical  society,  to  which 
aid  can  be  voted  as  well  as  to  other  agencies.  There  is  noth- 
ing incompatible  in  the  existence  of  a  department  and  the 
existence  of  a  society.  An  ideal  condition  sui)])()ses  both, 
each  in  active  and  successful  operation.  They  would  l)ear 
pretty  much  the  same  relation  to  each  other  as  the  State 
library  and  the  State  library  association,  the  State  depart- 
ment of  public  health  and  the  State  medical  society,  the 
departuieut  of  public  instruction  and  the  State  educational 
association,  the  department  of  agriculture  and  the  State  agri- 
cultural society,  etc. 

Although  briefl}^  outlined,  I  think  that  I  have  made  clear 
my  position  in  favor  of  the  administration  of  State  aid  in 
the  main  through  a  separate  department  of  the  State  gov- 
ernment. The  principle  is  not  new;  I  simpl3^  propose  a 
ncAV  application.  Such  a  department,  organized  from  the 
beginning  on  a  broad  and  permanent  basis,  and  so  adjusted 
as  to  maintain  harmonious  relations  Avith  other  departments 
of  state  and  Avith  the  various  historical  societies  of  the  State, 
Avould  fully  and  admirably  meet  the  duty  of  the  State  in  the 
premises.  In  Alabama  the  establishment  of  such  a  depart- 
ment is  believed  to  have  satisfactorily  settled  all  of  the  ques- 
tions and  difficulties  involved  in  the  problems  under  discus- 
sion. The  act  creating  the  department,  Avhich  I  append  to 
this  paper,  is  so  framed  as  to  cover  the  entire  range  of  sub- 
jects thought  to  demand  att^^ntion. 


244  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

I  shall  now  claim  your  indulgence  while  I  briefly  narrate 
the  i3rogress  of  the  movement  in  Alabama  which  has  resulted 
in  the  establishment  of  the  Department  of  Archives  and  His- 
tory, with  some  accqunt  of  its  practical  workings.  And  here 
I  may  be  pardoned  for  calling  your  attention,  with  some 
degree  of  pride,  to  the  fact  that  Alabama  is  the  very  first 
State  to  respond  to  the  full  measure  of  her  duty  in  such  a 
way.  Other  States  have  given  assistance  to  the  cause  of  his- 
tory in  various  ways,  but  Alabama  is  the  very  first  to  elevate 
and  dignify  the  whole  subject  by  creating  a  separate  depart- 
ment of  State,  correlating  other  State  departments,  Avith 
headquarters  at  the  seat  of  government  and  presided  over 
by  an  officer  of  the  same  dignity  as  other  State  officers.  Mis- 
sissippi, in  just  one  year  less  a  day  from  the  date  of  our  law, 
established  a  department  similar  to  ours  in  practically  all 
respects. 

This  department,  known  as  "  The  Department  of  Archives 
and  History,"  is  a  sej^arate  department  of  tlie  State  govern- 
ment, correlating  the  remaining  departments  of  State, 
charged  with  a  specific  body  of  duties,  and  having  a  clear, 
well  defined,  and  hitherto  undeveloped  field  of  operation. 
Created  by  a  separate  act  of  the  legislature  (approved  P^eb- 
ruary  27,  1901).,  its  constitution  is  to  be  found  fully  set  forth 
and  presented  therein.  It  is  maintained  through  appropria- 
tions made  in  the  act,  and  also  by  an  appropriation  con- 
tained in  the  general  appropriation  bill  of  February  13, 
1903.     The  act  of  establishment  declares  that — 

The  objects  and  purposes  of  the  said  depjirtment  are  the  care  and 
custody  of  official  archives,  the  collection  of  materials  bearing  upon 
the  history  of  the  State  and  of  the  territory  included  therein  from  the 
earliest  times,  the  C(mi[)letion  and  i)ublication  of  the  State's  official 
records  and  other  historical  materials,  the  diffusion  of  knowledge  in 
reference  to  the  history  and  I'esources  of  the  State,  the  encourage- 
ment of  historical  work  and  research,  and  the  performance  of  such 
other  acts  and  requirements  as  may  be  enjoined  by  law. 

In  order  to  systematically  and  clearly  meet  the  require- 
ments of  the  objects  and  purposes  set  forth  by  the  act,  the 
work  and  activities  of  the  department  have  been  resolved 
and  grouped,  for  administrative  purposes,  as  follows:  (1) 
Administration,  (2)  publication,  (3)  State  and  local  ar- 
chives, (4)  library,  (5)  historical  art  gallery,  (6)  museum. 


STATE    DEPAETMENTS    OF    ARCHIVES    AND    HISTORY.        245 

(7)  Alabama  war  records,  (8)  diffusion  of  knowledge  in 
reference  to  the  history  and  resources  of  the  State,  (9)  the 
encouragement  of  historical  work  and  research,  and  (10) 
special  activities. 

ADMINISTRATION. 

The  administration  of  the  department  is  simple.  Its  head- 
quarters are  in  the  State  capitol.  It  is  under  the  control  of 
a  board  of  nine  trustees,  whose  powers  and  duties  are  super- 
visory. The  board  holds  an  annual  meeting  and  is  self- 
perpetuating.  The  '"  immediate  management  and  control '' 
is  vested  in  a  director,  who  is  elected  by  tlie  board  for  a  term 
of  six  years.  He  is  qualified  and  commissioned  as  other 
State  officers.  He  is  as  completely  and  fully  in  control  of 
the  work  of  his  office  as  any  other  official  in  the  public  serv- 
ice. A  maintenance  fund  is  provided,  out  of  which  neces- 
sary clerical  help  is  paid  and  expenses  of  i)ostage,  express, 
freight  and  drayage,  binding,  the  purchase  of  books  and  of 
other  articles  are  met. 

PUBTJCATION. 

The  work  of  publication  is  regarded  as  of  great  impor- 
tance. The  specially  authorized  publications  are  the  annual 
reports  of  the  director  to  the  trustees,  with  accompanying 
historical  papers  and  documents,  and  a  biennial  ''Official 
and  Statistical  Register."  The  register  is  a  valuable  statis- 
tical compilation,  preserving  in  an  official  way  the  current 
facts  of  the  State's  history.  The  director's  reports  em})i-ace 
the  administrative  work  of  the  office  for  the  period  covered 
and  also  much  valuable  historical  material  each  year.  "  The 
completion  and  publication  of  the  State's  official  records 
and  other  historical  materials,"  as  a  specific  duty,  is  being 
met  by  the  compilation  of  a  series  of  State  papers,  an  Ala- 
bama local  history  collection,  and  a  series  of  histories  of 
Alabama  commands  in  the  war  between  the  States.  Occa- 
sional bulletins  and  circulars  are  issued  for  diffusing  infor- 
mation and  for  the  development  of  department  activities. 


^40  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATTOK. 

STATE    AND    LOCAL    ARCHIVES. 

The  official  manuscript  books,  records,  documents,  letters, 
and  files  of  the  State,  as  contained  in  its  several  offices,  de- 
partments, and  boards,  are  technically  the  State  archives. 
These  are  of  the  highest  value  to  the  historian.  They  also 
have  a  great  practical  value  for  business  purposes,  as  often- 
times large  property  as  well  as  delicate  personal  interests 
are  dependent  upon  them.  Since  the  foundation  of  our 
territorial  government  in  1817  these  records  have  normally 
accumulated  in  large  numbers,  and  with  the  multiplication 
of  offices  they  have  still  further  increased.  With  limited 
office  room  and  with  the  necessity  for  all  available  space 
for  current  business  puri)oses,  the  early  official  records  have 
in  many  cases  been  neglected,  and  in  some  instances  have 
been  destroyed.  No  officer  or  administration,  however,  is 
chargeable  Avith  this  neglect,  indifl^erence,  and  inattention. 

In  order  to  remedy  the  evil  and  to  avoid  further  losses, 
the  legislature  in  establishing  this  department  not  only 
charged  it  with  '"  the  care  and  custody  of  oflficial  archives," 
but  embodied  the  word  "  archives  "  in  the  department  des- 
ignation or  title  itself,  thus  evidencing  its  profound  inter- 
est in  the  subject.  The  department  is,  in  part,  therefore, 
for  practical  purposes,  a  hall  of  records.  Its  importance, 
dignity,  and  practical  value  to  the  people  of  the  State  be- 
comes more  than  ever  manifest. 

The  words  "  oflficial  archives  "  are  properly  construed  to 
mean  only  the  manuscript  books,  records,  documents,  let- 
ters, and  files  not  in  current  use.  In  the  ^'  care  "  enjoined 
the  plan  of  the  department  involves  the  assortment,  ar- 
rangement, labeling,  filing,  indexing,  and  cataloguing  of  the 
entire  body  of  the  records  committed  to  its  "  custody."  They 
are  thus  made  easily  available  for  use,  consultation,  and 
transcription  b}^  students,  lawyers,  business  men,  and  others 
who  may  have  occasion  to  consult  them. 

The  act  of  establishment  provides  (sec.  4)  that  "  any  State, 
county,  or  other  official  is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered 
in  his  discretion  to  turn  over  to  the  department  for  permanent 
preservation  therein  any  official  books,  records,  documents, 
original  papers,  newspaper  files,  and  printed  books  not  in  cur- 
rent use  in  their  offices."  Some  rare  and  valuable  books  and 
files  have  been  collected  under  this  authorization,  but  owing 


'ST\TE    DEPARTMENTS    OF    ARCHIVES    AND    HISTORY.        247 

to  lack  of  space  no  special  effort  has  as  yet  been  made  to  sys- 
tematically bring  together  the  materials  contemplated  in  this 
provision." 

LIBRARY. 

In  the  collection  of  the  materials  bearing  npon  the  history 
of  the  State,  special  effort  has  been  directed  to  securing 
ever3^thing  of  a  printed  and  docnmentary  character.  A 
large  number  of  new  boolvs  and  of  pamphlets  have  been  se- 
cured and  the  nucleus  formed  for  a  A^ery  fine  collection.  The 
department  is  now  receiving  ])ractically  all  issues  of  the 
Alabama  newspa])er  press.  The  following  outline  will  indi- 
cate the  classes  of  books  and  papers  being  collected,  viz : 

(1)  All  books  and  pamphlets  whatever,  relating  to  Ala- 
bama, its  peo])le,  or  any  part  of  its  history. 

(2)  All  Alabama  public  and  legislative  documents  and 
pamphlets,  official  reports,  etc. 

(8)   All  Avritings  of  Alabama  authors. 

(4)  All  Alabama  educational  and  religious  literature, 
such  as  journals  of  couAentions,  conferences,  and  associa- 
tions; and  catalogues  or  announcements  of  educational  insti- 
tutions. 

(5)  All  old  nnd  current  files  of  Alabama  newspapers, 
magazines,  or  other  periodical  publications. 

(G)  All  maps  of  Alabama,  or  of  its  counties,  towns,  or 
particular  localities,  as  well  as  old  and  rare  maps  of  America. 

(7)  Miscellaneous  historical  works  and  publications. 

(8)  Manusci'ipts  and  documents — old  private  letters  and 
correspondence,  letter  books,  diaries,  journals,  scrap-books, 
weather  notes,  manuscript  maps,  old  account  books,  sur- 
veyor's note  or  field  books,  journals  of  participants  in  the 
Indian  or  other  Avars,  and  manuscript  church  or  school  reg- 
isters. 

HISTORICAL  ART   GALLERY. 

The  collection  of  oil  paintings,  crayons,  vicAvs,  and  i^hoto- 
graphs  already  made  has  far  exceeded  the  most  sanguine 
expectations.  These  number  several  hundred  and,  placed  on 
exhibition,  form  one  of  the  most  attractiA^e  features  of  in- 
terest  in   the   historic   old   capitol.      In   the   collection    are 

"  See  infra  for  an  elaborate  report  on  Alabama  archives. 


248  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

some  specimens  from  the  masters.  Collections  of  photo- 
graphs are  being  made  of  the  members  of  our  several  consti- 
tutional conventions,  also  of  all  the  principal  officers  of  Ala- 
bama commands  in  the  war  between  the  States,  also  of  Ala- 
bama authors,  etc.  Effort  is  directed  to  securing  the  follow- 
ing general  classes  for  exhibition  and  permanent  preserva- 
tion, viz: 

(1)  Likenesses  of  all  persons  prominent  in  Alabama  his- 
tory, as  well  as  of  all  prominent  persons. 

(2)  Drawings  or  photographs  of  historic  localities,  his- 
toric houses,  and  beautiful  or  picturesque  scenery  in  the 
State. 

(3)  Collections  of  engravings  or  art  volumes. 

(4)  Statuary,  bronzes,  etc.,  of  any  subject. 

(5)  Valuable  paintings  or  drawings  of  any  subject. 

MUSEUM. 

The  museum  to  be  built  up  is  designed  to  embrace  each 
and  every  object  or  article  which  properly  comes  within  the 
scope  of  museum  collection.  These  embrace,  among  other 
things : 

(1)  Relics  of  pioneers  and  pioneer  life,  as  articles  of 
dress,  implements  of  labor,  implements  of  the  chase,  and 
household  furnishings. 

(2)  Relics  and  personal  belongings  of  eminent  Alabam- 
ians,  as  library  desks  or  tables,  chairs,  knives,  dirks,  dueling 
pistols  or  other  firearms,  stock,  knee  or  shoe  buckles,  drink- 
ing cups,  watches,  chains,  snuffboxes,  and  canes. 

(3)  War  relics,  as  uniforms,  swords,  arms,  and  equipment. 
This  includes  all  wars  of  the  United  States. 

(4)  Indian  relics,  as  pottery,  weapons  of  all  kinds,  per- 
sonal ornaments. 

(5)  Modern  work,  when  specially  notable  from  being 
unique  in  design  or  the  first  of  a  class  of  article  manufac- 
tured or  introduced. 

ALABAMA    W^AR    RECORDS. 

The  act  charges  the  department  with  the  "  duty  of  making 
special  effort  to  collect  data  in  reference  to  soldiers  from- 
Alabama  in  the  war  between  the  States  "  and  "  to  cause  the 


STATE    DEPARTMENTS    OF    ARCHIVES    AND    HISTORY.        249 

same  to  be  prepared  for  publication  as  speedily  as  possible." 
It  was  felt  that  next  to  the  current  business  of  the  depart- 
ment the  compilation,  for  publication,  of  the  records  of  Ala- 
bama troops  is  of  the  very  first  importance.  In  the  perform- 
ance of  this  duty  the  director  has  labored  diligently.  Large 
numbers  of  rolls  have  been  recovered. 

The  department  has  also  in  process  of  compilation  a  series 
of  narrative  histories  or  historical  sketches  of  all  commands 
from  our  State  in  the  war  between  the  States. 

DIFFUSION   OF   KNOAVLEDGE  IN   REFERENCE   TO   THE   HISTORY  AND 
RESOURCES   OF   THE   STATE. 

The  diffusion  of  knowledge  in  reference  to  the  history 
and  resources  of  the  State  has  proceeded  with  as  much  thor- 
oughness as  lias  been  possible  with  the  limited  resources  at 
command. 

The  department  stands  ready  to  respond  to  every  proper 
call  for  assistance  on  any  and  all  subjects  connected  with 
Alabama  or  its  history.  This  assistance  already  given  has 
taken  a  great  variety  of  forms,  some  of  which  are  (1)  sup- 
j)lying  war  records,  (2)  transcribing  documents,  (3)  verifi- 
cation of  historical  references,  (4)  response  to  inquiries  in 
reference  to  books,  ancestral  data,  archaeological  data,  and 
for  pamphlets  and  official  documents,  (5)  consultation  by  the 
Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  the  United  Daugh- 
ters of  the  Confederacy,  and  other  patriotic  societies,  etc. 

The  history  of  Alabama  is  a  long  record  of  achievement 
and  endeavor;  and  its  resources  are  wonderful  in  richness, 
variety,  and  extent.  The  attempt  has  been  made  to  widen 
the  information  of  the  people,  not  only  of  Alabama,  but 
those  beyond  our  borders,  in  respect  to  these  things.  Hun- 
dreds of  official  and  other  documents  have  been  distributed, 
and  special  assistance  has  been  given  several  of  the  great 
libraries  of  the  country  in  completing  sets  of  Alabama  ma- 
terial. In  this  way  students  Avho  resort  thither  will  have  the 
opportunity  of  using  Alabama  experiences  and  examples  in 
their  researches  and  studies.  In  addition  to  this,  whenever 
public  men  or  others  have  been  in  need  of  Alabama  docu- 
ments, or  official  or  other  publications,  an  endeavor  has  been 
made  to  supply  them. 


250  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

To  render  the  usefulness  of  the  department  greater  for  the 
future,  all  Alabama  documents,  joapers,  reports,  bound  books, 
bulletins,  and  other  publications  Avhich  can  be  located  are 
being  collected  and  preserved.  Too  little  attention  has  been 
paid  these  heretofore,  and  numbers  have  been  destroyed. 
The  collections  thus  made  will  be  invaluable  when  the  people 
of  the  State  are  aroused  to  the  important  character  of  such 
material  and  attempt  to  make  up  complete  sets. 

The  newspapers  of  the  State  have  been  sympathetic  and 
cordial,  and  several  historical  contributions,  prepared  under 
department  direction  or  suggestion,  have  appeared  in  their 
pages. 

ENCOURAGEMENT  OF  HISTORICAL  WORK  AND  RESEARCH. 

The  interpretation  of  the  duty  of  the  department  in  refer- 
ence to  the  encouragement  of  historical  work  and  research 
has  been  broad  and  liberal.  An  attempt  has  been  made  to 
arouse  greater  interest  in  the  subject  of  history  itself  by 
means  of  lectures,  press  notes,  informal  conferences,  and  by 
correspondence.  The  value  of  history  in  schools  has  been 
pointed  out  to  teachers  and  students,  and  the  importance 
of  accurate  and  impartial  text-books  has  been  urged.  The 
preparation  of  local,  church,  and  family  histories,  and  his- 
torical studies  in  special  subjects  has  been  encouraged,  and 
every  assistance  has  been  afforded,  not  only  in  suggestions 
and  criticism  as  to  form  and  methods  of  preparation,  but 
also  in  actually  supplying  materials. 

The  C/olonial  Dames,  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution,  the 
Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  the  United  Con- 
federate Veterans,  the  United  Daughters  of  the  (confed- 
eracy, the  United  Sons  of  Confederate  Veterans,  and  all 
other  patriotic  organizations  have  been  materially  aided. 
The  director  is  the  chairman  of  the  historical  committee 
of  the  Alabama  Division,  United  Sons  of  Confederate  Vet- 
erans, an  associate  member  of  the  historical  committee. 
United  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy,  and  an  adjunct  mem- 
ber of  the  historical  committee,  United  Confederate  Vet- 
erans. He  is  also  the  secretary  of  the  Society  of  the  Sons  of 
the  Revolution  in  the  State  of  Alabama,  and  has  been 
diligent  in  his  efforts  to  locate  Revolutionary  relics  and  the 
graves  of  all  soldiers  of  the  Revolution  buried  in  the  State. 


STATE    DEPARTMENTS    OF    ARCHIVES    AND    HISTORY.        251 

Interest  in  the  Alabama  Historical  Society  has  been  ear- 
nestly fostered,  and  the  director,  who  is  its  secretary,  is  also 
the  editor  of  its  "  Publications."  Much  substantial  work 
in  local  history  has  been  accomplished  by  the  Iberville 
Historical  Society,  Mobile;  the  Tennessee  Valley  Historical 
Society,  Huntsville,  and  the  Old  St.  Stephen's  Historical 
Society,  St.  Stephens,  in  all  of  which  the  department  has 
been  a  valuable  coadjutor. 

Students  everyAvhere  are  invited  and  urged  to  use  the  de- 
partment collections,  and  every  facility  is  extended  in  their 
researches.  Special  invitation  has  been  extended  the  histor- 
ical seminaries  of  several  of  the  great  American  universities 
to  make  use  of  the  departmei^t  material  in  the  advanced  work 
of  their  students. 

SPECIAL    ACTIVITIES. 

In  meeting  the  full  measure  of  its  responsibility  the  de- 
partment has  projected  ])lans  for  the  de\  elopment  of  sundry 
special  activities  not  embraced  in  tliose  heretofore  described. 
These  may  be  summarized  as  the  commemoration  of  historic 
events  or  anniversaries,  the  acquisition  of  historic  places  or 
localities,  the  erection  of  monuments,  the  mai'king  of  historic 
sites  or  houses,  mound  exploration,  coo])eration  Avith  societies 
and  other  institutions  engaged  in  historical,  literary,  library, 
or  kindred  Avork,  and  the  encouragement  of  State  support  in 
behalf  of  historical  enterprise. 

ACQUISITION    OF    HISTORIC;    I'LACES    OH    LOCALITIES. 

It  accords  Avith  an  enlightened  and  grateful  sentiment  to 
respect  the  evidences  of  the  foruier  aboriginal  occupation  of 
the  State,  and  to  A^enerate  tlie  scenes  of  the  exploits  of  her 
people  in  arms,  or  the  place  of  occurrence  of  some  historic 
event,  or  the  spot  Avhere  the  great  ones  of  the  State  first  came 
into  existence  or  Avhere  they  sleep  the  last  sleep.  There  are 
many  places  in  Alabama  AAdiich  are  famous  by  association 
Avith  some  such  incident.  Lists  of  these  liave  been  made,  and 
if  possible  the}''  are  to  be  obtained  either  by  donation  or  pur- 
chase. When  secured  it  is  probable  that  some  of  them  may 
be  preserved  and  beautified  as  public  parks,  Avhile  others  Avill 
be  merely  marked  in  some  permanent  manner. 


252  AMERICAJsr    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

ERECTION    OF    MONUMENTS    AND    THE    MARKING    OF    HISTORIC    SITES    OE 

HOUSES. 

There  are  many  points  and  places  of  great  historic  interest 
in  the  State  not  inchided  in  the  class  just  named,  and  which 
should  be  durably  marked  in  some  suitable  way,  either  by  a 
memorial  stone,  mural  or  other  tablet,  with  appropriate  in- 
scriptions. Such  monuments  or  memorials  will  become  "  ob- 
ject lessons  in  local  history."  The  actual  marking  of  such 
points  or  places  j^roperly  belongs  to  local  authorities  or  so- 
cieties or  public-spirited  citizens.  The  part  of  the  depart- 
ment therein  is  limited  to  necessary  investigation  into  the 
history  of  the  place,  or  the  occasion,  or  the  event  to  be  com- 
memorated or  marked. 

ARCH^OLOGICAL   INVESTIGATIONS. 

Archaeological  investigations  in  Alabama  have  heretofore 
been  substantially  "  limited  to  ignorant  search  for  treasure 
or  to  the  spasmodic  digging  of  the  seeker  after  relics."  In 
order  that  further  work  might  be  conducted  under  intelli- 
gent direction,  and  in  order  to  bring  into  State  custody  the 
results  of  all  future  mound  examination,  to  the  department 
was  appropriately  committed  "  the  direction  and  control  " 
of  "  the  exploration  of  prehistoric  and  Indian  mounds  and 
other  remains  existing  in  the  State."  A  systematic  plan  of 
exploration  has  not  yet  been  developed.  Only  the  most 
thorough  and  scientific  investigations  will  be  conducted. 

COOPERATION    WITH    SOCIETIES    OR   INSTITUTIONS    ENGAGED   IN    HISTORICAL, 
LITERARY,    LIBRARY,    ARCH^l^OLOGICAL,    AND    OTHER    KINDRED    WORK. 

The  activities  of  the  department  have  not  been  limited  to 
local  effort.  Through  the  membership  of  its  director  in 
historical,  literar}^,  library,  archaeological,  and  other  socie- 
ties cooperation  has  been  extended  in  the  accomplishment 
of  their  aims  and  objects.  While  attending  their  meetings 
and  participating  in  the  proceedings  and  discussions,  the 
director  has  not  only  been  able  to  give  help  to  others,  but  he 
has  received  valuable  hints  and  suggestions  w^hich  have  been 
utilized  in  his  department  Avork.  It  is  felt  that  Alabama 
should  be  a  real  part  in  shaping  the  larger  affairs  of  the  day. 


STATE    DEPARTMENTS    OF    ARCHIVES    AND    HISTORY.        253 

STATE    SUPPORT    FOR    HISTORICAL    WORK. 

In  the  renaissance  of  interest  in  history  and  historical 
work  and  enterprise  in  the  South  the  department  has  done 
what  it  could  to  increase  that  interest  and  to  give  it  proper 
shape  and  direction.  It  is  but  natural  that  it  should  urge 
the  establishment  of  similar  departments  in  other  States. 
Hundreds  of  copies  of  the  act  of  establishment  have  been 
distributed,  and  sympathetic  response  has  been  made  to  num- 
berless inquiries  concerning  its  plan  of  administration." 


"Perhaps  a  fuller  statement  ought  to  be  made  than  appears  on  page  251, 
supra,  as  to  the  relation  of  the  Alabama  Historical  Society  to  the  department. 
On  the  establishment  of  the  latter,  at  its  annual  meeting,  June  [i,  1901,  the 
society  formally  turned  over  to  the  department  its  collections  already  brought 
together,  and  also  i-elinquished  the  work  of  collecting  historical  objects  and 
materials  carried  on  by  it.  It  was  decided  that  the  society  should  continue 
its  work,  modified  as  stated,  (1)  for  the  purpose  of  stimulating  interest  in 
history  and  historical  investigation  in  the  State  through  Its  membership;  (L') 
to  provide  a  body  of  students  for  regular  meetings  for  historical  discussions  ; 
(3)  to  aid  In  the  collection  of  historical  objects;  and  (4)  to  raise  from  its 
fees  additional  funds  for  publication.  In  order  to  centralize  all  historical 
forces,  the  headquarters  of  the  society  were  i)ermanently  fixed  at  Montgomery 
.tune  3,  1901. 

The  society,  therefore,  continues  Its  work  as  heretofore,  with  the  exception 
of  the  collection  of  materials,  etc.  It  is  planned  that  the  publications  of  the 
society  shall  embrace  studies  in  the  history  of  the  State  and  such  unoflicial 
materials  as  are  of  value.  Its  recent  publications  are  as  follows:  Transac- 
tions, 1897-98,  vol.  ii  (1899;  8v().  pp.  L'04);  Transactions,  1898-99,  vol.  iii 
(1899;  8vo.  pp.  251)  ;  Transactions,  1899-1903,  vol.  iv  (1904;  8vo.  pp.  639)  ; 
and  Report  of  the  Alabama  History  Commission,  1900  (Miscellaneous  Collec- 
tions, vol.  i;  Sto.  pp.  447). 


ACT     OF    THE     GENERAL    ASSEMBLY     ESTABLISHING    THE 
DEPARTMENT  OF   ARCHIVES  AND   HISTORY. 

[No.  47G.     S.  526.] 

AN  ACT  to  establish  a  Department  of  Archives  and  History  for  the  State 
of  Alabama,  to  prescribe  its  functions  and  duties,  and  to  provide  for  its 
maintenance. 

DEPARTMENT    CREATED OBJECTS    AND    PURPOSES. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  hy  the  c/cneral  assemhly  of  Alabama,  That 
there  is  established  for  the  State  of  Alabama  a  "  Department  of 
Arcfiives  and  History,"  to  be  located  in  the  State  capitol  in  apart- 
ments to  be  set  aside  for  its  use  by  the  governor ;  and  the  objects 
and  purposes  of  the  said  department  are  the  care  and  custody  of 
official  archi-ves,  the  collection  of  materials  bearing  upon  the  history 
of  the  State,  and  of  the  territory  included  therein,  from  the  earliest 
times,  the  completion  and  publication  of  the  State's  official  records 
and  other  historical  materials,  the  diffusion  of  knowledge  in  refer- 
ence to  the  history  and  resources  of  the  State,  the  encouragement  of 
historical  work  and  research,  and  the  i)erformance  of  such  other  acts 
and  requirements  as  may  be  enjoined  by  law. 

BOARD    OF    TRUSTEES POWERS,    AUTHORITY,    AND    DUTIES. 

Sec  2.  Be  It  further  enacted,  (I)  That  said  department  shall  be 
under  the  control  of  a  board  of  nine  trustees,  one  from  each  Congres- 
sional district,  and  the  names  of  the  said  trustees,  with  their  par- 
ticular terms  of  service,  are  as  follows,  viz :  Peter  J.  Hamilton,  for 
the  First  Congressional  district,  to  serve  two  years;  Jefferson  M. 
I'alkner,  for  the  Second  district,  to  serve  two  years ;  W.  D.  Jelks,  for 
the  Third  district,  to  serve  two  years;  J.  H.  Johnson,  for  the  Fourth 
district,  to  serve  four  years  ;  W.  H.  Blake,  for  the  Fifth  district,  to 
serve  four  years ;  Henry  B.  Foster,  for  the  Sixth  district,  to  serve 
four  years;  Oliver  D.  Street,  for  the  Seventh  district,  to  serve  six 
years;  William  Richardson,  for  the  Eighth  district,  to  serve  six 
years,  and  Samuel  Will  John,  for  the  Ninth  district,  to  serve  six 
years,  the  beginning  of  the  several  terms  of  service  for  the  purposes 
of  this  act  to  be  January  1,  1901. 

(2)  The  said  board  shall  have  the  power  and  authority  to  fill  all 
vacancies  occurring  therein,  whether  by  expiration  of  term  of  service 
or  by  death  or  resignation,  but  the  names  of  all  newly  elected  mem- 
bers shall  be  connnunicated  to  the  next  ensuing  regular  session  of  the 
State  senate  for  confirmation,  and  in  case  it  shall  reject  any  of  the 
said  newly  elected  trustees,  it  shall  proceed  forthwith  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy or  vacancies  by  an  election. 
254 


STATE    DEPARTMENTS    OF    ARCHIVES    AND    HISTORY.        255 

(3)  All  trustees  appointed  to  succeed  the  present  members  or  their 
successors  whose  respective  terms  shall  have  fully  expired  shall  serve 
for  a  term  of  six  years,  and  appointees  to  fill  vacancies  by  death  or 
resignation  shall  only  serve  out  the  unexpired  terms  of  their  pred 
ecessors. 

(4)  The  said  board  shall,  within  ten  days  after  the  approval  of 
this  act,  proceed  to  organize  said  department.  It  shall  hold  at  the 
State  capitol  at  least  one  regular  meeting  during  the  year,  and  as 
many  special  meetings  as  may  be  necessary,  and  at  said  meetings  five 
members  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

(5)  The  governor  of  the  State  shall  be  ex  ofiicio  a  member  of  the 
said  board,  and  he  shall,  as  far  as  possible,  lend  every  encouragement 
to  the  success  and  upbuilding  thereof. 

(6)  The  director  hereinafter  provided  shall  be  the  secretary  of  the 
board. 

(7)  The  trustees  shall  receive  no  compensation  for  their  services 
other  than  the  amounts  of  their  traveling  expenses  actually  paid  out 
while  in  attendance  on  the  meetings  of  the  board  or  on  the  business 
of  the  department. 

(8)  The  said  board  is  empowered  to  adopt  rules  for  its  own  gov- 
ernment, and  also  for  the  government  of  the  department ;  to  elect  a 
director,  and  to  provide  for  the  selection  or  appointment  of  other 
officials  or  employees  as  may  be  authorized ;  to  provide  for  the  pub- 
lication of  historical  material  pertaining  to  the  State  under  the  super- 
vision of  the  director;  to  have  the  direction  smd  control  of  the  mark- 
ing of  historic  sites  or  houses,  and  the  exploration  of  prehistoric 
and  Indian  mounds  and  other  remains  existing  in  the  State;  to  con- 
trol and  expend  such  appropriations  as  may  be  made  for  the  main- 
tenance of  the  department ;  and  to  do  and  perform  such  other  acts 
and  things  as  may  be  necessary  to  carry  out  the  true  intent  and  pur- 
pose of  this  act. 

THE    DIRECTOR — POWERS    AND    DUTIES SALARY OFFICIAL   BUSINESS. 

Sec.  8.  Be  it  furtlier  enacted,  (1)  That  the  department  shall  be 
under  the  immediate  management  and  control  of  a  director,  to  be 
elected  by  the  board  of  trustees,  whose  term  of  service  shall  be  six 
years,  and  until  his  successor  is  elected  and  qualified. 

(2)  He  shall  take  an  oath  of  office  as  other  public  officials,  and 
shall  be  connnissioned  in  like  manner. 

(3)  He  shall  devote  his  time  to  the  work  of  the  department,  using 
his  best  endeavor  to  develop  and  build  it  ui),  so  as  to  carry  out  the 
design  of  its  creation,  and  shall  receive  for  his  services  the  sum  of 
eighteen  hundred  ($1,800.00)  dollars  per  annum,  payable  monthly,  as 
other  State  officials,  and  a  continuing  appropriation  for  the  said 
annual  salary  is  hereby  made. 

(4)  He  shall  have  the  control  and  direction  of  the  work  and 
operations  of  the  department,  he  shall  preserve  its  collections,  care 
for  the  official  archives  that  may  come  into  its  custody,  collect  as  far 
as  possible  all  materials  bearing  upon  the  history  of  the  State  and 


256  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

of  the  territory  included  tlierein  from  tlie  earliest  times,  prepare  the 
biennial  register  hereinafter  provided,  diffuse  knowledge  in  reference 
to  the  history  and  resources  of  the  State ;  and  he  is  charged  with  the 
pai-ticular  duty  of  gathermg  data  concerning  Alabama  soldiers  in  the 
war  between  the  States. 

(5)  He  shall  make  an  annual  report  to  the  board  of  trustees,  to  be 
by  them  transmitted  to  the  governor,  to  be  accompanied  by  such  his- 
torical papers  and  clocuments  as  may  be  deemed  of  importance  by  him, 
and  the  director  shall  contract  for  the  printing  and  binding  of  the  said 
report,  which  shall  be  paid  for  as  other  public  printing  and  binding. 

((j)  He  shall  prepare  for  the  press,  contract  for  and  supervise  the 
publication  of  volume  two  of  the  "Report  of  the  Alabama  History  Com- 
mission," the  said  volume  to  be  similar  to  volume  one  of  said  report 
as  to  printing,  paper,  and  binding,  and  to  be  paid  for  out  of  the 
public  printing  fund  to  be  available  after  October  1,  1901. 

DEPOSITORY  FOR  OFFICIAL  RECORDS. 

Sec.  4.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  any  State,  county  or  other  offi- 
cial is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered,  in  his  discretion,  to  turn* 
over  to  the  department  for  permanent  preservation  therein  any 
official  books,  records,  documents,  original  papers,  newspaper  files, 
and  Drinted  books  not  in  current  use  in  their  offices.  ^Yhen  so  sur- 
rendered copies  therefrom  shall  be  made  and  certified  by  the  director 
upon  the  application  of  any  person  interested,  which  certification  shall 
have  all  the  force  and  effect  as  if  made  by  the  officer  originally  in 
the  custody  of  them  an^l  for  which  the  same  fee  shall  be  charged, 
to  be  collected  in  advance. 

OFFICIAL   AND    STATISTICAL  REGISTER. 

Sec.  5.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  an  official  and  statistical  regis- 
ter of  the  State  of  Alabama  shall  be  compiled  every  two  years  by 
the  director,  to  contain:  (1)  brief  sketches  of  the  several  State 
officials,  the  members  of  Congress  from  Alabama,  the  supreme  court 
judges,  the  members  of  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives  of 
the  State  of  Alabama;  (2)  rosters  of  all  State  and  county  officials; 
(3)  lists  of  all  State  institutions,  with  officials;  (4)  State  and 
county  population  and  election  statistics,  and  (5)  miscellaneous  sta- 
tistics; and  said  register  shall  be  published  in  an  edition  of  one  thou- 
sand copies  for  free  distribution,  the  printing  and  binding  to  be  paid 
for  as  other  printing  and  binding  hereinbefore  provided. 

ALABAMA    WAR    RECORDS. 

Sec.  6.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  department  is  charged  with 
the  duty  of  making  special  effort  to  collect  data  in  reference  to  soldiers 
from  Alabama  in  the  war  between  the  States,  both  from  the  War 
Department  at  Washington  and  also  from  private  individuals,  and 
to  cause  the  same  to  be  prepared  for  publication  as  speedily  as 
possible. 


STATE    DEPARTMENTS    OF    ARCHIVES    AND    HISTORY.        257 

MAINTENANCE    FUND. 

Sec.  7.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  in  addition  to  the  salary  of  the 
director  hereinabove  appropriated,  the  sum  of  seven  hundred  ($700.00) 
dollars  annually  is  hereby  appropriated  for  the  maintenance  of  the  said 
dei)artment,  and  the  auditor  is  hereby  authorized  to  draw  his  warrant 
on  the  State  treasurer  for  the  whole  or  any  part  of  the  said  amount,  in 
such  sums  and  in  such  manner  as  may  be  authorized  by  the  board  of 
trustees.  \\\  printing,  blanks,  circulars,  notices,  or  forms  which 
may  be  needed  for  the  use  of  the  said  department,  that  may  be 
embraced  in  class  four  of  the  public  printing  act,  shall  be  executed  by 
the  public  printer,  and  shall  be  paid  for  as  other  official  work  done 
by  him. 

Approved  February  27,  1901. 

(General  Laws  of  Alabama,  1900-1901,  pp.  126-131.) 
H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 17 


XIV.-RErORT   OF   THE   PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   FIRST   ANNUAL 

MEETING  OF  THE  PACIFIC  COAST  BRANCH  OF  THE 

A3IERICAN  HISTORICAL  ASSOCIATION. 


By    MAX    FARRAND, 

Pi'ofessor  of  History,  Leland  Stanford  Junior  University,  Secretary  of  the 
Pacific  Coast  Branch. 


259 


REPORT  OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS  OF  FIRST  ANNUAL  MEETING 
OF  THE  PACIFIC  COAST  BRANCH  OF  THE  AMERICAN  HISTOR- 
ICAL ASSOCIATION. 


By  Max  Farrand,  Secretary  of  the  Pacific  Coast  Branch. 


The  first  annual  meetinc:  of  the  Pacific  Coast  Branch  of 
the  American  Historical  Association  was  held  in  San  Fran- 
cisco on  Friday,  November  25,  and  Satui'day,  Xovember  2(). 
The  first  session  was  on  Friday  evening  in  the  art  galkny  of 
the  Mechanics'  Pavilion.  In  the  absence  of  the  pi-esident, 
Mr.  Horace  DaA^is,  the  Hon.  James  D.  Phelan  consented  to 
act  as  chairman.  In  assuming-  the  chair  Mr.  Phelan  spoke 
briefly  upon  the  importance  of  San  Francisco  history,  refer- 
ring to  the  location  of  the  city  as  the  gatcAvay  to  the 
Pacific,  and  he  claimed  that  here  had  developed  an  American 
people.  He  emphasized  the  importance  of  liaving  its  history 
rightly  written,  because  tlie  history  of  San  Francisco  was 
largely  the  history  of  California.  He  spoke  appreciatively 
of  the  Avork  of  the  American  Historical  Association  and  of 
the  relation  of  local  historical  societies  to  that  body,  and 
welcomed  the  establishment  of  the  Pacific  Coast  Branch. 

Benjamin  Ide  Wheeler,  president  of  the  University  of 
California,  Avas  introduced  to  speak  upon  "  History  in  the 
University."  He  referred  to  the  fact  that  the  Pacific  Coast 
Branch  had  been  established  largely  through  the  efforts  of 
members  of  the  faculties  of  the  University  of  California  and 
of  Stanford  University.  Its  establishment  met  with  his  cor- 
dial approval  because  it  indicated  and  encouraged  the  coop- 
eration that  existed  in  the  forces  in  the  tAvo  uniA^ersities  that 
make  toAvard  Avork  in  history.  He  Avelcomed  its  establish- 
ment as  a  protest  against  the  proA^incial  isolation  of  the 
Pacific  coast.     The  Pacific  coast  Avas  a  magnificent  province, 

261 


262  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

but  it  was  still  a  province.  It  had  developed  a  character  of 
its  own,  estimable  in  every  respect,  but  it  was  still  isolated. 
He  welcomed  it  as  a  meeting  ground  for  persons,  and  espe- 
cially for  scholars,  who  were  interested.  The  most  signifi- 
cant part  of  President  Wheeler's  remarks  was  that  devoted 
to  the  place  of  historical  study  in  the  university.  He  ex- 
plained briefly  how  history  had  differentiated  itself  out  of 
philology  and  had  developed  another  point  of  view.  The 
development  of  historical  study  had  gradually  been  accom- 
panied with  other  studies  that  are  themselves  different,  but 
together  they  constituted  a  group  expressing  the  genius  of 
humanistic  studies.  History,  government,  and  the  science 
of  social  institutions  should  be  the  center  of  the  so-called 
humanities  in  the  university.  To-day,  considering  the  age 
of  the  students  in  our  universities,  there  was  no  group  of 
studies  exercising  so  molding  and  so  beneficial  an  influence 
as  this  group  of  studies. 

Mr.  Frank  J.  Symmes,  president  of  the  Merchants'  Asso- 
ciation, spoke  appreciatively  of  the  establishment  of  the 
Pacific  Coast  Branch  and  the  work  that  it  could  accomplish. 
The  great  natural  opportunities  of  the  West  established  a 
corresponding  duty.  The  call  of  the  West  was  to  be  men,  to 
be  citizens,  to  be  worthy  of  their  glories.  Pie  welcomed  the 
opportunity  to  ally  himself  with  this  association,  which 
could  do  so  much  to  place  the  history  of  the  West  in  its 
proper  relation  to  the  history  of  the  rest  of  the  country  and 
of  the  Avorld. 

Nathan  Abbott,  professor  of  law  at  Stanford  University, 
read  an  interesting  and  scholarly  paper  on  "  The  Saxon  and 
the  Latin  in  California."  Passing  over  the  differences  be- 
tween these  two  races  that  are  usually  discussed.  Professor 
Abbott  devoted  his  attention  to  the  struggle  between  the  sys- 
tems of  law  as  represented  by  these  two  peoples — the  Span- 
iard standing  for  the  civil  law,  the  American  for  the  common 
law — and  described  briefly  the  way  in  which  the  common  law 
had  triumphed. 

Prof.  H.  Morse  Stephens,  of  the  Universit}^  of  California, 
in  his  characteristic  and  entertaining  way,  described  the  work 
of  the  American  Historical  Association  and  the  possibilities 
of  the  Pacific  Coast  Branch. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    PACIFIC    COAST    BRANCH.  263 

After  the  appointment  of  the  usual  committees  by  the 
chair,  the  meeting  adjourned,  and  most  of  those  who  were 
present  remained  in  the  hall  to  examine  an  interesting  collec- 
tion of  historical  objects  relating  to  the  early  history  of  Cali- 
fornia, which  had  been  gathered  through  the  efforts  of  .Mr. 
Frederick  J.  Teggart,  librarian  of  the  Mechanics'  Institute, 
and  a  member  of  the  programme  committee. 

On  Saturday  morning,  in  the  Mechanics'  Institute,  a  teach- 
ers' session  was  held,  at  which  Dr.  George  C.  Thompson, 
principal  of  the  xVlameda  High  School,  acted  as  chairman. 
Prof.  Bernard  Moses,  of  the  University  of  California, 
opened  the  session  with  a  paper  on  "  The  Teaching  of 
Civics  in  the  High  School,''  in  which  he  discussed  the  jiosi- 
tion  which  this  study  should  occupy  in  the  curriculum,  the 
character  of  the  work,  and  the  sort  of  training  that  the 
teacher  should  have.  Incidentally,  Professor  Moses  ex- 
pressed liis  opinion  that  the  subject  should  be  taught  l)y  men 
rather  than  by  women,  an  expression  that,  unfortunately, 
distracted  attention  from  the  more  important  parts  of  the 
paper. 

Prof.  Max  Farrand,  of  Stanford  University,  spoke  upon 
"  The  Teaching  of  History,"  emphasizing  the  importance  of 
more  effective  work  in  history  and  the  possibilities  in  this 
line  on  the  Pacific  coast.  He  announced  the  decision  of  the 
Executive  Conunittee  to  recommend  the  appointment  of  a 
committee  on  the  teaching  of  history  in  schools  on  the  Pacific 
coast,  and  asked  for  an  expression  of  opinion  from  teachers 
present  as  to  the  possibilities  of  such  a  committee's  work. 

A  sharp  and  interesting  discussion  followed,  which  was 
opened  by  Frederick  Burk,  president  of  the  San  Francisco 
Normal  School,  who  took  somewhat  radical  ground  and 
emphasized  the  necessity  of  more  practical  work  in  his- 
tory teaching  in  preparation  of  our  students  for  the  duties 
of  citizens.  Mr.  F.  H..  Clark,  of  the  Lowell  High  School, 
and  Dr.  R.  D.  Hunt,  principal  of  the  San  Jose  High  School, 
took  strong  but  conservative  positions  somewhat  in  opposi- 
tion to  Mr.  Burk.  Miss  Edith  Jordan,  of  the  Merced  High 
School,  emphasized  the  necessity  of  making  history  inter- 
esting to  the  pupils,  and  expressed  her  belief  that  little 
beyond  that  could  be  accomplished  in  the  first  years.     Mrs. 


264  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

L.  D.  Lawhead,  of  the  Woodland  High  School,  gave  an 
interesting  account  of  her  own  experiences  in  the  teaching 
of  history  and  civics.  Mrs.  Mary  Prag,  of  the  Girl's  High 
School,  in  an  extremely  bright  manner  related  certain  re- 
sults from  her  own  experience,  and  claimed  that  such  a 
teacher  as  Mrs.  Lawhead  was  the  best  refutation  possible  of 
Professor  Moses's  claim  that  civics  could  be  taught  suc- 
cessfully only  by  men.  Mr.  L.  D.  Inskeep,  of  the  Oakland 
Polytechnic,  followed,  and  Prof.  Thomas  R.  Bacon,  of  the 
University  of  California,  took  sharp  issue  with  Mr.  Burk, 
claiming  that  the  logical  result  of  the  latter's  contention 
would  be  the  elimination  of  history  teaching  entirely. 
Prof.  E.  G.  Franklin,  of  the  University  of  Pacific,  was  the 
last  speaker,  for  the  chairman  was  forced  to  close  the  session, 
owing  to  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  although  there  Avere  many 
who  Avere  eA^idently  eager  to  express  their  opinions  on  the 
topics  that  had  been  broached. 

At  the  close  of  the  teachers'  session  a  short  business  ses- 
sion was  held,  at  Avhich  Prof.  Thomas  W.  Page,  of  the 
University  of  California,  presided.  A  brief  report  was 
made  Iw  the  secretary-treasurer,  and  adopted.  The  execu- 
tive committee  reported  the  following  resolutions : 

1.  Whereas  it  seems  desirable  to  hold  a  meeting  of  the  Pacific 
Coast  Branch  of  the  American  Historical  Association  in  Portland 
during  the  Lewis  and  Clark  Exposition  : 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  consider  the 
feasibility  of  snch  a  meeting,  and  if  their  report  is  favorable,  the  ex- 
ecutive connnittee  may  authorize  them  to  act  with  i)ower. 

2.  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five,  with  power  to  add  to  their 
own  number,  be  appointed  to  investigate  and  report  upon  the  teach- 
ing of  history  in  schools  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

3.  Whereas  it  is  desirable  that  definite  information  should  be 
obtained  upon  the  material  available  for  the  study  of  Pacific  coast 
history  ;    and 

Whereas  it  is  important  that  an  organized  effort  should  be  made 
for  the  better  preservation  of  such  material : 

Resolved,  That  the  executive  committee  be  instructed  to  appoint 
a  committee  to  investigate  and  report  upon  these  subjects,  as  soon  as 
the  way  may  be  devised  to  meet  the  expenses  of  such  an  investiga- 
tion. 

The  report  was  adopted. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    PACIFIC    COAST    BRANCH.  265 

The  committee  on  nominations,  Prof.  E.  D.  Adams,  chair- 
man. Prof.  Thomas  W.  Page,  and  Principal  E.  D.  Faulkner, 
reported  in  favor  of  the  reelection  of  all  officers  for  the  en- 
suing year,  which  report  Avas  adopted  unanimously. 

The  executive  committee  announced  the  following  appoint- 
ments : 

As  delegate  to  the  council  of  the  American  Historical 
Association  (in  the  absence  of  the  president,  Mr.  Horace 
Davis)  :   Prof.  H.  Morse  Stephens. 

Committee  on  meeting  at  Lewis  and  Clark  Exposition : 
Prof.  C.  A.  DuniAvay,  chairman;  Prof.  Joseph  Schafer, 
University  of  Oregon,  and  Prof.  F.  G.  Young,  University  of 
Oregon. 

Committee  on  teaching  of  liistory :  Dr.  George  C.  Thomp- 
son, chairman;  Principal  R.  D.  Hunt,  San  Jose  High  School ; 
Mr.  E.  I.  Miller,  Chico  Normal  School;  Prof.  H.  Morse 
Stephens,  University  of  California ;  Dr.  Heni-y  L.  Camion, 
Stanford  Un i versity. 

At  1  o'clock  on  Saturda}^  a  luncheon  was  held  in  the  red 
room  of  the  Occidental  Hotel,  which  was  attended  by  some 
sixty  persons.  After  luncheon  Prof.  H.  Morse  Stephens, 
acting  as  toastmaster,  spoke  of  the  purpose  of  the  luncheon 
as  a  place  where  the  regular  formalities  of  the  sessions  were 
laid  aside  and  fauiily  acquaintances  were  made,  and  gave  an 
account  of  such  functions  at  the  meetings  of  the  American 
Historical  Association.  He  therefore  forbade  professional 
or  pedagogic  discussion,  and  Avithout  giving  any  previous 
notice  called  on  Prof.  C.  A.  DuniAvay,  Mrs.  Laura  Bride 
Powers,  and  ^Ir.  F.  J.  Teggart,  Avho  responded  in  turn  Avith 
brief  speeches  entirely  in  keeping  Avith  the  spirit  of  the 
occasion. 

Saturday  afternoon  a  session  on  Pacific  coast  history  Avas 
held.  The  Hon.  J.  Y.  Coffey,  president  of  the  California 
Historical  Society,  acted  as  chairman.  Mr.  Robert  E. 
CoAvan,  a  recognized  authority  on  questions  of  bibliography, 
especially  those  relating  to  Pacific  coast  history,  read  a 
scholarly  paper  entitled,  "  Bibliographical  Notes  on  Early 
California."  He  contrasted  the  bibliography  of  California 
Avith  that  of  other  localities,  commenting  upon  the  absence 
of  early  productions  of  a  local  press,  as  the  earliest  imprint 
from  the  California  press  bears  the  date  of  1833 ;  and  he 


266  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

described  briefly  the  wealth  of  Pacific  coast  manuscripts. 
The  paper  inchided  a  number  of  notes  upon  the  earliest 
works  dealing  with  California  history,  and  was  followed  by 
a  brief  statement  of  some .  of  the  publications  before  and 
immediately  after  the  American  conquest. 

Mr.  Zoeth  S.  Eldredge,  from  jDhotographic  copies  in  the 
Sutro  Library  of  certain  Spanish  documents,  some  of  which 
have  been  translated  and  printed  by  the  Historical  Society 
of  Southern  California,  liad  prepared  and  read  a  careful 
and  interesting  account  of  the  two  voyages  of  Vizcaino — 
1596  and  1602— and  the  later  expedition  of  Portola  of  1769 
and  1770,  w^hich  resulted  in  the  discovery  and  occupation 
of  "  the  famous  port  of  Monterey.'' 

Theodore  H.  Hittell,  the  veteran  historical  writer  of  Cali- 
fornia, w\as  present.  Though  he  was  unwilling  to  read  a 
foi-mal  paper,  in  answer  to  questions  he  told  many  delight- 
fully interesting  facts  about  the  gathering  of  the  material 
for  his  "  History  of  California,"  and  especially  of  his  use* of 
the  records  in  the  surveyor-general's  office. 

A  resolution  was  adopted  requesting  the  Postmaster-Gen- 
eral of  the  United  States  to  restore  to  the  post-offices  of  Cali- 
fornia the  historical  names  which  were  given  by  the  Spanish 
founders,  but  Vv^hich  have  since  been  mutilated  and  changed 
so  as  to  lose  their  significance. 

Tlie  committee  on  resolutions.  Prof.  T.  R.  Bacon,  chair- 
man; Principal  J.  B.  Newell,  and  Mr.  Z.  S.  Eldredge,  pre- 
sented a  series  of  resolutions  expressing  the  thanks  of  the 
Pacific  Coast  Branch  to  the  Mechanics'  Institute  for  its  hos- 
pitality to  the  gentlemen  who  had  presided  over  the  sessions 
without  official  obligation,  and  to  the  programme  committee 
and  others  who  had  contributed  to  the  usefulness  and  pleas- 
ure of  the  meeting. 


XV.-BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  ON  EARLY  CALIFORNIA. 


By    ROBERT    ERNEST    COV/AN. 


267 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  ON  EARLY  CALIFORNIA.^ 


By  Robert  Ernest  Cowan. 


In  the  annals  of  recorded  history,  ancient  or  modern, 
there  is  perhaps  no  section  of  territory  that  in  its  growth 
and  development  presents  so  many  remarkable  features  as 
does  that  of  California,  whose  entire  history  is  almost  a 
unique  annals  of  romance  and  reality. 

Discovered  in  1542  by  Juan  Rodriguez  Cabrillo  (if  we 
disregard  the  earlier  and  somewhat  apochryphal  claims  of 
Ulloa,  Alarcon,  and  iVIelchor  Diaz),  California  apj^ears  to 
have  lain  dormant  for  more  than  two  and  a  quarter  cen- 
turies, and,  considering  the  temper  and  disposition  of  the 
period,  this  fact  is  at  least  worthy  of  i)assing  notice. 

Columbus  had  added  to  the  map  of  the  world  the  shadowy 
outline  of  a  western  continent;  Cabot  and  Vespucci  had 
projected  these  outlines  further;  and  succeeding  the  discov- 
eries of  these  great  pioneers,  the  next  half  century  witnessed 
the  greatest  explorations  and  the  most  feverish  lust  for  con- 
quest the  world  has  ever  known. 

Balboa  had  discovered  the  Pacific  Ocean ;  Magellan,  beat- 
ing through  the  strait  that  yet  bears  his  name,  had  plowed 
the  trackless  Pacific  to  India;  Vasco  di  Gama  had  rounded 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope;  Pizarro,  Cortez,  and  Kernal  Diaz 
had  invaded  and  planted  the  banner  of  Spain  in  the  ancient 
empires  of  the  Incas  and  Montezumas ;  further,  many  hardy 
adventurers  had  sailed  into  unknown  waters,  or  had  ex- 
plored pathless  wastes  beset  by  savage  men  scarcely  less 
wild  than  savage  beasts. 

In  the  full  flush  of  this  fever  came  Cabrillo,  landed  at 
the  Ba}^  of  San  Diego,  where  he  remained  for  six  days,  and 
which  he  named  San  Miguel,  the  expedition  proceeding  along 

« Read  at  the  meeting  of  the  Pacific  Coast  Branch  of  the  Association, 
November  26,  1904. 

269 


270  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  coast  northward  until  Mendocino  Bay  was  reached  and 
named.  After  the  death  of  Cabrillo,  Avho  lies  in  an  un- 
known grave  upon  this  coast,  his  pilot,  Ferrelo,  succeeded 
to  the  command.  A  report  of  the  expedition  was  trans- 
mitted to  the  viceroy,  the  vessel  sailed  away,  and  thence- 
forth for  two  and  a  quarter  centuries,  practically  unknown 
save  to  its  aboriginal  children,  California  slumbered  in  ob- 
livion, bathed  in  the  sunlight  of  its  perennial  summer. 

In  actual  fact,  during  this  long  jjeriod  a  few  explorers 
sailed  along  the  coast  of  what  is  now  known  as  California, 
some  of  whom  effected  a  landing.  The  principal  of  these 
have  been  Sir  Francis  Drake,  in  1579;  Francisco  (jali,  1584; 
Sebastian  Rodriguez  de  Cermeilon,  in  1595,  and  Sebastian 
Viscaino,  in  1002.  The  object  of  these  expeditions,  save 
that  of  Drake,  was  in  no  wise  concerned  with  colonization, 
but  was  chiefly  the  hope  of  discovering  a  northwest  passage 
and  the  yCt  mythic  Strait  of  Anian.  The  Spanish  navi- 
gators also  entertained  some  indefinite  notion  of  finding  a 
harbor  that  would  be  of  service  to  the  Philippine  vessels. 

The  accounts  of  these  expeditions  will  be  found  in  many 
sources,  but  mention  of  the  earliest  is  sufficient.  The  origi- 
nal diary  of  Cabrillo  is  among  the  Spanish  archives  of 
Seville.  Further  accounts  of  this  and  the  others  may  be 
found  in  the  collections  of  Ramusio,'^  Hakluyt,^  Torque- 
mada,^  Herrera,'^  Burney,^  and  other  contemporary  authori- 
ties, besides  references  which  exist  in  a  great  number  of 
later  works. 

Drake's  narrative  will  be  found  in  his  "  World  Encom- 
passed," f  published  in  London  in  1653. 

The  bibliography  of  California  is  as  varied  in  its  many 
aspects  as  is  the  history  of  the  State.  Some  of  the  familiar 
features  so  common  to  the  bibliography  of  other  localities, 
especially  to  the  eastward  of  the  Mississippi,  are  in  that  of 
California  almost  entirely  wanting,  more  particularly  those 

« Ramusio,  G.  B,  Navigation  et  A^iaggi.  Venice,  1563-1574.  3  vol- 
umes. 

''Hakluyt,  Rich.  Tlie  Principal  Navigations.  London,  1590-1600.  3  vol- 
umes. 

"  Torquemada,   Juan  de.     Monarquia   Indiana.     ISIadrid,   1723.     3  volumes. 

'^  Heriera,  Ant.  de.     Hi&t.  General,  etc.     Madrid,  172-5-1730.     4  volumes. 

«  Burney,  James.  Chronological  History  of  Discoveries  in  South  Sea. 
London,  1803-1817.     5  volumes. 

t  Drake,  Francis.     Sir  Francis  Drake  Revived.     London,  1653. 


JSrOTES    ON    EARLY    CALIFORNIA.  271 

relating  to  town  history,  genealogy,  and  the  history  and  lin- 
guistics of  the  American  Indians.  These  important  fea- 
tures, which  form  the  body  of  history  of  every  eastern 
locality,  constitute  little  more  than  a  tenth  part  of  the  bibli- 
ography of  this  State.  The  absence  of  early  productions  of 
a  local  press  is  also  noticeable.  The  earliest  imprint  from  a 
Californian  press  bears  the  date  of  1838 — almost  two  cen- 
turies after  the  establishment  of  the  press  of  New  England — 
and  the  entire  number  of  documents  issued  from  this  press  is 
about  60,  most  of  which  are  broadsides  of  but  a  single  sheet. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  bibliography  is  especially  wealthy 
in  certain  features  in  which  the  other  localities  are  more 
or  less  entirel}^  deficient.  In  this  enumeration  may  be  men- 
tioned the  great  luimber  of  works  relating  to  the  gold  dis- 
covery ;  the  many  printed  documents  upon  the  Spanish  and 
Mexican  land  claims,  which  comprehend  also  the  history 
of  the  Californian  missions  and  the  Pious  fund;  the  exten- 
sive literature  of  the  Chinese  question;  and  finally,  though 
to  a  lesser  extent,  the  history  of  the  several  vigilance  com- 
mittees. 

But  if  there  be  these  discre2:)ancies  and  differences  in  the 
bibliography  of  the  printed  documents  relating  to  Cali- 
fornian history,  their  presence  is  not  evidenced  in  the  manu- 
script documents  of  this  territory.  Here  is  wealth  even  to 
prodigality.  Ever}^  feature  of  sociology  is  presented ;  every 
phase  of  history  can  l)e  found.  The  many  affairs  of  the 
State — political,  civil,  military,  official,  commercial,  and 
domestic — are  all  amply  and  even  extravagantly  represented. 
The  State  archives  in  the  office  of  the  surveyor-general  of 
California  have  probably  never  been  fully  enumerated,  but 
are  estimated  at  many  thousands.  The  manuscripts  in  the 
Bancroft  Library  add  to  these  many  thousands  more,  and 
if  there  be  included  the  great  mass  of  manuscript  material 
that  exists  elsewhere — some  in  scattered  institutions,  some 
in  the  possession  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  others  retained 
in  private  hands — this  feature  of  the  bibliography  of  Cali- 
fornia is  a  formidable  one  and  fabulously  rich  in  resource. 

The  aggregate  number  of  these  various  manuscript  docu- 
ments can  be  left  only  to  conjecture,  but  some  faint  indica- 
tion of  the  use  of  the  word  thousands  may  be  formed  if  we 
cite  the  fact  that  the  collection  of  the  Vallejo  documents  alone 


272  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

numbers  20,000,  which  is  perhaps  not  much  more  than  5  per 
cent  of  the  entire  number  of  California's  historical  docu- 
ments. 

For  obvious  purposes  the  bibliography  of  California  may 
be  divided  into  three  periods — from  1510  to  1768,  from  1769 
to  1848,  and  from  1849  to  the  present  time. 

Prior  to  1769,  generally  speaking,  the  name  "  California  " 
was  applied  to  Avhat  is  now  known  as  Baja,  or  Lower  Cali- 
fornia, but  as  at  that  time  no  dividing  line  existed  such  refer- 
ences are  properly  included  in  the  bibliography  of  Alta,  or 
Upper  California.  The  term  "  the  Calif orni as "  was  in 
vogue  for  nearty  two  centuries. 

The  earliest  mention  of  the  name  "  California  "  is  to  be 
found  in  the  "  Sergas  da  Esplandian,"  by  Montalvo,'^  pub- 
lished in  Seville  in  1510.  This  antedates  the  actual  discov- 
ery of  California  by  over  forty  years,  and  is  of  course  purely 
imaginar}^  Strangely  enough  this  fact  remained  in  obscur- 
ity and  forgotten  for  three  hundred  and  fifty  years,  being 
brought  to  light  by  Edward  Everett  Hale  ^  as  late  as  1862. 

Following  Cabrillo's  report  in  1542,  for  the  next  two  cen- 
turies there  are  but  few  printed  authorities  on  California. 
Drake's  "  World  Encompassed  ''  is  perhaps  the  most  impor- 
tant, although  the  old  geographers  gave  California  a  consid- 
erable share  of  attention.  Nearly  all  of  the  old  collections 
of  voyages  contain  a  map  of  California.  The  earliest  figure 
California  as  a  peninsula,  which  practice  was  continued  dur- 
ing the  sixteenth  century.  In  some  cases  the  location  and 
configuration  was  remarkably  correct;  in  others  exceedingly 
doubtful.  In  some  maps  California  is  found  joined  to  Mex- 
ico; in  others  it  extends  to  the  Arctic,  and  there  ends  at  the 
Straits  of  Anian,  or,  the  latter  being  ignored,  is  joined 
directly  with  Asia.  The  inspiration  of  one  early  cosmogra- 
pher  who  outlined  California  as  an  island  w^as  followed  by 
nearly  all  others  for  two  centuries ;  in  fact  some  geographical 
works  published  as  late  as  1800  continue  to  describe  Cali- 
fornia as  an  island. 

The  old  cartographer  apparently  regarded  it  of  impor- 
tance that  California  should  exist  on  his  map,  and  in  placing 

"  Sergas  de  Esplandian.      Seville,  1510  et  seq. 

*  Hale,  Edw.  E.  Name  of  California.  In  Amer.  Antiq.  Soc,  Proceed., 
April,  1862. 


NOTES  ON  EARLY  CALIFORNIA.  273 

it  seems  frequently  to  have  followed  a  childlike  device.  The 
child  drawing  the  semblance  of  the  human  face  feels  and  ob- 
serves the  necessit}^  of  investing  the  drawing  with  an  eye,  but 
is  not  alw^ays  careful  nor  happy  in  the  placing  of  that  fea- 
ture. 

So  with  the  old  geographers.  The  name  California  iden- 
tifies without  doubt  their  conception  of  its  location,  but  in- 
spection of  most  of  these  old  maps  shows  that  California  was 
usually  made  to  occupy  a  vacant  space  above  Mexico,  of 
greatly  varied  form  and  extent.  Probably  the  earliest  known 
map  of  California  is  one  reproduced  by  Kunstmann,*^  in  his 
"Atlas  of  the  Earliest  Maps  Relating  to  America."  The 
original  is  a  manuscript  map  in  the  royal  archives  of  Lisbon, 
the  date  being  uncertain,  but  ascribed  to  about  1540.  This 
map  shows  California  to  be  a  peninsula,  the  western  coast  of 
which  is  continued  to  the  Arctic,  to  the  Straits  of  Anian, 
where  it  ends  apparently  only  for  the  reason  that  the  chart 
sheet  also  ends  there.  This,  as  Bancroft  observes,  was  fre- 
quently done  to  allow  the  geographer  to  set  down  the  names 
of  all  the  bays,  islands,  and  cities  that  he  fancied  existed.^ 

After  the  settlement  of  Lower  California  the  items  of  bib- 
liography become  more  numerous.  A  work  published  in 
London  in  IGSG  contains  an  account  of  the  "  Descent  of  the 
Spaniards  upon  the  Island  of  California."  In  one  of  the 
volumes  of  the  "  Lettres  Edifiantes,"  ^  of  the  Jesuits,  in  1705, 
will  be  found  descriptions  by  Le  Gobien  and  Picolo,  Jesuit 
missionaries,  with  the  famous  map  of  Padre  Eusebius  Kino, 
which  has  been  frequently  reproduced  in  later  works.  Then 
come  such  authorities  as  Edward  Cooke,'^  Woodes  Rogers,^ 
Betagh,'^^  Shelvocke,^'  and  others.  Shelvocke,  in  writing  in 
1726,  asserts  it  as  probable  that  gold  exists  in  every  moun- 
tain in  California.  Cabrera  Bueno's  ''  Navegacion  Espe- 
culativa  " '^  (Manila,  1734),  contains  accounts  of  the  coast 
line,  with  charts. 

"  Kunstmann,  Friedr.  Die  Entdeckung  Amerikus.  Mayence,  ISoO.  2  vol- 
umes. 

"  Bancroft,  H.  II.  History  of  California.  San  Francisco,  1884.  Vol.  1, 
p.  108. 

'^  Lettres  Edifiantes  de  la  Comp.  de  Jesus.     Paris,  1705.     Vol.  .5. 

•J  Cooke,  Edw.     Voyage  to  South  Sea.     London,  1712.     2  volumes. 

«  Rogers,  Woodes.      Cruising  Voyage  Round  the  World.     London,  1718. 

f  Betagh,  William.     Voyage  Round  the  World.     London.  1728. 

f  Shelvocke,  George.     Voyage  Round  the  World.     London,  1726.     Page  400. 

"  Cabrera  Bueno,  J.  G.     Navegacion  Especulatlva.     Manila,  1734. 

H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 18 


274  AMERICAK    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Another  remarkable  and   almost  unknown  work  is  the 
Latin  thesis  of  one  Gemeling,  printed  in  Marburg  in  1739, 
bearing  the  title  "A  Geographical  Dissertation  upon  the 
True  Site  and  Condition  of  California."  « 

The  Jesuit  missionaries  Kino,  Ugarte,  and  Consag,  with 
others,  have  also  left  accounts,  both  manuscript  and  in  print. ^ 

The  great  work  and  body  of  authority  of  this  period  is  that 
of  Padre  Miguel  Venegas,^  in  reality  the  work. of  a  Jesuit 
named  Burriel.  This  is  a  work  of  much  extent  and  impor- 
tance. It  contains  the  history — natural,  civil,  and  mission- 
ary— much  about  the  aborigines,  and  much  of  biography  of 
the  early  founders.  No  Avork  on  California  has  been  more 
popular  nor  better  known.  It  appeared  at  Madrid  in  1757, 
and  in  ten  years  was  translated  into  English,  Dutch,  French, 
and  German. 

Another  curious  work  published  at  this  time,  but  almost 
absolutely  unknown,  is  an  Italian  tract  printed  at  Rome, 
1759.*^  It  relates  to  the  discoveries  of  the  Russians  upon  the 
nortliAvest  coast  of  America,  with  accounts  of  their  encroach- 
ments in  California. 

A  few  other  works,  such  as  the  anonymous  "  Apostolicos 
Afanes,"  ^^  (Barcelona,  1754),  and  Lockman's  "Travels  of 
the  Jesuits,"  ^  complete  this  period. 

Heretofore  all  of  the  works  mentioned  have  referred  al- 
most entirely  to  Lower  California.  With  the  establishment 
of  the  mission  settlements  at  San  Diego,  Monterey,  and  San 
Francisco,  a  new  epoch  begins,  the  works  being  more  numer- 
ous and  more  definite  in  character.  Two  accounts  of  the  ex- 
peditions that  resulted  in  the  establishments  exist,  the  im- 
print being  Mexico,  1770.^  These  are  pamphlets  of  3  and  4 
leaves,  which  accounts  for  their  extreme  rarity. 

Costanso,  a  Spanish  engineer,  inspected  and  charted  the 
coast  of  California.'*     This  work,  Avhich  was  published  in 


"  Gemeling,  J.  Dissertatio  Geographica  de  vero  Californiae  Situ  et  Condi- 
tione.     Marburg,  1739. 

''  Baclier,  A.  A.  de.  Bibl.  des  Ecrivains  de  la  Comp.  de  Jesus.  Liege, 
1853-1861.     7  volumes. 

"  Venegas,  Mig.     Noticfa  de  la  Cal.     Madrid,  17.57.     3  volumes. 

^  Torrubia,  G.     I  Moscoviti  nella  California.     Rome,  1759. 

"  Apost61icos  Afaues.     Barcelona,  1754. 

f  Lockman,  Jolin.     Travels  of  the  Jesuits.     London,  1762.     2  volumes. 

••'  Monterey.     Extracto  de  Noticias.     Mexico,  1770. 

"  Costanso,  Miguel.  Diario  Hist6rico  de  los  Viages  de  Mar  y  Tierra  al 
Norte  de  Calif ornias.     Mexico,  1770.  , 


NOTES  ON  EAKLY  CALIFORNIA.  275 

Mexico,  was  carefully  giiardetl  J)y  the  Spanish  nation,  which 
then  feared  that  the  English  might  take  California,  and  but 
few  copies  are  now  extant. 

Jacolj  Baegert,"  a  Jesuit,  after  a  residence  of  eighteen 
years  in  California,  published  in  Mannheim  in  1772  an 
account  of  the  country.  IVrhaps  no  man  ever  Avrote  an 
impersonal  book  with  more  bitterness  of  heart.  According 
to  Baegert,  the  country  was  absolutely  unfitted  for  habita- 
tion; it  Avas  inhabited  by  wild  and  ferocious  beasts;  peopled 
by  inhospitable  and  cruel  savages;  water  was  unfit  for  use; 
wood  Avas  scarce;  the  soil  could  not  sustain  life. 

The  CxOA'ernment  of  Mexico  printed  in  1784:  the  "  Ivegla- 
mento,''  '^  or  '"  Tlie  liules  and  Kegulations  for  the  (xovernment 
of  the  Californias.''  Like  most  of  the  ^lexican  documents 
of  this  period,  this  Avork  is  of  most  mnisual  occurrence. 

Other  important  Avorks  of  this  time  are  the  Avell-known 
''Life  of  Junij)ero  Serra  "  ^'  (Mexico,  1787):  Chndjero's 
"  Llistory  of  California/' '^  in  Italian;  Arricivita's  *'  Cronica 
Senifica,"  ^  and  Sales's  ""  Tres  Cartas."  ^  This  latter  is  three 
letters  on  California,  Avritten  by  a  ])riest  to  his  friend.  In 
addition  to  the  geography  of  the  country,  the  work  contains 
accounts  of  the  Indians;  the  ailairs  of  the  Jesuits,  Francis- 
cans, and  Dominicans;  and  the  Xootka  Sound  affair.  It  is 
also  of  interest  that  this  has  been  the  only  Avork  on  Califor- 
nia published  by  the  Dominicans.  (\)stanso's  diary,  already 
mentioned,  Avas  trauslated  into  English  l)y  William  Keve- 
ley,^  and  pul)lished  in  London  in  1790.  It  contains,  amoug 
other  maps,  plans  of  San  Francisco  and  Los  Angeles. 

In  a  collection  of  voyages  ])ublislled  at  Madrid  in  1791)'* 
Avill  be  found  an.  account  of  California,  by  an  unknown 
Avriter,  one  of  the  most  important  and  extensive  to  that  time. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century  and  ex- 

'  Baeftert,  .1.  Naehrk'hten  von  der  Amerik.  Halbinsen  Califoi-niens.  Mann- 
heim, 1772;    also  1773. 

*  Ileglainento  para  el  Gobierno  dc  la  I'rovincias  de  Califovnias.  Mexico, 
1784. 

*■  I'alou,  Fr.      Vida  de  Junipero  Serra     Mexico,  1787. 

«*  Clavijero,  P.  S.     Storia  della  California.     A^enice,  1781).     2  volumes. 

<'  Arricivita,  .T.  D.     Cr6nica  Serflfica  y  Ai)ost61ica.      Mexico,  1792. 

f  Sales,  Luis.      Noticias  de  Californias.      Valencia,  17J)4.      ',i  volumes. 

»  Keveley,  AVilliam.  rUst.  Journal  of  Expedition  by  Sea  and  Land  to  the 
North  of  California.      London,  1700. 

"  P.,  D.  P.  E.  California,  179'J.  In  A^iagero  Universal,  vol.  26.  Madrid, 
1799. 


276  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

tending  well  into  the  nineteenth,  California  was  visited  and 
explored  by  many  admiralty  expeditions  of  England, 
France,  and  other  nations.  These  works  are  all  of  much 
value,  being  of  scientific  as  well  as  of  historic  interest.. 
Among  these  are  La  Perouse,  Sutil  y  Mexicana,  Krusen- 
stern,  Kotzebue,  Choris,  De  Mofras,  Wilkes,  Belcher,  and 
others. 

A  few  narratives  were  written  by  sailors  and  overland 
travelers.  MorrelPs  "  Narrative  of  Four  Voyages  to  the  South 
Sea,"  «  published  in  1832,  contains  accounts  of  California. 
Jedidiah  Smith,  who  came  overland  to  California  in  182G, 
left  a  narrative  which  appeared  in  a  French  geographical 
publication,^  but  which  Avas  not  issued  separately.  James 
O.  Pattie,  leaving  St.  Louis,  journeyed  to  California  in  com- 
pany with  his  father  in  1828.  The}^  were  apprehended  as 
spies  by  Governor  Echeandia  and  imprisoned,  during  which 
captivity  the  elder  Pattie  died.  This  narrative  was  pub- 
lished in  Cincinnati  in  1833.'' 

Of  these  early  travels  two  printed  narratives  exist  which 
are  almost  completely  vniknown.  In  1838  Zenas  Leonard 
made  an  overland  journey  and  came  in  sight  of  the  Pacific 
at  a  2:)oint  somewhere  between  San  Francisco  and  Mon- 
terey. His  narrative  Avas  j^jublished  in  Clearfield,  1839.*^ 
Johnson  and  Winter  traveled  from  Fort  Independence  to 
California  in  1841,  their  narrative  appearing  at  Lafayette, 
1842.^  Comment  upon  the  rarity  of  these  Avorks  is  unneces- 
sary. 

During  the  last  tAventy  years  of  their  domination  the 
Mexicans  issued  some  Avorks  on  California,  a  number  of 
AA'hich  relate  to  the  Pious  fund.  Tavo,  hoAVCA^er,  are  no- 
table exceptions.  The  council  of  public  Avorks  printed  in 
the  city  of  Mexico,  in  1827,  a  collection  of  documents  relat- 
ing to  the  affairs  of  upper  California.^  i^n  examination  of 
these  discloses  the  curious  fact  that  at  that  time  a  project 

«  Morrell,  Benjamin  W.     Narrative  of  Four  A'oyages.     New  Yorlt,  1832. 

"  Smith,  Jed.  Excursion  a  I'ouest  Monts  Rocky,  1826.  In  Nouv.  An. 
Voy.,  vol.  37. 

c  Pattie,  J.  O.     Personal  Narratives.     Cincinati,  1833. 

''  Leonard,  Zenas.     Narrative  of  Adventures.     Clearfield,  1839. 

«  Jolinson,  Overton,  and  Winter,  W.  H.  Route  Across  tlie  Rocljy  Mountains. 
Lafayette,  1842. 

r  Junta  de  Fomento  de  Californias.  Coleccion  de  los  Trabajos.  Mexico, 
1827.  -^ 


NOTES  ON  EARLY  CALIFORNIA.  277 

was  formed  to  establish  a  line  of  vessels  from  Monterey  to 
China,  to  be  called  the  Mexican-Asiatic  Company,  a  plan 
which  never  materialized. 

A  collection  of  documents  by  Manuel  Castanares  (Mexico, 
1845) «  contains  an  account  of  the  discover}^  of  gold  in  Cali- 
fornia in  1844,  four  years  earlier  than  that  of  Marshall, 
but  so  rare  is  this  work  that  this  fact  came  to  light  but 
recently. 

Among  the  works  relating  to  the  Pious  fund  is  that  by 
Carlos  Antonio  Carrillo  (Mexico,  1831).''  This  is  the  first 
printed  literary  work  of  a  native  Californian. 

In  the  year  1833  a  local  press  was  established  at  Monte- 
rey and  continued  until  1844.  The  productions  were  chiefly 
broadside  proclamations  of  the  governors,  all  of  which  are 
excessively  rare,  but  specimens  of  most  may  be  found  in  the 
archives.  Eleven  little  books  were  printed.  These  are  even 
of  less  common  occurrence,  as  of  several  of  them,  but  one 
copy  is  known  to  be  in  existnece.'' 

Following  the  conquest  in  1840  the  local  press  was  reestab- 
lished, this  time  by  Americans.  The  publication  of  news- 
papers began  at  Monterey  August  15, 1840/  Sundry  procla- 
mations by  the  militarv  governors  were  also  published.  In 
1847,  at  San  Francisco,  a  pamphlet  containing  some  special 
laws  of  the  town  council  was  printed,  one  copy  of  Avhich 
was  recently  brought  to  light,  though  it  appears  hereto- 
fore to  have  been  altogether  unknown  to  the  student  of 
these  matters.^ 

The  first  book  printing  in  San  Francisco  Avas  in  1849, ^^ 
closely  followed  by  Sacramento  in  1850,'^  Benicia  ''  and 
Coloma  *  in  1851,  and  in  Stockton  in  1852.^" 

"  Castanares,  Manuel.  Coleecion  de  Docnmentos  Relatives  at  Departa- 
mento  de  Californias.     Mexico,  1845. 

"Carrillo,  Carlos  Antonio.  Exposiclon  Sobre  el  Fondo  IMadoso.  Mexico, 
1831. 

•^  Cowan.  Robert  E.  The  Spanish  Tress  of  California,  18H3-1844.  San 
Francisco,  1902. 

''  Californian,  Monterey,  August  15,  184(5.     Colton  and  Semple,  editors. 

«  The  Laws  of  the  Town  of  San  Francisco.     San  Francisco,  1847. 

f  Wierzbiclii,  F.  P.  California  as  It  Is,  ffnd  as  It  May  Be.  San  Francisco, 
1849. 

"  Benton,  Jos.  A.  California  as  She  Was :  As  She  Is  :As  She  Is  to  Be. 
Sacramento  City,  1850. 

"  Werth,  .Tohu  T.  Dissertation  on  the  Resources  of  California.  Benicia, 
1851. 

'  Slater,  Nelson.     Fruits  of  Mormonisrii.      Coloma,   1851. 

i  Carson,  J.  H.     Early  Recollections  of  the  Mines.     Stocltton,  1852. 


278  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  investigator  of  the  bibliography  of  California  will 
find,  in  addition  to  the  anomalies  already  mentioned,  a  fact 
that  is  a  very  positive  one  and  not  easily  understood  nor  ap- 
preciated by  him  who  may  have  pursued  similar  studies 
upon  the  Atlantic  coast.  This  is  the  scarcity  of  copies  of 
books  and  other  documents  published  here  since  the  forma- 
tion of  the  State.  There  are  but  few  works  printed  in  Ncav 
England  after  the  year  1700  that  are  not  more  plentiful  than 
most  of  our  works  published  since  1849,  and  this  has  been 
strongly  influenced  by  special  causes — the  nimiber  of  copies 
of  the  individual  work  was  usually  at  no  time  large;  the 
character  of  the  population  was  unsettled  and  shifthig; 
there  was  during  the  first  decade  an  almost  complete  absence 
of  family  and  domestic  life;  this  and  most  other  towns  were 
ravaged  by  successive  and  A^'idely  disastrous  fires,  Avhich 
almost  invariably  involved  tlie  ncAvspaper  and  the  printing 
offices;  tlie  neglect  by  the  public  libraries  of  early  days  to 
secure  and  jn-eserve  local  material,  and,  finally,  the  unhappy 
success  of  the  ignorantly  disposed  who  waste  much  valuable 
material  that  appears  to  them  to  l)e  useless. 

Each  year  witnesses  the  destruction  and  loss  of  some  valu- 
able material,  both  printed  and  in  manuscript,  and  these 
various  agencies,  so  destructive  to  books,  Avaste  the  priceless 
with  the  poorer  material,  and  it  will  l)e  only  by  systematic 
endeavor  that  the  comi)aratively  little  that  yet  remains  can 
be  secured  and  preserved  for  those  who  will  one  da}^  hold 
this  generation  to  account. 


XVI -THE  NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY 


By    WILLIAM     RAY    MANNING,    Ph.    D. 
Instructor  in  History  at  Purdue  Universiti/;  Fellow  of  tlie  Vuiversitii  of  Chicae/o,  1<>02  to  190/t. 

[The  Justin  Winsor  prize  of  tlie  Amerieaii  Ilistorical  Association  was  awarded  to  the 
author  of  this  monograph.] 


279 


THE  NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY. 


By  William  Ray  Manning,  Ph.  D. 


CONTENTS. 

Page. 

Chapter  I.  Introduction 283 

II.  The  English  plans  for  occupying  Nootka  Sound 286 

III.  The  Spanish  plans  for  occupying  Nootka  Sound — The 

conflicting  claims  before  1 789 300 

IV.  Martinez's    operations  at  Nootka    before  Colnett's 

arrival 312 

V.  The  (piarrel  and  the  seizure 331 

VI.  The  English  prisoners  in  Mexico 344 

-VII.  Attempts  at  peaceable  settlement 362 

VIII.  Europe  prepares  for  war 380 

IX.  England's  first  demand  granted 395 

^•X.  America's  relations  to  the  controversy 412 

XI.  The  national  assembly  and  the  family  compact — 

Effect  on  the  negotiation 424 

XII.  English  ultimatum — Spanish  defiance 439 

-XIII.  The  Nootka  Sound  convention — Its   reception  and 

results -  450 

*XIV.  Subsequent  negotiations  and  final  settlement  of  the 

Nootka  Sound  dispute 463 

Bibliography 472 

281 


Preface. 

The  French  revolutionary  period  contains  so  much  of 
greater  importance  that  historians  have  neglected  the  Nootka 
Sound  incident.  Of  the  few  writers  who  have  discussed  it, 
the  majority  have  written  from  a  partisan  standpoint,  or, 
if  impartial  themselves,  have  drawn  their  information  from 
partisan  pamphlets.  The  consequence  is  that  many  errors 
regarding  it  have  crept  into  the  work  of  the  best  writers. 
The  purpose  of  this  monograph  is  to  give  a  more  extended 
account,  drawn  largely  from  unpublished  sources,  and  to  cor- 
rect as  many  of  the  errors  as  possible. 

Besides  working  over  the  documents  that  have  been  pub- 
lished and  the  accounts  that  have  been  written,  a  thorough 
search  has  been  made  in  the  archives  of  the  Indies  at  Seville, 
in  the  national  historical  archives  at  Madrid,  and  in  the  Brit- 
ish Museum  and  the  public  record  office  at  London.  A  less 
thorough  search  has  been  made  in  the  arcliives  of  foreign 
affairs  at  Paris  and  the  archives  of  the  Department  of  State 
at  Washington.  More  than  500  pages  of  unpublished  docu- 
ments relating  to  the  dispute  have  been  transcribed  and  used. 
The  classified  bibliography  at  the  close  will  make  clear  the 
sources  of  information  and  their  relative  vahie. 

My  acknowledgments  are  due  to  the  following  persons 
for  valuable  assistance:  To  m}^  wife,  who  worked  with  me 
continually  for  tAVO  and  a  half  months  in  the  Spanish  ar- 
chives and  the  British  Museum,  and  who  has  criticised  my 
manuscript  and  read  the  proof  sheets ;  to  Prof.  J.  F.  Jameson, 
whose  untiring  interest  has  been  a  constant  source  of  inspira- 
tion, and  to  whose  aid  and  painstaking  suggestions  are 
largely  due  any  merits  that  the  monograph  may  possess;  to 
Prof.  A.  C.  McLaughlin,  for  research  in  the  archives  at 
Washington;  to  Prof.  F.  J.  Turner,  for  manuscripts  and 
other  material  from  his  own  collection.  Besides  these,  I 
wish  to  make  special  mention  of  the  kindness  and  assistance 
of  Seiior  Pedro  Torres-Lanzas,  director  of  the  archives  of 
the  Indies  at  Seville,  and  of  Senor  Vicente  Vignau  y  Bal- 
lester,  director  of  the  national  historical  archives  at  Madrid. 

Chicago,  Jiily^  190 J^. 
282 


Chapter  I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

Nootka  Sound  is  a  small  inlet  on  the  western  shore  of 
Vancouver  Island.  It  was  christened  and  made  known  to 
the  world  by  Captain  Cook  in  1778.  A  few  years  after- 
wards a  fiourishinu;  fur  trade  sprang  up  between  the  North- 
west Coast  and  China.  Nootka  became  the  center  of  this 
trade,  though  it  remained  for  several  years  without  any 
settlement  exce])t  an  Indian  village.  On  account  of  its  sud- 
den and  growing  im])ortance,  tlie  Russians,  English,  and 
Spaniards  all  laid  plans  for  occupying  the  port.  It  happened 
that  all  planned  to  carry  out  the  i)roject  in  the  yeai-  1789,  a 
year  that  meant  so  much  for  the  subsequent  history  of  the 
world.  Though  the  Xootka  incident  can  make  no  claim  to 
rank  in  importance  with  the  great  events  of  that  year,  yet  it 
was  destined  to  have  an  influence  on  the  movements  then 
started  and  to  be  influenced  in  turn  by  theui. 

The  Russian  plans  were  not  acted  upon,  but  the  plans  of 
the  other  two  were.  An  English  expedition  from  India  and 
a  Spanish  from  Mexico  each  sailed  in  the  sjn'ing  of  1789  to 
establish  a  colony  at  Nootlva.  The  promoters  of  neither 
knew  anything  of  the  other.  The  Spanish  commander 
arrived  first  and  took  possession.  Nearly  two  months  later 
the  Englishman  came.  A  quarrel  ensued.  The  Spaniard 
seized  the  Englishman,  imprisoned  him,  his  officers  and  crew,  Q 
and  sent  them  to  Mexico  as  a  prize.  A  consort  vessel 
arrived  a  few  days  later  and  met  the  same  fate.  Two  other 
English  vessels  had  been  seized  earlier.  One  of  them  had 
been  released  on  bond  and  the  other  had  been  confiscated 
without  adjudication. 

The  Viceroy  of  Mexico,  instead  of  acting  on  his  own 
responsibility,  reported  the  matter  to  the  Ciovernment  at 
Madrid,     The  Spanish  Court  complained  to  the  British  that   ' 

283 


L 


284  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

subjects  of  the  latter  had  violated  the  territorial  sovereignty 
of  the  former,  and  demanded  that  the  offenders  be  punished 
to  prevent  such  enterprises  in  the  future.  The  British  Cabi- 
net rejected  the  Spanish  claim  to  exclusive  sovereignty  over 
the  territory  in  question,  and  suspended  all  diplomatic  rela- 
tions until  Spain  should  have  offered  a  satisfactory  repa- 
ration for  the  insult  which  His  Britannic  Majesty  felt  that 
his  flag  had  suffered.  Each  Court  refused  to  grant  the 
demand  of  the  other  and  stood  firmly  on  the  ground  origi- 
nally taken.  To  support  their  respective  claims,  both  Gov- 
ernments made  the  most  extensive  armaments.  Each  nation 
also  called  upon  its  allies  for  assurances  of  support  and 
entered  negotiations  for  forming  new  alliances.  For  a  time 
it  seemed  that  all  Europe  Avould  be  drawn  into  war  over 
what,  on  the  face  of  it,  appeared  to  be  an  insignificant  quar- 
rel between  two  obscure  sea  captains. 

Speaking  of  the  controversy  Schoell  says  that  a  few  huts 
built  on  an  inhospitable  coast  and  a  miserable  fortification 
defended  by  rocks  were  sufficient  to  excite  a  bloody  war  be- 
tween two  great  European  powers  and  gave  birth  to  a  nego- 
tiation which  for  several  months  absorbed  the  attention  of 
all  of  the  maritime  powers  of  Euroj^e."  Similar  statements 
were  made  by  other  writers  Avithin  a  few  years  after  the 
incident.'^  Most  historians  Avho  have  touched  upon  it  haA^e 
either  treated  it  from  a  partisan  standpoint  or  haA^e  con- 
sidered it  of  too  little  importance  to  merit  careful  inquiry 
into  the  facts.^ 

But  far  from  being  merely  a  dispute  OA^er  a  fcAV  captured 
vessels  and  a  comparatiA^ely  unimportant  trading  post,  it  Avas 
the  decisiA^e  conflict  between  tAvo  great  colonial  principles, 
of  Avhich  England  and  Spain  Avere,  respectively,  the  expo- 
nents. Spain  still  clung  to  the  antiquated  notion  that  the 
fact  of  the  Pacfic  Ocean's  haAdng  been  first  seen  by  a  Span- 
iard gave  his  Government  a  right  to  all  of  the  lands  of  the 

"  Schoell,  Histolre  des  Traites  de  Palx,  IV,  112. 

"  See  Humboldt,  Alex,  von,  Essai  Politique,  II,  460. 

'^  Oscar  Browning,  the  writer  of  Chapter  X,  in  Volume  VIII,  of  the  Cam- 
bridge Modern  History,  recently  published,  gives  the  least  prejudiced  and 
most  accurate  account.  However,  it  is  very  brief.  He  introduces  the  inci- 
dent as  an  important  episode  in  the  foreign  policy  of  Pitt.  He  says  :  "An 
event  occurred  on  the  other  side  of  the  world  which  nearly  brought  about  a 
European  conflagration."  In  preparing  his  brief  discussion  he  consulted  the 
documents  in  the  public  record  office. 


.     NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  285 

continent  which  were  washed  by  it.  This  fact,  added  to  the 
gift  of  the  Pope,  was  sufficient  to  convince  the  Spanish  mind 
that  Spain  had  a  valid  title  to  the  whole  of  the  western  coast 
of  both  Americas.  On  the  other  hand,  England  had  long 
been  acting  on  the  now  universally  accepted  principle  that 
mere  discover}^  is  an  insufficient  title,  and  that  land  any- 
where on  the  globe  not  controlled  by  any  civilized  nation 
belongs  to  that  nation  which  first  oc(;upies  and  develops  it. 

The  controversy  is  of  further  importance  because  of  the 
fact  that  it  tested  the  triple  alliance  of  1788  between  Eng- 
land, Prussia,  and  the  Netherlands.  It  also  afforded  the 
occasion  for  overthroAving  the  Bourbon  family  compact  of 
ITGI.  It  marked  the  end  of  Spain's  new  brief  period  of 
national  greatness,  which  had  resulted  from  the  wise  reign 
of  Charles  III.  It  Avas  also  the  beginning  of  the  collapse 
of  Spain's  colonial  empire.  Duro,  one  of  the  leading  Span- 
ish historians  of  the  present,  says  that  it  inaugurated  a 
period  of  degradation  disgraceful  to  Si)anish  history,  and 
began  a  series  of  pictures  Avhich  cause  anyone  to  blush  Avho 
contemplates  them  with  love  for  the  fatherland.'^ 

The  settlement  of  the  controversy  determined  the  subse- 
quent position  of  England  and  Spain  on  the  North Avest 
Coast.  Later,  after  the  United  States  had  bought  the  Span- 
ish claim,  the  Nootka  Sound  affair  became  a  part  of  the 
Oregon  controversy.  For  a  time  the  disj^ute  threatened  to 
change  the  course  of  the  French  ReA^olution.'^  It  menaced 
the  existence,  or  at  least  the  expansion,  of  the  United  States. 
It  promised  to  substitute  English  for  Spanish  influence  in 
Latin  America. 

«  See  Duro,  Armiidji   Espafiolii,  VIII,  8-16. 
"  See  Ilassall,  The  French  People,  341. 


Chapter  II. 

THE   ENGLISH    PLANS    FOR   OCCUPYING    NOOTKA    SOUND. 

As  early  as  1785  instructions  were  given  looking  toward 
the  establishment  of  an  English  trading  ])ost  on  Nootka 
Sound.  In  this  year  an  English  commercial  company  in- 
structed the  commander  of  one  of  its  vessels  to  establish  a 
post  on  the  nortliAvest  coast  of  America  for  *'  securing  the 
trade  of  the  continei;it  and  islands  adjacent."  King  Georges 
[Nootka]  Sound  was  suggested  as  being  "in  every  respect 
consistent  Avith  the  intent  of  forming  such  establishment."  « 

The  fur  trade  between  the  western  coast  of  America  and 
China  was  at  the  time  in  its  infancy,  but  the  profits  accruing 
from  it  soon  made  it  of  great  importance.  Captain  Cook, 
in  his  voyage  of  1778,  had  brought  the  possibility  of  the  in- 
dustry to  the  attention  of  Englisli  shipowners.  "  By  the 
accidental  carrying  away  of  a  small  collection  of  furs,  whose 
great  value  was  learned  in  Siberia  and  China,  he  originated 
the  great  fur  trade  which  became  the  chief  incentive  of  all 
later  English  and  American  expeditions  to  these  regions."  ^ 
He  remained  a  month  in  Nootka  Sound.  A  number  of 
English  expeditions  visited  the  place  between  this  date  and 
1789,  as  did  also  several  Spanish,  French,  and  American. 
Only  such  of  them  will  be  discussed  as  have  a  direct  bearing 
on  the  Nootka  Sound  controversy,  and  these  only  at  such 
places  in  the  narrative  as  their  bearing  becomes  important. 
A  sufficiently  full  account  of  the  others  may  be  found  in  the 
first  volume  of  Bancroft's  "  History  of  the  NortliAvest  Coast." 

The  first  English  expedition  to  claim  serious  attention  is 
that  of  1788.     It  was  commanded  by  John  Meares,'^  a  retired 

«  Richard  Cadman  Etches  to  Captain  Portlock,  London,  September  3,  1785. 
(Meares,  An  Answer  to  Mr.  Dixon,  10.)  The  instructions  were  not  carried 
out  by  this  commander,  but  tlie  same  company  was  interested  in  the  expedi- 
tion whicli  readied  Nootlca  for  that  purpose  in  1780.  Nootka  Sound  was  for 
a  time  called  King  Georges  Sound  by  the  English  and  San  Lorenzo  by  the 
Spanish. 

"  Bancroft.  Northwest  Coast,  I,  172. 
^"  Sometimes  written  "  Mears." 
286 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  287 

lieutenant  of  the  royal  navy.  Two  years  before  this  he  had 
been  placed  in  charge  of  an  expedition  to  the  same  coast  by 
some  merchants  under  the  protection  of  the  East  India 
Company."  He  had  two  vessels,  the  Nootka^  commanded  by 
himself,  and  the  Sea  Otter^  commanded  by  a  subordinate. 
The  latter  was  lost  at  sea.  The  former  spent  the  winter  of 
1786-(S7  in  Prince  William  Sound,  on  the  Alaskan  coast, 
where,  according  to  Meares's  account,  the  most  terrible  hard- 
ships were  suffered,  and  so  many  of  the  crew  were  lost  that 
not  enough  remained  to  man  the  sliip.'^  After  disposing  of 
his  cargo  of  furs  in  China  ^"  he  made  preparations  for  the 
expedition  of  the  following  year,  during  which  he  set  up 
the  first  English  establishment  on  the  coast.  It  was  this 
post  which,  rightly  or  wrongly,  furnished  the  chief  basis  for 
the  stubborn  persistence  of  the  English  ministry  in  its  de- 
mands on  Spain  in  the  controversy  two  years  later.  The 
purpose  of  discussing  this  expedition  is  to  study  Avhat 
Meares  did  at  Nootka  and  find  just  what  rights,  if  any,  were 
thereby  acquired  for  England. 

It  Avas  intended  that  this  expedition  should  be  preliminary 
to  the  planting  of  an  English  commercial  colony.  In  men- 
tioning the  fact  that  one  A^essel  was  destined  to  renuiin  out 
nnich  longer  than  the  other,  Meares  says  that  she  Avas  to  leave 
the  coast  of  America  at  the  close  of  the  year  and  go  to  the 
SandAvich  Islands  for  the  Avinter.  The  next  year  she  Avas 
"  to  return  to  America,  in  order  to  meet  her  consort  from 
China  AA'ith  a  supply  of  necessary  stores  and  refreshments 
sufficient  for  establishing  factories  and  extending  the  plan 
of  commerce  in  aa  hich  Ave  AA^ere  engaged."  ^  Probably  to 
prove  the  feasibility  of  constructing  such  factories,  Meares 
took  with  him  on  this  preliminary  trip  the  material  and 
w^orkmen  for  building  a  small  trading  vessel,  Avhich  AA^ould 
necessitate  the  erection  of  some  sort  of  establishment  to  pro- 
tect the  Avorkmen  and  tools  during  the  process  of  construc- 

«  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages. 

*  This  condition  and  the  terms  on  which  relief  was  offered  him  by  Port- 
lock  and  Dixon,  who  reached  the  pkice  in  the  spring,  led  to  a  bitter  personal 
quarrel  between  Meares  and  Dixon,  which  produced  several  mutually  recrim- 
inating pamphlets. 

'^  Meares,  A'oyages.  Introductory  voyage,  i-xl.  I-n  this  Meares  quotes  the 
letters  which  passed  between  him  and  Portlock  in  May,  1787,  which  gave  rise 
to  the  quarrel. 

"  Id..  2. 


288  AMEEICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

tion.  In  the  instructions  for  the  voyage  no  mention  is  made 
of  the  vessel  to  be  constructed  or  of  any  establishment,  either 
temporary  or  permanent,  but  plans  were  laid  for  a  second 
expedition.  Speaking  of  the  proposed  meeting  of  the  two 
vessels  constituting  the  expedition,  which  meeting  was  to 
be  at  Nootka  at  the  close  of  the  summer  trading  season 
of  1788  previous  to  the  sailing  of  one  vessel  to  China  with 
the  furs  collected,  the  proprietors  instructed  Meares  to  ap- 
point "  a  time  and  place  of  rendezvous,  that  you  may  receive 
the  instructions  and  refreshments  we  may  send  you  next 
season."  " 

The  larger  vessel,  the  Felice^  Avas  commanded  by  Meares 
and  was  to  proceed  directly  to  Nootka,  arriving  as  early  as 
possible  and  remaining  the  entire  season  at  Nootka  and  in 
the  neighborliood.  During  the  summer  of  1788  it  is  this 
vessel  and  the  operations  of  its  commander  that  furnish  the 
center  of  interest.  The  second  vessel,  the  Ipliigenia^  com- 
manded by  Captain  Douglas,  subject  to  Meares's  orders, 
was  to  spend  most  of  the  trading  season  on  the  coast  of 
Alaska  in  Cooks  River  and  Prince  William  Sound.  When 
trade  should  slacken  she  was  to  move  southward,  endeavor- 
ing to  reach  Nootka  Sound  by  September  1,  where  the  two 
vessels  were  to  meet.^  During  the  first  season  the  voyage 
of  the  Iphigenia  is  unimportant,  but  on  its  return  to  Nootka 
from  the  Sandwich  Islands  in  1789  it  furnishes  for  a  time 
the  chief  interest. 

It  is  well  to  notice  at  the  outset  the  double  instructions 
and  the  double  national  character  of  the  expedition,  though 
the  importance  of  the  fact  will  become  more  evident  later. 
As  far  as  the  instructions  to  Meares  are  concerned,  or  his 
repetition  of  them  to  Douglas,  the  ships  were  purely  Eng- 
lish in  character,  Daniel  Beale,  of  Canton,  China,  being 
the  ostensible  agent.  But  later,  when  one  of  them  came 
into  conflict  with  the  Spaniards,  it  was  just  as  purely  Por- 
tuguese to  all  external  appearances.  It  was  flying  Portu- 
guese colors  and  was  commanded  by  a  Portuguese  captain, 
with  instructions  in  his  own  language,  given  by  a  merchant 


'  The  Merchant  Proprietors  to  Johu  Meares,  esq.,  Commanding  the  Felice 
and  Iphigenia,  China,  December  24,  1787.      (Id.,  Appendix  I.) 
"Id. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  289 

of  the  same  nationality  living  at  Macao,  China.'^  In  these 
papers  the  real  commanders  appeared  as  supercargoes. 

In  Meares's  narrative  of  the  voyage  no  mention  is  made  of 
the  deception,  but  later,  in  his  memorial  to  the  British 
Government,  he  said  that  it  was  "  to  evade  the  excessive  high 
port  charges  demanded  by  the  Chinese  from  all  other  Euro- 
pean nations  excepting  the  Portuguese."  ^  Dixon,  in  one  of 
his  pamphlets,  says  that  the  principal  motive  in  usir.g  the 
Portuguese  colors  was  to  evade  the  South  Sea  Company's 
license.^  Bancroft  mentions  both  of  these  motives  and  sug- 
gests that  the  trick  is  not  jiermissible  unless  directed  against 
a  hostile  nation  in  time  of  Avar.^'  It  seems  to  have  been  ex- 
pected that  it  Avould  enable  them  to  av^oid  some  anticipated 
danger  or  difficulty.  However,  as  will  be  seen,  this  very 
double  nationality  was  the  first  thing  to  arouse  suspicion  and 
get  the  I pJiigenia  into  trouble. 

The  vessels  sailed  from  China  in  the  latter  part  of  1788. 
Besid(is  the  regular  crew,  each  carried  a  luimber  of  European 
artisans  and  Chinese  smiths  and  carpenters.  The  latter, 
Meares  says,  were  shipped  on  this  occasion  as  an  ex[)eriment 
because  of  their  reputed  hardiness,  industry,  and  ingenuity, 
and  also  because  of  their  simple  manner  of  life  and  the  low 
wages  demanded.  He  observes  that  ''during  the  whole  of 
the  voyage  there  was  evei  y  reason  to  be  satisfied  \\\i\\  their 
services,"  and  adds:  "If  hereafter  trading  posts  should  be 
established  on  the  American  coast,  a  colony  of  these  men 
would  be  a  very  important  ac^quisition."  Of  the  00  men 
on  the  two  ships  50  were  Chinese.  In  view  of  the  im- 
portance of  the  Chinese  element  in  the  population  of  the 
Western  States,  it  is  a  significant  circumstance  that  they 
figured   so   largely   in   this   very  first  venture.     And,   con- 


"  See  Chapter  IV  below. 

^  Meures,  Memorial,  Appendix  to  Voyages.  He  explains  that  this  ruse  was 
at  first  successful,  but  was  later  discovered  througli  the  financial  failure  of 
the  I'ortuguese  merchant  who  had  allowed  his  name  to  be  thus  used. 

'^  Dixon,  Further  Remarlcs  on  Meares's  Voyages,  55.  His  hostility  to 
Meares  prejudices  any  statement  made  by  him.     See  above,  p.  287,  note  b. 

"Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  193.  This  author  devotes  some  10  pages 
to  a  discussion  of  this  expedition. 

Greenhow,  Oregon  and  California,  172-178,  attempts  to  prove  that  the 
expedition  was  purely  Portuguese.  His  account  is  too  prejudiced  to  be  of 
much  value.  The  chief  purpose  of  his  book  was  to  prove  that  America  had  a 
better  claim  to  the  Oregon  country  than  England.  If  this  expedition  had  been 
purely  Portuguese,  England  could  have  acquired  no  possible  claim  through  it. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 -19       « 


290  AMERICAIS    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

sidering  the  subsequent  rush  of  these  people  to  the  New 
World,  it  is  Avortln^  of  notice  that  on  this  occasion  "  a  much 
greater  number  of  Chinese  solicited  to  enter  into  this  service 
than  could  be  received,"  and  those  who  were  refused  "  gave 
the  most  unequivocal  marks  of  mortification  and  disappoint- 
ment."'^ ''  On  the  voyage  the  artisans  were  employed  in  pre- 
paring articles  of  trade  for  the  American  market.  *  *  * 
The  carpenters  were  also  at  work  in  preparing  the  molds 
and  the  models  for  a  sloop  of  50  tons  that  was  designed  to  be 
built  immediately  on  our  arrival  in  King  Georges  Sound,  as 
such  a  vessel  would  be  of  the  utmost  utilit}^  not  only  in  col- 
lecting furs,  l)ut  in  exploring  tlie  coast."  In  speaking  of  the 
work  necessary  for  the  enterprise,  Meares  says :  "  Our  timber 
was  standing  in  the  forests  of  America,  the  ironwork  was  as 
yet  in  rough  bars  ou  board,  and  the  cordage  w^hich  was  to  be 
formed  into  ropes  was  yet  a  cable."  ^  On  May  13,  after  a 
passage  of  three  montlis  and  twenty-three  days  from  China, 
they  ''  anchored  in  l^'riendly  C^ove,  in  King  Georges  Sound, 
abreast  of  the  village  of  Nootka."  '' 

The  natives  received  them  in  a  friendly  manner,  and  opera- 
tions were  soon  begun  to  carry  out  their  shipbuilding  enter- 
prise.    Meares  says: 

Ma(iuillii  [the  Indian  chief,  sometimes  called  "  Maqiiinna "]  had 
not  only  most  readily  consented  to  grant  us  a  spot  of  .ground  in  his 
territory  whereon  a  house  might  he  huilt  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  people  we  intended  to  leave  there,  hut  had  promised  us  also  his 
assistance  in  forwarding  our  works  and  his  ])rotection  of  the  party 
who  were  destined  to  remain  at  Nootka  during  our  ahsence.  In  re- 
turn for  this  kindness,  and  to  insure  a  continuance  of  it,  the  chief 
was  presented  with  a  pair  of  pistols,  which  he  had  regarded  with  an 
eye  of  solicitation  ever  since  our  arrival.  ^ 

This  is  Meares's  account  of  the  transaction  to  which  he  re- 
ferred in  his  memorial  two  years  later  as  a  purchase  of  land. 
It  was  by  this  transaction  that  the  English  Government 
claimed  to  have  acquired  a  title  not  only  to  this  spot, but  to  the 

«  Meares,  Voyages,  2,  8. 

»  Id.,  88. 

'^  Id.,  104.  This  date  should  probably  be  changed  to  May  12.  When  the 
English  and  Spanish  met  at  Nootka  in  1789  their  calendars  were  one  day 
apart.  (See  below,  p.  312,  note  «.)  Since  there  are  no  conflicting  dates 
giA'on  for  the  events  at  Nootka  in  1788,  those  found  in  the  journals  of  the 
English  commanders  are  followed. 

"  Id.,  114. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  291 

whole  of  Nootka  Soimcl."  There  is  nothing  in  his  narrative 
which  indicates  that  at  the  time  Meares  had  an}^  thought  of 
acquiring  a  permanent  title,  either  for  himself  or  for  his  Gov- 
ernment. Neither  is  there  any  unmistakable  indication  to  the 
contrary.  Under  these  circumstances  an}^  title  to  sovereignty 
thus  acquired  would  ha^  e  to  depend  on  subsequent  operations. 
With  the  assistance  of  the  natives,  work  on  the  house  ad- 
vanced rapidly,  and  on  May  28,  fifteen  days  after  their 
arrival,  it  was  completed.  It  had  two  stories.  On  the 
ground  floor  were  a  Avorkshop  and  storeroom  and  in  the  up- 
per story  Avere  a  dining  room  and  chambers  for  the  party. 
"A  strong  breastwork  was  thrown  up  around  the  house,  en- 
closing a  considerable  area  of  ground,  which,  Avith  one  piece 
of  cannon,  placed  in  such  a  manner  as  to  command  the  cove 
and  the  village  of  Nootka,  formed  a  fortification  sufficient  to 
secure  the  party  from  any  intrusion.  Without  this  breast- 
work was  laid  the  keel  of  a  vessel  of  -tO  or  50  tons,  which  was 
now  to  be  built  agreeable  to  our  former  determination."  ^ 
Wliile  this  was  being  done  the  ship  had  been  repaired  and 
refitted  -for  a  trading  cruise  to  the  southward.  All  Avas  in 
readiness  for  departure  on  June  11.  On  the  day  previous 
the  partA^  to  be  left  at  Nootka  Avas  landed  Avith  articles  to 
continue  the  brisk  trade  Avhich  had  s])rung  up,  and  also 
supplies  for  the  completion  of  the  ncAV  Ax^ssel  and  enough 
provisions  to  fit  it  for  a  voyage  to  China  should  misfortune 
prevent  the  return  of  the  Felice  or  the  arrival  of  her  con- 
sort, the  /phU/enia.  A  formal  Adsit  Avas  paid  to  the  chief, 
Maquilla,  to  acqiuiint  him  Avitli  the  intended  departure  and 
to  secure  his  attention  and  friendship  to  the  party  to  be  left 
on  shore.  Meares  adds:  "As  a  bribe  to  secure  his  attach- 
ment lie  Avas  promised  that  Avhen  Ave  finally  left  the  coast  he 
should  enter  into  full  possession  of  the  house  and  all  the 
goods  and  chatties  thereunto  belonging."  ^     This  statement 

«  The  purchase  is  confirmed  in  the  information  of  William  Graham,  Lon- 
don, May  5,  1790  (inclosure  No.  A'l,  witli  Aleares's  Memorial,  appendix  to 
Voy  iges).  It  was  also  confirmed  by  Duftin  in  conversation  with  A'ancouver 
in  1792.  (V'ancouver,  Voyaj^es,  II,  .'i70-;^7li j  Both  of  these  have  strong 
English  prejudices.  The  purchase  is  denied  by  Gray  and  Ingraham.  (Green- 
how,  Oregon  and  California,  414.)  They  strongly  favored  the  Spanish. 
They  say  that  the  Indians  denied  having  sold  land  to  the  P^nglish.  That 
there  was  a  purchase  was  practically  conceded,  however,  even  by  the  Span- 
lards,  since  Quadra  offered  to  Vancouver  in  1792  the  land  on  which  Meares's 
house  had  stood  in  1788.      (See  Vancouver,  Voyages,  II,  335  ff.) 

Md.,  115-116. 

^  Id.,  130. 


292  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

is  quoted  by  Greeuhow  as  conclusive  proof  of  the  merely  tem- 
porarj^  character  of  the  establishment/^  If  the  promise  was 
made  in  good  faith,  it  would  seem  that  the  position  was  well 
taken,  did  not  the  subsequent  conduct  of  Meares  indicate  the 
contrary !  On  the  occasion  of  this  visit  other  presents  were 
made  to  the  chief  and  members  of  his  family.  The  narrator 
continues:  '*  Maquilla,  who  was  glowing  with  delight  at  the 
attentions  we  had  paid  him,  readily  granted  every  request 
that  we  tliought  proper  to  make,  and  confirmed  with  the 
strongest  assurances  of  good  faith  the  treaty  of  friend- 
shij^  which  had  already  been  entered  into  between  us."  ^ 
Nothing  further  is  said  of  this  treaty  or  of  its  terms.  If 
some  more  tangible  evidence  of  it  a2)peared,  it  might  be  a 
valuable  link.  The  mere  statement  that  such  was  made  is  of 
interest  as  indicating  the  policy  of  Meares,  which,  however, 
would  have  been  the  same  whether  he  expected  to  retain  an 
establishment  at  Nootka  or  simply  to  make  subsequent  visits 
for  trading.  It  is  possible,  too,  that  the  treaty  was  only  a 
temporary  arrangement  to  last  during  the  one  visit. 

The  Felice^  Avith  Meares  and  most  of  the  crew,  spent  the 
next  two  and  a  half  months  in  a  combined  trading  and 
exploring  cruise  to  the  southward,  returning  to  Nootka  once 
during  the  time  and  remaining  two  weeks.  This  trip  has  no 
direct  bearing  on  the  Nootka  incident,  but  throws  some 
side  lights  on  Meare's  policy  and  the  national  character  of 
the  expedition.  He  tells  of  a  treaty  made  at  Port  Cox  and 
gives  something  of  its  terms.  It  established  trade  relations 
Avith  three  chiefs.  Apj^arently  it  excluded  all  competitors, 
though  this  is  not  so  stated ;  ^  but  on  seeing  a  vessel  pass 
Nootka,  some  two  months  later,  he  at  once  set  out  for  Port 
Cox  lest  the  chief  should  be  tempted  "to  intrude  upon  the 
treaty  he  had  made  with  us."  ^  On  reaching  the  place  he 
found  large  quantities  of  furs,  indicating  that  the  treaty  had 
been  kept.  It  may  be,  however,  that  no  opportunity  had 
been  presented  for  breaking  it.  The  chief  inquired  earnestly 
concerning  Meares's  return  next  season.^ 

In  another  place  Meares  says :  "  We  took  possession  of  the 

"  Greenhow,  Oregon  and  California,   175. 

^  Meares,  Voyages,  181. 

"■  Id.,  146,  and  Memorial  in  appendix. 

"  Id.,  95. 

«  Id.,  204. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTKOVERSY.  293 

Straits  of  Juan  de  Fuca  in  the  name  of  the  King  of  Britain, 
AAdth  the  forms  that  had  been  adopted  by  preceding  navi- 
gators on  similar  occasions."  «  In  mentioning  this  ceremony 
in  his  memorial  he  makes  the  additional  statement  that  he 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  within  the  said  straits.  A  party 
sent  to  examine  the  straits  Avas  attacked  by  the  natives  after 
a  few  days  and  abandoned  the  enterprise.''  This  subsidiary 
expedition  plays  an  important  part  in  tlie  controversial  Avrit- 
ings  on  the  conliicting  claims  to  the  Oregon  country.  On 
August  24  the  Felice  returned  to  Nootka.  Three  days  later 
her  consort,  the  Iphigevuf,  arrived. 

In  less  than  a  month  more  the  new  vessel  was  completed. 
On  September  20  it  was  launched  Avith  what  Meares  con- 
sidered very  impressiv^e  ceremonies.  It  Avas  christened 
"  the  lYorfh-Wefit  America,  as  being  the  first  bottom  ever 
built  and  lainiched  in  this  part  of  the  globe."  PTe  says  that 
the  Britisli  flag  was  displayed  on  the  house  and  on  board 
the  new  vessel.^  This  statement  regarding  the  use  of  tlu^ 
British  flag  should  be  noticed,  since  (Jreeiihow  states,  and 
Bancroft  gives  it  a  (tualified  indorsement,  tliat  "  theiv  is 
no  sufficient  ])roof  that  any  other  |  than  the  Portuguese  flag] 
was  displayed  by  them  during  the  expedition.'' ''  State- 
ments are  made  by  other  men  that  the  Portuguese  flag  was 
used  at  Nootka  during  the  summer.^  In  the  engraving  in 
Meares's  narrative  illustrating  the  lauucliing,  tliree  British 
flags  are  represented.^     There  is  at  least  one  other  very  ])lain 


"Meares,  A'oyages,  173,  and  Memorial  in  appendix. 

"  Id.,  173-179. 

•Id.,  220. 

•'  Greenhow,  Oregon  and  California.  172  ;  and  Bancroft,  Northwest  Const, 
I,  194. 

'^  Dixon,  Further  Remarks  on  Meares's  Voyages,  24.  This  writer,  in  his 
controversial  pamphlet,  quotes  from  a  letter  of  Captain  Duncan,  who  had  met 
Meai-es  near  the  entrance  to  Nootka  Sound  in  17K.S.  This  letter  makes  the 
statement  that  Meares  had  "  at  that  time  a  small  vessel  on  the  stocks  at 
Nootka,  where,  he  told  me,  he  had  a  fort,  guns  mounted,  and  I'ortuguese  colors 
flying."  It  was  written  .January  17,  1791,  and  can  hardly  be  given  al)solute 
credence,  since  Dixon  was  so  prejudiced  against  Meares.  Greenhow  is  too 
partisan  to  he  fair,  and  the  Americans,  Gray  and  Ingraham,  and  Maswell, 
whom  Bancroft  quotes  on  the  point,  were  very  pro-Spanish.  On  the  other 
hand,  Meares's  statements  can  not  he  taken  for  truth  unless  it  is  very  plain 
that  there  is  no  reason  for  his  telling  anything  else. 

^Metres,  Vojages,  220.  It  is  doubtful  whether  this  testimony  can  he  con- 
sidered of  any  value.  As  to  the  truthfulness  of  the  picture,  it  is  interesting 
to  notice  the  Indian  village  in  the  background.  Me  had  said  that  before  this 
the  entire  village  had  been  moved  some  30  miles  up  the  sound  for  the  winter. 


0 


294  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

indication  of  the  use  of  the  British  flag  by  the  expedition. 
It  is  found  in  the  instructions  of  Meares  to  Funter,  who 
was  to  command  the  No7'th-West  America.  They  are  dated 
Friendly  Cove,.Nootka  Sound,  September  10,  1788,  and  say: 
"  You  are  on  no  account  to  hoist  any  colors  until  such  time  as 
your  employers  give  you  orders  for  this  purpose,  except  on 
taking  possession  of  any  newly  discovered  land;  you  will 
then  do  it,  with  the  usual  formality,  for  the  CroAvn  of  Great 
Britain."  «  If  these  instructions  Avere  really  given,  and  the 
statement  is  true  which  is  quoted  above  regarding  taking 
possession  of  the  Straits  of  Juan  de  Fuca,  it  must  be  ad- 
mitted that  Meares  considered  at  the  time  that  his  expedi- 
tion was  English  and  that  wliatever  rights  might  be  acquired 
by  it  for  any  nation  were  acquired  for  England. 

Four  days  after  the  new  vessel  had  been  completed 
Meares  departed  for  China  in  the  Felice^  carrying  with 
him  the  furs  collected  by  both  vessels.  The  North-West 
America  Avas  placed  under  the  orders  of  Douglas,  the  com- 
mander of  the  Iphigeiiia.  Before  departing,  Meares  had 
given  him  extended  orders  regarding  wintering  at  the  Sand- 
wich Islands,  and  his  conduct  on  the  coast  during  the  next 
season.''  On  Ooctober  27  the  two  remaining  vessels  left 
Nootka  for  the  Avinter.^ 

In  the  instructions  just  mentioned  nothing  is  said  regard- 
ing any  settlement  to  be  made  at  Nootka  the  succeeding 
year.  There  is  a  statement,  however,  in  the  narrative  that 
indicates  unmistakably  the  intention  of  planting  a  colony  of 
some  considerable  extent.  The  Avriter  says  that  early  in 
September,  Avhen  the  natives  Avere  leaving  for  the  Avinter 
settlement  up  the  sound,  "  Ave  made  these  chiefs  sensible  in 
hoAv  many  moons  Ave  should  return  to  them,  and  that  we 
should  then  be  accompanied  by  others  of  our  countrymen, 
and  build  more  houses  and  endeaA^or  to  introduce  our  man- 
ners and  mode  of  living  to  the  practice  of  our  Nootka  friends." 
He  speaks  of  their  pleasure  at  hearing  this  and  of  their 
promise  of  large  quantities  of  furs;  then  narrates  an  elabo- 
rate ceremonA^  of  coronation  performed  by  the  chief,  Maquilla, 

«  Meares,  Voyages,  appendix,  INlemoi-ial,  VI. 

"  Meares  to  Douglas,  Felice,  Friendly  Cove,  iu  King  Georges  Sound,  Septem- 
ber 20,  1788.      (Meares,  Voyages,  Appendix  A'.) 
=  Id.,  334. 


]S^OOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVEESY.  295 

and  his  companions,  Avhich,  he  says,  was  intended  as  a  recog- 
nition of  his  superiority  and  sovereign  po^Yer  over  them." 
If  Meares  understood  that  by  this  chiklish  act  of  crowning 
he  acquired  for  Great  Britain  sovereign  rights  over  the  dis- 
trict, he  makes  no  effort  to  emphasize  the  fact.  The  state- 
ment, if  true,  is  of  more  vahie  as  showing  a  definite  intention 
to  establish  a  coh)ny  the  folk)wing  year.  It  is  not  impossi- 
ble, however,  that  both  of  these  are  cunningly  contrived  and 
rather  overdrawn  fabrications  of  a  later  date  to  strenghten 
his  case  before  the  Government  or  in  the  eyes  of  the  ])ublic. 
Greenhow  and  Bancroft  both  seem  to  draw  a  line  l)etween 
Meares's  narrative  and  his  memorial,  considering  the  former 
more  trustworthy  since  the  latter  was  written  for  the  express 
purpose  of  convincing  the  cabinet  of  the  justice  of  his  cause. 
If  the  narrative  were  the  original  log  of  the  vessel  instead  of 
a  subsequent  account  simply  using  that  log  as  its  basis,  the 
reason  for  the  distinction  would  be  clear.  But  besides  the 
indications  in  the  preface  and  the  date,  Xovember  10.  1790, 
attached  to  the  preface,  there  are  internal  evidences  that  the 
narrative  Avas  not  written,  at  least  not  completed,  until 
Meares  knew  of  the  operaticms  of  the  Spaniards  at  Xootka 
in  1789.  Hence  there  is  no  reason  why  it  should  not  l)e 
influenced  by  the  same  partisanship  and  selfish  interest.^' 

But  whether  he  really  did  or  did  not  uiake  the  stateuient 
to  the  chiefs  in  September,  1788,  concerning  planting  a  col- 
ony the  next  year,  he  proceeded  exactly  as  he  would  be  ex- 
pected to  have  proceeded  had  he  made  it.  The  question  as 
to  what  })ecame  of  the  house  built  in  1788,  Avhether  it  was 
given  to  the  chief  as  promised,  or  whether  it  was  torn  down 
by  Douglas  ])efore  leaving  for  the  Sandwich  Islands,  accord- 
ing to  the  testimony  of  the  American  captains.  Gray  and 

"  Mearos  to  Doujrlas,  Felice,  Friendly  Cove,  in  Kinj?  Oeorges  Sound,  Septem- 
ber 2().  1788.      (Meares,  Voyaj?es.    Appendix  V,  p.  217.) 

''Note  his  reference  to  tlie  Icillint;:  of  Callicum  l)y  tlie  Spaniards  in  178!). 
(Meares,  Voyages,  118;  also  see  217,  218,  referrinjt?  to  Colnett's  expedition  of 
1789.)  His  preface  would  lead  one  to  think  that  the  writing  of  his  nai-ra- 
tive  was  entirely  an  afterthouaiht.  He  mentions  as  his  motives  the  wishes  of 
friends,  the  political  circumstances  of  the  moment  [the  diplomatic  controversy 
with  Spain],  and  public  expectation.  He  says:  "I  little  thought  it  would  be 
my  future  lot  to  give  this  part  of  my  maritime  life  to  the  world.  If  I  had 
looked  forward  to  the  possibility  of  such  an  event  I  should  have  enlarged  ray 
observations  and  been  more  minutely  attentive,"  etc.  But  the  fact  that  in  his 
list  of  subscribers  lie  gives  the  names  of  a  number  of  men  living  in  China 
shows  that  before  leaving  there,  at  least,  he  expected  to  publish  his  narra- 
tive. All  of  this  tends  to  depreciltte  the  value  of  his  statements  where  his 
interests  are  at  stake. 


296  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Ingraham,«  does  not  greatly  affect  the  case,  if  the  English- 
men really  intended  to  continue  the  occupation  in  1789,  as 
they  unquestionably  did.  If  there  were  nothing  else  to  con- 
sider, and  if  the  title  to  sovereignty  rested  wholly  on  actual 
occupation,  whether  that  occupation  be  by  persons  of  a  pub- 
lic or  private  character,  then  England  had  a  better  claim 
than  Spain  to  the  sovereignty  of  Nootka  Sound  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  year  1789.  But  there  are  other  things  to  con- 
sider. It  remains  to  be  seen  whether  or  not  they  outweigh 
this  English  advantage. 

The  next  man  to  demand  careful  attention  in  studying  the 
English  preparations  for  occupying  Nootka  is  Capt.  James 
0  Colnett,  also  a  lieutenant  in  the  royal  navy.  He  had  been  a 
midshipman  Avith  Captain  Cook  and  had  served  for  several 
years  on  a  man-of-war.'^-  In  the  autumn  of  1786  he  left 
England,  in  command  of  the  ship  Prince  of  Wales^  owned  by 
Etches  &  Co..  of  London.  This  company  held  a  license  from 
the  South  Sea  Company  good  for  five  years  after  Septem- 
ber 1,  1780),  for  trading  in  the  South  Sea  and  other  parts  of 
America.^  Colnett  went  to  the  South  Sea  by  way  of  Cape 
Horn.  He  reached  the  northwest  coast  in  1787,  collected 
a  cargo,  and  continued  his  voyage  to  China,  Avhere  he  dis- 
posed of  it.'^  While  in  China  he  became  identified  with 
Meares's  project  for  planting  a  colony  at  Nootka.  The 
latter,  after  his  arrival  in  China  in  the  autumn  of  1788,  had 
set  about  preparations  for  the  expedition  of  the  succeeding 
year.  While  he  was  engaged  in  this,  Colnett  reached  Can- 
ton. Since  the  latter  carried  a  license  from  the  South  Sea 
Company,  Meares  saw  an  advantage  to  be  gained  by  enlist- 
ing his  services,  as  this  would  give  governmental  sanction 
and  protection  to  the  proposed  establishment.     Meares  and 

«  Gray  and  Ingrahara  to  Quadra,  Nootka  Sound,  August  3,  1792.  (Green- 
how,  Oregon  and  Cnliiornla,  414.)       (Prejudiced.) 

"  Colnett,  Voyage,  vii. 

'■  Spanish  translation  of  an  extract  from  the  "  License  from  the  governor 
and  company  of  merchants  of  Great  Britain  for  trading  in  the  South  Sea 
and  other  parts  of  America,  to  Richard  Cadman  Etches  and  Company  to 
trade  in  the  places  where  the  South  Sea  Company  has  the  privilege  hy  an  act 
of  Parliament."'  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-.3-18.)  It  was 
signed  hy  the  secretary  of  the  company  and  dated  August  4,  1785.  They 
were  forbidden  to  trade  south  oi  45°  on  the  northwest  coast.  (See  Colnett 
to  the  Viceroy,  October  1,  1789;    Arch.  Hon.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 

''Spanish  translation  of  Colnett  to  the  Viceroy,  October  1,  1789.      (Id.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    COHirTROVERSY.  297 

his  associates  formed  a  joint  stock  concern  with  Etches  & 
Co.,  through  the  agency  of  John  Etches,  who  accompanied 
Colnett's  expedition  as  supercargo.  As  the  Prince  of  Wales 
was  to  return  to  England,  a  new  ship  was  purchased  and 
named  the  Argonaut^  and  Colnett  was  transferred  to  it. 
The  small  ship,  the  Princess  Royal^  which  had  accompanied 
him  on  the  former  vo3^age,  continued  with  him  on  this.  Be- 
sides having  command  of  the  vessels,  all  of  the  concerns  of 
the  company  on  the  American  coast  were  committed  to  his 
charge,  including  the  proposed  colony .« 

A  clear  notion  of  the  character  of  the  expedition  thus 
placed  Tmder  the  conmiand  of  Colnett  may  best  be  obtained 
by  a  careful  examination  of  the  instructions  given  to  him 
before  his  de|)arture  from  China.  The  copy  of  these  that 
was  submitted  with  Meares's  Memorial  is  dated  Macao, 
April  IT,  1T89,  and  signed  "  J.  Meares,  for  Messrs.  Etches, 
Cox  &  Co.^  A  Spanish  translation  of  the  same,  copied  from 
the  papers  that  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Spaniards,  is 
signed  "  Daniel  Eeale,  for  himself  and  for  Messrs.  Etches, 
Cox  &  Co."  '^  AAHiile  this  discrepancy  has  no  importance  in 
discovering  the  intent  of  the  expedition,  it  casts  a  side  light 
on  the  veracity  of  Meares.  The  Spanish  copy  is  preferably 
to  be  trusted,  since  no  motive  is  apparent  for  their  changing 
the  signature.  In  these  instructions  strictly  honorable  deal- 
ings and  careful  attention  to  their  needs  is  enjoined  in  all 
his  intercourse  with  other  vessels,  whether  English  or  for- 
eign. Cruelty  to  the  natives  is  to  be  prevented  under  pen- 
alty of  condign  punishment  for  offenders.  He  was  to  form 
a  treaty,  if  possible,  with  the  various  chiefs,  especially  those 
near  Nootka.     The  purpose  was  to  monopolize  the  trade  of 

"  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix  to  A^oj'ases.  Also  Colnett  to  the  Viceroy, 
October  1,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.)  The  latter 
represents  Colnett  as  the  chief  promoter,  while  the  former  represents  Meares 
in  that  capacity.  Colnett  says  that  the  Prince  of  Wnhs  had  broken  her  keel 
and  was  not  in  a  condition  to  make  another  such  a  voyage,  so  that  the  corre- 
spondents of  his  company  offered  him  the  Arfionaut.  It  seems  that  some  diffi- 
culty had  arisen  over  the  fact  that  the  license  which  Colnett  bore  was  for  his 
use  op  the  Prince  of  Wales.  He  told  the  Viceroy  that  if  he  had  apprehended 
any  disadvantage  arising  from  his  change  of  ships  it  would  have  been  easy  to 
have  named  the  new  ship  the  Prince  of  Wales  also.  He  had  not  considered  it 
necessary. 

"  Menres,  Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages,  Inclosure  II. 

'"Translation  of  the  instructions  given  by. the  owners  of  the  English  ship 
Arf/onaut  to  its  captain,  James  Colnett,  not  dated.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-18.) 


^ 


298  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  district  and  so  conquer  competitors  honorably  and  cred- 
itably. They  were  so  anxious  to  form  such  treaties  that  he 
was  authorized  to  protect  allies  from  insult  from  all  per- 
sons." The  factory  planned  Avas  to  be  a  "  solid  establish- 
O  ment,  and  not  one  that  is  to  be  abandoned  at  pleasure.'' 
Colnett  was  authorized  to  fix  it  at  the  most  convenient  ])lace, 
so  that  the  colony  would  be  ])rotected  from  the  least  sinister 
accident.^  It  was  to  receive  the  name  "  Fort  Pitt."  R.  Duf- 
fin  Avas  to  be  invested  Avith  the  superintendence  of  it. 

The  object  of  the  post  was  to  attract  the  Indians  for  com- 
mercial purposes  and  to  furnish  a  place  to  build  small  vessels 
and  to  lay  them  up  for  the  winter  season.  During  each 
Avinter  some  vessels  Avere  to  be  sent  to  the  SandAvich  Islands 
for  provisions,  and  natiA^es  of  those  islands,  both  men  and 
Avomen,  Avere  to  be  encouraged  to  embark  for  the  American 
colony.  When  this  settlement  should  haA^e  been  effected 
trading  houses  Avere  to  be  established  at  other  places  along 
the  coast  Avhere  they  Avould  be  the  most  advantageous.  Prepar- 
atory to  this  rcAvards  were  to  be  offered  the  first  season  to 
men  Avho  AAOuld  reside  Avith  different  Indian  chiefs  for  the 
purpose  of  collecting  furs  and  assuring  the  natiA^es  of  the 
return  of  the  A^essels,  tlius  encouraging  them  to  keep  back 
their  furs  from  competitors.  The  Ifhigenia^  AAdiich  Avent 
out  the  preceding  year  under  Meares's  connnand,  and  also 
the  Xortli-WeHt  Amev'ud.^  Avhich  he  had  built  on  the  coast, 
Avere  to  be  under  the  command  of  Colnett.  The  rest  of  the 
instructions  are  of  no  interest  to  the  Nootka  Sound  Affair.^' 
AYith  these  instructions  and  Avith  provisions  for  three 
years  the  two  A^essels  sailed  from  China,  the  Prirwess  Royal 

"This  policy  of  protectinj?  allied  chiols  nsainst  their  enemies  was  begun 
by  Meares  dnrins;  the  previous  year.  He  loaned  firearms  and  furnished  am- 
munition to  the  Nootka  Indians  for  an  expedition  against  a  neighboring 
tribe  which  had  committed  depredations  on  one  of  their  villages.  (See 
Meares,  Voyages,  lOG.) 

''  Nootka  was  not  especially  mentioned,  but  the  intention  was  so  evident  that 
mention  was  unnecessary.  The  option  as  to  the  place  in  which  it  was  to  be 
established  probably  did  not  refer  to  a  possible  choice  between  Nootka  Sound 
and  some  other  part  of  the  coast,  hut  to  the  selection  of  the  most  favorable 
spot  on  the  sound.  As  showing  Meares's  tendency  to  distort  facts,  he  says 
in  his  Memorial  :  "  Colnett  was  directed  to  fix  his  residence  at  Nootka  Sound, 
and,  with  that  in  view,  to  erect  a  substantial  house  on  the  spot  which  your 
memorialist  had  purchased  the  preceding  year,  as  will  appear  by  a  copy  of  his 
instructions  hereto  annexed." 

''  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix  to  A'oyages,  Inclosure  II ;  and  MS.  Arch.  Gen. 
de  Indias,  90-3-18. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  299 

in  February  and  the  Argonaut  in  April,  1789."  They  car- 
ried, "  in  addition  to  their  crews,  several  artificers  of  differ- 
ent professions  and  near  TO  Chinese,  who  intended  to  become 
settlers  on  the  American  coast."  ^  The  plans  are  seen  to 
have  been  large  wdth  hope  for  the  future,  and  there  seems  to 
have  been  every  reasonable  prospect  for  success.  Should 
they  be  successful  it  would  mean  not  only  a  fortune  for  the 
merchant  adventurers  and  a  Avorthy  monument  to  the  wis- 
dom of  the  projectors,  but  it  Avould  mean  also  the  definite 
planting  of  the  British  flag  on  an  unoccupied  coast  and  the 
extension  to  that  coast  of  the  sovereignty  of  Great  Britain. 
But  while  these  plans  were  taking  shape  other  plans  were 
being  laid  elsewhere,  which,  l)efore  the  arrival  of  Colnett's 
expediticm,  had  totally  changed  the  appearance  of  things  at 
Nootka.  A  discussion  of  these  will  occupy  the  next  two 
chapters. 

'^  Aleares.  Voyuces,  lOG. 

"  Meai-es.  Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages,  Inclosure  II.  It  is  seen  that  a 
majority  of  the  settlers  for  the  proposed  colony  were  Chinese,  conformably  to 
the  idea  that  Meares  expresses  in  his  narrative  and  to  which  reference  was 
made  in  the  early  part  of  this  chapter.  There  is  a  discrepancy  in  the  state- 
ments concerninj;  the  number  of  Chinese.  In  several  Si>anish  manuscripts  the 
statement  is  made  that  there  were  1*1).  The  name  of  each  is  given.  (See  MS. 
Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  1)0-3-18.) 


0 


Chapter  III. 

THE     SPANISH     PLANS     FOR     OCCUPYING     NOOTKA     SOUND THE 

CONFLICTING  CLAIMS  BEFORE  1789. 

The  Spanish  name  of  most  importance  in  connection  with 
affairs  at  Nootka  is  that  of  Estevan  Jose  Martinez.  Besides 
playing  the  chief  role  in  the  drama  enacted  there  in  1789, 
which  proved  to  l)e  but  the  j^relude  to  a  greater  drama 
played  in  Europe  the  following  year,  it  was  he  who  first 
suggested  the  planting  of  a  Spanish  colony  at  this  point. 
This  is  contrary  to  the  notion  prevalent  in  the  minds  of 
the  diplomats  when  the  controversy  was  at  its  height,  a 
notion  which  has  been  more  or  less  accepted  ever  since,  viz, 
that  one  or  more  of  the  Governments  concerned  had  engaged 
in  the  enterprise  Avith  malice  aforethought,  having  some 
ulterior  end  in  vieAv.  These  suspicions  will  be  discussed 
in  their  proper  place.  At  present  it  suffices  to  shoAV,  from 
documentary  sources,  the  actual  genesis  of  the  original 
Spanish  expedition. 

On  the  return  of  Martinez,  late  in  1788,  from  a  voyage  to 
Alaska,  Avhere  he  had  gone  under  a  royal  commission  to 
iuA^estigate  the  Eussian  settlements  on  the  coast,  he  reported 
to  Florez,  the  Viceroy  of  Mexico,  as  follows: 

Cusmich  also  told  me  that,  as  a  result  of  bis  having  informed  his 
Sovereign  of  the  commerce  which  the  English  from  Canton  are  carry- 
ing on  at  Nootka,  he  was  expecting  four  frigates  from  Siheria  to  sail 
next  year  for  the  purpose  of  making  an  establishment  at  Nootka, 
situated  in  latitude  49°  3(5'  north  and  in  longitude  20°  15'  west  from 
San  Bias.  He  assured  me  that  bis  Sovereign  has  a  better  right  to 
that  coast  than  any  other  power  on  account  of  its  having  been  dis- 
covered by  the  Russian  connnanders,  Bebrlng  and  Estericol  [Chirikov], 
under  orders  from  the  Russian  Court  in  the  year  1741.  For  this 
reason  it  seems  to  me  advisable  that  an  attempt  should  be  made  next 
year,  1780,  with  such  forces  as  you  may  have  at  hand,  to  occupy  the 
said  port  and  establish  a  garrison  in  it.  According  to  what  is  learned 
from  the  work  of  Cook  and  from  what  I  saw  on  my  first  expedition  to 
that  place  (which  I  made  in  1774),  it  possesses  qualifications  which 
300 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  301 

adapt  it  to  this  purpose.  By  accomplishing  this  we  shall  gain  posses- 
sion of  the  coast  from  Noolka  to  the  port  of  San  Francisco,  a  dis- 
tance of  317  leagues,  and  authority  over  a  multitude  of  native  tribes. 
[I  say  this,  at  the  same  time]  offering  myself  to  carry  out  the  project, 
and  to  prove  the  feasibility  of  it  I  will  sacrifice  my  last  breath  in  the 
service  of  God  and  the  King,  if  you  approve  it.  a 

This  letter  was  written  from  the  port  of  San  Bhis  on  De- 
cember 5,  I'TSS.  Only  eighteen  days  later  the  Viceroy  wrote 
from  the  City  of  Mexico  to  the  home  Government  that  he  had 
determined  to  occupy  Nootka  at  once,  althouoh  the  royal 
orders  did  not  w^arrant  him  in  so  doing.^  On  the  same  day 
Martinez  was  commissioned  to  carry  out  the  enterprise,  and 
his  instructions  were  sent  to  him.^'  In  his  letter  to  Madrid, 
the  Viceroy  says  '*  the  essential  object  of  this  new  expedition 
is  no  other,  as  I  have  indicated,  tlian  the  anticipation  of  the 
Russians  in  taking  possession  of  the  port  of  San  I^orenzo  or 
Xootka.''  Ten  days  later,  in  justification  of  his  action,  he 
wrote  that  it  was  true  he  was  forbidden  to  incur  exi)enses  Avith- 
out  special  royal  order,  but  since  this  was  an  extraordinary 
case,  demanding  prom])t  action,  he  begged  for  the  royal  ap- 
proval/^ This  approval  was  granted,  but  not  until  April  14, 
1789,^  when  Martinez  was  already  well  on  his  way  to  Xootka. 
It  could  not  have  been  known  in  America  in  time  to  affect  the 
events  at  Nootka.  Far,  then,  from  there  being-  any  ground 
for  the  suspicion  that  the  Spanish  Government  had  ordered 
the  seizure  of  English  vessels,  which  resulted  from  this  un- 
dertaking, the  Madrid  Government  did  not  so  nuicli  as  know 
that  the  exi:)edition  was  to  be  sent  until  long  after  it  had 


"Martinez  to  Florez,  San  Bias,  December  5,  17SS.  (MS.  Arch.  (Jen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-.'i-lS. )  La  I'erouse,  of  a  French  scientific  e.xpedition,  had 
reported  that  Rnssian  settlements  were  being  made  on  the  American  continent 
north  of  California.  The  Spanish  expedition  was  sent  under  a  royal  order  of 
January  25,  1787.  Martinez,  of  the  Princesa,  was  in  command,  and  Lopez  de 
Flaro,  of  the  San  Carlos,  was  subordinate.  They  reported  six  settlements,  hav- 
ing in  all  about  500  inhabitants.  An  autograph  copy  of  Martinez's  diary  of 
this  expedition,  containing  2i:i  pages,  is  in  the  same  bundle  as  the  above  letter. 
It  contains  also  the  diary  of  Mendosia,  second  pilot.  Oreenhow,  Oregon  and 
California,  185,  gives  a  short  account  of  thi^  voyage,  which  he  says  is  based  on 
a  copy  of  Martinez's  diary  obtained  from  tlie  hydrographical  office  at  Madrid. 
Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  184,  also  gives  a  brief  account,  likewise  taken 
from  a  copy  of  Martinez's  diary. 

*  Florez  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  December  23,  1788.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias, 
Seville,  00-3-18.) 

"  Florez  to  Martinez,  December  23,  1788.      (Id.) 

"  Flore;^  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  January  2.  1780.      (Id.) 

«  Florez  to  Revilla-Gigedo,  Mexico,  September  2,  1789.  (Id.,  00-3-14.)  In 
this,  mention  is  made  of  a  royal  order  of  April  14,  giving  approbation. 


302  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

sailed.  Further,  e^^en  in  the  mind  of  the  Viceroy,  there  was 
not  the  slightest  thought  of  any  interference  with  the  Eng- 
lish, the  expedition  being  directed  solel}^  against  the  Rus- 
sians. It  is  also  seen  that  whatever  glory  it  promised  for 
Spain,  or  whatever  opprobrium  attached  to  Spain  because 
of  the  unfortunate  events  connected  with  it,  must  be  placed 
largely  to  the  credit  of  Martinez.  But  he  was -not  wholly 
responsible,  since  his  plan  was  authorized  by  the  Viceroy  and 
later  approved  by  the  home  Government. 

It  is  a  fact  of  some  significance,  as  an  indication  of  the 
political  sagacity  of  the  Viceroy,  that  he  apprehended  much 
more  danger  to  Spanish  dominion  on  this  coast  from  the  new 
^-  United  States  than  from  England  or  even  Russia.  While 
the  English  Avere  only  mentioned  in  connection  with  the 
known  plans  of  Russia,  considei-able  space  was  devoted  to 
discussing  a  probable  attempt  of  the  American  colonies  to 
obtain  a  foothold  on  the  Avestern  coast.  As  proof  he  men- 
tioned the  fact  that  an  American  ship,  which  had  touched  at 
the  islands  of  Juan  Fernandez  in  the  same  year,  had  con- 
tinued its  v03^age  to  the  coast.  He  expressed  a  suspicion 
that  it  had  this  end  in  view."  He  told  also  of  an  overland 
■^  ■(!"'  trip  made  in  170G-67  from  the  English  colonies,^  and  closed 

^'  his  observations  on  this  point  with  the  prophetic  statement: 

"  We  ought  not  to  be  surprised  that  the  English  colonies  of 
America,  being  now  an  independent  Republic,  should  carry 
out  the  design  of  finding  a  safe  port  on  the  Pacific  and  of  at- 
tempting to  sustain  it  by  crossing  the  immense  country  of  the 
continent  above  our  possessions  of  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and 
California."  He  added :  "'  Much  more  might  be  said  of  an 
active  nation  which  founds  all  of  its  hopes  and  its  resources 
on  navigation  and  commerce,"'  and  mentioned  the  immense 
value  to  them  of  a  colon}^  on  the  west  coast  of  America.  He 
continued :  "  It  is  indeed  an  enterprise  for  many  years,  but  I 
firndy  believe  that  from  now  on  we  ought  to  employ  tactics  to 
forestall  its  results;  and  the  more  since  we  see  that  the  Rus- 
sian projects  and  those  which  the  English  may  make  from 
Q  i/  Botany  Bay,  Avhich  they  have  colonized,  already  menace  us." 
It  was,  then,  he  said,  to  dissipate  for  the  future  the  dor- 
mant possibilities  of  the  present  that  he  was  taking  the 

«  'riie  ship  was  the  Columbia.      See  the  latter  part  of  this  chapter. 
"  That  of  Jonathan  Carver  from  Boston, 


JSrOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  303 

extraordinary  step  of  formally  occupying  the  port  of  Nootka 
Avithout  royal  authorization.'^ 

After  thus  setting  forth  to  the  Government  at  Madrid  the 
reasons  for  his  action,  the  Viceroy  outlined  the  plans  for  the 
expedition.  It  was  to  consist  of  the  two  vessels,  the  Prin- 
cesa  and  the  San  CarlosJ*  which  had  constituted  the  expedi- 
tion of  1788.  They  were  also  to  retain  the  same  officers — 
Martinez  as  commander,  and  Haro  subject  to  his  orders. 
They  were  to  sail  from  San  Bias  early  in  February.  A 
packet  boat  would  foHow  in  March  with  supplies  and  reen- 
forcements,  and  would  bring  back  an  account  of  the  occupa- 
tion. Later,  according  to  events,  explorations  of  the  coast  to 
the  nortliAvard  and  soutliAA'ard  Avould  be  made.  A  land  expe- 
dition AA^as  to  follow,  including  a  chief,  a  detachment  of 
troops,  missionaries,  colonists,  and  live  stock.'". 

Since  the  whole  of  tlie  Nootlva  alFair  grcAV  out  of  measures 
taken  by  Martinez  Aviiile  on  this  tri]),  it  is  Avortli  Avhile  to  ex- 
amine in  detail  the  instructions  under  Avhich  he  Avas  operat- 
ing. After  alhuling  to  the  liajipy  termination  of  Martinez's 
voyage  just  ended,  the  Viceroy  referred  to  the  Kussian  plans 
for  occuj^ying  Nootka  to  anticipate  the  English,  and  said 
"  these  designs  of  either  nation  ai-e  as  pernicious  to  our  coun- 
try as  their  claims  are  unfounded.''  The  Russian  connnand- 
ers  failed  to  explore  the  ports,  Florez  continued,  and  the 
English  captain.  Cook,  did  not  see  Xootka  until  1778,  four 
years  after  the  expedition  of  Perez  "  on  Avhicli  you  yourself 
Avent  as  second  i)ilot.  For  these  and  many  other  Aveighty 
reasons  our  just  and  superior  right  to  occupy  the  coasts  dis- 
covered to  the  northAvard  of  California  and  to  forbid  colonies 
of  other  nations  is  clear.  These  im|)ortant  objects,  indeed, 
are  embraced  in  the  delicate  expedition  Avhicli  I  now  place  in 
your  charge." 

The  folloAving  are  his  instructions: 

1.  The  two  vessels  and  their  coiimunulers  were  named. 

2.  They  were  to  have  the  same  officers  and  sailors  as  on  the  last 
voyage,  with  some  increase  of  troops,  and  an  armament  correspond- 

«  Florez  to  Vaidez,  Mexico,  December  28,  1788.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias, 
Seville,  90-3-18.) 

''  Son  Carlos  el  Filipino  seems  to  have  been  the  full  name.  It  is  here  and 
often  elsewhere  in  the  documents  spoken  of  simply  as  FA  Filiphio.  In  English 
writings  it  is  usually  called  the  San  Carlos. 

«  F"lorez  to  Vaidez,  Mexico,  December  28,  1788.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias, 
9(»-3-18.) 


304  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

ing  to  the  crew,  and  the  crew  were  to  be  drilled  in  the  use  of  that 
armament. 

3.  The  expedition  should  sail  not  later  than  February  15. 

4.  In  March  the  Aranzazu  should  follow  with  reenforcements  and 
supplies  for  Nootka,  as  well  as  other  settlements  of  New  California. 

5.  This  vessel  should  bring  back  an  account  of  what  should  have 
happened  and  an  estimate  of  the  necessary  supplies  and  reenforce- 
ments which  would  be  returned  by  it  or  by  the  Concepcion,  or  both. 

6.  A  plan  of  the  port  of  Nootka,  copied  from  Cook's  work,  was  to 
serve  as  a  guide. 

7.  Kindness,  voluntary  trade,  and  opportune  gifts  were  to  capture 
the  good  will  of  the  natives;  in  this  endeavor  the  discretion  of  the 
four  missionaries  was  to  be  used.  These  were  to  begin  at  once  to 
propagate  the  gospel. 

8.  A  formal  establishment  was  to  be  set  up  for  a  meeting  place  to 
treat  with  the  Indians  and  for  protection  from  the  weather  and 
from  enemies. 

0.  This  would  be  a  manifestation  of  Spanish  sovereignty.  Part  of 
the  people  were  to  be  kept  in  this  during  the  day,  but  returned  to 
the  ship  at  night  for  greater  security. 

10.  "  If  Russian  or  English  vessels  should  arrive,  you  will  receive 
their  commanders  with  the  politeness  and  kind  treatment  which  the 
existing  peace  demands  ;  but  you  will  show  the  just  ground  for  our 
establishment  at  Nootka,  the  superior  right  which  we  have  for  con- 
tinuing such  establishments  on  the  whole  coast,  and  the  measures 
which  our  superior  Government  is  taking  to  carry  this  out,  such  as 
sending  by  land  expeditions  of  troops,  colonists,  and  missionaries, 
to  attract  and  convert  the  Indians  to  the  religion  and  the  mild 
dominion  of  our  august  Sovereign." 

31.  "All  this  you  ought  to  explain  with  prudent  firmness,  but  with- 
out being  led  into  harsh  expressions  which  may  give  serious  offense 
and  cause  a  rupture ;  but  if,  in  spite  of  the  greatest  efforts,  the  for- 
eigners should  attempt  to  use  force,  you  will  repel  it  to  the  extent 
that  they  employ  it,  endeavoring  to  prevent  as  far  as  possible  their 
intercourse  and -commerce  witli  the  natives." 

12.  "  For  use  with  the  Russians,  you  will  keep  in  mind  and  avail 
yourself  of  the  well-founded  political  reasons  for  Spain's  being  in 
intimate  friendship  with  their  sovereign  Empress,  viz,  that  the  ships 
of  that  nation,  both  naval  and  merchant,  are  admitted  to  the  Spanish 
ports  of  the  Mediterranean  and  given  such  assistance  as  they  may 
need,  without  which  tliey  could  not  subsist  in  those  seas ;  that  conse- 
quently it  would  be  a  grave  offense  for  the  vessels  of  His  Catholic 
Majesty  to  suffer  hostilities  in  America  at  the  hands  of  the  Russians, 
furnishing  just  cause  for  a  breach  between  two  friendly  powers ;  and 
that  in  this  case  Spain  would  count  on  the  powerful  support  of  her 
French  ally,  besides  withdrawing  from  Russia  the  privilege  of  obtain- 
ing supplies  in  the  Mediterranean  at  a  time  when  she  finds  herself 
engaged  in  war  with  the  Turks,  with  Sweden,  and  possibly  with 
Denmark." 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  305 

13.  "  To  the  English  you  will  demonstrate  clearly  and  with  estab- 
lished in-oofs  that  our  discoveries  anticipated  those  of  Cai)tain  Cook, 
since  he  reached  Nootka,  according  to  his  own  statement,  in  March 
of  the  year  1778,  where  he  purchased  (as  he  relates  in  Chapter  I, 
book  4,  page  45,  of  his  work)«  the  two  silver  spoons  which  the  Indians 
stole  from  yourself  in  1774." 

14.  "  You  will  have  more  weighty  arguments  to  offer  to  vessels  of 
the  Independent  American  Colonies,  should  they  appear  on  the  coasts 
of  northern  California,  which  hitherto  has  not  known  their  shii)s. 
However,  by  a  letter  of  the  most  excellent  Sefior  Viceroy  of  I'eru,  it 
is  known  that  a  frigate,  which  is  said  to  belong  to  General  Washing- 
ton,^  sailed  from  Boston,  in  September  of  1787,  with  the  intention  of 
approaching  the  said  coasts,  that  a  storm  obliged  her  to  stop  in  dis- 
tress at  the  islands  of  Juan  Fernandez,  and  that  she  continued  lier 
course  after  being  relieved." 

15.  "  In  case  you  are  able  to  encounter  this  Bostonian  frigate  or 
the  small  boat  which  accompanied  her,  but  was  separated  in  the 
storm,  this  will  give  you  governmental  authority  to  take  such  meas- 
ures as  you  may  be  able  and  such  as  appear  proper,  giving  tliem  to 
understand,  as  all  other  foreigners,  that  our  settlements  are  being 
extended  to  beyond  Prince  Williams  Sound,  of  which  we  have  already 
taken  formal  possession,  as  well  as  of  tlie  adjacent  islands,  viz,  in 
177!)." 

10.  A  i)lan  of  I'rince  Williams  Sound  was  inclosed,  for  it  was 
intended  that  a  careful  survey  of  the  entire  coast  should  be  made 
between  it  and  Nootka. 

17.  The  Sun  Carlo.s  was  to  make  this  expedition  after  the  establish- 
ment at  Nootka  should  b(^  completed. 

18,  19.  Instructions  for  the  exploration. 

20.  The  coast  from  San  Francisco  to  Nootka  was  to  be  explored 
in  like  manner,  the  latter  port  being  the  rendezvous.  The  Viceroy 
would  do  all  he  could  to  contribute  to  the  welfare  of  the  enterprise 
thus  placed  under  Martinez's  charge. 

21.  (ireat  care  was  enjoined  in  the  treatment  of  the  Indians  and 
of  any  establishments  or  vessels  of  foreign  nations  that  might  be 
encountered. 

22.  The  means  to  be  employed  to  preserve  health. 

23.  Good  wishes  for  Divine  favor  and  for  the  success  of  the  voyage. 

As  an  argument  for  use  with  the  English,  in  addition  to 
what  he  had  given  in  section  13,  the  Viceroy  added,  in  a 
postscript,  reference  to  the  instructions  given  by  the  Eng- 


«  This  reference  to  Cook's  Voyaj?es  reads  :  "  But  what  was  most  singular, 
two  silver  tablespoons  were  purchased  from  them,  which,  from  their  peculiar 
shape,  we  supposed  to  l-e  of  Spanish  manufacture." 

'' An  obvious  erroi*,  since  General  Washington  had  nothing  to  do  with  it. 
This  was  the  Columbia.  Her  consort  was  the  fjudij  Wasihini/ton.  Confusion 
arising  from  the  name  of  the  latter  perhaps  caused  the  error. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 20 


O 


u 


306  AMERICAN    HIRTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

lish  Admiralty  to  Captain  Cook,  July  G,  1776.  Cook,  he 
said,  was  not  to  touch  at  any  port  in  the  Spanish  domin- 
ions on  the  west  coast  of  America  imless  forced  by  unavoid- 
able accident,  in  which  case  he  was  not  to  remain  longer 
than  absolutely  necessary,  and  Avas  to  avoid  giving  the 
least  cause  for  complaint  to  any  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
country  or  to  vessels  of  His  Catholic  Majesty." 

The  vessels  sailed  from  San  Bias  February  17,  1789.^ 
These  instructions,  as  well  as  those  given  to  the  English  expe- 
dition of  the  same  year,  look  toward  a  permanent  establish- 
ment at  Nootka,  which  was  to  be  used  as  a  basis  for  future 
operations  on  the  coast.  Each  expedition  Avas  sent  without 
any  knowledge  that  the  other  was  even  thought  of.  The  in- 
structions given  to  the  connnander  of  each  were  such  as  to 
leave  no  doubt  in  his  mind  as  to  his  perfect  right  to  carry 
them  out.  It  was  impossible  for  both  to  obey;  hence  a  clash 
Avas  inevitable.  Before  studying  the  occiu'iiences  at  Nootka  a 
brief  examination  should  be  made  of  the  conflicting  claims, 
Avith  an  attempt  to  discover  th(^,  respective  rights  in  the 
spring  of  1780  before  either  expedition  reached  the  common 
destination. 

