the work before us. In his observations on Mexi- | A History of the Presbyterian Church in America can history and Archaeology the author treats of from its origin until the year 1760. With Biorecent explorations and their deficiency in definite graphical sketches of its early ministers. By REV. historical results; the intellectual and social pro- RICHARD WEBSTER, late Pastor of the Presgress of nations; the necessity of fixing the world's byterian Church, Mauch Chunk, Pa. With a attention to the actual state of the aboriginal na- Memoir of the Author. By the REV. C. VAN tions at the period of the conquest in order to es- RENSSELAER, D. D. Published by authority of timate their relative condition at that time; tradi- the Presbyterian Historical Society. Philadeltions, picture writings, reports of early Spanish phia: Joseph M. Wilson, 1857. 8° pp. 720. writers and other sources of information in regard The author of this work possessed qualities, to early Mexican history; and the geographical which in an eminent degree fitted him to become position of the country, its physical peculiarities, the historian and biographer of the church, to the and the effects of the climate and soil upon the so- advancement of whose interests his life and talents cial character of its inhabitants. Architecture is were devoted. Of his qualifications for the peralso considered as indicating the comparative pro-formance of this important work, the Rev. Dr. gress of mankind toward a state of civilization and Junkin says, "No one had collected such rich and refinement; and a general description is given of extensive materials for a history of American the " architectural, image, and utensil remains" Presbyterianism; and, indeed, some of the histoof the Mexican States. ries already published are indebted to his researches and his liberality in imparting information." In his investigations he manifested patience, perseverance, and impartiality, qualities of the utmost importance to the historian, and which greatly enhance the value of the work under consideration. His biographer informs us that his modesty "interfered with his merit and prevented an extensive appreciation of the value of his researches." The following anecdote will serve to illustrate this trait, and to convey some idea of the thoroughness of the work. Being asked when his history would be ready for the press, he replied, "Never; I am all the time making corrections and additions."

From the description of the Zapotec ruins of Mitla, and Mr. Sawkins's illustrations of these remarkable antiquities, we should infer a high state of civilization in the people by whom they were produced, and a degree of artistic skill in the workmanship which would compare favorably with the specimens of ancient art revealed by the explorations at Nineveh and on the banks of the Nile. The work is alike creditable to the author, the artist, and the institution under whose auspices it is published.

search it is surprising that the author has collected Considering that this was a new field of rethis country. His work is divided into two parts, so full details of the history of Presbyterianism in

Records of the Revolutionary War; Containing the Military and Financial Correspondence of Distinguished Officers; names of the officers and privates of regiments, companies, and corps, with the dates of their commissions and enlistments; Gen-history and biography. The history is quite full eral Orders of Washington, Lee, and Greene, at cient to say that here are sketches, more or less and satisfactory; and, of the biography, it is suffiGermantown and Valley Forge; With a list of complete, of the lives of about two hundred of the distinguished Prisoners of War; the time of their capture, exchange, etc. To which is added the early Presbyterian ministers in America. half-pay acts of the Continental Congress; the Revolutionary Pension Laws; and a list of the officers of the Continental Army who acquired the right to half-pay, commutation, and lands. By W. T. R. SAFFELL, Counsellor, and Agent for Revolutionary Claims. New York: Pudney & Russell, 1858. 12° pp. 554.

The title-page, which we have quoted in full, gives a very clear idea of the contents of the volume before us. The work will prove a valuable reference book, not merely to those whose relatives are entitled to compensation from government for services during the revolutionary war, but also to those who wish to become familiar with the details of that interesting period of our country's history. A very satisfactory account of the Society of the Cincinnati will be found here.

We are pleased to learn that the work is properly appreciated. In less than a year from its first publication an edition of two thousand copies has been disposed of, and a second edition is already issued. We hope this fact may induce some one which the materials, we presume, are abundant. to continue the history to the present day, for

The Pioneer History of Illinois; Containing the Discovery in 1673, and the history of the Country to the year Eighteen Hundred and Eighteen, when the State Government was organized. By JOHN REYNOLDS. Belleville, Ill.; N. A. Randall, 1852. 12° pp. 347.

