Conspicuous among those institutions to which Mr. Clinton devoted a large share of his time and energies, was the New-York Historical Society. This useful and active association was first organised in 1804, and was incorporated in 1809; and since that period, through various fluctuations, has risen to be the first association of the kind in the United States. The first volume of its Collections appeared in 1908; the second in 1814; the third in 1821; and in 1826 the fourth volume. The library of this institution, which according to the late report of the directors, amounts to nearly eight thousand volumes, is extremely rich in matters pertaining th this country. Not a few of the MS. papers are such as will throw much light on the colonial and revolutionary history of America. In 1814, a petition was presented by the society, to the Honourable the Legislature of the State, praying for a grant of money to enable them to adopt efficient measures for obtaining from different portions of the United States, books, manuscripts, and documentary information relative to the natural, civil, ecclesiastical, and medical history of the country; but particularly illustrative and commemorative of the origin, settlement, and colonial transactions of this state. Mr. Clinton wrote a powerful memorial to the legislature in the society's behalf. In it he observes,

"The civil history of this state may be divided into four parts:

"1. When occupied by the aborigines.

"2. When under the government of the Dutch, which was about half a century.

"3. Its state under England, which continued about one hundred and twelve years, and which includes the proprietary government of the Duke of York, and its government under the kings of Great Britain, excepting about sixteen months, when it was repossessed by the Dutch.

"4. And, lastly, its political existence as a member of an independent government.

"Before the lapse of many years, the remnant of the Indian nations which now inhabit the state will experience the fate of all sublunary things. The few antiquities of the country; the forts and the tumuli, which may now be easily explored, will be effaced by the extension of cultivation. The natural history of the man of America, disfigured and perverted as he has been by European intercourse, may still be obtained to a considerable extent; his language may be put on record, and his traditions may be perpetuated.

"As before the revolution, the colonies of France and Great Britain were connected by vicinity, by treaty, by trade, and by continual and habitual intercourse with the Five Nations, and other Indians which occupied this state, we can obtain valuable materials to illustrate this important period, from the libraries and public collections of these countries: many learned, elaborate, and interesting works have never been seen in America; some are so scarce that they cannot be procured without the expense of transcribing; and papers of great moment have never been printed.

"The regular minutes of the transactions of the Indian commissioners for this colony, from 1675 to 1751, as kept by a secretary employed for the purpose, were bound up in four large folio volumes. This invaluable collection, and the subsequent colonial records relative to Indian affairs, are not now to be found in this state; and they were probably conveyed away by Sir John Johnson, or his agents, at the commencement of the revolution. The loss of these documents would produce a chasm in our history that could not be supplied; and we hope that they may still be retrieved. Our concerns and negotiations with the Indians, since our existence as a state, have not been preserved in regular and complete order. They are scattered among the bureaus of our chief magistrates, or are buried in the voluminous files of the legislature.

"To obtain materials for the Dutch portion of our history, comprising an interesting period of half a century, we must have recourse to the papers of the Dutch West-India Company, and to the archives of the then government of that nation; to the Dutch records of some of our counties, and in the office of the secretary of state; to the public offices in the neighbouring colonies with whose governments the Dutch had negotiations; and to several books published in the Dutch and Latin languages, relative to this country, and which are scarcely known to us. The darkness which hangs over this branch, may be perceived in the History of New-York, written by William Smith, a work which skims lightly over this interesting period, leaving it almost entirely unnoticed.

"To supply that part of our history when we were subject to Great Britain, the most valuable materials may be obtained from various sources. From Chalmers' Political Annals it appears, that there are many manuscripts in the Plantation Office, entitled New-York Entries, and New-York Papers. We find in the catalogue of manuscripts preserved in the British Museum, some writings that refer particularly to this state; and in the catalogue of books belonging to that institution, are preserved many works concerning America, in the Dutch, English, French, Spanish, and Latin languages, affording a fund of information important and inestimable. We also know that there are many interesting books and manuscripts relative to this country, in the library of the society for the propagation of the gospel in America; and perhaps much important information may be obtained from the public offices in Canada.

"The history of our country since the commencement of the revolutionary war, is in a better state of preservation: but even here how many interesting events are passing into oblivion; how many important facts are distorted and misrepresented, how many illustrious achievements are forgotten or neglected. Documents that may illuminate the obscure, explain the doubtful, and embalm the memories of the good and the great, may now be drawn from their dark abodes, where in a few years they will be forgotten or lost. Letters of distinguished individuals, fugitive pamphlets, perishable manuscripts, ought now to be obtained and preserved. The time is precious, and not a moment should be lost.

"The only history of this member of the confederacy is that of William Smith, which is brought down to the year 1732. Is it too much to say, that the most important is the worst or least described part of the union?"

This memorial had its proper effect upon the constitutional authorities of the state, and was followed by a liberal grant to be raised by lottery. The society having unfortunately anticipated the avails of this donation, were sometime involved in much embarrassment, from which they were relieved only by an additional grant by the legislature in 1827. For this effective and timely aid, they are indebted to the zealous and well directed efforts of Frederick De Peyster, Jun. Esq. For the purpose of securing the grant, the society unanimously deputed Mr. De Peyster to present to the legislature their claims and necessities. That gentleman found a majority of the members hostile to all appropriations whatever. Committees in both houses had reported upon the low state of the treasury, and the consequent inexpediency of making grants in favour of the various and important objects pending before them. Mr. De Peyster, notwithstanding these discouraging circumstances, persevered in representing the value and importance of preserving the society, the nature and extent of its difficulties, the claims it had upon an enlightened legislature. These representations prevailed in the lower house with only three dissentient voices, and in the senate by an unanimous vote.

In reference to this subject Mr. Clinton observes, in a letter to me, dated April 10^th, 1827, - "This institution has now lifted up its head, and will I hope once more flourish. The late state grant is principally owing to the address and indefatigable exertions of Major Depeyster."

The most important service in which the society is at present engaged, is the publication of a new and improved History of the State of New-York, by the late historian William Smith. The materials of this work have been received from the Hon. William Smith, the son of the late historian, and Chief Justice of Canada. Upon my making known to Mr. Smith the object of the society, he with great liberality has presented to the society the MSS. left by his father, what embrace the history down to the year 1762.

The succession of presidents of this society are, in 1804, Egbert Benson, under whom the association was incorporated; 1816, Gouverneur Morris; 1817, De Witt Clinton; 1820, David Hosack; 1827, James Kent.

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

Transcribed from the original text and html prepared by Bill Carr, last updated 5/22/99.