The  first  Englishman  known  to  have  visited  Nootka  Sound 
is  Capt.  James  Cook.  In  the  spring  of  1778  he  spent  the 
month  of  April  in  the  somid,  Avhich  he  explored  and  mapped 
carefully;  and,  being  unable  to  learn  that  any  European  had 
before  visited  this  particular  part  of  the  coast,  he  gaA^e  it  the 
name  of  King  Georges  Sound,  but  later  concluded  that  it 
Avould  be  better  to  call  it  by  the  native  name  Nootka.  He 
obtained  supplies  of  Avater,  Avood,  fish,  etc.  The  natives  were 
friendly  to  him,  and  he  found  among  them  several  articles, 
including  the  Iavo  silver  spoons  mentioned  in  the  above  in- 
structions, Avhich,  together  Avith  the  conduct  of  the  natives, 
indicated  that  Europeans  had  previously  been  somewhere  in 

"  Florez  to  Martinez,  Mexico,  December  23,  1788.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-18.)  In  the  above  transcript  of  the  instructions,  sec- 
tions 10  to  15,  inclusive,  are  quoted  in  full  since  they  were  intended  to  guide 
Martinez  in  his  intercourse  with  foreigners.  It  will  be  interesting  later  to 
compare  his  actions  with  these  instructions.  Only  the  substance  of  the  other 
sections  is  given,  since  they  have  no  important  bearing  on  the  subject. 

"  Instrumento  de  posesion,  .Tune  24,  1789.  (Id.)  Revilla-Gigedo  in  his 
Informe  gives  the  date  February  19  for  the  departure  from  San  Bias.  (See 
Bustamante  [Cavo],  Los  Tres  Siglos,  III,  127.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  307 

the  neighborhood,  at  least.  No  mention  is  made  of  his  hav- 
ing taken  possession  of  the  place  for  England."  It  seems 
that  the  Englishmen  who  were  interested  in  the  expedition 
of  1789  had  no  knowledge  that  any  European  had  visited 
the  place  earlier  than  this  visit  of  Cai)tain  Cook.'^  If  they 
had  such  knowledge,  they  intentionally  ignored  it.  This 
Avas  looked  upon  as  a  real  discovery  and  it  was  assumed  that 
thereby  England  acquired  such  rights  as  disco^'ery  can  giv^c. 
Although  Sir  Erancis  Drake's  landing  on  the  California 
coast  in  1570  was  mentioned,^'  yet  it  seems  not  to  luive  been 
looked  upon  as  of  very  nuich  value  in  establishing  a  chiim, 
and,  of  course,  Avas  not  so  far  north.  During  the  years  sub- 
sequent to  1785  English  trading  shi])s  frequently  visited 
Nootka.  Although  they  were  purely  private  undertakings, 
this  fact  had  considerable  value  in  strengthening  the  English 
claim,  since  they  tended  to  develoj)  the  resources  of  the  coun- 
try. The  details  of  these  voyages  are  not  in  place  here.'* 
These,  then,  constitute  the  ground  for  the  English  claim  up 
to  the  visit  of  Meares  in  1788  and  his  erection  of  a  house  and 
building  of  a  ship,  which  were  treated  in  the  last  chapter. 

It  was  clearly  brought  out  in  the  diplomatic  contest  of 
1790  that  a  Spanish  expedition  had  examined  with  some 
care  the  whole  coast  up  to  about  55°,  and  had  spent  some 
time  in  this  very  port  of  Nootka  or  its  immediate  neighbor- 
hood four  years  before  Captain  Cook's  visit.  After  the 
Spanish  explorations  of  the  sixteenth  century,  which  had 
extended  some  distance  up  the  California  coast,  there  was  a 
long  period  of  inactivity  in  this  part  of  the  world  due  to 
the  decay  of  the  Government  at  home.  AVhen  the  tempo- 
rary revival  of  national  life  came  under  Charles  III  there 
was  also  a  revival  of  exploring  enterprises  on  the  Avestern 
coast  of  America.  Word  reached  Madrid  through  the 
Spanish   ambassador  at  St.   Petersburg  that  the   Russians 

"Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  170-172;  Greenhow,  Oregon  and  California, 
151-153;   Cambridge  Modern  History,  VIII,  281). 

"Deposition  of  tiie  officers  and  men  of  the  Northwest  America.  (Inclosure 
X,  with  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages.)  They  say  that  the  sound 
was  discovered  by  the  late  Capt.  James  Coolc.  Similar  statements  are  made 
elsewhere. 

<^  Instructions  of  the  Merchant  Proprietors  to  John  Meares.  (Meares,  Voy- 
ages, Appendix  I.) 

■^  Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  173-181,  gives  an  account  of  the  most 
important. 


0 


308  AMERICAN    HISTORIC A.L    ASSOCIATION. 

were  making  settlements  on  the  American  coast  north  of 
California.  In  consequence  of  royal  orders  issued  the  pre- 
vious year,  an  expedition,  under  the  connnand  of  Juan  Perez, 
was  sent  from  Mexico  in  1774  to  investigate.  He  had  orders 
to  examine  the  coast  as  high  as  G0°,  but  did  not  get  beyond 
55°.  As  he  was  returning  he  anchored  early  in  August  in  a 
j:)ort  which  he  called  San  Lorenzo,  and  which  was  later 
identified  with  Nootka  Sound.  Some  question  was  raised 
as  to  its  identity,  but  there  seems  to  be  little  doubt.  The 
latitude  agrees  very  closely — too  closely,  Bancroft  says.  The 
anchorage  must  have  been  in  the  immediate  neighborhood." 
Revilla-Gigedo  says  it  is  believed  that  the  commander  took 
possession  of  Nootka,  but  Bancroft,  who  examined  the 
diaries,  asserts  that  he  did  not  land  anywhere  to  take  pos- 
session for  Spain.  Martinez,  who  became  so  important  in 
the  expedition  of  1789,  Avas  second  pilot  on  this  expedition 
of  Perez.  It  was  while  at  San  Lorenzo  in  1774  that  the  two 
silver  spoons  were  stolen  from  him  by  the  Indians.  They 
are  frequently  mentioned  in  the  Spanish  manuscripts,  and 
are  acce])ted  as  proof  positive  that  this  expedition  was  at 
Nootka,  and  as  thereby  proving  the  superiority  of  the 
Spanish  claim.''    . 

In  1775,  the  next  year  after  Perez's  voyage,  another  was 
made  by  Heceta  [Ezeta]  with  Quadra  accompanying  in 
a  small  vessel.  The  former  approached  the  coast  in  the 
region  of  Nootka,  but  did  not  enter,  thereupon  turning  his 
course  southward.  Quadra,  in  the  little  vessel,  pressed  on- 
ward to  about  the  fifty-eighth  degree.  This  expedition  made 
landings  and  took  formal  possession  for  Spain  of  at  least 
three  points  beteween  47°  and  58°.^  In  1779  a  third 
expedition  sailed  from  Mexico  to  explore  the  coast  still 
farther  north.  It  reached  the  sixty-first  degree,  Prince 
William  Sound.'^     By  these  three  expeditions  the  Spanish 

"  Informe  of  Revilla-CJigedo,  Bustamante  (Cavo),  Los  Tres  Siglos,  III,  117- 
119.  This  gives  a  brief  description  of  Mie  voyage  aud  the  steps  leading  to  it. 
Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  14r)-l.">8,  gives  a  description  based  on  the 
diaries  of  the  voyage.     Groenhow,  Oregon  and  California,  also  describes  it. 

"Florez  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  December  23,  1788.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias, 
Seville,  00-3-18.)  See  also  above  transcript  of  the  instructions  of  Florez  to 
Martinez. 

'^  Revilla-(Jigedo,  Informe,  Bustamante  (Cavo),  Los  Tres  Siglos,  II,  199; 
Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  158-100,  gives  a  full  account. 

••  Id.,  172. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  309 

Government  cansidered  that  this  entire  coast  from  California 
northward  had  been  sufficiently  explored  and  that  formal 
possession  had  been  taken  at  enough  places  to  establish  thor- 
oughly the  Spanish  claim.  So  a  royal  order  Avas  given  in 
1780  that  voyages  for  this  purj:)ose  should  cease." 

The  first  two  of  these  Spanish  voyages  were  earlier  than 
that  of  Captain  Cook  and  included  practically  all  that  he 
explored,  though  they  did  not  examine  it  so  thorouglily. 
Hence,  as  far  as  discovery  alone  is  concerned,  these  should 
have  given  Spain  rights  superior  to  any  that  England 
could  have  acquired  b}^  Cook's  enterprise,  not  only  to  Xootka 
Sound,  but  to  the  Avhole  of  the  Northwest  Coast,  l^ut, 
unfortunately  for  the  Spanish  claim,  there  is  a  serious  flaw 
in  the  title  at  this  point,  arising  from  the  fact  tluit  the 
results  of  these  voyages  were  not  ]:>ublished,  except  in  brief 
accounts.''  It  is  a  serious  question  Avliether  a  discovery 
which  was  not  made  known  to  tlie  world  could  give  a  claim 
superior  to  one  gained  by  a  subsequent  voyage  whose  results 
were  made  known.  Tveascm  and  justice  would  seem  to  say 
it  could  not.  But,  !)esides  these  explorations,  Spain  still 
clung  in  theory  at  least  to  her  ancient  claiui  to  sovereignty 
over  the  entire  American  contin(^nt  west  of  the  line  drawn 
by  the  treaty  of  Tordesillas  (lllM),  and  sanctioned  by  Pope 
Alexander  VT,  who  had  drawn  the  arbitrary  line  the  pre- 
vious year,  dividing  the  world  between  Spain  and  Portugal. 
Only  as  a  matter  of  necessity  had  she  gradually  conceded 
the  right  of  other  nations  to  occupy  the  eastern  coast  of 
North  America,  and  for  the  same  reason  had  recently  con- 
ceded the  Russian  control  of  the  western  coast  down  to 
Prince  William  Sound.  This  is  illustrated  by  the  facts 
arising  out  of  the  forced  entrance  of  the  American  ship, 
Colvmhia^  into  a  port  of  the  islands  of  Juan  Fernandez  in 
1788,  referred  to  in  the  instructions  of  the  Viceroy  to  Mar- 
tinez above.  . 

The  Spanish  governor  of  the  islands,  Bias  Gonzales,  after 
relieving  the  vessel's  distress,  had  allowed  it  to  go  on  its  Avay 
to  the  Nortlnvest  Coast,  knowing  its  destination.^     For  this 


»  Informe  of  Revilla-Gigedo,  Bustnmante  (Cavo),  Los  Ties  Sislos,  111,  lli:^; 
Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  172. 

''Cook,  Voynjjos,  II,  XVl,  says:  "Some  account  of  a  Spanish  voyajie  to  (his 
coast  in  1774  or  177.")  had  readied  Eni^land  lieforo  I  sailed,  hnt  the  foiM-^oin-;- 
circumstances  sufficiently  prove  that  these  ships  had  not  l)een  at  Nootka." 

*■  Bias  (Jonzales  to  Juan  Kendrick.  Isla  de  .Tuan  Fernandez,  .Tune  3,  17S'J 
[1788].   ■  (MS.  Arch.  (ien.  de  Indias,  Seville,  {)()-.'i-18.) 


u 


310  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

act  he  had  been  summoned  before  the  captain-general  of 
Chile  and  cashiered.  The  captain-general  was  supported  by 
the  Viceroy  of  Peru  and  apparently  bj^  the  home  Govern- 
ment." This  harsh  treatment  was  based  on  a  royal  decree 
of  1692,  ordering  all  viceroys,  governors,  etc.,  to  prevent  for- 
eign ships  from  navigating  the  south  sea  Avithout  permission 
from  Spain,^  since  no  other  nation  had,  or  ought  to  have, 
any  territories  which  it  was  necessary  for  them  to  pass 
around  Cape  Horn  to  reach.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  this 
claim  was  not  respected  by  other  governments.  The  Vice- 
roy's assertion  of  the  right  of  Spain  to  occupy  the  coasts  and 
exclude  colonies  of  other  nations,  quoted  above  from  his 
instructions  to  Martinez,  is  another  evidence.  It  had  long 
been  conceded  by  other  nations  that  discovery  alone,  or  even 
discovery  with  formal  acts  of  taking  possession,  can  not  give 
a  valid  title.  It  is  essential  that  some  effort  be  made  to 
use  the  land  discovered  and  to  develop  its  resources;  and, 
before  the  claim  is  fully  established,  actual  and  continued 
possession  must  be  taken. 

With  discovery,  exploration,  and  formal  acts  of  possession 
Spanish  activity  ceased,  there  being  no  serious  effort  to  make 
any  use  of  the  territory  in  the  way  of  trade,  and  no  steps 
being  taken  to  occupy  the  country  until  they  Avere  aroused 
to  do  so  by  reports  coming  from  the  north  in  lTvS8  that  the 
Russians  were  intending  to  occupy.  In  other  words,  either 
from  lack  of  enterprise  or  from  policy,  the  Spanish  did  not 
seem  to  care  to  develop  the  country  or  make  any  use  of  it 
themselves,  but  did  wish  to  prevent  any  other  people  from 
doing  so.  Their  reason  for  this  policy  of  obstruction  was 
probably  an  idle  pride  in  retaining  a  shadowy  sovereignty 
over  this  vast  territory ;  or,  possibly,  a  wish  to  retain  it  as  a 
field  for  future  enterprise;  or,  more  likely,  the  hope  of  being 
able  to  control  the  Pacific  outlet  of  any  water  passage  to  the 
Atlantic  that  might  later  be  discovered  along  this  coast.  In 
the  face  of  modern  national  enterprise,  something  more  tan- 
gible was  necessary  in  order  to  retain  control. 

«  Bias  fionzales  later  appealed  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States  to 
intercede  in  his  behalf,  and  Jefferson,  the  Secretary  of  State,  tooli  up  the 
matter.  This  will  be  referred  to  later.  (See  Jefferson  to  Carmichael,  April 
11,  1790,  Writings  V,  155.) 

"Royal  order  of  November  25,  1692,  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville, 
90-3-14  ;    Greenbow,  Oregon  and  California,  1S4.) 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  311 

The  English  people,  not  from  any  fixed  national  policy, 
but  from  individual  initiative,  were  taking  these  necessary 
steps  and  the  Government  was  practically  compelled  to  fol- 
low them  up.  As  soon  as  Captain  Cook's  vo3^age  of  1778  had 
made  known  to  the  English  people  the  possibilities  of 
the  fur  trade  in  this  region,  shipowners  immediately  turned 
their  attention  thither.  Between  1785  and  1790  no  fewer 
than  12  or  15  British  vessels  visited  the  coast  to  trade  with 
the  natives,  several  of  them  making  return  voyages,  and  most 
of  them  making  shorter  or  lon^'er  stops  at  Xootka."  As  has 
been  stated,  steps  were  taken  from  the  very  first  to  estab- 
lish a  post  at  Nootka  as  a  center  for  these  trading  operations. 
A  temporary  one  was  actually  set  up  by  Meares  in  1788,  and 
an  expedition  was  sent  out  for  the  purpose  of  making  this 
permanent  the  following  year.  Thus,  up  to  1789,  the  Eng- 
lish were  exercising  more  control  over  the  region  than  the 
Spanish.  Had  the  English  plans  of  this  year  not  miscarried, 
and  had  the  Spanish  expedition  of  tlie  same  year  not  been 
sent,  the  question  as  to  the  respective  rights,  at  least  to 
Nootka  and  the  immediate  neighborhood,  would  probably 
never  seriously  have  been  raised. 


«  See  Rjizon  de  las  Embarcaciones  que  ban  heclio  Desciil)i'imento  al  Norte  de 
California.  Firinado  al)ordo  de  la  J'rai^ala  PriuccHa  en  el  Puerto  de  San 
Lorenzo  de  Nutca  a  l.'i  de  Julio  de  17S9,  Estevan  Jose  Martinez.  (MS.  Arch. 
Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-18;  Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  Clis.  VI,  VII.) 


Chapter  IV. 


ARRIVAL. 


It  Avas  on  the  oth  «  of  May,  1789,  that  the  Spanish  ship 
anchored  in  Friendly  CoA^e  of  Nootka  Sound  bearing  Mar- 
tinez Avith  his  instructions  for  occupying  the  port  and 
phmting  a  permanent  colony  that  should  be  a  substantial 
proof  of  the  Spanish  claim  and  serve  as  a  center  for  spread- 
ing Spanish  sovereignty  over  all  the  coast.  Just  ten  days 
before  this  ^  Colnett  had  sailed  from  China  with  instructions 
and  equipment  to  make  it  an  English  port.^  During  the 
next  two  months,  while  the  Englishman  was  crossing  the 
Pacific,  the  Spaniard  was  making  good  use  of  the  time. 
When  the  latter  reached  Nootka  there  seems  to  have  been.no 
visible  sign  that  the  English  had  ever  occupied  the  place  or 
even  intended  to  occupy  it.  The  only  evidence  of  civiliza- 
tion was  one  vessel  under  a  Portuguese  captain  with  Portu- 
guese instructions  and  a  Portuguese  flag.  It  soon  became 
known  that  there  was  also  an  American  ship  a  few  miles 
away  up  the  sound. 

It  has  never  been  conclusively  proved  that  the  house  which 
Men  res  built  the  summer  before  had  entirely  disappeared. 
In  a  letter  written  three  years  later  to  the  Spanish  com- 

«  This  is  the  date  according  to  tlie  Spanish  documents.  The  English  give 
May  0.  This  difference  of  one  day  between  the  English  and  Spanish  dates 
for  the  events  at  Nootka  continues  during  the  summer  of  1789.  For  some 
time  no  explanation  appeared.  But  Prof.  C.  II.  Hull  suggested  that  it  was 
probably  due  to  the  fact  that  the  English  vessels  came  from  Europe  by  way  of 
China,  while  the  Spanish  came  from  Mexico.  Since  the  present  custom  of 
dropping  a  day  from  or  adding  one  to  the  calendar  in  mid-Pacific,  or  upon 
crossing  the  international  date  line,  was  apparently  not  observed  at  that 
time,  the  suggestion  seems  to  be  a  plausible  explanation.  On  the  strength 
of  it  the  Spanish  dates  have  been  adopted  instead  of  the  English.  Since  all 
previous  writers  in  English  have  given  the  dates  according  to  the  English 
documents,  the  dates  given  in  this  monograph  will  disagree  with  those  of  all 
previous  accounts. 

''  Meares,  Voyages,  lOG. 

'•  See  Chapter  11,  ante. 

312 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVEESY.  313 

mandant  at  that  time  the  American  captains,  who  had  spent 
the  winter  of  1788-89  at  Nootka,  dechired  that  when  Mar- 
tinez arrived  there  was  no  trace  of  Meares's  house  in  the 
cove;  that  there  had  been  a  house,  or  rather  a  hut,  when 
they  arrived  in  the  fall,  but  that,  prior  to  his  sailing  for  the 
Sandwich  Islands,  C.'aptain  Douglas  had  pulled  it  to  pieces, 
had  taken  the  boards  on  board  the  I phigeitid,  and  had  given 
the  roof  to  Captain  Kendrick,  Avho  had  used  it  as  firewood.^ 

While  there  is  no  proof  that  the  statement  of  these  gentle- 
men is  not  true,  yet  they  were  too  plainly  prejudiced  in 
favor  of  the  Spanish  to  permit  their  testimony  to  be  taken 
for  its  full  face  value  in  the  absence  of  anv  corroboratinir 
evidence.  There  is,  however,  some  indirect  evidence  to  suj)- 
port  their  statement,  and  its  value  is  the  greater  because  of 
its  being  indirect,  and  still  greater  because  it  comes  from  the 
side  of  the  English  to  whose  interest  it  Avould  have  been  to 
maintain  the  contrary.  This  appears  in  the  extract  which 
Meares  quotes  from  the  journal  of  the  IphUjenia.  In  the 
entry  made  two  days  after  his  return  fi-om  the  Sandwich 
Islands  and  tAvo  weeks  before  the  arrival  of  Martinez  the 
writer  says :  "  |  We]  sent  souie  sails  on  shore  and  erected  a 
tent  to  ])ut  our  empty  casks  in.''  '^ 

If  their  house  had  still  been  standing  they  would  doubtless 
have  used  it  for  this  purpose  instead  of  erecting  the  tent. 
Further,  the  fact  that  no  mention  is  made  of  the  house  in 
this  journal  is  j^retty  conclusive  i^roof  that  it  was  not  in 
existence  on  their  arrival.  Meares's  narrative  of  the  dej)ar- 
ture  of  the  Iphujerini  in  the  preceding  autumn  is  silent  on 
the  subject.  In  fact,  there  is  no  statement  made  even  in 
Meares's  memorial  that  his  house  was  still  standing;  but 
the  memorial  is  so  written,  doubtless  intentionally,  that  the 
casual  reader  would  infer  that  the  house  was  still  there  and 
that  evidences  of  English  occupation  were  unquestionable. 
This  is  doubtless  what  has  led  most  historians  who  have 
touched  upon  the  subject,  among  whom  are  some  of  the  best, 
into  the  error  of  implying  or  openly  declaring  that  there  was 

'•Gray  and  In^vaham  to  Quadra.  Nootka  Sound,  August  8,  1792.  (Appendix 
to  Greenhow,  Oregon  and  California.)  Quadra  was  the  Spanish  commis- 
sioner sent  in  1792  to  carry  out  tlie  Nootka  convention,  and  was  collecting 
evidence  to  strengthen  the  Spanish  case. 

''Extract  from  the  journal  of  tlie  IphUjenin,  entry  for  May  22.  (Inclosure 
XII,  with  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages.) 


G 


314  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

a  substantial  English  colony  when  the  Spanish  expedition 
arrived." 

It  was  also  this  failure  of  Meares  to  tell  the  whole  truth 
that  led  the  British  Parliament  and  ministry  into  the  error 
of  believing  that  their  rights  to  the  place  were  unquestion- 
able and  that  the  conduct  of  the  Spanish  commandant  was 
little  better  than  high-handed  robbery.^  It  is,  then,  pretty 
safe  to  assert  that  there  was  no  indication  whatever  of 
English  occupation  when  Martinez  arrived,  and  that  he  was 
consequently  perfectly  justified  in  taking  possession  for  Spain 
and  in  maintaining  his  position  by  force  if  it  should  become 
necessary.  The  question,  therefore,  is  not,  Was  he  justified 
in  his  first  act?  but,  AVere  his  subsequent  acts  of  violence 
necessary  to  maintain  his  position  ? 

Captain  Kendrick,  of  the  American  ship  Columhia^  which 
Martinez  found  at  Nootka,  and  Captain  Gray,  of  her  con- 
sort, the  Lady   Washingto7i^  which  was  out  on  a  trading 

«  See  Lecky,  England  in  the  Eighteenth  Century,  V,  206-207,  who  says  : 
"  The  Spaniards  had  never  penetrated  to  it,  but  by  virtue  of  a  bull  of  Alex- 
ander VI  they  claimed  a  sovereignty  over  all  lauds  comprised  between  Cape 
Horn  and  the  sixtieth  degree  of  north  latittide  ;  in  other  words,  the  entire 
western  coast  of  both  South  and  North  America,  and  when,  after  a  consider- 
able interval,  they  discovered  the  existence  of  a  British  settlement  in  these 
parts  they  determined  to  suppress  it.  Two  Spanish  ships  of  war  accordingly 
hastened  to  Nootka  Sound,  took  possession  of  the  British  settlement,  hauled 
down  the  British  flag,  replaced  it  by  the  flag  of  Spain,  captured  four  English 
vessels,  and  treated  their  crews  with  extreme  harshness  and  indignity."  His 
failure  to  investigate  the  subject  is  further  shown  by  his  statement  in  the 
next  sentence:  "These  events  took  place  in  April  of  17S9."  This  error  in 
date  is  doubtless  derived  from  the  indefinite  statement  of  the  date  in  Article 
I  of  the  Nootka  convention  of  October  28.  1700. 

Worthington  C.  Ford,  Ignited  States  and  Spain  in  1790,  p.  18,  is  still  fur- 
ther in  error.  lie  s:iys  :  "  The  Spaniards  had  laid  claim  to  nearly  the  whole 
of  the  western  coast  of  America,  from  Cape  Horn  to  the  sixtieth  degree  of 
north  latitude,  and  had  watched  with  a  feeling  of  jealousy,  aggravated  by  a 
sense  of  injury,  the  establishment  of  a  British  settlem.ent  in  Nootka  Sound, 
on  Vancouvers  Island.  This  inlet  of  the  sea  had  been  first  explored  by  Cap- 
tain Cook  in  one  of  his  voyages,  and  on  the  establishment  of  the  English  in 
India  became  a  trading  station,  colonized  by  the  English  and  recognized  by 
grants  of  land  from  the  natives.  After  three  years  of  undisturbed  possession 
the  little  settlement  was  surprised  by  the  arrival  of  two  Spanish  ships  of  war 
from  Mexico,  which  seized  an  English  merchant  vessel,  the  Iphic/cnia,  impris- 
oned her  crew,  looted  the  vessel,  and  pulling  down  the  British  flag  on  the  set- 
tlement raised  that  of  Spain,  and  subsequently  treated  all  comers  as  in- 
truders." 

Baumgarten,  Geschichte  Spaniens  zur  Zeit  der  franzoesischen  Revolution, 
282,  after  speaking  of  the  arrival  of  Martinez  and  his  seizure  of  the  Iphigenia, 
says  :  "  Martinez  ergriff  darauf  Besitz  von  einer  der  kleinen  Inseln,  erbaute 
auf  derselben  eine  Batterie,  bemaechtigte  sich  der  englischen  Gebaeude,  nahm 
die  britische  Plagge  herunter  and  pflanzte  die  spanische  auf." 

*  See  discussion  of  the  negotiations  of  1790  below. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  315 

cruise  at  the  time,  were  slightly  involved  in  the  relations 
between  the  Spanish  and  P^nglish  commanders.  But  the 
vessel  under  Portuguese  colors  furnishes  the  center  of  inter- 
est for  the  first  montli  of  Spanish  occupation. 

This  vessel  was  the  Iphigenla^  which  had  sailed  from 
China  in  company  Avith  the  Felice^  under  Captain  Meares,  in 
the  spring  of  1788,  but  which  liad  separated  from  the  latter 
vessel,  had  spent  the  summer  in  trading  on  the  coast  of  Alaska 
and  had  rejoined  her  consort  in  the  autmnn  at  Xootka,  where 
they  again  separated,  the  Felice.,  under  Meares,  sailing  for 
China  with  the  furs  collected  by  both  vessels,  and  the  I plii- 
genia,  under  Douglas,  accompanied  by  the  small  vessel,  the 
Northwest  Ame7nea,  built  at  Nootka  during  the  sununer, 
going  for  the  Avinter  to  the  SandAvich  Islands."  Returning 
to  the  American  coast  in  the  spring  of  1781),  the  Iphujenla 
had  reached  Nootka  sixteen  days  before  the  arrival  of  Mar- 
tinez. Four  days  after  her  the  little  A^essel,  her  consort, 
arrived,  and  preparations  Avere  immediately  made  to  send 
the  latter  out  on  a  trading  cruise,  that  they  might  not  be 
Avorsted  in  competition  by  the  American  sloop,  the  Tjadij 
Washington.,  Avhich  had  just  returned  from  a  six  Aveeks' 
cruise  to  the  southward  and  Avould  soon  set  out  on  a  similar 
trip  to  the  nortliAvard.  In  four  days  more  the  necessary  re- 
pairs Avere  made,  and  on  Aj^ril  27  the  North irest  An}erie((  set 
out  to  trade  Avith  the  natives  to  the  northward,''  not  returning, 
and  consequently  not  being  of  any  further  interest  for  six 
Aveeks,  at  the  end  of  Avhich  time  she  assumes  considerable 
importance. 

The  double  national  character  of  the  expedition  to  Avhich 
the  Ipliigenia  belonged  has  already  l)een  discussed.'^  When, 
on  May  5,  the  Spanish  ship  appeared,  it  Avas  evidently 
thought  better — for  reasons  Avhich  are  not  disclosed — to 
present  the  appearance  of  a  Portuguese  rather  than  an 
English  ship.  During  the  first  fcAv  days  all  of  the  com- 
manders seem  to  haA^e  been  on  the  best  of  terms.  According 
to  the  journal  of  the  Iphigema^  Douglas  Avas  invited  to  dine 
on  board  the  Spanish  ship  on  the  day  of  Martinez's  arrival. 

«  See  ante,  Chapter  II. 

«>  Extract  from  the  journal  of  the  Iphi(jenia.      (Inclosure  XII,  with  Meares, 
Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages.) 
«  See  ante.  Chapter  II. 


316  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Three  days  later  the  officers  of  the  Iphigenia  and  of  the 
Spanish  vessel  all  went  to  dine  with  Kendrick,  the  captain 
of  the  American  ship,  and  the  next  day  the  officers  of  the 
American  and  Spanish  ships  dined  on  board  the  Iphigenia. 

Thns,  up  to  the  9tli  of  May  the  utmost  harmony  prevailed. 
Donglas  had  acquainted  Martinez  with  the  distressed  condi- 
tion of  his  ship  and  the  latter  had  promised  to  relieve  him 
as  far  as  lay  in  his  power.  On  the  8th  the  Portii<^uese  in- 
structions and  passport  of  the  Iphigenia  had  been  pre- 
sented to  Martinez."  These  seem  to  be  Avhat  started  the 
difficulty.     In  his  account  to  the  Viceroy,  Martinez  says: 

On  my  arrival  in  it  [the  port  of  San  Lorenzo  de  Nootlca]  I  found 
a  l)ac'ket  boat,  with  its  (^aptain  (flag)  and  passport  of  the  I'ortuguese 
nation,  but  its  supercargo  (who  was  really  the  captain),  its  pilot, 
and  the  greater  part  of  its  crew  English.^ 

The  i)assport  was  signed  by  the  governor  and  captain- 
general  of  tlie  port  of  Macao,  in  China,  and  began: 

Be  it  known  that  from  the  port  of  this  city  is  sailing  for  the  coasts 
of  North  America  the  sloop  named  the  IpJiif/cnia  Nuhianti.  It  belongs 
to  Juan  Cai'valho,f  a  subject  of  the  same  master  of  this  i)ort,  and  is  of 
200  tons  burden,  having  artillery,  i)owder,  balls,  arms,  and  numitions 
necessary  for  its  defense,  and  carrying  as  its  captain  Francisco  Josef 
Viana,  also  a  subject  of  the  same  Crown,  and  of  conu)etent  ability.^ 

The  instructions  were  addressed  to  Viana,  captain  of  the 
sloop  Iphigenia  Nithiana^  and  signed  by  Juan  Carvalho. 
Besides  the  perplexity  of  the  double  nationality  of  the  vessel, 
Martinez's  suspicions  were  aroused  by  what  he  considered 
an  obnoxious  clause  in  the  instructions.     It  read: 

In  case  of  your  meeting  on  your  voyage  with  any  Russian,  Spanish, 
or  English  vessels,  you  will  treat  them  with  the  greatest  possible 
friendship  and  permit  them  (if  they  demand  it)  to  examine  your 
papers  that  they  may  see  the  object  of  your  voyage,  taking  care  at 
the  same  time  to  avoid  surprise,  if  they  should  attempt  to  divert  you 
from  your  voyage.  In  such  case  j^ou  will  resist  force  by  force  and 
protest  against  such  violent  and  illegal  proceedings  before  a  tribunal 
at  the  first  port  in  which  you  arrive,  giving  also  an  estimate  of  the 
value  of  the  ships  and  cargoes.     You  will  send  to  us  at  Macao  a  copy 

"  May  0,  according  to  the  English  account. 

''Martinez  to  Florez,  San  Lorenzo  de  Nootka,  .Tuly  1.3,  1789.  (MS.  Arch. 
Cen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  OO-^-lS.) 

'"Variously  spelled  in  the  documents — "  Cavallo,"  "  Carvallo,"  "  Caravallo," 
"  Caravalia,"  and  *'  Caravalho." 

''Spanish  translation  of  the  passport  of  the  Iphujenia,  signed  Macao,  Octo- 
ber 17,  1787.      rArch.  Gen.  d-  Indias,  Seville.  90-3-18.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  317 

of  said  protest,  with  a  narrative  of  all  that  shall  have  occurred,  and 
another  such  to  Francisco  Josef  Bandieras  and  Geroninio  Riheiro 
Nores,  our  corresi)ondents  at  Lisbon,  and  likewise  to  the  I'ortujiuese 
anil)assador,  at  the  Court  of  the  nation  of  the  a,u:i;ressor,  in  ord<n-  that 
our  Sovereipi  may  demand  satisfaction.  If,  perchance,  in  such  con- 
flict you  should  have  the  superiority,  you  will  take  possession  of  the 
vessel  and  its  caryjo,  conductinjij  them,  with  the  ofHcers,  to  ]Macao,  in 
order  that  tlK\v  may  he  condennied  as  legal  prize  and' the  ollicers  and 
crew  punished  as  pirates.* 

Rightly  or  >vroiigly,  Martinez  tlioiiglit  that  these  instruc- 
tions justified  Iiini  in  demanding  an  exj)huiation.  Since  tliis 
is  the  first  of  the  vessels  seized,  and  i)i  order  to  show  that  the 
Spanish  commander  considered  that  he  was  acting  under 
instructions  and  with  full  authority,  the  Avhole  of  the  first 
of  a  series  of  affidavits  regarding  the  affair  is  here  quoted: 

On  board  the  frigate  of  His  Majesty  n;imed  Our  Ladij  of  the  Rosarih 
alias  the  PriiiccfiU,  on  the  loth  ^  day  of  the  month  of  May,  ITSl),  1,  an 
ensign  of  the  royal  navy,  Don  Ksteban  Jose  ^Martinez,  appointed  com- 
mander in  chief  of  this  expedition  ])y  the  most  excellent  Senor  Vice 
roy  Don  INIanuel  Antonio  Florez  for  occu])ying  and  taking  i)ossession 
of  this  port  of  San  Lorenzo  de  Xootka,  where  I  am  anchored,  declare: 
That,  in  virtue  of  the  instructions  and  other  superior  orders,  dated 
the  23d  of  December  of  the  year  last  passed,  1788,  and  according  to  an 
order  of  His  Majesty  in  Arto.  17,  Tito.  H,  Trato.  (5.  of  the  royal  orders 
for  the  navy,  I  ought  to  order  and  have  ordered  to  appear  l>efore  me 
Don  Francisco  Josef  Viana,  an  inhabitant  of  Lisbon  and  cai)tain  of 
the  packet  boat  named  the  f/iJiifjriiia  XKhiaim.  coming  from  Macao, 
wdiich  I  found  on  the  oth  of  the  i)resent  month  anchoretl  in  this  afore- 
said port,  and  likewise  that  he  should  be  accomj)anied  by  the  so-called 
supercargo,  M.  William  Douglas,  in  order  that  each  one,  in  so  far  as 
he  is  involved,  may  vindicate  himself,  in  view  of  The  charges  which  I 
have  to  make  against  them,  according  to  the  cited  article  of  the  royal 
orders,  on  account  of  sections  18  and  11)  of  the  instructions  which  the 
said  captain  presented  to  me  on  the  8th  ot  the  present  month. 

This  aflidaAdt  w^as  signed  by  Martinez  before  the  notary, 
Canizares.  Follow^ing  it  is  one  by  the  interpreter  of  the  ex- 
pedition saying  that  he  delivered  the  above  order,  and  then 
comes  a  long  one  giving  an  accotmt  of  the  interview^  that  fol- 
lowed. 

Viana,  the  captain,  Douglas,  the  supercargo,  and  Adam- 
son,  the  first  pilot,  immediately  answered  the  summons,  and 
repaired  on  board  the  Princesa.     Martinez  began  by  demand- 


"  Spanish  translntion  of  the  Instructions  of  Carv.nlho  to  Vinna,  Macao,  Octo- 
ber 2'.\,  1788  [17871.      (MS.  Arch.  Oen.  de  India.s,  Seville,  90-3-18.) 
''May  14,  according  to  the  English  account,  is  the  date  usually  given. 


0 


318  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

ing  an  explanation  for  their  having  anchored  in  a  port  of  the 
Spanish  dominions  withont  a  license  from  that  Monarch. 
They  replied  that  they  were  there  in  virtue  of  their  passport 
from  the  governor  of  Macao;  that,  as  to  this  port's  belong- 
ing to  the  Spanish  dominions,  they  were  ignorant  of  it,  since 
the  fact  had  not  been  published  at  the  European  Courts;  and 
that  they  were  informed  by  the  first  article  of  their  instruc- 
tions that  this  coast  had  been  discovered  by  the  Portuguese 
Admiral  Fonte  in  1640.*  To  this  last  Martinez  responded 
that  Portugal  was  at  that  time  under  the  dominion  of  Spain. 
He  likewise  charged  them  to  tell  who  this  Carvalho  was  that 
had  given  such  despotic  instructions  as  the  minister  of  a  sov- 
ereign Avould  hardly  have  given;  to  which  they  answered 
that  he  Avas  the  OAvner  of  the  A^esscl.  He  then  charged  them 
Avith  articles  18  and  19  of  their  instructions  (the  objection- 
able clauses  quoted  above).  The}^  replied  that  the  articles 
in  (question  had  been  misinterpreted;  that  they  ordered 
Viana,  in  case  his  crcAV  nuitinied  and  he  met  Avith  the  A^essel 
of  a  foreign  nation,  to  appeal  to  that  vessel  for  assistance  in 
imprisoning  his  oAvn  crcAv  and  conducting  them  to  Macao, 
and  that  the  mutinous  crew  Avere  the  ones  to  be  punished  as 
pirates.  ^lartinez  insisted  that  this  Avas  not  the  true  import 
of  the  articles,  but  a  clumsy  pretext.  Considering  their  de- 
fense unsatisfactory,  according  to  the  cited  article  of  the  or- 
ders for  the  royal  navy,  Martinez  demanded  in  the  name  of 
the  King  that  they  should  surrender  themselves  as  prisoners 
\J  of  Avar.  The  affidavit  giving  account  of  this  Avas  signed  by 
Viana,  Douglas,  and  Martinez  before  Canizares.^ 

This  is  Martinez's  accoinit  of  the  arrest,  Avritten  at  the  time 
or  very  soon  thereafter,  since  it  bears  the  signature  of  Viana 
and  Douglas,  and  they  Avould  have  been  most  unlikely  to  sign 
it  if  they  had  not  been  compelled  to  do  so  while  in  captivity. 
It  is  A^ery  doubtful  whether  Martinez  was  truthful  in  his 
report  of  the  clumsy  fabrication  offered  by  Viana  and  Doug- 
las in  defense  of  the  objectionable  clause.  To  have  offered 
such,  expecting  it  to  be  belicA^ed,  they  woidd  have  had  to  be 
either  very  stupid  or  absolutely  certain  that  Martinez  and  all 
his  associates  Avere  entirely  ignorant  of  the  Portuguese  lan- 

"  Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  115-118,  gives  an  account  of  the  supposed 
voyage  of  Fonte,  which  he  thinks  was  never  made.  Nothing  is  said  of  Fonte's 
being  a  Portuguese,  and  the  expedition  is  said  to  have  been  under  orders 
from  Spain  and  the  viceFoys. 

"  MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-18. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  319 

guage — a  very  unlikely  circumstance.  This  false  defense 
may  have  been  invented  by  the  Spanish  commander  to  give 
more  color  to  the  justice  of  the  arrest.  It  Avould  be  more 
charitable  and  possibly  more  just  to  suppose  that  owing  to 
his  imperfect  understanding  of  the  language  that  they  used, 
or  its  imperfect  translation  by  his  interpreter,  he  understood 
them  to  say  this  when  they  really  said  something  very  differ- 
ent. It  is  quite  evident  that  his  first  translation  of  what  he 
considered  the  objectionable  clause  in  their  instructions  Avas 
incorrect.  For  in  his  rendering  of  it  in  the  above  account  of 
the  investigation  he  makes  the  clause  read  that  Viana  Avas  to 
treat  with  respect  all  English,  Russian,  and  Spanish  vessels 
whose  force  was  superior  to  his  own,  but,  if  he  had  the 
superior  force,  he  was  to  seize  them  and  carry  them  to  Macao, 
wdiere  their  crews  should  be  tried  as  pirates.  This  is  what 
he  referred  to  when  he  spoke  of  their  being  so  despotic.  It 
is  impossible  to  understand  hoAv,  in  a  correct  translation,  he 
could  have  seen  anything  so  obnoxious  as  he  claimed  to  see. 
If,  how^ever,  this  rendering  had  been  the  correct  one,  it  Avould 
have  made  the  I phUjcuAa  virtually  a  ])irate  ship,  and  Mar- 
tinez would  have  been  fully  justified.  lUit  if  his  first  transla- 
tion Avas  faulty,  his  later  one  Avas  correct,  as  Avill  l)e  seen  by 
comparing  the  quotation  from  it  given  above  Avith  the 
instructions  of  the  Merchant  l*roi)rietors  to  Meares,  the  Eng- 
lish commander  of  the  expedition.  They  correspond  almost 
Avord  for  Avord,  differing  only  in  the  details  necessary  to  give 
the  appearance  of  a  Portuguese  instead  of  an  English 
expedition." 

«  Appendix  I  to  Meares,  A'oya^es.  It  is  interesting  to  compare  the  instruc- 
tions of  Meares,  tlie  Englisb  captain  of  the  Felice  and  commander  of  both  ves- 
sels, with  the  instructions  of  Viana,  the  pretended  Portuguese  captain  of  the 
IphUjenia.  Tliese  two  correspond  much  more  closely  than  tliose  of  AMana 
and  Douglas.  The  latter's  were  subinstructions  given  by  Meares  at  sea.  It 
may  be  that  Juan  de  Mata  Montero  de  Mendcza,  the  pretended  Portuguese 
captain  of  the  Felice,  bore  subinstructions  from  A'iana  similar  to  those  of 
Douglas.  The  differences  between  Meares's  and  A'iana'i;  instructions  are 
more  striking  than  Iheir  siinilarities.  The  former  is  told  that  the  coast  was 
first  discovered  by  Drake,  in  1570  ;  the  latter  by  Fonte,  in  1G40.  The  former 
is  told  to  proceed  alone  to  America  if  he  hnds  himself  retarded  by  the  slow 
progress  of  the  Iphifjenia;  tlie  latter  is  to  do  the  same  if  detained  by  the  bad 
sailing  of  the  Felice.  The  former  is  instructed  to  direct  Douglas  to  go  to 
Prince  Williams  Sound,  then  to  Nootka  ;  the  latter  is  directed  to  make  this 
voyage.  In  the  former's  instructions  there  is  nothing  corresponding  to  the 
latter's  instructions  to  report  to  the  I'ortuguese  correspondents  at  Lisbon, 
and  to  the  ambassador  at  the  court  of  the  aggressor.  There  are  other  inter- 
esting contrasts.  The  minute  instructions  regarding  trade  are  common  to 
the  two. 


320  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

This  error  of  Martinez  is  brought  out  in  Douglas's  account 
of  the  investigation.     He  says : 

[Martinez]  told  me  my  papers  were  bad;  that  they  mentioned 
I  was  to  talve  all  English,  Russian,  and  Spanish  vessels  that  were  of 
inferior  force  to  the  Iphif/cnUi,  and  send  or  carry  their  crews  to 
iNIacao,  there  to  be  tried  for  their  lives  as  pirates.  I  told  him  they 
had  not  interpreted  the  papers  right ;  that  though  I  did  not  under- 
stand Portuguese  I  had  seen  a  copy  of  them  in  English  ;it  jMacao,« 
which  mentioned,  if  I  was  attacked  by  any  of  those  three  nations, 
to  defend  myself,  and,  if  I  had  the  superiority,  to  send  the  captain 
and  crews  to  Macao  to  answer  for  the  insult  they  offered.  The 
padries  and  the  clerk  read  the  papers  over,  and  said  they  had  inter- 
preted the  papers  right. ^ 

The  American  commanders  say  tliat  the  capture  was  due 
to  a  misinterpretation.''  If  Martinez  did  niake  this  mistake 
and  hiter  was  led  to  restore  the  vessel  by  the  discovery  of  it, 
he  remains  entirely  silent  regarding  it,  giving  other  reasons 
for  the  release,  as  will  be  seen. 

Between  May  13,  when  the  Iphigenla  was  seized,  and  May 
25,  when  she  was  released,  part  of  her  officers  and  creAV  were 
detained  on  board  Martinez's  ship,  the  Princem^  and  part 
on  the  ^an  Carlos^  the  other  Spanish  ship,  which  had 
reached  Nootka  a  week  later  than  the  connnander's.  Of 
the  conduct  of  the  Spanish  during  these  twelve  days  while 
they  held  the  Iphigenia  prisoner  there  are  the  most  diverg- 
ent accounts  in  the  different  sources. 

According  to  the  account  of  Douglas,  a  deaf  ear  Avas 
turned  to  his  plea  that  he  had  been  forced  to  enter  the  port 
because  of  the  distress  of  his  vessel,  which  was  such  that,  had 
he  entered  a  port  of  the  Spanish  dominions  of  South  Amer- 
ica he  would  have  been  allowed  to  repair  his  damages  and 

"This  is  not  exactly  an  untruth,  but  it  is  a  deception.  It  would  indicate 
that  he  had  no  instructions  in  English.  His  instrucrions  are  quoted  in  full 
a  few  pages  before  this  extract  from  the  journal  of  the  Iphigenia  in  Appen- 
dix II  to  Meares,  Voyages.  It  is  worthy  of  nore  that  they  do  not  direct  him 
to  seize  vessels  at  all,  but  only  to  guard  against  surprise  and  repel  force  by 
force.  Tt  should  be  noted  also  that  the  extract  quoted  by  Meares  in  the 
appendix  to  his  Memorial,  V,  purporting  to  be  from  this  letter  to  Doug- 
las, does  not  agree  with  the  full  letter  as  quoted,  but  that  Meares  has,  in 
this  extract,  added  two  sentences  from  his  own  instructions,  which  relate  to 
his  reporting  the  outrage  if  raptured  and  to  his  seizing  bis  opponent  should 
he  have  the  superiority. 

"Extract  of  the  journal  of  the  Jphifjenia.  (Inclosure  Xlf  with  Meares, 
Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages.) 

'^  Gray  and  Ingraham  to  Quadra,  Nootka  Sound,  August  3,  1792.  (Appen- 
dix to  Greenhow,  Oregon  and  California.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTKOVERSY.  321 

depart  in  peace,  and  that  consequently  to  take  him  prisoner 
in  a  port  to  which  the  King  of  Spain  had  never  h\id  claim 
was  a  piece  of  injustice  that  no  nation  had  ever  attempted 
before.  His  offer  to  leave  the  port  immediately  in  spite  of 
his  distress,  if  permission  should  be  granted,  was  refused; 
he  and  his  crew  were  most  inhumanely  treated,  and  their 
valuable  personal  effects  and  even  their  very  clothes  were 
stolen ;  Spanish  colors  were  hoisted  on  their  vessel  and  it  was 
looted  of  its  provisions  and  articles  for  trading  with  the 
natives  and  anything  else  that  the  Spaniards  fancied.  When 
his  vessel  w^as  restored  a  very  meager  supply  of  provisions 
was  sent  on  board,  and  an  account  presented  which  listed 
five  times  the  quantity  actually  sent  and  charged  five  times 
their  cost;  he  was  compelled  to  sign  a  paper  saying  that 
Martinez  had  found  him  in  distress  and  in  want  of  every- 
thing, had  supplied  him  with  all  necessary  to  take  liim  to 
the  SandAvich  Islands,  and  had  not  interfered  with  liis 
navigation;  another  paper  was  forced  upon  him  by  which 
he  agreed  that,  if  his  papers  should  be  found  to  be  bad,  the 
vessel  was  to  be  delivered  up  at  Macao,  and  before  he  was 
allowed  to  sail  a  letter  was  demanded  from  him  to  Captain 
Funter,  of  the  No^th-^V('st  America^  ordering  the  latter  to 
sell  the  schooner  to  Martinez;  but,  not  having  authority 
either  to  sell  or  to  order  another  to  sell,  he  said  nothing  in 
the  letter  that  he  left  about  selling  the  vessel,  but  advised 
Funter  to  act  to  the  best  of  his  judgment  for  the  benefit  of 
his  employers.'^ 

According  to  the  account  of  the  American  captains,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  officers  of  the  Lphigenia  "  were  treated  with 
all  imaginable  kindness,   and  every  attention  paid  them." 

The  vessel  while  in  the  possession  of  the  Spaiihi.rds.  from  being  a 
wrecii  was  put  in  complete  order  for  the  sea,  being  calked,  rigging  and 
sails  repaired,  anchors  and  cabl(»s  s(?nt  from  the  Princcsa.  etc.  On  the 
26th  Don  Martinez  supplied  them  with  every  kind  of  provisions  they 
were  in  need  of,  for  which  Captain  Douglas  gave  him  bills  on  Cravalia, 
the  before-mentioned  merchant  of  !Macao.  On  the  olst  the  lphigenia 
sailed  and  was  saluted  by  the  Si)anisli  fort,  and  the  conunodore 
accompanied  them  out  of  the  harbor,  giving  every  assistance  with 
boats,  etc.  When  Captain  Douglas  took  his  leave  of  the  commodore 
he  declared  he  should  ever  entertain  a  sense  of  Don  Martinez's  kind- 


u 


"Extract  of   the  journal   of  the  lphigenia.      (Inclosure   XII,   with   Meares, 
Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages.) 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 21 


322  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

iiess,  deeming  his  conduct  relative  to  the  vessel  no  more  than  his  duty 
as  a  King's  officer.  Upon  the  whole,  we  both  believe  the  Ipliigenia's 
being  detained  was  of  infinite  service  to  those  who  were  concerned 
in  her.a 

Vancouver,  in  giving  the  substance  of  a  letter  written  later 
by  Viana  to  Quadra,  represents  Viana  as  saying  that  he  was 
imprisoned,  was  well  treated,  and  on  being  liberated  his 
vessel  and  cargo  were  completely  restored  and  he  was  fur- 
nished what  he  needed.^ 

It  is  plain  that  neither  the  account  of  Douglas  nor  that 
of  the  American  commanders  can  be  accepted  for  its  full 
value,  but  that  the  truth  lies  between  them.  The  fact  that 
the  former  on  his  release  turned  northward  and  spent  a 
month  trading,  and  later  made  a  successful  trip  to  the  Sand- 
wich Islands  and  China,  shows  that  his  ship  Avas  not  so  des- 
titute of  j)rovisions  as  his  journal  would  make  it  seem ;  and 
the  fact  that  he  purchased  a  cargo  of  furs  from  the  natives 
shows  that  he  had  not  been  so  nearly  robbed  of  his  articles  of 
trade  as  he  declared.  Further,  knowing  that  this  journal 
passed  through  Meares^s  hands  before  it  Avas  published,  and 
knowing  this  gentleman's  tendency  to  distort  the  truth,  when 
there  was  a  possibility  of  thereby  strengthening  his  case,  one 
can  not  help  suspecting  that  the  journal  was  tampered  with 
so  that  it  would  exhibit  Martinez's  treatment  of  the  vessel  in 
as  unfavorable  a  light  as  possible.  But  the  testimony  of  the 
American  commanders  must  be  discounted  also,  since  their 
prejudice  in  favor  of  the  Spaniards  is  very  conspicuous. 
This  would  be  suspected  because  of  their  intimacy  with  Mar- 
tinez ;  but  the  extravagant  statements  of  the  letter  itself  show 
a  decided  prejudice.  It  was  written  three  years  after  the 
CA^ents  which  it  discusses,  and  errors  in  date  indicate  that  it 
Avas  produced  merely  from  memory.  The  statements  from 
Viana's  letter  are  too  indirect  to  be  of  much  value. 

In  the  series  of  affidavits  Avhich  Martinez  submitted  to  the 
Viceroy  concerning  the  arrest  and  detention  of  the  vessel, 
there  is  what  appears  to  be  a  wholly  unimpassioned  account. 
These  affidavits  seem  to  have  been  written  and  sw^orn  to  be- 
fore the  notary,  each  on  the  day  on  Avhich  the  event  that  it 

°  Gray  and  Ingraham  to  Quadra,  Nootka  Sound,  August  3,  1792.     (Appendix 
to  Greenhow,  Oregon  and  California.)      Tlie  dates  in  this  letter  are  not  accu- 
rate.    The  more  important  agree  with  the  Spanish  dates,  but  the  rest  with 
neither  Spanish  nor  English. 
"  Vancouver,  Voyages,  II,  343. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  323 

records  occurred.  The  first  one,  in  which  Martinez  gives 
his  reasons  for  calling  to  account  the  officers  of  the  I phi- 
genia^  is  quoted  in  full  above.  The  second,  in  which  the  in- 
terpreter says  that  he  delivered  Martinez's  orders,  has  been 
referred  to,  and  the  substance  has  been  given  of  the  third 
which  recounts  the  investigation  of  Douglas  and  Viana  and 
their  arrest.  The  fourth  tells  of  the  formal  act  of  seizing 
the  vessel,  the  replacing  of  the  Portugese  colors  by  the  Span- 
ish, and  the  imprisonment  of  the  crew.  These  four  are 
dated  May  13.  A  letter  to  Martinez,  dated  May  15,  written 
by  Tovar,  who  had  been  placed  in  command  of  the  captured 
ship,  tells  of  a  bundle  of  papers  which  he  had  found  belong- 
ing to  Douglas.  In  the  fifth  affidavit,  dated  May  16,  Mar- 
tinez says  that  in  view  of  this  letter  of  Tovar  he  had  ordered 
the  papers  of  Douglas  to  be  taken  in  charge,  and  the  sixth 
affidavit,  of  the  same  date,  is  signed  by  the  English  interpre- 
ter and  says  that  no  suspicion  attached  to  Douglas's  papers.*^ 
On  May  17,  in  the  seventh  affidavit,  Martinez  says  that  on 
account  of  the  difficulty  of  sending  the  captured  vessel  to 
San  Bias,  oAving  to  the  scarcity  of  men  to  man  her,  he  has 
concluded  to  release  her,  but  has  ordered  an  inventory  to  be 
made,  that  he  may  bind  the  owner  to  pay  the  value  of  the 
ship  and  cargo  in  case  the  Viceroy  shall  declare  her  to  have 
been  good  23rize.  The  inventory  w^as  completed  May  22,  and 
signed  on  board  the  Iphigeriia  the  same  day  by  Tovar,  the 
temporary  commander,  and  by  Yiana,  the  Portuguese  cap- 
tain, in  whose  presence  it  had  been  made.  The  eighth  affi- 
davit, signed  on  May  25,  declares  that  the  inventory  should 
be  embodied  in  the  account.  An  itemized  list  follows,  cover- 
ing five  pages  of  manuscript  and  indicating  that  the 
Iphigenia  was  by  no  means  destitute  of  general  supplies, 
though  there  might  have  been  a  lack  of  those  necessary  to 
man  the  ship.  Immediately  following  the  inventory  is  the 
bond  signed  by  Viana  and  Douglas,  captain  and  supercargo 
of  the  Iphigenia^  for  Juan  Carvalho,  the  owner,  and  by 
Kendrick  and  Ingraham,  of  the  American  ship,  as  witnesses, 
and  finally  by  Martinez,  all  in  the  presence  of  Canizares,  the 

"  See  note  a,  p.  320,  where  it  is  pointed  out  that  in  the  instructions  of 
Douglas  nothing  Is  said  about  carrying  vessels  to  Macao.  In  the  journal  of 
the  Iphigenia  Douglas  says  that  the  interpreter  told  Martinez  in  his  presence 
that  there  was  nothing  objectionable  in  Douglas's  papers. 


324  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

notary.  This  oblige^  the  owner  to  pay  the  value  of  the  ship 
and  cargo,  as  shown  by  the  attached  inventory,  in  case  the 
Viceroy  should  decide  that  the  vessel  was  good  prize  on 
account  of  having  been  found  anchored  in  the  port  of  Nootka 
w  ithout  having  a  j^assport,  permission,  or  license  from  His 
Catholic  Majesty  for  navigating  or  anchoring  in  seas  or 
ports  belonging  to  his  dominion."  The  ninth  affidavit, 
signed  May  26,  formally  submits  to  the  Viceroy  the  preced- 
ing account  of  the  measures  taken  in  view  of  the  instruc- 
tions submitted  by  the  captain  of  the  IjyhigeniaJ^ 

On  May  31,  after  a  dinner  on  board  the  Spanish  com- 
mander's ship,  at  which  the  IplmjerikCs  officers  and  those  of 
the  American  shij)  were  present,  the  Ij>lngeiiia  was  accom- 
panied out  of  the  harbor  by  the  officers  of  the  other  two, 
and,  after  a  farewell  salute  from  the  S2:)anish  guns,  sailed 
away,  ostensibly  for  Macao,  by  way  of  the  Sandwich 
Islands.  At  midnight  Douglas  gave  orders  to  turn  north 
for  a  trading  cruise,  having,  as  he  says,  "  no  idea  of  running 
for  Macao  with  onl}^  between  GO  and  70  sea-otter  skins 
wdiich  I  had  on  board."  ^ 

The  next  occurrence  of  interest  at  Nootka  was  in  connec- 
tion w^ith  the  N ortliAY e^t  America.  Mention  has  been  made 
of  Martinez's  futile  attempt  to  get  a  letter  from  Douglas 
ordering  Captain  Funter  to  sell  the  schooner  to  Martinez. 
It  wall  be  recalled  that  this  vessel,  on  returning  from  the 
Sandwich  Islands,  had  reached  Nootka  four  days  later  than 
her  consort,  the  Ipliigenia^  had  been  repaired  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, and  had  set  out  on  a  trading  trip  before  the  arrival  of 
the  Spanish  commander.  Having  carried  on  a  profitable 
trade  for  six  weeks,  and  being  seriously  in  need  of  provi- 
sions, she  returned  to  Nootka  June  8  in  hope  of  meeting 
there  the  vessel  that  was  expected  from  Macao  with  stores. 
For  some  reason  not  wholly  plain  Martinez  took  possession 
of  the  schooner  as  soon  as  she  arrived.     Meares  says  that  the 

"An  English  translation  of  this  bond  is  given  by  Meares.  (Inclosure  IV, 
with  Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages.) 

''All  the  papers  relating  to  the  fphipcnia — her  passport,  instructions,  the 
inventory,  the  l»ond,  and  the  affidavit.s — are  inclosed  with  Martinez  to  Florez, 
San  Lorenzo  de  Nootka,  July  13,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gien.  de  Indias,  Seville, 
90-3-18.) 

<^  This  is  an  interesting  comment,  showing  Douglas's  inconsistency  in  say- 
ing that  the  Spaniards  had  robbed  the  ship  of  everything  of  value. 


KOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  325 

Spanish  commander  was  angered  when  he  learned  that  the 
letter  which  Douglas  had  left  for  Funter  was  not  the  desired 
order  for  the  latter  to  sell  his  schooner,  and  gave  vent  to  his 
anger  by  seizing  the  vessel."  The  American  captains  say 
that  wdien  Martinez  learned  later  of  the  bankruptcy  of  Car- 
valho,  on  whom  he  had  accepted  bills  in  payment  for  sup- 
plies furnished  to  Douglas,  he  justified  himself  as  holding 
the  schooner  in  security  for  the  debt/'  Martinez  gives  a 
partial  explanation  in  an  aflidavit  of  June  12.  Learning,  he 
said,  that  the  schooner  belonged  to  Carvalho  and  was  con- 
nected Avith  the  rphh/enia^  which  he  had  seized  on  account 
of  her  instructions,  he  therefore  took  possession  of  this  vessel 
also,  and  submitted  an  inventory  to  the  Viceroy,  together 
with  that  of  the  larger  ship.  He  fails  to  explain  why  he  did 
not  release  her;  but  lie  doubtless  considered  explanation 
unnecessary,  since  he  liad  given  as  his  only  reason  for  not 
detaining  the  larger  vessel  his  inability  to  man  her.'"  He 
would  not  have  been  consistent  in  not  detaining  her  unless  he 
had  released  her  also  on  bond ;  and  there  was  no  need  for 
doing  that,  since  she  required  so  few  men.  Doubtless  the 
other  two  motives  suggested  had  their  influence  also. 

The  English  commanders  give  the  same  extravagant  ac- 
coimt  of  robbery  and  barbaric  treatment  at  the  hands 
of  the  Spaniards  that  were  given  in  the  case  of  the  other 
vessel — the  Spanish  flag  was  hoisted ;  the  officers  and  men 
w^ere  imprisoned;  the  vessel  was  repaired,  i-efitted,  rechris-  f  j 
tened  the  Gertrudis  and  sent  on  a  trading  iv\\)  for  the  benefit 
of  the  Spaniards-,  in  which  they  bartered  away  the  articles 
of  trade  that  they  found  on  board;  every  possible  effort  was 
made  by  briber}^  and  intimidation  to  induce  Funter  and 
some  of  his  men  to  man  the  vessel  for  the  Spaniards  and 
show  them  where  trade  Avas  good,  l)ut  without  avail;  the 
men  were  kept  in  confinement  for  a  month  and  then  shipped 
for  China  on  board  one  of  the  American  vessels,  which  they 
were  compelled  to  assist  in  manning  to  keep   from  being 

"  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages. 

''Gray  and  Ingraliam  to  Quadra,  Nootlta  Sound,  August  ?>,  1792,  (Appen- 
dix to  Greenhow,  Oregon  and  California.) 

"  Deposition  of  Martinez  before  Canizares.  on  board  the  Princrsa,  .Tune 
12,  1789.  (MSS.,  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville.  90-,S-18.)  With  this  is  an 
inventory  of  the  vessel  and  cargo,  and  other  affidavits  telling  of  the  helpless 
condition  of  the  vessel.  An  English  translation  of  the  inventory  is  given  on 
the  last  page  of  the  appendix  to  Mwires,  Voyages. 


326  AMEKICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

wrecked."  It  must  be  admitted  that  at  the  best  the  provo- 
cation was  sufficient  to  excuse  some  exaggeration,  which  is 
the  more  to  be  expected  when  it  is  noticed  that  the  account 
was  not  w^ritten  until  several  months  after  the  occurrence 
of  the  events  recorded.  But  that  the  Spanish  commander 
meant  to  show  a  certain  amount  of  justice  and  even  gener- 
osity is  evident  from  the  fact  that  he  later  transferred  to 
another  English  vessel  all  of  the  furs  collected  by  the 
schooner  except  twelve,  which  were  either  lost  or  detained  by 
the  Spaniard.''  And  still  later,  when  Funter  and  his  men 
were  sent  to  Cbiua  on  the  American  vessel,  Martinez  shipped 
to  their  credit  90  slvins  to  pay  their  wages  besides  the  cost 
of  their  passage.''  He  also  transferred  provisions  from  an 
English  ship  to  the  American  captain  for  the  maintenance 
of  Funter  and  his  men.''  The  purpose  seems  to  have  been 
to  punish  the  owners,  but  to  avoid  working  immediate  hard- 
ship to  the  officers  and  crew. 

Another  event  of  the  Spanish  operations  is  the  taking 
formal  possession  of  the  port,  Avhich  occurred  June  24.^  In 
0  the  seven  weeks  that  had  intervened  since  the  arrival  of 
the  Spanish  expedition,  besides  the  seizure  and  disposition 
of  the  two  vessels  just  discussed,  a  fort  had  been  constructed 
on  the  top  of  a  high  hill  Avhich  commanded  the  entrance  to 
the  port,  and  had  been  occupied  by  a  garrison  and  a  battery 
of  ten  cannon.  Three  houses  had  also  been  built — a  work- 
shop, a  bakery,  and  a  lodging  house. ^  The  ceremony  had 
not  been  performed  earlier  because  they  were  awaiting  the 

"  Deposition  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  schooner  North-West  America, 
Canton,  December  5,  1780,  and  Information  of  William  Graham,  London,  May 
5,  1790.  (Inclosures  VII  and  X,  with  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix  to  Voy- 
ages.) The  American  vessel  on  which  these  men  were  shipped  was  the 
Columbia. 

"Hudson's  receipt  to  Funter  for  203  sea-otter  skins,  July  2,  1789.  (In- 
closure  VIII,  with  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages.) 

"  Martinez's  certificate  of  96  skins  being  shipped  on  board  the  Columbia, 
Nootka,  July  14,  1780.  (Appendix  to  Meares,  Voyages.)  The  English  ship 
to  which  the  furs,  taken  from  the  schooner,  were  at  first  transferred  had 
been  seized  in  the  meantime,  so  that  the  fnrs  again  fell  into  Martinez's  hand. 
This  was  the  Princess  Royal,  to  be  discussed  presently. 

•'John  Kendrlck's  x-eceipt  for  provisions  on  board  the  Columbia,  July  13, 
1789.      (Inclosure  XI,  with  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages.) 

«  Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  216,  &ays,  incorrectly,  that  possession  had 
been  taken  before  the  departure  of  the  Iphigenia. 

^  Florez  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  August  27,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias, 
Seville,  90-3-18.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  327 

arrival  of  the  Aranzazii^  that  it  might  be  given  greater 
solemnity ;  but  that  ship  not  coming,  it  was  decided  to  delay 
no  longer."  The  instrument  of  possession  is  a  long,  very 
formal,  and  high-sounding  document.  The  right  of  Spain  Q  'J 
is  based  on  the  discovery  of  Nootka  in  177^  and  the  bull  of 
Pope  Alexander  VI  of  May  4,  1-1:93.  The  instrument  bears 
the  signatures  of  Martinez  and  Haro,  commanders  of  the 
two  vessels;  of  Tovar,  the  first  pilot;  of  the  two  chaplains, 
and  of  the  four  missionaries,  and  is  attested  by  Canizares, 
the  notary.''  From  the  fort  and  the  vessels  a  salute  of  21 
cannon  was  fired  in  honor  of  the  King,  and  at  a  splendid 
banquet  on  board  the  commander's  ship  all  of  the  officers  of 
the  Spanish,  ships,  and  several  foreigners,  drank  to  that 
sovereign's  health. 

These  foreigners,  Martinez  says,  were  of  the  English 
nation  and  the  American  Congress  [Colonies],  and  the  cere- 
mony was  ])erformed  Avithout  any  contradiction  by  them.^ 
Through  Kendrick  and  Tngraham,  officers  of  the  American 
ship,  he  had  made  the  Englishmen  understand  that  the 
Spaniards  had  been  the  first  discoverers  of  the  port.  He 
had  proved  this  by  having  the  Americans — since  they 
also  understood  the  Indian  dialect — talk  with  the  natives, 
who  had  described  the  clothes  of  the  first  comers.  And  as 
a  further  and  more  conclusive  proof  he  laid  before  the 
Indians  the  flags  of  various  nations,  including  the  old 
Spanish  flag,'^  and  the  last  was  recognized  by  the  old  chief 
as  the  one  borne  by  the  first  vessel.*' 

One  more  occurrence  should  be  noted  before  the  arrival 
of  the  English  expedition  under  Colnett  that  gave  rise  to 
the  most  important  event  of  the  summer.  This  occurrence 
is  the  coming  of  the  Princess  Royal^  commanded  by  Hud- 

«  Martinez  to  Plorez,  San  Lorenzo  de  Nootka,  July  13,  1789.  (MS.  Arch. 
Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-8-18.) 

"Instrument  of  possession,  San  Lorenzo  de  Nootiia,  June  24,  1789.  (MS. 
Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-.3-18.) 

'^Martinez  to  Florez,  San  Lorenzo  de  Nootlca,  July  13,  1789.  (MS.  Arch. 
Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-18.) 

"The  Spanish  flag  had  been  changed  by  a  royal  decree  of  May  28,  1785. 
The  purpose  was  to  remove  the  confusion  due  to  the  similarity  between  it 
and  those  of  the  other  Bourbon  dynasties— France,  Naples,  Tuscany,  and 
Parma,  Red  and  yellow  were  the  colors  adopted.  (Fernandez  Duro  La 
Armada  Espanola,  Madrid,  1901,  VIII,  349.) 

«  Martinez  to  [Florez],  San  Lorenzo  de  Nootka,  July  13,  1789.  (MS.  Arch. 
Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-18.) 


\J 


328  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

son,  subject  to  the  orders  of  Colnett.  This  vessel  left  China 
earlier  than  her  consort  and  reached  Nootka  on  June  15," 
where  she  remained  a  little  more  than  two  weeks.  A  letter 
written  by  Hudson,  a  copy  of  which  is  in  the  Spanish 
archives,  gives  a  detailed  account  of  his  stay  at  Nootka  on 
this  occasion.  On  his  approach  in  the  evening  he  was 
met  by  two  launches.  Being  alarmed,  he  demanded  to 
0  know  whether  they  were  armed  and  received  ansAver  in 
English  that  they  were,  but  only  with  a  bottle  of  brandy. 
Martinez,  of  the  Spanish  ship,  Kendrick,  of  the  American, 
and  Funter,  of  the  captured  English  schooner,  came  on 
board  and  remained  all  night.  The  next  morning,  the  16th, 
they  were  towed  into  the  harbor,  and  saluted  by. the  guns  of 
the  two  Spanish  ships  and  the  fort.  In  the  afternoon  Hud- 
son and  Martinez  accompanied  Kendrick  up  the  sound  6 
miles  to  his  vessel,  the  Columbia,  where  they  remained  that 
night.  On  the  ITth  Hudson  returned  to  his  vessel,  where  he 
received  a  note  from  the  Spanish  commander  demanding 

/,  his  motive  for  anchoring  in  the  sound,  and  informing  him 
that  the  port  belonged  to  the  King  of  Spain.  On  the  18th 
Hudson  replied  that  during  his  voyage  of  sixteen  weeks 
and  three  days  from  Macao  in  continual  storms  his  ship 
had  been  badly  damaged;  this,  with  the  failure  of  wood 
and  water,  had  caused  him  to  anchor  where  he  was,  and  he 
hoped  that  Martinez  Avould  permit  him  to  supply  his  losses, 
upon  which,  with  permission,  he  would  depart.     In  a  note 

p,  of  the  same  day  Martinez  replied  that  Hudson's  explanation 
was  perfectly  satisfactory  and  that  he  might  supply  his 
needs  and  depart  when  he  wished. 

This  shows  that  the  utmost  harmony  and  good  will  pre- 
vailed. Hudson's  vessel  was  present  wiien  the  Spaniards 
took  formal  possession  of  the  port,  and  he  was  doubtless 
one  of  the  Englishmen  who  were  at  Martinez's  sumptuous 
banquet  and  are  mentioned  as  not  disputing  the  act  of  pos- 
session. This  is  the  English  vessel,  also,  to  which  Martinez 
transferred  the  furs  taken  from  the  North-West  America, 
as  mentioned  above. 

«  June  14  is  sometimes  given  as  the  date.  This  probably  arises  from  the 
indefinite  statement  in  tlie  Information  of  William  Graham  that  she  arrived 
on  or  about  June  14.  (See  Inclosure  VII,  with  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix 
to  Voyages.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  329 

On  July  1,  his  ship  being  ready  to  leave,  Hudson  notified 
Martinez  that  he  intended  to  sail  the  next  morning.  The 
latter,  after  a  little  hesitation,  gave  his  consent,  and  also 
furnished  Hudson  with  a  circular  letter  to  all  commanders 
of  Spanish  ships  which  he  might  encounter  ordering  them 
to  let  him  pass.  The  next  morning,  July  2,  the  launches 
from  the  American  ships  towed  the  Princess  Royal  out  of 
the  harbor;  and  having  had  to  wait  all  day  for  a  breeze 
she  sailed  away  at  10  o'clock  in  the  evening,  returning 
eleven  daj^s  later,  at  the  close  of  the  important  events  to  be 
discussed  in  the  next  chapter." 

Comparing  the  actions  of  Martinez,  which  have  been  dis- 
cussed in  this  chapter,  with  his  instructions  given  in  the 
foregoing  chapter,  it  is  seen  that  it  would  not  be  difficult 
for  him  to  justify  liis  seizure  of  the  Ipliigenia  and  the  North- 
west America.  The  last  clause  of  the  eleventh  article  orders 
him  to  endeavor,  as  far  as  possible,  to  prevent  intercourse 
and  commerce  with  the  natives.  It  is  difficult  to  see  how 
he  could  have  carried  this  out  in  any  other  way.  Knowing 
the  general  policy  of  Sj^ain,  which  was  to  prevent  all  for- 
eigners from  trading  with  the  Spanish  dominions,  and  feel- 
ing himself  responsible  for  maintaining  that  policy  along 
this  whole  coast,  he  might  easily  have  felt  it  his  duty  to 
employ  harsh  means,  being  satisfied  that  nothing  less  would 
be  effectual.  Having  in  mind  the  recent  treatment  accorded 
to  the  governor  of  the  islands  of  Juan  Fernandez  because 
he  allowed  a  vessel  that  had  been  in  his  power  to  continue 
its  voyage  to  these  very  coasts,  it  is  not  strange  that  he 
should  be  unAvilling  to  incur  similar  disgrace  because  of  too 
great  leniency.^  It  would  seem,  however,  that  he  w\as  incon- 
sistent in  not  seizing  also  the  Princess  Royal.,  unless,  indeed, 
he  believed  what  he  embodied  in  the  circular  letter  which  he 
gave  to  Hudson  for  other  Spanish  commanders.  In  this 
he  declared  that  the  purpose  of  the  voyage  was  discovery; 
that  he  had  seen  Hudson's  commission  to  that  effect.  Mar- 
tinez may  have  known  nothing  to  the  contrary  at  the  time, 
and  what  he  said  was  doubtless  true;    but  it  was  not  the 

"Hudson  to  Florez,  San  Bias,  September  18,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.)  With  tjiis  letter  are  copies  of  the  letters  of  June 
18  [17]  and  19  [18]  from  Martinez  to  Hudson,  and  Hudson  to  Martinez  of 
the  latter  date,  referred  to  al>ove 

*  See  latter  part  of  foregoing  chapter. 


380  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

whole  truth.     But  if  he  was  too  lenient  this  time,  he  did  not 
err  in  that  direction  on  Hudson's  return,  as  will  appear. 

If  Martinez  felt  it  necessary  to  treat  the  English  ships 
with  such  harshness,  can  his  mild  treatment  of  the  American 
ships  be  justified?  These  are  the  very  ships  that  are  re- 
ferred to  in  articles  14:  and  15  of  the  above-mentioned  instruc- 
tions. It  Avill  be  recalled  that  he  was  there  given  authority, 
in  case  of  his  meeting  Avith  them,  to  deal  Avith  them  as  ap- 
peared proper.  The  suspicion  Avas  mentioned  in  another 
place  that  the  purpose  of  these  ships  Avas  to  find  a  port  in 
which  to  establish  a  colony.  On  encountering  them  at 
Nootka,  Martinez  inspected  their  papers  and  found  that  this 
Avas  not  their  purpose.  He  says  that  his  interpreter  found 
nothing  in  their  papers  derogatory  to  the  rights  of  Spain; 
that  their  purpose  Avas  to  circumnaAngate  the  globe;  that 
there  seemed  no  reason  for  interfering  Avith  their  course  nor 
placing  them  under  bond,  as  he  had  clone  the  packet  boat  from 
Macao ;  but  that,  nevertheless,  he  had  required  them,  in  the 
name  of  his  SoA^ereign,  not  to  return  to  these  seas  or  coasts 
Avithout  bringing  a  pass2:)ort  and  special  permit,  since  that 
Monarch  had  prohibited  every  foreign  nation  from  naviga- 
ting the  coasts  of  America."  His  alloAving  the  American 
ships  to  trade  unmolested  for  the  two  months  hardly  seems 
consistent,  unless  his  reason  Avas  AAhat  miglit  be  implied  from 
the  latter  part  of  the  letter  just  referred  to.  He  tells  of  the 
assistance  afiorded  him  by  the  American  commanders  in  his 
dealings  Avith  the  English  and  the  Indians,  since  they  con- 
versed in  both  of  those  languages.  He  might  have  consid- 
ered it  better  to  alloAv  them  for  a  time  to  Adolate  the  letter  of 
the  strict  Spanish  regulations  than  to  lose  their  services  in 
establishing  himself  in  a  position  to  prevent  all  such  viola- 
tions in  the  future.  His  intimacy  Avith  the  Americans  Avas 
so  noticeable  that  the  Englishmen  frequently  accused  the  lat- 
ter of  collusion  Avith  the  schemes  of  the  Spaniard.'^ 

«  Martinez  to  Florez,  San  Lorenzo  de  Nootka,  July  13,  1789.  (MS.  Arch. 
Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-18.)  AVith  tliis  letter  explaining  his  dealings 
with  the  American  ships,  Martinez  inclosed  a  copy  of  the  passport  given  to 
Kendrick  by  Bias  Gonzales,  governor  of  the  islands  of  Juan  Fernandez. 

"  Muriel,  Historia  de  Carlos  IV,  I,  106,  touches  upon  the  subject-matter  of 
this  chapter. 


Chapter  V. 

THE    QUARREL    AND    SEIZURE. 

The  English  ship  from  China,  the  Argonaut^  Captain 
Colnett,  whose  equipment  and  instructions  have  already  been 
discussed,  arrived  at  Nootka  late  in  the  evening  of  July  2, 
1789.  She  had  neared  the  coast  some  distance  north  the 
previous  evening.  Sailing  southward,  she  was  visited  in 
the  morning  by  some^ Indians,  who  told  of  five  vessels  in 
Friendly  Cove,  but  could  not  identify  them.  The  officers 
conjectured  that  the  ships  belonged  to  Mr.  Etches,  one  of 
the  merchants  interested  in  their  proposed  colony.  They 
hastened  to  join  them.  As  their  vessel  approached  the 
entrance  they  saw  the  sloop  Princess  Royal  pass  out  and  sail 
away.  This  increased  their  confidence,  since  she  Avas  their 
consort.  Shortly  after  they  passed  the  sloop  they^  saw  two 
launches  approach  in  the  growing  darkness.  A  voice  in 
Spanish  asked  permission  to  come  on  board  and  Avas  answered 
Ir  the  affirmative.  The  leader  of  the  party  was  the  Spanish 
commander,  Martinez.  Two  hours  earlier  he  had  been  noti- 
fied from  the  port  of  the  approach  of  a  ship.  Thinking  it  to 
be  the  Aranzazu^  which  he  had  been  anxiously  expecting  for 
some  weeks  from  San  Bias  with  provisions,  he  had  hastened 
to  welcome  her  in. 

The  events  that  follow  this  meeting  of  Martinez  with  Col- 
nett, the  commander  of  the  English  expedition,  are  the  real  ^ 
genesis  of  the  Nootka  controversy.  Had  the  vigorous  meas- 
ures of  the  Spanish  commander  stopped  with  the  seizure  of 
the  two  vessels  already  discussed,  the  matter  would  probal)ly 
never  have  reached  the  cabinets  of  London  and  Madrid. 
Since  these  events  are  so  important,  a  detailed  account  is 
given.  This  is  drawn  from  five  separate  narratives,  all  writ- 
ten by  men  Avho  were  present  and  took  part  in  them.  One  is 
the  letter  of  Martinez,  written  at  the  close  of  the  events,  giv- 
ing his  official  account  to  the  Viceroy.     Another  is  a  letter 

331 


u 


332  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

from  Colnett  to  the  same  official,  Avritten  some  three  months 
later.  These  two  are  unpublished.  The  third  is  a  second  ac- 
count by  Colnett,  written  nine  years  later,  appearing  as  a 
footnote  to  his  published  narrative  of  a  subsequent  vo^^age. 
The  fourth  is  a  series  of  letters,  written  Avhile  the  events  were 
in  progress,  by  Duffin,  second  in  command  to  Colnett,  but 
really  in  control  during  most  of  the  time.  The  fifth  is  the 
letter,  written  three  years  later,  by  the  American  captains, 
who  were  eyewitnesses  of  most  of  the  events." 

At  the  first  meeting  each  commander  Avas  disappointed  at 
finding  the  other  very  different  from  the  joerson  whom  he 
expected.  Martinez  at  once  presented  to  Colnett  a  letter 
from  Captain  Hudson,  of  the  Princess  Royal,  saying  that  the 
bearer  was  conunander  of  two  ships  of  His  Catholic  Majesty 
anchored  in  Friendly  Cove;  that  the  writer  had  received  all 
possible  aid  from  him  and  had  departed.  The  letter  had 
been  written  that  very  morning,  and  put  Colnett  somewhat  at 
his  ease.  He  invited  Martinez  and  his  party,  among  whom 
were  the  officers  of  the  American  ships,  down  into  the  cabin, 
Avhere  they  draidv  freely  together.  The  Spanuird  was  very 
courteous,  declared  that  the  vessels  under  his  command  wera 
in  great  distress  from  the  want  of  provisions  and  other  neces- 
saries, and  urged  the  English  commander  to  go  into  port  in 
order  to  supply  their  needs,  inviting  him  to  stay  for  some 
time.  Colnett,  in  his  letter  to  the  Viceroy,  says  that  he  con- 
sented to  stay,  provided  he  should  be  permitted  to  l^uild  a 
sloop,  for  which  he  had  the  materials  on  board;  but  this 
being  refused,  he  said  that  he  could  not  stay  longer  than  tlie 
next  day. 

"To  save  frequent  repetition,  one  reference  is  ^nven  to  all  five  of  these  ac- 
counts. The  particular  rouice  of  the  more  important  statements  is  suffi- 
ciently clear  from  tlie  text : 

First.  Martinez  to  Florez,  San  Lorenzo  de  Nootka,  July  13,  1789.  (MS. 
Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  10-3-18.) 

Second.  Colnett  to  Florez  [written  at  San  Bias  in  Septemher,  1789].  (MS. 
Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  rO-3-21.) 

Third.  Colnett,  Voyages,  90-102,  note. 

Fourth.  Dnffin  to  Meares,  Nootka  Sound,  July  12  [HI,  1789;  same  to 
same,  July  13  |12],  1789;  same  to  same,  July  14  [13],  1789.  (Inclosure 
XIII,  with  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix  to  Voyages.) 

Fifth.  Gray  and  Ingrahan;  to  Quadra,  Nootka  Sound,  August  3,  1792. 
(Appendix  to  Greenhow,  Oregon  and  California.) 

The  information  of  William  Graham,  London,  May  5,  1790,  and  the  deposi- 
tion of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  'North-West  Awerica,  Canton,  China,  De- 
cember 5,  1789  (Inclosures  VII  and  XI,  with  Meares,  Memorial,  appendix  to 
Voyages),  give  accounts,  but  add  little  of  value  to  the  others. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  333 

On  the  other  hand,  Martinez  says  that  Cohiett  daimed  to 
have  come  under  autliority  from  the  King  of  Enghmd,  with 
orders  to  take  possession  of  Nootka,  construct  a  fort,  estab- 
lish a  factory,  and  phint  a  colony,  for  which  he  had  brought  q  (^ 
29  Chinese  laborers;  that  having  learned  this  his  interpreter 
made  the  Englishman  understand  that  Martinez  had  already 
taken  possession  of  the  port  in  the  name  and  under  an  order 
of  the  King  of  Spain;  that  thereupon  the  English  captain 
claimed  the  land  for  His  Britannic  Majesty  on  the  ground 
of  Cook's  discovery,  adding  that  his  company  had  purchased 
the  rights  to  the  place  Avhich  were  acquired  the  previous 
year  b}^  tlie  Portuguese  company,  their  vessels,  the  Iphigenia 
and  the  North-West  America^  being  nlso  included  in  the  pur- 
chase. To  refute  the  Englishman's  arguments,  the  Span- 
iard declared  that  a  Spanish  expedition  had  discovered  the 
port  four  years  earlier  than  Cook ;  «  that  he  himself  had  ac- 
companied the  expedition,  and  from  liim  the  spoons  had  been 
stolen  which  Cook  tells  of  purchasing;  that  the  Portuguese 
company  had  done  wrong  in  selling  land  which  was  not 
theirs  but  belonged  to  the  King  of  Spain,  not  only  this  port 
being  the  property  of  that  Crown,  but  all  the  coast  as  far 
as  Prince  AVilliams  Sound.  Colnett,  the  Spaniard  continues, 
was  unable  to  reply  to  these  Avell-founded  arguments.  The 
American  captains  say: 

Colnett  asked  if  he  would  be  prevented  from  building  a  house  in 
the  port.  The  commodore,  mistaking  his  meaning,  answered  him  he 
was  Jit  liberty  to  erect  a  tent,  get  wood  and  water,  etc.,  after  which 
he  was  at  liberty  to  depart  when  he  pleased ;  but  Captain  Colnett 
said  that  was  not  whsit  he  wanted,  but  to  build  a  blockhouse,  erect 
a  fort,  and  settle  a  colony  for  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain.  This  was 
refused. 

Colnett,  in  his  published  account,  says  that  he  hesitated,    , 
being  uncertain  whether  to  enter  the  port,  but — 

The  Spaniard,  observing  my  unwillingness  to  comply  with  his  re- 
quest, assured  me  on  his  word  and  honor,  in  the  name  of  the  King 
of  Spain,  whose  servant  he  was,  and  of  the  Vicoroy  of  Mexico,  whose 
nephew  he  declared  himself  to  be,  that  if  I  would  go  into  port  and 
relieve  his  wants  I  should  be  at  liberty  to  sail  whenever  I  pleased. 

Martinez's  plea  of  distress  and  his  solemn  promise,  with 
Hudson's   letter,   the   P]nglishman   says,   influenced   him   to 

"See  previous  discussion  of  the  voyage  of  Peiez,  1774,  in  Cliapter  III,  ante. 


334  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

enter  the  harbor,  and;  as  there  was  a  calm,  he  allowed  the 
Spanish  boats  to  assist  in  towing  his  vessel  into  the  cove. 
Among  the  party  that  had  come  out  in  the  launches  was  the 
pilot  of  the  captured  English  schooner.  He  told  Colnett  of 
the  situation  in  the  cove — the  Spanish  war  ships,  the  fort, 
the  formal  possession,  the  seizure  of  the  Iphigenia  and 
North-West  America^  and  the  arrival  and  departure  of  Cap- 
tain Hudson.  He  advised  Colnett  to  anchor  outside  the 
cove  until  morning,  but  the  latter,  depending  on  the  Span- 
iard's honor,  entered  and  brought  up  between  the  Spanish 
ships  at  about  midnight. 

The  next  morning,  July  3,  ever^^thing  seems  to  have  been 
harmonious.  Colnett  visited  the  fort  and  other  Spanish 
establishments,  and  on  invitation  of  Martinez  took  breakfast 
on  board  the  Spanish  vessel,  the  Spanish  commander  return- 
ing the  compliliient  by  dining  on  board  the  Englishman's 
ship.  The  latter  Avas  urged  to  delay  his  departure  for  a 
day,  but  being  unwilling  to  do  so  it  Avas  arranged  that  the 
Spaniard  should  send  a  launch  in  the  afternoon  to  tow  the 
English  vessel  out,  and  on  the  return  of  the  boat  Colnett 
should  send  the  supplies,  a  list  of  which  had  already  been 
agreed  uj)on.  The  launch  not  coming  as  soon  as  expected, 
a  request  Avas  made  that  it  be  sent  at  once.  Martinez  asked 
to  see  Colnett's  papers  before  the  latter  should  depart. 
After  some  hesitation  the  P]nglishman  took  them  on  board 
the  Spanish  ship.  The  Spaniard  was  still  in  doubt  Avhether 
he  should  alloAv  the  Argonaut  to  depart,  sometimes  saying 
that  she  could,  at  other  times  that  she  could  not.  Finally 
he  declared  that  she  could  not  go  that  day.  He  produced  a 
book  in  which  he  shoAved  Avhat  he  said  Avas  an  order  from  the 
King  of  Spain  to  seize  all  English  vessels  found  on  the  coast. 
Colnett  declared  that  he  Avould  sail  at  once,  with  or  without 
permission,  unless  the  Spaniard  fired  on  him,  in  Avhich  case 
he  Avould  haul  doAvn  his  colors  and  surrender.  Thinking  it 
presumption  for  Colnett  to  talk  as  if  he  Avere  an  agent  of  the 
English  King,  though  he  Avas  really  sent  only  by  a  commer- 
cial company,  Martinez  declared  himself  the  personal  rep- 
resentative of  the  King  of  Spain  and  commander  in  chief 
of  the  port.  Colnett  replied  that  he  had  been  in  His  Brit- 
tannic  Majesty's  serAdce  for  twenty  years,  and  that  he  then 
carried  a  governmental  license,  w^hich  he  produced.     He  en- 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  ,        385 

deavored  to  show  the  injustice  of  the  Spaniard's  conduct, 
reminding  him  of  his  promise  on  his  word  and  honor,  made 
the  evening  before.  Warm  words  followed,  and  each  com- 
mander seems  completely  to  have  lost  his  temper.  Each  tells  O 
of  violence,  either  threatened  or  inflicted,  by  the  other.  At 
Martinez's  order  Colnett  was  seized  and  made  a  prisoner. 

From  the  accounts  it  is  impossible  to  decide  which  officer 
was  the  more  at  fault  in  the  quarrel.  It  Avas  the  unfortunate 
outcome  of  anger  on  both  sides,  and  doubtless  was  not  pre- 
meditated, by  either.  The  real  explanation  appears  to  be 
that  given  in  the  letter  of  Duffin.  Eight  days  after  the 
quarrel  he  w  rote :  "  I  have  every  reason  to  suspect  there  was 
a  misunderstanding  bet^^'een  the  two  parties,  for  the  linguist 
spoke  English  very  imperfec^tly,  and  in  all  likelihood  inter- 
preted as  many  words  wrong  as  right."  It  seems,  then,  to 
have  been  a  faidty  translation  that  caused  the  quarrel  which  Q  ' 
later  threw  two  continents  into  a  feverish  excitement  in  an- 
ticipation of  war. 

After  the  seizure  had  been  made,  however,  a  plausible 
excuse  was  not  Avanting  to  the  Spaniard.  He  says  that  he 
imprisoned  Colnett  because  the  latter  would  likely  have  gone 
elsewhere  on  the  coast  and  established  a  post  from  which  it 
would  have  been  impossible  to  dislodge  the  English  Avithout 
the  force  of  arms.  This  is  doubtless  exactly  Avhat  Avould 
ha\^e  happened,  and  in  vieAv  of  Martinez's  instructions  and 
of  what  he  kncAV  to  be  the  policy  of  his  country  Avith  regard 
to  the  coast,  he  Avas  entirely  justified,  from  the  Spanish 
standpoint,  in  preventing  by  force  Avhat  he  could  not  have 
prevented  other Avise.  Indeed,  had  he  allowed  the  English 
expedition  to  depart  unmolested,  and  had  the  English  colony 
been  established  elscAvhere,  he  probably  Avould  have  been 
seriously  taken  to  task  for  not  attempting  to  prevent  it. 
Martinez's  account  to  the  Viceroy  Avas  such  as  to  make  it 
seem  that  he  at  no  time  had  any  intention  Avhatever  of  alloAV- 
ing  Colnett  to  leave.  He  says  nothing  of  his  promise  and 
pledge  to  that  effect  Avhich  the  English  conunander  sa^^s  that 
he  made.  But  though  the  Spaniard  concealed  the  fact  from 
his  superiors,  the  other  accounts  indicate  unmistakably  that 
he  really  intended,  at  first,  to  allow  the  Argonaut  to  depart, 
and  that  his  promise  to  her  couiuiander  Avas  made  in  good 
faith.    Possibly  he  had  begun  to  doubt  whether  the  Viceroy 


336  AMERICAJNT    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION^ 

would  approve  his  proceedings  respecting  the  two  vessels 
already  seized,  and  did  not  wish  to  involve  himself  further 
until  he  had  that  official's  decision.  In  view  of  this  he  may 
have  concluded  to  let  all  other  vessels  pass  Avithout  scrutiniz- 
ing them  too  closely.  His  treatment  of  the  Princess  Royal 
indicates  such  intent,  and  his  promise  to  Colnett  was  consist- 
ent with  it.  After  a  day's  consideration,  he  may  have  con- 
cluded to  go  through  the  form  of  an  investigation,  at  least, 
that  he  might  make  a  plausible  report  of  it,  but  with  the 
deliberate  intention  of  closing  his  eyes  to  anything  that 
might  prove  derogatory  to  Spain.  However  the  fact  may 
be  accounted  for,  it  is  clear  that  Martinez  was  wavering 
between  two  opinions  and  that  the  quarrel  forced  his  deci- 
sion. Duffin,  in  his  letter  of  July  12  [11],  which  seems  to  be 
the  fairest  of  all  the  accounts,  speaking  of  events  after  the 
seizure,  says: 

The  commodore's  passion  now  began  to  abate  a  little,  and  he  sent 
for  me  from  the  San  Carloi^,  where  I  was  imprisoned.  When  I  came 
to  him,  he  seemed  to  profess  a  very  great  friendshi])  for  me,  and 
appeared  to  be  exceedingly  sorry  for  what,  lie  said,  his  officers  com- 
pelled him  to  do.  He  declared  to  me  that  he  had  given  Colnett  per- 
mission to  depart,  and  wonld  have  assisted  him  all  in  his  power 
but  that  Captain  Colnett  insisted  on  erecting  a  fort  opposite  his. 

A  little  further  on,  after  telling  of  Colnett's  turning  over 
to  him  all  control  of  aflairs,  the  same  writer  continues: 

I  have  endeavored  to  convince  the  Spaniards,  had  we  known  this 
place  had  been  taicen  possession  by  the  King  of  Spain,  we  would  not, 
on  any  consideration,  have  come  near  it ;  I  have  likewise  wished  to 
persuade  him  to  peruse  the  South  Sea  Company's  grant  and  our 
instructions,  which  he  refuses,  and  tells  me  it  would  avail  nothing 
now  to  do  it,  as  his  ofRcers  insist  on  his  going  on  with  what  he 
acknowledges  he  too  rashly  and  hastily  began,  and  without  deliberat- 
ing what  might  hereafter  be  the  consequence. 

That  the  English  captain  was  somewhat  to  blame  for  what 
Q        had  occurred  is  clear  from  his  own  behavior,  as  related  in 
Duffin's  letter  of  July  14   [13].     The  writer,  speaking  of 
Colnett,  says : 

I  have  endeavored  to  persuade  him  to  draw  out  every  particular 
concerning  our  being  captured,  to  send  to  his  employers,  w^iiich  he 
refuses.  His  objection  is  that  he  has  involved  himself  and  everyone 
else  in  difficulties  that  he  is  hot  able  to  extricate  himself  from,  and 
therefore  declares  to  me  that  he  will  have  no  more  concern  with  the 
charge  of  the  vessel. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  337 

This  refusal  to  give  the  particulars  of  his  arrest  occurred 
after  his  recovery  from  what  Duffin  spoke  of  at  the  time  as 
insanity,  but  what  Colnett  himself  refers  to  as  delirium. 
Meares's  publication  of  Duffin's  statement  concerning  the 
commander's  insanity  caused  some  hard  feeling  when  Col- 
nett learned  of  it;  and  the  statement  was  publicly  denied 
later  by  Meares."  Whatever  it  may  be  called,  the  immediate 
cause  was  his  capture.  The  malady  lasted  for  ten  days. 
As  a  result  of  it,  the  whole  control  was  left  in  the  hands  of 
Duffin,  the  second  in  command.  The  hitter's  statement  con- 
cerning the  captain  is  as  follows : 

Captain  Colnett  has  been  in  siicli  a  state  of  insanity  ever  since  tlie 
vessel  has  been  captured  by  the  Spaniards  tliat  we  are  oblij^ed  to 
confine  him  to  his  cabin.  Yesterday  niornine:  he  jumped  out  of  the 
cabin  window,  and  it  was  witli  i^'reat  dilliculty  his  life  was  saved. 
His  constant  cry  is  that  he  is  condennied  to  be  hanged.  I  sincerely 
hope  for  his  speedy  recovery,  but  am  aprehensive  he  never  will 
recover  hi^j  fornu'r  senses  apiin.  I  understand  from  the  boy.  Uussell, 
that  it  is  a  family  disorder  and  that  they  all  have  symptoms  of 
madness  more  or  less. 

The  next  day  he  wrote:  ''  Capt-ain  Colnett  is  much  better 
to-day,  and,  in  general,  discourses  very  rationally."  It  was  at 
this  time  that  Duffin  made  his  vain  atteuipt  to  draw  out  the 
particulars  of  the  capture.     Duffin  seems  to  blame  Colnett. 

On  the  afternoon  of  July  3,  innnediately  after  seiziug 
Colnett,  Martinez  had  taken  possession  of  the  Argonai(t^  had 
run  up  the  Spanish  flag,  and  had  imprisoned  all  of  the  offi- 
cers and  crew,  removed  them  from  their  own  ship,  and  con- 
fined them  on  board  the  twx)  Spanish  vessels.  Of  the  events 
that  followed  during  the  next  ten  days,  while  preparations 
were  being  made  to  send  the  vessel  to  San  Bias  for  the 
Viceroy  to  decide  wdiether  she  Avas  good  prize,  there  are 
greatly  divergent  accounts,  as  in  the  case  of  the  other  cap- 
tured ships.  It  is  significant  that  the  further  the  writing 
was  removed  from  the  event  th(i  blacker  is  the  picture  draAvn 
in  the  English  accounts  of  the  Spaniard's  cruelty.  Doubt- 
less the  most  authentic  is  the  one  first  written — the  letters 
of  Duffin,  already  referred  to. 

After  a  little  time  Colnett  and  Duffin,  w  ith  two  other  offi- 
cers, were  allowed  to  return  to  their  own  ship.     On  the  lltli 

«  Meares.  An  Answer  to  Mr.  George  Dixon. 
H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 22 


u 


388  AMEEICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Duffin  wrote :  "  I  am  at  present  in  possession  of  my  cabin,  as 
are  also  the  rest  of  us,  and  the  commodore  behaves  with  great 
civility,  by  obliging  us  in  every  liberty  that  can  be  expected 
as  prisoners."  This  is  pretty  strong  evidence  that  there  was 
nothing  very  barbaric  about  Martinez's  treatment,  since 
Duffin  had  no  motive  for  concealing  the  truth.  What  he 
wrote  had  to  be  by  stealth,  he  says,  and  w^as  taken  by  Mr. 
Barnett,  an  Englishman  of  the  crew  of  the  North-West  Amer- 
ica^ who  w^as  going  to  China  on  board  the  American  ship. 
Under  these  circumstances  he  would  probably  not  have  repre- 
sented the  Spaniard's  conduct  more  favorably  than  it  de- 
served. Many  of  the  supplies  and  stores  on  board  the  Eng- 
lish ship  were  appropriated  b}^  the  Spaniards;  but  not  with- 
out arrangement  for  compensation,  as  Avould  be  inferred 
from  later  English  accounts.  Speaking  of  their  appropria- 
tion, Daffin  says: 

They  have  taken  of  our  stores  to  themselves  all  our  pitch,  tar,  can- 
vas, twine,  some  provisions  of  all  kinds,  guns,  ammunition,  the  chief 
of  our  copper,  and  many  other  articles  that  we  were  not  acquainted 
with,  all  the  officers  heing  prisoners,  some  on  board  one  vessel  and 
some  on  board  the  other.  We  have  great  expectations  that  the  vessel 
will  be  delivered  up  at  San  Bias.  The  commodore  promises  me,  if  she 
is,  everything  that  he  has  taken  to  himself  shall  be  replaced  at  that 
port ;  but  there  has  been  a  number  of  things  taken  out  of  the  vessel 
by  theft  that  he  knows  nothing  of.  Nevertheless,  if  any,  and  the  ves- 
sel is  returned,  they  must  undoubtedly  make  it  good. 

According  to  the  same  w-riter,  Martinez  tried  to  buy  all  of 
the  copper  on  board,  offering  to  give  bills  for  the  same,  but 
it  was  refused  on  the  ground  that  if  his  orders  allowed  him 
to  capture  the  vessel  they  Avould  undoubtedly  allow  him  to 
capture  the  cargo  also.  The  Spaniard,  he  says,  wanted  the 
copper  to  trade  for  furs,  which  he  shipped  to  Macao  by  Cap- 
tain Kendrick  [of  the  American  ship  Columbia'],  who  traded 
for  him  on  shares.  This  is  the  way  in  which  the  man  in 
command  at  the  time  spoke  of  what  later  accounts  desig- 
nate as  plundering  by  the  Spaniards. 

That  the  promise  of  compensation  was  made  in  good  faith 
is  proved  by  the  documents  Avhich  Martinez  submitted  to  the 
Viceroy.  One  is  dated  at  San  Lorenzo  de  Nootka,  July  5, 
1789,  and  is  a  "  List  of  the  provisions  and  other  stores  which 
have  been  taken  at  the  expense  of  the  royal  treasury  from 
the  captured  English  packet  boat  Argonaut,  for  my  subsist- 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  339 

ence  in  this  port;  all  of  which  are  to  be  restored  to  Capt. 
James  Colnett  from  the  royal  treasure  of  the  department  of 
San  Bias,  in  case  the  Most  Excellent  Senor  Viceroy  of  New 
Spain  releases  the  vessel."  An  itemized  statement  carefully 
describing  each  article  is  given.  Another  document  dated 
Jul}^  13  is  a  "  List  of  the  artillery,  balls,  and  other  armament 
found  on  board  the  captured  English  ship  Argonuiit^  belong- 
ing to  the  free  commercial  company  of  London,  which 
remain  in  my  possession  at  the  disposal  of  his  excellency, 
awaiting  his  superior  determination."  Inclosed  with  these 
is  a  "List  of  the  names  of  the  captain,  officers,  crew,  and 
passengers  which  the  Argotuiut  carried."  Among  the  offi- 
cers there  were  12  Englishmen  and  1  Spaniard;  of  the  sail- 
ors, 4  were  English,  7  Portuguese,  and  3  Filipinos;  the 
passengers  were  29  Chinese;  to  these  were  added  Colnett's 
servant,  who  was  a  SandAvich  Islander,  and  Duffin's,  who  was 
a  Bengalese.  In  all,  there  were  58  persons.  Another  list 
includes  only  the  16  Englishmen,  and  states  that  they  are  to 
be  sent  to  San  Bias  on  board  the  captured  ship  Argonaut. 
Still  another  list  includes  the  Portuguese,  the  Filipinos,  the 
Chinese,  and  the  two  servants,  who  were  to  be  sent  on  the 
Aranzazu  and  the  other  vessels  that  might  come  from  San 
Bias.  The  one  Spaniard  had  entered  the  service  of  Mar- 
tinez.« 

On  July  13,  after  the  above  documents  relating  to  the  cap- 
ture of  the  Argonaut  were  sealed  up  and  the  vessel  was  ready 
to  be  sent  as  a  prize  to  San  Bias,  the  Princess  Royal^  which 
had  left  ten  days  before,  returned  and  was  seized  by  Mar- 
tinez. He  saj^s  that  his  motive  for  the  seizure  was  his  wish 
to  prevent  her  from  carrying  news  of  the  capture  of  the 
other  vessel  to  the  company,  and  thus  to  forestall  their  tak- 
ing measures  against  him  before  he  could  be  reenforced.^ 
This  seems  a  poor  excuse  since  the  Englishmen  shipped  on 
board  the  American  vessel  could  carry  the  news  just  as  well. 

Hudson's  letter  to  the  Viceroy  gives  his  account  of  the 
seizure.     On  leaving  Nootka  on  July  2  he  had  intended  to 

«  All  of  these  ai-e  inclosed  with  Martinez's  account  to  the  Viceroy,  referred 
to  above.      (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  00-.3-1S.) 

» Martinez  to  Flore/,  San  Lorenzo  de  Nootka,  July  18,  1789.  (Id.)  This 
letter  is  of  the  same  date  and  appears  in  the  same  bundle  as  that  referred  to 
above  giving  account  of  the  Argonaut. 


340  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

sail  northward,  but  a  storm  had  driven  him  southward  and 
he  had  been  unable  to  return  for  several  days.  On  July  13 
he  had  succeeded  in  getting  back  opposite  the  entrance  to 
Nootka  Sound,  and  being  anxious  to  know  whether  Colnett 
had  arrived,  and,  if  he  had,  wishing  to  get  from  him  some 
needed  supplies  and  instructions  for  his  future  conduct,  he 
determined  to  enter  in  his  launch,  leaving  his  vessel  in  the 
ojDen.  He  had  no  fears  of  maltreatment  since  Martinez 
had  dealt  so  liberally  with  him  before.  He  Avas  met 
by  a  Spanish  launch,  was  told  that  Colnett  was  there 
and  was  sick  and  in  trouble,  was  requested  by  Martinez 
to  enter  the  port,  and  Avas  invited  on  board  the  Spanish 
launch.  He  found  it  completely  armed.  His  own  pistol 
Avas  taken  from  him  and  his  launch  Avas  taken  into  posses- 
sion. When  he  reached  the  Princesa  Martinez  informed 
him  that  he  Avas  a  prisoner,  as  Avas  also  Colnett,  and  that 
the  fault  Avas  all  the  latter's.  Hudson  Avas  urged  to  give 
orders  for  his  ship  to  come  in,  but  refused,  and  the  Span- 
iards prepared  to  take  her  by  force.  Seeing  the  futility 
of  resisting,  he  advised  his  lieutenant  to  surrender.  The  ves- 
sel Avas  taken  at  midnight  and  brought  in  the  next  morning. 
Captain  Hudson  does  not  mention  here  his  brutal  treatment 
at  the  hands  of  the  Spaniards,  which  is  related  in  other  Eng- 
lish accounts."  He  says  that  he  Avas  alloAved  to  go  on  board 
his  OAvn  ship  or  anyAvhere  else  in  the  jDort  that  he  chose. 

The  tAAo  English  vessels  left  ^^ootka  for  San  Bias,  Avhere 
they  Avere  to  aAvait  the  disposition  of  the  Viceroy.  The 
Aryonaut  sailed  July  13,  in  charge  of  Tovar  as  prize  captain. 
In  Colnett's  letter  to  the  Viceroy  he  tells  of  the  hardships 
that  he  suffered  on  the  voyage.  His  belongings  had  been 
transferred  to  the  mate's  cabin,  a  A-ery  small  room.  Each 
night  at  S  o'clock  he  Vv^as  locked  in  this,  and  the  door  was  not 
opened  until  morning.  He  Avas  not  allowed  to  have  any  in- 
Q     tercourse  Avith  his  officers  except  in  the  daytime.     The  com- 

«  See  information  of  William  Graham.  (Inclosure  A'^II,  with  Meares,  Me- 
morial, appendix  to  V^oyages. )  He  says  that  Hudson  was  beaten  and  thrown 
down  the  hatchway  by  the  Spanish  crew,  who  said  :  "  Get  down,  you  English 
dog."  This  and  other  such  extravagant  statements  were  probably  invented 
to  produce  the  desired  effect  on  the  English  mind.  This  document  is  dated 
London,  May  5,  1790,  which  was  only  a  week  before  the  Memorial  was  pre- 
sented, and  was  the  time  when  the  excitement  was  at  its  height. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  341 

iniindant  at  Nootka  had  either  asked  or  taken  all  of  his 
chickens  and  other  fresh  provisions,  so  that  he  had  a  slight 
attack  of  scurvy.  His  mouth,  he  said,  ulcerated,  and  the 
captain  of  the  prize  refused  to  allow  him  to  have  his  bread 
toasted  for  fear  of  destroying  his  teeth !  Whenever  there 
was  a  storm  the  hatchways  Avere  closed,  and  he  almost 
smothered.  The  heat  increased  each  day.  One  night  he 
asked  rej)eatedly  for  a  glass  of  water,  but  it  was  too  great  a 
favor,  aiul  he  had  to  wait  nntil  morning.  His  own  condi- 
tion was  bad  enough,  but  when  he  got  to  San  Bias  he  learned 
that  the  men  of  his  crew  had  suffered  much  more  than  he. 
They  had  been  closely  confined  in  irons  for  many  days, 
though  there  were  only  8  of  them  and  four  times  as  many  to 
guard  tliem."  Tlieir  chests  had  been  broken  into,  and  most 
of  their  clothes  and  personal  belongings  had  been  taken. 
Colnett  had  lost  many  ai'ticles  that  he  valued  very  highly. 
After  their  arrival  at  8nn  Bias,  August  IT),  they  received 
better  treatment,'^  The  Pr'niccsH  Royal  arrived  at  San  Bias 
on  August  27,  just  a  month  after  she  had  left  Nootka.  She 
cai-ried  12  English  and  2  Portuguese  prisoners."" 

On  August  29,  Hanson,  second  pilot  of  the  Argnnaut^ 
committed  suicide.  The  only  known  cause  was  melancholy, 
according  to  the  statement  of  the  Viceroy  drawn  from  a  de- 
tailed account  sent  to  him  by  the  connnandant  of  San  Bias.'' 
In  Colnett's  published  account  he  says  that  it  was  because 
of  Hanson's  despair  at  the  treatment  which  \w,  had  received. 
The  same  writer  states  that  several  others  b:^came  sick  and 
died.^  Colnett  may  have  exaggerated  someAvhat  the  hard- 
ships of  the  voyage,  but  the  letter  seems  to  be  a  truthful  ac- 
count. Their  condition,  at  the  best,  was  a  bad  one,  and  they 
were  probably  confined  more  closely  than  was  necessary  and 
their  wants  not  attended  to  as  they  might  have  been.  It  is 
likely,  hoAvever,  that  most  of  the  harsh  measures  taken  by 

«  Tliere  were  also  8  officers  on  board.  'i'Lese  wiUi  the  S  sailors  were  all  of 
the  Enslishnieu  that  had  come  to  Nootka  on  the  Aiffonaut.  The  Portu,^nese, 
Filipinos,  Chinese,  etc.,  were  to  he  hrouKht  to  San  Bias  later  on  another 
vessel. 

f*  Colnett  to  the  Viceroy,  San  Bias  [September],  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  JH)-3-21  ) 

<•  Florez  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  September  20,  1780.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-14.) 

"  Id.,    inclosing    Comancho    to    Floi-ez,    San    Bias,    September    3,    1789.     Co- 
mancho  was  commandant  of  the  port. 
«  Colnett,  Voyage,  90-102,  note. 


342  AMERICAK    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  prize  crew  were  the  result  of  excessive  caution  rather 
than  wanton  cruelty. 

Martinez's  operations  at  Nootka  after  sending  his  prizes 
to  San  Bias  are  of  minor  interest.  He  carried  on  some  ex- 
plorations in  the  neighborhood,  studied  the  customs  of  the 
natives,  and  made,  in  his  diary,  a  full  report  of  the  country 
and  its  inhabitants.  On  December  6  he  reached  San  Bias, 
liaving  returned  in  consequence  of  an  order  from  Florez 
dated  February  25,  1789. «  This  date  shows  that  the  events 
at  Nootka  during  the  summer  had  nothing  to  do  with  his 
recall,  since  the  order  w^as  given  shortly  after  the  expedition 
had  sailed. 

Wlien  Martinez  reached  San  Bias  he  had  with  him  an 
American  ship  and  sciiooner  which  he  had  captured  just  as 
he  was  leaving  Nootka.  He  had  hesitated  for  some  time, 
uncertain  whether  he  should  set  them  free,  but  had  finally 
decided  to  take  them  to  San  Bias  to  be  acted  on  by  the  Vice- 
roy. Eevilla-Gigedo,  who  had  succeeded  Florez  in  the  vice- 
royalt3^  set  them  free,  on  the  ground  that  the  Americans 
had  not  molested  the  Spanish  settlements.'^  The  names  of 
the  vessels  do  not  appear  in  this  letter.  They  were  doubtless 
the  Eleanora  and  the  Fair  America^  under  Captain  Metcalf.^ 

Martinez  also  brought  with  him  the  29  Chinese  that  he  had 
taken  from  the  Argonaut.  To  save  the  expense  of  keeping 
them  the  Viceroy  said  that  he  had  decided  to  have  them 
brought  to  Mexico,  liberated,  and  given  employment;  or,  if 
they  preferred,  the}^  would  be  sent  to  the  colonies  and  mis- 
sion settlements  of  California.'^  Meares,  in  his  memorial, 
declared  that  these  Chinese  laborers  were  detained  at  Nootka 
by  Martinez  and  put  to  work  in  the  mines  that  had  been 
opened  on  the  land  belonging  to  Meares.     Nothing  appears 

« Revilla-Gigedo  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  December  27,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen. 
de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-19.)  There  are  several  letters  together  of  the  same 
date.  This  is  No.  195.  No.  194  states  that  a  copy  of  Martinez's  diary  is 
inclosed,  hut  a  note  on  a  small  slip  of  paper  inserted  says  that  the  diary  is 
not  being  sent  on  account  of  Martinez's  not  having  sent  a  duplicate  of  it.  The 
diary  does  not  appear  in  the  bundle  and  probably  was  never  sent.  Bancroft, 
Northwest  Coast,  I,  212,  says  :  "  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  the  original 
diaries  of  the  Spanish  expedition  of  1789,  nor  has  any  preceding  writer  in 
English  seen  them." 

"Revilla-Gigedo  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  December  27,  1789.  (No.  198,  MS. 
Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-19.) 

"  Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  212. 

"  Reference  cited,  note  b  above.  No.  196. 


KOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVEBSY.         343 

in  the  Spanish  documents  concerning  any  such  mines.  It 
has  been  stated  elsewhere  that  Meares  gave  TO  as  the  number 
of  Chinese  taken  to  Nootka  by  Colnett.  This  is  probably 
an  exaggeration,  since  the  number  29  is  repeated  several 
times  in  the  Spanish  documents,  and  in  two  places  a  com- 
plete list  of  their  names  is  given."  From  what  will  be  stated 
later,  it  seems  that  the  Viceroy's  scheme  for  liberating  them 
in  Mexico  was  not  carried  out.^ 

«  Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast,  I,  211,  repeats  Meares's  statement  that  there 
were  70  Chinese. 

» Muriel,  lUstoria  de  Carlos  IV,  I,  107,  treats  briefly  the  seizure  of  the 
Aryonaut  and  Princess  Royal, 


Chapter  VI. 

THE  ENGLISH  PRISONERS  IN  MEXICO.*^ 

Florez,  the  Viceroy,  who  had  sent  the  Nootka  expedition, 
had  no  news  from  Martinez  until  Late  in  the  summer. 
Shortly  after  the  arrival  at  San  Bias  of  the  first  prize,  the 
A7r/07iaift^  the  commandant  of  that  port  dispatched  a  special 
messenger  to  Mexico.  This  messenger  arrived  August  26, 
bearing  Martinez's  letters  and  the  papers  from  the  captured 
ships.  The  Viceroy's  anxiety  was  far  from  being  relieved 
when  he  found  himself  involved,  not  with  the  Russians,  but 
w^ith  tlie  English.  The  question  noAV  was  what  should  be 
done  with  the  prizes  sent  for  his  adjudication.  He  was 
embarrassed  by  the  fact  that  he  was  to  retire  from  the  vice- 
royalty  Avithin  a  few  weeks,  and  whatever  measures  he  might 
determine  upon  would  have  to  be  carried  out  by  his  succes- 
sor. He  decided  to  take  no  decisive  step  without  the  new 
Viceroy's  concurrence.  Within  a  day  after  the  messenger's 
arrival  the  more  important  documents  had  been  copied  and 
Florez  had  Avritten  his  report.  They  were  hurried  oif  to  the 
Government  at  Madrid.  In  this  report  he  told  briefly  of 
Martinez's  voyage  to  Nootka,  of  his  talving  formal  posses- 
sion of  the  port  and  fortifying  it,  of  his  finding  the  Amer- 
ican vessels  and  jdlowing  them  to  continue  their  voyage, 
and  of  his  seizing  the  Iphigema  and  the  Arr/onaut,  releas- 
ing the  former  on  bond  and  sending  the  latter  as  a  prize. 
To  this  account  he  added  some  reflections  concerning  the  im- 
portance of  retaining  the  port  of  Nootka.  He  Avonld  send 
reen  for  cements  and  supplies  to  Martinez  at  once.  The  ques- 
tion as  to  Avhether  the  vessels  were  good  prize  he  Avoidd 
leave  to  his  successor.'^ 

Two  days  after  sending  this  account  to  the  home  Govern- 
ment, Florez  sent  orders  to  the  commandant  and  commissary 

°  Previous  accounts  give  f?carcely  anything-  on  this  subject.  This  account 
is  drawn  almost  wholly  from  nmnuscripts  in  the  Spanish  archives. 

"Florez  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  August  27,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias, 
Seville,  90-3-18.) 

344 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  345 

at  San  Bias  for  the  temporary  disposition  of  the  prize.  The 
officers  and  men  were  to  be  kindl}^  treated  and  supplied  with 
lodgings  and  other  accommodations  according  to  their  rank. 
Fresh  food  was  to  be  furnished  at  public  expense,  an  account 
being  kept  of  the  cost.  All  of  their  clothing  was  to  be 
turned  over  to  them,  but  no  arms.  They  were  to  be  given 
complete  liberty  Avithin  the  port,  but  Avere  to  be  closely 
AA^atched  to  see  that  no  one  abused  his  pri Alleges.  A  com- 
plete iuA^entory  should  be  made  in  the  presence  and  AA^ith  the 
help  of  the  English  captain.  The  latter  should  sign  it  and 
receiA^e  a  copy  for  his  security, and  protection,  AAdiatever  the 
fate  of  his  A^essel.  The  perishable  part  of  the  cargo  aa^is  to  be 
sold  and  the  rest  deposited  separately  in  the  royal  store- 
houses. The  ship,  after  being  unloaded,  AA^as  to  be  examined, 
cleaned,  and  repaired  at  goA^ernmental  expense,  AA'ith  the  ap- 
proval of  the  English  commander,  Avho  should  haA^e  a  copy  of 
the  account."  The  fact  is  not  stated  in  this  order,  but  in  a 
letter  to  Madrid  it  appears  that  the  ship,  Avhen  repaired,  AA^as 
to  be  used  in  collecting  supplies  and  reenforcements  for  Mar- 
tinez at  Nootka.''  From  Colnett's  publised  account,  it  seems 
that  the  Englishmen  AA^ere  induced  to  do  the  AA^ork  on  the  ship 
in  the  false  hope  of  an  early  release.     He  says : 

Under  a  promise  that  our  detention  eoiild  not  l)e  Ions,  they  persuaded 
us  to  heave  down  and  repair  tlie  Arf/onaiit,  new  copper  lier  hottoni, 
and  fit  new  rigging?.  The  idea  of  release  stinuilated  us  to  worlc  on 
the  ship  with  great  alacrity.  So  much  so  that  our  exertions  threw 
scA^eral  into  fcA-ers ;  and  on  the  A^essel  being  nearly  ready,  the  Govern- 
ment threw  off  the  mask,  informing  us  she  was  to  be  employed  for 
their  vise,  and  laughed  again  at  our  credulity.'^ 

After  receiving  news  of  the  arrival  at  San  Bias  of  the  sec- 
ond  English  prize,  the  Princess  Royal^  Viceroy  Florez  AA^rote 
again  to  the  Madrid  Government.  This  letter  AA^as  dated 
September  26,  and  told  of  the  steps  taken  with  regard  to  the 
captured  ships  since  his  account  Avritten  a  month  before.  He 
had  considered  the  matter  carefully,  and,  although  he  had 
decided  to  leave  the  disposition  of  the  prizes  to  his  successor, 
yet  he  gave  his  OAvn  conclusions.     He  kncAV  of  no  precedent 

«  [Floi-oz]  to  the  commandant  and  co'iimissni-y  at  San  Bias,  Mexico,  August 
29,  1789.      (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-.3-14.) 

»  Florez  to  A'aldez,  Mexico,  Ausust  27,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias, 
Seville,  90-.3-18.)  This  is  another  letter  of  the  same  date  and  found  in  the 
same  bundle  as  the  one  referred  to  in  note  h  on  the  preceding  page. 

"  Colnett,  A'oyage,  9G-102,  note. 


346  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

for  the  capture  except  the  conduct  of  the  Viceroy  of  Peru 
toward  the  governor  of  Juan  P'ernandez,  on  account  of  the 
latter's  not  having  detained  the  American  ship  Columlm 
when  he  found  she  was  bound  for  Calif ornia.«  This,  he  said, 
was  based  on  the  royal  order  of  1692,  a  copy  of  which  he  in- 
closed.* He  added  that  conditions  had  changed  in  a  cen- 
tury. However,  he  would  not  disapprove  the  conduct  of 
Martinez,  since,  he  said:  "Article  11  of  my  instructions,  '  to 
repel  force  by  force  and  to  prevent  hostile  ships  from  mak- 
ing establishments  and  trading  with  the  Indians  of  our 
coasts,'  ^  could  not  ha\'e  been  enforced  Avithout  detaining  the 
vessels.''  He  concluded :  "  l^'or  the  sake  of  economizing  ex- 
penses and  avoiding  hard  feelings  between  our  court  and 
that  of  London,  it  seems  to  me  best  to  allow  both  vessels  to 
return  to  Macao,  placing  their  commanders  under  bond,  as 
Martinez  did  the  captain  of  the  Iphigeniay  Everything 
taken  from  the  vessels  he  would  restore  or  pay  for, 
deducting  the  cost  of  keeping  the  men  and  the  expense 
for  repairing  the  ship.  He  had  not  time  to  attend  to  this, 
but  would  leave  it  to  his  successor,  if  that  official  ap]>roved.'' 

On  August  27,  the  day  that  Florez  had  written  his  first 
hurried  account  to  the  home  (jovernment,  lie  had  also  writ- 
ten an  account  to  Revilla-Ciigedo,  Avho  was  soon  to  succeed 
him  in  the  viceroyalty.  The  correspondence  that  followed 
is  valuable  as  showing  the  divided  opinion  in  official  circles 
regarding  the  justice  of  the  seizures,  and  as  illustr.ating  the 
evolution  of  the  new  Viceroy's  final  decision  regarding  the 
prizes.  In  the  first  letter  Florez  explained  briefl}^  that,  as  a 
result  of  the  last  expedition  ordered  by  the  King,  he  had, 
without  loss  of  time,  sent  Martinez  to  take  possession  of 
Nootka.  He  then  recounted  the  grave  consequences,  which 
made  it  necessary  to  take  most  prudent  measures,  and  added : 

For  my  part  I  ha^o  not  ventured  to  enter  upon  them,  in  view  of  the 
fact  that  I  am  so  soon  to  surrender  the  government  to  your  excellency. 


"  See  Chapter  IT  I,  ante. 

"The  King  to  the  officials  of  New  Spain,  Madrid,  November  25,  1692. 
(MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-14.)  The  Viceroy  of  Peru  had  re- 
ported that  an  English  vessel  had  been  encountered  in  the  Straits  of  Magel- 
lan. This  order  directs  officials  to  exclude  all  foreign  vessels  from  the  South 
Sea  unless  they  carry  a  special  license  from  tlie  King  of  Spain. 

<■  See  his  instructions  In  Chapter  III,  ante. 

^  Florez  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  September  26,  1789.  (MS,  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias, 
Seville,  90-3-14.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTEOVEKSY.  347 

I  look  upon  this  business  as  more  important  than  any  other,  and  if 
you  rank  it  the  same  I  hope  you  will  hasten  your  coming.a 

Three  days  later  the  new  Viceroy,  Avho  was  attending  to 
some  public  business  at  Veracruz,  replied  that  he  came  fully 
instructed  from  the  higher  authorities  of  all  the  steps  taken 
by  Florez  in  the  Nootka  matter,  of  their  approval  by  the 
junta  of  state,  and  the  consequent  royal  order.  In  view  of 
the  attempt  to  represent  the  English  expedition  as  a  govern- 
mental enterprise,  he  especially  commended  Florez  for  hav- 
ing inserted  in  Martinez's  instructions  the  order  of  the  Eng- 
lish Admiralty  office  to  Cook  telling  the  latter  not  to  touch  at 
Spanish  ports  except  in  case  of  necessity  and  then  to  leave 
as  soon  as  possible.  He  thought  that  that  wise  council 
would  not  now  have  sent  an  expedition  with  such  contrary 
instructions.  He  believed  it  had  come  simply  from  Botany 
Bay  or  some  establishment  in  India.  He  said  that  it  did  not 
appear  necessary  for  Florez  to  await  his  coming  to  take  steps 
regarding  the  captured  ships,  since  Florez  was  so  well  in- 
formed. As  to  the  possibility  of  another  English  expedi- 
tion being  sent  to  dislodge  Martinez,  he  thought  there  was 
no  danger.  England  was  too  remote,  and  the  Spanish 
could  supply  reenforcements  when  necessary.  The  English 
Cabinet  would  not  undertake  anything  so  likely  to  fail.  In 
the  end  the  unhappy  affair  Avould  be  settled  between  the 
Spanish  and  English  Courts.  However,  he  would  not  delay 
his  coming  to  Mexico  a  moment  longer  tlian  necessary.'^ 

On  September  2,  the  same  day  that  Florez  received  the 
letter  just  reviewed,  he  ansAverecl  it.  In  his  answer  there  is  a 
tone  of  impatience  which  seems  to  be  2:)artly  because  Revilla- 
Gigedo  had  not  dropped  everything  else  to  attend  to  the 
prizes,  and  partly  because  the  latter's  approval  was  not  en- 
thusiastic. The  new^  Viceroy  had  suggested  that  since  the 
English  expedition  did  not  appear  to  have  been  sent  by  the 
Government  it  would  have  been  better  if  Martinez  had  told 
the  captains  to  return  when  they  chose  to  the  parts  from 
whence  they  had  come.  Florez  retorted:  "I  explained  to 
your  excellency  that,  according  to  the  documents  which  Mar- 

"  Florez  to  Revilla-Gigedo,  Mexico,  August  27,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-14.) 

"Revilla-Gigedo  to  Florez,  Veracruz,  August  30,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-14.) 


348  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

tinez  sent  to  me,  these  prizes  liave  been  made  with  good  cause, 
and  I  think  your  excellenc}^  will  indorse  my  opinion  when 
you  have  given  careful  attention  to  their  contents."  He  in- 
closed copies  of  them  and  called  attention  to  the  positive 
representations  of  the  English  captain.  He  continued: 
"Whether  the  English  Court  had  any  j^art  in  the  plan  for 
occupying  Nootka,  or  whether  it  did  not,  we  have  often  seen 
them  lay  claim  to  ports  and  territories  occupied  by  the  mer- 
chants or  subjects  of  their  nation;  and  there  is  no  doubt  but 
that  they  have  ready  naval  forces  incomparably  greater  than 
those  which  we  can  send  from  San  Bias."  He  enlarged  on 
the  insufficiency  of  vessels  in  tliat  ])ort  for  present  needs,  and 
told  of  the  preparations  that  lie  was  making  to  use  the  cap- 
tured shii)s  to  convey  reeuforcements  and  supplies  to  Marti- 
nez. Ill  closing  he  said  :  "  But  since  your  excellency  can  not 
give  it  the  preferential  attention  asked  1  have  suspended  my 
orders  relative  to  Nootka  affairs  until  your  excellency  gives 
me  your  final  decision  concerning  the  liberating  or  retention 
of  the  English  ships."  " 

The  loyalt}^  Avith  which  Florez  supported  Martinez,  and 
his  resentment  when  he  found  llevilla-Gigedo  inclined  to 
disavow^  the  seizures,  ma}^  hnve  arisen  from  a  personal  rela- 
tion, since,  as  stated  aboA'e,  Colnett  says  that  Martinez  rep- 
resented himself  as  the  nephew  of  Florez.'^ 

After  having  read  the  copies  of  Martinez's  letters  and 
documents,  which  Florez  had  sent,  Revilla-Gigedo  replied, 
September  1),  that  he  was  pleased  to  find  that  his  opinion  of 
the  unofficial  character  of  the  English  expedition  was  con- 
firmed ;  that  Colnett  had  been  sent,  not  as  a  governor,  but  as 
a  merchant ;  that  he  was  not  to  establish  a  fortification  but  a 
factor}^,  which  was  to  be  located  not  necessarily  at  Nootka, 
but  wherever  it  might  be  Avith  couA^enience,  and  that  Fort 
Pitt  Avas  simply  the  name  to  be  given  to  the  factor}^  Had 
the  English  expedition  taken  any  sort  of  possession  of 
Nootka,  he  said  that  it  Avould  doubtless  liaA^e  afforded  some 
subsequent  claim.  But  since  it  had  not  succeeded,  and  since 
the  English  captain  had  asked  permission  to  sail,  all  such 
fears  ought  to  have  vanished.     There  Avas  the  more  reason 

"  [Florez]   to  Revilla-Gigedo,  Mexico,  September  2,  1789.      (MS.  Arch.  Gen. 
de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-14.) 
"  See  preceding  chapter,  p.  333. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  349 

for  this,  since  not  only  had  Enghmd  been  prevented  from 
taking  possession,  but  Spain  actuall}'  possessed  it.  Since 
Florez  had  already  referred  the  matter  to  the  Spanish  Court, 
it  seemed  to  him  that  they  could  take  no  further  step  until 
the  decision  of  His  Majesty  should  arrive.  He  agreed  that 
in  the  meantime  the  captured  ships  should  be  used  to  con- 
vey supplies  to  Martinez  if  no  others  were  available.  He 
had  read  with  pleasure  the  timely  and  prudent  orders  of 
Florez  for  caring  for  the  captured  ships  and  prisoners. 
The  weakened  forces  at  San  Bias  were  being  strengthened 
and  the  necessary  ships  could  be  constructed.  A  new  com- 
mandant of  that  port  with  reenforcements  had  set  out  from 
Veracruz  the  preceding  day." 

In  this  Kevilla-Gigedo  maintained  his  former  position 
that  Martinez  had  insufficient  ground  for  nuiking  the  cap-  O 
tures.  He  seems  not  to  have  considered  what  would  have 
been  the  consequences  if  the  Englisli  ships  had  not  been 
seized  and  had  established  a  colony  elsewhere  on  the  coast. 
He  gave  a  qualified  approval  of  the  steps  taken  by  Florez 
while  awaiting  an  ansAver  from  the  home  Government,  but 
he  did  not  definitely  conmiit  himself  on  the  question  to 
Avhich  Florez  had  tried  to  elicit  an  answer— that  is,  Avhether 
he  Avould  declare  the  ships  good  prize. 

On  September  10  Florez  re])lied  that  lie  had  decided  to 
continue  his  preparations  for  sending  sup])lies  and  reenforce- 
ments to  Nootka,  since  Kevilla-Ciigedo  had  approv^'d  using 
the  captured  ships  *f or  that  purpose.^ 

The  ncAV  Viceroy  took  control  of  the  government  October 
IS.''  A  few  days  later  he  wrote  to  the  home  Government 
concerning  Nootka  affairs: 

When  my  predecessor,  Don  Manuel  Antonio  Florez,  surrendered 
this  government  to  me  we  had  many  extended  conferences,  but  either 
because  of  forgetfulness  or  on  Mccount  of  preference  for  other  weighty 
affairs,  he  did  not  mention  the  matter  of  the  English  ships  captured 
at  Nootka.  He  ought  to  have  done  it.  since  he  left  the  business  for  me 
to  settle.  *  *  *  My  verdict  has  always  been  opposed  to  the  seiz- 
ure of  the  vessels,  but  since  my  predecessor  has  seen  fit  to  refer  the 
matter  to  the  home  Government,  I  have  concluded  that  I  ought  to  do 

«  Revilia-Gigedo  to  Floi-ez,  Veracruz,  September  9,  1781).  (MS.  Arch.  den. 
de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-14.) 

"  LFlorez]  to  Revilla  Gijjedo,  Mexico,  September  1(5,  1789.  (MS.  Arch. 
Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-:5-14.) 

« Iniorme  of  Kevillu-Gigedo,  Bustaraante  [CavoJ,  Los  Tres  Siglos,  III,  130. 


0 


350  AMERICAN    HISTOEICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

nothing  further  until  I  have  received  tlie  decision  of  the  King.  Since 
there  were  no  otliers  available  at  San  Bias,  he  had  made  use  of  the 
captured  ships,  he  said,  to  bring  arms  from  Acapulco  to  that  port. 
After  their  return  from  this  trip  he  would  send  them  in  January  with 
supplies  and  reenforcements  for  Nootka.  By  the  time  these  operations 
should  be  completed  the  King's  orders  for  detention  or  release  would 
have  come.« 

About  the  time  that  the  new  Viceroy  took  possession  of 
the  government,  letters  arrived  from  the  captains  of  the 
captured  English  vessels.  Mention  has  been  made  of  the 
letter  which  Florez  Avrote  to  the  commandant  and  commis- 
sary at  San  Bias  immediately  after  receiving  news  of  the 
arrival  of  the  lirst  prize.  Besides  this  letter  giving  orders 
for  the  care  of  the  prisoners,  the  repairing  of  the  vessels, 
and  making  an  inventory  of  the  cargo,  he  seems  to  have 
given  instructions  for  obtaining  a  full  statement  of  their 
case  from  the  English  commanders.  Their  letters  were  ad- 
dressed to  Florez.  These  are  the  accounts  of  Colnett  and 
Hudson  to  Avhich  frequent  reference  has  been  made  above.^ 
In  closing,  Colnett  said: 

Your  excellency  will  pardon  me  for  venturing  to  write  such  a  long 
letter,  in  which  I  have  dwelt  on  affairs  of  such  little  importance.  But 
if  I  have  done  so,  it  has  been  at  the  instance  of  the  commandant  of 
this  port,  who  has  told  me  that  it  was  your  excellency's  wish.  As 
reflecting  the  treatment  received  at  San  Bias  [he  said],  I  beg  per- 
mission to  add  that  all  of  the  bad  treatment  which  I  received  at 
Nootka  and  the  cruelty  which  was  practiced  on  me  in  my  passage 
from  thence  hither  has  been  entirely  wiped  out  by  the  attentions 
and  humanity  of  the  ofHciiil  whom  I  find  here  in  the  position  of  com- 
mandant, Don  Jose  Comancho.c 

This  letter  bears  no  date,  but  that  of  Hudson  which 
accompanied  it  is  dated  September  18.^  Inclosed  Avith  these 
letters  was  a  copy  of  an  inventory  giving  the  original  cost 
of  each  article.  It  was  signed  by  Colnett  and  Duffin,  and 
apparently  included  the  cargo  of  the  Argonaut  only.  On 
October  1  Colnett  wrote  another  letter,  in  concluding  w^hich 
he  said : 

«  Revilla-Gigedo  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  October  27,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 

"  Chapters  IV  and  V. 

"Spanish  translation  of  Colnett  to  Florez,  San  Bias  [September  18],  1789. 
(MS.  Arch.  Gen.  do  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 

"  Spanish  translation  of  Hudson  to  Florez,  San  Bias,  September  18,  1789. 
(MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  351 

The  climate  of  San  Bias  has  proved  to  be  very  bad  for  me  and  my 
officers  and  crew.  We  should  consider  it  a  j?reat  favor  if  you  would 
permit  us  to  make  a  journey  on  horseback  some  miles  inland,  or  allow 
part  of  us  to  pass  a  few  days  at  some  distance  from  the  port.a 

It  fell  to  the  lot  of  Kevilla-Gigedo  to  answer  the  letters. 
On  October  21  he  wrote  to  Colnett: 

I  have  read  the  representations  which  you  and  Captain  Hudson 
made  to  my  predecessor,  the  Most  Excellent  Senor  Don  Manuel 
Antonio  Florez.  He  has  turned  over  to  me  all  of  your  comphiints 
against  the  proceedings  of  the  connnandant  of  Nootka,  Don  Estevan 
Jose  Martinez.  My  dealings  shall  be  baseO.  on  the  laws  of  reason, 
equity,  and  justice.  This  is  all  tluit  I  can  or  should  say  at  present. 
I  assure  you  and  Captain  Hudson  that  yourselves  and  all  the  people  of 
your  vessels  shall  be  treated  with  such  attention  as  is  demanded  by 
the  friendship  and  harmony  existing  between  our  Sovereigns.^ 

Having  thus  teni])orarily  disposed  of  the  question  of  the 
captured  ships,  the  Viceroy  busied  himself  about  carrying 
out  a  "  royal  order  of  the  l^tli  of  last  April  for  sustaining 
with  vigor  our  new  establishment  at  Nootka."  He  Avrote  to 
his  superior  at  Madrid  how  he  had  planned  to  send,  in  the 
following  January,  a  new  expedition  of  three  vessels  with 
complete  equipment,  supplies,  and  reenforcements.  It  was 
to  be  commanded  by  a  military  official.  He  was  to  succeed 
Martinez  as  commandant  of  Nootka,  and  w^as  to  receive  from 
Martinez  complete  instruction  regarding  the  country  and  its 
inhabitants.  This  would  contribute  the  greatest  possible 
security  to  the  establishment  in  that  port.  J^ut  the  plan  had 
been  completely  overthrown  by  the  return  of  Martinez  with 
all  of  his  ships  to  San  I^las  December  i)S  At  first  this  had 
caused  the  Viceroy  great  inquietude,  but  soon  he  had  modi- 
fied his  plan  and  was  again  pushing  it  to.  completion.  The 
new  commandant  was  to  be  Eliza,  and  Martinez  slioukl 
accompany  him  in  the  office  of  pilot.  The  Spanish  posses- 
sion of  Nootka  Avas  to  be  vigorously  maintained  if  any  for- 
eign power  should  attempt  to  dispute  it.  One  of  the  three 
ships  was  to  be  the  captured  Princem  Royal.  The  Argonaut 
had  already  gone  to  Acapulco  and  returned  to  San  Bias 
loaded  with  artillery  to  furnish  armamennt  for  the  expedi- 


"  Spanish  translation  of  Colnett  to  the  Viceroy,  San  Hlas,  October  1,  178i). 
(MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  00-:i-21.) 

"  [Revilla-Gigedol  to  Colnett,  Mexico,  October  21,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  (Jen. 
de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 

"  See  last  chapter. 


352  AMERICAK    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

tion.«  This  new  enterprise  ma}^  be  dismissed  for  the  present 
to  follow  the  fate  of  the  English  prisoners. 

Before  turning  to  the  dealings  of  the  Viceroy  with  the 
Englishmen  it  is  interesting,  though  not  essential  to  the  nar- 
rative, to  notice  the  final  exit  of  Martinez  from  the  stage  that 
his  rashness  had  brought  into  prominence.  In  a  letter  of 
February  20,  1790,  the  Viceroy  mentioned  a  royal  order  of 
October  13,  1T8D,  "  informing  me  that  at  the  instance  of 
Doiia  Gertrudis  Gonzales,  Avife  of  Don  Estevan  Jose  Mar- 
tinez, ensign  of  the  navy,  the  King  had  resolved  that  I 
should  arrange  to  transfer  this  official  to  those  dominions 
[Spain),  or  that  in  case  his  continuance  at  San  Bias  was  nec- 
essary to  the  service  that  I  shoidd  Avithhold  a  third  part  of 
his  salary,  to  be  applied  to  the  support  of  his  wife  and  of 
one  daughter  IT  years  old.''"  Thus  it  appears  that  while 
Martinez  was  getting  himself  and  his  Government  into  trou- 
ble in  Ajnerica  his  family  in  Spain  was  in  trouble  because 
he  had  neglectcid  their  support.  The  Vicero}^  gave  orders 
at  once  for  Martinez's  return  from  Xootka  on  the  first  vessel 
coming  to  San  Bias,  in  order  that  he  might  go  to  Spain  and 
rejoin  his  family.  His  services  were  no  longer  necessary, 
it  was  said,  there  being  enough  officials  without  him.  It 
should  be  noticed  that  this  order  was  given  more  than  two 
months  before  news  reached  Spain  of  Martinez's  operations 
at  Nootka.  So  that  could  have  had  no  influence  on  his 
recall. 

The  request  for  a  change  of  climate  made  by  Colnett  in  his 
second  letter  to  the  Viceroy,  mentioned  above,  was  granted. 
In  Colnett's  published  account  he  says :  "  We  were  removed 
60  miles  up  the  country ;  here  w^e  were  allowed  great  liberty 
and  better  treatment,"  ^'  and  permitted  to  remain  "  the  six 
latter  months  of  our  captivity."  '^  This  w^as  at  a  place  called 
Tepic.  Not  only  was  this  favor  granted,  but  the  English 
commanders  were  alloAved  to  go  in  person  and  plead  their 
case  before  the  Viceroy.  Speaking  of  Bodega  y  Quadra,  the 
new  commandant  of  San  Bias,  Colnett  says: 

"  Revillii-Gigedo  to  VaUlez,  Mexico,  December  27,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen. 
de  Indias,  Sevilla,  00-3-19.) 

"  Revilla-CJijredo  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  February  26,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen. 
de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-26.) 

«•  Colnett,  Voyage,  96-102,  note. 

"  Id.,  105. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    COT^ TROVERS Y  35ft 

To  this  officer  I  am  greatly  indebted  for  his  l^ind  attention  and 
obtaining  permission  for  me  to  go  to  Mexico  to  claim,  redress  for  our 
past  treatment.o 

In  Revilla-Gigedo's  first  account  of  the  matter  to  the 
home  government  he  had  mentioned  the  P^nglish  captain's 
complaint  of  the  bad  faith  and  worse  treatment  of  Martinez. 
He  said  he  had  offered  to  give  them  a  hearing  in  court,  but  it 
would  be  impossible  to  do  this  without  giving  Martinez  a 
hearing  at  the  same  time.^  When  writing  this  he  supposed 
that  Martinez  was  at  Nootka  and  would  remain  until  re- 
lieved of  his  command.  But  although  Martinez  returned 
to  Mexico  shortly  thereafter,  still  the  trial  was  not  held, 
since  he  had  to  go  again  to  Nootka  as  pilot  of  the  expedition 
under  Eliza.  The  Viceroy,  in  his  published  "  Informe,"  tells 
of  the  promised  trial  and  why  it  was  not  held : 

The  captain  of  the  Argonaut,  James  Coluett,  and  that  of  the  Prin- 
cess Royal,  Thomas  Hudson,  his  subaltern,  asked  and  I  gave  them  per- 
mission to  come  to  this  capital.  They  produced  their  complaints 
against  Martinez  and  I  ordered  the  case  to  be  drawn  up.  But  it  could 
not  be  continued,  because  the  defendant  and  some  of  the  witnesses 
were  necessarily  employed  in  the  royal  service  ajid  the  plaintiffs 
wished  to  be  set  free  as  soon  as  possible.^ 

Speaking  of  his  stay  at  the  capital,  Colnett  says: 

On  my  arrival  at  Mexico  and  during  my  residence  there  I  was 
treated  by  the  Viceroy,  Don  Revilla-Gigedo,  with  greater  politeness 
and  humanity,  and,  indeed,  by  all  ranlvs  of  people  in  that  city.o 

The  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  P^nglish  captains  at  Mexico 
seems  to  have  been  about  the  first  of  the  year.  They  received 
no  definite  answer  to  the  question  whether  their  ships  should 
be  condenmed  or  released  until  late  in  April.  The  Viceroy 
was  waiting  for  an  answer  from  the  home  Government  to 
the  first  account  of  the  seizures  which  Florez  had  written 
the  previous  August.  This  account  had  not  reached  the 
Government  until  December  30.'^  Florez 's  second  account 
was  received  three  days  later.«     Thus  by  the  second  day  of 

«  Colnett,  Voyag:e,  96-102,  note. 

»  Revilla-Gigedo  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  October  27,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville.  90-3-21.) 

'^  Informe  of  Revilla-Gigedo,  April  12,  1793.  (Bustamante  [Cavo],  Los  Tres 
Siglos,  III,  132.) 

<' Valdez  to  Floridablanca,  December  30,  1789.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 

«  Valdez  to  Floridablanca,  January  2,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 23 


V 


354  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  new  year  the  Government  had  a  full  account  of  the  sei- 
zures and  copies  of  all  of  the  documents.  No  reply  was  made 
until  January  26.  When  this  reply  reached  the  Viceroy, 
greatly  to  his  surprise  and  disappointment,  it  gave  him  no 
advice,  but  instead  it  asked  for  his  determinations  concern- 
ing the  question  whether  the  ships  were  good  prize. 

Revilla-Gigedo  resolved  to  wait  no  longer  for  advice,  and 
so  took  the  responsibility  upon  himself.  In  answer  to  the 
request  from  Madrid,  he  wrote,  on  May  1,  1790,  his  conclu- 
sions, as  follows : 

They  have  been  to  liberate  the  English  prisoners  on  the  conditions 
shown  by  inclosed  letters.  Colnett,  who  came  to  Mexico  with  my  con- 
sent to  present  his  complaints,  will  now  return  to  San  Bias,  where 
he  will  receive  his  ship,  the  Argonaut.  Embarking  there  with  all  of 
the  English  and  Chinese,^  he  will  return  to  Macao  or  wherever  he 
wishes.  At  Nootka  he  will  receive  from  the  connuandant,  Don  Fran- 
cisco Eliza,  the  sloop  Pi'incess  Royal,  which  will  be  turned  over  to 
her  master,  Thomas  Hudson.  These  foreigners  are  warned  not  to 
delay,  trade,  nor  establish  themselves  on  our  Spanish  coasts  under 
threat  of  punishment  for  violation.  I  have  felt  compelled  to  release 
them,  considering  that  I  ought  not  to  hold  as  good  prize  a  few  little 
vessels  found  an  a  distant  and  deserted  coast  of  our  colonies  of 
California;  and  considering  the  uselessness  of  burdening  the  royal 
treasury  with  some  60  men,  whose  scanty  sustenance  has  to  be  pro- 
vided for  in  the  feeble  and  expensive  establishment  of  San  Bias  in 
order  that  the  just  sentiments  of  humanity  might  not  be  violated, 
and  that  the  plans  of  my  predecessor  might  be  carried  out.6 

This  action  of  Revilla-Gigedo  and  the  grounds  here  given 
for  the  release  of  the  English  ships  are  consistent  with  the 
position  taken  by  him  as  soon  as  he  heard  of  the  affair, 
namely,  that  the  vessels  ought  never  to  have  been  seized. 
It  will  be  interesting  to  notice  the  subsequent  change  in  his 
position. 

Cohiett  had  been  informed  of  the  decision  of  the  Viceroy 
on  April  27.'^  On  the  same  day  orders  were  sent  to  San 
Bias  for  carrying  it  out.  The  commandant,  Bodega  y 
Quadra,  was  to  surrender  the  Argonaut  to  Colnett  in  good 
condition,  and  was  to  give  orders  to  Eliza  at  Nootka  to 

•«  Florez's  plan,  mentioned  In  the  last  chapter,  for  taking  the  Chinese  to 
Nootka  and  liberating  them,  had  evidently  not  been  carried  out. 

"  Ilovilla-Gigedo  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  May  1,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 

<'  Kevilla-Oigedo  to  Colnett,  Mexico,  April  27,  1700.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  355 

surrender  the  Princess  Royal  to  Hudson  in  the  same  condi- 
tion. The  small  schooner,  since  it  could  not  be  taken  apart 
to  be  put  on  the  larger  vessel,  was  to  be  paid  for.  All  be- 
longings were  to  be  returned  to  the  prisoners.  The  supplies 
deposited  in  the  royal  storehouses  were  to  be  given  back, 
an  equivalent  was  to  be  given  for  everything  applied  to  the 
royal  service,  and  whatever  had  been  lost  was  to  be  paid 
for.  All  this  was  to  be  done  in  such  a  manner  as  to  avoid 
complaint."  Besides  having  all  of  their  belongings  restored, 
the  commissary  was  to  pay  wages  to  all,  extending  from 
the  day  of  their  capture  until  they  were  released.  Colnett 
was  to  be  paid  as  a  lieutenant  of  the  navy,  and  all  others 
according  to  their  rank  as  regulated  by  the  scale  of  wages 
for  the  South  Sea.  A  general  account  was  to  be  made  of  all 
expenses  occasioned  by  the  captured  ships.*  The  Viceroy 
argued,  in  a  letter  to  the  home  Government,  that  the  English 
South  Sea  Company,  under  whose  license  Colnett  was  nav- 
igating, should  repay  to  the  royal  treasury  of  Spain  all 
expenses  occasioned  by  the  captured  ships.  His  reason  was 
that  their  agents  made  the  seizure  necessary  by  coming  to 
the  coast  of  California,  where  they  could  neither  establish 
themselves  nor  enjoy  commercial  advantages  by  right.'' 

In  the  packet  which  Eevilla-Gigedo  sent  on  May  1  he 
inclosed  a  letter  from  Colnett  to  the  British  ambassador  at 
Madrid,  presenting  his  complaints  against  Martinez.'^  The 
Viceroy  added  that  he  hoped  these  would  be  considered 
when  Martinez  reached  Spain. 

The  Viceroy  considered  that  he  was  treating  Colnett  very 
liberally,  and  it  does  seem  that  he  had  allowed  about  all  that 
could  be  expected  if  his  orders  should  be  faithfully  carried 
out.  Colnett,  hoAvever,  was  not  fully  satisfied  and  presented 
a  number  of  formal  requests.  He  enumerated  a  list  of 
things  which  he  requested  should  be  sent  from  Mexico  to  fit 
out  his  ships.     These  were  granted.     He  asked  that  all  of  the 

••  Revilla-Gigedo  to  Bodega  y  Qnudra,  Mexico,  April  27,  1790.  (MS.  Arch. 
Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 

"Revilla-Gigedo  to  the  commissary  of  San  Bias,  Mexico,  April  27,  1790. 
(MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 

«  Revilla-Gigedo  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  May  1,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 

''  Copies  of  this  letter  from  Colnett  to  the  British  ambassador  at  Madrid, 
one  to  Cadman,  Etches  &  Co.,  one  to  Colnetfs  mother,  and  one  to  P.  Steph- 
ens, of  the  Admiralty  oflSce^at  London,  all  dated  May  1,  1790,  are  In  Madrid. 
(Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 


356  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

wages  of  both  crews  be  paid  to  him  as  commander,  which 
was  granted  also.  He  demanded  payment  for  himself  as 
commandant  of  an  expedition,  but  he  was  allowed  pay  only 
for  a  lieutenant,  which  was  less  than  half  as  much.  He 
demanded  the  return  of  the  schooner  which  he  had  brought 
in  the  Argonaut^  but  which  Martinez  had  taken.  He  was  to 
have  pay  for  it.  He  wished  the  Princess  Royal  to  return  to 
San  Bias  for  her  crew,  but  he  was  compelled  to  wait  until 
he  should  get  to  Nootka  for  her.  lie  demanded  a  money 
payment  of  not  more  than  £3,000  to  reimburse  himself  for 
personal  valuables  and  nautical  instruments  lost.  The  Vice- 
roy refused  this,  since  he  had  ordered  tiiat  all  of  these  should 
be  returned  or  paid  for  at  San  Bias.  He  asked  for  a  special 
interpreter  to  be  appointed  for  him,  but  this  was  refused  as 
unnecessary.  His  request  for  the  return  of  his  servant,  a 
Sandwich  Islander,  was  at  first  refused,  but  later  granted. 
The  Viceroy  was  attempting  to  keep  this  man,  who  was  said 
to  be  chief  of  one  of  the  islands,  ostensibly  that  he  might  be 
converted  to  the  Catholic  religion;  but  probably  the  real 
reason  was  to  use  him  in  getting  an  opening  for  a  Spanish 
settlement  on  the  Sandwich  Islands.  He  had  flattered  the 
vanity  of  the  savage  by  promising  to  send  him  to  see  the 
King  of  Spain.  Colnett's  persuasion  prevailed.  The  most 
important  request  was  that  for  a  passport  which  should 
allow  greater  privileges  than  the  Viceroy's  order  for  his 
release  had  granted." 

The  Viceroy  had  forbidden  the  Englishmen  to  make  any 
establishment,  to  trade,  or  even  to  tarry  on  the  coast;  and 
in  his  first  reply  to  Colnett's  demands  he  repeated  the  pro- 
hibition. Three  days  later  Colnett  wrote  again,  using  very 
plain  language.  He  called  attention  to  the  instructions 
under  which  he  had  sailed  with  a  license  from  the  British 
Government.  Those  instructions  required  him  to  trade  with 
the  Indians  and  to  form  an  establishment  for  that  purpose. 
The  Viceroy's  instructions  had  ordered  him  to  sail  directly 
to  Macao,  without  stopping  on  the  coast.  He  pointed  out 
the  inconsistent  position  in  which  he  was  placed.  The 
right  of  Spain  to  the  coast  was  a  point  to  be  settled — he 

» Colnett  to  Revilla-Gigedo,  Mexico,  May  3,  1790,  and  answer,  Revilla- 
Gigedo  to  Colnett,  Mexico,  May  4,  1790.  (MSS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville, 
90-3-21.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  357 

hoped,  in  a  friendly  manner" — between  the  Cabinets  of 
Madrid  and  St.  James.  It  was  clear  that  the  right  was  not 
recognized  by  the  English,  as  was  shown  by  the  patent  and 
instructions  which  he  bore.  That  same  year  the  privilege 
granted  to  his  company  would  expire.  Let  Spain  see,  in 
a  friendly  manner,  that  it  should  not  be  renewed,  but  the 
Viceroy  should  not  oppose  the  pacific  execution  of  a  commer- 
cial undertaking  attemj^ted  in  good  faith  and  at  so  great  an 
expense.  He  demanded  a  passport  with  only  one  prolnbi- 
tion,  namel}^,  to  trade  with  Spanish  ports.^ 

Colnett's  arguments  had  the  desired  effect.  On  May  11 
the  Viceroy  sent  him  a  passport  with  only  the  one  prohibi- 
tion and  expressly  stating  that  he  might  carry  on  his  opera- 
tions in  places  not  actually  under  Spanish  dominion.^  In 
the  letter  inclosing  the  passport  he  trusts  that  they  will  not 
think  of  making  an  establishment  on  the  coast  or  of  trading 
to  the  prejudice  of  the  Spanish  nation.*^ 

It  is  noteworthy  that  m  this  passport  the  Viceroy  reversed 
his  decision  of  ten  days  before  and  declared  that  Martinez's 
seizure  of  the  vessels  was  well  founded.  He  cited  laws  and 
royal  orders  which  he  said  not  only  absolutely  forbade  the 
navigation,  establishment,  and  trade  of  foreign  nations  on  the 
American  coasts  of  the  South  Sea,  but  ordered  them  to  be 
looked  upon  and  treated  as  enemies.  His  reason  for  freeing 
the  English  ships,  he  now  said,  was  to  preserve  harmony  and 
a  good  understanding  between  the  subjects  of  His  Catholic 
Majesty  and  the  King  of  Great  Britain.  The  change  in  his 
mental  attitude  seems  to  have  been  brought  about  by  the 
stubborn  persistence  with  which  Colnett  urged  his  demands 
in  the  meantime.  By  the  latter  part  of  May,  when  he  wrote 
again  to  the  home  Government,  the  Viceroy  had  formulated 
his  decision.     He  declared : 

The  coasts  north  of  California  are  truly  and  justly  the  dominions  of 
our  Sovereign.     According  to  the  royal  order  of  November  25,  1692, 

»  Had  Colnett  and  the  Viceroy  known  of  the  feverish  excitement  in  En  rope 
at  this  very  time  in  expectation  of  a  war  over  this  quarrel  between  sea  cap- 
tains this  veiled  threat  would  not  have  seemed  so  oltscnre. 

«>  Colnett  to  Revilla-Gigedo,  May  7,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias, 
Seville,  90-3-21.) 

'  Passport  signed  by  Revilla-Gigedo,  Mexico,  May  11,  1790.  (MS.  Arch. 
Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-;i-21.) 

<«  Revilla-Gigedo  to  Colnett,  Mexico,  May  11,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 


358  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

of  which  my  predecessor  sent  a  copy,  and  according  to  the  treaty,  to 
which  it  refers,  of  1670,  ratified  and  confirmed  by  article  2  of  that  of 
1783,  all  of  the  vessels  which  Don  Estevan  Jose  Martinez,  ensign  of 
the  royal  navy,  found  in  Nootka  were  legitimate  prizes.  The  release 
of  the  packet  boat  Argonaut  and  the  sloop  Princess  Royal  has  been 
the  result  of  pure  generosity.^ 

This  is  a  complete  reversal  of  his  decision  quoted  above 
from  his  letter  of  twenty-six  days  earlier.  In  his  "  Informe  " 
of  three  years  later  the  Viceroy  cited  in  addition  as  grounds 
for  his  decision  an  article  of  the  orders  of  the  roj^al  navy, 
and  also  a  royal  order  of  October  18,  1776,  "  to  detain,  seize, 
and  prosecute  any  foreign  ship  which  arrives  in  our  ports 
of  the  South  Sea.^ 

A  royal  order  had  been  finally  given,  March  23,  definitely 
instructing  the  Viceroy  to  liberate  the  captured  ships.  In 
a  letter  of  June  26  Revilla-Gigedo  said  that  the  royal  order 
of  March  23  had  been  completely  satisfied  by  his  accounts  of 
^lay  1  and  27.  He  was  pleased  that  he  had  conformed  so 
ha])pily  to  the  decisions  of  the  King.'' 

