PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION VOLUME I. NEW YORK & LONDON The Knickerbocker Press Reprint Edition by Carrollton Press, Inc. Washington, D.C. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 5-39050 Printed in U.S.A. Cooper-Trent Division of 172 A503 A65 CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. PAGES I.-Report of the Organization and Proceedings of the American Historical Association, at Saratoga, II. An Address on Studies in General History and the History of Civilization. By Andrew D. White, President of the Association, 1884-5 III.—History and Management of Federal Land Grants for Education in the Northwest Territory. By George W. Knight, Ph.D. (Univ. of Michigan). IV. The Louisiana Purchase in its Influence upon the 79-247 By Lucy M. Salmon, A.M. (Univ. of Michigan) 299-419 VI. Report of the Proceedings of the American His- torical Association, at Saratoga, September 8-10, [From "The Nation," New York, September 18, 1884.] A NEW HISTORICAL MOVEMENT. THE American Historical Association, which was called to its first annual meeting at Saratoga on September 9th, under the auspices of the Social Science Association, has shown its American character by declaring independence and adopting a constitution. The object of the new Association is the promotion of historical studies in this country, not in a narrow or provincial sense, but in a liberal spirit which shall foster not merely American history, but history in America. There are already many historical societies throughout the land, but they are devoted to interests more or less sectional or local. There are State historical societies, County, and even Town societies, that for many years have been doing historical work of great value, although they are necessarily restricted in most cases to the historical ground represented by the society's name. There is clearly room for an historical society which shall be neither local nor sectional, but truly national. We understand that this enlarged idea of an American historical association, representing all parts of the country and history in general, is the outgrowth of the catholic spirit represented by some of our American colleges and universities, where students from various sections learn national and liberal ideas and catch glimpses of the world through the science of history. The American Historical Association is not, however, to be restricted to academic circles; it will open its ranks to historical specialists and active workers everywhere, whether in this country or in Europe, in State or local historical societies, or in any isolated individual field. In the words of the constitution, which is remarkable for its brevity, " Any person approved by the Executive Council may become a member by paying $3.00 " which is the annual fee. The payment of $25.00, under the above condition of executive approval, secures life-membership and exemption from the annual dues. |