CIRCULAR LETTER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY, RESPECTFULLY ADDRESSED, IN 1794, BY REV. JEREMY BELKNAP, D.D. THEN CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, TO EVERY GENTLEMAN OF SCIENCE IN THE CONTINENT AND ISLANDS OF AMERICA. [JULY 1, 1794]: THE PROFESSED DESIGN OF OUR INSTITUTION IS TO COLLECT, PRESERVE AND COMMUNICATE MATERIALS FOR A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY, AND OF ALL VALUABLE EFFORTS OF THE INGENUITY AND INDUSTRY OF ITS INHABITANTS. IN PURSUANCE OF THIS DESIGN WE HAVE ALREADY AMASSED A LARGE QUANTITY OF BOOKS, PAMPHLETS AND MANUSCRIPTS; AND WE ARE STILL IN SEARCH OF MORE./ THE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM OF THE SOCIETY ARE DEPOSITED IN A SPACIOUS AND CONVENIENT APARTMENT OF THE CRESCENT, IN FRANKLIN PLACE, BOSTON. TO THIS APARTMENT, ANY PERSON MAY HAVE ACCESS, BY APPLICATION TO THE LIBRARIAN, OR TO ANY ONE OF THE MEMBERS...

[c.1818]. Single sheet of watermarked paper folded to 8" x 9.75". [3], [1 blank] pp, folded. Light chipping to outer edges, a few short splits at folds, a few very small holes along center fold. Good+.

This Circular reprints Belknap's 1794 Address to the American "Gentlemen of Science" describing the mission of the Massachusetts Historical Society. "This letter requested certain historical information as well as contributions to the Society's Library and Cabinet. It was, with some changes and additions, reprinted in 'The Act of Incorporation,' 1794, pp. 5-14, and in the Collections, Vol. IV. pp. 5-14; also in Collections, 2d series, Vol. I. pp. 14-26, and in 'The Act of Incorporation,' 1813, pp. 14-26." [PROCEEDINGS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY, The Society: 1891, p.212.]
Rev. Jeremy Belknap with nine others founded "The Historical Society," later renamed the Massachusetts Historical Society, on January 24, 1791. Its objective was to collect, preserve and document items of American History. The Massachusetts Historical Society was the only organization devoted to the collection of materials on American History until the establishment of the New-York Historical Society and the American Antiquarian Society in 1804 and 1812, respectively.
OCLC 47054223 [2-Yale, Peabody Essex Mus.] [as of January 2016]. Item #32724

Price: $75.00