According  to  Colnett's  published  account,  he  found  on 
his  return  to  San  Bias  that  the  Argonaut  was  in  a  bad  con- 
dition on  account  of  the  treatment  she  had  received.  He 
says  that  the  Viceroy's  liberality  in  allowing  wages  was 
counterbalanced  by  the  charges  for  maintenance,  traveling 
expenses,  medical  assistance,  and  an  allowance  of  eight 
months'  provisions.  He  says  also  that  before  he  was  allowed 
to  sail  he  was  compelled  to  sign  a  paper  expressing  his  com- 
plete satisfaction  with  their  usage.**  That  paper  was  signed 
July  8, 1790,  and  is  as  follows: 

I  have  the  honor  of  informing  your  excellency  that  to-day  I  have 
been  dispatched  from  San  Bias;  and  I  also  have  the  satisfaction  of 
adding  that  I  have  reason  to  be  content  with  the  treatment  of  the 
commandant  and  commissary  of  this  department. 

With  all  proper  submission,  I  ask  permission  of  your  excellency 
to  add  that  the  money  which  I  have  received  here  is  little  more  than 
the  amount  of  my  individual  loss,  and  is  not  the  fifth  part  of  the 
damages  by  the  most  moderate  calculation.     Since  I  shall  have  to 

"Revilla-Gigedo  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  May  27,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 

"Informe  of  Revilla  Gigedo,  April  12,  1793.  (Bustamante  (Cavo),  Los 
Tres  Siglos,  III,  132.) 

«  Revilla-Gigedo  to  Valdez,  Mexico,  June  26,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de 
Indias,  Seville,  90-3-21.) 

<  Colnett,  Voyage,  96-102,  note. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  359 

turn  matters  over  to  the  company  which  employs  me,  I  hope  that 
your  excellency  will  have  consideration  in  keeping  with  your  known 
generosity,  and  will  not  allow  them  to  suffer  such  losses.a 

This,  if  true,  indicates  that  Colnett's  apprehensions  of 
illiberal  treatment  at  San  Bias  were  well  founded.  On  his 
arrival  at  Nootka  the  Princess  Royal  was  not  there.  June 
11  of  the  next  year  she  was  dispatched  from  San  Bias  to  be 
surrendered  to  Colnett  or  some  other  representative  of  the 
company  in  China.^  Colnett  fell  in  with  her  and  she  was 
handed  over  at  the  Sandwich  Islands.*^ 

This  closes  the  Nootka  affair  as  far  as  events  on  the  Amer- 
ican continent  are  concerned.  Before  the  Viceroy  had 
finally  decided  to  liberate  the  prisoners,  the  matter  had  been 
taken  up  by  the  home  Governments,  and  all  Europe  was 
ablaze  with  excitement  over  an  expected  war.  The  centtu*  of 
interest  n<rw  shifts  to  the  diplomatic  controversy,  which  is 
the  most  important  phase  of  the  Nootka  incident.^ 

"Coinett  to  [3levilla-Gi8edo],  San  Bias,  July  8,  1790.  (Arch.  Uen.  ile 
Indias,  Seville,  Sec.  Estado,  Audiencia  de  jNIexico,  3  790.) 

'' Kevilla-Giaedo  to  Floridablanca,  Mexico,  December  80,  1791.  (Arch.  (5en. 
de  Indias,  Seville,  Sec.  Estado,  Audiencia  de  Mexico,  1791.) 

<"  Colnett,  Voyage,  96-102,  note. 

•*  The  obscurity  of  the  facts  discussed  in  this  chapter  is  illustrated  by  the 
following  quotations  : 

"  It  has  been  generally  supposed  from  later  diplomatic  correspondence  that 
the  Viceroy  in  restoring  the  vessels  acted  on  his  own  judgment;  but  ic  ap- 
pears from  his  own  statement  that  he  acted  probably  in  accordance  with 
orders  from  Spain,  dated  January  26,  1790."  (Bancroft,  Northwest  Coast, 
I,  223.)  This'author's  conclusion  is  exactly  contrary  to  the  fact,  as  has  been 
shown  above.  The  Viceroy  did  act  on  his  own  authority,  finally,  as  has  been 
Shown  ;  and  this  communication  of  January  26  gave  no  orders.  The  Vice- 
roy's statement,  to  which  Bancroft  here  refers,  is  the  Informe  of  Revilla- 
(iigedo,  published  by  Bustaraante,  which  is  very  brief  and  sometimes  mislead- 
ing. Bancroft  devotes  a  little  more  than  one  page  to  discussing  tlie  subject- 
matter  of  this  chapter.  Besides  this  Informe  he  had  the  note  in  Coinett's 
Voyage. 

Greenhow,  Oregon  and  California,  p.  200,  speaking  of  the  restoration  of  the 
English  ships,  says  :  "  It  was  at  length  decided  that  *  ♦  *  they  should 
be  released,  with  the  understanding,  however,  that  they  were  not  again  to 
enter  any  place  on  the  Spanish- American  coasts,  either  for  tlie  purpose  of 
settlement  or  of  trade  with  the  natives."  This  was  the  Viceroy's  order  at 
first,  but  in  the  passport  he  gave  permission  to  touch  at  places  not  under 
Spanish  control,  as  shown  above.  Tlie  same  writer,  speaking  of  Colnett's 
failure  to  get  the  Princess  Royal  at  Nootka,  as  promised,  says  :  "  On  arriving 
at  the  sound  Colnett  found  the  place  deserted."  The  sloop  was  not  there,  but 
there  was  a  substantial  Spanish  settlement,  as  will  be  shown  later. 

**  La  autoridad  superior  de  Nueva  Espaiia  no  sancion6  el  hecho  [Martinez's 
seizure  of  the  English  vessels]  ;  apenas  llegO  ft  su  noticia,  atendiendo  fi,  las 
buenas  relaciones  en  que  estaban  los  Gobiernos  de  ambos  Estados  y  ft  la  igno- 
rancia  en  que  suponia  ft  las  proprletarlos  de  los  bajeles,  orden6  la  immediata 
soltura  de  estas  con  sus  cargamentos."     (Duro,  Armada  Espanola,  VIII,  10.) 


360  AMERICAN   HISTOBIOAL    ASSOCIATION.       ' 

What  has  been  discussed  so  far  might  be  briefly  summar- 
ized as  follows:  As  far  as  discoveries  and  explorations, 
which  could  give  definite  claims,  are  concerned,  the  Spanish 
f^jwere  the  earlier ;  but  the  English  were  made  in  ignorance  of 
^the  Spanish,  and  the  results  of  the  English  were  published 
first.  Spain  could  claim  a  prescriptive  title  from  the  fact 
j^  that  she  had  maintained  for  so  long  an  undisputed  claim,  and 
from  the  additional  fact  that  the  land  was  contiguous  to  her 
settled  Mexican  dominions ;  but  the  English  were  the  first  to 
attempt  to  develop  the  country  by  exploiting  the  fur  trade. 
The  first  actual  establishment  was  made  by  the  English,  and, 
altliough  it  was  temporarily  abandoned  in  the  autumn,  it  was 
with  the  evident  intention  of  renewing,  enlarging,  and  mak- 
ing it  permanent  in  the  spring;  but  unfortunately  for  what 
was,  in  the  autumn  of  1789,  an  unquestionably  superior 
claim,  it  was  counterbalanced  by  the  arrival  of  a  Spanish  ex- 
pedition in  the  spring  of  1790,  a  few  days  before  the  English 
returned  to  resume  their  occupation,  and  when  there  were  no 
signs  of  previous  or  intended  occupation.  The  fact  that  the 
Spanish  expedition  was  public  while  the  English  was  pri- 
vate, favored  the  former.  From  these  recapitulations  it  is 
plain  that  there  was  abundant  ground  for  disputing  the  re- 
spective rights. 

As  to  the  justice  or  injustice  of  the  seizures  at  Xootka, 
there  is  also  room  for  dispute.  The  Iphigenia,  by  pretend- 
ing to  be  a  Portuguese  when  she  was  really  an  English 
ship,  aroused  a  just  suspicion,  and  what  was  probably  a 
harmless  trick,  meant  solely  to  deceive  the  Celestials,  as- 

This  work  was  published  in  1902,  and  is  considered  the  best  on  the  Spanish 

na\y. 

The  error,  which  is  a  common  one,  of  thlnliing  that  they  were  released  by 
the  Viceroy  immediately,  doubtless  arises  from  the  Spanish  minister's  state- 
ment in  his  memorial  of  June  13,  1790,  to  the  British  ambassador,  published 
in  the  Annual  Register,  XXXII,  296.  This  states  that  the  Viceroy  released 
the  vessels  without  declaring  them  lawful  prize,  and  allowed  them  to  return 
to  Macao  under  bond  as  the  Iphigenia  had  been  disposed  of.  These  two  state- 
ments are  exactly  contrary  to  the  fact.  The  Viceroy  did  declare  them  lawful 
prize,  and  did  not  place  them  under  bond.  What  the  Spanish  minister  said 
had  been  done  was  what  Florez  had  said,  in  his  second  account  to  the  home 
Government  that  he  thought  ought  to  be  done,  but  which  he  left  his  succes- 
sor, Revilla-Gigedo,  to  do.  The  Spanish  minister  had  inferred  that  the  new 
Viceroy  would  do  this,  but  that  official  had  not  done  it,  as  has  been  shown. 

Oscar  Browning,  Cambridge  Modern  History,  VIII,  290,  says  more  cor- 
rectly that  they  "  were  released  by  the  Viceroy  on  the  ground  of  the  friendly 
relations  existing  between  the  two  nations,  and  the  probability  that  the 
traders  were  ignorant  of  Spanish  rights." 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  361 

sumed  a  grave  appearance  when  the  added  suspicion  of 
piracy  was  aroused.  But  this  suspicion  of  piracy  was 
based  on  a  mistake  made  by  the  Spaniard  in  translating 
the  ship's  instructions.  Having  seized  her  on  the  ground 
of  this  double  suspicion,  for  the  sake  of  consistency  and  to 
hide  his  blunder,  Martinez  justified  his  rash  act  on  a  totally 
different  ground,  but  one  which  was  plausible  from  the 
Spanish  view.  When  the  Argonaut  arrived  her  captain 
made  the  mistake  of  rashly  declaring  his  purpose  before 
he  knew  his  opponent's  strength,  and  of  manifesting  too 
much  impatience  to  get  out  of  the  power  of  a  man  who 
would  probably  have  allowed  him  to  depart  in  peace  had 
he  been  patient.  Then  a  quarrel,  caused  largely  by  the  mis- 
takes of  a  blundering  interpreter,  ended  in  the  Spaniard's 
making  another  rash  seizure,  this  one  without  so  much  as 
having  had  the  Englishman's  papers  translated. 

When  the  matter  was  transferred  to  the  officials  in  Mex- 
ico, the  outgoing  Viceroy,  instead  of  shouldering  the  respon- 
sibility and  acting  at  once,  attempted  to  shift  it  to  his 
successor.  The  failure  of  the  two  to  agree  led  to  an  awk- 
ward delay  of  several  months.  Then  after  the  new  Viceroy 
finally  declared  that  the  vessels  were  not  good  prize,  a 
quarrel  with  the  liberated  Englishman  led  him  to  reverse 
his  decision,  so  far  as  the  principle  was  concerned,  though 
his  change  did  not  affect  the  fact  of  the  Englishman's 
freedom. 

The  whole  episode  to  this  point  seems  to  have  been  a  series 
of  blunders,  and  would  not  merit  careful  consideration  had 
not  the  consequences  been  so  serious  for  the  home  Govern- 
ments. 


Chapter  VII. 

ATTEMPTS  AT  PEACEABLE  SETTLEMENT. 

The  Spanish  name  of  greatest  importance  in  the  diplo- 
matic contest  with  England  in  1790  is  that  of  Count  Florida- 
blanca.  He  was  of  humble  origin.  His  ability  as  a  diplo- 
matist was  established  while  ambassador  to  the  Papal  Court, 
especially  in  the  suppression  of  the  Jesuit  order.  "  This  re- 
sult [says  Tratchevsky  ]  was  due  in  great  measure  to  the  skill 
and  energy  of  the  Spanish  ambassador  at  Rome,  Don  Jose 
Mofiino.  As  a  recompense,  Charles  III  conferred  on  him  the 
title  Count  Floridablanca,  and  soon  made  him  prime  minis- 
ter ( 1777) ."  «  He  retained  this  position  fifteen  years.  "  His 
integrity  and  love  of  labor  won  for  him  the  entire  confidence 
of  Charles  III,  who  found  in  him  the  industrious  and  re- 
spectful servant  whom  he  sought.^  He  was  a  great  worker, 
of  clean  morals,  beneficent,  but  very  proud."  ^  He  was  a 
devoted  servant  of  monarchy  and  an  enthusiastic  adherent 
to  the  principle  of  aristocracy.  But  on  account  of  his  recent 
elevation  to  the  rank  of  a  noble  he  did  not  enjoy  the  favor  of 
the  upper  classes.  Zinovief ,  the  Russian  ambassador,  wrote : 
"  The  nobles  and  the  soldiery  despise  him,  and  he,  in  turn, 
takes  no  pains  to  hide  his  aversion  to  them.  No  one  of  the 
great  nobles  enjoys  any  considerable  importance  at  Court  or 
in  the  confidence  of  the  King.  Floridablanca  seems  inten- 
tionally to  push  everyone  else  aside  that  he  alone  may  enjoy 
the  Sovereign's  favor.  Even  the  King's  confessor,  who,  it 
seems,  should  have  nothing  to  fear,  has  to  yield  to  him. 
*     *     *     Everybody  trembles  before  him."  ^ 

"  Tratchevsky,  L'Espagne  3.  I'Epoque  de  la  Revolution  frangalse,  Revue 
Historique,  XXXI,  5. 

"Desdevlses  du  Dezert,  L'Espagne  de  I'Ancien  Regime,  II,  39. 

«  Grandmaison,  L'Ambassade  frangaise  en  Espagne  pendant  la  Revolution,  7. 

<*  Quoted  by  Tratchevsky,  work  cited  above,  p.  5.  The  Russian  ambassador 
was  thoroughly  familiar,  in  an  official  way,  with  Floridablanca.  The  former 
had  been  at  the  Court  of  Madrid  before  the  latter  became  prime  minister  and 
remained  until  after  the  latter's  retirement.  He  was  an  ardent  admirer  of 
the  great  Spanish  minister.  His  dispatches  in  the  archives  at  Moscow  were 
the  chief  source  for  Tratchevsky's  article. 

362 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  363 

This  enviable  position  was  enjoyed  by  the  great  minis- 
ter until  the  death  of  Charles  III  (1788).  He  was  retained 
by  Charles  IV,  but  it  was  not  long  before  his  position  began 
to  be  undermined  by  court  intrigues.     Baumgarten  says : 

The  Queen  sought  occasions  to  cast  reproaches  upon  him  over  a 
multitude  of  trifles,  and,  according  to  the  testimony  of  Sandoz,  this 
mighty  man  was  more  busily  engaged  in  these  bagatelles  than  in  the 
weighty  affairs  of  state.*  *  *  *  The  Queen  found  willing  accom- 
plices among  tlie  Count's  associates  in  the  cabinet.  By  1700  his  power 
was  greatly  diminished,  so  that  he  entered  the  contest  with  England 
considerably  handicapped. & 

The  controversy  between  England  and  Spain  did  not  seem 
so  one-sided  at  that  time  as  it  does  when  viewed  in  the 
light  of  the  subsequent  history  of  the  two  countries.  The 
thirty  years'  reign  of  Charles  III,  which  had  just  closed,  is 
the  most  glorious  period  of  Spanish  history,  with  the  single 
exception  of  her  period  of  preeminence  in  the  sixteenth  cen- 
tury. Desdevises  du  Dezert  says :  "  In  Charles  III  Spain 
had  a  real  King,  the  only  one  she  had  had  since  Philip  II."  '^ 
Speaking  of  his  position  in  Europe,  the  same  author  says: 

His  foreign  policy  was  wise.  He  rightly  considered  England  as 
the  true  enemy  of  Spain.  He  feared  for  the  Indies ;  he  beheld  them 
invaded  by  English  merchants  and  adventurers,  by  English  merchan- 
dise and  ideas.  To  protect  the  colonies  he  hurled  upon  them  a  new 
current  of  Spanish  emigration,  and  decreed  liberty  of  commerce  be- 
tween the  Peninsula  and  America.  He  allied  himself  with  France  in 
order  to  combat  England ;  and,  notwithstanding  some  reverses,  the 
war  was  closed  to  the  advantage  of  Spain,  which  country  in  1783  again 
took  her  place  as  a  great  European  power.* 

When  the  conflict  came,  in  1790,  although  nearly  two  years 
of  the  reign  of  Charles  IV  had  passed,  little  Avas  known  of 
the  weakness  of  the  King,  the  corrupting  influence  of  the 
Queen,  and  the  intrigues  in  the  ministry.  Europe  of  the 
time  saw  in  Spain  a  country  rapidly  forging  to  the  front, 

"  Baamgarten,  Geschlchte  Spaniens  zur  Zo5t  der  franzoesischen  Rev.,  268. 
Sandoz  was  the  Prussian  ambassador  at  Madi-id.  His  dispatches  sent  to 
Berlin  furnish  the  chief  basis  for  Baumgarten's  work. 

'  Id.,  2G8-276.  'In  these  pages  the  author  discusses  the  internal  conditions 
of  Spain,  the  court  intrigues  and  ministerial  complications.  On  April  25, 
1790,  there  was  a  reorganization  of  the  ministry.  The  department  of  jus- 
tice, which  Floridablanca  had  hitlicrto  controlled,  was  taken  from  him,  and 
with  it  went  an  extensive  appointing  power  that  had  contributed  much  to  his 
prestige.  He  was  even  given  an  associate  In  the  depaitment  of  foreign  affairs, 
who  should  act  when  sickness  or  absence  incapacitated  the  Count. 

"DesdeAises  du  Dezert,  LEspngne  de  I'Ancien  Regime,  II,  14. 

*  Id.,  18. 


364  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

with  a  rejuvenated  kingship,  and  a  minister  second  only  to 
Pitt/*^  Led  by  this  minister,  Spain  had  less  than  a  decade 
before  been  largely  instrumental  in  humiliating  England; 
and  since  then  she  had  persistently  refused  to  make  any 
commercial  concessions  to  her  vanquished  antagonist.  The 
same  minister  now  dared  to  intervene  between  the  Czar  and 
the  Porte.  He  was  also  negotiating  for  an  alliance  between 
Spain,  France,  Austria,  and  Kussia.'*  If  this  quadruple 
alliance  should  prove  successful  the  outlook  for  England 
would  be  dark,  notwithstanding  her  triple  alliance  with 
Prussia  and  Holland. 

Such,  briefly,  was  the  political  condition  of  Spain,  inter- 
nally and  externally,  when  news  arrived  of  the  occurrences 
at  Nootka  Sound  which  have  been  discussed  in  the  fore- 
going chapters. 

As  stated  above,  it  was  at  the  very  beginning  of  the  year 
that  the  intelligence  was  received  Avhich  was  soon  to  throw  all 
Europe  into  a  war  fever.  On  January  2,  1790,  Valdez « 
scut  to  Floridablanca  the  second  installment  of  letters  and 
documents  concerning  the  occurrences  at  Nootka.  Three 
days  earlier  he  had  sent  the  first  bundle.'*  These  two  pack- 
ages contained  a  complete  account  of  the  affair,  with  copies 
of  all  the  documents.  Valdez  asked  for  His  Majesty's  pleas- 
ure concerning  the  matter. 

On  January  4,  Anthonj^  Merry,  the  English  charge  d'af- 

"  Grandmaison,  L'Ambassade  francaise  en  Espagne  pendant  la  R6v.,  8. 
This  quotes  the  following  from  Comte  de  Vaudreuil  to  Comte  d'Artois,  July 
2,  1790,  published  in  Pingaud,  Correspondance  Intime  pendant  I'Emigration,  I, 
219  :  "  Cest  un  homnie  loyal,  qui  pursuit  toujours  et  sans  se  rebuter  ce  qu'il 
a  une  fois  entrepris.  Soyez  sfir  que  M.  Floridablanca  est  (sans  en  excepter 
menie  M.  Pitt)  une  des  meilleures  t^tes  de  tons  les  cabinets  de  I'P^urope." 

"  Banmgarton,  Geschichte  Spaniens  zur  Zeit  der  franzoesischen  Rev.,  283. 

'^  The  Viceroy's  letters  were  addressed  to  Valdez.  He  was  minister  of 
marine  and,  before  the  reorganization  of  the  ministry  mentioned  above,  also 
treasurer  for  the  Indies.  At  that  reorganization  the  finances  of  the  Indies 
were  transferred  to  the  regular  department  of  finance,  at  the  head  of  which 
was  the  ungrateful  Lerena,  who  was  the  leader  of  the  ministerial  opposition 
to  Floridablanca  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  owed  his  entire  political  advance- 
ment, and  even  his  position  in  the  ministry,  to  the  Count.  Valdez  was  the 
man  who  was  made  associate  to  Floridablanca  in  the  foreign  office.  He  also 
retained  the  ministry  of  marine.  (See  Baumgarten,  Geschichte  Spaniens  zur 
Zeit  der  franzoesischen.  Rev.,  268-276.  ;> 

^  See  Chapter  VI,  ante,  for  a  complete  discussion  of  the  contents  of  these 
letters  from  the  Viceroy.  The  first  was  written  August  27,  1789,  on  receipt 
of  the  news  of  the  arrival  of  the  Argonaut  at  San  Bias,  and  the  second,  Sep- 
tember 26,  after  the  arrival  of  the  Princess  Royal.  The  letters  from  Valdez 
of  December  30  and  January  2  give  both  numbers  and  dates  of  the  letters 
from  the  Viceroy,  showing  that  they  contained  full  accounts. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  865 

faires  at  Madrid  wrote  to  the  Duke  of  Leeds,  British  secre- 
tary for  foreign  affairs,  giving  a  very  confused  account  based 
on  rumors.  Word  had  just  arrived  from  Mexico,  he  said, 
that  a  small  Spanish  ship  of  war  had  captured  an  English 
vessel  in  the  port  of  Nootka.  There  were  conflicting  ac- 
counts of  the  event.  Some  said  "  that  the  Viceroy  of  Mexico, 
having  had  notice  that  the  English  were  forming  an  estab- 
lishment at  the  above-mentioned  place,  ordered  a  ship  there 
to  take  possession  of  it."  Others  said  that  the  Spanish  ship 
was  there  simply  to  reconnoiter  the  coast.  There  were  also 
conflicting  accounts  of  what  was  done  with  Russian,  Portu- 
guese, and  American  ships  found  in  the  same  port,  some  stat- 
ing that  all  were  allowed  to  go  free  except  the  English; 
others,  that  all  were  seized  and  only  the  American  released. 
Merry  had  not  yet  been  able  to  learn  the  name  of  the  Eng- 
lish vessel  or  her  master.  All  accounts  agreed  that  she  had 
come  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  settlement,  that  other 
vessels  were  to  follow,  and  that  the  captured  ship  had  been 
manned  with  Spanish  seamen  and  sent  to  Mexico.^ 

This  was  the  first  account  to  reach  London.^  It  is  not 
strange  that  mistaken  notions  wvre  formed.  Fired  by  hatred 
for  the  Spaniards,  it  was  natural  that  the  English  should 
consider  the  act  much  more  atrocious  than  it  was.  The  in- 
definiteness  and  inconsistency  of  the  accounts  gave  room  for 

»  Merry  to  Leeds,  Madrid,  January  4,  1790.  (A  Narrative  of  the  Negotia- 
tions Occasioned  by  the  Dispute  Between  England  and  Spain  in  the  Year 
1790,  1.) 

This  Narrative  is  a  very  rare  boolc,  and  very  valuable  for  the  snl).iect  In 
hand.  No  previous  writer  on  the  Nootlja  controversy  has  consulted  it.  Prob- 
ably only  a  few  copies  were  printed.  The  King's  own  copy  is  now  in  the 
British  Museum.  That  obtained  for  use  in  this  study  is  the  only  other  copy 
that  Messrs.  Flenry  Stevens,  Son  &  Stiles,  antiqunrian  booksellers  of  London, 
have  noted  during  the  whole  of  their  business  experience.  Neither  date  nor 
name  of  publisher  nor  author  is  given.  The  British  Museum  catalogue  gives 
1791  (?)  as  the  date.  It  is  evidently  an  official  account  prepared  in  the  for 
eign  office  especially  for  the  King.  In  a  letter  from  J.  B.  Burges,  under  sec- 
retary for  foreign  affairs,  to  Lord  Auckland,  dated  Whitehall,  November  12, 
1790,  found  in  B.  M.  Add.  MSS.  34434,  f5S,  he  mentions  an  "  interesting  Nar- 
rative, which,  at  leisure  hours,  I  have  prepared  for  the  King,  of  the  whole  of 
this  business."  A  careful  comparison  of  the  printed  Narrative  with  the  docu- 
ments in  the  public  record  office  reveals  the  identity  of  the  printed  Narrative 
with  the  Narrative  mentioned  by  Barges  in  this  letter.  The  comparison  also 
revealed  the  fact  that  the  printed  account  is  full  and  faithful.  It  is  neces- 
sarily condensed,  but  nothing  of  importance  is  omitted. 

The  British  charge  is  the  same  Merry  who,  later,  as  minister  to  the  United 
States,  was  connected  with  tlie  Aaron  Burr  conspiracy. 

"This  news  reached  London  January  21.  It  is  usually  stated  that  the 
British  Court  knew  nothing  of  the  matter  before  receiving  the  Spanish  note 
of  February  10. 


0 


366  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

full  play  of  the  imagination.  The  Spanish  Court,  which 
had  complete  accounts,  either  did  not  study  them  carefully 
enough  to  get  at  the  whole  truth,  or  intentionally  kept  the 
British  Court  in  the  dark.  No  English  account  arrived  for 
nearly  four  months.  Such  a  period  of  uncertainty  and  sus- 
pense prepared  a  fertile  field  in  which  the  exaggerated 
accounts  then  arriving  produced  a  fruitful  crop  of  error. 

Three  days  after  sending  the  above  confused  account 
Merry  inclosed  an  extract  from  a  letter  written  in  Mexico, 
which  he  had  seen.  This  letter  seems  to  have  been  unofficial. 
Respecting  the  genesis  and  purpose  of  the  Spanish  expedi- 
tion it  is  true  to  the  facts.  It  tells  briefly  of  the  expedition 
of  1788  to  investigate  the  Russian  settlements,  of  the  dis- 
covery that  the  Russians  intended  to  occupy  Nootka,  and  of 
the  Viceroy's  prompt  action  to  anticipate  them.  But  respect- 
ing the  events  at  Nootka  little  is  told  except  the  seizure  of 
an  English  vessel  and  its  arrival  in  Mexico  as  a  prize.«  On 
January  15  the  British  charge  wrote  of  a  conference  with 
Floridablanca  on  the  subject.  "  The  Count  avoided  explain- 
ing to  him  the  particulars  of  the  transaction,  or  avowing 
clearly  the  seizure  of  the  vessels;  neither  did  he  enter  upon 
the  question  of  our  right  to  trade  or  to  form  an  establish- 
ment in  that  part  of  the  continent  of  America."  He  said 
that  he  would  direct  the  Marquis  del  Campo,  the  Spanish 
ambassador  at  liOndon,  to  impart  the  circumstances  to  the 
Duke  of  Leeds.^ 

In  virtue  of  this  promise  Floridablanca  instructed  Campo, 
January  20,  regarding  the  communication  which  he  was  to 
make  to  Leeds.  This  communication  will  be  studied  pres- 
ently.*'   A  week  after  sending  his  harsh  instructions  the 

»  "  Narrative  *'  cited  on  foregoing  page. 

» Id.,  9. 

«  That  these  instructions  were  written  January  20  is  stated  in  Campo  to 
Floridablanca,  London,  February  28,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid, 
Sec.  Estado,  4291.)  The  date  is  significant  when  it  is  noticed  that  on  the 
same  day  he  wrote  a  querulous  letter  to  Montmorin,  minister  for  foreign  af- 
fairs at  Paris.  He  expressed  pity  for  France  and  her  King  and  complained 
that  in  the  present  circumstances  that  country  was  not  in  a  condition  to  sup- 
port Spain  as  she  should.  He  made  no  mention  of  the  Nootka  affair  or  of  the 
sharp  protest  which  he  was  sending  to  the  British  Court  the  same  day.  But 
he  evidently  had  it  in  mind  and  was  thinking  of  the  complications  to  which  it 
might  lead.  (See  Floridablanca  to  Montmorin,  Aranjuez,  January  20,  1790, 
MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.)  The  same  is  printed 
in  Calvo,  Recueil  Complet  des  Trait^s  de  UAmerique  Latine,  III,  104.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVEKSY.  367 

Count  attempted  to  smooth  matters  over  in  another  confer- 
ence with  Merr}^  He  wished  to  see  the  present  harmony 
between  the  two  courts  preserved  and  improved,  and  "  hoped 
that  no  event  might  happen  wliich  might  cause  Great  Brit- 
ain to  deviate  from  her  present  pacific  system."  « 

The  first  three  letters  from  Merry  had  reached  London  be- 
fore February  2.  On  that  day  the  Duke  of  Leeds  wrote  cau- 
tioning him  to  be  extremely  guarded  in  what  he  should  say, 
until  definite  instructions  could  be  sent  after  Campo's  com- 
munication should  have  been  received.  He  declared  that 
England  undoubtedly  had  a  complete  "  right  to  visit  for  the 
purposes  of  trade,  or  to  make  a  settlement  in,  the  district  in 
question."^  When  this  positive  declaration  by  the  British 
Cabinet  at  the  very  first  is  compared  with  the  demand  of 
the  Spanish  Court,  received  a  few  days  later,  it  is  seen  that 
a  conflict  was  inevitable  unless  one  side  should  yield. 

The  expected  communication  from  Campo  was  received  by 
Leeds  February  11.  Since  it  Avas  this  note  that  started  the 
diplomatic  controversy,  and  since  it  has  not  before  been 
made  public,  it  is  worth  while  to  quote  it  in  full.  It  is  dated 
"  Manchester  Square,  February  10,  1790,"  and  is  as  follows : 

My  Lord  :  Continuing  the  frequent  expeditions  which  the  King,  my 
mnster,  has  ordered  to  be  made  to  the  northern  coasts  of  California, 
the  Viceroy  of  Mexico  sent  two  ships,  under  the  orders  of  Don  Este- 
van  Jose  Martinez,  ensign  of  the  navy,  to  mal^e  a  permanent  settle- 
ment in  the  port  of  San  Lorenzo,  situated  about  the  fiftieth  degree  of 
latitude,  and  named  by  foreigners  "  Nootka,"  or  "  Nioka,"  of  which 
possession  had  formerly  been  taken.  He  arrived  there  the  24th  of 
last  June.  In  giving  his  account  to  the  Viceroy,  M.  Martinez  said 
that  he  found  there  an  American  frigate  and  sloop,  which  had  sailed 
from  Boston  to  n)ake  a  tour  of  the  world.  He  also  found  a  packet 
boat  and  another  vessel  belonging  to  a  Portuguese  established  at 
Macao,  whence  they  had  sailed  with  a  passport  from  the  governor  of 
that  port.  He  announced  also  that  on  the  2d  of  July  there  arrived 
another  packet  boat  from  Macao.  'J'his  was  English,  and  came  to 
take  possession  of  Nootka  in  the  name  of  the  British  King.  She  car- 
ried a  sloop  in  pieces  on  board. 

This  simple  recital  will  have  convinced  your  excellency  of  the  neces- 
sity in  which  the  Court  of  Madrid  finds  itself  of  asking  His  Bri- 
tannic Majesty  to  punish  such  undertakings  in  a  manner  to  restrain 
his  subjects  from  continuing  them  on  these  lands  which  have  been 
occupied  and  frequented  by  the  Spaniards  for  so  many  years.     I  say 

"Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain  in  1790,  12. 
"  Id.,  8. 


368  AMPJRICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOOIATIOlSr. 

this  to  your  excelleney  as  an  established  fact,  and  as  a  further  argu- 
ment against  those  Avho  attribute  to  Captain  Cool^  the  discovery  of 
the  said  port  of  San  Lorenzo,  I  add  that  the  same  Martinez  in  charge 
of  the  last  expedition  was  there  under  commission  in  August  of  1774. 
This  was  almost  four  years  before  the  appearance  of  Cook.  This 
same  Martinez  left  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians  two  silver  spoons, 
some  shells,  and  some  other  articles  which  Cook  found.  The  Indians 
still  keep  them,  and  these  facts,  with  the  testimony  of  the  Indians, 
served  M.  Martinez  to  convince  the  English  captain. 

The  English  prisoners  have  been  liberated  through  the  considera- 
tion which  the  King  has  for  His  Britannic  Majesty,  and  which  lie 
has  carefully  enjoined  upon  his  viceroys  to  govern  their  actions  in 
unforeseen  events.  His  Majesty  flatters  himself  that  the  Court  of  St. 
James  will  certainly  not  fail  to  give  the  strictest  orders  to  prevent 
such  attempts  in  the  future,  and,  in  general,  everything  thnt  could 
trouble  the  good  harmony  happily  existing  between  the  two  Crowns. 
Spain  on  her  side  engages  to  do  the  same  with  respect  to  her  subjects. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  etc., 

The  Makquis  del  Campo. 

His  Excellency  M.  the  Duke  of  Leeds-o 

One  who  has  read  the  foregoing  chapters  will  recognize 
many  misleading  statements  in  this  letter.  The  first  sen- 
tence falsely  gives  the  impression,  though  it  does  not  make 
the  positive  statement,  that  the  King  of  Spain  had  ordered 
the  occupation  of  Nootka.  Hence  there  was  some  ground 
for  suspecting  that  the  Spanish  Government  had  ordered 
Martinez's  violent  proceedings.  Martinez  arrived  at  Nootka 
almost  two  months  earlier  than  the  date  given  in  the  note. 
June  2-i  was  the  date  of  the  formal  act  of  possession.  This 
error  seems  to  have  been  due  to  carelessness,  since  no  motive 
is  apparent,  and  the  correct  date  is  given  in  the  documents 
w  hich  Floridablanca  had  at  hand.  The  note  does  not  men- 
tion the  fact,  clearly  stated  in  the  same  documents,  that  the 
first  packet  boat  and  the  other  vessel  accompanying  it  from 
Macao  were  really  English,  though  nominally  Portuguese; 
and  the  impression  is  given  that  they  were  allowed  to  go 
absolutely  free  as  were  the  American  vessels.  No  mention 
whatever  is  made  of  the  Princess  Royal  which  was  also  sent 
as  a  prize  to  Mexico,  though  this  is  plainly  stated  in  the 
documents.     Instead  of  telling  that  four  English  ships  were 

«  Translated  from  a  manuscript  copy  in  French  found  in  the  Archives  des 
Affaires  Ktrang^res,  Paris ;  Espagne  1700,  5  Pe^s  Mois,  f.  96.  The  contents 
of  the  note  are  partially  reflected  in  published  memoirs  written  subsequently. 
(See  Floridablanca  to  Fitzherbert,  June  13,  1790,  Annual  Register,  XXXII, 
296.) 


I 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVEKSY.  369 

captured,  the  impression  is  given  that  there  was  only  one. 
The  gravest  misstatement  is  that  the  English  prisoners  had 
been  liberated.  As  pointed  out  above,  this  was  probably- 
inferred  from  the  statement  in  the  second  letter  of  Florez 
that  he  thought  that  they  ought  to  be  liberated,  but  would 
leave  his  successor  to  do  it — a  very  insufficient  ground  for 
such  a  positive  assertion.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  they  were 
not  liberated  for  more  than  three  months  after  Florida- 
blanca  wrote  the  instructions  which  this  note  embodied.** 

But  the  gravity  of  the  note  did  not  lie  in  its  errors  or  pre- 
varications. The  serious  part  of  it  was  the  demand  that 
the  English  King  should  punish  his  subjects  for  doing 
what  Leeds  had  declared  to  Merr}^  only  a  few  days  before 
they  had  a  perfect  right  to  do,  namely,  to  trade  and  make 
settlements  on  the  Northwest  Coast.  The  further  request 
that  the  English  Government  should  give  strict  orders  to 
prevent  such  enterprises  in  the  future  was  virtually  demand- 
ing that  England  should  forever  refrain  from  exercising 
this  right.  Such  demands  could  only  be  acquiesced  in  when 
made  upon  a  weak  government  by  a  strong  one.  English 
pride  could  not  brook  them. 

The  narative  which  was  prepared  in  the  foreign  office  and 
published  by  the  Government  ^  says : 

His  Majesty's  ministers  conceiving  the  circumstance  of  seizing  a 
British  ship  in  time  of  peace  to  be  an  offense  against  the  law  of 
nations  and  an  insult  to  His  Majesty,  lost  no  time  in  talving  the  only 
step  in  their  power.c 

A  fortnight  after  receiving  the  Spanish  note  Leeds  re- 
plied in  a  tone  equally  imperious.  After  reviewing  the 
facts  as  given  by  Canipo  and  referring  to  the  demands  of 
the  Spanish  Court,  he  said : 

As  yet  no  precise  information  has  been  received  relative  to  the 
events  mentioned  in  your  excellency's  letter,  but  while  awaiting  such 
I  have  His  Majesty's  orders  to  inform  your  excellency  that  the  act 
of  violence  spoken  of  in  your  letter  as  having  been  committed  by 
M.  Martinez,  in  seizing  a  British  vessel  under  the  circumstances  re- 
ported, makes  It  necessary  henceforth  to  suspend  all  discussion  of 
the  pretensions  set  forth  in  that  letter  until  a  just  and  adequate  sat-  Q 
isfaction  shall  have  been  made  for  a  proceeding  so  injurious  to  Great 
Britain. 

«  See  Chapters  III  and  VI,  ante,  which  show  the  falsity  of  these  statements. 

6  See  footnote  «,  p.  365. 

"Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  12. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 24      . 


870  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

In  the  first  place  it  is  indispensable  that  the  vessel  in  question 
shall  be  restored.  To  determine  the  details  of  the  ultimate  satis- 
faction which  may  be  found  necessary  more  ample  information  must 
be  awaited  concerning  all  the  circumstances  of  the  aCfair.o 

This  haughty  tone  surprised  the  Spanish  ambassador. 
In  his  note  to  Floridablanca  inclosing  Leeds's  answer,  he 
said  : 

The  reply  which  this  ministry  has  finally  given  to  my  letter  will 
surprise  your  excellency  as  it  has  surprised  me.  I  refrain  from  com- 
ments on  it.  At  first  I  thought  of  going  to  the  Duke  of  Leeds  to 
express  ray  astonishment,  but  after  considering  the  matter  carefully 
I  have  concluded  that  I  ought  to  refrain,  fearing  lest  in  the  heat 
of  conversation  something  might  be  said  which  might  exasperate. 
Since  it  is  a  formal  reply  and  in  writing  I  could  not  have  obtained 
its  withdrawal.  Besides,  anything  which  I  may  say  in  reply  will  be 
better  if  it  comes  from  there  (Madrid),  which  is  the  source.^ 

This  quotation  is  a  postscript  to  a  letter  which  had  been 
written  after  delivering  the  Spanish  note  to  Leeds,  but  evi- 
dently before  receiving  the  answer.  In  the  letter  he  had 
said  that  Leeds  listened  to  him  calmly,  but  avoided  any  dis- 
cussion of  the  matter.  He  had  tarried  a  little  time  and  then 
withdrawn  to  write  his  account  and  urge  anew  that  orders 
be  sent  disavowing  the  seizure.  He  was  not  convinced  that, 
as  might  be  suspected,  the  English  expedition  had  been  or- 
dered by  the  Court.  He  believed  it  to  have  been  an  enter- 
prise of  some  remote  officials.^ 

It  should  be  noticed  in  connection  with  this  reply  to  the 
Spanish  Court  that  Pitt  was  at  this  very  time  listening  to 
the  schemes  of  Colonel  Miranda,  the  famous  South  American 
agitator.  It  is  quite  possible  that  this  had  much  to  do  with 
the  imperious  tone  assumed  by  the  British  Cabinet.  As 
previously  stated,  the  SiJanish  note  was  received  February 
11.  On  February  14  Miranda  met  Pitt,  on  the  latter's  invi- 
tation. He  had  previously  proposed  his  "grand  plan"  for 
the  advantage  of  England  in  connection  with  South  Amer- 
ica, and  that  plan  was  considered  at  this  meeting.     Miranda 

*  Leeds  to  Carapo,  Whitehall,  February  26,  1700.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Na- 
cional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.)  Oscar  Browning,  Cambridge  Modern  His- 
tory, VIIT,  290,  says  that  the  original  of  this  reply,  now  in  the  public  record 
oflBce,  is  in  Pitt's  own  hand. 

Muriel,  Historia  de  Carlos  IV,  I,  108-109,  gives  briefly  the  substance  of  the 
Spanish  note  of  February  10  and  the  British  reply  of  February  2G. 

•"Campo  to  Floridablanca,  London,  February  28,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist. 
Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 

Md. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  871 

explained  the  new  form  of  government  to  be  introduced  and 
discussed  the  existing  situation.  The  plan  was  admitted  to 
be  beneficial,  but  was  to  be  put  into  execution  only  in  case 
of  a  war  with  Spain.  Pitt  asked  him  to  write  down  the 
substance  of  what  he  had  said,  adding  a  statement  of  all  the 
products  of  South  America,  the  expoi-ts  and  imports,  and  the 
population,  and  the  military  and  naval  forces  of  both  South 
America  and  Spain.  Miranda  did  so  with  as  much  accu- 
racy and  detail  as  possible,  and  submitted  his  statement  to 
Pitt  on  March  5.«  In  the  meantime,  on  February  25,  Leeds's 
reply  had  been  delivered  to  Campo.  It  will  be  interesting  to 
watch  the  progress  of  these  conferences  between  Pitt  and 
Miranda  and  note  the  coincidence  of  some  of  them  with  the 
critical  periods  of  the  Spanish  negotiation. 

While  awaiting  the  reply  from  London,  nothing  out  of  the 
ordinary  seems  to  have  occurred  at  the  Spanish  capital. 
When  Leeds  cautioned  Merry  to  be  guarded  in  what  he 
might  say,  he  also  asked  the  charge  for  all  the  information 
he  could  obtain  concerning  recent  Spanish  naval  mov^enients. 
Merry's  replies  indicated  a  pacific  attitude,  exteinally  at 
least,  on  the  part  of  the  Spanish  Court.     March  1  he  wrote  : 

Count  Floridablanca  gave  me  no  hint  of  his  having  any  intention  of 
arming;  and,  notwithstanding  the  reports  which  have  continued  to 
prevail  here  with  regard  to  the  naval  preparations  in  the  Spanish 
ports,  I  can  not,  on  the  mo,st  diligent  inquiry,  find  that  any  are  yet 
commenced,  exce|tt  for  the  equipping  of  3  ships  of  the  line,  6  frigates, 
and  3  sloo])s  of  war  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  fleet  of  exercise. 
[On  March  15  he  wrote:]  The  King  of  Spain  has  given  orders  to 
grant  free  license  to  Prince  Edward  to  pass  and  repass  from  Gibraltar 
to  Spain,  and  to  pay  him  the  same  honors  as  to  an  Infante  de 
Castilla.& 

After  the  English  reply  reached  Madrid,  Merry's  reports 
were  very  different.  March  22  he  wrote  that  Floridablanca 
was  much  dissatisfied  wdth  the  English  repl}^,  but  still  seemed 
anxious  that  peace  should  be  preserved.  Merry  thought  that 
the  Count's  ill  humor  was  caused  by  the  fear  lest  Great 
Britain  should  use  the  matter  as  a  ground  for  a  quarrel.^ 

«  Miranda  to  Pitt,  London,  September  8,  1791.  (Am.  Hist.  Rev.,  VIT,  711, 
712.) 

'' Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  Great  Britain  and  Spain,  13,  14. 
•Id.,  15. 


ly 


372  AMERICAN    HI8T0KICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

On  the  same  day  that  Merry  wrote  the  last-mentioned  let- 
ter an  important  session  of  the  supreme  junta  of  state  was 
being  held.  The  question  considered  was  as  to  the  reply  that 
should  be  made  to  England.  The  matter  had  been  discussed 
in  the  preceding  junta.  At  this  meeting  of  March  22  Val- 
dez,  the  minister  for  marine,  presented  in  writing  his  version 
of  the  proper  reply.  Though  it  is  not  given,  its  import  may 
be  divined  from  the  report  which  accompanied  it.  He  told 
of  abundant  military  preparations  at  the  principal  places  in 
the  Indies,  of  what  was  needed  to  complete  their  equipment, 
and  the  orders  that  could  be  given  to  insure  their  security. 
He  also  reported  on  the  state  of  the  Spanish  navy,  telling  of 
the  ships  at  the  three  naval  stations  Cadiz,  Ferrol,  and  Car- 
thagena.  There  were  45  ships  of  the  line  and  32  frigates 
ready  to  be  armed  at  once ;  and  in  addition  24  of  the  former 
and  7  of  the  latter  could  be  prepared  in  a  short  time.  The 
chief  of  the  council  for  the  Indies,  Porlier,  also  presented  his 
opinion  in  writing.  Others  gave  oral  advice,  and  it  was  left 
to  Floridablanca  to  formulate  the  reply  to  the  English  Court. 
Valdez  received  royal  orders  to  collect  a  squadron  at  Cadiz 
to  be  ready  for  emergencies,  and  to  take  the  steps  necessary 
to  put  Honduras,  Trinidad,  and  Porto  Kico  in  a  state  of 
defense." 

On  March  24  an  order  was  sent  to  the  Viceroy  of  New  Spain 
to  liberate  the  English  ship  in  case  this  had  not  already  been 
done.*  As  stated  in  the  preceding  chapter,  the  vessels  had 
not  been  released  at  this  time,  but  were  liberated  before  this 
order  reached  the  Viceroy. 

Merry  had  another  conference  with  Floridablanca  on 
March  27.  He  reported  to  his  Government  that  the  Count 
had  concluded  from  Leeds's  reply  that  the  British  Court  in- 
tended to  use  the  matter  as  a  ground  for  quarreling.  The 
Spanish  minister  lamented  the  fact  and  hoped  that  the  neces- 
sity for  Spain's  coming  to  an  understanding  with  other 
courts  might  be  avoided.  He  said  that  he  would  endeavor 
to  soften  his  reply  to  the  British  Court.  Merry  thought 
that  in  view  of  the  condition  of  Spain  Floridablanca  would 
not  suffer  the  matter  to  come  to  extremities." 

«  Minutes  of  the  supreme  junta  of  state,  March  22,  1790.  (MS.  Arch,  ijist. 
Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 

"  Report  of  Valdez  to  the  supreme  junta  of  state,  dated  March  28,  presented 
March  29,  1790.      (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 

"  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  hetween  England  and  Spain,  17. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  378 

At  the  next  junta,  which  was  March  29,  the  minister  for 
marine  presented  another  report.  This  was  dated  March 
28  and  was  embodied  in  the  minutes  of  the  session  of  the 
following  day.  In  it  Valdez  says  that  in  consequence  of 
the  reply  which  the  junta  of  one  week  before  had  agreed 
should  be  sent  to  the  Court  of  London  by  Floridablanca, 
and  in  compliance  with  the  precautionary  measures  which 
the  department  of  marine  was  ordered  to  take  in  the  Indies 
and  in  Spain,  he  had  proceeded  promptly,  with  His  Maj- 
esty's approval,  to  execute  the  orders  which  follow  in  the 
report.  Vessels  were  to  be  armed  at  once  in  Ferrol, 
Carthagena,  and  Cadiz,  and,  the  real  purpose  being  kept 
as  secret  as  possible,  a  sufficient  number  were  to  be  collected 
at  the  last-named  port  to  form  a  respectable  squadron  for 
use  in  case  later  occurrences  should  make  it  necessary.  The 
vessels  that  needed  it  were  to  be  cleaned  and  repaired  as 
rapidly  as  possible.  Those  out  of  port  w^ere  to  be  detained 
under  arms  at  Cadiz  when  they  returned.  Provisions  were 
being  collected.  The  officials  of  Havana,  Santo  Domingo, 
Porto  Rico,  and  Trmidad  were  ordered  to  strengthen  their 
positions.  At  the  same  session  Floridablanca  read  the  reply 
which  Campo,  the  ambassador  at  London,  w^as  to  present  to 
the  English  Ministry .«  The  contents  of  this  reply  will  be 
examined  presently. 

This  glimpse  into  the  inner  workings  of  the  Spanish  Cabi- 
net reveals  a  warlike  activity.  But  externally  every  pos- 
sible effort  was  made  to  maintain  a  peaceable  demeanor. 
Floridablanca  made  especial  efforts  to  keep  the  British 
charge  in  the  dark  and  quiet  any  alarm  which  the  war- 
like rumors  might  arouse.  According  to  the  dispatches  of 
the  Prussian  ambassador,  Sandoz,  to  his  Government  at 
Berlin,  the  Count — 

confided  to  Merry  in  the  greatest  secrecy  the  Intelligence  that  French 
emissaries  had  scattered  seditious  pamphlets  in  Mexico  and  Havana, 
and  thereby  had  stirred  np  the  greatest  possible  ferment,  which 
threatened  an  outbreak  every  moment  The  King  had  concluded  that 
the  most  efficacious  measures  must  be  taken  with  the  greatest  haste 
in  order  that  these  first  dangerous  agitations  might  be  nipped  in  the 

"Minutes  of  the  supreme  junta  of  state,  March  29,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist. 
Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.)  In  these  minutes  is  a  Spanish  ren- 
dering of  the  instructions  sent  to  Campo.  They  will  be  studied  in  the  form  of 
a  letter  in  French  which  Campo  presented  to  I.eeds. 


o 


374  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

bud,  and  consequently  he  had  decided  to  employ  his  whole  force 
against  it  if  necessary.  To  make  this  seem  more  probable,  he  indulged 
in  a  tirade  against  the  French  Revolution.o 

In  dispatches  of  April  5  and  6  Merry  told  of  the  alarm 
in  Spain  and  of  the  naval  activity,  but  he  still  thought 
Floridablanca  desirous  of  avoiding  war  if  possible.  The 
'fleet  of  exercise  which  he  had  mentioned  before  was  assem- 
bling at  Carthagena.*  April  12  he  reported  that  the  fleet 
of  exercise  had  been  ordered  to  Cadiz.  Other  ships  were 
being  armed  in  that  port  and  the  other  two  naval  stations.^' 
Three  days  later  he  reported  as  being  fitted  for  immediate 
service  at  Cadiz  14  ships  of  the  line,  10  frigates,  and  2 
sloops.  He  told  of  three  treasure  ships  that  had  recently 
arrived  from  Spanish  America  with  some  5,000,000  Spanish 
dollars  on  board.'*  On  April  22  he  wrote  of  still  larger 
armaments.  Twenty  ships  of  the  line  were  reported  ready 
for  service.* 

Such  was  the  tenor  of  the  dispatches  from  Madrid  arriv- 
ing at  London  when,  on  April  20,  Campo  presented  the 
second  formal  note  from  the  Spanish  Court  on  the  Nootka 
Sound  controversy.  This  embodied  the  reply  agreed  upon 
in  the  sessions  of  the  Spanish  junta  of  March  22  and  29.  It 
is  as  follows:  ^ 

My  Lord  :  Having  given  an  account  to  my  Court  of  the  reply  which 
your  excellency  was  pleased  to  make  on  the  2Gth  of  last  February 
to  my  memoir  on  the  detention  in  the  port  of  Nootka  of  an  English 
packet  boat  naemd  the  Prince  of  Wales,  ff  in  consequence  I  ha\'e 
received  an  order  to  inform  the  Ministry  of  His  Britannic  Majesty 
as  follows :  In  spite  of  the  incontestable  rights  of  Spain  to  exclusive 
sovereignty,  navigation,  and  commerce,  founded  on  the  most  solemn 
treaties,  on  the  discovery  of  the  Indies  and  the  islands  and  the 
continent  of  the  South  Sea,  on  ancient  laws,  and  on  immemorial  pos- 

"  Baumgarten,  Geschichte  Spaniens  zur  Zeit  der  franzoesischen  Rev.,  287. 
This  is  based  on  a  dispatch  of  April  19  from  Sandoz.  Tlie  autlior  says  tliat 
not  only  Merry  but  even  Sandoz,  who  knew  Floridablanca's  character  so  well, 
believed  this.  Shortly  afterwards  the  Prussian  ambassador  considered  every- 
thing so  peaceable  that  he  left  his  post  for  a  time,  turning  over  the  business 
to  his  attach^,  "  a  condition,"  says  the  author,  "  to  which  is  due  the  fact  that 
we  are  lesS  exactly  informed  concerning  the  further  progress  of  these  impor- 
tant negotiations." 

"  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  18-20. 

•  Id.,  36-38.    ' 

"Id.,  39. 

«  Id.,  69. 

f  Not  before  published,  though  later  memoirs  give  a  partial  account. 

»  An  error.    Colnett's  license  was  for  the  Prince  of  Wales.     (See  Chapter  II.) 


0 


KOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  375 

session,  which  rights  this  Crown  has  continually  exercised  over  the 
territories,  coasts,  and  Feas  above  mentioned,  including  the  right 
always  exercised  of  capturing  transgressors — [in  spite  of  all  this] 
the  Viceroy  of  Mexico,  as  appears  from  the  latest  information,  has 
already  liberated  the  above-mentioned  English  vessel  and  crew.  He 
did  this  because  he  was  convinced  that  nothing  but  ignorance  of  the 
rights  of  Spain  could  have  encouraged  the  individuals  of  any  nation 
to  resort  to  those  places  with  the  idea  of  establishing  themselves 
or  of  carrying  on  commerce  there.  The  Viceroy  also  had  at  hand 
positive  orders  which  had  been  given  to  him  instructing  him  to  have 
all  possible  regard  for  the  British  nation  and  to  avoid  even  the  least 
act  that  could  disturb  the  good  harmony  and  friendship  which  hap- 
pily subsists  between  the  two  Courts.  I"or  these  reasons,  and  in 
order  to  give  a  further  proof  of  the  King's  desire  to  preserve  and 
strengthen  this  friendshii).  His  Majesty  understands  and  considers 
this  affair  as  closed,  without  entering  into  disputes  or  discussions  C 
over  the  indubitable  rights  of  his  Crown.  His  Catholic  Majesty 
flatters  himself  that  the  British  King  will  order  all  of  his  subjects 
to  respect  these  rights,  as  I  had  the  honor  of  setting  forth  and  recom- 
mending to  your  excellency  formerly. 

It  is  with  the  most  respectful  sentiments  and  the  most  constant  at- 
tachments that  1  have  the  lionor,  etc.. 

The  Marquis  del  Campo. 

His  Excellency  M.  the  Duke  of  Leeds.o 

The  tone  of  this  letter  exphiins  the  feverisli  preparations 
for  war  which  the  Spanish  Court  began  as  soon  as  the  reply 
was  decided  upon.  It  ignored  the  demand  for  satisfaction, 
the  granting  of  which  the  English  reply  of  February  26  had 
made  the  indispensable  condition  of  further  negotiation.  It 
assumed  that  Spain  was  right  and  England  wrong.  It  dis- 
tinctly avowed  the  seizure  and  made  the  release  an  act  of 
pure  generosity.  As  justification,  it  asserted  the  most  exten-  V 
sive  claims  to  exclusive  dominion.  It  renewed  the  former 
demand  that  England  prevent  her  subjects  from  infringing 
upon  that  dominion.  To  support  the  positive  position  taken, 
Spain  was  making  extensive  preparations  for  war.  If 
granting  the  first  Spanish  demand  would  have  been  incom- 
patible with  British  pride,  yielding  to  the  second  would  have 
been  inconsistent  with  British  honor.  Only  one  answer  could 
have  been  expected  from  the  British  Court. 

«MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Naclonal,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4201.  The  same  with 
slight  modifications  is  to  be  found  in  Narrative  of  the  Noj;otiations  between 
England  and  Spain,  20.  But  this  work  is  so  rare  tliat  it  is  little  more  acces- 
sible than  the  manuscripts.  Muriel,  Historia  de  Carlos  IV,  I,  109,  mentions 
this  letter. 


o 


376  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Shortly  after  the  presentation  of  the  above  Spanish  me- 
morial an  event  occurred  which  greatly  influenced  the  British 
Cabinet  and  made  them  urge  their  demands  more  vigor- 
ously. This  was  the  arrival  of  Meares.  He  came  just  at  the 
opportune  moment.  The  blood  of  the  English  ministers 
was  already  up.  In  the  absence  of  any  authentic  account  to 
the  contrary,  they  accepted  the  exaggerated  statements  of 
Meares.     The  foreign  office  "  Narrative  "  says : 

From  liim  a  move  full  and  probably  a  more  authentic  account  of  this 
transaction  was  obtained  than  had  already  been  in  possession  of  Gov- 
ernment, o 

His  Majesty's  ministers,  who  till  now  had  proceeded  with  that  cau- 
tion which  the  uncertain  nature  of  the  intelligence  they  had  received 
rendered  essentially  necessary,  no  longer  having  room  to  doubt  of  the 
insult  offered  to  the  British  flag,  and  the  injury  sustained  by  British 
subjects  from  the  unwarrantable  and  unprovoked  hostility  of  the 
Spanish  commander,  lost  no  time  in  taking  those  measures  which  were 
best  calculated  to  vindicate  the  honor  of  His  Majesty  and  the  British 
nation.6 

This  event  with  the  arrival  of  the  reports  from  Merry, 
mentioned  above,  caused  the  British  Government  to  turn  its 
most  serious  attention  to  the  Nootka  business. 

At  a  cabinet  meeting  held  in  the  night  of  April  30  the  fol- 
lowing recommendations  to  the  King  were  agreed  upon,  and 
submitted  by  Grenville  to  George  III  the  next  day : 

Upon  consideration  of  the  information  which  has  been  received 
from  Mr.  Meares  of  the  detention  and  capture  of  several  British 
vessels  at  Nootka  Sound,  on  the  coast  of  America,  and  of  the  circum- 
stances of  that  transaction,  as  also  of  the  papers  which  here  hnve  been 
delivered  by  Monsieur  del  Campo  relative  thereto,  Your  Majesty's 
servants  have  agreed  humbly  to  submit  to  Your  Majesty  their  opinion 
that  Your  Majesty's  minister  at  the  Court  of  Madrid  should  be 
instructed  to  present  a  memorial  demanding  an  immediate  and 
adequate  satisfaction  for  the  outrages  committed  by  Monsieur  de 
Martinez ;  and  that  it  would  be  proper,  in  order  to  support  that  de- 
mand and  to  be  prepared  for  such  events  as  may  arise,  that  Your 
Majesty  should  give  orders  for  fitting  out  a  squadron  of  ships  of  the 
line.c 

In  a  note  of  May  1  the  King  asked  whether  a  press  would 
be  necessary   for  equipping  the  proposed  squadron.     The 

<»  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  24. 

6  Id.,  35. 

«  Grenvilie  to  George  III,  May  1,  1790,  inclosing  cabinet  minute  of  April 
30,  1790.  (Fortescue  MSS.  I,  579;  Hist.  MSS.  Com.  Report,  13,  App.  3.) 
This  gives  the  names  of  the  seven  cabinet  members  who  were  present. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  377 

next  day  Grenville  replied  that  the  Cabinet  thought  a  press 
necessary  and  that  it  should  take  place  Tuesday  night,  May 
4,  between  12  and  3  o'clock,  as  that  time  would  create  least 
observation.  The  same  day  that  Grenville's  note  was  writ- 
ten the  King  answered  it  requesting  a  privy  council  for  the 
next  day.  May  3,  to  consider  the  arrangements  for  the  press. 
The  council  was  to  be  composed  of  the  cabinet  ministers,  as 
the  more  secret  the  business  could  be  kept  the  more  possi- 
bility there  would  be  of  collecting  some  seamen  in  the  first 
attempt." 

After  these  days  of  martial  activity  in  the  British  Cabinet 
Leeds  replied  to  Campo's  letter  of  April  20.  He  informed 
the  Marquis,  May  5,  that  the  unsatisfactory  answer  which 
the  latter  had  been  instructed  to  make  to  the  English  demand 
for  satisfaction  made  it  necessar}^  for  His  Majesty  to  direct 
his  minister  at  Madrid  to  renew  the  representations.  Owing 
to  this  change  in  the  seat  of  negotiations,  Leeds  said  it  Avas 
impossible  for  him  to  enter  into  the  particulars  of  Campo's 
letter.     He  concluded : 

I  can  tbeivfore  at  present  only  observe  in  general  to  your  excel- 
lency that  althongh  on  cases  properly  stated  it  will  be  His  Majesty's 
desire — which  he  has  manifested  in  repeated  instances — to  take  any 
measiii-os  necessary  for  i)reventing  his  subjects'  interfering  with  the 
just  and  acknowledged  rights  of  Spain,  he  can  never  in  any  shape 
accede  to  tliose  claims  of  exclusive  sovereignty,  conunerce,  and  navi- 
gation to  which  your  excellency's  representations  appear  principally 
to  refer;  and  particularly  that  His  Majesty  will  consider  it  his 
indispensable  duty  to  protect  his  subjects  in  the  enjoyment  of  the 
right  of  carrying  on  their  fisheries  in  the  Pacific  Ocean. & 

Each  nation  stood  firmly  on  the  ground  originally  taken. 
Each  had  made  its  first  demand  apparently  expecting  imme- 
diate compliance.  When  such  was  stubbornly  refused  each 
suspected  that  the  other  had  some  ulterior  end  in  view  and 
was  using  the  matter  in  hand  only  as  a  pretext.  The  mis-  - 
understanding  arose  over  the  fact  that  neither  the  Briton 
nor  the  Spaniard  could  understand  the  mental  attitude  of 
the  other  regarding  the  matter  in  dispute.  The  Spanish 
mind  had  for  centuries  been  accustomed  to  think  of  the 

"George  III  to  Grenville,  May  1;  Grenville  to  George  III,  May  2,  and 
George  III  to  Gienville,  May  2.      (Fortescuo  MSS.,  I,  579,  580.) 

"Leeds  to  Campo,  Whitehall,  May  5,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Est  ado,  4291.)  In  English  and  apparently  the  original.  Muriel, 
Historia  de  Carlos  IV,  I,  110,  reviews  this  reply  briefly. 


V 


378  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

0  American  continent  as  the  exclusive  possession  of  Spain. 
The  accident  that  had  given  a  portion  to  Portugal,  when  the 
Pope  drew  his  arbitrary  line  between  the  dominions  of  the 
two  maritime  nations,  was  accepted  without  question  by  the 
abnormally  religious  mind  of  the  Spaniard.  That  Spain 
had  yielded  the  bleak  northern  shore  of  the  Atlantic  was  of 
little  consequence,  since  she  retained  the  sunny  southern  por- 
tion, where,  alone,  the  Spaniard  could  feel  at  home.  With 
the  exception  of  Portugal's  comparatively  insignificant  hold- 
ing, Spain  still  possessed  practically  the  whole  of  both  Amer- 
icas south  of  the  northern  line  of  Florida  and  west  of  the 
Mississippi  River.  That  Russia  had  recently  settled  on  the 
icebound  coast  of  the  far-away  northwest  was  hardly 
known  and  less  to  be  regretted.  Being  accustomed  to  think 
of  America  thus,  the  Spaniard  could  not  conceive  that  any- 
one else  would  dare  to  infringe  on  his  right.  Little  was 
known  in  Spain  of  the  colonial  development  of  England 
and  the  new  principles  on  which  it  was  based,  namely,  that 
unoccupied  land  anywhere  on  the  globe  was  the  legitimate 
possession  of  any  nation  that  would  occupy  and  develop  it,  and 
that  no  other  nation  could  resist  such  occupation  by  the  mere 
assertion  of  an  ancient  shadow}^  claim  that  had  never  been 
made  good  by  actual  settlement.  The  Briton  was  too  accus- 
tomed to  this  view  to  believe  that  anyone  would  still  advance 
in  good  faith  the  antiquated  notion  that  any  real  right  could 
be  conferred  by  the  gift  of  a  Pope,  who,  he  believed,  had  no 

0  more  authority  to  make  such  gifts  than  any  other  individual, 
or  that  a  claim  not  made  good  by  occupying  and  develoj^ing 
would  be  seriously  urged.  It  was  impossible  to  reach  a 
harmonious  agreement.     One  party  would  have  to  yield. 

From  this  time  onward  negotiations  were  conducted  at 
Madrid  instead  of  at  London  as  hitherto.  The  British  min- 
'  ister  to  the  Court  of  Spain,  Alleyne  Fitzherbert,  had  not  yet 
gone  to  take  charge  of  his  post.  Affairs  were  in  the  hands 
of  the  charge.  Merry.  Fitzherbert  was  now  dispatched  to 
Madrid."  No  communication  of  importance  passed  between 
the  two  Courts  until  his  arrival.  In  the  meantime  each  Gov- 
ernment was  putting  forth  its  utmost  efforts  to  raise  its  naval 
force  to  the  highest  possible  efficiency.     During  the  same 

«  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  44. 


D 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  379 

time  the  diplomacy  of  each  country  was  directed  toward 
strengthening  its  European  position  by  calling  on  its  allies 
for  assurances  of  support.  The  outcome  of  these  efforts 
influenced,  considerably,  the  course  of  the  main  negotiation. 
Besides  this  influence  much  of  the  interest  and  importance 
of  the  controversy  lies  in  the  effect  of  these  by-negotiations 
on  France,  the  country  chiefly  involved  in  them.  They  will 
be  studied  in  the  next  chapter. 


u 


Chapter  VIIL 
europe  prepares  for  war. 

Until  the  first  week  in  May  the  negotiations  regarding 
the  Nootka  Sound  dispute  were  conducted  with  the  greatest 
secrecy  in  both  countries.  The  public,  especially  in  Eng- 
land, did  not  so  much  as  know  that  there  was  any  serious 
question  pending  between  the  tAVO  Crowns.  There  were  gen- 
eral rejoicings  over  the  prospect  of  a  long  period  of  un- 
troubled peace.  The  consternation  that  ensued  may  be  im- 
nained  when,  on  the  morning  of  May  5,  England  awoke  to 
the  fact  that  in  the  darkness  of  the  preceding  night  sailors 
had  been  seized  in  every  port  and  were  being  pressed  into 
the  navy  for  immediate  service.  The  excitement  in  London 
is  reflected  by  the  following  extracts  from  a  diary.  The 
writer  was  an  ex-governor  of  Canada,  and  was  living  in 
retirement  at  London.  According  to  his  entry  for  May  5, 
a  note  just  received  informed  him  that  "  during  last  night 
all  the  sailors  on  the  Thames  had  been  pressed,  and  that  war 
was  on  the  point  of  being  declared  against  Spain,  which  had 
seized  five  of  our  ships  near  Cooks  Kiver;  and  the  funds 
had  fallen  3  per  cent."  This  indicates  that  the  financial 
pulse  was  decidedly  unsteady.  The  depression  seems  to  have 
continued  for  at  least  ten  days.  At  the  end  of  that  time 
the  same  writer  entered  in  his  diary :  ''  Opinions  are  still 
divided  as  to  whether  there  will  be  a  war  or  not.  The  funds 
begin  to  rise."  On  this  day  he  had  invested  $3,000  in 
bonds.° 

On  the  day  following  the  press  a  message  from  the  King 
was  read  in  both  Houses  of  Parliament.  This  explained 
why  the  Government  had  taken  such  an  extraordinary  step. 
The  King  declared  that  two  vessels  whose  nationality  had 

«Haldimand's  Diary,  May  5  and  May  14,  1790.      (Canadian  Archives,  1889, 
p.  281  ff.)      A  letter  from  London  of  May  7  In  Gazette  de  Leide,  May  14,  1790, 
says :  "  Les  fonds,  depuis  le  message  du  Roi,  ont  continue  de  balsser." 
380 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVEESY.  381 

not  been  fully  ascertained  and  two  others  known  to  be 
British  had  been  captured  at  Nootka  Sound  by  an  officer 
commanding  two  Spanish  ships  of  war.  He  told  how  the 
cargoes  had  been  seized  and  the  officers  sent  as  prisoners  to 
a  Spanish  port.  He  related  briefly  the  correspondence  with 
the  Spanish  Court,  then  told  how  that  Court  had  refused  the 
satisfaction  demanded  and  had  asserted  a  claim  "  to  the 
exclusive  rights  of  sovereignty,  navigation,  and  commerce 
in  the  territories,  coasts,  and  seas  in  that  part  of  the  world." 
His  minister  at  Madrid  was  to  renew  the  demand  for  satis- 
faction. Having  learned  of  considerable  armaments  in 
Spain,  he  had  judged  it  necessary  to  arm  in  turn  "  in  sup- 
port of  the  honor  of  his  Crown  and  the  interests  of  his 
people."  He  appealed  to  the  Commons  for  the  necessary 
support.  He  hoped  that  the  affair  might  be  terminated 
peaceably,  and  in  such  a  manner  as  to  remove  grounds  for 
misunderstandings  in  the  future.** 

The  next  day,  May  6,  the  matter  was  discussed  in  Parlia- 
ment. Pitt  opened  the  debate  in  the  lower  House  by  moving 
an  address  of  thanks  for  the  King's  message.  He  recited 
the  facts  briefly,  asserted  England's  right  to  fisheries  and 
commerce  in  the  districts  in  question,  and  showed  that 
Spain's  extravagant  claims  woidd  entirely  exclude  England 
from  that  ocean,  if  they  were  allowed.  The  settlement  of 
this  dispute  would  establish  a  precedent  for  all  the  future. 
The  insult  to  the  British  flag  lay  in  two  facts — first,  the 
seizure  had  been  made  in  time  of  profound  peace;  secondly, 
goods  had  been  confiscated  without  condemnation.*  Govern- 
ment hoped  yet  to  settle  the  dispute  peaceably,  but  it  was 
necessary  to  increase  the  armaments  in  order  to  treat  with 
Spain  on  an  equal  footing.  The  opposition  led  by  Fox 
agreed  that  the  address  should  be  voted  and  the  armaments 
approved;  but  they  criticised  the  ministry  for  having  so 
recently  held  out  hopes  for  continued  peace  when  a  matter 

«  Pari.  Hist,  XXVIIT,  765  ;  also  Annual  Register,  XXXII,  285.  The  latter 
work  Incorrectly  gives  the  date  May  25.  This  error  is  repeated  In  many  of 
the  books  that  treat  of  the  subject,  since  this  work  has  been  the  chief 
source. 

"This  statement  was  true  as  far  as  the  English  knew  or  could  know,  but 
there  was  at  least  an  attempt  to  justify  the  procedure.  Martinez  took  goods 
from  the  captured  ships  and  applied  them  to  his  own  use,  but  made  provision 
for  their  restoration  In  Mexico.  (See  Chapter  V.)  A  schooner  had  been  ap- 
propriated to  the  Spanish  service  with  less  show  of  justice. 


382  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION.      . 

of  such  importance  was  pending.  This  reference  was  to 
statements  made  by  Pitt  in  his  budget  speech  of  April  19. 
The  minister  answered  that  the  facts  were  not  all  known  at 
that  time ;  and  besides,  he  had  made  no  promise  of  the  con- 
tinuance of  peace,  but  had  said  that  the  existing  prosperity 
was  due  to  the  happy  interval  of  peace  and  that  if  peace 
should  continue  prosperity  would  increase. 

From  the  facts  presented  in  the  preceding  chapter  it  is 
known  that  the  criticism  was  unjust.  Until  April  21  the 
ministry  had  had  no  communication  from  Spain  except  the 
note  of  February  10.  Only  one  ship  was  known  to  have  been 
ca])tnred,  and  that  only  through  the  information  furnished 
by  the  Spanish  Court  in  that  note.  Merry  had  reported 
rumors  of  Spanish  naval  preparations,  but  had  at  the  same 
time  given  quieting  assurances.  Shortly  after  the  budget 
speech  came  the  Spanish  memorial  of  April  20,  distinctly 
avowing  the  seizures  and  asserting  the  Spanish  pretensions; 
then  came  exact  information  from  Merry  of  extensive  Span- 
ish armaments;  and  last  and  most  important  came  Meares 
with  his  exaggerated  stories  of  Spanish  cruelty  and  injustice, 
revealing  the  true  number  of  seizures  and  overrating  the 
losses.  It  was  lu-ged  more  properlj^  that  the  English  Gov- 
ernment was  unjust  in  demanding  the  restoration  of  the 
ships  and  satisfaction  for  the  insult  before  discussing  the  re- 
spective rights.     This,  it  was  said,  was  begging  the  question. 

Notwithstanding  these  criticisms  the  address  was  carried 
unanimously.  The  measures  taken  by  the  Government  were 
confirmed,  the  armament  was  approved,  and  the  support  of 
the  Commons  was  assured.  After  a  similar  debate  in  the 
Lords  on  the  same  day  the  ministry  was  supported  with  the 
same  enthusiasm.**  The  entry  in  the  diary  of  Gouverneur 
^ry  Morris,  who  was  then  in  London  as  the  semiofficial  agent  of 
the  United  States  Government,  tells  of  the  animated  debate 
in  the  Commons,  of  the  ejithusiastic  support  accorded  to  the 
ministry,  and  of  the  avowed  determination  to  obtain  from 
the  Spanish  Court  an  acknowledgment  that  Spain  is  entitled 
to  no  part  of  America  except  such  as  she  occupies.^  The 
assurance  of  the  Commons  was  followed  up  on  June  10  by  a 

"  Pari.  Hist.  XXVIJI,  7G6-782.     The  address  of  the  Lords  with  the  incor- 
rect date,  May  26,  is  given  in  the  Annual  Register,  XXXII,  286. 
''Morris,  Diary  and  Letters,  1,  325. 


u 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  383 

vote  of  credit  for  £1,000,000  "  to  enable  His  Majesty  to  act        ^ 
as  the  exigency  of  affairs  might  require."  <»     Orders  were 
at  once  gi^^en  for  the  equipment  of  a  fleet  to  consist  of  14 
ships  of  the  line,  besides  smaller  vessels.     This  was  soon  in- 
creased.    The  press  was  prosecuted  vigorously  and  with  suc- 
cess in  all  ports.^     Vancouver's  work  speaks  of  "  the  uncom- 
mon celerity  and  the  unparalleled  dispatch  which  attended 
the  equipment  of  one  of  the  noblest  fleets  that  Great  Britain     J 
ever  saw."  ^     Public  excitement  was  wrought  to  the  highest  . 
pitch.     Pamphlets  were  issued  in  the  form  of  addresses  to 
the  King,  setting  forth  the  extravagance  of  the  Spanish 
claim  to  exercise  control  over  the  whole  Pacific  Ocean,  and 
enlarging  on  the  magnitude  and  promise  of  the  frustrated 
English  enterprise.     All  the  forces  of  national  pride,  preju- 
dice, and  patriotism  were  united  to  arouse  hatred  for  the 
Spaniard.     Indignant  orators  dwelt  on  memories  of  Papal       "( 
anathemas,    the    Holy     Inquisition,     and    the    Invincible 
Armada.^ 

At  this  juncture  it  is  interesting  to  note  again  the  rela- 
tions between  Pitt  and  the  South  American  agitator,  Mir-  '^ 
anda.  Attention  was  called  above  to  conferences  between 
them  shortly  after  the  Spanish  note  of  February  10  was 
delivered  to  the  British  Court.  Nothing  seems  to  have 
passed  between  them  after  that  time  until  the  second  Span- 
ish note  arrived.  At  9  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  May  G,  the 
day  of  the  debate  in  Parliament  just  studied,  Miranda 
again  met  Pitt  on  the  latter's  invitation.  Grenville  was 
present  also.  They  had  a  long  conference  "  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  a  war  with  Spain,  in  consequence  of  the  occurrences 
at  Nootka  Sound,  the  disposition  of  the  people  in  South 
America  toward  joining  the  English  for  their  independency 
against  the  Spaniards,"  etc.  Pitt  thanked  Miranda  for  the 
papers  which  he  had  sent,  and  showed  them  to  him.  The 
minister  was  taking  them  to  a  meeting  of  the  Cabinet.  New 
assurances  were  given  of  the  execution  of  Miranda's  plans 
in  case  of  war.     Various  interviews  took  place  between  them 

«  Pari.  Hist,  XXVIIT,  784. 

*  Letter  from  London,  May  7,  in  Gazette  de  Leide,  May  14,  1790. 

c  Vancouver,  Voyages,  I,  48. 

''  See  Dalrymple,  The  Spanish  Pretensions  fairly  discussed,  London,  1790 ; 
also  [Etches],  An  Authentic  Account  of  all  the  Facts  Relative  to  Nootka 
Sound,  etc.,  London,  1790.     Meares's  Memorial  was  also  made  public. 


384  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

during  the  time  that  the  great  armament  and  the  Spanish 
negotiations  were  in  progress.'*  The  fact  that  Pitt  was  tak- 
ing Miranda's  papers  to  a  cabinet  meeting  just  at  this  time 
is  unmistakable  evidence  that  his  plans  were  being  seriously 
considered. 

There  were  attempts  on  the  part  of  the  opposition  to  cen- 
sure the  ministry  for  their  conduct  of  the  Spanish  business. 
On  May  10,  in  debating  the  motion  for  the  vote  of  credit, 
Fox  called  for  the  date  of  the  first  communication  from 
Spain  on  the  affair.  This  was  not  revealed.'^  On  the  next 
day  there  was  an  attempt  to  learn  whether  the  proposed 
settlement  at  Nootka  was  "  undertaken  under  the  sanction 
and  authority  of  Government,  or  merely  as  an  enterprise  of 
private  persons."  The  motion  w^as  defeated,  but  Pitt  de- 
clared that  licenses  to  trade  at  Nootka  Sound  had  been 
granted ;  and  whether  this  particular  undertaking  was  or 
was  not  a  public  enterprise  it  was  incumbent  on  the  honor 
of  the  country  to  demand  satisfaction.  He  said  that  the 
"  Memorial "  of  Captain  Meares  would  put  the  House  in 
possession  of  all  that  Government  knew  on  the  subject.*' 
On  May  12  there  was  a  spirited  debate  on  a  motion  calling 
for  the  papers  relative  to  the  dispute,  but  the  demand  was 
successfully  resisted.*^  On  the  following  day  a  motion  by 
the  oi:)position,  calling  for  information  regarding  the  ap- 
pointment of  ambassadors  to  Spain  since  the  peace  of  1783, 
was  not  resisted  by  the  ministry.*  A  week  later  the  infor- 
mation obtained  was  discussed.  During  the  seven  years 
there  had  been  a  resident  ambassador  at  Madrid  only  thir- 
teen months,  though  there  had  been  four  appointments  and 
upward  of  £35,000  had  been  appropriated  for  their  support. 
It  was  explained  that  these  conditions  were  mostly  due  to 
Spanish  delays  and  etiquette;  that  although  an  ambassador 

"Miranda  to  Pitt,  September  18,1791.  (Am.  Hist.  Rev.,  VII,  712.)  Haldi- 
mand's  diary  during  May  and  June,  1790,  confirms  Miranda's  statements  of 
his  intimacy  with  the  governmental  authorities.  The  writer  maljes  frequent 
mention  of  being  with  the  King,  with  Grenville,  and  of  being  consulted  on  Ca- 
nadian affairs,  showing  that  he  was  intimate  in  Court  circles.  During  the 
same  months  he  speaks  frequently  of  Miranda's  being  with  him,  dining  with 
him,  driving  with  him,  etc.      (See  Can.  Arch.,  1889,  p.  281  ff.) 

6  Pari.  Hist,  XXVIII,  784. 

"  Official  Papers  relative  to  the  Dispute  between  the  Courts  of  Great  Britain 
and  Spain,  42. 

<*  I'arl.  Hist,  XXVIII,  805. 

•  Id.,  807. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  385 

had  not  been  present  yet  a  charge  had  been  there  all  the 
time,  and  British  interests  had  not  suffered.  The  motion 
was  for  an  address  asking  the  King  to  provide  for  the 
performance  in  the  future  of  the  duties  of  ambassadors  to 
foreign  courts.  It  was  defeated. «  There  was  no  further 
Parliamentary  activity  of  importance  on  the  matter  before 
the  session  closed  on  June  10.^ 

While  England  was  making  these  vigorous  preparations 
at  home  she  was  calling  for  support  in  every  place  from 
which  she  had  a  right  to  expect  aid.  At  the  same  time  she 
was  taking  steps  to  put  every  portion  of  her  wide  dominions 
in  a  state  of  defense.  Ireland  was  called  upon  to  restrain 
shipments  of  provisions  to  Spain,  and  also  to  recruit  forces 
for  the  West  Indies.  Tlie  lord  lieutenant  agreed,  with  some 
qualifications,  to  carry  out  both  measures.''  The  commander 
at  Gibraltar  was  warned  of  his  danger.  The  governor  of 
that  port,  who  was  visiting  in  England,  was  ordered  to  re- 
turn to  his  post.  A  regiment  of  foot  was  to  embark  imme- 
diately to  reiinforce  the  garrison.*^  Notices  were  sent  to  the 
governors  of  Barbados,  St.  Vincent,  the  liceward  and  Ba- 
hama Islands,  Dominica,  Cape  Breton,  and  Nova  Scotia. 
They  were  ordered  to  expedite  works  of  defense,  to  report 
on  their  forces,  and  to  keep  a  watch  on  Spanish  and  French 
movements.  Four  regiments  of  foot  and  two  ships  of  war 
were  ordered  to  the  West  Indies.^  Three  ships  of  war,  with 
reenforccments  and  provisions,  were  sent  to  India,  with  in- 
structions to  prepare  an  expedition  to  seize  Manila  or  the 
west  coast  of  America  should  orders  come  to  that  effect.^ 
The  governor  of  Canada,  about  to  return  to  England,  was 
ordered  to  remain  and  prepare  the  forces  of  Canada  for  any 
exigency  that  might  arise.  He  was  to  cultivate  the  friend- 
ship of  the  United  States  and  to  adopt  every  means  in  his 
power  for  influencing  the  Americans   in   favor  of  Great 

«  Pari.  Hist,  815-822. 

f  Id.,  875. 

<'  Grenville  to  Westmoreland,  May  3,  May  7,  and  May  9 ;  and  Westmoreland 
to  Grenville,  May  10  and  May  14.      (Fortescue  MSS.,  I,  580-584.) 

<*  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  56.  These 
orders  were  given  May  6. 

«  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  59-62.  These 
orders  were  given  May  6  and  May  22. 

r  Id.,  62-65.     Orders  dated  May  12. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 25 


386  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Britain  and  i^reventing  their  union  with  Spain."  These 
^-^  interesting  Canadian  overtures  will  be  fully  discussed  later. 
It  was  suggested  to  the  King  that  he  use  his  Hanoverian 
troops  to  augment  the  garrison  at  Gibraltar.  He  favored 
the  measure,  and  took  steps  for  carrying  it  out.* 

Besides  this  aid  from  her  dependencies,  England  also 
claimed  the  support  of  her  allies  under  the  triple  alliance  of 
1788.  Since  the  war  promised  to  be  almost  wholly  naval, 
the  friendship  of  the  NetlierhMids  with  her  fleet  would  be  of 
great  value.  On  May  4,  the  day  before  the  English  prepa- 
rations were  made  public,  Leeds  wrote  to  Lord  Auckland, 
the  British  ambassador  at  The  Hague,  asking  him  to  com- 
municate the  matter  to  the  Dutch  Government.  His  Bri- 
tannic Majesty  relied  on  the  justice  of  his  cause,  and  had  no 
doubt  that  the  Dutch  Eej^ublic  would  approve,  and,  if  it 
should  become  necessary,  furnish  him  support  under  the 
treaty/'  In  a  private  letter  of  the  same  date  Leeds  asked 
that  before  demanding  aid  under  the  treaty  Auckland  ascer- 
tain whether  the  Dutch  Government  would  fit  out  a  number 
of  vessels  and  furnish  them  to  England  at  English  ex- 
pense.*^ In  less  than  ten  days  an  answer  had  arrived,  say- 
ing that  Holland  was  ready  to  support  England  and  that 
any  or  all  of  the  Dutch  ships  of  the  line  might  be  put  at  the 
Q  disposal  of  Great  Britain  at  British  exj^ense.*'  On  May  15 
Auckland  sent  a  statement  of  the  terms  on  which  these  ves- 
sels would  be  furnished.''  Three  days  later  Leeds  replied 
that  the  terms  were  so  favorable  that  Auckland  was  author- 
ized to  accept  them  at  once  and  promote  with  the  utmost 
expedition  the  equipment  of  10  sail  of  the  line.^  Still  fur- 
ther assurances  of  Dutch  friendship  and  generosity  were 
given.  On  May  31  the  States  General  passed  resolutions 
refusing  to  accept  the  English  subsidies,  and  taking  upon 
themselves  the  entire  expense.''     Everything  being  in  readi- 

«  Id.,  57.     Orders  dated  May  6.      See  also  Can.  Arch.,  1890,  pp.  130-133. 

"Grenvllle  to  (Jeorge  Til,  May  25,  and  George  III  to  Grenville,  May  26. 
(Fortescue  MSS.,  I,  586,  587.) 

•^  Leeds  to  Auckland,  May  4,  1790.      (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  34431,  f°  67.) 

"Leeds  to  Auckland,  May  4,  1790  (private).  (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  34431, 
f°  81.) 

«  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  70. 

^Auckland  to  Grenville,  Hague,  May  15,  1790.  (Fortescue  MSS.,  I,  585. 
See  also  work  last  cited,  95-97.) 

»  Leeds  to  Auckland,  May  18,  1790.  (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  34431,  f°  195.  See 
also  Narrative  cited  above,  97.) 

*  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  100  flf. 


o 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  387 

ness  and  the  English  Government  having  requested  the 
movement,  the  Dutch  fleet,  under  Admiral  Kinsbergen,  left 
the  Texel  on  June  17  and  joined  the  English  fleet  at  Ports- 
mouth three  weeks  later." 

The  third  member  of  the  triple  alliance,  Prussia,  was  at  the 
same  time  called  upon  for  support.  On  May  20  Hertzberg, 
the  Prussian  minister,  handed  an  answer  to  Ewart,  the  Brit- 
ish ambassador  at  Berlin.  The  Prussian  King  approved 
the  measures  of  England  and  pledged  himself  to  ftdfill  his 
engagements  in  case  the  contest  with  Spain  should  render 
it  necessary.  Hertzberg  suggested  that  it  Avas  impossible  to 
suppose  that  Spain  would  think  of  embarking  on  a  war  with 
such  disadvantage  without  having  a  motive  other  than  that 
alleged.  He  said  that  there  were  positive  indications  that  an 
alliance  was  being  negotiated  between  Spain,  Russia,  and 
Austria  to  which  Denmark  was  to  be  asked  to  accede.  These 
indications  made  it  necessary  for  the  three  allies  to  be  in  per- 
fect accord.  He  referred  to  Prussia's  very  grave  discussions 
with  the  Courts  of  Vienna  and  St.  Petersburg  and  claimed 
English  support  in  case  it  should  be  needed  in  tliat  business.^ 
Thus  the  Nootka  Sound  dispute  was  drawn  into  the  general 
current  of  European  politics  and  was  destined  to  have  an  ^ 
indirect  influence  on  the  Polish  and  Turkish  questions. 
More  will  be  said  later  regarding  these  matters. 

While  Eno^land  w^as  meetinor  with  such  decided  success  in 
her  demands  on  her  allies,  Spain  was  also  looking  for  sup- 
port outside  her  own  borders.  Her  chief  reliance  was  on 
France.  For  nearly  thirty  years  the  two  countries  had  been  xj 
intimately  united  under  the  family  compact.  This  was 
concluded  in  1761,  during  the  Seven  Years'  war,  when 
France  was  fighting  a  losing  battle.  The  farsighted  Charles 
III,  who  had  then  recently  ascended  the  Spanish  Throne, 
saw  in  a  close  union  between  the  Bourbon  Monarchies  a  pros- 
pect for  ultimate  gain  to  his  Kingdom  in  spit«  of  the  fact 
that  he  could  hope  for  little  at  the  time.  He  hastened  nobly 
to  the  rescue  and  generously  shared  the  defeats  and  losses 
of  France.  When  Louis  XVI  entered  the  contest  in  behalf 
of  the  American  colonies  in  their  struggle  against  the  mother 

«  De  Jonge,  Geschiedenis  van  het  Nederlandsche  Zeewezen,  V,  119-120. 

6  Hertzberg  to  Ewart,  Berlin,  May  20,  1700.  (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  34431, 
V  205.)  Stanhopes  Life  of  Pitt,' II,  551,  mentions  tlie  Prussian  and  Dutch 
assurances  of  friendship. 


388  AMERICAN    HISTOEIOAL    ASSOCIATION. 

country,  Charles  III,  true  to  the  family  compact,  followed 
his  ally  into  the  war  which  ended  in  the  glorious  peace  of 
1783.  When  in  1790  Spain  was  threatened  by  war  with 
p]ngland,  she  naturally  turned  to  France,  whom  she  had 
twice  assisted  against  this  same  foe.  But  the  advances  were 
made  with  serious  misgivings  on  account  of  the  turbulence 
in  France,  Avhich  was  threatening  to  overturn  the  monarchy. 

For  a  year  the  utmost  confusion  had  prevailed  in  Paris 
and  throughout  the  country.  The  oppressions  of  the  feudal 
regime,  wasteful  methods  of  taxation,  and  financial  misman- 
atrement  had  combined  to  reduce  the  Government  to  a  state  of 
bankruptcy.  Finally,  Louis  XVI  had  yielded  to  the  univer- 
sal clamor  and  called  the  States-General.  In  May,  1789, 
after  a  recess  of  a  hundred  and  seventy-five  years,  they  had 
assembled  at  Versailles.  After  a  deadlock  of  nearly  two 
months  the  privileged  orders  had  been  compelled  to  yield  to 
the  demand  of  the  third  estate  and  meet  in  a  common  body — 
the  National  Assembly.  In  the  middle  of  July,  the  Parisian 
mob  had  razed  the  Bastille,  which  they  looked  upon  as  the 
symbol  of  arbitrary  government.  A  little  more  than  a  fort- 
night later  the  nobles  in  the  National  Assembly  had  bowed 
before  the  coming  storm  and  voluntarily  laid  down  their 
feudal  privileges.  Rightly  interpreting  these  events  as  an 
acknowledgment  of  impotence  on  the  part  of  the  old  regimC; 
the  proletariat  in  the  cities  and  the  peasants  in  the  country 
had  arisen  everywhere,  murdered  the  governmental  officials, 
and  burned  and  pillaged  the  castles  of  the  nobles.  As  a  re- 
sult of  the  frightful  events  of  the  early  days  of  October,  the 
mob  had  carried  the  royal  family  in  triumph  to  Paris,  and 
the  National  Assembly  had  followed  shortly  after.  Both 
were  thenceforward  virtually  the  prisoners  of  the  Parisian 
populace.  The  power  of  the  Monarchy  had  ended.  Under 
the  spell  of  Jacobin  orators  the  Assembly  was  wasting  its 
time  in  the  fruitless  discussion  of  constitutional  principles, 
and  leaving  the  country  to  ruin  and  anarchy.  This  was  tho 
condition  of  France  in  the  summer  of  1790. 

As  early  as  January  20,  the  day  on  which  Floridablanca 
wrote  his  instructions  to  Campo  in  London — which  instruc- 
tions the  latter  embodied  in  his  drastic  note  of  February  10 
to  the  British  Court — the  Spanish  minister  had  also  written 
to  Montmorin,  the  French  minister  for  foreign  affairs.     In 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  389 

this  letter  he  made  no  mention  of  the  Nootka  Sound  episode 
nor  of  the  haughty  demands  which  he  was  making  on  Eng- 
land the  same  day.  But  he  expressed  pity  for  France  and 
her  King,  and  complained  that  in  the  existing  circumstances 
that  country  was  not  in  a  condition  to  unite  with  Spain  as 
she  should.  He  feared  that  their  enemies  would  take  advan- 
tage of  the  embarrassing  position."  Though  he  said  nothing 
about  it,  Floridablanca  was  evidently  thinking  of  the  pos- 
sible consequences  of  his  harsh  demand.  After  the  warlike 
sessions  of  the  junta  of  state,  mentioned  in  the  previous  chap- 
ter, and  after  the  second  note  to  the  British  Court  had  been 
sent,  Floridablanca  made  indirect  overtures  to  France  for 
assurances  of  support.  This  was  in  a  letter  of  April  C  to 
Fernan  Nufiez,  the  Spanish  ambassador  in  Paris.  He  sug- 
gested that  in  the  absence  of  French  support  it  would  be 
necessary  for  Spain  to  look  to  other  powers.  Russia  he 
thought  most  likely  to  furnish  aid.^  No  formal  demand  was 
made  in  this  communication,  but  it  seems  that  the  Spanish 
ambassador  made  some  advances  to  tlie  French  Court.  On 
May  11  Fernan  Nufiez  wrote  of  a  conference  which  he  had 
had  with  iMontmorin.  The  latter  had  promised  to  propose 
an  armament.  Luzerne,  the  French  minister  for  marine, 
had  told  of  the  number  of  vessels  available.  Montmorin 
had  suggested  that  in  case  of  war  the  allies  should  disem- 
bark 50,000  men  in  England  and  should  revolutionize  Hol- 
land. The  French  minister  had  asked  for  information  con- 
cerning the  origin  and  progress  of  the  dispute  with  England.'' 
In  the  conA^ersation  just  referred  to  Montmorin  had  told 
the  Spanish  ambassador  that  the  Constitutional  party  in 
France  suspected  Vauguyon,  the  French  ambassador  at 
Madrid.  They  thought  that  he  had  induced  the  Spanish 
Government  to  stir  up  the  quarrel  with  England  in  order  to 
involve  France  as  the  ally  of  Spain.  They  suspected  that 
this  was  being  done  in  the  hope  of  strengthening  the  French 

"Floridablanca  to  Montmorin,  January  20,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Na- 
cional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.)  The  f^ame  is  published  In  Calvo,  Recueil 
Complet  des  Trait6s  de  I'Ameriqae  Latine,  III,  341.  This  author  quotes  it 
from  Cantillo,  Collecion  de  Tratados  de  Espaiia.     See  p.  366  ante  note  f. 

"Floridablanca  to  Fernan  Nunez,  April  6,  1790;  Calvo,  Recueil  Complet 
des  Trait^s  de  TAm^rique  Latine,  III,  312. 

«  Fernan  Nunez  to  Floridablanca,  Paris,  May  11,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist 
Naclonal,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4038.) 


390  AMElilCAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

royal  power,  and  so  bringing  about  a  counter  revolution. 
This  suspicion  grew  so  strong  that  Montmorin,  as  a  conces- 
sion to  the  radical  element,  recalled  Vauguyon.  The  Spanish 
King  refused  to  grant  him  a  letter  of  dismissal  or  to  recog- 
nize anyone  as  his  successor." 

As  Montmorin  had  j^romised  the  Spanish  ambassador 
in  the  above-mentioned  conversation,  the  French  Govern- 
ment immediately  took  steps  toward  an  armament.  On  May 
14  a  letter  from  Montmorin  to  the  president  of  the  National 
Assembly  informed  that  body  that  the  King  had  given 
orders  for  the  armament  of  14  ships  of  the  line.  Assurance 
^^'as  gi^'en  that  it  was  only  a  precautionary  measure  in  view 
of  the  English  armament.  The  King  Avould  do  all  that  he 
coidd  to  ])rom()te  a  fi-iendly  adjustment  between  the  Courts 
of  London  and  Madrid.  He  hoped  that  France  would  not  be 
involved  in  war.  The  English  Court  had  made  friendly 
declarations  and  had  stated  that  the  only  cause  for  arma- 
ment was  the  dispute  with- Spain.''  It  was  not  wise,  how- 
ever, to  remain  disarmed  under  such  circumstances.  France 
onght  to  show  to  Europe  that  her  constitution  was  not  an 
obstacle  to  the  development  of  her  forces.^ 

Montmorin's  message  precipitated  the  famous  discussion 
as  to  whether  the  right  to  make  peace  and  war  should  rest 
with  the  King  or  the  people.  This  discussion  is  probably 
better  known  than  the  Nootka  Sound  dispute  which  occa- 
sioned it.  The  consideration  of  the  message  was  made  the 
order  of  the  day  for  May  15,  the  day  following  its  presenta- 
tion, liiron,  the  first  speaker,  declared  that  the  prosperity 
of  France  was  closely  bound  up  with  that  of  Spain.  Spain 
liad  l)een  a  generous  ally  of  France  in  the  past.     The  repre- 

«This  opisodp  of  the  recall  of  Vauguyon  is  treated  at  length  by  Grand- 
mnison,  T/Anihnssade  Franc.-aise  en  Espagne  pendant  la  Revolution,  21  ff. 
Tills  author  thinks  that  the  suspicion  originated  with  British  emissaries  in 
Paris,  vvlio  wished  1o  produce  an  estrangement  between  the  Courts  of  France 
and  Si)ain.  This  was,  at  least,  its  result,  lie  quotes  several  letters  that 
passed  between  T.ouis  XVI  and  Charles  IV  )-egardinff  the  matter.  The 
Spanish  King's  attitude  unfortunately  made  it  seem  that  there  was  some 
ground  for  the  suspicion  of  Vauguyon.  The  French  Court  was  considerably 
embari-assed  thereby.  There  seems  to  he  no  doubt  of  the  fact  that  Vauguyon 
was  innocent,  at  least  in  so  far  as  any  complicity  with  the  French  Court  was 
concerned. 

"On    May    7    the    British    Court    had    .given    orders    to    Lord    Robert    Fitz 
Gerald,  charge  at  Paris,  to  make  this  explanation  to  Montmorin.      (See  Nar 
rative  of  the  Negotiations  between   England  and  Spain,  (>8.) 

'  Arch,  Pari.,  first  series,  XV,  510,  session  for  May  14,  1790. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY,  391 

sentatives  of  the  people  ought  to  respect  the  obligations  of 
the  nation.  "  Let  it  not  be  said,"  he  declared,  "  that  the 
efforts  of  a  free  people  are  less  than  those  of  a  despotism." 
.  After  a  brief  enthusiastic  speech  he  moved  a  decree  approv- 
ing the  measures  taken  by  the  King.  Alexander  Lameth 
declared,  amid  great  applause,  that  the  first  question  to  be 
considered  was  whether  the  sovereign  nation  ought  to  con- 
cede to  the  King  the  right  to  make  peace  and  war.  There  was 
an  attempt  to  postpone  this  question,  but  Barnave  declared 
that  Avhen  it  should  be  demonstrated  that  effects  ought  to 
precede  their  causes  then  it  would  be  proved  that  the  ques- 
tion proposed  by  Lameth  should  be  considered  last.  Robes- 
pierre said  that  the  time  to  judge  of  a  right  was  when  they 
were  deliberating  on  the  exercise  of  it.  Baron  Menou  said 
that  the  right  of  making  peace  and  war  should  be  deter- 
mined first,  then  they  ought  to  learn  which  nation  was  in  the 
wrong.  If  Spain,  she  ought  to  be  persuaded  to  yield;  if 
England,  then  France  should  arm  not  merely  14  vessels,  but 
all  of  the  forces  on  land  and  sea,  and  compel  submission. 

Mirabeau  declared  that  it  was  unreasonable  and  irrelevant 
thus  to  elude  the  question.  The  message,  he  continued,  had 
nothing  in  common  with  a  declaration  of  Avar.  Jurisdic- 
tion in  times  of  danger  ought  alwavs  to  be  in  the  King's 
hands.  The  vessels  were  to  be  armed  only  because  Eng- 
land was  arming.  The  armament  was  not  dangerous,  and 
to  deny  it  would  cause  commercial  discontent.  The  only 
question,  he  said,  was  whether  the  funds  asked  were  neces- 
sary. He  declared  that  they  were,  and  called  for  the 
immediate  consideration  of  the  message.  He  proposed 
to  approve  the  measures  of  the  King  and  to  order  by  the 
same  decree  that  to-morrow  they  take  up  the  discussion  of 
the  constitutional  question.  Shall  the  nation  delegate  to  the 
King  the  exercise  of  the  right  of  peace  and  war?  His 
proposition  was  adopted  almost  unanimously^" 

Thus  after  some  hesitation  over  the  theoretical  conse- 
quences the  armament  was  approved  as  enthusiastically  as 
Spain  could  expect  or  desire.  The  debate  in  the  Assembly 
has  no   further  importance   for  the   Nootka   question.     It 

«Arch.  Pari.,  first  series,  XV,  515-519  (May  14,  1700);  Willert,  P.  F., 
Mirabeau,  164-170  ;  Lomenie,  Les  Mirabeaus,  V,  144-149  ;  Stern,  Das  Leben 
Mirabeaus,  II,  151-164. 


392  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

would  be  of  little  interest  and  less  value  to  follow  the  meta- 
ph3^sical  discussions  of  the  constitutional  question.  The 
final  decision  is  of  some  interest.  The  debate  occupied 
nearly  the  whole  of  each  morning  session  for  six  daj^s.  In. 
the  end  Mirabeau  prevailed  again.  He  had  taken  a  middle 
ground.  It  was  decreed  that  the  right  of  peace  and  war 
belonged  to  the  nation;  that  wur  could  be  declared  only 
by  a  decree  of  the  legislative  body,  but  that  this  step  could 
be  taken  onlj^  on  a  formal  proposal  by  the  King,  and  must 
be  sanctioned  by  the  King  subsequently.'^ 

A  few  days  after  the  Assembly  had  ajjproved  the  arma- 
ment Montmorin  wrote  to  Floridablanca.  He  hoped  that 
the  armament  would  recall  England  to  a  proper  tone  and 
that  the  difficulty  might  be  settled  amicably.  Referring  to 
Floridablanca's  letter  of  January  20,  in  which  the  latter  had 
complained  of  the  inability  of  France  to  support  Spain  as 
she  should,  the  French  minister  said  that  its  statements  were 
as  forceful  as  they  were  true.  The  Spanish  Government 
could  count  on  the  most  sincere  desire  on  the  part  of  the 
French  King  to  fulfill  liis  engagements  with  Spain,  but  the 
will  of  the  Assembly  could  not  be  depended  on.  If  war 
should  be  decided  upon,  the  dilliculties  would  be  incalcula- 
ble. Peace,  then,  he  concluded,  ought  to  be  the  end  of  all 
their  efforts.^ 

Subsequently,  Luzerne,  the  minister  for  marine,  made 
two  reports  on  the  extciut  of  the  armament  and  the  increased 
cost.  On  June  13  the  Assembly  appropriated  3,000,000 
livres  to  support  it.*'  Up  to  the  present  point  the  attitude 
of  France  appeared  to  be  all  that  Spain  could  wish,  as  far  as 
could  be  judged  from  external  appearances.  But  this  arma- 
ment was  distinctly  French.  There  was  no  assurance  that 
the  fleet  or  any  part  of  it  would  be  turned  over  to  Spain  if 
she  should  call  for  it  under  the  treaty.  But  this  seems  not 
yet  to  have  been  asked. 


"Arch.  Pari.,  first  series,  XV,  52G-661  (May  16-22,  1790).  Cambridge 
Modern  History,  VIII,  188,  discusses  briefly  the  debate. 

"Montmorin  to  Floridablanca,  Paris,  May  21,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Na- 
clonal,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4038.) 

"  Arch.  Pari.,  first  series,  XV,  705  (May  28)  ;  Id.,  XVI,  185  (June  12)  :  Id.. 
XVI.  206  (June  13). 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  393 

On  June  4  Spain  attempted  to  set  herself  right  in  the 
eyes  of  all  Europe  by  issuing  a  circular  letter  and  sending 
it  to  all  the  Courts.  This  recounted  briefly  the  origin  of  the 
dispute  and  the  course  of  the  negotiations,  and  attempted  to 
show  the  unreasonableness  of  the  English  demands  and  their 
inconsistenc}^  with  her  treaty  obligations.  It  set  forth  the 
Spanish  claim  in  the  most  favorable  light  possible,  basing 
it  on  treaties  and  the  consent  of  nations.^ 

The  formal  demand  from  Spain  for  French  assistance  was 
made  June  16.  On  that  date  the  Spanish  ambassador  at 
Paris  handed  to  Montmorin  extracts  from  all  the  corre- 
spondence between  Spain  and  England  up  to  date.  He  in- 
closed with  them  an  extended  argument  in  support  of  the 
Spanish  case.  After  elaborating  the  arguments  he  demanded 
French  assistance  under  the  family  compact,  and  added  that 
if  it  were  not  offered  Spain  would  have  to  seek  alliances  else- 
where in  Europe.^  Ten  days  later  Montmorin  replied  that 
the  matter  had  been  laid  before  the  King,  but  in  view  of  the 
decree  of  the  Assembly  relative  to  peace  and  war  the  Si)anish 
demand  would  have  to  be  submitted  to  that  body.  As  soon 
as  it  had  been  acted  upon  a  positive  response  would  be  given.^ 
This  reply  had  been  delayed  so  long  that  the  Spanish  ambas- 
sador had  become  impatient.  On  the  preceding  da}'-  he  had 
written  again  to  the  Fnmch  minister  demanding  an  earl}^ 
reply.  Fitzherbert,  the  British  ambassador,  had  already 
arrived  at  Madrid,  he  said,  and  it  was  necessary  for  the 
negotiation  that  Spain  be  assured  of  French  support.*^  To 
this  Montmorin  answered  that  the  King  had  not  for  a  mo- 
ment lost  sight  of  the  importance  of  the  matter.  Louis  XVI 
had  written  to  Charles  IV  regarding  it.^ 

NotAvithstanding  the  urgency  of  the  Spanish  ambassador 
and  the  willingness  of  the  French  King  and  his  foreign 
minister,   the    Spanish    demand   was   not   laid    before   the 

"Annual  Register,  XXXII,  294.  It  is  published  under  a  wrong  title  and 
date. 

*>  Id.,  301.     Same  In  Arch.  Pari.,  first  series,  XVI,  503. 

'^Montmorin  to  Fernan  Nufiez,  Paris,  June  26,  1790.  (MS.  Arcli.  Hist. 
Naclonal,  Sec.  Estado,  4038.) 

«*  Fernan  Nufiez  to  Montmorin,  Paris,  June  25,  1700.      (Ibid.) 

•  Montmorin  to  Fernan  Nuiiez,  Paris,  June  30,  1790.     (Ibid.) 


J594  AMERICATf   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Assembly  for  more  than  six  weeks  after  it  was  presented. 
During  all  this  time  Spain  was  kept  in  uncertainty  as  to 
whether  she  would  receive  from  France  the  aid  which  she 
had  a  right  to  expect.  Before  the  expiration  of  this  time 
the  diplomacy  of  Floridablanca  and  Fitzherbert  had  taken 
an  important  turn,  though  the  dispute  was  still  far  from 
settled.  The  next  chapter  will  follow  the  course  of  the  main 
negotiation  through  this  preliminary  settlement. 


Chapter  IX. 


'While  England  and  Spain  were  preparing  for  war  at 
home  and  calling  on  their  allies  for  support,  their  diplo- 
matic representatives  were  endeavoring  to  reach  an  under- 
standing. As  stated  above,  the  British  Court  had  conchided 
to  make  no  further  effort  to  get  satisfaction  through  the 
Spanish  ambassador  at  London,  but  had  sent  its  own  ambas- 
sador, Fitzherbert,  to  treat  directly  with  the  Spanish  Court. 
This  step  was  decided  upon  during  the  exciting  days  imme- 
diately following  the  1st  of  May.  It  was  nearly  the  middle 
of  June  before  Fitzherbert  reached  Madrid.  In  the*mean- 
time  the  British  charge.  Merry,  had  been  instructed  to  oj^en 
the  renewed  negotiation  by  presenting  to  the  Spanish  Court 
a  memorial  setting  forth  at  length  the  English  contention. 
Leeds  sent  instructions  for  this  on  May  4." 

Having  received  this  communication  from  Leeds,  Merry 
obtained  an  interview  with  Floridablanca  May  16.  The 
Spanish  minister  was  milder  than  usual,  but  still  suspected 
that  England  meant  to  use  the  matter  as  a  giT)und  for  quar- 
reling. In  an  endeavor  to  remove  this  suspicion.  Merry 
read  to  the  Count  his  OAvn  secret  and  confidential  instruc- 
tions. Floridablanca  observed  that  if  England  was  really 
not  attempting  to  force  a  quarrel  the  business  might  be 
amicably  settled.  In  the  evening,  after  the  interview.  Merry 
sent  to  the  Spanish  minister  a  copy  of  the  memorial.^  In  a 
brief  note  accompan3dng  it,  he  expressed  great  anxiety  to 
quiet  the  alarm,  and  suggested  dispatching  to  London  at 
once  a  courier  with  pacific  assurances  from  Floridablanca, 
if  the  Count  felt  like  giving  such.'' 

"Le'^ds  to  Merry,  May  4,  1790.      (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  34431,  f°  75.) 
**  Narrative  of  tlie  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  100. 
•^  Merry    to    Floridablanca,    May    16,    1790.      (MS.   Avch.    Hist.    Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 

395 


396  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  British  memorial  declared  that  the  last  Spanish  com- 
munication «  was  unsatisfactory  even  as  the  transaction  had 
been  stated  in  the  former  Spanish  note.^  No  .satisfaction 
had  been  offered  for  the  insult  to  the  British  i^i^^nd  the 
ground  stated  for  releasing  the  vessels  was  not  justice,  from 
the  English  standpoint,  but  ignorance  on  the  part  of  the 
English  commanders  and  general  regard  for  England  on 
the  part  of  the  Spanish  officials.  Neither  could  Great 
Britain  admit  the  Spanish  claim  to  exclusive  rights  of 
sovereignty,  commerce,  and  navigation.  Besides  these  rea- 
sons, additional  information  had  arrived  ^  telling  of  more 
than  one  captured  vessel.  It  also  appeared  that  the  soil  at 
Nootka  had  been  purchased  by  a  British  subject  and  the 
British  flag  hoisted  thereon.     Merry  was — 

to  rei)resent  in  the  strongest  manner  to  the  Court  of  Spain  that  His 
Majesty  has  every  reason  to  expect  from  the  justice  and  wisdom  of 
His  Catholic  Majesty  not  only  the  full  and  entire  restitution  of  all 
the  said  vessels,  with  their  property  and  crews  (or  of  as  many  of  them 
as  shall,  on  fair  examination  of  what  can  he  alleged  on  both  sides, 
be  found  to  have  been  British  vessels,  entitled  as  such  to  His 
Majesty's  protection),  but  also  an  indeninification  to  the  individuals 
concerned  in  the  said  vessels  for  the  losses  which  they  have  sus- 
tained by  their  unjust  detention  and  capture,  and,  above  all,  an 
adequate  reparation  to  His  Majesty  for  an  injury  done  by  an 
officer  commanding  His  Catholic  Majesty's  vessels  of  war  to  British 
subjects  trading  under  the  protection  of  the  British  flag  in  those 
parts  of  the  world  where  the  subjects  of  His  Majesty  have  an  unques- 
tionable right  to  a  free  and  undisturbed  enjoyment  of  the  benefits 
of  commerce,  navigation,  and  fishery,  and  also  to  the  possession  of 
such  establishments  as  they  may  form,  with  the  consent  of  the 
natives,  in  places  unoccupied  by  other  European  nations. 

Assurances  were  given  of  pacific  wishes  on  the  part  of 
England,  but  a  speedy  and  explicit  answer  was  demanded.*^ 

"  That  of  Campo  to  Leeds  of  April  20.      (See  Chapter  VII.) 

•'Carnpo  to  Leeds,  February  10,      (Chapter  VII.) 

'  Evidently  that  of  Meares. 

"British  memorial  of  May  16,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Naclonal,  Madrid, 
Sec.  Estado,  4291.)  The  reference  cited  in  note  b  on  the  preceding  page  says 
that  Merry  sent  with  the  memorial  a  copy  of  the  original  in  English  for  fear 
of  mistalces  in  the  translation.  The  memorial  in  French  and  a  copy  in  Eng- 
lish are  still  to  be  found  together  in  the  archives. 

Apparently  no  previous  writer  on  the  Nootlsa  affair  has  seen  this  memorial 
nor  any  of  the  earlier  documents.  No  reference  Is  made  to  them  except  such 
as  is  drawn  from  later  documents  which  give  brief  reviews  of  the  earlier  cor- 
respondence. Bancroft  (History  of  the  Northwest  Coast,  I,  229,  note  46) 
Bays :  "  Up  to  this  point  the  correspondence  is  not,  so  far  as  I  know,  extant 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  397 

In  this  memorial  England  renewed  her  demand  for  satis- 
faction for  the  insult  to  her  flag,  and  added  a  demand  that 
Spain  indemnify  the  owners  of  the  captured  vessels.  She 
also  rejected  absolutely  the  Spanish  claim  to  exclusive 
sovereignty  by  asserting  England's  unquestionable  right  to  vr 
unoccupied  portions  of  the  coast  in  question.  Incidentally 
it  is  valuable  as  a  declaration  of  Great  Britain's  position  on 
the  question  of  the  rights  of  colonization. 

Two  days  after  receiving  this  memorial  Floridablanca 
answered  Merry's  note  which  accompanied  it.  He  gave  t!ie 
pacific  assurances  that  the  British  agent  had  asked,  but  in 
general  terms.  In  keeping  with  his  peaceful  profession^;  lie 
proposed  a  mutual  and  proportionate  disarmament.  He  as 
serted  that  His  Catholic  Majesty  knew  of  the  capture  of  or.ly 
one  vessel;  and  it  had  been  trading  illicitly,  at  the  time,  in  a  r 
place  occupied  by  the  Spanish.® 

On  the  following  day  Merry  replied,  expressing  his  satis- 
faction with  the  pacific  intentions  of  the  Spanish  Court.  He 
said  that  he  would  gladly  dispatch  one  of  the  English  mes- 
sengers with  the  Count's  peaceful  assurances.^  Fearing  lest 
Floridablanca  meant  this  informal  note  as  a  reply  to  the 
British  memorial  of  May  16,  he  gave  the  Spanish  minister 
to  understand  that  he  still  expected  a  formal  reply."  The 
British  messenger  bearing  the  peaceful  assurances  left  Mad- 
rid May  21'*  and  arrived  in  London  June  1.  Since  the  reply 
contained  nothing  indicating  that  Spain  would  grant  the 
English  demands,  the  armaments  were  continued.*^    Another 

in  its  original  form,  but  is  only  linown  from  citations  and  references  In  later 
documents."  For  Englisti  and  Spanisli  material  tlie  documents  in  the  Annual 
Register  seem  to  have  been  the  only  source  used  to  any  extent.  In  fact  tlii:; 
work  contains  nearly  all  of  the  documents  that  have  been  published  on  the 
diplomatic  phase  of  the  incident.  Greenhow  has  reprinted  most  of  them  in 
the  appendix  to  his  Oregon  and  California.  Muriel,  Historia  de  Carlos  IV,  I, 
111,  mentions  this  memorial. 

<»  Floridablanca  to  Merry,  May  18,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.)  Up  to  this  time  Floridablanca  had  evidently  not 
read  carefully  all  of  the  papers  which  he  had  received  from  the  Viceroy  five 
months  before,  or  he  would  not  have  asserted  that  only  one  vessel  had  been 
seized  unless,  indeed,  he  was  intentionally  prevaricating.  He  seems  to  have 
become  informed  shortly  after,  for  in  his  formal  reply  of  June  4  he  mentioned 
the  Princess  Royal. 

» Merry  to  Floridablanca,  May  19,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 

"  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  111. 

^  Letter  from  Madrid  of  May  25,  Gazette  de  Leide,  June  11,  1790. 

•  Worli  cited,  note  c  above,  113. 


o 


398  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

messenger  from  Merry  arrived  in  London  ten  days  later  with 
less  pacific  news.  Floridablanca's  language  to  the  foreign 
ministers  at  Aranjuez  showed  th'at  he  still  thought  that  Eng- 
land was  determined  to  break  with  Spain.  He  looked  on  the 
English  King's  message  to  Parliament  as  almost  equivalent 
to  a  declaration  of  war.  England's  advices  to  all  settle- 
ments abroad  increased  his  conviction.  Her  tone  toward 
Spain  he  thought  insufferable.  He  still  desired  peace,  but 
feared  that  Spain  would  be  driven  to  the  necessity  of  defend- 
ing herself.  Not  only  had  Eloridablanca  expressed  himself 
thus  to  i\\^>  foreign  ministers,  but  he  had  made  an  appeal  for 
money,  and  the  bankers  of  ^ladrid  had  agreed  to  furnish 
some  £4,000,000.« 

Fioridnblunca's  formal  reply  to  the  British  memorial 
reached  London  June  15.  Mei'ry  had  received  it  from  the 
Spanish  Court  on  the  4th  of  the  same  month.^  It  declared 
that  His  Catholic  Majesty  would  claim  nothing  but  what  he 
could  base  on  treaty  riglits,  on  the  consent  of  nations,  and 
on  mmiemorial  possession.  The  discussions  with  the  new 
am!)assador  would  turn  on  these  points.  If  Spanish  sub- 
jects had  gone  beyond  these  rights  they  w^ould  be  punished, 
and  the  injiu-ed  parties  would  be  indemnified.  Spain  did 
not  mean  to  carry  her  claim  to  all  of  the  South  Sea,  but 
onh^  to  "  the  Indian  continent,  islands,  and  seas,  which  by 
discovery,  treaties,  or  immemorial  possession  have  belonged 
and  do  belong  to  her  by  the  acknowledgment  of  all  nations." 
The  Spanish  King  denied  that  Spain's  not  having  settled 
any  particular  spot  was  a  i)roof  that  it  did  not  belong  to 
her.  Were  this  admitted,  the  Count  argued,  any  nation 
might  establish  herself  on  the  dominions  of  any  other  na- 
tion wherever  there  was  not  an  actual  establishment.  This, 
he  said,  would  be  absurd  to  think  of.  Satisfaction  and  in- 
demnification should  rest  on  the  question  of  right,  which, 
was  to  be  settled  by  the  negotiation.^ 

"  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  113. 

»  [Floridahlancal  to  Merry,  June  4,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.)  This  is  a  brief  note  unsigned,  but  in  the  Count's 
handwriting.  It  states  that  he  is  sending  to  Merry  a  reply  to  the  latter's  of 
May  16. 

'^  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  115-119.  The 
same  is  published  in  full  in  the  Annual  Register,  XXXII,  292,  under  a  wrong 
title.  On  the  same  day  Floridablanca  issued  his  circular  note  to  all  the 
Courts  of  Europe.      (See  Chapter  VIII.) 


NOOTKA    SOUKD    CONTKOVEKSY.  399 

This  review  of  the  essential  points  of  the  two  memorials 
shows  that  the  Courts  were  as  far  apart  as  ever.  The  con- 
flicting- colonial  principles  were  clearly  stated,  and  each  na- 
tion stubbornly  persisted  in  its  own  view.  In  his  remarks 
on  this  communication  Merry  conceived  that  there  was  little 
or  no  room  left  to  expect  that  any  change  would  occur  in 
the  sentiments  of  the  Spanish  Court.  He  thought  that  the 
Spanish  delay  had  probably  been  occasioned  by  the  fluctu- 
ating advices  from  France.  He  could  attribute  the  conduct 
of  Spain  to  no  other  motive  than  a  hope  tiiat  her  being 
attacked  by  England  might  put  France  under  the  necessity 
of  engaging  in  the  war." 

Fitzherbert  conducted  the  English  negotiations  from  this 
point.  His  record  as  a  diplomat  was  already  established. 
He  had  negotiated  the  treaty  of  peac^^  with  France  and 
Spain  in  1783.  The  next  four  years  he  had  been  envoy  extra- 
ordinary to  liussia.  After  that  he  had  been  for  some  time 
chief  secretary  to  the  lord-lieutenant  of  Ireland.  He  had 
also  been  made  a  member  of  the  privy  council.  He  left  Lon- 
don May  9  ^  and  went  to  Paris,  where  he  tarried  for  some 
time.  His  delay  at  this  place  was  due  partly  to  sickness, 
partly  to  his  being  engaged  in  making  some  representations 
to  the  French  Court  in  connection  with  Fitzgerald,^  and 
partly  to  his  awaiting  written  instructions  from  London  to 
govern  him  in  his  negotiations  with  Spain.*^  He  reached 
Madrid  June  9.<^     The  next  day  he  wrote  a  note  to  Florida- 

«  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  119. 

»  Id.,  72. 

"  Id.,  88-90.  In  these  pages  is  a  discussion  of  the  French  attitude.  Mont- 
morin  gave  friendly  assurances  to  the  English  representatives.  The  conflict- 
ing interests  of  the  Government  and  the  Assembly  were  discussed.  On  May 
21  Earl  Gower  was  sent  as  ambassador  extraordinary  to  Paris.  He  was  to 
reject  mediation  if  offered.  (See  Id.,  pp.  91-94.)  While  in  I'aris  Fitzherbert 
attempted  to  induce  Lafayette  and  the  Liberal  party  to  support  the  English 
contention.  He  had  failed  to  renew  his  acquaintance  with  Lafayette,  but 
understood  that  the  latter  still  wished  to  see  free  intercourse  between  the 
Spanish  colonies  and  the  nations  of  Europe,  and  believed  that  he  would  not 
acquiesce  in  a  war  undertaken  on  principles  diametrically  opposite.  Fitz- 
herbert to  Pitt,  Paris,  May  20,  1790;  (Smith  MSS.,  Hist.  MSS.  Com.  Rpt., 
12,  appendix  9,  p.  367.) 

<*  Id.,  72-82.  These  instructions  order  the  ambassador  to  be  firm  in  his 
demands,  but  express  a  desire,  apparently  sincere,  to  terminate  the  difficulty 
amicably.  In  case  of  his  hearing  that  Spain  had  forced  a  breach,  he  was  to 
proceed  no  further  without  new  instructions.  If  after  reaching  Madrid  he 
should  be  ordered  to  quit  the  place,  he  was  to  go  to  Lisbon.  If  Spain  should 
declare  war,  but  not  order  him  to  leave,  he  was  to  await  new  instructions  at 
Madrid. 

•Id.,  121. 


400  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

blanca,  who,  with  the  whole  Spanish  Court,  had 'gone  to 
Aranjuez.  This  note  announced  his  presence  and  his  inten- 
tion of  reaching  Aranjuez  the  same  evening.  It  also  inclosed 
his  credentials  signed  by  the  English  King." 

The  following  day  he  had  an  interview^  w^ith  Florida - 
blanca.  Two  days  later,  June  13,  he  received  his  formal 
introduction  to  the  King  and  Queen. ^^ 

In  their  interview  of  June  11  Fitzherbert  and  Florida- 
blanca  exchanged  views  on  the  question  in  dispute.  The 
former,  conceiving  that  the  memorial  given  to  Merry  on 
June  4  must  fall  short  of  His  Britannic  Majesty's  just  expec- 
tations, urged  the  latter  to  give  him  a  more  favorable  com- 
munication. The  latter  insisted  that  the  paper  in  question 
contained  the  utmost  that  Spain  ought  to  grant.  He  de- 
clared that  compliance  with  the  Britisli  demand  for  satis- 
faction would  invalidate  the  Spanish  claims  to  sovereignty, 
rendering  further  discussion  useless.  Therefore  the  British 
demand  and  the  Spanish  claim,  he  maintained,  ought  to  be 
discussed  at  the  same  time.  He  asked  that  Fitzherbert's 
statements  should  be  presented  in  writing.  Consequently, 
tAvo  days  later  the  British  ambassador  sent  a  brief  memorial 
presenting  the  British  demand  in  language  which  makes  it 
seem  plausible.  Stripped  of  its  verbiage  it  declares  that 
England  desires  a  peaceable  settlement,  but  that  there  can 
be  no  further  negotiation  until  Spain  shall  have  fulfilled 
three  conditions:  First, restored  the  vessels;  secondly, indem- 
nified the  injured  parties;  thirdly,  given  satisfaction  to  the 
British  sovereign  for  the  insult  offered  to  his  flag.  A  decla- 
ration that  the  Spanish  King  would  grant  these  demands 
w^ould  be  accepted  as  ground  for  the  negotiation.^ 

After  this  first  exchange  of  views  wdth  the  Spanish  min- 

« Fitzherbert  to  Floridablanca,  Madrid,  June  10,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist. 
Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4215.)  The  credentials  were  dated  Whitehall, 
May  7,  1790. 

"  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  121,  123. 

Titzherbert  to  Floridablanca,  June  13,  1790.  (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  34431.  f 
402.)  The  same  is  pubJished  in  the  Annual  Register,  XXXII,  298.  The  title 
to  this,  a.s  well  as  to  the  two  documents  which  precede  it  in  the  same  work, 
is  wrong. 

The  following  comment  on  the  unreasonableness  of  the  English  demand  is 
to  the  point :  "  Es  war  das  in  der  That  eine  eigenthuemliche  Methode,  Gewalt 
und  Recht  zu  mischen,  einer  kuenstigen  Eroerterung  Alles  vorzubehalten 
und  zugleich  das  Resultat  dieser  Eroerterung  zu  anticipiron."  (Baumgarten, 
Geschichte  Spaniens  zur  Zeit  der  franzoesischen  Revolution,  289.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    C0NTE0VER8Y.  401 

ister,  Fitzherbert  reported  his  observations  to  the  British 
Cabinet.  He  thought  that  Spain  was  bent  on  war,  and  was 
refusing  satisfaction  in  hope  of  inducing  England  to  make 
reprisals  which  would  serve  as  a  pretext  for  demanding 
French  aid.  As  to  her  motive,  he  thought  that  she  certainly 
could  not  hope  to  regain  Gibraltar  or  her  West  Indian  pos- 
sessions; and  it  could  not  be  to  counteract  French  revolution- 
ary infection,  for  everything  was  quiet  in  Spain.  He  be- 
lieved the  real  cause  to  be  Floridablanca's  suspicion  that 
England  had  designs  on  the  Spanish  colonies.  The  Spanish 
minister  seemed  to  count  little  on  French  aid,  but  to  expect 
substantial  help  from  the  United  States.  Some  advances 
had  been  made  to  that  power,  and  Carmichael,  the  American 
charge,  was  much  caressed  at  Court.  The  American  agent 
thought  that  his  Government  would  not  be  favorable.^  A 
few  days  later,  Fitzherbert  expressed  his  confidence  that 
no  encouraging  commimication  had  been  received  from 
America.  On  the  contrary,  there  had  recently  been  marked 
symptoms  of  coldness.^ 

In  answer  to  the  British  ambassador's  communication  of 
June  13,  Floridablanca  replied  five  days  later  that  he  could 
not  consent  to  the  principles  which  it  Inid  doAvn.  However, 
for  the  sake  of  p(iace,  he  offered  to  make  the  declaration  pro- 
posed, provided  one  of  three  explanations  be  added:  First, 
the  question  of  insult  and  satisfaction  should  be  decided  by 
the  arbitration  of  a  king  of  Europe,  to  be  chosen  by  Eng- 
land; or,  second,  no  facts  should  be  admitted  in  the  subse- 
quent negotiation  unless  fully  established  by  Great  Britain ; 
or,  third,  the  satisfaction  should  not  prejudice  the  rights  of 
Spain  nor  prevent  her  from  exacting  equivalent  satisfaction 
from  Great  Britain  if  it  should  be  found  that  she  had  a 
right  to  do  so.''  In  spite  of  the  evident  fairness  of  these 
proposals,  they  were  not  accepted.  In  reporting  them  to  the 
British  Court,  Fitzherbert  suggested  that  he  considered  them 
inadmissible.  The  English  Cabinet  seems  to  have  agreed 
with  him.  This  makes  it  appear  that  England  was  afraid  to 
submit  her  case  to  the  judgment  of  a  third  party,  even 

"Fitzherbert  to  Leeds,  Aranjuez,  June  36,  1790.  (MS.  from  the  public 
record  office,  London,  Chatham  MSS.,  bdle.  341.)  The  substance  of  the  same, 
in  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  125. 

^  Work  cited  in  last  note,  146. 

•  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  129, 

H.  Doc.  429,  58-3 20 


402  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL   ASSOCIATION. 

though  she  had  the  privilege  of  selecting  the  judge.  Further, 
she  seemed  unwilling  to  confine  the  negotiation  to  established 
facts,  or  to  suffer  the  consequences  in  case  the  negotiation 
should  show  her  to  have  been  in  the  wrong.  It  appears  that 
the  English  Court  had  decided  to  force  from  Spain  once  and 
for  all  an  acknowledgment  of  the  British  principle  of  col- 
onization. Nothing  less  would  be  accepted.  It  was  this, 
and  not  simply  justice,  that  she  demanded. 

For  some  time  after  this  the  British  ambassador  received 
no  communication  from  the  Spanish  minister.  This  was 
partially  accounted  for  by  accident.  On  the  same  day  that 
Floridablanca  had  written  the  document  last  studied  an 
attem})t  was  made  to  assassinate  him.  lie  was  stabbed  by  a 
fanatical  Frenchman.  The  Avound  was  not  serious.  In  let- 
ters of  June  24  and  28  Fitzherbert  reported  that  the  Count 
still  refused  to  see  him  on  the  pretense  of  indisposition, 
though  he  was  transacting  other  business.  The  Spanish 
Court  had  assumed  a  more  pacific  attitude  and  seemed  sin- 
cerely desirous  of  an  accommodaticm.  The  delay  was  con- 
tinued in  hope  that  a  reply  would  soon  be  received  from 
London  to  the  Spanish  memorial  presented  to  Merry 
June  4." 

The  pacific  intentions  of  the  Spanish  Court  were  further 
shown  by  the  fact  that  orders  had  been  given  to  the  com- 
manders of  various  ports  to  treat  British  war  ships,  which 
w^ere  hovering  in  the  neighborhood,  as  they  would  be  treated 
in  a  period  of  profound  peace.  Furthermore,  in  an  informal 
interview  of  July  1,  Floridablanca  said  that  he  had  been 
busying  himself  on  a  plan  for  an  ulterior  arrangement  which 
he  thought  would  entirely  fulfill  the  views  and  objects  of 
both  parties.''  At  a  conference  on  July  10  the  Count  pre- 
sented his  plan.  The  essential  points  were:  First,  Spain 
should  retain  exclusive  possession  of  the  Northwest  Coast 
up  to  and  including  Nootka;  second,  from  Nootka  to  the 
sixty-first  degree  the  two  Crowns  should  have  common 
rights,  except  that  south  of  the  fifty-sixth  degree  British 
influence  should  not  extend  beyond  a  certain  distance  inland ; 
third.  Great  Britain  should  have  the  right  of  fishing  in  the 

«  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  145-149. 
*  Fitzlierbert    to   Leeds,    Aranjuez,    July    1,    1790.      (MS.    Arch.    Hist.    Na- 
cional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVEESY.  403 

South  Sea  and  of  landing  and  erecting  temporary  buildings 
in  unoccupied  places,  though  no  English  vessels  should  ap- 
proach a  Spanish  settlement;  and  fourth,  the  mutual  rights 
should  not  be  discussed  and  the  mutual  demands  for  satisfac- 
tion should  be  waiA^ed,  in  which  case  Spain  would  pay  the 
losses  on  ships  taken  at  Nootka.  Fitzherbert  declared  the 
plan  inadmissible,  but  said  that  it  might  possibly  be  modified 
to  make  it  acceptable."  This  is  interesting  as  foreshadowing 
in  some  respects  the  final  settlement. 

About  the  middle  of  Jul}^  Fitzherbert  received  the  English 
reply  to  the  Spanish  memorials  of  June  4  and  June  18. 
Extended  instructions  were  given  to  guide  him  in  his  com- 
munication to  the  Spanish  Court.  These  had  been  sent  from 
London  July  5^.  In  obedience  to  his  instructions,  the  Brit- 
ish ambassador  presented  to  the  Spanish  minister  on  July  17 
a  new  memorial  defining  the  British  views  on  the  point  of 
satisfaction. 

With  the  memorial  he  inclosed  drafts  of  a  proposed  Span- 
ish declaration  and  a  British  counter  declaration  which 
would  be  acceptable  to  His  Britannic  Majesty  as  affording 
the  satisfaction  demanded.  The  memorial  declared  that 
the  Spanish  communications  did  not  contain  the  satisfaction 
demanded,  nor  Avas  a  plausible  ground  established  for  refus- 
ing the  demands.  To  justify  these  demands  it  was  urged 
that  there  had  been  no  established  possession  of  nor  proved 
sovereignty  over  the  Nootka  region  which  could  have  justified 
the  seizure  of  British  vessels.  For  such  justification  there 
must  have  been  actual  possession  and  exercise  of  jurisdiction 
which  had  been  recognized  by  other  nations.  From  the  rep- 
resentations of  the  Spanish  Court  itself,  it  appeared  that  the 
Spaniards  had  undertaken  the  occupation  only  a  few  days 
before  the  seizure  of  the  vessels  in  question.  English  sub- 
jects had  for  many  years  previousl}^  frequented  the  place  and  f^ 
had  traded  with  the  natives  without  interruption.  Hence 
it  was  impossible  for  Spain  to  maintain  her  claim  to  exclu- 
sive jurisdiction.  The  simple  restoration  of  the  vessels  was 
not  sufficient.     No  reparation  had  been  made  for  the  insult 

«  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  l^etween  England  and  Spain,  152. 

'Leeds  to  Fitzherbert,  July  5,  1790  (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  34432,  f°  32-36): 
Fitzherbert  to  Leeds,  Madrid,  July  15,  1790  (MS.  public  record  office,  Spain, 
XVIII,  159). 


404  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

to  the  British  flag.  "  In  conse(iuciice.  His  majesty  finds  it 
necessary  to  demand  anew  in  terms  most  direct  and  least 
equivocal  the  satisfaction  already  demanded,  and  which  can 
not  longer  be  deferred  without  consequences  which  His 
d  '■^  Majesty  desires  ardently  to  avoid."  As  soon  as  this  demand 
should  be  met  England  would  be  ready  to  treat  with  refer- 
ence to  riglits  of  territorial  possessions,  commerce,  naviga- 
tion, and  fisheries  in  that  part  of  the  world.« 

In  his  private  instructions  referred  to  above,  Fitzherbert 
was  told  that  the  giving  of  satisfaction  nuist  amount  to  an 
admission  that  Spain  was  not  in  i^ossession  of  an  actual  and 
known  sovereignty  at  Nootka.  No  discussion  could  take 
place  on  this  point,  it  was  declared,  after  the  satisfaction 
should  be  given.  If  Spain  could  prove  her  claim  to  sover- 
eignty, it  nnist  be  done  before  the  point  of  satisfaction  should 
be  reached.  If  proved,  it  would  remove  the  ground  on  which 
satisfaction  was  demanded ;  but,  it  was  added,  no  such  proof 
could  be  adduced.  Hence  satisfaction  w^as  insisted  upon.^ 
This  was  tantamount  to  saying  that  the  British  Court  would 
not  be  convinced,  no  matter  what  arguments  the  Spanish 
Court  might  produce.  Spain  was  just  as  confident  that  she 
did  possess  sovereignty  over  Nootka  as  England  was  that 
Spain  did  not.  The  Spanish  Court  had  taken  great  care  to 
collect  evidence  on  this  point.  A  commission  was  sent  to 
examine  the  archives  of  the  Indies  at  Seville  for  this  pur- 
pose. Their  report  covered  some  200  pages  of  manuscript. 
It  was  a  compilation  of  accounts  of  exploring  expeditio-ns,  of 
royal  orders  and  decisions,  of  acts  of  the  council  of  the  In- 
dies, and  of  laws  promulgated,  all  affecting  that  part  of  the 
world.  Its  purpose  Avas  to  show  that  Spain  had  ahvays 
claimed  and  exercised  the  rights  of  sovereignty  over  those 
regions  and  the  right  of  excluding  other  nations  from  her 
possessions  in  the  South  Sea.^  The  treaty  of  Utrecht  was 
repeati'dly  cited  in  the  various  memorials  and  letters  as 
guaranteeing  Spain's  rights  in  the  Indies  as  they  had  been  in 
the  time  of  Charles  II.     The  willingness  of  Spain  to  submit 

"Memorial  signed  by  Fitzherbert,  July  17,  1790,  (MS,  Arch.  Hist. 
Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec,  Estado,  4291.) 

"  Instructions  cited  in  note  d  on  foregoins:  page. 

"  Report  submitted  June  18,  1790,  in  consequence  of  a  royal  order  of  June 
7.      (MS.  Arch.  Hist,  Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  2848.) 


ITOOTKA.    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  405 

the  matter  to  arbitration  shows  that  she  had  confidence  in 
the  justice  of  her  cause.  England's  refusal  to  arbitrate 
indicates  a  lack  of  confidence. 

On  July  22  Floridablanca  replied  to  Fitzherbert's  com- 
munication of  five  days  before.  He  added  little  to  what  he 
had  said  in  documents  already  studied.  He  repeated  the 
grounds  on  which  Spain  rested  her  claim — grounds  that 
were  absolutely  good  from  the  Spanish  standpoint.  He 
showed  again  the  unreasonableness  and  absurdity,  from  the 
same  standpoint,  of  the  English  demands,  and  their  con- 
travention of  treaties.  He  assumed,  not  without  cause,  a 
tone  of  injured  innocence,  and  concluded  that  it  was  not 
worth  while  to  extend  further  his  reflections  on  points  so 
clear  nor  in  demonstration  of  the  rights  of  Spain,  since 
enough  had  been  said  ah-ead}^  The  Spanish  King  had  no 
intention,  he  declared,  of  being  dragged  into  a  war  over  an 
academic  dispute.  He  agreed  to  give,  first,  such  satisfac- 
tion as  one  of  the  Kings  of  Europe,  chosen  by  England  as 
arbitrator,  should  think  proper;  or,  secondly,  to  give  what-  O 
ever  satisfaction  should  be  reciprocally  agreed  upon,  it  being 
understood  that  such  satisfaction  should  not  prejudice  the 
rights  of  Spain  to  Nootka.  He  appealed  to  the  honor  and 
justice  of  all  nations  to  recognize  the  generosity  of  His 
Catholic  Majesty's  heart,  since  to  avoid  dragging  Europe 
into  war  he  would  sacrifice  his  own  Avell-founded  opinion, 
even  though  prepared  to  enforce  it  by  his  sui)erior  arma- 
ment."  Having  led,  or  rather  forced,  the  Spanish  minister 
to  yield  this  much,  Fitzherbert  continued  to  press  him  until 
he  agreed  to  the  declaration  and  counterdeclaration,  almost 
word  for  word,  as  they  had  been  dictated  by  the  British 
Cabinet.     They  were  signed  July  24,  and  are  as  follows:^ 

DECLARATION. 

His  Britannic  Majesty  having  complained  of  the  captnre  of  certain 
vessels  belonging  to  his  subjects  in  the  port  of  Nootka,  situated  on  the 
Northwest  Coast  of  America,  by  an  ortieer  in  the  service  of  His  Cath- 

•' Spanish  memorial  of  .Tuly  22,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nadonal,  Madrid, 
Sec.  Estado,  421)1.) 

*A  French  version  Js  found  in  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  Eng- 
land and  Spain,  ir>G-158.  There  is  an  English  version  in  An.  Reg.,  XXXII, 
300.  A  Spanish  version  is  in  Calvo,  Reeneil  Cornplet  des  Traites  de 
TAm^rique  Latine,  347.     Many  other  worlis  have  reproduced  them. 


406  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

olic  Majesty,  the  undersij,'iied  counselor  and  principal  secretary  of 
state  to  His  Majesty,  being  thereto  duly  authorized,  declares  in  the 
name  and  by  the  order  of  His  Majesty,  that  he  is  willing  to  give  satis- 
faction to  His  Britannic  Majesty  for  the  injury  of  which  he  has 
complained,  fully  persuaded  that  His  said  Britannic  Majesty  would 
act  in  the  same  manner  toAvard  His  Catholic  Majesty  under  similar 
circumstances;  and  His  Majesty  further  engages  to  make  full  resti- 
tution of  all  the  British  vessels  which  were  captured  at  Nootka,  and 
to  indemnify  the  parties  interested  in  those  vessels  for  the  losses 
which  they  may  have  sustained,  as  soon  as  the  amount  thereof  shall 
have  been  ascertained.  It  being  understood  that  this  declaration  is 
not  to  prejudice  the  ulterior  discussion  of  any  right  which  His  Cath- 
olic Majesty  claims  to  form  an  exclusive  establishment  at  Nootka. 

In  witness  whereof  1  have  signed  this  dec^laration  and  sealed  it 
with  the  seal  of  my  arms  at  Madrid  the  24th  of  July,  1790. 

Count  Floriuahlanga. 

counter  declaration. 

His  Catholic  Majesty  having  declared  that  he  was  willing  to  give 
satisfaction  for  the  injury  done  to  the  King  by  the  capture  of  certain 
vessels  belonging  to  his  subjects  in  the  Bay  of  Nootka;  and  Count 
Floridablanca  having  signed,  in  the  name  :!nd  by  the  order  of  Ilis 
Catholic  Majesty,  a  declaration  to  this  effect,  and  by  which  His  said 
Majesty  likewise  engages  to  make  full  restitution  of  the  vessels  so 
captured  and  to  indemnify  the  parties  interested  in  those  vessels  for 
the  losses  which  they  shall  have  sustained,  the  undersigned  ambas- 
sador extraordinary  and  plenipotentiary  of  His  Majesty  to  the 
Catholic  King,  being  thereto  duly  and  expressly  authorized,  accepts 
the  said  declaration  in  the  name  of  the  King;  and  declares  that  His 
Majesty  will  consider  this  declaration,  with  the  performance  of  the 
engagements  contained  therein,  as  a  full  and  entire  satisfaction  for 
the  injury  of  which  His  Majesty  has  complained. 

The  undersigned  declares  at  the  same  time  that  it  is  to  be  under- 
stood that  neither  the  said  declaration  signed  by  Count  Florida- 
blanca nor  the  acceptance  thereof  by  the  undersigned,  in  the  name  of 
the  King,  is  to  ]>reclude  or  prejudice,  in  any  resi>ect,  the  rights 
which  His  Majesty  may  claim  to  any  establishment  which  his  sub- 
jects may  have  formed,  or  may  desire  to  form  in  the  future,  at  the 
said  Bay  of  Nootka. 

In  witjiess  whereof  I  have  signed  this  counter  declaration  and 
sealed  it  with  the  seal  of  my  arms  at  Madrid  the  24th  of  July,  1790. 

Alleyne  Fitzherbert. 

The  only  difference  of  any  importance  between  the  drafts 
prepared  by  the  British  Cabinet  and  the  documents  as  finally 
signed  is  the  insertion  in  the  Spanish  declaration  of  the 
clause  "  fully  persuaded  that  His  said  Britannic  Majesty 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVEESY.  407 

would  act  in  the  same  manner  toward  His  Catholic  Majesty 
under  similar  circumstances."  " 

Fitzherbert  wrote  that  on  the  first  occasion  of  his  paying 
Ms  respects  to  His  Catholic  Majesty  after  the  declarations 
had  been  signed  that  Monarch  had  deigned  to  converse 
freely  concerning  them,  saying  that  they  had  given  him  the 
sincerest  pleasure,  and  that  he  considered  them  "  a  happy 
earnest  of  the  revival  of  that  perfect  harmony  and  good 
understanding  which  it  was  his  constant  wish  to  maintain 
with  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain."  The  ambassador 
reminded  Leeds  "  that  it  is  extremely  unusual  for  His 
Catholic  Majesty  to  converse  with  foreign  ministers  on  any 
political  topic,  from  which  circumstance,  joined  to  the 
known  sincerity  of  his  character  and  the  marked  cordiality 
of  air  and  manner  with  which  he  accompanied  this  declara- 
tion, 1  can  safely  convey  it  to  your  grace  as  the  genuine 
expression  of  his  feelings."  ^ 

These  declarations  settled  merely  the  question  of  satis- 
faction which  England  had  demanded  as  the  indispensable 
preliminary  to  a  discussion  of  the  respective  rights  of  the 
two  Crowns  on  the  Northwest  Coast,  and  particularly  at 
Nootka.  Tfiis  >simply  repaired  the  insult  which  England 
felt  that  she  had  suffered  at  the  hands  of  Spain.  They  were 
now  ready  to  begin  negotiations  on  a  friendly  basis  for 
the  settlement  of  the  present  difficulty  and  the  arrange- 
ment of  a  modus  vivendi  for  the  future.  News  of  the 
declarations  reached  London  August  5,  and  Grenville  imme- 
diately notified  the  King,  congratulating  him  on  the 
event,  "  which,  as  far  as  it  goes,  appears  highh^  satisfactory 
and  seems  to  offer  the  most  favorable  prospect  for  such  an 
ultimate  termination  of  the  business  as  may  correspond  with 
Your  Majesty's  wishes."  <'  In  a  letter  of  the  next  day, 
Leeds  praised  Fitzherbert  for  the  latter's  success.*^ 

<»  Compare  with  draft  of  declaration  and  draft  of  counter  declaration  in- 
closed with  Leeds  to  Fitzherbert,  July  5,  1790  (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  34432,  f 
42-44)  ;  the  same,  pp.  142,  143  of  the  Narrative,  cited  in  last  note. 

6  Fitzherbert  to  Leeds,  Madrid,  July  29,  1790.  (MS.  public  record  office, 
Spain,  XVIII,  273.) 

«  Grenville  to  George  III,  August  4-5,  1790.      (Fortescue  MSS.,  1,  603.) 

«*  Leeds  to  Fitzherbert,  August  G,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Sec. 
Estado,  4243.)  Several  writers  on  che  subject  seem  to  have  made  the  mistake 
of  thinlcing  that  these  declarations  were  intended  as  a  final  settlement  but 
were  rejected.  Calvo,  in  liis  llecueil,  says  that  the  declaration  was  rejected 
by  England  and  the  armaments  were  continued. 


408  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

During  the  months  of  May,  June,  and  July,  while  the 
negotiations  that  have  been  studied  in  this  chapter  were  in 
progress,  both  countries  continued  their  Avarlike  prepara- 
tions. Shortly  after  reaching  Madrid  Fitzherbert  reported 
a  Spanish  fleet  of  30  sail  of  the  line,  though  poorly  manned." 
Baumgarten  tells  of  the  difficulty  which  the  Spanish  Gov- 
ernment experienced  in  getting  sailors.     He  says  that  they 

(9  took  refuge  in  the  mountains  to  escape  being  pressed  into 
the  navy.^  On  July  5  the  British  ambassador  reported  that 
the  Spanish  .fleet  at  Cadiz  had  been  ordered  to  sea  imme- 
diately, but  he  thought  it  simply  a  show  of  vigor  to  inspire 
confidence.^  Four  days  later  he  recieved  a  note  from  Flori- 
dablanca  explaining  the  movement.  The  King  of  Spain, 
having  learned  that  the  English  fleet  had  put  to  sea,  gave 
orders  to  his  to  move  also,  but  to  refrain  from  hostilities 
unless  attacked.*^  Two  Spanish  ships  of  war,  Avith  1,000 
soldiers,  had  been  sent  to  Porto  Rico,  since  an  attack  was 
apprehended   at   that   point.^      By   the   '20th    of   the   same 

0  month  Spain  had  34  ships  of  the  line  and  IG  smaller 
craft  at  sea.?"  At  the  end  of  June  an  English  fleet  of  25 
vessels  of  the  line  had  put  to  sea,^  and  had  been  joined  early 
in  July  by  the  Dutch  fleet  under  Admiral  Kinsbergen.'^ 

During  all  this  time  the  armaments  had  been  carried  on 
in  spite  of  repeated  offers  and  requests  from  Spain  to  dis- 
arm mutually.  As  early  as  May  18,  on  receipt  of  the  British 
memorial  presented  two  days  before,  Floridablanca  had  pro- 
posed to  Merry  mutual  and  proportionate  disarmament.* 
This  was  repeated  in  the  Spanish  memorial  of  June  ^J  The 
British  Cabinet  rejected  the  proposition.     In  his  instruc- 

« Fitzherbert  to  Leeds,  June  16,  1790.  (MS.  public  record  office,  London, 
Chatham  MSS.,  bdie.  341.)  Also  Merry  to  Leeds,  June  4,  1790.  (MS.  pub- 
lic record  office,  London,  vol.  for  Spain,  17.) 

»  Baumgarten,  Geschichte  Spaniens  zur  Zeit  der  franzoesischen  Revolution, 
292. 

''  Narrative  of  the  Nejrotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  150. 

"  Id.,  151.  Muriel,  Historia  de  Carlos,  IV,  I,  112-121.  This  author  gives 
an  extended  discussion  of  the  Spanish  fleet,  giving  the  size  of  each  vessel,  its 
name,  and  the  name  of  its  commander. 

«  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  154, 

'  Id.,  CG. 

"Report  to  the  National  Assembly.      (Arch.  Pari.,  first  series,  XVI,  692.) 

"  See  last  chapter. 

<  [Floridablanca]  to  Merry,  May  18,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 

i  An.  Reg.,  XXXII,  298. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  409 

tions  of  July  5  Leeds  cautioned  Fitzherbert  to  be  partic- 
ularly careful  not  to  give  the  smallest  encouragement  to  this 
idea.  His  Majesty  could  not  consent  to  discontinue  prepara- 
tions until  he  should  have  secured  freedom  of  commerce,  O 
navigation,  and  fisheries  in  the  districts  in  question.'*  After 
the  declaration  and  counter  declaration  had  been  signed, 
Floridablanca  proposed  limiting  the  operations  of  the  fleets 
to  prevent  the  possibility  of  an  encounter.^  On  August  10 
Campo,  the  Spanish  ambassador  in  London,  repeated  t]ie 
proposals  for  disarming.^  In  reply,  four  days  later,  Leeds 
gave  assurance  of  P^ngland's  desire  for  peace,  but  declared 
that  Great  Britain  refused  to  disarm  until  the  matter  in 
question  should  be  settled  for  the  future.*^  On  the  same  day 
that  Leeds  gave  this  decided  answer  to  Campo  in  London, 
Floridablanca,  in  Madrid,  had  again  proposed  to  Fitzher- 
bert a  mutual  disarmament.  On  September  10,  Leeds  sent 
a  formal  reply,  repeating  what  he  had  said  to  Campo  on 
August  14.'^ 

Far  from  yielding  to  the  Spanish  proposals,  Great  Britain 
was  continuing  her  preparations  and  calling  on  her  allies  to 
do  the  same.  On  the  day  that  Leeds  rejected  Campo's  propo- 
sition to  disarm,  he  instructed  Auckland,  the  British  am-  * 
bassador  at  The  Hague,  to  ask  that  Dutch  preparations 
should  not  be  relaxed.  The  national  honor  had  been  satis- 
fied, but  the  question  of  j^eace  or  war  had  not  been  settled. 
It  was  requested  that  the  Dutch  fleet  be  ordered  home  for 
supplies  and  reenforcements./'  August  19  this  request  was 
granted,  and  England  was  reassured  of  the  support  of  Hol- 
land.*^  Baumgarten  says  that  early  in  September  the  Eng- 
lish and  Spanish  fleets  were  both  hovering  off  Cape  Finis- 
terre,  and  were  dangerously  near  to  each  other.'^ 

In  his  instructions  to  Auckland  of  August  14,  referred  to 
above,  Leeds  had  suggested  that  with  a  slight  additional  ex- 
pense the  Dutch  and  English  fleets  could  be  used  to  give 

"Leeds  to  Fitzherbert,  Julj'  5,  1700.      (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  344.32,  f°  46.) 
''  Narrative  of  tlie  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  405. 
<^  Id.,  194. 

**  Nai-rative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  199. 
e  Id..  240. 
1  Id.,  2.*U. 
«  Id.,  28G. 

*  Baumgarten.  Geschichte  Spaniens  zur  Zeit  der  franzoesischen  Revolution. 
294. 


410  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

weight  to  the  representations  already  made  by  England  for 
bringing  about  a  pacification  in  the  north  and  east  of  Europe. 
The  Dutch  Government  assented  that  the  general  state  of 
Europe,  as  well  as  the  Spanish  negotiations,  warranted  a 
continuance  of  their  armament. 

The  relation  between  the  Nootka  Sound  negotiations  and 
the  questions  uppermost  in  eastern  and  northern  Europe  is 
more  than  incidental.  In  a  dispatch  of  June  14  Theremin, 
the  Prussian  charge  at  Madrid,  wrote  his  Government  that 
in  case  of  a  breach  between  England  and  Spain  the  latter 
would  certainly  join  Russia  and  Austria."  The  situation  of 
the  powers  was  such  that  this  would  have  been  perfectly 
natural.  Russia  and  Austria  were  waging  a  common  war 
against  the  Porte.  The  former  was  also  engaged  in  war 
with  Sweden,  and  the  latter  had  just  been  deprived  of  her 
control  in  the  Netherlands  by  the  Belgian  revolution.  Eng- 
land and  the  Netherlands  were  trying  to  quiet  the  storm 
and  induce  all  parties  to  make  peace  on  the  basis  of  the  status 
quo  ante  bellum.  Prussia,  the  third  member  of  the  triple 
alliance,  was  not  in  harmony  with  the  other  tAVo  in  this 
matter.  On  the  contrary,  she  w^as  attempting  to  increase 
the  confusion  in  the  hope  of  gaining  something  in  the  tur- 
moil. She  was  attempting  to  force  Galicia  from  Austria 
that  she  might  restore  it  to  Poland  and  receive  as  compensa- 
tion Dantzig  and  Thorn.  She  was  fostering  the  Belgian 
revolution  so  that  in  the  end  she  might  be  able  to  return  the 
Flemish  provinces  to  Austria  to  compensate  that  power  for 
the  loss  of  Galicia.  She  had  actually  made  a  treaty  with 
the  Porte  looking  to  this  end,  and  had  won  the  partial  sup- 
port of  Poland.  If  Prussia  had  succeeded  in  dragging  the 
other  two  members  of  the  triple  alliance  with  her  into  war 
and  Spain  had  at  the  same  time  broken  with  England  on 
the  Nootka  question,  it  would  inevitably  have  thrown  Spain 
into  the  arms  of  the  imperial  courts.  The  opponents,  then, 
0  would  have  been  Prussia,  England,  the  Netherlands,  and 
Turkey,  with  probably  Poland  and  Sweden,  against  Russia, 
Austria,  and  Spain,  with  possibly  Denmark.  France  had 
for  a  time  been  thought  of  as  a  fourth  member  of  the  pro- 

« Baumgarten,    Geschichte    Spaniens    sur    Zeit   der   franzoesischen   Revolu- 
tion, 292. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  411 

posed  alliance  between  Spain  and  the  imperial  courts,  but 
the  disturbances  in  that  country  had,  for  the  present,  made     O 
her  almost  a  negligible  quantity. 

The  conference  at  Eeichenbach,  which  closed  in  August, 
affected  materially  the  state  of  Europe.  The  pacific  efforts 
of  England  and  the  Dutch  Republic  had  already  succeeded 
in  curbing  somewhat  the  warlike  passions  of  Prussia,  and 
at  this  conference  won  a  further  triumph  for  the  peace  prin- 
ciple by  inducing  Leopold  of  Austria  to  make  peace  with 
Turkey.  But  Russia  still  persisted  for  a  time  in  her  war 
with  the  Porte,  and  the  English-Spanish  dispute  over 
Nootka  Sound  was  almost  as  far  from  settlement  as  ever.'^ 

"  See  Lecky,  England  in  the  Eighteenth  Century,  V,  232-264.  A  number 
of  letters  between  the  King  of  Spain  and  the  Queen  of  I*ortugal,  running 
through  the  year,  show  that  the  latter  power  was  offering  her  mediation  to 
settle  the  quarrel  with  England  ;  but  this  is  a  negligible  influence.  (See 
Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec    Estado,  4223.) 


