New York Historical Society.
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Society, at the University


In the absence of the President, Mr. Albert Gal
attn, the chair was taken by the Vice President,
DIR Dewitt The minutes OF the last meeting were
then read and adopted


General WErMoHE handed up to the Chair a letter
which had been received from China addressed to the
society. by Thon Ching, merchant of Canton distn-
guished for his wealth, enterprise and love OF letters
Having been elected corresponding member Of the So
cety, at one OF its meetings, time ago. the lottor
now received and presented to the Society,
acknowledgement of the honor conferred upon him.
THE letter in question consisted Of several oblong
pieces of beautiful silk paper of the most delicate yet
firm texture, handsomely written upon in Chinese cha
racters, the whole enclosed in neat envelope
of the kind of paper translation, accompany.
ing the original was then read by General Wetmore, as
follows -


To THE HIsToRIcAL SOCIETY oF New YoRx:-


the golden chrysanhsmum fills the paths and the purple
ssundsr desire your health and utmss prospsrty and
that with time this may be still more abundant


Several months since received and psrussd ysur ss.
lumes Of books, for which am much obliged. fully
determined TO reply at but just at that time
count Of slight indsposticn was caused to procrast
being men Of great bsrslily, and OF kindness
as broad as the sea- surely you will excuse me- Now
the favorable monsoon has commenced, it is convenient
to send brief reply literally inch Of parchment)
and to express my heartfelt thanks.


In my humble opinion your honorable nation delights
in righteousness and possesses clear perception of the
principles Of right reason and the names Of its itera


Since p.rusing your letter. still more do look up to it
with admiration Ia stup man) from youth 10 the pre-
sent time have formed resolutions to do something yet
am not aware that have done any thing properly.
have in my own mind pondered upon that which is
rally excellent have cherisheda regard for righteous
exerted self to practice it. and used strong
deavors to induce others to do the Now, then
the high compliments contained in your letter filled
with unspeakable surprise.


Recently, at Canton, consequence of opium the con
fusion end troubles OF war ensued and the people of Chi
could not depend upon their lives. The recent state
of things has been such cannot bear mention
| his most intimate friend.


! Inasmuch as opium is an article injurious to men,
therefore, our Government legsoted that would not
receive a revenue derived from it, But, alas! the
contrary, ESQ far from arresng W it has caused peo


lnasmuch as reflect that your honorable nation for
merly bought Africans and made slaves OF them, that
during long period the aggregate has amounted to
veral myriads may the of worth of your
honorable country, in imitation of high Heaven, cherish
for them feeling of ration and duse ntelli-
among the men Of worth of every nation that
may exert their strength to prohibit and this evil
and not allow the people Of that country frca) to be
made slaves. Those who have been bought should be
suffered at their options to return to their country and
to their native villages Then this being DONE will be
seen that your honorable nation delights in righteous
/ heart


desire every Of worth in your honorable nation
who takes pleasure in righteousness and is devoted
books and clearly understands the principles of
and like high Heaven delights in life of virtue NAV
disseminate among the men Of worth Of every nation
that nasmuch as they themselves formerly cherished
for the oppressed and put an Ind to the
slave trade, so to eternity let opium be prohibited Alb
olutey let them not again be transporting it from diff
eren countries there will be perfect tranquility to





in their possession; and the places in which in byegone
lays opium has been planted will for growth
may be the profit obtained, that it is
cultivate this article, which Injuries men, This what
sincerely hope for from the of worth of your honor
able nation and beseech them regard pains nor
be sparing Of ink, but earnestly b. the diffusion Of
worth in every nation, urge the necessity with
like that OF Heaven to exclude this article Of opium,


50 M 60 es
and nation may have harmony and prosperity and
mutually delight in universal peace. Then the men Of
lanted the seeds Of ha ppiness without end This is my
psca reply to AE w'epE s sys bless


Gath year. 9th month, 10th day,
or 2lst October, lS15.


Chairman Of the Executive Committee Historical So.


faithful translation


Signed, PETER PARKER.


Donations of various literary curiosites and bibo.
siety sisp''A' ''''N' "''' ''' p''''A'' " '''' %


Col Janus w. wrpp, presented rare and remark.
able copy of the Bible printed at London in the year
1906. This donation to the Society by Mr. Richard
Hi who from some remarks on the printing and dates
induced to bring forward this and hidden copy
and make it i more known by placing !, in the valuable
brief account Of the donor and the motive of its
tion


admiraon of the perfect condition in which it appeared


e % stated that this is copy Of what has been known as
|
Of the translation made by Tndal


The Bible in question was in wonderful preservation
das or Caxtons Bible the most ancient COW ever
printed in England the translation by Wickife was
never printed that great reormer living before the in
vention Of the art.


On motion of Col. WEBs, the thanks Of the Society
we're voted unanimously to the donor, Richard Hill Esq


The Librarian announced the purchase during the
month OF about 20 volumes OF State Laws and historical
works.


Among the donations wsre three surveys, of
BaltlmOres
nexed to his Agreement with Mr. Penn, in 1882" Also,
manuscript volume Of collections, entitled The Hors.
York from liza to l747" donated to the Society by
Henry G. Van Schaack Esq.


Mr. BRoDHEAD, in presenting the volume, gave very
interesting though brief history of Mr. Horsmander the
writer Of tho above papers He was high in office in the
DEATH at the advanced Of so Of the Supreme
Judges OF this State Being incapactated from his great
believed his especial that which led to the
adoption OF the clause in the constitution OF New York.
that no judge shall remain the bench after he has
JoHN r. BRoDHEAD, Esq., also laid before the Society
beautifully cSlored and illuminated copy OF an ancient
sented by Mr. Endicott. Also, map Of the world sup.
posed to be the first published in the United States II
was dedicated to General Washington, and appeared in
the year l7s3 imprinted at Pomfet Connecticut Also
the I'd volume Of the Evening Mirror from the publish.
crs, Messrs Morris, Willis and Fuller.


In the absence OF the gentleman on whom II devolved
to read communication to the Society, Mr. Gibbs, the
librarian. read portion of the manuscript Of work
which he is preparing for the press This forthcoming
work relates to the times Of Washington and Adams,
and the early moral dcues attending the erection of
a united government, out of many discordant ee-
ments. The reading listened to with deep interest,
and afforded highly pleasing treat to the large and re-
spectacle company present.


+: C. BnsEDIcT, Esq, presented book concerning
The First Congress which assembled at New York,
October lst 766, printed and published by Winches-
ter of Ann street. according to which appears that
the Declaration Of Independence which was first made
and published, was neither that Of Mecklenburg nor
that of Thomas Jefferson but that Of tho celebrated
Knickerbocker John Kruger, in the first Congress at
New York, ammo 1865.


Gen. ]. TALLNAooE deprecated tie idea Of arrogang
too much to Ourselves On all points the country, IN
that day, he tad there vestiges OF PATRIOTISM and
meetings held Tor the same purposes ucn OF the history
oil that interesting period still renamed BE- developed


JoHS JAY, Esq, read to the Society original letter
written by John Adams, addressed to Sam Osgood
Ad Nnxl Alsn crop thn naame In