lutions of Congress signed by Charles Thomson, requesting the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut to furnish weekly one thousand head of cattle for the use of the army. The original commission to Admiral Rodney, appointing him commander in chief of the fleet to be employed about Jamaica and the Mississippi, to Cape Florida, signed by the Admiralty, January 23, 1771. The original commission, signed by George II., to the ill-fated General Braddock, appointing him lieutenant-colonel of the second regiment of Foot Guards, November 21, 1745. And the original commission, appointing George Johnstone Captain of the Romney. Captain Johnstone was connected with Lords Auckland, Carlisle, and Eden, the commissioners who attempted negotiations with Congress in 1778. It was this same Captain Johnstone of whom so much has been said, respecting his alleged attempt to bribe General Joseph Reed. Exceptionally interesting is the original manuscript agreement between Elias Boudinot and John Cleves Symmes for the transfer of two million acres of land in southwest Ohio, March 12, 1788, signed by both parties. Also the original account current between Dr. Franklin and his partner, David Hall, dated Philadelphia, February 1, 1766, showing a balance due the latter of £993 11. 6. This valuable document is made up with the greatest exactness; every detail, apparently, being given. It is closely written, and would fill two sheets foolscap. Some of the items are particularly interesting, as for instance, from 1752 to 1761, there were sent to Rhode Island by "B. F's orders," the large quantity of four thousand "Poor Richard Almanacks," and one thousand and nine hundred "Pocket Almanacks." "Cash paid for Baskerville Bible for Miss Sally, gilt in Turkey £10. Cash paid for Printing 300 copies of a Petition to the King £2 19. 9. Account of Almanacks printed and sold by D. Hall

Account of Primers printed from 1749 to 1765, being 35,1CO at 21d. each £365 12. 6. 4000 Catechisms £75. Account of 9771 Poor Richards Almanacks for 1766, and 1000 Pocket Almanacks for £187 17."

Some idea may thus be formed of the enormous circulation of these "Almanacks." Little did Franklin then think of the high prices now paid for these by collectors. Accompanying the account is a long letter from David Hall urging Franklin to settle the amount due, £993 11. 6, without delay, stating that he had already written him two letters to which he had received no reply; adding, “As we are now both growing old fast,

and one, or both, may be taken off before the settlement is accomplished, I think nothing further need be said, etc., etc., etc.

Yours most affectionately, David Hall."

The letter is directed to "Benjamin Franklin, Esq., at Mrs. Stevenson's in Craven Street, London." Whether this long-standing indebtedness was ever paid, is not known. Franklin's ledgers, if still in existence, might however throw some light into this suspicious darkness. Another Franklin relic is an original receipt in Franklin's handwriting. "Phila. Nov. 8, 1756. Received of Mr. Thomas Parke Ten shillings for one year's Gazette.

Franklin and Hall."

As the Anti-Lottery Bill has recently been passed by Congress, the following, copied from the original lottery ticket in this collection, marks the revolution of the wheel of time and change of public opinion. "United States Lottery Ticket. Class the Third. This Ticket entitles the Bearer to receive such Prize as may be drawn against its Number, according to a resolution of congress, passed at Philadelphia, November 18, 1776.

G. Campbell."

Among a number of interesting Penn deeds is one for one thousand and eighty-four acres now in the city limits, the boundaries of which may be nearly traced as follows: starting from Ridge avenue and Fairmount avenue. thence along Fairmount avenue to the park, through the park to the Schuylkill, up the Schuylkill to a point a short distance above the bridge at Belmont, northeast to Ridge avenue, and thence down the same to the starting point named. The deed was executed July 10, 1718, by James Logan, Richard Hill and Isaac Norris. The price paid for this magnificent domain was £1,262 13. 04. As will be seen, it embraces Lemon Hill, Girard College, and the site of Francisville-the finest portion of the city.

Another deed signed by William Penn for a tract of one hundred acres on Crum creek and the Delaware river, was issued to Neals Matson. It was Margaret, the wife of this Neals Matson, who figured as defendant in the only trial for witchcraft that ever occurred in Pennsylvania, There is also a deed signed by Governor Dickinson for two lots on Market street near Ninth street December 10, 1783, with the singular tenure, Paying into the Treasury, on the First Day of September in every year hereafter, one acorn if the same shall be demanded." We find a peculiarly worded deed for one ninetieth part of the Province of West Jersey, twenty-seven thousand acres, signed by William Penn and the other

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trustees. This comprises two parchments joined-nearly six feet by five in size. "A Survey of the Northern Neck of Virginia," beautifully printed in copper-plate on vellum, exhibits the grant to Lord Fairfax, with the Fairfax arms-an original impression. This grant embraced five million acres, all the property of one individual, and not one acre of which is now owned by the family. Accompanying this is the deed for a tract of land signed by my Lord Fairfax, and an original copy of "Ogilby's Map of Maryland, 1671," showing that Lord Baltimore's grant extended to the 41st degree of north latitude, which, of course, includes the site of Philadelphia, and for which Baltimore so strenuously contended.

