Chapter VI: Conclusion (2)

The Spinster’s eye and mine met in consultation. The decision was unanimous, and an instant later the guide’s unerring rifle rang out and the owl was fluttering in the water dead. He was picked up and his plumage smoothed, and he was carefully bestowed under one of the boat seats. The small remaining portion of our journey was given up to talk about our new possession and how he should ultimately be disposed of, and in this manner our day with Alphonso, “the Lohengrin of the Swamp,” drew to a close. We were met at the appointed time and place by fat Moses with the springless carriage. Alphonso bade us a courteous adieu, again leaning against his oar in the attitude of the morning.

Moses drove us back to the station at a rapid pace, chuckling the while at our owl which lay on the seat beside him and which he said “looked just like de debbil.” We arrived at the station in time to procure a box for our owl, and then boarding the train arrived safely in Norfolk that night.

LOUISE E. CATLIN.

_Evening Post_, N. Y.

]

MISCELLANEA OF AMERICAN HISTORY:
A REFERENCE LIST

The short list following is partly supplemental to _Larned’s Literature of American History_; its regular A. L. A. continuations; the various cumulative indexes to periodicals and Miss Kroeger’s Guide to reference books (_q. v._). This little collection, which may be extended, is intended merely ta present some clews to additional means of historical research.

KEY:—

010 Bibliography (general).

017 Catalogs (sale).

580 Botany (ancient America).

913 Antiquities.

920 Biography.

929 Genealogy.

973 History (U. S.).

010 BIBLIOGRAPHY (general).

=Cole, George Watson.= Compiling a bibliography. Practical hints with
illustrative examples concerning the collection, recording and
arrangement of bibliographical materials, by George Watson Cole.
An address delivered before the Pratt Institute School of
Library Training, March 15, 1901; reprinted, with additions,
from the _Library Journal_ [26:791,–859]; New York, The Library
Journal, 1902. 21 pp. 23½ x 19 cm. [“Two hundred and fifty
copies printed for private distribution.”]

=Cole, George Watson.= American bibliography, general and local. (In
the _Library Journal_, 19, No. 1 [Jan., 1904]:—5–9.)

017 CATALOGS (sale).

=Bibliotheca Americana.= Being a collection of books ... for sale by
George Harding, 64, Gt. Russel St., Bloomsbury, London, W. C.,
England. New series, No. 112 (1905). 36 pp.

=Edwards’s= American catalogue. Parts 1–3 (1904–1905). _Books for sale
by_ Francis Edwards, 83, High Street, Marylebone, London, W.,
England. _Partially annotated._

_Contents_: Part 1 (Oct., 1904). The American continent; voyages of discovery, general histories, collections, atlases, and maps (pp. 1–35); natural history; geology, botany, zoölogy (pp. 36–53); North American Indians and prehistoric remains of man in North America (pp. 54–69); languages of North American Indians (pp. 70–72). Part 2 (1904–1905?) _relates_ to Dominion of Canada and Newfoundland, Alaska and Yukon territory. Part 3 (June, 1905), The United States; Colonial period 1606–1764 (pp. 137–169); Revolution, 1765–83 (pp. 170–202); Constitution, 1784–1811 (pp. 203–216); War of 1812 (pp. 217–221); Settling of Great West, 1816–60 (pp. 222–240); Civil War, 1860–65 (pp. 241–248); Reconstruction, 1866–_date_ (pp. 249–254); Texas (pp. 255–256).

=Gray’s= international bulletin. _Books for sale_ by Henry Gray, Goldsmith’s
Estate, East Acton, London, W., England. _Monthly_, Foreign
series, No. 1 (1904–5?) pp. 32. _Contents_: Americana and
Coloniana.

580 BOTANY (ancient America).

=Cook, O. F.= Food plants of ancient America. (_In_ annual report of
the ... Smithsonian Institution ... for the year ending June 30,
1903, Washington: Government printing office, 1904; _see_ pp.
481–497.)

“Revision of article on The American Origin of Agriculture, in _Popular Science Monthly_, October, 1902.” Sets forth some inferences to be drawn from evidences of ancient trans-Pacific communication; distribution of food-plants, etc.

913 ANTIQUITIES

=Butterworth, Hezekiah=, _ed._ The Mysterious Races. (_See his_ Young Folks’
History of America, chap. 1, 13–28, Boston: D. Lothrop & Co.,
1881, _illustrated_.)

=Field Columbian Museum=, _Chicago_. List and prices of publications issued
by Field Columbian Museum, Chicago, U. S. A. [1904.] 12^o. 9 pp.

_See_ serial Nos. 8, 16, 23, 28, relating to archæology of
Mexico, Peru and Yucatan.

=Hewett, Edgar L.= Antiquities of the southwest and their
preservation. By Edgar L. Hewett [of the] National Museum,
Washington. (_In_ THE MAGAZINE OF HISTORY, ... New York, 1, No.
5 [May, 1905]: 291–300.)

=Holmes, W. H.= Report ... on the Congress of Americanists, held at
Stuttgart, Germany, Aug. 18–23, 1904. (In _Smithsonian
Miscellaneous Collections, quarterly issue_, vol. 47, No. 1558,
pp. 391–395.)

