The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-01-21
THE aisToRIcAL SOCIETY,
Report of the President on It's condi-
@FG ton. ~

HELENA, Montana, Dec, l, 1851.
Hon. u. r. Potts, Governor Of Montana:
SIR: have the honor to report to your
Exceilency the condition of the Historical
Society and its action and expenditures dur.
ing the year. The Society has continued to
receive the Public documents distributed by
the United States through the instrumental
ty of the Interior Department and such other
documents published by the Government as
its members could procure; but inasmuch as
there is no general method for the distrib,l-
ton of Public Documents pertaining to the
Departments not made apart Of Congression-
al proceedings, and no general catalogue OF
such additional documents Is furnished by
the government, the ability Of the Society to
procure such other documents is greatly cur
tailed. The Society has, nevertheless, to ac-
knowledge the courtesy of the Departments
of War and State for favors received. 1t has
also been the recipient from the public-spir-
tied and generous publishers Of newspapers
in the Territory If copies Of their weekly Is
sues which promise in the near futuret to COM
prise the most valued possession of the Soci-
ETY. and ii would be wanting in q pleasant
and apparent duty IL 1t did not express its
thanks therefor.
The Society has during the year added to
its lists of manuscripts some Of very consid-
cradle value, pertaining mostly to military
campaigns, commercial adventure, Indian
traditions, railroad construction and other
events of lesser note but which, when woven
with other material into volumes of "Con-
tributions," 1t Is believed will be Of great in
terest. During the year the Society has re-
Trained from publishing volume of contri-
buttons from the consideration that there did
not seem to be in the material such variety
as 1t is desirable should characterize the sew
eral volumes of the series. The advent Of
railroads to the Territory during the year
past is all event of historic Importance des-
tined to exercise q Transforming influence
upon the interests and characteristics of our
people and their industries and the Historic
al Society has not failed to signalize these
events with an emphasis commensurate with
their Importance as effecting the destiny Of
this people. The crying need Of the Society
is rooms fitted for its purpose aud adequate
to all its uses. Until these are procured the
Society cannot hope to fulfill the anticipa-
tions or design Of its management.
The Society has further to acknowledge
courtesies shown by the officers Of the North
ern Pacific and Utah & Northern Railroad
Companies, by Prof. Clinton II. Moore, of
Boise, Idaho, Il. d. Harrison, ESQ.,, Assayer
in charge of the United States Assay Office in
Helena, and to +. G. Heldt, Esq, of Fort
Shaw. We have also to acknowledge con-
tributions from Frederick de Peyster, L. l..
D., President of the New York Historical
Society, Mr.. James NJ. Hammersley and
Genl J. Watts de Peyster all of the City of
New York. The Society has interested it.
self to preserve intact and TO keep within
the Territory the very considerable accumu-
lation of documents and manuscripts left by
the gallant Lieut.. j. L. Bradley, and the
public spirit Of one of our citizens has pre-
vented their dispersion or destruction. No
change has occurred in the financial condi-
ton of the Society during the current year.
have the honor to remain,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
W.T.. SANDERS, President.