Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-30


that the greater part of them related 10
land titles. In Florida, Mississippi
Texas. California and New Mexico
such manuscripts We're left under Varl-
Gus degrees of neglect. 1t is now
known that the land documents formed
only a small part of the different col
lections. Royal and vice-royal DEGREES.
reports. memorials and petitions OF the
local governors have been found with
records of exploration. wars with the
Indians. measures of foreign policy in
cident to a state of war. similar matter
OF a historical character. The santa
Fe papers which have come to the Ii
brary had already suffered through ne
slett and deliberate destruction so
that only a remnant of the original COL
lection remains. Mr.. Putnam suggests
that if all the Spanish papers could be
segregated in the library, "A fine though
incomplete record of the Spanish con-
troll of the territories now in the pos
session OF the United States could be
secured. He realizes that special leg
islation would be required. and that
any effort to collect the papers in
Washington. however logical the plan
might appear. would be resisted. Pend
ing determination of the question the
library acts as trustee of the Santa Fe
papers.
Mr.. Putnam is strongly impressed with
the necessity for printing historical manu-
going further than printing indexes and
calendars of the library holdings. He be-
leves that the record of Hesitation shows
of such material. Other important publi-
cations will follow the Journals of the
Continental Congress. There is nearly
ready for publication the Records of the
value for the study of our origins These
records have been heretofore accessible to
the historian only in imperfect fragments
For the last three years these have been
the subject of minute and patient .N
animation by Miss Susan King: i"liy. uI.-
der the special direction of Professor Her
bert L. Osgood of Columbia University.
Miss Kinssbury has made a complete YER
batim transcript of the two folio volumes
to which she has added other cpntempor-
This work has been without expense to
the Government. except for the trivial
cost OF tfansGript or photosraphc fac
abroad copies of which should be in the
library at any event.
The library has received during the last
yeal notable accesSiOnS of manuScI ipt ma
teTial by gift and purchase. as well as
transfer The papers Of Martin Van
buTen, lnclEcllS tHt notable AutODlOSra-
ply which Van Buren, wrote in his sew
entieth year. intended to be an account
OF his opinions on all public questions.
and His rela tons with the men of his day:
important collections Were obtained by
pure hS.se-the papers of james X. Polk
and Of Andrew Johnson. The Polk col
lection contains 105O0 letters and papers,
covering the entire period of Folks poll
teal life. and is obviously rich in material
beaiing on Mississippi Valley history, the
g., ROTH iohf wi jfI1 l1.I hi ,ir1.l
ton. and the events that brought to pass
the annexation of Texas and the purcha Sc
OF t>ew Mexico and California. Its rela-
ZION to other collections in the library
gives it peculiar value.
The papers Of Andrew johnson are in
many aspects "A remarkable collection. The
drafts of his messages, copies OF his Stat
papers. ana small number of his letters
al" Included; and the record OF his doings
as President. in appointments. pardons.
messages. orders and kilograms. is fairly
lape"-s is the original MEMORANDUM of
the conditions of peace given by President
April. 1860. after the fall of Richmond
| The collection is estimated at about 5.Ut
documents. Ten volumes of scrapbooks
will aid the study of the manuscripts.
| The great objection to the assembling of
| ali historic manuscripts in the library
comes from the peculiar control which
Congress exercises over this institution.
1t has for years been notorious that if :,
congt essman saw tit to keep book, there
was no authority by which he could be
compelled to return ii. His own gentle
manly instincts might be appealed to, but
| beyond that the librarian could not re.
! huke his superiorS. who are the members
OF Congress 1t is entirely true that UNI
| der Il librarian of the force and tactful-
| ness OF MIR. putnam, any. precious manu-
| scripts consigned to the institution would
| hc properly taken care of. and of course
its present managers do not contemplate
| permitting historical manuscripts to &c
| out of the building. This rule can be en-
| forced while the present head of the divis-
ion is in charge, and SO long as he has a
librarian who will back him up. But the
| cuStodians of important historical papers
| will be likely to take into ConSidera tior
| the long line of librarians Of Congress
| that may come, and the peculiar relation
of ownership which Congress holds to the
institution. Not long ago an attorney in
appearing before a congressional commit
| tee submitted as testimony an old news
paper file from the Library of Congress
saying that of course, it could not be cut
for insertion in the record. He was
promptly reminded by the chairman tina
the committee would do as it pleased or
| that point. The possibility that this spirit
might at any time break loose is one OF
the dangers. The departments. to be sure
subject their possession TO something OF
the same lisk except that they are under
different branch of the Government. an(
are accustomed to resist the requests OF
congressman.