The New York herald., 1851-12-04

ory party that he should be convicted, Ind that
.ords Halifax, Summers, Belmont, Orsord, 60,
hould bs implicated With him; and tbey whose po-
Nose missions held aloof and lot him 70 his Il ae
The learned Judge concluded Wy stating he had
intended to have given some o. the theories of the
final disposition Of the Cuida1 Merchant, which has
ever since remained in obscurity Kidd certainly not
having stated ii fairly in saying she was at Hispa-
niols. But he had alrsady occupied considerable
time, and, as he thought, shown sufficiently the
reasons that had made Kidd's name 30 famous on
both sides Of the Atlantic. tr
Mr.. LUTHER h. MARSH, in moving vote ofthanks,
and that the gentleman be requested to farnish .
copy to be preserved In the archives Of the society,
expressed IN most eloquent terms his surprise st the
appal ent result. He had always himself classed
Kidd in the first rank of pirates and buccaneers and
among the most perverted of the human race and
he would as soon have doubted The exploits of Ma
poleon or Alexander the Great. The reaction that
would take place in public opinioa not
only rescue his name from obkquy, but elevate him
to the fame of q hero; and Il was striking exam
pie Of the justice generally rendered by posterity.
AN ESSAY, BY EDWIN WILLIAMS, OF NEW YORK, ON
THK IMPORTANCE OF A GENERAL INDEX TO AMERI-
CAN NEWSPAPERS.
Mr. EDWIN WILLIAMS, being called On by the
President, read to tbs meeting the following COM
munication to the Society; being his original sug
ges.ions and plan for general index of American
newspapers-the Society being in possession Of files
sufficient to form key to the history of the country
for the last one lnndred and twenty five years
To the Presidet and Members Of the New York
Historical Ssciety:-
GENTLEMEN
The nature of my pursuits, and my researches
into the records Of the past, have given me some
experience, and enabled me to estimate the impor-
tance of piblic journals and newspapers as sources
ofAmerican history The histories of our country,
which have appeared from time to time, since the
revolution are mainly made up from abstracts Of the
procee dngs of Congress- of our State Legislatures
and other public bodies, or the personal histories of
our prblic men. The newspapers may be said to
present the only picture of the times in which they
were prnted-less complete, it is true, in the early
history OF the American press than in our times,
bu still picture from which Daguerreotypes. so to
tie shape of facts and inferences the vivid presen
tation Of which renders the historical sketches of
Mr. Macauley so vivid impressive, and delightful.
Doctor johnson classes the writers of dictionaries
considered not as the pupils, but the slaves of
science, the pioneers of literature, doomed only to
remove rubbish, and clear distractions ffom the
paths through which learning and genius press for,
indexes undoubtedly belongs to the same category
OF labor saving mortals, or rather those who are
the means Of saving the labor and time of their fell
low creatures. A book without an index, If on an
historical subject may be said to be nearly useless
and should not be patronised by the public; yet,
perhaps, majority of historical and biographical
works are published without them. Few authors
are found who are willing to index their own works;
(f indexes can be called statistcs), as sneerngly
expressed by learned lecturer in the of mis-
remarks on the genius and works Of Cervantes.
am sure that the members OF this society, however,
require no argument to convince them of the i'm
portance Of indexes to the volumino works which
have accumulated in our archives. The catalogue
prepared by the Librarian, when published, will
supply the means OF ready reference to the books
lex to the newspapers or such Of them as are re-
Iuirea to fill up the cbasms of history, is the deside
ratum which, 1t appears to me, would be one Of the
most useful services the society could perform to
he public and be certain to extend its benefits to
he present and future generations.
A little reflection will satisfy all Of the vast i'm
'ortance of this subject. The lawyer who searches
liter facts and dates to prove or strengthen his
RS, the inquirer after his rights to legacy, and
he seeker after the periods when marriage or
cath took place, are frequently at loss for some
lue which would lead to the point of In JURY The
proposed index would be an answer to these aud
many more important queries, which II is impossi-
lie now to foresee or anticipate Let such an index
70 printed, and am satisfied its circulation would
'e extensive, and even, perhaps, remunerative to
be society, we're the expense Of incurring and print
ng it assumed by them. But this is minor subjec.
consideration. Surely, among the publicspirited
itizens Of New York, and, indeed, Of other places
'r all intelligent Americans are interested in the
aatter, sufficient amount may be easily raised to
rovide for the expense Of the proposed index, let
bat expense be what IL may.
But il may be expected that should point out Q
node by whi:h the object proposed may be brought
bout, and not left, rs come Of cur statesmen pro-
ose to leave eur public works, such as canals and
ailroads, to be completed by posterity. Let q
md be raiied by subscription among members,
nd other friends Of history, sufficient to com.
,ence the work, under the supervision OF the
brarian, or n committee Of the society, composed
individuals familiar with such labors, or who
ave the ingenuity to direct the manner in which
be work should be performed. Let four or five
oupg men Of education aud tact be constantly en-
loyed en- the work, and lot them be required to
lbor at the task, from the rising to the setting Of
he sun, leaving the evenings only for recreation
nd Amusement. A salary OF Ave hundred dollars
ach, would be sufficient to secure the services of
E young men; and M probably two years
he task. The expenses incurred would then have
een about i've thousand dollars, and q, similar
vould probably enable the society to print and
ublhh the work. Thus, for ten thousad dollars
vould the task be accomplished, and service per-
ormed to the public quito as useful, perhaps, as
ONE Of tho schemes for which we SEQ constant ap-
eals m ,de to public liberallty.
But few OF the members OF the society are aware,
erhaps vast range Of historical events brac-
d in the files Of the newspapers in our library, bat
Which are a sealed book, except to an extreme
y limited number Of inquirers and seekers after
historical knowledge. The files Of New York
eNspapers in the possession OF the society extend
veT period Of one hundred and twenty ave years,
nd there are many valuable files OF PAL pers printed
q other States in the library, which would materi-
lily aid in the work Of making the proposed index,
nd enrich its pages by the cotemporary history Of
eighboring or distant States.
An enumeration Of some Of the newspapers In the
library, which were printed In this city, may give
N idea Of the journals which constitute q consinu-
'us chain, reaching through the years required 10
mako up century and quarter.
The first newspaper on our files, published in the
ity Of New ork, was printed by VIM. Bradford. IL
na de its appearance Oct 16 172, and was entitled
be N,w York Gd-dfe, from Monday, Oct. Ii, to
Dot. %, l12j. With this weekly sheet our index
hould commence. Bradford was near seventy
ears OF age when he began the publication of this
Io=citc-a lesson to that it is never too late to
ommenoe a good work, destined for historic use.
From the Ga=dtc, We pass on to the NeIc York
H0klv Journal; the second paper established 10 the
'rovnce Of New York. IL made its appearance
November 8, 1913. Ii was established for politi-
al purpose, and for three years it was In state cf
Fafsarc with the administration Of Governor Cos
", and his successor Lieutenant Governor Clarke.
{ was supposed TO be published under the p.troR-
ge of the honorable Rip IAN Dam, who had been
sident OF the Ceurcil, and opposed the Governor
nd his successor. The Eur York GEscte, printed
~ Bradford, was then under the centrol Of the