USA > Massachusetts > The Massachusetts Historical Society, 1791-1959 > Part 2
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This great accumulation of historical manuscripts was not a happy accident. As we have seen, the founders worked tirelessly to attract important bodies of papers to their rooms. With the passing of the founders, the initial enthusiasm diminished some-
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what, but manuscripts still continued to come in as gifts. By 1844 the Society could report 100 volumes of bound manuscripts in- cluding the papers of Belknap, William Heath. Thomas Hollis. James Otis, William Pepperrell, and Israel Williams. The great- est single gift to come to the Society in these early years was the manuscript journal of Governor John Winthrop kept from the time of his departure from England in the Arbella in 1630 until his death in 1649. Of outstanding importance, too, was the re- ceipt of the original manuscript of George Washington's New- burgh Address of March 15, 1783. Delivered by Washington to a delegation of officers of the American army at Newburgh, New York, this address was successful in dissuading the officers from resorting to direct action in order to collect back wages from a harried Congress. It was at this meeting that Washington, hav- ing difficulty in reading excerpts of a letter to the officers, is re- ported to have put on new spectacles, saying, "Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray, but almost blind, in the service of my country."
With the close of the Civil War, the Council called upon the Members of the Society to collect manuscripts and printed works relating to that conflict. This was done with considerable success as our collection of Civil War manuscripts indicates. About this time the great Samuel Sewall diary came to the Society as the gift of various Members. This diary, covering roughly the period from 1674 to 1729, has been called one of the truly great Ameri- can diaries, for it gives "an incomparable picture of the mind and life of a Puritan of the transition period." The three volume edi- tion of the diary published by the Society has long been out of print, but permission has been granted to a trade publisher to bring out a new edition.
Three major collections came to the Society at the end of the nineteenth century. In 1885 Francis Parkman began to place in the Library the holdings of original papers and transcripts which he had collected for his historical works. Thirteen years later Thomas Jefferson Coolidge presented to us the second greatest collection of Thomas Jefferson papers in existence. These so- called private papers of Thomas Jefferson had been offered for sale to Congress by the Randolph family but had not been pur-
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First Entry in John Winthrop's Journal (Winthrop Papers )
A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America. in general bougufs aftenblad
When in the house of humans Event it becomes newferry for a People to advance From that Subordination , ise which they have higher to remained and to afsurse armory the Onset of the Earth, the equal and independent station to which the Laws of Nature and of Natures god autitle them, a decent Theopest to the opinions of than kind requires that they Should declare the Gaules, which ispell theme to the Change.
W. hold this Forthe to be helf ident; that all allow are marked qual and independent; that from that a quel Creations they decine hight in herent. and unalienable ; asong which are the Preservation of Life , and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; that to Jeuse these Inds, Government are institutul among other , arriving their just Jovens from the Greatest of the governed; that when wer , any form of Government, I have become destructive of these tools it is the Right of the People to alter, or to abolish it, and to institute new Go; vers mest ; laying its Formmations are back Principles, and organizing it Covers in Suche Forms , as to them that's Seems eft litrely to affect their Safi , and Hyping's . Douleurs indeed will distate that Government Lony established Shan't not be changed for light and transient fautes: and accordingly all Experience hath Shower, that Mankind are more difposed to Suffer , while fils are Sufferable , thon to right them selves , by abolishing the Forward to which they are accustomed . But when a long Train of theles and informations, legume at a distinguish'd Period , and purfing invariably, the Same Object, cin us a Defin. to reduce them unter absolute Conver , it is their Right , it is this It , to Mesome of Such Government , and to provide new Guardo for this feature Security . Such has been the patient Such ar ance of thefe Colonies ; and Such is now the ori cofity . .'' constraint them to manage their former destined of course must . The History 1: his present Majesty, is a History, of unve sitting hyper vis and leurpractices, asone which was one Fast Stando Single or Solitary to contradict the shi for me " Jurer of the west , all Of which have ins direct object , the Establishment Of an abfalat Tyranny over theufo States . To prove this , let Fast be Submitted to a candice Would, for the Truth Of which We pledge a Faith, as yet unsullied by Fale how.
