SLAVERY IN MASSACHUSETTS-Editor of Magazine of American History:-In connection with the article on "Slavery in the Colony and State of New York" [xi. 408] you afterward printed [xi. 552] a copy of a bill of sale of a negro woman in New York. Here is the account of the sale of a negro woman and boy to a resident of this town, Melrose, Mass., then North Malden, which I copied verbatim, et puncticatim, et literatim, from the original now in possession of a fellowtowns-man, Mr. Artemas Barrett. E. H. Goss MELROSE, May 30, 1884. "Know all men by these present that I Thomas Nickels of Reding In the County of middlesex gentilman for and in Consideration of the sum of thirty three pounds six shillings and Eight pence lawful mony of New England to me in hand paid by piniash [Phineas] Spraigue Jun. of Malden in the same County above sd Cordwinder whereof I do hereby acknowledge the Receipt and my selfe therewith fuly and entirely satis fied have bargened sold set over and Delivrd and by these present in plain and open markit according to the due fourm of law in that case mad and provided do bargain set over and Deliver unto the said phinas Spraigue Jun a negro woman named pidge with one negro boy to have and to hold to his proper use and behoofe of him the said phinas Sprague his heirs, executors administrators and assigns for ever and I Thomas nickles for my self my heirs executors adminiserators and asigns ganst all in all manner of person I shall warrant and for ever Defend by these present. In witness whereof with the Deliver of the bargained persons I have set to my hand and seal the twenty five Day of april in the 17 fifty three year of ye Reign of oure Sovereign lord gorg the Second over grate Britton. Thomas Nichols [seal] Signed and our Seal 1753 and Delever in the present of us Jon Kidder Edward Lambert " JAMES VAN CORTLANDT-The mention in the Clinton Private Intelligence Papers in the June number of the Magazine [xi. 537] of Mr. James Van Cortlandt, of Yonkers, induces me to send you the annexed notice of him: "On Monday last, after a long and painful illness, died in this city, James Van Cortlandt, Esq', of Yonkers, in the County of Westchester, in the 55th Year of his Age. To say that the Death of this worthy Gentleman is sincerely regretted by all who knew him, is a Tribute justly due to his Merit. His tender and affectionate Temper endeared him to his Relations, and their Connections. His Probity, Candour and Hospitality made his Acquaintance to be sought, and his Friendship highly valued, by the first Families and Characters in the Province; while his Humanity, Benevolence and Condescension procured him the Love and Respect of all Ranks of People."-Gaine's New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, for Monday, April 9, 1781. June 9, 1884 WESTCHESTER THE FRIGATE Huzzar [xi. 550]Historians have passed over slightingly, even if they have mentioned at all, the wreck of the Huzzar in Hell-Gate, and it is chiefly among the newspapers of the time that information must be sought regarding it. The Providence Gazette, of December 9, 1780, says: "A New British Frigate of 32 guns, one of the convoy of the Cork fleet which lately arrived at New York, we hear was lost last week coming through Hell-Gate, and a great part of her crew perished."-The Boston Gazette, of December 13, 1780, says: "We learn that the Huzzar frigate was cast away in Hell-Gate the latter end of last month, when all the people except So were lost with the frigate." In a letter from Fletcher Yetts, a petty officer of the Huzzar at the time, to the Edin. burgh Observer (Scotland), appears the following account of the wreck : "The Hussar struck on Pot Rock near three o'clock in the afternoon of the 23rd of November 1780, and did not go down till she swung several miles up the Sound, when she went down in a bay called "The Brothers" at 7 in the evening, same day, in seven fathoms of water; and a strong current then running at the rate of nine knots an hour, occasioned the loss as near as can be ascertained of 107 fine brave fellows, part of her crew. When the accident happened the Huzzar was on her way from New-York to Gardiner's Bay with despatches to Admiral Arbuthnot." Marshall, in his biography of Sir Charles Maurice Pole, the Captain of the Huzzar, says: "The officers and people except one, being all saved, and as no blame whatever could be imputed to Captain Pole in this accident, he was charged with Admiral Arbuthnot's despatches to the Admiralty, and soon after his arrival in England received the appointment to the Success, 32 guns and SOCIETIES William Wallace, Esq., the late President of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, and the