Contains programme of the congress, with titles of addresses;
also a list of publications, “a set of 75 bound volumes relating
mainly to American Archæology and Ethnology, published by the
Smithsonian Institution and its two bureaus—the National Museum
and the Bureau of American Ethnology.”

=McAdam, William.= Records of ancient races in the Mississippi Valley;
being an account of some of the pictographs, sculptured
hieroglyphs, symbolic devices, emblems and traditions of the
prehistoric races of America, with some suggestions as to their
origin. With cuts and views illustrating over three hundred
objects and symbolic devices. St. Louis: C. R. Barnes Publishing
Co., 1887. 120 pp., 8vo.

Based on much personal research by the author, who died about
April 16, 1895, on which date the _Alton_ (Illinois) _Daily
Republican_ printed a two-column obituary notice, he having been
a resident of that city.

The “Old Mill” at Newport: A new study of an old puzzle. _Scribner’s
Monthly_, 17, No. 5 (March, 1879): 632–641.

Makes some architectural comparisons of the tower with other
similar ancient structures, in an attempt thus to solve the
problem of the former’s origin.

=Prescott, William H.= Origin of the Mexican civilization—analogies
with the Old World. (_See his_ Conquest of Mexico, 3, appendix,
part 1: 309–352, Philadelphia: David McKay, 1892. [‘Preliminary
notice,’ pp. 309–310].)

“The civilization of Anahuac was, in some degree, influenced by
that of Eastern Asia; ... the discrepancies are such as to carry
back the communication to a very remote period,” _extract_, p.
352. Accompanied by very extensive notes and citations of
authorities.

=Thomas, Cyrus.= Central American hieroglyphic writing. (_In_ annual
report of the ... Smithsonian Institution ... for the year
ending June 30, 1903, Washington: Government Printing Office,
1904; _see_ pp. 705–721, _illustrated_.)

=U. S.= _Smithsonian Institution_. Classified list of Smithsonian
publications, available for distribution, April, 1904.
Washington: published by the Institution, 1904. (No. 1461.) 29
pp. 8^o. _See_ pp. 6–8, Archæology.

=U. S.= _Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of American Ethnology._ List
of publications of the Bureau of American Ethnology, with index
to authors and titles. Extract from the twentieth annual report
of the Bureau. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1903. 26
pp. [_paged_ cxcix-ccxxiv], 29½ cm.

920 BIOGRAPHY.

Twelve =contemporary= estimates of Washington. (In _Self Culture_, 2,
No. 6 [March, 1896]: 851–857.)

Accounts quoted (presumably) _verbatim_.

=Elliott, Agnes M.= _Comp._ Contemporary biography. References
to books and magazine articles on prominent men and women of the
time. Compiled by Agnes M. Elliott. [Pittsburgh]: Carnegie
Library, 1903, pp. 171, 23 cm.

929 GENEALOGY.

=Allaben, Frank.= Concerning genealogies; being suggestions of value
for all interested in family history. New York: The Grafton
Press, 1904 (?) 12mo. 75 cts. _Not examined._

=American= genealogies or family histories, and other historical
works, for sale by Joel Munsell’s Sons, Albany, N. Y. 48 pp. 12½
cm.

Contains a large number of surnames arranged alphabetically,
with date, number of pages and price of publication.

=Genealogical=, heraldic and historical publications of the
Grafton Press. New York: 1905. 16 pp.

=Gray’s= International Bulletin. _Books for sale by_ Henry Gray,
Goldsmith’s Estate, East Acton, London, W., England. _Monthly_,
No. 242 (1904–5?); pp. 16. _Contents_: Family history, British
and foreign.

_Same._ Subject series, No. 1 (1904–5?); pp. 32. _Contents_:
Family history and other personalia.

Partly annotated, and arranged in alphabetical order by
surnames, with some cross references.

=McPike, Eugene Fairfield.= Genealogy in America. (_Notes and
Queries_, London, tenth series, 2:63.) [Relates to the attitude
of Washington, Adams, Franklin, Garfield and Oliver Wendell
Holmes toward genealogical research. Authorities cited.]

973 HISTORY (U. S.).

=Clark, A. Howard.= List of publications of the American Historical
Association, 1885–1902, and the American Society of Church
History, 1888–1897. Contents of _American Historical Review_,
1895–1902, by A. Howard Clark, Washington: Government Printing
Office, 1903, p. 65, _paged_ 575–639.

Reprinted from the Annual Report of the American Historical
Association for 1902, vol. 1, pp. 575–639. Gives titles
of all articles forming contents of each publication,
and concludes with an excellent index.

[=Deshler, C: D.=] A Glimpse of “Seventy-six.” _Harper’s New
Monthly Magazine_, 49, No. 290 (July, 1874): 230–245.

An interesting account by one who was personally acquainted
with many survivors of the American Revolution.
Accompanied by illustrations of colonial furniture.