Chapter  X. 

America's  relations  to  the  controversy. 

Attention  was  called  above  to  the  repeated  conferences 
between  Pitt  and  the  South  American  agitator,  Miranda. 
The  fact  was  j^ointed  out  that  these  conferences  occurred  at 
the  critical  periods  of  the  English-Spanish  negotiations." 
To  repeat  l)riefly:  The  first  was  on  February  14,  just  after 
the  receipt  of  the  first  Spanish  communication  on  the  Nootka 
affair,  and  before  the  British  Court  had  formulated  its 
re|)ly.  Miranda  had  previously  proposed  his  "  grand  plan  " 
for  the  advantage  of  England  united  with  South  America. 
At  this  conference  the  plan  was  admitted  to  be  beneficial.  It 
was  decided  that  it  should  be  put  into  execution  in  case  of  a 
war  with  Sjjain.  In  consequence  of  Pitt's  request,  Miranda 
presented,  some  three  weeks  later,  a  written  statement  of  the 
commercial  and  military  resources  of  South  America. 
Again,  on  May  (>,  when  the  war  excitement  in  London  was  at 
its  highest,  the  great  minister  and  the  South  American  had  a 
conference  on  the  same  subject.  Pitt  was  on  his  way  to  a 
cabinet  council  and  was  taking  with  him  for  consideration 
at  the  council  the  papers  which  Miranda  had  presented. 
Grenville  was  ])resent  at  the  interview.  The  conversation 
was  on  the  prospect  of  war  with  Spain,  and  on  the  dispo- 
sition of  the  people  of  South  America  toward  joining  Eng- 
land in  order  to  gain  independence.  Various  interviews 
took  place  at  I*itt's  house  while  the  Spanish  negotiations 
were  in  progress.^ 

°  See  Chapters  VII  and  VIII. 

"  Miranda  to  Pitt,  London,  September  8,  1781.  (Am.  Hist.  Rev.,  VII,  711, 
712.)  This  document  and  several  others,  which  will  be  referred  to' in  this 
chapter,  were  collected  and  published  by  F.  .1.  Turner.  In  this  letter  Miranda 
recounts  his  relations  with  Pitt  between  February,  1790,  and  September,  1791. 
It  seems  that  Pitt  had  made  repeated  promises  of  linancial  aid,  but  had  de- 
layed them  from  time  to  time,  until  the  writer  had  become  impatient.  A 
small  sura  had  been  paid,  but  much  less  than  had  been  promised.  He  tells  of 
Russian  offers  of  friendship  and  support.  Later  correspondence  indicates 
that  he  received  money  from  time  to  time. 
412 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVEBSY.  ■    418 

At  some  time  during  the  year  Miranda's  plan  Avas  pre- 
sented in  the  form  of  a  draft  of  a  constitution  for  the  Span- 
ish-American colonies  after  they  should  have  gained  their 
independence.  The  proposed  new  empire  was  to  include  all 
of  South  America,  except  Brazil  and  (juiana,  and  the  portion 
of  North  America  west  of  the  Mississippi  River  and  south 
of  the  forty-fifth  parallel.  Cuba  was  to  be  included  as  the 
key  to  the  Gidf  of  Mexico.  The  government  was  to  h'.  mod- 
eled in  a  general  way  on  that  of  Great  Britain.  The  execu- 
tive power  was  to  be  lodged  in  an  inca,  under  the  title  of 
"  emperor,"  with  hereditary  succession.  The  upper  chamber 
was  to  be  composed  of  members  nominated  for  life  by  the 
inca.  Further  details  of  the  government  were  worked  out.'^ 
Miranda  reminded  Pitt  that  the  latter  had  seemed  j^leased 
with  his  ideas  and  had  asked  him  to  leave  the  draft  for  further 
perusal.  Plans  for  carrying  on  ttie  war  w^ere  discussed,  and 
the  most  favorable  i)oint  for  attack  in  South  America  was 
considered.  Means  were  devised  for  enlisting  the  interest 
of  Jesuits  in  Italy  who  w^ere  natives  of  South  America 
and  had  been  exiled  by  the  King  of  Spain.  Accounts  of 
recent  insurrections  in  Spanish  America  were  given  to  show 
how  ready  the  people  were  for  emancipation.  Later,  a  de- 
tailed plan  of  attack  was  presented,  with  maps  to  illustrate 
it.  At  Pitt's  request  a  plan  of  the  defenses  of  Havana  Avas 
left  with  him. 

This  shows  what  extended  plans  the  British  Cabinet  was 
considering.  It  was  to  be  expected  that  England  would  per- 
sist in  her  demands,  for  if  Spain  Avould  not  yield  there  Avas 
much  to  expect  from  a  w\a,r.  Secret  agents  at  A^arious  places 
in  America  Avere  collecting  information  looking  toward  mili- 
tary operations  to  carry  out  these  schemes.  Besides  the  OA^er- 
tures  to  the  United  States  through  Canada,  to  be  discussed 
presently,  there  were  secret  emissaries  at  Charleston  and 
New  York,  and  information  was  being  collected  concerning 
New  Orleans,  the  Floridas,  and  the  Mississippi  country. 
The  feasibility  of  marching  troops  from  Ncav  Orleans  to 
Mexico  Avas  considered,  and  reports  were  made  by  men  Avho 
were  familiar  Avith  the  country.  Some  of  the  secret  employ- 
ees were  enthusiastic  over  the  possibility  of  making  a  great 
English  colony  out  of  the  Floridas  and  the  Mississippi  Val- 

•Am.  Hist.  Rev..  VII.  711.  note  4. 


o  o 


^ 


414  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

ley.  Agents  of  the  Creek  and  Cherokee  Indians  were  nego- 
tiating for  a  friendly  connection  with  England.  The  plan, 
as  far  as  it  had  taken  shape,  seems  to  have  been  for  England 
to  seize  the  heart  of  North  America  for  herself  and  erect  the 
remainder  of  Spanish  America  into  a  client  state." 

As  mentioned  above,  the  British  Cabinet  sent  instructions 
on  May  G  to  Lord  Dorchester,  the  governor  of  Canada.^ 
He  had  intended  to  visit  England  during  the  summer,  but 
was  requested  to  remain  and  prepare  for  the  impending 
struggle.  Besides  strengthening  his  own  dominions  he  was 
to  make  friendly  overtures  to  the  United  States.''  In  conse- 
quence of  these  orders  Lord  Dorchester  gave  instructions 
on  June  27  to  Major  Beckwith,  Avhom  he  had  selected  as 
the  medium  through  which  these  overtures  should  be  made. 
Beckwith  was  given  double  instructions.  The  one  set  was  to 
guide  his  conversations  in  discussing  public  questions  in  a 
general  way.  The  other  was  secret  and  for  his  private  guid- 
ance. In  the  first  he  was  instructed  to  say  that  the  appear- 
ance of  Avar  with  Spain  rendered  it  improbable  that  Dor- 
chester would  obtain  his  expected  leave  of  absence  that  season. 
He  was  to  return  hearty  thanks  for  the  friendly  approbation 
of  Dorchester's  proposed  trip  through  the  United  States  on 
his  way  to  England.  He  was  to  express  the  hope  that  the 
appearance  of  a  war  with  Spain,  or  even  its  actual  occur- 
rence, would  not  alter  the  friendly  disposition  of  the  United 
States  toward  Great  Britain.  He  Avas  to  mention  the  pre- 
tensions of  Spain  to  absolute  control  OAxr  navigation,  com- 
merce, and  fisheries  in  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  discuss  the  evil 
effect  on  the  LTnited  States  if  such  control  should  be  con- 
ceded. These  things  he  might  say  freely  and  publicly. 
But  his  secret  instructions  were  to  guide  him  in  conversing 
with  those  whom  he  might  select  as  proper  persons  in  whom 
to  confide.  From  them  he  was  to  learn  the  disposition  of 
the  Government  and  the  people  toward  England  if  the  affair 
with  Spain  were  not  considered.  Then  he  was  to  discover 
what  difference  a  war  with  that  country  might  make.  He 
was  to  ascertain  whether  in  case  war  should  occur  they 
would  be  likely  to  join  Spain,  and  also  to  find  what  might 

•Am.  Hist.  Rev.,  VII,  716-735. 

►See  Chapter  VIII. 

•  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  57. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTEOVEKSY.  415 

induce  them  to  join  Great  Britain  in  such  an  event.  In 
discussing  the  Mississippi  question  he  was  to  be  cautious, 
but  might  suggest  that  England  would  probably  assist  in 
obtaining  its  navigation.  Naval  and  military  movements 
should  be  watched." 

Dorchester  reported  to  the  home  office,  on  July  7,  that 
Beckwith  had  been  hastily  sent  back  to  New  York.^  The 
latter  did  not  have  to  wait  long  to  find  the  right  man  to 
converse  with  on  the  matter  contained  in  his  secret  instruc- 
tions. On  July  8,  Hamilton,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
made  a  memorandum  giving  the  substance  of  a  communica- 
tion from  him.  The  major  had  spoken  of  the  expected  rup- 
ture and  had  observed  that  all  commercial  nations  must 
favor  the  views  of  England. 

It  was  therefore  presumed,  should  a  war  take  place,  that  the  United 
States  would  find  it  to  their  interest  to  take  part  with  Great  Britain 
rather  than  with  Spain.<^ 

It  seems  that  Hamilton  connnunicated  the  matter  to  the 
President  at  once,  for  in  a  letter  reporting  a  later  conversa- 
tion with  BeckAvith  he  says: 

I  have  made  the  proper  use  of  what  you  said  to  me  at  our  last 
interview  [July  8J.<^ 

Under  date  of  July  12,  Jefferson,  the  Secretary  of  State, 
prepared  a  paper  entitled,  "  Heads  of  a  consideration  on  the 
conduct  we  are  to  observe  in  the  war  between  Spain  and 
Great  Britain,  and  particularly  should  the  latter  attempt 
the  conquest  of  Louisiana  and  the  Floridas."  As  one  would 
expect,  Jefferson  inclined  toward  Spain  rather  than  England. 
He  brought  out  the  danger  to  the  United  States  if  England 
should  get  control  of  New  Orleans  and  the  neighboring  ter- 
ritory. He  suggested  the  idea  of  joining  Spain  in  guaran- 
teeing the  independence  of  these  countries  instead  of  allow- 
ing Great  Britain  to  take  them.  The  paper  seems  to  have 
been  prepared  to  serve  as  a  guide  in  an  approaching  inter- 

«  Lord  Dorchester  to  Major  Beckwith,  Quebec,  Jnne  27,  1790  (Can.  Arch., 
1890,  p.  143)  ;  and  same  to  same  on  same  day  (Id.,  144).  Very  little  is 
known  of  Beckwith  besides  his  being  sent  on  this  mission.  Douglas  Brymncr, 
in  his  introduction  to  this  volume  of  the  Canadian  ArchiA'es,  p.  xl,  gives  a 
brief  sketch.  He  says  that  the  records  at  Washington  reveal  nothing  regard- 
ing Beckwith  or  his  mission. 

"Dorchester  to  Grenville,  Quebec,  July  7,  1790.      (Id.,  145.) 

<=  Hamilton,  Works,  IV,  31. 

"Id.,  32.     Also  Can.  Arch.,  1890,  p.  xxxvi 


u 


416  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

view  with  the  Canadian  agent,  for  he  says,  "As  to  England, 
say  to  Beckwith,"'  etc.,«  then  gives  the  substance  of  what 
Hamilton  reported  as  having  been  said  to  that  gentleman  in 
an  interview  of  July  22,  at  which  Jefferson  was  present. 

In  this  interview  the  fact  was  brought  to  light  that  Beck- 
with was  not  an  authorized  British  agent,  but  that  he  had 
been  sent  by  Dorchester  with  the  knowledge  of  the  British 
Cabinet.  Owing  to  his  unofficial  character  nothing  of  im- 
portance passed,  but  he  was  told  that  the  United  States  vas 
ready  to  answer  when  it  should  be  presented  in  an  official 
form.  Hamilton  had  said  that,  at  the  time,  he- 
would  not  mean  either  to  raise  or  rei^ress  expectations.  ♦  *  * 
Something  was  said  respecting  the  probable  course  of  military  oper- 
ations in  case  of  a  war  between  r.ritain  and  Spain,  which  Mr.  Beck- 
with supposed  would  be  directed  toward  South  Anierica.  alleging,  how- 
ever, that  this  was  mere  conjecture  on  his  part.  I  hinted  cautiously 
0        our  dislike  of  any  attempt  on  New  Orleans. 

Hamilton  added  in  a  note: 

The  views  of  the  Government  were  to  discard  suspicion  that  any  en- 
gagements with  Si)ain  or  intejitions  hostile  to  Great  Britain  existed; 
to  leave  the  ground  in  other  respects  vague  and  open,  so  as  that  in  case 
of  a  rupture  between  Great  Britain  and  Spain  tlie  United  States 
ought  to  be  in  the  best  situation  to  turn  it  to  account  in  reference  to 
the  disputes  between  them  and  Great  Britain  on  the  one  hand  and 
Spain  on  the  ocher-^ 

Beckwith  reported  to  Dorchester  that  Hamilton  had  said : 

We  are  perfectly  unconnected  with  Spain,  have  even  some  points 
unadjusted  with  that  Court,  and  are  prepared  Lo  go  into  a  considera- 
tion of  the  subject.^ 

Scott,  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  from 
western  Pennsylvania,  told  Becliwith  that  the  prospect  for  a 
rupture  made  most  forcible  impressions  on  all  classes  in  the 
States.  There  Avas  a  deep  interest,  he  said,  in  the  prospect  of 
England's  possessing  Ncav  Orleans.  The  possible  dismem- 
berment of  South  America  and  the  opening  of  commerce 

«  Jefiferson,  Works,  IX,  409. 

"Hamilton,  Works,  IV,  32.     Also  Can.  Arch.,  1890,  p.  xxxvii. 

"  Can.  Arch.,  1890 ;  p.  145.  Inclosure  with  Dorchester  to  Grenville,  Sep- 
tember 25,  1790,  marked  '*  Supposed  No.  7."  These  inclosures  and  others 
similar,  sent  at  various  times  by  I)orchester  to  the  British  Cabinet,  are 
designated  as  unofficial  information.  No  names  are  given,  but  the  speakers 
are  indicated  by  number.  Keys  were  sent  from  time  to  time  showing  for 
whom  the  numbers  &:tood.  A  complete  key  is  found  in  the  introduction  to  this 
volume  (p.  xli).     The  above  information  reached  Dorchester  August  5. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTKOVERSY.  417 

with  that  continent  was  of  interest,  as  well  as  the  question  of 
navigation,  commerce,  and  fisheries  in  the  Pacific.  He 
thought  that  the  moment  w^as  very  favorable  for  England; 
and  he  saw  no  reason  why  the  United  States  should  not  assist 
her.**  After  news  of  the  declaration  and  counter  declara- 
tion, signed  at  Madrid  July  24,  reached  America,  Beckwith 
reported  general  dissatisfaction  in  the  United  States  at  the 
prospect  of  pacification.  Agricultural  interests  had  ex- 
pected that  the  war  would  bring  them  high  prices,  and  the 
shipping  interests  were  expecting  a  share  in  the  English 
carrying  trade  and  hoped  for  free  commerce  with  the  Span- 
ish West  Indies.  Friends  of  England  thought  that  she 
ought  to  take  the  opportunity  for  ruining  the  Spanish  ma- 
rine, which  they  imagined  to  be  an  easy  matter.  British  pos- 
session of  New  Orleans  was  expected  and  desired,  except  by 
the  Government  which  hoped  to  gain  from  a  neutral  position 
when  the  settlement  should  come.  At  the  same  time  he  re- 
ported another  conversation  with  Hamilton.  The  Secretary 
had  said : 

We  consider  ourselves  at  perfect  liberty  to  act  with  respect  to  Spain 
in  any  way  jmost  oondiicive  to  our  interests,  even  to  the  going  to  war 
with  that  power,  if  we  shall  think,  it  advisable  to  join  you.» 

These  reports  were  doubtless  colored  by  the  desire  of  the 
Canadian  agent  to  send  as  favorable  news  as  possible;  but 
after  allowing  for  the  exaggerations  and  the  distortion  of 
facts  that  would  naturally  be  expected,  enough  remains  to 
show  that  the  prospect  of  war  was  common  talk  and  that  it 
was  not  altogether  undesired.  They  also  point  to  the  well- 
known  fact  that  England  had  many  friends  in  the  United 
States  and  some  even  in  the  highest  official  circles. 

While  Beckwith  was  holding  these  unofficial  conferences 
with  American  statesmen  President  Washington  and  his 
advisers  were  considering  what  measures  the  Government 
should  take  in  the  event  of  hostilities  broiking  out.  Be- 
tween the  time  of  Beckwith's  first  interview  with  Hamilton 
and  that  of  the  more  formal  conference  a  fortnight  later  in 
Jefferson's  presence  the  latter  had  Avritten  to  Monroe  con- 

« Id.,  147,  No.  14.     The  key  shows  this  to  have  been  Mr.  Scott. 
» Id.,  162,  163,  No.  7. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 27       .•       < 


418  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

cerning  the  matter.  He  said  that  a  war  between  England 
and  Spain  was  probable.  Symptoms  indicated  a  general 
design  on  Louisiana  and  the  Floridas.  He  spoke  of  the  un- 
pleasant position  of  the  United  States  if  England  should 
obtain  them.  Both  England  and  Spain,  he  said,  ought  to 
know  that  this  country  was  in  a  condition  for  war.«  Late  in 
August  President  Washington  wrote  concerning  the  matter  to 
his  chief  advisers.  He  thought  that  if  Great  Britain  and 
Spain  should  come  to  arms  New  Orleans  and  the  Spanish 
posts  on  the  Mississippi  would  be  the  first  objective  point 
of  the  former.  He  asked  what  the  answer  to  Lord  Dorches- 
ter should  be  in  case  he  should  request  permission  to  march 
trooj^s  from  Detroit  across  the  territory  of  the  United  States 
against  the  Spanish  posts,  or  in  case  it  should  be  attempted 
without  leave,  which  was  most  probable.^ 

On  the  day  after  that  on  which  the  President's  letter  was 
written  Jefferson  answered  it.  He  thought  that  the  United 
States  should  keep  out  of  the  war  as  long  as  possible  If  Lord 
Dorchester  should  make  the  expected  demand,  it  should 
either  be  silently  ignored,  or,  if  granted,  the  same  privilege 
ought  to  be  offered  to  Spain.  If  the  march  should  be  at- 
tempted without  permission,  the  United  States  should  allow 
it,  but  protest  against  it,  holding  off  from  actual  hostilities 
as  long  as  possible.*' 

On  the  same  day  Chief  Justice  Jay  answered  the  Presi- 
dent's question.  He  considered,  first,  what  the  United  States 
had  a  right  to  do  from  the  standpoint  of  international  law, 
and,  secondly,  what  was  expedient  under  the  circumstances. 
Under  the  first  head  he  concluded  that,  except  in  cases  of 
absolute  necessity,  or  those  in  which  it  could  be  shown  that 
passage  would  be  entirely  innocent,  the  right  of  dominion 
involved  the  right  of  excluding  foreigners.  Under  the  sec- 
ond head  he  said  that  the  probability  of  their  being  re- 
strained by  a  refusal  ought  to  be  considered.  If  they  would 
probably  proceed  anyway,  it  would  be  most  prudent,  he  con- 
cluded, to  consent.  However,  he  added,  these  remarks  retain 
little  force  when  applied  to  leading  troops  from  posts  in  the 

«  Jefferson  to  Monroe,  July  11,  1790.     (Jefferson,  Writings,  V,  198.) 
'Washington  to  Jefferson,  August  27,  1790.      (Id.,  238.) 
•Jefferson  to  Washington,  August  28,  1790.     (Id.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  419 

actual  possession  of  England  through  territory  under  Eng- 
lish jurisdiction,  though  both  tiie  posts  and  the  territory,  of 
right,  belong  to  the  United  States.  He  admitted  that  it 
would  militate  against  the  interests  of  the  United  States  to 
have  England  occupy  the  Spanish  territories  in  question. 
The  extent  to  which  the  principles  of  the  balance  of  power 
were  applicable  to  the  case  in  hand  would  merit  serious  in- 
quiry, he  remarked,  if  the  United  States  had  only  to  consider 
what  might  be  right  and  just.  But  since  the  condition  of  the 
country  strongly  recommended  peace,  and  since  it  would  be 
more  prudent  to  allow  Great  Britain  to  conquer  and  hold 
the  Floridas  than  to  engage  in  war  to  prevent  it,  such  in- 
quiries would  be  premature.^ 

On  the  second  day  after  the  President  wrote,  Vice-Presi- 
dent Adams  gave  his  opinion.  He  said  that  the  interests  of 
the  United  States  pointed  to  neutrality  as  long  as  practica- 
ble. To  preserve  neutrality  every  wrong  must  be  avoided. 
Granting  to  England  the  privilege  in  question  would  be  an 
offense  against  Spain.  Therefore,  if  asked,  the  answer 
should  be  a  refusal.  If  the  measure  should  be  undertaken 
without  leave  there  were  two  methods  of  procedure — the  one 
was  war;  the  other,  negotiation.  Nations,  he  said,  are 
not  obliged  to  declare  war  for  every  injury  or  even  hostility ; 
but  tacit  acquiescence  would  be  misinterpreted.  Negotia- 
tion, then,  was  the  only  alternative.  The  fact  that  there 
had  been  no  exchange  of  ministers  with  England  made  this  ^ 
difficult.  A  remonstrance  might  be  made  in  either  of  two 
ways.  It  might  be  handed  by  the  American  representa- 
tive at  Paris,  Madrid,  or  The  Hague  to  the  British  ambassa- 
dor at  the  same  place,  or  a  special  messenger  might  be 
sent  to  London  to  demand  an  audience,  make  remonstrance, 
and  then  take  his  leave  shortly  if  a  minister  were  not  sent 
to  the  United  States.^ 

Knox,  the  Secretary  of  War,  sent  his  advice  on  the  same 
day  as  the  Vice-President.  He  mentioned  the  danger  to 
the  United  States  if  England  should  get  the  Mississippi 
Valley.  The  true  interests  of  the  country  dictated  neutral- 
ity.    Spain,  he  said,  would  not  enter  the  war  unless  sup- 

•Jay  to  Washington,  August  28,  1790.  (Ford,  The  United  States  and 
Spain  in  1790,  50.) 

•Adams  to  Washington,  August-29,  1790.     (Id.,  45.) 


^'\ 


420  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

ported  by  France,  and  such  support  was  not  unexpected.  If 
it  should  be  given,  P'rance  would  attempt  to  associate  the 
United  States  with  her  in  the  war.  One  of  the  parties  might 
offer  sufficient  inducement  to  the  United  States  to  enter  the 
war,  or  they  might  be  obliged  to  enter  the  war  on  their  own 
account  to  avert  a  greater  evil." 

More  than  two  weeks  later  Hamilton  sent  a  long  discussion 
of  the  question  from  the  standpoint  of  national  right  and 
from  the  standpoint  of  expediency.  He  concluded  that  if 
Great  Britain  should  ask  the  privilege,  it  would  be  best  for 
the  United  States  to  agree  to  it  and  then  explain  the  matter 
to  Spain.  If  troops  should  be  marched  across  without  con- 
sent having  been  asked,  it  would  be  a  cause  of  war  and  would 
have  to  be  resented  or  a  great  national  humiliation  borne. 
Hostilities,  he  thought,  should  be  delayed  as  long  as 
possible.^ 

While  these  precautionary  measures  w^ere  being  considered 
by  the  Government  at  New  York,  instructions  were  being 
sent  to  the  American  diplomatic  agents  in  Europe  to  guide 
them  in  case  of  a  breach  between  England  and  Spain.  On 
August  11  Jefferson  wrote  instructions  for  Col.  David 
Humphreys,  whom  he  was  sending  to  Europe  as  a  secret 
agent  of  the  United  States.  Humphreys  was  to  go  first  to 
London,  where  he  should  deliver  instructions  to  Morris,  the 
American  informal  agent  at  that  place.  After  delivering 
these  he  was  to  proceed  by  way  of  Lisbon  to  Madrid,  where 
he  should  deliver  instructions  to  Carmichael,  the  American 
charge  at  the  Spanish  Court.*' 

Morris  had  been  watching  the  progress  of  the  dispute  be- 
tween England  and  Spain  and  had  been  in  close  touch  and 
sympathy  with  French  representatives.*^  The  letter  which 
Humphreys  carried  instructed  Morris  to  intimate  to  the 
British  Court  in  case  of  war  that  the  United  States  could  not 
be  indifferent  to  the  prospect  of  England's  acquiring  terri- 
tory in  the  adjoining  Spanish  possessions.  The  American 
Government  would  contemplate  a  change  of  neighbors  with 
extreme  uneasiness.     Due  balance  on  their  borders  was  not 

«  Knox  to  Washington,  August  29,  1790.      (Id.,  103.) 

"Hamilton  to  Wasliington,  September  15,  1790.  (Hamilton,  Works,  IV, 
48.) 

''Jefferson  to  the  United  States  secret  agent,  August  11,  1790.      (Writings.) 
*  Morris,  Diary  and  Letters,  I,  32§,  326,  329  ;  Life  and  Writings,  IF,  113. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVEKSY.  421 

less  desirable  to  Americans  than  the  balance  of  power  in 
Europe  was  to  Englishmen.  Jefferson  wrote :  "  We  wish  to 
be  neutral,  and  we  will  be  so  if  they  wdll  execute  the  treaty 
fairly  and  attempt  no  conquests  adjoining  us."  Other 
dominions  of  Spain,  he  declared,  left  them  room  for  con- 
quests. '•  If  war  takes  place,  we  would  really  wish  to  be 
quieted  on  these  two  points,  offering  in  return  an  honorable 
neutrality.     More  than  this  they  are  not  to  expect." 

This  was  to  be  communicated  only  in  the  event  of  war  hav- 
ing actually  taken  place.*  Without  waiting  for  America 
to  broach  the  subject,  the  Duke  of  Leeds  had  sounded  Morris 
on  the  American  attitude  toward  the  extravagant  claims  of 
Spain.  The  latter  answered  carelessly  without  giving  any 
real  information.  He  said  that  Spain  was  apprehensive  of 
the  Americans  and  would  sacrifice  for  their  friendship. 
He  intimated  that  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  might 
be  offered.^  A  report  was  current  in  London  that  Spain 
had  actually  made  this  concession  to  the  United  States.^ 

Jefferson  was  planning  to  use  French  mediation  to  secure 
from  Spain  the  opening  of  the  Mississippi.  He  instructed 
Short,  the  American  charge  at  Paris,  to  make  advances  for 
this  purpose  through  Lafayette  if  Avar  Ixad  begun  or  when- 
ever it  should  begin.  France,  he  said,  would  be  draAvn  into 
the  war  only  as  an  ally,  hence  she  might  reasonably  insist 
that  Spain  should  do  all  in  her  power  to  keep  the  United 
States  from  the  ranks  of  the  enemy.*^ 

In  his  instructions  to  Carmichael  Jefferson  suggested  that, 
in  case  of  war,  the  people  of  Louisiana  and  Florida  would 
favor  England.  He  also  suggested  that  it  would  be  best 
for  both  countries  if  Spain  would  cede  the  Floridas  and 
New  Orleans  to  the  United  States  in  return  for  a  guaranty 
of  the  Spanish  possessions  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi. These  matters  were  being  pressed  w\armly  and 
firmly,  the  Secretary  said,  under  the  idea  that  the  war  be- 

"  Jefiferson  to  [Morris],  August  12,  1790.     (Works  or  Writings,  under  date.) 
•Morris,  Diary  and  Letters,  I,  647;  entry  for  September  15,  1790. 

•  This  rumor  was  traced  to  Miranda,  who,  it  was  reported,  said  that  he  had 
seen  it  in  a  letter  to  Campo,  the  Spanish  ambassador.  (See  Hamilton  to 
Washington,  September  21,  1790,  Hamilton,  Works,  IV,  71 ;  see  also  Hum- 
phreys to  the  Secretary  of  State,  London,  October  20,  1790  ;  Ford,  The  United 
States  and  Spain  in  1790,  31.) 

*  Jefferson  to  Short,  August  10,  1790.      (Jefferson,  Writings,  V,  218.) 


U 


422  AMEEICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

tween  Spain  and  (xreat  Britain  would  be  begun  before 
Carmichael  could  receive  these  instructions,  and  such  an 
opportunity  must  not  be  lost."  As  stated  in  the  previous 
chapter,  Fitzherbert  believed  that  Spain  had  made  friendly- 
overtures  to  the  United  States,  but  thought  also  that  they 
would  not  be  cordiallj^^  received.  The  Spanish  representa- 
tive at  New  York  presented  a  letter  to  President  Wash- 
ington on  August  eS  which  doubtless  contained  the  overtures 
to  which  Fitzherbert  referred.*  Very  late  in  the  negotia- 
tions Short  thought  that  the  Spanish  ambassador  at  Paris 
was  about  to  offer  through  him  a  concession  of  territory  to 
the  United  States,  but  the  conversation  was  interrupted 
before  it  reached  the  vital  point. '' 

Humphreys  delivered  Jefferson's  instructions  to  Carmich- 
ael late  in  the  year.  Carmichael  thought  that  America 
might  have  obtained  all  of  her  wishes  if  the  Secretary's 
letters  had  arrived  early  in  the  summer.     At  that  time — 

The  critical  state  of  affairs  induced  the  Comte  de  Floridablanca  to 
throw  out  those  general  assertions  that  we  should  have  no  reason 
to  complain  of  the  conduct  of  this  Court  with  respect  to  the  Missis- 
sippi, which  gave  rise  to  the  report  its  navigation  was  opened.  That 
minister  had  intimations  from  del  Campo  of  the  conferences  between 
Mr.  Morris  and  the  Duke  of  Leeds,  which  occasioned  him  to  say 
with  warmth  to  Mr.  Carmichael,  "  Now  is  the  time  to  make  a  treaty 
with  England."  Fitzherbert  availed  himself  of  these  conferences  to 
create  apprehensions  that  the  Americans  would  aid  his  nation  in 
case  of  war.<i 

The  circumstances  studied  in  this  chapter  show  that  plans 
were  being  formed  which,  if  they  had  been  carried  out,  would 

"Jefferson  to  Carmichael,  Aiigist  2  and  22,  1790.      (Id.,  216  and  225.) 

"See  Am.  Hist.  Rev.,  VIl,  720. 

''Short  to  Jefferson,  Paris,  October  21,  1790.  (MSS.  Dept.  of  State,  Wash- 
ington, Dispatches,  France,  Vol.  II.) 

''Humphreys  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  Madrid,  January  3,  1791.  (Ford, 
The  United  States  and  Spain  in  1700,  32.)  It  seems  that  very  little  nevs^s 
from  Carmichael  had  been  received,  and  that  the  Government  at  New  York 
had  become  impatient  at  his  dilatory  conduct.  He  must  have  received  a 
severe  reprimand  from  Jefferson,  if  one  can  judge  from  his  reply  of  January 
24,  1701  (Id.,  37).  It  begins:  '"Sir:  Colonel  Humphreys  delivered  to  me 
your  letter  of  the  6th  of  August  on  the  18th  of  last  month.  Nothing  could 
equal  my  astonishment  at  finding  that  I  have  been  employing  my  time  in  a 
situation  that  has  been  for  many  years  disagreeable — so  little  to  my  own 
credit  or  to  the  satisfaction  of  my  country."  The  rest  of  the  letter  indicates 
that  his  dispatches  had  miscarried.  He  attributed  the  fact  to  personal  ene- 
mies.    He  said  that  he  was  sending  copies  of  some  of  his  last  dispatches. 

This  letter  from  Carmichael  and  that  from  Humphreys  referred  to  above 
malje  interesting  comments  on  the  court  intrigues  in  Spain— the  dominance 
of  the  Queen's  corrupt  influence  and  the  decline  of  Floridablanca's  prestige. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  423 

have  profoundly  altered  the  subsequent  development  of  the 
United  States.  They  show  also  that  the  attitude  of  the  O 
United  States  was  looked  upon  as  of  considerable  impor- 
tance, and  influenced  to  a  certain  extent  the  counsels  of  both 
of  the  contending  parties.  Incidentally  it  is  seen  that  the 
controversy  afforded  an  opportunity  for  expressions  of  the 
attitude  of  the  American  Government  toward  encroachment 
of  European  nations  on  American  soil.  In  the  above 
quotations  from  Jefferson's  lett^^rs  may  be  found  a  very 
good  statement  of  the  principles  that  later  became  known  as 
the  Monroe  Doctrine. 


ClIArTER   XI. 

THE   NATIONAL  ASSEMBLY  AND   THE   FAMH.Y   COMPACT — EFFECT 
ON    THE    NEGOTIATION. 

The  decree  of  the  National  Assembly,  in  May,  ordering 
the  armament  of  14  vessels  of  the  line  has  been  studied  in  a 
former  chapter.  Attention  was  there  called  to  the  fact  that 
this  step  was  taken  before  Spain  had  made  a  formal  demand 
for  assistance  under  the  family  compact.  It  was  also  noted 
that  the  formal  demand  Avas  made  in  the  middle  of  Jnne,  bnt 
that  the  King,  fearing  the  consequences,  had  delayed  laying 
the  matter  before  the  AssembW.^  On  August  2,  more  than 
six  weeks  later,  a  letter  from  Montmorin  informed  the  As- 
sembly that  Spain  had  demanded  in  the  most  positive  man- 
ner the  execution  of  treaties  in  case  the  negotiation  with 
England  did  not  turn  out  as  desired.  The  King,  hoping 
for  a  speedy  settlement,  had  thought  it  Avise  to  defer  pro- 
voking a  discussion  of  the  matter  in  the  National  Assembly ; 
but  in  view  of  the  continued  preparations  of  England  he 
could  delay  no  longer.  Therefore  he  had  charged  the  writer 
to  warn  the  Assembly  and  thought  that  it  would  be  prudent 
to  increase  the  French  armament.  He  laid  before  the  As- 
sembly the  letter  of  the  Spanish  ambassador  of  June  16,  with 
copies  of  the  letters  and  documents  accompanying  it,  recount- 
ing the  history  of  the  dispute  and  the  negotiations  to  the  time 
when  it  was  written.  The  minister  asked  the  Assembly  to 
deliberate  on  the  demand  of  the  Court  of  Madrid.  All  of 
the  documents  were  referred  to  the  diplomatic  committee.^ 

On  the  next  day,  August  B,  another  letter  from  Mont- 
morin notified  the  Assembly  that  a  courier  from  Madrid  had 
brought  news  of  the  signature  of  a  declaration  and  counter 
declaration  that  gave  hope  of  an  amicable  settlement.  Great 
applause  greeted  the  announcement.     The  letter  and  dec- 


«  See  Chapter  VIII. 

6Arch.  Pari.,  August  2,  1790.      (Muriel,  Historia  de  Carlos  IV,  I,  122,  men- 
tions this  letter  of  .Tune  16.) 

424 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  425 

larations  were  referred  to  the  diplomatic  committee.  Dupont 
de  Nemours  then  announced  that  he  had  some  observations 
to  present  on  the  treaty  with  Spain  known  as  the  "  family 
compact;  "  but  to  save  the  valuable  time  of  the  Assembly 
he  would  bring  them  to  the  attention  of  the  Deputies  by 
having  tliem  printed.  Another  Deputy  announced  that  he 
also  would  present  some  remarks  on  the  Spani^  demand  in 
the  same  manner. 

Dupont,  in  his  observations  on  the  treaty,  first  announced 
the  principles  on  which  he  proposed  to  examine  it.  It  had 
been  made,  he  said,  thirty  years  before,  when  political  phi- 
losoph}^  had  made  scarcely  any  progress.  It  was  antiquated 
and  inconsistent  in  some  respects,  but  these  defects  did  not 
prevent  its  being  just  and  salutary  in  principle.  Some,  he 
said,  wished  to  break  the  treaty  and  abandon  our  allies,  but 
reason,  common  sense,  and  honor  point  to  the  contrary — that 
we  should  confirm  it.  He  declared  that  defensive  and  com- 
mercial arrangements  ouglit  to  be  kept,  but  anything  in- 
volving offensive  warfare  ought  to  be  struck  out.  He 
thought  that  it  ought  to  be  so  modified  that  instead  of  a 
family  it  would  be  a  national  compact.  Wherever  the  word 
"  crown  "  occurred  he  would  substitute  the  word  "  nation," 
and  instead  of  "  the  Kings  agree,"  etc.,  he  would  have  it 
read  "the  nations  (through  their  Kings)."  He  examined 
the  treaty  article  by  article  and  measured  each  by  these 
standards.  Most  of  the  stipulations  he  would  preserve, 
with  slight  modifications;  a  fcAv  he  would  strike  out  en- 
tirely. The  stipulation  which  provided  that  the  mere  req- 
uisition should  be  sufficient  to  establish  the  obligation  of 
the  nation  called  upon  to  furnish  the  aid  was  wholly  un- 
tenable, he  declared.  The  need  should  be  first  established, 
and  the  nation  called  upon  should  have  the  right  of  judg- 
ing. Instead  of  limiting  the  alliance  to  the  House  of  Bour- 
bon, he  though  that  all  nations  having  similar  sentiments 
ought  to  be  admitted. 

The  other  Deputy,  who  presented  the  observations  on  the 
Spanish  demand,  declared  that  Spain  had  been  a  faithful 
ally.  She  had  taken  up  a  failing  cause  in  1761  and  shared 
in  the  unhappy  sacrifices  of  two  years  later.  She  had  aided 
ill  the  American  Revolution  and  had  prepared  to  assist  in 


]  l) 


426  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  trouble  with  the  Netherlands  in  1787.  Gratitude  would 
command  France  to  reciprocate ;  but  he  wished  to  appeal  to 
reason  and  not  to  sentiment.  Spain  and  France  were  nat- 
ural allies  because  of  common  interests.  The  treaty  of 
1761,  no  longer  a  family  but  a  national  compact,  offered 
many  advantages.  Spain  was  still  the  most  important  out- 
let for  French  commerce.  France  had  profited  more  from 
the  alliance  than  Spain,  hence  was  indebted  to  her.  The 
financial  embarrassment  at  the  time  was  serious,  and  a  war 
would  be  dangerous,  but  even  this  ought  not  to  cause 
France  to  sacrifice  honor.  He  thought  that  the  armaments 
ought  to  be  continued  and  all  the  forces  of  France  ought  to 
be  offered  to  Spain.  If  this  should  be  done,  England  would 
probably  give  way.  The  war,  if  it  should  come,  ought  to 
have  the  support  of  all  France  and  be  waged  on  new  and 
noble  principles.'* 

It  was  more  than  three  weeks  before  the  diplomatic  com- 
mittee was  ready  to  report.  The  principal  member  of  the 
committee  was  Mirabeau.  He  was  spokesman  when  the  re- 
port was  presented  to  the  Assembly  on  August  25.  He  began 
by  saying  that  the  peace  was  not  likely  to  be  disturbed ;  that 
the  territory  in  dispute  between  Spain  and  England  be- 
longed to  neither,  but  to  the  natives;  that  it  was  not  worth 
the  loss  of  blood  and  treasure;  that  France,  because  of  in- 
ternal conditions,  ought  to  avoid  war;  and  that  there  would 
soon  be  universal  peace  and  no  need  of  allies.  After  giving 
these  pacific  assurances,  he  admitted  that  France  ought  to 
change  her  political  principles,  but  declared  that  this  ought 
not  to  be  done  suddenly.  She  could  not  remain  isolated  from 
the  world.  The  suspension  of  treaties  would  be  perilous. 
All  treaties  made  by  the  King  ought  to  be  observed  by  the 
nation  until  they  were  annulled  or  changed.  He  recited  the 
history  of  Spain's  faithful  observance  of  the  family  com- 
pact; then  asked  whether  it  would  be  right  for  France  to 
annul  such  a  solemn  engagement  at  a  time  when  Spain  was 
threatened  by  the  same  danger  that  she  had  three  times 
warded  off  from  France.    In  view  of  the  great  English  arma- 

«  Arch.  Pari.,  August  3,  1790.  The  observations  of  the  two  Deputies  are 
appended  to  the  minutes  of  the  session.  The  one  who  presented  the  latter  re- 
port ivas  Le  Couteulx  de  Canteleu,  Deputy  from  Rouen. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.         427 

ment,  self-interest  obliged  France  to  strengthen  her  alli- 
ance with  Spain.  That  would  require  a  faithful  observ- 
ance of  the  treaty.  If  England  did  not  really  desire  war, 
but  was  arming  simph^  to  conduct  the  negotiation  more 
favorably,  increasing  the  French  armament  would  doubtless 
delay  the  result.  But  if  the  abandonment  of  French  en- 
gagements should  force  Spain  to  make  peace  with  England 
more  promptl}^,  a  great  wrong  would  be  done  to  French 
credit  and  French  commerce.  If  England  desired  war,  then 
France  ought  to  support  Spain  with  all  her  resources.  For 
if  England  should  force  Spain  to  succumb,  France  would 
be  the  next  object  of  her  ambition  and  vengeance.  It  was 
not  proposed,  he  said,  to  ratify  the  compact  as  a  whole,  but 
only  the  defensive  and  commercial  stipulations.  He  pro- 
posed to  notify  the  King  of  Spain  that  the  alliance  would  be 
preserved,  and  at  the  same  time  to  refer  the  treaty  to  a 
committee  for  revision,  after  which  it  should  be  renewed. 

The  King  of  France  was  to  open  negotiations  with  the 
King  of  Spain  at  once  for  this  purpose.  He  also  proposed 
that  the  fleet  be  raised  to  30  ships  of  the  line,  with  a  propor- 
tionate number  of  smaller  vessels.  After  a  few  short  favor- 
able addresses  on  the  report  the  discussion  was  postponed 
to  the  next  day.* 

A^Hien  the  discussion  was  resumed  on  August  26  the  report 
met  with  very  little  opposition.  There  was  a  futile  attempt, 
led  by  Petion,  to  postpone  the  decision  until  further  informa- 
tion might  be  obtained.  L'Abbe  Maur}^  favored  confirming 
the  treaty  as  it  'stood,  declaring,  rightly  as  events  proved, 
that  it  would  give  England  a  great  advantage  to  leave  the 
alliance  so  indefinite.  Ricard  considered  30  vessels  too  small 
an  armament  and  proposed  increasing  it  to  45.  Others 
favored  his  idea  and  Mirabeau  embodied  it  in  his  report. 
With  this  modification,  the  decrees  proposed  were  unani- 
mously adapted  by  the  Assembly.  The  essential  points  were : 
First,  defensive  and  commercial  arrangements  with  Spain 
were  to  be  observed ;  secondly,  negotiations  were  to  be  opened 
with  Spain  for  the  purpose  of  renewing  and  perpetuating 
the  alliance;  thirdly,  the  armament  should  be  raised  to  45 

•Arch.  Pari.,  August  25,  1790;  Miles,  W.  A.,  Correspondence,  I,  167. 


o 


428  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

ships  of  the  line,  with  a  proportionate  number  of  smaller 
vessels.*^ 

On  August  30  Montmorin  informed  the  Assembly  that  the 
King  had  sanctioned  the  decrees  and  would  proceed  at  once 
to  carry  them  out.  The  minister  for  marine,  he  said,  had  al- 
ready received  orders  for  the  armament.  Only  16  vessels 
would  be  fitted  out  at  once,  which,  added  to  the  14  already 
armed,  would  make  30.  Preparations  would  be  made  to  com- 
plete the  armament  to  45  if  that  should  become  necessary.^ 
On  September  1  Montmorin  replied  to  Fernan  Nunez's  let- 
ter of  June  K).  He  told  of  the  action  of  the  Assembly  and 
inclosed  a  copy  of  the  decrees.  The  King,  he  said,  was  tak- 
ing steps  to  carry  them  out.  The  reason  that  only  30  ships 
instead  of  45  would  be  armed  immediately  was  to  avoid  the 
appearance  of  hostility  to  England.  The  French  King  hoped 
for  a  peaceful  settlement  and  reciprocal  disarmament." 

To  one  who  did  not  scrutinize  the  decrees  closely  the  action 
of  the  Assembly  seemed  to  be  all  that  Spain  could  desire.  If 
the  support  had  been  tardy,  yet  it  was  enthusiastic.  It  seems 
that  at  heart  most  of  the  Assembly  really  desired  to  support 
Spain  and  thought  that  they  were  doing  all  that  could  be 
expected;  but  their  irrepressible  tendency  to  theorize 
blinded  them  to  the  practical.  Apparently  they  did  not 
realize  that  their  proposal  to  modify  tJie  treaty  at  such  a  crit- 
ical time  nullified  it  as  far  as  any  immediate  assistance  under 
it  was  concerned.  It  seems  possible  that  if  Mirabeau  had 
stood  firmly  for  ratifying  the  treaty  as  it  was  he  might  still 
have  carried  the  Assembly  with  him.*^ 

"Id.,  August  26,  1790.  Muriel,  Hlstoria  de  Carlos  IV,  123-126,  discusses 
Mirabeau's  report  of  August  25  and  the  decree  of  August  26.  Cambridge 
Modern  History  VIII,  189,  190,  discusses  the  decree  briefly.  The  latter  ref- 
erence says,  "  It  is  stated  on  the  authority  of  Miles  that  Mirabeau  received 
from  the  Spanish  minister  a  thousand  louis  d'or  for  this  service."  See  also 
Memoires  de  Mirabeau,  VIII,  36  ;  Lomenie,  Les  Mirabeau,  V,  269  ;  and  Corre- 
spondence Entre  Mirabeau  et  La  Marck,  II,  147. 

''Montmorin  to  the  president  of  the  Assembly,  August  30,  1790.  (MS. 
Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4038.)  On  October  10  the  Assem- 
bly appropriated  5,000,000  livres  to  defray  the  expense  of  the  armament. 
(See  Arch.  Pari.,  October  10,  1790.) 

«  Montmorin  to  Fernan  Nufiez,  September  1,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Na- 
cional, Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4038. 

<*  Oscar  Browning,  Cambridge  Modern  History,  VIII,  290,  says  that  "  On 
June  23,  1790,  he  had  notified  the  Court  that  if  they  wished  to  give  effect  to 
the  family  compact  they  must  get  it  altered  in  form,  as  the  nation  would 
never  support  an  agreement  which  was  purely  dynastic  in  shape." 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  429 

The  French  Government  was  anxious  regarding  the  effect 
that  the  action  of  the  Assembly  might  have  on  England. 
The  French  view  of  England's  conduct  was  well  expressed  in 
a  letter  from  Montmorin  to  Luzerne,  the  ambassador  from 
France  to  the  English  Court.  After  remarking  that  the 
British  Court  would  probably  be  astonished  at  the  decrees, 
he  explained  that  the  step  was  necessary  to  sustain  the  honor 
of  France.  It  had  not  been  taken  precipitately,  he  said,  but 
had  been  delayed  as  long  as  possible,  even  provoking  com- 
plaints from  Spain.  When  it  was  learned  that  Spain  had 
given  satisfaction  to  England,  and  still  the  latter  refused  to 
disarm,  the  French  Government  was  compelled  to  suppose 
that  the  British  Cabinet  had  some  ulterior  purpose  and  was 
not  certain  that  it  did  not  concern  France.  Either  England 
did  not  wish  to  terminate  the  Nootka  affair  j.ustly  or  she  had 
other  objects,  for  which  this  was  to  furnish  a  stepping-stone. 
If  it  was  a  question  of  Spain,  France  Avas  interested  in  sav- 
ing her  ally ;  if  the  French  themselves  were  concerned,  argu- 
ment was  unnecessary.  Luzerne  was  to  use  these  arguments 
with  Leeds  and  Pitt.  He  Avas  also  to  use  confidentially  the 
fact  that  the  Assembly  had  decreed  a  larger  armament  than 
the  Government  had  asked.  This,  Montmorin  remarked, 
ought  to  make  an  impression.  Luzerne  might  agaiii  suggest 
French  intervention,  but  with  much  circumspection,  since  it 
had  been  refused  before.®  On  the  day  after  writing  the 
above  private  instructions  for  the  ambassador,  Montmorin 
asked  him  to  assure  the  English  King  that  the  armaments 
were  purely  precautionary  and  had  no  object  except  those 
designated  by  the  Assembly.  The  French  King  hoped  for  a 
peaceable  settlement.  He  had  been  pleased  with  the  declara- 
tion and  counter-declaration,  but  would  have  been  more 
pleased  if  a  proportionate  disarmament  had  followed,  or  at 
least  an  agreement  not  to  increase  the  armaments.^ 

Gower,  the  British  ambassador  at  Paris,  had  promptly 
expressed  to  Montmorin  his  surprise  at  the  action  of  the 
Assembly.  He  reported  on  August  27  to  his  Government 
that  Montmorin  was  surprised  also,  and  had  told  him  that 
orders  would  be  given  to  commission  more  ships,  "  but  that 

•Montmorin  to  Luzerne,  August  27,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4038.) 

«•  Same  to  same,  August  28,  1790.      (Id.) 


430  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

it  would  be  done  (this  he  said  in  the  utmost  confidence)  avec 
le  phis  grande  lenteur."«  A  dispatch  of  the  next  day  hinted 
that  Spanish  money  might  have  influenced  the  Assembly.* 
On  September  1  instructions  were  sent  from  London  telling 
Gower  to  renew  the  English  assurances  of  friendliness  for 
France,  but  to  observe  that  it  would  be  impossible  for  the 
harmony  to  continue  if  France  should  support  Spain.  He 
was  to  represent  that  any  aid  or  encouragement  to  Spain 
would  be  a  cause  of  umbrage  to  England,  since  it  would 
make  a  just  settlement  more  difficult.^  On  September  4 
Gower  presented  a  memorial  demanding  an  explanation  of 
the  armament.**  Montmorin's  letter  to  Luzerne  of  August 
28,  referred  to  above,  was  presented  to  the  English  Court 
on  September  7.®  On  September  10,  in  reply  to  Gower 's  of 
the  4th,  Montmorin  referred  the  English  Court  to  a  letter 
written  September  9  to  Luzerne,  which  the  latter  would  pre- 
sent. For  some  reason  Luzerne  delayed  handing  this  to  the 
British  Court,  and  on  September  21  Gower  was  instructed 
to  demand  a  formal  reply  to  his  memorial.  When  this 
demand  reached  Paris,  Montmorin  was  out  of  the  city. 
Having  returned,  he  answered,  October  4,  that  he  did  not 
understand  Luzerne's  delay.  He  declared  that  France  had 
no  wish  to  influence  the  negotiations,  but  in  case  the  matter 
could  not  be  amicably  settled  she  might  be  compelled  to  sup- 
port Spain.  Before  this  reached  London  Gower  had  been 
instructed  to  demand  that  the  French  fleet  make  no  move  to 
join  the  Spanish.  On  October  14  Montmorin  agreed  that  no 
movement  should  be  made  until  England  should  have  re- 
ceived a  reply  from  Spain  to  the  ultimatum  which  the 
British  Court  had  sent  a  few  days  before.^  Hugh  Elliot 
was  sent  secretly  as  a  special  English  agent  to  argue  with  the 
French  Court  against  supporting  Spain.  He  met  members 
of  the  diplomatic  committee  and  thought,  at  least,  that  he 
had  converted  them  to  the  English  view.  W.  A.  Miles  coop- 
erated with  Elliot  in  this  undertaking.     Only  obscure  and 

"  Gower,  Despatches,  26. 
» Id.,  28. 

«  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  betweien  England  and  Spain,  204. 
«« Gower  to  the  French  Court,   September  4,  1790.      (MS.  Arch.   Hist.  Na- 
tional, Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4038.) 

•  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  Spain,  218 
t  Id.,  220,  221,  223,  226,  230,  232. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  431 

mysterious  references  to  their  mission  are  extant,  and  many 
curious  speculations  have  been  made  concerning  it." 

Before  news  reached  Madrid  of  the  action  of  the  National 
Assembly  negotiations  had  begun  for  a  final  settlement  of 
the  Nootka  question. 

The  declaration  and  counter  declaration  signed  late  m 
July  had  been  accepted  by  England  as  affording  the  satis- 
faction demanded.  This  had  opened  the  way  for  a  pacific 
discussion  of  the  respective  rights  to  Nootka  and  the  neigh- 
boring coast.^  On  September  8  Fitzherbert  presented  to 
Floridablanca  the  first  projet  of  a  treaty.  It  had  been 
formulated  in  London  three  weeks  earlier  and  had  been 
sent  with  instructions  to  the  British  ambassador.  These 
instructions  declared  it  to  be  the  purpose  of  the  British 
Government  to  avoid  requiring  Spain  to  make  any  morti- 
fying renunciation  of  rights,  but  at  the  same  time  the  stij^u- 
lations  were  to  be  so  worded  that  they  would  not  imply  an 
admission  of  the  Spanish  claims  by  the  British  Government. 
It  was  impossible  for  His  Majesty  to  recognize  them,  either 
directly  or  indirectly.  They  were  merely  a  matter  of  pride 
with  Spain,  it  was  said,  and  were  really  a  source  of  weak- 
ness rather  than  of  strength.^ 

When  Fitzherbert  submitted  the  projet  he  inclosed  with 
it  extended  observations  on  each  article.  The  preamble,  as 
it  had  been  worded  by  the  British  ambassador,  declared  a 

»  stanhope,  Life  of  Pitt,  II,  56,  59  ;  Hassal,  The  French  People,  352  ;  Cam- 
bridge Modern  History,  VIII,  291  ;  Adams,  E.  D.,  The  Influence  of  Grenville 
on  Pitt's  Foreign  Policy,  8,  9  ;  Miles,  W.  A.,  Correspondence  on  the  French 
Revolution,  I,  170,  176,  178;  and  George  III  to  Pitt,  October  26,  1790.  Smith 
MSS.  (Hist.  MSS.  Com.,  report  12,  appendix  9,  p.  368.)  The  last  two  are  the 
sources.     The  last  is  quoted  by  Adams  and  by  the  Cambridge  Modern  History. 

*  See  Chapter  IX.  F]arly  in  August,  letters  from  Colnett  had  reached  Lon- 
don by  way  of  Fitzherbert  at  Madrid.  These  told  of  his  detention  in  Mexico 
and  of  his  release.  Their  influence  on  the  negotiations  was  only  indirect. 
(See  Narrative,  166.) 

In  the  instructions  sent  from  London  on  August  17,  Fitzherbert  was  asked 
to  take  up  with  the  Spanish  Court  the  matter  of  the  liberation  of  the  Chinese 
which  were  captured  at  Nootka.  In  the  same  instructions  negotiations  con- 
cerning a  dispute  over  regulations  for  governing  British  subjects  in  the  Hon- 
duras settlement  were  turned  over  to  Fitzherbert.  These  had  been  in  progress 
between  Campo  and  Leeds  at  London  in  February,  when  the  first  Spanish  note 
on  the  Nootka  affair  was  handed  to  Leeds.  The  British  Court  immediately 
suspended  all  other  discussions  until  Spain  should  have  offered  satisfaction 
for  the  insult  which  they  felt  that  the  British  flag  had  suffered.  The  declara- 
tions of  July  24  had  been  accepted  as  affording  such,  and  consequently  the 
usual  diplomatic  relations  had  been  resumed.     (See  Narrative,  201,  203.) 

•  Narrative,  168  ff. 


432  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

desire  to  form  a  convention  which  would  settle  the  pres- 
ent differences  and  avoid  such  disputes  for  the  future.  On 
this  he  observed  that  the  Court  of  London  thought  that 
would  be  the  best  means  of  settlement  which,  without  form- 
ally pronouncing  on  the  opposing  pretensions,  should  reg- 
ulate the  respective  positions  of  the  tAvo  Crowns  for  the 
future.  If  British  subjects  could  be  assured  of  the  free 
exercise  of  their  rights  in  the  Pacific,  the  English  King 
would  not  be  reluctant  to  establish  all  possible  rules  to  pre- 
vent illicit  commerce  with  Spanish  possessions.  The  Court 
of  London  was  persuaded  that  a  Cabinet  so  wise  as  that  of 
Spain  could  not  seriously  have  advanced  such  vast  pre- 
tensions. 

The  first  article  declared  that  British  subjects  should  be 
replaced  in  possession  of  the  ships  and  lands  of  which 
they  had  been  deprived  at  Nootka  by  a  Spanish  officer 
toward  the  month  of  April,  l789.«  The  observations  on  this 
gave  the  P^nglish  arguments  against  the  claim  of  Spain 
to  exclusive  dominion  over  the  coasts  in  question.  The 
English  Court  could  not  admit  the  justice  of  an  exclusive 
sovereignty  over  so  vast  a  coast,  which  since  its  discovery 
had  without  interruption  been  frequented  by  British  sub- 
jects and  by  those  of  other  nations  as  well.  Spain  claimed 
only  as  far  as  the  sixty-first  degree,  conceding  to  Russia 
the  portion  beyond.  Fitzherbert  insisted,  with  a  good  deal 
of  sagacity,  that  the  very  principle  of  this  division  demon- 
strated the  inadmissability  of  the  Spanish  pretension.  If 
Russia  had  acquired  rights  to  the  coast  beyond  the  sixty- 
first  degree  in  virtue  of  the  establishments  Avhich  her  sub- 
jects had  formed  there,  how,  he  asked,  could  other  nations 
be  denied  the  opportunity  of  making  establishments  in  like 
manner  on  the  parts  of  the  coast  situated  below  this  degree 
and  not  already  occupied?  As  to  the  Spanish  claim  to 
priority  of  discovery,  he  implied  that  it  could  be  disproved, 
though  he  did  not  disprove  it.  However,  he  insisted  that 
discovery  alone,  without  being  followed  up  by  actual  occu- 
pation, could  not  be  admitted  as  furnishing  a  right  to 
possession  which  could  operate  to  the  exclusion  of  other 

"  An  error  in  the  month,  as  pointed  out  formerly.  Martinez  did  not 
arrive  at  Nootka  until  May  5.  (See  Chapter  IV,  ante.)  This  error  was 
embodied  in  the  final  treaty. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  433 

nations.  England  did  not  claim  exclusive  jurisdiction,  he 
said.  What  she  wished  was  a  reciprocal  assurance  of  free 
access  for  both  nations  to  the  new  establishments  formed 
or  to  be  formed  by  the  one  or  the  other. 

The  second  article,  in  keeping  with  the  statement  just 
made,  declared  that  between  certain  limits,  to  be  named 
later,  the  subjects  of  both  Crowns  should  exercise  their  com- 
merce without  hindrance  in  the  establishments  of  either. 

The  third  article  declared  that  England  would  employ 
efficient  means  to  prevent  such  access  being  made  a  pretext 
for  illicit  commerce  with  Spanish  colonies.  With  this  in 
view  it  was  stipulated  that  between  certain  limits,  to  be 
named  later,  British  subjects  should  make  no  establishments, 
and  that  they  should  not  approach  within  a  certain  distance 
of  the  coast  .between  these  limits.  Fitzherbert  observed  that 
the  purpose  of  this  was  to  assure  to  Spain  the  rights  of 
domain  over  all  places  in  actual  possession  of  her  subjects. 
It  was  desired  to  make  this  as  favorable  to  the  Spanish  pre- 
tensions as  possible.  He  proposed  as  the  northern  limit  of 
Spanish  exclusive  dominion  the  thirty-first  degree.  This 
w^ould  have  left  to  Spain  not  quite  all  of  Lower  California. 
He  suggested  that  the  boundary  should  run  east  on  this 
degree  to  the  Colorado  River,  follow  that  river  to  its  source, 
and  then  run  northeast  to  the  nearest  point  on  the  Missouri. 
Spain  should  have  exclusive  dominion  of  the  coast  from 
the  above-mentioned  parallel  southward  to  within  about  10° 
of  Cape  Horn.  In  his  private  instructions  Fitzherbert  was 
authorized  to  yield  a  little  if  necessary.  He  might  accept 
as  the  northern  limit  the  fortieth  parallel  from  the  Pacific 
to  the  Missouri.  He  thought  that  the  distance  within  which 
British  ships  should  not  approach  ought  to  be  5  leagues. 
On  this  point  his  private  instructions  allowed  him  to  yield 
to  8  or  even  10  leagues. 

The  fourth  article  provided  that  everywhere  else  in  the 
Pacific  the  subjects  of  both  Crowns  should  enjoy  freedom 
of  navigation  and  fishery,  with  the  privilege  of  landing  on 
the  coasts  to  trade  with  the  natives  or  form  establishments 
in  unoccupied  places.  It  was  thought,  he  said,  that  this 
would  be  the  best  way  to  prevent  injurious  competition  in 
making  settlements.  This  principle  was  to  be  applied  to 
H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 28 


U 


434  AMEEICAJSr    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  Nootka  settlement  also,  when  that  should  have  been 
returned  to  Great  Britain.  On  this,  he  said,  no  further  ob- 
servations were  necessary.  It  was  a  natural  consequence  of 
the  foregoing  stipulations.  This  would  have  meant,  had  it 
been  conceded,  that  England  and  Spain  would  have  had 
equal  rights  to  all  of  the  coast  north  of  Lower  California. 
The  fifth  article  referred  to  making  establishments  in  South 
America,  and  was  not  considered  essential  by  the  British 
Cabinet.  The  sixth  referred  to  the  exchange  of  ratifica- 
tions." 

Soon  after  the  presentation  of  this  pro  jet  the  action  of 
the  French  Assembly  became  knoAvn  at  Madrid,  and  its 
influence  must  next  be  considered. 

A  letter  from  Madrid  of  September  10  to  the  "  Gazette  de 
Leide  "  told  that  a  courier  had  just  arrived  from  Paris  with 
the  news  that  a  decree  had  been  rendered  by  the  National 
Assembly  for  a  provisional  maintenance  of  the  family  com- 
pact and  for  increasing  the  armament.  This  had  greatly 
decreased  the  inquietude  over  the  English  demands.  A  ru- 
mor had  arisen  that  these  demands  w^ould  overthrow  many 
of  the  long-established  principles  of  Spain,  for  they  were 
based  on  English  pretensions  to  a  right  of  free  navigation 
and  commerce  in  the  South  Sea  and  on  the  western  coast  of 
America.  The  expectation  of  such  powerful  aid  had  pro- 
duced an  agreeable  sensation.'^  This  was  the  effect  on  the 
popular  mind. 

Its  influence  on  Floridablanca  was  very  different.  In 
submitting  to  a  council  of  the  principal  ministers  of  state 
the  English  projet  of  a  treaty  studied  above,  he  said  that  it 
was  advisable  to  consider  first  the  relations  of  Spain  with 
the  principal  courts  of  Europe.  He  began  with  France.  In 
referring  to  the  portion  of  the  decree  that  limited  the  treaty 
to  "  defensive  and  commercial  arrangements,"  he  remarked 
that  this  expression  was  capable  of  many  interpretations  and 
equivocations.  He  noticed  further  that  even  the  declaration 
for  this  partial  maintenance  of  the  treaty  was  made  subor- 

"  Fitzherbert  to  Floridablanca,  inclosing  projet  with  observations,  Septem- 
ber 8,  1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.)  The 
private  instructions  of  Leeds  to  Fitzherbert  are  to  be  found  in  the  Narra- 
tive, 168-192. 

"  Gazette  de  Leide,  October  1,  1790. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  C0NTR0VEE8Y.  435 

dinate  to  the  expression  "  taking  all  proper  precautions  to 
preserve  the  peace."  If,  he  declared,  the  deciding  on  what 
were  proper  precautions  be  left  to  the  Assembly,  composed  of 
so  many  members  and  with  such  extraordinary  ideas,  there 
was  no  hope  that  their  decision  would  accord  with  Spain's 
ideas  of  preserving  the  peace.  That  body  might  not  con- 
sider the  Nootka  dispute  a  casus  foederis.  It  might  decide 
that  Spain  was  to  blame,  or  that  she  had  motives  of  aggres- 
sion, or  that  she  had  not  admitted  all  of  the  means  of 
conciliation  proposed  by  England.  The  desire  of  the  As- 
sembly to  negotiate  a  new  treaty  on  national  lines  was 
ominous,  he  said.  They,  of  course,  wished  to  modify  or  ex- 
plain the  old.  This  new  system  of  the  sovereignty  of  the 
nation  might  present  difficulties.  The  body  asserting  it,  the 
National  Assembly,  was  itself  a  usurper.  Referring  to  the 
provision  for  arming  45  ships  of  the  line,  he  called  attention 
to  the  fact  that  the  reason  assigned  was  not  that  of  sup- 
porting Spain.  The  decree  declared  that  the  armament  was 
in  consideration  of  the  armaments  of  various  nations  of 
Europe,  and  was  for  the  security  of  French  commerce  and 
French  colonial  possessions.  Finally,  he  declared,  even  if 
the  Assembly  really  wished  to  aid  Spain  it  was  doubtful 
whether  it  could  do  so,  on  account  of  the  lack  of  funds  and  on 
account  of  the  disorders  of  the  country.  If  aid  should  be 
sent,  the  insubordination  of  the  French  sailors  would  be  in 
danger  of  contaminating  the  Spanish  and  would  impede 
their  own  usefulness.  He  concluded  that  there  was  very 
little  hope  of  aid.  Only  in  case  that  England  attacked 
France  would  there  be  any  reasonable  hope  of  assistance. 

After  discussing  the  unhappy  relations  with  France,  the 
minister  took  up  each  of  the  other  nations  in  turn.  Prussia 
and  the  Netherlands  were  allies  of  England,  so  must  be 
counted  as  enemies.  Of  the  small  States,  the  Courts  of 
Lisbon,  Naples,  and  Turin  could  be  counted  on  as  friendly 
neutrals.  All  that  could  be  hoped  for  from  Turkey, 
Tripoli,  and  Algiers  was  that  they  would  not  injure 
Spain;  but  not  so  with  Tunis  and  Morocco,  which  were 
actually  threatening  and  were  probably  being  reckoned  on 
by  England.  The  Court  of  Vienna  was  not  open  to  new 
enterprises  of  war  or  new  alliances.  Sweden  would  not  be 
a  safe  ally,  and  besides  would  demand  a  subsidy.     Denmark 


436  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION, 

also  would  have  to  be  subsidized,  and  then  would  join  only 
in  case  that  Russia  entered  also.  The  latter  was  already- 
engaged  in  war  with  Sweden  "  and  Turkey,  and  was  being 
menaced  by  England  and  Prussia.  In  the  absence  of  money 
and  support  she  would  have  to  yield.  If  Spain  had  a  full 
treasury  to  open  to  Russia  and  Avould  enter  a  war  against 
England,  engaging  her  Baltic  fleet,  there  was  no  doubt  that 
Catherine  II  woidd  form  an  alliance.  But  Spain  had  not 
the  treasury  and  Avas  not  in  a  position  to  undertake  a  war  for 
the  benefit  of  Russia.  If,  however,  Spain  could  not  honor- 
ably avoid  war  and  should  be  attacked,  some  arrangement 
with  Russia  for  reciprocal  aid  would  be  useful.  Steps  had 
been  taken  with  that  in  view,  but  nothing  definite  had  been 
done.  The  United  States  Avould  be  useful  allies,  since  they 
could  harass  English  commerce  and  threaten  Canada.  They 
had  been  sounded  and  seemed  not  unfavorable.  But  they 
would  desire  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  w^hich  would 
open  to  them  a  door  for  contraband  trade  with  Mexico. 
And  besides  this  they  might  in  the  end  be  enabled  to  insist  on 
the  boundary  of  Florida  which  they  had  unjustly  arranged 
with  England,  usurping  a  large  part  from  Spain. 

After  considering  the  foreign  relations  of  Spain,  Florida- 
blanca  reminded  the  ministers  that  they  ought  also  to  reflect 
on  internal  affairs — the  army,  the  navy,  the  treasurj^  and 
economic  conditions.  The  army  was  weak,  he  said,  but 
could  soon  be  increased  as  much  as  would  be  necessary  in  a 
maritime  war.  The  navy  was  well  equij^ped  at  the  time, 
but  provision  would  have  to  be  made  for  reen  for  cements  and 
supplies.  All  of  this  would  occasion  much  expense,  and  the 
treasury  was  scarcely  sufficient  for  peace.  It  would  be  nec- 
essary to  have  recourse  to  credit.  Bad  harvests  and  weak 
administration  of  justice,  he  said,  had  increased  the  cost  of 
provisions.  New  taxes  could  not  be  imposed  without  caus- 
ing resistance,  especially  in  view  of  the  evil  example  of 
France. 

These  reflections  on  the  conditions  of  Spain  at  home  and 
abroad,  the  Count  said,  would  have  to  be  kept  in  mind  in 
considering  the  plan  for  a  convention  which  England  had 

«  Peace  had  been  concluded  between  Sweden  and  Russia  on  August  15,  but 
the  news  had  probably  not  reached  Madrid  when  the  Count  prepared  this 
paper.     See  Lecky,  England  in  the  Eighteenth  Century,  V,  271. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  437 

proposed.  On  the  other  hand,  they  must  not  lose  sight  of 
the  loss  that  would  be  caused  to  the  rights  of  Spain  in  the 
two  Americas.  They  must  remember  the  danger  to  Spanish 
commerce  and  navigation  and  to  the  quietude  of  the  colonial 
establishments.  They  must  also  consider  the  evil  example 
that  would  be  given  to  other  nations  by  a  concession  to  Great 
Britain,  as  well  as  "  the  incentive  to  England  to  increase  her 
pretensions  and  exact  other  condescensions  if  we  enter  easily 
into  the  first. "-^  From  these  reflections  it  is  evident  that 
Floridablanca  had  decided  to  yield  to  England,  but  with  at 
least  a  show  of  resistance. 

Such  a  communication  from  the  prime  minister  to  the 
Council  of  State  would  lead  one  to  infer  that  the  Spanish 
Court  was  about  to  desert  the  French  alliance,  and  was  will- 
ing to  sacrifice  something  for  the  friendship  of  England. 
But  if  this  is  onty  an  inference  the  communications  with  the 
English  ambassador  at  about  the  same  time  leave  no  doubt 
of  the  fact.  At  a  conference  on  September  13  Floridablanca 
declared  to  Fitzherbert  that  His  Catholic  Majesty  regarded 
the  National  .Assembly  Avith  the  utmost  horror.  He  was  ex- 
tremeh^  averse  to  adopting  the  kind  of  treaty  proposed  by 
that  bod}^  He  feared  for  the  influence  on  his  own  authority 
that  a  recognition  of  the  French  Assembl}^  would  have.  If, 
however,  England  should  press  too  hardly  in  the  present  con- 
juncture, the  Count  declared,  Spain  would  be  compelled  to 
accept  the  alliance  of  France  on  any  condition.  But  if  an 
accommodation  could  be  speedily  arranged.  His  Catholic 
Majesty  intended  to  reject  the  treaty  proposed  by  the  French 
Assembly  and  to  establish  an  intimate  concert  and  union 
Avith  England.  The  Count  informed  the  British  ambassa- 
dor that  he  had  submitted  the  latter 's  pro  jet  and  observa- 
tions to  the  Council  of  State.  That  body  had  decided  that  it 
would  be  necessary  to  send  to  America  in  order  to  locate 
definitely  the  northern  and  southern  limits  of  the  Spanish 
settlements  as  proposed.  Since  this  would  delay  the  settle- 
ment of  the  Nootka  affair,  he  suggested  the  immediate  con- 
clusion of  a  preliminary  agreement,  which  would  secure  to 

"Floridablanca  to  the  principal  ministers,  September,  1790.  (MS.  Arch. 
Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.)  The  same  is  published  in  Calvo, 
Recueil  Complet  des  Traites  do  I'Amerique  Latine,  III,  350-355 ;  also  In 
Cantillo,  Tratados  de  Paz  y  Comercio,  630. 


438  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Great  Britain  by  general,  but  sufficient,  stipulations,  the  ob- 
jects that  she  had  in  view.  This  would  put  a  stop  to  the 
armaments,  give  time  to  arrange  a  system  of  union  between 
Spain  and  England,  and  allow  His  Catholic  Majesty  to  dis- 
engage himself  entirely  from  France.^ 

At  this  conference,  on  September  13,  Floridablanca  had 
said  that  he  w^ould  present  a  plan  for  the  temporary  settle- 
ment which  he  had  suggested.  Fitzherbert  had  found  it 
best  in  his  dealings  with  the  Spanish  Court  to  be  first  on  the 
ground.  Consequently  on  the  following  day  he  sent  to  the 
Count  a  pro  jet  for  the  proposed  temporary  agreement.  On 
the  same  evening  Floridablanca  presented  his  plan  in  the 
form  of  a  counter-pro  jet.  The  next  day,  September  15, 
they  held  another  conference  to  consider  the  plans.  The 
English  ambassador  labored  in  vain  to  induce  the  Spanish 
minister  to  admit  some  alterations  in  the  latter's  plan,  so 
that  it  would  be  acceptable  to  the  British  Court.  The  Count 
insisted  that  he  had  conceded  all  that  his  colleagues  and  the 
King  would  allow  him  to  grant.  He  earnestly  requested 
Fitzherbert  to  transmit  it  to  the  Duke  of  Leeds  in  its  exist- 
ing form.  He  felt  confident  that  the  terms  would  be  ac- 
cepted by  the  Court  of  London.  As  a  means  of  shortening 
by  some  weeks  the  continuance  of  the  present  expensive 
armaments,  he  would  send  instructions  authorizing  Campo, 
the  Spanish  ambassador  at  London,  to  sign  it  in  case  His 
Britannic  Majesty  should  approve  it.'^  Since  neither  of  these 
plans  was  accepted,  it  is  not  necessary  to  study  their  terms 
in  detail. 

This  shows  the  influence  that  the  action  of  the  French 
Assembly  had  on  the  relations  of  the  three  countries.  In 
view  of  it,  Spain  despaired  of  getting  any  assistance  from 
France,  and,  further,  it  promised  to  be  the  occasion  for  a 
rearrangement  of  alliances,  Spain  breaking  the  traditional 
union  wdth  France  and  arranging  an  intimate  alliance  with 
England.'' 

«  Narrative,  242-245. 

"  Id.,  247-256.  A  manuscript  copy  of  Fitzherbert's  projet  and  Florida- 
blanca's  counter-projet  is  to  be  found  in  the  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid, 
Sec.  Estado,  4291. 

"  Cambridge  Modern  History,  VIII,  189,  says  of  the  Spaniards :  "  Feeling 
how  vain  it  was  to  trust  an  ally  of  this  kind,  they  preferred  to  make  terms 
with  their  enemy." 


Chapter  XII. 

ENGLISH  ULTIMATUM SPANISH  DEFIANCE. 

In  the  middle  of  October  the  "  Gazette  de  Leide  "  printed 
a  letter  from  Madrid,  dated  September  24,  saying : 

We  are  assured  that  the  negotiation  with  England  is  in  a  good  way 
and  is  about  to  terminate  in  a  friendly  manner.^ 

This  was  written  a  few  days  after  the  Spanish  Court  had 
decided  to  abandon  the  family  compact  and  form  an  intimate 
alliance  with  England  as  studied  in  the  last  chapter.  The 
next  issue  of  the  same  paper  printed  a  letter  from  London, 
dated  October  12,  which  had  a  very  different  tone: 

The  warlike  appearances  have  greatly  increased  in  the  last  eight 
days.  The  next  dispatches  from  Fitzherbert,  replying  to  the  last  Eng- 
lish demand,  will  probablj^  decide  for  peace  or  war.  On  our  side  all 
preparations  for  a  rupture  have  already  been  made.6 

This  was  written  a  fortnight  after  news  had  reached  Lon- 
don of  Spain's  proposed  change.  Instead  of  receiving  the 
friendly  advances  of  the  Spanish  Court  in  the  spirit  in 
which  Floridablanca  hoped,  and  apparently  expected,  the 
Court  of  St.  James  accepted  them  as  an  announcement  that 
the  French  alliance  had  failed,  and  an  acknowledgment  that 
Spain  was  at  the  merc}^  of  England.  This  is  really  what 
they  meant.  Instead  of  following  Spain's  example  and 
giving  up  some  of  her  pretensions,  England  took  advantage 
of  Spanish  helplessness  and  gave  Spain  ten  days  to  decide 
whether  she  would  accept  war  in  the  face  of  almost  insur- 
mountable difficulties,  or  peace  with  humiliating  conces- 
sions. Much  discontent  had  arisen  in  England  at  the  length 
to  which  the  negotiation  was  being  drawn  out.  It  was  con- 
sidered inconsistent  with  the  decisive  tone  at  the  beginning. 
The  object  to  be  gained  was  thought  to  be  hardly  w^orth 
such  an  expensive  armament  continued  for  so  many  months. 

«  Gazette  de  LeIde,  October  15,  1790. 
» Id.,  October  19. 


440  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  ministry  was  being  severely  criticised,  and  felt  the  neces- 
sity of  forcing  a  decision.^ 

Although  feeling  keenly  the  criticism  of  the  armament, 
yet  the  Government  was  unwilling  to  disarm  until  Spain 
should  have  yielded.  On  September  10,  in  consequence  of 
the  repeated  requests  from  Spain  for  a  mutual  disarma- 
ment, Leeds  directed  Fitzherbert  to  represent  to  Florida- 
blanca  that,  with  every  wish  for  an  amicable  adjustment,  it 
did  not  appear  to  the  British  Government  expedient  to  dis- 
arm until  such  adjustment  should  be  secured.^  For  the 
same  reason  the  ministry  was  unwilling  to  accept  any  tem- 
porary arrangement,  such  as  Floridablanca  had  suggested, 
which  would  postpone  the  final  settlement  to  a  later  date. 
Consequently,  on  October  2  two  drafts  of  a  treaty  Avere  sent 
to  Fitzherbert.  They  contained  substantially  the  same  terms 
except  that  one  provided  for  the  definite  demarkation  of 
the  limits  of  Spanish  exclusive  sovereignty,  and  the  other 
did  not.  These  embodied  Great  Britain's  ultimatum.  Fitz- 
herbert was  to  give  the  Spanish  Court  ten  days  in  which  to 
decide  on  an  answer.  If  at  the  end  of  that  time  an  answer 
had  not  been  received  the  ambassador  was  to  quit  Madrid. 

After  sending  the  ultimatum  the  British  Court  redoubled 
its  energies  in  preparing  for  war.  One  is  almost  led  to  be- 
lieve, from  the  vigor  displayed,  that  war  was  desired  and 
that  the  ultimatum  was  prepared  with  the  deliberate  inten- 
tion of  forcing  a  breach.  In  a  letter  of  October  22  Leeds 
asked  Auckland,  the  British  ambassador  at  The  Hague,  to 
communicate  to  the  Government  of  the  Eepublic  the  proba- 
bility of  a  rupture.  He  expected  in  a  few  days  to  send 
copies  of  all  the  correspondence  relating  to  the  discussion 
that  Auckhmd  might  lay  them  before  the  Dutch  Govern- 
ment. Although  it  might  happen,  he  said,  that  England 
would  be'  obliged  to  commence  the  hostilities,  yet  he  had  no 
doubt  that  every  circumstance  would  convince  mankind  that 
"  Great  Britain  Avas  not  the  aggressor  in  the  war  which  may, 
in  a  few  days,  disturb  the  general  tranquillity."  After  speak- 
ing of  the  cordiality  of  the  Dutch  Government,  he  continued : 

It  will  also,  I  trust,  be  understood  in  Holland  how  material  it  is  to 
enable  us  to  act  with  vigor  in  the  outset.     I  therefore  hope  that  there 

"Dundas  to  Grenville,  September  27,  1790.      (Fortescue  MSS.,  I,  607.) 
»  Leeds  to  Fitzherbert,  September  10,  1790.      (Narrative,  240.) 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTEOVERSY.  441 

will  be  no  difficulty  in  furnishing  some  naval  succors  before  the  expi- 
ration of  the  two  months  stipulated.  It  would  be  to  be  wislied,  if 
possible,  that  a  detachment  be  sent  innnediately  on  the  news  of  hos- 
tilities, and  that  it  should  amount  to  8  ships  of  the  line  and  8  frigates. 
If,  however,  so  much  can  not  be  obtained,  even  a  less  number  will  be 
a  material  object.^ 

A  notion  of  the  popular  view  of  the  impending  war  may 
be  gleaned  from  a  letter  written  by  Storer  to  Auckland  on 
the  same  day  that  the  secretary  for  foreign  affairs  wrote  the 
one  just  studied.  Storer  said  that  all  of  the  officers  were  in 
high  spirits  at  the  prospect  of  a  voyage  to  Mexico.  He 
thought  that  the  Nootka  affair  was  merel}^  a  pretext  for  a 
war  that  had  been  previously  determined  upon.     He  said : 

Pitt  is  tired  of  peace.  He  bullied  France  so  effectually  three  years 
ago  6  that  he  is  determined  to  try  the  same  thing  with  Spain. 

He  thought  that  the  negotiators  themselves  did  not  know 
what  would  happen.''  If  the  British  ministers  were  not  ac- 
tually trying  to  force  a  w^ar,  it  is,  at  least,  evident  that  they 
were  willing  to  accept  it  should  it  come ;  and  that  they  were 
not  willing  to  make  any  considerable  concessions  to  preserve 
peace. 

The  ultimatum,  with  instructions  for  his  private  guidance, 
reached  Fitzherbert  October  12.  He  was  told  that  Florida- 
blanca's  proposal  for  a  temporary  agreement  was  not  admis- 
sible since  it  would  leave  the  matter  open  to  a  subsequent 
discussion.  It  was  important  that  it  should  be  settled  at 
once.  If  Floridablanca's  proposal  had  not  been  accom- 
panied by  assurances  that  indicated  a  sincere  desire  for 
accommodation  with  England,  it  would  have  been  doubtful, 
he  was  told,  whether  anything  could  have  been  hoped  from  a 
further  continuance  of  the  negotiation.  The  prospect  for 
a  speedy  settlement  and  the  chance  for  dissolving  the  family 
compact  compensated  largely  for  the  inconvenience  of 
further  delay,  but  that  delay  could  be  only  for  a  few  days. 
The  Count's  committing  himself  on  points  of  so  much  deli- 
cacy indicated  that  the  Spanish  Court  had  determined  to  go 
a  considerable  length.     His  language  respecting  France  was 

"Leeds  to  Auckland,  October  22,  1790.      (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  34433,  f°  349.) 
*  In  detaching  the  Netherlands  from  the  French  alliance  and  uniting  them 

to  England  and  Prussia  by  the  triple  alliance. 

"  Storer   to   Auclcland,   October   22,   1790.     (Aucliland,   Correspondence,    II, 

373.) 


442  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

consistent  with  his  character.  The  temporary  arrangement 
proposed  by  him  admitted  the  British  claims  in  general 
terms,  but  the  indefiniteness  of  its  terms  would  leave  ground 
for  disputes.  Fitzherbert  was  to  remind  the  Count  that  he 
had,  in  principle,  admitted  the  justice  of  the  British  claims. 
The  present  articles,  he  was  told,  did  no  more  than  to  secure 
definitely  those  rights.  Their  rejection  would  be  considered 
as  a  proof  either  that  Spain  was  not  sincerely  desirous  of  an 
accommodation  or  that  she  was  unwilling  to  grant  distmctly 
the  security  which  the  Spanish  minister  had  argued  to  be  in 
fact  contained  in  the  articles  which  he  had  suggested.  The 
question  as  to  security  of  navigation,  commerce,  and  fisheries 
in  that  part  of  the  world  depended  on  whether  Spain  did  or 
did  not  insist  on  her  exclusive  claim  to  the  continent  in  ques- 
tion and  the  seas  adjacent.  This  could  be  decided  as  well  at 
one  time  as  another.  The  question  of  restitution  should 
depend  on  whether  Spain  rested  her  case  on  her  pretended 
exclusive  sovereignty  or  prior  discovery,  or  whether  she 
could  prove  that  she  had  actual  occupation  of  Nootka  prior 
to  the  time  when  lands  were  purchased  and  buildings  erected 
there  by  British  subjects.*^  The  only  matter  that  could  afford 
an  excuse  for  delay  was  the  determination  of  limits.  Such 
an  article  would  seem  to  be  desirable  to  both  sides,  but  His 
Britannic  Majesty  would  not  object  seriously  to  the  omission 
of  such  demarkation.  The  great  expense  of  maintaining  the 
armament  ready  for  service  and  the  just  expectations  of  the 
public  could  not  admit  of  further  delay  in  coming  to  a  deci- 
sion on  the  question  of  peace  or  war.  Fitzherbert  was  to 
communicate  this  fact  to  Floridablanca  in  the  least  offensive 
but  the  most  explicit  manner  possible.  Ten  days  was  con- 
sidered a  sufficient  time  for  the  Spanish  answer. 

On  the  question  of  disarming  in  the  event  of  an  amicable 
settlement,  Leeds  suggested  that  mutual  confidence  would  be 
a  stronger  security  than  any  formal  stipulations.  England 
did  not  wish  to  reduce  to  a  peace  establishment  at  once,  on 
account  of  the  French  armament  and  because  of  the  fact  that 

"This  shows  that  the  British  Ministry  was  resting  the  justice  of  its  cause 
on  the  purchase  of  land  which  Meares  claimed  that  he  had  made  at  Nootka  on 
his  arrival  in  1788,  and  on  the  temporary  hut  which  he  had  erected  to  shelter 

workmen  while  they  were  building  his  little  vessel,  the  North-Weat  Amerioa. 

(See  Chapter  II.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  443 

Kussia  seemed  unwilling  to  adopt  a  moderate  policy  toward 
Turkey.  It  was  incumbent  on  the  allies  to  prevent  the  dis- 
memberment of  Turkej^** 

On  October  13,  the  next  day  after  receiving  the  above 
instructions  and  the  projets  of  a  convention  accompanying 
them,  Fitzherbert  had  a  conference  with  the  Spanish  min- 
ister, at  which  the  latter's  language  led  the  former  to  doubt 
the  possibility  of  an  amicable  settlement.  At  an  interview 
on  the  following  day  the  British  minister  presented  parts 
of  the  drafts  of  the  ultimatum.  The  Count's  reception  of 
these  was  so  unfavorable  that  Fitzherbert  thought  best  to 
warn  all  of  the  British  consuls  in  Spain  of  the  prospect 
of  an  immediate  rupture.  He  wrote  to  his  home  Govern- 
ment that  it  seemed  impossible  to  obtain  a  convention  with 
a  demarcation  of  limits.  That  no  means  of  effecting  a 
pacification  might  be  left  untried,  Fitzherbert  delivered  to 
Floridablanca  on  October  15  a  translation  of  the  entire  pro  jet 
w^ithout  the  demarcation  of  limits.  The  Count's  reply  of 
the  next  day  was  still  in  terms  extremely  wide  of  the  Eng- 
lish proposals,  but  it  revived  Fitzherbert's  hopes  of  engaging 
the  Spanish  minister  by  degrees  to  accede  to  His  Britannic 
Majesty's  demands.^ 

In  this  reply  of  October  16  Floridablanca  said  that  there 
were  considerable  difficulties  in  the  way  of  agreeing  to  the 
English  projet.  He  submitted  some  observations  justify- 
ing some  small  but  substantial  changes  which  he  had  sug- 
gested. He  remarked  that  the  British  projet,  in  demanding 
that  the  buildings  and  lands  should  be  restored  to  the  Brit- 
ish subjects,  assumed  that  they  had  once  possessed  them.  He 
declared  that  this  assumption  was  untrue;  that  the  British 
subjects  had  only  been  attempting  to  make  an  establish- 
ment, from  which  the  Spanish  commander  had  prevented 
them.  If  they  had  ever  bought  land,  as  pretended,  they  had 
failed  to  take  possession  of  it. 

"  Narrative,  257-285.  Also,  the  two  drafts  are  Inclosed  in  Leeds  to  Auck- 
land, October  8,  1790.      (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  34433    f°  252.) 

With  these  instructions  Fitzherbert  was  also  given  orders  concerning  the 
case  of  Captain  Macdonald.  He  was  the  captain  of  a  vessel  that  had  recently 
been  seized  by  a  Spanish  frigate  in  the  West  Indies  on  the  ground  that  she  was 
carrying  on  contraband  trade.  Indemnity  for  this  had  to  be  assured  before 
the  Nootka  matter  could  be  settled.  It  was  easily  adjusted.  (Narrative, 
285.) 

»Id.,  289-291. 


U 


444  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Before  examining  Floridablanca's  observations  further 
it  may  be  well  to  remark  that  this  was  the  point  of  fact  on 
which  it  was  impossible  for  the  two  Courts  to  agree.  Each 
relied  on  the  statements  made  b}^  its  own  subjects  and  these 
statements  w^ere  conflicting.  Meares  told  of  his  purchase  of 
land  and  his  erection  of  a  building  thereon  in  1788  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  lead  the  British  Cabinet  to  believe  that  he  had 
formed  a  substantial  English  settlement,  and  that  the  estab- 
lishment was  still  there  in  the  spring  of  1789  w^hen  Martinez 
arrived.  On  the  other  hand,  Martinez's  account  showed  that 
when  he  arrived  at  Nootka  there  were  no  evidences  of  any- 
British  establishment,  but  that  the  expedition  under  Colnett, 
which  arrived  two  months  later,  came  to  form  an  establish- 
ment.   Neither  Avas  Avholly  right  nor  wholly  wrong.** 

Floridablanca  said  that  it  was  A^ery  difficult  and  almost 
imj^ossible  for  Spain  to  consent  that  British  subjects  should 
land  in  unoccupied  places  to  trade  with  the  natives  and 
form  establishments.  Places  without  a  substantial  Spanish 
occupation,  he  said,  might  be  found  almost  anywhere  along 
the  coast  of  America.  This  clause,  he  said,  ought  to  be 
omitted  from  the  projet.  Fitzherbert  had  proposed  that 
British  vessels  should  not  approach  within  10  leagues  of 
places  occupied  by  Spain.  The  Count  insisted  that  the  dis- 
tance was  too  short.  Instead  of  the  expression,  "  occupied 
by  Spain,"  he  would  substitute  the  expression,  "  belonging 
to  Spain."  With  his  observations  the  Spanish  minister 
submitted  a  counter  projet  w^hich  embodied  them.  In  his 
letter  accompanying  these  documents,  Floridablanca  said 
that  he  had  proposed  a  special  junta  to  consider  the  English 
propositions.  How^ever,  if  Fitzherbert  would  agree  to  the 
Spanish  counter  projet,  he  would  venture  to  propose  it  to 
the  King  and  see  if  the  matter  could  not  be  settled  before 
the  meeting  of  the  junta.^-' 

The  Spanish  minister  had  decided  that  Spain  would  have 
to  yield  to  the  English  demands.  He  was  directing  his 
efforts  toward  an  attempt  to  induce  the  British  ambassador 
to  modify  those  demands  so  that  they  would  give  as  little 

"  For  a  full  discussion  of  tliese  facts,  see  Chapters  II-V. 

*  Floridablanca  to  Fitzherbert,  October  IG,  1790,  inclosing  notes  on  the 
English  projet,  and  a  Spanish  counter  projet.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  445 

offense  as  possible  to  Spanish  pride.     But  other  Spanish 
officials  were  not  so  ready  to  yield  as  the  prime  minister  was. 

Fitzherbert  did  not  accept  the  count's  terms.  He  insisted 
on  the  British  projet  as  it  stood.  The  special  junta  was 
summoned.  It  was  composed  of  eight  of  the  principal  min- 
isters, not  including  Floridablanca.  The  order  naming  the 
members  was  dated  October  19.  The  next  day  a  note  re- 
quested them  to  hasten,  for  the  ambassador  was  very  urgent. 
Sessions  were  held  on  the  21st,  22d,  24th,  and  25th.  The 
English  projet  was  examined  article  by  article. 

The  findings  of  the  junta  furnish  an  excellent  notion  of 
the  feeling  of  Spaniards  respecting  the  dispute.  It  was  de- 
clared that  Martinez's  conduct  at  Nootka  had  not  been  con- 
trary to  international  law  nor  an  insult  to  the  English  flag. 
What  ho  had  done  was  to  prevent  the  forming  of  an  estab-  '^ 
lishment  in  a  place  belonging  to  the  Spanish  dominions,  in 
which,  by  virtue  of  treaties  made  before  all  Europe  and 
guaranteed  by  England  herself,  no  foreign  disembarkation 
was  permitted  without  a  just  motive,  and  much  less  the 
forming  of  military  or  commercial  establishments.  Even 
granting  that  the  proceedings  of  Martinez  had  been  culpable, 
and,  by  a  distortion  of  ideas,  that  the  resistance  to, a  usurpa- 
tion could  be  considered  an  insult,  Spain  had  already  given 
England  such  satisfaction  as  was  compatible  with  her  dig- 
nity. The  increasing  of  the  British  pretensions  while  the 
Spanish  were  being  moderated  showed  that  the  Nootka  affair 
was  only  a  mask  to  cover  England's  hostile  designs  of  O 
taking  advantage  of  the  revolution  in  France  to  attack  the 
divided  House  of  Bourbon. 

Referring  to  a  clause  in  the  British  projet  providing  for 
the  return  of  any  vessels  that  might  have  been  seized  since 
April,  1789,  the  conclusions  of  the  junta  declared  that  this 
showed  England's  design  of  sending  new  expeditions.  They 
would  not  limit  themselves  to  fisheries  nor  to  trading  with 
the  natives.  They  intended  to  form  fortified  establishments 
and  construct  vessels  there  to  carry  on  trade  with  all  of 
New  Spain.  Their  first  aggressions  would  lead  to  others. 
The  weak  and  extended  Spanish  dominions  afforded  oppor- 
tunities for  their  activity.     There  were  many  places  that 


O 


446  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Spain  had  not  been  able  and  probably  never  would  be  able 
to  people.  The  English  pretension  was  the  more  irritating 
since  it  extended  also  to  all  the  coasts  of  South  America. 
If  Spain  should  grant  their  demands  she  might  expect  in 
the  end  to  surrender  to  them  all  of  the  commerce  of  Peru 
and  New  Spain. 

The  English  offer  of  not  allowing  their  subjects  to  ap- 
proach within  10  leagues  of  any  place  occupied  by  Spain  was 
useless,  the  junta  declared,  since  they  demanded  the  privilege 
of  disembarking  in  all  unoccupied  places.  By  this  means 
they  could  approach  insensibly  to  those  that  were  occupied. 
If  the  Spanish  governors  should  attempt  to  prevent  them,  it 
would  lead  to  disputes  and  to  new  negotiations  which  would 
afford  new  opportunities  for  aggressions.  They  would 
finally  take  all  of  these  countries  from  Spain. 

The  English  assumption  of  rights  in  South  America  was 
branded  as  an  infamous  artifice.  Although  Spain  had  for 
three  centuries  been  in  exclusive  and  peaceful  possession  of 
all  South  America,  the  English  were  now  pretending  that 
they  had  equal  rights  to  unoccupied  places.  Appealing 
directly  to  the  King,  they  said : 

Strange^  .astonishing,  nnheard-of  it  is,  Seiior,  that  England  should 
dare  to  pretend  that  Your  Majesty  should  authorize  and  adopt  a  stipu- 
lation which  prohibits  mutually  the  forming  of  establishments  there 
as  long  as  the  subjects  of  other  powers  shall  not  attempt  to  do  so* 
adding  that  the  respective  subjects  shall  have  the  right  of  disembark- 
ing in  those  places  and  building  huts  and  other  temporary  structures 
for  objects  connected  with  their  fisheries.  *  *  *  The  English  pre- 
tend that  all  South  America  is  open  to  all  nations,  and  that  its  terri- 
tories shall  belong  to  the  first  that  desires  to  occupy  them. 

England,  they  declared,  was  now  exacting  more  than  she 
had  dared  to  ask  in  1763,  when  she  had  so  great  an  advan- 
tage. She  had  forgotten  her  guaranty  in  the  treaty  of 
Utrecht  that  Spain's  American  dominions  should  be  restored 
as  they  had  been  in  the  reign  of  King  Charles  II,  and  should 
remain  in  that  condition.  If  Spain  should  grant  these  priv- 
ileges to  England,  other  nations  would  claim  them  under  the 
"  most- favored-nation  clause  "  of  the  same  treaty. 

The  King  was  asked  to  consider  how  his  father  had  re- 
sisted England  when  there  was  much  less  at  stake  and  when 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  447 

the  Spanish  army  and  navy  were  in  no  better  condition.  In 
case  of  war  England's  attention,  they  said,  would  be  directed 
not  against  the  Peninsula,  but  against  the  colonies.  Havana 
Vera  Cruz,  Cartagena,  Porto  Rico,  Santo  Domingo,  Trini- 
dad, Caracas,  Montevideo,  and  Buenos  Ayres  were  consid- 
ered likely  points  of  attack.  All  of  these  were  declared 
ready  to  defend  themselves  because  of  their  superior  garri- 
sons and  of  climatic  and  strategic  advantages. 

Floridablanca  had  inclosed  with  other  papers  for  the 
junta  a  copy  of  the  observations  on  Spain's  relations  to  other 
powers,  which  he  had  prepared  early  in  September  on  re- 
ceipt of  the  news  of  the  decree  of  the  National  Assembly .<» 
Because  of  the  frankness  shown  in  other  matters  the  junta 
said  that  they  were  encouraged  to  volunteer  their  own  obser- 
vations on  this.  Speaking  of  Prussia  as  England's  most 
powerful  ally,  they  said  that  her  King  was  not  in  a  position 
to  dictate  terms  to  all  of  the  northern  powers,  consequently 
he  would  have  to  consider  his  own  defense.  In  view  of 
this  and  of  the  existing  state  of  Turkish  affairs  they  con- 
cluded that  England's  position  was  not  an  especially  strong 
one.  As  to  possible  support  for  Spain,  they  said  that  France 
could  not  be  blind  to  her  interests  and  to  her  obligations 
under  the  family  compact.  To  avoid  the  evil  effects  on  the 
Spanish  fleet  of  insubordination  in  the  French  navy  the  tAvo 
could  operate  separately.  Spain  could  probably  not  get  any 
aid  from  the  United  States.  Neither  were  they  likely  to 
join  England.  Portugal  could  not  aid  except  by  remaining 
neutral.  There  was  nothing  to  ask  or  expect  from  Sardinia, 
Naples,  Venice,  or  Turkey,  and  the  African  states  ought  to 
give  little  concern.  As  to  Russia  they  were  more  hopeful. 
They  suggested  that  it  would  not  be  impossible  for  Spain, 
by  offering  conmiercial  advantages,  to  enter  an  alliance  with 
Russia,  Sweden,  and  Denmark  and  secure  their  help  against 
England.  They  respectfully  submitted  to  the  King  and 
his  prime  minister  the  idea  of  a  treaty  with  Russia  defining 
territorial  limits  on  the  western  coast  of  America  and  guar- 
anteeing each  other  against  English  aggressions  on  that 
coast. 


•  See  last  chapter. 


448  AMERICAN    HISTOtllCAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  junta  then  offered  several  observations  on  the  harsh- 
ness of  the  English  demands.  England  was  offering 
nothing,  they  said,  in  return  for  the  sacrifices  demanded  of 
Spain.  She  had  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  Spain's  repeated  re- 
quests for  a  reciprocal  disarmament,  hence  there  was  good 
reason  to  fear  that  she  was  trying  to  force  a  breach.  It  was 
plain  that  she  intended  to  form  new  establishments  in  the 
Spanish  dominions.  She  proposed  to  deprive  Spain  of  the 
power  of  repelling  the  intrusions  which  she  meditated  by 
allowing  no  recourse  except  a  report  of  the  matter  to  the 
home  governments  and  a  new  convention  in  each  case.  This 
would  mean  subjection  and  a  continual  state  of  war.  She 
was  inviting  other  nations  to  help  her  despoil  Spain.  She 
was  insisting  on  the  establishment  of  a  principle  which 
would  allow  usurpations  in  every  uninhabited  place.  The 
whole  Spanish  dominions  Avould  shortly  be  destroyed.  Her 
demands  Avere  as  injurious  as  could  be  made  after  the  most 
disgraceful  war.  If  this  cession  should  be  made  through 
fear  in  a  time  of  profound  peace,  it  would  encourage  still 
greater  claims.  Authorized  by  such  a  document  other  na- 
tions would  form  common  cause,  and  the  vast  continent  of 
the  Indies  would  be  exposed  to  a  general  occupation.  Even 
in  an  unfortunate  war  Spain  would  only  have  to  come  to  an 
understanding  Avith  her  enemies,  and  there  would  be  hope  for 
favorable  alliances  and  better  terms  with  less  sacrifices. 

Finally  the  junta  gave  their  conclusions  as  to  the  answer 
that  should  be  made  to  England's  ultimatum.  The  conces- 
sions now  demanded,  they  said,  would  inevitably  lead  Spain 
into  a  war.  She  Avoiild  then  suffer  all  that  the  King  now 
wished  to  avoid,  and  England  Avould  certainly  accept  no  less 
afterwards.  In  case  that  this  projet  should  be  rejected  and 
war  should  ensue,  Avhat  treaty,  it  was  asked,  could  be  con- 
cluded more  absolutely  ruinous,  even  in  the  remote  chance  of 
complete  prostration,  than  the  convention  which  was  now 
proposed?  Therefore  the  junta  could  not  in  any  manner 
accept  the  unjust  terms  contained  in  the  English  ultimatum. 
They  recognized  that  this  would  mean  war.  They  advised 
preparation  at  once  to  repel  hostile  attacks  and  an  immediate 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  449 

search  for  allies  even  before  giving  a  final  answer  to  the 
English  ambassador.** 

On  October  25,  the  day  of  the  last  session  of  the  junta,  its 
conclusions  were  hurried  off  to  Floridablanca  to  be  laid 
before  the  King.  Their  recej^tion  and  influence  on  the  nego- 
tiation will  be  studied  in  the  next  chapter.^ 

«  Conchisions  of  the  .iunfa  of  eight  ministers,  of  October  21,  22,  24,  and  25, 
1790.  (MSS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291  ;  a  copy  is 
found  also  in  bundle  284S  of  the  same  section.)  In  the  former  bundle  are 
also  copies  of  all  of  tlie  more  important  papers  that  had  passed  between 
Floridablanca  and  Fitzherbert  since  the  sif^ning  of  the  declarations  on  July 
24.  They  were  submitted  to  the  junta.  In  the  latter  bundle  are  also  the 
following  letters  relating  to  the  junta  and  its  sessions :  Floridablanca  to 
Iriarte,  October  19  and  2o  ;  and  Iriaite  to  Floridablanca,  October  21,  22,  24, 
and  25,  1790.  Iriarte  was  secretary  for  the  junta  and  one  of  its  eight  mem- 
bers.    He  belonged  to  the  council  for  the  Indies. 

"  Duro,  Armada  Espauola,  VII,  16,  mal<es  the  mistake  of  saying  that  a 
majority  of  the  junta  favored  the  convention,  though  it  laet  with  some  oppo- 
sition. He  had  evidently  not  seen  the  conclusions  of  the  junta,  or  had  not 
examined  them  carefully. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 29 


Chapter  XIII. 

THE  NOOTKA  SOUND  CONVENTION ITS  RECEPTION  AND  RESULTS. 

After  submitting  the  English  ultimatum  to  the  extraor- 
dinary junta,  as  studied  in  the  last  chapter,  Floridablanca 
continued  his  conferences  with  Fitzherbert.  He  made  stren- 
uous efforts  to  induce  the  British  ambassador  to  modify  the 
English  demands.  In  the  first  article,  which  declared  that 
the  buildings  and  lands  on  the  Northwest  Coast  should  be 
restored  to  the  British  subjects,  the  Count  pressed  earnestly 
for  the  insertion  of  the  clause,  "  notwithstanding  the  exclu- 
sive rights  which  Spain  has  claimed."  This  would  have 
been  almost  tantamount  to  a  recognition  of  the  Spanish 
claim.  Fitzherbert  would  not  consent  to  it.  But  since  the 
declarations  of  July  had  expressl}^  reserved  the  discussion  of 
those  rights,  and  since  the  Spanish  minister  would  not  be 
content  without  some  reference  to  them  in  the  convention, 
the  British  ambassador  consented  to  mention  them  in  the 
preamble.  Consequently,  he  proposed  the  insertion  of  the 
clause,  "  laying  aside  all  retrospective  discussion  of  the  rights 
and  claims  of  the  two  parties."  He  was  very  careful  to  word 
it  so  that  there  would  not  be  in  it  any  admission  of  the  jus- 
tice of  the  Spanish  claim.  After  some  hesitation  the  Count 
accepted  it. 

In  the  second  article  Fitzherbert  consented  to  the  omission 
of  one  word.  The  projet  had  provided  that  "  for  all  other 
acts  of  violence  or  hostility,"  etc.,  reparation  should  be 
made.  The  Count  objected  to  the  word  "  other "  as  an 
unnecessary  and  invidious  reference  to  the  action  of  Mar- 
tinez at  Nootka  in  1789,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  satisfactory 
reparation  for  it  had  already  been  made.  The  British  am- 
bassador consented  to  omit  "  other."  The  Spanish  minister 
attempted  to  limit  this  reparation  to  offenses  committed  "  on 
the  said  continent  and  the  islands  adjacent."  Fitzherbert 
would  not  agree.  This  would  not  have  included  the  violence 
450 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  451 

recently  done  to  Captain  Macdonald  in  the  West  Indies, 
mentioned  in  the  last  chapter.  England  apprehended  other 
similar  seizures,  and  such  would  not  have  been  unnatural 
under  the  strained  relations  existing  between  the  two  coun- 
tries for  so  many  months. 

The  last  clause  of  the  third  article,  making  the  privilege 
of  landing  anywhere  on  the  coast  subject  to  the  restrictions 
contained  in  the  following  articles,  was  not  in  the  draft 
without  a  demarkation  of  limits  which  was  made  the  basis 
of  the  treaty,  but  it  was  in  the  draft  ivith  a  demarkation  of 
limits.  Fitzherbert  compromised  on  this  point  and  com- 
bined the  two  drafts.  He  admitted  a  limitation  of  the 
privilege  without  obtaining  a  definite  demarkation  of  the 
boundaries  of  Spanish  exclusive  sovereignty.  If  Florida- 
blanca  had  not  secured  this  concession,  it  would  have  meant 
that  the  English  could  have  landed  and  established  colonies 
in  any  unoccupied  spot  on  the  coast  of  California,  Mexico, 
Central  or  South  America.  This  concession  was  not  in- 
cluded in  the  draft  which  was  examined  by  the  special  junta. 
It  was  on  this  point  that  they  so  violently  opposed  conced- 
ing the  English  demands  and  advised  war  at  all  hazards 
instead. 

In  the  fourth  article,  regarding  the  limit  of  10  leagues 
within  which  English  vessels  should  not  approach  Spanish 
establishments,  Floridablanca  pressed  very  earnestly  for 
extending  the  distance  to  15  leagues.  As  a  precedent  for  his 
contention,  he  cited  the  treaty  of  1763  between  England  and 
France,  which  fixed  15  leagues. as  the  distance  within  which 
French  fishermen  might  not  approach  the  coasts  of  Cape 
Breton.  He  suggested  the  insertion  of  the  words  "  in  the 
said  seas,"  which  would  confine  this  restriction  to  the  Pacific. 
Fitzherbert  embodied  the  last  mentioned  suggestion,  since  he 
conceived  that  it  might  be  of  advantage  to  the  English 
fisheries  on  the  Atlantic  coasts  of  Spanish  America,  but  he 
would  not  admit  the  extension  to  15  leagues.  His  private 
instructions,  as  mentioned  in  the  last  chapter,  had  named  5 
leagues  as  the  distance  to  be  first  proposed,  but  had  allowed 
him  to  concede  8  or  even  10. 

The  fifth  and  sixth  articles  contained  the  stipulations  upon 
which  there  was  the  most  difficulty  in  agreeing.  In  the 
course  of  their  discussion  the  negotiation  was  frequently  on 


452  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

the  point  of  being  broken  off.  Floridablanca  would  not 
consent  to  a  convention  that  failed  to  secure  to  Spain  her 
exclusive  intercourse  with  her  establishments.  Neither 
would  he  consent  to  fix  any  precise  line  as  the  boundary  of 
the  Spanish  possessions,  either  on  the  north  or  the  south. 
He  pleaded  insufficient  information.  Fitzherbert  wrote  to 
the  British  Cabinet  that  the  language  of  the  Spanish  min- 
ister on  both  of  these  points  was  so  firm  and  decisive  as  to 
make  it  evident  beyond  a  doubt  that  the  alternative  of 
peace  or  war  rested  on  finding  or  not  finding  a  solution  of 
these  difficulties.  Neither  of  the  two  drafts  of  the  English 
ultimatum  afforded  a  solution.  The  one  provided  that  the 
subjects  of  the  two  Crowns  should  have  free  access  to  all 
unoccupied  places  and  to  all  establishments  formed  since 
April,  1789,  or  to  be  formed  north  of  a  fixed  line  on  the 
Northwest  Coast  and  south  of  a  fixed  line  on  the  South 
American  coast.  The  other,  omitting  any  reference  to  fixed 
limits,  provided  that  this  privilege  should  extend  to  the 
whole  Pacific  coast  of  North  and  South  America. 

In  order  to  solve  this  difficulty  the  English  ambassador 
admitted  the  restriction  at  the  end  of  the  third  article,  men- 
tioned above.  For  the  same  purpose  he  consented  to  insert 
in  the  fifth  article  the  clause,  "  situated  to  the  north  of  the 
parts  of  the  said  coast  already  occupied  by  Spain."  This 
preserved  the  Si)anish  exclusive  dominion  as  far  northward 
as  her  most  northern  establishment.  The  provision  in  arti- 
cle 6  Avas  materially  changed.  The  draft  of  the  ultimatum 
had  provided  that  the  subjects  of  neither  nation  should  make 
any  establishment  south  of  a  definite  line  to  be  fixed  so  long 
as  no  settlement  should  be  formed  thereon  by  the  subjects  of 
any  other  power.  Instead  of  fixing  a  definite  line  the  nego- 
tiators agreed  to  insert  the  clause,  "  in  such  part  of  those 
coasts  as  are  situated  to  the  south  of  those  parts  of  the  same 
coasts  and  of  the  islands  adjacent  already  occupied  by 
Spain."  They  added  the  provision  that  in  such  places  the 
respective  subjects  should  have  the  right  of  landing  and 
constructing  temporary  buildings  for  purposes  connected 
with  their  fisheries.  The  clause,  "  so  long  as  no  establish- 
ments shall  be  formed  thereon  by  the  subjects  of  any  other 
power,"  was  omitted  from  the  article.  This  had  been  ob- 
jected to  on  the  ground  that  it  would  be  virtually  a  public 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  453 

invitation  to  all  nations  to  make  settlements  there  and  so 
join  England  in  despoiling  Spain  of  her  dominions.  In 
order  to  remove  the  Spanish  objection  to  publicity  and  still 
assure  England  that  she  would  not  be  compelled  to  keep  her 
hands  ofl'  while  other  nations  should  do  the  thing  that  she 
had  bound  herself  not  to  do,  the  stipulation  Avas  embodied 
in  a  secret  article.  This  secret  clause  provided  that  the 
stipulation  in  the  sixth  article  forbidding  the  subjects  of 
Spain  and  England  to  make  establishments  in  such  places 
should  remain  in  force  only  so  long  as  no  settlements  should 
be  formed  there  by  the  subjects  of  any  other  power.'* 

These  changes  having  been  agreed  to,  Fitzherbert  pre- 
sented to  Floridablanca  on  October  28  a  new  projet  embody- 
ing them.  He  said  that  he  had  conformed  to  the  ideas  of 
Floridablanca  as  far  as  his  instructions  would  permit.  In 
order  to  discuss  the  new  draft  before  it  should  be  laid  before 
the  King,  the  British  ambassador  proposed  to  call  on  the 
Count  in  the  evening  of  the  same  day.''  When  their  confer- 
ence closed,  the  Spanish  minister  said  that  he  was  still  in 
doubt  whether  the  reply  Avhich  he  should  give  the  next  morn- 
ing would  be  for  peace  or  war.^  On  the  morning  of  October 
24  Floridablanca  said  that  the  King  had  agreed  to  Fitzher- 
bert's  terms  and  had  promised  that  the  convention  should  be 
signed  with  the  usual  formalities  three  or  four  days  later.^ 
The  British  ambassador  pressed  for  an  immediate  signa- 
ture, but  the  minister  said  that  he  could  not  consent  to  it. 
The  Count  was  at  the  time  with  the  King  at  San  Ildefonso, 
whither  His  Majesty  had  gone  on  a  hunting  trip.  Fitzher- 
bert had  gone  to  the  same  place  to  continue  his  conferences 
with  the  Count.  The  latter  said  that  if  the  convention 
should  be  signed  while  there  his  enemies  would  charge  him 
with  having  taken  advantage  of  the  fact  that  he  was  almost 
alone  with  the  King  to  induce  His  Majesty  to  agree  to  a 
measure  contrary  to  the  interests  of  his  Crown.  He  said  also 
that  he  wished,  before  signing,  to  send  a  memorial  to  the 
junta  to  justify  himself  for  signing  the  convention  con- 
trary to  their  opinion.     He  pledged  His  Catholic  Majesty's 

«  Narrative,  297*303. 

•Fitzherbert  to  Floridablanca,  October  23,  1790.     (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 
c  Narrative,  303. 
*  Id.,  291. 


454  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

word  that  the  convention  should  be  signed  "  verbatim  et 
literatim."  °  The  exchange  of  full  powers  took  place  on 
October  26,  and  the  wording  of  the  titles  of  the  two  nego- 
tiators to  be  inserted  in  the  preamble  was  arranged  on 
October  27.^  According  to  the  agreement  made  four  days 
earlier,  the  following  convention  was  signed  on  October  28 : 

The  Nootka  Sound  convention. 

Their  Britannic  and  Catholic  Majesties  being  desirous  of  terminat- 
ing, by  a  speedy  and  solid  agreement,  the  differences  which  have 
lately  arisen  between  the  two  Crowns,  have  considered  that  the  best 
way  of  attaining  this  salutary  object  would  be  that  of  an  amicable 
arrangement  which,  setting  aside  all  retrospective  discussions  of  the 
rights  and  pretensions  of  the  two  parties,  should  regulate  their  re- 
spective positions  for  the  future  on  bases  which  would  be  conformable 
to  their  true  interests  as  well  as  to  the  mutual  desires  with  which 
Their  said  Majesties  are  animated,  of  establishing  with  each  other, 
in  everything  and  in  all  places,  the  most  perfect  friendship,  harmony, 
and  good  correspondence.  With  this  in  view  they  have  named  and 
constituted  for  their  plenipotentiaries,  to  wit,  on  the  part  of  His 
Britannic  Majesty,  Alleyne  Fitzherl)ert,  of  the  privy  council  of  His 
said  Majesty  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  his  ambassador  extraor- 
dinary and  minister  plenipotentiary  to  Ilis  Catholic  Majesty ;  and 
on  the  part  of  His  Catholic  Majesty,  Don  Joseph  Monino,  Count  of 
Floridablanca,  Knight  Grand  Cross  of  the  Royal  Spanish  Order  of 
Charles  III,  counselor  of  state  to  His  said  Majesty,  and  his  principal 
secretary  of  state  and  of  the  cabinet,  who,  after  having  communicated 
to  each  other  their  full  powers,  have  agreed  on  the  following  articles : 

Article  I. 

It  is  agreed  that  the  buildings  and  tracts  of  land  situated  on  the 
Northwest  Coast  of  the  continent  of  North  America,  or  on  islands 
adjacent  to  that  continent,  of  which  the  subjects  of  His  Britannic 
Majesty  were  dispossessed  about  the  month  of  April,  1789,  by  a 
Spanish  officer,  shall  be  restored  to  the  said  British  subjects. 

Abticle  II. 

Further,  a  just  reparation  shall  be  made,  according  to  the  nature 
of  the  case,  for  every  act  of  violence  or  hostility  which  may  have 
been  committed  since  the  said  month  of  April,  1789,  by  the  subjects 
of  either  of  the  contending  parties  against  the  subjects  of  the  other; 

•Narrative,  304. 

*  Fitzherbert  to  Floridablanca,  October  20,  1700.  (MS.  Arcb.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291),  and  same  to  same,  October  27,  1790  (Id.). 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  455 

and  In  case  any  of  the  respective  subjects  shall,  since  the  same 
period,  have  been  forcibly  dispossessed  of  their  lands,  buildings,  ves- 
sels, merchandise,  or  any  other  objects  of  property  on  the  said  conti- 
nent or  on  the  seas  or  islands  adjacent,  they  shall  be  replaced  in  pos- 
session of  them  or  a  just  compensation  shall  be  made  to  them  for  the 
losses  which  they  have  sustained. 

Article  III. 

And  in  order  to  strengthen  the  bonds  of  friendship  and  to  preserve 
in  the  future  a  perfect  harmony  and  good  understanding  between  the 
two  contracting  parties,  it  is  agreed  that  their  respective  subjects  shall 
not  be  disturbed  or  molested  either  in  navigating  or  carrying  on  their 
fisheries  in  the  Pacitic  Ocenn  or  in  the  South  Seiis,  or  in  landing  on  the 
coasts  of  those  seas  in  places  not  already  occupied,  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  on  their  con)merce  with  the  natives  of  the  country  or  of 
making  establishments  there;  the  whole  subject,  nevertheless,  to  the 
restrictions  and  provisions  which  shall  be  specified  in  the  three  follow- 
ing articles. 

Article  IV. 

His  Britannic  Majesty  engages  to  employ  the  most  effective  meas- 
ures to  prevent  the  navigatioji  and  fishery  of  liis  subjects  in  the  Pacific 
Ocean  or  in  the  South  Seas  from  being  made  a  pretext  for  illicit  trade 
with  the  Spanish  settlements ;  and  with  tliis  in  view  it  is  moreover  ex- 
pressly stipulated  that  British  subjects  shall  not  navigate  nor  carry 
on  their  fishery  in  the  said  seas  within  the  distance  of  10  maritime 
leagues  from  any  part  of  the  coast  already  occupied  by  Spain. 

Article  V. 

It  is  agreed  that  as  well  in  the  places  which  are  to  be  restored  to 
British  subjects  by  virtue  of  the  first  article  as  in  all  other  parts  of 
the  Northwest  Coast  of  North  America  or  of  the  islands  adjacent,  sit- 
uated to  the  north  of  the  parts  of  the  said  coast  already  occupied  by 
Spain,  wherever  the  subjects  of  either  of  the  two  powers  shall  have 
made  settlements  since  the  month  of  April,  1789,  or  shall  hereafter 
make  any,  the  subjects  of  the  other  shall  have  free  access  and  shall 
carry  on  their  commerce  without  disturbance  or  molestation. 

Article  VI. 

It  is  further  agreed  with  respect  to  the  eastern  and  western  coasts 
of  South  America  and  the  islands  adjacent,  that  the  respective  subjects 
shall  not  form  in  the  future  any  establishment  on  the  parts  of  the 
coast  situated  to  the  south  of  the  parts  of  the  same  coast  and  of  the  is- 
lands adjacent  already  occupied  by  Spain  ;  it  being  understood  that  the 
said  respective  subjects  shall  retain  the  liberty  of  landing  on  the  coasts 
and  islands  so  situated  for  objects  connected  with  their  fishery  and  of 
erecting  thereon  huts  and  other  temporary  structures  serving  only 
those  objects. 


456  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION". 

Article  VII. 

In  all  cases  of  complaint  or  infraction  of  the  articles  of  the  present 
convention  the  officers  of  either  party  without  previously  permitting 
themselves  to  commit  any  act  of  violence  or  assault  shall  be  bound  to 
make  an  exact  report  of  the  affair  and  of  its  circumstances  to  their 
resi)ective  Courts,  who  will  terminate  the  differences  in  an  amicable 
manner. 

Article  VIII. 

The  present  convention  shall  be  ratified  and  confirmed  within  the 
space  of  six  weeks,  to  be  counted  from  the  day  of  its  signature,  or 
sooner  if  possible. 

In  witness  whereof  we,  the  undersigned  plenipotentiaries  of  their 
Britannic  and  Catholic  Majesties,  have,  in  their  names  and  by  virtue 
of  our  full  powers,  signed  the  present  convention,  and  have  affixed 
thereto  the  seals  of  our  arms. 

Done  at  the  palace  of  San  Lorenzo  the  28th  of  October,  1790.o 

Alleyne  Fitzherbert. 
The  Count  of  Floridablanca. 

Secret  Article. 

Since  by  article  6  of  the  present  convention  it  has  been  stipulated, 
respecting  the  eastern  and  western  coasts  of  South  America,  that  the 
respective  subjects  shall  not  in  the  future  form  any  establishment 
on  the  parts  of  these  coasts  situated  to  the  south  of  the  parts  of  the 
said  coasts  actually  occupied  by  Spain,  it  is  agreed  and  declared  by 
the  present  article  that  this  stipulation  shall  remain  in  force  only  so 
long  as  no  establishment  shall  have  been  formed  by  the  subjects  of 
any  other  power  on  the  coasts  in  question.  This  secret  article  shall 
have  the  same  force  as  if  it  were  inserted  in  the  convention. 

In  witness  whereof,  etc.''' 

Katifications  were  exchanged  by  Floridablanca  and  Fitz- 
herbert on  November  22. 

The  fact  that  the  convention  was  signed  in  opposition  to 
the  advice  of  the  special  junta  occasioned  lively  comment 
for  several  weeks  in  Spanish  official  circles.  It  will  be 
recalled  from  the  last  chapter  that  the  sittings  of  the  junta 
were  on  October  21,  22,  24,  and  25,  and  that  on  the  last  date 
the  junta  hurried  its  conclusions  off  to  Floridablanca,  advis- 
ing war  rather  than  compliance  with  the  English  demands. 

«  Narrative,  292  ;  An.  Reg.,  XXXII,  303  ;  Calvo,  Recueil,  III,  3,56. 
"Calvo  adds  the  secret  article,  but  it  has  not  been  published  in  any  other 
work. 


.  NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.    ,      457 

From  a  statement  in  an  earlier  part  of  the  present  chapter, 
it  will  be  remembered  that  the  convention  was  virtually  con- 
cluded batween  Floridablanca  and  Fitzherbert  at  their  inter- 
view of  October  23;  and  that  on  the  next  day  the  King 
pledged  his  word  to  sign  the  convention  as  it  then  was. 

On  October  27  a  letter  from  Floridablanca  informed  Iri- 
arte,  the  secretary  of  the  junta,  that  the  conclusions  of  the 
junta  had  been  received  on  the  25th,  had  been  laid  before 
the  King  on  the  2Gth,  and  were  being  considered  by  the 
Council  of  State.  He  cautioned  the  members  of  the  junta 
to  keep  the  proceedings  of  that  body  absolutely  secret."  The 
Count  evidently  hoped  to  keep  concealed  the  fact  that  the 
convention  had  already  been  agreed  upon.  He  did  not  suc- 
ceed long  in  doing  this.  On  October  28  Iriarte  replied  to 
the  Count's  letter  of  the  day  before,  discussing  at  length  the 
latter's  injunction  to  secrecy.  Notes  in  Iriarte's  hand  on 
slips  of  paper  inserted  later  in  these  two  letters  show  that 
he  had  learned  of  the  fact  of  the  convention's  having  been 
agreed  upon  before  the  conclusions  of  the  junta  had  been 
received,  though  it  had  not  been  signed  until  afterwards.  In 
proof  of  the  fact  he  referred  to  a  circular  letter  which  the 
British  ambassador  had  written  on  October  26,  telling  all 
of  the  English  consuls  in  Spain  that  the  dispute  had  been 
settled  and  that  the  convention  would  be  formally  signed  in 
a  few  days.  Another  brief  note  similarly  inserted  censured 
the  administration  very  severely  for  accepting  the  English 
terms.    It  said : 

This  convention  of  October  28,  1790,  is  the  first  treaty  that  has  been 
made  during  the  reign  of  Charles  IV,  and  in  it  has  been  conceded  to 
England  what  has  always  been  resisted  and  refused  to  all  powers 
since  the  discovery  of  the  Indies;  and  the  concession  means  much 
to  US.& 

On  November  21  Floridablanca  expressed  the  King's 
thanks  to  all  of  the  ministers  that  took  part  in  the  junta 
for  their  promptness  and  zeal.  His  Majesty  assured  them 
that  he  would  not  have  hesitated  a  moment  to  carry  out  their 
recommendations  if  motives  absolutely  secret  to  himself  had 
not  compelled  him  to  order  the  convention  signed.     The 

"Floridablanca  to  Iriarte,  October  27,  1790.  (MS.  Arch,  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Eatado,  2848.) 

"Iriarte  to  Floridablanca,  October  28,  1700  (Id.),  inclosing  notes  men- 
tioned above,  and  Fltzherbert's  letter  to  the  consuls  of  October  26. 


458  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION-. 

Count  inclosed  some  reflections  on  the  convention  which  His 
Majesty  offered  in  addition  to  the  secret  motives.* 

These  reflections  declared  that  the  purpose  of  the  Conven- 
tion was  to  avoid  a  war  in  the  present  unhappy  circum- 
stances, reserving  it  for  a  more  favorable  time,  if  it  should 
become  necessary.  It  did  not  involve  an  absolute  renuncia- 
tion in  case  Spain  chose  not  to  observe  it.  It  was  shown  that 
by  a  strict  interpretation  of  some  of  its  terms  the  Convention 
could  be  made  of  little  value  to  England  and  little  loss 
to  Spain.  In  the  stipulations  that  granted  to  English 
subjects  privileges  of  commerce  and  settlement  north  or 
south  of  places  already  occupied,  attention  was  called  to 
the  expression  "  already  occupied."  The  word  "  occupied  " 
did  not  mean  nearly  so  much  as  "  inhabited  "  or  "  peopled  " 
would  have  meant,  and  "  already "  did  not  mean  "  ac- 
tually "  or  "  now."  If  a  place  had  been  once  occupied  and 
then  abandoned  this  expression  could  be  made  to  apply  to 
it.  The  implication  was  that  formal  acts  of  taking  posses- 
sion where  there  had  been  no  thought  of  making  an  actual 
settlement  could  be  made  to  come  under  this  head.  Such 
acts  had  been  performed  practically  all  along  the  coast. 
Such  a  construction  would  have  almost  nullified  the  privi- 
leges granted  to  England.  The  reflections  said  further  that 
the  English  were  not  allowed  to  approach  Spanish  settle- 
ments and  Spain  had  equal  rights  with  England  anywhere 
on  the  coast.  It  was  thought  that  Russia's  fear  of  English 
encroachments  would  be  a  safeguard  against  England. 
English  trade  and  settlements  were  limited  to  the  part  of 
the  coast  north  of  Nootka.  It  was  insisted  that  the  treaty 
simply  recognized  existing  conditions;  that  it  conceded  noth- 
ing except  what  had  been  allowed,  and  on  the  other  hand 
obtained  concessions  by  limiting  the  privileges.  It  was  pro- 
posed to  observe  the  (Convention  only  so  long  as  it  should  be 
to  the  advantage  of  Spain  to  do  so.  Whenever  she  felt 
strong  enough  to  assert  her  ancient  rights  she  could  still  do 
it.^  The  purpose  of  these  arguments  was  doubtless  to  quiet 
adverse  criticism  of  the  Convention.  It  was  partially  suc- 
cessful at  the  time.     A  few  days  later,  after  the  letter  of 

» Floridablanca  to  Iriarte,  November  21,1790.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Sec.  Estado,  2848.) 

*  Reflections  submitted  to  the  junta.     (Id.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  459 

Floridablanca  and  the  reflections  had  been  considered,  all  of 
the  ministers  of  the  junta  sent  to  the  King  their  thanks  for 
his  confidence.**  But  this  success  did  not  last  long.  Criti- 
cism of  the  Convention  continued  and  finally  led  to  the  over- 
throw of  Floridablanca.  In  May,  1791,  the  British  ambas- 
sador wrote  that  the  Spanish  prime  minister  was  very 
anxious  to  have  England  take  effectual  measures  for  pre- 
venting British  vessels  from  touching  at  Spanish  ports,  that 
his  enemies  might  not  find  new  reasons  for  attacking  him.* 
Finall}'-,  in  the  latter  part  of  February,  1792,  Floridablanca 
was  dismissed  from  office.  The  Nootka  business  was  said  to 
have  been  the  principal  cause  of  his  fall.'' 

News  of  the  agreement  to  sign  the  convention  reached 
London  November  4.  On  that  day  Leeds  wrote  to  Auckland 
that  a  messenger  had  just  arrived  with  a  dispatch  from 
Fitzherbert,  dated  October  24,  sa3dng  that  the  convention 
had  been  agreed  upon  and  would  be  signed  four  days  later. 
A  copy  inclosed  with  this  letter  exactly  corresponds  to  the 
convention  as  signed.*^  An  unofficial  letter,  written  on  the 
same  day  by  a  clerk  in  the  foreign  office  and  accompanying 
this  official  note,  declared  that  the  convention  w^ould  speak 
for  itself;  that  it  contained  everything  that  England  had 
demanded.  The  writer  said  that  the  Spanish  ministry  had 
been  decidedly  for  war  rather  than  make  the  sacrifice, 
but  that  Floridablanca  had  obtained  the  King's  consent 
while  on  a  hunting  trip,  and  pledged  his  master's  word  that 
the  convention  would  be  signed  on  their  return,  that  it 
might  have  the  sanction  of  his  colleagues  "  pro  forma." « 
The  signed  con^^ention  reached  London  five  daj^s  later. 
Leeds  immediately  sent  a  copy  of  it  to  Auckland,  that  the 
latter  might  lay  it  before  the  Dutch  (government.  The 
Duke  congratulated  the  ambassador  on  the  happy  termina- 
tion of  such  a  very  important  negotiation.^     On  the  day  of 

»  n-iarte  to  Floridablanca,  November  24  [29],  1790.      (Id.) 

»St.  Helens  to  Grenville,  May  IG,  1791.  (Fortescue  MSS.,  II,  74.)  Fitz- 
herbert had  been  raised  to  the  peerage  as  Baron  St.  Helens.  Grenville  had 
succeeded  Leeds  in  the  foreign  office. 

"St.  Helens  to  Grenville,  February  28,  1792  (id.,  256),  and  inclosure  dated 
Madrid,  March  21,  1792,  in  a  letter  of  Auckland  to  Grenville,  .January  19, 
1793   (Id.,  368). 

"Leeds  to  Auckland,  November  4,  1790.      (Brit.  Mus.  MSS.,  34434,  t°  14.) 

•Aust  to  Auckland,  November  4,  1790.      (Id.,  f°  20.) 

r  Leeds  to  Auckland,  November  9,  1790.      (Id.,  t"  43.) 


d 


460  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

its  arrival,  November  9,  the  British  Court  ratified  the  con- 
vention, and  hurried  a  messenger  off  to  Fitzherbert.«  As 
stated  above,  the  ratifications  were  exchanged  at  Madrid 
on  November  22. 

On  November  12  Burges,  under  secretary  for  the  foreign 
office,  wrote  to  Auckland : 

That  you  and  our  Dutch  friends  are  satisfied  with  the  conclusion  of 
the  Spanish  business,  I  am  not  surprised.  Even  tlie  opposition  here, 
always  ready  enough  to  pick  holes,  as  you  know,  whenever  they  can, 
seem  to  be  dumfounded,  and  to  have  nothing  to  say  against  us 
except  that  we  have  asked  and  carried  so  much  that  it  is  impossible 
such  a  peace  can  last  long. 

Speaking  of  the  credit  given  to  Fitzherbert  for  his  suc- 
cess in  the  negotiation  and  of  the  honor  conferred  upon  him 
by  his  being  raised  to  the  peerage,  the  same  letter  continued : 

Fitzherbert  of  course  gains  nuich  glory,  as  all  good  ministers  shx)uld 
who  follow  up  their  instructions,  and  I  understand  that  he  is  forth- 
with to  receive  the  high  reward  of  an  Irish  peerage.6 

These  references  are  sufficient  to  show  that  the  English 
ministry  was  highly  pleased  with  the  success  of  the  negotia- 
tion. On  November  24  the  mayor,  the  aldermen,  and  the 
commons  of  the  city  of  London,  in  common  council  assem- 
bled, assured  the  King  of  their  gratitude  for  the  continu- 
ance of  peace  with  Spain,  and  congratulated  him  on  the  rec- 
onciliation.'' On  November  20  Parliament  assembled.  The 
King's  speech  mentioned  the  successful  termination  of  the 
negotiation  and  laid  before  the  Houses  copies  of  the  declara- 
tion and  counter  declaration  and  the  convention.^  On  the 
same  da}^  the  House  of  Lords  accorded  enthusiastic  thanks 
and  congratulations.''     Four  days  later  tlie  Commons,  after 

"  Narrative,  ."^OO. 

"Burges  to  Auckland,  November  12,  1790.  (Brit.  Mus.,  MSS.  .34434,  f°  58.) 
This  quotation  talcen  with  the  sentence  which  follows  shows  that  Burges  con- 
sidered about  as  much  of  the  success  due  to  himself  as  to  Fitzherbert.  Con- 
tinuing, he  said  :  "  This  lias  been  a  very  fortunate  business  for  him,  for 
though  undoubtedly  he  has  had  some  trouble,  his  instructions  were  so  full  and 
so  positive,  that  little  more  on  his  part  was  necessary  than  a  literal  adherence 
to  them.  From  the  turn  things  have  unexpectedly  taken,  I  am  apprehensive 
you  must  for  some  time  give  me  credit  on  this  head."  It  was  in  this  letter 
that  Burges  made  the  statement  ^vhich  assisted  in  identifying  him  as  the 
compiler  of  the  anonymous  Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  between  England 
and  Spain,  to  which  frequent  reference  has  been  made.  (See  p.  365,  antea, 
note  a.) 

"  An.  Reg.,  XXXII,  305. 

*Parl.  Hist.,  XXVIII,  891. 

•  Id.,  893. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  461 

an  extended  debate  and  some  criticisms  from  the  opposition, 
approved  the  address,  and  assured  the  King  that  provision 
Avould  be  made  for  the  expenses  of  the  armament.*^  A  gen- 
eral discussion  of  the  merits  of  the  convention  was  made  the 
order  of  the  day  for  December  13  in  the  House  of  Lords. 
The  debate  was  extended,  and  the  criticism  of  the  ministry 
by  the  opposition  w^as  very  severe.  The  friends  of  the 
Government  seemed  confident  of  the  results  and  did  not  ex- 
ert themselves  greatly  to  refute  the  arguments.  The  conven- 
tion was  approved.^  On  the  same  day  the  Commons  de})ated 
a  motion  calling  for  all  of  the  correspondence  on  the  dispute. 
There  were  the  same  violent  attacks  by  the  opposition  and 
the  same  apparent  indifference  on  the  part  of  the  friends 
of  the  administration.  The  motion  was  defeated  by  an  over- 
whelming majority.  On  the  next  day,  December  14,  the 
merits  of  the  convention  were  discussed.  The  opposing  sides 
manifested  much  the  same  spirit,  and  in  the  end  the  conven- 
tion was  approved  by  a  large  majority.^" 

The  logical  results  of  the  convention  were  interfered  with 
by  England's  taking  part  in  the  Avar  against  France  within 
a  little  more  than  two  years  after  its  signature.  This  ab-  ^ 
sorbed  her  attention  almost  continuously  for  tAventy-two 
years  and  prevented  her,  to  a  great  extent,  from  taking  ad- 
vantage of  the  concessions  gained.  Before  the  end  of  that 
period  the  United  States  had  entered  the  contest  for  controll- 
ing the  Northwest  Coast,  and  in  a  few  years  more  purchased 
the  Spanish  claim.  Thereby  the  whole  matter  was  merged 
in  the  Oregon  controversy.  The  immediate  result  for  Eng- 
land was  that  she  obtained  free  access  to  an  extended  coast, 
of  which  she  has  since  come  into  full  possession.  For  Spain, 
it  was  the  first  external  evidence  of  the  weakness  of  the  reign 
of  Charles  IV,  and  was  the  beginning  of  the  series  of  disas-  0 
ters  which  Spain  successively  suffered  under  that  incompe- 

« Id.,  899-906. 

» Id.,  933-948. 

c  Id.,  949-1003.  It  would  be  interesting  to  discuss  tiiese  long  debates  in 
detail,  but  of  little  value.  The  ai-guments  of  the  opposition  are  much  more 
extended  than  those  of)  the  supporters  of  the  Government.  This  is  doubtless 
what  has  led  many  writers  into  making  the  misleading  statement  that  the 
treaty  was  unfavorably  received.  The  statement  is  true  only  in  so  far  as  it 
applies  to  the  opposition.  Such  criticism  would  be  expected  from  them,  no 
matter-  how  favorable  the  treaty  really  was. 


u 


462  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

tent  Monarch  and  his  corrupt  advisers.  It  was  the  first  ex- 
,->  press  renunciation  of  Spain's  ancient  claim  to  exclusive  sov- 
ereignty over  the  American  shores  of  the  Pacific  Ocean  and 
the  South  Seas.  It  marks  the  beginning  of  the  collapse  of 
the  Spanish  colonial  system.^* 

«  In  bundle  2848,  Sec.  Estado,  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid,  is  a  bunch  of 
p  documents,  about  an  inch  thick,  marked  "  Subsequent  references  and  notes  on 

the  convention  concluded  on  October  28,  1790,  regarding  fisheries,  navigation, 
and  commerce  in  the  Pacific  Ocean  and  the  South  Seas."  They  were  collected 
by  Iriarte  and  presented  to  the  I'rlnre  of  Peace  [Godoy].  They  bear  a  variety 
of  dates,  some  as  late  as  1797,  and  are  quotations  from  various  European 
newspapers,  reports  of  conversations,  and  copies  of  letters.  Their  purpose 
seems  to  have  been  to  show  the  injustice  of  England  in  demanding  such  ex- 
travagant terms. 


Chapter  XIV. 

SUBSEQUENT    NEGOTIATIONS    AND    FINAL    SETTLEMENT    OF    THE 
NOOTKA    SOUND    DISPUTE. 

Although  the  convention  was  conchided  in  1790,  yet  the 
Nootka  Sound  affair  was  still  far  from  settled.  The  first 
article  of  the  convention,  agreeing  to  restore  to  British  sub- 
jects the  buildings  and  lands  which  had  been  taken  from 
them  at  Nootka,  had  to  be  carried  out.  The  agreement  of 
the  Spanish  declaration  of  July  24  to  indemnify  the  parties 
concerned  in  the  ships  captured  at  Nootka  was  also  still  to  be 
fulfilled.  It  required  a  long  arbitration  and  two  new  con- 
ventions to  accomplish  these  results,  and  in  the  meantime  an 
intimate  treaty  of  alliance  had  been  entered  into  for  mutual 
protection  against  the  excesses  of  the  French  Revolution. 
It  was  more  than  four  years  before  these  matters  were  finally 
adjusted.     The  present  chapter  will  review  them  briefly. 

The  English  and  Spanish  Governments  each  appointed  a 
commissioner  to  go  to  Nootka  and  carry  out  the  agreement 
of  the  first  article  of  the  convention  of  October  28,  1790. 
The  commissioners  did  not  meet  until  the  summer  of  1792. 
A  brief  statement  should  be  made  concerning  the  establish- 
ment at  Nootka  between  the  events  of  1789  and  the  meeting 
of  the  commissioners  three  years  later.  Martinez's  abandon- 
ment of  Nootka  in  the  fall  of  1789  and  his  return  to  Mexico 
was  discussed  in  a  former  chapter.  The  plans  of  the  Vice- 
roy for  sending  a  new  expedition  under  Eliza  to  reoccupy 
the  post  in  the  spring  of  1790  were  studied  in  the  same 
chapter.**  The  Viceroy  feared  that  Nootka  would  be  seized 
by  the  English  before  his  expedition  could  reach  the  place, 
or  that  an  English  expedition  might  later  attempt  to  wrest 
the  post  from  the  Spanish.^  His  fears  were  not  realized. 
The  port  was  reoccupied  and  held  without  opposition.     Dur- 

•  Chapter  VI. 

*>  Instructions  from  Bodega  y  Quadra  to  Eliza,  San  Bias,  January  28,  1790. 
(MS.  Arch.  Gen.  de  Indias,  Seville,  90-3-26.) 

463 


464  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

ing  the  three  following  seasons  a  substantial  Spanish  settle- 
D  ment  was  formed,  and,  using  this  as  a  center,  exploring 
expeditions  examined  the  neighboring  coast." 

The  British  commissioner  for  carrying  out  the  convention 
was  Captain  Vancouver.  He  left  England  in  1791  and  was 
to  reach  the  Northwest  Coast  in  the  spring  of  the  following 
year.  His  principal  business  was  to  explore  that  coast.  Ad- 
ditional instructions  concerning  the  transfer  of  Nootka  were 
to  be  sent  to  liim  later.^  These  reached  him  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1792  while  he  was  engaged  in  exploring  the  coast  in 
the  neighborhood  of  the  island  that  later  received  his  name. 
He  arrived  at  Nootka  lat«  in  August.  He  found  there 
Bodega  y  Quadra,  the  Spanish  commissioner.  It  would  be 
of  little  value  to  follow  in  detail  the  negotiations  between 
them,  since  their  mission  accomplished  nothing.  They  could 
not  agree,  although,  personally,  a  very  strdng  friendship 
sprang  up  between  them.  Vancouver  expected  that  the 
entire  establishment  would  be  transferred  to  England. 
Quadra,  after  careful  investigation,  became  convinced  that 

O  the  English  had  never  purchased  nor  taken  possession  of  any 
land  except  the  small  plat  of  ground  on  which  Meares's  tem- 
porary house  had  stood  in  1788.  Consequently  he  offered 
to  transfer  this,  but  no  more.  Vancouver  refused  to  accept 
so  little  and  the  whole  matter  was  referred  back  to  the  Gov- 
ernments at  London  and  Madrid.*'    Having  continued  his 

d  survey  of  the  coast  for  two  years  longer,  Vancouver  returned 
to  Nootka  in  the  summer  of  1794  expecting  that  new  instruc- 
tions would  be  awaiting  him  regarding  the  transfer.  He 
was  disappointed.  He  waited  two  months  at  Nootka  for  them, 
then  went  to  Monterey,  where  he  waited  nearly  two  months 
more.  The  English  instructions  still  did  not  come,  but  the 
Spanish  commissioner  had  received  his  orders,  and  Vancouver 
was  informed  that  a  special  British  commissioner  had  been 
sent  for  the  purpose.    On  December  1  he  sailed  for  England.'* 

« Voyage  of  the  Sutil  y  Mexicana  In  1792,  Introduction  ;  Mexico  &  Traves 
<Je  Los  Siglos,  II,  879  ;  Inforrae  of  Revilla-Gigedo  of  April  12,  1793,  in  Busta- 
mante  (Cavo),  Los  Tres  Siglos,  III,  330;  Pedro  Feger,  Nouvelles  Annales  de 
Voyages,  CI,  19. 

"  Vancouver,  V^oyages,  I,  47-49  and  58-75. 

«Id.,  335  ff;  Bustamante  (Cavo),  Los  Tres  Siglos,  III,  133-140;  Green- 
how,  Oregon  and  California,  241-246. 

"Vancouver,  Voyages,  VI,  65-95,  117,  126.  The  commission  was  to  him 
first  and  to  the  special  commissioner  in  Vancouver's  absence.  (See  Id.  p. 
118.) 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  465 

While  the  arrangements  were  being  made  to  send  the  above 
commissioners  to  Nootka  to  carry  out  the  stipulations  in  the 
first  article  of  the  convention,  steps  were  also  being  taken 
to  fulfill  the  agreement  in  the  declarations  of  July  24.  The 
two  Governments  appointed  commissioners  to  decide  on  the 
amount  of  the  indemnity  which  Spain  should  pay  to  those 
interested  in  the  ships  captured  at  Nootka.  Tlieir  negotia- 
tion was  conducted  at  London.  The  Spanish  agent,  Manuel 
de  Las  Heras,  was  sent  in  May,  1791.  Baron  St.  Helens 
[Fitzherbert]  wrote  on  May  29  introducing  him  to  Lord 
Grenville,  who  had  succeeded  the  Duke  of  Leeds  in  the  for- 
eign office.  Heras  was  also  consul-general  to  England.  St. 
Helens  said : 

He  appears  to  me  to  be  very  sensible,  well  informed,  and  right 
headed ;  so  that  I  am  persuaded  that  he  will  do  his  best  in  order  to 
execute  the  connnission  with  which  he  is  charged  to  the  satisfaction 
of  both  Courts.o 

When  the  Spanish  commissioner  reached  London  he  either 
misunderstood  his  instructions  or  was  intentionally  very 
reserved  regarding  them.  On  August  26  Grenville  wrote 
to  St.  Helens : 

The  sending  of  M.  Las  Heras  at  last  without  any  instructions  is 
really  abominable,  and  would  be  re<ison  enough,  if  we  were  so  dis- 
posed, to  refuse  to  hear  of  alliance  or  anything  else. 

He  appealed  to  St.  Helens  to  ''  make  those  slow  Spaniards 
send  instructions  and  powers,  and,  above  all,  liberty  to  refer 
the  matter  to  arbitration,  by  which  the  ministers  of  both 
Courts  will  get  it  off  their  hands."  ^  On  receipt  of  this  letter 
the  British  ambassador  called  the  attention  of  Floridablanca 
to  the  commissioner's  delay  in  negotiating.  The  Spanish 
minister  thought  that  the  instructions  to  Heras  were  clear 
and  explicit;  nevertheless,  he  sent  additional  instructions  on 
September  8  authorizing  the  commissioner  to  settle  and  liqui- 
date the  damages,  with  the  concurrence  of  Campo,  the  Span- 
ish ambassador.  He  was  to  give  the  British  Court  to  under- 
stand that  in  case  of  difference  the  Spanish  King  was  willing 
to  submit  the  matter  to  arbitration.  The  Count  had  given 
St.  Helens  a  copy  of  these  instructions  and  the  latter  sent 

»  St.  Helens  to  Grenville,  May  29,  1791  ;  Fortescue  MSS.,  II,  8t> 
"Grenville  to  St.  Helens,  August  2G,  1791.      (Id.,  17G.) 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 30 


466  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

them  to  Grenville,  saying  that  they  seemed  satisfactory  ex- 
cept that  the  conmiissioner  did  not  have  authority  to  settle 
finally  without  submitting  the  matter  to  the  Spanish  King. 
He  remarked  that  such  would  have  been  an  unprecedented 
power  and  said  that  His  Catholic  Majesty  had  promised  to 
act  on  it  immediately.** 

It  seems  that  the  commissioners  failed  to  agree  and  that 
the  matter  was  referred  to  a  court  of  arbitration,  which  sat 
at  or  near  Madrid  in  the  early  part  of  the  next  year.  On 
May  14,  1792,  St.  Helens  wrote  from  Aranjuez  that  the 
Nootka  arbitration  business  was  "  en  bon  train,"  and  though 
it  was  going  more  slowly  than  expected  he  hoped  to  send 
dispatches  concerning  it  in  a  very  few  days.^  A  fortnight 
later  the  business  had  taken  a  new  turn.  The  British  am- 
bassador wrote : 

I  can  not  but  hope  that  the  proposal  which  goes  by  this  messenger 
for  settling  what  the  Count  of  Aranda  c  calls  the  fastidious  business 
of  the  Nootlca  claims  by  the  payment  of  a  round  sum  of  money  as  a 
discharge  in  full  will  strike  your  fancy  as  much  as  it  does  his  and 
mine. 

The  writer  added  that  if  the  offer  should  be  thought  too 
small  he  Avas  confident  that  Spain  would  increase  it  ten,  fif- 
teen, or  even  twenty  thousand  Spanish  dollars.  If  Gren- 
ville should  reject  the  offer  and  wish  the  matter  to  revert  to 
arbitration  he  said  that  Aranda  would  facilitate  it.**  The 
amount  offered  was  200.000  Spanish  dollars.  About  two 
months  later  the  Nootka  claimants  were  called  upon  to  decide 
whetlier  they  Avished  to  accept  the  offer  or  to  have  the 
matter  referred  back  to  Madrid  in  hope  of  having  the  sum 
increased.^  The  claimants  apparently  did  not  accept  the 
offer.  ,A  month  afterwards  Dundas,  the  home  secretary, 
wrote : 

The  Nootka  business,  I  take  It  for  granted,  will  get  on,  but  it  hangs 
rather  unaccountably.  I  suspect  that  both  sides  are  in  some  degree 
to  blame./' 

"St.  Helens  to  Grenville,  October  3,  1791.      (Id.,  203.) 
*Same  to  same,  May  14,  1792.      (Id.,  268.) 

"  The  new  prime  minister,  appointed  on  the  fall  of  Floridablanca. 
*St.  Helens  to  Grenville,  May  29,  1792.      (Fortescue  MSS.,  II,  275.) 
•Grenville  to  Dundas,  August  4,  1792.      (Id.,  297.)      Dundas  was  '^ome  sec- 
retary. 

'Dundas  to  Grenville,  September  2,  1792.      (Id.,  307.) 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVEESY.  467 

After  a  delay  of  several  months  more,  the  Spanish  Court 
increased  the  offer  by  $10,000.  On  February  12,  1793,  the 
following  convention  w^s  signed : 

NootJca  claims  convention. 

In  Tirtue  of  the  declarations  exchanged  at  Madrid  on  the  24th  of 
July,  1790,  and  of  the  convention  signed  at  the  Escorial  on  the  18th 
[28th]  of  the  following  October,  Their  Catholic  and  Britannic  Majes- 
ties, desiring  to  regulate  and  detennine  definitely  everything  regard- 
ing the  restitution  of  the  British  ships  seized  at  Nootka,  as  well  as 
the  indemnification  of  the  parties  interested  in  the  ships,  have  named 
for  this  purpose  and  constituted  as  their  commissioners  and  pleni- 
potentiaries, to  wit,  on  the  part  of  His  Catholic  Majesty,  Don  Manuel 
de  lias  Heras,  commissary  in  His  said  Majesty's  armies,  and  his 
agent  and  consul-general  in  the  Kingdoms  of  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land ;  and  on  the  part  of  His  Britannic  Majesty,  Mr,  Ralph  Woodford, 
Kniglit  Baronet  of  Great  Britain ;  who,  after  having  communicated 
their  full  powers,  have  agreed  upon  the  following  articles ; 

Article  1. 

His  Catholic  Majesty,  besides  having  restored  the  ship  Argonaut, 
the  restoration  of  which  took  place  in  the  port  of  San  l^las  in  tlie  year 
1791  [1790],  agrees  to  pay  as  indemnity  to  the  parties  interested  in 
it  the  amount  of  two  hundred  and  ten  thousand  hard  dollars  in 
specie,  it  being  understood  that  this  sum  is  to  ser^^e  as  compensa- 
tion and  complete  indemnification  for  all  their  losses,  whatever  they 
may  be,  without  any  exception,  and  without  leaving  the  possibility 
of  a  future  remonstrance  on  any  pretext  or  motive. 

Aeticle  II. 

Said  payment  shall  be  made  on  the  day  on  which  the  present  con- 
vention shall  be  signed  by  the  commissioner  of  His  Catholic  Majesty 
in  the  presence  of  the  commissioner  of  His  Britannic  Majesty,  which 
latter  shall  give  at  the  same  time  an  acknowledgment  of  payment 
consistent  with  the  terms  enunciated  in  the  former  article  and  signed 
by  the  said  commissioner  for  himself  and  in  the  name  and  by  the 
order  of  His  Britannic  Majesty  and  of  the  said  interested  parties. 
And  there  shall  be  attached  to  the  present  convention  a  copy,  of  the 
said  acknowledgment  of  payment,  executed  in  the  proper  form,  and 
likewise  of  the  respective  full  powers  and  of  the  authorizations  of  the 
said  interested  parties. 

Article  III. 

Tlie  ratifications  of  the  present  convention  shall  be  exchanged  in 
this  city  of  London  within  a  period  of  six  weeks  from  the  date  of  its 
signature,  or  before  if  possible. 


468  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

In  witness  whereof  we,  the  undersigned  commissioners  and  pleni- 
potentiaries of  Tlieir  Catliolic  and  Britannic  Majesties,  have  signed 
tlie  present  convention  in  their  names  and  in  virtue  of  our  respective 
full  powers,  affixing  to  it  the  seals  of  our  arms. 
Done  at  Whitehall,  February  12,  1793.o 

Manuel  de  Las  Heras. 
R.  Woodford. 

During  all  of  the  time  that  the  neL':otiations  were  in  prog- 
ress over  the  liquidation  of  the  Nootka  claims,  a  treaty  of 
alliance  and  commerce  between  England  and  Spain  was  be- 
ing discussed.  The  British  Court  attempted  to  induce  the 
Spanish  Government  to  accept  duties  on  English  manufac- 
tures, "  instead,"  as  Grenville  said,  "  of  paying  an  army  not 
to  prevent  their  being  smuggled."  In  the  same  connection 
he  remarked,  "  but  that,  I  fear,  is  a  trait  of  wisdom  far  be- 
yond their  comprehension."  *  The  negotiation  dragged 
through  1791  and  1702  and  into  1703.  In  the  meantime 
Spain  had  tAvice  changed  prime  ministers.  On  the  fall  of 
Floridablanca,  Aranda  had  succeeded  him.  After  holding 
the  ]:)osition  for  about  a  year  Aranda  was  succeeded  by  the 
Duke  of  Alcudia,  the  famous  Godoy,  known  as  the  Prince  of 
Peace,  the  paramour  of  the  corrupt  Queen.  The  impulse 
that  finally  brought  the  negotiations  to  a  crisis  was  the  mur- 
der of  the  French  King  by  order  of  the  Convention.  A 
shudder  of  horror  passed  over  Europe.  Four  days  after  the 
death  of  Louis  XVI  the  British  Cabinet  decided  to  author- 
ize St.  Helens  to  discuss  a  permanent  alliance  with  the  Court 
of  Spain  against  the  excesses  of  the  French  Revolution.  The 
alliance  was  to  be  commercial,  offensive,  and  defensive." 
Such  an  alliance  was  concluded  May  25,  1703,  and  ratified  by 
the  British  Court  on  June  21  following.  Ratifications  were 
exchanged  «Tuly  5.^ 

This  alliance  facilitated  the  settlement  of  the  Nootka  busi- 
ness. After  the  failure  of  Vancouver  and  Quadra  to  agree 
in  1702  as  to  what  should  be  surrendered  at  Nootka,  the 
Governments  took  up  the  matter  again.     AVhile  the  nego- 

«  Translated  from  the  Spanish  copy  published  in  Cairo,  Reciieil  Complet  des 
Traites  de  I'Amerique  Latine,  III,  364. 

»  Grenville  to  St.  Helens,  August  26,  1791.      (Fortescue  MSS.,  II,  176.) 

<' Cabinet  minute,  January  25,  1793.      (Id.,  373.) 

''Grenville  to  St.  Helens,  June  21,  1793.  (Id.,  398.)  The  documents  relat- 
ing to  the  negotiation  are  found  in  bundle  4221,  Sec.  Estado,  of  the  Archivo 
Ilistorico  Nacional  at  Madrid. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  469 

tiations  for  this  purpose  were  in  progress  a  long  letter  from 
Revilla-(jigedo,  the  Viceroy  of  Mexico,  reached  Madrid. 
This  was  the  informe  of  April  12,  1793,  to  Avhich  reference 
has  frequentl}^  been  made.  Godoy,  the  Spanish  prime  min- 
ister, w^rote  to  the  Viceroy  that  in  view  of  this  and  other 
letters  from  the  same  source  he  had  concluded  a  convention 
with  St.  Helens."  In  this  long  letter  the  Viceroy,  after  hav- 
ing given  a  brief  history  of  the  Spanish  operations  on  the 
Northwest  Const,  and  especially  the  Xootka  expeditions, 
gave  an  extended  discussion,  the  purpose  of  Avhich  was  to 
show  that  Nootka  was  not  worth  retaining.  He  dwelt  on  the 
millions  that  had  been  spent  during  the  past  twenty-five 
years  in  erecting  and  sustaining  new  establishments  in 
Upper  California,  and  discouraged  attempts  to  occupy  more 
distant  places.  He  indorsed  the  idea  of  settling  the  Straits 
of  Juan  de  Fuca  and  southward,  but  he  thought  that  settle- 
ments farther  north  woidd  be  a  cause  of  anxiety  and  fruit- 
less expense  and  would  afford  occasions  for  quarrels  and  mis- 
understandings witli  P^ngland.  If  England  wished  to  main- 
tain possession  of  Nootka  as  a  point  of  honor,  he  declared 
that  Spain  ought  to  yield  to  her.  He  proposed  a  generous 
surrender  of  the  post  to  the  English.^ 

The  convention  to  avhich  Godoy  referred  as  having  been 
concluded  by  himself  with  the  British  ambassador  was 
signed  at  Madrid  on  January  11,  1794,  and  was  as  follows: 

Convent  ion  fo?-  the  mutual  ahandonmcnt  of  Nootka. 

