Evening star., 1897-05-26
HIGHLY PRICED MSS.
itt t
Massachusetts NoM0wns the Famous
Bradford History.
mr. HOAR'S SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE
10Y.
Tells the History Of How It Was
n BIZ d s.a5
Secured.
.o1 81
COMPLIMENTS MR.. BAYARD

BOSTON, Mass, May 26-The Bradford
manuscript history of the New Plymouth
colony. the document for the possession of
which Massachusetts had long been anx-
tous. was formally presented to the COM
monwealth Of Massachusetts by Thomas
F. Bayard. former United States ambassa-
dor to England, before a joint convention
of the legislature today.
The ceremony of delivering the manu-
script took place in the spacious chamber
OF the house Of representatives and was
of a most impressive nature. Besides the
members of both branches of the general
court, many prominent officials of the state
and other distinguished citizens were pres
ent, while the galleries of the house were
filed with spectators.
After President Lawrence had called the
joint convention to order Gov. Wolcott, ac-
companied by the executive council, Mr.
Bayard, Senator George F. Hoar and sew
eral Massachusetts, congressman, entered
the chamber. formal proceedings were
opened by Clerk Coolidge of the senate
who read the decree of the consistorial
convention of London. intrusting the manu-
script to Ambassador Bayard. to be de-
livered by him In person to Gov. Wolcott
of Massachusetts,
The actual presentation was prefaced by
an address by Senator Hoar.
Hoar EulOEixes Baynrd.
Senator Hoar spoke In terms of high ap-
probation of ex-Ambassador Rayard's
efforts toward establishing upon a broader
foundation the feeling of brotherhood be-
tween Americans and Britons. The sena-
tor gave in detail the story Of the Brad
ford narration and Of the many unsuccess-
full attempts which had been made to
tinued:
"On the 21st Of December, 1895, deliv-
cred an address at Plymouth on the oc-
casion of the 275th anniversary of the land
ing of the pilgrims upon the rock. In pre-
pairing for that duty 1 read again. with re-
newed enthusiasm and delight, the noble
and touching story as told by Gov. Brad
ford. 1 felt that this precious history Of
the pilgrims ought to be in no other GUS
tody than that of their children. But the
PEELED by a serious physical infirmity TO
take 4 yacat ton, and to get a rest from
public cares and duties which was impOs-
sible while 1 stayed at home. When l went
abroad determined to visit the locality on
the borders Of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire
from which Bradford and Brewster and
Robinson, the three leaders Of The pilgrims.
came, where the first church was formed.
and the places in Amsterdam and Leyden
where the emigrantst spent 'thirtesa years.
But 1 longed especially to see the man
uscript Of Bradford at F'uiham, which then
seemed to me, as it now seems to me, the
we could recover one Of the four Gospels
as it came in beginning from the pen of the
evangelist.
Desire to Get 1t Back.
But the desire to get It back grew and
grew during the voyage across the At
lantic. did not know how such a PROPOSE
tion would be received in England. a few
days after landed made a call on John
Morley. I asked him whether he thought
the thing could be done. He inquired care
fully into the story. took down from his
shelf the excellent though brief life hof
Bradford in Leslie Stephens Biographical
Dictionary, and told me ne thought the
book ought to come back to US, and that
he should be glad ITO do anything IN his
power to help.
'It was my fortune, a week or two after,
to sit next to Mr.. Bayard at 4 dinner given
to Mr.. Collins by the American consuls in
Great Britain. l took occasion to tell him
which he has since SO abundantly and
successfully filled. of his powerful aid.
was compelled by the health of one of the
party with whom / was travelling to go to
the continent almost Immediately. and was
disappointed in the hope of an early return
to England. So the matter was delayed
until about week before sailed for home,
when went to Fulham in the hope, at
least. of seeing the manuscript. 1 had sup
posed that 1t was q Quasi-public library
open to general visitors. But I found the
bishop was absent. 1 asked for the libra
r1an. but there was no such officer, and
was told very politely that the library was
not open to the public, and was treated in
all respects as that of a private gentleman.
so l gave up any hope of doing anything
In person. But I happened. the Friday be-
fore sailed for home. to dine with au
English friend who had been exceedingly
10 mi 1n, nofxS
]! O'Clock In the evening. he asked me if
there was anything more he could do for
me- said: No. unless you happen to
Know the Lord Bishop Of London. should
IKE TO get sight at the manuscript of
Bradferd's History before 1 go home He
said: do not know the bishop myself, but
Mr Grenfell. at whose house spent a few
Gays In the early summer, married the
bishop's niece, and will gladly give you an
Introduction to his uncle He is in Scot
land. But will write to him before 1 20
to bed.'
Letter to the bishop Came.
Sunday morning brought a cordial let
ter from Mr.. Grenfell, introducing me to
the bishop. I wrote a note to his lordship,
saying should be glad to have an oppor-
tunity to see Bradford's history. I got a
note In reply. in which he said II would
call on Tuesday he would be happy to
show me The Log of the Mayfower,' which
40 euc Iiue the IAuSllSn, without the Slight
est reason In the world. give the manu-
script
After looking at the volume and reading
the records on the fy-leaf. said: MY
lord. 1 am going to say something which
you may think rather audacious. I think
this book ought to go back to Massachu-
SETS
Well said the bishop. I did not know
you cared anything about It,
why, said ], If there were in existence
IN england history Of King Mfred's reign
Tor thirty years. written by his own hand.
1t would not be more precious In the eyes
0f OF Ensiishmen than this manuscript is to
Well said he. TAhihk myself it ought
give it up on my own EafSority. It belongs w
to me In my onicial' pacity. and not as
private or personal proberty. I think I
ought to consult the Archbishop Of Canter-
bury. And. indeed Ne 'Rdded. I think I
ought to speak to the queen about It. We
should s,,. m not 90 such althirk behind her mai
ASK through Litorary Societies.
I said, Very well.- When 70 homo
VIII have proper application from some
Of our literary societtes,i and ask you to
give 1t consideration t'fa
Senator Hoar thGnpd fecounted the art
which Mr.. Bayard. asaanabassador Of the
United Statea HAD fsfhots y, san,,-s,,s. ~.