=Finney, B. A.= Public libraries and local history. (_Public
Libraries_, 10, No. 1 [Jan., 1905]: 1–6.) [Read before the Ann
Arbor Library Club, March 12, 1903.] _Same._ Also issued
separately.

=Guest=, _Captain_ =Moses=. 1755–1828. Poems on several
occasions. To which are annexed extracts from a journal kept by
the author while he followed the sea, and during a journey from
New Brunswick, in New Jersey, to Montreal and Quebec _Ed._ 2.
Cincinnati: Looker & Reynolds, 1824. 160 pp., 12^o _in half
sheets_.

Most of these poems were written during the American
Revolution. Captain Guest belonged to the New Jersey
militia and captured Lt.-Col. J. G. Simcoe, of the
Queen’s Rangers, Oct. 26, 1779. This incident is
described in his journal, which, however, begins 16
March, 1784. He removed to Cincinnati in 1817.

[=McLaughlin, Andrew C.=] [Descriptions of work undertaken by
the Bureau of Historical Research, established by the Carnegie
Institution of Washington.] (_Am. Hist. Review_, 9, No. 3
[April, 1904]: 635–636; _caption_ Notes and News: America.)

=McLaughlin, Andrew C.= Historical research. (_In_ Carnegie
Institution of Washington, Year book, No. 3 [1904], pp. 65–67.)

Describes the work and plans of the Bureau of Historical
Research, established by the Carnegie Institution;
includes mention of its (completed) Guide to the
Archives of the Government of the U. S., at Washington;
of preliminary report by Prof. Chas. M. Andrews of Bryn
Mawr, on the character, extent and location (in British
archives) of material for the study of American history;
of a bibliography of current (1903) writings on American
history, etc. As the director is the editor of the
_American Historical Review_, some of the material
collected by the Bureau appears in that periodical.

[=Putnam, Herbert.=] Publication of historical material by the
Government. (_In his_ report of the librarian of Congress for
the ... year ending June 30, 1904; pp. 66–70; 171–181.)

“The library seems in a peculiarly favorable position to
publish such of the MSS. in its possession as seem to
deserve publication. It will begin with those that most
obviously require it. The first of these is the Journals
of the Continental Congress, of which admittedly no one
of the three existing editions is either complete or
accurate.” _Extract_, p. 69. Other important historical
collections mentioned.

=Richardson, Ernest Cushing=, and =Morse, Anson Ely=. Writings
on American history, 1902. An attempt at an exhaustive
bibliography of books and articles on United States history,
published during the year 1902, and some memoranda on other
portions of America. Princeton, N. J.: The Library Book Store,
1904. P. xxi + 294.

A similar collection for 1903 has been undertaken by the
Bureau of Historical Research, Carnegie Institution,
Washington, D. C.

=Tarbell, Ida M.= The Story of the Declaration of Independence.
(In _McClure’s Magazine_, 17, [July, 1901]: 223–235.)

“Illustrated with portraits and autographs of the signers.”

EUGENE FAIRFIELD MCPIKE.

CHICAGO.

EDITORIAL

Although the year now nearly ended has been one of extreme labor on the part of the Editor, he feels a reasonable degree of pride in that his efforts to produce a magazine worthy of being known as the successor of Mrs. Lamb’s MAGAZINE OF AMERICAN HISTORY, have been recognized as successful, by many of his subscribers. That the venture could be financially profitable the first year, was not expected—yet the deficiency is not large, and may even yet be extinguished by the receipt of a comparatively small number of subscriptions before the New Year is upon us.

It is not the Editor’s custom to make unlimited promises for a coming year—he much prefers to let the performance of 1905 stand as a fair sample of what may be expected in 1906, and promises only to improve on it if he can. It is so obvious that the standard of a periodical depends on the growth of its subscription list, that he alludes to it only to emphasize the fact that an historical periodical is particularly so dependent, as advertising receipts from such an one can never be large—advertisers as a rule seeking only those of great circulation. Hence the need that all who claim to be interested in our Nation’s history should prove that interest by subscribing to this, the only monthly devoted to the subject and not confining itself to any one section of the United States.

Its value can also be enhanced by the receipt of queries or historical items appropriate to its columns—and the Editor wishes such whether from subscribers or those who may read it only in our public libraries.

To those who have aided him by contributing MSS. during the year, he returns his warmest thanks, appreciating fully that only by such aid has it been possible to successfully conduct the publication.

The irregularity in publishing the monthly parts, has been unavoidable—but subscribers may rest assured that all possible will be done to reduce this to a minimum. It has been as much of an annoyance to the Editor as to his subscribers, but may be occasionally inevitable in the absence of the usual “quantity of matter awaiting publication,” which more fortunate editors have been known to mention to aspirants for literary fame.

MINOR TOPICS
THE FATE OF THE PIGEONS

[The description of the vast flocks of the wild pigeons (_Ectopistes
migratoria_), given in Mr. Ryman’s article in the October MAGAZINE,
makes the following article, from a recent number of _Forest and
Stream_, of timely interest. The Editor remembers that in 1892, when
he desired to give a game dinner in New York, he was unable to add
these birds to his list, although making application to dealers as far
west as Minneapolis. The description of a flight of pigeons, given by
Audubon and Wilson in their works, is of remarkable value, as showing
the great change wrought in a comparatively short period of time by
the increase of population in the former haunts of these valuable
birds.—ED.]

