AN APPEAL CITIZENS OF PENNSYLVANIA ON P.KItALF I'F THE n W PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPIISrCOTT & CO. 1865. AN \ = 146 . P4Q Copy 1 A P P E A L CITIZENS OF PENNSYLVANIA 0\ RKIIALF f r THE PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPIKCOTT & 00. 1865. les of / ▼ p^-^ I ^isr ^i>r»E^^L CITIZENS OF PENNSYLVANIA ON BEIIA1,F OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA. It is an obvious duty of the citizens of Pennsylvania to collect and preserve the materials of its history. Here, in Pennsylvania, one hundred and eighty-three years ago, its illustrious founder, William Penn, com- menced the establishment of a great Commonwealth, on the firm basis of equal rights and freedom of con- science to all persons who would become inhabitants within the bounds of his extensive grant from Charles II., King of England. A grant, however, which he did not consider as giving a good title to the soil embraced in his patent until he had, at Shackamaxon, under the shadow of the great elm tree, and by subsequent treaties with the Indians, who were the original inhab- itants, obtained their consent to his possession of the "site of Philadelphia and the adjacent country," and afterwards to the other parts of the Province. A Commonwealth thus commenced on principles of justice and equity, and '"by deeds of peace," and which has advanced in a wonderful career of prosperity and greatness, deserves the attachment of its citizens, and the most earnest and careful efforts to preserve the ma- terials of its history, not onl}^ as a grateful and interest- ing memorial of the past, but as a means of securing and advancing its future prosperity and happiness. To assist in accomplishing these objects, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania was established. In a circular, under date of June 21, 1825, a few months after its organization, the Society announced that its objects w^ere to trace all the circumstances of the early settlements of Pennsylvania; its successful progress and its present state; to collect all the docu- ments and written or printed evidence, and the tradi- tionary information that may be attainable; and to select what may be deemed generally interesting and instructive for publication ; and to preserve for future use and reference all the materials of history which the Society could be able to collect. Although laboring under great inconvenience for the want of a suitable building to hold its meetings, and where its books, manuscripts, paintings, engravings, and other valuable historical materials and memorials would be secure from loss by fire or other casualties, the Society has, nevertheless, collected a large and valuable library, containing nearly nine thousand volumes, besides a great amount in number and value of the other his- torical treasures above mentioned. It has also published seven volumes, containing most valuable and interesting memoirs and papers illustrating the history of Pennsyl- vania, and has recently reprinted the first volume of its publications, which appeared in 1826 ; the first imprint being very scarce, a republication became desirable. The Society has its rooms in the third story of the AthemBum Building, in Sixth Street, below Walnut, — a location in many respects inconvenient and insecure; and entirely insufficient to properly arrange its large and increasing library and other treasures, or to accom- modate the members either for their stated or occasional meetings, or for their individual use of the books and papers of the Society. The time has now arrived when it has become neces- sary that a suitable building should be erected for the Society. A building which will be convenient for its members and the public generally, and be rendered entirely fire-proof for the preservation of its treasures. The importance of securing a safe dejDository for these precious books, papers, etc., cannot be overstated. The history of our country illustrates the necessity of such a structure. For the want of a fire-proof building, the early archives of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia have been entirely or partially destroyed by fire. Valuable papers and documents of the United States Government have, on several occasions, been lost from the same cau'fee, namely: in 1800, when the buildings used b}- the War Department were destroyed by fire; in 1833, when the Treasury buildings were consumed; and again in 1836, when documents and papers of great value, historically as well as in a pecuniary point of view, were lost from the same cause. In 1814, when the public buildings at Washington were burned by the British troops, and a large part of the records of the War, Navy, and Treasury Depart- ments were consumed, it is interesting to note that a portion of the valuable papers of the War Department were saved from destruction in consequence of being deposited in rooms in the building which had been rendered fire proof. The recent conflagration of the Smithsonian Institu- tion, at Washington, furnishes additional evidence of the necessity of providing a fire-proof building for our So- ciety. The Institution was a repository of works of art and of science, and of objects of natural historj^ It contained treasures of incalculable