The publications of Ex-Gov. Reynolds are valuable additions to the historical literature of the West. In a former number we noticed his Life and Times, and his Sketches. We have now be

fore us a previous publication—his first, we be- the Present Financial Crisis, Cotton grown in lieve the Pioneer History of Illinois. Much of Foreign Countries, California, Mississippi, etc. the later portion of this work is devoted to the The work was established January, 1846, and lives of the pioneer settlers of the Illinois country. the present number therefore completes the twenThe preservation of these memorials of the hardy ty-third semi-annual volume, presenting a favorafounders of one of the foremost states in the West ble opportunity for new subscribers to record their will be better appreciated by future generations names. It is adapted primarily to the Southern than by the present inhabitants of that region. and Western States of the Union, and includes Many of the facts in this work since the year 1800, statistics of Foreign and Domestic Industry and the author tells us, came within his personal obser- Enterprise. Its offices are at Washington City and New Orleans. The first thirteen volumes are condensed into a work in three volumes, entitled " Industrial Resources of the South and West;" price $6. Subscription price of the Review, $5. The publisher states that back numbers can be supplied.

vation.

A Semi-Centenary Discourse, delivered in the First African Church, Philadelphia, on the fourth Sabbath of May, 1857 with a history of the church from its first organization; including a brief notice of Rev. John Gloucester, its first pastor. By REV. WILLIAM T. CATTO, pastor. Also, an Appendix, containing sketches of all the Colored Churches in Philadelphia. Philadelphia: Joseph M. Wilson, 1857. 8° pp. 111.

The American Educational Year Book, published in Boston, will contain some new features in this year's issue. One of these is the addition of a list of as many of the literary, historical, and scientific societies in the United States, as can be From this discourse we learn that the First Af- ascertained, with their present officers, and a brief rican Presbyterian Church was founded in 1807, abstract of their history. The editor, A. M. Gay, principally through the labors of Rev. John Glou- Esq., would be happy to receive reliable inforcester who was liberated from slavery by his own-mation from those connected with such societies. er, Rev. Dr. Blackburn, of Tennessee, in order The work will appear early in February. that he might engage in the work of the ministry. It contains much valuable information concerning the state of religion among the colored population of Philadelphia.

Literary and Historical Record.

PERIODICALS.-The seventh volume of the Presbyterian Magazine has just been completed. This is a monthly periodical published at Philadelphia, at one dollar a year, by Joseph M. Wilson, and devoted to "inculcating sound doctrinal and practical instruction, and diffusing information of men, books, and things, with special reference to the Presbyterian Church." The work is edited by Rev. Cortlandt Van Rensselaer, D. D., and is very ably conducted. One feature of the work is particularly deserving of notice in the H. M. Each number contains a biographical sketch of some Presbyterian minister, an historical account of a church, or some other article bearing upon the history of the denomination. In the seventh volume are portraits of Rev. Drs. Thornwell and Murray; and for the eighth, which will commence with the new year, those of Rev. Drs. Moore and Scott are promised.

The December number of De Bow's Review is before us, containing interesting papers upon the South and the Union, Central America, Texas, A Southern University, Slave Laws of the South,

Charleston (S. C.) Courier that the proprietors of HISTORICAL WORKS. We learn from the the "Newberry Rising Sun" have undertaken the publication of the Annals of Newberry, with various other interesting articles from the pen of Judge O'Neall. It will make an octavo volume of 200 or 300 pages, and is intended to embrace not only local information concerning the district, but to give also various biographical sketches of the most prominent men of the place in times past, including the revolutionary period, with more modern notices.

NECROLOGY.-George R. Gliddon whose archæological works are well known to our readers, died at Panama Nov. 16, 1857, aged 50. He was formerly United States Consul in Egypt. Says the Boston Daily Advertiser:-"He was an Englishman, but passed a large part of his life in Egypt, where he became an enthusiastic explorer of the archæological remains of the country, and made valuable contributions to craniology. Mr. Gliddon was the author of an essay on the production of cotton in the Valley of the Nile, and of an appeal to Europe against the destruction of Egyptian monuments by Mehemet Ali. His last literary effort was the production of the "Types of Mankind," in conjunction with Dr. Nott of Mobile. At the time of his death he occupied the post of Deputy-Agent of the Hondurus Inter-Oceanic Railroad Company, and he was on leave of absence from the works of that Company, when he was attacked at Panama by fatal illness."

clared to White "he would go himself but for his age." The good Bishop died May 4, 1626, so that he must have intended to join the colony

THE RECORDS OF THE LONDON COM- while at Cape Anne, under the heroic Governor

PANY FOR THE FIRST COLONY IN

VIRGINIA.

