The Republican journal., 1909-12-23
Boston, December 10, 1909.


N Very truly yours
JAMES C. WHITE.
Boston, December TO- 1909
4 We wrote at once to Mr.. Williamson, submit
rG DR.. Whites questions and offering to do
sverything possible to promote the matter. In
Z ,sfy Mr.. Williamson wrote under date of
4 sagusta, December 18th, as follows:
q Yours of the 1lth inst. at hand and contents
i srefully noted. | am very glad that there is
q growing demand for the publication of the
- md volume of The History of Belfast" In
q slly to DIR. Whites questions:
FIRST; The manuscript is IN the custody of
y $ Williamson, l0S Mt. Vernon Street, Bos-
4 l1 Mass. l understand it to be substantially
4 qplete with the exception of an index, which
VAS my fathers intention, | presume, to
-sse from the proof sheets.
second; Previous to my fathers death in
a tl ne made a canvass, both locally and of
Il a-aer residents of Belfast, land obtained sub
pton of little more than two hundred at
.ree dollars per volume. Soon after his death
sa4 another local canvass made, but was un-
l- to increase the amount of subscriptions
rally.
rd: The estimate made by the University
s-s for publication of the book in a manner
relsponding to the first volume was about
-eu hundred dollars ($1500.00.) This esti-
-..e was made in 1903, and was for five hun
.sl 500) volumes.
asmuch as there has been some criticism
a. o. the non publication of the book | wish to
Ilain the reasons therefor. In addition to
he tine spent for which he, of course, expect
sl % return, the publication of the first volume
gae History entailed a money loss upon my
.4.ier of little more than a thousand dollars.
Hl6n he mad nearly completed the manuscript
tne second volume had some talk with him
saalt it's publication, in which he told me that
i'll not care to publish the second volume
.,ss sufficient interest was shown by sub
ton large enough to defray the expenses
lbcation.
nee his death have hoped to see the time
en- | would be able to risk the apparent loss,
though have felt that the publication of a
.-.nd volume, published, edited and indexed
.auut his supervision, could not add to the
ltaton he had gained by his other books
he same time / should like to have the citi-
lr- Of his old home enjoy the benefits of his
WORK We're l financially able to pay for the
-r!ege.
~sveral times different persons have sug-
----4d that they would like to assist in the
cation of the History, but on receiving
s- Information no one has cared to take the
whole responsibility.
some wears ago Hon William P Thompson
up the matter with the City Government,
Bdu are authorized if they see fit to assist in
.s- publication of such history, but no action
eas aiken so far as have been able to learn.
r has been recently suggested to me that il
T..ld be an easy matter to organize syndl-
Sc which would guarantee fund sufficient
Hiake up any deficit. | feel rather delicate
a,Yut suggesting this, as l do not wish to be
zaeed in the attitude of soliciting funds for
-l- purpose, but if any responsible person or
Indicate will guarantee the publication of an
=titon of not less than six hundred copies,
uy!ished bound and printed uniformly with
the tirst volume, index to be prepared proper
l5, should be willing to turn over the manu-
sgrpts to them and think my sisters would
he entirely willing to do the same. We should
nu. are to have the History amended ADDED
;J Irought down to date, OF in any way chang
e3 except so far as same might be absolutely
necessary. To such syndicate | will con-
tribute one hundred dollars $4,000.
I have written you very fully in regard to
the matter. 1t is rather delicate one 1t is
perhaps rather difficult for me to explain my
reasons for not publishing the history without
seeming to reflect on the lack of interest shown
IN IT, 1t is not my intention to reflect upon any
one. What is everybody's business is nobody's
have no doubt that had made personal ap-
peal to fathers many friends in Belfast they
would have taken hold of the matter long ago
but do not think he would have wished me to
DO this.
But the time has now come when the book
oQght to be published if at all and can think
Of no way of attaining that end except the
one | have suggested. wish to thank you ano
DR. White for your interest in the matter
which greatly appreciate as well as the otfel
Of the use of your columns, which know are
always at the disposal of persons having mat
teTs of interest or benefit to Belfast. Ii yot
feel that anything may come of this matter
will at once take it up with my sisters who are
equally interested with me and obtain then
lonsent, or if you think best will do that be-
ilre any move is made.
Yours very truly,
JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
This letter presents the matter fairly ane
fully and we believe that its publication vii
tend to bring about the result desired. Nc
one Of course would want to amend or add Il
the manuscript, which completes the history
of Belfast for one hundred years. Other his
torians may take up the work where Mr. WI
hanson left it; and they will have an easlel
task than he did, for local history is now writ
ten and published every week.
If every one who wants one or more volumes
Of this history will address a postal card to this
Office giving their name and post office address
We will turn them over at the proper time u
the committee or syndicate or whoever unoer
takes the publication; and as The Journal goes
to many who would not be reached by can
Vasser this ought to materially facilitate mat
ters If desired we will publish list OF tn'
names as received.