Their  Catholic  and  Britannic  Majesties  desiring  to  remove  and 
obviate  all  doubt  and  difiiculty  relative  to  the  execution  of  article  1 
of  the  convention  concluded  between  Their  said  IMajestios  on  the  2Sth 
of  October,  1790,  have  resolved  and  agreed  to  order  that  new  instruc- 
tions be  sent  to  the  othcials  who  have  been  respectively  connnissioncMl 
to  carry  out  the  said  article,  the  tenor  of  which  instructions  shall  be 
as  follows : 

That  within  the  shortest  time  that  may  be  possible  after  the  ar- 
rival of  the  said  officials  at  Nootka  they  shall  meet  in  the  place,  or 
near,  where  the  buildings  stood  which  were  formerly  occupied  I)y 
the  subjects  of  His  Britannic  Majesty,  at  which  time  and  in  which 
place  they  shall  exchange  mutually  the  following  declaration  and 
counter  declaration : 

•  [Alcudia]  to  Revina-Gipfedo,  January  29,  1794.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Na- 
clonal,  Madrid,  Sec.  Est-^do,  4201.) 

"  Revilla-CJiffodo  to  Alcudia,  Mexico,  April  12,  1793.  (Bustaraante  (Cavo), 
Los  Tres  Siglos,  III,  112-164.)      ^ 


on 


o 


470  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Declaration. 

••I^  N N ,  In  the  name  and  by  the  order  of  His  Catholic 

Majesty,  by  means  of  these  presents  restore  to   N N the 

buildings  and  districts  of  land  situated  on  the  Northwest  Coast  of 
the  continent  of  North  America,  or  the  islands  adjacent  to  that  con- 
tinent, of  which  the  subjects  of  His  Britannic  Majesty  were  dis- 
possessed by  a  Spanish  officer  toward  the  month  of  April,  1789.  In 
witness  whereof  I   have  signed  the  present  declaration,   sealing  it 

with   the   seal    of   my   arms.     Done   at   Nootlva   on   the  day 

of ,  179—." 

Counter  Declaration. 

«» I^  N >^ ^  in  the  name  and  by  the  order  of  His  Britannic 

Majesty,  by  means  of  these  presents  declare  that  the  buildings  and 
tracts  of  land  on  the  Northwest  Coast  of  the  continent  of  North 
America,  or  on  tlie  islands  adjacent  to  that  continent,  of  which  the 
subjects  of  His  Britannic  Majesty  were  dispossessed  by  a  Spanish 
officer  toward  the  month  of  April,  1789,  have  been  restored  to  me  by 

N N ,  which  restoration  I  declare  to  be  full  and  satisfactory. 

In  witness  whereof  I  have  signed  the  present  counter  declaration, 

sealing  it  with  the  seal  of  my  arms.     Done  at  Nootka  on  the  

day  of ,  179 — ." 

That  then  the  British  official  shall  unfurl  the  British  flag  over  the 
land  so  restored  in  sign  of  possession.  And  that  after  these  for- 
malities the  officials  of  the  two  Crowns  shall  withdraw,  respectively, 
their  people  from  the  said  port  of  Nootka. 

Further,  Their  s£iid  Majesties  have  agreed  that  the  subjects  of 
both  nations  shall  have  the  liberty  of  frequenting  the  said  port 
whenever  they  wish  and  of  constructing  there  temporary  buildings 
to  accommodate  thejn  during  their  residence  on  such  occasions.  But 
neither  of  the  said  parties  shall  form  any  permanent  establishment 
in  the  said  port  or  claim  any  right  of  sovereignty  or  territorial  do- 
minion there  to  the  exclusion  of  the  other.  And  Their  said  Majes- 
ties will  mutually  aid  each  other  to  maintain  for  their  subjects  free 
access  to  the  port  of  Nootka  against  any  other  nation  which  may 
attempt  to  establish  there  any  sovereignty  or  dominion. 

In  witness  whereof  we,  the  undersigned  first  secretary  of  state 
and  of  the  Cabinet  of  His  Catholic  Majesty,  and  the  ambassador 
and  plenipotentiary  of  His  Britannic  Majesty,  in  the  name  and  by 
the  express  order  of  our  respective  sovereigns,  have  signed  the  pres- 
ent agreement,  sealing  it  with  the  seals  of  our  arms. 

Done  at  Madrid,  January  11,  1794.o 

The  Duke  of  Alcudia. 
St.  Helens. 

"Translated  from  a  Spanisli  copy  in  Calvo,  Recueil,  HI,  ."^Ge.  A  manuscript 
copy  is  in  bundle  4291,  Sec.  Estado,  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid. 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  471 

The  two  Courts  proceeded  to  carry  out  this  agreement. 
Godoy  instructed  the  Viceroy  of  Mexico  to  appoint  some  one 
as  the  commissioner  for  Spain."  The  British  commissioner 
was  appointed  later,  and  sent  by  way  of  Spain,  Havana, 
Vera  Cruz,  and  Mexico.^  He  arrived  at  La  Coruna  about 
the  middle  of  August,  1794.^  On  November  20  he  landed  at 
Vera  Cruz,  and  went  by  way  of  Mexico  to  San  Blas.*^  From 
this  port  both  commissioners  sailed  for  Nootka.  The  Eng- 
lishman was  Sir  Thomas  Pierce;  the  Spaniard,  Manuel  de 
Alava.  They  met  at  Nootka  and  on  the  appointed  day, 
March  23,  1795,  carried  out  the  above  agreement.  Alava 
had  previously  destroyed  the  buildings  of  the  Spanish  settle- 
ment. After  the  prescribed  ceremonies  had  been  performed, 
both  the  Spanish  and  the  English  deserted  the  place.^ 
Neither  nation  ever  reoccupied  it.  Nootka  is  still  inhabited 
by  Indians. 

•  [Alcudia]  to  Revllla-Gigedo,  January  29,  1794,  inclosing  instructions  to 
Bodega  y  Quadra,  or  the  one  whom  the  Viceroy  sliould  appoint.  (MS.  Arch. 
Hist.  Nacional,  Aladrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4291.) 

"Grenville  to  Dundas,  February  22,  1794  (Fortescue  MSS.,  II,  511),  con- 
cerning the  appointment  of  a  commissioner  ;  and  Jacltson  to  Alcudia,  April 
17  and  20,  1794  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4287),  both 
of  which  relate  to  the  commissioner  and  the  route  which  he  is  to  take.  Jack- 
son was  at  the  time  in  charge  of  the  British  legation  at  Madrid. 
'  "  Jackson  to  Alcudia,  August  16,  1794.  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional,  Madrid, 
Sec.  Estado,  4287.)  This  announces  the  British  commissioner's  arrival  at 
La  Coruna  and  requests  a  passport  for  him. 

«*  Mexico  a  Trav^'s  de  Los  Siglos,  II,  880.  This  work  .gives  a  very  good 
brief  account  of  the  transfer  and  abandonment. 

0  Alava  to  Alcddia,  San  Bias,  April  23,  1795,  (MS.  Arch.  Hist.  Nacional, 
Madrid,  Sec.  Estado,  4287.)  In  this  letter  the  Spanish  commissioner  reports 
to  Godoy  the  final  ceremonies  at  Nootka.  He  gives  as  the  date  of  the  cere- 
monies March  28  ;  but  since  an  error  may  have  been  made  in  copying,  and 
since  other  accounts  agree  on  the  above  date,  that  has  been  adopted.  Ban- 
croft, Northwest  Coast,  I,  30 J -303,  discusses  the  final  settlement. 


BiBLIOCRAPHT. 

THE  SOURCES  OF  INFORMATION,  ARRANGED  IN  THE  ORDER  OF 
THEIR  IMPORTANCE. 

I.  Unpublished  Manuscripts. 

Dociimnttff  copied  from  tlie  Archivo  HiMorico  Wacional,  Madrid,  169. 
papei^. — Letters  and  official  papers  tliat  passed  between  the  British 
and  Spanish  negotiators ;  correspondence  between  Floridablanca  and 
other  Spanisli  officials ;  negotiations  between  the  Spanish  and  French 
Courts. 

Docuwents  copied  from,  the  Archivo  General  de  Indias,  Seville,  262 
pages. — Corres])ondence  between  Martinez  and  the  Viceroy  relating  to 
the  occupation  of  Nootka  and  to  the  captured  English  vessels ;  also 
accounts  of  the  matter  from  the  Viceroy  to  the  Government  at  Madrid, 
inclosing  copies  of  all  of  the  documents  relating  to  it. 

Documents  copied  from  the  British  Museum,  31  pages. — Instruc- 
tions from  the  British  Cabinet  to  Fitzherbert,  and  correspondence 
between  the  Cabinet  and  the  British  ambassadors  at  Berlin  and  The 
Hague. 

Documents  copied  from  the  puWic  record  office,  London,  36  pages. — 
Letters  from  Fitzherbert  to  the  British  Cabinet. 

Documents  copied  from  the  Archives  of  the  Department  of  State  at 
Washington,  3')  pages. — Correspondence  between  Jefferson,  the  Secre- 
tary of  State,  and  Short,  the  United  States  charge  at  Paris.  Very 
little  of  value, 

II.  Published  Documents. 

Meares,  John :  Voyages  made  in  the  Years  1788  and  1189,  from 
China  to  the  'Northwest  Coast  of  America,  etc.  London :  1790. — The 
appendix  contains  important  documents  relating  to  Meares's  tempo- 
rary establishment  at  Nootka  in  1788,  to  the  plans  for  planting  a  per- 
manent colony  in  1789,  and  to  the  capture  of  the  English  vessels  in 
1790.  These  documents,  if  taken  at  their  face  value,  give  a  decided 
prejudice  in  favor  of  England.  They  have  hitherto  been  the  prin- 
cipal source  of  information  for  the  events  at  Nootka. 

The  Annual  Register,  or  a  Vieiv  of  the  History,  Politics,  and  Lit- 
erature for  the  Year  1790.  London:  I79.S. — This  contains  copies  of  a 
few  of  the  more  important  documents  relating  to  the  diplomatic  con- 
troversy. They  have  been  the  principal  source  of  information  for  this 
472 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  473 

phase  of  the  subject.  They  also  give  a  decided  prejudice  in  favor  of 
England.  The  dates  of  some  of  the  documents  are  incorrect,  and 
some  have  their  titles  interchanged. 

Greenhow,  Robert:  The  History  of  Oregon  and  California  and  the 
Other  Territories  on  the  Northwest  Coast  of  North  America,  Accom- 
panied by  *  '^  *  a  Numher  of  Documents,  etc.  Second  edition. 
Boston  and  London  :  1845. — The  appendix  of  this  copies  the  documents 
contained  in  the  Annual  Register  and  adds  some  others  of  importance, 
most  of  which  are  favorable  to  Spain.  The  author  makes  the  Spanish 
case  as  strong  as  possible  in  order  to  strengthen  the  case  of  the 
United  States  in  the  Oregon  controversy. 

Offtcinl  Papers  Relative  to  the  Dispute  Between  the  Courts 

of  Great  Britain  and  Spain  on  the  Subject  of  the  Ships  Captured  in 
Nootka  Sound,  and  the  Negotiation  that  Followed  Thereon,  etc.  Lon- 
don:  [1790]. — All  of  the  documents  contained  in  this  may  be  found 
in  the  Annual  Register,  the  Parliamentary  History,  and  the  Archives 
Partem  enta  ires. 

Calvo :  Recueil  Complet  des  Traites  de  TAmerique  Latine.  Paris : 
18G2. — Volume  Ilf  gives  a  brief  account  in  Spanish,  and  publishes 
more  Spanish  documents  than  any  other  work. 

Cantillo,  Alej.  de :  Tratados  de  Paz  y  Comcrcio.  Madrid:  1848. — ■ 
Some  of  the  documents  in  the  preceding  are  copied  from  this.  It  con- 
tains a  few  others. 

Fortescue  MSS.,  Volume  1:  Historical  Manuscripts  Commission. 
Thirtecnih  Report.  Appendix,  Part  III.  Report  on  the  Manuscripts 
of  J.  B.  Fortescue,  Esq.,  Preserved  at  Dropmore,  Volume  I.  London : 
1892. 

Fortescue  MSS.,  Volume  TI :  Historical  Manuscripts  Coinmission, 
Fourteenth  Report.  Appendix,  Part  V.  Report  on  the  Manuscripts 
of  J.  B.  Fortescue,  Esq.,  Preserved  at  Dropmore,  Volume  II.  London : 
189.5. 

Gower:  The  Despatches  of  Earl  Goirer,  June,  1790,  to  August,  1792. 
Edited  by  Oscar  Browning.  Cambridge,  England:  1885. — Earl 
Gower  was  the  English  representative  at  Paris.  A  few  of  his  dis- 
patches bear  on  the  subject,  especially  with  reference  to  the- influence 
of  the  dispute  on  the  relations  between  England  and  France. 

Auckland,  William,  Lord:  The  Journal  and  Correspondence  of,  with 
a  Preface  and  Introduction  hy  the  Right  Hon.  and  Right  Rev.  The 
Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells.  London:  1861. — Lord  Auckland  was  the 
British  ambassador  at  The  Hague :  but  his  published  correspondence 
contains  very  little  of  value  on  the  subject.  His  important  letters  on 
the  Nootka  affair  are  unpublished. 

Martens,  Geo.  Fred,  de :  Recueil  de  Traites  d'Alliance,  de  Paix, 
*  *  *  des  Puissances  et  Etats  de  VEu7'ope,  etc.  Tome  IV,  1785- 
1790.  A  Gottingue:  1818. — This  contains  the  declaration  and  coun- 
ter declaration  and  the  Nootka  Sound  convention. 

Turner,  F.  J.,  in  American  Historical  Review,  Volume  VII,  gives 
^     documents  relating  to  the  conferences  and  correspondence  between 


474  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Pitt  and  Miranda  on  the  South  American  schemes,  and  others  showing 
the  English  designs  on  Louisiana  and  the  Floridas. 

Canadian  Archives,  1890,  Report  on,  by  Douglas  Brymner  (being 
an  appendix  to  report  of  the  minister  of  agriculture).  Ottawa: 
l)  1891. — This  contains  important  documents  concerning  Beckwith's 
secret  mission  to  the  United  States. 

Ford,  Worthington  C. :  The  United  States  and  Spain  in  1790. 
Brooklyn:  1890. — This  contains  some  valuable  documents  showing 
the  precautions  taken  by  the  Governnient  of  the  United  States  in  view 
of  the  dispute  between  England  and  Spain. 

Jefferson:  Writings.  Edited  by  P.  L.  Ford.  New  York:  1892- 
0     1899. — Volume  V  contains  some  correspondence  on  the  Nootka  affair. 

Jefferson:  Works.  Congressional  edition.  Washington:  1853- 
1855. — Volume  IX  contains  a  few  of  the  same  as  the  last. 

Hamilton  :  Works.  Edited  by  H.  C.  Lodge.  New  York  :  1885-86.— 
Volume  IV  contains  a  few  documents  on  the  subject. 

Smith  MSS. :  Historical  Manuscripts  Commission.  Twelfth  report. 
Appendix,  Part  IX.  London:  1891. — The  manuscripts  of  Mr.  Vernon 
Smith  contained  in  this  volume  are  the  pai)ers  of  his  grandfather, 
Mr.  Joseph  Smith,  I'itt's  priyate  secretary.  A  few  bear  on  the  Nootka 
controversy. 

Miles,  W.  A. :  The  Correspondence  of,  on  the  French  Revolution, 
Edited  by  G.  P.  Miles.  London:  1890. — Letters  in  Volume  I  make 
allusion  to  the  mission  which  had  been  intrusted  to  him.  He  and 
Hugh  Elliot  were  engaged  on  the  same  mysterious  mission. 

III.  Secondary  Sources. 

[Burges,  Sir  James  Bland]  :  'Narrative  of  the  Negotiations  Occa- 
sioned hy  the  Dispute  Betiveen  England  and  Spain  in  the  Year  1190. 
London:  [1791]. — This  almost  deserves  to  be  classed  among  the  pub- 
lished documents.  It  was  prepared  in  the  foreign  office  while  the  ne- 
gotiations were  in  progress.  The  author's  name  is  not  given,  and  has 
hitherto  been  unknown,  but  it  may  be  safely  asserted  that  it  was  com- 
piled by  Sir  James  Bland  Burges,  under-secretary  of  state  for  foreign 
affairs,  especially  for  the  King.  It  was  printed  shortly  afterwards 
Q  as  an  official  document.  It  gives  a  full  and  faithful  account  of  the 
British  negotiations,  and  is  more  valuable  for  this  than  anything  else 
that  has  ever  been  printed.  Its  extreme  rarity  makes  it  almest  inac- 
cessible, so  that  no  previous  writer  has  used  it,  though  both  Green- 
how  and  Bancroft  mention  it.  See  note  a,  p.  365,  antea,  and  note  &, 
p.  460. 

Archives  Parlementaires  de  1787  d  1860,  Recueil  complet  des 

D6hats  Legislatifs  et  Politiques  des  Chamhres  Frangaises.  Premiere 
serie.  Tome  XV,  Assembl§e  Nationale  Constituante,  du  21  April,  1790 
an  30  Mai,  1790.  Paris:  1883.— This  contains  documents  concerning 
the  arming  of  14  ships  of  the  line  by  France  in  May,  1790,  and  also 
the  debate  on  the  question  of  the  right  to  make  peace  and  war  which 
the  measure  provoked.  Volume  17  of  this  series  contains  discussions 
in  the  National  Assembly  concerning  Spain  and  the  family  compact; 


NOOTKA  SOUND  CONTROVERSY.  475 

and  volume  18  contains  Mirabeau's  report  of  August  25  on  the  same 
subject  and  the  decrees  of  August  26. 

The  Parliamentary  History  of  England  from  the  Earliest 

Period  to  1803.  *  *  *  Volume  XXVIII  (1789-1791).  London: 
1816. — This  gives  the  debates  in  the  British  Houses  of  Parliament  on 
the  Nootka  affair. 

Bancroft,  Hubert  Howe :  The  Works  of,  Volume  XXVII ;  History 
of  the  Northwest  Coast,  Volume  I  (1543-1800).  San  Francisco: 
1884. — This  is  the  fullest  and  one  of  the  most  reliable  accounts  hitherto 
published.  The  writer  naturally  pays  more  attention  to  the  occur- 
rences at  Nootka  than  to  the  diplomatic  controversy. 

Baumgarten,  Hermann:  Gcschichte  Spanien's  zur  Zeit  der  franz- 
oesischen  Revolution.  Mit  einen  Einleitung  ueher  die  innere  Ent- 
wicklung  Spanien's  im  achtzehnten  YaMhundert.  Berlin:  1861. — 
His  chapter  on  Nootka  Sound  is  perhaps  the  fullest  and  best  account 
with  the  exception  of  Bancroft's.  He  gives,  also,  a  good  view  of  the 
internal  condition  of  the  Spanish  Government. 

The  Cambridge  Modern  History,  planned  by  Lord  Acton, 

edited  by  Ward,  Prothero,  and  Leathers.  Volume  VIII,  The  French 
Revolution.  New  York  and  London:  Macmillian's,  1904. — Chapter 
X,  on  Pitt's  Foreign  Policy  to  the  Outbreak  of  the  War  with  France, 
written  by  Oscar  Browning,  gives  a  brief  account  of  the  Nootka 
affair.  It  has  avoided  some  of  the  errors  of  previous  treatments. 
This  writer  consulted  manuscripts  in  the  public  record  office. 

Lecky,  W.  E.  H. :  A  History  of  England  in  the  Eighteenth  Century^ 
Volume  V.  New  York :  Appleton's,  1891. — This  contains  a  brief,  in- 
accurate account  strongly  tinged  with  English  prejudice.  He  probably 
used  few  documents  other  than  those  published  in  Meares's  Voyages 
and  the  Annual  Register,  mentioned  above. 

Twiss :  The  Oregon  Question  Examined  loith  Respect  to  the  Facts 
and  the  Laic  of  Nations.  New  York  :  184G. — This  was  written  from 
the  English  standpoint  to  refute  Greenhow's  book,  referred  to  above. 

Schoell,  F. :  Histoire  Ahrrgee  dcs  Troitcs  de  Paix  entre  Lcs  Puis- 
sances de  VEurope  depuis  la  Paix  de  Westphalia,  etc.  Paris  :  1815.— 
Volume  IV  gives  a  brief  historical  statement  concerning  voyages  to 
the  Northwest  Coast,  and  describes  the  Nootka  region  and  the 
natives.     It  is  not  accurate  on  the  negotiation. 

Muriel,  D.  Andres:  Historia  de  Carlos  IV.  Madrid:  1893. — This 
is  the  fullest  recent  account  in  Spanish.  The  writer  gives  the  details 
of  the  Spanish  armament.  The  work  contains  errors  and  is  strongly 
prejudiced. 

Duro,  Ces^reo  Fernandez :  Armada  Espanola  desde  la  Union  de  las 
Reinos  de  Castillo  y  de  Aragon.  Madrid :  1902. — Volume  VIII  gives 
a  brief  account.  The  author  is  one  of  the  best  Spanish  historians  of 
the  present,  though  his  work  is  not  without  errors  and  prejudices. 

Bustamante,  Carlos  Maria  de:  Historia  de  Los  Tres  Siglos  de 
Mexico,  Durante  el  OoMemo  Espanol.  Supplement  by  Andres  Cavo. 
Mexico:  1836.— Volume  III  quotes  the  long  letter  of  April  12,  1793, 
from  Revilla-Gigedo,  the  Viceroy,  to  Godoy.     It  gives  a  brief  history 


476  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

of  the  Spanish  operations  on  the  Northwest  Coast  and  particularly 
of  the  Nootka  exjieditions.  It  advises  the  surrender  of  Nootka  to 
England,  giving  reasons. 

Relacion  del  Viage  HecJio  por  las  Goletas  Sutil  y  Mexicana 

en  el  Ano  de  1792  Para  Reconocer  el  Estrecho  de  Fuca.  Madrid: 
1S02. — The  introduction  contains  a  brief  history  of  the  Spanish  voy- 
ages to  the  coast*  before  1792. 

Northwest  American  Walter  Boundary  Arbitration.    Case  of 

England.  British  Blue  Book  series.— This  quotes  extensively  from  the 
work  last  named. 

Gomez  de  Arteche,  D.  Jose:  Relnado  de  Carlos  IV.  Printed  as  a 
part  of  the  Historia  General  de  Espaha  Escrita  por  Individuos  de 
'Numero  de  la  Real  Academia  de  la  Historia.  Madrid:  1890. — Volume 
I  gives  a  brief  discussion. 

Colleccion    de   Documentos    Ineditos   para    la   Historia    de 

Espana.     Madrid:    1849. — Volume  XV  contains  a  little  on  the  subject. 

Mexico  A  Trav&s  de  Los  Siglos,  Historia  General  y  Com- 

pleta  *  *  *  de  Mexico  Desde  la  Antigiiedad  mas  remota  Hasta  la 
Epoca   Actual.      Under   the   direction   of   D.    Vicente   Riva    Palacio. 

Mexico  and  Barcelona:    [ ]. — Volume  II  of  this  gives  a  good  brief 

discussion  of  the  mutual  abandonment  of  Nootka. 

Vancouver,  Capt.  George:  A  Voyage  of  Discovery  to  the  North 
Pacific  Ocean  and  Romid  the  World;  in  Which  the  Coast  of  North 
(J  America  has  heen  Carefully  Examined  and  Accurately  Surveyed, 
*  *  *  Performed  in  the  Years  1190,  1791,  1792,  1793,  1794,  and  1795. 
London:  1801. — Volumes  I  and  VI  give  an  account  of  the  futile  nego- 
tiations between  Vancouver  and  Quadra  in  1792. 

Broughton,  William  Robert:  A  Voyage  of  Discovery  to  the  North 
Pacific  Ocean  *  *  *  Performed  in  His  Majesty's  Ship  Providence 
and  her  Tender.  (1795-1798.)  London:  1804. — This  gives  an  account 
of  the  mutual  abandonment. 

Colnett.  James :  Voyage  to  the  ^South  Atlantic  and  around  Cape 
,-  Horn  into  the  Pacific.  London:  1798. — The  introduction  and  a  note 
beginning  on  page  9G  give  Colnett's  own  account  of  his  imprisonment, 
written  several  years  after  his  release. 

Mirabeau :  Memoires  Biographiqucs,  Littcraires  et  Politiques,  Ecrits 
par  Lui-meme,  par  son  Pcre,  son  Oncle  et  son  Fils  adoptif.  Second 
0  edition.  Paris :  1841. — Volumes  VII  and  VIII  contain  documents  and 
brief  discussions  concerning  Mirabeau's  efforts  in  the  National  Assem- 
bly in  behalf  of  the  family  compact. 

Correspondance  Entre  le  Comte  de  MiraJicau  et  le  Comte  de 

le  Marclc.  Paris:  1851. — Volume  II  contains  some  material  on  the 
subject. 

Lomenie,  IjOuIs  de :  Les  Miraheau,  Nouvelles  Etudes  snr  la  Socicte 
Frangaise  au  XVIIIe  Siecle.  Paris:  1891. — Volume  V  refers  to  the 
relations  between  France  and  Spain. 

Stern,  Alfred:  Das  Lehen  Miraheans.  Berlin:  1889. — This  dls- 
cusses  Mirabeau's  part  in  the  discussion  on  the  right  to  make  peace 
and  war,  and  also  his  influence  on  foreign  affairs. 


NOOTKA    SOUND    CONTROVERSY.  477 

Willert,   P.   F. :    Miraheau.     London :    1898. — This  discusses   Mira-      q 
beau's  efforts  to  strengtlien  the  position  of  the  Monarchy  in  the  debate 
on  the  right  of  making  peace  and  war. 

Segur,  le  Conite  de:  PoUtiques  des  Tons  Ics  Cabinets  de  UEurope, 
pendant  les  rcr/nes  de  Louis  XV  et  de  Louis  XVL  Paris:  1802. — 
Volume  II  devotes  some  space  to  a  discussion  of  the  family  compact 
in  the  National  Assembly. 

De  Jouge,  J.  C. :  Geschiedenis  van  lict  Nederlandsehe  Zeewezen. 
Haarlem :  18(12. — Volume  V  discusses  briefly  the  part  taken  by  the 
Dutch  fleet  in  the  English  naval  preparations. 

Clowes,  AVilliam  Laird:  The  Royal  Navy,  a  History  from  the  Earli- 
est Times  to  the  Present.  Boston  and  London :  181)9. — Volume  IV 
discusses  the  Nootka  armament. 

Gazette  de  Leide,  ou  NouucUes  Extraordinaires  de  Divers 

Endroits.  Annee  IIVO. — This  gives  newspaper  conmients  on  the  dis- 
pute and  the  negotiation ;  also  statistics  regarding  the  growth  of  the 
armaments. 

Stanhope:  Life  of  the  Right  Honorable  William  Pitt.  London: 
18G1-62. — This  mentions  the  mission  of  Hugh  Elliot  to  France. 

Adams,  E.  D. :  The  Influenee  of  Grenville  on  Pitfs  Foreif/n  Poliey, 
1787-17U8.  Washington :  1904. — This  discusses  the  mission  of  Miles 
and  Elliot. 

Desdevises  du  Dezert:  L'Espayne  de  VAneien  Regime.  Paris: 
1897. — This  gives  an  excellent  study  of  the  Si)anish  Government  and 
institutions. 

Tratchevsky :  L'EspUfpie  a,  VEpoque  de  la  Revolution,  Franeaise, 
published  in  Revue  Historique,  XXXT. — This  only  mentions  the  dis- 
pute, but  is  valuable  as  giving  an  insight  into  the  workings  of  the 
Spn  nish  Government. 

Hassall,  Arthur:  The  FrencJi  People.  New  York:  1901. — This  dis- 
cusses the  influence  of  the  dispute  on  the  French  llevolution. 

Stephens:  Revolutionary  Europe.  London:  1897. — This  makes 
very  brief  mention  of  the  affair. 

Humboldt,  Alex,  von:  Essai  Politique  sur  le  Royaume  de  la  Nou- 
velle-Espayne.  Paris :  1811. — This  gives  a  discussion  based  on  docu- 
ments found  in  the  archives  at  Mexico. 

Dixon,  George:  Remarks  on  the  Voyages  of  John  Meares,  esq.,  in 
a  Letter  to  that  Gentleman.  London:  1790.  This  points  out  incon- 
sistencies in  INIeares's  statements. 

Further  Remarks  on  the  Voyages,  etc.     To  Which  is  Added 

a  Letter  from  Captain  Duncan  Containing  a  Refutation  of  ^Several 
Assvrtio7is  of  Mr.  Meares,  etc.     London  :   1791. 

Meares,  John:  An  Ansirer  to  Mr.  Dixon,  In  Which  the  Remarks 
on  the  Voyages,  etc.,  are  Fully  Considered  and  Refuted.  London: 
1791. 

Cook,  Capt.  James:   A  Voyage  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  Undertaken  hy 
Command  of  His  Majesty     *     *     *     in  His  Majesty's  Ships  Resolu- 
tion and  Discovery.     (1777-1780.)     London:    1785. — Volume  II  tells    ^ 
of  the  discovery  of  Nootka  and  describes  the  country  and  the  natives. 


478  AMEBIC  AN   HISTOEICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Begg,  Alex. :  History  of  British  Columbia.  Toronto :  1894. — This 
gives  a  brief  discussion  of  the  Nootlia  affair,  di'awn  chiefly  from 
Meares's  accounts. 

Morris,  Gouverneur:  Life  of,  With  Selections  from  his  Corre- 
spondence, by  Jared  Sparlcs.     Boston  :   1832. 

The  Diary   and  Letters   of,   by  Anne   Gary   Morris.     New 

Torlv  :  188S. — This  and  the  last  contain  a  few  references  to  the  dispute. 

[Etches,  Jolin  Cachnan:]  An  Authentic  Statement  of  all  the  Facts 
Relative  to  Nootka  Sound.  London :  1790.— This  is  a  violently  parti- 
san i)aniphlet,  written  by  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  captured 
vessels. 

Dalryraple:  The  Spanish  Pretensions  Faifly  Discussed.  London: 
1790. — This  is  similar  to  the  last. 


XVIL-REPORT  OF  THE  PUBLIC  ARCHIVES  COMMISSION. 


December  30,  1904. 
PUBLIC  ARCHIVES  COMMISSION. 

HERMAN  V.  AMES,  Chairman, 

University  of  Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
WILLIAM  MacDONALD, 

Brown  University,  Providence,  R.  I. 
HERBERT  L.  OSGOOD, 

Columbia  University,  New  York,  N.  Y. 
CHARLES  M.  ANDREWS, 

Bryn  Mawr  College,  Bryn  Mawr,  Pa. 
EDWIN  ERLE  SPARKS, 

University  of  Chicago,  Chicago,  111. 


479 


REPORT  OF  THE  PUBLIC  ARCHIVES  COMMISSION. 

December  30,  1904. 
To  the  Executive  Council  of  the  American  Historical  Asso- 
ciation: 

The  Public  Archives  Commission  of  the  American  His- 
torical Association  submits  the  following  report  for  the  year 
1904: 

In  presenting  this,  its  fifth  annual  report,  it  may  be  of  in- 
terest to  review  briefly  the  main  features  of  the  w^ork  accom- 
plished by  the  Commission  since  its  establishment  in  Decem- 
ber, 1899.  During  this  period  the  w^ork  of  the  Commission 
has  been  extended  by  the  appointment  of  its  representatives 
in  33  States,  comprising,  with  a  few  exceptions,  all  but  the 
newer  States.  As  a  part  of  the  results  of  their  work,  21  re- 
ports from  18  States  have  alread}^  been  published.  These 
included  reports  upon  the  archives  of  the  cities  of  New  York 
and  Philadelphia.  In  the  papers  accompanying  the  present 
report  5  additional  States  are  represented.  This  period 
has  also  witnessed,  in  general,  a  marked  increase  in  the  intel- 
ligent interest  manifested  throughout  the  country  in  the  care 
of  the  archives  of  a  public  nature.  In  several  of  the  States, 
either  through  the  direct  efforts  of  the  Commission  and  its 
adjunct  members,  or  indirectly  through  the  influence  of  its 
work,  important  legislation  has  been  secured,  making  more 
adequate  provision  for  the  preservation  and  custody  of  the 
public  archives. 

The  work  of  the  past  year  has  been  conducted  in  accord- 
ance with  the  same  principles  and  policy  that  have  obtained 
from  the  first.  A  number  of  changes  and  additions  in  tlie 
membership  of  the  Commission  have  been  made  during  the 
year.  Prof.  John  Martin  Vincent  was,  by  action  of  the  ex- 
ecutive council,  transferred  from  the  Commission  to  another 
committee  of  the  Association.  The  following  gentlemen 
have  been  appointed  as  adjunct  or  associate  members : 

Michigan. — Mr.  John  L.  Conger,  University  of  Michigan, 
Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 31  481 


482  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Mississippi. — Hon.  Dunbar  Rowland,  director,  Depart- 
ment of  x^rchives  and  History,  Jackson,  Miss. 

Missoini. — Dr.  tTonas  Viles,  University  of  Missouri,  Co- 
lumbia, Mo. 

Neio  York. — Associate  member,  Dr.  Newton  D.  Mereness, 
Cornell  University,  Ithaca,  N.  Y. 

North  Carolina. — Associate  member,  J.  H.  Vaughan,  Uni- 
versity of  North  Carolina,  Chapel  Hill,  N.  C. 

Pennsylvania. — Associate  member,  Dr.  George  D.  Leut- 
scher,  George  School,  Pa. 

Tennessee. — Mr.  R.  T.  Quarles,  corresponding  secretary, 
Tennessee  Historical  Society,  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Verriiont. — Prof.  Samuel  F.  Emerson,  University  of  Ver- 
mont, Burlington,  Vt. 

West  Virginia. — Prof.  Walter  L.  Fleming,  West  Virginia 
.University,  Moi-gantown,  W.  Va. 

Five  reports  have  been  submitted,  and  are  presented  here- 
with as  follows: 

1.  Report  on  the  public  archives  of  Alabama,  by  Hon. 
Thomas  McAdory  Owen,  director  of  the  department  of  ar- 
chives and  history  of  the  State  of  Alabama,  giving  a  general 
account  of  the  State,  county,  municipal,  and  miscellaneous 
records. 

2.  A  supplementary  report  on  the  local  archives  of  Geor- 
gia, by  Dr.  Ulrich  B.  Phillips,  of  the  University  of  Wis- 
consin. 

3.  A  brief  report  on  the  State  archives  of  Kansas,  by  Prof. 
Carl  Becker,  of  the  University  of  Kansas. 

4.  Two  reports  on  the  county  archives  of  North  Carolina, 
part  one  by  Prof.  John  Spenser  Bassett,  of  Trinity  College ; 
part  two  by  Prof.  Charles  Lee  Raper  and  J.  H.  Vaughan,  of 
the  University  of  North  Carolina. 

5.  A  supplementary  report  on  the  printed  archives  of 
Pennsylvania,  compiled  by  Prof.  Herman  V.  Ames,  with 
the  assistance  of  3.1r.  TAither  R.  Kelker,  custodian  of  the 
division  of  public  records  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Library. 

It  was  expected  that  reports  on  the  archives  of  Illinois, 
Indiana,  and  Tennessee  would  also  be  ready  for  incorpora- 
tion in  this  report,  but  it  was  found  impossible  to  com- 
plete them  in  time.  Investigations  are  in  progress  upon  the 
archives   of   several   additional   States,   namely,   Arkansas, 


REPORT    OF   PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    COMMISSION.         483 

Illinois,  Michigan,  Minnesota,  Mississippi,  Missouri,  Ne- 
braska, Texas,  Vermont,  West  Virginia,  and  Wisconsin,  and 
it  is  confidently  hoped  that  a  majority  of  them  will  be  ready 
for  publication  by  another  year. 

Two  of  the  members  of  the  Commission,  during  the  past 
year,  have  been  engaged  upon  work  closely  allied  to  that  of 
the  Commission.  As  a  direct  outgrowth  of  Prof.  Herbert 
L.  Osgood's  report  upon  the  archives  of  New  York,  as  stated 
in  the  Commission's  report  for  1902,  an  appropriation  Avas 
secured  for  the  purpose  of  editing  and  printing  the  "  Min- 
utes of  the  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  New  York,"  for 
the  period  1675-1776.  Professor  Osgood  has  been  engaged 
in  editing  these  minutes,  which,  it  is  expected,  will  comprise 
eight  volumes  and  be  published  in  the  fall  of  1905. 

Another  member  of  the  Commission,  Prof.  Charles  M. 
Andrews,  was  absent  in  England  during  the  academic  year 
1903-4  pursuing  investigations  for  the  bureau  of  historical 
research  of  the  Carnegie  Institution  among  the  British  ar- 
chives, with  a  view  to  the  preparation  of  a  guide  to  the  man- 
uscript material  relating  to  American  colonial  history.  His 
preliminary  report  is  about  to  be  issued,*  but  before  the  final 
report  can  be  published  additional  investigations  will  be 
necessary  to  complete  the  survey  thus  auspiciously  begun. 

In  addition  to  the  above.  Professors  Andrews  and  Osgood 
were  commissioned  to  select  and  make  arrangements  for 
the  copying  of  certain  documents  in  the  British  Museum 
and  elsewhere  relating  to  American  history  for  the  Library 
of  Congress.     This  important  work  has  been  begun. 

In  regard  to  State  legislation  relating  to  the  archives 
further  progress  can  be  recorded.  The  State  of  Maryland 
has  adopted  the  following  act  establishing  a  public  records 
commission : 

Chapter  282. 
AN  ACT  to  provide  for  the  better  security  of  public  records. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  hy  the  general  assenihh/  of  Maryland,  That 
the  governor  shall  appoint,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  the  senate, 
three  citizens  of  the  State,  who  shall  constitute  a  public  records  com- 
mission, and  who  shall  serve  for  two  years.  They  shall  serve  without 
pay.  Save  that  they  shall  receive  their  necessary  expenses  out  of  the 
fund  hereby  appropriated.     They  shall   examine  into  the  condition 

•  American  Historical  Review,  January,  1905,  pp.  325-349. 


484  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

and  completeness  of  the  public  records,  and  report  thereon  to  the 
general  assembly,  with  such  recommendations  as  they  may  deem  ex- 
pedient for  the  better  custody  and  arrangement  and  preservation  of 
the  same. 

Section  2.  And  T)e  it  enacted,  That  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars 
annually,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  for  the  next  two 
years,  be  appropriated  for  the  use  of  said  commission  by  the  State 
treasurer. 

Section  3.  And  he  it  enacted,  That  the  words  public  records  shall 
be  held  to  mean  any  written  or  printed  book,  paper,  map,  or  drawing, 
which  is  required  by  law  to  be  preserved,  filed,  or  recorded  in  any 
office  of  the  State,  or  of  any  county  or  municipality,  or  of  any  officer  or 
employee  of  the  State  or  of  any  county  or  municipality. 

Section  4.  And  he  it  enacted,  That  the  paper  in  all  books  of  record 
in  which  are  preserved  manuscript  entries  required  to  be  made  by  any 
officer  of  the  State,  county,  or  municipality  shall  be  made  of  linen  rags 
and  new  cotton  clippings  well  sized  with  animal  sizing  and  well  fin- 
ished, and  that  the  ink  and  typewriter  ribbon  used  in  such  books  of 
records  be  of  a  character  approved  by  the  commissioner  of  the  land 
office. 

Approved  April  7,  1904. 

The  following  commission  Avas  appointed:  Mrs.  Hester 
Dorsay  Richardson,  president;  Dr.  Bernard  C.  Steiner,  and 
Samuel  K.  Dennis,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  commission 
was  organized  September  30, 1904.  It  reports  that  as  its  first 
Avork  it  has  undertaken  the  preparation  of  a  complete  list  of 
municipalities  formed  in  Mar^dand  arranged  chronolog- 
ically ;  this  list  to  include  a  brief  abstract  of  the  act  of  incor- 
poration and  any  amendments  made  from  time  to  time.  It 
is  also  preparing  a  list  of  the  offices  established  in  State,  coun- 
ties, and  mtmicipalities  from  the  first  settlement  of  the  State 
to  the  present  day,  including  the  date  of  establishment  of  the 
office  and  of  its  discontinuance,  if  it  no  longer  exists,  as  well 
as  a  hi-ief  summary  of  the  duties  thereof.  The  purpose  of 
this  work,  as  stated  by  the  president  of  the  Commission,  is 
to  learn  through  these  lists  what  records  should  be  in  exist- 
ence in  the  various  public  offices  throughout  the  State.  The 
next  step  will  be  the  preparation  of  a  list  of  all  the  records 
now  accessible  and  by  comparison  of  the  two  lists  it  will  be 
shown  what  records  are  missing.  A  thorough  investigation 
of  the  condition  of  the  records  will  be  made  and  the  means 
for  their  preservation  will  be  recommended  to  the  State  leg- 
islature. Owing  to  the  establishment  of  this  commission, 
Mr.  C.  W.  Sommerville,  the  adjunct  member  of  our  Commis- 


REPOET    OF    PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    COMMESSION.         485 

sion,  has  been  authorized  to  suspend  his  work  of  preparing  a 
report  on  the  Maryland  archives. 

With  reference  to  the  work  of  the  department  of  public 
records  of  Pennsylvania,  the  establishment  of  which  was 
noted  in  our  last  report,  it  is  gratifying  to  quote  the  follow- 
ing comments  taken  from  the  recent  message  of  the  governor 
of  that  Commonwealth : 

The  department  of  public  records  provided  for  at  tlie  last  session 
In  connection  with  tlie  library  has  been  organized  and  is  doing  efficient 
work.  The  archives  upon  which  the  foundations  of  our  history  rest, 
which  up  to  the  present  time  have  lain  about  the  cellars  and  out  of  the 
way  places,  being  gradually  stolen,  lost,  or  destroyed,  have  been  gath- 
ered together  and  are  now  being  prepared  and  permanently  secured  in 
volumes  chronologically  arranged  and  open  to  the  investigations  of 
scholars. 

Efforts  are  about  to  be  made  to  secure  legislation  in  South 
Carolina,  Tennessee,  and  Arkansas  for  the  establishment  in 
each  of  a  history  and  archives  commission,  or  a  department 
of  archives  and  history  similar  in  character  to  those  already 
in  existence  in  the  States  of  Alabama  and  Mississippi.  In 
Indiana  and  Wisconsin  there  is  also  a  movement  to  secure  ad- 
ditional provisions  for  the  care  of  the  archives.  It  is  hoped 
that  in  the  Commission's  next  report  it  will  be  possible  to 
record  the  success  of  these  projects. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

Herman  V.  Ames. 

William  MacDonald. 

Herbert  L.  Osgood. 

Charles  M.  Andrews. 

Edwin  Erle  Sparks. 


ALABAMA  ARCHIVES. 


By  Thomas  McAdory  Owen,  LL.  D., 
Director  of  the  Department  of  Archives  and  History  of  the  State  of 

AlaJmma. 


INTRODUCTION. 

In  the  care  and  attention  given  State  and  local  archives 
and  public  records  Alabama  occupies  an  advanced  position. 
The  hope  of  students  and  investigators  for  a  central  agency 
in  each  State  has  its  full  realization  in  the  Department  of 
Archives  and  History,  established  by  legislative  act  of  Feb- 
ruar}^  27,  1901,  and  put  in  practical  operation  the  2d  of 
March  following.  Although  this  Department  was  designed 
to  meet  all  of  the  duties  and  to  exercise  all  of  the  activities 
demanded  of  the  State  in  respect  to  its  archives  (public  rec- 
ords of  every  character)  and  history,  the  first  of  its  "  objects 
and  purposes  "  is  declared  to  be  "  the  care  and  custody  of  of- 
ficial archives,"  thus  emphasizing  the  relative  importance  of 
the  subject.  The  theory  of  this  legishition  is  based  on  the 
importance  of  the  State  archives,  both  from  practical  and 
historical  considerations,  and  on  the  necessity,  owing  to 
crowded  conditions  in  their  present  quarters  and  to  their 
practical  inaccessibility,  of  bringing  them  all  together  in  one 
central  repository,  where  they  can  be  arranged,  indexed,  and 
made  readily  accessible. 

In  the  organization  and  practical  work  of  the  Department 
in  respect  to  its  duties  to  the  State  archives  tlie  records  in  the 
several  executive  offices,  departments,  and  boards  have  been 
carefully  located  and  partially  inventoried.  All  of  their 
manuscript  records,  files,  and  accumulations  of  papers  and 
documents  not  in  current  use  are  construed  as  "  archives." 
Owing  to  the  crowded  condition  of  the  capitol  building,  it  has 

487 


488  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

not  been  deemed  wise  to  disturb  the  condition  and  arrange- 
ment of  many  of  the  records,  but  they  are  nevertheless  con- 
structively regarded  as  in  the  custody  of  the  Department. 
Elaborate  plans  for  arrangement,  classification,  and  indexing 
have  been  projected,  which  will  be  put  in  operation  as  soon 
as  necessary  filing  room  can  be  had.  It  is  hoped  that  by  1906 
all  collections  can  be  brought  together.  Pending  the  prepar- 
ation of  a  full  catalogue,  which  is  obAdously  impossible  at 
present,  the  investigations  in  the  State  archives,  made  in  1900 
by  the  Alabama  History  Commission  (of  which  the  writer 
was  chairman) ,  have  been  revised,  enlarged,  and  rearranged. 
In  the  absence  of  a  better  guide  these  lists  and  indications 
given  below  will  doubtless  prove  helpful." 

The  result  of  the  establishment  of  the  Department  has 
been  to  dignify  the  liitherto  neglected  accumulations  of  old 
papers,  denominated  by  many  as  so  much  worthless  trash 
and  rubbish.  Another  I'esult  has  been  to  rescue  from  loss 
and  destruction  many  documents  which  would  iiormaJiy 
have  been  consigned  to  the  paper  mill.  In  its  work  the  De- 
partment has  had  the  co-operation  of  all  officials,  partly  from 
patriotic  considerations  but  more  especially  because  of  the 
relief  given  them  in  the  matter  of  office  room  and  freedom 
from  responsibility  for  the  records. 

The  principal  aim  of  the  Department  so  far  has  been  to 
so  master  the  extent  of  the  collections  as  to  be  able  to  make 
their  contents  promptly  available  in  response  to  all  legiti- 
mate inquiries.  Plans  for  binding,  publication,  elimination, 
and  the  completion  of  gaps  are  details  which  can  not  as  yet 
be  satisfactorily  worked  out. 

The  relation  of  the  Department  to  county,  municipal,  and 
other  records,  and  its  hopes  in  reference  thereto,  is  embodied 
in  the  following  provision  from  the  act  of  esta;blishment 
section  4)  : 

That  any  State,  county,  or  other  official  is  hereby  authorized  and 
empowered,  in  his  discretion,  to  turn  over  to  the  Department  for  per- 
manent preservation  therein  any  official  boolcs,  records,  documents, 
original  papers,  newspaper  files,  and  printed  boolvs  not  in  current  use 
in  their  offices. 

It  was  not  deemed  wdse  to  make  the  surrender  of  such 
records  compulsory,  for  such  a    step  w^ould  have  excited 

"For  fiirther  details  see  Report  of  the  Alabama  History  Commission,  1903, 
8  vc,  pp.  447. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  489 

opposition  and  thus  have  defeated  the  purpose  of  the  pro- 
vision. Under  this  authorization  several  county  officials 
have  placed  their  early  records  in  the  keeping  of  the  depart- 
ment. Ultimately  it  is  expected  that  all  of  value  in  a  his- 
torical way  will  be  so  collected. 

The  descriptions  beloAv  are  given  with  reference  to  the 
office  in  which  the  several  documents  originated.  This 
method  of  description  has  been  adopted  for  purely  practical 
reasons,  although,  as  above  observed,  the  entire  collection  of 
State  archives  is  in  the  custody  of  the  Department  of  Ar- 
chives and  History. 

I.  State  Archives. 

HISTORICAL    SKETCH. 

The  official  State  archives  have  their  beginning  with  the 
organization  of  the  Alabama  Territory,  and  its  several  execu- 
tive departments.  The  act  of  Congress  creating  the  Terri- 
tory was  approved  March  3,  1817,  but  its  provisions  were  not 
to  be  in  force  until  the  date  when  Mississippi  should  adopt 
a  constitution,  which  event  Avas  consummated  August  15, 
1817.«  On  September  25,  1817,  William  Wyatt  Bibb  was 
commissioned  governor  of  Alabama  Territory,  and  in  De- 
cember of  the  same  year  he  reached  St.  Stephens.  He  at 
once  set  in  motion  the  machiner3^  of  the  Territorial  govern- 
ment. 

Prior  to  this  time  and  from  the  establishment  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi Territory  in  1798,  the  records  of  all  official  business 
in  the  Alabama  portion  of  that  Territory  not  transacted  as 
ordinary  county  business  form  a  part  of  the  Mississippi 
archives  at  Jackson. 

The  act  creating  the  Territory  made  St.  Stephens  "  the 
seat  of  government,"  and  here  the  official  records  were  kept 
until  1819,  when  they  were  removed  to  Huntsville.  The 
Alabama  Republican,  published  at  the  latter  place,  in  its 
issue  of  June  26,  1819,  thus  modestly  comments  on  the 
arrival  of  the  governor  and  the  records : 

His  Excellency  Governor  Bibb  arrived  in  Huntsville  on  Monday  last. 
The  secretary  of  the  Territory  is  daily  expected,  and  the  public  rec- 
ords, etc.,  have  already  arrived  here,  where  they  will  remain  while 
this  place  continues  to  be  the  seat  of  government. 

•U.  S.  statutes  at  Large,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  371. 


490  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Cahaba  being  fixed  by  the  constitution  as  the  State  capital, 
the  records  were  carried  there  in  1820."  Here  they  remained 
until  1826,  when  prior  to  June  of  that  year  they  were  car- 
ried to  Tuscaloosa,  the  second  State  capital.  In  1845  Mont- 
gomery was  selected  as  the  seat  of  government,  and  two  years 
later,  the  capitol  having  been  completed,  the  State  archives 
were  again  removed.  Mr.  Garrett  gives  a  brief  account  in 
his  Public  Men  in  Alabama  (1872) ,  page  460 : 

No  time  was  to  be  lost  in  transferring  the  archives,  to  be  ready 
for  the  assembling  of  the  legislatnre,  the  6th  of  December,  less  than  a 
month.  This,  however,  was  accomplishecl  by  industry.  On  or  about 
the  20th  of  November  the  archives,  records,  and  papers  of  the  execu- 
tive and  state  dci)artments  and  supreme  court  had  been  packed  up 
in  113  boxes  and  loaded  in  13  wagons;  and  this  train,  under  the  con- 
ti-ol  of  James  II.  Owens,  the  doorkeeper  of  the  house  of  representa- 
tives, moved  oft'  in  the  direction  of  Montgomery.  The  cargo  in  weight 
was  2(5,704  pounds.  Without  accident  the  whole  train  in  due  time 
arrived  at  Montgomery,  and  the  archives  deposited  in  their  appro- 
priate rooms.  The  entire  cost  of  the  removal  of  these  archives  from 
Tuscaloosa  to  Montgomery  was  $1,325,  which  was  paid  by  Colonel 
Pollard,  chairman  of  the  building  committee. 

Up  to  this  time  the  records  and  archives  in  every  respect 
appear  to  have  been  full  and  complete.  The  desire  of  the 
early  legislators  seems  to  have  been  to  preserve  everything 
which  might  have  a  future  value.  Minute  regulations  were 
imposed  upon  officials.  On  December  16,  1820,  an  act  was 
approved  providing — • 

That  in  future  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  of  state,  at  or 
soon  after  the  close  of  each  general  assembly,  to  deposit  in  his  office 
all  the  records  and  papers  necessarily  belonging  to  the  legislature, 
which  shall  he  determined  by  an  examination  made  by  the  secretary 
of  state,  seci-etary  of  the  senate,  and  clerk  of  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, who  are  hereby  appointed  commissioners  for  that  purpose.* 

It  was  at  this  time  that  a  general  description  of  the 
archives  was  given  by  William  Garrett,  then  secretary  of 
state,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Pickett,  which  appears  to  be  appro- 
priately presented  in  full  in  this  connection : 

Tuscaloosa,  2Sth  Aug.,  18/f7. 
Dear  Sir  :  Various  causes  have  conspired  to  prevent  my  answering 
before  now,  your  letter  and  interrogatories  under  date  the  28  ulto. 
Even  now  I  have  to  regret  that  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  answer  you 


"Toulmin's  Digest   (182.3),  p.  679. 
"Toulmin's  Digest  (1823),  p.  698. 


ALABAMA    AEOHIVES.  491 

definitely  upon  all  the  subjects  of  your  enquiries — because  such  can- 
not be  done  without  overhauling  the  papers  in  the  Executive  &  State 
Departments,  which,  having  to  be  done  so  soon  for  the  purpose  of 
removal,  will  postpone  for  a  few  weeks  my  answers  in  regard  to 
many  of  the  topics  upon  which  you  desire  information. 

There  are  no  Journals  and  Documents  of  the  Mississippi  Territory 
in  this  office — (Secretary  of  State's).  The  Territorial  records  of 
Alabama,  when  the  Legislature  sat  at  St  Stephens — The  Journal 
of  the  State  Convention — The  Journals  of  the  Senate  &  House  of 
Representatives,  from  the  birth  of  the  State  to  this  time  are  all  to  be 
had  in  the  office. 

The  correspondence  between  the  Governors  of  Alabania  and  Mis- 
sissippi, in  relation  to  [illegible]  &,c.,  I  have  not  seen  but  presume  it  is 
on  record  in  the  Executive  otlice. 

There  are  some  bundles  of  papers  in  both  offices  (State  &  Execu- 
tive) in  relation  to  the  University — bat  as  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
that  Institution  has  had  its  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  kept  its 
own  records,  ever  since  its  organization — it  is  more  likely  that  the 
bulk  of  its  papers,  and  of  Information  in  regard  to  its  history  will  be 
found  with  the  Secretary  of  the  Board,  II.  I'.  Douthett,  Esq. 

Very  little  information  can  be  obtained  from  this  or  the  Executive 
office  going  to  make  up  a  history-  of  the  Banks.  Tlie  Journals  of  the 
Legislature  contain  a  good  many  reports  made  upon  tlie  subject  of 
the  Banks  from  time  to  time — both  of  a  general  and  special  char- 
acter— and  all  the  elections  of  Bank  Presidents  and  Directors.  The 
reports  made  to  the  Legislature  by  bank  officers,  were  generally 
printed  for  the  use  of  members — and  with  a  renegnde  form  of  pam- 
phlets and  slips,  very  few  have  been  preserved.  None  have  been  filed 
in  the  State  Department  because  no  provision  hns  been  made  for  thnt 
purpose — and  members  have  generally  been  eager  to  obtain  their 
full  portion  for  distribution  among  their  constituents.  The  original 
reports  are  generally  to  be  found  among  the  pai)efs  of  the  Senate 
and  House  of  Representatives.  There  is  in  the  office  under  my  charge 
a  book,  containing  the  evidence  taken  by  a  committee  of  the  Legisla- 
ture in  November  &  Deceinber,  1841,  in  relation  to  the  celebrated 
"  Bank  frauds  "  of  that  year. 

I  have  never  yet  seen  any  documents  in  relation  to  the  old  Ilunts- 
ville  and  St.  Stephens  Banks — nor  of  the  Canoe  fight — nor  the  fall 
of  Fort  Mims,  &c.,  &c.  Major  Jeremiah  Austin,  of  Mobile,  related 
the  Canoe  fight  to  me  during  the  winter  of  '44-5.  It  is  a  fight  that  he 
does  not  appear  anxious  to  talk  about— -but  still  I  have  but  little  doubt 
he  would  upon  application,  for  this  purpose,  give  you  a  full  account 
of  it.  He  could  too  afr'ord  much  correct  information  in  relation  to 
the  fall  of  Fort  Mims,  and  the  war  of  that  period  generally. 

I  think  you  will  find  in  the  Executive  Office,  the  correspondence 
between  Governor  Gayle  and  the  General  Government  commonly 
called  the  "  Creek  Controversy  " — and  also  the  papers  made  and  reed. 
by  Governor  Clay,  during  the  Creek  War  of  1836. 


492  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

I  have  never  seen  any  of  the  handbills,  pamphlets  &c.,  &c.  issued  by 
Gov.  Gayle,  on  the  occasion  alluded  to.  The  Journals  afford  a  good 
deal  of  information  in  regard  to  the  "  impejichment  of  the  Judges " 
and  I  have  seen  among  the  papers  of  the  Legislature  some  manuscript 
documents  upon  this  fight. 

You  will  observe  that  I  am  not  ^prepared  as  I  said  in  the  outset  to 
answer  you  fully  until  time  and  occasion  shall  offer  to  handle  and 
look  into  the  various  bundles  in  the  offices — State  or  Executive.  This 
occasion  will  offer  soon,  and  in  addition  the  archives  of  the  State  will 
be  placed  convenient  to  you,  where  you  can  examine,  and  will  doubt- 
less be  able  to  put  your  hands  upon  a  good  many  items  of  interest. 

I  was  fortunate  enough  to  i-eceive  two  coi)ies  of  your  "eight  days 
in  New  Orleans  "  one  of  which  I  handed  to  a  less  fortunate  friend— 
the  other  was  read  with  much  pleasure — particularly  that  portion  in 
Chap.  3d.  where  you  pay  a  merited  tribute  to  that  great  and  good  man, 
General  Jackson. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  W.  Garrett, 

Colo.  A.  J.  Pickett,  Montgomery. 

On  December  14,  1849,  just  two  years  after  it  was  com- 
pleted, the  State  capitol  was  destroyed  b}^  fire,  "  communi- 
cated," as  ascertained  by  a  committee  of  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, ''  from  the  flue  or  chimney  to  a  timber,  the  end 
of  Avhich  had  been  inserted  in  and  rested  on  an  eyelet  hole 
left  for  that  purpose  in  the  wall  of  the  representative  hall." 
Resort  is  again  had  to  Garrett's  work,  pages  517-518,  for  a 
description  of,  the  burning  and  of  the  rescue  of  the  records : 

About  fifteen  minutes  after  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  both 
Houses  were  in  session,  it  was  discovered  that  the  Capitol  was  on  fire 
over  the  Representative  Hall — the  volume  of  smoke  issuing  with  rapid 
increase.  Gen.  [Joseph  P.]  Frazier,  of  the  Senate,  upon  the  first 
intimation  of  such  a  thing,  hurried  to  the  upper  story,  and  into  the 
room  leading,  by  a  trapdoor,  to  the  top,  to  see  what  discoveries  could 
be  made ;  but  was  met  at  the  door  by  a  dense  volume  of  smoke,  which 
arrested  his  progress. 

The  Senate  adjourned  hastily;  but  the  House  broke  up  its  sitting 
without  the  formality  ol  an  adjournment — such  was  the  panic  and 
confusion  that  suddenly  seized  upon  the  members.  The  fire  extended 
rapidly  from  the  south  end  of  the  building  against  a  pretty  stiff 
northern  breeze,  and  in  three  hours,  that  superb,  elegant  structure — 
a  monument  of  the  liberality  of  the  citizens  of  Montgomery,  and  the 
pride  of  the  State — was  in  ruins;  nothing  left  but  portions  of  the 
blackened  walls. 

The  combined  efforts  of  the  members  and  citizens,  with  the  heads  of 
departments,  saved  the  public  property  upon  the  hasement  and  second 
floor.  The  State  Library  on  the  third  floor  could  not  be  entered  with- 
out peril.    After  the  archives  of  his  ottice  [Secretary  of  State]  were 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  493 

saved,  the  writer  conducted  a  number  of  gentlemen  to  that  apartment, 
to  assist  in  throwing  the  contents  out  of  the  windows ;  but  the  lieat 
was  so  great  and  increasing,  that  they  oculd  not  remain,  and  the  large 
collection  of  public  documents,  law-hookas,  manuscript  Journals  of  the 
General  Assembly,  historical  tvorks,  maps  of  the  several  States,  and 
valuable  papers,  with  a  variety  of  publications  presented  to  the  State 
in  exchange  for  similar  courtesies,  and  other  volumes  constituting  a 
fine  collection  for  public  use — were  all  destroyed. 

The  archives  and  papers  of  the  Executive,  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
the  Treasurer  and  Comptroller,  of  tlie  Supreme  Court,  and  of  the 
Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  including  all  belonging  to  the 
public  offices  of  the  Capitol,  that  were  saved,  were  secured  in  rooms 
procured  for  the  purpose  in  the  city,  until  the  Houses  should  deter- 
mine the  location  of  the  different  offices.     [Italics  by  the  compiler.] 

While  it  is  generally  supposed  that  the  public  records  were 
thus  saved,  the  facts  must  be  limited  to  the  official  records 
proper  of  executive  departments.  From  the  last  part  of  the 
foregoing  statement  by  Mr.  Garrett  it  clearly  appears  that 
practically  all  of  the  archives  gathered  under  the  provisions 
of  the  act  of  December  16,  1820,  supra,  were  kei)t  in  the  State 
library,  or  at  least  on  the  third  floor,  and  they  were  thus  lost. 
This  appears  to  be  also  true  from  an  examination  of  the 
records  found  in  the  secretary  of  state's  office.  How  much 
has  thus  been  lost  to  the  Alabama  historian  will  never  be 
known,  but  certainly  very  much  that  would  now  be  highly 
prized ! 

The  new  capitol  having  been  completed,  it  appears  from  a 
joint  resolution  of  February  10,  1852,  that  the  governor  vv^as 
authorized  and  required  "  for  the  better  protection  of  the 
public  records,"  to  cause  suitable  shelves  to  be  constructed  in 
the  executive  and  State  offices. 

In  April,  1865,  the  .State  archives  were  again  subject  to 
great  hazard  and  in  some  cases  distinct  loss.  The  approach 
about  this  time  of  Gen.  James  H.  Wilson  with  Federal  troops 
so  alarmed  the  officials  at  Montgomer}^  that  they  collected  the 
archives  and  sent  them  in  charge  of  John  B.  Taylor,  as  State 
agent,  to  Eufaula  for  safe  preservation.  A  part  may  have 
been  sent  to  Augusta,  Ga.,  as  appears  from  the  following 
communication  from  a  Mobile  correspondent  to  the  New 
York  Herald,  June  8,  1865 : 

The  rebel  State  archives  of  Alabama,  removed  from  the  capitol  to 
Augusta,  Ga.,  on  the  advance  of  General  Wilson,  have  been  discov- 
ered, and  are  expected  to  be  returned  to  Montgomery  in  a  day  or  two 


494  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

by  the  proper  officers.  At  present  they  are  in  this  city.  Mr.  John  B. 
Taylor,  State  agent,  arrived  on  Sunday  evening  from  Augusta,  Ga., 
having  in  his  charge  the  archives  of  Alabama.  It  took  no  less  than 
12  6-mule  wagons  to  carry  these  papers  and  a  portion  of  those  of  Mis- 
sissippi. The  latter  were  forwarded  by  the'  Red  Chief  No.  1  to 
Selma,  and  from  thence  will  be  sent  to  Jackson,  the  capital  of  that 
State. 

A  part  of  them  was  certainl}^  returned  to  Montgomery 
from  Eufaula.  The  following  interesting  papers  give  the 
correspondence  in  reference  to  the  shipment,  charges,  etc. : 

Eufaula,  Ala.,  November  18th,  1865. 
Geo.  W.  Parsons,  Esq., 

Montfjomcry,  Ala.,  Priv.  Sec.  to  the  Governor. 
Sir:  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  telegram  of  the  17th  inst.  giving  me 
instruction  in  reference  to  the  State  Records.  There  were  only  two 
boxes  put  into  my  store  by  Major  Dent.  Commandant  of  this  post. 
They  contained  acts  of  the  Legislature.  There  were  also  other  boxes 
containing  Missouri  State  papers. 

As  I  have  no  controul  (sic)  of  them,  I  beg  to  refer  you  to  Captain 
Grabenhous,  the  successor  of  Major  Dent.     I  remain, 
Yours  respectfully, 

T.  J.  Cannon, 
Per  P.  D.  WooLHOPTER. 


Str.  Indian,  Jime  2nd,  '65. 
V.  S.  Government,  To  Str.  hidian.  Dr. 

For  freight  from  Eufaula  to  Columbus  on  175  boxes  papers 

belonging  to  State  Ala $600.00 

As  per  annexed  order. 

[Copy  telegram.] 
J.  B.  Taylor,  State  Agent. 

Any  Quartermaster  of  the  U.  S.  Army  will  furnish  transportation 
from  Eufaula  to  Union  Springs  for  State  Papers  and  send  bill  to  me. 
Wagons  will  meet  them  at  Union  Springs  May  29th. 

By  order  Major  General  A.  J.  Smith. 

(Signed)  C.  K.  Drew, 

Cap't  tg  Chf  Q.  M.  16th  Army  Corps. 

I  certify  that  the  steamer  Indian  furnished  transportation  for  the 
freight  above  named  from  Eufaula  to  Columbus,  Ga. — being  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  boxes  of  freight,  amounting  to  six  hundred 
dollars. 

Jno.  B.  Taylor,  Agent  State  Ala. 

Received.  |  Approved.  |  F.  G.  Watson,  |  Lt.  Comd'g.  Post,  |  Colum- 
bus, Ga.,  I  June  2,  '65. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  495 

It  can  never  be  determined  how  much  loss  the  records  sus- 
tained. The  bound  books  hardly  suffered.  Loose  papers 
must  in  the  majorit}^  of  cases  have  been  left  behind,  and 
were  thus  liable  to  destruction.  Col.  W.  H.  Fowler,  State 
superintendent  of  army  records,  in  his  report  to  Governor 
L.  E.  Parsons,  December  4,  1865  (Transactions  Alabama 
Historical  Society,  1897-98,  Vol.  II,  p.  187),  says  in  reference 
to  his  work  on  the  war  records : 

The  events,  however,  of  April  and  May,  1865,  brought  it  to  an 
abrupt  termination  in  consequent  confusion  ;  and  much  of  the  mate- 
rial that  I  had  accumulated,  having  been  deposited  by  me  in  the  State 
capitol  at  Montgomery,  was  lost  or  misplaced  in  the  evacuation  of 
this  city  at  the  date  named. 

RECORDS  REQUIRED  TO  BE  KEPT. 

Tlu'  records  and  bocks  rcciuired  to  be  kept,  and  those 
actually  preserved  in  the  executive  departmeiits  and  other 
State  offices,  are  given  below.    These  are : 

Governor.  '  Commissioner  of  agriculture. 

Secretary  of  state.  Convict  bureau. 

Auditor.  Stjite  board  of  health. 

Treasurer.  Railroad  com^nissioners. 

Attorney-general.  Clerk  of  the  supreme  court 

Superintendent  of  education.  Adjutant-general, 
Department  of  archives  and  history. 

The  official  books,  papers,  reports,  etc.,  of  certain  tempo- 
rary officials  or  of  offices  discontinued  by  law  or  of  special 
boards  or  commissions  have  been  deposited  or  filed  with  the 
secretary  of  state.  In  some  cases  they  Avill  be  found  in 
other  offices,  as  will  more  particularly  appear  from  the 
descriptions  hereafter  given.  Some  of  these  are  the  old 
bank  commissioners,  the  State  debt  commission  of  1875, 
the  commissioner  of  swamp  and  overflowed  lands,  com- 
missioner of  immigration,  commissioner  to  survey  Coosa 
river,  commissioner  of  industrial  resources,  commissioner 
to  encourage  fish  culture,  and  superintendent  of  army  rec- 
ords. The  official  records  and  reports  in  some  of  the  above 
cases  have  been  printed  in  full.  The  military  archives 
collected  by  Col.  W.  H.  Fowler,  such  as  escaped  destruction, 
were  fortunately  preserved  in  the  office  of  the  adjutant- 
general. 


496  AMERICAN    HISTOEICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  state  board  of  assessment  is  composed  of  the  gov- 
ernor, secretary  of  state,  auditor,  and  treasurer,  and  is 
charged  with  the  duty  of  assessing  "  the  items  of  property 
of  railroad  and  other  companies  required  to  be  returned  to 
the  auditor."  "A  record  of  its  proceedings"  is  required, 
which  is  kept  in  the  custody  of  the  auditor.  (Code,  1896, 
I,  39G6,  3971.) 

The  office  of  State  examiner  of  public  accounts  was  cre- 
ated by  act  of  February  16,  1885.  This  act  was  amended 
February  12,  1897,  so  as  to  provide  for  assistant  examiners. 
It  is  made  the  duty  of  these  officials  "  to  audit  and  exam- 
ine the  books,  accounts,  and  vouchers  "  of  certain  named 
officials.  They  are  required  "  from  time  to  time,  [to]  report 
to  the  governor  under  oath  the  results  of  their  examination," 
etc.  These  reports  are  public  records.  It  is  made  the  duty 
of  the  governor  to  cause  these  reports  to  be  printed.  (Code, 
1896,  I,  1876-1879.) 

The  "  superintendent  of  salt  springs  and  salt  lands  "  is  re- 
quired by  statute  to  report  every  six  months  "  to  the  governor 
all  the  property  of  every  kind  collected  or  received,  and  all 
settlements  made  by  him,  and,  generally,  all  his  actings  and 
doings  in  regard  to  salt  lands."  (Code,  1896,  I,  2696.) 
These  reports  have  never  been  printed,  but  are  filed  in  the 
office  of  the  governor.  It  is  not  known  w^hat  office  records, 
if  any,  are  kept  by  the  superintendent. 

In  the  effort  "  to  provide  for  the  more  efficient  assessment 
and  collection  of  taxes,"  by  act  of  February  3,  1897,  amended 
February  21,  1899,  the  office  of  State  tax  commissioner  was 
created,  and  a  number  of  duties  imposed,  looking  to  the  more 
efficient  administration  of  the  revenue  branch  of  the  State 
government.  The  office  of  the  commissioner  is  at  the  capi- 
tol  in  Montgomery,  and  such  records  as  are  necessary  to  its 
administration  are  kept  by  him. 

The  office  of  chief  mining  inspector,  with  two  associate 
mining  inspectors,  was  created  by  act  of  February  16,  1897. 
The  act,  among  other  things,  provided  regulations  on  the  im- 
portant subjects  of  the  examination  of  mine  bosses,  standard 
scales,  safety  lamps,  ventilation,  maps  of  mines,  and  care  for 
wounded  in  cases  of  accident.  The  inspectors  are  required 
to  make  biennial  reports  to  the  governor  "  stating  the  con- 


ALABAMA    AECHIVES.  497 

dition  of  the  mining  interests  in  this  State,  with  suggestions 
and  information  as  may  be  of  interest  to  the  mining  indus- 
try." These  reports  are  printed.  The  office  of  the  chief 
mining  inspector  is  in  Birmingham,  where  are  kept  the  offi- 
cial correspondence,  books,  registers,  etc.  They  have  not 
been  examined. 

The  department  of  insurance  was  created  by  act  of  Febru- 
ary 18,  1897,  with  its  chief  officer  as  the  secretary  of  state 
under  the  title  of  "  insurance  commissioner  ex  officio."  Prior 
to  this  time  all  State  supervision  of  insurance  was  conducted 
through  the  auditor's  office,  where  the  records  are  to  be 
found.  The  records  of  the  present  office  are  described  in 
connection  with  the  records  of  the  secretary  of  state. 

There  are  also  certain  boards,  which  from  their  operation 
over  the  entire  State  on  the  subjects  committed  to  them,  may 
be  properly  mentioned  here.  These  are  the  board  of  phar- 
macy, created  February  28,  1887;  the  State  board  of  dental 
examiners,  created  February  11,  1881;  and  the  State  board 
of  embalming,  created  December  12,  1891.  These  several 
boards  keep  records  of  their  proceedings,  registers  of  licenses, 
etc.  No  inquiry  has  been  made,  lioAvever,  as  to  their  extent 
or  special  contents. 

1.  Governor. 

The  office  of  the  chief  executive,  known  as  governor,  dates 
from  March  3,  1817,  when  the  Teivritory  of  Alabama  was 
created.  The  first  incumbent  was  William  W.  Bibb,  com- 
missioned September  25,  1817,  but  Avho  did  not  enter  upon 
the  official  discharge  of  his  duties  until  his  arrival  at  St. 
Stephens,  in  December,  1817.  From  this  date  the  official  rec- 
ords should  begin;  but  unfortunately  no  executive  journals 
or  record  books  have  been  found  for  this  period.  In  the 
old  "  military  returns  "  a  few  papers  are  to  be  found.  In  his 
message,  November  15,  1821,  Governor  Israel  Pickens  recom- 
mended the  appointment  of  commissioners  to  examine  the 
executive  records,  as  they  had  not  been  kept  from  the  begin- 
ning for  want  of  suitable  books.  It  is  not  known  what  action 
was  taken.  It  does  not  appear  to  have  been  the  practice  of 
the  secretaries  of  state,  or  if  so  the  books  are  out  of  place,  to 
H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 32 


498  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

keep  the  *'  fair  register  of  all  official  acts  and  proceedings  of 
the  governor,"  clearly  enjoined  in  the  constitution. 

Many  of  the  early  records  and  papers,  originally  preserved 
in  the  governor's  office,  have  been  found  in  the  office  of  the 
secretary  of  state.  An  examination  discloses  the  following, 
among  other,  current  files  of  papers : 

Lands.  Alabama  Girls'  Industrial 
Insane  hospital.  School. 

Mine  inspector.  University   of   Alabama. 

Mount  Vernon.  Current     appointment    pa- 
Current  pardon  papers.  pers. 

Examiners'  reports.  Swam])      and      overflowed 
Quarantine  accounts.  lands. 

Board  of  health. 

OLD   EXECUTIVE    COERESPONDENCE. 

The  executive  letters  received  appear  regularly,  with  ap- 
parent fullness,  from  the  beginning  of  Governor  C.  C.  Clay's 
term  in  1835.  They  cover  the  Indian  and  Mexican  wars,  the 
provisional  government,  the  reconstruction  period,  etc.  The 
correspondence  for  the  Confederate  war  period  is  full. 

OLD   FILES. 

The  following  liles  of  papers  are  noUtd  as  of  special  in- 
terest : 

Pardon  files,  1870-1905. 
Annexation  of  Florida,  1869. 
Georgianna  nmrder,  Butler  County,  1891. 
Adjutant-General  Candee's  report  on  the  Eufaula  riot,  1874. 
State  salt  works,  1805. 

In  re  apprehension  of  Isaac  H.  Vincent ;   also  papers  relating  to  his 
pardon. 

CURRENT    CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  practice  is  to  keep  copies,  in  letterpress  books,  of  all 
letters  sent  out. 
Those  received  are  preserved  in  file  boxes. 

2.  Secretary  of  State. 

The  act  of  Congress,  March  3,  1817,  creating  Alabama 
Territory,  provided  a  secretary  thereof,  with  the  same  powers 
and  duties  as  those  exercised  bv  the  same  officer  under  the 


i 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  499 

Mississippi  Territory.     By  the  constitution  of  1819,  Article 
IV,  it  was  provided  as  follows : 

Sec.  14.  There  shall  be  a  secretary  of  state  appointed  by  joint  vote 
of  both  houses  of  the  general  assembly,  who  shall  continue  in  office 
during  the  term  of  two  years.  He  shall  keep  a  fair  register  of  all 
official  acts  and  proceedings  of  the  governor,  and  shall,  when  re- 
quired, lay  the  same,  and  all  papers,  minutes,  and  vouchers  relative 
thereto,  before  the  general  assembly,  etc. 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  "  fair  register  "  contemplated 
by  this  section  has  ever  been  kept,  at  least  a  search  has  failed 
to  discover  any  such  record.  The  framers  of  the  provision 
doubtless  had  in  mind  the  regulation  under  which  such  a 
register  was  kept  for  Mississippi  Territory,  and  which  were 
called  "  executive  journals."  The  lists  here  given  present 
an  approximately  complete  survey  of  the  several  records 
preserved  in  this  office. 

CODES. 

Original  manuscript  of  the  Code  of  1852. 
Original  manuscript  of  the  Code  of  18G7. 
Original  manuscript  of  the  Code  of  1876. 
Original  manuscript  of  the  Code  of  1886. 
Original  manuscript  of  the  Code  of  1896. 

CONVENTIONS   AND   CONSTITUTIONS   OF   ALABAMA. 

1819.  Enrolled  copy  of  the  constitution,  1819,  on  parchment,  to  which 

are  attached  the  signatures  of  members.     In  tin  case. 
1861.  Original   manuscript  of  the  constitution,   1861.     Folio.     In  tin 

case. 
1861.  Manuscript   of  the   constitution,    1861.     Printer's   copy.     Folio, 

pp.  74.     In  tin  case. 
1861.  Enrolled  copy  of  the  constitution,  1861,  on  parchment.     In  tin 

case. 
1861.  Manuscript  journal   of  the   convention,    1861.     Large   folio.     1 

vol. 
1861.  Manuscript  ordinances  of  the   convention,    1861.     Large   folio. 

1  vol. 
1861.  Enrolled  copy,  on  parchment,  of  the  "  Ordinance  to  dissolve  the 

Union,"  to  which  are  attached  the  signatures  of  members  of  the  con- 
vention.    Circa:     24  by  36  inches. 
1865.  Manuscript    ordinances    of    the    convention,    1865,    Nos.    1-54. 

Folio.     1  vol. 
1865.  Original  manuscript  of  the  constitution,  1865.     In  tin  case. 
1867.  Election  returns  district  of  Alabama.     4  to.     1  vol. 

Vote  by  counties  for  and  against  the  constitution,  1867.     Held 

under  General  Order,  No.  101. 


Folio. 

2  vols. 

Folio. 

4  vols. 

Folio. 

6  vols. 

Folio. 

5  vols. 

Folio. 

6  vols. 

500  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

1867.  Enrolled  copy  of  the  constitution,  18G7,  on  parchment.     In  tin 

case. 
1875.  Manuscript  journal  of  the  convention,  1875.     Folio.     1  vol. 
1875.  Vote  for  and  against  convention,  August  3,  1875.     Folio.     1  vol. 
1875.  Vote  for  and  against  constitution,  November  16,  1875.     Folio. 

1  vol. 
1875.  Enrolled  copy  of  the  constitution,  1875,  on  parchment.     In  tin 

case. 
1901.  Enrolled  copy  of  the  constitution,  1001,  on  parchment     Folio. 
Manuscript  journal  of  the  convention,  1901.     Folio. 

CRIMINAL  ADMINISTRATION. 

Reprieves  and  pardons.  Folio.  10  vols.  1840-1852,  1852-1860,  1860- 
18G6,  1805-1872,  1872-1881,  1881-1890,  1890-1892,  1893-1896,  1896- 
1899,  1899-1900. 

Earned  pardons.  Folio.  5  vols.  1883-1887,  1884-1887,  1888,  188&- 
1890,  1889-1890. 

Demands  for  fugitives,  or  requisitions.  Folio.  10  vols.  1866-1877, 
1877-1881,  1881-1883,  1883-1886,  1886-1888,  1888-1891,  1891-1893, 
1893-1896,  1896-1898,  1899-1900. 

Abstracts  of  writs  of  arrest,  1881-1900.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Contains  record  of  writs  issued  in  response  to  requisitions  from 
executives  of  other  States. 

Records  of  warrants  issued  on  requisitions  from  other  States,  Novem- 
ber 1,  1881-September  13,  1883.     Folio.     1  vol. 
No  longer  used. 

Remitted  forfeitures.     1891-1900.     Folio.     1  vol. 

ELECTIONS. 

Records  of  proclamations  and  writs  of  elections.  1843-1860.  Folio. 
1  vol. 

Election  returns,  district  of  Alabama.     1807.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Certificate  of  vote  in  each  county.     Held  under  General  Order, 
No.  59. 

Elections.     1868.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Registration  books.     1868.     Several  folio  pamphlets,  by  counties. 

Election  returns.     August  3,  1869,  1870,  1871,  1872.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Registrars  of  counties.     1875-1890.     Folio.      1  vol. 

Presidential  elections.  Vote  for  electors,  by  counties.  Folio.  6  vols. 
1868,  1872,  1876,  1880,  1884,  1888. 

Registration  lists  of  electors.     1875.     1  vol.     Folio,  for  each  county. 
Contains  lists  by  precincts  or  wards. 

Election  returns.  Judges,  chancellors.  Congressmen,  superintendent 
public  instruction,  and  members  board  of  education.  1874-1890. 
Small  folio.     1  vol. 

Registration  list  for  each  county,  of  qualified  electors  under  the  Con- 
stitution of  1901. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  501 

JOUBNALS    AND   ACTS. 

Manuscript  house  journals.     Folio. 

Incomplete  file.     The  following  early  sessions  have  been  found: 
1822-23,  1824,  1825-20,  1882-33,  1833-34,  1838-39,  1840-41,  1842-43, 
1845^0.     Later  sessions  comparatively  full. 
Manuscript  senate  journals.     Folio. 

Incomplete  file.     The  following  early  sessions  have  been  found: 
1829-30,  1834-35.     Later  sessions  comparatively  full. 
Manuscript  acts  of  the  general  assembly.     1818-1898.     Folio. 

Except  for  very  few  sessions  the  original  manuscript  copies  of  the 
enrolled  acts  have  been  found.  It  is  altogether  probable  that  the 
missing  volumes  will  yet  be  located.  A  volume  of  unusual  interest 
is  the  one  containing  the  original  acts  of  the  first  and  second  ses- 
sions of  the  first  Territorial  general  assembly  in  1818. 

LAND  EECOBDS. 

Spanish  grants.     Translation.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Covers  various  grants,  17G3-1803,  and  other  land  transactions. 
Translated    records.     November    12.    1715- January    18,    1812.     Folio. 
1vol. 

Made  by  Joseph  E.  Caro,  translator,  under  act  of  January  9,  1833, 
said  Caro  being  commissioned  March  3,  1840.     His  certificate  is 
dated  October  14,  1S40. 
Surveyor's  office.     Letter  books.     Folio.     2  vols. 

December  15,  1827,  to  July  3,  1833. 

1833-1839.     Not  found. 

August  3,  1839,  to  August  1,  1848. 

The  first  book  begins  with  a  letter  from  Gen.  John  Coffee,  giving 
an  account  of  the  fire  which  destroyed  the  office  of  the  surveyor- 
general  at  F'lorence.  It  ends  with  a  letter  saying  that  "  General 
Coffee  is  at  this  time  (July  3,  1833)  so  much  indisposed  that  he  is 
unable  to  attend  the  duties  of  this  office." 

The  second  book  is  by  James  H.  Weakley,  surveyor-general. 
Field  notes  of  surveys  of  Alabama  lands.     Folio.     75  vols. 
Descriptive,  notes.     Old  Washington  county  surveys.     Folio.     2  vols. 

Vol.  1  made  up  of  large  sheets,  originally  loose.  Vol.  II  consists 
of  descriptions  filled  in  blanks.  The  first  survey,  which  fills  the  first 
14  pages,  was  of  Tp.  1,  R.  1  west  of  the  base  meridian  (St.  Ste- 
phens). At  end  of  page  14  it  is  stated  that  the  preceding  was 
"  Recorded  in  Book  B.  ]  From  page  72  to  77.  |  Washington  M.  T. 
16  of  the  8  mo.  1806.   |  Seth  Pease.  |  " 

It  is  stated  that  Gideon  Fitz  was  the  deputy  surveyor  in  charge 
of  the  work,  the  chain  bearers  being  Robert  Caller,  John  Bettis, 
William  Felps,  William  Baldwin. 

It  appears  that  T.  4,  R.  1  west,  was  surveyed  by  John  Dinsmore, 
deputy  surveyor,  Stephen  Hogg,  and  Alexander  McCul lough,  chain 
carriers.  It  is  recorded  in  Book  B,  August  4,  1807.  All  surveys  in 
the  book  appear  to  be  in  1806-7. 


502  AMEBIC  AN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Field  notes,  by  Silas  Dinsniore,  deputy  surveyor.     8vo.     1  vol.,  pp.  101. 

Begun  March  19,  1821.     The  book  begins  with  this  entry:  "From 
the  Stake  at  the  Beach  of  the  Gulph  of  Mexico  between  sections  20 
&  27,  T.  9,  R.  1,  E.,"  etc. 
Miscellaneous  field  notes.     Several  volumes,  as  below : 

Creek  lands.     1832-33.     Small  folio  and  8vo.     35  vols. 

Cherokee  lands.     1839-40.     Small  folio  and  8vo.     9  vols. 

Chickasaw  lands.     1833.     Small  folio  and  8vo.     3  vols. 

Choctaw  lands.     1832.     Small  folio  and  8vo.     7  vols. 

Retraced  survey.     1842-1844.     Small  folio  and  8vo.     13  vols. 
Tract  books  of  Alabama  lands.     Folio.     66  vols. 

By  counties,  one  volume  for  each. 
Plat  books.     Large  folio, 

Iluntsville  district.     Vols.  1,  2,  3. 

Coosa  district.     Nos.  1-2. 

St.  Stephens  district.     Nos.  1-3. 

Tallapoosa  district.     1  vol. 

Demopolis  district.     1  vol. 

Southern  survey.     1  vol. 

Northern  survey.     1  vol. 

Sparta  district.     Vols.  1  and  2. 

Cahaba  district.     Vols.  1  and  2. 

Tuscaloosa  district.     Vols.  1  and  2. 

Township  plats,  retraced  surveys.     1  vol. 
Record  of  State  lands.     1819-1900.     Folio. 

Autauga  to  Lamar.     1  vol. 

Limestone  to  Winston.     1  vol. 
Railroad  lands.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Original  lists  of  selections  by  railroads  of  lands  granted  under 
acts  of  Congress,  1850  et  seq. 

There  is  also  one  volume  of  lists  bundled  together,  not  bound. 
Lands  certified  to  railroads.     1856-1899.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Has  also  "  Letters  from  the  commissioner  of  public  lands.  State 
land  oflice."     1861-1804. 
Record  of  land  patents,  general  land  office  of  Alabama.     Vol.  1.     1862. 
Folio. 

Only  15  patents  entered. 
Letters  from  the  commissioner  of  public  lands,  State  land  office,  April 
4,  1861,  to  August  24,  1864. 

In  vQlume  entitled  "  Lands  certified  to  railroads,"  the  title  pre- 
ceding the  last. 
University  lands.     1822.     Small  folio.     1  vol. 

Contains  also  "  Militia  orders,"  1823-1834. 
Ledger  of  the  Montgomery  land  office.     1834.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Contains  also  "  Paroles,"  1865. 
Register  of  receipts  issued  by  the  receiver  of  public  moneys  at  Mont- 
gomery for  lands  sold.     January  20,  1834,  to  December  25,  1844. 
Folio.     1  vol. 
Courtland  land  office.     1841-42.     Folio.     1  vol. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  '  503 

Patents  from  the  United  States  to  the  State  of  Alabama.     1850-1894. 

Folio.     1  vol. 
School  indenmity  patents.     1899-1900.     Folio.     1  vol. 
Alabama  land  patents.     General.     Folio. 

1831-1835  (1  vol.;  contains  deeds  to  lots  in  Cahaba,  1837-1840), 
183'1-1836  (1  vol.),  1836-1839  (1  vol.),  1839^0  (1  vol.),  1840-1872 
(1  vol.). 
Alabama  land  patents.     Valueless  sixteenth  section  locations. 

18.52  (1  vol.),  1852-1858  (1  vol.),  1859-1892  (1  vol.). 
Record  book  of  lots  in  the  town  of  Cahaba.     1822-1835.     Folio.    1  vol. 

See  also  title  preceding  the  last  for  record,  1837-1840. 
Sixteenth  section  patents.     Folio. 
Book  A.  183G-1845.     1  vol. 
Book  B.  1845-1852.     1  vol. 
Book  C.  1852-1856.     1  vol. 
Book  D.  1856-1886.     1  vol. 
Book  E.  1886.     1  vol. 
Register  of  sixteenth  section   stock.     Under  act  of  March  6,   1848. 

Folio.     1  vol. 
Register  of  sixteenth  section  notes.     Folio. 
Vol.  A.  January  19,  1849  to  1852.     1  vol. 
Vol.  B.  1852  (current).     1  vol. 
Original  papers  and  patents  to  swamp  and  overflowed  lands.     Folio. 

1  vol. 
A  map  of  the  S.  and  O.  lands  of  Alabama,  compiled  by  A.  B.  W.  Ken- 
nedy and  D.  M.  N.  Ross,  civil  engineers.     By  order  commissioners, 
appointed  under  act  of  September  18,  1850.     1871. 
Swamp  and  overflowed  land  registry.     1871-72.     Folio.     1  vol. 
Book  of  swamp  and  overflowed  land  entries,  made  under  Thomas  H. 
Price,  commissioner  of  S.  and  O.  lands.     1878.     Small  folio.     1  vol. 
Very    few    entries.     Contains    also    manuscript    report,    Noveni- 
ber,  1879,  to  Governor  R.  W.  Cobb. 
No.    7.  l*reemption   affidavits,    swamp   and   overflowed   lands.     Folio. 

1  vol. 
Sv/amp-land  patents.     1893-1900.     Folio.     1  vol. 

In  extenso. 
List  of  patents  to  S.  and  O.  lands.     1872-1894.     Folio.     1  vol. 
Deeds  to  lands  by  the  State  of  Alabama.     1888-1900.     Folio.     1  vol. 
Land  files.    The  following  files,  or  i)ackages,  i)ertaining  to  land  mat- 
ters are  preserved : 

1821.  Comptrollers'    certificates   to   treasurer   of   land   sales.     1 
package. 

3  per  cent  fund.     1  package. 

1836-37.  Lots  in  Cahaba.     1  package. 

Lands  selected  in  lieu  of  valueless  sixteenth  sections.    1 

package. 

1853.  Miscellaneous  papers.    1  package. 

1824.  0  per  cent  stock  certificate.    1  package. 

Accounts  and  claims  land  office  at  Cahaba.    1  package. 


504  AMERICAN    HI8TOKI0AL    ASSOCIATION. 

1840.  Creek  Indian  patents.     1  package. 
1843.  U.  S.  land  patents.     1  package. 

. Old  letters.     Prior  to  1861.     2  packages. 

1853.  Votes  on  sixteenth  section  funds.     1  package. 
18()1-18G3.  Abstract  of  land  sold  in  Montgomery. 

State  bank  lands.     1  package. 

— —  Land  papers.     By  counties.     09  packages. 

Washington    County.      Swamp    and    overflowed    lands.     1 

package. 

OFFICIALS. 

Civil  registers.     1819-1905. 

Notwithstanding  they  are  variously  designated,  all  books  con- 
taining records  of  appointments,  connuissions,  etc.,  are  regarded 
as  parts  of  one  series. 

No.  1.  1819-1832.     County  officials.     1  vol. 

No.  2.  1833-1844.     County  officials.     1  vol. 

No.  3.  1844-1805.     County  officials.     1  vol. 

1800-1809.     County  officials.     1  vol. 

1808-1882.     County  officials.     1  vol. 

1878-1880.     County  officials.     1  vol. 

1880-1884.     County  officials.     1  vol. 

1883.  County  officials.     1  vol.     For  one  year. 

1884.  County  officials.     1  vol.     For  one  year. 

1885.  County  officials.     1  vol.     For  o-ne  year. 
1888-1892.     County  officials.     1  vol. 
1892-1890.     County  officials.     1  vol. 
1890-97.     County  officials.     1  vol. 
1890-1900.     County  officials.     1  vol. 

1900- (current).     County  officials. 
Executive  and  State  officers.     1819-1801.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Contains  also  commissioners  of  deeds  to  1858. 
Executive  and  State  officers.     1801-1805.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Contains  also  commissioners  of  deeds,  1802-1900. 
Executive  and  State  officers.     1808-1900.     Folio.     1  vol. 
Record   of    commissions    of    State    and    county    officers.     1878-1892. 

Small  folio.     1  vol. 
Record  of  miscellaneous  appointments  an*!  commissions.     1800-1885. 
Folio.     1  vol. 

Copies  of  commissions  in  extenso. 
Appointments  to  office  in  Alabama,   made  by  Major  General   Pope, 
commanding   Third    military    department.     1807.     Folio.     July    20, 
1868,  to  December  14,  1872.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Contains  also  "  Orders,"  1807-08. 
Official  bonds  of  State  officers.     Folio.     2  vols. 

Book  A.  1868-1883. 

Book  B.  1883-1900. 
Applications  for  appointment.     1881-1887.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Contains  also  "Applications  for  pardon,"  same  period. 


ALABAMA    AECHIVES.  505 

MISCELLANEOUS   BOOKS. 

Record  of  proclamations.     Folio.    3  vols. 

Book  A.  1860-1881.     Contains  war  proclamations. 

Book  B.  1882-1898. 

Book  C.  1898-1900. 
Register  of  applications  for  amnesty  and  pardon.     Folio.     2  vols. 

Nos.  1-1197.     Vol.  I. 

Nos.  1198-1787.     Vol.  II. 
Record  of  incorporations.     Folio.     4  vols. 

Book  A.  1868-1888. 

Book  B.  1882-1888. 

Book  C.  1887-1899.  * 

Book  D.  1899-1900. 
Railroad  liens.     1882-1900.     Folio.     1  vol. 
Journal  of  the  proceedings  of  the  board  of  education,  July  20,  1868,  to 

December  14,  1872.     Folio.     1  vol. 
Journal  of  the  board  of  regents,  December  6,  1869,  to  December  8, 

1871.     Folio.     1  vol. 
List  of  bonds  straight  and  endorsed  presented  to  the  board  of  com- 
missioners at  Montgomery,  Ala.,  1875.     Folio.     1  vol. 
Census  of  1885.     Records  by  counties.     Each,  thin  folio. 
Militia  orders.     1823-1834.     Small  folio.     1  vol. 

In  volume  with  "  University  lauds."     1822. 
Paroles.     1865. 

In  "  Ledger  of  the  Montgomery  land  office,"  1834. 
Correspondence  of  the  military  secretary  of  the  governor, 

1883-1887.     4to.     Letter-press  book. 
Governor's  letter  books.    Folio. 

December  5,  1861,  to  May  12,  1863.    1  vol. 

May  13,  1863,  to  April  1,  1865.    1  vol. 

July  27,  1869,  to  February  13,  1870.    1  vol. 
Secretary  of  state's  letter  books.    4to.    Several  vols. 

Letter-press  copy  books.    Circa,  1866,  to  date. 
Records  executive  office.    Folio.    1  vol. 

Contains:  Executive  orders,   1860-61;   also  Letters  of  adjutant 
and  inspector  general.    July-August,  1863. 
Records  and  letters  [and  receipts]  on  financial  matters.     1873-1877. 

Folio.    1  vol. 
Map    j    and    j    profile    |    of  part  of  the    |    Tuscumbia  Courtland  and 
Decatur    |    Railroad.    |    Explored  and  located    |    by  order  of  the 
board   |   of  Railroad  Directors   |   David  Deshler  Engineer   j   Drawn 
by  F.  M.  Petrie    |    Civil  Engineer.    | 

FILES. 

The  loose  files  of  papers  and  documents  of  the  office  extend 
irregularly  from  the  admission  of  the  State  to  the  present 


506  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

time.    They  comprise  several  hundred  packages.    These  files 
relate  principally  to  the  following  subjects : 

Oaths  and  bonds.  Appointments  and  commissions. 

Requisitions.  Original  legislative  papers. 

Election  returns.  Applications  for  exemptions  from 
Book  receipts.  taxation. 

Treasurer's  receipts.  Incorporation  papers. 

Rejected  bids.  Contracts  and  bonds. 

Connnissioner  of  deeds.  Re(iuisitions  and  receipts. 

Attorney-general's  opinions.  Ai)])olntinents  not  commissioned. 

Mobile  and  Girard  lands.  Color-blind  examiners'  papers. 

Current  letters,  etc.  Land  paj^ers. 

Without  attempting  to  give  any  approximately  full  lists 
of  the  files,  it  is  deemed  proper  to  present  detail  as  to  some  of 
early  date,  in  order  to  illustrate  what  exists,  for  both  prac- 
tical and  historical  purposes,  viz : 

Land  files.    1821  et  seq.    See  above. 

Mobile  branch  bank.    Letters  and  papers.    1839.    1  package. 

State  bank  and  branches.    Letters  and  papers,    1847.    1  package. 

Alabama  Insane  Hospital.    185(5.    1  package. 

Pardons.    1850-1859.    8  packages. 

Miscellaneous  papers.     1855-18G0.    2  packages. 

Miscellaneous  papers.    1S60-18G5.    1  package. 

Election  returns.     1855-18G8.     1(J  packages. 

Army  votes,  18G1.    1  package. 

INIuster  rolls  and  election  returns.    Confederate  records.    1  package. 

Report  of  judges.  Number  of  justices  of  the  peace.  1861.  1  pack- 
age. 

Confederate  records.  Connnissions  and  other  papers.  18G1.  1 
package. 

Confederate  records.    Military  appointments.    18G1.    3  packages. 

Confederate  records.    Conmiissions.     18G2.    1  package. 

Reports  of  hospital  and  penitentiary  inspectors.     1  package. 

Papers  relating  to  the  State  University.    1SG2.    1863.    2  packages. 

Connnissions.    1857-1866.    8  packages. 

Oaths  and  bonds.     185.5-1868.     15  packages. 

Registrars.    1865.    1  package. 

Miscellaneous  appointments.    1867-68.    2  packages. 

Military  appointments.    1  package. 

Letters  to  Governor  A.  B.  Moore.    3861.    3  box  files. 

Letters  to  Governor  J.  G.  Shorter.    1862-63.    3  box  files. 

Letters  to  Governor  T,  H.  Watts.    1864.    1  box  file. 

Copies  of  letters  from  governors  of  Alabama.  1861-1864,  inclusive. 
1  box  file. 

Secretary  of  state's  files  of  letters  received.  1870-1900.  59  box 
files. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  507 

3.   AUDITOB. 

Under  the  constitution  of  1819  a  comptroller  of  public 
accounts  was  provided,  to  be  elected  by  a  joint  vote  of  both 
houses  of  the  general  assembly  for  one  yesLV.  Biennial 
elections  were  provided  by  the  constitutions  of  1861  and 
1S65.  The  name  was  changed  to  auditor  by  the  constitution 
of  1868,  with  a  term  of  four  3^ears.  In  1875  the  constitution 
limited  the  term  to  two  years,  but  the  constitution  of  1901 
again  lengthened  the  term  to  four  years. 

RECORD   BOOKS. 

The  current  books  of  record  kept  in  this  office  are  as  fol- 
lows, several  of  them  extending  to  varying  periods  prior  to 
1860: 

Receipt  journal. 

General  ledger. 

Tax  ledger. 

State  bonds  issued  and  paid. 

Railroad  assessments. 

Solicitor's  fees. 

Insurance  records. 

Warrant    books. 

Disbursement  ledger. 

Docket  of  suits  against  defaulters. 

Official  bond  record. 

Convict  contractor's  record. 

Deeds  to  tax  lands. 

Consolidated  journal,  receipts,  and  disbursements. 

Maimed  soldiers'  records.    Several  volumes. 

Land  records.     18GG-1005.     "A"  to  "  N."     13  vols. 

The  following  old  volumes  are  noted  as  of  interest : 

Register  of  certificates  of  Alabama  State  stock  issued  for  the  banks 
of  Mobile,  Huntsville,  and  Montgomery.  Also  State  bonds  issued 
under  acts  of  January  IG,  1850,  and  February  9,  1852.  Folio. 
1  vol. 

Alabama  State  treasury  notes.     Folio.     1  vol. 

All  dated  January  1,  1868.     In  denominations  of  $1,  50  cents, 
25  cents,  10  cents,  and  5  cents. 

Bank  note  register.     Farmer's  bank  of  Alabama.     1803.     Folio.l  vol. 

Register  of  8  per  cent  bonds  under  act  of  January  29,  1801,  author- 
izing loan  of  $2,000,000.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Register  of  bonds  of  assessors  and  collectors.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Register  of  city  bonds  of  Selma.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Agricultural  college.    Folio.    1  vol. 


508  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

LETTER   FILES. 

Letters   sent  out.     Copy   press   books,    December   24,    1868   to   1905. 
4to.     58  vols. 

General  letters  received  are  preserved  in  file  boxes. 

MISCELLANEOUS  FILES. 

The  following  original  papers  are  preserved  in  the  office. 
Generally  speaking  the  files  are  practically  complete  from 
1850,  although  they  extend  irregularly  to  a  much  earlier 
date: 

Vouchers.  Redemption  of  lands  reports. 

Original  bonds.  Clerk's  report,  solicitor's  fees. 

License  reports.  Certificnte  of  land  redemptions. 

Tax  papers.  Reports  hire  of  convicts. 

Educational  papers.  Monthly  reports  agricultural  de- 
Files  of  annual   statements  of         partment 

guaranty  companies. 

Files  of  papers  in  re  soldiers' 

pensions. 

4.  State  Treasurer. 

A  State  treasurer  was  provided  b}^  the  constitution  of 
1819.  He  was  charged  with  the  same  duties  as  had  been 
performed  by  the  Territorial  treasurer.  He  was  elected  by 
joint  vote  of  the  general  assembly,  annually  from  1819  to 
1861,  and  biennially  from  1861  to  1868.  From  1868  to  1901 
the  election  has  been  by  the  people  for  a  term  of  two  years. 
The  constitution  of  the  latter  year  gave  him  a  four  years' 
term. 

The  Territorial  records  of  the  treasurer's  office  were  doubt- 
less destroyed  when  the  dwelling  and  storehouse  of  the  treas- 
urer, Jack  F.  Ivoss,  was  destroyed  by  fire,  in  December, 
1818.  The  general  assembly,  December  18, 1820,  indemnified 
him  for  the  loss  on  this  occasion  of  $606.35  of  public 
moneys.'* 

The  records  and  files  prior  to  1882  are  incomplete  and  dif- 
ficult of  any  detailed  description. 


Acts  of  General  Assembly  of  Alabama,  1820,  p.  77. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  509 


OFFICIAL  LETTERS. 


The  office  has  complete  files  of  official  letters  and  cor- 
respondence from  March  1,  1883,  to  the  present;  also  com- 
plete files  of  copies  of  letters  sent  out  and  copies  kept  in 
copying  books,  dating  from  March  1, 1883,  to  the  present. 

LATER  RECORDS. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  all  the  records  since  1882,  with  a 
few  of  earlier  date : 

Collection  register. 

Vol.  1.  February  2,  1893,  to  January  26,  1805. 

Vol.  2.  January  27,  1895,  to  July  11,  189G. 

Vol.  3.  July  12,  1890,  to  December  31,  1897. 

Vol.  4.  January  1,  1898,  to  April  6,  1899. 

Vol.  5.  April  7,  1899- 
Cash  book. 

Vol.  1.  February  8,  1883,  to  June  24,  1887. 

Vol.  2.  June  25,  1887,  to  August  9,  1890. 

Vol.  3.  August  10,  1890,  to  December  31,  1892. 

Vol.4.  January  3,  1893,  to  December  31,  1894. 

Vol.5.  January  1,  1895,  to  August  31,  1890. 

Vol.  6.  September  1,  1890,  to  July  31,  1898. 

Vol.  7.  August  1,  1898,  to  June  30,  1900. 

Vol.  8.  July  1,  1900- 
Receipt  journal. 

Vol.  1.  October  1,  1882,  to  September  30,  1884. 

Vol.  2.  October  1,  1884,  to  September  30,  1887. 

Vol.  3.  October  1,  1887,  to  September  30,  1889. 

Vol.  4.  October  1,  1889,  to  September  30,  1891. 

Vol.  5.  October  1,  1891,  to  Sei)tember  30,  1893. 

Vol.  0.  October  1,  1893,  to  March  31,  1898. 

Vol.  7.  April  1,  189a- 
Disbursement  journal. 

Vol.  1.  October  1,  1882,  to  September  30,  1884. 

Vol.  2.  October  1,  1884,  to  September  30,  1886. 

Vol.  3.  October  1,  1886,  to  April  19,  1888. 

Vol.  4.  April  20,  1888,  to  September  30,  1890. 

Vol.  5.  Oct(*>er  1,  1890,  to  September  30,  1892. 

Vol.  6.  October  1,  1892,  to  September  30,  1893. 

Vol.  7.  October  1,  1893,  to  September  30,  1895. 

Vol.  8.  October  1,  1895,  to  March  30,  1898. 

Vol.  9.  April  1,  1898,  to  September  30,  1899. 

Vol.  10.  October  1,  1899- 
Eeceipt  and  disbursement  ledger  combined. 

Vol.  1.  October  1,  1882,  to  September  30,  1884. 


510  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Receipt  ledger. 

Vol.  2.  October  1,  1884,  to  September  30,  1890. 

Vol.  8.  October  1,  1890,  to  September  30,  1893. 

Vol.  4.  October  1,  1893,  to  September  30,  1896. 

Vol.  5.  October  1,  1890,  to  September  30,  1899. 

Vol.  6.  October  1,  1899- 
Disbursement  ledger. 

Vol.  2.  October  1,  1884,  to  September  30,  1890. 

Vol.  3.  October  1,  1890,  to  September  30,  1893. 

Vol.  4.  October  1,  1893.  to  September  30,  1896. 

Vol.  5.  October  1,  189G,  to  September  30,  1899. 

Vol.  6.  October  1,  1899- 
Tax  ledger. 

Vol.  1.  October  1,  1893,  to  September  30,  1896. 

Vol.  2.  October  1,  1896,  to  September  30,  1899. 

Vol.  3.  October  1,  1899- 
Tax  journal. 

Vol.  1.  October  1,  1893,  to  September  30,  1900. 

Vol.  2.  October  1,  1900- 
Soldiers'  record. 

Vol.  1.  October  1,  1894,  to  September  30,  1897. 

Vol.  2.  October  1,  1897,  to  September  30,  1899. 

Vol.  3.  October  1,  1899- 
Rogistered  bond  record. 

Vol.  1.  July  1,  1879,  to  June  15,  1898. 

Vol.  2.  June  16,  1898- 
liecord  canceled  coupons. 

Vol.  1.  Class  A.     January  1,  1877- 

Vol.  2.  Class  B  &  C.     January  1,  1877- 

Vol.  3.  6  per  cent.     July  1,  1880,  to  January  1,  1890. 

Vol.  4.  4  per  cent.     July  1,  1890- 
Register  of  securities. 

Vol.  1.  June  10,  1897- 

5.  Attorney-General. 

Although  the  office  of  the  attorney -general  has  existed 
since  1819,  its  official  records  are  exceedingly  meager.  Its 
biennial  reports  have  only  been  published  since  1882. 

The  following  represent  all  of  the  official  manuscript  rec- 
ords found  on  file :  - 

Opinions  and  official  letters. 

Vols.  A,  B,  C,  and  D.     May  17,  1889  to  1900. 
Letters  received.     1889-1900.     11  file  boxes. 
Record  of  sixteenth  section  notes.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Involves  business  from  about  1851. 
Attorney-general's  docket  of  suits  and  claims  for  collection.     1893- 
1900.     Folio.     1  vol. 


ALABAMA    AECHIVE8.  511 

6.  Superintendent  of  Education. 

The  public  school  system,  of  which  the  superintendent  of 
education  is  the  official  head,  was  created  by  the  general 
assembly  February  15,  1854,  by  "An  act  to  establish  and 
maintain  a  system  of  free  public  schools  in  Alabama."  Prior 
to  this  time  matters  connected  with  schools,  school  lands, 
and  education  were  committed  to  other  branches  of  tlie 
State  government.  From  time  to  time  since  its  formation 
the  office  of  the  superintendent  has  come  into  possession  of 
such  school  records  as  were  kept  antedating  its  creation,  as 
will  appear  below.  In  reference  to  the  care  and  preserva- 
tion of  the  official  records,  John  Ryan,  then  superintendent, 
says  in  his  report  for  1865  : 

The  records,  books,  papers,  etc.,  of  this  office  were  carted  about 
the  country  in  boxes,  to  keep  them  from  the  hands  of  spoilers,  during 
most  of  the  time  after  18G3.  Their  preservation  is  chiefly,  if  not 
alone,  duB  to  the  vigilance,  zeal,  and  activity  of  my  worthy  prede- 
cessor, the  Hon.  John  B.  Taylor,  to  whom  the  friends  of  eddcatiou 
in  Alabama  should  ever  feel  grateful. 

OFFICIAL  LETTERS. 

Letters  received. 

Impossible  to  be  definitely  stated,  as  no  systematic  filing  of  cor- 
respondence has  been  attempted  in  this  office  up  to  188G.  The  files 
seem  to  be  complete  from  that  year  to  the  present. 

Letters  sent  out. 

There  are  2G  volumes  of  copy  books  extending  from  April,  1857, 
to  March,  1809,  with  only  one  short  break ;  but  it  is  not  known 
how  complete  they  are — whether  all  letters  were  copied  or  only 
the  more  important  ones.  The  method  now  followed  is  to  make 
carbon  copies  of  all  letters,  and  if  the  letter  is  an  answer  to  one 
received,  the  two  are  fastened  together  and  filed  in  indexed  file 
cases. 

MISCELLANEOUS    BOOKS    AND    RECORDS. 

Daybook.     188G-1853. 

Collection  book  of  the  branch  bank  at  Decatur,  sixteenth  section  notes. 

1833-1848. 
County  educational  fund.     1871-72. 
Daily  journal.     1870,  1871.     2  vols. 
County  statistics.     18G8-00. 
Dividend  books.     1854,  1855,  1856,  1857,  1858-1859,  18G0,  1861,  1862, 

1863,  1864,  1865,   1866-67,   1868,   1870,   1871-1878,   1879-1883,   1884- 

1887,  1888-1891,  1892-1893,  1894-1896,   1897,   1898-1899,   1899-1900. 

23  vols. 


512  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Journal.     1854-1856,  1867.     2  vols. 

Journal.     Township  accounts,  vols.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5.     1875-1880. 

Journal.     Receipts  sixteenth  section  fund,  "  E."     1854-1900. 

Land  register  ;    comptroller's  office.     1850. 

County  ledger  (marked  "Autauga  County").     1870. 

County  ledger.     1856-1870. 

County  ledger.     1869-1872. 

County  ledger  (marked  "Franklin  County").     1873. 

County  ledger  (marked  "School  fund  ledger").     1871. 

County  ledger  (poll  tax).     1881-1887. 

County  ledger.     1871-1882. 

County  ledger.     1883-1891. 

County  ledger.     "  H."     1891-1895. 

County  ledger.     "  T."     .1895-1900. 

Township  ledger.     1833-1847. 

Township  ledger.     Nos.  1  and  2.     1881-1889. 

Township  ledger.     Nos.  3  and  4.     1890-91. 

Township  ledger.     Nos.  5  and  6.     1892-1894. 

Township  ledger.     Nos.  7  and  8.     1S95-1900. 

List  of  county  superintendents  and  list  of  newspapers  jniblished  in 
Alabama  in  1875. 

Memorandum  of  county  and  city  accounts.     1888-1889. 

Patent  register,  sixteenth  section  land  (labeled  "  F."  Register  of 
vouchers).     1891-1892. 

Poll  tax.     1871. 

Record,  amount  money  due  each  township.     1871. 

Record,  board  of  education  and  register  of  acts  passed.  1870-1874, 
1873.     2  vols. 

Record  of  proceedings  of  the  executive  and  building  committee  of  the 
University  of  Alabama  (marked  "Record").     1866. 

Record  of  receipts  for  sixteenth  section  notes.     1858-1900. 

Register  of  certificates.     1871. 

Register  of  requisitions.     1872. 

Register  of  requisitions  report.     1872-73. 

Register  of  teachers.     1899-1900. 

Register  of  vouchers.     1869. 

Re(iuisition  book.     1874. 

Report  of  sixteenth  section  notes  at  branch  bank,  Montgomery,  No- 
vember 1,  1851. 

Sixteenth  section  account  book.     1849-1854. 

Sixteenth  section  dividend.     1848-1851. 

Sixteenth  section  docket.     1840-41. 

Sixteenth  section  fund  (marked  ".Tournal"). 

Sixteenth  section  fund  (marked  "  Huntsville  ").     1836-1850. 

Sixteenth  section  fund.     1854-1859. 

Sixteenth  section  fund.     1856. 

Sixteenth  section  fund.     1860. 

Sixteenth  section  fund.     1801. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  513 

Sixteenth  sections  interest  account,  comptroller's  office. 

Sixteenth  section  journal  (marked  "Daybook").     1833-1847. 

Sixteenth  section  ledger.     1831-1841. 

Sixteenth  section.     "A."     1833-1841. 

Sixteenth  section.     "  C."     1854-1857. 

Sixteenth  section.     1  and  2.     1855-1863. 

Sixteenth  section,  branch  bank,  Montgomery.     1842-1851. 

Sixteenth  section,  branch  bank,  Mobile.     1836-1857. 

Sixteenth  section  record  book.     1833-1850. 

Sixteenth  section  record  book  of  notes  in  suit.     1855-1858. 

Sixteenth  section  register.     "A."     1849-1854. 

Sixteenth  section  register.     "  B."     1857-1900. 

Sixteenth  section  register.     "  C."     1851-1900. 

Sixteenth  section  register  notes  branch  bank  of  Alabama.     182S-1S37. 

Sixteenth  section  register  notes  in  hands  of  attorneys  for  collection. 

1845-1853. 
Sixteenth  section  notes  sent  attorneys  for  collection.     1848-1850. 
Statement  sixteenth  section  notes  at  branch  bank  of  Montgomery, 

November  1,  1857. 

7.  Commissioner  of  Agricultuke  and  Industries. 

The  department  of  agriculture  was  created  February  23, 
1888.  Its  administrative  head  is  a  commissioner,  required, 
under  the  statute,  to  be  "  a  practical  and  experienced  agri- 
culturist." The  department  has  published  official  reports, 
circulars,  and  bulletins,  copies  of  which  are  on  file. 

Its  manuscript  records  are  generally  complete  from  date 
of  organization,  and  are  as  follows : 

Crop  records.    1890-1900.    Large  folio.    4  vols. 
Guaranteed  analysis  of  fertilizers.    1883-1900.    Folio.    5  vols. 
Letters  received.    1887-1900.    Several  file  cases. 
Letters  sent.    1887-1900. 

From  1887  to  1900,  copies  preserved  in  press  copy  books.     At 
present  carbon  copies  are  preserved,  and  filed  with  original  com- 
munications. 
Business  administration. 

The  following  books  are  kept:  Cashbook,  tag  record,  license  reg- 
ister, check  book,  etc. 
Museum. 

In  the  department  museum  will  be  found  a  full  collection  of 
soils,  fruits,  grains,  grasses,  domestic  wines  and  liquors,  and  woods, 
besides  a  number  of  pictures  of  farm  and  industrial  life. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 33 


514  AMERICAK    HISTOEIOAL    ASSOCIATION. 

8.  Convict  Bureau. 

On  January  26,  1839,  a  "penitentiary  and  State  prison 
for  the  reformation  of  criminals"  was  established.  We- 
tumpka  was  selected  as  the  location.  Its  managing  head  has 
been  a  board  of  inspectors,  which  has  irregularly  published 
official  reports.  In  connection  with  the  administration  of 
the  bureau,  laws  and  regulations,  warden's  reports,  and 
sundry  legislative  documents  have  been  published.  For 
full  lists  of  these,  so  far  as  obtainable,  see  Owen's  Bibliogra- 
phy of  Alabama,  pages  1099-1103. 

Prior  to  18G8  the  manuscript  records  are  supposed  to  be 
wholly  lost.  From  1868  to  1883  they  are  irregular  and 
incomplete.  The  following  comprise  generally  the  official 
records  since  the  latter  date : 

Kecord  of  convicts,  State.    1883-1900.     Several  volumes. 
Kecord  of  convicts,  county.    18S3-1900.     Several  volumes. 

These  contain  the  court  history  of  each  convict 
Minutes  of  the  meetings  of  the  inspectors. 
Order  book. 
Discharge  book. 

These  two  books  are  kept,  the  one  for  orders  on  officials  to  con- 
tractors for  convicts,  while  the  other  contains  the  order  of' dis- 
charge. 
Clerks'  transcripts.     Filed  and  indexed.     1S83-1900. 
Contractors'  monthly  reports.     IMade  on  blank  forms.     1883-1900. 

Bound  in  volumes  every  two  years. 
Letters  received.     In  file  cases.     1883-1900. 
Letters  sent  out.    Letterpress  books.    1883-1900. 

The  financial  records  of  the  bureau  consist  of  cashbooks, 
prison  ledgers,  contractor's  ledgers,  journals,  etc. 

9.  Board  of  Health. 

The  medical  association  of  the  State  of  Alabama  is  made 
by  law  the  State  board  of  health.  The  first  appropriation 
made  by  the  State,  to  enable  it  "  to  carry  into  effect  the 
health  laws  of  the  State,"  was  by  act  of  February  12,  1879. 
The  records  and  files  of  the  office  appear  to  be  approximately 
complete  from  the  dates  when  first  adopted.  Statistical 
reports  and  circulars  have  been  published  from  time  to  time. 

The  following  are  the  records  kept : 

Medical  directory.     1886-1900.     14  vols. 
-     Contains  lists  of  physicians  and  midwives  by  counties  and  pre- 
cincts ;   also   statistics   by   counties   and  precincts   of   births   and 
deaths. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  515 

Quarantine  record  books.     Folio. 

Contain  proclamations  and  all  other  quarantine  business. 
Examination  papers  of  physicians.     1887-1900.     Several  volumes. 

Each  set  of  papers  is  preserved  and  separately  bound. 
Letters  received.    Filed  in  cases. 
Letters  sent.     Copies  preserved  in  press  books. 

10.  Railroad  Commission. 

The  railroad  commission,  consisting  of  a  president  and 
two  associates,  was  created  by  act  of  February  20,  1881.  It 
organized  February  28  following;  and  its  first  annual  report 
was  issued  covering  the  partial  year  ending  June  30,  1881. 
Its  annual  reports,  of  which  20  octavo  volumes. are  now 
published,  contain  valual)le  historical,  commercial,  and 
financial  statistics  in  relation  to  railroads  in  Alabama. 

Its  manuscript  records  are  complete  from  date  of  organi- 
zation, viz : 

Minutes  of  the  meetings  of  the  commissioners,  1881-1900.    Folio. 
Vol.  1.  February  28,  1881,  to  March  16,  1883. 
Vol.  2.  March  17,  1883,  to  March  31,  1886. 
Vol.  3.  April  5,  1886,  to  July  10,  1892. 
Vol.  4.  July  10,  1892,  to  October  4,  1898. 
Vol.  5.  October  19,  1898,  to  December  31,  1900. 
Rate  indexes.     3890-1900.     3  vols. 
Rate  files.     1890-1900.     11  file  cases. 
Docket  of  complaints.     1881-1900.     Several  volumes. 
Annual  reports  of  railroads  to  the  commissioners,  showing  business, 
statistics,  etc.     1889-1900. 

CoAers  annual  period,  June  30  to  June  30.     These  reports  are 
made  in  blank  volumes,  supplied  by  the  commissioners,  and  appear 
in  tabulated  form  in  the  printed  annual  reports. 
Letters  received.     1881-1900.     Several  file  cases. 
Letters  sent.     1881-1900. 

From  1881  to  1898,  copies  preserved  in  press  copy  books.  From 
1898  to  date,  carbon  copies  are  preserved  and  attached  to  original 
letter  for  file. 

11.  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

The  current  office  records  of  the  clerk  of  the  supreme  court 
consist  of  appearance,  trial,  motion  and  execution  dockets, 
and  minutes  of  the  terms  of  the  court.  These  are  supposed 
to  be  complete.  No  effort  has  been  made  to  list  them,  because 
it  would  serve  no  particular  purpose. 


616  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  official  record  of  each  case  consists  of  the  transcript  of 
the  record  thereof  in  the  trial  court,  a  copy  of  all  orders,  and 
of  the  final  judgment  or  decree,  and  the  manuscript  opinion 
of  the  supreme  court.  At  the  end  of  each  term  all  records  of 
cases  decided  during  said  term  are  to  be  "  bound  in  strong 
binding  and  lettered  so  as  to  show  the  term  at  which  the 
decisions  were  made."     (Code,  1896,  Vol.  I,  sees.  3860-38G1.) 

It  is  believed  that  these  case  records  are  complete  from  the 
first  term  of  the  court,  May,  1820.  They  are  preserved  in 
the  office  and  file  rooms  of  the  clerk  and  can  be  conveniently 
consulted.  ^lany  of  the  old  records  contain  interesting  and 
valuable  historical  data.  Kennedy's  Executors  v.  Kenne- 
dy's Heirs,  2  Alabama  Reports,  page  571,  is  an  exceedingly 
interesting  case  in  point. 

12.  Adjutant-General. 

The  adjutant-general  is  chief  of  staff  to  the  governor,  who 
is  the  commander  in  chief  of  "  the  active  volunteer  organ- 
ized military  forces  of  the  State."  The  former  is  charged 
Avith  a  number  of  duties  in  the  administration  of  the  mili- 
tary department.  Among  other  things,  he  is  required  to 
"keep  a  roster  of  all  the  officers  of  the  Alabama  National 
Guard  and  keep  on  file  in  his  oflice  all  reports  made  to  him." 
In  the  administration  of  the  office  the  books  kept  are  the 
following: 

QUERENT   BECORDS. 

Letters-received  book.  Contains  briefs  or  abstracts  of  all  letters 
received. 

Letterpress  copy  book.     Contains  impressions  of  all  letters  mailed. 

General-order  book. 

Special-order  book.     Consists  of  impression  copies. 

Indorsement  book.  Contains  entry  of  all  indorsements  made  on  cor- 
respondence, reports,  etc. 

Roster  of  officers,  Alabama  national  guard. 

Official  letters,  reports,  rosters,  etc.,  are  all  briefed  and 
filed  by  years. 

The  current  official  records  and  papers  of  the  office  are 
ajDparently  in  existence  from  1871. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  517 

OLD    MILITIA   RECORDS. 

The  old  militia  records  of  the  State  are  apparently  quite 
full  and  complete,  consisting  of  books  and  papers,  as  follows, 
viz: 

.Military  register.     1820-1832.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Contains  names  of  division,   brigade,   regimental,   and  company 
officers. 
Military  register.     1832-1844.     Folio.     1  vol. 
Military  register.     1844-1861.     Folio.     1  vol. 
Military  returns.     1818-1861.     42  packages. 

Reports  of  strength  and  equipment  of  militia.     1822-1832.     1  package. 
Military  reports  of  officers.     1839-1844.     1  package. 

INDIAN    WAR   RECORDS. 

Military  correspondence  in  relation  to  the  Creek  Indian  war.  1836- 
1839.     8  packages. 

These  papers  comprise  letters,  orders,  and  other  papers  from 
the  War  Department  at  Washington,  correspondence  of  Governors 
Clay  and  Bagby  with  the  several  commandants,  organization  of 
troops,  consultations  with  friendly  Indians,  letters  from  citizens 
claiming  protection  and  detailing  accounts  of  citizens  killed  by  hos- 
tile Indians,  and  the  destruction  of  property. 

There  are  also  muster  rolls  of  the  following  companies: 

Capt.  W.  R.  Smith's  company  of  mounted  volunteers,  from  Greene 
county. 

Capt.  James  McAdory's  company  of  mounted  volunteers,  from 
Jefferson  county. 

Capt.  George  W.  Patrick's  company  of  mounted  volunteers,  from 
St.  Clair  county. 

Capt.  O.  B.  Havis's  company  of  mounted  volunteers,  from  Shelby 
county. 

Capt.  Cornelius  Carmack's  company  of  mounted  volunteers,  from 
Lauderdale  county. 

Capt.  Samuel  Finch's  company  of  mounted  volunteers,  from  Lime- 
stone county. 

Capt.  John  Abbott's  company  of  mounted  volunteers,  from  Perry 
county. 

No  special  company  names  are  given  for  any  of  the  foregoing. 

Selma  Guards,  Capt.  J.  F.  Conoley. 

Tallassee  Guards,  Capt.  John  H.  Broadnax. 

True  Blues,  of  Montgomery,  Capt.  W.  Chisholm. 

Wilcox  Guard  of  Cavalry,  Capt.  W.  H.  Pledger. 

Montgomery  Invincibles,  Capt.  John  .W.  Bonham.  (The  letter 
notifying  Governor  Clay  of  the  organization  of  this  company  gives 
only  the  officers'  names.) 


518  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

These  muster  rolls  only  give  the  names  of  the  members  as  at 
first  organized  and  filed  with  the  governor.  There  were  many 
who  afterwards  joined  these  commands  whose  names  do  not 
appear. 

MEXICAN    WAB  EECOEDS. 

Papers   relating  to   the   Mexican   war.     Correspondence.     1846-1848. 
3  packages. 

Papers  relating  to  the  Mexican  war.     Muster  rolls.     1  package. 

From  1846  to  1848  the  correspondence  of  Governors  J.  L.  Martin 
and  R.  H.  Chapman  in  relation  to  the  Mexican  war  comprises  let- 
ters and  papers  as  to  raising,  organizing,  and  equipment  of  com- 
panies tendered  to  the  governor  for  twelve  months'  service,  in 
response  to  his  proclamation  calling  for  volunteers. 

Many  more  companies  were  offered  than  needed,  as  the  United 
States  only  called  on  tlie  State  of  Alabama  for  fifteen  companies; 
that  is  to  say,  one  regiment  and  one  battalion.  General  Gaines  had 
already  organized  two  regiments  of  Alabama  State  troops. 

In  addition  to  the  data  foregoing,  there  is  also  on  file  a 
large  folio  volume,  entitled  "  Muster  Rolls  Alabama  Vol- 
unteers Mexican  war.  184()— tT."  It  was  transmitted  by 
the  United  States  War  Department,  office  of  the  Adjutant- 
Genei'al,  with  a  communication  dated  April  27,  1887,  and 
shoAvs  all  who  actually  served..    It  contains  the  following: 

Roll  of  First  Regiment,  six  months'  service,  Companies  A,  B,  C,  D, 
E,  F,  G,  H,  r,  K,  L,  M. 

Roll  of  IMrst  Regiment,  twelve  months'  service,  Companies  A,  B,  C, 
D,  E,  F,  G,  H,  I,  K. 

Roll  of  infantry  battalion,  six  months'  service,  Companies  A,  B, 
C,  I>. 

Roll  of  four  companies,  six  months'  service. 

CONFEDERATE  WAR  RECORDS. 

The  method  of  preserving  the  current  records  of  the  part 
of  the  State  of  Alabama  and  of  Alabamians  in  the  Confeder- 
ate States  army  during  the  progress  of  hostilities  seems  to 
have  been  very  imperfect.  This  is  indicated  by  an  inspec- 
tion of  the  records  which  have  survived,  and  also  from  the 
further  fact  that  as  early  as  1863,  realizing  this  condition, 
the  State  provided  the  office  of  superintendent  of  army  rec- 
ords, charged  with  the  duty  of  collecting  and  preserving  the 
records  of  Alabama  soldiers.  To  the  position  thus  created 
Col.  William-H.  Fowler  was  appointed.  He  was  commis- 
sioned to  the  work  December  9,  1803,  and  until  the  close  of 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  519 

the  war  labored  steadily  to  gather  data  as  to  Alabama  troops 
in  the  Confederate  service.  In  a  report  to  Governor  Lewis 
E.  Parsons,  December  4,  1865  (Transactions  Alabama  His- 
torical Society,  1897-98,  Vol.  II,  p.  187),  he  thus  describes 
his  work,  and  at  the  same  time  gives  an  explanation  of  exist- 
ing gaps  in  the  records : 

In  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  that  office  I  collected  a  large  and 
interesting  mass  of  records,  comprising  returns  from  the  greater 
portion  of  the  troops  in  the  field  from  this  State,  being  carefully  pre- 
pared rolls  of  company,  regimental,  and  brigade  organizations,  show- 
ing the  names  and  service  of  men  and  officers ;  deaths  and  other  casu- 
alties ;  names,  dates,  and  reports  of  battles ;  personal  incidents  worthy 
to  be  preserved ;  and  very  complete  histories  in  full  of  many  regiments 
and  special  companies.  And,  upon  a  plan  adopted  in  accordance  with 
the  directions  of  the  law,  I  was  in  a  fair  way  to  speedily  complete  the 
work  contemplated.  The  events,  however,  of  April  and  May,  1805, 
brought  it  to  an  abrupt  termination  in  consequent  confusion ;  and 
much  of  the  material  that  I  had  accumulated,  having  been  deposited 
by  me  in  the  State  capitol  at  Montgomery,  was  lost  or  misplaced  in 
the  evacuation  of  this  city  at  the  date  named.  These  missing  records 
pertain  principally  to  the  Army  of  Tennessee  and  the  troops  serving 
south  of  Virginia,  and  I  have  some  hope  that  they  may  yet  be  re- 
claimed. I  was  at  Richmond  at  the  time  named,  endeavoring  to  get 
the  records  of  the  Alabamians  in  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia, 
in  which  effort  I  succeeded  most  happily,  and  have  preserved  them 
almost  entire — only  wanting  the  addition  of  some  small  organizations, 
which  I  was  estopped  from  obtaining  by  the  casualties  and  events  of 
the  memorable  closing  scenes  immediately  preceding  and  at  the  time 
of  the  surrender  of  General  Lee. 

The  following  lists  embrace  all  Alabama  Confederate 
records  which  have  been  preserved  and  which  are  not  else- 
where noted : 

Register  of  officers.    1861.    Folio.    1  vol. 

Shows  the  organization  of  the  State  by  counties  into  divisions, 
brigades,  and  regiments,  with  names  of  division,  brigade,  regi- 
mental and  company  officers. 

Register  of  volunteer  corps.     1862-1865.    Folio.     1  vol. 

Contains :  "  General  officers  in  Confederate  service  from  Ala- 
bama," "  Lists  by  counties,  Autauga  to  Winston,  of  commissioned 
officers ;  "  "  Ninety-day  volunteers  for  Mobile  service,"  1862,  by  coun- 
ties ;  lists  by  counties  of  thirty-day  volunteers,  1862,  who  served  at 
Pensacola ;  lists  by  counties  of  thirty-day  volunteers  who  served  at 
Gainesville;  list  of  "volunteers"  under  executive  proclamation, 
December  22,  1862;  county  military  (connnissioned)  officers,  1863, 
1864,  1865. 


520  AMERldAN    HISTORICAL   ASSOCIATION. 

Register  of  the  side  and  wounded  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  Ala- 
baniji  Volunteers.     December,  18G3-1864.     Folio.     1  vol. 

A  list  of  general  officers  and  aids  appointed  during  the  war.  1  pack- 
age. 

Papers  of  Col.  W.  H.  Fowler,  relating  to  his  collection  of  array  rec- 
ords.    1  package. 

Original  copies  of  the  ordinances  of  the  secession  convention.  1 
package. 

Enlistments  in  1861,  by  Capt.  William  Walker  and  others.  1  pack- 
age. 

Papers  relating  to  military  operations  at  Pensacola  in  1861.  1  pack- 
age. 

Appointments  of  brigade,  field,  and  staff  officers  in  1861  and  1862.  1 
package. 

Regimental  and  company  officers  appointed  in  1861  and  1862.  2 
packages. 

Papers  relating  to  the  cost  of  construction  of  the  gunboat  Baltic  at 
Mobile  in  1862.     1  package. 

Papers  relating  to  the  protection  of  the  University  of  Alabama.  1 
package. 

Muster  rolls  of  State  guards,  organized  under  the  "  governor's  procla- 
mation," by  counties,  in  1862  and  1868.     1  package. 

Muster  rolls  of  companies  for  thirty  and  ninety  days'  service  in  1862. 
1  i^ackage. 

Reports  by  counties  of  companies  enlisted  for  the  war  in  1862.  1 
package. 

Returns  of  the  strength  and  equipment  of  the  Second,  Fourth,  and 
Eleventh  divisions  in  1862.     1  package. 

Reports  of  the  strength  and  equipments  of  the  Ninth,  Twelfth,  Thir- 
teenth, Fifteenth,  Seventeenth,  Twenty-first,  Twenty-second, 
Twenty-third,  Forty-first,  Forty-sixth,  Forty-seventh,  Forty-eighth, 
Fifty-second,  Fifty-third,  Fifty-fifth,  Fifty-eighth,  Sixty-fiivst, 
Sixty-third,  Sixty-fifth,  Sixty-eighth,  Sixty-ninth,  Seventy-third, 
Seventy-eighth,  Seventy-ninth,  Eightieth,  Eighty-third,  Eighty- 
fourth,  Eighty-sixth,  Eighty-ninth,  Ninetieth,  Ninety-first,  Ninety- 
sixth,  One  hundred  and  first.  One  hundred  and  fifth,  and  One  hun- 
dred and  eighth  regiments  in  1862.     1  package. 

Recommendations  of  special   aids  for  the  enrollment  of  militia  in 

1863.  1  package. 

Muster  rolls  of  the  employees  of  the  Montgomery  and  West  Point, 
the  Alabama  and  Florida,  and  the  South  and  North  railroads  in 

1864.  1  package. 

Muster  rolls  of  militia  for  local  defense  in  1864  and  1865.    4  pack- 
ages. 
Muster  rolls  of  companies  organized  in  1860.     1  package. 
Muster  rolls  of  companies  organized  in  1861.     1  packaga 
Muster  and  pay  rolls  of  companies  in  1861.     2  packages. 
Rosters  of  commands  in  the  Confederate  States  army. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  521 

Muster  rolls,  pay  rolls,  historical  and  descriptive  rolls,  or  rough 
lists,  are  preserved  of  the  following  commands  from  Alabama  in  the 
Confederate  States  army,  viz: 

Infantry:  First  Regiment,  Second,  Third,  Fourth,  Sixth  (Com- 
pany A),  Seventh,  Eighth,  Ninth,  Tenth,  Eleventh,  Twelfth.  (Com- 
pany I),  Thirteenth,  Fourteenth,  Fifteenth,  Sixteenth,  Seventeenth, 
Eighteenth  (partial),  Nineteenth,  Twentieth,  Twenty -fourth.  Twenty- 
fifth,  Twenty-sixth,  Twenty-eighth,  Thirtieth,  Thirty-first,  Thirty- 
third,  Thirty-fourth,  Thirty-sixth,  Thirty-seventh,  Thirty-eighth, 
Thirty-ninth,  Fortieth,  Forty-first,  Forty-second,  Forty-third,  Forty- 
fourth,  Forty-fifth  (partial),  Forty-sixth,  Forty-seventh,  Forty- 
eighth,  Fifty-fourth  (Company  C),  Sixtieth,  and  Sixty-first  Regi- 
ment, Fifth  Battalion,  and  Hilliard's  Legion. 

Cavalry:  First  Regiment,  Second,  Seventh  (Company  K),  Fifty- 
sixth  (Company  E). 

Artillery :  First  Regiment. 

SPANISH-AMERICAN    WAR,    1898. 

The  records  of  volunteers  from  the  State  in  the  Spanish- 
American  war,  1898,  have  been  preserved  with  much  care, 
as  well  as  the  correspondence  for  the  period.  The  former 
consists  of  bound  books  as  follows : 

First  Regiment,  Alabama  Volunteer  Infantry.  Folio.  1  vol. 
Second  Regiment,  Alabama  Volunteer  Infantry.  Folio.  1  vol. 
Third  Regiment,  Alabama  Volunteer  Infantry.    Folio.    1  vol. 

In  addition,  the  adjutant-general,  in  General  Orders,  No. 
14,  dated  Montgomery,  July  15,  1899,  has  published  the  com- 
plete muster  rolls  of  the  three  regiments. 

13.  Department  of  Archives  and  History. 

The  department  of  archiA^es  and  history  was  established 
February  27,  1901,  and  organized  March  2,  1901.  Under  the 
act  of  establishment  "  the  objects  and  purposes  of  the  said  de- 
partment are  the  care  and  custody  of  official  archives,  the  col- 
lestion  of  materials  bearing  upon  the  histor}^  of  the  State, 
and  of  the  territory  included  therein,  from  the  earliest  times, 
the  completion  and  publication  of  the  State's  official  records 
and  other  historical  materials,  the  diffusion  of  knowledge  in 
reference  to  the  history  and  resources  of  the  State,  the  en- 
couragement of  historical  work  and  research,  and  the  per- 
formance of  such  other  acts  and  requirements  as  may  be  en- 
joined by  law." 


522 


AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 


In  its  work  the  following  administrative  records  are  kept: 
Accession  register  of  books,  accession  register  of  relics  and 
all  other  items  received,  register  of  donors,  manuscript  min- 
ute books  of  the  meetings  of  the  board  of  trustees,  and  an 
account  of  the  expenditure  of  the  department  maintenance 
fund.  All  correspondence,  data,  and  manuscript  collections 
are  carefully  classified  and  filed. 


TI.  County  Records. 

In  Alabama  there  are  67  counties.     The  followiag  is  an 
alphabetical  list,  with  dates  of  formation: 


Autauga,  November  21,  1818. 
Baldwin,  December  21,  1809. 
Barbour,  December  18,  1832. 
Bibb,  February  7,  1818. 
Blount,  February  7,  1818. 
Bullock,  December  5,  18G6. 
Butler,  December  13,  1819. 
Callioun,  December  18,  1832. 
Chambers,  December  18,  1832. 
Cherokee,  January  9,  1836. 
Cbiltou,  December  30,  1868. 
Choctaw,  December  29,  1847. 
Clarke,  December  10,  1812. 
Clay,  December  7,  1866. 
Cleburne,  December  6,  1866. 
Coffee,  December  29,  1841. 
Colbert,  February  6,  1867. 
Conecuh,  February  13,  1818. 
Coosa,  December  18,  1832. 
Covington,  December  7,  1821. 
Crenshaw,  November  24,  1866. 
Cullman,  January  24,  1877. 
Dale,  December  22,  1824. 
Dallas.  February  9,  1818. 
DeKalb,  January  9,  1836. 
Elmore,  February  15,  1866. 
Escambia,  December  10,  1868. 
Etowah,  December  7,  1866. 
Fayette,  December  20,  1824. 
Franklin,  February  6,  1818. 
Geneva,  December  26,  1868. 
Greene,  December  13,  1819. 
Hale,  January  30,  1867. 
Henry,  December  13,  1819. 


Houston,  February  9,  1903. 
Jackson,  December  13,  1819. 
Jefferson,  December  13,  1819. 
Lamar,  February  4,  1867. 
Lauderdale,  February  6,  1818. 
Lawrence,  February  6,  1818. 
Lee,  December  .5,  1866. 
Limestone,  February  6,  1818. 
Lowndes,  January  20,  1830. 
Macon,  December  18,  1832. 
Madison,  December  13,  1808. 
Marengo,  February  6,  1818. 
Marion,  February  13,  181& 
Marshall,  January  9,  1836. 
Mobile,  August  1,  1812. 
Monroe,  June  29,  1815. 
Montgomery,  December  6,  1816. 
Morgan,  February  6,  1818. 
Perry,  December  13,  1819. 
Pickens,  December  19,  1820. 
Pike,  December  7,  1821. 
Randolph,  December  18,  1832. 
Russell,  December  18,  1832. 
St.  Clair,  November  20,  1818. 
Shelby,  February  7,  1818. 
Sumter,  December  18,  1832. 
Talladega,  December  18,  1832. 
Tallapoosa,  December  18,  1832. 
Tuscaloosa,  February  7,  1818. 
Walker,  December  26,  1823. 
Washington,  June  4,  1800. 
Wilcox,  December  13,  1819. 
Winston,  February  12,  1850. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  523 

An  examination  shows  seven  counties — ^T\^ashington,  Madi- 
son, Baldwin,  Clarke,  Mobile,  Monroe,  and  Montgomery — 
formed  in  the  order  named  by  the  Mississippi  Territory,  and 
with  which  Alabama  Territory  was  established  March  3, 
1817.  The  two  sessions  of  the  Alabama  Territorial  legisla- 
ture formed  fifteen  additional  counties,  making  twenty -two 
represented  in  the  constitutional  convention  of  1819. 
Within  the  next  few  years  several  others  were  formed. 

While,  of  course,  the  records  of  all  are  more  or  less  valu- 
able, those  of  the  older  counties  are  particularly  so.  They 
have,  as  a  rule,  been  very  well  kept,  and  are  fairly  well 
preserved  and  cared  for.  They  contain  many  personal  and 
economic  details.  They  are,  in  fact,  a  mirror  of  the  lives  of 
the  people.  Of  course  they  have  suffered  in  many  instances 
from  the  carelessness  and  indifference  of  officials  and  custo- 
dians. A  disposition  now  exists,  however,  to  jealously  guard 
them,  and  in  many  cases  costly  safes  and  vaults  have  been 
provided  for  their  preservation.  Still,  with  the  frequent 
change  of  officials,  and  considering  the  large  number  of  offi- 
cers, there  is  to  be  found  considerable  indifference  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  proper  preservation,  especially  of  the  older 
records. 

Although  only  partially  developed  as  yet,  the  policy  of 
the  Department  of  archives  and  history  has  been  to  bring 
together  in  its  collections,  under  section  4  of  the  act  estab- 
lishing the  Department,  all  of  the  early  records  of  the  several 
counties.  This  will  insure  their  better  preservation  and  will 
at  the  same  time  make  them  more  readily  accessible  for  his- 
torical students.  Under  this  authorization  some  of  the  early 
records  of  the  counties  of  Blount,  Lawrence,  Jefferson,  Madi- 
son, Marshall,  Monroe,  Morgan,  and  Washington  have  been 
received.  Partial  files  of  the  newspapers  of  the  counties  of 
Escambia,  Jefferson,  Mobile,  and  Montgomery  have  been 
deposited  in  accordance  with  this  provision. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  county  offices:  Probate  judge, 
clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  register  in  chancery,  county  treas- 
urer, tax  assessor,  tax  collector,  sheriff,  coroner,  county  med- 
ical society,  county  health  officer,  county  surveyor,  county 
superintendent  of  education,  justice  of  the  peace,  and  notary 
public.  The  three  most  important  are  probate  judge,  clerk 
of  the  circuit  court,  and  register  in  chancery,  and  in  their 
offices  are  to  be  found  the  principal  records  of  value,  as  wills, 


524  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

deeds,  mortgages,  corporations,  administrations,  court  pro- 
ceedings, marriages,  divorces,  and  of  all  county  business  not 
included  in  the  records  hereinafter  specifically  described.  A 
statement  as  to  the  records  required  to  be  kept  by  the  several 
other  officers  is  now  given."  .   ,  , 

COUNTy   TREASURER. 

The  office  of  county  treasurer  is  charged  with  the  duty  of 
keeping  the  money  of  the  county  and  of  its  disbursement 
according  to  law.  In  its  administration  he  is  required  to 
keep  "  separate  registers  "  of  claims  against  the  general  fund, 
the  special  funds,  if  any,  and  the  fine  and  forfeiture  funds. 
In  Jefferson  County,  whose  fiscal  affairs  .largely  exceed  those 
of  any  other  county  of  the  State,  there  are  nine  distinct 
funds,  viz,  the  general  fund,  the  fine  and  forfeiture  fund, 
solicitor's  fund,  school  fund,  bridge  fund,  special-tax  road 
fund,  the  "  $2  "  road  fund,  the  land  redemption  fund,  and 
overplus  fund.  In  addition  to  the  records  of  these  funds, 
the  designations  of  the  remaining  records  of  this  office  are 
given  as  illustrating  the  statutory  requirements.  They  com- 
prise the  following: 

"  Treasurer's  cash  and  distribution,"  in  which  is  registered 
all  claims  of  a  miscellaneous  and  general  character  as  paid, 
with  amounts  and  dates. 

"  Cashbook,  road,  and  bridge  fund,"  in  which  is  kept  a 
complete  record  of  receipts  and  disbursements  on  this  ac- 
count. 

"  Daily  record  of  warrants  drawn." 

"  Claim  register,"  in  which  are  entered  claims  of  all  de- 
scriptions against  the  county  where  not  presently  paid,  the 
payment  after  registration  to  be  made  in  order  of  date  and 
number. 

"  Land  redemption  record." 

"  Overplus  fund." 

Separate  stub  books  of  all  receipts,  land  redemption,  and 
overplus  fund,  and  other  sources  of  receipt. 

There  are  also  sundry  office  blotters,  recapitulation  books, 
deposit  books,  etc. 

"An  elaborate  InvesUgation  of  the  records  of  the  several  counties  is  now 
being  conducted  by  the  Department  of  archives  and  history.  This  is  designed 
to  complete  the  work  of  the  Alabama  History  Commission,  and  the  result  is  to 
be  published  as  vol.  ii  of  its  Report,  etc. — see  General  Laws  of  Alabama,  1900- 
1901,  p.  129. 


ALABAMA    AKCHIVES.  525 

TAX   ASSESSOR. 

The  records  of  the  tax  assessor  comprise  the  blanks  and 
books  required  to  be  prepared  in  assessing  the  county  taxes 
each  year.  These  comprise  the  assessment  lists,  a  book  con- 
taining a  condensed  statement  of  all  assessments,  "  a  com- 
plete plat  book  of  all  real  estate  in  the  count}^,"  and  a  land 
book,  containing  "  a  complete  list  of  all  the  lands  in  the 
county."  In  several  of  the  counties  expensive  map  books  of 
the  lands  of  the  county  have  been  prepared  imder  special 
acts,  or  by  the  assessors  to  facilitate  their  work. 

CORONER. 

Coroners  are  required  to  reduce  all  inquests  to  writing  and 
return  them  to  court  forthwith.  (Code,  189G,  II,  4931.) 
It  is  presumed  that  a  short  fonnal  record  is  also  kept  of  such 
inquest  for  their  own  use.  A  coroner  is  often  called  upon  to 
perform  the  duties  of  sheriff,  and  the  record  of  his  official 
acts  in  this  capacity  is  kept  in  the  office  of  the  latter. 

COUNTY   MEDICAL   SOCIETY. 

The  county  medical  societies,  in  affiliation  with  the  medical 
association  of  the  State  of  Alabama,  are  the  county  boards 
of  health,  and  have  numerous  powers  in  the  administration  of 
health  laws,  as  in  the  matter  of  epidemic  and  other  diseases, 
nuisances,  sanitary  regulations,  quarantine,  etc.  Annual  re- 
ports are  required  to  be  made  to  the  court  of  county  commis- 
missioners  or  boards  of  revenue  and  to  the  State  board  of 
health  in  January  of  each  year.  (Code,  1896,  I,  2429,  2480.) 
These  reports  are  condensed  in  the  published  reports  of  the 
State  board,  etc. 

COUNTY    HEALTH   OITICER. 

The  county  health  officer  is  elected  by  the  county  board  of 
health,  which  fixes  his  term  of  office.  This  term  varies  in 
the  several  counties.  His  salary  is  fixed  by  the  court  of 
county  commissioners.     It  is  his  duty,  among  other  things — - 

To  keep,  under  such  regulations  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  county 
board  of  health,  a  book  to  be  styled  "  register  of  births,"  in  which  he 
must  register  all  births  occurring  in  the  county  reported  to  him, 
specifying,  so  far  as  reported,  the  sex  and  color  of  the  child,  the  date 


526  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

of  birth,  the  name  or  names  of  the  parent  or  parents,  with  such  other 
details  as  he  may  be  required  to  enter;  also  a  book  to  be  styled 
"  register  of  deaths,"  in  which  he  must  register  all  deaths  occurring 
in  tlie  county  reported  to  him,  specifying  the  date,  cause,  and  place  of 
death,  the  name,  age,  sex,  and  color  of  the  deceased  person,  with  such 
other  details  as  he  may  be  required  to  enter ;  also  a  book  to  be  styled 
"  register  of  infectious  diseases,"  in  which  he  must  register  all  cases 
of  pestilential  or  infectious  diseases  occurring  in  the  county  reported 
to  him,  with  such  other  details  as  he  may  be  required  to  enter.  (Code, 
1S90,  I,  2430.) 

These  regulations  as  to  registers  were  adopted  in  18 — . 
They  arc  faithfully  kept  in  many  connties,  while  in  others 
it  is  done  indifferently.  In  many  cases  local  or  attending 
physicians  fajl  to  make  reports,  which  in  so  far  renders  the 
registers  incomplete. 

COUNTY  SURVEYOR. 

County  surveyors  keep  no  official  books  of  record,  or  files 
of  official  papers,  or  official  files  or  copies  of  surveys  made 
by  them.  Surveys  or  phits  made  by  them,  in  accordance 
with  statute,  are  "  presumptive  evidence  of  the  facts  stated." 
(Code,  181JG,  I,  3889-3898.) 

COUNTY  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  EDUCATION. 

The  county  superintendent  of  education  is  charged  with 
a  number  of  responsible  duties  in  connection  with  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  schools  of  the  county,  supervising  the 
examination  of  teachers,  holding  teachers'  institutes,  the 
receipt  and  disbursement  of  school  funds,  control  of  local 
officials,  etc.  Unfortunately  the  statutory  requirements  as 
to  the  books  of  record  required  to  be  kept  by  him  have  been 
so  indefinite  that,  properly  speaking,  the  offices  of  the  county 
superintendent  of  education  may  be  said  to  be  without 
official  records.  If  a  proper  system  had  been  adopted  and 
enforced  from  the  establishment  of  the  system  in  1854,  local 
data  as  to  schools,  teachers,  etc.,  would  not  now  be  wanting. 

He  is  required  to  keep  a  book  of  receipts  and  disburse- 
ments on  account  of  the  educational  fund  of  the  county,  and 
also  a  book  of  apportionment  and  distribution  of  the  educa- 
tional fund  "  in  each  township  for  each  race."  (Code,  1896, 
I,  3556,  sub-division  5.) 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  527 

Annual  reports  are  also  to  be  made  by  him  to  the  State 
superintendent  of  education,  showing  the  condition  of  the 
public  schools  of  the  county. 

It  is  presumed  that  the  reports  by  township  trustees  of  the 
location  of  schools,  contracts  with  teachers,  papers  relating 
to  the  sixteenth  section  funds,  etc.,  are  filed  in  his  office.  It 
is  not  known  that  official  correspondence  is  preserved. 

Every  teacher  of  a  public  school  is  required  to  keep  a 
"  register  of  the  actual  daily  attendance  of  the  pupils  in  his 
school."  This  register  is  to  be  submitted  to  the  township 
trustees.     (Code,  189G,  I,  3572,  3580.) 

SPECIAL   OFFICIALS*  FOR    MOBILE    COUNTY. 

In  the  county  of  Mobile  are  certain  special  officials,  not 
provided  for  other  counties : 

Harbor  master  and  port  wardens  of  Mobile.  (Code,  1896, 
1,2974-2991.) 

Board  of  commissioners  of  pilotage.     (Ibid.,  2992-3013.) 
Quarantine  board  of  Mobile  Bay.     (Ibid.,  2422.) 
City  clerk  of  Mobile,  in  the  matter  of  his  duty  as  custo- 
dian of  "  Ship  registers."     (Ibid.,  3014.) 

JUSTICES   OF   THE   PEACE. 

Justices  of  the  peace  are  required  to  keep  a  "  docket  of  all 
cases  brought  before  "  them.  (Code,  1896,  I,  2664.)  These 
are  to  be  transmitted  to  their  successors  in  office.  (Ibirk, 
2679,  3039,  3133.)  The  latter  provision  is  very  rarely  com- 
plied with,  and  it  is  practically  impossible  to  locate  justices' 
records  except  for  recent  years. 

NOTARY   PUBLIC. 

A  notary  public  is  required  to  keep  "  a  fair  register  of  all 
his  official  acts."  (Code,  1896, 1,  3027.)  It  is  a  further  pro- 
vision that  "  in  case  of  the  death,  resignation,  removal,  or  ex- 
piration of  his  term  of  office,"  the  register  in  thirty  days  is  to 
be  deposited  with  the  probate  judge  of  the  county.  (Ibid., 
3028.)  In  very  few  instances  are  registers  found  to  be  kept 
at  all,  and  none  are  reported  as  deposited  in  the  probate 
offices. 


528  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

MOBILE   COUNTY   RECORDS. 

It  is  impossible,  owing  to  lack  of  data,  to  present  in  de- 
tail an  account  of  the  records  of  each  of  the  several  counties. 
The  importance,  however,  of  the  Mobile  county  records  seems 
to  make  desirable  a  special  description  of  them.  Such  infor- 
mation as  the  compiler  has  been  able  to  secure  is  given  below : 

COLONIAL   CIVIL  RECORDS. 

The  civil  records  for  colonial  times  at  Mobile  are  of  great 
value  and  are  not  inconsiderable  in  extent.  They  are  em- 
braced in  about  40  neat  packages,  deposited  in  two  or  three 
cypress  boxes  in  the  office  of  fhe  probate  judge.  Before 
American  times  most  of  the  river  country  was  Indian,  and 
the  few  white  settlements  outside  of  Mobile  looked  to  that 
place  for  government,  protection,  and  records. 

There  are  a  few  French  papers,  mainly  land  grants,  and 
less  English,  while  the  great  mass  of  them  are  Spanish. 
These  latter  cover  land  grants,  private  deeds,  administra- 
tions, and  other  public  papers.  The  Spanish  procedure  was 
very  precise,  calling  for  many  officials  and  witnesses,  and 
supervision  by  the  government  of  almost  every  business,  so 
that  from  these  papers  can  be  made  out  an  accurate  picture 
of  Spanish  life  on  the  Gulf  from  the  latter  part  of  the  eight- 
eenth century  to  the  second  decade  of  the  nineteenth.  These 
papers  should  be  classified,  bound,  and  indexed  for  easier 
use  and  better  preservation. 

The  bundles  and  contents  are  as  follows: 

Bundle  A.  89  judicial  proceedings.  1759-n87.     2  packages. 

Bundle  B.  8  judicial  proceedings.  1786-1803. 

Bundle  C.  27  judicial  proceedings.  1789. 

Bundle  D.  23  judicial  proceedings.  1790. 

Bundle  E.  25  judicial  proceedings.  1791. 

Bundle  F.  50  judicial  proceedings.  1792. 

Bundle  G.  63  judicial  proceedings.  1793.    2  packages. 

Bundle  H.  35  judicial  proceedings.  1794. 

Bundle  I.  65  judicial  proceedings.  1795. 

Bundle  K.  33  judicial  proceedings.  1796. 

Bundle  L.  34  judicial  proceedings.  1797. 

Bundle  M.  27  judicial  proceedings.  1799,  1803,  1809. 

Bundle  N.  50  judicial  proceedings.  1799. 

Bundle  O.  46  judicial  proceedings.  1800. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  529 

Bundle  P.  42  judicial  proceedings.     1801. 

Bundle  Q.  51  judicial  proceedings.     1802.    2  packages. 

Bundle  R.  43  judicial  proceedings.     1803. 

Bundle  S.  36  judicial  proceedings.     1804. 

Bundle  T.  dQ  judicial  proceedings.     1805. 

Bundle  U.  39  judicial  proceedings.     1806. 

Bundle  V.  29  judicial  proceedings.     1807. 

Bundle  W.  59  judicial  proceedings.     1808. 

Bundle  Y.  76  judicial  proceedings.     1809. 

Bundle  Z.  60  judicial  proceedings.     1810. 

Bundle  A2.  20  judicial  proceediilgs.     1811,  1812,  1813. 

Bundle  1.  15  powers  of  attorney. 

Bundle  2.  28  powers  of  attorney. 

Bundle  3.  24  powers  of  attorney. 

Bundle  4.  30  powers  of  attorney. 

Bundle  5.  33  powers  of  attorney. 

Bundle  6.  24  powers  of  attorney. 

The  "  judicial  proceedings  "  really  embrace  all  public  pro- 
ceedings, whether  judicial  or  executive. 

