BRADDOCK'S ROCK. FEW people in Washington know that an unmarked historic spot lies almost under their eyes. On the north bank of the Potomac River, formerly known as Camp Hill, but now occupied by the United States Observatory grounds, which are bounded by E Street on the north, the Potomac on the south, and Twenty-third and Twenty-fifth Streets on the west and east, is a small rock, which in a few years will be entirely covered by refuse dumped by city carts; tin cans are the only things that now mark the landing place of the great Braddock. This rock is upon the site occupied by the British Provincial troops, April, 1755. The British troops landed here from the transports, the "Sea Horse" and the "Nightingale," and here pitched their tents. Washington, then an officer of the Virginia Colonial troops, and later aide-de-camp to Braddock, was camped here and was so impressed with the beauty of the site and surrounding country that he was subsequently led to choose it for the location of the National Capital. This is also the very spot which he, in 1796, designated as the location for the University of the United States. Braddock's Rock has been known by this name ever since the time of Braddock's departure, and is still so known by old inhabitants of the vicinity, among whom are several who remember when it was touched by the waters of the Potomac, since diverted farther southward. In the report of the Washington Astronomical Observatory for 1871, appendix No. 4, is a reference to Braddock's Rock under this name, and to the fact that it was known from this point that Braddock marched toward Fort Duquesne. It is also recorded here that Colonel Peter Force, the well-known antiquary, during his lifetime repeatedly pointed out this rock on which Braddock's landing was made. Further authentication can be found in Braddock's journal of this expedition. Over the rock in 1775 passed the flower of England's soldiery, headed by the illustrious general who met his death at the battle of Fort Duquesne, and by the father of his country, then a Virginia militia colonel, and in a few days to become Braddock's aide-de-camp. And when the Capital of the Nation was threatened in 1814, this same hill, on which the old observatory now stands, was occupied by the patriots, who marched from it towards Bladensburg for the defense of the city. This little bit of history of the French and Indian War establishes beyond a doubt the location of the exact spot at which General Braddock disembarked April 14, 175. This famous rock is no doubt the only known relic of revolutionary or colonial days which has not been sacredly preserved and reverentially guarded. WHAT WE ARE DOING AND CHAPTER WORK. WAR WORK BY MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTERS. Ar a meeting of the sub-committee of the War Committee, July 15th, Mrs O'Neil stated that owing to the death of the State Regent of Massachusetts it was desirable to have some one attend to soliciting aid from the Massachusetts "Daughters," who doubtless wished to aid in the work undertaken by the War Committee, and Mrs. O'Neil volunteered to write to the different Chapters throughout the State with a view to enlisting their assistance in the matter. This was heartily approved by the committee. The following letters have been received concerning the work done: WARREN AND PRESCOTT CHAPTER. The oldest Chapter in Massachusetts has sent large contributions of money to the "Massachusetts Volunteer Aid Association;" its members have worked as individuals, helping the different auxiliary societies, and sending money to the Daughters of the American Revolution War Fund. Accounts of their contributions can be found in the report of the Treasurer of the War Fund. MRS. SAMUEL ELIOT, PAUL REVERE CHAPTER. The members of this Chapter have been separated during the summer, but have been actively engaged in war work, sending contributions of money to the Massachusetts Volunteer Association and working for its various auxiliary societies; also sending contributions of money to the Daughters of the American Revolution War Fund, and for the Daughters of the American Revolution lunch given to the hospital ship "Mission," and at Holbrook, the summer residence of the Regent. Much was accomplished. E. EVERETT HOLBROOK, (438) Regent. BUNKER HILL CHAPTER. Much individual work is being performed by members of Bunker Hill Chapter in donating delicacies and useful articles to the Volunteer Aid Association. The Regent, Miss Marion H. Brazier, started a collection of literature, aided by an honorary member, Mrs. L. A. Turner, and by Mrs. Fowler, Regent of the Old South Chapter. These ladies shipped several thousand books to Florida, Camp Dewey, Fort Warren, Camp Dalton, Gloucester, Nahant, and Plum Island. All were received and acknowledged by appreciative letters from the commanders. The balance of the collection was turned over to the Volunteer Aid