The Historical Magazine and Notes and Queries Concerning the Antiquities ...

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the maintenance of my poor family; and by that of the Declaration of Independence, one (William means become so impoverished that Necessity hath Paca of Maryland) only excepted, -we noticed forced me to lay down my place, and must Cer- an original letter by President Dwight of Yale tainly Come to Want, if not in Some Measure College in reference to the exact period at which Supplied Therefore I humbly beseech your the eighteenth century ended; Honours to take my Case and Condition so far pute even to this day. into Consideration That I may have Some Supply this winter, That I and my Poor children may not be destitute of Sustenance, and so induitably Perish, for I have been bred a Gentleman, and not much used to Work, and am become Despicable in these hard times. And that your Excellencies and Honors may not imagine that I am Weary of Serving my King and Country; when my habitation Graced with plenty in the room of Penury, there shall be no service too dangerous and difficult, Prof. Meigs. but your Poor Petitioner Will Gladly Except, and to the best of my Power accomplish. I shall wholly Lay myself at your Honourable feet for Relief, and shall always Pray for your Excellencies and Honours health and happiness, and Subscribe myself, hopeing for a Generous Return,

Your Poor and Humble Petitioner,

GEORGE HERRICK.

Dated at Salem, this Eight day of December, in the year of our Lord, 1692,"

WHEN A CENTURY ENDS. However insignificant the passion for autograph collecting may appear at the first glance, it is rapidly increasing among us, and is becoming an indispensable aid to the development of the history of the past. Our friend, Charles H. Morse, who makes it his vocation, expresses the opinion that the two individuals who have achieved the most in the collection of rare autograph manuscripts are Rev. William B. Sprague, D. D. of Albany, N. Y. and J. K. Teft, Esq. of Savannah, Ga. We must say for Dr. Sprague that his ardor in the pursuit of autographs can be measured only by his devotion to the sacred ministry. The estimate of fifty thousand dollars is, possibly, less than the actual value of his collection. Such men are benefactors of their country, as they preserve from destruction the materials of its history.

In the year 1799, two literary gentlemen of New York, having opposite opinions upon this subject, agreed on a wager of a pipe of wine regarding it. They were to abide by the decision of President Dwight and Prof. Meigs. A letter was addressed to each of the referees without any intimation of the wager. After the decision had been communicated to the gentlemen, they presented a demijohn of wine to Dr. Dwight and

The letter of Dr. Dwight was conclusive, that the century was not completed until the termination of the year 1800. We requested Prof. Leffingwell to furnish a copy of the letter with his recollection of the circumstances attending its origin, with which request he complied. We give the letters of Prof. Leffingwell and President Dwight below. The judgment of this conservative divine, Calvin and Arminius, will ever be respected. whose theology stands between the extremes of

J. S. L.

BOSTON, Nov. 11, 1857.

Dear Sir.-I may not remember all the circumstances connected with the origin of President Dwight's letter on the century question, as nearly forty years have elapsed since they were related to me by my father, but they were essentially, as follows:

Two gentlemen of New York, entertaining different opinions in relation to the precise time when the eighteenth century terminated, agreed to refer the disputed question to the President of Yale College, and the Professor of Mathematics in the same Institution.

My father, who was known to them as a friend and former pupil of President Dwight, was desired to write to him, and also to Hon. Josiah Meigs, at that time Professor of Mathematics, (subsequently, President of the University of Georgia) requesting their opinions on the subject.

The letter received in reply from Professor Meigs, whose views were similar to those of Pres. Dwight, is not in my possession:- a copy of that of the President, I have the pleasure of enclosing, agreeably to the wish expressed in yours of the 7th Inst.

