New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-02-09


County and Franklin. Unaeeus,omcd 70 the expenses ~
eident TO the enterprise this labor completed IN FEB
ruary Of last year and proved heavy pccunary lo,s
Still IMPRESSED with the belief that tho syse II rght,
carried ih the aids derived from experience W9ld
be sustsned by enlightened public, plan w.s eare3y
arranged combining mosi of tie fa;ares w4ieh sues
work might contain and every advantage when me d=
ciplIne Of former errors had taught
The history Of Jefferson County was commenced 10
May last and completed but short time since with proc
poets that confirm former experience. and as believe tha
~ nearly every one who has attempted similar enterprises
in this line Of original historical researches IN limited ds
tricis The only object in offering these facts u 10 con
firm the statement hat sifh0H patronage beyoaf me 10
eoies iafeled the cole OF the materials that Axe
up local ANAL cannot be effected in manner worthy
OF the otject. and eredtabe 20 the State.
Your attention is therefore respectfully invited TO
plan which, if adopted will insure the continuance OF
work that il conducted with due care and attention and
with rigid mr sriisy will confer honor upon the present
and ne,tmable advantages upon ths future IL 10 De
observed that il il applicable ia it, full extent only To the
northern, central and western portions OF the stare or
those sections that have sprung INFO existence since toe
revolutionary period From in-itenton 10 the measures
here enied the early annals of Older districts
have to great degree been irrecoversby lost This
should be regarded Of the strongest arguments IN
favor of efficient 10 from oblivion the
scattered ard perhabe materials that constitute orr his
tory by afordng that bealencouraeement which should
characterize enlightened and efficient government az and
age which behind more that have preceded II 10 he
grandeur of its discoveries and the munhcence OF Us
public berefactons.
The encouragement proposed Is the passage Of law
that thdli empower the Regents OF the InlFer-v Wno
constituted the guardians of our higher literary in
and by virtue Of Office the Trustees Of the State
Library TO subscribe for liberal number OF copies for
distribution public libraries, domestic and foreign
and used in the series Of international exchanges which
is being ably and successfully conducted by Vatte
The admir- Of exchanges, which ia IN op
Grafton through the dunn Of the Smithsonian Institution
aso afford excellent means for accomplishing the
diffusion Of works Of this class.
"In collecting the materials for the proposed series il is
designed TO embrace history of land titles derived IRON
a. ,uIli corls AT :
and tie land offices of original propretos always refer
rirg TO the volume and page where the more important
conyeyances are recorded Il is proposed to derive from
the original records 81 counties aud towns the details and
statistics that may afford interesting facs Of history and
nom the records of societies and corporations a. well of
religious and educational of commercial, mlnufscur
inc and benevolent associaons such outline a. may
present the prominent objects and history of each
ITO give interest and vivscity to the narrative Of events
original letters and other documents should be sought and
inserted with suitable explanatory notes The aged enron
icles who still survive in every section Of the States, who
have witnessed and participated in the feeble struggles
of the BEGINNING and shared in the subsequent and rapid
growth which within the memory OF those living has ex
tended the bounds of civilization from the valleys of the
Hudson and Mohawk overthe northern central and west
ern portions Of the State, should be consulted and the
"reminiscences preserved for the instruction OF future
age.
Typographical notices Of those who deserve we'll OF the
f1ure accompanied when practicable, with engraved
portraits should be carefully collected with die dscrm
nation Lists of public officers and representatives ~ our
State and National legislature, statistics fom ocia
and other accounts of the press OF military ana
and civil org commercial manufacturing agr
cultural and mineral resources Typographical details geo
logical features and facts in natural history and the hy.
cal sciences shosi he carefully collected for each county
of the arranged and fully indered
docs this plan appear absurd exravagant, or imposs
BE Of attainment The experience OF two years aTdeny
devoted these sbors has convinced me that in this as
in oil other pursuit. may acquire facility in the oil
lection and arrangement Of materials, by daily becoming
more familiar with what he wants where It exists and
how to obtain it, and that with the aid Of one or two in
t.,ta 1aaas frA
uen Of the history of Jefferson County, here submitted
might be produced There exists in every section OF the
State class of men more or loss interested IN Ihese n
agries whose aid could be secured, and within the ave
rage period Of lifetime. might realize series OF To-
cal histories that would reflect eminent credit upon the
State
The significant fact that in the older districts many of
these materials have been idy lost should stimulate us
to immediate and dlgeD exer,onsto rescue from ooct9a
or what but little better from tradion the peshabie
memorials around Let us learn moral rom the my
biological ofthe Sby the voluminoIs annals
which the pren offers instead of leaving to postersy the
blind and dift h task of collecting these much Diminished
and perverted data, at q greatly enhanced prlce.
Let L. remember that at the death of every inteh
gent pioneer and every fire. other casualty that des
tIoys our public records, there IS o't page Of t"ory
Thus one bv one and in rapid succession, are we
losing beyond the power of recovery the materials upon
which the future must base their history Shall we allow
this loss to continued Can no effort be made to seize
upon the preta and the recent and transmit them IN
permanest and systematic form TO the future
Can ths sacred and responsible trust be faithfully
executed IN the manner JUST lnlcattu DUG, uesef'c
and can it receive the cordial counenance and support
Of this Society in recommendation to oar state Legs
lature =
The PREspEsr suggested that the paper had better be
refeued TO Special Committee
PROSPER NJ WETnoRE neofthe Regents Of the Univer'
sv addressed the Soceyurgng that should at its pre-
sent meeting take such acton may be determined
to take without the delay which would result
from the appointment of Il Special committee
there il no time TO be lost If action Is TO DO nad
Inv The Legislature on this subject during its present
session Another bOdy-the Regents-between TINS one
ard the Legislature will take this subject INTO condera
ton before Il comes before that body There will be
meeting of the Regents next Friday and It is advisable
with Mr. Wetmore then remarked upon the importance
of preserving local history Ii il only he said within
wear that snythiDg approaching history OF the Cty Oh
New York has been published Who that has read Los
sing work but thanks him for what he has DONE ana re-
pets that such material his work composed OF has
not ben more extensively preserved lie spoke also OF
The obteraton OF the old landmarks ard SAID that nose
of the Revolution were fast vanishing He SAID That ne
bonored the labors of Mr. Hough in such work as this
and was willing TO test the OF the society win leer
ence to his proposition Mr.. Wetmore ihen moved the
following resolution
the hes Of franklin Hough D. 70 prepare local histories
the interior counties OF THIS s. upon the sne n
nd eson and the judgment Of hs Society the Interests
~ would b. promoted tn Al eminent degree ~
an the Pr0dnc Of such WORKS OF gen.
era pubic Guil'y -,
This resolution passed unanimously which elected ap
plause. t -. ...;o.
/, which be embraced ancient and modern cities IN gen
.T,I and the City of New York in particular
Tie Society then adjourned