John Adams' Copy of Jefferson's Original Draft of The Declaration of Independence (Adams Papers)
a Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of america in" General Congress assembled.
When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to. dissolve the political band, which have connected them with another , I to assume among the powers of the earth the separate I equal station , to which the laws of native & of nature's good entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the vepuration.
We hold there truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal: that Hey are endon I by themis en un with inherent Vinalienable rights; that. these are life, liberty If the pursuit of happiness: That to secure these rights, go. · verments are instituted among men, deriving their just growers from the con- sent of the governed: that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ands , it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it , I to ins thule new government, laying it's foundation on such principles, Vorganising it's now. - ers in such form as to them shall reem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. prudence indeed will dietake that governments long established should not be changed for light and hanscent causes: and accordingly all expe, rience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer while wils are i sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. but when a long train of abuses & usurpations, begun at a distin 1 . queished period , I pursuing inviarally the same object, wines a design to reduce them under absolute desprotison, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw of such government, It to provide new quants for their future security: such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the me cesty which constrains them to expunge their former systems of government. the history of the present king of great Britain is a history of unremitting injuries & nourpations; among which apears no solitary fact to contradict the uniform. tenor of the rest, but all have in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. to prove this , let facts be submitted to a candi word, for the truth of which we pledge a faith yet unsullied by falsehood .... He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good:
he has forbidden has governors to pass lais of immediate & pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained?, and when to responded, he has neglected utterly to attend to them."
A Copy by Jefferson of his Original Draft of The Declaration of Independence ( Alexander C. Washburn Autograph Calle
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Washington's Gorget, Worn at Braddock's Defeat, and Epaulets, Worn at Yorktown
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Ferdi Quarters Newburgh ist of march 1789.
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Brasanonymous sum. sind, an attempt has been make to con Vore open Together. how inconsis rent with the Ques of propriety !- non us military! and Ren set. avertiniet; all mier and discipline Let the good sense of the army)
In the moment of this sum mono, another anonymenis producto on was sent in to circulation; a.d. trappedmore te tão paciengo apapri cis, tran to the reasond judgment; the itemy. _ The author of the 1
Dice, escrititica so much credit for ! The codness of his Pan: - and Recall Finish he had as much credit for the Jethro' diferent Aties, andare. induced by the correcting incuities ofthe wind, no uso diferent encasi of the address, should have hace. Mise charite, tras to crack per suspicion
George Washington's Address to Officers of the Continental Army at Newburgh
chased. Mr. Coolidge then decided to buy them for the Society. Since that time the Library of Congress has been permitted to microfilm the collection, and copies have been made available to Princeton University, where the great edition of Jefferson's writ- ings is being published. In 1905 the Winthrop family papers were given to the Society by the estate of Robert C. Winthrop, Jr. This added to our holdings what might well be called the greatest single collection of American colonial manuscripts known.
The opening of the Society's collections to scholars and the adoption of a deliberate policy of attracting manuscripts to the Society have brought many benefits during the last half century. Changing economic and social conditions have also played their part, with the result that never in the history of the Society have so many important collections of papers been placed in our care. Most of these collections had been zealously guarded by their owners, but in one or two instances the Society bought papers that might otherwise have been destroyed. During these years the So- ciety acquired such important collections as the Atkinson, Bel- lows, Dana, Everett, Lee, Livingston, Long, Minot, Morse, Paine, Quincy, Rhodes, Saltonstall, Sedgwick, Ward, and War- ren papers. Logbooks of such historic ships as the Columbia were secured and rich autograph collections placed on our shelves. Perhaps the highest point in our collecting history was reached in May, 1956, when gifts of the Adams family papers and the Paul Revere papers were simultaneously announced to the So- ciety. Since then other collections have been received, ranging in time from early colonial days to the middle 1950's. The process of acquiring manuscripts goes on unceasingly and, we trust, will continue to do so, for only in this way can we preserve for the use of future scholars the materials necessary to illuminate Ameri- ca's past. A brief listing of the manuscript collection of the So- ciety is to be found in our occasional publication, the M.H.S. Miscellany, for December, 1958.
