REPOR T. TO THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. The Trustees of the State Library respectfully REPORT: That the additions made to it during the year 1852, equal in number and importance those contained in former annual catalogues. An unusual number of valuable collections of books have been offered at auction, and the trustees have seized the opportunity, to procure works otherwise attainable only at intervals of time, and often then with some difficulty. The purchases from the library of the late Rev. Dr. Jarvis, are especially of this character. The donations received continue to be numerous and valuable. The system of interchange with the various states of the Union, is becoming more regular and complete, and their legislative and legal publications continue to be received with considerable promptness, in return for those of our own, which your predecessors have directed to be forwarded. The collection of books (amounting to six hundred volumes) mentioned in the last report, as presented by the library of St. Mark's, Venice, arrived in good order, shortly after the adjournment of the Legislature. Their value as a part of Italian literature, will be appreciated, by referring to the catalogue of dona tions accompanying the present report. An interchange of publications with the Royal and National Library, at Munich, was solicited some time since by the Bavarian Consul, resident at Philadelphia. In return, the trustees have received upwards of one hundred volumes, embracing the transactions of the Royal Society of Bavaria, and the proceedings of other learned institutions. M. Vattemare, continues and extends his valuable labors. During the last year, he has officially visited the Netherlands and Belgium, and after a kind reception from the sovereigns of these countries, has organised there a system of interchange, which promises to be more complete, than any yet devised. The presents enumerated in the appendix to this report, as received from the King and government of Belgium, are highly interesting and important, as presenting a full view of the condition of that country. The trustees have very recent advices from Mr. Vattemare, stating that several cases of books are on their way, as donations from France and Holland. The annual report of M. Vattemare, to the Governor, accompanies this report, marked A. It will give some idea of the enthusiasm with which his plans have been received. The government of the Swiss confederation have also transmitted, through M. Vattemare, a series of their new coinage. For the remaining donations received from governments, institutions, and individuals, at home and abroad, the trustees respectfully refer to the accompanying papers. But it might possibly seem an omission, were not your honorable body specially referred to those presented by Baron Ingham, of the Island of Sicily, by the select and common councils of Philadelphia, by Mr. Folsom, the American minister at the Hague, by General de Peyster, and especially to the valuable works, the collection of coins and medals, and the plaster casts of the Elgin marbles, given by Mr. Greig, the vice-chancellor of the university. Owing to the unfinished state of the new library building, and the crowded condition of the shelves in the present miscellaneous library, a large number of books belonging to that department, still remain in boxes, at the State Hall No catalogue of these is, therefore, presented for publication, but a manuscript one is kept ready for reference. The law books of every description have been placed in the rooms appropriated for them-temporary shelving having been provided. The catalogue of these accompanies this, and is recommended for publication, so as to be available for the use of the Legislature, the bench, and the bar. Some interesting manuscripts have been received, and the trus-, tees have also, from the contingent fund, purchased sundry memorials of the Washington family collected during a visit, in England, by an inhabitant of this city. Lastly, the trustees must not omit to mention, that previous to her departure for Europe, Mrs. Coster, late the widow of the Hon. Harmanus Bleecker, deposited the miscellaneous library of that lamented individual, and amounting to between three and four thousand volumes, with the board. A catalogue has been made, but as yet not reduced to alphabetical order. The collection is at present preserved in cases, and stored away in the Capitol, preparatory to receiving an appropriate place in the new library building. The letter of Mrs. Coster, to the trustees, is subjoined. The following papers accompany this report: A. Annual report of M. Vattemare, to the Governor, dated, Paris, November 27, 1852. B. Books missing during 1852. C. Account current of the secretary of the Regents, ex officio treasurer of the library fund. D. Catalogue of law books, under the divisions of law, statute law, and State papers, added to the library from January 1, 1852, o January 1, 1853. E. List of donations received during the year 1852. By order of the Regents of the university, ex officio trustees. G. Y. LANSING Chancellor. T. ROMEYN BECK, Secretary. To the Trustees of the New-York State Library : GENTLEMEN-In the month of February last, I proposed to your library committee to place on deposit with your institution, for public use, as part of your Library, and in all respects at my own risk, the miscellaneous library of my late husband, Harmanus Bleecker. With the consent of that committee, I delivered the books, some weeks since (packed in appropriate boxes and cases), to your secretary, and they were deposited in a room adjoining his office in the basement of the State Hall, there to await the completion of the new library building, until which time, I understand, they could not be conveniently received into your care. I have also left with Mr. Pruyn, a likeness on canvas of Mr. Bleecker, to be hung as near to the books, when placed on their shelves, as your arrangements may conveniently admit. I had no opportunity to make a catalogue of these books; my time and other arrangements, before leaving for Europe, not admitting of it. I have been informed, however, that this can be done at the appropriate time, by the officers of the library, with little difficulty. The views entertained as to the ultimate disposition of the library, are known to Mr. Pruyn, the chairman of your library committee. Hoping that these books may prove of sufficient interest to warrant your receiving them on deposit in the State Library, I remain, with great respect, yours, SEBASTIANA CORNELIA COSTER, |