Being old enough at the time to fully appreciate the grand sight of the myriads of wild pigeons as they moved back and forth through the Mississippi valley in the late seventies, it did not occur to the writer when they suddenly disappeared that it meant they had done so for all time.

As the years pass and no satisfactory explanation has been advanced, the subject fairly nettles the thoughtful lover of nature. Superficial humane zealots as usual credit the trapshooters with wanton slaughter, which is positively silly when it is remembered that a single flock, one of a hundred that passed in a day, would supply pigeons for trapshooting for several years. That disease exterminated them is not impossible, and is by far more reasonable than the trap or net explanation, twenty-five or more years of guessing having failed to locate or account for the birds.

The suggestion here offered (for what it is worth), which was brought about by a dream, may, if followed up, give a clew to the whereabouts or fate of the birds which sportsmen of the last generation will ever remember as the most graceful and skillful flyers known. The dream above mentioned need not be given in detail, nor could it be at this time; however, the writer dreamed of a pow-wow with a venerable Indian who, when asked what had become of the pigeons, stated, to quote him literally (as dreamed), that “Pigeon heap d——n fool, fly in big water [meaning the Gulf of Mexico], no come back.”

I am without any element of superstition, but this dream and Indian affirmation have haunted me for months. I have just returned from the Gulf coast, where, strange as it may seem, the dream has in a measure been confirmed as follows:

Having waded through a slough several times in quest of jack snipe, which were there in large numbers, and having killed and bagged many, I came to an inviting log near the edge of the swamp, which made a good resting place for a tired shooter. While seated there making up my mind whether I should quit shooting or go back after the snipe again, an old negro driving an antiquated mule attached to a creaking, ramshackle wagon with dished wheels, drove up. A few pieces of webbing, some chains for traces, and a bridle and reins of common clothesline made a perfectly harmonious outfit.

“Whoa, Jake!” commanded the old man as he rolled up to my resting place. “Good mo’nin’, sah. You all been spo’tin’ some dis mo’nin’.”

I assured him I had bagged a lot of jacks.

“I dun hear pow’ful lots o’ gun firin’ as I come along back.”

His aged and gray head was set with bright eyes, and his old face beamed with good nature. I decided to do some of the questioning, so I started in with an inquiry as to whether Jake, who stood within reach of my seat on the log, had been or was a kicker. His owner assured me he was gentle and “never was a fool mule.”

“How long have you lived here, uncle?” I inquired.

“I don’t live here; I lives up dis road ’bout fo’ miles.”

“Yes, but how long have you lived in Texas, or near the Gulf?” I asked.

“Good Lo’d! I dun always been here,” and, as if to emphasize the statement, his old face wrinkled more than usual.

“Do you remember the pigeons, years ago?” I asked.

“I shore does, sah.”

“What became of them?” I asked, recalling the dream.

“Whar you all come from to ast dis nigger such fool things! Of cou’se I knows.”

“Well, I don’t,” I remarked; “but would like to very much.”

“You never dun heard of de black fog and the ‘norther’ on dis beach ’bout twenty-five years ago?”

“I never have; but what has that to do with it?”

“Beg your pa’don, sah, I guess you-all ain’t jokin’?”

I assured him I was not, and he began the story of the disappearance of the pigeons something like this:

“When me and Tom Clay was out huntin’ ’coons and bob cats one day, de fog came so thick it was most pitch dark in dis woods, and we was ’fraid to go to the island where Mars Judge Tobin lived, and we was workin’, and jes had to stay right dar in dat timber fo’ days and fo’ nights—coze we shore would git lost if we rowed de boat in dat fog. Well, de second mo’nin’ along come de ‘norther’ an’ dun blowed dis timber most to pieces, but not de fog. By an’ bye I hear a sound, I dun heard befo’, pigeons was a-flyin’ over, and de sound kep’ up all dat day till mos’ dark. Den dey come fallin’ thro’ de trees around us with their wings busted, and heads busted, like they was plum crazy; an’ when dey seen our fire dey fluttered into it and put it clean out. Yas, sah, dat’s God’s truf, I dun tole you all. Next mo’nin’ all dat could fly started off to’d the ocean, an’ the noise of more a-comin’ kep’ up all day till mos’ night. Dat noise was shore mighty bad, an’ we dun been ’bout scared to death when de fog lifted, an’ we started fo’ home in de boat. Den we was scared agin, fo’ de bay was mos’ covered with dead pigeons an’ blood an’ feathers, an’ mos’ every kind of a fish was dar jes helpin’ hisself, an’ so thick we could jes row de boat. We dun busted right into a nest of sharks feedin’ on pigeons, an’ one throwed his tail so hard he knocked de oar out of de boat mos’ ten feet. Next mo’nin’ all the pigeons was dun gone, excep’ on de beach was some washed up, an’ a pow’ful lot of dead fish, little ones’ s’pose got killed in de rush for pigeons. I neber did see a big flock since, an’ ain’t seen nary one fo’ yeahs now.”

