The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1894-11-09
Old Records Preserved.

In small reliquary in the archives de-
partner. ut the State House have been
stored for several years The original manu-
script of the records of the Governor and
Company of the Massachusetts, Bay, in
New England. dating from 1927 TO 1885.
These documents furnish the most reliable
facts extant of the early history of Massa-
chuset,s colony. The use to which they
were subjected, coupled with the natural
decay Of age, imperiled their preservation.
Many of the rare pages were colored with
time stains, and so crumpled and worn that
ii was feared they would become disinte-
grated. The problem of preserving these
priceless records gave rise TO no little con-
cern, and antiquarians and others fruit
lessly attempted for years to devise some
plan or means of saving the rare docu-
ments. The question has been settled.
The records comprise three bound vol
umes, but the leaves had grown so frail and
nsubs,an,ial that, for years, permission TO
examine the documents has only been ex-
tended to persoLs who could furnish some
special reason why they should be allowed
to inspect the books. The records were
printed soma years ago under the editorship
of DR. Nathaniel B Shurtleff. The edition
was In Eve volumee. and it was distribu-
ted amsng libraries and historical and an
tiquarian societies. 1t has long since been
out Of print, and copies of the edition are
comparatively rare.
The process Of preserving the original
manuscript is the outcome of years of study
by F w R Emery, of Taunton. The paper
or document, after being cleaned or brush
ed, is washed on both sides with trans
parent, adhesive solution. Sheets OF i'm
ported white silk of the most delicate fab
rie, large enough to give an ample margin
or border 10 surround the document to bs
preserved. are then placed on each side ol
the record and pressed The pressurs
causes the silk to adhere closely TO the doc
ument, which is then treated to n coating
of paratiine for the purpose of bringing ou
and making more legible the writing there
on. This process seals the document per
manenty from any danger of disintegra
ton or fadirg of the ink. and also is pro
teCtion against insects or mice. whicl
might prey upon the sneien, records.
The old records Of Bristol county hay
been treated with the process. and Cit
Registrar whitmore is employing it I
preserve many Of the records Of the earl
history Of Boston. The State rssoris ca
be handled Aow without fear of serioas in
; jury resulting, ami J ] Tracy, ehisf ef th
archives division, at whose suggestion sh
work was done, feels that the docnmen,
will endure for all time. Many Of th
pages are composed of detached fragments
which were gathered and pasted togetae
by Mr. Emery with infinite patience. 1
{ many instances the writing is indistinS
and illegible. bat this is due 10 age.
In restoring these records. silk Of The de
, scripsion given has been exclusively EN-
ployed. but many Of the Revolutionary reG
. ords, in less advanced ttate Of decay. an
not 50 valuable from historical stand
I point. have been restored by placing ih
: manuscrip, between pages Of ine ,issu
, paPer.-Boston Transcript