Hon. Augustus Schell, the President of the New York Historical Society, were accomplished and distinguished men who had rendered valuable service in their respective spheres, and whose characters entitled them to every consideration. Our records may well contain this passing tribute of respect to their memories, and of sympathy with our sister societies." NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETYAt a stated meeting of the society, June 3d, Hon. Benjamin H. Brewster, United States Attorney-General, and Señor Don Jose Silverio Yorrin, of Havana, Cuba, were elected corresponding members. The paper of the evening, on "French spoliations before 1801," was contributed by the Hon. James W. Gerard. This very interesting and highly valuable monograph we take great pleasure in presenting to our readers in its entirety, in another part of this issue of the Magazine. Memorial resolutions on the decease of the late Charles O'Conor, formerly the first vice-president of the society, were adopted. The society then adjourned sary of the battle of Oriskany will occur to the first Tuesday of next October. THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY held its annual meeting in Boston, April 10, 1884, on which occasion the President, Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, LL.D., in an eloquent address, paid a tribute to the eminent French historian, Mignet, recently deceased. In his introductory remarks President Winthrop said "We come to our annual meeting once more, gentlemen, under circumstances of satisfaction and prosperity, which may well make us grateful for the past and trustful for the future. But I leave all the details of our condition for the annual reports of our council and treasurer, which will presently be submitted to you. "It can hardly fail to have been observed that, by a striking coincidence, two of our leading sister societies have successively been bereaved of their presidents within a few weeks past. John THE ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETYThe one hundred and seventh anniver on the 6th of August. On that date the Oneida Historical Society, at Utica, New York, will dedicate the fine monument which it has erected in honor of General Herkimer, and the brave men of his command who fell in this battle. The monument is already in position, and its four bronze tablets are now being attached. It only remains for the committee to grade, fence, put the grounds in order, and erect suitable entrances. The first tablet contains the memorial epitaph; the second tablet is a bas-relief of Gen. Herkimer,leaning against a tree, wounded, and directing the battle; the third tablet gives the roster; the fourth tablet is a bas-relief, representing a revolutionary soldier, piercing with his bayonet the breast of an Indian chief-thus showing the conflict of civilization with barbarism. The opening address is to be delivered by Hon. William Dorsheimer, M. C., and many guests from abroad are expected. NEW YORK GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY-The annual meeting was held in the hall of the Academy of Medicine, No. 12 West 31st St., on Friday evening, May 20. An admirable and eloquent address on William Wirt was delivered by Prof. William Mathews, LL.D., of Boston, the well-known essayist and author. At its close, General James Grant Wilson moved, and Judge C. A. Peabody seconded, a vote of thanks to Dr. Mathews, each making short speeches. Two valuable portraits were presented to the Society through General Wilson, one of Edward Livingston, author of the Civil and Criminal Code of Louisiana, American Minister to France, and a member of Jackson's Cabinet; and the other of Philip Livingston, who not only signed but most strenuously urged the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the gifts of William Alfred Jones, Esq., of Norwich, Conn., a greatgrandson of the signer. A vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. Jones, who is known as a scholar and author. Philip Livingston died in 1778, and Edward Livingston in 1838. They were both members of the distinguished New York family whose ancestor, Robert Livingston, obtained a patent of Livingston Manor in the year 1686. THE MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.