The report contains a review of the course hitherto pursued by the government in the matter of historical publications; a general survey of the publications hitherto made, and of the gaps still existing between or among them; a body of recommendations for filling such gaps, especially by the inception of a series of National State Papers; and finally a series of suggestions for the organization of a permanent Commission on National Historical Publications, with a bill which, it is hoped, will be introduced in the sixty-first Congress.
The Fifth Annual Meeting of the Pacific Coast Branch of the American Historical Association was held at the University of California November 21st last. Papers were read by Professor E. D. Adams of Stanford University concerning the annexation of California, Mr. Don E. Smith and Professor J. N. Bowman of the University of California, and by Mr. F. J. Taggart. The proceedings lasted the entire day, sessions being held in the morning and afternoon, followed by a banquet in the evening.
The publications of the American Association for International Conciliation are being sent forward to the members of our Society, and are readable and interesting documents by learned authorities upon the subjects they present. At the suggestion of the Secretary of the Association, the addresses of our members were sent him, and he has written each that the publications of the Association will go forward to them if they so request it. All that it is necessary to do to receive them is to write the Secretary. His address is: “F. P. Keppel, Secretary, Sub-Station 84, New York City.”
Hon. Thomas W. Bicknell, Providence, R. I., President of the Rhode Island Citizens’ Historical Association and an applicant for membership in our Society, has recently published in the Journal of American History an interesting article entitled “First White Owners of Land in America.” Mr. Bicknell is also the author of “Sowans,” a work treating of the early history of Barrington and Warren in Rhode Island.
Among the contents of the last issue of the American Historical Magazine is “Heroes of the Battle of Point Pleasant,” by Delia A. McCulloch.
In the January issue of the Essex Institute Historical Collections is an article on “Captain John Manley of Marblehead, a Man of Irish Descent,” by Robert E. Peabody.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
It has been the custom of the Society since its organization to have one annual meeting and two or more field days each year. The annual meeting in each instance has been called for the early evening, and the business affairs finished in a few minutes; then a short reception would take place, followed by a dinner, on the completion of which some historical papers would be read and addresses of interest made.
This proceeding is not calculated to sufficiently advance the interests of the Society, or enable it to truly do the work for which it is organized. Some historical associations have annual meetings at which there is a morning and afternoon session, followed by a dinner in the evening, while others have sessions lasting two or three days. It is impossible to crowd into a single evening, part of which has been taken up in partaking of a good dinner, any significant number of historical papers, much less to have a discussion on them.
Valuable addresses have been made that have not been printed in the Journal, and all that is left of them in the minds of the members is hardly more than pleasant recollections of the speakers. All the leading historical associations procure valuable papers from members, and, after they are read, discussion upon the subject-matter is thrown open, the good points gathered, and all reported in print later for the use of the members.