Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-08
Andrew Jackson Papers.

Andrew jackson Mr.. Putnam says:
lone of the most notable gifts in manu-
scripts ever made to the government has
been that of the Andrew Jackson papers by
the family of Montgomery Blair. The re-
cent history Of these papers is told in the
letter of gift; but an examination Of the
documents themselves will alone develop
the wealth of historical matter contained
in them Comprising more than 1900 sepa-
rate pieces, with number of letter books,
orderly books, broadsides and newspapers,
this generous and public-spirited gift brings
to the library invaluable resources in
period of American history to which no
other of its collections apply"
The letter accompanying the papers was
signed by Minna Blair Richey, Montgomery
Blair Gist Blair and Woodbury. Blair, and
stated:
I'VE inherited from our father. the late
Montgomery Blair. :; collection of papers
and manuscripts consiS ing principally of
official and personal correspondence of
Andrew Jackson. also memoranda and re-
ports written by Andrew Jackson and
others relating to the times and various
incidents In his career. 1t occurs to US
that these papers, relating as they do to
personages and events so important in cur
national history. should be in a permanent
place of deposit where they would be well
cared for. properly class,-.ed, indexed. filed,
and. with the aid Of experts be made ac-
cessible to historical investigators"
Other Notable Accessiohs.
Second in Importance among the Access
sions," says the librarian, lis the Webster
correspondence, which was acquired by
purchase from Mr.. Charles Greenough of
Boston The greater part of the Webster
papers was left by Peter Harvey to the
historical Society of New Hampshire. A
part, however. Of the original collection
had been taken out for the purpose of pre-
pairing a biography. 1t is this which the
library has now acquired by purchase. 1t
comprises some $500 pieces. and includes,
naturally, the more important political and
personal letters both to and from Webster.
1t serviceably continues the Jackson papers.
bringing the account of public affairs
down through later period.
"A third important accession was the
papers of Commodore Edward Preble.
which contain correspondence relating to
the early history Of the American navy.
The twelve volumes Of letters extend from
1919 to 1907 which covers his blockade Of
Tripoh and LIS final attack on the Tripod
itan batteries. Nc. only are there many
letters from his colleagues and inferior
officers. hut there is a particularly notable
series from that picturesque and interesting
character, William Eaton. That the col
lection includes also Prebles journal. some
log books, the ships signals of that time
and two volumes Of lis letter books indi-
Gates its extent and variety. Lorenzo
Sabine, who prepared a biography Of Pre-
BILE In 1S47, presented a number Of Preble's
papers to the Massachusetts Historical So
ciety They are described as having special
reference to his Tripolitan campaign. They
must once have formed part of this collec-
ton acquired by tie L.orary Of Congress-
'The acquisition of more than 120 pieces
Of Virginian material also deserves men
ton. This collection inciLdss documents
which extend from 1649 to 1774, and relate
to tae region in and about Jamestown Va,
The few records remaining of that early
settlement give a value to every fragment
which can throw light upon the ownership
Of land or the relationship OF families In its
early days Many OF these papers have his.
torical value because OF their Ofilclal nature
and others contain records OF Importance
to the genealogtst