Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-31
HISTORY o FNoRTH AMERICA.
Guy Carleton Lee Makes an Apepal to
 the Public
Johns Hopskins University,

sBalt1mOre, Md, July 10, l9O3. To the Public:
 Through the courtesy of the editor of this paper, I am able to make you a personal appeal in behalf of myself and my colleagues who are striving to produce comprehensive and authori- tative history of North America. For several years we have been engaged upon the undertaking, and have, now reached a point where the completion of the task is assured. But as our his tory takes form, we are conscious that in order to produce a 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. It is for this reason that we ask your aid. We are confident that this will be given, but we solicit your prompt attention to our request,
 A word concerning 'The History of North America" that you may note the necessity of our request and the man. ner in which you may cooperate with us in making "The History of North America" what We wish 1t to be, the definite history of our continent. Ten years ago several students of history were discussing existent histories and commenting on their good. and bad qualities. We were unanimous in our opinion that no general history Of America of importance existed, and our opinion is as unanimous to-day, for al- though several works in an interesting manner strive to cover the field, their sapce is too limited for effective presen- tation of their subject. As is well said in the Guide to American History, by Professors Hart and Charming of liar ward university: "There is no compre- hensive history of America from the discovery to the present time The so- called Bryant's Popular History, which was written by Sydney Howard Gay, covers the whole field, but an undue proportion of space IS devoted to col onial history. Bancroft stops at 1789, Hildreth at 1921, Fucker at 1840, Win sor at about 1S4O, Won Hoist begins practically at 1929, Schouler at 17S1. and parkham. Adams, McMaster, Fiske and Rhodes cover only limited fields or periods" There is need, therefore, for a general history that shall in 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 it with any satisfactory degree of completeness would require at least twenty volumes, containing upward of five million words. The magnitude of the work proved an obstacle for several years. as the great expense attending it's preparation prevented it's publica- ton. However, we were SO fortunate a S to secure a publisher who has un- dertaken the entire business responsi- bility, requiring only that I and my colleagues prepare history that shall stand the test of the most rigid cr11- cism. To perform our part of the con tract we secured the aid of almost 100 of our leading scholars.
 We have wrought upon the manu- script until 1t is now nearing it's final form, but we have arrived at 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 inva1u-
  many persons who read this appeal will find it possible to give their aid. "A 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 doc Io4 %n in hn history of the United States, Canada and Mexico, from it's beginning to tho present date.
 Local legends concerning men and women, places and events are desired.
 The use of newspapers, handbills md posters of important dates is i'm nortant to us for use in supplementfnG
 he material We have gathered from the great collections of this and other countries.
 ship and hanging place of oil paintings portraying distinguished men and wo- men of North America is sought. Tn thisEclass of data the condition of the painting and the name of the artist are of value
 We seek information concerning your D9ISOlIdl OpluiOu, luS pCLSUudl Op1h1Oh of your ancestors, and the collective opinion of localities, concerning great men, such as Webster, Lincoln, Gal houn, Davis, Diaz and Laurier; of great events, such as the outbreak of the civil war, the emancipation procla- nation, the establishment of the Re public of Mexico, the union of the British provinces in North America.
 In the above days and in others that will readily 6sS.ggest themselves to you, your assistance is sought, and we trust that it will be as freely given as it is confidently asked. We desire to i'm press upon you the fact that many matters that to you may appear uninl. portant when viewed by themselves are to Us of great interest when used as units of mass of eorroborative data, and we urge you to inform Us , concerning them
 Kindly direct all communications to l 5~~ .s GUY CARLETON LEE, T;ato oFN A o,,io