value; and yet the main building was so combustible and insecure that it was destroj^ed by reason of a defective flue. It appears that some workmen were arranging a collection of Indian ' paintings, of great value, and the day being cold, a stove was put up; and it is supposed that the pipe was in- serted in the defective flue! There is a grievous fault somewhere, that such a building should have been so improperly constructed. There is one fact connected with this sad event which speaks to us with emphasis, namely: the west wing of the building, containing the library of over 30,000 volumes, was not injured, because it was separated from the main building by fire-proof walls. It is naively stated in the newspaper accounts of this deplorable event, that the building can be recon- structed or repaired in six months; but the works of art, the records, and the results of years of research are gone forever. Let us not be unmindful of the lesson which such an event teaches us. Our sister Historical Society of New York narrowly escaped from the loss of its library, historical collections, and papers, on the occasion of the fire which burned a portion of the New York University buildings, where the Society had its rooms. It has since seen the pro- priety of erecting the suitable and secure building which it now occupies, and which was erected at a cost of $85,000; and is a monument to the liberality and public spirit of the citizens who contributed the funds to accom- plish so good and useful a work. Among the contribu- tors were several ladies of that city, who have thus set an example worthy of imitation here and elsewhere. This remark is especially applicable to societies like these under consideration, whose objects are of so general and beneficial a character, and of which ladies may become members ; and if they do not wish to become such, they are always welcome visitors to their halls, an^ to their meetings when addresses are made and papers read. One of our distinguished members, now deceased, has given a striking illustration of the necessity of possessing a secure building; by his will he has bequeathed to the Society, to take effect at a future day, his large and valuable library, on condition that a fire-proof building is erected. Other liberal benefactors will no doubt be found, when it is known that the Society have provided all the means which modern science and ingenuity can suggest or contrive, to preserve from destruction the treasures which may be in its possession. For the reasons thus succinctly stated, we most earnestly appeal to the citizens of Pennsylvania, and especially to the citizens of Philadelphia, where the Historical Society is located, to furnish the means to erect a handsome and convenient fire-proof building, in a central part of the city, for the use of this Society; where its valuable treasures Avill be secure, where its library and collections may Ido properly arranged, and where it will have ample room for its stated meetings, and a hall of suitable dimensions where addresses may be made and paperg read on historical subjects, which the public generally may be invited to attend. We remark, in concluding these observations, that in addition to the printed books, of which there are, doubt- less, other copies in existence, although many of them are scarce, and some perhaps not again attainable, the Society possesses many manuscripts, and other materials of history, of which, it is believed, there are no dupli- cates in existence. The loss of these would be irreparable. Subscribers may, at their option, make their subscrip- tions payable in four pa3^ments; that is to say, one-fourth on the first of Februarj^, 1865, and the balance in three yearly payments. Subscriptions made after February, 1865, will be payable in four instalments, dating the first payment as if made in February, 1865. Annexed to this appeal will be found the names of the committee who have the general charge of the subject. Contributors may indicate to any of the gentlemen therein luentioned the amount and terms of their subscriptions, which will be reported to the committee from time to time, and when paid, will be securely invested for future use; and when a sufficient amount is subscribed, mea- sures will be taken to select and purchase a suitable lot of ground, and to proceed to the erection of an appro- priate building. RespectfuU}^ submitted. JAMES ROSS SNOWDEN, JOHN JORDAN, Jr., Committee. HisTOKiCAL Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Jan. 31st, 1865. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS llrll" Hill' 014 207 182 4 BUILDING FUND COMMITTEE. John M. Read, Chairman, Charles Macalester, Treasurer. James Ross Snowdex, Secretary. Joseph R. Ingersoll. Joseph Harrison, Jr., Joseph Patterson, Joshua Francis Fisher. William Duane, S.^ Morris Waln, A. G. Coffin, H. N. John Jordan, Jr., John William Wallace. William Bucknell, A. G. Cattell, J. GiLLINGHAM FeLL, Cephas G. Childs, George W. Ball, Burroughs. foem of bequest. I give and bequeath to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the sum of dollars; or my library, or my manuscripts, or papers, (describing them,) or the following described property, (here insert description.) LIBRARY OF CONGRESS HoUinger Corp. pH 8.5