Perhaps  even  more  interesting  are  seven  packages  of  grants 
or  patents  of  the  Spanish  or  other  governments,  and  they 
have  been  made  accessible  in  the  "  translated  records."  The 
bundles  are  not  numbered,  but  are  as  follows : 

44  concessions  to  lands.     1715-1770,  1794-1796,  and  1797-1799. 

61  concessions  to  lands.  1773-1787. 

(\(j  concessions  to  kinds.  1789-1795. 

46  concessions  to  lands.  1798. 

42  concessions  to  lands.  1800  and  1810. 

40  concessions  to  lands.  1801-1809. 

20  concessions  to  lands.  Various  dates. 

The  number  of  papers  in  each  package,  however,  is  only 
approximate,  as  on  account  of  handling  and  rearrangement 
some  numbered  in  one  may  since  have  found  their  way  into 
other  bundles. 

The  "  translated  records  "  referred  to  are  in  two  volumes 
of  unequal  length,  and  are  translations  of  a  number  of  these 
grants  and  deeds,  but  not  of  the  judicial  proceedings.  They 
were  made  by  Joseph  E.  Caro  in  1841  under  an  act  of  the 
legislature  approved  January  9,  1833.  They  have  a  direct 
index  only,  but  are  of  great  value  and  are  in  frequent  use. 
The  earliest  paper  is  Governor  Cadillac's  grant  of  part  of 
Dauphine  Island,  November  12,  1715,  and  the  latest  in  Vol- 
ume I  is  a  Chastang  deed  of  January  18,  1812.  Volume  I^ 
H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 34 


530  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

exclusive  of  index,  has  43C  pages.  Volume  II  is  made  up  of 
grants  by  Governor-General  Galvez  and  others,  or  the  com- 
mandants at  Mobile,  beginning  with  one  of  Gayoso  to 
McDonald,  June  19,  1798,  and  ending  Avith  one  of  Governor- 
General  Kerlerec  to  Monbiraut,  March  11,  1763,  but  con- 
taining many  of  later  date — some  in  1810.     It  has  250  pages. 

There  are  few  French  and  less  British,  as  with  the  origi- 
nals. The  British  authorities  complained  that  when  the 
French  left  Mobile  in  17()3  they  removed  many  records,  and 
the  facts  seem  to  show  that  when  the  British  evacuated  the 
place  in  1780  they  took  even  more  than  the  French.  This 
may  partly  account  for  the  apparent  disregard  by  the 
Spaniards  of  old  British  grants.  There  are  numerous  in- 
quisitions by  the  Spanish  authorities  to  ascertain  whether 
land  is  "  vacant,"  which  often  means  "  abandoned,"  and  the 
new  grant  would  often  ignore  the  British  subdivisions. 
This  produced  much  confusion  and  litigation  in  early  Amer- 
ican times,  for  the  United  States  recognized  all  perfect 
grants  by  any  preceding  government.  In  this  way  the  gen- 
eral land  office  (and  in  a  less  degree  the  courts)  has  become 
the  depository  of  a  vast  deal  of  testimony  and  many  docu- 
ments of  much  value  for  history. 

FolloAving  the  description  of  these  early  and  valuable 
records  and  paj)ers,  it  is  proper  to  present  an  account  of  their 
preservation,  a  circumstance  largely  due  to  the  vigilance 
and  zeal  of  Judge  Harry  Toulmin.  The  following  letter 
to  James  Monroe,  secretary  of  State,  with  the  inclosed  copies, 
gives  a  full  explanation.  The  letter  from  the  governor  has 
not  been  found.  But  for  Judge  Toulmin's  action  it  is  alto- 
gether ])robable  that  but  few  of  the  papers  referred  to  would 
now  be  in  Mobile.^ 

Judge  Toulmin  to  Mr.  Monroe. 

Fort  Stoddeet  23d  June  1813. 
Sir:  Under  the  impression  that  it  will  be  highly  desirable  that 
some  disposition  should  be  made  by  law  during  the  present  session  of 
Congress,  of  the  Spanish  documents  lately  come  into  our  posses- 
sion;— I  take  the  liberty  of  doing  myself  the  honor  of  addressing  you 
immediately  on  the  subject,  as  1  ajn  fearful  that  any  communication 

"  These  three  letters  are  from  the  manuscript  collections  of  the  compiler, 
from  the  originals  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  State,  Washington. 


ALABAMA    AECHIVES.  531 

through  the  medium  of  the  GoA^ernor  (being  so  circuitous)  will  not 
reach  the  city  of  Washington  previous  to  an  adjournment. 

The  papers  which  were  delivered  to  Governor  Holmes  soon  after 
the  evacuation  of  the  Fort  by  the  Spaniards,  I  was  perfectly  satisfied 
at  the  time  made  but  a  small  part  of  the  records  of  the  Command- 
ancy: — but  although  I  put  the  question  in  various  shapes  to  the 
Lieut,  of  Artillery,  Don  Juan  lOsteven,  who  was  entrusted  with  the 
charge  of  delivering  them.  I  was  assured  that  they  were  all  which 
he  knew  of,  &  that  in  delivering  them,  he  fully  executed  his  com- 
mission. 

I  enclose  you  a  cojiy  of  the  application  which  I  made  to  the  Span- 
ish Governor  in  the  name  of  Governor  Holmes,  for  the  remainder: — 
and  as  I  knew  that,  agreeably  to  Spanish  habits,  much  greater  weight 
would  be  given  to  it,  if  delivered  by  a  military  ofiicer,  I  made  a  reqnest 
to  Col.  Bowyer,  which  I  also  enclose,  and  which  he  readily  complied 
with. 

The  answer  of  the  Governor,  herewith  transmitted  (and  which  I 
have  translated  and  sent  to  Governor  Holmes),  discovers  a  greater 
portion  of  liberality  than  I  expected.  He  does  not  seem  to  have  lost 
his  regard  for  the  people  of  the  province,  although  he  cannot  but 
remind  us  of  the  bitterness  of  "  the  unjust  aggression  of  which  they 
have  been  the  victims." 

I  found  the  papers  in  question  in  the  house  of  the  very  lady,  who 
had  assured  me  that  they  had  been  sent  to  I'ensacola ;  although,  in- 
deed, sbe  explained  away  the  inconsistency  by  saying  that  the  boxes 
she  had  described  to  me,  she  now  found  to  contain  the  military 
papers.  The  Lieut*,  of  Artillery  on  receiving  the  letter  which  hnd  been 
enclosed  to  me  by  the  Governor,  iuunediately  went  to  the  house  of 
the  lady,  and  was  about  to  have  the  papers  removed  to  the  house  of 
Don  Michael  (sic)  Eslava,  the  late  collector  and  commissary.  He 
also  informed  me,  on  my  calling  at  the  same  house,  that  he  could  not 
deliver  them  up,  till  the  next  afternoon,  and  must  in  the  mean  time 
separate  the  public  from  the  private  pai)ers.  As  T  had  from  various 
circumstances,  strong  doubts  about  the  intentions  of  these  gentlemen, 
and  was  fearful,  that  by  suffering  a  secret  scrutiny  and  selection  of 
the  papers,  the  authenticity  of  the  whole  might  afterwards  be  ren- 
dered questionable; — I  remonstrated  against  this  course  of  pro- 
cedure:— but  as  my  remonstrances  had  but  little  effect,  I  could  not  but 
feel,  in  determining  upon  the  course  to  be  pursued,  some  conflict  be- 
tween personal  politeness  and  public  duty.  However,  T  finally  sealed 
the  trunk,  &  assured  the  Lieutenant,  that  I  would  trust  to  his  honor 
that  the  seals  would  not  be  violated.  He  instantly  became  angry, 
and  declared  that  he  would  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  the  papers. 
I  therefore  took  them  into  immediate  possession,  and  on  the  two 
following  days  was  employed  with  some  Spanish  gentlemen  in  making 
out  a  general  list  of  them.  I  have  deposited  them,  for  safe  keeping, 
in  the  hands  of  Col.  Zenon  Orso,  a  Notary  public  at  Mobile,  who  is  a 
master  both  of  the  french,  Spanish  and  english  languages.  I  have 
sworn  him  likewise  for  the  faithful  preservation  of  them,  and  have 


532  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

recommended  it  to  him  to  make  out  a  list  of  every  individual  paper, 
as  well  for  the  information  of  the  Government,  as  to  become  evidence 
hereafter,  of  what  papers  were  actually  delivered  by  the  Spanish 
otiicer,  and  are  from  that  circumstance  entitled  to  credit  as  public 
documents.  I  have  also  informed  him  that  I  would  transmit  to  the 
national  government  any  reasonable  account  of  charges  for  these 
services. 

The  papers  which  were  delivered  to  Gov.  Holmes,  &  which  he 
delivered  to  me,  were  deposited  with  Mr.  Acre,  the  land  commission- 
er's clerk ;  but  as  he  is  removing  his  office  and  wished  to  return  them, 
I  have  requested  him  to  deliver  them  also  to  Col.  Orso.  These  related 
entirely  I  think  to  the  original  grants  of  lands  from  the  year  17G3 
to  the  year  1810,— tied  up  in  bundles  according  to  the  years,  and  con- 
taining altogotlier  about  oOO  papers. 

Those  lately  delivered  are  filed  in  the  same  way  from  the  year 
17SG  to  the  present  time,  excepting  the  year  1812.  They  are  bills  of 
sale,  private  contracts,  letters  of  emancipation,  wills,  distributions 
of  estates,  proces  verbal  in  civil  and  criminal  suits  &c.  They  are 
about  three  times  the  bulk  of  those  delivered  at  first,  and  were  not 
intermixed  with  any  private  papers. 

There  is  no  record  received  of  the  plan  of  the  tow^n,  no  account  of 
the  disposition  of  lots,  and,  I  believe,  no  evidence  of  property  belong- 
ing to  the  government.  I  propose  to  state  this  in  another  letter  to  the 
governor  of  Pensacola. 

Some  of  the  papers  relate  to  lands  above  the  old  line ;  but  as  they 
are  generally  in  French  or  Spanish :  I  should  suppose  that  it  would  be 
most  advisable  that  the  whole  should  remain  together  at  Mobile:—^ 
and  if  the  law  provides  that  copies,  or  even  translations,  made 
by  the  oflScer  in  whose  custody  they  are,  shall  have  the  same  weight 
as  originals ;  I  do  not  see  any  inconvenience  which  would  result 
from  their  remaining  at  Mobile,  sufficiently  great  to  counterbalance 
the  risque,  which  will  attend  their  being  distributed  among  different 
oflices.  Should  the  President  eventually  appoint  a  keeper  of  these 
records :  I  would  take  leave  to  recommend  the  present  notary  public, 
Colonel  Zenon  Orso,  a  native  of  Louisiana,  who  has  lived  however  a 
considerable  time  in  the  United  States,  but  has  been  established  many 
years  at  Mobile,  and  is  a  man  of  character,  and  every  way  qualified 
for  the  trust. 

[Inclosure.] 

Judge  Toulmin  to  Colonel  Bowyer, 

MoBTi-E  24th  May  ISIS 
Dear  Sir:  Having  been  specially  requested  by  Governor  Holmes, 
to  make  application  for  a  number  of  public  papers  &  records  which 
were  not  delivered  up  by  the  late  Conunandant ;  I  have  written  to 
the  Governor  of  Pensacola  on  the  subject :  and  under  the  belief  that 
it  will  be  the  most  effectual  mode  of  giving  weight  to  the  application, 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  538 

I  write  to  solicit  the  favor  of  you,  to  send  an  officer  to  Pensacola, 
with  the  Governors  application  as  made  through  me. 

The  possession  of  these  papers  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the 
American  Government,  and  to  the  Citizens  of  this  Territory ;  and  I 
should  be  deficient  in  a  respect  to  both,  did  I  not  use  every  means  in 
my  power  to  accomplish  that  object.  Under  this  impression,  I  take 
the  liberty  of  earnestly  praying  your  aid  in  whatever  you  may  deem 
most  likely  to  be  effectual.  Should  you  think  it  expedient  to  comply 
with  the  request,  which  I  make  in  the  name  of  the  Governor ;  I  would 
pray  you  to  be  pleased  to  suggest  to  the  Officer  to  whose  care  the 
affair  may  be  entrusted,  the  propriety  of  having  the  books  &  papers, 
when  delivered,  secured  in  the  custody  of  some  respectable  Individ- 
ual, at  Pensacola,  until  I  can  provide  means  for  their  transportation 
to  this  place. 

I  have  left  open  the  enclosed  for  your  perusal  &  pray  you  to  seal  it 
I  am,  dear  Sir  Very  respectfully  Your  obt.  &  faithful  servt. 

Harey  Toulmin. 

Lieut.  Col.  John  Bowyer 

Commanding  at  Perdido — 

[Endorsement :  "  Copy  of  letter  to  Col.  Bowyer."] 

[Inclosure.] 
Judge  Toulmin  to  Governor  Manriques. 

Mobile  2Jfth  May  1813 

Sir  :  His  Excellency  Governor  Holmes  previously  to  his  leaving  this 
Coutitry,  understanding  that  some  mistake  had  probably  been  made  in 
the  delivery  of  the  public  Records,  belonging  to  this  post,  requested 
me,  as  the  chief  civil  Officer  in  this  part  of  the  Territory,  to  make 
application  to  your  Excellency  for  such  books  &,  papers  relating  to 
land-titles,  and  civil  contracts,  as  had  been  deposited  in  the  Office  of 
the  Commandant  of  this  post. 

I  have,  since,  learned  that  several  boxes  containing  such  documents 
had,  by  mistake,  been  put  on  board  the  vessel  in  which  the  late  Com- 
mandant departed : — and  that  although  it  was  intended  to  reland 
them,  yet,  in  the  hurry  of  removal,  it  was  forgotten  to  be  done,  and 
they  were,  accordingly,  taken  to  Pensacola. 

I,  therefore,  do  myself  the  honor,  in  the  name  of  the  Governor  of 
the  Mississippi  Territory,  to  solicit  your  Excellency  to  cause  them  to 
be  delivered  to  the  Officer  who  will  have  the  honor  to  present  this 
application  to  you.  The  great  importance  of  these  Records,  to  the 
Inhabitants  of  this  province,  as  containing  the  evidences  of  those  con- 
cessions which  were  made  to  them  by  the  benignity  of  the  Spanish 
Government  will,  I  am  sure,  afford  to  your  Excellency  a  sufficient  in- 
ducement for  a  compliance  with  this  request. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully 

Your  Excellency's  most  obt.  &  most  humble  servt. 

Harry  Toulmin. 

His  Excellency  Don  Gonzales  Manriques 

Governor  of  Pensacola. 


534  AMEKICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

LATER    CIVIL   RECORDS. 

Deed  book  "  A  "  begins  in  1818,  book  "  B  "  in  1817,  book 
"  C  "  in  1818,  book  "'  D  "  in  1820,  book  "  E  "  in  1822,  etc. 

Book  1  of  wills  has  280  pages,  begins  with  the  wdll  of 
Charles  Conway,  made  February  7,  1813,  and  ends  wdth  that 
of  Susan  T.  Dade,  September  28,  1837. 

Book  1  of  minutes  of  the  orphans'  court  has  593  pages,  it 
begins  with  a  session  on  January  18,  1814,  Josiah  Bhikely 
presiding  justice,  and  Benjamin  Dubroca  and  Lewis  Dolive 
justices  of  the  quorum,  the  first  act  being  in  the  administra- 
tion of  the  estate  of  Charles  Conway,  deceased. 

The  chancery  files  do  not  begin  until  1814,  when  Claire 
Carman,  by  her  prochein  amy,  Kobert  Huston,  sought  an  in- 
junction of  Hon.  JTarry  Toulmin,  esq.,  judge  of  the  district 
of  Washington,  exercising  equity  jurisdiction,  to  protect  her 
separate  property,  brought  into  tlie  common  stock  or  com- 
munity b}^  a  marriage  contract  of  1801,  under  Spanish  law^s, 
from  liability  for  her  husband's  debts.  Samuel  Acre  was 
her  solicitor.  Next  seems  to  be  Eliphalet  Beebe's  bill  for 
divorce  from  his  wife  Elizabeth,  who  refused  to  accompany 
him  to  Mobile  and  there  "  enjoy  the  comforts  and  blessings  of 
matrimony,"  but  "  moved  and  instigated  by  the  devil  "  re- 
mained in  ''  the  scenes  of  folly  and  crime  "  at  New  Orleans, 
living  in  adultery.  But  a  jury  found  adversely  to  Eli])ha- 
let.  The  records  of  this  court  as  distinguished  from  the 
circuit  do  not  begin  regularly  until  1828  and  1839. 

The  circuit  court  records  begin  1827,  but  there  are  many 
loose  files  of  earlier  date.  As  at  present  arranged  the  files  do 
not  go  back  of  1825. 

These  early  books  and  records  of  American  times  have  a 
double  value,  for  they  relate  largely  to  Spanish  people,  titles, 
and  customs,  and  yet  shoAv  the  gradual  transition  to  Ameri- 
can institutions  and  pf)j>ulation.  Many  American  names  are 
really  of  people  who  came  to  Mobile  in  Spanish  times  and  be- 
came well  His])anized.  Of  these  Murrell,  Kennedy,  Ilobart, 
and  Blakely  are  prominent  exam]:)les.  The  Latin  element 
has  gradually  disappeared  from  view  and  the  language  from 
the  streets,  but  it  is  still  in  the  blood  of  many  families,  even 
of  some  who  do  not  know  it. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  535 

III.  Municipal  Eecords. 

The  functions  and  operations  of  municipal  corporations, 
as  local  governmental  agencies,  are  of  such  vital  importance 
to  the  people  grouped  in  city  conmiunities  that  to  the  his- 
tory of  their  growth  and  development  is  attached  the  ver^^ 
highest  interest.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  records  below  are 
purely  administrative  in  character.  The  municipal  corpora- 
tion in  Alabama  has  never  been  charged  with  the  duty  of 
keeping  registers  of  vital  statistics,  or  of  attention  to  a  num- 
ber of  matters  required  of  towns  in  the  Eastern  States. 
Town  records  here,  therefore,  are  concerned  chiefly  with 
municipal  routine,  etc.,  and  are  only  incidentally  valuable 
for  personal  history. 

With  reference  to  the  manuscript  official  records  of  the 
larger  number  of  cities  and  towns  not  desei-ibed  below,  it 
can  doubtless  be  safely  stated  that  they  are  iucouiplete  and 
imperfectly  kept. 

1.  Birmingham. 

On  December  19,  1871,  the  city  of  P>irn)ingham  was  incor- 
porated. The  first  meeting  of  the  city  council  w^as  held 
December  22,  three  days  later.  The  manuscript  records  and 
files  are  in  excellent  condition,  their  present  orderly  arrange- 
ment being  due  to  the  several  city  clerks. 

MINUTE   BOOKS. 

Vol.  1.  December  22,  1S71,  to  November  5,  1873.     Lost 

Vol.  2.  November  19,  1873,  to  December  17,  1879. 

Vol.  3.  January  7,  1880,  to  March  19,  1884. 

Vol.  4.  April  2,  1884,  to  December  28,  1888. 

Vol.5.  January  2,  1889,  to  July  29.  1891. 

Vol.  6.  August  5,  1891,  to  December  30,  1895. 

Vol.7.  January  15,  1890,  to  May  3,  1899. 

Vol.  8.  May  17,  1899,  to  August  17,  1900. 

Vol.  9  September  5,  1900  — . 

MINUTES    OF   THE   TOWN    OP    HIGHLANDS. 

January  18,  1887,  to  February  7,  1893.    Folio.    1  vol. 


536  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

In  the  office  of  the  city  clerk  are  also  preserved  the  books 
of  the  city  auditor,  tax  assessor,  tax  collector,  and  treasurer. 
The  records  of  these  offices  are  practically  complete  from 
their  institution. 

Among  the  miscellaneous  books  and  papers  kept  by  the 
clerk  are  improvement  ordinances,  records  of  building  per- 
mits, cemetery  records,  election  records  and  papers,  dog-tax 
records,  estimates,  fines  and  fees,  inferior  court  reports,  im- 
provement ledger,  judicial  reports,  license  records,  market 
records,  meat  and  milk  inspector's  records,  oaths  of  office, 
official  reports,  petitions,  police  reports,  poll  and  street  tax 
books  and  papers,  j^rison  reports,  poundkeeper's  papers,  etc. 
There  is  also  the  original  manuscript  of  the  city  code, 
adopted  by  ordinance  of  February  19,  1890. 

2.    EUFAULA. 

Eufaula  was  settled  about  1833.  and  incorporated  in  1837 
as  "  Irwinton."  The  name  was  changed  to  the  present  one 
six  years  later.  No  information  has  been  obtained  concern- 
ing its  early  records. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  its  manuscript  minutes: 

Record  A.  Period  unknown.    Lost. 

Record  B.  March  2,  1870,  closing  April  29,  1873.    400  pagesg. 
Record  C.  May  8,  1878,  closing  December  33,  1878.    588  pages. 
Record  D.  January  7,  1878,  closing  .January  .31,  1884.     588  pages. 
Record  E.  February  19,  1884,  closing  December  10,  1889.    588  pages. 
Record  F.  January  7,  1890,  closing  December  5,  1900.    598  pages. 

3.    HUNTSVILLE. 

The  little  village  which  grew  up  about  the  "  Big  Spring,"  in 
Madison  County,  was  called  "  Twickenham  "  by  act  of  De- 
cember 23,  1809,  but  on  November  25,  1811,  the  name  was 
changed  to  Iluntsville.  On  December  9,  1811,  the  latter  was 
incorporated,  and  since  that  time  a  municipal  organization 
has  been  maintained.  The  location  and  condition  of  the 
early  records,  from  1811  to  1828,  has  not  been  ascertained. 

No  manuscript  ordinance  books  are  kept,  all  ordinances 
being  entered  at  length  in  the  minutes. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  537 

The  following  list  represents  the  manuscript  minutes: 

No.  3.  February  1,  1828,  to  August  19,  1834,  inclusive.    348  pages. 
No.  2.  August  19,  1834,  to  June  27,  1837.    Missing. 
No.  3.  June  27,  1837,  to  December  26,  1843,  inclusive,    375  pages. 
No.  4.  December  26,  1843,  to  December  22,  1853.    JSIissing. 
No.  5.  December  22, 1853,  to  February  28,  1862,  inclusive.    502  pages. 
No.  6.  March  4,  1862,  to  April  13,  1870,  inclusive.    540  pages. 
No.  7.  April  13,  1870,  to  August  3,  1872,  inclusive.    438  pages. 
No.  8.  September  17,  1872,  to  April  9,  1877,  inclusive.    597  pages. 
No.  9.  April  9,  1877,  to  April  10,  1882,  inclusive.    546  pages. 
No.  10.  April  10,  1882,  to  December  28,  1891,  inclusive.    579  pages. 
No.  11.  January  5,  1892,  up  to  and  including  November  13,  1900. 
430  pages. 

4.  Mobile. 

The  city  of  Mobile  has  the  longest  continuous  existence  of 
any  settlement  on  the  Gulf  coast.  The  source  material  of  its 
annals  is  abundant.  Its  history  has  been  excellently  deline- 
ated by  Peter  J.  Hamilton  in  Colonial  Mobile  (1897,  8vo. 
pp.  446),  in  which  appear  passim  critical  estimates  of  all 
authorities  published  and  in  manuscript.  In  its  preparation 
the  author  had  access  to  material  hitherto  unused,  and  his 
work  renders  necessary  the  readjustment,  in  many  particu- 
lars, of  the  popular  narratives  of  the  early  history  of  the 
Gulf  States.  For  the  later  period,  Owen's  Bibliography  of 
Alabama  contains  full  references  to  practically  all  printed 
material,  as  directories,  codes,  maps,  schools,  histories  and 
churches. 

In  his  Charter  and  Code  of  Ordinances  (1897),  Mr.  Ham- 
ilton, among  other  things,  presents  full  lists  of  the  "  city 
charters,"  "  maps  of  Mobile,"  "  streets,"  and  "  president  and 
mayors,"  1814-1897.  The  official  records  are  given  by  Mr. 
Hamilton,  as  follows  (pages  420-421)  : 

(Guardhouse  and  other  dockets,  account  books,  etc.,  are  of  tempo- 
rary value  and  are  not  included.  The  numbers,  etc.,  are  those 
marked  on  the  books,  so  far  as  marked  at  all.) 

A.  Minutes. 

Commissioners  of  town  of  Mobile,  1,  1814-1819. 

1.  Mayor  and  aldermen  of  city,  1820 (?) -1824.     (Mutilated.) 

2.  Mayor  and  aldermen  of  city,  1824-1829.     (Mutilated.) 

3.  Mayor  and  aldermen  of  city,  1829-1832.     (Mutilated.) 


538  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

4.  Mayor,  aldermen,  and  common  council,  and  each  board,  April  5, 
1839,  to  September  23,  1842.     (Mutilated.) 

5.  Mayor,  aldermen,  and  common  council,  1839 (?)  to  November  30, 
1844.     (Mutilated.) 

6.  Mayor,  aldermen,  and  common  council,  April  1,  1839,  to  Septem- 
ber 5,  1843.     (Mutilated.) 

7.  Board  of  aldermen,  September  19,  1843,  to  September  2,  1847. 
(Mutilated.) 

8.  Board  of  common  council,  December  5,  1844,  to  1849.  (Muti- 
lated.) 

9.  Board  of  aldermen,  1850-1855.     (Mutilated.) 

10.  Board  of  common  council.  May  6,  1853,  to  1859. 

11.  Board  of  aldermen,  1855-1857. 

12.  Board  of  aldermen,  1857-1S61. 

Al.  Aldermen,  October  37,  1861,  to  1800. 

A2.  Aldermen,  February,  1867,  to  1869.     (Mutilated.) 

A3.  Aldermen,  August  1,  1871,  to  1874.     (Mutilated.) 

A4.  Aldermen,  1875  to  March  14,  1879. 

CI.  Common  council,  1859-1800.     (Mutilated.) 

C2.  Connnon  council,  18()6-1871. 

C3.  Connnon  council,  1871-1878. 

C4.  Connnon  council,  1878  to  March  13,  1879. 

1.  Port  police  commissioners,  March  15,  1879,  to  1882. 

2.  Port  police  board,  March  20,  1882,  to  1885. 

3.  Port  police  board,  1885-1887. 

4.  General  council,  March  21,  1887,  to  1890. 

5.  General  council,  1890-1894. 
0.  General  council,  1894-1897. 
7.  General  council,  1897-        ^ 

15.  Board  of  councilmen,  April  1,  1887,  to  February  10,  1897. 

16.  Board  of  aldermen,  April  8,  1887,  to  March  3,  1897. 

B.  MS.  ordinance  1)Ooks. 

Board  of  commissioners,  March  16,  1814,  to  August  14,  1821, 

Mayor  and  aldermen,  December  19,  1821,  to  March  3,  1825. 

Mayor,  ald(^rmen,  and  connnon  council,  January  9,  1854,  to  October 
10,  1863. 

Same,  August  9,  18(56,  to  December  24,  1867. 

Same,  resolutions,  January  3,  1871,  to  February  14,  1879. 

Mayor,  aldermen,  and  common  council,  April  1,  1870,  to  February 
10,  1897. 

17.  Mobile  police  board,  March  15,  1879,  to  February  8,  1887. 

18.  Mayor  and  general  council,  March  21 ,  1887,  to  April  6,  1895. 

19.  Mayor  and  general  council,  June  5,  1895,  to , 


ALABAMA    AKCHIVES.  539 

5.  Montgomery. 

Montgomery  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  December  3, 
1819,  which  consolidated  the  two  villages  of  New  Philadel- 
phia and  East  Alabama.  M.  P.  Blue,  in  1878,  prepared  a 
history  of  the  city,  "  with  a  summary  of  events  in  that  his- 
tory calendarically  arranged."  Recently  Dr.  George  Petrie, 
of  the  chair  of  history,  Alabama  Polytechnic  Institute, 
Auburn,  has  published  a  valuable  sketch  of  the  city  in  His- 
toric Towns  of  the  Southern  States  (1900).  Messages  of 
the  mayor,  with  official  reports,  have  been  published  at  least 
since  1876-77.  For  bibliography  of  directories  and  official 
publications,  see  Ow^en's  Bibliography  of  Alabama,  passim. 

MANUSCRIPT   RECORDS. 

Records  of  the  corporation  of  Moiitgoniery  from  1S20  to  1834.  "A." 
Folio.  1  vol.  (First  entry  is  the  act  of  incorporation,  December  3, 
1819,  and  the  first  meeting  of  January  3,  1820.) 

Records.  "  B."     1834-1838.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  "  C."     1838-184(5.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  "  D."     184G-1850.     Folio.     1vol.' 

RecoMs.  "D2."     1850-1852.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  1852-1856.      (Common  conneil.)      Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  1852-1850.     (Mayor  and  aldermen.)     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  '^  G."     1850-1800.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  "  H."     1800-1800.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  1800-1873.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  1873-1877.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  1877-1882.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Records.  1882-1 8S4.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  1884-1888.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  1888-1891.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  1891-1893.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  1893-1895.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  1890^1898.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Records.  1898-1900.     Folio.     1vol. 

Records.  1900  (current).     Folio.     1vol. 

SCRAPBOOK    MINUTES. 

The  regular  proceedings  of  the  council  are  required  to  be 
published  in  some  newspa])er  of  the  city.  These  are  pre- 
served in  bound  form,  as  follows: 

1879-1884.  Folio.  1  vol. 
1884-1893.  Folio.  1vol. 
1893-1900.  Folio.  1vol. 
1900  (current).     Folio.     1vol.* 


540 


AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 


ORDINANCE  BOOKS. 

Digest  of  town  ordinances.     1820-1836.     Folio.     1  voL 
Book,  18;>G-1838,  if  any,  not  found. 
"C."     Ordinances.     1838-1850.     Folio.     1vol. 
Boolvs,  38.50-] 875,  if  any,  not  found. 
Ordinances.     3S75-1900.     Folio.     1vol. 
Tbe  first  ordinance  bears  the  number  234. 

MISCELLANEOUS    OFFICIAL   RECORDS. 

In  the  office  of  the  city  clerk  are  preserved  the  official 
records  of  the  city  treasurer,  cit}^  tax  assessor,  and  the  city 
tax  collector,  but  for  what  period  has  not  been  ascertained. 


IV.  Records  of  Federal  Offices  in  Ax.abama. 

1.  Land  Office. 

All  Federal  land  records  are  in  the  United  States  land 
office  at  Montgomery.  It  has  the  records  of  defunct  or  dis- 
continued offices,  lists  of  which  appear  below.  As  will  be 
seen,  supra,  many  old  land  records  are  in  the  office-  of  the 
secretary  of  state,  Montgomery.  Others  are  in  the  general 
land  office,  at  Washington.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the 
several  land  offices  established  in  Alabama,  with  dates  when 
formed,  and  when  removed  or  discontinued: 


.     Location. 

When  estab- 
lished. 

Removed  or  discontinued. 

St  Stephens 

Mar.  3, 1803 

Mar.  3,  1807,  but 

opened  July  27, 

1810. 
Mar.  3, 1815 

May  11, 1830 

do 

To  Mobile,  1867 

Huntsville  (oriKi^ially  established  at 
Nashville,  Tiuiii.,  and  afterwards 
located  at  Huntsville ). 

Cahaba  (originally  located  at  Mil- 
ledgevillc,  Ga.). 

Tuscaloosa                

To  Montgomeiy,  1905. 

To  GreenviUe. 

To  Montgomery,  1866. 
To  Elba 

Conecuh  Court  House,  Sparta 

July  10, 1832 

do 

Montevallo,  Mardisville .. 

To  Lebanon. 

Deinopolis  . 

Mar.  2,1833 

Apr.  12,1842 

Apr.  1,1854 

June  16, 1856 

From    St.     Ste- 
phens. 

Mar.  30, 1866 

Lebanon 

To  Huntsville. 

Elba 

Apr.  11, 1867. 
May  11, 1866. 

To  Montgomery,  June  25, 
1879. 

Greenville 

Mobile  

The  land  office  at  Montgomery  has  been  in  continuous 
operation  since  its  establishment,  July  10,  1832.  It  is  now  a 
consolidated  office,  the  business  of  all  offices  heretofore 
established  in  the  State  being  thrown  to  it. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  ^  541 

The  following  is  an  approximate  list  of  its  records,  except 
as  noted  below: 

BECOKD   BOOKS. 

Tract  books.     Folio.     Vols.  1-47. 

Not  by  counties,  but  by  townships  and  ranges. 
Plat  books.     Vols.  1-21. 
Register  of  entries.     Folio.     Vols.  1-12. 

Homestead  entries,  Nos.  1-34151,  May  26,  1866,  to  December  31, 
1900. 
Register  of  final  entries.     Folio.     Vols.  1-6. 

Homestead  entries,  Nos.  1-18293,  January  16,  1872,  to  December 
31,  1900. 
Register  of  cash  certificates.     Folio.     Vols.  1-4. 

Nos.  15368-26724,  May  15,  1866,  to  December  31,  1900. 
Patent  record.     Folio.     1  vol. 

August  2,  1884,  to  December  31,  1900. 
Contest  dockets.     Folio.     6  vols. 

December  18,  1879,  to  December  31,  1900. 
Abstract  of  land  warrants.     Folio.     1  vol. 

For  lands  to  ofiicers  and  soldiers  in  the  war  of  1812,  the  Indian, 
and  Ihe  Mexican  wars. 

OFFICIAL   CORRESPONDENCE. 

Abstracts  of  communications   from   the  general   land  office.     Folio. 
7  vols. 

Contains  briefs  of  16,787  official  letters  from  the  general   land 
office,  November  14,  1881,  to  December  31,  1900. 
Original  letters  received.     Briefed  and  filed. 

These  are  complete  from  November  14,  1881,  and  irregular  back 
of  that  date. 
Letter  book.    4to.     1  vol. 

Contains  long-hand  copies  of  official  letters  sent  out.  viz,  to  gen- 
eral land  office,  September  30,  1846,  to  April  17,  1861 ;  and  to  com- 
missioner of  public  lands,  Montgomery,  June  30,  1861,  to  December 
31,  1864. 
Miscellaneous  letter  copying  books.    4to. 
Vols.  1-35.     July  7,  1877,  to  1894. 
Vols.  1-42.     February  5,  1894,  to  December  31,  1900. 
Department  letter  copying  books.     4to. 

Vols.  1-22.     September  2,  1889,  to  December  31,  1900. 

EARLY   RECORDS. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  records  in  current  use,  with 
the  volumes  preceding  them  in  this  particular  office,  the  early 
records  and  files  of  the  now  discontinued  offices  named  above 


542  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

are  to  be  found  here.  These  number  probably  more  than 
one  hundred  volumes,  dating  from  the  establishment  of  these 
several  ofliccs,  but  they  appear  to  be  irregular  and  not  com- 
plete. There  are  also  several  thousand  files  of  papers  from 
these  offices. 

Some  of  these  old  records,  from  their  early  date  and  prob- 
able historical  value,  are  here  noted,  viz : 

Books  of  the  land  coniniissioiiers  appointed  under  act  of  March  3, 
I8O0,  for  receiving  and  adjusting  claims,  etc.,  in  the  district  east  of 
Pearl  river.     Folio.     4  vols. 

Includes  i)apers,  etc.,  connected  with  laud  transactions  from  1710 
to  after  ISOO. 
Spanish  grants.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Covers  various  grants,  17G3-1803.  Apparently  similar  to  volume 
of  same  designation  in  the  secretary  of  state's  office.  The  volume 
contains  a  certificate,  dated  Novemher  1,  1834,  signed  by  Edwin  Jay 
Osborne,  stating  that  it  was  "copied  and  translated  from  the  origi- 
nals, which  are  now  deposited  in  the  office  of  the  county  court  of 
Mobile  County." 
Translated  records.  November  12,  1715,  to  January  18,  1812.  Folio. 
1  vol. 

Similar  to  volume  in  secretary  of  state's  office.     Made  by  Joseph 
E.  Caro,  under  act  of  January  9,  1833. 
Journal  of  tlie  land  oflice  east  of  Pearl  river,  at  St.  Stephens,  Decem- 
ber 20,  ]80(;,  to  JNIay  30,  1814.     Folio.     1  vol. 

There  are  also  later  volumes  of  this  series,  besides  many  of  other 
series. 
Journal  of  tlie  receiver's  othce  at  Milledgeville,  Ga.,  August,  1817,  to 
November,  1818.     Folio.     1  vol. 

Sales  of  lands  in  the  vicinity  of  INIontgomery.     Contains  names 
and  residences  of  purchasers.     Removed  to  Cahaba,  December,  1818. 
Register  of  receipts,  cash  entries,  at  the  Tuscaloosa  Igjid  office.     July 
2,  1821,  toFel)ruary  2.5,  1835.     Folio.     1vol. 

Contains  list  of  purchasers  of  lots  in  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa,  places 
of  residence,  with  prices  paid. 

OLD   HUNTSVILLE   LAND   OFFICE  EECORDS. 

In  1905  the  land  office  at  Huntsville,  which  had  been  open 
since  1810,  was  closed,  and  all  of  its  records,  books,  and 
papers  were  placed  in  the  Montgomery  land  office,  thus 
making  but  one  in  the  State.  These  records  have  not  been 
listed. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  543 

2.  United  States  Couets. 

HUNTSVILLE. 

The  first  record  in  the  district  court  of  the  United  States 
for  the  district  of  Ahibama  commences  the  second  Mon- 
day in  July,  1824,  Charles  Tait  presiding  judge.  The  next 
term  appears  to  have  been  hekl  October  2,  1826,  William 
Crawford  presiding,  from  which  date  until  the  November 
term,  1846,  all  courts  are  held  by  him.  Further  records  are 
not  found  until  November,  1865,  at  which  time  Richard  Bus- 
teed  was  presiding  judge,  and  from  that  date  the  records 
are  quite  complete.  There  are  no  records  or  files  before  July. 
1824,  nor  from  November,  1846,  to  November,  1865,  and  no 
records  showing  the  holding  of  the  court  at  any  other  place. 

Minute  books,  district  court.  8  vols. 

Minute  books,  circuit  court.  13  vols. 

Final  records,  district  court.  S  vols. 

Final  records,  circuit  court.  o5  vols. 

MONTGOMERY. 

United  States  district  courts  were  first  required  to  be 
held  at  Montgomer}^  by  act  of  Congress,  August  7,  1848. 
Terms  of  the  United  States  circuit  court  were  provided  by 
act  of  March  3,  1873.  The  counties  grouped  about  Mont- 
gomery are  known  as  the  middle  district.  The  records  of 
this  court  are  reported  by  the  clerk  as  incom^^lete.  Those 
now  in  the  office  are  as  follows : 

Minute  books,  district  court.     7  vols. 
Minute  books,  circuit  court.     13  vols. 
Final  records.     53  vols. 

BIRMINGHAM. 

By  act  of  Congress  May  2,  1884,  the  southern  division  of 
the  northern  district  was  created,  and  terms  of  the  United 
States  circuit  and  district  courts  were  required  to  be  held 
for  the  division  at  Birmingham.  The  various  books,  records, 
and  files  of  both  courts  are  complete  and  carefully  arranged. 

Minute  books,  circuit  court.     "A"  to  "  K."     11   vols. 
Minute  books,  district  court.     "A"  to  "  G."     7  vols. 
Final  records,  circuit  court.     "A"  to  "  Z."     20  vols. 
Final  records,  district  court.     "A"  to  "  B."    2  vols. 


544  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

MOBILE. 

The  earliest  record  of  the  United  States  court  at  Mobile 
now  to  be  found  is  a  docket  extending  from  March  1,  1821, 
to  1824,  the  first  entry  being  of  Hallett  &  Butler  v.  Lewis 
Judson.  There  has  been  seen  a  volume  of  minutes  of  1819, 
but  the  earliest  now  to  be  located  begins  with  the  May  term, 
1827,  extending  to  December,  1830,  district  court,  for  civil 
and  criminal  cases.  William  Crawford  was  judge.  A  man- 
date of  affirmance  by  the  Supreme  Court  on  the  minutes 
is  signed  by  John  Marshall. 

No  files  of  papers  antedate  the  war. 

Records  of  both  courts  since  1865  are  nearly  complete. 

The  district  court  of  the  Confederate  States  at  Mobile 
convened  April  18,  1861,  William  G.  Jones,  judge,  and  John 
A.  Cuthbert,  clerk,  both  reappointed  from  the  old  court.  On 
that  day  took  the  oath  George  N.  Stewart,  E.  H.  Smith,  and 
William  Boyles.  Next  day  Peter  Hamilton,  Thomas  A. 
Hamilton,  and  others  similarly  qualified.  The  first  case  was 
on  April  20,  1861,  which  stood  on  appeal  to  the  old  United 
States  circuit  court,  and  after  argument  docketed  in  the  Con- 
federate court,  and  affirmed.  This  was  William  A.  Freeborn 
&  Co.  V.  Ship  Protector.  The  first  original  case  was  James 
K.  Phelps  V.  Schooner  Smith  Towmsend,  which  was  con- 
demned.    The  last  entry  was  April  6, 1865. 


V.  Miscellaneous. 

I.  Catholic  Church  Records  at  Mobile. 

Official  representatives  of  the  Holy  Koman  Church  were 
with  the  first  colonists  in  1699  on  the  Gulf  coast  of  what  is 
now  Alabama.  In  1704  the  Catholic  Church  at  Mobile  was 
instituted,  from  which  time  to  the  present  it  has  had  a  con- 
tinuous existence.  The  vicarate  apostolic  of  Alabama  and 
Florida  was  created  August  26,  1825.  On  May  15,  1829,  the 
present  diocese  of  Mobile  was  established.  Prior  to  1825  the 
territory  embraced  in  Alabama  had  been  in  part  under  the 
diocese  of  Louisiana  and  the  Floridas,  and  under  the  juris- 
diction of  the  archbishop  of  Baltimore.     The  diocesan  rec- 


ALABAMA    AECHIVES.  545 

ords  are  complete,  and  are  in  the  custody  of  the  bishop  at  the 
Episcopal  residence,  near  the  cathedral,  at  Mobile.  These 
cover  all  of  the  business  of  the  diocese. 

By  far  the  longest  continuous  series  of  records  in  the 
State  are  the  records  of  the  cathedral  at  Mobile.  They  are 
of  the  greatest  historical  value.  Except  so  far  as  used  as  a 
basis  of  Hamilton's  Colonial  Mobile  (1897),  and  more 
slightly  for  Shea's  Catholic  Cliurch  in  Colonial  Days,  they 
have  never  been  published.  In  addition  to  official  church 
records  proper,  they  consist  of  baptismal  registers  and  death 
registers. 

Taking  up  the  French  baptismal  registers,  there  are  sev- 
eral  volumes  extending  from  1704  to  1764,  inclusive.  They 
are  not  large  books,  several  being  bound  together.  They 
are  on  old  and  thin  paper,  in  provincial  French,  bad  hand- 
writing, and  poor  ink,  with  the  result  that  they  are  often 
very  difficult  to  read.  The  first  volume  opens  with  the 
famous  induction  of  De  la  Vente  by  Father  Davion,  by  ivhom 
it  is  subscribed,  as  well  as  by  Bienville  and  Boisbriant,  on 
September  28,  1704.  The  oldest  entry,  however,  is  on  the 
next  page,  being  a  statement  or  certificate  by  Davion,  Sep- 
tember 6,  1704,  that  "  there  has  been  baptized  a  little  Apa- 
lache  child  by  me  the  undersigned  apostolic  missionary,  Da- 
vion." 

On  the  18th  of  the  same  month  was  baptized  a  little  Indian 
slave  by  De  la  Vente.  The  child  died  and  was  buried  the 
same  day.  On  the  19th  another  Indian  slave  was  baptized 
by  Alexander  Huve.  These  three  priests  took  a  large  part 
in  the  early  settlement  of  Mobile. 

Thence  on  are  baptisms  mainly  of  slaves,  the  first  white 
child  mentioned  being  on  October  4,  1704.  The  entries  in 
each  case  give  the  father's  and  mother's  name,  as  well  as  date, 
and  are  all  at  Fort  Louis  de  la  Mobile,  that  is,  at  what  is  now 
called  Twenty-seven  Mile  BlulF.  The  occupation  of  the 
father,  and  the  maiden  name  of  the  mother  is  often  given,  as 
well  as  the  name  of  the  priest  officiating.  These  few  hundred 
pages  afford  a  very  complete  idea  of  the  names  and  occupations 
and  family  relations  of  the  colonists,  and  freqtiently  of  the 
officers  and  soldiers  also.  There  is  apparently  something  for 
every  year  except  1706.  The  record  is  practically  complete, 
H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 35 


546  AMEKICAN    HISTOEIOAL    ASSOCIATION. 

although  of  course  fuller  for  some  years  than  others.  The 
tribal  names  of  the  Indian  slaves  give  a  kind  of  running 
commentary  on  the  wars  waged  by  the  French. 

There  are  some  few  entries  of  laws  on  various  subjects, 
practically  all  ecclesiastical.  The  signatures  of  parents, 
sponsors,  and  witnesses  are  numerous  as  well  as  interesting. 
Occasionally  an  apostolic  vicar  passes  through  from  Quebec 
or  elsewhere,  and  the  different  orders  of  priests  and  mission- 
aries from  time  to  time  throw  light  upon  the  ecclesiastical 
divisions  of  the  country.  iVfter  the  first  few  years  occur  a 
great  many  marriage  entries,  and  places  of  residence  show 
the  gradual  growth  of  the  colony.  In  fact,  it  would  be  diffi- 
cult to  mention  anything  upon  which  light  is  not  thrown  by 
these  records.  There  is,  for  instance,  not  infrequent  men- 
tion of  the  practice  of  ondoyer — that  is,  baptism  adminis- 
tered in  extremis  by  laymen.  In  1741  there  is  recorded  the 
dedication  of  the  church,  which  had  been  built  completely 
anew.  As  it  was  on  the  date  of  the  nativity  of  the  Holy 
Virgin,  it  was  dedicated  to  her,  and  during  the  French  times 
ever  afterwards  called  for  her. 

Another  ecclesiastical  record,  but  much  less  elaborate,  is 
the  death  register,  which  begins  regularly  in  1726.  This 
shows  a  good  many  of  the  same  facts  mentioned  in  connec- 
tion with  the  baptismal  register,  and  also  sometimes  the  pall- 
bearers, giving  frequently  the  occupation  of  those  concerned. 
Despite  the  jealousies  of  the  other  orders,  once  in  a  while  we 
find  in  these  records  a  elesuit — for  instance,  in  1783,  Pierre 
Vitry  supplying  the  place  of  Mathias,  the  regular  Capuchin 
cure. 

Sometimes  it  is  mentioned  that  a  person  dying  received  the 
sacraments  of  the  church.  On  October  24,  1754,  there  is  this 
mention  in  the  death  and  burial  of  De  Beauchamps,  Cheva- 
lier, a  lieutenant  of  the  King  and  commandant  of  the  depart- 
ment of  Mobile,  who  died  the  afternoon  before,  after  having 
received  the  sacraments  of  the  church  "  with  edification." 
At  his  funeral  Kerlerec,  governor  of  the  province,  and  all  of 
the  officers  assisted,  there  being  14  signatures  of  prominent 
men.  There%ere  French  and  Swiss  soldiers  and  those  from 
other  countries.  Most  of  the  companies  are  called  by  the 
name  of  their  commanders,  but  are  sometimes  spoken  of  as 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  547 

detached.  They  are  occasionally  spoken  of  as  the  "  re- 
formed faith  " — that  is,  Protestants. 

In  British  times  the  registers  are  less  voluminous.  The 
bulk  of  the  population  remained  French  and  Catholic,  but 
many  of  the  leading  citizens  and  people  of  wealth  were,  of 
course,  Protestant.  There  were  Episcopal  ministers,  but 
their  church  records  have  not  survived.  January  6,  1765, 
George  Johnstone  stood  godfather  at  a  baptism  of  the  son 
of  a  merchant,  and  signs  his  name  with  a  great  flourish  in 
the  Catholic  register.  Johnstone  was  at  that  time  captain- 
general  and  governor  of  the  British  province  of  West 
Florida.     A  good  many  witnesses  are  British. 

The  Spanish  records  are  similar  in  character  and  are  em- 
braced in  several  volumes.  They  are  harder  to  read  and  are 
kept  with  much  less  care.  Mobile  at  that  time  had  not  the 
same  relative  position  that  it  had  under  the  French  and  Brit- 
ish. The  Spanish  mortuary  register  begins  March  12,  1780, 
its  heading  indicating  that  the  name  of  the  parish  had  been 
changed  to  that  of  the  Purissima  Conception,  a  name  which 
translated  into  English  it  has  ever  since  held.  From  1793 
there  is  a  separate  register  for  negroes.  This  had  not  been 
the  case  under  the  PVench,  and  would  seem  to  be  due  to  the 
fact  that  under  the  French  all  were  slaves,  while  under  the 
Spanish  we  have  a  great  many  free  negroes.  But  many 
slaves  are  also  mentioned  in  the  registers.  These  Spanish 
records,  like  the  French,  give  the  names  of  people,  with  their 
occupations,  and  often  their  signatures,  and  the  officers  also 
appeared  frequently.  Of  course  the  regular  succession  of 
priests  can  be  readily  made  out.  They  are  Spanish,  with 
an  occasional  French  in  later  times,  until  the  church  Avas 
reorganized  in  1822.  The  constitution  effecting  this  is  found 
at  the  end  of  one  of  the  books.  From  about  that  time  the 
records  are  kept  regularly  in  English. 

2.  Masons. 

The  several  Masonic  bodies  in  Alabama  have  an  honorable 
history.  The  first  lodge  instituted  in  the  State  was  Madison 
lodge.  No.  21.  On  August  29,  1811,  the  dispensation  was 
granted  by  the  grand  master  of  Kentucky,  and  on  August 
28,  1812,  a  charter  issued.    Subsequently  eleven  others  were 


548  AMEEICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

organized  under  six  different  grand  lodges.  Three  became 
extinct,  and  with  the  remaining  nine  the  grand  lodge  of 
Alabama  "  was  duly  established  "  at  Cahaba,  June  14,  1821.« 

A  grand  chapter  was  organized  at  Mobile,  May  21,  1823 ; 
the  grand  council  was  organized  at  Tuscaloosa,  December 
13,  1838,  and  the  grand  conmiandery  was  organized  at  Mont- 
gomery, November  29,  1860. 

All  of  the  foregoing  have  regularly  published  the  pro- 
ceedings of  their  annual  and  other  sessions,  except  the  grand 
council,  which  ceased  publishing  in  1893. 

MANUSCRIPT   RECORDS. 

The  account  given  herewith  of  the  manuscript  official  and 
other  records  in  the  grand  lodge  is  supplied  by  William  H. 
Dingley,  grand  treasurer,  the  best  living  authority  on  Ma- 
sonic history  in  the  State: 

(1)  The  minutes  of  the  first  communication  of  the  grand 
lodge  in  June,  1821,  with  the  constitution  signed  by  all  of 
the  delegates,  also  the  proceedings  from  1846  to  1856  inclu- 
sive, are  preserved,  since  which  time  the  rough  minutes 
only  have  been  made.  The  original  reports  and  papers  are 
on  file. 

The  treasurer's  and  secretary's  account  books  appear  to 
be  complete. 

All  of  the  above  are  printed  in  full  with  the  proceedings. 

These  proceedings  have  been  printed  and  published  since 
the  organization  of  the  grand  lodge  annually  (except  1832 
and  1835,  when  no  communications  were  held).  These  are 
all  on  file,  except  for  the  years  1829  and  1839.  A  manu- 
script copy  from  the  organization  to  1834  has  been  made 
from,  the  printed  copies. 

(2)  Dispensations  for  new  lodges,  together  with  petitions 
for  the  same,  appear  to  be  complete. 

(3)  The  annual  reports  of  the  local  lodges  to  the  grand 
lodges  are  all  preserved  from  1821  to  the  present  time,  to- 
gether with  all  letters,  petitions,  etc.,  complete. 

(4)  The  record  books  of  many  lodges  that  are  now  dor- 
mant or  extinct  are  in  the  office  of  the  grand  lodge.     The 

«  In  the  Proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Alabama,  1897,  pp.  213-245, 
Is  an  historical  table  of  all  lodges  ever  instituted  in  the  State. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  549 

records  of  local  lodges  have  been  frequently  destroyed  by 
fire,  but  how  many  and  of  what  lodges  we  have  no  means  of 
ascertaining,  as  no  record  has  been  kept." 

The  following  lodges  have  placed  their  old  records  with 
the  grand  lodge  for  safety,  viz,  Rising  Virtue,  No.  4,  Tus- 
caloosa; Montgomery,  No.  11,  Montgomery,  and  Dale,  No. 
25,  Camden. 

(5)  The  grand  lodge  has  a  register  of  all  persons  who 
have  been  connected  with  the  fraternity  since  its  organi- 
zation. 

MASONIC    HISTORY. 

In  1869  Samuel  H.  Dixon,  Masonic  historian,  deposited 
with  the  grand  lodge,  where  it  is  now  on  file,  a  large  amount 
of  valuable  Masonic  historical  data.  Concerning  the  work, 
December  8,  1868,  he  reports : 

My  investigations  have  disclosed  that  the  lapse  of  time,  the  ruth- 
less hand  of  war,  and  devastation  by  fire  have  destroyed  most  of  our 
old  records ;  but  it  is  with  pleasure  I  announce  that,  notwithstanding 
all  these  calamities,  I  have,  in  a  great  measure,  been  able  to  rescue 
from  that  oblivion  to  which  all  things  earthly  tend  the  early  history  of 
Masonry  in  Alabama. 

When  I  entered  upon  my  duties  as  historian  of  Masonry  in  Alabama, 
I  determined  to  comjiile  a  full  and  complete  history  of  eery  lodge  in 
the  State,  defunct  or  living,  and  the  history  of  the  grand  lodge,  with 
an  abstract  of  its  most  important  proceedings.  This  I  find  to  be  a 
herculean  task,  but  by  diligence  and  perseverance  1  hope  to  accom- 
plish the  desired  objects. 

In  addition  to  obtaining  statistical  information  of  the  various 
lodges  I  have  endeavored  to  collect  interesting  incidents  connected 
with  their  history,  and  particularly  to  preserve  the  material  neces- 
sary for  biographical  sketches  of  the  fathers  of  INlasonry  in  Alabama 
and  other  working,  zealous  Masons  who  have  illustrated  and  adorned 
the  cardinal  virtues,  the  tenets  of  our  profession,  and  the  general 
principles  of  our  order. 

3.  University  of  Alabama. 

The  university  of  Alabama,  as  the  "  seminary  of  learn- 
ing *'  contemplated  by  the  constitution  of  1819,  was  estab- 
lished by  act  of  the  general  assembly  December  18,  1820. 

•Prior  to  3  857  the  records  of  Mobile  Lodge,  No.  10,  had  been  destroyed. 
(Proceedings  Grand  Lodge  of  Alabarpa,  1857,  p.  11.)  On  November  25,  3  858, 
the  hall  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  50,  TTniontown,  "  was  destroyed  by  fire,"  "  includ- 
ing a  total  loss  of  the  jewels,  furniture,  and  charts  of  said  lodge."  (Ibid., 
1858,  p.  132.) 


550  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  trustees  was  held  April  6,  1822. 
The  general  assembly  December  29,  1827,  selected  Tusca- 
loosa as  the  seat  for  the  institution,  and  on  March  22,  1828, 
the  trustees  selected  the  present  site  for  the  erection  of  the 
buildings.  Dr.  Alva  Woods,  the  first  president,  was  inau- 
gurated April  12,  1831,  and  on  the  17th  of  the  same  month 
the  university  was  opened  for  the  admission  of  students. 

The  printed  material  concerning  it  is  voluminous.  Its 
official  publications  consist  of  catalogues,  laws,  and  regu- 
lations, reports  to  the  board  of  regents,  trustees'  reports, 
and  alumni  registers.  There  are  also  the  University 
Monthly,  1873-1887,  14  volumes;  University  Journal,  1891- 
1893,  4"  volumes;  The  Crimson-T\^ite,  1894-1905,  12  vol- 
umes, and  the  Corolla,  1893-1905,  13  volumes,  besides  many 
miscellaneous  documents.  Approximately  full  sets  of  these 
are  on  file  in  the  university  library.  For  full  lists  see 
Owen's  Bibliography  of  Alabama,  pages  1213-1221. 

The  lists  beloAv  embrace  the  official  manuscript  records, 
so  far  as  preserved  by  the  institution.  Each  entry  repre- 
sents a  single  volume. 

TRUSTEES. 

Ordinances  and  resolutions  of  the  board  of  trustees.  1822,  to  De- 
cember, 1841. 

Ordinances  and  resolutions  from  1842  to  July,  1849,  and  1853  to 
1855. 

Trustees'  record,  1877-1888. 

Trustees'  record,  1888-1895. 

Trustees'  record,  1895-. 

Minutes  of  executive  committee. 

PRESIDENT   AND  FACULTY. 

Faculty  minutes,  1878-1886. 

Faculty  record,  1886-1893. 

Faculty  record,  1893-1899. 

Faculty  record,  1899-. 

Students'  record,  1871-1895. 

Students'  record,  1896- 

President's  reports,  1883-1888. 

President's  ledger,  1898-99. 

List  of  permits,  March,  1898,  to  February,  1899. 

List  of  permits,  April,  1897,  to  March,  1898. 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  551 

LANDS. 

Tract  book.     1  vol. 

A  copy  of  the  tract  descriptive  book  of  lands  of  University  of 
Alabama.     (Act  of  Congress,  1884.) 

Lands  of  University  of  Alabama.     (Act  of  Congress,  1884.) 

Account  sales  of  university  lands,  containing  separate  account  of 
each  purchaser. 

Sales  of  lots,  Tuscumbia. 

Sales  of  lots,  Montevallo. 

Land  sales.     (Original  grant.) 

Agent's  accounts. 

Special  register  of  land  department.  University  of  Alabama,  June, 
1896-97. 

STUDENTS. 

Matriculates,  1831-1837;   and  resolutions  of  faculty,  1831-1835. 

List  of  graduates,  3831-18G2 :   and  roll  of  students,  1859-1805. 

Matriculation  book,  1887-1897. 

Applications  for  matriculation,  1897-98. 

Applications  for  matriculation,  1898-99  and  1899-1900. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Reports  of  B.  F.  Porter  (agent  of  the  trustees),  1835. 
Docket  of  bank  cases  sued  by  B.  F.  Porter,  1842. 
Treasurer's  ledger,  1819-1822. 
Miscellaneous  ledger,  1883-1891. 

4.  Geological  Survey  of  Alabama. 

The  headquarters  of  the  geological  survey  of  Alabama 
are  at  the  State  University.  Here  its  large  and  valuable 
collections  are  deposited,  the  museum  forming  one  of  the 
most  valuable  and  attractive  features  of  the  institution. 
The  first  State  geologist  was  Prof.  Michael  Tuomey.  who 
begun  his  first  explorations  July  13,  1847,  although  he  was 
not  officiall}^  named  until  January  4,  1848.  The  reorganiza- 
tion of  the  survey  after  the  war  was  effected  under  the  act  of 
April  13,  1873,  with  Dr.  Eugene  Allen  Smith  as  the  second 
State  geologist.  He  still  ably  retains  his  position.  Full 
lists  of  the  publications  of  the  survey  to  1897  are  noted  in 
Owen's  Bibliography  of  Alabama,  as  also  those  on  geological 
and  other  subjects  by  Professor  Tuomey,  Doctor  Smith,  T.  H. 
Aldrich,  Otto  Meyer,  Dr.  Charles  Mohr,  Dr.  Henry  McCal- 
ley,  Daniel  W.  Langdon,  and  others. 


552  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Doctor  Smith  has  prepared  an  account  of  the  collections 
of  the  survey  to  1900,  which  is  here  given.  It  has  no  manu- 
scripts of  value. 

1.  Mineral  collection. — One  thousand  six  hundred  speci- 
mens in  7  glass  cases,  and  some  1,000  or  more  specimens  for 
class  purposes  arranged  in  drawers  below  the  show  cases. 

2.  General  geological  collection. —  (1)  Educational  series 
of  rock  specimens  from  the  United  States  Geological  Sur- 
vey, 1  glass  case,  156  specimens;  (2)  1  glass  wall  case  with 
1,000  specimens  of  New  Hampshire  rocks  and  crystalline 
rocks  from  other  localities;  (3)  3  glass-front  wall  cases  con- 
taining about  8,000  specimens. of  fossils,  sedimentary  rocks, 
etc.,  illustrating  the  various  geological  formations  of  the 
United  States  and  Europe;  (4)  1  glass-front  wall  case  with 
800  specimens  of  concretions,  and  other  illustrations  of  geo- 
logical structures. 

3.  Collections  illustrating  the  geology  of  Alabama. — One 
glass- front  wall  case  containing  50  specimens  of  Alabama 
coal  plants;  1  glass  case  with  Alabama  clays,  20  varieties; 
350  drawers  containing  specimens  of  rocks,  fossils,  minerals, 
shells,  etc.,  mainly  from  Alabama,  though  other  localities 
are  represented;  2,000  cigar  boxes  and  pasteboard  boxes 
filled  with  fossils  and  other  specimens,  mainly  from  Ala- 
bama. It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  number  of  species 
represented  or  the  actual  number  of  specimens,  but  they  go 
into  the  thousands. 

4.  Indian  relics. — Two  glass  cases  containing  some  300 
specimens  of  pipes,  bowls,  arrowheads,  and  stone  axes. 

5.  Zoological  collection. — (1)  Two  glass  wall  cases  with 
specimens  of  fish,  snakes,  turtles,  corals,  marine  shells, 
aggregating, perhaps, 2,000  specimens;  (2)  2  glass  cases  con- 
taining the  Schowalter  collection  of  marine  and  fresh-water 
shells,  800  specimens;  (3)  Avery  collection  of  the  birds  of 
Alabama,  900  specimens  representing  some  300  species,  con- 
tained in  zinc-lined  drawer  cases,  made  moth  proof. 

6.  Botanical  collections.— {1)  Mohr  Herbarium  of  Ala- 
bama plants,  2,500  species  of  flowering  plants  and  ferns ;  900 
species  of  fungi,  lichens,  and  mosses,  in  a  case  of  special  con- 
struction; 150  specimens  of  the  native  woods  of  the  State 
displayed  in  form  of  books,  in  glass  show  cases;  156  glass- 
front  deep  frames  with  pressed  specimens  of  the  fruit,  foli- 


ALABAMA    ARCHIVES.  553 

age,  and  flowers  of  the  timber  trees  of  the  State.  (2)  Peters 
collection — (a)  Alabama  fungi,  550  specimens;  Alabama 
lichens,  110  specimens;  species  of  the  genus  Oarex,  200  speci- 
mens; (h)  general  collection  of  fungi,  500  species;  mosses 
and  algoe,  133  species;  lichens,  150  species.  These  were  the 
gift  of  the  late  Judge  T.  M.  Peters. 

7.  Collection  of  soils,  marls,  phosphates,  etc. — In  glass 
jars,  500  jars. 

8.  Large  shoio  specimens. — ^Various  articles,  as  trunks  of 
lepidodendron,  sigillaria,  calamites;  large  masses  of  lime- 
stone, red  and  brown  iron  ores,  and  petrifactions,  outside  the 
museum,  and  arranged  along  the  walls  inside,  including  also 
large  bones  of  dinosaurs,  zeuglodon,  etc. 

It  might  be  safely  estimated  that  the  number  of  different 
species  in  the  above  eight  lists  are  one-third  of  the  number 
of  specimens. 

5.  Mobile  Cotton  Exchange. 

The  Mobile  cotton  exchange,  the  outgrowth  of  a  casual 
conference  at  a  restaurant  dinner,  was  organized  December 
7,  1871.  It  is  the  third  of  the  kind  organized  in  the  United 
States,  those  of  New  York  and  New  Orleans  antedating  it. 

Its  records  and  papers  are  in  the  custody  of  the  superin- 
tendent. They  relate  to  cotton  movement  and  fluctuation; 
financial,  commercial,  and  industrial  information.  They 
number  about  300  volumes  and  are  of  much  value.  They 
embrace  65  bound  volumes  of  the  New  York  Commercial 
and  Financial  Chronicle,  1871-1901,  with  later  issues.  It 
has  some  data  extending  to  1819. 

A  list  of  its  presidents,  with  other  information,  is  given  in 
the  Mobile  Register,  January  31,  1895. 


GEORGIA  LOCAL  ARCHIVES. 


By  Ulrich  B.  Phillips,  Ph.  D. 


1.  The  Archives  of  Oglethorpe  County. 

The  more  important  records  of  Oglethorpe  county  are,  as 
usual  in  the  Georgia  counties,  to  be  found  in  the  offices  of  the 
county  clerk  and  the  ordinary.  These  offices  are  in  the  court- 
house in  the  town  of  Lexington,  which  has  been  the  county 
seat  since  soon  after  the  county  w^as  organized  in  1704.  Each 
of  these  offices  is  provided  wuth  a  fireproof  vault,  in  which 
the  records  are  kept 

A.    RECORDS  IN  THE  OFFICE  OF  THE  COUNTY  (  LERK. 

Minutes  of  the  superior  court,  1794  to  the  present. 

These  records  are  in  excellent  condition,  many  volumes  havinc: 
been  rebound.  A  large  amount  of  court  business  is  noticeable  about 
the  year  1809.  This  was  due,  perhaj^s,  to  the  depression  consequent 
upon  the  restriction  of  foreign  ex])orts. 

The  following  documents  illustrate  the  character  of  court  business 
in  the  early  years.  They  are  selected  from  the  minutes  of  1794, 
1795,  and  1797— 

Lipham  &  Moore  vs.  Joseph  Wilson.     Case  1794. 

I  do  confess  judgement  of  the  some  of  eight  pounds  and  ten  pence 
half  penny,  w.ith  cost,  with  five  months  stay  of  execution,  to  be  dis- 
^  charged  on  the  payment  of  good  proof  peach  brandy,  delivered  at 
the  town  of  Washington,  if  paid  by  the  time  at  4s/S  p  per  gallon. 

Joseph  Wilson. 
Test. 

McMathews. 

We,  the  Grand  Jury  for  the  County  of  Oglethorpe,  make  the  fol- 
lowing presentments  : 

We  present  as  a  grievance,  the  neglect  of  commissioners  in  ascer- 
taining the  center  of  the  county  and  fixing  on  a  place  for  the  public 
buildings,  and  as  roads,   buildings,  etc.,  appears  properly  to  come 

555 


556  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

before  the  Honorable  the  Inferior  Court,  and  we  know  not  how  far 
they  have  taken  up  the  business;  therefore  we  recommend  to  the 
next  Inferior  Court  to  be  held  for  the  county  to  take  the  business 
fully  under  their  investigation,  and  appoint  Commissioners  for 
laying  out  and  keeping  in  repair  all  necessary  roads  for  the  conven- 
ience of  the  county  at  large,  as  we  conceive  we  cannot  do  anything 
in  that  business  until  the  public  buildings  are  fixed. 

We  return  our  thanks  to  11  is  Honor,  the  Judge,  for  his  judicious 
charge  to  the  Grand  Jury  and  for  his  particular  attention  to  the 
business  of  the  county. 

Given  under  our  hands  and  seals  June  Term,  1794. 


John  Lumpkin,  F. 

(L. 

s.) 

Joel  Hurt, 

(L. 

S.) 

John  Makks, 

(I- 

s.) 

Jesse  Clay, 

(L. 

s.) 

Andrew  Bell, 

(L. 

s.) 

John  Collier, 

(L. 

s.) 

Charles  Hay, 

(L. 

s.) 

Isaac  Collier, 

(L. 

S.) 

Rich  Goolsby, 

(T- 

s.) 

John  Shii:lds, 

(L. 

S.) 

John  Garrett, 

(L. 

S.) 

Tressley  Thornton, 

(L. 

S.) 

Jeffrey  Early, 

(L. 

s.) 

Hi;mphrey  Edmonson, 

(L. 

s.) 

William  Potts, 

(L. 

s.) 

J/  MES   NORTHENCTON, 

(L. 

S.) 

KOBEliT  McCoRi), 

(L. 

s.) 

Saturday,  IJftJi  June,  170't. 
The  Court  met  according  to  adjournment     Present  Judge  Stith. 

The  State  vs.  Charles  Cavenat.     Indicted  for  Negro  Stealing. 

The  prisoner  being  convicted  on  an  indictment  for  nogi-o  steal- 
ing on  motion  of  the  Attorney-General,  was  brought  to  the  bar,  to 
receive  sentence,  and  it  was  demanded  of  him,  if  he  had  ought  to 
say  why  judgment  of  death  should  not  be  pronounced  on  him,  and 
nothing  l)eing  said  to  the  contrary,  it  is  ordered  and  adjudged  by 
the  court  that  the  said  Charles  Cavenat  be  remanded  into  the 
custody  and  safe  keeping  of  the  Sheriff,  and  there  to  remain  until  the 
Second  day  of  July  next  and  on  the  said  second  day  of  July  next,  be- 
tween the  hours  of  eleven  of  the  clock  in  the  forenoon,  and  two  of 
the  clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  the  said  Charles  Cave- 
nat shall  be  carried  to  the  i)lace  of  execution  and  then  and  there 
be  hanged  by  the  neck  until  he  be  dead. 


The  State  vs.  Elijah  Pope.     Indictment  Arson. 

The  prisoner  being  convicted  on  an  indictment  for  the  crime  of 
Arson,  on  motion  of  the  Attorney-General,  was  brought  to  the  bar 
to  receive  sentence,  and  it  was  demanded  of  him,  if  he  had  ought 
to  say   why  judgment  of  death  should  not  now  be  pronounced 


GEOEGIA    LOCAL    ARCHIVES.  557 

against  him,  and  nothing  being  said  to  the  contrary,  it  is  ordered 
and  adjudged  by  the  court  that  the  said  Elijah  Pope,  be  remanded 
into  tlie  custody  and  safe  l^eeping  of  the  Sheriff,  and  there  to 
remain  until  the  f?econd  day  of  July  next,  and  on  the  said 
second  day  of  July  next  between  the  hours  of  eleven  of  the  clock 
in  the  forenoon  and  two  of  the  clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day,  the  said  Elijah  Pope  shall  be  carried  to  the  place  of  execution 
and  then  and  there  to  be  hanged  by  the  neck  until  he  be  dead. 


The  State  vs.  William  Fletcher,  James  Murphey,  William  Shrop- 
shire.    Indictment    for    Deceit. 

The  defendant  being  brought  to  the  bar  to  be  tried  the  following 
jury  was  sworn,  to-wit : 

1  George  Taylor,  7  James  Thompson, 

2  Robert  Galasby,  8  Isham  Davis, 

3  Henry  Potts,  9  Arch  Pope, 

4  Thomas  Loyd,  10  Thoinns  Swan, 

5  Hugh  Roan,  11  John  Hattaway, 

6  Jesse  Starky,  12  William   Biers. 

Who  return  the  following  verdict, 

"  Shropshire  acquitted,  Fletcher  and  Murphey  guilty. 

"  George  Taylor,  Foreman," 

Whereupon  it  is  ordered  and  adjudged  by  the  court  that  the  said 
William  Fletcher  and  James  Murphey  be  remanded  to  the  custody 
and  safe  keeping  of  the  Sheriff  and  there  to  remain  until  Monday 
next,  on  which  day  between  the  hours  of  eleven  of  the  clock  in 
the  forenoon  and  one  of  the  clock  in  the  afteriioon,  be  the  said  Wil- 
liam Fletcher  shall  receive  thirty-nine  lashes  on  his  bare  back,  at 
the  public  whipping  post,  and  the  siiid  James  Murphy,  on  the  same 
day  and  between  the  sanne  hours,  shall  receive  twenty  laslies  on  his 
bare  back  at  the  public  whipping  post  that  they  pay  the  cost  of 
prosecution  and  be  discharged. 

The    State   vs.    Thomas    Hill.     Indictment    for    retailing    spiritqus 
liquors  without  License. 

The  said  Thomas  Hill  being  fomid  guilty  by  the  petit  jury: 

It  is  adjudged  by  the  court  that  tlie  said  Tliomas  Hill  pny  a  fine 

of  ten  pounds,  one  half  for  the  use  of  the  county,  and  the  other  half 

to  the  use  of  Charles  Laine,  the  Prosecutor. 


Gentlemen  of  the  Grand  Jury: 

It  is  with  more  than  common  pleasure  that  I  have  met  you  to 
hold  a  court  in  the  county  of  Oglethori)e,  a  name  deservedly  re- 
spected in  a  State,  which  was  settled  by  himself;    and  one  which 


558  AMERICAN   HISTOKICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

has  proved  equal  to  the  passing  through  a  revolution  and  becom- 
ing a  member  of  a  great  and  flourishing  empire  within  the  life  of 
the  first  settler ;  a  progress  so  rapid  and  a  prospect  before  us  so  ex- 
tensive and  promising  should  operate  upon  the  minds  of  all  good 
men  as  a  stimulus  to  effectuate  exertions,  to  support  good  govern- 
ment by  a  prompt  obedience  to  the  laws  and  the  discouragement  of 
all  practices  subversive  of  order  and  the  moral  duties. 

To  assist  in  doing  these,  the  Constitution  and  the  laws  have  solic- 
ited the  grand  inquest  twice  a  year  that  breaches  of  the  peace  in 
every  degree  and  which  comprehend  every  infraction  of  the  pub- 
lic laws  may  be  presented  and  put  in  the  way  of  trials  and  punish- 
ment. In  discharging  your  part  of  this  duty,  you  will  as  your  oath 
directs  you  divest  yourselves  as  far  as  may  be  of  the  frailties  of 
huuian  nature,  and  act  without  favor,  affection,  or  partiality  on 
the  one  side,  or  of  fear,  hatred  or  malice  on  the  other,  and  still 
more  without  any  hope  of  reward  from  any  quarters,  whilst  we 
ouglit  not  to  spare  our  friend  from  attachment,  we  should  detest 
ourselves  to  let  the  bad  man  escape  through  fear  or  any  other  con- 
sideration on  this  ground,  I  am  thus  emphatic  because  a  criminal 
circulation  of  false  papers  of  different  descriptions,  and  the  signs  [  ?] 
of  property  in  different  ways  is  said  to  be  prevelent,  which  operates, 
if  true  a  breach  of  the  laws  an  injury  to  the  fair  dealer  and  a  disgrace 
to  the  States,  should  anything  of  this  sort  come  to  your  knowledge, 
I  have  no  doubt  you  will  present  it,  and  should  that  be  the  case  you 
may  rely  upon  the  strict  execution  of  the  law  on  the  part  of  the 
court. 

George  Walton. 

9th  of  June  1795. 

Presentment  of  Grand  Jury  [1797]. 

We  the  Grand  Jury  present  the  surveyors  of  the  road  leading 
from  Phenizy's  to  Joseph  Slatons. 

We  the  Grand  Jury  present  the  surveyors  of  the  road  leading 
from  Cherokee  Corner  to  this  place. 

We  the  Grand  Jury  present  Abner  James  James  for  retailing 
liquors  without  license  and  keeping  a  disorderly  house. 

We  the  Grand  Jury  present  as  a  grievance  that  we  have  not  our 
court-house  and  gaol  built. 

We  the  grand  Jury  present  as  a  grievance  that  we  have  not  a 
public  bridge  on  the  Dry  Fork  of  Long  creek  where  the  road 
lending  from  this  place  crossing  the  Dry  Fork  at  James  Rutledge. 

We  the  Grand  Jury  present  that  the  patroll  law  is  not  more 
strictly  attended  to. 

We  the  Grand  Jury  present  as  a  grievance  that  we  have  not 
a  public  bridge  on  the  Dry  Fork  of  Long  creek  where  the  road 
crossing  the  creek  leading  from  Allin's  old  Iron  Works  to  Wash- 
ington. 


GEORGIA  LOCAL  ARCHIVES.  559 

We  the  grand  jury  present  a  list  of  defaulters  delivered  to  us 
by  the  Treasurer  of  tax  returns. 

We  the  Grand  Jury  return  our  grateful  thanks  to  our  last  Legis- 
lature for  their  zeal  and  fidelity  in  favour  of  the  inhabitants  of 
this  State  in  suppressing  the  iniquitious  act  passed  at  Augusta  the 
seventeenth  of  January,  One  Thousand  seven  Hundred  and  Ninety 
Five,  for  disposing  of  our  Western  Territory. 

We  the  Grand  Jury  return  our  Most  grateful  thanks  to  His 
Honor  the  Judge,  for  his  Judicious  charge  given  us  and  recommend 
it  to  be  published  in  the  State  Gazette,  together  with  these  our  pre- 
sentments. 

1  Joel  Barnett,  Foreman,  11  William  Potts, 

2  Thomas  Dunn,  12  William  Bledjoe, 

3  McMiLNER,  13  Thomas  Gilmer, 

4  James  Parks  14  J.  I.  Stewart, 

5  RiCHARGE  Hartsfield,  15  William  Walker, 

6  John  Feming,  16  Thomas  Loyd, 

7  William  Pane,  17  Samuel  Colquitt, 

8  William  Strawtheb,  IS  John  Peacock, 

9  John  Dunn,  19  Jolin  Smith. 
10  Charles  Smith, 

Records  of  the  superior  court,  in  several  series,  1809-1814  and  1821  to 

the  present. 
Minutes  of  the  inferior  court,  1704-1866. 
Records  of  the  inferior  court. 
Minutes  of  the  county  court,  1806  to  the  present. 
Records  of  the  county  court. 
Dockets  of  the  several  courts,  in  various  series  and  very  numerous 

volumes. 
Minutes  of  the  county  commissioners  of  roads  and  revenues,  circ, 

1880  to  within  recent  years. 
Records  of  deeds,  1794  to  the  present 
Tax  digests,  annually,  1794r-1890. 

Bound  recently  into  substantial  volumes. 

The  county  of  Oglethorpe,  like  that  of  Clarke,  whose 
archives  are  treated  in  this  report,  and  of  Baldwin,  treated  in 
the  report  of  last  year,  is  located  in  the  older  part  of  the 
Georgia  cotton  belt.  The  lands  in  the  Piedmont  region  east 
of  the  Oconee  Eiver  had  received  a  considerable  sprinkling 
of  population  before  the  invention  of  the  cotton  gin ;  but  the 
main  development  of  the  region  was  due  to  the  growth  of 
cotton  production.  The  statistics  contained  in  the  above- 
mentioned  tax  digests  uislj  be  used  to  demonstrate  the  char- 
acter of  the  growth  of  slaA^eholdings  and  the  plantation  sys- 
tem in  the  community. 


5G0 


AMEKICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 


The  following  tabulations  will  illustrate  the  history  of 
accretions  in  plantation  slaveholdings : 


119  owiiors 

73  owners 

23  owners 

32  owners 

23  owners.-   

20  owners--  

11  owners--  

9  owners 

15  owners'- 

10  owners 

15  owners 

12  owners 

Total,  395  slaveliolders  owaied  1,980  slaves. 
The  average  slaveholding  in  1794  was  5. 


SUMMARY  FOR  1794. 

Slaves  each.  Slaves  each. 

1     5  owners 13 

owners 14 

owners 15 

owners 16 

owners 17 

owner 18 

owners 19 

owners 20 

owners « 22 

owner 24 

owners 25 

owners 26 


2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 


SUMMARY    FOR    1800. 


Slaves  each. 

1 

2 


143  owners 

08  owners 

61  owners 3 

42  owners 4 

41  owners 5 

33  owners 6 

14  owners 7 

16  owners 8 

17  owners 9 

14  owners 10 

7  owners 11 

15  owners 12 

10  owners 13 

6  owners 14 

Total,  522  slaveholders  owned  2,788  slaves. 
The  average  slaveholding  in  1800  was  5.32. 


Slaves  each. 

5  owners 15 

5  owners : 16 

4  owners 17 

1  owner 18 

8  owners 19 

6  owners 20 

1  owner , 21 

2  owners 22 

1  owmer 24 

2  owners 25 

1  owner 28 

3  owners 29 

1  owaier 31 


GEOEGIA    LOCAL    ARCHIVES. 


561 


SUMMARY   FOlt   1805. 


Slaves  each. 

1 

2 

3 

4 


143  owners 

89  owners 

63  owners 

56  owners 

52  owners 5 

37  owners 6 

32  owners 7 

28  owners 8 

29  owners 9 

18  owners 10 

9  owners 11 

11  owners 12 

8  owners 13 

6  owners 14 

11  owners 15 

9  owners-- 16 

Total,  651  slaveholders  owned  3, 
The  average  slaveholding  in  1805 


Slaves  each. 

6  owners : 17 

1  owner 18 

2  owners 19 

1  owner 20 

3  owners 21 

1  owner 22 

2  owners 23 

3  owners 24 

2  owners 25 

3  owners 26 

2  owners 28 

1  owner 30 

1  owner 32 

1  owner 40 

1  owner 76 

598  slaves, 
was  5.37. 


SUMMARY   FOR   1810. 


171  owners. 
76  owners -- 
69  owners- - 
59  owners- - 
50  owners-. 
45  owners-. 
37  owners-. 
36  owners-. 

35  owners-. 

36  owners- - 


Slaves  each. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 


17  owners 11 

16  owners 12 

18  owners 13 

13  owners 14 

12  owners 15 

8  owners 16 

5  owners 17 

8  owners 18 

6  owners 19 

6  owners 20 

Total,  757  slaveholders  owned  5,255  slaves. 

The  average  slaveholding  in  1810  was  7.07, 

H.  Doc.  429. 58-3 36 


Slaves  each. 

3  owners 21 

1  owner 22 

2  owners 23 

3  owners 24 

3  owners 25 

2  owners 26 

1  owner 27 

2  owners 29 


owners 30 

owner 31 

owner 32 

owners 33 

owner 34 

owner 35 

owner 39 

owners 40 

1  owner 46 

1  owner 48 

2  owners 68 

1  owner 73 


562 


A.MEKICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 


SUMMARY  FOR   181 
Slaves  each. 

132  owners 1 

71  owners 2 

S3  owners 3 

57  owners 4 

39  owners 5 

35  owners 6 

45  owners 7 

32  owners 8 

22  owners 9 

20  owners 10 

25  owners 11 

21  owners 12 

12  owners 13 

11  owners 14 

18  owners 15 

7  owners 16 

11  owners 17 

5  owners 18 

S  owners 19 

7  owners 20 

2  owners 21 

Total,  700  slaveholders  owned  5,457  slaves. 
The  average  slaveholding  in  1815  was  7.73, 


Slaves  each. 

6  owners 22 

7  owners 23 

3  owners 24 

2  owners 25 

6  owners 26 

1  owner 27 

2  owners 28 

4  owners 29 

1  owner 31 

1  owner 33 

2  owners 36 

1  owner 38 

2  owners 41 

2  owners 42 

1  owner 45 

1  owner 52 

1  owner 58 

1  owner 61 

1  owner 75 

1  owner 77 


GEORGIA    LOCAL    ARCHIVES. 


563 


SUMMARY   FOR   1820. 


Slaves  each. 


134  owners- 
86  owners- - 
GO  owners-. 
78  owners -- 


irz  owners. 


87  owners 6 

30  owners 7 

33  owners 8 

28  owners 9 

31  owners 10 

13  owners 11 

17  owners 12 

13  owners 13 

12  owners 14 

11  owners 15 

10  owners 10 

10  owners 17 

7  owners 18 

6  owners 19 

4  owners 20 

16  owners 21 

9  owners 22 

5  owners 23 

5  owners 24 

Total,  630  slaveholders  owned  6,444  slaves. 
Tbe  average  slavebolding  in  1820  was  10.23. 


Slaves  each. 

4  owners 25 

5  owners 26 

2  owners 27 

3  owners 28 

2  owners 29 

3  owners 30 

6  owners 31 

2  owners 32 

4  owners 34 

1  owner 35 

2  owners 36 

2  owners 37 

3  owners 38 

1  owner 40 

2  owners 42 

owner 44 

owner 46 

owner 50 

owner 53 

owner 55 

owner 59 

owner 62 

owner 63 

owners 77 


564 


AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 


92  owners - 
82  owners- 
39  owners- 
54  owners - 
44  owners - 
8()  owners- 
29  owners- 
20  owners- 


SUMMARY   FOR  1835, 

Slaves  each. 

1 

2 


20  owners 

25  owners 10 

19  owners 11 

26  owners 12 

16  owners 13 

17  owners 14 

9  owners 15 

9  owners 16 

8  owners 17 

5  owners 18 

7  owners 19 

6  owners 20 

10  owners 21 

4  owners 22 

3  owners 23 

9  owners 24 

7  owners 25 

3  owners 26 

3  owners 27 

Total :  058  slaveholders  owned  6,689  slaves. 

The  average  slaveholdiiig  in  1835  was  10.17, 


Slaves  each. 

3  owners 28 

2  owners 29 

4  owners 30 

5  owners 31 

1  owner 32 

1  owner 33 

2  owners 34 

9  owners 35 

3  owners .36 

2  owners 37 

2  owners 38 

1  owner 39 

2  owners 41 

1  owner 42 

2  owners 43 

1  owner 44 

2  owners 45 

1  owner 49 

3  owners 50 

2  owners 53 

1  owner 54 

1  owner 55 

1  owner 57 

1  owner 58 

1  owner 71 

1  owner 73 

1  owner 80 


GEORGIA    LOCAL    ARCHIVES. 


565 


SUMMARY  FOR  1850. 


Slaves  each. 


88  owners 1 

GO  owners 2 

35  owners 3 

30  owners 4 

32  owners 5 

26  owners 6 

22  owners 7 

21  owners 8 

22  owners 9 

25  owners 10 

21  owners 11 

19  owners 12 

11  owners 13 

9  owners 14 

12  owners 15 

13  owners 16 

10  owners 17 

5  owners 18 

6  owners 19 

12  owners 20 

2  owners 21 

11  owners 22 

6  owners 23 

9  owners 24 

6  owners 25 

8  owners 26 

4  owners 27 

5  owners 28 

4  owners 29 

5  owners 30 

2  owners 31 

Total :  587  slaveholders  owned  7,111  slaves. 

Tlie  average  slaveliolding  in  1850  was  12.11, 


Slaves  each. 

1  owner 32 

4  owners 33 

3  owners 34 

1  owner 1 35 

3  owners 36 

3  owners 37 

1  owner 38 

2  owners 40 

1  owner 41 

2  owners 42 

1  owner 43 

1  owner 44 

1  owner 45 

1  owner 46 

2  owners 48 

2  owners 49 

1  owner 51 

1  owner 52 

1  owner 56 

1  owner 59 

1  owner 61 

2  owners 63 

1  owner 64 

2  owners 65 

1  owner 66 

1  owner 68 

2  owners 76 

1  owner 79 

1  owner 85 

1  owner 90 


566. 


AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 


SUMMARY  B^OR   1860. 


77  owners. 
53  owiiers- 
.S5  owners. 
3G  owners - 
32  owners- 
22  owners. 


Slaves  each. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 


18  owners 7 

22  owners 8 

21  owners 9 

12  owners 10 

19  owners 11 

14  owners 12 

8  owners 13 

8  owners 14 

15  owners 15 

11  owners IG 

5  owners 17 

9  owners 18 

11  owners 19 

10  owners 20 

9  owners 21 

2  owners 22 

10  owners 23 


owners 24 

owners 25 


owners 2G 

owners 27 

owners 28 

owners 29 

owners 30 

Total :  549  slaveholders  owned  6,589  slaves. 
The  average  slaveholding  iu  18G0  was  12. 


Slaves  each. 

2  owners 31 

2  owners 32 

3  owners 33 

2  owners 34 

1  owner 35 

1  owner 36 

2  owners 37 

4  owners 38 

2  owners 40 

2  owners 42 

4  owners 43 

2  owners 44 

2  owners 45 

1  owner 47 

1  owner 49 

1  owner 50 

2  owners 52 

1  owner 60 

1  owner 61 

1  owner 63 

1  owner 65 

2  owners 71 

2  owners 76 

1  owner 78 

1  owner 80 

1  owner 81 

1  owner 92 

1  owner 96 

1  owner 130 


GEORGIA    LOCAL    ARCHIVES.  567 

An  inquiry  into  the  statistics  of  population  for  this  por- 
tion of  the  State  as  given  in  the  United  States  censuses 
would  show  a  fairly  continuous  increase  in  the  proportion  of 
negroes  to  whites  in  the  po]:)ulation  throughout  the  period  of 
its  development  as  a  cotton-producing  area. 

For  the  period  since  the  abolition  of  slavery  this  county  is 
notable  for  the  degree  to  which  the  plantation  S3^stem  has 
been  maintained  in  spite  of  the  overthrow  of  the  institution 
of  slavery.  The  method  of  employing  and  holding  negro 
labor  under  a  system  of  apprenticeship  is  illustrated  by  the 
following  indenture,  copied  as  a  t3^pical  example  of  a  very 
large  number  on  file  among  the  Oglethorpe  County  records : 
Georgia,  Oglethorpe  County: 

This  indenture,  made  this  the  9th  day  of  January,  1899,  between 
Anderson  Benson  and  James  M.  Smith,  of  said  county,  witnesses  that 
the  said  Anderson  Benson,  in  consideration  of  the  promises  and  under- 
talvings  of  the  said  James  M.  Smith  hereafter  set  forth,  does  hereby 
bind  liimself  to  the  said  James  M,  Smith  for  the  full  term  of  five  years 
from  Jan.  9,  1899,  and  he  hereby  agrees  and  contracts  with  said  James 
M.  Smith  to  work  faithfully  under  his  direction,  respect  and  obey  all 
orders  and  commands  of  the  said  James  M.  Smith  with  reference  to 
the  business  hereinafter  set  forth,  at  all  times  demean  himself  orderly 
and  soberly;  and  the  said  Anderson  Benson  further  agrees  to  account 
to  the  said  James  M.  Smith  for  all  loss  of  time  except  in  case  of  tem- 
porary sickness.  If  such  sickness  should  be  of  longer  duration  at  any 
one  time  than  six  days,  then  said  loss  time  is  to  be  accounted  for  at  the 
same  rate  per  day  as  he  is  then  receiving  pay  under  this  contract. 
And  should  this  contract  be  terminated  by  the  death  of  either  of  the 
parties  of  this  indenture,  then  the  said  compensation  of  the  said  An- 
derson Benson  shall  be  pro  rata  for  the  time  completed  for  the  year 
in  which  the  death  may  occur.  And  the  said  Jas.  M.  Smith,  in  consid- 
eration of  the  promises  and  undertakings  of  the  said  Anderson  Benson, 
agrees  and  contracts  with  the  said  Anderson  Benson  to  furnish  him 
with  board,  lodging,  everyday  wearing  apparel,  and  washing.  He 
further  agrees  to  pay  said  Anderson  Benson  annually,  on  the  9th  day 
of  January  each  year,  the  following  sums  of  money,  to  wit :  On  the  9th 
January  next,  fifty  dollars  ;  on  9th  January,  1901,  fifty  dollars ;  on  9th 
January,  1902,  fifty  dollars;  on  9th  January,  1903,  fifty  dollars;  on  9th 
January,  1904,  fifty  dollars;  and  he  further  agrees  to  teach  the  said 
Anderson  Benson  the  trade  of  husbandry  in  all  its  details. 

In  witness  whereof  the  said  Anderson  Benson  and  the  said  Jas.  M. 
Smith  have  hereto  respectively  set  their  hands  and  seals  the  day  and 
year  first  above  written. 

Anderson  (his  x  mark)  Benson. 
James  M.  Smith. 

Executed  in  duplicate  in  the  presence  of — 
J.  A.  Moore, 
J.  D.  Power,  J.  P. 


568  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Record  of  the  land  court  of  Oglethorpe  County,  179^1831. 

Record  of  head  rights  granted  by  the  land  court,  1794-1831. 

Lists  of  persons  entitled  to  draw  in  the  land  lottery  of  1832,  and  in 

other  land  lotteries,  dates  not  given. 
Record  of  homesteads,  circ,  1880  to  the  present 
Record  of  public  property. 
Register  of  physicians,  recent  years. 
List  of  judges,  attorneys,  etc.,  in  the  superior  court  of  Oglethorpe 

County  fi-oni  T794  to  the  pi-esent. 
This  is  a   list  compiled   by  someone  In  recent  years  from  the 

records  of  the  county. 
Oi'iginal  documents. 

The  unbound  original  documents  are  tied  in  packages  and  stacked 
In  open  shelves  in  much  disorder. 


Minutes  of  the  court  of  ordinary,  1822  to  the  present. 

Minutes  of  the  inferior  court,  1850-1808,  and  of  the  court  of  ordinary, 
1808-1888,  when  sitting  in  lunacy  cases. 

Minutes  of  the  commissioners  of  the  poor   school   fund,   1842-18G4. 
Fragmejitary. 

Dockets  of  the  court  of  ordinary.     Scattering. 

Record  of  wills,  1793  to  the  present. 

Record  of  marriage  licenses,  1794  to  the  present. 

Record  of  marriage  licenses  for  colored  persons,  1871-1876. 

Returns  of  executors  and  administrators,  inventories,  appraisals,  and 
sales  of  estates,  1810  to  the  present. 

Letters  of  guardianship,  of  administration,  and  testamentary. 

Record  of  exemptions  from  sale  (i.  e.,  on  the  ground  of  homestead 
privileges ) ,  1 840-1 887. 

Record  of  homestead  petitions,  1887  to  tlie  present. 

Record  of  widows'  allowances,  1880  to  the  present. 

Record  of  licenses  to  retail  spirituous  liquors,  1809-1888. 

Record  of  estrays,  1830  to  the  present. 

Indentures  of  apprenticeship,  1800  to  the  present.     7  vols. 

Crop  and  rent  contracts,  1889  to  the  present. 

Ordinary's  account  book,  1802  to  the  present. 

Ordinary's  ledger,  1852  to  the  present. 

Tax  digests,  1890  to  the  present. 

Court  contracts,  1890  to  the  present. 

Original  documents. 

These  papers  are  well  classified,  tied  in  packets,  clearly  labeled, 
and  stacked  upon  open  shelves  in  very  good  arrangement.  The  series 
appear  to  be  fairly  complete  from  1794  to  the  present.  They 
include  original  wills,  returns  on  estates,  marriage  licenses  (classi- 
fied by  race)  writs  of  habeas  corpus,  homestead,  lunacy,  petitions 
and  orders,  and  official  oaths  and  bonds.  Many  of  these  documents 
have  been  transcribed  into  the  record  volumes,  but  a  considerable 
portion  of  them  contain  material  ANhich  has  apparently  not  been 
recorded  elsewhere. 


GEOEGIA    LOCAL    ARCHIVES.  569 

2.  The  Archives  of  Habersham  County. 

Habersham  County,  located  near  the  northeasterji  corner 
of  the  State,  is  one  of  the  oldest  of  the  counties  of  the  moun- 
tain district  of  Georgia.  The  principal  records  of  the  county 
are  preserved  in  the  offices  of  the  county  clerk  and  the  or(ji- 
nary,  or  judge  of  probate,  in  a  new  court-house  in  the  to^vn 
of  Clarkesville.  Each  of  these  offices  has  a  fireproof  vault 
in  which  its  archives  are  kept.  The  record  volumes  are  in 
fairly  good  order,  but  the  original  documents  not  in  books 
are  in  extreme  disorder,  wdth  very  many  of  them  probably 
lost. 


Minutes  of  the  Habersham  superior  court,  beginning  with  the  first 
court  held  in  and  for  the  said  county,  at  the  August  term,  1819  (in 
accordance  with  an  act  of  the  Georgia  general  assembly,  December 
19,  1818,  sec.  13  of  the  act). 

Minutes,  1819-1828,  1832-1854,  and  1858  to  the  present. 

Item,  February  term,  1822  (presentment  of  the  grand  jury)  : 
"  We  present  as  a  grievance  of  the  most  alarming  nature  to  the 
free  citizens  of  this  State  in  general  and  to  those  who  reside  In 
frontier  Counties  in  Particular  the  non  existence  of  a  statute  pro- 
hibiting the  admission  of  the  natives  of  the  different  nations  of 
Indians  from  Being  Evidences  in  our  Courts  of  Justice  whare  the 
fr<ie  white  citizens  of  the  United  States  are  concerned,  and  ear- 
nestly recommend  to  our  Legislature  at  its  next  session  the  con- 
sideration of  the  same.     *     *     *." 

Item,  August  term,  1823,  and  at  other  times:  The  grand  jury 
frequently  complained  of  the  lack  of  a  fixed  seat  for  the  public 
buildings  and  the  county  government. 

Item,  February  term,  1824 :  The  grand  jury  recommends  to  the 
inferior  court  that  for  the  current  year  the  county  tax  rate  be  fixed 
at  one-half  the  State  tax  rate,  and  that  in  addition  cvne-eighth  of  the 
State  tax  rate  be  levied  as  a  fund  for  the  poor.  The  jury  expresses 
regret  that  the  books  of  the  county  clerk  are  not  in  a  condition  to 
show  how  much  taxable  property  there  is,  and  urges  that  the  books 
be  better  kept. 

Civil  and  criminal  cases,  1818-1822. 

Illustrative  documents. 
[Record  of  civil  cases,  p.  61.1 
Georgia,  Habersham  County. 

To  the  honorable  Superior  Court  to  be  held  in  and  for  said  county. 
The  petition  of  Daniel  Parker  humbly  showeth  that  Nathaniel 
Harbin  of  said  county  hath  damaged  your  petitioner  to  the  amount 
of  one  hundred  and  ten  dollars  and  fifty  cents,  for  that  whereas 


570  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

your  petitioner  on  the  first  day  of  January  eighteen  hundred  and 
twenty  was  possessed  of  the  following  goods  and  chattels,  to-wit : 
One  cow  and  calf  of  the  value  of  fifteen  dollars;  one  trunk  of  the 
value  of  five  dollars,  one  table  of  the  value  of  two  dollars,  one  wheel 
of  the  value  of  three  dollars,  one  pair  of  cards  of  the  value  of  one 
dollar,  one  oven  of  the  value  of  three  dollars,  one  bedstead  of  the 
value  of  two  dollars,  two  chairs  of  the  value  of  one  dollar,  one  look- 
ing glass  of  the  value  of  three  dollars,  one  stone  jug  of  the  value  of 
two  dollars,  one  teapot  of  tlie  value  of  one  dollar,  one  churn  of  the 
value  of  one  dollar,  three  pitchers  of  the  value  of  three  dollars,  one 
luug  of  the  value  of  fifty  cents,  one  bottle  of  the  value  of  twenty  five 
cents,  one  canister  of  the  value  of  fifty  cents,  six  earthen  plates  of 
the  value  of  one  dollar,  one  earthen  dish  of  the  value  of  one  dollar, 
eight  cups  and  saucers  of  tlio  value  of  one  dollar,  one  tin  trunk  of 
the  value  of  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents,  one  comb  case  and  two  combs 
of  the  value  of  fifty  cents,  one  dii't  pot  of  the  value  of  fifty  cents, 
two  coffee  pots  of  the  value  of  one  dollar,  two  small  bottles  of  the 
value  of  fifty  cents,  one  tin  bread  basket  of  the  value  of  fifty  cents, 
two  glass  tumblers  of  the  value  of  fifty  cents,  one  decanter  of  the 
value  of  fifty  cents,  one  salt  seller  of  the  value  of  fifty  cents,  six 
pewter  plates  of  the  value  of  three  dollars,  one  pewter  dish  of  the 
value  of  two  dollars,  six  table  spoons  of  the  value  of  one  dollar, 
one  piggin  of  the  value  of  one  dollar,  one  smoothing  iron  of  the 
value  of  one  dollar,  one  black  bottle  of  the  value  of  twenty  five 
cents  and  one  feather  bed  of  the  value  of  fifty  dollars,  as  of  his  own 
proper  goods  and  clinttels  and  being  so  thereof  possessed  he,  your 
petitioner,  afterwards  (to-wit)  on  the  same  day  and  year  aforesaid 
in  the  county  aforesjiid  casually  lost  the  aforesaid  goods  and  chat- 
tels out  of  his  hand  and  possession,  which  said  goods  and  chattels 
afterwards  (to-wit)  on  the  dny  and  year  aforesaid  came  to  the 
hands  and  possession  of  the  said  Nathaniel  Harbin  by  finding,  yet 
the  said  Nathaniel  Harbin  well  knowing  the  said  goods  and  chattels 
to  be  the  property  of  your  petitioner  and  of  right  to  him  did  belong 
and  appertain  aft(>rwards,  to-wit,  on  the  day  and  year  aforesaid  in 
the  county  aforesaid,  to  his  own  use  did  dispose  of  and  convert 
altho  the  said  Nathaniel  Harbin,  by  your  petitioner  was  afterwards 
re(iuested  to  deliver  the  said  goods  and  chattels  to  your  petitioner, 
he,  the  said  Nathaniel  hath  hitherto  wholly  refused  and  still  doth 
refuse,  whereby  your  petitioner  has  been  injured  and  hath  sustained 
damage  to  the  amount  of  two  hundred  dollars,  wherefore  he  brings 
this  suit  and  prays  process  may  issue  requiring  the  said  Nathaniel 
Harbin  personally  or  by  attorney  to  be  and  appear  4m>t  the  next 
Superior  Court  to  be  held  in  and  for  said  county  to  answ^er  your 
petitioner's  complaint  in  an  action  of  trover  and  conversion,  &c. 

John  W.  Hooper,  Plffs.  Atty. 


GEORGIA  LOCAL  ARCHIVES.  571 

Georgia,  Habersham  County. 

To  the  Sheriff  of  said  county,  Greeting: 

Daniel  Parker  vs.  Nathaniel  Harbin.     Trover  and  conversion. 

The  defendant  Nathaniel  Harbin  is  hereby  required,  personally, 
or  by  attorney  to  be  and  appear  at  the  next  Superior  Court  to  be 
held  in  and  for  said  county  on  the  Thursday  after  the  third  Monday 
in  August,  next,  then  and  there  ^o  answer  the  plaintiff's  demand 
in  an  action  of  Trover  and  conversion  &c.,  to  the  damage  of  said 
plaintiff  two  hundred  dollars :  As  in  default  of  such  appearance 
the  court  will  proceed  thereon  as  to  justice  shall  appertain.  Wit- 
ness the  Honorable  Augustin  S.  Clayton,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the 
Superior  Courts  of  said  State,  this  31st,  day  of  May,  1820. 

Miles  Davis  Cllc. 

Served  the  defendant  Nathaniel  Harbin  by  leaving  a  copy  of  the 
within  at  his  most  notorious  place  of  residence,  this  20th,  day  of 
June,  1820. 

J.  Sutton,  Dept.  Sh'ff. 

Settled  and  costs  paid. 

Recorded  Sept.  23rd,  1820. 

M.  Davis  CVJc. 


No.  1  Habersham   Superior  Court,  October     Term,  1831.     Harris, 
Mcliaughin  &  Co.  vs.  Stephen  R.  Poet  &  Co.       Assumpsit. 

Sum  sworn  to $132.46 

2 


To  the  Sheriff  take  good  bail  in $264.92 

Trippe. 

To  the  Honorahle  the  Superior  Court  of  said  county: 

The  petition  of  Thomas  W.  Harris,  Archibald  McLaughin  & 
Thomas  Harris,  miners  and  partners,  mining  &  searching  for  gold 
under  the  name  and  style  of  Harris,  McLaughin  &  Co.,  humbly 
shows  that  Stephen  B.  Peet,  Isaac  Spencer  and  Ebenezer  Poet 
miners  &  partners,  mining  and  searching  for  gold  under  the  name 
&  style  and  firm  of  S.  B.  Peet  &  Co.  owe  to  your  petitioners  and 
unjustly  detain  the  sum  of  one  hundred  &  thirty  two  dollars  &  forty 
six  cents.  For  that  heretofore  the  said  Stei)hen  B.  Peet,  Isaac 
Spencer  &  Ebenezer  Peet  miners  and  copartners  as  aforesaid  were 
indebted  to  your  petitioners  the  aforesaid  sum  of  money  for  meat, 
drink,  washing  &  lodging  &  other  necessaties  by  your  petitioners 
before  that  time  found  and  provided  for  them  the  said  Stephen  B. 
Isaac,  &  Ebenezer  and  found  and  provided  also  for  their  servants 
&  for  divers  goods  wares  &  merchandize  before  that  time  sold  and 
delivered  by  your  petitioners  &  all  at  the  special  instance  &  request 
of  them  the  said  Stephen  B.  Isaac  &  Ebenezer  &  being  so  indebted 
they  the  said  Stephn  B.  Isaac  &  Ebenezer  miners  and  partners  as 


572  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

aforesaid  in  tlie  county  aforesaid  undertook  &  then  &  there  faith- 
fully promised  to  pay  your  petitioners  the  aforesaid  sum  of  money 
whenever  they  tlie  said  Stephen  F>.  Isaac  &  Ebenezer  should  be  there- 
unto requested.  Yet  the  said  Stephen  B.  Isaac  &  Ebenezer  although  so 
indebted  &  often  requested  to  pay,  have  not  paid  the  same  or  any  part 
thereof,  but  the  same  to  pay  have  hitherto  refused  &  still  do  refuse 
to  the  damage  of  your  petitioners  three  hundred  dollars.  Wherefore 
they  bring  suit  «&  pray  process  requiring  the  said  Stephen  B.  Peet, 
Isaac  Spencer  &  Ebenezer  Peet  personally  of  by  Attorney  to  be  and 
api)ear  at  the  next  Superior  Court  to  be  held  in  &  for  said  County  of 
Habersham  then  &  there  to  answer  your  petitioners  demand  in  an 
action  of  assumpsit. 

Turner  H.  Trippe  Atto.  Pro.  Plffs. 

Georgia,  Habersham  County. 

Pesonally  appeared  before  A.  M.  Norris,  one  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Peace  in  &  for  said  county,  Thomas  Harris  one  of  the  firm  of  Harris, 
McLaughlin  &,  Co.,  who  being  duly  sworn  deposes  &  says  that 
Stephen  B.  Peet,  Isaac  Spencer  and  Ebenezer  Peet,  miners,  mining 
and  digging  for  gold  under  the  name  &  style  of  S.  B.  Peet  &  Co  are 
justly  indebted  to  the  first  named  firm  one  hundred  &  thirty  two  dol- 
lars &  forty  six  cents  and  that  deponent  has  just  reasons  to  appre- 
hend the  loss  of  said  debt  or  some  part  thereof  unless  the  defendants 
Stephen  B.  Peet,  Isaac  Spencee  &  Ebenezer  Peet  are  held  to  bail. 

Thos.  Harris 

Sworn  to  and  subscribed  before  me,  this  eighteenth  day  of  April, 
1831. 

A.  M.  NoRRis,  J.  P. 

Mr.  S.  B.  Peet  &  Co.— In  acct.  Harris.  McLaughlin  &  Co. 

28  Dec.  1880.     To  boarding  5  servants  2  days $3. 00 

IJany.  1881     '•        Do        5      Do     287     Do 70. 

"    Isaac  Spencer          47     Do 12.50 

"    S.  B.  Peet                 01       "    14.00 

To.    Eb.  Do    Jr.           52       "    12.50 

6  March     "     "     feeding  S.  B.  Peet's  horse 37-^ 

6      "         "     "     7idwt.  Gold 6.74 

"     4  phials  quick  silver  18  Oz.  5  dwt.  net. .  _  9. 62^ 

"     Half  of  $77.  sold  T.  T.  P : 38.50 


1.24 
Cr. 

IStli  Feby.  by  Thomas  Harris $16. 

' '  Stephen  McLaughlin 10. 00 

"   Borax 2.28 

"   Rock 3.50 

"  Wheelbarrow _ 1.50 

"  barrel  &  sheet  iron 50 

$33.78  $33.78 
$132.46 


GEORGIA    LOCAL    ARCHIVES.  573 

Georgia,  HahersJiam  County. 

To  the  Sheriff  of  said  County,  Greeting: 

Harris,  McLaughlin  &  Co.  vs.  Stephen  B.  Peet  &  Co.    Assumpsit 

The  defendants  are  hereby  required  to  be  and  appear  personally 
or  by  attorney  at  the  next  Superior  Court  to  be  held  in  «&  for  said 
county  on  the  third  Monday  in  October  next,  then  &  there  to  answer 
the  plaintiff  in  an  action  of  assumpsit  as  in  default  thereof  the 
Court  will  proceed  as  to  justice  shall  appertain. 

Witness  the  Honorable  A,  S.  Clayton  Judge  of  said  Court,  this 
23  day  of  April,  1831. 

John  T.  Carter,  C.  S.  G. 

April  25th,  1831.    Executed  the  within. 

A.  Mauldin.  D.  Shff. 

Settled. 

Whereupon  It  Is  considered  by  the  Court  that  plaintiffs  do  re- 
cover of  defts.  the  sum  of  eleven  dollars  &  fifty  five  tents  for  their 
cost  in  this  suit  expended,  and  the  defts.  in  mercy  &c. 

April  Term,  1832. 

Turner  H.  Trippe  Atto.  pro  plffs. 

Georgia,  Habersham  County. 

To  all  and  singular  the  SJieriffs  of  said  State,  Oreeting: 

We  command  you  that  of  the  goods  and  chattels,  lands  &  tene- 
ments of  Stephen  B.  Peet  &  Co.  you  cause  to  be  made  the  sum 
of  eleven  dollars  and  fifty  five  cent  for  costs,  which  Harris,  Mc- 
Laughlin &  Co.  lately  in  our  Superior  Court  of  said  county  re- 
covered against  Stephen  B.  Peet  &  Co.  for  their  cost  and  that  you 
have  the  said  sum  of  money  before  the  Judge  of  our  said  court  on 
the  third  Monday  in  October  next  to  render  to  the  said  Harris, 
McLaughlin  &  Co.,  the  cost  aforesaid  and  have  you  then  and  there 
this  writ. 

Witness  the  Honorable  C.  Dougherty,  Judge  of  said  Court,  this 
22nd,  day  of  May,  1832. 

J.  T.  Carter,  C.  8.  C, 

Recorded  9th,  August,  1832. 

J.  T.  Carter,  C.  S.  C, 

Book  of  civil  record,  1828-1874. 
Criminal  cases,  1830-18G7. 

These  series  of  volumes  contain  copies  of  the  writs  issued  in  the 
cases  before  the  Habersham  superior  court. 
Records  of  deeds  of  conveyance,  1819  to  the  present. 

The  numeration  of  the  volumes  is  irregular,  but  the  series  is 
apparently  complete.  The  deed  records  are  indexed  in  two  index 
volumes. 


574  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Dockets — bench,  bar,  motion,  subpoena,  appeal,  issue,  attachment,  exe- 
cution (some  30  volumes),  criminal,  dead  criminal,  equity,  common 
law. 

These  volumes  are  of  scattering  dates.     There  are  also  a  number 
of  scattering  justice  of  the  peace  dockets  preserved  in  this  office. 
Record  of  receipts  and  expenditures  by  the  clerks  of  the  superior 
court,  1820-1857. 

Among  the  tines  here  recorded  about  80  per  cent  of  the  total 
number  appear  to  have  been  imposed  for  the  offense  of  assault  and 
buttery.  The  fines  for  that  offense  ranged  from  $5  almost  uniformly 
in  1820  to  varied  amounts  of  $1  to  $25  in  1855.  The  following  are 
illustrative  items  quoted  from  this  record. 

$1.00  August  Term,  1820.  Received  of  John  Heywood  one  dollar 
a  fine  inflicted  on  him  by  the  court  for  the  offense  of  Assault  &  Bat- 
tery.    Miles  Davis  CFk  S.  C. 

$5.00  August  Terjn  1820.  The  State  vs.  Bryant  Ward  Assault 
&  Battery.  Received  of  Bryant  Ward  five  Dollars  for  a  fine  in  the 
above  case.     Miles  Davis  Cl'k  S.  C. 

$5.00  August  Term  1820.  The  State  vs.  Blair  Powell  Assault 
and  Battery.  Received  of  Blair  Powell  Five  Dollars  for  a  fine  in- 
flicted on  him  by  the  Court  in  the  last  stated  case.  Miles  Davis 
Cl'k  S.  C. 

$10.00  February  Term  1821.  Received  of  Thomas  Powers,  ten 
dollars  for  a  fine  inflicted  on  him  by  said  court,  for  the  open  con- 
tempt of  loud  swearing  in  the  presence  &  hearing  of  said  court. 
Miles  Davis  Cl'k  S.  C. 

$14.62-1/2  August  Term  1821.  Retained  in  my  hands  pursuant 
to  an  order  of  this  court  of  the  money  arising  from  the  fines  afore- 
said the  sum  of  fourteen  Dollars  and  sfxty  two  and  a  half  cents, 
which  is  in  full  satisfaction  of  said  order  which  is  dated  February 
Term  1820.     Miles  Davis  Cl'k  S.  C. 

$5.00  August  Term  1821.  The  State  vs.  David  Densmore  As- 
sault &  Battery.  Received  of  David  Densmore  five  Dollars  for  a 
fine  inflicted  by  the  court  in  this  case.     Miles  Davis  Cl'k  S.  C. 

The  State  vs.  John  Warmack  and  others  Gaming  $1.00  Re- 
ceived of  John  Warmack  one  dollar  for  a  fine  in  the  above  case. 
August  Term,  1821.     Miles  Davis  Cl'k  S.  C. 

$12.37-1/2  August  Term  1821.  Retained  in  my  hands  pursuant 
to  an  order  of  the  fines  aforesaid  Twelve  dollars  and  thirty  seven 
and  a  half  cents  in  part  satisfaction  of  said  order  for  cost,  order 
dated  August  Term  1820.     Miles  Davis  Cl'k  S.  C. 

$10.00  August  Term>  1821.  The  State  vs.  Thomas  Townsend,  Jr. 
Assault  &  Battery.  Verdict— Guilty,  fined  fifteen  dollars.  Re- 
ceived of  Thomas  Townsend  Junior  the  sum  of  the  sum  of  Ten 
Dollars  in  part  for  the  fine  in  the  above  stated  case.  August  Term 
1821.     Miles  Davis  C.  S.  C. 

$10.00  August  Term,  1821.  Retained  in  my  hands  pursuant  to 
an  order  of  the  Superior  Court  the  sum  of  ten  dollars  of  the  money 
arising  from  fines  inflicted  by  said  court,  order  dated  August  1820. 
Miles  Davis  Cl'k  S.  C. 


GEORGIA  LOCAL  ARCHIVES.  575 

$5.00  February  Term  1822.  The  State  vs.  Thomas  Towiiseiid, 
Juii.  Assault  and  Battery.  Received  of  Thomas  Townsend  Jun., 
five  dollars  the  balance  of  a  fine  inflicted  on  him  by  the  Court  in 
this  case.     Feb.  25th,  1822.     Miles  Davis  Cl'k  S.  C. 

$1.00  The  State  vs.  Arthur  Alexander  and  others.  Gaming, 
Rec'd  of  Arthur  Alexander  one  dollar  a  fine  in  the  above  case. 
February  25th,  1822.     Miles  Davis  Cl'k  S.  C. 

$5.00  The  State  vs.  James  Powell  Assault  &  Battery  Re- 
ceived of  James  Powell  the  sum  of  five  dollars  for  a  fine  in  the 
above  case.     February  26th,  1822.     Miles  Davis  Cl'k  Supr  Court. 

$2.00  The  State  vs.  Lewis  Arthur  &  Edward  Horton.  Affray. 
Received  of  Lewis  Arthur  two  Dollars  a  fine  in  the  above  case. 
February  26th,  1822.     Miles  Davis  Cl'k  Supr  Court. 

$J3.00  February  26th,  1822.  Retained  in  my  hands  pursuant 
to  an  order  of  the  Superior  Court  the  sum  of  thirteen  dollars  of 
money  received  by  me  for  fines  inflicted  by  said  court.  Feb. 
26th.,  1822.     Miles  Davis  Cl'k  Supr.  Court. 

$5.  The  State  vs.  Walter  Adair  Assault  &  Battery.  Received 
of  Wm.  Hamilton  the  sum  of  five  dollars  for  a  fine  in  the  above 
case.     Sei)tember  Gth,  1822.     John  Starrett  Cl'k  S.  C. 

The  State  vs.  James  Wofford  Assault  &  Battery.  Received  of 
William  B.  Wofford  the  sum  of  five  dollars  for  a  fine  inflicted  in 
the  above  case,  this  26  day  of  Feby.  1823.  John  Starrett,  Cl'k  Supr 
Court. 

$17.00  February  26th,  1823.  Retained  in  my  hands  pursuant  to 
an  order  of  the  Superior  Court  of  the  County  of  Habersham  the 
sum  of  fifteen  dollars  of  money  received  Iiy  me  for  fines  inflicted 
by  said  court,  and  paid  the  same  over  to  the  oflicers  of  said  court 
for  their  cost  in  different  cases.     .Tolm  Starrett,  Cl'k  Supr  Court. 

The  State  vs.  Wm,  B.  Woft'ord  Assault  &  Battery.  Received  of 
W.  B.  Wofford  five  dollars  a  fine  inflicted  in  the  above  case,  this 
26  day  of  Feby.  1823.     John  Starrett  Cl'k  Supr  Court. 

$10.00  The  State  vs.  Sanuiel  Ward  Larceny  from  the  house, 
fined  ten  dollars.  Received  Ten  Dollars  the  fine  inflicted  in  the 
above  case.     This  26  day  of  August,  1824.     John  Starrett  Cl'k. 

The  State  vs.  Wm.  Ritcher  Adultery,  found  guilty  and  fined  one 
hundred  dollars.  Received  of  William  Ritcher  one  hundred  dol- 
lars. Fine  inflicted  in  the  above  stated  case,  this  April  30th,  1827. 
John  Starrett  Cl'k. 

The  State  vs.  Rebeckah  Caudell  Adultery  Pled  guilty,  and  fined 
one  hundred  dollars.  Received  of  Wm.  Ritcher  one  hundred  dol- 
lars the  fine  inflicted  by  the  Court  in  the  above  stated  case.  April, 
1827.     John  Starrett  Cl'k. 

The  State  vs.  Hardin  Perkins  Assault  &  Battery  April  Term 
1831.  Arraigned  &  plead  guilty  fined  6i  cents.  T.  H.  Trippe  Sol. 
Geh'l.     Received  the  cost  and  fine  $9.12^.     T.  H.  Trippe  Sol.  Gen'l. 

Received  of  John  Crow,  a  defaulting  juror  five  dollars  a  fine 
imposed  on  him  for  contemi)t  of  Court  at  October  Term  of  the 
Superior  Court  for  the  year  1833.     J.  T.  Carter,  C.  S.  C. 


576  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Received  of  Lawson  B.  Mainbright  fifty  dollars  the  amount  of  a 
fine  imposed  on  him  by  the  Court  at  the  October  Term,  1839,  for 
selling  spirits  without  a  license.  Rec'd  17th,  October,  1839.  J.  T. 
Carter,  C.  S.  C. 

The  State  vs.  A.  J.  Nichols  Keeping  open  tipling  house  on  the 
Sabbath  day.  Plea  guilty,  April  Term  1847.  Fined  $25.00  Re- 
ceived the  above  fine  of  Twenty-five  Dollars.  Philip  Martin  C.  S.  C. 
I»aid  by  order  of  the  Court  to  Sol.  Gen'l.  and  Clerk,  Sol.  Gen'l 
receipt  on  Bil'  ^c.     P.  Martin  C.  S.  C. 

The  State  vs.  Loven  J.  Keel  Furnishing  Slave  with  Spirits. 
Plea  guilty,  April  Term,  1847.  Fined  $10.00  The  State  vs.  Loven 
J.  Keel  Keeping  Open  Tipling  house  on  the  Sabbath  day.  Plea 
guilty,  April  Term,  1847.  Fined  $10.00  The  two  above  fines  of 
ten  dollars  each  recei^■ed  of  the  defendant  at  Oct.  Term,  1847. 
Philip  Martin  C.  S.  C.  Paid  by  order  of  Court  to  Sol.  Gen'l  and 
Clerk,  Sol.  Gen'l.  receipt  on  Bill  &c.     P.  Martin  C.  S.  O. 

The  State  vs.  Andrew  J.  Church  Furnishing  a  free  person  of 
color  with  spiritous  liquors  for  sale.  Verdict  guilty,  October  Term, 
l,sr>4.  Fined  $50.00  and  paid  by  order  of  Court  to  Sol.  Gen'l  and 
Clerk  on  their  insolvent  list. 

The  State  vs.  Darius  Echols  Adultery  &  Fornication,  Verdict 
guilty  April  Term,  1856.  Fined  $50.00  and  paid  to  Sol.  Gen'l.  and 
Clerk  on  their  insolvent  list. 

The  State  vs.  Hannah  Thomas  Adultery  &  Fornication.  Ver- 
dict guilty,  April  Term,  ]85().  Fined  $10.00  and  paid  to  Sol.  Gen'l. 
and  Clerk  on  their  insolvent  list. 

4Mie  State  vs.  Martin  K.  Thomas  Adultery  &  Fornication.  Ver- 
dict guilty,  April  Term,  185(5.  Fined  $10.00  and  paid  to  Sol.  Gen'l. 
and  Clerk  on  their  insolvent  list. 

The  State  vs.   Robert  F.   Wright    Riot.     Verdict  Guilty.  April 
Term,  1857.     Fined  $90.00  and  paid  to  Sol.  Gen'l.  and  Clerk  on  their 
insolvent  list. 
Miiuites  of  the  inferior  court,  1820-1828,  1840-3842,  and  1848-1866. 
Records  of  the  inferior  court,  1842-1800. 
Writ  record  of  the  inferior  court,  1842-1848. 
Execution  docket  of  the  inferior  court,  ]828-1858. 
Minutes  and  records  of  the  county  court,  38GG-1899. 

The  inferior  court  was  replaced  by  the  county  court  of  Haber- 
sham County  in  18G6,  which  in  turn  gave  place  to  the  city  court 
of  Clarkesville  in  1899. 

The  following  are  illustrative  items  from  the  inferior  court 
minutes : 

[Minutes  of  tlt5  inferior  court,  July  term,  1829.] 
On  motion  it  is  ordered  [by  the  court]  that  a  male  child  named 
Tilman  Thompson  about  6  yrs  old  son  of  Sarah  Thompson  whose 
father  is  gone  to  parts  unknown  and  deserted  his  family— be  bound 
to  Andrew  G.  Robertson  on  the  said  Robertson  giving  the  usual 
obligation  to  bring  up  the  said  boy  provide  clothe  and  protect  and 


GEOEGIA  LOCAL  ARCHIVES.  577 

govern  him  and  to  instruct  him  in  reading  writing  and  arithmetic 
the  wit  or  mistery  of  farming  until  the  said  child  is  20  years  of  age, 
and  then  give  him  two  suits  of  clothes,  a  horse  worth  $50  and  a 
good  bridle  and  saddle. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Court  this  July  14th  1829. 

[Minutes  of  the  inferior  court,  July  term,  1864.] 
Georgia,  Habersham  County. 
To  the  Justices  of  the  Inferior  Court  of  said  county 

The  petition  of  John  Sexton  showeth  that  he  is  a  free  person  of 
color  of  said  county,  but  believing  that  people  of  his  color  are 
more  happy,  more  sure  of  support  and  more  especially  believing 
that  he  can  better  secure  his  wife  and  children  a  competent  main- 
tainance  in  a  state  of  slavery,  he  is  willing  and  hereby  petitions 
said  court  to  be  alloAved  to  sell  himself  into  slaverj^  that  he  has 
contracted  to  that  end  with  one  Wra.  H.  Fuller  in  whom  he  has 
confidence  and  to  whom  he  has  sold  Jiimself  for  the  sum  of  five 
hundred  dollars  to  be  paid  to  the  wife  and  children  of  your  i)eti- 
tioner;  and  your  petitioner  prays  your  Honors  to  ratify  and  con- 
firm said  contract  according  to  the  statutes  in  such  cases  made 
and  provided. 

July  11th,  1804. 

John   (his  x  mark)   Sexton 

Test : 

C.  H.  Sutton. 

Upon  hearing  the  above  and  foregoing  petition,  and  the  said 
John  Sexton  being  present  and  having  been  examined  by  the  un- 
dersigned privatelj^  and  having  expressed  to  us  his  free  and  full 
consent  to  become  the  slave  of  the  said  William  H.  Fuller  upon 
the  payment  of  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  to  the  wife  and 
children  of  the  said  John  Sexton,  and  the  said  William  H.  Fuller 
being  present  and  expressing  his  willijigness  to  accept  said  slave 
and  to  pay  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  to  the  wife  and  chil- 
dren of  the  said  John.  It  is  therefore  ordered  that  the  said  John 
Sexton  be  and  he  is  hereby  declared  to  be  the  slave  of  the  said 
William  H.  Fuller,  and  the  said  William  H.  Fuller  pay  to  the  wife 
of  the  said  John  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars,  and  that  the 
said  petition  and  this  order  be  entered  upon  the  Minutes  of  the 
County  Court  by  the  Clerk  thereof  upon  the  payment  of  his  fees. 
July  11th,  1864. 

C.  H.  Sutton,  J.  I.  C. 

Benjamin  Jones  J.  I.  G. 

J.  C.  Gkant,  J.  I.  G. 

[Minutes  of  the  Inferior  court,  Septemher  26,  1864.] 

The  within  writ  having  been  returned  before  us,  this  26th  day  of 
September,  1864  and  no  cause  being  shown  why  the  party  should 
be  discharged  and  no  proof  offered  going  to  show  that  the  party  Is 
H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 37 


578  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL   ASSOCIATION. 

not  liable  to  military  sei-vice  in  the  army  of  the  Confederate  States 
as  declared  by  the  Act  of  Congress  of  February,  1864.  It  is  there- 
fore ordered  by  the  Court  that  the  said  Elijah  Simpson  be  and  he  is 
hereby  remanded  to  the  custody  of  the  Confederate  States  Enrolling 
Officer  for  the  County  of  Habersham,  and  that  he  pay  the  costs  of 

this  writ 

C.  H.  Sutton,  J.  I.  G. 

Benjamin  Jones,  J.  I.  C, 

A.  POPHAM,  J.  I.  G. 

R.  T.  Harkins,  J.  I.  G. 

The  within  case  having  boon  returned  before  us  this  26th  day  of 
September,  1S()4  and  no  cause  being  shown  why  the  party  should  be 
discharged  and  no  proof  offered  going  to  sliow  that  the  within 
named  Lemuel  Anderson  is  not  liable  to  military  service  in  the 
army  of  the  Confederate  States  as  declared  by  act  of  February, 
1864,  Movant  having  declined  to  offer  proof  of  his  age.  It  is  tliere- 
fore  ordered  by  the  Court  that  the  said  Lemuel  Anderson  be  re- 
manded to  the  custody  of  the  Confederate  States  Enrolling  Officer 
for  the  County  of  Habersham  and  that  he  pay  the  cost  of  this  writ. 

C.  II.  Sutton,  J.  7.  C. 

Benj.  Jones,  J.  I.  G. 

A.  POFHAM,  J.  I.  G. 

U.  T.  Harkins,  J.  I.  G. 

Record  of  oaths  administered  to  county  officials. 

Record  of  connnissions  issued  to  justices  of  the  peace,  commissioners 
of  roads,  and  constables. 

Record  of  liquor-selling  licenses. 

Record  of  warrants  upon  the  country  treasurer  for  the  support  of 
paupers. 

Record  of  exemptions  from  poll  tax  issued  to  men  above  60  years 
of  age. 

Record  of  bonds  for  the  support  of  bastard  children. 

These  bonds  were  of  the  amount  of  £150,  or  $642. 85f,  each. 

Record  of  certificates  issued  to  shares  in  the  land  lottery. 

Land  lottery  lists. 

In  180.3  the  State  of  Georgia  abandoned  its  policy  of  granting 
land  by  head  rights,  and  thereafter  from  time  to  time,  as  the  Indian 
title  was  extinguished,  it  distributed  the  public  lands  among  the 
citizens  of  the  State  by  lottery.  These  books  in  Habersham  County 
contain  lists  of  persons  with  statement  of  the  number  of  lottery 
chances  to  which  each  is  entitled.  They  comprise  several  thin  vol- 
umes, some  of  which  are  bound  in  Georgia  newspapers  of  1831. 

Land  tax  book. 

This  book  is  without  cover  or  title.  Its  entries  are  given  under 
the  following  column  headings  :  "  Owner,"  "  Polls,"  "  Qualities  " 
(acreage  of  first,  second,  third,  and  pine  lands),  "  Granted  (date)," 
"  Adjoining  waters,"  "  County,"  "  District,"  and  "  Tax." 

Clerk's  fee  book,  writ  book,  etc. 


i 


GEORGIA   LOCAL    ARCHIVES.  579 

Mortgage  record,  1889  to  the  present. 

Homestead  record,  1889  to  the  present. 

Register  of  physicians,  dentists,  and  druggists,  1880  to  the  present. 

Jail  record,  1884  to  the  present. 

Account  of  fees,  expenditures,  etc.  Record  of  the  committing  and 
discharge  of  each  prisoner.  Diet  charged  at  60  cents  per  day. 
Turnkey  fee  for  committing,  discharging,  and  sending  to  and  receiv- 
ing from  court,  60  cents  each.  Fee  for  conducting  a  prisoner  before 
the  court,  $1.25.     Pay  of  guards  for  the  jail,  $1.50  per  night  on  duty. 

Record  of  slave  trials,  1844-1848. 

Summary  of  contents. 
March  16, 1844.  The  State  vs.  Jim,  Smart,  and  Brister,  negro  slaves. 
The  crime  of  arson,  committed  in  the  village  of  Clarkesville  on  the 
twenty-fifth  day  of  February,  "  in  the  night  time  of  that  day,"  by 
setting  on  fire  and  causing  to  be  consumed  the  tavern  house  known 
as  the  Habersham  Hotel. 

George  D.  Phillips  accused  these  three  negroes,  the  property  of 
Joseph  Habersham,  before  Loven  J.  Keel,  justice  of  the  peace.  Keel 
issued  a  warrant,  which  was  executed  March  8  by  the  arrest  of  the 
three  negroes.  On  March  20  three  justices  of  the  peace,  William 
Dodd,  Loven  J.  Keel,  and  William  C.  Alley,  heard  the  testimony, 
committed  the  boy  Jim  to  jail,  and  discharged  Smart  and  Brister. 
The  case  against  Jim  was  tried  at  a  session  of  the  inferior  court  of 
Habersham  County,  March  16,  1844.  Verdict  r  "  We,  the  jury,  find 
the  boy  Jim  not  guilty.  A.  Popham,  foreman."  Recorded  the  20th 
of  March,  1844.     L.  B.  Hambright,  C.  S.  O. 


The  State  vs.  Dave,  the  property  of  Francis  Powell.     Rape. 

The  court  met  INIarch  23,  1848,  after  being  notified  of  the  com- 
mitment to  jail  of  "a  negro  man  (slave)  named  Dave,  the  property 
of  Francis  Powell,  charged  with  the  offence,  having  been  committed 
by  the  said  man  Dave,  in  the  said  county,  on  the  body  of  Hester  An 
Dobbs." 

Present :  Their  honors,  James  Crocker,  James  Griggs,  and  Thomas 
McRea,  justices  of  the  court,  and  proceeded  to  draw  36  names  of 
persons  to  serve  as  jurors  in  the  trial.  The  justices  then  ordered 
the  sheriff  to  summon  24  of  the  persons  drawn  to  appear  at  the 
court-house  by  9  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  March  30.  The  court 
then  adjourned  until  that  day.  Tlie  court  met  on  March  30,  five 
justices  and  the  jury  present.  The  prisoner  was  arraigned  and 
pleaded  not  guilty.  After  trial,  the  jury  returned  a  verdict  of  guilty. 
The  prisoner  was  sentenced  to  be  remanded  to  jail  until  Friday, 
April  7;  then  to  be  taken  by  the  sheriff  to  a  gallows  to  be  erected 
in  the  vicinity  of  Clarkesville,  and  hanged  until  dead.  The  court 
then  adjourned. 

The  records  contain  the  full  documentary  history  of  the  case — the 
warrant  of  the  justices  to  the  jailer,  the  notification  of  the  first 


580  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

three  Justices  of  the  peace  to  two  others  to  sit  in  the  trial  with 
them,  and  minutes  of  the  testimony— to  the  following  effect: 

The  prisoner,  not  being  sworn,  said  he  was  not  guilty.  Hester 
An  Dobbs,  a  witness  for  the  State,  being  sworn,  said  she  was  going 
along  the  road  in  the  woods,  March  18,  1848,  about  1  mile  from 
Francis  Powell's,  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  any  house,  when  she 
saw  the  negro  naked,  and,  being  frightened,  ran  about  200  yards 
along  the  path.  The  prisoner  was  30  or  40  yards  away  when  the 
witness  began  to  run.  The  prisoner  overtook  the  witness  and 
caught  hold  of  her.  He  had  a  stick  in  his  hand,  but  did  not  strike 
her.  He  threw  her  upon  the  ground,  and,  in  spite  of  her  resistance, 
ravished  her.  The  witness  was  then  cross-examined.  Next  Wil- 
liam P.  Nichols,  sworn,  testified  that  when  the  prisoner  came  before 
the  magistrates  he  confessed  having  done  the  act.  Charles  Gosnel, 
sworn,  testified  that  he  had  seen  the  ground  and  evidences  that  a 
scuffle  had  taken  place,  and  that  barefoot  tracks  were  upon  the 
ground  thereabout.  The  documents  state  that  Hester  An  Dobbs 
was  "  a  free  white  female  in  the  peace  of  God  and  State  of  Georgia." 
The  crime  was  committed  in  Deep  Creek  district,  Habersham 
County.  The  record  is  concluded  with  the  verdict  of  the  jury,  the 
sentence  of  the  court,  and  certificate  of  execution  by  the  sheriff. 
"  Recorded  the  25th  of  April,  1848.    Jas.  E.  Griggs,  C.  I.  C." 

The  State  vs.  Joel  Fouche.    Burglary. 

July  10,  1848,  the  court  met  after  notification  that  Joel  Fouche, 
a  free  person  of  color,  had  been  charged  with  burglary  and  com- 
mitted to  jail.  Jurors  were  drawn  for  the  trial  to  be  held  on 
July  19. 

July  19  the  court  met.  Plea  of  not  guilty.  Verdict  of  guilty. 
Sentence,  whipping  this  day  by  the  sheriff  at  some  public  place 
with  a  cowskin  whip  on  the  bare  back,  39  lashes  well  laid  on.  The 
prisoner  is  then  to  be  discharged,  but  must  pay  the  costs  of  the 
prosecution. 

Full  documentary  record  of  the  trial  is  given.  The  crime  was 
committed  at  Mount  Yonah,  by  breaking  into  a  house  used  as  a 
dwelling  and  tailor  workshop.  Six  yards  of  alpaca,  1  plain  vest 
pattern,  7  yards  of  brown  jeans,  4^  yards  of  black  Kentucky  jeans, 
and  trimmings  for  the  same  to  the  value  of  $18  were  stolen.  These 
goods  were  the  property  of  John  Davidson.  Among  the  documents 
is  the  following: 

"  State  of  Georgia,  Habersham  County. 

**To  all  and  sinr/nJar  the  sheriffs  of  said  State,  Greeting: 

"  We  command  you  that  the  goods  and  chattels,  lands  and  tene- 
ments of  Joel  Fouch,  a  free  person  of  color,  in  the  hands  of  or 
which  may  hereafter  come  into  the  hands  of  his  present  (or  any 
future)  guardian,  you  cause  to  be  made  the  sum  of  twenty-nine  dol 
lars  &  thirty-seven  and  a  half  cents,  which  lately,  on  the  19th  day  of 
July,  1848,  in  our  inferior  court  of  the  said  county  on  the  trial  of 


GEORGIA    LOCAL    ARCHIVES.  581 

the  said  free  person  of  color  charged  with  a  capital  offence,  was 
awarded  and  recovered  against  the  said  Joel  Fouch  in  favor  of 
the  officers  of  said  court,  who  committed  him  to  jail  for  costs  in 
that  suit  in  said  prosecution  expended,  whereof  the  said  Joel  Fouch 
is  convicted  and  liable  as  to  us  appears  of  record,  and  that  you  have 
the  said  sum  of  money  before  the  judges  of  said  court  on  the  second 
Monday  in  January  next  to  render  the  said  officers  of  said  court  the 
cost  aforesaid,  and  have  you  then  and  there  this  writ. 

"  Witness  the  Honora;  e  James  Crocker,  one  of  the  judges' of  said 
court,  this  2Gth  day  of  July,  1848. 

"Jas.  E.  Griggs,  (7.  7.  O." 

"Habersham  inferior  court.  January  term,  1849.  Officers  of  the 
Court  vs.  Joel  Fouch,  a  free  person  of  color.     Fi  fa  for  cost. 

"  Judgment  19th  July,  1848. 

Clerk's    fee ^ $6.  87^ 

Sheriff's  fee $7.  75 

Justice  p.  and  constable  fee $10.40 

Jailer's  fee $3.  62^ 

Fi  fa $0.  G2^ 

$29.  37^ 

At  the  end  of  this  record  (p.  33)  is  the  following: 

"  The  law  for  the  trial  of  slaves  and  free  persons  of  color  for 
capital  offences  before  the  inferior  court  having  been  repealed,  this 
book  is  now  set  apart  for  recording  the  trial  of  lunatics,  epileptics, 
and  idiots." 
Original  documents,  unbound.  Deeds,  bills  of  sale,  wills,  inventories, 
mortgages,  etc. 

These  documents  are  scattered  in  utter  disarrangement  in  open 
pigeonholes  and  packing  cases.     There  is  a  good  set  of  dust-proof 
filing  cases  in  the  vault,  but  very  few  documents  have  been  arranged 
therein. 
Private  records. 

The  county  clerk's  office  contains  a  miscellaneous  lot  of  account 
books  of  merchants  of  the  county,  cash  books,  day  books,  journals, 
and  ledgers.  Most  of  these  books  do  not  give  the  name  of  the  mer- 
chant who  kept  them.  The  entries  are,  generally,  of  very  small 
sums.    The  books  as  a  rule  were  kept  in  slovenly  fashion. 

B.    RECORDS    IN    THE    ORDINARy's    OFFICE. 

Minutes  of  the  court  of  ordinary,  1824  to  the  present. 

Minutes  of  the  county  commissioners  of  roads  and  revenues,  1872- 

1877.     (The  more  recent  records  of  this  board  are  probably  pre- 
served in  its  own  office. ) 
Official  bonds,  vouchers,  etc. 
Marriage  licenses,  1820  to  the  present. 
Letters  of  administration  and  execution,  guardians'  letters,  returns 

of  inventory  and  appraisement  sales,  receipts  for  legacies,  etc 


582  AMEKICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Registry  of  free  persons  of  color,  1856-18C2. 

Gives  name,  age,  complexion,  occupation,  and  name  of  guardian. 

Estray  register,  1828  to  the  present. 

Tax  digests,  1878,  etc. 

Lists  of  insolvent  taxpayers,  1889-1896. 

County  treasurer's  book,  1828  to  the  present. 

Account  book  of  the  treasurer  of  the  inferior  court,  183G-1SG4. 

Inferior  court,  record  of  bonds,  writs,  etc.,  1823-1»39. 

Lunacy  record,  petitions  for  homestead,  schedule  of  homestead  prop- 
erty, etc.,  for  recent  years. 

Docket  of  the  ordinary's  court,  motion  docket,  etc. 

Original  documents. 

Only  a  few  of  those  have  been  preserved,  and  none  except  of 
very  recent  years  are  classified. 

Private  records. 

Book  of  law  and  minutes,  and  treasurer's  record  of  the  Tallulah 
Lodge  of  Masons,  1870-1874. 

3.  The  Archives  of  Clarke  County. 

The  court-house  of  ChirJve  County  was  first  located  at 
Watkinsville,  but  is  now  in  the  town  of  x\thens.  The  more 
important  records  of  the  county  are  preserved  in  the  offices  of 
the  county  clerk  and  the  ordinary,  each  of  which  is  provided 
with  a  fireproof  vault.  The  court-house  of  the  county  was 
at  one  time  burned,  and  many  of  the  vohmies  in  the  clerk's 
office  have  had  their  bindings  scorched,  but  no  important 
documents  ai)pear  to  have  been  destroyed.  In  each  of  these 
offices  the  volumes  of  record  are  arranged  in  excellent  order 
and  show  evidences  of  much  care  in  their  keeping. 


Minutes  of  the  superior  court,  1802  to  the  present. 

Minutes  of  the  inferior  court,  1803-18G6. 

Minutes  of  the  county  court,  1800-1880. 

Minutes  of  the  city  court  of  Clarke  County,  later  the  city  court  of 

Athens,  1880  to  the  present. 
Dockets  of  various  sorts,  and  records  of  writs  of  these  several  courts, 

in  apparently  complete  series. 
Record  of  deeds  to  land,  1802  to  the  present. 
Record  of  bills  of  sale,  mortgages,  etc.,  1807-1814,  1820-1836,  1829  to 

the  present. 
Record  of  marks  and  brands,  1802-18(59. 

Most  of  the  entries  were  made  prior  to  1820 
Record  of  estrays,  1817-1848. 
Clerk's  account  books,  various  dates. 


GEORGIA  LOCAL  ARCHIVES.  583 

Recognizance  book,  1817-1845.     (Book  of  bonds  of  persons  indicted 
for  crijne,  giving  security  for  appearance  for  trial.) 

Lists  of  insolvent  persons  convicted  by  tbe  courts  and  unable  to  pay 
the  costs  of  trial. 

Register  of  free  persons  of  color,  1847-1862. 

Homestead  records,  1869  to  the  present. 

Register  of  posted  lands,  1903  to  the  present. 

Register  of  notaries  public  and  justices  of  the  peace,  Clarke  County, 
1903  to  the  present. 

Criminal  evidence  in  the  justice  court,  Two  hundred  and  sixteenth 
district,  Georgia  Militia,  1882-1885. 

Justice  court  dockets,  various  districts  and  dates. 

Original  documents. 

The  original  writs,  fifas,  orders,  etc.,  are  in  good  preservation,  and 
mostly  well  arranged  in  metal  dust-proof  filing  cases. 

Private  records,  ledgers,  journals,  and  other  records  of  the  Exchange 
Bank  of  Athens,  which  was  bankrupted  in  1898. 

Record  book  of  the  Clarke  County  State  Rights  Association,  1833-1840. 
This  society  was  organized  as  an  auxiliary  to  the  State  Rights  As- 
sociation of  Georgia,  formed  at  Milledgeville,  November  13,  1833. 
The  first  meeting  of  the  society  of  ClarlvC  County  was  held  February 
4,  1834,  but  adjourned  to  March  11.  The  meeting  then  resolved  that 
there  was  an  impending  danger  of  despotism  by  the  United  States 
Goverjunent,  and  resolved  to  organize  an  association  to  protect  the 
rights  of  the  States.  A  constitution  was  thereupon  adopted.  The 
volume  contains  the  minutes  of  meetings  held  at  intervals  of  several 
months.  Formal  addresses  were  made  by  selected  orators,  e.  g., 
Judge  A.  S.  Clayton,  and  candidates  were  nominated  by  ballot  for 
the  State  legislature,  and  delegates  were  elected  to  the  State  conven- 
tions of  the  State  Rights  party.  The  meetings  were  held  in  the 
county  court-house,  which  was  then  located  at  Watkinsville.  The 
last  meeting  recorded  was  held  May  5,  1840. 

Other  private  records  of  a  miscellaneous  character  are  contained 
in  an  old  trunk  in  the  vault  of  the  clerk's  office. 

Newspaper  files. 

Tlie  clerk's  office  contains  bound  volumes  of  the  Southern  Ban- 
ner, the  Southern  Watchman,  and  the  Athens  Banner  in  a  continu- 
ous file  from  1852  to  the  present. 


Minutes  of  the  court  of  ordinary,  1802  to  the  present. 
Ordinary's  account  book,  1860-1864. 
Orders  of  the  couf4  of  ordinary. 

Some  of  the  functions  of  the  ordinary  have  been  transferred  to 
the  county  commissioners  of  roads  and  revenues,  and  that  board 
possesses  the  records  for  recent  years  in  its  province. 
Order  book  of  the  inferior  court,  from  about  1855  to  1866. 

Deals  with  roads,  bridges,  etc.,  the  indigent  soldiers'  fund,  etc. 


584  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Bonds  of  administrators  and  executors,  letters  testamentary,  letters 
of  administration,  and  of  guardianship.  (Some  early  volumes 
appear  to  be  missing.) 

Returns  of  executors,  administrators,  and  guardians,  1799  to  the 
present. 

Tax  digests,  year  by  year,  1802  to  the  present,  with  a  few  volumes 
missing. 

Wills,  1802  to  the  present. 

Record  of  apprenticeship  indentures,  1837-1885  and  1901  to  the 
present. 

Bastard  children  account  book,  1874-1881. 

Contains  only  a  few  items,  all  concerning  negro  or  mulatto  chil- 
dren. 

Record  of  estrnys,  1817-1889. 

Estray  account  book.     Record  of  sales  of  estrays,  1848-1858. 

Minutes  of  the  connnissioners  of  the  poor  school  fund,  1834-1840. 

Minutes  of  the  county  board  of  education,  18G-1-1870. 

Chain-gang  record,  1883-1886. 

Record  of  the  Clarke  County  convicts,  1876-1894. 

Record  of  paupers,  1879-1880. 

Liquor  dealers'  bonds,  1855-1 8G7. 

Minutes  of  the  board  appointed  to  superintend  the  erection  of  a  court- 
house and  jail,  1875-7G. 

Record  of  property  in  tlie  court-house,  the  poor  farm,  etc,  1884-1887. 

Original  documents. 

The  original  wills  are  arranged  alphabetically.  Other  original 
documents  in  large  numbers  fill  a  set  of  wooden  pigeonholes,  but 
are  in  no  order  of  arrangement.  Q'here  are  several  trunks  and 
cases  of  private  papers  in  the  ordinary's  vault,  and  a  packing  case 
full  of  unbound  newspapers,  pamphlets,  and  manuscripts,  among 
which,  for  example,  is  a  report  of  a  committee  to  examine  the  regi- 
mental fund  in  1823  and  a  list  of  persons  liable  to  drill  duty,  with 
fines  collected  and  uncollected. 

Private  papers.  Minutes  and  account  book  of  the  Clarke  County 
Agricultural  Society,  1859-1873.  (No  activities  between  18G1  and 
18GG.) 

Life  membership  fees,  $20.  The  society  held  annual  fairs.  The 
premium  list  in  18G0  amounted  to  $1,000. 

Account  book  of  Mitchell's  ferry,  1881. 

[Augusta,  Chronicle,  Mch  13,  1S19.] 

Georgia,  Richmond  County, 
Clerk's  Office  Inferior  Court,  2n(l  March,  1819. 
I  certify  that  the  following  is  a  correct  list  of  the  names  of  persons  of 
color  registered  in  this  office,  in  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  19th  December, 
1818  supplementary  to,  and  more  effectually  to  enforce  an  act  prescribing  the 
mode  of  manumitting  slaves  in  this  state,  etc.  and  all  persons  concerned  or 
interested  will  take  notice  that  certificates  will  issue  to  them  on  or  before 
the  first  Monday  in  May  next,  if  objections  are  not  filed  thereto,  on  or  be- 
fore the  second  Monday  in  April  next,  viz. 


1 


GEORGIA  LOCAL  ARCHIVES. 


586 


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586 


AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION, 


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aEOEGIA  LOCAL  ARCHIVES. 


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588 


AMERICAN   HISTORICAL   ASSOCIATION. 


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GEORGIA    LOCAL    ARCHIVES, 


589 


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590  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

[Augusta  Chron.  April  30, 1830] 

A  list  of  free  persons  of  color  ivho  have  registered  their  names  in  Clerk 
of  the  Inferior  Court's  office,  Burke  County,  Georgia  28th  February 
to  6th  March  1S20. 


Name 

Age 

Where  born 

When  came  in 
State 

Profession 

r}f>n  Millan 

24 

27 

1 

9 

.   13 

27 

51 

9 
22 
33 
12 

9 

8 
56 

■1 

31 

m 

24 
41 
49 
76 
17 
18 
36 
12 
16 

9 

7 

5 

21  mos 
50 
56 

;i5 

18 
16 
30 
31 
21 
15 
9 
10 
50 

Savannah       

tailor 

Mary  Miller    

S.Car 

Geo 

while  infant 

seamstress 

James  Miller 

do   

do          

planting 
farming 

S.Car 

three  yrs  since 

do 

Kosia  Kellv 

do 

seamstress 

Kelly 

Geo          

Seal  v' Kellv 

Va 

three  yrs  since 

do 

midwifery 

Gilbert  Madison 

Jessie  Kellv 

S  Car 

.do 

....do.. 

farmer 

Betsy  Kellv 

do 

13  years  since 

when  infant 

....do 

planting 

Nancy  Kelly 

do.. 

spinster 

William  Kelly. 

Sallie  Kellv 

do. 

Georgia   

Leah 

do 

housewifely 
do 

Coleman 

S.Car 

3  years  since 

Betsy  Coleman 

Nero  Hancock 

Geo 

Ga 

farmer 

Nancy  Hancock 

S  Car 

5  yrs  since 

Housewifery- 
farmer 

do 

when  an  infant 

Alex'r  Nunes 

Geo 

do 

Francis  Gaulphin  . . . 

do 

housewifery- 
do 

do.. 

Robert  Nunes 

....  do   .      . 

farmer 

Jeanette 

do 

seamstress 

Judith 

do.. 

seamstress 

George     

....  do        

Ann 

do 

do 

do 

Louisa 

do 

David.. 

do 

.  do 

carpenter 
spinster 

fa,rTnft|* 

Va               .      . 

30  yrs  since 

Jim 

Geo 

Elisha. 

do.. 

do 

do        

spinster 

fa.rmfiT 

George 

do 

Mary  Scott 

S.Car 

16  years  since 

16  yrs  since 

planter 

Sam  Scott 

-.  do 

Charlotte  Scott 

Geo 

Harriot  Scott 

do 

Connecticutt 

do 

seamstress 

DickEUerbec 

Va 

30  yrs  since 

farmer 

Extract  from  book  of  Registry, 


John  Carpenter,  Clerh, 


i 


GEOEGIA    LOCAL   AECHIVES.  591 

[Augusta  Chron.  April  18, 1830] 
Free  persons  of  color  registered  in  Clerk's  office,  Columbia  County,  Ga. 


Name 

Place  of  Nativity 

Age 

Trade 

E.  Day 

N.  Car 

43 
51 

64 

;;2 

13 
12 
10 

9 

8 

3 

6  mos 

4 

4 

2 

hatter 

Amy 

spinster 
farmer 

H  McLendon 

do 

Millie 

spinster 

spinster 

do 

Mary  Childer 

do 

Thuss  Aim 

do 

do 

do 

Caty      

do      . 

do 

Morris 

do              

plowboy 

Henry 

do 

Allen     . 

do             ..  - 

Lucy  Barnes 

do 

spinster 

.      do 

William  Samuel 

do 

Martha 

do.... 

do 

49 
50 

Pil  Grant 

carpenter 

Richard- 

Samuel  Grar  t 

do 

6  mos 

28 

Bettie 

: 

spinster 

It  happens  that  none  of  the  registries  of  free  persons  of 
color  in  the  archives  of  the  counties  embraced  in  this  report 
were  kept  well  enough  to  be  suitable  for  printing.  To  illus- 
trate the  nature  and  content  of  this  class  of  documents,  the 
preceding  registers,  for  certain  other  counties  in  the  years 
stated,  are  taken  from  the  files  of  contemporary  newspapers. 

4.  The  Eecords  of  the  Town  of  Athens. 

In  the  year  1801  a  committee  of  the  trustees  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Georgia  selected  a  hilltop  near  the  Cedar  Shoals,  on 
the  Oconee  River,  as  the  site  of  the  university  which  they 
were  about  to  establish.  The  so-called  university  was  put 
into  operation  in  an  unpretentious  way  during  the  course  of 
that  year,  and  a  village  at  once  began  to  groAv  up  at  the  edge 
of  the  campus.  In  1806  that  village,  named  Athens,  received 
a  town  charter  from  the  State,  giving  it  the  privileges  of 
self-government  through  an  intendant  and  commissioners. 
The  town  developed  a  certain  degree  of  commercial  activity 
as  years  went  on,  but  the  town  has  always  retained  its  dis- 
tinctive character  as  a  college  community,  and  the  policy  of 
the  town  goA^ernment  has  always  been  strongly  influenced  by 
consideration  of  the  presence  of  the  student  body.  This  is 
illustrated  in  the  restrictions  upon  liquor  selling.  The 
Maysville  (Ky.)  Eagle  of  September,  1832, -contains  a  jot- 
ting: 


592  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  commissioners  of  Athens,  Ga.,  have  imposed  a  tax  of  $500  on 
every  person  retailing  spirituous  liquors  in  that  town. 

The  town,  when  it  permitted  barrooms  at  all,  has  been 
disj^osed  to  require  high  license,  and  in  more  recent  times  it 
was  in  the  forefront  of  the  dispensary  movement. 

The  following  publications  of  its  charters  and  ordinances 
have  been  issued  by  the  toAvn  or  city  of  Athens : 

Compilation  of  the  Constitutional  Provisions  and  Acts  of  the  Legis- 
lature Incorporating  the  City  of  Athens,  and  Codification  of  the 
Ordinances  of  the  City.     By  H.  H.  Carlton.     Athens,  1881. 

Charter  and  Ordinances  of  the  City  of  Athens.  By  Andrew  J. 
Cobb  and  William  A.  Gilleland.     Athens,  1892. 

Charter  and  Ordinances.  By  F.  C.  Shackelford  and  T.  W.  Reed. 
Athens,  1900. 

The  town  records  are  kept  in  the  clerk's  office  in  the  city 
hall.  The  present  building  is  w^ell  equipped  with  fireproof 
vaults,  but  until  very  recent  years  the  records  were  kept  in 
a  wooden  building.  Though  there  is  no  record  or  tradi- 
tion of  the  city  hall  ever  having  been  burned,  there  are  no 
town  records  to  be  found  of  an  earlier  date  than  1858  and 
very  few  dating  earlier  than  the  Reconstruction  period.  It 
is  possible  that  the  Federal  raiders  destroyed  the  records  in 
1864  or  1865,  or  that  the  documents  were  hidden  by  the  towns- 
people during  Sherman's  invasion  and  have  never  been 
restored  to  the  archives  room.  The  records  as  now  extant 
show  many  signs  of  neglect,  and  it  may  be  that  at  some 
period  the  custodian  destroyed  part  of  the  archives  as  rub- 
bish. The  town  records  at  present  are  to  be  found  in  book- 
cases and  packing  boxes,  partly  in  the  official  vault  and 
partly  in  a  cellar  under  the  stairway,  while  of  course  the 
volumes  of  the  current  and  very  recent  years  are  on  the 
clerk's  desk.  Under  the  existing  difficulties,  the  following 
is  the  best  practicable  list  of  the  archives : 

Minutes  of  the  council,  18G0  to  the  present. 

The  chief  magistrate  of  the  town  was  called  the  "intendant" 
prior  to  1872  ;  the  "  mayor  "  thereafter. 
Docket  of  cases  before  the  intendant,  1858-1872. 
Docket  of  the  mayor's  court,  1872  to  the  present 
Dockets  of  the  police  court,  1873  to  the  present 
Record  of  licenses,  1858-1868. 
Record  of  fines,  1887-1890. 
Record  of  taxes  collected,  1886,  etc. 


GEORGIA    LOCAL    ARCHIVES.  593 

Tax  assessments  and  digests,  18C7  and  following  years. 

Record  of  aflidavits  for  liquor  licenses,  1879-1891. 

Specific  tax  books,  for  1892,  etc. 

Tax  ledger,  1891,  etc. 

General  ledger,  1873-1880. 

Town  treasurer's  accounts,  18G6-18S0. 

Letter  books,  1892,  etc. 

Original  documents. 

Q'hese  are   scattered   in   drawers   and   packing  cases.     Some  of 
those  for  the  year  1S7G  are  pasted  in  scrapbooks. 

CURRENT   VOLUMES    IN    THE    CLERK'S    OFFICE. 