The gathering of autographs originated in Germany about the year 1550, when persons of quality took about with them elegant blank books for the signatures of eminent persons or valued friends. Probably no person among us has a collection of classified sets of autographs equal to that of Edward H. Leffingwell, of Boston, formerly Professor of Chemistry in the University of Missouri. As you have intimated that you wish this letter While luxuriating over the rare autograph manu- for publication, it becomes my duty to state, that scripts of eminent persons in this extensive collec-it was published in the "Missouri Statesman," and tion, in which are letters by all the signers perhaps in other Western papers, in 1850, and it

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 to express the ten first years of the Christian Era. Which mode of reckoning these divisions would be the mode naturally adopted by the common sense of mankind? I think it will be admitted, that the lower series of figures must have been thus adopted, and that the upper series could not have easily entered into any mind.

1st. That in reckoning centurially, we adopt a different phraseology from that, which is used in all other accounts of time. In speaking of a man's age, we say-This is the thirty-first, or thirty-second, year of his age, or, He is in his thirty-first year, &c. In speaking of the centurial year, or year of the Christian Era, we say, seventeen hundred and one, two; ninety-eight, nine, &c. Thus we say, A. D. There is not any series which begins with a ci1799; & in the gear of our Lord, seventeen hun-pher, unless where mere Indices are intended. dred ninety-nine; & at times, also; In the seven- 8. Blair's Chronology is a complete exhibition of teen hundred and ninety-ninth year of the Christian the mode of reckoning, which I suppose to have Era; expressions exactly equivalent. been adopted from the beginning. Both the centuries, before, and the centuries after, Christ are reckoned by his tables from one to fifty, and from fifty to one hundred inclusive.

2. The Christian Era began with the Nativity of Christ.

3. The phrases the first year, and the year one are, I apprehend, exactly equivalent. Of course, seventeen hundred ninety-nine, & the seventeen hundred and ninety-ninth year, when applied to the present centurial year, are also exactly equivalent.

4. If these observations are true, the present year will not complete the 18th century.

5. In writing the date of the year, we simply use the arithmetical figures; leaving the words, In the year of our Lord, to be understood, except in solemn and dignified transactions. No letter, day book or ledger, probably, ever contained these words; but all are dated merely with the arithmetical figures. From this elliptical manner of writing dates, our phraseology, I presume, originated. From writing customarily 1700, 501, 602, it became the most natural language, to say seventeen hundred," "five hundred & one," &c. 6. As we have continually occasion to mark the day & month, in our dates, as well as the year, we are necessitated to note the year from its commencement. Thus there is the same necessity to note the year, on 1st, 2d, 3d, &c. day of January, as in any preceding month; for instance, on the 31st day of December. Thus we write,

I am, Sir, yours, &c. [signed] TIMOTHY DWIGHT.

Mr. WILLIAM LEFFINGWELL.

Societies and their Proceedings.

ILLINOIS.

CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. - (Officers Vol. I. p. 17.) September 15, 1857. The regu lar meeting of the Society was held this day; V. H. Higgins, Esq., presiding pro tempore, in the absence of the regular officers. Letters were read from the Hon. A. Fèlch, of Michigan, relative to the historical sources in California; from Mr. I. Hilt of Mount Morris, Illinois, confirming the general correctness of a newspaper report, some months since, of the alleged discovery of an antediluvian well at or near Round Grove Station, on the line of the Dixon Air-line Rail Road, and from several individuals accepting membershipsone from I. H. Burch, Esq., of Chicago, containing 10th-Jan'y-1799 an enclosed check for one hundred dollars in aid I. E. The tenth day of the month of January, in of the Society's objects, which was appropriately the year seventeen hundred ninety-nine. Thus acknowledged. public proclamations are written - "Given under my hand on the tenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred, and ninety-nine" plainly equivalent to the seventeen hundred & ninety-ninth year of the Christian era.

day -month

year

The Secretary reported also a correspondence with a friend of this Society in Ireland, and arrangements contemplated for procuring a collection in that country of works illustrative of Irish history, &c. The Librarian reported the monthly

addition of 231 Books, Files, Pamphlets and memory of Judge Pope, and providing for the Charts to the Society's collections. Amendments early preparation of a suitable memorial of his of the Society's Constitution and By-Laws having life, character and public services. been submitted and referred, the meeting was adjourned sine die.