Printed Materials
The growth of the Society's collection of printed materials during the nineteenth century paralleled in many ways the growth
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The Marquis de Lafayette, by Joseph Boze Commissioned by Thomas Jefferson
of its manuscript collection. During the last fifty years, however, it has not been able to maintain the same pace, particularly in the field of early American imprints, where prices and demand have increased enormously. Today the Library contains an esti- mated 300,000 titles dealing in general with American history, being especially rich in printed materials relating to Massachu- setts and New England.
The Society's collection of early printed items relating to America is of high importance and is truly outstanding in the fol- lowing categories: Cambridge and Boston imprints; books re- lating to the New England Indian wars, captivities, and treaties; collections of the early printed laws of Massachusetts and Ply- mouth colonies and other official publications; the writings of the Mathers; certain files of colonial newspapers; and Massachusetts broadsides, most of which have been listed by Worthington C. Ford in his compilation Broadsides, Ballads &c. Printed in Massa- chusetts, 1639-1800 (our Collections, LXXV). The Library con- tains many "firsts," and the title pages of several of these are re- produced in this booklet.
Instead of continuing to collect on a wide scale the Society has now wisely decided to build to its strength and concentrate its efforts on acquiring all materials printed in Massachusetts through the year 1825. It also seeks to acquire early items re- lating to Massachusetts that have been printed elsewhere and the important basic materials on Massachusetts and New Eng- land history after 1825. Since it is necessary that the Library possess the working tools essential for the use of these basic ma- terials by researchers and staff and for meeting the needs of its editors, the Society is attempting to build up two other categories: a strong bibliographical section and a solid collection of perti- nent secondary works-local and national history, including the publications of other historical societies, and biography. Thus far it has been sadly handicapped in these efforts by a serious shortage of funds for acquiring and caring for such printed ma- terials. Recently a Library Fund was established by the Council for the express purpose of enlarging, improving, and maintaining the Library collections. The number of contributions made to the
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Fund during the past year by Members and friends has been a source of great encouragement to us.
In addition to its regular holdings the Library houses certain special libraries which are of varying importance. The Thomas Dowse Library was given to the Society just over a hundred years ago, and while it is upon the whole a gentleman's library it does contain some extremely valuable Americana. The Kingsmill Marrs and Robert C. Waterston libraries are in general of the same character as the Dowse Library. The Curtis and Courtenay Guild Library contains many volumes extra-illustrated with pre- cious prints and manuscripts, and the Francis Russell Hart Li- brary is especially rich in materials relating to the Caribbean area. The part of the Henry Adams Library which we own has proved to be extremely useful, and Henry Adams scholars have made it a happy hunting ground for the last twenty-five years.
Maps, Prints, Drawings, Portraits, and Museum Objects
Two years ago at the Spring Reception-an annual affair to which friends of the Society are invited-some of our more im- portant historical maps, prints, and drawings were placed on exhibition. The variety and worth of our possessions in this field surprised not only our friends but ourselves. The more exciting examples were so handsomely reproduced in the Society's Picture Book of that year that there has been a constant demand for the publication since then.
Our collection of historical portraits is an exceedingly fine one and contains works by such noted artists as Blackburn, Blyth, Copley, Harding, Malbone, Smibert, and Stuart. Many of these portraits have been reproduced in earlier Picture Books. Per- haps our best known portrait is that of Mrs. Anne Pollard, the ancient lady who had herself painted in April, 1721, soon after her hundredth birthday. She has been borrowed so often by in- stitutions exhibiting examples of early American art that she can truly be said to have compiled an amazing travel record. Her last outing was to the Brussels Universal and International Ex- hibition to which she was accompanied by our Indian weather vane, that once stood atop the old Province House.
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The President of the united States.