Record  of  the  gunpowder  magazine,  1887  to  the  present. 

Record  of  vehicle  licenses,  1895  to  the  present. 

License  registers. 

Register  of  sewer  fees. 

Sewer  bond  account  cash  book,  1900  to  the  present. 

Street-paving  accounts,  1889  to  the  present. 

City  cash  books,  1899  to  the  present. 

Town  treasurer's  cash  book,  1890  to  the  present. 

General  tax  digests,  yearly  for  several  recent  years. 

Real  estate  assessment  book,  1896  to  the  present. 

Record  of  tax  executions,  1882  to  the  present.     (White  and  colored 

persons  recorded  separately. ) 
Receipt  book,  classified  accounts,  1903  to  the  present. 
Record  of  disbursements,  classified,  1903  to  the  present. 
Record  of  dispensary  sales,  daily,  1903  to  the  present. 

The  text  of  a  few  of  the  ordinances  of  the  town  in  the  antc- 
belhim  period  may  be  recovered  from  the  files  of  the  local 
newspapers.  The  following,  which  have  been  gleaned  in 
that  waA^,  will  illustrate  some  of  the  features  of  the  town's 
legislation  and  general  policy : 

[Athens  Gazette,  February  1,  1816.] 

AN  ORDINANCE  for  the  better  regulation  of  the  town  of  Athens  so  far  as 
relates  to  the  assemblage  of  negroes,  and  to  restrain  all  persons  within  the 
limits  of  the  Corporation  from  giving  or  selling  to  negroes  any  spiritous 
liquors  on  any  pretence  whatever  without  a  permit  in  writing  from  their 
master  owner  or  employer,  and  regulating  all  kinds  of  traflSc  with  slaves 
or  people  of  color. 

Be  it  enacted  dy  the  commissioners  of  the  town  of  Athens,  and  it  is 
hereby  enacted  hy  the  authority  of  the  same,  that  from  and  after  the 
twelfth  day  of  February  next,  if  any  person  or  persons  in  or  at  any 
place  within  the  town  of  Athens,  or  at  any  place  within  the  jurisdic- 
tional limits  of  the  corporation,  shall  give  or  sell  to  any  negro  or  ne- 
groes, either  male  or  female,  any  quantity  of  spiritous  liquors  without 
a  permit  in  writing  from  his  or  her  master,  overseer,  or  employer,  the 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 38 


694  AMEKIOAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

person  or  persons  so  giving  or  selling  any  such  spiritous  liquors  to 
such  slave  or  slaves,  shall  forfeit  and  pay  to  the  corporation  the  sum 
of  five  dollars  for  the  first  offence,  and  the  sum  of  ten  dollars  for  each 
and  every  offence  of  the  same  kind,  provided  that  no  master,  owner, 
overseer  or  employer  shall  be  restricted  from  giving  to  their  own 
slaves  whatever  spiritous  liquors  they  may  think  proper  for  their 
own  use  and  for  no  other  purpose. 

Be  it  further  ordained — that  when  any  citizen  within  the  corporate 
limits  of  the  town  shall  offend  against  the  aforesaid  section,  it  shall 
he  lawful  for  the  town  constable  upon  his  own  knowledge  or  upon 
the  information  of  any  other  credible  free  white  person  to  give  in- 
formation to  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  or  in  his  absence  to  any  of 
the  members  tliereof,  of  the  offence,  and  the  day  and  date  on  which 
such  offence  (sr  offences  was  or  were  coir>niitted  and  upon  such  in- 
formation being  received  by  the  chairman,  or  In  his  absence,  by  any 
member  of  the  Board,  he  shall  issue  his  summons,  directed  to  the 
town  constable,  conmianding  him  to  cite  the  person  or  persons  so 
charged  to  appear  within  three  days  before  the  Board  to  answer  the 
charge  or  charges  exhibited  against  him  or  them;  and  upon  convic- 
tion (on  oath)  the  fines  hereinbefore  recited  shall  be  recovered  by  the 
town  constable  in  virtue  of  an  execution  to  be  issued  by  the  chairman 
of  the  Board  in  pursuance  of  such  conviction  to  be  levied  on  the 
goods  and  chattels  of  the  offender  or  offenders ;  and  after  ten  days 
advertisement  at  the  chapel  door  and  one  other  public  place  in  Athens, 
the  same  shall  be  sold  at  the  market  house  in  said  town  to  satisfy  the 
conviction  and  judgment  with  cost;  one  third  of  the  fine  or  fines  so 
imposed  and  collected  to  bo  paid  to  the  town  constable  and  the  other 
two  thirds  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Board,  and 
to  be  applied  to  such  purposes  of  the  corporation  as  a  majority  of 
the  commissioners  may  think  expedient  and  proper. 

Be  it  further  enacted — That  whenever  five  or  more  slaves  or  people 
of  color  are  seen  by  the  town  constable,  assembled  in  the  streets  of 
Athens,  in  the  stores  or  piazzas  of  any  store  house  in  town,  or  at  any 
other  place  within  the  cori)oration,  except  within  the  Lot,  Yard  or 
premises,  of  their  master,  owner,  overseer,  or  employer,  it  shall  be 
lawful  for  the  town  constable  on  his  own  view,  or  information  of  any 
one  of  the  Board  of  commissioners,  or  other  credible  free  white  per- 
son, to  order  such  slaves  or  people  of  color  to  disperse,  and  upon  their 
refusing  so  to  do,  or  assembling  themselves  at  any  other  place  in  said 
town  or  corporation,  then  to  take  such  slaves  or  people  of  color  into 
custody  and  chastise  them  at  his  discretion  not  exceeding  ten  lashes 
for  every  time  they  may  be  so  assembled,  or  refuse  to  disperse  when 
commanded,  and  for  the  chastisement  of  each  slave  or  person  of  color 
so  offending  as  aforesaid  the  town  constable  shall  be  entitled  to  re- 
ceive the  sum  of  twenty-five  cents  out  of  the  funds  of  the  corpora- 
tion, upon  an  oflicial  return  made  by  the  said  town  constable,  that 
such  slave  or  slaves  or  people  of  color  was  or  were  charged  for  viola- 
ting this  section  of  the  ordinance. 


GEORGIA  LOCAL  ARCHIVES.  595 

Be  it  further  ordained  J)y  the  authority  aforesaid — That  no  slave 
or  person  of  color  shall  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  March  next, 
be  permitted  to  sell  any  article  of  produce,  or  stuff  of  any  descrip- 
tion whatever  within  the  corporate  limits  of  the  town,  without  a 
permit  in  writing  from  his  master,  owner,  overseer,  guardian  or  em- 
ployer, specifying  the  article  or  articles  which  she,  he  or  they  may 
offer  for  sale,  and  if  in  violation  of  this  clause  of  the  ordinance  any 
free  white  person  shall  purchase  or  cause  to  be  purchased  without 
such  permission  he,  she,  or  they,  shall,  for  every  offence  pay  the  sum 
of  five  dollars,  to  be  received  and  collected  in  the  manner  hereinbefore 
described  for  the  collection  of  fines,  and  applied  in  the  same  manner; 
and  if  any  person  of  color  shall  offend  against  this  ordinance,  he,  she 
or  they  shall  pay  the  same  fine  as  a  white  person  is  made  subject  to 
and  if  unable  to  pay  the  same,  he,  she,  or  they  shall  receive  on  their 
bare  backs,  not  exceeding  ten  lashes,  to  be  inflicted  at  the  market 
house  by  the  town  constable,  for  w^hich  the  said  constable  shall  receive 
twenty-five  cents. 

In  town  meeting,  read  and  passed  27th  January,  1816. 

T.  F.  Carnes,  Chairman, 

Attest : 

A.  S.  Clayton,  Clerk, 


[Southern  Banner,  Athens,  Ga.,  April  3,  1840.] 

AN  ORDINANCE,  To  prevent  Wagoners  from  Encamping  in  the  Streets. 

Be  it  ordained  J)y  the  Commissioners  of  the  totvn  of  Athens,  and  it 
is  hereby  ordained  hy  authority  of  the  same,  That  it  shall  be  unlawful 
for  any  Wagoner  to  encamp  in  the  Streets,  or  on  any  private  lot 
(except  by  consent  of  the  owner)  in  the  Town  of  Athens ;  and  in  case 
of  such  encampment,  it  shall  be  the  6.nty  of  the  Marshal  to  remove  the 
said  person  or  persons ;  and  in  case  of  refusal,  each  and  every  person 
so  offending  shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  Five  Dollars,  for  each 
night  of  such  encampment,  to  be  collected  immediately  by  the  said 
Marshal. 


AN  ORDINANCE  regulating  the  taxes. 

Be  it  ordained  hy  the  Commissioners,  That  the  Marshal  be  in- 
structed to  call  upon  the  citizens  of  Athens,  between  the  1st  of  March, 
and  1st  of  May,  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  the  taxes  for  the  year 
1840,  which  shall  be  assessed  in  the  following  manner : 

1.  On  each  and  every  male  white  citizen  between  the  ages  of  21  and 
60  years,  $1.00. 

2.  On  all  free  persons  of  color,  $1.00. 

3.  All  slaves  over  the  age  of  8  years,  on  every  hundred  dollars 
worth,  12i  cents. 


596  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

4.  Town  lots,  houses,  etc.,  on  each  hundred  dollars  worth,  12J 
cents. 

5.  Stock  in  trade,  on  each  hundred  dollars  worth  12^  Cts. 

G.  On  each  hundred  dollars  worth  stock  in  trade  brought  into  town, 
after  the  first  of  May,  by  persons  who  have  not  previously  given  in 
their  tax  10  Cts. 

7.  On  all  goods  brought  into  the  town  of  Athens  to  be  sold  at  Auc- 
tion, on  each  hundred  dollars  worth,  $1.00. 

8.  On  all  Carriages,  Gigs,  Buggies,  Barouches,  Sulkies,  Tilburies, 
and  other  pleasure  Carriages,  for  each  hundred  dollars  worth  12^  Cts. 

9.  On  Caravans  of  Wild  Animals,  Wax  Figures,  Circusses,  Theatrical 
Exhibitions,  Puppet  Shows,  Legerdemain  Rope  Dancing,  and  on  all 
public  exhibitions  for  money,  except  lectures  on  literary  and  scientific 
subjects,  each  per  day,  $10.00. 

10.  On  Retailers  of  spirituous  liquors,  $20.00. 

11.  On  Billiard  Tables  $50.00. 

All  persons  giving  in  property  to  the  Mjirshal  are  required  to  do  so 
in  reference  to  the  largest  amount  in  actual  possession,  between  the 
1st  of  January  and  the  1st  of  May,  and  which  property  is  designed  to 
be  used  by  the  owner  within  the  corporate  limits  of  the  town. 


PUBLIC  ARCHIVES  OF  KANSAS. 


By  Prof.  Carl  Becker, 
Of  the  University  of  Kansas. 


I.  Printed  Archives. 

The  public  archives  of  Kansas  have  been  very  largely 
printed,  both  for  the  Territory  and  for  the  State.  A  very 
careful  and  exceedingly  detailed  bibliography  of  the  printed 
archives  has  been  prepared  by  Miss  Zu  Adams  and  published 
in  the  sixth  volume  of  the  Transactions  of  the  State  Histori- 
cal Society,  and  also  in  pamphlet  form.  (Catalog  of  the  Kan- 
sas Territorial  and  State  Documents,  etc.  Topeka,  Kans., 
June,  1900.)  On  the  basis  of  this  list  Miss  Adams  has  also 
prepared  the  Kansas  bibliography  for  Bowker's  State  Pub- 
lications, v^hich  will  appear  shortly.  (R.  R.  Bowker,  State 
Publications,  Part  III.)  For  detailed  or  complete  informa- 
tion the  student  is  referred  to  these  lists.  A  few  of  the  most 
important  of  the  printed  archives  are  given  here  to  indicate 
to  what  extent  the  archives  have  been  published. 

(a)    TERRITORY. 

The  archives  of  the  Territory  were  neither  so  carefully 
preserved  nor  so  fully  published  as  those  of  the  State.  The 
statutes  and  the  journals  of  both  houses  are  complete  and 
have  been  published.  The  messages  of  the  governors  and 
the  reports  of  the  supreme  court  are  incomplete,  although  of 
the  latter  everything  that  is  preserved  has  apparently  been 
printed  in  McCahon.  (Reports  of  Cases  Determined  in  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  Territory  of  Kansas.  Chicago,  1870.) 
The  executive  minutes  and  correspondence  of  the  Territorial 
governors,  as  far  as  found,  have  been  printed  by  the  State 
Historical  Society  in  its  Collections.     (Vols.  III-V.) 

597 


598  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

(h)    STATE. 

Of  the  printed  archives  of  the  State  the  most  important 
are  the  following: 

(1)  Public  documents.  Contain  the  messages  of  the  gov- 
ernors, the  reports  of  the  principal  officers  of  state,  and  in 
part  the  reports  of  various  educational  and  charitable  institu- 
tions and  commissions.  Published  annually,  1861-1864, 
1868-1876;  biennially,  1878-1904.  For  the  years  1864-1868 
there  is  neither  manuscript  nor  printed  volumes  for  the  docu- 
ments. It  is  not  known  whether  the  series  was  printed  dur- 
ing these  years. 

(2)  Messages  of  the  governors.     Complete. 

(3)  Reports  of  the  officers  of  state.  Of  these  the  follow- 
ing are  complete:  Auditor,  secretary  of  state,  treasurer, 
superintendent  of  public  instruction.  The  following  are 
incomplete:  Attorney-general  for  1861-62,  1864-1874;  ad- 
jutant-general for  1861. 

(4)  Reports  of  cases  tried  in  the  supreme  court.  Com- 
plete. 

(5)  Statutes.     Complete. 

(6)  Senate  journals.     Complete. 

(7)  House  journals.     Complete. 

II.  Manuscript  Archives. 

There  is  not  a  great  deal  of  unprinted  manuscript  mate- 
rial in  the  public  archives  of  Kansas,  and,  on  the  other  hand, 
some  of  the  manuscript  records,  from  which  the  printed 
archives  have  been  published,  are  no  longer  preserved. 
The  manuscript  records  are  deposited  in  the  various  offices 
of  state.  The  State  library  contains  very  few  records  in  the 
nature  of  public  archives.  (Cf.,  however,  Adams,  Catalog, 
etc.,  p.  28.)  The  following  description  makes  no  claim  to 
being  exhaustive.  It  may,  however,  serve  to  indicate  in  a 
general  way  the  extent  and  the  condition  of  the  manuscript 
archives  of  Kansas. 

A.  In  the  governor's  office  there  is — 

(1)  The  daily  record,  1877-1904. 

(2)  Record  of  appointments  by  the  governor.  Goes  back 
to  about  1877,  but  is  incomplete. 


PUBLIC   ARCHIVES    OF   KANSAS.  599 

(3)  Letters  sent,  1870  (about)  to  1904. 

(4)  Letters  received,  1882  (about)  to  1904. 

(5)  Various  packages  of  miscellaneous  material. 

B.  In  the  secretary  of  state's  office  are  deposited  the  most 
important  manuscript  records  of  the  State.  They  are  well 
preserved,  but  not  in  order.  Without  a  thorough  examina- 
tion it  is  impossible  to  say  how  complete  all  of  the  various 
classes  of  documents  are.  So  far  as  it  was  possible  to  learn 
from  those  in  charge,  the  principal  classes  of  documents  pre- 
served in  this  office  are  the  following: 

(1)  The  statutes.     Complete  for  State  and  Territory. 

(2)  Bills  introduced  into  the  legislature.  Complete  for 
the  State  and  Territory. 

(3)  Senate  journals.  Complete  for  the  State  and  Terri- 
tory. 

(4)  House  journals.  Complete  for  the  State  and  Terri- 
tory. 

(5)  Messages  of  the  governors.  Complete  for  the  State; 
probably  for  the  Territory. 

(6)  Letters  sent.  Now  preserved ;  hoAV  far  back  they  have 
been  preserA^ed  is  not  known. 

(7)  Letters  received.  Those  that  are  "  considered  im- 
portant ■'  are  now  preserved. 

(8)  Bonds  of  State  officials. 

(9)  Oaths  of  State  officials. 

(10)  Commissions  ordered  by  the  governors  or  by  the 
executive  council. 

(11)  Pardons. 

(12)  Election  returns. 

(13)  Material  relating  to  public  corporations. 

(14)  Miscellaneous  material  relating  to  State  banks, 
county  officers,  etc." 

C.  In  the  clerk's  office  are  preserved — 

(1)  All  of  the  records  there  are  for  the  Territorial  courts. 
These  consist  of — 

(a)  Supreme  court  record  "A."  A  volume  of  about  90 
pages,  containing  the  proceedings  of  the  Territorial  supreme 
court  from  1855  to  1860. 

«  Properly  the  reports  of  State  officers  should  he  deposited  here,  hut  it  ap- 
pears that  the  secretary  of  state  receives  only  one  copy  of  each  report,  which 
be  turns  over  to  the  State  printer. 


600  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL   ASSOCIATION. 

(h)  Appearance  docket,  supreme  court,  Kansas  Terri- 
tory. Contains  miscellaneous  material  relating  to  the  courts 
held  during  the  period  1858-1860. 

(c)  Trial  docket,  supreme  court,  "A."  Contains  mate- 
rial relating  to  the  December  term  of  1856. 

(2)  The  complete  records  of  every  case  tried  in  the  su- 
preme court  of  the  State.  These  records  are  preserved  in 
envelopes,  each  case  having  its  own  packet,  properly  labeled, 
and  so  arranged  as  to  be  found  without  delay. 

D.  In  the  adjutant-general's  office  are  preserved — 

(1)  Records  of  the  State  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  1861- 
1865. 

(2)  Records  of  the  State  in  the  Spanish- American  war. 

(3)  Records  of  the  Kansas  State  militia,  1861-1885.  Af- 
ter 1885  the  militia  became  the  Kansas  National  Guard. 

E.  In  the  attorney-general's  office  are  j^reserved — 

(1)  Biennial  reports  of  the  attorney-general,  1893-1904.<» 

F.  In  the  office  of  the  superintendent  of  public  instruction 
are  preserved — 

(1)  The  records  of  the  school  fund  commission.  These 
records  are  concerned  with — 

(a)   Permanent  school  fund,  1866-1904. 
(h)   State  school  fund,  1867-1901. 

(c)  State  University  fund,  1878-1904. 

(d)  State  Normal  fund,  1877-1904. 

(e)  Stormont  Medical  Library  fund,  1889-1904. 

(2)  The  records  of  the  State  board  of  education.  These 
records  contain — 

(a)  Minutes  of  the  board,  1877-1904. 

(h)  Register  of  State  examinations,  1877-1904. 

(c)  Records  of  certificates  issued,  as  folloAvs: 

1.  County  normal  institute  certificates,  1877-1904. 

2.  State  certificates,  1873-1904. 

3.  State  life  diplomas,  1897-1904. 

4.  State  life  certificates,  1897-1904. 

5.  State  industrial  certificates,  1903^. 

(3)  Record  of  State  normal  graduates  whose  diplomas 
are  now  in  force,  1867-1904. 


»  At  the  time  the  material  was  gathered  for  this  report  it  was  impossible 
to  learn  whether  other  records  were  preserved  in  this  office. 


PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    OF   KANSAS.  601 

(4)  Reports  of  county  superintendents,  1876-1904. 

(5)  Reports  of  city  schools. 

(6)  Reports  of  academies,  colleges,  and  universities. 

(7)  Records  of  the  Kansas  text-book  commission,  1897- 
1904. 

(8)  County  normal  institute  appointments. 

(9)  Kansas  school  laws,  1870-1904. 

(10)  Reports  of  the  department,  1865-1904. 

The  manuscript  archives  of  Kansas  are  preserved  in  dry, 
fireproof  vaults.  They  may  be  examined  by  anyone  whose 
work  is  of  such  a  nature  as  to  justify  his  use  of  them. 


NORTH  CAROLINA  COUNTY  ARCHIVES. 


Part  I. 

By  Prof.  John  Spencer  Bassett, 

Of  Trinity  College. 

Part  II. 

By  Prof.  Charles  Lee  Raper  and  J.  H.  Vaughan, 

Of  the  University  of  Hiorth  Carolina. 


PART  I. 

[By  Prof.  John  Spencer  Bassett] 

The  tentative  report  herewith  submitted  on  the  counties  of 
Chowan,  CraA^en,  Cumberland,  Guilford,  Mecklenburg. 
Orange,  Pasquotank,  Perquimans,  Eowan,  and  AYake  is  pre- 
pared from  notes  taken  in  1902  and  1903.  The  examina- 
tion which  could  be  given  to  these  records  was  very  hurried. 
The  records  themselves  are  usually  unclassified,  and  in  the 
time  allowed  it  was  not  always  possible  for  the  examiner  to 
satisfy  himself  of  the  exact  nature  of  the  contents.  This  was 
particularly  true  of  the  old  dockets,  in  which  it  was  fre- 
quently very  difficult  to  determine  to  what  court  or  kind  of 
cases  they  referred.  This  fact  will  account  for  much  in  the 
report  that  is  not  entirely  clear.  But  the  result  will  probably 
be  helpful  to  one  who  desires  to  use  these  county  records  for 
research  purposes. 

The  examiner  desires  to  bear  witness  to  the  extreme  kind- 
ness of  the  officials  who  had  the  records  in  charge.  In  no 
case  did  he  meet  any  but  the  most  courteous  treatment,  and 
he  believes  that  no  student  properly  indorsed  need  fear  that 
he  will  not  be  given  similar  treatment  should  he  desire  to 
make  research  in  the  same  places.  Most  of  the  records  are 
preserved  in  adequate  fireproof  rooms,  and  in  some  of  the 
counties,  notably  in  Wake,  Mecklenburg,  and  Cumberland, 
the  accommodations  and  security  are  extremely  good. 

603 


604  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Chowan  County  (Ceeated  in  1672). 
clebk's  office. 

Minute  dockets.  1704,  1711,  1724,  1727-1737,  1745,  1747-1750,  1752- 
1753,  1758-1770,  1772-1781,  1786,  1788-1813;  and  there  are  minute 
and  reference  dockets  together  for  1735-1738,  1751-1759.      . 

Minute  docket,  superior  court,  1868-1902. 

Trial  dockets,  1727,  1734-1737,  1757-1781,  1785-1805,  1807-1812,  1818- 
1827,  1830-1834,  1843-1847. 

Execution  dockets,  1756-1762,  1764-1808. 

State  dockets,  1758-1762,  1780-1843. 

Equity  dockets,  1792-1799. 

Criminal  dockets,  1770-1780. 

Judgment  docket,  1868-1902. 

Summons  docket,  1868-1902. 

Criminal  docket,  superior  court,  1868-1902. 

Civil  dockets,  1760-1763,  1765-1768 ;  and  8  vols.  1798-1894. 

Reference  dockets,  1726-1728,  1734-1737,  1739-1742,  1744-1745,  1752, 
1756,  1759,  1761-1762,  1769,  1827 ;  and  minute  and  reference  dockets 
together  for  1735-1738  and  1751-1759. 

Chief  justice's  docket,  October,  1770. 

General  court  docket,  1736. 

Inferior  court  proceedings,  1764. 

Processions  dockets,  1756. 

Prosecutions,  1797-1805. 

Executions  of  fines  of  jurors,  1783-1809. 

Account  of  fees  of  court  officials,  1763-1771. 

Record  of  accounts,  1868-1902. 

Record  of  settlements,  1868-1902. 

Entry  book,  Chowan,  1796-1798. 

Assize  docket  at  Bath,  Newborn  and  Wilmington,  1739-1740,  1742. 

Lists  of  ships  entered  port  of  Roanoke,  1769-1771. 

Bonds  for  vessels  entered  in  port  of  Roanoke  (James  Iredell,  col- 
lector), 1773. 

"Rum  and  wine  duty  book,"  1767. 

Exports,  1772-1775  (custom-house  papers,  1775). 

Journals  of  assemblies,  1700-1708. 

Account  of  ordinary  licenses,  1777. 

Beef  book,  estate  of  R.  Roberts,  1802-1807. 

Account  book,  1759-1762,  1771,  1785. 

Robert  Palmer  account  books  (2),  1762. 

William  Romboyle's  account  book,  179^)-1811. 

John  Johnston,  1754. 

Tax  list,  1782-1784 ;  1784,  taxables ;  1784,  land. 


NORTH    CAROLINA    COUNTY    ARCHIVES.  605 

begtstee's  office. 
Deeds. 

Go  back  to  1700  and  up  to  date,  all  in  bound  volumes  except  a  few 
loose  sheets,  and  these  were  ordered  by  the  court  to  be  copied  into 
the  bound  volumes.     A  few  earlier  than  1700.     Indexed. 
Records  of  mortgages,  began  in  separate  series  in  1880,  to  date. 
Record  of  chattel  mortgages,  1897  to  date. 

Ceaven  County  (Ceeated  in  1712), 

cleek's  office. 

Minute  dockets. 

County  court,  1747-1857. 

Superior  court,  1747-1820.  1843-1858,  1868-J002, 
Trial  dockets. 

County  court,  1789-18G8. 

Superior  court,  1845-1859. 
Appearance  dockets,  1759-1770,  1783-1S68. 
Execution  dockets. 

County  court,  1754-1870. 

Superior  court,  1752-1762,  1764-1806,  1825-1828. 
State  dockets,  1787-1808,  1813-1SG8. 
Reference  dockets,  1773-1782. 
Superior  court  references,  1737-1759,  1771-1813. 
Equity  minutes,  1850-1860. 
Equity  dockets,  1850-1870. 

Special  proceedings,  trial  dockets,  1868.     (Record  of  probate  affairs.) 
Minutes  of  special  proceedings,  1868-1902, 
Judgment  dockets,  1868-1902. 
Criminal  dockets,  superior  court,  1868-1902. 
Summons  dockets,  superior  court,  1868-1902. 
Civil  issue  or  trial  dockets,  1868-1902. 
Record  of  wills,  1784-1902. 

In  will  book  A  are  copied  two  old  court  records  from  1713-1710, 
Bath  County,  Craven  precinct. 
Record  of  accounts,  1868-1902. 
Records  of  settlements,  1868-1902. 
Orders  and  decrees,  1868-1902. 
Stock  marks  in  minutes,  1847-1849. 
County  claims,  1829-1846. 
Constables'  bonds,  1850-1859. 
Road  book,  1784-1806. 
Sheriffs'  receipt  book,  1836-1843. 
Settlements  for  county  trustees,  1817-1856. 
Sale  book  and  hiring  book  of  the  clerk  and  master  in  equity  of  Craven 

County,  1858-1869. 
Deeds  proved,  1786-1799. 
Justices'  executions  levied  on  land,  1842-1857. 


606  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Constables  and  overseers,  1807-1832. 

Commissioners  of  afHdavits,  1853-1885. 

List  of  persons  authorized  by  the  North  Carolina  government  to 
take  affidavits;  transmitted  from  Raleigh.  In  the  same  book  are 
lists  of  magistrates,  1877. 

Records  of  incorporations,  18G8-1902. 

Index  relating  to  estates. 

Protests  of  sailing  masters  fearing  damage  to  cargo,  1836-1842, 

Guardian  bonds,  1808-1902. 

Administrators'  bonds,  1868-1902. 

Settlements  and  divisions  of  estates,  1829-1866.     6  vols. 

Bastard  bonds,  1870-1880. 

Large  number  of  papers  in  bundles  filed  with  suits,  etc. 

Abstract  of  the  Army. 

Accounts  of  the  North  Carolina  Line  settled  by  the  commis- 
sioners at  Halifax,  September  1,  1784,  to  February  1,  1785,  and 
at  Warrenton  in  September,  1786,  designating  by  whom  the  claims 
are  receipted  for  respectively — (A  printed  copy  in  possession  of 
the  clerk  of  court.  Small  4to.)  Also  vouchers  of  soldiers  of  Con- 
tinental Army  passed  December,  1785,  and  minutes  of  Newborn 
Liberty  Company,  June  11,  1822.     (Old  papers.) 

register's  office. 

Deeds,  1739-1902. 

Chattel  mortages,  1873-1902. 

Agricultural  lien  and  chattel  mortgages,  1899  to  date. 

Records  of  land  patents,  1772-1902. 

Entry  book,  1783-1796,  1806-1809,  1813-1817,  1828-1834.     (Last  three 

are  in  1  vol.) 
Registry  of  official  bonds,  1868  to  date. 
Records  of  county  commissioners,  1868  to  date. 
Licenses  to  trade,  187^1902. 
Road  book,  1842-1868. 
Stock  marks,  1874  to  date. 
County  trustees'  settlements,  1837-1868. 
Minutes  of  county  board  of  education,  1874-1902. 
Records  of  deeds  of  property  sold  by  county,  1874-1902. 
Sheriff's  deeds,  1801. 

All  deeds  of  county  officials  are  kept  in  this  office. 
Tax  book,  1868-1902. 

Records  of  elections  irregular,  recent  years  only. 
Election  books,  1880-1902. 
Marriage  records,  1851  to  date. 
Records  of  certificates  of  negroes  who  had  been  slaves,  as  to  their 

marriage,  1866-1867. 


NORTH  CAROLINA  COUNTY  ARCHIVES.       607 

Cumberland  County  (Created  in  1754). 
clerk's  office. 

Minutes  of  county  court,  1741-1744,  1749-1752,  1751-1758,  1784-1804, 

1806-1832,  1835-1840,  1858-1870. 
Trial  doclvcts,  1770,  1822,  1829-1840. 
Appearance  docket,  1789-1818. 
Executions  docket,  1808-1818,  1834-1839. 
State  dockets,  1788-1810. 
Reference  dockets,  1795-1810. 
Appeal  dockets,  1749-1755,  1789-1846. 
Argument  dockets,  1791-1818. 
Recognizances,  1789-1808. 
Clerk's  report  book,  1817-1827. 
Constable  levies,  1808-1834. 
Tax  list,  1770-1780. 
Road  book,  1825-1839. 
Divisions  of  estates,  1818-1800. 
Administrators'  accounts. 
County  court  records  before  Revolution,  sent  to  Raleigh  for  use  of 

Colonel  Saunders,  not  returned. 

Books  A,  B,  and  C  were  these  records. 
Dockets. 

(1)  Minutes,  summary  of  each  case. 

(2)  Judgments  dockets. 
Probate  papers. 

(1)  Records  of  accounts. 

(2)  Records  of  final  accounts. 

(3)  Register  of  wills. 

(4)  Cross  index  to  the  above. 
County  records  of  incorporations. 

County  court  took  up  all  administrative  and  judicial  business. 

Probate  business  was  changed  in  1868.     No  index  before  1808. 

Much  confusion. 
Will  book,  from  1796  to  date. 
Execution  docket. 
Records  of  court  of  equity .<» 

register's  office. 

Deeds,  1754  to  date.     Vols.  A-L5. 

Included  in  this  were  records  of  grants. 
Chattel  mortgages,  1754  to  date.     T.  3-L5. 
Agricultural  liens,  1899  to  date.     Vols.  1  and  2. 
Commissioners'  minute  books. 

Register  is  secretary  of  county  commissioners. 
Tax  lists,  1830  to  date. 

Records  of  marriages,  1851  to  date.     Vols.  A,  B,  C,  and  D.     (Licenses 
returned.) 

«  These  items  without  date  appear  thus  in  the  notes  talsen  by  the  examiner. 
They  refer  to  the  records  for  the  post  helium  period. 


608  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Guilford  County  (Created  in  1770). 

clerk's  office. 
Minute  dockets. 

County  court,  1781-3885,  3895  to  date. 

Superior  court,  1800-1873. 
Trial  doclvcts. 

County  court,  1779-1785,  1789-1868. 

Superior  court,  1859-18G9. 
Appearance  dockets,  3812-1808. 

Included  with  trial  dockets. 
Execution  dockets,  1813-3887. 
State  dockets,  1831-1808. 
State  dockets,  superior  court,  1855-1868. 
Ecpiity  court. 

Minute  dockets,  1807-3823,  1827-1808. 

Trial  dockets,  3835-1808. 
Special  proceedings  (before  clerk),  1887  to  date. 
Probate  court  dockets,  1874-1887. 
Judgment  dockets,  3809  to  date. 
Judgment  dockets.  State  costs,  1895-3899. 
Criminal  dockets,  3874  to  date. 
Summons  dockets,  1808-1883,  3889-1896. 
Civil  issues,  1809-3899. 
Lien  dockets,  1880-3898. 
Order  and  decree  dockets,  1880-1892. 

This  is  vol.  1,  and  refers  to  special  proceedings  before  the  supe- 
rior court. 
Orders  and  decrees,  1809  to  date. 

Records  of  courts-martial  of  regiments,  of  regiment  of  cavalry   in 
the    Fourth    Division,    Eighth    Brigade,    Eighth    Regiment,    North 
Carolina  Militia,  1800-1853,  not  complete. 
Cost  book,  3790. 
Wills.  1777  to  date. 
Records  of  accounts,  3878  to  date. 

Includ(!S  administrators,  guardians,  etc. 
Records  of  settlements,  1820-3844,  3853-3802,  1889-1898. 
Records  of  settlements  with  sheriffs,  1833-1877. 

In  these  books  are  also  records  of  special  proceedings,  1772-1777. 
Inventories,  1810-3808. 

Contains  lists  of  sales  also. 
Inventories  and  settlements,  1814-1825. 
Road  dockets,  1824-18.53. 

Minutes  of  actions  of  county  court  in  regard  to  roads. 
Deed  record,  1853-1872. 

Minutes  of  deeds  proved  in  court. 
Records  of  corporations,  1880  to  date. 
Apprentice  indentures,  3871-3888. 
Guardian  bonds,  1871-1899. 


NORTH    CAROLINA    COUNTY    ARCHIVES.  609 

Guardian  dockets,  1822-1868. 

Administrators'  bonds,  1871-1898. 

Appointment  of  executors,  1870-1890. 

Appointment  of  administrators,  executors,  and  guardians,  1891-1897. 

Records  of  widows'  year's  support,  1886-1901. 

Contains  widows'  dowers  also  and  shares  allotted  to  same. 
Record  of  dower,  1887-1897. 
Marriage  record,  18.53-1867. 

Begins  with  a  note  saying  that  it  was  kept  in  compliance  with  a 
law  of  the  session  of  1850-51 ,  chap.  84. 
Permanent  registration  roll,  1902  to  date. 
Papers  filed  in  bundles.     Number  in  fireproof  vault. 

eegister's  office. 

Deeds,  1771  to  date,  complete. 
Division  deeds,  1873  to  date. 

Plats  in  book.    Records  of  division  of  land. 
Plat  book  of  Guilford  County. 

Plats  filed  in  this  book,  mostly  city  property. 
Mortgages,  1871  to  date,  in  consecutive  numbers. 
Records  of  official  bonds,  1892  to  date. 
Minutes  of  county  commissioners.     Nos.  1-6. 

No.  1  is  warden's  reports,  1838-1868 ;  No.  2,  "  county  register," 
1868-1874 ;  after  No.  2  they  run  regularly  as  minute  books  of  county 
commissioners. 
Report  of  clerk  to  county  commissioners,  1887-1898,  called  "  official 

reports." 
County  finances   (county  and  school  funds).     No.  1,  1834-1874;  No. 
2,  1860-1888  (assessments,  etc.),  1887-1897  (school  districts);  No. 
2,  1889-1897,  all  kinds  of  county  finances. 
Tax  books,  1873  to  date. 
Abstracts  from  1891. 
Marriage  records,  1867  to  date. 

Before  that  they  were  filed  in  clerk's  office.    Now  they  are  issued 
by  register.     He  keeps  book  and  licenses  are  returned  to  him. 

Mecklenburg  County     (Created  in  1762), 

clerk's  office. 

Minute  books. 

County  court,  1774-1874.     11  vols. 

Superior  court,  1811  to  date.    13  vols. 
Trial  dockets. 

County  court,  1811-1868. 

Superior  court,  1861-1869.      • 

Criminal  court,  1885  to  date, 
H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 39 


CIO  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Appearance  dockets,  1797-1810,  1812-1868. 
Appearance  dockets,  equity,  18G2-1868. 
Execution  dockets. 

County  courts,  1785-1797,  1804-1854,  1857-1869. 
Superior  court,  1811-1828,  186^1868. 
State  dockets,  1774-1783. 

Contains  "  Crown  Causes  for  Tryal  to  July  Sess  1775,"  signed  by 
Robert    Harris,    Abraham    Alexander,    and   Robert    Irwin.      Same 
docket  for  October,  1775,  signed  by  Richd.  Barry,  Hez.  Alexander, 
and  Robert  Irwin.     Same  court  was  held  for  January,  1776,  but 
not  signed  at  end  of  this  docket.    There  are  entries  of  three  "  New 
Crown  Causes  to  January  session  A.  D.  1776"    (meaning  1777). 
On  next  page  comes  in  direct  continuation,  "  State  of  North  Caro- 
lina Causes  to  July  session,  1777,"  and  this  docket  is  signed  by 
"Abm.  Alexander,  Hez.  Alexander,  David  Reese,  Eph.  Brevard,  Wm. 
Wilson,  Edward  Giles,  and  Jno.  McK.  Alexander." 
State  dockets,  1828-18G8. 
State  execution  dockets,  1860-1881. 
Equity  court  minute  dockets,  1822-1852,  1859-1863. 
Equity  court  trial  dockets,  1846-1859. 
Probate  court  records,  1868  to  date.    1  vol. 
Judgment  dockets,  A  to  J,  1868  to  date.     Index. 

Same  as  old  execution  dockets. 
Judgment  docket. 

County  court,  criminal,   1884  to  date.     (This  is  a  new  court 

Superior  since  1901.) 
Circuit  criminal  court,  1893-1897. 
Criminal  dockets. 

County  court,  vol.  2,  1890-1895. 

Circuit  criminal  court,  1897-3901.     Since  1901  these  records  go 
into  superior-court  records,  with  a  special   term.     (Criminal 
dockets.   No.   1,   1901  to  date,   and  minute   dockets,   criminal 
court.  No.  1,  1901  to  date.)     Minute  docket  in  circuit  court, 
above,  1899-1901. 
Inferior  court,  1878-1885. 
Summons  docket,  1869  to  date.     4  vols. 
Civil  issue  dockets  (1-8),  1869  to  date.    8  vols.     Indexed. 
Lien  dockets,  1875  to  date.     (Liens  filed.) 
Orders  and  decrees  (1-10),  1869  to  date. 

Petitions  for  divisions  of  land,  etc. 
Minute  dockets. 

Circuit  criminal  court,  1895-1898. 
Inferior  court,  1877-1885. 
Fee  and  execution  docket,  inferior  court,  1879-1885. 
"  Sci.  fa.  docket,"  1825. 
Recognizances,  1825-1853. 
Appeals  for  trial,  1810-1828. 
Cost  book. 
Records  of  jurors  (lists),  1893-1900. 


NORTH  CAROLINA  COUNTY  ARCHIVES.       611 

Will  books,  A-0,  1762  to  date.     Cross  index. 
Records  of  accounts,  1785  to  date,     12  vols. 

Contain  inventories  and  settlements  to  1S69. 
Records  of  settlements,  1869  to  date.    3  vols. 

Settlements  of  guardians,  etc. 
Lists  of  magistrates,  1889-1903. 
Records  of  incorporations,  1884  to  date.     2  vols. 
Guardian  bonds,  1870  to  date.     5  vols. 
Administrators'  bonds  (1-7),  1870  to  date. 
Records  of  inquisition  of  lunacy,  1899  to  date.     1  vol. 
Pension  roll,  1889  to  date.     1  vol. 

Tax  lists,  1860  to  date,  with  omissions  in  sixties  and  seventies. 
Poll-tax  registry,  prior  to  May  1,  1902.     (Laws  of  N.  C,  1891,  ch.  89, 

sec.  13.)     1  vol. 
Permanent  registration  roll,  1902  to  date. 
Election  book. 

Record  of  the  vote  for  President,  members  of  Congress,  and  State 

and  county  officers,  1880-1900. 
Cross  index  to  special  proceedings. 
Cross  index  to  summonses. 
Many  old  court  papers  in  bundles,  marriage  bonds,  bastard  bonds, 

trial  papers,  and  State  papers. 

begisteb's  office. 

Deeds,  1762  to  date,  complete. 

Records  of  county  conmiissioners,  1869  to  date. 

Marriage  records,  1850  to  date. 

Marriage  licenses,  1866  to  date. 

Oeange  County  (Ceeated  in  1751). 

clerk's  office. 

Minute  docket,  1752-1838,  1840-1845,  1847-1857,  1875-1882;  1752-1793, 
records  of  deeds  proved  in  court,  supplementary  to  the  regular 
minute  docket. 

Minute  docket,  superior  court,  1881-1897. 

Trial  docket,  1768-1777,  1782-1866. 

Execution  docket,  1768-1773,  1794-1828. 

State  dockets,  1795-1828,  1859-1869. 

Accounts  of  clerk  as  receiver  in  this  book,  1875-1902. 

Special  proceedings,  3878-1902. 

Criminal  docket,  1868-1885. 

Summons  docket,  186.S-1903. 

Civil  issue  docket,  1868,  1882,  1886-189S. 

Equity  partitions,  1859-1903. 

Orders  and  decrees,  1868-1902  (1870-1875,  probate  court  records). 

Lien  dockets,  1873-1903. 

Records  of  wills,  A-I,  1757-1903. 


612  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION 

itccords  of  settlements,  18G8-1882. 

Guardian  accounts,  1819-1853. 

Inventories,  1800-188(],  I84y-18(]7,  1880  to  date. 

Guardian  record,  18GG-1902. 

Appointment  of  executors,  1870-1903. 

Record  of  insanity,  1899-1903. 

Poll-tax  register,  1902  to  date. 

rermanent  registration,  3902  to  date. 

Marriage  records  in  clerk's  office  till  date. 

Begin  in  1751-17G0.  Before  tluit  time  the  marriage  bonds  are 
preserved.  They  were  not  sure  evidence  of  marriage,  but  of  inten- 
tion to  marry.     Bonds  are  preserved  filed  in  packages. 

Dismission  papers  of  county  court,  old  superior  court,  and  court  of 
equity. 

Preserved  irregularly  in  bundles. 

BEGISTKU'S    OFFICE. 

Deeds. 

All  are  preserved  but  Book  A,  which  is  missing.     This  book  has 
records  from  1757  to  17G4.     Before  that  date  some  deeds  were  col- 
lected from  miscellaneous  sources  and  these  are  preserved. 
Records  of  county  commissioners,  18G8  to  date. 
Tax  lists,  18G8  to  date. 

Before  18G8  they  were  filed  in  the  county  clerk's  office.     They  are 
preserved  in  bundles,  by  years,  and  are  not  indexed.     They  were 
originally  returned  by  military  districts. 
Marriage  records  are  kept  from  18G8  to  date. 

Rev.  Mr.  Murpliy,  former  rector  of  St.  Matthew's  parish,  pub- 
lished in  a  pamphlet  all  the  available  vestry  records.  There  were 
not  many. 

Pasquotank  County  (Created  in  1672). 

clerk's  office. 
Minute  dockets. 

County  court,  1785-1814,  1853-1881.0 

Superior  court,  1828  to  date. 
Trial  dockets,  1732,  1771-1775,  1785-1798,  1807-1850. 
Appearance  dockets,  1840-1842,  18G0-18G8. 
Execution  dockets. 

County  court,  1770-1862,  18G7-68. 

Superior  court,  1822-1869. 
State  dockets,  1781-1784,  1798-18G6. 
Reference  dockets,  1745,  1753,  1756-57,  1759-1775. 
Judgment  dockets,  1867  to  date.     3  vols. 
Civil  dockets,  1798,  1804-1840,  1842-1844,  1856-1860. 
Minutes  of  equity  court,  complete,  from  1868  to  date. 

•  There  are  also  preserved  a  few  broken  records  in  a  book  dated  1737-1792. 


NOETH  CAROLINA  COUNTY  ARCHIVES.       613 

Laborers  and  mechanics'  liens,  1889  to  date. 

Orders  and  decrees,  1869-1898. 

Petition  docket,  1856-1868. 

Fees  due  at  court,  1754. 

Will  book,  1786-1887. 

Records  of  accounts,  1868-1895. 

Account  book  ( 1 ) ,  1818. 

Accounts  sales,  1797-1867. 

Records  of  settlements,  1868-1891. 

Inventories,  1797-1854. 

Marks  and  brands,  1795-1822. 

Constables'  bonds,  1856-1861.  I 

Colored  apprentices'  bonds,  3842-1861. 

Apprentice  book,  1798-1815,  1823-1833. 

Guardian  bonds,  3798-1805,  1 808-1869. 

Administrators'  bonds,  1798-1813,  1816-1821,  1824-18.37,  1839-1868. 

Account  current,  settlements  and  divisions,  1777-1845. 

Orphans'  accounts,  1757-1783,  1787-1797,  1809-1815,  1836-1845,  1856- 

1863,  1865-1868. 
Wardens  of  the  poor,  1808-1832. 
Records  of  births  ^nd  marriages,  1719-1737. 

Certificates  of  residence,  registry  of  marks,  etc.,  in  1  vol.,  1719-1767. 
Tax  lists,  1810,  1813-1815,  1818,  1820,  1822,  and  two  with  dates  gone. 
Oyster  tax  receipts,  1895-1901. 

register's  office. 
Deeds,  1700-1902. 
Chattel  mortgMges,  1779-1902. 
Division  book,  179.3-1885. 
Bonds,  1868-1885. 

Minutes  of  county  commissioners,  1868-1873. 
Record  of  official  reports,  187S-1S97.  ■ 

Records  of  accounts,  1897-1902. 
Tax  list,  from  about  1875  to  1902. 

Kept  irregularly. 
Marriage  register,  1865-1902. 
Large  number  of  old  papers  loose  in  26  boxes. 

Many  of  them  are  papers  on  which  reports  have  been  made  up. 
Perhaps  some  of  them  contain  valuable  papers.  Many  of  them  are 
in  the  eighteenth  century  and  go  back  as  early  as  1730.  They  are 
not  yet  classified,  and  it  is  impossible  to  give  useful  references  to 
them. 

Perquimans  County  (Created  in  1672). 

clerk's  office. 

Minute  docket,  county  court,  1738-1768,  1779-1783,  1791-1887,  1899  to 

date  (1738-1768  in  will  book  D). 
Trial  dockets. 

County  court,  1787-1799,  1806-1858,  186(J-1868. 

Superior  court,  1807-1868. 


614  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Execution  docket,  1784-1864,  1868. 

State  docket. 

County  court,  1842-1868. 
Superior  court,  1840-1857. 

Equity  dockets,  1824-1868. 

Record  book,  equity  court,  1838-1840. 

Special  proceedings,  1880  to  date. 

Proceedings  of  tlie  probate  court,  1871-1880. 

Judgment  docket.  No.  2,  1899. 

Criminal  docket,  1835-1842,  1868  to  date. 

Summons  docket,  1869  to  date. 

Civil  docket,  1858-1862. 

Civil  docket,  superior  court,  1853  to  date. 

Reference  dockets,  county  court,  175^1755,  1783-1790. 

Records  of  orders  and  decrees,  1868  to  date. 

Records  of  witnesses,  1797-1805. 

Records  of  wills,  1742-1768  (only  8  wills)  ;  1794-1902. 

Records  of  inventories,  1804-1827,  1837-1808. 

Inventories  and  accounts  of  sales,  1809-1868. 

Records  of  accounts  of  sales,  1804-1830,  1868-1881. 

Records  of  settlements,  1865  to  date. 

Records   of   accounts   of    administrators,    executors,    and   guardians, 
1892  to  date. 

Also  in  clerk's  office  are  various  loose  papers  filed  in  document 
cases,  relating  to  inventories,  executors'  accounts,  special  pro- 
ceedings, judgments,  etc. 

Justice  dockets. 

Magistrates  courts  in  various  townships,  as  follows:  1869-1884, 
1880,  1897. 

Clerk's  book  of  fines,  penalties,  etc.,  1888. 

Constable  and  sheriffs'  levies,  1840-1857. 

Letters  to  comptroller,  1840.     (Few  letters.) 

Registry  of  licenses  to  trade,  1869-1879. 

Records  of  incorporations,  1898  to  date. 

Indenture  bonds,  1852-1858,  1870-1890. 

Apprentice  books,  1842-1851,  1858-1866. 

County  court  division  book,  1845-1861. 

Guardians'  bonds,  1842-1887. 

Guardian  dockets,  1809-1829,  1847-1865. 

Guardian  book,  1864-1865. 

Guardian  accounts,  1829-1834. 

Administrators  and  guardians'  accounts,  1809-1837. 

Appointment  of  executors,  guardians,  etc.,  1868  to  date. 

Administrators'  bonds,  1842  to  date. 

Executors'  dockets,  1808-1843. 

Orphans'  dockets,  1806-1820. 

Bastard  bonds,  1857-1879. 

Reports  of  auditors,  1804-1827. 

Lis  pendens,  1889-1897.  ^ 


NORTH  CAROLINA.  COUNTY  ARCHIVES.       615 

Register  of  physicians  and  surgeons,  1889-1899. 

Tax  lists,  1843-1866. 

Lists  of  voters  of  various  precincts,  1896-1897.     23  vols. 

Lists  of  taxables  of  the  county  at  various  times  in  the  eighteenth  cen- 
tury, inventories,  court  writs,  commissions,  etc.,  wills  done  up  in  bun- 
dles, and  many  of  them  in  advanced  state  of  decay. 

eegisteb's  office. 

Deeds,  1681  to  date. 

Records  of  mortgages,  1890  to  date. 

Records  of  chattel  mortgages,  1883  to  date. 

Records  of  real  estate  mortgages,  1885  to  date. 

Agricultural  liens  and  chattel  mortgages,  1901  to  date. 

Records  of  plats  of  land,  1809-1902. 

Entries  of  lands,  1834-1876,  1879-1902.     (None  in  interval.) 

Official  bond  records,  1868  to  date. 

Minutes  of  county  commissioners,  1880-1902. 

Record  of  official  reports,  1875-1902. 

School  register,  1872-1894. 

Record  of  the  committee  of  finance,  1845-1872. 

Record  book  of  Perquimans  County  poorhouse,  1874-1902. 

Records  of  towns  and  incorporations,  1759-1824. 

Records  of  marks,  1875-^1902. 

Election  book,  record  and  returns,  1884—1902. 

Marriage  licenses,  register:  1867   (white);  1807   (colored). 

Marriage  bonds,  1844^1855. 

Record  of  marriages  of  freedmen,  1866-1867. 

A  book  of  entries  of  the  marriages  of  negroes.  Prepnred  b,y 
officials  in  the  days  of  reconstruction ;  it  goes  back  to  ISiM  in  rec- 
ords of  marriages ;  evidently  taken  from  the  evidence  of  the  freed- 
men. 

Records  of  marriages  and  births,  1679-1754.     3  vols.     (Mutilated.) 

Rowan  County   (Created  in  1753). 

clerk's  office. 
Minute  dockets. 

County  court,  1753  to  date.     (1869  incomplete.) 
Superior  court,  1782-1819,  1822-1848,  1850-1870.     (1822-1827  in 
bad  condition;  1847-48,  1856,  and  1870  unbound.) 
Trial  dockets,  1753-17^3,  1786-1826,  1832-1836,  1848-1868. 
Trial  dockets,  superior  court,  1779-1785,  1790-1869. 
Appearance  docket. 

Cgunty  court  (quarter  sessions),  1809-1868. 

Superior  court,  1807-1869.     (1790-1807  in  reference  docket  men- 
tioned below.) 
Execution  docket. 

County  court  (quarter  sessions),  1761-1868. 

Superior  court,  1767-1772,  1790-18(;9,  1803-1808  contains  In  back 
"  an  extra  Doct.  of  Executions,"  March  term,  1791. 


CIG  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

State  dockets  (criminal  cases),  1761-1869.  (6  contains  mostly  re- 
cognizances, bnt  is  marked  State  dockets.) 

Reference  dockets. 

County  court,  1814-1848. 

Superior  court,  1767-1773.     (Some  trial  dockets  in  this  book.) 

Dockets  of  reference  and  appearance  causes  (superior  court),  1790- 
1807. 

Probate  matters  (deeds,  etc.),  1819-1822. 

Criminal  dockets,  1869  to  date.     6  vols. 

Minute  dockets,  inferior  court,  1877-1883. 

Judgment  dockets,  inferior  court,  1877-1883. 

Index  to  judgments,  inferior  court,  1877-1883. 

Criminal  dockets,  inferior  court,  1877-1883. 

Summons  docket,  superior  court,  1869-1883. 

Civil  issue  docket,  18()9  to  date.     6  vols.,  with  cross  index. 

Civil  dockets,  sui)erior  court,  1784-1789. 

Dockets  for  Salisbury  superior  court,  1755-1770.  (1755-1766  appear- 
ance. ) 

Recognizance  docket,  1790-1870. 

Petiticm  docket,  county  court,  1807-1832. 

Clerk's  book  of  tines  received  by  treasurer  (laws  1879,  ch.  96,  sec.  3)  ; 
1880-1885. 

Records  of  wills,  1753  to  date. 

Records  of  accounts,  1868  to  date.     5  vols. 

The  large  number  of  notes  in  inventories  mentioned  as  "  bad  and 
desperate  accounts  "  shows  how  the  country  had  suffered  by  the 
war.     This  refers  to  the  years  1868-18(;9. 

Records  of  settlements,  1869  to  date.     5  vols. 

Inventories  and  accounts  register,  1849-1864. 

Receipt  book  (contains  many  receipts  of  money  paid  by  clerk),  1811- 
1824. 

Allowances  by  the  court  for  various  services,  patrols,  etc..  1807-1836. 

Overseers'  orders  (roads),  1824-1831. 

Guardians'  accounts,  1849-1860. 

Settlements  of  estates,  1849-1860. 

Record  book ;  contains  many  inventories. 

Records  of  wardens  of  the  poor,  1818-1865. 

Tax  list,  1809-1814  (tax  book  of  Salisbury  town  and  one  district, 
1860), 1841-1849. 

Schedule  of  the  whole  number  of  persons  taken  within  the  division 
allowed  to  Alexander  Frohock,  viz,. Rowan.  (It  is  a  census.)  No 
date ;  perhaps  early  in  nineteenth  century. 

List  of  militia  companies  (roster),  1802-1804,  1807.  (Shows  the 
amount  of  land  owned  by  the  freeholders.  It  was  returned  for  pur- 
poses of  taxation.) 

A  number  of  private  account  books,  filed  with  accounts  of  estates,  etc. 

Many  papers  in  bundles  on  which  cases  are  based. 


NORTH    CAROLIlSrA    COUNTY    ARCHIVES.  617 

register's  office. 

I 

Deeds,  17^3  to  date.     Index. 

Old  series,  includes  all  kinds  of  deeds. 
Mortgage  deeds,  real  and  chattel,  1883  to  date.     Index. 
Entry  book  for  public  lands,  1753  to  date  (but  there  are  omissions  in 

the  early  years ;  these  can  probably  be  supplied  from  the  records  of 

the  secretary  of  state,  Raleigh,  N.  0.) 
Records  of  official  bonds,  1894  to  date. 
Records  of  county  commissioners,  18G8  to  date. 
Records  of  oflicial  reports,  treasurer's  accounts. 
Records  of  board  of  superintendents  of  connnon  schools,  1847-1881. 
Books  of  sheriffs,  for  county  taxes,  1872  to  date. 
Marriage  records,  1851  to  date. 

Before  that  date  marriage  bonds  were  filed  with  clerk.     Kept  in 

bundles  in  his  office.     For  the  period  during  the  war  there  were  a 

few  volumes  with  mutilated  leaves.     This  is  said  to  have  been  done 

by  Northern  soldiers ;  entered  in  books. 

Wake  County.  (Created  in  1770). 

clerk's  office. 

Minute  dockets. 

County  court,  1771  to  date. 
Superior  court,  1827-1852,  1871-1889. 
Trial  dockets,  1848-1851. 
State  dockets,  criminal  suits. 
Trial  dockets,  equity,  1851-18GG. 
Minutes  probate  court,  A,  B,  and  C,  1878-1883. 
Judgment  dockets,  superior  court  and  for  magistrates. 

All  judgments  are  here  docketed — civil  and  criminal  judgment 

dockets. 
Judgments,  taxes,  suits  to  recover  taxes,  1877-1884,  1880-1887. 
Judgments  of  superior  court,  1S(»0-189().     G  vols,  with  indexes. 
Judgment  rolls,  criminal.  State  papers,  civil  issue,  records  of  trials. 

18,000  rolls,  manuscripts  unbound. 
Criminal  dockets,  1877-1879,  1887-1899. 
Summons  dockets,  1874-1878. 
Summons  dockets,  superior  court,  1877-1896. 
Civil  issue  dockets,  18G9-1870. 
Civil  issue  dockets,  trials.  A,  B,  and  C,  18G8-1902. 
Orders  and  decrees,  18G8  to  date. 

Refers  to  probate  court.     Begins  with  special  .trial  proceedings 

docket.     Trial  is  before  clerk  of  court  as  judge  of  probate.     (This 

title  has  been  abolished.)     The  final  record  goes  to  the  order  and 

decree  docket. 
Lists  of  jurors,  1893-1903. 
Clerk's  book  of  fines,  1879  (not  kept  up). 


618  AMEETCAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Records  of  assizenieiit,  1894^-1903. 

General  record  of  wills,  and  cross  index  of  wills.  Both  go  back  to 
1771. 

Records  1-35,  1770. 

Nov.    court,    1878,    contain    wills,    inventories,    guardian    bonds, 
guardian  accounts,  dowers,  etc.     Volumes  indexed. 

Lien  dockets,  1811-1901.     Abstracts  of  liens. 

Records  of  accounts,  1808-1873,  1875-1878. 

Records  of  incorporations,  1883-1903. 

General  index  of  administrators  and  guardians. 

General  index  to  dowers. 

General  index  to  divisions  of  land. 

Appointment  of  receivers,  1808-1903.     A-D. 

Records  of  amounts  paid  for  indigent  children,  1899  to  date. 

Records  of  examinations  in  lunacy,  1899  to  date. 

Permanent  registration  roll.     (Refers  to  the  "Grandfather  clause.'*) 
Records  of  trials  before  1808  are  in  trial  dockets  and  execution 
dockets   (some  as  modern  judgment  dockets)    and  equity  dockets. 
But  the  real  matter  of  trials  is  in  the  judgment  rolls. 

Records  of  widows'  year's  support  ($300  v.  all  creditors),  1878-1903. 

Record  of  dowers,  1878  to  date. 

Record  of  partitions  of  lands  and  general  index  referring  to  parti- 
tions and  sales. 

begister's  office. 

Mortgages  and  deeds  are  preserved  in  one  series  from  1771  to  1901. 
From  1901  they  are  preserved  in  separate  series.  Many  old  deeds 
which  have  not  been  called  for  after  registration  are  preserved  in 
bundles. 

Chattel  mortgages.     A  new  series  kept  since  1901.     3  books. 

Lien  bonds.     3  books  to  date. 

Records  of  county  connnissioners. 

Tax-books.  A  large  number  of  them  are  in  a  garret ;  said  to  be  com- 
plete. 

Marriage  licenses  and  index,  1851  to  date,  13. 


PART  II. 

[By  Prof.  Charles  Lee  Raper  and  Mr.  J.  H.  Vaughan.]« 
NEW    HANOVER. 

The  records  of  this  county  are  especially  important.  It 
was  at  one  time  a  very  large  district,  and  it  has  located 
within  its  bounds  the  largest  city  of  the  State,  Wilmington. 

"  The  work  of  examination  was  done  by  Mr.  Vaughan,  fellow  in  history  In 
the  University  of  North  Carolina.  The  condition  of  his  health  prevented  an 
exhaustive  examination  of  the  contents  of  many  of  these  records. 


NOKTH  CAROLINA  COUNTY  ARCHIVES.       619 

Its  records  are  to  be  found  in  the  offices  of  the  register  of 
deeds  of  the  county,  of  the  clerk  of  the  court  of  the  county, 
and  of  the  city  clerk  of  Wilmington. 

In  the  office  of  the  register  of  deeds  are  120  volumes  of 
deeds  and  mortgages,  from  1735  to  the  present,  and  16 
volumes  of  a  general  index  to  these.  For  the  first  six  years 
of  the  county  there  are  no  such  records,  but  from  1735 
to  the  present  the  records  are  almost  entirely  complete. 
The  records  are  now  in  excellent  condition,  good  copies  hav- 
ing been  made  of  all  of  them  from  the  first  to  1824,  and  they 
are  kept  in  a  fireproof  vault  and  upon  steel  shelves.  These 
volumes  of  deeds  and  mortgages  contain  the  specifications 
of  the  grants  of  land  made  by  the  Crown  during  the  colonial 
period  and  of  the  land  transactions  between  the  inhabitants 
throughout  the  existence  of  the  county.  ITere  are  also  tax 
books,  in  30  volumes,  from  1874  to  the  present.  The  tax 
books  for  years  earlier  than  1874  are  not  complete  or  easily 
accessible;  there  are  a  few  volumes,  though  mutilated,  going 
back  as  far  as  1847.  They  are  kept  in  a  vault  beneath  the 
office  of  the  register  of  deeds,  and  are  in  a  very  chaotic  con- 
dition. The  volumes  on  taxes  contain  the  race,  whether 
white  or  negro,  of  the  taxpayers  and  also  their  ages,  as  well 
as  a  statement  of  the  value  of  their  real  and  personal  prop- 
erty. There  are  also  in  this  office  8  volumes  of  the  records  of 
marriage  licenses,  from  1843  to  the  present. 

In  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  county  court  are  9  volumes 
of  wills.  These  cover  the  period  from  1792  to  1904.  Wills 
prior  to  1792  are  recorded  in  the  volumes  on  deeds  and  mort- 
gages, and  are,  therefore,  to  be  found  in  the  office  of  the  regis- 
ter of  deeds  in  the  first  6  volumes  of  deeds  and  mortgages. 
The  records  of  wills,  as  well  as  the  records  of  deeds  and  mort- 
gages, contain  many  most  valuable  and  interesting  facts  of 
an  economic  and  social  nature.  They  are  invaluable  to  the 
student  of  the  economic  history  of  the  colony  and  State. 
The  fact  that  the  clerk's  office  has  14  volumes  of  "  tax  lists," 
covering  the  years  1837  to  1859,  and  the  register's  office  30  or 
more  volumes  of  "  tax  books  "  indicates  that  there  is  no  well- 
defined  place  for  the  keeping  of  records  which  have  only  his- 
torical, not  present,  value.  In  this  office  are  also  found  07 
volumes  of  the  records  of  the  tria-1  and  reference  docket, 
1749-1848 :  30  volumes  of  the  records  of  the  execution  docket, 


G20  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

1776-1808 :  G2  volumes  of  the  minutes  of  the  superior  court, 
1825-1901 ;  10  vohimes  of  the  records  of  the  judgment  docket 
of  the  superior  court,  1868-1904;  6  volumes  of  the  records  of 
the  special  proceedings  of  the  superior  court,  1877-1904,  and 
3  volumes  of  the  summons  docket,  1886-1904.  The  records 
of  the  county  court  for  the  State  period  are,  therefore,  rea- 
sonably complete;  and  they  give  a  history  of  the  proceedings 
of  this  court,  as  well  as  throw  much  light  upon  the  economic, 
social,  and  moral  aspects  of  the  j)eople.  The  records  of  the 
colonial  period  are  very  incomplete,  but  those  which  are  left 
are  of  much  value.  The  records  in  this  office  are  kept  in  a 
fin^proof  vault,  provided  with  steel  cases.  Some  of  the 
eai'lier  records  have  been  copied,  but  not  to  the  same  extent 
as  the  records  in  the  office  of  the  register  of  deeds. 

The  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  city  of  Wilmington  contains 
several  volumes  of  valuable  records.  These  are  in  a  fire- 
proof vault.  Many  of  the  city  records  have,  however,  been 
lost  or  destroyed.  There  are  3  volumes  of  the  records  of 
the  city— 1858-1866, 1870-1875, 1895-1896.  These  contain  the 
transactions  of  the  city  as  a  corporate  body,  and  also  the 
changes  which  have  been  made  in  this  body  by  the  legisla- 
ture of  the  State.  The  laws  and  ordinances  passed  by  the 
city  for  its  own  government  fill  three  volumes.  There  is  a 
"  block  book,"  in  one  volume,  1872,  which  contains  a  descrip- 
tion of  each  city  block,  with  its  location,  boundaries,  name, 
and  valuation.  The  issues  of  city  bonds  for  regular  and 
special  purposes  for  the  years  1857  to  1872  are  recorded  in 
1  volume  under  the  title  of  "  town  bonds."  There  are  also 
in  this  office  4  volumes  of  the  records  of  the  board  of  alder- 
men, from  1875  to  the  present.  These  give  the  dat^s  of  the 
meetings  of  the  board  and  the  minutes  of  its  transactions. 

BRUNSWICK. 

The  records  of  this  county,  which  was  formed  in  1764  out 
of  New  Hanover  and  Bladen,  are  to  be  found  at  Southport, 
in  the  offices  of  the  register  of  deeds  and  of  the  clerk  of 
court.  These  records  are  for  the  most  part  in  fair  condi- 
tion and  are  kept  in  fireproof  vaults. 

The  register's  office  has  the  records  of  the  deeds,  the  mort- 
gages, the  land  grants,  the  bills  of  sale,  and  the  wills  for  the 


NORTH    CAROLINA    COUNTY    ARCHIVES.  621 

whole  period  of  the  county-  -all  in  the  same  set  of  books. 
There  is  1  extra  volume  of  the  records  of  land  grants,  1788- 
1815;  and  for  the  years  11)01-1904  there  are  2  volumes  of 
mortgage  records.  These  records  of  deeds  and  similar  docu- 
ments contain  much  of  the  most  valuable  material  for  the 
economic  and  social  historian.  In  this  office  are  also  to  be 
found  the  following  records:  Six  volumes  of  the  minutes  of 
the  county  commissioners,  1803-1904;  4  volumes  of  the  rec- 
ords of  marriages,  1853-1904;  2  volumes  of  the  records  of 
officers'  bonds,  1868-1883;  2  volumes  of  the  records  of  elec- 
tions, 1880-1904;  1  volume  of  the  records  of  court  claims, 
1866-1869;  1  volume  of  the  records  of  the  acknowledgments 
of  cohabitation  (common-law  marriages),  1886-1870.  It  will 
be  seen  that  this  miscellaneous  collection  of  records  is  by  no 
means  complete.  Whether  there  were  no  records  made  for 
the  years  not  mentioned  a])ove  or  whether  the  records  for 
these  years  have  been  lost  or  destroyed  we  can  not  say.  In 
spite  of  their  incompleteness,  however,  the}^  furnish  much 
data  upon  the  life  of  the  county  and  upon  the  working  of 
its  commissioners. 

In  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  court  the  most  valuable  col- 
lection of  records  is  that,  in  47  volumes,  of  the  records  of  the 
superior  court.  These  cover  the  period  from  1792  to  the 
present.  Here  are  also  records  of  wills,  but  they  are  by  no 
means  complete.  There  are  a  few  irregular  records  of  wills, 
going  back  as  far  as  1823,  but  these  are  very  meager  until 
1850.  Next  in  importance  to  the  records  of  the  superior  court 
and  wills  are  11  volumes  of  t\m  records  of  the  docket  of  jus- 
tices, 1874-1886.  The  records  of  the  fees  of  the  county  clerk 
fill  2  volumes  and  cover  the  period  from  1868  to  the  present. 
There  is  also  a  volume  of  records  under  each  of  the  follow- 
ing titles:  Summons  docket,  1869-1904;  judgment  docket, 
1868-1904;  minute  docket  of  special  proceedings,  1890-1904; 
orders  and  decrees  of  the  court,  1869-1899;  appointment  of 
executors,  1868-1898 ;  lien  docket,  1875-1901 ;  election  book, 
1880-1901;  trial  and  reference  docket,  1848-1864;  appear- 
ance docket,  1846-1867;  appeal  docket,  1846-1867;  execu- 
tion docket,  1846-1863;  probate  court,  1875-1887;  invento- 
ries and  guardian  account,  1853-1869;  common  schools  and 
articles  of  incorporation  of  companies  doing  business  in 
the  county.     These  somewhat  miscellaneous  records,  together 


622  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCI ATIOlSi . 

with  the  records  of  the  superior  court  mentioned  above,  con- 
stitute an  important  body  of  original  material  for  the  history 
of  the  county  and  its  administrative  and  judicial  aspects. 

ONSLOW. 

This  county  was  formed  in  1734,  and  its  first  county  site 
was  Johnston.  With  the  destruction  of  Johnston  in  1752, 
most  of  the  early  records  were  lost.  There  are  left  some  rec- 
ords going  back  to  the  very  beginning  of  the  county,  and 
many  for  the  latter  half  of  the  eighteenth  century.  The  list 
of  documents  here  given  is,  however,  by  no  means  complete. 
When  the  examination  was  made  a  new  court-house  was  in 
the  process  of  erection  and  many  of  the  records  of  the 
county  were  then  in  closed  boxes  and  stored  away.  An  ex- 
haustive examination  was,  therefore,  out  of  the  question. 
The  records  of  this,  county,  as  those  already  examined,  are  to 
be  found  in  the  offices  of  the  register  of  deeds  and  of  the 
clerk  of  court. 

In  the  office  of  the  register  of  deeds  there  is  1  old  volume  of 
the  records  of  deeds  for  the  years  1782-1783.  The  recoMs  of 
land  grants  are  extant  for  the  period  1790-1904,  in  4  vol- 
umes. The  records  of  deeds  and  mortgages  for  the  years 
from  1806  to  the  present  fill  84  large  volumes.  The  quan- 
tity and  completeness  of  these  land  transactions  make  the 
collection  very  valuable  for  the  economic  historian.  The 
people  of  this  county,  as  of  the  other  counties  considered, 
have  devoted  most  of  their  energies  to  agriculture,  and  conse- 
quently a  record  of  their  transactions  in  land  is  in  large 
measure  a  record  of  their  life.  Much  light  is  also  thrown 
upon  the  life  of  the  people  and  the  administration  of  the 
county's  public  affairs  by  the  following  records:  Four  vol- 
umes of  the  records  of  the  county  claims  docket,  1834-1904  : 
3  volumes  of  the  marriage  register,  1851-1904 ;  4  volumes  of 
the  minutes  of  the  county  commissioners,  1868-1902 ;  4  vol- 
umes of  the  records  of  land  entries,  1839-1904;  2  volumes  of 
the  records  of  the  official  bonds,  1868-1903.  There  are  also 
volumes,  1  to  each  of  these  titles :  Official  reports,  1879-1902 ; 
homestead  records,  1869-1903;  chattel  mortgages,  1872-1889; 
stock  marks,  1878-1904,  and  oyster  grants,  1892-1903. 

The  office  of  the  clerk  contains  10  packages  of  wills,  cov- 


NORTH  CAROLINA  COUNTY  ARCHIVES.       623 

ering  the  wide  range  from  1785  to  the  present.  These, 
however,  are  only  in  part  complete.  The  records  of  the 
superior  court  are  complete  from  1869  to  the  present. 
Whether  the  earlier  records  are  in  the  closed  boxes  men- 
tioned above,  we  can  not  say.  There  are  2  volumes  of  the 
records  of  incorporations,  1881-1904,  and  1  volume  under 
each  of  the  following  titles:  Fees  of  the  judge  of  probate, 
1896-1904;  fees  of  the  treasurer,  1877-1904;  accounts  of 
sales  by  the  sheriff,  1869-1896.  It  will  be  seen  that  a  great 
many  of  the  records  are  not  in  the  present  offices  of  the 
register  and  the  clerlr.  It  is  probable  that  a  great  number 
of  the  gaps  would  be  filled  if  all  the  records  were  accessible 
for  thorough  examination. 

CARTERET. 

This  county  was  formed  in  1722.  Its  records,  at  Beaufort, 
are  in  very  good  condition  and  are  quite  complete.  Their 
condition  and  completeness  are  remarkable  when  one  con- 
siders the  fact  that  there  are  no  fireproof  vaults  for  their 
safe-keeping. 

In  the  office  of  the  register  of  deeds  are  records  of  deeds, 
grants,  and  mortgages,  etc.,  covering  almost  two  centuries, 
from  1713  to  tlie  present,  and  they  are  practically  complete 
and  in  perfect  condition.  Probably  no  other  county  in  North 
Carolina  has  a  collection  of  land  transactions  so  complete 
and  valuable  as  this.  This  collection  is  an  invaluable  store- 
house of  information  for  the  economic  historian,  and  the 
fact  that  it  is  not  kept  in  a  fireproof  vault  is  all  the  more 
regrettable.  In  addition  to  this  great  set  of  land  records 
there  are  3  volumes  of  chattel  mortgages,  1889-1904,  and 
3  volumes  of  agricultural  lien  and  chattel  mortgages,  1900- 
1904.  The  marriage  register,  in  5  volumes,  covers  the  period 
from  1851  to  the  present.  There  are  also  4  volumes  of  the 
records  of  the  county  commissioners,  1868-1904,  and  1  volume 
of  the  records  of  oyster  grants,  1889-1904. 

The  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  county  has  complete  records 
of  the  superior  court  for  the  years  from  1724  to  the  present. 
This  is,  perhaps,  the  most  complete  collection  of  the  records 
of  the  superior  court  to  be  found  in  the  State.  It  has  a  great 
amount  of  data  for  the  student  of  local  government,  espe- 


624  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

cially  in  its  administration  of  justice.  In  addition  to  this 
most  valuable  collection  of  court  records,  the  clerk's  office 
contains  3  volumes  of  the  records  of  wills,  X829-1904,  and 
several  packages  of  wills.  These  packages  contain  some  of 
the  wills  which  are  recorded  in  the  volumes  just  mentioned 
and  also  some  which  belong  to  an  earlier  period. 

BEAUFORT. 

The  records  of  this  county,  which  was  formed  in  1705,  are 
to  be  found  at  Washington.  Though  these  records  are  fairly 
complete  and  most  valuable,  they  have  no  fireproof  place  for 
their  keeping. 

In  the  register's  office  there  are  127  volumes  of  the  records 
of  deeds,  mortgages,  etc.,  and  13  volumes  of  a  general  index 
to  these.  These  records  are  complete  for  more  than  two 
hundred  years,  101)5-1904,  excepting  2  volumes,  1807-1813, 
1859-1861).  This  collection  of  the  records  of  the  land  trans- 
actions, while  not  kept  so  well  as  that  of  Carteret  County, 
and  while  2  of  its  A^olumes  are  missing,  is  a  most  important 
and  valuable  one.  The  fact  that  the  only  missing  volumes 
belong  to  war  periods  is  interesting.  In  addition  to  this 
great  set  of  records,  there  is  another  of  much  value,  though 
it  belongs  to  a  later  ])eriod  (1880-1904),  48  volumes  of  the 
records  of  lien  and  chattel  mortgages.  This  is  significant,  in 
that  there  is  an  average  of  2  volumes  a  year  of  the  records 
of  these  mortgages;  the  habit  of  buying  or  borrowing  on  a 
mortgage  has  been  very  prevalent  among  the  people  of  this 
county  during  the  last  quarter  of  a  century.  This  county's 
tax  books  are  among  its  important  records.  The  records  of 
the  taxables,  their  property  and  its  valuation,  fill  47  vol- 
umes, and  these  do  not  go  back  of  18G5.  The  minutes  of  the 
county  commissioners  for  the  period  from  1865  to  1904  fill 
9  volumes,  and  the  marriage  register,  1851-1904,  5  volumes. 
The  years  1798-1815  have  1  volume  of  the  records  of  land 
grants. 

In  the  clerk's  office  are  many  important  records.  By  far 
the  most  valuable  collection  is  that  of  the  records  of  the 
county  court,  in  64  volumes,  and  for  the  period  1750-1904. 
For  this  period  the  records  of  the  court  are  almost  complete, 
though  some  of  the  earlier  volumes  are  in  bad  condition. 


NOKTH    CAROLINA    COUNTY    ARCHIVES.  625 

Next  in  importance  to  the  records  of  the  county  court  are 
the  13  volumes  of  the  "  orphan  book  '■  for  the  period  1808  - 
1868  and  2  volumes  of  the  records  of  wills  for  1808-1904. 
The  "  orphan  book  "  contains  the  records  of  wills  and  the 
accounts  of  administrators  and  guardians.  There  are 
also  9  packages  of  wills.  Some  of  these  go  back  as  far  as 
1750,  while  others  belong  to  the  year  1904.  There  is  a  sepa- 
rate volume  entitled  the  "  guardian  book "  for  the  years 
1845-1874,  and  the  records  of  guardian  bonds  from  1867  to 
the  present  and  of  administrators'  bonds  from  1871  to  the 
present  fill  5  volumes  each.  It  will  be  seen  that  this  county 
has  paid  careful  attention  to  keeping  its  records  of  wills 
and  the  settlement  of  estates,  and  from  these  records  many 
valuable  and  interesting  facts  of  an  economic  and  social 
nature  can  be  obtained.  There  are  also  records,  1  volume 
each,  under  the  following  titles:  The  records  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  magistrates,  1889-1904;  of  oyster  taxes, 
1895-1904,  and  of  incorporations,  1886-1904. 

MARTIN. 

This  county,  being  formed  in  1774,  has  necessarily  few 
records  for  the  colonial  period.  Its  records,  however,  are 
safely  kept  in  fireproof  vaults,  and  some  of  the  earliest  of 
them  have  been  copied. 

The  office  of  the  register  of  deeds  at  Williamston  con- 
tains the  records  of  deeds,  grants  of  land,  and  mortgages  for 
the  whole  period  of  the  existence  of  the  county.  These, 
with  24  volumes  of  the  records  of  the  liens  and  chattel  mort- 
gages, 1881-1904,  and  20  volumes  of  tax  books,  1885-1904, 
constitute  an  important  collection  of  records,  especially  for 
economic  history.  The  minutes  of  the  county  commission- 
ers, in  4  volumes,  from  1876  to  the  present,  are  also  of  value. 
There  are,  in  addition  to  these,  2  volumes  of  the  records  of 
land  entries,  1866-1904;  1  volume  of  homestead  records, 
1886-1904;  1  volume  of  the  records  of  the  division  of  land 
between  members  of  the  family,  1885-1904;  2  volumes  of 
marriage  records,  1872-1904;  1  volume  of  the  records  of 
marks  and  brands,  1885-1904 ;  1  volume  of  the  records  of  offi- 
cers' bonds,  1882-1904 ;  2  volumes  of  the  records  of  elections, 
H.  Doc.  429. 58-3 40 


626  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

1888-1904 ;  1  volume  of  the  records  of  widows'  dowers,  1904. 
and  1  volume  of  the  records  of  strays,  1902. 

In  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  court  are  two  valuable  sets  of 
records.  There  are  Avills,  in  large  part  complete,  from  1756 
to  the  present.  Of  more  importance  are  the  55  volumes  of 
the  records  of  the  superior  court  of  the  county.  There  are 
also  the  records  of  the  bonds  of  guardians  and  adminis- 
trators. 1885-1904;  of  widows'  support  (one  year),  1885- 
1904;  of  the  clerk's  boolc  of  fines,  1899-1904;  of  the  inquisi- 
tion of  lunacy,  1899-1904;  of  jurors,  1899-1904;  of  the  pro- 
co« 'dings  of  the  magistrates,  1899-1904,  and  of  incorporations, 
1902-1904. 

TYRRELL. 

This  county,  though  formed  in  1729,  has  no  records  for  the 
first  ten  years,  and  some  of  the  records  of  later  years  have 
been  lost  or  destroyed.  The  records,  which  are  still  extant, 
are,  however,  very  valuable.  They  are  kept  in  the  offices  of 
the  clerk  of  the  court  and  of  the  register  of  deeds,  at  Co- 
lumbia, and  are  without  any  protection  against  fire. 

The  important  records  of  the  clerk's  office  are  those  of  the 
superior  court,  1756-1901,  in  61  volumes;  of  the  justices' 
dockets,  1869-1904,  and  of  wills,  1750-1904,  in  large  part 
complete.  From  these  court  records  it  is  possible  to  write 
the  history  of  the  local  administration  of  justice.  While 
the  records  of  wills  are  not  complete  they  have  much  mate- 
rial for  the  economic  and  social  historian.  In  this  office  are 
also  records  of  apparently  a  different  nature  from  those  of 
any  of  the  other  counties  examined.  There  is  a  volume  of 
the  records  of  indentures  of  apprentices,  covering  the  period 
1851-1904,  and  a  volume  of  the  records  of  bastard  bonds, 
1871-1904.  It  is  pi-obable,  however,  that  all  such  records 
in  the  other  counties  have  been  kept  in  the  general  records 
of  the  court.  There  are  also  volumes  of  the  records  of  the 
inquisition  of  lunacy,  1900-1904;  of  guardians'  bonds, 
1877-1904,  and  of  administrators'  bonds,  1877-1904. 

The  office  of  the  register  has  important  collections  of  the 
records  of  deeds,  land  grants,  mortgages,  etc.,  for  the  period 
1739-1904;  of  chattel  mortgages,  1891-1904 ;  of  land  en- 
tries, 1885-1904,  and  of  tax  books,  1887-1904.  These  col- 
lections are  of  much  value  to  the  student  of  economic  history. 


NOETH  CAROLINA  COUNTY  ARCHIVES.       627 

The  marriage  register,  1877-1904,  and  the  minutes  of  the 
county  commissioners,  1868-1904,  are  of  considerable  value. 
In  addition  to  these  records  are  A^olumes  of  records  on  the 
following  subjects :  Official  reports,  1878-1904 ;  official  bonds, 
1890-1904;  cattle  ranges  and  timber  marks,  1851-1904. 

The  seven  counties  thus  examined  have  a  large  amount  of 
original  material  for  the  historian  of  local  government  and 
of  the  economic,  social,  and  moral  aspects  of  life.  As  we 
have  seen,  much  of  this  material  is  kept  without  any  special 
protection  against  fire.  That  much  of  it  has  come  down  to 
us  even  in  a  fair  condition  is  quite  remarkable.  In  some 
cases  records  have  been  lost  or  destroyed,  but  not  ver}^  many 
of  them.  There  has  been  a  lack  of  uniformity  in  the  keep- 
ing of  records,  and  especially  in  giving  titles  to  certain  collec- 
tions. In  some  counties  there  are  apparently  no  records  on 
certain  subjects,  but  this  lack  is  only  in  appearance.  A  fur- 
ther examination  reveals  the  fact  that  there  are  such  records, 
but  that  they  have  been  recorded  under  other  titles. 


PUBLIC  ARCHIVES  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.^ 


Pennsylvania  Archives. 

The  subjoined  list  of  the  contents  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Archives,  second  and  third  series,  has  been  compiled  to  serve 
as  an  aid  to  the  use  of  the  volumes  in  these  series,  as  well  as 
to  make  more  generally  known  the  character  of  their  con- 
tents. Such  a  list,  it  is  believed,  will  be  of  value,  inasmuch  as 
the  second  series  is  without  a  general  index  and  most  of  the 
volumes  are  not  provided  with  a  table  of  contents.  To  a 
certain  extent  the  same  is  true  of  the  first  10  volumes  of  the 
third  series.  Volumes  xxvii  to  xxx,  however,  comprise  an 
index  of  the  proper  name-s  found  in  volumes  xi  to  xxvi  of 
the  same  series. 

The  list  which  follows  may  be  regarded  as  a  supplement  to 
the  report  on  the  public  archives  of  Pennsylvania  presented 
in  the  First  Keport  of  the  Public  Archives  Commission,  for 
the  year  1900.^  Since  the  publication  of  that  report  the 
fourth  series  of  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Papers  of  the  Gov- 
ernors, 1682-1902,  edited  by  George  Edward  Reed,  LL.  D., 
in  12  volumes,  has  been  issued.  (Harrisburg,  1900-1902.) 
Each  of  these  volumes  is  provided  with  a  table  of  contents 
and  index,  and  volume  xii  includes  a  general  index  to  the 
entire  series. 

The  publication  of  a  fifth  series  has  been  authorized  by  the 
legislature.  This  will  comprise  at  least  nine  volumes.  The 
first  five  volumes  are  in  press  and  the  remaining  volumes  are 
in  preparation  for  early  publication.  An  analysis  of  the  vol- 
umes already  prepared  is  also  appended.  It  will  be  noted 
that  these  volumes  contain  an  enlarged  and  revised  list  of  the 

••  Compiled  by  Prof.  Herman  V.  Ames,  with  tlie  assistance  of  Mr.  Luther  R. 
Kellier,  Custodian  of  the  Division  of  Public  Recoids,  Pennsylvania  State 
Library. 

'Report  of  the  American  Historical  Association,  1900,  Vol.  II,  pp.  267-293 

629 


630  AMERICAN    HISTOKIOAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Pennsylvania  Line  and  of  the  Associators  and  Militia  from 
Pennsylvania.  This  work  has  been  rendered  possible  by  the 
new  material  brought  to  light  by-  the  recently  created  Divi- 
sion of  Public  Records. 

LIST  or  CONTENTS  OF  THE  ''  PENNSYLVANIA  ARCHIVES,"  SECOND 

SERIES.* 

Volume  I.     (Harrisburg,  1S74.) 

Seal  of  committee  of  safety,  1775. 

Assembly  of  rennsylvania,  1776. 

Pennsylvania  coat  of  arms,   1779.     Opposite  title-page. 

Minutes  of  the  board  of  war  from  March  14,  1777,  to  August  7, 
1777.     pp.  5-72. 

Minutes  of  the  navy  board  from  February  18,  1777,  to  September 
24,  1777.      pp.  73-226. 

List  of  otlicers  and  men  of  the  Pennsylvania  navy,  1775-1781. 
pp.  227—405. 

Papers  relating  to  the  British  prisoners  in  Pennsylvania,  pp. 
407-465. 

Memorandum  book:  of  the  committee  and  council  of  safety,  1776- 
77.     pp.  467-508. 

Colonel  Atlee's  journal  of  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  August  26, 
1776.  (Laid  before  the  executive  council  November  16,  1779.) 
pp.  509-516. 

Journal  of  Col.  Samuel  Miles  concerning  the  battle  of  Long 
Island,  1776.     pp.  517-522. 

List  of  sick  goldiers  in  Philadelphia,  December,  1776.  pp.  523- 
539. 

Papers  relating  to  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  1775-1777.  (Cor- 
respondence of  the  committee  of  safety,  council  of  safety,  and  board 
of  war,  and  other  rciscollanoous  papers.)      pp.  541-748. 

Plans  for  the  construction  and  raising  of  the  Ghevaux  de  Frize 
in  the  Delaware  River,  1775-1784.     pp.  749-773. 

Index,     pp.   775-809. 
Vohime  II.     (Harrislmrg,  1876.) 

Map  of  a  part  of  the  middle  British  colonies  prior  to  the  Revo- 
lution. From  Governor  Pownall's  map  of  1776.  Opposite  title 
page. 

Names  of  persons  for  whom  marriage  licenses  were  issued  in  the 
Province  of  Pennsylvania  previous  to  1790.     pp.  3-344. 

Persons  naturalized  in  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  from  1740- 
1773.      pp.  345-486. 

Officers  and  soldiers  in  the  service  of  the  Province  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, 1744-1764.     Provincial  officers  and  soldiers,     pp.  487-615. 

Indian  traders,  1743-1748.     pp.  617-627. 

Mediterranean  passes,  1761-1764.     pp.  628,  629. 

Letters  of  marque,  1762.     p.  630. 

Ships  registers,  1762-1770.     pp.  631-671. 

«  Vols.  I-XIL  published  under  the  direction  of  Matthew  S.  Quay,  secretary 
of  the  commonwealth  ;  edited  by  John  B.  Ijinn  and  William  H.  Egle  ;  Harris- 
burg,  1874-1880.  Vols.  XIII-XIV,  published  under  the  direction  of  Charles 
Warren  Stone,  secretary  of  the  commonwealth ;  edited  by  William  H.  Egle ; 
Harrisburg,  1887-88.  Vols.  XV -XIX,  published  under  the  direction  of  Wil- 
liam F.  Harrity,  secretary  of  the  commonwealth ;  edited  by  William  H.  Egle ; 
Harrisburg,  1890-1893. 


PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  631 

Papers  relating  to  the  rrovincc  of  Pennsylvania  prior  to  the 
Revolution  (miscellaneous,  1741-1776).     pp.  672-742. 

Journal  of  Col.  James  Burd  while  building  Fort  Augusta  at 
Shamokin,  1756-57.     pp.  743-820. 

Index,     pp.  821-826. 

Volume  III.     (Harrisburg,  1875.) 

A  chart  of  Delaware  Bay  and  River  from  the  original.  By  Mr. 
Fisher  of  Philadelphia,  1776. 

Seat  of  war  in  the  environs  of  Philadelphia.  By  Thos.  Kitchin, 
Br.,  hydrographer  to  His  Majesty. 

Names  of  persons  who  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania  between  the  years  1776  and  1794.     pp.  ,S-90. 

Papers  relating  to  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  1777.  pp.  101- 
156. 

Papers  relating  to  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  1778.  pp.  157- 
258. 

I'apers  relating  to  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  1779.  pp.  259- 
«  340. 

Memorial  against  calling  a  convention,  1779.     pp.  341-,379. 

Papers  relating  to  the  war  of  the  Revohition,  1780.  pp.  381- 
449. 

Papers  relating  to  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  1781.  pp.  451- 
542. 

Resolves  of  the  committee  for  the  I'rovince  with  the  instructions 
to  their  representatives  in  assembly,  and  an  essay  on  the  constitu- 
tional power  of  Great  Britain,  1774.  Minutes  of  the  provincial 
deputies,     pp.  543-631. 

Proceedings  of  the  conference  of  committees  of  the  Province  of 
Pennsylvania,  held  at  Carpenter's  ITall,  I'hilndelphia,  from  June  18 
to  June  25,  1776.     pp.  03.3-605. 

Officers  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  in  the  Revolution  and  under 
the  Constitution  of  1776.  (State,  county,  and  other  officers.)  pp. 
667-794. 

Index,     pp.  795-811. 

Volume  IV.     (Harrisburg,  187(3.) 

Papers  relating  to  what  is  known  as  the  "  Whisky  Insurrection  " 
In  western  Pennsylvania,  1794.     pp.  1-550. 

Narrative  of  the  journey  of  Col.  Thomas  Proctor  to  the  Indians 
of  the  Northwest,  1791.     pp.  551-622. 

Papers  relating  to  the  defense  of  the  frontier,  1790-1796.  pp. 
623-776. 

Index.     777-811. 

Volume  V.     (Harrisburg,  1877.) 

Papers  relating  to  the  Colonies  on  the  Delaware,  1014-1082. 

Portrait.     Christina,  Queen  of  Sweden.     Opposite  title  page. 
Maps.     American  Septentrionalis  Pars,  1621.     t'Amstelredam,  by 
Anthony  Jacobsz.     Opposite  p.  16. 

Map  of  New  Netherlands,  1656.     Opposite  p.  233. 
Index,     pp.  855-875. 

Volume  VI.     (Harrisburg,  1877.) 

Papers  relating  to  the  French  occupation  In  western  Pennsyl- 
vania,    pp.  1-624. 

Papers  relating  to  the  establishment  at  Presque  Isle,  1794.  pp. 
625-832. 

Map.  Carte"  des  Frontiers  Frangaises  et  Anglaises  dans  le 
Canada  dcpuis  Montr^'al  jusques  au  Fort  du  Quesne.  [From 
Fouchot's  M^raoires  sur  la  derni^re  Guerre  de  I'Am^rlque  Septen- 
trionale.]     Opposite  p.  409. 


682  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Facsimile  of  autographs  of  officers  the  Presque  Isle  establish- 
ment.    Between  pp.  624  and  625. 

Index,     pp.  833-846. 
Volume  VII.     (Harrisbiirg,  1878.) 

Papers  relating  to  provincial  affairs  In  Pennsylvania,  1682-1750. 
pp.  1-300. 

Papers  relating  to  the  boundary  dispute  between  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland,  1734-1700.     pp.  301-400. 

The  narrative  of  Marie  Le  Roy  and  Barbara  Leininger,  who 
spent  three  and  one-half  years  as  prisoners  among  the,  Indians, 
and  arrived  safely  in  this  city  on  the  6th  of  May.  [Reprint  of 
pamphlet  printed  in  Philadelphia,  1759.]      pp.  401-412. 

.Tourual  of  Col.  James  Burd  of  the  provincial  service,  1760.  pp. 
413-418. 

.Tournal  of  Col.  James  Burd  of  the  Augusta  regiment,  1760.  pp. 
419-429. 

Journal  kept  at  Fort  Augusta,  1763.     pp.  431-455. 

Papers  relating  (o  the  Dutch  and  Swedish  settlements  on  the 
Delaware  River   [1030-1682.]      pp.  457-820. 

Index,     pp.  821-832. 

V^olume  VIII.     (Harrislmrg,  1878.) 

Record   of    Pennsylvania    marriages    prior   to    1810.     Volume    I. 

Facsimile  of  the  remaining  portion  of  the  waxen  seal  attached 
to  the  charter  of  the  I'rovince  of  Pennsylvania  granted  by  Charles 
II  to  William  Penn.     Opposite  title  page. 

Great  sfal  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania.      (Woodcut.)     p.  ii. 

Table  of  contents,     p.  in. 

Marriages  recorded  by  the  register-general  of  the  Province,  1685- 
1689.     pp.  v-viii. 

Marriage  record  of  Christ  Church,  Philadelphia,  1709-1806. 
pp.  1-286. 

Marriage  record  of  the  Swedes  Church  (Goria  Dei),  1750-1810. 
pp.  287-562. 

Marriage  record  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  at  Carlisle, 
1785-1812.     pp.  563-590. 

Marriage  record  of  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church,  Chester,  1704- 
1733.     pp.  591-5f)8. 

Marriage  record  of  the  Reformed  Church,  Falkner  Swamp,  Mont- 
gomery County,  Pa.,  1748-1800.     pp.  599-617. 

Marriage  record  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  New  Hanover,  Mont- 
gomery County,  Pa.,  1748-1800.     pp.  599-617. 

Marriage  record  of  the  German  Reformed  Church  at  Philadel- 
phia, 1748-1802.      pp.  049-731. 

Marriage  record  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  I»hiladelphia,  1761- 
1803.     pp.  733-778. 

Marriage  record  of  Paxtang  and  Derry  churches,  1741-1810. 
pp.  779-790. 

(No  index.) 
Volume  IX.     (Harrisburg,  1880.) 

Record  of  Pennsylvania  marriages  prior  to  1810.     Volume  II. 

Great  seal  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania.      (Woodcut.) 

Table  of  contents.      (Partial.) 

Marriage  record  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Philadel- 
phia, 1702-1745,  1700-1803.      pp.  1-105. 

Marriage  register  of  the  Moravian  Church,  Bethlehem,  1742- 
1800.     pp.  107-127. 

Marriage  register  of  the  Moravian  Church,  Nazareth,  1742- 
1800.     pp.  129-134. 


PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  633 

Marriage  register  of  the  Moravian  Church,  Litiz,  1743-1800. 
pp.  135-146. 

Marriage  register  of  the  Moravian  Church,  Philadelphia,  1743- 
1800.     pp.  147-151. 

Moravian  Church  at  Emaus,  1758-1800.     pp.  153,  154. 

Marriage  record  of  the  Ne55hamlny  Presbyterian  Church,  Harts- 
ville,  Bucks  County,  1785-1804.     pp.  155-164. 

Marriage  record  of  St.  James'  Episcopal  Church,  Perkiomen, 
Montgomery  County,  1788-1810.     pp.  165-179. 

Marriage  record  of  the  Abington  Presbyterian  Church,  Mont- 
gomery County,  1716-3  821.     pp.  181-200. 

Marriages  authorized  by  the  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting  of 
Friends,  1682-1756.     pp.  201-216. 

Marriages  authorized  by  the  Middletown  Monthly  Meeting  of 
Friends,  1685-1310.     pp.  217-229. 

Marriages  authorized  by  the  Falls  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends, 
1700-1800.     pp.  231-247. 

Marriages  authorized  by  the  Buckingham  Monthly  Meeting  of 
Friends,  1730-1810.     pp.  249-268. 

Marriages  authorized  by  the  Quakertown  Monthly  Meeting  of 
Friends,  1752-1810.     pp.  269-272. 

Marriages  authorized  by  the  Wrightstown  Monthly  Meeting  of 
Friends,  1744-1809.     pp.  278-281. 

Richland  Monthly  Meeting,  1800-1810.     pp.  283,  284. 

Marriage  record  of  St.  Michael's  and  Zion  Church,  Philadelphia, 
1745-1800.     pp.  285-440. 

Marriage  record  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Philadelphia,  1759-1806. 
pp.  441-494. 

Marriage  record  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Churchville,  Bucks 
County,  1738-1810.     pp.  495-511. 

Marriage  record  of  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church,  Philadel- 
phia, 1785-1799.     pp.  513-551. 

Marriage  record  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  Philadel- 
phia, 1703-1812.     pp.  553-601. 

List  of  oft'cers  of  the  colonies  on  the  Delaware  and  the  Province 
of  Pennsylvania,  1614-1776.     Harrisbnrg,  1880. 

Officers  of  the  colonies  on  the  Delaware,  1614-1681.  pp.  <U)3- 
617. 

Officers  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  1681-1776.  pp.  619- 
639. 

Provincial  officers  of  the  three  lower  counties,  New  Castle, 
Kent,  and  Sussex,     pp.  641-669. 

Provincial  officers  for  the  three  original  counties,  Chester,  Phila- 
delphia, and  Bucks,  1082-1776.     pp.  671-766. 

Provincial  officers  for  the  additional  counties,  1729-1776.  pp. 
767-800, 

(No  index.) 

Volume  X.     (Ilarrisburg,  1880.) 

Pennsylvania  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.     Battalions  and  line, 
1775-1783.     Volume  I.     Harrisburg,  1880. 

Flag.      (Frontispiece.) 

Contents  of  Volume  I. 

Contents  of  Volume  II. 

Col.  William  Thompson's  Battalion  of  Riflemen,     pp.  1-42. 

First   Pennsylvania   Battalion,   Col.   John   Philip  De  Haas.     pp. 

43-65. 
Second    Pennsylvania    Battalion,    Col.    Arthur    St.    Clair,     pp. 

67-100. 


034  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL   ASSOCIATION. 

Third  Pennsylvania  Battalion,  Col,  John  Shee.     pp.  101-112. 
Fourth  Pennsylvania  Battalion,  Col.  Anthony  Wayne,     pp.  113- 

136. 
Fifth  Pennsylvania  Battalion,  Col.  Robert  Neagan.     pp.  137-158. 
Sixth   Pennsylvania   Battalion,   Col.    William    Irvine,     pp.    159- 

190. 
Pennsylvania  Rifle  Regiment,  Col.  Samuel  Miles,     pp.  191-234. 
The  Alusketry  Battalion,  Col.  Samuel  J.  Atlee.     pp.  235-253. 
The  State  Regiment  of  Foot,  Cols.  John  Bull,  Walter  Stewart. 

pp.  254-279. 
The  Pennsylvania  Line  from  July  1,  1776,  to  November  3,  1783. 

p.  281. 
Explanatory  note.     pp.  2S3-2S6. 
Reminiscences,     pp.   287-290. 
Genei-al  officers,     pp.  291-302. 

Continental  Line,  First  I'ennsylvania.     pp.  308-390. 
Continental  Line,  Second  Pennsylvania,     pp.  391-441, 
Continental  Line,  Third  Pennsylvania,     pp.  443-480. 
Conlinontnl  lane.  Fourth  I'ennsylvania.     pp.  481-525. 
Continental  Line,  Fifth  Pennsylvania,     pp.  527-562. 
Continental   Line,  Sixtii  Pennsylvania,     pp.  503-592. 
Continental  Line,  Seventh  Pennsylvania,     pp.  593-638. 
Continental   Line,  Eighth  Pennsylvania,     pp.  039-669. 
Continental  Line,  Ninth  I'ennsylvania.     pp.  671-695. 
Continental  Line,  Tenth  Pennsylvania,     pp.  697-739. 
Continental  Line,  Eleventh  Pennsylvania,     pp.  741-753. 
Continental  Line,  Twelfth  I'ennsylvania.     pp.   755-764. 
Continental  Line,  Thirteenth  Pennsylvania,     pp.  765-774. 
Additional  regiment,  Col,  Thomas  Hartley's,     pp.  775-786. 
Additional  regiment,  Col.  John  I'atton's.     pp.  787-794. 
Illustrations  :  thirteen  steel  engravings  ;  portraits  of  offieers. 
The   Battle   of   Long   Island,   from   a   sketch   by    Major    Ewing. 

Opposite  p.  194. 
Plan  of  the  Battle  of  Brandywine.     Opposite  p.  316. 
(No  Index.) 

Volume  XI.     (Ilarrisburg,  1880.) 

Pennsylvania  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.     Battalions  and  line, 
1775-1783.     Volume  II. 

Pulaski's   Banner    (reverse   and   obverse).     Opposite   title-page. 

Continental  Line,  the  New  Eleventh,     pp.  3-70. 

Continental  Line,  the  German  Regiment,     pp.  71-83. 

The  Corps  of  Count  Von  Ottendorflf.     pp.  85-95. 

Pennsylvanians  in  Colonel  Ilazen's  regiment,  "  Congress'  Own." 
pp.  97-107. 

Independent  companies   raised   in   the  valley   of  Wyoming,   and 
attached  to  the  Connecticut  Line.     pp.  109-118. 

I'ennsylvanians  In  the  Commander  in  Chief's  Guard,     pp,  119- 
123, 

Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  Cavalry,   Col,   Stephen   Moylan,     pp. 
125-135. 

Armand's  First  Partisan  Legion,     pp.  137-149. 

Pennsylvanians  in  Pulaski's  Legion,     pp.  151-156. 

Pennsylvanians  in  Lee's  Partisan  Corps,     pp.  157-161. 

Provost  <iuard.  Von  Ileer's  Light  Dragoons,     pp.  163-169. 

Continental  Line,  I'ennsylvania  Artillery,     pp.  171-188. 

Continental  Line,  Fourth  Regiment  of  Artillery,     pp,  189-228. 

Pennsylvania  Line,  Independent  company  of  artillery,     pp.  229- 
238, 

Continental  Line,  artillery  artificers,     pp.  239-258. 


PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  635 

Continental  Lino,  the  invalid  rej^iment,  Col.  Lewis  Nicola,  pp. 
259-282. 

The  orderly  hooks  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.      (ITarrisbur^,  1880.)      p.  283. 

The  orderly  hook  of  the  First  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  July  26- 
December  0,  1778.     pp.  285-396. 

The  orderly  hook  of  the  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  Feb- 
ruary 2-April  15,  1779.     pp.  397-502. 

The  orderly  book  of  the  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  August 
1-September  11,  1779.     pp.  .50,3-526. 

Orderly  book  of  the  First  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  Col.  James 
Chambers,  .lune  13- August  5,  1780.     pp.  527-570. 

Diary  of  events  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution  from  August  1, 
1780-December  31,  1780.  From  the  journal  of  Capt.  Joseph  Mc- 
Clellan,  of  the  Ninth  Pennsylvania,     pp.  571-585. 

Orderly  book  of  the  First  I'ennsylvania  Regiment,  September  12— 
November  18,  1780.      pp.  587-027. 

Diary  of  the  revolt  in  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  January,  1781. 
pp.  G29-674. 

Diary  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  May  26,  1781-April  25,  1782. 
pp.  675-727. 

Muster  rolls  of  ranging  companies,  etc.     pp.  729-746. 

Pennsylvania  pensioners,  17S9.     pp.  747-760. 

Pennsylvania's  pension  list      pp.  761-772. 

General  index  to  the  officers  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line,  1775- 
1783.     pp.  773-805. 

Illusti-ations  :   eight  steel  engravings;   portraits  of  officers. 

Map.      Illustrating  the  battle  of  (lOrmantown.     Opposite  p.  188. 

Map.  Approaches  to  Germantown  from  Washington's  encamp- 
ment.    Oi)posite  p.  191. 

Facsimile  leave  of  absence,  Pennsylvania  Line,  1781.  Certificate 
of  discharge,  Pennsylvania  Line,  1781.  (Inserted  between  pp.  674 
and  075.) 

Facsimile  of  the  original  subscription  of  tlie  members  of  the 
Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  I'ennsylvania  Ijine,  1783.  (Inserted  at 
the  end  of  volume.) 

Vohiine  XII.     (Ilarrisburg,  1S80.) 

JNIiister  rolls  of  the  Peniisylvanifi  voliiriteors  in  tho  war  of  1812- 
1814,  with  contemporary  pai)ers  and  docnnionts.     Volnnio  I. 

'  Portrait  of  Governor  Simon  Snyder.      Opposite  fitle  page. 

Roll  of  general  and  regimental  officers,     pp.  IIl-XXIV. 
Muster  rolls  of  the  war  of  1812-1814.     pp.  1-528. 
I*apers  and  documents  relating  to  the  war  of  1812-1814.     pp. 
529  795. 

Index  to  company  officers,     pp.  797-805. 
Volume  XIII.     (ITarrisburg,  1800.) 

Pennsylvania  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  Assoeiatorl  bat- 
talions and  militia,  1775-3  783.  Volume  I.  Edited  by  William 
H.  Egle,  M.  D. 

Flags   (opposite  title-page)  : 

Standard  of  Philadelphia  Light  Horse,  1775. 
Flag  of  Hanover  Associators,  1775. 
Alphabetical    list    of     Revolutionary     soldiers,     1775-1783.     pp. 
1-250. 

Documents  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  in  general. 
pp.  251-268, 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia 
of  the  county  of  Lancaster,     pp.  269-552. 


636  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia 
of  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia,     pp.  553-794. 
Illustrations  :  seven  steel  engravings  ;  portraits. 

Volume  XIV.     (Harrisburg,  1890.) 

Pennsylvania   in   the   war   of   the   Revolution.    Associated   bat- 
talions and  militia,  1775-1783.     Volume  II. 

Flag   of    Proctor's    Westmoreland    County    Battalion.     Opposite 
title-page. 
Contents. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  of 
the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia  (continued),     pp.  1-64. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  of 
the  county  of  Chester,     pp.  65-144. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  of 
the  county  of  Bucks,     pp.  145-251. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  of 
the  county  of  Berks,     p.  25.3-328. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  of 
the  county  of  Northumbei-land.     pp.  820-.383. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  of 
the  county  of  Cumberland,     pp.  .385-489. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  of 
the  county  of  York.     pp.  491-560. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  of 
the  county  of  Northampton,     pp.  561-048. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  of 
the  county  of  Bedford,     pp.  649-683. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  of 
the  county  of  Westmoreland,     pp.  685-696. 
Lochry's  expedition,     pp.  696-704. 
The  Sandusky  expedition,     pp.   704-744. 

Muster  rolls  and  papers  relating  to  the  associators  and  militia  of 
the  county  of  Washington,     pp.  715-768. 
Williamson's  expedition,     pp.  769,  770. 

Officers  of  the  flying  camp  and  ranging  companies,  with  miscel- 
laneous muster  rolls,     pp.  771-792. 

Illustrations:    five  steel  plates ;    portraits. 
Plans  : 

Cantonment  at  Valley  Forge,  1778.     Opposite  p.  65, 
Battle  of  Monmouth.     Opposite  p.  145. 
Trenton,  1777.     Opposite  p.  289. 
Fort  Mcintosh  in  1778.     Opposite  p.  685. 
Princeton,  1777.     Opposite  p.  785. 
Facsimile  certificate  of  service.     Opposite  p.  713. 
Index  of  organizations,  Vols.  XIII  and  XIV.     pp.  793-805. 
Volume  XV.     (Harrisburg,  1890.) 

Journals  and  diaries  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  with  lists  of 
officers  and  soldiers,  1775-1783. 

Table  of  contents,     p.  3. 

Journal  of  Maj.  Ennion  Williams  on  his  journey  to  the  Ameri- 
can camp  at  Cambridge,  in  New  England,  1775.     pp.  5-20. 

Journal  of  Capt.  William  Hendricks  from  Carlisle  to  Boston, 
thence  to  Quebec,  1775.     i)p.  21-58. 

Portrait  of  John  Jof^eph  Henry.     Opposite  p.  59. 

Journal  of  the  campaign  against  Quebec,  by  John  Joseph  Henry, 
1775.     pp.  59-192. 


I- 


PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  637 

Diary  of  Lieut.  James  McMichael,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line, 
1776-1778.     pp.  193-218. 

Portrait  of  Lieut.  Erliuiies  Beatty.     Opposite  p.  219. 

Journal  of  Lieut.  Erlsuries  Beatty  in  tlie  expedition  against  tlie 
Six  Nations  under  General  Sullivan,  1779.     pp.  219-253. 

I'ortrait  of  Rev.  William  Rogers,  D.  D.     Opposite  p.  255. 

Journal  of  Rev.  William  Rogers,  D.  D.,  chaplain  of  General 
Hand's  brigade  in  the  Sullivan  expedition,  1779.     pp.  255-288. 

Map,  by  Capt.  William  Gray,  of  the  Sullivan  expedition.  Oppo- 
site p.  289. 

Letter  of  Capt.  William  Gray,  of  the  Fourth  Pennsylvania  Regi- 
ment,    pp.  289-293. 

Journal  of  Lieut.  William  McDowell,  of  the  First  Pennsylvania 
Regiment,   in   the   southern   campaign,    1781-1782.     pp.    295-340. 

Minutes  of  the  committee  of  safety  of  Bucks  County,  1774- 
1776.     pp.  341-369. 

Rolls  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Revolution,  Pennsylvania  Line, 
found  in  the  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C.  pp.  371- 
560. 

Miscellaneous  rolls  of  associators,  militia,  and  flying  camp, 
1776-1783.     pp.  561-682. 

Lists  of  persons  pensioued  by  the  United  States,  residing  in 
Pennsylvania,  who  served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  1820- 
1825.     pp.  683-741. 

Diary  of  Capt.  James  Duncan,  of  Col.  Moses  Hazen's  regiment, 
in  the  Yorktown  campaign,  1781.     pp.  743-752. 

Journal  of  Samuel  McNeill,  B.  Q.  M.,  "  his  orderly  book."  pp. 
753-759. 

Supplemental  list  of  Pennsylvania  soldiers  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,     pp.  761-775. 

Index  of  names  and  organizations,     pp.  777-784. 
Volume  XVI.     (Harrisburg,  3800.) 

The  Breviate.  In  the  bouodary  dispute  between  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland. 

Index.  The  copy  of  Lord  Baltimore's  own  plan,  annexed  to  the 
articles  of  agreement.  Our  map  of  the  places  in  question  proved 
In  the  cause  by  four  surveyors,  some  of  which  are  of  other  prov- 
inces,    pp.  IV-XI. 

The  Breviate.     pp.  1-790. 

Illustrations  and  maps : 

The  boundary  stone  at  Oxford,  Chester  County.  Opposite 
title-page. 

Map  illustrating  the  boundary  dispute.     Opposite  p.  1. 

A  map  of  parts  of  the  provinces  of  Pennsylvania  and  Mary- 
land, with  the  counties  of  Newcastle,  Kent,  and  Sussex  on 
Delaware,  etc.,  1740.     Opposite  p.  1. 

Volume  XVII.     (Harrisburg,  1890.) 

Names  of  foreigners  who  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Prov- 
ince and  State  of  Pennsylvania,  1727-1775,  with  the  foreign 
arrivals,  1786-1808. 

Editorial  note.     pp.  3,  4. 

Names  of  foreigners  who  took  the  oath  of  allegiance,  1727-1775. 
pp.  5-519. 

Names  of  foreigners  arriving  in  Pennsylvania,  1786-1808.  pp. 
521-667. 

Index  to  surnames,     pp.  669-787, 


638  AMEEICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Volume  XVIII.     (Harrisburg,  1890.) 

Documents  relating  to  the  Connecticut  settlement  in  the  Wyoming 
Valley.     Harrisburg,  1893. 

Table  of  conteuts. 

Minutes  of  (lie  Suscjuehanna  Company  claimini?  lands  in  Wyo- 
min.i,',  1758-1801.      pp.  1-123. 

Map  illusfrating  the  Connecticut  claim.     Opposite  p.  125. 

An  examination  of  the  Connecticut  claim  to  lands  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, 1774.  [Believed  to  have  been  written  by  Rev.  William 
Smith,  I).  D.]      pp.  125-214. 

Connecticut  records  as  examined  by  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 
in  1782.     pp.  215-276. 

The  Dutch  records  of  New  Netherlands}  in  connection  with  the 
boundaries  of  Connecticut,     pp.  278-322. 

Letters  of  the  Pennsylvania  claimants  to  the  State  commis- 
sioners,     pp.  32;i-385. 

Letters  from  the  secretary  of  the  land  office  to  the  State  commis- 
sioners iipp(iinted  under  the  act  of  April  4,  1799.     pp.  387-430. 

Examples  of  Connecticut  and  Pennsylvania  surveys.  Opposite 
pp.  432  and  497. 

Letters  from  the  commissioners  of  i'enusylvania  to  various  per- 
sons,    pp.  431-514. 

Book  of  the  fifteen  townsliips.     pp.  51G-572. 

Draft  of  sur\eys.     Opposite  pp.  516  and  544. 

Journal  of  t)ie  commissioners  appointed  to  adjust  the  titles  to 
lands  in  IJedford  and  Ulster  townships,  in  Luzerne  and  Lycoming 
counties,  183  0.     pp.  573-609. 

Miscellaneous  papers  relating  to  the  Wyoming  controversy,  1769- 
1808.     pp.  611-780. 

Index,     pp.  781-792. 

Volume  XIX.     (Harrisburg,  1890.) 

Minutes  of  the  board  of  property  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania. 
Volume  I. 

Minute  book  C.  Minute  book  of  property  commencing  about  the 
year  .1685.      pp.  3-21. 

Minute  book  D.  Minute  book  of  property  commencing  the  sev- 
enth day  of  the  twelfth  month,  1689-90.     p.  22-64. 

Minute  book  E.  Book  of  minutes  of  the  proprietaries  commenc- 
ing fr(tm  the  seventh  of  the  twelfth  month,  1689-90,  and  ending 
the  twenty-first  of  the  first  month,  1691.     pp.  65-92. 

Minute  book  P.  A  book  of  records,  viz,  deeds  and  other  writings 
(1693).      PI).   93-184. 

Minute  book  G.  Minutes  of  property  commencing  ye  nineteenth, 
ninth  Ber.,  1701.     pp.  185-502. 

Minute  book  H.  Minutes  of  property  beginning  ninth  day  of  the 
second  month,  1712.     pp.  503-073. 

Minute  book  I    (1716-1739).     pp.   674-766. 

General  index  of  surnames,     pp.  767-787. 

LIST  OF  CONTENTS  OF  THE  "  PENNSYLVANIA  ARCHIVES,"  THIRD 

SERIES.** 
Volume  I.     (Harrisburg,  1894.) 

Minutes  of  the  board  of  property  and  other  references  to  lands  in 
Pennsylvania. 

Maps  exhibiting  the  roads  and  inland  navigation  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  part  of  the  adjacent  States,  inscribed  to  Thomas  Mif- 

«  Edited  by  William  Henry  Egle,  M.  D. 


PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  639 

flin,  governor,  and  the  general  assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  by  John 
Adlum  and  John  Wallis.  (No  date ;  between  1790  and  1709, 
after  the  construction  of  the  Lancaster  tarnpike.) 

Minutes  of  ye  Welsh  purchasers,  1681-1702.     pp.  3-24. 

Minute  book  K,  1732-1739.     pp.  25-110. 

Minutes  of  board  of  property,  17G5-17!)1.     pp.  111-773. 

Index  of  surnames  recorded  in  these  minutes,     pp.  775-807. 

Volume  II.     (Harrisburg,  1894.) 

Minutes  of  the  board  of  property  and  other  references  to  lands  in 
Pennsylvania,  including  proprietary  (old)  rights. 

Minutes  of  the  board  of  property,  1702-1795.     pp.  1-158. 
Hearings  of  conflicting  claims  before  the  surveyor-generals  and 
decisions,     pp.  150-100. 

Caveat  books,  Nos.  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  1748-1784.     pp.   161-6G0. 
Old    rights,    Philadelphia    County,    1G82-1729!     pp.    602-769. 

(This  is  limited  to  the  county  of  Philadelphia.     It  includes 
purchasers'  names,  description  of  the  paper,  quantity  of  land, 
date  of  warrants,  and  date  of  return.) 
Index  to  all  surnames  recorded  in  these  minutes,     pp.  771-802. 

Volume  III.     (Ilarrisburg,  1S96.) 

Old  rights,  proprietary  rights,  Virginia  entries  and  soldiers  en- 
titled to  donation  lands,  with  an  explanation  of  Reed's  map  of 
Philadelphia. 

Table  of  contents. 
Old  rights  : 

(1)  Philadelphia     County,     1682-1729.      (Continuation     of 
Vol.  II.)      pp.  3-53. 

(2)  Bucks  County,  1G82-171S.     pp.  54-102. 

(3)  Chester  County,  1682-1728.     pp.   102-180. 

(4)  Rights    of   a    number    of    individuals    (not    tabulated), 
1683-1750.     pp.  181-212. 

(5)  Additional   Philadelphia   County   warrants,    1733-1745. 
pp.  213-214. 

Proprietary  rights  : 

Philadelphia  County  and  City,  1671-1776.     pp.  217-241. 

Bucks  County  papers,  1687-.1774.     pp.   241-249. 

Lancaster  Coimty  pai)ers,  1716-1797.     pp.   249-252. 

Berks  County  papers,  1750-1772.     pp.  253-256. 

Islands  in  Susquehanna   (only  date  1770).     pp.  257-259. 

York  County  papers,  1722-1774.     pp.  259-266. 

Additions   to   the  York  proprietary  papers,   1766-1824.     p. 
1»67. 

Northampton  County  papers,  1773-1806.     pp.  268-273. 

Northumberland   County  papers,    1768-1796.     pp.   273-276. 

Bedford   and    Westmoreland    papers,    1763-1777.     pp.    276- 
278. 

Newcastle  County  papers,  1684-1762.     pp.  279-280. 

Kent  County  papers,  1683-1741.     pp.  280-281. 

Sussex  County  papers,  1686-1735.     pp.  281-282. 
Index  to  the  papers  relating  to  Philadelphia  City  and  County : 

List   of   islands    in    the    Schuylkill,    Susquehanna,    Juniata, 
and  Delaware  rivers,     pp.  287-291. 

Cumberland    County    papers     (only    two    dates,    1761    and 
1767).     pp.  291-29.3. 

An  explanation  of  the  map  of  the  city  and  liberties  of  Phila- 
delphia (see  Vol.  IV).     pp.  297-4GJ. 

Table  of  contents  of  this  explanation,     p.  298. 


6i0  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Warrants  for  islands  in  the  Susquehanna,  1793-1812.  pp. 
405-460. 

Report  of  the  unappropriated  islands  in  the  rivers  Dela- 
ware, Schuylkill,  Susquehanna,  1791.     pp.  ^63-482. 

Virginia  claims  to  lands  in  western  Pennsylvania,  with 
map,  1754-1799.     pp.  485-504. 

Viiginia  entries  in  western  Pennsylvania,  1779-1780.  pp. 
507-573. 

An  account  of  the  donation  lands  of  Pennsylvania  soldiers 
of  the  Pennsylvania  line  entitled  to  donations  lands,  pp. 
607-757. 

Pennsylvania  depreciation  of  lands,   1783-1785,  with  map. 
pp.  761-771. 
Volume  IV.     (Harnsburg,  1895.) 

Seventy-six  maps  of  proprietary  manors,  1684-1787,  preceded  by  a 
table  of  contents  giving  name  of  manor,  to  whom  granted,  date, 
number  of  acres,  and  location. 
Volume  V.     (Harrisburg,  1896.) 

State  of  the  accounts  of  the  county  lieutenants  during  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  1777-1789. 

Account  of  Michael  Hillegas,  esq.,  late  treasurer,  1775-1776.  pp. 
3-10. 

Account  of  David  Rittenhouse,  treasurer  of  Pennsylvania,  1777- 
1781.     pp.  11-205. 

State  of  the  accounts  of  the  several  counties  for  their  taxes  to 
October,  1782,  continued  from  the  report  of  the  committee  of  ac- 
counts of  assembly  for  1781.     pp.  200-214. 

Effective  supplies  for  1781  and  the  tax  for  funding  and  sinking 
paper  money,     pp.  215-222. 

State  of  the  accounts  of  the  counties  for  their  taxes  from  the 
beginning  of  the  Revolution  to  1781.     pp.  223-232. 

State  of  the  accounts  of  the  several  collectors  of  excise ;  settled 
by  the  committee  of  accounts,     pp.  233-237. 

State  of  accounts  of  the  Pennsylvania  treasury  from  1782  to 
1785,  David  Rittenhouse,  treasurer,     pp.  241-373. 

State  of  the  accounts  of  William  Coates,  esq.,  lieutenant  of 
Philadelphia  County,  1777-1780.     pp.  377-404. 

State  of  the  accounts  of  the  lieutenant  and  sublieutenants  of  the 
city  of  Philadelphia  and  liberties,  1777-1783.     pp.  407-569. 

State  of  the  accounts  of  Jacob  Engle,  esq.,  late  sublieutenant  of 
Philadelphia  County,   1777-1780.     pp.  574-743. 

State  of  the  accounts  of  William  Antes,  esq.,  sublieutenant  of 
Philadelphia  County,  1777-1779.     pp.  747-763. 

State  of  the  accounts  of  .John  Lacy  and  George  Wall,  sublieuten- 
ants of  Bucks  County,  1777-1780.     pp.  767-784. 

Index  of  names,     pp.  785-791. 

Volume  VI.     (Harrisburg,  1896.) 

State  of  the  accounts  of  the  county  lieutenants  during  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  1777-1789. 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  iii,  iv. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenants  and  sublieutenants  of  Bucks  County, 
1777-1783.     pp.  1-149.  269-332. 

Accounts  of  sublieutenants,  1777-1783.     pp.  151-268. 
Accounts  of  lieutenants  and  sublieutenants  of  Lancaster  County, 
1777-1785.     pp.  323-643. 

Accounts  of  Hon.  William  A.  Atlee,  late  chairman  and  treasurer 
of  the  committee  of  I^ancaster,  1776-1783.     pp.  645-650. 


PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  641 

Accounts  of  lieutenants  and  sublieutenants  of  Cumberland 
County,  1777-1780.     pp.  651-717. 

Accounts  of  lieutenants  and  sublieutenants  of  Northampton 
County,     pp.  719-778. 

Index  of  names,     pp.  778-779. 

Volume  VII.     (Harrisbnrg,  1896.) 

State  of  the  accounts  of  the  county  lieutenants  during  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  1777-1789. 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  iii-iv. 

Account  of  the  lieutenant  and  sublieutenant  of  Northumberland 
County,   1777-1784.     pp.  1-19. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenants  of  Bedford  County,  1777-1783.  pp. 
21-35. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenants  and  sublieutenants  of  York  County, 
1777-1786.     pp.  37-114. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenants  and  sublieutenants  of  Westmoreland 
County,  1777-1784.     pp.  11.5-136. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenant  and  sublieutenant  of  Washington 
County,  1781-1783.     pp.  137-144. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenants  and  sublieutenants  of  Dauphin 
County,  1785-1788.      pp.  145-159. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenant  and  treasurer  of  Franklin  County, 
1785-1788.     pp.  161-172. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenant  and  treasurer  of  Tennsylvania,  1788. 
pp.  173-312. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenant  and  treasurer  of  city  and  county  of 
Philadelphia,  1777-1790.     pp.  313-351. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenant  and  treasurer  of  city  and  county  of 
Thiladelphia,  1786-1789.     pp.  353-383. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenant  and  treasurer  of  the  county  of  Lan- 
caster, 1782-1792.      pp.  385--^  47. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenant  and  treasurer  of  Westmoreland,  1783- 
1788.     pp.  449-456. 

Accounts  of  the  lieutenant  and  treasurer  of  the  county  of  Fay- 
ette, 1785-1791.     pp.  457-461. 

Fees  received  by  the  secretary  of  the  supreme  executive  council, 
1786-1790.     pp.  463-485. 

Revenue  and  expenditures  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, 1790.      pp.  485-487. 

Observations  on  the  American  Revolution,  published  by  a  resolu- 
tion of  Congress,  1779.     pp.  519-622. 

The  payment  of  loans  and  Interest  by  the  Congress,  1780.  pp. 
625-655. 

Donation  on  military  tracts  of  land  granted  the  soldiers  of  Penn- 
sylvania line,     pp.  657-784. 

Index  of  names,     pp.  797-799. 

Volume  VIII.     (Harrisbnrg,  1896.) 

Commissions  issued  by  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania  with  official 
proclamations. 

Commissions  for  officers,  viz,  secretarj''  of  commonwealth,  sheriff, 
justice,  patents  of  land,  proclamations,  writs  of  assistance,  etc., 
1733-1752.     pp.  1-784. 

Index  of  names,     pp.  785-793. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 41 


642  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Volume  IX.     ( Ilarrisburg,  1896.) 

Coiiiniissioiis  issued  by  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania  with  officii, 
proclamations.     (Continuation  of  Vol.  VIII.) 

Bonds,    commissions   for   shen£fs,    writs   of   assistance,    patents, 
oaths  of 'office,  deeds,  1752-1766.     pp.  1-789. 
Index  of  names,     pp.  791-797. 
Volume  X.     (Ilarrisburg,  1896.) 

Commissions  issued  by  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  with  official 
proclamations.  (This  volume,  however,  contains  other  mate- 
rial.) 

I'rovincial     and     State     commissions,     1766-1790.     pp.     1-732. 
(Tliis  portion  is  a  continuation  of  the  previous  volume.) 

Constitution  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  1790.     pp. 
73r)-7r51.'. 

Minutes  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1776.     pp.  753-784. 
Minutes  of  the  council  of  censors,  1783-1784.     pp.  785-809. 
Index  of  names,     pp.  811-820. 

Volume  XI.     (Ilarrisburg,  1S97.) 

Provincial  i)apors :  Proprietary  tax  lists  of  Chester  County  for 
the  years  1765,  1766,  1768,  1769,  1771.  (Returns  made  by  town- 
ships.) 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  v-xiii. 

Township  map  of  Chester  County,  1765. 

Chester  County  eigliteenth  pence  rate,  1765.     pp.  3-130. 

Cliester  County  oighteeath  pence  rate,  1766.     pp.  137-260. 

Chester  County  eighteenth  pence  rate,  1767.     pp.  265-389. 

Chester  County  eighteenth  pence  rate,  1768.     pp.  393-519. 

Chester  County  eighteenth  pence  rate,  1709.     pp.  525-651. 

Chester  County  eighteenth  pence  rate,  1771.     pp.  657-781. 

Volume  XII.     (Ilarrisburg,  1S97.) 

Proprietary  and  other  tax  lists  of  Chester  County  for  the  years 
1774,  1779,  1780,  1781,  1785.     (Returns  made  by  townships.) 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  iii-xii. 

Chester  County  eighteenth-  pence  rate,  3774.     pp.  3-121. 
Chester  County  taxables,  1779.     pp.  127-223. 
Chester  County  taxables,  1780.     pp.  229-358. 
Chester  County  taxables,  1781.     pp.  364-496. 
Chester  County  taxables,  1781.      (Effective  supplies.)      pp.  503- 
6T>8. 

Chester  County  assessment,  1785.     pp.  005-820. 

Volume  XI 11.     (Ilarrisburg,  1897.) 

Proprietary  and  other  tax  lists  of  the  county  of  Bucks  for  the 
years  1779,  1781,  1782,  1783,  1784,  1785,  1786.  (Returns  made 
by  townships.) 

Census  of  Bucks  County,  by  townships,  for  1784.     p.  iii. 
Table  of  contents,     p.  v-xi. 
Bucks  County  transcript,  1779.     pp.  3-111. 
Bucks  County  transcript,  1781.     pp.  115-208. 
Bucks  County  transcript,  1782.     pp.  213-307. 
Bucks  County  transcripts,   1783.     pp.  313-410. 
Bucks  County  transcripts,   1784.     pp.  419-500. 
Bucks  County  transcripts,  1785.     pp.  507-600. 
Transcript  tax  for  1780,  giving  the  amount  of  tax  paid  by  each 
individual,     pp.  607-711. 

Ibid.,  for  year  1787.     pp.  713-815. 


PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  643 

Volume  XIV.     (llarrisbiirg,  1897.) 

Proprietary  supply  and  State  tax  lists  of  the  city  and  county  of 
Philadelphia  for  the  years  1709,  1774,  and  1779.  (Given  by 
townships  and  wards.) 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  iir-viii. 

Proprietary  tax,  county  of  Philadelpliia,  17G9.     pp.  2-136. 
Proprietary  tax,  city  of  Philadelpliia,  1769.     pp.  150-217. 
Provincial  tax,  city  of  Philadelphia,  1774.     pp.  222-208. 
Provincial  tax,  county  of  Philadelphia,  1774.     pp.  307-466. 
Supply  tax,  city  of  Philadelphia,  1770.     pp.  470-557. 
Supply  tax,  county  of  Philadelphia,  1779.     pp.  564-740. 
State  ta\',  city  of  I'hiladelphia,  1770.     pp.  746-834. 

Volume  XV.     (Harrisburg,  1S97.) 

Supply  and  State  tax  lists  of  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia 
for  the  years  1779,  1780,  and  1781.  (Givxni  by  townships  and 
wards. ) 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  iii,  vi. 

Five-shilling  tax,  county  of  Philadelphia,   1779.     pp.  3-182. 
Effective  supply  tax,  city  of  Philadelphia,  17S0.     pp.  189-344. 
Effective  supply  tax,  county  of  Philadelphia,  1780.    pp.  371-574. 
Effective  supply  tax,  city  of  I'hiladelphia,  1781.     pp.  5S1-770. 
(Under  each  township  and  ward  are  given  the  names  of  the  tax- 
payers and  the  amount  paid  by  each.) 

Volume  XVI*.     (Harrisburg,  1897.) 

Supply  and  State  tax  lists  of  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia 
for  the  years  1781,  1782,  and  1783.  (Given  by  townships  and 
wards. ) 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  iii,  vi. 

Supply  tax,  county  of  Philadelphia,  1781.     pp.  3-81. 
Supply  tax,  county  of  I'hiladelphia,  1782.     pp.  93-270. 
Supply  tax,  city  of  i'hiladelphia,  1782.     pp.  277-507. 
Supply  tax,  county  of  I'hiladelphia,  1783.     pp.  525-724. 
Supply  tax,  city  of  Philadelphia,  17S3.     pp.  731-826. 
Volume  XVII.     (Harrisburg,  1898.) 

Proprietary  and  State  tax  lists  of  the  county  of  Lancaster  for  the 
years  1771,  1772,  1773,  1779,  and  1782.     (Given  by  townships.) 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  iir-viii. 
Proprietary  tax,  1771.     pp.  3-161. 
Proprietary  tax,  1772.     pp.  169-320. 
Proprietary  tax,  1773.     pp.  325-478. 
Supply  tax,  1779.     pp.  491-084. 
Supply  tax,  1782.     pp.  689-894, 

Volume  XVIII.     (Harrisburg,  1898.) 

Proprietary  and  State  tax  lists  of  the  county  of  P>erks  for  the 
years  1707,  1768,  1779,  1780,  1781,  1781,  and  1785.  (Given  by 
townships.) 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  iir-ix. 

Proprietary  return,  Berks  County,  1767.     pp.  .3-81. 
Proprietary  return,  Bei-ks  County,  1768.     pp.  89-120. 
Register  of  property,  Berks  County,  1779.     pp.  177-299. 
Returns  of  Berks  County,  1780.     pp.  305-428. 
Returns  of  Berks  County,  1781.     pp.  433-556. 
Returns  of  Berks  County,  1784.     pp.  561-689. 
Assessment  of  Berks  County,  1785.     pp.  693-810. 


G44  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Voliiiiie  XIX.     (Harrisburg,  1898.) 

Proprietary,  supply,  and  State  tax  lists  of  the  connties  of  North- 
aini)ton  and  Nortlmmbcrland  for  1772  to  1787.  (Given  by 
townships.) 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  v-xir. 

IToprietary  tax,  North umberland  County,  1772.     pp.  5-77. 
Federal    tax,    Northumberland    County,    1785,    1786,    1788.     pp. 
81-398. 

State  tax,  Northumberland  County,  1778,  1770,  1780.     pp.  405- 

438. 

Assessment,  Northumberland  County,  1781.     pp.  441-488. 
Supply  tax,  Northumberland  County,  1782-1787.     pp.  495-801. 

Volume  XX.     (Harrislmrg,  1898.) 

State  and  supply  transcripts  of  the  county  of  Cumberland  for  the 
years  1778,  1782,  and  1785.     (Given  by  townships.) 

'J'al)le  of  contents,     pp.  v-i. 

Cumberland  County  first  State  tax,  1778.      pp.  3-112. 
Cumberland  County  transcript,  1779.     pp.  116-243. 
Cumberland  County  supply  rates,  1780.     pp.  251-380. 
Cumberland  County  transcript,  1781,  1782,  1785.     pp.  387-772. 

Volume  XXI.     (Harrisburg,  1898.) 

Returns  of  taxables  of  the  county  of  York  for  the  years  1779  to 
1783. 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  iii-vii. 
York  County  returns,  1779-1780.     pp.  3-315. 
York  County  transcript,  1781-1782.     pp.  327-652. 
Yory  County  returns,  1783.     pp.  659-810. 
Volume  XXII.     (Harrisburg,  3898.) 

Returns  of  taxables  for  tlie  counties  of  Bedford  (1773  to  1784), 
Huntington  (J 788),  Westinoreland  (1783,  1780),  Fayette  (1785, 
1780),  Allegheny  (1791),  Washington  (1786),  and  census  of 
Bedford  (1784),  and  Westmoreland  (1783).  (Given  by  town- 
ships). 

Table  of  contents,     pp.  v-x. 

Bedford  County  transcript,  1773-1776.     pp.  3-154. 
r.eclford  County  returns,  1779.      pp.  150-199, 
Bedford  County  supply  tax,  1783.      pp.  205-266. 
Census  of  Bedford  County,  1784.     pp.  273-319. 
Huntington  County  transcript,  1788.     pp.  327-359. 
Census  of  Westmoreland  County,  1783.     pp.  369  447. 
Westmoreland  County  State  tax,  1786.     pp.  457-537. 
Fayette  County  return,  17S5,  1786.     pp.  543-630. 
Allegheny  County  return,  179J.     pp.  645  683. 
Washington  County  supply  tax,  1781.     pp.  701-777. 
Volume  XXIII.     (Harrisburg,  1898.) 

Muster  rolls  of  the  Navy  and  line  militia  and  rangers,  1775,  1783, 
with  lists  of  pensioners,  1818-1832. 

Table  of  contents,     p.  iii. 

Muster  rolls,  Pennsylvania,  Navy,  1776,  1777,  1778.     pp.  1-92. 
Rangers  on  the  frontiers,  1778-1783.     pp.  193-356. 
Muster  rolls  of  First,   Seventh,   and   Tenth   Pennsylvania   regi- 
ments, 1780.     pp.  357-383. 

Miscellaneous  rolls,  Pennsylvania  Line,  1777, 1780.     pp.  385-398. 
Muster  rolls  of  militia,  flying  camp,  1776-1783.     pp.  399-466. 


PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    OF   PENNSYLVANIA.  645 

Rolls  of  pensioners,  with  residence,  1818,  1832.     pp.  4G7-G07. 
Muster    rolls    of    Cumberland    County    militia,    1777-1782.     pp. 
609-809. 

Miscellaneous  lists,  soldiers  of  the  Revolution,     pp.  811-819. 

Volume  XXIV.     (Harrisburg,  1898.) 

Warrants  of  land  in  the  several  counties  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, 1730-1898. 

Organization  of  counties,     pp.  iv-vii. 

Warrantees  of  land  in  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  1733-18G6. 
(Names  arranged  in  alphabetical  order.)      pp.  1-58. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Chester  County,  1733-1858.     pp.  59-100. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Bucks  County.  1733-1889.     pp.  107-177. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Luzerne  County,  1787-1896.     pp.  178-207. 

Warrants  of  land  In  Susquehanna  County,  1814-1885.  pp.  299- 
803. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Bradford  County,  1812-1896.     pp.  305-312. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Tioga  County,  1807-1878.     pp.  313-318. 

Warrants  of  land  In  Juniata  County,  1833-1891.     pp.  319-328. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Lawrence  County,  1850-1883.     pp.  329-331. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Fulton  County,  1850-1896.     pp.  333-341. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Lackawanna  County,  1886-1896.  pp.  343- 
S45. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Lancaster  County,  1733-1896.     pp.  347-568. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Dauphin  County,  1785-1895.     pp.  569-615. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Lelmnon  County,  1813-1889.     pp.  618-623. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Cumberland  County,  1750-1874.  pp.  625- 
792. 

Volume  XXV.     (Harrisburg,  1898.) 
Continuation  of  Volume  XXIV. 

Table  of  contents,     p.  in. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Frtinklin  County,  1784-1895.     pp.  1-51. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Northumberland  County,  1772-1892.  pp. 
53-358. 

Lottery  warrants  of  Northumberland  issued  May  17,  1785.  pp. 
350-374. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Lycoming  County,  1795-1896.    pp.  375-407. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Clearfield  County,  1S06-1896.     pp.  409-418. 

Warrants  of  land  in  McKean  County,  1S18-1S92.     pp.  419-422. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Perry  County.  1821-1892.     pp.  423-440. 

Warrants  of  laud  in  Wyoming  County,  1847-1895.     pp.  441-446. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Bedford  County,  1771-1893.     pp.  447-673. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Huntingdon  County,  1787-1889.  pp.  675- 
781. 

Warrants  of  land  in  Huntingdon  County,  1801-1891.  pp.  783- 
809. 

Volume  XXVI.     (Harrisburg,  1899.) 

Warrants  of  land  in  the  several  counties  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania, 1730-1898. 

Table  of  contents,     p.  v. 
Clinton  County,  1839-1893.     pp.  1-15. 
Blair  County,  1846-1890.     pp.  17-23. 
Northampton  County,  1752-1886.     pp.  25-211. 
Lehigh  County,  1814-1892.     pp.  213-223. 
Wayne  County,  1803-1890.     pp.  225-229. 
Pike  County,  1815-1883.     pp.  231-238. 
^         Berks  County,  1752-1890.     pp.  239-335. 


046  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Schuylkill  County,  1S11-1S90.     pp.  337-380. 
Clarion  County,  1841-1879.     pp.  381-386. 
Westmoreland  County,  1773-1892.     pp.  387-528. 
Washington  County,  1784-1892.     pp.  529-624. 
Greene  County,  179.5-1S94.     pp.  625-641. 
Armstrong  County,  1801-1884.     pp.  643-660. 
Indiana  County,  1805-1894.     pp.   661-677. 
Elk  ("ounty,  1848-1893.     pp.  079-682. 
Montour  County,  1850-1877.     pp.  683-685. 
Forest  Co.inty,  1858-1891.     pp.  687-690. 
Sullivan  County,  1854-1871.     pp.  691-693. 
Snyder  County,  1855-1892.     pp.  695-698. 
"Last  purchasers"  warrants,     pp.  099-905. 

Volumo  XX VII.     (Harrisburg,  1899. )« 

Reprint  of  indices  or   table  of  contents   in   Vols.   I-X.     pp.   1- 
331. 

General  index  to  Vols.  XI-XXVI,  A-Co.     pp.  333-790. 

Volumo  XXVIII.     (llarrislmrg,  1899.) 

(ienoral  index  to  Vols.  XI-XXVI,  Co-Ju.     pp.  1-822. 
Volume  XXIX.     (Harrisbiirg,  1899.) 

General  index  to  Vols.  XI-XXVI,  Ka-Ke.     pp.  1-800. 

Volume  XXX.     (Harrisburg,  1899.) 

General  index  to  Vols.  XI-XXVI,  Re-Zy.     pp.  1-780. 
Errata,     pp.  781-793. 

APPENDIX  TO  VOLU]MES  I-X. 

(a    volt 'ME    OF    MAPS.) 

Rogni  Moxieaui  seu  NovfB  Ilispaniji}  Ludoviciana?,  N.  Anglire,  Caro- 

liijpi  et  Peusylvanijie  nee  non  Insularum  Archipelagi  Mexicani  ex- 

bibita,  by  Ba])tista  Mommauo. 
Map  of  tbft  ProTinee  of  Pennsylvania  of  tbe  three  counties  of  Chester, 

Pliiladelpliia,  and  P.ueks  as  far  as  surveyed.     (No  date.) 
Draft  of  a  survey  of  an  island  in  the  Delaware  in  the  county  of  Phila- 
delphia, above  the  mouth  of  the  Schuyllvill,  by  Thomas  Fairraan, 

surveyor,  1709. 
Draft  of  a  survey  of  I^ondon  Land  Company,  5,000  acres,  Chester 

County,  by  Thomas  Fairman,  surv.,  19th  day  of  C»th  month  of  1709. 
Die  Gros-Britannisclie-Colonie-Laender,   in  Nord-Araerica.     B.     New 

England,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania.     (No  date.) 
Seven  thousand  five  hundred  acres  on  Delaware  River  within  the 

county  of  Bucks,  surveyed  and  laid  unto  Tobais  Collet,  Michael 

Russel,  Daniel  Quaire,  and  Henry  Goldney.     (No  date.) 
Draft  of  a  survey  for  tbe  London  Land  Company,  5,000  acres  of  land 

in  Gilberts  bounded  by  Scholkil  and  Perqueaning  Creek,  by  Thomas 

Fairman,  surv.     (No  date.) 
Draft  of  a  survey  of  John  Estaugh  and  Company's  land  situated  on 

Conostogoe  and  the  Mill  Creek,  in  the  county  of  Chester,  by  Isaac 

Taylor,  1716,  1717. 

« Edited  by  George  Edward  Reed,  LL.  D. 


PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    OF   PENNSYLVANIA.  647 

Draft  of  a  survey  of  lands  of  the  London  Company,  February  21, 

1736. 
Map  of  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  New  York,  and  the  1'hree  Dela- 
ware Counties,  by  Lewis  Evans,  1749. 
Middle  British  colonies  in  America ;  viz,  Virginia,  Maryland,  Dela- 
ware,   Pennsylvania,    New    Jersey,    New    York,    Connecticut,    and 

Rhode  Island,  and  country  of  the  Confederated  Indians,  by  Lewis 

Evans,  1755. 
Survey  of  a  tract  of  land  lying  on  Conestogoe  Creek,  in  the  county  of 

Lancaster,  for  the  Pennsylvania  Land  Company  in  London.     Sur- 
veyed in  17G0  by  P.  John  Lukens. 
Draft  of  a  survey  of  lands  called  New  Munster  and  tract  of  land 

called  the  Society,  held  under  a  Maryland  patent,  made  in  1703. 
Map  of  the  British  Colonies  in  the  year  1705.     From  a  map  of  the 

period. 
Map  of  the  Frontiers  of  the  Northern  Colonies,  with  boundary  lines 

established  between  them  and  the  Indians  at  the  Treaty  held  by 

S.  Will  Johnson,  1708. 
A  map  of  Pennsylvania  exhibiting  not  only  the  improved  parts  of  thfit 

Province,  but  also  its  extensive  frontiers.     Laid  down  from  actual 

surveys  and  chiefly  from  the  late  map  of  W.  Scull,  published  in 

1770. 
^lap  of  the  improved  part  of   the   Province   of   Pennsylvania,   by 

W.  Scull.     (No  date.) 
Map  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  by  W.  Scull,  1770. 
A  map  of  the  Province  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  with  a  part  of 

Pennsylvania  and  the  Province  of  Quebec,  from  the  topograpliical 

observations  of  C.  J.  Sauthier,  1777. 
Survey  of  the  estate  of  John  McCulIoch,  situated  on  the  east  side  of 

the  Monongahela  between  Great  Redstone  and  Dunlap's  Creek,  by 

John  Lukens  on  15th  day  of  August.  1784. 
Draft  of  a  survey  of  "Coxburg"  in  Washington  County,  Nottinghnm 

township,   containing   313   acres   and   93   perches — June   25,    17S5. 

Surveyed  by  John  Lukens. 
Draft  of  a  survey  lying  on  Peters  Ck.,  Washington  County,  containing 

405  acres  and  36  perches,  by  John  Lukens,  May  7,  1785. 
Draft  of  a  survey  of  lands  situated  on  the  waters  of  Redstone  and 

Dunlaps  creeks   in   Manallin   township,   Fayett   County,   by   John 

Lukens,  March  22,  1785. 
A  map  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  by  Reading  Howell,  MDCCXCII. 

(A  very  large  and  detailed  map.) 

LIST  OF   CONTENTS   OF  THE   FIFTH   SERIES,  PENNSYLVANIA 
ARCHIVES.® 

Volume  I. 

Provincial  War,  p.  1  to  325  Inc. 
Indian  Traders,  p.  325^  to  338  Inc. 
Ship  Certificate,  p.  339. 
Letters  of  Marque— 1762-   p.  340  to  341. 

«  Volume*  I-V  in  press  ;    Voluinos  VI-IX  in  preparation. 


648  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Mediterranean  I'asses,  p.  342  to  344. 

Ship  Registers— 1762-,  p.  345  to  396  inc. 

Pennsylvania  Navy— 1776-1779-,  p.  397  to  588  inc. 

List  of  Armed  Vessels,  p.  588^. 

Letters  of  Marque— 1778-1782-,  p.  589  to  690  inc.      (In  press.) 


Volume  II. 


Battalions  First  to  Tenth,  p.  1  to  463i. 

First  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  463  S  to  575  inc. 

Second  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  576  to  653  inc. 

Third  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  654  to  732  inc. 

Fourth  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  733  to  809  inc.      (In  press.) 

Volume  III. 

Fifth  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  1  to  72  inc. 

Sixth  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  73  to  150  inc. 

Seventh  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  151  to  241  Inc. 

Eighth  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  242  to  291  inc. 

Ninth  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  292  to  352  inc. 

Tenth  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  353  to  431  inc. 

Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  432  to  454  inc. 

New  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  455  to  482  inc. 

Twelfth  I'ennsylvania  Line,  p.  483  to  496  inc. 

Thirteenth  Pennsylvania  Line,  p.  497  to  519  inc. 

Miscellaneous  Papers,  p.  520. 

Iteturn  of  Recruits  enlisted  by  Captain  Robert  Connelly,  Captain 
John  Parsons,  for  the  Fourth  and  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Regi- 
ments for  service  of  the  United  States  of  America,  Nov.  8,  1778, 
p.  521. 

List  of  Recruits  for  the  First  and  Thirteenth  Pennsylvania 
Line  by  Lieutenant  Joseph  Collier,  1778,  p.  522. 

General  Return  of  Clothing  remained  on  hand  received  and 
delivered  agreeable  to  the  Honi.  Supreme  Executive  Council  and 
General  Officers  Orders,  p.  523. 

I'ay  Roll  of  the  Hospital  Department,  Continental  Army,  tran- 
scribed from  the  Original  filed  in  the  Pay  Roll,  p.  523J. 

Pay  Roll  of  the  Officers  of  the  Hospital  Department  in  the 
Service  of  the  United  States  exclusive  of  North  and  South  Caro- 
linas  and  Georgia — 1782-   p.  524. 

Monthly  Return  of  a  Detachment  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line  sta- 
tioned at  the  Post  of  Lancaster,  York,  Carlisle  and  Reading,  under 
the  command  of  Col.  Richard  Butler,  Esq.,  for  the  month  of  Jan- 
uary 1783,  p.  525. 

Colonel  Thomas  Hartley's  Regiment,  p.  526  to  540  Inc. 

Colonel  John  Patton's  Regiment,  p.  541  to  545  inc. 

Colonel  Hazen's  Regiment,  p.  546  to  561  Inc. 

The  German  Regiment,  p.  562  to  591  Inc. 

ISIoylan's  Regiment,  p.  592  to  613  Inc. 

Armand's  First  Partisan  Legion,  p.  613J  to  630  Inc. 

Pulaski's  Legion,  p.  631  to  635  Inc. 

Lee's  Partisan  Corps,  p.  636  to  638  Inc. 

Corps  of  County  Von  Ottendorff,  p.  639  to  654  Inc. 

Von  Heer's  Light  Dragoons,  p.  655  to  664  inc. 

Commander-in-Chief's  Guards,  p.  665  to  673  Inc. 

Pennsylvania  Artillery,  p.  674  to  787  Inc. 

Artillery  Artificers,  p.  788  to  836  Inc.      (In  press.) 
Volume  IV. 

The  Invalid  Regiment,  p.  1  to  60. 

Soldiers  who  received  Depreciation  Pay  as  per  cancelled  Certifi- 
cates on  File  In  the  Division  of  Public  Records,  Pennsylvania 
State  Library,  p.  60  to  374  Inc. 

Abstracts  of  Pension  Applications  on  File  in  the  Division  of 
Public  Records,  Pennsylvania  State  Library,  p.  375  to  494  inc. 


PUBLIC    ARCHIVES    OF   PENNSYLVANIA.  649 

List  of  Soldiers  of  the  Revolution  who  received  pay  for  their 
services.  Talten  from  Manuscript  Records  having  neither  date 
nor  title,  but  under  "  Rangers  on  the  Frontiers  "  1777-1783  was 
published  in  Vol.  XXIII,  Penna.  Archives,  Third  Series,  by  the 
former  Editor,  p.  495  to  647  inc. 

Enlistments  under  Major  James  Moore,  p.  648  to  652  inc. 
Muster  Rolls  &c.  of  Companies  under   Major   James   Moore,   p, 
653  to  678  inc. 

Enlistment  Papers  for  year  1785,  Lieut.  Josiah  Harmar,  p.  679 
to  682  inc. 

Enlistment  Papers  for  year  1788,  Brig.  Genl.  Harmar,  p.  683  to 
686  Inc.      (In  press.) 
Volume  V. 

Muster  Rolls  of  the  Associators  and  Militia  from  Pennsylvania 
from    the   Counties   of   Bedford,    Berks,    Bucks,    Chester,    pp.    821. 
(In  press.) 
Volumes  VI,  VII,  and  VIII  will  contain  the  Muster  Rolls  of  the 
Associators  and  Militia  from  Pennsylvania  from  the  Counties  of  Cum- 
berland,    Lancaster,     Northampton,     Northumberland,     Philadelphia, 
Washington,  Westmoreland  and  York.     (In  preijaration.) 
Volume  IX,  Index.     (In  preparation.) 


XVIII.-REPORT  ON  THE  COLLECTIONS  OF  MATERIAL  IN  ENGLISH 

AND  EUROPEAN  HISTORY  AND  SUBSIDIARY  FIELDS  IN 

THE  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


By   WILBUR    H.    SIEBERT. 


G51 


I 


COLLECTIONS  OF  MATERIALS  IN  ENGLISH  AND  EUROPEAN  HIS- 
TORY AND  SUBSIDIARY  FIELDS  IN  THE  LIBRARIES  OF  THE 
UNITED  STATES. 


By  Wilbur  H.  Siebert. 


Introductory  Note. 

The  bibliographical  committee  of  the  American  Histor- 
ical Association,  in  offering  Professor  Siebert's  report  for 
publication,  takes  occasion  to  call  attention  to  the  necessary 
limitations  of  such  a  work  and  to  l>espeak  for  this  report  the 
corresponding  reserves  of  criticism.  Only  those  who,  like 
Mr.  W.  C.  Lane  in  his  Harvard  contribution,  Mr.  G.  W. 
Cole  in  his  New  York  Library  Club  list  (1902),  and  Miss 
Salmon  and  Miss  Underbill  in  their  appendix  to  the  New 
England  History  Teachers'  Association  Syllabus  (1904), 
have  tried  to  compile  such  a  list,  or  those  who  have  searched 
out  for  their  own  studies,  or  the  many  librarians  who  are 
compelled  to  give  advice  to  investigators  as  to  where  to  find 
material  which  their  own  libraries  do  not  a  fiord,  can  appre- 
ciate the  immense  difliculty  of  compiling  such  a  list  or  the 
great  advantage  to  workers  of  even  the  most  fragmentary 
information.  Professor  Siebert's  painstaking  industry  has 
gathered  a  large  amount  of  material  of  such  obvious  useful- 
ness that  it  should  escape  any  captious  criticism,  at  least  as 
to  what  it  does  not  contain.  It  was  a  part  of  Professor  Sie- 
bert's original  plan  to  include  the  locating  of  individual 
copies  of  the  great  collections  of  sources,  but  this  extensive 
and  somewhat  difficult  feature  has  been  merged  into  another 
enterprise  covering  the  same  ground.  Considerable  atten- 
tion has  been  given  by  members  of  the  bibliographical  com- 
mittee, Messrs.  Max  Farrand,  A.  P.  C.  Griffin,  George  lies, 
William  C.  Lane,  Reuben  G.  Thwaites,  and  Ernest  C.  Rich- 

653 


654  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATIOTf. 

ardson,  to  the  matter  of  helping  Professor  Siebei-t  to  add  to 
his  material,  but  not  in  such  sense  or  in  such  degree  as  to 
detract  from  the  credit  or  responsibility  of  Professor  Sie- 
bert,  to  whom  they,  in  common  with  other  students  and  li- 
brarians, are  under  obligations  of  gratitude  for  this  report. 
For  the  comuiittee: 

Ernest  C.  Hicpiardson, 

Chairman, 

Prefatory  Note. 

Til  the  following  report  it  is  intended  to  describe,  under  a 
toi)ical  arraiigemeiit,  the  collections  of  material  in  English 
and  Eiiroi)can  history  and  subsidiary  fielcls  to  be  found  in 
the  libraries  of  the  L^nited  States,  and.  also  to  give  refer- 
ences to  the  bulletins  and  special  catalogues  issued  by  various 
libraries  in  elucidation  of  their  stores  in  these  fields  of 
learning. 

An  arrangement  by  topics  is  proposed  rather  than  the 
customary  arrangement  by  libraries,  because  it  is  thought 
that  the  former  will  prove  more  serviceable  from  the  his- 
torian's point  of  view.  It  Avill  enable  the  historical  inquirer, 
for  example,  to  find  readily  what  are  the  general  resources 
on  any  subject  in  which  his  interest  centers.  It  will  also 
exhibit  the  gaps  Avhere,  for  one  reason  or  another,  collections 
have  not  been  built  up,  and  so  possibly  suggest  lines  of 
individual,  or,  better,  cooperative  specialization  for  libraries 
that  ai*e  concerned  to  attract  and  serve  investigators  as  well 
as  accommodate  general  readers. 

I*ains  have  not  been  spared  to  render  the  report  as  com- 
])lete  as  possible.  In  the  fall  and  winter  of  1901-2  circulars  of 
incjuiry  were  sent  to  all  libraries  in  the  United  States  having 
10,000  or  more  volumes  and  to  all  professors  of  European 
history  in  the  leading  colleges  and  universities  of  the  coun- 
try. Useful  replies  were  received  from  most  of  these,  to- 
gether with  printed  catalogues,  bibliographical  contributions, 
and  reports  from  some.  In  the  summer  of  1902  the  compiler 
spent  several  weeks  culling  information  from  the  collection 
of  reports  of  college  presidents  and  librarians  in  the  Har- 
vard University  Library,  as  well  as  from  the  catalogues  of 
special  collections,  which  are  found  among  the  bibliograph- 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUEOPEAN    HISTORY.       655 

ical  aids  in  Harvard  and  in  the  neighboring  libraries  of 
Boston.  The  interval  that  has  since  elapsed  has  been  cov- 
ered by  gleaning  all  the  pertinent  items  from  the  numbers  of 
the  Library  Journal,  and  finally  the  report  has  been  sub- 
mitted to  the  members  of  the  bibliographical  committee  of 
the  American  Historical  Association,  with  the  request  for 
additions  and  corrections.  It  is  not  presumed  that  the  re- 
IDort  in  the  form  in  which  it  is  presented  is  all  that  could  be 
desired,  but  it  is  hoped  that  it  may  be  useful  to  both  investi- 
gators and  librarians  and  that  it  may  serve  as  a  basis  for 
fuller  notation  of  collections  in  the  future.  It  should  be 
added  that  no  systematic  attempt  has  been  made  to  include 
collections  relating  to  the  American  colonies. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

Wilbur  H.  Siebert. 


