Morning journal and courier., 1882-11-28
The Historical Society.


Annual NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the Old
Family Diary.
The annual meeting of the New Haven Col
ony Historical society took place last evening
at the rooms of the society in the old State
House, Vice President Thomas r. Trow-
bridge presiding 1t was the largest annual
meeting of the society ever held. Among
those present were Thomas R. Trowbridge, |
Thomas R. Trowbridge, jr., Prof. Salisbury, |
Luzon B. Morris, Prof. Hoppin, Prof. ). T. |
Plat, j. B. Sargent, DR.. z. H. Bishop, Rev. |
E. e. Atwater, Prof. S. E. Baldwin, Fl. T. |
Blake, Hon. G. B. Bowers, Major r. P. |
Cowles Gardner Morse, Majo T. A. Barnes,
Hon. G. L. English J. S. Cannon and other
well known citizens.
Upon remarks by Messrs. Baldwin, Platt,
Barnes and I. II. Trowbridge, jr., the finance
and publication committees were continued
another year.
Mr.. Platt spoke of the price of the forth
coming volume of the society's publication.
1t was left with the society to fix the price.
Prof. Baldwin made plea for the editing
and printing by the society at some future
time, when convenient, of the diary of Presl-
dent Stiles of Yale ColIege-some extracts
from which were printed in the COURIER at
the time of the preparations in this city for
the centennial commemoration of the inva-
sion by the British of New Haven. Mr.. Bald
win called attention to the fact of the exis t.
ence in the college library of this diary. He
said it was certainly one of the most interest
ing unpublished manuscripts of local his
ent had seen the diary. 1t comprised num-
Der of volumes, commencing in point of time
before President Stiles came to this
city, and while he still resided in Newport,
Rhode Island, if the speaker recollected
Alright. 1t contained much of interest rela-
tive to Newport, New Haven, Connecticut,
New England and the country at largo.
There was much that was superfuous. It
needed quilting For instance, President Stiles
habitually noted down anything in literature
which struck his fancy. One came all of a
sudden perhaps upon passage relative to
| life in Abyss1nia, one relative to the
| rival Of some Londoner and his being shown
| about the college, or one relative to some
| legislative enactment concerning the college.
The diary was chronicle of all sorts of
events and often one stumbled on rich mine
| of local history. The speaker believed the
college would interpose no objection to its
being suitably edited and published. The
| speaker understood that the Rhode Island
society, or gentlemen interested in that So
| ciety, had taken steps relative to printing
| that portion of the diary relating to Rhode
| Island They had had some communication
| with the college in regard to it. 1t was GER
tainly desirable that if published it be pub
lished under one editor.
Mr. Platt inquired if there would be any
objection to the plan by the college. Mr..
| Baldwin thought not, inasmuch as any objec-
ton which had existed had now been re-
moved by lapse of time. John Quincy
Adams diary had been published and it re-
ferred frequently to persons now living,
| which was not the case with the Stiles diary.
So Carlyle's had been published almost be-
fore he had grown cold in his grave.
Prof. Hoppin shed more light on the sub
ject, saying that the application in behalf of
the Rhode Island society to Yale was made
by himself, and they had interchanged con.
| siderable correspondence on the subject.
Mr. Dexter had informed the speaker that
there was no obstacle to the suitable publica-
ton of the manuscripts. The speaker
deemed them exceedingly interesting and he
was surprised the Rhode Island gentlemen
had not followed up the subject A-great
deal of it must necessarily be omitted,
but there were many real gems. If pub
lished, it should be published as whole. AS
| a previous speaker had said, there was much
| rubbish in it, as, for instance, conversations
relative to the TaInlud, had by President
Stiles in Newport with Jewish Rabbi.
Professor Platt said it was highly impor.
tant to get the, right man for editor.
Professor Hoppin said he presumed Pro
fessor Dexter would be the man, if he would
accept the task.
Mr.. Blake spoke in reference to the advis
ability of the appointment of committee in
reference to the State House removal ques
ton.
Mr. T. r. Trowbridge, jr., said the mat
ter was not yet in the proper state for a com
mittee. The society hoped to remain in the
old building some time yet. The one re-
move it had made had taxed the society's re-
sources severely.
The annual election of the society was
held, resulting in the selection of the old di
| rectors and officers, with the exception of the
substitution of Major r. P. Cowles, vice DR.
Bacon, deceased, and was as follows
! President-Rev. DR.. Beardsley
| Vice President-Thomas R. Trowbridge.
| Secretary-Thomas r. Trowbridge, jr.
| Directors-Henry Bronson, E. 81. Lefhngwell, JohI
Simeon E. Baldwin, Frank E. Hotehkiss, Charles II
| Townsend, Franklin B. Dexter, johnson T. Platt
| Henry L. Hotchktss. E. HuAgins Bishop, Georg
Petrie, James M. aoppin, Eli Whitney, Thomas II
Trowbridge. jr., Charles Dickerman, Charles Peter
| son, Joseph B. Sargent, Edward E. Atwater. R.
! Cow1es.
Haven.