The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-08-29
BRITISH RECORDS.

nave lately been sent by the British Govern
ment to several literary institutions in this
country. As the Redwood Library in this
town is one of the favored institutions we copy
the article for the information of our readers.
Our readers are doubtless aware of the
splendid donation which was some time 400
made by the British Government, to N.
principal public institutions both of the Ola
and the New World, consisting Of docu.
menis Of immense importance touching the
origin, the rise, and progress, Of the En-.
glish constitution, from its earliest ages to
its permanent establishment in n tangible
form (; together with means Of ascsrtaining
its relations with the otter nations Of Eu-
rope, aud other matters connected there.
with, nll of which were admitted to be Of
high importance, but the repriniing ofwhich
for dissemination. was found to be replste
with expense, aud an anxious editorial care
which required painful investigation and
unceasing watchfulness, TO bring them to q
successful termination. Copies Of these
works and documents were sent to courts,
universities, colleges, and the principal sci
entfic and literary societies both in Europe
and America and in all places they were
received as valuable gifts and large acces-
sions to public information. Among other
places they were sent to the New York So.
clety Library Of this city where they form
an important feature Of its avaluble litera.
ry treasures and, as the laws of this coun-
try are almost entirely founded upon those
which have long been the basis Of British
liberties, we can imagine that all whose
pursuits are legal or political will be glad
to search their pages, in studying the histo-
ry and theory Of those pursuits.
The contents ofthese works have alrea-
dy been given 10 the world and need not to
be recapltulated here but we are a, once
rejoiced and proud to find, that, in the
same spirit which actuatcd the publication
ond diffusion of them, a new accession has
been received from the same source, by the
New York Society Library the works
either bringing up the former subjects to
recent dates, or illustrating and explaining
them by incidental application. The fol-
loving have recently beer forwarded by
Mr.. Rich, the Soeiety's agent in London,
They are in fact The newly published rec
ords, which while they explain and illus
trate the history Of the Kingdom, are e.
qually explanatory of the social condition
of the people at the times on which they
treat. Among these are
|. "The X Kalenders and Inventories of the
Treasury of the Exchequer. Edited
by Sir Francis Pulgrave;" in which
are preserved
Rcgalia and Jewels Of several NON
archs.
3 The Correspondence Of Edward the
Black Prince; of Henry VIII with hi,
agents at Rome, relative to the divorce
of Queen Katherine Of Wolsey Crom-
well, Cranmer, &c.
3. The privy sIgnets of Elizabeth rela.
tive to the Spanish Armada.
4. The Proceedings of the Star Cham
ber
5. An inventory "f the spoil. made by
jack Cade.
ii. Other records, containing matter not les.
Interesting than the above, are
]. Documents Illustrative Of the History
of Scotland.
?. Proceedings and Ordinances Of the
Priyy Council of England. Edited by
Sir Nicholas Harris.
3. The Records of Cgrnarvon, rels,ive
to the affairs of Wales.
4. Charter Rolls preserved in the Tower.
). Ro,uli de Oblatis ct Finibus Terny.
Johan.
6. The Rolls of Ireland.
Z. The Report of the Record Commis-
sion.
The paper aud typographical execution
Of these books are such as might be expect
ed from the muuifcence and liberali,y of
the source from whence they enanate
several of the volumes are illustrated with
beautiful engrayings, being fac-similcs of
some Of the most curious documents, aud
seals, the originals of which last are des-
cribed as being in some instances of pure
gold, Of such exquisite workmanship as to
render it impossible to take mn impression
engraving. Several Of these are supposed
In have been executed by the celebrated
Benrenuto Cellini.
We congratulate The public bodies which
have become possessed of these valuable
documents, and we cannot but feel proud
IF the liberal spirit which dictates such
Inc Of conduct in the government n. home
. The British Constitution" is term that
has been msch used of late, by many who
neither did nor indeed could understand II
tightly; and we think that these important
works come in excellent time as supple
neuts TO their precursors, to give the ~
so necessary in discussing so m
rica,e a question.