must always stand forth pre-eminent among the nations of the earth. With renewed assurances of our cordial sentiments, I remain, in behalf of the Board of Trustees, Yours very truly, GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ EDWARD HAGAMAN HALL Secretary. The acknowledgments of the receipt of the book contained many graceful expressions of international sentiment, of which the following are typical: Lieut. Col. Cooke of the Royal Irish Regiment: "Far from recalling a period of temporary estrangement, such thought on your part and that of Mr. Bridgman will tend to foster pride in the glorious traditions of our common race." Col. E. L. Robinson of the Lancashire Fusiliers: "The book is most interesting and we shall value it both for itself and for your kind thought in sending it to us." Col. W. Graydon Carter, Officer in Charge of Records of District No. 9: "As Officer in Charge of the Records of the Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Essex Regiments I beg to thank you and your Board of Trustees on behalf of these three Regiments, not only for your kindness and generosity in presenting to each Regiment a copy of Mr. Reginald Pelham Bolton's book 'Relics of the Revolution,' but also more especially for the expressions of good will conveyed in their Resolution of the 26th of February last, which sentiments are heartily reciprocated. It has often been remarked by our Overseas Cousins from all parts of the World where the English race has settled down and even by native-born Britons who have lived much abroad that the inhabitants of these islands are undemonstrative and inclined to hide their real feelings behind a veil of apparent indifference. The stone walls of England' was the expression used by an Australian who is fighting in one of the Bedford Battalions, but I can assure you that in our quiet way, we take the greatest interest in the welfare of the American Nation and feel a kind of family pride in its prosperity and destiny. The kind thought which prompted your Society's generous gift and the sympathetic letter which you have addressed to me, coming as they do at a time when the three Regiments concerned are engaged in a war which has for its primary object the upholding of those traditions and principles of liberty which are the common heritage of the American and British peoples, will be valued by all ranks as a further proof of American goodwill and sympathy." Captain G. Fitz Gerald, Assistant Record Officer of the same regiments, writes: "As I have had a great deal to do with these three regiments for many years, I have no hesitation in saying that I am quite sure Mr. Bridgman's generosity will be much appreciated by these regiments, as I have often noticed that the men look upon America as a sort of England beyond the seas where indeed many of them have relations. As these three regiments are composed of good English stock, their opinions may be taken as typical of those of the vast majority of their fellowcountrymen at any rate of those who really count in times of trouble and whose decision on vital questions of policy is decisive." Brevet Colonel A. W. H. Tripp of the King's Liverpool Regiment: "Believe me, the King's Regiment fully reciprocates your expressions of the friendship which exists and has existed for so long a period between the United States of America and the British Empire and thank you for the kindly thought and token of your country's amity." Brevet Colonel W. II. Duffin of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment: "I need hardly add, on behalf of my Regiment, that the sentiments which prompted your Society to send such an interesting record of the period 1776-1783 will be heartily reciprocated by all ranks of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, at this great crisis in the History of Our Empire." Colonel Harry Cooper, commanding District No. 3, including six regiments: "We British soldiers are very much indebted to you gentlemen in the United States for many details connected with service in North America during the 18th Century. Fenimore Cooper's novel (Lionel Lincoln) refers frequently to the 47th Regiment. 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment; Parkman's numerous works on North America are full of interesting details relative to British Military Service at the time of formation of our North American Colonies and their subsequent development. For my own part as an old officer of the 47th Foot who commenced his soldiering in Upper Canada and who has many good friends in the United States, I hope you will permit me to convey to the Trustees of the American Scenic and IIistoric Preservation Society, and to Mr. Herbert Bridgman, my very best thanks for their handsome gift." Col. Henry Streatfield of the First or Grenadier Guards: "I am most grateful to you and the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society for Mr. Bolton's admirable book, which you have been good enough to send me. It will be of the deepest interest to the Regiment under my command, and will form a most valuable addition to our Historical Records. In these days it is more than gratifying to feel the closeness of the ties which bind us, the First or Grenadier Guards, the composite detachment of which fought at Brandywine and Guildford Court, to the gallant troops who then opposed us. I feel sure that H. R. H. The Duke of Connaught, Colonel of the Regiment, will welcome this act of courtesy on your part." FIELD TRIPS AROUND NEW YORK In October, 1916, at the request of Mr. Charles D. Atkins, Director