“Then you think they perished in the Gulf?” I asked.

“I dun seen um, I knows I know it!” he replied.

Will some kind reader help me in this matter and interview some old sea dog who may have met the unfortunate birds further out to sea, and verify this negro’s story, and the characteristic statement that “pigeon heap fool, fly in big water, and no come back,” of the visionary Indian?

INDIAN LEGENDS: III.
THE LONE BUFFALO

Among the legends which the traveler frequently hears, while crossing the prairies of the Far West, I remember one which accounts in a most romantic manner for the origin of thunder. A summer storm was sweeping over the land, and I had sought a temporary shelter in the lodge of a Sioux or Dacotah Indian on the banks of the St. Peter’s River. Vividly flashed the lightning, and an occasional peal of thunder echoed through the firmament. While the storm continued my host and his family paid but little attention to my comfort, for they were all evidently stricken with terror. I endeavored to quell their fears, and for that purpose asked them a variety of questions respecting their people, but they only replied by repeating, in a dismal tone the name of the _Lone Buffalo_. My curiosity was of course excited, and it may readily be imagined that I did not resume my journey without obtaining an explanation of the mystic words; and from him who first uttered them in the Sioux lodge I subsequently obtained the following legend:

There was a chief of the Sioux nation whose name was the Master Bear. He was famous as a prophet and hunter, and was a particular favorite with the Master of Life. In an evil hour he partook of the white man’s fire-water, and in a fighting broil unfortunately took the life of a brother chief. According to ancient custom blood was demanded for blood, and when next the Master Bear went forth to hunt, he was waylaid, shot through the heart with an arrow, and his body deposited in front of his widow’s lodge. Bitterly did the woman bewail her misfortune, now mutilating her body in the most heroic manner, and anon narrating to her only son, a mere infant, the prominent events of her husband’s life. Night came, and with her child lashed upon her back, the woman erected a scaffold on the margin of a neighboring stream, and with none to lend her a helping hand, enveloped the corpse in her more valuable robes, and fastened it upon the scaffold. She completed her task just as the day was breaking, when she returned to the lodge, and shutting herself therein, spent the three following days without tasting food.

During her retirement the widow had a dream in which she was visited by the Master of Life. He endeavored to console her in her sorrow, and for the reason that he had loved her husband, promised to make her son a more famous warrior and medicine man than his father had been. And what was more remarkable, this prophecy was to be realized within the period of a few weeks. She told her story in the village, and was laughed at for her credulity.

On the following day, when the village boys were throwing the ball upon the plain, a noble youth suddenly made his appearance among the players, and eclipsed them all in the bounds he made, and the wildness of his shouts. He was a stranger to all, but when the widow’s dream was remembered, he was recognized as her son, and treated with respect. But the youth was yet without a name, for his mother had told him that he should win one for himself by his individual prowess.

Only a few days had elapsed, when it was rumored that a party of Pawnees had overtaken and destroyed a Sioux hunter, when it was immediately determined in council that a party of one hundred warriors should start upon the war-path and revenge the injury. Another council was held for the purpose of appointing a leader, when a young man suddenly entered the ring and claimed the privilege of leading the way. His authority was angrily questioned, but the stranger only replied by pointing to the brilliant eagle’s feathers on his head, and by shaking from his belt a large number of fresh Pawnee scalps. They remembered the stranger boy, and acknowledged the supremacy of the stranger man.

Night settled upon the prairie world, and the Sioux warriors started upon the war-path. Morning dawned and a Pawnee village was in ashes, and the bodies of many hundred men, women and children were left upon the ground as food for the wolf and vulture. The Sioux warriors returned to their own encampment when it was ascertained that the nameless leader had taken more than twice as many scalps as his brother warriors. Then it was that a feeling of jealousy arose, which was soon quieted, however, by the news that the Crow Indians had stolen a number of horses and many valuable furs from a Sioux hunter as he was returning from the mountains. Another warlike expedition was planned, and as before the nameless warrior took the lead.

The sun was near his setting, and as the Sioux party looked down upon a Crow village, which occupied the center of a charming valley, the Sioux chief commanded the attention of his braves and addressed them in the following language:

“I am about to die, my brothers, and must speak my mind. To be fortunate in war is your chief ambition and because I have been successful you are unhappy. Is this right? Have you acted like men? I despise you for your meanness and I intend to prove to you this night that I am the bravest man in the nation. The task will cost me my life, but I am anxious that my nature should be changed and I shall be satisfied. I intend to enter the Crow village alone, but before departing, I have one favor to request. If I succeed in destroying that village, and lose my life, I want you, when I am dead, to cut off my head and protect it with care. You must then kill one of the largest buffaloes in the country and cut off his head. You must then bring his body and my head together, and breathe upon them, when I shall be free to roam in the Spirit-land at all times, and over our great prairie-land wherever I please. And when your hearts are troubled with wickedness remember the _Lone Buffalo_.”

