The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-11
J.J. HILL'S DONATION
THIRTY RARE VOLUMES OF THE
EARLY FRENCH EXPLORATIONS
IN AMERICA
GIVEN BY TIE FlNANCIER
TO THE STATE HISTORICAL So
CIEFY FOR ITS LIBRARY
SHELVES.
ATTACK ON cARTAGENA IN 174I
Is Discussed in an Interesting Paper
by Capt. Charles w. Hall-New
Life Members.

The executive council of the State
Historical society held it's regular
monthly meeting in the library last
evening. There was good attend
ance Capt. Charles w. Hall read the
paper of the evening, which, though
dealing with new world history of $50
years ago, proved decidedly fresh and
entertaining. Capt. Halls subject was
the naval expedition of Admiral Yer
non in 1741 against Cartagena, the
Spanish city and fortress on the north
coast of that part of South America
now known as the United States of
Colombia. The thirteen American colo
MES We're interested in this expedition,
inasmuch as they contributed some
5000 troops, who joined Admiral Ver-
non and the English forces at Jamaica
and sailed away with them for Carta-
gena. At first the British met with
success, capturing the Spanish strong
holds in rapid succession. But, when
at last they attacked the only remain
ing fort at Cartagena, they were re-
pulsed with heavy loss, and the cam
paign ended in complete disaster to the
British. The English and colonial SOL
diers also became the victims OF the
fever, which helped to decimate their
ranks Massachusetts suffered the
greatest loss, not more than one in ten
of her soldiers returning.
Capt Hall called attention to the sig
nificance Of this defeat of the English,
who, had they been victorious, would
probably be the possessors today of the
present Spanish colonies in the South
ern continent. The paper contained an
abundance of detail that could only
have been amassed after long and pa
tient research.
After the reading of the paper, for
which it's author received the cordial
thanks of the council, James ]. Hill
presented the society with some rare
and interesting books The gifts con-
sisted of three large octave volumes
containing in the French language
Prince Macmillan de Wied-NeuWld's
description of his voyage to the In
terror Of North America" in the years
1924 Accompanying the volumes Of
descriptive matter was an elephant
folio volume Illustrating the printed
matter Another gift from Mr.. Hill
was quaint and handsome quarto
volume of $40 pages entitled ''The His
tory Of the Late War in North Amer
lea and in the Islands of the West In
dies, Including the Campaigns of 1853
and 1854 Against His Majesty's In
dian Enemies" Thomas Mantle was the
author The book is valued at 5000.
On behalf of Gen. William G. LIE Due,
of Hastings. Mimi, Mr.. Hill presented
| the society with three early year-books
| of Minnesota, for the years 1851 2-3 and
| a directory Of St. Paul published in the
year 1856.
The secretary's summary of dona-
| tons to the historical society during
the month of April was: 1877 books, 2S4
pamphlets, and newspapers, maps, pho
tograp91s and articles for the museum
| to the number Of 500.
The biennial report of the society re-
Gently issued was distributed to men,
bers Of the council.
Rev. John Wright, of StPauPs church,
and Theodore G.. Carter, formerly of
! st. Peter, Mimi, but now of Deadwood,
S. D., were elected to life membership
in the society,"
The meeting was the last Of the sea
son, the council adjourning until next
September.