Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1868-01-18
To the Members of the Graf, Croft, Or
Grove Family.

UlUpt PdulllJs
FRIENDS AND KINDRED In the last eir-
cuar issued from my office, bearing date
of July 90. 1867, promised 10 sail for
Europe in September following. and to
devote my time and energies while there
10 The establishment Of The fact Of the ex-
istsnce or non.exislence Of an estate said
10 be held in reversion FOR our family.
This promise having been fulfilled, so lar
as the kingdom Of Holland is concerned,
| have returned, and embrace The earliest
moment 10 make known 10 you my plan
for full disclosure Of all The circumsian-
ces connected with the rise, progress and
partial csnsumalion OF the investigation.
Candor compels me 10 state that my re-
searches were confined 10 Holland, al
though extended my inquiries. IN re-
s,ricted sense, 10 that portion OF Europe
IN which row fully believe the estate
exists. After the conclusion of my in
vestiga,ion in Holland, found tina, my
means were insufficient 10 justify any
further progress, and even had Ian sbun-
dance Of funds would have fell disposed
TO return 10 America for the purpose OF
procuring papers necessary 10 facilitate
my lsbo:s in Germany.
Upon mature reflection have conclu-
ded 10 publish a yoluminous report. and
embody my plans for The future, in the
form Of a newspaper, 10 be published
monthly, entitled "TIlE GRAF,
CROFT, AND GROVE FAMILY
RECORD" the first number Of which
will appear on, or few days after, the
lst day of February next and will be fuI-
nished 10 subscribers only, al the price Of
So per year, payable in advance. 10 The
columns of this journal will appear
/. An elaborate statement Of the lncep-
tion and progress OF The invesIe CATION |
have Instituted, and which design 10
continue until ! finally reach full and
satisfactory conclusion of The case.
3. The publication OF several hundred
letters addressed 10 me upon the subject,
previous TO my departure for Europe,
which contain many interesting facts. ge-
theological statements, ETC., eic. Also
compendium Of the contents OF papers
hitherto unpublished, many of them Of
great importance and Of much value as
relics OF The family.
3. An accoun, of my movements end
operations while in Holland in pursui. Of
lbe necessary information in order to
reach satisfactory conclusion.
4. A copy Of the application for infor-
nation which filed in the finance de-
parlmenl Of The government OF Holland,
and the reply thereto, issued by the high
est and only official source of informa-
too having jurisdiction in such cases.
5. A review of the history and move.
menls OF the Hans Graf Family Associa-
lion, including o succincl account Of lis
proceedings al its annual meeting, held
near Lancaster in September.
6. Sketches OF the lives, and, probably
portraits oil some members Of the family.
An account Of my voyage across the
Atlantic and German oceans what
saw and heard; opinions formed OF Hol-
land and its inhabitants the substance Of
four hour.and-a-hslf speeches. delivered
by myself 10 the passengers Of the steam.
ship, some seven hundred in number. on
the voyage home and other matters Of
minor importance. will. probably, be
thrown in TO gil up
A paper OF this character is particular.
" needed at this juncture Of affairs. and
will doubtless be fully palronized and
appreciated by all who have the natural
feeling Of regard for, and who desire TO
hear from. snd who wish TO hold commu-
Mon with. those who are near 10 US by
The ties Of consanguiniiy. Having. IN
years past, occupied the editorial chair in
Virginia. in The conduct Of The Norfolk
Examiner, my experience, perhaps, has
sufficiently qualified me for the task de.
termined upon and with such mass Of
interesting matter as have accumulated,
am fully confident that the publication
will meet with your appreciation and
and command the respect OF The public at
large. Having fully entered upon The
work Of thorough inves'ig alton. with the
determination that no combination Of cir
cumstances shall preven. me from sscer-
tanning in Europe The precise fscts of The