The attack upon the Crow village was successful, but according to his prophecy the _Lone Buffalo_ received his death wound, and his brother warriors remembered his parting request. The fate of the hero’s mother is unknown, but the Indians believe that it is she who annually sends from the Spirit-land the warm winds of spring, which cover the prairies with grass for the sustenance of the Buffalo race. As to the _Lone Buffalo_, he is never seen even by the most cunning hunter, excepting when the moon is at its full. At such times he is invariably alone, cropping his food in some remote part of the prairies; and whenever the heavens resound with the moanings of the thunder, the red man banishes from his breast every feeling of jealousy, for he believes it to be the warning voice of the _Lone Buffalo_.

CHARLES LANMAN.

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS

AGREEMENT BETWEEN EDMUND MUNRO AND JOHN SELLON

[Edmund Munro of Lexington, Mass. [1736–1778], lieutenant in the
French and Indian war. Served at the battle of Lexington, April 19,
1775; Lieutenant, Captain Miles’s company, Colonel Reed’s regiment,
also Quartermaster at Ticonderoga and with the Northern army in the
campaign ending with Burgoyne’s surrender; also Captain, Colonel
Bigelow’s (13th Mass.) regiment, Continental army; killed in the
battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778.

The agreement between him and Sellon, executed at Crown Point, is a
curious proof of the caution of the New England nature. Sellon
practically insures him against loss, for a premium of £3. It is a
unique document, as far as we know.—ED.]

CROWN POINT _July 1. 1762_

Whereas Mr. Edmund Munro Has Served as an Adjutant in the Massachusetts forces Last Winter, by order of the Gov^r of this Place, and by Virtue of a Warrant Granted to Him Last Year by Gov^r Bernard And Whereas the Afors^d Munro is under some Apprehensions that the Massachusetts Government will not grant Him Pay for His Doing the Duty of an Adjutant, from the 17^{th} Day of Nov^r Last till the 4^{th} day of March 1762

For and in Consideration of a Note of Hand Given to me the Subscriber Payable to me or my Order for the Sum of Three Pounds Law^l Money Bearing Equal Date with this I Do hereby Covenant, Seal and make Sure, and if the Province does not Pay Him, the afors^d Munro, for the Service aforementioned, in that case I Promise to pay or Cause to be paid unto him the Pay allowed for the Service of Adjutant for the term of time afors^d in Six Months, and Witness my Hand N. B.—if the afores^d Munro did not Receive a Warrant or Commission to serve as Adjutant Last Year in Col Hoar’s Regt then the above Obligation to be void and of None Effect But if he did Receive a Warrant or Commission to act as Adjutant then the above obligation to Remain in full Force and Virtue

JN* SELLON

Test. THOMAS COWDIN

LETTERS OF LIEUTENANT EDMUND MUNRO TO HIS WIFE

[Contributed by his great grandson, Dr. F. H. Brown, Boston.]

TICONDEROGA 16^{th} _August_ 1776

MY DEAR—

I arived at this place the 12^{th} Instant after a very fatiguing
march through the woods with 75 of the Company, the Capt. Lieut.
Ensign with the remainder of the Company are not arived yet. We had
rain almost every day, we are well fortified and Ready for the King’s
troops if they see cause to pay us a visit The troops that have been
here this Summer are sickly Moses Harrington died about ten days ago.
Daniel Simonds & Samuel Munro are sick but Like to recover, there is
none sick of the Small Pox & it is thought there is no Danger, By the
last account from Canada it is thought that the King’s troops will not
be like to come near us this summer, our whole army are Employed in
fortifying this place which will soon be strong enough if well man^d
to stand a rangle with all Brittain. Francis Bowman & Wm Crosby are
well & desire to be remembered to their friends Lexington men are in
good Health If you will leave a letter at Buckmans the Post will bring
it to me I shall be glad you could write me as I shall not rest easy
till I hear from you, by the next post I hope to send you some money.
my love to our little ones as you & they are never out of my mind My
compliments to all friends I remain my Dear your Loving Husband

EDMD MUNRO

VALEY FORGE, _May_ 17^{th} 1778

MY DEAR,

I send these lines with my warmest love & respect to you & the Little
ones Wishing they may find you & them & all friends in perfect Health
& Prosperity. I am in good Health through divine goodness. I have
nothing new to write you; the Lexington men are in a good State of
health, Except Levi Mead & pomp,[14] they are not well, but so that
(they) keep about. I am going on command tomorrow morning down to the
Enemy’s lines, there are two thousand going on the command I am of the
mind that we shall have a dispute with them before we return Give my
dutifull respects to Father & Mother Compliments to all Friends. I
conclude, Wishing you & the little ones the Best of Heaven’s
Blessings, and remain, my dear,

Your Most Effectionate Husband

EDMD MUNRO

Inclosed is a Lancaster news paper which you will see the account of
the grand fue de joy we had on the Sixth of May instant which is a
true & particular account of that day