October 20th. The meeting for this month was regularly convened at the Society's rooms, William H. Brown, Esq., the President, in the chair.

The Society's correspondence was duly reported, as also the acquisition of 260 Books, Pamphlets, Charts, and Newspaper-files-including a volume of newspaper excerpts- -a considerable part of which was comprised in a donation by Andrew I. Brown, Esq., of Chicago, of works and collections formerly belonging to the library of his deceased father, the Hon. Henry Brown, Historian of Illi

nois.

An original letter written by Capt. N. Heald, then in command at Fort Dearborn, Chicago, and bearing date, April 29, 1812, detailing the particulars of the massacre in that month at Lee's farm on the South branch of the Chicago River, was presented and read to the Society, as a donation from Mr. Samuel C. Clarke, of this city, a grandson of the late Maj. Gen. Hull, among whose papers the letter was preserved. The letter proved of value in its discovery of details of the event referred to previously unknown.

The sad and sudden death of John High, Jun., Esq., a resident member of the Society, at the late calamitous fire in this city, was then announced. Appropriate resolutions were offered by the Hon. W. B. Ogden and adopted by the meeting. Mr. Ogden was requested to provide a memorial of the late Mr. High, to be placed on the Society's files. The meeting was then adjourned.

MARYLAND.

(Offi

MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. cers, Vol. I. p. 77). The first regular meeting after the summer recess was held at the Society's rooms, in Baltimore, on the evening of Thursday, October 1st, 1857.

Additions to the Society's collections were announced as having been received since the last report, from several institutions and friends of the Society.

The committee on Honorary membership nominated Prof. George Tucker, of Philadelphia, who was elected.

The following gentlemen, nominated at the last meeting, were elected active Members: Henry M. Bash, Edward D. Kemp, D. P. Montague, Augustus Mathiot.

The Secretary also reported the possession by the Society of an extensive and valuable collection of MSS.,books, and papers, covering the entire period Dr. Steiner announced that he had presented to of the modern occupation of Chicago, from the be- the American Scientific Association, at its late ginning of the year 1804 to 1825, from which may meeting at Montreal, the Society's invitation to probably be derived a nearly complete list of all hold its next annual meeting in the city of Baltithe residents in this place during that period, as more, and that it had been accepted. The meetwell as approximate estimates of the extent of the ing would be held on the last Wednesday in trade carried on here, during that period, with va- April, 1858. A local committee had been aprious interior points, including the amount of pel-pointed, of which Hon. Thomas Swann had been tries collected here, or received in transitu. The made chairman; and it was hoped that the citiSociety were indebted for this important acquisi-zens of Baltimore as well as its literary and sciention to John H. Kinzie, Esq., a member of the tific associations, would liberally sustain the invitaSociety, formerly and long connected with the service of the U. States, in the Indian Department. Some discussion then followed touching the character, and public services to this State of the late Hon. Judge Pope, and his valuable influence in extending its Northern boundary, so as to embrace within its limits, (originally restricted to the Southern margin of Lake Michigan,) that portion of the Lake coast, which gives it so important a participation in the commerce of the American Lakes, thus providing a salutary counterpoise to the geographical tendency of all its numerous water-courses to a confluence with the Mississippi, the political consequences of which were forcibly exhibited by Judge Pope, then a delegate in the U. S. Congress upon which, a resolution was moved and adopted expressive of respect for the

tion. A committee of consultation must be appointed to confer with the Local committee and aid in the arrangements for the reception and accommodation of the members, and men of science from abroad.

The following gentlemen were appointed to serve upon this committee: Charles F. Mayer; Hon. W. F. Giles, Dr. Bordley, George W. Wardour, Llewellyn F. Barry, Mr. Wassche, J. D. Pratt.