Executive Mansion,
Washington. Nov. 20 , 1863. How. Edward Everett.
My dear Sir:
your kind now of to day is received. In our respective parts yesterday, you could not have been excused to make a short address, nor I a long one, I am pleased to know that, in your persigment, the little I allow pay was not entirely a failure. Of course I liner Aus Enventa winlow, not fail; and yet, while the whole discourse was e minerali ; satisfactory, and will ho of great value, then wew- passager in it which transcended my expectations. the point Mass against the Theory of the general government being one an agency, whose principal and the Staty, was new to mo, une as I think, is one of the best arguments for the national supremacy, The tribute to our nobles women for their anger menestering to the suffering soldians, per. perser, in its way, an do the projects of it, whatever has zono before-
Er sich boy, for whom you kindly inqueens, we Refer ias hast. Lão won't, your Ou deux! Afincola
Abraham Lincoln on the Addresses at Gettysburg (Edward Everett Papers )
Besides a handsome display of miniatures, the Museum of the Society has many valuable objects on view, among them George Washington's gorget and epaulets, the pen with which Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Paul Revere sil- ver, Peter Faneuil's wine cooler, and other association pieces. It is worth noting that the Society has probably had a collection of objects with artistic or association value longer than any other organization in North America.
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Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation Pen
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Collegi Harvardini Cantakrigice Novangforum, Grabu- 1
atorum Catalogus 1642. Benjamin Toobringe. Georgina Downing. Johannes Bulklaus. My. Julietman Hubbert. Mr.
Samuel Bellingham. T.r. M.).
Johanes Willenalt. CM. Henricus Saltonstall.
Tobias Barna-dus.
Nathaniel Brouderus. 1643.
Schannes Soncfius. cur.
Samuel Matheny. elle. Social. Samuel Danforth. Mr. Socius. Johannes Allin.
16.4. 1645.
Johannes Oliverus Jeremias Hollandtus. Julichrus Amelius. Johannes Rasfaciles cur. Jacobus Wird Samuel Stowons Robertus Johnfor. 1646. Schannes Alcock. Mr. Johannes Brock. Mr. Georgius Stirk. chr. Nathaniel White. Mr. 1647. Jonathan Mitchel. Ar. Socialy Nathaniel chatherus. Av. Comfort Starr. Chr. Social. Johannes Birden. Abrahamus Walver. Georgius Haddenul Mr. Juliemus Mildmay. Mr.
1548. 16.1).
Johannes Rogers. Chr.
Samuel Caton. (Mr. Secius 124.1681. Urianur Jakes. r. Socius, Fref. m.e. July 1 Johannes Collins. vier. Soc. K Girtab. Johannes Bowers.
1650.
Gulidmw Stoughton , car Cronin. Scharnes Gloverug ph.D. Aberdonia. Joshua Hobartus. Uhr.
Jeremias Hobartus Mr.
Edmund Weld.
Samuel Phillipsius. .. Hr.
Leonardus Hear. Chr. M.D. Cantab. Isaacus Allertonus.
Jonathan Inseus. Mr. i
1651. vitichad Wigglesworth. Ar. Soi. charigena Cottonuna. chr.
Thomas Dud Lens. kr. Soc?
Johannes gloverus. Mr.
Henricus Butlern! vnr.
Nathaniel Pelhamus.
Johannes Davilius. Ver.
Brand Channelist. c.tr.