Conant, for it was not till the Fall of that year, that Conant removed the Colony to Salem. The records of the Commercial Companies in The other character referred to is Mr. Herbert England for the colonization of America constitute Thorndike, Fellow of Trinity College, Prebendary the Genesis and Exodus of our English-American of Westminster, and one of the editors of the history; and the publication of these original Polyglot Bible. His works on the "Church" are documents would be a splendid and invaluable standard authorities. His brother Mr. John Thornservice to American History, worthy of our Na- dike, an early settler of the Massachusetts Coltional Government. ony, was one of the founders of Ipswich, and Passing Cabot's patent of March 5, 1496, Gil- the ancestor of a worthy New England family. bert's of June 11, 1578, and intermediate docu- Mr. Thorndike died in England, and the graves ments, we come to the incorporation April 10, 1606, of the Church prebendary and his Puritan brother of certain "adventurers" for colonizing "that are side by side in Westminster Abbey. part of America commonly called Virginia." They were divided into two companies, one of which, the London company, had the southern portion of the territory. This corporation kept a record of its transactions till its virtual suppression by proclamation, July 15, 1624.

Some

But to return to Nicholas Ferrar, Junior; after several years of travel on the Continent, among the learned and great, he returned to England in 1618, and died Monday Dec. 2, 1637. years later, about the year 1654, materials for a memoir of this gentleman, were prepared by his James Stuart's darling project of a Spanish brother Mr. John Ferrar, who had been Deputy match for his son Charles was then on foot, and Governor of the Virginia Company, for some three he was persuaded by Gondomar, the unscrupulous, years. These, with materials from other sources, but faithful minister of Spain, to destroy this were edited and published by the Rev. Dr. Peter great commercial company, in order to conciliate Peckard of Magdalen College, Cambridge, in the Spanish court, and secure the coveted mar-1790; and this volume is the sole depository of much of the history of the Virginia Company,

riage.

The most active of these "adventurers" was especially while under the control of Lord SouthNicholas Ferrar, a London merchant, associated ampton, Sir Edwin Sandys, and Mr. Ferrar, with Sir Thomas and Sir Hugh Middleton, in the Jun.,-1617 to 1624-who placed its affairs in commerce of both the East and West Indies. Sir the most prosperous condition. - Nicholas Ferrar Walter Raleigh, Sir John Hawkins, Sir Francis deserves our grateful remembrance, and demands Drake, Sir Edwin Sandys, and their compeers our highest regard, as the very Soul of that Colonwere frequent guests at his table. His third son, ization scheme. The republication of this work Nicholas, born Feb. 23, 1592, was the friend of would open a new volume of our earliest existGeorge Herbert, specially remembered in Izaak ence, a most valuable chapter in Anglo-American Walton's life of the poet. Izaak mentions two History, in its moral and social aspect, a phase, other names in this memoir, interesting to New though most important, yet most difficult to preEngland readers. One is Dr. Arthur Lake, Bish- serve, because of its evanescent character; it is op of Bath and Wells, the friend of John White not, cannot be, set forth in records and in diploof Dorchester,-illustrious men - named by Hugh macy Peters as the two who "occasioned, yea founded ceptive, that work" of colonizing Massachusetts. So zeal- by the ous was Lake in the great scheme, that he de- student; HIST. MAG. vol. II.

5

always and necessarily, more or less deand its spirit is only feebly discerned most elaborate analysis of the wisest in this view the life of Ferrar is of un

paralled interest. We commend it to the atten- time of his writing, about 1654. At the request tion of the Virginia Historical Society. Ferrar of Dr. Peckard, about 1790, the Duke of Dorset's was the author of all the various letters of in- library was searched for these records, but only struction to the Colonial Governors, to the Col- some detached papers of the Virginia Company ony, of the defences against the chicanery and were found, extracts from which were printed by assaults of Gondomar, at the Council table, and in Peckard.

