PREFATORY NOTE. THIS volume embraces the Proceedings of the MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY during the period of two years, from the Annual Meeting in April, 1858, to the Annual Meeting in April, 1860. For the engraving of Sir RICHARD SALTONSTALL from a portrait by REMBRANDT, — a fine copy of which was presented to the Society by CHARLES SANDERS, Esq., we are indebted to LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, Esq., a Resident Member of the Society. The Portrait of PRESCOTT was engraved expressly for this volume through the liberality of his son-in-law, JAMES LAWRENCE, Esq. The publication of the Society's transactions, beginning with the year 1855, having been now brought down to the present date, can henceforth keep pace with the successive meetings. CHANDLER ROBBINS, Committee of Publication. BOSTON, March 31, 1860. |