On Monday, the 5th, historical exercises were held on the grounds at the Court House. Historical addresses were delivered by Mr. Francis Whiting Halsey, of New York, on "The Upper Susquehanna in the Border Wars," Mr. G. Pomeroy Keese on "Early Days in Cooperstown" and Hon. Walter H. Bunn, of New York, on "Noted Men of Otsego During its Early Years."

Julia Ward Howe sent an ode for the occasion, and Admiral Dewey contributed an essay. Thursday, Prof. Brander Matthews read a paper on Cooper as a novelist.

The remainder of the week was characterized by the usual festive features of Old Home Week.

MARINUS WILLETT MEMORIAL IN ALBANY.

In October, 1907, the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York dedicated in Washington Park, Albany, N. Y., a tablet placed upon a mammoth boulder and bearing the following inscription:

"In grateful memory of Colonel Marinus Willett, 1740-1830. For his gallant and patriotic services in defense of Albany and the people of the Mohawk Valley against Tory and Indian foes during the years of the War for Independence, this stone, brought from the scenes of conflict and typical of his rugged character, has been placed here under the auspices of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York by the Philip Livingston Chapter of Albany, A. D., 1907."

We are indebted to the Hon. Andrew S. Draper, Commissioner of Education of the State of New York, for the following report:

"Many Sons and Daughters of the Revolution, at Albany, did a fine thing in a good way, in October, when they placed a memorial of Colonel Marinus Willett just inside of the main entrance of Washington Park.

"It was a fine thing to do because Colonel Willett has had but scant honor in the books for the conspicuous part he had in the war for independence, and particularly in the notable triumph at Oriskany which scattered the western British army, made the con

quest of the northern army at Saratoga both possible and decisive, and compelled the southern army to turn about and follow the course of the Hudson to the sea.

with any

"Marinus Willett was of gentle Pilgrim stock, but he was of that part of it which did more than suffer and pray, for his greatgrandfather was not only a shipmate and a disciple of Isaac Allerton from Leyden, and a trader and sea captain in the Plymouth Colony, but he was the first to tell Peter Stuyvesant, at New Amsterdam, of the coming of the hostile English fleet which was to pull down the Dutch and put up the English flag over New Netherland. And there was reason enough for iron in his blood, for his grandfather was the major of the English line who was sent to tell the French where the point was beyond which they could not come reasonable expectancy of the continuance of their lives. "So there is small wonder that Marinus Willett himself was, at eighteen, a lieutenant in Abercrombie's expedition against Fort Ticonderoga, or that he had a proud share in the capture of Fort Frontenac. He was a captain in Montgomery's expedition against Canada, and was left in command of the post at St. John's after its capture. He was, next to Gansevoort, in command at Fort Schuyler in 1777, and he led the sally from the fort which scattered the regulars, tories, and Indians, under St. Leger, and made the triumph of the militia of the Mohawk Valley possible in the bloodiest battle of the Revolution. He was with Sullivan in the expedition which broke the power of the Iroquois for all time, and he commanded the troops which guarded the winding course of the Mohawk until peace was declared.

"The end in view was gained in a becoming manner, for an enormous boulder from the Mohawk Valley exemplifies the character of the man and recalls his most distinguished service; and it goes even further, for it not only adds to the scenic beauty of a public park which was already justly celebrated for its singular and native charm, but it helps others to see how to set an historic monument in an economic and attractive way.

"The work was done under the auspices of Philip Livingston Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, and the dedication exercises were attended by the Gansevoort and Mohawk Chapters of

the Daughters of the Revolution, by many of the leading citizens of Albany and a considerable representation of the public men of the State. The historical address was presented, in most acceptable form, by Rev. William Force Whitaker, D. D., of Elizabeth, N. J., until recently pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Albany. The more formal part of the dedicatory exercises was held in this church, which is conveniently situated at the main entrance of Washington Park. And, by the way, this is the church to which the migratory Provincial Assembly of New York, sitting in a damp building at Fishkill in the winter of 1776, sent for a stove which would measurably warm its heroic and historic deliberations."

THOMAS R. PROCTOR'S GIFT OF PARKS TO UTICA.

In Mr. J. P. Morgan's gift of $122,000 for the preservation of the Palisades, Hon. Wm. P. Letchworth's gift of Letchworth Park upon which he had expended about $500,000, Mrs. Wm. F. Cochran's gift of $55,000 for the saving of the Manor Hall, Yonkers, Mr. Frederick W. Devoe's memorial gift to New York University in honor of the founder of this Society, the Hon. Andrew H. Green, and other similar gifts mentioned in this and preceding reports, ample evidence has shown the liberal co-operation of private generosity in the work of scenic and historic preservation in America.

Still another illustration is afforded by the munificent gift of a group of four public parks, embracing an aggregate area of about 500 acres, by Mr. Thomas R. Proctor, a Trustee of this Society, to the city of Utica. On June 22, 1907, the parks were named with very simple ceremonies by Mr. Proctor, accompanied by the leading officials of the city. When the party arrived at the first one, the smallest but nearest to city traffic, Mr. Proctor said to the party grouped around him, "This piece of land, 345 feet on Whitesboro street, 390 feet on Erie street, and 250 feet at the base of the triangle, shall hereafter and forever be known as J. Thomas