New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-23
THE TOWNSEND LIBRARY.

PLEA IN BEHALF or THE COMPILER.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: As The Tribune has KEEP: well before the pub
lie tho character and importance Of the Townsend
Library Of National State AMI Individual Records
will Won allow me 70 say word regarding the diff
oulties under which his unique undertaking has
been. and is now being. carried on BY the compiler
whose labors have resulted in the creation of the
most comprehensive and valuable addition yet made
to the historical archives Of the country?
The scope and nature Of the library have been
described often In print that 1t is unnecessary
to dwell upon them now. blt IL may he mentioned
here that although stll incomplete. It Is already
twice as vouminous the Government compilation
Of the official Union ami Confederate reports whch
has cost the Nation over 100000. and which Will
be the most exhaustive work OF the kind ever at
tempted by any country. The superiority OF the
Townsend Library consists in this that while the
Government compilation is invaluable furnishing
Official statistical records the former comprises in
addition. an almost endless array Of historical de-
scrptye ard miscellaneous data quite valuable TO
the historian statesman and general studen; Of the
Nations annals the official facts and figures. In
fact. the Townsend compilation s the work OF
reference for the period Of which f. treats and there
H. scarcely family IN the lanl that has not a
direct interest in the preservation OF It's
the library now deposited at Columbia College
for safe keeping. needs no mans Endorsement see
Ing tia; It speaks for Itself; but such men As Will
lam VI. Evarts. Joi ~ Sherman General Grant. Ban
croft the HISTORIAN Sp9forl. the librarian Of Con-
fesslJns from all sections Of the country have borne
unsolicited and eloquent testimony to its value. and
referred IN the highest terms 10 the industry and
uEselhSh lahors o. the compiler The late william
Cullen Bryant declared that the forty Acalemlcians
who compiled he dictionary Of the French language
had a far less hborious task before them than dli
Mr. Townsend
After ,hirty three. years of unpaid labor in the
prosecution Of work OF Nationa importance under
taken by private citizen entirely at MS own cos,
win resources thu most limited and harassed be-
yond measure when these have proved inadequate
and the unseltsh and patriotic enterprise was
threatened with failure. Mr.. Townsend now
a aS brshi fr hc sac Of Ts work to ons Of
our great educational institutions within a twelve
month prnsea without me , means rs 10 'Strs% cur
now BE- done by two more years OF uninterrupted
labor.
follow citizens az this uncture is TO assist him
with loan OF say s2,oV'. his notes. TO be made
payable In one year or soon as final disposition
~ the library can be made. II Is surely but rea.
sDnabe 10 ask that at least this triin8 portion OF
intel 10 bear H. ana me compiler DE- allowed 10
finish hs labors unhamprred by the obstacles that
hayr been sirewn along his path Mess me
time 10 be dsregardel -of soldiers who the
battlefield and pubicisis In the forum and In legis
ht.ve assemblies did yeomen's work in saving the
UnOn-the name ~ Thomas :. Townsend Will BE-
remembered by our children when those ~ many
who hay" hil"d larger spaces In The public vision
viii be forgotten In recording the memorable deeds
~ others. NJ Townsend who was born In this
city and is tho -oE OF one Of the leading members
IL 8. - b. hoped. will be- preserved intact for years
70 come In tins hour ~ need he. for he frs,
for and Sranted the outset In the present crisis
AMI under all these crcums ia1ces. u will be an IN
appeal now made should be made In vain. Any
contributions Tor this patriotic object may be de-
pnsltrl with Ncssrs White. Morris & Co. NJ. 100
broadway. and VIII b. duly acknowledged
New-York April l.. 1885, J. HENRY IIAGER.