of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society arranged and conducted two field trips of the Department of Geography of that institution. On October 7, the Secretary of this Society conducted a party of about 350 members of the Institute on an excursion to Bear Mountain Park. The pilgrims went on one of the IIudson River Day Line steamers. On the way up the river, they were gathered in the observation parlor of the steamboat and addressed by the Leader (the Secretary of this Society) and by Prof. John Mickelborough who explained the geological history of the Palisades and the lower Hudson and recounted some of the leading events in the human history of the valley. At luncheon in Bear Mountain Inn, the Leader made a brief address concerning the Palisades Interstate Park, the generous gifts of Mrs. E. II. Harriman and others, and the constructive work of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. After luncheon a walking party was taken to the site of Fort Montgomery about a mile north of the Inn and shown the old fortifications which are now being restored by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. On October 28, a similar party assembled at Fraunces Tavern, at Broad and Pearl streets at 9.45 a. m., and were taken over the following itinerary: Through Broad and Beaver streets to Bowling Green; thence by subway to 110th street and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine; thence by subway to 157th street station and Washington's Headquarters in 160th Street; and thence by subway to Van Cortlandt Park and the Van Cortlandt Mansion. The trip was preceded by an address at Fraunces Tavern and others at the various stopping places along the route, generally by the Leader, the Secretary of this Society. At the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the pilgrims were received by the Verger and Dean's Vicar and enjoyed a particularly impressive and profitable hour. At the entrance to the Cathedral Close, they were met by the late Verger, Mr. Charles F. Barnard, in his official gown, and conducted through the new Synod Hall and around the group of Cathedral buildings. Then they assembled in the Crossing of the Cathedral, where the Rev. E. Briggs Nash, Dean's Vicar, in his canonicals, made a brief address of welcome and offered a few short prayers. Mr. Barnard spoke from the steps leading to the Choir, describing the building of the Cathedral; and Dr. Miles Farrow played the great organ. After the Verger had ushered out the Dean's Vicar, he returned and conducted the visitors through the Seven Chapels of Tongues. The value of such field-trips in acquainting the participants with natural facts and historical events was plainly evident on these two occasions. The members of the parties were cultured men and women, many of whom had traveled abroad, but who for the first time on these field-day trips saw certain notable features of their own state and certain historical landmarks in their own city. Innumerable expressions of interest and delight and inquiries when similar trips would be held gave ample testimony to the value of this form of combined educational and recreational work. PUBLICATION OF COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES In our Annual Reports for 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916, we have printed in full the first two manuscript volumes of the Minutes of the Common Council of the City of New York since the Revolution. We do not give a further instalment of these extremely interesting and valuable records in the present Report for the reason that the City itself has now undertaken the publication of these hitherto unpublished archives. The relation which these records bear to the whole series of minutes of the municipal government of New Amsterdam and New York may be judged from the following facts: The minutes of the Dutch Period, from 1653 to 1674, have been printed by the city in seven volumes, entitled "The Records of New Amsterdam from 1653 to 1674 Anno Domini." The minutes of the English Period, from 1675 to 1776, are comprised in seven manuscript volumes numbered from 1 to 8, both inclusive, which have been published by the city in eight volumes, entitled "Minutes of the Common Council of the City of New York, 1675-1776." There are no known records during the British military regime from 1776 to 1783. The Minutes from 1784 to 1831 are comprised in sixty-eight manuscript volumes in the City Clerk's office, numbered consecutively with those of the English Period from 8 to 75, both inclusive. Of the foregoing, volumes 8 and 9, covering the period from February 10, 1784, to August 20, 1790, are printed in the Annual Reports of this Society for 1912-1916. Volumes 10 to 75, both inclusive, have not been printed. There are imperfectly copied duplicates of volumes 8 to 54, inclusive, in the office of the Librarian of the City Clerk, but no duplicates of volumes 55 to 75. Since 1831 the transactions of the City Government have been printed regularly by the city except in 1871. It will be seen therefore that the records from 1784 to 1831, which, with the exception of volumes 8 and 9 above mentioned, have never been printed, represent a period of extraordinary historical and civic interest. The transactions of the city government in the years immediately following the Revolution contain many allusions to sufferings and losses sustained and patriotic services rendered during the war, of which there is no other known record. But while these archives are more or less retrospective, |