VALLEY FORGE, 12 _June_ 1778

MY DEAR,

I send these lines with the Most effectionate love & Respect, to you &
the children, wishing they may find you in Perfect Health &
prosperity. I am well & in High spirits through divine goodness
Lexington men are all well; news we have none except the Commissioners
are arived from Great Brittain at Philadelphia in order to settle the
dispute between us & them They have Sent a Flag of truce, what they
had to offer is forwarded to Congress The new establishment of the
army is arived in camp; there is to be a Large Reducement of officers,
but as it has not taken place as yet, it is not known who are to be
Reduced The new arrangement is on a Better footing than it was before.
As it is to take place soon I will let you know my destiny by Mr
Williams who is in a fair way to recover of the Small Pox; by him I am
in Hopes to send you some money. I receiv^d you letter & a Pair gloves
I hope to reward you for your kindness to your satisfaction Be kind
enough to let me know whether you have Drawn a Blank or a Prize in
States Lottery

My due respects to all Friends

I am my dear your most effectionate
Husband
EDMD MUNRO

ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT OF LINCOLN’S SPEECH ON THE FORMATION OF THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY. No date, but delivered in 1859.

[An extremely valuable Lincoln document, perhaps the best that was
ever offered at public sale. It was accompanied by a letter from Mrs.
E. J. Grinsley of Springfield, Ill., dated April 10th, 1866,
presenting the Speech to the Rev. E. P. Hammond.

Mrs. Grinsley in her letter calls it “_part of an address_,” but it
reads like a short but complete speech.]

The following is the text:

Upon those men who are in sentiment opposed to the spread and nationalization of slavery, rests the task of preventing it. The Republican organization is the embodyment of that sentiment; though, as yet, it by no means embraces all the individuals holding that sentiment. The party is newly formed; and in forming, old party ties had to be broken, and the attractions of party pride and influential leaders were wholly wanting—In spite of old differences, prejudices, and animosities, its members were drawn together by a permanent common danger—They formed and manœuvered in the face of the disciplined enemy, and in the teeth of all his persistent misrepresentations— Of course, they fell far short of gathering in all their own—And yet, a year ago, they stood up, an army over thirteen hundred thousand strong—That army is, to-day, THE BEST HOPE OF THE NATION AND OF THE WORLD— Their work is before them; and FROM WHICH THEY MAY NOT GUILTLESSLY TURN AWAY.

MAJOR JAMES M’HENRY TO GEN. GREENE

[Part of letter of Major Jamel McHenry, member of the Continental
Congress, military secretary to Washington, and afterwards Secretary
of War, to General Greene. It is dated at Ambler’s Plantation,
(opposite James Island, Va.), July 8, 1781. It is not signed, but is
of great historical interest. He says:]

On the 4th Instant, the Enemy evacuated Williamsburg, where some Stores fell into our Hands, and retreated to this Place, under the Cannon of their Shipping. Next Morning we advanced to Bird’s Tavern and a Part of the Army took Post at Narrell’s Mills about nine Miles from the British Camp.—The Sixth I detached an advanced Corps under Gen’l Wayne, with a View of reconnoitering the Enemy’s Situation. Their light Parties being drawn in, the Pickets which lay close to their Encampment were gallantly attacked by some Riflemen, whose Skill was employed to great Effect, Having ascertained that Lord Cornwallis had sent off his Baggage, under a proper Escort and posted his Army in an open Field fortified by the Shipping, I returned to the Detachment which I found more generally engaged. A Piece of Cannon had been attempted by the Van Guard under Major Galvan, whose conduct deserves high Applause. Upon this the whole British Army came out and advanced to the thin Wood occupied by Gen’l Wayne. His Corps chiefly composed of Pennsylvanians, and some light Infantry did not exceed eight hundred Men, with three Field Pieces. But notwithstanding their Numbers at Sight of the British Army, the Troops ran to the encounter, a short Skirmish ensued with a close Warm and well directed firing, but as the Enemy’s Right and Left, of Course greatly out flanked ours, I sent Gen’l Wayne Orders to retire Half a Mile to where Colonels Vose and Barber’s light Infantry Battalions had arrived by a rapid Move and where I ordered them to form, In this Position they remained ’till some Hours after Sunset, The Militia under Gen’l Lawson had been advanced and the Continentals were at Narrel’s Mill, when the Enemy retreated in the Night to James Island, which they also evacuated, crossing over to the South Side of the River. Their Ground at this Place and the Island was successively occupied by Gen’l Muhlenberg, many valuable Horses were left on their Retreat. From every account the Enemy’s Loss has been very great and much Pains taken to conceal it. Their Light Infantry the Brigade of Guards and two British Regiments formed the first Line. The Remainder of their Army, the Second, the Cavalry paraded, but did nothing. By the enclosed Returns you will see what Part of General Wayne’s Detachment Suffered most. The services rendered by the Officers make me happy to think that although many were wounded, we have lost none. Most of the Field Officers had their horses killed. The same accident to every Horse of two Field Pieces made it impossible to move them unless men had been sacrificed. But it is enough for the Glory of Gen’l Wayne, and the Officers and Men he commanded, to have attacked the whole British Army, with a reconnoitering Party only, close to their encampment, and by this severe Skirmish hastened their Retreat over the River. Colo. Bayer of the Riflemen is a Prisoner.

