Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-04-01
WILMINeToN. rHURsDAY, ApaIh /.


phsSador TO GREAT britain was his sue
cess in obtaining permission for restor-
ing to the United States the log OF the
good ship Mayfower, in which the
Pilgrim settlers came to this country.
The movement for tine return Of this
valuable relic was made by the govern
ment of Massachusetts, the American
Antiquarian Society, the Massachusetts,
Historical Society, the Pilgrim Society
of Plymouth and the New England
Society of New York City. The efforts
put forth by these bodies were ably
seconded by Ambassador Bayard, and
were endorsed by the Archbishop of
Canterbury and the Bishop of London.
The question was before the Consistory
Court OF the Diocese of London on
"Wednesday, and MIR. Bayard presented
petition on behalf of the President
and citizens Of the United States
which SET forth the history Of the book
and the assumptions as to how it came
into the possession Of the See of London.
1t was stated that precedent to this
proposed friendly act of restoration
was to be found in the action of the
Philadelphia Library, in 1867, in restor-
ing five manuscript volumes which
were once part of the archives of Eng.
land, for which Lord Romilly, the then
Master of the Rolls, formally expressed
the deep thanks of England.
Mr.. H. +. Lee, legal secretary of the
Bishop of London, proposed in behalf
OF Mr.. Bayard to usa every means in
his power to safeguard the log and
deposit the same In Pilgrim Hall,
Plymouth. Mass, or some other safe
place selected by the President of the
United States, and also to deposit
Photographic copy IN the registry of the
Diocese Of London, Mr.. Stratham
stated that this was an unusual petit
tion, not brought by single person,
unsupported bya large body of public
feeling and the President and numerous
learned societies Of the United States.
In short, he added, the petition was
brought by the whole Of great nation
living 10 the greatest amity with Great
Britain, and even without Mr.. Bayard 8
undertaking he felt sure that America
would 30 treat it. This was OF world
wide import, as il would be safely
transmitted to successive generations.
After hearing CT the matter, the Lord
Chancellor read long Judgment, dur.
ing which he set forth that the log was
part of large numbers of manuscripts in
Fulham Palace relating to the English
possessions in the American colonies,
which, before the Declaration OF indie.
psndence. formed part Of the Diocese
of London. In the history of the do
cese there was but one precedent to a
petition such as this on the ground
that it was matter of public interest.
In 1863 be explained, Lord John Rus
sell petitioned the Diocese of London
to restore to France the will and codi-
ellis of Napoleon I. The present appli
cation differed from that of Lord Rus.
soil, because the log of tine Msyflower
contained a register of births, mar
riages and deaths. and concerned the
property OF the descendants of the Pill
grims. Their interests must be safe
6haAaofs uhd thc touIt WOuli
follow the custom prevailing when a
new diocese is Offset from an old one, in
which case the registers of births,
deaths and marriages are transferred
to the new diocese. He added:
Il order, on the undertaking given
by Mr.. Bayard, to place the log in fl
place where persons concerned can have
access thereto, and proper certiticated
copy being deposited at Fulham, that
the original be given up to Mr.. BRyard
for transmission to the President of The
United States, and that copy of this
judgment under seal be sent with thu
book whenever Mr.. Bayard or some ont
from the United States Embassy car
attend. In the meanwhile it will re-
main in the diocesan strong-room.
Every American CITIZEN should rejoict
at this gracious courtesy on the part O
Great Britain, whsreby the story of tina
memorable voyage by the Pilgrim
Fathers will be placed in the possession
of their descendants in this country.
1t is greatly TO be feared that reoues
for similar favor of this country b,
England would not have been SO court
eously treated, and the incident. there
fore, impresses itself more forcihly thai
ever as an evidence of that spirit tina
should prevail between the two grea
English speaking nations of the world
1t was graceful act that will no doub
be properly appreciated in this couu
try.
The manuscript referred to in th
above proceedings is the manuscript
History of the Plimoth Plantation
Continuing an Account of The Voyag
OF the May Written By William
Bradford, one of tho Founders an
Second Governor. the famous docu
mont which was discovered in Ionic
In lS46 and published in this countr
as tho thru volume of tho fourth serie
OF the Massachusetts Historical Sc
ciety's publications. So far as
known, there is no such thing in exist
ence as an authentic LOG of the Nav
flower" and even if ono existed, it
doubtful whether it would be of an
great value, as it would naturally relat
only to the sailing of tho vessel whic
brought the Pilgrims to this countr,
1t minbT, boWeyer clpnr n, Dpa I'D,