Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-03

the voyage as were necessary to determine
whether she WAS a lawful prize.
On january II. 1880. a resolution estab-
fishing court Of appeals was adopted.
Originally, under the articles Of confedera-
ton, appeals in prize cases were taken
from the state court direct to Congress.
BY the statute of May s, 1872 the records
and proceedings of this court Of appeals
were given into the custody OF the office
OF the Supreme Court of the United States.
THE records and manuscripts in most of
the other departments and offices belong
generally to the period since those depart
ments were established. There are in the
Indian bureau In the Department of the
Interior, some collections relating to the
history of the Indian tribes before the revo-
luton, made by Jedediah Morse. The Post
Office Department, with some slight eXcep-
tons. has the records of the national postal
system from its organization by Or. Frank
lin in 1I15. The registry of deeds of the
District of Columbia has the documents
and surveys of the original laying out of
the city of Washington. with many unpub-
iished letters of George Washington.
Advantages Of Removal.
THE main argument in favor of the re-
moval of the historical archives of the gov
eminent to the library is that this is the
only branch of the government with a spc-
cial hre-proof department for the care of
manuscripts. Access to these priceless
treasures. which belong to the people of
the country. and many of which have been
dearly purchased with their money, is un-
der present circumstances denied. In no
che of the departments or buildings where
they are is there adequate provisions for
scholars and students TO consult the manu-
scripts. Where any privileges at all arc
accorded, students must do their work at
such time and in such manner as does not
interfere with the departmental work Ac-
cess to these documents is, therefore, not
obtained by right but by grace of the
heads of the departments
Moreover, while the privilege of consult
ing manuscripts at the State and other de-
partments is restricted, it is still further
rendered inconvenient by the absence vi
the necessary books of reference. The in
NeStiSator who has not at his command the
innumerable books OF that nature has his
labors doubled; but We're he working in a
great library, such as our own, where every
endeavor is made to place all the printed
material at his disposal, ability to do work
would be greatly increased and the stimu-
lus to be received from such convenience
would be of lasting benefit. No institution
or society of learning has done more for
the development of the study of American
history than the Historical Society of Penn
sylvania. and it has obtained the enyia Bile
reputation it now enjoys in this country
nut especially abroad, by following such
methods OF liberality as above all should be
followed by the government repositories OF
manuscripts.
No more important step could be taken
by congress for the encouragement of the
study of American history in particular
and of history in general, than by the gath
ering together of the government archives
OF historical! Importance, and placing them
at the disposal, under proper safeguards
of those who by right should be allowed to
consult them 1t would tend TO make our
library the center in this country for the
study OF American history, and would give
an impetus to that study such as it needs
and in which every patriotic citizen must
take deep interest.
I'm view of these facts, presented at
some length, it seems wise that Congress
should take action toward the concentra-
ton of historical manuscripts and original
archives in the Library of Congress. eX-
pressly built for such purposes y commits
sion might he appointed, representing the
various departments, with power to exam
inc and determine what documents are of
historical and not administrative value. in
Guiding all indexes and catalogues of the
executive. Legislative and judicial depart
ments, with view to their transfer