The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-11
PUBLIC RECORDS.
Commissioner Swan of MaSSachu-
setts at Historical Society.

Mr.. Robert II. Swan, commissioners OF
public records of Massachusetts,, last
evening read an interesting paper TO the
members of the Rhoce Island Historical
Society at the rooms OF the society on
Waterman street "Some Observations
OF and Upon Public Records and Papers,
was the title of the address.
Mr.. Swan told in an enterta ming man
ner OF his researches I'm the town halls of
the different towns and villages OF Mas
sachusetts, and instanced the Keen de-
light he took in rummsging around old
forgotten trunks and musty cupboards
in quest OF the precious documents.
Many of the papers discovered we're either
mice-eaten or moth-eaten TO such an eN-
tent as TO render them well nigh us less.
In the recent arranging OF the Massa-
chusetts State House, consequent upon
the building of the addition, papers
never before accessible have been brought
TO light. Some OF these papers date as
far back as 1890.
Much interesting matter relating to
the Revolutionary period has beeu dis
covered.
Piled in with these are many ancient
printed documt nts, which, while not
| forming part OF the records, are none the
less valuable. Some of the town officers
upon having their attention called 10
| these, and seeing that they are not only
| valueless where they are but almost sure
! TO be destroyed, have sent them TO the
| State Library. Among them are papers
| SO rare that the Boston Public Library
| has printed from originals which they
| chanced TO have fsc-smiles for other
| libraries. A few of the most interesting,
| historically, are letters from the Boston
| Committee of Correspondence sent TO the
town. One dated Nov. %, 1913, says:
"Our fears are excited by the expecta-
| fion OF the immediate arrival of the tea, :"
the sending of which is called "master
| piece of policy for accomplishing the pur-
pose of enslaving U.S.. Another trans
mits the doings OF meeting OF people OF
Boston and surrounding towns at Faneuil
Hall, Nov. 20. 1913, at a. M, adjourned
! to the Old South Church. and continued
| tho follow ing day, at which 5000 persons
| we're present. stirring resolutions were
! passed at this meeting and sent through
/ the State TO arouse enthusiasm. In an
! other letter the committee refers to the
| "calamities like a torrent rushing upon
| us' and calls on all people TO "withhold
everything from the British but what
mere humanity requires"
| A hroaoside sent ont from the Provin-
| cial Congress October rs, 177i, recommends
that companies OF militia choose officers;
| that the officers assemble and arrange
| regimental limits and he ready TO march
at short notice. June 26 l776 Congress
| urged that "Friends of America sub
| scribe hard money to be sent to Canada
for support OF the army, only f2000 out
OF the needed $50, 600 having been raised. "
The language OF some OF these docu-
ments Is of the finest aud show the in
tensity OF feeling at that time.
As matter OF interest to Rhode
Islanders. Mr.. Swan gave the names OF
the following Rhode. Island soldiers
which were found on the rolls recently
| discovered:
Captain Amos Geene's company, Colo
mel Joseph Noye's regiment.
Captain Thomas Rfce-s company,
Colone Jonathan Watermans regiment.
Captain Samuel Browns company.
Captain Jonathan Browns company.
Captain James Stedman's company.
Captain Pc!eg Simon's company, Colonel
Christopher Olney's regiment.
Captain Squire Millard's companx+ Col.
onel Waterman's regiment
Field and staff pay rolls, Colonel Israel
Angeles First and Second Regiments.
Field and muster pay rolls, Lieutenant
Colonel jeremiah Olney's battalion.
Muster rolls, Colonel Christopher
Green's First Battalion.
Captain Elijah Lewis company, Cap
tain John $. Dexter's company, Captain
John Holden's company, Captain Ed
ward Siocum's company, Captain Thomas
| Coles company.
Field and staff and company officers Of
| the First X. j. Battalion.
In conclusion, MIR. Swan urged upon his
listeners to do all In their power TO pro-
| tect and preserve the records OF their
| State and TO do Ii at once. remembering
that il ever delays are dangerous II is
| when the preservation OF what cannot
be replaced is at stake.
| A cordial vote of thanks was given to
| Mr. Swan at the close OF his address.
| After few informal remarks by several
| of those present upon the matter Of care
| of town records the meeting was ad-
! journed.
| Mr.. Frank Greene Bates, Fellow OF Cor
nell University. will read tue next paper
| before the Historical Society Tuesday,
December 81. Subject "Rhode Island
and the Impost of l7s1."