The committee on Natural History stated that the cases ordered for their use were nearly completed, and they would soon proceed to arrange the Society's collections.

Mr. Streeter gave a brief account of his recent visit to Pennsylvania, and explorations for the purpose of ascertaining the exact locality of the

Susquehanna Fort,” noted in the earlier history | but appears afterwards to have been satisfied of Maryland, in which he believed he had that he did. Gen. Sumner's authority was Amos succeeded. Foster, of Tewksbury, (then living,) who was near Warren when he fell, and heard the words. The paper will probably be printed in full.

Arrangements were made for resuming the Society's social meetings or soirees, to be held on the third Thursday of each month, during the winter. The Society adjourned to the first Thursday in November.

MASSACHUSETTS.

NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY.- (Officers, Vol. I. p. 46). A stated meeting was held in Boston on Wednesday, December 2, 1857, Rev. Martin Moore, in the

chair.

The library committee made a report of the donations since the last meeting, after which Mr. Drake, the corresponding secretary, read letters of acceptance from Hon. Reuben H. Walworth, of Saratoga Springs, N. Y., Henry D. Paine, M. D., of Albany, N. Y., and John L. Blake, Esq., of Orange, N. J., as corresponding members; and from Ezra Wilkinson, Esq., of Dedham, Winslow Lewis, M. D. and J. Colburn, Esq., of Boston, as resident members. Seven resident and four corresponding members were elected.

Mr. Ephraim G. Ware, of Boston read a paper on the life and mechanical genius of Joseph Pope. The paper consisted chiefly of an interesting letter from a daughter of Mr. Pope, now living at an advanced age, addressed to her children. Mr. Pope was born at Boston Feb. 1, 1750 and learned the watchmakers' trade which he carried on in his na

tive town. In 1786 he finished an Orrery upon which he had been engaged for nine or ten years. He had quite an inventive genius and a great love for scientific studies; and was much respected by the leading men of Boston.

Wm. M. Cornell, M. D., read a review of Gliddon and Nott's "Types of Mankind." The paper was principally devoted to a vindication of the translators of the Bible from charges in that book. He proved these charges to be unjust. It was a very able performance.

Col. Samuel Swett asked permission to correct a statement which he made at a former meeting, to the effect that Aaron Burr, being too poor to pay for his passage from London to this country in 1812, worked his passage home. This he found was erroneous, though he had received it from a mistaken. He had since received a letter on the person that he thought would not be likely to be subject from Capt. Nichols, of Newburyport, who the Aurora, Captain Potter, and Burr, who was was a fellow-passenger with Burr. They came in incog. He registered his name as Adolphus Arvery poor and not able to pay a full passage, came nold. Col. Swett related a number of interesting anecdotes of Burr, some of which had never been printed, he thought.

The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Ware, Dr. Cornell, Gen. Sumner, and Col. Swett, and copies of their papers were requested for the

archives.

MICHIGAN.

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MICHIGAN.

(Officers, Vol. I. p. 276.)-A monthly meeting was held in Detroit on Thursday evening, Nov. 5. A large number of donations of books, manuscripts, and newspapers was announced. The following gentlemen were nominated for memberHenry R. Mizner, of Detroit; Jesse Johnson, of ship, namely: Active. Peter Desnoyer and Saginaw; Tacitus Bird, of Sault Ste Marie; and Mrs. P. M. Everett, of Marquette. Corresponding. - Col. William Elliott, of Niles. Honorary. Hon. John Law, of Vincennes.

NEW YORK.

ALBANY INSTITUTE.A bi-weekly meeting was held at Albany on Wednesday evening, Nov. 25, the president, Hon. J. V. L. Pruyn, in the chair.

Valuable donations from several gentlemen were announced; after which Mr. Munsell read a paper on the History of Printing in America. The paper was curious and interesting," says the Albany Journal," as may well be supposed, from Mr. Munsell's extensive researches, as an antiquarian and as a printer."