Ichabod Chaunsere. Mr:
Jonathan Burreu). nr. 1652. Josephus Rowland forus. 1. c
Harvard Alumni, 1642-1652, in Samuel Sewall's Diary (Samuel Sewall Papers )
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Governor's House, Williamsburg A Preliminary Study by Jefferson
AVOYAGE
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Robert Haswell's MS Log, 1787-1789, of the Columbia-Rediviva and the Washington
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Death in the Poorhouse of Artist Christian Remick (Records of the Overseers of the Poor of Boston )
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The Adams Papers
A Portion of the Originals and of the Microfilm Edition
Courtesy Life Magazine
A Prospect of the Calledges in Cambridgein New England
Only Known Surviving Copy of the Burgis View of Harvard College (1726)
DECLARATION OF FORMER
PASSAGES: AND PROCEEDINGS, BETWIXT. THE ENGLISH "and the' Narrowganfer,. with their' confederates,W.herin the grounds and iuftice of the enfuing warre are opened .... "and cleaned. Publifed, by order of the Communioners for the united Colonies;
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At Button their of the fixthe womb :. :3645
I HE moft confiderable part of the Englifh Colonies profeffe. they ' came into thefe parts of the world .with defire to advance -the kingdomre of the Lord Jefus Chrift, and to inioye his preciz Mis" Ordinances with peace, "and (to hi, praife they confeffe)be bath not fail- ] their expectation hitherto, they have found fafety, warmth and refrifh- ing under his wing to the fatisfaction of their foules ." ~ But they know, and ave confidcred that their Lord & mafter is King of righteoufnes and peace, hat he gives anfwerable lawes?, " 'and caff's his fubjects into fuch a mould and. hame; that (intheir weak meafure).they may hold forth his virtue's in thein surfe and carriage , not only with the nations of Europe, but with the bars " nous natives of this wilderness . - And accordingly both in their treaties & onverfe they have had an awfull refpect to divine rules, : - endcavouring to valk uprightly and inoffenfively ,. . & in the midft of many injuries and infos encies to exercife much patience and long- foffering towards them .
1
2 The Pequots grew to'an exceffe of violence and oftrage, and proudly urned afide from all wayes of juftice & peace, before the lword was drawn 'r any heftile atten: pos made againft them .. . . During thofe waits, & after. he Pequots were f .: bdued;' the Englifh Colonies were carefull to continue ind eftabl.fh peace with the reft of the Indians, both for the prefent & for "ofterity , as by feveral treaties with the Narrowganfet & Mobiggin Saga- nores may appeare : . which treaties for a while were in fome good incafure "Bly cbferved by all the Indians, but of late the Narrowganfets & efpecialy. `e Niant cks their confederates have many wayes injurioufly broke & vio- ted the fame by entertaining and keeping amongft them, not only many of "te Pequot nation, but fuch of them as have had their hands in the blood & curder of the English, feizing and poffeffing at leaft a part of the Pequots country
First Historical Narrative Printed in British America By John Winthrop
A
BRIEF
RULE
' To guide the- Common . People of NEW-ENGLAND How to order themfelves and theus in the Small Pocks, or Meafels.
T He (mall Pex ( whole nature and cure the Miafile follow ) is a difcafe in the blood, endeavouring to recover a new form and flate 2. This nature attempt>. .. 1. By Separation of the inwpure from the pure, thrufting it out from the Veins to the Flesh .-- 2. By driving out the impure from the Fichtothe Sun.
, The int Separation is done in the first four days by a Ferverich boyling ( Ebult. t.on ul the Blood, Lying down the impurities in the l'lethy parts which kindly effected the Feaveuth tumult ne calnicd.
4. The fecond Separation from the Flethto the Skin, or Supir fout is done through the rest ofthetune olite ilifeale.
There are several Errors in ordering thefe fish ones in both thefe Operations of future which princ very dangerous and commonly deadly caher by overmuch handen ing Nature beyondits own pace, or in hindering of it fiwith its own vigorous operation. . The Separation by Ebullition in the Feaverith heat is over heigbined by too inuch Clothes, too hot a tooth hut Cordial, as Discordia, Cacao powder and fuch like, for hence come Percaties, dangerous cercetlive l'acats, or the flowing of the Pocks in- to one overfpicaring fore, vulgarly called the Flox.
-
7 The faure 's peration is overmuch hindred by preposterous cooling that Feaverithe boyling heat, by blood lastine, Glyfers, Vomus, pargos, or cooling webcast. For though il che nuny tues haften the coming forth of the Par yet they take away that Supply which Could keep them out till they are ripe, wherefore they fink in again to the dead- ly danger ofthe fick.
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