The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-08
New York Historical Society.

A meeting Of the New York Historical Society
was held last Tuesday evening, in their rooms 10
the University In the absence Of the President ex-
Governor Bradish, the chair was occupied by Mr..
F. Depeyster The Recording Secretary, Mr..
Field read the minutes of the proceedings Of last
meeting, which were approved Of. The librarian,
Mr.. Moore, read letter from Mr.. John o. Shea,
Of ST. Johns College, Fordham, member of the
Society of Jesus, conveying some interesting par
ticuiars derived by him from old papers recove red
in Canada, comprising an important journal AMI
map of Marquette, and relations for 1928 and
1879, and others Of great interest, relating to
the illustrious father, Isaac Jogues two of them
being in his own handwriting, and one Of them
giving an account Of the captivity and death of the
gentle Rene Goupel, who was murdered by his
side near the Mohawk; the other being descrip-
tion Of the Dutch colony as he found it when he
visited Manhattan. These papers were translated
BY Mr.. Shea, and were about to be published by
the University to which he is attached
Mr., ScHELL read the..report of the Executive Com
mittee, upon the measure proposed by Mr. Edwin
Williams, setting out the Importance of having
general index compiled Of all American ne wspa pc g.
under the auspices of the society. The report was
in favor Of the adoption Of Mr. Williams sueecs.
to special committee to prepare and report such
plans as they may think most expe iient for carry
ing it out. Mr.. Williams though t that the index
could be comprised in two octave volumes The
newspapers kat were IN existence before che revo-
luton were very sparse in inform alton, and il was
only from the pagers ppbshe since the revolution
that anything like volnminous matter was con-
tanned, in which would be appropriate to place in
the index, down to $500, the matter would be very
small but was the papers of the pre- sent century
which would require the most indexing, aud he
thought that all could be embraced within two
volumes The expenses would be betrayed by the
sale Of copies which wouldoe eagerly purchased for
aid legal profession, &c. He, therefore, we'd Tor
appointment Of Q committee to arrange and carry
out pians.
Judge CAMPBELL was certain that no gentleman
who ever had occasion TO search old newspapers,
could fail to see the value Of such ikdex that
proposed. He, therefore, hoped this matter would
rot receive he "go-by" from the society, but be
prosecuted vigorously. He recommended com
miltee Of three to whom the work should be con-
fded. The following gentlemen were appointed
such committee Edwin Williams. j. X Brod-
hesd, Maunsell Is Field
Inc regular monthly business being concluded,
tie SpLual reports were taken up. The rreasurer's
repo:t was read by Mr.. Cbauncey, Of which the fol-
lewing is ar apetYaet:-
Jan 1901 '-ahet IN Treasury si55 so
Re9'dfot due, ard life memberships. 1912, %
s3475 so
r.stars.usrts 4. year 1851 .............3 343 81
Balance TO credit tf lS51................S l3, a.
20 nrnher Ct laying members at the com
l. tenement Vi tie year, I'd been about five hun
dreG: Lan her Of Inc IL bers who had Joined during
the year, one hundred and twelve-makipg the
irtieht Lumber Q. paying members above six hun
dred.
The reports oftse Librarian and Of the Execu-
tive Committee were respectively read by Mr..
Moore and Mr. Schell.
The President read the report of the Building
Committee, IlYlpg an account Of their operations
10 reference 70 The proposed freproof building for
the TEE VI The society, The expense OF which is esti
mated ut fifty Thousand dollars OF which there has
been already subscribed thirty thousand dollars.
The report contained draft OF bill to be present.
ca 70 the legislature, providing for the exc III otion
81 The bui ding from legal execution.
Mr., CHhUNcEY moved il be referred ba,k for re-
nisb, be made 10 embrace exemption from axes,
al the Conveyance Of the building to the State in
trust for the socety. IL was alec moved that an
appeal N 'ch. be made TO the Legislature for an
Appropriation to wards its erection, in furtherance
0. resolution TO that effect in January, 1851 but
vhich had not been favoraoly acted on,
Judge CAMPBELL would rot oppose this easare,
~ IL wac inoYe favorably inclined towards the
pan q raising the tecessafJ funds ~ pr.vasa sub
serlE;icn. II would be c shame il, in this gres,
aLo wealthy n etropolis, where there vas ntsto-
lifNi linflIy IKE theirs, cGr'atsirg vast amount
81 rhetorical II atefial to hand 20 future gene
nations, mat they would have 10 90 about begging
uhGccest.nijy for he purpose "a lansing Saa of
I.Glty 10 Luild hre proof structure for the pre-
peyvAtjop Of their Archives; but he thought they