The wealth of this collection is very great, but our limits prevent further description at this time. If all the private collections in Philadelphia and New York could be placed on exhibition it would be useful to the student, the author, the historian, and to the antiquarian a feast indeed.

MINOR TOPICS

THE LITERATURE OF CALIFORNIA

The following extracts from the latest volume just issued of the works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Essays and Miscellany, vol. xxxviii., will interest a wide circle of readers. Mr. Bancroft writes:

"California has no rich aboriginal sources from which to gather inspiration and prestige for her literature; nothing beyond some puerile hieroglyphics on rock walls, and a few vague myths concerning faded tribes, and geographic points of interest, half intimated in the musical names transmitted to us. Nearly all the pre-American history of California, extending over three quarters of a century, turns on the missions; yet to this period and features little attention has been given by the new occupants, as compared with the flood of information on the decade beginning with 1846. This is pardonable in view of the stirring incidents herein grouped; but as their splendor passed, and observers recovered somewhat from the dazzling effect, they reverted to the quieter scenes of the past, round the cradle of their state, and saw there the heroic struggles of self-sacrificing friars, braving danger and enduring hardship for the saving of souls and the planting of civilization. Thousands of rude beings were undoubtedly made better and happier, even if they served mainly as stepping-stones for colonization; and thousands of somewhat higher beings were lifted to comfort and enjoyment in the farms and towns that sprang up along the path of the cross. This was the wand that transformed a wilderness into a flourishing territory.

The country did not possess a press until 1833; and of its productions, less than three score in all, seven attained to the respectability of book-form. With the occupation of California by Americans, it was not long before the characteristic newspaper presented itself, beginning at Monterey on August 15, 1846, with the Californian, under the auspices of Walter Colton, chaplain of the United States frigate Congress, and Robert Semple. It was not an imposing specimen in its foolscap size, printed on rough paper with worn and deficient type, and with the rickety California press of 1833, now rescued from a garret. Journalistic enterprise in California is commensurate with the phenomenal rise of the country. No state in the Union can now show so large an average of newspaper circulation among its inhabitants.

No country has probably roused so sudden, widespread, and intense an interest as did California when reports of her gold-beds flashed through the world. The discovery of Columbus did not attract half the attention; and the invasions of the Tartar and Crescent hordes failed to create the same excitement, even in Europe,

partly because news traveled slowly in those days, and overspread the world so gradually as to lose its effect. What scenes, what incidents, what budding fancies are not associated with this last great hegira and its halt at this earth's end! Books innumerable have alluded to, or dwelt at length on, these romantic phases; and not a periodical out of the thousands existing but has added to the halo surrounding the name of California. The most valuable of all material for the history of California lies in the thousand manuscript dictations and experience of those who helped to make the history of the country, and which I have been accumulating during the last quarter of a century. Many of the early settlers wrote or dictated matter which swelled into ponderous works, sometimes of four or five volumes, and covering all subjects, from sober history to romantic tales; from reviews of natural features and industrial resources to social types and amenities. Some, like Salvador the Indian fighter, and Amador, a name commemorated in that of a country, tell their story in the blunt style of the mountaineer and soldier; others, like Vicente Gomez, rely on pointed anecdotes and racy humor; still others are intent on certain episodes; Botello and Coronel on formality of style, at the expense of freshness and vigor; while a large number sacrifice essential elements of history to the feeling of importance which pervades them in being called upon to estimate men and events. They are, above all, impressed with a desire to perpetuate their own achievements, to glorify the ego and proceed with their narrative, as if truth were an incidental rather than primary requirement. While prolix and full of details, they care little for exactness, and general ideas and plans are lost sight of in the aim to apply a certain coloring and to create effect. The humorous is not neglected, however, and the narratives are frequently enlivened with some bright sally or good story. But for all this, used with proper care and discrimination, they constitute the very foundation of California history.

For several years after the gold excitement everything concerning California was read with avidity, partly interwoven in novels, partly in equally alluring narratives of travel and life based on personal experiences, more or less colored, and due chiefly to the pens of eye-witnesses. A great proportion of the several hundred manuscript contributions to my library by pioneers belongs to this class of historic biography, dealing more with tangible facts than abstract analysis or moral influence, but generally relieved by quaint drollery and piquant anecdotes. Their value to history is of the highest, bearing as they do on the different phases of California's unfolding. Few of such men have even attempted to give their memoirs in print, their direct or indirect articles in public journals referring chiefly to episodes. Perhaps the most important contribution among these is Recollections and Opinions of an Old Pioneer, by Peter H. Burnett, the first governor of the state. He describes the hard journey to Oregon and his career there as judge till the gold excitement lured him to California."