Courts; to him all went for advice and infor- Here we leave the memoirs of Ferrar, and turn mation, and in him centred all the Company's to Virginia for further information about these affairs. In one of the hearings against the Com-natal records of a State-- rather of a Nation. Stith, pany at the Council Chamber the Marquis of the excellent Historian of Virginia, writing in Hamilton said, "That there was one letter which 1747, hands down to us the following account of he prayed might be read over again, on which he them, which he had "received many years ago, in should desire to make a few observations; which conversation with Col. Byrd and Sir John Ranbeing accordingly done, Well! said he, my Lords, dolph." Col. Byrd's father being in England in we have spent many hours here, in hearing all 1667, at the time of the death of the Duke of these letters and instructions, and yet I could not Southampton, purchased these Records of that help requesting to hear this one letter over again; Nobleman's Executors for sixty guineas. Stith because I think that all your Lordships must also states that "this copy was taken, by the order, agree with me that it is absolutely a masterpiece. and for the use of the Earl of Southampton, the And indeed they are all in a high degree excellent. Company's treasurer at that time;" but it appears Truly, my Lords, we have this day lost no time that not to him but to Ferrar belongs the credit at all. For I do assure you that if our attendance of preserving these invaluable records. Stith says here, were for many days, I for my part would they "are a journal of the Company's proceedings, willingly sit them out to hear so pious, so wise, and from day to day; and are written in two large indeed politic instructions as these are. They are folio volumes, on a kind of elephant paper, generpapers as admirably well penned as any I ever ally in a very fair and legible hand. Each page heard. And, I believe, if the truth were known, is subscribed by Edward Collingwood, the Comyour Lordships are all of the same opinion." The pany's secretary; thus, Com. Collingwood; which Earl of Pembroke said, "They all deserve the high- is, as I take it, Compared, Collingwood. Besides est commendation: containing advices far more which there is a Testification at the end of each excellent than I could have expected to have met volume. At the end of the first, under the hands with in the letters of a trading company. For of Edward Waterhouse and Edward Collingwood, they abound with soundness of good matter, and profitable instruction with respect both to Religion and Policy; and they possess uncommon elegance of language....That these papers before us are the production of one pen is very plainly discernible."

Secretaries of the two Companies for Virginia and the Somer-Islands, that they had compared that with the original Court-book, and found it to be a true and perfect copy of the same, except the omission of one court and part of another. The second volume is signed by the said Secretary ColForeseeing that Gondomar, by means of the lingwood, and Thomas Collet of the Middle Temple, King, and the Spanish party at Court, would pro- Gentleman, testifying the same thing, except in a bably ruin the Company, and take away all their few immaterial points, where were wanted some records, registers, and instructions, and all other original papers: These volumes only contain the writings of the Company, Mr. Ferrar, at his own Company's proceedings for a little above five cost, and at an expense of above £50, procured a years, viz. from April 28, 1619 to June 7, 1624; fair copy of them, carefully collated with the ori- including the whole time of Sir Edwin Sandys's ginals, and attested upon oath by the examiners and the Earl of Southampton's administration. to be true copies. After the seizure of the origin- However, they are not a brief and summary entry al documents, Mr. Ferrar informed Sir Edwin of the principal points and matters concluded Sandys, and other of his intimate friends, of these upon, according to the common methods of courts, treasures in his possession, evidence of the late but give, at length, the chief speeches, reasons company's honorable and upright proceedings, dis- and debates, that happened in their courts during proving Gondomar's charges of their bad faith, and intended plans against the Spanish colonies and mines. The papers were then deposited with Lord Southampton, but soon after, apprehensive for their safety, he placed them in the custody of Sir R. Killigrew, who, upon his death left them to the care of the Earl of Dorset, in whose keeping Mr. John Ferrar supposed them to be, at the

that time. And as it was a period of vast contest and dispute, they often recur back to former times and transactions, and thereby give us a clear idea, and account of the chief matters and proceedings of the Company, almost from its first Institution and Foundation."