In  the  Boston  (Mass.)  Public  Library  are  many  works  on 
the  geography,  exploration,  and  development  of  Africa. 
The  library's  Monthly  Bulletin  for  January,  1894  (pp.  2<)0- 
304),  for  1896  (Vol.  I,  Nos.  I-V),  and  for  December,  1899, 
contains  lists  of  books  on  South  Africa.  The  list  in  tlie 
number  last  named  is  supplemented  b}^  a  selection  of  British 
state  papers  relating  to  the  Boer  controversy  as  far  back  as 
1876,  and  by  titles  from  recent  periodicals.  Lists  on  the 
same  subject  are  printed  in  tlife  Bulletin  of  the  New  York 
Public  Library,  40  Lafayette  place,  New  York  City.  (See 
Vol.  Ill,  pp.  425-461,  502-505.) 

A  list  of  titles  on  Egypt,  including  the  modern  history, 
geography,  etc.,  of  that  country  is  given  in  the  Bulletin  of 
the  Boston  (Mass.)  Public  Library,  New  Series,  Vol.  I\^, 
No.  3,  pp.  169-211. 

A  collection  of  1,058  books  and  many  pamphlets  on  Africa, 
started  by  a  gif"t  of  Rev.  Dr.  J.  C.  Hartzell,  Bishop  of 
Africa,  is  to  be  found  in  the  Drew  Theological  Seminary 
Library  (Madison,  N.  Y.). 

The  Boston  Athenaeum  Library  has  taken  special  pains 
for  many  years  to  collect  books  on  African  travel. 

For  the  whole  field  of  P^uropean  colonial  relations  the  col- 
lections of  the  Library  of  Congress,  under  the  guidance  of 


656  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Griffin's  admirably  useful  list  of  books  relating  to  the  theory 
of  colonization,  etc.  (second  edition,  1900),  is  the  first 
resource. 

The  strong  missionary  libraries,  such  as  those  of  the  great 
missionary  societies,  Yale,  Hartford  Seminary,  etc.,  together 
Avith  the  libraries  which  are  strong  in  travels,  are  in  general 
of  a  good  deal  of  importance  for  the  history  of  the  political 
relations  of  Europe  Avith  Africa. 

ANARCHY  AND  NIHILISM. 

An  anarchistic  library  of  some  2,000  books,  pamphlets, 
and  documents  is  a  recent  acquisition  of  the  library  of 
Columbia  University  (New  York  City).  The  collection  in- 
cludes 2G0  anarchistic  books  and  pamphlets,  252  sets  of 
newspapers  and  periodicals,  a  collection  of  autograph  manu- 
scripts and  letters,  270  large  anarchistic  posters,  besides  pho- 
tographs, songs,  and  clippings  from  newspapers.  It  is  said 
to  be  the  most  complete  collection  of  its  kind  in  the  world. 

(See  also  collections  on  nihilism  mentioned  under  "  Slavic 
history.") 

ANTHROPOLOGr  AND  ETHNOLOGY. 

The  great  collection  on  anthropology  in  this  country  and 
"  scarcely  to  be  equaled  in  any  single  library  of  Europe,"  is 
that  of  the  Boston  (Mass.)  Public  Library.  Prof.  William 
Z.  Ripley's  Selected  Bibliography  of  the  Anthropology  and 
Ethnology  of  Europe  contains  2,000  titles,  and  of  these  about 
95  per  cent  are  in  the  library.  The  collection  contains  a 
wealth  of  original  material  which  deals  with  "  the  origins, 
the  phj^sical  and  cultural  history  of  the  white  races  of  the 
earth."  Professor  Ripley's  Bibliography  was  also  issued  as 
a  publication  of  the  library  (170  pp.,  1899)  simultaneously 
with  its  appearance  as  a  supplement  to  Ripley's  The  Races 
of  Europe.  Consult  also  European  Origin  of  the  Aryans 
(Quarterly  Bulletin,  new  series.  Vol.  I,  whole  No.  80,  April, 
1890,  pp.  130-134). 

In  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  Library  (Philadelphia, 
Pa.),  the  Brinton  collection,  which  comprises  4,000  volumes 
and  1,000  pamphlets,  although  mainly  American,  contains 
a  large  number  of  works  on  physical  anthropology  and  eth- 
nology in  general. 


MATEEIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.        657 

Columbia  University  and  the  library  of  Western  Reserve 
University  also  report  special  collections  in  general  anthro- 
pology. 

ARABS  IN  EUROPE. 

Collections  of  manuscripts  relating  to  Arabic  history  are 
the  Land  berg  collection  in  the  Yale  University  Library,  the 
Garrett  deposit  in  the  Princeton  University  Library,  and  the 
Camac  collection  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  Library. 
(Compare  liibrary  Journal  of  February,  1903,  for  Land- 
berg  collection  of  Yale,  and  May,  1904,  for  Garrett  collection 
of  Princeton.) 

ARCH.1<:0I.0GY. 

Lists  of  the  periodicals  relating  to  archaeology  that  arc 
to  be  found  in  the  Ncav  York  Public  Library  (40  Lafay- 
ette place.  New  York  City)  and  in  the  Columbia  Univer- 
sity Library  (New  York  City)  are  published  in  the  Bulletin 
of  the  New  York  Public  Library,  Vol.  I,  pp.  212-226,  and 
Vol.  Ill,  pp.  50-76. 

The  University  of  Pennsylvania  Library  (Philadelphia, 
Pa.)  contains  an  excellent  collection  of  archsoological  litera- 
ture in  the  Brinton  and  Lamborn  and  Leutsch  collections. 
The  works  in  the  former  relate  chiefly  to  Mexico  and  Central 
and  North  America,  but  there  is  a  large  number  also  on 
general  archa?ology. 

In  1891  the  libi-ary  of  Johns  Hopkins  University  (Bal- 
timore, Md.)  received  a  bequest  of  8,000  volumes  from  Mr. 
John  W.  McCoy,  which  is  said  to  be  especiall}^  rich  in 
works  on  this  subject. 

The  extensive  and  valuable  collection  of  Prof.  x\llan  Mar- 
quand  is  deposited  in  the  art  museum  of  the  Princeton  Uni- 
versity, and  in  connection  with  the  collections  of  the  classical 
seminary  and  of  the  seminary  of  ancient  history  and  archae- 
ology forms  an  apparatus  of  distinction  in  this  department. 

The  Boston  Public  Library  particularly,  Harvard,  the 
University  of  Chicago,  Yale,  University  of  Michigan,  the 
Peabody  Institute  Library,  of  Baltimore,  and  the  library  of 
the  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,  in  New  York,  and  prob- 
ably other  libraries  have  collections  of  distinction  for  one 
thing  or  another  and  probably  as  deserving  as  some  of  those 
specially  mentioned. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 42 


658  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

ARCHITECTURE  AND  THE   ALLIED  ARTS. 

One  of  the  finest  collections  in  existence  in  this  field  is 
the  ''  Henry  O.  Avery  memorial  library  of  architecture  and 
the  allied  arts"  connected  with  the  library  of  Columbia 
University  (New  York  City),  numbering  over  18,000  vol- 
umes in  1905. 

The  President  White  Library,  of  Cornell  University  (Ith- 
aca, N.  Y.),  contains  1,200  or  more  volumes  relating  to  ar- 
chitecture and  kindred  branches. 

The  library  of  the  school  of  architecture  at  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania  (Philadelphia,  Pa.)  contained  in  1897  over 
300  volumes,  12  periodicals,  and  about  1,500  photographs. 

In  1894  the  Boston  Public  Library  published  a  150-page 
catalogue  of  its  collections  in  architecture. 

The  library  of  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology 
is  one  of  the  best  in  this  branch. 

See  also  under  Archaeology  and  Art. 

ART   AND   PRINT    COLLECTIONS. 

The  collections  of  the  Library  of  Congress  (Washington, 
D.  C.)  for  the  history  of  art  are  of  importance.  Johns 
Hopkins  Universit}^  (Baltimore,  Md.)  has  the  McCoy  be- 
quest of  8,000  volumes,  which  is  rich  in  works  on  the  his- 
tory of  the  various  great  schools  of  art,  and  includes  the 
li\'es  of  eminent  artists;  it  also  contains  splendid  folios  of 
engravings  reproducing  the  masterpieces  of  the  great  art 
galleries  of  Europe.  The  Cleveland  (Ohio)  Public  Library 
contains  valuable  collections  of  books  for  the  study  of  art, 
as  does  also  the  President  White  Library  at  Cornell  Uni- 
versity (Ithaca,  N.  Y.)  and  the  Watkinson  Reference  Li- 
brary (Hartford,  Conn.).  At  Syracuse  (N.  Y.)  University 
will  be  found  the  celebrated  Wolff  collection  of  etchings 
and  engravings  representing  the  great  masters  of  art  in  all 
ages,  besides  several  thousand  photographs,  engravings,  etc., 
illustrating  many  of  the  chief  historic  works  in  architec- 
ture, sculpture,  painting,  and  the  industrial  arts.  At  Tu- 
lane  University  (New  Orleans,  La.)  is  the  Linton  Surget 
art  collection,  besides  2,000  volumes  in  the  Linton  Surget 
loan  collection.     There  is  also  a  good  collection  of  35,000 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN   HISTORY.       659 

I3hotographs,  also  plaster  casts,  coins,  etc.,  for  the  illustra- 
tion of  the  fine  arts,  at  Harvard  University,  in  the  Fogg  Art 
Museum  and  Eobinson  Hall,  together  with  many  splendid 
reproductions  of  mediaeval  metal  work  in  the  Germanic 
museum.  Another  similar  collection  of  photographs  is  in 
the  possession  of  Dartmouth  College  (Hanover,  N.  H.). 

The  Carnegie  Library  at  Pittsburg  contains  the  Bernd 
collection  of  books  on  art  and  decoration.  The  Forbes  Li- 
brary, at  Northampton,  Mass.,  is  so  strong  in  this  depart- 
ment as  to  have  the  value  of  a  special  collection.  The 
libraries  of  the  Boston,  New  York,  etc.,  art  museums  are,  of 
course,  to  be  reckoned  with.  * 

Several  of  our  American  libraries  have  notable  collections 
of  prints  which  contain  more  or  less  material  that  is  of 
value  to  the  student  of  European  history.  The  great  col- 
lections are :  The  division  of  prints  in  the  Library  of  Con- 
gress (Washington,  D.  C),  created  in  1897;  the  S.  P.  Avery 
collection  of  prints  and  art  books,  presented  to  New  York 
Public  Library  (New  York  City)  in  1900  by  the  gentle- 
man after  whom  the  collection  is  named,  and  the  Gray  and 
Eandall  collection  of  prints  at  Harvard  (Cambridge, 
Mass.).  The  other  large  collections  of  the  United  h^tates 
are  not  connected  with  libraries,  but  form  "  adjuncts  to  art 
niuseums,  as  at  the  Boston  Museum  of  Fine  Arts  and  the 
Pennsylvania  Academy  of  Fine  Arts."  The  Avery  collec- 
tion contains  a  number  of  caricatures  and  posters  relating  to 
the  Franco-German  war;  French  lithographs  by  Ivaffet, 
Charlet,  and  others,  constituting  material  for  Napoleonic 
history;  delineations  of  Paris  during  the  seige,  by  Martial: 
pictures  of  view^s  and  buildings  in  various  parts  of  France, 
by  Rochebrune  and  Bunet-Debaines,  and,  finally,  an  inter- 
esting series  of  caricatures  and  portraits,  given  hy  Mr.  Alex- 
ander Maitland,  dealing  with  the  "  South  Sea  scheme."  ( See 
the  article  on  the  S.  P.  Avery  collection  in  the  Library  Jour- 
nal for  March,  1904 ;  also  the  Handbook  of  the  collection, 
which  was  issued  in  1901.) 


660  AMERICAN-    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

AUSTRALASIA. 

Leland  Stanford  Junior  University  (Stanford  Univer- 
sity, Cal.)  is  the  possessor  of  a  notable  collection  of  books 
and  ])anii)hlets  relating  to  Australasia. 

Cornell  University  (Ithaca,  N.  Y.)  has  recently  been  pur- 
chasiiLo;  a  good  many  works  on  Australia  and  has  numerous 
series  in  Australian  law. 

AUTOGli'ArnS. 

The  Chamberlain  collection  in  the  Boston  (Mass.)  Public 
Library  comprises  more  than  350  volumes.  These  are  divided 
into  two  sections — American  and  European.  The  latter  in- 
cludes 1  volumes  devoted  to  sovereigns,  30  to  men  of  affairs, 
11  to  men  of  letters,  2  to  philosophers,  4  to  scientific  men, 
and  10  to  the  period  of  the  French  Revolution,  etc. 

The  Sunmer  becpiest  to  the  Harvard  Library  (Cambridge, 
^lass.)  contains  many  interesting  autographs,  among  which 
are  those  of  Milton,  Queen  Elizal)eth,  Henry  VIII,  Charles 
V,  Louis  XIV,  ITenry  of  Navarre,  Richelieu,  Mazarin, 
INlirnbeau,  and  Voltaire. 

The  Lenox  library,  of  the  New  York  Public  Library,  is  of 
very  great  importance. 

BAPTISTS. 

In  the  Bucknell  liibrary,  at  Crozier  Theological  Seminary 
(Chester,  Pa.),  is  a  considerable  collection  of  literature  re- 
lating to  the  continental  Anabaptists  and  the  English  Bap- 
tists.    Some  of  this  material  is  in  manuscript. 

The  Rochester  (N.  Y.)  Theological  Seminary  is  well  pro- 
vided with  Avorks  on  Baptist  history  from  the  earliest  Refor- 
mation period  to  the  present  time,  and  has  a  unique  collection 
of  the  writings  of  European  Anabaptists  and  Baptists  from 
1534. 

At  Colgate  University  (Hamilton,  N.  Y.)  there  is  also  a 
splendid  collection  of  materials  on  Baptist  history,  largely 
m  the  form  of  original  documents. 

The  American  Baptist  Historical  Society,  of  Philadelphia, 
the  NeAv  York  Public  Library,  the  Southern  Baptist  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  and  the  Princeton  Theological  Seminary 
have  all  large  collections  covering  the  European  Baptists. 


MATEEIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       661 
CARTOGRAPHY. 

The  Harvard  Library  ( Cambrid^s^e,  Mass.)  has  a  great 
number  of  loose  maps — about  20,000  sheets — besides  some 
900  volumes  of  bound  maps  and  atlases.  Among  the  former 
should  be  mentioned  the  Ebeling  and  Warden  collections. 
The  Ebeling  collection  comprises  10,000  maps,  charts,  and 
views  gathered  by  Professor  Ebeling,  of  Hamburg,  before 
the  year  1817,  and  acquired  by  Plarvard  in  the  following 
year.  The  maps  in  the  main  belong  to  the  seventeenth  and 
eighteenth  centuries.  This  collection  h^s  been  added  to  from 
time  to  time  with  a  view  to  completing  "  the  cartographical 
publications  of  the  United  States  Government  and  the  ord- 
nance and  geological  surveys  of  the  principal  European 
countries."  The  collection  of  bound  maps  include  sucli  fac- 
simile collections  as  those  of  Santarem,  Nordenskjold,  etc., 
and  the  printed  editions  of  the  early  geographers.  Books 
serviceable  in  facilitating  the  use  of  these  collections  are 
provided,  and  a  manuscript  subject  catalogue  of  the  maps 
is  supplied. 

The  Boston  (Mass.)  Public  Library  has  a  great  mauy 
maps,  atlases,  aud  charts.  These  include  a  collection  of 
maps  of  different  regions  of  Africa,  political,  military,  topo- 
graphical, etc.;  a  number  of  trade  and  produce  charts  of 
Asia  Minor;  numerous  atlases  of  various  countries;  local 
maps  of  England;  maps  illustrating  British  naval  history; 
a  special  collection  of  about  100  maps  of  different  districts 
of  France,  ecclesiastical  and  other,  mostly  made  by  Montaig- 
lon,  and  ranging  from  1500  to  1800;  and,  finally,  many  maps 
relating  to  the  Franco-German  Avar.  The  library  has  a  spe- 
cial card  catalogue  of  its  cartographical  possessions. 

In  1897  the  library  of  the  University  of 'Michigan  (Ann 
Arbor,  Mich.)  had  1,275  maps,  a  number  that  has  since  been 
considerably  increased.  The  university  has  also  a  collection 
of  Avorks  rich  in  cartography,  which  was  bequeathed  to  it 
by  W.  W.  Murphy,  esq. 

The  Tank  library  of  Dutch  history,  which  is  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  Wisconsin  Historical  Society  (Madison,  Wis.), 
contains  a  number  of  maps  and  plans  of  the  seventeenth  nnd 
eighteenth  centuries.     These  and  the  other  valuable  carto- 


662  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

graphical  possessions  of  the  society  are  indexed  in  a  special 
card  catalogue. 

The  University  of  California  (Berkeley,  Cal.)  is  the  owner 
of  a  valuable  set  of  184  military  maps  of  France  and  Bel- 
gium, formerly  used  by  Joseph  Bonaparte,  King  of  Spain. 

The  New  York  Public  Library  has  300  atlases  and  5,000 
slieets.  Compare  its  Bulletin,  volume  8,  1904,  pages  411 
et  scq. 

Check  List  of  Large  Scale  Maps  Published  by  Foreign 
Governments  (Great  Britain  excepted)  in  the  Library  of 
Congress  (Washington,  D.  C),  58  pages.    1904. 

CHINA. 

The  collection  of  books  on  China  in  the  Harvard  Library 
(Cambridge,  Mass.)  numbers  at  present  about  600  volumes. 
It  is  being  built  up  mostly  by  the  gifts  of  Prof.  A.  C.  Cool- 
idge  and  Mr.  H.  J.  Coolidge.  Early  historical  and  geo- 
graphical works  are  being  added,  as  are  also  such  Chinese  lit- 
erary works  as  have  been  translated  into  English,  French,  or 
German.     There  is  but  little  material  in  Chinese. 

Reference  lists  on  China  have  been  issued  as  follows: 
China,  with  Especial  Reference  to  Missionary  Work,  New 
Haven  (Conn.)  Free  Public  Library  Bulletin,  January, 
Fe])riiary,  March,  1904;  a  short  Selected  List  of  Books  on 
China,  Japan,  and  Russia,  Otis  Library  (Norwich,  Conn.) 
Bulletin,  March,  1904;  a  list  of  120  pages  on  China  and  the 
Far  East,  New  York  State  Library  Report  (Albany,  N.  Y.), 
March,  1901. 

Columbia  University;  Libraiy  of  Congress;  Essex  Insti- 
tute, of  Salem,  Mass.;  the  Foreign  Missions  Library,  156 
Fifth  avenue.  New  York,  and  the  missionary  and  geograph- 
ical libraries  generally,  in  greater  or  less  degree,  are  rich  on 
this  subject. 

See  also  East  and  Far  East. 

COINS. 

Many  libraries  report  coin  collections,  and  there  are  cer- 
tainly many  others  unreported.  Some  of  these  collections 
are  made  exclusively  of  ancient  or  of  American  coins,  and 
honce  do  not  require  notice  here.     There  is  not  always  suffi- 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       663 

cient  information  to  judge  concerning  many  of  the  reported 
collections.  The  James  collection,  in  the  possession  of  the 
Buffalo  (N.  Y.)  Historical  Society,  contains  about  15,000 
specimens,  mostly  American  coins,  tokens,  etc.,  but  also  con- 
tains English  tokens  and  medals  and  French  church  money. 
The  Public  Library  of  Omaha  (Nebr.)  has  the  Byron  Reed 
collection,  one  of  the  largest  in  the  United  States.  Yale's  col- 
lection (New  Haven,  Conn.)  is  also  extensive,  being  rich  in 
ancient  and  modern,  and  domestic  and  foreign  coins.  It  is, 
however,  almost  destitute  of  mediaeval  specimens.  The  col- 
lection of  Harvard  (Cambridge,  Mass.),  about  3,000  in 
number,  contains  modern  coins  of 'Asia,  Africa,  and  Europe, 
1,000  of  them  being  European.  In  Johns  Hopkins  Univer- 
sity is  the  Helbig  collection.  The  Public  Library  of  Mena- 
sha  (Wis.)  has  a  collection  of  coins  valued  at  $4,000,  the 
gift  of  Henry  Spencer  Smith.  The  University  of  California 
(Berkeley,  Cal.)  has  specimens  from  the  different  European 
and  Asiatic  countries,  mostly  modern,  and  also  a  set  of 
Swiss  coins.  The  collection  of  the  Public  Library  and 
Reading  Room  of  Plainfield  (N.  J.),  while  small,  is  diver- 
sified, and  represents  with  modern  pieces  most  of  the  Euro- 
pean states,  as  well  as  Tiu'key.  There  are  also  Roman  colo- 
nial coins  (A.  D.  40-313),' Byzantine  (A.  D.  459-1081), 
and  other  mediaeval  specimens.  The  University  of  Ver- 
mont (Burlington,  Vt.)  has  some  coins  of  modern  Europe 
and  Asia,  and  the  Western  Reserve  LTistorical  Society 
(Cleveland,  Ohio)  has  a  few  rare,  curious,  or  modern 
coins  of  Europe  and  South  America,  besides  a  complete 
collection  of  casts  of  the  Napoleonic  medals.  Other  in- 
stitutions possessing  coin  collections  are  the  New  York 
State  Library  (Albany,  N.  Y.),  Brown  University  (Provi- 
dence, R.  I.),  Wellesley  (Mass.)  College,  Dartmouth  College 
(Hanover,  N.  H.),  the  University  of  Michigan  (Ann  Arbor, 
Mich.),  Drexel  Institute  Library  (Philadelphia,  Pa.),  the 
Tennessee  Historical  Society  (Nashville),  the  J.  V.  Fletcher 
Public  Library  (Westford,  Mass.),  Oberlin  (Ohio)  College, 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  Buffalo  Historical  Society, 
Mount  Holyoke  College,  St.  Vincent's  College  (Beatty,  Pa.), 
and  Woodstock  College  (Maryland). 


GG4  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  coin  collection  of  the  late  T.  Harrison  Garrett,  with 
considerahle  additions  by  his  sons,  John  W.  and  Kobert,  is 
deposited  in  the  Princeton  University  Library,  and  contains, 
apart  from  the  nnique  collection  of  American  coins,  a  con- 
siderable number  of  European  coins. 

Many  libraries  have  the  British  Museum  series  of  coin 
electros  in  whole  or  in  part — Harvard,  Brooklyn  Institute, 
etc. 

CONGREGATIONALISM. 

The  "  Rev.  Henry  M.  Dexter  collection  of  books  and 
manuscripts  on  early  Congregational  history  and  polity  " 
is  in  the  library  of  Yale  University  (New  Haven,  Conn.). 
It  contains  1,850  volumes,  gathered  at  a  cost  of  more  than 
$10,000.  It  comprises  the  early  treatises  on  the  subject,  as 
well  as  the  works  that  trace  and  illustrate  the  history  of  the 
Puritans  and  Separatists,  both  in  England  and  Holland. 
The  23ul)licatioDs  of  John  Pobinson,  William  BrcAvster, 
Henry  Ainsworth,  William  Ames,  Henry  Barrows,  Robert 
I>r()wne,  Thomas  Cartwright,  John  Greenwood,  Henry 
Jacob,  John  Smyth,  and  other  leaders  are  seen  here  in  series 
remarkably  full. 

The  Gunsaulus  collection  of  books  and  pamphlets  illus- 
trating the  rise  of  Congregationalism  is  in  the  Hammond 
Library  of  the  Chicago  (111.)  Theological  Seminary.  These 
works  were  mostly  published  during  the  period  of  the 
English  Revolution. 

The  Congregational  Library  (Congregational  House,  Bea- 
con street,  Boston,  Mass.)  comprises  over  52,000  books,  51,000 
pamphlets,  and  4G,000  numbers  of  periodicals,  and  is  of 
prime  importance  on  account  of  the  wealth  of  its  material 
relating  to  the  early  controversies  in  the  English  Church. 
Its  resources  have  been  strengthened  by  the  recent  acquisi- 
tion of  the  Bishop  Stubbs  Library. 

CORN  LAWS. 

Among  the  Tilden  and  Ford  pamphlets  on  English  finan- 
cial history  in  the  New  York  Public  Library  (40  Lafayette 
place.  New  York,  N.  Y.)  is  a  group  on  the  corn  laws.  The 
library  has  listed  its  material  on  this  subject  in  its  Bulletin 
for  May,  1902. 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       665 

COSTUME. 

A  list  of  works  on  the  costumes  of  all  nations  is  printed 
in  the  Bulletin  of  the  Boston  Public  Library  Vol.  II,  No.  33 
(April,  1875),  and  Vol.  IX,  No.  4  (January,  1891). 

A  number  of  rare  works  on  this  subject  will  be  found  in 
the  library  of  Yale  University  (New  Haven,  Conn.). 

CRUSADES    AND    THE    LATIN    EAST. 

In  1898  the  Harvard  Library  (Cambridge,  Mass.)  ac- 
quired, through  the  generosity  of  Prof.  A.  C.  Coolidge  and 
his  father,  J.  Randolph  Coolidge,  of  Boston,  the  splendid 
library  of  Count  Paul  Riant,  the  foremost  European  scholar 
in  the  field  of  the  Crusades.  This  library  contained,  at  the 
time  of  its  acquisition,  7,G49  volumes  and  1,102  pamphlets. 
Its  various  sections  were  as  follows :  Crusades,  470  numbers ; 
wars  against  Turke}^,  319  numbers;  military  and  religious 
orders,  224  numbers;  history  (largely  chronicles,  sources, 
etc.),  1,003  numbers;  geography  of  the  Holy  Land,  503  num- 
bers; theology  (including  relics  of  Christ,  worship  of  the 
Virgin,  pilgrimages,  relics  of  the  saints,  etc.),  520  numbers; 
ecclesiastical  history,  391  numl)ers;  literary  history  and  bib- 
liography, 1,010  numbers.  Six  hundred  volumes  of  this 
collection  have  been  combined  with  other  works  in  the  Har- 
vard Library  and  now  form  a  group  of  931  volumes  on  the 
Crusades,  the  crusading  knights,  and  the  Latin  kingdoms 
of  elerusalem,  Constantinople,  and  Greece. 

There  is  a  good  working  collection  for  the  study  of  the 
Crusades  in  the  library  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin 
(Madison,  Wis.). 

The  Newberry  Library  (Chicago,  111.)  is  said  to  be  well 
equipped  in  the  field  of  the  Crusades. 

DIPLOMACY. 

The  Bureau  of  Rolls  and  Library  of  the  Department  of 
State  at  Washington,  D.  C,  has  a  collection  on  diplomatic 
history  that  covers  all  periods  on  Avhich  anything  has  been 
published. 

Brown  University  (Providence,  R.  I.)  has  a  choice  collec- 
tion on  diplomacy  and  international  law,  which  is  being  con- 
stantly enlarged. 


666  AMEEIOAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  University  of  Wisconsin  (Madison,  Wis.)  has  recently 
been  collecting  in  the  field  of  modern  diplomatic  history,  and 
now  possesses  the  national  collections  of  treaties  complete 
and  a  considerable  amount  of  accompanying  diplomatic 
material. 

There  is  a  collection  of  historical  materials  in  the  New 
Orleans  (La.)  Public  Library  on  the  diplomatic  relations 
between  Spain,  France,  and  the  United  States  at  the  time  of 
the  Louisiana  Purchase. 

The  University  of  Cincinnati  has  a  collection  in  modern 
European  diplomatic  history. 

See  also  under  International  law,  Political  and  social 
sciences. 

DREYFUS   AFFAIR. 

A  considerable  number  of  books  and  pamphlets  on  the 
Dreyfus  affair  has  been  accumulated  by  the  Harvard  Library 
(Cambridge,  Mass.).  There  are  about  200  titles  in  the  col- 
lection. 

Cornell  University  (Ithaca,  N.  Y.)  also  has  a  very  full  col- 
lection of  Dreyfus  literature. 

The  Monthly  Bulletin  of  the  Boston  (Mass.)  Public  Li- 
brary for  July,  1899,  contains  a  list  of  books  and  magazine 
articles  on  this  subject.  The  library  has  also  a  full  collec- 
tion of  photographs  of  personages  in  the  case. 

DUTCH   EAST   AND   WEST   INDIA    COMPANIES. 

There  is  a  collection  of  manuscripts  relating  to  this  sub- 
ject in  the  New  York  State  Library  (Albany,  N.  Y.)  known 
as  the  "  Usselincx  manuscripts  "  and  covering  the  years  1606 
to  1646.  (See  the  New  York  State  Library  Bulletin,  His- 
tory No.  3,  p.  226.)  A  list  of  the  unpublished  writings  of 
Usselincx,  who  was  one  of  the  chief  founders  of  the  com- 
panies, will  be  found  in  the  Annual  Report  of  the  American 
Historical  Association,  1888,  Vol.  II,  pp.  213-220.  Most  of 
them  are  in  the  New  York  State  Library  collection. 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       667 
EAST   AND   FAR   EAST. 

The  division  of  "  Oriental  literature "  in  the  Boston 
(Mass.)  Public  Library  numbered  16,000  volumes  in  1900. 
It  must  bo  remembered  that  this  includes  all  works  in  the 
library  on  oriental  history,  geography,  and  biography. 

The  library  of  the  American  Oriental  Society  is  deposited 
in  the  library  building  of  Yale  University  (New  Haven, 
Conn.).  It  consists  of  about  6,000  books  and  pamphlets  and 
includes  the  Bradley  collection  on  India  and  China.  The 
Yale  Library  also  has  a  considerable  amount  of  literature 
bearing  on  the  modern  diplomatic  relations  of  the  Far  East 
and  a  fine  collection  of  291  photographs  from  Korea,  China, 
Indo-China,  Burma,  and  India. 

The  w^ar  in  the  Far  East  has  called  a  large  number  of  ref- 
erence lists  from  libraries  having  material  for  the  study  of 
this  subject.  Among  the  most  important  of  these  lists  may 
be  mentioned  the  following:  The  San  Francisco  (Cal.)  Pub- 
lic Library  Monthly  Bulletin  for  October,  1903 ;  the  Denver 
(Colo.)  Public  Library  Bulletin  for  March,  1904;  the 
Brooklyn  (N.  Y.)  Public  Library  for  April,  1904,  and 
the  St.  Louis  (Mo.)  Public  Library  Monthly  Bulletin  for 
February,  1904;  New  York  State  Library  Report  (Albany, 
N.  Y.)  for  March,  1901  (a  list  covering  120  pages  on  "  China 
and  the  Far  East ")  ;  Select  List  of  Books  (with  references 
to  periodicals)  relating  to  the  Far  East,  by  A.  P.  C.  Griffin, 
issued  by  the  Library  of  Congress  (Washington,  D.  C),  67 
pp.,  1904. 

The  Coolidge  collection  in  Harvard  University  Library  is 
especially  rich  in  this  field. 

The  libraries  of  Cornell,  Pennsylvania,  and  Lei  and  Stan- 
ford Junior  universities  are  strong  on  literature  of  the  Far 
East. 

See  also  Arabs,  Australasia,  China,  Jews. 

EASTERN    QUESTION. 

In  the  Monthly  Bulletins  of  the  Boston  (Mass.)  Public 
Lil)rary  for  July,  1877,  and  July,  1878,  are  lists  of  works 
on  the  Eastern  question,  Russia,  Turkey,  and  the  war  then 
in  progress.     A  similar  list  for  the  subsequent  period  to 


668  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

1897  is  printed  in  the  same  publication  for  May,  1897,  ac- 
companied by  selected  titles  illustrating  the  history  and 
condition  of  Turkey,  Armenia,  Greece,  and  Crete  since  1880. 
The  Harvard  collection  described  under  the  heading  "  Ot- 
toman Empire  "  is  especially  strong  in  books  and  pamphlets 
on  the  Eastern  question  in  all  its  phases. 

ECONOMICS,   FINANCE,   ETC. 

The  acquisition  of  the  Gerritsen  collection  of  works  in  this 
field  by  the  John  Crerar  Library  (Chicago,  111.)  'was  an- 
nounced in  July,  1904.  It  was  obtained  through  an  Eng- 
lish bookseller,  and  comprises  more  than  18,000  volumes  and 
18,000  pampldets.  It  is  strong  in  works  on  general  political 
economy,  bankings  finance,  the  labor  movement,  and  socialism, 
and  includes  a  remarkable  special  collection  on  the  woman 
question  of  2,700  volumes  and  3,000  pamphlets.  In  1902  the 
same  library  obtained  the  notable  collection  of  Prof.  Rich- 
ard T.  Ely,  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  consisting  of 
about  4,000  volumes  and  as  many  pamphlets,  and  covering 
the  whole  of  political  economy,  but  strong  chiefly  in  works 
dealing  with  the  American  labor  and  social  movements. 

An  excellent  collection  of  works  on  finance  and  political 
economy  is  the  Colwell  Library  of  7,000  volumes  at  the  Uni- 
A^ersity  of  Pennsylvania  (Philadelphia,  Pa.),  strong  in  trea- 
tises published  before  1800  in  the  English,  French,  and 
Italian  languages.  The  Carey  Library  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania  contains  also  Euroj)ean  Government  re- 
ports, statistics,  and  8,000  English  pamphlets  running  from 
the  close  of  the  seventeenth  century  to  the  present  time. 

The  collections  for  economic  history  in  the  Library  of 
Congress  (Washington,  I).  C.)  are  of  great  importance, 
and  are  su])plemeuted  by  the  collections  in  the  libraries  of 
the  Department  of  Agriculture,  Patent  Office,  Bureau  of 
Statistics,  and  Labor  P)ureau. 

The  NcAv  York  Public  Library  (40  Lafayette  place.  New 
York  City)  contains,  among  other  noteworthy  features,  the 
Tilden  and  Ford  pamphlets  relating  to  financial  and  bank- 
ing questions  in  English  history,  the  corn  laws,  etc.  The 
library  displays  a  part  of  its  resources  in  economics,  finance, 
etc.,   in   lists   of   publications   printed   in    its   Bulletin,   as 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       669 

follows :  "  Periodicals  Relating  to  Economics,  Finance, 
Banking,  Sociology,  Socialism,  etc.,"  Bulletin,  Vol.  IV,  pp. 
128-142;  "Periodicals  Relating  to  Statistics,"  Bulletin, 
Vol.  IV,  pp.  93-101 ;  "  List  of  Foreign  Government  Docu- 
ments Relating  to  Finance,"  Bulletin,  Vol.  V,  pp.  457^86; 
"  List  of  Works  on  Prices,"  Bulletin,  Vol.  VI,  pp.  115-159; 
"  List  of  Works  on  Corn  Laws,"  Bulletin,  Vol.  VI,  pp. 
191-200. 

The  great  collections  of  sources  at  Columbia  University 
(New  York  City)  include  the  documents  and  sources  for  the 
economic  and  social  phases  of  history. 

The  library  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin  (Madison, 
Wis.)  has  a  large  mass  of  material  in  economics  and  com- 
merce in  the  form  of  periodicals,  etc.,  which  is  useful  for 
history.  It  also  has  an  unusually  complete  library  of  sec- 
ondary works  in  this  department. 

The  economic  library  of  tlie  late  Senator  John  Sherman, 
formerly  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  has  been  given  to  the 
Ohio  State  Library  (Columbus,  Ohio).  It  contains  5,000 
volumes. 

A  special  collection  in  economics  has  been  established  in 
the  library  of  Princeton  (N.  J.)  University  by  the  class  of 
1883,  and  another  by  the  class  of  1888. 

The  Kansas  State  Historical  Society  (Topeka,  Kans.)  has 
nearly  5,000  volumes  and  pamphlets  on  politics  and  finance. 

The  Harvard  University  Library  is  especially  strong  on 
economic  works  of  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries. 

The  Western  Reserve  University  has  special  collections  in 
economics  and  finance. 

The  City  Library  Association,  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  has 
the  David  A.  Wells  economic  library. 

The  Ilopkins  Railway  Library  of  Leland  Stanford  Jun- 
ior Universit}^  contains  9,000  books  and  pamphlets,  and  is 
especially  rich  in  serial  publications.  (Compare  Teggert, 
Frederick  J.,  Catalogue  of  the  Hopkins  Railway  Libriiry, 
pp.  ix,  231.) 

The  library  of  the  Massachusetts  Bureau  of  Statistics  of 
Labor,  in  Boston,  contains  more  than  15,000  volumes. 

The  Free  Public  Library,  Worcester,  Mass.,  has  the  Hoar 
collection  of  119  pamphlets  relating  to  British  labor  in  1871. 

The  James  Piatt  Temperance  Library  (3  West  Eighteenth 


670  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

street,  New  York)  had,  in  1902,  1,303  volumes  and  10,000 
pamphlets  alid  many  thousand  newspapers  devoted  entirely 
to  temperance. 

The  New  Orleans  (La.)  Public  Library  has  a  special  col- 
lection on  the  rise  and  growth  of  Law's  Mississippi  scheme. 

EDUCATION. 

The  library  of  the  Bureau  of  Education  at  Washington 
contains  perhaps  20,000  volumes  on  European  education. 

A  wealth  of  rare  material  on  the  early  history  of  univer- 
sities is  available  in  the  Zarncke  library  of  13,000  volumes, 
which  now  forms  a  part  of  the  library  of  Cornell  University 
(Ithaca,  N.Y.). 

The  Columbia  University  Library  has  made  a  distinct  spe- 
cialty of  educational  history  for  a  long  time  and  has  printed 
a  special  catalogue  (Library  Bulletin,  No.  2,  New  York, 
rJOl). 

ENGLISH    HISTORY. 

The  English  history  collection  in  the  library  of  the  State 
Historical  Society  of  Wisconsin  (Madison)  numbers  about 
15,000  volumes,  and  is  surpassed  by  but  few  other  American 
libraries  in  character  and  extent.  This  is  supplemented  by 
the  large  collections  of  the  library  of  the  University  of  Wis- 
consin (in  the  same  building)  and  the  State  Law  Library 
(in  the  capitol,  in  Madison).  A  descriptive  list  of  the 
works  on  English  history  in  these  libraries  has  been  pre- 
pared by  Dr.  A.  C.  Tilton,  and  printed  as  Bulletin  of  Infor- 
mation, No.  21  (June,  1904),  by  the  society.  Of  the  32 
pages  of  this  Bulletin,  pp.  5-13  are  given  to  the  various 
British  Government  publications.  In  the  matter  of  pam- 
phlets the  society  has  several  notable  groups,  viz,  (1)  of 
English  political  pamphlets,  bound  in  110  volumes,  con- 
taining a  few  from  the  early  seventeenth  century,  but  mostly 
belonging  to  the  eighteenth  and  first  half  of  the  nineteenth 
centuries;  (2)  the  Lord  Strangford  collection  of  pamphlets 
and  tracts,  G8  volumes,  dealing  with  political,  social,  and 
literary  subjects,  and  belonging  to  the  first  half  of  the  nine- 
teenth century;  ^3)  English  religious  pamphlets  and  Eng- 
lish sermons,  165  volumes,  which  begin  in  1605,  but  deal 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       671 

chiefly  with  the  eighteenth  and  nineteenth  centuries,  and 
(4)  a  large  number  of  unbound  pamphlets. 

The  Boston  Public  Library  has  an  admirable  collection  of 
British  public  documents.  These  are  supplemented  by  the 
leading  chronicles  and  histories  of  England  in  the  Barton 
collection  (see  Catalogue  of  the  Barton  Collection,  Part  II, 
p.  iii)  and  by  numerous  monographs  and  political  institu- 
tions, geography,  travels,  and  jurisprudence.  The  Monthly 
Bulletin  of  the  library  for  October,  1894,  contains  a  list  of 
tracts  (over  200  works)  relating  to  the  period  covered  by 
the  reign  of  Charles  I,  the  civil  war,  and  the  Commonwealth 
(1625-1660).  These  were  the  gift  of  William  P.  Upham. 
The  Bulletin  also  gives  the  titles  of  related  works  to  be  found 
in  the  library,  besides  the  titles  of  a  few  tracts — also  given 
by  Mr.  Upham — dealing  with  the  period  from  1663  to  1698. 
The  contents  of  an  interesting  collection  on  English  state 
trials  from  1680  to  1685  in  the  library  Bulletins,  first  series, 
Volume  VII,  72 :  54.  It  should  be  added  that  the  library 
has  an  important  collection  of  British  county  and  town  his- 
tories, parish  registers,  wills,  etc.,  and  that  it  has  a  manu- 
script catalogue  of  works  and  parts  of  works  illustrating 
the  topography  and  local  history  of  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land. 

In  1901,  the  library  of  the  constitutional  historian  of  Eng- 
land, William  Stubbs,  late  Bishop  of  Oxford,  was  secured  by 
the  Congregational  Library  (Congregational  House,  Beacon 
street,  Boston,  Mass.).  It  contains  6,350  books,  of  which  a 
large  number  relate  to  English  history.  The  collection  is 
rich  in  great  folios  of  value  in  this  field,  as  well  as  the 
statutes  of  the  realm,  the  rolls  of  Parliament,  and  other  origi- 
nal sources.  It  also  includes  English  antiquarian  publica- 
tions in  great  variety  and  abundance,  and  many  works  relat- 
ing to  Oxford  University. 

See  Keport  of  the  Congregational  Library,  1902,  pp.  11-14. 

In  the  field  of  English  history  (12,200  volumes)  the  Har- 
vard Library  (Cambridge,  Mass.)  has  several  notable  collec- 
tions, as  follows : 

(1)  A  collection  of  British  local  history  and  topography, 
numbering  3,465  volumes,  which  has  been  purchased  for  the 
most  part  under  the  direction  of  Prof.  Charles  Gross,  an  au- 
thority on  these  subjects.     The  part  of  the  collection  relating 


672  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

to  British  numicipal  history  has  been  enumerated  by  Profes- 
sor Gross  in  No.  43  of  the  Bibliographical  Contributions 
of  the  library. 

(2)  In  the  period  of  the  Puritan  revolution  there  is 
Thomas  Carlyle's  collection  of  books  on  Cromwell  (cata- 
logued in  Bibliographical  Contributions,  No.  26)  and  a  col- 
lection of  books  by  and  on  Milton,  numbering  340  volumes. 

(3)  A  group  of  302  pamphlets,  mostly  in  Dutch,  dealing 
with  English  affairs  in  1()89,  the  accession  of  William  III, 
and  the  naval  wars  between  England  and  the  Netherlands. 

(4)  A  collection  of  188  volumes  and  pamphlets  relating  to 
the  political  affairs  of  England  between  ITOO  and  1800,  and 
gathered  during  the  years  named  by  George  Pitt,  Baron 
Kivers. 

(5)  Finally,  complete  sets  of  the  rolls  and  chronicle  series, 
together  with  other  publi(;ations  of  the  record  office,  and  the 
set  of  British  Parliamentary  papers,  which  is  practically 
complete  since  1830  (including  some  earlier  pa])ers  and  jour- 
nals of  the  Lords  and  Commons),  numbers  0,000  volumes. 
(See  Harvard  Bibliographical  Contributions,  No.  55,  p.  12.) 

The  library  of  Yale  University  is  especially  strong  in 
English  mediaeval  history.  In  the  modern  period  it  has  a 
great  quantity  of  material  in  the  form  of  the  original  publi- 
cations of  the  Puritans  and  Separatists,  as  in  works  tracing 
their  rise  and  history  both  in  England  and  Holland  (this  is 
a  part  of  the  libi^ary  on  early  Congregationalism  bequeathed 
by  Kev.  Henry  ^I.  Dexter) ,  files  of  some  of  the  leading  Lon- 
don newspapers  during  the  closing  decades  of  the  eighteenth 
and  the  early  decades  of  the  nineteenth  centuries. 

The  collection  on  English  history  in  the  library  of  the 
University  of  Chicago  (Chicago,  111.),  already  extensive  in 
1901,  was  increased  by  large  purchases  made  in  that  year. 
The  library  is  best  equipped  for  the  Anglo-Saxon,  Norman, 
Angevin,  and  Stuart  periods.  It  also  has  a  rather  remark- 
able collection  of  tracts  dealing  with  the  civil  war  in  Eng- 
land. 

There  is  a  special  collection  of  several  thousand  pam- 
phlets of  English  eighteenth-century  politics  in  the  library 
of  Brown  University  (Providence,  E.  I.).  This  library  also 
possesses  some  valuable  periodical  literature  covering  the  lat- 
ter half  of  the  eighteenth  century  in  England. 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.        673 

The  library  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  (Phila- 
delphia) contains  a  large  collection  of  Parliamentary  papers, 
"  blue  books,"  etc.,  numbering  more  than  2,000  volumes. 

Trinity  College  (Hartford,  Conn.)  has  what  is  reported 
to  be  one  of  the  best  collections  of  English  state  papers  in 
the  country,  through  the  repeated  gifts  of  Hon.  C.  J.  Hoad- 
ley. 

The  strong  collections  of  the  New  York  Public  Library 
include,  among  other  things,  the  Hepworth-Dixon  civil  war 
tracts,  an  important  collection  of  contemporary  material  for 
English  history  from  1642  to  1650.  In  the  manuscript  collec- 
tions of  the  New  York  Public  Library  there  are  also  a  con- 
siderable number  of  pieces  relating  to  European  countries. 
(See  Bulletin  of  the  New  York  Public  Library,  vol.  5,  1901, 
pp.  328-334.) 

The  important  collections  of  the  Columbia  University  Li- 
brary in  this  general  field  include  a  strong  special  collection 
on  Mary  Queen  of  Scots. 

The  library  of  Leland  Stanford  Junior  University  contains 
extensive  collections  of  sources,  including  3,400  volumes  of 
sessional  papers,  etc. 

Boston  University  Library  is  strong  in  old  English  and 
Scotch  texts. 

The  library  of  the  University  of  Michigan  has  more  than 
4,000  volumes  of  English  history. 

The  Robert  Stockton  Pyne  library  of  the  historical  semi- 
nary in  the  Princeton  University  Library  and  collections 
formed  in  connection  with  this  include  a  large  number  of  the 
more  substantial  sources  of  European  history  in  general, 
and  more  especially  works  on  English  history,  both  primary 
and  secondary. 

The  Peabody  Institute  Library  at  Baltimore  is  strong  on 
European  history,  especially  the  county  histories  of  Great 
Britain  and  Great  Britain  in  general. 

The  library  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania  con- 
tains 2,500  volumes  of  English  local  history  and  much  other 
material. 

The  library  of  Brown  University  contains  the  Richards 
collection  of  pamphlets  on  English  and  Welsh  history  and 
church  history. 

H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 43 


674  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Sutro  Library,  of  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  contains  more 
than  25,000  pamphlets  of  the  period  of  the  English  civil 
war  and  commonwealth,  and  as  many  more  on  the  period 
extending  to  the  time  of  George  III. 

The  Union  Theological  Seminary  has  strong  collections 
on  the  Westminster  divines,  the  Puritans,  the  Deistic,  Dis- 
senting, and  Unitarian  controversies,  formed  by  Professors 
Gillet  and  Briggs,  and  on  the  McAlpin  foundation. 

The  library  of  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  has  one  of 
the  best,  if  not  the  best,  collection  of  English  Puritan 
writers,  and  Avith  its  collection  of  nearly  7,000  volumes  and 
pamphlets  on  baptism  and  kindred  works  affords  a  very 
strong  collection  for  English  history. 

The  library  of  Drew  Theological  Seminary,  Madison, 
N.  J.,  has  a  collection  of  more  than  2,000  volumes  on  English 
church  history. 

The  Public  Library  of  Hartford  (Conn.)  has  an  excellent 
equipment  in  memoirs,  letters,  and  autobiographies  dealing 
with  the  House  of  Hanover  and  the  period  covered  by  it. 
Descriptions  of  this  material  are  to  be  found  iti  the  bulletins 
of  the  library  for  1900-1901. 

The  Thayer  Library  of  4,000  volumes  relates  to  the  Stuart 
period  of  English  history. 

The  Otis  Library,  Norwich,  Conn.,  has  a  special  collection 
on  Norwich,  England,  and  more  or  less  extensive  libraries 
of  this  sort  referring  to  the  mother  town  are  found  in  the 
libraries  of  many  New  England  towns. 

FREDERICK   THE   GREAT. 

Thomas  Carlyle's  collection  on  Frederick  the  Great  and 
Cromwell  is  in  the  Harvard  Library  (Cambridge,  Mass.), 
and  is  catalogued  in  Bibliographical  Contributions,  No.  26 
(January,  1883).  Later  additions  are  noted  in  University 
Bulletin,  No.  52. 

FRANCE. 

The  Boston  (Mass.)  Public  Library  collection  contains, 
among  other  things,  important  public  documents,  such  as  the 
publications  of  the  ministries  of  finance,  foreign  affairs,  jus- 
tice, marine,  colonies,  etc.,  besides  state  papers  dealing  with 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       675 

current  international  questions.  The  Barton  collection  in 
this  library  contains  the  standard  collections  of  memoirs,  be- 
sides many  separate  works,  and  a  large  number  of  pamphlets 
published  during  the  revolution  of  1789.  (See  Annual  Re- 
port of  Trustees,  1900-1901,  App.  IV;  Catalogue  of  the 
Barton  Collection,  Pt.  II,  p.  iii.) 

The  collection  on  French  history  and  geography,  both  gen- 
eral and  local,  in  the  Harvard  Library  (Cambridge,  Mass.) 
now  numbers  over  9,300  volumes.  This  includes  a  fairly 
representative  selection  of  memoirs.  The  history  section 
was  materially  increased  by  books  received  in  the  Riant 
Library. 

Columbia  University  (New  York  City)  has  practically  all 
the  great  collections  of  original  sources  and  the  publications 
of  the  learned  societies  of  France. 

The  Peabody  Institute  (Baltimore,  Md.)  has  over  2,000 
volumes  on  French  history,  including  Recuils,  Archivs,  etc. 

On  French  society  in  the  sixteenth  and  seventeenth  cen- 
turies Cornell  University  (Ithaca,  N.  Y.)  has  Prof.  T.  F. 
Crane's  collection  of  rare  and  valuable  works.  It  numbers 
228  volumes,  some  of  which  relate,  however,  to  Italian  life. 
Cornell  also  has  considerable  collections  on  the  France  of 
Louis  XV  and  on  the  eighteenth  century  philosophers.  (On 
the  latter,  see  the  Catalogue  of  the  President  AVhite  Library, 
II,  The  French  Revolution,  Preface,  p.  ii.) 

The  University  of  Pennsylvania  (Philadelphia,  Pa.)  has  a 
set  of  legislative  documents  of  France  from  the  period  of  the 
revolution  of  1789  to  the  present,  numbering  900  volumes  or 
more;  so  also  Boston  Public  Library,  the  Library  of  Con- 
gress, and  others. 

Harvard  University  is  rich  in  the  history  of  Paris  and  has 
special  funds  for  the  building  up  of  this. 

THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION    AND   NAPOLEON. 

A  special  catalogue  of  over  300  pages  has  been  issued  on 
the  great  collection  dealing  with  the  French  Revolution  at 
Cornell  University  (Ithaca,  N.  Y.).  This  collection  covers 
the  period  from  accession  of  Louis  XVI,  in  1774,  to  the 
overthrow  of  the  Directory,  in  1799,  including  the  political 
history  of  France  and  her  colonies.     It  is  rich  in  the  greater 


G76  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

documentary  works,  pictorial  works,  pamphlets,  and  news- 
papers of  the  Revolutionary  time,  as  also  in  materials  on 
the  struggle  in  the  colony  of  St.  Dominique.  There  are 
numerous  individual  rarities.  The  two  things  which  Presi- 
dent White  especially  sought  in  his  choice  of  books,  .the 
Catalogue  states,  w^ere  on  the  one  hand  the  contempora- 
neous publications  that  threw  most  light  on  the  spirit  of  the 
Revolution  and  on  the  other  the  most  important  critical 
works.  Since  1894  Doctor  White  has  added  a  large  collec- 
tion of  cont(;mporaneous  pamphlets.  A  considerable  num- 
ber of  books  relating  to  the  Revolution  in  Normand}^,  Brit- 
tany, Anjou,  and  Poitou,  and  gathered  in  those  Provinces, 
has  recently  been  acquired,  thereby  enriching  the  collection 
on  the  troubles  in  the  Vendee.  It  should  be  added  that  the 
Cornell  collection  of  works  on  Napoleon  and  the  AYaterloo 
campaign  has  been  greatly  increased  during  recent  years. 

The  Boston  (Mass.)  Public  Library  has  a  large  number 
of  books  dealing  with  the  period  of  the  Revolution,  besides 
memoirs,  correspondence,  and  other  contemporaneous  mate- 
rials relating  to  Napoleon  I.  The  Barton  collection  in  this 
library  contains  a  large  number  of  pamphlets  published 
during  the  Revolution.  (Catalogue  of  the  Barton  Collec- 
tion, Pt.  II,  p,  iii.)  A  list  of  w^orks  on  A¥aterloo  and 
the  campaign  of  1815,  belonging  to  the  librar}^,  is  published 
in  the  Bulletins  of  the  library,  F.  S.,  Vol.  II,  35 :  424.) 

The  section  on  the  French  Revolutionary  period  in  the 
library  of  Columbia  University  (New  York  City),  which 
was  already  extensive,  has  been  greatly  increased  of  late 
years.  In  1898  President  Seth  Low  gave  $4,500,  one-half  of 
which  was  to  be  expended  for  this  purpose. 

A  good  collection  relating  to  the  revolution  of  1789  will 
be  found  in  the  New  York  Public  Library  (40  Lafayette 
place.  New  York  City).  A  list  of  a  portion  of  the  revolu- 
tionary pamphlets  belonging  to  this  library  is  printed  in  its 
Bulletin,  Vol.  II,  1898,  pp.  256-264. 

There  is  a  great  quantity  of  material  on  the  Revolutionary 
period  also  in  Leopold  von  Ranke's  library  of  18,000  vol- 
umes, 3,000  pamphlets,  and  1,500  manuscripts,  at  Syracuse 
(N.  Y.)  University. 

A  recent  gift  to  the  University  of  Chicago  (111.)  had  added 
largely  to  its  collection  of  Revolutionary  sources,  etc. 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       677 

The  Gen.  Sylvanus  Thayer  collection  of  military  history 
at  Dartmouth  College  (Hanover,  N.  H.)  is  rich  in  materials 
on  the  Napoleonic  era. 

The  Wisconsin  Historical  Society  Library  and  the  Uni- 
versity of  Wisconsin  (Madison,  Wis.)  have  conjointly  files 
of  some  of  the  chief  Revolutionary  journals  and  some  of  the 
more  noted  collections  of  the  time.  These  are  supplemented 
by  a  considerable  amount  of  material  in  the  nature  of 
memoirs,  correspondence,  biographies,  etc.  The  society's 
library  is  rich  in  Napoleana. 

The  Hatch  Library,  of  Western  Reserve  University 
(Cleveland,  Ohio),  is  fairly  strong  on  the  period. 

The  same  may  be  said  of  the  library  of  the  University  of 
North  Carolina  (Chapelhill,  N.  C.)  and  that  of  BoAvdoin 
College  (Brunswick,  Me.). 

On  the  Napoleonic  phase  of  the  Revolution  there  are  at 
least  two  excellent  collections  to  be  added  to  the  above  list. 
One  of  these  is  a  great  body  of  books  and  pamphlets  pre- 
sented to  the  library  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  (Wash- 
ington, D.  C.)  in  1901.  In  honor  of  the  donor  this  has 
been  designated  the  "  Watts  de  Peyster  collection.  Napoleon 
Buonaparte."  As  received  it  numbered  about  2,000  volumes, 
but  it  is  being  constantly  increased  by  General  de  Peyster. 

The  other  collection  deserving  to  be  mentioned  in  this 
connection  is  the  Koch  collection,  given  to  the  Case  Library 
(Cleveland,  Ohio)  by  the  late  Mrs.  Laura  Koch.  It  com- 
prises about  1,500  volumes,  and  is  rich  in  Napoleonic  litera- 
ture, although  apparently  not  confined  to  this  department. 

The  Princeton  University  Library,  the  Cincinnati  Uni- 
versity Library,  the  Pennsylvania  Historical  Societ}^  Li- 
brary, the  Peabody  Institute  Library  at  Baltimore,  the  New- 
berry Library  of  Chicago,  and  especially  the  library  of  the 
Department  of  State  at  Washington  have  important  collec- 
tions on  this  period. 

The  John  C.  Ropes  collection  on  Napoleon  is  in  the  library 
of  the  Military  Historical  Society,  in  Boston. 

FRENCH   REVOLUTION    OF    1848. 

About  1896  Columbia  University  (New  York  City) 
received  a  gift  of  569  volumes  from  the  library  of  a  gentle- 
man who  had  been  a  member  of 'the  Assemblee  Constituante 


678  AMERICAN   HTSTORIOAL    ASSOCIATION. 

and  the  Assemblee  Legislative  of  France  from  1848  to  1851. 
It  contains  a  considerable  number  of  pamphlets  and  contem- 
poraneous publications  issued  in  France  during  the  revolu- 
tion of  18-18.  (President's  Annual  Keport,  1896,  pp.  31,  32.) 
Another  collection  relating  to  the  French  revolution  of 
1848  belongs  to  the  New  York  Public  Library  (40  Lafayette 
place,  New  York  City). 

FRIENDS. 

One  of  the  best  and  fullest  collections  of  Friends'  history 
and  lit(M-;itiire  in  the  United  States  is  in  the  library  of  the 
Friends'  Historical  Society,  located  at  Swarthmore  (Pa.) 
College. 

Another  excellent  collection  is  in  the  possession  of  the 
Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania  (1300  Locust  street,  Phil- 
adelphia, Pa.). 

The  Friends'  Library  (142  North  Sixteenth  street,  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.)  has  perhaps  the  largest  collection  in  the  United 
States  on  the  origin  and  history  of  the  religious  society  of 
Friends  in  England,  1652-1750,  including  the  Roberts 
Ijibrary. 

An  extensive  collection  on  this  subject  is  in  the  Boston 
Public  Tjibrary. 

The  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends,  of  New  York,  has  about 
500  volumes. 

The  library  of  Drew  Theological  Seminary  has  the  Sands 
collection  of  Quakeriana.    , 

The  Free  Public  I^ibrary,  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  has  a  spe- 
cial collection  of  Quakeriana. 

The  TTaverford  College  Library  (Haverford,  Pa.)  has  a 
very  considerable  collection. 

GENEALOGY. 

The  collections  in  genealogy  very  generally  include  much 
on  English  families  and  English  local  history.  Systematic 
returns  on  this  subject  have  not  been  received  for  this  report, 
but  the  collection  of  the  New  England  Historical  and  Gene- 
alogical Society,  the  very  noteworthy  collection  of  the  Bos- 
ton Public  Library,  that  of  the  Wisconsin  Historical  Society 
Library,  which  ranks  among  the  very  best,  and,  in  general, 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       679 

the  various  genealogical  collections  may  be  mentioned — ^the 
New  York  Public  Library,  the  Newberry  Library  in  Chicago, 
the  New  York  Genealogical  and  Biographical  Society,  the 
Long  Island  Historical  Society,  the  Albany  State  Library, 
the  State  Library  of  Pennsylvania,  Pennsylvania  Historical 
Society,  etc. 

GEOGRAPHICAL  DISCOVERY. 

The  John  Carter  Brown  Library,  of  Brown  University 
(Providence,  R.  I.),  is  rich  in  books  on  geographical  dis- 
covery. On  its  shelves  are  to  be  found  the  original  editions 
of  the  writings  of  the  great  discoverers  and  of  the  early  cir- 
cumnavigators of  the  globe. 

The  Boston  (Mass.)  Public  Library  has  collections  on  dis- 
coveries, voyages,  etc.,  besides  a  collection  of  geographical 
journals  and  transactions  of  geographical  societies.  It  has 
a  special  card  index  to  articles  published  in  certain  scientific 
journals,  transactions  of  learned  societies,  etc.,  beginning 
with  the  year  1898,  and  it  has  bibliographies  for  aid  in 
searching  out  geographical  subjects.  (Bulletin,  February, 
1899,  pp.  59,  60.)  Its  resources  on  the  discoveries  leading 
to  American  colonization  include  extensive  purchases  of 
original  editions  from  the  Aspinwall-Barlow  collection  of 
Americana. 

There  is  valuable  material  in  the  New  York  Public 
Library  (New  York  City)  for  a  geographical  history  of 
mediaeval  Europe,  and  the  equipment  of  the  library  on  the 
succeeding  age  of  discovery  is  extensive. 

Excellent  collections  on  geography  and  topography  are  on 
the  shelves  of  the  Boston  (Mass.)  Public  Library,  which  also 
has  a  collection  of  geographical  journals  and  transactions  of 
geographical  societies.  In  the  Theodore  Parker  and  George 
Ticknor  collections  in  this  library  the  subject  of  geography 
is  well  represented. 

A  considerable  amount  of  geographical  material,  with 
maps  and  plans  of  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries, 
is  also  on  the  shelves  of  the  Tank  library  of  Dutch  history 
in  the  library  of  the  Wisconsin  Historical  Society  (Madi- 
son, Wis.). 


680  AMERICAN    HI8T0RT0AL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  American  Geographical  Society  Library,  of  New 
York,  contains  more  than  20,000  volumes,  and  that  of  Prof. 
William  Libbey,  of  Princeton,  which  may  be  used  in  connec- 
tion with  Princeton  University  Library,  probably  10,000 
volumes.     (See  also  Cartography.) 

GERMANY. 

The  library  of  the  German  historian,  Leopold  von  Ranke, 
is  now  the  property  of  the  library  of  Syracuse  (N.  Y.) 
University.  It  consists  of  18,000  volumes,  3,000  pamphlets, 
and  1,500  manuscripts.  It  is  largely  German  history, 
although  it  contains  material  on  other  countries. 

The  great  collections  of  original  sources  issued  by  the 
German  Governments  and  learned  societies  of  Germany  are 
to  be  found  in  the  Columbia  University  Library  (New  York 
City).  These  include  not  only  the  documents  and  sources 
for  political  history,  but  also  for  other  phases  of  historical 
development.  In  1898  the  library  set  about  completing  its 
collections  relating  to  the  German  Reformation.  Using 
Dahlmaim-Waitz,  Quellenkunde,  as  a  guide,  the  gaps  have 
been  systematically  filled  in  for  the  period  1450-1625,  and 
many  collected  works  and  historical  publications  covering 
a  wider  field  have  also  been  added.  (President's  Annual 
Report,  1898,  p.  276.) 

The  library  of  Prof.  Konrad  von  Maurer,  of  Munich,  has 
lately  come  to  Harvard  University  (Cambridge,  Mass.) 
through  the  gift  of  Prof.  A.  C.  Coolidge.  This  collection 
comprises  10,000  volumes,  of  which  2,000  or  more  relate  to 
German  history  and  are  set  apart  as  the  nucleus  of  a  special 
collection  to  be  designated  as  the  "  Hohenzollern  collection  of 
works  on  German  history  and  civilization."  This  historical 
collection  will  be  increased  by  Professor  Coolidge  to  10,000 
volumes.  As  it  now  stands,  it  is  strongest  in  the  history  of 
Bavaria  and  the  Rheinland.  (The  Harvard  Bulletin,  No- 
vember 25,  1903.)  At  the  time  of  the  acquisition  of  the 
Von  Maurer  library  Harvard  already  had  a  collection  of 
considerably  over  1,000  books  on  German  history,  besides 
Thomas  Carlyle's  collection  on  Frederick  the  Great.  (For 
the  latter,  see  the  special  catalogue  printed  in  the  Harvard 
University  Bulletin  for  January,  1883.) 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       681 

In  the  Eau  collection  at  the  University  of  Michigan  (Ann 
Arbor,  Mich.)  is  a  series  of  volumes  of  the  original  sources 
for  the  history  of  the  house  of  Hapsburg. 

The  collections  of  the  Wisconsin  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Sciences  and  the  University  of  AVisconsin  (Madison,  Wis.) 
include  complete  files  of  the  publications  of  important  Ger- 
man local  historical  societies. 

The  Ohio  State  University  (Columbus,  Ohio)  has  a  spe- 
cial collection  in  German  history,  named  the  "  Siebert  library 
of  German  history,"  after  Messrs.  John  and  Louis  Siebert, 
who  are  giving  sums  annually  for  its  enlargement. 

The  Hildebrand  Library  in  the  Leland  Stanford  Junior 
University,  while  largely  philological,  contains  the  local 
and  national  chronicles,  etc. 

The  Weinhold  library  of  the  University  of  California 
Library  contains  10,000  volumes  that  are  chiefly  literary. 

The  Western  Reserve  University  (Adelbert  College)  has  a 
special  collection  on  the  history  of  Germany. 

The  Boston  Public  Library  is  strong  on  German  history. 

GYPSIES. 

On  this  subject  the  Harvard  Library  (Cambridge,  Mass.) 
has  over  100  volumes  relating  to  the  history,  language,  litera- 
ture, ballads,  etc.,  of  gypsies.  These  are  scattered  through 
various  classifications  on  the  shelves.  About  25  of  them 
were  recently  purchased  from  the  library  of  Rudolph  von 
Sowa,  the  German  authority  in  this  field. 

The  Boston  Athenseum  Library  has  a  considerable  collec- 
tion on  this  subject. 

THE  HUGUENOTS. 

Bowdoin  College  (Brunswick,  Me.)  has  a  fund  of  $1,000 
for  the  maintenance  and  increase  of  a  collection  of  Hugue- 
not literature.  This  is  not  to  be  confined  to  the  history  of 
the  Huguenots  in  France,  but  is  to  include  especially  works 
relating  to  the  Huguenot  emigration  to  America  and  to  the 
parts  played  by  their  descendants  in  other  countries.  The 
special  collection  thus  begun  has  been  increased  by  a  gift  of 
additional  books  dealing  with  the  French  Protestants. 

A  large  collection  of  works  ojsl  the  history  of  French 
Protestantism!  is  a  feature  of  the  Rochester  (N.  Y.)  Theo- 


682  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

logical  Seminary.  It  covers  the  period  from  1685  to  1768, 
and  includes  the  writings  of  many  French  reformers. 

There  are  many  works  on  the  Huguenots  in  the  Boston 
(Mass.)  Public  Library. 

The  Huguenot  Society  of  America,  located  in  New  York, 
has  about  1,000  volumes. 

INTERNATIONAL  LAW  AND  DIPLOMACY. 

The  Congressional  Library  (Washington,  D.  C.)  on  the 
general  subject,  the  Bo^on  (Mass.)  Athenaeum  in  the  line 
of  State  papers,  domestic  and  foreign,  and  the  library  of 
the  Naval  War  College  (Newport,  R.  I.)  in  maritime 
international  law,  and  the  Brown  University  Library  in 
general  treatises,  are  probably  the  strongest  libraries  in  the 
United  States  in  their  respective  fields.  By  special  arrange- 
ment these  institutions  are  filling  in  different  departments  in 
this  field. 

The  Bureau  of  Rolls  and  Library  of  the  Department  of 
State  (Washington,  D.  C.)  is  also  rich  in  international  law 
and  diplomatic  history,  as  is  also  the  President  White 
Library  at  Cornell  University  (Ithaca,  N.  Y.). 

Brown  University  (Providence,  R.  I.)  has  a  choice  collec- 
tion of  over  1,000  volumes  in  international  law  which  is  be- 
ing constantly  enlarged.  It  is  known  as  the  Wheaton  col- 
lection. 

The  political  science  library  of  Robert  von  Mohl,  acquired 
by  Yale  University  (New  Haven,  Conn.)  in  1871,  contains 
300  volumes  on  this  subject. 

The  library  of  Johns  Hopkins  University  has  the  Blunt- 
schli  library  of  2,500  volumes  and  3,000  pamphlets,  the 
Creswell  collection,  and  other  works  especially  i^lating  to 
international  arbitration. 

IRELAND. 

Valuable  materials  for  the  ancient  and  early  history  of 
Ireland  are  among  the  resources  of  the  Newberry  Library 
(Chicago,  111.). 

A  collection  of  about  350  volumes  of  pamphlets  relating 
chiefly  to  Ireland  and  of  a  miscellaneous  character  is  in  the 
Mercantile   Library    (Philadelphia,    Pa.).      Two   hundred 


MATEEIALS    ON    ENGLISH   AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       683 

and  forty-two  volnmes  contain  materials  ranging  in  date 
from  1661  to  1859,  and  are  bound  in  chronological  order. 
The  contents  of  the  other  100  volumes  are  of  later  date. 

The  Lemmonier  Library,  of  the  University  of  Notre  Dame 
(Notre  Dame,  Ind.),  contains  several  thousand  volumes  in 
Irish  history. 

The  Boston  Public  Library  Bulletin,  No.  61,  published  in 
1882,  contained  the  material  on  the  land  question  in  the 
library  at  that  time. 

A  gift  of  356  volumes  and  90  pamphlets,  mainly  on  Irish 
history,  came  to  the  University  of  Michigan  (Ann  Arbor, 
Mich.)  in  1888  from  George  C.  Mahon. 

The  Michigan  State  Library  (Lansing,  Mich.)  owns  a  very 
complete  set  of  Irish  laws,  and  the  library  of  the  court  of  ap- 
peals (Syracuse,  N.  Y.),  as  also  the  William  Curtis  Noyes 
Law  Library,  of  Hamilton  College  (Clinton,  N.  Y.),  contain 
full  sets  of  the  Irish  Reports  in  Law  and  Equity,  which  are 
also  in  possession  of  the  Harvard  Law  School  (Cambridge, 
Mass.)  and  the  Bar  Association  of  New  York. 

Considerable  source  material  relating  to  the  mediaeval  his- 
tory of  Ireland  is  contained  in  the  library  of  Bishop  William 
Stubbs,  which  now  forms  a  part  of  the  Congregational  Li- 
brarj^  (Congregational  House,  Beacon  street,  Boston,  Mass.). 

ITALY. 

In  Italian  history  the  Harvard  Library  (Cambridge, 
Mass.)  has  3,300  volumes.  "  Included  in  this  number  aro 
many  of  the  long  series  published  either  by  the  Government 
or  by  historical  societies.  *  *  '^  Recent  gifts  from  Hon. 
George  v.  L.  Meyer,  United  States  ambassador  at  Rome,  and 
Mr.  H.  N.  Gay  *  *  *  will  provide  for  an  interesting 
and  valuable  collection  on  the  political  history  of  Italy  from 
1815  to  1870.  The  collection  of  books  relating  to  Sicily  was 
more  than  doubled  bj^  recent  purchases  and  now  includes 
over  200  volumes."  (Bibliographical  Contributions,  No.  55, 
of  Harvard  University.) 

The  library  of  Columbia  University  (New  York  City) 
contains  the  great  collections  on  Italy  and  the  publications 
of  most  of  the  learned  societies  of  that  country. 

There  is  much  of  value  on  Italian  history   in  Leopold 


684  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL   ASSOCIATION. 

von  Kanke's  library,  which  forms  a  part  of  the  library 
of  Syracuse  (N.  Y.)  University. 

The  gift  of  228  rare  volumes,  received  by  the  Cornell 
Library  (Ithaca,  N.  Y.)  from  Prof.  T.  F.  Crane,  is  .in  part 
devoted  to  Italian  society  in  the  sixteenth  and  seventeenth 
centuries. 

A  costly  collection  of  works  on  Venice,  valuable  for  one 
studying  the  Kenaissance,  belongs  to  the  Mark  Skinner 
Li brary  ( Ma u chestcr ,  Vt. ) . 

Harvard  University  has  special  collections  with  special 
funds  on  Venice  and  Florence.  The  Boston  Public  Library 
has  the  Adams  library,  rich  on  Italian  republics  and  cities. 

The  great  Dante  collections,  such  as  the  Fiske  Library, 
at  Cornell  University,  the  Macaulay  library,  in  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania  Library,  and  the  Harvard  collections 
are,  more  than  most  literary  history,  of  direct  value. 

THE    JANSENISTS. 

In  1898  the  library  of  Harvard  LTuiversity  (Cambridge, 
Mass.)  acquired  a  collection  of  100  volumes  relating  to  the 
Jansenists  of  Utrecht. 

The  New  York  Public  Library  has  an  important  collec- 
tion of  books  on  this  subject. 

THE    JESUITS. 

Cornell  University  (Ithaca,  N.  Y.)  has  a  collection  on 
the  Jesuits  of  sufficient  importance  to  warrant  a  special 
catalogue.  The  College  Library,  Woodstock,  Md.,  has  more 
than  1,000  volumes  on  the  Jesuits. 

TPIE   JEWS. 

Nearly  all  the  great  collections  of  Orientalia  and  Semitica 
contain  more  or  less  material  on  the  history  of  the  Jews  in 
Europe.  Such  collections  are  the  Cohen,  Dillmann,  and 
Strauss  libraries,  of  the  Johns  Hopkins  University;  the  de 
Lagarde  Semitic  Library,  of  New  York  University;  the 
special  collection  of  the  Sutro  Library,  of  San  Francisco; 
University  of  California,  University  of  Pennsylvania,  Har- 
vard, Yale,  the  University  of  Chicago,  some  of  the  larger 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH   AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       685 

Protestant  theological  seminaries,  such  as  Union,  Princeton, 
Andover,  Drew,  Presbyterian  and  Congregational  seminaries, 
of  Chicago,  and  especially  the  Hartford  Seminary.  More 
especially,  of  course,  the  Jewish  theological  seminaries  and 
historical  societies,  the  Maimonides  Library,  etc.,  are  to  be 
counted.  The  New  York  Public  Librar}^  has  published  lists 
of  its  Jewish,  anti-Semitic,  and  Jewish  Christian  periodicals, 
and  a  joint  list  of  the  periodicals  in  its  own  library  and 
those  of  Union  and  the  General  Theological  Seminary. 
(Vol.  6,  1002,  pp.  258-264;  vol.  7,  1903,  p.  30;  voL  9,  1905, 
pp.  9-31,  50-72.) 

See  also  East  and  Far  East. 

MATUIlVrONIAL   INSTITUTIONS. 

A  collection  of  1,700  volumes  on  this  subject  has  recently 
been  received  by  the  University  of  Chicago  (111.)  LiV)rary 
from  Prof.  George  Elliott  Howard.  The  collection  is  be- 
lieved to  be  the  largest  extant  dealing  with  marriage,  divorce, 
and  the  family,  and  was  gathei'cd  by  Professor  Howard  dur- 
ing the  preparation  of  his  important  work  on  matrimonial 
institutions. 

MEDI.I^VAL    HISTORY. 

The  Zarncke  library,  presented  to  Cornell  University 
(Ithaca,  N.  Y.)  some  years  ago  by  William  H.  Sage,  con- 
tains, among  other  things,  a  wealth  of  rare  and  valuable 
material  on  medijisval  history.  It  numbers  13,000  volumes. 
Man}^  important  works  and  sets  have  since  been  added  in 
this  department. 

In  the  sources  of  mediaeval  European  history  the  Harvard 
Library  (Cambridge,  Mass.)  "  has  most  of  the  large  or  im- 
portant collections  relating  to  countries  as  a  Avhole,  and  many 
of  the  more  useful  and  extensive  documentary  works  relat- 
ing to  single  cities  and  monasteries.  This  subject  was 
strengthened  by  a  gift  of  several  hundred  volumes  relating 
to  early  German  history  and  law  from  Dr.  Denman  W. 
Ross,  of  Cambridge,  and  b}^  the  bequest  of  Prof.  E.  W. 
Gurney's  private  librarj^ ;  and  it  has  been  further  increased, 
especially  for  Erance  and  Italy,  by  the  acquisition  of  the 
Riant  librar}^  and  by  the  recent  purchase  of  a  number  of 
French  cartularies.''  (Bibliographical  Contributions,  No. 
65,  Library  of  Harvard  University,  1903.) 


686  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Yale  Library  (:^{§w  Haven,  Conn.)  is  especially 
strong  in  mediaeval  institutional  and  church  history  and 
in  media}val  English  history,  while  it  is  very  well  equipped 
in  general  mediaeval  history. 

The  mediaeval  period  of  English  and  Irish  history  is 
remarkably  well  represented  in  the  private  library  of  Bishop 
William  Stubbs,  which  was  purchased  a  few  years  ago  by 
the  Congregational  Library  (14  Beacon  street,  Boston, 
Mass.).  This  collection  of  about  4,500  volumes  is  also  rich 
in  mediaeval  church  material. 

An  unexplored  storehouse  of  material  for  the  student  of 
mediaeval  history  exists  in  the  Sutro  Library  (Washington 
and  Montgomery  streets,  San  Francisco,  Cal.). 

The  College  Library,  at  Woodstock,  Md.,  the  Brown  Uni- 
versity Library,  the  library  of  the  General  Theological  Sem- 
inary in  New  York,  and  the  theological  seminary  libraries 
in  general  are  strong  in  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  the  mid- 
dle ages. 

The  library  of  the  University  of  Chicago  (111.)  has  an 
extensive  collection  on  early  mediaeval  history,  from  the  fifth 
to  the  ninth  century,  and  on  mediaeval  English  history. 

Sec  also  Architecture  and  the  allied  arts.  Crusades  and  the 
Latin  East,  Geographical  discovery,  Ireland. 

METHODISTS. 

A  large  and  important  collection  of  original  sources  relat- 
ing to  the  rise  of  the  Wesley  an  movement  in  England  is  the 
Deeming- Jackson  collection  at  the  Garrett  Biblical  Institute 
(Evanston,  111.) .  It  comprises  the  editions  of  the  writings  of 
the  leaders  of  the  movement  and  numerous  pamphlets  and 
books  written  in  opposition  to  it. 

The  Drew  Theological  Seminary  (Madison,  N.  Y.)  has  an 
excellent  library  in  the  field  of  Methodism,  as  has  also  the 
Methodist  Library  in  New  York  City  (150  Fifth  avenue), 
each  numbering  over  10,000  volumes. 

The  New  England  Methodist  Historical  Society  is  re- 
ported to  have  a  fine  library. 

The  Wesleyan  University  Library,  of  Middletown,  Conn., 
has  a  considerable  collection  on  the  early  history  of  the 
Wesleyan  denomination  in  England. 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       687 

The  St.  Louis  Public  Library  contains  the  McNally  col- 
lection, which  is  very  full  on  the  history  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South. 

MILITARY   HISTORY. 

The  Gen.  Sylvanus  Thayer  collection  of  military  history 
at  Dartmouth  College  (Hanover,  N.  H.)  is  said  to  be  espe- 
cially rich  in  materials  for  the  eighteenth  century  and  the 
Napoleonic  period. 

The  Sutro  Library,  of  San  Francisco,  has  1,100  volumes, 
collected  by  Colonel  Wilder. 

The  libraries  of  the  War  Department  at  Washington,  the 
West  Point  Academy,  the  Military  Historical  Society  of 
Massachusetts,  at  Boston,  and  the  Allen  library  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  all  have  collections  of  special 
excellence. 

MORAVIAN    CHURCH. 

The  Malin  Library,  "  containing  probably  the  largest  col- 
lection of  Moravian  books  now  (1892)  in  existence,  together 
with  paintings,  etc.,"  forms  a  part  of  "  The  Bethlehem 
Archives,"  and  in  connection  with  the  library  of  the  Mora- 
vian Theological  Seminary,  at  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  forms  the 
best  American  source  for  study  of  Moravian  history. 

NAVAL   HISTORY. 

The  Proudfit  collection  of  naval  history  of  all  countries 
is  in  the  custody  of  the  New  York  Public  Library  (40  La- 
fayette place.  New  York  City).  The  Bulletin  of  the  library 
for  July,  1904,  contains  a  "  selected  list  of  works  relating  to 
naval  history,  naval  administration,  etc." 

The  manuscript  material  of  the  late  Paul  Carles,  of  Paris, 
for  a  "  History  of  the  Military  Marine,"  has  recently  come 
into  the  possession  of  the  Newberry  Library  (Chicago,  111.). 
The  collection  consists  of  22  portfolios  of  drawings,  maps, 
and  plans,  and  14  portfolios  of  text ;  a  total  of  4,100  pieces. 

The  United  States  Naval  Academy,  at  Annapolis,  has  fine 
collections  on  naval  history  and  biography,  including  that  of 
European  nations  and  more  especially  that  of  Great  Britain 
and  France. 

The  Library  of  Congress,  Washington,  is  very  rich  in 
naval  history. 


688  AMERICAN   HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

THE   NETHERLANDS. 

The  I  ank  l^ibrary  of  early  Dutch  books  was  presented  to 
the  Wisconsin  Historical  Society  (Madison,  Wis.)  in  1868. 
It  contains  4,812  volumes  and  374  pamphlets,  and  was  ac- 
cumulated by  the  Kev.  R.  J.  van  der  Meulen,  of  Amsterdam, 
who  was  ordained  in  1793.  It  deals  with  theology,  Dutch 
history,  travel,  etc.  Its  materials  afford  an  opportunity  for 
the  study  of  Dutch  protestantism.  "For  more  special 
studies  it  contains  the  greater  part  of  the  legislative  and 
executive  enactments  of  the  United  Provinces  and  of  the 
Provinces  of  Holland,  Zealand,  West  Friesland,  and  Utrecht 
down  to  the  end  of  the  old  Republic."  It  also  contains  "  the 
more  important  contemporary  and  closely  following  his- 
tories of  the  first  century  of  the  Republic,  accompanied  by 
very  important  sections  of  the  sources ;  and  later  eighteenth- 
century  files  of  the  more  important  Netherlandisch  and 
Lower  Rhenish  periodicals."  The  collection  also  contains 
incomplete  files  of  the  publications  of  various  learned  Dutch 
societies.  (See  Wisconsin  Historical  Collections,  Vol.  V,  p. 
162;  Bulletin  of  Information  No.  21  of  the  Wisconsin 
State  Historical  Society,  p.  20,  and  the  Catalogue  of  the 
library.) 

The  Boston  (Mass.)  Athenaeum  has  a  carefully  selected 
collection,  which  numbered  1,294  volumes  in  1900,  illustrat- 
ing the  history  of  the  Netherlands  and  Dutch  colonization. 
It  includes  many  long  and  rare  sets,  besides  the  writings  of 
the  leading  Dutch  historians  of  the  nineteenth  century.  The 
Athenaeum  also  has  much  in  the  way  of  local  Dutch  history, 
together  with  many  works  classified  under  the  following 
heads:  "Belgium,"  "Holland,"  "The  Batavian  Republic," 
"  The  United  Provinces,"  "  The  Spanish  wars,"  "  The  rise  of 
the  Dutch  Republic,"  and  "  The  Netherlands." 

A  collection  of  contemporaneous  pamphlets  relating  to 
Dutch  history  from  1600  to  1850  is  to  be  found  in  the  New 
York  Public  Library  (40  Lafayette  place.  New  York  City). 

In  the  library  of  Yale  University  (New  Haven,  Conn.) 
there  is  an  interesting  group  of  books  on  the  history  of 
Leyden. 

The  Library  of  Congress  (Washington,  D.  C.)  is  rich  in 
works  on  this  subject. 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND   EUROPEAN   HISTORY.       689 

The  valuable  library  of  the  Holland  Society  of  New  York 
is  deposited  in  the  Columbia  University  Library. 

NUMISMATICS. 

Some  years  ago  the  Boston  Numismatic  Society  presented 
its  valuable  collection  of  books  and  pamphlets  to  the  Boston 
(Mass.)  Public  Library. 

The  Johns  Hopkins  University  (Baltimore,  Md.)  is  the 
owner  of  the  collection  of  books  made  by  the  late  Henry 
Phillips,  jr.,  of  Philadelphia,  a  leading  authority  in  this 
country  on  numismatics.  It  comprises  750  bound  volumes 
(some  of  which  are  in  manuscript)  and  a  number  of  pam- 
phlets.    However,  not  all  of  these  relate  to  numismatics. 

The  American  Numismatic  Society,  of  17  West  Twenty- 
third  street,  Nerw  York,  owns  more  than  2,500  volumes 
and  10,000  pamphlets. 

THE   OTTOMAN   EMPIRE. 

The  collection  of  books  in  the  Harvard  Library  (Cam- 
bridge, Mass.)  on  the  Ottoman  Empire  is  undoubtedly  one  of 
the  richest  ever  accumulated  on  this  subject.  At  present  it 
comprises  nearly  3,500  volumes  and  pamphlets,  and  it  is 
growing  rapidly.  In  the  collection  are  numerous  manu- 
scripts and  incunabula  and  other  printed  books,  many  of 
extreme  rarity.  The  greatest  strength  of  the  collection  is 
the  number  of  contemporary  pamphlets  in  Latin,  German, 
French,  and  Italian,  descriptive  of  events  in  the  various  wars 
against  the  Turks.  There  are,  for  example,  160  titles  on  the 
battle  of  Lepanto  (1571),  and  more  than  80  volumes  or 
pamphlets  on  the  siege  of  Vienna  (16S3).  Much  of  this 
material  is  from  the  library  of  the  late  Count  Paul  Kiant, 
member  of  the  French  Academy.  A  description  of  this  part 
of  the  collection  is  given  in  the  printed  Catalogue  of  the 
Riant  Library  (Paris,  1899,  2  vols.,  8°).  The  collection 
also  includes  445  volumes  from  the  Library  of  M.  Charles 
Shefer,  of  Paris.  Further  accessions  are  being  constantly 
made.  (See  Bibliographical  Contributions,  No.  55,  Harvard 
University.) 

The  Robert  Garrett  deposit  of  Oriental  manuscripts  in 
Princeton  University  Library  contains  nearly  2,000  manu- 
H.  Doc.  429, 58-3 44 


690  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

scripts,  chiefly  in  Arabic  and  Turkish,  and  including  many 
works  of  history,  biography,  geography,  and  travels,  as  well 
as  on  the  Mohammedan  religion.  The  excellent  working 
collection  of  the  Semitic  Seminary,  in  connection  with  this, 
contains  books  helpful  in  the  study  of  these  manuscripts. 
Yale  University  Library  also  has  a  substantial  collection  of 
such  manuscripts. 

PERIODICALS    AND    PUBLICATIONS    OF    LEARNED    SOCIETIES. 

For  libraries  containing  the  various  periodicals  relating  to 
European  history,  consult  the  joint  lists  of  periodicals,  such  as 
that  for  Boston  and  vicinity,  published  by  Boston  Public 
Library;  for  Chicago  and  vicinity,  published  by  the  John 
Crerar] library:  for  California,  published  by  the  University 
of  California;  for  AVashington,  published  by  the  Library  of 
Congress;  and  for  New  York  the  classified  lists  printed  in 
the  New  York  Public  Library  Bulletin,  together  with  the 
now  somewhat  outdated  joint  lists  prepared  by  the  New 
York  Library  Club. 

POLITICAL   AND    SOCIAL    SCIENCES. 

In  this  de]:>artment  Yale  University  (New  Haven,  Conn.) 
acquired  in  1871  the  library  of  Robert  von  Mohl,  the  emi- 
nent writer  in  this  field.  The  collection  contains  about 
5,000  volumes  and  1,000  pamphlets,  of  which  1,500  volumes 
deal  with  the  public  law  of  Germany,  England,  France,  and 
other  States.  There  are  also  300  volumes  on  international 
law  and  300  volumes  on  statistics. 

The  Rau  collection  in  the  library  of  the  University  of 
Michigan  (Ann  Arbor,  Mich.)  embraces  all  the  most  valu- 
able literature  on  political  science  and  kindred  topics.  It 
was  built  up  by  Professor  Rau.  of  the  L^niversity  of  Heidel- 
berg, and  numbers  more*  than  4,000  volumes  and  2,000  pam- 
phlets. 

The  President  White  Library,  at  Cornell  University  (Ith- 
aca, N.  Y.),  althovgh  mainly  historical  in  character,  is  rich 
in  works  in  the  subsidiary  fields  of  political  and  social 
science. 

A  special  collection  in  the  library  of  Princeton  (N.  J.) 
University  is  the  library  of  political  science  and  jurispru- 
dence established  by  the  class  of  1883. 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       691 

The  libraries  of  the  universities  of  Wisconsin  and  Mis- 
souri are  reported  strong  in  this  department. 

The  New  York  Public  Library  Bulletins  contain  (vol.  4, 
1900,  pp.  139-142)  periodicals  relating  to  communism  and 
(vol.  8,  1904,  pp.  22-198)  Miss  Hasse's  A^aluable  list  on  Con- 
stitutions and  Political  Rights. 

See  also  the  collections  listed  under  "  Diplomacy,  "  Inter- 
national law,"  etc.,  nearly  all  of  which  might  be  listed  un- 
der this  head.  The  Columbia  University  Librar}^  collec- 
tions described  under  these  heads  are,  for  example,  of 
greater  importance  than  any  of  the  above-mentioned  col- 
lections. 

PRESBYTERTAX    CHURCH. 

.  The  Union  Theological  Seminary  collections  on  Presby- 
terianism  are  especially  noteworthy.  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary,  the  Presbyterian  Historical  Society,  Philadelphia, 
and  Presbyterian  theological  seminaries  in  general  have  con- 
siderable specialized  collections  in  comparison  with  those 
of  the  general  libraries. 

THE    REFORMATION     ( PROTEST ANt)  . 

This  period  is  well  re]:)resented  in  a  number  of  libraries. 
First  among  these  should  be  mentioned  the  President  White 
Library,  at  Cornell  University  (Ithaaa.  X.  Y.),  whose  Avealth 
of  materials  has  required  a  special  catalogue  of  100  pages, 
entitled  "  The  Protestant  Reformation  and  its  Forerunners." 
A  catalogue  has  also  been  issued  of  the  rich  collection  of 
"  portraits  of  the  reformers  "  to  be  found  in  the  White  Li- 
brary. 

In  1898  the  library  of  Columbia  University  (New  York 
City)  received  a  large  special  sum  for  works  on  the  German 
Reformation,  thus  increasing  collections  already  extensive 
in  this  field. 

The  church  history  library  at  the  University  of  Chicago 
(111.)  is  well  equipped  in  Reformation  history,  and  its  mate- 
rials are  supplemented  by  collections  on  the  Italian  and 
French  phases  of  the  subject  in  the  Newberry  Library  (Chi- 
cago, 111.),  and  by  certain  rare  prints  of  the  time  of  the 
Reformation  and  by  other  works  in  the  Schneider  library 


692  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

of  German  authors  at  Northwestern  University  (Evanston, 

111.). 

The  Case  Library,  of  the  Hartford  Theological  Seminary, 
has  very  extensive  collections  on  the  Lutheran  and  Swiss 
reformations  and  on  Schwenkfeld  and  ^he  Keformation  by 
the  Middle  Way.  It  is  also  the  depository  of  the  important 
collection  of  the  Schwenkfeldian  Church  on  this  aspect  of 
German  Eeformation  history.  The  Lutheran  Historical 
Society  and  the  Lutheran  Historical  Seminary  at  Gettys- 
burg, Pa.,  have  important  collections  on  the  Lutheran  Ref- 
ormation. 

The  General  Theological  Library  of  Boston,  the  Univer- 
sity of  North  Carolina,  the  Rochester  Theological  Seminary, 
and  the  theological  seminaries  in  general  are  strong  in  this 
branch. 

The  Herring  Library,  of  St.  Lawrence  University  (Can- 
ton, N.  Y.),  contains  the  Credner  collection  of  about  3,000 
volumes,  rich  in  Reformation  literature. 

In  the  Trendelenberg  collection  in  the  librar}^  of  Princeton 
(N.  J.)  University  is  a  group  of  103  pamphlets  published 
between  1518  and  1535,  largely  fugitive  literature  of  the 
early  German  Reformation. 

ROMAN    CATHOLIC    CHURCH. 

The  Lemmonier  Library  of  the  Universit}^  of  Notre  Dame 
(Notre  Dame,  Ind.),  has  a  large  collection,  strong  in  Roman 
Catholic  newspapers  and  magazines. 

The  Cathedral  Free  Circulating  Library  in  New  York  has 
very  admirable  collections  in  this. 

Danville  Theological  Seminary  (Danville,  Ky.)  contains 
the  Breckenridge  collection  on  Roman  Catholic  controversy. 

The  Union  Theological  Seminary,  the  University  of  Ver- 
mont Library,  the  Roman  Catholic  seminaries  and  colleges 
in  general,  and  the  Protestant  theological  seminaries  in  gen- 
eral, to  the  end  of  the  Reformation  period,  are  strong  here. 

See  also  Jansenists,  Jesuits,  Reformation. 

SCANDINAVIAN    HISTORY. 

The  largest  American  library  in  this  field  is  undoubtedly 
the  collection  presented  to  Yale  (New  Haven,  Conn.)  in 
1896  by  Mrs.  Henry  Farnam.     It  was  brought  together  by 


MATERIALS    ON    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       693 

the  late  Paul  Riant,  and  embraces  5,000  volumes,  50  manu- 
scripts, and  16,000  dissertations  of  the  Swedish  universities. 
It  is  strongest  on  the  side  of  history,  though  geography  and 
early  Icelandic  literature  are  also  well  represented.  (See 
Report  of  the  President  of  Yale  University  for  the  year 
ending  December  31,  1896,  p.  105.) 

The  present  extent  of  the  collection  of  Scandinavian  lit- 
erature and  history  at  Harvard  University  (Cambridge, 
Mass.)  is  3,675  volumes.  It  is  especially  strong  in  the  old 
Norse  literature,  mythology,  and  history,  but  is  being  rap- 
idly built  up  in  the  division  of  modern  Scandinavian 
writers  by  the  annual  gifts  of  Mrs.  E.  C.  Hammer,  of  Boston. 
It  has  recently  been  strengthened  by  the  addition  of  the 
Maurer  collection,  which  contains  2,388  titles  and  includes 
the  richest  known  collection  on  Scandinavian  legal  history. 

The  Fiske  collection  of  Icelandic  literature  has  recently 
been  left  to  the  Cornell  University  Library. 

The  Marsh  Library,  of  the  University  of  Vermont,  is 
strong  in  Scandinavian  literature. 

SLAVIC  HISTORY. 

In  1896  the  special  collection  of  Russian  books  in  the 
Yale  Library  (New  Haven,  Conn.)  had  grown  to  6,000  vol- 
umes. It  was  begun  some  years  ago  by  a  friend  of  the  uni- 
versity, who  has  continued  to  make  yearly  additions.  The 
most  important  feature  of  the  collection  is  the  large  number 
of  periodical  publications,  both  those  of  a  general  character 
and  those  issued  by  learned  societies  and  Departments  of  the 
Government.  In  the  year  named  there  were  153  such  se- 
rials, embracing  about  4,000  volumes.  The  governmental 
publications  included  those  of  the  ministry  of  war,  140  vol- 
umes; those  of  the  ministry  of  marine,  308  volumes;  those 
of  the  ministry  of  public  instruction,  360  volumes,  etc.  The 
collection  is  rich  in  Russian  and  other  Slavonic  bibliography. 
The  number  of  volumes  on  history  and  geography  is  per- 
haps over  500,  100  of  these  dealing  with  Alaska  alone.  One 
hundred  and  ninety-one  maps  issued  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment should  be  included.  (Report  of  the  President  of  Yale, 
1896,  p.  107.) 


694.  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Slavic  collection  in  the  library  of  Harvard  University 
(Cambridge,  Mass.)  niuubered  0,100  volumes  in  1903.  It 
covers  the  literature,  history,  and  geography  of  the  Slavic 
nations,  and  was  founded  in  1805  by  Prof.  A.  C.  Coolidge, 
who  has  continued  to  make  valnable  additions  ever  since. 
There  is  considerable  historical  material  in  the  Slavic  lan- 
guages, but  works  in  English,  PVench,  and  German  consti- 
tute the  main  strength  of  the  collection.  Special  mention 
should  be  made  of  the  books  on  Poland  and  of  a  group  of 
about  100  volumes  on  Nihilism. 

The  library  of  Cornell  University  (Ithaca,  N.  Y.)  has 
been  the  recipient  of  two  gifts  of  works  on  Russian  history. 
The  first  of  these  came  in  1884  from  Hon.  Eugene  Schuyler, 
the  well-known  writer  on  Russian  history  and  author  of  a 
life  of  Peter  the  Great.  It  comprises  570  volumes,  mainly 
historical.  The  second  was  presented  in  1893  by  ex- 
President  Andrew  D.  White,  formerly  minister  at  the  Court 
of  St.  Petersburg.  It  is  a  valuable  collection  of  rare  and 
costly  works  on  Russian  history.  More  recently  Cornell 
has  made  large  accessions  to  these  groups  of  books.  The 
university  has  long  owned  complete  sets  of  the  collections  of 
the  Russian  Historical  Society. 

A  list  of  works  on  Russia  and  Nihilism  belonging  to  the 
Boston  (Mass.)  Public  Library  is  given  in  the  library's 
Bulletin,  Vol.  IV,  first  series,  57,  332,  and  a  list  on  Russia, 
the  Turks,  and  the  Eastern  question  in  the  same  publication, 
Vol.  Ill,  first  series,  42,  244,  aud  46,  379. 

A  list  of  Russian  and  other  Slavonic  periodicals  appears 
in  the  Bulletin  of  the  New  York  Public  Library  (40  La- 
fayette place.  New  York  City),  Vol.  VI,  pp.  231-234. 

The  collection  of  Slovak  literature  at  Harvard,  brought 
together  by  Professor  Weiner  in  the  summer  of  1901,  in 
eludes  123  volumes  and  1,507  pamphlets,  and  is  probably 
the  largest  collection  of  the  kind  in  existence. 

The  Tower  Library,  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
consists  of  2,000  volumes  in  Russian  literature  and  history. 

SPANISH  AND  PORTUGUESE  HISTORY. 

The  Boston  (Mass.)  Public  Library  has  the  books  named 
in  the  Catalogue  of  the  George  Ticknor  Collection  on  Span- 
ish  and   Portuguese  Literature,   published   in    1879.     This 


MATERIALS    OK    ENGLISH    AND    EUROPEAN    HISTORY.       695 

catalogue  contains  the  titles  of  5,359  works,  of  which  1,700 
deal  with  histor}^  and  allied  subjects,  as  follows:  Periodicals 
and  transactions,  195;  history,  372;  history  and  geography, 
415;  biography,  heraldry,  etc.,  170;  law,  politics,  etc.,  141; 
America,  374;  and  theology  and  ecclesiastical  history,  33. 

The  fine  and  exhaustive  collection  of  manuscripts,  books, 
pictures,  coins,  etc.,  gathered  by  Mr.  Archer  M.  Huntington, 
of  New  York,  to  illustrate  Spanish  history  and  life  has  been 
presented  to  the  Hispanic  Society  of  America,  and  will  be 
housed  in  a  building  to  be  erected  in  Audubon  Park,  One 
hundred  and  fifty-fifth  and  One  hundred  and  fifty-sixth 
streets  (New  York  City).  Mr.  Huntington  is  one  of  the 
best  authorities  on  Spanish  subjects  in  America,  and  has 
been  engaged  in  bringing  together  his  great  collection  dur- 
ing a  number  of  years.  It  is  stated  that  the  value  of  the  col- 
lections and  endowment  for  the  new  library  musefum  is  over 
$1,000,000. 

The  manuscript  and  printed  material  used  by  the  his- 
torian, William  H.  Prescott,  in  the  preparation  of  his 
Ferdinand  and  Isabella  are  in  the  possession  of  the  Harvard 
Library  (Cambridge,  Mass.),  having  been  given  to  the 
library  by  Mr.  Prescott. 

A  group  of  books  illustrating  the  wars  between  Spain  and 
the  Netherlands  will  be  found  in  the  excellent  collection  on 
the  history  of  the  Netherlands  and  Dutch  colonization  in  the 
Boston  (Mass.)  Athenoeum.  The  Athenjcum  also  has  a  con- 
siderable number  of  works  on  Spanish  local  history. 

SWaSS    HISTORY. 

The  origin  of  the  collection  on  Swiss  history  and  institu- 
tions at  the  Johns  Hopkins  University  (Baltimore,  Md.) 
sprang  from  Professor  Bluntschli's  library  given  to  the  uni- 
versity by  German  citizens  of  Baltimore  in  1882.  This 
library  included  475  volumes,  700  pamphlets,  and  20  manu- 
scripts relating  to  Switzerland.  This  acquisition  was  aug- 
mented a  few  years  later  (1887)  by  the  presentation  of 
extensive  collections  of  books  and  pamphlets  by  the  Federal 
Council  of  Switzerland.  These  included  public  documents, 
official  papers,  maps,  etc.,  amounting  to  about  800  titles.  A 
detailed  statement  of  these  accessions  is  printed  in  the  Uni- 
versity's Circular,  No.  62. 


696  AMERICAN    HISTORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

There  is  a  large  collection  of  the  writings  of  the  European 
reformers,  including  those  of  Switzerland,  in  the  Kochester 
(N.  Y.)  Theological  Seminary. 

The  Dartmouth  College  Library  has  a  small  special  col- 
lection on  Calvin  and  Geneva. 

The  library  of  the  Appalachian  Mountain  Club  contains 
a  considerable  collection  of  books,  pamphlets,  maps,  and 
photographs. 

See  also  the  collections  mentioned  under  "  Reformation." 

THE  THIRTY  YEARS'  WAR. 

The  acquisition  of  a  number  of  works  on  Gustavus  Adol- 
phus  and  the  Thirty  Years'  war  is  reported  in  the  reports 
of  the  president  and  faculty  of  Western  Reserve  University 
for  1897-98.     (See  p.  T4.) 

Harvard  University  has  lately  received  a  collection  of  63 
contemporary  pamphlets  on  this  subject. 

Cornell  University  Library  has  special  material  on  this 
subject. 

UN  I  VERBALIST  CHURCH. 

The  library  of  the  Universalist  Historical  Society  is  in 
the  Tufts  College  (Massachusetts)  Library. 

The  Herring  Library,  of  St.  Lawrence  University  (Can- 
ton, N.  Y.),  has  a  large  collection  of  Universalist  periodic- 
als and  pamphlets. 

THE  WALDENSES. 

There  is  an  interesting  and  valuable  group  of  copies  of 
Waldensian  manuscripts  in  the  Rochester  (N.  Y.)  Theolog- 
ical Seminary. 

WITCHCRAFT,  DEMONOLOGY,  SPIRITUALISM,  ETC. 

The  President  Wliite  Library,  at  Cornell  University  (Ith- 
aca, N.  Y.),  contains  an  extensive  collection  on  these  subjects, 
provided  with  a  special  catalogue. 

The  Newberry  Library,  of  Chicago,  contains  the  Poole 
collection  on  demonology  and  witchcraft. 

The  Henry  Seybert  library  of  modern  spiritualism  in  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania  Library  contains  about  1,500 
books  on  that  and  kindred  subjects. 


INDEX 


Abbott,  John,  517. 

Abbott,  Nathan,  262. 

Acton's    Cambridge    Modern    History 

criticised,  77. 
Adams,  Charles  Francis,  10,  11. 
Adams,  Charles  Kendall,  11. 
Adams,  E.  D.,  265. 
Adams,  George  Burton,  12,  30,  53. 
Adams,  Henry,  10,  11. 
Adams,  Herbert  Baxter,  11,  12. 

prize  circular,  41,  60-62. 

prize  committee,  report,  41,  53. 
Adams,    Presidential   candidate    1824, 

181. 
Adams,     Vice-President,     on     Nootka 

affair,  419. 
Adams,  Zu,  on  archives  of  Kansas  597. 
Africa,  history  material  on,  655. 
Ainsworth,  Henry,  664. 
Alabama,  archives  of,  Owen  on,  487- 
553. 

church  records  of,  544. 

colonial  records  of,  528. 

Confederate  records  of,  519. 

constitutions  of,  499. 

county  records  of,  522. 

court  records  of,  543. 

Department   of   Archives   and    His- 
tory of,  233,  238,  244,  254,  521. 

education  records  of,  511. 

election  records  of,  500. 

geological  survey  of,  551. 

health  records  of,  514. 

history  commission  of,  488. 

Historical  Society  of,  120,  122. 

land  records  of,  501,  540. 

military  records  of,  516. 

municipal  records  of,  535. 

organization  of,  489. 

salt  lands  of,  496. 

University  of,  549. 
Alava,    Manuel    de,    Spanish    Nootka 

commissioner,  471. 
Albany  Regency,  opposition  to,  177. 
Alcudia,    Duke    of,    Nootka    abandon- 
ment convention,  469-470. 
Alexander,  Abraham,  610. 
Alexander,  Juo.  McK..  610. 


Allen,  William  Francis,  12. 

America,    relations   of,   to   Nootka  af- 
fair, 412-423. 

American  Antiquarian  Society,  119. 

American  Baptist  Society,  119. 

American  civilization,  resemblance  to 
Roman,  86. 

American    Historical    Association,    In- 
fluence of,  127. 

American   Historical   Review,   editors' 
report,  53. 

American  historical  societies,  work  of, 
117-127. 

American    history,    American    Interest 
in,  92. 
character  of,  92. 
sources  of  early,  93. 

American   interest  in  Roman  history, 
87. 

American  Library  Association,  127. 

American   natives,    relation   to   Amer- 
ican history,  94. 

American  neutrality  over  Nootka  af- 
fair, 418-423. 

American  Philosophical  Society,  124. 

American  share  in  history  writing,  85. 

American  study  of  European  history, 
107-108. 

Ames,  Herman  V.,  479,  482,  485. 
on  Pennsylvania  archives,  629-649. 
report  of  Public  Archives  Commis- 
sion,  42,   52,   479. 

Ames,  William,  664. 

Anarchy  and  nihilism,  history  of,  656. 

Andrews,  Charles  M.,  32,  36,  479,  483, 
485. 

Angell,  James  Burrill,  9,  11. 

Annals,  value  In  history,  105. 

Anthropology,  bibliography  of,  656. 

Arabs  in  Europe,  history  of,  057. 

Aranda,  Count  of,  Spanish  prime  min- 
ister, 466. 

Aranjuez,  Spanish  Court  at,  400. 

Archaeology,  European,  657. 

Archives,    British,    American    history 
In,  36. 
Commission,  report  of,  479-649. 
Guam,  value  of,  36. 
Manila,  value  and  extent  of,  36. 
methods  of  preserving,  24,  25,  146. 

697 


698 


INDEX. 


Archives    of    American    dependencies, 
32,  36,  131,  132. 
Porto  Rico,  value  of,  36. 
State  Department,  35,  36. 

Architecture,  European,  658. 

Argonaut,    P]n«lish    ship,    seizure    of, 
331,  335,  339,  341,  355. 

Arliansas,  archives  of,  482. 
Historical   Society  of,  120. 

Armand's  partisan  legion.  634. 

Arricivita,    J.    D.,    authority    on    Cali- 
fornia, 275. 

Art  and  print  collectious,  658. 

Atle.e,  Colonel,  journal  of,  630. 

Augusta  regiment,  journal  of,  632. 

Aukland,     English     ambassador,     386. 
409. 

Austin,  Jeremiah,  491. 

Autographs,  collections  of,  660. 

Avery,  Henry  O.,  658. 

Avery,  S.  P.,  art  collections,  659. 

B. 

Bacon,  Thomas  R.,  264,  266. 

Baegert,  Jacob,  275. 

Baldwin  Simeon  E.,  9.  43,  53. 

Baldwin,   William,   501. 

Balester,   Vincente  Vignau  y,   282. 

Baltimore,    Lord,    boundary    plan    of, 

637. 
Bancroft,   George,   11. 
Baptists,  history  materials  on,  660. 
Barrows,  Henry,  664. 
liassett,  John  Spencer,  482. 

on  North  Carolina  county  archives, 

603-618. 
Baumgarten,  quoted,  363. 
Beatty,  Erlturies,  battery  of,  637. 
Beauchamps,   Chevalier  de,   546. 
Becker,  Carl.  482. 

on  Kansas  archives,   597-601. 
Beckwith,    Major,    on    Nootka    afiFair, 

415. 
Begg,  Alex.,  478. 

Belcher,  explorer  of  California,  276. 
Bell,  Andrew,  556. 
P.ernheim,  quoted,   102. 
Bestooshev-Ryoumin,   founder   of  crit- 
ical school  of  historical  research, 

112. 
Betagh,  William,  273. 
Bettis,  John,  501. 
Bibb.  William  Wyatt,  489,  497. 
Bibliography,    early    California,     265. 

269-278. 
European    history     material,     653- 

696. 
Nootka   Sound  controversy,  472-477. 
Bibliographical    committee,    report    of, 

42,  53,  653. 


Blake,  W.  H.,  254. 

Bremund's  commissariat,  104. 

Boer  controversy,  history  of,  655. 

Bolton,  on  Mexican  archives,   145. 

Bonaparte,  Joseph,  22,  662. 

Bonham,  John  W.,  517. 

P><)ston  Athenaeum  Library,  655. 

Boston  Public  Library,  European  his- 
tory material  in,  655. 

Bourinot,  John  George,  12. 

Bourne,    Edward    G.,    10,    12,    34,    42, 
52,  54. 

Bourne,  Henry  E.,  34,  53. 

on     work     of     American     historical 
societies,   117-127. 

Towen,  Clarence  Winthrop,  9,  12. 
reelected  treasurer,  43,  54. 
treasurer's  report,  41,  49,  50. 

IJ.)wman,   Lieutenant,   commandant  of 
Louisiana  post,  157. 

Bowyer,  Colonel,  letter  to,  532. 

P.i-audywine,  battle  of,  634. 

Bi-evard,  Eph.,  610. 

Brewster,   William,   664. 

r.rinton  collection,  656. 

British  Columbia,  history  of,  478. 

P>ritish    Museum,    Manila   archives   in, 
135. 

Broadnax.  .Tohn  H..  517. 

Browne,   Robert,   664. 

Buckle,  inaccuracy  of,  72. 

Bucknell  Library,  660. 

r.uffalo  Historical  Society,  233. 

I'.uU,  John,  regiment  of,  634. 

Burd,  James,  journal  of,  631,  632. 

Burgess,  John  W.,   12. 

liurk,  Frederick,  263. 

Burney,  James,  270. 

I'.urr,  George  L.,  10,  12,  54. 

lUn-ton,  C.  M.,  25,  224-227. 

C. 

Cabrera  Bueno,  J.  G.,  273. 

Cabrillo,    .Juan    Rodriguez,    discoverer 

of  California,  269. 
Caddos  Indians  along  Red  River,  170, 
Cadillac,  Governor,  529. 
Calhoun,  editor  of  New  York  Patriot 

184. 
California,     bibliographical     notes    on 
early,  269-278. 

collection  by  Teggart  on,  263. 

early  book  printing  in,  277. 

early  maps  of,  272. 

Historical  Society  of,  120. 

origin  of  name,  272. 

Russian  settlements  in,  307-308. 

scarcity  of  publications  in,  278. 
Caller,  Robert,  501. 
Calvo,  Marquis  of  Casa,  161,  163,  167. 


INDEX. 


699 


Campaign  of  1824  In  New  York,  177- 

201. 
Campo,    Marquis   del,    367,    368,    374, 

375. 
Cannon,  T.  J.,  494. 
Carles,  Paul,  687. 
Carlyle  as  a  teacher  of  history,  73.  74, 

75. 
Carmack,  Cornelius,  company  of.  ."•17. 
Carmichael,  American  charge  at  }ilad- 

rid,  421. 
Carnegie     Institution,     historical     re- 
search by,  25,  224,  233. 
Carnegie  Library  at  Pittsburg,  6")'.). 
Caro,  Joseph  E.,  501. 
Carrillo,  Carlos  Antonio,  277. 
Cartography,    American    material    on, 

661. 
Cartwright,  Thomas,  664. 
Carthagena,  Spanish  vessels  at,  373. 
Carvalbo,  Juan,  316. 
Carver,  Jonathan,  Travels  of,  34. 
Castafiares,  Manuel,   277. 
Catholic  church  history,  692. 
Catholic    church    records    at    Mobile. 

544. 
Cermeiion,     Sebastian     Rodriguez    de, 

270. 
Cevallos,  Don  Pedro,  162. 
Chamberlain  autograph  collection,  OGO. 
Charles  IV,  King  of  Spain,  363. 
Charters,  value  in  history,  103.  lOO. 
Cheyney,  Edward  P.,  10,  12,  54. 
Chicago  Historical  Society,  54,  23:5. 
Chicago  University,  54. 
Chicago  Women's  Club,  thanks  to,  54. 
China,  books  on,  662. 
Chisholm,  W.,  517. 
Choris,  explorer  of  California.  276. 
Christ  Church,  records  of,  632. 
Christie,   Francis   A.,   on   teaching   of 

church  history  26.  213-217. 
Chronicles,  value  in  history,  105. 
Church  history,  methods  of  teaching, 

26,  27,  214-216. 
Church  records  of  Alabama,  544. 
of  Pennsylvania,  632. 
of  Porto  Rico,  144. 
Cincinnati,  Society  of  the,  mentioned. 

119. 
Civics  in  the  high  school,  by  Bern.ird 

Moses,  263. 
Clark,  A.  Howard,  5,  9,  12,  43,  53. 
Clark,  Daniel,  152. 
Clark,  F.  H.,  263. 

Clavijero,    F.    S.,    authority    on    Cali- 
fornia, 275. 
Clay,  C.  C,  498. 
Clay,  Jesse,  556. 
Clinton,  De  Witt,  178,  179,   183,  190, 

198. 


Coashutta   Indians   along   Red    River, 
170. 

CoCPey,  J.  v.,  265. 

Coins,  American  collections  of,  662. 

Colby,  C.  W.,  paper  by,  33. 

Cole,  S.  W.,  653. 

Collier,  Isaac,  556. 

Collier,  John,  556. 

Colnett,   Capt.   James,   296,   299,   331, 
332,  333,  341.  345,  350.  358. 

Colonial  Dames,  Society  of  the,  119. 

Colonial  records  of  Alabama,  528. 

Colonial  soldiers  of  Pennsylvania,  630. 

Colonial  Wars,  Society  of  the,  119. 

Colorado     Historical      Society,     men- 
tioned, 125. 

Columbia   University   historical   publi- 
cations, 126. 

Columbia  University  Library,  656. 

Committee  of  eight  on  history  teach- 
ing, 40,  52. 

Committees,    list   of   members   of,    13, 
54,  55. 

Comte  on  human  history,  69. 

Confederate  records.  506.  518. 

Conference  on  doctoral  dissertation  in 
history,  30. 
on   history   teaching   in    elementary 

schools,  27,  205-210. 
"  round  table "   of  State   and   local 
societies,  24,  52. 

Conger.  John  L.,  4S(1. 

Congregationalism,  history  of,  664. 

Connecticut    claims    in    Pennsylvania. 
638. 

Connecticut     Historical     Society     Li- 
brary, 121. 
i  Conoley,  J.  F.,  517. 

Constitution,  New  York,  revised,   189. 
United      States,     amendment      pro- 
posed, 188. 

Constitutional  power  of  Great  P.ritain, 
631. 

Convention,   nominating,   founding  of, 
195. 
Nootka  Sound,  454,  456,  467,    469. 

Conway,  Charles.  534. 

Cook,    Captain,    at    Nootka.    283,    306, 
316. 

Cooke.  Edward,  273. 

Coolidge,  A.  C,  662.  680.  694. 

Coolidge,  II.  J.,  662. 

Coolidge,  J.  Randolph,  665. 

Cornell  University  liibrary,  658. 

Corn  laws,  books  on,  664. 

Costanso,  Miguel,  274. 

Costume,  books  on,  665. 

Cowan,  Robert  Ernest,  on  early  Cali- 
fornia, 265.  209-278. 

Cox.   Isaac  Joslin,  exploration   of  the 
Louisiana  frontier,  34,  151-174. 


700 


INDEX. 


Crawford,  W.  H.,  178,  180,  201. 
Cromwell,  history  material  on,  672. 
Croswell,  Edwin,  179. 
Crusade,  first,  as  an  example  of  diplo- 
matics, 104. 
Crusades,  history  material,  665. 
Curry,  Jabez  Lamar  Monroe,  12. 
Custis,  Dr.  reter,  160. 

r>. 

Daughters    of    the    American    Revolu- 
tion, 119. 
Davis,  (Jeorge,  160. 
Davis,  Horace,  261. 
Deane,   Charles,   12. 
Dearborn,  Secretary,  164,  165. 
De  llass,  John  Philip,  633. 
Delaware  Bay,  chart  of,  631, 
De  Mofras,  explorer  of  California,  270. 
Demonology,  history  of,  096. 
Dennis,   Samuel  K.,  484. 
De    Peyster    collection    on    Napoleon, 

677. 
Dexter,  Franklin  Bowditch,  12. 
Dexter,  Henry  M.,  664. 
Dezert,  Desdevises  du,  363. 
Dingley,  William  H.,  548. 
Dinsmore,  John,  501. 
Diplomacy,  history  material  on,  665. 
Diplomatics,  function  in  history,  103- 

104. 
Dixon  on  English  Nootka  Sound  expe- 
dition, 289. 
Dixon,  Samuel  H.,  549. 
Doctoral  dissertation  in  history,  con- 
ference on,  30. 
Dominicans  in  Porto  Rico,  145. 
Dorchester,  Lord,  report  to  England, 

415. 
Douglas,   Captain,   on   Nootka   expedi- 
tion, 288,  318,  320. 
Douthett,  H.  P.,  491. 
Drake,  Sir  Francis,  270, 
Dreyfus  affair,  history  of,  666. 
Drew,  C.  K.,  494. 
Duffin,  R.,  and  Nootka  incident,  298, 

332,  335,  336,  378. 
Dunbar,   William,   explorer   of   Louisi- 
ana, 151,  152,  155,  174. 
Duncan,  James,  diary  of,  637. 
Dundas,  English  Home  secretary,  406. 
Duniway,  C.  A.,  265. 
Dunning,  William  A.,  12. 
Dupont  de  Nemours,  425. 
Duro,  Spanish  historian,  285. 
Dutch  aid  to  England  in  Nootka  Inci- 
dent, 386. 
Dutch  history  materials,  661. 
Dutch  Indies,  hlgtory  material  on,  666. 


B2. 

Early,  Jeffrey,  556. 

East,  Far,  history  material  on,  667. 

Eastern  question,  history  material  on, 

667. 
Economic   Association,    joint    mcating 

with,  37. 
Economic     history     of     the     United 

States,  plans  for,  38. 
Economics,    European,    history    mate- 
rials on,  668. 
Edmonson,  Humphrey,  556. 
Eggleston,  Edward,  11. 
Egle,  William  H.,  630. 
Egypt,  history  material  on,  655, 
Eldredge,  Zoeth  S.,  on  voyages  of  Viz- 
caino, 266, 
Elections,  Alabama,  500. 
Electoral  bill  In  New  York,  failure  of, 
189. 
reform,  181,  187,  194,  201. 
Elguezada,    Juan    Bautista,    governor 

of  Texas  province,  161. 
Elliott,  Hugh,  memorial  on  Nootka  af- 
fair, 430. 
Ely,  Richard  T.,  668. 
Emerson,  Samuel  F.,  482. 
Emerton,  Ephraim,  12. 
England,  alliance  with  Spain,  468. 
assumption     of     rights     in     South 

America,  446. 
memorials    of,     on     Nootka    affair, 

396,  403,  406. 
Nootka  Sound  convention,  454,  455, 

456,  467,  468. 
schemes  of,  in  America,  414. 
to  establish  post  on  Nootka  Sound, 

286. 
treaty  proposition  on  Nootka  ques- 
tion by,  431-434. 
ultimatum   on    Nootka   affair,    439- 

449. 
war  preparations  of,  on  Nootka  af- 
fair, 385-387. 
English  history  material  In  America, 
653-600. 
Nootka  claims,  object  of,  311. 
Nootka  expedition.  Intended  return 

of,  295. 
Nootka  passports,  316. 
officers    at    Nootka,    treatment    of, 

321-322. 
vessels  at  Nootka,  arrest  of  officers, 
318. 
Essex  Institute,  of  Salem,  Mass.,  men- 
tioned, 125. 
Etches,  John  Cadman,  297,  478. 
Eufaula,  records  of,  536. 
European  history,  American  material 
on,  653,  670. 


INDEX. 


701 


European  history,  continuity  of,  94. 
European    relationships    at    time    of 

Nootka  affair,  434-436. 
Bvanston  Historical  Society,  233. 
Excavations  in  Italy,  need  of,  83. 
Exploration  of  the  Louisiana  frontier, 

151-174. 


W. 


Falkner,  Jefferson  M.,  254. 
Family    compact   and   Nootka   contro- 
versy, 424-438. 
Far  East,  history  material  on,  667. 
Farrand,  Max,  41,  52,  653. 

on  meeting  of  Pacific  Coast  Branch, 
261-266. 
Felps,  William,  501. 
Finch,  Samuel,  company  of,  517. 
Fish,  Carl  Russell,  27. 

on  church  history  teaching  in  col- 
leges, 216-217. 
Fisher,  George  Park,  10,  11,  12. 
Fitzherhert,  Alleyne,  British  minister 
to    Madrid,    378,    393,    399,    4G0, 
466. 
interview   with   Floridablanca,   400, 

437,  438,  443. 
on   Nootka   Sound   convention,   454, 

455,  456. 
on    Nootka    claims,    404,    406,    431, 
432,  434,  457,  469,  470. 
Flagg,  Azariah  C,  186,  187,  193. 
Fleming,  Walter  L.,  482. 
Fling,  F.  M.,  32. 

Florez,   Viceroy   of   Mexico,   300,   303, 
306,  344. 
on  Nootka  incident,  344,  345,  348. 
Florida  archives,  discovery  of,  132. 

treaty,  on  archives,  131. 
Floridablanca,     Count,     and     Nootka 
controversy,    362,    363,    370.    372, 
398,  401,  405,  406,  434-458. 
Ford,  Worthington  C,  36. 

on    public    records    fn    our    depen- 
dencies,  131-147. 
Fort  du  Quesne,  631. 
"  Fort  Pitt,"  name  for  Nootka  colony 

of  England,  298. 
Foster,  Henry  B.,  254. 
Fowler,  William  H.,  495,  518. 
Fox  on  Nootka  affair,  381-384. 
France,    aid     to     Spain     in     Nootka 
affair,  387,  388,  389,  390,  392. 
historical  societies  in,  127. 
history  material  on,  674. 
obligations  to  Spain,  426. 
Franchise,  grandfather  clause,  618. 
Franciscans  in  Porto  Rico,  145. 
Franklin,  E.  G.,  discussion  by,  264. 
Frazier,  Joseph  P.,  492. 


Frederick  the  Great,  history  material 
on,  674. 

Freedmen,  marriages  of,  615. 

Freeman,  Thomas,  explorer  of  Loui- 
siana, 151,  160,  174. 

French  and  Indian  war,  soldiers  in, 
630. 

French  occupation  of  western  Penn- 
sylvania, 631. 

French  Revolution,  history  material 
on,  676. 

Friends,  history  material  on,  678. 

Fuller,  Melville  Weston,  12. 

Fur  trade  between  western  America 
and  China,  286. 

Gaines,  Lieut.  E.  P.,  160. 

Gali,  Francisco,  explorer  of  Cali- 
fornia, 270. 

Gallaudet,  Edward  Miner,  12. 

Garrett,   John,   556. 

Garrett,  William,  490. 

Garrison,  George  P.,  10,  12,  42,  43, 
54. 

Gay,  E.  F.,  37. 

Gay,  H.  N.,  683. 

Gemeling,  J.,  authority  on  California, 
274. 

Genealogical  libraries,  678. 

General  committee,  42,  43. 

Geographical  discovery,  books  on,  679. 

Georgia,  gold  mining  in,  571. 
local  archives  of,  555-596. 
slave  statistics  of,  560. 

German-American  Historical  Society, 
233. 

German-American  Society,  119. 

Germanic  invasion  of  Italy,  influence 
of,  95. 

Germantown  Site  and  Relic  Society, 
mentioned,  119. 

Germany,  history  material  on,  680. 

Gibbon,  criticised,  76. 

Giles,  Edward,  610. 

Godoy,  Spanish  prime  minister,  469. 

Gold  mining  in  Georgia,  571. 

Gonzales,  Joseph  Maria,  168. 

Goode,  George  Brown,  12. 

Goodnow,  Frank  J.,  21. 

Goolsby,  Rich,  556. 

Government  appropriations  for  ar- 
chives, 237. 

Gower,  English  agent,  on  Nootka 
affair,  429,  430. 

Gray  on  Nootka  incident,  332,  333. 

Greenwood,  John,  664. 

Gregory,  Bishop,  100. 

Grenville  on  Nootka  affair,  376,  465. 
I    Griffin,  A.  P.  C,  653,  667. 


702 


INDEX. 


GrosB,  Charles,  92,  671. 

Guadelupe-Hidalgo,  treaty  of,  131. 

Guam  archives,  36,  141. 

Gunsaulus  library,  664. 

Gurney,  E.  W.,  685. 

Gypsies,  history  material  on,  681. 

H. 

Hakluyt,  Rich.,  270. 
Haldimand  papers.  225,  380, 
Hamilton  on  Nootka  affair,  415,  416, 

417. 
Hamilton,  Peter  J.,  254,  537. 
Hammer,  E.  C,  693. 
Hammond  on  electoral  reform,  187. 
Handbook  of  learned  societies,  119. 
Harper,  William  K.,  21. 
Harris,  Robert,  610. 
Harrity,  William  F.,  630. 
Hart,  Albert  Bushnell,  12,  33,  53. 
Hartzell,  J.  C,  library  of,  655. 
Harvard  University  Library,  657. 
Harvard    University    historical    publi- 
cations, 126. 
Haskins,  Charles  H.,  9,  12,  33,  43,  54. 

report  of  Chicago  meeting,  19-63. 
Hay,  Charles,  556. 
Hayes,  Rutherford  Birchard,  12. 
Hazen,  Charles  D.,  54. 
Hazen's  continental  regiment,  634. 
Head,  Franklin  H.,  23. 
Health  records  of  Alabama,  514. 
Heceta,     expedition     to     Nootka     by, 

308-309. 
Hegel,     founder    of    "  Slavophilism," 

112. 
Helmott,  universal  history  by,  93. 
Henry,  John  Joseph,  636. 
Henry,  William  Wirt,  11,  12. 
Hepworth-Dixon  civil  war,  673. 
Heras,  Manuel  de  Las,  465,  467,  468. 
Hen-era,  Ant.  de,  270. 
Historical     Manuscripts     Commission, 

52,  239. 
Historical  research  of  Carnegie  Insti- 
tution, 224. 
Historical    societies    conference,    233- 

234. 
Historical  societies,  local,  cooperation 
between,  224,  227,  228,  229. 
organization  of,  222. 
work  of,  120,  222,  224. 
Historical  writing,  rules  for,  75. 
History,  definition  of,  81-82. 

elementary  study  of,  Thurston   on, 

206. 
in  the  university,  Wheeler  on,  261- 

262. 
resemblance  to  other  sciences,  98. 
State  departments  of,  237-257. 
study  of,  preeminence  of,  237. 


History    teacher,    preparation    of    ele- 
mentary, 209-210. 

History  Teachers'  Association,  history 
courses   arranged,  -205. 

History    teaching.    Max    Farrand    on, 
263. 
elementary,   G.   O.   Virtue   on,   208, 
209. 
theses  for,   "^06,  207,  208. 
views  on,  2v'5,  206. 

Hittell,  Theodore  H.,  talk  by,  266. 

Hoar,  George  Frisbie,  11. 

Hodder,  F.  H.,  discussion  by,  32. 

Hogg,    Stephen,    501. 

Hollander,   Jacob   H.,   39. 

Holland  Society,  119. 

Holmes,  Governor,  533. 

Howard,  George  Elliott,  31,  685. 

Hudson,  on  Nootka  incident,  328,  350, 
355. 

Hudson,  Richard,  54. 

Huguenots,  history  material  on,.  681. 

Huguenot  Society,  119. 

Hull,  C.  H.,  39. 

Humphrey,  Lieutenant,  160. 

Humphreys,   David,   420,   422. 

Hunt,  R.  D.,  263,  265. 

Hunter,  George,  explorer  of  Louisiana, 
151,   154,  155. 

Hunter-Dunbar  expedition  into  Louisi- 
ana, 156-159. 

Huntsville,  records  of,  536. 

Hurt,  Joel,  556. 

Hutchinson,  Charles  L.,  obligation  to, 
54. 

Huxley's  views  on  volition  and  action, 
68. 

I. 

lies,  George,  653. 

Illinois  archives,  482. 

Illinois  Historical  Society,  123,  233. 

Inclosure  movement  in  England,  37. 

Indiana  archives,  482. 

Indian  policy  in  Louisiana,  166. 

Indian  war,  Alabama  records  of,  517. 

Indians,  Red  River,  164. 

Ingraham,    on    Nootka    incident,    332, 

333. 
Inskeep,  L.  D.,  264. 
International  law,  works  on,  682. 
Iowa  Historical  Department,  233. 
Iowa  Historical  Society,  118,  122,  229. 
Ireland,   aids   England   in   Nootka  af- 
fair, 385. 

history  material  on,  682,  686. 
Iriarte,  Manuel  de,  133. 
Irish-American  Society,  119. 
Irwin,  Robert,  610. 
Irvine,  William,  634. 
Italy,  historical  material  in,  82, 

history  material  on,  683. 


INDEX. 


703 


J. 


Jacob,  Henry,  664. 
James,  J.  A.,  27,  205. 

on  teaching  of  history,  205-210. 
Jameson,    J.   Franlilin,   9,    12,   32,   43, 

53,  54,  282. 
Jansenlsts,  history  of,  684, 
Jay,  John,  11,  418,  419. 
Jefferson,  on  Nootka  affair,  415. 
plan   for  exploration   of   Louisiana, 

153. 
report    to    Congress    on    Louisiana, 

152. 
Jellvs,  W.  D.,  254. 
Jesuits,  history  of,  G84. 

I'hilippine    archives    preserved    by, 

140. 
Jews,  history  material  on,  684. 
John,  Samuel  \Yill,  254. 
Johns    Hopkins    University    historical 

publications,   126. 
Johns     Hopkins    University     Library, 

657. 
Johnson,  J.  H.,  254. 
Jordan,  Edith,  203. 


K. 


Kansas,    Historical    Society    of,    118, 

121,  233. 
public  archives  of,  597-GOl. 
Kelker,   Luther  R.,  482. 

on  rennsylvania  archives,  629-049. 
Kendrick,  Captain,  at  Nootka,  314. 
Kerlerec,  Governor,  546. 
Keutgen,  Friedrich,  35. 

on  European  history  study,  91-108. 
King,  Rufus,  178. 
Kino,  Padre  Eusebius,  273. 
Knox,    Secretary    of   War,    on    Nootka 

affair,  419,  420. 
Kotzebue,  explorer  of  California,  276. 
Krusenstern,    explorer    of    California, 

276. 
Kunstmann,     Friedr.,    early     map    of 

California,  273. 


Land  claims  of  Revolutionary  war  sol- 
diers, 639. 
Land  records  of  Alabama,  540. 

of  Porto  Rico,  144. 
Land  registration  in  Philippines,  135. 
Lane,  W.  C,  653. 
Langley,  S.  P.,  5. 
La  P^rouse,  explorer,  276. 
Latinizing  of  Europe,  83. 
Law,  Roman  and  Grecian,  83. 


Lawhead,  Mrs.  L,  D.,  264. 

Lea,  Henry  Charles,  10,  11,  70,  92. 

Leeds,  Duke  of,  on  Nootka  affair,  369, 

370,  377,  440,  459. 
Lee's  partisan  corps,  634. 
Le  Gobien,  on  early  California,  273. 
Lehmann   on  Thirty   Years'   war,    101. 
Leiuinger,    Barbara,    Indian    captive, 

632. 
Lenox  Library,  660. 
Leonard,  Zenas,  276. 
Le  Roy,  Marie,  Indian  captive,  632. 
Leutscher,  George  I).,  482. 
Lewis  and  Clark  exposition,   151. 

historical  meeting  at,  265. 
Libraries,  historical,  122. 

history   material   in,   655. 
Livingston,   Brockholst,   178. 
Lockman,  John,  274. 
liondon  Land  Company,  646. 
Lorenz,    Ottokar,    on    method    in    his- 
tory,   106. 
Louisiana,  archives,  133. 

frontier,  exploration  of,  151-174. 

Historical   Society  of,  234. 

Indians,    165. 

land  surveys,  165. 

Territory,   inhabitants  of,   157. 

treaty  on  archives,  131. 
Low,  Seth,  676. 
Lowell,  A.  Lawrence,  12. 
Lumpkin,  .John,  556. 
Luzerne,    French   minister   of   marine, 
389,  392. 

IVL. 

McAdory,   James,   company   of,   517. 
McCord,  Robert,  556. 
McCoy  bequest,  (>58. 
McCrady,  Edward,  11. 
McCullough,   Alexander,   501. 
MacDonald,  Captain,  443,  451. 
MacDonald,   William,   479,  485. 
McDowell,   William,  637. 
McLaughlin,    Andrew    C,    10,    12,    25, 

35,  54,  224,  282. 
McLean      County       (111.)       Historical 

Society,  234. 
McMaster,   John   Bach,   9,   11,   12,    20, 

39,  43,  53,  210. 
McMichael,  James,  637. 
McNeill,  Samuel,  journal  of,  637. 
Maban,  Alfred  Thayer,  10,  11. 
Malin  Library,  687. 
Mallet    Island,     reached    by     Ilunter- 

Dunbar  expedition,   158. 
Manila  archives,  value  and  extent  of, 

36. 
Manitoba   Historical  Society,  delegate 

of,  234. 


704 


INDEX. 


Manning,  William  Ray,  Nootka  Sound 

controversy,  281-477. 
Winsor  prize  awarded  to,  41,  53. 
Manriqiiea,  Governor,  533. 
Manuscript  archives  of  Kansas,   508. 
Maps,  American  collections  of,  661. 

I'ennsylvania  colonial,  646. 
Maqullla,    cliief   at   Nootka,   290,   292, 

294. 
Marcy,  quoted,  186,  188. 
Marks,  John,  556, 
Marquand,  Allan,  657. 
Marqujirdt,  researches  of.  In  Italy,  S3. 
Marria.ije  records  in  Pennsylvania,  633. 
Martin,  J.  L.,  correspondence  of,  518. 
Martinez,  Estevan  Jos6,  300,  306,  312- 

330,  331,  351. 
Maryland  boundary  dispute,  637. 
Maryland  Historical  Society,  124. 
Maryland,  public  records  law,  483. 
Mason,  I'^dward  Gay,  11. 
Masonic  records  in  Alabama,  547. 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  118, 

121. 
Massachusetts     Tublic     Record     Com- 
mission, 242. 
Material  of  history,  99,  100. 
Matrimonial     institutions,    books    on, 

085. 
Matthews,  Shaiier,  26,  216. 
Maumee    Valley    (Ohio)    Pioneer    and 

Historical  Society,  234. 
Maury,  Al)b6,  on  French  aid  to  Spain, 

427. 
Meares,  .Tohn,  English  commander  at 

Nootka,   286,  290,  292,   294,   296, 

342,  376. 
Mechanics'  Institute,  thanks  to,  266. 
Medal  collections,  663. 
Mediaeval      history,      Inaccuracy      of 

term,  95. 
material  for,  685. 
Members,  list  of,  at  Chicago,  43-49. 
Moreiu'ss,  Nowton  D.,  482. 
Merry,     Anthony,    on     Nootka    affair, 

364,  3()5,  366,  371,  372,  374,  395, 

396. 
Method,  Importance  of,  99. 
MethAi    of    teaching    church    history, 

214-216. 
Methodists,  history  material  on,  686. 
Mexican  archives,  131,  145. 
Mexican  war,  records  of,  498,  518. 
Meyer,  (Jeorge  v.  L.,  683. 
Michigan  archives,  481,  483. 
Michigan  Historical  Society,  123,  234. 
Middle  ages,  inaccuracy  of  term,  95. 
Miles,  Samuel,  634. 
Miles,  W.  A.,  430. 
Military  maps,  661. 
JliSn  ii.ov,  Paul,  on   Russian  history, 

33,  35,   111-114. 


Minnesota  archives,  483. 

Minnesota  Historical  Society,  118, 
120,  125,  234. 

Mlrabeau,    on    French    aid    to    Spain, 
391,  426. 
on  French  armament,  427,  428. 

Miranda,  Colonel,  schemer  of  South 
America,  370,  383,  384,  412,  413. 

Mlro,  Fort,  reached  by  Hunter-Dunbar 
expedition,  158. 

Mississippi,  archives,  482,  483. 

Department    of    Archives   and    His- 
tory, 234. 
historical  societies,  229-232. 
Historical    Society,    120,    123,    231, 

234. 
University  of,  230. 

Missouri  Historical  Society,  120,  121. 

Mobile,  records  of,  537. 

Mommsen,  Theodore,  33,  76,  81,  83. 

Monroe,  Jiitige  Toulmin  to,  530. 
on  Nootka  affair,  418. 

Monterey,  Cal.,  beginning  of,  277. 

Montmorin  on  Nootka  affair,  388,  391, 
424,  428,  429. 

Moore,  A.  B.,  letters  to,  506. 

Moore,  F.  W.,  on  local  historical  so- 
cieties, 221-234. 

Moran,  T.  F.,  discussion  by,  210. 

Moravian  church  history,  687. 

Morrell,  Benjamin  W.,  book  on  Cali- 
fornia, 276. 

Morris,  Anne  Gary,  478. 

Morris,  Gouverneur,  382,  478. 

Moses,  Bernard,  263. 

Moylan,  Stephen,  634. 

Miinchen  archives  as  example  of  In- 
ference, 105. 

Munro,  D.  C,  31. 

Muro,  Don  Manuel,  dispatches  of,  142. 

Napoleon,  history  material  on,  675. 

Napoleonic  confederacy  In  the  United 
States,  22. 

Napoleonic  medals,  663. 

Naval  history,  works  on,  687. 

Navy,  Pennsylvania,  in  Revolution, 
644. 

Neagan,  Robert,  634. 

Nebraska  archives,  483. 

Nebraska  Historical  Society,  118,  234. 

Negroes,  free,  lists  of,  585-588. 

Netherlands,  history  materials  on,  688, 

New  England  Catholic  Society,  men- 
tioned, 119. 

New  England  Historic  Genealogical 
Society,  119. 

New  England  historical  societies,  119. 

New  England  Methodist  Society,  119. 

New  Hampshire,  historical  activity 
of,  123. 


INDEX. 


705 


New  jersey  Historical  Society,  publi- 
cations of,  124. 
New  Orleans,   Hunter-Dunbar  expedi- 
tion at,  159. 

Spanisti  officials  ordered  away,  167. 
New  York,  electoral  vote  in  1824,  184. 
200,  201. 

liistorical  activity  in,  123. 

Historical  Society  of,  118. 

public  library  of,  657. 
Nichols,  Lewis,  635. 
Nootka,  house  built  by  lOnglish  at,  201. 

Russian  plans  for,  302. 

trade,  American  and  r^njjlish,  315. 
Nootka  Sound,  bibliography,  472-477. 

controversy,  281-477. 

convention,  purpose  of,  458. 

expedition,  English,  286-206. 
North  Carolina,  county  archives,  603- 

627. 
Norlhengton,  James,  556. 
Northern   Indiana   Historical   Society. 

234. 
Northwestern  University,  54. 
Numismatics,  history  material  on,  ('.SO. 

O. 

Ohio  State  Archaeological  and  Histori- 
cal Society,  234. 

Old    Northwest    Genealogical    Society, 
234. 

Oriental   history  materials,   6(57. 

Osago  Indians,  155. 

Osgood,  Herbert  L.,  42,  240,  470,  483, 
4S5. 

Ottoman  Empire,  history  of,  680. 

Owen,    Thomas    M.,    24,    40,    52,    222, 
233,  482. 
on  Alabama  archives,  487-553. 
on    State   departments   of   archives 
and  history,  237-257. 


Pacific  Coast  Branch,  report  of,  41, 
52,  261-266. 

Pacific  coast  history,  265,  266. 

Page,  E.  C,  210. 

I'age,  Thomas  W.,  264. 

Pais,  Ettore,  on  Roman  history,  33, 
81-88. 

Palmer,  Robert,  604. 

Palou,  Fr.,  275. 

Paris,  treaty  of,  on  archives,  132. 

Parsons,  Geo.  W.,  404. 

Parsons,  Lewis  E.,  405,  519. 

I'atrlck,  George  W.,  517. 

Pattie,  James  O.,  276. 

Paullin,  C.  O.,  Winsor  prize,  honor- 
able mention,  41,  53. 

H.  Doc.  429,  5<S-3 45 


Pawnee  Indians  along  Red  River,  169. 
Paxtang  Church,  records  of,  632. 
Pendergast,  Dr.  Garrett,  160. 
Pennsylvania,    boundary    with    Mary- 
land, 637. 

colonial  civil  oflScers,  641. 

county  tax  lists,  642. 

foreigners  arrived  in,  637. 

German  Society,  110. 

Historical  Society,  118,  121,  124. 

inland  navigation  ©f,  638. 

land  warrants  in,  645. 

public  archives  of,  620-640. 
People's  Party  of  1824,  184,  180,  197. 
Peoria   (111.)   Historical  Society,  234. 
Perez,  expedition  to  Nootka  by,  308. 
Peters,  T.  M.,  553. 
I'etion,  agent  in  French  aid  to  Spain, 

427. 
Phelan,  .Tames  D.,  261. 
I'hiladelphia,    Revolutionary    war    at, 

631. 
I'hilip  II,  moral  standards  of,  70. 
Philippine    archives,     133,     134,     135, 
138. 

land  titles,  135. 

monasteries,  description  of,  139. 

monks,  value  to  history,  140. 
Phillips,  Ulrich  B.,  482. 

Georgia  local  archives,  555-505. 
Philosophy  of  history,  70,  71,  72,  73. 
I'ickens,  Israel,  407. 
I'ickett,  A.  J.,  402. 
Picolo  on  early  California,  273. 
Pierce,    Sir   Thomas,    English    Nootka 

commissioner,  471. 
Pitt  on  Nootka  affair,   381,   382.   385. 
I'itt's  South  American  plans,  383.  384. 
Plantation  system  in  Georgia,  507. 
Pledger,  W.  II.,  517. 
IMymouth  Pilgrims,  books  of.  664. 
Political    and    social    science,    works 
on,  690. 

parties  in  1824,  177. 

Science  Association,   21. 
Politics  of  Italy,  83. 
I'oole,  William  Frederick,  11. 
I'ort  Cox,  treaty  at,  202. 
I'orto  Rican  archives,  sources  of,  36, 

142,  143,  144. 
Portor,  Major,  168. 
I'ortugal,    neutrality    of,    on    Nootka 

affair,  447. 
Portuguese  history  materials,  694. 
I'ntts,  William,  556. 
Pouchot's  Memoirs  of  Revolution,  631. 
Prag,  Mrs.  Mary,  264. 
I'rediction,      relation      to      historical 

science,  71. 
Presbyterian  Church  history,   691. 


706 


INDEX. 


Prescott,  William  H.,  695. 

Presidential  election  of  1824,  177. 

Presque   Isle,    establishment   at,    631, 
632. 

Privateers,  Pennsylvania,  630. 

Proctor,  Thomas,  631. 

Prussian    aid   to   England    in    Nootka 
affair,  387. 

Public   Archives   Commission,   42,   52, 
239. 
members  of,  479,  481. 
report  of,  479-649. 

Public  Record  Commission  of  Massa- 
chusetts, 242. 

Public  records  in  our  dependencies,  by 
Ford,  131-147. 

Public    records,    Maryland    law    con- 
cerning, 483. 

Pulaski's  legion,  634, 

Puritans,  history  material  on,  672. 

Putnam,  Herbert,  12. 

Pyne,  Robert  Stockton,  073. 


Q. 


Quadra,  Bodega  y,  308,  309,  352,  404. 
Quadrangle  Club,  thanks  to,  54. 
Quakers,  history  material  on,  678. 
Quarles,  R.  T.,  482. 
Quay,  Matthew  S.,  630. 

R. 

Raffinesque,  C.  S.,  160. 
Rammelkamp,     C.     H.,     campaign     of 

1824  in  New  York,  177-201. 
Ramusio,  G.  B.,  270. 
Ranke,  criticism  of,  95. 
Raper,  Charles  Lee,  482. 

on    North    Carolina    archives,    618- 
627. 
Red  River  expedition,  161-174. 
Reed,  George  Edward,  629. 
Reese,  David,  610. 
Reeves,  Jesse  S.,  22. 
Reformation,  Protestant,  96,  691. 
Religions,  history   of,  665. 
Research,  historical,  26,  42. 
Revilla-Gigedo,    308,    346,    349,    353, 

354,  357,  358,  469. 
Revolutionary    war,    hospital    service 
in,  648. 

Navy  in,  644. 

Pennsylvania  in,  630-049. 

Pouchot's  memoirs  of,  631. 

soldiers'  donation  lands,  639. 

soldiers  of,  000. 
Rhodes,  James  Ford,  10,  11. 
Rice,  Emily  J.,  29,  209,  210. 
Richardson,    Ernest   C,    42,    53,    053, 

654. 
Richardson,  Hester  Dorsay,  484. 


Richardson,  William,  254. 

Richland    County     (Ohio)     Historical 

Society,  234. 
Riley,  Franklin  L.,  25,  229-232. 
Ripley,  William  Z.,  050. 
Robertson  criticised,  75. 
Robinson,  James  Harvey,  31. 
Robinson,  Jeremy,  132. 
Robinson,  John,  064. 
Rogers,  William,  journal  of,  637. 
Rogers,  Woodes,  273. 
Roman  history,  Ettore  Pais  on,  81-88. 

problems  of,  83. 

unearthed  treasures  of,  33. 
Roosevelt,  Theodore,  12. 
Root,  Erastus,  193,  197. 
Ross,  Denman  W.,  685. 
Ross,  Jack  F.,  508. 
Round-table  conferences,  20,  40. 
Rowland,  Dunbar,  54,  482. 
Russell,  Charles  W.,  142. 
Russian  books  in  American  libraries, 
693. 

historical  research.  111. 

historical  thought,   111-114. 

historiography,  35. 

settlements  in  California,   307-308. 


S. 


Sage,  William  H.,  685. 

Salcedo  opposed   to   Louisiana   expan- 
sion, 164. 

Sales,   Luis,    authority   on   California, 
275. 

Salmon,  Lucy  M.,  205,  653. 

Sandoz,    Prussian    ambassador,    373- 
374. 

Sanford,  A.  H.,  29,  210. 

San  Francisco  history.  Importance  of, 
261. 

San  Lorenzo,  name  for  Nootka,  308. 

Saxon    and    the    Latin    in    California, 
262. 

Scandinavian   history   materials,    692. 

Schelling,  founder  of  "  Slavophilism," 
112. 

Schlozer,    originator    of    critical    his- 
torical research,  112. 

Schoell,     on     Nootka     Sound     contro- 
versy, 284. 

Scholastic  philosophy,  90. 

Schouler,  James,  9,  11. 

Science,  history  and,  75,  99. 
relation  to  human  law,  09. 

Scientific  character  of  State  historical 
societies,  125. 

Seager,  Henry  R.,  39. 

Seip,  Dr.  Fred.,  100. 

Shambaugh,  Benjamin  F.,  25,  40,  52, 
227,  229,  233. 


INDEX. 


707 


Shee,  John,  634. 
Shields,  John,  556. 
Shelvocke,  Georse,  273. 
Shorter,  J.  G.,  506. 
Sibley,  John,  151,  159,  164. 
Siebert,  Wilbur  H.,  material  in  Euro- 
pean   history    in    United    States, 
651-696. 
Slavic  history  materials,  693. 
Slave  labor  in  Georgia,  567. 

statistics,  in  Georgia,  560. 
Sloane,  William  M.,  21. 
Smith,  Eugene  Allen,  551. 
Smith,  Goldwin,  10,  11,  23. 

on    the    treatment    of    history,    by, 
67-78. 
Smith,  Jedidiah,  article  on  California, 

276. 
Smith,  W.  R.,  517. 
Smyth,  John,  664. 
Sociology,  relation  to  history,  75. 
Sommerville,  C.  W.,  484. 
Sons  of  the  American  Revolution,  119. 
South  America,  Miranda  plan  for,  413. 
South  Dakota  Historical  Society,  120. 
Southern  History  Association,  119. 
South  Sea  Company,  287,  296. 
Southwest,  explorations  in,  34. 
Spain,  alliance  with  England,  408. 

English  ultimatum  and,  445-447. 

family  compact  and,  424-438. 

colonial  policy  of,  284. 

Nootka   affair   and,    402,    405,    410, 
411,  431,  454,  456,  467. 
Spanish     colonial     policy     in     Phili])- 
pines,   131,   138. 

history  materials,  694. 

Nootka  claims,  object  of,  310. 

Nootka    expedition,    301,    303,    305, 
310,  326,  327. 

I'aciflc    possessions,    Revilla-Gigcdo 
on,   357-358. 
"     reports,  value  of,  133. 
Sparks,  Edwin  Erie,  479,  485. 
Sparks,  Capt.  Richard,  109. 
Spiritualism,   history  of,  696. 
Stanford  University   I^ibrary,   060. 
State    departments    of    archives    and 

history,  237-257. 
State    historical    societies,    125,    120, 
127. 

and  preservation  of  archives,  243. 

conference  on,  221-234. 
State   librarians    and    State   archives, 

242. 
State  support  for  historical  work,  253. 
St.  Clair,  Arthur,  633. 
Steiner,  Bernard  C,  484. 
Stephens,   Henry  Morse,   12,   52,  262, 

265. 
Stewart,  Walter,  regiment  of,  634. 


St.   Helens,  Baron.     See  Fitzherbert. 

Stone,   Charles  Warren,   630. 

Storer,  letter  to  Aukland,  441. 

Storrs,  Richard  Salter,  H. 

Street,  Oliver  D.,  254. 

Stubbs's  Constitutional  History  of 
England  criticised,  75. 

Sullivan,  James,  discussion  by,  29,  210. 

Sullivan  expedition,  637. 

Surgeons   in   Revolutionary   war,   648. 

Susquehanna  Company,  638. 

Sutil  yvMexicana,  explorer  of  Califor- 
nia, 276. 

Sutro  Library,  686. 

Swedes  Church,  record  of,  632. 

Swiss  history  materials,  695. 

Swing.  Albert  T.,  20,  214,  216. 

Symmes,  Frank  J.,  202. 


Tacitus  as  an  historian,  76. 
Tallmadge,   Lieul('n:int-(;ovprnor,   193. 
Tammany  in  campaign  of  1S24.  184. 
'I'^ank  library  of  I>utoh  books,  088. 
'I'.-uissig,  Frank  W.,  23. 
Taylor,  J.  B.,  494. 
Teaching  of  civics,  263. 
Teaching  of  church  history,  216,  217. 
Teaching  of  history,  107,  203. 
committee  on,  40. 
elementary,  conference  on,  27,  205- 

210. 
Taggart,  Frederick  J.,  203. 
I'ennessee  archives,  482. 
Tennessee  Historical  Society,  234. 
Terry,  Benjamin,  23. 
Texas  archives,  483. 
Texas,   diplomatic   correspondence   of, 

42. 
Texas  Historical  Association,  234. 
Thayei",  Sylvanus,  077. 
Theremin,  letter  to  I'russia,  '410. 
Thirty  Years'  war,  causes,  101. 
Thompson,    George   C,    203. 
Thompson,  Smith,  179. 
Thompson,  William,  033. 
Thornton,  Pressley,  556. 
Thucydides  as  an  historian.  76. 
Thurston,  Henry  W.,  28,  2(»0. 
Thwaites,  Reuben  Gold,  10,  12,  43,  54, 

126,  221,  653. 
Tilton,  A.  C,  670. 
Tordesillas,  treaty  of,  309. 
Torquemada,  Juan  de,  270. 
Torres-Lanzas,  I'edro,  282. 
Toulmin,  Harry,  530. 
Treasurer,  report  of,  41,  52. 
Treatment    of    history,    by     Goldwin 

Smith,  67-78. 
Treaty  on  Nootka  affair,  454-456. 


708 


INDEX. 


Tronholme,  N.  M.,  32. 

Triple  alliance,  part  played  in  Nootka 

affair,  886-387. 
Tulane  University  Library,  658. 
Turkey,  politics  during  Nootka  affair, 

447. 
Turner,    Frederick    Jackson,     12,    53, 

282,  447. 
Tyler,  Moses  Coit,  11,  12. 

TJ. 

Ultimatum     of    England     on     Nootka 
affair,  439-44!). 
Spanish  changes  in,  450-453. 
TTnion   League   Cluh.   thajiks   to.    54. 
University  Club,  tlianks  to.  54. 
University    of    I'ennsylvania    liibrary, 

657. 
Universalists,  history  of,  6!»6. 
Upham,  Warren,  24,   222. 
TTpham,  William  I'.,  671. 
Utica  convention  of  1S24,  104,  195. 

V. 

Valdez  on  Nootka  affair,  373. 
Vnlh'jo  documents  of  California,   271. 
Vall(>y  Forge,  plan  of,  63(». 
Vancouver,  Captain,  322,  464. 
Van    Buren,    Martin,    in    campaign    of 

1824,   178,  201. 
Vaughan,  J.  II.,  482. 

on    North    Carolina    archives,    618- 

627. 
Venegas,  Miguel,  274. 
Vei-mont   :irchlves,    483. 
Vermont   Historical    Society,    125. 
Viana,   Don   Francisco,   172,   316,   318. 
Vic<»,  theory  of  historic  cycles,  71. 
Viles,  Jonas,  482. 
Viucennes     Historical     and     Anticpin- 

rian  ?yoclety,  119. 
Vincent,  Isaac  II.,  498. 
Vincent,   J.    M.,   32. 
Vii-tue.  George  O.,   28,  208,   209. 
Vizcaino,  Sebastian,  2(56.  270. 
Von  Ileer's  light  dragons,   634, 

Waldenses,  history  of,  696. 

Walker,  William,  520. 

Walton,  George,  558. 

War,  place  in  history  of,  68. 

Wai'd,  Lester,  mentioned,  114. 

Washington    State    Historical    Society 

mentioned,    120. 
Washington's   body   guard,    634. 


Watts,  T.  H.,  letters  to,  506. 

Wayne,  Anthony,  634. 

Wayne  County  (Ind.)  Historical  So- 
ciety, 234. 

Weakley,  James  H.,  501. 

Weed,  Thurlow,  196. 

Weeden,  William  Babcock,  12, 

Weiner,  Professor,  694. 

Western  Illinois  State  Normal  School, 
234. 

Western  Reserve  Historical  Society, 
234. 

Western  Reserve  University,  657. 

West  Virginia,  archives  of,  483. 

Wheaton,  People's  Party  candidate, 
186,  193. 

Whisky   Insurrection,   631. 

White,  Andrew  Dickson,  9,  11,  658, 
694. 

White,  Peter,  12. 

Wheeler,  Arthur  Martin,  12. 

Wheeler,  Benjamin  Ide,  paper  by,  261- 
262. 

Wiley,  Parson,  160. 

Wilkes,  explorer  of  California,  276. 

Williams,  Ennion,  636. 

Wilson,  James  II.,  493. 

Wilsr.n,  William,  610. 

Winsor,  Justin,  11. 

Winsor  prize  circular,   60-62. 

Winsor  prize  committee,  report  sub- 
mitted, 41,  53. 

Winsor  prize  essay,  Nootka  Sound 
controversy,  281-477. 

Winter,  W.  II.,  explorer  of  California, 
276. 

Wisconsin  archives,  483. 

Wisconsin  Historical  Society,  118, 
121,   234. 

Witchcraft,  history  of,  696. 

Woodford,  R.,  Nootka  claims  conven- 
tion, 467-468. 

Work  of  American  historical  societies, 
117-127. 

Wright,  Carroll  D.,  38. 

Writing  of  history,  75. 

Wyoming  (Pa.)  Historical  and  Geo- 
logical Society,  125,  234. 

Wyoming  in  the  Revolution,  634. 

Wyoming  Valley  settlements,  638. 


Yale  University  Library,  686. 
Yates,  Governor,  of  New  York,   186. 
Young,  J.  S.,  29,  210. 
Young,    Samuel,    nominated    for    gov- 
ernor of  New  York,  191. 


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