thereof, a policy substantially as follows: All that in any form, expressly or by implication, we have undertaken to expend or to do for the Indians shall be expended and done with scrupulous fidelity. The national honor demands this, and we do not wish to be relieved of the least part of any burden we have assumed. But these national obligations on their behalf we declare to be the property of the Indians as wards, and to be employed by us as their guardians for their benefit, not necessarily in the precise methods and for the specific purposes originally contemplated, but in such manner and for such purposes as, guided by the wisest counsel we can command, we believe will best promote the real and permanent interest of the beneficiaries.

Under this policy, annuities, rations and other demoralizing and pauperizing subsidies would be discontinued, and the money thus saved would be spent for schools, for educating Indian children in schools and academies among civilized people, for roads, irrigation works and other public improvements in the Indian country, in which the Indians. could have employment and thus earn their living.

But

It is a delicate and perhaps a dangerous undertaking thus to reject the letter, while respecting the spirit of our obligations, to discriminate among our promises, choosing which we will keep and which ought not to be kept. the responsibility for the welfare of this dependent and subject, and doubtless much wronged people is upon us; we cannot shirk it. If we must confess that we have not honor and integrity enough at the command of our national government honestly to administer such a trust, "a century of dishonor" is but a trifling blot on our national character compared with the permanent infamy involved in the confession.

REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.

THE stack-room and attic-hall shelving, completed last year, is a constant source of aid and comfort in the practical administration of the library. It has given us the longdesired space so essential to the proper classification and use of material which we delight to draw into our treasurehouse.

The following paragraphs are from page 378 of the American Historical Review, Volume I., Number 2, for January, 1896. They introduce an article upon the American Antiquarian Society, which was prepared by my faithful chief assistant, Miss Mary Robinson, at the request of Dr. J. Franklin Jameson, managing editor of the Review:

When No. 45, "Notes on Special Collections in American Libraries" was published, in the series of Bibliographical Contributions, issued by the library of Harvard University, the library of the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester, Mass., was by chance omitted. As the pam

phlet mentioned is of constant use to scholars, and as the Antiquarian Society's library is one of great importance to students of history, it has been thought that some notes upon its contents would be welcomed as a supplement to No. 45, by readers of the Review. The following notes have been prepared by Miss Mary Robinson, assistant to the librarian, Edmund M. Barton, Esq.

In this connection, I note for ready reference, and chronologically, the leading articles which have appeared relating to our Society and its library. They are:

1. "An Account of the American Antiquarian Society by President Isaiah Thomas," published in November,

1813, and, in 1820 republished in the first volume of our Transactions.

2. Dr. John Park's "Preface to the Catalogue of the Society's Library," which was printed in 1837.

3. Mr. Nathaniel Paine's "Brief Notice of the Library of the American Antiquarian Society," presented in his Council Report of April 30, 1873, and separately printed.

4. Dr. Samuel F. Haven's "Contributions to the Special Report on Public Libraries in the United States of America their History, Condition and Management," made through the United States Bureau of Education, in the year 1876.

5. "An Account of the American Antiquarian Society, with a List of its Publications," prepared for the International Exhibition of 1876, by Mr. Nathaniel Paine.

6. "A Sketch of the American Antiquarian Society," prepared by Mr. Henry M. Smith, for his New England Home Journal, of February 2, 1883, published in Worcester, Mass.

7. Mr. Nathaniel Paine's Account in his "Worcester Societies, Associations and Clubs," as written for the "History of Worcester County, Mass.," in 1889, and separately printed.

8. Mr. Samuel S. Green's Sketch, in his article upon Worcester Public Libraries, in the "History of Worcester County," published in 1889, and reprinted.

9. President Stephen Salisbury's contribution to the Boston Commonwealth, of October 17, 1891, as to the Society and its purposes.

10. Mr. Alfred S. Roe's Historical Tribute to the Society, in his Light, Volume IV., Number 7, October 17, 1891.

11. Mr. Andrew McF. Davis's History of the Society, in his "Historical Work in Massachusetts," prepared for Volume I., of the Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, and separately printed in 1893.

12. Mr. Reuben Colton's "The Best Library of Early American Newspapers at Worcester, Mass.," in Boston Evening Transcript, of October 6, 1894.

13. Miss Mary Robinson's "Notes on the Library of

the American Antiquarian Society," in American Historical Review, Volume I., Number 2, January, 1896.

14. Mr. Nathaniel Paine's "Early American Imprints, 1640-1700," belonging to the Library of the American Antiquarian Society, in our Proceedings, Volume X., Part 2, October 23, 1895, and reprinted.

It is understood that from the notice by Mr. William Lincoln in his "History of Worcester," issued in 1837, to the latest reference in guide-book or directory, the Society has been quietly recognized as an institution of national as well as local importance. When, in 1912, the centennial history of this modest but venerable society shall be written, its offices of preserver, publisher and generous dispenser of historical material should be strongly presented. This will require not only a careful examination of the authorities named, but a study of our roll of members and their doings; an intelligent reference to other scholars of the century who have drawn facts and inspiration from our treasure-house of American history; and a close inspection of the Transactions and Proceedings as well as the official records of the Society. Our correspondence will also play its part in throwing light upon our connection with authors living and dead. I submit,-as suggestive of the nearness of such relations to one of America's great historians, the following letter:

Northampton, Mass., July 31, 1834. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS BALDWIN, Esq.

Dear Sir:-I received your recent favor with much satisfaction. It is the opinion of those who are versed in American history that must decide on the fate of the work which has cost me so much time and labor. It is critical accuracy which is especially requisite; without it no valuable end can be attained. But while exact enquiry must furnish the basis, the arrangement and the manner of insertion are equally important points with the public. On all these points, I assure you, it was with real diffidence and hesitancy that I ventured to publish a volume. The reception which the public has given me has thus far been very

flattering; and furnishes the best encouragement to a zealous and persevering effort. As I go forward, I shall count unhesitatingly on the advantages that may be derived from your collections at Worcester and your own extensive personal acquaintance with their contents and merits. You teach me to rely implicitly on your candor.

Truly your obliged friend,

GEORGE BANCROFT.

A curious epidemic of stamp collecting, presumably for benevolent but clearly in some cases for fraudulent purposes, has recently prevailed. Individuals and even corporations have been asked to aid in sending to a given point a million or so of postage-stamps, to secure the medical, surgical, or educational treatment of some unfortunate. Failure to accept the invitation to become a "connecting link" has been followed by sharp and foolish criticism. Some of these stamp frauds have been exposed, while others are still active. The American Economic Association may well consider their object, history and suppression, with a view to checking their ill-effects, and thus helping the worthy poor and needy. For even well-known charitable societies have gathered such material, selected what was of present value and disposed of the remainder in bulk. While it may not be possible for our Post-Office Department to cancel thoroughly all used stamps, and thus prevent their second use, the temptation to the mean man should be made as light as modern methods will allow. Your librarian has not hesitated to ask needed service of members in different parts of the country. The original Laws of the American Antiquarian Society," adopted in 1812, under Article 2, specify among other duties of the Counsellors to receive donations"; and in the revision of 1815, the same duties are assigned to "one Counsellor resident in each of the United States, and one in Plymouth old Colony and one in Maine." State Counsellors are officers of the past, but prompt and cheerful replies have been uniformly received. A representative member in each