Stith made but partial use of these records for reasons which we give in his own words: "I once

AN HISTORICAL CORRESPONDENCE

SOCIETY.

BY AN ENGLISH ANTIQUARY.

intended (as Bishop Burnet has done, in a very useful and satisfactory manner, in his History of the Reformation) to have added several other very curious papers and original pieces of record. But I perceived to my no small surprise and mortification that some of my countrymen, (and those in Anglo-American history, permit me to ask, As an English antiquary taking a deep interest too, persons of high fortune and distinction) seem- whether some means cannot be devised by which ed to be much alarmed, and to grudge that a com- the Historical students of America and those of plete history of their own country would run to more than one volume and cost them above half a each other, and their means of rendering mutual England may be brought better acquainted with pistole. I was therefore obliged to restrain my assistance and encouragement in literary pursuits hand, and only to insert these few most necessary much encreased? It is needless for me to point instruments for fear of enhancing the price, to the out that the American inquirer must look to immense charge and irreparable damage of such England for the ancestors of the families whose generous and public spirited gentlemen." laws, customs, and superstitions, whose history he pedigrees he would trace, and for the origin of the would chronicle. It may not, however, be so obvious, but it is quite as true that no philosophic student of our local history can proceed far in his investigations without finding some of the threads of the skein he is unravelling cross the ocean from the old England to the New. The two countries are so bound together, that to be acquainted with one, the other must be known. For proof of this, if proof be wanted, see Mr. Thompson's History of Boston in Lincolnshire: many parts of that valuable work owe as much to the author's American sojourn, as they do to local investigation.

Stith, the author of this spicy sentence, was a grandson of William Randolph of Henrico County, whose brother Isham Randolph had grandsons,

Thomas Jefferson and James Pleasants.

The Records were afterwards found among Sir John Randolph's papers, and though claimed by Edmund Randolph, they are said to have come to Congress as part of Jefferson's collections and are now in the law library at Washington. They are written in the style peculiar to official records of that period.

66

The first volume begins with April 28, 1619, a Quarter Court held for Virginia at Sir Thomas Smith's house in Philpott Lane," and ends 8th of May 1622, and the copy is attested by Ed. Waterhouse and Ed. Collingwood. The second volume, a continuation of the first, commencing May 20, 1622, and ending April 28, 1624, is attested by Thomas Collet and Ed. Collingwood.

course.

under different forms of government, the students As we are separated by the Atlantic, and live of each country have comparatively little interican gentlemen, and alas they are very few, who Excepting in the case of some few AmerThere is also a volume of Virginia Company architectural, and other societies, having the eluciare members of our antiquarian, archæological, papers and Records, 1621 1625, of about 160 dation of history for their object, and of the still pages, containing letters, proclamations, patents, in 1622, 1623; correspondence 1625, transactions in the United States, very few persons know fewer Englishmen who belong to similar societies, in council, assembly, their petition, and his majes-what is passing in the antiquarian world of the ty's answer.*

They are alluded to in the Preface to the Virginia Statutes at large, and Conway Robinson cites them in his jurisprudence of Virginia.

As these volumes are of National rather than of local interest, reaching back to the very foundation of the English companies for colonizing America; as they have escaped the chances and mishaps of two centuries, on either side of the Atlantic; as they have not been used by our Historians, — lying virtually unknown; and as Providence has now placed them in the keeping of our National Congress, is it not our National duty to have them appropriately edited and published?

J. W. T.

sister land, and fewer still would know how to proceed, did they wish for information, that could only be procured across the ocean. American investigators must, I think, have felt this especially tombstone, an extract from a parish register, a when, perhaps, a copy of an inscription on an old few lines from a church warden's account-book, or even the carved initials on a crumbling stone over some old cottage door in an English village, are and diligence in the world can never prove withalone wanted to prove a fact which all the learning out them. As these facts must be self evident to every one who has thought on the matter, I wish to inquire if there be not a possibility of forming a Society with members in each country, to be called the Historical Correspondence Society, or

Richard Randolph, Esq., of Hanover, Virginia, from whose obliging hand, several of these particulars are obtained, informs me that there is a series of early torical character. A minute description of them is demanuscript volumes, in Richmond, of an important his-sirable.