The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-05-07
New York Historical Society.

Wirr large number OF members were In atten
dance, with many visitors, including several ols!n,
guisbrd strangers. Mr.. CaherwOOds beautiful
| draw ngs of the nReent ruins OF Yucatan were
| conveniently disposed around the room.
The minutes OF the last stated and special meet
ipgs having been read and approved, the Secretary
submitted an invitation from the Massachusetts, His
orica Society TO Join with them In the second CEN
ennal celebration OF the confederation OF the New
England Colonies, on the 10Th May, inst, at Boston,
when discourse Will be delivered by the Honor
able John Quincy Adams.
IN motion of General WKrMoRE the invitation
was accepted and the President authorised to ap-
point delegates 10 represent the Society.
A circular was also submitted from the committee
appointed by the National Institute tor the promo
ton science TO the scientific and learned societies
throughout the United States, announcing the post
ponenent Of the general meeting OF the Institute to
the lst April, 1874
A letter was read from Mr.. Ombroli, the United
States Consul at Florence, announcing the trans
mission of an abstract OF the Diary OF the fourth
convention OF the scientific men OF Italy, held at
Padua, published in the Journal of Commerce of
Florence, in which are mentioned the principal sub
ects treated and discussed in the different sections
of the same.
A communication was received from William B.
Crosby, Esq presenting to the Society hollow s.
yer button, in which note was contained, reco.
vered from spy employed by Sir Henry. Clinton,
during our revolution, by means similar to those
mentioned in the anecdote recently related by Gen.
Talmadge. l
A note was read from Mr.. Alexander Walsh, re-
questing the acceptance by the SECRETARY OF an ac
companying parcel Of old newspapers and manu-
scrps, of which more particular notice will be taken
at the next meeting
During the reading of these communications the
society ballOtted for persons who had previously
been nominated, and the following gentlemen were
Butler, Alex. r. Wyckoff, Philip M. Lydig, Henry
6. Stebbins, and John Bigelow. saA
The PRESIDENT said that he had lately received
M. rkvovS (Nr lat
ter of General Washington, which he should re-
quest the Secretary to read he thought it both il
teresting and valuable, as showing the simplicity of
his character, the inconvenience of the times when
il written, and the great economy OF his style
of living when Commander-n-Chie OF the Amer.
can armies.
The Rev. Mr.. WALTERS, through whom it had
come, rose to say that in intention it had been pre-
sented by Mr.. Cochran to the society thirty years
ago, and it was entirely owing to accident that it
had remained so long in his possession-and re.
marked that it was particularly Interesting being
almost the only letter of playful character which
had been found among the papers OF the Father OF
his Country. The letter was then read by Mr. Jay,
as follows
WEST PoINr, Aug. 18th, 10.
DEAN Door. have asked Mrs Cochran and Mrs
Livingston to dine with tomorrow, but ought not to
apprise them Of their fare7 As hate deception, even
where the imagination only is concerned, will
to held the ladies this they had occular proof yester
day To say how is usually covered rather more es
our arrv. at this happy spet we have had ham
sometimes shouder) of bacon to grace the head OF the
tabea piece of roast beef adorns the foot and small
the centre. When the cook has mind to cut figure
(and this he will attempt to do to morrow) we
have two beeteak pyes dishes Of crabs in addition
each side the centre DISH dividing the space and
reducing the distance between dish and dish about six
feet which without them would be twelve apart
OF late he had the surprising luck to discover that apples
will make pyes, and its question IT, amidst the violence
Of his efforts do not get one of appes instead Of hav
II the ladies can put up with such entertainment and
will submit to patake Of plates, tin. but
am DR.. Doct. Yr mos, obed servr
(supesscribeD DR.. Cochran, New Windsor.
Mr.. WPrMoRE, Chairman of the Executive Com
mittee, called the attention of the society to the
beautiful drawings on the walls illustrating the dis
coveries made BY Mr.. John L. Stephens during his
recent tour in Yucatan. II was we'll known that
Mr.. Stephens, whom il was the pride OF the So
ciety to own as an associate had now given to the
world his complete written descriptions OF the ex-
cravings which accompany the published volumes,
were necessarily on too minute scale to afford an
adequate idea OF the vast and magnificent super
structures, the remains of which were found IN that
ed decorations which adorned them. That portion
OF the labor which was to bring before observa
ton more perfect and satisfactory representa-
ton OF these relics OF forgotten race, was reserved
u
the traveller. How well thatwork had been accom-
plished, the Society had now the means of judging,
and certainly nothing could be more creditable to
the skill and taste OF the artist and the ANTIQUARIAN
to the world full graphic and faithful description
of these ruined cities and temples, Mr. Stephens
now proposed to complete his valuable contributions
to the cause of historical and scientific research by
publishing an edition Of the drawings on the scale
there represented.
Mr.. w. after some further remarks submitted a
prospectus of the work, issned by the Brothers Har
per. The size will be the imperial folio. The
plates % inches by 20, or the same dimensions with
HumboIdt's Mexico. 1t will be issued in 20 month
ly numbers at five dollars per number, each TO con-
tain five engravngs, to be executed In the highest
grade of art, with letter-press fully describing the
buildings and subjects represented the whole FORM
ing four volumes, at 500 for the set.
Mr.. WETMoRE offered the following resolutions
Resolved. That the recent discoveries of ruined Cities
exhibiting style and architecture different from any
elsewhere found the remains of people whose and
history are unknown have given new aspect to the
important subjects for historical iI research '"D
Resolved, That tho valuable works central America
and Yucatan by distinguished associate Mr. Stephens
by whom the remains of cities were visited and
forty OF them brought the nsce OF the civilized
world have added greatly to the scany knowledge before
porant questions that yet to be solved in relation TO
the origin ofthe races by whom they nhabted and
scale by the pencil OF Mr. Caherwood with accurate sci
entihc details OF architecture AM art worthy object Of
American enterprze and may be dy regarded as debt
Resolved That theproposs Of Messrs Harper and Bro
theirs is smneny deserving of the favor and support Of
the American public, and that confidently recommend
it as an object of national pride to the Historical societies
ofother States and to ell Colleges Universities Literary
and Scientific Institutions throug houtthe United States.
Resolved, That the executive committee authorized
to take such measures II may deem expcdient to die
seminate knowledge of the proposed work Of Mr. Ste
phens, and to give effect to the recommendation Of the
society.
Resolved, That the rooms of the society be opened
Friday evening" the 9th inst at halfpas7 for the adms
sion of members their friends and families to view the
drawings Of Mr. Catherwood.
PROFESSOR ROBINSON seconded the resolutions
and observed, that the proposed work would have
very important and happy influence both in eevating
our national character, in connection with literature
and the arts, and in inducing further investigation
on the subject OF these interesting antiquities In
little while, the field of discovery in Central Ame-
RIGA will be occupied by Europeans Views in Chi