Association by Miss Brazier and Mrs. Turner, and duly acknowledged by the Secretary, Mr. Elihu B. Hayes. The books will be distributed as the ladies desire, and in the event of peace being declared and no further need for distribution, they will be sent to the soldiers' and sailors' homes and life-saving stations of Massachusetts. Twenty-eight Charlestown members of the Chapter collected the sum of nearly $150, from which they purchased 486 pairs of socks, 400 linen neck handkerchiefs and other useful articles, and sent to the two Charlestown companies of the Fifth United States Volunteers, at Camp Dalton. These ladies stand pledged to do further work along this line. Two members of the Chapter, Mrs. L. A. Turner and Mrs. Emilie L. W. Waterman, are actively connected with the committee work of the Volunteer Aid Association, the former serving on the Supply Committee. Mrs. Elida Fowler, whose work at the front in 1861 is recalled, is also doing her share in aiding in the fitting out of the ship. MARION H. BRAZIER, Regent. SEA COAST DEFENCE CHAPTER. Upon receipt of a circular of the War Committee, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, signed by M. Margaretta Manning, President General, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Alice Pickins Akers, Recording Secretary General, a meeting of the Chapter was called, and the Treasurer of the Chapter was directed to forward $5.00 in response to this circular, from the funds remaining in the treasury, which, unfortunately, has been previously heavily drawn upon for other purposes, and had left the treasury in rather a limited condition, consequently the amount forwarded was not as large as it otherwise would have been. The receipt was duly acknowledged. The Chapter being very desirous to still further contribute to this patriotic work, it was deemed advisable to endeavor to interest others, if possible, who were not members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, but who might desire to give their aid to the work. Accordingly, by the request of the officers and members of the Chapter to the clergymen of this place, a notice was read from the desks of all the churches here, on Sunday, July 10th, inviting all the ladies now in this place who were interested in the subject of rendering assistance to the sick and wounded, now in the service of our country, to meet the Sea Coast Defence Chapter at Association Hall, on the following Tuesday, July 12th, at 3 p. m., to devise such measures as would be most efficient for the promotion of this object. Captain Gilbert S. Smith, the owner, kindly placed his hall at the disposal of the Chapter, for this purpose, free from expense. The invitation met with a hearty response, and the meeting was largely attended. The Regent, upon opening the meeting, made the following an nouncement: "The object of this meeting is to aid and relieve the sick and wounded among our brave men now in the service of our country, and all the patriotic women in this place are invited to join with us in this movement. "It seems that our first effort should be to raise a fund in order to procure material necessary for the work. "Any remarks, or suggestions, will now be in order, and the Chair hopes that every one present will freely express their views on the subject now before us." During the course of the remarks which followed, and as is apt to be the case, one lady (not a Daughter of the American Revolution) wandered from the subject, and suggested that it would be better to organize under the name of Vineyard Haven Volunteer Aid Association, although attention was called to the fact that this meeting was not called for the purpose of forming any new association, and the opening address was reiterated by the Chair. It soon became apparent that any opposition to this suggestion on the part of the Chapter would be to defeat, partially at least, the main object for which the meeting was called; considering further that those ladies who were not members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution would be likely to have a more lively interest in the main object, and consequently render more efficient aid towards it if they could be considered as equal members of one association, rather than auxiliaries of another, and as one of the principles on which the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was founded is patriotism, pure and simple, rather than a desire for glory, therefore it was deemed advisable to accede to the proposition, as greater results would be realized. Consequently the meeting was organized, adopting the name of Vineyard Haven Volunteer Aid Association. Thus, this association was formed under the auspices of the Sea Coast Defence Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and here this report, strictly speaking, might be considered as closed. But, considering the very close connection of the Chapter with the |