Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-03
Opposite the Maxwell House.

1851 Ou Tie pldUtablOn OF OOl. curtis.
Mrs. Curtis presented it, through Mrs.
FitZhugh, to the President. Also, three
diplomas, one Of which is his University
diploma.
From George W. Jones, through John
Frizzell, Esq.-The second Volume Of
''Chronieles Of the Revolution" title page
torn out. This book belonged to Mr..
Jones father before he was born, in 1906.
TWAS probably printed soon after the Revo-
lutionary war.
From the nephews Of Mai. Samuel p.
Montgomery, Of Cleveland, Tenn, through
Representative Trewhitt-The sword Of
Maj. Montgomery, who fell in the battle Of
the Horse Shoe. The Major was a citizen
of Nashville when be enlisted under Gen.
Jackson. His brother, Col. B. r. Mont
gomery, died in Chattanooga some years
ago. The sword is a staunch old weapon.
From John A. Cheatham-A collection
Of fints.
From Or. McFall, Of Franklin-A col
lection Of old newspapers printed in Nash
vile in 1872, 1913 and 1917.
From Col. j. b. killebreW-Hawl1s' His
tory Of North Carolina, two volumes; also
the Revolutionary History Of North Caro-
lima, by Hawks, Swain and Grisham.
The corresponding secretary read the fol-
lowing, after which the society adjourned
until the first Tuesday in April next:
KNOXVILLE, Dec. p, 1S74.-Alrs. James
X. Polk, Polk Place, Nashville, Tenn
Madam: One of the functions of this so
ciety is to collect and preserve everything
within its reach, that can illustrate the
character and hIghten the luStre Of the es-
cuteheOn Of the proud State Of Tennessee,
and Of her illustTiOus sons, and to thus
hand down for the biographer and the his
tOrian the rich treasures Of civil and mar
tial achievements and Of private worth, 80
often and 50 signally manifested in the glOri-
Gus past of the volunteer State. One Of the
provisions of its constitution is that, if by
any casualty the Society becomes extinct,
its effects and its collect ions become the
property of the Stale, and are thus securely
preserved amongst its archives.
IL is know that the public and official
papers, and especially the executive jour
mails, Of the late Hon. James Knox Polk,
formerly member Of Congress and Govern
or Of Tennessee, and more recently Presi-
dent Of the United States Of America, have
survived him, and are yet in your posses
sion. This rich legacy to his countrymen,
as We conceive, should be placed beyond
the rayages Of time and Of accident, and
be preserved for a grateful and admiring
pOSterity. With your consent, the Historical
Society Of Tennessee, desires to become
the custodian Of these papers aud volumes,
and will esteem It a favor not less than a
privilege, thus TO peTpetuate the name, ser
vices and character Of one Of her public
servants, not less distinguished for his en-
inent ability and success as a statesman
and patriot, than by his amiability and his
private and public virtue.
We are aware that the request thus made
will awaken sad memories Of the past in
the mind Of his surviving companion, that
may cause yOu 20 hesitate before yielding
to 1t. We hope no sacrlege is Perpetrated
in thus requesting the sacrifice of a private
grief and personal bereavement to public
good, and for the benefit Of history and Of
poSterity. What we thus do in our associated
capacity, we feel assured, is in strict con-
sOnaDce with the enlightened public senti-
merit Oftlie people Of Tennessee, as well as
Of the officers and members Of our society,
and ask, therefore, with the greater conf
dence, your favorable consideration Of il.
We have the honor to be, Madam, most
respectfully, your obedieut servants,
J. g. NJ. RAMSEY, Pres't,
ROBT. G. FOSTER, Vice Pres't,
g. p. THBUSTOS, Cor Sec'y,
ASsON NELSON, Rec Sec'y,
j. II. CURREY, Treasurer,
j. BERRIEN LINDSEY.
DR.. J. G.. N. Ramsey and other officers
of the Historical Society of Tennessee. /
Gent lenen: Your Communication request
ing me TO place in the archives Of your so |
Ciety, for the benefit Of posterity, the public /
and official papers and the Executive Jour
nal Of my late husband, has been duly re
ceived.
l agree with you that such valuable |
containing 50 much valuable /
information in regard to the affairs Of an /
important period in our cOuntry's history. |
should be securely kept, and l am entirely |
willing to cOnfide them, eventually, 70 the /
keeping of your excellent society.
But during She remainder Of my liie-a /
life already past three score and ten years
desire to retain possession Of these dOcu- |
men's, and to preserve them, rs hitherto. 1
in a room which have always kept sacred |
10 the memory Of Mr.. Polk, the furniture \
and arrangements Of which have never
been disturbed since he laid down his pen.
| appreciate highly the objects, purposes
anu ldDUlc Ol our aDlt 1CGlcLNs allu
Jequeathe to it the papers mentioned, sat
SIZED that they thus will be in safe keeping
and viii be more sure to add their part to
he history Of oar great and noble country.
Accept my thanks for the courtesy and
with which your request was
made, and for your recognition Of the at
1 must ever feel for al that re-
mains to me belonging to Mr.. Polk.
With the sincerest wishes for your sue
,ess as a Society, whose laudable under
akings succeeding generations will appre-
late more and more highly.
1 am most respectfully, yours, etc,
HRS. JAS. X. Polk.
To Dr.J G.. M. Ramsey, President; RO-
,eIt G. Foster, Vice President; G. p. Thrus-
on, Corresponding Secretary; Arson Mel
on, Recording Secretary; J. Berrien Linds-
ey.
Polk Place, Nashville, Tenn, Jan'y. 10,
S75.
IOT VIpTV0TTS Pitt HAPPY