New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-02-18
CATALOGUE or GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

CATALOGUE or GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.
TO the Edtt0r OF The IrtbHHr.
SIR " Descriptive Catalogue Of the Gov
eminent Publications Of the United states September .,
1774March 4, 1851" compiled by order OF Congress- by
Ben Perley Poore Clerk 81 Printing Records Washing.
ten, has been issued by tho Government Printing ONCE.
The need OF such list has long been ct by the historian
investigator. and early as ol5 the attention OF
Congress called to The matter. but with result.
and the subject permitted TO drop till $751; whom
resolution introduced and passed by Congress for
the heads OF the departments 10 prepare such lists,
which, however owing 10 the lack OF appropriations to
carry on tho work resulted In nothing In ls-2 a bill
was passed for tho compilation OF such list and
tho necessary work begun under the charge OF
Bon Perey Poore. AID assisted by.A. H. sponcrd
the.CongreSsionai Library and Mellon Chamberlain OF
tho Boston Public Library. which latter institution has
had FOR some years partial list Of such publications
which with comparatively snght labor might nave been
perfected, and which 1t had offered free OF charge
COngrc-s on condition that II would print IL.
When LOOKS at tho great quarto volume OF 1892
pages and finds from the preface that contains oyor
5000 rGcs, any ono unacquinted with the !Ayshness
Of Congre" in the matter Of printing would suppose
subject mad bcol treated In a exhaustive and par
feet manner; but little stuiy shows that, far from
being complete, IL is most imperfect and worthy
Taking the nrs; thirty pages Il sample we viii eT-
anime them test OF tho whole volume. We nnd tho
collected editions OF the Journals OF Congress" IVA
1878. bat record Ia made OF the gina pamphlet
editions, numbering not les than ten OF the Broad
sides is3Ioa by the Continental Congress, which, from
historical point OF view, OF the greatest value
find hardly representative, though many could have
been obtained with The Official reports
OF tho trials Of John Andre and Chafe, Lee
are gwen but ind mention Of those Of
Benedict Arnold and Arthur st. Clair Several titles
OF pamphlets relating TO the dispute between Connect
cat ana PenEs yyana are given but less the
tracts relating TO the same subject arc omitted The
Address OF the Delegates to tho Continental Congress
TO the People of Eugland, exceedingly imnurtant
document Inserted Four eOhiroversal pamphlets
ana three re5Ss arc thought sufficient
jaw Treaty Of 1888, leaving tho
sucl pamphlets as HRmiltoHs " Camlus," speech OF
Fisher Anss on the Treaty." fIarpers Address 10 his
Commitments on the Same" Address to tho House Of
REPRESENTATIVES the Grenvie Treaty" Features Of
Mr. Jays Treaty,""A Candid Examination OF the Oblec-
TONS the Treaty aud the American krmenbranccr
or Impartial Collection VI Speeches. Essays and Re
solves Relative 10 the Treaty with Great Bfitar," In
thres volumes, the last Of which Is objectionable
omission. as II ia the most important collection
OF facts relative to that treaty and abso-
Iutely necessary 20 any one engaged In It's
study While giving several OF tho controversial tracts
relative 10 that treaty which Issued privately and
With the publication OF which tho Government had no
connection when thib work takes up the Federal Con
slit utlon does not include any Of The
arguments. pro aud con. such ~ the Federalist.'
I" Philo Pubus" ContineD taist, etc. and OF the OH
cla debates Of the State Legislatures on H. we fad only
that for Massachusetts,; an inexousabie omission.
Such IN the result Of hasy ana very imperfect sur
vey Of the first thirty pages. covering the period
177i-l795 and IT, doubtless II IL, criterion OF the
unoie volume we must conclude that while much mate
rial collected. tho list OF Government pnbca
lions Is yet 10 DO written.
BroOklH. ". l., Feb. 4, 1856