CONTENTS. 21-90 PROCEEDINGS at Newark, May 25th, 1818, 57 103-192 Letter from Gov. Franklin to his Father, Dec. 24th, 1774, THE SOCIETY met at this place this day in accordance with the by. laws, the President, Judge HORNBLOWER, in the chair. After the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved, on motion of Mr. GIFFORD, of Newark, the minutes of the last January meeting were also read; and the reconsideration of the resolution of approval adopted at the subsequent meeting was moved by him with a view of supplying an apparent deficiency in the record, but on putting the question the motion was lost. The Corresponding Secretary stated, that since his last report, communications had been exchanged with the Historical Societies of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, the American Antiq. Society, the New England Hist. and Genealogical Society, and other institutions, and laid upon the table letters from the Rev. O. M. JOHNSON, of Orange county, New York, a corresponding member, transmitting a book for the library and promising an original MS. Dis. course relating to the History of Deckertown in this State-from the Rev. WM. COGSWELL, D.D., of Boston, in acknowledgment of his election as an honorary member of the Society-from Major JAMES D. GRAHAM, of U. S. Topographical Engineer Corps, accompanying, and explanatory of, several valuable Maps and Charts presented by him to the Society-from WM. MEDILL, Esq., of the office of Indian Affairs, transmitting an extended series of inquiries respecting the Indian Tribes of America, with a view to the collection of materials for the illustration of their past history and present condition, in compliance with a resolution of the last Congress -from Mr. SAMUEL HAZARD, of Philadelphia, drawing the attention of the Society to an intended publication of the "Annals of Pennsylvania”—and from others in relation to the Society's ope rations. He also read letters from Col. ROBT. G. JOHNSON, the First Vice President, declining a re-election, as the infirmities of age would probably prevent his taking hereafter an active part in the business of the Society: and stating that he had recently compiled a historical sketch of several of the most respectable families in the southern portion of the State, tracing back relationships to the individuals who first immigrated. He also reported, that "having been entrusted by the Executive Committee with the exclusive charge of the Library during the last year, and the Society having by resolution accepted the proffer made by the Essex Board of Chosen Frecholders of the use of a room in the Court House at Newark, for the temporary accommodation of the Books, he has had them removed thither; and, with the assistance of the Recording Secretary,has so arranged them, that they may be referred to conveniently by the mem bers. "With the exception of a few volumes and pamphlets, still in the possession of the donors, or with the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Library of the Society may now for the first time be said to be accessible; as heretofore, for the want of a suit. able apartment, the books have been deposited in different hands at various places. There are at present of bound or separate volumes about 650 Of which were obtained by purchase, By donations, about 126 524 "These, with about 300 pamphlets, many of them highly valu able, also received in donations-together with a number of maps and about 800 manuscripts-original and copies-constitute the germ of a library, which, it is believed, under judicious man. agement, will generate a taste and fondness for historical disquisition and research, and enhance the literary character of the State. "It is hoped that the members generally will use their exertions to secure for it every work calculated to advance the objects had in view by the Society. "There are many single volumes scattered through the State, of little value to the present possessors, which if gathered would materially add to the value of the collection; and most of these, by the exercise of proper influence, could without doubt be obtained as donations-or, if necessary, be purchased. It is especially de |