Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-10-03
Donle6ttc.
TO THE PUBLIC.
71e ADDRESS 0fMe -vew York Historical

poss OF discovering, procuring and preser-
wing whatever may relate to the natural,
civil, literary, and ecclesiastical history of
our country, and particularly of the state
+ New York, we solicit the aid Of the Ii
|beral, patriotic and learned, 10 promo;e the
|objeGls of our institution.
The utility of Societies for the advance
ment of science, has been so fully proved
by the experience of the most enlightened
nations OF Europe, and by that of our own
country, thai there can be 10 need, a; this
lime, of any formal arguments in support
lot their claim to public patronage. But it
may be observed, that, IN his state, if we
except the Agricultural Society, there is
no association for the purposes of gener-
acknowledge: and the want ola regular, M
nute, and authentic History of New York
|renders the combined efforts of individu.
ais for that object more peculiarly neces-
airy.
1t is veil known that many valuable
manuscripts and papers relative to The his
DRY four country remain in the posse ssion
OF those who, though unwilling 10 entrust
them 10 single person yet would cheer.
fully confde Them 10 a public institution,
N whose custody they would be preserved
FOR the general benefit cfscciety. TO res.
cue from The dust and ebscurity of pri
aereposilories such important documents
as are liable to be lost o. destroyed by the
Indifference or neglect of those into whose
| IA, DIS they may have fallen, will be pri
lmary Object of our at,en ion.
| The palcity OF ma rrlals and the extrems
| 4 N -
lirst settlement and calenil transactions
Iofthis State can be fully perceived By tho {
lonly who have medi aied on he design Of
lerecting an historical monument of thos
I-yents, and have calculate the natur.
and amount of ,heir ,esodrces: For with
gut the aid of original records AID autben-
tic Documents, history will be nothing more
than we'll combined series of ingenious
coujeeture- aud amusing fables. The
Cause OF truth IS interesting TO all msn,
and those who possess the means, however
small; OF preventing error, or of elucida
| ting obscene facts, will coDfer a benefit or
mahkind by communicating them to the
W rid.
| No, aspiring to the higher walks of gen
erai science, we shall conine the range oil
our exertio"s To he humble task of collect
ing aud preserving whatever may be use.
full o o hers in the different branches oil
historical inquiry. We feel encouraged to
follow this path by The honoura5ie exam
pie of he NJ ,ssachuselis Society, whose
lsbours will abridge those of the future
historian and furnish thousand ligh t.
guide HIM through the dubious track o
unrecorded time. Without aiming to bt
rivals, we shall be happy to Cooperate
with that laudabIe institution in pursuing
the objects of our common researches
satisfied If, in The end our efforts shall b,
; attended with equal success.
Our inquiries are no, limited 10 singl,
/, state or district, but extend to the whole
Continent; and it will be our business {,
diffuse the Information we may colleGt il
such manner as will best conduce 10 gen
j eral instruction. AS soon as our COLLECTION
t shall be sufficient to form a volume, an,
the funds Of the Society will admit, w
shall commence publication, that we ma
$ better secure our treasures by means q tn
: press, from the corrosions of time and tn
i power of accident.
: That this obicet may be sooner an
biNtN ShNNhtoht dNdHlNOt VIC tCHNCoN iva
all who feel disposed to encourage our de
sign will transmit, as soon as convenient
t to the Society
h Manuscripts, Records, Pamphlets, an
Beoks relative to The history of this cour
try, and particularly to the points of Inqui
~ subjoined.
n OraIons, Sermons, Essays, Discourse
re Poems and Traets; delivered, written, {
l. published on any public occasion, or who
:. concern any public ransaelon, or renal
\. kable character or even.
Laws, Journals, Copies Of Records an
Proceedings of Congresses, Legislature
General Assemblies. Conventions, Con
mitees Of Sste'y, Secret Committees f.
General Objects, Treaties and Nsgoci
u tons with any Indian Tribes, or With al
n ola,e or Nation.
e, Proceedings Of Ecclesiastical Conven,
IN ons, Syrods, General Assemblies, Presb
~ cries, AID Societies Of all denomination
l. Christians.
y Narratives of Missionaries, and procee
, ings of Missionary Societies.
Narratives Of Indian Wars, Battles al
Vi EXPLOITS of the Adventures and SUITE
| - oC C.,.,.v., w ,e-c-a and Tray