REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN FEBRUARY, 1850. GENTLEMEN: SINCE the last Annual Report, considerable additions have been made to the books, maps, pamphlets and public documents of the Society. These acquisitions are fully equal to those of any preceding year, except perhaps the first, after our organization. They nearly all comport with the purposes of the institution, being of strictly historical character, or connected with the geography, statistics and proceedings of the Federal or State Governments. The Societies with which we are in correspondence have shown a gratifying attention, in regularly transmitting to us their various publications. Nor have we failed to communicate to them such essays as we have from time to time, had printed. Our representatives in Congress and in the General Assembly have, with commendable zeal, favored us with such of the State papers, surveys and maps, as it is so desirable for us to possess. To them, and to the individuals who have so generously recognised our claims, and honored us with many valuable donations during the year, our acknowledgments are eminently due. The papers read before the Society since our last anniversary, though fewer in number than was hoped for, were in every way, creditable to the institution. The first of these, was an impressive paper, read by Dr. J. R. W. DUNBAR, a member of the Society, on the importance of an intimate and thorough acquaintance with the physiological laws, governing the human system. In this very instructive discourse, the influences and effects of a healthful or morbid condition of individuals, on their acts, were ably enforced, by various apt historical illustrations. We are indebted to the Corresponding Secretary, J. M. HARRIS, Esq., for a sketch of the history and resources of California. In this eloquent composition we are presented with a graphic delineation of the topography and boundless riches of this new and vast addition to the territory of the Republic. The very able annual address on "American Colonial History," by our associate, THOMAS DONALDSON, Esq., is admirably suited to guide the inquirer in the investigation of those salient points which mark our career as a nation. Nor can we fail to unite with him in his earnest appeal for a thorough instruction of our youth, in the history of America, as well as in that of Greece and Rome. No country, ancient or modern, can unfold such stainless pages of its annals as the States composing this Confederation. Indeed, if we impartially collate them with the records of other nations, we find that whilst the former are beaming with morality, humanity, and all the enjoyments of liberty, the latter are darkened by vice, cruelty, and the sufferings incident to arbitrary rule. The deeply interesting and beautiful essay of the Recording Secretary, S. F. STREETER, Esq., on the fall of the Susquehanock Indians, was of a class of papers peculiarly adapted to the designs of the Society. The aboriginal inhabitants of this great continent are fast yielding to the more powerful race, now peopling their ancient domain. The time indeed, is not distant when few will remain to instruct us in their customs, arts and polity. The greater then the necessity for now rescuing from oblivion every memorial of a people so soon to be extinguished, or blended with those who are so superior to them in numbers if not in intellectual endowment. It is gratifying, then, to be able to inform you that the attention of Mr. Streeter is drawn to the history of the Maryland Indians, and we may entertain the hope of being favored, at no late day, with the results of his investigations. I would again most earnestly invite you to the preparation of essays on topics appropriate to the intents of the Society, and tending to enlarge the scope of its benefits. Such productions are due not only to its own fame, but to a community from which it has received much respect and enduring patronage. You will readily concede that they enhance to a degree, which all must have appreciated, the charm and interest of our monthly meetings. The utility of such papers no one can doubt, even if there be no claim on the leisure and talent of those members who can, without much inconvenience, devote a few brief hours to so meritorious a task. |