p. 34

I have been much disappointed in the amount of
interest felt in this Society by the people of the
State. At the instance of [some member] Dr. Darling and under a
resolution of the Society a [illegible] was prepared requesting information
respecting the early history of countries towns & settlements
& [which] although it was distributed very freely, [but] I
am not aware of its having been noticed
in more than one instance. The offices
a request has been made also for information respecting the origins of names, with a similar fate.
of the society with the exception of Gen Smith
Mr. Lunt & myself have done but little for it.
If, then, we do so little for ourselves, is it
probable that people out of the state will
feel much honored by an election as
honorary members; or that they will
contribute much to our collections? I fear
not!- If we derive help from others, we
must first go to work ourselves. Could
we send to the several Historical Society & place on the shelves of the principal public libraries a
volume of "Transactions" we should undoubtedly
receive a fair return in the shape of books
& publications of other societies.

I do not at present think of any better
way to promote our object in this respect than
to send in the news of the Society, a copy of Dr. Hunt's Gazetteer to each
Historical Society & public library both in this
country and in Europe. The books might
be obtained by a subscription from persons
who will feel an interest in the subject;
34