LETTER OF WASHINGTON TO THE CITIZENS OF SAVANNAH

_May 13, 1798._

_To the Citizens of Savannah, and the inhabitants of its vicinity_:

GENTLEMEN.—I am extremely happy in the occasion now afforded me to express my sense of your goodness, and to declare the sincere and affectionate gratitude which it inspires.

The retrospect of past scenes, as it exhibits the virtuous character of our country, enhances the happiness of the present hour, and gives the most pleasing anticipation of progressive prosperity—

The individual satisfaction, to be derived from the grateful reflection, must be enjoyed in a peculiar degree by the deserving citizens of Georgia—a State no less distinguished by its services, than by its sufferings in the cause of freedom.

That the city of Savannah may largely partake of every public benefit, which our free and equal government can dispense, and that the happiness of its vicinity may reply to the best wishes of its inhabitants is my sincere prayer.

G^O WASHINGTON.

LETTER OF MARTHA WASHINGTON

PHILADELPHIA, _December the 3rd, 1792_.

_To Mrs. Frances Washington_:

MY DEAR FANNY.—Your Letter of the 2d of November came to my hands yesterday—I am truly glad that the Major has had some little relief, and I trust ere this he has found ease from the pain in his breast and side. I beg my dear Fanny to write one day in every week and that we shall know when to expect her letters, we are very anxious when the southern post comes to hear from you. I write to you by every Mondays Post, your letters come to us on Saturday.—I hope you will pay some attention to your own health, as I feared you were in very delicate situation when I left you at Mount Vernon. Thank god we are all tolerable well hear—Tho I know you are with your friends that is ready to give you every assistance and kindness, yet if there is any thing hear that you cannot get whare you are that you may want, I beg you will let us know and it will give us pleasure to supply you with it.

I am happy to hear that your dear little Babes keep well.

Our compliments to Mr. Bassett—my love and good wishes to your self and the Major,—Your Brothers and Sisters,—Kiss the children for me.

I am my dear Fanny Your most affectionate
M. WASHINGTON.

-----

Footnote 1:

A plan destined to be tried on a larger scale, but with equal
futility, at Charleston Harbor, in 1861—so does History repeat
herself.

Footnote 2:

Ancestor of the poet Landor.

Footnote 3:

Min. of Legislative Council, and of General Assembly, Dec. 23 and 30,
1767.

Footnote 4:

Letter of Colden to Earl of Shelburne, Jan. 21, 1768. Doc. Rel. Col.
Hist. N. Y., VIII, p. 6.

Footnote 5:

Minutes, General Assembly, Feb. 6, 1768.

Footnote 6:

Vide Isaac Q. Leake, “Memoir of the Life and Times of General John
Lamb,” Chapters II and III.

Footnote 7:

Minutes, General Assembly, Dec. 18th and 19th, 1769.

Footnote 8:

Minutes, General Assembly, Dec. 31, 1769.

Footnote 9:

Minutes, General Assembly of that date.

Footnote 10:

Original in a book in the Office of the General Court, labelled
“Inquisitions &c., 1665–1676” p. 239, printed in Hening’s Statutes at
Large, II, 517.

Footnote 11:

Burke, Hist. Virginia, II, 237.

Footnote 12:

Quoted by Hening, Statutes at Large, II, 518.

Footnote 13:

Chalmer’s Annals, Vol. I, p. 345.

Footnote 14:

Pomp was a black man, wounded at the battle of Lexington, and probably
a servant to Captain Munro.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Beautiful Book at a Bargain

NAVAL AND MILITARY TROPHIES, AND RELICS OF HEROES OF GREAT BRITAIN

_Text by R. R. HOLMES_ ⁂ _Illustrations by W. GIBB_

Folio (12×16), Cloth. London, 1896

_Thirty-six Colored Illustrations_

_Published at £7 7s. Equal, with duty, to $45._

This is one of the handsomest of art publications. The plates are executed in the highest style of art, and the printing is equally well done. The various objects depicted are treasured in a number of different places in England, many of them not open to the tourist: hence the especial value of such a work, by which they are made public property. A full list of them cannot be given here, but will be sent to any intending purchaser. The selection given below will serve to show the extraordinarily interesting character of the whole.

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V. The Sash by which the body of Sir John Moore was lowered to the
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VI. Wellington’s Waterloo Sword and Cocked Hat.

VII. Swords surrendered to Major Hodson (of “Hodson’s Horse”) by the
King and Princes at Delhi.

VIII. The Bible and Silk Scarf of General Charles George Gordon, of
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HISTORY OF HADLEY

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BY SYLVESTER JUDD

WITH FAMILY GENEALOGIES

NEW EDITION WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, ADDITIONS, AND COMPLETE INDEX, 670 PAGES

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TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

● Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. ● Placed the initial advertisement page following the footnotes. ● Used numbers for footnotes, placing them all at the end of the last chapter. ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. ● Enclosed bold font in =equals=. ● The caret (^) serves as a superscript indicator, applicable to individual characters (like 2^d) and even entire phrases (like 1^{st}).