PREFACE. A YEAR'S labor having closed, the editor of the Historical Magazine improves the occasion to address a few words to his readers on the manner in which he has endeavored to discharge his trust. In conducting the work, he has kept steadily in view the two principal objects for which it was designed to furnish an organ for historical societies, and a medium of intercommunication for literary men. In pursuance of the first-named object, it has been his endeavor to procure not only the proceedings of these societies in every part of the Union, but also brief memoirs of such of their officers as have died within the year, historical sketches of the societies themselves, reports of their officers containing matter of general interest, and papers read at their meetings or prepared at their request. Thus each society has had an opportunity to learn what similar institutions throughout the land are doing, and, when practicable, to aid them in their work. By this means, it is hoped, a community of feeling has been fostered between these scattered associations. They have been formed for the common purpose of rescuing from destruction the materials of American history; and it is necessary, for the successful attainment of this end, that they should work unitedly. Perhaps, also, the publication of the proceedings of the active historical societies may arouse those now dormant from their slumber; and it may even encourage the formation of such associations in States where they do not now exist. The second of these objects - to furnish a medium, in imitation of that excellent work, the English "Notes and Queries," by which important but isolated facts may be preserved, and historic and literary doubts proposed and solved - has been tested sufficiently to convince the editor, and his readers, also, he trusts, that its importance has not been over-estimated. This gleaning after historians and other writers often yields valuable fruit. Here "out of monuments, names, words, proverbs, traditions, records, and evidences, fragments of stories, passages of books, and the like, we do save and recover somewhat from the deluges of Time." Such matters have been found to be far better appreciated by the reading public than is generally supposed. The Magazine has become the repository of articles of interest to persons of widely different tastes and pursuits. In its pages the historian, the antiquary, the genealogist, the bibliographer, the numismatist, the autograph collector, and even the belles-lettres scholar, will each find something worthy of his attention. The editor is aware that the plan of the work is superior to its execution that in the hands of one more competent to the task and able to devote more time to its management, it might have attained a higher rank, and have been of much more service to the cause of American literature. His own deficiencies in some respects have, however, been more than compensated for by prompt and generous assistance from the many able contributors to the work. To them, and also to those who by their advice and encouragement have aided and cheered him in his labors, he returns his heartfelt thanks. To some of them, especially to the corresponding editors, a more particular acknowledgment would be given did space permit. He cannot, however, refrain from naming two gentlemen to whom he has been under great obligations - Mr. Drake, the historian and antiquary, who has been ever ready to assist with contributions and advice; and Mr. William H. Whitmore, a young gentleman of fine talents, who was an associate-editor of the January number, and since then has contributed largely to the department of Reviews and Book Notices. The publisher, Mr. Richardson, has also materially lessened the editor's labors by conducting the greater portion of the correspondence. The index is the work of Mr. N. P. Gilbert of Andover. When the magazine was commenced though the plan had received a warm approval from the distinguished gentlemen to whom it had been submitted — it was hardly thought that it would meet with an early appreciation from the public. The cordiality, however, with which it was received, at once dispelled these doubts; while the generous aid proffered by writers who had already attained an enviable reputation to many of whom both publisher and editor were strangers awakened emotions of gratitude in their breasts. And now, after a twelve-months' experiment, they are fully convinced that the Magazine supplies a want in periodical literature. That in the coming volumes it may supply in a greater degree this want, and deserve the approbation so freely bestowed upon it, is the sincere wish of BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, December 1, 1857 -- JOHN WARD Dean. OF THE Historical Magazine; A WORK DEVOTED TO ESSAYS, NOTES AND QUERIES CONCERNING THE ANTIQUITIES, HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY OF AMERICA. The undersigned, on announcing his intention to publish a monthly magazine to be devoted to historical subjects, begs leave to submit the plan of the proposed work, and a synopsis of the reasons which have led him to undertake it. There being, at present, State Historical Societies in more than one-half of the United States, and many county, town, and family societies instituted, to investigate and perpetuate our history, it is evident that the proceedings at the meetings of these societies, and the essays and discussions delivered before them, will be of interest to all students of history now, and form a valuable source of information to all future inquirers. It is the object of the proposed magazine to publish condensed official reports of such meetings, and thus preserve for posterity the information now buried, as soon as it has once reached the light, in the columns of a daily newspaper. So strongly has the necessity of such a preservation been forced upon the consideration of our societies, that one attempt, at least, has been made to print the transactions of one of the most distinguished of them, as a distinct serial. The principal Historical Societies have already decided to furnish authentic reports of their meetings for the magazine. Another department of this projected work will contain reviews of various historical works, which will not only serve to show the opinions of competent judges, but will bring various valuable works published either abroad or in our inland cities and towns, to the notice of students throughout the country, and awaken the kindly recollection of those formerly resident in the particular portion of the country to which the work may especially refer. Lastly a section of Notes and Queries will be given, on the plan of the English periodical of that name, which, as comprising many subjects not strictly historical, such as bibliography, and local customs, will interest the general reader. It is confidently expected that this section will be found very useful to historians at the South and West, who, while tracing an ancestry or historical investigation of New-England derivation, may be unable to prosecute their inquiries in person, upon the spot. Every item relating to our early customs or history, every fact to be gleaned from English town or country histories, bearing upon the settlers of this country or their colonial history, will be diligently sought for. Considering the rapid increase of a taste for historical pursuits, the subscriber trusts that the preceding remarks will meet with an indulgent consideration and an encouraging response from the public, so that the work may be placed upon a firm basis, and his means to carry out his intentions, be enlarged. The co-operation of all gentlemen engaged in literary and historical pursuits-in every part of our country-is earnestly requested. It is intended that the work shall be the organ of no party, section or clique; but be devoted to the encouragement of historical inquiry in every portion of the United States. Contributions to its columns are solicited. As a general thing communications should be brief, as the limits of the work will not allow full and elaborate discussions of any question. The subscriber begs leave to announce that his project has received the attention and approbation of the following gentlemen, whose names may be mentioned as a sufficient guarantee of its importance. HON. EDWARD EVERETT, |
