Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-01-31
Watchman s. Journal.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 81. 1872.
TEsSs-s2.oo per year, strictly In advance, or il5o
ifnot paid within three months.
Vermont Historical Society.

There will be an extra meeting Of this
Society at St. Adams next week, Feb. 9Th
Beside the papers announced 10 the official
notice, Henry Hall, E.q, Of Rutland will
read two papers, one on Indian Foot
Prints" another on " The Battle Of Hub
barjtou - Rev. DR.. Bailey Of Sheldon, will
read Biographical notice, and Il Il. Towc,
E.q., Of franklin will give an account Of the
Fenian raid under Gen. O'Ncill and the ar.
rest of that officer Papers will also be read
by Hon 4. j. Phelps, President Backham,
Henry Clark Esq. and Deo. l.. j.. butcher
The meeting promises to be one Of unusual
interest. aud we are glad TO note the incrcas.
ing hold that this society hasupon the public,
and the widening range Of its activity. It
has published within two years, two volumes
Of Collections, which contain the most yaua.
bic documents cxtant relating to the carly
history Of Vermont and to the troubles which
attended its birth into the family Of States
Of those records aud Of their historical ac.
curacy, than the bitter assaults which have
been made upon them by Mr.. Dawson, in the
Historical Magazine, of which he is editor.
tie claims to have possession OF a manuscript
history Of the early conventions in Vermont
that would show the records Of this Historical
Society to be manufactured and false. But
the remarkable singuarity Of his claim is,
that he does not give the document to the
light Aud if he has any such papers they
are not the original records Of the conyen-
tons, but only copies Of records, which arc
also in possession of the society Nothing
that Mr. Dawson has said has inyalidated
the historical accuracy Of the Historical Col.
ections, and they will stand the test Of the
severest criticism. They are proud monu.
ment to the society aud furnish ample mater.
ais for the future historian,
The papers which are read before tho so.
cicty are carefully preserved and many Of
them have more than a mere local or TEN.
porary value. They give gimpses Of our
present history, as well as preserve the trali-
tions and traces of the former history Of the
State. They will be invaluable as reference,
to any subsequent chroniclor la its at
tempts to gather and preserve these memoir.
ais Of the past and present, the work Of the
| snciatv oapunt hn cvorosttr,ut.I
At the meeting in st. Adams, according to
the official notice, arrangements will be made
for field day. In other States this ha,
come to be the annual custom. A meeting
Of the Society is called at or near some place
of historical interest. A day is devoted to
exploring the traces and rccitng the tradi
lions or investigating the records Of old aud
memorable occurrences Ruins are visited
the localities Of historical events are inspected
and half forgotten and buried incidents are
exhumed and placed in the imperishabe ar.
chives Of history. There are many place,
10 this State that are fragrant with historical
"reminiscences. Ticonderoga would furnish a
field Of surprising interest On that spot
the members Of the New York Historical
Society could meet with the members Of our
own, and Interchange greetings aud compare
traditions The old contest might be waged
over again around the hospitable board with.
out its ancient acrmony. Dawson might
modify his temper with old Falernian, OF
have it corrected by the application of the
Green " Seal an infalihle antidote to un.
lsarrantaole New York claims Hubbard.
ton, Bennington, Westminster, Royaton,
Grand Isle, Derby, all furnish unquestiona.
bic attractions for such rapid survey. The
addition Of such feature to the meetings Of
our Historical Society must necessarily prove
to be both valuable aud delightful 1t will
add little of the zest Of romance to tn,
graver duties of the Society, and will natu
rally extend and deepen the interest which il
already felt in its work.
St. Adams will doubtless give hearty
welcome to the members of the Socict,
which she has invited to assemble there -anC
they will not be backward we hope in re-
spouse to the call. There has been no pub
lie meeting since Oct 1870, and this shoulC
be fully attended.