— The spring or quarterly meeting of the Society was held at its library in Portland, May 22, afternoon and evening. Mr. H. W. Bryant, the librarian and curator, presented his report, showing large accessions to both library and cabinet. The Rev. Samuel Longfellow presented valuable autograph letters. Hon. Joseph Williamson, of Belfast, read a paper en titled, "A Historical Review of Literature in Maine." Rufus King Sewall, of Wiscasset, read a paper on "Wi-wurna, and his speech at the Treaty at Georgetown, Me., 1717." Mr. John T. Hull exhibited pages of his copy of the first volume of the Records of York County, proposed to be published. In order that this important undertaking be carried successfully through, it is necessary that more subscribers be obtained. At the evening session President Bradbury presented a volume of the silhouettes of the members of the famous class of 1825, of Bowdoin College; also, the broadside exercises at the graduation of the class. Hon. Joseph Whitcomb Porter, of Bangor, read a paper on Jonathan Eddy, David Cobb, and other Revolutionary heroes, who became settlers in Eastern Maine. The original accountbook of Col. John Allan was produced, showing an entry for powder furnished to Col. Eddy, as Commander at Machias. Remarks were made by Gen. John Marshall Brown, Edward P. Burnham, Esq., Joseph Williamson, Esq., George E. B. Jackson, Esq. The annual meeting for the election of officers and new members will take place at Brunswick in July. CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY.-An adjourned meeting of this society was held on the evening of May 20, Hon. E. B. Washburne in the chair. Judge Mark Skinner offered resolutions, which were adopted, in memory of the late Presiden, of the Society, Hon. Isaac N. Arnold; also requesting Mr. Washburne, at his convenience, to prepare a memorial address. E. H. Sheldon introduced a memorial notice of Sir Alpheas Todd late of Ottawa, Canada; and, as a mark of respect, his name was placed upon the records of the Society. Hon. William Bross having been appointed to prepare a memorial on the late Thomas H. Armstrong, the President then introduced William Henry Smith, General Manager of the Associated Press, who read an interesting paper upon "Charles Hammond, and his Relations to Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams." At its conclusion, Mr. Washburne appointed Messrs. E. H. Sheldon, Mark Skinner, and W. K. Ackerman, a committee to draft resolutions in memory of the late Cyrus H. McCormick. Before adjourning, the Society tendered Mr. Smith a vote of thanks for his interesting and instructive paper, asking that a copy be placed upon its records. VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY-A meeting of its Executive Committee was held May 17, in the Westmoreland Club House, Hon. A. M. Keiley in the chair. Mr. Brock, the corresponding secretary, officiated as recording secretary. Many valuable gifts were reported, chiefly of books. Also an admirable oil portrait of Major James Gibbon, who led the forlorn hope at Stony Point, painted by the late John B. Martin of Richmond, Va., and presented by his son, Rev. S. Taylor Martin. Col. Robt. Beverley, of Va.; Col. Samuel Adams Drake, of Boston; Gen. C. W. Darling, of Utica; and Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, of New York City, were elected members of the Society. The following resolutions offered by Mr. Henry, were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That this Society views with great interest the near approach to com pletion of the grand monument to Washington at the national capital, and that the members of the Executive Committee will attend the ceremonies which will be observed to commemorate that event. Resolved, That we would express our high gratification at the selection of the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, as the orator of the occasion, and we rejoice that he who, as Speaker of the House of Representatives on the 4th of July, 1848, delivered the oration upon the laying of its corner-stone, has been spared to perform a similar service at the completion of the monument, and that in him we have a fellow-citizen who by his virtues and his genius is eminently worthy of the occasion. SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI-The triennial meeting of the General Society of the Cincinnati was held in Princeton, on May 14th and 15th, at the University Hotel, in charge of the New Jersey Society as hosts. This is the one hundred and first year of the existence of the organization, formed in 1783 for the purpose of perpetuating a friendly alliance and feeling between the descendants of the Revolutionary Army and French officers. Originally there were thirteen State societies, corresponding to the original thirteen States of the Union, and also a society in France. The only societies now in existence are seven: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The sessions were presided over by ex-Governor Hamilton Fish, of New York, who is President of the New York State Society, and who has also been President of the General Society since 1854. |