Mr. Burnham read a paper prepared by Gen. Wm. H. Sumner, of Jamaica Plain, (who could not conveniently attend,) upon Gen. Warren and his conduct at the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1825, Gen. Sumner gave the following toast at the Fourth of July celebration in Boston, as the sentiment contained in the dying words of Warren to those who were near him when he fell: "I am a dead man! Fight on my brave fellows for the salvation of your country!' This led to a discussion in NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. (Officers, the public papers of that day between Gen. Sum- Vol. I. p. 48.) —The Historical Society held one ner and Dr. Waterhouse, the latter of whom of its usual meetings on Tuesday evening, Hon. doubted whether Warren really uttered those words, | Luther Bradish, the president, in the chair.

October 20th. The meeting for this month was regularly convened at the Society's rooms, William H. Brown, Esq., the President, in the chair.

The Society's correspondence was duly reported, as also the acquisition of 260 Books, Pamphlets, Charts, and Newspaper-files-including a volume of newspaper excerpts—a considerable part of which was comprised in a donation by Andrew I. Brown, Esq., of Chicago, of works and collections formerly belonging to the library of his deceased father, the Hon. Henry Brown, Historian of Illi

nois.

MARYLAND.

MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. - (Officers, Vol. I. p. 77). The first regular meeting after the summer recess was held at the Society's rooms, in Baltimore, on the evening of Thursday, October 1st, 1857.

Additions to the Society's collections were announced as having been received since the last report, from several institutions and friends of the Society.

The committee on Honorary membership nominated Prof. George Tucker, of Philadelphia, who was elected.

The following gentlemen, nominated at the last meeting, were elected active Members: Henry M. Bash, Edward D. Kemp, D. P. Montague, Augustus Mathiot.

The Secretary also reported the possession by the Society of an extensive and valuable collection of MSS.,books, and papers, covering the entire period Dr. Steiner announced that he had presented to of the modern occupation of Chicago, from the be- the American Scientific Association, at its late ginning of the year 1804 to 1825, from which may meeting at Montreal, the Society's invitation to probably be derived a nearly complete list of all hold its next annual meeting in the city of Baltithe residents in this place during that period, as more, and that it had been accepted. The meetwell as approximate estimates of the extent of the ing would be held on the last Wednesday in trade carried on here, during that period, with va- April, 1858. A local committee had been aprious interior points, including the amount of pel-pointed, of which Hon. Thomas Swann had been tries collected here, or received in transitu. The made chairman; and it was hoped that the citiSociety were indebted for this important acquisi-zens of Baltimore as well as its literary and sciention to John H. Kinzie, Esq., a member of the tific associations, would liberally sustain the invitaSociety, formerly and long connected with the ser- tion. A committee of consultation must be apvice of the U. States, in the Indian Department.pointed to confer with the Local committee and Some discussion then followed touching the aid in the arrangements for the reception and character, and public services to this State of the accommodation of the members, and men of scilate Hon. Judge Pope, and his valuable influence ence from abroad. in extending its Northern boundary, so as to embrace within its limits, (originally restricted to the Southern margin of Lake Michigan,) that portion of the Lake coast, which gives it so important a participation in the commerce of the American Lakes, thus providing a salutary counterpoise to the geographical tendency of all its numerous water-courses to a confluence with the Mississippi, the political consequences of which were forcibly exhibited by Judge Pope, then a delegate in the U. S. Congress- upon which, a resolution was moved and adopted expressive of respect for the

The following gentlemen were appointed to serve upon this committee: Charles F. Mayer; Hon. W. F. Giles, Dr. Bordley, George W. Wardour, Llewellyn F. Barry, Mr. Wassche, J. D. Pratt.

The committee on Natural History stated that the cases ordered for their use were nearly completed, and they would soon proceed to arrange the Society's collections.

Mr. Streeter gave a brief account of his recent visit to Pennsylvania, and explorations for the purpose of ascertaining the exact locality of the

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