Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-12-01

making the association eminent, and all that
vas required was a little exertion, and we
should attain & glorious progress, When4nen
shall have accumulated wealth., let Us induce
them 70 cultvstesthc arts, the sciences and lit
erature, and what more worthy object could
they bestow their.wealth upon, ~thana Society
of this characters Let us do what has been
done else whereby the Smithsonian Institute,
others throughout the land-and let us procure
a Library. He had brought few works; was
willing to contribute his humble efforts towards
building up the association. Among the works
presented by Mr.. Robertson, were the follow
ing = "'a 1,t 7St'' '''''' 2
The Writings and Travels of Father Hen
nepin-the entire work. They were formerly
in possession of Edward Ingraham, Of Philadel-
phia. :.
An old copy of the Universal Museum, by
Father Cary. Printed in 1892.
Carver's Travels in Minnesota-the writings
Of the first British traveller in our Territory
Printed by the celebrated New England Prin-
ter, Isaiah Thomas. g. alt
Geography Of the Western States, by Tim
othy Flint. Published in 1928.
Memoirs Of the Royal Society of Antigua
ries at Copenhagen, containing number Of
papers relative to the antiquities of this country
In addition he wished to present an ancient
spear, purchased at Lake Superior, where it
1,,rr Al r.
copper, and was found about one year ago
at Ontonagon, several feet beneath the surface
of the soil, upon which had stood for years,
some old pine trees. Two other spears
were found besides several curious chisels.-
They have an ancient appearance, and were
doubtless the weapons of an unknown race
Several eminent writers hold to the idea that
there are three ages of the world-the Stone,
the Bronze, and the Iron age. The discove-
ry of these spears would seem to indicate that
they were in the age Of Bronze! By this we can
readily see the degrees of civilization the coun-
try had attained. He would suggest that case
be procured and the articles preserved.
Rev. Mr.. Neill stated that other gentlemen
had presented the following articles: A histo-
ry of King Edward VI, $50 years old. A
silver coin bearing date 17l3-a Spanish coin,
l731-a California coin, 1949. A penny was
presented from Massachusetts, previous to her
uniting with the Federal Government. 9th
er pennies of an ancient date, from Connecti-
cut and other States, were presented. One
from Pennsylvania of 1857, probably bearing
the inscription of Franklin, a part of which
was, F." mind your own business" Specimens
Of Indian pottery, procured from the Wisconsin
side, had been sent to the Society from Red
Wing. Fragments ola Vase from the town of
Shakopee, were exhibited. The Vase was
found just at the mouth of a cave, and acct
dentally broken by workman. The work.
manship was nea! and displayed considerable
ingenuity. 1t is asserted by the Dakotas that
another tribe of Indians formerly occupied the
ground where the Vase was found, and to them
belongs the credit Of this first specimen of their
manufacture ever brought to the public eye.
An old copy of a work upon which Thomas
Carlyle based his life of Cromwell, created
much interest. We think it was in Philadel-
phia. as stated by Mr. Neil, that a gentleman
saw an Irishman selling books, and on exam
nation he discovered the true character of this
volume and purchased it. He was subsequent
ly paid 500 for allowing gentleman to make
a transcript. 1t sold in England for 1925, and
it is stated that Carlyle said that no book was
more worthy of a republication than this
From this volume we learn that Cromwell was
not the General of the Parliamentary forces,
but the Lieut.. General. Thomas Fairfax was
the General, although Cromwell was virtually
the leader and governing power. 1t is valu-
able historical work.
The original edition of Old Ben Johnson's
Comedies, published in 1881, and purchased
for the Territorial Library, by Gov. Ramsey,
was next exhibited. 1t was thought that Gov.
German, il he had power, would transfer it to
the Historical Society. His Excellency said
he would do SO with pleasure, but the money
for the Library was expended under the direc-
ton Of the Secretary Of the Interior. He
"Vuiu SuSSCSe shot q SofiituittCS OC oPPotHtCu
to get up catalogue of books, and he thought
the Secretary would be glad to purchase such
books as would be interesting to the associa-
ton. On motion the Secretary was instructed
to furnish such a catalogue.
Col. Robertson thought it desirable to obtain
a library for the benefit of the members, but
not to circulate, and that the room should be
open at all hours Of the day, for the benefit Of
those connected with the institute, whereupon
it was moved ~
That all books and other articles presented
to the Society, shall remain in this room.
Rev. E. D. Neill presented a small box con.
tanning the first fruits of the opening of the
mound on Dayton's Bluff, consisting of part
Of skull. teeth, sc. He thought if the re-
search was kept up, much good would come
from it. 1t was singular coincidence, that on
the same day that these mounds were opened,
two volumes were received from Society in
Europe, one of which treated Of the opening
of mound almost identical to the one on Day.
tons Bluff.
The original Mountain Barometer carried
by Nicollett, through this Territory, was pre-
scented to the Society, by Louis M. Olivier,
Register Of Deeds. 1t was purchased Of
C,..- e. n AT " A. IL. r.