Litchfield enquirer., 1853-04-21
Letter frOm .. m. Peck, hD.

is well known. Dr. Peck is a native of this town, and has long been esteemed as one of the ablest and soundest divines in the West. It is a matter of rejoicing that the disastrous fire alluded to in the letter, land of which the public were made aware some months since.) will not prevent the publication of his con- temPlated work. We need not assure him that his promised visit to the place of his birth will be a source of sincere qualification to his many friends. 1--Enq. ROcK SPRING, S'. Clair Co.,, Il.1 ApsiI 9th. 1858.
 Editor Litehfeld Enquirer: ..
 SIR Fl am indebted either to you or to some unknown friend for copies of the Litch6eld Enquirer of December le, ard Jan. 9th. in which mention is made of the loss of my library and collections by fire. It is hardly worth while to notice publicly that some exaggerations of tho nature and extent of the loss found their way into the public prints. The build. ing burnt was erected for Seminary of learning in 1927, and used for that pur> pose many years, as it was also for place of religious worship. It became my pri. vatc property few years since, and the upper rooms were fitted up fo: library and depository of newspapers and other periodicals, to the amt unt of some 1000 or 10, ,O00 volumes in all the papers and periodicals and other pamphlets mostly unbound. The building was undergoing repairs, preparatory to becoming family residence, and was situated about 200 yards from my dwelling-house. From the room containing my library proper my sons saved abou: 900 volumes, large and small, but as quantity was burnt on the ground. have a number of broken and damaged works. by losing part of the volumes. A portion of my books for immediate use, with all my manuscripts of any value were in my dwelling house and are safe. The only loss sustained that is palable to the public are cer- tain files of newspapers ano pamphlets, among the early productions of the press in this and the ad djacent states. of which it is supposed. no other copies exist. By the urgent request of many friends, had projected work on the Mississippi Valley. for which I had nearly or quite ample materials. It's general object and bearing may be expressed in its title page -" 7Re Moral Progress of the Missis- sippi Valley."
 | Such woIk is intended to include, in condensed form, sketches of the rise. progress end present condition of eash religious sect, with extracts from the pub- licalions and in the language of each containing an account of religious 'evivais and religious efforts of every description. accompanied with statistical tables, at certain periods of progress. It will also 1 embrace the operation and effects ct all out benevolent and philanlhropic socie- l ies-as Bible Societies. Missionary Soci- cites, Sunday School Unions. Tract and Publication Societies, Educational Soci- cites. Schools, Semiuaries aud Colleges. and their rise and progress. Temperance movements, the imp' ovement of the slave population, prison discipline, and res view of such laws and Legislation as have aided in moral progres. will be noticed. Biographical. sketches of ministers and laymen,, of magistrates and private cili> zens who have been instrumental in tho moral 1,rogrsss of this grea; valley. will | receive attention.
 As sources of information and authority 1 for such work, had files of the annual reports of all the benevolent societies. general and denominatioDal. that at any period have operated in any section of this valley. The most of these were destroyed. but l have encouragement of ob,aining from the Repositories of these societies duplicate copies. But where such canno: be obtained. can make ex> tracts with the pen. The prospect now appears favorable that if my life and health is spared for three or four years longer, the work may be ready for the press. After as much condensation as can be admitted. it will make closely printed volume of at least 800 pages.
 My loss by fire compels me now 10 visit Philadelphia, New York, Boston and other places ID the Atlantic States. to obtain the ma,e'ia ials lacking. and expect to start on this journey in few days During this tour. probably about the last of June or first of July, intend visiting my native town. and should it be thought expedient and desirable. l will give public lecture on the progress of this Valley. especially its northern section. as a .riHing testimonial of my regard to my native town.
 During my stay in the east. my address will be .' Care Of L. Colley, Publisher New Yo,k City"
 am. very respectfully,
 Yours, &c. J. M. PECK: vTLe Committee on Railways in the