The flood of political pamphlets which appeared at the time of the Stamp Act and continued through the Revolution swept onto Winthrop's shelves. As the times grew more troubled, the printer's ink flowed more freely. John Winthrop was an ardent patriot, and hence took an intense interest in the events stirring about him. Sermons, political and theological, are also to be found in considerable numbers. There are not a great many pamphlets of equal importance in that portion of the collection which came from James Winthrop, Bentley and Alden.
Some pieces are, however, noteworthy.
Alden was interested in western land development. Of even greater value is a collection of the Indian translations of the half-breed missionary Eleazer Williams, who worked with the Oneidas in upper New York and later Wisconsin. Autour du Monde , Paris, 1798-1800, with the atlas. To be sure, these works singled out do not comprise all the intrinsically valuable books in the old library. They are indications, however, that some rarities have been found, and are a promise that a full catalogue will reveal others.