The Savannah morning news., 1903-08-04
HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA.
Information TO Assist in Finishing
1t Desired.

II
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore,
Nd, July Is, 19O3.-To the Public:
Through the courtesy of the editor of
this paper, / am able to make you a
personal appeal in behalf of myself
and my colleagues who are striving
to produce a comprehensive and au-
thoritative History of North America.
For several years we have been en-
gagged upon the undertaking. and have
now reached a point where the compile
tion of the task is assured. But as
our history takes form, we are con-
scious that in order to produce work
that shall be absolutely without bias,
and yet as absolutely reflective of the
history Of the entire extent of North
America, we must secure the hearty
cooperation of students and readers Of
history throughout the continent. 1t
is for this reason that we ask your
aid. We are confident that this wiz
be given, but we solicit your prompt
attention to our request.
word concerning The History of
North America" that you may note
the necessity of our request and the
manner in which you may cooperate
with US in making The History of
North America" what we wish 1t to
be-the deflnitive history Of our conti-
nent. Ten years ago, several stu
dents of history were discussing eX-
stent histories and commenting on
their good and bad qualities. We were
unanimous in our opinion that no gem
eral history of America of Importance
existed, and our opinion is as unanl-
nous to-day; for although several
works in an interesting manner strive
to cover the field, their space is too
limited for effective presentation of
their subject. AS is well said in the
Guide to American History" by Profs.
Hart and Claiming of Harvard Uni
versity: There is no comprehensive
history of America from the discov-
cry to the present time. The 3o-called
'Bryant's Popular History which was
written by Sydney Howard Gay, COW
ers the whole field, but an undue pro-
portion of space is devoted to Colonial
history. Bancroft stops at 1883, Hill
dreth at 1921, Tucker at 1910, Winsor
at about 1910, Won Hoist begins prac-
tically 'at 1929, Schouler at 1881, and
Parkman. Adams, McMaster, Fiske and
Rhodes cover only limited fields or
periods" There is need, therefore, for
a general history that shall in a con-
secutive narrative present in full de-
tail and impartially the history of the
continent
We considered the subject from every
standpoint. and concluded that to pre-
sent IL with any satisfactory degree of
completeness would require at least
twenty volumes, containing upward of
100000 words. The magnitude of the
work proved an obstacle for several
years, as the great expense attending
its preparation prevented its publica-
ton. However, we were so fortunate
as to secure publisher who has under
taken the entire business responsibility,
requiring only that l and my col
leagues prepare a history that shall
stand the test of the most rigid crit
icism. To perform our part of the
contract. we secured the aid of almost
one hundred of our leading scholars
We have wrought upon the manu-
script until it is now nearing its final
form: but we have arrived at a point
where we desire to leave the beaten
track of books and records and appeal
to the people for information peculiar
and personal to themselves and their
localities This information can only
be completed through your assistance,
and your prompt aid will prove inval-
liable. The field of effort is large
many persons who read this appeal will
And it possible to give their aid.
We desire information concerning
the contents of correspondence relating
to political. social, or economic matters
of the period from the establishment
of the colonies to 1880. We solicit the
use of such correspondence.
We shall highly value the use of
documents relating to any event in the
history OF the United States, Canada,
and Mexico. from its beginning to the
present date.
Local legends concerning men and
women, places and events. are desired.
The use of newspapers. handbills,
and posters, of important dates. is i'm
portant to us for use in supplement-
ing the material we have gathered from
the great collections of this and other
countries.
Information concerning the owner
ship and hanging place of oil paintings
portraying distinguished men and wom-
en- of North America is sought In
this class of da'r The condition of the
painting and nGme of the artist
are of value
We seek infor 1tion concerning your
personal opinion, the personal opinion
of your ancestors, and the collective
opinion of localities, concerning great
men. such as Webster, Lincoln, CAL
houn, Davis, Diaz, and Laurier; OF
great events, such as the outbreak of
the Civil War, the Emancipation Proc
lamation. the establishment Of the
Republic Of Mexico. the union OF the
British provinces in North America
In the above ways. and in others
that will readily suggest themselves TO
you. your assistance il sought, and we
trust that II will be as freely given
as IL is confidently asked. We desire
10 impress upon you the fact that many
matters that to y0u may appear unim-
portant' when viewed by themselves