ner Family," from our late associate, the Rev. J. P. Root, who had prepared it with his usual care; the "Binney," "Jones," and "Thacher" families the last a gift from Mr. Peter Thacher, of Boston. From our generous townsman, Mr. Henry J. Steere, we have received several valuable works, among them "Austin's Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island,” a work which will be much consulted. "America Heraldica," begun last year, by purchase from the Munsells, has been completed. From Harvard University we have received, besides other gifts, the Record of the Commemoration, November 5 to 8.1886, on the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding of Harvard College, and from Yale College, the history of Yale College, by Franklin Bowditch Dexter. These are valuable contributions to our Library and well deserve a fuller notice.

From Dr. Charles W. Parsons, we have received a unique volume, formerly owned by Charles I. of England, and bearing the royal arms on both covers. It is styled "Willett on Genesis," a folio of two volumes bound in one,― rather solid theological reading, one would think, for the royal family of that time. It is by Andrew, supposed to be father of Thomas Willett, and was published in London, 1632.

One of the most valuable works received during the year is the Diary of Thomas Robbins, D. D., an honorary member of our Society, from Mr. Robbins Battel and Miss Anna Battel, of Norfolk, Conn. He was a man of rare ability, of wide attainments, and of thorough devotion to his calling in the beautiful town of Norfolk, where he was the honored pastor of the Congregational Church for many years. His acquaintance with the best men and the best literature was extensive, and his correspondence very large. This work, which is in two handsome volumes with portraits, is carefully edited by Increase N. Tarbox, whose foot-notes and admirable index add much to its usefulness. Dr. Robbins delivered a lecture on the "Middle Ages," before our Society, December 7, 1836. He also presented us with thirty-four Annual State Registers of Connecticut, a desirable accession.

Our valued friend, Mr. Charles Congdon, of New York, has sent us a large box of books and pamphlets of a character and condition that indicate his generosity and also his cultivated taste.

They include Horace W. Smith's "Nuts for future Historians to Crack," "Life and Administration of Richard, Earl of Bellomont," by Frederick De Peyster," Memorial Volumes of the Rev. Dr. Hall and the Rev. Dr. Crocker," "Affairs at Fort Chartres, 1768," Hamilton Club Series, Nos. I. to IV.," Gleanings from the Harvest Field of American History," "The Montgomery Dialogue," Drake's "Witchcraft Delusion in New England," three volumes; "Mourt's Relation, or the Journal of the Plantation at Plymouth, 1622," reprints of Josselyn's "Two Voyages to New England" and "New England's Rarities Discovered," Captain John Smith's "Description of New England" and his "Advertisements for the Inexperienced Planters of New England or Anywhere," over thirty in all, many of them Munsell's and Veazie's publications, subscribers' copies, and all in excellent order.

The beautiful volume of "Portraits of the Presidents General of the Order of the Cincinnati, with Roll of General Officers and Hereditary and Honorary Members, July 27, 1887," is an addition of merit. An album of Masonic badges from the lodges of many of our states, collected by our late associate, John P. Walker, while on a pilgrimage to California, and designed for our Society, has been presented by Mrs. John P. Walker.

Among the gifts classified as "Miscellaneous" are the following a portrait of Washington, by William Hamlin, 1800, and an engraving of Grace Church, from Mr. William D. Ely; an autotype portrait of John Cropper, from Mr. John Cropper of New York; a portrait of John L. Lincoln, from Professor John L. Lincoln; a proclamation of Governor Stephen Hopkins, December 29, 1758, about the "Great War with France," from Mrs. Philip W. Martin; an autograph of William Coddington; an autograph letter of Benjamin Franklin,

London, 1771, from Mr. Charles H. Smith; an anonymous account of Roger Williams, in manuscript, and from the Hon. Francis W. Miner, the fragments of a musket found at Gaspee Point, supposed to have belonged to one of the party of June 10, 1772. The historical account of steamboat navigation in Narragansett Bay and Providence River, the manuscript of the Hon. Elisha Dyer, has been presented by the author.

Kind friends in all parts of our country have brought and sent their contributions of books and pamphlets, and we are grateful for their interest in our welfare. Besides those already mentioned, we are indebted to Mr. Charles C. Jones, of Augusta, Ga., Mr. J. Watts De Peyster and Mr. J. M. Montgomery, of New York, Mr. P. R. Kendall, Rutland, Vt., Dr. S. A. Green, Mr. A. A. Folsom, and Mr. D. Berkeley Updike, of Boston, Mr. Justin Winsor, of Cambridge, Mass., Mr. Joshua Arnold, of East Greenwich, R. I., Mr. Charles Gorton, Mr. John B. Anthony, Mr. Arnold Green, the Hon. William W. Hoppin and the Hon. Nelson W. Aldrich, of our own city. Our Society is the proper place for these things, to which at no remote day, we hope to offer the largest hospitality as well as to all who wish to consult them, and we ask those to whom they may be an encumbrance to bring them to us, or at any rate to let us examine and buy what may be of value, before sending to paper-mill or junk shop.

Respectfully submitted,

CHARLES W. PARSONS,

WILLIAM B. WEEDEN,

STEPHEN H. ARNOLD.

Committee on the Library.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON

PUBLICATIONS.

PROVIDENCE, Jan. 10, 1888.

TO THE RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY:

The Committee on Publications report that the Society has published this year only the usual annual pamphlet containing the proceedings of the Society for the year preceding the last annual meeting.

G. M. CARPENTER, Chairman.

REPORTS OF THE PROCURATORS.

REPORT OF PROCURATOR FOR PAWTUCKET.

In the annual report of your Procurator in 1887, it was suggested that a branch of the Society for local interest might be established in Pawtucket, such as exists in Newport and in other places. The matter was discussed at the annual meeting, and the Procurator was requested to make inquiries concerning the feasibility of such an undertaking, and was assured of assistance on the part of individual members of the parent society. A report was to be made at a subsequent meeting.

On consultation with those best qualified to judge, it was considered inexpedient on this ground, that Providence and Pawtucket in their early settlement, and in their continuous history, formed one and the same district, while Newport Colony and Warren Colony with its neighborhood were quite sep

arate and distinct. This is no doubt true. Independent or branch organizations in those places would have a field specially their own.

It was thought that there was not enough of local coloring and of independent colonial and municipal interest to render a branch of much importance. Therefore your Procurator reports further action at present unwise. It only remains to awake local interest in the general work of the Society, and to emphasize here the importance in every way possible of spreading historical information with regard to the common history and mutual interests of Providence and Pawtucket.

E. H. PORTER, Procurator.